Robert Wright (judge, died 1689)

Sir Robert Wright (c. 1634 – 1689) was an English judge and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench 1687–89.

Sir Robert Wright.

Early life

Wright was the son of Jermyn Wright of Wangford in Suffolk, by his wife Anne, daughter of Richard Batchcroft of Bexwell in Norfolk. He was descended from a family long seated at Kilverstone, also known as Kelverstone, in Norfolk, and was educated at the free school at Thetford. He was admitted to Caius College, Cambridge on 1 April 1651.[1][2]

He entered Lincoln's Inn on 14 June 1654, and after being called to the bar went the Norfolk circuit. According to Roger North he was "a comely person, airy and nourishing both in his habits and way of living", but a very poor lawyer. He was a friend of Roger's brother, Francis North, and relied implicitly on him when required to give a written opinion (North later developed a deep contempt for Wright). Although by marrying the daughter of the Bishop of Ely he obtained a good practice, his "voluptuous unthinking course of life" led him into great embarrassments. These he evaded by pledging his estate to Francis North, and afterwards mortgaging it to Sir Walter Plummer, fraudulently tendering him an affidavit that it was clear of all encumbrances.

On 10 April 1668 Wright was returned to parliament for King's Lynn. In 1678 he was appointed counsel for the University of Cambridge, and in August 1679 he was elected deputy recorder of the town. In October 1678 he fell under suspicion of being concerned in the Popish Plot, Edward Coleman, one of the supposed ringleaders of the Plot, having been in his company the Sunday before he was committed to Newgate. On 31 October the matter was brought by the Speaker before the House of Commons, which ordered Wright’s chambers in Lincoln's Inn and his lodgings to be searched. As nothing was found to incriminate him, he was declared completely exculpated. In Easter 1679 he was made a Serjeant, and on 12 May 1680 he was made a King's Serjeant. He was knighted on 15 May, and in 1681 was appointed chief justice of Glamorgan.

At this time his fortunes were at low ebb. He had made the acquaintance of Jeffreys, and had acquired his regard, it is said, by his ability as a mimic. He went to him and implored his assistance. Jeffreys had recourse to the king, and in spite of the vehement objections of Francis North, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, who described him as ignorant, dishonest and utterly unfit to be a judge, procured his nomination on 27 Oct. 1684 as a Baron of the Exchequer. On 10 Feb. 1684-5 he was elected Recorder of Cambridge. James II selected him to accompany Jeffreys on the western assize after Monmouth's rebellion, and on his return removed him on 11 Oct. to the King's Bench. In 1686, in the case of Sir Edward Hales, Wright gave an opinion in favour of the dispensing power, when consulted by Sir Edward Herbert, previous to judgment being given in court in favour of Hales.

Chief Justice

On 6 April 1687 he was promoted to the chief-justiceship of the Common Pleas on the death of Sir Henry Bedingfield. This office he held only five days, for Herbert, having refused to assist the king to establish martial law in the army in time of peace by countenancing the execution of a deserter, was transferred to the chief-justiceship of the Common Pleas. Wright, who took his place as Chief Justice of the King's Bench, hanged deserters without hesitation. He gave further proof of his zeal by fining the Earl of Devonshire, an opponent of the court, the sum of £30,000 for assaulting Colonel Thomas Colepeper in the Vane chamber at Whitehall while the king and queen were in the presence, overruling his plea of privilege, and committing him to prison until the fine was paid. Wright accompanied the sentence with the remark that the offence was ' next door to pulling the king off his throne.'

In October 1687 Wright was sent to Oxford as an ecclesiastical commissioner with Thomas Cartwright (1634–1689) and Sir Thomas Jenner on the famous visitation of Magdalen College, Oxford when all the fellows but three were expelled for resisting the royal authority, and declared incapable of holding any ecclesiastical preferment. When the president of Magdalen, John Hough, protested against the proceedings of the commission, Wright declared that he would uphold his majesty's authority while he had breath in his body, and bound him over in a thousand pounds to appear before the king's bench on the charge of breaking the peace.

On 29 June 1688 Wright presided at the trial of the Seven Bishops. Although he so far accommodated himself to the king as to declare their petition a libel, he was overawed during the trial by the general voice of opinion and the apprehension of an indictment. In the words of a bystander "he looked as if all the peers present had halters in their pockets". He conducted the proceedings with decency and impartiality, apart from his obvious antipathy to the Solicitor General, William Williams, whom he accused, irrelevantly, of taking bribes. At an early stage the evidence of publication broke down, and Wright was about to direct the jury to acquit the prisoners when the prosecution was saved by the testimony of Sunderland. In his charge, while declaring in favour of the right of the subject to petition, he gave it as his opinion that the particular petition before the court was improperly worded, and was, in the contemplation of the law, a libel. He failed, however, to pronounce definitely in favour of the dispensing power of the crown. For this omission his dismissal was afterwards contemplated, and he was probably saved by the difficulty of finding a successor.

In December 1688 the Prince of Orange caused two impeachments of high treason against Jeffreys and Wright to be printed at Exeter. Wright was accused among other offences of taking bribes "to that degree of corruption as is a shame to any court of justice". He continued to sit in court until the flight of James on 11 Dec. He then sought safety in concealment, and on 10 Jan. 1688-9 addressed a supplicating letter to the Earl of Danby asserting that he had always opposed popery, and had been compelled to act against his inclinations. His hiding-place in the Old Bailey was discovered by Sir William Waller (d. 1699) on 13 February, and he was taken before Sir John Chapman, the Lord Mayor of London, who committed him to Newgate on the charge that, "being one of the judges of the Court of King's Bench, he had endeavoured the subversion of the established government by alloweing of a power to dispence with the laws; and that hee was one of the commissioners for ecclesiastical affairs." On 6 May he was brought before the House of Lords for his action in regard to the Earl of Devonshire: but, although his overruling the earl's plea of privilege and committing him to prison was declared a manifest breach of privilege of parliament, no further action was taken against him. On 18 May he died of fever in Newgate. In the debate on the act of indemnity on 18 June it was determined to except him from the act in spite of his decease. His name, however, does not appear in the final draft of the act.

