1578/79 "Thomas Sayer was baptized the 28th of Januarie 1578" at Margate St. John, Thanet, Kent. [1] [2]
1581/82 "Elizabethe Sare" was baptized "the 28th of Januarie 1581" at Margate St. John, Thanet, Kent. [3]
1614 Nicholas Sayer wrote his will on August 1.
In the name of God amen the first daye of Auguste in the yeare of the reigne of sovereigne Lord James by the grace of god of England Scotland France & Ireland Kinge Defender of the faythe & that is to saye of England France and Ireland the twelvethe and of Scotland the eight and fortithe Anno Dm 1614 I Nicholas Seare of the paryshe of Mynster in the Isle of Thanet in the countye of Kent yeoman beinge sicke in bodye but of perfecte mynd and memorye thanks be to god therefore doe make and ordeyne this my last will and testament in manor and forme folowinge (that is to saye) fyrst I bequeathe my soule to almightie god my creator redeemer and onely savior and my bodie to the earthe to be interred at the discretione of my executors hereunder named Item I will and bequeathe vnto the poore people of the paryshes of Mynster St Johns and St Peeters in the sayde Isle of Thanet thirtie shillings of good and Lawfull money of England (that is to saye) to the poore people of eyther of the sayde paryshes tenn Shillings to be payed within one monthe next after my decrease. Item I will and bequeath unto Alice Seare (the daughter of Thomas Seare my sonne deceased) the somme of tenn pounds of Lawfull money of England to be payed to the sayde Alice at her age of eighteene years of her daye of marriage wch shall first happen. Item I will and bequeathe vnto Johan my wife two cowes to be delivered emediatly after my decrease and the yearely annuytye of seaven pounds to be payed to the sayde Johan my wyfe duringe her naturall lyfe out of the Tenement and lands hereafter bequeathed to Thomas Omer one of the sonnes of Roger Omer and of Elizabethe my daughter halfe yearly to be payed (that is to saye) at every payment three pounds and ten shillings of currant monye of England the first payment thereof to be given at that feaste of the anunciacon of the Virgin Marye or St Mychaell tharchangell wch shall next happen after my decrease. Item I will and bequeathe unto Johan one of the daughters of the sayde Roger Omer and Elizabeth my daughter the somme of fortye pounds of currant money of England to be payed and imployed to the use of the same Johan in the Daye of the feaste of St Michall tharchangell wch shall next happen after my decrease and yf in case it chaunce the sayde Johan to depart this lyfe before the sayde fortye pounds shall come unto her, then I will and bequeathe the same fortye pounds unto Elizabethe her sister the other daughter of the sayde Roger Omer and the sayde Elizabethe his wife to be payed or imployed at the suche tyme as the sadye Johan should have receyved the same and yf in case bothe the sayde Johan and Elizabethe daughters of the sayde Roger Omer shall depart this lyfe before the sayde forty pounds shalbe payed as aforesaid then I will the same fortye pounds shalbe payed or imployed to the use of all suche children that of the sayd Roger Omer and Elizabethe my daughter as shalbe then livinge at the sayde feyste of St Mychell tharchangel next after my decrease. The residue of all my goods and chattels my debtes and legacies being payed and my funerall expences discharged I wholly give and bequeathe unto the sayde Roger Omer my Sonne in law and to the sayde Elizabeth my daughter his wyfe, wch sayde Roger and Elizabeth I make and ordeyne my sole executors of this my last will and testament theise beinge Wyttnesses Jhon Lumus Ric: Lamynge Richard Culmer John Pudner
This is the last will and testament of me the above named Nycholas Seare made the daye and yeare first above wrytten of and vppon the disposition of all my lands and tenements situate lyinge and beinge in the sayde paryshes of St Johns and St Peeters in the sayde Isle of Thanet First I will and bequeathe unto the sayde Johan my my wyfe one of my tenements at Westnorthedowne in the in the sayde paryshe of St Johns wherein the widdowe of one George Philpott dothe nowe inhabytt withall the lands to the same belonging, con[taining] by estymacon three acres & a halfe with thappurtenances to be had to the sayde Johan and her assignes during her natural life, the same Johan kepinge the sayde tenement sufficiently repayred and paying all suche quyttrents and other dueties wch shalbe dewe unto the chiefe Lords of the fee thereof during the same tyme. And after her decease I will and bequeathe the same tenement and lands with