Family:Whitney, Robert (c1536-1590)
Robert Whitney, son of Nicholas Whitney of Saffron Walden, Essex, was born about 1536, and died between 17 Aug and 17 Dec 1590, Thetford, Norfolk.
He married Jane -----, who survived her husband. License of marriage granted to George Somerset, Esq., of Wickhambrook, in Suffolk, and Jane Whitney, of Thetford, widow, 11 Jun 1591 (Registry Office, Bury St. Edmunds).[1]
Member of Parliament for Thetford in 1584.[2]
1590, June 17. -- Robert Whitney licensed to convey the manor of Bottomflock, in Thetford, co. Norfolk.[3]
Will of Robert Whitney of Thetford, County Norfolk, gent. Will dated August 17, 1590. Desires to be buried in the church of St. Peter at Thetford. Wife, Jane. Sons, Francis and George, not twenty-one. Daughter, Anne. To his brothers, Henry, Thomas the elder, Thomas the younger, and George, 40s. each to buy them rings for a remembrance. To his brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Stuteville and his wife, testator's sister, 40s. each for rings. To Mr. John Sheringe and Edward Eaden, 20s. each for rings. Proved December 17, 1590.[4]
THETFORD - Monastic Establishments (continued): Exchqr. Depn. by Comm. in 1591, in suit of Sir Edward Clere of Blickling (Norfolk) v. Janet, now wife of Mr. Somerset, late widow of Robert Whitney, as to right and title to lands in Thetford and Westwick (Norfolk), and Downham (Norfolk), the late priory of monks of Thetford, the possessions of Thomas Duke of Norfolk and William Dix. Tythes of the parishes of St. Peter and St. Andrew, Thetford. The late canons of Thetford and Philip Earl of Arundel. Monks of St. George.[5]
Children of Robert and Jane (-----) Whitney:
i. Francis Whitney, Gent., b. ca. 1587, d. 1619. He attended Caius College, Cambridge University, entered 1606, Adm. pens. (age 18) at Caius, Aug. 12, 1605. S. of Robert, gent., of Thetford, Norfolk. Schools, Thetford, Peterborough and Boston. Scholar, 1605-11; Matric. 1606; B.A. 1608-9; M.A. from Clare, 1612. Adm. at Lincoln's Inn, Feb. 10, 1609-10. (Venn, I. 190.)[6] Will of Francis Whitney, Gentleman, of Thetford, Suffolk, dated 17 May 1634.[7] ii. George Whitney, b. aft. 1569, probably closer to 1580-90. Mentioned in his father's will in 1590, but not mentioned in his mother's will in 1619. No further record. iii. Anne Whitney, m. Osbert Pleasance. Osbert Pleasance died before 8 Nov 1619 when his will was probated. Children: Jane Pleasance, Thomas Pleasance.
Children of George and Jane (-----) (Whitney) Somersett:
iv. William Somersett. William was listed in Francis Whitney's will sometime before 1620 as his brother. Because of his surname, he was probably a half-brother, being the son of George and Jane Somersett, although he could have been a son of George by a previous marriage. He was not listed in Jane's will in 1619. v. Judith Somersett?, m. Robert Jaques, Gentleman. Children: Jane Jaques. Judith was listed by Jane as her daughter, but we can't be sure of her father. Since she was not listed by Robert in his will, it is probable that she was the daughter of George. vi. Jane Somersett. Since Jane (-----) (Whitney) Somersett calls her a daughter, she is probably the daughter of George and Jane.
References
1. ^ Henry Austin Whitney, Memoranda Relating to Families of the Name of Whitney in England, (Boston: 1859), p. 11.
2. ^ Reed, Paul C., "Whitney Origins Revisited: John1 Whitney of Watertown, Massachusetts, and Henry1 Whitney of Long Island and Norwalk, Connecticut," The American Genealogist, vol. 69 (1994), pp. 9-14.
4. ^ Henry Austin Whitney, The First Known Use of Whitney as a Surname: Its Probable Signification, and Other Data (Boston, MA: Henry Austin Whitney, 1875), p. xv.
5. ^ Walter Rye, An Index to Norfolk Topography (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1881), p. 347
7. ^ Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11/165, [1-64] Seager.
Copyright © 2006, Robert L. Ward, Tim Doyle and the Whitney Research Group
