Robert Lake

Robert Lake was born about 1500, probably in Smarden, Kent, according to the church inscription to which Hasted refers in his History. However, no record of his father Richard, has yet been found. Robert Lake died in Goudhurst in 1554, the exact date unknown since the parish register of Goudhurst does not start until 1558. Robert Lake is said to have married Joan Hickmote who supposedly died testate, but her will has not been found, and various Hickmote wills proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Rochester reveal no connections to the Lakes. However, Robert's son Richard who died testate in London made bequests to some of his Hickmote "cousins," so this certainly is a good confirmation of the identification of Robert Lake's wife's family. However, there was a will, since this Richard mentions property that he inherited under the will of his mother. Perhaps it is simply lost.

Robert Lake was a scythe smith, and in his will takes care that the tools of his trade are well placed with his heirs. He was also a fairly large land owner, with property in Cranbrook and Benenden. An abstract of his will follows:

5 January 1553/4 --- the will of ROBERT LAKE of Goudhurst, county Kent,

scythe smith . . . to William mine eldest son . . . to Richard my second

son . . . to Robert my fourth son all the implements and tools of my works

in my shop . . . to Thomas my third son . . . residue to Joan my wife whom

I make executrix . . . to Robert son of William my son . . . to Joan my wife

property bought of Robert Kyppynge and John Roberts being in Goudhurst

. . . also one piece of land called "Teyntefilde which with other lands I

together with one John Browns late purchased of John Culpepper,

Esquire . . . also to wife Joan four pieces of land and one wood called

Southwood and Hutchines in Goudhurst which I bought of Mr. Everynden

of Benynden, and one piece of woodland called "Ongleis" bought of Richard

Besbeche containing two acres . . . to my son Robert my old hall, kitchen,

bakehouse, barn, hayhouse, Whetehouse, stable and shop where I dwell . . .

to my son William one messuage, one garden and 2 pieces of land put

by estimation 2 acres, and also a piece of land with a house called a dye-

house which I purchased and had of Thomas Love, also land containing

12 acres called "Cowredes" which I purchased and had of Richard Mugge

. . . to Thomas Lake my son land purchased of John Stevyne, also land

granted by me to the said Thomas made 12 October 1549 . . . to wife Joan

four acres called Gaynes which I purchased of John Stephens of Gourdhurst,

and a house with a garden which I bought of Alexander Denne of Cranbrook,

said land to go to son Robert after decease of wife Joan. Witnesses: Thomas

Darrell, Stephen Baker, vicar of Goudhurst, and Anthony Tutte. Proved 12 Sep-

tember 1544. ( Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills, 29:79 & film FHL 188934)

Sources: Parish Registers; Wills at Maidstone, Kent: Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills; Twenty

Six Great Migration Colonists to New England and Their Origins, by Threlfal.