thappertenances unto Thomas Omer one of the sonnes of the sayde Roger Omer and the sayde Elizabeth my daughter and to his heires and assignes for ever. Also I will and bequeathe unto the same Thomas Omer one other tenement at Westnorthedowne aforesayde in the sayde paryshe of St Johns wherein one Thomas Hogben dothe now inhabytt and also other my lands lying and being in the sayde paryshe of St Johns to be had to the sayde Thomas Omer and to his heyres and assignes for ever and yf in case the sayde Thomas shall depart this lyfe with out heires of his body lawfully begotten then I will and bequeathe all and singular the sayde two tenements and lands so bequeathed to the sayde Thomas Omer shall wholly remayne unto Roger Omer his brother one other of the sonnes of the abovenamed Roger Omer and of the sayd Elizabeth his wife my daughter to he had to the same Roger to the use of the same Roger and to his heires and assignes for ever Provided alwayes that yf in case yt shall happen the sayde Annuyitie of seaven pounds so to be payed to the sayde Johan my wyfe as abovesayde, not to be payed in manner and forme as aforesayde that yt shall be lawfull to and for the sayde Johan, or her assignes to enter into and vppon any the sayde Lands bequeathed to the sayde Thomas Omer, and there to distrayne and the same distresse or distresses to beare leade drive and carrye awaye and to withholde and keepe untill all suche Annuytie and the arrearages thereof if any shall happen shalbe fullye payed and satisfyed. Item I will and bequeathe unto the sayde Roger Omer the other sonne of the abovenamed Roger Omer and the sayde Elizabethe my daughter one other tenement situate and beinge in the sayde paryshe of St Peters neare unto a place there called George hill and all the lands to the same belonging wth thappertenances con[taining] by of estymacon two acres wch I lately purchassed of heires of Rychard Roberts to be had to the sayde Roger to the use of the same Roger his heires and assignes for ever. And yf in case yt shall happen the sayde Roger to depart this lyfe wth out heires of his bodye Lawfully begotton then I will the sayde tenement and lands so bequeathed to the sayde Roger shall wholly remayne to the sayde Thomas Omer his brother and to the heires and assignes of the same Thomas for ever. Item I will and bequeathe unto Elizabeth Omer daughter of the sayde Roger Omer and of the sayde Elizabeth his wife all those my two tenements wth the barne courte yard gardens and by estymacon four acres of Lande to the same aioyinge to yeither scituate lyinge and beinge in the sayde paryshe of St Peters at a place there called Smythes wth thappurtenance to be had to the sayde Elizabeth Omer to the use of the same Elisabethe her heires and assignes for ever. And yf in case yt shall happen the same Elizabeth to departe this lyfe wthout heires of her bodye lawfully to be begotten then I will all the sayde tenements and lands so bequeathed to the sayde Elizabeth wth thappurtenances shall wholly remayne unto the abovenamed Johan Omer her sister to be had to the same Johan Omer to the use of the same Johan her heires and assignes for ever. And yf in case yt shall happen bothe the sayde Thomas and Roger the sonnes of the abovementioned Roger Omer and of the sayde Elizabeth his wife my daughter do depart this life wth out heires or heire of their bodyes lawfully to be begotten then I will that all and singular the sayde lands with thappurtenances so bequeathed to the same Thomas and Roger shall wholly remayne unto the sayde Elizabethe my daughter now wife of the abovenamed Roger Omer to the proper use of the same Elizabethe and of her heires and assignes for ever. And in like mannor yf in case yt shall happen sayde Elizabeth and Johan the daughters of the abovenamed Roger Omer and of the sayde Elizabethe his wife my daughter to depart this lyfe wth out heires or heire of theire bodies lawfully To be begotten then I also will and bequeath that all and singular the sayde lands and tenemants wth thappurtenances bequeathed to the same Elizabethe and Johan shall also wholly remayne unto the sayde Elizabethe my daughter now wife of the sayde Roger Omer to the proper use of the same Elizabethe and of her heires and assignes for ever. In wytnes whereof I the sayde Nycholas Seare have hereunto sett my hand and seale Dated the day and yeare first above written in the presence of John Lumus Ric: Lamynge Richard Culver John Pudner by me Nycholas Sayer
1614 The will of Nicholas Sayer was proved on September 20 with administration granted to Roger Omer. one of the executors named.
