Alice (Rivers) Woodgate (abt. 1546)

Born about 1546 in Penshurst, Kent, England

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Biography

Edward Woodgate was living at Chidingstone, 1543, at Penshurst from 1544 to 1566, was for some time in the service of Sir George Harpur, of Great Chart, a man of enterprising character who nearly perished on the scaffold under Henry VIII. Edward's fidelity was rewarded by a devise of leasehold lands held of John, Duke of Northumberland. This land he subsequently sold to Alexander Colepepper, Esq., of London, and of "the great lodge park of Northfryth," Tonbridge. The conveyance is dated 5th June, 1558 ; is signed by Edward Woodgate in a good hand ; and sealed with his seal, a spray of oak leaves above, acorns below, and E.W. in the middle.

In 1564 Edward Woodgate and Alice his wife conveyed 4 acres of meadow land in Penshurst to John Rivers of London. Alice Woodgate appears to have been daughter of Richard Rivers of Chafford Place, Penshurst, (Steward of the lands of the Duke of Buckingham), and sister of Sir John Rivers, Knt., above mentioned, Lord Mayor of London in 1573. The Rivers of Chafford Place, Penshurst, were descended from Sir Bartholomew Rivers who received an augmentation of honour from Edward IV. for his valuable services to the house of York. His son William held a military command under Henry VII, and lies buried in Rochester Cathedral, leaving by Alice his wife, a son Edward, whose son Richard was Steward of the Duke of Buckingham and died leaving several children, among whom were Alice Woodgate ; Sir John Rivers ; and a daughter, who married Robert Streatfeild, of High Street House, Chidingstone, ancestor of most of the different branches of that family now remaining. By will dated 1583, Sir John Rivers directs that he should be buried at Hadlow ; and gives to Thomas and Walter Woodgate of Penshurst a black coat each. His grandson John was created a baronet.

Sources

• A history of the Woodgates of Stonewall Park and Sumerhill, and their connections