Family life

Wright married three times. His first wife was Dorothy Moor of Wiggenhall St. Germans in Norfolk. She died in 1662 without issue, and he married, secondly, Susan, daughter of Matthew Wren, Bishop of Ely; and thirdly, Anne, daughter of Sir William Scroggs, Lord Chief Justice of England,[3] on 4 April 1681 at South Weald in Essex.[4][5] The Manor of South Weald was sold in 1668 to Sir William Scroggs, Lord Chief justice. He died in 1683 and was succeeded by his son William, who in 1685 sold the South Weald estate.[6] By his second wife he had four daughters and one son, Robert (1666[7] – 12 October 1739[8]), Chief Justice of the Province of South Carolina, father of Sir James Wright, Jermyn (c.1712 – 10 January 1799[9])[10] and Isabella (c.1702 – 15 December 1775[11]), his eldest daughter who married 1) James Graeme[12] (d. 29 August 1752[13]), also Chief Justice of the Province of South Carolina[14] and 2) Dr. Thomas Glen,[15] the brother of James Glen, Royal Governor of South Carolina,[16] on 18 September 1755 at St. George's Hanover Square Church, London, Westminster, England.[17] He also had issue by his third wife. His portrait was painted by John Riley in 1687 and engraved by Robert White.

By his second wife, Susan Wren, he had the following daughters:

  • Susan (21 April 1664[18] – 1730[19]), m. to Vertue Radford (18 January 1657/8 – 1694), Recorder of London,[20] Esq. of Gray's Inn,[21] on 25 May 1687 at Westminster Abbey. He was of Wilbarton in the Isle of Ely, and died at Ipswich 1694.[22] Vertue Radford was the second but eldest surviving son of the Reverend William Radford, by Anne his wife, and was born on 18 January and baptised at Richmond in Surrey on 22 January 1657/8. He was admitted to Gray's Inn on 19 November 1684. He was first married, about 13 January 1678/9, when their marriage license is dated,[23] to Jane, third daughter of John Everson, of London, Merchant, who died in childbed of her second daughter and was buried at Richmond 7 October 1681. Susan was born on 21 and baptised on 27 April 1664 at Ely Chapel.[18] She was buried at the Church of St. Edmund in Sedgefield on 12 April 1730.[19] Their only son Robert, who was baptised at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, on 7 August 1688, died at Eton, while a scholar there.[18]
  • Anne (d.1731[24]), m. to Freville Lambton (8 January 1661/2[25] – 1731[26]), Esq. of Hardwick, Durham,[27][21][20] by license dated 29 January 1694/5.[28] They had the sons Robert Lambton (baptised 13 January 1695/6), William[20] Lambton (baptised 7 February 1696/7), Henry Lambton (baptised 22 May 1698), Robert Lambton (baptised 20 November 1699), John Lambton[29] (baptised 7 November 1700), Charles[20] Lambton[29] or Wright Lambton (baptised 16 December 1701 – buried 14 May 1789 at St. Andrew's, Newcastle-on-Tyne), who had John Lambton[30][31] and a daughter,[20] Mary, married to Jacob Lambert of Newcastle-on-Tyne,[30][31] Edward[20] Lambton (baptised 30 December 1702), George Lambton[29] (baptised 23 March 1703/4), Richard[20] Lambton[29] (baptised 30 May 1705) and Theophilus Lambton (baptised 1 October 1706).
    Woman's Robe à la Française and Petticoat
  • Elizabeth[21] (d.1753[32]), m. to John Rugge (d.1720[33][34]), gentleman, of the Inner Temple, London[34] and Stirtloe, Buckden, Huntingdonshire.[20][35][36][37] He was the nephew of the diarist Thomas Rugge, and belonged to the same Rugge family as William Rugge, Bishop of Norwich. Their marriage settlement is dated 30 July/1 August 1692.[38] John Rugge was buried at Temple Church on Monday 28 November 1720.[33] Elizabeth writes in her will that if she if dies in or near London that she wanted to be 'buried in the Temple Church Yard in or near my dear husbands Grave'.[32] She got her wish and was buried beside him on Wednesday 31 October 1753.[39] Elizabeth is mentioned in no less than three family wills as being assigned important tasks of the type usually given to dependable and trustworthy people. She is left the cedar chest in her lodgings with the glass doors, the pendulum clock and ten pounds in ready money, by her cousin and brother-in-law John Ball (d.1732), in consideration for her care and trouble in receiving and paying his rents.[40] In her will she gives to 'my faithful Servant Ann Rainsford' thirty pounds and what is needed to furnish a room for her to live in. After itemising a list of goods worthy of a duchess – amongst others one eating table, a tea table, a Dutch table, six chairs, a tea pot, a tea tray, six China tea cups and saucers, three or four tea spoons, a sugar dish, a tea kettle, a milk pot, a brass pottage pot, a large sauce pan, a small sauce pan, a frying pan, a coffee pot, a gridiron, a fire grate shovel, a pair of brass candlesticks, a cooking glass, a hollow flatiron with heaters, four devotional works, amongst them Dr. Stanhope's St. Austin's Meditations and Robert Nelson's A Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England, a large silver spoon, eight strong good shifts, six good aprons, as many neckhandkerchiefs and six good suits of mobbs, and all her clothes apart from her black Robe à la Française, her light grey lutestring – a fine, glossy silk – and her stitched underpetticoats – she adds generously 'and whatever else thats wanting to ffurnish her a Room to live in which I may have forgot'. She spares one line for her only son William without mentioning him by name: 'I hereby appoint my dear Son my Sole Executor'. Son William duly took up administration of the goods. It is at this point in time not known who made off with the stitched underpetticoats.[32] Of their son William[41] and his wife Sarah's[42] children, his eldest son was the Reverend William Rugge, Rector of Buckland (16 May 1740[43] – 2 November 1786[44]) who married Lucy Henrietta French[45] (d.1823[46]), his second son was the Reverend Charles Rugge (1742–1773[47]), Clerk of Storrington in Sussex, his eldest daughter Sarah was a witness at her sister Mary's wedding on 16 December 1773 at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, while his youngest daughter Mary Rugge (1752 – 22 February 1838[48]) married Sir Charles Price, 1st Baronet (1747 – 1818), merchant in the City of London, shipowner, Lord Mayor of London and politician, and through that they were the ancestors of the Price, later Rugge-Price baronets, of Spring Grove.[48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] His second marriage to Anne Clarke (1703–1769[56]), daughter of Sir James Clarke[57] and widow of Samuel Sheppard (d.1760), appears to have been childless. The two were married on 1 September 1763 at Blisworth, Northamptonshire, England.[58]
  • Alice[21] (1672[59] – 17 November 1724[59]), m. John Ball (d. 5 January 1732[59]), of Hampton Court,[60] Auditor to Prince George of Denmark, 2dW,[20] on 8 April 1706 at St. Stephen Walbrok, City of London.[61] John Ball was the son of Anne Wren, the sister of Susan. His first wife had been another cousin, Frances[62] Watts, the daughter of Edward[63][64] Watts and Mary Wren, the sister of Susan and Anne,[60] all three of them daughters of Matthew Wren, Bishop of Ely.[20] By his first wife Frances, he had a son called Francis.[60] His will mentions his sons John, George and Francis, and his grandchildren George and Anna Maria Ball.[40]

