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Samuel Hitchcock of Somersham, Suffolk (birth unknown - c. 1727)
- Sheila Herd
- 4 days ago
- 12 min read
(In this blog I have sometimes noted that a person was "our ancestor" for the benefit of my family, who I suspect are more likely to be reading this than members of the public)
Samuel Hitchcock’s year of birth was also unknown. It seems likely that he would have been born during the Commonwealth Gap years of 1647 to 1660 when Oliver Cromwell abolished church record keeping, meaning there were breaks in church records of baptisms, marriages and burials.
Samuel Hitchcock in the Manor records
Samuel's first appearance in records was on 8th October 1669 at a Court Baron for Hintlesham with Hadleigh Manor.
Manors were units of administration, communities of people on estates of land that often crossed geographical boundaries of parishes and counties. Landowners[within a manor would pay rents and pledge fealty to the Lord. Farmers, peasants and serfs were given plots of land and protection in return for labouring and military service. All land was owned by the monarch, people in possession of land simply held it on behalf of the Lord who in turn held it on behalf of the King or Queen. Each manor had its own court presided over by the Lord, and each manor would have its own customs. A steward usually presided over the meetings and was usually a lawyer. Manorial records can be rich with information about individuals.
Court processes were structured, with a roll call of attendees, and essions (excuses for not attending) were recorded. Notes of those who had died since the last session were also recorded.
Translation from Latin by Dr Claire Jarvis:
View of frankpledge with court baron 8th October 1669, Hintlesham with Hadleigh.
Robert HITCHCOCK and Mary, his wife who held bond lands in this manor have died since the last court, heirs unknown, proclamation made. Now Samuel HITCHCOCK, only son of Robert and Mary comes to court by his attorney, William CRADDOCK, his uncle, and asks to be admitted tenant to the land as his hereditary right, namely to two acres of land called Farons Croft lying in Sley Field in Chattisham. And because he is underage, wardship is granted to William CRADDOCK, who must render account etc
William Craddock was a mariner who lived in the St Peter's area of Ipswich with his wife Sarah. The term "attorney" may have been used loosely to mean an adult relative representing Samuel. As Samuel's father Robert Hitchcock had died in 1665 and his mother had died in 1667, he may have been living with the Craddocks.
William Craddock died in September 1678, and left a will, his wife Sarah Craddock died in St Peter's Ipswich in January 1693, she also left a will, summary / abstract of that will:
Abstract of Will of Sarah CRADDOCK
| |
Name & Occupation: | Sarah CRADDOCK, a widow |
Abode: | St. Peter’s, Ipswich |
Date of death: | Jan 1693 |
Physical & mental health: | Sound & perfect mind & memory yet considering my age & uncertainties of this transitory life |
Place of burial: | St Peter’s, Ipswich. 12th Jan 1693 |
Bequests: | Loving friends Richard Cooke of Washbrook, Suffolk, yeoman & Samuel HITCHCOCK of Somersham, Suffolk, wheelwright. All my messuage divided into two tenements situate & lying in the parish of St Peter, Ipswich, now in the several occupations of Thomas and Sarah COOKE. Sell them for the best price & cover my just debts, money left over to be divided between Richard Cooke, Samuel HITCHCOCK, my brother John BRAGG of Copdock, his daughter Margaret BRAGG and Mary DAYNES of St. Margaret’s, Ipswich, spinster. |
Details of land: | None |
Lesser bequests / heirlooms: | None |
Executors: | Richard COOKE & Samuel HITCHCOCK |
Witnesses: | Robert MORRIS, Susanna WALFORD & John WALFORD |
Date of will: | 18th July 1691 |
Codicils: | None |
Date of probate: | 27th Jan 1693 |
Court of probate: | Archdeaconry of Suffolk |
Samuel Hitchcock was mentioned in Sarah's will as her "loving friend". Was this because her husband was actually Samuel's uncle by blood? or maybe neither of them were related to Samuel? Unfortunately searches to find out if they were related were fruitless.
