Biography

The Will of Francis Mundeford Francisci died in about 1536 in Feltwell, Norfolk, England. His will passed probate on 13 September 1536.^[1]

Extract Transcription: In his will dated 21st July 1536 Francis specified that he be buried in the Church of St. Marys Feltwell, in the middle of the Chapel of St. Katherine (now demolished). He made the usual requests that a mass be sung for him, that monies be divided among the poor of the surrounding parishes, and in addition that this executors "find an honest preest to pray and syng for my sowle and the sowles of my father and mother and of my father Thursbys sowle and Elizabeth his wife and of Margaret my wife and of Edmond Smeney and of all other ffriends and benefactors sowles". He made specific bequested to his wife Gertrude and his son Osbert - who as son and heir would inherit the bulk of the Mundeford estates. Furthermore he wills certain items to his sons Edmund, Francis, Adam when they reach 21 year of age, and laeacies for his daughters Isabell, Dorothy, Mary, Anne, and Martha when they attain the age of 21. In addition, Francis requests that each of his daughters be paid 60 pounds toward their respective marriages. "And also I give unto the child that my wife is now wt be it son or daughter 60 pounds to be paid at the age of 21 years". He also makes provision for the two daughters of his first wife, Jane Smewney and Margaret Smewney, as well as giving 60 pounds to his sister Elizabeth Moundeford. The will was probated the 23rd of September 1536. Althoug few specific details of land holdings are not noted in the will of Francis Mundeford, they are described in more detail in the Inquisitions Post Mortem relating to his son Osbert. In the Inquisition Post Mortem pertaining to Osbert, dated 30 September 1580, it was recorded that he possessed vast estates scattered around the area, most of all of which seem to have been inherited from his father. These include the Manor of Welhall in Gayton and Holt in Norfolk, the vicarage of Gayton and the site of the late hospital and chapelry of St. Mary and St. Giles near the Isle of Slysham in the parish of Methwold, and all the houses buildings belonging to same, and one close containing 18 acres adjacent to he town of Methwold, and one messuage in Methwold Hythe in Methwold, and two "seminaris" containing 1 and 30 acres in diverse places in the fields of Methwold. Furthermore he has one third of the Manor of Glosthorpe in Lexiard, Ashwicken and Gayton, and of 3 messuages and 260 acres of land, 20 acres of meadow, 60 acres of pasture and free grazing in Methwold. Another holding was the Manor of Wendling Abbots in Feltwell, and one close called Owls Home Close lying in the town and fields of Feltwell, containing 14 acres, and of another close called Gannock Close in Feltwell containing 6 acres, and of land and testaments in Notrhwold. Also he owned the Manor of Spynviles and Denton with appurtenances in Feltwell, and of diverse messuages and 600 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, 100 acres of pasture, 200 acres of heath, 100/ - worth of rent and grazing rights in Feltwell, Hockwold, Wilton, and Methwold, and one messuage called Dyttons in Methwold and another messuage called Rebeckend in Hilgay and Southery, 20 acres of land, 30 acres of meadow and pasture , and 200 acres of marsh in Methwold, Hilgay and Southery. The Inquisition Post Mortem dated the 29th March 1590 concerning Francis Mondeford, the son and heir of the above Osbert, detail virtually the same holdings, showing that they were inherited intact from his father.

The Will of Osbert Moundeford son and heir of Francis:^[2]

Extract Transcription: Osbert Moundeford of Feltwell, Esquire made his will the 28th of January 1574 wherein he requested that he be buried in the Church of St. Marys "neerunto my father or mother". His wife Bridget was to "enjoy for the term of her life all my mannors, lands, and tenaments in Feltwell and Methwolde with their appurtenances in Norff aforesaid which descended and came to me in possession immediately after the death of my father Francis Moundeforde Esquire". Mention is also made of Bridget's "late good father Sir John Spelman knight". He also mentions lands in the area which he had purchased during his lifetime. In addition, he bequeaths that his wife have half of the sheep, gold etc., and in addition, half of ghe "arms and weapons mete for the warres". Also noted are his son Francis, his four daughters Elizabeth, Ursula, Alice, and Temperance, some or all under 21 and unmarried,; and his younger sons Edmond, Osbert, Thomas, Adam, Richard, John, Jeffery, and Edward some or all under 21. Many servants and other employees etc. are named in the will. Others include his brother Francis, and his sons in law George Fowler, and Jeffrey Cobb Esquire. The will was probated on the 2nd of September 1580.

