Humphrey Cole (abt. 1572 - 1624)

Born about 1572 in Cornwood, Devon, England

Husband of Mary (Mott) Cole — married 1596 in England

Descendants

Died 27 May 1624 at about age 52 in Tillingham, Essex, England

Problems/Questions Profile managers: MG Pitts [send private message], Seely Foley [send private message], Elizabeth Joslin [send private message], Richard Douce [send private message], L Parlett [send private message], and Ava Bullard [send private message]

Biography

Vicar of Tillingham. He died between 04 November 1623 and 17 May 1624 (the date of his will and the date it was probated). NOTE: There seems to be no good evidence that he was the son of William Cole and Elizabeth Deards.

His father was Sir William Cole of The Slade. His mother was Elizabeth Deards. He married Mary Mott at The Slade in 1596. They had three sons, William, Thomas and Robert. and 2 daughters, Mary Jane and Martha. His wife died at age 27 and he remarried a Hester, maiden name unknown. They had one son, John.

The Slade is a Cole family home in Cornwood, Devonshire, England, which is today a private residence.

In the church there is a three panel stained glass window in his honor which reads, "Priest and Pican".

On 17 May 1624, as Vicar of Tillingham, he probated Essex.

1572 Birth

Rev. Humphrey Cole was born 1572 in Tillingham, Essex County, England. ^[1]

"The Coale Family; Nine Generations" puts his birth as being in 1547. Compared with the marriage date, and the birth dates of their children, and his fathers' birthdate cir 1546, the 1572 date appears more reasonable^[1]

Parents -- Some Questions

Anderson reports that he was the son of William Cole and Elizabeth Deards. ^[1]

Humphrey Cole's father (or uncle?) could be Robert Cole/Coles (b. 1527?; d. 1577) who was Rector of London St Mary le Bow from 1559 to 1577, and our Humphreys Cole was Rector at St. Mary le Bow from 1584-1588. For more information on this very promising hypothesis see Williams. ^[2]

It has often been claimed that Humphrey Cole was a son of William Cole and Elizabeth Deards dau of Nathaniel Deards of London silkman. This Humphrey can be shown to have been born about 1625 and so this parentage is definitely not correct.^[2]

Education

Education: Corpus Christi College, Oxford University. ^[1]

"British Roots of Maryland Families" indicates that he was admitted to Pembroke College in 1589, received his BA in 1593 and his MA in 1598. Source "Biog. History of Cambridge University Alumni". Again, reasonable in relation to a 1572 birth date. However, "The Coale Famile: Nine Generations" indicates that he enrolled in Corpus Christi College on 1569. Reasonable in relation to the 1547 date but impossible with the 1572 date. (Both colleges were a part of Cambridge University) It is possible that the author of "The Coale Family; Nine Generations" has confused Humphrey Coles' birthdate and education with that of his Father, William Cole (Cir1546-1611).^[1]

Appeared in 1569 as a young man of 21 or 22, enrolling at Corpus Christie College, Oxford University. Although facts about his early life are unavailable, "it seems probable that he came from a rural home where the elders stood for a progressive state under the Queen." At Corpus Christi, he came under the influence of the most advanced English learning in his day, and also of the new liberal, or Puritan, movement in the English Church. After finishing the regular four-year course, he remained for a fifth year, and at the close he was elected a Fellow, or permanent member, of the controlling body of his school.^[1]

1579 Residence

• Residence: bet. 1579 and 1584 Stepney, London, England ^[1]
• Residence: bet. 1584 and 1588 Cheapside, London, England ^[1]

From 1579, he was located in London, where he served as rector in two parishes - first, in the shipping section by the Thames; then, in the mercantile district of Cheapside. During this period "he would have had much contact with business life. He was closely associated with Church leaders, among whom the conservatives and liberals still fought, sometimes bitterly, for control."^[1]

1584 St. Mary Le Bow

From 1584 to 1588 Humphrey Cole was Rector of London St Mary le Bow. He was preceded here by one Robert Cole (OR Robert Coles) who was Rector from 1559 to his death in 1577.^[2]

