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Section 10 : Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Chapter 10.A

Stanton Harcourt

There are multiple references to the BRUSH name in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, at Stanton Harcourt, in Oxford itself and at Eynsham and North Leigh. Stanton Harcourt is a village in Oxfordshire 5 miles south-east of Witney and 5 miles west of Oxford just off the main London-Oxford-Gloucester road (the present day A40). It is about 45 miles south of Crick, 40 miles south-east of Tewkesbury and 45 miles north-east of Wotton under Edge. North Leigh is a few miles north, directly to the north east of Witney. Eynsham between Stanton Harcourt and North Leigh.

Oxford was even then a significant university town. Witney, like Tewkesbury and Wotton under Edge (and so many other places), is built on wool - in particular the famous white blanket cloth.

FWB has produced a tree for Stanton Harcourt which places as head of the family Adam BRUSH born c1567. [Not sure where this estimate comes from ?] This makes him generation (3) The earliest parish record for Stanton Harcourt is unfortunatly 1568 . Just possible there is a burial of a Margaret [Brushe?] recorded in 1569, the daughter of 'goodman' Brush - which is no help!/p>.

We also have a Jacobus (which can translate both as Jacob and James) BRUSH marrying Isabella KEYE (or Roye?) at Stanton Harcourt in 1579. The 25 year formula gives us a target birth date of 1552. A 15 year gap puts them half a generation apart so he could be either Adam's brother, cousin or an uncle. He could even be Adam's father remarrying. As with Adam there is no hint of him at Tewkesbury.

The register for Stanton Harcourt is incomplete - there are no entries for the period between 1585 and 1602.

There is also a family in the city of Oxford in the period 1576 to 1618 consisting of John ( born sometime around 1550) two wives Marie and Frideswide and five children including John baptised 1576.

At 1583 a John Brush is a witness to the will of Richard YATE of St Martins parish in Oxford.

At 1599 John BRUSH of Oxford, his wife Mary and Robert WARD of Oxford brought a court action against John Adams of Fifield, Berkshire, yeoman claiming a debt owed to deceased…. Fifield is 35 miles south east of Oxford, near Windsor in Berkshire.  This partial information from the online Catalogue of the National Archives. nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp

John of Oxford (probably born sometime around 1550) makes his will on 23rd April 1618. He asks to be buried near to the grave of his former wife Marie and leaves the residue of his estate to his wife Frideswide. He names two daughters Marie and Anne but mentions no sons. Anne is named as the wife of Tarleton Houde and Marie as the wife of Lewis Jones . (A Lewis Jones is buried at nearby Broughton Poggs in 1625. A mary Jones of Sherburn marries in Fulbrook in 1635.)

He has at least two brothers but unfortunately does not name them. He simply leaves 14d ( a tiny amount !) to "each of my brothers nowe living" and 6d to "everie of their children". The daughters on the other hand got £5 and £6.13.3 . He also appoints his cousin Almont and his cousin Walter to be the overseers of his will.

Who 'Almont' was we have no idea. The name exists in Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and further north, in very small numbers, as a surname and occasionally as a Christian name. Walter could be the son of Walter who had died at North Leigh in 1606.

Walter of North Leigh names in his will a daughter Frances, naming her as the wife of [ breakspear ] . She appears to have married at Mollington in 1595. Mollington is about 25 miles north of North Leigh.

At 1609 John Aglionbye, parson of Islip & Bletchingdon (just n of Oxford) leaves 6/-"To Anne Bruch who hath diligently attended me during the time of my sickness" This could be Anne, daughter of John, baptised in Oxford in 1578. This would require her marriage to have been later, but before the 1618 will.

Searches against Oxford also throw up a reference to Richard Brush of Wiltshire, identified as "pleb" is shown in the Alumni of Oxford as matriculating at St Alban Hall on 3 May 1594 age 13 ( so born 1580/1) and getting his BA from Magdalen College on 15 July 1605. There is however nothing to suggest his continued presence in Oxford after graduating. (Alumni Oxonienses: The Members of the University of Oxford, 1500-1714. Oxford: Parker and Co., 1888-1892. Available in the Ancestry site)

A little more is known of the Stanton Harcourt family. Adam has three sons, Philip, Thomas and Richard born around the opening years of the 17th century - around 1601 -1603 of whom we know a little and four more of whom we know only their baptism. Thomas and Richard go to London as apprentices in 1615 and 1616. We will meet them again later.
Also Adam: 1603

1605/6 : henrie??

