Margaret Haffenden was my 7X great grandmother and for her era she lived an incredible life. She was born in 1602 into a family of status at Tenterden, Kent as her father Robert Haffenden was a ‘Jurat’ which is equal to being an Alderman!
In her life, Margaret was married three times and outlived her first two husbands. She was a very fortunate benefactor in the Wills of her first two husbands and well set for life! She was outlived by her third husband even though she died in 1687, aged 85.
It was most unusual for Margaret (all women in the era) as she was allowed to have her ‘own’ Will when she died! Back in her times, a woman was effectively the ‘property’ of her husband. Considering that detail, it was very unusual for Margaret to have any sort of independence, hence, she’s an inspiration for all women!
