John Rodes (1562 - 1639)

Ancestors Descendants

Contents 1 Biography 2 Marriages 2.1 Children 3 Research Notes 4 Sources 5 Acknowledgments

Biography

In John Venn's Alumni Cantabrigienses, Francis Rodes is called the son of John of Staveley Woodthorpe, Derbs. ^[1] This is the hamlet of Woodthorpe in the parish of Staveley in northeastern Derbyshire.

Sir John Rodes was born in 1562 in Derbyshire, England. He was the eldest son^[2] to his father Sir Francis Rodes Esq. and his mother, Elizabeth Sandford.^[3][4][5]

In Easter 1576, aged fourteen, John entered St John's College, Cambridge University. In 1577 he was admitted to Gray's Inn.^{[6] [7]}

On 21 November 1594 he was made High Sheriff of Derbyshire.^[8].^[7]

He was knighted at the Tower of London on 14 March 1603/4.^[9][7]

Despite being knighted and the Sheriff of Derbyshire was poorly regarded by some. Joseph Tilley describes him as "more adapted for the sty than the reception room " . Tilley goes on to decribe part of his reprobation of Sir John through his treatment of John, his first born son through Dorothy Savile: "...Dorothy Savile had one child, said to have been born blind. She died, the child lived, as was brought up by his grandfather Savile of Wakefield, and was ultimately disinherited by its parent in favour of another son.... Tradition coupled with fact but one inference, in which there is cruelty and neglect, perchance a broken heart, and a dying woman leaving the babe to her father away from the inhumanity of its own."^[10]

Sir John sold Stavely Woodthorpe (Derbyshire, England) to the Duke of Portland and resided entirely at Barlborough Manor in Derbyshire, England.^[11]

In May 1636 - January 1637, Sir John was involved in a legal dispute with Christopher Slater the elder, of Barlborough, Derbyshire, England.

The case involved two separate actions by Sir John and a countersuit by Slater the elder. Sir John's's initial complaint arose out of a quarrel with Slater the elder in August 1635 when Slater and some workmen were summoned to attend Rodes about repairing the lead on the roof of Barlborough church, Derbyshire. According to Slater's defence, there was a misunderstanding over whether he or his son, who was churchwarden at the time, had been sent for, which led to Sir John saying to him, 'Thou lyest like a base, rascally knave' and impugning his status by asking, 'Where you had your gentilitie or your manor house?' Slater was said to have responded 'civillie...saving some words that passed from him when he spoke about his gentilitie.' Slater was required to answer Rodes's libel in May 1636, and in June a commission headed by Ralph Clarke, gent, was appointed to meet 15-17 September 1636 at the Angel Inn, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, to examine witnesses for Sir John. Slater the elder began his defence in February 1637 and his witnesses were examined before a commission headed by Matthew Waddington and Immanuel Bourne, clerks, at the Angel Inn on 5 April 1637.^[12]

Sir John won his prosecution against Slater, securing a submission and £30 in damages.^[13]

Sir John's last will and testament was written on 12 September 1639 and was signed by Sir John:

Signature of Sir John Rodes

On the 15 September 1639, Sir John had a one page codecil to his last will drawn up. In it he affirms the accuracy of the will made three days earlier but adds a further beneficiary; his first born son, John, to whom he leaves five pounds. This is in stark contrast to the amounts he leaves to his other children.^[14] While legally Sir John did not disinherit his first born son, John, but by leaving him a nominal amount while leaving all of his other living children large amounts of money and property , meant that John was effectively disinhertited as is described in many sources.^[3]

It is striking that he regarded undertaking this amendment important enough to undertake despite his declining health. On the codecil Sir John no longer signs but merely leaves his mark. The following day, 16 September 1639, Sir John died aged 77, at his manor at Barlborough, Derbyshire, England. He was buried in Barlborough, Derbyshire, England.^[15] It is speculated that the last minute addition to Sir John's will was motivated by a desire to ensure that his first born John, could not challenge the Will on the basis of being overlooked.