It was also noted in Sarah's will that Samuel was also a wheelwright. This was a highly skilled occupation.
Over the years, Samuel's name cropped up multiple times as a juror at the Hintlesham with Hadleigh Manorial Court.
A juror or “the homage” were sworn in at each manorial court sitting. They functioned as jurors and witnesses. Individuals on the jury were generally prominent people within the manorial hierarchy. Samuel became a juror at the manor court for many years, the jury would appoint local officials such as the parish constable, or pinder (responsible for rounding up stray animals).
Samuel Hitchcock in the Hintlesham with Hadleigh Manor Court Book 1656-1716 | |
Date: | Findings: |
11th Nov 1656 | Court Baron - Robert Hitchcock was a juror |
8th Oct 1669 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was admitted to his land following the death of his parents, Robert & Mary Hitchcock. View of frankpledge with court baron |
10th Dec 1680 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror |
16th Jun 1681 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror
|
19th Nov 1685 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror |
2nd Nov 1691 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror |
19th May 1699 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror |
8th Nov 1710 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror At this court all tenants both bond and free were summoned, and John BOND, Samuel HITCHCOCK and Joshua NUNN appeared and acknowledged themselves to be tenants of the lord for the lands and tenements that they hold etc and each did fealty to the lord |
1st May 1711 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror |
7th June 1712 | Court Baron - Samuel Hitchcock was a juror |
Samuel's name also occurred multiple times in the Chattisham Manorial records.
Chattisham Hall Manor and Eton
Chattisham Hall Manor was the original Hall or Manor House in Chattisham and the most important home where the Lord of the Manor lived. Since 1154 the Hall had been owned by the Priory at Wix, Essex, and after the Reformation in 1531, it was owned by the Provost and Fellows of Eton until 1921.[1]
The most important and relevant items relating to Samuel Hitchcock in the Chattisham Manor records were these:
Samuel Hitchcock in the Chattisham Hall Manor Court Rolls at Eton College Archives - | |||
Item: | Date: | Reference Number: | Items of Interest: |
Court Baron Court Roll 1680-1686 | 15 Oct 1680 | ECR 25 121 (1) | “Homage – Samuel HITCHCOCK [and others] sworn The homage present that Elizabeth HITCHCOCK [and others] owe suit of court and made default. Each of them [women excepted] are individually in mercy [the fines of 3d are given above the names of the men]” [Elizabeth Hitchcock was probably Samuel’s wife] |
Court Baron Copy Court Roll 1680-1686 | 26 Oct 1686 | ECR 25 122 (1) | “Homage – Samuel HITCHCOCK [and others] sworn Robert and Elizabeth [no surname given] surrendered certain lands called “Belchams Croft” in Chattisham into the hands of the lord, to the use and benefit of Samuel HITCHCOCK of Somersham, and he being present in court asked to be admitted tenant, and seisin was delivered to him by the rod” [Robert & Elizabeth (no surname) were managing Belchams or Betsman's Croft & now Samuel wanted it back] |
Terrier [survey] of demesne [manor] lands in Chattisham | 20 Dec 1687 | ECR 25 132 (1) | “…a field called Woodward abutting uppon Little Almer Field southwards and the land orchyard east & Slyfield being HITCHCOCK’s land west…” |
Court Baron Court Roll 1689 – 1694 | Illegible | ECR 25 123 (1) ECR 25 123 (2) | Samuel HITCHCOCK was a juror at two court barons. |
List of Copyholders | 1740 | ECR 25 135 | “Samuel HITCHCOCK copyhold lands called Belchamscroft – £0.4s 7d More off him for New Farm £0 1s 8d More off him for lands late Cutbirts £0 0s 6d.” [This would be Samuel Hitchcock’s son, also called Samuel, since Samuel Hitchcock died circa 1727]. |
Court Baron Court Roll 1747-1755 | 9th Dec 1755 | ECR 25 124 (7) | “Annual rent of 1 shilling 8 pence and also retain land called Cuthbert’s Land formerly purchased of Robert BROOK by Samuel HITCHCOCK the elder and to which the said Samuel HITCHCOCK the elder was admitted at a court held for the said manor the 6th day of December in the the year of our Lord 1725 and which lands contain by estimation two acres…and also contain lands called Belchams Croft lying in two parcels in Chattisham containing by estimation three acres and an half held by the annual rent of 4 shillings & 7 pence formerly the estate of Samuel HITCHCOCK and to which the said James CHAMBERLAIN was admitted at a court holden on 27th Sep 1743 on the surrender of Samuel HITCHCOCK the elder and Samuel HITCHCOCK the younger” [This was be referring to Samuel Hitchcock’s son & grandson, both also called Samuel, since Samuel Hitchcock died circa 1727 & bequeathed to his son & grandson in his will] |
The piece of land, 3 and a half acres or thereabouts, called Belcham’s Croft was the key to unlocking more Hitchcock generations beyond Samuel Hitchcock. This was the piece of land mentioned in Geoffrey Hitchcock’s will.
