Old Ashburton

Introduction

This paper provides some background information concerning Robert Lawe, vicar of Ashburton 1597-1629. The spelling of the surname varies between “Lawe”, “Law” and occasionally “Lawes” or “Lawson” (i.e. son of Law). Early references usually favour “Lawe”; later ones “Law”.

Background

Charlotte Rouse Elizabeth Farr (née) Upjohn (1800-1878), the author’s 3G-grandmother, left a bundle of papers with various notes and family trees; some of it her own work, some contributed by others. Most papers relate to her family history and that of the Rouse family of Devon – her grandmother was a Rouse. Some are factually correct (or reasonably so), others are more speculative. Two of the papers are effectively interview notes from talking to her aunt Catherine Clarke Manning whilst staying at Eastaway House, Morwenstow, Cornwall in December 1824. One of these notes begins:

The Revd. Mr Law, Rector of North Lew married an Aunt of Bishop Trelawney’s who was committed to the Tower in 1685. He corresponded with William Prince of Orange and was a friend to the Revolution. Being a native of Cornwall, it was said by his countrymen, “And shall Trelawney die. No thirty thousand Cornish Boys shall know the reason why.”

A daughter of Mr Law married Mr Pollard, Rector of Ashbury, who was a non-juror and on that account was ejected from his living in 1688.

The Rev Mr Law of Northlew

“The Revd. Mr. Law” is Robert Law (1615-c1684), son of Robert Law, gent., of Exeter, Devon, and was vicar of Hennock and of Northlew, Devon. His entry in Alumni Oxonienses reads:

Lawe, Robert, s. Robert of Exeter, Devon, gent. Wadham Coll., matric 29 April 1636, aged 18, BA 5 July 1636; MA from Hart Hall 4 May 1639; perhaps vicar of Hemyock, Devon, and ejected for non-conformity 1662. See Calamy, ii, 40.

The reference to Hemyock is incorrect: he was vicar of Hennock, Devon.

Charlotte does not name his wife (allegedly the Aunt of Bishop Trelawney), but she is believed to be Susanna Newton who married Robert Law at Exeter in April 1641 (at St Martin’s according to Boyd’s Marriage Index). She is named as “my wife Susanna Lawe” in Robert’s will of 1676. It is not known whether she was Bishop Trelawney’s aunt or not. The reference to “Trelawney” here may be slightly misplaced: the line of the song comes from “The Song of the Western Men” (something of a Cornish anthem), but may relate to Sir John Trelawny, the grandfather of Bishop Jonathan Trelawny. Trelawny was imprisoned in the Tower of London for contempt of Parliament, but acquitted in 1628.

Robert Law, gent., of Exeter

Robert Law is an enigma. Robert was the oldest child and the only son of Robert Lawe of Ashburton: both he and his wife, Mabella, pre-deceased his father - Mabella in late 1621 and Robert in 1625. Robert was referred to as a “gentleman”, both in the later Alumni entry for his son Robert (above) and in the Ashburton burial register. The Alumni entry merely says “Robert [Law] of Exeter, Devon, gent.”, but we have no additional information and no will is recorded. We have no marriage date or place for Robert and Mabella, nor Mabella’s maiden name. Only two children are known, Robert and Grace, who were named as residuary legatees and joint executors of their grandfather’s will of 1629:

All other my goodes and chattels not given nor bequeathed I give and bequeath unto Robert Lawe and Grace Lawe, sonne and daughter of Robert Lawe my sonne deceased, whom I make my sole executors of this my last will and testament.

Both were baptised at Ashburton, where their grandfather, Robert Lawe was vicar.

Robert Lawe of Ashburton

Robert Lawe is listed as vicar of Ashburton from 1597 until his death in 1629. The Clergy of the Church of England database (CCEd) gives:

Ordination Events:

Deacon: 28/11/1581 (Woolton, John/Exeter 1579-1594)

Priest: 28/11/1581 (Woolton, John/Exeter 1579-1594)

Appointment Events:

Perpetual Vicar: Newlyn East (06/01/1582-17/01/1583)

Rector: Ashwater (27/01/1582-20/08/1597)

Archdeacon: Archdeacon of Barnstaple (07/01/1583-24/04/1585)

Rector: St Colomb Major (19/06/1584-10/06/1592)

Vicar: Ashburton (04/02/1589-18/07/1629)

Rector: Rewe (19/08/1597-13/02/1632)

Reader: Rewe (03/07/1629-03/07/1629)

Death Event:

Death: 03/07/1629

The Rewe entries look somewhat incongruous and may be for another Robert Lawe. He was actually buried 29 June 1629, so date of death would be a few days earlier.

