Eighth Generation

E87. ELIZABETH SYDNOR (William Sydnor,1 probably ____ Sydnor,2 William Sydnor Sr,3 William Sydnor Jr,4 Paul Sydnor,5 William Sydnor Sr,6 Henry Sydnor Sr7), born 23 January and baptized 27 January 1585 at Blundeston ,[1] living 1631.[2]

Married (2) by 1631[10] ____ Allen [Alien, Alion, Aleyn, Allen] .[11] This "nephew Alien" was remembered with ten shillings* by Edmund Sydnor [E68].

E108. JOHN , born by 1622,[13] died by 1624.[14] John was probably named for his grandfather John Gostling.

E109. WILLIAM JR , born by 1622,[15] living 1631.[16] William Jr was given £5 in the will of his grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor and remembered in the will of his uncle Edmund Sydnor in 1631.

E110. BENJAMIN , born by 1622,[17] living 1631.[18] Benjamin was given £5 in the will of his grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor in 1624 and remembered in the will of his uncle Edmund Sydnor in 1631.

E111. SAMUEL , born by 1624, living 1631.[19] Samuel was given £5 in the will of his grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor and remembered in the will of his uncle Edmund Sydnor in 1631.

E112. ANNE [ANN] , born by 1624, living 1631.[20] Anne was given £5 in the will of her grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor and remembered in the will of her uncle Edmund Sydnor in 1631. Anne was probably named for her grandmother Anne (____) Gostling.

E113. ELIZABETH , born after 1624 and by 1631.[21] Elizabeth was the namesake of her mother and grandmother.

E88. WILLIAM SYDNOR [SIDNOR], gentleman* and esquire*, (William Sydnor,1 probably ____ Sydnor,2 William Sydnor Sr,3 William Sydnor Jr,4 Paul Sydnor,5 William Sydnor Sr,6 Henry Sydnor Sr7), born 1587,[22] died and buried 13 June 1632[23] within the chancel of Blundeston church, died intestate[24] with administration of his estate granted to his relict Anne on 4 July 1632 at Ipswich .[25] Masters* John Underwood , Robert Hawis , and John Uttinge , plus one other whose name was illegible, were appointed commissioners.[26]

A monument remains in the floor of the chancel of Blundeston church that reads: "Here lyeth the body of William Sidnor late of this parish Esq. sonne and heire of Henry Sidnor Esq. sonne and heyre of William Sidnor) who married Ann, ye eldest daughter of Will Harborne Esqr by whom he had issue of eight surviving daughters and departed life the thirteenth day of June 1632."[27]

In 1614, William inherited Blundeston manor* from his grandfather William Sydnor Sr [E54]. In addition to personalty, he also received real property in Conisford [at the Gate] [St Peter Southgate] in Norwich, at Belton , Henstead , Benacre , Langley's (pightells) * and groves called Bridroffe and Dyes in Henstead, Lady's Fen* meadow and Glebe Patronage meadow in Henstead, marshes and meadows between Holmecroft close * and Rushmere Bridge in Henstead, Henstead Grove in Henstead, Bretts's Half Acre in Henstead, Wild's Grove in Henstead, a windmill in Corton , and reed and marsh grounds at Latamer dam.

In the 1624 will of his mother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor, William Jr was given forty shillings* for a mourning coat. At the time, William had two daughters and no sons, and his mother noted in her will "that if William Sydnor, my eldest son, shall depart this resent life without issue male of his body whereby his manors* and land shall descend and come unto Robert Sidnor, my son, . . .." Thus it appeared that the estates held by these Sydnors were to have passed by primogeniture.

William was involved in chancery proceedings.[37] According to depositions, William's grandfather bought the manor* of Henstead , including Henstead closes * and Henstead grove from a man named Yarmouth and afterwards sold the land about 1594 to John George , the grandfather of a later defendant. Years thereafter in 1624, there was a suit by this grandson William Sydnor against Owen and Elizabeth Aldredge . The Aldredges, in turn, took action against William George and Richard Ufflet and others, as well as this William Sydnor. The issue was whether the property was freehold* or copyhold*, and the results of the action were not given.

In 1624, Anne (Harborne) Sydnor was remembered in the will of her mother-in-law Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor with "a ring of the price of ten shillings*."

