From "Notes on Staffordshire Families" - (Staffordshire Historical Society), William Salt Library, Stafford
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Heveningham Arms c. 15th century
HEVENINGHAM OF ASTON
The Heveningham Pedigree was entered at the Heralds Visitations of Staffordshire in 1614 and 1663-4, and is also given in Chetwynd's History of Pirehill Hundred, being brought down in both cases, to the end of the Seventeenth Century.
In Harwood's 1843 edition of Erdeswick's Staffordshire the pedigree is continued to the nineteenth century, but is incomplete ; and even the fuller continuation recorded at Heralds College, though generally satisfactory is not complete, and is seriously misleading, in that it states that the head of the family died without issue, whereas he was twice married, and left a large family of sons and daughters.
I therefore record in these pages the following account of the only surviving line of the Heveninghams which can show any evidence beyond its bare surname, that it comes from this ancient family.
The larger part of these notes will be illustrated by abstracts of Wills and other evidences hitherto for the most part unprinted but it seems unnecessary to repeat in full what has already appeared in the Third and Fifth Volumes of the Staffordshire Historical Collections.
The Heveningham family was brought into Staffordshire by the marriage of Erasmus Heveningham with Mary Moyle early in the sixteenth century. I therefore begin this account with : -
1. ERASMUS HEVENINGHAM. He was the fifth son of Sir John Heveningham of Heveningham in the county of Suffolk and of
Ketteringham in the county of Norfolk by his wife Alice, daughter of Sir Ralph Shelton of Shelton also in Norfolk.
From the Inquisition post mortem of Sir John Heveningham (28, 28, and 31 Hen. VIII) we learn that Anthony his eldest son was aged twenty-nine in 28 Henry VIII, and that in Trinity Term 1530,
a settlement had been made entailing the estates on Anthony, Francis and Erasmus in tail maile successively. It would seem therefore that the second and third sons (Edward and John) must have died young and without issue.
The Inquisition of 31 Henry VIII further shows that Sir John out of his lands in Essex granted Erasmus an annuity of 50 marks until the sum of 266 marks should have been paid. As Sir John's eldest son was aged 29 in 1536-7 Erasmus would be born about 1515. The date of his birth is not without interest, for it is evident that the
choice of his name was made in honour of the famous Desiderius Erasmus whose stay in England is one of the pleasantest and most interesting episodes of the reign of Henry the eighth.
Erasmus Heveningham married a notable heiress, Mary,daughter of Walter Moyle of Kent and (which was much more important) of Isabel his wife, daughter and ultimately sole heiress of Sir John Stanley of Pipe. Sir John Stanley was the son and heir of another
heirsress, namely Helen Lee, daughter and heiress of Sir James Lee of Aston in Stone, Staffordshire.
Considering this succession of "sole heiresses" it is no wonder that Walter Chetwynd describes Mary's inheritance as "great possessions." Here is the formidable list of them. The Manors of Aston (near Stone), Pipe (near Lichfield) and Clifton (Camville), the advowson of Clifton, with divers lands and messuages in Stoke, Burston, Hilderston, Sandon Hardwick, Hanton (Haunton), Harlaston, Hamerwich, Woodhouses, Wiggington, Hopwas and Coton and several burgages in Lichfield and Tamworth.
According to Mr. A. S. Dyer's carefully compiled pedigree of the Moyles, Wlter Moyle had by a wife, name unknown, a son Thomas who lived until 1592. But this wife cannot have been Isabel because we shall find Mary Heveningham described as Isabel's heiress as early as 1564. Apparently therefore, Isabell must have been a yet earlier wife, the first of three. It would also seem that as his eldest brother was aged 15 in 1509-10 Walter Moyle, the fourth son
was born in about 1500 to 1505.
But whatever the reason may have been, Erasmus Heveningham does not seem to have played an important part in Staffordshire or elswhere, and he died intestate, for I find that on the 29th of January, 1559(-60), Administration of Erasmus Heveningham "late of Pip-hall," in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield was granted to Richard Hatchman of Stanes, co. Middlesex, gentleman, because no kinsman of the deceased was found who was willing to accept adminstration.
Erasmus and Mary Heveningham had issue : - II CHRISTOPHER HEVENINGHAM
II CHRISTOPHER HEVENINGHAM, apparently their only child. He, about Easter 1565, bought, by means of a Final Concord, for 230 marks, from John Stanley and Jane his wife, an estate of about 300 acres at Clifton Camvile; but seeing that Christopher married a Stanley, I expect that this was merely a settlement on marriage. It is impossible to be certain how far he and his wife were concerned a few weeks later together with John and Jane Stanley in a Fine relating to a large property in Thicknes, Apedale and Audley. This also was perhaps merely a settlement. Early in 1570 Christopher and Dorothy sold to Simon Biddull a water-mill with some land and two acres of pool in Curborough and Elmshirst. In the Fine whereby this sale was effected, he is called Christopher Hennyngham, his surname taking that form easily because at that date the hard pronunciation of the letter v had not established itself. Other dealings with lands in Staffordshire are recorded. He is always described as "Armiger," that is "Esquire." Christopher Heveningham was born too late for the find old days of raids and retinues in Staffordshire, but the Law Courts still remained. Accordingly, he filed a Bill in Chancery, the official abstract of which was issued on the 11th of February, 1562.
He complains against Thomas and Humphrey Woolverston, that whereas upon the death of Ellen Stanley widow of Sir Humphrey Standley, Knight, which Ellen died seised of the Manor of Aston, near Stone, Co. Stafford, with lands etc., in Stone, a messuage and cottage and lands hereto belonging in Enston Stoke and Aston within the fee of Walton, co. Stafford and a messuage in Whitston Sykes co. Salop, her estate descended to him the Complainant as son and heir of Marie Heveningham daughter and heir of Isabel Moyle daughter and heir of John Standley, Esq., dau. and heir of the said Ellen, divers evidences relating to the property have come into the hands of Thomas Woolverston the elder and the defendant, Humphrey Woolverston, who refuse to deliver them up.
In June, 1564, Christopher Heveningham again petitions in Chancery, giving rather fuller particulars as to the Stanley family:..
'To the Right Honorable Sir Nycholas Bakon, Knight, lord Keper of the great seale of England. 11 June 1564.
In most humble wyse sheweth and complayneth etc., your Orator Christofer Hevenyngham, Esquire, that whereas one Dame Ellen Stanley wydo late wyff of Sir Humfrey Stanley, Knight, being seised of the Manor of Aston in Stone enfeoffed (. . .) to the use of Humfrey Stanley clerke for terme of life, and after his death to use of Gorge Stanley and his heirs male of body, remainder to William Stanley and his heirs male of body, remainder to her own right heirs and whereas the said Humfrey, George and William died without issue male so that after her death one moiety should descend to your said Orator and the other moietie to Dame Elizabeth Hercy as cosin and heir of Dame Ellen, that is to say, Dame Elizabeth as daugher of John Stanley eldest son of the said Dame Ellen, and your Complaynant as son and heir of Marye Heveningham daughter and heir of Isabel Moyle, one other of the daughters of the said John Stanley, eldest son, now certain muniments concerning the premises of right belonging to your said Orator have come into the posession of Thomas Wolverston of (?) Wysord co. Sussex. Esquire and of Humfrey Wolverston of Stotfold in the said County, geneleman, and they detain the deeds by virtue of them refuse your Orator posession of them'.
There can be no reasonable doubt that Humfrey Stanley, clerk, George Staneley and William Staneley were Dame Ellen's three younger sons, for whom she made provision. Humfrey was evidently the Humfrey de Stanley, canon of the Cathedral Church of Oxford, who died in 1557, and who was formerly represented, kneeling and wearing a whie gown in a window of the Church of Northenden, Cheshire.
It is evident from the next mentioned Chancery Suit that Christopher Heveningham and Humfrey Wolverston came to an arrangement, but here again there was a hitch, for on the 8th of June, 1567 the following petition as presented in Chancery.
'To the Righte Honorable Sir Nicholas Bacon Knyght, lord keper of the greitt seall of Englande sheweth etc., Your dayly Orator Cristofer Hevenyngham Esquyer.
He was letely seised of the moyete of the Manors of Stotfold and Weston in the Counties of Stafford and Chester, and of lands in Podmore in the County of Stafford, and he conveyed the said moyeties by dede and by fine to one Humfrey Wolverston, gent, and his heirs in exchaunge for all such lands etc. as the said Humfrey had of the gift graunt and conveyance of one John Hercye Knyghte and Dame Elizabeth his wyfe. Humfrey undertook to deliver all the deeds evidences charters and writings relating to the same and to have the transaction written engrossed sealed and delivered. These things Humfrey though often required had refused to do'.
The Petitioner claims relief, concluding:-
'Any your said Besecher shall dayly praye to god for the preservacon of your good l(ordship) longe to contynewe and endure.'
Thomas Woolverston replies that divers evidences as to the Manor of Aston have come into his hands as executor of Humfrey Stanley, clerk, which evidences are claimed by Sir John Hercy and Dame Elizabeth his wife in her right as cousin and heir of the said Ellen Stanley; also Humfrey Wulverston gent., and Katherine his wife claim some portion of the evidences. He asks that these others may be called to interplead.
As to the other properties he says that Ellen Stanley conveyed the whole to feoffees to the use of her dughter Mawd, who married him, and they had issue, one son Robert, deceased, and a younger son Robert, now living and within age. About thee years since Mawd died.
This answer was taken at Weford co. Stafford 31 march 1562. Humphrey Woolverston's answer is much damaged, and a large part of it torn right away.
He states that Sir John and Dame Elizabeth Hercy conveyed to him and katherine his wife all their moiety of (. . . . . ) Awdley, Stoke, Sandon, Hilderson and Fulforth, and of certain closes and grounds (. . . . ) Brynwick Leaz Redlinges, Oxe close, Nuttingeils, Berry hill, Cornill Close, and Great Railes, and of three messuages in Aston part of the premises in view.
He has no evidences to his knowledge, touching the said Manor.
As to the messuages etc., in Enston, Stoke and Aston, the defendant Woolverston has held them for forty years in right of his wife Mawde.
He mentions that Christopher Heveningham's mother's mother Isabel (Stanley) had married Walter Moyle.
Christopher Heveningham died in 1573-4 and the date of his death was fortunate for his family, seeing that in 1575 Queen Elizabeth made her progress through the Midland Counties, and a few days after she had passed through Staffordshire, John Gifford of Chillington, Brian Fowler of St. Thomas, John Draycote, Erasmus Wolesley, two Erdeswicks and other "notorious papists" were summoned to appear before his Council at Worcester. In almost every case the results were disastrous to those summoned, and Christopher, had he survived, would certainly have been of the number.
