Geneological enquiry of ancient English families necessarily requires consideration of related families, as the invariable mode of survival was through a safety net of kinship, with its obligations of mutual support. The level of enquiry has to be at least three generations deep, which informs as to the wide network of second-cousins, a potent source of support then, that has now become redundant. That is, enquiry as to be of an anthropological nature, taking account of how humans lived then, how they adapted to and survived in their environment. It is of little use to simply quote references, which, no matter how many times repeated, do not turn claims into fact. (I hope to write, in the near future, in more depth, of research methodologies most relevant (I would suggest) to geneological enquiry of ancient English families).

What follows concerns a family of Whitton, which becomes ‘suddenly’ intermarried into the Cresset family of Shropshire, and, of which, Mary Whitton, m. (Jan. 13, 1606), William Fowle, of Riverhall, an ironworks in Wadhurst, East Sussex. By his first wife, Elizabeth Pankhurst, William Fowle had issue: Helen Fowle, who m. (1622) David Barham of Wadhurst, youngest on of John Barham and Mary Courthope, and br. of Mary Barham, who m. (1) John Holland Jr. of Lamberhurst, on June 20, 1603, in Tonbridge, see recent notes.

This was not a random association. These Hollands and Whittons had been part of a vastly intertwined network of families in Shropshire, as is evident when looking past the surface skin of associations to the bones below.

RUSSELL

1. Sir John Russell, of Strensham (d. 1405) m. Anne Planches.
1.1. William Russell of Strensham (d 1428), m. Agnes Haddington.
1.1.1. Robert Russell of Strensham (b. 1422), m. Elizabeth, dau of Sir John Throckmorton.
1.1.1.1. Robert Russell of Strensham. His Will was proved on Dec. 1, 1502, mentioning: “my 3 younger sons and the child now being in my wife’s belly, whereof I beseech Jesus send her good deliverance”. Robert Russell’s eldest son and heir, John Russell, was born in 1493/4, with his younger sons being born betw. 1495-1498. The said John Russell m. Edith, dau of Sir Thomas Unpton, having issue: Thomas Russell, father of Mary (d. 1576), who m. Richard Ligon, of Madresfield (d. 1584). Strensham is ca. 40 miles from Burwarton/Ludlow, and part of the Malvern Hills district, after which Richard Cocke named his Virginia plantation.
1.1.1.1.1. John Russell, m. Edith, dau of Sir Thomas Unpton.* Victoria County History: King’s Langley (Heref.), pp. 234-245, 1908: A lease for twenty-one years of the agistment and pannage, and of the ‘little hunt, called small game, of coneys,’ had been granted in 1543 to John Lord Russell. In the following year he was made keeper of the park. (L. and P. Hen. VIII, xix (1), 812 (11)). The farm of the priory was granted in 1546 to John Lord Russell, who still held it in 1556. (Aug. Off. Misc. Bks. 391, fol. 40).
1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Russell.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Russell, m. Richard Ligon, of Madresfield (d. 1584); see recent posts.
1.1.1.1.2. Robert Russell.
1.1.1.1.2.1. Thomasine Russell, m. Francis Holland, of Burwarton. His sister, Anne, m. (at Burwarton in 1634) William Lewis of Sutton (Diddlebury), the half-brother of Thomas Harris, b. 1603, and John Harris, b. 1604, his father, Edward Lewis of Sutton Magna having m. Jane Langford, the relict of Rowland Harris, see recent posts.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Holland., enfeoffed at Lamberhurst, b. ca. 1545, m. Joyce Lutley, sister of Adam Lutley, whose sister, Anne, m. (at Burwarton in 1634) William Lewis of Sutton (Diddlebury), the half-brother of Thomas Harris, b. 1603, and John Harris, b. 1604, his father, Edward Lewis of Sutton Magna having m. Jane Langford, the relict of Rowland Harris; see recent posts.

*Son of Hugh Unton, and Anne, dau. and of William Fettiplace of Stokenchurch. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Yonge (d. 1487) of Southbury. He m. (2) Elizabeth, dau. of Oliver Hyde, and Agnes, dau. of Thomas Lovingcott. Sir Thomas Unton was Sheriff of Berkshire and Oxfordshire in 1531. He held the lease of the manor of Wadley in Faringdon from Oriel College, Oxford, and held land in Minster Lovell and Aston Rowant (Oxfordshire). Sir Thomas had issue, two sons and two daus. Thomas, his second son, m. Ann Cottysmore. Edith (d. 1562), the elder dau., m. Sir John Russell (d. 1536), of Strensham (Worcestershire); Anne, the younger dau., m. John Vampage, of Wollashall, in Eckington (Worcestershire).

