Ancestors of Dorothy Sheafe

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First Generation

1. DOROTHY SHEAFE (by 1595 - 1669)

Dorothy was the daughter of Reverend Thomas Sheafe and Maria Wilson. [1]

Second Generation

2. REVEREND THOMAS SHEAFE, D.D. (bp. 1562–1639) of Welford and Windsor

Thomas, the son of Thomas Sheafe and Mary Harmon, was baptized in St. Dunstan's in Cranbrook, a town in Tunbridge Wells, co. Kent, on 10 October 1562. [2][3] He died on 12 December 1639 in Welford, Berkshire and was buried in St. George's in Windsor, Berkshire. [4] He married first Maria Wilson. [2] He married second Anna Woodward. [2] Anna was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Honywood) Woodward of Upton. [4] She apparently died in childbirth. She was buried on 30 September 1614. [5]

Thomas was admitted to Cambridge in 1580. [5] He received his B.A. in 1585, his M.A. in 1588 and his D.D. in 1595. [6]

Thomas was vicar of Welford, installed in 1597. [2] He was dean of Windsor from 29 March 1614 to 1615. [2]

In his will, proved 2 March 1639/40, Thomas mentions his daughter Dorothy Whitfield and his other children: Grendall, Edmund, Edward, daughters Westley, Norwood and Hesilrigge. [5]

"Mr. Doctor Thomas" is mentioned in the 29 December 1615 will of his uncle William Sheafe [7] His father-in-law mentions his "son-in-law Mr. Doctor Thomas Sheafe" in his will. [8]

3. MARIA WILSON (prob. c. 1575–1613)

Maria Wilson, the daughter of Reverend William Wilson and Isabel Woodhall, was probably born about 1575. [2][6] She was buried on 26 July 1613 in Welford. [2]

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Maria Wilson:

i. William Sheafe died young. [2] Perhaps he is the William, child, who was buried on 28 December 1594 in Cranbrook. [3]

ii. Edmund Sheafe died in 1649. [2] He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Sampson and Elizabeth (Juxon) Cotton. [5]

Edmund was a citizen and mercer of London. [5] He went to Boston, but returned to England. [9]

Edmund Sheafe of London signed his will on 30 August 1647; it was proved in 1649. He mentions his brother Doctor Thomas Sheafe and his wife Mary; his wife Elizabeth; his mother Mrs. Elizabeth Cotton; his bother and sister Walters; his brother and sister Wood; his brother and sister Westfield; his brother and sister Edge; the "poor of Westfield parish, wherein I was borne;" his brother Grindall Sheafe; his brother Edward; his sister Westley; his brother Bale. [9]

iii. Doctor Thomas Sheafe died on 7 August 1657. [2] He married Mary Unknown.

Thomas received his B.A. from Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1624/5, his M.A. in 1628 and his D. Med. in 1636. [5]

He was a fellow of the College of Physicians in 1637. [5]

iv. Grindall Sheafe married Anne Munday. [2] He is buried in Wells Cathedral. [5] Anne was the daughter of Reverend Francis Munday. [5]

Grindall was a fellow of King's College, Cambridge and a doctor of divinity. [5] He was vicar of Coltshall and Horstead, Norfolk. [5] He was archdeacon, canon and prebendary of Wells. [5]

Grindall made his will on 2 January 1[?] Charles II [1649/50]. [10] It is held by the U.K. National Archives and digital copies are available. I found it difficult to read.

v. Dorothy Sheafe was probably born shortly after 1595. She married Reverend Henry Whitfield.

vi. Daughter Sheafe married Unknown Westley. [2] He may be the Mr. Samuel Westly, woolen draper, who was left a bequest in Grindall Sheafe's will.

vii. Daughter Sheafe married Unknown Norwood. [2]

viii. Rebecca Sheafe married Thomas Heselrigge. [2] Thomas was the son of Sir Thomas Hesilrigge, High Sheriff, of Nosely, Leicestershire, and Frances Gorges. [5]

Thomas was a mercer of the Cordwainer Ward, London. [5]

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Anna Woodward:

i. Edward Sheafe was baptized on 30 September 1614. [5]

Third Generation

4. THOMAS SHEAFE (c. 1532–1604) of Cranbrook

Thomas Sheafe, the son of Richard Sheafe and Elizabeth Andrews, was born about 1532. [2] Thomas Sheafe, yeoman, was buried on 6 September 1604 in Cranbrook. [3] He married Mary Harmon.[2]

