Notes on Three Ancient Houses in the Parish of Cowden

IN THE PARISH OE COWDEN. 10 7 Wickenden whose name is on the board in the belfry earned notoriety by having heen "relieved and maintained in the Parish near 40 years." The following are extracts from wills of members of the family:—• THOMAS WIKYNG of Cowden.—" To he buried in the Churchyard of B.M. Magdalene. Wife Joan, Executrix. Sir Eichard Chapman, Chaplain, Witness. Sons Eichard and Thomas, daughter Joan, my tenement called ' Ghmys.'" Dated 20 June, proved 9 Sep. 1510 by Exix. [Cons. Eochester, vi., cclxxiiii.] JOHANNA WIKYN, widow of above.—"To be buried in the churchyard. Sons Eichard and Thomas, daughter Joan." Witness, Sir Morgan Aprice Curi and Eichard Wikynden. Dated 10 July, proved 22 Sep. 1511. [Cons. Eochester, vi., cclxxxxiiii.] EICHAED WYNGENDEN th'elder of Cowden.—" To be buried in the Churchyard. I bequeath to the house of Motenden* xiid, godson Thomas Wikeyng, wife Margaret." Witnesses, Thomas Still, John Still. Dated 19 Sep. 1510, proved 8 March 1511. [Cons. Eochester, vi., cccxii.] JOHN WEKXNDEN.—"To be buried in the church yerde of Cowden. To son John a litill howse called ' Kyngs' nexte to Chaunterells in Cowden. To son William a house called ' Cardis.' To son Antony my howse where I dwelle in Cowden Strete with a garden and a barne; daughter Besse." Witness, Sir Eicharde Chapman, John Wikynden. Dated 20 Jan., proved 20 March 1524. [Cons. Eochester, vii., ccclxii.] JOHN WYKENDEN, son of William Wykenden, senior, of Cowden, yoman.—" Three daughters Alice, Elizabeth, and Margarete under age, brother Thomas Wykenden. Father living." Dated 1 Dec. 1557, proved 21 May 1558. [P.C.C, 13 Noodes.] JOHN WYKENDEN of Cowden, son of William Wikenden, senior.—"To be buried in the Churchyard, youngest daughters Elizabeth and Margarett under age, brother Thomas Wykenden, Exor." Witness, Thomas Wykinge, William Wickenden. Dated 10 Sep. 1557, proved 22 Nov. *1559. [P.C.C, 57 Chaynay.] HENEY WICKENDEN of Cowden, yoman.—" All lands, etc., in Cowden and Heaver to be sold by Overseer John Curthopp of Lingfield, Gent. Sons Henry and Thomas, daughters Joan Plawe, Margarett, Anne and Isabell Wife Joane, Exix." Dated 22 Feb. 1596, proved 16 April 1597. [P.C.C, 32 Cobham.] * A Trinitarian Priory founded at Mottenden in Headcorn by Sir Richard de Rokesle in 1224; it was granted at the Dissolution to Sir Thomas Cromwell, Lord Cromwell (Hasted, vol. ii., p. 391).