| Notes |
- The very old Bench surname records are often transcribed as:
Bence/Benct/Benth/Bente/Bonche/Benche ...etc. I have also
noted the letter B noted as an F or H in some cases.
Kinship between Thomas Bench (the elder) and likely son William Bench
is circumstantial, but highly likely. Unfortunately William Bench died in
1560, before Thomas Bench (the elder) made his will, and this older
William Bench does not appear in the 1565 probate record. However his
brother Phillip Bench is noted several times, along with Thomas Bench's
wife Elizabeth. It is also believed that Phillip Bench had a son named
William, but he died in 1565.
For purposes of record keeping, the Surname will be noted as Bench in
my records, regardless of actual spelling.
For purposes of record keeping, if actual birthdate is not known, will use
the year of baptism record (if available). If estimating, will use best guess
techniques which normally will provide birth/death within 10-20 year
time-frame. These techniques usually involve a combination of other
supplemental records to to pinpoint general birth/death/marriage dates.
This Bench family is connected to my English Ingram family via Elizabeth
Bench (born ca 1780), who was the daughter of William Bench (born 1754).
This Thomas Bench, born circa 1515 in Lillington, Warwickshire is my 13th
Great Grandfather. The Bench/Ingram descent is:
Thomas Bench(ca1515), Phillip Bench (ca 1535), Thomas Bench (1565),
Humfrey Bench (1593), Job (ca 1628), Joseph (ca 1661), Job (1693),
William Bench (1725), William Bench (1754), Elizabeth Bench (1780),
(Note: Elizabeth Bench is my 4th great grandmother. She married Edward
Ingram in Church Lawford, Warwickshire in 1806). Their lineage:
Edward Ingram (1815-immigrated to USA), Thomas Ingram (1844),
Alonzo Ingram (1876-first of my family branch born in USA), Arthur
Ingram (1909), William Ingram (1935), Calvin Ingram (myself)
The very early records of the English born Bench families between 1500-1700
normally have very little extra info, and connecting these families, especially
for marriages is often difficult without support information. I am attempting to
gather as much supporting information as possible, but most info is difficult to
obtain, without being in England, as some records are held locally.
England is about the size of the state of New York in land mass, so moving
10-20 miles was considered a significant move. The North/South length of
England, is about 300 miles, and the east/west size is about 200 miles wide.
A geographic notation is that Lillington appears to be where our early Bench
families were first noted with regularity. When newlyweds that lived in
different towns married, we often see movement to another nearby town.
Normally dictated where newlyweds could best raise a new family.
First major location of interest is Lillington, which is a small village located
just Northeast of the city of Warwick and just North of the town of Royal
Leaming Spa. This is where our first Bench families show up in parish
records with some regularity.
Second major location of interest is the town of Southham, which is
East/Southeast of Lillington, about 8 miles away from Lillington. This is
another area where the Bench families show up in parish records with some
regularity.
Third major location of interest is the town of Banbury (Oxfordshire), which
is pretty much due south of Southam, about 14 miles away from Southam and
about 22 miles away from Lillington.
Fourth major location of interest is the Rugby area (Warwickshire), which
is North/Northeast of Southam, about 6.5 miles away from Southam. There
are many small villages surrounding this area, where my particular branch
of the Bench family lived.
Info on the elder Thomas Bench(e):
The 1379-1380 poll tax listings of Lillington do not list any Bench families,
although a lot of this document does not list last names, due to document
damage. At this date, Lillington was part of the Stoneleigh Hundred.
Court Roll (207/7 37/38 year of Henry the 6th) [1459]
In 1459, the Knightlow hundred acknowledged Lillington was part of their
jurisdiction, when it was fined 12d when no one showed for court meeting.
There is no other Lillington acknowledgments in Court Records until 1540.
6 April 1540 (Lichfield Consistory)
Will of John Fax of Lillington
John Fax noted as of Lillington, listed wife Isabell, son John, and Thomas
Bence (Bench) as overseers/witness. Others noted were John Cham,
Richard Arlege, Robert Westley. Inventory by William Robens, John
Nich(ols) and William Rattley.
6 April 1540 (Lichfield Consistory)
Will of William Mayole (Believe in later records of family, surname was
noted as Mayo)
Note this testament was badly damaged
Executors mentioned were wife Agnes and William Mayole (presumed son).
Also named were Thomas Bynche, William Rocke, John Pouer, and John
Nycholls.
Lillington Court Roll (38 year of Henry the 8th/1st of Edward the 6th)
[18 January 1547]
Those in attendance were Humphrey Yardeley, Thomas Benche, Richard
Hewett, John Nycolls, junior, William Rotley, and William Grenewey.
Lillyngton tithingman:
John Nycolles, tithingman there, sworn, that he gives the King for a common
fine this day 10s 11d. for the whole year. Also he presents that the wives of
William Greneway and of Thomas Benche are tipplers and sell very thin ale.