The church warden's accounts for Cranbrook for 1564–5 say, "received of Thomas Sheafe four pounds as a bequest for the burial of his father and mother in the church, and for repairs to the church." [5]

There was a fulling mill on Thomas Sheafe's property at Great Henley, on the border with Hawkhurst. A 9 April 1577 deed between Stephen Beeching of Rye and Thomas Sheafe of Cranbrook, clothier, gives Thomas the right to make and use a dike on Stephen Beeching's property to carry away the waste water from Thomas's pond. [11]

William, Richard, Alexander and Thomas Sheafe were taxed in Cranbrook in 39 Elizabeth [1596]. [3]

Thomas Sheafe, yeoman of Cranbrook, signed his will in 1604. He mentions his wife Mary; his sons Richard, John, Edmund, Thomas and Harmon Sheafe, Giles Fletcher, George Roberts, Peter Courthope and Stephen Brett; his daughters Fletcher, Robarts, Courthope and Brett; his brother William Sheafe and his wife; his sisters Courthope, Hovenden, Couchman and Gibbion; Phebe, the widow of his son Alexander; his wife's brother Thomas Harmon. [5]

Website of St. Dunstan's in Cranbrook

5. MARY HARMON (1536–1609)

Mary Harmon, the daughter of Thomas Harmon and ___ Courthope, was born in 1536. [2] Mrs. Mary Sheafe, widow, was buried on 20 November 1609 in Cranbrook. [3]

A brass plate in the church at Cranbrook says: "Mary Sheafe, the wife of Thomas Sheafe, who lived together nere xlv yeares, and has issue between them ix sons and vi daughters, she a grave and charitable Matron, died lxxiii years of age, Nov. 1609, impasivit. E.S." [4]

Her father bequeathed Mary Harmon 100 marks or one of his best feather beds and everything belonging to it. [4]

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Mary Harmon: Baptisms in St. Dunstan's in Cranbrook.

i. Daughter Sheafe married George Roberts of Bencheley. [5]

ii. Richard Sheafe was born about 1558/1559. [2] He married Margery Roberts on 8 January 1580/1 in Cranbrook. [3][5]

Richard and Margery had ten children baptized at Cranbrook. [5]

Richard is mentioned in the 29 December 1615 will of his uncle William Sheaffe. [7]

iii. Edmund Sheafe was baptized on 17 March 1559/60. [2][3] He was buried on 1 November 1626 at Cranbrook. [2] He married first Elizabeth Taylor on 30 May 1586 [2] in Cranbrook. [3] She was buried on 5 March 1598 in Cranbrook. [2] He married second Jane Downe, widow, of Challock, after 15 August 1599 (lic.) [2] She died between 1600 and 1612. [2] He married third Joan (Jordan) Kitchell, the sister of Nicholas Jordan, Esq. [2]

Edmund Sheafe of Cranbrook signed his will on 1 November 1625; it was proved on 11 December 1626. [5]

Edmund is mentioned in the 29 December 1615 will of his uncle William Sheaffe. [7]

Edmund's son Joseph Sheafe was baptized in 1616. [12] He married Margaret ___. [13] Their daughter Elizabeth married Robert, the son of Sir Henry Gibbs. [13] Robert went to New England between 1657 and 1660 and became a distinguished merchant. [13] Robert and Elizabeth's son, Reverend Henry Gibbs, married Margaret Greenough. [13] They were the parents of Henry Gibbs, who was born on 13 May 1709 in Watertown. [13] Henry married first Margaret, the daughter of Reverend Jabez Fitch. [13] He married second Katherine, the daughter of Hon. Josiah Willard. [13] Henry graduated from Harvard in 1726. He was Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Essex County in 1754 and a representative to the General Court for Salem. [13]

iv. Reverend Thomas Sheafe was baptized on 10 October 1562. He married first Maria Wilson. He married second Anna Woodward. [2]

v. Joan Sheafe was baptized on 19 December 1562. [3][5] She married Giles Fletcher on 16 January 1580 in Cranbrook. [3, "Master Gyles Fletcher"][5]

Giles was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge; he was a diplomat, minor official and poet. He was the son of Richard Fletcher, vicar of Cranbrook, and the brother of Robert Fletcher, bishop of London. Giles and Joan were the parents of Giles and Phineas Fletcher, poets, and Giles was the uncle of the playwright John Fletcher.

