Robert Tilley (1540 - bef. 1613)

Born May 1540 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Ellborne) Tilley — married before 1571 (to 12 Feb 1612) in England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 21 Feb 1613 before age 72 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England

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Biography

Robert Tilley was the father of Mayflower passengers John and Edward Tilley. Born say 1540. He married Elizabeth ______ before Dec 1571 when his eldest son was baptised, and was buried at Henlow on 21 February 1612/3.

In 1588, Robert Tilley was executor to the will of William Ellborne, and he as also an overseer and witness of a 1579 will of William Ward.

1612 Will

His will was made 31 DEC 1612 Henlowe, Co. Bedford, England

Will of Robert Tilley, Archdeaconry of Bedford 30:73 f.: In the name of god Amen: I Robert Tilley of Henlowe in the countie of Bedd: yeoman sicke in bodie but whole and of good and perfect remembrance, thankes be given to god therefore, doe this 31th daie of December Ao 1612 renounce and revoake all former willes by me hearebefore made, and doe nowe make and ordaine, this my laste will and testament in manner and forme followinge that is to saie:

First I bequesthe my soule to allmightie god my maker, and to Jesus Christe his sonne my reedemer, by whose deathe and passion I hope to be saved and my bodie to be buried att the discretion of my executrix:

secondlie I give and bequeathe unto Elizabeth nowe my wife, for and duringe her naturall life, my free house whearein I dwell, with the backe side, ortchards, and garden. with the appurtenances theareunto belonginge with a little stripe or platte of grounde, whearon sometimes did stande a barne, wch Willyam Tilley purchased of one Richard Huckle as by a deede thereof made betweene them appeareth and froam and after her deathe, I will and bequeathe the saide freehouse, with the ortcharde, garden, and all other the premisses aforesaide, withe the appurtenances to my sonne John Tilleye; to have and to holde to him and his heires for ever, with and uppon this Condition nevertheless viz.: that he my saide sonne John shall within six monethes next after the decease of me the saide Robert, and Elizabeth nowe my wife, paie unto my sonne Edward Tilley his brother, his executors or assignes, the some of thirtie poundes of lawfull englishe money: and if my saide sonne John shall make defaulte of payment of the saide thirtie poundes and nott paie the some unto my sonne Edward Tilley his executors or assignes, att or before the time aforesaide, then my will and minde is, and I doe hearebie give and bequeathe the saide freehouse and other the premisses aforesaide with the appurtenances untomy said sonne Edwarde, and his heires for ever: Item I doe moreover give and bequeath to my saide sonne Edwarde, the some of fortie and nine poundes of lawfull englishe money wch si to be paide unto me by my saide sonne John att such daies and place as by the bondes thereofe appeareth togeather with the saide bondes of obligations themselves nowe remaynine, in my own custodie, the wch my will is, my executrix shall presentlie deliver unto him my saide sonne Edward, after my deathe and suffer him to see the same in her name, if defaulte of payment be made of the saide money att the tyme specified in the saide bondes or obligations:

allsoe I give unto my saide sonne Edwarde, the [ ]lyned beddsteede in the outermoste chamber, and the ]lyned cheste, standinge in the same chamber, I give to my sonne William Tilley, bothe wch bedsteede & sheste are to be delivered unto them severallie, after my wifes decease, unless she shallthincke good to lett them have the same before:

Item I give to my daughter Rose x s. and to everie one of her children a sheepe:

Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth x s. and to everie one of her children a sheepe:

Item I give to everie one of my sonne Johns children a sheepe: All the rest and residewe of my goodes cattell and chattells whatsoever unbequeathed, my debtes paide and my funerall expences dischardged, I give and bequeathe to Elizabethe my wife, whome I doe make and appointe my sole executrix of this my laste will and testament, and I doe make and appointe my lovinge frende Mr. Richarde Edwardes of Henlowe aforesaide gent. to be my overseer of this my will intreatinge him to aide and assiste my saide executrix, with his councel and advise in the due execution heareof to whome I give x s. as a token of my love and goodwill unto him:

In witnes whearof I have heareunto sett my hande and seale, the daie and yeare first above written.

Witnesses John Willisone, Edmonde Master, Leonard Bonefeilde, George Edwardes.

The will was proved 6 April 1613.

Born MAY 1540. Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. ^[1] Died after 31 DEC 1612. Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. Source: Note: Age: 72. Buried 21 FEB 1612/3. Church Rd, Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. ^[1] Marriage Spratton, Rutland, England. Occupation: Yeoman. Archdeacon of Bedford, Yeoman. Marriage Husband Robert Tilley Tilley. Wife Elizabeth Elbourne. Child: John Tilley.baptised at Henlow on 19 December 1571^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Millennium File Heritage Consulting Publication: Ancestry.com Operations Inc Record Collection 7249
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5GY-WQ6 : 19 March 2020), John Tillye, 1571.

• Ward, Robert Leigh. English Ancestry of Seven Mayflower Passengers: Tilley, Sampson and Cooper, The American Genealogist (The American Genealogist, Barrington, RI, 1976) Vol. 52, Page 203
• Caleb Johnson Title: The Mayflower Passenger List Publication: Name: 1998; http://members.aol.com/calebj/passenger.html