Thomas Sacket

Thomas Sackett, gentleman of St Peter in Thanet, Kent, whose parents have not been identified, was born, presumably in Kent, in say 1500. He died in April or May 1545 (dates of will and of probate). The ages of Thomas's godchildren (see below) suggest that he was not an old man—perhaps in his forties—when he died.
     Thomas made his will in St Peter in Thanet on 26 April 1545, naming as beneficiaries his sisters Margaret and Katherine.¹ It would appear that Thomas was childless. He left his house to his "brother" Richard Allen, brother in this context probably meaning his brother-in-law, who he also appointed a joint executor of the will. He left an amount of 6s 8d to each of his sisters. They are referred to in the will only by their forenames. It would seem likely that one of them was the wife of Richard Allen. He left 10s to his goddaughter Tamsin Allen, and 5s each to John Allen, Margery Allen, and Katherine Cockling, all of whom were less than fourteen years of age at the date of will. These children may well have been nephew and nieces, the Allen children perhaps being the children of Richard Allen and Thomas's sister, Margaret, and, on the basis of their having the same forename, the child Katherine Cockling being the daughter of Thomas's sister Katherine. After these bequests, the residue of his estate was to go 'half to the poor people' and 'half to the foul highways where the most need is.' The will was proved in the Archdeaconry Court, Canterbury, on 20 May 1545.¹