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Reverend Ralph Cudworth, D.D., M.A |
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Mary Machell |
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Reverend Ralph Cudworth, D.D., M.A. (Rauphe, Jane) was (as Raffe Cudworth) baptized on September 2, 1572 at St. Mary’s Church in Oldham, Lancaster County, England CH40, FA6. He matriculated as a pensioner at Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England during Lent in 1588/9 AC2. From Emmanuel College, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1592/3 and a Master of Arts degree in 1596 AC2. “Rodulphus Cudworthe” was ordained as a priest by Bishop Richard Bancroft on August 5, 1599 CC1. About the year 1600, he was a curate in the small village of Westley Waterless in Cambridgeshire, which is east of Cambridge AC2.
A 1904 catalogue of manuscripts which were held at the library of Emmanuel College recorded that in the year 1600, “Rodolphi Cudworthi” donated four manuscripts JA13. The first-mentioned vellum manuscript was written by Thomas Aquinus (“Thomae Aquinatis Quaedam”) which was dated to the 13th or 14th century and was a series of eight tracts JA13. The lines “Ex dono Rodolphi Cudworthi eiusdem Coll. Socii A. d. 1600” and “Iste liber est fratris antonioli de peranegino ordinis fratrum” were written inside (“From the gift of Rodolphe Cudworth of the same Coll. [probably college] Partners 1600 AD” and “This is the book of brother Antonioli of the Peraneginian order of brothers”) JA13.
The second-described vellum manuscript which may have been from Norwich was called “Rabanus in Matthaeum”, written by Rabanus Maurus about the disciple Matthew, and was dated to the 12th or 13th centuries JA13. Inside was an inscription: “Rodolphus Cudworth Collegio Emmanuelis dedit anno 1600” (Rodolphus Cudworth gave to Emmanuel College in 1600).
The third vellum manuscript was much larger than the first two, which measured seven inches and six inches, respectively. This manuscript was nineteen inches by twelve inches and dated to the 14th century; it was called “Gregorii Moralia” and its description stated that it was written “in a fine hand, with the most beautiful ornaments. English work of the best type. Sadly mutilated by the excision of leaves and initials” JA13. Again, it was inscribed by Ralph Cudworth (“Anno 1600 Collegio Emmanuelis Dedit Rodolph : Cudworth eiusdem Coll. Socius.”) JA13. This manuscript was written by Pope Gregory I, or Saint Gregory the Great, and as the title implies, dealt with the concept of morals. The description of this manuscript stated that the cataloguer (Montague James) believed that “the book was written at or for a Benedictine monastery. As other of Cudworth’s MSS. came from Norwich, I conjecture that this is a Norwich book” JA13.
The final manuscript was paper and was called “Concilium Basileense” (Council of Basel) which dated to the 15th century JA13. This came from the Norwich Cathedral Priory; the flyleaf stated “Tractatus domini patria(rche) anthiocheni” (Treastise of the Lord Patriarch of Antioch) JA13. This manuscript indicated that it was written by John Stowe, a monk from Norwich, and the inscription from Ralph Cudworth stated “Ex dono Rodolphi Cudworth” (from the gift of Rodolph Cudworth) JA13.
He held the living of Cudworth, which is located northeast of Chard in Somerset WA25. On October 3, 1601, he and Edmund Hopwood, John Cudworth of Werneth, and John Radclyff, yeoman, leased messuages in Crompton, Nuthurst, “Flasshhowses” (this may have been Flash House, north of Butterworth Hall, in Milnrow), “Mydleton” (Middleton), Balderstone, Assheworth, and Moston, for twenty-one years, from James Chetham of Nuthurst CL17.
He then earned a Bachelor of Divinity from Emmanuel College in 1603 and became a lecturer or minister of St. Andrew’s Church in Cambridge AC2, PA6, BI3, SP3, CU1. He wrote a supplement to A Commentarie, or Exposition Vpon the fiue firſt Chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians, by the English theologian William Perkins PE11, MO20. A transcription and a rough translation of Johann von Mosheim’s comments on this supplement stated MO20:
Summa huic familiaritas & necessitudo fuit cum celeberrimo illo Anglorum Theologo, qui magnam quoque apud exteros famam scriptis consequutus est, Gvilielmo Perkinsio, cuius opera quaedam edidit post obitum eius. Ipse nihil scriptorum emisit, si accessionem quamdam seu supplementum exceperis ad Perkinsi Commentarium in epistolam ad Galatas… Anglico sermone conscriptum. Perkinsivs scilicet morte impeditus fuit, quo minus in expositione epistolae Pavli ad Galatas ultra quintum caput progrederetur. Cvdworthi ergo pater, qui tum Cantabrigiae in collegio S. Emanuelis degebat, & epistolas S. Pavli publice interpretabatur, ab amicis Perkinsii & a curatore testamenti eius rogatus fuit, ut capitis sexti interpretationem adderet.
His greatest familiarity and relationship was with that famous English Theologian, who also achieved great fame among foreign writings, William Perkins, some of whose works he published after his death. He did not send any writings, if you except a certain addition or supplement to Perkins' Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians… written in the English language. Of course, Perkins was hindered by death, so that he could not proceed beyond the fifth chapter in the exposition of Paul's letter to the Galatians. Cudworth's father, then, who then resided at Cambridge in the college of St. Emmanuel, and publicly interpreted the epistles of St. Paul, was requested by the friends of Perkins and by the curator of his will, to add an interpretation of the sixth chapter.
