Ralph Sneyd (abt. 1564 - bef. 1643)

Born about 1564 in Bradwell, Staffordshire, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 7 Apr 1643 before about age 79 in Staffordshire, England

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Biography

Ralph was born in 1564 as the second son of Ralph Sneyd of Keele and Bradwell and his first wife Mary Chetwynd, daughter of Thomas Chetwynd of Ingestre, Staffordshire, England. ^[1]

Ralph married Felicia, daughter of Nicholas Archbold of Uttoxter, Staffordshire, England ^[1] in about 1600.

Ralph and Felicia had ten children, four sons and six daughters. One son died young. ^[1]

1. Ralph (1612-1650) who married Jane Downes on 20 January 1629 in Keele, St John the Baptist, Staffordshire, England.^[2]Marriage Register
2. William (1613-1694) who married Elizabeth Audley. ^[3]
3. Thomas (1614-Deceased) was baptised on 7 March 1614 in Keele, Staffordshire, England.^[4] and died young.
4. Richard (1617-1683) was baptised on 29 August 1617 in Burslem, Stafford, England.^[5] and married Grace Fenwick of Northumberland. Richard died in 1683 and was buried on 2 January 1683 in Keele, St John the Baptist, Staffordshire, England.^[6]
5. Elizabeth, who married John Davenport of Davenport, Cheshire;
6. Mary (1607-Deceased) was baptised on 20 June 1607 in Uttoxeter, St Mary, Staffordshire, England.^[7] and married 1) William Crompton of Stone Park, 2) Richard Shuckborough of Shuckborough, Warwickshire; Mary died and was buried on 27 Jan 1628/9 in Naseby, Northamptonshire, England.^[8]
7. Anne, who married Thomas Pigott of Chetwynd, Shropshire ^[9]
8. Clare, who married 1) John Lawton of Cheshire^[10], 2) Thomas Bowyer of Knypersley, Staffordshire
9. Margaret (1616-Deceased) was baptised on 9 June 1616 in Burslem, Stafford, England.^[11] and married Sir Richard Floyd of Caernarvonshire ^[12]
10. Felicia (1619-1646) was baptised on 11 Apr 1619 at in Church-Lawton, Lawton, Cheshire, England.^[13] and married first Sir Edward Fitton Bt. of Gawsworth, Cheshire and secondly, Sir Charles Adderley of Lea Marston, Warwickshire. ^[1]

Following Ralph's elder brother, William's death, on Aug 29 1613, ^[14] he became the heir apparent to Keele Hall. Ralph's brother, William, was fifty years of age at the time of his death and therefore, was prepared as first son to continue the practices of his father and other ancestors with purchasing and amassing land. The Sneyd family had a very extensive list of properties including many manor houses at the time of his death. Examples of land ownership acquired would be representative of the following comments:

"The Lordship of Keele was by them possess't (Knights of Malta), till the dissolution of 32 Henry VIII, and was purchased from the Crown by Sir William Sneyd, of Bradwell, Knight, 36 Henry VIII, whose son, Ralph Sneyd, built here a very fair house of stone; since which time it has continued the chief seat of this Family, and is now the inheritance of William Sneyd, Esq. 1679." ^[15]

"William Sneyd ... appears to have been the one of a long line of ancestry who most enlarged its possessions; but his grandson, Sir William, by Crown Grants and judicious purchases, made considerable additions, as did his son Ralph Sneyd, Esquire, who died about 1603, seised of a vast estate." ^[15]

Many business deals were handled over the years. The family was able to keep holdings into the 20th century. "Henry Lord Audley mortgaged what was then called the manor of Tunstall to Sir William Sneyd of Bradwell (in Wolstanton). Sir William subsequently held the courts of this manor, and it passed at his death in 1572 to his son Ralph to whom George Lord Audley sold it in 1576. The manor then remained in the Sneyd family, lords of the other third part by the end of the 18th century, and in 1940 such manorial rights as survived were held by Ralph Sneyd."^[16]

In the Turnstall area where Bradwell and Keele Halls are located, iron mines were numerous. There were lots of deals made similar to the following. "In 1561 Henry Lord Audley leased or granted ten ironstone mines in the Tunstall portion of Wolstanton parish to Sir William Sneyd, to whom he had already mortgaged his share of the manor, but George Lord Audley's grant of this part of the manor [went] to Ralph Sneyd in 1576."^[16]

"In 1596, Ralph Sneyd had granted an ironstone or 'boylem' stone mine to William Bowyer on a 300 year lease, but in 1643 this mine was no longer worked." ^[16]

Ralph would have been roughly 53 years of age when his father, Ralph, died in about 1615 and when he took over managing the estate. He was not raised learning how to be an heir managing the families' properties but had to learn after his brother died in 1613 in order to take over the vast resources this family had in 1615.