All of the eight daughters of William Sydnor were under age when he died. On 10 July 1634, the court of wards* granted to Anthony Berry for a fine* of 200 marks* the custody, wardship*, and marriage of the coheirs of the deceased William Sydnor.[38]

Post* mortems were formed at Eye in Suffolk on 16 January 1633/4 and at Bungay in Suffolk on 29 May 1634.[39] Blundeston manor* passed from the estate and the family at this time. The inquisitions showed William Sydnor holding the manors* of Henstead alias Blunstons Savages and Henstead , plus land in Henstead , Wrentham , Benacre , Sotterley and many other villages, plus the advowson* of Henstead held in soccage* , all taxed at sixty shillings*; the manor* of Henstead alias Henstead Perpounds alias Poynings et cetera at six shillings* eight pence*; the manor* of Blundeston et cetera and advowson* of the church there at forty shillings*; the manor* of Gunvilles alias Blunston Gunvilles and ponds in Blundeston and Flixton in soccage* at twenty shillings*; and the manor* of Fritton alias Fritton Pastons et cetera and the advowson* of the church of Fritton in soccage* at 5£.[40]

E114. ELIZABETH , baptized 12 July 1621 at Blundeston in Suffolk;[42] married circa 1645? Thomas Fuller ;[43] died unknown; perhaps four children.[44] As the namesake of her grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor and as she was the only one of the six daughters born at the time, Elizabeth was bequeathed "the sum of forty shillings* to be bestowed upon a piece of plate."[45]

+ E115. ANNE (Latin:Anna), baptized 16 April 1623, died 9 March 1665; married circa 1650? Glover Denny .

E116. SARAH (Latin: Sara), baptized 28 April 1625 at Blundeston ;[46] married 7 August 1655 William Castleton at Stuston parish in Suffolk;[47] probably died by 31 January 1664/5.[48]

This probably was the William Castleton of Thurlton in Norfolk who was the father of an unnamed child on 26 September 1658.

A William Castleton married 31 January 1664/5 Judith Locke at St Michael parish in Stratton in Norfolk.[49]

E117. MARY (Latin: Maria), baptized 13 February 1626/7 at Blundeston ;[50] married circa 1645? John Kitchingman .

This John Kitchingman was probably the son of John and Frances (Talbot)[51] Kitchingman who were married 2 January 1618/9 at St Peter per Mountgate parish in Norwich in Norfolk . John, with the mother’s name not given, probably had a son, John, who was baptized on 8 April 1621 at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich in Norfolk .[52]

In a succeeding generation, John Kitchingman, with the mother’s name not given, had a son, John, who was baptized on 11 November 1646 at St Andrew in Norwich in Norfolk .[53]

E118. HESTER , born circa 1 April 1628 at Blundeston ;[54] married 1646 Robert Willingham at Dunston parish in Norfolk.[55]

+ E119. SUSAN (Latin: Susanna), baptized 21 April 1629 at Blundeston in Suffolk; married circa 1645? Charles Barnwell .

E120. ABIGAIL , baptized 29 July 1630 at Blundeston ;[56] married circa 1655? Robert Manley .[57]

E121. LYDIA (Latin: Lidea), baptized 17 April 1631 at Blundeston [58] not nine months after her sister Abigail was born; married 18 April 1656 William Avery at St Michael Bassishaw in London .[59]

E94. ALICE SYDNOR , (William Sydnor,1 probably ____ Sydnor,2 William Sydnor Sr,3 William Sydnor Jr,4 Paul Sydnor,5 William Sydnor Sr,6 Henry Sydnor Sr7), baptized 2 December 1595 at Henstead in Suffolk,[60] living 1657.[61]

Alice was remembered in the will dated 1613 by her grandfather William Sydnor in the amount of £200 of lawful English money. Alice was given £10 in lawful English money in the will of her mother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor.

E96. HENRY SYDNOR JR [SIDNOR, SIDNER], (possibly Peter Sydnor,1 possibly William Sydnor2 or Richard Sydnor,2 unknown3, William Sydnor,4 probably ____ Sydnor,5 William Sydnor Sr,6 William Sydnor Jr,7 Paul Sydnor,8 William Sydnor Sr,9 Henry Sydnor Sr10), gentleman*, baptized 6 June 1598 at Henstead in Suffolk,[67] died 18 April 1678 and buried at Brumstead in Suffolk where there was a monument in the church,[68] will dated 10 August 1677 and probated 26 April 1678,[69] of St Stephen parish in Norwich in Norfolk .

