John Sloper was christened 18 September 1608 in Bishops Cannings,
Wiltshire, the son of Thomas and Joan Sloper. He married Elizabeth.
John was a yeoman farmer.
The Slopers were a prominent family in the parish of Bishops
Cannings. A history of the parish recounts: "Without the Slopers
Bishops Cannings would have been poorer both in the number and
quality of its inhabitants. In just over 200 years (1591-1806)
their names appear on 221 of the printed pages of the registers.
Six young Slopers are baptized in one year alone by George Ferebe
or his curate, and five times the family served as Churchwardens.
In so doing they were upholding an old tradition, for it may be
remembered that a Thomas Sloper was one of the pair who
signed the deed making over “The Lady Bower” to John Ernle in
1563. This Thomas may well have been a son of Thomas Sloper,
vicar of Cannings for 31 years in the first half of the sixteenth
century.Another Sloper, Richard, is warden
in 1591 and signs for the first parish register. In 1597 and 1608
William Sloper de Eston holds office, and in 1614-15 Arthur
of Horton also witnesses the deed of administration for George
Ferebe’s goods and chattels when he died intestate. So it
continues through the centuries, till we1 come at last to Mark
Sloper, Churchwarden in the mid-nineteenth century, a
respected and widely known farmer throughout N. Wilts”. Slopers
cannot be pinned down to any part of the parish. They crop up
everywhere. William, the thatcher, gives birth to twins at
Westend. Others of the clan are found at Bourton Cross and Bourton
Green, at “The Downde”, at Horton, Coate and Roundway. One of the
earliest was Thomas of Knarstones. Since his daughter was
baptized at Bishops Cannings it is likely that he lived on the
extreme north-western edge of the parish and not down in Calstone
itself.Sometime they are referred to as Gentlemen,
and though an early Sloper disclaims the title at the Herald’s
Visitation of 1563, it occurs again in the next two
centuries...Now there are no Slopers to farm Cannings land, to
live long peaceful busy lives, to bear immense families, to act as
churchwardens, and generally to add richness and flavour to
village life." (Round About the Little Steeple, The Story of a
Wiltshire Parish 1573-1623, Ida Gandy)
The Sloper families were found in Easton, as well as Horton and
Bourton: "In George Ferebe’s day Horton was evidently a
prosperous place. Branches of the well-to-do yeoman families of
Ruddle, Sloper and Western all lived here…To the east lay the big
common field of Charcroft, with a path to Bourton and Bourton
Green running along its norther edge. Bourton is still
well-peopled but Bourton Green scarcely exists. Yet once it was a
flourishing little hamlet. Here, in a farmhouse of comfortable
size, lived in Ferebe’s day a branch of the ubiquitous Slopers."
(Round About the Little Steeple)
John and his family moved to Rodmarton. A land survey (terrier) for
Rodmarton in 1661 listed a field called Slopers.
"A terrier of the parsonadge glebe - in the South feild: In
Brookhill these half acres together lying betweene one halfacre
of the farmeland next to the brook lane & two acres of the
farme land south & butting last upon a peice of eight acres
of the same & west upon other eight acres of the farme. One
acre betwixt an acre east of James land & one acre west of
the farme, butting upon three halfacres of Slopers southward
& shooting upon the farme land north. In Ham furlong one
acre butting upon Mr Cones smoakaker eastward & upon the
milkpath to Culkerdowne westward & lying betwixt an acre of
Laurences southward & a halfacre of Slopers northward."
John died and was buried 25 August 1674 in Rodmarton.
Burial record for John Sloper in Rodmarton: "John Sloper August
ye twenty fifth"
Elizabeth died as a widow and was buried 7 July 1694 in Rodmarton.
Burial record for Elizabeth Sloper in Rodmarton: "Elizabeth
Sloper widow July the seventh"
John Sloper pedigree from The History of Tetbury Society
John and Elizabeth had the following children:
1. John, christened 2 February 1645 in Rodmarton; married
Anna.
*2. Mary, born in about 1648 of Rodmarton; married William
George 28 July 1679 in Rodmarton; buried 15 November 1689 in
Rodmarton.
3. Edward, christened 24 August 1650 in Rodmarton; married
Mary Burgess; occupation mercer in Tetbury, Gloucestershire; had
five hearths in Rodmarton, also three in Tetbury; buried 30 October
1696 in Tetbury; will proven 1697.
4. Thomas, christened 7 July 1651 in Rodmarton; buried 3
November 1675 in Rodmarton: buried "Thomas Sloper son of ye
widow Sloper November ye third".
5. Catherine, christened 29 September 1655; married Daniel
Prout 26 November 1685 in Rodmarton.
SOURCES: Rodmarton parish register; Rodmarton Bishops
Transcripts; www.ancestry.com; will of Edward Slopar mercer of
Tetbury,1697, Prerogative Court of Canterbury; Bishops Cannings
parish register, www.findmypast.com; correspondence between Ted
Prince and Dr. William Church, citing Sloper pedigree chart, The
History of Tetbury Society, wwwtetburyhistory.com; Round
About the Little Steeple, The Story of a Wiltshire Parish
1573-1623, Ida Gandy.