Included within this book by Perkins and Cudworth were three letters from “Rafe Cvdworth” PE36. They were written on August 10 and 13, 1604 while he was at Emmanuel College at Cambridge; the first letter was directed to Robert, Lord Rich, Baron of Leeze, and the second was dedicated “to the Covrteous [courteous] Reader” PE36. “The Svpplement, or Continvation of the Commentarie vpon the ſixth Chapter”, written by Ralph, was inserted directly after the fifth chapter which had been written by William Perkins PE11, PE36, and after this chapter, Ralph inserted an additional letter to “the Right Worshipfull Sir Bassingburne Gaudy, Knight” in which he explained that this supplemental chapter was actually his first venture into scholarly writing PE36. In the second letter, he wrote PE11:
there were some places in the originall copy, to which the Authour would (no doubt) haue giuen some reuiew and correction, if God had drawne out the line of his life but a little longer: which I haue filed and polished according to my poore skills though very sparingly, in such places onely as were obscure, or had any phrase of doubtfull construction, or otherwise seemed to be mistaken: pointing and interlining the rest to fit it for the Presse.
After Thomas Stoughton had been deprived of his office of perpetual vicar in Coggeshall in Essex on April 8, 1606 CC1 for reasons of “nonconformity” WH20, Ralph became the vicar to Coggeshall that same month, but vacated that position in March 1608 CC1, DE2, SP3. He was a fellow of Emmanuel College until 1609 AC2, PA6, WA25, BI3, and the following year he was incorporated at Oxford University, meaning Oxford University conferred the priviledges of their degree onto him AC2. On November 28, 1609, “Rodulphus Cudworthe” was licensed as a preacher by Chancellor Robert Cecil, First Earl of Salisbury, and by the scholars of Cambridge University CC1. He wrote a letter to Dr. Samuel Ward on February 19, 1609/10 which discussed his plans to secure an appointment as the rector to Aller and mentioned that Dr. John Davenant was awarded a lectureship by only two or three votes EA5. He was appointed as the rector of Aller in Somerset on August 30, 1610 CC1 and he remained in that position until 1624 AC2, WA25, SP3. The rectory of Aller had been an advowson of Emmanuel College since 1586 WH20.
Ralph married “Marie Machell” on June 18, 1611 LO1. Under the heading of June 1611 in the register of St. Mary’s Church in Newington, Southwark, the entry of his marriage to Mary Machell stated “Rodolphe Cudworthe minister., maried to Mrs: Marie Machell, ye. xviiith. day by lisence” LO1. The Parish Church of St. Mary in Newington is just south of the River Thames. He earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from Emmanuel College in 1619 AC2, SP3.
In a preface to a volume written by his son (Systema Intellectuale Huius Universi, written by Ralph Cudworth, Jr.), Johann Lorenz von Mosheim stated that Ralph Cudworth (the elder) was a learned man of theology who was a member of the College of St. Emmanuel at Cambridge MO20. He was consecrated as a minister at St. Andrew’s Church and then transferred to Aller where he was a minister MO20. He was a chaplain to James I PA6, WA25, BI3; as von Mosheim states, he was amongst the learned men who ministered privately to King James I MO20:
Pater ipsi suit Radvlphvs, Theologiae Licentiatus… vir certe nec ingenio, nec doctrina destitutus, qui primum socius Collegii S. Emanuelis Cantabrigiae & simul hac in urbe sacrorum minister in templo S. Andreae dicato suerat, postea Alleram translatus est, ubi munus pariter sacri doctoris gessit; Fuit & inter eos adscitus, qui Regis Iacbobi I. a sacris privatis tum erant.
He wrote a letter to Dr. James Ussher on January 17, 1617/8 which indicated that he has been in his position as the rector of Aller for seven years, but “would like to change for the climate is very damp and agueish” (this quote was from the abstract of the letter, as opposed to the letter itself) EA5. He also mentioned that he would like Dr. Ussher’s assistance and critique of his current work entitled "Ye Cases of Conscience in Family, Church and Commonwealth" EA5.
Ralph died in Aller, Somerset sometime before August 30, 1624 SO1. The record of his burial, amongst others from the year 1624 in the Aller, Somerset register, stated “Rodulphus Cudworth Doctr of divinity and Some-tymes Rector of this church was buryed 30th of August” SO1. His will, created on August 7, 1624, was probated by Henrico Marten WI19 (Sir Henry Marten, a justice of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury SP3) on the oath of his widow, Marie Cudworth, on October 29, 1624 (“vicesimo nono die mensis Octobris Anno dni [domini] Millisimo sexcentesimo vicesimo quarto Juramento Marie Cudworth relicte dicti defuncto”) WI19. His short will has been transcribed in its entirety WI19:
The last will nuncupative of Raphe Cudworthe Doctor of Devinite Parson of the Parsonage of Aller in the Diocesse of Bath and Wells late deceased made and declared the seaventh Day of August Anno Dni [Domini] One thousand six hundred Twenty and ffowre.
