Person:Robert White (4)

Bequests in his will went to both Rev. Richard ROGERS, a non-conformist, and Rev. Bartholomew SCRIVENER, an established church minister, indicating an interesting double allegiance. Since he gives to the poor of Messing rather than of Shalford, it is thought that it might be his birthplace.^[3]

“His will was dated May 27, 1617, and indicates he lived for considerable time in the parish and was quite wealthy. Robert's will names his wife and all his children. Son Daniel and wife Bridget were named executors, and John CHRISTMAS (Sr.) and William LEVETT were witnesses. Also named are three sons in law (James BOWTELL, Joseph LOOMIS, and William GOODWIN), Ralph BETT ("my kinsman and servant"), and Joseph DIGBIE ("my servant"). The three unmarried children, Bridget, Anna, and John, were bequeathed money on the condition that they obtain the consent of their mother, and of Joseph LOOMIS and William GOODWIN, before marriage (100 marks to each daughter, and 200 marks to John). It is possible that Daniel was the son of a first wife, prior to Robert's marriage to Bridget on Jun. 24, 1585 at Shalford, Essex. ^[4]

Three of his daughters - Mary White Loomis, Elizabeth White Goodwin and Anna White Porter - immigrated to America. They are ancestors of presidents Fillmore, Grant, Cleveland, and Ford. Robert is also the most frequently found Yankee in Mormon ancestry (or at least research), being an ancestor of Brigham Young. 7g grandfather of Emily Dickinson through son John. 4g grandfather of John Brown of Harper's Ferry through daughter Mary. 7g grandfather of of O.Henry, short story writer, and Wright brothers (Orville and Wilbur) through daughter Ann.^[5]

Will

In the name of God Amen. May the seaven and twentyeth in the fifteenth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord James by the grace of god Kinge of England ffrance and Ireland defender of the faith etc and of Scotland the fiftyeth. In the yeare of our Lord god 1617 I Robert White of Messinge in the countye of Essex yeoman, beinge of good and pfect remembrance, doe make this my last will and testament, in manner and forme followinge.

Imprimis. I commend my soule unto the hands of god almightey my most faythful creator redemer and sanctifier and my bodie to be buried in the parish church or church yeard of Messinge, at the discretion of mine executors.

Item I give and bequeath unto the poore people of Messinge fortye shillings of lawful mony of England, to be distributed amongst them, at (at) ye discretion of mine executors and the minister of Messinge, within one month next after my depture from this naturall life.

Item I give and bequeath unto Mr. Richard Rogers preacher of gods word at Withersfield in Essex aforesaid; and to Bartholomew Scrivener Minister of the church of god in Messinge aforenamed to each of them the severall summe of fortey shillings of like lawfull monie, to be payd unto them within two monthes after my departure.

Item I give and bequeath unto mine eldest daughter Sarah, the wife of James Bowtell of little Salinge, the summe of fifteene pounds of lawfull mony of England, to be paid within fower years next after my depture.

Item I give and bequeath unto Jeames Bowtell the younger, son of my said daughter Sarah Bowtell, the summe of five pounds of good and lawfull mony of England, to be paid unto him when he shall come to ye sixteenth yeare of his age.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Marie the wife of Joseph Lummis of Branetree, one pewter platter.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth the wife Willm Goodinge of Bockinge the summe of fortye markes of like lawful monye (monye) within one yeare next after my depture, to paid unto her.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Bridgett White the sum of one hundred marks of like lawfull monye, to be paid unto hir upon the day of hir marriage, provided that she my said daughter bridgett shall not bestow hir selfe in marryage without the approbation and consent of my two sonnes in law Joseph Lummys and Willim Goodinge formrly mentioned, and my wife Bridgett White or the consent of two of them whereof my wife to be one of the twaine. But yf it happen that shee mariye without the consent aforesaid then I give hir only the summe of thirtye pounds of like lawfull monie.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anna White the summe of one hundredth markes of like lawfull mony: to be paid unto hir upon ye day of hir marriage; yf soe be she shall bestow hir selfe in marriage, accordinge to the likinge and consent of my two fornamed sonnes in law, and my wife, as is aforesaid. But yf it soe fall out, as that she my said daughter Anna shall marrye without the consent and approbation formerly mentioned, then I give and bequeath hir only the sum of thirtey pound of like and lawfull monie.

Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne Nathaniel White the sume of fortie pounds of like lawfull monye, whereof my will is that twenty pounds shalbe paid within one yeare next after my depture, and the other twentye pounds to be paid unto him within two years next after my said depture oute of this naturall life.

Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John White the summe of two hundreth pounds of like lawfull monie to be paid to him when he shall come to ye years of one and twentye of his age; yett provided that my said sonne John shall not bestow himselfe in marriage without the approbation and consent of my aforesaid two sonnes in law Joseph Lummys and William Goodinge, and my wife his moth er. And yf it soe fall oute that this my son John shall match him selfe contrarye to the good likinge and consent aforesaid, then I give and bequeath unto him onlye as his full portion the summe of one hundred pounds of like lawfull monye.

Item my mind and will is, that yf any of my foresaid children that are unmarried shall depte this naturall life before the tymes appointed for the paymt of their portions; or yf any of them shall marrye contrarye to the consent and approbation mentioned, then such summe or summes of monie (as shall remaine and accrew, eyther by their death or disobeydience), shall be equally devidedt amongste the rest of my children whither marryed or unmarried, pte and parte like.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son John White the ioyned standinge bedstead wch is in the parlour, wth the featherbed, flockbed, bolster coueringe wth other furneyture thereunto belonginge; alsoe the presse cupbourd the cupbourd table and newest chest, all wch are in said ploure to be delivered him after the death of my wife Bridgett White, or instead thereof the summe of twenty marks of like lawfull monye.

Item I constitute and ordaine my aforesaid sonnes in law Joseph Lumys Willm Goodings supulsors of this my last will and testament and doe give unto each of them the severall summes of fortey shillings of like lawfulle mony: touards their charge and paines in seinge this my will executed according to my minde.

Item I give and bequeath unto Ralph Bett the younger my kinsman and servant me summe of five pounds of like lawfull monye, to be paid unto him within one yeare next after my depture.

Item I give and bequeath unto Joseph Digbie my servant, twentye shillings of like lawfull monye, to be paid within one yeare next after my depture.

Item all the rest of my goods unbequeathed I give and bequeath unto my wife Bridgett White, and to my sonne Daniel White whome I constitute and ordayne the ioynte executors of this my last will and testament, hopinge they will faithfullye execute this my last will accordinge to the trust reposed in them.

In witness whereof I have hereunto sett myne hand and seale the daye and year first mentioned. Robert White.

In presence of us John Christmas ye elders (x) marke --||--
Willm Levett S. T.
Probatu fuit Testamentu apud Kelvedon vicesimo Die Mensis Junii 1617.

Text References

1. ↑ The Children of Robert White of Messing Co, Essex, England, Who Settled in Hartford and Windsor. New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Jan 1901)
   55:29.

   'From Parish Register of Messing. ...
   Burials. ... 1617 June 17, Robert White.'

2. ↑ Estimate based on approximate date of earlier marriage.
3. ↑ Children of Robert White of Messing Co, Essex, England, 55:23
4. ↑ Lawson, Steven M., “Kinnexions”
5. ↑ Roberts, Gary. Notable Kin columns