Henry was remembered in the amount of £10 of lawful English money per year in the will of his grandfather William Sydnor [E54] dated 1613. He was given £100 plus her bay nag in the 1624 will of his mother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor.

He was shown as an apprenticed grocer*[77] to Adrian Parmenter in a list of freemen* for Norwich on 18 October 1624.[78]

In 1631, "Henry Sidnor of All Saynts " brought eleven shillings* eight pence* to the Norfolk court "for buying corne to be solde out for relief of the poore of this City videlicet [to wit]."[80]

Also in 1631, Henry was remembered in the amount of £7 by his uncle Edmund [E68].

Henry worked his way up the political hierarchy in Norwich. In 1632, he served as collector of the street and river rates for the Berstreet Minor Ward that included St John Sepulchre and All Saint parishes, two neighborhoods that held homes for Henry Sydnor.[81]

In 1634, Henry was "sworn raffeman*."[82] In 1634 and continuing until 1645, he was also appointed "to collect the moneys for the ship, to wit" for St Stephen Minor Ward .[83]

There was a deed of bargain and sale of a messuage* et cetera in St Peter Southgate parish to Henry Sidnor on 8 November 1639.[85] A "messuage* et cetera in St Saviour parish" was released to "Henry Sidnor" on 1 February 1642/3.[86] On 7 March 1648/9 there was deed of an east part of a messuage* et cetera in St Peter Southgate to Henry Sidnor.[87] On 12 November 1650 "Henry Sidnor and wife" made a deed of bargain and sale to "William Sidnor" (probably his son) and others of a north tenement et cetera in St Stephen parish.[88] On 25 April 1654 there was a deed of bargain and sale to "Henry Sidnor" in St Peter Mancroft parish.[89] On 22 April 1657 "Henry Sidner" and his wife deeded away the east part of a messuage* in St Peter Southgate .[90] On 29 September 1657 there was a deed of bargain and sale of a "messuage* et cetera" in St Stephen parish.[91] On 22 January 1657/8 "Henry Sidner" and wife made a deed of bargain and sale to others of a "messuage* et cetera" in St Peter Southgate .[92]

From 1643 until 1656 and again from 1672 to 1675, Henry Sydnor served as a councillor* for the city.[93]

In records of 2 June 1662 "Henry Sidner forty shillings* 1 November 1661 paid to the Collector "for a voluntary gift to Charles II.[95]

He was living in St Stephen parish in Norwich when he died just six weeks short of his eightieth birthday.

+ E124. WILLIAM , baptized 18 February 1625/6, living 1675 and died by 1677; married (1) Mary ____ ; married (2) probably 13 November 1650 Anne Bucke ; married probably[98] (3) 10 March 1666/7 Mary Curtess .

E125. THOMAS , baptized 25 November 1628 at All Saints parish in Norwich,[99] will dated 1678;[100] unmarried by 1677.[101] Thomas was heir to his father's house in St Peter Mancroft parish only for his lifetime with reversion to Thomas' mother Jane (Postel) Sydnor and then brother Henry. He probably was afflicted since his father in his will showed concern about his maintenance.

E126. ELIZABETH , baptized 15 August 1630 at All Saints parish,[102] buried 12 September 1631 at All Saints parish.[103]

+ E127. HENRY , baptized 30 September 1631, probably buried 13 July 1710; married unknown.

E128. ANNE , baptized 20 November 1633 at St Stephen parish in Norwich,[104] buried 3 January 1675/6 at St Stephen parish,[105] will dated 18 September 1675 and probated 9 February 1675/6;[106] unmarried.

E129. ELIZABETH , baptized 27 December 1635 at St Stephen parish;[107] unmarried in 1677.[108] Her father called this Elizabeth "his second daughter" in his will, probably to differentiate her from her older sister Elizabeth [E126] who had died young. From her father's estate, she received two shillings* per week until she married and one chamber at Newgate at the left hand of the gate.

+ E130. EDINA , baptized 27 June 1637, buried 24 September 1689; married 1 August 1665 Augustine Church .

