Elizabeth (Smith) Twysell (1480 - abt. 1545)

Born 1480 in Gloucestershire, England

Descendants

Biography

The marriage to Clement is uncertain, and is based on an index entry on the National Archives website. See Clement's article.

Information about Elizabeth Twysell, maiden name unknown, who was the real wife of Thomas Twysell and mother of his one known child Elizabeth, who married John Smythe:

• The 1544 (1545 proved) PCC will of Thomas Twesell mentions Dorothy Smythe as a major recipient, and confirms the name of his own wife as Elizabeth. As shown in Clement Smyth's will, this is their name of his grand daughter, but he does not name the relationship, and presumably past genealogists have thought this must refer to the widow of John Smyth.

• Elizabeth Twysill of Kings Stanley had a PCC will written 2 May and proved 5 May 1545 which confirms that the executor should be Master Clement Smith. It names specific Smythe children to all receive a cup from her goods: William, Giles, Frances and Dorothy. It seems reasonable to propose that these were children of John Smyth's first wife (perhaps the youngest of them, for it does not seem a full list of the eldest children)?

• The PCC will of John Smythe their son-in-law mention property in Gloucester, which had in recent times been used to maintain "Elizabeth my late wife's mother ... who is right heir to the same after the decease of Thomas Twysell and Elizabeth his wife". From this it seems reasonably clear that John had an earlier wife, who had been heir to Thomas and Elizabeth, and it seems her name was Elizabeth, not Dorothy.

• The will of Clement Smythe, brother of John and executor of Elizabeth Twysell notes that his niece Dorothy, daughter of John, is grand daughter to Thomas and Elizabeth Twysell. Clement's will names Thomas specifically as an auditor.

Sources

• PCC wills. These are indexed on the National Archives website, and scans can be found in many ways including several online sites.