Smithsend - Early

This document describes the early origins of the Smithsend family in Tewkesbury from about 1320 to 1540 leading to two brothers? William Smythsyn born about 1515 the possible ancestor of the Smithin family and Richard Smithsend born about 1510 the ancestor for the Smithsends in Tewkesbury.

For these early dates the records are fragmentary and it is not possible to connect all the individuals but they do seem to be part of one large family prospering in Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages from the 14th to the 16th centuries.

Smithsend name - this is probably derived from the Anglo Saxon expression 'Smiths End', that is, the district where a 'Smith' or the 'Smiths' lived. 'End' is Old English for a district or area and 'Smith' is an Old English occupation name for any sort of metal worker (not just a Blacksmith). Interestingly around Tewkesbury there is a high (even for England) concentration of place names ending in 'End' so the preservation of the name in this form (which is very rare, compared to Smith, Smithson, or Smeaton) may be something to do with the local dialect at the time. The earliest reference to the Smithsend name identified so far is Robert Smethesende born in about 1320 near Tewkesbury.

Early Smithsends in and around Tewkesbury (1320 -1465)

Robert Smethesende (c.1320) of Forthampton. He is listed as one of those 'ordained to the first tonsure' at Bredon on the 22nd May 1345. This list is part of the diary of Bishop Wolstan de Branford who was bishop of Worcester from 1339-1349. It is probable that Robert was in his twenties in 1345. This is the earliest certain reference to Smithsend that we have found so far.

Richard Smetzher (c.1320) of Fiddington. This is possibly a reference to a Smithsend. Richard was listed as present as a secular acolyte at a service in Tewkesbury Abbey on the 21st May 1345.

George Smetheman (c.1350) of High Meadow, Staunton, Gloucestershire. He is mentioned in a deed for a land transfer in Staunton, Gloucestershire in 1385.

Richard Smethesende (c.1370). Possibly a relative of John (1390). He is described as a Chaplain in the will of Adam Bradewell a vicar of Whrydlington in Somerset. Richard is one of the three executors. The will makes a bequest to Longdon church which is near Tewkesbury so perhaps both Adam and Richard came from the Tewkesbury area.

John Smithsend (c.1390). Possibly the grandfather of John Smithsend (c.1465). 'John Smithsend held a house and 6a in Walton Cardiff as a customary tenant of Tewkesbury Abbey in 1419'.

A particular of the Manor of Walton Cardiff - 1419 Between the Abbot and Monks of Tewkesbury and Thomas Bassett and his wife Elizabeth.

" ... William Balkerne als Baweryne holds a messuage and 6 acres according to the Captain of the manor at 13s rent and suit of heriot and Peter Clarke holds as much by the same service [ ... ] and John Smythsend holds as much by the same rents and services ..."

John Smithsend (c.1465). The father of William Smithsend. He was a serf or villein, that is, a slave bound to his holding and obliged to do agricultural work for his Lord, the abbot of Tewkesbury, Henry Beoly. Villein status gradually disappeared by about 1500. A villein had certain rights and could, for example, pass his house and holding on to his son. We think that John married in about 1490. It is probably John who appears on the Gloucestershire Military tax roll of 1522, at Fiddington. His tax was assessed as 53 shillings and 5 pence. He was described as 'able' which implies that he was fit and available for military service. His grandfather was possibly the John Smithsend (c.1390) who is recorded as holding 6 acres of land at Walton Cardiff in 1419.

William and Eleanor start the Smithsend estate (c.1530)

William Smithsend (c.1490-c.1565). The son of John (1465). He married Eleanor in about 1510. In 1528 William applied for and received a manumission (cancellation) of his villein status to become a free man.

"Henry, by divine permission Abbot of the Monastery of St Mary the Virgin, of Tewkesbury, and the convent of the same, by unanimous consent by their mere will manumitted and set free and released from all yoke of servitude, villenage, bondage or noematatis, William Smithsend, husbandman, son of John Smithsend, by the name William Smithsend, or whatever other name he may be known or called by, a native and villan of our Manor of Walton Cardyff, with all his sons and daughters whatsoever, and all his progeny lawfully begotten or to be begotten, his goods and chattels, and all other things, wheresoever they be; so that the said William Smithsend and all his belongings may go forth from under the yoke of servitude and rejoice in liberty, both for themselves and all their goods etc., for ever."