Bishops Canning
FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF THOMAS SLOPER AND
JOAN TILLE
Thomas Sloper was born in about 1562 of Easton in Bishops Cannings,
Wiltshire, the son of William and Alice Sloper. He married Joan
Tille 5 June 1598 in Bishops Cannings: "Thomas Sloper and Joanne
Tille mar. the same day at Wallope, in Hampsher". Thomas was a
yeoman.
Marriage record for Thomas Sloper and Joan Tille in Bishops
Cannings: "Thomas Sloper and Joanne Pille maried the same daie at
Wallope in Hampsher ano dm 1598"
Note: Thomas's last name is not Slop. The letter P with a
horizontal line on the descending part of the letter is an old
abbreviation for per or par.
Thomas was described in a history of Bishops
Cannings: "Ahead Easton Hill rounds off the line of downs
that slope gently up to Tan Hill. Below lies the little hamlet
of Easton, more populous once upon a time than now, and at its
feet steals out a tiny winter-bourne. Here in the seventeenth
century stood two substantial farmhouses, in one of them lived
Thomas Sloper, churchwarden and village patriarch. He must
often have taken the field path to Bourton Manor to do
business with John Ernle. But scarcely a soul uses it today."
(Round About the Little Steeple)
Location of the Sloper's farm in Easton - Townsend
Farm (Round About the Little Steeple)
"But the most interesting of all the ‘gentleman’ Slopers is
Thomas of Easton, Churchwarden to both the Ferebes. Michael
Tidcombe’s survey shows that he was a freeholder who farmed on
a considerable scale. “Thomas Sloper holdeth freely of the
said manor 26 acres arable land, 8 acres of meadow, severall
Downes for sheep, yearly rent 2s. and 6d.”, he writes. (Round
About the Little Steeple) George Ferebe was the vicar in
Thomas' lifetime, followed as vicar by his brother
Thomas Ferebe.
Thomas was churchwarden when new church bells were placed in
the church: "In 1602 eight bells, cast by John Wallis, were
hung in the tower of St. Mary’s…George Ferebe’s name was set,
as well it might be, on the fifth, and Thomas Sloper, senior
churchwarden that year, is honoured on the sixth." (Round
About the Little Steeple) Born in 1562 Thomas lived for ninety-seven years, and
remained active even in extreme old age. For when 88, he was
required to view the highway at Bourton with two other yeoman
in Whitsum week, ‘and present the truth thereof’. (Court Book
for 1650) He shared, as far as a quiet countryman could, in
the excitements of Elizabethan days, and would have been among
those who welcomed Queen Anne at Shepherd’s Shore. Thirty
years later he heard the guns boom across Roundway Down. But
for him, perhaps the most memorable day in his life was the
‘Mondaie in Whitsun wek’ in 1598 when he rode over Salisbury
Plain to ‘Wallope in Hampshire’ to marry Joanne Tille, and
bring her back from her river valley to the house called
Townsends under Easton Hill. There she bore him many
children…A few stones lie buried under the ground where the
Slopers’ farm once stood, and some daffodils appear each
spring to show that once there was a garden there. After
fifty years with Thomas, Joan died on a November day in 1644
while the shadow of the Civil War was hung over Cannings.
Though the Battle of Roundway was over there was constant
skirmishing in the neighbourhood, as the funeral of a soldier
‘dying at Roundway’ three days after Joan bears witness.Fifteen years later Thomas joined her and innumerable
other Slopers in Cannings churchyard. But he left a son,
William, to carry on the farm."(Round About the
Little Steeple)
Joan died and was buried 14 November 1644 in Bishops Cannings: "Joane,
w. of Thomas Sloper, of Eston, farmar, bur. 14 Nov. 1644".
Burial record for Joan Sloper in Bishops Cannings: "Joane the wife of Thomas Sloper of Eston ffarmar butied
Novembr ye 14"
Thomas died and was buried 16 December 1659 in Bishops Cannings:
"Thomas Sloper de Eston, aged 97 years, bur. 16 Dec. 1659".
Thomas and Joan had the following children:
1. William, christened 25 November 1601 in Bishops Cannings;
mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627. William was mentioned in a
parish history when he became the heir after Thomas' death: "But
he left a son, William, to carry on the farm. In the County
Archives exists a Terrier of William’s lands, including ‘the house
called Townsends in Easton’ and the five-acre field known as
Rixons or Ruxons. This is also the name of a small right-of-way
that runs southwards through moist meadows and makes a short cut
to Horton." (Round About the Little Steeple)
2. Mary, christened 26 February 1603 in Bishops Cannings;
mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627.
3. Thomas, christened31 August 1606 in Bishops
Cannings; mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627..
*4. John, christened 18 September 1608 in Bishops Cannings;
mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627; married Elizabeth;
buried 7 July 1694 in Rodmarton.
