THE EAST ANGLIAN.

NOVEMBER, 1865.

NOTES.

THE YEOMAN FAMILIES OF NORFOLK.-NO. 1.-HOWLETT.

Too little attention has, I think, been paid to the history of our Yeomanry. While the pedigrees of all who have the faintest claim to the position of "county families," are elaborated, tabulated, and hatched into a most marvellous and apocryphal state of perfection; those of our yeoman families have yet to be collated.

I think the name of this family was originally Hulot, for several reasons, the chief of which is that one Robert Hulot, who bought the manor of Freemantles, in Surrey, and founded a chantry at Bagshot, in that county, also went under the names of Hughlett and Howlett Besides this, the word "hulot," I believe, signifies howlet, owlet, or screech owl, and the arms of the Hulits of Suffolk, bear some resemblance to those of the Howletts of the same county.

In a Norfolk subsidy roll for 1 Edward III (1327) several of the name are mentioned, i.a. Richard Hulot, of Barsham, Hugh Hulot, of N. Elmham, Edmund Hulot, of Ingham, Richard Hulot, of Lesyngham, and Hugh, Lawrence, and William Hulot, of Depham.

In 1378, a Thomas Howelot had a release of lands in Little Reynes, wherever that may be (Add. 6, 6182, Brit. Mus.)

On the 7th October, 1393, John Howelet vel Howlet, was presented to the Rectory of Weting, and on the 23rd December in the same year, to that of Weting St. Mary also. He died about twenty years later, and his will was proved in the Epis. Cons., at Norwich.

Another John Howlet was, in 1435, presented to the Rectory of Morley, which he resigned four years afterwards.

Shortly afterwards Ed'us Hulot, glover, was a burgess of Lynn, in the mayoralty of T. Sailsbury, and John Hewlott of the same place, also a glover, was soon after also a burgess of the same place. (John Howlett, of Lynn, died about 1695, and a Mary Howlett, who was, I believe, his widow, was living at the same place in 1697. She had two sons, Robert and John, and a daughter Ruth, who died in 1697. A James Howlett, of Lynn, died about 1723).

A little to the west of Lynn, there were three other families of the name settled about this time at, Tirrington (Agnes Howlett died post 1469, and John H. circa 1552), Walpole (Walter H. died post 1519, Balam H.

died circa 1583, and Richard H. died cir. 1554), and Islington (Thomas H. died circa. 1552.)

In 1473, Nicholas Howlett of Therston died, and in 1528, Nicholas Howlett of Moulton died, having survived his first wife, Katherine, but having in turn succumbed to Anne his second wife. He left a son William.

In 1556-7, the will of John Howlett, of E. Barsham (perhaps a descendant of the before mentioned Richard Hulot, of Barsham) was proved, as was, ten years after, that of a neighbour William Howlett, of Kettleston, who probably is the same person as is, in 1568, mentioned amongst other benefactors to the prisoners at Norwich-I expect by a legacy.

This William Howlett, of Kettlestone, directed his lands in Kettlestone, Fakenham, Althorp, Snoring parva, and Pensthorp to be sold, which was done by William Yelverton, Esq., of Rougham, his executor, by a deed dated 6th June, 25th Elizabeth.

But the chief family of the name seems to have been settled at Mattishall. In 1560, Thomas and John Howlett were with others, defendants in a chancery suit brought by William Walpole, as to some lands in Mattishall, Tudenham, and Hockering.

About the same time, Anthony Howlett, of Mattishall died, leaving considerable property, and in 1644, John Howlett of the same place died, leaving his wife Christian, his daughter Ann (ux. John Greene), and his sons John and Nicholas him surviving.

The latter was the elder, and took lands in N. Elmham, Bintry, and Twiford, under his father's will, and is probably identical with the Rev. Nicholas Howlett, B.D., who was Vicar of Mattishall, and Rector of Reepham and Winterton. He was a Prebendary of Christ Church, Norwich, and died 17th June, 1652, leaving issue one daughter, Anne, who married John Repps, Esq., of W. Walton.

