Francis Culpeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent1

Male, #8818, (1538 - 31 May 1591)

ParentWilliam Culpeper of Hunton and Wigsell (1509 - 6 Dec 1559)
ParentCicely Dingley Barrett (1512 - before 6 Dec 1559)
Francis Culpeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent|b. 1538\nd. 31 May 1591|p8818.htm|William Culpeper of Hunton and Wigsell|b. 1509\nd. 6 Dec 1559|p8388.htm|Cicely Dingley Barrett|b. 1512\nd. before 6 Dec 1559|p8390.htm|Walter Culpeper of Calais and Wigsell|b. say 1475\nd. before 24 Jun 1515|p8387.htm|Anne Aucher|b. say 1480\nd. after 4 Sep 1532|p8394.htm|John Barrett of Belhouse in Aveley, Essex|b. 1485\nd. 4 Oct 1526|p8321.htm|Phyllis Barnfield|b. 1490|p8322.htm|

DNA Test Needed* To help confirm Francis Culpeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent's descent from Henry Culpepper of Lower Norfolk, we are seeking a descendant of Francis's to participate in our free DNA testing project. For more information, go to: http://gen.culpepper.com/dna. 
Name Variation Francis Culpeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent was also known as Culpepper of Greenway Court, co. Kent. 
Name Variation Francis Culpeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent was also known as Colepeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent. 
Birth*1538 Francis was born at Wigsell, Salehurst, co. Sussex, England, in 1538. 
 He was the son of William Culpeper of Hunton and Wigsell and Cicely Dingley Barrett. 
Marriage*say 1567 He married Philippa Hinckstead at Harrietsham, co. Kent, England, say 1567. 
Marriage*1574 He married Joan Pordage at Hollingbourne, co. Kent, England, in 1574. 
Will*20 May 1590 He made a will at co. Kent, England, on 20 May 1590.2 
Death*31 May 1591 He died on 31 May 1591. 
Burial*1 Jun 1591 His body was interred on 1 Jun 1591 at Hollingbourne, co. Kent, England. 
Probate1591 Francis's will was probated in 1591. 
Biography* Francis was named in his father's will (1559) as 'ffraunces Culpeper, my second son,' after he had already begun his career. Entered at Winchester School at the age of 13, he secured, in 1553, an appointment as a Scholar on the foundation, being recorded of 'Hunton, Kent' (Kirby, Winchester Scholars, 1888, p. 132). Thence he went on as an approved Wykhamist to New College, Oxford, where he was in residence from 1558-60 on a scholarship of that foundation. But, unlike his younger brother Martin, who thus far had emulated his career, Francis now abandoned the shades of Academe and, as the New College record has it, resigned his scholarship, and 'contulit se ad studium juris regni.'
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He may have betaken himself to Clements Inn, where his eldest son later pursued preliminary law studies, but Francis is not himself enrolled as a member of any one of the Inns of Court, nor is there other record that he followed a professional career; indeed, there is nothing more to testify for him at all until, in his thirty-fourth year, he took up his residence in Kent in the vicinity of the Hunton manor house of his boyhood.
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The baptism of his second son (1573) and the burial of his first wife (1574) at Harrietsham indicate that it was in 1572 that he inaugurated his family's landholding in the Len valley, by purchasing from his 'cousin,' Sir Warham St. Leger, the manor of Greenway Court. There he maintained his residence for twenty years, and thence he was buried, in Hollingbourne, June 1, 1591, as 'ffraunces Culpeper, generos.' His youngest son subsequently erected for him and his second wife the first of the Culpeper MI.'s in Hollingbourne church, as follows:
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"Franciscus Culpeper de Greeneway Court Ar(miger) Filius S(e)c(un)dus Willemi de Wigsell, et Joanna uxor ejus, Filia Joh(ann) is Pordage de Rodmersham, Ar(miger), expectant hic adventum D(omi) ni et properari orant. Ille. ultimo Maij A. D. 1591, aetat 53, Illa, xxmo Martij A. D. 1597 aetat 60, in coelum rediit. Exiguum. hoc officii et amoris ergo posuit Thomas unicus iis communis filius; et eorum piae et integrae vitae memoria suae, et suis exemplar vivat precatur.'
