" The manor or lordship of Woolmore was among the properties late of Amesbury Priory which Sir Thomas Seymour had licence in 1541 to alienate to Henry Brouncker." [1]
"In 1548 Henry Brouncker took the manor (of Canonfold) and parsonage on a ninety-nine year lease." [2]
Henry was recorded in the visitations of Wiltshire in 1565 and 1623. The 1565 visitation records that Henry first married Elizabeth Braybrooke, daughter of James Braybrooke of Abingdon, Berkshire. They had two children, Jone and Elizabeth. Henry subsequently married Ursula Yate, daughter of John Yate of Lyford, Berkshire and his wife, Alice Hyde. They had five children: William, Henry, Suzan, Ann and Ellinore. [3][4]
Henry is noted in the will of his brother in law, John Smythe, of Corsham, Wiltshire, in 1538.[5].
Henry Brouncker of Melksham is recorded as the Sheriff of Wiltshire for 1558.[6].
Summary of the Will of Henry Brouncker 1568
In his will made on 13 Jul 1568 and proved on 12 Aug 1568[7] he was recorded as “Henrye Brouncker of Erlestocke in the countie of Wiltes Esquier”.
His primary heir was his son William (who was under the age of 21 when the will was made) who was to inherit substantial holdings of land and leases. He also made a number of bequests of lands, leases etc. to his son Henry Brouncker including his interests in the Muscovia trade.
Minor bequests were made to his nephew Henry Smythe, and his ‘cousin’ Joane Smythe.
He willed that the residue of his lands and leases were to be managed by Lawrence Huyde, Edwarde Longe and Robert Davye until the feast of St Michael the Archangel 1571, for the payment of his legacies. They were also to manage all his lands to be inherited by his son William until the feast of St Michael the Archangel 1570.
He appointed his son William as Executor. Overseers were Sir John Thynne knight, John Harringeton, John Hippestley and Robert Halleswell esquiers, Thomas Smythe his nephew and Wylliam Reede gentlemen.
He did not mention his wife and hence it is presumed she predeceased him. He did not mention his daughters, presumably their portions had been addressed prior to the will being made.
Died Aug 12 1568. Erlestoke, Wiltshire, England. [8]
Sources
1. ↑ British History online: Melksham: Woolmore [1]
2. ↑ British History online: Melksham: Canonfold [2]
3. ↑ http://www.thepeerage.com/p20348.htm#i203473 Visitation of Wiltshire 1565. Published by William Pollard & Co. 1897. Edited by Metcalfe W.C.
4. ↑ Wiltshire Visitation Pedigrees 1623. With additional pedigrees and arms collected by Thomas Lyte of Lyte's Cary, Co. Somerset 1628. The Publications of the Harleian Society. Vol LV and LVI. Edited by GD Squibb. 1954.
5. ↑ Will of John Smyth. Clothier of Corsham. 1538. PROB 11/27/357. National Archives.
6. ↑ List of Sheriffs of Wiltshire - Wikipedia.
7. ↑ Will of Henry Brouncker of Erlestoke, Wiltshire. 12 Aug 1568. PROB 11/50/245. National Archives.
8. ↑ Source: #S25683845
• History of Parliament entry for his son, William http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/brouncker-william-1547-96
• Source: S25683845 UK, Extracted Probate Records, 1269-1975 Ancestry.com Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2009;