Baptism record for John Sloper in Bishops Cannings: "Jo. Sloper
sonne unto Tho Sloper de Canninge bap Sept xviijth"
5. Mark, christened 25 April 1623 in Bishops Cannings. Mark
was also mentioned in the parish history: "Old Thomas Sloper, in
addition to William the heir, had another son christened Mark,
born in George Ferebe’s last year of life – the first of a long
succession of Marks." (Round About the Little Steeple)
6. Michael, mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627.
7. Joanna, mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627.
8. Jone, mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627.
9. Dorathy, mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627.
10. Susanna, mentioned in grandfather's will of 1627.
SOURCES: Bishops Cannings parish register,
www.findmypast.com; correspondence between Ted Prince and Dr.
William Church, citing Sloper pedigree chart, The History of
Tetbury Society, wwwtetburyhistory.com; Registers of Bishops
Cannings, Wiltshire; will of William Sloper of Eston in Bishops
Cannings, 1627; Round About the Little Steeple, The Story
of a Wiltshire Parish 1573-1623, Ida Gandy.
Bishops Cannings
FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF WILLIAM AND ALICE SLOPER
William Sloper was born in about 1540 of Easton in Bishops Cannings,
the son of Thomas Sloper. He married Alice. William was mentioned in
a history of Bishops Cannings as a churchwarden: "In 1597 and
1608 William Sloper de Eston holds office". (Round About
the Little Steeple)
Alice died and was buried 8 November 1615 in Bishops Cannings: "Alce,
w. of William Sloper, bur. 8 Nov. 1615".
Burial record for Alice Sloper in Bishops Cannings: "Alce ye
wife of William Sloper buried November 8th"
William died and was buried 19 August 1627 in Bishops Cannings.
Burial record for William Sloper in Bishops Cannings: "William
Sloper of Eston widdower bur Aug 19"
William left a will proven in 1627:
The will of William Sloper of Eston in the parish of Bishop
Cannings, 1627
In the name of God Amen; this one and thirteth day of June in the
yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundrad twentie and six I
William Sloper of Eston in the parish of Bishopps Canninges
in the Countie of Wilts yeoman beinge at this psent time (thankes
be to God) in perfect health mind and memorie doe ordaine this my
last will and testament in manner and forme following. Ffirst I
commend my soule into the hands of God hopeing undoughtedlie to be
saved by the alone merrittes and mercies of my onlie Saviour and
Redeemer Jesus Christ and my bodie to be interred in the parishe
church of Bishopps Canninges aforesaide. First I give unto our
Lady Church of Salsburie eighteene pence. Item I give unto my
parish church Bishopps Canninges six shillinges eight pennce. Item
I give unto the poore of Canninges aforesaid twenty shillinges to
be distributed at the discretion of mine overseers. Item I give
unto my sonne John Sloper of Parton foure
acres of land yearely dureinge the terme of foure yeres next after
my decease. That is to say two acres of them to be sowne with
wheate and the other two with barlie to be delivered at the
appointment of my overseers and my will is that my executor shall
soyle them with the folde and plough them in such husbandly manner
as he doth his owne dureinge the aforesaid termes and my sonne
John shall finde the feed to sowe them. And if my executor shall
refuse to pforme my will in the point then my will is that he
shall give him twenty pounds of lawfull mony within six months
after such refusal. Item I give unto William Sloper my
granchilde one acre of barlie. Same unto my
sonne Thomas Sloper one acre of barlie. Item I give
unto the rest of my sonne Thomas his children that is
to say unto John, Michaell, Thomas, Marke, Joanna, Marie, Jone,
Dorathy and Susanna, to each of them ten pounds
apeece to be paid unto the men children at the age of 21 yeares
and to the women children at 21 yeares of age, or at the day of
marriage which shall first happen. All the rest of my goods and
chattels not given and bequeathed moveable and unmoveable what
soever. I give unto my sonne Thomas whom I make my sole
and only executor of this my last will and testament. And I
intreate my well beloved friends Thomas fferabe William Mandrell
John Munday and Thomas Sloper to be my overseers of this my last
will and testament. In wittnesse whereof I have her unto sett my
hand and seale and have caused it to be read and published the day
and yeare above written in the psence of Tho: ffereby William
Sloper [torn] Arthur Sloper Tho Mundy William Maundrell [torn]
William and Alice had the following children:
*1. Thomas, born in about 1575 of Bishops Canning; married
Joan Tille 5 June 1598 in Bishops Cannings; buried 16 December 1659
in Bishops Cannings.
2. John, born in about 1586 of Bishops Cannings.
SOURCES: Bishops Cannings parish register, www.findmypast.com;
correspondence between Ted Prince and Dr. William Church, citing
Sloper pedigree chart, The History of Tetbury Society,
wwwtetburyhistory.com; Registers of Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire.
FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF THOMAS SLOPER
Thomas Sloper was born in about 1520 of Easton in Bishops Cannings,
the son of William and Edith Sloper. He married 1) unknown, and 2)
Alys. Thomas was a yeoman in Bishops Cannings.