Family History and Keele Hall

Ralph was born into a storied family starting as a junior branch of the Audley family in the 1300s. With the dissolution of the monasteries, Keele was purchased by Sir William Sneyd in 1544. His son, Ralph, built a stone house in 1580 which became the family seat and the property of Keele and Keele Hall remained in the family for four hundred years until its sale due to double death duties in the last generation. Keele Hall eventually became the property of the University of Keele after 1948. The following history of Keele Hall and the Sneyd family can be found on the University of Keele's website. Sneyd and Keele History

"The Keele estate was originally purchased by William Sneyd by 1544 and was owned by the Sneyd family for over 400 years. The family dates back further to the 13th century as a minor branch of the powerful Audley family in Cheshire. The Sneyd coat of arms featured a device of a scythe to identify them in battle – the word for a handle of a scythe is a sned – offering the opportunity for a pun on the family name. One Sneyd fought in the victory over the French at Poitiers in 1356 and was awarded the French royal emblem of the fleur-de-lys to add to the scythe as a battle-honour.

The Sneyds were successful drapers and merchants in Chester and some took up law, two of them becoming Recorder of Chester. They were even more successful at marrying wealthy heiresses and from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century the family grew in stature. After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, Sir William Sneyd bought the Keele estate and other lands in 1542, beginning the long Keele connection. William's son, Ralph Sneyd, built the first Keele Hall in 1580. Little or nothing remains from this time apart from the quarry – referred to sometimes as the amphitheatre – and some very elderly trees. During the Civil War, the Sneyds took the King's side but fared badly in this predominantly Parliamentarian area. Colonel Sneyd was killed in the war [1650] and the family fell into a decline."

Before the Civil War

Colonel Ralph Sneyd is the son listed of this presently profiled Ralph Sneyd born 1564 and who died during the Civil War in 1643. Prior to the Civil War, Ralph continued on with both the purchase and sale of properties, some of which were completed with his son, Ralph.

Eventually, Ralph did serve as Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1621. ^[17]

Ralph also became a Ward to a great nephew, Francis Trentham, whom he had with him for four years from ages eight to twelve. He was responsible for the care of Francis which involved providing his education, his involvement with understanding how to manage his father's estate while a minor and ultimately guiding him into a marriage. Ralph "is granted the “custodie wardshippe and marriage” of the 8 year old heir of the Trentham estate, ffrancis Trentham II in 1628 which by licence, he grants to Sir William Bowyer of Knypersley on 9 June 1632." ^[18] At age twelve, Ralph transferred that responsibility to Sir William Bowyer, who took upon himself the introduction of his daughter Elizabeth to Francis. Francis married Elizabeth two years later at age fourteen.

Civil War and Death

Ralph would have been about 75 years of age when the civil war was beginning in 1639. It wouldn't have been usual for a 75 year old man to be leading a troop of men into war as a Captain. However, he did get involved on the Royalist side and aided in ways that would help the Royalists. It's not clear if Ralph did go to war but he eventually died in Apr 1643.

As a result of being on the side of King Charles the First, Keele Hall was plundered during the Civil War. Lost were most of their land deeds in addition to house possessions.

Ralph was buried on 7 April 1643 from the Church of St Margaret in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England.^{[19][20][21][22]}Find A Grave: Memorial #182202671

Ralph's Will passed probate on 13 March 1646.^[23]

This link will go to Ralph Sneyd's Will: Will

Ralph was a generous man when his Will was read. He gave his employees more money than most would give. All his employees received half a year's wages in addition to some individual benefits to specific employees.

