Shirleys of Thatcham Berkshire
England
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This Lineage Last Reviewed and Updated December 2022
Thomas Shirley of Thatcham Berkshire, maulster
; Originally of Shinfield Parish, Berkshire, but later of Thatcham; His will was probated 1672

1672 Will of Shirley, Thomas of Thacham Berks maulster - 1 June 1671 Thomas Sherley of Thatcham, county of Berks, maulster. To be buried in churchyard of Thatcham, to son John Shirley, to daughter Anne Mathews, to daughter Mary Bisley, to granddaughter Elizabeth Burbridge, to Richard Brice maulster of Newbury of Berks. Wife Elizabeth Shirley and my youngest son Ralph Sherley executors. Signed in presence of Jo Knight, Roger Knight. Proven 1672. Another probate Oct 1693. PCC 11/338 p 306

married Elizabeth __________; Named in her husband Thomas Shirley's 1671 will. She died in 1680 at Thatcham Berkshire

Berkshire Wills - Sherley, Elizabeth widow, bur Marlow end Thatcham 1680 W. 121/107

Children:

1(i). John Shirley named in father's 1672 Berkshire will. ?Living at Shinfield Berkshire at time of death in 1695 (if same John Shirley)

[same?] 1695 Consistory Court of Salisbury - Will of John Shurley Yeoman of Shinfield Berkshire (Inventory) - Ref No. P1/S/598 Probate records of the Consistory Court of Salisbury - I John Shorley of Shinfield in the county of Berks yeoman; Imprimis I give unto each of my brothers and sisters 12 pence each. Item all the rest unto Mary my loving wife, my sole executrix dated 23 March 1694 (by mark) John Shurly In presence of (by mark) Francis Wats, (by mark) Hobart Coxe, John Bennett

1(ii). Anne Shirley Named in her father Thomas Shirley's 1671 will. She married a Mathews

1(iii). Thomas Shirley chr 4 Apr 1656 at Shinfield Parish. He was not mentioned in father’s Will

1(iv). Mary Shirley chr 18 Sept 1657 at Shinfield Parish. Named in her father Thomas Shirley's 1671 will. She married Bisley

1(v). unknown Shirley Named in her father Thomas Shirley's 1671 will. She married Burbridge

children:

2(i). Elizabeth Burbridge, named in grandfather Thomas Shirley's 1671 will

1(vi). Ralph Shirley, gent. of Newbury and Thatcham Berkshire, maulster - Identified as the youngest son of Thomas Shirley, maulster of Thatcham Berkshire in his 1671 will. His own will probated 1709.

1709 Berkshire Probate - W. Afft. 122/179 17.176 (my file says it's Vol 19, not Vol 17) 239/131- Registered Will of Ralph Sherley, maulster, Thatcham Berkshire. (page 2) (page 3). Give to my son John Sherley all my four woods underwoods lands situate in Bradfield Berks which I purchased of Paul Ffolsy esq, 16 acres Great Annisfield and Little Annisfield coxxines containing 6 acres and Busling coxxine containing 8 acres. If he dies without issue I give siad coxxines to my son and daughter Thomas Sherley and Anne and to their heirs. I give unto my said son Thomas Sherley my messuage maulthouse stables orchards situate in Thatcham aforesaid now in possession of Henry Ffisher. And all that meadow to the said messuage belonging containing 28 acres. If son Thomas dies without issue or before age 21, then give unto my son John and daughter Anne Sherley and to their heirs. I give to my daughter Anne Sherley my messuages situate in Newbery Berks in a street there called Cheape Street which I purchased from Thomas Roland now in possession of John Robinson, John Mitchell and Bartholomew Fforty known by name or signe of the Queenshead and also the messuages situate in Newbery which I purchased from Mr John Hore now in several tenures of Wm Adman, Thomas Ffound, Richard Parke, Joseph Hore, the widow Pearse and others, and also the messuages situate in a land called Greenhaw Land in Newbery aforesaid purchased from one Vorhie. If daughter Anne die without issue or before age 21 then unto my said sons John and Thomas and to their heirs forever. And the indenture dated 25th day of March last between me the sd Ralph Sherley of the one part and my son Ralph Sherly of the other part I have given unto my son Ralph Sherley one annuity rent of L20 paid by the aforesaid messuages lands for the lives of Thomas Coward of Peasemore Berks, clerk and John Mundy of Wickham in the co of Berks clerk at 4 equal payments etc...I give to my son Ralph Sherley all goods in my posseession until such time as he shall come to be possessed of the rectories or parsonages of Wickham or Peasemore and after I give such goods to John Hore of Newbery aforesaid, Richard Ffarmer and John Beale of the same to be disposed amongst my said sons Thomas and John Sherley at their discretion. I give unto my son John Sherley sum of L50 which is in the hands of his Master Mr John Wilford. I give unto my Daughter Anne Sherley all the plate bedding linnen pewter now in her possession. I give to my Grand Daughter Mary Sherley 5 guineas shall be paid to her father. Residual to my sons Thomas and John and unto my Daughter Anne and make them full and whole executors. Dated 10 November 1708 (signed) Ralph Sherley. Wit: John Hore, John Beale, Ri: Ffarmer/Fanner

