Stondon Massey: John Carre

An extract from the forthcoming book ‘Stondon Massey: A Short History’, which draws on Revd. E. H. L. Reeve’s work of 1900.

I have still, however, to speak of the most illustrious of our merchant connections, John Carre, who died in 1570, was of Stondon origin. His godfather was John Hall, brother of Richard, and from him I dare say he derived his name. When a young man he went up to London under the kindly protection of Richard Hall who introduced him to the Ironmongers Company, and for whose memory he entertained to the last with affectionate regard. Later, he figures as one of the earliest members of the Merchant Adventurers Company, incorporated by Elizabeth in 1564. I gather that he was twice married, for two ladies appear with him in the handsome brass to his memory in Stondon Church, and while he bequeaths a third part of his property to his daughter Margery, he makes a smaller bequest in the event of her death to his “wife’s children”. He was uncle to Henry Giles (of “Giles’ Charity” fame) and to his brother Thomas, and refers to them both affectionately in his will as his “sister’s children”. The will is a very lengthy one, covering several pages of closely written folio. The “goods, chattels, money owing to him, household stuff, plate, jewels, and ready money” are to be divided into three equal parts, “according to the use and custom of the said city of London”; of which, one part he bequeaths to his wife Agnes, the second part to his daughter, and the third part “for the performance” of certain legacies. These include £10 for sermons to be preached in the church of the parish where he dies, viz., one each year for 20 years; £5 for a dinner to be made, at the discretion of the executers, by the parson and churchwardens of the parish of Stondon for “the inhabitants and honest householders by way of gratification;” £5 to the “poore man’s boxe” of Stondon Parish; £15 in current money to be distributed at the discretion of the executers “among the most honest of the Stondon parishioners of the poorest sort,” half the amount on the day of his burial and half within the next half year. Also £10 for a stock “to be employed in or for cattle or otherwise for the most comfort of the poorest inhabitants at the discretion of the parson and parishioners”. A further sum of £400 is given to the “Mystery of Ironmongers” on condition that for the next 21 years after his decease “two wardens of the said mystery or occupation, and two others of the same fellowship shall provide a preacher learned in Divinitie before the Feast of Pentecoste to ryde to Stondon in Essex, and at the same feaste in the Parish Church there shall be a sermon”. For their expenses yearly on this behalf £5 is specially given.

Carre left bequests to the Wayte Players of some of the city Companies; they had perhaps pleased him on the occasion of some civic functions. Wait-players are mentioned at Exeter in 1400 as parading the streets and calling the hours. Our Christmas “Waits” are probably the only representatives of the profession still extant at the present day.

This would bring the total value of his estate to £8,400 or thereabout, a substantial sum in the days of Elizabeth. No fewer than 16 persons are mentioned for whom memorial gold rings are to be made at £3 6s 8d apiece, while his eight executers and overseers are to be similarly cared for.

At Stondon the inscription on his tomb records his munificence as follows, it being his special desire to be buried here.

“John Carre citezen of London, an Irenmonger free,
also a Marchaunt venturar, in grave heare lyeth hee.
Heare in Stondon was he borne whose soule god toke to rest
the first of Julie in the yeare of Christ above exprest
Of earnest zeale amonge the rest, in lyfe he had regard
to this parrishe his native soyle and gave a large reward
To it and unto other mo that neare aboute it be
And eke in london wheare he dwelte full lyberall giftes gave he”.

He was buried on the north side of the Communion Table at the east end of the church, in the presence of four members at least of his old fellowship, no doubt in full state-robes, to the great entertainment of the villagers! One can picture Rector Fering receiving this imposing funeral party in our little church with a certain amount of anxiety and trepidation.

The Will is dated June 28, 1570, and proved July 15, while the brass monument records Carr’s death to have taken place on July 1. It is pretty evident, I think, that the good man must have prepared the lengthy and intricate testament long before, though he left the actual signature till nearly the last day of his life. Commission was given to Henry Giles alone to administration, his brother Thomas Giles renouncing his position as executer.