Person:Thomas Chandler (11)

(Excerpted from "Ancestry of William Chandler of Roxbury, Mass.," NEHGR 85:133-136.)

Since he is the only person of the family name in his generation who appears in Bishops-Stortford, it may be assumed that he was the only surviving son of his father. He seems to have been successful and prosperous, as there are evidences that he acquired considerable property and left a good estate.

The earliest mention found of him is in 1532, in one of the four land transactions by fine in which he participated, in three as a purchaser and in one as a vendor, which may be summarized as follows:

• 1532. Richard Glascok, Thomas Chaundeler, John Jacobbe, Thomas Smyth, and William Sybthorpe, querents v. George Thompson and his wife Margaret, deforciants, for two messuages and lands in Stortford. (Feet of Fines, Herts, Easter Term, 24 Henry VIII.)
• 1532. Richard Glascok and Thomas Chaundeler, querents, v. John Nobill and his wife Joan and thomas Clyfton and his wife Joan, for a messuage and lands in Stortford. (ib., Michaelmas Term, 24 Henry VIII).
• 1541/2. Thomas Chaundeler, querent, v. George Tomson, gentleman, and his wife Margaret, deforciants, for a barn and land in Stortford. (Ib., Hilary Term, 33 Henry VIII.)

1550/1. Nicholas Marden, querent v. Thomas Chaundeler, Sr., and his wife Agnes, deforciats, for a messuage in Stortford. (Ib., Hilary Term, 4 Edward VI.)

Some of the properties held by Thomas Chandler are shown in a rental roll of the Bishop of London for his manor of Bishops-Stortford in 37 Henry VII [1545-46].

As Thomas chandler, Jr., he was assessed at Stortford on lands and goods 1541 through 1546; and as Thomas Chaundler, Sr. he was assessed on goods in 1649/50. In 1546, '48 and '53 Thomas Chandler was one of the churchwardens of Bisops-Stortford, as appears from the accounts of that board, preserved in the church.

Legacy

The Will of Thomas Chaundeler of Stortford, dated 30 Mar 1554. To my son John Chaundler and his heirs and assigns for ever the messuage Inow dwell in, together with one garden in Basborn Lane to the said messuage [belonging (?)], and one croft enclosed at Waldinge, of four acres, with one meadow by the waterside, and one croft in Thorley that I late bought of Richard Pilleston, the said John paying realy to Agneis, my wife, the retn of said premises during her life. To my son Thomas Chaundler and his heirs and assigns for ever a grove I late bought of Henry Perker, gentleman, of Berden, deceased, and my messuage in North-street I late bought of Edward Willay, the said Thomas paying yearly the rent thereof to the said Agneis, my wife, for life. To my said Thomas for life my meadow of two acres I late bought of Mr. Tomson in Stortford, on the backside of Cawton the tanner, with remainder to my son Robert Chaundler and his heirs, and if the said Robert die without issue, then remainder to my son John Chaundeler and his heirs. To my son Robert Chaundler and his heirs and assigns for ever my dove house, yard, and barn, my tenement in Stortford I late bought of Wardall, and my croft and pasture I late bought of John Turnor. I will have it remembered that I have surrendered my copyhold lands and tenements by the hands of Raf Smyth and Richard Bedwell, tenants of the lord's customary, for use of Robert Chaundler, my son, and his heirs and assigns, he paying yearly to my wife Agneis the rent thereof for life. To Robert Chaundler L20. I will that my son Robert Chaundler pay to Anne Chaundler, the daughter of John Chaundler, 5 marks at the day of his [sic] marriage, and to Barbara Chaundler, daughter of Thomas Chaundler, 5 marks at the day ofh er marriage, and to Margaret Bedwell, my daughter's daughter, 5 marks at the day of her marriage. To my wife Agneis a lease of a meadow and tenement I late bought of Stonard. To six poor men of Stortford a pair of hose each. to six poor children of the same town a coat each. All the residue of my goods to my wife Agneis, who is to be executrix; and John Chaundler and Robert Chaundler are to be executors with her. Supervisor: my son-in-law Richard Bedwell. Witnesses: Raif Smythe, George Hawkyns, and Willm Bardnerd. Proved on the oaths of Agnes and Robert Chaundler, executors, 23 May 1554, with power reserved for John Chandler, the other executor, when he shall demand it. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts, Garland, 7.)