Robert Cole (Rector of London St Mary le Bow) made his will in 1577 and mentions a youngest son Elcana but annoyingly although mentioning other older children does not give their names.^[2]

It is possible that this Robert Cole was the father (or a kinsman) of Humphrey Cole (notice Humphrey's third son is also a Robert).^[2]

1588 Residence

• Residence: bet. 1588 and 1624 "Sewders Head", Tillingham, Essex County, England^[1]

Following nine years in London, he relocated to a "quiet rural parish at Tillingham, in Essex, some forty miles northeast of London, close to the North Sea. Here he stayed from 1588, when he became Vicar of Tillingham Parish, until his death in 1624. This parish was under the control of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. "At Tillingham Humphrey found an ancient church edifice, which, at a time considerably earlier, had been sadly despoiled of valuable furnishings; and he took leadership in a very pleasing restoration." He was devoted to his church and to his faith. He extended his religious activities with a lay partner by acquiring co-patronage of the parish of Great Okeley, a short distance up the coast. Thus he held control rights, including the power of appointing rectors. He applied this authority by naming a clerical son-in-law to this post. Humphrey was an avid farmer - both with crop production as well as animal husbandry.^[1]

He was Clerk of St Nicholas Church, Tillingham, Essex. His name is on a plaque at the church as Vicar 1588-1624. ^[3]

He was of Tillingham, Essex. (Dean and Chapter of St. Paul Register D. 1608-1633). ^[3]

Occupation: bet. 1588 and 1624 Vicar of Tillingham Parish (Anglican), Essex, England^[1]

1597 Marriage to Mary Mott

He married Mary Mott about 1597; probably at least five children. She was born about 1576, but no one has found her parents or anything else about her.

1616 Marriage to Hester

Humphrey married his second wife Hester [Cole] after 1616, probably at least one child.

Children

Documented as children:

1. William Cole, born b. 1598, m. Sarah Beck^[1] Of William, he said: "Item. I do give unto William Cole, now in Virginia (if he be livinge) my three acres of freehold more or lesse with anew barne built upon it called Sewders Head in Tillingham, etc."^[3] Humphrey Cole (OR Humphrey Coles) (Vicar of Tillingham, Essex) mentioned in his will made in 1623 his son "William Cole now in Virginia (if he be living)". The son is very likely to be William Coale of Elizabeth City, VA c1597-1669. ^[2]
2. Robert Cole, b. 1604, student in college, Named in father's 1624 will. ^[4]
3. Thomas Cole, b. 1603. Named in father's 1624 will. ^[4]
4. John Cole, b. 1619. Named in father's 1624 will. ^[4]
5. Daughter married Micaiah Wood, son-in-law, named in father's 1624 will. ^[4]
6. Jane Cole, b. 1605. Unnamed daughter who married John George, son-in-law, named in father's 1624 will. ^[4]

Not documented as children:

1. Martha Cole, b. 1600

1624 Death

He died 27 Mar 1624, age about 74, with Hester surviving him. ^[3]

His will (signed 04 November 1623) was proved 17 May 1624. ^[3]

His was reported to be clear until near the end of his life at 77 years of age. In a fitting tribute to the long, dedicated service to his parish at Tillingham, there was installed in a side chapel of the Tillingham churce, "a lovely stained-glass window of three panels. The inscription beneath, still to be read today, memorializes him as 'Priest and Vicar' (Above biographical statement taken from Map Story of Nine Coale Generations..., Willis Branson Coale, Santa Clara, California)^[1]

1624 Will of Humfrie Cole

Will Signed: 04 November 1623, Essex, England^[1] Will: 17 May 1624 Probated Essex County, England ^[1] Death: 27 March 1624 in Tillingham, Essex County, England.^[1] Burial: 1624 Tillingham Church, Essex County, England ^[1]

HUMFRIE COLE of Tillingham, Essex, Clarke, Will 4 November 1623: proved 17 May 1624. ^[4]

