William Meade (abt. 1490 - 1559)

Born about 1490 in Clavering, Essex, England

Ancestors

Died 1559 at about age 69 in Clavering, Essex, England

Biography

William was born about 1490. He was the son of William Mede. In 1554 he wrote his will, which was probated in 1559. The estimate of his date of birth is from his will, in which he mentioned several grown children.

In the 1524 Lay Subsidy for Clavering, William and his father were assessed for taxes: William Meede junior in moveables 3 lb 4 d, pays 16 d; William Meede senior in land 20 s, pays 16 d.^[1]

In the 1526 Lay Subsidy there is just one William Mede in Clavering, assessed at ten shillings^[2], so presumably his father had died in the meantime.

William Mede of Clavering, husbandman, has been found twice in the plea rolls of the Court of Common Pleas.

• In Easter term 1531, William Mede of Claveryng, husbandman, sued John Smyth of Hoddesdon, Herts, yeoman; and Heny Cok, of Hoddesdon, yeoman, for a debt of forty pounds.^[3]
• In Michaelmas term 1546, Thomas Cartwryght sued Richard Parker of Cryshall, Essex, husbandman; Thomas Harrowld of Crishall, husbandman; and William Mede of Claveryng, husbandman, for a debt of eight pounds.^[4]

Will

In his will, made June 1554 and probate 1559, William mentioned his wife Agnes, his sons Robert, Richard, Michael, Nicholas, and William, and his daughter Agnes. He bequeathed houses and various parcels of land, both freehold and copyhold. His executors were his wife Agnes and his son Richard; his supervisor was his son Michael.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ 1524 Lay Subsidy, TNA: E179/108/155
2. ↑ 1526 lay subsidy, TNA: E179/108/175
3. ↑ Common Pleas Easter 1531. TNA CP40 AALT website
4. ↑ Common Pleas Michaelmas 1546. TNA CP40 AALT website
5. ↑ Will of William Meade of Clavering, made 1554, probate 1559 Mead Family History website, accessed 26 May 2019

• Will of William Meade of Clavering, made 1554, probate 1559 https://sites.google.com/site/meadfamilyhistory/home/wills/essex/1550-1600