Samuel Hitchcock's family
Samuel and Elizabeth’s first recorded child, Elizabeth was baptised in Somersham in 1681, so Samuel and Elizabeth probably married around 1680. No marriage record was found for Samuel and Elizabeth.
Somersham parish registers did show the baptism's of their children:
1. Elizabeth HITCHCOCK baptised 26th June 1681 buried 14th Sep 1681
2. Samuel HITCHCOCK baptised 9th April 1683
3. A still born child buried 5th May 1685
4. Mary HITCHCOCK baptised 27th June 1686
5. Sarah HITCHCOCK baptised 13th Jan 1688
6. Elizabeth HITCHCOCK baptised 17th April 1691 buried 21st March 1694
7. Isaac HITCHCOCK baptised 1st Sep 1695 [Isaac is our Hitchcock ancestor]
Robert HITCHCOCK baptised 13th Aug 1699
Samuel’s wife Elizabeth Hitchcock died and was buried on 22nd June 1705 in Somersham.
Samuel Hitchcock at the Court of Chancery with kinsman Isaac Grigson
A search for Samuel of Somersham, Suffolk on The National Archives website showed that in July 1703 he was involved in a case at the Court of Chancery. Samuel Hitchcock and Isaac Grigson would have had to travel to London to sort out their defence.
Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Pleadings before 1714 Document Type: Bill & Answer | |
Dated: | July 1703 |
Plaintiffs: | Henry COLE, yeoman of Levington, Suffolk |
Defendants: | Samuel HITCHCOCK & Isaac GRIGSON, yeomen of Somersham, Suffolk |
Reference to: | The plaintiff’s inheritance of two messuages that had been in the possession of the defendants during his minority: mentions Edward COLE, yeoman of Somersham, deceased and John COLE: property in Somersham, Suffolk. |
The bill: | Henry COLE claimed that he had inherited two properties in Somersham through his family, he had been under 21 years of age. Samuel HITCHCOCK and Isaac GRIGSON took possession of the properties under the pretence of taking care of them until the plaintiff was 21. Samuel HITCHCOCK and Isaac GRIGSON said they had paperwork to prove their ownership, but Henry COLE had never been shown any paperwork. |
The answer: | Samuel HITCHCOCK & Isaac GRIGSON claimed they had purchased the properties, from Elizabeth COLE of St Margaret’s, Ipswich, with a mortgage, for £8 on 6th June 1699, and they had the paperwork to prove this, and the properties were being used to house poor of the parish of Somersham. |
The decree / order: | IND “A” books searched for the years 1703/4, no decree found. The case perhaps didn’t proceed beyond the bill and answers and was resolved locally. [N.B. Samuel left two tenements in Somersham to his son Isaac in his will, one tenement in the occupation of Samuel himself, the other in the occupation of Isaac GRIGSON, these could have been the tenements involved in this chancery case]. |
Some investigation was carried out into Isaac Grigson. A search of the Suffolk Archives catalogue showed that Isaac Grigson, a cordwainer (shoemaker), had left a will, which revealed his close ties to the Hitchcock family. In fact he described Samuel Hitchcock’s sons, Isaac and Robert as “beloved kinsmen” which implies there was a family relationship, maybe cousins.
