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The Overy's were a major Hartley landowning family. They owned Fairby Farm in Ash Road from about 1500 to 1650, and at times they also owned Mintmakers, Woodins and part of New House Farm in Church Road, as well as Forge Cottage in Ash Road.

KAO

Will of William Overy (1482)

In the name of God, Amen. The 26th day of May in the year of the Lord 1482. I William Overy of the parish of Horton next Frennyngham, of sound mind, make my will in the following manner: First I leave my soul to Almighty God and my body to be buried in the Churchyard of the Blessed Mary of Horton. Item: for tithes forgot to the said altar - 6d. Item: to the light of the Blessed Mary aforesaid - 4d. Item to [......] - 8d. Item: I leave to Hertlee Church - one [.......] ewe. Item: I leave to John the son of Richard Overey - one ewe and one lamb. Item: to each of my godchildren - [.....]. Item: to the high altar of Hertlee - 2s. Item: to the Rector of Hertlee - 2 lambs for tithe. Item: I leave to Blessed Mary of Walsyngham ? - 2d. Item: I leave to lord (? crofero) of H[......] - 2d. Item: to King Henry VI - 1d. Item: I will that my six sons and daughters shall have [6] acres of land for 6 marks (£4), if they or any of them are able to (buy) it for the said 6 marks. Item: I will that Richard Overey and John Overey, (my) sons, shall occupy my tenement with all its appurtenances in the parish of Hertle [..........] when John Overey my son shall be and reach the age of 20 years, and all profits for the whole time aforesaid shall be divided equally between the said Richard and John my sons. And when the said John is 20 years old, I will that then the said John my son shall have the said tenement of mine with all its appurtenances being in Hertlee, for himself and his heirs forever. And I will that the said John Overey my son, shall give to each of his brothers 3s 4d [..................] Item: that Joan my daughter shall have 40s at her marriage; and if it happens that the said Joan dies before she is married, then I will that her sister, my other daughter shall have 40s aforesaid on her marriage. Item: I will that the said Joan shall have one featherbed and one bolster, one brazen pot and one dish. Item: I will that Richard Overey and John Overey my sons shall have between them one brazen pot [.......]. Item: I will that Richard my son shall have 3s 4d. Item: I will that John Gens and Matilda Gens shall have 2 ewes and 2 lambs. The remainder of all my moveable goods, after my debts are paid, I give and will to my executors. And I make and appoint as executors of this my present will - John Gens of Sowthflete and I make John Newman senior of Kempsying supervisor; and to each of them for their labour - [...]s 8d. Witnesses to these presents: Henry Mabb, William Lese (?), William Smyth etc.

KAO

Will of John Overey (1509)

In the name of God, Amen. The 13th day of April in the year of the Lord 1509. I John Overy of Hartly of sound mind, make my will in this manner. Firstly: I leave my soul to God; my body to be buried in His cemetery there. Item: I leave to the high altar there - 20d. Item: I leave for the painting of one cloth to hang before the high beam of the high cross - 8d. Item: I leave to the parish church there - one cow worth 6s 8d. The remainder of all my goods, I leave and bequeath to Alice my wife, whom I appoint as my executor; and I make Thomas Brokhole my supervisor. With these witnesses: William Smyth and Laurence Sybbyng.

