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Robert Peck (Robert, Johan) was the son of Robert Peck; he was born in 1546 PE19 and was christened on November 28, 1548 in “Ingham”, Suffolk, England EN4. Robert Pecke was under the age of twenty-one when he was was named as a legatee in the will of his grandfather, John Waters, on May 28, 1547 PE33. He was from Beccles, Suffolk, England, which has its northern border on the River Waveney and is about twenty miles southeast of Norwich and about nine miles west of the coast of England and the North Sea. This river divides Norfolk and Suffolk counties, and Beccles is just inside Suffolk as it is south of the Waveney River. He was younger than twenty-one when he was mentioned in the will of his father, Robert Pecke of Beccles, Suffolk, England, which was dated October 31, 1556 WI57:
It[e]m I give and bequethe to Rob[er]t pecke my son[n]e my other two medowes lyenge in Barshm late Churchmans, and the medowe late Doctor Redes sometyme Baldwynes my close at Ingate churche, and an acre of lande late Tyde lyenge in Ingate felde, and the thre roode acre [this was a ¾ acre parcel of land] in the further felde next beyond a pece called Bells acre / To have and to holde all the saide medowes and closes and other the premysses wt their appurten[a]nces to hym and to his heires for ever when he the saide Rob[er]t shall come to and be of thage [the age] of xxjtes yeres and not before… It[e]m I give and bequethe to the saide Rob[er]t my son[n]e vjli xiijs iiijd to be paide unto the saide Rob[er]t my son[n]e or his assignes when he cometh to theage of xxjtes yeres by myn executors or their assignes
Robert married Hellen or Ellen Babbs, the daughter of Nicholas Babbs of Guilford, Surrey, England PE19, PE33. According to a deposition given by his son, Nicholas Peck, on October 4, 1639, Robert Peck, his father, had been a register and a collector for the year 1582 PE33.
His will mentioned “two ten[amen]tes in balligate strete latelie burnt & nowe againe one of them bylded upon the seid grownd” WI58 which may have referred to the fire at Beccles on November 29, 1586, which destroyed eighty houses PE33. This fire of 1586 actually became the subject of two ballads or sonnets which were both imprinted by Robert Robinson for Nicholas Colman or Colme of Norwich and written by Thomas Deloney TY1. The first was “a brief sonet declaring the lamentation of Beckles, a Market Towne in Suffolke which was in the great winde upon S. Andrewes eve pitifully burned with fire… to the number of fourscore dwelling houses, besides a great number of other houses” and was to be sung to the tune of “Labandalashotte” TY1. St. Andrew’s Eve would have been November 29th. The fire was said to have begun at 9:00am and did not end until 4:00pm TY1. After the fire, looters stole “Theyr neighbors wealth which wasted lay about the streets that time” TY1.
Robert Peck lived in Chelmsford, Essex, England but stated his dwelling house was on “Bliburgate” (Blyburgate) Street in Beccles when he wrote his own will on March 22, 1592/3 WI58. Interestingly, he actually described a symptom of his illness, which was pleurisy. This indicates that perhaps his death was caused by a lung condition, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. According to Ira Peck, who transcribed his will in 1868, Robert mentioned his wife, Hellen, his sons, Richard, Nicholas, Samuell, Robert, and Joseph Peck, two unnamed daughters, his deceased brother, Thomas Peck, his “sister Note”, as well as Joane Babb, Elizabeth Babb, and Robert Meriman PE19. However, the condition of the will in the version transcribed by me in 2025 had a torn right edge, and therefore the names of his son, Robert, and of Joanne Babb were missing WI58. His will also mentioned that he had purchased a parcel of land from his “uncle waters” WI58. He named his wife, Hellen, as his sole executrix and Mr. Bartholomew Stiles, Mr. John Talbot, and Mr. Roger Pierson as overseers or supervisors WI58. The will of his brother, Thomas Pecke (dated February 16, 1573), mentioned his sister, Ane Pecke, and Oleff (or Olyff), who was the wife of Richard Note PE19; both of these individuals were likely the sisters of Robert and Thomas. The transcription of his will stated WI58:
In the name of god Amen / the xxijth daie of march in the yere of or Lord god according to the computac[i]on of the church of England 1592 / And in the xxxvth yere of the reigne of or most gratious soveraigne Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of god of England Frannce & Irelond Quene Defender of the faith etc. I Robert Peck of Becclis in the countie of Suff holl of mynd & p[er]f[e]ct of remembrance thankes be to the maiestie [majesty] of god therfore althoug sick & weake of bodie at Chemisford [Chelmsford] in the countie of Essex at this prsen [present] of A pluresie [pleurisy] not knowenge whether it will please god to take me Awaie here or not do for the better orderinge & disposic[i]on of such goodes cattalls Chattalls plate landes ten[eme]ntes & other the hereditamentes wth the Appurten[an]ces do make & dispose them as followeth First I bequeth my sowle to the infinite mercies of Allmightie god trusting assureredlie to be saved by the merittes death & passion of Jesus christ his deare son[n]e And my bodee to be buried where it shall please god to call me./ Item I gyv[e] & bequeth to Hellen my welbeloved wief (in considerac[i]on of the paiemen[t] of my debtes the bringeng up of my children & the finishing of the houses wch I am nowe in byldinge), All my howses landes ten[ame]ntes medowes pastures feadinges as well frehold as copie holde [copyhold] and all other my leases plate goodes & Cattalls whatsoever or wheresoever lieng [lying] wthin the townes of Becclis Barshm Ingate or ells where [elsewhere] To hav[e] & to hould all & singuler the pr[e]misses wth the Appurten[a]nces to the said Hellen & her Assignes for & dureing her naturall lief in consinderac[i]on of the thinges above mentioned & also paieng [paying] such Legacies unto my children as I shall appointe or otherwies leave it for want of tyme to her godlie consederac[i]on wherin I desire her in godes behalf to p[ro]vide for them according to her Abilitie, And for the better accomplishing herof I do gyve unto her full power & Authoritie to sell my woode in Barshm or my medowes in Barshm or both if nede shall so requier And I doe hartelie [heartily] desier my verie good Frindes mr Barhllmew Styles & mr John Talbot to be ayding & Assisting my said wieff wth there good councll advece [probably “advice”] and labor about the execuc[i]on of this my last will & testament / Item I gyve unto Richard Peck my son[n]e all that my howses wherin I dwell in Bliburgate strete my closse at Ingate church my pightell [pightle: a small meadow or small enclosed parcel of land WH21] in the same feld [field] to have & to hould to hym & to his heires for ever and also all the Lease landes adioyindg [adjoining] to the seid closse for & duering the number of yeres yet to come if his moth[e]r will vowchesafe hym such favor upon condic[i]on that he paie such Legacies [“as”; the ink has rubbed away in a small location here, but the word likely stated “as”] his mother shall think good to appoint hym to do Item I wheras Thomas Peck my brother deceassed by his last will & testa[men]t did gyve unto the said Richard my son[n]e two ten[amen]tes in balligate strete latelie burnt & nowe againe one of them bylded upon the seid grownd & the other upon p[ar]?ele [probably “parcel” but the writing here was sloppy] of the s[ai]d grownd & upon p[ar]cell of other fre [free] grownd wch I purchased of myne uncle waters [note: Ira Peck’s transcription inserted “Wm” before “Waters”; he may have transcribed a different version of this will, which did not include “Wm”], I will therfore that the seid Richard my son[n]e wthin one moneth after that he shalbe of his age of xxjtes yeres shall mak[e] over A state in fee simple to such of my son[n]es & ther heires as I shall herafter bequeth the said ten[amen]tes unto And also surrender my copie hould if it come to his handes for want of surrender And if my seide son[n]e Richard shal[l] not p[er]forme theise thinges before assigned than I will that he shall lose the benefit of such howses Landes & Leases as I have before assigned unto hym &… [missing word; the document has torn away on the right edge] same to be to those my twoe son[n]es to Whome I shall