William Goodwyn, born about 1478, resided in Blofield, Norfolk. Probably generations of his father’s ancestors had resided here before him, as Goodwyns appear on earlier records.
However, no documents have been found to connect him to them.
William and his wife Margery had at least four children. These William named in his will of March 16, 1528/9. At that time son Roger was under twenty years of age, with the others
obviously older.
In his Will William gave no residence, but he requested burial in the churchyard of Saint Andrews parish, which is in Blofield.
To his son John the elder he gave “the Tenements of Gibbys and graves and Doraunts . . . under this condic’on that he shall kepe his mother well and honestly and paye my detts And if the seid John Deye or the seid M’gery then I will yt be solde by his executor or assigneis And part of the seid payments therof goo to the seid M’gery to kepe her.” This son John should also have “my Croppe with all my stuff of howshold he paienge to Alis my doughter xxxiijs iiiid” [thirty-three shillings four pence]. This small legacy for daughter Alice indicates that she was married and had already received her portion of her father’s estate. Next named in the will was “litle John my sonne,” or John the younger. This John was to receive a tenement called Harts with all the lands, as well as two horses, a black and a bald, and two combs of wheat. In addition he should “pay to Roger his brother” five pounds when Roger “comythe to the age of xx yerys.” At that time “litle John” should begin to pay the said money at a mark each year. A mark was worth 128 silver pennies and a pound worth 240 silver pennies. John the elder received the assignment to be the executor of the will.
William lived for two more years, his will being probated May 20, 1531. At his burying day the request in his will for a half penny of bread to be given “to as many as come” was undoubtedly fulfilled by his executor.
Many years later, in 1593, William’s grandson John Goodwyn, son of John the elder, bequeathed by will the properties inherited by John the elder.