• To be buried in Chancell of Tillingham.
• To poore of Tillingham fower marks to be distributed by Overseers of the Poore.
• To sonne Robert Cole, student of Emanuell Colledge in Cambridge, towardes his bringeinge up in learninge all bookes, my wearing apparell both Linen and woollen, with sex yardes of broad cloth upwardes wch I bought of Mr. Purchase of Mauldon to make myselfe newe clothes together with five yardes of blacke Kersey a halfe wch I bought of a Widdowe at Malden to make myself a newe suite. Also to Robert all Corne in house and hay in fieldes except
• two quarters each of Corne, barley, or mault, and oates for my beloved wife Hester Cole for housekeeping and
• Executor or Executrix and Overseers to sell advowson of Rectorie or Parsonage of Okeley magna, Essex, and money to sons etc., also to sell (with consent of wife Hester two whom they are given for life) my free lands in Tillingham commonly called Hodgewattes, lately in tenure of John Bridge of Tillingham, husbandman, and the use of £80 to wife Hester for life and rest of money and £80 when due to my sonns William, Thomas, Robert, and John. *"Item I do give unto William Cole now in Virginia (if he be living) my three acres of free hold more or lease with a new barne built upon it called sewders head in Tillingham & next adioyninge to a Cottage & two acres of Coppihould land called Finches & Doth belonge unto his brother Robert Cole. And if my said sonne William be not livinge at the time of my Death
• then I give & bequeath the same land to my second sonne Thomas Cole & his Heires forever."
• My plate, household stuffe [? words missing] & wch wife Hester shall enioye for life by deed made by me to Sir John Sames, Knight, and Mr. Blunt, Gentlemen, and the other goodes to be divided to my sons at her death and my Keyne, horses, Sheep, lambes, Swine and debts due to be impioyed for payment of my debts and except one spaid Mare colte of two yeares to wife Hester, Executrix: wife Hester Cole.
• If she refuse then son Thomas Cole, Overseers:
• my two sonnes in law Michaiah Wood, Person of much Okeley, and John George of Writtle, Essex, yeoman, giving to same Wood my clocke that hangeth in the Vikaredge Hall and to same John George three yeare ould coalt to be sent to his house.
• Witnesses: John Traske, John Moody. Dean and Chapter of St. Paul, Register D (1608-1633), folio 233. ^[5]

Other Coles in the same time and place

This useful list for comparison is placed here temporarily to assist in research and review of Humphrey Cole. It can eventually move to a free space profile as a continuing resource.

Thomas Cole of London, Grocer

Thomas Cole of London grocer c1530-1571^[6]

m Elizabeth Hargrave dau of Thomas Hargrave of London d Apr 1571; i Allhallows Honey Lane; Will (PCC) 10 Apr 1571 chn: William Cole below [?] Martha Cole m John Worsop of Clapham, Surrey gentleman [9 sons, 2 daus]^[2]

William Cole of London, Mercer

William Cole of London mercer c1560-1601 ^[6] m Ann Colles 1st dau of Michael Colles of Bradwell, Bucks gentleman and Mary Graunt only dau of Edward Graunt d 16 Feb 1600.1; i in the quire St Margaret Lothbury; Will (PCC) 19 Mar 1601 chn: Thomas Cole below Michael Cole William Cole Margaret Cole m Robert le Neve of London/Robert Nave

Thomas Cole of London

Thomas Cole of London c1588-....^[6] m Catherine Warnett dau of John Warnett of Hempsted/of Fransfield, Sussex (of Inner Temple) (of the Court of Wards) (aged 42) 1630 (living) 1634 chn: Richard Cole [1] b c1626; (aged 4) 1630 Susan Cole [1] d young a1634 Thomas Cole [2] c 17 Feb 1627.8 London St Dunstan-in-the-West; d young a1634 John Cole [3] c 2 May 1629 London St Dunstan-in-the-West William Cole [4] c 8 Jun 1630 London St Dunstan-in-the-West Susan Cole [2] c 9 Feb 1631.2 London St Dunstan-in-the-West Thomas Cole [5] c 20 Feb 1633.4 London St Dunstan-in-the-West Ann Cole [3] c 12 Jan 1635.6 London St Dunstan-in-the-West

