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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: gloveg on Thursday 26 February 26 03:51 GMT (UK)
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I have received copies of two Batman wills both of which are in latin. I would really appreciate some help with the translation of these please.
I attach part one of the will of John Batman of Rodmersham 1471. At first I thought this was a nuncupative will but it seems to be the will of John Batman son of John Batman of Rodmersham.
I will send through the other parts of the will separately.
Thanks and kind regards,
Gerelle Lovegrove.
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Part 2 of the will of John Batman 1471
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Part 3 of the Will of John Batman of Rodmersham 1471
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Essentially ...
18 August 1471
[Testament]
John Batman the elder, son of John Batman of Rodmersham, sane of mind and healthy memory
Soul to God, the Virgin Mary and all her Saints
Body to be buried in the churchyard of St Nicholas, Rodmersham
For forgotten tithes, 20 pence
For a trental of wax candles to hang before the High Cross, 2 pence
For repairing a wax torch-light in the church, 4 ewes
One candle consisting of half a pound of wax to light the image of the Blessed Mary in the church
To 2 priests for a mass on the day of my death, and to 6 priests for a mass on the 30-day anniversary of my death, 12 pence.
Residue to Joan, my mother, appointed executrix
18 August 1471
[Will]
My trustees Richard Peryne, Robert Norden and John Meere have recently received, by my gift and feoffment, one messuage and half an acre of land adjoining it in Rodmersham, as set out in more detail in a separate document.
These trustees are to permit Joan, my mother, to occupy the premises for life, then my brother Thomas and his lawful heirs, and if Thomas has no lawful heirs, then my right heirs.
Dated as above; witnesses - Lord John (chaplain in Rodmersham), Thomas Broke, Richard Nordene (clerk in Rodmersham) and others.
Note - the surname is spelt Batman in the testament and Batmane in the will.
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Thank you Bookbox for your very prompt reply and transcript of the will of John Batman 1471. The other will I have is for John Batman of Rodmersham 1474 which I suspect is the father of the previous John Batman as he mentions his wife Johanne and sons Thomas and John (who I suspect is John Batman the younger), his older brother (John Batman the elder having died in 1471).
John Batman also states in his will that he has lands in Rodmersham and (not sure if it is Sydynham or Bydynham). Biddenden would make more sense as a line of the family were settled in Biddenden two generations later, whereas the main line continued to be in Rodmersham.
Overseers again are Robert Norden and John Weer.
Would appreciate it if you would check the will to ensure that the above is correct and if there is anything else that can be gleaned from the will.
I attach Part 1 of the Will. Will attach the other parts separately.
Kind regards,
Gerelle Lovegrove.
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Part 2 of the will of John Batman 1474.
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Part 3 of the will of John Batman 1474.
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Afraid I can't do this before Saturday, but someone else may be able to help before that.
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Will made 24 April 1474.
Testator is John Batman of Rodmersham.
To be buried in the church of St Nicholas in Rodmersham.
He gives 12 pence to the same church for tithes forgotten.
He gives the residue of his goods not bequeathed or owing to Joan his wife.
He makes and constitutes wife Joan and John Meer (definitely not Weer) his executors.
In a last will made the same day and year he refers to Robert Norden and John Meer as his feoffees in all his lands and tenements lying and being in the parishes of Rodm(er)esh(a)m & Sydymsbo(ur)ne.
It's definitely a _bourne placename: although not an expert on Kent, I'd say that Sittingbourne is more likely than the places you have mentioned.
I have to stop there. I'll look at the rest later.
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Next batch:
Next he wills in relation to his estate after his decease that his said feoffees are to enfeoff Joan his wife in all the aforesaid lands and tenements to have and to hold to Joan and her assigns up to the term of her life, of the chief lords etc.
Then he wills that the aforesaid feoffees after the decease of Joan are to enfeoff his son Thomas in one Croft of land lying beneath or behind a messuage of a certain John Mayhewe to have and to hold to Thomas and the legitimate heirs born of his body.
And he wills that the aforesaid feoffees after the decease of Joan are to enfeoff his son John in his messuage [and - presumed by me] one Croft of land called Toggarys and in half an acre of land lying next to Shyngette to have to the same John and the legitimate heirs born of his body.
EDITED:
To correct some spelling.
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I've looked through the remaining six lines. They contain contingencies for situations involving failure of issue among the heirs already named. No new personal names or place names appear in these lines.
Therefore I will proceed no further with my summaries.
ADDED:
In fact no personal names of any kind appear and the only place name is Rodm(er)esh(a)m.
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Thanks Horselydown, Sittingbourne could be correct as a branch of the Bateman family were in Sittingbourne. Sorry, meant John Meer. Grateful for your time and effort in translating this will for me.
Cheers, Gerelle Lovegrove.