H. C. Maxwell Lyte’s ‘Ancient Deeds’ (London, 1894), gives a record of a family Porter, hereditary (if the abbot agreed the succession) officers of Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire.

A porter was an officer of considerable trust, who had to determine when and who were to be admitted (usually not women) to such as an Abbey. He would announce visitors to the hostarius, who would arrange to meet their needs. A porter had a deputy (a son in the case of hereditary portership), so that the gate would not be left when he went to announce visitors. He would have been of good social status and impeccable character, able to converse with wealthy and powerful guests. He would have had a lodge near the gates. He would receive an ample allowance of bread and ale, which continued after retirement.

“Hugh the porter (portario)” was a witness to a grant by Sir Maurice de Thorendun to the monks of Pershore, dated St. Vincent’s day, 1254. Hugh was probably born ca. 1220. In ca. 1290, “Hugh the porter (portario) and his son Reginald”, witnessed a grant by William de Lega, steward of the abbot of Pershore, to William the clerk (clerico) of Bredona, of a messuage of laud with a meadow in Pershore.

About the same time, “Reginald le Porter” witnessed a grant by Thomas de Walecote to the abbot of Pershore, of land in Pershore in the tillage called ‘Elbesham’.

Reginald was Deputy-Sheriff of Worcestershire, temp. Edward I. Mr. Grazebrook, The Heraldry of Worcestershire, vol. ii, 1873, quotes Treadway Russell Nash, author of Collections for the History of Worcestershire, 1781, as claiming Reginald bore for arms: sable, three bells argent, and, Azure, the same as those on the tomb of John Porter of Claines, Worcestershire, who d. in 1577.

Reginald m. Martha, sister and co-heiress of William de Sodington (d. 1302), with whom he had the manor of Eastham; which passed to Richard le Porter, his second son; his elder br., Hugh, having deceased. A younger br. may have been “Thomas le Porter, of Pershore” (mentioned in Cal. Pat. memb. 2d, 1324).

The other co-heiress, Johanna de Sodington, m. (bef. Feb. 1294), Sir Walter le Blount, d 1322, first-cousin of Sir Thomas le Blount, lord of Belton (d. 1328), situated near Grantham, now in Lincolnshire, which lies on the road to Markham, Nottinghamshire. Thus, it seems certain that these Porters became enfeoffed in Belton and Markham through this association.

“Christopher Porter of Barkston was a younger brother of Austin Porter Jr. of Belton, near Grantham, to whom and to John Bellow the manor of Belton, parcel of the possession of the Abbey of St. Mary, without the walls of York, was granted in 1546. When Gervaise Hollys made his collection of Lincolnshire church-notes (Harl. MS. 6829), he preserved the following memorial of Austin Porter, which he found marking his place of sepulture in Belton church: Arms sable, three church bells argent. This hearing was sometimes differenced by a canton ermine”. (Edward Peacock, English Church Furniture, p. 39, 1866).

There is no knowing whether “Thomas le Porter, of Pershore”, aforementioned, was the same as the “Thomas Porter” who witnessed a grant (with William Cressy) by “Robert atte Bek of Estmarkham” to William Swane, of the same place, in 1355. (Nottinghamshire Archives. DD/FJ/1/19/1). This Thomas Porter had witnessed a grant in 1341 by Hugh Mawer of Spilsby, Lincolnshire, to Walter de Brunthorp, parson of the church of Spilsby. (Lincolnshire Archives, 2ANC1/24/18).

The Willoughby’s were lords of Spilsby. Sir Henry Willoughby, Sheriff of Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire, b. ca. 1452, m. Margaret Markham, dau. of Sir Robert Markham, of East Markham, son of Sir John Markham, and “Margaret, dau and co-heir of Sir Henry Cressy; niece and heiress of Sir Hugh”. (Familiae Minorum Gentium, vol. III., Harleian Soc., 1895).

