This is the first of the Emptage wills to make a connection with the sea.
Richard owned land but was serving on one of King Henry VIII’s war ships, probably as an officer, when he made his will.
Daniel Emptage, 1650, St Lawrence in Thanet
Daniel Emptage left forty shillings of lawful money to be distributed equally between the children of his brother Jeffery and, following certain bequests to Mary Friend, a widow, the remainder of his estate to his sons Thomas and Daniel.
The loss of the Friend to All Nations
In 1897 Margate was once again to witness the tragic loss of life of nine of its lifeboat crew.
One of the crew was John Benjamin Dike, descended from Henry Emptage and Ann Peal.
Albert John Emptage was coxswain of the lifebaot Quiver and was a witness at the inquest and the Board of Trade Inquiry.
Henry Thomas Emptage jnr
Henry Thomas Emptage lied about his age when he enlisted at only 16. He had already lost both his parents and no doubt saw a life in the Army as a way out of poverty and an opportunity for travel and excitement and it may have helped him deal with an very tragic personal life. His career in the army saw him serve in two wars before being called up to serve again at the outbreak of WW1.
George William Emptage
Descended from a long line of mariners, George William Emptage joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday. In civilian life he became a postman but when war was declared in 1814, he transferred from the Naval Reserves to active service.
George Emptiage 1521 of St Peter-in-Thanet
George named his wife Eleanor, sons Robert, Thomas and John, daughter Helene, bequeathing livestock to all his children. He left his land and tenements first to his wife, then to son Robert.