Thomas Layer (abt. 1528 - bef. 1614)

Born about 1528 in Norwich, Norfolk, England

Ancestors

Died before 18 May 1614 before about age 86 in Norwich, Norfolk, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Maxine Keske [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Layer was the second son born about 1528 to William Layer and Elizabeth Marsham.

Thomas was one of six sons and two daughters born to William and Elizabeth:^[1]

1. John ( - 1560) married Anne Skite, daughter of Robert
2. Thomas (c1528-1614) married Elizabeth Browne and Anna Suckling
3. William ( - 1596) married Martha Wanton, daughter of Thomas Wanton and Joan Laxton
4. Christopher (c1531-1600) married Barbara Steward, daughter of Augustine
5. Nicholas ( -1598) married twice, second was Anne Fletcher
6. George ( -1569)
7. Elizabeth ( -1616) married Richard Bate of Norwich
8. Audry who married David Vynes of Shipdham

From the History of Parliament, it lists that Thomas was born about 1528. He was the second son of William Layer and brother to Christopher. He married twice. First to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Valentine Browne and sister of Sir Valentine Browne. She died without issue. Secondly, Thomas married Anne, daughter of Robert Suckling and sister of Edmond Sucking, D.D., Dean of Norwich.^[2]

Thomas and Anne had no children.

Thomas died and was buried on 18 May 1614 in Norwich, Norfolk, England. ^[3]

Thomas' Will was proved on 7 July 1614. ^[4][5]

Layer outlived all his younger brothers and most of his contemporaries: he must have been about 86 years old when he drew up his will on 27 Jan. 1614. By it he bestowed mourning gowns and small bequests upon a large number of relatives and friends, and money to his servants and various charities, including the congregation of the Dutch church in Norwich. The heir to his landed property was his nephew William Layer. To his wife, the executrix, he bequeathed the residue and bulk of his estate. The will was proved 7 July 1614. ^[2]

Constituency Dates: NORWICH 1586 ^[2]

Offices Held: Common councilman, Norwich 1559, sheriff 1567-8, alderman 1568, mayor 1576-7, 1585-6, 1595-6.

Biography: Like his brother, Layer was a grocer, with tenements and other property in Norwich and the neighbouring villages. His progress through the normal civic offices was conventional, and he was particularly concerned with the settlement of the Dutch congregation in Norwich. He signed the letter to Burghley in 1585 asking for a lease of the alnage on new stuffs. He was elected to Parliament as a senior alderman, having just completed his second term as mayor. He was named to the committee of the bill for Orford harbour, 7 Nov. 1586. During his Membership he received 5s. a day wages.

Sources

1. ↑ Harvey and Dashwood: The Visitation of Norfolk in the Year 1563: https://archive.org/details/visitationnorfo00dashgoog/page/n33/mode/1up?view=theater
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/layer-thomas-1528-1614
3. ↑ Burial: "Norfolk Burials"
   Archive: Norfolk Record Office; Reference: PD 165/1
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 27 November 2021)
   Thomas Layer burial on 18 May 1614 in Norwich, St Andrew, Norfolk, England.
4. ↑ Ancestry Sharing Link
5. ↑ Will: "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858"
   The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 124
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5111 #893340 (accessed 27 November 2021)
   Will of Thomas Layer of Norwych, granted probate on 7 Jul 1614.

Acknowledgement

• WikiTree profile Layer-14 created through the import of Ancestor's that we lost, the Decendants they left behind_2011-08-28_01 (2).ged on Sep 12, 2011 by Willette Bryant.