WYCHERLEY of Myddle, Albrighton and Compton Winyates (Warwickshire)

Hello. The IGI gives three close possibiltities for the baptism of Thomas, in 1664 at Loppington (adj Myddle), in 1667 in Wem (nearby) and in 1680 at Moreton Corbet (also nearby). But there is a gap 1645-1681 in the registers of Myddle itself.

This period is seemingly, per the National Index, covered by Bishop'sTranscripts at Lichfield. But have such been included in the IGI ? From past research I think not. I have the impression that Dr David Hey saw them for his historical analysis of the parish in the Tudor and Stuart periods. (I do not hold that work).

If the Wycherley family had been husbandmen in Myddle before 1700 they would most likely be mentioned in Richard Gough's famous history of the parish. Unfortunately my paperback edition is not indexed (and a perpetual curse on that editor). I recall that RG does mention the surname but, I think, in relation to the one who acquired the manorial rights of Wem.

Another regular contributor here does, I beieve, have an indexed copy. Of course, Thomas' change in fortunes came well after RG wrote.

Hello Judy

Following on from Martyn's text above I have a photocopy of some research done many years ago before computer indexes and the author thinks that the Thomas who was baptised at Moreton Corbet and married Mary {?} are both buried at Wem, Shropshire. If this is correct then he can't be your anscestor but the author probably wouldn't have had any way of knowing if someone moved out of Shropshire.

With regard to Martyn's mention of the Bishop's Transcripts (B.T's.) there are two pages of information in Dr David Hey's book ( ISBN 0 7185 1115 8 ) in which he says, "The B.T's do not survive before 1647, but where they overlap with the original register after 1681, they have been found to compare accurately, which augers well for the reliability of those that cover the gap between 1647 and 1681." It should be noted that this book has a General Index (Places, Trades, etc) and a Surname Index.

If you can get hold of a copy of the Penguin edition of Richard Gough's 'The History of Myddle' published 1981 then W(I/Y)CHERLEY appears on the following pages 85, 97, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 162 and 222. There is a name index to this book on GENUKI.

Mike

Hi Martyn,

Thanks for telling me about the book. I've found an online copy of it online at the Myddle website and it includes the name index. It mentions the family of Daniel Wycherley and his son William (the author). William was born in 1641 so I need to look at a generation or two down as Thomas was probably born 1670 - 1680. I think perhaps I need to get to Lichfield to look at the Myddle BT's but can't get there for a few weeks. I've looked on the Staffordshire wills index which covers a lot of Shropshire and goes up to 1730 but haven't found any wycherleys mentioned.

It's possible I may have the wrong marriage for Thomas Wycherley but it's the only one I've found yet in the right timeframe.

Many thanks,

Judy

Hi Mike,

I think I need to look into the Moreton Corbett Wycherleys further. The Thomas born here was the s/o Richard and Jane - Thomas named his eldest son Richard. I've been looking for the burial of Thomas's first wife Mary who died between 1705 - 1725 and the Mary buried in Wem may be her but I know my Thomas was buried in Compton Winyates, Warwickshire while Mary wasn't. I have the Wem fiche so will check them out later.

It seems my Wycherleys moved from Myddle circa 1705 as son Richard was baptised in Albrighton near Shrewsbury in 1705 and the eldest son Ignatius (bap 1700 in Myddle) was buried there in 1720. By 1725 Thomas was living in Compton Winyates, Warwickshire with second wife Alice (marriage not found), then they had 3 children born there. Thomas was now the steward to the Earl of Northampton.

Would you know what social standing a steward had? From what I've read I believe he was the head servant in charge of the estate.

I'm quite intrigued by the names of some of Thomas's children as we have Violetta, Cassandra and Ignatius. I'm wondering at their origins. The name Cassandra was passed down the family but Ignatius and Violetta weren't used again - Violetta named one of her daughters Cassandra but didn't name any Violetta.

Many thanks,

Judy

Judy. I think that you will find references in Richard Gough to other Wycherleys, not merely to the family of Daniel of Clive. I have have in front of me a photo of a 1663 pedigree (which I am not authorised to copy) where Daniel is the head. Cadets are shown for three earlier generations and I see no possibility of a link that close to your Thomas (who may have been born 1670/80, not 1770/80 as you say in your reply to Michael). The surname was quite widespread, and a different Wycherley or Wicherley famiy is in the Heralds' Visitation of Salop, 1623 Harleian Society) which, I believe, you can now access via the web.

Reading Gough's work more widely you may get a feeling for the contemporary status of stewards.

