Robert (Pierce) Purse (abt. 1550 - bef. 1617)

Born about 1550 in Ashe, Surrey

Descendants

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Biography

Robert Purse, whose ancestry is unknown, was born say 1550. He died between 22 July 1614, and 23 January 1616/7, dates of his will and it's probate.

Per that will (see below), he had at least one wife, Judith Hammond, mother of his two youngest daughters, and probably an earlier first wife, mother of his three older children.

Children

by perhaps the first wife:

• Robert Purse born before 1593; died after 22 July 1614 (named in father's will)
• Elizabeth Purse born before 1593; died before 14 September 1652 (when her brother named two of her sons in his will); married Robert Russell of Worplesdon
• Joan Purse born before 1593; died after 14 September 1652 (named in brother's will); married William Okeley of Woking

with Judith Hammond

• Catherine born after 1593 (under 21 in father's will); died after 22 July 1614 (named in father's will)
• Agnes born after 1593 (under 21 in father's will)

Death and Probate

Robert left a will dated 22 Jul 1614, and proved 23 Jan 1616/7. In it, he named or mentioned (paragraphing added for clarity):^[1]

• To my wife's brother Gilbert Hammon;
• to my wife Judith half household stuff and crops, except honey, three of best kine and best horse or mare;
• to my sister Amy 6d p.w. for life;
• to my wife's sister Elizabeth Hammon;
• to my brother in law William Hammond;
• to my brother Walter Pursse;
• to my brother Vincent Pursse;
• to my servant John Swaye;
• to my other servants 10s each;
• to my godchildren 2s each;
• to my daughters Catherine and Agnes 300 between them at 21 or marriage;
• to my grandson Henry Okely son of my daughter Joan 5 at 21;
• residue to my son Robert, exec.;
• friends Henry Elsteed of Worplesdon, husbandman, Richard Hamon my brother in law and brother Walter, overseers (2 each);
• to my daughter Joan wife of William Okeley of Woking, yeoman for life two closes in Worplesdon (16 acres) in my own occupation one called Fursey Field and the other Varney Field which I lately bought from Christopher Harwood of Worplesdon, yeoman and after her death to my grandson Robert Okeley;
• to my daughter Elizabeth wife of Robert Russell of Worplesdon, yeoman 7 acres part meadow, part arable in Worplesdon called Dummores Land which I lately bought from said Christopher and after her death to her son Robert Russell;
• all my messuage The Half Moon, Guildford in occupation of Philip Millis to my four daughters Joan, Elizabeth, Catherine and Agnes 2 p.a. out of said messuage; residue to my son Robert, exec.
• Witnesses: Thomas Fytch, scr.; John Merick servant to said scr.; William Goodwin, servant to said scr.; John Fytch

Research Notes

An earlier note referred to The Visitation of-Cambridge Made in 1575. However, the Peirse family shown there appears to have no relevance to this Robert Purse.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Transcript from Surrey History Centre citing TNA Ref PROB 11/127/46 (PCC (46 Cope)
2. ↑ The Visitation of-Cambridge Made in 1575.Internet Archive