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Elizabeth Selby, writing in 1935, recalls a link between the Goldsmith Family and Deerton Street. However, a visitor to our web society also shows a Goldsmith resident in Sundries/Sunderland Farm in the 1841 Census [perhaps know at that time as “Saundre’s Farm”?].
[p.48] EXTRACT FROM Elizabeth Selby (1935)
Another family of yeoman farmers connected with Derton Street was the GOLDSMITH FAMILY.
William Goldsmith (will 1487) left many bequests to the Church (see Archaeologia Cantiana, Extra Vol., 1907), and explicit directions as to the masses to be said. Each priest was to have 6d. and his dinner.
He left to his wife Isabella his maser cup for life, 4 silver spoons and 3rd part of his household stuff.
To his son John coverlet, matres bolster, undercloth, 2 blankets, a pair of sheets.
To Margaret daughter of Samson Derton a cow, “and if she dies the cow to Isole daughter of John Derton “.
To his son William silver spoons and the residue to dispose “for my soul”.
One of the witnesses was Thomas Jeround (probably Jerome of Conyer).
His son William was to have all his tenements and marshes, and Son Thomas all his lands at Frenstede “if he will be ruled in marriage by Isbele my wife and my good friends”, if not, then lands to my son William.
There is in the will a complicated bequest about Thos. Geround buying a “wareson” (?) and a tenement in Sittingbourne. His wife was to have “free choice yearly where she will have her chamber and her easement at the fire and meat and drink competent” either with William or Thomas.
Son John was also to have “my Shamyll in Sedingborne for life” then to William and Thomas. (Shamel or shamble -butcher’s portable stalls and benches. Dialect Dictionary.)
Wife Isabelle was “to have my tenement called Walcotes”,1 and there is mention of lands in Wellmarsh and 1 acre in Symons Croft.
This will was proved in 1497.
William Goldsmith the second (will 1497) leaves his tenement called” Nicholas” to his sons John and William with again land at Wellfield, Fynaldens, Dirtonfeld
and 2 acres at Heriott (Erriott Wood), so it seems probable that he had married a Derton and inherited some of their property.
Thomas Goldsmith’s will is dated 1515 and he wishes to be buried in the Churchyard “beside the body of my father there”. His land is left to “William and Thomas my sons” without specifying it.
There are also wills of his widow, Joan Goldsmith, 1515 ; Elizabeth Goldsmith, 1523; Thomas Goldsmith, 1530 ; William Goldsmith, 1551; and Peter Goldsmith, 1552.
When I first remember Deerton Street, forty-five years ago, there were still an old Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith living there.
Footnote 1: This is mentioned as “a messuage called Walcoeke and 3 acres leading from Deerton Street to the Marshes” in a Manor Roll of 1665, and then belonged to Anne, widow of John Godfrey, Esq. (now Stable field).
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