William Prestley esq (abt. 1592 - 1664)

Born about 1592 in London, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Hester (Gore) Priestley — married 21 Aug 1621 in Hackney, Middlesex, England

Husband of Frances (Dacres) Prestley — married 24 Mar 1644 in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England

Died 1664 at about age 72 in Essendon, Hertfordshire, England

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Biography

William Prestley/Priestley was a lawyer and member of the Long Parliament, the son of William Priestley (died 1620) a merchant tailor in the City of London.

He was admitted to Grays Inn, 4th August 1612.^[1][2]

Marriages

His first wife was Hestor Gore, the daughter of John Gore, Lord Mayor of London in 1624.

His second wife was Frances Dacres, widow of John Herris of Chevening, Kent.^[3]

The marriage with Frances was by Licence dated 14 Mar 1644/1645:^[4]

William Prestley of Esenden in the County of Hertford Esq a widow of about 50 years and Francis Herris of Cheshunt in the County of Hertford widow about 30 years, the wife of John Herris Esq deceased; to be married at Cheshunt in the County of Hertford or St Brides in London

The marriage of William Pristley [Prestley] and Frances Herris took place on 24 Mar 1644 at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.^[5]

Children

• Hester Prestley (married John Thornton esq.)^[6]
• Thomas Prestley^[6]

Death

William Prestley died in 1664 and is commemorated at St Mary Essendon, Hertfordshire.^[7]

Summary of the Will of William Prestley esq. 1664

In his will dated 15 Jan 1663/1664 (in the 15th year of the reign of Charles II), with a codicil of 17 Aug 1663 (presumably which had been attached to an earlier will, and proved on 10 May 1664^[6] he was recorded as “William Prestley of Essenden in the County of Hartford Esquire”.

His primary heir was his son Thomas Prestley who was under the age of 21 when the will was made. In default of issue from Thomas Prestley, his secondary heir was his grandson William Thornton, the son of his daughter Hester (deceased). In default of issue of William, much of the Testator’s estate was to be disposed of for charitable purposes by his nominees Sir Thomas Dacres, Thomas Dacres esq. his eldest son [the Testator’s brother in law], Thomas Atkins esq., Cranmer Herris esq., Doctor Arthur Dacres and Mr Henry Dacres.

His wife Frances Prestley was to enjoy his dwelling house at Wildhill in Essenden with the Garden Orchard and one of the Stables and the two little hay barns until such time as his son Thomas Prestley attained the age of 21. She was also to have the rent from his house in Charterhouse Yard and from his stable and Coach House in Red Lyon Yard.

Other properties mentioned in the will included his Manor of Royden Hall lying in Royden [Rodon] and Nasing [Nazeing], Essex; his Manor which included lands in Essenden and Hatfield; houses in Holborn and Custle Yard and Whites Alley in the parish of St Andrew in London; two houses and shops in a street called the Sithay in the City of Bristol; properties in the parish of Hornsey, Middlesex; property in the parishes of Maplethorp and Thedilthorp in Lincolnshire; Leases on a house and shops in Bread Street in the City of London in the occupation of Mr Clutterbuck and Mr Mumford; and the Lease of his Chamber in Grayes Inn.

He made a bequest of a tenement and closes of ground to his sister, Mistress Martha Spicer.

He made a bequest of £20 to his son in law, John Thornton esq.

He appointed his wife Frances Prestley and his son Thomas Prestley his Executors.

In a Codicil of 17 Aug 1663 he had requested that his wife provide mourning cloaks for her children by her former husband, John Herris esq. He also made small bequests to his son Cranmer Herris and his wife; his son Wibert Herris and his wife; his son John Herris and his wife; his son Thomas Herris and his wife; his daughter Frances Herris; his brother and sister Briggs; and his sister Mistress Martha Spicer. Should his daughter Frances Herris marry with her mother’s consent then she would receive £100 and her bridal gown would be bought and paid for out of the Testator’s personal estate.

Sources

1. ↑ Boyd' Inhabitants of London 1590 Link.
2. ↑ The register of admissions to Gray’s Inn (London 1889), p 130.
3. ↑ London Visitation Pedigrees, 1664. By J B Whitmore, and A W Hughes Clarke. Publications of the Harleian Society. Vol. XCII, 1940, p 76 Herris Pedigree.
4. ↑ Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued by the Bishop of London 1611-1828. Publications of the Harleian Society Vol XXVI. Edited by Armytage G J (1887). Internet Archive.
5. ↑ England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLSV-TZ5 : 10 February 2018), Will. Pristley and Frances Herris, 24 Mar 1644; citing Cheshunt,Hertford,England, reference , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 991,371.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Will of William Prestley of Essendon, Hertfordshire. 10 May 1664. PROB 11/314/36. The National Archives, Kew.
7. ↑ Church of St Mary the virgin, Essendon St Mary the Virgin.

See also:

• https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FCOA%2FMARRLICENCE%2F00108713%2F1 (has different date for the marriage, and more details of both parties)
• Wikipedia article [1]
• Camfield Place, Essendon: http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/answers/answers-2007/ans7-028-campfield.htm