vi. Katherine Sheafe was baptized on 13 May 1564. [3][5] She died of the plague and was buried on 27 October 1581 in Cranbrook. [3][5]

vii. John Sheafe was baptized on 9 September 1565. [3][5] He died between 1604 and 1609. [2] He married Katherine Sanders on 30 May 1586 [2][3, the date is not clear from this transcription of the records.] She married second Francis Burch, a yeoman of Goodhurst, on 6 November 1609. [5]

John and Katherine had seven children. [2]

viii. Alexander Sheafe was baptized on 15 December 1566. [3][5] He was buried on 20 September 1601 in Cranbrook. [5][3] He married Phebe Hyder on 13 September 1591 in Cranbrook. [3][5]

Alexander and Phebe had five children. [5]

ix. Mary Sheafe was baptized on 6 January 1567. [3][5] She died of the plague and was buried on 14 October 1581 in Cranbrook. [5][3]

x. Harmon Sheafe was baptized on 4 July 1570. [3][5] He married Sarah Gyllebrand after 6 July 1608 (licence). [5]

A Harmon Sheafe was imprisoned for non-conformity. [3]

He is mentioned in the 29 December 1615 will of his uncle William Sheaffe. [7]

xi. Anne Sheafe was baptized on 2 March 1571. [3][5] She married Peter Courthope. [5]

xii. Samuel Sheafe was baptized on 21 February 1573. [3][5]

xiii. William Sheafe was buried on 27 October 1575. [5]

xiv. Benjamin Sheafe was baptized on 18 August 1577. [3][5] He was buried on 21 August 1577 [5] in Cranbrook. [3]

xv. Elizabeth Sheafe married Stephen Brett of Romney on 13 November 1602. [5] Is she the Elizabeth who was baptized on 19 April 1579 in Cranbrook? Or, is she the Elizabeth, twin of Anne, baptized on 23 July 1581? [3]

6. REVEREND WILLIAM WILSON, D.D. (c. 1545–1615) of Windsor

Reverend William Wilson was the son of William Wilson. [8][14] He was born about 1542. [6] He died on 15 May 1615. [14] He is buried in St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. [8] He married first Isabel Woodhall. [8][15] He married second Anne Webb. [4] Anne was the sister of Erasmus Webb, a canon at Windsor. [4] She died before 13 November 1612, when her will was proved. [4]

Reverend Wilson received his D.D. from Merton College, Oxford [15] in 1607. [14] He was appointed canon of St. George's Chapel [15] on 10 December 1584. [14] He was prebendary of St. Paul's and Rochester Cathedrals. [8] He held the Rectory of Cliffe in Kent. [8]

William signed his will on 23 August 1613; it was proved on 27 May 1616. [15] He asked to be buried in St. George's Chapel, next to his father, or at the Cathedral Church of Rochester if he died there or at Cliffe. He mentions his cousin Collins, prebendary at Rochester; his eldest son Edmund, a fellow at King's College, Cambridge; his son John; his third son Thomas; his daughters Isabel Gibbs and Margaret Rawson; his deceased daughter Elizabeth and her husband Somers; his underage godson William Sheafe; his brother-in-law Mr. Erasmus Webb, a canon of St. Georges; his brother Mr. Thomas Woodward; his son-in-law Mr. Doctor Thomas Sheafe. [8] He is mentioned in his brother-in-law William Woodhall's will. [8]

His gravestone says: "Here underneath lies interr'd the Body of William Wilson, Doctour of Divinity and Prendarie of this Church by the space of 32 years. He had Issue by Isabell his Wife six sons and six daughters. He dy'd the 15th of May in the Year of our Lord 1615. of his Age the 73 ... " [4]

7. ISABEL WOODHALL

Isabel Woodhall was the daughter of John Woodhall and Elizabeth Grindall. [15] She is buried in Rochester Cathedral. [4]

Isabel was the niece of Edmund Grindall, the Archbishop of Canterbury. [15] He left her £50 in his will. [8]

Children of Reverend William Wilson and Isabel Woodhall:

i. Maria Wilson was probably born about 1575. She married Thomas Sheafe.

ii. Son Wilson probably died young. [6]

iii. Elizabeth Wilson died before 23 August 1613, when her father refers to her as deceased in his will. She married John Somers. [16] John was the son of John Somer of St. Margaret's. [16] He married second Elizabeth, the daughter of Anthony Dering of Charing. [16

iv. Isabel Wilson married Thomas Gibbs of Windsor, gentleman, the son of John and Mary (Elham) Gibbs of Elmeston, co. Kent, about 1608. [6]

Thomas and Isabel had five children. [6]

v. Dr. Edmund Wilson was born about 1583. [6] He died, unmarried, in September 1633 in the parish of St. Mary-le-Bow in London. [6]

