1450 "Joh'es Exherst, de eadem [Stapulherst], husbondman" was among those pardoned in July 1450 after Cade's Rebellion. [1] [2].
1470 In her will written on June 29 Godleva (____) (Exhurst) Christmas of Staplehurst and Frittenden, named her son John "Eaxherst" executor and bequeathed to him her land lying on the den of "Eaxherst," three pieces of land on the den of Sengden in Staplehurst, and land called Wilgetts in Spildefeld. Godleva directed her feoffees to sell her land called Sagvorde in Frittenden and to give half of the proceeds to Godleva, daughter of John Eaxherst, and divide the other half among John Eaxherst's other daughters. She named her feoffees as "Robertus Borden Johnes Borman Thomas Alayn & Thomas Thornherst" and bequeathed land called Rolvispetts in the den of Synysherst in Frittenden to Thomas son of Richard Borden late of Headcorn. [3] [4]
Part of a medieval structure built on Exhurst Manor about 1370-1400 was incorporated into the present manor house. The remaining part of the medieval house is described as "Timber. 2 bays of larger 2-storey cross wing remain; formerly jettied at front ... Now demolished bay at rear was entered from central bay. Single chamber, with 2 open trusses which have both ogee and quarter-round mouldings. Crown-post roof. Remainder of medieval house was demolished and replaced in the 16th century: the newer part incorporates a reused 2-centred arched doorhead, part of a moulded dais beam, and some smoke-blackened rafters." [5]
1478 John Exherst was recorded as a brewer on his admission as a freeman of Canterbury by redemption (purchase) in 1478. [6]
About 1480 John Exhurst, citizen and brewer of Canterbury, and Sir Thomas Bouchier, knight, of Leeds, were involved in the arbitration of a dispute concerning the ownership of some oxen. [7]
1486 John Exherst was a witness on June 26 to a transfer of land in Canterbury of the Elys family, with John Waller, Edward Pergat, Alan Propiaunt, and William Levenes. [8]
Thomas Roger and Walter Hopton, to Joan wife of Stephen Norton and Anne wife of John Botiller, their heirs and assigns. Gift of the manor of Dongeon within the liberty of Canterbury and of all lands and tenements, and services therein, which by charter Walter Elys, 'gentilman' of the island of Scapeia, granted to Richard late earl of Warwick, Nicholas Faunt, deceased, Thomas Roger and Walter Hopton, to the use of Walter Elys and Agnes his wife and the heirs of their bodies, with remainder to Joan and Anne aforesaid, the daughters of William brother of Gawin father of Walter Elys: and appointment of John Exbrigge, Nicholas Mille, Thomas Robyns, Walter Chamberleyne and John Harries as their attorneys etc. to convey seisin of the same to Joan and Anne. Witnesses: John Waller, Edward Pergat, Alan Propiaunt, John Exherst, William Levenes. Dated Canterbury, 26 June, 2 Henry VII.
Memorandum of acknowledgment, 13 July.
1487 On 26 June, John Exhurst, John Waller, and others witnessed a deed in Canterbury. The witness John Waller could have been either the uncle or the brother of the Alice Waller, who became the wife of John Exhurst's son Richard. Both of these John Wallers were living in 1487. [9]
1493 John Exhurst died between 20 March 1492/3, the date of his will, and 15 April 1493, the date it was proved. In his will John Exhurst described himself as a brewer of St. Paul's parish in Canterbury. He requested burial within the monastery of St. Augustine by Canterbury and gave 6s. 8d. to the making of a new bell there.
[1] William Durrant Cooper, "John Cade’s Followers in Kent," Archaeologia Cantiana 7 (1868), 233–71, at 251, [InternetArchive].
[2] Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Henry VI, Vol. 6, 1452-1461 (London: HMSO), 346.
[3] Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Registered Copy Wills, v. 1, 1449-1468, FHL film 188917, folios 331 dorse and 332, will of "Godleue Cristmasse de Stapleherst & Frithynden," written 29 June 1470, [FHLCatalog].
[4] Canterbury Probate Records (1396-1858) Database, Canterbury Archdeaconry Register, PRC 17/1/331, [CanterburyCathedralProbateRecords].
[5] Sarah Pearson, P.S. Barnwell, and A. T. Adams, A Gazetteer of Medieval Houses in Kent (London: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1994), 122, [GoogleBooks].
[6] Joseph Meadows Cowper, ed., The Roll of the Freemen of the City of Canterbury from A.D. 1392 to 1800 (Canterbury, Cross and Jackman, 1903), 266, in Part IV, Freemen by Redemption, [GoogleBooks].
[7] The National Archives of the United Kingdom Catalog, Chancery pleadings addressed to the Bishop of Lincoln as Lord Chancellor, datable to 1475-80 or 1483-5, C 1/67/35, [UKNationalArchives].
[8] K. H. Ledward, ed., Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry VII, Vol. 1, 1485-1500 (London: HMSO, 1955), 60, [BritishHistoryOnline].
[9] Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Henry VII, Vol. 1, 1485-1494, (London, HMSO, 1914), 222, [HathiTrust].