By his third wife, Anne Scroggs (d.1713[65]), he had:

  • William Wright, (b.bef.1683[3]). William is mentioned in both the will of his maternal grandfather, Sir William Scroggs (d.1683[3]), and the will of his maternal grandmother, Anne Fettyplace, Lady Scroggs (d.1689[66]). On 26 March 1713, when his mother wrote her will, he was in the Kingdom of Ireland, was married, and had a small son Robert, who was at school at Moulton in Lincolnshire. Sir Robert Wright's widow Anne was then living in the Parish of St. Andrew Holborn, Middlesex. She gives to her servant Anne Boyn her scrutoe (scrutore, a writing desk or cabinet, from French escritoire) and her chest of drawers, all of her own wearing apparel both woollen, linen and otherwise, and her own feather bed with the pillows 'for her great care to me in my Sickness'[65]

References
  1. Handley, Stuart. "Wright, Sir Robert". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/30056. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. "Wright, Robert (WRT651R)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  3. Will of Sir William Scroggs – The National Archives. 3 December 1683. to Sr Robert Wright [...] to my daughter Anne Wright and to my grandchild William Wright [...] To my daughter Wright [...] To this my last will I have sett my hand and Seale this Third day of June one thousand Six hundred eighty three Will. Scroggs Signed Sealed and published
  4. "The Marriage of Anne Scroggs and Robert Wright, 4 April 1681 at South Weald in Essex". www.findmypast.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. Title: A News-Letter; addressed to Lord Lanesborough : written from Whitehall Description: Sir Francis Pemberton is Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, in the room of Sir William Scroggs; who is to be pensioned: Mr Serjeant Wright, who married Scroggs' daughter is to be made a Baron of the Exchequer. [...] Date: 12 April 1681. Held by: Oxford University: Bodleian Library, Special Collections, not available at The National Archives. 12 April 1681.
  6. "Parishes: South Weald | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  7. "Alumni cantabrigienses; a biographical list of all known students, graduates and holders of office at the University of Cambridge, from the earliest times to 1900; : University of Cambridge : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 18 August 2020. WRIGHT, ROBERT. Adm. Fell.-Com. (age 17) at CAIUS, June 4, 1683. S. of Sir Robert (1651), Serjeant-at-law, of Wangford, Suffolk. B. in London. School, Eton. Matric. 1683–4. Adm. at the Middle Temple, June 11, 1683. Called to the Bar, 1687. Chief Justice of South Carolina, 1730. Died before Oct. 1748. (Venn, I. 473.)
  8. Salley, Alexander Samuel; Webber, Mabel L. (21 March 2012). Death Notices in the South-Carolina Gazette 1732-1775/Death Notices in the South Carolina Gazette, 1766-1774. Genealogical Publishing Com. ISBN 978-0-8063-4656-4. On the Twelfth of last Month, died the Honourable Robert Wright Esq; late Chief Justice of this Province [...] (Saturday, November 24, 1739.)
  9. Cave, Edward (1799). The Gentleman's Magazine: Or, Monthly Intelligencer: Volume the first [-fifth], for the year 1731 [-1735] ... Printed and sold at St John's Gate [by Edward Cave]; by F. Jefferies in Ludgate-Street.
  10. Lorenzo Sabine (1864). Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution: With an Historical Essay. University of Michigan. Little, Brown andCompany.
  11. The Scots Magazine. Sands, Brymer, Murray and Cochran. 1775. Dec. 1775. [...] 15. [...] At Edinburgh, Mrs Isabella Wright, spouse of Thomas Glen, Esq; physician, and sister to Sir James Wright, governor of Georgia.
  12. "James Glen Papers – University of South Carolina". digital.tcl.sc.edu. 13 April 1754. Retrieved 3 September 2020. A bond between George and Elizabeth Saxby and Isabella Graeme regarding an annuity; "Isabella Graeme...Widow and Relict of the honourable James Graeme late Chief Justice of South Carolina deceased of the second part and William Rugge...of the third part."
  13. Salley, Alexander Samuel; Webber, Mabel L. (21 March 2012). Death Notices in the South-Carolina Gazette 1732-1775/Death Notices in the South Carolina Gazette, 1766-1774. Genealogical Publishing Com. ISBN 978-0-8063-4656-4.
  14. Anderson, Dorothy Middleton; Eastman, Margaret Middleton Rivers (4 May 2015). St. Philip's Church of Charleston: An Early History of the Oldest Parish in South Carolina. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-62585-407-0.
  15. St. George's Church (Westminster, London; Chapman, John Henry; Armytage, George J. (George John) (1886). The register book of marriages belonging to the parish of St. George, Hanover square, in the county of Middlesex. Harold B. Lee Library. London : [Mitchell & Hughes, printers].
  16. ""My Zeal for the Real Happiness of Both Great Britain and the Colonies": The Conflicting Imperial Career of Sir James Wright by Robert G. Brooking".
  17. Thomas Glen of the Parish of St Andrews Holbourn Batchr and Isabella Graeme of this Parish Widow were Married in this Church by Licence this Eighteenth Day of September in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty five by me James Penn, Curate pro hae Vice This Marriage was solemnized between Us Thomas Glen Isabella Graeme In the Presence of Wm Rugge E: Gordon John Rugge at St. George Hanover Square, London, Westminster, England.
  18. Chester, Joseph Lemuel (1876). The marriage, baptismal, and burial registers of the collegiate church or abbey of St. Peter, Westminster. London.
  19. "Durham Records Online: Search Census and Church Records". durhamrecordsonline.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020. Burials, Stockton District, Record Number: 1733013.2, Location: Sedgefield, Church: St. Edmund the Bishop, Denomination: Anglican, 12 Apr 1730 Susanna Radford, of Hardwick, widow, generosa [gentlewoman]