Searches for Isaac Grigson’s baptism were made in Suffolk parish registers from 1630 – 1665 in pursuit of a relationship to Samuel Hitchcock. No results were found. The Suffolk Archives website was also searched for any further relevant documents relating to Isaac Grigson or any Grigson who might be related. This too was unsuccessful. Isaac Grigson may have been connected to Samuel Hitchcock’s wife, whose maiden name is unknown, or his mother, Mary Hitchcock, maiden name also unknown.
Abstract of Will of Isaac GRIGSON
| |
Name & Occupation: | Isaac GRIGSON, cordwainer |
Abode: | Somersham, Suffolk |
Date of death: | 27th Sep 1729 |
Physical & mental health: | Perfect mind & sound disposing memory |
Place of burial: | “Goodman GRIGSON” was buried Somersham, 29th Sep 1729 |
Bequests: | Robert HITCHCOCK my kinsman & brother to Isaac HITCHCOCK £15 to be paid within a year after my decease Mary GODFREY of London – my sister 20 shillings to be paid within 3 months of my decease Samuel BEAUMONT A guinea to preach my funeral sermon Isaac HITCHCOCK, cordwainer, my beloved kinsman The rest and remainder of my estate after debts & funeral expenses paid, my house & land in Somersham, ready money, household goods, trading stock book, debts, bonds or bills. [N.B. Isaac and Robert HITCHCOCK were sons of Samuel HITCHCOCK & Isaac Hitchcock was our Hitchcock ancestor] |
Executors: | My beloved kinsman, Isaac HITCHCOCK, cordwainer (shoemaker) of Somersham |
Witnesses: | John JENNINGS, John COPEMAN, Mary JENNINGS |
Date of will: | 21st April 1724 |
Date of probate: | Dec 1729 |
Court of probate: | Archdeaconry of Suffolk |
Isaac Hitchcock was described as a cordwainer in Isaac Grigson’s will, but in his will written many years later in June 1777 he described himself as a yeoman and was living in Shelland, near Stowmarket in Suffolk.[
Searches of Somersham parish registers showed that Isaac Grigson’s wife Ann and stillborn baby daughter, also Ann, had both been buried in October 1685. “Goodman” Isaac Grigson had been buried 29th September 1729.
Samuel Hitchcock in the Suffolk Poll Book 1720
Samuel Hitchcock, as a yeoman farmer and freeholder of land had Parliamentary electoral rights, he was recorded in the Parliamentary Register for Somersham. There were no universal rights to vote at that time. In those days, 1696-1872, lists of voters and who they voted for in Parliamentary elections were published.
The choice was between two Tory's and a Whig. Samuel voted for Sir Phillip Parker, a Whig. Whigs were associated with non-conformity in religion and rebellion, which ties in with his father Robert Hitchcock's beliefs (see blog on Robert Hitchcock), and later his great grandson founding Wattisham Strict Baptist Chapel.
Samuel Hitchcock's will and his death
In Samuel Hitchcock's will dated 17th June 1725 he was described as a yeoman of Somersham, Suffolk. His will was probated on 17th Feb 1727. Samuel must have died between those dates. A search of burial records in Somersham showed no record of his burial. Samuel Hitchcock left his freehold and copyhold land in Hintlesham and Chattisham, Suffolk to his eldest son, also Samuel Hitchcock, and then to his eldest grandson, another Samuel Hitchcock.
