“In Rye, Sussex, the Mayor reported that over six hundred refugees had arrived between 27 August (just after the slaughter) and 4 November 1572. There were four thousand aliens in Norwich at this time - a third of the city’s population - because of traditional trading links with the Netherlands, but no evidence that they were joined by refugees. There does, however, seem to have been an influx into Sandwich and then into Canterbury. Probably by 1573 there were at least ten thousand Protestant refugees in England. The numbers were reduced by plague - over seventy died in Southampton in 1583-4 - but overall they increased, thanks to a flourishing birth rate. In Colchester, of 1293 Dutch inhabitants 504 were children born in England.” (Taken from The Tribes of Britain, by David Miles, chapter Expanding Horizons). This whole section in the book makes clear that traders, professionals and refugees were coming to the UK to work, live and survive. Edward, therefore with his family is not unusual.

The oral tradition in the family is that the Duckering’s originated from Europe. It could be that Edward came to England in about 1587. Isabelle the eldest daughter has a name of French origin and Hamond the youngest son, was a name originally of Norman origin. The Wainfleet St Mary Parish Register started in circa 1562, which only the Bishop Transcript survives. The first Duckering registration is William baptised 28th April 1588, yet from Edward’s will we can establish his first child was Isabelle, his second was John and then William. John Duckering (born 1819 died 1909 ref.: 1274) quoted in his biography published 1888 (History & Biography of Meeker County, Minnesota, USA) that his ‘great grandfather of our subject was born in Denmark’. This only gets you back to John D born 1677, Friskney, Lincolnshire. It is in fact a further 4 generations to Edward. But the tale could be true.

‘By 1586 there was no minister’s house in St Mary’s. The All Saints’ house was on The Bank, but from 1694 to 1751 it was let by the rector to others. In 1706 the rector’s income was £72, but the curate of St Mary’s had only £6, 13s, 4d. It comes as no surprise to learn that soon after Bygot’s death St Mary’s had become a ’small curacy’ to which the lay rector, who drew most of the tithes, nominated a man who had small security of tenure.’ ‘From 1586 to 1635 Thomas Joyes served both St Mary’s and Northolme. For a short time he was alos master of the school.’ There is more in this pamphlet about the religious activity and challenges of faith in the early 1600’s. (P11). The sea access to Wainfleet began to silt from 1501/1543 and works improved it in 1609, but by 1679 was ‘useless for landing goods’. (P16). Stranded Town Wainfleet Down the Ages by J E Swaby published 1994 - see copy on file.

Edward’s will was written March 1609. He was then buried 21st March 1609. The will was finally proved 20th April 1613. See on file copies of his original will and probate.

Edward’s will:
‘In the name of God Amen. In the XVIIIth daye of murch inthe year of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred and nyne I Edward Duckering of Wainflet St Marie in the countie of Lincolne weaver being sicke in bodie but of perfect Will and remembrance thankes be given to Allmightie God doe make this my Last Will & Testament in maner and forme following First I bequeath my Soule into the handes of Almightie God my only maker and redeemer trusting to be saved by the alone merites of my saviour Jesus Christ and my bodie be buried in the Church yeard of Wainflet aforesaid. Imprimis I give to my Sonne Hamond Duckering the house which I last sett upp upon the oiece of ground I also late purchased of John Clarke with the garth therto belonging to him and his heires for ever and I will that Alse Duckering my wyfe shall have the rent of the saied house and garth during the minoritie of said Hamond if she marie not, but so sone as she be married with any man then I will the rent of the same house & garthe be put out yearly for the use of the saied Hamond till he come to the age of XXI yeares. Item I geve to Alse Duckering my wife the house and the lands wh I late bought of Agnes Wales Dureing her Life Naturall and after her Decease I geve it wholly to Willm Duckering my sone and his heires for ever with the fore garth as it is now taken on and abutting upon Mouse gate & lying betwext the house geven to Hamond Duckering and the lath geven to John Duckering. Also I geve to Alse Duckering my wife the lath builded upon the ground late bought of Georg Cuddaby with the ground therto belonging lying on the west end of the said Lath during Life naturall and after her decease I geve the said ground to John Duckering my sone and to his heirs for ever. Item I geve to Willm Duckering my sonne one gnie, also I will he shall have after the decease of his mother one peele bedd with the furniturestanding in the parlour. Item I will that my sonne John Duckering & my sone Willm Duckering divide all my sheepe geares with Loomes equally betwext them. Item I geve my three sheepe to be equally divided betweenmy sone Willm Duckering & Hamond Duckering but the lambe wh is now lamed I will that the child my Dawghter Isabell Cutter is now withall shall have it so soone as it is borne. Provided alwaies that my wyfe shall have the woole of the saied sheepe dureing her lyfe naturall. The rest of my goods not geven my debtes and mortuarie paied according to the lawe & my bodie honestly brought to the ground I geve to Alse my wyfe whome I make my sole Executrixe of this my last will and testament. Witnesses Thomas Goyes, George Cuddaby and John Parker. Signed Edward Duckering.’

ON FOLIO 29v - 30r A LIST OF LANDS BOUGHT OF LYON EMLYN.
[f.29v] 1. 3 acres of pasture called grailands, bounding on the lands of Alcockson [I remember that name from late medieval docs.] on the E and W and on a gate called acregate on the N and on Thos Daulbye on the S.
2. 2 acres of arable, bounding on Mr Coxon N and S and on Richard Lowes on the E and on Thos. Daulbye on the W.
3. Half an acre of arable, bounding on mousgate on the N and on Edward Duckering and the king, called Saddle bowrigge, on the S, and on the Lord's, late Brereton's, on the W and E. (Entries 1610 for Barkham. This is the initial transcription of BHM 1610 made by Patrick Mussett, with a few early annotations by Meryl Foster.)