"6 James Martin lived at Lydd, Kent, where he was probably some sort of a merchant or trader. Lydd is in the extreme southeast of Kent in a low, sandy area better suited for commerce than agriculture. All that is known of him is derived from his will and the parish register of Lydd. … James Martin died in 1583. An abstract of his will follows. '8 August 1583 - the will of James Martin of the town of Lydd in the parish of All Saints, county of Kent … to my daughter Rachel £10 in ready money, one silver goblet next the best one got covered with silver, 6 silver spoons of those that be 7 marked, one feather bed next the best that lyeth in the chamber over the parlor, that bolster that lyeth upon the bed, the coverlet, that blanket, two pillows, two pillow coats, 4 pair of sheets neither of the finest nor of the coarsest, 3 table cloths, one dozen of table napkins, her mother's best coat with her kyrtle, and all such things as her mother did give her … unto by daughter Batt [Bates] 10s … Adryen Wood my servant shall have that little chamber he now lyeth in for life, one feather bed, one bolster, 2 pair of sheets, one blanket, one coverlet, £3.6s.8d. … to son in law James Batt 2 seames [seame = one horse load, or usually 8 bushels of grain] of wheat and 3 seames of malt. Godfrey Martin my son to be sole executor, he to have all the rest of moveable goods, houses, lands not willed. Witnesses: Alexander Weston, writer, Richard Godfrey. Proved 26 November 1583 at Canterbury and Godfrey Martin, executor, and Maria Martin alias Batt, also Rachell Martin natural daughters of the deceased, all came into court, etc.(Reference: 35:60).'"