+ E131. FRANCIS , baptized 27 March 1639, living 1677; married 9 December 1662 Susanna Purvis .

+ E132. MARY , baptized 2 April 1640, living 1677; married 9 April 1667 John Smith .

+ E133. JOHN , baptized 1 August 1641, buried 13 June 1699; married unknown.

E134. SUSANNA , baptized 1 August 1641 at St Stephen parish,[109] buried 14 August 1652 at St Stephen parish.[110]

E135. ROBERT , baptized 5 November 1642 at St Stephen parish,[111] buried 7 April 1645 at St Stephen parish.[112]

E136. SAMUEL (SAMUELL) , baptized 27 October 1643 at St Stephen parish,[113] buried 6 July 1654 at St Stephen parish.[114]

E137. SARAH , baptized 21 November 1644 at St Stephen parish,[115] buried 3 March 1673/4 at St Stephen parish.[116]

E138. EASTER [Esther], baptized 31 March 1646 at St Stephen parish.[117] This child was probably born on Easter Sunday that was 29 March in that year.

E139. ROBERT , baptized 25 November 1648 at St Stephen parish,[118] buried the same day.[119]

†E107. WILLIAM SYDNOR (William Sydnor,1 probably ____ Sydnor,2 William Sydnor Sr,3 William Sydnor Jr,4 Paul Sydnor,5 William Sydnor Sr,6 Paul Sydnor Sr7), baptized 18 November 1616 at St Martin in the Fields parish in Middlesex [now London],[120] died probably by 1653.[121]

William was a grocer*. At the time of his marriage to Joan Acton, he declared he was from St Dionis [Dennys] Backchurch parish in Middlesex [now London].

† E140. probably[129] FORTUNATUS , born circa 1638 or 1641, died 15 March 1682/3; married circa 1670 Joanna (Lawson) Sockwell .

[1] See Blundeston parish registers. Elizabeth was shown as the eldest daughter. See British Museum ms.3881, f.69v.

[2] Elizabeth was mentioned in her uncle Edmund's will of 1631. Death of Elizabeth Allen/Alien? Ask TH?

[3] In The Visitation of Norfolk, 1664, Edward Bysshe, (Publication of the Harleian Society, ed. A. W. Hughes Clarke and Arthur Campling), v.86 (1934), pp.198-199, Katherine was shown as the wife of Gosling instead of Elizabeth. Check for this marriage.

[4] See St Mary parish records.

[5] William Gosling was a witness and heir to the will of his mother-in-law Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor.

[6] The will for William Gostling was found at Consistory Court of Norwich, v.189 (Gente) f.189v. The will named brothers Charles, Thomas, and Rafe, plus his mother named Anne Lavyle.

[7] The will for John Gostling was found at Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Need copy and complete reference. Ask TH?

[8] A partial pedigree for Charles Gostling, probably the brother and executor of the estate of this William Gostling, was found at The Visitation of Norfolk, 1664, Edward Bysshe, (Publication of the Harleian Society, ed. A. W. Hughes Clarke and Arthur Campling) v.86 (1934), p.88. The pedigree shows that Charles had children John, William, Charles, and Thomas, all family names. That pedigree showed parents John and Anne Gostling.

[9] This information was provided in a letter of Norwich researcher Timothy Hawes dated 6 August 1993.

[10] Elizabeth was shown as "niece Alien" in the will of Edmund Sydnor [E68].

[11] No record of this marriage has been found. Allen information. Ask TH?

[12] See the will of their father for the names and the order; also the will of their grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor; also the will of their uncle Edmund Sydnor [E68]. No record of these baptisms have been found.

[13] John was remembered in the will of his father that was drafted in 1622.

[14] John was not remembered in the will of his grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor in 1624 or his uncle Edmund Sydnor [E68] in 1631.

[15] William Jr was remembered in the will of his father that was drafted in1622.

[16] William Jr was remembered in the will of his uncle Edmund Sydnor [E68] in 1631.

[17] Benjamin was remembered in the will of his father that was drafted in1622.

[18] Benjamin was remembered in the will of his uncle Edmund Sydnor [E68] in 1631.

[19] Samuel was remembered in the will of his grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor in 1624 and his uncle Edmund Sydnor [E68] in 1631.

[20] Anne was remembered in the will of her grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor in 1624 and her uncle Edmund Sydnor [E68] in 1631.

[21] Elizabeth was not remembered in the will of her grandmother Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor in 1624, but was in the will of her uncle Edmund Sydnor [E68] in 1631.

[22] This birth year was calculated from the age at death as shown on the burial monument. There were no birth records for William in Blundeston, Henstead, or other local parish registers. Check Reedham. Ask TH?

[23] See Blundeston parish records.

It was quite easy to confuse this William Sydnor [E88] with his uncle William Sydnor Jr [E75], and a number of researchers have done this with respect to births (1587 vs c.1578), deaths (1632 vs 1633), marriages (1613/4 vs 1610, 1622, and 1628), property, and litigation. The bases of using the birthdate of 1587 for this William was that of generation (nephew eleven years younger than uncle) and the cluster of births for each family.

[24] The lack of a will for this William Sydnor was extraordinary and disastrous, given the terrible consequences of such inadvertence of a person of his means. Given the property held by William, his death must have been quite unexpected.

[25] The administration was found at Archdeaconry Court of Suffolk, Book 11 (1632), p.86; also at Ipswich Administrations, 1610-1640, Extract from register of the Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich 1C/aa6/11. The fees were three shillings* two pence*.

[26] See Maternal Line: Harborne.

[27] See The East Anglian; or Notes and Queries, v.4 (1869), p.199. The brass is still there and lies below the brass for his grandfather.

[28] A John Hawes and a John Utting were officeholders in Norwich with Henry Sydnor Jr [E96].

[29] See Mundham parish records.

[30] See Norfolk, Francis Blomefield, v.5 (1806), p.56; also Visitation of Norfolk, William Hervey, ed. Hulwer, v.2 (1895), p.287; also Pedigrees (in manuscript, LDS ref: Q942.61/D2ho), G. H. Holley, v.6, pp.33-34. Anne’s daughter Hester was married at Dunston. Perhaps Anne was living with or visiting her daughter Hester (Sydnor) Willingham when she died.

[31] The will of William Harborne, dated 1 October 1617 and probated 9 July 1618, was found at Prerogative Court of Canterbury, v.131 (Meade), f.78.

[32] The will of Elizabeth (Drury) Harborne, dated 8 November 1649 and probated July 153 was found at Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Brent, f.10,13. The two copies are two identical.

See Maternal Line: Drury.

[33] For the Harborne pedigree, see East Anglian Pedigrees, Part I, (Publication of the Harleian Society, ed. Arthur Campling), v.91 (1939), p.97. Several generations of Anne's ancestry were shown there.

[34] For the Talbot pedigree, see Norfolk Genealogy, (Norfolk and Norwich Genealogical Society, compiled by Patrick Palgrave-Moore), v.13 (1981), p.188. A chart there showed Clere's five children by Anne, as well as the name of his father. Need copy of the chart. Find this marriage.

[35] The will of Clere Talbot was found at Prerogative Court of Canterbury, v.243 (Alchin), f.253. See Appendix.

[36] This property had been perhaps been the residence of John Jernegan, father of Bridget (Jernegan) Sydnor who had lived there, as shown in his will dated 20 July 1598.

[37] The summary of the deposition was found at Public Records Office file C21/A17 f.3.

[38] That action was noted in Gillingwater's Manuscripts; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v.

[39] These inquisitions were noted in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, p.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v.

[40] These findings were given in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, p.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v.

[41] See Blundeston parish records. The ages of the children of William Sydnor were given as of the date of William's death (possibly from the date of the inquest a few weeks later) in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, f.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v. Puzzlingly, the calculations of birthdates using the more conservative death date show that Elizabeth, Mary, Susan, and Lydia were baptized before they were born. It is difficult to determine how the error may have occurred; perhaps in Cole’s copy that might be different from the original records now held at the Public Records Office; perhaps an error in Holley’s transcription of birth records from the parish records; or perhaps in the data brought to the inquest.

[42] See Blundeston parish records.

The ages of the children of William Sydnor were given as of the date of William's death (possibly from the date of the inquest a few weeks later) in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, f.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v. Elizabeth was shown as ten years, ten months, and seven days old from which a birthdate of 6 August 1621 was calculated, which placed her birthday about three weeks after her baptism.

