Archive:The Ancestry of John Whitney, Chapter V, Part 3

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Melville, Henry, A.M., LL.B., The Ancestry of John Whitney: Who, with His Wife Elinor, and Sons John, Richard, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Jonathan, Emigrated from London, England, in the Year 1635, and Settled in Watertown, Massachusetts; the First of the Name in America, and the One from Whom a Great Majority of the Whitneys Now Living in the United States Are Descended (New York, NY: The De Vinne Press, 1896).

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154         The Ancestry of John Whitney

   "Sir Richard Baskerville, Knt. who m. Joan, dau.
of Adam de Everingham, of Lexington, and dying 16
Sept. 1395, was s. by his son,
   "Sir John Baskerville, Knt living in the reign of
Henry IV. This gentleman m. Elizabeth, dau. and
heiress of John Brugge, of Lotton and Staunton, who
had issue. John (Sir) his successor and Ralph, b. 21
Oct. 1410, who m. Anne, dau. and coheiress of Sir
John Blackett, Knt. and left an only dau. and heiress
Jane, m. to Simon Milbourne, of Tillington. Sir
John Baskerville was succeeded by his eldest son,
   "Sir John Baskerville, Knt. of Combe, b. 12 Feb.
1403. In Sir Harris Nicolas's "History of the Battle
of Agincourt," Sir John Baskerville is stated to have
been in the retinue of Henry V.¹ He m. Elizabeth
dau. of John Touchett Lord Audley, and dying 23
Dec. 1455, was by his eldest son,
   "Sir James Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, M. P. for
the Co. of Hereford in 1476, and Sheriff 38th Henry
VI. 4th Edward IV. and 14 Henry VII.  He was
made a Knight Banneret on the field, after the battle
of Stoke, near Newark in 1487, and a Knight of the
Bath at the Coronation of Henry VII. He m. Kath-
erine, dau. of Walter Devereux, Lord Ferrers of
Chartley, lineally descended from Edward I. and had
   "Sir Walter Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, Sheriff
of Hereford, 9th of Edward IV. who was created
Knight of the Bath on the marriage of Prince Arthur
in 1501 and had
   "Sir James Baskerville, Knt. of Eardisley, who m.
Elizabeth, dau., and coheir of John Breynton, of the
Co. of Hereford, by Sibella dau. and coheir of Simon

   ¹ It must have been this man's father if the date of birth is correctly
given, for the battle was in 1415.

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          155

Milbourne, grandson of Sir John Milbourne by Eliza-
beth, dau. and heiress of Sir John Eynsford," &c.
   The descent of Katherine Devereux from the first
Edward was as follows:

           Edward I.            = Eleanor, dau. of the King
                                |  of Castile.
                                |_____
                                      |
   Humphrey de Bohun, Earl      = Elizabeth.
    of Hereford and Essex.      |
    Lord High Constable;        |
    killed at battle of Bor-    |
    oughbridge, March 16,       |
    1321.                       |___
                                    |
   Robert de Ferrers, 2d Baron  = Agnes.
    Ferrers of Chartley. Sum-   |
    moned to Parliament Feb.    |
    25, 1342. At battle of      |
    Cre'cy. Died 1347.          |
            ____________________|
           |
   John de Ferrers, 3d Baron    = Elizabeth, dau. of Rolf, 1st
    Ferrers of Chartley. In     |  Earl of Stafford, who had
    the wars of Gascony, 1350.  |  a principal command in the
    Died April 2, 1307.         |  van at Cre'cy.
            ____________________|
           |
   Robert de Ferrers, 4th Baron = Margaret, dau. of Edward,
    of Chartley. Died March     |  Lord Le Despencer.
    13, 1413.                   |
            ____________________|
           |
   Edmund de Ferrers, 5th Ba-   = Eleanor, dau. and coheir of
    ron of Chartley, a partici- |  Thomas, Lord Roche.
    pant in most of the great   |
    battles of Henry V. Died    |
    1430.                       |
            ____________________|
           |

156         The Ancestry of John Whitney

   William de Ferrers, 6th Ba-  = Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Ha-
    ron of Chartley,            |  on Belknap, Knight.
                                |___
                                    |
   Sir Walter Devereux, Knight  = Anne, only child.
    Baron Ferrers in right of   |
    his wife. Killed at Bos-    |
    worth Field, August 22,     |
    1485.                       |_____
                                      |
   Sir James Baskerville,       = Katherine.
    Knight, of Eardisley,       |
    Knight Banneret, Knight     |
    of the Bath, &c.            |

   Through the Baskerville marriage, therefore, there
came into the Whitney family, the second time, a
strain of royal blood, the first having been through
Constance, daughter of James Touchett, Baron Aud-
ley, before mentioned.
   In the Appendix is a chart, arranged by C. E.
Gildersome-Dickinson, Esq., of 12 Great Turnstile,
Lincoln's Inn, London, a distinguished genealogist,
which shows more clearly the inter-marriages of the
Whitney, Milbourne, and Baskerville families, and,
incidentally, that, in addition to those mentioned
Sir Robert had in his "Impalement" the following
arms, being almost without exception those of Nor-
man families that in their day played a prominent
part in the history of England.
   Ledet, Gu, a fess dancette between 14 cross cross-
lets or.
   Foliot, Barry nebuly of 6, ermine and gu.
   Reincourt, Azure a fess indented between 6 garbs or.
   De Morville, Azure seme'e de lis fretty or.

