1654 Deed of Gift from Ralph Kendall alias Mills to his son, John

Title Deed

 DB111/2 8 Nov 1654 Deed of Gift. Ralph to John Kendall als Mills[1]

Transcription

Cover: 8th Nov’r 1654. Ralph Kendall als Mills to Jno Kendall als Mills – Deed of Gift of Messuage adjoyning to North Bridge in Newport Pagnell. 

Witnesses’ signatures: Thomas (his mark) Williamson; Thomas Laughton; Godfrey Withers Sealed and delivered and quiet and peaceable possession and seisin of the Burges or Tenement and other the within
granted premises was had taken and delivered by the within
named Ralph Kendall otherwayes called Mills unto the
(wi)thin named John Kendall otherwaies called Mills in … [end of line or endorsement not visible?]

This Indenture made the eight day of November in the yeare of Our Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty four 1654 Beetweene Ralph Kendall otherwise caled Mills of Newport Pagnell in the County of Bucks Carpenter as well for the naturall love and affection which hee beareth to John Kendall otherwayes call’d Mills his sonne As Allso for and in Consideration of a competent somme of mony to him in hand paid by the saide John Kendall the receipt whereof the saide Ralph Kendall doth acknowledge by these presents hath given granted


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1666 Deed of Settlement from John Kendall als Mills to his betrothed, Martha Mitchell

Title Deed

DB111/3 (18 May 1666) Deed of settlement[1] 

Transcription

Cover: 18th May 18 Charles2 (1666): Jn Kendall to Robt Hooton in trust – Deed of Settlem’t of house adjoyn’g to North Bridge in Newport Pagnell. 

This Indenture made the eighteenth daye of Maye in the eightteenth yeare of the raigne of our most gratious Sovereigne Lord Charles the second by the grace of God King of England &c Betweene John Milles alias Kendall of Newport Pagnell in the Countie of Bucks Carpenter of the one part and Robert Hootton of Newport Pagnell aforesaid mercer and Martha Michell of Newport Pagnell aforesaid widdow of the other part, Witnesseth that whereas there is a marriage intended shortly to be had and solemnised by and betwene the said John Milles alias Kendall and the said Martha Michell and allsoe For the better provideinge of a livelyhood for the Said Martha Michell in case she happen to survive the said John Milles alias Kendall her intended husband the Said John Milles otherwise Kendall hath demised given grannted bargained sold aliened released infeoffed and confirmed And by these presents doth devise give grante bargaine sell allien release infeoff and confirm unto the said Robert Hootton his heires and assignes All that Messuage or tenement with the appurtenances scituate and being in Newport Pagnell aforesaid and adioyninge to a bridge called north bridge and now in the tenure or occupation of Edward Sibley togither with all

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1666 Will of John Kendall (alias Mills)

1666 Will of John Kendall (alias Mills)

Written: 27 Aug 1666[1]

Proved: PCC London 28 Nov 1666

TNA ref: PROB 11/322/397

Verbatim transcript by Celia Renshaw, 7 Aug 2023, from image online at Ancestry

Transcription

In the Name of God Amen The Twenty Seaventh day of August One Thousand Six hundred Sixty-Six in the Eighteenth yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland &c, I John Kendall of Newport Pagnell in the County of Bucks Carpenter being in perfect memory and remembrance praised bee God doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following.

First I give and bequeath my Soule to Almighty God my maker hopeing in the merritts and pasion of our Savior Jesus Christ to deserve the pardon and forgivenese of all my Sins. As for my Body to bee disposed and buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter nominated.

Item I give unto my wife Martha Kendall the house now in the tenancy or occupation of Edward Sibly for the terme of her life and after her decease to returne to my Sonne John Kendall and to his heires for ever.

Item I give unto my wife Martha Kendalle the summe of Thirty pounds of lawfull money of England to bee paid to her by my Sonn John Kendalle within two yeares next insuing the date hereof.

Item I give to my Sonne John Kendall One Featherbedd one Bedstead standing in the other house, two paire of Sheets, One great Flagon one litell Flagon one Winchester quarte One Coverlid & one Blanket one posnit? two porige potts One Bolster one pillow one Bason two kettles three platters one Candlesticke two Chests two tables two Cuberds with my wearing Aparell.