gyve the foresaid newe tene… [probably “tenements”; half of the word is missing due to the torn edge] & to their heires & Assignes for ever / Item I gyve to Nicholas Peck my s… [probably “son[n]e”; the remainder of this word is missing due to the torn edge] my newe tenement p[ar]tlie bilded upon the ten[amen]t late wm waters & my medowes lienge in barshm (if his mother shall spare the saide medowes) to have and to… [probably “hould”, but the document has torn on the right edge] to hym the seid Nicholas & his heires for ever paieng [paying] out of the same such s… [perhaps “som[m]es” or “sums”] of money as his mother shall assigne hym for to doe / Item I gyve unto Samuell Peck my son[n]e the other newe ten[emen]t & my litle copie hold yard to… [probably “have”] & to hould to hym & his heires for ever paienge out therof to such of… [probably “his”] brothers & sisters such money as his mother shall assigne hym to do / Item… if for the benefit of paieng my debtes bringing up my children fyndinge my son[n]e… [Ira Peck’s transcription states “Robert at”, but the document I used for this transcription has a torn right edge, and those words are missing] Cambredg & p[ro]viding Legacies for my two doughters & my son[n]e Joseph… if my seid wief shall make a lease of all or anie p[ar]cell of my seid landes &… [Ira Peck’s transcription stated “Tenements”] that the same shall continue for so manie [the previous word is uncertain] yers as she shall lease the same her… death or anie other Legacies whatsoever before gyven or appointed to… contrarie in anie wise notwthstanding / the residewe of all my g… [probably “goods”] cattells whatsoever I gyve them whoellie to the seid Hellen my wi.. [probably “wief” or “wife”] I mak my sole executrix desiering her in godes behalf to have care… my children whose Legacies I have lefte to her considerac[i]on / & also of… [unfortunately, the name “Joane Babb” which is in Ira Peck’s transcription is not present in this document, because the right edge has torn] & Elizabeth babb / & Rob[er]t meriman & my sister Note as she maie / Item I… [Ira Peck’s version states “ordain Mr”] Barthilmew Stiles clerk mr Roger Pierson & mr John Talbot sup[er]vis… desiering them to aid my wief wth ther best help co...cell [probably “councell”, but an ink blotch has obscured this word] & advis… the execuc[i]on herof / Written wth myne owne hand the daie & yer… By me…
He died at age forty-seven in 1593 and his will was proved on November 10, 1598 at Beccles, Suffolk, England PE19, PE33 (“Decimo die Novembris 1597 apud Beccles” WI58).
Hellen Babbs (Nicholas) or Ellen Babbs was the daughter of Nicholas Babbs of Guildford, Surrey, England PE19, PE33. Ellin Bab (the daughter of Nicholas Bab EN4) was christened on September 15, 1546 at Saint Mary’s Church in Guildford, Surrey, England (note that she was not referred to as the daughter of Nicholas Bab in the original parish record) SU10, EN4. Ellen, the wife of Robert Peck of Beccles in Suffolk County, was called the daughter of Nicholas Babbs of Guylford in the Visitation of Suffolk conducted by Sir Edward Bysshe from 1664 until 1668 RY5. The will of Robert Peck, her husband, named her sole executor and mentioned Elizabeth Babb WI58. She was the mother of Richard, Nicholas, Robert, Joseph, Margaret, Martha, and Samuel PE19. The parish registers for Beccles, Suffolk County, England are not available as of February 2024; a transcript exists at the Family History Center but it is on microfilm which is now unavailable to request for copies. Additionally, the records for Beccles began in 1586 TH46, after most of her children were born.
Richard Peck was born sometime prior to February 16, 1573/4, when he was mentioned in the will of his uncle, Thomas Peck (“Item I gyve and bequeath unto Richard Pecke my Nephew the sone of Robert Pecke my brother all those my two tenements with theire Appurtenes [appurtenances] situate lienge and beinge together in Beccles next unto a streete called Balligate to have & to holde unto hym the seid Richard”) PE19. He was also mentioned in the will of his father, Robert Peck, on March 22, 1592/3 PE19, WI58. Both Ira Peck and S. Allyn Peck made the claim that he probably died without children PE19, PE33.