Imprimis the said Raphe Cudworthe being sicke in body but of perfect minde and memory gave and bequeathed his soule to Almightie God, and his body to be buried in Christian buriall, And as concerning his worldly goods he gave and bequeathed unto Mary Cudworth his deare and lovinge wife, All his goods Chattels and Cattles of what kinde and condicon [condition] soever they were, and did appoint her his sole executrix In the presence of the wittnesses hereunder written: Wittnesses hereunto Margarett Wrothe: Anto: Earbery. Thomas Gamlyn.
Mary Machell was the preceptress or the nurse of Henry, Prince of Wales, the oldest son of James I PA6, WA25, BI3, CU1. She was often referred to simply as “by the name of Machell” WA25 or “of the family of Machell” BI3. Johann von Mosheim wrote that the mother of Ralph Cudworth (the younger) was a member of the Machell family and had been honored to be selected as a nurse to Henry, the first-born son of King James MO20. After the death of Ralph Cudworth, Sr., she remarried to Dr. Stoughton MO20. Mosheim described Stoughton as an eloquent orator and a member of the College of St. Emmanuel at Cambridge who diligently performed the duties of a parent, ensuring that the younger Ralph Cudworth was instructed in the sciences and arts and was trained in piety, wisdom, and honesty MO20:
Mater Cvdvvorthi nostri ex gente Machellia fuit, cui honos hic habitus est, ut Henrico, Regis Iacobi I. filio natu primo, nutrix deligeretur. Parente mature orbatus est: cuius post obitum mater iterum nupsit Doctori Stovghtono, qui inter facundissimos sacrorum oratorum tum temporis numerabatur & socius quoque Collegii S. Emanuelis Cantabrigiae erat. Is boni parentis officium nostro sancte & diligenter praestitit, curavitque, ut scientiarum & artium initiis mature imbueretur & ad pietatem ac veram sapientiam & honestatem institueretur.
Mary was the mother of James SP3, CU1, Elizabeth SP3, CU1, baptized in 1615 SP3, Ralph Cudworth, the theologian and philosopher, who was baptized in July 1617 PA6, SP3, CU1, Mary, baptized in 1618/9, and John SP3, CU1, baptized in 1622 SP3.
The baptismal record for James Cudworth in Aller, Somerset was very likely written by his own father; it states “James Cudworth, the sonn of Mr Raph Cudworth was baptized the 2 day of August” in 1612 SO1.
The baptismal record for Elizabeth Cudworth in Aller, Somerset stated “Elizabeth Cudworth ye daughter of Ralph Cudworth his wife was baptized ye 27 of August An… 1615” SO1. Elizabeth Cudworth married Josias Beacham, a rector of Seaton in Rutland WH20. The book of marriage bonds and allegations for London and Surrey listed a bond for a marriage between Josias Beacham and Elizabeth Cudworth, which was amongst others dated April 28, 1636 LO13. This record is difficult to read because it is very sloppy, so a partial transcription follows LO13:
Which day appeared p[er]sonally Josias Becham [the next several
words were struck out, interlined, and indecipherable] aged 32 yeares or
thereabout and a… widdower Alledgeth that heintendeth to mary with Elizabeth
Cudworth of the p[ar]ish of St Mary Alderman bury London maiden aged 22 yeares
or there about And with her fathers consent --- Cudworth… that he knowes
of noe lawfull lett or impediment [the previous word is uncertain]… by reason
of any p contract consanguinity affinity or otherwise to hinder this intended
mariage he made faith and desireth licence to be married in… St Mary Alderman
bury Lond aforesaid
Josias Beacham
The Visitation of Rutland noted that Josias Beacham was second son of Robert Beauchamp of Broughton in Northampton BU15. Josias was the clerk and rector of Seaton in Rutland County who wrote his will on May 23, 1674 and died about age seventy-four in September 1674 BU15. He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Ralph Cudworth, who held a doctorate in divinity BU15. Their children were Josias, Daniell, Raphe, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Mary BU15. Their son, Josias Beacham, was born about 1637; he became the curate of Branston in Rutland County and married Jane Munn, the daughter of Richard Munn of Stockerston in Leicestershire BU15. Daniell Beacham was born about 1638 and was unmarried in 1681 BU15. Raphe Beacham’s age was unstated, but he relocated to Virginia in 1678 BU15. Elizabeth Beacham, their daughter, married John Hill, a mercer of Uppingham BU15. Sarah Beacham married James Herick, a haberdasher of Harborow in Leicestershire, and Mary Beacham married Thomas Fydge, and apothecary of London BU15.
The baptismal record for Ralph Cudworth in Aller, Somerset stated “Ralph Cudworth ye Sonne of R. Cudworth was baptized Julie ye 13. Ano. 1617. Ralph Cudworth Rector.” SO1. Ralph Cudworth was educated by his stepfather, Dr. John Stoughton, and admitted as a pensioner to Emmanuel College at Cambridge on May 9, 1632 AC2. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1635/6, a Master of Arts degree in 1639, in which year he also became a fellow, a Bachelor of Divinity in 1646, and a Doctor of Divinity in 1651 AC2. He was the Master of Clare Hall from 1650 until 1654 and the Regius Professor of Hebrew from 1645 until 1688 AC2. Ralph was the rector of North Cadbury in Somerset in 1650 AC2. He was the Master of Christ’s College from 1654 until 1688 AC2. In 1656, he became both the rector of Toft and the vicar of Great Wilbraham, both of which are in Cambridgeshire AC2. He was made the rector of Ashwell in Hertfordshire in 1662 AC2. He held the office of prebendary in Gloucester in 1678 AC2. Amongst several other works, he wrote The True Intellectual System of the Universe: the first part, wherein all the reason and philosophy of atheism is confuted and its impossibility demonstrated in the year 1678 AC2.
