Harris Family News

Andrew Harris died in 1616 (estimated age 36) leaving his five small children ages 3 to 12. Through his will we learn of his death and find he left all to his wife Jane including the future prospects of a 50% share in a joint venture made with Mathew Hoolye (Hoile) in which she would share equally in the profit or loss of the venture. Mathew Hoile was most likely a local resident. There are a number of Hoile families listed on Tithes Record from the mid 1800’s in Northbourne. There is no Parish record of Andrew’s burial.

 

Will of Andrew Harris of Northbourne 1616  

Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury (CKS: PRC17/55/335)

May 24th 1616

In the name of god Amen I Andrew Harris of the parrish of Norborne in the County of Kent wheelewright beinge

sicke in bodye but well and perfecte in mynd doe ordeyne this my last will and testament

in mannor and forme as followeth, Imprimis I doe firste of all commend my soule to almighty

god my Creator and redeemer whoe gave yt [?] and my wordlye goods as followeth, I do here:

by make and Constitute in this my laste will Jane Harris my wyffe my lawfull executrix

gyvinge and bequeathinge unto her all my goodes moveable and  - unmoveable as ----ely

with current money in England nowe in the handes  of Mathew hoolye together with the

proffytt or gayne that the sayd Mathew shall make of the same [?] --- soe sone as he shall

convenientlye make, re par-e of the same and       [repare = reparation??]

if by c—s-allye or misfortune the sayd Mathew or the goods shall mis-arrye either in parte  [miscarrye?]

or in whole then my will ys that Jane my wyffe shall equally beare her parte in the

losse, alsoe I give unto Jane my wyffe one horse couler baye price 37 [could be shillings or pence] now in the

handes of Mathew hoolye so that my wife paye for the pasture of the horse  The rest of

my wordlye goodes in the possession of Jane my wyffe I freely give and bequeathe

unto her to dispose of at her will and pleasure and to this my laste will and testament I have sett my marke the day and

yeare above writte. Wittnesses to this my will Robert Sutton -–ster of Balymondes

Charles Bixbie churchwarden, Frances danyer[?] the marke of Mathew hoolye

the marke of Nicholas Chi---

probatum [this is the probate clause written in Latin and basically says that probate of the last will of Andrew Harris of Norbourne was given on the second day of the month of November in the year 1616 to the executor Jane Harris.  George Newman legume who is mentioned must be the judge or legal person who granted probate on behalf of the court.]

Editors Note: Matthew Hoolye or Haule is likely Matthew Haul 1585-1639 from Wye, Kent who married Elizabeth Roades 1580-1639. She was baptized in Sandwich, Kent very near Northbourne and would have known Andrew's wife and had dealings with him being the wheelwright.. They were married 1609 at St. Margaret's in Canterbury, Kent. This Matthew Hall can be found on FamilySearchLXM6-D24.

 

Early Parish Records of Northbourne, Kent, England (1)

 

For additional family history go to the Harris Family in Northbourne Page

 

(1) Information was researched by two individuals in two separate locations:.

Original manuscripts at the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, Canterbury Kent, England, Church of England,  Parish Church of Northbourne,

Parish registers (ref U3/74) start 1586 

Bishops’ Transcripts (ref Dcb/ BT1/173) start 1603

Archdeacons’ Transcripts (ref Dca/BT/136) start 1563 and have gaps as follows: 1565/6, 1567/8, 1579/80, 1581/2, 1594/5, 1606/7, 1629/30, 1640/41 to 1660/61 inclusive

 Also:

Church of England. Parish Church of Northbourne (Kent), (Main Author)

Manuscript/On Film

Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988

 # 2354573 items 8-14

Parish registers for Northbourne

# 1544553, item 8

Parish register transcripts, 1563-1664

# 1752058, item 5
Archdeacon's transcripts, 1563-1812; Bishop's transcripts, 1603-1916

# 1736929, item 1

Archdeacon's transcripts, 1563-1812; Bishop's transcripts, 1603-1916

 

(7) Jane Sears (widow) signed 1640 compact (in 1641) in Providence and was given a building lot. See Wikipedia article on "Lists of Early Settlers of Rhode Island" and "The Home Lots of the Early Settlers of the Providence Plantations".

(8) See list showing Jane Sears on Providence Town Records