Edmund matriculated at Merton College, Oxford on 3 March 1597/8, at age 15, but left and went to King's College, Cambridge. [6] He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians on 22 December 1615. He was installed deacon at Windsor on 18 December 1616 but, not being an ordained priest, he was removed a year later. [6] He practiced in Windsor and then in London, where he acquired a large estate. [6] He gave the Massachusetts Bay Colony £1000 in 1633, which was invested in arms and ammunition. [8][5]

Edmund Wilson of St. Mary Bowe in London, "Doctor in Phisick" signed his will on 28 September 1633; he added a codicil on 30 September and the will was proved on 11 October 1633. [16] He mentions his sister Margaret Taylor; William Rawson and Edward Rawson, his sister's son; his brother and sister Gibbs; his sister Summer's children; his cousin [niece] Whitfield; Thomas Sheafe; his cousin Grindall Sheafe; his cousin Norwood; his cousin Wesley; his cousin Rebecca Haselrig; his sister Anne Wilson; his brother Thomas Wilson; his sister Elizabeth Wilson, the wife of his brother John; his brothers-in-law Thomas Sheafe D.D., Mr. John Summers and Mr. Bartholomew Edmunds of Aldermanbury. [16]

vi. Daughter Wilson died young. [6]

vii. William Wilson was born about 1587. He died in 1610.

A brass plate on his father's gravestone says: "Neere unto this Place lies buried William Wilson, the third son, Who, after a long Trial of grievous Sickness did comfortably yield up his Spirit in the Yeare of our Lord 1610. of his Age 23." [4]

ix. Reverend Thomas Wilson was born about 1591. [6] He married Anne Unknown in 1617. [6]

Thomas left two sons. [6]

Thomas studied at Christ Church, Oxford, where he received his B.A. in 1611 and his M.A. in 1614. [6] He received his D.D. in 1625 from Cambridge. [6] He was rector at Pagelsham, co. Essex in 1625, at Winbish, co. Essex in 1626 and Debden, co. Essex in 1629. [6] He was canon at St. Paul's and Winchester Cathedrals in London from 1625 to 1660. [6]

x. Margaret Wilson married first David Rawson. [8] David was the son of Edward and Bridget Rawson of Colebrook, Langley Marsh, Bucks. [6] He died between 15 June 1616 and 25 February 1617. [8] She married second William Taylor. [8] He died in 1651. [6]

William was a merchant of London. [6]

Margaret was the mother of Edward Rawson, secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1650 to 1686. [8]

David Rawson, citizen and merchant tailor of London, signed his will on 15 June 1616; it was proved by his widow Margaret on 25 February 1617. He mentions his sister-in-laws Isabel Gibbs and Elizabeth Wilson; Edmund Wilson, Doctor of Physic; John Wilson, Master of Arts; Anne Wilson, wife of brother Thomas Wilson; underage cousin Dorothy Sheafe. [8]

xi. Son Wilson died young. [6]

xii. Daughter Wilson died young. [6]

Fourth Generation

8. RICHARD SHEAFE (1505–1557) of Cranbrook

Richard Sheafe, the son of Thomas Sheafe and Alice ___, was born in September 1505 in Cranbrook. [2] He died between 21 June 1557, when he wrote his will and 24 September 1557. [2] He married Elizabeth Andrews about 1530. [2 does not give her last name]

Richard Sheaf of Cranbrook is on the Subsidy Roll of 37 Henry 8 [1545]. [3]

In his will, Richard Sheff, a clothier of Cranbrook, asked to buried in the parish church next to his father. He left his wife Elizabeth £200, an annuity of £10, the tenement and garden in Cranbrook in which Robert Clachynden then dwelled for her life and household items. He left £50 to each of his unmarried daughters: Margery (age 18-1/2), Margaret (age 16-1/2), Alice (age 15-1/2), Mary (age 11-3/4) and Anne (age 11 at Easter next). He left his son Thomas messuages and lands in Cranbrook and the residue of his household items. He charged him with bringing up his unmarried daughters and delivering 20 loads of good wood to Elizabeth each year for 16 years. He left his son William marshlands in the parish of Ivechurch in Kent. He also made bequests to his daughter Joan Knachebull; Anne Knachbull, the daughter of Richard Knachebull and his daughter Joan; his daughter Katherine Love; his brother John Sheff; his cousin Walter Hendley; Matthew Cryar, Sir John Baker and Mr. Richard Baker, Esq.. His executor was his son Thomas and the overseers were Sir John Baker and Mr. Richard Baker. [7]

