Thomas Clinton (abt. 1568 - bef. 1619)

Born about 1568 in Tattershall, Lincolnshire, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 15 Jan 1619 before about age 51 in Tattershall, Lincolnshire, England

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Biography

Name; Titles

Thomas' surname was sometimes given as Clinton and sometimes as Fiennes/Fynes/Fines.^{[1][2] [3]} However, in most records, Thomas was referred to by his then current title rather than by a surname. From 1585-1616, Thomas had the title of Lord Clinton (sometimes styled as Lord Clinton and Say).^[1] He was the 11th Lord Clinton.^[4] Upon his father's death in 1616, Thomas succeeded his father as the 3rd Earl of Lincoln.^{[2] [3]}

Birth and Parentage

Thomas was born about 1568.^[2][3] His date of birth is estimated based on a record of his matriculation at Oxford in June 1582 at age 14.^[1] He was the eldest son of Henry Clinton, 2nd Earl of Lincoln, and his first wife Lady Catherine Hastings, a daughter of Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon, and Catherine Pole.^[2][3]

Education

Thomas matriculated at Oxford on 22 June 1582 at the age of 14, and received his M.A. from there on 11 April 1588.^[1][2][3]

Marriage

Thomas married Elizabeth Knevitt/Knyvett, the daughter and coheir of Sir Henry Knvevitt/Knyvett of Charlton, Wiltshire.^[1][2][3] On 21 September I584, Thomas' uncle, the Earl of Huntingdon, wrote on that "if God puts liking in the hearts of the young parties I hope the affair may be well settled while the old Lord [i,e, Edward Clinton, Earl of Lincoln] liveth”.^[1][2] In reliance on that record, some sources state that Thomas was married shortly after that date.^[1] However, since Thomas would have been about 16 at that time, what probably occurred shortly after 21 September 1584 was that Thomas' and Elizabeth's families entered into a marriage contract. It is unclear when their actual marriage took place. Based on the fact that Thomas and Elizabeth's earliest known child was born about 1591, their marriage was probably not consummated until about 1590.

Thomas' father made their early marriage difficult, as he refused to fulfill his part of their marriage contract.^[2]

Parliament

Thomas represented Great Grimsby in Parliament in 1601 and Lincolnshire in 1604-1610.^[1][3] In 1610, Thomas was called to the House of Lords as Baron Clinton de Say.^[1][3]

Residency in Ashby-cum-Fenby, Lincolnshire

Based on records of the baptisms of his children, Thomas lived in Ashby-cum-Fenby, Lincolnshire from 1595 (or earlier) to at least 1602.

Residency in Baumber, Lincolnshire

Based on records of the baptisms of his children, Thomas lived in Baumber, Lincolnshire from 1604 (or earlier) to at least 1615.

Residency in Tattershall, Lincolnshire

Upon his father's death in 1616, Thomas inherited the Earldom of Lincoln and moved into Tattershall Castle, where his father had lived.^[1][3]

Estate Planning; Last Will & Testament

On 25 November 1615, Thomas made a settlement providing for his younger sons Charles, Knevet and John Fines.^[1]

Thomas made his will on 11 January 1618/9. In his will, he described himself as "Thomas Earle of Lincolne". In his will, be bequeathed all his properties to his son "Sir Theophilus ffines knighte of Bathe Lord Clinton and Saye", while bequeathing thousands of pounds to his daughters Lady Frances, Lady Arabella, Lady Susan, Lady Dorcas, Lady Sara and Lady Elizabeth (all then unmarried). Most of the money bequeathed to his daughters was contingent on their marrying someone approved by their mother, Elizabeth Countess of Lincoln, with the bequest to Lady Elizabeth expressly contingent on her not marrying his former servant John Beresford. Thomas also made small bequests to his servants. Thomas directed that, in the event his son Theophilus, failed to pay Thomas's debts or failed to pay the bequests to his daughters and servants, his properties would go to George Ashton esquire and Henry Miller gent. Thomas appointed his son Theophilus as executor.^[5] For a full transcription of the will, see Will of Thomas, Early of Lincoln.

Note: Thomas's three younger sons, Charles, Knevett and John, and his wife Elizabeth were living at the time he made his will but did not receive bequests in his will, no doubt because an alternative settlement for them had been made for the outside his will. Tattershall Castle was also not mentioned in his will, perhaps because it was attached to the earldom, which automatically vested in the eldest son (Theophilus) upon Thomas's death.