Like his father, Christopher Heveningham made no Will; but whether this was the result of policy or carelessness I cannot say. It was obviously inadvisable for Roman Catholics, who were subject to severe financial persecution, to give information such as a Will must supply, to any public authority.
Administration of Christopher "Heningham", of the parish of Stone, Esquire, was granted at Lichfield in 1577 to James Yremonger. No inventory is attached to the document. This Administrator would be, I suppose, the grandfather of Humphrey Ironmonger of Wolverhampton one of the loyalists who assisted in the escape of Charles the Second after the battle of Worcester.
According to the 1614 Visitation of Staffordshire, Christopher Heveningham married Dororthy, daughter of . . . . . Stanley of Aston near Stone. As mentioned by Grazebook, (S.H.C., III, 52) the Stanley pedigree in Lord Hatherton's MS. states that she was daughter (and only child) of William Stanley, brother to John Stanley, father of Isabel, whose daughter Mary Moyle married Erasmus Heveningham. It this be true then Isabel and Dorothy were first cousins, and Christopher married his grandmother's first cousin! Grazebrook does not vouch for the correctness of this, and most certainly I do not. This is not the occasion for overhauling the Stanley pedigree, but it might be useful to know more about the John and Jane Stanley with whom, as mentioned above, Christopher and Dorothy were concerned in the Final Concord of 1565.
Dorothy Hevenningham widow of Stone was included in Bishop Bentham's list of February, 1577-8, "of all such persons, gentlemen and others within the countye of Stafford which come not to the church to heare Divine Service."The Bishop estimates her yearly income from land at £40 and her total income at £433. We also learn that her son was taught by a certain Thomas Whistons and that she had a private chaplain, John Bradbury, and a servant Thomas Lawnder. All these, like herself, were doubtless papists.
In 1581 the Privy Council mention her as one of "the most obstinate and daungerous Recusants" of Staffordshire, agaist whom true bills should have been found by the Grand Jury ; the jurors it is added are ordered to appear at the next Assizes and purge themselves of their contempt and offence done unto her Majesty failing which they are to be brought before their lordships of the Privy Council in the Star Chamber.
In 1586, poor Dorothy is in the grip of the Law. She states that her yearly income is £30, and offers to pay £10 a year for herself and her servant Katherine Comberford so that she and her land may be discharged of the penal statues present and to come against Recusancy. Katherine Comberford was evidently a relation, for Dorothy's mother (Margaret, wife of William Stanley) was a daughter of Thomas Comberford of Comberford (near Tamworth) by Dorothy daughter of Ralph Fitzherbert of Norbury. Thus it came about that "John Comberforth gentleman of the parish of Wednesburie," by his Will dated 23 April, 1559, left to "Cristall Hennyngham, gent, a black damaske gowne and to "Margett Standley (testator's sister) and Dorothie Hennyngham (testator's niece) either of them a Soueraigne which is 20s apiece."
Christopher and Dorothy Heveningham had issue : -
1 Walter, of whom hereafter.
2. William, who not being stated to be dead in the 1614 Visitation was probably then alive. Erdeswick tells us that William "had a rent charge of
29lit. per annum out of all lands in Stffordshire, but harth released."
3. Erasmus, of whom Erdeswick tells us that "he hath the like" annuity of £20 as his brother William. He occurs in 1605 jointly with his brother Walter purchasings lands in Staffordshire and Derbyshire which were conveyed to Walter and his heirs. Again in 1619 he appears to have acquired from his brother Sir Walter and Nicholas son and heir apparent of Sir Walter an estate of some six hundred acres in Aston and Stone. In this case the conveyance was to Erasmus and Richard Brereton, Esq., and the heirs of Erasmus, the object ot it being no doubt a settlement on Walter's daughter Mary, who married Richard Brereton.
1. Mary, married to Anthony Fitzherbert, who was I suppose, the Anthony brother of her brother Walter's wife, mentioned in the 1583 Visitation.
2. Dorothy married (as his second wife) Sir Henry Townsend of Count, co. Salop. Their son, Henry Townsend wrote the interesting diary which has been edited by Mr. Willis Bund for the Worcestershire Historical Society.
The son and heir of Christopher and Dorothy Heveningham was III. WALTER HEVENINGHAM
III. WALTER HEVENINGHAM. He was aged eleven at the date of his father's death, (IPM) so was born about 1552-3. His mother, as we have seen was a Roman Catholic and he was not doubt educated in her faith, for in 1583 he appears in the Heralds' Visitation as husband of Ann the daughter of William Fitzherbert, of the well-known family seated at Norbury. This marriage was no doubt arranged by his mother, for Ann was he second-cousin, of her own generation. Walter then married a cousin of his mother's generation, whereas his fther is supposed to have married a cousin of his grandmother's generation. Dorothy's uncle, Sir Thomas Fitzherbert, was the leading supporter of the old faith in Staffordshire, and the Commissioners of Recusants in 1562 complained most bitterly against him that though "being by us committed to prison and so remaining," through the example of him and two others "a great part of the shires of Stafford and Derby are generally evil inclined toward religion and forbear coming to church and participating of the sacraments."
Walter Heveningham however, was not, I imagine, an extreme recusant seeing that he was appointed high sheriff for the county in 1609, and was knighted at
Whitehall on the 1st January, 1618-19. Some of his dealings with land may be noticed. In 1585 he acquired for 200 silver marks (£133 6s 8d) from Sir Thomas Fitzherbert two messuages and appurtenances with 100 acres of land, 20 acres of meadow, 100 acres of pasture, 10 acres of wood, and 100 acres of furze and heath in Quycksyll and Prestwood and in 1587 sold the same estate to John Fletewood, retaining the meadow and pasture but giving 10 extra acres of wood, for £80. It would appear therefore that 20 acres of meadow and 100 acres of pasture were worth in those days about £50. On the other hand he bought in 1590 eight acres of pasture in Great Pipe for £40; and in 1602, 40 acres of pasture in Pipe and Childerhey for £80.
In 1611 he conveyed by fine, a large part if not the whole of his estate, evidently for the purpose of a marriage settlement to Nicholas his son. Shaw also states that in about 1628-9 he sold his estate at Clifton Camvile to the Coventry family. But apparently in 1624 he, together with his son Nicholas, conveyed one considerable estate at Clifton and Haunton to Nicholas Fitzherbert and another to Robie Ducie.
After this there seems to be very little to say about Sir Walter Heveningham. No doubt further information about him and other members of the family will be found in the Recusant Rolls for Staffordshire when these are published. In 1634 he was certified under Offlow Hundred as bound to supply a heavy-armed horseman, or cuirassier, when required to serve the king. He died yearly in 1636 and as he was born about 1552-3 he must have been about 83 years of age. He had also survived his son and heir for just eight years. Like his father and grandfather, he was neglectful with regard to the making of a Will, but did not carry his neglect to the extreme length of dying intestate, for his nuncupative or oral Will is duly recorded at Somerset House (66 Pyle).
"Memorandum - that on or about the thirteenthdaie of January Anno Domini One thousand six hundred thirty-five stilo Anglie. Sir Walter Heveningham of Pope hill in the Countie of Stafford, Knight deceases beinge weake in bodie but of perfecte mynde and memory did make and declare his Will nuncupative in manner and forme followinge....
Imprimis he bequeathed his soule to god and his bodie to Christian buriall.
Item he bequeathed his land at Lichfield and Elmhurst and all his lands and goods and all that he had to his grand childe Walter Heveningham
Esquire and he also willed and desired his saide grand child that if his goods would not satisfie his debts he would add to them soe they might be paied.
Item he desired his said grand child to give his brother Symon Hevingham Twentie pounds per annum duringe his life. Item he willed his said grandchilde to live with his grandmother and to be lovinge and kinde to her or he used words to that effect in the presence of diverse credible witnesses, viz - Symon Hevyngham, gentleman, Dorothy Cocke and others.
Administration of the deceased's goods in accordance with the tenor and effect of the nuncupative Will was granted on the 3rd May, 1636,
to Walter Hevyngham, the grandson.
The mis-rendering throughtout of the surname, and the appearance of Pipe hall as "Popehall" are curious. Perhaps the memorandum from which the Probate authorities worked, was drawn up by an uneducated person.
Sir Walter Heveningham ws, as we learn from the Will of his grandson Walter, buried in Lichfield Cathedral. He and his wife Ann had
issue :
1. Nicholas, only son, of whom hereafter.
1. Mary, who married first, Richard Brereton of Malpas, Cheshire, by whom she had two daughters and coheiresses namely Dorothy, wife of Oliver, second Viscount Fitzwilliam in the Peerage of Ireland, but died without issue; and Jane, wife of
Christopher Fitzwilliam, Esq. Mary married secondly, Sylvester Plunket, Esq., and lived many years at Ipstones Hall, which she held in jointure.
2. Margaret, born 1591, and married in Lichfield Cathedral (in monasterio Lichfieldiae) in 1610 Christopher Horton of Catton, Derbyshire. He was evidently the Christopher Horton, High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1640, who died in 1659, aged 77 (i.e. born about 1582), but it appears by the pedigree in Glover's "Derbyshire" that his children were by his second wife Parnell Tyringham.
3. Elizabeth, of whom nothing seems to be known but her name recorded in the 1614 Visitation.
IV. NICHOLAS HEVENINGHAM, only son of Sir Walter and Ann Heveningham, was, as his epitaph shows, born in about 1583. He first appears with his father in 1610, as
complainant in a fine relating to the Manor of Catton, Derbyshire, in which Walter Horton, Esq., was deforciant. This was evidently for the purpose of a settlement on the marriage mentioned above, in the same year, of Walter Horton's son Christopher, and Nicholas' sister Margaret. He next appears in a Fine at Michaelmas, 1614, this time with his wife Elizabeth, and his father and mother. This appears to have been for the purpose of a genuine sale of lands in Stone and Burston to Thomas Digby, Esq., Similarly in 1620 he and his father sell a messuage and about 90 acres of land in Stoke and Aston to Thomas
Astberrie.
After this, I have little to record of Nicholas except his death. There is, or was, in Stone Church, a stone on the North Wall bearing the following inscription : - "Here lyes the body of Nicholas Heveningham, Esquire, late of Aston, son and heir of Sir Walter Heveningham, Knt., who died 20th Dec., A.D. 1627, being of the age of 44 years." Above the stone, the Arms and Crest of Heveningham were painted on the wall.
I have not discovered at Lichfield or Somerset House, any Will or Administration of Nicholas Heveningham.
