William Eppes, Sr.

William Eppes was the son of Alen Eppes and wife Agnes. William is mentioned in his father's will. He was married 7 February 1563/4 at Maidstone, Kent, to Anne Greene. We know they had a son, William, who was mentioned in his will, and a daughter, Ann, who was mentioned in his brother's will.

He died in January 1577/78 and was buried 13 January 1577/8 at New Romney. He described himself as of Canterbury, yeoman, when he made his will 2 March 1573/4. The will was proven 12 November 1578, in which he provided:

"At my funeral, a sermon 40/- to poor. To poor of Old Romney 20/-. To my wife Anne £10 a year out of my lease lands I have of John Fetiplace Esq. At Mydley & Lydd, for unexpired term if she so long live, she not to claim dower of other lands and make a release to my son and deliver same to my said (sic) uncle and brother John, and she to make conveyance of her estate in my other lands and goods to my said son. To my wife, all household stuff in Canterbury. To my brother John Eps horse. To my brother Thomas Eps horse. To my sister Margery 20/- a year for life. To my son William Eps in fee all my lands and to him my leases and things and he to be executor. He to have no dealings with the land during his minority but my uncle William Eps of New Romney jurat and my brother John Eps of the Middle Temple to have his bringing up till 21 and all his lands. If my uncle William Eps died before my son be 21, my lands etc. to my said brothers John and Thomas in fee and lease land that John Stringer, demised to me by John Fetiplace Esq., now occupies by my grant, containing 100 acres, to my said brother John Eps, paying his part for the farm thereof and I do now to said John Fetiplace, about 2/- an acre, and also paying £6.13.4 a year, part of said £10 to my wife. The 50 acres which John Andersonne occupies being the least of the said lease lands, to my brother Thomas, paying my wife 5 marks for life if lease continued and his part to said John Fetiplace."

Child of William Eppes and wife Alice Greene:

• William Eppes
• Ann Eppes