1621 Joan Sayer wrote her will on August 8.
In the name of God amen. I Joane Sare wydowe of Nicholas Sare of the parish of Minster in the Isle of Thannet in the County of Kent being sicke of body yet in perfect memory and of good understanding (parysed be god). First I doe will & bequeath my soule vnto god my Creator, and Redemer, and my body to the earth. Inprimis I will to foure of the children of my sonne Roger Omers foure pound a peece, and to his youngest namely Sarah Omer Seaven pounds. I will first to Thomas Omer sonne of Roger Omer of Minster to be paid instantly after my decease foure pounds To Elizabeth daughter of the said Roger Omer foure pounds to be paid at eighteen years of age, To Roger Omer sonne of the said Roger Omer four pounds to be payd at the years of eighteene: And to Sarah Omer the youngest daughter of the said Roger Omer I sill seaven pounds to be payd at the yeares of eighteene. Item I will and bequeath to Agnes Sare daughter of my sonne Thomas Sare deceased xx s to be paid her at her day of marriage. Item I give unto Thomas Omer sonne of the said Roger tweenty two shillings. Item Igive more to Elizabeth daughter of the said Roger Omer, my best gowne, and my best petticoat, and my best golland apron and my tafity apron, and my best girdle. The rest of my goods what soever I will to my daughter Elizabeth wife of the sd Roger Omer, whom I make and ordayne sole Executor, In witnesse wherof wee whose names are underwritten doe testify this to be the last will nuncupative of the aforesaid Joane Sare spoken and vttered by her on the eight day of August in the yeare 1621 Joane Sare her marke In Witnesse of vs John Picard, Roger Omer and John __mig his marke. \\
1621 The will of Joan Sare was proved on October 2 with administration granted to Elizabeth Omer, daughter of the deceased.
Research Notes:
Elizabeth was the only surviving child of Nicholas Sayer when he wrote his will in 1614. He bequeathed to the four grandchildren who match the baptisms of her children in 1602, 1605, 1608 and 1611 and described each as the son or daughter of Roger Omer and "Elizabeth his wife my daughter." He also made provision for his wife Joan and the daughter Alice of his deceased son Thomas.
The baptisms of Elizabeth's children are in the St Mary Minster in Thanet records. Nicholas Sayer was buried there in 1614 and his widow Joan in 1621. The property in Nicholas' will was in Minster, St Peter's, St John's and Ash-next-Sandwich.
I have consulted three films of St Johns Margate records:
Bishop's transcripts: Baptisms, marriages and burials 1611-1797 (missing: 1613/4, 1614/5, 1621/2, 1627/8, 1640/1-1660/1, 1677/8) FHL BRITISH Film 1737003 Item 3
Archdeacon's transcripts: Baptisms, marriages and burials 1560-1793 (missing: 1561/2, 1563/4, 1564/5, 1567/8, 1572/3-1575/6, 1586/7, 1594/5, 1606/7, 1640/1-1660/1, 1681/2, 1771/2) FHL BRITISH Film 1752063 Item 3
Composite register, 1559-1766; Baptisms and burials, 1767-1812; Baptisms, 1813-1824 FHL BRITISH Film 1866678
The first does not include the pre-1600 records.
In the composite register Nicholas Sayer the elder and Avellane Hammond were married xjth Maie 1570.