Thomas was mentioned in a parish history for Bishops Cannings: "The
Ernle chapel in the south transept, once dedicated to St. Clement,
but later called ‘Our Lady Bowere’, had been made over to the
Ernle family, thirty years before Ferebe became vicar, by the
churchwardens, Thomas Sloper and John Perse. They signed a
conveyance granting it to John Ernle, father Ferebe’s patron, St.
Michael, ‘as a burying place for him and his heirs forever’,
provided that they continued to carry out all proper repairs."
(Round About the Little Steeple) George Ferebe became vicar
in 1593, so this Thomas Sloper signed the conveyance in 1563.
Thomas died and left two wills and a mystery. A will for Thomas
Sloper of Eston in Bishops Cannings is found in the Probate Records
of the Court of the Dean of Salisbury, with a date of 1562.
A nearly identical will for Thomas Sloper of Eston in Bishops
Cannings is found in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, proven 20
January 1588. The spelling is slightly different between the wills,
but the wording is the same. Some names are spelled differently. For
example, Thomas left the same bequest to his fourth son, called "Raff"
in the 1562 will, and "Raphe" in the 1588 will. His daughter
is called "Lewce" in the 1562 will, but "Luce" in the
1588 will. Words like five are spelled "fyve" in the 1562
will, but "five". in the 1588 will. The date the will was
written was the same in both wills, "a thowsand five hudreth and
three score", or 1560.
The dates for the wills have importance because the will for Thomas'
father, William, in 1565 left a bequest to his son Thomas, still
living. In William's will, he left bequests to his sons Thomas the
elder, Thomas the younger, and Rychard. Thomas the younger and
Rychard are both named as Thomas' brothers in both of Thomas' wills.
William's will also mentioned additional children. If Thomas had
died in 1562, then he would not have been left a bequest in 1565.
Additionally, Thomas Sloper signed the conveyance of the Lady Bower
in 1563, so was alive at that point: "It may be
remembered that a Thomas Sloper was one of the pair who signed the
deed making over “The Lady Bower” to John Ernle in 1563." (Round
About the Little Steeple)
Also, Thomas mentioned Alys (Alice) in both wills, as his wife. She
appears to be a second wife. Alys is listed as his wife in the will,
but he left a bequest to his two daughters, leaving silver items "which
weare their mothers" to them, implying that their mother was
deceased. Thomas also left bequests to his two sons-in-law William
and John Smyth. His daughters did not marry the Smyths, but the term
was also used to describe step-sons. In 1577 Alice, a widow of
Bishops Cannings left bequests to her two sons, John Smyth and
William Smyth, as well as their children. She also left a bequest to
her daughter Johan Sloper, as well as Alice Sloper, daughter of
Richard Sloper. Since Alice was a widow in 1577, Thomas must have
died by then.
Wills were not usually filed in two different courts, and with two
different dates, while being nearly identical in wording. Perhaps
one is an earlier draft? Wills were sometimes filed for probate
years after the decease. It seems likely that Thomas died between
1566 and 1577.
Will of Thomas Sloper the elder, yeoman of Bishops Cannings,
1562, Probate Records of the Court of the Dean of
Salisbury
Will of Thomas Sloper the elder, yeoman of Bishops Cannings,
proven 20 January 1587/8, Prerogative Court of Canterbury
This extract uses the spelling and wording of the 1587/8 will:
In the name of God Amen the xijth day of November in the yeare of
our Lord God a thowsand five hudreth and three score I Thomas
Sloper the elder of Eston within the parishe of Bushops
Canninges yeoman being (thanks be to God) of perfitt will and
memory but some what sicke and weake in my bodye make this my last
will and testament in manner and forme folowying first I bequeathe
my sowle to Almyghtie God my only Redemer and Saviour to be
accompanied with the saintes in heaven. And my bodye to thearthe
to be buried within my parishe churche yard of Bushopps Canninges
aforesaide. Also I give and bequeathe to our mother churche of
Sarum sixe pence. To my parishe churche six shillinges eight
pence. And to the pore mens boxe I geve twelve pence. Also I gyve
and bequeath to William my eldest sonne all that my
purchased lands and tenures that I have within the Lordshipp of
Busshopps Canninges and to the heiers males of his body lawfullie
begotten for ever. And for lack of suche issue I give and
bequeathe the said landes and tennures to William Sloper my
second sonne and to the heiers males of his bodie lawfully
begotten for ever, And for lack of suche issue I give and
bequeathe the said landes and tennures to Richard Sloper my
third sonne and to the heiers males of his bodie lawfully
begottin for ever, and for lacke of suche issue I give and
bequeathe the said landes and tennures to Ralfe Sloper my
fourthe sonne and to the heiers males of his bodie lawfully
begotten for ever. Also I gyve and bequethe to my sone Richard
halfe a hundred sheepe that I have goinge uppon Cokam and
Breache withe all and singuler my title and reghte that I have in
and upon the said grounndes for terme of years as is specified at
large with in a payer of indentures concerninge the same groundes
and stock of halfe a hundred shepe duringe his natural life. And
after him I gyve and bequeathe the sayd stock of a halfe hundred
shepe withe all the said pastures and state that I have theruppon
to Raphe my youngest sone durying his naturall life, And
after him the said stock of shepe withe all and singuler the
premisses I give and bequeathe to the next brother then livinge
and so to passe to the longest liver of all my sayd fower sonnes
who shall have my good will to give and bestowe the sayd stock of
shepe withe all the premisses at his will and pleasure duringe all
the terme of years that then shall be to come upon the sayd Cokam
and Breache. Also I give and bequeathe to Wiliam my sone the
younger all that my farme land which I howlde in Canninges
feilde withe all and singuler thappurtenancis and profittes
thereunto belonginge duringe the terme of yeares whiche I have and
howld by virtue of an indenture made theruppon. Furthermore I will
that when my sayd sone William shall come to the holdinge
in Cannynges some time named Knackstones howlde he shall then
yearely till and are with all manner tillage accustomed to settes
of arable land the own for wheate and thother for barley lyinge
within Canninges feildes at his proper coste and charges. And also
he the sayd William shall sow reape mowe and carrie the cropp
theruppon growinge and lay hitt in suche convenient place to the
use of my sone Richard wheare he the sayd Richard shall
thinck it best for his owne profitt so that the sayd Richard shall
finde seede bothe wheat and barley and also paye the yearly
rent for the said setts untill he shall come to some holdying to
dwell upon him selfe, and then he shall leave and no longer have
the use nor profitt of those two said settes. Also I gyve and
bequeathe to my son William thelder and to my sonne
Rychard all that my farme land lyinge in Horton and Easton
feeldes with all manner thapptenannces and customes therunto
belonginge equally to be devided betwene them durying my terme of
years specified within a payre of indentures concerninge the same.
Also I give and bequeethe to my sonne Raphe halfe a
hundred shepe to be delivered to hym in ther wooll timinge att the
leate when he shall come to the age of fourtene yeares. And also I
will that my sayd sonne William thelder shall yearly till
or cause to by tilled withe all maner accustomed tillage twoe
settes of land in Horton and Eston feildes the one for wheate and
the other for barley to the use and profitt of my said son
Raphe. And also to sowe reape and and mowe, and carrie the
cropp theruppon growinge at his owne proper coste and charges, and
laie the same cropp in suche convenient place al Raphe shall think
moste best for his profitt so that he the sayd Raphe shall finde
seede bothe wheat and barley and also paye the yearly rent to the
said settes durying all the time that he shall enjoye the profitt
of the same that is untill he shall come to a holdinge to
dwell uppon him selfe. Also I my wyll and desire is that the sayd
settes before spoken of to be filled & sowne to the use of
Richard and Raphe my sonnes yearly to be appoynted by the
discreation of my overseers. Also I give and bequeathe to Luce
Sloper and to Joane Sloper my dawghters to everye of them a
payre of silver hookes whiche weare their mothers to be delivered
to them at my monethes end. And also I gyve every of them tenne
poundes of good currant Englishe money to be delivered and paid to
them when they or any of them shall come to eightene yeares of age
by William my eldest sonne. And also I will that my said
twoe dawghters shalbe kept by my executors tyll they shall fully
come to the said age of xviij years at all manner of nessessaryes
to them belonging. Furthermore, my will is that Alice my wife
shall take her choyce wheather she wyll take agayne all
suche the self same stuff and goodes as she brought to me and nine
poundes of money whiche I had of her, or ells to take fortie
poundes in money to be paid to her by my executors within one
yeare after my deathe. And also I give and bequeth to her a cowe
to be delivered to her by my executors, and thapparell to her
bodie imediatly after my deathe to be delivered to her or to her
assignes. Also I give and bequeathe to Robert Nashe my godson a
weather shepe. To Raphe Sloper a weather sheepe. To Alice
Sloper a daughter of Richard Sloper a weather sheepe. To John
Smyth and William Smyth my sonnes in lawe to everye of them
a weather sheape. To John Caswell the younger twelve pence. And to
John Edwards the sonne of William Edwards twelve pence. Also I
give and bequeathe to every one of my other godchildren eight
pence to be delivered to them at my monethes mynd by my executors.
Furthermore I will and comannde that my executors shall suffer all
manner persons to have occupie and enjoye peaceably all suche
parcells of areable land named settes and other grounds whatsoever
they be that I have taken money for before hand without any lett
or interruption duringe the time tht they have taken hitt for.