A salient point is: The Russells had strong associations to Oxfordshire, as did the family of Roger Whitton,* also noted as of Kings Langly, certainly by the time of 1543 grant to John Lord Russell, and almost certainly of his kinship circle, so probably his tenant.

DRAYCOT AND WHITTON

1. Robert Hill of Houndhill.
1.1. Isabel Hill, m. (1) Ralph Egerton.
1.1.1. William Egerton, m. Jane Lacon (b. ca. 1505, bur. Oct. 22, 1578), dau. of Sir Thomas Lacon (d. 1536), of Willey, Shrop. Jane Lacon was the relict of George Bromley (d.1545).
1.1.1.1. Ralph Egerton (d. April 17, 1610), of Betley, Staffordshire; half brother of Sir Thomas Bromley (c. 1530-1587).
1.1. Isabel Hill, m. (2) Sir John Draycot (d. May 5, 1514), who had m. (1) Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Eyre of Padley. Their son, Sir Philip Draycott* (over 30 in 1522), m. Elizabeth, dau. of John FitzHerbet, of Norbury. Robert Eyre of Padley was b. ca. 1430, and m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas FitzWilliam and Margaret Dymoke. *’Philip Draycott’s family took its name from the village in north Staffordshire where it had been settled for over four centuries; although not wealthy it was connected by marriage and descent with more important families. Draycott was brought up by George, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury to be a lawyer … George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, 13th Baron Strange of Blackmere, was born at Shifnal, Shropshire, in 1468′. (S.T. Bindoff, Hist. Parl., 1982). Sir John Draycott and his first wife also had issue: Maud Draycott, who m. *Roger Whitton, of Kings Langley, Herts., b. ca. 1470, see as follows.
1.1. Isabel Hill m. (3) Sir Edward Littleton, sans issue. By his first wife, Sir Edward Littleton, was father of a namesake, sheriff of Staffordshire, who m. Margaret, dau. and co-heir of Sir William Devereux:

THE DEVEREUX CONNECTION

1. Walter Devereux, IV, 7th Baron Ferrers and Anne, dau. of Sir William Ferrers, 6th Baron of Ferrers of Chartley.
1.1. John Devereux, 8th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, m. Mary, dau. of Thomas Grey.
1.1.1. Walter Devereux, 1st Visct. Hereford.
1.1.1.1. Sir William Devereux (1525 – 1579), of Merevale, Warwickshire.
1.2. Elizabeth Devereux, m. (1) Sir Richard Corbet, (2) Sir Thomas Leighton, of Wattlesborough, Shrop. Sir Thomas Leighton m. (1) Ann, dau. of Roger Barker; having issue: Margaret Leighton, who m. John Harris, see recent notes.
1.2.1. Ann Corbet, m. Thomas Cornwall, 8th Baron of Burford.
1.2.1.1. Maud Cornwall, m. John Nanfan).

THE OTHER RUSSELLS

1.2. John Russell (d. 1437). Sheriff, Herefs. 1417/1418. “Despite his later prominence as a lawyer, 13 times an MP and twice Speaker of the Commons, Russell’s origins are obscure. There is no doubt, however, that he lived in Herefordshire, by 1428 holding lands at Aymestry, Upper and Lower Lye and Lingen, in the north-western corner of the county. His parentage is unknown, but he was doubtless kin to Sir John Russell* of Strensham, a knight of the chamber and master of the horse to Richard II, and it is quite possible that he was even the elder (probably illegitimate) of Sir John’s two sons named John”. (Hist. Parl).

1.2.1. Jane Russell, m. Sir Ralph Lingen, Will dated 1452. (L. G. Pine, The New Extinct Peerage, p. 179, 1972). He can be summised to have been born ca. 1380, based on the fact of his second son, Thomas, being Steward of Tonge by 1437. He was a contemporary (perhaps brother) of William Lingen,* of com. Heref., who m. a dau. of John Whitton, who, on chronological grounds, can be taken as a son (b. ca. 1370) of either John or Thomas Whitton: Quitclaim. 1. Burgia widow of John de Whitton. 2. John Ronthale of Ludlow and Margt, his wife. 1 to 2 all her right and claim to the tenement in Old St. between the tenement of Thos. Orleton and the tenement of Wm. Forbor. Witnesses: Wm. de Orlton, Rich. Scot, Philip Lyngeun then Bailiff, John Parys, Thos. de la Sete. Dec. 25, 1382. (Shrop. Arch., 20/7/21). Grant. 1. John Body, rector of Hopton Wafers, and William Haukoc rector of Silvington. 2. John of Ludelowe, knight, Thomas of Whytton, John de la More, John Tuppa of Steventon. Property, the reversion of all land and tenements in Scirrenes Ledewyche with advowson of the church which Margaret widow of John Bryse holds for life by gift of 1. (Shrop. Arch. 5075/15). *’William Lingeyn, a younger son of the ancient Herefordshire family long seated at the castle of their name in the neighbourhood of Wigmore, obtained Whitton in the parish of Westbury, by the marriage of its heiress, daughter of John Whitton’. (Hugh Owen, John Brickdale Blakeway. A History of Shrewsbury, vol. 1, p. 295).
1.2.1.1. Sir John Lingen, m. Elizabeth Burgh.
1.2.1.1.1. Sir John Lingen, Sheriff of Herts. in 1506; d. 1530, m. Eleanor Milewater, dau. of Thomas Milewater,* in 1512, ibid.