This is the last will of me the said Overey. First I will that Alice my wife shall have all my lands and tenements as long as she is widow. And if she die widow , I will that Robert my son have the foresaid house and lands and tenements to him and his heirs lawfully begotten after his death. And if she marry or else die widow, or the said Robert come to lawful age, then I will that he occupieth the said lands and rents, and shall keep (?) the said Robert till he come to lawful age or [..........] to yield accounts of the profits of the said lands to the use of the said Robert, when he cometh to lawful age. And I will that when the said Robert cometh to his lands that he give to every of his brethren 40s, which I will he pay to them at the age of 24 years within one year next following at 2 payments, that is to wit - 20s at each payment. And I will that the said Robert give to every of his sisters - 20s at their marriage. And if the said Robert die without heirs of his body lawfully begotten. Then I will that John my son shall have the foresaid house and lands and tenements, to him and to his heirs lawfully begotten. And if the said John die without issue lawfully begotten, then I will that the said lands and tenements remain to Thomas my son, and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten. And if the said Thomas decease without heirs of his body lawfully begotten; then I will that the lands and tenements remain to William my son, and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten. And if the said William decease without heirs of his body lawfully begotten, then I will they remain to Richard my son and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten. And if the said Richard decease without heirs lawful, then I will that the said lands and tenements be sold and the money thereof to be spent in good use in singing of masses, reparation of churches and in other meritorious deeds for the souls of my father and mother and all Christian souls. Provided alway that if it shall fortune any of my said sons to have and enjoy the said lands and tenements as is above rehearsed, then I will that he that so doth enjoy the said lands and tenements, pay to his brethren and sisters the foresaid sum as the said Robert should pay after the manner and form above expressed. And if the same Robert or any of his said brethren to whom the said lands and tenements shall come to pay not to the said brethren or sisters or they depart the worth within the years above rehearsed the sum to them bequeathed above, then I will that their part that so deceaseth shall be equally deputed?

KAO

Will of John Overey of Hartley (1555)

In the name of God, Amen. The 16th day of July in the year of Our Lord God 1555. I John Overy of the parish of Harteley in the county of Kent and within the diocese of Rochester, being sick of body but whole in memory and perfect of understanding (praised be God Almighty) do constitute ordain and make this my present will and last testament in manner and form hereafter ensuing. That is to say, First and principally I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, our Blessed Lady, and to all the Holy Company of Heaven. And my body to be buried in the churchyard of All Saints' in the parish of Hartely aforesaid. Item: I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Overay my wife: all that my tenement called Hayes with all the lands unto the same belonging, lying on the north side of the highway with a little croft that I lately bought of my son Richard joining unto the same; and during the life natural of my said wife. And if it fortune that she dwell upon the said house herself, that then she shall during the said time pay the quitrent with all other charges going out of the said land and tenement. And also shall well sufficiently repair, uphold and maintain all the said housing tenentably when and as oft as need shall require, without any strip or waste to be done or permitted upon the said ground during the said term. And if it happen my said wife not to dwell thereupon herself, that then I will that Richard Overy my son shall pay unto her yearly during her said life 40s of good and lawful money of England, and also to discharge her for all other reparations and charges going out of the said land and tenement. And after the decease of my said wife, I will the same land do remain unto Richard my son during his life. And after the death of my said son Richard, I will all my said lands remain unto Abraham Overay, his son, and to his heirs male of his body lawfully begotten. I will the said lands do remain unto the brethren of the said Abraham if there be any. And for lack of heirs male of their bodies lawfully begotten. That then I will the said lands and tenements shall be equally divided between Johan and Sybill my daughters and to their heirs for ever. Item: I give and bequeath unto Richard Overy my son, the residue of all my lands and tenements set lying and being in Harteley, Fawkham and Asshe or elsewhere within the said county of Kent, during his life natural, and after his decease I will the said lands and tenements do remain unto Abraham his son and to the heirs mails of his body lawfully begotten as is before specified. Item: I give unto Elizabeth my wife - 20 mother sheep and 3 of the best kine that I have, and straw to feed them this winter. And also 10 quarters of wheat, 10 quarters of barley and 3 quarters of oats, and all the household stuff during the life of my said wife. And after her death, I will the same household stuff to be equally divided between two daughters Johan and Sybill. I give unto my said wife - a sow, 2 hogs and all my poultry. Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughters Johan and Sybill to either of them - £20 of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto them at the day of their marriage. And for default of payment it shall be lawful for my said daughters to enter upon my said lands and the same to keep unto such time as they be fully paid the said sum. And either of them to be other's heir if they die before they be married. Item: I give unto John Man and Richard Northasshe - 20s to either of them. Item: I give unto John Page - 5s and my best russet cloak. The residue of all my goods not bequeathed, my debts being paid, my funeral discharged, I give and bequeath wholly unto Richard Overey my son, whom I constitute and ordain and make my full and whole executor of my present will and testament. And Sir William Potter, clerk and parson of Harteley, and James Cryppes to be mine overseers. Witnesses: Thomas Walter the elder, John Cowrt alias Gardner and Geoffrey Up Coan (?) with others.