Also I gyve and bequethe to Thomas Neate twelve pence. To Joane
Hewe twelve pence. To Alice Alrege eighte pence and to Katerin
Ruddle twentie in money or ells a kerther, Theis are all the
detts that I do owe as folowethe ffirst to Margery Stevens twelve
shillinges. To Agnis Bayley the daughter of Robart Bayley somtime
of Cote twentie shillinges. To William Dick the sonn of Thomas
Dycke dwellinge with Mr Robart Nicholas of Cote fourtene
shillinges. To Joane Dick daughter of the sayd Thomas dwellinge
withe John Peerte of Cote tenne shillinges eight pence. To Agnes
Dick daughter of the sayd Thomas dwelling with Alice Jeffery att
Bremble tenne shillinges eighte pence. To Katherin Dick daugter of
the said Thomas dwelling withe George Woodd at Boston tenne
shillinges. To Roger Dicke sonne of the said Thomas dwelling with
the said George Wood fourtene shillinges. To Richard Sloper my
brother thirtie thre shillinges fower pence and to pay to
him or to his assignes by seaven shillinges six pence yearly
duringe a term of years agreed upon for certeine settes of arable
land. To my brother Thomas twentie nine shillinges fower
pence. To Eedie Ffarr eleven shillinges. To Thomas Weston sixtene
shillinges fower pence. To William Smyth a calfe or ells
five shillinges in money. To John Townsend fower shillinges and to
Thomas Grannte fower shilliinges. Other debts which I have
borrowed towards my losse in the Lordes rent, ffirst to John
Sloper twentie shillinges. To Richard Sloper twentie
shillinges. To Thomas Smithe thirtie shillinges. To John Smithe
twentie shillinges. To William Pike thirtie shillinges. To Simon
Sloper fower poundes. To Harris Chever of Stockton fower
poundes. To Master William Ernley fortie shillinges. To Richard
Ffyshelake twentie shillinges. To John Townsend fortie shillinges.
To Thomas Weston twentie shillinges and to John Birchall fortie
shillinges. Thies are the debtes which are owinge to me ffirst
John Prickle of of Sheyne owe to me fiftene shillinges. Robart
Byrrett xixd. James Pownde fourtene shillinges and Agnes Byllynge
the widowe five shillinges. The rest of my goods moveable and
unmoveable what soever they be my debts legacies and funeralls
fully contented and paide I gyve and bequeathe to William my
eldest sonne and to William the younger whom I
ordeyne and make joyntly togeather my executors to dispose all
thinges accordingly to the termes of this my last will and
testament, most hartely desyrynge Master Edward Baynton esquier
five shillinges Mr Ernley esquier five shillinges Mr Snell esquier
five shillinges John Lake twoe shillinges Simon Sloper
twoe shillinges John Dick twoe shillinges and William Nashe twoe
shillinges to take the paines to be overseers of this my last will
and testament who shall have for ther paines so takeing every of
them as is before noted. Wittnesses hereunto John Dick Richard
Woodrosse William Nashe John SloperRichard Sloper
William Coxe Thomas Grannte Richard Ruddle withe many others.
Thomas and his wife had the following children:
*1. William, (called the elder in his father's will), born
in about 1540 of Bishops Cannings; married Alice; buried 19 August
1627 in Bishops Cannings.
2. William, (called the younger in his father's will).
3. Rychard (Richard), mentioned in a parish history: "Another
Sloper, Richard, is warden in 1591 and signs for the first
parish register." (Round About the Little Steeple)
4. Raff (Raphe)
5. Lewce (Luce)
6. Jone (Joane)
SOURCES: Bishops Cannings parish register, www.findmypast.com;
correspondence between Ted Prince and Dr. William Church, citing
Sloper pedigree chart, The History of Tetbury Society,
wwwtetburyhistory.com; Registers of Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire;
will of Thomas Sloper of Bishops Cannings, 1562, Probate Records
of the Court of the Dean of Salisbury, www.ancestry.com; will of
Thomas Sloper of Bishops Cannings, 1587, Prerogative Court of
Canterbury.
FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF WILLIAM AND EDITH SLOPER
William Sloper was born in about 1500 of Easton in Bishops Cannings,
the son of Nicholas Sloper and Agnes Dismet. He married Edith.
Willliam was a husbandman in Bishops Cannings.
William died and was buried in about 1565, leaving a will:
Will of William Sloper, husbandman of Bishops Cannings, 1565
In the name of God Amen the yere of our Lord
God a thowsand ffyve hundred three score & five the xixth
day of ffebruary I William Sloper husbandman of the
pyshe of Busshoppes Canyngs in the countie of
Wiltes beynge weake in my body but I thanke my Lord God pfitt
of speache & memory I do ordeyne & make this my will
& testament in maner & forme as hereafter folowith
ffyrst I bequeath my sowle to Almightie God and to all the
electe congregation of Christes flocke. Item I geve to the
church of Sarum iiijd. Item I geve to my pyshe churche of
Canninges vjd. Item I geve to my sonne Rychard
xxli shepe any age at the leate a bullock of ij yeres old a
plow a coverled ij platters ij pottengers x ij sawcers a
roocke of a gallow & a half & a peyre of sheats. Item
I geve to Anne my eldest dawghter x
shepe any age at the leate a yong cowe of ij yeres old, a red
cowlett a gowne a redd petycote with silke bodyes ij peyre of
sheats a pyllowber ij kerchowes a dyaper table cloth her
mothers best white capp a panne one of the best three platters
three pottengers & ij sawcers one of the best candle
styckes. Item I geve to Edith my dawghter
x shepe any age at the leate a cow heyffer of ij yeres old, a
panne a worsted kertell & a vyolett kertell iij sheats of
the second best a pyllowber ij kerchowes a white capp a
candlestycke ij platters ij pottengers & sawcers a lyned
cowlett colored. Item I geve to Thomas my sonne
iij shepe any age at the leate and oxe bullock of a yere old
ij platters a candlestycke & a sheat. Item I geve to Thomas
my youngest sonne iij shepe a yong blacke heyffer
of yere old a sheate a fether pillow. Item I geve to Robert
my sonne ij shepe any age at the leate a blacke
bullock. Item I geve to Christyan my dawghter
iiij shepe one platter one pottenger & one sawcer a
bolster & a sheate. Item I geve to Comford my
dawghter iij shepe a platter a pottenger & a
sawcer. Also I geve my eldest sonne William
the leasses of my lyvynges at Canynges to enjoy hit when soew
hit shall please God to call me to his mynd yf William lyve
without the yeres having no man child then hit shalbe lawfull
for Rychard his brother to enioy his
leases & from Rychard to Thomas
the elder & from Thomas thelder
to Thomas the yonger & from Thomas
the younger to Robert my youngest
sonne so one to enjoye after an other until the
yeares be ended. Item I geve to William my eldest
sonne a yoke of oxen & xx shepe any age at
the leate my gray mare, a cowe the best racke save one the
best lined coverled a peyre of sheates a bolster ij platters
ij pottengers & ij sawcers a candlestycke a peyre of
blankettes one feather pyllowe a peyre of wheales bound a yoke
& a stondge a rulser & a share. Also I geve my
sonne William half of my chippes dyses &
shotes, also my wood at Canynges I geve to my sonne
William. Also I geve hym ij yokes & all my
sullowe at Canynges. Also I will that my sonne
William shall enjoye all the croppe in the field
at Canynges paying the whole rent at Canynges except that
whiche I have geven unto my wife. Item I owe to Thomas Symons
vjs viijd. Item to the said Thomas vs detts that be owinge
unto me ffyrst Thomas Baker of the vize owith me xls. Item
Daffery Workeman of allynton xlvjs vijd. Item John Borchall of
Canynges & xiijs iijd Thomas Bendall owith me xvijs.
Robert Barber of Marleburrow owith me xxs Rychard Woodrose
owith me xxxvijs iijd Ffynche of Patney owith me xiiijs John
Whytaw of Comerford owith me xiijs iijd. Robert James owith me
vjs & ij shepe. Also I will that my ffyve children shall
enjoy the xxli that Mr Thomas Nycholas hath in his hands yf
that my wife do not buy the lyvinge for the children that be
lawfully begotten betwixt her & me. Item I geve to Edith
a coffer that her geve ys in all ready. Item I geve
Rychard my sonne my best russet cote &
a chamblett dublett. Also I will that Rychard my
sonne shall have ij setts of my land in Hortons
field for xij yeres to be plowghed & sowed the first yere
at the charge of my sonne William & to be powghed &
carried yerely after that, at the charge of the same William
during the said terme. Item I will that my owne fower children
shall receive their hole legacies at the months mynd. Also I
geve to Edith my wife a sett of the best
wheat & a nother of barley in Canyngs field & also my
setts of barley land in Hortons field. The rest of all my
goodes movable & unmovable I geve & bequeth to Edith
my wife whom I do make my whole executrix for to
paye my dettes & to receive my dettes & to se my
legaties fulfilled and for to dispose for my sowle as she
shall se cawse most neadefull. I will that my wife do delyver
the legaties of William & Rychard at
the moneth mynd & the legaties of Anne &
Edith at xxi yeres of age. The oversears of this
my last will I make Thomas Nycholas gent Thomas Westover
Rychard Copes & Thomas Sloper witnesses
to this will John Ffrancklyn Rychard Woodrose Mathew Dalynover
Clerke William Peves Robert Dykee & John Sloper.
Both William and Thomas Sloper were mentioned in the will of Thomas
Sloper, vicar of Bishops Cannings (from 1504 to 1537). The will was
written in 1535, but does not specify the relationships. Both
William and Thomas were mentioned as having wives, so they may be
William and his brother Thomas, who would be of an age to be
married. Possibly Thomas the vicar was an uncle?