One point that might argue in favour of the Thomas bap at MC is that that was the main parish of the ancient, rich and influential Corbet family. Service with them could well have been a stepping stone. Their main seat at Moreton Corbet castle (with a vast Longleat-style wing of about 1580) was ruined in the Civil War. Without some digging I cannot recall where nearby they were living around 1700.

By the way, as regards unusual forenames, you can search any forename alone in the IGI for particular shires and spreads of years, in a way that you cannot do for surnames-only.

Shropshire Archives holds on film a copy of the complete Lichfield probate index. Try also (central PCC) via www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline .

Thanks for that Martyn, I will check the Herald's Visitation To Shropshire as I think it may be on one of the sites I subscribe to.I'll also do some digging on the Corbet family and their wherabouts circa 1700.

Judy

Judy, I now note that following the death on 6.8.1688 of Sir Vincent Corbet, 3rd and last Bt of MC the estate devolved on his nephew Corbet Kynaston, of Hordley [ near Ellesmere ] and of Sundorne [ parish of Uffington], near Shrewsbury. His large affairs were complex, I believe. I need to look up Anthony Ruscoe's booklet which tackles the issue, his inheritance and how things were later split among several families. I think that he died around 1740 without issue. Meanwhile the next male Corbet heir, from whom the later baronets of MC and nearby Acton Reynald derived, was living at the comparatively modest Shawbury Park.

Hello. I am also a descendant of Violetta and interested in discovering more about Thomas. Have only just started research into this line, although I have other Shropshire family links too. Would be interested to hear if you have any further info on him since you began your search?

Hi magduff,

It seems that when Thomas WYCHERLEY married Mary BRADSHAW at Shrewsbury he gave his place of residence as "Black Birches". Thomas and Mary had 2 children born in Smethcote and baptised at Middle (Ignatious and Violetta), their 3rd son Richard was baptised at Albrighton by Shrewsbury - Ignatious was also buried there in 1720 when he was 20. There's then a gap until Thomas shows up in Compton Wynyates where he was steward to the Earl of Northampton. He was now married to Alice and they had 3 children born in Compton Wynyates from 1724 - 1728. There are (or were) MI's at Compton Wynyates for Thomas and Alice, both Violetta and her brother Richard are buried there too so there's no doubt that the Shropshire and Compton Wynyates Thomas are one and the same but I can't say with certainty when wife Mary died and I haven't come across his marriage to Alice. I haven't managed to find a will for Thomas though I have managed to see documents he signed as steward (they are lodged at Warwick Record Office).

Some people think Thomas was the s/o Richard WYCHERLEY and Jane CHETTOE but as yet I'm not convinced as the year of birth doesn't tally with his death age.

What is your connection to Violetta? She is my 7x G Grandmother. I'm a descendent of her daughter Cassandra who married John TOWNSEND.

Judy

Hi Judy, thank you for this information.  Yes I am also a descendant of Cassandra and John. I believe their daughter Mary married a Stephen WILKS, and their daughter Ann married a John CARPENTER whose son Stephen is my great grandfather.  Which would make Violetta my 5 x great grandmother (if I've counted correctly!)

Margaret.

Hi Margaret,

I'm a descendent of Stephen WILKS and Mary TOWNSEND too, their son John who lived 1793  - 1820 is my 4x G Grandfather, he married Elizabeth ROADNIGHT.

Judy

Hi Margaret,

I've just checked out your Ann WILKS who married John CARPENTER as that isn't what I have for Ann d/o Stephen and Mary. Ann who married John CARPENTER in 1836 was the d/o Stephen who was the son of Stephen and Mary. Stephen (the younger) married Hannah MARKHAM in Rowington in 1811 and Ann was born there in late 1812 or early 1813.

Judy

Hi Judy,

That's interesting, and Roadnight must be a good name to track!

Best wishes,

Margaret.

Hi,

Yes thanks, I may have missed out a step there!  We have got details of the MARKHAMs in Rowington and actually had a look at Rowington a couple of weeks ago - it is still very rural and quiet. Ann and John married in the oldest church in Warwickshire in Wootton Wawen, which we also visited.

Best wishes,

Margaret.

Hello,

Interesting reading these posts especially from my old friend Martyn Freeth (R I P) and leads me to a question regarding the WYCHERLEY/WITCHERLEY family.

Does anyone know the parents of Thomas WITCHERLEY who married Susanna PRICE in Shawbury on 16 Nov 1779.

Is this a varient spelling by the vicar of the name WYCHERLEY?

Is the WITCHERLEY family related to the WYCHERLEY name and if so how please - if anyone has looked into this then I would be interested to hear from them.

Kind regards

Michael