Nicholas Peck was born about 1576, according to his stated age (sixty-three) in a deposition dated October 4, 1639 PE33. He was mentioned in the will of his father, Robert Peck, on March 22, 1592/3 PE19, WI58. Nicholas Peck of Beccles in Suffolk County was called the son of Robert and Ellen Peck who married Rachell, the daughter of William Young of Yarmouth in Norfolk County, according to the Visitation of Suffolk conducted by Sir Edward Bysshe from 1664 until 1668 RY5. Nicholas Peck married Rachel Yonges PE33 or Young PE19, the daughter of William Yonges of Great Yarmouth, on February 19, 1610/11 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk County, England PE33. Rachel’s father, William Yonges, wrote his will on September 13, 1611 (which was proved November 11, 1611) which mentioned his daughter, Rachael Peck, and his son-in-law, Nicholas Pecke WA40. Nicholas and Rachel Peck were the parents of William Peck, who was baptized on September 23, 1618 in Beccles, Suffolk County, England, but Rachel died less than two weeks later PE33. According to a bill of complaint brought by Nicholas Pecke against Benjamin Cooper (the brother-in-law of William Yonges and one of the executors of William Yonge’s will) on November 20, 1627, Rachell Peck died about October 3, 1618 and her only child was William Peck PE33. This suit is located in Chancery Proceedings, Charles I, Bundle P 62, Number 37 PE33. “Mrs. Rachell Pecke wife of Nicholas Pecke gent” was buried on October 4, 1618 at Beccles PE33. William Peck of North Cove, Suffolk County married Dorothy Bacon RY5, PE33 about the year 1644 PE33. Dorothy Bacon was the daughter of a barrister named Sir Butts Bacon of Blundeston, Suffolk County and his wife, Lady Dorothy Bacon RY5, PE33. In 1664, William and Dorothy Peck were the parents of Dorothy, Elizabeth, Thomas, John, Samuel, and William Peck RY5.
Nicholas Peck secondly married Bridget, the widow of Thomas Sayer; Bridget’s sons from her earlier marriage were Thomas Sayer of Pulham, Norfolk County and John Sayer of Beccles, Suffolk County PE33. This marriage occurred after October 25, 1617 but prior to November 16, 1619 PE33. Thomas Sayer, a gentleman of Fritton, Norfolk County, England, wrote his will on October 25, 1617, which was proved by his executrix, Bridget, on November 4, 1617 at the Consistory Court of Norwich PE33. Nicholas Peck and his wife Bridgett were sued by William Webbe of Euston, Suffolk County on November 16, 1619 PE33. S. Allyn Peck transcribed the Chancery proceeding, which was located in Chancery Proceedings, James I, Bundle W 3, Number 76, and a portion of this transcription has been copied below PE33:
…the said Henry [Branthwaite], upon such sale, delivered the writings and evidences concerning said property to Thomas Sayer, after whose death they came, together with the interest in said premises, into the hands of Nicholas Pecke and Bridgett, his wife, late wife of said Thomas Sayer, and whereas by right of possession of such evidences said Nicholas and Bridget go about to defraud your orator of his right in said property and of the issues and profits thereof…
Nicholas Pecke, a gentleman of North Cove, Suffolk County, stated that his age was about sixty-three in a deposition given on October 4, 1639 at the Sign of the King’s Head in Beccles, Suffolk County, England regarding a suit brought by Robert Pearson, the Archdeacon of Suffolk against several individuals PE33. S. Allyn Peck transcribed this deposition, and a portion of this transcription of the sworn statement of Nicholas Pecke has been reproduced below PE33:
To the ninth interrogatory he saith that he hath seen certain notes importing accounts which he, this deponent, knoweth well to be [in] the handwriting of Robte Pecke, deceased, this deponent’s late father, of which one was an account of Margarett Crampton, executrix of the last will and testament of Richard Crampton, deceased, written in the handwriting of this deponent’s said father for the year ending 1581, wherein she did charge herself with the receipt of all the procurations then due to John Maplerden, then Archdeacon of Suffolk… and also one other account of the said Robte Pecke, this deponent’s father, then register and collector, for the year 1582, in which accounts the said accountants have charged themselves with the aforesaid sum…
