(Part 1 of 2)
I have been looking into the relationships between the Brown, Shelton
and Comberford families of London in the early Tudor period. This
network of individuals, many of whom were members of the Mercers'
livery, illustrates the extent to which inter-relationships
flourished, at a time when consanguinity was still an effective bar.
(A) The Sheltons
Nicholas Shelton was a mercer and citizen of London. He served as
Alderman for Castle Baynard ward from 1510 to 1515, and Sheriff from
1511 to 1512; in the latter year he was also Master of his livery
(Beaven's Aldermen of London). His will dated 4 March 1514/5 was
proved PCC 8 November 1515 (21 Holder).
Although his own background remains unclear, it seems certain that he
was descended from the Shelton family of Shelton, Norfolk (PRO C
1/568/98, where his executor is sued by Sir John Shelton for a
contribution towards the expenses of erecting the family windows in
the church at Shelton).
It appears that Nicholas Shelton married twice. He names his "son-in-
law" Thomas Comberford in his will; Thomas, also a London mercer, was
possibly his step-son, issue of an earlier marriage for his first
wife. Other than this potential clue, I do not have any details about
his first marriage. There was apparently at least one child from this
marriage.
His second wife was Elizabeth Rawlins (said by Pam Shelton-Anderson to
be the daughter of Richard Rawlins, mercer:
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/SH ... 1137301747). She
bore Nicholas at least three sons, and afterwards married Sir Humphrey
Brown (d 1562), sometime Justice of the Common Pleas.
Issue:
1. Julian Shelton, named in her father's will, 1515; married Richard
Rawlins, mercer (PRO C 1/386/57, 392/11-14) and therefore presumably
the daughter of Nicholas's first marriage
2. Ralph Shelton, named in his father's will, 1515; made his own will,
7 March 1522, when he was an apprentice to Thomas Keyle, mercer of
London; died 1522, apparently unmarried; will proved PCC, 12
Maynwaring).
3. Mary Shelton, a nun at St Helen's, London; named in her father's
will, 1515, and her brother's will, 1522
4. Anne Shelton, named in her father's will, 1515; married George
Brown, son and heir of Sir Humphrey Brown (PRO C 1/383/71); he died in
1558 without issue (Visitation of Essex, 1612)
5. Robert Shelton, named in his father's will, 1515; left a will dated
16 July 1535; proved PCC, 15 October 1535 (28 Hogan); apparently
unmarried
6. William Shelton, named in his father's will, 1515; named in his
brother's will, 1535; son of his father's second marriage (PRO C
1/1160/30-32: William, Thomas and Jeremy Shelton sued Sir Humphrey
Brown, Justice of the Common Pleas, their step-father, in relation to
the estate of their uncle William Rawlins); mercer of London, died
1553; married Joan Ferne and left issue (per Pam Shelton-Anderson)
7. Thomas Shelton, son of his father's second marriage (PRO C
1/1160/30-32); named in his brother's will, 1535
8. Jeremy Shelton, son of his father's second marriage (PRO C
1/1160/30-32); named in his brother's will, 1535; mercer of London,
died circa 1556; married Alice Hering (per Pam Shelton-Anderson)
9. Katherine Shelton, named in her brother's will, 1535
(B) The Comberfords
Thomas Comberford, mercer of London, was called the 'son-in-law' (?
stepson) of Alderman Nicholas Shelton, and acted as his principal
executor in 1515. He is named in various family suits that followed,
relating to the distribution of the estate, collection of debts etc.
It is possible - but by no means certain - that he is to be identified
with Thomas Comberford of Comberford Hall, Staffordshire, who
certainly was involved in legal action against the other executors of
Nicholas Shelton sometime between 1518 and 1529 (PRO C 1/487/41).
Dorothy Comberford, a nun of the Minories, is also named in Nicholas
Shelton's will. She afterwards served as Abbess, ff 1524 and 1529 (A
History of the County of London, Vol 1: London within the Bars,
Westminster and Southwark, W. Page, 1909, p 516 et seq). Her
relationship to Nicholas Shelton and Thomas Comberford remains
conjectural.
(to be continued: the Browns)
MA-R
A London web: Brown, Shelton & Comberford
Moderator: MOD_nyhetsgrupper
-
Gjest
Re: A London web: Brown, Shelton & Comberford
On Jan 24, 10:37 am, mj...@btinternet.com wrote:
Part 2 of 2
(C) The Browns
Some details of the family of Sir Humphrey Brown, justice of the
Common Pleas, appears in the Visitation of Essex, 1612. He is said to
have been the son of Thomas Brown of Longhouse in Abbess Roding by
Mary, daughter of Thomas Charlton.
