General Notes

John Hamonde, the clothier, of Lavenham, County of Suffolk, England, born about 1500, son of John Hamonde, of Melford, appears to have been the first of the name to live in Lavenham. He undoubtedly settled there in connection with the cloth industry, of which Lavenham was at that time the center. So many of the early families of Watertown and vicinity came from Lavenham and the surrounding country, and as many of them were connected by ties of marriage with the Hammonds, either before the emigration to America or after the settlement here, it is deemed advisable to give a brief sketch of the town and its history in this connection. As seen to-day it is a very interesting old town, with quaint old streets with houses on both sides having overhanging gables. The ancient Market Cross, the curious structure known to-day as the "Old Workhouse," the ancient parish church which has been pronounced the most excellent example of late perpendicular work to be found in all England; all of these, together with the delightful location and naturally picturesque scenery, go to make up a picture not easily equalled in all East Anglia. The beautiful old church stands in a commanding situation, well calculated to show its massive tower at its very best. The great square tower is over 140 feet in height, and looks as if it had never been completed, for the twenty-four coats of arms of Thomas Spring, "the rich clothier of Lavenham," who was one of its builders, reach exactly to the top of the tower, suggesting that a few feet more, at least, were meant to be added. The tradition is
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that the architect was killed by falling from this tower when it had reached its present height, and that this was considered a warning from on high to discontinue the work upon it. The principal part of the church, as it stands to-day, was built by the DeVeres, Earls of Oxford, who had a mansion not far away, and a park which took up more than half of the Parish, and by Thomas Spring, between the years 1480 and 1525. The vestry and the east end of the chancel are parts of an earlier church. The interior dimensions of the church are 68x156 feet. The arms of the DeVeres, who bore on thei?? shields a star, are to be seen in many places. Over the south porch are six shields, which represent the connection of th?? DeVeres with the Howards and other great families. Th?? carving and sculpture are fine and the arms look as fresh as if they were just fashioned by the carver's chisel. The interion carvings and decorations are beautiful, and the church is well considered one of the finest old churches in all England.
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Of the ancient town itself, it is well known how the great and wise King Edward III. impressed with the fact that England was sending her wool to Flanders to be made into cloth, induced the Flemings to come to England and settle and thus encouraged the manufacture of cloth at home Lavenham was one of the towns in which they first settled and it became the center of the cloth trade. The town be came rich with giant strides, and the "clothiers," as the cloth manufacturers were called, became proud and opulent, some of their sons and grandsons becoming country gentry, and Lords of the Manor were raised to knighthood, while others took orders in the church or became men of letters. Notable among these were the Springs and Copingers, of Lavenham, both of which families were early represented in New England. John Hammond must have been still a young man at the time of his death, as his children appear to have been quite young and his widow survived him 26 years, but the exact period of his birth cannot be learned.
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The dates of birth of his children cannot be found, but William was probably the eldest son, although there is no positive evidence to prove that he was the eldest child. He is mentioned first in his father's will, and is named with his nother as executor of the will, which would indicate that he was older than his brother, Thomas; but to Thomas is left the house in Melford, while William appears to have received only œ5.
Note: Note: The fact that William was named with his father in the deed of trust, given below, would seem to establish the fact of his being the eldest son. Note: Note: The following abstract of John's will was furnished by Major Henry C. Malden, a brother-in-law of Rev. Canon Thomas Scott, Rector of Lavenham, in 1897, and is dated Dec. 22, 1550: Note: Note: "I John Hamond, of Lavenham, Clothier, &c." Note: Note: Item, I give and bequeathe to Agnes my weif œ30. Note: Note: Item, I give and bequeathe to Wilm Hamond my sonne œ5, to be paide hym at the age of 21 yeres. Note: Note: Item, I give and bequeathe to Elizabeth, Margaret and Johane, my daughters, to every one of them œ6. 8s 4d, to be paide them at the age of 21 yeres. Note: Note: Item, I give and bequeathe to Thomas Hamond, my sonne my house in Melford, late John Hamonde my ffathers, holdyn by coype of Courte Rolle now of my Lady Mary's grace, to enter at the age of 21 yeres. Note: Note: Item, I give and bequeathe to my said sonne Thomas œ4. Note: Note: I appoint my wyfe Agnes and my sonne Willm executors of this my last Will. Proved at Lambeth, June 5, 1551. Note: Note: Note: The following is a copy of the deed of trust mentioned above, dated July 25, 1548, in which one William Page of Brandeston, near Lavenham, conveys a copse and meadow to twenty-five trustees for the good of the poor of Lavenham forever. Note: Note: Note: INDENTURE AT LAVENHAM RECTOR. Note:
Omnibus Xti fidelibus ad quos hoc presens carta Indentata perve'int Willo Page de Lavenham. Salutem in Dno sempiternam. Sciatis me prefatum Vm Page dimisisse, tradidisse, feofasse et hac presenti carta mea indentata ??onfirmasse Willo Rysbie, Generoso Roberto Risbie, Thome Risbie et Georgio Risbie filiis dicti Willi Rysbie, Marteno Sudeley Generoso et Marteno filio ??uo, Willo Grome et Willo filio suo, Rogero Grome et Thome filio suo, Thome Sexteyn, Georgio Pye et Georgio filio suo. Roberto Critost. Johni
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Whattoke, clothmaker, et Johni filio suo Willo Cawston, Alano Sexteyn, Johni Warde, Roberto Brinwyn, Johni Hamonde et Willo Hamonde filio suo, Roberto Lynche, Hugoni Southill, Edwo Prykke et Willo Rockeley?? unam peciam prati vocatam Brandeston medowe, et unam peciam bosci vocm Brandeston Grove cum suis pertinentibus in villa de Lavenham predicta?? Quae quidam pecio prati et bosci erunt ad pauperes sustentandos infra vilia?? de Lavm predict in perpetuum. In omnis rei testimonium huic presenti?? carte indentate sigillum meum opposui. Datum vicesimo quinto die July Anno regis Edwardi Sexti dei Gra Anglie ffrancie et Hiberne Regis fidei?? Defensoris et in terra Anglicane et Hiberne Ecclesie Capitis secundo.
Note: Note: (Signed) per me Willm Page. Note: (Endorsed) Possessio et status data est in pr‘sens Johnni Waren?? Nicholas Waren Thome--(illegible) Johni Vale cum multis aliis. Note: