Generation 1

1. DOROTHY SHEAFE (bef. 1595 - 1669)

Parents: Rev. Thomas Sheafe and Maria Wilson

Dorothy Sheafe was probably born shortly after 1595. She married Rev. Henry Whitfield in 1618. [Ref] She died in 1669 in England. [Ref]

Dorothy may be the underage cousin Dorothy Sheafe mentioned in her uncle David Rawson's 15 Jun 1616 will. [Ref] Her uncle Dr. Edmund Wilson mentions his "cousin (niece) Whitfield" in is his will, proved on 11 Oct 1633. [Ref] Her father calls her Dorothy Whitfield in his will, proved 2 Mar 1639/40. [Ref] He left her a pair of fustian blankets. [Ref]

Generation 2

2. REV. THOMAS SHEAFE, DD (bp. 1562 - 1632) of Welford and Windsor

Parents: Thomas Sheafe and Mary Harmon

Thomas Sheafe was baptised in St. Dunstan's in Cranbrook, Kent on 10 Oct 1562. [Ref][Ref] He died on 12 Dec 1639 in Wickham, Welford, Berkshire and was buried in St. George's in Windsor. [Ref] He married first Maria Wilson. [Ref] Maria was buried on 26 Jul 1613 in Welford, Berks. [Ref] Thomas married second Anna Woodward. [Ref] Anna was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Honywood) Woodward of Upton. [Ref] She apparently died in childbirth. She was buried on 30 Sep 1614. [Ref]

Thomas was admitted to Cambridge in 1580. [Ref] He received his BA in 1585, his MA in 1588 and his DD in 1595. [Ref]

Thomas was vicar of Welford, installed in 1597. [Ref] He was dean of Windsor on 29 Mar 1614 - 1615. [Ref]

In his will, proved 2 Mar 1639/40, he mentions his daughter Dorothy Whitfield and his other children: Grendall, Edmund, Edward, daughters Westley, Norwood and Hesilrigge. [Ref]

"Mr. Doctor Thomas" is mentioned in the 29 Dec 1615 will of his uncle William Sheaffe. [Ref, p. 5-6]His father-in-law mentions his "son-in-law Mr. Doctor Thomas Sheafe" in his will. [Ref]

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Anna Woodward:

1. Edward Sheafe was baptised on 30 Sep 1614. [Ref]

Note: Cranbrook parish records begin in August 1551. [Ref]

3. MARIA WILSON (prob. abt 1575 - 1613)

Parents: Rev. William Wilson and Isabel Woodhall [Ref]

Maria Wilson was probably born about 1575. [Ref] She was buried on 26 Jul 1613 in Welford, Berks. [Ref] She married Rev. Thomas Sheafe.

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Maria Wilson:

1. William Sheafe died young. [Ref] Perhaps he is the William, child, who was buried on 28 Dec 1594 in Cranbrook. [Ref]
2. Edmund Sheafe died in 1649. [Ref] He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Sampson and Elizabeth (Juxon) Cotton. [Ref]
   Edmund was a citizen and mercer of London. [Ref]
   Edmund Sheafe of London signed his will on 30 Aug 1647; it was proved in 1649. He mentions his brother Doctor Thomas Sheafe and his wife Mary; his wife Elizabeth; his mother Mrs. Elizabeth Cotton; his bother and sister Walters; his brother and sister Wood; his brother and sister Westfield; his brother and sister Edge; the "poor of Westfield parish, wherein I was borne"; his brother Grindall Sheafe; his brother Edward; his sister Westley; his brother Bale. [Ref]
   
3. Thomas Sheafe died on 7 Aug 1657. [Ref] He married Mary Unknown. He may be the Thomas Sheafe, Esq. of Cranbrook who married Mary Gibbon on 6 Aug 1611. [Ref] Mary was the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Gibbon of Westcliffe. [Ref] [Or, is he too young to be this Thomas?]
   Thomas received his BA from Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1624/5, his MA in 1628 and his D.Med in 1636. [Ref] He was a fellow of the College of Physicians in 1637. [Ref]
4. Grindall Sheafe married Anne Munday. [Ref] He is buried in Wells Cathedral. [Ref] Anne was the daughter of Rev. Francis Munday. [Ref]
   Grindall was a fellow of King's College, Cambridge and a doctor of divinity. [Ref] He was vicar of Coltshall and Horstead, Norfolk. [Ref] He was archdeacon, canon and prebendary of Wells. [Ref]
   
5. Dorothy Sheafe was probably born shortly after 1595. She died in 1669 in England. She married Rev. Henry Whitfield in 1618.
6. Daughter Sheafe married Unknown Westley. [Ref]
7. Daughter Sheafe married Unknown Norwood. [Ref]
8. Rebecca Sheafe married Thomas Heselrigge. [Ref] Thomas was the son of Sir Thomas Hesilrigge, High Sheriff, of Nosely, Leicestershire, and Frances Gorges. [Ref] He was a mercer of the Cordwainer Ward, London. [Ref]

Generation 3

4. THOMAS SHEAFE (abt 1532 - 1604) of Cranbrook

Parents: Richard Sheafe and Elizabeth Andrews

Thomas Sheafe was born about 1532. [Ref] Thomas Sheafe, yeoman, was buried on 6 Sep 1604 in Cranbrook, Kent. [Ref] He married Mary Harmon. [Ref]

The church warden's accounts for Cranbrook for 1564-5 say: "received of Thomas Sheafe four pounds as a bequest for the burial of his father and mother in the church, and for repairs to the church." [Ref]

There was a fulling mill on Thomas Sheafe's property at Great Henley, on the border with Hawkhurst. A 9 Apr 1577 deed between Stephen Beeching of Rye and Thomas Sheafe of Cranbrook, clothier, gives Thomas the right to make and use a dike on Stephen Beeching's property to carry away the waste waste water from Thomas's pond. [Ref]

William, Richard, Alexander and Thomas Sheafe were taxed in Cranbrook in 39 Elizabeth [1596]. [Ref]

Thomas Sheafe, yeoman of Cranbrook, signed his will in 1604. He mentions his wife Mary; his sons Richard, John, Edmund, Thomas and Harmon Sheafe, Giles Fletcher, George Roberts, Peter Courthope and Stephen Brett; his daughters Fletcher, Robarts, Courthope and Brett; his brother William Sheafe and his wife; his sisters Courthope, Hovenden, Couchman and Gibbion; Phebe, the widow of his son Alexander; his wife's brother Thomas Harmon. [Ref]

Website of St. Dunstan's in Cranbrook

5. MARY HARMON (1536 - 1609)

Parents: Thomas Harmon and Unknown Courthope

Mary Harmon was born in 1536. [Ref] Mrs. Mary Sheafe, widow, was buried on 20 Nov 1609 in Cranbrook. [Ref] She married Thomas Sheafe.

A brass plate in the church at Cranbrook says: "Mary Sheafe, the wife of Thomas Sheafe, who lived together nere xlv yeares, and has issue between them ix sons and vi daughters, she a grave and charitable Matron, died lxxiii years of age, Nov. 1609, impasivit. E.S." [Ref]

Her father left Mary Harmon 100 marks or one of his best feather beds and everything belonging to it in his will. [Ref]

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Mary Harmon:

1. Unknown daughter Sheafe married George Roberts of Bencheley. [Ref]
2. Richard Sheafe was born about 1558 - 1559. [Ref] He married Margery Roberts on 8 Jan 1580/1 in Cranbrook. [Ref][Ref] They had ten children baptised at Cranbrook. [Ref]
   He is mentioned in the 29 Dec 1615 will of his uncle William Sheaffe. [Ref, p. 5-6]
   1. Thomas Sheafe is mentioned in the 29 Dec 1615 will of his granduncle William Sheaffe. [Ref, p. 5-6]
   2. Richard Sheafe is mentioned in the 29 Dec 1615 will of his granduncle William Sheaffe. [Ref, p. 5-6]
   3. Harmon Sheafe, underaged, is mentioned in the 29 Dec 1615 will of his granduncle William Sheaffe. [Ref, p. 5-6]
      
3. Edmund Sheafe was baptised on 17 Mar 1559/60 in St. Dunstan's in Cranbrook. [Ref][Ref] He was buried on 1 Nov 1626 at Cranbrook. [Ref] He married first Elizabeth Taylor on 30 May 1586 [Ref] in Cranbrook. [Ref] She was buried on 5 Mar 1598 in Cranbrook. [Ref] He married second Jane Downe, widow, of Challock, after 15 Aug 1599 (lic.) [Ref] She died between 1600 and 1612. [Ref] He married third Joan (Jordan) Kitchell, the sister of Nicholas Jordan, Esq. [Ref]
   Edmund Sheafe of Cranbrook signed his will on 1 Nov 1625; it was proved on 11 Dec 1626. [Ref]
   He is mentioned in the 29 Dec 1615 will of his uncle William Sheaffe. [Ref, p. 5-6]
   some descendants of Edmund Sheafe
   
4. Rev. Thomas Sheafe was baptised in St. Dunstan's in Cranbrook on 10 Oct 1562. He died on 12 Dec 1639 and was buried in St. George's in Windsor. [Ref] He married first Maria Wilson. He married second Anna Woodward. [Ref]
5. Joan Sheafe was baptised on 19 Dec 1562 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] She married Dr. Giles Fletcher [Ref] on 16 Jan 1580 in Cranbrook. [Ref, "Master Gyles Fletcher"]
   Giles Fletcher was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge; he was a diplomat, minor official and poet. He was the son of Richard Fletcher, vicar of Cranbrook, and the brother of Robert Fletcher, bishop of London. Giles and Joan were the parents of Giles and Phineas Fletcher, poets, and Giles was the uncle of the playwright John Fletcher. See www.poemhunter.com or wikipedia.
   