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His will follows:
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P. C. C. Sainberbe, 85.
Will dated May 20, 1590.
Proved November 22, 1591. P. C. C. Sainberbe, 85.
Will dated May 20, 1590.
Proved November 22, 1591.
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20 May 1590. I Ffrancis Culpepper of Greenewaye Court, co. Kent, esq. My body to be buried at Hollingbourne if I die in Kent, no solemnity nor repair to be used at my burial; only six of my servants to carry me to my grave & they to have for their pains 20s. apiece. He that burieth me, a noble [gold piece]. My burial to be at 6 o'ck in the morning. I make my exors my wife Johane C. & the right worshipful my very good friend John Tufton esq. [of Hothfield, later knight and baronet, whose son was created earl of Thanet, 4 Car. I], my brothers John C. [of Wigsell] & Thomas C. [of Wilmington] esquires. I make my overseers my three sons, John, Walter & Thomas. I pray my exors. to take upon them the charge committed to them by a Deed Indented of date hereof. To every of my exors. 50s. for rings. To the rest of my brothers 30s. apiece for rings. To my eldest clerk in Household with me who hath served me 6 years & above, £14 a year for his life. Because by Deed of Gift I have given my goods in my lifetime sd. deed to be taken as my will & if need be annexed as a codicil. To my poor servants which take pains in watching me in my sickness 13s. 4d. each. To my daur.-in-law [step daughter] Susanne Steede 100 marks beyond the 500 marks which I stand bound for. To my son-in-law [step son] William Steede my best gelding except such gelding as his mother shall reserve for herself. To my very good friend & cousin Anthony Sallenger [St. Leger of Ulcomb] Esq. 5 angels. Hoping by mercy of God to live to see my debts paid & my children in more forwardness, I will leave with my indenture of trust a remembrance of debts due to me & debts I owe.
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This Indenture made 20 May 32 Eliz [1590] between John Tufton of Hothfield, co. Kent esq. John Culpepper of Wigsell, co. Sussex & Thomas Culpepper of Willmington, Sussex, esquires, & Johanne Culpepper of Hollingbourne Kent gentlewoman, of the first part & Francis Culpepper of Hollingbourne afsd. esq. of the second part: In consideration of payment of debts of A. F. to be paid & then for assuring the dower of the wife of the said F. & thirdly for preferment of children of sd. F., sd. F. hath given to sd. J. J. T. & J. all his goods & lands to following uses, viz: to hold all lands of A. F. in Hollingbourne & Harrison [Harrietsham] & Leeds (except the 'Abbey of Leeds') to use of Johanne C. for life she paying £120 yearly for 2 years in discharge of debts of sd. F; & after debts of sd. F. discharged, which A. F. accounteth will be at 'Hollantide' [All Hallows] next shall be two years at the furthest, the sd. Johane to have all the lands etc. for life: On her death stock to be left on the ground to use of Thomas C. & plate & instuff to be divided between Thomas C. & John C. sons to A. F. On death of sd. Johane lands at Hollingborne & Harrison [Harrietsham] to go to Thomas C. son of A. F. in tail male; in default to John C. son of sd. F. in tail male; in default to Walter C. son of sd. F. in tail male; in default to right heirs of sd. F; none to alienate lands. Rest of lands to A. (Trustees) till John C. son of A. F. be 30; profits meanwhile to use of him, in tail male; in default to sd Walter & Thomas successively in tail male; in default to, right heirs. On John's attaining 30, he to have lands of A. F. in co. Southtn, viz manor of Pennington, leases of manor & parsonage of Enforde in Wilts, free mill & hammer [iron works] & lands in prsh of Hawkerst, Kent, leases in Lidd & Rumney