Each is amerced 2d. Homage in Lillyngton and following sworn:
Humphrey Yardeley, Thomas Benche, Richard Hewett, John Nycholls, Jr,
William Rotley, and William Grenewey.
29 April 1547 (Lichfield Consistory)
Will of William Robyns of Lillington,
Names wife Jone (later name as Joan) and son John as executors of will.
Other names mentioned ? Robyns (possible daughter[s]), William
Nycalls (godson), William Yardley, Anns Nycalls, Sylvester Robys,
Isbell Robys. John Powhar and Jhon Nycalls oversears. Witnesses:
Thomas Bench, Omffrey Yardley, Jhon Nycalls. Inventory appraised
by Jhon Powar, Jhon Nycalls, Omffey Yardley, and Wyllm Nycalls of
Lyllyngton. Total L15 4s 8d. Probate at Kenilworth, to Joan, relict, and
John, son, executors named 29 April 1547.
Lillington Court Roll (2nd year of Edward the 6th) [5 April 1548]
Those in attendance were Thomas Benche, William Greneway, William
Mayo, William Rotley, Richard Hewett, Humphrey Yardley, William
Nicols, John Nycolles, and William Westeley.
They noted all in Lillington was well, but put a penalty upon all tenants if
they did not leave at least on furrow unploughed to a width of 2 feet for
every ridge in the cornfields. If not, they would be fined 12d. John Nicolles
was the tithing man and fined the wives of William Greneway and John
Nicolles 2d each for selling meat by false weights.
Lillington Court Roll (3rd year of Edward the 6th) [21 October 1549]
Those in attendance were Humphrey Yardeley, John Nicols, William
Westeley, William Nicolles, Thomas Hewet, Thomas Benche, Richard
Greneway, William Rottley, and William Meycoke.
John Nicolles was the tithingman and pays the common fine of 10s, 11d.
He presented the wives of John Nicolles and William Grenesay for
brewing thin ale. They were fined 2d each. There was also a stray Ewe
that was in Lillington for a year, that was being kept by Humphrey
Yardeley, who was fined 2s.
Lillington Court Roll (4 year of Edward the 6th) [8 April 1550]
Those in attendance were Humphrey Yardeley, John Nicolls, Thomas
Benche, and Richard Greneway.
John Nicolles was the tithingman and noted that William Grenewey and
John Nicolles wife are tavern-keepers, and sell ale without proper
measurers, they are fined 2d each. Another stray ewe, in Lillington for
a year is up for sell at 20d. Remains in charge of the bailiff.
2 July 1555 (Lichfield Consistory)
Will of Agnes Mayo of Lillington.
Will was dated 26 March 1555 and probated 2 July 1555
Agnes Mayo noted as a widow. Named sons William, George, Rychard,
and John Mayo. Daughters Margery and Jone. Also name were George
Hauten, William Sauyge, Edward Sauyge, and Dorothy Shyrwod. Will
witnessed by Thomas Badnal vicar of Lylngton, Humfrey Yardley,
Thomas Benche, and John Brown. Inventory was performed by neigbors
William Greenewaye, Wyllm. Nycolls, John Nycolls and Wyllm. Benche.
Thomas Bench(e) (The Eldest) is first found in Lillington Court rolls in 1547.
We know the family was involved in the brewing profession, based on the
previous record info, likely operated an Alehouse, which was a common
profession back in early English days.
We do know he was mentioned in other Lillington records, as his will was
written on 19 March 1565/1566 probate records, and prior to this he was
noted in records as lated as 1556. It is assumed that William Bench who
was buried in 1560, in Lillington, was not mentioned in the probate records
of his father, although the probate record is difficult to read/interpret.
The 1565 probate record key points read:
Start of will provides standard notation that Thomas Benche is making his
last will and testatment, and is of sound mind, and notes he is of Lillington.
He requests to be buried in the parish churchyard in Lillington.
First he bequeaths to Phillipe Benche (his son) (something unknown), to
Thomas Bench (Phillips son) (something unknown), and to John Benche
(his ??? - not son, perhaps brother).
Bequeaths to give wife bushell of corn?, bequeaths to Richard Nicols his
mothers ???? and bequeaths to Marjorisi giv? wiffe a ???, and bequeaths
to Elizabeth (something unknown). Bequeaths to ??? Robyns, ??? Robyns
daughter a (something unknown), bequeaths to unreadable, bequeaths to
Thomas Brossant (his god son - something unreadable), bequeaths to
Elizabeth Blackes (something unknown), reiterates his son Phillip, and
then his wife Elizabeth several times. Notes Thomas Gibbons???
So far, that is all that I have been able to make out with this will.
|
Abt 1515 - 1565 (50 years)