6. Katherine Sheafe was baptised on 13 May 1564 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] She was buried on 27 Oct 1581 [Ref] in Cranbrook. [Ref] She died of the plague. [Ref]
7. John Sheafe was baptised on 9 Sep 1565 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] He died between 1604 and 1609. [Ref] He married Katherine Sanders on 30 May 1586 [Ref][Ref, the date is not clear from this transcription of the records.] She married second Francis Burch, a yeoman of Goodhurst, on 6 Nov 1609. [Ref] John and Katherine had seven children. [Ref]
8. Alexander was baptised on 15 Dec 1566 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] He was buried on 20 Sep 1601 [Ref] in Cranbrook. [Ref] He married Phebe Hyder on 13 Sep 1591 [Ref] in Cranbrook. [Ref] Alexander and Phebe had five children. [Ref]
9. Mary was baptised on 6 Jan 1567 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] She was buried on 14 Oct 1581 [Ref] in Cranbrook. [Ref] She died of the plague. [Ref]
10. Harmon was baptised on 4 Jul 1570 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] He married Sarah Gyllebrand after 6 Jul 1608 (lic.) [Ref] A Harmon Sheafe was imprisoned for non-conformity. [Ref]
    He is mentioned in the 29 Dec 1615 will of his uncle William Sheaffe. [Ref, p. 5-6]
    
11. Anne was baptised on 2 Mar 1571 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] She married Peter Courthope. [Ref]
12. Samuel was baptised on 21 Feb 1573 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref]
13. William was buried on 27 Oct 1575. [Ref]
14. Benjamin was baptised on 18 Aug 1577 in St. Dunstan's. [Ref][Ref] He was buried on 21 Aug 1577 [Ref] in Cranbrook. [Ref]
15. Elizabeth married Stephen Brett of Romney on 13 Nov 1602. [Ref] Is she the Elizabeth who was baptised on 19 Apr 1579 in Cranbrook? Or, is she the Elizabeth, twin of Anne, baptised on 23 Jul 1581? [Ref] She had a daughter who married John Ruck. [Ref] In his will, Elizabeth's uncle William Sheafe left a bequest to Thomas Ruck, the son John Ruck who married William's brother Thomas's daughter. [Ref, p. 5-6]

6. REV. WILLIAM WILSON, DD (1545 - 1615) of Windsor

Parents: William Wilson [Ref][Ref]

Rev. William Wilson was born about 1542. [Ref] He died on 15 May 1615. [Ref] He is buried in St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. [Ref] He married first Isabel Woodhall. [Ref] He married second Anne Webb. [Ref] Anne was the sister of Erasmus Webb, a canon at Windsor. [Ref] She died before 13 Nov 1612, when her will was proved. [Ref]

Rev. Wilson received his D.D. from Merton College, Oxford [Ref] in 1607. [Ref] He was appointed canon of St. George's Chapel [Ref] on 10 Dec 1584. [Ref] He was prebendary of St. Paul's and Rochester Cathedrals. [Ref] He held the Rectory of Cliffe in Kent. [Ref]

William signed his will on 23 Aug 1613; it was proved on 27 May 1616. [Ref] He asked to be buried in St. George's Chapel, next to his father, or at the Cathedral Church of Rochester if he died there or at Cliffe. He mentions his cousin Collins, prebendary at Rochester; his eldest son Edmund, a fellow at King's College, Cambridge; his son John; his third son Thomas; his daughters Isabel Gibbs and Margaret Rawson; his deceased daughter Elizabeth and her husband Somers; his underage godson William Sheafe; his brother-in-law Mr. Erasmus Webb, a canon of St. Georges; his brother Mr. Thomas Woodward; his son-in-law Mr. Doctor Thomas Sheafe. [Ref] He is mentioned in his brother-in-law William Woodhall's will. [Ref]

His gravestone says: "Here underneath lies interr'd the Body of William Wilson, Doctour of Divinity and Prendarie of this Church by the space of 32 years. He had Issue by Isabell his Wife six sons and six daughters. He dy'd the 15th of May in the Year of our Lord 1615. of his Age the 73 ... " [Ref]

7. ISABEL WOODHALL

Parents: John Woodhall and Elizabeth Grindall [Ref]

Isabel Woodhall is buried in Rochester Cathedral. [Ref] She married Rev. William Wilson. [Ref]

Isabel was the niece of Edmund Grindall, the Archbishop of Canterbury. [Ref] He left her £50 in his will. [Ref]

Children of Rev. William Wilson and Isabel Woodhall:

1. Maria Wilson was probably born about 1575. She was buried on 26 Jul 1613 in Welford, Berks. [Ref] She married Thomas Sheafe 3.
2. Unknown son Wilson probably died young. [Ref]
3. Elizabeth Wilson died before 23 Aug 1613, when her father refers to her as deceased in his will. She married John Somers. [Ref] John was the son of John Somer of St. Margaret's. [Ref] He married second Elizabeth, the daughter of Anthony Dering of Charing. [Ref]
4. Isabel Wilson married Thomas Gibbs of Windsor, gent., the son of John and Mary (Elham) Gibbs of Elmeston, co. Kent, about 1608. [Ref] They had five children. [Ref]
5. Dr. Edmund Wilson, MD of London was born about 1583. [Ref] He died, unmarried, in Sep 1633 in the parish of St. Mary-le-Bow in London. [Ref]
   He matriculated at Merton College, Oxford on 3 Mar 1597/8, at age 15, but left and went to King's College, Cambridge. [Ref] He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians on 22 Dec 1615. He was installed deacon at Windsor on 18 Dec 1616 but, not being an ordained priest, he was removed a year later. [Ref] He practiced in Windsor and then in London, where he acquired a large estate. [Ref] He gave the Massachusetts Bay Colony £1000 in 1633, which was invested in arms and ammunition. [Ref][Ref]
   Edmund Wilson of St. Mary Bowe in London, "Doctor in Phisick" signed his will on 28 Sep 1633; he added a codicil on 30 Sep and the will was proved on 11 Oct 1633. [Ref] He mentions his sister Margaret Taylor; William Rawson and Edward Rawson, his sister's son; his brother and sister Gibbs; his sister Summer's children; his cousin [niece] Whitfield; Thomas Sheafe; his cousin Grindall Sheafe; his cousin Norwood; his cousin Wesley; his cousin Rebecca Haselrig; his sister Anne Wilson; his brother Thomas Wilson; his sister Elizabeth Wilson, the wife of his brother John; his brothers-in-law Thomas Sheafe D.D., Mr. John Summers and Mr. Bartholomew Edmunds of Aldermanbury. [Ref]
6. Unknown daughter Wilson died young. [Ref]
   
7. William Wilson was born about 1587. He died in 1610. A brass plate on his father's gravestone says: "Neere unto this Place lies buried William Wilson, the third son, Who, after a long Trial of grievous Sickness did comfortably yield up his Spirit in the Yeare of our Lord 1610. of his Age 23." [Ref]
8. Rev. John Wilson was born in 1588 in Windsor. [Ref] He died on 7 Aug 1667. [Ref] He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir John Mansfield. [Ref]
   John Wilson studied at Eton and was admitted to King's College, Cambridge in 1602. [Ref] He became a Puritan and was forced to leave the university for a time. After studying law, he returned to Cambridge, where he received his BA in 1606 and his MA in 1609 from Christ College. [Ref] He preached in several places and served as a chaplain to different families. [Ref] In 1620 he was installed at Sudbury, co. Suffolk, where he was persecuted for non-conformity. [Ref] In 1630 he went to New England on the Arabella with John Winthrop and was appointed teacher at the First Church in Boston. [Ref] On 30 Jul 1630, he went briefly to England, returning to New England with his family. [Ref] He was installed as pastor in the First Church of Boston on 23 Nov 1632. [Ref] He was succeeded by Rev. John Cotton. [Ref]
   
9. Rev. Thomas Wilson, DD was born about 1591. [Ref] He married Anne Unknown in 1617. [Ref] He left two sons. [Ref]
   Thomas studied at Christ Church, Oxford, where he received his BA in 1611 and his MA in 1614. [Ref] He received his DD in 1625 from Cambridge. [Ref] He was rector at Pagelsham, co. Essex in 1625, at Winbish, co. Essex in 1626 and Debden, co. Essex in 1629. [Ref] He was canon at St. Paul's and Winchester Cathedrals in London 1625 - 1660. [Ref]
   
10. Margaret Wilson married first David Rawson. [Ref] Edward was the son of Edward and Bridget Rawson of Colebrook, Langley Marsh, Bucks. [Ref] He died between 15 Jun 1616 and 25 Feb 1617. [Ref] She married second William Taylor. [Ref] He died in 1651. [Ref] He was a merchant of London. [Ref]
    Margaret was the mother of Edward Rawson, secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony 1650 - 1686. [Ref]
    David Rawson, citizen and merchant tailor of London, signed his will on 15 Jun 1616; it was proved by his widow Margaret on 25 Feb 1617. He mentions his sister-in-laws Isabel Gibbs and Elizabeth Wilson; Edmund Wilson, Doctor of Physic; John Wilson, Master of Arts; Anne Wilson, wife of brother Thomas Wilson; underage cousin Dorothy Sheafe. [Ref]
11. Unknown son Wilson died young. [Ref]
12. Unknown daughter Wilson died young. [Ref]
    

Generation 4

8. RICHARD SHEAFE (1505 - 1557) of Cranbrook

Parents: Thomas Sheafe and Alice Unknown

Richard Sheafe was born in Sep 1505 in Cranbrook. [Ref] He died between 21 Jun 1557, when he wrote his will and 24 Sep 1557. [Ref] He married Elizabeth Andrews about 1530. [Ref does not give her last name]

Richard Sheaf of Cranbrook is on the Subsidy Roll of 37 Henry 8 [1545]. [Ref]