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          157

   Engayne, Gu, a fess indented between 6 cross
crosslets or.
   Trivers, Argent, 3 bears statant in pale sa.
   Stuteville, Barry of 12, arg. and gules.
   Paveley, Az. a cross florette'e gules.
   Sapie, Arg. on a bend gules 3 buckles or.¹
   By his wife Sybil Sir Robert had three sons and
two daughters, viz., James and Eustace, who suc-
cessively succeeded to the estate; Robert, who was
 the grandfather of John Whitney, the emigrant;
Blanche, who married Robert Greville, and Elizabeth,
who married John Bryce. He also acknowledged
and brought up another son, William, who will be
again mentioned.
   Sir Robert Whitney died, as stated in an inquest
post mortem, on August 5, 1567. This inquisition
is exceedingly interesting, inasmuch as it shows to
what noble proportions the Whitney estate had
grown, till it included eight manors, viz.: 1, Whitney;
2, Pencombe; 3, Ocle Pitcherd; 4, Kings Caple; 5,
Icomb; 6, Boughroyd; 7, Comwich; and 8, Clifton,
not mentioning leased land, of which, from the will
of Robert of Icomb, we have reason to suppose there
was a considerable quantity.
   It does not appear how or when the new manors,
Boughroyd, Comwich, etc., came to the Whitney fam-
ily. The name Ocle Pitcherd indicates its source,
and that it was acquired by marriage is indicated
by the British Museum pedigrees in the appendix.
Sir Robert's descendants, therefore, undoubtedly
have for an ancestor Sir Miles de Picarde', a Senlac
knight, who helped Sir Bernard Newmarch conquer

   ¹ To this list there probably should be added, Pycard, Gu, a fess or
between 6 escallops arg; Delamere, arg. a fess between 8 cinqs gu.

158         The Ancestry of John Whitney

Brecknock, and secured great estates in Hereford-
shire, Wales, and the Marches.  Sir Roger Pychard
(Picarde') in 1222 possessed Straddewy, afterward
known as "Tretower" Castle, Almaly, Thurkellston,
Bishops Stanford, Great Cowarn, and Ocle Pychard.¹
The manor was held by the Whitneys as early as 6
Henry VI., 1428, for in that year "Robert Whytney
of Whytney" was taxed for "one Knight's fee late of
John Clanbowe in Ocle Picard."²
   Inquest port mortem. Chancery. 9th Elizabeth,
No.126. (1567.)

                    TRANSLATION.

   Co. Hereford--This Inquisition indented taken at Here-
ford in the County aforesaid the 18th day of September in
the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by
the grace of God of England, France & Ireland, Queen De-
fendor of the Faith &c. the Ninth before George Wistham
Esq. Escheator of our said Lady the Queen in the County
aforesd by virtue of a brief by our said Lady the Queen to
him the said Escheator directed, upon the death of Robert
Whitney, Knight, deceased, This Inquest being taken on
the oaths of James Gomond Esq, John Breynton Esq, John
Dansey gent, Walter Walwyn gent, Thomas Pembridge
gent, John Parry of Wormebridge, gent, Jenkin Figgyns
gent, Thomas Mordediche, gent, William Perowe, John
Thomas of Kyngston, Richard Dayneham, Thomas Detyins
and Philip Moore, who say upon oath that the said Robert
Whitney, Knight, in the said brief named, was a long while
before his death and at the time of his death siezed in his
demesne as of fee of and in the Manor of Whitney & of and
in twenty messuages³ two hundred acres of [arable] land,

   ¹ "The Family of Picard or Pychard," London, 1878.
   ² See "Lay Subsidies of Hereford," in Record Office,
Bundle 117/38.
   ³ Apparently the "messuages" were exclusive of the "two hundred
acres," etc., and s similar thing is true of corresponding statements below.

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          159

twenty-eight acres of meadow, thirty acres of pasture, ten
acres of woodland & of ten shillings rent with the appurte-
nances in Whitney & of & in the avowdson of the Church
of Whitney in the county aforesaid. And the said Robert
Whitney being thus so siezed sometime before his death, to
wit, on the fourteenth day of October in the year of the
reign of our Sovereign Lord Henry VIII late King of Eng-
land the thirty-eighth, as by his charter to the said Jurors
upon the taking of this Inquisition as evidence shown Gave
and Granted to Richard Seyborne for good counsel by him
bestowed a certain annual rent or annuity of thirteen shil-
lings and four pence issuing out of all and singular his
manors, lands and tenements in Whitney, Co. Hereford and
Boughroyd, Co. Radnor, to have and receive the said annuity
or annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence to the
said Richard Seyborne for the term of his life at the feasts
of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary the Virgin and
St. Michael the Archangel by equal portions yearly paid
and if it should happen the said annuity or annual rent of
thirteen shillings and four pence be in part or in all unpaid
after such festival or festivals that it should then be lawful
for the said Richard Seyborne or his assigns in the land or
lands either in whole or part to enter to distrain the issues
and price of the said annual rent or annuity of thirteen
shillings and four pence to the amount of the arrear or ar-
rearages if it shall please the said Richard Seyborne to
have such satisfaction. And the said Richard Seyborne is
in full life now residing at Sutton in the said County of
Hereford.
   And moreover the same Robert some while before his
death to wit on the fifth day of March in the year of Ed-
ward VI late King of England the first as by his charter
bearing date the same day and year now exhibited in evi-
dence before the Jurors aforesaid Gave and Granted to one
Morus Apowell one annuity or annual rent of forty shil-
lings a year issuing out of the Manors of Whitney and Ocle
Pitchard and Boughroyd and of all and singular his manors,

160         The Ancestry of John Whitney

messuages, lands and other tenements and other heredita-
ments wheresoever within this Realm of England & Wales
to have and enjoy and to receive the said annuity or an-
nual rent of forty shillings aforesaid to the said Morus
Apowell and his assigns during the natural life of the said
Morus payable at the Feasts of St. Michael the Archangel
and the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary the Virgin by
equal portions and if it should happen that the said annuity
or annual rent of forty shillings from any cause either in
part or whole should be unpaid after such festival or festi-
vals that then it should be lawful for the said Morus Apow-
ell or his assigns out of the said manors or premises to
enter any part of the said manors and other premises to
distrain for the said rent as aforesaid and having so dis-
trained to take and carry away the said distraints to the
value of such his rent of forty shillings or any part of the
arrears till the same be paid. And the said Morus is sur-
viving in full life and now residing at Monmouth in the
County of Monmouth.
   And moreover the said Jurors say that the said Robert
Whitney sometime before his death and at the time of his
death was also similarly seized in his demesne and as of fee
of and in the manor of Pencombe in the County aforesaid
and of and in fifteen messuages, two hundred acres of [ar-
able] land, thirty acres of meadow, forty acres of pasture,
half a pound of pepper and of and in forty pounds and
forty pence rent with the appurtenances in Pencombe and of
and in the avowdson of the Church of Pencombe in the
County aforesaid, and being thus so seized the said Robert
Whitney, knight, sometime before his death to wit, 15 May,
1565, in the seventh year of the reign of our said Lady the
Queen at Whitney in the county aforesaid made and de-
clared his last will in writing and by the same his will
amongst other bequests gave and devised to one Eustace
Whitney his younger son one annuity or annual rent of six
pounds thirteen shillings and four pence per annum issu-
ing out of and in his said Manor of Pencombe with the ap-