This was issued from the Chapter House at Tewkesbury on the 5th January 1528. William was then able to apply to William Basset the Lord of the Manor at Walton Cardiff (near Tewkesbury) to be the tenant of two tenements and 50 acres of arable land at Walton Field and 1 acre of meadow at Lechymere, and 1 acre at Turle Meadow. The rent was 39 shillings per annum.

William also appears on the Gloucestershire Military tax roll of 1522 living in Fiddington. His tax was assessed at £7. This was a tax levied on all holders of land and moveable assets in the County to pay for military operations; in this case to subsidise a planned invasion of France by Henry VIII and Charles V in 1522/23 .

In 1538 William is mentioned in another court roll of Henry VIII as holding (with his wife) two acres of meadow in Turle meadow in Walton Cardiff. William is later mentioned with his son Richard, on a court roll of Elizabeth I, as holding land in Walton Cardiff, in 1563.

George Smithsend (c.1495). The 19th century antiquarian R Royce suggested that George was the brother of Willaim. Georege owned a messuage and appurtenances and land in Northwaye field on the 16th Decemeber 1538, (Ashchurch).

Gloucestershire tax roll of 1522

The Smithsends below are all listed on the Gloucestershire Tax roll of 1522 so were probably over 21 at that date and contemporaries of William (c.1490) who is also mentioned on the Tax roll.

Richard Smethesend (c.1490). He is recorded as a tax payer at Bishop's Cleeve on the Military tax roll of 1522. His tax was assessed at £3.

John Smesend (c.1490-1568). He is recorded on the Military tax roll of 1522 at Bishop's Cleeve. His tax was assessed at £7. Possibly a relative of Richard (1490).

Thomas Smethesend (c.1490). He is recorded on the Military tax roll of 1522 as a tax payer of Turkdean near Cirencester. His tax was assessed at £4 and it records that he also has a 'harness'. A harness was a suit of armour for a foot or a mounted soldier. He is probably also the Thomas Smithsend who appears in a case at the Gloucester Diocesan court versus an Agnes Kyrby in 1553.

Richard Smythson (c.1490). He is recorded on the Military tax roll of 1522 as a tax payer of Forthampton near Tewkesbury.

Smithsends in Bushley c. 1450-1580

In 1476 a Richard and Thomas Smythsend are mentioned in an agreement between John the abbot of Tewkesbury and the parishoners of Bushley (a village near Tewkesbury).

Indenture between John, abbot of Teukesbury and Thomas Payn of Bushley, John Beele, John Crokker the younger, John Wilteshire, Thomas Wilteshire, John Crokker the elder, Thomas White, Wat Hugons, Richard Reve, John Botell, Robert Bedull, Richard Harries, Joshua Waleys, John Mart, Thomas Mart, John Barston, John Downton, Richard Smythesend, Jamys More, Thomas Smythesend, John Bedull, Thomas Grene and Robert Ball, parishioners to the chapel of St. Peter of Bushley, whereby the said chapel and certain grounds thereto appertaining were to be made into a burial ground in return for assurance that a tenement built by the parishioners in the south side of the said chapel be held by the abbot and convent of Tewkesbury for use as a priests house.

They were probably born around 1450. Several other Smithsends are recorded in the parish registers at Bushley.

Elizabeth Smesyn, widow, buried 26th August 1547 Nycolas Smesyn son of Thomas Smesyn, baptised, 13th March 1550 An Smesyn daughter of Thomas Smesyn, baptised, 29th March 1553

John Smyssynde son of John Smyssynde (Smesyn) and Marget Smyssynde, baptised 23rd January 1561. Godparents: William Nuttynge, Thomas Dennes, Jone Wyther.

John Smessend (Smesyn), son of Thomas Smissend, and Marget Dennys (daughter of John Dennys), married 8th October 1563

Nicholas Smythyn (Smesyn), buried, 17th April 1578

Anne Smesyn married Henry Buckinggam, 6th November 1578

Smithsends in Cropthorne c. 1450-1550

In the later 16th Century there were several Smithsends living in Cropthorne, Worcestershire.

Elisabeth Smithsend daughter of Richard Smithsend, baptised, 11th August 1560

Anne Smysen married John Bromall on 7th April 1570

Margaret Smisend, buried, 6th November 1561

John Smithsend and Johan Smithsend sons of John Smithsend, buried, 3rd January 1577

Jone Smithsend daughter of Johi Smithsend, baptised, 8th March 1586

Anne Smithesone daughter of John Smithesone, buried, 5th July 1587

Jone Smithsend married William Tysoe, 9th November 1589

Elizabeth Smithend married Thomas Laurence, 20th May 1593.

There is a will for a John Smithsend of Cropthorne (died 1545) but it is in a poor condition. This might be a possible father of John (c.1550).

Will - John Smithsend of Cropthorne - 1545

In the name of God Amen the ? day of October in the ? year of the reign of our Sovereign lady Queen? Elizabeth ?of England, France, ... of England, Defender of the faith, and of ? England, France by ? .

I John Smithsend of the parish of Cropthorne in the County of ? being sick in body do ordain? and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

I commend my soul unto Almighty God and my body being buried in the Parish church? of Cropthorne.

Item I bequeath unto the ? ....

And the remainder? of my goods not ? bequeathed I give to ? my wife whom I make my joint? executor ?

In witness whereof ?

Inventory

The inventory of the all the goods of John Smythsend of the parish of Cropthorne [remainder not readable]

Smithsends in Tewkesbury c.1550

These are the children of William and Eleanor. The family is prospering and Richar owned quite a large amount of property and land by the time he died in 1566.

Richard Smithsend (c.1510-1566). The son of William and Eleanor. he was described as a Yeoman. He was mentioned along with his father on some Court Rolls for Walton Cardiff as taking a holding on some land in 1538. The will of a William Hawlynge of Walton Cardiff dated 1545 mentions that an overseer of the will was a Rychard Smythsend.

Will of William Hawling, 1545 Probate: 12th December 1545

In die nomine Amen. In the yere of owre Lord God MVCVLV and in the XXXV11 yere of the reyng of owre sofferane Lord kyng Henry the Eyght Kyng of England Frannce and Ireland and in Erthe supreme Head of the Churche of England and Ireland next under God. I Wylliam Hawlyng of Walton Cardyffe in the paryshe of Tewkesbury husbandman: syke in body but hole and perfyte of mynd and of good remembrance do ordeyne and make this my last wyll in manner and forme foloyng. Fyrst I be queth my sole to allmyghty god to our gloryus Lady seynt Mary and to all the hole company in hevyn: and my body to be buryd in churchyard of Tewkysbury.

Also I be queth to Thomas Hallyng my brother my best cott. Item I be queth to John Hawllyng my best Rosett cott. Item I be queth to Elyn my dowghter my best pane after the decese of my wyffe. Item I be queth to Jone my dowghter my cowbard after the desece of my wyffe. Item I be queth to my IJ dowghters Ij brasse pottes after my wyffe desece. Item I be queth to Wylliam Smythsend my godsun a cow calfe of a yere old. Item I be queth to my IJ dowghters a bryndyd bolocke for to be sold and the monnye to be delyverd to them at cystmas next in [-----] porsyons. Item I be queth to Rychard Bacar my best breches and a pere of short hossys. Also I be queth my grene gyrkyn to Rychard that maryd Davey Taberars wyffe. And all my goodes unbequeathed movable and unmovable I geve unto Elizabeth my wyffe makyng her my hole Executryxe to order them to the honor of god and to the profytt of her makyng. Rychard Smythend my over sear that this my lasdt wyll be fulfylled. Wytnes to thys Rychard Smythend and Robert Tolentyn.

Richard also witnessed the will of Elizabeth Hawling (the wife of William) in 1561. He also is listed as one of her creditors whom she owed 23 shillings.