In his will, Richard Sheff, a clothier of Cranbrook, Kent, asked to buried in the parish church next to his father. He left his wife Elizabeth £200, an annuity of £10, the tenement and garden in Cranbrook in which Robert Clachynden then dwelled for her life and household items. He left £50 to each of his unmarried daughters: Margery (age 18-1/2), Margaret (age 16-1/2), Alice (age 15-1/2), Mary (age 11-3/4) and Anne (age 11 at Easter next). He left his son Thomas messuages and lands in Cranbrook and the residue of his household items. He charged him with bringing up his unmarried daughters and delivering 20 loads of good wood to Elizabeth each year for 16 years. He left his son William marshlands in the parish of Ivechurch in Kent. He also made bequests to his daughter Joan Knachebull; Anne Knachbull, the daughter of Richard Knachebull and his daughter Joan; his daughter Katherine Love; his brother John Sheff; his cousin Walter Hendley; Matthew Cryar, Sir John Baker and Mr. Richard Baker, Esq.. His executor was his son Thomas and the overseers were Sir John Baker and Mr. Richard Baker. [Ref]

9. ELIZABETH ANDREWS (d. 1564)

Parents: Gyles Andrews (probably) and Agnes Unknown

Elizabeth Andrews was buried on 12 Oct 1564 in Cranbrook. [Ref][Ref] She married Richard Sheafe.

Elizabeth Sheff of Cranbrook, widow, signed her will on 7 Oct 1564; it was proved on 26 Nov 1564. She asked to be buried in the church at Cranbrook and mentions her son William; daughters Alice, Margery, Anne, Margery Courthope, Mary Couchman; son Richard Courthope; son-in-law John Love; sister John Courthope's wife; brother John Andrews. [Ref]

Threlfall [Ref] argues that Elizabeth was probably the daughter of Gyles Andrews. In her will, she refers to her brother John Andrews. "Brother" could mean brother-in-law, but apparently there are no candidates. Gyles Andrews of Cranbrook had a daughter Elizabeth the right age. Elizabeth also mentions a sister, the wife of John Courthope, in her will. A John Courthope died in 1574, leaving a widow Margaret and Gyles mentions a daughter Margery of the right age in his will. Threlfall says that Margaret and Margery were used interchangeably, although Elizabeth named one of her daughters Margaret and one Margery.

Children of Richard Sheafe and Elizabeth Andrews:

1. Thomas Sheafe was born about 1532 in Cranbrook. He was buried on 6 Sep 1604 in Cranbrook. He married Mary Harmon.
2. Joan Sheafe was born about 1534 in Cranbrook. [Ref] She probably died between 1604 when she is not mentioned in her brother Thomas's will. [Ref] She married Richard, the son of John and Alice (Fowle) Knachbull. [Ref] Richard died in 1582. [Ref]
3. Katherine Sheafe was born about 1536 in Cranbrook. [Ref] She probably died before 1604 when she is not mentioned in her brother Thomas's will. [Ref] She married John Love.
4. Margery Sheafe was born in autumn 1538 in Cranbrook. [Ref] She was buried on 14 Jun 1574 [Ref gives only the year] in Cranbrook. [Ref]
5. Margaret Sheafe was born in autumn 1540 in Cranbook. [Ref] She died after 29 Dec 1615, when she is mentioned in her brother William's will. She married first John Smersoll [Ref] on 6 Jun 1563 in Cranbrook. [Ref, transcribed as "Emersoll".] She married Unknown Courthopp. [Ref] He died before 29 Dec 1615.
   His sister Courthope is mentioned in Thomas Sheafe's will. [Ref]
6. Alice Sheafe was born in autumn 1541 in Cranbrook. [Ref] She died probably died between 1604, when she is mentioned in her brother Thomas's will [Ref], and 1615, when she is not mentioned in her brother William's will. [Ref] She married Richard, the son of William Hovenden on 14 Oct 1566 [Ref gives only the year] in Cranbrook. [Ref] He died in 1598. [Ref]
   
7. William Sheafe was born in 1543 in Cranbrook. [Ref] He died on 21 Dec 1616. [Ref] He married Katherine Courthopp on 25 Oct 1569 [Ref] in Cranbrook. [Ref] She was buried on 24 Mar 1611/2. [Ref] He apparently had no children. [Ref]
   A brass plate in the Cranbrook church says: "William Sheafe after he lived godly and christianly the space of 73 years he departed this life the 21st of Dec 1616, and his body lies here buried." [Ref]
   William Sheaffe, yeoman of Cranbrook, made his will on 29 Dec 1615. He mentions his widowed sisters Margaret Courthopp and Mary Couchman; deceased his brother Thomas's sons Richard, Edmund, Mr. Doctor Thomas and Harmon; Richard's son Thomas and his brother's Richard and underaged Harmon; Joan Bottinge, daughter of his cousin Richard Sheafe and her sisters Elizabeth, Margaret and Helen; Thomas Sheafe, the son of his deceased cousin John; John, Alex, Katherine and Mary Courthoppe, the children of his cousin Peter Courthoppe; Thomas, Alex , Katherine and Mary Sheafe, the children of his cousin Alex Sheafe; Thomas Ruck, the son of John Ruck who married his brother Thomas Sheafe's daughter[Ref, p. 5-6]
   
   
   
   
8. Mary Sheafe was born in summer 1545 in Cranbrook. [Ref] She died after 29 Dec 1615, when she is mentioned in her brother William's will. She married John Couchman on 26 Jan 1561/2 in Cranbrook. [Ref, transcribed as "Couchinda"][Ref says 1569] He died before 29 Dec 1615.
   She is mentioned in her brother Thomas's will. [Ref]
   
9. Anne Sheafe was born in spring 1546 in Cranbrook. [Ref] She died between 1604, when she is mention in her brother Thomas's will [Ref], and 1615, when she is not mentioned in her brother William's will. [Ref] She married Unknown Gibbon. [Ref]
   
   

10. THOMAS HARMON (d. 1547/8) of Cranbrook

Parents: John Harmon

Thomas Harmon, a merchant of Cranbrook, died between 17 Nov 1547, when he signed his will and 7 Jun 1548, when it was proved. [Ref] He married Unknown Courthope.

In his will, Thomas mentions his sons John, Richard, Thomas and Stephen Harmon; his father John Harmon; his brother Lawrency Harmon and his daughter Mary Harmon. [Ref]

11. UNKNOWN COURTHOPE (d. bef. 1547)

Parents: Alexander Courthope and Katherine Foster

Unknown Courthope died before 1547. She married Thomas Harmon.

Unknown Courthope was either Katherine, Elizabeth or Elinor. [Ref] She is named in her brother Peter's will. [Ref]

Children of Thomas Harmon and Unknown Courthope:

1. John Harmon
2. Richard Harmon was buried on 8 Jul 1571. [Ref] He married Joan Couchman on 6 Nov 1559. [Ref]
3. Mary Harmon was born in 1536. She was buried on 20 Nov 1609 in Cranbrook. She married Thomas Sheafe.
4. Thomas Harmon married first Joan Jefferye on 13 Oct 1565. [Ref] She was probably buried on 4 Nov 1565. [Ref] He married second Anne Couchman on 13 May 1566. [Ref]
   He is called his wife's brother in Thomas Sheafe 2's will. [Ref]
5. Stephen Harmon

12. WILLIAM WILSON (abt 1515 - 1587) of Wellsbourne, Lincolnshire

Parents: William Wilson

William Wilson was born about 1515. [Ref] William Wilson, gentleman, of Wellsbourne, died on 27 Aug 1587 in Windsor Castle. [Ref] He is buried there in St. George's Chapel. [Ref]

A brass plate in St. George's Chapel says: "William Wilson, late of Wellsbourne, in the country of Lincoln, Gent. departed this Lyfe, within the Castle of Windsor in the Yar of our Lord 1587, the 27th Dayof August, and lyeth buried in this place." [Ref]

"Arms of Will'm Wilsonn of Welborne, per Nerroy flower, 1586. Per pale argent and azure three lions' gambs barways, erased and counterchanged. Crest : - a lion's head erased argent guttee de sang." [Ref, Harleian Coll., no. 1550, fol. 192, British Museum]

13. UNKNOWN

Unknown may be a Collins as her son mentions a cousin Collins, who was a prebendary of Rochester, in his will. [Ref]

Children of William Wilson:

1. Rev. William Wilson was born about 1542. He died on 15 May 1615. He married first Isabel Woodhall. He married second Anne Webb.
2. Alexander Wilson was born about 1545. [Ref] He married Katherine, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Grindall) Woodhall (#14 and #15) after 3 Nov 1573 (lic.) [Ref] He left three children. [Ref]
   Alexander was a merchant tailor of London. [Ref]
   
3. Mary Wilson was born about 1550. [Ref] She married Rev. Guy Briscowe, the son of Edward Briscowe of Crostanaby, co. Cumberland. [Ref] He died in 1594. [Ref] They had eight children. [Ref] Their son William settled in Boston in New England in 1639. [Ref]
   Guy studied at King's College, Oxford, receiving his BA in 1569 and in MA in 152. [Ref] He was rector of Sandridge, co. Kent from 1583 until his death. [Ref]

14. JOHN WOODHALL of Walden, Essex

Parents: John Woodhall and Jennett Crakeplace

John Woodhall married Elizabeth Grindall [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum] on 20 Oct 1542 in St. Bees, co. Cumberland. [Ref]

15. ELIZABETH GRINDALL (d. bef. 1583)

Parents: William Grindall [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

Elizabeth Grindall died before 8 May 1583, when her brother Edmund, the Archbishop of Canterbury, refers to her as deceased in his will. [Ref] She married John Woodhall on 20 Oct 1542 in St. Bees, co. Cumberland. [Ref]

Children of John Woodhall and Elizabeth Grindall:

1. William Woodhall died in 1603. [Ref, epithet in the church of Walden] William Woodhall of Walden, Essex, the son of John Woodhall and Elizabeth Grindall, married Mary, the daughter of James Woodhall, as her second husband. [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum][Ref, epithet in the church of Walden] Mary married first William Byrd. [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum][Ref, epithet in the church of Walden] William Byrd, gentleman, died in 1568. [Ref, epithet in the church of Walden]
   William is named in the will of his uncle Edmund Grindall. [Ref] Edmund left him his "blacke straye nagg called Nixe" and named him one of his executors. [Ref]
   William was Register of the Perogative Court in Canterbury. [Ref, epithet in the church of Walden]
   In his will, dated 30 May 1 James and proved 29 Nov 1604, William Woodhall, Esq. of Walden asks to be buried in the parish church of Walden. He refers to his "brother Mr. William Wilson". [Ref]
   An epithet, translated from Latin, in the Walden church says: "To William Woodhall Esquire, lately Registrar of the Archiepiscopal Perogative Court of Canterbury, the son of John Woodhall of Ullock in Cumberland, Gentleman, by Elizabeth the daughter of William Grindall of the town of St. Bees in the same county, gentleman, and sister of the lord Edmund Grindall of most virtuous memory, lately Archbishop of Canterbury ... ". [Ref]
   