  20. "Stemmata Chicheleana; or, A genealogical account of some of the families derived from Thomas Chichele, of Higham-Ferrers in the county of Northampton; all of whose descendants are held to be entitled to fellowships in All Souls College, Oxford by virtue of their consanguinity to Archbishop Chichele, the founder : Buckler, Benjamin, 1718-1780 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  21. Burke, John (1835). A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Enjoying Territorial Possessions Or High Official Rank: But Univested with Heritable Honours. H. Colburn.
  22. Madden, Frederic; Bandinel, Bulkeley; Nichols, John Gough (1841). Collectanea topographica et genealogica. J. B. Nichols and Son.
  23. Chester, Joseph Lemuel; Armytage, George J. (George John); Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Registry of the Vicar-General of the Archbishop of Canterbury; Westminster (England) (1886). Allegations for marriage licences issued by the dean and chapter of Westminster, 1558-1699 : also, for those issued by the vicar-general of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 1660 to 1679. Harold B. Lee Library. London : Harleian Society.
  24. "Durham Records Online: Search Census and Church Records". durhamrecordsonline.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020. Burials, Stockton District, Record Number: 1733066.2, Location: Sedgefield, Church: St. Edmund the Bishop, Denomination: Anglican,17 Jul 1731 Anna Lambton, of Hardwick, wife of Frevile Lambton (armigeri [knight])
  25. "Durham Records Online: Search Census and Church Records". durhamrecordsonline.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020. «Baptisms, Stockton District, Record Number: 1512883.0, Location: Sedgefield Church: St. Edmund the Bishop, Denomination: Anglican, 14 Jan 1662 Frevile Lambton, born 8 Jan 1662, son of Thomas Lambton (Esquire), born at Hardwick» – At this time, New Years Day in the civil/secular calendar fell on 25 March rather than 1 January. The English continued to mark the beginning of the year as 25 March until 1752. These transcribers already correct for this, however, so while the parish records would say 8th and 14th of January 1661 the transcription has corrected it 1662: «All of the parish records on this site use today's dating system» – https://www.durhamrecordsonline.com/Parish_Record_Transcription_Samples.php
  26. "Durham Records Online: Search Census and Church Records". durhamrecordsonline.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020. Burials, Stockton District, Record Number: 1733067.2, Location: Sedgefield, Church: St. Edmund the Bishop, Denomination: Anglican, 28 Aug 1731 Frevile Lambton, of Hardwick, armiger [knight]
  27. Mackenzie, Eneas; Ross, Marvin (1834). An Historical, Topographical, and Descriptive View of the County Palatine of Durham: Comprehending the Various Subjects of Natural, Civil, and Ecclesiastical Geography, Agriculture, Mines, Manufactures, Navigation, Trade, Commerce, Buildings, Antiquities, Curiosities, Public Institutions, Charities, Population, Customs, Biography, Local History, &c. Mackenzie and Dent.
  28. "Durham Records Online: Search Census and Church Records". durhamrecordsonline.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020. «Marriage Bonds, Durham Diocese, Record Number: 363194.14, Denomination: Anglican, 29 Jan 1695 Frev(?) Lambton (gentleman, of Hardwick) obtained a licence to marry Ann Wright, his 3rd wife, Surety: Thomas Shadforth, clerk, of Sedgefield» – At this time, New Years Day in the civil/secular calendar fell on 25 March rather than 1 January. The English continued to mark the beginning of the year as 25 March until 1752. These transcribers already correct for this, however, so while the original records would say 29th of January 1694 the transcription has corrected it to 1695: «All of the parish records on this site use today's dating system» – https://www.durhamrecordsonline.com/Parish_Record_Transcription_Samples.php
  29. "Description: Lambton v Lambton. Document type: Two bills and answer. Plaintiffs: John Lambton, Charles Lambton, George Lambton and Richard Lambton (sons of Freville Lambton, esq deceased late of Hardwick, Durham and Anne Lambton his third wife also deceased). Defendants: Thomas Lambton and Thomas Davison. Date of bill (or first document): 1738. Held by: The National Archives, Kew".
  30. "Parish of Sedgefield | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  31. "Parish of Sedgefield | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  32. Will of Elizabeth Rugge, Widow of Inner Temple, City of London. 19 November 1753. In the name of God Amen I Eliza: Rugge Widow of John Rugge late of the Inner Temple Temple Court being of sound mind and memory considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time when do make this my last Will ffirst I commit my immortal Soul into the hands of my most Merciful Creator and my Body to the Earth in hopes of a joyful Resurrection through the Merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ I desire to be buried in the Church Yard of the Parish where I dye except I dye in or near London and then I would be buried in the Temple Church Yard in or near my dear husbands Grave I would be buried in as mean a coffin and Shroud as with decency can be had as to the Worldly Goods God has intrusted me with I dispose of them as follows To the Rev.d Mr James Linfield I give ten Pounds and to the Rev.d M.r Clark five Pounds to Mrs Martha Harvey[?] two Guineas and a Ring I have set with an amathest [amethyst] to M.r Morton and his Wife each of them a Guinea for a Ring to my faithful Servant Ann Rainsford thirty Pounds and all the things mentioned in a Paper fixt to my Will and wrote at the same time with my own hand signed with my Name and whatever else thats wanting to ffurnish her a Room to live in which I may have forgot this if she lives with me at my death, not if she's gone from me I give to those that want it of the same Communion