John Tilsley (1588 - 1640)

Born 1588 in Montgomeryshire, Wales

Ancestors

Husband of Eleanor (Unknown) Tilsley — married 1610 in Montgomeryshire, Wales

Descendants

Died Mar 1640 at about age 52 in Trefeglwys, Montgomeryshire, Wales

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Biography

John was the youngest son of Ralph Tilleslye, Yeoman of Trefeglwys and an unnamed mother. ^[1]

The source work mentions that his father made ample provision for him in his will, but it would appear from his own will that he added considerably to his patrimony. That he is styled "gent" indicates a man of some position in the countryside, or perhaps a lawyer.

Will of John Tillsley

John made his will on 29 Aug 1639 in Trefeglwys. WILL OF JOHN TILLSLEY OF TREFEGLWYS, CO. MONTGOMERY, GENT. ^[2]

• I bequeath to the repair of Trefeglwys Church 20s. and to the poor there 40s.

• My capital messuage called Llwyddcoed wherein John Bowneford dwells and the great mill thereto belonging and all ponds, gardens, lands, etc. which I lately bought of Thomas Parton, gent and all my messuages and lands in Aberhavesp, Trefeglwys and Llandinam co. Montgomery to my only son William as well as the tenement called Tythin Lidisthand in the parish of Llanidloes and also the lease of the tenement wherein I now dwell made to me by Meredith Morgan Esq. deceased my said son paying my daughter Margaret wife of Richard Lewis 40s. per annum. for her life together with £5 which I now give to her.

• To my daughters Anne £100, Awdrey £90, Jane £80 and Margery £80.

• To my daughter Elizabeth wife of Richard Swancott £10, to their eldest son Richard the messuage in Llanwonen and to him and to my grandchildren Phillippe, John, William and Anne Swancott £10 each.

• To my grandchild Elizabeth Lewis 40s. and to my brother Richard Tillsley £5.

• To my landlady Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan £5 and to my landlord Mr. Matthew Morgan 40s. To Elizabeth Whilden widow, my cousin Richard Jerman, my cousin Hugh Tillsley and my friend Howell Jones gent 20s. each.

• Residuary Legatee: my son William excepting my household stuff which I give to my wife. Executor: my son William. Overseers: my brothers-in-law William and Thomas Brees, my brother Richard Tillsley and my son-in-law Edward Matthewe. Witnesses: William Breese, Thomas Breese, Richard Tillsley, Richard Jones. Proved in P.C.C. (Coventry 34) 16 March 1639/40 by the executor named.

Family

The family of John Tillsley is discussed in the source work, History of the Family of Tildesley. He died whilst some of his children were young and as yet unmarried, but his widow Eleanor, family name not provided, who survived him, lived to see them all grow up. She may be identified with Ellener Tilsley, widow, who had some difficulty regarding the administration of the estate of her late husband. On llth November 1640 she appeared at Montgomery on a petition to Lord Chancellor Cottington on behalf of her son, who was a ward in Chancery and presumably a minor, asking for a respite as the evidences concerning the tenure of the estate were not yet in her hands. Her Will, dated 5th May 1658, is also included in source.

Their children included: ^[3]

• William Tilsley, the eldest and only son. As his father died while he was young the estate was held in Chancery until his majority. Some time prior to 1658 he married Mary, daughter of Richard Willson, gent, of Llanidloes. His inheritance was considerable, comprising land and tenements in Llanidloes, Llandinam, Trefeglwys and Aberhavesp, and at the latter place he made his home. He died whilst still a young man in 1661.
• Margaret Tisley, married Richard Lewis.
• Elizabeth Tilsley, married Richard Swancott.
• Ellenor Tisley, married first Edward Matthew, and second Thomas Hemming, gent.
• Anne Tilsley, married Edward Bennett.
• Awdry Tilsley, married Thomas Cowdele.
• Margery Tisley, married Thomas Savage.

Sources

1. ↑ History of the Family of Tildesley starting page 115 for Tildesley of Montgomeryshire
2. ↑ History of the Family of Tildesley starting page 116
3. ↑ History of the Family of Tildesley starting page 117/118

• History of the Family of Tildesley; The Tildesleys of Staffordshire were documented by Norman W Tildesley in his book A History of The Family of Tildesley of Staffordshire published in 1968. A copy is available The Tildesleys of Staffordshire on google drive