John Tomlinson (abt. 1581 - 1649)

Born about 20 May 1581 in St. Thomas Parish, Bristol, England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Langley) Tomlinson — married before 12 Jul 1607 in Bristol, England [uncertain]

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Gary Pinson [send private message]

Biography

John Tomlinson was born in Bristol, England.

John was born in May 1581 in Bristol, England. He was the son of Thomas Tomlinson and Joane Palmer. John was baptized on 28 May 1581 in St Thomas Church, Bristol, England.^[1]

John passed away in 1649.

Timeline

• 1571, 1 Feb: William Pepwell, Bristol Alderman, leaves will naming dau Langley & her son Toby. Phillip Langley overseer.
• 1576, 29 March: Baptism of a John Tomlinson, son of Thomas Tomlinson, “the 19th day”. This an older brother who died?
• 1581, 28 May: Baptism (St Thomas Parish, same as above) of John Tomlinson, son of Thomas Tomlinson. This him?
• 1591, 10 June: Eliz Pepwell, Bristol widow, names dau Mary Langley, her son Toby and his unmarried children in her will.
• 1592, 26 Feb: John Jones bequeathes to a son “the George Close” & a “styche” of ground occpd by Thos. Tomlinson in Redcliffe Parish.^[2]
• 1601, Nov: John's father, Thomas Tomlinson, innholder leases messuage in East Street alias Patsmore Street. ^[3]
• 1602, 3 Nov: William Pitt and John Tomlynson among sixteen buyers of Bristol property?^[4]
• 1603, 24 March: Queen Elizabeth I dies. King James I ascends to throne of England and Ireland.
• 1603-04: Plagues strikes Bristol in July 1603. Kills 3,000 plus before it ends in January 1604.
• 1603-1625: John’s mother, widow Joan Tomlinson sues John & Leonard Hancock re: a tenement in Redcliff St, Bristol. ^[5]
• 1607, 5 May: John Fowen sponsored his apprentice John Tomlinson for admission as Burgess into the Merchant society. ^[6]
• 1607, 12 Jul: John married Marye Langley in St Thomas, Bristol, England.^[7]
• 1609, 28 Mar: John Fowen will bequeasts to John Tomlinson and Phillip Langley’s sisters, Mary Tomlinson & Anne Vawer. ^[8]
• 1612: John Tomlinson pays 50 pound fine/fee for a lifetime exemption from the office of sheriff. In 1615-16 serves anyway.
• 1613: King James allows Bristol Society of M.V. to protect itself from pirates. They build 2 “Men of War”.^[9][10]
• 1614: John Tomlinson admitted as a member of the Corporation (Merchant Venturers). ^[11]
• 1614: Bristol Society of Merchant Venturers build 4 more “Men of War” to suppress piracy. ^[12]
• 1614, 21? Dec: John Smythes acknowledges recpt of wife Sarah Fowen’s part of John Fowen estate. John Tomlinson witnesses. ^[13]
• 1614-15 (26 Dec-25 March): Mayor audits: John Tomlinson paid for “wynnes” taken by the “Queenes Maiesties Purveyours”. ^[14]
• 1614-48: John Tomlinson member of the Common Council
• 1615, 29 Sept: John Tomlinson takes office as one of two sheriffs of Bristol.^[15]
• 1615, 8 Nov: Alderman John Hopkins writes will naming friends John Roberts & John Tomlinson merchante overseers.^[16]
• 1616, 11 April: Thomas, son of John Tomlynson, baptized in All Saints Parish Church, Bristol, England.
• 1617, 19 April: Joane, daughter of John Tomlynson, baptized in All Saints Parish Church, Bristol, England.
• 1617: 300 English merchantmen captured and enslaved by Algerian and Tunisian corsairs. ^[17]
• 1617?: Merchant Venturers donate to fulfill Bristol’s assessment for Royal ship funds. Tomlinson donates 10 lbs.^[18]
• 1618, 20 Apr: John's likely brother, Richard Tomlinson of Bedminster, glover of messuage in East Street enters 25 yr lease.^[19]
• 1618: John Tomlinson elected to the office of treasurer of the Merchant Venturers society. ^[20]
• 1618, 17 Nov. John and both Wm Pitts on register of “maister wardeins…of marchante Adventurers of the citty of Bristoll” ^[21]
• 1618, 24 December: Marie, wife of John Tomlinson, was buried. ^[22]
• 1618, 23 Dec.: Phillipe, son of John Tomlynson, baptized in All Saints Parish Church, Bristol, England
• 1619, 11 April: ____ of Mr Philip Langley, was buried. Wife? Child? This Phillip the brother of recently deceased Mary (Langley) Tomlinson. ^[23]
• 1619, 14 Sept: Wm. Vawer’s will names merchants Phillip Langley, John Gonnynge & John Tomlinson executors. ^[24]
• 1620, 18 Jan: “cos John Tomlinson named in will of Wm Weale, baker, of St. Thomas in Bristol. ^[25]
• 1620, 7 Mar: John Keynes, vintner of Chippinge Sodbury, Glocester names John Tomlinson of Bristol wills overseer. ^[26]
• 1622: John Tomlinson et. al. plaintiffs v. Carye et. al. in Bristol property lawsuit. ^[27]
• 1624 (?)10 June: Prissilla Lordge, servant of John Tomlinson of All Saints parish, wed Wm Stinchcome of Temple parish. ^[28]
• 1626, 6 Apr. John Barker, Bristol Mayor, indentures (liens) property w. merchants John Tomlinson, Richd Longe et. al. ^[29]
• 1626-28: John Tomlinson one of the owner/builders of the 50 ton ship Endeavor.^[30][31]
• 1627-28: John Tomlinson chosen as “Master” of the Merchant Venturers society.^[32]