Nicholas Heveningham married on the 18th of January, 1608-9 at Elford (near Tamworth), Elizabeth Bowes. She was born 18th December, 1580, and baptized at Elford on the 24th December, and was the daughter of Sir John Bowes, knight, who had acquired the Elford estate by marriage with his first wife, Ann Huddleston. Ann had inherited a share of it in right of descent from the Stanleys, and Richardson in his account of Elford Church gives her as the mother of Elizabeth. If this had been so, there would have been three consecutive matches with cousins in the direct line of the Heveningham family, but fortunately Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir John by his second wife Susannah Cave. It was also probably well for the subsequent fortunes of the Heveninghams that Elizabeth's kinsfolk were attached to the Church of England as by Law established.
However, I propose to make, a littler later, a short digression as to the family of Bowes, and for the present content myself with mentioning that two days after the wedding of Elizabeth, her father made his Will, wherein he left her a ten years' interest in an estate ot Oakley, meaning, I take it, that Qakley which being in the Derbyshire parish of Croxall, is yet in the County of Stafford.
As may be seen from her Will, Elizabeth Heveningham survived her husband for more than eleven years, and after his
death went to live at Exhall, otherwise Eccleshall, near Coventry.
Nearly thirty years ago I employed Thomas Cooper to make an abstract of her Will, and he found it so interesting that he copied it practically in full, as follows : -
In the name of god amen. The one and twentieth day of January 1638. I Elizabeth Heveningham of Exall neare Coventrie in the Countie of Warwick and Coventrie vid. being perfect of mind and sounde of memorie thanks be to god therefore doe make and ordayne this my present Testament contayning my will in manner and forme followinge. That is to say, I leave my soul to god . . . and my body to be buried in the next church to the place where I departed. To sonne Walter Heveningham my little Cabenet and a payre of holland sheetes and two payre of the finest holland pillow ceares and my little silver candlesticks. To be son Symon Heveningham one fether bed and boulster and two pillows three blankets one yellow coucrled two payre of flaxen sheets two payre of pillow beares all marked with S.H.
Item. To my loucinge Cosen John Bowes sonne of Sir Edward Bowes my wrought goulde Ringe. Item. To my deare and louinge Cosen Mrs. Ellener Bowes his wyfe my stiched Grogoram gowne Kirtle and west-coate, my velvet pretticoate and taffata petticoat, my ridinge safegard and new tufftaffata coate. Item. To my goddaughter Trippet my Tawney Cloath gowne and wascoate and Shagg Bayes Petticoat. Item. To my goddaughter her daughter one silke wrought Coife and Crostelothe one lased Apron. Item. To my Cosen Ann Bows the wife of John Bows grand child to Sir Edward Bows my bigg plaine gould ringe. Item. To Nell Bows her daughter one white Boxe with a locke, my Red Boxe with E.H. one Trunke one lace Apron, one wrough coife and Crosse lothe. Item. To my seruant Ellen Stich my greene stuffe gowne, my red Stufe petticoate, one holland Smocke and the lesse Trunk with Drawers, one black Coife and white Cross Cloath. Item to my servant Mary my gray Cloath gowne, one red under petticoate ( ? I) weare, one flaxen Smocke one flaxen Apron, two new Coarser Aprons, two wrough Coiffes and Crossecloathes white one wood Boxe. Item to Alice Flecher alias Pedley one Bed and Boulster, three old Blankets, one little palloroo, two payre of course sheets my blew cloatch petticoate, and my old night gown, two coarser Aprons. Item to Mrs Brett my loueing friend my best Tawney Cloath Petticoate, one flaxen apron. Item to my sonne Christopher Heveningham all my plate and bedding unbequeathed. Item. I give him all my linnen, my bigg Cabbennet and all the rest of my boxes Trunkes and all my household stuff Brasse pewter Kayne horses and whatever else remayneth after he hath discharged my debts beseeching god to blesse and direct him in all his wayes. And of this my last Will and Testament I institute and ordayne my loueinge sonne Christopher Heveningham sole Executor hopeinge he will performe, and revoking all other Wills and Testaments and Executors. And finally it is my desire to have a banquet at my funnerall, and the poore of the parish releeved with 20s.
Signed: - Elizabeth Heveningham
Witnesses: - Christopher Docwra, George Althofte.
The Will is indorsed with a statement signed by Charles Ashburnham 'Deput,' that the Executor was sworn 27 August 1639.
Nicholas and Elizabeth Heveningham seem to have had no daughters, but they had three sons : -
1. Walter, of whom hereafter.
2. Simon, of whom after the account of Walter and his descendants.
3. Christopher. He took up arms on behalf of the King.
On the 5th of January, 1647, the following petition was presented :-
To the Commissioners for Compositions with Delinquents. The humble petition of Christopher Heveningham of Pipe in the County of Staffordshire, gent., sheweth that in the beginning of these unhappie differences he deserted his habiticom and took upp armes for the King against the parliament, but laid them doune about two yeares since and went beyond seas where he hath remained till about a fortnight since. That he returned to England of intent to prosecute his composion. His humble desire is he may be admitted to repaire to London to prosecute his Composicon and discharge of his delinquency to the Parliament.
On the same day, at Goldsmith's Hall, London 'Lycens' was granted to Christopher Henningham of Pipe co. Stafford, gent., to contynnue within the cities of London and Westminster or elsewhere within the lynes of communicacon to attend his composicion soe as he prosecute the same without delay.
Signes :- Antho Irby (and others).
Christopher Heveningham apparently had no annuity out of the estate, which was perhaps the reason why his mother left him the bulk of her personal property.
He is named in the 1663-4 Visitation, and as no wife is assigned to him he was doubtless a bachelor. He was buried in Stone Church, apparently in the Chancel, at some date prior to the 13th November, 1691.
The son and heir of Nicholas and Elizabeth Heveningham was : -
V. WALTER HEVENINGHAM. It is stated that an entry in the Registers of St. Michael's, Lichfield, records that he was on the 29th October, 1605 "baptized in the Pipe Hall by Mr. Christopher Gill, sexton." If this were so he would be nearer six years of age than four at the time of the 1614 Visitation, yet four is the age then given. I suppose that the baptism was a triumph for his mother, who would seem from her Will to have been a Protestant.
Walter was doubtless a Roman Catholic. She shall find him so described, and he would not otherwise have been allowed to marry his wife, the daughter of Richard Middlemore of Edgbaston. But I cannot definitely prove that he took up arms against Parliament, and that his estate was therefore sequestrated or that he compounded for it. The following are the only references to him in the printed Calendar of the "Papers of the Committee for Compounding" : -
On the 16th November, 1648 the Petition of Robert Pargeter of Gretworth, Northans, gent., was presented as follows ;-
'Your Petitioner for a valuable consideration lately purchased the Manor(s) of Aston and Pipe . . . in the County of Stafford of Walter Heveningham of Aston in the County aforesaid Esquire for the life of the said Walter, and whereas two partes of the sayd Mannors stand sequestred onely for the supposed recusancy of the said Walter etc., the Petitioner prays admission to a reasonable Composition.'
The other reference simply includes Walter Heveningham, Esquire, in a list of Staffordshire Papists.
It would appear therefore that his estate was sequestrated only because he was a papist recusant.
Harwood's (1843) edition of Erdeswick's Staffordshire gives two incidents in the proceedings of the Committee of Sequestration sitting at Stafford, which show the ill feeling of that authority towards Walter Heveningham :-
On the 26th of September, 1644, it is ordered that whereas quarter-master Buxton and J. Shotwell had cattle taken from them by the enemy that have license to take prisoners if they can, John Ridding, Bayliffe to Mr. Heveningham, and William Partrick of Longdon, and to make the best they can of them.
On the 21st of November of the same year, Scoutmaster Collins is authorised to take horses from (among others) Francis Cooke of Pipe, and Walter Heveningham.
As an avowed Roman Catholic, and one of the most influential in Staffordshire, Walter Heveningham must have been regarded with suspicion by his Protestant neighbours. During, I suppose, the greater part of his life, attendance at Church on Sundays was a legal obligation. Apparently he compromised - perhaps occasionally - by attending at Lichfield Cathedral, were the service would be more ornate and less distasteful; for I find that at some unascertained date letters testimonial issued from the Chapter of Lichfield, certifying that he was
accustomed to attend divine service in the Cathedral Church of Lichfield. It is stated that these letters are issued against the accusers (contra calumniatores) who assert that he is a parishioner of the chapel of Stowe and a recusant.
This was a trifle, compared with the risk he ran of being overwhelmed by the machinations of Titus Oates and Oates
imfamous tool Stephen Dugdale. The latter in 1698-9 tried to implicate "one Cotton, Priest to Mr. Heveningham," but as the cleric was an infirm old gentleman aged eighty-six,
the authorities left him in charge of the village constable, which was probably not very irksome. Apparently before this, Dugdale accused Walter Heveningham of contributing money to the design
against the King's life, and of giving somewhat more, that his name might not be put in writing. A fortnight later the accuser names £2000 as the sum subscribed by Heveningham.
Dugdale may well have been speaking the truth when he says that some time before Michaelmas, 1678, my Lord Stafford and my Lord Aston went to Mr. Heningham's of Aston ; for the house was doubtless, and quite naturally, a meeting place for those who held to the old faith, containing as it did, an ancient private chapel. Poor father Ireland (who was executed at Tyburn in February, 1679-80), in attempting to prove an alibi produced a
journal accounting for absence from London every day from the 3rd of August to the 14th of September, and mentioning that he stayed with the Heveninghams at Aston Hall.
A few years after the Oates conspiracy quieter times seemed to be coming for the Roman Catholics of England, and in 1688 with James the Second on the Throne, the Franciscans of Birmingham laid the stones of a Church and Convent in that town. This was chiefly brought about by the exertions of Father Leo Randolph who for thirty years had collected money for the
purpose. The list of subscribers is extant, among them being Mr. and Mrs. Henningham," who gave £4. 3., and who were undoubtedly Walter and Mary Heveningham of Aston. Even the sturdiest Protestant may grieve for Father Leo, who only a few weeks later saw the result of his life's work destroyed, when the Church and part of the Convent were defaced and burned "by the Lord Dellamer's Order." This can only refer to the second lord Delamer of Massey, but whether he could lawfully give such an order I cannot say. It was not, I think, until 1690, when he was created Earl of Warrington, that he received a grant of all lands in six counties, belonging to Jesuits, and even so he would not have been justified in interfering with what was notoriously a Franciscan foundation. The rabble of Birmingham we are told, completed the work by carrying off the building materials.
