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Robert Pecke |
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possibly: Henry Peke & Margery Leeke |
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Johan Waters |
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John Waters & Margaret |
Robert Pecke (Henry, Margery) was probably born by the year 1508 because he was named as the executor of John Leeke’s will in 1529, and therefore would have been at least twenty-one years old PE33. Robert Pecke was deposed in a case regarding the will and testament of John Coke on May 23, 1537; his sworn deposition stated that he had resided in Beccles for twelve years and had known John Coke for seven years PE33, CH33. This indicates that he had lived in Beccles since about 1525 PE33. This record was written in Latin and utilized abbreviations, but I have transcribed the pertinent portion to the best of my ability CH33:
Robertus Pecke de Beccles ubi mora[m] fecit p[er] xij an[n]os libere condicois [probably “conditionis”] testis [perhaps “testatoris”] p[ro] diutus Into sup[er] noticia p[er]tin [perhaps “pertineret”] dit [probably “dicit”] qd [probably “quod”] testatore et executores p[er] vij an[n]os et ultra &c…
S. Allyn Peck stated that Robert Peck was named as the nephew of John Leeke of Beccles, Suffolk County, England and the executor of his will which was dated September 6, 1529 and proved on November 17, 1529 PE33. Originally, S. Allyn Peck believed the word used by John Leeke to describe Robert Pecke (“neve”) meant “nephew” PE33. A peer review by G. Andrews Moriarty which was included in a subsequent installment of this periodically-issued article about the ancestors of Joseph Peck (written by S. Allyn Peck) claimed that the word was used incorrectly PE33. G. Andrews Moriarty (citing The Century Dictionary) stated that the word “neve” actually meant “grandson” PE33. A review of two versions (especially the most recent version, published in 1904) of The Century Dictionary found that this claim by G. Andrews Moriarty is not correct. The word “neve”, according to The Century Dictionary, does means “nephew” WH21. The entry for the word “nephew” has many definitions with context, and some of the accepted definitions include grandson, nephew, or cousin WH21. Later within his will, John Leeke described Robert Peck as his “nevey”, and The Century Dictionary stated this was a dialectal form of “nephew” WH21. A partial transcription of the will of John Leeke of Beccles in the Diocese of Norwich, written on September 6, 1529, has been provided below CH34:
…I John leeke of beccles in the dic[ese] of norwiche… the syxt day of septe[m]ber in the yer of o[u]r lord god [the next word or phrase should have been “md”, meaning the first part of the year 1529, because the next word was clearly “xxix”, meaning 29, but I was unable to determine what the scribe wrote] xxixth & in the xxi yer of the Regne of our most soveyn [probably “sovereign”] lord King Henry the eight at beccles aforsayd make my last will & testame[n]t in man[ner] & forrme folowinge… It[e]m I wull [will] & bequethe to Alys my wyffe that she shall have hir chamber & dwellynge wtn [within] theowes [probably “the house”] of Robert pecke my neve that is to saye in the p[ar]lowr [probably “parlour”] next the mease [probably “messuage”] of Richard Craske wt [with] suffycnt [sufficient] mete [meat] drinke & fewell [fuel] for hir owne selfe y [the previous word may have been an abbreviation for “yet”] during hir naturall lyff and if my sayd wyff refuse to have hir sayd dwellinge wt [with] the sayd Robert pecke as is above sayd than I wull [will] & charge my executores that the sayd alyce shall have cay [the previous word is uncertain] yer [probably “year”] xxs to be payd to hir by my execu[tors] duringe hir lyffe naturall yerly to be payd at twayne termez [probably “two terms”] in the yer by hir to be assigned and at the day of Refusell of hir dwellinge & dep[ar]tinge oute & frome the sayd Robert pecke I wull & charge hym that he delyv[er] unto my sayd wyffe tenne Combe malte & fyve combe wheate It[e]m I yeve [give] unto my sayd wyffe one horse called vymes & stayce styrkes [the previous three words are uncertain]… It[e]m I yeve unto my sayd wiff my land that I bought of marsshe terme of hir lyffe & After hir decease I wull Robert pecke shall have it to hym & to his heyres for ev[er] It[e]m… It[e]m I wull that my sayd wyff Kateryn my daughter & the sayd Robert peck shall have all my stuff of housshold equally to be devyded & dep[ar]ted amonge them in thre p[ar]tes It[e]m I yeve unto the sayd Robert peck my mease that I dwell in & all my other meases landes & ten[amen]ts in beccles arclles [the previous two words are uncertain] wher wtn the County of Suff[olk] as well for as bond to have & to hold to hym to his heyres & assigneyes for and upon [the next word is illegible] folowing that is to saye if he pay or cause to be payd unto Robert lecke John lecke & Richard lecke any one of them xxti [the previous superscript symbol was illegible] m[ar]kes & to Alys lecke & Elyn lecke to iche of them xxti m[ar]kes… It[e]m I wull have an obyte [obit] in Beccles churche yerly for me & my frendes to be kept yerly by Robert pecke if so be he be abyll [able]… It[e]m I yeve unto the sayd Robert peck all my pen [the previous word is uncertain] catall [cattle] moveabulles & apparell upo[n] [the next word is illegible] that he fullfyll this my last wyll & testament in man[ner] & form a bove declared It[e]m I wull that if my sayd wyff trobyll [trouble] vexe or sue my executores than I wull all my sayd legates to hir befor bequethyes shalbe voyd The Resydew of all my goodes not gevyn nor bequethyd I yeve put & bequethe them to the dysposiccon [disposition] of my executors whom I ordeyn & mak my welbelovyd in christ ye forsayd Robert peck my nevey & kateryn my dowghter they to do for me most pleasur to god & salvacion unto my soule / wytnesse to this my last wyll & testame[n]t John waters James Canne Richard Robardes will[ia]m Roberdes Osbern dering John pottes will[ia]m hastinges Thomas drurye & other the day & yer a bove wryten
S. Allyn Peck noted that the 1529 will of John Leeke stipulated that after the death of his wife, Alys, his nephew, Robert Pecke, should inherit land that he (John Leeke) had previously purchased from “Marsshe” PE33. S. Allyn Peck further noted that the 1556 will of Robert Pecke made a bequest to his son, John Pecke, which was a parcel of three acres of land which previously belonged to William Marshes PE33. The will stated “It[e]m I gyve and bequeth to John pecke my son[n]e… thre acres of lande in the felde late will[ia]m Marsshes” WI57.
Robert Pecke may have been involved in the tanning industry. His will mentioned “lether and barke” and “tanne fattes”, which were probably tanning vats WI57. The tanning industry in England required oak bark to tan the hides into leather; one pound of leather required about four to five pounds of oak bark, and the hides would be immersed in the oak bark slurry for months or years MI38. Additionally, John Leeke of Beccles, his uncle, was called a tanner RO33.
