There is ample evidence indicating that Margaret was an older sister of Roger Tanner of Westham who was nominated as one of the overseers of the Will of Margaret's husband, Thomas Akehurst. First, Thomas refers to Roger Tanner as his brother-in-law, and Roger married Eve Maunser of Jevington in 1596, whom Roger names in his Will. Roger Tanner was buried in Westham on 28 Mar 1618. Eva Tanner of Westham, widow, remarried to Richard Kencheley of Hailsham, yeoman, who was also named in the Will of Thomas Akehurst as his friend and as an overseer of his Will. One of those providing surety to the marriage of widow Eva Tanner and Richard Kencheley was Elias Swaine of Hailsham, yeoman, whose son of the same name married Margaret's daughter Martha Akehurst in 1627.
Secondly, in the Will of Roger Tanner, written 21 Mar 1617/8 3, he names as one of the overseers of his Will his brother-in-law Nicholas Bodell of Hailsham, who was also a witness to Roger's Will. The Hailsham parish register records the marriage of Nycolas Bodlle and Margret Akherste on 21 Sep 1612, four and a half months after the death of Thomas Akehurst.
Thirdly, Margaret Bodle of Hailsham, widow, wrote her Will on 31 Mar 1645 (transcribed below). She made bequests to her three surviving children: son John Akehurst, and daughters Eve and Martha, all of whom were children of Thomas Akehurst.
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In 1612 Margaret was the sole executrix of her first husband's Will.
In 1644 Margaret was bequeathed in the Will of her second husband three of his milk kine, all the grass hay, corn, wood and fuell that shall be in the barn or upon the land, along with his hogs as well as the mare which he calls his wife's mare, and all the household stuff in the house where he now lives and was hers before their marriage. Nicholas bequeathed to William son of John Akehurst £10 to be paid to him when he reaches the age of twenty-one years.
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Will of Margaret Bodle of Hailsham, Widow, written 31 Mar 1645, proved 27 May 1645. 4
The last will of Margarett Bodle of Haylsham widdowe made the One & Thirtith Day of March Anno Dni 1645. Impris I give unto my sonne John Akeherst one silver salt fower silver spoones Three kine one sowe one sheat-- one brasse Caldron Itm I give unto Jone Akeherst wife of the said John Akeherst my old mare Itm I give more to my said sonne John one Bedsteddle standing in the Chamber over the old milkhowse And alsoe one great Chest one great Trunk one presse one Bedsteddle and one Table standing in the hall Chamber And alsoe one Table and frame and one Cupbord standing in the parlor And alsoe two Tables standing in the hall Itm I give unto Margaret Akeherst daughter of the said John Akeherst my Redd flannell petticote laid with three black velvett laces And the rest of my howsehold stuffe not before given and bequeathed my will and minde is that it should be equally devided betweene the said John Akeherst and my two Daughters Eve and Martha And I doe make the said John Akeherst sole and only executor of this my last will & testamt
The marke of Margaret Bodle
Read signed? & published in the presence of Henry Coby John Bodle
[Will proved 27 May 1645: vicesimo septimo die Maij Anno dni 1645]
General Notes: