Abstract of the Will of Colonel Thomas Grendon, of Dukes Place, Citizen & Draper of London, dated December 15, 1678: ‘To Mr. John Harding Cittizen & Grocer of London and Mr. Robert Coe Cittizen & Goldsmith of London whome I make ex’ors & trustees my land in Fultherley in Shenston, Co., Stafford’. He gave his son, Thomas Grendon, ‘now in Virginia’, and his daughter, Hannah (Grendon) Duke, ‘now in Virginia’, property in Shenstone. (See Colonial Surry, John B. Boddie, 1959).
This is a wholly typical scenario – the wealthy yeoman class educating their sons and finding them a position in the London ‘trades’. A family’s place of origin was often of less importance than their connection to London, and its lucrative trade links to America. Of no less importance was kinship; the tie that bound families together through repeated intermarriages, and the pathway to advantageous associations.
The Grendons of Virginia may have took their name from Grendon in Warwickshire, as suggested thus: ‘Ralph de Bray, chaplain to king William Rufus; to him Henry D’Oyley, the constable to the king, granted the lands that Tanetine de Brai, his father, held here. This family had the manor of Shenstone, and had their residence in the place. William de Bray, most likely heir to Ralph, the king’s chaplain, had issue a daughter Avicia. To this man Henry lord D’Oyley granted or confirmed the manor and his lands at Shenstone; for his soul, and that of his family … The husband of Avicia, daughter and heir to William de Bray abovesaid, was Sir Robert de Grendon, son of Richard, son of Roger (in the reign of king Stephen), who took the surname from the manor of that name in Warwickshire and was therein enfeoffed by Camville, who had it from Henry de Ferrers, or his son, being, as I suppose, the son of Thurstan of that place, in the reign of king William I. Sir Robert de Grendon, about the 2oth year of the reign of Henry III. obtained, from Thomas de Beaumont earl of Warwick, licence to make a park at Shenstone’ (Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica, vol. 9, 1792).
Whether or not Colonel Thomas Grendon descended from this family is uncertain, and an alternative source of his name may have been ‘Grindon … an ancient manor, which was possessed by Robert de Stafford, in the 20th year of the reign of VVilliam the Conqueror. In the reign of Henry the Third, it was held with Blore, by William Audley, of the Baron of Staffford’ (William Parson, et al., Staffordshire general & commercial directory, p. 116, 1818).
Further notice of Shenstone is given in the ‘Bibliotheca’, which informs of the families associated with it, and, thus, assists in understanding the Grendons as either a Staffordshire family of various branches, or as seperate families with the same toponym.
The village of Shensione is first to be treated of, as having the church in its center, and giving name to the whole; also containing many of the other berwics and seats, as the Park, the Moss, Woodend, Radley Moorend, Aston, Fótherly, the Bosses, and Little Haye. Shenftone stands nearly South of the city of Lichfield, at the distance of three measured miles; six from Tamworth … The church is built nearly in the center of the town, on the summit of a hill gradually rising every way in the midst of an extenfive vale. This site affords most engaging profpects of Hintz and Weeford hills …
The following gifts are fairly preserved on several tables in the church … Richard Ruggeley, of Hawksyard, esq. by his last will (proved in the prerogative court of Canterbury, 1623), gave the rents of several parcels of lands called Bulmores, lying in this parish, to the poor inhabitants of the same, to be distributed yearly on the feast day of St. Thomas for ever.
A neat monument of azure coloured stone, of a very fine grain, and well polished, standing upon a foundation of white ones; at the four corners are pillars of white stone, neatly cut and polished. This is placed over the body of a gentleman of 25 years old, son of Richard and Mary Burgess, of Quarndon in the county of Leicester …
Shenstone village, adjoining to the church hill, has something in its appearance very pleasing. The houses in general look neat; many of them have little courts or gardens in front, which adds to their rural appearance, and are in number about thirty-five, in which reckoning we do not include the seats of those gentlemen who live at a distance from the village, though called properly in its hamlet …
The first family that we know certainly to have possessed this seat was that of the Rugeleys, of whom very old records speak … Geoffrey and Henry de Rugele granted lands to Robert de Wolseley, to which Richard de Hintz was an evidence. This deed is without date, and probably as early as king Henry III. …
In 4. Henry III. Robert de Rugeley was witness to the charter of Nesta de Cokefield (relict of Thomas de Burgh), giving lands (Actonshoe wood) near to Kersey monastery in Suffolk … In the fame reign the principal seat of the family was Hawksyard in Staffordshire, where then, resided Humphrey Rugele, whose son and heir was Thomas, whose heir was William, who was obliged to fly out of the kingdom for killing Robert de Byskeland; but, 26 Edward I, having done some great and faithful fervice to the English army in Flanders, he received a pardon for that crime. Under this prince, and king Edward II. –– Rugeley, esq. was seated at Longdon near Lichfield. (Possibly the home of the Astons of Virginia – M.S.).
