Alice Barber
Alice was the wife of James Barber (1486 - 1568) ) and outlived him by 21 years. She was buried on 30 January, 1579. Her will is dated 15 May, 1579. The lands left to her from her late husband were, after her death, passed to others (in accordance with James' Will). She did, however, leave sums of money, personal property and chattels, etc. to many of her children, children-in-law, grandchildren, servants, godchildren and the poor of Mendham and Fresssingfield.
The Will is written in secretary hand script on four foolscap sheets. Though witnessed, it is not signed.
Persons Referred to in the Will
Relatives:
1. James Barber, deceased - late husband of Alice
2. Nicholas Barber the older - son of Alice, executor of the Will
3. Robert Barber, deceased - son of Alice
4. Thomas Aldous, deceased - son-in-law of Alice, husband of Alice's daughter Agnes
5. Henry Pratt, deceased - son-in-law of Alice, husband of unnamed daughter of Alice
6. Agnes Aldous - widow of Thomas Aldous, daughter of Alice
7. Richard Girling (sp. Grinling in James' Will), deceased - daughter of Elizabeth, deceased
8. Unnamed sons of Nicholas Barber, the older - grandsons of Alice
9. Agnes Barber - daughter of Nicholas the older, granddaughter of Alice
10. Johanne Barber - daughter of Thomas Aldous, deceased, granddaughter of Alice
11. Francis Aldous - sons of Thomas Aldous, deceased, grandson of Alice
12. Johanne Aldous - daughter of Thomas Aldous, deceased, granddaughter of Alice
13. Sons of Richard Girling, deceased - grandchildren of Alice
14. Sons of Henry Pratt, deceased - grandchildren of Alice
15. Ales (Alice?) Seaman - daughter of Henry Pratt, deceased, granddaughter of Alice
16. James Barber - sons of Robert Barber, deceased, grandson of Alice
17. Nicholas Girling - sons of Richard Girling, deceased, grandson of Alice
Servants: Catherine Knight, Elizabeth Poly, Richard Godbold, Richard Knight, Elizabeth Brain, Elizabeth Feurnrier, Anne Dannet (daughter of Simon Dannet), Alice Spalding, Daniel Spalding, son of Alice Spalding who probably married Agnes, daughter of Nicholas Barber (d. 1598).
Others:
1. All of Alice's grandchildren
2. The Poor of Fressingfield
3. The Poor of Mendham
Witnesses: James Aldous, Simon Woolnaugh, Daniel (surname missing) Richard (illegible)
With appreciation for information from Donald Caddick