I am of three Guineas and desire Mr. James Linfield may have the disposal of it I hereby appoint my dear Son my Sole Executor and desire him to see my just debts and Legacies paid and what remains I give to him and I do hereby revoke all other Wills by me made at any time and declare this to be my last Will and Testament Witness my hand and Seal the third day of November in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and forty nine – Eliza Rugge ——— Signed Sealed Published and declared to be my last will in the presence of Charlotte Guidott Martha Wye ./. for Ann Rainsford The Bed Boulster and Pillow with the rest of the Bedding where she lyes the Curtains and Bedstead where I lye a pair of good Sheets such as I lye in a pair of Pillowbeers [pillowcases] six Towels six Napkins two Table Cloaths one Eating Table one Tea Table one Dutch Table 6 Chairs a Tea Pott a Tea Tray 6 China Tea Cups and Saucers 3 or 4 Tea Spoons a Sugar Dish a Tea Kettle Milk Pott brass Pottage Pott a large Sauce Pan a small sauce Pan Coffee Pott frying Pan Gridiron fire Grate Shovil [shovel] and Tongs Poker Tinder Box ffonder a pair of brass Candlesticks Snuffers Cooking Glass Box Iron [a hollow flatiron that is heated by inserting a hot iron core] and Heaters rest all the Earthen Ware except China a Book of Devotions by way of Offices Publick by Dean Hick [Devotions in the Ancient Way of Offices: With Psalms, Hymns, and Prayers, for Every Day in the Week, and Every Holy Day in the Year, with a preface by the well-known Dr. George Hickes, Dean of Worcester, afterwards titular] Stanhopes St. Austin [Dr. Stanhope's St. Austin's Meditations – The full title being: Pious Breathings. Being the Meditations of St. Augustine, his Treatise of the Love of God, Soliloquies, and Manual. To which are added select contemplatins from St. Anselm & St. Bernard. Made English by George Stanhope – George Stanhope (1660-1728) was Dean of Canterbury and a Royal Chaplain] Nelsons ffeasts and ffasts [Robert Nelson's A Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England (1704)] Meditations on the Creation and on the life of Christ published by Mr Spinks a large Silver Spoon eight strong good Shifts 6 good aprons as many Neckhandkerchiefs 6 good Suits of Mobbs and all my Common Wearing Linnen and all my Cloaths except my black Sack [also spelled sacque or saque – The sack dress or sack-back gown or Robe à la Française was a women's fashion of the 18th century] my light grey Lutestring [lutestring or lustring – fabric, a fine glossy silk] and my Stitched under Pettycoats all these I give to my Maid Ann Rainsford as I mention in my Will and I desire she may have them Eliza: Rugge ./.] This Will was proved at London [...] before the Worshipful [...] of the Pregorative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of William Rugge Esquire the only Son of the deceased and sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased [...]
  33. Henry George Woods, London (1905). Register of Burials at the Temple Church, 1628-1853. University of Michigan. H. Sotheran.
  34. Will of John Rugge, Gentleman of Inner Temple, City of London – The National Archives. 1 February 1721. In the name of God Amen I John Rugge of the Inner Temple London Gentleman being Sick in body but of a Sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this very last Will and Testament in Writing and I do hereby give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my wife all my Messuages lands Tenements and hereditaments and all others my leasehold Messuages lands tenements whatsoever which are situate lying and being in the respective Counties of Huntington and Bedford & she[?] where to have and to hold unto my said Wife her heires ^and^ Executors and Administrators and Assignes and I also give unto my said Wife all other my Goods and Chattels Study[?] of Books and all other my personall Estate and I do hereby appoint my said Wife to be Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament Signed and Sealed published and declared this ^twenty^ third day of November in the year of our Lord God Seventeen hundred and twenty by the said John Rugge that this is his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have Subscribed our names as Witness thereunto in the presence of the said John Rugge – John Rugge Sealed and delivered published and declared to be the last Will and Testament of the said John Rugge in the presence of us Ann Ball Edward Lambton ffrances ffoulk[?] Probatum [...] Elizabeth Rugg [...]
  35. The Gentleman's Magazine (London, England). F. Jefferies. 1829. the gentleman who supplied the pedigree, William Rugge, himself a fellow of All Souls. [...] Mr. Rugge could not claim founder's-kin through her, as he was descended through her husband's sister Susan Wren, who married Sir Robert Wright, and whose grandson he was.
  36. Marriage Settlement. This record is held by Huntingdonshire Archives. Reference: 1832/24. Title: Marriage Settlement. Description: 1. John Rugg, Stirtloe,Buckden,gent. & Elizabeth, wf. 2. Robert Wright,Sedgfeild,Bishoprick of Durham Esq.& Rev.John Skelton, Archdeacon of Bedford. Marriage of 1. to Eliz.sister of Robert Wright & portion 1 to 2. 1½a woodground in Stirtloe having South field to East & other lands of John Rugg to north, formerly of Israel Raynolds,lately purchased by 1. of Dickmans. In trust. Date: 30 Jul/1 Aug. 1692 – The National Archives. 30 July – 1 August 1692.
  37. Lease & Release. Description: 1. John Dickman, St.Martins,London & Jonathan Dickman, Stirtloe, Bugden, Hunts. gent. 2. John Rugg, Bugden, gent. £60. 1a. woodground in Stirtloe adjoining messuage of Jonathan in Stirtloe. Date: 1/2 Oct. 1684 Held by: Huntingdonshire Archives, not available at The National Archives. 2 October 1684.
