The Story of Christopher Kelsham

This is the story of my paternal 12th Great Grandfather, Christopher Kelsham  (1500-1566).

Born around 1500 to Elizabeth Scott and John Kelsham, in the village of Headcorn, Kent, England.


It's amazing to me that I've been able to trace a branch of my family back to the 16th century!!

Just to put this into context ... in 1500 Leonardo da Vinci was alive and living in Florence where he was creating his cartoon titled:

The Virgin and Child with St. Anne and St. John the Baptist.
(By Leonardo da Vinci - National Gallery collection, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1465755)


Christopher Columbus died just a couple of years after my 12x great grandfather was born, having accomplished the feat of reaching the Americas.  King Henry V111 was crowned King when my 12x great grandfather was aged around 9 or 10.   My 12x great grandfather was born and lived during what was known as 'The Tudor Period'.

It appears that my ancestor, Christopher Kelsham, belonged to the gentry, one of four broad groups in Tudor society.  There were the nobility at the top, then the gentry and rich merchants, then the yeomen and craftsmen, and below them ... the tenant farmers and wage labourers.

Gentry were 'gentlemen' who owned large amounts of land, were usually educated and had a family coat of arms.  These middle class Tudors usually built study 'half-timbered' houses made with a timber frame filled in with wattle and daub.  It seems that Christopher certainly fit the category of gentry.

He lived on an estate known as Kelsham Estate in the village of Hedcorne (later spelt Headcorn), and resided in a manor house known as Kelsham Manor, which was indeed a 'half-timbered' house.








A quote taken from Edward Hasted's chapter on the Parish of Hedcorne (Headcorn) in his book, 'The History and topographical Survey of the County of Kent' - Volume 5' published in 1798 stated:

"KELSHAM is an estate in this (Hedcorne, later spelt Headcorn) parish which lies at a small distance southward of Mottenden and though now only a farmhouse was formerly accounted a manor and was the residence of a gentleman, known by the surname, who bore for their arms "sable, a fess engrailed argent, between three garbs" or, as appeared by the figure of one of them, with these arms on his tabard, formerly in painted glass in the windows of this church, but long since destroyed (great storm of 1703). In this name the possession of it seems to have continued till the latter end of queen Elizabeth's reign."

Edward Hasted, 'Parishes: Hedcorne', in The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 5 (Canterbury, 1798), pp. 324-336.

Painting of Kelsham Manor House

Christopher lived in the manor house named Kelsham Manor, on the Kelsham Estate until his death towards the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign. 

According to an extract from 'The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Headcorn' by T.W. Burden Easter published in 1913:

'There were two Kelsham coats of arms in Headcorn Parish Church drawn by the vicar's wife early last century. The Kelsham family were granted this consideration, as tradition has stated that the Bethersden marble, of which the church is built,was quarried north of Summerhill on the lands of Kelsham.

Church of St. Peter & Paul, Headcorn, Kent

The two Kelsham family coats of arms figured prominently in a painted glass window of the parish church, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Headcorn.  

Whilst the Church is still standing, sadly the Kelsham coats of arms were destroyed during a storm in 1703.

I can only share a few details about the life of Christopher.  In 1537, when Christopher was 37 years old, his father John Kelsham died.  By this time it seems that Christopher had married Mary Hemersham, and they were living in Kelsham Manor House.

I've only been able to find a record for one child born during the marriage of Christopher and his wife Mary.  It seems highly likely there were other children born during these years, but I have yet to track down the evidence of this.

Christopher's daughter Agnes, was born in 1544 when Christopher was aged 44.  When she married in 1565, her husband William Fullagar became Lord of the Manor, so it seems Agnes was the only surviving child of Christopher and the estate was passed onto Christopher's son-in-law.

In 1564 Christopher made a will, and it's likely he died not long after.

There's a particular story that's been passed down the generations of the Kelsham-Fullagar family ...

" While Mr. Kelsham was away one time, William (Fullagar) swept young Agnes off of her feet and married her. When Mr. Kelsham returned he was none too happy about this, but agreed to give his blessings to them on one condition - the name Kelsham was to be passed down in each generation."