Nicholas de Rugeley also (10 Henry V.) purchased the manor of Dunton in Warwickshire of Sir Richard Stanhope, of Rampton in Nottinghamshire, knight, for his hunting-seat, of which sport he was exceedingly fond. … John, second son of this Nicholas, married Joyce daughter of Ralph Sheldon of Beoley, Worceftershire, esq.; and had by her Ralph, who took to wife Rebecca daughter of Rowland Rugeley of Shenstone, esq. whose son and heir, Sir Rowland, of Shenstone and Dunton, dying 1629, left William, by Elizabeth daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Knolles, knight.
RUGELY OF SHENSTONE
Arms: argent a chevron between three roses gules, quartering argent a horses head erased sable (Hawkesyard) Crest: On the top of a ships mast a beacon fired behind it four arrows in saltire and two ladders resting against it.
1. Rowland Rugeley of Shenstone, b. c. 1506-1581.
1.1. William Rugeley of Shenstone Esquire, d. bef. 1602, m. Elizabeth Knotsford, dau. of John Knotsford of Great Malvern, Worcs. and Studley, Warwicks, Esquire, d. 1589; Serjeant-at-Arms.
1.1.1. Richard Rugeley, b. 1564 (aged 19 in 1583), d. 1623, m. Mary Rugeley, dau and coheir of Thomas Rugeley of Hawkesyard, by right of his wife, lord of Hawkesyard.
1.1.1.1. Simon Rugeley, b.1598 (aged 16 in 1614).
1.1.1.2. Thomas Rugeley.
1.1.1.3. Rowland Rugeley.
1.1.1.4. Walter Rugeley.
1.1.1.5. Benjamin Rugeley.
1.1.1.6. Ann Rugeley, m. Richard Weaver, of Stapleton, Herefs.
1.1.1.7. Elizabeth Rugeley, m Henry Stone, of Walsall.
1.1.1.8. Phelicia Rugely, m. (June 22, 1592), at Tatenhill, James Price of Nantmell, Radnors.
1.1.1.9. Hannah Rugeley, m. Robert Smith, of Desart, Radnors.
1.1.1.10. Jane Rugeley, m William Littleton, of Pillaton Hall, in Penkridge.
1.1.1.11. Margaret Rugeley, m. John Price, of Nantmel, Radnors.
1.1.1.12. Mabel Rugeley, m. Thomas Colman, of London.
1.1.1.13. Mary Rugeley (unm.) in 1623.
1.1.1.14. Odelia Rugeley (unm.) in 1623.
1.1.2. Rowland Rugeley, b. c. 1568, m. Elizabeth .. The will of ‘Rowland Rugeley of Fowtherley, in the parish of Shenstone,in the county of Stafford, dated ‘the last day of June 1619’, was proved at Lichfield, July 28, 1619. The testator directs his body to be buried in the parish church of Shenstone, mentions his son Thomas Rugeley, his son-in-law Thomas Higson, and Elizabeth his wife, and his (testator’s) sister Ellenor Hardinge. Appoints his wife Elizabeth sole executrix, and James Fletcher and Thomas Grendon overseers. Inventory made July 1, 1619, by William Prieste, James Fletcher, Thomas Grendon, and John Addams. In 1590, Rowland Rudgeley had a son Thomas, bapt. January 8, and a daughter, Elizabeth, bapt. in April, I591.
It seems highly likely that James Fletcher and Thomas Grendon, following the norm of this time, were related to James Rugeley, but it would be idle to assume the means.