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          161

purtenances in the said County of Hereford to have and to
receive the said annuity or annual rent to the aforesaid
Eustace Whitney for and during the whole term of the life
of the said Eustace Whitney twice a year to wit at the feast
of St. Michael the Archangel and the Annunciation of the
Blessed Mary the Virgin in equal proportions. And if it
should happen that the said rent or any part thereof should
by chance in all or in part remain unpaid after the said fes-
tival or festivals then it should be lawful for the said Eus-
tace or his assigns to enter the lands of the said Manor or
any part thereof and distrain for such arrear or arrearages
and carry off the distraints till the same be duly paid and
satisfied. And they say, moreover, the said Eustace is in
full life now residing at Whitney aforesaid.
   And also the said Jurors say that the said Robert Whit-
ney, Knight, by his said will gave and bequeathed to one
Robert Whitney¹ and then of his younger sons a like annu-
ity or annual rent of six pounds thirteen shillings and four
pence a year issuing out of the said manor of Pencombe to
hold &c. to the said Robert Whitney the younger for the
term of his life with like clauses, conditions and distraints
as to the said Eustace were granted as by the said last will
now exhibited before the said Jurors as evidence appeareth.
And moreover the said Jurors say upon oath that the
said Robert Whitney, knight, sometime before his death and
at the time of his death was likewise seized in his demesne
and as of fee of and in the Manor of Boughroyd Co. Radnor
and of and in six messuages, three hundred acres of [ara-
ble] land, one hundred acres of meadow, eighty acres of
pasture and of and in three pounds rent with the appurte-
nances in Boughroyd aforesaid in the said County of Radnor.
   And also the Jurors say that the said Robert Whitney,
knight, at the time of his death was seized in demesne as of
fee of and in the Manor of Clyfton in the county of War-
wick and of and in twelve messuages, forty acres of [ara-

   ¹ The grandfather of John Whitney, emigrant.

162         The Ancestry of John Whitney

b1e] land, two hundred acres of meadow, three hundred
acres of pasture and also of and in eight pounds rent
with the appurtenances in Clyfton in the said County of
Warwick.
   Moreover the said Jurors say upon oath that the said
Robert Whitney, Knight, at the said time of his death was
seized in demesne as of fee of and in the Manor of Com-
wiche Co. Somerset and of and in five messuages three hun-
dred acres of [arable] land, one hundred acres of meadow;
eighty acres of pasture and of and in three pounds rent
with the appurtenances in Comwiche aforesaid in the said
County of Somerset.
   And also the said Jurors say upon oath that the said
Robert Whitney, Knight, a long while before his death was
seized in demesne as of fee of and in the Manor of Icombe
in the County of Gloucester and being so seized the same
Robert Whitney by his deed indented bearing date the
twenty-fifth of May in the seventh year of our said now
Lady the Queen (made) between the said Robert Whitney
by the name of Robert Whitney of Whitney in the county
of Hereford, knight, on the one part and certain Henry
Jones, Thomas Vaughan and Peter Vedle by the names of
Henry Johnes knight natural [i. e. lawful] son and heir of
Lady Mary Jones widow late wife of Thomas Jones knight
deceased, Thomas Vaughan Esq. and Peter Veale gent, of
the other part, gave, granted and confirmed to the said
Henry Jones, Thomas Vaughan and Peter Veale by the
name of the Manor of Icombe one messuage, his houses,
edifices and mansion in Icombe aforesaid with the appurte-
nances called Icombe Park and the lands, tenements, mead-
ows, pastures, feedings woods, underwoods with all his
hereditaments whatsoever with all and singular the ap-
purtenances as have heretofore been accepted, reputed or
taken to be part or parcel of the said manor of Icombe situ-
ate, lying and being in Icombe or elsewhere in the county
of Gloucester to have and to hold the said manor of Icombe
and all the premises with all and singular the appurtenances

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          163

to the said Henry, Thomas and Peter their heirs and assigns
forever to the use and behoof of her the said Mary for the
term of her natural life and from and after the decease of
the said Mary to the use and behoof of him the said Robert
Whitney knight and his heirs forever as by the said deed
now before the Jurors exhibited plainly appeareth, and the
said gift, grant and confirmation was made by force of a
certain Act in the Parliament of Henry VIII late king of
England in the twenty-seventh year of his reign at West-
minster touching uses &c.
   He is moreover seized of and in the reversion of a free
tenement in Icombe aforesaid which after the death of the
said Mary shall belong to James Whitney son and heir of
the said Robert Whitney, knight, the which Mary is surviv-
ing at Whitney.
   Moreover they say upon oath that the said Robert Whit-
ney, Knight, at the time of his death was also seized in de-
mesne and as of fee of and in the Manor of Ocle Pitcherd and
Kyngs Caple twenty messuages, five hundred acres of [ar-
able] land, two hundred acres of meadow and three hundred
acres of pasture with the appurtenances in Ocle Pitcherd and
Kyngs Caple in county Hereford aforesaid and that the said
Robert being so seized in all and singular the several man-
ors, lands and tenements aforesaid with the rest of the
premises with their appurtenances died so seized after
whose death all the manors and other premises with all
and singular their appurtenances descended and of right
ought to descend and come to James Whitney Esq. son and
heir of the said Robert Whitney, knight, deceased.
   And moreover the Jurors aforesaid say that the said
manor of Whitney with the appurtenances were at the
death of the said Robert Whitney, Knight, holden of the
Honor of Kynton by knight service and valued per annum
in all their rights beyond reprisals at XXXVIœ VIs VIIId.
   And that the said Manor of Pencombe with all its ap-
purtenances in the Manor of Pencombe with the lands &c. in
Pencombe aforesaid were holden of the manor of Ewias by