• 1628: Certificate of residence showing John Tomlinson liable for taxation in Bristol. ^[33]
• 1628: Chamberlain’s accts show John Tomlinson and William Pitt lived a few doors from each other on Redcliffe Street. ^[34]
• 1628, 23 June: John Tomlinson, Bristol merchant, sells property in Westbury on Trym. John Jr to also convey, when of age. ^[35]
• 1628, 27 Sept: George Neathway’s Bristol will mentions property purchased from John Tomlinson.^[36]
• 1628, 17 Nov: City Chamberlains accounts list 2 payments to John Tomlinson, treasurer of Queen Elizabeth hospital, Bristol.
• 1629, 11 Feb: Anne Fownes, Bristol widow, will naming kinsmen John Tomlinson & Rich’d Long, merchants, overseers.
• 1629, 2 June: Robert Pitt married Martha Tomlinson, daughter of John Tomlinson, at All Saints, Bristol England. ^[37]
• 1629, 1 Oct: John Tomlinson, Bristol merchant, sells Land in Redcliffe Mead, Bedminster to Thos Cole Bristol mariner.
• c. 1630: John and Humphrey Hooke sign letter from the Merchant Venturers Society to Richard Weston, Lord Treasurer of England.^[38]
• 1630, 18 Feb: John Tomlinson’s land south of “Church Acre” borders land leased by John Lock, Bristol, & by Payton prop. ^[39]
• 1630, 20 June: “John Tomlinson of Bristol, merchant” conveyance of “messuage with 4 acres of land adjoining in East Street alias Platsmore Street to be held of the chief lords of the fee for the poor.” On the other side of the transaction were 20 individuals of various professions including “Richard Tomlinson, yeoman”, who may have been John’s brother Richard. ^[40]
• 1630, 29 Sept: John Tomlinson takes office as Mayor of Bristol.^[41]
• 1630: Under mayor John Tomlinson, Bristol completes purchase of Bristol castle from the King. ^[42]
• 1630, Dec?: Under “Mayor John Tomlinson (Master 1627-28)” society of Merchant Venturers outfits ship to find Northwest passage to Asia.
• 1631, 28 April: John’s daughter Marie (Mary) married to John Dorine in Bristol.^[43]
• 1631, 3 May: The Henrietta Maria, the Societie’s ship captained by Thos. James.
• 1631, 29 June: Royal Summons to Bishop and Mayor (John Tomlinson) of Bristol to force Bristol rich to buy knighthoods.
• 1631, 1 Sept: John’s daughter Elizabeth married to Hugh Browne in Bristol. ^[44]
• 1631, 3 Sept: Society of Merchant Venturer’s ship, the Henrietta Maria, enters James Bay in Hudson Strait.
• 1632: Son in law Hugh Browne 1 of 3 appraisers of Anthony Kely, grocer of All Saints Parish, Bristol.
• 1633, 11 March: Alderman John Tomlinson & Rich’d Holworthy representatives to London to seek Irish contracts.
• 1633, May: John Tomlinson listed as Alderman.
• 1633, 23 Oct: A John Tomlinson’s wife Mary buried in Bishop’s Cleve, Tewksbury, England. Probably not ours. .
• 1634: Son in law, Hugh Browne elected “Warden” of the Merchant Venturers society. ( 2 elected at a time).
• 1636, Jan: Henry Pitt admitted to Merchant Society after completing apprenticeship to John Tomlinson, merchant.
• 1636: John with Robert and Martha (Tomlinson) Pitt defendents in a property suit in Bristol, England.
• 1636, 6 Apr: Granddaughter Hester Pitt baptised in Bristol.
• 1636, 7 July: John Tomlinson the elder, alderman, 1 of 4 surviving feoffees deeding (church? City?) St. Thomas property.
• 1636, 27 Sept: John Tomlinson the younger part of group buying St Thomas church property or assuming trusteeship?
• 1637, 18 April: John’s daughter Anne married to Benjamine Whetcombe in Bristol.
• 1640, 19 Dec: John Tomlinson merchant alderman, late mayor & Alexander James, late sheriff sell church property.
• 1642: John’s son in law, Hugh Browne, one of the two High Sheriffs of Bristol.
• 1642, Nov: Forces of Parliament seize Bristol. Church of St Mary Redcliffe was converted into a fortified outwork.
• 1643: John Tomlinson, “Surveyor” among 5 parties signing for city on sale of 3 properties to 3 different parties.
• 1643: Son in law, Hugh Browne elected to the office of treasurer of the Merchant Venturers society
• 1643: First parliament troops then Royalists occupy Bristol. Both sides extort money from the Merchants.
• 1643, 26 July: Storming of Bristol by Prince Rupert nephew of King Charles I.
• 1644, 13 Sept: John Tomlinson, sole surviving feoffee of St.Thomas, grants parcel by the Sheep Market in St.Thomas Street
• 1645, 23 August til 10 September: The second siege of Bristol of the English Civil War.
• 1645, December: Alderman Tomlinson from a list that usually entailed senior Bristol Aldermen.
• 1646, 30 October: Date will was written, sick in body but of sound memory
• 1647, ? January: John Tomlinson was buried. Is this his son, or grandson? Or a misread?
• 1648, Jan: John Tomlinson senior Alderman from St. Thomas Parish.
• 1648, 9 March: John Tomlinson listed as one of Bristols 12 alderman.
• 1648, 5 Sept: John Tomlinson member of the 43 member Common Council.
• 1649, 20 Apr: John Tomlinson’s will names son John and 4 married daughters including Martha Pitt and also her son.