Walter Heveningham lived in considerable style. In 1666 he paid hearth tax for eighteen hearths at Aston and three at Walton, as compared with Squire Digby of Sandon paying for nineteen, Walter Chetwynd of Ingestre for twenty (lateley twenty seven), Sir Edward Bagot for twenty one, Lord Gerard for twenty one at Bromley and nine at
Winington, and Sir Charles Wolseley for sixteen.
The Will of Walter Heveningham of Aston near Stone, Esquire, dated 13 November, 1691 was proved on the following 5th December at Lichfield. . . .
He desires 'My body to be buried in Stone Church Chancel near to my brother Christopher, but if I die at Pipe Hall, to be buried in Lichfield Cathedral at the feet of my Honnor'd Grandfather Sr. Walter .... without any pomp at all'.
To my two sons in law Sir James Simeon barronet and Walter Fowler, Esq., and to my two daughters their wifes £5 for rings.
To brother Simon Heveningham gent. and nephew Christopher Heveningham and to neece Dorothy Heveningham £5 for rings.
To grandson Edward Simeon 20 guineas. To grandchild Margaret Simeon £100 in broad gold. Residue to wife, also all debts rents and arrears. Mentions lands in Stoke by Stone, in Aldesways and in the Manor of Pipe. Annuity to brother Simon Heveningham gent. To cosen Walter Chetwind Esq., of Ingestrey £2 for a ring.
He appoints his wife and his daughter Bridget Simeon and Walter Chetwynd Executors; the last-named to be a Trustee only except as to the said 40 shillings.
Witnesses: - Joseph Lea, Jas Drayton, W Dudley, Geo. Carrington.
Probate granted to ( ) Heveningham, Bridget Simeon and Walter Chetwynd the Executors.
Walter Heveningham's wife was Mary daughter of Richard Middlemore of Edgbaston, the head of a staunch Royalist and "Recusant" family. The marriage took place probably in 1643, for in May of that year, William Middlemore of Ipsley left a legacy of a gold ring to "my cousin Mrs. Marie Heuvyngham." She survived her husband for some years, and her Will, dated 8th April, 1693, was proved at Lichfield on the 11th August, 1701 : -
Mary Heveningham of Aston near Stone, Relict of Walter Heveningham, Esquire.
She leaves 'All my goods personal estate and chattels to my sonn-in-law Sr. James simeon, Baronet, and he sold Executor.
Witnesses : - J. Potts, Joseph Lee, Ja. Drayton.
Seal:- Issuing out of a coronet the head of an eastern man with a long pointed cap (The crest of Heveningham).
Walter and Mary Heveningham had issue, two daughters and co-heiresses: -
1. Mary, aged 17 in 1663.
She married Walter Fowler of St. Thomas, in Baswick parish near Stafford, and head of a Royalist and Roman Catholic family. She was evidently the 'Maria ux or Walteri Fowler Armigeri' buried at Baswick 18th Dec., 1694. It is clear from her husband's Will dated 6 Feb., 1695-6 that they had no children surviving.
2. Bridget, eventually sole heiress.
She became the wife of Sir James Simeon of Brightwell, Oxfordshire, who was created a Baronet in 1667. According to Foley's 'Diary of the English College at Rome,' James Simeon was admitted as a 'convictor' under the surname of 'Molyneux' in October, 1663. He is mentioned several times in the Fitzherbert Papers, his name appearing as 'Simmons,' 'Symonds,' and like his father-in-law, he was subjected to the accusations of Stephen Dugdale the
informer.
Lady Simeon is stated in 'The Complete Baronetage' to have died in 1691. She was certainly alive on the 5th of December, 1691, when she was one of the Executors who proved the Will of her father.
Sir James and Lady Simeon had three children: - Eedward, second Baronet, James, third Baronet, and Margaret, who married Humphrey Weld of Lulworth Castle, Dorset. The estates of Aston and Pipe Hall thus came to the Weld Family, and were sold by Mr. Thomas Weld some time before 1851, except that Aston Hall was presented to a Roman Catholic Community, in whose possession, I believe it still ramains.
Walter Heveningham had no son, and we therefore return to his brother: -
V. SIMON HEVENINGHAM, who was born presumably in about 1615-1617. His name appears in the 1664-4 Visitation, which merely states that he married 'the da(auhter) of . . . . .. Alport, and tells nothing of his descendants. His wife was Katherine, daughter of Thoms and Katherine Alport of Newton Regis, Warwickshire. She was
baptized there in 1633, her father being a substantial yeoman, grandson of Thomas Alport of the same place, whose Will was proved at Lichfield in 1576. The Alports were evidently Protestants, and Simon Heveningham's marriage would therefore be doubly distasteful to his family.
The Will of Thomas Alport of Newton Regis alias Newton in the Thistles, co. Warwick, Yeoman was dated 21 August, 1658.
The Testator bequeath "to my eldest son Erasmus Alport all my lands and tenements in Newton aforesaid, he to pay £100 to the children of my daughter Katherine Heningham to be equally divided amongst them, to be paid to their guardian within five years next following; and to £200 to my second son Thomas Alport within the said five years and meantime to pay him £3 a year. Should Erasmus not pay these legacies, then I
bequest my two yardlands and tenements known as Dawes and Spencers Yardlands late in the tenure of Richard Butler and John Prinsepp to the said Thomas and the children of Katherine my daughter.
To my daughter Joan Taverner and her children ten shillings each.
to my wife Katherine a featherbed, and another featherbed to my son Thomas.
To the poor of Newton ten shillings.
Executor my son Erasmus.
Witnesses:- Tho Whelpdale, William Hill, Robert Spencer.
The Testator signs with a mark.
Proved by the Executor named, on 15 Apr., 1659.
It will be seen that a guardian had been appointed for the children of Simon and Katherine, the latter being evidently dead, but whether this had been done because Simon was a recusant, or out of the Country, or out of his mind, I cannot say. He evidently received an annuity from the family estate, and it was confirmed to him by his brother Walter's Will. He was therefore alive in 1691. No Will or Administration of him is to be found in P.C.C. or at Lichfield. In accordance with a remarkable document mentioned hereafter, Simon and Katherine had issue as follows:-
1. John Heveningham.
Stated to have been educated as a Papist beyond the seas, and when grown up to have returned to England, and by the contrivance of (his cousin-in-law) Sir James Simeon, to have been confined in 'Bethlem' where he died in a few weeks, evidently without issue.
2. Henry Heveningham.
Of whom an exactly similar story is told, it being added that he died 'not of ten or twelve years.'
3. Christopher Heveningham.
Of whom next
They also had, as we have seen, a daughter :-
Dorothy.
She was mentioned in the Will of her maternal grandmother Katherine Alport;
and was living unmarried in 1691, when her uncle Walter Heveningham left her £5 for a ring.
I interrupt the genealogical narrative in order to give some account of the evidences on which the next few generations of the Heveningham Pedigree are based. In the 1844 edition of Harwood's 'Erdeswick's Survey of Staffordshire,' the pedigree of the above-mentioned Christopher and (some of) his descendants is give; and it is plain that this was contributed either by Thomas White of the Close, Lichfield who died in 1838 or by his son the Rev. Thomas Henry White who died in 1849. This pedigree shows (quite correctly) that Thomas White the father had married Mary Remington daughter of the Rev. D.W. Remington by Mary, daughter of Christopher Heveningham of Lichfield, son of the above mentioned Christopher. It shows also that the first Christopher had three other sons beside his namesake, vi\. Henry (the eldest),
Walter (the second), and Brooke. But it states, quite incorrectly, that Henry died without issue.
The the eighth edition of Burke's 'Landed Gentry' appears (on page 200) an account of the White-Thomson family descended from the marriage of Robert Thomson with Mary, sister and heiress of the above Rev. T.H. White; and here it is stated that the younger Christopher
Heveningham was 'last male representative of the Heveningham of Pype and Aston, co. Stafford. This statement also is incorrect, he was not the last male nor even the senior representative.
The late Sir Robert White-Thomson of Broomford Manor, Devon being the representative of the White family of Lichfield, made careful
researches into the Heveningham pedigree, which he entered in Herald's College from Simon
downward to Mrs. Remington but he made no assertion as to Henry (son of Christopher) beyond his birth, and believed that nothing more was recorded of him at Herald's College. Sir Robert also discovered, among the papers of the White family the following remarkable document, a copy of which he supplied to Mr. Aleyn Lyell Reade, who printed it in Part I of 'Johnsonian Gleanings.' Mr. Reade has most kindly given me permission to make use of it, and as it is essential evidence, I reproduce it in full. A note by Mr. Reade points out that as the document speaks of Sir James Simeon having died 'about eight years ago,' its date must be about 1717.
THE CASE of CHRISTOPHER HEVENINGHAM OF THE CITY OF LICHFIELD, GENT.
=================================================================
"He is grandson of Nicholas Heveningham, Esq., who was son of Walter Heveningham, of Pipe, in the county of Stafford. The said Nicholas had 3 sons, vizt. Walter, Symon and Christopher. Xtopher dyed unmarried. Walter had no issue male, but had two daughters, one married to Walter Fowler, Esq., the other to Sir James Simeon.
Symon had issue, John, Henry and Christopher, who is the party claiming. His brothers John and Henry were both educated Papists beyond the seas, and when grown up returned to England, when Sir James Simeon found means to have them both put into Bethlem (to prevent them claiming the estate belonging to the Heveninghams) where John died in a few weeks, & Henry not of 10 or 12 years. Sir James also contrived to send this claimant Xtopher into the Indies, where he remained many years (and was sid to be dead, to Sir James, his great satisfaction) but has returned and embraced the Protestant Religion of the established church of England - married and hath issue now living 4 sons and one daughter." He made a claim to the estate in Chancery, and Sir James Simeon told Mr. Lee (who was the claimant's Lawyer) that he had no right to the estate, while his aunt Heveningham was living, but when she died, it was his. Proceeding in Chancery, he obtained a decree of 50l. per Annum to be paid out of Pipe Estate. In the beginning of Queen Anne's reign (*1702 - 1714) he brought an Ejectment against Sir James. Issue was joined, council feed, an Evidence ready for a trial, when Mr. Gatticre, Sir James his attorney, came to Mr. Porter, the claimant's attorney, and said he had a fine and recovery upon the estate, and produced a parchment, which Mr. Porter scarcely perused when he said he would acquiesce in the matter, and he would not try the case.
Note. There was search made in the proper offices.. .. & no recovery to be found, only a common fine, and search has been since made but no recovery found.
Sir James Simeon died about 8 years ago, and left issue a son, now Sir Edward Simeon, and a daughter married to ---- Wylde (sic Humphrey Weld), Esq.