164         The Ancestry of John Whitney

fealty only and valued per annum in all its members at
XVIII£.
   And the said manor of Ocle Pitcherd with the appurte-
nances and all the tenements in Ocle Pitcherd were holden
in knight service of our said Lady the Queen as of her
Honor of Webley as the twentieth part of a knight's fee and
valued per annum in all at XVI£ VIs VIIId.
   And the Manor of Kyngs Caple and all the lands and
tenements in Kyngs Caple at the death of the said Robert
Whitney, knight, were holden of John Selenger, knight, as
of his manor of Kylpeck by fealty and suit of the Court of the
manor aforesaid and valued in all their members at VIIœ.
   And the Manor of Icombe with the appurtenances were
holden of Our Lady the Queen as of her manor of Slaughter
parcel of the possessions of the dissolved Monastery of Zyon
in free socage.
   And the said Manor of Boughroyd with the appurte-
nances in the County of Radnor and all the lands and tene-
ments in Boughroyd aforesaid were holden of our said Lady
the Queen by knight service as the twentieth part of a
knight's fee and valued per annum above reprisals at XIIœ.
   And the said Manors of Clyfton and Comwiche were
holden of others than of our said Lady the Queen, valued
per annum beyond all reprisals at XXXVIIœ as the said
Jurors think.
   And the said Jurors say moreover upon their oath that
the said Robert Whitney, Knight, held no other manors,
messuages, lands, tenements, rents, reversions and services
in the day that he died at Whitney aforesaid the fifth of Au-
gust in the said Ninth year of our Lady Elizabeth as afore-
said and James Whitney, Esq., son and heir of the said
Robert Whitney, knight, is aged twenty-three years at the
taking of this Inquisition.
   In witness or which thing, &c.

   Unfortunately, diligent search in the different ec-
clesiastical courts has thus far failed to disclose Sir

       Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          165

Robert's will referred to in this inquisition. With the
increased facilities for examining records, which, it
is to be hoped, the future will supply, it is not im-
probable that some time it will turn up and give us
much more information as to his family and estate.
   As has been said, John, the emigrant was the
grandson of Sir Robert's third son, Robert, Jr.; so
the remainder of the line of Whitneys of Whitney
lack the interest, to the American family, that at-
taches to ancestry.
   James Whitney, eldest son of Sir Robert, was
born in 1544, and succeeded to the estate in 1567.
Three years later he was knighted. In "A Book of
Knights" by Walter 0. Metcalf, London, 1885, is a
list from an old manuscript, of "The Names and
Armes of those that were advaunced to the honour-
able Ordre of Knighthode in the Godlye, quyet and
fortunate reigne of Queen Elizabeth," including

   Sr Robert Whitney dubbed at Wyndesore¹ anno 1570.

and further down

   Sr James Whitney 1578.

   The records of the College of Arms show that both
of these are mistakes. No Whitney was knighted in
1578, and no Robert Whitney in the reign of Eliza-
beth. James was the only one, and his date was 1570.
In looking up this matter the interesting fact was
discovered that Sir James, when he paid to the col-
lege the fees attendant upon knighthood, by some
inadvertence was overcharged, and the mistake does
not seem to have ever been rectified in the three

   ¹ Windsor.

166         The Ancestry of John Whitney

hundred and twenty-five years since elapsed. The
matter is therefore respectfully referred to the rep-
resentatives of Sir James's residuary legatee.
   In 1581, as commissioner, he collected the Lay Sub-
sidy, and a facsimile of his signature annexed to a
report is here shown.
   In 1574 he became sheriff, was reappointed in 1586,
and died in office the following year.
   Though he never married, the knight's life was not
without its romance, and there is even a suggestion
that his celibacy was the result of disappointment
in love.
   In the "Gentleman's Magazine" for 1847, commenc-
ing at page 484, there is printed an interesting col-
lection of Elizabethan letters relating directly or
indirectly to Barbara, Countess of Leicester.
   This lady was the only daughter of John Gamage
of Coity in Glamorganshire, Wales, born in 1562, and
left an orphan at an early age, heiress to a great es-
tate. Her cousin, Sir Edward Stradling, of St. Do-
nats Castle, in the same county, was her guardian.
   Her hand was sought by a multitude of suitors
before it was finally bestowed on Robert Sydney,
afterward Earl of Leicester, younger brother of the
celebrated Sir Philip Sydney.
   Sir Walter Raleigh intimated that her marriage was
a matter of bargain and sale, and the correspondence
bears out this idea. With a single exception, all the
ambitious young men seem to have done business
entirely with the guardian, and to have considered
that the lady had no voice in the matter.
   Edward Popham wrote to Stradling in behalf of
Sir Robert Lindsey, second son of David, Earl of
Crawford.  Sir Henry Johnes, of Abermarles, in

[Picture omitted]

    AUTOGRAPH OF SIR JAMES WHYTNEY, KNIGHT, JUNE 1, 1581.
Lay Subsidy Roll 116/300 in the Public Record Office, London.