There is also no strictly knowing whether Thomas Porter was related to those Porters as follow, yet it is as certain as being able to determine the pattern of an excavated jug by study of its fragments. The modern tendency to demand references as proof ancestry is to apply a standard that is nor relevant to an age of lost records. What is required is to gain a sense of what was likely to be the case based on a knowledge of how those under consideration lived – by intermarriages within their kinship network. If families A, B, and C were intermarried, or held tenancies of the same lord, but were not traceable by record for three generations, then families of the same names ‘appeared’, also intermarried, holding the same tenancies, they were the same families. This same rule being applicable to English families in early Virginia, substituting tenancy for sponsorship.

1. John Porter, b. ca. 1410, of East Markham. The Abbot and Convent of St Mary’s, York to William Porter of Belton. Manor and two watermill. Aug. 24, 1477. (Linc. Arch. BNLW/1/1/). He presumably m. twice:

1.1. William Porter. The Will of Elizabeth Porter of Thrulegh, Kent, relict of William Porter, late of the counties of Nottingham and Lincoln, gentleman, son of John Porter, of East Markham, co. Nott. Mentions Elizabeth my daughter, and William son and heir of John Porter, brother of William Porter my husband. John (b. 1471 -M.S), eldest son of said William. Pr. Oct. 16, 1478. (Wattys, 35). Any other male issue, born aft. 1471, were deceased by 1502.

1.2. William Porter, of Markham, Nottinghamshire, m. … Gardner, of Bishop’s Norton. Or, on a chevron Gules between three griffins’ heads erased Azure two lions combatant Argent; given to William Gardner of North Hall, Bishop Norton, March 8, 1526. This marriage accounted for many of the past and future associations of these Porters.

(Theobald Gardner, m. Maud, da. of Sir Thomas. Nevill of Hornby Castle, s. and h. of Sir Robert Neville of Hornby (b. ca. 1310), and Joan, da. and h. of Henry Atherton of Aintree and Oldham, Lancs. … grandfather of Sir Thomas Gardner, who m. Edith, da. of Sir John Holland of Denton. Richard Holland of Denton, who, by a dau. of Harington of Hornby castle in Lancashire, had a son named Thurstan Holland of Denton, Esq., father of Sir John Holland of Denton … grandfather of Edmond Gardner, who m. Barbara, da. of Sir John Radcliff of Ordsall … father of Sir Thomas Gardner, who m. Mabel, da. of Nic. Biron. Inquisition taken at Newark, July 3, 1504, after the death of Nicholas Biron, knight, brother and heir of John Byron, knight … Nicholas Biron, knight, during his life was seized in his demesne as of fee of the manors of Overcolwike, etc. … So seized, he enfeoffed John Hussey, Maurice Berkeley, knight … Edmund Bussy of the aforesaid premises. To have and to hold to them and their heirs to the use of himself and his heirs … Nicholas gave the rest of the manors, lands and tenements to Joan his wife for the marriages of their three daughters and to pay his debts, as stated in his will … grandfather of Thomas Gardner, who m. Anne, eldest da. and coheir of William Hardbeane, of Norton, co. Linc. Esq. (tenant of William Disney), and br. of Henry Gardner, a dau. of whom m. William Porter).

1.2.1. John Porter, b. 1471. Inquisition taken at Nottingham, October 22, 1502, by the oath of Thomas Armestrong, esquire, Ralph Whitchurch … who say that William Porter was seized of 10 messuages, 200 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow and 40 acres of pasture in Estmarkham in his demesne as of fee and in such estate died. William Porter May 10, 1497, and John Porter is his son and heir and is aged 26 years and upwards. John Porter is, and was at the time of his birth, an idiot* and is not able to take charge of his lands, and has no other or more lands or tenements in the county. (Inq. virtu de officii. Series ii. Vol. 23. No. 222). *Someone born with reduced intellect (not knowing, for example, the name of their mother or father), as defined in Prerogativa Regis, section 11. There are no “next heirs” mentioned.

1.3. Robert Porter. “Robert Porter of Markham” was a witness, as tenant, of the i.p.m of (1) Henry Grey of Codnor, May 6, 1508. (2) Robert Storye (with “Thomas Cressy gentleman”), Sept. 26, 1519.

1.4. Austin Porter, a witness in the Inquisition taken at Nottingham, Oct. 31, 1493, after the death of Henry Eland, a tenant of “Henry Wyllughby, knight”, at Algarthorp. Austin Porter, of Belton, Lincolnshire, d. 1535, m. Mabel Bellingham, dau. of Sir Robert Bellingham and Ann Pickering, having issue: Austin Porter, of Belton, d. 1554, who m. Ellen Smith, of Withcote; having issue: John Porter, of Belton, d. Oct. 23, 1574, possessed of the manor of Belton; who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Edmund Bussy. Mabel Bellingham was the sister of Thomas Bellingham, who m. Jane Wiltshire (dau. of Sir John Wiltshire of Stone Castle, Kent); sister of Bridget Tyrwhitt, wife Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, Sheriff of Lincolnshire for 1540–41, who m. (2) by 1540, Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Oxenbridge, son of Sir Goddard Oxenbridge of Brede, Sussex. She is sometimes given as a dau. of Goddard Oxenbridge, a calculation based on chronological grounds, the fact being, however, that she married at a very young age:

Decree in Joan Welshe, widow and executrix of Thomas Welshe, v Robert Tyrwytt, esq.RT and his wife Elizabeth to enjoy the forges and iron-mill at Etchingham and the furnace at Darvell Wood [in Mountfield], leased to TW and JW by Thomas Oxenbrege, esq, deceased, on 16 May 1539, from 29 Sep next. RT and ET to pay JW an annuity of £24 for 13 years. RT and ET to pay JW for unwrought materials (wood ready cut in cordwood, coal ready made and ore ready dyddyd at the valuation of four indifferent men of Etchingham. JW to allow RT and ET access to the forges, mill and furnace through her land held by lease from Thomas Oxenbrege. 1545. (East Sussex Record Office, AMS6437/1).

Biographical background: Thomas Oxenbridge inherited both Etchingham and Mountfield manors from his mother Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas Etchingham and wife of Goddard Oxenbridge. Thomas died on 28 March 1540, and on 15 July his widow, his second wife Faith, was living at Hughenden in Buckinghamshire. Although he left no land in the parish, Goddard Oxenbridge left 40s to the repairs of Etchingham church in his will of 1530 (PRO PROB 11/24), for a copy of which see AMS6326/46. Robert Tyrwhitt of Kettleby in Lincolnshire married Thomas Oxenbridge’s daughter Elizabeth, who was aged 11 in 1540, and acquired both the Etchingham and Mountfield estates by the marriage.

I have been unable to determine a relationship between the aforementiond Porters and those of Sussex, but note an association in common with the family of Oxenbridge, likely to be coincidental. A porter would answer the bell, and many families of Porter have bells on their shields.

THE PORTERS OF SUSSEX

Grant by Peter, son and heir of Walter le Porter, to Roger son of Robert de Bromham, of all the tenement with houses and lands etc, in Hetfelde, by the high road from Burghers’ to Horapeltre, which Walter, the grantor’s father, bought from Robert Sherreve. Witnesses:- William de Ivendenn, Adam de la Cumbe, Ralph de Middelton, Luke Walweyn, Nicholas the forester (forestario), Ralph the clerk of Brithling, and others (named). Sussex Endorsed: ‘Hethfelde in Rapa de Hastyng’. (E 40/4163). Heathfield is 10 mls from Pevensey.

Grant by Robert Scherewe, to Walter the porter (portario), of land in Hetfelde, in ‘the Westsside’ of Sameherst, which land extends from Scherewe Cruche to the said Robert’s house, and through his garden to the wood, and so to the brook between his land and that of Luke Walewein; the said Robert owes to the fence (frithie) over against the said Walter from his garden to the brooke Witnesses:- Sirs Thomas de Burgeton and William de Etteste, Simon de Hydeneye, Richard de Ratton, Gerard de Milkherst, Harding de Langhed, Walter de Bovellhamme, William de Yvindenne, and others (named). Sussex Endorsed: ‘In rap’ de Hastyng.’ 1216-1272. (E 40/4157).