Research notes

• Sneyd, Ralph, b. Bradwell Hall, 1564 ; s. of Ralph Sneyd, Esq. [see], of Sneyd, Tunstall, Keele, &c. ; High Sheriff, Staffs., 19 James I. ; M.P., Stafford, 1640 ; d. 1643. Portrait. By Lee. lO.-U. (2 ft. 7i in. by 2 ft. 2 in.) [Penes Dryden Sneyd, Esq.] Bibliotheca Staffordiensis

• A Sneyd Family History

• Ralph Sneyd and Trentham as Ward

• • Ralph Sneyd II (Captain) armiger, of Keele, Staffordshire b. 1570, buried 7 April 1643 at Wolstanton. Became heir app. on death of his eldest brother, William, on Aug 29 1613. Is granted the “custodie wardshippe and marriage” of the 8 year old heir of the Trentham estate, ffrancis Trentham II in 1628 which by licence, he grants to Sir William Bowyer of Knypersley on 9 June 1632.

• • Sir ffrancis Trentham II Kt of Rocester Abbey, Staffordshire baptised 22 Sept 1620 at Rocester, married 21 Oct 1634 (aged 14) at Biddulph, buried 15 April 1644 at Rocester. Is 8 years old on the death of his father, he becomes a Royal Ward of Court and Ralph Sneyd II of Keele (his great Uncle) purchases his “custody wardshippe and marriage” which includes taking care of his education and managing the Trentham estate during ffrancis’ minority. The boy now moves to Keele while his mother Lady Prudence Trentham moves to the 750 acre Trentham estate of Westwood Grange near Leek, Staffs 1632 June 9: Ralph Sneyd II, by a special licence grants and assigns the custody and wardship of ffrancis Trentham II (aged 12) to Sir William Bowyer of Knypersley Hall where the boy now moves. (Sneyd Papers S1385). 1644 April 11: Date of the Will names 4 year old daughter Elizabeth (Lady Cullen) his sole heiress.

• Exceptionally well laid out diagram of 5 families including the Sneyd family who have intermarried.5 families pedigree

• Bradwell Hall and St Margaret Church

• Wikipedia contributors, "Keele Hall," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keele_Hall&oldid=1152136161 (accessed September 11, 2023).

