Thomas Atwater (1500 - 1547) and Before

Thomas Atwater was born about 1500 in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England. He married Johanna before 1521. He died on Dec. 1, 1547. His will was proved December 1, 1547; Archdeaconry Court, book 25, page 3. An unknown number of children were born, but included: Thomas, Christopher, Edward, William, and Alice. Thomas's will mentions his wife Johanna, sons Thomas, Christopher, Edward, and William, and a daughter Alice. It also mentions properties: "one messuage called Ward's and one gardeyn"; "another messuage and one gardeyn sitt., lying and being at Grant's Gate; "my house, the whic I now dwell in, and gardeyn"; and 22 pieces of land, of which are named Edythe, Westbroke, Churchfilde, Darbolls, Broke, Undercroft, Hyfield, Symerfield, Agellcroft, Pyxes, Dervold and "other two pieces" (Parkfields) in Royton, Bromfeld, Bromecroft, and Randalls in Boughton Malherbe.

Robert Atwater was born in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England. His will was proved December 22, 1522; Archdeaconry Court, book 15, page 6. An unknown number of children were born, but included: John and Thomas. This Robert Atwater is designated "the elder". His will mentions sons John and Thomas, brother John and his children, sisters Florence and Thomasyn, and Alice wife of son John. It also mentions properties Langderfield, Parkfields, Little Scotland, and land lying in Lenham called Grant's Gate.

John Atwater was born in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England. His will was proved July 14, 1501; Archdeaconry Court, book 8, page 25. He married Maryan, also born in England. An unknown number of children were born, but included:

1. Robert was born in England, had two sons: John and Thomas. (see above)

2. John, his will was dated August 20, 1537.

3. Florence, her husband was Walter Spyce.

4. Thomasyn, her husband was John Turner.

Thomas Atwater was born in Roynton, Lenhan, Kent, England died there in 1484. He married Eliner who died in Roynton in 1497. She was buried in the churchyard of Lenham. The following appear in Thomas's will but no relationship is given.

1. Robert was born in Roynton.

2. John was born in Roynton. (see above)

Thomas Atwater is most probably the father of Robert and John given above. His will was proved October 5, 1484, and is on file in Canterbury, Kent. This is the earliest will recorded in Canterbury of an Atwater of Royton. His will mentions his wife, Eliner, Robert Atwater, Jr., and John Atwater. While the relationship to Robert and John was not specified in the will, it seems certain if they were other than sons, the relationship certainly would have been given. The will also mentions the properties Bromecroft and Chotecroft in Boughton Malherbe, Langderfield and other properties in Lenham.

The will of Eliner was proved May 16, 1497. Again, it mentions Robert Atwater and John Atwater without specifying their relationship to her. It also mentions properties Bromecroft, Derplon and other properties in Lenham.

Comments

[April Atwater]

Hi I am April Atwater Daughter of Robert Atwater and Granddaughter Of David Henry Atwater of Antigonish,Nova Scotia- Son of Henry Morris Atwater. Our family line goes back to New Haven and even farther back to Kent, England. It is always fun to find out about distant relatives and information they have about my ancestors.

[bill Ives]

April - Thanks for your comment. Is there any addtional information that you have on the Atwaters or corrections to what I have written. This would be greatly appreciated. Bill

[Larry Wyatt II]

This valuable page helped me reach my deepest genealogical trip into the past. The Thomas Atwater mentioned here having died in 1484 is my 16th great grandfather. It certainly is great to see such a deep connection to England in my family.

[Bill Ives]

Larry

I am glad the information was helpful to you.

[Shem Atwater]

Hi April. My name is Shem, the son of David Atwater, the eldest son of David Henry Atwater. I Guess we're cousins.

I have recently found some information on this line. On this site http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kthompson/keith2/b1.htm it quotes a history written in 1887 that says that Robert Atwater married Catherine bright and had a total of 12 sons and 2 daughter. His sons are not named, but his daughters are, as are their husbands. The youngest, Mary, had sixteen children, and all of them are named.

[Bill Ives]

Shem - Thanks for your helpful input.