Sometime after the death of John Leeke, a complaint by Robert Yonges (a butcher of Pakefylde, Suffolk, England and in other related documents called Robert Younges) stated that Robert “pekke” and “Kateryn Drawer the Wyfe of Thomas Drawer” owed him money RO33. Pakefield is just east of Carlton Colville and about nine miles east of Beccles. Essentially, John Leeke and Robert Yonges made a bargain on March 10th in the twentieth year of the reign of the king RO33. This king would have been Henry VIII, indicating that the year was 1528/29 (the king would not have been Henry VII, because 20 Henry VII would have been 1504/5, which is not plausible for the chain of events) RO33. The bill of complaint stated that John Leeke, a tanner, was to pay Robert Yonges for hides (a certain amount for specific types of hides, such as northern nete hides, southern ox hides, and southern cowe and steer hides), but John had not paid the full amount before he died RO33. Because John made Robert Pecke and Katherine Drawer his executors and they became the administrators of his estate, they were responsible for ensuring that all debts were paid, but Robert Yonges claimed they did not pay him the full amount RO33. The transcription of this complaint follows RO33:
To the Kyng oure Sov[er]eygne lorde
In his most humble Wise Shewith & Compleyneth onto your highnes your dayly Oratour & true Subiecte [subject] Rob[er]t yonges of pakefylde in your County of Suff Bocher [butcher] that Where the Seyd Rob[er]t the xth day of Marche in the xxto yeer of your moste noble reigne att Becclys in your seyd County dede [did] bargeyn & selle to one John leke of Becclys For seyd [aforesaid] Tanner All the Slaught [probably “slaughtered”] hides that the Seyd Rob[er]t yonges Should thanne [this may have been “thaune”; the word was probably “then”] channce [this word may have been “chaunce”; the word was probably “chance”] to Slee [perhaps “slay”] by the Space of one hole yeer [whole year] thince next Followyng. For the Whiche hides the Seyd John leke thanne & there Condycend[e]d and agreed to paye For ev[er]y [every] Northen Netys [nete] hide ijs iiijd & For ev[er]y Sotherne Oxe hide iijs iiijd And For ev[er]y Sothern Cowe & Steeres hydes xxd And after that bargeyn & Contracte So betwyxt them therof made the Seyd Rob[er]t dede delyv[er] [deliver] unto the Seyd John leke lxxv [seventy-five] Sotherin Nete hides pryce ev[er]y one xxd iiij [four] Northen Netes hides price ev[er]y one ijs iijd [this amount is uncertain because there were two creases on the right edge of the document, obscuring the characters] And iij Sothern Oxe hides price ev[er]y one iijs iiijd the Whiche Amountith in the hole to the Cleer Sum[m]e of vijli iiijs [seven pounds, four shillings] thanne [then] due to the Seyd Rob[er]t yonges, As by A serteyne [the previous word is uncertain] talye [perhaps tally] betwyxt them theroff mad[e] Wheroff the one halffe ys here redy tobe Shewyd more pleynly Apperith [appeareth] And After that the Seyd John leke Att Becclys For seyd [aforesaid] made his laste Wylle and Testament and by thesame [the same] ordyned and made one Rob[er]t pekke & Kateryn Drawer the Wyfe of Thomas Drawer his only executors & dyed After Whose deth the Seyd Rob[er]t pekke & Kateryn Drawer by lycens of hir Seyd husbonde toke [took] uppon them the hole Administracyon of All the goodes & Cateylles of the Seyd John leke As the onely executors of the Testament and laste Wylle of thesame John And After that the Seyd Rob[er]t pekke As executour to the Seyd John leke dede truly Contente & paye to your Seyd poore… [the following word is obscured by creasing and shadowing of the document] xxvjs viijd p[ar]cell [in this case, the meaning is probably “part” or “portion”] of they Seyd vijli iiijs And So restith [resteth] yet due to your Seyd poore Subiecte [subject] vli xvijs viijd resydue of the Seyd vijli iiijs payable [the previous word is uncertain] to your Seyd… [the following two words are obscured by the same creases and shadowing, but might state “petition[er] long”] tyme paste And Although most gracyous Sov[er]eygne your Seyd poore oratour hath many tymes & often required the Seyd Rob[er]t pekke & Kateryn Drawer As executors to the Seyd John leke to make to hym payment of the Seyd vli xvijs viijd butt that to paye the Seyd executors have Att All tymes refused & denyed & yet leve Ageynst all Right & good Concyence And For Asmoche [as much] most gracyous Sov[er]eygne As your Seyd poore besecher is A man in extreme pov[er]te [poverty] And the executors Are Folkes of grett [great] Substanc [the previous word was cut off at the edge of the document] havyng gret Riches in their hands of the goodes & Cattelles late the Seyd John leke by reason Wheroff your poore besecher ys nott Able to Sue Ageynst them [the previous word is obscured by a crease] For his Remedy by due Curce & ordire [possibly “course & order” of your Comon lawe Wherfor the p[re]missez [the previous word is uncertain but was probably “premisses”] tendyrly Consydred [considered] that yt Wulle [will] plese your highnes to grannte your moste gracyous Comysson [possibly “commission”] tobe directyd to Sum[mo]n Wurshypffull gentylmen Within the Seyd Shere [shire] off Suff Comanndyng them by the same to Calle before them Aswell the Seyd executors As the Seyd Rob[er]t yonges And Ferthermore to make A Fulle dyreccyon [the previous word is unclear; possibly “direction”] And ende betwixt the Seyd p[ar]tiez touchyng the p[re]misses yf they Canne And yf they Can nott... [the following word is obscured by a crease] to Inioyne [enjoin] the p[ar]tie or p[ar]tiez obstinate to Appeere before the right Wurshypfull Master Deane of your honorable Chappell & other of your moste honorable Councell in your Whyht halle At Westm[inster] At A daye s[er]teyne & under A peyne by your highnes to them & ev[er]y of them tobe lymytted And thanne & there Further tobe ordired in the p[re]missez Accordyng to right & good Concyens [conscience] And your Seyd poore Subiecte Shall dayly preye to Almyghty god For the p[re]s[er]vacyon [preservation] of your moste Royall estate longe to Indure
The undated answer to this complaint by Robert “Pekk” used the legal terms “confession and avoidance” (meaning that it admitted to the facts of the complaint, but also added facts to constitute a defense RE38) and “traversed” (meaning to formally deny an allegation or fact in the other party’s pleading) RO33. He stated that on March 10 (in the twentieth year of the reign of the king, indicating 1528/29), Robert “younges” sold all the hides and skins that he (Robert Younges) should happen to slay over the course of the next year to a man named “Rychard losse” RO33. Robert Pekk stated that he did not know the prices they agreed upon RO33. He also stated that after this, Rychard Losse sold those same hides and skins to “John leke”, who agreed to pay Rychard Losse or Robert Younges for the hides and skins RO33. Robert Pekk stated that Rychard Losse did deliver hides and skins to John Leke, but Robert did not know the quantity RO33. He stated that after John Leke’s death, he (Robert Pekk) paid twenty-six shillings and eight pence to Robert Younges and that five shillings and eight pence was still due to Rychard Losse, who who apparently owed that amount to Robert Younges RO33. This document used a symbol I have not seen in other documents of the period. It resembled a tipped-forward “b” or an “o” with a horizontal line extending to the right of it. This symbol preceded most of the monetary amounts, and I have represented it in the following transcription as “o-” RO33:
Thanswer [The answer] of Rob[er]t Pekk one of thexecutours of the testament & last Will of John leke to the bill of Compleynt of Rob[er]t younges
...
[the transcription of the previous word or words are missing because the words
on the upper left side of the document are obscured] seid Robert Peckk seith
that the seid bill of Compleynt is on [probably “one”] trewly [truly] surmysid
[surmised] & feyned [probaby “feigned”] to put the seid Rob[er]t Pekk to
troble &... p[er]pences [the first part of the previous word is obscured]
Without eny [any] cause reasonable / And also it is inSufficyent &
oncerteyn [uncertain] to be Answeredd unto And for the nsufficyency
[insufficiency] therof... hat [probably “that”] no lawe doith [perhaps “doth”]
Compell the seid Rob[er]t Pekk to make eny Answer to the same bill / for
somoche [so much] As by the lawe of this realme... executor outh
[perhaps “oath”] to be put to Answere in eny Accon [action] or demannde /
Wherin the testatour [the previous word is uncertain] in His lyff myght have
Wagyd [waged] his law Thavanntage Wherof the seid Robert Pekk preyth [prayeth]
that it may Alweys to hym be savyd [perhaps “saved”] / Nev[er]thelesse for
forther Answer & for the declaracon of the treuth on this behalf to be
shewed the seid Rob[er]t pekk seith that a bought [about] the Tenth Day of
Marche expressid in the seid bill The seid Robert younges brganed [bargained]
And solde to one Rychard losse All the Slaught hydes & Skynnys [skins] that
the seid Robert younges shulde [should] channce to Slee [slee is a Middle
English term for “slay” WH21] by one hole [whole] yeer then next
folowyng for What pice or pices [probably “price or
prices”] the seid Rob[er]t pekk Knowith nott / And Also seith that the same
Rychard losse Aft[er] that dedd [did] brgeyn [bargain] & selle the same
slaught hydes & skynnes unto the seid John leke for the Whiche
the same John leke covan[e]ntyd [covenanted] & Agreid to & wt
[with] the seid Richard losse to pay unto the same Richard or to the seid
Rob[er]t younges in discharge of the seid Richard for ev[er]y northeyn nete
hyde o- ijs iiijd And for ev[er]y sothern Oxe hide o- iijs
iiijd & for ev[er]y sothern Cowe & Steer hyde o- xxd
And for ev[er]y dosyn [dozen] of Calffe Skynns o- ijs o///// And aft[er]
that bargeyn & contracte so betweyn the seid Richard And the
seid John made the seid Rob[er]t younges by thassignement [the assignment] of
the seid Richard dedd delyve[r] unto the seid John certeyn hydes & Skynnes
Wherof the seid Rob[er]t Pekk Knowith nott the nombre certeyne / And
forther seith that the same Rob[er]t younges reserved of the seid
John leke upon the delyv[er]y [delivery] of the same hydes &
dyv[er]se tymes... [a word here is illegible; the last two letters appear
to be “re”] the hand the hole [whole] summe of the prices therof
savyng only for vj dosyn & An halff of Calffes Skynnes pice
[probably “price”] o- xiijs o- iij Oxe hydes pice xs
And for iiij northern netes hydes pice ixs
iiijd Whiche Amounth [amounteth] in the hole [whole] to the clere
sum[m]e of o- xxxijs iiijd As by A taly [tally] betwext
the seid Robert younges & the seid John leke in the lyff of the same John
leke therof made / redy to be shewid [showed] more pleynly it apperith / And
aft[er] the dethe of the same John leke the seid Rob[er]t Pekk payd therof unto
the seid Rob[er]t younges xxvjs viijd And so restith
[possibly “resteth”; the previous word is uncertain] due from the seid Rob[er]t
Pekk & thother executors of the seid John leke unto the seid Richard losse
& from the same Richard unto the seid Rob[er]t younges vs. viijd.
Whiche the same Rob[er]t Pekk in the name of of the seid Richard hath
p[ro]fered [proffered: offered something for acceptance] to pay unto the
same Rob[er]t younges & is redy At All tymes to pay / Without that that the
seid Robert younges dedd bargeyn & selle unto the seid John leke All
his slaught [an illegible word was interlined here] for the hole yeer Aforseid
in man[ner] & forme As in the seid bill of [a partially illegible word here
may state “compleint”] it is surmittid [surmitted: to put forth, charge, or
surmise WH21] / or that ther is owyvng [owing] unto the seid
Rob[er]t younges the sum[m]e of v lo- xvijs viijd for the
hydes Afforseid or that ther is eny [any] suche taly [tally] or Skore of lxxv
Sothern netes hydes in man[ner] & forme As in the seid bill is Also
surmittid / And Scithence [since] that that the seid Rob[er]t younges
is A man of extreme pov[er]te not havyng Abilite [ability] to sue for his
remedy by the due ordire of the Comen lawe / or that eny other thyng conteyned
in the seid bill of Compleynt mateiall [probably “material”] to be answerd unto
other then in this seid Answer is confessid & Avoided or trav[er]sid
[traversed] is trewe All Whiche mat [the previous word is uncertain, but was probably
an abbreviation for “matters”] the seid Rob[er]t pekk is redy to Averr As this
Court Will Award And preyth to be dymissed [probably “dismissed”] out of the
same with his reasonable Costes & expences by hym susteyned in this behalf
The undated replication (the plaintiff’s response to the defendant’s answer) by Robert “younges” had a crease running down the left edge of the document which obscured a small portion of most of the words on that left margin RO33:
The Replicacyon of Rob[er]t younges to the Annswer of Rob[er]t pekk one of the executors of the Testament & laste Wylle of John leke
The Seyd Rob[er]t younges Seith that his Seyd bylls of Compleynt is trewe & nott Feyned to putte the Seyd Rob[er]t pekk to trowble & expences Withought Cause resonable & Also the Seyd bylls is Sufficent & s[er]teyn... Annswered unto in the lawe & Concyeve by reason of his Seyd Taly [tally] And Ferther Seith & Avarreth [possibly “averreth”, an archaic form of “avers”]... & e[ver]y thyng Conteyned in his Seyd bylls of Compleynt tobe good & trewe in All poyntes / And Also... [probably “seith”] that the Seyd Annswer is Cleerly Insufficient For dyv[er]ce & many Causes therin Evydently... [the last part of this partially obscured word states “arent”; the word was probably “apparent”] / And Ferther Seith that the Seyd vli xvijs viijd is Clererly Due Att this p[re]sent tyme to the... [probably “seyd”] Rob[er]t younges by the Seyd Rob[er]t pekk & Kateryn Drawer As the onely executors of the Seyd John leke... man[ner] & Forme As in the Seyd bylle of Compleynt it is Aledged Withought yt that the Seyd John Leke... his lyff tyme byfore hand [the previous word is uncertain] dede [did] paye to the Seyd Rob[er]t younges the