The connection with John Woolton (or Wolton), Bishop of Exeter is key and has led to a number of references in “The Spending of the Money of Robert Nowell of Reade Hall Lancashire” by the Rev Alexander Grosart, privately published in 1877, but available (2020) via Google Books. This book is an annotated transcription of a 16^th century manuscript detailing gifts of monies donated by Robert Nowell. A copy of sections from this book are included at Appendix A. Grosart’s notes reveal that the Lawe family originated in Whalley, Lancashire and that Robert Lawe was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Lawe. The notes also reveal that Robert Lawe was a student at Brasnose College, Oxford. His entry in Alumni Oxonienses states:

Lawes, Robert, of co. Lancaster, pleb. Brasenose Coll., matric entry under date 20 July 1578, aged 18; BA 4 Feb 1579/80, fellow 1580-81, MA 29 Nov 1582 as Lawe.

The term “pleb” here means that his father was neither titled nor bore arms; he was an ordinary man. The entry puts Robert’s birth at c1560. The Whalley parish registers for this period are difficult to read (with equally unclear transcriptions) and with no parents named, but give a possible baptism date as 9 Jan 1565/66. Entries for other family members are equally unclear.

Robert was beneficed at Ashwater, Devon in 1582 by “Mr Arscot” (probably Canon Alnetheus Arscott of Exeter), and under the patronage of his uncle, John Woolton, Bishop of Exeter, was collated to the Archdeaconry of Barnstaple 7 Jan 1582/83. In 1585 the Bishop was accused of giving the archdeaconry as a favour to his kinsman. An accusation defended by the Bishop on Lawe’s: “great towardness in the tongues, liberal arts, and divinity, as any is of his time in England; and is so at this day reported in Oxenford”.

In 1584, Robert Lawe was collated Treasurer to the See of Exeter and was appointed vicar of Ashburton in 1589. Both appointments were retained until his death in 1629. He was appointed Steward of the Exchequer at Exeter Cathedral 9 Sept 1615¹. The exact nature of this latter appointment is unclear.

Robert Lawe died in 1629 leaving a will dated 20 March 1628/29and proved 20 July 1629 (transcription at Appendix B). He was buried at Ashburton with the Ashburton burial register recording his burial on 29 June 1629 as:

“Robert Lawe huius pari vicarius” i.e. Robert Lawe of this parish, vicar.

It is unclear whether Robert was domiciled at Ashburton or Exeter, or perhaps both. Certainly, various members of his family were baptised or buried at Ashburton. In his will, he introduces himself as “Treasurer of the Cathedrall Church of St Peter in Exon” with no direct mention of Ashburton other than:

Item: I give and bequeath unto my Cosen Markus Lawe² the next Advowsion and presentacon of and to the church and vicaradge of Ashberton in the countie of Devon and all my estate right and title to the same.

At this time the term “cousin” generally meant any close relative: Mark (Markus) Lawe was in fact his nephew, the son of his brother James Lawe.

The will does not mention his wife (Mary), who had died in 1627, being buried at Ashburton 5 July that year. We have:

[PCC]

6 Jan 1628/29. Administration of the estate of Mary Lawe of Exon was granted to her husband Robert Lawe, Clerk: oath coram Samuele Tidboll, clerico.

Mary’s identity is not known. The will mentions three children, Robert, Mary, an un-named married daughter, and a number of grandchildren. As his son, Robert, had predeceased him, the executors were named as son Robert’s children (Robert and Grace), who at the time of probate were both minors.

As mentioned above, Robert Lawe’s parentage and origins are outlined in Grosart’s book which also notes the family connection to John Woolton and benefactor Robert Nowell. An outline family tree with additional notes is given at Appendix C.

Mark Law

Mark Law succeeded his uncle as vicar of Ashburton until his death in 1644.

Lawe, Mark, 1s. James, of Ashburton, Devon, gent. Wadham Coll., matric 3 Nov 1626, aged 19;BA 25 Oct 1627, MA 10 June 1630, vicar of Ashburton, Devon, 1629. See Foster's Index Eccl.

(Alumni Oxonienses)

His will dated 1644 Episcopal Principal Registry of the Bishop of Exeter with probate granted to Marie, his relict, 23 Jan 1644/45. Sum £98-18-4 (see: Worthy - Devonshire Wills, who erroneously gives Mark as the son of Robert Lawe). Mark Law was succeeded by his father-in-law, Samuel Tidball, who had been curate to Robert Lawe since 1613.

