The earliest mention of a Webley in Eastnor is a mention of Thomas
Webbeley and his mother Joan:
An earlier will is recorded for Thomas Webbeley of Eastnor in 1481.
The will was probated 3 April 1481, and mentioned his mother
Joan.
"Thomas Webbeley of Eastnor, 1481 At a court held in Ledbury on 3 April 1481 the will of Thomas
Webbeley of ‘Estenor’ was proved. Executor: Joan
his mother" Notes taken from: Calendar of Probate and Administration Acts
1407-1541 and Abstracts of Wills 1541-1581 in the Court Books of
the Bishop of Hereford, edited by M.A. Faraday and E.J.L. Coles
with introduction and index compiled by M.A. Faraday, British
Record Society, London, 1989, p. 79 Reference: 80/123 f112v Robert Webley was born about 1500, and left a will naming
three sons - William, John, and Thomas, and a
daughter, Alice.
A muster list of men of an age to provide defense of the town was
held in 1539, and listed John, William and Robert Webley. John,
William and Robert are also listed in the 1542 muster list.
Muster for Eastnor, 1539 (The Herefordshire Musters of 1539 and 1542 by MA Faraday)
Note that Robert owned more weaponry than William or John, with a
gleive (lance), sword and dagger. William owned no weaponry at that
point. John had a bow and sheaf of 24 arrows.
Robert died in 1549, leaving a will written 18 July 1549. His will
is mentioned in the Victoria County History for Eastnor: "In
1549, Robert Webley made a clearly Protestant expression of faith,
his 'soul to Almighty God the father of heaven, trusting through
his great mercy and by the merits of the passion and blood
shedding of his only son my saviour and redeemer Jesus Christ to
have remission and forgiveness of all my sins' and made no
bequests overtly for the benefit of his soul, although he did
leave 12d to the 'poor men's box'."
(https://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/explore/items/eastnor-probate-material-1541-1560) Robert Webley of Eastnor, 1549 In the name of God Amen the 18th day of July in the year of
Our Lord God 1549 And in the 3rd year of the reign of our
sovereign lord Edward VI by the grace of God king of England,
France and Ireland defender of the faith, and in earth of the
Church of England and Ireland supreme head, I Robert
Webley of Eastnor in the diocese of Hereford sick in
my body and, lauded be God, of good and whole mind and perfect
remembrance make my testament and last will in form following:
First and above all things I commend my soul to Almighty God the
father of heaven, trusting through his great mercy and by the
merits of the passion and blood shedding of his only son my
saviour and redeemer Jesus Christ to have remission and
forgiveness of all my sins; my body to be buried where shall it
please God to call for me, by the discretion of mine executors.
And as touching my worldly goods, I give and bequeath to the poor
men’s box of Eastnor 12d. Also I give to Alice, the
daughter of William Webley, a cow. Item I give to John,
the son of the said William, one heifer. Item I give
to Robert Webley, the son of Thomas Webley my son,
one heifer. Item I give to Thomas Coke, my servant, one heifer in
consideration of his service. The rest of all my goods and cattle
not given nor bequeathed, my debts and funerals chiefly paid and
discharged, I give to William, John and Thomas, my
three sons, and to Alice, my daughter, between them
to be equally distributed, whom I make and constitute my
executors. These persons being witnesses: Thomas Clinton esquire,
Thomas Caroe, yeoman, Thomas Hyde, with others more.