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          167

County Carmarthen, urged the claims of his son,
afterward Sir Thomas Johnes. Sir James Croft, a
privy councilor, lord deputy of Ireland, and comp-
troller of the Queen's household, brought all his in-
fluence to bear in behalf of his grandson, Herbert
Croft; while the Earl of Pembroke, the most influ-
ential man in South Wales, demanded the heiress
for young Sydney, the brother of his countess.
Meanwhile, Whitney, trusting apparently in personal
qualities alone, was, as appears from the following
letter, regarded as a dangerous rival:

   To the right worll. Sr Edward Stradling, Knight. Sr:
I understand that Sir James Whytney hath byn in your
country to gayne that which I would fayne haue, but what
successe he hath had I knowe not. Wherefore I am most
earnestlye to pray you to take the paynes to wrytte unto
me thereof, for the which curtesye, as I am already for a
great many, soe shall I for this thinke my selfe excessively
bounde to you. I hope I shall, ere yt be longe, see you, be-
ing bould to trouble you; those to whome I fynde my selfe
behoulding I knowe not how I may, but I woulde be right
glad to fynd any occasion to deserve some parte of your
curteseyes. Thus, hoping that you will contynue your fa-
vour towards me in this matter, I comytt you to God.
From the Courte, this fyfth of July, 1584.
   Your kinsman at commaund in what I maye,
                                    Herb. Croft.

   Later Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham, after-
ward the Earl of Nottingham, interfered in the mat-
ter, and the strife waxed so hot that the Queen herself
took a hand.
   This we learn from a letter of Sir Walter Ra1eigh.

168         The Ancestry of John Whitney

   To the R. worshipfull Sr Edward Stradlinge, Knight.
   Sir Edwarde. Her Majestye hath now thrise caused let-
ters to be written unto you, that you suffer not my kins-
woman to be boughte and solde in Wales, without her
Majesties pryvetye, and the consent or advice of my L.
Chamberlayn and myselfe, her father's cosen germayns;
consideringe she hath not anie niror kyn nor better; her
father and myselfe came of twoe systers, Sir Philipp Cham-
pernownes daughters. I doubte not but, all other perswa-
sion sett aparte, you will satisfie her Highnes, and withall
do us that curtesie as to acquaint us with her matchinne.
Yf you desire anie matche for her of youre owne kynn, yf
you acquaynt us withall, you shall fynde us readye to yeilde
to anie reason. I hope, sir, you will deale hearein moste
advisedlie; and heerin you shal euer fynde us readye to re-
quite you in all thynges, to our power. And soe with my
verye hartye commendacions I end. In haste. From the
Courte, the XXVIth of September, 1584.
                  Youre moste willinge frend
                                          W. Ralegh

   With this went a letter of Sir Francis Walsingham,
containing the Queen's command that the young lady
be brought to court. But two hours before it reached
Stradling he had yielded to the demands of the Earl
of Pembroke, his feudal lord, to whom he was under
such obligations that he could not venture to oppose
his will, and the union with Sydney had been ar-
ranged.
   With the exception of Whitney, the unsuccessful
gallants do not seem to have been deeply wounded,
and soon fixed their affections elsewhere.
   Sir James died, at the age of forty-three, on May
31, 1587, having, on his death-bed, made the follow-
ing will:

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          169

         THE LAST WILL OF SIR JAMES WHITNEY.

      Dated 20 May, 1587. Proved 16 June, 1587.
              (P. C. C. 38 Spencer.)

   In the name of God amen. The twentith Daye of Maye a
thousand five hundreth eightye seauen I, JAMES WHITNEY,
of Whitney, Knighte, being sick in bodye yet of good and
perfect remembraunce thanke be to Almighty God, Doe
make, ordayne and constitute this my Last Will and testa-
ment in manner and forme following. First, I commend my
sowle to the mercy of God my maker and redeemer. And
my bodye to be buryed in the parishe churche of Whitney
where my Father and other my auncestors are buryed.
   Item, as touching the Disposing of all suche Lands and
Worldly goods as it hathe pleased God to blesse me withall
I devise giue and bequeathe unto Eustauce Whitney, my
brother, all those my severall manors, Lands and Lord-
shippes of Whitney, Pencombe, Ocle Pitchard and Kings Capel1,
within the county or sheire of Hereford, Boughrid and Tre-
mayne [Truman] within the County of Radnor, Icombe in the
County of Gloucester, Clifton upon Dumnesmoore in the
County of Warwick, and Comwiche in the County of Somer-
set with all and singular the Lands, tennements and inhere-
ditaments to the said manners and Lordshippes and to every
of them belonging with all and singular the appurtenances
to have and to holde unto the said Eustauce Whitney for terme
of his naturall lyfe and after his Decease to his heires males
and to all the heires males of his bodye Lawfu11y begotten.
   And for Defaulte of yssue male of the bodye of the said
Eustauce the Remainder of all and singular the said Man-
nors, Lordshippes Lands, tennements and hereditaments to
George Whitney, my uncle, and to the heires males of his bodye
lawfully begotten; And for Default of suche yssue the Re-
mainder thereof to William Whitney, my uncle and to the
heirs males of his bodye lawfully begotten; And for De-
faulte of suche heires the premises with theire appurten'nces

170         The Ancestry of John Whitney

to remain and to be to Thomas Whitney of Clyro and to the
heires males of his bodye Lawfully begotten; And for Lack
of such heires the same to remaine to Thomas Whitney of
Castleton and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully be-
gotten; And for Lack of suche heires the same to remaine
to Richard Whitney brother to the said Thomas and to the
heires males of bis bodye Lawfully to be begotten; And for
Lack of suche issue the same to remaine to James Whitney
of Clifford and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully
begotten; And for Lack of suche yssue the same to remaine
to Francis Whitney of London gent and to the heires males
of his bodye Lawfully begotten; And for Lack of suche
heires male the same to remaine to Eustauce Whitney of
Clifford and to the heires males of his bodye Lawfully be-
gotten; And for Lack of heires males Lawfully to be be-
gotten of the bodyes of all and euery the aforesaid persons.
then the same mannors and Lordshippes and every of them
and all other the premises with theire appurten'nces to re-
maine to Quene Elizabeth, her heirs and successors Kings
and Quenes of this Realme forever.
   Provided allwayes and my will is that if the said Eustauce
 Whitney my brother or any of the heires males of his body
lawfully begotten or to be begotten or any heire male of the
bodyes of any issue male of the body of the said Eustauce
to be begotten or any other to whome the remainder of the
premises is by this my Last will and testament limitted and
appointed or the heires males of the bodyes of any the fore-
said person or persons shall Directly or indirectly publiquely
or privately goe abowte indevour intend pactyze or putt to
use to make any feoffment levye any fine or suffer any re-
coverye or otherwise to make any Discontynuance in or
upon the premises or any parcell thereof whereby the re-
mainders before by this my Last Will and Testament limit-
ted and apointed or any of them shall or maye be Dis-
contynued altered chaunged Debarred made frustrate or
voyde, That then and so often the estate before Lymitted
to any suche person or persons and the heires males of his

[Picture omitted]

             THE PARISH CHURCH AT WHITNEY.

