Costard Ancestors

THE COSTARD FAMILY
OF WATLINGTON

The Family of Elizabeth Costard

Elizabeth Costard married Richard Woodhouse in about 1644. Elizabeth was born in about 1620 of Watlington, Oxfordshire. She is named in the will of her mother, the widow Elizabeth Costarde of Watlington in 1667.

Elizabeth Costerde of Watlington, widow names these family members in her will:

Margery Moone my daughter

Elizabeth Woodhouse my daughter

Roger Moone my grandchilde

Robert Moone my grandchilde

Jane Moone my grandchilde

Agnes Moone my grandchild

Elizabeth Holding my grandchilde

Amy Woodhouse

Susan Woodhouse

Mary Woodhouse my grandchilde

Richard Woodhouse my grandchilde

Sary Woodhouse my grandchilde

Dorothy Woodhouse my grandchilde

Richard Woodhouse my son in lawe and executor of the will

Cossins Alexander and William Nash

Will of Elizabeth Costerde 1667

In the name of God Amen, the three and twentith day of March in the yearr of our Lord God according to the acounting of our Church of England 1667, I Elizabeth Costerde of Watlington in the County of Oxon, wid., beinge sick and weeke of body but of perfecte minde and memory thanks be given to Almighty God, doe make and ordine this my last will and testament in manner and forme following, ffirst and above all things I give and bequeath my soule unto God my Creator hopeinge thru faith believing to be saved by the merits, death and passion of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ my Reademer and my body to the groune from whence it was taken to be buried in the church yarde of Watlington acordinge to the discretion of my executor hereafter by me named. Imprimis, I give to Margery Moone my daughter one shilling. Item, I give to Elizabeth Woodhouse my daughter on shilling. Item, to Roger Moone my grandchilde two pewter platters. Item, I give to Robert Moone my grandchilde two pewter platters. Item, I give to Jane Moone my grandchilde two pewter platters. Item, I give to Agnes Moone my grandchild two pewter platters. Item, I give to Elizabeth Holding my grandchilde two pewter platters. Item, I give to Amy Woodhouse two pewter platters. Item, I give to Susan Woodhouse two pewter platters. Item, I give to Mary Woodhouse my grandchilde two pewter platters. Item, I give to Richard Woodhouse my grandchilde two pewter platters. Item, I give to Sary Woodhouse my grandchilde two pewter platters. Item, I give to Dorothy Woodhouse my grandchilde to pewter platters. The rest of my goods and householde stufe, my debts payde and my ffunerall discharged I give and bequeath unto Richard Woodhouse my son in lawe who I make and ordaine soale executor of this my last will and testament and doe nominate and apoynte my welbeloved cossins Alexander Nash and William Nash my overseers to see this my will faithfully and truly to be performed. In witnese wherof this is my last will and testament the above named Elizabeth Costerd have heir unto set my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written.

The mark of Elizabeth Costerde

The mark of Elizabeth Costerde on her will

Elizabeth also left an inventory:

Inventory

Imprimis, her wearringe aparrell 2 0 0

Item, pewter 2 0 0

Item, in mony 0 8 2

Sums totall 3 8 2

John Story

Simon Benson

Elyzabeth Costard died and was buried 9 September 1675 in Watlington. There are three men found in Costard records who could be her husband, as they died before her will was written in 1667. They are Francis, Edward and Richard Costard. A search of Watlington wills shows a will for Francis, naming his wife Mable, so he is not Elizabeth's husband. Edward died in 1668, and his wife Mary is found in the burial registers, being buried in 1667, so he is not Elizabeth's husband. That leaves Richard as the most likely husband for Elizabeth. Richard acted as a witness for a will in Watlington in 1640. He is listed as the father to Susan, who was buried in 1639 in Watlington. Richard died and was buried 25 August 1658 in Watlington.

Richard and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Margery, married Roger Moone.

2. Elizabeth, born in about 1620; married Richard Woodhouse in about 1644.

3. Susan, buried 9 June 1639 in Watlington.

SOURCES: Watlington parish register; will of Elizabeth Costarde, widow of Watlington, 1667 on www.findmypast.co.uk.

Costards in Watlington

The Watlington parish registers start later, in 1635.

Christenings

1636 Oct 2 Coster Mary d. Edward

1638 Nov 15 Coster Rebecca d Edmund

1640 Jan 22 Coster Susan d. Edward

1653 Aug 18 Coster John s. Thomas

Marriages

1685 25 Oct Costard James married Chaine Joanne

Burials

1639 9 June Costard Susan d Richard

1640 2 Feb Coster Rebecca w Francis

1651 29 Aug Costerd John

1654 26 May Costard Frauncis

1658 25 Aug Costard Richard

1666 Aug 3 Costerd Mabell wid.

1667 Mar 15 Costerd Mary w. Edward

1668 Dec 2 Costerd Edward

1675 Sep 9 Costerd Elyzabeth

1686 10 Sep Costard Mary d James

1686 10 Sep Costard Joane w James

1686 22 Sep Costard Elizabeth d James

1691 1 Dec Costerd William s. William

1695 13 Oct Costard Susannah

1700 14 Aug Costard John, yeoman

Wills

In addition to the wills of Elizabeth Costarde in 1667 and Cuthbert Costard in 1587, these wills are found in the Oxford Archdeaconry:

1603 John Costard, weaver left a will mentioning sister Margaret, Andrew Costerd of Nettlebed, kinsman John Costerd of Nettlebed (who is given a coverlet loom), and wife Mary Costerd.

1640 Richard Costard acted as a witness for the will of Thomas Breemer

1649 Francis Costard Senior, wheelwright of Greenfield, Watlington left a will mentioning Mable his wife, Francis Costard his eldest son, and John Costerd his younger son.

1651 John Costard, coverlet weaver left an inventory and administration mentioning daughter Dorothy.

1666 Mabell Costard of Greenfield, Watlington, widow of Francis, left an inventory and administration mentioning son John Costard.

Other Records

In 1667, John Coster of Greenfield was taxed 3s. 9 1/2d in an assessment for the poor.

In 1673 John Costerd of Greenfield was one of the overseers of the poor for the parish of Watlington.

In 1681, Susan Costerd received 2s. 6d. from the overseer's distributions to the poor.

A record was listed for Thomas Costard in the 1377 poll tax, just four miles from Watlington in Pishill.

Pyrton Hundred
Peshull (Pishill)    Thomas Costard & Nicholaus Pewe
                              Richardus Peshull
                              Watlington 2nd April

(The Poll Taxes of 1377, 1359, and 1381: Oxfordshire)

SOURCES: Watlington parish register; Pyrton parish register; will of Thomas Breemer, 1640 PCC; will of John Costard, 1603, will of Francis Costard, 1649, administration of John Costard, 1651; administration of Mabell Costard, 1666, on www.findmypast.co.uk; The People of Watlington, citing the Poor Rate 1667, Overseers of the Poor 1666-1706, and Overseers' Disbursements 1681.