mershe & the Stewardship of Rochester & a lease taken from Sir Warren Sellenger [Warharn St. Leger] of £64 a year. Walter C. to have out of lands willed to Thomas C. £15 a year & out of lands willed to John C. £15 a year, both for life. When lease of Parsonage of 'Lateomay be taken, to be taken in his name & to his use.' Sd. Thomas to have lease of sd. F. at Winsborowe in East Kent. John C. to give to his brother Walter one year's profits of manor & parsonage of Enford, viz: £100 when in possession thereof. Johane C. to allow Thomas C. exhibition money out of Greenway Court until John C. be 30. Sd. Feoffees to allow John son of sd. F. 40 marks a year & if he demean him self well to increase it to 50 marks; to Walter £20 a year. If it please God to call sd Johane within sd. 7 years (six) she to have disposal of lands at Greenway Court, Hollingborne & Harrison [Harrietsham] for two years after her death. Whereas in consideration of jointure or dower to sd. Johane there is granted from my son-in-law [step son] William Steade a lease of lands worth 100 marks a year above the rent that lease also to be to sd. Johane. Sd. feoffees to be my exors. The Abbey of Leeds to be sold towards payment of my debts. After sd. 7 years expired, about which time my son John will attain 30, profits of lands which are to come to my son Thomas to be received by my feoffees for him until he be 24. No witnesses. made 20 May 1590 [32 Elizabeth] between John Tufton of Hothfield, co. Kent esq. John Culpepper of Wigsell, co. Sussex & Thomas Culpepper of Willmington, Sussex, esquires, & Johanne Culpepper of Hollingbourne Kent gentlewoman, of the first part & Francis Culpepper of Hollingbourne afsd. esq. of the second part: In consideration of payment of debts of A. F. to be paid & then for assuring the dower of the wife of the said F. & thirdly for preferment of children of sd. F., sd. F. hath given to sd. J. J. T. & J. all his goods & lands to following uses, viz: to hold all lands of A. F. in Hollingbourne & Harrison [Harrietsham] & Leeds (except the 'Abbey of Leeds') to use of Johanne C. for life she paying £120 yearly for 2 years in discharge of debts of sd. F; & after debts of sd. F. discharged, which A. F. accounteth will be at 'Hollantide' [All Hallows] next shall be two years at the furthest, the sd. Johane to have all the lands etc. for life: On her death stock to be left on the ground to use of Thomas C. & plate & instuff to be divided between Thomas C. & John C. sons to A. F. On death of sd. Johane lands at Hollingborne & Harrison [Harrietsham] to go to Thomas C. son of A. F. in tail male; in default to John C. son of sd. F. in tail male; in default to Walter C. son of sd. F. in tail male; in default to right heirs of sd. F; none to alienate lands. Rest of lands to A. (Trustees) till John C. son of A. F. be 30; profits meanwhile to use of him, in tail male; in default to sd Walter & Thomas successively in tail male; in default to, right heirs. On John's attaining 30, he to have lands of A. F. in co. Southtn, viz manor of Pennington, leases of manor & parsonage of Enforde in Wilts, free mill & hammer [iron works] & lands in prsh of Hawkerst, Kent, leases in Lidd & Rumney mershe & the Stewardship of Rochester & a lease taken from Sir Warren Sellenger [Warharn St. Leger] of £64 a year. Walter C. to have out of lands willed to Thomas C. £15 a year & out of lands willed to John C. £15 a year, both for life. When lease of Parsonage of 'Lateomay be taken, to be taken in his name & to his use.' Sd. Thomas to have lease of sd. F. at Winsborowe in East Kent. John C. to give to his brother Walter one year's profits of manor & parsonage of Enford, viz: £100 when in possession thereof. Johane C. to allow Thomas C. exhibition money out of Greenway Court until John C. be 30. Sd. Feoffees to allow John son of sd. F. 40 marks a year & if he demean him self well to increase it to 50 marks; to Walter £20 a year. If it please God to call sd Johane within sd. 7 years (six) she to have disposal of lands at Greenway Court, Hollingborne & Harrison [Harrietsham] for two years after her death. Whereas in consideration of jointure or dower to sd. Johane there is granted from my son-in-law [step son] William Steade a lease of lands worth 100 marks a year above the rent that lease also to be to sd. Johane. Sd. feoffees to be my exors. The Abbey of Leeds to be sold towards payment of my debts. After sd. 7 years expired, about which time my son John will attain 30, profits of lands which are to come to my son Thomas to be received by my feoffees for him until he be 24. No witnesses.