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          171

bodye Lawfully begotten shall for so muche of the premises
as is or shalbe intended to be alyened or Discontinued con-
trary to the true intent and meaning of these presentes shalbe
and remaine to suche other person or persons to whome the
same should or oughte to have remayned or come by these
presentes and true meaning of this my Last Will if the same
person or persons so intending to make alteration or Dis-
contynuannce as is aforesaid weare then Deceased withoute
yssue male of his bodye Lawfully begotten.
   Item. I Demise giue and bequeathe unto Thomas Stephens
of Whitney the yonger all my purchased Lands viz., Tal-
bodwyn within the Lordshippe of Peynes Castell within the
County of Radnor. The third parte of the farme of Aberth-
lewne in the County of Brecon whiche I late purchased of
Roger Vaughan of Hinton in the County of Hereford, gen-
tleman, And one yard Land in Oclepitchard whiche lately I
purchased of one Thomas Knott To have and to holde all
the said three Last recited parcells of Lands and Tene-
ments with all and singular theire appuryten'nces to the
said Thomas Stephens for and During the terme of his na-
turall lyfe. And after the Decease of the said Thomas my
will is that the same shall remaine to the foresaid Eustauce
my brother During his naturall lyfe onely  And after his
Decease successively to all the heires males in the foresaid
former entayle specified according to the true tenor and
meaning thereof and upon suche condicions and limita-
cions as before are sett Downe, Limitted and appointed for
the guyding and Directinge the estate and estates remainder
and remainders of the manors and Lordshippes as is first
mencioned in this my Last Will and testament.
   Item. My will is that Eustauce Whitney, my brother
shall haue and enjoye all and singular the proffitts, emolu-
ments and commodityes arysing and coming forthe and
owte of my Lease whiche I have of the Lordship of Clifford
During his Lyfe time and after his Decease my will is that
the same farme and the residue of the yeares in the said
Lease conteyned and whiche then shalbe unexpired shalbe

172         The Ancestry of John Whitney

and remaine to every suche person and persons to whome my
said mannors, Lordships, Lands, tenements and heredita-
ments be by this my Last will and testament appointed to
be and remaine after my Decease with the same and Lyke
condicions and Limitacions as are herein mencioned for the
limitacion of the inheritaunce of the same mannors, Lord-
shipes, Lands, &c. Provided further that it shall not be law-
full for the said Eustauce my brother nor his heirs males nor
to any other the persons and heirs above named to alyenate
sell assigne or surrender or forfeite or sette lease otherwise
than for theire naturall lyfe of everyone of them nor suffer
the saide Lease to be alienated soulde assigned or surrendered
forfeyted or sette Lease the terme of yeares there in ex-
pressed or any parte or parcell thereof otherwise than is
beforesaid.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe unto my sister Blanche
Grevil the sum of one hundred pounds of good and Lawfu1l
money of England to be paide unto her by mine executors.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe to the fower Daughters of my
said sister Blanche Grevill, viz., Anne, Blanche, Katherine,
Dorothye Grevill, one hundred ponnds sterling apeece to
be paid to them at the severall Dayes of theire marriages
or within one halfe yeare after and next following. Pro-
vided that if any of the said foure Daughters happen to Dye
before the solemnization of any of theire said marriages,
That then the Legacye of her or them so dying to be equally
devided amongst the rest that live and survive.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe to Foulke Grevill sonne untoe
Robert Grevill and Blanche my sister the some of one hun-
dred pounds of good and Lawfull money of England to be
paid unto him when he shall come to the full age of one
and twenty years.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe unto Alice Price my sister's
Daughter nowe Dwelling in the howse with me the some of
Foure hundred pounds of lawfull Englishe money to be
paid unto her at the Daye of her marriage or within one
yeare next after if so be that the said Alice is choosing of

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          173

her marriage and husband shalbe onely ordered Directed
and ruled by the advyce counsel and agreement of the righte
Reverend Father in God Marmaduke nowe Lord Bishopp of
St. Davids and my uncle George Whitney.
   Item. My will is that my uncle George Whitney, Julyan
his wyfe and theire sonne George shall quietly and peace-
ably haue holde occupye enjoye and possesse the Lordshipp
of Icombe aforesaid for and During theire naturall lives and
the longer liuer of them anything aboue expressed to the
contrary notwithstanding, yielding and paying there-fore
yearly threescore and six pounds thireene shillings and
foure pence of good and Lawfull money of England to my
foresaid brother Eustauce Whitney and the heires above
mencioned and expressed.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe to William Whitney the base
sonne of Sr Robert Whitney, Knighte, one annuitye or yearely
porcion of twenty pounds sterling During his naturall lyfe
or after the Deathe of Richard Syrell of Pencombe to haue
in Lewe thereof the farme whiche the said Richard nowe
holdeth at his charge During his Lyfe.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe unto Blanche Whitney of
Clifford my kinswoman tenne pounds sterling to be paid
within one yeare after my Decease by mine Executors.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe to Harrye Price als Henry
Price and Anne nowe his wyfe and to the childe with the
whiche the said Anne nowe goeth withall and is (gravida
facta) twoe Fermes in Clifton whereof the one is presently
in myne occupation the other in the tenure or occupation of
one Margerie Frost als Jordan and the twoe other tenne-
ments whiche nowe the said Henry and Anne enjoyeth
lying in the villages of Stowe, Millhaughe and Whitney,
During theire three lives and the Longest Liver of them,
They and every of them paying the olde anncyent and ac-
customed rent to my heires before expressed. Provided all-
ways that it shalbe lawfull for them and every of them to
sett and lett the said tennements During theire lives.
   Item. I giue and bequeath to William Penkin the tene-