Bishop John Woolton

John Woolton was Robert Lawe’s uncle, the brother of his mother Elizabeth Lawe (néeWoolton), and was born in Whalley, Lancashire in c1535 the son of John Woolton and Isabella Nowell. He was also a student at Brasenose College, Oxford. After appointments at a number of Devon parishes, a canonry at Exeter was conferred in 1565 and the bishopric of Exeter in 1578/79. He also held the rectory at Lezant in Cornwall from 1584 (mentioned in his will of 1592 - see Appendix B). He died at Exeter in March 1593/94 and is buried in Exeter Cathedral in a chest tomb on the south side of the choir³. There is a separate memorial (in Latin) erected by his son, John Woolton, high on a wall in the north transept.

Unusually, the Cathedral burial register records his date of death rather than the date of burial.

Bibliography

Campbell, W H (2007) Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541-1857: Vol 12 Exeter Diocese: London: University of London

Grosart, Rev A (1877) The Spending of the Money of Robert Nowell of Reade Hall Lancashire: Private circulation

Foster, J (1891-92) Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714: Oxford, Parker & Co.

Matthews, A G (1934) Calamy Revised: Oxford, Clarendon Press

Whitaker, T D (1876) An History of the Original Parish of Whalley (Vol 2): London, Routlege & Sons

Worthy, C (1896) Devonshire Wills: London, Bemrose & Sons

References

CCEd (Clergy of CofE database: https://theclergydatabase.org.uk/ (accessed Aug 2020)

Nowell, Alexander: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Nowell (accessed Aug 2020)

Nowell, Robert: https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/nowell-robert-1520-69 (accessed Aug 2020)

Woolton, John: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Woolton (accessed Aug 2020)

Appendix A

Transcription of sections from “The Spending of the Money of Robert Nowell of Reade Hall Lancashire” Rev. Alexander Grosart (privately published 1877).

This is an annotated transcription of a 16^th century manuscript containing gifts of monies made (amongst others) to scholars at Oxford and Cambridge. Robert Nowell⁴, a lawyer, of Reade Hall was the brother (probably a half-brother) of Dean Alexander Nowell⁵ (c1517-1602), Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral from 1562.

1. p83 [footnote 9]:

“Rob’te Lawe and Elizabeth his wife”: The kinship of Robert Lawe and his wife to the Nowells is thus made out: Robert Lawe of Whalley, yeoman, married Elizabeth Wolton, one of the daughters of John Wolton of Whalley, yeoman, by his wife Margaret, daughter of John Nowell, Esq., and had issue, sons, Thomas Lawe his heir, Robert, Henry and James; and daughters, Alice, Isabel, Margery, and Catherine. All these children are named as receiving gifts subsequently in the MS. Robert Lawe, second son of Robert, will hereafter be specially noted as a scholar at Brazenose, and eventually attaining the position of an archdeacon of the Church of England.

2. p238 [text]

“viij of martch 1573. To iij schole of Brasynnose Colledge in Oxforde, by thandes of m harries vice p’cipall one Henry Smythe, Richard Hollande, Thoms Lawe xiijs iijd apiece in the whole…

Geven more to the said Lawe & hollande to bring them to oxforde the viij of martch 1573.

“Thoms Lawe” Lawe family of Whalley.

3. p251 [footnote 5]:

“Robte Lawe”: On this and the next two pages of the MS, there are the following entries relating to this Lancashire scholar at Brasenose:

“To one Robte Lawe, of Brasynose college the x^th of Julye att Hadham 1576, xs.”

“Too one Robte Lawe poore schollare of Brasynnoose the xx^th daye of September 1578 iiiL.”

“Too Robte Lawe of Brasynnoose college in Oxforde, the xx^th of februarie 1578, towarde his p’cedinge Batchelare the same tyme xxs. To the same Lawe more att Christmas laste, the xx^th of December, 1579, xs.”

“Too the yonger Lawe of Brasynnoose College in Oxforde for xxx^th of Aprell 1581 wich is entered in another booke, xxs.”