Probate on Sir John's will was completed 21 September 1639. Last residence at Barlborough, Derbyshire, England.^[16][17] His second-born son, Francis Rodes, was his executor.^[15]

Transcription of the Will of Sir John Rodes 1639

Marriages

Sir John married four times. His first wife was Anne (Benson) Rodes (abt.1561-), daughter of George Benson (also known as Denson) of Westmorland, with whom he had no issue that lived long (they are not named and not included in the list of children below).^[3][15][18]

Sir John's second wife was Dorothy (Savile) Rodes (abt.1562-bef.1584), with whom he had two children, a son, John, and a daughter who died young (she is not listed below under 'children').^[18]

In 1584 he married his third wife, Frances (Constable) Rodes (bef.1562-) , daughter of Marmaduke Constable and Katherine Holme.^[3][18]. The Rodes and the Constable family already had strong connections to each other. Sir John's father, Francis Rodes, Esq. had already purchased an estate described as the manor of Barlborough (Derbyshire, England) which had belonged to the Constables. ^[19] This is the manor (or Hall) where Sir John resided including at the time of his death.

Sketch of Barlborough Hall - built 1583

On 24 December 1613/4, Sir John married his fourth wife, Ursula (Mallory) Miles (bef.1585-), daughter of Sir John Mallory. They were married at the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, commonly known as Ripon Cathedral, Yorkshire, England. This is under two miles from Ursula's father's home at Hutton Conyers.^[3][20] .

Children

By his second wife, Dorothy (Savile) Rodes (abt.1562-bef.1584):

• John Rodes (abt.1582-) ^[3]

By his third wife, Catherine (Constable) Rodes (bef.1580-):

• Francis Rodes (-1645)
• George Rodes (-1665)
• Henry Rhodes (1587-)
• Katherine Rodes (1591-1614)
• Priscilla Rhodes (1593-)
• Gertrude Rodes (1597-)
• Lenox (Rodes) Langdale (abt.1598-abt.1639)
• Mary Rodes (abt.1595-)
• Elizabeth Rodes (1576-1644)
• Anne Rhodes (1595-).^[3]

By his fourth wife, Ursula (Mallory) Rodes (bef.1585-):

• Darcy Rodes (aft.1613-)
• Mallory Rodes (1589-1660)
• Ursula Rodes (1613-)^[3]

Research Notes

Some sources claim that Sir John's mother was Catherine Constable.^[2] Perhaps this is an conflation with his wife, Frances Constable.

Some secondary sources claim that Sir John was a Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Barlborough, Derbyshire, England. Despite extensive research, there is no strong evidence that this was the case.

The original marriage document for Sir John and Ursula (Mallory) Rodes (bef.1585-) was mis-transcibed. The orginal document reads Ursula Mallorie married 'Johannes Roades Miles'. The 'Miles' has been transcribed as his surname but is actually Latin for knight. As such the correct surname is Roades (Rodes).^[20]

While there is agreement that Sir John sold the old family seat at Stavely Woodthorpe (Derbyshire, England). There is inconsistency regarding to whom this was sold. Some sources say he sold to to the Duke of Portland. However, other sources say Sir John sold Staveley Woodthorpe in 1599 to the Countess of Shrewsbury. See the extract of The Story of Barlorough Hall by Peter McArdle on Francis Rodes (abt.1530-abt.1589) page.

There is no definitive evidence regarding Sir John's birthplace. While many refences refer to Sir John of Barlborough Hall this was not built until 1583. Possibly he was born at Staveley Woodthorpe which is about 3 miles away, This was his father's and grandfather's place of residence.