hole Sum[m]e of the picez of the Seyd hydes savyng.. [perhaps “only”] For vj doseyn & An halfe of Calffe Skynnes in man[ner] & Forme as is untrewly Surmysed in the... [probably “seyd”] Annswer / And withought yt that the Seyd Rob[er]t younges dede make eny [any] Suche Taly wich the Seyd Jhn [John] leke in man[ner] & Forme as is untrewly surmysed in the Seyd Answer And withought yt that... [probably “the”] Seyd Rob[er]t younges dedds [the previous word is uncertain] make eny other Taly with the Seyd John leke butt only the Sayd Taly mencyoned... [probably “in”] the Sayd bylle of Compleynt and For Asmoche As the Seyd Rob[er]t pekk hath Confessed the delyv[er]annce [deliverance]... [probably “of”] the Seyd hydes & Skynnes to the Seyd John leke in his lyffe tyme by the Seyd Rob[er]t younges & in dyscharge of the payment For the Seyd hydes Ageynst the Seyd Taly doth Shewe noe thyng the same Rob[er]t younges preyth that the Seyd Rob[er]t pekke may be Compelled to make payment For them to the Seyd Rob[er]t younges Accordyngly in man[ner] & Fourme As by the nombre of them & pice pleynely Apperith uppon the Seyd Taly Mencyoned in the Seyd bylle of Compleynt / Withought yt that eny other thyng Conteyned in the Seyd Annswer Matteryall tobe replyed unto is trewe in eny other wyse thrine [probably “therein”] ys Annswered Confessed & Avoyded or elles [else] trav[er]sed in this replycacyon all the thinges matters the Seyd Rob[er]t younges is redy to p[ro[ve As this Court Will Award [the previous word is uncertain] And preyth As in his Seyd byll of Compleynt he hath preyed [at this point, a different scribe continued the replication with brown ink] / And For Asmoche As the seid Thomas Drawer & Kateryne his Wyfe executrix of the testamt of the seid John leke doe not appere & make Answere to the seid bylle of compleynt the seid Rob[er]t yongges preieth that the same Thomas Drawer & Kateryne maie be Inioyned [enjoined] undre peyne of a C li [one hundred pounds] p[er]sonally to appere before the Councell of oure Sovregne [Sovereign] lorde the kyng at West[minster] at the daie certey[n] [the previous two words are uncertain] lymetted in the Comyscon [perhaps “Commission”] of oure seid sov[er]reygne lorde as p[er]sonez obstynat & disobedyent to the commandemt [commandment] exprestid [expressed] in the seid comyscon...
Robert “Pekk” submitted an undated rejoinder (the defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s replication) RO33:
The reioyndre [rejoinder] of Rob[er]t pekk on[e] of thexecutors [the executors] of the testament / And last Will of John leeke to the replicac[i]on of Robb[ert yongez /
The [s]eid Rob[er]t pekk seith And An[swer]yth [the previous word is uncertain because it was abbreviated, but was probably “answereth”] All & evy[er] [probably “every”] thyng comprised in his seid Answer to be good trewe & sufficyent in All & evy[er] poynt As ys [the previous word is uncertain because a crease in the document has obscured this word] his seid Answer At large more pleynly [plainly] is alledgid & shewid [“alleged & shewed”] Without that that [sic] eny thyng comprised in the seid replicacon matiall [the previous word is uncertain, but may state “material”] to be reioyned [rejoined] unto is trewe all Which matters the seid Rob[er]t pekk is redy to averr [aver: state or allege] As this honorable Cort [the previous word may have stated “Court”, but it was obscured by a crease on the left side of the document] Will Award & preith [prayeth] As in his seid Answer he hath preid
The commission to examine the case stated RO33:
By the King /
Trusy and Welbeloved in god and trusty and welbeloved we grete you Wrll [probably “Worshipful”] / And by the contynue of A... [probably “bill”; this short word was too faded to read, as are most of the words on the right margin of this document] herin closed [probably “enclosed”]. ye may p[er]ceyve [perceive] the complaynte of Robert Yonges against Robert Pekke and Katirin Drawar... wif of Thomas Drawar. like as by the said bill it dothe moe playnly appare [appear] / Wherupon we trusting in y... [probably “your”] wisdome and indifferennce [the previous word is uncertain] for the due admynistrac[i]on of Justice. Wol [the previous word is uncertain, but may mean “Will”] and desire you and by these presentes com[m]ytt unto you full powar and authoritie / that calling the said p[ar]ties wt [with] their witnesses and proves [probably “proofs”] before you... in our name / Ye Wol groundely examyn the said witnesses upon their othes [oaths] of and uppon the contentes and articles of the said bill wt the circu[m]stannces of the same. Endavoring you therupon to sett fynall concorde and agrement bitwene the said p[art[ies as may stande wt or [with our] Lawes rights and good conciens / And in case through thobstynance and frowardnes [frowardness: contrary or defiant behavior] of any of the said p[ar]ties ye cannot conveniently so doo / Than We Wol that ye certyfye us and our Counsoull the verie treuthe [truth] and playnnes [plainness] of the matur [probably “matter”] in Writyng under yor seales by the moyse [probably “moison”: harvest] of saint Michell tharchanngell [the archangel] next comying [Michaelmas is September 29th] / Yeving [probably “giving”] straite Innnccon [the previous word is unclear] unto the said p[ar]ties in or name uppon payne of C li [one hundred pounds] p[er]sonnally tappare [to appear] affore us and or said Counsoull Whersoev[er] we shalbe wtin [within] this or Reame [the previous word is uncertain; perhaps “realm”] at the said daie To thentent [the intent] that we they by thadvice [the advice] of the same or Counsaill maye further determyn the premysses as the case rightfully shall require / Not failling of yor diligence herin as ye tendre or pleasure and the preferment of Justice Yeven [probably “given”] undr or Prive Seale at Yorke place the viijth daie of July
About the year 1530, Robert Peck was involved in a dispute with Thomas and Katherine Drawer regarding land previously owned by Katherine’s father, John Leeke PE33. S. Allyn Peck transcribed the bill of complaint and its answer (located in Early Chancery Proceedings, 1529-1532, Bundle 627, Numbers 25-28) PE33. The transcription of the bill of complaint has been reproduced below, and a summation of the answer and rejoinder by Robert Peck follows PE33:
The Complaint of Thomas Drawer and Kathyn, his wife, against Robert Pek.