These entries cover five years of Robert Lawe’s university career, from 1570 to 1581. But he has before been named [cross ref. p172] as at Oxford in 1590, and as then under the tuition of the lerned William Whittaker. Onward in the MS, gifts to several members of this scholar’s family at Whalley are mentioned, and where I add a note on the genealogy. An elder brother, Thomas Lawe, was at Brasenose at the same time as Roberet Lawe [cross ref. p238]. Robert Lawe was a younger son of Robert Lawe of Wiswall, near Whalley, yeoman, by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Wolton, yeoman; thus he was nephew of John Wolton, Bishop of Exeter (whom I notice hereafter), and sister’s grandson (great-nephew) of Dean Nowell. Robert Lawe appears to have been at home in 1569, but in that year or early in 1570 was sent to oxford and entered at Brasenose. Our MS shows the frequent pecuniary assistance afforded to this youth by Dean Nowell during eleven years he was at the University; and supplies the fact that he proceeded BA in 1579-80. Afterwards he took the MA degree. On leaving the University, about1582, he became beneficed at Ashwater. Being taken under the patronage of his uncle John Wolton. Who had been created Bishop of Exeter in 1579, Robert Lawe, MA, was collated to the archdeaconry of Barnstaple in that diocese the 7^th January 1582-3. On the 3^rd December, 1584, Robert Lawe, Archdeacon of Barum [Barnstaple], was collated Treasurer of the see of Exeter [cross ref. Le Neve, Vol I pp407, 416]. He held the office of Treasurer until his death. In 1585, among other charges made against Bishop Wolton by certain spiteful adversaries, it was represented that he had given “the archdeaconry of Barnstaple to one Lawe, his kinsman, who was by his own confession had but 20L by the year out of the same, and the benefice of Ashwater.” To this, Wolton’s answer was: “I gave the archdeaconry of Barnstaple to my cousin [nephew] Mr Lawe, a Master of Arts of three years’ standing; a man of as great towardness in the tongues, liberal arts, and divinity, as any is of his time in England; and is so at this day reported in Oxenford; who now resideth in Exeter as divinity lecturer in the latin tongue to the ministers of this diocese, that list to repair to it. I suppose he had not above 20L yearly out of the same, the which [arch]deaconry, together with the house, being before his time let out to lease, and the portion he had out of Ashwater, which benefice was given him by Mr Arscot, I think could not be much,” etc. Robert Lawe died before June, 1629, when Robert Hall was appointed Treasurer of Exeter, vacant “per mort Lawe”.

4. p307 [footnote 4]:

“Cosin Elizabeth Woulton daughter, wife to Robte Lawe”: In our notices of Robert Lawe, Archdeacon of Barum [cross ref. p251], and of his uncle, John Wolton, Bishop of Exeter [cross ref. pp267-9], we have indicated the relationship between the families of Wolton and Lawe, both of Whalley in Lancashire, and of both to Dean Nowell and his brother. Here we have a record of gifts to Robert Lawe and Elizabeth his wife,and their children, in July 1569. I add these further items respecting the family of Lawe, of Wiswell and of the Grange in Whalley. Four centuries ago the Lawes were tenants under the Abbey of Whalley. One Thomas Lawe, a Carthusian monk of Sion, had probably served one of the chantries in Whalley Church; for on the wainscot screen of the north chapel is an inscription in black letter “Orate pro anima Tho. Lawe, Monachi”. “Frater Jacobus Lawe” was a monk of Whalley monastery about the middle of the fifteenth century; and a later Thomas Lawe survived the suppression of the abbey some years. In the survey of the abbey estates by the King’s Commission in 1537, several tenants named Lawe are named; among them, Robert Lawe, who held certain pastures of the demesne lands in Whalley,and a new house at the Grange; Henry Lawe who held a shop in the churchyard of Whalley; Henry Lawe of Eves, holding freely certain lands; and in Wiswell, a township next to Whalley on the north, John Lawe held a house and land, and Robert Lawe a house and land, as tenants-at-will of the monastery. In 1552, Robert Lawe and Henry Lawe, both of Whalley, are assessed on the Easter Roll of Whalley Church; and the wife of John Lawe, Robert Lawson (i.e. Robert, son of Lawe), Robert Lawe, junr., Thomas Lawe, the wife of Henry Lawe, William Lawe, senr., and William Lawe, junr., were assessed on the same Easter Roll under Wiswell. The Easter Roll of Whalley for 1553 gives the names of Robert Lawe and Henry Lawe under Whalley; and the wife of John Lawe, Robert Lawe, senr., Robert Lawe, junr., Thomas Lawe, John Lawe, the wife of Edmund Lawe, William Lawe, senr., and William Lawe, junr., under Wiswall [cross ref. Cheth. Miscel., Vol V]. The branch with which we are concerned probably was represented in 1552-53 by Robert Lawe, senr., father of Robert Lawe, junr., of Wiswell. I assume it was Robert Lawe the younger (of 1553) who married Elizabeth Wolton, daughter of John Wolton, by his wife Isabella Nowell, sister of the Dean of St Paul’s. The children of Robert and Elizabeth Lawe, named in the text, and living in 1569, were, Thomas, Henry, Robert (the future Archdeacon), James, Alice, Isabel, Margery, and Catherine, four sons and four daughters [cross ref. p82; and note p83]. Robert Lawe the father was living some years after 1569. The family was never above the rank of small freeholders. Another branch is represented at this period by John Lawe of the Grange in Whalley, who farmed a portion of the old Abbey park-land. Near the edge of the MS occurs the entry: “To the wieffe of John Lawe of the grendge of Whalley parish xs.” This John Lawe was a witness to the marriage of Roger Nowell, gent., in May 1581. He died in October 1599; and the Whalley Register records the burial of “John Lawe, gent.,” on the lst day of October in that year. John Lawe, who is noted by Canon Raines as an innkeeper in Whalley in 1617 [cross ref. Journal of Nicholas Assheton p26], may have been son of John Lawe last named. He died in 1626.