Other members of this family were William Howlett (who died circa 1662), Rose (1669), John (1672), Ann (1674), Elizabeth (1685), Samuel (1710), Nicholas (1710), Rebecca (1711), and Nicholas (1711).

Another branch of the family, and seemingly related to those last mentioned, was long settled at N. Tuddenham.

Thomas Howlett, who died 10th October, 1607, and was buried at N. Tuddenham, had by his wife Mary (who survived him, and died 27th August, 1612) a son, John Howlett, of the same place. Of the same town were Peter Howlett (who died circa 1662), John (do. 1670), Thomas (1685), John (1693), Thomas and Elizabeth (1697).

Further south a family of the same name was located at Forncet ante 1565, when Henry Howlett of that place died, leaving his sons Thomas and John, his daughter Margaret, and his brother-in-law John Gallarde, of Fundenhall, him surviving.

His daughter Margaret died about 1611. John Howlett, of Forncet, died circa 1669, and Robert Howlett of the same place, died before 1678, leaving by his wife Alice (who survived him) three sons, John, Francis, and Richard, and two daughters, Alice and Elizabeth, the latter the wife of John Cole. Richard died about 1690, Elizabeth Howlett (1695), Robert (1708-9), and Francis (1721-7).

At Rockland, a family of the name was settled as early as 1520, when

William Howlett died. Robert Howlett the elder, of Rockland, died in October, 1627 (I believe without issue by Alice his wife). He had three brothers, Thomas (who had a son Samuel and others), John (who had a son Robert), and Robert (who had two sons, Richard and John).

The Howletts of Pulham St. Mary the Virgin, with whom I am best acquainted, settled there shortly before 1653.

1. John Howlett, the first of that place, by his wife Anne had issue, besides a daughter Maria, bapt. 25th September, 1653, and a son Robert, bapt. 8th September, 1661 (who by his wife Elizabeth had issue twins, Robert and Elizabeth, bapt. 13th November, 1693), a son

2.

John Howlett, of Pulham, born 30th June, 1655, married 30th September, 1680, Maria Watling, and secondly, in 1703, Elizabeth Goodram. By his first wife he had (besides a son Daniel, bapt. 6th December, 1685) a son

3. John Howlett, of Pulham, who was buried 5th May, 1729, having had issue by his wife Letitia, or Lettice (buried 16th June, 1729) five children, viz., Letitia (bapt. 31st August, 1718), William (bapt. 6th August, 1721, and married in 1751), Susanna bapt. 27th June, 1725), Hannah (bapt. 10th and buried 13th October, 1727) and,

4. John Howlett, of Pulham (bapt. 18th November, 1723), who died 7th August, 1781, æt. 57, having had by his wife (Sarah who was daughter of Ralph Cary, of Tivetshall, and who died 13th January, 1810, æt. 86) six children, viz., John (who died in 1806, leaving an only daughter, the wife of a Mr. Swan), Robert (who married and had issue two daughters only), Sarah (who died 15th February, 1844, æt. 82, having married John Cole and Thomas Fryer, by both of whom she had issue), William, of Shoreham, in Kent (who had issue three sons), Maria (the wife of William Start, of Gissing), and

5. Samuel Howlett, of London, who by his wife Anne (eldest daughter of Andrew Burt, and Eleanor his wife) had one child only, viz. :

6. Samuel Burt Howlett, of Chelsea, born 1794, who by his wife Martha (daughter of Thomas Green and Elizabeth his wife) has issue besides Martha Ann, Mary, and Richard, now living, a daughter Elizabeth and a son

7.

The Rev. Samuel Howlett, now deceased, who by his wife Ann Elizabeth (daughter of Richard F. Scriven) had an only child

8. Samuel Burt Howlett, now living.

The last of the name who resided at Pulham Hall, was a Mr. Robert Howlett, who died 5th January, 1833, having had by his wife Ann (who died 30th December, 1840, æt. 64) two daughters Ann and Ellen, who both died young and unmarried. I do not know how he was connected with the above.