‘In the 22d year of the reign of Charles I. James Fletcher bought Madlezefield, in Footherley, of Roger Adams, with other lands, lying near his mother Cecily’s land, to which purchase Thomas Rugeley, William Thornton, James Fletcher, &c. were evidences. James Fletcher, of Footherley, and James his son, in 1687, exchanged Woodend piece with Francis Priest, for lands in the Smallfield … This family had likewise a messuage and lands in Footherley, or Woodend, afterwards the property of Robert Sylvester. The farm (at Madlezefield) was formerly the estate of the Grendons; whether descended of those concerned in the manor itself is uncertain. Some fields in Shenstone bear the name of Grendon’s leasows, formerly belonging to the Heaths of Hamerwich, and, most likely, in former times to the Grendon family. Thomas Grendon died at Footherley in 1656-7‘ (ibid.). Will of Thomas Grindon, Yeoman of Shenstone, Staffordshire. PROB 11/266/367. July 28, 1657.
I suppose his kinsman is evidenced in the following legal case: Thornton v Collyer. Plaintiffs: William Thornton, James Silvester, Thomas Grindon, Thomas Cotterill, John Browne, George Silvester, James Silvester, William Smith, Nicholas Allen, James Fletcher, Roger Adams, Ann Priest, Thomas Kennall and John Birch and others. Defendants: John Collyer and others. Place or subject: property in Shenstone and Little Aston, Staffordshire etc. C 7/345/140. 1661.
Thus:
1. William Grendon Sr., born c. 1540, held land in Shenstone, in 1607. (See as follows).
1.1. William Grendon Jr,. born c. 1565.
1.1.1. Thomas Grendon, born c. 1590, d. 1657, holding land in Footherley, a hamlet of Shenstone. His Will names ‘kinsman Thomas Grindon Citisen of London’, who may be assumed to be the father of: Colonel Thomas Grendon, born c. 1615; in 1678 he gave his son Thomas Grendon, ‘now in Virginia’, lands in Sherton (Shenstone) Co., Stafford; and to his daughter Hannah (Grendon) Duke, ‘now in Virginia’ property in Shenstone. (See Colonial Surry, John B. Boddie, 1959).
I suppose any alternative, based on the desire for an ancestor of ‘ancient planter’ status to be of the ‘wishfull school’ of genealogy, which all too sadly relies on the selective reading of documents, so as to ‘prove’ what is desired.
The Grendons may have been very well connected in Virginia:
1.1.3. Thirkell Rugeley.
1.1.4. Henry Rugeley.
1.1.5. Eleanor Rugeley (unm.) in 1623.
1.1.6. Joane Rugeley, m. … Philips.
1.1.7. Ann Rugeley.
1.1.8. Margaret Rugeley.
1.1.9. Penelope Rugeley, m. … Walker.
1.1.10. Frances Rugeley, m. … Hawkins.
1.2. Rebecca Rugeley, m. Ralph Rugeley of Dunton, Warwicks 1543-1604.
1.2.1. Rowland Rugeley born c. 1573, m. Lettice Knowles dau and coheir of Sir Thomas Knowles Knight (MGH NS iii 201). I would make a case for him being the br. of Lettice and Anne Knollys (their mother was thus a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth), who married, on November 19, 1571, Thomas West, 2nd Baron De La Warr; their issue including: 1. Francis West, Governor of Virginia, who m. 1., before February 6, 1626, Margaret, widow of Edward Blayney, by whom he had a son, Francis West, and a daughter, Elizabeth West, and secondly, on March 31, 1628, Temperance Flowerdew (d. December 1628), widow of Sir George Yeardley, Governor of Virginia. 2. Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel West (November 30, 1592–June 7, 1618), who married Frances Greville (d. 1634), by whom he had a son, Nathaniel West. His widow m. 2. Abraham Peirsey, esquire (d. Jan. 16, 1628), and 3. Captain Samuel Mathews, esquire (died c. March 1658). Sir Thomas Knowles married Odelia de Morada, dau. of John de Morada, Marquis of Bergen, and it seems noteworthy that the unusual name (in England) of Odelia was given to Odelia Rugeley, cousin of Rowland Rugeley, who m. Lettice Knowles.
The following extracts are the sparse number of extant b.m.d. records of Staffordshire Grendons, noticed from 1560-1682. The nearest parishes to Shenstone are situate at Weeford and Tamworth. There is no proof of any connection between those of different parishes, although this can not be precluded, especially as William Grendon is not noticed as holding land in Shenstone until 1607.