Robert and his wife had the following children:
1. William, born in about 1520; married Mabel; mentioned in
father's will of 1549; had children John, Alice, Anne, William,
Margery, Walter, Thomas, and Robert. William is mentioned in a
history of Eastnor: "The bishop of Hereford held courts for his
manors at Hereford and at Ledbury, and the free tenants in Eastnor
owed suit to (that is were obliged to attend) both
courts...Proceedings in 1555 included two cases of fighting or
‘affray’, a complaint of an unscoured ditch between the rector’s
land and that of William Weobley, and a report of two
unclaimed stray sheep". The Victoria History of Herefordshire:
Eastnor, by Janet Cooper) The same history records: "The
small modern village between the church and the castle, earlier
called Church End, was not recorded until 1578 when William
Weobley held a ‘built messuage’ there." (The
Victoria History of Herefordshire: Eastnor, by Janet Cooper)
William Webley is mentioned in the will of William Clifton of
Eastnor, shoemaker in 1565, as owing his a debt of 21 1/2 d. In
1572, William is mentioned in the will of Robert Aston of Eastnor: "Imprimis
William Webley and his wife oweth me 24s. 4d", but Robert owed
William 6 shillings.
William is mentioned in a history of Eastnor: "The bishop of
Hereford held courts for his manors at Hereford and at Ledbury, and
the free tenants in Eastnor owed suit to (that is were obliged to
attend) both courts...Proceedings in 1555 included two cases of
fighting or ‘affray’, a complaint of an unscoured ditch between the
rector’s land and that of William Weobley, and a report of
two unclaimed stray sheep". The Victoria History of
Herefordshire: Eastnor, by Janet Cooper) The same
history records: "The small modern village between the church and
the castle, earlier called Church End, was not recorded until 1578
when William Weobley held a ‘built messuage’ there."
(The Victoria History of Herefordshire: Eastnor, by Janet Cooper)
William Webley is mentioned in the will of William Clifton of
Eastnor, shoemaker in 1565, as owing his a debt of 21 1/2 d. In
1572, William is mentioned in the will of Robert Aston of Eastnor: "Imprimis
William Webley and his wife oweth me 24s. 4d", but Robert owed
William 6 shillings.
William and Mabel had the following children:
*1. John, born in about 1545; mentioned in grandfather's
will of 1549; married Margery, left a will proven 1592.
2. Alice, mentioned in grandfather's will of 1549.
3. Anne, mentioned in brother John's will of 1592.
4. William, mentioned in brother John's will of 1592;
married Joane.
5. Margery, christened 21 June 1562 in Eastnor; mentioned
in brother John's will of 1592.
6. Walter, christened 18 June 1564 in Eastnor; mentioned
in brother John's will of 1592.
7.Thomas, christened 30 March 1565 in Eastnor; mentioned in
brother John's will of 1592; married Elizabeth.
8. Robert, mentioned in brother John's will of 1592;
married Elizabeth.
SOURCE: Will of John Webley of Eastnor, 1592, 1592
Ref: Herefs. RO 44/1/55, on www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk,
transcribed by VCH volunteers; will of Robert
Webley of Eastnor, 1549,Ref: Heref. RO 44/2/10,
on www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk, transcribed by VCH
volunteers; The Victoria History of
Herefordshire: Eastnor, by Janet Cooper. .
*2. John, mentioned in father's will of 1549; left a will
dated 1579, mentioning son Thomas, son John, and wife Alice. Alice
was buried 13 February 1603 in Eastnor.
3. Thomas, mentioned in father's will of 1549; buried 8
November 1564 in Eastnor; left a will dated 1564, mentioning son
William, son Robert, daughter Alice, daughter Elizabeth, and
possibly daughter Joan.
In Dei nomini [In the name of God] Amen, the 4th day of November
in the 6th year of the reign of our sovereign lady Elizabeth, by
the grace of God queen of England, France and Ireland, defender of
the faith etc., I Thomas Webley of Eastnor
in the county of Hereford, husbandman, being sick in body but of
good and perfect remembrance, praise be given to God the father
through Jesus Christ his son our redeemer and lord, make my last
will and testament in manner and form following, viz. First I
bequeath my soul to Almighty God my maker and my body to be buried
in the parish church yard of Eastnor. Item I give and bequeath to
my elder son William three sheep. Item I give
and bequeath to my younger son Robert one
cow and four sheep. Item I give and bequeath to my
daughter Alice one ewe and one lamb. Item I give and
bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth one ewe.