A Richard Smithsend is mentioned in a case in the diocesan court in Tewkesbury in 1559. Richard married Joan in about 1545. Richard's will describes most of the Smithsend estate at that time.

Will of Richard Smithsend - 1567 [ Preamble ommitted ]

Item. I geve unto the pore people to be distrybuted unto them at the daye of my buryall XXs. Item. I geve to the reapaations if the parishe churche of Tewkesbury XXs. Item. I geve to the reparcons of the long bridge of Tewkesbury VJs VIIJd. I geve to the reparacons of Salandyne Wey to be bestowed at John Richardes lesownende XIIJs IIIJd.

Item. I geve & bequethe unto Thomas Smithesend my sonne Imediatly after the deceasse of Jone my wyfe All that my messuage or halfe burgage & garden thereunto adioynyng with all & syngular. Their appurtenances set lying & being yn Tewkesbury aforesaid yn a strete there callyd the Oldbury Strete Betwene a messuage of one Thomas Frebancke on the Southe parte & a messuage late in the tenure of one Richard Mathew on the Northe parte & now yn the tenure of occupacon of one Thomas Jones. To have & to holde to hym & his heyres forever of the chiffe lordes of the fee thereof by servise from thence due & of Righte Accustomed.

Item. I geve to the same Thomas my sonne a cowe called Lonely & in Redy money £XIIJ VJs VIIJd to be payed to hym at the age of XXIJ yeres.

Item. I geve & bequethe unto Nicholas my son At the age of XXIJ yeres All that my one Acre of grounde with his appurtenances set lyeng & being yn the feilde callyd Oldbury nyghe Tewkesbury foresaid in the said countie of Gloucester & in the one furlong of the same feilde & now alos in the tenure or occupacon of the foresaid Thomas Jones. To have & to holde to hym & his heires for ever of the chiffe lordes of fee thereof by service from thence dew & of Right accustomed. The rente of the same acre to remayne unto my executors until my son Nicholas be of the said age of XXIJ yeres.

Item. I geve & bequethe unto the same Nicholas my sonne a cowe called Lyllye & yn Redye moneye £XIIJ VJs VIIJd to be paid unto hym at the age of XXIJ yeres.

Item. I geve & bequethe unto William my son All those my two messuages or halfe burgages & gardens to them belonginge with all & singular their appurtenances set lyeng & beyng yn Tewkesbury foresaid in the said countie of Gloucester & a strete callyd Barton Strete. The one nowe yn the tenure of Thomas Hill & the other yn the tenure of one Thomas Turner. To have and to holde to hym & his heires forever of the chyffe lordes of the fee thereof by service from thence due & of Righte accustomed.

Item. I geve to the same William my son my leasse of the howse & grounde that Richard Perte now dwellethe yn Walton aforesaid with all the tacke Tymber & implementes of husbandry A Maser my saw & lerne wedge my two sesternes of ston & a greate Cawthorne of XIX galons.

Item. I geve unto Thomas Pronte my kynsman a tagged heyfer called Tadge two shepe two platters a bras potte a flockbed a bolster a doble canvas a pare of shets a bord clothe & a candlesticke.

Item. I geve to my sister Anne Barebon a corrocke of wheete.

Item. I geve & bequethe unto Bridget my dawghter yn redy money £XX a fetherbed with all hys appurtenances a bras pan that I boughte of Anne Comley. Two bras pots harfe a dosen peeces of pewter. IIJ pare of shets half a dosen of napkyns a meteclothe. Two candlestickes & a latyn bason & a broche.

Item I geve & bequethe unto Elizabethe my dawghter yn redye money £XX. A fetherbed ith all his appurtenances a potte a cawthorne half a dosen peces of pewter. Two candlestickes & a broche to be paid to her at the daye of her marriage.

Item. I wyll that yf any of my children do happen to dye before that there legaises shalbe dewe unto them Then his parte of hers that so shall happen to dye shall Remayne unto my other children that then shalbe alyve equally to be devided.

The Resydew of all my goodes & cattells not geven nether bequethed my debts payd & funerall expences dyscarged I do geve & bequethe wholy unto Jone my wife and William my sonne & them I do make my whole Executors of this my last wyll & Testament I do will also to occupye my groundes yn Walton foresayd Joyntley togetherf untyll my legaises be payd.