29 Oct 1560. Ric. Chesshyre & Eliz. Gryndon mar., Alstonefield, St Peter.
02 May 1569. Agnes Gryndon, wid. bur. Alstonefield, St Peter.
02 Feb 1571. Dorithie, d. of Thos. Gryndon bur. Alstonefield, St Peter
25 May 1578. Stephen Hartle, of Feynie Bentley, & Margaret Gryndon, m., Alstonefield, St Peter.
23 Oct 1578.Ellin Grindon, dau. of William Grindon, bapt., Weeford, St Mary, Lichfield.
18 Feb 1580. Anne Grindon, dau. of William Grindon, bapt., Weeford, St Mary.
05 Jul 1579. Nic., s. of Thos. Gryndon, bur. Alstonefield, St Peter.
26 Nov 1579. Robert Gryndon & Marie Lawkyn mar., Alstonefield, St Peter.
24 Jun 1586. John Gryndon & Matilda Bagnolde mar., Alstonefield, St Peter.
30 Jan 1590. Izabell, w. of Thos. Gryndon bur. Alstonefield, St Peter.
18 May 1590. Raphe Dawman & Isabelle Gryndon mar. Tamworth.
04 Aug 1591. Eliz., w. of Wm. Gryndon bur. Alstonefield, St Peter.
03 Jul 1592. Agnes Grindon and Richard Burgess, mar., St Editha, Tamworth.
15 May 1593. Wm., s. of Wm. Gryndon bur., Alstonefield, St Peter.
05 Jan 1598. Anne Grendon bur., Shenstone, dau. of Wm Grendon. William Grendon Sr., grandfather of Anne Grendon, is shown in this manorial record: 1. Roland Frith v. John Silvester, Wm. Grindon, senr.: Manor of Shenston. How long was plaintiff bailiff there? Touching value of the heriots during the time he was bailiff, during the time the manor was in the hands of the late Earl or Countess of Warwick.Election of thirdboroughs for town of Footherley. Waste of timber. Trees in part of the demesnes called Sandalles, used by defendant to enclose Ogley Common. Survey. Customs of manor.: Stafford. E 134/5Jas1/Trin6. 5 Jas 1 1607.
06 May 1598. Jacob Balle & Alice Gryndon mar., Alstonefield, St Peter.
23 Sep 1598. Nic. Gryndon bur., Alstonefield, St Peter.
23 Oct 1598. John Gryndon bur. Alstonefield, St Peter.
27 Mar 1600. Thomas Gryndon & Elizabeth Clemmannce mar., ‘Castel’. (Clemments).
16 Apr 1601. Thomas s. of Thomas Grindon bapt. April 16, 1601, Weeford, St. Mary.
02 May 1601. Thomas Gryndon of Coppenhall & Margarett Edwardes of Coppenhall mar.
12 May 1601. Wm. Grindon, of Worseloe, husbandman bur. Alstonefield, St Peter.
—– 1604. Anna Grindon, dau. of Thomas bapt., St Mary, Weeford, St Mary.
21 Mar 1606. Thomas Gryndon, yoman bur. ‘Castel’, Staffs.
02 May 1607. John Grindon, of Radderseats, mendic. bur. Alstonefield, St Peter
06 Aug 1610. Robart Talbot & Elizabeth Gryndon mar. ‘Castel’, Staffs
24 Aug 1610. Wm. Grindon & Alice Mellor, of Worslowe mar., Alstonefield, St Peter
—– 1621. Edwarde Grindon bapt.
—– 1622. Elizabeth Grindon bapt., Tamworth, St Editha.
—– 1625. Richard Grindon bapt. Tamworth, St Editha.
20 Jul 1626. Thomas Grinndon et Elinora Dooler mar, Tattenhall.
28 Nov 1626. Walterus Adye et Margareta Grindon mar. Tattenhall.
—– 1634. Isabell Grindon bapt., Tamworth, St Editha.
—– 1657. Thomas Grendon died at Footherley.
05 Nov 1660. Maria Grendon mar. Thomas Kirkham, Alstonefield, St Peter.
07 Dec 1661. Joan Grindon mar. Thomas Cund, Alstonefield, St Peter.
22 Dec 1664. Eliz., wid. of Thos. Grindon, of the Heath bur., Alstonefield, St Peter.
04 Aug 1680. Wm., s. of Wm. & Eliz. Grindon, of Stone foulde bur., Alstonefield, St Peter.
30 Sep 1682. Thos. Grindon & Eliz. Salt mar., Alstonefield, St Peter.
Many of these Grendons may have had descendants in America; fruits of different trees, but whether of a earlier common stock is not to be known.
copyright m stanhope 2016
Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton 