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FITCH: Early Generations |
From a recently published monograph on the Essex family of Fitch,
skilfully composed by John T. Fitch of the New England Historic
Genealogical Society, we reproduce here the opening generations.
We have had a special interest in this work ~ first because it
is exemplary in its cross-referencing to its sources, and second
because of the contribution made to the research by the family's
heraldry. William Fytche of Little Canfield The Genealogy * All of these spellings were used at one time or another in manor
court and other records. The most common spelling of the name
in later generations, however, was Fytche, which, except where
it differs in direct quotations, will be used here. Sources: 3. THOMAS FITCHE, FYTCHE, FITCH (John, William) was born about 1465, because he was said to be three years old
at the time his father's death was reported at the manor court
of Widdington on 9 April 1468.[1] He was admitted to his inheritance at Widdington court 9 November
1487, i.e., when he was about 21 years old.[1] Thomas married Agnes Algore before 22 December 1490 when they
received land from her parents, Robert and Margaret Algore.[2] Agnes was the only child and heiress of her father. She brought
Brazen Head Farm in Lindsell, Essex, to the marriage. In the same
year, Agnes received more land when her mother, Margaret Algore,
died. In 1497, Thomas received an additional grant of land at
the manor court of Lindsell Hall,[2] and in November 1505, he took possession of land, which his father
John had left in custody of his widowed mother, Juliana.[1] * Roger was the ancestor of the Fitches of colonial Connecticut. Sources:
and his Descendants
Introduction
In 1994, the author was fortunate to learn of the planned sale
of four Fytche ancestral portraits of the 17th and 18th centuries.
These are shown on pages 28, 29, 52, and 53. They had been purchased
in England, prior to 1929, by the late Grant Fitch, a banker in
Milwaukee, and came, eventually, into the possession of his granddaughter.
Because of their condition, all four of the paintings required
extensive conservation. In the process, a few anomalies surfaced
regarding the later addition of legends and coats of arms. It
is the purpose of this monograph to set the paintings in their
genealogical context and to discuss the heraldry depicted in the
various coats of arms. We begin with brief mentions of the earliest
documented ancestors of William Fytche of Little Canfield.*
* For a more detailed discussion of the first three generations,
see John T. Fitch, English Ancestors of the Fitches of Colonial
Connecticut. (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 2nd edition, 1994)
1. WILLIAM FECCHE, FICCHE, FYCCHE, FICHE, FYCHE, FYTCHE, FITCHE* of Wicken Bonhunt, Essex Co., England. First mentioned on the
Plea Rolls of 1428.[1] Received grants of land at the manor court of Widdington in 1440/1
and in 1458/9.[2] Death reported at Widdington court on 24 April 1466.[2] Wife's name unknown. The court post mortem inquisition stated
that "John Fytche is son and next heir of the same William."[2]
Child (may have been others):
+ 2 i John, b. bef. 1437.[2]
[1] Exchequer of Pleas, 6-7 Henry VI, Public Record Office, E13/134.
[2] Court Rolls, Manor of Widdington, New College Oxford.
2. JOHN FYCH, FYCCHE, FYTCHE (William) was born no later than 1437, because in 1467 he was said to
be "aged 30 years and more"[1] First mentioned on a Court Plea in 1458, which said he was "of
Wykyn."[2] On 14 May 1467, he was again acknowledged as son and next heir
and admitted to his father's estate; and, on the same day, he
received additional grants of land.[1] He married Juliana ______.[3] John's death was reported at the court session of 9 April 1468,
at which time it was stated that "Thomas is his son and next heir
and aged three years."[1] Custody of the land was given to Juliana, who later married Richard
Westley.[3] She probably died about 1475, because a 1505 court record indicates
that at that time she had been dead for 30 years.[1]
Child (may have been others):
+ 3 i Thomas, b. abt. 1465.[1]
Sources:
[1] Widdington op.cit. [2] Essex Record Office, Chelmsford, UK, (hereafter E.R.O.), Marc
Fitch Collection (hereafter M.F.C.), A9355, Ewen Vol. B, ff. 189,
190. [3] Fitch pedigree, dated 10 Nov. 1977, compiled from records at
the College of Arms, London, by Rodney Dennys, Somerset Herald.
Thomas died, 21 April 1514, as commemorated on a brass in the
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Lindsell.[3] Agnes died before 3 May 1527.[1] Beneath them on the brass are images of eleven children ~ six
sons and five daughters.[3] Thomas and Agnes are also commemorated in a stained glass window
in the same church.[3] This window, and a second showing their son William and his first
wife, Elizabeth, were probably paid for by William, who had the
advowson of the church (the right to be the patron of the church
and to recommend its clergyman) from King Henry VIII.
Children (these and prob. four others[3]):
4 i Margaret, b. abt. 1494.[2]
5 ii Richard, son and heir,[1] succeeded to land at Widdington 9 Nov. 1514[1] and to Brazenhead farm, Lindsell;[9] bur. Lindsell, 26 Jun. 1579;[5] m. (1) Eleanor Storke,[6] d. abt. 1533,[4] dau. and heir of Tristram Storke of Trent, Somerset;[6] m. (2) Jane ______,[2] bur. Great Leighs, Essex, 25 Jun. 1593.[7]
+ 6 iii William, b. abt. 1496.[10]
7 iv Thomas, m. Margaret Meade.[6] Admitted tenant of lands in Widdington 3 May 1527.[1]
8 v Roger*, will 12 Jan. 1558/9;[8] d. Panfield, Essex;[8] will proved Consistory Court, London 22 Feb. 1558/9;[8] m. Margery ______.[8] Admitted tenant of Hartshede, his mother's lands in Lindsell,
25 Sept. 1533.[2]
9 vi Katharine, mentioned in settlement 1505.[2]
10 vii Joan, mentioned in settlement 1505.[2]
[1] Widdington op.cit. [2] Court Rolls, Manor of Priors Hall,
Lindsell, New College, Oxford. [3] Brass and window, Church of
St. Mary, Lindsell. [4] Chancery Proceedings, 1533. [5] Baptisms,
Marriages, Burials, Lindsell, Soc. Gen. Transcripts. [6] Fitch
pedigree, op. cit. [7] Burial register, St. Mary's, Great Leighs,
Essex Co. [8] Consistory Court of London, 193 Horn [Bishop], Greater
London Record Office, DL/C/357/1. [9] Rev. William Holman, mss.
for History of Essex, E.R.O. T/P 195/15. [10] Based on age and
year of death. [11] Courtesy British Library, MS 32490 M M 43.
[12] Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
6. WILLIAM FYTCHE (Thomas, John, William) of Little Canfield,
Essex
Fitch ~ Early Generations, Part II
The Baronage Content Page January-February 2000
© 1998 John Townsend Fitch
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