174         The Ancestry of John Whitney

ment or farme which he holdeth of me in Stowe During his
naturall lyfe paying the olde anncyent and accustomed rent
for the same as before.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe unto Charles Jones my ser-
u'nte the grounde which he nowe holdeth of me During his
naturall lyfe paying the olde accustomed rent for the same.
   Item. I giue and bequenthe unto Thomas Walwill of
Hereford, Chamboyes meadowe During his lyfe rent free
and afterwards to my foresaid heires.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe to every of my householde
seru'nts as well men as women (if my brother Eustauce
will not entertayne them unto his service or for to so many
of them as he will not entertayne and kepe) three yeares
wages apeece, The names of whiche servaunts are herun-
der expressed with the sume of theire severall wages by
the yeare uppon theire heades. Imprimis William Byrte
forty shillings; Thomas Patye forty shillings; William
Turner forty shillings; Thomas Smith als Williams forty
shillings; Roger Williams forty shillings; John Morgan
twenty-six shillings eight pence; William Taylor, forty
shillings; Thomas Brewar forty shillings; Edward Hors-
man twenty-six shillings eight pence; Thomas Walter,
Bayliffe, twenty-three shillings foure pence; Thomas Prich-
ard, thirty-three shillings foure pence; Thomas ap Owen
. . . . . .¹ John Sheparde als Hall fortye shillings;
John Williams twenty shillings; Edward Ystance twenty
shillings; Symeon Abeynon, Watkyn Price twenty-six shil-
lings eighte pence; William Morgan referred to the executors;
Robert Picke forty shillings and referred to the executors;
Robert Price als Lycence eightene shillings; John Price my
foote boye eighte pounds onely to be imployed by my ex-
ecutors to his proffitt; Dame Cooke forty shillings in all;
Margaret Bradford eightene shillings.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe Margaret Richard two shil-
lings; Margaret Jones twelve shillings; Elizabeth Hall
XIIs; Katherine Thomas thirtene shillings.

   ¹ So in original.

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          175

   Item. I giue and bequeathe to Marye Milnes Daughter
to my uncle George Whitney twoe hundred pounds of good
and Lawfull money of England to be paid to her within one
yeare next after my Decease.
   Item. I giue and bequeathe towards the reparac'on of
the Cathedrall Churche of Hereford three pounds six shil-
lings eighte pence.
   Item. My will is that Anne Edmonds, Henry Edmond and
John Edmond her sonnes shall have and enjoye the tene-
ment they nowe holde and the keping of the boate with the
proffitts thereunto belonging during theire three lives and
the longer liver of them paying onely twenty shillings by
the yeare to my foresaid heires.
   Item. My will is that myne executors hereafter to be
named shall and maye after my Decease Demise and sett
these three mannors and Lordshippes viz., Oclepitchard,
Clifton and Comewitche for three lives or fourscore yeares at
the auncyent and accustomed rents and all suche fynes as
they shall receive for and uppon my Demise to be by them
made to reserve and take towards the payment and Dis-
charge of all my Debtes, Legacies, Aunuityes and Funerall
expences. And if there be any overplus of the saide fynes
together with the moveable goods after my Debts Legacyes
annuityes and Funerall expenses Discharged Then my will
is that the rest and overplus thereof be Delivered to mine
executors. Provided allwayes and my will is that Eustauce
Whitney my brother shall enter into bond obligation of
tenne thousand pounds to myne executors and overseers
not onely to fulfill and performe all the singular the con-
tents in this my last will and testament specified and con-
teyned but also to permitt and suffer all and singular my
gifts, Legacies, Leases, grants and Annuitycs to stand in
force and to be performed according to the true meaning
purpose and intent of this my Last will and testament.
And further withall to suffer and permitt all and singular
my seru'nts whiche hold any Land of me by Lease or
otherwise peaceablye and quietly to enjoye and possesse

176         The Ancestry of John Whitney

the same During the yeares and termes in theire said
Leases and grants conteyned into whiche bonde if my said
brother Eustauce will refuse to enter or will not suffer and
permitt all and singular the clauses articles gifts graunts
anunityes Leases thing or things in this my Last will and
testament specified to be performed accordingly by myn
executors and overseers, Then my will is that my Uncle
George Whitney shalbe my next and ymediate heire and
that the saide Eustauce Whitney my brother shall reape no
proffit or benefite by this my Last will and testament. But
thereof and every parte and parcell thereof shalbe clearely
secluded Disannulled and Exempted. And if my saide
brother Doe refuse as is aforesaid Then Doe I hereby revo-
cate all my former Legacies to him or to any the yssues
males of his bodye Lawfully begotten before bequeathed
anything in this my Last will and testament conteyned to
the contrary notwithstanding.
   All the Rest of my goods and chattells as well moveable
as unmovable before not Demised given or bequeathed I
give and bequeathe to George Whitney and William Whit-
ney my uncles and to Richard Shippam of London, my
kinnesman towards the Discharge and payment of all my
Debts Legacies Annuityes and Funerall expenses the
whiche said George Whitney, William Whitney and Richard
Shippam I doe make constitute and ordayne executors of
this my Last will and testament to see the same truly and
faithfully kepte fulfilled and performed according to my
true meaning And Doe nominate and appointe the saide
Reverend Father in God Marmaduke nowe Lord Bisshopp
of St. Davids and the Worshipfull Mr. John Watkins Deane
of the Cathedrall Churche of Hereford to be overseers of
this my last will and testament.
   Item. My will and meaning is that this my present Last
will and testament shalbe orderly Drawen and putt in writ-
ing according to Lawe and my true meaning by Counsell
Learned in the Lawes of the Realme so that no poynte
clause or thing whiche shalbe materiall therin conteyned

