Thomas Eppes

Thomas Epes was the son of Alen Eppes and wife Agnes. He was baptized 10 April 1544. He married (1)Maria (or Mary) Stuppeny on 16 August 1572. She was the daughter of Lawrence Stuppeny. Maria Stuppeny died circa 1580. We know from the legal actions below, that Thomas and Maria had two sons, William and Allen.

Thomas married (2), circa 1582, Frances (maiden name not known). After Thomas' death, Frances married (2) Nicholas Robinson, Gent., of Monkton, and (3) John Bleckenden of Aldington. She died 1611, aged 48, leaving children of all three marriages. Two sons are mentioned in Thomas's will, who are not mentioned in the dispute over Maria Stuppeny's estate. These two sons, Christopher and Richard, may be sons of the second marriage to Frances.

Thomas made his will as Thomas Epps of New Romney, co. Kent, jurat, dated 14 April 1585. It was proved 12 June 1585. See the text below.

Thomas served as a jurat and mayor of New Romney, 1576-77, succeeding his uncle William Epes, 1581-82 and 1583-84. There was a factional dispute after the third election of Thomas as mayor, which lead to an appeal to the Privy Council. The appeal resulted in an order, 27 March 1584 (when Thomas was again mayor), designed to insure the peace of the Corporation.

A court action instituted by a son of Maria Stuppeny in 1606 related to her inheritance:

• Plaintiff Allen Eppes of Ashford, gent.
• William Marsh of Old Romney owned a house and 63 acres there which by his will of 1540 he devised to Lawrence Stuppeny or, if he died before reaching the age of 21, to his brother, Clement Stuppeny. Before Lawrence Stuppeny could take possession he died, leaving an only child, Mary. Clement Stuppeny, taking advantage of the minority of the said Mary, entered upon the property and took possession of the deeds. Mary Stuppeny came of age and, some 35 years ago, married Thomas Eppes who had issue William Eppes and the plaintiff. Thomas and Mary Eppes died about 23 or 24 years ago when the disputed premises should have come to the said William and Allen. The said William Eppes died overseas about three years ago and the plaintiff is his her. (Bill undated.)
• "November 1606. Clement Stuppeny answers that the property was owned by Edward Clache and Henry Smyth who, on 5 February 29 Henry VIII, conveyed it to William Marsh who, in turn conveyed it to Lawrence Stuppeny by deed of 5 June Ed. VI.

The Will of Thomas Eppes provided:

• To my wife Frances bedstead in chamber over the iner Hall etc. To Ann Epps daughter of my brother William Epps deceased £40 out of my lands within 7 years. To my sister Margery Smithe 10/-. To her children 10/- a piece. To 20 poorest people of New Romney 20/-. To George Hazer, Thomas Beare & Simon Hunt & Agnes Harley my servants 20/- each. To my servant Katherine Whiting 13/4. To my two sons Christopher & Richard 6/8each. To my sons William Epps & Allen Epps my lease and term of 10 years yet to come of land in Lyd, in occupation of Richard Glover, called Brodewater, 50 acres, which I hold by lease made by Mr. John Fetteplace to my brother William Epps. Rest of goods to my brother John Epps & Robert Butcher and they to be executors. As to lands in parishes of New Romney, Old Romney, Hope All Saints, Midley, Dimchurch, Burmoroke etc. co. Kent My executors to sell 16 acres of my marsh lands in Yokes parish of St. Martins Powntney in New Romney and 16 acres of marsh lands in Brensit & Joychurch [sic?, Ivychurch?] co. Kent. Money to pay debts. Rest of lands to my 2 sons William and Allen Epps in fee. My executors to account yearly before Clement Stuppeney & Thomas Goderye junior, jurats of Lyd until my sons are 21. If my wife be with children, and if a son, to such £200 at 21, if a maid, to such £100 at 17. Witnesses Thomas Godfrey, Matthew Flowy, William Dallett.

The inquisition post mortem taken at Maidstone on 13 September 27 Elizabeth (1587) states he died 21 April 1585:

• Deceased held a principal messuage and 20 acres in New Romney; 140 acres in Dymchurch, Burmarsh, Romney, Medley St. Martin’s, and Poutney, Kent; and 20 acres in Brensett in Romney Marsh. His tenements in New Romney were held of the Queen’s Manor of East Greenwish; in Dymchurch Of the Queen’s Manor of Alington; in Brensett of Sir Thomas Scott as of his Manor of Brensett; in Old and New Romney of William Cooke gent. as of his Manor of Longport; and in Romney Marsh of [blank] Herdson gent. as of his Manor of Nuingtowne, Kent. Thomas Epps left sons and heirs William Epps, aged 8, and Allan Epps, aged 6.

Thomas is also named in the will of his brother William.

Children of Thomas Eppes and wife Maria Stuppeny:

• William Eppes, born c. 1577, based on age in inquisition.
• Allen Eppes, born c. 1579, based on age in inquisition.

Possible children of Thomas Eppes and wife Frances, based on the will of Thomas Eppes:

• Christopher Eppes
• Richard Eppes