They had two daughters:
Ann Sayer daughter of Nicholas and Avellane Sayer was baptized the xiiijth Aprill 1571
Elisabeth Sayer daughter of Nicholas and Avellane Sayer was baptized the 5th September Anno Dm 1574
Thomas Sayer and Anne Payne were married the 15th of February 1570[/1]
Unfortunately no parents are listed during the years in which we might hope to find Elizabeth's baptism. Clearly multiple Sayer families were having babies during these years:
Thomas Sayer was baptized the 25th of Januarie 1578[/9]
Patience Sayer was baptized the xvth of April 1579
Anne Sayer was baptized the ixth of Julie 1581
Elisabeth Sare was baptized the 28 of January 1581[/2]
Joane Sayer baptized the ye 1 of April 1582
Nicholas Sayer was baptized the 25 of August 1583
Edmund Sayer was baptized the 1 of September 1583
Michaell Sayer baptized the ye 15th mch 1583[/4]
Faythe Sayer the daughter of Thomas Sayer was baptized ye 18 of September 1586
Richard Sayer the son of Isaac Sayer was baptized ye 26 of December 1586
Stephen Sayer the son of Robert Sayer was baptized the xijth of May 1587
Margaret Sayer the daughter of Thomas Sayer was baptized the 29 of September 1588
Dorothie Sayer the daughter of Nicholas Sayer was baptized the 6 of Julie 1589
Avis Sayer the daughter of Isacke Sayer was baptized the 8 of February 1589[/90]
Three different Nicholas Sayers were buried from 1583-1595.
Dennis wife of John Sayer was buried the 23 of October 1562
Thomas Sayer was buried the 15 daye of February 1571[/2]
Arthur Sayer [was buried] the 6 of July 1582
Nicholas Sayer was buried the 22 of September 1583
Symon Sayer was buried the last day of January 1584[/5]
Agnes Sayer wife Symon buried the 2 day of March 1584[/5]
Nicholas Sayer buried the February 1590 (follows entry for May 1589)
Johne Sayer the wife of Isaack Sayer buried the 6 of Novermber 1590
Nicholas Sayer buried the 24 of May 1595
Isack Sayer was buried the 2 of Februarie 1601 (follows Dec 1600)
Dorothie Sayer the daughter of Isack Sayer was buried the 4 th of Februarie 1601
Primo die mensis Aprilis Ao Dm 1607 Thomas Sayer pater familias sepultus erat
I have also consulted one film for St Mary Minster in Thanet
Archdeacon's transcripts: Baptisms, marriages and burials 1563-1812 (missing: 1564/5, 1565/6, 1571/2, 1594/5, 1595/6, 1606/7, 1629/30, 1641/2-1661/2, 1680/1, 1712/3, 1714/5, 1716/7, 1726/7, 1730/1, 1767/8, 1769/70, 1781/2, 1797/8, 1804/5) FHL BRITISH Film 1751981 Item 3
I did not find any Sayer baptisms in the pre-1600 Minster records but I am not sure how carefully I looked.
Nicholas' daughter Elizabeth's youngest son Richard was baptized 29 Sep 1622. If Elizabeth were the daughter baptized in 1574 of a Nicholas Sayer and his wife Avelane, assuming infant baptisms for both would suggest that Elizabeth was about 48 years old when she gave birth to her son Richard. Thus it seems more likely that Elizabeth Sayer, the child baptized in 1582 (no names of parents given), was the daughter Elizabeth named in Nicholas' will.
[1] Canterbury Cathedral Archives, U3/140/A/1, St John in Thanet (St. John the Baptist, Margate), Kent, Composite Register, 1559-1685, image 14, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord], [CanterburyCathedralArchives], [CanterburyCathedralArchives].
[2] Canterbury Cathedral Archives, U3/140/A/1, St John in Thanet (St. John the Baptist, Margate), Kent, Composite Register, 1559-1685, image 23, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord], [CanterburyCathedralArchives], [CanterburyCathedralArchives].
[3] Canterbury Cathedral Archives, U3/140/A/1, St John in Thanet (St. John the Baptist, Margate), Kent, Composite Register, 1559-1685, image 15, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord], [CanterburyCathedralArchives], [CanterburyCathedralArchives].