According to a bill of complaint dated November 26, 1649 brought by Robert Hawes, Nicholas Peck had died about one year prior PE33. This Chancery suit brought by Robert Hawes, a woolen draper of Beccles, stated that both he and Nicholas Peck, a gentleman of North Cove, Suffolk County, had been executors of the will of Thomas Daynes (a clerk of Beccles who wrote his will on February 19, 1640), but that Nicholas Peck had not reimbursed him for certain amounts that Robert Hawes was obliged to pay out to the legatees of Thomas Daynes PE33. Because Nicholas Peck was then deceased, Robert Hawes sued his widow and his son, who were Bridget Peck and William Peck PE33. A transcription of this Chancery suit was written by S. Allyn Peck and is located in Chancery Proceedings, Charles I, Bundle H 98, Number 21 PE33. The suit stated “And whereas said Pecke died about a year ago, before he had reimbursed your orator for the sum he had paid to the legatees as aforesaid, your orator has not required satisfaction from Bridget and William Pecke aforeseid…” PE33. This indicates that the death of Nicholas Peck transpired about November 1648.
Samuel Peck was mentioned in the will of his father, Robert Peck, on March 22, 1592/3 PE19, WI58. According to a bill of complaint and its answer by Nicholas Peck (dated in 1627 and 1628), Samuel Pecke was a grocer who resided in Ipswich, Suffolk County, with his sister, Martha Pecke prior to 1611, but in that year he “travelled beyond the seas” and he died about 1619 PE33.
Robert Peck was from Hingham, Norfolk County, England, and was the third son AC2 of Robert Peck of Beccles, Suffolk County, England HI20, AC2, born about 1579 AC2 or 1580 PE33, TH46 in Beccles, Suffolk County, England AC2, PE33, TH46. Robert Peck was mentioned in the will of his father, Robert Peck, on March 22, 1592/3 PE19. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Catharine’s College at Cambridge in 1598/9 and his Master of Arts degree from Magdalene College at Cambridge in 1603 AC2. He was ordained as a deacon and priest in Norwich at age twenty-five in 1604/5 (the source stated “1604/5:02:24”, which could not mean April 25 because then the year would have been 1605; the source probably meant February 24, 1604/5) AC2. He was a curate of Oulton in Norfolk and then the rector of Hingham in Norfolk County from 1605 until 1638 AC2, being admitted to St. Andrew’s Church in Hingham on January 8, 1605 TH46. Reverend Robert Peck was strongly puritan and nonconformist to the church, which was in opposition to Bishop Wren, and because of this he was excommunicated, and he and his parishioners eventually abandoned Hingham, Norfolk County, England and founded Hingham, Massachusetts AC2, TH46.
He married Ann Lawrence, the daughter of John Lawrence of St. James, South Elmham, Suffolk, England, probably in 1605 or 1606 TH46. Robert Peck was the father of seven sons and one daughter whose baptisms were recorded in Hingham, Norfolk County, England NO11. These were Robert Peck, baptized on July 23, 1607, Thomas Peck, baptized on September 6, 1608, Joseph Peck, baptized on April 22, 1610, “Beniamine, sonne of Robert Peck minister” who was baptized on September 29, 1611, “Sam[m]uell the sonne of Robert Peck minister”, who was baptized on March 14, 1612/13, “Nathaniell Peck sonne of Robert Peck minister”, who was baptized on September 13, 1614, another son of “Robert Peck Clark” whose name was undecipherable due to deterioration of the document, who was baptized on March 6, 1615/16, and “Ann the Daughter of Robert Peck Minister”, who was baptized on November 18, 1619 NO11. The son who was baptized in 1615/16 was likely named Daniell, because “Daniell the son of Robert Peck Clark” was buried on June 8, 1616 in Hingham NO11.
In the summer of 1638, Reverend Robert Peck and his family (his unnamed wife and his children, Anne and Joseph Peck), emigrated from Ipswich, Suffolk County, England on the ship Diligent captained by Master John Martin which landed at Boston, Massachusetts on August 10, 1638 BA13. According to Daniel Cushing, “Mr. Robert Peck preacher of the Gospell in the Town of Hingham, in the County of Norfolk, in Old England, with his wife and 2 children and two servants came over the sea, and settled in this Town of Hingham” in 1638 CU27. That same year, he was granted seven acres of land on Bachelor (Main) Street in Hingham, Suffolk County (now Plymouth County), Massachusetts near the meeting house HI20. On November 28, 1638, he was ordained as a teacher of the church HI20, AC2. Mr. Robert Peck took the Oath of Freemen on March 13, 1638/9 SH17. During a Quarter Court held at Boston, Massachusetts on June 1, 1641, the court ordered a warrant to “examine all that tooke up any thing of the rack, & send a perfect inventory; & in any thing doubtfull they are to take the advise of Mr Peck, minister, & Mr Newma[n]” SH17. According to Hubbard’s Journal, “Mr. Peck sailed for England” from Massachusetts on October 27, 1641 MA26. His son, Joseph Peck, returned to England with his parents in 1641 HI20. He was reestablished as the rector of Hingham in Norfolk County, England in 1646 and remained in that position until 1656 AC2. His daughter, Anne Peck, remained in Massachusetts and married Captain John Mason as his second wife in July 1639 PE33, HI20. His son, “Mr Robt Pecke ye younger”, was buried in April 1648 in Hingham, Norfolk County, England NO11. Anne, the wife of “Robt Pecke Clercke”, was buried later that year on September 30, 1648 in Hingham, Norfolk County, England NO11. Her burial record did not state the month she was buried, but her record was written below someone who was buried on September 18th and above someone who was buried on October 16th NO11. Robert remarried to Martha Bacon, whe widow of James Bacon TH46 sometime after Anne’s death in 1648 but before he wrote his will in 1651.
The will of Robert Pecke, the minister of Hingham, Norfolk County, England, was written on July 24, 1651 and was proved on April 10, 1658 EN3. Robert named his sons, Thomas, Samuell, and Joseph Pecke, his deceased son, Robert Pecke, his grandsons, Robert, John, and Benjamin Pecke (the sons of his deceased son, Robert), and his daughter and son-in-law, Anne Mason and Captain John Mason of Seabrook, Connecticut. His son, Joseph, was probably not able to care for himself, which is why Robert took pains to ensure that his other living sons, Thomas and Samuell, would care for Joseph during his entire life. Robert also named his then wife, Martha, and his first wife who was deceased, Anne EN3. When reading the will in its source material (the handwritten will), it will be noticed that the clerk frequently offset the dots of many lowercase “i” letters, especially in combination with a lowercase “n”. This causes the words to appear as though these two letters have been transposed. For example, the word “Hingham” reads “Hnigham”. Because this particular clerk was fairly consistent with these offset dots, I have made the fairly safe assumption that the clerk did not intend to write “Hnigham”, “benige”, and “follownige” (instead of “beinge” and “followinge”). A transcription has been provided below EN3:
July the xxiiij.th 1651
I Robert Pecke Minister of the word of God at Hingham in the Countye of Norff beinge in bodilye health and perfect memory knowinge the uncertainety of mans life, doe dispose of that worldly estate God hath given me in manner and forme followinge Imprimis I give and bequeath unto Thomas my sonne and Samuell my sonne and to their heires forever All that my messuage wherein I nowe dwell situate and lyeinge in Hingham aforesaid with all the edifices yards and orchards thereunto belonginge As alsoe the Inclose and Barnes adioyninge [adjoining] As alsoe one Inclose nowe devided called The Lady Close conteyninge about eight acres be it more or lesse As alsoe one pightell at the end thereof conteyninge twoe acres and d·d uppon Condicons followinge, and for the payment of such legacies as are herein expressed First I will and bequeath unto Robert Pecke sonne of my sonne Robert deceased the sume of 20 li at his age of 23 yeares Item I give unto John Pecke sonne of the saide Robert deceased 10 li To be paid to him at his age of 22 yeares Item I give unto Beniamin Pecke the youngest sonne of the saide Robert deceased at his age of 22 yeares 20 li Item I give to the children of Anne Mason my daughter wife of Captaine John Mason of Seabrooke on the river Connecticot in newe England the sume of Fortye pounds to be devided equally unto them, and to be sent to my sonne John Mason to dispose of it for their use within 2 yeares after my decease Item I give unto my sonne Joseph [the symbol following “Joseph” was perhaps a fancy end-line symbol] dureinge his naturall life the sume of 14 li yearelie to be in the hands of my sonnes Thomas and Samuell as it shall arise out of my houses landes and chattells for his maintenance with necessarie foode and apparrell dureinge the terme [the preceding word is uncertain] of his naturall life And I doe wholie com[m]itt my said sonne Joseph to the care of my twoe sonnes Thomas and Samuell to provide for him in such a way as he may not want things necessary for his lively hood Item I give to the children of Thomas and Samuell my sonnes which shalbe liveinge at my decease the sume of Five poundes a peece at their severall ages of 21 yeares Item I give to my nowe wife Martha Pecke 40 li To be paid wthin twoe moneths after my decease Item I give to the poore of Hingham 5 li To be distributed at the discrecon of my Executors Thomas Pecke and Samuell Pecke Whome I doe ordayne and make Executors of this my last will and Testament Confiding that they will faithfully fulfill and performe this my last will accordinge to my trust reposed [the preceding word is uncertain] in them All my other goodes Cattells debtes moneys houshold stuffe or whatsoever ells belongeth unto me I give & bequeath to my said Executors towards payeinge of my legacies already bequeathed and towards the bringinge of my body to buriall which I desire if I depart this life in Hingham may be entered in the Churchyard neere unto Anne my wife deceased In wittnes whereof I have written this my last will and Testament with my owne hand the day and yeare above written Robert Pecke
This will was proved At London Before the Judges for probate of wills and grauntinge administrations lawfullie authorized the tenth day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred fiftye and eight By the oathe of Samuell Pecke one of the Executors herein named To whom was com[m]itted administracon of all and singuler the goods chattells and debts of the said deceased he beinge first sworne by Comission well and truly to administer The like power beinge reserved to Thomas Pecke the other Executor therein alsoe named when he shall legally require the same
Robert Peck died in Hingham, Norfolk County, England in 1656 AC2.
Joseph Peck was baptized on April 30, 1587 as the son of Robert Peck in Beccles, Suffolk County, England PE19. No information about Margaret Peck has been located. The parish register for Beccles is not accessible at this time. Martha Peck was bethrothed to John Buckenham, a grocer of Debenham, Suffolk County, England in May 1611, as shown by a bill of complaint dated November 4, 1627 and transcribed by S. Allyn Peck PE33:
The Bill of Complaint of John Buckenham of Debenham, co. Suffolk, grocer, declares that whereas Nicholas Pecke of Beccles, co. Suffolk, later of Great Yarmouth, co. Norfolk, merchant, in consideration of a marriage between Martha Pecke, sister of said Nicholas, [and your orator,] became bound, about 3 May 1611, to your orator for £200, and whereas said Pecke has not dealt justly with your orator in the matter, your orator prays for a writ of subpœna, to summon him into the Court of Chancery to answer the premises.