This could possibly mean that Christopher died around the time of Agnes's wedding which was in 1566.  He would have been 66 years of age.

Kelsham did indeed become a family name handed down to various descendants.

My 10th Great Grandfather was named Kelsham Fullagar  (son of William Fullagar and Agnes Kelsham).
One of Kelsham Fullagar's sons was named William Kelsham Fullagar, my 9th Great Grandfather.

Kelsham Manor House still exists today and is a Grade 11 listed building in Kent, England.  When it was listed back in 1968, this is how it was described:

Wealden farmhouse

Farmhouse. Late C16 or early C17, with C17 addition to left. Timber framed with plaster infilling and plain tile roof. Lobby entry plan of 3 timber- framed bays including stack bay, with 2-bay addition to left. 2 storeys and garret. Right section close-studded, with dropped tie-beam. Broadly-spaced studding to left section. Continuous jetty to right section, on solid brackets, with moulded bressumer. Left section unjettied. Three-quarters hipped roof. Multiple brick ridge stack to centre of right section. Irregular fenestration of 5 casements; one 3-light to each principal bay and one 2-light under stack, Right section formerly had deep central window to each outer bay, flanked by frieze windows under eaves. Mortices on ground floor for rectangular bay window to each outer bay of right section with frieze windows in ground-floor wall. Door of 2 fielded panels with rectangular 3-light fanlight under stack. Open lean-to shelter to right gable end. Rear lean-to to right. Rear wing to left built 1930. Interior: exposed framing.

Photos of Kelsham Farm - taken 2018

  

Christopher Kelsham is my 12x great grandfather on my paternal side, and I've already posted about another 12x great grandfather, Dominyche Fullagar  (Christopher's son-in-law's father).  He was also from Headcorn in Kent.

Christopher's daughter (my 11th great grandmother Agnes) married Dominyche's son William (my 11th great grandfather).  It seems fitting to link Dominyche's post here as well -  The Story of Dominyche Fullagar.

The Story of Dominyche Fullagar (Fullagarde)

The story of my paternal 12x Great Grandfather Dominyche Fullagar (Fullagarde) (c.1518-1558) will be a short one.  

The information I have found has come from oral family history recorded by descendants in England, although there is one piece of evidence that provides proof of some of the particulars of his story. That's his last will and testament.





Dominyche was born 500 years ago in 1518, according to family history, in Headcorn, Kent, England.

His name was most likely pronounced as "Dominic".

There are no records in existence that can provide proof of his date of birth or the names of his parents, so I'm unable to fill in those blanks.

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13359000

In the supposed year of Dominyche's birth, King Henry VIII had been the monarch of England for nine years, James V ruled Scotland and Francis 1 was the ruler of France.

Henry VIII was to remain the monarch of England during the majority of Dominyche's life.

Dominyche married Alice Hemersham around 1539, in the village of Headcorn, Kent.  He would have been 21 years old and Alice was 17. Their son William was born the following year, probably in 1540. 

Dominyche's occupation was 'mercer'.  He was a trader in cloth, textiles and woollens, and he seems to have been rather well-off.  Whether he had inherited land and wealth from his father, or had become very prosperous as a result of his occupation is unknown.

Headcorn at that time was a village that had prospered with the growth in the textile industry.  Many of the weavers in the village would have been Flemish weavers who had escaped French rule and settled in England.  Dominyche would have often visited the Cloth Hall in the centre of his village to buy fabrics from weavers such as these.

Village of Headcorn

The Old Cloth Hall apparently still stands in the village of Headcorn.  Reputedly it's the building on the right in the photo above.

In Dominyche's time, the Exchequer would have been next door.  It served as a bank, and Dominyche would have gone there to get a line of credit in order to make his fabric purchases.  It's likely he would have then sold them in places such as London or even in Europe.

