Individual Details

William was the only son of William Merriam and Alice Apse to reach maturity. He was born just before May 11, 1564, when he was baptized in Goudhurst, Kent. He became a prosperous cloth merchant with a shop on Barne Street in Hadlow, Kent. He probably became a clothier because either his father or his step-father was in that business. He first appears in the "Kentish Lay Subsidy Rolls" or tax lists, in 1598, living in Tudeley. William also owned land or buildings in several nearby villages. He married Sarah Burgess, daughter of James Burgess of Tudeley, probably in Tudely, but the record of their marriage has not been found. James Burgess of Tudeley, Kent, mentioned in his will of 1590 his "son-in-law William Meryam."

William was living in Hadlow, about four miles northeast of Tonbridge, in 1635, when he made his will on September 8. In the will, which was proved on November 27, he refers to himself as aged. His eldest son Joseph, the immigrant, was also a clothier. Since William was well to do and died in Hadlow, there is no reason to think he was not buried in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church in Hadlow on September 23, 1635.

William Mirriam of Hadlowe, Kent, clothier, 8 September 1635, proved 27 November 1 1635. To the poor of Hadlowe ten shillings. To my daughter Susan, already preferred, fifty shillings. The like sum to daughter Margaret, likewise preferred. To daughter Joane, already preferred, one shilling. To my daughter Sara forty pounds within three months next after my decease. To wife Sara all the household stuff of mine which is in my now dwelling house situate at Barnestreet in Hadlowe and the five pounds per annum which is to be paid out of my lands in Goodherst, Kent, during her natural life. I give her also three pounds per annum to be paid to her during her natural life out of my tenementi and lands in Yalding, Kent. And she shall have her dwelling and abiding in my dwelling house aforesaid after my decease during the whole term of her natural life, with free access, ingress, egress and recourse to and from the same and into and from the gardens and orchards for herbs, water and for her brewing, baking, washing, drying and the like needful occasions. To my son Joseph Myrriam all such household stull as I shall have at the time of my decease remaining and being in the house wherein he now dwelleth situate in Tewdly, or elsewhere where he shall then dwell, being in his custody or possession. To George Mirriam my son five pounds and to his daughter Mary, my god daughter, five shillings. To William Howe, my grandchild, ten shillings and to every child of his father Thomas Howe which be had by my daughter, his late deceased wife, I will five shillings. To William Mirriam my grandchild, son of the said Joseph my son, five shillings. And touching my lands and tenements I will to Joseph Mirriam my son &c. all my lands and tenements in Yalding charged with the before mentioned annuity of three pounds. To Robert my son the messuage wherein I now dwell, in Hadlowe with the barns, outhhouses, yards, gardens, orchard and all my lands thereto belonging, and all other my lands, tenements &c. in Hadlowe. And I give him all my goods and chattels not formerly bequeathed. And I make him sole executor.
Proved by Christopher Crispe, Notary Public, attorney for Robert Mirriam, son and executor.
Rochester Wills, Vol. xxii. (1631-1644), vol. 165.

Birth	11 May 1564	Goudhurst, Kent, England
Baptism	11 May 1564	Hadlow, Kent, England
Marriage	1580	Sarah Burgess
Death	27 Nov 1635	Hadlow, Kent, England
Burial		St. Mary's Churchyard, Hadlow, Tonbridge and Malling Borough, Kent, England

Spouse	Sarah Burgess (1559 - 1635)
Child	George Merriam (1602 - 1675)

Father	William Merriam (1506 - 1565)
Mother	Alice Eppes ( - 1580)

Notes