Also Edward - son of adam. Baptisms in 1607 and 1610.

Also Thomas , father of Jacob

{Two images in BFBI10 Regsters fro SH 1611-1655 seem not to exist

In 1624 William Brush, 'narra' [narrow?] weaver of Eynsham makes his will and dies on 8th October that year. He leaves money to two brothers in law Roger Varny of Rowsom and William Varny of Witell, William's son Henry Varny , 'godsonne' Will Varny and 'kindsmen' William Bathe and Adam Harringe. William Varney of Tackley in Oxfordshire looks a likely candidate for one or two of these- baptising children there in 1580, 1596 and 1599.

He also mentions his brother Thomas Brush (of Stanton Harcolt), and his unnamed children, and 'kindsman' Phillip Brush ( who is to have the use of certain hovells or outhouses around William's house and a life interest in the state of William's house).He also leaves money to the children of his sister in law Margrett Brush ( which suggests another brther who has already died). The residue of the estate goes to brother Thomas and to brother in law James Herringe of Southly ( presumably South Leigh) . There is a detailed inventory of his goods and chattels.

William of Eynsham makes no mention of a wife or children and leaves everything to brothers, brothers in law and sisters in law and their children and to other kinsmen. It is possible that he dies realtivly young but he does have a house and two looms and plenty of nieces and nephews. And makes no mentions of his parents. On balance I think he is probably not the same generation as Philip and Richard the sons of Adam but is the generation above. Phillip, who is named as his kindsman and gets a life interest in the house, could be Philip the son of Adam. This could suggest that Adam had died by 1624.

Does this group link back into Gloucestershire? Adam is not a name we have seen but Philip is a BRUSH of Tewkesbury name. Philip T33(4) born in 1595 was a grandson of Lewis T4(2). If Adam was born in 1567 that puts him towards the end of generation (3) and we are looking for a father in generation (2) born somewhere around 1545-50.

The wool link, the comparatively short distances, the large size of the Tewkesbury clan and the small Oxfordshire presence all make me inclined to believe there is a connection but without more it would be rash to give them a T or G designation. The Oxfordshire links of Walter of North Leigh and and Thomas of Brockworth dying in Bladon reinforce this. The nearest point geographically in the Gloucestershire story is Ampney Crucis, which is about 27 miles away.

So for the moment we must leave them as Jacobus SH2(2?) ,Adam SH1(3), Philip SHx(4), Thomas SHx(4) and Richard SHx(4).

Or is the link to Reading (see the next chapter in this section). In the aristocratic HARCOURT family (no relation to the BRUSH family but just possibly employers?) there is some link between Stanton Harcourt and Swallowfield.

An Emma HARCOURT (later to marry Geoffrey Le Despenser of Martley in Worcestershire) the daughter of Richard HARCOURT, is described as "the Lady of Swallowfield in Berkshire". This may be centuriers earlier??? See british history swallowfield

John Despenser was the son of Geoffrey Le Despenser of Martley in Worcestershire and Emma the daughter of Richard Harcourt, the Lady of Swallowfield in Berkshire, Margaret HARCOURT Born: ABT 1444, Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, England Died: 1477 Notes: Walter Sydenham directed by his will that he was to be buried in the new "Ile of Brimpton". At an inquisition, post mortem, held at Ivelchester, Somerset, in 9 Edw. IV (1469) on the death of Walter Sydenham, Esq., it is recorded that he held together with Margaret his wife, who still survives, the manor of Chilton Dommer held of Sir Humphrey Stafford, Knt., as of the manor of Compton Dunden, and messuages in North Petherton held od John Blewett, Esq. Father: Robert HARCOURT (Sir Knight) Mother: Margaret BRYON Married 1: Walter SYDENHAM (b. 1443 - d. 17 Apr 1469/70) (son of John Sydenham and Joan Stourton) ABT 1470, Brimpton, Somersetshire, England

The line from Jacobus/James) BRUSH and Isabella KEYE, who married in 1579 .

