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21st March 1662/63, Letter from Thomas Blackerby to Sir GO, London

BL, Add. MS. XX,XXX f. 33

Editorial history

22/05/09, CSG: Completed transcription
14/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription to wiki

Abstract & context

Thomas Blackerby wrote to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated March 21st, 1662/63. It was sent from London

In the letter, Blackerby XXXXX

Thomas Blackerby (b. ca. 1612, d. 1688) was a London merchant and skinner. At the time of writing to Sir George Oxenden he was about fifty years of age.

In a fairly long commercial career, he was involved in trade with the East Indies and quite possibly with the Levant. There are also traces of involvement in the Guinea trade, standing as security for a Guinea factor in July 1661.^[1]

In surviving documentation Blackerby appears associated commercially with William Methwold both in the early 1650s, and Thomas Methwold in the early 1670s.^[2] He also appears associated with Barnaby Bowtell in November 1658, standing jointly as security with Barnaby Bowtell for Beaumont Bowtell.^[3] The Blackerby and Bowtell families appears to have been related by marriage.^[4]

He was made a London alderman in October 1666 for Vintry, and was master of the Skinners in 1668.^[5] He was High Sherriff of Suffolk in 1669.^[6]

He had property at or near Stowmarket in Suffolk, from whence he sent a second letter to Sir George Oxenden in March 1666/67.^[7] He is reported to have been resident from some time after 1666 at Columbyne Hall of Stowupland, also known as Pawnsey Hall, though this has not been confirmed. Columbyne Hall lay a mile to the North-East of Stowmarket.^[8]

At his death, Blackerby described himself as "Thomas Blackerby XXXX of Stowmarket XXXX." He left an extensive will.^[9]

It is possible that Thomas Blackerby was related to Richard Blackerby (b. 1574, d. ?) of Werlington (alias Worlington), Suffolk. Richard Blaclerby was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was a non-conformist preacher in Essex and Suffolk.^[10] In the British Library there is a grant of arms and crest to "Thomas Blackerby of Shakerland Hall" made by Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux 10 June 1664.^[11]

Suggested links

See 11th March 1666/67, Letter from Thomas Blackerby to Sir GO, Stowmarket

To do

(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL

(2) Explore whether William Methwold, William Ryder, and Thomas Blackerby partners or linked commercially, prior to Methwold's death?^[12]

(3) Explore whether Thomas Blackerby, George Smith & William Vincent were all part owners of the Three Brothers, together with William Cockaigne et al.?^[13]

(4) Explore whether Thomas Blackerby associated with the Levant as well as the East India trade? He associated with the Barnardiston family, who had Levant links

Transcription

This transcription has been completed, but requires checking

[BL, MS. XX,XXX f. 33]

Hon:d Freind S:r Geo: Oxinden

S:r My humble Service presented too you being desirous to heare of yo:r health & Prosperitie, S:r Abraham Shipman did pmise att his departure to putt you in mind of my Request to you at yo:r depture About y:e debt due to M:r Methwold from Severam Derg & Sale thereof Some Embroyderies in Tulcidas hands belonging to y:e said M:r methwold in pt, y:e first is Accomplished by Presid:t Andrews, y:e latter yett we heare noe Acco:t of theire disposall, therefore if you please to lend yo:r Assistance in theire disposall to y:e best Advantage, thereby you will really [of “signally”?] Oblidge

Yo:r Assured Freind and
Humble Serv:t Tho: Blackerby

London y:e 21:th March 1662/3

Notes

Thomas Blackerby

"[ March 9, 1653] Captain Ryder's request for all the exportable cardamoms formerly sold to Mr. Methwold is refused, unless he will agree to take those on which no impost is to be returned. Merry presents a writing signed by William Methwold, deceased, and attested by Thomas Blackerby, transferring to Merry 1000/. adventure and profits in the United Joint Stock ; this is approved and ordered to be entered."^[14]