There have been many other families of the name settled at different times all over the county, those at Rockland, Thetford, Marsham, and Norwich, being the most noteworthy.

The only arms I can find ascribed to them are those cut on the tomb of Robert Howlet, of Ormesby, in the church there, viz., "three owls heads erased" (Blomefield.) He died 22nd October, 1714, æt. 39, and married Catherine, daughter of Lawrence and Ann Womack.

King's Road, Chelsea, S. W.

WALTER RYE.

LEASE OF THE RECTORY OF SHERNBORNE, NORFOLK.

Dimissio R'corie de Sherneborne.

This Indenture, made the thirde daye of Octobre, in the xxvij yere of the reygne of Kynge Henry theight, Betwene Robert, Prior of the priorie of Saincte Marie Magdelen of Penteney, in the countie of Norff., and the Covente of the same house of thone partie, And Sr. Thomas Le Strange, of Hunston, knyght, of thother partie, wyttenesseth that the saide prior and Covente wt one assente and Consente haue granted Demised and to fearme leaten And by theis pn'ts granteth demyseth and to fearme letteth to the saide Sr. Thomas Strange, All that ther personage berne of Sharneborne, in the countie beforesaide, wt all the tythe shoues, profyghts, and com'odytes to the same belongynge; And also xij acres of londe; And the saide berne is situate and seete vppon vj Acres parcell of the saide xij acres. And thother vj acres, reste of the saide xij acres ys called Longevid londe, lyinge in the towne and felds of Sharneborne aforesaide, To haue, and to holde the said personage berne and tythe shoues, wt all the singuler profyghts and comodyts belongynge to the same. And also the saide xij acres of Londe as is aforesaide to the said Sr. Thomas, his heires, executors, and assigneys, frome the feaste of sayncte Michaell tharchangell, laste passed, before the date herof, untill thende and tearme of lxxxxix yeres next and imedyatlie ensuinge, the same Date fullie to be complete and ended, Yeldinge and payinge therfore yerelie duringe the saide tearme to the saide prior, and Covenente and ther successors eight pounds sterling, at ij vsuall tearmes in the year, that is to say, at the feaste of thanu'cyac'on of or Lady, and Sayncte Mychael, tharchangell, by euen por'cons. And yt ys covnanted and agreed that the saide Sr Thomas, his heyres, executors, and assigneys, duringe all the saide tearme of lxxxxix yeres, shall yerelie sufficientlie repaire the sayde berne, in all manor of Reparar'cons necessarie to bendon vppon the same, And the same at thende of ther saide yeres shall sufficientlie leue Repaired. And that yf the saide yerelie Rente of eyght ponds, or any part or parcell therof be hynde unpaide, in part or in all, by the space of one moneth after any of the feasts before rehersed, at the whych yt ought to be paide at, that then yt shalbe lawfull to the sayde pryor and Covente, and theire successors and the mynnisters of them into all and singuler the premyss, and every part and parcell therof to reenter, as in theire former estate and possession, and the saide Sr. Thomas Strange byndeth hym self, his heyres, executors, and assigneys, by thes p'nts, in the some of xli. starlinge, to be forfeted and paide to the saide prior and Covente, and thire successors, for lacke of performance of the coven'nts before rehersed streyght, and imedyatlie after any suche covenante be broken, and not fullfilled on ther behalfe. And also the saide prior and Covent, and ther successors, all and singuler the premysses, to the saide Sr. Thomas and his assigneys, agaynst all manor of people, shall warrante and defende duringe the saide tearme. In wittenes whereof, as well the saide prior and Covente, there Covent seale, as the saide Sr. Thomas his seale, to thes presentes interchangeablie haue sette the daye and yere above wrytten.

THE WINTHROP PAPERS.

