John (Crouch) Pyke (abt. 1698 - 1760)

Born about 1698 in England

Ancestors

Died 21 Jun 1760 at about age 62 in Birdbrook, Essex, England

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Biography

John Crouch was born about 1698 (based on his age at death). He was the son of Pyke Crouch/Crowch and Catherine Carew.

John changed his name by act of Parliament ^[1] to John PYKE in order to meet the requirements of his uncle's will.

John (Crouch) PYKE died on 21 Jun 1760, and was buried in St Augustines, Birdbrook, along with his uncle, John (Crouch/Crowch) PYKE, and George PYKE, where a memorial plaque remains in the Chancel. It reads: ^[2]

Near this Place lyes the bodies of

GEORGE PYKE of BAYTHORNE house in this Parish Esqr.

and of JOHN PYKE Esqr. his Nephew and heir

who departed this Life the 3rd, of Decr, 1738 Aged 69.

He married SARAH Daughter of

Sr. JOHN BENDYSHE Bart, and died without Ifsue.

Alfo JOHN PYKE NEPHEW TO the latter

who departed this life the 21ft, June, 1760, Aged 62.

and ANNE his Wife who died the 21ft

Febry, 1762 Aged 60

Note: The inscription on the memorial plaque mentions John's wife, ANNE his Wife who died the 21ft Febry, 1762 Aged 60, but I have yet to locate any record of Sarah, their marriage, or her family (Pike-5935).

A transcription of John's will is available to view on the Layston Church website. ^[3]

Alswick Hall, Buntingford, Hertfordshire

John (Crouch) Pyke was heir to Alswick Hall through his father Pyke Crouch (son of John Crouch/Crowch, grandson of John Crouch).

The Alswick Hall Estate is situated on the hillside overlooking fields towards Buntingford in the former parish of Layston, approximately one mile to the east of the town of Buntingford, Hertfordshire. he property was first recorded in the early eleventh century Domesday survey as comprising of a scattered settlement and at least one farm. The property stands south of Hare Street Road along a private drive and comprises a number of buildings that include the main residence and several farm buildings. After the dissolution of the monasteries, the Manor of Alswick was held by John Crouch, also the Lord of the Manor in Corney Bury, Buntingford. Throughout its history, Alswick Hall has been sold, given, taken; or handed down through wealthy landed families, a religious order, the Crown and a series of tenant farmers. Despite its turbulent history, the historic seventeenth century house and its associated farm buildings remain.

The Crouch family of Corney Bury bought the Manor of Alswick in the late sixteenth century from William and Alice Ayloffe. The Crouch family were residents at Alswick Hall until about 1720 when John (Crouch) Pyke, son of Pyke Crouch, sold Alswick to Jacob Houblon, son and heir of Charles Houblon. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Research Notes

(Pike-5935): I have tried to locate John's wife, but without success to fate - there are several potential marriages between a John Pyke and an Ann in the time period:

Ann Plowright, in 1723, at Houghton, Huntingdonshire, England. ^[8]

Ann Cox, in 1731, at East Garston, Berkshire, England. ^[9]

Ann Chase, on 10 May 1733, at Fittleworth, Sussex. ^[10]

Anne Harper, on 29 Aug 1738, at ?, Dioceses of England & Wales. ^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ Layston Church, Private Act for John Crouch, Private Act George II to enable John Crouch to change his name to Pyke, http://www.layston-church.org.uk/Private%20Act%20John%20Crowch%20622.html
2. ↑ Layston Church, John PYKE, In the Chancel of St Augustines Birdbrook, http://www.layston-church.org.uk/FH%20Website/Image/Birdbrook%20memorial%2001a%20sm.jpg
3. ↑ Layston Church, Will of John Pyke formally Crowch, died 1760, of Baythorne, parish of Birdbrook, Essex, http://www.layston-church.org.uk/Will%20John%20Pyke%20%28Crowch%29%20622.html
4. ↑ THE HISTORY OF YOUR HOUSE: Alswick Hall, Hare Street Road, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, Mr Michael Johnson the owner and resident of Alswick Hall, August 2006, https://www.alswickhall.com/images/gallery/history_of_alswick_hall.pdf
5. ↑ Alswick Hall, https://www.alswickhall.com/about/
6. ↑ The Victoria history of the county of Hertford, Edited By William Page, F. S. A, Volume Four, London, 1914, see Pages 80, 83 and 84, https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Ia3MDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA83&lpg=PA83&dq=Crouch+family+of+Alswick+Hall&source=bl&ots=bw5Zkebrbw&sig=ACfU3U1K8Jyp32e_FdTyGtZDEplGEzet8w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiliciM5JnpAhVz4zgGHS05BlAQ6AEwDXoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=Crouch%20family%20of%20Alswick%20Hall&f=false
7. ↑ Layston Church, The Victoria History of the Counties of England, A History of the County of Hertfordshire Volume 4 - Layston pages 77 to 88, http://www.layston-church.org.uk/VCHLayston83.html
8. ↑ England Marriages 1538-1973, "FindMyPast", https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=R_842767202
9. ↑ England Marriages 1538-1973, "FindMyPast", https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=R_844101374
10. ↑ England Marriages 1538-1973, "FindMyPast", https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=R_857537212
11. ↑ Faculty Office Marriage Licences, "FindMyPast", https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FM%2F705128598%2F2

• Layston Church, John PYKE ( -1760), http://www.layston-church.org.uk/FH%20Website/ind622.html