• • The Will of Half Sister Dorothy:^[3]

Extract Transcription: . The will was probated the 13th of November 1610. Elizabeth died without issue. She wrote her will the 11th of May 1610 wherein 'Elizabeth Might of Flitcham, widow' made bequests to her siblings Sir Edmund Moundeford, to the latter's son Edmund, to her brother Thomas Moundeford, {Doctor of Physick). To her brother John Moundeford and his daughters Bridget and Elizabeth, to her brother Edward Moundeford, to her brother Osbert Moundeford, and brother Richard Moundeford; to her sister Ursula Fastolphe and the latter's daughters Mabel and Bridget, and to her sister Alice Cobbe, and sister Ashton. 'Cousins' noted therein include: Rowland Fowler, Bridget Crockett, Osbert Fowler, George Fowler, and Thomas Fowler. Others include 'Jeffrey Cobbe, Thomas Cobbe, Anne Symonds and Alice Hovell, children of my sister Ashton and to her 'Goddaughter Anne Symonds, daughter of cousin Ralph Symonds'. Another cousin to which a bequest was made was Ellen Spelman, wife of Sir Henry Spelman, and her daughter (Elizabeth's goddaughter) Dorothy. Further cousins noted in the will were Elizabeth Sherringham, Dorothy Pratt, and John Falke. A nephew, Jeffrey Might is also mentioned. The will was probated the 13th of November 1610.

**The Will of Brother Adam MundefordAdam Mondeford died between 01 Jun-04 Jul 1598 in Inner Temple, London, England.

Extract Transcription: Adam died s.p. (without issue). In his will dated 4 June 1598, Adam Moundeford of the Inner Temple, etc. mentions his brother Thomas Moundeford, doctor of Physic and the latter's wife Mary and eldest son Osbert; his mother Mrs. Bridget Moundeford; and his brothers Edmund, Osbert, Richard, John, and Edward Moundeford. Also noted were his "late dec'd brother - in - law, Jeffrey Cobb, Esq.", his brother - in - law George Fowler, his brother - in - law Mr. Thomas Might and his wife (sister to Adam), and to sisters Ursula Fastolph, Alice Cobb, and Temperance Pratt. Other relatives whose names are found in the will are "my Aunt Dannett", Elizabeth Dannett, and John Ffaulke. The will was probated on the 1st of July 1598. Adam died without issue. In his will dated 4 June 1598, 'Adam Moundeford of the Inner Temple, etc.' mentions his brother Thomas Moundeford, doctor of Physic and the latter's wife Mary and eldest son Osbert; his mother Mrs. Bridget Moundeford; and his brothers Edmund, Osbert, Richard, John, and Edward Moundeford. Also noted were his 'late dec'd brother - in - law, Jeffrey Cobb, Esq.', his brother - in - law George Fowler, his brother - in - law Mr. Thomas Might and his wife (sister to Adam), and to sisters Ursula Fastolph, Alice Cobb, and Temperance Pratt. Other relatives whose names are found in the will are 'my Aunt Dannett', Elizabeth Dannett, and John Ffaulke. The will was probated on the 1st of July 1598.

Other Wills of Thomas same family name:

Thomas Mundford of Gloucestershire, 1593 Probate: Thomas Mundford will probate 1593:Thomas's estate passed probate in 1593 in Norfolk, England.^[4]

The will of Thomas Mundford of Thurne, Norfolk: ^[5]

Other citations of Thomas same family name: Marriage : Thomas [Mondforth] married Elizabeth Bafolyt on [5 Oct] September 1569 in Norwich, St James with Pockthorpe, Norfolk, England.^[6]

Conflation Alert: Son of Osbert: Thomas Moundeford M.D. (1550–1630) was an English academic and physician who married Mary Hill in 1583 in the USA - she was the daughter of Richard Hill. ^[7].