The Visitation assigns Sir Humphrey two wives:
(i) Anne Vere, daughter and coheir of Henry Vere of Addington [this is
confirmed by PRO C 1/340/43, which states that George Brown was the
son of Humphrey Brown by Anne, daughter of Henry Vere of Great
Addington]
(ii) Anne Hussey, daughter of John, Lord Hussey
We have seen that he was married sometime after 1515 to Elizabeth nee
Rawlins, Nicholas Shelton's widow (PRO C 1/386/57, 392/11-14). He
acted as administrator to William Rawlins, sometime provost of Wells,
who was the uncle of his stepsons William, Thomas and Jeremy Shelton
(PRO C 1/1199, 1160/30-32).
It is possible therefore that Sir Humphrey was married three times.
His will was proved PCC, 14 January 1463.
According to the Visitation of Essex, he had a son by the first
marriage, and left three daughters and coheirs by the second marriage:
1. George Brown, died 1558; married Anne Shelton, daughter of Alderman
Nicholas Shelton(PRO C 1/383/71)
2. Mary Brown, married Thomas Wilford
3. Christian Brown, married Sir John Tufton (ancestress of the Lords
Tufton)
4. Katherine Brown, married firstly to Richard Townshend of Raynham,
and secondly to William Roper of Eltham.
NB Katherine's first marriage appears in Genealogics, citing Burke's
Peerage (Richard Townshend, died 1551, was ancestral to the Marquesses
Townshend).
However, the Visitation of Devon, 1564, states that she was then the
wife of Peter Sainthill. Perhaps she was thrice married as well.
In his will of 1535, Robert Shelton leaves a bequest to his sister
Katherine (the transcription in Vis. Norfolk 1564, p 397 calls her
"Katherine Shelton" but it is not clear whether this appears in the
original text or represents a gloss). It is possible that this refers
to Katherine Brown - in which case both she and the testator are
likely to have been the children of Elizabeth Brown/Shelton/Rawlins.
Any comments, additions or corrections welcome.
Michael Andrews-Reading
I have been looking into the relationships between the Brown, Shelton
and Comberford families of London in the early Tudor period. This
network of individuals, many of whom were members of the Mercers'
livery, illustrates the extent to which inter-relationships
flourished, at a time when consanguinity was still an effective bar.
Part 2 of 2
(C) The Browns
Some details of the family of Sir Humphrey Brown, justice of the
Common Pleas, appears in the Visitation of Essex, 1612. He is said to
have been the son of Thomas Brown of Longhouse in Abbess Roding by
Mary, daughter of Thomas Charlton.
The Visitation assigns Sir Humphrey two wives:
(i) Anne Vere, daughter and coheir of Henry Vere of Addington [this is
confirmed by PRO C 1/340/43, which states that George Brown was the
son of Humphrey Brown by Anne, daughter of Henry Vere of Great
Addington]
(ii) Anne Hussey, daughter of John, Lord Hussey
We have seen that he was married sometime after 1515 to Elizabeth nee
Rawlins, Nicholas Shelton's widow (PRO C 1/386/57, 392/11-14). He
acted as administrator to William Rawlins, sometime provost of Wells,
who was the uncle of his stepsons William, Thomas and Jeremy Shelton
(PRO C 1/1199, 1160/30-32).
It is possible therefore that Sir Humphrey was married three times.
His will was proved PCC, 14 January 1463.
According to the Visitation of Essex, he had a son by the first
marriage, and left three daughters and coheirs by the second marriage:
1. George Brown, died 1558; married Anne Shelton, daughter of Alderman
Nicholas Shelton(PRO C 1/383/71)
2. Mary Brown, married Thomas Wilford
3. Christian Brown, married Sir John Tufton (ancestress of the Lords
Tufton)
4. Katherine Brown, married firstly to Richard Townshend of Raynham,
and secondly to William Roper of Eltham.
NB Katherine's first marriage appears in Genealogics, citing Burke's
Peerage (Richard Townshend, died 1551, was ancestral to the Marquesses
Townshend).
However, the Visitation of Devon, 1564, states that she was then the
wife of Peter Sainthill. Perhaps she was thrice married as well.
In his will of 1535, Robert Shelton leaves a bequest to his sister
Katherine (the transcription in Vis. Norfolk 1564, p 397 calls her
"Katherine Shelton" but it is not clear whether this appears in the
original text or represents a gloss). It is possible that this refers
to Katherine Brown - in which case both she and the testator are
likely to have been the children of Elizabeth Brown/Shelton/Rawlins.
Any comments, additions or corrections welcome.
Michael Andrews-Reading
-
Gjest
Re: A London web: Brown, Shelton & Comberford
On Jan 24, 10:37 am, mj...@btinternet.com wrote:
This is confirmed by ODNB, sub Jeremy Shelton
She was pensioned (L4 pa) from St Helen's in 1539 (VCH London, vol I)
These details are confirmed by VCH Essex, vol 4, sub High Ongar.
William and Joan left a son Humphrey Shelton, who fled abroad in the
time of Elizabeth as a notorious recusant.
This is confirmed by ODNB, which has an article on Jeremy Shelton,
providing many additional details of his career.
