Thomas Wilson (abt. 1530 - 1591)

Born about 1530 in Essex, England

Husband of Susan (Jocelin) Wilson — married 12 Jun 1571 in Stisted, Essex, England

Descendants

Died Mar 1591 at about age 61 in Bocking, Essex, England

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Biography

The lineages that document these early families often do not give dates.

From the Visitations of Essex by Hawley, we know that Thomas Wilson of Jenkins married Susan, daughter and heir of Philip Jocelin of Braintree. We also know from this charts that Thomas was the son of Thomas Wilson of Jenkins in Stisted and Bocking and of London. No dates are provided with this information.^[1]

Thomas's last will and testament was written 24 February 1591 and proved 31 March 1591. "Thomas Willsonne, my father, late of Bednall Green, MIddlesex deceased, did make me by his last will his sole executor. Leases of lands in Stepney, houses in St. Martin's in the Fields by Charing Cross bequeathed by him. My daughters Susan, Elizabeth, Jane, Anne, Mary, Winifred, Frances and Dorothy at days of marriage or age of one and twenty years. My brother John Wilson and his wife. My sister Bradburrie. My sister Pigott. My sister Barbara Lucas. My sister Anne Haines. My sister Joane. My sister Elizabeth. I give to Thomas Wilson my eldest son a horn bordered about with silver parcel gilt. My son Philip Willson. John Robinson, my children' schoolmaster. My uncle Jeffrey Brooke's wife. To my mother Sions one ring of gold with a death's head. Henry Barr. Son Tomas at one and twenty. My wife to be executrix and beloved friends, Master Edward Thursbie and my uncle Master Jeffery Brooke to be overseers.

Susan's last will and testament was proved in 1616, so she likely died that year. In her will, she mentions one granddaughter who not yet 21 years of age. Susan's grandfather, Philip, was born about 1477. Her father, also named Philip, died in 1552. Susan was likely born about 1540, which would have made her 76 years of age at the time of her death. She may have been a bit younger than this. The dates all must be estimated. But we know she must have died well after her children had married, as she mentions her sons-in-law in the will.

"Philip, born about 1477; on a subsidy list at Braintree, Co., Essex in 1525; marriage Agnes Davies, daughter of Robert. Child: 1. Philip of Little Leighs, Co., Essex, died about 1552; married Anne Brooke, who survived him, daughter of John; his daughter, Susan, married Thomas Wilson of Jenkins in Stisted, County Essex."^[2]

Family Search has a marriage date of 12 June 1571 for Thomas and Susan. Thomas and Susan were the parents of the following children, all of whom were named in Thomas's and Susan's will:

Thomas, a son;

Philip, a son;

John, a son;

Susan, a daughter;

Elizabeth, a daughter;

Jane, a daughter;

Anne, a daughter, who married Thomas Trotter;

Mary, a daughter, who married William Lyngwood;

Winifred, a daughter, who married William Brook.

Frances, a daughter (alive in 1591, but not mentioned in her mother's will in 1616);

Dorothy, a daughter.

It seems that none of the children were yet 21 years of age at the time of their father's death in 1591. His eldest son, Thomas, was not yet 21, so was likely born after 1572, a year or so after his parents' marriage.

The Will of Susan Wilson

Susan Willson of Booking, Essex, widow, late wife of Thomas Wilson gent, deceased, her will dated 24 December 1615, published and declared 14 May 1616, proved 10 June 1616. To be buried in the church of Braintree. The poor of Braintree, Hocking and Stysted. My sons Philip and John Wilson. My son in law Thomas Trotter and my daughter Anne his wife. My son in law William Lyngwooil and my daughter Mary his wife.' My son in law Anthony Filioll. My daughter Winifride now wife of William Brocke. My grandchild Susan Spooner at one and twenty or day of marriage.

Loving friends Christopher Thursbie Esq. and Johu Sorrell of Stebbing gen1. My cousin and loving friend John Smyth late of Loughborongh in Leicestershire. My loving friend Mrs. Thursbie the wife of Christopher Thursbie of Bocking Esq. and my godson Mr. Johu Thursbye, his son. My cousin Mary Meade of Stansted Monfitchet, widow, and my godchild Mary Palmer, her daughter. My godchild Susan daughter to Mr. John Sorrell of Stebbing. Henry Barre, sometimes my servant. Robert Byndes of Stisted, my good neighbor, and his daughter Susan now the wife of Matthew Francke of Bocking. Constance Bridge of Brayutree. Mary Sparhawke sometimes my servant. Margery Dixon sometimes my servant and now the wife of Robert Billing. My servant Susan Glascocke. My uncle Mr. Jeffrey Brocke and my aunt his wife. My loving cousin Mrs. Frances Iremouger daughter of my uncle Jeffrey Brocke. Edward Barre my servant. My daughter Dorothy Filioll.

I give to my son Philip Willson my three little messuages &c. in Brayntree, in a place there called the Pounde End. I give to my son John Willsou my messuage or tenement &c. in Braintree which I lately bought of one John Denman, now in the occupation of my son in law William Lyngwood, and two tenements &c. in Braintree now in the occupation of Richard Owltinge and Thomas Clarke. I give to William Lyngwood and my daughter Mary his wife my Inn &c. called the Home in Braintree. which I purchased of Jervase Bradshawe and now in said Bradshawe's occupation. My eldest son Thomas Willson. My daughters Anne Trotter and Mary Lyngwood shall have that messuage &c. called Lulls in Brad well by Coggeshall Essex which was given to them and others bv mv father in law Mr. Svmons, notwithstanding any release they have heretofore made unto me. Son John Willson and two sons in law Thomas Trotter and William Lyngwood to be executors. Mary the wife of my son Johu. Mrs. Dorothy Glascock. Cope, 62.^[3]

of Jenkins, Stisted, Essex, England

Sources

1. ↑ The Visitations of Essex, by Walter C. Metcalfe, London, 1878, page 525.
2. ↑ The New England Historical and Genealogical Register; Genealogical Research in England; 1917, page 241.
3. ↑ The Last Will and Testament of Susan Wilson, Proved 1616.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Jim Steffens for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Jim and others.

• French, Miss Elizabeth. Genealogical Research in England, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 1917) Vol. 71, Page 241