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          177

be altered and changed contrary to my intent and purpose
whiche my meaning intent and purpose yf any Doubte or
question shall happen at any time hereafter to arise I re-
ferree to be Declared and Deluded by the Right Reverend
Father in God Marmaduke Lord Bishopp of St. Davids and
the said Mr. John Watkins and Mr. George Whitney my un-
cle or to any twoe of them.
   Item. My will is that all and singular suche plate as I
have shalbe and remayne to the howse of Whitney forever
as standards never to be soulde nor removed the particular
parcells whereof are hereunder specified, nominated and
Declared.
   In wittnes wherof I have hereunto subscribed my name
and putt my seale of armes the Daye and yeare of our Lord
first above written viz. vicesimo May 1587.
   Item. If my foresaid brother Eustauce Whitney will not
suffer and permitt the foresaid Thomas Stephens of Whitney
the yonger quietly and peaceably to enjoye and possesse all
those my purchased Lands whiche by this my Last will and
testament I haue given him During his naturall lyfe and
according to the true meaning of this my last will and tes-
tament Then my will is and I giue and bequethe and by
these presents assigne and sette over unto the saide Thomas
Stephens all that my Lease of the mannor or Lordshipp of
Clifford with all my righte title or interest I haue or oughte
to haue therein or thereunto with all and singuler the Lands
hereditaments and appurtenances with all emoluments prof-
fitts and comodityes whatsoever to the same in any wise be-
longing or apperteyning During his naturall Lyfe paying
therefore onely the olde accustomed rent Due by my saide
lease unto suche as by the said Lease it is Due and the resi-
due of the yeares unexpired after his Decease my will is it
shalbe at the disposicon of myne executors and overseers.

             THE PARTICULIARITYES OF MY PLATE.

   Imprimis, one Bason and ewer of parcell gilte
   Item, one nest of gilte gobletts with one cover

178         The Ancestry of John Whitney

   Item, twoe white bolls parcell gilte with a cover
   Item, one standing cuppe Dubble gilte with a cover
   Item, twoe greate saltes gilte with a cover to them¹
   Item, one white gobblett.
   Item, one casting bottle gilte.
   Item, twoe gilte potts.
   Item, one pott parcell gilte.
   Item, one spoone bowle.
   Item, six gilte spoones.
   Item, seaven white spoones of Divers sortes.

                  TRANSLATION OF PROBATE.

   Probate of the above written will was granted at London,
before the Venerable Master William Drury, Doctor of
Laws, Master keeper or Commissary &c. the 16th day of
the month of June, 1581, by the oath of Francis Clerk,
Notary Public, Proctor for George Whitney, William
Whitney and Richard Shippam the Executors in the said
will nominated, to whom was committed &c. well and truly
to administer &c. being sworne upon the Holy Evangelists
of God.

   In the Record Office there are the fragments of
parchments that were once the pleadings in a suit in
Chancery, begun in October, 1595, entitled "Thomas
Myll² vs. Eustace Whitney et al," brought to estab-
lish, in opposition to the foregoing will, another,
made a week earlier. They originally consisted of
the bill of complaint, the answer and demurrer of
Eustace Whitney, and the answer of William Whit-

   ¹ "The families of the nobles and gentry dined in the great hall with
all the servants.  Half way down the table stood a large salt-cellar of
silver or pewter. Above this sat the master, his family, and guests; be-
low it were retainers and servants of all degrees; hence the expression,
to sit above, or below, the salt." "Royal History of England," p.244.
   ² Married a daughter of George Whitney of Icomb, uncle to Sir James.

        Whitneys of the Sixteenth Century          179

ney, uncle to the said James and Eustace. Much of
the writing is destroyed by the rotting away of the
material on which it appeared, but enough is left to
explain why a second will was made. William, for
example, makes this statement:

   And this defendante further sayeth that true yt ys that
all the tyme of the laste sicknes of the saide Sir James
Whytney whereof he dyed, wch this defendante taketh to be
the tyme when the saide Sir James Whytney did firste cause
his laste Wyll and Testamente to be sett downe in Wry-
tinge, there was greate displeasure or dislike betweene the
saide Sir James Whytney and the saide Eustauce Whytney;
But afterwards and before the departure out of this lyfe of
the saide Sir James Whytney he the saide Eustauce Whyt-
ney, by the medyac'on of this defendante, beynge uncle unto
both the said parties was reconcyled unto the said Sir
James. After wch reconcyliac'on he the saide Sir James
Whytney did [and here occurs a hole in the parchment]

   The sums of money mentioned show that Whitney
was, in personal property, to say nothing of his es-
tates, a wealthy man. "Foure hundred pounds," the
amount given to Alice Price, now would only be
equal to two thousand dollars, but then it was equiv-
alent to nearly or quite twenty thousand dollars.
Such things are relative. It will be noticed that
forty shillings was then the highest pay per annum
that any of Sir James's men-servants received.
   In the fifteenth century haymakers received only a
penny a day; laborers, three half pence; carpenters,
two pence; and masons, three pence.¹ In the reign
of Henry VIII., beef and mutton sold for a half pen-
ny a pound, and veal and pork for three farthings;

   ¹ "Royal History of England," p.155.

180         The Ancestry of John Whitney

yet fresh meat was seldom eaten by the common
people, and by gentlemen only from Midsummer to
Michaelmas.¹ In the beginning of the seventeenth
century, when King James's translation of the Bible
was made, it seemed proper enough, in the parable
of the vineyard, to speak of the laborers as receiving
each their "penny" for bearing "the burden and
heat of the day."
   There is an interesting subject for speculation in
the question, what finally became of those articles of
plate that were to "be and remayne to the howse of
Whitney forever as standards never to be soulde nor
removed."

¹ "Royal History of England," p. 224.

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