Sir Edward is a batchelor, was sent into France to be educated in the Popish religion, and came into England about 10 years ago, and about 4 or 5 years ago went to France again & did not return to England of near two years lame of a knee, which he pretends came by leaping over a fountaine, but it was commonly reported he was killed in the Franch service, and he himself has declared that he was in the camp in Flanders, and saw both the french & confederate armies, and his 2 servants Robert Brent & Francis Danielli have often owned the same. When Sir Edward & the claimant (Christopher Heveningham) have been serious in discourse concerning the estate, Sir Edward has no ways denied the claimant's title, but said the reason he did not enjoy it was because he was cut off for being a heretick. (Source: Notes on Staffordshire Families)
(Query) Whether the Laws against Papists did not disqualify any proceedings to cut off a Protestant heir -- & transfer an estate from the family of the Heveninghams to the Simeons --- the Heveninghams by a lineal descent having succeeded to their patrimony long before William the Conqueror, & the last settlement made to continue the name in the Blood & Kindred in the reign of King James the first.
Sir Edward Simeon (son of Sir James) enjoys lands of the yearly value of 2,000L nearly, all or most of which 'tis said came by the Heveninghams, who are now reduced to 50L. p. Annum for the father and 4 sons and one daughter to subsist upon.
(Query) Which is the best way to proceed for relief in the case above -- whether to petition the Parliament, or in Equity, or at common Law.
"Sir James has formerly overpowered the claimant by his heavy purse, which occasioned the sale of a good estate the claimant had in right of his wife - and tho' Sir James in his life-time did know & Sir Edward now does know the claiment to be right... he is reduced for want of money & friends to assist him."
A valuable supplement to the foregoing 'Case' is the Will of Sir Edward Simeon, Baronet, of whom Christopher speaks so slightingly. The following is a full abstract of it:-
Sir Edward Simeon of Brightwell Priory, near Watlington, Oxfordshire, Baronet.
Will dated 15 June 1764
The Testator desires to be buried at Aston, co. Stafford. He mentions Edward and Thomas elder and younger sons of his nephew Edward Weld; his niece Elizabeth Bridget Weld.
He leaves to John Heveningham, Gent, £20; to James son of Walter Heveningham £10; to Brooke Heveningham £10; to Mrs Mary Remington £20; to her sister Mrs Arabella Heveningham £20; to the two daughters of Henry Heveningham by his first wife £10, and to the six children of Henry Heveningham by his second wife £....
Whereas in 1736 he made an indenture as to the Manor of Pipe, subject to the interest of Christopher Heveningham, Senior, of Twyneforth, co. Stafford, Gent., who is since deceased as is his son Henry.
Now in accordance therewith, he charges it with a yearly rent of Threescore Pounds in favour of -
Edward Heveningham son and heir of Edward Heveningham deceased who was eldest son of the said late Henry Heveningham deceased, by his first wife:
Remainder to Edward Heveningham's sons and their sons in tail male;
Remainder to John Heveningham second son of the said Henry Heveningham deceased by his first wife, and to his sons and his sons' sons in tail male;
Like remainders in tail male to James Heveningham, Charles Heveningham and Thomas Heveningham the first, second and third sons of the said Henry Heveningham by his second wife;
Remainder to the heirs male of the said Christopher Heveningham, Senior.
Remainder to the same Christopher's right heirs.
But the said Annuity is charged with an annual payment of £10 for life to Mary widow of the said Henry Heveningham.
Executors:- James Howse, and my niece Elizabeth Bridget Weld.
Prove in P.C.C. 28 January, 1769 (27 Bogg).
I have also had access to the papers left by the late Mr. William Warner Parry, which relate to the claim made about the middle of the nineteenth century by the descendants of Charles Heveningham of Lichfield (Died 1782) und the the Will of John Heveningham of Virginia who died in 1819-10. This claim, which apparently was not made until about 1840, was carried to a successful issue by Mr. Parry in 1852. The evidence on which he relied ws largely the personal testimony of old people including no doubt that of his mother's aunt who was a Heveningham and first-cousin to the Virginian. Mr. Parry was able to inform me that the Virginian's father was also named John but that as it was not necessary for the purpose of the claim, he had not troubled to procure evidence as to the father of the elder John. He therefore affiliated the latter incorrectly in the family pedigree he drew up, and I have only lately discovered the true descent. In his pedigree, Mr. Parry not knowing of Sir Edward Simeon's Will, repeated Harwood's mistake in stating that Henry Heveningham (son of Christopher) died without issue.
It will be convenient to give here in tabular form, without additions from any other source, the Heveningham Pedigree proved by the 'Case' and by Sir Edward Simeon's Will
Simon Heveningham
Son of Nicholas
|
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
1. John H.
2. Henry H.
3. Christopher H.
Died s.p.
Died s.p.
Evidently 'Christopher H., Senior,
about 1705
of Twyneforth.' In 1717 had four
sons and one daughter. Was living
in 1736, dead in 1764.
|
-------------------------------------------------
|
1st wife = Henry H. = Mary, 2nd wife,
| Died before 15
| Living 15 June 1764
| June 1764
|
---------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
1. Edward H.
2. John H. 1. James H.
2. Charles H.
3. Thomas H.
Dead before Living
All three living 15 June, 1764
15 June 1764 15 June 1764
|
Edward H.
son and heir living
15 June 1764
I now return to the above-mentioned
VI. CHRISTOPHER HEVENINGHAM
(son of Simon). He was evidently under age in 1658. He made what seems to have been an advantageous marriage, his wife being Mary, only daughter and heir of William Brooke of Elford in the County of Stafford, but as he states in the 'Case,' he dissipated her fortune in the attempt to wrest the Heveningham estates from the Simeon family. He settled at Lichfield and was certainly the 'Mr. Christopher Heveningha, Heveningham, Henningham, whose name occurs in the poll-books of that City down to 1718. But the Christopher Haveningham, Heveningham, who appears in 1721 and 1727 may be his son.
From a series of original deeds in my possession, I learn that on the 11th and 12th November, 1692, Mary Brooke, described as 'of Tamworth, co. Warwick, spinster,' mortgaged The Holms and other lands appurtenant to Elford Mills, to Samuel White of Middleton, co. Warwick, Yeoman, as security for the repayment of sixty-three Pounds on the 13th November, 1694. The documents are accompanied by an affidavit that she was unmarried and at her own disposal, and at the foot of this is wirtten :- The abovesaid, Mary bruks was maried to one. Mr. Henignham by parson bowyer at meryuale church nouember the 28th, 1692.
At the back of this paper are acknowledgments that "all Mr. Heningham's intrust" had been paid up to May, 1697.
In another deed dated 15th April, 1699, Samuel White's interest was transferred to William Lovelace of Clifton Campvile, Gent. In this, Christopher Heveningham is described as late of Elford, now of Burton upon Trent, Gent., and Mary his wife as daughter ad heir of William Brooke late of Haslour in the said County of Stafford, gent., deceased. The last deed of the series, dated 10 May, 1700 is an assignment by Isaac Hawkins of Burton upon Trent, Esquire and William Lovelace, of their interest in the property mortgaged by Christopher and Mary Heveningham. But what they now
assign is not merely the Holms and other lands appurtenant to Elford Mills, but the Mills themselves with all the 'lands appertaining to them, and also all the lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever of Christopher and Mary in the parish of Elford. The Assignees were John Goldsmith of the city and county of Lichfield, milliner, and Ellinor his wife. Christopher Heveningham is described in this document as late of Burton upon Trent, now of the city of Lichfield, gent. It may also be added that in a previous document dated 12th October, 1699, to which Isaac Hawkins was a party. Mary Heveningham's father William Brooke was described as 'nephew and heir of John Brooke heretofore of Harleston in the said county of Stafford.' This description was no doubt, inserted because some of the Elford property was derived from this John, who by his Will dated 1670, and proved (in P.C.C.), 1673, bequeathed his mill and lands in Elford to his nephew William Brooke Esquire for life, remainder to William's son if any, or to a 'daughter if there was no son.'
Christopher Heveningham towards the end fo his life removed to Tenford in the parish of Cheadle. He was evidently a rolling stone, and wasted his substance in improfitable ligitation, the consequence being that probably some of his children, and certainly many of his remoter descendants, were and are in quite humble circumstances. There can be little doubt that from him have descended all subsequent Heveninghams and Henninghams of the South Staffordshire and Birmingham district.
As to the merits of his claim against Sir James Simeon it would be difficult without much further research to pronounce an opinion. Many expectant heirs have had their hopes overthrown by a Fine and Recovery, and Christopher's claim that the last Settlement of he estates had been made in the reign of James the first seems to overlook the fact that there had been a settlement on the marriage of Walter Heveningham and Mary Middlemore in 1642 and a subsequent revocation of Uses in 1652.
The Will of Christopher Heveningham dated 23rd November, 1737 which was proved at Lichfield (Diocesan Court) on the 3rd of March 1737-8 :
Christopher Heveningham of Tennford in the parish of Cheadle, Gentleman.
(The religious phrases of the opening sentence are undoubtedly those of a Protestant).
The Testator leaves to his son Brooke Heveningham all personal estate, and the messuage at Tenford which Testator now inhabits and which he purchased from Edward Hale of Cranidge, Cheshire, Gent., with all its appurtenances.
He leaves one shilling to his son Henry Heveningham of Spade Green, Staffordshire, to his son Christopher Heveningham, and to his daugher Henrietta Maria Picken wife of William Picken of Eccleshale.
He makes his loving son Brooke Heveningham Executor.
Witnesses: - Edward Smith, Arthur Browne.
He seals with A wheatsheaf fesswide, thereon a bird.
The Inventory amounts to £25 6 11.
The Testator's signature is very feeble and sprawling, and suspisciously unlike his signatures to various deeds which are extant, not only in the form of the initial C but even in the spelling of the name. It may be represented thus: -
Christ o pher Heavingham.
As the children mentioned in his Will correspond exactly with these mentioned in the 'Case,' it may be assumed that Christopher and Mary Heveningham left only the surviving issue given below, but there had been another son also named Brooke, who was Baptized at St. Mary's, Lichfield on 11 Jan., 1700, and buried in June, 1703. Christopher's wife evidently the 'Mary wife of Christo Heningham' buried at St. Mary's Lichfield on the 4th April, 1721. The notes supplied by Grazebook to the 1663-4 Visitation of Staffordshire seem to show that the correct surname of her family was 'Brookes.' The pedigree entered does not attempt to prove any connection with the Brookes of Norton, Cheshire, yet the Arms of that well-known family (Argent a cross engrailed per pale sable and gules) were allowed to the ******** Brookes, differenced merely by an annulet gules in the dexter quarter.
Christopher and Mary Heveningham had issue : -
1. Henry Heveningham, of whom next.
2. Walter Heveningham, born at Elford 11th and baptized there 22nd January, 1695. He was evidently the father of that 'James son of Walter Heveningham to whom Sir Edward Simeon left £10.
He voted for Sneyd in the Lichfield Parliamentary elections of 1718 and 1727 being a freeman of the city.
Walter's Will shows that he was engaged in the leather trade at Lichfield. The following is a full abstract of it, but unfortunately the Testator does not mention the names of his children.
Walter Heveningham of the City of Lichfield, Fellmonger.
Dated 7 April, 7 George II (1734).
'All to my loving wife Mary, and she to educate my dear children, and she sole executrix.'
Witnesses : - Theo Levett, Edward Holmes.
The Testator seals with the Armorial Seal of the winess Theophilus Levett, namely : - A lion rampant crowned, within an orle of cross-corsslets fitchy. Cres, - A demi-lion holding a corss-crosslet fitchy.
Proved by the Executrix 7th February 1734-5. Under £20.
It is possible that this Mary was the tesatrix of the will of 1763 which I have assigned to Mary the widow of Henry, but the mention of landed property in St. Michael's parish, and the date of
probatle (1770), confirm to some extent the opinion I have formed.
3. Christopher Heveningham, of whom hereafter, in Section III
4. Brooke Heveningham baptized at St. Mary's Lichfield, 11 Jan., 1700 ; buried June 1703.
5. Brooke Heveningham. Baptized at St. Mary's Lichfield 1 March, 1704-5. Principal legatee and Executor of his father 1737-8. Living in 1764, when Sir Edward Simeon left him £10.
1. Anne, of those existence I only know from the Pedigree registered at Herald's College, which assigns to her the date 1692. She must have died young, for the 'Case' only mentions one daughter.
2. Henrietta Maria, baptized at St. Chad's Lichfield as 'Henarita Maria daughter of Christopher Henningham' 11 January 1700-1. Her father in his Will dated 1737 leaves her one shilling and speaks of her as wife of William Picken of Ecclesale. Pesumably this means Eccleshall near Stafford.
I now come to : -
VII. HENRY HEVENINGHAM. (son of Christopher, senior). He was baptized at Elford 8 February, 1693. On the 13th February 1714-15 he married at St. Mary's Lichfield Mary
Ledwood, whose surname is quite strange to me. Considering his age at the date of this marriage, it is plain that Mary Ledwood must have been the 'first wife' of Henry, mentioned in Sir Edward Simeon's Will. In 1718, Henry, and his father were on the panel from which was chosen the jury for the trial of Michael Johnson father of Dr. Samuel Johnson at Lichfield Quarter Sessions. Apparently however, only Christopher served.
According to Harwood's Erdeswick (p. 43), Henry Heveningham was buried at Hammerwich on the 4th of February, 1748, and he was evidently the Henry Heveningham of Woodhouses, in the parish of St. Michael in the city of Lichfield, administration of whose effects was granted at Lichfield 23rd October, 1749, to Mary his widow. The
bondsmen were William Middleton of Burntwood in the parish of St. Michael, Yeoman, and Ralph Wright of Burntwood, Framework Knitter. Woodhouses with Burntwood and Ediall is part of the ancient parish of St. Michael Lichfield, as also is the adjacent chapelry of Hammerwich. The registers of the last-named place date from 1721, so that in 1748 its chapel doubtless served as the parish church for Woodhouses. White's Directory of Staffordshire (published 1851) states that Pipe Hall Manor-house is in the hamlet of Woodhouses.
After the death of Henry Heveningham, his widow apparently removed to the neighbourhood of London, for it was most probably her Will of which the following is an abstract : -
Mary Heveningham of Highgate, Middlesex, Widow ** (see authors note below)
Dated 7 January, 1763.
She leaves to her daughter Mary Heveningham all her real estates, containing seven acres in the parish of St. Michael's in the city of Lichfield, and now or late in the tenure of . . . . Snape, and all her real estate elsewhere in Lichfield and the county of Stafford to her said daughter, and also 'all my goods and chattels.
Witnesses: - E. Waterman, Anne X Webb, Richard X Webb
Proved in the P.C.C. by the Executrix 2 April 1770 (145 Jenner).
Henry Heveningham by his first wife Mary Ledwood had issue :-
1. Edward Heveningham, who was dead in 1764, having left a son (apparently his only son) and heir also named Edward, who evidently died without male issue, seeing that the annuity entailed upon
him in tail male devolved upon his kinsman as will hereafter appear. The elder Edward was probably the Edward Heaveningham whose daughter Mary was buried at St. Chad's, Lichfield, 2 May, 1753, and who was himself buried there 26 Aug. 1758.
2. John Heveningham, living in 1764, whom I identify with John the father of John Heveingham of Virginia. He was clearly the 'John Heveningham Gentleman' to whom Sir Edward Simeon left £20. The evidence for the father of John of Virginia being also named John is, as stated above, the information of the late Mr. William Parry. The reasons for identifying John the father with John son of Henry, will be given presently.
The son, John Heveningham of the County of Chesterfield, Virginia, made his Will on the 18th of December, 1809 and as the contents may be of interest on both sides of the Atlantic, I give a fairly complete abstract.
The Testator left his whole estate upon trust to his friends John Warden and John Leslie of the City of Richmond, and Thomas Goode and James Scott the elder of Manchester in the County of Chesterfield, for the purpose "that they shall permit my negro woman slave Nancy, and all her future progeny to live within this commonwealth and without burthening the same or any person therein to provide for her and themselves their subsistence for ever." The Trustees are to allow Nancy an annuity of 50 dollars for the education and maintenance of her child Page Ann until the age of ten years and an annuity of 50 dollars for the
education and maintenance of her daughter Sukey or Susan until the age of ten years, on reaching which they shall enjoy the same privileges and immunity as their mother. The Testator add - ' my intent and design was to have made these slaves absolutely free, and my wish is that they shall be so if ever the existing law providing that emancipated slaves shall remove themselves out of the commonwealth shall be repealed.
His estate is to be sold, but the other children of Nancy are not to be sold to any person residing more than ten miles from the place where she shall choose to fix her residence at the time of sale.
The proceeds are to be used to pay his debts etc. and to discharge a bond due to his friend John Leslie and also to pay John Leslie a legacy of 1000 dollars; and further to pay John Wood of Moorfields in the City of London, Great Britain, for the use of the person who was his wife on 1 January, 1784, three hundred and thirty three and one third dollars; and to pay Joseph Boyce of the City of Richmond (who can inform them of the state of the family of John Wood of Moorefields) 100 dollars; and finally, 'to remit to my Aunt Mary Heveningham, Widow of my Uncle Charles Heveningham of Dam Street, Lichfield, or in case of her death to her children to be divided among them, all the residue of the proceeds of the said sale".
This Will was proved in the Court of Chesterfield Virginia on the 8th of January, 1810. It will be noticed that its arrangements were incomplete, as it made no provision for the disposal of the surplus of the fund devoted to the maintenance of the Negro Woman and and her two children.
Complications also arose owing to the death of M. Leslie, and it was impossible le to wind up the estate because though Susan and all her progeny, and later Page Ann and four of her progeny, had been induced to emigrate to Liberia, yet Nancy herself lived until 1845 and there was still responsibility to the State in respect of Page Ann's fifth child Mary and Mary's daughter. Consequently in 1852 there was a compromise with Mr. James Scott, junior, who had succeeded to the trusteeship, and the representatives of Mary Heveningham received about £1300.
The Will, and the proceedings in connection therewith make it clear that John Heveningham of Virginia left no legitimate issue.
1. . . . . . . a daughter, mentioned by Sir Edward Simeon.
2. . . . . . . a daughter, mentioned by Sir Edward Simeon.
Henry Heveningham and his second wife, who also was named Mary ** (see authors note below), had issue : -
3. James Heveningham, living in 1764. He evidently died without issue male, for the entailed annuity came (as will appear) to the son of his younger brother Charles.
4. Charles Heveningham, living in 1764, whom I identify with Charles Heveningham of Dam Street, Lichfield, who was uncle to John Heveningham of Virginia. Of this Charles and his descendants, I give an account hereafter in Section 1.
5. Thomas Heveningham, living in 1764, whom I identify with Thomas Heveningham of Wolverhampton who is known to have been brother of Charles Heveningham of Dam Street, Lichfield. This Thomas died at a great age in 1823. I give an account of him and his descendants, in Section II.
Henry Heveningham and his second wife had three other ch8ildren, mentioned but not named by Sir Edward Simeon. There children were doubtless daughter, not being included in the entail of the Annuity.
** This Mary Heveningham was Henry's 3rd wife, Mary Perry. His first wife was Mary Ledward (m. 1713-14) , his second wife was Dorilo Walter (m. 1716-17) and his 3rd wife was Mary Perry (m.
abt. 1730).
SECTION I.
VIII. CHARLES HEVENINGHAM (identified above as son of Henry), was born, as mentioned about 1737-8. The earliest reference to him I have discovered is contained in an Abstract of Title to an estate in Erdington, Warwickshire, which records an Indenture of 17 June, 1774. By this deed, to which (his brother) Thomas Heveningham then of Birmingham, mercer and draper, was a party, the property was conveyed to Charles Heveningham of the City of Lichfield, mercer and draper and Joseph Jobourne of Wood End, Shenstone, yeoman, evidently in trust for Thomas and his issue. Charles was believed to have lived for some time at Pipe Hall, but to have ended his days at Dam Street, Lichfield. He was a Roman Catholic and not a prosperous man, and, did not make a Will. He died 6th May, 1782, and was buried at St. Michael's, Lichfield. On the 7th of November, 1782 Administration of Charles Heveningham of the parish of St. Mary, Lichfield, mercer was granted at Lichfield to Mary Heveningham his widow, John Robinson of Appleby, Leicestershire being joined with her in the Administration Bond.
Charles Heveningham married Mary Robinson of Appleby, Leicestershire. She died 20th October, 1800, aged 56, her death being thus recorded in "The Staffordshire Advertiser" of the 1st November : - 'On Monday sennight at Lichfield, Mrs. Heveningham/' The following is an abstract of her Will : -
Mary Heveningham of Lichfield City, Widow. Dated 1 July, 1800.
Her son Charles has been provided for, so she leaves him a silver ladle etc.
She mentions her children Elizabeth, Henry and Mary. The last-named is to receive her legacies at the age of 25.