Ralph Cudworth married Damaris (Craddock) Andrewes WA42, but this marriage record has not been located. Damaris was the daughter of Matthew and Damaris Craddock who was born on October 23, 1623 and was baptized on November 1, 1623 at St. Swithin’s in Canongate, London WA42. She first married Thomas Andrewes, a leather-seller, with whom she was the mother of Damaris Andrewes, who married Sir Edward Abney of Wilsley, Derbyshire on or after July 20, 1661 WA42. Damaris (Andrewes) Abney died in June 1687, which was before the death of her mother, Damaris (Craddock) (Andrewes) Cudworth WA42. After the death of Thomas Andrewes, Damaris (Craddock) Andrewes married Ralph Cudworth, the brother of James Cudworth of Scituate WA42. Ralph and Damaris Cudworth were the parents of Damaris Cudworth, Charles Cudworth, John Cudworth, and perhaps of Ralph Cudworth WA42.
Their daughter, Damaris Cudworth, was born on January 18, 1658 in Cambridge, England and married Sir Francis Masham of Oates, High Lavers, Essex WA42. Their son, John Cudworth, was sixteen when he matriculated to Christ’s College at Cambridge on December 24, 1672 AC2, which indicates that he was born about 1656. He was born in Cambridge and attended school at Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire AC2. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1676/7 and a Master of Arts degree in 1680 AC2. He was ordained as a deacon and priest in Lincoln on July 15, 1684 and died on September 9, 1726 AC2. Their son, Charles Cudworth, attended Trinity College but relocated to India in 1683, where he died in 1684 AC2. Charles Cudworth appeared in the factory records for Kasinbazar III in India when a record stated that on August 19, 1683 “Mr Cha. Cudworth arrived from Maulda” PE35. Another record from February 1683/4 stated that “Mr Cha. Cudworth was married to the widow Mrs Mary Prickman, daughter of Mr Cole deceased, and formerly wife to Mr Jonathan Prickman” PE35. A record from March 1683/4 stated that he “departed this life last night about midnight, having been a long time sick of a flux” PE35.
Damaris (Craddock) (Andrewes) Cudworth died on November 15, 1695 WA42. Damaris Cudworth, the “Relict of Ralph Cudworth late of Cambridge Doctor of Divinity deceased” wrote an extensive will on October 12, 1695 which mentioned Sir Francis Masham, her daughters, who were “my daughter Abney” and “Dame Damaris Marsham”, and her son, John Cudworth EN3. She also mentioned her grandchildren, “my Grandchild the Lady Parker her daughter” (who seemed to be an orphan, as Damaris went on to write “also I give to the said Lady Parker her Fathers and Mothers Pictures and tenn pounds…”), another granddaughter named Anne Andrewes, and a “Grandsonn Francis Cudworth Masham” who was still in his minority and was the son of Dame Damaris Masham EN3. She made bequests to her three trustees, who were the Right Reverend Edward Fowler, Doctor of Divinity and Lord Bishop of Gloucester, Edward Clarke of Chipley, Somerset, Esquire, and Mr. John Lock of High Laver in Essex EN3. This was the philosopher John Locke. Her will mentioned several cousins, “cozen Slade Widdow”, “to my Cozen John Wigens my dear husbands booke in folio intituled the intellectuall systeme”, “my Cozen Greene of Cambridge” as well as his wife and their son, Charles Greene, “my Cozen Hannah Fisher”, “my Cozen Chambers and his wife”, “my Cozen Samuel Cradock”, “my Cozen Benjamin Cudworth”, and “my Cozen Samuel Cudworth” EN3. She mentioned John Cudworth, who she called her late husband’s brother EN3. She mentioned Sir Edward Abney, Mrs. Esther Masham, and Nurse Casy EN3. She made bequests to specific servants, such as “my Servant Elizabeth Williamson” and “my Servant John Heath”, as well as bequests to groups of servants EN3. Her sole executor was the Right Reverend Edward Fowler, Lord Bishop of Gloucester EN3.