To the Right Honorable Thomas More, Knight, Lord Chancellor of England.
In full humble wise your poor orator, Thomas Drawer, and Kathyn, his wife, complaineth [sic] to Your Good Lordship that one John Leeke was seised in his demesne as of fee of and in a messuage and forty acres of land in Toft, in the County of Norfolk, and so seised died, after whose decease the said messuage and land descended and of right ought to descend to the said Katyn, as daughter and heir of the said John Leek, and that divers and sundry evidence, muniments, and writing concerning the presmises have come to the hands and possession of Rbt Pek of Becles in the County of Suff[olk], of whom your said orator has often required to have delivery of the said evidences, muniments, and writings, which to do the same Robt Pek at all times has refused and does yet refuse, and, forsomuch as your said suppliants know not the number nor content of the same evidence, muniments, and writings, nor whether they be in bag, box, or chest sealed, therefore they have no remedy by the common law of this land to attain to the possession of the said evidence, muniments, and writings. It may, therefore, please Your Lordship the premises tenderly to consider and to grant a writ of subpoena to be directed to the said Robt Pek, demanding him to appear before the King in his Chancery at a certain day and upon a certain pain, by Your Good Lordship to be limited, then and there to answer unto the premises, and your said poor suppliants shall daily --- [? pray] for Your Good Lordship long to continue.
In “The Answer of Robert Pekk to the bill by Thomas Drawer and Katerin, his wife”, Robert stated that a man named William Davy had the title to the land in question, and that he (Robert) had “long before the writ of subpoena” delivered all of the evidence, charters, and muniments, aside from one “contrepain”, to William Davy PE33. Robert delivered this contrepain to the court and recommended that Thomas and Katherine Drawer should take up their complaint with William Davy PE33. In “The Rejoinder of Robert Pekke to the replication of Thomas Drawer and Katherin, his wife”, Robert stated that William Davy sold the lands and tenements that were mentioned in the bill of complaint to John Leke for the sum of twenty marks in July 1529 (in the 21st year of the reign of Henry VIII) PE33. He further clarified that the parties had agreed that if William Davy had repaid the twenty marks to John Leke within seven years, then the agreement would be “utterly void”, but if this did not occur, then then John Leke would pay to William an additional amount of twenty marks, because the total worth of those lands and tenements were valued at forty pounds PE33. Robert then stated that John Leke died within one year of making this agreement, and he had named Robert as one of his executors in his last will and testament PE33. Because Robert Peck was an executor, William Davy approached him and offered to pay the remaining twenty marks for the lands and tenements, which was accepted by Robert PE33. At that time, Robert handed over all of the evidences, charters, and muniments, save that one “contrepain” PE33. Robert Peck “denies that John Leke paid any more money to William Davy. Albeit one Richard Roberts, being put in trust to make an indenture by said Davy and Leke, craftily wrote in the indenture that said Leke paid 40 marks” PE33.
With his first wife, who was probably an unidentified daughter of Walter Norton (and perhaps Jone, who was the first wife of Walter Norton EM4), Robert Pecke was the father of Johan Pecke PE33. John Waters (the father of Robert Pecke’s second wife, Johan (Waters) Pecke) wrote his will on May 28, 1547 in which he made a bequest “To Jone Peck, the Younger, my “boole” ” PE33. This Jone Peck the Younger may have been Johan, the daughter of Robert Pecke PE33. Johan was married by 1556, because Robert Pecke called her “Johan Meryman” in his will, dated October 31, 1556 (“It[e]m I give unto Johan Meryman my doughter a gowne and a petycoote that wer her mothers and the worser paire of corall beades”) WI57. She was the niece of Robert Norton, who was the son of Walter Norton PE33. An abstract of the will of Robert Norton, a gentleman of Hallisworth (Halesworth), Suffolk County, England, in the Diocese of Norwich, showed that he wrote his will on August 4, 1561 which was proved on December 31, 1561 EM4. Some of the individuals mentioned in his will included his wife, Mary, his sons, Walter, William, Richard, Francis, and George, his daugher, Jone, his deceased father, Walter Norton, and “all the children of Johane Merryman my nece [niece] of Becclys” EM4. Robert Norton, the uncle of Johane Merryman, was likely the brother of Johane’s mother, who was the first wife of Robert Pecke PE33. An abstract of the will of Walter Norton of Hallesworth (Halesworth), Suffolk County, England (this was Robert Norton’s father), showed that Walter wrote his will on June 12, 1542 which was proved on November 13, 1542 EM4. Walter Norton mentioned his “first wife Jone” but did not mention a daughter with the surname “Peck” EM4. Because she was married with children by 1561, Johan Pecke was probably born by 1540 but her mother probably died soon after her birth PE33.
He may have next married Johan Waters about the year 1540 PE33. He was likely the same “Robt pek” who was mentioned (and was a witness) in the will of Margaret Waters of Beccles, dated August 3, 1556, in which she stated WI55:
It[e]m
I wyll that Rob[er]t pek shall have my the p[ro]fytes [profits] of my
medowe in the Fen whych I hold for yerz yett to com[e] / Untyll the Fest of
Seynt Feythe nexte to com[e] And then I wyll gif the same
medowe shall remayn to John watterz my son duryng all my terme whych I have
therm acordyng to the custom of the Town
He died shortly after this. Robert Pecke of Beccles, Suffolk County, England wrote his will on October 31, 1556, which mentioned his deceased wife, Johan, his sons, John, Thomas, and Robert Pecke, his three daughters, Margaret, Olyve, and Anne Pecke, and another daughter, Johan Meryman WI57. The will also mentioned John and William Waters, who were brothers of Johan, the second wife of Robert Pecke PE33. One of the executors of his will was Richard Crampton, who was probably the husband of Margaret (Parkhurst) Crampton, his daughter-in-law’s sister’s husband PE33. The transcription of his will states WI57:
Regratz p[er] R pecke
In the name of god Amen The laste daie of Octobre in the yere of
or lorde god Ml CCCCC lvjtes / I Rob[er]t
pecke of Beccles beinge troubled wt syknes and dysease never theles
[nevertheless] in good and p[er]fight [perfect] remembrannce thankes therfore I
give unto almightie god do make my testa[men]te and laste will in maner and forme
followinge Fyrst I bequethe my sowle into thandes [the hands] of almightie god
my maker and redemer / And my bodye to be buried in the churche yarde of
Beccles nere unto the grave of Johan my wief / It[e]m I give and beque[a]the to
the highe altar of Beccles for my tithes forgotten and not paide xijd It[e]m
Towardes the rep[ar]ac[i]ons [reparations] of Gyllingh[a]m caunsey [causeway]
and Beccles brigge [bridge] iche [probably “each”] of them iijs iiijd, to be
paide in five yere next after my deceasse / It[e]m I give to the poore people
in the spytall [spitall; perhaps the Hospital of St. Mary Magdalene in Beccles SU9]
of Beccles ijs to be paide to them in five yere next after my deceasse / It[e]m
towarde the repa[ra]c[i]ons of saint Tolaves caunsey [probably St. Olave’s
causeway] ijs to be paide as is aforesaide / It[e]m to everie one of my
housholde s[er]v[a]ntes xijd / It[e]m I gyve and bequeth to John pecke my
son[n]e the Messuage wt thappurten[a]nces wherin I do
inhabyte and dwell, and my Ten[amen]te late Mr Redes, and the five
medowes lyenge nexte the Medowe in the tenor of Mathew prynte, and
my litle garden late philippe Doddes, my close sometyme Helyn Churches, my
pyctels [probably “pightle”; a small meadow or small enclosed piece of land WH21]
at the further wynde Mylle late Rycharde Tyde, and the pece of lande lyenge in
the felde late the said Tyde, and thre acres of lande in the felde late
will[ia]m Marsshes / To have and to holde the saide Messuage and Ten[amen]te wt
all and singuler the Medowes closes, landes and other the premysses wt
their appurten[a]nces to hym and to his heires for ever when he the
saide John shall come to and be of thage [the age] of xxjtes yeres
and not before, upon condycon [condition] that he the saide John shall paie
discharge and fulfill or cause to be paide discharged and fulfilled all suche
legaces [legacies] assignementes charges and p[ro]vysos [provisos] as I shall
appointe hym to paie discharge and fulfill by this my testa[men]te and laste
wyll / Fyrst I will that he the saide John my son[n]e shall paie or cause to be
paide unto Thomas pecke my son[n]e his executors or assignes vili
xiijs iiijd when he the saide Thomas shall come to thage
[the age] of xxjte yere / It[e]m I will that the saide John shall
paie or cause to be paide unto everye one of my thre daughters
Margaret Olyve and Anne at their severall age of eightene yeres
orelles [or else] the daies of their marriages if they or any of them do marie
before the saide age iijli vjs viijd a pece /
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 of xxjtes yeres and not
before It[e]m I give and bequethe to Thomas pecke my son[n]e my two Tenementes
that I purchased of John Walter and my tenter yarde wt their appurten[a]nces
To have and to holde to hym and to his heires for ever when he the saide
Thom[a]s shall come to theage of xxjtes yeres and not before /
provided alwaies that if the saide John my son[n]e departe this worlde before
he come to thage of xxites yeres then I will that Robert my son[n]e
shall have and enioye [enjoy] to hym and his heires for ever when he the saide
Rob[er]t shall come to thage of xxjtes yeres my saide capytall
Messuage and the Ten[amen]tes late Mr Rede and my saide Medowes
closes landes and other the premisses wt their appurten[a]nces
before bequeathed to the saide John my son[n]e, upon condyc[i]on that he the
said Rob[er]t his executors or assignes paie discharge and fulfill
or cause to be paide discharged and fulfilled all suche legaces assignementes
charges and provysos and paymentes as I have appointed and assigned and
hereafter shall appointe and assigne the saide John to paie discharge and
fulfill by this my testament and laste will / And if the saide Robert die
before he come the thage of xxjtes yeres, then I wyll that Thomas
pecke my son[n]e shall have and enioye to hym and to his heires for ever when
he shall come to thage of xxjtes yeres the saide medowes closes and
landes and other the pr[e]miss[e]s wt their appurten[a]nces
before bequeathed to the saide Robert my son[n]e / And if it fortune bothe my
saide son[n]es John and Rob[er]t to die before they come to theage of xxjtes
yeres as is aforesaide Then I will that my saide son[n]e Thomas shall have an
enioye to hym and to his heires for ever my saide Capitall Messuage wt
all the Ten[amen]tes Medowes closes and other the premisses wt their
appurten[a]nces before bequeathed to the saide John and Rob[er]t my
son[n]es when he the saide Thomas shall come to thage of xxjtes
yeres and not before, upon condyc[i]on that he shall paie discharge and fulfill
or cause to be paide discharged and fulfilled all suche legaces assignementes
charges and provysos as I have assigned or hereafter shall assigne John my
saide son[n]e to paie discharge and fulfill by this my testa[men]te and laste
wyll It[e]m I wyll that the lether and barke that I nowe have shalbe
indifferentlie prysed and my executors to delyver to the saide John my son[n]e
when he cometh to theage of xxjtes yeres asmoche [as much] lether
and barke in as good case as they be in at the daie of my departing orells [or
else] so moche money as they shall be prised unto if it maye be borne my debtes
and legaces beinge paide and my children brought uppe / It[e]m I give and
bequethe to the saide John my son[n]e, the table in the hall on the trestills
[trestles] the clothe wt the fyve ymages, an anndyron, a paire of
hangills, the cupborde in the hall that stondeth betwene the table
and the chymney, a fyre panne, a fyre forke, a paire of tonges, a hanginge lawr
[the previous word is uncertain] wt thre heades, a chafer to sett by
the fyre, a great brasse potte, a cawdron [cauldron] wt two ryngills
[perhaps “ringle”: a small ring WH21], and a spruce chyste [chest]
on the chambre that was myn uncles and my great redde cowe wt the
cutte hornes / 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 / It[e]m I gyve and bequethe to Margaret my
doughter vjli xiijs iiijd thone [the one]
halfe therof to be paide unto her by myn executors or their assignes
at the daie of her mariage and thother halfe at suche daie twelvemonethes
[twelve months] after that / It[e]m I gyve and bequethe to Olyve my doughter vjli
xiijs iiijd thone halfe therof to be paide unto her by
myn executors or their assignes at the daie of her mariage, and thother halfe
at suche Daie twelvemonethes [sic] after that / It[e]m I give and bequethe to Agnes
Anne my doughter vjli xiijs iiijd
thone halfe thereof to be paide unto her by myn executors or their
assignes at the daie of her mariage and thother halfe therof at suche daie
twelve monethes aftre that / It[e]m I gyve and bequethe to my saide thre
son[n]es all myn apparell bothe lynnen and wollen bilonginge unto my bodye to
be evenly devided amonges them / It[e]m I gyve and bequethe to my saide thre
doughters all my late wiefes apparell bothe lynnen and wollen bilonginge to her
bodye to be evenly devyded amonges them / It[e]m I will that my sylver pece, my
Maser [“mazer”: an ornate drinking vessel often carved from maple wood and
sometimes embellished with silver decorations WH21] and all my
sylver spones shalbe equallie devyded amonges my saide thre son[n]es and my
saide thre doughters savinge I will that Agnes Anne my
Doughter shall have the odde spone over and besyde her parte of all the resydue
/ It[e]m I gyve to Agnes Anne my Dowghter my cowe wt
the white pye in the heade and the white tayle and the litle browne cowe / And
to Olyve my doughter the great browne cowe / It[e]m I will that all the rest of
my howsholde stuffe wt my beddinge bras and pewter and latten
[latten is a mixed metal, similar to brass, which was usually in the form of
thin plates WH21] not gyven and bequethed in this my testa[men]te and
laste shalbe evenly devyded amongest my saide thre son[n]es and
doughters savinge I will that Margaret my doughter shall have no parte of the
fetherbedde and bolsters / And if any of my saide son[n]es and or
doughters departe this worlde before they oughte or shulde receyve their parte