Sources

1. ↑ https://archive.org/details/p1alumnicantabri03univuoft/page/446/mode/2up?view=theater
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} James Pilkington, A view of the present state of Derbyshire; with an account of its most remarkable antiquities, J. Drewry, Derbyshire, 1789, vol. 2 p.366 ( https://archive.org/details/aviewpresentsta01pilkgoog/page/n370/mode/2up?q=%22Sir+John+Rodes%22) (Accessed 14 Oct 2022)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7} Joseph Hunter,Familiae Minorum Gentium, volume 2, London, England: The Harleian Society (1895) p.585 (https://archive.org/details/FamiliaeMinorumGentiumVolume2/page/n181/mode/2up) (Accessed 26 Oct 2022).
4. ↑ George Murray Smith (ed.) Dictionary of national biography, Smith, Elder & Co., Volume XLIV (1897), p.80 (https://openlibrary.org/books/OL7252114M/Dictionary_of_national_biography) (accessed 7 Oct 2022).
5. ↑ Thomas Wotton,  The English Baronetage: Containing a Genealogical and Historical Account of All the English Baronets, Now Existing: Their Descents, Marriages, and Issues; Memorable Actions, Both in War, and Peace; Religious and Charitable Donations; Deaths, Places of Burial, and Monumental Inscriptions; United Kingdom: Tho. Wotton, at the Three Daggers and Queen's-Head, against St. Dunstan's-Church, in Fleet Street (1741) p.256 (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_English_Baronetage/piwUAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1) (Accessed 26 Oct 2022).
6. ↑ Ancestry.com. Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. Original data: Venn, J. A., comp.. Alumni Cantabrigienses. London, England: Cambridge University Press, 1922-1954. (https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/57937:3997) (accessed 28 Sep 2022).
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} >Alumni cantabrigienses; a biographical list of all known students, graduates and holders of office at the University of Cambridge, from the earliest times to 1900, Vol 3, Part 1, p. 447. Published by Cambridge University Press (https://archive.org/details/p1alumnicantabri03univuoft/page/446/mode/2up) (accessed 3 Oct 2022).
8. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "High Sheriff of Derbyshire," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=High_Sheriff_of_Derbyshire&oldid=1110071892 (accessed 28 Sep 2022).
9. ↑ William Shaw, The Knights of England. A complete record from the earliest time to the present day of the knights of all the orders of chivalry in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and of knights bachelors, incorporating a complete list of knights bachelors dubbed in Ireland, Vol. 2, London: Sherratt and Hughes (1906) p.131 (https://archive.org/details/knightsofengland02shawuoft/page/n139/mode/2up) (accessed 3 Oct 2022).
10. ↑ Joseph Tilley, The old halls, manors and families of Derbyshire, Vol 4, London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent and Co. (1892) p. 58 (https://archive.org/details/oldhallsmanorsa00tillgoog/page/n74/mode/2up?q=rodes) (Accessed 31 Oct 2022).
11. ↑ John Bernard Burke A genealogical and heraldic history of the extinct and dormant baronetcies of England, by J. and J.B. Burke. United Kingdom: n.p., (1838) p.449 (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/A_genealogical_and_heraldic_history_of_t/K1kBAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=sir+john+rodes&pg=PA449&printsec=frontcover) (Accessed 26 Oct 2022).
12. ↑ Richard Cust and Andrew Hopper, '564 Rodes v Slater', in The Court of Chivalry 1634-1640, ed. Richard Cust and Andrew Hopper, British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/court-of-chivalry/564-rodes-slater) (accessed 5 Oct 2022).
13. ↑ Richard Cust and Andrew Hopper, '597 Slater v Rodes', in The Court of Chivalry 1634-1640, ed. Richard Cust and Andrew Hopper, British History Online [ http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/court-of-chivalry/597-slater-rodes ] (accessed 5 October 2022).
14. ↑ Will of Sir John Rodes of Balborough, Derbyshire 1639, FS Film 007620975 image 173 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9KD-FC86?i=171&cc=3491898&cat=309060). FHC access only (Accessed Oct 2022)
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} Walford D. Selby, v. 1-5; Keith W. Murray, v. 6-10; H. W. Forsyth Harwood, v. 11-38 (editors), The genealogist, London, England : George Bell & Sons (1885). pp. 85-6. (https://archive.org/details/genealogist02selb/page/n195/mode/2up?q=%22Sir+John+Rodes%22) (Accessed 24 Oct 2022).
16. ↑ Staffordshire, Dioceses of Lichfield and Coventry wills and probate 1521-1860 Image, Find My Past (https://search.findmypast.com.au/record?id=GBPRS%2FSTAFF%2F007620610%2F00244&parentid=GBPRS%2FSTAFF%2FWILLS%2F102292) (Accessed 16 Sep 2022).
17. ↑ Ancestry.com. UK, Extracted Probate Records, 1269-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/1925778:1610?tid=&pid=&queryId=a02bb41ec6c01618639637acbb90af6e&_phsrc=hTP2194&_phstart=successSource) (Accessed 27 Sep 2022).
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2} William Dugdale Derbyshire Visitation Pedigrees 1569 and 1611, United Kingdom (1895). p.72 (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Derbyshire_Visitation_Pedigrees_1569_and/NSo6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%C2%A0Derbyshire+Visitation+Pedigrees+1569+and+1611&pg=PA13&printsec=frontcover) (accessed 5 Oct 2022).
19. ↑ Lysons, Daniel. Magna Brittanica: Derbyshire. United Kingdom: T. Cadell and W. Davies, (1817) p. 43 (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Magna_Brittanica_Derbyshire/r0dBAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1) (accessed 6 Oct 2022).
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} Yorkshire Marriages. Ursula Mallorie. Marriage date: 24 Dec 1613; Marriage place: Ripon Cathedral; Spouse: Johannes Roades Miles; County: Yorkshire West Riding; Archives: North Yorkshire County Record Office; Archive reference #: N-PR-R1-1-1; Page: 296; Record set: Yorkshire Marriages; Category: Birth, Marriage, Death and Parish records; Subcategory: Parish marriages. https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FYORKSHIRE%2FMAR%2F301618299%2F2 (Accessed 26 Oct 2022).