“Ralph Cudworth Doctor of Divinity and Master of Christs Colledge in Cambridge” wrote his will on November 24, 1686 which mentioned his “deare wife Damaris Cudworth”, to whom he bequeathed “all my reall estate in Freehold land in Suffolke Southold Beddingfield Redlington Allington” that he had purchased from Mr. William Brock and Mrs. Susan Brock EN3. He bequeathed all his copyhold lands held of the manors of Redlingfield, Thornden, or of Sir Henry Beddingfield to his son, John Cudworth EN3. Also to his son John Cudworth, he gave the “Fee Farme Rent which I bought of his late Majestie King Charles the Second” and “all my books except… English bookes as my wife shall take for her herselfe” and “The bigger of those two Meddalls which the Prime Elector Palatine of the Rhine sent mee” EN3. John Cudworth was clearly unmarried at the time that Ralph wrote his will, as the will states “if my sonne John Cudworth shall die without heires begotten from his owne body Then after his decease and his wifes if hee marry all the land I have given him shall bee my daughter Mashams if shee bee liveing” EN3. He mentioned his “deare daughter the Lady Masham wife to Sir Francis Masham of Essex” and her son, Francis Cudworth Masham EN3. He made a mention of “my wifes former children by Mr. Andrewes” EN3. He made bequests to his “loveing sonne in Law Sir Francis Masham”, his “loveing sonne in Law Sir Edward Abney and my sonne Richard Andrew Esqr.”, the two daughters of Sir Edward Abney, and his “loveing Cosens John Cudworth Esquire and his wife” EN3. Additional cousins mentioned included “Cosen Thomas, Cos. Samuel Cudworth… Cos. Nicholls and her husband… my Cosen Greene and his wife… my Cosen Mrs. Fige… Cosen Hill” and “my Cosen Mrs. Hannah Fisher” EN3. His sole executor was named as his wife, Damaris Cudworth EN3. Witnesses were Hannah Fisher, William Goward, and John Smith EN3. He wrote an addendum to his will on June 24, 1688 which, amongst other details, stated “Neverthelesse besides a considerable summe of money which I have already laid out of my owne purse about bricke walls and the pond and water course to and from the pond planting… over and above what the Colledge allowed I now give to Christs Colledge in Cambridge fifty pounds to buy Communion plate or books as the Society shall thinke most convenient” EN3. Ralph Cudworth, Jr. died on June 26, 1688 and was buried in Christ’s College Chapel AC2.
The baptismal record for Mary Cudworth in Aller, Somerset stated “Mary Cudworth ye daughter of Ralph Cudworth & Mary his wife was baptized Febr. 14. Ano. 1618” SO1. No further records of Mary have yet been located.
The baptismal record for Jane Cudworth in Aller, Somerset stated “Jane Cudworth ye daughter of Ralph Cudworth & Mary his wife, was baptized Aprill 23 Ano. 1620” SO1. She was probably the Jane Cudworth to whom John Machell of Wonersh, Surrey made bequests in his 1647 will EN3. A partial transcription of that will follows in the discussion of the ancestry of Mary Machell, but to briefly restate Jane Cudworth’s relationship to John Machell, John Machell called Jane Cudworth his cousin in the body of his will and his kinswoman in the memorandum to the codicil of the will EN3. He left a considerable inheritance to her, and later revised this to provide additional funds. Her mention within the will was before the mention of one of his own grandsons (Joseph Machell) EN3. It seems evident that John Machell had a great deal of concern and love for Jane Cudworth. It should also be noted that the will mentioned John Brown, Esquire as the individual that Jane Cudworth should provide a general release and written discharge of lands granted in lease to both John Machell and Jane Cudworth from Thomas Freeland EN3. John Browne, Esquire was also the name of John Stoughton’s father-in-law when he remarried to Jane (Browne) Newburgh after the death of Mary (Machell) (Cudworth) Stoughton.
The baptismal record for John Cudworth in Aller, Somerset stated “John Cudworth ye Sonne of Ralph Cudworth & Mary his wife was baptized Aprill 25. 1622” SO1. John Cudworth was a girdler who was said to have married Mary Bushnell, with whom he was the father of Thomas Cudworth who attended Christ’s College at Cambridge PE35. “John Cudworth of London Esquire” wrote his will on May 14, 1675 which mentioned five children, four of whom (Rebecca, Thomas, Samuell, and Benjamin Cudworth) were minors EN3. Thomas Cudworth was called the son of John Cudworth (a girdler of London), the brother of Benjamin, and the nephew of Ralph Cudworth in his school record at Christ’s College at Cambridge AC2. Thomas was born in London and was fifteen when he matriculated to Christ’s College in May 1677 AC2, indicating he was born about 1662. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1685 AC2. Benjamin Cudworth was called the son of John Cudworth, brother of Thomas, and nephew of Ralph Cudworth in his school record at Christ’s College at Cambridge AC2. He was born about 1670, earned a Master of Arts degree in 1690, held property in Dorset, and died in 1726 AC2. John Cudworth died in 1675 PE35, and a partial transcription of his will follows EN3:
I will that the orphanage or Customary parts of all my Children therein shalbe answered and paid to them according to the Custome of London And the remainder of the same goods Chattels personall Estate Rights and Creditts I will and devise to be equally devided among my Four younger Children Rebecca Thomas Samuell and Benjamin And I make and ordane my Loving Brothers Ralph Cudworth Doctor in Divinity Edward Bushell of London merchant and Samuell Brett of Rumford in the County of Essex Draper and my good Friend Thomas Firmin [this surname is uncertain] Cittizen and Girdler of London Executors of this my will And I doe give and devise unto the said Doctor Ralph Cudworth Edward Bushell Samuell Brett and Thomas Firmin and their heires All and every my mannors messuages Lands Tenements hereditaments in the County of Suffolk upon Trust and confidence to raise by or out of the same… six hundred pounds to be distributed and paid by even and equall portons unto and among my Foure younger Children… att their… ages of Twenty one yeares or days of marriage which shall First happen And after the same one Thousand six hundred pounds soe raised Then upon Trust for my sonne John Cudworth and his heires for ever
After Ralph’s death, Mary married Reverend John Stoughton PA6, WA25, CU1, WH20, who was of Aldermanbury, London, and who became the rector of Aller after Ralph’s death WA25, CU1. “Johannes Stoughton” became the rector of Aller in Somerset on August 4 or August 24, 1624 CC1. This was probably just before or immediately after Ralph Cudworth died. Dr. John Stoughton and Mary relocated in 1632 when he was appointed the rector of of St. Mary, Aldermanbury in London, England WH20. In a letter which James Cudworth wrote to John Stoughton in December 1634, he referred to his stepfather as “his very Louinge & Kinde ffather Dr Stoughton at his howse in Alldermanbuy” DR2.
