David appears in the Visitation of Hertfordshire as "David Briggs of London, merchant", the son of Richard Briggs of Halifax, Yorkshire, and the father of William Briggs of Rickmansworth.[1] No place of birth is given, but there is no baptism entry for a David Briggs in the Halifax registers from 1538 to 1593[2] so David may have been born after his father moved to London.
David's father Richard made his will on 7 May 1584 "Richard Brigge of London chapman" and left to "David my eldest sonne" lands and tenements at Olde Towne (in Wadsworth, Halifax) in the tenure of his father William Brigge, and another property in the tenure of his brother Henry.[3]
The Visitation shows two wives, firstly Mary Crofte and secondly Rebecca Streete (named in David's will) who is shown as the mother of William. However, Boyd's Inhabitants Of London & Family Units 1200-1946 states that Mary did not die until 1610, and that the second marriage to Rebecca had no issue.[4]
In 1614 David purchased extensive property in Rickmansworth and Watford,[5] and in 1621 he obtained a certificate to be taxed in Hertfordshire instead of Halifax.[6] His son William entered Gray's Inn to study law that year and was described as "William Briggs, son and heir of David B., of Rickmansworth, Herts, Esq."[7]
David died in 1626 and left a will dated 31 January 1624 (probably old style i.e. 1624/1625). Will of David Briggs, Skinner of London. He mentions wife Rebecca, father-in-law Humphrey Streete, daughter Elizabeth (left £1500) and son William (residue of estate and sole executor). He also names several brothers in law and "my cosen(s)" Mr Henry Farrar, Mr Joseph ?Carron, Thomas Cockrofte and Caleb Cockrofte, and "my godson David Brigge". To be buried at St Mary Aldermanbury. Proved 23 June 1626 by William Brigge the son.[8]
Research Notes
Dates - the birth date estimated here may be early as there is some evidence to show that son William was born about 1603 rather than 1583. He entered Gray's Inn to study law in 1621, and would have been an old entrant if aged 38. He was still living at Gray's Inn when he married in 1627, and his marriage licence shows "Briggs, William, esq., of Gray's Inn. bachelor, 25, and Sarah Gore, of St. Trinity-the-Less London, spinster, 20".[9] There is a baptism at St Mary Aldermanbury 12 June 1603[10] which would fit William's death date better as he would be 87 at death instead of 107.
Probable baptism for David 21 November 1569 at St Mary Aldermanbury.[11]
Note that the William Briggs who was baptised in 1603 was the son of Davy Briggs, who had several other children baptised in the early 17th century at St Mary Aldermanbury:
↑ The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 67, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 - Ancestry.com, link to main page -https://www.ancestry.co.uk/sharing/23858502?h=ea3736
↑ Boyd's Inhabitants Of London & Family Units 1200-1946, David Briggs, Household Members, Other people associated with this record., Mary Croft, Mary Briggs, Thomas Croft, Elizabeth Stockmede, 13 more people, First name(s) David, Last name Briggs, Year 1600, Person subject S
Record set Boyd's Inhabitants Of London & Family Units 1200-1946, Category Census, land & surveys https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FBIL%2F00015600
↑ Purchase of property at Rickmansworth: Reference: DE/B664/29252 Title: Conveyance (Bargain and Sale) & Covenant to Surrender Description: 1 Paul Alexander of Husburne Priors, Hants, Esq son & heir of Richard Alexander, Esq, Augustine Alexander his brother 2 David Brigge, Citizen & skinner of London. All messuages, lands in occupations of John Weden, William Edmunde, & Thomas Ivery, Messuage called Spicers at or near Scotsbridge, Message called Fowleslough, in Rickmansworth & Watford, for £1,200. Also Covenant to surrender lands at Croxley Green, Date: 19th August 1614, Held by: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
↑ Reference: E 115/14/132 Description: Certificate of residence showing David Bridges (or the variant surname: Brigges, Briggs) to be liable for taxation in Herts, and not in the wapentake of [Agbrigg and Morley], [Yorkshire: West Riding], the previous area of tax liability. Date: 18 James I. Date: 1621 Held by: The National Archives, Kew
↑ Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 - https://www.ancestry.co.uk/sharing/23852683?h=2750f1 Reference: PROB 11/149/435 Description: Will of David Briggs, Skinner of London Date: 23 June 1626 Held by: The National Archives, Kew.
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