Also I do ordeyne & make my beloved fryndes Thomas Wilkynson Richard Greg John Barebon & Roger Gylbert the overseers of this my last wyll & testament & to evry one of them I do geve for theire peynes to be taken therein IIJs IIIJd.

Also I will that my sayd overseers shall have full power & Authorytie by the vertue of this my last wyll & Testament to Requyre & take sufficient bondes of my Exectuors for the performance of these my legaises above mentioned.

These witnesses. Nicholas Cromdale curat of Tewkesbury Richard Kynard & John Syrrell.

A Roger Gylbert was a churchwarden of Tewkesbury Abbey in 1568. John Barebon (or Basebon or Barston) was probably Richard's brother in law who was married to his sister Anne. Nicholas Cromdale was the curate at Tewkesbury and appears as a witness on several wills of this period. From the will it looks as though Richard had built up an estate of at least: - a house and grounds in Walton, four houses and gardens in Tewkesbury and several other plots of land in Tewkesbury.

A Richard Smithsend is mentioned in the Gloucester Diocesan records in 1567 in case about a Tithe versus William Cole.

Richard's wife Joan (c.1515-1576) is mentioned in the accounts of Tewkesbury Abbey in 1567 as Richard left a bequest to the church.

Jone Smethesend of Walton for her husbands legacie to the church. As it appeareth in the recypte afore declared the whiche they receyved of Jone Smithsend 20s of Thomas Pigeon 2s and of Mr Wyatt 5s of Mr Baylysses 28s 5d and of Alexander Dryver 4d.

Joan made a non-cupative will on the 11th December 1576 which seems to have been hurriedly drawn up and she died some time later in 1576. Her son Nicholas was the sole executor and beneficiary.

Will of Joan Smithsend - 1576

Memorandum that the XIJth day of decembre Anno Domini 1576 and in the XIXth yere of the reign of our Sovreigne lady Quene Elizabeth. I Jone Smythesend of Walton Cardyff in the paryshe of Tewkysbury & within the countye and Dyoces of Gloucster wydowe syck in body butt perfecte in mynd beying demanded by John Walker preacher and curat of the paryshe of Tewkesbury aforesayd whether she woold make her wyll and also beying persuaded by the sayd Mr Walker thereunto and demanded how she meaned to bestowe her goodes answered & her mynd was to make Nycholas Smythsend her executor in the presence of the sayd Mr Walker John Cole paryshe clearke these and others.

Anne Smithsend (c.1515-c.1574). The daughter of William and Eleanor. She married John Barebon (or Basebon or Barston) a leather worker or shoemaker. John was an overseer to her brother Richard's will in 1566. Anne's nephew Thomas Smithsend (c.1548) was apprenticed to John Barebon as a shoemaker in 1576. A John Barebon is also listed in the records of the Tewkesbury Cordwainers' (shoemakers) Guild in 1565 and 1576. A John Barbon is mentioned in the Tewkesbury Churchwarden's accounts for 1572-1574 'of John Barbon for his wiffes rome with Mres Cole. 12d'. A 'room' was a place in a pew and there was a local custom of paying for the room when it was first assigned or changed ownership.

William Smythesend (c.1515-1555). Als Andrews. Also spelt Smythsyn. Possibly the son of William and Eleanor. He had a stormy marriage to Alice (possibly his second wife) which is documented in a series of cases in the consistory court at Tewkesbury between 1551 and 1555. In some of the notes of the court cases he is referred to as 'William Smythesend als Andrewes'. The court record on the 25th June 1552, for example, reads:-

It was reported that the said William and Alice were not living together as man and wife. The said Alice claimed that the said Smythesend was always violent and agressive ('semper pugnans ac contendans').

William and Alice were ordered to appear again on the 4th July with witnesses. There were six witnesses who seemed divided between Alice and William these were: Eleanor Cowper, Agnes Rhese, Helena Howselock, Margaret Richards, Margaret Tomson and William Trubshawe.

'Agnes Rhese aged etc. And beynge examyned whiche of the said parties is in fawt [fault] that the said Smythesend and Alice his wif do so yvell [evil] together she saieth that they are both in fawt. And further sayth that the said Smythesend did say yf he should lose nothing but his labor he wold have rydd the said Alice or this tyme. And beynge examyned how often tymes the said Smythesend did beat his wif she saith that the said Smythesend did beat the said Alice many tymes not knowing what tyme but about a half a yere past.

Margaret Richards aged etc. And beynge examyned whiche of the parties is in blame she saieth bothe parties. And further beyng examyned how often tymes she did see the said Smythesend beat the said Alice she answereth that she did never see hym beat the said Alice but that upon a tyme she, this deponent came into the howse of the said Smythesend and there did see the face of the said Alice all bloudye and there is a scarre or mark in the face of the said Alice by reason of a styck at this present day beynge a toke of the said beatyn. And further saieth that the said Smythesend reported that if it were but for losyng his labour he wold have kyld her or this tyme.

Helena Howselock aged etc. And beyng examyned which of the said parties are the cawse of there variance she saieth that they are bothe in a great fault and the said Alice is moche more to be blamed than the said Smythsend. And with respect to the other things, she knows nothing to set down.

Elenor Cowper, about 60 years old of Tewkesbury was produced and admitted as the first witness etc. and beyng examyned what wordes and threatenings were spoken and done by the said Smythesend she saieth that about All Hallowes tyde last past upon a Sonneday at after noon the said Smythesend did beat Alice his wif with a cowle staff verie sore and many other tymes did beat her verie soore and afore lent last past the said Smythesend did wickedlye doo with his wif and break the hynder part of the hedd of the said Alice. And the sad Smythesend did further say if it were no more but the losyng of his labour he would have rydd the said Alice his wife or this tyme.

Margaret Tomson aged etc. And beyng examyned which of the parties are in the fawt she sayeth that both parties are to be blamed and in the fault. And beynge examined of any further in this matur she knowethe nothynge but hearesaye.

William Trubshawe. And beyng examyned which of the parties were the fault he saeth that both parties are in te fault. And beyng examyned how often tymes he the said Smythesend hathe beate his wife he saieth that Smythesend hath many tymes beaten the said Alice.

After the witnesses were heard William and Alice were ordered to live together in the future under pain of law.

This may not have been the first appearence of Alice and William in court as there is a similar case recorded in July 1551 between a William Smythesend and Elizabeth his wife. The 'Elizabeth' may be a mistake for Alice as this was sometimes written 'Alez' and Elizabeth was sometimes shortened to 'Eliz'.

The said William Smythesend appeared and objected to and denied the article saying before as follows. 'that the truthe hit ys that he gave his wieffe a blowe on the cheke whereupon she departed'.

On the 11th July 1555 William again petitioned the court for the restitution of conjugal rights.

Alice Smethesend petitioned against this on the grounds that he was and is so harsh that she does not dare live with him as his wife and she is in danger of bodily harm from her husband. She undertakes to prove this and brings a certain Robert Colet into court who swears to the truth etc.

This does not seem to be the only side to the story however because also on the 11th July a Thomas Glover brought a case for defamation against William.

The proctor acting on behalf of Glover alledged that the said Smythesend had maliciously defamed his client with the crimes of incontinence and fornication especially with Alice the wife of the aforesaid Smythesend. This is openly admitted. The said Glover acknowledges that he has had carnal knowledge of the said Alice, confessing the gravity etc.

A note on both cases on the 19th October says that William died and so the case was not proceeded with.

The Diocesan (consistory) court dealt with canon law, that is, the rules of the Church of England and usually dealt with cases involving morals and church matters and never with criminal cases. The penalty was often a penance (apology in public) or a short period of excommunication until the offence was remedied.

At the end of the 1555 case William was charged with contempt and excommunicated from the Church by the Diocesan court.

William Smythesend, otherwise the plaintiff, is accused of contempt and is summoned to appear in the court on this day to withdraw the action. The judge pronounces his petition (against divorce) to be contumacious and he is suspended.

