Humphrey Gilbert (abt. 1537 - 1583)

Born about 1537 in Compton, Devon, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Aucher) Gilbert — married 1571 in Westminster (St Martin In The Fields), London, England

Descendants

Died 9 Sep 1583 at about age 46 in at sea

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Biography

This profile is part of the Gilbert Name Study.

Humphrey Gilbert is Notable.

Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1537-1583), soldier and explorer, was the 2nd son of Otho (Otis) Gilbert and Katherine Champernon. He was the elder half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, from his mother's 2nd marriage.

The Inquisition Post Mortem of Oto Gilbert who died on 18 Feb was held at was held on 13 Oct in the 1st year of the reign of King Edward V1 (=1547) and names son John as heir aged 11 and 3 quarter years and showed that he was born in January or February 1536,^[1] and other heirs in order: Humphrey, Adrian, Oto and Katherine.^[2]

Married at Westminster in 1571 ^[3]

22 May 1574. Licence for Humphrey Gilbert, knight, and Anne his wife to alienate the manors of Postelinge alias Postlinge and Badelsmere alias Batelsmere, lands ( described ) in Postlinge, Badelsmere, Sheldwiche, Shellinge, Challock, Throughley, Stallesfeild, Charinge, Burfeild, Buckland, Stanfourth, Lymyng, Witperlinge, Leveland and Chillam, the advowson of Badelsmere church, lands called Rigesall in Stallesfeld, Charinge and Burfeild and lands called Welmershe in Buckland, co . Kent , to John Gilbert , knight, and John Upton, and for them to convey the same back to Humphrey and Anne for one week, with remainder to Humphrey and his heirs . For £ 13 6s . 8d . in the Hanaper.^[4]

22 May 1574. (License) for Humphrey Gilbert, knight, and Anne his wife, (to enter upon their lands) as in right of the same Anne, kinswoman and heir of Anthony Aucher, knight, namely, daughter and heir of John Aucher, deceased, the son and heir apparent of Anthony; issues from the date when Anne reached the age of 16. By Wards Bill.^[5]

His Death & Final Will & Testament:

• Sir Humphrey Gilbert died at sea, circa 9 Sep 1583.

• The will of "Humphrye Gylbert of Compton in the County of Devon Knight" was dated 28 Aug 1582 and proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 20 Oct 1584.^[6] It mentions his brother Sir John Gilbert, his wife Dame Anne and his children but not by name except daughter Elizabeth Gilbert.

• Following is a transcription:^[7]
  • Will proved at London on 20 Oct 1584 by the Lady Anne Gilbert, relict and executrix
  • To Anne my wief one Thowsand poundes in money which I or myne assignes are to receive of Sir Edward Hobby knight for the sale of the mannors of the Minster and Ridge Marshe &c. ; money left for use of the children (except eldest son and heir) by the good discression of my good Lorde of Buckhurst, Sir Thomas Corne- walleys, Sir John Gylbert knight, John fFarneham, Thomas Smith, William Awchier Esquiers. The bonds to remaine in the custodye of the seide Sir Thomas Cornewalleys or William Awchier to thuse of my saide children &c. ; all my landes in the counties of Devon and Somersett which I bought of my Lorde Scrope and all my leases in Walles to be sould or leased to the best proffitt at the discression of my saide wife with the consent of the saide Sir Thomas Cornewalleys, Sir John Gilbert and William Awchier or any twoe of them, &c, for the payment of my debtes and the marriage of Elizabeth Gylbert my daughter and suche daughter or daughters as my said wief goeth or is or maie be nowe withe childe w th all &c, &c. Witnesses Tho. Hamons, John Pinkham, Frauncis Hutton, Edward Button, George Martin, Anthony Wolcocke, mark, William Den, Thorns Trott, mark.

Sources

1. ↑ The Voyages and Colonising Enterprises of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, Volume 1 edited by David Beers Quinn
2. ↑ The Genealogist Vol 25 by Selby, Walford Dakin, 1845-1889; Harwood, H. W. Forsyth; Murray, Keith W, published 1909
3. ↑ Boyd's marriage index, 1538-1850 (on Find-My-Past)
4. ↑ Great Britain. Public Record Office. Calendar of the Patent Rolls Preserved In the Public Record Office. London, Eng.: H.M. Stationery Off., digitized at Hathitrust
5. ↑ Great Britain. Public Record Office. Calendar of the Patent Rolls Preserved In the Public Record Office. London, Eng.: H.M. Stationery Off., digitized at Hathitrust
6. ↑ Will of Sir Humphrey Gilbert held by the National Archives, Kew, Ref PROB 11/67/362 and Image on Ancestry.co.uk
7. ↑ Transcription from Essex Institute historical collections

• The life of Sir Humphrey Gilbert : England's first empire builder published in 1911
• An online Biography
• The Visitation of the County of Devon, 1564 page 112
• The visitation of the county of Devon in the year 1620 page 128
• The Voyages and Colonising Enterprises of Sir Humphrey Gilbert: Volumes I-II, Volumes 1-2 by David Beers Quinn
• Bradbury, Charles. History of Kennebunk Port (James K. Remich, Kennebunk, 1837) Page 10.
• Sir Humphrey Gilbert's detailed profile appears in the Dictionary of Irish Biography, authors Terry Clavin and Judy Barry (2009):
  • https://www.dib.ie/biography/gilbert-sir-humphrey-a3467
• Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association (Taylor & Francis, London, 1869) Vol. 3, Page 132.
  • "... Newfoundland ... That island was discovered in 1497, and in 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who was born on the banks of the Dart, received from Queen Elizabeth a patent conveying to him certain rights and privileges on the island. He died on his way back to England, the vessel having foundered on the banks of Newfoundland."