Will of Thomas Sloper, vicar of Bishops Cannings (from
1504-1537), written 1535, proven 1537 In dei nominee amen the first daie of January the xxvij yere
of the reigne of King Henry the eighth in the year of our Lord God
ccccxxxv witnessethe that I Thomas Sloper clark vicar of the pyshe
of Bysshoppes Cannynges being in hole mynde and pfect of
remembrannce will and make my testament in this maner of wise/
ffirst I comyt my soule to Almighty God unto our lady saynt Mary
and to all the company of hevyn and my body to be buryed within
the channcell dore within the pishe churche of Bysshoppes
Cannynges. Also I give and bequeth unto our lady churche of Sarum
iijs iiiijd. Item I give and bequeth to the pishe churche of
Bisshoppes Cannynges before namyd ten poundes. And to the chappell
of Seynt James of the Grene of the pishe of Bisshoppes Cannynges
ffyve poundes. Item I give and bequeth unto every childe that
comyth of the stoke of the Slopers xls. Item I give and bequethe
to John Ryver my servant iiiij li and to his wyff Jone Rivers xls.
Item I give and bequeth xx li to be bestowed and disposed that ys
to say ten pound at my burying and the other ten poundes at my
monneth mynde. Also I give and bequeth unto every one of my god
childryn ijs. Item I give and bequeth unto an honest preest xx li
to be elected and chosyn be my executours to singe for me three
yeres. Item I give and bequethe unto Mr William Joye my pishe
preest of Bisshoppes Cannynges the advoson of my benefices of the
pishe of Rowde xls of money and my gowne lyined with sable. Item I
give and bequeth to Sir Jarmyn my gowne of the coller of Morey
furred thorowe with black lambe. Item I give and bequeth to to Mr
John Manyon chapleyn with Master John Erneley iijs iijd. Item
I give and bequeth to William Sloper and his wyf xx li. Item
I give and bequethe to Robert Pynshin and his wyf xx li. I
give and bequeth to Thomas Sloper and his wyff xx li. Item I
give and bequethe to Mr John Erneley my best wodewynd. I give and
bequethe my second best wodewynd unto William Sloper
Robert Pynchin and Thomas Sloper my thre executours. Item
I give and bequethe my thyrde wodewynd amongst the poore peopell
of the pishe of Bisshoppes Cannynges to be delivered be myn
executours. Item I give and bequeth to every one of my executours
a goblet of sylver. All the residewe of my goodes not bequeathed
after my yeres mynde don and kept I give and bequeth unto the
foresaid William Sloper Robert Pynchin and Thomas
Sloper the whiche I ordeyn and make my executours to dispose
the said goodes for the welthe of my soule amongst poore peopell
and specially among the poore peopell of the pishe of Bysshoppes
Cannynges. And Master John Erneley to be overseer of this my last
will. Witnes Willm Joye curat of Bisshopes Cannynges Willm
Sloper Thomas Smyth Robert Pynchin Thomas Sloper
John Ryver Henry Mayne Thomas Erneley
William Sloper of Easton in Bishops Cannings supplied horses in the
muster roll for 1539.
William was listed in a Taxation List in 1545 in Eston in Bishops
Cannings, and was asssessed forty shillings.
List of Taxpayers for the Benevolence of 1545
William and Edith had the following children:
1. William
2. Anne
3. Edith
4. Rychard, mentioned in his brother Thomas'
will.
*4. Thomas, (the elder) born in about 1525 of Bishops
Cannings.
5. Thomas (the younger), mentioned in his brother Thomas'
will.
6. Robert
7. Christyan
8. Comford
SOURCES: Correspondence between Ted Prince and Dr. William
Church, citing Sloper pedigree chart, The History of Tetbury
Society, wwwtetburyhistory.com; will of Thomas Sloper of
Bishops Cannings, 1562, Probate Records of the Court of the Dean
of Salisbury, www.ancestry.com; Two Sixteenth Century Taxation
Lists: 1545 and 1576, by G.D. Ramsay; Wiltshire Wills and Probate
Index, www.findmypast.com; will of William Sloper of Bishops
Canning, 1566, Wiltshire Wills, www.ancestry.com.
FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF NICHOLAS SLOPER AND AGNES DISMER
Nicholas Sloper was born in about 1475 of Bishops Cannings. He
married Agnes Dismer, the daughter of John and Dorothy Dismer, who
held the Free Chapel of Winterbourne Monkton, Dorset of the Abbott
of Glastonbury. When John died Agnes and her sons Robert and Simon
held the chapel.
Nicholas and Agnes had the following children:
*1. William, born in about 1500 of Bishops Cannings; married
Edith; died in about 1566, leaving a will.
2. Robert
3. Simon, may be the Simon Sloper named as executor in the
will of Thomas Sloper, his nephew, in 1562. Simon Sloper, yeoman of
Winterborne Monkton (about seven miles from Bishops Cannings) left a
will in 1587. He mentioned his wife Maryan, his eldest son John, son
Simon, youngest son Nicholas, daughters Margery, Susan, Edithe and
Alice. In addition to his farm in Winterborne Monkton he owned a
farm in Horton in the parish of Bishops Cannings.
Sloper pedigree chart (Correspondence between Ted Prince
and Dr. William Church, citing Sloper pedigree chart, The
History of Tetbury Society, wwwtetburyhistory.com)
