Thomas Pylcher and Elizabeth --
Thomas Pylcher may have been the son of John Pylcher, the son of John Pylcher and Katherine Basset (see below). While not proven, there is some indirect evidence to support this theory. 1) Thomas married well and a descent from John and Katherine could explain why he was able to do so. 2) William, son of the younger John, brought a suit in Chancery regarding lands inherited by Katherine from her father, John Basset. But a Joan Dryver testified that the lands had been given by Katherine to a daughter Joan and referred to Lawrence, William's elder brother. Another suit was brought by Lawrence Pylcher over his father's land. 3) Elizabeth, our Thomas's widow, made stipulations to protect lands she left to her son Thomas from a William Pylcher. The only known William Pylcher in the area is the one who brought suit about Katherine Basset's land. See TAG 75:132-3 for details.
Thomas was perhaps born about 1475. He married Elizabeth --. Paul C. Reed stated that Elizabeth was "obviously a woman of gentle birth." He theorized that she was of the higher gentry because "Even the local gentry did not often have the many silver implements and fine clothing she bequeathed in her will." The only family at Battle at that time that stood out to Reed as being of an appropriate status was the Finch family (see below).
The steward of Battle conceded a 30 foot by 30 foot plot of land to Thomas in 1499 "for building a new house." Thomas appears in records as an inquest juror and affeeror (one who determines the values of fine). Thomas and Elizabeth's sons were educated at the monastery, rather than at the town school.
Thomas must have died by 1524, for he was not listed in the subsidy roll of 1524. Elizabeth married second David Lewys. David was listed in the 1524 subsidy of Battle, being taxed for £30. Elizabeth's will was dated 8 January 1538. Elizabeth and David are buried inside the church at Battle, Sussex, England.
Thomas and Elizabeth’s children are:
- Luke Pylcher, recorded as a puer cappelle (Latin for "chapel boy") at Battle Abbey in about 1510 and having "worn out three pairs of shoes in one half-year," married Alice -- (will was dated 26 January 1558/9), was taxed for £4 in goods in the subsidy rolls of 1524-5, a feofee of John Gotley of Battle 20 April 1525, 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," took the copyhold of a pasture in Battle called Annersfeld in 1527 and held a messuage on High Street, appears in 1540 as the clerk of the parish of Battle, will dated 1 June 1547.
- Thomas Pylcher, married Alyce --, will dated 26 Feb 1543/4.
- Katherine Pylcher, married John Love the younger (of Battle, Sussex, England, a tailor, will dated 20 Aug 1548).
- Anne Pylcher, married John Alford.
- John Pylcher, a monk at Battle Abbey, served as an obedientary (a minor official in a monastery appointed by the abbot).
Possible Medieval Pilcher and Finch Ancestors
The Pilchers and Bassets
The following may be the ancestry of Thomas Pylcher (see above):
John Basset was of Hartfield, Sussex, England.
He left property to his daughter:
Katherine Basset, who married John Pilcher.
They were parents of:
- Joan Pilcher
- John Pilcher (see below)
John Pilcher, who was the father of:
- Lawrence Pilcher
- William Pilcher
- Perhaps Thomas Pylcher (above)
The Finches
Elizabeth's possible family, the Finches, were a branch of the Herbert alias Finch family of Sussex and Kent, descended from Vincent Herberd, a burgess and wine merchant of Winchelsea, Sussex, England. Those Finches in Battle who were contemporary with Elizabeth were:
Water Fynch, gentleman, appeared on the 1524 subsidy of the Hundred of Battle.
Vy[n]cent Fynch, appeared on the 1524 subsidy of the Hundred of Battle.
Edward Fynch, gentleman, appeared on the 1525 subsidy of the Hundred of Battle.
In addition, there was a Henry Finch, married to an Alice Belknap (Paul C. Reed referred to her "interesting ancestry"--see Richardson, Douglas, Plantagenet Ancestry, vol. 2, 2011, p. 49 for this ancestry) resided in Icklesham, Sussex, England (neighboring Winchelsea and 10 miles from Battle).
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
Name: Pylcher, Thomas
Dates: 26 Feb 1543
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, Thomas, --: 26 Feb 1543 , --- 28
Source: Ancestry.com. UK, Extracted Probate Records, 1269-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.