  38. Marriage Settlement. This record is held by Huntingdonshire Archives. Reference: 1832/24. Title: Marriage Settlement. Description: 1. John Rugg, Stirtloe,Buckden,gent. & Elizabeth, wf. 2. Robert Wright,Sedgfeild,Bishoprick of Durham Esq.& Rev.John Skelton, Archdeacon of Bedford. Marriage of 1. to Eliz.sister of Robert Wright & portion 1 to 2. 1½a woodground in Stirtloe having South field to East & other lands of John Rugg to north, formerly of Israel Raynolds,lately purchased by 1. of Dickmans. In trust. Date: 30 Jul/1 Aug. 1692 – The National Archives. 30 July – 1 August 1692.
  39. Henry George Woods, London (1905). Register of Burials at the Temple Church, 1628-1853. University of Michigan. H. Sotheran.
  40. Will of John Ball of Sedgefield, Durham – The National Archives. 17 January 1733. I John Ball of Sedgefeild being weak in body but of perfect memory praised be Almighty God for the same calling to mind the uncertaine state of this transitory life and I being desireous to settle things in sound order before I dye and be called home do make and ordaine this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following ffirst and principally I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God by whose mercy and the merits of my Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ I hope for pardon and remission of all my Sinns and Everlasting life thro' faith in his blood and by body in hopes of a Joyfull Resurrection I committ to the Earth from whence it came to be buryed according to discretion left under my hand and as to my Estate real and personall wherewith it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me I dispose thereof in manner following ffirst I will that my debts legacies and ffunerall charges be paid and discharged by my Trustee hereinafter mentioned Item I give and bequeath unto my sonn John Ball the sume of Thirty pounds in order to pay some of his debts and I will that my Trustee herein after named pay and discharge his said debts so farr as the said Thirty pounds will extend and in case my said Son John Ball be nott Thirty pounds in debt I will that my said Trustee pay the remainder unto my said Son John Ball after his just debts be all paid and discharged Item and whereas there is now oweing to me by Robert Wright Esq.r upon a Mortgage of the Rectory of Norton and certain lands and Tenements in the Bishoprich of Durham one Thousand one hundred and ffifty pounds which saide sume doctor Hulse is now treating with me to pay the same which when paid into the hands of my Trustee I give and bequeath unto my son George Ball the sume of ffive hundred pounds part of the aforesaid sume to be putt out to interest by my said Trustee for his use during his naturall life and after his decease to be equally divi[?] divided by my Trustee amongst his Children Butt in case he dye without issue then to his nextheirs att law Item I give and bequeath unto my son ffrancis Ball the sume of ffive hundred pounds part of the aforesaid money which when received by my Trustee he my Trustee shall putt out the said ffive hundred pounds to interest for the use of my said son ffrancis Ball dureing his naturall life and after his demise to be equally divided amongst his Children Butt in Case he dye without issue then to his nextheirs attlaw all the rest of my personall Estate after my debts legacies and ffunerall expences be discharged I will that the same be equally divided by my Trustee amongst my sons John George and ffrancis Ball Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson George Ball his heires and assignes forever all those lands with the appurtenances thereunto belonging which I purchased of M.es Anna Maria Watts Martin and Alice [...] his wife situate and being in Hertfordshire And alsoe all my rents issueing out of or charged upon Severall Messuages and Tenements in South [...] and the revertion of the remainder of the rents at her the demise of Mes Margarett Willimot to be putt out for his use by my said Trustee till he attaine to the age of Twenty one yeares but in case he dyed without issue or before he attaines to the age of Twenty one yeares then I give and bequeath the said lands tenements and rents as aforesaid unto my Grandaughter Anna Maria Ball and in case she dyed without issue or before she attains to the age of Twenty one yearse then I give and bequeath the same unto my son George Ball his heires and assignes forever Item I give and bequeath unto my Sister in law M.es Elizabeth Rugge the Cedar Chest in her lodgings with Glass Doors the Pendulum Clock and tenn pounds in money in contideration for her care and trouble in receiving and paying my rents I give and bequeath to unto the Reverend John Gamage Rector of Sedgefeild ffoure brass Locks and one brass latch Item I give and bequeath unto Charles Monson Esq.r of Grays Inn County Court London the sume of ffourty pounds for his care and pains desireing him according to the Trust reposed hereby in him fully to execute this my Will in every particuler thereof and I do hereby appoint him the said Monson Sole Trustee of this my last Will and Testament being contained in one sheete of paper hereby revokeing all former wills by me heretofore [...] contained in the presence of [...] [The following is written in the margins of the will. Later addendum?] On the twelfth day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy four Administration [...] with the Will annexed of the Goods Chattels and Credits of John Ball late of the Parish of Sedgefield in the County of Durham Esquire deceased left unadministered by Charles Monson Esquire since also departed whilst living the sole Executor in Trust named in the said Will [...] Title and Interest of him the said deceased in and to all that the Rectory and Church of Norton in the County [...] of Durham [...] with the Rights [...] and Appurtenances the and all that Portion of Tythe [...] with all Manner of other Tythes and Profits whatsoever late belonging to Robert[?] Wright Esquire deceased situate [...] within the said Parish of Norton and all other the Messuages Lands [...] Tenements[?] Tythes and Hereditaments whatsoever late belonging sier[?] to