THE CRESSET CONNECTION

1. …
1.1. Robert Cresset, of Upton Cresset, Sheriff of Salop (a 1469) m. Christiana, granddau. of John Stapleton.
1.1.1. Thomas Cresset, m. Jane, dau of Sir Roger Corbet, of Morton, and Elizabeth Hopton (descended from Edward I). Sir Roger Corbet was the grandson of Roger Corbet, d. 1396 (son of Sir Robert Corbet, and Elizabeth le Strange), and Margaret de Erdington
1.1.1.1. Thomas Cresset, will dated Aug. 26, 1520), m. (2) Eleanor, dau. of *Thomas Milewater of Stoke Edith, Herefordshire,
1.1.1.1.1. Richard Cresset, m. Jane, dau of Richard Wrottesley, and Dorothy Dudley (descended from Edward III).
1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Cresset. His Will, dated Jan. 23, 1562, names: “my nephews Richard Cressett and John Cressett of Upton … my three godchildren: Harrie Bawdewyne, Harry Fewtrell of Holgate, and Anne Leighton … the children of my sister Smithe … the children of my sister Moore … the son of my sister Fraunces Acton … Mary daughter of my sister Moore … my cousin Fraunces Cressett … Thomas Fewtrell and Sir Edward Fewtrell, parson of Holgate … Harrie Price … Anne Brugge … John Russell & his wife Johan.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Frances Cresset, bur. Jan. 11, 1581, at Morville, Shrop., m. William Acton, of Longnor.
1.1.1.1.1.3. John Cresset, esq.
1.1.1.1.1.3.1. Robert Cresset, b. by 1524, m. Katherine Charlton. His Will was made Jan. 1, 1565 … my two brothers in law Adam Lutley & Richard Leighton & my cousin Anne Boterell & my four aunts: Dorothy Mynde, Cicely Acton, Frances Hopton, Mary Cressett … my four sisters: Elizabeth Lutley, Cycely Leighton, Johan Witton, Thomason Draper, who m. (2) Francis Holland.
1.1.1.1.1.3.2. Elizabeth Cresset, m. Adam Lutley. His sister, Joyce Lutley, m. John Holland, enfeoffed in Lamberhurst. Adam Lutley’s dau. m. George Holland of Purslow.
1.1.1.1.1.3.3. Cicely Cresset, m. Richard Leighton, of Cotes.
1.1.1.1.1.3.4. Johan Cresset (b. ca. 1560), m. Thomas Whitton (b. ca. 1555). William Berry (‘Pedigrees of the Families in the Co. of Kent’, p. 387, 1830), names Jane Cresset’s husband was Thomas Whitton, of Lamberhurst, Kent, second son of Owen Whitton, of Woodstock Park, Oxfordshire.
1.1.1.1.1.3.4.1. Henry Whitton of Lamberhurst (d. 1627), m. Camelia, dau of Arthur Bassano, of London, br. of Lucretia, who m. Nicholas Lanier, Sr.
1.1.1.1.1.3.4.2. Elizabeth Whitton, m. Thomas Isted.
1.1.1.1.1.3.4.3. Mary Whitton, m. (Jan. 13, 1606), William Fowle, of Riverhall, an ironworks in Wadhurst. By his first wife, Elizabeth Pankhurst, William Fowle had issue: Helen Fowle, who m. (1622) David Barham of Wadhurst, youngest on of John Barham and Mary Courthope, and br. of Mary Barham, who m. (1) John Holland Jr. of Lamberhurst, on Jun. 20, 1603, in Tonbridge, Kent. Fowle of Riverhall in Wadhurst – Arms: gules, a lion passant guardant between three roses.
1.1.1.1.1.3.5. Thomasin Cresset, m. (1) Richard Draper, (2) Francis Holland.

WHITTON

Whitton was originally part of the holdings of the powerful Corbet family of Caus, which passed to tenant families that took their name from it. In 1366 James de Pipe was lord of Faintree (Inquis. p. mort., No. 48), and in an entry for next year the name of Margaret, wife of John de Pipe, occurs in connection with the manor-mother perhaps of James, in which case John de Pipe probably succeeded the Knockyns here. James de Pipe, who died 1372, had a daughter and heir Margaret, who held a messuage and one carucate of land here in 1386 (Inquis. p. m. 33). Before 1430, Faintree had passed to the Whittons, whether by marriage or purchase, I do not know, nor did Blakeway, who says:- “Whether they were descended from the Pipes or Knockins, the ancient possessors of Faintre, I have not discovered”.