Item I give and bequeath Joan one lamb.
Also my will is that my wife do give among
my said daughters one cow, when she shall see time. All my other
goods, my debts and legacies and the funerals discharged, I give
and bequeath them to my wife, whom I make my
sole executrix. In the presence of [illegible] Webley
and John Webley of Eastnor. (Will of Thomas
Webley of Eastnor, 1564, Ref: herefs.RO 44/2/26 1564 on
www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk, transcribed by VCH volunteers).
4. Alice, mentioned in father's will of 1549.
SOURCE: Will of Robert Webley of Eastnor, 1549,Ref:
Heref. RO 44/2/10, on www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk, transcribed
by VCH volunteers.
Both William and John Webley had sons named John, and John continued
to be a popular name for many generations. Identifying and
separating them can be challenging. The descendant's of Robert's son
John Webley can be seen on Webley
Ancestors.
William's son John is likely the John Webley who married Margery
Danforde, and there are strong connections to the Danford family
that continue through the generations. In addition to these Danford
connections, John seems to have a little more financial resources.
John married Margery Danforde 22 November 1579 in Eastnor.
John was a yeoman farmer. Margery was likely the daughter of Thomas
Danforde, the only Danforde listed on the Eastnor muster roles.
These are likely references to William's son John Webley:
John is also mentioned in the will of William Danford of
Ledbury, yeoman in 1638: "And I do nominate and appoint my
nephews John Webley and Thomas Danford overseers of this my
last will and tetament". John also was a witness to the
will. (Will of William Danford of Ledbury, yeoman, 1638)
John is also mentioned in the will of Thomas Danford of
Eastnor in 1652: "Alsoe I gyve unto my loving cozen Mr John
Webley of Ledbury ffyve poundes my best doublet and hafe my
rydinge hoode and one of my best shirts and as many of my
bookes as hee shall make choyse of my best cloake my best
payre of bootes my best payre of stockings my best band and
handruffes tow handkerchers my taffeta capp my best hatt and
best girdle. And I gyve and bequeath to my said couzen Webley
his wife eleven shillings in gold.” Thomas appointed John
as the overseer for the will: “And I doe heerby appoint and
desire my said cousin John Webley to bee overseer of this my
last will and testament” John is also listed as one of the
witnesses for the will: “Signed Sealed and Published in the
presence of John Webley John South Richard Bramley Tho Godry
his mark”
John signed in the Eastnor parish register as a witness in
1640.
John was named in a lease in 1608: "Lease, Thomas Lawrence
of Ledbury to John Webley of Eastnor. Messuage called Nelmes
for £200 p.a." on 24 December 1608. (Herefordshire
Archive and Records Centre, A81/II/86)
John was appointed an overseer for the will of William
Saintbarbe, the prebendary of Hereford and parson of Eastnor
in 1618/19: "And I do constitute and appoint Mr. John
Webley and William Danford overseers of this my last will
and testament." John's wife is also mentioned in the will:
"To Mistress Webley, three of my best cushions, four joined
stools and a Bible with gilded leaves." (Will
of William Saintbarbe of Eastnor, 1618/19)
John was also a witness for the will of Richard
Cocks of Castleditch, Esq. in 1623. John is also mentioned in
probate documents in 1623 by Richard Hall of Ledbury: "I
have received into my hands the sum of two hundred pounds
which was settled in the hands of John Webley gent, for the
paymt of one annuitye or yearly rent-charge of twenty pound
unto Ursula Baggelshawe my mother-in-lawe". (A
Genealogical Account of the Mayo and Elton Families of the
Counties of Wilts and Hereford by Charles Herbert Mayo)
John died in 1592, leaving a will written 3 July
1592:
John Webley of Eastnor, yeoman, 1592 In the name of God Amen the 3rd day of July in the year of
our Lord God 1592, I John Webley of Eastnor
in the county of Hereford, yeoman, being sick in body but of whole
mind and perfect remembrance, laud and praise be given to Almighty
God, do make this my last will and testament in [manner] and form
as hereafter followeth. First and above all things I commend my
soul to Almighty God my [saviour] and redeemer, and my body to be
buried in the churchyard of Eastnor aforesaid in the said county
of Hereford. [And] as for my worldly goods, my debts being paid
and my funeral expenses discharged, I give and bequeath [as]
followeth. First I bequeath to John Danford that I owe him, £3
10s. 6d. Item I bequeath to Robert Danford that [I owe] to him,
35s. 8d. Item I bequeath to Alice Perle, that I owe her, 12s. 4d.