Thomas Moundford died in St. Bride's Parish, London, England.^[8]

• National Archives find no record of Thomas Mondeford at this search criteria ^[9]

• • Using search criteria Mundeford at National Archives ^[10]:

gives us the most likely candidate for profile match in a will probate dated 15 Oct 1588: ^[11]

• • Other wills:

Thomas's estate passed probate in 1558 in Norfolk, England.^[12]

Citation convention used for the will citations above is that contained on National Archives own website^[13].

Sources

1. ↑ 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: 25Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 5111 #874560 (accessed 30 March 2024)
   Will of Francisci Mouneford, granted probate on 13 Sep 1536. Died about 1536 in Feltwell, Norfolk, England.
2. ↑ David Faux report on Mondeford Pg 13 (accessed 12 Mar 2024)
3. ↑ David Faux report on Mondeford Pg 17 (accessed 12 Mar 2024)
4. ↑ Probate:"Norfolk, England, Indexes to Wills, Probate, Administrations and Marriage Licence Bonds, 1371-1858"Norfolk Record Office; Norfolk, England; Norfolk Indexes to Wills, Marriage Bonds, Administrations, Probate; URL: http://nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk/index.php/mundford-thomas-of-norwich-norfolk Ancestry au Record 62679 #66512 (accessed 1 April 2024)Thomas Mundford probate in 1593 in Norfolk, England.
5. ↑ Consistory Court Probate Records - Mundford, Thomas, of Thurne, Norfolk; Diocese of Norwich, Consistory Court; 11th century Norwich, Norfolk NCC administration act book 1558-1560, fo. 63; microfilm MF 167-168(accessed 20 Mar 2024)
6. ↑ Marriage: "Norfolk, England, Church of England Baptism, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812" Norfolk Record Office; Norwich, Norfolk, England; Norfolk Church of England Registers; Reference: PD 11/1Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 61045 #2881344 (accessed 1 April 2024)Thomas Mondfow[r]th marriage to Elizabeth Bafolyt in Sep 1569 in Norwich, St James with Pockthorpe, Norfolk, England.
7. ↑ Wikipedia entry: Wikipedia contributors, "Thomas Moundeford"Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (accessed 31 March 2024)
8. ↑ England Select Deaths and Burials 1538 to 1991: "England, Select Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991"
   Original data: England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 574354
   Ancestry au Record 9840 #8229038 (accessed 31 March 2024)
   Thomas Moundford death in St. Bride's Parish, London, England.
9. ↑ The National Archives’ Website – Discovery:Search Thomas Mondeford; 1518 to 1590 (accessed 15 Mar – 1 Apr 2024)
10. ↑ [ https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_ps=30&_q=%22+Mundeford%22/ The National Archives’ Website – Discovery: Search Mondeford; 1518 to 1590] (accessed 15 Mar – 1 Apr 2024)
11. ↑ / The National Archives' Website, Discovery: Search Mondeford, Will of Thomas Mundeford or Moundeford, Gentleman of Radwinter, Essex: Probate 11/72/768 at National Archives(accessed 15 mar – 1 Apr 2024)
12. ↑ Probate: "Norfolk, England, Indexes to Wills, Probate, Administrations and Marriage Licence Bonds, 1371-1858"Norfolk Record Office; Norfolk, England; Norfolk Indexes to Wills, Marriage Bonds, Administrations, Probate; URL:http://nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk/index.php/mundford-thomas-of-thurne-norfolkAncestry au Record 62679 #57622 (accessed 1 April 2024) Thomas Mundford probate in 1558 in Norfolk, England.
13. ↑ National Archives website search Citing Records(accessed 18 mar 2024)