the said Robert Wright deceased or whereof or wherein he had any Estate in Possession Reversion Remainder or Expectancy situate in the said Parish of [...] the twenty eight [...] in the year of Our Lord [...] the said Robert Wright of Sedgefield aforesaid Esquire of the one part and the said John Ball deceased by the name and addition of John Ball of Hampton Court n:y the County of Middlesex Esquire of the other part and the Residue and Remainder of the Term of one thousand years thereof granted and now to [..] therein and all benefit and advantage to be had received and taken [...] further or otherwise or in any other manner whatsoever was granted to George [...] of Symonde [...] the County of Middlesex Gentleman [...] by and on the part and behalf of [...] Thomas Warton of Old Parish [?] in the County of Durham Doctor of Physich and Robert Wharton of Pembroke Hall in the University of Cambridge Esquire [...] having been [...] duly Administered[?]
  41. Lease, Release & Fine. Description: 1. Wm. Rugge, Hartford,Hunts.Esq.s.& h. of John Late of Stirtloe & wf.Eliz. both dec. 2. George Cornelius Swan, Stirtloe,Esq. £45. 1½a woodground in Stirtloe abutting East on Southfield, South on Town Farm, West on the streetway and North on messuage & grounds of George Cornelius Swan; formerly estate of Israel Reynolds who sold it to Dickmans who sold it to John Rugge father of 1. Date: 3/4 Oct. 1755 Held by: Huntingdonshire Archives, not available at The National Archives. 4 October 1755.
  42. Catalogue description: Rugge v Cotton. Document type: bill and answer. Plaintiffs: William Rugge gent of St George Hanover Square, Middlesex and Sarah Rugge his wife (only daughter, heir and sole executrix of Mary Cotton deceased late wife of Charles Cotton mercer late of London; said Mary Cotton was also widow and executrix of William Cannell deceased and executrix of her mother Sarah Palmer deceased). Defendants: Charles Cotton and Thomas Davies.Date of bill (or first document): 1739. Date of last document: 1740. 1738.
  43. "Record Transcription: Westminster Baptisms". www.findmypast.co.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  44. Brayley, Edward Wedlake (1841). A Topographical History of Surrey: by E. W. Brayley ... assisted by John Britton ... and E. W. Brayley, jun. ... The geological section by Gideon Mantell. (The illustrative department under the superintendence of Thomas Allom.) [With plates.]. R. B. Ede. The Rev. WILLIAM RUGGE, A.M., rector of this parish, died November 2nd, 1786, aged 46 years.
  45. The Lady's Magazine Or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex: Appropriated Solely to Their Use and Amusement. Baldwin, Cradock & Joy. 1777. Jan. [...] 17. The Rev. William Rugge, rector of Buckland, in Surry, to Miss French, daughter of John French, Esq; of Percy-Street.
  46. The New Monthly. H. Colburn. 1823. Mrs. Rugge, relict of the late Rev. Wm. Rugge.
  47. Will of Reverend Charles Rugge, Clerk of Storrington, Sussex – The National Archives. 8 June 1773.
  48. "Visitation of England and Wales - Forgotten Books" (PDF). Mary Rugge, youngest dau. and coheir of William Rugge of Stertloe House, in Buckden, co. Huntingtdon (Oil Painting in the possession of Sir Charles Rugge-Price, baronet); marr. 16 December 1773; died at Spring Grove, aged 86, 22 February 1838, bur. at Richmond. Oil Painting, by John Scarlett Davies, in the possession of Sir Charles Rugge-Price, baronet, another in the possession of Mrs. W. T. Law of Ripley.
  49. "Visitation of England and Wales : Howard, Joseph Jackson, 1827-1902 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  50. "Visitation of England and Wales : Howard, Joseph Jackson, 1827-1902 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  51. "Surrey Coats of Arms" (PDF). Sir Arthur, the 5th baronet, assumed the name of Rugge-Price, Mar 7, 1874, Sir Charles, his ancestor, the 1st baronet, having married, in 1773, Mary, daughter and, at length, co-heir of William Rugge of Conduit St, Hanover Square, and the family now quarter the arms of Rugge and use the Rugge crest in addition to their own. (Peerage, 1938) * Arms of Rugge: Sable on a chevron invected Argent between three mullets Or pierced of the first an unicorn head erased, also of the first. Crest: A talbot passant Argent gorged with a collar and pendant therefrom an escutcheon Sable charged with an ibex head Proper. * The present holder of the title is Sir Charles Keith Napier Rugge-Price, 9th Bart., of Chambly, PQ, Canada, (b.1936). [...] RUGGE of Buckland. Arms: Gules a chevron engrailed between three mullets pierced Argent. From the monument in Buckland Church to the Rev. William Rugge, (d.Nov 2, 1786), Rector of Buckland.
  52. Debrett, John (1815). Debrett's Baronetage of England: Containing Their Descent and Present State, Their Collateral Branches, Births, Marriages, and Issue, from the Institution of the Order in 1611... F. C. and J. Rivington.
  53. The Illustrated London News. Illustrated London News & Sketch Limited. 1866.
  54. Wilkes, John (1811). Encyclopaedia Londinensis.
  55. Collins, Arthur (1806). The Baronetage of England: Containing a New Genealogical History of the Existing English Baronets with Their Armorial Hearings Corrected Engraved. John stockdale.
  56. Will of Ann Rugge, Wife of Saint George Hanover Square, Middlesex – The National Archives. 10 March 1769.
  57. "Parishes: East and West Molesey | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2020. Mary (fn. 57) daughter and sole heiress of James Clarke conveyed the estate by marriage to Sir James Clarke, kt., of a different family from her own, by whom she had a son, James Clarke, who died in 1758. He married Ann, only daughter of Christopher Clarke, and Lydia Henrietta, their only daughter and heiress, became the wife of the Reverend Sir George Molesworth. In 1765 'the manor of Molesey Matham or East Molesey' with the rectory of East Molesey appears to have been held by Joseph Clarke and Frances his wife. (fn. 58) In 1816 Beaumont Lord Hotham held a moiety of the manor. (fn. 59) The other moiety belonged in 1809 to Sir Thomas Sutton, bart., by whose father it had been purchased. (fn. 60) Lucy co-heiress of Sir Thomas Sutton married General Sir G. H. F. Berkeley. Captain Hotham and the Earl of Berkeley are now lords of the manor.