Item I bequeath to my sister Anne Webley 8s.
Item I bequeath to my brother William Webley,
that I owe him, 15s. 8d. Item I bequeath to [Thomas?]
Webley my brother, that I owe him, 4s. Item I
bequeath to William Baldwin, that I owe him ,4s. Item I bequeath
to Thomas Danford 2s. that I owe him. Item I bequeath to my
brother Walter Webley, that I owe him, 12d. Also I
give and bequeath to Margery Webley my wife
all my quick cattle, as oxen, kine, ‘capull’ [horses], sheep,
swine and all other my beasts and cattle. Also I will that Margery
my wife shall give and deliver to William
Webley my brother and Walter Webley my
brother and Margery Webley my sister
3 heifers of a year old or upwards, that is to say, to every of
the said William, Walter and Margery one
heifer a piece to be delivered to them within one year after my
decease Also I give and bequeath to Simon Bowle a two-year old
sheep, to be delivered to him to be delivered[sic] within one year
after my decease. Item I give and bequeath to Margery
my wife all my treen ware, as pipes, hogsheads,
stands and pails, except 2 pipes for cider which I give and
bequeath to John my son. Item I give and
bequeath to Mabel Webley my mother a bushel
of maslin or muncorn. Item I give and bequeath to Robert
Webley my brother a bushell of maslin or muncorn.
Item I give and bequeath to Thomas, the son of Robert Danford, a
black cow and 12d. in money. Item I give and bequeath to all and
every one of my godchildren 12d. a piece. Item I give and bequeath
to William Webley my brother a bushel of
wheat. Item I give and bequeath to John Webley my son
my tagged heifer, being a year old. Item I give and bequeath to John
my son my chest and a coffer which were mine before
my marriage. Also I give and bequeath to John Webley my
said son my great pot, my sword and my hanger. Item I
give and bequeath to Margery my wife all my
wains, ploughs, yoke ‘towes’ and other tack and my implements of
husbandry, to occupy the same to her use during her natural life;
and after her decease my will is that John my son shall
have the said tack and all other implements of husbandry, in as
good state as shall be convenient, left to and for his own proper
use and behoof for ever. Item my will is that all my sawed boards
in and about the house shall be left to John my son,
or else shall be bestowed upon the reparation of my said house to
and for the use and behoof of my said son. Also I give and
bequeath to John Webley my said son one
bedstead, one bed, and all that belongeth to the said bed. Item I
will that my bedstead in my house shall remain in the said house,
and that Margery my wife shall have the
occupation of the said bedstead during her natural life or so long
as she shall be dwelling and abiding in the said house, and after
shall leave the same to John Webley my said son and
to his use for ever. All the rest of my goods and chattels, debts
and implements of household not before bequeathed, willed nor
given, I give and bequeath to Margery my said wife whom
I make and appoint my full and whole executrix to see this my last
will and testament performed, my debts paid my funeral expenses
aforesaid discharged, and my body honestly and in good sort
brought on earth. And I appoint Robert Danford and John
Webley of Wayend my overseers to see this my last
will and testament performed as aforesaid as I trust them. Item I
give and bequeath to Thomas Webley my brother
20s. to be paid him within one year next after my decease. In
witness whereof to this my present will and testament I have put
my hand and seal the day and year above written in the presence of
these whose names are underwritten. Debts due unto me the said John Webley: Imprimis William Turner oweth me 15s. 6d. Item Mr James Jonsy oweth me 14s. 8d. Read sealed and delivered in the presence of these viz:
Robert Danford, Thomas Danford, William Danford, William
Webley, John Webley of Wayend,
John Danford, William Harris, John Bralad the writer
SOURCES: Will of John Webley of Eastnor, 1592, 1592
Ref: Herefs. RO 44/1/55, on www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk,
transcribed by VCH volunteers.