Grant by Richard the Porter of Pevensey, with the assent of Cecily, his wife, and Robert, his heir, to Lewes Priory (William, prior*) of free course of the sea to their mill at Langney. (E 40/15439). *William de Berdewell, prior in 1295.

Confirmation. Denise, widow of John Fich, daughter and heir of Henry Paulyn, to William de Hemstede and Walter Porter. 1. messuage, 66 acres, buildings, gardens, pasture and ditches in Westham (the messuage and 40 acres in Homlond, 26 acres in Hortfeld. 2. the reversion of a piece of land called Melnfeld in Westham, which Roger Porter holds for life and one year by her charter made to him. Witnesses: Henry Alard, Simon de Hidenye, James de Craule, John at Rede, Richard Wilkyn, William Alman, John de la Forde clerk; at Westham. Jan. 25, 1329. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/6).

Settlement. James de Craule and his wife Margery, and John Lyttlewatte and his wife Gillian, to John ate Stone, called Gardyner, and his wife Margery, and their eldest son John and his heirs in tail, remainder to John and Margery’s right heirs. Piece of land called Anablehag’ in Westham (E and N: land of Roger Waterman; W: highway from la Ratelcrouche to Hankham (Hanekeham); S: land of the Brothers of the Hospital of St John). Witnesses: Henry Allard, John de Westecote, Richard Wilkyn, Walter Macy, William Squier, Roger Porter, Stephen Allard; at Pevensey. Nov. 2, 1341. (East Sussex Record Office (ESRO), amsg/AMS5592/9).

Lease for 20 years from Sept 23, 1343 at £1 6s 0d. Robert de Molstone son of William de Molstone to John le Gardyner of Westham. 16 acres called Golyas in Westham in the Liberty of Pevensey. Witnesses: Henry Allard, Stephen Allard,* Roger Porter, Richard Pelyng, John Tut, John Hagert, John Abbot; at Westham. June, 26, 1343. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/110). *“The arms, a lion rampant, between escallop-shells, were borne by Oxenbridge, of Brede; but they married an heiress of the Alards, and Leland says, assumed their arms. From the arms the tomb (in Winchelsea Church) has been usually ascribed to one of the Oxenbridges. We are, however, more inclined to the belief that it is the tomb of Stephen Alard … The date of the monument is about 1340, and it was not until 1393 that we find an Oxenbridge mentioned as a person of importance in the district.” — Hist. of Winchelsea, p. 134.

Grant of rent. Robert Redere and his wife Lecia to John Gardener. 8d annual rent payable by the heirs of Ralph Waterman for their tenement in the town of Pevensey. Witnesses: Walter Macy bailiff of Pevensey, William de Oldintone, Simon Lewyne, John Stace, William Gregori, Roger Porter; at Pevensey. Dec. 12, 1356. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/26).

Roll of Accounts for the Rectory of Ikelesham, &c. Michaelmas, 1378. Simon Porter, of Wynchelse, Feofment to John Gardiner of Westham, of the Tenements, which he was heir to, contingent upon the decease of Agatha Fish of Westham, and to all the Tenements in the Town of Westham, in the Borough of Pevensey, which were Roger Porter, his uncle’s. William Polynge, Simon Anneys, John Scleghond, John Batelman, and other Testators. Dated Westham, Sunday following the Purification of our Lady, 1379. Seal.

Porter v Ywode. Plaintiffs: Richard Porter, John Forest, and other parishioners of Westham. Defendants: Adam Ywode, Richard Rakle, and William Foxhill, feoffees of William Slyhand. Subject: Lands in Westham, bequeathed to be sold for the benefit of the Hospital of St John and the works at Westham church. Sussex. 1407-1456. (C 1/16/679).