Appendix B

Transcripts of wills, etc.

1. Robert Lawe (1629)

Robert Law (?-1629)

Date of Will: 20 March 1628/29

Date of Probate: 20 July 1629

Source: PCC - TNA PROB11/156

In the name of God, Amen, the twentieth daie of March in the yeare of our lord god one thousand six hundred [and] twentie eight. I Robert Lawe, Treasurer of the Cathedrall Church of St Peter in Exon⁶, being perfect of remembrance thanks be to god, renouncinge all former wills, I doe make this my last will and testament in forme followinge:

First I bequeath my soule to allmightie god and my bodie to the grave.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Christopher Smith and Margarett Smith, sonne and daughter of my daughter Mary Smith, to each of them the summe of one hundred pounds to be paid them at their severall ages of one and twenty yearres.

Item: I give and bequeath to John Drake my grandchilde and Hugh Woodleigh all the benefitt and profit which shall be due or payable to mee, mine Executors or assignes after my decease out of, for, or belonging to the Cannonshipp of St Peters in Exon, or in regard of anie agreement or Composition made between the Cannons of the said church, the same to be equally devided between the said John Drake and Hugh Woodleigh.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Marie Drake my grandchilde the Parsonage of Merder⁷ in the countie of Cornewall, and all the tithes, tenthes, oblacons⁸, obventions and (..?..) belonging to the same. And all my estate right titles and interests of in and to the same.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Smith, and Mary Drake my grandchilde all my household goodes and implements of household and plate to be equally devided betweene them.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Robt. Smith, sonne of my daughter Marie Smith all my bookes whatsoever, but I earnestly intreate him not to sell awaie the same or anie part of them, hoping he will make use himselfe of them.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my Cosen Markus Lawe⁹ the next Advowsion and presentacon of and to the church and vicaradge of Ashberton in the countie of Devon and all my estate right and title to the same.

All other my goodes and chattels not given nor bequeathed I give and bequeath unto Robert Lawe and Grace Lawe, sonne and daughter of Robert Lawe my sonne deceased, whom I make my sole executors of this my last will and testament.

And I ordaine and appoint Humfrie Strong my servant and Mary Smith my grandchilde to have the managinge, settinge and disposing of the goods and chattels by mee given to my said Executors to the use of my said executors and for their education and maintenance until they shall accomplish their age of one and twenty yeares, and then to be accountable to them for the same, allowing to themselves all necessarie charges be enforced upon them, only my will is that the said Humfrie Strong and Mary Drake or either of them shall not grant nor demise anie of my Chattle leases given to my said executors for anie longer terme then untill they shall accomplish the age of one and twenty yeares. And that each of my executors when hee or shee shall accomplish the said age of one and twenty yeares shall (..?..) the rule and disposinge of (..?..) part of the gift by mee given.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and sett to my seale upon the daie and yeare first above written.

(signed) Robert Lawe

(witness names unclear, but includes Humfrie Strong)

(Probatum)

Text in Latin dated 20 July 1629.

2. John Woolton (1594)

John Woolton (?-1594)

Date of Will: 16 July 1592

Date of Probate: 20 May 1594

Source: PCC - TNA PROB11/83

In the name of God, Amen.

I John Woolton, Minister of godes holie worde and Sacramentes and also by god’s providence nowe Bishopp of Exon whole and sounde in bodie and mynde and of perfect remembrance, Do make this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge.

First I yeald my bodie to the earth in assured hope of the resurrection then to receive yt in glorified bodie. And I commend my soule into the handes of god the father whoe made yt and gave yt: god the sonne whoe redeemed yt; god the holie ghoste whoe with his graces hath sanctified yt as looking to be saved by no other meanes but by the merittes and deathe of Xriste Jesus . For the rest of my faithe I hould that which the Churche of England nowe doth hould which no doubte is found good and agreeable with the worde of god.