The said Smethesend, otherwise the plaintiff, is charged with contempt and is summoned to the court on this day to answer the petition. He is excommunicated.

This was on the 18th July 1555 but by his death (on or before 19th October 1555) he receives a christian burial so the excommunication seems to have been lifted.

William's will was dated the 6th August 1555 and proved later in the year. He left £17 to his wife 'Ales' and the bulk of his estate to Thomas his son. He also left 20 shillings to Robert Tomson his wife's son and ordered that a legacy due to him from his father should be paid out of the estate. This suggests that Alice had a previous marriage to a Mr Tomson and a small son when she married William. One of the witnesses in 1552 was a Margaret Tomson who is perhaps Robert's Aunt. William also makes several other bequests and mentions their servant Margaret.

Will of William Smythsyn - 1555

In dei nomine amen. the VIth daye of August in the yere of our Lord God A thousand fyve et fyftie and fyve. I Wyllym Smythesen of Tewkesbury in the Countye of Gloucester sycke in bodye and perfet remembrace makeyth my testament and last wyll in maner and forme following.

Fyrst and pryncypally I bequethe my sowle to allmyghty god and to our Ladye Sainte Marye and to all the holy company in hevyn my body to be buryed in the churche yarde of Tewkesbury foresayd.

Item. I geve and bequethe to my mother churche of Gloucester IIIIs also I geve and bequethe to Ales my wyffe £XVII.

Also I geve and bequethe to be dystrybuted amongst the pore people in Tewkesbury foresayd XXs. Also I geve and bequethe to the hygh wayes about Tewkesbury XXs. Also I geve and bequethe to Robert Tomson my wyves sone XXs. Also that he shalbe payed out of my goodes that whych was hys & legacy £VII. Also I geve and bequethe to Elizabeth Haryson XIId. Also I geve bequethe to Margaret my servant IIs. Also I geve and bequethe to Thomas Hochyn IIIs IIIId. Also I geve and and bequethe to Hugh Craste IIIs IIIId.

All the resydewe of my goodes my detts payd and my funerall dyscharged moveable and unmoveable of what kynde or name soever they be called I wholly geve and bequethe to Thomas my sone whome I make my sole executor to dyspose my goodes to the plesure of God and to the helth of my sowle and I make John Gase and Hugh Schye my overseers to se that all thys my last wyll and testament be performed and done and I geve unto eyther of them for theyre paynes VIs VIIId and these persons were present and wytnes to thys my wyll and testament. John Gase, Hugh Slyser, Thomas Hochyer, Hugh Craste and Wyllym Hegges.

The Tewkesbury Churchwardens accounts show that Hugh Sclycer later became a bailiff for Tewkesbury in 1572 and John Gase at one time had a pew in the Abbey (before 1565).

Smithsend alias Andrews - This use of the surname occurs for several Andrews or Smithsend entries in Tewkesbury records in this period and a bit later. It did not necessarily imply an illegitimate birth and was also a way of indicating the link to the mother's family.

John Smithsen (c.1520-c.1589). Possibly a son of William and Eleanor. A John Smythen, carpenter, appears in the Tewkesbury churchwardens' accounts in the period 1563 to 1589. He may have been married and had at least one son, John, who also became a joiner.

To John Smythen for planke and for bordes for the seates. 12s 2d. 1575/76.

To John Smethen (for) for a dayes worke thate Flecher dyd before he died in settyng up the lead wher it was stolen awey the year before. 10d. 1576/77

A John Fletcher is mentioned as working regularly on the church and providing solder and lead from 1570 to 1576. A John Smitten joiner was made a freeman of Tewkesbury in 1576.

Of John Smithsend for 2 roomes in the seate where Nestes wife in the kay lane knelith. 2s. 1584-1585.

for the belles at John Smythesendes buriall. 2s. 1587-1589.

The list of Tewkesbury freeman lists a Richard Flatcher who became a freeman in 1593 and was apprenticed to a John Smythsend, joyner.

There is a will for a John Smithsen of Tewkesbury in 1587. It mentions his wife Elizabeth and his mother Margaret Taylor and his brother Frances Taylor (perhaps John's father died early in life and his mother remarried).