‘Corbet’s original Feoffees at Whitton seem to have been of two families, one taking a name from the place, the other a Cadet of that family of Burnel which held Acton Burnel under the Lords of Caus. First, in 1209, we have Richard de Witon, acting as a Surety in a Forest-plea … Soon after we have Simon de Witton (perhaps Richard’s successor) following Roger Burnel as a witness of Robert Corbet’s grant of Hulemore to Buildwas Abbey. The said Simon and Roger I take to have been joint lords of Whitton. Robert de Wudeton …may have been Simon de Witton’s successor; and if so, there were two persons named Robert de Wudeton, cotemporary in Shropshire. A list of Thomas Corbet’s Barony, drawn up about 1240, gives Robert and Roger de Witton as holding one fee in Witton and its appurtenances. Roger de Witton’s real name I take to have been Burnel, while Robert de Witton is elsewhere called Robert Lowys … In the Ford Hundred-Roll of 1255, Robert de Wytton and Roger Burnel (both Jurors) are said to hold 11 hides in Wytton of the fee of Caus. … In 1263 we have had Robert de Wytton and Robert Burnel consecutively named among the Retainers of Thomas Corbet of Caus. Possibly for Robert Burnel we should read Roger Burnel … In the Feodary, drawn upon Thomas Corbet’s death in 1274, Robert de Witdon and Roger Burnel appear as Tenants of half a fee each, and the former as owing suit to the Court of Caus … At the Assizes of 1292, Simon Lowys de Wytton was a Juror for Ford Hundred. This same Simon (called Simon de Whitton) and Hugh Burnel stand as Lords of Whitton in the Nomina Villarum of 1316’. (Mr. Eyton, Antiquities of Shropshire, vols 7-8, pp. 65-66, 1858).

THE WHITTONS

1. John de Whitton, b. ca. 1330; or on a chevron sable.
1.1. Edward Whitton, enfeoffed John Whitton of lands in 1430.
1.1. John Whitton, b. ca. 1370, s.l. 1450; or on a chevron sable, 5 bezants.
1.1.1. … de Whitton (b. ca. 1400), m. William Lingen.
1.1.2. … de Whitton, b. ca. 1400.
1.1.2.1. … de Whitton, b. ca. 1430.
1.1.2.1.1. William de Whitton, b. ca. 1460. Inquisition post mortem held at Ludlow on the death of William Whitton, who died seized of the manor of Whitton held of Thomas Cornewall by knight service of his Barony of Burford, value 4 marks p.a., and of 2 burgages in Ludlow held in free burgage of the Earl of March, value 13s 4d p.a. He died 20 January 14 Henry VII (1498/9). John Whitton aged 11 is his heir. Nov. 17, 1507. (Shrop. Arch. 11/7).
1.1.2.1.1.1. John Whitton, b. 1496. Inquisition post mortem on the death of John Whitton esq. Francis Whitton is his son and heir, aged 13 at Whitsun last, holding the capital messuage at Whitton of the king for knight’s service. 1546. (Shrop Arch. 11/8). John Whitton m. Johanna Gattacre, April 25, 1533. ‘About 1550, John Whitton of Whitton, held Faintree, and two of his daughters (by Jane, daughter of Robert Gatacre of Gatacre), were married at Chetton – Joyce, the fourth, to John Bullen, April 6th, 1562; and Elizabeth, the eldest, to William Roberts of Ashford, Jan. 27th, 1570 (Chetton Register, Cp. Salop Visitation, sn. Whitton). The eldest son Francis entered his pedigree in 1623: Arms : or. on a chevron sa. 5 bezants’. (Trans. Shrop. Arch., p. 214, 1893).
1.1.2.1.1.1 Francis Whitton, b. 1533. 1. Fraunces Whitton of Whitton gentleman. 2. Richard Farre of Ludlowe mercer. Demise of a parcel of void ground in the town of Ludlowe in a street called the Corvestrete near unto the Beastes-markett. 1588. (Shrop. Arch. 1623/7).
1.1.2.1.2. Roger Whitton, of Kings Langley, Herts., b. ca. 1470, m. Maud Draycott, dau of Sir John Draycott and his first wife.
1.1.2.1.2.1. John Whitton, b. ca. 1495, of Sarrott (3 miles from Kings Langley), m. Eleanor …
1.1.2.1.2.1.1. Owen Whitton, b. ca. 1425.
1.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. Thomas Whitton, b. ca. 1555.

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