2. Dorothy Woodhall is named in the will of her uncle Edmund Grindall; he left her £50. [Ref]
3. Katherine Woodhall died about Dec 1583. [Ref] She married Alexander Wilson after 3 Nov 1573 (lic.). [Ref] Alexander was the son of William Wilson (#12). [Ref] She left three children. [Ref]
   Katherine is named in the will of her uncle Edmund Grindall; he left her £50. [Ref]
4. Elizabeth Woodhall is named in the will of her uncle Edmund Grindall; he left her £50. [Ref]
5. Isabel Woodhall married Rev. William Wilson.

Generation 5

16. THOMAS SHEAFE (abt. 1470 - bef. 1520) of Cranbrook

Thomas Sheafe was born about 1470. [Ref] He died before 10 Jul 1520, when his will was proved. [Ref] He married Alice Unknown. [Ref]

In his will, Thomas Sheffe of Cranbrook asks to be buried before the image of Our Lady of Pity in St. Thomas's Chancel in St. Dunstan's church in Cranbrook. [Ref]

Thomas was probably a descendant of one of the Flemish cloth manufacturers brought into England by King Edward III. [Ref]

An early Sheafe record in England is an inscription found in St. George's at Tombland in Norwich, Norfolk: "Sheff, Thomas 1840/Her are bured under this ston/Thomas Sheff and his wyff Marion/Sometym we warr, as ye now be/And as we arr, so be schall yee;/Wherefore of your charitie,/Pray for us the Trinitie/Obit (Marion) M.C.C.C.C. lxxxxiii". [Ref]

17. ALICE UNKNOWN

Alice Unknown married Thomas Sheafe. [Ref]

Alice may be a Hendley, as her son Richard made a bequest to a son Walter Hendley. [Ref]

Children of Thomas Sheafe and Alice Unknown:

1. Richard Sheafe was born in Sep 1505 in Cranbrook. He died between 21 Jun and 24 Sep 1557. He married Elizabeth Andrews.
2. John Sheafe is mentioned in his brother Richard's will. [Ref]

18. GYLES ANDREWS (prob. abt. 1470/80 - 1526/7) of Cranbrook

Gyles Andrews was born probably 1470/80. [Ref] He died between 20 Apr 1526, when he signed his will, and 1527, when it was proved. [Ref] He married Agnes Unknown.

In his will, Gyles mentions his wife Agnes; his sons John, Richard, Robert, Thomas; his daughters Alice, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Benet and Margery. [Ref]

19. AGNES UNKNOWN

Agnes Unknown married Gyles Andrews.

Children of Gyles Andrews and Agnes Unknown:

1. John Andrews
2. Richard Andrews
3. Robert Andrews
4. Thomas Andrews
5. Alice Andrews
6. Elizabeth Andrews was buried on 12 Oct 1564 in Cranbrook. She married Richard Sheafe.
7. Dorothy Andrews
8. Benet Andrews
9. Margery Andrews

20. JOHN HARMON (d. aft 1547)

21. UNKNOWN

Children of John Harmen:

1. Thomas Harmon married Unknown Courthope.
2. Lawarence Harmon died after 1547, when he was mentioned in his brother Thomas's will. [Ref]

22. ALEXANDER COURTHOPE (d. 1524/6) of Cranbrook

Alexander Courthope died between 26 Feb 1523/4, when he signed his will, and 6 Jan 1525/6, when it was proved. [Ref] He married, probably second, Katherine Foster.

Alexander was a clothier of Cranbrook. [Ref]

Alexander bought Hockeridge Mill in Cranbrook in 1523, and his son sold it to Robert Hovenden in 1551. [Ref]

In his will, Alexander names his sons William and Peter; his daughters Katherine (age 14 at Christmas), Elizabeth (age 13 at the Feast of St. Michael), Eleanlor (age 10 at Christmas); his wife Katherine and her father Robert Foster; his brother Francis. [Ref]

Children of Alexander and (probably) his first wife:

1. John Courthope died between 6 Sep 1527, when he signed his will, and 7 Jan 1527/8, when it was proved. [Ref] He married Elizabeth Baker, the sister of Sir John Baker. [Ref] She died in 1550 at Sandwich. [Ref] She married second William Lynch of Cranbrook. [Ref]
   John was a clothier of Kent. In his will, John mentions he wife Elizabeth; his brothers Richard, Peter and William.[Ref]

23. KATHERINE FOSTER

Parents: Robert Foster

Katherine Foster married Alexander Courthope.