"[March 1, 1654] Mr. Blackerby is requested to pay the 500/. owing by the late Mr. Methwold for a legacy left by Mr. Fremlin to the Hospital at Blackwall ; he agrees to do so on receiving 15/. discount ; this the Court consents to pay, and the Secretary is directed to give Blackerby an 'assumsett' of I2d. to deliver the said 500/. within fourteen days upon penalty of 800/."^[15]

"[July 10th, 1657] The owners of the Three Brothers acquaint the Court that they have kept all the private trade brought back in their ship in a warehouse until the Company's goods are sold, and now they desire to know whether to deliver it or not ; they are told that, when they shall present a list of the quantity, quality, and owners of the goods, this shall be decided. The following securities are accepted for various goods : William Cockayne, Senior, Thomas Blackerby, Thomas Andrew, Richard Clutterbucke, William Vincent, George Smyth, Francis Clarke, John Tutchin, Jacob Strange, and Robert Ostler."^[16]

"[November 19th, 1658] The Coast Frigate to be dispatched from Gravesend by the 20th of December next and her owners to be allowed 7/. a day demurrage for so long as she stays at Guinea. Barnaby Bowtell and Thomas Blackerby are accepted as securities for Beaumont Bowtell. Thomas Walley to be paid 26/. for cloth."^[17]

"[July 31st, 1661] Francis and John Young are accepted as securities in 2,000/. for Edmund Young, and Francis Hughs and Thomas Blackerby in 1,000/. for Francis Hughs, a Guinea factor"^[18]

"XXth ?1671 Thomas Blackerby to Thomas Methwold, 350l.^[19]

Skinners Company

"Edward Bilton, 1666
Isaac Lyte, 1667
Thomas Blackerby, 1668
Benjamin Albyn, 1669
Thomas Preston, 1670"^[20]

Suffolk

"BLACKERBY family of Worlington. Pedigree. Add. 19118. Abstract of a grant of arms and crest to Thomas Blackerby of Shakerland Hall by Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux 10 June 1664. Harl. 1470."^[21]

Monumental inscriptions, Stowmarket parish church

Monumental inscriptions, Stowmarket parish church^[22]

"Section B. Slabs on floor of Chancel, E. to W.

No. VIII.

Here lyeth the body of THOMAS BLACKERBY
Esq: who was elected ALDERMAN of the City
of LONDON in the year of our Lord 1666
fined for the same and for SHERIFFE
of the said city.. He was HIGH SHERIFFE
of this County in the year of our Lord 1669.
He was a man of very great TEMPERANCE
of exemplary CHARITY of profound
HUMILITY and strict PIETY very ZEALOUS
in the discharge of his duty both as a
MAGISTRATE and as a private person
He did much good both in this Town
and other places whilest he lived
and is gone to receive his Reward
He died 2 Nov. 1688 Aetat. Suoe 76
MORIENDO VIUIT

Above the inscription is the following coat-of-arms: - Gyronny of eight on a carton a mullet (Blackerby), impaling A chief and in base three roses two and one (Sparrow); over all, in middle chief point, a crescent for difference. Crest:- A man’s head between two laurel branches.

Section B. Slabs on floor of Chancel, E. to W.

No. IX

This inscription is partly worn away. The letters, &c., in square brackets are taken from Davy’s “Suffolk Church Notes” in the British Museum, Add. Ms. 19106).

Here lye interd the bodyes of SAMUEL
BLACKERBY and Ann his Wife:
He was Vicar of this Town for almost 12 years:
She was ye Daughter of RICHARD FFORSTER
of NASSINGTON in NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Gent: as also the bodyes of NATHANIEL
THOMAS AND MARTHA
their Children:
They both loved greatly desired
and dyed greatly lamented.
He dyed 20th Decr. 1674 Aetat Suae 5 6
She dyed 12th Novr. 1666 Aetat Suae 4 6
MEMORIA JUSTI BENEDICTA

Above the inscription is the following shield:- Blackerby (as in No. viii.) impaling A chevron between three bugle-horns stringed (Forster). Davy adds a crescent to the Blackerby shield for difference, and the Blackerby crest. (In the description of the Blackerby shield in No. viii., “carton” is a misprint for “canton”.)"