of the saide moveable goodes plate and catteles, then I will that the parte or
partes of hym her or they so deceassed to be eqwallie devyded amonges the
resydue of my forsaide son[n]es and doughters then lyvinge It[e]m I will that
if any of my saide doughters departe this worlde before they shulde or oughte
to receyve the som[m]e of ten poundes bequethed to them and everie of them,
then I will that the parte or partes of her or them so dyenge shalbe evenlye
devyded to the other of my saide doughters then lyvinge / It[e]m I will that
two of my best geldinges and my dunne mare and my younge mare colte shalbe
solde by my executors towardes the payment of my debtes and p[er]formance
of my will / And the resydue of my horse cattell I will shalbe prised and letten
wt my stocke, and the saide John to have as moche and as good
cattell delyvered hym wt the saide stocke orells [or else] so moche
money as they shalbe prised unto when he the saide John my son[n]e shall come
to thage of xxjtes yeres if it maye be borne as it is aforesaide /
It[e]m I will that my Ten[amen]tes wt thappurten[a]nces
sometyme Burwasshes, my Ten[amen]tes and garden sometyme prescons and also my
Ten[amen]tes in Saltgate shalbe solde by myn executors towardes the
payment of my debtes and p[er]formance of this my testame[n]t and
laste will / It[e]m I will that myn executors and their assignes
shall have holde occupie and enioye to them and their assignes my
saide capytall Messuage with all the Ten[amen]tes Medowes and closes wt
all and singuler the premysses and their appurten[a]nces before
bequethed to my saide thre son[n]es, with all my tanne fattes [perhaps “tanning
vats”] and the saide stocke of lether and barke wt the sayde horse
cattell that shall go wt my stocke and all my neate catteles wt
all and singuler advantages and com[m]odities thereof growinge and encreassynge
untill my saide son[n]es and doughgters come to their severall ages of xxjtes
yeres, towares the bringinge uppe of my saide son[n]es and doughters payenge of
my debtes p[er]formynge of this my testa[men]te and laste will and kepinge the
saide howses and Ten[amen]tes in good and sufficient rep[ar]ac[i]ons / It[e]m I
will that myn executors shall have the saffe custodye and kepinge of all my
saide moveable goodes and cattelles plate apparell and housholde stuffe
bequethed to all my saide children unto suche tyme as they shall come to their
severall ages of xxjtes yeres orells be maried / It[e]m I give to
everie one of John waters and wyllm waters children iiijd / And to
everie one of my godchildren that shall requyre it iiijd to be paide
to everie one of them at their age of xiij yeres The resydue of all my goodes
cattells debtes and redye money not before gyven in this my testa[men]te and
laste will I will that myn executors shall have them towardes the
bringinge uppe of my saide children, payenge of debtes and p[er]formynge of
this my testament and laste will whom I order and make my welbiloved [well
beloved] freindes Richarde Crampton and Thomas hagas And I gyve to iche [each]
of them xxvjs viijd over and besyde their costes and
charges to be susteyned in and abowte [the previous word is uncertain]
thexecuc[i]on of the same / And I order and make John waters and Robert Bradley
sup[er]vysors of this my testa[men]te and laste will And I give to
iche of them for their paynes xiijs iiijd provyded
alwaies whereas I have by this my testa[men]te and laste will gyven and
bequethed unto John pecke my son[n]e my Messuage wherein I nowe dwell wt
a Ten[amen]te and certen Medowes closes and landes wt all their appurten[a]nces
and also certen cattell my tanne fattes wt the stocke of
lether and barke and also certen cattell and moveable goodes and he for to have
and enioye them at the age of xxjtes yeres, and if he die before
that age to Robert and Thomas my son[n]es as is beforesaide, that notwtstandinge
my mynde and will is that my saide executors and their assignes shall still
aftre the saide age of xxjtes yeres of everie of my saide son[n]es
have holde occupie and enioye and take the profightes [profits] of my saide
Messuage landes stocke cattell and goodes wt all and singuler the
premysses wt their appurten[a]nces before bequethed unto
my saide son[n]e John untill suche tyme as he the saide John my son[n]e or he
of my saide son[n]es that shall have and enioye the same wt
sufficient suretie wt hym shalbe bounden to my saide executors or
their assignes in suche sufficient bonde as shalbe devysed and thoughte good by
my executors and their learned counsell to paie all such legaces as
I have assigned hym to paie and also to acquyte discharge and save harmeles my
saide executors and thexecutors of them againest all men
by reason of any legacie or legaces debte or debtes and charges or any other
manner of matter or cause that they shall or maye be charged wt att
anye tyme hereaftre by reason that they shall prove and be charged wt
thexecuto[r]s of this my testa[men]te and laste will, my forsaide giftes and
legaces herein this my testament and late will made to the saide John Robert
and Thomas to the contrarie in any wyse notwtstondinge / It[e]m I
will that my lyttell pyctell called Caves pyctell lyenge in Ingate shalbe solde
by myn executors towards the payment of my debtes / It[e]m I give unto Johan
Meryman my doughter a gowne and a petycoote that wer her mothers and the worser
paire of corall beades / It[e]m I will have delt amonges the poore people xxs
Inunedyabelye after my deceasse / These wytnes John Gymlyn [there was probably a
symbol or abbreviation which meant “Sir” before the name “John Gymlyn”, but the
flourishes in the letter “J” obscured the symbol] Rob[er]t Tower, Rob[er]t Greme
Thomas Goodwyn and John watrs By me Robert pecke /
An abstract of his will was written by S. Allyn Peck and has been provided below; note the differences in our two transcriptions, particularly with certain names of the witnesses PE33:
My body to be buried in the churchyard of Beccles, near unto the grave of Johan, my wife. To every one of my household servants 12d. To John Pecke, my son, my messuage wherein I dwell and my tenement “late Mayster Rede” and the two meadows lying next the meadow in the “tenor” [tenure] of Mathew Prynte and my little garden “late Philippe Doddes,” my close “sometyme Helyn Churches,” my “fryttlell as the further Wynde Myll late Richard Tyde,” and three acres of land “late William Marshes,” upon condition that he shall pay – [amount not given] to Thomas Pecke, my son, and to my three daughters Margret, Olyve, and Anne. To Robard Pecke, my son, my other two meadows in Barstun [sic, ? Barsham] “late Churchmans” and the meadows “date Doct” Rede somtyme Baldewyns,” my close at Ingate church, one acre of land “late Tyde in Ingatefelds,” and the “three roode acres called Bells acre.” To Thomas Pecke, my son, my two tenements I purchased of John Walter [sic] and my tenter yard. To my daughters Margaret, Olyve, and Anne, to each £6. 13s. 4d. To every one of John Waters’s and William Waters’s children 4d. To every one of my godchildren 4d. Executors: Richard Crampton and Thomas Hagas. Supervisors: John Waters and Robert Bradley. My little “pyctell [pightel] called Caves pyctell” lying in Ingate shall be sold. To Johan Meriman, my daughter, a gown and a petticoat that were her mother’s and the “worser paire of Corall beads.” Witnesses: Sir John Gymbyn, Robert Tower, Robert Grene, Thomas Goodwyn, and John Waters.