Mary died sometime after December 1634, but before John Stoughton remarried to a widow named Jane (Browne) Newborough in 1635 WA25, SP3, CU1. Jane (Browne) was the widow of Walter Newborough, who had been the rector of Simondsbury in Dorset WA42. Allegedly, a letter from James Forbes to Dr. John Stoughton which was dated April 8, 1634 expressed condolences over Mary’s prolonged illness, and another letter written by John Brown of Brampton (sic; this was probably meant to state “Frampton”) to John Stoughton which was dated August 4, 1634 discussed the death of Mary, John’s wife WH20. These letters have not yet been located for verification. Mary (Machell) (Cudworth) Stoughton had died prior to January 18, 1635 when on that day, John “Staughton” remarried to Jane “Nuburch” EN25. The Frampton, Dorset parish register for the year 1635 recorded that “John Staughton Dr of Divinity and Jane Nuburch widdowe the daughter of John Browne Esquier and of this parish were marryed the 18th day of January” EN25. “John Stoughton Doctor in devenitie and Curate of the parishe of S. Mary Aldermanbury london” wrote his will on May 4, 1639 EN3. He named his wife, Jane Stoughton, and his two unmarried minor daughters Jane and Marie, of whom he called Jane Stoughton his eldest daughter and Marie Stoughton his younger daughter EN3. His will also mentioned that his father-in-law was John Browne of Frampton in Dorsetshire, Esquire EN3.
Douglas Richardson has stated that Mary Machell was the daughter of Matthew Machell and Mary Lewknor, and a sister of John Machell, who was known to have been Matthew and Mary’s son RI3. Matthew, who died on August 23, 1593, was the son of John Machell, a haberdasher and alderman from London, and Mary, Matthew’s wife, was the daughter of Edward and Dorothy (Wroth) Lewknor, of Kingston Bowsey RI3. As proof that Mary Machell was the daughter of Matthew and Mary, Mr. Richardson cited verbiage in the will of John Machell of Wonersh, Surrey, the son of Matthew and Mary Machell, which demonstrated a relationship between John Machell, the testator, and Jane Cudworth, whom Mr. Richardson stated was a daughter of Ralph and Mary (Machell) Cudworth RI3. John Machell made a bequest to Jane Cudworth, whom he referred to as his “cosen” and his “kinswoman”: “I give to my cosen one hundred and twenty pounds…” WI18. In this way, Mr. Richardson has deduced that because Jane Cudworth was related to John Machell, Mary (Machell) Cudworth must have been the sister of John Machell and the daughter of Matthew and Mary (Lewknor) Machell RI3.
John Machell’s will was written on October 17, 1647 and was witnessed by George Woodroff, Joshua Chaundler, and Richard Syms EN3. A codicil to his will was written on January 14, 1646/7, and a memorandum was also attached, which stated “Memorandum that the afforesayd John Machell did declare by word of mouth after the making of the will and Codicill before mentioned to the sayd Roger Heath and Henry Baldwyn that ytt was his will that the before named Jane Cudworth his kinswoman should have over and besydes the Legacy before to her given Twenty Poundes to bee payd by the sayd Roger Heath and Henry Baldwyn the Executors his will named witnesses Roger Heath Henry Baldwyn" EN3.