William Cole of London

William Cole of London^[6] m Elizabeth Deards dau of Nathaniel Deards of London silkman chn: [?] Mary Cole c 6 Jun 1619 St Lawrence Jewry Arthur Cole c 5 Nov 1620 St Lawrence Jewry William Cole c 9 Dec 1621 St Lawrence Jewry Michael Cole Humphrey Cole b c1625 Nathaniel Cole Thomas Cole Robert Cole

Robert Coles, Rector of St. Mary Le Bow

Robert Coles (Rector of London St Mary le Bow) c1527-1577^[2] (Robert Cole}

• • • Easily confused with Robert Cole (Fellow of King's College, Cambridge) c1524-1551

[see below] m Alice ----- i 26 Feb 1576.7 London St Mary le Bow; Will (PCC) 12 Jan 1576.7/27 Feb 1576.7 (ordained priest) a1553 (as a strong protestant not in office during the reign of Mary and travelled to the continent to meet with exiled priests) c1553-c1558 (Rector, London St Mary le Bow) 23 Dec 1559-d - (presented by Canterbury) - (collated) 23 Dec 1559 (Rector, Merstham, Surrey) Jun 1568-a2 Jun 1569 - (presented by Canterbury) - (collated) Jun 1568 (Rector, All Hallows Bread Street) 15 Jan 1568.9-d - (presented by Canterbury) - (collated) 15 Jan 1568.9 chn: ----- Coles[? Robert Coles b c1535 (Vicar of Epsom, Surrey)]

Elkana Coles c 14 Dec 1567 St Mary le Bow [NOTE: Printed register calls Elcana a daughter]

(c1551) Reported in depositions as making strong anti-predestinarian statement also holding Freewiller meeting in his Faversham house ^[7]

To this I might also adioyne the happy escape of Robert Cole, minister now of Bow in London, from the handes of maister Petit, Iustice in Kent, being hys mortall enemye, and one that soughte his lyfe. Who meeting hym by chaunce, in a narrow lane, nor farre from Feversam, & so meeting him, that one of them must needes touche an other, yet so ouercame that daunger, that hee was past and gone before the Iudge dyd know it was he, and so the sayd Cole escaped. ^[8]

Several other pious men in the said county of Essex, that preached and exhorted, and travelled about for the benefit and edification of the professors of the gospel in those parts whom Ty also discovered to the Bishop, were these; Mr Laurence of Barnhall, John Barry his servant, John Jeffrey, Robert Coles and John Ledley. These two last named were great concealers and harbourers of good men; and resorted to the King's Bench, to the prisoners there, about matters of religion. And they went over sea to some of the Protestants in exile, to carry intelligence of the state of religion at home ...^[9]

(1557) The principal teachers of heretical doctrine in London by Stephen Morris's confession. .... Robert Coles and his wife, John Ledley and his wife, William Punt a bachelor; these three do lie at the sign of the Bell in Gracechurch-street, in a common inn. And two of them, namely, John Ledley, and Robert Coles, are great counsellors, and do resort much unto the King's Bench, unto the prisoners, about matters of religion. ^[10]

(1564) ... That strictly ye keep the Unity of Apparel like to this man, pointing to Mr Robert Cole, (a Minister likewsie of the City who had refused the Habits a while, and now complyed, and stood before them Canonically habited) ...^[11]

Will of Robert Cole [12 Jan 1576.7/27 Feb 1576.7] ... ^[2]