9. ELIZABETH ANDREWS (d. 1564)

Elizabeth Andrews was probably the daughter of Gyles Andrews and Agnes ___. She was buried on 12 October 1564 in Cranbrook. [2][3]

Elizabeth Sheff of Cranbrook, widow, signed her will on 7 October 1564; it was proved on 26 November 1564. She asked to be buried in the church at Cranbrook and mentioned her son William; daughters Alice, Margery, Anne, Margery Courthope, Mary Couchman; son Richard Courthope; son-in-law John Love; sister John Courthope's wife; brother John Andrews. [4]

Threlfall [4] argues that Elizabeth was probably the daughter of Gyles Andrews. In her will, she refers to her brother John Andrews. "Brother" could mean brother-in-law, but apparently there are no candidates. Gyles Andrews of Cranbrook had a daughter Elizabeth who was the right age. Elizabeth also mentions a sister, the wife of John Courthope, in her will. A John Courthope died in 1574, leaving a widow Margaret and Gyles mentions a daughter Margery of the right age in his will. Threlfall says that Margaret and Margery were used interchangeably, although Elizabeth named one of her daughters Margaret and one Margery.

Children of Richard Sheafe and Elizabeth Andrews: All born in Cranbrook; birthrates in [2].

i. Thomas Sheafe was born about 1532. He married Mary Harmon.

ii. Joan Sheafe was born about 1534. She probably died by 1604 when she is not mentioned in her brother Thomas's will. She married Richard, the son of John and Alice (Fowle) Knachbull. [2] Richard died in 1582. [3]

iii. Katherine Sheafe was born about 1536. She probably died before 1604 when she is not mentioned in her brother Thomas's will. She married John Love.

iv. Margery Sheafe was born in autumn 1538. She was buried on 14 June 1574 [2 gives only the year] in Cranbrook. [3]

v. Margaret Sheafe was born in autumn 1540. She died after 29 December 1615, when she is mentioned in her brother William's will. She married first John Smersoll [2] on 6 June 1563 in Cranbrook. [3, transcribed as "Emersoll".] She married Unknown Courthopp. [2] He died before 29 December 1615.

vi. Alice Sheafe was born in autumn 1541. She died probably died between 1604, when she is mentioned in her brother Thomas's will, and 1615, when she is not mentioned in her brother William's will. She married Richard, the son of William Hovenden on 14 October 1566 [2 gives only the year] in Cranbrook. [3] He died in 1598. [2]

vii. William Sheafe was born in 1543. He died on 21 December 1616. [2] He married Katherine Courthopp on 25 October 1569 [2] in Cranbrook. [3] She was buried on 24 March 1611/2. [2]

William apparently had no children. [5]

A brass plate in the Cranbrook church says: "William Sheafe after he lived godly and christianly the space of 73 years he departed this life the 21st of December 1616, and his body lies here buried." [5]

William Sheaffe, yeoman of Cranbrook, made his will on 29 December 1615. He mentions his widowed sisters Margaret Courthopp and Mary Couchman; deceased his brother Thomas's sons Richard, Edmund, Mr. Doctor Thomas and Harmon; Richard's son Thomas and his brother's Richard and underaged Harmon; Joan Bottinge, daughter of his cousin Richard Sheafe and her sisters Elizabeth, Margaret and Helen; Thomas Sheafe, the son of his deceased cousin John; John, Alex, Katherine and Mary Courthoppe, the children of his cousin Peter Courthoppe; Thomas, Alex , Katherine and Mary Sheafe, the children of his cousin Alex Sheafe; Thomas Ruck, the son of John Ruck who married his brother Thomas Sheafe's daughter. [7]

viii. Mary Sheafe was born in summer 1545. She died after 29 December 1615, when she is mentioned in her brother William's will. She married John Couchman on 26 January 1561/2 in Cranbrook. [3, transcribed as "Couchinda"][2 says 1569] He died before 29 December 1615.

ix. Anne Sheafe was born in spring 1546. She died between 1604, when she is mentioned in her brother Thomas's will, and 1615, when she is not mentioned in her brother William's will. She married Unknown Gibbon. [2]

10. THOMAS HARMON (d. 1547/8) of Cranbrook

Thomas was the son of John Harmon. Thomas, a merchant of Cranbrook, died between 17 November 1547, when he signed his will and 7 June 1548, when it was proved. [4] He married ___ Courthope.