She makes her brother Mr. John Robinson, and her son Henry Heveningham, Executors. Proved in P.C.C. by the Executors, 1st September, 1801. (Abercrombie 593).
Charles and Mary Heveningham had issue as follows : -
1. Charles Heveningham, born at Lichfield, 9th July, 1772.
He emigrated to Jamaica, and there died, in the same year as his mother, whom he predeceased. His death was announced in the "Staffordshire Advertiser" of the 10th January, 1801: - 'At Jamaica, in the West Indies, Mr. Charles Heveningham eldest son of Mrs. Heveningham of Lichfield, deceased.'
He probably made his Will before leaving England.
Charles Heveningham of Lichfield, Gentleman. Dated 4 November 1794.
He leaves everything to his mother Mary Heveningham, and makes her Executrix.
The Will was proved in P.C.C. by his mother's Executors already mentioned, and on the same date, 1st. September 1801, it being stated that she had survived him. (Abercrombie 596).
2. Henry Heveningham, born at Lichfield, 7th June, 1776.
Buried at Bridgewater Street Wesleyan chapel, Manchester, 5th July, 1807.
The following is an abstract of his Will, from which it seems clear that he had inherited the annuity secured by Sir Edward Simeon's Will to the heirs male of Henry Heveningham (VII).
Henry Heveningham now of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
Dated 17 March 1807
He desires 'that all my lawful debts may be immediately paid out of the procedure (sic) by the sale of my share of an annuity of £60 per annum of which my two loving sisters possess a share each of twenty pounds per annum. To them my sisters I bequeath each a handsome gold mouring ring as a token of my affection. Likewise one each to Mr. and Mrs. Westmead for their unbounded kindness to me. After the other expenses attendant on my funeral I leave and bequeath all and everything viz. the Residue from the sale of my Annuity, my
chest of Linen, plate and china together with my gold watch, clothes and everything belonging to me at the time of my decease to Elizabeth the daughter of John Brown of Dothell in the County of Salop as a token of my affection for her.'
Executors, Edward Westhead (? of Manchester.
Witnesses:- Rich. Panter, Ann Onions, Robert Agnew M.D.
On Wednesday 13 April 1808 appeared the said Robert Agnew, and desposed that the Testator had written 'Eliza' in place of 'Elizabeth' in error, as she was usually so called.
Proved in P.C.C. 22nd April 1808. (Eley 303).
3. John Heveningham, born at Lichfield, 1778, died 8th and was buried at St. Michael's, Lichfield, on the 10th April, 1785.
4. George Heveningham, born at Lichfield 9th August, 1782, died on 27th
September following and was buried at St. Michael's, Lichfield.
1. Elizabeth Heveningham, of whom next.
2. Mary Heveningham, born at Lichfield, 1777, or, as stated on another paper, 27th April, 1780.
She was married : -
First, on the 4th of August 1804 at St. Philip's Church Birmingham, to John Hobbs by whom she had
issue, John Hobbs junior, born 23rd May 1805 and baptized at St. Ann's Church, Westminster in the following November. John Hobbs senior was
buried at the Parish Church of St. Pancras, London on the 15th February 1834. John Hobbs junior described as 'of 35 Southampton Row, Russell Square, London, Surgeon, only son and heir of John and Mary Hobbs of London, deceased,' assigned on the 27th of March, 1852 to his niece Margaret Banks all his moiety of the estate derivable under the Will of John Heveningham of Virginia. John Hobbs junior married Mary daughter of John Hicks (his mother's second husband), and had issue, two daughters, Mary and Sarah.
Second, on the 10th of August 839, at St. George's Bloomsbury to John Hicks.
He was buried on the 18th My 1842 at St. John's Church, Horsley-down, Surrey, aged 64.
She was buried on the 14th July 1849 at St. James' Cemetery, Kentish Town, London.
IX. ELIZABETH HEVENINGHAM (daughter of Charles) was born at Lichfield, 18th August, 1774. On the death, unmarried in 1807, of her last surviving brother, Henry, she became the senior co-heiress of her father. She was married at St. Philip's church, Birmingham, in or about the year 1800 to William Warner, who appears to have been both of Kitwell Hall (his birthplace) in the parish of Frankley, Worcestershire, and also of the parish of St. Philip's, Birmingham.
He was buried at St. Philip's on the 30th October, 1835, aged 73 ; and she on the 17th of May, 1823.
William and Elizabeth Warner had issue :
1. William, born at Kitwell in 1800; died unmarried in March, 1820 and was buried at St. Philip's, Birmingham.
2. John, born at Kitwell in 1809, baptized at Frankley 18th Sept., 1811, died unmarried in 1833.
3. Charles, born 18th Dec., 1813, baptized at the parish church of Aston-juxta-Birmingham, 23rd Oct., 1824. He married Catherine Wood by whom he had issue five sons and three daughters. In the issue of this marriage, the representation of his mother is now vested.
1. Mary, born at Kitwell, 1802 ; died in 1809.
2. Eliza, born at Kitwell, 1803 ; married at St. Philip's, Birmingham in 1827. They lived in the parish of St. Thomas, Birmingham, and had three children - Samuel, Eliza and Maria.
3. Margaret, born 6th June, 1827. she married three times:
(1) Robert Jones Parry ; of Aston-Juxta-Birmingham
(2) Samuel Banks of Edgbaston, Birmingham.
(3) Sir John Judkin-Fitzgerald (second) Baronet of Lisheen, county Tipperary.
By her first husband, Margaret has issue.
(1) Robert Jones Parry, died an infant.
(2) William Warner Parry, whose investigations into the Heveningham pedigree have already been mentioned.
(3) Margaret Parry, born 1827. She married, at Llanidloes, Montgomery, in 1847, the Rev. Evan Pughe,
Vicar of Bangor, subsequently Rector of Llantrisant, and Rural Dean. By him she had a large family, of whom the youngest, Alice Gertrude Pughe, married in 1891, Philip Halliley Carter of Birmingham (now Major, retired) from whose papers much of the foregoing information has been derived. To him we are indebted for the cost of the engraving of the Heveningham seal of Arms.
SECTION 11 - Heveningham of Wolverhampton
VIIIb. THOMAS HEVENINGHAM (identified above as son of Henry). That he was brother of Charles (VIII) of Lichfield is stated in a letter written by the above-mentioned Lady Judkin-Fitzgerald (his great-neice) somewhere about the year 1880. It is also borne out by the Abstract of Title mentioned above, in which Charles Appears as trustee for the marriage settlement of Thomas, the latter being then of Birmingham ; but the Abstract includes a sttement by Elizabeth Barney that Thomas had
subsequently settled at Wolverhampton. He was like Charles, a Roman Catholic, as his descendants are at the present day, and I have thus no hesitation in identifying these three brothers, John, Charles and Thomas with the three sons of Henry Heveningham (VII) bearing these names. It seems obvious that they did not (as Mr. William Parry imagined) belong to the Protestant branch of the family, of which I give an account in Section III.
It is shown by the Abstract of Title referred to above, that Thomas Heveningham then of St. Martin's Parish, Birmingham, married on the 11th of April, 1774, Elizabeth Reeve of Aston-juxta-Birmingham, and that she was the daughter of Thomas Reeve, late of Houndsfield, King's Norton, and then of Erdington, Gentleman, by his then late wife Ann,
formerly Ann Astley, spinster. The use of the word "then," almost implied that Thomas Reeve had a "now" wife; and it appears that on the 30th September, 1772, Thomas Reeve and Mary "Heaveningham" were married by licence at St. Michael's, Lichfield. I expect that Thomas Reeve married Thomas Heveningham's sister Mary to whom her mother (as already mentioned) left seven acres in St. Michael's parish. If this were so, the match between Thomas Heveningham and Elizabeth Reeve, would easily follow. His wife Elizabeth having died at Wolverhampton in November, 1787, Thomas Heveningham married as his second wife Sarah Turton, who is described as "of this parish" in the register of King's Swinford where the marriage took place by licence on the 31st March, 1791. The abstract includes a certificate by William Fleeming of Wolverhampton that this Sarah was his sister formerly Sarah Fleeming, afterward Sarah Turton, widow, and that she married the late Thomas Heveningham of Wolverhampton in about 1790.
Thomas Heveningham was described to me by his grandson as "a free and easy going old gentleman in farily comfortable circumstances, giving more attention to his hunters than to either his family or his business. He lived in a fine old house in North Street, and had either one or two Malt
Houses in the same street."
He died at Wolverhampton on the 10th of April, 1823, aged 80. He was therefore born in about 1743, and would be aged only five or six when his father died. The following is a copy of his Will, which was proved at Lichfield - Wolverhampton Perculiar -
22nd Novermber, 1824.
This is the last will and Testament of me Thomas Heveningham of Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, Maltster.
Unto my daughter Teresa Howse my Diamond ring.
To my daughter Ann Heveningham my other ring set with pearls.
The residue of my Real and personal Estate unto my beloved wife Sarah Heveningham and she, and Henry Smith of Wolverhampton, Gentleman, Executors.
7 October 1806.
(Signed) Thomas Heveningham.
Witnesses : - Walter Blount, Eliza Turton, Mary Ann Smith.
Proved under £450 by Henry Smith, it being stated that the Testator died 5th April 1823.
Thomas Heveningham had a large family of whom I give particulars, derived for the most part from the above-mentioned Abstract of Title, for the benefit of those interested in Wolverhampton Families. Subsequent generations it will be unnecessary to give fully, as they are set out in a printed pedigree which, will, I hope be copied for the William Salt Library.
By his first wife Elizabeth (Reeve) he had : -
1. Charles, died suddenly at Wolverhampton when quite young.
2. Thomas, who predeceased his father, and was buried 20th December, 1805. He evidently died unmarried and the following is an abstract of his Will :-
Thomas Heveningham the younger, of Wolverhampton, Gentleman, 7th April 1801.
He leaves everything to Thomas Heveningham his father.
Witnesses : - H. F. Smith, J.T. Smith, S. Stubbs
Proved at Lichfield - Wolverhampton Peculiar - 16 Nov. 1807, under £100.
1. Mary Frances, buried at Wolverhampton 30th Aug., 1776.
2, Ann, who was living in 1827 and died unmarried. The following is an abstract of her Will which was dated 24th April, 1824.
Ann Heveningham of Wolverhampton, spinster, only surviving child of Thomas Heveningham late of Wolverhampton, Gentleman deceased by Elizabeth his first wife, who before her marriage was Elizabeth Reeve spinster. To Sarah, widow of my father £10 and a mourning ring. To Mr. Robert Howse of Rose Cottage, Hammersmith, Gent, husband of my late sister Teresa Howse, £100 and a mourning ring. To Henrietta Maria James wife of George Hand James of Wolverhampton, Factor, and to Mary Ann Lovatt wife of William 'Lovatt' of Wolverhampton aforesaid, Factor, daughters of my Father by Sarah his wife, each £50 and a mourning ring.
Edward, George, Henry, John the sons, and Sarah, Jane, Lucy and Eliza Heveningham the daughters of my
Father by Sarah his wife, to the sons £10 each, to each daughter £10 and a mourning ring.
To Henry Smith of Wolverhampton, Gent., a mourning ring.
To Elizabeth his wife £50 and a ring. To George Hand James and William Lovatt, mourning rings.
To Mary Green, Elizabeth Fowler and Ann Fowler, the three daughters of Richard Fowler of Gravelly Hill near Birmingham, Gentleman £10 and a mourning ring each.
House in Erdington late in the occupation of . . . . . . Fletcher Esq., but now of William Fowler, and houses and lands in Erdington, including Bromford meadow, Dunslade Field, Studfold, and the Roundabout, to Henry Smith, Robert Howse, Jeremiah Wynn, as trustees to raise money and pay an income to stepmother for life and then divide equally among her ten children.
Executors, the said trustees.
Witnesses : - W. T. Price, Solicitor of Wolverhampton, Thomas Ludford his clerk; J. W. Harris, clerk to Henry Smith.
3. Teresa, who married, as stated above, Robert Howse, who was perhaps related to James Howse the Executor of Sir Edward Simeon. She was buried at Solihull, Warwickshire, 30th. Nov., 1819, leaving no issue.
4. Sophia, who describing herself a spinster of Hamstall Ridware made her Will 23rd July, 1816. The following is an abstract :-
To be decently buried. My desire is to have a horse and a mourning coach and to be buried at King's Bromley, and my
further desire is that Mr. William Gaunt and Mrs. Ann Gaunt his wife and her daughter Harriet shall attend and follow me to the Church. Mr. William Gaunt to be paid my board and any other expenses, and I leave him my mourning ring, and his wife a suit of mourning.
William Higgeson son of William Higgeson, £10. My Father £20. Mrs. Sarah Coleman wife of John Coleman of Colwich £10.
Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt Executor and Executrix.
Residue to Mrs. Ann Gaunt and her daughter Harriet.
Witnesses : - J. Harding, Thomas Harding.
Proved under £300 by Ann Gaunt wife of William Gaunt, and Francis Adie, farmer, 17 March 1817.
Sophia was buried at King;s Bromley, 30th July, 1816, being described in the Register as "of Wolverhampton," aged 35.
5. Elizabeth, died an infant at Wolverhampton and was buried there 18th August, 1684,
By his second wife Sarah, Thomas Heveningham had the following issue, all of whom were baptized at the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Peter and Paul, Wolverhampton.
1. Edward, born March, 1792. His sponsors at baptism were Antony Lane and Magdalen Horton. He was said by his nephew George, writing in 1881, to have enlisted as a soldier and fought at Waterloo, and to have died "twelve or thirteen years ago." But according to the printed pedigree, he died at Wolverhampton, apparently without issue, in 1840.
2. George, baptized 13th May, 1796, by the Rev. John Carter, his sponsors being John Harrison and Elizabeth Barney. Died unmarried and was buried 18th February, 1836.
3. Henry, of whom next.
4. John, baptized 10th April, 1803 by (the Rev) James Simkiss.
1. Marianne (or Mary Ann), baptized 29th June, 1794 ; married at St. John's Wolverhampton, 1817, William Henry Lovatt of Wolverhampton. She died 14th. Nov., 186, aged 72, and was buried "in the family vault at St. John's"
2. Sarah, baptized 8 Oct., 1797 ; married 1st Hull Balls of Manchester, 2nd Peter Gaskell of Oldham. Buried as "of Sheepwashes Lane, Oldham, aged 68," at St. John's church, Hey near Lees, 29 May, 1864.
3. Harriet (or Henrietta Maria), baptized 12th July, 1801 ; married at St. John's, Wolverhampton, George Hand James of Wolverhampton, 18th February, 1819. Died 3rd Feb., 1842, and was buried in the family vault St. John's, as in 1826 was her husband.
4. Eliza, baptized 24th Jan., 1805, her sponsors being Antonly Lane and Catherine Green. She married Richard Minshall of Wolverhampton, fishmonger, and died in May, 1856.
5. Jane, baptized 5th February, 1807, married in London, in 1840 Francis Otterson, of Cork Street, Piccadilly, silk merchant. They emigrated to New Zealand, and she dying there in 1888, aged 81, was buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Nelson.
6. Lucy, baptized 15th Dec., 1808 by (the Rev.) Walter Blount, died unmarried in 1847.
7. Frances, baptized 15th Aug., 1810, and died 16th Sept., 1811.
IXb. HENRY HEVENINGHAM (third son of Thomas VIIIb) was baptized 11th Oct., 1799. He, and Hannah Baylis, both of Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, were married, after banns at the Parish Church there, 27th June, 1825. He was a builder at Stafford Street, Wolverhampton, and was buried in the General Cemetery there, 10th Ja., 1870. His widow was buried in the same Cemetery on the 19th April, 1870, being described as late of St. Paul's Terrace, aged 74. They had issue a daughter Mary Ann, baptized in 1828 living unmarried in 1898, and a son
Xb. GEORGE HEVENINGHAM born at Wolverhampton, January, 1833. Buildings manager on the Duke of Norfolk's estate at Arundel. Living in London, 1898. Died 1904. He married Mary Alicia Furnell, daughter of Benjamin Furnell of Limerick (by his wife, Alice, nee' McLaughlin). They had issue :
1. Walter, of whom next.
2. George, who was of Arundel in 1898, and of Sheffield in 1923, married at Arundel Margaret daughter of Andrew Fenigan. They have had issue : -
(1) Lionel Joseph, born 1893. Served with distinction in the late War, obtaining a commission. Mentioned in despatches 1st January, 1916. Awarded several medals. Killed in action, 7th Oct., 1918.
(2) Andrew George, born 1897. Also served with distinction in the War, being mentioned in despatches, 24th Dec., 1917. Awarded the M.S.M., 1918, and other medals.
(1) Isabel Mary, born 1891. A nun in Belgium at the outbreak of the war. Twice
imprisoned by the Germans, and once ordered to be shot but escaped through the intervention of a German nun of the same community.
(2) Margaret Mary, born 1898, died 1899.
(3) Mary Josephine, living, 1923.
1. Mary Monica living at Ealing, 1923. She has given much valuable assistance in the compilation of this Pedigree.
XIb. WALTER HEVENINGHAM, born 1859. Married Mabel, daughter of Peter Waltho of Wolverhampton. He lies at Arundel. They have issue : -
1. Walter Denis.
2. Theodora Mary.
3. Kathleen Mary.
4. Maureen Clare.
SECTION III - Heveningham of Lichfield
This Section relates to the descendants of Christopher Heveningham the younger, son of the unfortunate Christopher (VI). As however this line of the family has appeared in Harwood's Erdeswick, and has been carefully worked out by Sir Robert White-Thomson, and is also recorded at Heralds College, and reproduced in the printed Pedigree, I shall only give a few particulars, which however add considerably to the pedigree in Harwood's Erdeswick.
VIIc. CHRISTOPHER HEVENINGHAM a younger son of Christopher (VI). He evidently followed his father in adhering to the Established Church. He is said to have been baptized at Elford, 6th Dec., 1693. In 1719 he was of Birmingham, but settled at Lichfield, where he carried on the trade of a Currier, being so described at the Election of 1747 when he voted for Vernon and Holte. He married at St. Philip's Church, Birmingham, in 1719, Mary Saxleby, of King's Bromley. The following is an abstract of his Will : -
"In the name of God, Amen. I Christopher Heningham of the City and County of the City of Lichfield, Currier,"
Household goods, stocks in trade etc., to be sold and after debts paid, the residue of such sale to go to my three children, Mary, Joseph and
Arabella.
To my eldest son, Edward who is now in the Army, one shilling, he having already expended me several considerable sums of money.
Executor, my friend and acquaintance of the City of Lichfield, William Southern, Mercer.
Witnesses: - William Buryle, Thomas Harvey
Sealed with a demi-warrior holding a spear.
Dated 8 Oct. 1747 and proved by the Executor in the Dean's Peculiar, Lichfield 25 April 1748.
The foregoing Will seem to show that Christopher's wife was dead, no provision being made for her. It is curious that he should begin the Will as "Heningham" for my abstract states that he signed as "Heveningham". The Will probably mentions all his children, and proves that he had at least the following issue :-
1. Edward
2. Joseph
3. Mary. To her, as "Mrs. Mary Remington," Sir Edward Simeon in 1764, left £20.
2. Arabella. To her, as sister of Mrs. Mary Remington, Sir Edward Simeon also left £20. Her Will, in which she styles herself "Arabella Heveningham of the Close of Lichfield Cathedral, spinster," was dated 7th September, 1814.
She mention her niece Mary White, and Thomas Henry White son of the said Mary.
An annuity to Arabella Wakelin ** (see authors note below) of Lichfield, widow, and legacies to Mary Ann and Susanna Wakelin daughters of Arabella.
Executors, her nephews, The Rev. Edward Remington and the Rev. Edward Simeon Remington.
Witnesses, Edward Bond and William Bond.
A codicil is dated 28 Nov., 1817, and witnessed by Elizabeth Derry Gould and William Moore.
Proved by the Executors, 13 Dec., 1820. (P.C.C., Kent 676).
Of these, Edward was probably the "Edward Heningam" buried 30th June, 1760 at St. Chad's, Lichfield ; and it is possible that Joseph may have been the father of that Joseph Henningham whose children by a wife named Mary, were John, Joseph, Sarah, Thomas and Mary, born at various dates from June, 1790 to July, 1799, and all baptized together on the 28th December, 1801, at St. Martin's, Birmingham ; in which City there are still person in humble circumstances bearing this abbreviated form of the ancient and honourable name of Heveningham.
** Arabella Wakelin, widow, of the City of Lichfield was born Arabella Heveningham (born Ireland about 1764-5). She has been said to have been the daughter of Joseph Heveningham but I cannot confirm this fact. Christopher Heveningham
and Mary Saxelby also had a son Thomas who survived to adulthood and it is possible that Arabella could
have been the daughter of this Thomas. Arabella married Thomas Wakelin at
St. Mary's, Lichfield in 1788. Arabella Wakelin was a beneficiary,
along with her son Francis Thomas Wakelin, of the Will of the Rev. Edward Simeon
Remington proved in the P.C.C. in 1832.