And touching my worldlie goodes, I give to my daughter Margaret Barrett one hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of England.

Item: I given to my daughter Susan Godwyn one hundred poundes of good and lawfull money of England.

Item: I give to my Daughter Mary Baber one hundred poundes of good and lawfull money of England, desyringe those three my marryed Daughters to be guyded and helped to my daughters and sonne whoe are not marryed.

Item: I give to my sonne Mathewe Woolton fower hundred markes of lawfull money of England with plate of silver to the valewe of Fortie markes.

Item: I give to my daughter Hester Woolton two hundred poundes of lawfull money of England.

Item: I give to my daughter Alice Woolton two hundred poundes of lawfull money of England. And yf it happen my sonne Mathewe to dye before he happen to marrie, then I will and bequeath that portion allotted to hym to be equallie divided among my children generallie marryed or unmarried. And yf it happen either of my saied daughters Hester Woolton or Alice Woolton to dye before they be marryed or before they come to the age of twentie years, Then I will and bequeath that postion allotted to that daughter of the sayed two Hester and Alice that shall so dye, to the other survivinge. And if bothe my sayed Daughters Hester and Alice to happen to dye before they be marryed or come to the age of twentie yeres, Then I will and bequeath bothe theire portions to be equallie Divided amongest all my children as well my sonne as Daughters as shall survive them and be then livinge.

Item: I bequeathe to my Woman servant Joane Baseley towards her marriage fortie shillings.

Item: I bequeathe to Grace Panchard sometime my servante fortie shillings.

Item: I give to my servant Thomasine More, widowe, fower markes.

Item: I give to the poore of the Cittie and Countie of Exon. And to the poore of the parishe of Lew in Devon. And to the poore of the parishe of Lazannte in Cornwall I give I saye amongest the poore of the saied places and parishes Fiftie poundes and no more to be distributed according to my executors Discretion only without Direction of any other whosoever chardging my Executor as he will have god to bless hym to bestowe so muche amongest theise poorest any other Legaceys and debts may with my goodes be well dischardged and not otherwise.

And I desire my loving and faithfull friendes Mr Thomas Barrett my sonne in lawe and Mr William Bruton within the Close of Exeter, publicke notary and Register of Toston to be my overseers and to helpe my Executors with theire advise and counsayle. And to give them for a Remembrannce my two best Ringes of gould (my sonne Barrett to take his choice).

And for the [e]xecution of this my last will and testament I make my sonne John Woolton late Fellowe of All Soules Colledge in Oxford and nowe dwelling in Exon my sole, onlie and entire Executor: Giving, bequeathing and grantinge unto the sayed John Woolton all the rest of my goodes whatsoever was not or is not before and above in the premisses bequeathed and given. Chardging hym as he will awnsere me before god at the greate daye to see my debtes payed and my legaceys trulie awnsered and satisfied.

And thus beginning a purposed iourney into the Northe partes, I commend my selfe into the handes of god.

In witnesses of the premises I have set my hand and seale to theise presents the sixteenth daye of Julie in the thirtie of fourthe yere of oure soveraign Ladie Elizabeth or Anno Domin: one thousand fyve hundred ninety twoe. Written and interlined with myne owne hand theise beying Witnessed of the premised Signed and sealed.

(signed) John Exon abs John Woolton

By me John Lenermore the [e]lder

Willm. Bruton

Anthonie Turpyn

Ricd. (..?..)

(Probatum)

Text in Latin. Proved London 20 May 1594. Admon granted to John Woolton, son and sole executor.

Appendix C

Family tree of Robert Lawe of Ashburton.

Family History Details for Robert Lawe of Ashburton

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1 John NOWELL

————————————————————————————————————————

Death: 1526

John Nowell of Read Hall, Lancashire, son of Roger Nowell.

2nd wife Elizabeth Kay of Rochdale.

For further information on this family see: Whitaker, T D (1876) An History of the Original Parish of Whalley (Vol 2): London, Routlege & Sons.

Spouse: Elizabeth KAY

Daughter of Robert Kay of Rochdale, Lancashire.

Children: Alexander (ca1517-1602)

Robert (ca1520-1569)

Isabella

1.1 Alexander NOWELL

————————————————————————————————————————

Birth: ca 1517, Read, Lancashire

Birth Memo: Read Hall

Death: 13 Feb 1602, London

Burial: London

Burial Memo: St Paul's Cathedral

Eldest son of John Nowell of Read Hall, Read, Lancashire by his 2nd wife Elizabeth Kay of Rochdale.

Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (1526).

Dean of St Paul's Cathedral.

Married twice; no children.

1.2 Robert NOWELL

————————————————————————————————————————

Birth: ca 1520

Death: 6 Feb 1569

Burial: London

Burial Memo: St Paul's Cathedral

4th son of John Nowell of Read Hall, Read, Lancashire by his 2nd wife, Elizabeth.

Educated at Middleton Grammar School, Brasenose College Oxford (1544).

Attorney Court of wards; Steward to Dean & Chapter of St Paul's; JP Middlesex.

1.3 Isabella NOWELL

————————————————————————————————————————

Spouse: John WOOLTON

Occ: Yeoman

John Woolton (or Wolton), yeoman of Whalley, Lancashire.

Children: Elizabeth

John (ca1535-1594)

1.3.1 Elizabeth WOOLTON

————————————————————————————————————————

Spouse: Robert LAWE

Robert Lawe, yeoman of Wiswall near Whalley, Lancashire.

Children: Thomas

Robert (ca1560-1629)

Henry

James

Alice

Isabel (1563-)

Margery

Catherine

1.3.1.1 Thomas LAWE

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Possible baptism 7 Aug 1564, Whalley, Lancs.

1.3.1.2 Robert LAWE

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Birth: ca 1560, Whalley, Lancashire

Death: 1629, Ashburton, Devon

Burial: 29 Jun 1629, Ashburton, Devon

Occ: Archdeacon of Barnstaple & Treasurer of Exeter Cathedral

Robert Law or Lawe.

Baptism noted: Robert Lawe bap. 9 Jan 1565/66 Whalley, Lancs.

Worthy (Devonshire Wills) states:

The Venerable Robert Law, Archdeacon of Barnstaple (inst. 7 Jan 1583/4) and Treasurer of Exeter Cathedral.

Career summary (Clergy database):

Perpetual Vicar, Newlyn East (1582-83)

Rector, Ashwater (1582-97)

Archdeacon of Barnstaple (1583-1585)

Rector, St Colomb Major (1584-1592)

Vicar, Ashburton (1597-1629)

Rector, Rewe (1597-1632)

Lawes, Robert, of co. Lancaster, pleb. Brasenose Coll., matric entry under date 20 July 1578, aged 18; BA 4 Feb 1579/80, fellow 1580-81, MA 29 Nov 1582 as Lawe. (Alumni Oxonienses)

Under tuition of William Whittaker.

TNA C8/35/400 Bill: William Myller vs Robert Lawe re property in Ashburton.

No wife mentioned in his will (dated March 1628/29), so she is presumed to have pre-deceased him.

Will: Will of Robert Lawe, Treasurer of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter of Saint Peter Exeter, Devon dated 20 Mar 1628/29 proved PCC 20 July 1629 (TNA PROB 11/156/135 ).

Will names a cousin/nephew, Markus Law, who is left the living of Ashburton, Devon. This is Marcus or Mark Law (d. 1644) who was Rector of Ashburton (1629-44), succeeding his uncle, Robert Law, in the vicarage of Ashburton in 1629.

Spouse: Mary

Death: 1627, Ashburton, Devon

Predeceased husband (see admon).

Will: 6 Jan 1628/29. Administration of the estate of Mary Lawe of Exon was granted to her husband Robert Lawe, Clerk: oath coram Samuele Tidboll, clerico. [PCC]

Children: Robert (-1625)

Mary

(unknown)

1.3.1.2.1 Robert LAW

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Death: 1625

Burial: 11 Aug 1625, Ashburton, Devon

Occ: Gentleman

Described as "Robert Law, Gentleman of Exeter".

"Robus Lawe gent" in burial register.

Will: No PCC will. No abstract found at WCSL.

Spouse: Mabella

Death: 1621

Burial register gives: "Mabella uxor Robt Lawe" (wife of Robert Lawe).

Children: Robert (1615-ca1684)

Grace (ca1619-)

1.3.1.2.1.1 Robert LAW

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Birth: 1615, Ashburton, Devon

Chr: 28 Oct 1615, Ashburton, Devon

Death: ca 1684

Occ: Vicar of Hennock

Educ: Oxford, Wadham

Son of Robert of Exeter, Devon, gent. Wadham College, matriculated 29 April 1636, aged 18, B.A. 5 July 1636; M.A. from Hart Hall 4 May 1639; perhaps vicar of Hemyock, Devon, and ejected for nonconformity 1662.

