Richard Conant (abt. 1548 - 1630)

Born about 1548 in East Budleigh, Devon, England

Ancestors

Husband of Agnes (Clarke) Conant — married 4 Feb 1578 in Colyton, Devon, England

Descendants

Died 1630 at about age 82 in East Budleigh, Devon, England

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Biography

Richard Conant, born about 1548, is thought by some to be the son of John Conant of East Budleigh, Devon.^[1] No baptism record has been found for Richard, but the parish of East Budleigh didn't start recording baptisms until the year 1555.^[2] The father-son connection is presumed based on subsidy rolls in East Budleigh, Devon. In 1571, John Conant was assessed tax on goods at a yearly value of £4 and was taxed again in 1581. However, in 1588, that tax was paid by Richard so "it is probable that ... a transfer of property had taken place" according to Frederick O. Conant.^[1] Richard's mother is unknown.

Richard married Agnes Clarke on/about 4 February 1578.^[2][3] It appears that marriage banns were published in Colyton, Devon,^[4] and East Budleigh.^[5] The marriage took place in Colyton, where is was recorded as follows: "Rychard Counnett, the sonne of John Counnett, of East Budleye, was wedded unto Agnes Clarke, the daughter of John Clarke, senior, of Collyton, the iiij. daye of ffebruary, 1578".^[6] Agnes was the daughter of John Clarke, merchant of Colyton, and was named as "daughter Agnes Counnant" in John Clarke's 1584 will, along with her unnamed heirs.^[7]

Agnes and Richard had the following children, all baptized at East Budleigh:^[2]

1. Johane, baptized 20 January 1579/80, married ____ Richards^[8]
2. Richard, baptized 21 February 1581/2; married Jane Slade; buried 3 September 1625;^[8] estate administration 3 January 1625/6^[9]
3. Robert, no baptism record, named in Richard's will; buried 12 May 1638 at Bicton; married Elizabeth Morris^[8]
4. Jane, baptized 9 May 1584; married first Robert Knowles, married second Philip Wotton^[8]
5. John, baptized 18 March 1585/6,^[8] died 13 April 1653; married ____ Dewdney and had issue
6. Thomas, baptized 30 April 1587; died young^[8]
7. Christopher, baptized 13 June 1588; married Mrs. Anne Wilton; emigrated to New England in 1623 on the Anne^[8]
8. Roger, baptized 9 April 1592; emigrant to New England^[8]

Richard served as one of the church wardens in East Budleigh in 1606 and again in 1616.^[6]

Richard and Agnes were both buried on 22 September 1631 at East Budleigh, Devon.^[10]

Richard died testate, with probate opened in October 1631.^[11][12] His will dated 20 November 1629 names the following family members"^[13]

• grandson Richard (son of his son Richard)
• son John
• son Robert
• granddaughter Sarah, daughter of son Roger
• granddaughters Jane and Sarah Knowles, daughters of daughter Jane Wotton
• all of his children's children
• daughter Jane Wotton and her husband Philippe
• his wife, Agnes Conant

Richard named his daughter Jane as sole executor and his son John as overseer. An inventory of his estate was taken 30 September 1631 and totaled £129 14s. 4d.^[13]

Research Notes

Parents

It should be noted that the connection of John Conant as Richard's father is speculative.

Additionally, there is no source to connect a Marie Budeley as the mother of Richard Conant or as the wife of John Conant. She was detached as Richard's mother and John's wife.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Conant, Frederick Odell. A History and Genealogy of the Conant Family in England and America. Portland, ME: Privately Published, 1887, pp. 49-50 (father John). Archive.org.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Conant, F.O., Conant Family, 1887, p. 13 (burial and baptisms of children). Archive.org.
3. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973", database (no image), FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N2Q2-V97 : 13 March 2020), Agnes Clarke in entry for Rychard Connett, 1578.
4. ↑ "Devon Marriages And Banns", database, Archive South West Heritage Trust. FindMyPast Transcription($): Agnes Clarke, Marriage date 04 Feb 1578, Spouse's name Rychard Connett, Place Colyton, Parish Colyton, County Devon.
5. ↑ "Devon Marriages And Banns", database with images, Archive South West Heritage Trust, Reference 1180A/PR/1/1. FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription($): Richard Conante, Marriage date 04 Feb 1578, Place East Budleigh, Devon.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Conant, F.O., Conant Family, 1887, pp. 50-52. Archive.org.
7. ↑ "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858". The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 68. Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5111 #933173 (accessed 18 March 2024). Will of John Clearcke thelder of Colyton, Marchaunt. Dated 22 Jan 1584, probate 1 May 1585. image.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7} Conant, F.O., Conant Family, 1887, pp. 56-59 (children). Archive.org.
9. ↑ Conant, F.O., Conant Family, 1887, p. 26. Archive.org.
10. ↑ "Devon Burials", database with images, Archive South West Heritage Trust, Reference 1180A/PR/1/1. FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription($): Richard Conant, Gent., Burial date 22 Sep 1631, Spouse Agnes, Burial place East Budleigh, County Devon.
11. ↑ Conant, F.O., Conant Family, 1887, p. 29. Archive.org.
12. ↑ "Devon Wills Index, 1163-1999", database, FindMyPast Transcription($): Richard Conant, Probate year 1631, Place East Budleigh, County Devon; Court (Consistory) Archdeaconry Court of Exeter; Source: Misc, Document type Will, Document form List Entry, Document references Conant, p. 29.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Conant, F.O., Conant Family, 1887, pp. 52-56 (will and probate). Archive.org.

See also:

• Little, George T., ed. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1909. DunhamWilcox.net