John Dawtrey was born about 1495 to Sir John Dawtrey and Jane (nee Shirley) Dawtrey. Jane was the daughter of Ralph Shirley, Esquire of Wiston and his wife Jane (nee Bellingham) Shirley.

I Sir John Dawtrey of More in the parish of Petworth in the Countie of Sussex, Knight, sick in body and of good and ___ mynd and remembrance make my last will and testament in manner and forme followyng