Luke Hawkins

Personal and Family Information

Luke was born about 1510, the son of William Hawkins and Margaret. The place is not known.

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Notes

Note 1

!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D974991

PROB - Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

Division within PROB - Wills and Letters of Administration

PROB 11 - Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers

PROB 11/18 - Name of Register: Holder

Catalogue description Will of William Hawkyns, Salter of London

Reference: PROB 11/18/241

Description: Will of William Hawkyns, Salter of London

Date: 27 November 1515

Held by: The National Archives, Kew

Legal status: Public Record

Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

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Note: Image available for request at the same link as above.

Summary of Will from Image:

- William Hawkyns, Salter of London

PROB 11/18/241 — dated 27 November 1515

This will is a full testamentary instrument, drawn up with care and foresight, consistent with a merchant anticipating travel or risk rather than imminent death.

It opens with extensive religious provisions concerning William’s soul and body, burial, and gifts to the Church,

followed by funding for church repairs and religious observances. The structure is deliberate and methodical.

- Wife

Margaret, his wife, is named explicitly and at length.

She is treated as the principal surviving spouse, with sustained discussion of her role and interests.

Margaret appears to act as executrix or chief administrator of the estate.

Much of the estate is managed through her during her lifetime.

- Children

William refers to “my children” Luke and Alice, when refering to minor children.

The phrase “my children” is used in direct association with Luke and Alice, indicating that these two were still dependents at the time the will was written.

- Luke - son <<<<

Named under “my children”, together with Alice.

Receives no independent landed bequest in this portion of the will.

His provision appears to be intended to pass through Margaret during her lifetime, consistent with minority or dependency.

- Alice - daughter

Named both as one of “my children” and individually.

After the death of Margaret, his wife, Alice is to have assigned to her and her heirs:

a messuage with appurtenances in Kingston.

This functions as a deferred settlement, consistent with Alice being unmarried at the time of the will.

The provision resembles a dowry or marriage portion held in trust until the mother’s death.

- William - son

William my son is named separately and distinctly from “my children.”

His placement and treatment indicate that he was already an adult at the time of the will.

He is handled as a primary heir rather than a dependent.

- Joanna

Joanna is not named in the will.

Her absence strongly suggests she was already married by 1515 and had received her marriage portion previously.

This fits the later family timeline and does not indicate omission or error.

- Property and Guild References

William makes a bequest to the Wardens of the Salters of London, confirming his guild affiliation and standing.

Property references are carefully structured, with future interests contingent upon Margaret’s death.

- Witnesses

Witnesses include:

William Hawkyns

Edward Mulvoy

Robert Dunnlyn

George Harryson - notable as a Hill descendant

- Interpretation and Timeline Fit

The will anticipates continued life and travel, consistent with William’s involvement in merchant shipping rather than imminent death.

William appears to have died circa 1528, not in 1515.

The structure of the will aligns cleanly with later Chancery litigation [1529–1532], particularly disputes involving:

- Margaret’s remarriage,

Alice’s property interest in Kingston,

and the inheritance rights of William’s descendants.

- Family Structure at Time of Will

Margaret — wife and executrix

William — adult heir

Luke and Alice — dependent children <<<<

Joanna — married daughter, already portioned