During this reign the pilgrimages to the shrine of St. James of Compostella, became frequent, and the merchants of Winchelsea largely availed themselves of this source of profit. On 26th Feb., 1434, Robert Porter, master of a barge, called Le Trinite de Wynchelse, had the king’s license to carry therein sixty of the king’s subjects, who were going on a pilgrimage to St. James’, provided that they made oath to the keepersof the passage, when they were taken on board, that they would carry no gold or silver above their reasonable expenses with them; and that they would not reveal the secrets of the kingdom to any one abroad. And, on 8th May, in the same year, the same Robert Porter, master of a barge, called Le Kateryn of Winchelse, had the king’s license‘ to carry therein forty of the king’s subjects, &c., as before. Licenses were granted in this year for no less than 2433 pilgrims. (William Durrant Cooper, The History of Winchelsea, p. 98, 1801).

Conveyance. John Brodebredge of Wartling yeoman to Stephen Porter. 1. ‘Twyfordes’ (40a); N: Ralph Colbrond’s land; E: abbot of Battle’s ‘Monkyn Marsh’ and Thomas Pynes lord Dacre’s Little Blyborough; S: Pevensey town – Chilley highway; W: rector of Manxey’s land. 2. ‘Mylfelde’ (10a); E: John Mabley’s land; S: common watercourse from sea to Rickney bridge; W: rector of Manxey’s land; N, NE: highway in 1 above. Together in Manxey Marsh, Pevensey. W: Henry Dawson, William Alard and John Hampton all of Westham, Robert Havell of Pevensy. July 12, 1485. (ESRO, AMS5861/1).

Grant of a rentcharge for life. John Morley of Westham, John Bokelond of Battle, William Alard of Westham and William Willys of Ebony [in Kent] to John Boys of Battle and John Kneller of Hooe. Annual rent of 33s 4d from lands an tenements in Westham late John Gardener, granted by his daughter and heir Alice Gardener to be held for the life of Alice’s mother Lucy, now wife of John Alman of Bexhill. Witnesses: William Telyng, William Foxhill, Thomas Bayle, William Hendeman, William Porter; at Westham. Aug. 12, 1458. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/24).

Feoffment from Thomas Mercer of Hawkhurst, co. Kent, sen., to Robert Crouche of Rye. Witnesses: William Parnell, deputy of Robert Crouche, mayor, Adam Oxenbregge,* John Sutton esq., Thomas Litherlond, Henry Swan’, John Swan’, common clerk, Henry Porter, mayor’s sergeant (clavigero). June 12, 1490. (ESRO, Rye/122/17). *Br. of Goddard Oxenbridge.

Grant & Appointment of Attorney. A. John Barker & Johanna his wife (dau & heiress of Henry Belamy late of Hastings), (b) Goddard Oxenbregge Esqr. Land and tenements in Pevensey & Westham in the liberty of the Cinque Ports which descended to Johanna after her father’s death; which premises came to Henry Belamy, John Joy, Richard Hawden, Stephen Alman (son of John, aform.), John Hynde & William Salter, now dead, of the gift of John A’Clyde of Hastings. June 3, 1497. (ESRO, SAU/1265).

1. Stephen Foster. Grant & Appointment of Attorney. (a) Goddard Oxenbregge Knt. (b) Christopher Vale of Westham. Premises and rent had by (a) with Stephen Porter now dead by gift of Laurence Harmer of Echyingham. Appoints Willm Alman, William Crotynden and William Hampton attornies to deliver seizin. Feb. 17, 1523. (East Sussex Record Office, SAU/1315).

Fenys v Chancy. Plaintiffs: Thomas Fenys, lord Dacre. Defendants: George Chancy and Richard Porter. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to lands in Pevensey called ‘Twyford,’ late of Stephen Porter. Sussex. 1504-1515. (C 1/310/67).