In his will, Thomas mentions his sons John, Richard, Thomas and Stephen Harmon; his father John Harmon; his brother Lawrence Harmon and his daughter Mary Harmon. [4]

11. UNKNOWN COURTHOPE (d. by 1547)

Unknown Courthope, the daughter of Alexander Courthope and Katherine Foster, died before 1547.

Unknown Courthope was one of the sisters, Katherine, Elizabeth or Elinor, named in her brother Peter's will. [4]

Children of Thomas Harmon and Unknown Courthope:

i. John Harmon

ii. Richard Harmon was buried on 8 July 1571. [4] He married Joan Couchman on 6 November 1559. [4]

iii. Mary Harmon was born in 1536. She married Thomas Sheafe.

iv. Thomas Harmon married first Joan Jefferye on 13 October 1565. [4] She was probably buried on 4 November 1565. [4] He married second Anne Couchman on 13 May 1566. [4]

Thomas Sheafe calls Thomas Harmon the brother of his wife [Mary] in his his will.

v. Stephen Harmon

12. WILLIAM WILSON (c. 1515–1587) of Wellsbourne, Lincolnshire

William Wilson was the son of William Wilson. He was born about 1515. [6] William Wilson, gentleman, of Wellsbourne, died on 27 August 1587 in Windsor Castle. [14] He is buried there in St. George's Chapel. [8] He had an unknown wife. She may be a Collins as her son mentions a cousin Collins, who was a prebendary of Rochester, in his will. [4]

A brass plate in St. George's Chapel says: "William Wilson, late of Wellsbourne, in the country of Lincoln, Gent. departed this Lyfe, within the Castle of Windsor in the Yar of our Lord 1587, the 27th Day of August, and lyeth buried in this place." [8]

"Arms of Will'm Wilsonn of Welborne, per Nerroy flower, 1586. Per pale argent and azure three lions' gambs barways, erased and counterchanged. Crest : - a lion's head erased argent guttee de sang." [8, Harleian Coll., no. 1550, fol. 192, British Museum]

Children of William Wilson:

i. Reverend William Wilson was born about 1542. He married first Isabel Woodhall. He married second Anne Webb.

ii. Alexander Wilson was born about 1545. [6] He married Katherine Woodhall, the sister of his sister-in-law Isabel Woodhall, after 3 November 1573 (licence). [6]

Alexander was a merchant tailor of London. [6] He left three children. [6]

iii. Mary Wilson was born about 1550. [6] She married Reverend Guy Briscowe, the son of Edward Briscowe of Crostanaby, co. Cumberland. [6] He died in 1594. [6]

Guy and Mary had eight children. [6] Their son William settled in Boston in New England in 1639. [6]

Guy studied at King's College, Oxford, receiving his B.A. in 1569 and in M.A. in 152. [6] He was rector of Sandridge, co. Kent from 1583 until his death. [6]

14. JOHN WOODHALL of Walden, Essex

John Woodhall was the son of John Woodhall and Jennett Crakeplace. He married Elizabeth Grindall [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum] on 20 October 1542 in St. Bees, co. Cumberland. [4]

15. ELIZABETH GRINDALL (d. by 1583)

Elizabeth Grindall was the daughter of William Grindall. [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum] She died before 8 May 1583, when her brother Edmund, the Archbishop of Canterbury, referred to her as deceased in his will. [8]

Children of John Woodhall and Elizabeth Grindall:

i. William Woodhall died in 1603. [8, epithet in the church of Walden] William Woodhall of Walden, Essex, the son of John Woodhall and Elizabeth Grindall, married Mary, the daughter of James Woodhall, as her second husband. [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum][8, epithet in the church of Walden] Mary married first William Byrd. [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum][8, epithet in the church of Walden] William Byrd, gentleman, died in 1568. [8, epithet in the church of Walden]

William is named in the will of his uncle Edmund Grindall. [8] Edmund left him his "blacke straye nagg called Nixe" and named him one of his executors. [8]

William was Register of the Prerogative Court in Canterbury. [8, epithet in the church of Walden]

In his will, dated 30 May 1 James and proved 29 November 1604, William Woodhall, Esq. of Walden asks to be buried in the parish church of Walden. He refers to his "brother Mr. William Wilson". [8]