Possible primary sources

TNA

C 9/294/51 Barnardiston v. Barnardiston and Blackerby 1694
C 9/295/14 Blackerby v. Goodyeare 1692

C 10/119/4 Blackerby v. Howe: Suff 1660
C 10/282/3 Barnardiston, blackerby, Bowles v. Micow, Harrison: Middx 1691
C 10/290/21 Richard Lloyd v Sir Thomas Barnardiston baronet, Sir Samuel Barnardiston baronet, Thomas Death, Samuel Blackerby and Mary his wife and others: Cakewell, Gomersall and others, Yorkshire. Bill and two answers 1695

13 May 1623 Swann 1-66 Will of John Blackerby, Yeoman of Wilton, Norfolk 13 May 1623
PROB 11/147 Clarke 103-147 Will of Edward Blackerby, Clothworker of Saint Stephen Coleman Street, City of London 22 November 1625
PROB 11/167 Sadler 1-44 Will of Sir John Poley of Saint Peter Stowmarket, Suffolk 29 April 1635
PROB 11/231 Brent 319-367 Will of William Methwold 15 April 1653
PROB 11/314 Bruce 49-96 Will of Sir William Poley of Boxted, Suffolk 19 June 1664
PROB 11/347 Dycer 1-51 Will of Samuel Blackerby, Clerk of Stowmarket, Suffolk 09 February 1675
PROB 11/380 Cann 52-107 Will of Barnaby Bowtell of Parham, Suffolk 22 May 1685
- Probably Barnaby Bowtell (b. 1609?, d. ?1684) of Parnham Hall, Suffolk. Parnham Hall was located XXXX. An Archaeological Excavation report, 2005, states that Katherine Blackerby, nee Bowtell, was the niece of a Batholomew Gosnold. She is buried at St. Peter and St. Mary's Church, Stowmarket^[23]
PROB 11/396 Ent 91-138 Will of Thomas Blackerby of Stowmarket, Suffolk 27 August 1689, pp. 11
PROB 11/443 Lort 1-44 Will of William Bowtell, Merchant of London 20 January 1698

Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch: Aldeburgh Borough Records: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS [no ref. or date: ELECTION INDENTURES [no ref. or date]: Indenture of the election of John Bence, London, Esq. as Member of Parliament for the Borough EE1/K1/1 2nd November - 9th November, 1669]
- Contents: With writ of Thomas Blackerby, Sheriff, attached. 2nd November, 1669.

Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch: Badwell Ash Parish Records: CLERGY FL507/3 [n.d.: Mortgage FL507/3/36 1689]
- Contents: Mortgage of parsonage and all income belonging to the same by the administrator of the estate of the late Thomas Blackerby of Stowmarket to Elizabeth Barnardiston of Kedington, with assignment of remainder of mortgage term on 2 messuages in St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich and another in St. Stephen's, Norwich

Surrey History Centre

Surrey History Centre: PROPERTY IN SURREY AND ELSEWHERE: DEEDS AND PAPERS, 1573-1827: G20/2/23: Bargain and sale 1) Thomas Blackerby of Stowmarket, esq 2) William Mayes of Stanton, Suffolk, clothier, 10 Oct 1671

1. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, July 31, 1661 (Court Book. vol. xxiv, p. 382) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc., of the East India Company, 1660-1663. (Oxford, 1922), p. 120. See http://www.archive.org/stream/courtminutesetc00east#page/120/mode/2up, viewed 15/12/11
2. ↑ This is the footnote text
3. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, November 19, 1658 (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 153) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 298
4. ↑ Katherine Blackerby, nee Bowtell, is buried at St. Peter and St. Mary's Church, Stowmarket ('Summary', p. iii, in APVA excavations at Shelley & Stowmarket churches, Suffolk (SHY 004 & SKT 015 (Ipswich, 2005), pub. at http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-415-1/dissemination/pdf/suffolkc1-11090.pdf, viewed 11/02/12)
5. ↑ Alfred P. Beaven, 'Chronological list of aldermen: 1651-1700', The Aldermen of the City of London: Temp. Henry III - 1912 (1908), pp. 75-119. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=67242 Date accessed: 11 February 2012
6. ↑ This is the footnote text
7. ↑ 11th March 1666/67, Letter from Thomas Blackerby to Sir GO, Stowmarket
8. ↑ Steve Williams of the Stowmarket Local History Group, suggests that Thomas Blackerby lived at Columbyne Hall at some time after the death in 1666 of its owner John Poley Esq. Steve Williams, 'Wellington House, also known at various times as Pawnsey Hall, Pawsey Hall, Pausey Hall, Childer House & Hillcroft School', 2009, published at http://www.stowmarket-history.co.uk/wellington_house.htm, viewed 15/12/11
9. ↑ PROB 11/396 Ent 91-138 Will of Thomas Blackerby of Stowmarket, Suffolk 27 August 1689
10. ↑ http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/christian-library/a-christian-library-volume-15/the-lives-of-william-whitaker-philip-de-morney-john-bruen-and-richard-blarckerby/, viewed 15/12/11
11. ↑ BL, Harl. 1470, cited by Walter Arthur Copinger (ed.), County of Suffolk: its history as disclosed by existing records and other documents, being materials for the history of Suffolk, gleaned from various sources - mainly from MSS., charters, and rolls in the British Museum and other public and private depositories, and from the state papers and publications of the record commissioners, the deputy keeper of the public records, and of the master of the rolls, vol. 1 (London, 1904), p. 199
12. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, March 1, 1654 (Court Book, vol. xxi, p. 256) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1913), p. 301
13. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the United Joint Stock, July 10, 1657' (Court Book, vol. xxiii, p. 579) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 134
14. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, March 9, 1653' (Court Book, vol. xxiii, p. 232) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1913), p. 227
15. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, March 1, 1654 (Court Book, vol. xxi, p. 256) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1913), p. 301
16. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the United Joint Stock, July 10, 1657' (Court Book, vol. xxiii, p. 579) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 134
17. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, November 19, 1658 (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 153) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 298
18. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, July 31, 1661 (Court Book. vol. xxiv, p. 382) in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc., of the East India Company, 1660-1663. (Oxford, 1922), p. 120. See http://www.archive.org/stream/courtminutesetc00east#page/120/mode/2up, viewed 15/12/11
19. ↑ W.T. Ottewill (ed.), A calendar of the court minutes, etc., of the East India Company: 1671-1673, vol.9 (Oxford, 1932), p. 309
20. ↑ James Foster Wadmore, Some account of the worshipful Company of Skinners of London: being the guild or fraternity of Corpus Christi (London, 1902), p. 193
21. ↑ Walter Arthur Copinger (ed.), County of Suffolk: its history as disclosed by existing records and other documents, being materials for the history of Suffolk, gleaned from various sources - mainly from MSS., charters, and rolls in the British Museum and other public and private depositories, and from the state papers and publications of the record commissioners, the deputy keeper of the public records, and of the master of the rolls, vol. 1 (London, 1904), p. 199. See http://www.archive.org/stream/countyofsuffolki01copiuoft#page/198/mode/2up, viewed 15/12/11
22. ↑ Charles Partridge, Junior, 'Monumental inscriptions and heraldry in Stowmarket church', published on website for St. Peter and St. Mary's church, Stowmarket, http://www.stowmarketparishchurch.co.uk/History.php, viewed 15/12/11
23. ↑ 'Summary', p. iii, in APVA excavations at Shelley & Stowmarket churches, Suffolk (SHY 004 & SKT 015 (Ipswich, 2005), pub. at http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-415-1/dissemination/pdf/suffolkc1-11090.pdf, viewed 11/02/12