John Gray (abt. 1535 - 1596)

Descendants

Died 1596 at about age 61 in St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England

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Biography

This profile is part of the Gray Name Study.

John Gray, draper (bur. 17 Jan 1595/6 St Nicholas, Newcastle).

Marriage

m. Margaret.^[1]

children

John and Margaret had four sons. Three (Edward, William and Oswald) were mentioned in the will of their son, Cuthbert of Newcastle, dated 19 April 1623.

• Cuthbert of Newcastle (d. 24 Apr 1623).^[2][1]
• Edward (living 19 Apr 1623).^[2]
• William (living 19 Apr 1623).^[2]
• Oswald (living 19 Apr 1623).^[2][3]

Events

13 Dec 1581 - 19 Jan 1581/2

John was named in the inventory of Dame Isabel Grey (b. aft. 1527 - d. aft. 06 Oct 1581). She owed him a debt of 10l.9s.^[4]

30 Jun 1584:

"Proved at Durham, the will of Richard Walton, mayor of that city, who, among other bequests, gave to John Gray of Newcastle, draper, a satin doublet, and to the parson of Gateshead an old ryall. The "parson of Gateshead"— William Hodgson —was one of the persons appointed to take the execution of the will during the minority of testator's sons. William Gray and Robert Eden, both of Newcastle, are among the witnesses to this will."^[5][6]

05 Jan 1593:

Inquisition held at Newcastle before:

• Thomas Calverley (b. c. 1532 - d. 1613),^[7]
• Thomas Hylton
• Henry Anderson, esquire
• Robert Dudley
• Anthony Felton
• Matthew Johnson
• Henry Anderson
• and Timothy Draper

by virtue of a commission to them directed, by the oaths of:

• Robert Eden, apothecary,^[8]
• John Gray, draper
• John Gray, tailor;
• Leonard Diggles, yeoman,^[9]
• George Barker, cordiner
• Thomas Dalton, tanner
• Cuthbert Nicholson, blacksmith.^[10]
• Richard Kyrkus, . . .
• Richard Johnson, tanner
• George Rochester, saddler
• Thomas Wigham, yeoman (bur. 06 Jan 1602/5 St. Andrew's, Newcastle.^[11]
• John Smith, yeoman
• Robert Errington, master and mariner
• Thomas Tucker, master and mariner.^[12]
• William Eden, master and mariner
• and Ralph Rawe, master and mariner

who testify : —

"That the merchants of the town of Newcastle have always, ... until Michaelmas gone a twelvemonth, or thereabout, used to have allowed unto them by the customers and other officers of the said port, for all cloths by them shipped, for the fuse] of the said port of the said town of Newcastle into foreign parts, eight northern .... single northern D ... or plains for a pan [pannus] or cloth, and four northern double D ... for a pan or cloth. And that for every such pan or cloth they paid unto the said customers, and other officers, by and during all the time of their memories, until the said Michaelmas gone a twelvemonth, six shillings and eightpence, and no more, for all customs, subsidies, and other duties due unto her majesty, or her predecessors, for the same. And the said jurors upon their oaths further say, that for the continuance of the said ancient rates and allowances made to them, the custom and subsidy of the cloths there shipped might be proportionate unto the custom and subsidy of the wools which the said merchants of Newcastle are to pay by [virtue of] several letters patent granted from her majesty and her predecessors, the marquis of Winchester, then lord treasurer of England, did direct his letters unto the customs and other officers of the said port, under his hand and seal, bearing date the 14 December 1560. The tenor whereof followe in these words : —

" After my hearty commendations. Whereas by the records of the queen's court of exchequer upon search there had, it appeareth that time out of mind there hath been allowed in your port of Newcastle, to every merchant shipping there, any D . . . or straits, eight pieces of the same for a cloth, and now of late the merchants of the said port complain themselves to be otherwise used at your hands; at whose complaint, and upon the sight of the said books, and other considerations, it is ordered by me, and sir Richard Sackevill, and sir Walter Myldmay, that there shall be allowed by the customers of the said port for the time being, to every merchant shipping such kind of cloth .... eight dozen or straits for a cloth, as heretofore it hath been used with order, I will and require you to cause to be observed. And thus fare you well."

Which letter is enrolled in an old register pertaining to the fellowship of the said merchants, shewed unto the said jury, at the time of this inquisition; by which usage, reason, and warranty the said jurors say that the said rates and allowances were had and made unto the said merchants as aforesaid, and further, the said jurors upon their oaths say that the said merchants of Newcastle have always, for the time whereof the memory of man is not to the contrary, always used to have allowed unto them, by the customs or other officer of the said port of Newcastle, a favourable pull or piece in every draught of wool by them or any of them ..."^[13]

The witnesses, all of Newcastle, were:

• Henry Mitforde, esq. (b. c. 1543, age 50);

seven merchants—viz.,

• Ralph Jennison (b. c. 1537, age 56) ; [mayor of Newcastle in 1596].^[14]
• Edward Bartram (b. c. 1527, age 66)
• William Huntlie (b. c. 1545, age 48)
• John Jackson (b. c. 1516, age 77)
• Anthony Eland (b. c. 1527, age 66)
• John Gibson (b. c. 1531, age 62)
• and George Still (b. c. 1533, age 60)

four aldermen—viz.,

• William Selby (b. c. 1527, age 66), [mayor of Newcastle in 1573 & '89].^[14]
• Robert Atkinson (b. c. 1531, age 62 in 1593 - d. bef. 1617), [sheriff of Newcastle in 1580].^[14][15]
• George Farnaby (b. c. 1536, age 57), [sheriff in Newcastle in 1588; mayor of Newcastle in 1591 & '98].^[14]
• and Mark Shafto (b. c. 1535, age 58), [sheriff of Newcastle in 1573; mayor of Newcastle in 1578].^[14][16]
• and Henry Temple, shipwright, (b. c. 1517, age 76).

Following up this inquisition, Roger Rawe, the mayor,^{sheriff of Newcastle in 1574; mayor of Newcastle in 1579, '92[14]} and ten aldermen and ex-sheriffs of Newcastle, write to Lord Burghley on 20 May, stating the merchants have of late been much hindered by the new demand of customs upon their cloth and wool. The advancement that may grow to her majesty thereby is not so much as the loss that may come to their town and poor country. If laid upon the merchants, it will reduce the place and country adjoining to great poverty. They therefore request his aid in this their suit. Thank him for committing the hearing of their cause to men of advised consideration, whose opinions would have been returned to him ere now had they not gone into the country after the parliament. Have entreated Sanderson to deal for them. Beg respite of payment of 100£ charged on Mr. Dudley, one of the customers, above their old rates, until her majesty's pleasure is further known, when they shall be ready to make payment, according to their duty."^[17]

Research Notes

DATES:

• DOB is a guess. Need more sources to guesstimate range.

TO DO:

• who is John Gray, tailor? relative?

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Welford, R. (1887). Hist. of Newcastle & Gateshead, p. 150. Google Books.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Will of Cuthbert Gray of Newcastle. Gray-24013#Will
3. ↑ An 'Oswald Gray' is named as a church warden in 1641.

   Sopwith, T. (1826). "Oswald Gray," in A historical and descriptive account of All Saints' Church, in Newcastle upon Tyne, p. 121. Google Books.

4. ↑ Space: Will of Isabelle Gray#Debts Lady Gray Owes
5. ↑ Hist. of Newcastle & Gateshead, p. 24. Google Books.
6. ↑ Richarde WALTON, [alderman of Durham, 1583], [member of the Drapers and Tailors Company], draper, [alderman], of citie of Durham [Durham, County Durham]; also spelt Waltonne
   Date of probate: 1584
   See DPRI/4/3: f.98 (30 June 1584) proctors appointed by Anne Walton, relict; f.102v (31 July 1584) William Hodgson notified to exhibit inv. at first court after 29 Sep [1584]. See also Surtees Society vol.38, p 95-96: ed. publishes will and not inv. ... valued at £1,300; [additional info drawn from this source]. Walton drafted will at London on 26 Feb 1584, the 13 page final will is dated two days later.
   will, 28 February 1584 (DPR/I/1/1584/W2/1-15)
   with allegation
   will, with allegation of Anne Walton, relict and executrix, propounding making of will and requesting sequestration during miniority of testator's 2 sons, the executors
   inventory, 29 May 1584 (DPR/I/1/1584/W2/16-32)
   with inv., 22 May 1584
   with inv., undated, actual total £1,908 10s 5d
   1. inv. household and shop goods etc., w/ inv. of debts w/ debtors' names and sometimes occupations given, and listed under 67 places (£1,242 3s 7d);
   2. inv. of bonds and bills due (page 29; £592 11s);
   3. additional inv. concerning testator's bills, obligations and debt book, appraised by William Hodshon (p. 32; £73 15s 10d). Walton's inv. lists debtors from places in this order, broadly listed by county: [County Durham] Durham College, Durham, Durham St Nicholas, Durham St Oswald, Durham St Margaret, Bailey, Durham St Giles, Pittington, Houghton-le-Spring, Bishopwearmouth, Bellowe [?Pelaw], [Bishop] Middleham, Sedgefield, Grindon, Whitton, Norton, Billingham, Elwick, Redmarshall, Egglescliffe, Hart, Stranton, Greatham, [Monk] Hesleden, Seaham, Dalton[-le-Dale], Witton Gilbert, Lanchester, Muggleswick, Ebchester, Merrington, Brancepeth, Wolsingham, Stanhope, Hamsterley, [Bishop] Auckland, Staindrop, Witton-le-Wear, Easington, Whickham, Ryton, Chester-le-Street, [South] Shields, Gateshead, Washington, Tanfield; [Northumberland] Newcastle, Whittingham, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Cornhill, Corbridge, Hexham, Ford, Alnwick, Bedlington, Bothal, Morpeth, Newburn, Whittonstall, Ovingham, Woodhorn, Stamfordham, Barnard Castle, Kirknewton, Haltwhistle, Haughton[-le-Skerne], Darlington, Aycliffe.

   SOURCE: Northeast Inheritance DB (pre-1858 Durham Probate Records). Durham Univ. Web.

7. ↑ Thos. Calverley of Lincoln's Inn, Temporal Chancellor of the Diocese of Durham. Thos. was the second son of Sir Wm. Calverley of Calverley & Elizabeth Middleton of Stokeld. In 1568 Thos. married Isabell, dau. of Bertram Anderson & Alice Carr, (Flower, 1881).
8. ↑ Robert Eden, apothecary, is the father of John Eden, who was apprenticed by master Robert Lawson, boothman. John Eden's indenture date was 01 June 1590, and his enrollment was on 15 April 1591.

   "Enrollments of apprentices & admissions of Freemen," in The Publications of the Surtees Society, 1899, 101, p. 220. Google Books.

9. ↑ poss. direct ancestor or relative of Leonard Diggles of Frodsham (probate 1708).

   Publications, 1889, 20, p. 60. Google Books.

10. ↑ poss. related to Cuthbert Nicholson, cordiner (bur. 16 Jan 1667 St. Andrew's, Newcastle-upon-Tyne).

    Find A Grave: Memorial #121990063

    Cuth. Nicholas, cordiner, was married to Alice. Their surviving sons were:
    • Cuthbert
    • Lancelot
    • Phinhas.

    Mackenzie, E. (1827). A Descriptive and Historical Account of the Town & County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Including the Borough of Gateshead, p. 330. Google Books.

11. ↑ Welford, R. (1887). History of Newcastle and Gateshead ...: Sixteenth & seventeenth centuries, p. 152. Google Books.
12. ↑ Thomas Tucker of Newcastle, mariner.
    `In October 1611 he shipped as Master's mate on the Daisy of Sandwich, Mr. John Buntinge, for a voyage to the West Indies. On passage she was seized by Capt. Easton of the Conrad who took out the deponent and others from their ship and detained her for 3 mo. bef. she could proceed on her voyage. Easton had 5 other ships under his command, the Valentin, the Jacob, the Swan and 2 prizes. 22 July 1615.'

    Coldham, P.W. (1984). English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660: Abstracts of

    Examinations in the High Court of Admiralty with Reference to Colonial America, p. 179. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co. ISBN 0-8063-1082-0. Google Books.
13. ↑ remainder (2 lines) illegible.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5} Eneas Mackenzie, 'The Corporation: Officers', in Historical Account of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Including the Borough of Gateshead (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1827), pp. 611-627. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp611-627 [accessed 10 June 2020].
15. ↑ Rbt. Atkinson died sometime bef. the death of Bishop James on 11 May 1617, who his widow Isabel married as the bishop's third wife.
    Isabel, widow of Rbt. Atkinson & Bishop James (d. 11 May 1617) were the parents of Francis James, who had Washington manor settled on him by his father.

    Welford, 1887, p. 219.[1]

16. ↑ Mark Shafto, sheriff & mayor, was the son of another Mark Shafto and bros. of:
    • merchant adventurer Edward Shafto, said to m. Isabel Ogle;
    • & Ninian, who m. ..., dau. of Henry Brandling.

    Wikipedia: Shafto family#Shafto of Newcastle and Whitworth

17. ↑ Hist. of Newcastle & Gateshead, p. 77-79. Google Books.

• Archaeologia Aeliana, 11, p. 75[2]

See Also...

• Gray, Family of North Shields, Master Mariners and Sailmakers. National Archives, UK. Web; (citing: 1851-1935: papers and photographs; Tyne and Wear Archives DX608).
• William Grey of Newcastle, miller (d. 1585), Grey-2648
• John Mitford of Newcastle, merchant (bp. 30 Jun 1594 - bur. 05 Oct 1623), Mitford-125.