  58. 1763 N° 25 William Rugge Esq.r of the Parish of St. George Hanover Square in the County of Middlesex Wid.r and Madam Ann Sheppard of this Parish Widow were Married in this Church by Licence this first Day of Sept.r in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty three by me Jo: Backhouse Curate. This Marriage was solemnized between Us Wm Rugge . : Anne : Sheppard ./ In the Presence of John Tyrell Susanna Shepherd at Blisworth, Northamptonshire, England
  59. "Parish of Sedgefield | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2020. On an altar-tomb: Here lies interred the body of Mrs. Alice Ball, who departed this life Nov. 17th 1724, aged 52 years. Near lies interred the body of John Ball, Esq. husband of the said Alice, who departed this life the 5th day of January 1732. Arms: A chevron inter three fleurs de lis, on a chief three lozenges.
  60. Buckler, Benjamin (1765). Stemmata Chicheleana; or, A genealogical account of some of the families derived from Thomas Chichele, of Higham-Ferrers in the county of Northampton; all of whose descendants are held to be entitled to fellowships in All Souls College, Oxford by virtue of their consanguinity to Archbishop Chichele, the founder. Robarts - University of Toronto. Oxford Clarendon Press.
  61. 1706 [...] Apr. 8. John Ball of Hampton-Court in ye County of Middlesex & Alice Wright of ye Parish of St Michael Pater noster were Married on ye 8th of April.1706.by Mr Wood. By License Ball & Wright at St. Stephen Walbrok, City of London
  62. Marriage settlement. Description: John Ball to Frances Watts. Lands at Brimpton and Odcombe co. Somerset. Date: 1701. Held by: Lincolnshire Archives, not available at The National Archives. 1701.
  63. Small deed box I. Description: Nos. 275-89. Title deeds, family of Watts and Ball (John Ball married Frances Watts), land in Ware, Little Amwell, Standon, co. Hertford, St. Andrew's Holborn. N.B. that Sir William Wren occurs as executor of Edward Watts and Charles Monson as assignee in 1735 of a mortgage of the Holborn houses. Date: 1616-1735. Held by: Lincolnshire Archives, not available at The National Archives. 1616–1735.
  64. "Edward Watts (bef.1637-bef.1688) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree". www.wikitree.com. Retrieved 1 September 2020. Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will of Edward Watts written 12 April 1687 in Tewin, Hertfordshire, probated Jan. 1688. In his will Edward mentions his daughters Anna Maria, Frances and Dorothy, Mrs. Frances Briggs, good brother Sir Wm Wren Knight, good brother Mr. George Watts, sister Mrs. Elizabeth Watts, sisters Mrs. Mary Ball, Mrs. Mary ?brenne, Mrs. Dorothy ?bren, sister Mrs. Dorothy Watts, Mr. Thomas Watts son of brother Mr. George Watts, brother Mr. William ?bronn and George Watts executors, Witnesses John Hall, Dorothy Laraner, William Kirby
  65. "Will of Dame Anne Wright of St. Andrew Holborn in Middlesex. Probate Date: 6 May 1713". www.ancestry.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2020. In the name of God Amen I dame Anne Wright of the Parish of St Andrews Holbourne In the County of Midd[lese]x widow make this my last will & Testament ffirst I Give & bequeath to my Son William Wright now in the Kingdom of Ireland one broad peice of gold of the value of twenty three Shillings & Sixpence Also I Give & bequeath to my Grandson Robert Wright Son of the said William Wright now at Schole at Moulton in Lincolnshire whatsoever is now or at the time of my death shall be found in my biggest Leather Trunk which s.d trunk my will is shall be delivered into the hands and possession of M.rs Elizabeth Rugg the wife of Mr Wm Rugg of Miter Court in the Temple to be by her carefully kept for the use aforesaid Also I give unto the Hon.ble Charles Hatton & his Lady to M.r W.m Gylby of Grays Inn to doct.r Robert Gray to the wife of my s.d Son W.m Wright and to Mr Edward[? or Edmund or Edmond] Burmis[?] each of them a gold Ring of ten Shillings value What money shall be found remaining in the hands of the sd M.r W.m Gylby after my debts funerall Charges and Legacies thereout paid I give the Sume to the s.d Mr W.m Gylby in Trust for my s.d Grandson Robert Wright Also all my wearing Apparel both wollen Linnen or otherwaies of Whatsoever Sort or Sorts the Same are together wth my feather bed and Pillowes as also my Scrutoe [scrutore, a writing desk or cabinet, from French escritoire] & Chest of drawers & all other matter not herein before by me bequeathed the Same I give & bequeath to my Servant Anne Boyn for her great care to me in my Sickness by her freely to be possessed and enjoyed whom I also make my only and Sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Six and twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord 1713 Signed Sealed & published by the s.d dame Anne Wright as her last will & Testament in the presence of the record thereout being first undersigned C: Hatton W:Holmes [Next to the seal:] Ann Wright
  66. Will of Dame Ann Scroggs of Saint James's Westminster, Middlesex – The National Archives. 30 October 1689. In the name of God Amen the fifth day of July Anno D[omi]ni one thousand six hundred eighty nine [...] to my Loveing sonn S.r William Scroggs [...] to my Loveing daughter the Lady Wright twenty pounds [...] my [...] Grandchildren William Wright William Gylby Robert Gylby and Thomas Gylby [...] to my Loveing daughter M.rs Elizabeth Hatton
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Wright, Robert (d.1689)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

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