Will of John Smithsen, Tewkesbury - 1587

In the name of God Amen. The twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred eighty seven. And in the nine and twentieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith.

I John Smithsen of Tewkesbury in the County of Gloucester. [Being] sick and weake in body but of good and perfect memory God be praised therfore. I do make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and form following:-

First. I bequeath my soule to Almighty God my blessed Maker Redeemer and [ --- ]. And my bodye I commit to the earth to be buryed in [ --- ].

Item. My corporall goods and [ --- ] I give and dispose in [ --- ] as followeth. I give and bequeath unto the [ --- ] of the parish church of Tewkesbury aforesaid three shillings four pence of lawfull money of England.

Item. I give and bequeath to the poor people of the town of Tewkesbury aforesaid tenne shillings of lawful money of England.

Item. I give and bequeath to Margaret Taylor my mother tenne pounds of lawful money of England.

Item. I give and bequeath to Francis Taylor my brother fifty three shillings and four pence of lawful money of England.

All the rest of my Goods and Chattels moveable and immoveable not above given and bequeathed my debts [ ] and funeral expenses defrayed and paid I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Smithsen my wyfe whom I make and ordayne my sole and wholle executrix of this my last will and testament to appoint performe and doe all things [according] to my true meaning and trust [ ] in her.

Witnessed [ --- ] Richard Smithins, Thomas [ --- ], William Manson.

Smithsends of Longdon

There was a Smithsend family living in Longdon (near Tewkesbury) in the 16th Century. Robert and several sons - although he does not directly say in the will that he is referring to sons.

Will of Robert Smithsend - 1579

In the name of God Amen. I Robert Smithsend of Longdon beinge sicke of bodie but thanks be unto Almightie God in good & perfect remembrance I do make this my last will & Testament in manner & forme followinge, that is to say.

Item. I geve & bequethe to William Smithsend two ewes & two hoggs. Item. to James ? two ewes and two hoggs. Item to Jo Smithsend two ewes and two hoggs To Robert Smithsend two ewes and two hoggs.

All the rest of my goodes bequeathed my debts & legacies & funerall expenses discharged I geve to Joane my wyff whom I make my executrix.

Witnesses to the making thereof. John [ --- ], Thomas Seymore, Johan Griffens

A Robert Smythsend is also mentioned in the will of Margaret Hyches of Tewkesbury of 7th July 1562.

'Also I geve and bequeathe all that my tenement with the shoppe and chamber belonginge to the same with thappurtances sett and lying in Salter's lane within the towne of Tewkesbury aforesaid which Robert Smythsend now occupieth ...'

A John Smithsend was christened on the 22nd May 1572 at Shipton Ollife parents Robert and Jonne Smithsend.

Smithsends in Ripple c.1550

Ripple is a village on the borders of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire a few miles from Tewkesbury. Some Smithsends were living there in the 16th Century.

Isble Smithend was christened in Ripple on 15th March 1576 Thomas Smithin was christened in Ripple on 20th March 1571 Anne Smithsend married Morice Gilbart on the 28th December 1576 in Ripple Magertt Smithend married William Putor in Ripple on the 6th January 1580

Other early Smithsends c.1570

These are some other early references to Smithsends.

William Smythende, Bengeworth. Will of 23rd March 1554

Thomas Smyston married Elizabeth Hawse, widow, Alcester in 1569

A Smithsend in Bibury (near Gloucester) in 1551

Richard Smithsend of Deerhurst mentioned in the Gloucester Diocesan records in 1565

John Smythsend appeared at a Cirencester commission of inquiry with others to protest about an inclosure of land near Winchcombe? in 1517.

Commission for Ecclesiastical cases Bristol 1574 - a court set up to deal with church offences from 1574 to 1576. Thomam Goulde an Alderman of Newnham (Forest of Dean) brought a case against a Thomas Smythestone.

Johnes Smythisend baptised on 20/11/1546 - Hanley Castle, Worcs

Thomas Smythinge married Joan Lawton (parents of Johnes above?) at Hanley Castler on 5/10/1545