Richard Bigge was probably born about 1475 in Benenden, Kent, a small village three miles from Cranbrook, and was probably one of the sons of John and Alice Glover Bigge.There were many Bigges in Benenden at that time. Richard’s father John died in 1479, leaving two sons, unnamed, under 18. It seems most likely that Richard was one of those sons. Richard became a wealthy cloth merchant in Cranbrook, Kent, England. He married, about 1500, a woman named Joan whose parentage is unknown at this time. Richard and Joan had many children, living in Benenden.
Richard and Joan had moved to Cranbrook sometime during their marriage. Richard made his will on November 4, 1532 in Cranbrook and it was proved on August 5, 1533. He named his wife Joan and nine children. Joan was named in a lawsuit between 1538 and 1544, being referred to as Joan, late wife of Richard Bigge, meaning she was his widow. Joan Bigge made her will and died in 1550, naming ten children, five of which were not named by Richard and leaving out four that he named. it would almost seem that she was not the widow of Richard, but the children of Richard and Joan are all named in the wills of their brothers James and Gervase. Perhaps Richard and Joan were both married previous, she to another Bigge. Certainly James was the son of Richard, and Joan may or may not have been his mother. Richard was buried in the churchyard of St. Dunstan Church in Cranbrook, as requested in his will.
Richard and Joan had moved to Cranbrook sometime during their marriage. Richard made his will on November 4, 1532 in Cranbrook and it was proved on August 5, 1533. He named his wife Joan and nine children. Joan was named in a lawsuit between 1538 and 1544, being referred to as Joan, late wife of Richard Bigge, meaning she was his widow. Joan Bigge made her will and died in 1550, naming ten children, five of which were not named by Richard and leaving out four that he named. it would almost seem that she was not the widow of Richard, but the children of Richard and Joan are all named in the wills of their brothers James and Gervase. Perhaps Richard and Joan were both married previous, she to another Bigge. Certainly James was the son of Richard, and Joan may or may not have been his mother. Richard was buried in the churchyard of St. Dunstan Church in Cranbrook, as requested in his will.
Richard Bigge was probably born about 1475 in Benenden, Kent, a small village three miles from Cranbrook, and was probably one of the sons of John and Alice Glover Bigge.There were many Bigges in Benenden at that time. Richard’s father John died in 1479, leaving two sons, unnamed, under 18. It seems most likely that Richard was one of those sons. Richard became a wealthy cloth merchant in Cranbrook, Kent, England. He married, about 1500, a woman named Joan whose parentage is unknown at this time. Richard and Joan had many children, living in Benenden.
Richard and Joan had moved to Cranbrook sometime during their marriage. Richard made his will on November 4, 1532 in Cranbrook and it was proved on August 5, 1533. He named his wife Joan and nine children. Joan was named in a lawsuit between 1538 and 1544, being referred to as Joan, late wife of Richard Bigge, meaning she was his widow. Joan Bigge made her will and died in 1550, naming ten children, five of which were not named by Richard and leaving out four that he named. it would almost seem that she was not the widow of Richard, but the children of Richard and Joan are all named in the wills of their brothers James and Gervase. Perhaps Richard and Joan were both married previous, she to another Bigge. Certainly James was the son of Richard, and Joan may or may not have been his mother. Richard was buried in the churchyard of St. Dunstan Church in Cranbrook, as requested in his will.
Richard and Joan had moved to Cranbrook sometime during their marriage. Richard made his will on November 4, 1532 in Cranbrook and it was proved on August 5, 1533. He named his wife Joan and nine children. Joan was named in a lawsuit between 1538 and 1544, being referred to as Joan, late wife of Richard Bigge, meaning she was his widow. Joan Bigge made her will and died in 1550, naming ten children, five of which were not named by Richard and leaving out four that he named. it would almost seem that she was not the widow of Richard, but the children of Richard and Joan are all named in the wills of their brothers James and Gervase. Perhaps Richard and Joan were both married previous, she to another Bigge. Certainly James was the son of Richard, and Joan may or may not have been his mother. Richard was buried in the churchyard of St. Dunstan Church in Cranbrook, as requested in his will.
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