married Katherine Hyde

1684 Robert Hyde v. Ralph Shirley and his wife Katherine.: Real and personal estates of John Hyde, late citizen and fishmonger of London, and of Robert Hyde, brother of John, late of Newberry (Berks), mercer. Touching the carrying on of such business of mercer in Newberry by the defendants, Katherine (plaintiff's sister) and her husband, with the assistance of plaintiff's sister Frances; and an award under arbitration between plaintiff (son of Robert, mercer) and defendants, &c. E 134/35Chas2/Mich34 35 Chas 2 Eschequer Cases

Children:

2(i). Richard Shirley (possible son?) He was not mentioned in the will of his father Ralph Sherley, so doubtful - possibly a typo in the source.

Catmore, Berks Manorial Records
1719 Ralph Shirley succeeded by Richard Shirley in 1726

2(ii). Thomas Shirley of Newbury, gent- born about 1688 (age 17 in 1705) He inherited his father Ralph Sherley's lands and maulting operation in Thatcham Berkshire in 1709; His will was probated in 1727

Oxford University Matriculations - Thomas Sherley, son of Ralph of Newbury Berkshire, pleb. St. Edmund Hall, matric. Dec 17, 1705, aged 17, B.A. from Balliol College 1710; brother of Ralph 1700.

1727 Will of Thomas Shirley of Newbury Berks gent. To brother Ralph Shirley. To my brother John Shirley, Sister Ann Shirley, messuages lying in Thatcham Berks now in possession of Giles Smith, messuages in High Clear Southampton now in possession of Edward Goddard. Dated 12 Nov 1716. Wit: Jo: Beale Eliz Beale Eliz Avery. Proven by Ralph Shirley 1727 (PCC 11/615 sig 126)

2(iii). Ann Shirley She inherited lands in Newbery Berkshire in her father Ralph Sherley's will dated 1709; Anne Sherley's intestate estate was administered in 1731.

1731 PCC Admin of Ann Shirley of Berkshire. July [PROB 6/107]

2(iv). John Shirley He inherited lands in Berkshire from his father Ralph Sherley in his 1709 will

2(v). Ralph Shirley, Clerk, and Lord of manor of Peasmore, Rector of Welford, “of Oxford”, b 1682 died Dec 20, 1760. Named son John Shirley and daughters Catherine and Mary Shirley in 1761 will

Oxford University Matriculations - Ralph Sherley, son of Ralph of Newbury, Berkshire, gent. Balliol College, matric. March 2, 1699-1700, aged 18, B.A. 1703. M.A. 1707; rector of Welford 1709, and Peasmore, Berkshire 1710; brother of Thomas 1705.

1705 PEASEMORE - 1686, when Thomas Coward, sen., clerk, and Mary his wife placed the manor in settlement, (fn. 71) for the Mary in this case, as appears from the inscription on her monument, was the daughter of Richard Lyford. (fn. 72) On 5 April 1705 her only daughter Mary was married to Mr. Ralph Sherley of Oxford, (fn. 73) and Mrs. Coward died 16 October 1709, aged seventy-four years. (fn. 74) In 1719 Ralph Sherley, clerk, and Mary his wife conveyed the manor to John Beale, apparently in trust. (fn. 75) Mary died in 1729 and Anne, her daughter, in 1745. (fn. 76) In 1756 Ralph and other members of the family conveyed the manor to John Archer and John Loder, clerk, (fn. 77) probably as trustees for a settlement. Ralph died in 1760, when he was described as 'Rector of Welford and of this Parish Church and Lord of the Manor of Peasemore.' (fn. 78) He seems to have been succeeded by his son William, who is described as lord of the manor, and who died childless in 1775, aged sixty-one. (fn. 79) The manor then seems to have passed under the provisions of the settlement of 1756 to John Archer of Welford, and he and Rosanna his wife with others conveyed it to trustees in 1784. From: 'Parishes: Peasemore', A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 4 (1924), pp. 81-4.