Death; Burial

Thomas was buried in Tattershall, Lincolnshire on 15 January 1618/9.^[6][1][2][3]

Issue

The The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 states that Thomas and Elizabeth had 9 children (4 sons and 5 daughters),^[2] The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629 states that Thomas had 17 children (8 sons (5 of whom died before Thomas) and 9 daughters (3 of whom died before Thomas)),^[3] while The Complete Peerage states that Thomas and Elizabeth had 18 children^[1] and Elizabeth herself in The Countess of Lincoln's Nursurie stated that she had had 18 children.^[7]

Set forth below is the list of Thomas and Elizabeth's children for whom reliable records have been found:

1. Katherine,^[8] b. say 1590-1,^[9] no further record, d. presumably prior to January 1618/9 since not mentioned in Thomas' will made on 11 January 1618/9.
2. Elizabeth, b. about 1592, m. John Beresford, d. 26 July 1624. (See discussion and sources in Elizabeth's profile.)
3. Francis, b. say 1593-4,^[10] m. 30 July 1620 John Gorges in Clerkenwell, Middlesex,^[11]
4. Henry, bpt. 18 April 1595 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Henry sonne of the Lord Thomas Clinton"),^[12][13] bur. 19 February 1596/7 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire^[14]
5. Thomas, bpt. 15 May 1596 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Thomas Clinton" - no parents listed for any entries that year),^[15][16] bur. 2 October 1597 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire^[17]
6. Arbella, bpt. 3 August 1597 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Arbella Clinton" - no parents listed for any entries for that year), m. 15 April 1623 Isaac Johnson at Sempringham, Lincolnshire, d. August 1630 in Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony. (See discussion and sources in Arbella's profile.)
7. Theophilus, bpt. 11 November 1599 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Theophilus Clynton ye sonne of Thomas L: Clynton & Saye"),^[18][19] m. 1st 1622 Bridget Fiennes,^[20] m. 2d Elizabeth Gorges,^[20] d. 21 May 1667^[20]
8. Edward , bpt. 21 December 1600 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Edward Clynton ye sonne of Thomas L. Clynton & Saye"),^[21][22] bur. 11 October 1602 Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Edwarde Clynton ye sone of Thomas Lord Clynton & Say")^[23]
9. Lucy , bpt. 11 February 1601/2 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Lucye Clyton the daughter of Thomas Lord Clyton & Say"),^[24][25] bur. 24 March 1602/3 Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("Lucie Clynton ye daughter of Thos L: Clynton")^[26]
10. An/Ann, bpt. 3 March 1602/3 at Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire ("An Clynton ye daughter of Tho: Lorde Clynton & Say"),^[27][28] d. presumably prior to January 1618/9 since not mentioned in Thomas' will made on 11 January 1618/9.
11. Charles, bpt. 30 August 1604 at Baumber, Lincolnshire ("Charles Chlenton" - no parents listed for any entries for that year), went to Massachusetts in 1630 but return to England within the year, bur. 11 May 1648 at Tattershall, Lincolnshire. (See discussion and sources in Charles' profile.)
12. Knephet/Knevet, bpt. 30 January 1605/6 at Baumber, Lincolnshire ("Knephet Clynton sonne of the right honorable Thomas Lo: Clynton"), bur. 2 October 1652 at Tattershall, Lincolnshire. (See discussion and sources in Knevet's profile.)
13. Robert,^[29] b. 1607,^{[citation needed]} d. Nov 12, 1615, age 8. Tattershall, Lincolnshire.^{[citation needed]} Probably died before 25 November 1615, as he was not included in a settlement that Thomas made to provide for his younger sons Charles, Knevet and John Fines.^[1] Edmondson's Baronagium Genealogicum states that he died unmarried.^[29]
14. Susan, b. say 1609, m. about 1630 or 1632 John Humfrey, went to Massachusetts in 1634, returned to England in 1641, d. before December 1651 probably in Westminster, Middlesex, England. (See discussion and sources in Susan's profile.)
15. James,^[29] b. 1611, Tattershall, Lincolnshire,^{[citation needed]} d. probably before 25 November 1615, as he was not included in a settlement that Thomas made to provide for his younger sons Charles, Knevet and John Fines.^[1] Edmondson's Baronagium Genealogicum states that he died unmarried.^[29]
16. John, bpt. 19 November 1612 at Baumber, Lincolnshire ("John the sonne of the right honorable Thomas Lord Clynton"),^[30][31] living in 1625 when his brother Theophilus sued his mother as guardian of Charles Fines, Knevett Fines and John Fines^[1][32]
17. Dorcas, bpt. 16 June 1614 at Baumber, Lincolnshire ("Dorcas the daughter of the right honorable Thomas Lord Clinton"), bur. probably 27 November 1645 at Holborn, Middlesex, England. (See discussion and sources in Dorcas' profile.)