In the approximate order as they appear within the will, names and relationships to the testator mentioned include Elizabeth (his wife), John Machell (his eldest son), Deborah, (his deceased daughter-in-law and the wife of John Machell, his son, who had died without having children), Elizabeth (the first wife of John Machell, his son), John Machell (his grandson who was the son of John and Elizabeth Machell), Jane Gavell (his daughter), Robert Gavell (his deceased son-in-law), Robert Gavell and Mary Gavell (his grandchildren who were the children of Jane and Robert Gavell), George Duncombe of Albury in Surrey (his brother-in-law), Roger Heath, Esquire (his son-in-law), Nicholas Machell (his deceased son), Nicholas Machell (his grandson who was the son of his deceased son, Nicholas Machell), Mathew Machell (his son), John Machell (his grandson who was the son of Mathew Machell), Jane Cudworth (his cousin who was also called his kinswoman in the memorandum to the codicil of the will), Jane Machell (his daughter-in-law who was the current wife of Mathew Machell), Joseph Machell (his grandson who was the son of Mathew and Jane Machell), Samuell Rutlands (his cousin), Thomas Crue (his cousin; this surname is uncertain), Judith Nicholson (his cousin), Welch (his brother), Crabbe (his sister), and Gibbes (his sister) EN3. A partial transcription of the extensive last will and testament of John Machell has been provided below EN3:
In the name of God Amen I John Machell of Wonirsh in the County of Surrey gent… doe heereby make and declare this my last will and Testament the seaventeenth day of October in the two and Twentyth yeare of the Raigne of our most gracious Soveraigne Lord Charles the kinge Matie… by Indenture bearing date in or aboute the nyne and Twentyth day of Juley in the Two and Twentyth yeare of the Raigne of the late Kinge James purperting the Conveyance of my landes to John Machell my Sonn.e and here apparant part in Possession and part in Reversion in Consideration of a margage betwixt him and Deborah his late wyfe sithence deceased wthowt yssue [issue] I have reserved and have liberty and power to dispose of some part of my sayd landes to such wyfe as I should fortune to marry having sithence marryed and taken to wyfe Elizabeth my loving wyfe and appointed unto her the sayd Elizabeth by vertue of the sayd power and authority for her Jointure all those missuages landes Tennements and hereditaments… Five hundred poundes of lawfull money of England in purchase of Landes to the use of John Machell my Graundsonne the only sonne of John Machell my sonne by Elizabeth his first wyfe… for the bennifitt of Jane Gavell my Daughter and Robert Gavell and Mary Gavell my Grandchildren the Children of Robert Gavell deceased the summe of Eight hundred Poundes in Purchase of land… I doe heereby nominate constitute ordain and appoint my loving Brother in Lawe George Duncombe of Albury in the County of Surrey and my loving Sonne in Lawe Roger Heath Esq[uire] and my loving freind Henry Baldwyn gent Executors of this my last will and Testament… I doe heereby will and devise… and earnestly request and desire that the Executors Administrators and Assignes of the sayd Richard Cooper and Sir Thomas Lake and of the Survivors of them shall att the request and ask the [the previous two words are uncertain] Costes and Charges of Nicholas Machell my Grandsonne the sonne of Nicholas Machell my late sonne deceased transferr assigne and set over the sayd Lease... all the right title and interest of and in the same unto the sayd Nicholas Machell my sayd Graundsonne and to his Executors Administrators and Assignes to his and their owne only use and behoofe but yf the sayd Nicholas the Graundsonne shall fortune to departe this lyfe wthowt yssue Then the same to goe to the sayd John Machell my Graundsonne the sonne of Mathewe Machell my sonne and to his Executors Administrators and Assignes… I give to my Cosen Jane Cudworth one hundred and Twenty Poundes to bee payd three monthes after her day of maryage and my will ys that in the meane time before her maryage the proceeds of the sayd one hundred and Twenty Poundes shall goe and bee payd to her yearly for her better livelyhood and maintenance and as touching her portion of one hundred and a Fowrescore Poundes my will ys and I doe heereby lymitt and appoint and provided allwayes that the sayd Jane Cudworth att the time of Payments shall give to John Browne Esq[uire] and to the Executors of this my will agenerall release and dischardge in wrytinge under her hand and Seale and shall well and sufficiently transferr assigne and sett over to the Executors of this my will and the Survivors… of them the landes to her and mee graunted in Lease by Thomas Freeland… for security of money and all her Right title property terme and interest of and in the same… wth all convenient speede dispose of seaven hundred Poundes in landes for the use and benifitt of Nicholas Machell my Graundson the late Sonne of Nicholas Machell my late sonne deceased and the heires of his body And for want of such yssue the same to goe to John Machell my Graundsonne the sonne of Mathew Machell my sonne and the heires of his body And for want such yssue to my Graundsonne Joseph Machell the sonne of the sayd Mathew Machell by Jane his now loving wyfe and his heires for ever… I give to John Machell my eldest Sonne Forty shillinges and to every one of his Children Five Poundes a peece I give to my sonne Mathew Machell Fourty shillinges and to my daughter Jane his wyfe Fourty shillinges and to Joseph Machell the sonne of the sayd Mathewe Machell Five Poundes I give to my Cosen Samuell Rutlands wyfe Five Poundes and to my Cosen Thomas Crue [this surname is uncertain] My Cosen Rutlands Wyfes brother Five Poundes I give to my Cosen Judith Nicholson Five Poundes I give to my brother Welch Five Poundes and to eyther of his two daughters Five Poundes apeece I give to my Sister Crabbe Forty shillinges and I give to Thomas Warner Twenty shillinges I give to William Davy Twenty Shillinges I give to John Woodgier Twenty Shillinges I give to Henry Fones Twenty Shillinges I give to Richard Enge the Elder Five Poundes I give to Richard Enge his sonne Twenty shillinges And, to my Sister Gibbes I give Five Poundes…
Direct evidence has not, as yet, been unearthed which proves that Mary Machell was actually a daughter of Matthew and Mary, or of anyone else; the 1634 Visitation of Essex listed the children of Matthew and Mary as John Machell of Surrey, Dorathey, Jane, and Elizabeth, but did not list a daughter named Mary ME5. The 1634 Visitation of Buckinghamshire simply listed one child of Matthew “Matchell” and Mary, who was John “Matchell” of Surrey RY2. On the other hand, it is possible that Mary Machell was the daughter of Matthew’s brother, John Machell, and his wife, Ursula, as hypothesized by Dr. Steven Plunkett PL2.
