Edward Jowett
Edward Jewett (Jouett) of Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire,England, clothier, married in Bradford Oct 1,1604, Mary, daughter of William Taylor. His will dated Feb 2,1614, proved by his widow, July 12,1615, mentions sons William, Maximilian, Joseph, daughter Sarah and father-in-law William Taylor.
This transcript has been taken directly from the registered copy held at the Borthwick Institute in York and as such is almost identical to that published by Hazen in 1940 (New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1940, vol. 94, pages 99 -107). There are many differences to the transcript published by F C Jewett, but the only significant one is the spelling of the name - F C Jewett invariably uses "Jewett" though there is no doubt that in the actual will it is "Jowet". Why F C Jewett should persist with this obvious (and apparently deliberate) error is not clear. The name would have been pronounced “Jewett” regardless of the spelling and it was apparent that the spelling of the name had not been settled on at that time.
The Will of EDWARD JOWET, 1614. In the name of god amen: the second day of ffebruary in the yeare of our lord god 1614 in the xijth yeare of the Reigne of our Sov'rigne Lord James by the grace of god King of England ffrance and Ireland defender of the faithe etc. and of Scotland the eight & fortieth whereas nothing is more certaine then death and nothing more uncertaine then the houre of death Therefore I Edward Jowet of Bradford within the diocese of Yorke Clothier, though sick, and diseased in bodie yet sound and p'fect in minde and memory I prayse god therefore do in this uncertainty of life (knowing that even in health we are subject to death) make publish and declare this my last will & testament, in manner and forme following, (that is to say) First and
principally I give up & commend my soule into the hands of allmightie god my creator & redeemer hoping & assuredly trustinge, to have full & free p'don & remission of all my sinnes, by the p'cious death, & buriall of Christ Jesus mine alone Saviour & for Justification, by his righteousnes: my bodie, I yeild to the earth to be decently buried, at the discretion of my friends.
Itm My will & minde is that all my lawfull debts be paide out of my
whole goods.
Itm I give and bequeath two full parts of all my goods cattells chattels & creditts (in three pts to be divided) unto Willm Jowet, Maximilian Jowet, Joseph Jowet and Sara Jowet my children equally to be divided amongst them after my debts be paide & funerall expenses discharged The third pte & residue of all my saide goods cattelles chattelles & creditts I give & bequeath unto Mary my Wife whome I make the sole executrix of this my last will & testament And I doe intreat Willm Tayler my father in law Henry Tayler my brother in law Samuel Tayler & Trustrum Ledyerd to be the supervisors of this my last will and testament
Itm my will & minde is that my children shall have theire porcons paide unto them at such times as they shall sev'ally accomplish theire ages of xx yeares or otherwise lawfully demand the same. Lastly I doe comitt the tuicon & gov'nement of all my said children wth theire sev'all porcons duringe theire sev'all minorities, unto the said Mary my wife. Witnesses hereof
•Willm Smith •Jonas Watson •Lewes Watson
Edward’s property was 3 miles from the center of Bradford near the current village of Clayton. The property was laid out narrow facing the road and deep to accommodate a garden and pasture for their livestock. The front of the home would have been used for the production of cloth as well as the area where the cooking would have been performed. Owning property at that time was not the norm and would lead one to the conclusion that Edward’s family was part of the middle class. Living next door was William Lister who married his widow after his death and she died 23 May 1626.
The chidren of Edward Jowett all born near Bradford were:
William Jewett, baptized 15 Sep 1605
Maximilian Jewett, baptized 4 Oct 1607
Joseph Jewett, baptized 31 Dec 1609
Grace Jewett, baptized 4 Nov 1610
Josiah Jewett, 16 May 1612
Sara Jewett, 31 Aug 1613.