Children of Alexander Courthope and Katherine Foster:

1. Richard Courthope was buried on 20 Aug 1568. [Ref] He married Anne Unknown.
   Richard was a clothier. [Ref] In his will, dated 17 Jun 1568 and proved 25 Oct 1568. He named his father Alexander and his wife Anne. [Ref]
2. Peter Courthope was buried on 24 Oct 1567 in Cranbrook. [Ref] He married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Lynch. [Ref]
   Peter was a cloth maker. In his will, dated 10 Nov 1563 and proved 13 Jan 1578, he names his sister Allard, his wife Elizabeth, his brother William, his brother Allard and his brother Richard. [Ref]
3. William Courthope was buried on 24 Dec 1569. [Ref]
4. Katherine Courthope or one of her sisters married Henry Allard. [Ref]
   
5. Elizabeth Courthope or one of her sisters married Thomas Harmon.
6. Eleanor Courthope [Ref]

24. WILLIAM WILSON of Penrith

25. UNKNOWN

Children of William Wilson:

1. William Wilson was born about 1542. He died on 27 Aug 1587 in Windsor Castle.

26. - 27. UNKNOWN

28. JOHN WOODHALL of Ullock

Parents: John Woodhall [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

John Woodhall married Jennett Crakeplace. [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

Ullock is in Dean Parish, co. Cumbria (then Cumberland) - in the far north west of England, bordering Scotland.

29. JENNETT CRAKEPLACE

Jennet Crakeplace married John Woodhall.

Children of John Woodhall and Jennett Crakeplace:

1. John Woodhall married Elizabeth Grindall.

30. WILLIAM GRINDALL of St. Bees

William Grindall was the father of Edmund Grindall, the Archbishop of Canterbury. [Ref]

He was a tenant farmer and occupied Crosshill house in St. Bees.

St. Bees is a town in Cumbria; it used to be in county Cumberland.

31. UNKNOWN

Children of William Grindall:

1. Elizabeth Grindall died before 8 May 1583. She married John Woodhall.
2. Edmund Grindall died between 8 May 1583, when he signed his will, and 15 Jul 1583, when it was proved. [Ref] He was the Archbishop of Canterbury. [Ref]
   In his will, Edmund asks to be buried in the parish church in Croyden. He names his nephew William Woodhall; his brother Robert Grindall and his four daughters; his sister Elizabeth Grindall and her daughters Dorothy, Katherine, Elizabeth and Isabel; his nieces Isabel Wilson, the widow Frances Younge, Ann Dacres. [Ref]
3. Robert Grindall is named in the will of his brother Edmund. [Ref]
4. Unknown daughter Grindall married Unknown Wilson?
5. Unknown daughter Grindall married Unknown Young?
6. Unknown daughter Grindall married Ann Dacres?

Generation 6

32. - 45. UNKNOWN

46. ROBERT FOSTER of Cranbrook

Robert Foster is named in his son-in-law's will. [Ref]

47. UNKNOWN

Children of Robert Foster:

1. Katherine Foster married Alexander Courthope.

48. - 55. UNKNOWN

56. JOHN WOODHALL of Ullock

John Woodhall was of Ullock, co. Cumberland [now in Cumbria]. [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

57. UNKNOWN

Children of John Woodhall:

1. John Woodhall married Jennett Crakeplace.
2. Thomas Woodhall married Joane Unknown. [Ref, Harleian MS., 1541, fol. 55, in the British Museum]

58. - 63. UNKNOWN

References

Anderson, Robert Charles, John Brandon and Paul C. Reed, "Ancestry of the Royally Descended Mansfields of Massachusetts Bay," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 155, 2001, 3 - 35.

Anonymous, "Medway watermills (middle tributaries)," wikipedia.

Appleton, W. S., "English Wills," Notes and Queries Section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 24, 1870, 78.

Atwater, Edward E., History of the Colony of New Haven: To its absorption into Connecticut, compiled by Robert Atwater Smith, Journal Publishing Co., Meriden, CT, 1902.

Bartlett, Joseph Gardner, "Ancestry and Descendants of Rev. John Wilson of Boston, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 61, 1907, 36.

Hasted, Edward, "Parishes: Downe", The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, v. 2, 1797, pp. 54-59.

Holman, Mary Lovering, "The Sheafe Line," The American Genealogist 22, 1945, 85-93.

Jacobus, Donald Lines, The Kitchell, Sheafe and Ruck Connections in England, The American Genealogist 15, 69 - 80.

Pile, C.R.R., Watermills and Windmills of Cranbrook, unknown, unknown, 1954.

Threlfall, John Brooks, "An Extension of the Sheafe Ancestry," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 137, 1983, 291-305.

Waters, Henry F., "Genealogical Gleanings in England," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, many issues.

Watkins, Walter K., "Some Guilford, Conn. Settlers and their Relationship, or the Sheafe Family in England and New England, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 55, 1901, 208-220.

Watkins, Walter Kendall, Sheafe Family of Old and New England, printed for the author, 1901.

Weaver, Frederick William and Charles Herbert Mayo, Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset 12, 1888, p. 294.

Willard, Joseph, "Johnson, Willard, Sheafe," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 4, 1850, 310-315.