Post Death

• 1651: Son in law, Hugh Browne elected “Master” of the Merchant Venturers society
• 1652: Son in law, Hugh Browne reelected “Master” of the Merchant Venturers society
• 1654, 26 August: Son John Tomlinson on a list of those deposed who stated they voted for Haggart for Parliament.
• 1656, 4 Sep: S.I.L., Hugh Browne’s former apprentices Chester & Williams deposed about Hugh Browne, alderman, dec’d.
• 1659: 25 Nov: John’s son, John Tomlinson et al, surviving feoffees, deed St. Thomas the Martyr property. See 1636, 1644.
• 1671, 20 March: sale of house next to one occupied by a John Tomlinson on Redcliffe Street, St. Thomas, Bristol
• 1673, 26 July: Will of John Tomlinson gentleman of Bristol. Is this John Sr’s son?

Proof of Children

The following Baptisms all took place in All Saints, Bristol, England:

Baptism Date Child's Name Father's Name

• 11 April 1616 Thomas John Tomlynson
• 19 April 1617 Joane John Tomlinsonn
• 23 Dec. 1618 Phillipe John Tomlinson
• 26 Nov. 1620 Richard John Tomlensonn

Notes on Baptisms:

• John Tomlinson, who was Bristol's Mayor in 1630-1631, was the only man of that name who we've found in Bristol records at the time of the above baptisms.
• The above John Tomlinson and his wife Mary Langley were married in All Saints Church on 2 July 1607. Also, we have marriage records from All Saints Church for three of their older daughters.
• John Tomlinson's parents were Thomas and Joane (Palmer) Tomlinson, so the children in the 1616 and 1617 baptisms were probably named after said paternal grandparents. Mary (Langley) Tomlinson's brother and illustrious paternal grandfather (Bristol Mayor and member of Parliament from Bristol) were both named Phillip, so the third child was likely named for one, or both, of them. John Tomlinson had a brother Richard, who may have been the source for the name of the 4th baptized child.
• We believe all four of these children predeceased their father as none were named in his 1649 will.
• All Saints is an Anglican church in Corn Street, Bristol, England. The west end of the nave survives from the original 12th-century church, and the east nave and aisles were built in the 15th century.