LW&T of Ralph Shirley, clerk of Peasemore Berkshire - 1761. Refers to an indenture dated 1719 the right to appoint the several advowsons or patronage of the rectories and parish churches of Peasemore and Cottmeere. lands tenements called the parsonage house, lately in posession of Giles Haft, barns stables etc unto my daughter Catharine Shirley. I give and appoint all that the manor of Peasemore messuages lands tenements cottages, meadows woods unto my son John Shirley the heirs of his body lawfully. I give all the coppiess woods, under woods lands tenements in Brad[]i[]fd in Berks and all my real and personal estate unto my said son John. I commennd my daughter Mary Shirley to the care of her sister Catharine to be maintanined by her. 1746 Ralph Shirley. Wit: Rob Jones, Joseph Allen, John Dowes. Ecor John Shirley gent.

married Mary Coward on 5 Apr 1705 at Peasmore, died 1729. Daughter of Thomas Coward Sr, clerk, and Mary, daughter of Richard Lyford, Lord of the manor of Peasmore.

Children:

3(i). John Shirley, gent. chr 6 June 1714 at Wickham. Named as heir general in 1761 will of father Ralph. Inherited the manor of Peasemore

      Oxford University Matriculations
      John Shirley son of Ralph of Wickham Berkshire, cler. Hart Hall, matric. Feb 22, 1733-4, aged 19; B.A. 1738 (? Vicar of Welford, Berkshire, 1761), brother of Thomas 1730.)
       
      1775 Will of John Shirley of Peasemore , Berkshire 17 July 1775 PROB 11/1010, esquire. 27 June 1775. To John and Mary Allen and to John Allen their brother. Joseph Allen their late father. To John Allen all my stock in husbandry consisting of corn grain hay horses waggons carts etc. in my possession at Peasemore. To Joseph and John Allen all my wearing apparel. Parcel of my manor of Peasemore for the natural life of Joseph Allen. [other land at Peasemore] now in the occupation of Elizabeth Prince. To the right honorable Lady mary Archer wife of John Archer of Welford esquire and her ladyships daughter Miss Charlotte Archer . To my goddaughter Henrietta Watts daughter of the Rev Mr George Watts of Uffington and to my god daughter Hannah Stevens daughter fo Mr. Robert Stevens of Catmore . To my brother the Reverend Thomas Shirley clerk and to my sister Catherine the wife of the Rev Robert Ready clerk all household goodsand also my books etc. To my worthy friend John Archer esq. all that my manor of Peasemore after the deceases of the aforesaid Joseph, John and Mary Allen. And all of my revisionary estate for life of sister Catherine Ready the advowson and right of presentation to the rectory parish church of Catmore. Residual estate to John Archer...[all listed again] to the use fo teh said John Archer and his heirs in trust for my said brother the Reverend Thomas Shirley clerk for and during the term of his natural life...benefit for the first, second, third, fourth, fifith and all and every other the son and sons of the body of the said Thomas Shirley all my said manor messuages lands tenements and hereitaments and also my advowson donations and rights to the said John Archer [in default of issue male of my brother Thomas Shirley....Wit: Edw Withers, John Heath, richard Townsend. 11/1010 Probated 17 July 1775.

3(ii). Thomas Shirley, clerk. chr 1 June 1711 at Wickham. He inherited the family estates from brother John Shirley, but the lands and manors fell out of the Shirley family and into the Archer family because Thomas apparently did not have any male children.

    Oxford University Matriculations
    Thomas Shirley, son of Ralph, of Welford, Berkshire, cler. Trinity College, matric. March 18, 1729-30, aged 18; B.A. from Pembroke College 1733, died rector of Peasmore, Berks, Dec 20, 1760 [sic, father's death], aged 50, brother of John 1734.
     
    PCC Will Probated 1780. Written 1774 - Thomas Shirley of Wickham in the county of Berks. I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Dorothy Shirley all teh estate title and interest I have for right of disposition and right of patronage to the parish church of Welford and Chapelry of Wickham with the manor to the same being within the parish of Welford and to all that messuages farm lands and premises at Peasemore in the county of Berks and of all that the farm of Elton situate in the parishes of Welford and East Welford Berks with allt he houses lands and premises of Peasmore are in the possession of John Cole and the farm of Elton are in the possession of John [ ]. I give unto my said wife Dorothy Shirley all that my messuagages and [ ] yard lands situate at Clopton in the parish of Kintbury Amlwoolbury in the county of Berks in possession of Mary Savage widow. I give to my brother John Shirley an annuity of sixty pounds during his natural life. I give unto my sister Catherine Ready the wife of the Reverend Robert Ready one annuity of forty pounds. I give unto my goddaughter Dorothy Huges daughter of the Rev. William Huges and Elizabeth his wife 500 pounds provided she survives my wife and attains the age of 21. If she dies, then divided between her brothers and sisters except Edward and Eliz Hughes. I give to my godson Charles Fowle son of the Rev. Thomas Fowle and Jane his wife 500 pounds [as before]. I give unto my worthy friend and kinsman Mr Henry Sawbridge of Aldermanbury London mercer 2000 pounds after the decease of my wife. Appoint wife Dorothy and kinsman Henry Sawbridge joint executors. Signed 7 July 1774 in the presence of John Jennings, Barnard Jennings of Elton, farmers, Jno Walton, girdlershall. Proven 1780 by Dorothy Shirley and Henry Sawbridge, esq
             
    Newbury Parish Church Memorials - To the memory of the Rev. Thomas Shirley who succeeded his father Ralph Shirley as rector of this parish. He died XIVth Feb MDCCLXXX (1780) in the LXXIth year of his age (age 71). Also of Dorothy his wife, daughter of John Rolfe, esq many years a clerk in the house of lords. She died XXVIIIth Nov MDCCLXXXV (1785) aged LXXVIII years. And also Susanna, who died July MDCCLXI aged XVIII, Dorothy who died Nov MDCCLVIII aged XIV, Sophia who died an infant

married Dorothy Rolfe, d/o John Rolfe esq. she died 1785

Children:

4(i). Susanna Shirley chr at Wickham 14 Oct 1743 died 1761 age 18

4(ii). Dorothy Shirley chr at Wickham 17 Sep 1744 died 1758 age 14

4(iii). Sophia Shirley chr at Wickham 19 Aug 1745 died as in infant

3(iii). William Shirley chr 28 Apr 1719 at Wickham. He was Lord of Peasmore Manor, Rector at Welford.

Ralph Shirley died in 1760 as rector of Welford and Lord of Peasmore Manor succeeded by William Shirley [sic] who died without issue in 1775 aged 61 years. Succeeded by Ferrers Shirley who died in 1790 aged 81 years.

This is all confusing - errors likely

3(iv). Catherine Shirley chr 28 Sept 1716 at Wickham. Heiress, named in will of father Ralph Shirley. Named in brother Thomas Shirley's 1774 will; Named in brother John Shirley's 1775 will; Married Rev. Robert Ready on 28 July 1755 in ____ Hampshire (LDS)

3(v). Sussannah Shirley chr 24 Sept 1723 at Wickham; Not named in any wills

3(vi). Anne Shirley chr 9 Dec 1724 at Wickham; Not named in any wills

3(vii). Mary Shirley chr 17 Mar 1705 to Ralph Shirley and Mary at Peasemore (Was she born before their marriage?) Named in 1746 (probated 1761) will of father Ralph Shirley. placed in the care of her sister Catherine in the will of her father.

3(viii). Richard Shirley chr Feb 1727 at Welford (is this legit?) Not named in any wills


Peasemore.org - Transcription of a talk given by Walter Brown in Peasemore Church in November 1997

