The Vestry minutes published by G. W. Hill and W. H. Frere, from 1579-1662, contain frequent mention of the name. From those records it appears that John Graves was one of the Vestrymen in 1603 and frequently thereafter, as well as engaged upon other work of the parish till 1637 when his name appears on those records for the last time. He was a shipbuilder of consequence and the limits of his yard are shown upon a map published by Hill and Frere. [1035]

Will names wife Mary, their son John and daughter Mary, son Thomas, William, Matthew, Joseph (u21), dau Rebecca Margate, Anne Shaw,

John Greaves, the elder, of Lymehouse, Middlesex, shipwright. Will dated 1 Aug. 13th Charles (1637); proved 15 Dec. 1637. To be buried in eastern end of Stepney churchyard on the south side of the church as near my first wife and children as conveniently may be; to wife Mary lease of house now in tenure of Mr. Richard Elli, mariner, and in possession of John Shaw, mariner; to Anne Shaw and her heirs; after wife's decease the Elli house to return to my son John Greaves who I had by her; wife Mary the least of my four new houses lately built held of lease of Mr. James, and so much of the wharf as is now laid out and enclosed for the use of said houses; if she marry, to my son John and daughter Mary Greaves whom I had by her; to children of first wife; to wife Mary lease of my six tenements in Lymehouse yard which I have of John Marsh, also lease of house at Shadwell, and other property, all of which is for the maintenance and bringing up of children John and Mary; they are also to have 50 pounds, one third plate and one third of dwelling in the yard; son John 5 pounds out of the yard near the limekilns; to sons William, Abraham and Nathaniel the lease I took of Mr. James excepting the four new houses above mentioned; widow Andrews and widow Rowland Langram occupants of tenaments; son Robert Greaves 50 pounds when 21 and 5 pounds per year out of my lower yard.

To John, William and Rebecca, children of my son Thomas Greaves 10 pounds each when 21; to Sarah and Rebecca children of my son William Greaves ditto; son Matthew Greaves a house; son Joseph Graves, when 21, a house in Cooper Lane, London, in occupation of William Dorrett; also such household stuff as I had by his mother; also 50 pounds, 20 pounds whereof was the legacy of his grandmother; daughter Rebecca Margate 30 pounds and to her daughters Anne and Mary 10 pounds when 21; daughter Anne Shawe 30 pounds and to her daughter Sara Shawe 10 pounds when 21; to grandchild John Graves 20 pounds at 21; sister Ducie 40sh, her daughter 20sh; cousin Matthew Graves 20sh; cousin Rebecca Puzey, 20sh; mentions ships and shipping; the other two thirds to be divided between my children by my first wife; son John house and lands in Bridges in parish of Brixley, Kent and at Blendon, and when 21 12 pounds; daughter Mary when 21 100 pounds; son Thomas and his hears house where I now dwell near Dickshore in Lymehouse; son William and his heirs male one third of dock, wharf, yard and crane lying near to Dickshore aforesaid as far as it is boarded with the red house and way under it by the house that is tiled and now occupied by John Askew, joiner; two thirds of said dock, yard, wharf and crane to sons Abraham and Nathaniel Greaves and if they die without heires male to the survivor, and if they all three so die to my sons Thomas, Matthew and Robert; in case either choose to sell the others to have option of buying at 5 pounds less than any one else; sons Abraham and Nathaniel 50 pounds each, and they to be freed of their apprenticeship indentures; wife Mary all rents due from my servants. To the poor of Ham and Hookend 20sh; Jacob Aishley 20sh; every servant 10sh. Sons Thomas and William Greaves, and son George Margatte executors. Friends Anthony Tutchen, Mr. John Ducie, Joseph Chapman, overseers. Signed, 1 Aug., before John Ducie, George Hutchinson, John Ednor, scr.