Thomas Shedd

  Noted events in his life were:

• Background Information. ⁶¹⁹
Thomas Shedd was born in Chawreth, Essex, England in 1508, but when a man as a young man, he settled in the adjoining rural parish of Debden in Uttlesford Hundred where he passed the rest of his life.

Thomas Shedd was one of the executors of the will of his father in 1541. His name appears at Debden on two subsidy rolls; first in 34 Henry VII (1543), when he was taxed 6d. on goods, and secondly in 14 Elizabeth (1573) when he paid 6s on goods rated at six pounds. [Lay Subsidies, Essex, 109-281 & 111-442, Record Office, London].

Thomas Shedd's name can be found in the record books in connection with litigation in Debden, which shows he held lands of the manor of Amberden Hall. Thomas Harrison sued, in 1582, Edmund West, Esq., at that time the lord of Amberden Hall, in regard to a dwelling house and thirty acres of land known as "Cross Tenement," parcel of this manor. Thomas Shedd was called as a witness by the plaintiff, and on 10 Oct 1582, at Saffron Walden, Thomas Shedd gave his evidence. "Thomas Shede of Depden, in the County of Essex, aged seventie fower years or thereabouts, being deposes: He knows the plaintiff and the defendant and knows the dwelling and land in question which are holden by copy of court roll of the manor Amberden Hall, and he hath heard by the report of his father, now deceased, that it was a tenement granted by copy of court roll over sixty years now past." [Chancery Deposition, Elizabeth - Charles I, H-53-11.] In 1587, two years after the death of Thomas Shedd, Oliver Buckenham and Katherine his wife sued the same Edmund West in regard to the same "Cross Tenement," and in the bill of complaint they state: "At a court of the manor held in Sep 10 Elizabeth [1568], Thomas Harrison surrendered the premises into the hands of the lord of the manor, according to custom, by the hands of Thomas Shedd and William Woode, then copyholders of the said manor, to the use of John Morris and his heirs." [Chancery Proceedings, Elizabeth, B-b-19-14]

Thomas Shedd died in Debden at age of seventy-seven years and was buried there 8 Feb 1584/85 leaving the following will:

In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Shedd of Depden in the County of Essex, Yeoman, being in good and perfect minde, thanks be to Allmight God, make and ordayne this my Last Will and testament, Revokinge all other heretofore made, inn manner and form following. First and principally I commend my soule to Allmyghty God and my body to be buried at the discreation of my executor. And as concerning my lands and goods, I will them as followeth: First, I will and bequeath fower acres of land by estimation, called "The Lees" otherwise [blank] and Myse pightell, lately bought of Henry Collin, to Thomas my son for term of his life; the remained thereof to William, son of the said Thomas, and his heirs forever. I will to Francis my son 20 nobles to be paid by John my son or his heirs within three years after my decease. I will to Thomas, my son twenty pounds of money, to be paid by my said son John within one year after my decease. I will to Thomas Shedd, son of said Francis three pounds 6s. 8d. to be paid within four years after my decease. To my daughter Alice Kinge 20s. within six years after my decease. All residue to my son John whom I make sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have sealed and subscribed this 13th day of January in the 27 year of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth, Queen of England, etc., (1584/5). Witnesses: Symon Spatchure, Richard Baynes, John Marchant. Proved 20 Mar 1584/85 by the executor John Shedd. [Commissary Court of Bishop of London for Essex and Herts, Original Will bundle for 1584, No. 54]

Thomas Shedd was married about 1538, but the name of his wife, who likely died before him, has not been found. His children born in Debden were:

• Alice, b. abt 1439
• John, b. abt 1585; resided in Debden; bur. there 18 Nov 1591
• Frances, b. abt 1543
• Thomas, b. in 1545

~Daniel Shed genealogy, pp. 12 - 15