[43] Reference for marriage???

[44] Fuller information. Ask TH?

[45] The will of Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor was dated 15 January 1623/4, several months before the second grandchild, Anne, was born.

[46] The ages of the children of William Sydnor were given as of the date of William's death (possibly from the date of the inquest a few weeks later) in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, f.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v. Sarah was shown as seven years, one month, and fifteen days old from which a birthdate of 28 April 1625 was calculated, which placed her birthdate on her baptismal date.

[47] See Stuston parish records. Perhaps Clere Talbot was serving as rector here at the time. Castleton info. Ask TH?

[48] This was the date that a William Castleton, probably the widower of Sarah (Sydnor) Castleton, married.

[49] See St Michael at Stratton in Norfolk parish records. A child of William and Judith named William was baptized 15 October 1667 at the same parish.

[50] See Blundeston parish records The ages of the children of William Sydnor were given as of the date of William's death (possibly from the date of the inquest a few weeks later) in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, f.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v. Mary was shown as five years and three months (with no days given) old from which her birthdate of 13 March 1627 was calculated, which placed her birthday one month after she was baptized.

[51] A relationship with Clere Talbot, Mary’s stepfather, was very likely, but it was not shown in the pedigree at hand.

[52] See St Peter per Mountgate and St Peter Mancroft parish records.

[53] See St Andrew parish records. This child was probably the child of John and Mary (Sydnor) Kitchingham. There are no other records of children presently shown in the LDS records.

[54] The ages of the children of William Sydnor were given as of the date of William's death (possibly from the date of the inquest a few weeks later) in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, f.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v. Hester was shown as five years, two months, and twelve days old from which her birthdate was calculated.

[55] See Marriage Index, Norfolk, 1626-1650, ser.2, P. Boyd (1940). There are no records of children presently shown in the LDS records. Check Dunston parish register??? Why Dunston???

[56] See Blundeston parish records. The ages of the children of William Sydnor were given as of the date of William's death (possibly from the date of the inquest a few weeks later) in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, f.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v. Abigail was shown as one year, ten months, and thirteen days old from which her birthdate of 31 July 1630 was calculated, which placed her birthday two days after she was baptized.

[57] Reference for marriage? Manley info. Ask TH??

[58] See Blundeston parish records. The ages of the children of William Sydnor were given as of the date of William's death (possibly from the date of the inquest a few weeks later) in Cole's Eschatology, v.2, f.276; also British Library ms.3881, f.70v. Lydia was shown as eight months and twenty-three days old from which her birthdate of 20 September 1631 was calculated, which placed her birthday five months after she was baptized.

[59] See St Michael Bassishaw parish records. There are no records of the marriage or of children presently shown in the LDS records.

[60] See Henstead parish records. In the British Museum ms.3881, f.69v, Alice was shown as the third surviving daughter.

[61] Alice remarried in that year.

[62] See St Michael at Plea records.

[63] Alice remarried at this time. No will for Luke Woolmer was found.

[64] The will for a Joseph Clarke dated 1680 was found at Archdeaconry Court of Norfolk, f.118. Ask TH?

[65] See St Michael at Plea records. Alice was almost 62 years old at the time of this marriage.

[66] Two children were remembered in the will of Elizabeth (Read) Sydnor in 1624.

[67] See Henstead parish records. The incorrect birth year of 1603 was given at The Visitation of Norfolk, 1664, Edward Bysshe, (Publication of the Harleian Society, ed. A. W. Hughes Clarke and Arthur Campling) v.86 (1934), pp.198-199.

[68] See Brumstead parish records.

[69] See Norwich District Probate Registry. The Visitation of Norfolk, 1664, Edward Bysshe, (Publication of the Harleian Society, ed. A. W. Hughes Clarke and Arthur Campling), v.86 (1934), pp.198-199, appeared to report his death date incorrectly as 1664. Holley gives the date of probate as 28 April; see Pedigrees (in manuscript, LDS ref: Q942.61/D2ho), G. H. Holley, v.6, pp.33-34. Need original copy of will.

[70] This date was estimated by using the age and the birthdate of her first recorded child and her probable baptism.

[71] Jane was shown as Jean in the transcription of the will of her husband. Jane, Jean, and Joan were often interchanged by scribes.

[72] See The Visitation of Norfolk, 1664, (Publication of the Harleian Society, ed. A. W. Hughes Clarke and Arthur Campling) v.86 (1934), pp.198-199. Check for Postell information. Ask TH?

[73] See Norfolk Genealogy, v.13, p.139. A chart there showed the Postell descent from Reginald circa 1400.

See Maternal Line: Postell.

[74] Check for Postell wills.

[75] See Brumstead parish records. No parents were shown in this record.

[76] See St Peter Mancroft parish records.

[77] A grocer* was simply a wholesale merchant, and raffmen* were included in their guild.

[78] See Freemen of Norfolk, 1548-1713, P. Millican (1934), p.77 (Ref f.29d).

[79] See Freemen of Norfolk, 1548-1713, P. Millican (1934), p.77 (Ref f.29d).

[80] See Minutes of Norfolk Court of Mayoralty 1630-1631, (Norfolk Record Society), v.15, p.133. Better reference???

[81] See An Index to Norwich City Officers, 1453-1835, ed. Timothy Hawes, (Norfolk Record Society), v.52 (1986), p.139. This may have been similar to a job he held in 1534. Berstreet Minor Ward was part of Conisford Great Ward.

[82] See Norfolk Record Society, v.36, p.173. A raffman* was a dealer in imported lumber, usually used for ships, and they were included in the Grand Company of Grocers.

[83] See Norfolk Record Society, v.36, p.202; also An Index to Norwich City Officers, 1453-1835, ed. Timothy Hawes, (Norfolk Record Society), v.52 (1986), p.139. The meaning of this responsibility was unclear.

[84] See An Index to Norwich City Officers, 1453-1835, ed. Timothy Hawes, (Norfolk Record Society), v.52 (1986), p.139. St Stephen’s Minor Ward was part of St Peter Mancroft Major Ward. Serving as a constable*, usually for a year, was an unwritten requirement for moving to the higher offices in the city.

[85] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.217.

[86] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.34.

[87] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.343.

[88] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.343.

[89] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.126.

[90] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.344.

[91] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.36.

[92] See deeds enrolled in the Castle Muniment Room in Norwich, bk.1, p.343.

[93] See An Index to Norwich City Officers, 1453-1835, ed. Timothy Hawes, (Norfolk Record Society), v.52 (1986), p.139. There were sixty common councillors* for the city corporation who served as a second body separate from the twenty-four aldermen*.

[94] See Norfolk, Francis Blomefield, v.3 (1806), p.420; also An Index to Norwich City Officers, 1453-1835, ed. Timothy Hawes, (Norfolk Record Society), v.52 (1986), p.139.

The two sheriffs were court sheriff and freeman’s sheriff. The former was chosen by majority vote of the mayor, aldermen, and present sheriffs; the latter by the common council. Henry was almost certainly the freeman’s sheriff. Sheriffs were elected every 8 September, the Nativity of the Virgin, and took office at Michaelmas.

The office was served once only. Those who served had to be “sufficient” because the office was particularly onerous in time and expense. The selection of the freeman’s sheriff could not be bought off nor would the person be excused.

[95] See Norwich Subscription to the Voluntary Gift of 1662; also Exchequer K.R. Subsidy Rolls, (Norfolk Record Society, ed. H. L. Bradferd Lawrence, ref: bundle 154, no.655), v.1, pp.73-74.

Later, benevolences such as these were declared illegal. The word "sheriff" had been included and then struck through, perhaps because the entry was in 1662 and he had held the office in 1661.

[96] See Norfolk, Francis Blomefield (1806), v.3, p.420; also An Index to Norwich City Officers, 1453-1835, ed. Timothy Hawes, (Norfolk Record Society), v.52 (1986), p.139. The two coroners* of the city were elected and usually were either aldermen* or councillors*. Their duty was to hold inquests on many subjects, including deaths.

[97] See The Visitation of Norfolk, 1664, (Publication of Harleian Society, ed. A. W. Hughes Clarke and Arthur Campling), v.86 (1934), p.199; also parish records for the christenings of the children.

[98] This was probably that William Sydnor who served as the groom in the reported marriage.

[99] See All Saints parish records.

[100] See Nofolk Families, Walter Rye (1911), p.799. Need copy of Thomas Sydnor will???

