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Robert Bygrave (1715 - 1767)

Robert Bygrave was born in Hertfordshire in 1715. He is believed to be the second son and one of four children of Robert Bygrave and Elizabeth Galer. 

Most of the information we have on Robert has been gathered through his will. Based on research, it appears that Robert married twice.

Robert married Mary Hankin on September 6 1738 at Ardeley in Hertfordshire. There does not appear to have been any children from this marriage, and it is not known when Mary died.

Robert married Esther Tomlinson on April 5 1750 at St Georges Chapel, Mayfair, Middlesex. On the marriage record, Esther is noted as being of Elstree, and Robert is from Alingham (this could be a misspelling of Aldenham). This marriage is recorded on the Clandestine Marriage Register … This register captures marriages performed in the Fleet Prison, at the May Fair Chapel, at King's Bench Prison or within the Mint. These marriages were considered "Clandestine" in that they had an element of secrecy to them: perhaps they took place away from a home parish, and without either banns or marriage licence. The Marriage Duty Act 1695 put an end to irregular marriages at parochial churches by penalizing clergymen who married couples without banns or licence. By a legal quirk, however, clergymen operating in the Fleet could not effectively be proceeded against, and the clandestine marriage business there carried on. In the 1740s, over half of all London weddings were taking place in the environs of the Fleet Prison. The majority of Fleet marriages were for honest purposes, when couples simply wanted to get married quickly or at low cost.

We have been unable to identify parents for Esther (aka Hester), but her brother Robert (mentioned in son John's will) appears to be from Doncaster Yorkshire, and there are a significant number of Tomlinson on record in the parish. There is a will for a Robert Tomlinson of Doncaster who dies in 1826 which - if he were Esthers brother - would indicate that the Tomlison family were very comfortable, as it includes bequests totally nearly 10000 pounds. There is the mystery of what a girl from Yorkshire is doing in Hertfordshire, and how she ended up married in a clandestine marriage to a blacksmith, and whether this was approved.  

We do know that Robert and Esther lived in Aldenham near Elstree (also called Idlestree) after their marriage, as all of their 6 children - 4 boys and 2 girls - were baptised there :

Based on the notation of his death in the parish register and his will, it appears that Robert was a blacksmith by trade. He appears to have been quite successful, and could also have had a store or merchantile of some form.

<NEED TO GET MILITIA RECORDS>

Robert died on 31 October 1767 at the relatively young age of 52. He obviously had been unwell for a period as his will was drafted on 9 October. He left 5 young children - aged between 4 and 15 (we suspect Mary died in infancy) - for his wife to raise. Robert left all of his business, property and personal effects to his wife with the clear instructions to carry on his said trade after his death.

He was buried in the Aldenham Parish Church on 5 November 1767

Will of Robert Bygrave

In the name of God Amen ...

I Robert Bygrave of the parish of Aldeham in the county of Hertford being sick and weak in body but of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament in order and form following to wit I give all my goods chattel stock in trade book debts and all the ? and provisions of my personal efforts whatsoever to my dear wife Esther Bygrave with an ? that my said wife may be enabled thereby to carry on my said trade after my demise and out of the profits thereof to bring up and provide for my five children which I have by her and thereby nominate and appoint my said wife executrix of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have ? ? my hand and seal this 9th day of October 1767 signed sealed published and delivered by the said Robert Bygrave her testator as and of his last will and testament in the presence of use R ? Josiah Wright

This will was proved at London on the twenty sixth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven before the worshipful ? ? Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Regent Worshipfully George Bay Doctor of Laws  commissary of the provisional court of Canterbury carefully constituted by the oath of Esther Bygrave Widow the ? of the deceased and sole executrix named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattel and credits of the ? ? ? first ? duly to administer

Certificates and Documents

Marriage Certificate





Last Will of Robert Tomlinson

This is the Last Will and Testment of Mr Robert Tomlinson ????? aforesaid ? and ? ? of ? payment of all my just debts funeral expenses and the expenses of the probate of > my will to pay unto my sister Susan Tomlinson an annuity of fifty pounds a year for the term of her natural life to be paid ? yearly free of ? ? or abatements whatsoever ? ? my ? ? ??? realise in money ? sum of five thousand pounds sterling to ? in ? annuities ? ? life > as to ????? sum of 


I give and bequeath unto her said ??? the sum of one thousand pounds sterling money. I give and bequethe unto ? john ? the sum of five hundred pounds sterling for thi ? sole and separate not ? benefit . I give and bequeath unto John and ? > > daughters of the said ? ? the sum of five hundred pounds sterline each . I give and bequeath unto my personal servant S? ? the sum of fifty pounds ? ? annuity and ? duty or other deduction or abatement whatsoever 

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