John Eppes, the Elder, of St. Clement Parish

John Epes of St. Clement's Parish is believed to be the eldest son of Alan Epes and wife Benet or Benedicte, of Brenzett, County Kent, England. He was born after.1457 (under the age of 14 at his father's death) and died soon after December 3, 1524, the date of his will. He married twice and had seven known children.

In his will (dated Dec 3 1524, proved Feb 8, 1525/26) he refers to himself as "John Eps, the elder, of the Parish of St. Clement, Old Romney, Kent ." The will mentions a wife Johane, names the children herein after shown, names certain grandchildren and godchildren, makes certain bequests to churches, and requests that he, the testator, be buried in the aisle of St. Clement's before the Rood (in front of the cross).

St Clement's Church in Old Romney, Romney Marsh, is one of the oldest churches in Kent. It was originally constructed in the 12th century although there is some evidence of an original structure on the site dating back to the 8th century. An undated inscription in St. Clement's Church naming "John Ips and his wife Margaret" was formerly thought to have referred to John, son of this John, but most authorities now consider it to pertain to this John Eps.

Margaret is now believed to have been the first wife of John Eps and the mother of his children: JOHN, ALICE, and AGNES. Not much is known about her. Johane is believed to have been his second wife and the mother of the younger unmarried daughters JOHANE, ANNE, AMYE , and JOAN. It has been suggested that she was Johane Browne, but that is the name of his grandson's wife.

He served as Jurat For Old Romney 1520-1521, with his son John. One of these two served a second term. Most historians believe it was the father. He was a prosperous man, owning land in several adjoining towns and collecting rents from that land.

Children of John Eps and first wife Margaret:

• John Epes, married Alice ____; primary beneficiary of father's will.
• Alice Epes. She married John Roger
• Agnes Epes. She married John Garrard.

Children of John Eps and second wife Johane (possibly Browne)

• Anne Epes, not included in the list of minor daughters but mentioned separately in her father's will. this would suggest that she was either no longer a minor.
• Johane Epes, under the age of 20 at her father's death
• Amye Epes, under the age of 20 at her father's death
• Joan Epes, under the age of 20 at her father's death

Will of John Eps, the Elder, of St. Clement

To be buried in the church in the Aysle part before the Rood. To high altar of St. Martens in New Romney and to high altar of St. Laurence of New Romney. To each of my godchildren 12 pence. To John Epse my godson of Yvechurche, ewes. To Alice Roger my daughter. To John Epps my son. Joan Epps my wife. Agnes, Elizabeth, Cicely and John the children of John Roger. John Garrard my daughter Agnes’ son. Agnes Huggelyn, the daughter of James Huggelyn. Joan my daughter, Anne my daughter, when they reach the age of discretion. Residue to John Epse my son. To Elizabeth Roger.

Will. Youngest daughters Johane, Amye, Johane when 20. A parcell of land and 16 Acres called Long beche, and the barn with 4 acres lying there, 7 Acres of Land called Brettes, 13 Acres of Land called Daddes, 7 Acres of Land called quarterlandes, 6 ½ Acres of Land which I late purchased of John Arnell. 20 shillings yearly to John for rent, Alice and John Roger to have tenement and garden where they now dwell at rent of 2 shillings to John for their lives. 22 Acres of Land in Hope All Hallows called Seven hay that is to say to the Lands of Allsouls College of Oxenford towards the West and to the land of Richard Hall to the east. Land in Old Romney, St. Martens and St. Laurence, New Romney, Hope, Brookland and Brenzett.

Links to additional materia;:

• http://www.tc.umn.edu/~timsx001/Epes.html
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=104554212
• http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/pete/butowsky.pdf
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Romney
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romney_Marsh

  ---

John (Epes or Ips) Eps

• Birth: 1457
• Death: Dec. 3, 1524
• Old Romney, Kent, England
• Date Note: Dates are approximate.
• John was Jurat for Old Romney 1520-1521 and is buried in the aisle of St. Clement's before the rood.

  ---

https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=flakey&i...