An epithet, translated from Latin, in the Walden church says: "To William Woodhall Esquire, lately Registrar of the Archiepiscopal Prerogative Court of Canterbury, the son of John Woodhall of Ullock in Cumberland, Gentleman, by Elizabeth the daughter of William Grindall of the town of St. Bees in the same county, gentleman, and sister of the lord Edmund Grindall of most virtuous memory, lately Archbishop of Canterbury ... ". [4]

ii. Dorothy Woodhall

Dorothy is named in the will of her uncle Edmund Grindall; he left her £50. [8]

iii. Katherine Woodhall died about December 1583. [6] She married Alexander Wilson after 3 November 1573 (licence). Alexander was the brother of her brother-in-law William Wilson. [6]

Katherine is named in the will of her uncle Edmund Grindall; he left her £50. [8]

iv. Elizabeth Woodhall is named in the will of her uncle Edmund Grindall; he left her £50. [8]

v. Isabel Woodhall married Reverend William Wilson.

Fifth Generation

16. THOMAS SHEAFE (c. 1470–by 1520) of Cranbrook

Thomas Sheafe was born about 1470. [4] He died before 10 July 1520, when his will was proved. [5] He married Alice ___.[4] Alice may be a Hendley, as her son Richard made a bequest to a son Walter Hendley. [4]

In his will, Thomas Sheffe of Cranbrook asks to be buried before the image of Our Lady of Pity in St. Thomas's Chancel in St. Dunstan's church in Cranbrook. [5]

Thomas was probably a descendant of one of the Flemish cloth manufacturers brought into England by King Edward III. [4]

An early Sheafe record in England is an inscription found in St. George's at Tombland in Norwich, Norfolk: "Sheff, Thomas 1840/Her are bured under this ston/Thomas Sheff and his wyff Marion/Sometym we warr, as ye now be/And as we arr, so be schall yee;/Wherefore of your charitie,/Pray for us the Trinitie/Obit (Marion) M.C.C.C.C. lxxxxiii". [3]

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Alice Unknown:

i. Richard Sheafe was born in September 1505. He married Elizabeth Andrews.

ii. John Sheafe is mentioned in his brother Richard's will. [5]

18. GYLES ANDREWS (prob. c. 1470/80–1526/7) of Cranbrook

Gyles Andrews was born probably 1470/80. [4] He died between 20 April 1526, when he signed his will, and 1527, when it was proved. [4] He married Agnes ___.

In his will, Gyles mentions his wife Agnes; his sons John, Richard, Robert, Thomas; his daughters Alice, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Benet and Margery. [4]

Children of Gyles Andrews and Agnes Unknown: The others named in Gyles's will and:

i.Elizabeth Andrews was buried on 12 October 1564. She married Richard Sheafe.

20. JOHN HARMON (d. aft 1547)

John Harmon died after 1547, when he was mentioned in his son Thomas's will. [4]

Children of John Harmen:

i. Thomas Harmon married ___ Courthope.

ii. Lawrence Harmon died after 1547, when he was mentioned in his brother Thomas's will. [4]

22. ALEXANDER COURTHOPE (d. 1524/6) of Cranbrook

Alexander Courthope died between 26 February 1523/4, when he signed his will, and 6 January 1525/6, when it was proved. [4] He married, probably second, Katherine Foster.

Alexander was a clothier of Cranbrook. [4]

Alexander bought Hockeridge Mill in Cranbrook in 1523, and his son sold it to Robert Hovenden in 1551. [17]

In his will, Alexander names his sons William and Peter; his daughters Katherine (age 14 at Christmas), Elizabeth (age 13 at the Feast of St. Michael), Eleanlor (age 10 at Christmas); his wife Katherine and her father Robert Foster; his brother Francis. [4]

Children of Alexander and (probably) his first wife:

i. John Courthope died between 6 September 1527, when he signed his will, and 7 January 1527/8, when it was proved. [4] He married Elizabeth Baker, the sister of Sir John Baker. [4] She died in 1550 at Sandwich. [4] She married second William Lynch of Cranbrook. [4]

John was a clothier of Kent. In his will, John mentions he wife Elizabeth; his brothers Richard, Peter and William. [4]

ii. ___ Courthope married Thomas Harmon.

23. KATHERINE FOSTER

Katherine was the daughter of Robert Foster.

Children of Alexander Courthope and Katherine Foster:

i. Richard Courthope was buried on 20 August 1568. [4] He married Anne Unknown.
Richard was a clothier. [4] In his will, dated 17 June 1568 and proved 25 October 1568. He named his father Alexander and his wife Anne. [4]

ii. Peter Courthope was buried on 24 October 1567 in Cranbrook. [4] He married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Lynch. [4]

Peter was a cloth maker.