(Alumni Oxonienses)

[Reference to "Hemyock" may be an error for "Hennock"]

Named in grandfather's will (Robert Law) of 1629.

Probably married Susan Newton 30 April 1641 at Exeter, St Martin (Boyd’s Marriage Index).

From "Calamy Revised" by A G Matthews (1934):

LAW, Robert. Vicar of Hennock, Devon. Presented by mayor and corporation of Exeter, 2 May 1648: deprived by bishop's sentence 3 Oct 1662. 1665 living at Abbots Kerswell, licenced to practice medicine. Calamy (1727) stated that he afterwards renounced his conformity and died a Non-conformist, but he became Rector of North Lew 2 Aug 1670: resigned, and was succeeded by son Robert 7 Feb 1680-1. Will, as Rector of Lew, 3 Feb 1676-7: PCC 15 Jan 1685-6. Property to wife Susanna. (D.W.L. Turner MS 30: Act and Inst. Books, Exeter: L. 639.307: Cal. 257.406.). Son of Robert, of Exeter, gent. Wadham, Oxford, matric. 29 April 1636, age 18: B.A. 1636: M.A. from Hart Hall, 1639. Four daughters by wife Susanna, bapt. at Hennock, 1653-61.

Will: Will dated 3 Feb 1676, proved 15 Jan 1685/6, Exeter PR (WCSL Moger Collection).

Spouse: Susanna NEWTON

Possibly Susan[na] Newton.

Un-named by Charlotte Upjohn (see Upjohn Papers), but said to be "an Aunt of Bishop Trelawney's who was committed to the Tower in 1685".

This was Sir Jonathan Trelawny (1650-1721) b. Penynt, Cornwall, 3rd Bart.

Marr: 30 Apr 1641, Exeter, Devon

Children: Susanna (-1660)

Mable (-1652)

Robert (ca1648-ca1685)

Marke (1650-1651)

Grace (1651-)

Elizabeth (1653-)

Jane (1654-<1719)

Martha (1657-)

John (1659-)

Hannah (1661-)

1.3.1.2.1.2 Grace LAW

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Birth: ca 1619, Ashburton, Devon

Chr: 4 Aug 1619, Ashburton, Devon

Named in grandfather's will (Robert Law) of 1629.

1.3.1.2.2 Mary LAW

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Named in father's will of 1629 as Mary Smith, with children Robert, Christopher and Margaret.

Husband not named.

1.3.1.2.3 (unknown) LAW

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Father's will of 1629 refers to his grandchildren John Drake and Mary Drake, who are assumed to be the children of an un-named married daughter (probably deceased in 1629).

Hunband not named.

1.3.1.3 Henry LAWE

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Possible baptism 16 Mar 1560/61, Whalley, Lancs.

Possible burial of Henricus Lawe 21 Sept 1675, Whalley, Lancs.

1.3.1.4 James LAWE

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Children: Mark

1.3.1.4.1 Mark LAWE

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Vicar of Asburton 1629-1644.

Married Maria Tidball, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Tidball, Master of Ashburton Grammar School.

Lawe, Mark, 1s. James, of Ashburton, Devon, gent. Wadham Coll., matric 3 Nov 1626, aged 19;BA 25 Oct 1627, MA 10 June 1630, vicar of Ashburton, Devon, 1629. See Foster's Index Eccl.

(Alumni Oxonienses)

Will: Will dated 1644 Episcopal Principal Registry of the Bishop of Exeter. Probate granted to Marie, his relict, 23 Jan 1644/45. Sum £98-18-4 (see: Worthy - Devonshire Wills, who erroneously gives Mark as the son of Robert Law).

Spouse: Marie TIDBALL

Daughter of the Rev. Samuel Tidball, who in 1613, accepted the curacy of Ashburton, and was subsequently Head Master of Ashburton Grammar School.

Marr: 22 Dec 1636, Ashburton, Devon

1.3.1.5 Alice LAWE

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Possible baptism at Whalley for 9 Jan 1565/66.

1.3.1.6 Isabel LAWE

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Birth: 1563, Whalley, Lancashire

Chr: 3 Mar 1563, Whalley, Lancashire

1.3.1.7 Margery LAWE

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(no details)

1.3.1.8 Catherine LAWE

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(no details)

1.3.2 John WOOLTON

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Birth: ca 1535, Whalley, Lancashire

Death: 13 Mar 1594, Exeter, Devon

Death Memo: Bishop's Palace

Burial: 20 Mar 1594, Exeter, Devon

Burial Memo: Cathedral

Bishop of Exeter (1579-1594)