S. Allyn Peck speculated that the “two tenements I purchased of John Walter” may have actually been purchased from John Waters PE33. His will was proved on November 20, 1556 PE33 (“Apud Beccles Vicesimo Novembris 1556to probatam” WI57).
Johan Waters (John, Margaret), the second wife of Robert Pecke, was the daughter of John and Margaret Waters of Beccles PE33. Johan was the mother of John, Robert, Thomas, Margaret, Olive, and Anne Pecke PE33.
John Pecke was still a minor when he was named as a legatee in the will of his grandfather, John Waters, on May 28, 1547 PE33, and he was under age twenty-one when his father named him in his will, dated October 31, 1556 WI57. S. Allyn Peck stated that John Pecke was said to have died without children and inferred that he died prior to February 16, 1573/4 because John was not mentioned in the will of his brother, Thomas Peck PE33.
Margaret Pecke was still a minor when she was was named as a legatee in the will of her grandfather, John Waters, on May 28, 1547 PE33. She was mentioned in her grandmother’s will on August 3, 1556 when Margaret Waters of Beccles stated “It[e]m I gyve to margarett pecce the daweter off Rob[er]t pecce theldere [the elder] a Fether bedde & the transso [perhaps “transom”] wth the ij blanckettes WI55. Margaret was younger than eighteen when she was mentioned in the will of her father, dated October 31, 1556 WI57. S. Allyn Peck stated that she was said to have died without children and inferred that she died prior to February 16, 1573/4 because Margaret was not mentioned in the will of her brother, Thomas Peck PE33.
Robert Peck was the son of Robert Peck; he was born in 1546 PE19 and was christened on November 28, 1548 in “Ingham”, Suffolk, England EN4.
Thomas Pecke was of Beccles, Suffolk County, England and was called the brother of Robert Peck in Robert Peck’s will, which was dated 1592 PE19. He was a legatee in the will of his grandmother on August 3, 1556 when Margaret Waters of Beccles stated “It[e]m I gyve to thom[a]s pecce one cowe the sonne of the sayde Rob[er]t pecce thelder” WI55. He was younger than twenty-one at the time that his father wrote his will on October 31, 1556 WI57. Thomas wrote his will on February 16, 1573/4, which indicated that he was about to embark on a trip to a foreign country PE19. His will mentioned his brother, Robert Pecke, his sister, Ane Peck, and Oleff (or Olyff), the wife of Richard Note, and made a bequest to his nephew, Richard Pecke, the son of Robert Pecke PE19. In an attempt to locate this will, I requested and paid for The National Archives to digitally photograph “E 136/145/20”, which was filed in “Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Escheators' Particulars of Account” and has a reference to Thomas Pecke in the years 15-16 Elizabeth I (about 1573). Unfortunately, the will was not included in this document, which was a heavily abbreviated Latin record with some areas of faded script. This type of record is beyond my capability to translate and transcribe. His will was located and transcribed by Ira Peck, and a copy of this transcription has been provided below PE19:
In the name of god amen, The xvjth daie of ffebruarie in the yere of or Lord god mtccccclxxiijth I Thomas Pecke of Beccles in the countie of Suff and dioces of Norwch holl [whole] of mynde & in pfit helth [perfect health] of bodie thanks be gyven to Allmightie god intending by gods sufferance to travell into farren cuntries [foreign countries] and purposing before my departure to declare my mynde and set suche things as god hath sent me at steye least in my absence god doth call me sodenlie awaye do orden make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge
ffirst I bequeath my soule to Allmightie god and my bodye to be buried where it shall please god to call me 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 and his heires forever upon condicon that he the said Richard his heires or Assignes do paie or cause to be paid unto Oleff the wief of Richard Note and Ane Pecke my sister to either of them at such tyme as he doth enioye the prmisses the some of fyve marks of lawfull money of England. And if it shall fortune the said Richard to die before he come to his lawfull age and do enioye the prmises then I gyve and bequeath all and singular the prmisses with the appurtennes to the abovenamed Robert Pecke my brother and his heirs forever upon condicon that he the seid Robert do paie unto the seid Olyff and Ane my sister to either of them the some of fyve marks at suche tyme as he doth enioye the same Item I gyve and bequeth unto said Richard and Robert or to which of them that shall happen to enioye my said tenements all that mye lease and terme of yeres wch I have of a certen ground adioyndge [adjoining] unto the prmisses
All the residue of my goods whatsoever I gyve and bequeath them to my seid brother Robt Pecke whome with the said Richard my nephew I orden and make my executors
In witness where of I have sette my hand and seale the daie and yere above said in the prsence of Richard Crompton Simeon Smyth and others Witnesses to the same by me
Thomas Pecke
Teste me Richard Crompton
Teste me Simeon Smythe
Olyve
Pecke was mentioned in her grandmother’s will on August 3, 1556 when
Margaret Waters of Beccles stated “It[em] I gyve to margarett oleffe
pecce a brod panne [perhaps “bread pan”] off brasse & allso to oleffe a
panne wth a fether [the previous four words were illegible and very
uncertain]” WI55. She was younger than eighteen when she was mentioned
in the will of her father, dated October 31, 1556 WI57. Olyve
married Richard Note PE19 or Richard Nott PE33. She was
called “Oleff the wief of Richard Note” in the will of her brother, Thomas
Pecke PE19. She was alive on March 22, 1592/3 when she was called “my
sister Note” by her brother, Robert Peck WI58.
Anne Pecke was likely the Anne Peck who was named as a legatee in the will of Margaret Waters in her will dated August 3, 1556 (“Itm I gif to Anne peke ij of my best platters”) WI55. She was mentioned in the will of her father, dated October 31, 1556 (when she was under eighteen) WI57 and in the will of her brother, Thomas Pecke PE19. S. Allyn Peck stated that she was said to have died without children PE33.
Johan (Waters) Peck was alive on August 3, 1556 when she was named as a legatee in the will of her mother, Margaret Waters (“margaret wateres wydowe off becclyes late the wyffe off Jhon wateres, thelder”), which stated “I[tem] I gyf to my dowhtr Jone pek my best gown” WI55, but she had died by October 31, 1556 when Robert Pecke wrote his will (“And my bodye to be buried in the churche yarde of Beccles nere unto the grave of Johan my wife”) WI57.