Stacy or Stacey - Hartley-Kent: The Website for Hartley

John Stacy was the son of Henry Stacey and owned Blue House Farm (Mintmakers) and Brickend in Hartley. When the land came into the family's hands is uncertain, but cannot be earlier than 1604. It is also unlikely that Henry owned the land in 1626. In his will John bequeaths them to his younger son Henry. Henry sold the Gravesend and Hartley lands to Lawrence Holker in 1668. What follows is a summary of the bequests. Nicholas Piggott who witnessed the will is a relation, who was living at Hartley Hill Cottage in Church Road in 1693.

Reference: TNA PROB PROB 11/150/213

Leaves soul to God, and body to be decently buried at the discretion of his executor.

To poor of Ash and Stansted - 20 shillings each.

To son Henry Stacey - a silver and gilt salt [cellar] with his initials HS, a signet with HS enqraved in silver at the end.

To son John Stacey - a silver beaker, a down bed, a bolster, one green coverlet, one blanket and the "worst suite of my green saye curtains". He also forgives the £80 5s that John owes him (including 40 shillings he owes John for rye). Provided John keeps the covenants in an indenture made between Henry and [....] Hudson for a certain house in Gravesend, now in the tenure of John. Also on condition he pays John's sister Alice Potkyn of Maidstone widow, the £20 Henry owes from an obligation.

To daughter Ellen Pigotte and her six children now living - 35 shillings to be shared equally, that is to each one a piece of gold worth 5 shillings.

To daughter Frances Stacey - £30 which is in the hands of Thomas Haddocke and John Wouldham. And the £10 that his son Henry owes him.

To granddaughter Mary Davys - one plain silver spoon.

To granddaughter Jane Symons - one plain silver spoon.

To grandchildren Mary Lockyn and Dorothy Lockyn - £20 each after the death of Dorothy Lockyn their mother. If either die before then, then the money to be shared amongst all Dorothy's other children. Mary Lockyn also to get one gold ring.

All other personal estate to son Thomas Lockyn, whom he makes his executor. Sons Henry and John to be overseers.

Dated 7 September 1626. Witnesses: George Clarke, Alexander Chauncey

Proved at London, 3 November 1626 by Thomas Lockyn the executor.

Reference: TNA PROB 11/284/291

Will of John Stacy the elder of Hartley, gentleman "being at this present in reasonable good health of body and of sound and sufficiently disposing mind and memory (blessed be God), yet being sensible of my mortality, and my daily drawing towards the grave by reason of age, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament."

Leaves soul to God, and body to be buried at the discretion of the executors.

To wife - annuity of £40 issuing out of lands at Hartley, and dwelling house in Gravesend "wherein I lately dwelt". To be paid her by his son Henry in installments at the quarter days. But if she lay claim to half his lands during her widowhood, according to the custom of Kent, then gift is void.

Household stuff that his wife brought to him on marriage, is left to her, remainder to be divided among his children equally. Wife to lose bequest if she conceal any goods not rightfully hers.

To eldest son John Stacy - all his lands in Gravesend which he purchased off the Rt Hon James, Duke of Richmond. If wife claims land as dower then he to have £300 for his trouble.

To youngest son Henry Stacy - "all my lands and tenements in Hartley", his dwelling house in Gravesend; one messuage called the "Flying Horse" and wharf belonging, in the occupation of Robert Cole; one other tenement called the "Faulkon" and the wharf; with all the cross ferry from Gravesend and Milton to Tilbury, which he purchased of John Ware; cherry garden and 5 acres of marshland in Swanscombe. Subject to annuity, which if his wife accepts, he also gives Henry £500 in consideration thereof.

To daughter Winifred Elton - £300, but her husband to agree that he will return £200 if she dies without lawfully begotten issue. If he refuses, then her bequest is £100, plus £200 if she outlives her husband.

To daughter Jane Stacy - messuage, malthouse and lands in Northfleet for life. Plus £100 and the inheritance of the Northfleet land, if she marry "with the approving and good liking of my overseers". If she die without issue then Northfleet land to go to Henry Stacy.

To sister Dorothy Larking - annuity of £5, payable equally every quarter.

To Richard and Abraham Davys, his wife's sons - £50 each when 22 provided they give his executors a discharge of the £100 each he paid them in accordance with the will of Mr Roulston, his wife's former husband.

To poor of the parishes of Stansted, Ash, Gravesend and Hartley - 40s each to be disbursed by the ministers of the parishes as they think fit.

To minister who preaches his funeral sermon - 20s.

Sons John and Henry to be executors. "Loving friends" Mr Peckham of Ash and Mr Eves of Hartley to be his overseers and guardians of his son Henry while under age. To whom he gives 40s a piece to buy a ring in memory of him

Dated 10.7.1658 Witnesses: Henry Piggott, Nicholas Piggott

Proved at London, 22 November 1658 by John Stacy one of the executors.