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1670 Chancery Case: Kendall vs. Kendall

1670 CHANCERY CASE : KENDALL vs KENDALL[1]

TNA ref: C 8/172/47

Abstract of Bill and Answer analyzed by Keri-Lynn & Celia Renshaw, 8 Aug 2023, from images supplied by TNA to Keri-Lynn[2]

The Charge

Primo day of Februarie 1670

To the right honourable Sr Orlando Bridgman Lord Keeper of the Great Seale of England

First sheet: the submission of John Kendall alias Mills (referred to by us, for clarity, as John Jr. and later as Aberford John), the only child of John Kendall alias Mills Sr. and an unknown first wife. John Sr. died in the plague at Newport Pagnell in 1666, after marrying a second time, to widow Martha Mitchell. John Sr. was the son of Sherington Rafe, making him the brother of Thomas and Francis in New England and of Richard in Enfield.

John Jr., the complainant in this Chancery case, referred to himself throughout the charge as ‘Your Orator’ (standard form of address to the legal authority) – for simplicity ‘he’ or ‘John Jr.’ has been used instead.

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1673/74 John Jr. and the Old North Bridge Property

Deed

DC13/3/1/1 (1669-1689) Property on North Bridge – the Ship & Cottages. In 1673, Kendall alias Mills to John Rawlins, messuage in occupation of George Rawbone. Other later deeds in the bundle concern Walter Beaty (Scotch chapman).

Transcription by Keri-Lynn

This Indenture made the one & thirtieth day of January in the Four and twentieth yeare of the Raigne of o[ur] Sovaigne (sovereign) Lord Charles the second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the faith &c. Between John Kendall als Mills of Newport Pagnell in the County of Bucks Carpender of the one part And John Rawlins of Stokegoldington in the County aforesaid yeoman of the other part Witnesseth that the said John Kendall als Mills for the better secureinge of a Messuage or Tenement with the appurtences in Newport Pagnell aforesaid which the said John Kendall by Indenture bearinge even date with these presents hath Conveyed to the said John Rawlins and his heires and for divers other good causes and valuable Considerations him thereunto especially moveinge Hathe Devised granted bargained and Sold And by these presents doth devise grant Bargaine and sell unto the said John Rawlins and his assignes All That messuage or Tenement with the appurtences scituate neare the North Bridge in Newport Pagnell aforesaid now in the occupacon of George Rawbone Together with all houses edifices buildings barnes Stables yards orchards gardens backsides hedges ditches trees fences mounds wayes Easements Commons proffitts and Comodityes whatsoever unto the said Messuage or Tenement belonginge or in anywise appertaineinge And also the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders thereof And all the Estate right Title Interest Claime and demand whatsoever of him the said John Kendall als Mills of in and to the same premisses and evry part thereof and Coppyes of all deeds writeinges and Evidences concerning the same premisses To have and hold The said Messuage

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1681 Lease and Release to Jeremiah Smalridge

Title Deed

DB111/6 Sale by lease & release, Lease 1 Sep 1681[1]

Transcription by Celia Renshaw

Cover: 1st Sep 1681. Geo: Rawbone & others to Jerem’h Smallridge – Lease for a year

Endorsed: Sealed and delivered by the within named George Rawbone and Martha his wife, in the p’sence of: Tho Chapman; Rich. Saunders.

Sealed and delivered by the within named John Kendall als Milles & Martha his wife in the p’sence of: Rich: Saunders; John Smalridge

Text: This Indenture made the first day of September in the three and thirtieth year of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the second by the grace of god of England &c Annoq Dmi 1681 Betweene George Rawbone of Newport Pagnell in the County of Buks Carpender and Martha his wife and John Kendall otherwise Milles of Abberforth (Aberford) in the County of yorke Carpender and Martha his wife of the one parte And Jeremiah Smalridge of Newport Pagnell in the county of Bucks Maltster of the other part Witnesseth that the said George Rawbone and Martha his wife John Kendall otherwise Milles and Martha his wife, for and in consideration of the summe of Six pence unto them or one of them in hand paid and for other divers good causes and valuable considerations them hereunto moveing hath granted bargained and sold and by these p’sents doe grant bargaine & sell unto the said Jeremiah Smalridge his Executors,