“..all my houses and lands freehold and copyhold withall and every of the appurtenances whatsoever lying and being in Chattisham & Hintlesham…and in the occupation of Daniel GENTREE[1]…and after his decease I give and devise the aforesaid houses, lands withall and every of the appurtenances to Samuel HITCHCOCK my grandson…”
Abstract of Will of Samuel HITCHCOCK of Somersham
| |
Name & Occupation: | Samuel HITCHCOCK, a yeoman |
Abode: | Somersham, Suffolk |
Date of death: | c. June 1725 –Feb 1727 |
Physical & mental health: | Ill in body but in perfect and sound mind
|
Place of burial: | Not known, not specified in will and location not found |
Bequests: | Samuel HITCHCOCK his son Houses & land, freehold & copyhold in Hintlesham & Chattisham Grandson Samuel HITCHCOCK Houses & land, freehold & copyhold in Hintlesham & Chattisham on death of his father. 21 shillings a year out of rents of land in Hintlesham & Chattisham until he enjoys the whole. Grandson Robert HITCHCOCK Houses & land freehold & copyhold in Hintlesham & Chattisham in the event of the death of his brother Samuel. £5 at age of 21 Granddaughter Ann HITCHCOCK £5 at age of 21 Grandson John Powl HITCHCOCK £5 at age of 21 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daughter Mary HITCHCOCK 20 shillings a year to be paid until £5 is reached, her brother Isaac to pay from rent of houses in Somersham ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daughter Sarah, wife of John Hinds 5 shillings to be paid one month after her father’s decease Granddaughter Mary Hinds 20 shillings at age of 21 Grandson John William Hinds 20 shillings at age of 21 Granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth Hinds 20 shillings at age of 21 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Son Isaac HITCHCOCK Two tenements in Somersham, one occupied by his father, the other occupied by Isaac GRIGSON. These were likely the tenements in the chancery case of 1703/4. [Our direct ancestor & father of Pastor John Hitchcock who founded Wattisham Strict Baptist Chapel in 1763] Grandson Isaac HITCHCOCK Two tenements in Somersham on the death of his father. [elder brother of Pastor John Hitchcock who founded Wattisham Strict Baptist Chapel in 1763] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Son Robert HITCHCOCK 5 shillings one month after his father’s decease |
Details of land: | Free hold and Copyhold land in Hintlesham and Chattisham |
Lesser bequests / heirlooms: | None |
Executors: | His son Samuel HITCHCOCK and grandson Samuel HITCHCOCK |
Witnesses: | George SMITH, Mary STYLE & Jacob KETTLE |
Date of will: | 17th June 1725 |
Codicils: | None |
Date of probate: | 17th Feb 1727 |
Court of probate: | Archdeaconry of Suffolk |
Samuel Hitchcock’s eldest son and grandson, Samuel Hitchcock the Elder and Samuel Hitchcock the Younger surrendered the land they had inherited back to Chattisham Manor on 27th September 1743. This ended over 100 years of Hitchcock's holding land in Chattisham.[1]
Samuel Hitchcock the elder had been living in Somersham. He had married Ann Pepper in Offton, Suffolk on 10th June 1706,[they had 3 children baptised in Somersham as follows:
Samuel HITCHCOCK (the younger) baptised 10 March 1711 Somersham Ann HITCHCOCK baptised 1 May 1715 (born 13 Dec 1714) Robert HITCHCOCK[3] baptised 10 June 1716 (born 2 May 1716) A fourth child, John Powl Hitchcock, was mentioned in Samuel Hitchcock’s will, but no baptism record was found for him in 1726 +/- 10 years in Somersham or surrounding villages.[.4] |
Samuel Hitchcock the Elder was buried in Ringshall, Suffolk on 18th January 1760, aged 77.
Samuel Hitchcock the Younger had married Grace Gorball in Brettenham, Suffolk on 19th Sep 1737, he had had one daughter, Grace Hitchcock, baptised in Somersham on 18th December 1738, Samuel was buried in Brettenham, Suffolk on 22nd September 1746, aged about 35.
The following tree shows the direct line of descent in dark blue.
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