• Robert Cole clerke parson of Sainte Mary Bowe ...
• to be buried in the church and chauncell of St Mary Bowe next unto Mr William Chelsham ...
• all that I have to be soulde ... and the one halfe I do give to Alice Cole my beloved wife
• the other halfe to to ... frendes [appointed executors] Mr Thomas Symson clerke and now parson of Saint Botolphes without Bishoppgate...
• and Mr Roger ?Marshall of Cheam ... Surrey ..
• bestowe the same in the bringing upp of my youngest sonne Elcana till he be able to be put to prentice ...
• anething left ... those my children which they shall see to have most nede ... *frende Richard Proude nowe parson of Burton upon Dunsmoor in Warwickshire ...
• I give to Margett Woollett the lease of my garden ...
• to every one of my daughters ...
• my goddaughter Elizabeth Streton nowe dwelling in Brede Strete with Mr Salter ...
• frende Thomas Clerke of Essex ...
• [NOTE: The will also mentions some religious books]

NOTES on will:

The William Chelsham who held part of the property in 1550 probably lived there and is probably identical with the William Chelsham, citizen and mercer of St. Mary le Bow parish, who died in 1573. Thomas Simpson (Vicar, Clavering, Essex) - (in office) 1574-80 (Rector, London St Botolph Bishopsgate) - (collated) 2 Jul 1569

Robert Proude (Rector, Bourton-upon-Dunsmore, Warwicks) - (presented by Sir Henry Stafford Knight) - (instituted) 20 Jan 1562 - (in office) 1584

Robert Cole, Fellow of King's College

Robert Cole (Fellow of King's College, Cambridge) c1524-1551^[2] {Robert Coole} b c1524 Biggleswade, Beds unm. d p13 Jul 1551; Will (King's) 1551/2 (educated at Eton) c1536-c1542 [SCHOOL REGISTER] (admitted at King's College, Cambridge) 13 Aug 1542 [VENN] (matriculated) 1544 (Fellow) 1545-d (B.A.) 1546.7 (M.A.) 1550

Robert Cole, Vicar of Epsom

Robert Cole (Vicar of Epsom, Surrey) c1535-1603^[2] d a14 May 1603 (Vicar, Epsom, Surrey) 19 Dec 1560-d - (presented by Francis Carewe armiger) - (instituted) 19 Dec 1560

Thomas Cole of Faversham

Thomas Cole of Faversham, Kent gentleman c1560-.... m ----- ----- chn: Bennet Cole b c1590; m John Caslocke (Mayor of Faversham, Kent) c1585-1651

These three preceding coats occur on a mural monument to the memory of John Caslocke, Esq., late Jurat, twice Mayor, and Captain of the Select Band of Faversham. He married Bennet, one of the daughters and coheirs of Thomas Cole of Faversham, Grent., and had by her three sons and four daughters. He married secondly Alice, one of the daughters and coheirs of Samuel Haward of the Isle of Harty, Grent., and died 22 September 1651, in his 77th year.

Humphry Cole, Vicar of Tillingham

Humphrey Cole (Vicar of Tillingham, Essex) c1553-1624^[2] [? m1 Mary Mott; b c1574 Dengie, Essex] m2 Hester -----; [? m2 William Nicholson clerk] i 27 Mar 1624 Tillingham, Essex; Will (St Paul's) 4 Nov 1623/17 May 1624 [see below] (as Humphrey Coles, Scholar, Corpus Christi College, Oxford) 1568.9 [FOSTER] (B.A.) 28 Jan 1573.4 (Fellow) 1574 (Rector, Stepney, Middx) 16 Oct 1579-1593 - (presented by Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth 1525-1584 [CP]) - (as B.A., appointed) 16 Oct 1579 [NREPL] [CCEd] (Rector, London St Mary le Bow) 8 Dec 1584-1588 - (collated) 8 Dec 1584 [CCEd] (Vicar, Tillingham, Essex) 1588-d [? (Rector, Kirkheaton, Yorks WR; - (presented by the Crown); - (instituted) 28 Jun 1588 [CCEd]] (Patron, Great Oakley, Essex) chn: William Cole [1] b c1597 Thomas Cole [2] Robert Cole [3] b c1602 John Cole [4] -[dau]- Cole m Michael Wood (Rector, Great Oakley, Essex) -[dau]- Cole m John George of Writtle, Essex, yeoman [?] Mary Cole [?] Martha Cole