William Webley (born abt 1580) married Joan Phelpotts 1607; had
children: Elyzabeth (1609), John (1610), John and Margaret (1611),
Elizabeth (1614), Mary (1615), Joane (1617). John buried Oct 1611.
There are references to "John Webley of ye Brooke" in
the parish records:
John Webley of ye brooke buried 18 Oct 1636
In the will of John Webley the elder of Eastnor, yeoman, carpenter
1665 he mentions a debt owed to him by “John Webley of the brook,
6s.” This must be a second generation of John of the Brooke.
John of the Brooke and Margaret had a son, William,
christened in 1646.
The Eastnor parish registers began in 1561.
Baptisms
Margerie dau of William Webley bap 21 June 1562
Elizabeth daughter of John Webley bap 25 April 1564.
Anne the dau of Thomas Webley bap 14 May 1564
Walter son of William Webley bap 18 June 1564
Thomas son of William Webley bap 30 March 1566
Margeri Webley bap 3 [torn] 1566
John son of John Webley bap 10 Feb 1579
William son of William Wedley 12 Oct 1606
Edward son of William and Joan Wedley bap 17 Apr 1608
Elyzabeth dau of William and Joane Webley bap 17 Apr 1609
John son of John and Elizabeth Webley bap 26 May 1609
John son of John and Joane Webley 9 Jan 1610
George son of John & Elizabeth Webley 8 Apr 1611
John and Margaret son and daughter of William and Joane Webley bap
21 Oct 1611
Elizabeth dau of Eliza and John Webley bap 26 Dec 1613
Elizabeth dau of John and Joane Webley bap 11 Sep 1614
Mary dau of William and Johne Webley bap 10 June 1615
Christopher son of John and Elizabeth Webley bap 15 Oct 1615
Joane dau of John and Joane Webley bap 22 Nov 1617
Ann dau of John and Ann Webley bap 21 Dec 1617
Margarett dau of John and Margarett Webley bap 17 July 1640
John son of John Webley and Elizabeth bap 22 Feb 1640
Joyce dau of Thomas and Maude Webley bap 3 May 1640
John son of Thomas & Maud Webley bap 2 Oct 1644
William son to John Webley de brooke & Margaret bap 30 Apr 1646
Francis son Thomas and Maud 2 July 1646
Marriages
John Webley and Mgery Danforde mar 22 Nov 1579
William Wedley and Joane Pewtres mar 30 Nov 1605
William Webley and Joan Phelpotts married 30 Oct 1607
John Webley and Elizabeth Turnor mar 25 Jun 1608
Thomas Webley and Elizabeth Taylor mar 27 Nov 1613
Thomas Webley and Maud mar 21 Oct 1639
Burials
Thomas Webley was buried the viij of Nov 1564
Elizabeth Webley bur the xij of March 1593
Alice Webley bur 13 Feb 1603
John the son of William & Joane Webley bur 3 Oct 1611
John Webley householder bur 31 of Aug 1614
Eleonor Webley widdowe bur 24 Oct 1614
Elyzabeth the wife of John Webley bur 6 Jan 1616
Elizabeth wife of Robert Webley bur 27 Feb 1616
John Webley of ye brooke bur 18 Oct 1636
Elizabeth wife of Thos Webley bur 5 Feb 1635
John son of Jhon Webley bur 24 Nov 1637
George Webley was bur Feb 7 1640
Martha ye wife of John Webley senior bur 15 May 1676
