The Minor Family of Somerset

will Mar 20 1553, William Kinge had leased "The Wylleys" later k
nown as Willow Hall, from the Lord of the Manor, Sir Henry Savil
e previous to 1546. Eleven years earlier than this date, howeve
r he was acquiring land and evidently resident in Skircote, th
e lands were adjacent to Willow Hall. In 1536 he wasone of th
e compounders for the Great Tithes of the Parish of Halifax, an
d played his part in that violent dispute. He was by trade a dy
er a flax whichis stated in a lease dated 10 July 27 Henry VII
I William Kinge was a Yeoman.Trade returns must have been remun
erative and fortune smiled kindly upon hislabours, he he had st
eadily added to his possesions. In 1546 leasing two closes of l
and called "Nether-pook-royd Banke" and "Hansted" in Skircote wh
ichare described as parcel of the lands of Wylley Hall" as it h
ad now begun tobe termed. He inherited the unexpired term o
f a lease of a close in Skircotedbequeathed to him by on Rober
t Craven in 1540, land which had been obtainedfrom Lady Savil
e in 1515 (7 Henry VIII) and was known as "Geldre-Leghes," Will
iam Kinge is included in the list of those called upon to contri
bute to the compulsory payment of tax on goods or lands under th
e Lay Subsidy of 33 Henry VIII, 8 November. Here we find our ye
oman ranKing with Henry Savile of Copley and John Waterhouse, th
e three being taxed alike and double that paid by any others i
n the township. William Kinge died in 1554 and was buried in acc
ordance with his directions at the Parish Church of Halifax Apri
l 12th ofthat year. "To William Kinge, his youngest son(with re
mainder in default of issue to James, with remainder in defaul
t to John Kinge and his heirs) testator bequeathed "the three me
ases called the Newe-house or mease, and the warke-hous, another
, Bairstowe House, or mease, and the third called Craven House,
" with all gardens, fold, closes watercourse and intakes late ta
ken from thewaste to the said houses belonging in Skircote. Men
tion is also made of meadow land in "Wesherloyne" new walled, s
taked and enclosed. William Kinge, the elder, had purchased fr
om Sir Henry Savile, Knt., the half part of all theland, wood a
nd waste in Greetland stated to be now enclosed, called the "Nor
thdeyne" This was bought 13 February 1549 (3 Edw VI.) by Willia
m Kinge, the father, and the same Day transferred into the posse
ssion of William Kinge,the son. Three closes of land in Skircot
e leased of Sir Henry Savile are alsomentioned which are calle
d the "Lees" and devised to William Kinge, on condition of a pay
ment to James Kinge, the second son, to whom testator bequeath
s all the remaining lease of "Willeyhall" and lands and tenement
s belonging therto except the "Lees" already given to William. T
o John Kinge, the eldest son, is allote 13s and 4d. and five mar
ks owing to testator by one Henry Stothley. After other beques
t in money to persons specified, the implement of thetrade of d
yeing are left to John Kinge, the eldest son, and consist of 3 v
ats, one tub in the house, another in the laithe, on ark in th
e cellar, a side board, one bench and one chair. The residue o
f all godds are devised to James and William Kinge, One of the s
upervisors of this will was John Mawde of Triminghame.
Will of William Kinge of Skircote,Par of hallifaxe. Reg Test. x
iv.I
Mar.20 1553. William Kinge, of Skircote, th'elder. to be burie
d in the parish Church of Hallifax. Item I bequeth to Mr. Vicar
e of the same Churche for my mortuarie after the rate of the lat
e kynges maiestie statute. Itm.by vertue and auctoritie of th
e late Kinges maiestie statutes of willes I giue to William King
e, my yongest sonne, and th'eres males of his bodie laufullybeg
otten; and for defalte of such issue then to james Kynge, my myd
delmoste sonne, and t'heres mailes of his bodie laufully begotte
n: and for defalte then the remander to John Kinge, my eldest so
nne