MA-R
(A) The Sheltons
Nicholas Shelton was a mercer and citizen of London. He served as
Alderman for Castle Baynard ward from 1510 to 1515, and Sheriff from
1511 to 1512; in the latter year he was also Master of his livery
(Beaven's Aldermen of London). His will dated 4 March 1514/5 was
proved PCC 8 November 1515 (21 Holder).
It appears that Nicholas Shelton married twice.
His second wife was Elizabeth Rawlins (said by Pam Shelton-Anderson to
be the daughter of Richard Rawlins,
This is confirmed by ODNB, sub Jeremy Shelton
Issue:
3. Mary Shelton, a nun at St Helen's, London; named in her father's
will, 1515, and her brother's will, 1522
She was pensioned (L4 pa) from St Helen's in 1539 (VCH London, vol I)
6. William Shelton, named in his father's will, 1515; named in his
brother's will, 1535; son of his father's second marriage (PRO C
1/1160/30-32: William, Thomas and Jeremy Shelton sued Sir Humphrey
Brown, Justice of the Common Pleas, their step-father, in relation to
the estate of their uncle William Rawlins); mercer of London, died
1553; married Joan Ferne and left issue
These details are confirmed by VCH Essex, vol 4, sub High Ongar.
William and Joan left a son Humphrey Shelton, who fled abroad in the
time of Elizabeth as a notorious recusant.
8. Jeremy Shelton, son of his father's second marriage (PRO C
1/1160/30-32); named in his brother's will, 1535; mercer of London,
died circa 1556; married Alice Hering
This is confirmed by ODNB, which has an article on Jeremy Shelton,
providing many additional details of his career.
MA-R
-
Gjest
Re: A London web: Brown, Shelton & Comberford
On Jan 24, 10:57 am, mj...@btinternet.com wrote:
ODNB confirms this was the case (biography under 'Humphrey Browne').
However, it gets the order of his marriages wrong, stating his first
wife (married 1516) was Elizabeth Shelton (ff 1541), his second Anne
Vere, and his third Agnes Hussey.
Anne Vere must have been the first wife, as per Vis Essex. We know
that she was the mother of George Brown and was dead by 1515 (PRO C
1/340/43: 'Anne late the wife of Humphrey Brown'); George had married
Anne Shelton by 1518 (PRO C 1/383/24).
This seems to have been the case. Katherine's son, Roger Townshend,
was born circa 1544 (ODNB biography), and Elizabeth Brown/Shelton/
Rawlins was still living in 1541 - thus she cannot have been the
daughter of Humphrey Brown's third marriage. ODNB calls her the
"sister" of Jeremy Shelton.
MA-R
(C) The Browns
The Visitation assigns Sir Humphrey two wives:
(i) Anne Vere, daughter and coheir of Henry Vere of Addington [this is
confirmed by PRO C 1/340/43, which states that George Brown was the
son of Humphrey Brown by Anne, daughter of Henry Vere of Great
Addington]
(ii) Anne Hussey, daughter of John, Lord Hussey
We have seen that he was married sometime after 1515 to Elizabeth nee
Rawlins, Nicholas Shelton's widow (PRO C 1/386/57, 392/11-14). He
acted as administrator to William Rawlins, sometime provost of Wells,
who was the uncle of his stepsons William, Thomas and Jeremy Shelton
(PRO C 1/1199, 1160/30-32).
It is possible therefore that Sir Humphrey was married three times.
ODNB confirms this was the case (biography under 'Humphrey Browne').
However, it gets the order of his marriages wrong, stating his first
wife (married 1516) was Elizabeth Shelton (ff 1541), his second Anne
Vere, and his third Agnes Hussey.
Anne Vere must have been the first wife, as per Vis Essex. We know
that she was the mother of George Brown and was dead by 1515 (PRO C
1/340/43: 'Anne late the wife of Humphrey Brown'); George had married
Anne Shelton by 1518 (PRO C 1/383/24).
According to the Visitation of Essex, he had a son by the first
marriage, and left three daughters and coheirs by the second marriage:
4. Katherine Brown, married firstly to Richard Townshend of Raynham,
and secondly to William Roper of Eltham.
NB Katherine's first marriage appears in Genealogics, citing Burke's
Peerage (Richard Townshend, died 1551, was ancestral to the Marquesses
Townshend).
However, the Visitation of Devon, 1564, states that she was then the
wife of Peter Sainthill. Perhaps she was thrice married as well.
In his will of 1535, Robert Shelton leaves a bequest to his sister
Katherine (the transcription in Vis. Norfolk 1564, p 397 calls her
"Katherine Shelton" but it is not clear whether this appears in the
original text or represents a gloss). It is possible that this refers
to Katherine Brown - in which case both she and the testator are
likely to have been the children of Elizabeth Brown/Shelton/Rawlins.
This seems to have been the case. Katherine's son, Roger Townshend,
was born circa 1544 (ODNB biography), and Elizabeth Brown/Shelton/
Rawlins was still living in 1541 - thus she cannot have been the
daughter of Humphrey Brown's third marriage. ODNB calls her the
"sister" of Jeremy Shelton.
MA-R