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, but her brother Robert (mentioned in son John's will) appears to be from Yorkshire. We have been unable to determine who her parents were. 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.
It appears that Robert may have relocated to Aldenham, near Elstree (also called Idlestree) after his marriage, as all of their 6 children - 4 boys and 2 girls - were baptised there :
- Anne Bygrave Born 1752. Died 1833.
- Robert Bygrave Born 1754. Married Margaret Trumper in 1788 . Died 1822.
- John Bygrave Esq Born 1756. Died 1843.
- /wiki/spaces/HFHW/pages/8749070 Born 1758. Married Mary Finch in 1784. Died 1822.
- Mary Bygrave Born 1760.
- Thomas Bygrave Esq Born 1763 Married Hannah ? Died 1819
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.
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Robert died on 31 October 1767 at the relatively young age of 52. He left 5 young children - 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
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