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Descendants of Ralph (Rafe) Kendall alias Mills (or Miles)

This is a descendancy chart for the known children and grandchildren of Ralph Kendall als Mills. He and his descendants were documented with multiple surname spellings throughout their lifetimes. Some used the full alias, while others used only Kendall or only Mills; some switched between the alias and using just one surname. Keep in mind that clerks and vicars were writing their names for them. We know for a certainly that most of the family members were illiterate as they typically signed their names with a mark, so they were dependent on others to write their name. From Ralph’s time onward, his descendants which stayed in England mostly used the Mills surname, though some continued with Kendall. Ralph’s North American descendants mostly used the Kendall surname.

The place names for the birth events for Ralph’s family on the family group sheets and pedigree chart are derived from christening events. Though we cannot be sure individuals were born in the same location they were christened, that is what generally happens and if birth events are not entered on RootsMagic no date or place will show up in a pedigree chart.

Several more generations of descendants from Thomas and Francis have been researched and are available at FamilySearch and on Ancestry Trees and other websites. The list below is provided to show the known children and grandchildren of Ralph Kendall als. Mills and their spouses. In the descendancy chart, the children of Ralph are in red and his grandchildren are in green. 

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Richard Kendall alias Mills (1628-1684) Timeline

The document titled Profile of Richard Mills , shows what was found for him in the Sherington and Newport Pagnell area of Buckinghamshire and for his adult life in Enfield, Middlesex. His children are included as are some of his grandchildren. His will is also in the document.

It’s important to keep in mind that research on Richard was not intensive and no attempt was made to document every descendant or event in his life. It’s possible some of his children were christened or buried outside Enfield. He likely had children who moved away from Enfield and had their families in other parishes. Working with the surname Mills in the London area generates a lot of finds even in the 1600s, so other than the more obvious possibilities for Richard’s family no further attempt was made to follow this line any farther.

John Kendall alias Mills Sr. Timeline

John Kendall alias Mills Sr. lived from 1623-1666. He fathered only one known child, but may have had other children. He died during an outbreak of plague that hit Newport Pagnell particularly hard. He had at least two wives, but despite knowing the name of the second wife, no marriage has been found for either marriage. For a more complete description of his life, property transactions, will, burial, and more follow this link.

Why Y-DNA?

How did Y-DNA help determine the parentage of Francis Kendall? For the answer to that question to make sense, some basic knowledge of Y-DNA is required.

What is Y-DNA?

Y-DNA is passed down only by males to males.[1] It is a direct father to son transmission for every generation in a paternal line. Women do not carry Y-DNA, not even from their fathers. It is part of the Y chromosome, which women do not get. Y-DNA changes only a little over many generations so a father’s or even a great grandfather’s Y-DNA may be identical to a son’s or great grandson’s. Or it may change, but minute differences can only be detected by a specific Y-DNA test.

Y-DNA vs atDNA

Y-DNA, as stated, changes little over multiple generations of males, but autosomal DNA (atDNA) changes a lot with every generation.[2] Autosomal DNA is the test most of us are familiar with, being done by Ancestry, 23 and Me, FamilyTreeDNA, My Heritage and others. Male and female children in any given family can make use of autosomal testing because every person inherits approximately half their autosomal DNA from each parent and every succeeding generation does the same. Autosomal DNA is quickly watered down as it passes through multiple generations, so a great grandparent and a great grandchild share only 12.5% (or less) of their DNA. That is a large difference from the 100% or nearly 100% inheritance of Y-DNA over the same number of paternal generations.

Y-DNA and surnames

Typically, Y-DNA goes hand in hand with the transmission of a surname in European/European-settled cultures (like North and South America) and in many Asian countries. However, surnames and Y-DNA do not always go hand in hand because of NPEs.[3] Whether the acronym stands for Non-Paternity (or Non-Parental) Event, or Not the Parent Expected, the meaning of the term is that the paper trail and DNA results are not a match. This may happen for several reasons including illegitimacy, adoption, use of alias surnames and the fluidity of surnames, intentional name changes, and more. When using Y-DNA as evidence to build a family tree, caution about what to expect should always be exercised.

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