John, who was said to have been one of the Captains of the Horse at the Tilbury Camp ME5, first married Frances, the daughter of William Cotton of Panfield Hall in Essex, and with Frances, John was the father of two children, John and Frances Machell ME5, MU2. He second married Ursula Hynd, who was the daughter of Sir Francis Hynd (Hynde) of Madingley in Cambridgeshire ME5, MU2, ST10, and with Ursula, he was the father of William ME5, MU2, Judith ME5, and Jane MU2.
John was the son of John Machell and Jane Loddington/Jone Ludington ME5, MU2, RY2. John Machell, who married Jane Loddington, has been described as the sheriff of London in 1556 RY2, ME5, a cloth worker RY2, BE3, and an alderman of London MU2, BE3 who was sworn in as an alderman on July 20, 1553 BE3. He himself was the son of another man named John Machell, who married a woman whose father’s surname was Leybourne, or perhaps who was from the town of Leybourne, in Kent ME5, MU2. Jane Loddington was the daughter of Henry Loddington/Henery Ludington and his wife, Jane/Joane Kirkby MU2, ME5. The father of Jane/Joane Kirkby was William Kirkby ME5, MU2, who was the son of John Kirkby of Yorkshire, and his wife Allice, the daughter and heiress of Whethill MU2. Jane (Loddington/Ludington) Machell was the mother of John, who married both Frances and Ursula, Matthew, who married Mary Lewknor ME5, MU2, RY2, and an unnamed daughter who married someone with the surname of “Rich” ME5. Jane (Loddington/ Ludington) Machell second married Sir Thomas Chamberlaine ME5, MU2, RY2.
Ursula Hynd was the daughter of Sir Francis Hynd of Madingley, Cambridgeshire, who died on March 21, 1595, and of his wife, Jane, the daughter of Edmund Verney of Penley in Buckinghamshire ST10. Sir Francis Hynd and Jane were also the parents of Jane, William, Edward, and John ST10. The parents of Sir Frances Hynd were Sir John Hund, Justice of the Common Pleas, and Ursula, who was the daughter of John Cursonn of Beckhall in Norfolk ST10. Sir John Hund and Ursula were also the parents of Catherin, Sibell, Mary, Anne, and Thomas ST10.
John Machell, the brother of Matthew and the son of John and Jane Machell, has been described as “of Hackney in Middlesex” MU2, RY2, and a man named “John Machell, Justice of the Peace”, was mentioned in the record books for the Parish of Hackney in 1584, as “Mr. Mauchell” on May 6, 1593, and again as “Mr. John Mauchell, Esquire”, in April 1594 SI2. This was probably the same John Machell of Hackney who, on April Fools Day in 1571, “removed and carried away a certain footbridge, lying between Tottenham Wilde Marshe and a piece of land called the Ney in the Queen’s highway at Tottenham” JE1. “Joh’ Machell” was probably still a Justice of the Peace on July 7, 1589, when he endorsed a document regarding the malicious destruction of a fence which belonged to Alice Hayes, by over two dozen armed, and probably livid, local women JE1. And so, a man named John Machell or Mauchell dwelled in Hackney, Middlesex, from at least 1571 until the year 1594.
The Parish Register Transcripts for St. John’s Church in Hackney, Middlesex, listed seven baptismal records for children with the surname “Manchell” in the years 1580 through 1590, but did not list their parents ST12. Joane was baptized on March 9, 1580, Lettis on May 22, 1583, Mary on May 15, 1584, Martha on December 25, 1585, Robert on October 7, 1587, and twins named Anne and Urseley were baptized on April 30, 1590 ST12. The Visitations listed William and Judith ME5, and then William and Jane MU2, as the children of John and Ursula Machell, and clearly these baptismal transcripts did not include William, Judith, or Jane, although the first Manchell child listed in the transcripts was named Joane, which is similar to Jane. In the original register (not the transcripts) for St. John’s Church of Hackney, Dr. Plunkett also identified a record of the baptism of Judith Manchell (or Mauchell) in April 1592 PL2. Tellingly, though, the last Manchell child who was recorded was named Urseley, which is remarkably similar to the name Ursula, but what is more important is the fact that here is listed a daughter named Mary Manchell. Additionally, this Mary, being born in 1584, would have been a suitable age to be a nurse for Prince Henry, who lived from 1594 until 1612.
It is important to examine the wedding dates for Matthew Machell and Mary Lewknor, and for John Machell and Ursula Hynd. Matthew and Mary “Lewckenare” married on July 1, 1568 CH4, RI3, while John Machell and “Ursly Hinde” married on June 29, 1579 at Madingley in Cambridgeshire PH2. The first baptism recorded for a Manchell child of Hackney was in March 1580/1 ST12; if Joane was the daughter of John and Ursula, her birth would fit nicely into the typical lapse of time between a couple’s marriage and the birth of their first child. On the other hand, had Joane been the first child of Matthew and Mary, a gap of almost twelve years spans the wedding date and the birth of their firstborn, unless the Manchell children of Hackney were all younger siblings of John, Dorathey, Jane, and Elizabeth, who were not born in Hackney. It seems more likely that these Manchell children, including Mary, were the children of John and Ursula Machell, as Dr. Steven Plunkett suspects they are, rather than of Matthew and Mary Machell PL2.