Grant by William Gyldriche of Wyllyngdon, gentleman, to Edmund Dudley, esquire, John Ashburneham and George Chauncey, of lands in Maukesey, to hold to them and their heirs to the use of the said Edmund Dudley, subject to the payment of 30l. to the abbot of Battle according to the will of Stephen Porter, late of Pevensey: Sussex. 1500-1501. (E 326/2524).

1.1. Richard Porter, b. ca. 1475.

1.1.1. Stephen Porter, of Hooe.

1.1.2. John Porter, b. ca. 1505. Will of John Porter of Battle, yeoman. Proved in PCC 1574: 26 Martyn. All marsh land in Pevensey liberty to son George Porter in tail male, remainder to son Robert Porter in tail male, remainder to own right heirs. Pecuniary and chattel bequests to poor of Battle and Frant, wife Agnes (Isted), son Richard, grandson Thomas Aynscombe, at 21. £100 to Thomas Aynscombe in consideration of marriage with JP’s daughter Mary. Mentions Rother cattle, munitions and armour and households at Battle and Bayham. Power to overseers (brothers John Baker, George Porter, John Barham, Robert Porter and Thomas Aynscombe) to enter lands, including woods recently bought from Lord Montague. Tenements and watermills in Brenchley and Lamberhurst, Kent to son Richard Porter in tail male, remainder to son John Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. Tenements and watermills in Marden, Kent to son John Porter in tail male, remainder to son Richard Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. Marshes in Hooe to son Stephen Porter in tail male, remainder to son Thomas in tail male, remainder to right heirs. House in which JP lives with copyhold called Fordland, Tassarst and Loxepyche; copyhold house and garden in Mountjoy borough bought of Nicholas Bodell with freehold land and gardens on the same side of the road as the dwellinghouse in Mountjoy, all in Mountjoy and Uckham boroughs in Battle to wife Agnes for life without waste, remainders to son Thomas Porter in tail male, remainder to son Stephen Porter in tail male. House and land at Bredsell Green in Battle and Hollington and £4 annuity out of John Glasiers Marsh in Pevensey liberty (descended from brother Stephen Porter of Hooe) to son Robert Porter in tail male, remainder to son George Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. All tenements and lands in Staplehurst, Kent to son Thomas Porter in tail male, remainder to son Richard Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirsHouse and gardens bought of Nicholas Bennett in Mountjoy borough, Battle to son Stephen Porter in tail male, remainder to son George Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. Wife Agnes in lieu of dower to take annuities of £10 from Brenchley and Lamberhurst estate, £2 6s 8d from Marden and £2 6s 8d from Hooe. Overseers to take profits of land bequeathed to five younger sons until 21 and to bring them up. W: Thomas Wooddye, Thomas Berwycke, William Robertes, Thomas Isted. April 30, 1574. (East Sussex Record Office, AMS5861/4).

1.1.2.1. John Porter, b, ca. 1535, of Lamberhurst; sable, three church-bells argent. His descendants:

John Elvered, gent. 1623. Heir, son John Elvered, aged 23 and more at Inq. Lands. Capital messuage called “Goodwins,” “Palmers ” and “Palmers brook,” “Ingrams alias Oldehouse,” “Glydds,” ” Fynchcrofts,” “Sancottes,” “Geanes marshes,” and “Southey” in Pevensey and Bexhill settled on his son John Elvered, also “Hides” in Hoo, with remainder to Joane Wenham, widow, Dorothy, wife of William Relfe of Ashburnham, gent., and Elizabeth Petter, widow, daughters of J. E. (trustees, Nicholas Eversfield of Grove and John Porter of Lamberhurst) .

John Baker, esq. 1639. Heir, son John, aged 40 years; son William; see Inq. of John). Lands. ” Gildridge ” in Withyham and Eatherfield, ” Grenebremes,” “Lowbremes,” “le Hurst,” ” Waleham,” ” Harmermeades,” Hamsell” and “Hamsell furnace,” manor of Frant, etc., lands in Kent, Brightling, Sussex. Settled some of the lands on marriage of his 2nd son John B. with Elizabeth, one of the
daughters of John Porter, esq.

 

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