See also:

• http://www.famouskin.com ; Ancestry of Illeana Douglas, Ahnentafel# 10144.
• Dugdales vol.1, p. 89 Rhodes Pedigree.
• Dugdales vol.3, p.48 Constable of Wassand/ Holderness.
• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK18-D5CR : 28 September 2018), John Rodes, ; Burial, Barlborough, Bolsover District, Derbyshire, England, St. James the Greater Churchyard; citing record ID 140852526, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
• The visitations of the county of Nottingham in the years 1569and 1614 : with many other descents of the same county by (Flower, William), d. 1588; Saint-George, Richard, Sir, d. 1635; Mundy, Richard; Withie, John; Marshall, George William, 1839-1905; College of Arms (Great Britain) Page 69: Thornhegh
• "The Rodes Family", The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol. 6, No. 4 (Apr., 1899), pp. 418-420 (https://www.jstor.org/stable/4242206) (Accessed 28 Oct 2022).
• Shelley Rodes Patterson, A short history and genealogy of the English family Rodes, who reached America in the 17th century and first settled in New Kent County, Virginia, New York, United States: The Ferris Printing Company (1929), p.9 (https://archive.org/details/shorthistorygene00patt/page/n27/mode/2up) (Accessed 24 Oct 2022).
• John Russell Smith, The Reliquary. (1885). United Kingdom: John Russell Smith (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_Reliquary/sjRCAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1) (Accessed 28 Oct 2022).
• Wikipedia, accessed 13 Jan 2014.
• A Quaker Post Bag, accessed 17 Mar 2015.
• J. H. Baker, ‘Rodes, Francis (1524/5–1589)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23933, accessed 26 April 2017. This is a subscription site but access is free to readers of British libraries whose library subscribes.

Acknowledgments

• This person was created on 20 April 2011 through the import of Wilson and Steele.ged.GED.

Thank you to Robin Kabrich and Becky Bierbrodt and Veronica Williams

This profile has been improved by a member of the England Project's Orphan Trail.