Nicholas Peck answered this bill of complaint on June 14, 1628 with the following statement (transcribed by S. Allyn Peck) PE33:
Nicholas Peck, gent., defendant… states that it is true that, in consideration of a marriage to be solemnized between his sister, Martha Pecke, and the complainant, the defendant, for the marriage portion of the said Martha, was bound, together with Samuel Peck of Ipswich, co. Suffolk, his brother, in the sum of £200, the condition of the bond being the payment of £100 to the complainant. And this defendant was induced to enter into the bond by the persuasion of said Samuel Peck, who, in the lifetime of their mother, Ellen Peck of Beccles, co. Suffolk, widow, brought over the complainant to Beccles with the purpose of arranging a marriage between him and the said Martha. Now about 1611 said Samuel travelled beyond the seas and, having confidence in his brother-in-law, the complainant, left his goods in his charge and made an inventory of such goods. And the defendant says that he covenanted to pay to the complainant and said Martha, his sister, £100 more. But he denies that after the death in 1611 of his father-in-law, William Yonge, of Great Yarmouth, co. Norfolk, merchant, he ever enjoyed any houses or lands in his own right or in that of Rachell, his wife, daughter of said William Yonge. And he declares that under the will of said Yonge the residue of his property was left in the hands of [trustees] [six trustees (one gentleman and five merchants) named], in trust for said Rachell and her children. Moreover, the complainant has refused to come to any reckoning with the defendant regarding the goods of said Samuel Peck, who died about 1619, which goods were left in his charge. And the inventory made by said Samuel has been delivered to Joseph Peck, brother of this defendant. And the defendant allows it to be true that the complainant put in a suit in the King’s Bench, and that he, the defendant, pleaded a former acquittance, as it was lawful for him to do. And the defendant is ready to aver and prove these matter in the Court of Chancery.
This bill of complaint and its answer are located in Chancery Proceedings, Charles I, Bundle B 98, Number 11 and Bundle B 139, Number 3 PE33. Nicholas Pecke quickly filed a countersuit (which is located in Chancery Proceedings, Charles I, Bundle P 79, Number 36) against John Buckingham on November 19, 1628, which was transcribed by S. Allyn Peck and partially copied below PE33:
The Bill of Complaint of Nicholas Peck of Beccles, co. Suffolk, gent, declares that whereas, about sixteen years past, John Buckingham of Debenham, co. Suffolk, grocer, became suitor to Martha Pecke, natural sister of your orator, who dwelt with her brother, Samuel Pecke of Ipswich, co. Suffolk, grocer, and whereas the said John Buckingham, being of the same profession as said Samuel, persuaded him to journey with him to Beccles to make an offer of marriage for said Martha to her mother, Ellen Pecke, widow, to which said Ellen agreed, thereupon said Ellen Pecke, said Samuel Pecke, and your orator covenanted to give as a marriage portion £100, they being bound for £200, by a bond dated about 3 May 1611, to pay to said John Buckingham £50 on the day of marriage and £40 twelve months later, and, moreover, your orator covenanted about the same time to pay £100 more to said Buckingham and to his sister Martha and their issue, provided your orator survived his father-in-law, William Youngs of Great Yarmouth, and inherited the estate of said Youngs in common with Rachell, his then wife, daugher of said Youngs. This covenant was made in order that it might appear to the friends of Buckingham that he was receiving £200 as a marriage portion with his wife, and said Buckingham promised soon afterwards to cancel the covenant. Nevertheless, despite your orator, said Samuel, and said Ellen having sold a messuage in Beccles to expedite payment of their bond, and despite said Buckingham having in custody goods belonging to said Samuel while he was travelling beyond the seas and likewise goods belonging to your orator given into custody of his brother when he ceased to dwell in Ipswich, said Buckingham has brought a suit against your orator in the Court of King’s Bench at Westminster, notwithstanding said Buckingham has used the goods of your orator for himself and knows that he is fully indemnified for the debt. However, as your orator had from said Buckingham a general acquittance, said Buckingham was unable to gain his suit, and made a bill of complaint in the Court of Chancery, whereby he made false allegations regarding your orator, endeavoring to prove that he had promised not to plead such acquittance in court. And whereas the inventory of the goods of said Samuel, now deceased, and all accounts relating to the aforesaid matters are in the hands of said Buckingham, including a book which he took from Joseph Pecke of Hingham, co. Norfolk, which had been delivered to said Joseph by his brother, said Samuel, and whereas your orator has not any witnesses to the deed of acquittance, having trusted to the good faith of John Buckingham, now your orator prays for a writ of subpœna, to summon John Buckingham into the Court of Chancery to answer to the premises.
“Ellenor Pecke widowe” was buried on October 31, 1614 in Beccles, Suffolk, England PE33.