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Prob. by proctor of Thomas Cullpepper esq. one of the exors. Power reserved for Johane the relict, John Tufton & John Culpepper esquires . also exors.
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To this was added contemporaneously the following testimony:
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Inq p. m., 33 Eliz.,
part 1, No. 125.
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Inquisition taken at Sittingbourne 1 Oct. [1591] found that Francis Colepeper Esq. died seized of the manor of Greenway Court in Hollingbourne and Harrietsham, held of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury by the rent of £3.12.8. and worth £26.13.4. per ann. and of a water mill at Harrietsham called Holme myll held of the same and worth 40s. p. ann. and of a messuage, barn and 12 acres of land in Hawkhurst Kent, held of the said Dean and Chapter worth 40s. p. ann; And of the manor of Penton alias Pennyngton in the County of Southampton held in free socage as of the town of Andover and worth £20 p. ann. The said Francis Colepeper made his Will 20 May 32 Eliz.and died the last of May 32 Eliz. John Colepeper, gent is his son and next heir and of the age of 23 years and more at the taking of this Inquisition. Joan the widow of Francis is still living. Francis Colepeper's sons Walter and Thomas are also mentioned. Inquisition taken at Sittingbourne 1 Oct. [1591] found that Francis Colepeper Esq. died seized of the manor of Greenway Court in Hollingbourne and Harrietsham, held of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury by the rent of £3.12.8. and worth £26.13.4. per ann. and of a water mill at Harrietsham called Holme myll held of the same and worth 40s. p. ann. and of a messuage, barn and 12 acres of land in Hawkhurst Kent, held of the said Dean and Chapter worth 40s. p. ann; And of the manor of Penton alias Pennyngton in the County of Southampton held in free socage as of the town of Andover and worth £20 p. ann. The said Francis Colepeper made his Will 20 May 32 Eliz.and died the last of May 32 Eliz. John Colepeper, gent is his son and next heir and of the age of 23 years and more at the taking of this Inquisition. Joan the widow of Francis is still living. Francis Colepeper's sons Walter and Thomas are also mentioned.
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Source: Fairfax Harrison, "The Proprietors of the Northern Neck"

(Names referenced above: Francis Culpeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent Francis Culpeper of Greenway Court, co. Kent). 

Family 1

Philippa Hinckstead (say 1549 - before 7 Jul 1574)
Marriage*say 1567 He married Philippa Hinckstead at Harrietsham, co. Kent, England, say 1567. 
Children

Family 2

Joan Pordage (1538 - 23 Mar 1598)
Marriage*1574 He married Joan Pordage at Hollingbourne, co. Kent, England, in 1574. 
Child

Charts Charlemagne's Descendants, Part 2: William Malet to Henry Culpeper of Lower Norfolk
Ancestry of Diana, Princess of Wales
Descendants of William Culpeper of Hunton and Wigsell, from 1509: 7 generations
The Culpepers of Hollingbourne, from 1539 to present? (Possibly extinct)
Last Edited 14 Nov 2007

Citations

  1. Col. F.W.T. Attree R.E./F.S.A. & Rev. J.H.L. Booker M.A., "The Sussex Colepepers, Part I", Sussex Archaeological Collections, XLVII, 47-81, (1904) http://gen.culpepper.com/historical/sussex/default.htm.
  2. P.C.C. 85 Sainberbe.