"When the Lyfords arrived, they as Lords of the Manor had the gift of the living here. Peasemore Rectory at that time, like many of our country livings, was quite a wealthy one with its glebe land and the tithes which were paid to it; and so the Lord of the Manor frequently retained it either for himself or for one of his family. We now had three generations of the Lyfords at the Manor and two Lyford rectors here. The property then went to a daughter who married the Reverend Coward of Buckle bury and we then had two generations of the Coward family who were both Lords of the Manor and Rectors of Peasemore. Again the property came to a daughter, Mary Coward the daughter of the Reverend Thomas Coward and she became Lady of the Manor. The tombstones of both of them are just down there in the aisle. Mary Coward married the Reverend Ralph Shirley who was already Rector of Welford and Wickham and he now became Rector of Pease more in addition. He remained our rector for the next fifty-one years, during which time he lived at Wickham rectory. He outlived his wife so that when he died he was both Lord of the Manor and Rector of Peasemore. His daughter married the curate, the Reverend Robert Ready and Robert Ready now became Rector of Peasemore but not in fact Lord of the Manor, because the Manor was sold and it went to the Archer family ofWelford. They in due course became the Archer Houblons and they retained the Lordship of the Manor of Peasemore. We then had two generations of the Archer Houblons as our rectors in the last century. Some ofus remember the last one. He was a great character who went from Peasemore to become Rector of Wantage and Archdeacon of Berkshire. He died in the 1930's and is buried here in our churchyard."

British History Online - Catmore Parish - Advowson - "In 1661 Charles Evans and Mary his wife and Thomas Edwards and Mary his wife (evidently the widow and daughter with their husbands) were dealing with the advowson by fine, (fn. 45) and Thomas Coward and Mary his wife (daughter of Richard Lifford) were doing the same in 1686. (fn. 46) In 1693 the latter made the presentation. (fn. 47) In the same year a conveyance was made by Thomas Lifford to John Smith, (fn. 48) possibly a quitclaim by the heir male in favour of the heir general. In 1719 Ralph Shirley was the patron, (fn. 49) and was followed in 1726 by Richard Shirley. (fn. 50) He in turn was succeeded in 1740 by another Ralph, (fn. 51) who together with Thomas and John Shirley in 1756 conveyed the advowson to Catherine Ready, John Archer and John Loder, (fn. 52) who presented to the living in 1761. (fn. 53) In 1791 Catherine Ready was again presenting. (fn. 54) After her death the advowson passed into the hands of John Archer Houblon, who was presenting in 1810"

British History Online - Welford Parish - Advowson

"Though the lords of the manor were patrons up to this date, they seem to have often sold the presentation, for, although Richard Jones is returned as patron in 1655, (fn. 160) presentations were made in 1639 by Thomas Hussey, in 1678 by Edward Heath, in 1709 by William Coward, in 1761 by Edward Sawbridge and in 1780 by Dorothy Shirley. (fn. 161)"


PEASEMORE

17 Mar 1705 Mary chr to Ralph and Mary Sherley
5 Apr 1705 Ralph Sherley married Mary Coward

1729 Mary Shirley buried
1745 Miss Anne Shirley buried
1760 Rev Ralph Shirley buried
1775 John Shirley buried
1755 Catherine Shirley married _____

WELFORD

Feb 1727 Richard chr to Ralph and Mary Shirley
Feb 1727 William chr to Ralph and Mary Shirley

1719 William Shirley buried
1726 William Shirley buried
1727 Richard Shirley baptised
1727 Richard Shirley buried
1727 William Shirley baptised
1727 William Shirley buried
1728 Susannah Shirley buried
1731 Mrs Ann Shirley buried
1745 Sophiah Shirley buried
1749 Mary Shirley buried
1758 Miss Dorothy Shirley buried
1761 Miss Susannah Shirley buried
1780 Rev Thomas Shirley buried
1785 Mrs Dorothy Shirley buried

WICKHAM (some databases combine with Welford)

1 Jun 1711 Thomas Shurly chr to Ralf and Mary Shurly
6 Jun 1714 John Shurly chr to Ralf and Mary Shurly
28 Sep 1716 Katharine Shirley chr to Ralph and Mary Shirley
16 Apr 1719 William Shirley chr to Ralph and Mary Shirley
24 Sep 1723 Susannah Shirley chr to Ralph and mary Shirley
9 Dec 1724 Anne Shirley chr to Ralph and Mary Shirley
Feb 1727 William Shirley chr to Ralph and Mary Shirley
Feb 1727 Richard Shirley chr to Ralph and Mary Shirley
14 Oct 1743 Susannah Shirley chr to Thomas and Dorathy Shirley
17 Sep 1744 Dorothy Shirley chr to Thomas and Dorathy Shirley
19 Aug 1745 Sophiah Shirley chr to Thomas and Dorathy Shirley

1726 Richard Shirley buried
1726 William Shirley buried

 

   


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