• A Sneyd History OrnaVerum

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Collections for a history of Staffordshire : Staffordshire Record Society Pt II, Vol 4 1884 - The heraldic Visitations of Staffordshire in 1614 and 1663-64 by St George, Norroy and Dugdale, Norroy Sneade of Keele p. 275 image 297 of 459 (accessed 14 Jun 2022)
2. ↑ Marriage: "Staffordshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Staffordshire Record Office; Stafford, Staffordshire, England; Page number: 8
   Ancestry Record 62248 #960162 (accessed 12 September 2023)
   Ralph Sneyde marriage to Jane Downes on 20 Jan 1629 in Keele, St John the Baptist, Staffordshire, England.
3. ↑ Marriage: "England, Boyd's Marriage Indexes, 1538-1850"
   FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 17 September 2023)
   William Snead marriage to Elz Audly in 1633 in London, England.
4. ↑ Baptism of son Tho Sneyd:"Staffordshire, England, Extracted Church of England Parish Records, 1538-1839"
   Extracted Church of England Parish Records; Title: Various publications of parish and probate records
   Ancestry Record 61517 #15129685 (accessed 14 September 2023)
   Ralph Sneyde's son Tho Sneyd baptism on 7 Mar 1614 in Keele, Staffordshire, England.
5. ↑ Baptism of son Rich Snead: "England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013
   Ancestry Record 9841 #126819189 (accessed 14 September 2023)
   Feales's son Rich Snead baptism on 29 Aug 1617 in Burslem, Stafford, England.
6. ↑ Burial:"Staffordshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Staffordshire Record Office; Stafford, Staffordshire, England; Page number: 35
   Ancestry Record 62248 #1365714 (accessed 14 September 2023)
   Richard Sneyde burial (died in 1683) on 2 Jan 1683 in Keele, St John the Baptist, Staffordshire, England.
7. ↑ Baptism:"Staffordshire Baptisms"
   Reference: D3891/1/1
   FindMyPast Image - https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FSTAFF%2FBAP%2F123679 FindMyPast Transcription] (accessed 13 September 2023)
   Mary Sneyde baptism on 20 Jun 1607, daughter of Rasse & Felis, in Uttoxeter, St Mary, Staffordshire, England.
8. ↑ Burial:"Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1532-1812"
   Northamptonshire Record Office; Northampton, England; Register Type: Parish Registers; Reference Numbers: 216P/1
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9198 #9555727 (accessed 14 September 2023)
   Mary Shuckburgh burial (died in about 1628) on 27 Jan 1628 in Naseby, Northamptonshire, England.
9. ↑ Marriage:"England & Wales Marriages, 1538-1988"
   Place: Keele, Staffordshire, England; Date Range: 1625 - 1632; Film Number: 1040762
   Ancestry Record 1352 #2151104 (accessed 14 September 2023)
   Ann Sneyde marriage to Thomas Piggot on 13 Nov 1632 in Keele, Staffordshire, England.
10. ↑ Marriage: "Cheshire, England, Select Bishop's Transcripts, 1576-1933"
    Original data: England, Cheshire Bishop's Transcripts, 1576-1933. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 1655594
    Ancestry Record 60496 #2844080 (accessed 14 September 2023)
    Clara Sneyde marriage to Johes. Lawton on 28 Oct 1617 in Church-Lawton, Cheshire, England.
11. ↑ Baptism of daughter Margrett Snead:"England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
    Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013
    Ancestry Record 9841 #86272904 (accessed 10 September 2023)
    Ralph and Feales's daughter Margrett Snead baptism on 9 Jun 1616 in Burslem, Stafford, England.
12. ↑ Staffordshire : Wolstanton : St Margaret : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581875e1e93790eb7fdc9863 : viewed 16 Sep 2023) marriage Rich. Floyd to Margrett Sneyd 14 Sep 1632
13. ↑ Baptism: "Cheshire, England, Parish Registers, 1538-1909"
    Church of England. Record Office; Chester, England
    Ancestry Record 61760 #380343 (accessed 14 September 2023)
    Phaelicea Sneyde baptism on 11 Apr 1619, daughter of Radi. Sneyde, in Church-Lawton, Cheshire, England.
14. ↑ William's death
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} John Ward; The Borough of Stoke-upon-Trent, W. Lewis & Son, Finch-Lane, London, 1883. Pages 79-81.[1]
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2} "Tunstall," in A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 8, ed. J G Jenkins (London: Victoria County History, 1963), 81-104. British History Online, accessed September 9, 2023, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol8/pp81-104.
17. ↑ Sneyd, Ralph, b. Bradwell Hall, 1564 ; s. of Ralph Sneyd, Esq. [see], of Sneyd, Tunstall, Keele, &c. ; High Sheriff, Staffs., 19 James I. ; M.P., Stafford, 1640 ; d. 1643. Portrait. By Lee. lO.-U. (2 ft. 7i in. by 2 ft. 2 in.) [Penes Dryden Sneyd, Esq.] Bibliotheca Staffordiensis
18. ↑ Francis Trentham
19. ↑ Staffordshire : Wolstanton : St Margaret : Transcript : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818cb4de93790de6a129f87 : viewed 16 Sep 2023) burial Ralph Sneyd 07 Apr 1643
20. ↑ Burial:"National Burial Index For England & Wales"
    FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 5 September 2023)
    Ralph Sneyd burial (died in 1643) on 7 Apr 1643 in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England.
21. ↑ Burial: "Staffordshire, England, Extracted Church of England Parish Records, 1538-1839"
    Extracted Church of England Parish Records; Title: Various publications of parish and probate records
    Ancestry Record 61517 #419414 (accessed 7 September 2023)
    Ralph Sneyd Esqu burial (died in about 1643) on 7 Apr 1643 in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England.
22. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (no image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #182202671 (accessed 7 September 2023)
    Memorial page for Ralph Sneyde (1564-1643), citing St Margaret Churchyard, Wolstanton, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough, Staffordshire, England;.
23. ↑ 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: 199
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5111 #792784 (accessed 7 September 2023)
    Will of Radulphi Sneyde, granted probate on 13 Mar 1646.

Acknowledgements

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