Yeoman George Chowning & Martha ?

11296. Yeoman George Chowning & 11297. Martha ?    

~1570, George born in co. Kent, England, s/o 22592. Thomas Chevening.

~1595, George married Martha.

George lived in Wrothem, co. Kent, and owned lands in Wrotham, West Malling, & Tunbridge.

5/22/1620, George “Chowneinge”, yeoman, wrote his will in Wrotham. (S) UKNA, Prerogative Court of Canterbury, P Soame, 81.

Bef. 7/6/1620, George died; will proved.

5/1/1640, Martha “Chowning”, widow of Wrotham, wrote her will: “In the name of God Amen the 18th day of July and ? the 18th year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland Defender of the Faith I Martha Chowning of Wortham in ye county of Kent being sick in body but of good & sound ? I do make this my last will and testament in the manner and form following First I bequeath my ? my Creator by whose mercy in Jesus Christ ? my body to ye earth to be buried in ye churchyard of Wortham aforesaid. …” (S) County Offices in Maidstone, S w/3/204.

Family notes:

·         Multiple “Chowning” records include alias “Gregory” or “Gregorie”.

·         Manor of Chevening held by the see of Canterbury: Adam de Chevening, who had been one of the justices in the great assize in the reign of king John, possessed this manor in the next reign of Henry III and resided here. His descendent, William de Chevening [d. before 1334], held it of the archbishop in the 20th year of king Edward III when he paid respective aid for it as half a knight's fee. The family of Chevening, or Chowning, as it began to be called , was succeeded in the possession of the place soon after by the De La Pole.

Children of George and Martha:

i. John Chowning, born ?.

John married Damaris ?.

John given 20 shillings in the will of his mother.

1653, John died. (S) Will probated in Maydstone, co. Kent, England.

ii. Martha Chowning, born ?.

Martha married ? Grandbery?.

Children: [Named in their grandmother’s will.]

·         Jane Gradbery, born ?.

·         William Grandbery, born ?.

iii. George Chowning (5648), born ~1600 in Wrotham, co. Kent, England.

George given 5 shillings in the will of his mother.