Christopher Boynton (abt. 1430 - abt. 1451)

Born about 1430 in Sadbury, Yorkshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Coignes) Boynton — married after 1440 in Sadbury, Yorkshire, England [uncertain]

Died about 1451 at about age 21 in Kent, England [uncertain]

Biography

"Sir Christopher BOYNTON 1" was born in Sadbury, Yorkshire, England. He married Elizabeth COIGNES who was born in Ornesbury, England and was daughter of Sir John COIGNES of Ormesbury

Dugdales agrees with the possible spouse; Clays - interestingly the same editor - does not make a corresponding reference. I find no primary evidence that a Boynton ever married a Conyers, but I look forward to being proved wrong.

In fact, I would go further: show me the primary evidence that this generation ("Christopher Boynton 1" m. ?? Conyers) ever existed. If we believe the notion that Jane Strangeways had two entire families - the Bartons and then the Boyntons (see her profile, and Dugdales cites her as the widow of Conan Barton of Whenby) - there is literally no time for this earlier generation. If we believe the pedigree of Widdrington in Hodgson, Elizabeth Boynton, daughter of Christopher Boynton and Jane Strangeways, is already married to Gerard Widdrington by 1454, putting Elizabeth's birth around 1440 at the latest.

It is noted in Jane Strangeways profile that the eldest Barton child Richard Barton is felt to marry a Conyers - perhaps this is where the Conyers notion comes from. The young family of Bartons would have likely come into the household of Boynton as step-children, so Richard Barton would be the 'step-son' of Christopher Boynton, even if not his actual son.

In Dugdales pedigree, this putative Christopher Boynton 1 is said to be Junior Justice for the Palatinate of Durham. In the footnote of the will of Robert Strangeways the younger, however, the following is written: " Christopher Boynton of Sudbury was the junior justice for the Palatinate of Durham... his wife was Jane daughter of James Strangeways of Skelton." While this will of 1447 mentions the names 'Christopher Boynton' and a child named 'Johannae', neither of these individuals are related to him, and Robert Strangeways the younger of Ketton is not the father of Jane Strangeways, wife of Christopher Boynton.

"Christopher Boynton 1" - to be, or not to be - that is the question....

Sources

• Stearns, Ezra S. Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire (Lewis Publishing Company, 1908) Vol. 2, Page 747

Dugdales p.152 Pedigree of Boynton of Rawcliffe.

Clay's Extinct Northern Peerages Pedigree of Conyers, Lord Conyers of Hornby.

Test Ebor vol.1, p.128 Will of Robert Strangeways of Ketton the younger.

A history of Northumberland by Hodgson, p.235 Widdrington Pedigree.