The following marriages all took place in All Saints, Bristol, England and all named John Tomlinson as the bride's father:

Sources

1. ↑ "Bristol, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Bristol Archives; Bristol, England; Bristol Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: P/St T/R/1/a
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 61666 #1608841 (accessed 10 March 2024)
   John Tomlinsonn baptism on 28 May 1581 (born 1581), son of Thomas Tomlinsonn, in St Thomas, Bristol, England.
2. ↑ Notes or abstracts of the Wills Contained in the Volume Entitled the Great orphan book and Book of wills, in the council house at Bristol. By Thomas Procter Wadley. P 274.
3. ↑ Thomas Tomlinson, innholder lease. Reference: P/St.JBed/D/1/25. Bristol Archives. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/e0ac72af-80f9-4dad-ac63-f0245b7ad926
4. ↑ Feoffment of St. Thomas Parish church properties. Reference: P/St.T/D/16. Bristol Archives. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/dacfdbdc-8266-4d3f-ba20-8c0d92008b13
5. ↑ Tomlinson v Hancock. Ref: C 2/JasI/T6/26. Document type: [pleadings]. Date: 1603-1625. The National Archives, Kew, England, U.K.
6. ↑ FIVE HUNDRED ‘MISSING’BRISTOL BURGESSES: 1599-1607 CALENDARED FROM THE CORPORATION’S GREAT AUDIT BOOKS. By ROGER PRICE. 2009. https://bafhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/BAFHS-Missing-Burgesses-1599.pdf
7. ↑ "Bristol, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Bristol Archives; Bristol, England; Bristol Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: P/St T/R/1/a
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 61666 #1612675 (accessed 10 March 2024)
   John Thomlinson marriage to Marye Langley on 12 Jul 1607 in St Thomas, Bristol, England.
8. ↑ Merchants and Merchandise in Seventeenth-century Bristol, Volume 19. Edited by Patrick McGrath. Bristol Record Society, 1955. Bristol (England). 315 pages. P 44-46. (cites: B.R.O., C.T.D. 09457(3 ).
9. ↑ The History of the Society of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol ... . By John Latimer. 1903. Kessinger Publishing. 360 Pages.
10. ↑ Bristol Lists: Municipal and Miscellaneous by Alfred B Beaven. Page 310. In an alphabetical listings for “Members of the Corporation, 1599-1835”.
11. ↑ FIVE HUNDRED ‘MISSING’ BRISTOL BURGESSES: 1599-1607 CALENDARED FROM THE CORPORATION’S GREAT AUDIT BOOKS. By ROGER PRICE. 2009. https://bafhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/BAFHS-Missing-Burgesses-1599.pdf
12. ↑ The History of the Society of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol ... . By John Latimer. 1903. Kessinger Publishing. 360 Pages.
13. ↑ Merchants and Merchandise in Seventeenth-century Bristol, Volume 19. Edited by Patrick McGrath. P 46.
14. ↑ Bristol, Volume 8. Edited by Mark Cartwright Pilkinton. P. 200.
15. ↑ Bristol, Volume 8. Edited by Mark Cartwright Pilkinton. P. 200.
16. ↑ PRIVATEERING IN ELIZABETHAN BRISTOL:A CASE STUDY ON JOHN HOPKINS. By WILLIAM JESSOP. MA Medieval and Early Modern History. September 2004. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/History/Maritime/Sources/2004jessop.pdf
17. ↑ The History of the Society of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol ...By John Latimer.
18. ↑ The History of the Society of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol ...By John Latimer.
19. ↑ ttp://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/5d043e38-5a6d-4f83-84c1-30cbc8072632
20. ↑ The History of the Society of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol ...By John Latimer.
21. ↑ The History of the Society of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol ...By John Latimer. Pages 80-81.
22. ↑ LDS Film 4179970, All Saints Parish, Bristol. Image 68: “1618 December ___, Marie, wife of John Tomlinson, was buried”. Read and filmed by Janet Ross on March 2018 at the Washington D.C. branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Note: These images can only be viewed in LDS libraries, or affiliated associations like the D.A.R.
23. ↑ LDS Film 4179970, All Saints Parish, Bristol. Image 68: Reading done by Janet Ross on March 2018.
24. ↑ Will of William Vawer. Abstracts of wills in the Prerogative court of Canterbury at Somerset house ...By Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Prerogative Court. Pages 460-61.
25. ↑ Will of William Weale. Abstracts of wills in the Prerogative court of Canterbury at Somerset house ...By Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Prerogative Court. Pages 66-67.
26. ↑ Will of John Keynes. Abstracts of wills in the Prerogative court of Canterbury at Somerset house ...By Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Prerogative Court. Page 172.
27. ↑ Tomlinson v Carye. Reference: C 3/384/23. The National Archives, Kew, England, U.K. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3805239
28. ↑ LDS Film 4179970, All Saints Parish, Bristol. Image 13: “1624 (?) June 10, were married William Stinchcome of the parish of Temple and Prissilla Lordge, servant ot Mr. John Tomlinson of this parish” per a reading done by Janet Ross on March 2018.
29. ↑ Abstracts of Gloucestershire Inquisitiones Post Mortem Returned ..., Volume 13. By Great Britain. Court of Chancery. P. 81 in chapter “Inquisitiones Post Mortem”.
30. ↑ Bristol Privateers and Ships of War. By Commander J.W. Damer Powell. Published by J.W. Arrowsmith Ltd., Quay Street, London, England. 1930. Page 77.
31. ↑ Newfoundland Family Histories. Families linked to the Noels & Newells. Section entitled "Bristol Privateers 1626-8" shows "Endeavour, 50, J. Tomlinson, etc." https://familiesofnfld.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/shipping-notes/
32. ↑ The History of the Society of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol ...By John Latimer.
33. ↑ 1628 Certificate of residence showing John Tomlinson liable for taxation in Bristol. Reference: E 115/391/101. he National Archives, Kew. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15560824
34. ↑ City Chamberlains' Accounts in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Volume 24. edited by D. M. Livock. Printed for the Bristol Record Society. 1966. www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/History/bristolrecordsociety/publications/brs24.pdf
35. ↑ Bond in £40 John Tomlinson of Bristol, merchant, to William Jones of Bristol, merchant.... Reference: 26389/6. This record is held by Bristol Archives. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/a8ae45dc-bb88-48af-ad34-501b51dd5d29
36. ↑ Merchants and Merchandise in Seventeenth-century Bristol, Volume 19. Edited by Patrick McGrath. P. 50.
37. ↑ LDS Film 4179970, All Saints Parish, Bristol. Microfilmed record page showing the marriage entry,
38. ↑ Bristol and the Northwest Passage; Thomas James’s 1630-2 Expedition Re-Assessed. By Sam Finney. University of Bristol Department of Historical Studies. Best undergraduate dissertations of 2013. citing: “69 ‘Sir Thomas Roe his letter to Mr. Mayor to incite the merchants of Bristoll to go forward in the enterprize’ in M. Christie, The Voyages, pp. cxxxiv-cxli.” https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/history/migrated/documents/2013finney.pdf
39. ↑ 18th February 5 Chas 1[1630] Copart lease for 21 years. Reference: P/St.JBed/D/1/36. Bristol Archives, not available at The National Archives. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/784712bb-9d77-4caf-8f5a-e536ba41a3c8
40. ↑ Conveyance, 20th Jun [1630]. Reference number P.St JBed/D/1/27. Citing: “Records of the Anglican parish of St John the Baptist, Bedminster. Deeds. Schedule of deeds belonging to the Church and Poor Lands of St John Bedminster, deposited in St Mary Redcliffe after the union of the two parishes.” https://archives.bristol.gov.uk/records/P.St_JBed/D/1/27
41. ↑ Bristol Lists: Municipal and Miscellaneous by Alfred B Beaven. Pages 222-23. https://archive.org/stream/bristollistsmuni00inbeav#page/222/mode/2up/search/Tomlinson
42. ↑ Bristol Past and Present, Volume 1. By James Fawckner Nicholls, John Taylor. P 288.
43. ↑ 1631 Dorine/Tomlinson marriage record. LDS Film 4179970, All Saints Parish, Bristol. Image 68.
44. ↑ 1631 Browne/Tomlinson marriage record. LDS Film 4179970, All Saints Parish, Bristol. Image 68.

• Unpublished, but sourced research by Janet Ross and Gary R. Pinson.
• The Will of Thomas Tomlinson, dated 20 March 1620. Probated 8 May 1622. England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 Ancestry database, PROB 11: Will Registers 1599-1623 Piece 139: Savile, Quire Numbers 1-62 (1622). (note: The will is 4 1/2 pages long with the last quarter page being the probate information written in Latin. The rest is exceedingly hard to read, because of the writer's unique hand and Secretary Script. Still, I was able to transcribe about 95% with some assistance from Janet Ross.)
• City Chamberlains' Accounts in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Volume 24. edited by D. M. Livock. Printed for the Bristol Record Society. 1966.
• TUDOR WILLS PROVED IN BRISTOL 1546-1603. General Editor: JOSEPH BEITEY. BRISTOL RECORD SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS. 1993.
• THE DEPOSITION BOOKS OF BRISTOL 1643-1647 Vol. VI. BRISTOL RECORD SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS. Edited by H.E. Nott. General Editor: PROFESSOR R. B. Mow AT, M.A., D .Litt. Printed by J.W. Arrowsmith Ltd. 11 Quay St. Bristol, England.