(Note:  this information about Headcorn was provided by a distant relative from her own family tree research, but is apparently not correct according to a local historian who has been researching the village for many years.  I received a message from this historian stating: "I have read your piece relating to Headcorn and would like to offer some corrections. I have been a local historian in Headcorn for many years. The building in the High Street shown is not a cloth hall, it is known as Shakespeare House and was possible a weaving house?, The building to the left is 'Chequers', named that as it was an inn called the 'Ball and Chequers'. It was NEVER a bank there would not have been one in the village at that time.")

Dominyche died on the 21st of December 1558, when he was only 40 years old.  He died in the village of Headcorn.

Now to his last will and testament.  The language of Dominyche's will is extraordinary and obviously reflects the nature of the English language during the period known as the Tudor Period in England. This was known as Early Modern English, the stage of the English language as it developed and was used from the late 15th century until the mid-to-late 17th century.

The transcript reads:

In the name of God Amen. The 21st day of December in the year or our Lord God 1558 and in the first year of the reign of our sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith.

This is the last Will and Testament of me Dominyche Fullagarde mercer of the parish of Headcomne being sick in body and of perfect remembrance I bequeath my soul to almighty God and my body to the ground to be buried in the church yarde of Headcomne or its where.

Then I will William Fullagarde my son my part of one messuage garden barn and other housing thereunto belonging and the land thereunto belonging by estimation 13 acres more or less within the borow of Headcomne of its where within the parish of Headcomne in feesimple forever.

Also I will that William Fullagarde my son shall mine executor of all my moveable goods recervynge (?) my wife shall have half the household recervynge (?) the tunnes of the bruehouse and Alice my wife shall have two kine and a bull and the said William my son shall pay to Alice my wife 20 (pounds) of lawful money of England by equal portions within one hole year next after my death.

I will that Alice my wife shall have her dwelling in the house as long as she lyveth she being sole widow and when the housselhold is shift my son to choose first so that my wife shall not medle with the shopp of mercerie furthermore I will that my wife and William my son to keep for the house and to bear the charges between them and to shift the profits betwixt them.

Also I will that in case William my son do not suffer my wife quietly to be with him that then she shall disentre him.

Then I will that my brother Nicholas Hemersham shall mine oversear of this my Will and Testament and to have for his pains 13s/4d to be paid immediately after my death and I give to everie one of my Godchildren 4d and I give to Thomas Bames dwelling with me 10 shillings immediately after my death and William my son being my Executor to pay my bequeathes and to receyve all my debts in witness hereof Nicholas Mr. Hemersham James Mr. Hynchell Richard Buchorse Vicar with other.

What fantastic language!  It's an absorbing read.  I find some of the spelling quite interesting.  What on earth is "recervynge"?  Would that be "revenue"?

It appears that Dominyche was only survived by his wife and one son.  Essentially, the will states that Dominyche's wife Alice should have a few cattle, plus the sum of £20, and should have the use of the house during her lifetime. Son, William and Alice were to share the profits of the shop and to live together in the house.

I find the remark "My wife shall not medle with the shoppe of mercerie", quite interesting. Perhaps Alice had tried to have a say in the business when Dominyche was plying his trade, and perhaps he had not appreciated that at all!

Son William was to have "messuage, garden, barn and 13 acres".  

A typical 16th century middle class house

 A "messuage" was a dwelling house wtih outbuildings, possibly similar to the house pictured here. 

"Messuage" was an Anglo-Norman French word with its origin in the Latin language ... 'manere' meaning "to dwell".  







Presumably this sizeable 13 acre property contained the "shoppe", although that is not clear.
 

Dominyche's brother-in-law was also mentioned in the will ...  "my brother Nicholas Hemersham shall (be) mine oversear of this my Will".  Dominyche also gave 4 pence to each of his godchildren.  I wonder how many there were?  Did Dominyche have lots of godchildren because he and wife Alice only had the one son?  There are endless questions I'd love to find the answers for, but it's likely a lost cause given that the life of my 12x Great Grandfather was lived so very long ago!

Special Note to any family members:  If you have information to share, can I graciously ask that you do so.  Please use the comments box below or email me.  It may prove to be invaluable to the story and provide future generations with something to truly treasure.