Numerous elucidations of the history and biography of the Eastern Counties (Suffolk and Essex especially), may be derived from the Life and Letters of John Winthrop, by Robert C. Winthrop, Boston, N. E., 8vo, 1864, and the Winthrop Fapers, which form the sixth and seventh volumes of the fourth series of the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The following is an alphabetical list of some of the persons mentioned.

Roger Alabaster, of Hadleigh.

Tho. Alabaster, died at Assington, 16 Sept., 1620.

Will. Alabaster, D.D., born at Hadleigh, died April, 1640.
William Ames, D.D., born in Norfolk, died Nov., 1613.

Sir Hen. Appleton, bart., of South Bemfleet, Essex.

Sir Isaac Appleton, died at Little Waldegrave, 14 Sept., 1608.

Sam. Applelon, born at Little Waldingfield, 1586, settled at Ipswich, N.E., about 1636. Sam. Appleton, born at Little Waldingfield, 1622 or 1624, military commander and patriot, died 4 Nov., 1699.

Sir Nathaniel Barnadiston, of Keddington, died 1658.

Sir Fra. Barington, died 1628.

Ric. Bellingham, Recorder of Boston, Lincolnshire, 1625-33, afterwards governor of Massachusetts, died 7 Dec., 1672.

Mrs. Browne, burnt at Bury for the murder of her husband, 19 March, 1604-5.

Bumsted, sometime a tailor of Melford, servant to lord Savage, sent to the Tower for seditious words, 1636.

Ric. Butcher, town clerk of Stamford.

Laurence Chaderton, D.D., master of Eman coll. Cambridge, and Cicely his wife.
Will. Clopton occurs about 1627.

Will. Coddington, of Boston, Lincolnshire, treasurer of Massachusetts, and chief magistrate of Rhode island, an author, died 1 Nov., 1678.

Mrs. Sarah Coppinger, wife of Henry, surnamed the black Henry Coppinger, of Lavenham, mentioned 1636.

Rev. Joh. Cotton, of Boston, Lincolnshire, died 28 Dec., 1652.

Miles Corbet, of Great Yarmouth, regicide, executed 19 April, 1662.

Sir Rob. Crane, died about 1643.

Rev. Ezekiel Culverwell, deprived rector of Great Stambridge, Essex, died about 1637. Hen. Dade, L.L.B., commissary of Suffolk.

Steph. Day, a locksmith at Cambridge, emigrated to America, and was the first printer there, died 22 Dec., 1668, æt. 58.

Sir Symonds D'Ewes, died 18 April, 1650.

Eman Downing, son of Geo. Downing, of Ipswich, schoolmaster, bapt. at S. Lawrence, Ipswich, 1 Jan., 1585-6.

Sir Geo. Downing, of Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire. died 1684.

Joshua Downing, occurs 1627.

Rev. Giles Firmin, son of Giles Firmin, apothecary of Sudbury, ejected rector of Shalford, Essex, died April 1697.

Rev. Joh. Fiske, born in St. James Elmham, Suff., 1601, educated at King's coll. Cambridge, Master of Salem school, died 14 Jan., 1677.

Dudley Fortescue, hanged himself at Bluntshall, in Little Wratting, 9 Sep., 1604. Will. Gager, of Little Waldingfield, surgeon, died at Charlestown, 20 Sept., 1630. Brampton Gurdon, of Assington, living 1649, æt. 83.

Brampton Gurdon, third son of Mr. Brampton Gurdon, died at London, 15 Nov., 1621. Mrs. Judith Gurdon, died 13 Dec., 1617.

Will. Gurdon, died at Cambridge, 24 Dec., 1620.

Sir Geo. Harvey, Lieutenant of the Tower, died 8 Aug., 1605, ag. 72.

Joh. Haynes, of Essex, governor of Massachusetts and Connecticut, died Jan., 1653-4. Sir Fra. Hynde, of Cambridgeshire, died 21 March, 1595-6.