[NOTE: ***Easily confused with Humphrey Cole b c1573 Ipswich, Suffolk; (educated at Ipswich); (admitted pensioner at Caius, Cambridge) 14 Apr 1589 [VENN]; (B.A., Pembroke, Cambridge) 1593.4; (M.A.) 1598]

[NOTE: A namesake Humphrey Cole b c1625 was son of William Cole of London and Elizabeth Deards dau of Nathaniel Deards of London silkman]

Robert Cole of Little Oakley

Robert Cole (Rector of Little Oakley, Essex) c1603-.... (admitted pensioner at Emmanuel College, Cambridge) 10 Oct 1620 [VENN, who misidentifies his father] (matriculated) 1620 (B.A.) 1623.4 (M.A.) 1627 (Rector, Little Oakley, Essex) 1629-41 - (presented by William Nicholson clerk, his wife Hester and John George) - (instituted) 22 Mar 1628.9 - (Faculty Office grant) 26 Oct 1629 (Rector, Great Oakley, Essex) 3 Nov 1629 - (presented by Thomas Darcy 1st Earl Rivers ....-1640 [CP]) - (instituted) 3 Nov 1629 chn: Henry Cole b c1644 [see VENN]

Michael Wood (Rector, Great Oakley, Essex) c1566-.... (at Broadgates Hall, Oxford) (supplicated B.A.) 18 Feb 1586.7 [FOSTER] (Vicar, Grays Thurrock) - (resigned) 1597 (Rector, Great Oakley, Essex) 1617 - (presented by Humphrey Cole and John George) - (as B.D., instituted) 6 Mar 1618.9 - (replaced in office) 22 Mar 1628.9

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 1.16 1.17} John David Anderson. Youngblood Family Genealogy. http://www.megjohn.info/genealogy/uncleged/com297.html. Accessed January 2, 2017
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11} Richard Williams. Humphrey Cole of Tillingham/Robert Coles of Faversham. Genealogy.com, February 16, 2013 http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/cole/16550/. Accessed January 2, 2017
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} From the files of William C. Hilles
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5} Will of Humfrie Cole, Cited by Williams
5. ↑ Virginia Gleanings in England, 299-300, cited by Williams
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} The Visitation of London (1634) and The Peerage of Ireland, 42, via IGI (International Genealogical Index, LDS. Cited by Williams.
7. ↑ Burrage II p1 & 3, cited by Williams
8. ↑ Foxe, Acts and Monuments, 1563. Cited by Williams.
9. ↑ Strype, Memorials Ecclesiastical, 63-4, cited by Williams.
10. ↑ Foxe, Acts and Monuments, viii, 384. Cited by Williams.
11. ↑ Strype, Life of Archbishop Grindal, 98. Cited by Williams.

• English Origins of AMERICAN COLONISTS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO NAMES OF IMPORTANCE IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES. BY WILLIAM GILBERT, A DIGEST OF ESSEX WILLS. WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO NAMES OF IMPORTANCE IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES. BY WILLIAM GILBERT.
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 December 2018), memorial page for Rev Humphrey “Of The Slade” Cole (1572–27 May 1624), Find A Grave Memorial no. 103475638, citing St Nicholas Churchyard, Tillingham, Maldon District, Essex, England ; Maintained by Joyce Ann Mize (contributor 46977449) .
• file:///C:/Users/Jodi%20Brennan/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Descendants%20of%20Rev%20Humphrey%20COLE%20(1).PDF

• found pedigree and family tree on familysearch.org
• homepages.rootsweb.com/~marshall/esmd231.htm
• http://edlers.org/pers/AP/06bcole.pdf

See also:

• Narrative on Tillingham and Stained Glass Window dedicated to Humphrey Cole
• Very honest paper written with and without sources
• Great collection of sources on Humphrey

Acknowledgments

• Cole-8445 was created by L Parlett through the import of LParlett.ged on May 25, 2015.