222 The Society’s MSS.—Note I. 
property at Bromley, in Kent; that he had a brother John, also 
of London and a fishmonger; and it is highly probable that these 
two men, Richard and John Vilett, are identical with the sons and 
sole legatees mentioned in the will of Joane Violet, of Bromley, 
which bears date 16th April, 1554, was proved at London by her 
son Richard, 26th April, 1563, and is registered C.P.C. “ Chayre,” 
fo. 16. The will is curious in itself, and may be permitted to find 
place here, upon the theory that it is the earliest consecutive notice 
yet met with of the ancestors of the Wiltshire line :— 
“TI Joane Violet, widowe, in the parishe of Bromeley . . . my house at 
Bromeleis Commyn to Jhon Violet, my sonne, withe an Aker and a ffielde and a 
groue thereto belongethe. Item I giue my sonne Jhon Violet a nother feelde 
called Alis ffielde, bounding to the Layne going to South borowe. Also it is my 
will that it shall goo to his after his decease of his body lawfully begotten (sic) 
Excepte Jhon Violet by chaunce be fallen into the decaye, that then my will is 
he make the best he canne of it to helpe him, And I will my sonne Richarde 
Violett lett Batlers Croftes, with two Cloases bounding to the Lorde, called Small 
meyde. Item I give to Richard Violett a peece of lande called Batlers Lande 
with two Cloases boundinge to Maister Knightes. Item I geue to Richarde 
Violette a peece of grounde called Pettis Crofte boundinge to the Lorde. Item 
it is my will that Richarde heires shall inherite the grounde as it speaketh afore _ 
to his brothers heires. Item I will the saide Richard Violett shall paye or cause 
to be paied to his brother Jhon Violette x". . . that Jhon Violet paied to his — 
brother William Violett, And the saied money to be paied in tenne yeares da: 
ye of paimente, that is to saye, euery yeare xx* untill the money be paied. Item 
I will Richarde Violet my sonne shall haue my moueable goodes, and that he to 
distribute to the poore as he thinketh best whome I make my executor. In 
witnesse whereof at the making thereof, Williani Bodley, Thomas Beste, Steuin 
Turner, with other moe.” 
The testatrix’s son John did not “ fall into the decaye,” a phrase 
presumably parallel to the “decayed gentlewoman”’ of the last 
century, but died a prosperous man in 1577 (will dated 11th, proved 
16th February, 1576-7, C.P.C., ‘‘ Daughtry,” fo. 7), leaving issue, 
by Johan his wife, two sons, Henry and John, and two daughters, 
Margaret, the wife of John Stokes, and Mary, the wife of Thomas , 
Bodye. Her other son, if the identification be correct, describing 
himself as “I Richard Vyolett ffishmonger and citizen of London, 
being of hole minde and of good and perfect remembraunce, Laud 
and praise be unto god therfore,’ made his will 15th December, 
1571, which, however, was not proved till the last day of September, . 
