Mrs Cod (1664)

Post date: Dec 13, 2012 2:55:5 PM

Twysden Lieutenancy Papers, 1583-1668

Edited by Gladys Scott Thompson

Kent records

The following is an extract from Sir Roger Twysden’s Note Book (p51). He lived at Roydon Hall and was Lord Lieutenant of Kent. The Cods or Codds are a family associated with Pelicans but it is not clear where the so-called Church Cod lived: she is listed in the Hearth tax list for Wateringbury of the same year paying the third highest in the village and described as a widower. The Styles lived in Wateringbury Place so which house "next to the church" that is referred to is not clear. The "hors" or horse she was objecting to having to provide was connected to the raising of a militia. the son referred to was James who subsequently became High Sheriff.

Greensted gives some history in respect of the Cod family, saying that The Codds were an ancient family and had their seat in this parish, together with another mansion called Pelicans to which belonged a large tract of land.

Deborah, Mrs Cod of Watringbury (commonly for distinction called Church Cod, because her howse is next to the church ) sent unto me her man, Francis Sandall, 5^th of February, telling me she was an ille traveller but would come to me if she knew when I would be at home. I took it to bee about the subsidy, her sonne having once spoken to me about it, so I told her man I could not for certeyn say when I should bee at home, but I was to bee at Maydstone the Thursday following, the 11^th February and would call upon her as I went. Tuesday the 9^th going to my sister Twysden at East Malling in the morning I found her not up, calling on her, so I left word I would wayt upon her after dinner, which I did and when I came the matter was : she been assest to find a hors, which she took too high for her estate but would not descend to any particular what her estate was, so truly I could not give her any assurance of reliefe but went away leaving [her] as it should seem unsatisfied, for the 11^th, going to Maydstone , she sent her man , knowing I usually called at Henry Sandalls his brothers for letters from London, desiring that I would call upon her , and when I came by he was at the doore ready for me and she herself too, so then she protested that she and her sonne had not £500 a year between them, that the estate was not so much, which I had likewise heard from others upon enquiry, and since, more particularly by William Mychell, who having long served in that family was now gon from them. The truth is, she lives frugally, the household consisting not of more than a man and two mayds or thereabouts but if she can not bee charged with an hors. Beesides she protested unto mee she owed £500 which I conceive the Deputy Lieutenants by the first Act , p43, are to have respect unto.

[probably 1664]