Robert Symons (abt. 1560 - 1623)

Husband of Margery Wendy — married 30 Jul 1600 in Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire, England

Died 1623 at about age 63 in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire, England

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Biography

Robert was born about 1560. He was the son of Robert Symons and his wife Joan. ^[1]

He married firstly, about 20 Apr 1586 (date of the marriage allegation), Alice Barley, daughter of Thomas barley of Elsenham, Gent. ^[2] It is not known when Alice died, but it is probably no more than a year or two after marriage, as he was married to Ann Rampston by 1590. No children are known from this first marriage.

He married secondly, Ann Rampston, daughter of Thomas Rampston. They were married by 1590, when Robert arranged to purchase the manor of Salisbury Hall in Walthamstow from the crown, on the expiry of Margaret Rampston, Ann's mothers lease upon the manor^[3] Thomas Rampston, Ann's father, had married Margaret, widow of the author Robert Ascham in 1569, and the manor had descended to Margaret from Ascham. Robert and Ann had at least two children.

Robert Symons mortgaged the manor repeatedly in the 1590s, possibly to rebuild the manor house on the site. He mortgaged the property again in 1619, and this mortgage that would still outstanding on his death in 1623, when the manor passed to his son Thomas. ^[4]

He married thirdly, Margery Wendy, daughter of Thomas Wendy and Thomas Atkins at Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire on 30 Jul 1600. ^[5]. They had at least three children

In 1621 he served as sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. ^[6]

He passed away in 1623, his being proved as "Robert Simons, Gentleman of Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire" on 6 Mar 1623. ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ The visitations of Cambridgeshire, 1575 and 1619 by Henerey St George. Harleian society, London. 1897. Page 105 pedigree of Simons.
2. ↑ Allegations for marriage licences issues by the Bishop of London v.25 Ed.Chester, Joseph Lemuel, 20 Apr 1586 Robert Symonds, Gent., & Alice Barley, Spinster, of Elsenham, co. Essex, dau. of Richard Barley, of same, Gent.
3. ↑ Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, 1581-90 Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1865. 61: Grant by the Queen to Robert Symons of the manor and lands of Salisbury Hall in the parish of Walthamstow, co. Essex, parcel of the lands and possessions of the late Robert Tyrwhit, formerly granted to Richard Johnson and Roger Ascham. Latin. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/1581-90/pp657-662
4. ↑ A History of the County of Essex: Volume 6 Victoria County History, London, 1973. Walthamstow Pages 253-263. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol6/pp253-263.
5. ↑ Haslingfield parish register. Marriage register reads: Mr Rob. Simonds and Mris Margery Wendy md.
6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheriff_of_Cambridgeshire_and_Huntingdonshire
7. ↑ Will of Robert Simons, Gentleman of Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire, proved 6 Mar 1623. PROB 11/141/257. Reads: Will of Robert Simons, Gent of Whittlesford, 1623 To my wife Margerie Simons in lieu of her dower and jointure my manor of land in Duxford and my manor of Shadworth in Harston, Cambridgeshire., and for her maintenance my chief mansion house in Whittlesford with remainder to my second son Robert Symons. To my son Thomas Symons Which house in Whittlesford with all lands belonging, and to his heirs, with remainder to my second son Robert. My manor in Hauxton, now in the occupation of Greene to Robert my second son The rent for my manor of Salisbury Hall in Walthamstow and the rent from my manor of Rickling for five years to make a portion for my second son Robert, and then then to Thomas my son. Whereas i lately purchased one third part of a farm called St Mary Madleford and St German in Norfolk to my daughter Elizabeth Symons, and my youngest daughter Margery, being a part in common, with two parts bequethed to them by the will of my father, their grandfather Robert Symons. I give to the the third part in common. I give unto a learned preacher, authorised by the univeristy and bishops of Cambridge, £10 yearly out of my mill called Barrow mill in Sawston to preach every second sunday to the people of Whittlesford. Whereas I have in the hands of Edward Atkins of Lincolns inn £600 by virtue of a statute, I will this to be bestowed to my heirs by Sir William Wendy, and my brother Thomas Wendy. I do make Sir William Wendy, my brother and my brother Thomas Wendy, as well as my wife Margery and my eldest son Thomas, executors.