William Willard (abt. 1557 - bef. 1604)

Born about 1557 in Goudhurst, Kent, England

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Unknown) Willard — married about 1580 in Horsmonden, Kent, England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 24 Feb 1604 before about age 47 in Horsmonden, Kent, England

Biography

William was deceased when his brother, Thomas, wrote his will in 1606, in which he named William's sons Richard and Thomas;^[1] however his father's will did not mention a son William.

William was born about 1557 [1556-1561]. He may be a son of Symon Willard.

His marriage to Margaret Unknown has not been found but should be in about 1570-1575 and probobly Kent (or East Sussex)

He died Feb 1603/4 and was buried on 24 Feb 1603/4 Horsmonden.

His widow Margaret died about 1 year later and was buried on 5 Mar 1604/5 Horsmonden.

Will 1603/4 & Probate 1605

The will of William Willarde yeoman of Horsmonden dated 19 Feb 1603/4 was proved at the Consistory Court Rochester on 3 May 1605 and mentions: his sons: John; Joseph; William; Abraham; Thomas & Richard; his daughter Agnes; He left land in Horsmonden to his wife Margaret & after her death to son Joseph; he left his house & lands at Horsmonden Heath to son John.

Research Notes

On the basis of William Willard, whose will was proved 1605, his son John was of Bexley in 1606 & of Horsmonden 1607 & is the same John Willard who died 1627 Horsmonden. Sons Joseph & Richard were also of Bexley; sons William & Thomas were of Cranbrook; son Abraham was of Horsmonden. It is possible that Margaret was not his 1st wife. He may also have had further children, in addition to those mentioned in his will, who died in infancy, e.g. Joane, Mary, James, William & Thomas.

However, there are doubts about the death in 1603/4 of William Willard being the Wm W s/o Simon W, and hence also if the 1604/5 will is his, because neither he nor his children are mentioned in his father Simon's will of 6 Feb 1583/4, despite that will being quite comprehensive, covering most, if not all, of Symon's surviving children. It is also possible that the William Willard s/o Symon Willard may have died prior to 6 Feb 1583/4 and also that he left no {surviving} issue {perhaps no widow either}. This profile needs more data & analysis of the available data; if the latter is true then this William would NOT be s/o Symon.

Assuming all his surviving children are mentioned in his own will of 1603/4; then the others would have died prior to 19 Feb 1603/4: namely Andrew; Joane; James; Mary;

Sources

1. ↑ "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858", The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 108, Ancestry Sharing Link (free access) - Ancestry Record 5111 #883601 ($), Will of Thome Willarde, probate on 30 Oct 1606. Died in Horsmunden, Kent.

• his 1603/4 CCR will {1605p R 19IIA.10 20} p.67
• his brother Thomas's 1606 PCC will
• his father's 1583/4 PCC will
• release
• baptisms of children: [1], [2] and [3]
• burials of children "Wyllard" last name: [4]