18. Sara Fynes, bpt. 14 September 1615 at Baumber, Lincolnshire ("Sarah ffynes daughter of the right honorable Thomas Lord Clinton"),^[33][34] bur. 23 April 1631 at Tattershall, Lincolnshire^[35]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15} The Complete Peerage or a History of the House of Lords and All Its Members from the Earliest Times. Volume VII Husee to Lincolnshire. 1919 p. 695. Link to page at archive.org.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9} "CLINTON, alias FIENNES, Thomas Lord (c.1568-1619), of Tattershall, Lincs.," The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981. Profile at historyofparliamentonline.org.
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10} "CLINTON, alias FIENNES, Thomas, Lord Clinton (c.1568-1619), of Tattershall, Lincs.," The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010. Profile at historyofparliamentonline.org.
4. ↑ Doyle, James William Edmund (1886). The Official Baronage of England, v. 2. London: Longmans, Green. p. 384, cited in Wikipedia.
5. ↑ "Will of The Right Honorable Thomas Clinton Earl of Lincoln", Reference: PROB 11/134/238, The National Archives, Kew. Link to downloadable copy at nationalarchives.gov.uk.
6. ↑ "England, Lincolnshire, Parish Registers, 1538-1990", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPH1-3XLH : 17 January 2020), Thomas Fynes, 1618.
7. ↑ Clinton, Elizabeth. The Countess of Lincoln's Nursurie. 1622. Link to work at upenn.edu.
8. ↑ Metcalfe, Walter C. "Additional Wiltshire Pedigrees." The Genealogist. New Series. Vol. XIII. p. 238. Link to page at archive.org.
9. ↑ Katherine's date of birth is estimated based on (1) the fact that she is listed first among Thomas' daughters in a pedigree of his wife's family made about 1597 and (2) the fact that her mother was probably not born before 1570
10. ↑ Frances' date of birth is estimated based on (1) the fact that she is mentioned first among the daughters in Thomas' will, (2) her date of marriage (1620), (3) her husband's date of birth (1593) and (4) an available slot in the birth order in 1592-1595
11. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V52S-SJT : 12 March 2020), John Gorgis, 1620.
12. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
13. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGZ5-WJV : 3 February 2023), Henry Clinton, 1595.
14. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
15. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
16. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J33S-M77 : 3 February 2023), Thomas Clinton, 1596.
17. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
18. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
19. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JW4T-583 : 3 February 2023), Theophilus Clynton, 1599.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2} "Theophilus Clinton, 4th Earl of Lincoln," wikipedia.org Accessed 26 Jun 2023.
21. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
22. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGZ5-7YV : 3 February 2023), Edward Clynton, 1600.
23. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
24. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
25. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J339-127 : 3 February 2023), Lucye Clyton, 1601.
26. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
27. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Ashby-with-Fenby, 1561-1824, FHL Film # 421894, Item 3.
28. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JM8M-CQR : 3 February 2023), An Clynton, 1602.
29. ↑ ^{29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3} Colket, Meredith B. "The Family of the Earl of Lincoln. Second Paper. The Alleged Harrington Connection." The American Genealogist. Vol. 20 (1943). p. 47. Link to article at americanancestors.org. Citing a list of Thomas and Elizabeth's children in Vol 2 of Edmondson's Baronagium Genealogicum .
30. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Baumber, 1561-1835, FHL Film #421913, Item 1.
31. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NG89-Z3G : 4 February 2023), John Clynton, 1612.
32. ↑ "Theophilus, earl of Lincoln v. Elizabeth, dowager countess of Lincoln, for herself and...", Reference: C 4/135/86, Held by: The National Archives, Kew. Link to description at nationalarchives.gov.uk.
33. ↑ Bishop's transcripts for Baumber, 1561-1835, FHL Film #421913, Item 1.
34. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J33S-BNY : 4 February 2023), Sarah Fynes Clinton, 1615.
35. ↑ "England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JZHG-85D : 13 April 2023), Sarah Clinton, 1631.

See also:

• "Thomas Clinton, 3rd Earl of Lincoln," wikipedia.org. Accessed on 26 Jun 2023.
• Frederick Lewis Weis, walter LEE Sheppard, William Ryland Beall, Kaleen E. Beall. Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists who Came to America Before…. p. 203. Link to page at books.google.com.