[101] This status of not being married was noted in his father's will; see also The Visitation of Norfolk, 1664, Edward Bysshe, (Publication of the Harleian Society, ed. A. W. Hughes Clark and Arthur Campling), v.86 (1934), p.199, which also showed Thomas as sine prole, without heirs.

[102] See All Saints parish records.

[103] See All Saints parish records.

[104] See St Stephen parish records.

[105] See St Stephen parish records.

[106] This will was found at the District Registry attached to the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice at Norwich. See Appendix.

[107] See St Stephen parish records.

[108] Elizabeth was named in her fathers will at this time.

[109] See St Stephen parish records.

[110] See St Stephen parish records.

[111] See St Stephen parish records.

[112] See St Stephen parish records

[113] See St Stephen parish records.

[114] See St Stephen parish records.

[115] See St Stephen parish records.

[116] See St Stephen parish records.

[117] See St Stephen parish records.

[118] See St Stephen parish records.

[119] See St Stephen parish records.

[120] See Register of St Martins in the Fields, London, 1550-1619, (ed. Thomas Mason), p.50.

[121] A bequest in 1653 from Fortunatus' step-grandfather Daniel Duckfield went directly to Fortunatus without any mention of parents. The character of that singular award suggested probably that Fortunatus was an orphan then.

[122] The birthdate of Fortunatus has been deduced from the will of his uncle Francis Sydnor [E79]. See the discussion there about the dating of that will.

If the date of the will for Francis Sydnor [E79] was correct as given, then the date when Fortunatus was born was before the marriage of William to Joan Acton. This argues for a previous marriage by William and that Joan was not the mother of Fortunatus. If William were the father of Fortunatus as postulated, a widower with an infant son would have felt an urgent need to take a wife, then the hasty marriage to Joan Acton.

A possible explanation of the identity of this wife is given at the end of the following footnote.

[123] See St Dunstan in Stepney parish records. This was the only William Sydnor that has been found through birth records of marriageable age in the area at that time.

According to information offered in 1997 by Brad Sydnor of Phoenix, Arizona, there was another William Sydnor who married Joan Acton. His information purported that this second William Sydnor married a Ruth Bourdreau, daughter of Hugh Bourdreau, of Rennes, France. This purported union produced three children: Annabell, Fortunatus, and Hugh (who died at the age of two of mumps or the black plague).

This information seems plausible, particularly given the details. Such a William, possibly even this William and possibly being grocer or merchant who traded with the continent, could have met and married a woman in France. If the marriage were outside of England, as well as the births of the children, that situation would explain the lack of entries in the English parish records. Unfortunately, no substantiating evidence of this assertion has been found as yet.

[124] Joanna was the Latin form for Jane or Jean.

[125] See Maternal Line: Acton.

[126] See St Dunstan in Stepney parish records. If William had been married previously, the parish record typically would have shown him as a widower, and it did not. The first name for Acton was not given, but his residence of Bondon Cooke was located in the marriage parish.

[127] A bequest in 1653 from Fortunatus' step-grandfather Daniel Duckfield went directly to Fortunatus without any mention of parents. The character of that direct award suggested probably that Fortunatus was an orphan at that time.

[128] Joane Acton was mentioned in the will of a Francis Acton of London, dated 2 September 1631 and proved 16 September 1631, found at Prerogative Court of Canterbury, St John, f.100. See Appendix.

[129] Fortunatus was certainly the grandson of Paul Sr and Hester (Catelyn) Sydnor because of the declaration given in the will of Daniel Duckfield mentioned above.

Fortunatus was probably the son of William [E112] or possibly his brother Paul Jr [E110] because there were no other sons of record of Paul Sr and Hester (Catelyn) Sydnor.

William was the more probable father since Fortunatus named a son William and none Paul. The tradition of those times was to name one of the first sons after the paternal grandfather.

Further, it was unlikely that Paul Jr was alive at the time Fortunatus was born. Paul Jr's grandfather, William Sydnor [E57], was thorough in remembering his grandchildren and included a codicil dated 13 June 1616 to his will to include some that were not named in the body of the document. Therefore if a grandchild were not named, such as Paul Jr who was born in 1613, it was probable that they were not alive at the time the codicil was made, although there could be other reasons for not including some grandchildren. (Since William was not born until November 1616, he could not have been named.)