Bowyer Hendley Explained

Bowyer Hendley was an English landowner who served as High Sheriff of Kent.

Life

Hendley (the name was often written as Henley) was born in 1665, the son of John Hendley (1617-1676), Lord of the Manor of Otham, and his wife Priscilla (1627-1684), daughter of Thomas Fludd / Floyd, owner of Gore Court in Otham. His other grandfather was Sir Thomas Hendley. His arms were "Pale, bendy, azure and gules, eight martlets, three, two, and three, or."^[1] In about 1684 he married Mary (1666-1752), daughter of Thomas Sharpe of Benenden.

In 1702 he served as Sheriff of Kent and in 1712 he bought the mansion of Gore Court from his uncle Alabaster Fludd.

His will, made 23 September 1740, was proved on 31 December 1742^[2] and his monument is in St Nicholas's Church, Otham.^[3]

Family

Hie eldest son William Hendley (1686-1762) was his heir. His youngest daughter Anne (1697-1787) married the Reverend Samuel Horne (1693-1768), who was presented to the living of Otham in 1727 by his father-in-law, and became the mother of George Horne (bishop).^[4]

Notes and References

1. Edward Hasted, 'Parishes: Otham', in The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 5 (Canterbury, 1798), pp. 513-519 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol5/pp513-519 Retrieved 8 October 2015.
2. PROB 11/722/467 Will of Bowyer Hendley of Otham, Kent, 31 December 1742, in « Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers » http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D531218 Retrieved 10 October 2015
3. « Monument on north wall of north chancel chapel to Bowyer Hendley, d.1742. Rectangular, with proud inscriptionpanel, moulded plinth and shaped base plate with cherub's head. Moulded cornice with achievement. » http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk Retrieved 10 October 2015
4. Cave-Brown . Revd J . Otham Rectors . Archaeologia Cantiana . 23 . 1898 . 184–193.