Luke Pylcher and Alice --
Luke Pylcher was born about 1501, the son of Thomas Pilcher and Elizabeth --. Luke was educated as a boy at the abbey at Battle, Sussex, England, where he was recorded as a puer cappelle (Latin for "chapel boy") in about 1510. He seems to have been an active child, as he is reported to have "worn out three pairs of shoes in one half-year."
Luke married Alice --. Luke is found in the subsidy rolls of 1524-5 being taxed for £4 in goods. He was a feofee of John Gotley of Battle 20 April 1525. He became "a prominent High Street burgess, and inquest juror now, the abbot's rent-collector and property manager in London and Essex, and a provider of cattle to the abbey household." Luke took the copyhold of a pasture in Battle called Annersfeld in 1527 and also held a messuage on High Street. In one 1540 will, he is described as the clerk of the parish of Battle.
Luke's will was dated 1 June 1547. Alice's will was dated 26 January 1558/9. Both specified that they were to be buried inside the church at Battle, Sussex, England, Alice requesting to be buried "nygh to the church dore."
Luke and Alice’s children are:
- David Pilcher, mentioned in his father's will (where he is called Davy), married -- Haye (one of the five daughters of William Haye and Joan Tufton), one of the defendants in a Chancery suit concerning The Swan in Hastings, Sussex, England, held freehold lands and tenements in Hooe, Sussex, England and a tenement named "Capenowar" in Battle, Sussex, England, will dated 10 Mar 1576/7.
- Lawrence Pylcher, mentioned in his father's will.
- Thomas Pylcher, mentioned in his father's will, married Elizabeth -- (will dated 13 Mar 1573/4, asked to be buried in the churchyard at Battle, Sussex, England), will dated 20 Feb 1571/2.
- Johane Pylcher, mentioned in her father's will.
- Alyce Pylcher, mentioned in her father's will, married Bartholomew Gefferey (of Buckholl in Bexhill, Sussex, England, son of Thomas Gefferery, will dated 8 Dec 1574 and proved 2 Jun 1575, listed his forge furnace in his will).
- Agnes Pylcher, mentioned in her father's will, married James Sysley (a tailor of St. Clement, Hastings, Sussex, England, bur. 17 Mar 1571/2 at St. Clement, Hastings, Sussex, England, will dated 14 Mar 1571/2 and proved 1 Apr 1572), buried 21 Jan 1570/1 at St. Clement, Hastings, Sussex, England.
- Marse Pylcher, mentioned in her father's will. Marse may be a phonetic spelling of Mercy.
- Margarytt Pylcher, mentioned in her father's will.
Sources:
- Ancestry.com. UK, Extracted Probate Records, 1269-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.
Records related to the Luke and Alice Pilcher family but not copied below due to copyright considerations:
- Reed, Paul C., "The English Ensigns: Ancestral to Thomas Ensign of Scituate, Massachusetts, and James Ensign of Hartford, Connecticut (Pilcher/Pylcher Descent)," The American Genealogist, Vol. 75, Apr 2000, pgs. 130-44.
Church Records
Name: Pylcher, Luke
Dates: 1 Jun 1547
Place: Sussex, England
Book: Register 3.
Collection: Sussex: - Wills and Administrations preserved in the District Probate Court of Lewes
Volume: "Unregistered Wills."
Chapter: Book No. 1. 1530-1617.
Text: Pylcher, Luke, --: 01 Jun 1547 , --- 42
Name: Pylcher, Alice
Dates: 26 Jan 1558
Place: Sussex, England
Book: Register 3.
Collection: Sussex: - Wills and Administrations preserved in the District Probate Court of Lewes
Volume: "Unregistered Wills."
Chapter: Book No. 1. 1530-1617.
Text: Pylcher, Alice, widow: 26 Jan 1558 , --- 83
Source: Ancestry.com. UK, Extracted Probate Records, 1269-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.