In his will, dated 10 November 1563 and proved 13 January 1578, he names his sister Allard, his wife Elizabeth, his brother William, his brother Allard and his brother Richard. [4]

iii. William Courthope was buried on 24 December 1569. [4]

iv.–vi. Daughters Katherine, Elizabeth, and Eleanor Courthope. One married Thomas Harmon; one married Henry Allard. [4]

24. WILLIAM WILSON of Penrith

Penrith is a town in Cumbria. Then it was in county Cumberland.

Children of William Wilson:

i. William Wilson was born about 1542.

28. JOHN WOODHALL of Ullock

John Woodhall was the son of John Woodhall. [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]. He married Jennett Crakeplace. [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

Ullock is in Dean Parish, co. Cumbria (then Cumberland)—in the far north west of England, bordering Scotland.

Children of John Woodhall and Jennett Crakeplace:

i. John Woodhall married Elizabeth Grindall.

30. WILLIAM GRINDALL of St. Bees

William Grindall was the father of Edmund Grindall, the Archbishop of Canterbury. [15]

He was a tenant farmer and occupied Crosshill house in St. Bees.

St. Bees is a town in Cumbria; it used to be in county Cumberland.

Children of William Grindall:

i. Elizabeth Grindall died before 8 May 1583. She married John Woodhall.

ii. Edmund Grindall was born about 1519. He died on 6 July 1583.

Edmund was the Archbishop of Canterbury. [8]

Edmund wrote his will on 8 May 1583; it was proved on 15 July 1583. He asked to be buried in the parish church in Croyden. He names his nephew William Woodhall; his brother Robert Grindall and his four daughters; his sister Elizabeth Grindall and her daughters Dorothy, Katherine, Elizabeth and Isabel; his nieces Isabel Wilson, the widow Frances Younge, Ann Dacres. [8]

ii. Robert Grindall is named in the will of his brother Edmund. [8]

iii.–vi. Possibly three daughters who ___ Wilson, ___ Young, and ___ Dacres.

Sixth Generation

46. ROBERT FOSTER of Cranbrook

Robert Foster is named in his son-in-law's will. [4]

Children of Robert Foster:

i. Katherine Foster married Alexander Courthope.

56. JOHN WOODHALL of Ullock

John Woodhall was of Ullock, co. Cumberland [now in Cumbria]. [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

Children of John Woodhall:

i. John Woodhall married Jennett Crakeplace.

ii. Thomas Woodhall married Joane Unknown. [8, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

References

1. John Brooks Threlfall, Fifty Great Migration Colonists to New England and Their Origins (Westminster, MD: Heritage Books, 2008).

2. Mary Lovering Holman, "The Sheafe Line," The American Genealogist 22 (1945): 85–93.

3. Joseph Joseph, "Johnson, Willard, Sheafe," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 4 (1850): 310–5.

4. John Brooks Threlfall, "An Extension of the Sheafe Ancestry," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 137 (1983): 291–305.

5. Walter K. Watkins, "Some Guilford, Conn. Settlers and their Relationship, or the Sheafe Family in England and New England, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 55 (1901): 208–20.

6. Joseph Gardner Bartlett, "Ancestry and Descendants of Reverend John Wilson of Boston, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 61 (1907): 36.

7. Walter Kendall Watkins, Sheafe Family of Old and New England (n.p.: printed for the author, 1901).

8. Henry Waters, "Genealogical Gleanings in England," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 38 (1884) 301–25.

9. W.S. Appleton,, "English Wills," Notes and Queries Section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 24 (1870): 78.

10. Will of Grindall Sheafe, Item number: 6400486, Catalogue reference: PROB 11/363/93, National Archives (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk).

11. C.R.R. Pile, Watermills and Windmills of Cranbrook (unknown: unknown, 1954).

12. Donald Lines Jacobus, "The Kitchell, Sheafe and Ruck Connections in England," The American Genealogist (1938) 15, 69 - 80.

13. Gibbs, Montgomery B., A Golden Legacy to the Gibbs Family in America (Chicago: Press of E.M. Colvin, 1893).

14. Robert Charles Anderson, John Brandon and Paul C. Reed, "Ancestry of the Royally Descended Mansfields of Massachusetts Bay," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 155 (2001): 3–35.

15. Frederick William Weaver and Charles Herbert Mayo, Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset 12, 1888, p. 294.

16. Henry Waters, "Genealogical Gleanings in England," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 42 (1888): 172–185.

17. Anonymous, "Medway watermills (middle tributaries)," wikipedia.

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08-Apr-2023

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