1616 John marries at Langford to Alice WAKE sw of witney

(at 1671 "old"Brush ! is buried at nearby Broadwell)

1625 Umfry son of Thomas baptised Witney

1628 James, son of Thomas baptised Witney

1635 Thomas buried at Witney

1630 Thomas son of William baptised at Northleigh

Taking the story on, Philip BRUSH 'of Stanton Harcourt' marries Ann Townsend 'of North Leigh' at Bladon on 16 December 1638. He moves at some point to Eynsham where he dies in 1658. A 1650 survey of Eynsham by Whiting ( http://eynsham-pc.gov.uk/documents/eynsham_record_1989.pdf) shows Philip as a copyholder in the Thames Street and Carfolks area. We know he has a brother Thomas and a son John, as Thomas mentions Philip and John in his will.( assuming Thomas of St Mary Abchurch in Londonis from SH) Bladon is 7 miles NE of Stanton Harcourt and Eynsham half way between the two. North Leigh is 5 or 6 miles west of Blaydon and norh of Stanton Harcourt.

In 1645 Henry Badcock of Stanton Harcourt leaves money to his sister Margaret Brush and her children, one of whom is named as Philip and made an executor. Another Philip Brush is named as a 'cousin'

In 1653 An marries in Oxford

In 1656 Susannah Mrries at Chipping Norton

In 1665 Elizabeth buried at Eynsham

In 1668 Mary marries at Baldon Marsh ( s of Oxford)

1679 Edward Brush of Sutton in the parish of SH buried at Stanton Harcourt. If this is the Edward born 1610 then this discredits the idea that Edward the Quaker of London came from Stanton Harcourt. But the record records him as the son of William, husbandman.

1679 Robert buried at Oxford St thomas

1680 Thomas buried at Witney

Image in BFBI 10

North Leigh was the home of Walter who died in 1606 and Bladon is where Thomas of Brockworth is buried in 1665, having died at Woodstocke. There are several will references to BRUSE in Woodstock.

On 7 April 1682 William Brush "of Sutton in the parish of Staunton Harecourt...yeoman" makes his will. He leaves property to grandson Thomas Dutton alias Ditton (and to Thomas's sister Sarah). So his daughter Jane has married a Mr Dutton. He also leaves property to his son William Brush with a direction to William junior to make a payment to his sister Elizabeth. He also mentions his wife Bridgett, his son in law John Townsend, his godsonne William Townsend and the other four children of John Townsend Thomas anne mary and Barbara. William is appointed executor - he refers simply to my son ( not eldest or any other distinction) . The estate is inventried in May 1682 His goods and chattels ( ie excluding his interests in land) come to £61.3s.6d. It feels like a substantial amount.

At 1688 William - presumably the heir to the 1682 will - is chosen as a 'wayman' and inquisitor at Stanton Harcourt - one of three each year At 1698 William is chosen as a 'surveyor' at Stanton Harcourt - one of three each year All these posts seem to be have been about roads/paths and their routes : https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/47936/1/ThesisPDFcopy.pdf

In 1719 William is buried at Stanton Harcourt ( the father of the son baptised in 1689 husband of Margery and presumably f the children 1679-1686. There is a 1618 will by William who now describes himself as William the Elder.He aslo decribes himself as a yeoman. His son, William the younger is made executor and gets gthe residue of the estate. He redictributes property left by his sister Elizabeth Wood of Handborough -widowed and deceased now Hanbourough, a little bit north of SH. He also leaves property to his three daughters Mary Elizabeth and Sarah. Sarah, the "late wife of Michael Clanfield the younger deceased" Four Clanfield children. Mary is Mary Child.with a grandson Silvester Child. Elizabeth Elizabeth Druce. A further daughter Joan and wife Margery get legacies.

Another William is buried at Stanton Harcourt in 1742( bapt 1683?)

Just to excite the genealogical imagination, some three centuries earlier, around 1250, a Robert de Bruch of Bokeland (now Buckland) is recorded as the owner of land near Farringdon. Buckland is just 7 miles south west of Stanton Harcourt, Farringdon a few miles further west. See chapter xx for a discussion of the possible links between BRUCH and BRUSH.

Swallowfield

Copied from BFBI 10 Oxon... some expansion from very faded 'scroll' - now binned. All entries at Swallowfield unless otherwise stated

One group is at Swallowfield in Berkshire - a village 5 miles south of Reading. Until 1844 it was a detached part of Wiltshire.  There are four early references:

Ellen, the wife of John CRACE and widow of William Brusshe is involved with Nicholas BRUSSHE in a court case involving Lands called Wyfold in Swallowfield c 1538-44 .

"John CRACE and Ellen his wife, late the wife of William Brusshe, v. Nicholas BRUSSHE." This partial information from the Catalogue of the National Archives. nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp

Nicholas BRUSH of Swallowfelde makes a will on 26th October 1558. It has one of the fanciest descriptions of the monarch I have seen. He leaves his land interests in Berkshire and Wiltshire descended to him and purchased from William his brother to his son George. He also leaves legacies to his son William and his daughter Alice and to daughter or daughters 'Angnes' and 'Agnes han'. He appoints 'Willm Brusshe of Stratfeldesaye in the countie of Sothampt hosbandman' as one of the overseers of his will. George, his son,is appointed his executor. The descrition suggests William was not the so wiliam referred to earlier. An inventory was taken on 1 November 1558. Will, invetory and transcripts in Wills file. Although a differey county Stratfield Saye is only 4 miles SW of Swallowfield.

Wlliam of Stratfield Saye makes a will in January 1565(6) plus an inventory. This is not in the FWB will collection and I have no transcript.

The deaths of Clement BRUSSHE or BRUSE in 1540 and of John BRUCH in 1554.

A coherent tree begins around 1620:

Thomas [SW10] buried 16.9.1687 and wife Joan buried 27.4.1683. They had three children. The C-30 and H+3 formulae give estimated birth dates of 1618 and 1621.

Thomas [SW11]bap 23.1.1648 mar to Elizabeth PADISON 29.4.1675 They had six children. bur 25.10.1694

John [SW14] baptised 27.8.1676

Elizabeth [SW15] baptised 4.1678

Anne [SW16] bapt 30.2.1680

Tabitha [SW17] bapt 7.10.1688

Edward [SW18] bapt 5.1.1690

Thomas [SW19] bapt 14.4.1693

Anne [SW12]bap 20.11.1652

Samuel [SW13]bap 11.12.1655

Benson/Wallingford

Copied from very faded 'scroll' - now binned. Some detail unclear. Marked CH so probably BRUCH. All entries at Benson unless otherwise stated. Nothing in BFBI 10 Oxon...

Benson is near Wallingford, half way between Oxford and Reading.

John [Bn1] buried 31.3.1719 and wife Anne.

Wilkins [Bn2] b 2?.10.1694 c4.11.1694 buried 18.4.1755 and wife Frances buried 20.3.1771

Ann [Bn6] bapt 17.12.17?? at Watlington buried 13.8.1734? at Benson

John [Bn7] bapt ?? at Wallingford

[Bn3 not used]

Ann [Bn8] bapt (period c1720) at Wallingford buried ?1721 at Benson.

Cudworth [Bn4] b 18.2.1696/7 c 19.2.1696/7 buried 1745 married Jane . Seven children [Bn9]

John [Bn5] b 25.1698/9 c. 30.1.1698/9 buried 18.2.?1698/9?

The children and grandchildren of Cudworth [Bn4] and Jane All entries Wallingford unless otherwise stated.

Cudworth [Bn9] baptised 8.11.1721 buried 2.2.1773 Benson. Married (1) Martina Shewell (indexed in Ancestry as Martha) on 4 September 1751 'by Licence' at St Sepulchre in Holborn, London. Martina buried 28.11.1764 Benson. (2) Bridget Maria WINNINGTON, at All Hallows the Great in London 11.2.1769

Lots more detail in Ancestry

Elizabeth [Bn16] bapt 19.10.1752 buried 26.2.1753 Benson

Cudworth Pitt [Bn17] bapt 26.9.1754 buried 22.4.1755 Benson

Cudworth Pitt [Bn18] bapt 2.9.1756 buried 3.3.1759 Benson

John [Bn19] bapt 16.12.1758 buried 26.9.1772 Benson

Cudworth [Bn20] bapt 13.4.1761

Elizabeth [Bn21] bapt 5.3.1765

Jane [Bn10] bapt 6.12.1722

Mary [Bn11] bapt 15.8.1724

John [Bn12] bapt 1.10.1727 bur 20.1.1745 Benson

Ann bapt 12.12 1729 [Bn13]

James [Bn14] bapt 27.1.1731

William [Bn15] bapt 19.2.1734

Next Section Chapter nn: xxx