MRP: 26th March 1663, Letter from Thomas Thomlins to Sir GO, St. Leonards Bromley

26th March 1663, Letter from Thomas Thomlins to Sir GO, St. Leonards Bromley

BL, Add. MS. XX, XXX, ff. 54-55

Editorial history

21/05/09, CSG: Completed transcription
14/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription to wiki

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Abstract & context

Thomas Thomlins (alias Tomlins) (b. ?, m.1. ?, m.2 (post 1654), d. 1677) wrote to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated March 26th, 1663.

He wrote the letter from St. Leonards, Bromley, in Kent. The parish of St. Leonards Bromley was also the residence Thomas Tomlins gave when he wrote his will in 1676. A Justice of the Peace for Middlesex, he appears as "Justice Tomlins" in the 1666 hearth taxes for Bromley with a house assessed at thirteen hearths.

In his letter Tomlins solicited Sir George Oxenden's favour on behalf of his cousin Gervaise Maplesden, who was travelling to Surat on the Loyal Merchant, as a mate in the crew of Captain Millett. According to Tomlins, Gervaise Maplesden was down in his fortunes, and was seeking now to rebuild them. He was the son of the respected Captain Maplesden, who had been active in the Turkey trade.

Just one day earlier, Captain Nicholas Hurlestone had also written to Sir George seeking favour for Maplesden, who he described as the son-in-law of Mr. Goodlad.

Thomas Tomlins married three times, and his cousinship with Gervaise Maplesden was probably through a first wife from the Goodlad family of mariners, whose aunt, also a Goodlad, would have been the mother of Gervaise Maplesden junior, and widow of Captain Gervaise Maplesden. Though he did not name his first and second deceased wives in his will, Thomas Tomlins did leave a bequest for "my brother Richard Goodlad, Woollen Draper."

Tomlins also solicited on behalf of a London linen draper, William Wild, who separately had written to Sir George Oxenden about the estate of Captain Leonard Bushell (b. ?, d. ?1661). Wild was the executor of the estate of the Captain, who was the former commander of the Society and who had been resident in Limehouse.

Tomlins appended to his letter a short set of accounts, dated January 9th, 1661/62, which included mention of [Nathaniell] Wyches' share of the London. It is possible that Tomlins had a trading relationship with Wyche, since there is a record of a transfer of English East India Company stock from Wyche to Tomlins in May 1661.

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Suggested links

See 10th March 1662/63, Letter from William Wild to Sir GO, London
See 20th March 1662/63, Letter from Thomas Tomlins to Sir GO, London
See 25th March 1663, Letter from Nicholas Hurlestone to Sir GO, Redriss

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To do

(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript in BL

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Transcription

This transcription has been completed, but needs to be checked

BL, Add. MS. XX, XXX, ff. 54-55.

[f.54]

Hono:ble S:r

I have binn very much solicited by y:e mother (& my first wives Aunt) of y:e bearer M:r ?Garuco Maplesdon, as well as by him selfe, who gooth one of Cap:t Milletts mates in y:e Loyall Merch:t to intreate yo:r favour on his behalfe, & I doe make it my humble request if there should bee any occasion to exchange á Masters mate, y:t hath lived any time in y:e Country & desires to come home. That then my Coz. Maplesden may stay in his place his abilities for a Mate have beene tryed, & I suppose Cap:t Millett will satisfie you well enough touching his experience in y:e knowledge of Navigation. He had á good fortune left him 600:ll by his ffather but Crosses in y:e World hath eaten it out, & is forced to beetake himselfe to begin to sett up ágaine I beg yo:r favour towards him His father was y:e gallant, honest, upright, Cap:t Maplesdon, y:t used the Turkie trade á bout 30: yeares since. Generally well knowne & beloved of y:e best Merch:ts of England please to doo him w:t kindenesse you can w:ch I shall take as done unto myselfe

[f. 55]

I was likewise desired by M:r W:m ?Wild [or Weld], lynen draper in Cornhill, and executor to y:e Deceased Cap:t Leonard Bushell, to desire you on his behalfe to call M:r Walter [XXXX] [?Taves?}[?Taudres] ffactor of Carwarr to acco:t for y:e amo:t of £560: sterling w:ch he was oblidged to pay Cap:t Bushell when hee was last in India Now M:r Weld tells mee part of y:e money was comitted unto M:r Jn:e Lambton, please to make Enquiry into y:e Busienesse, & w:t moneyes are in his hands to send it y:e Executor by first opportunity; And if you will give me incouradgem:t to send a small adventure for one of my daughters, to bee retourned in short ends, please to advise mee by y:e first , & you will further oblidge mee to begg yo:r pardon & to subscribe my selfe

Yo: most affectionate ffreind
And Serv:t
Thomas Thomlins

St Leonards Brumly y:e 26:th March 1663

[Below the date and signature is a three column tabular set of Debit and Credits]

Swally Marine Jan:y 9:th 1661/2:
1660/1 M:r Tho: Thomlins (sic)

      D:r M:a Pice	P Contra

C:r M:a Pice:a
Ffeb: y 25 To Cust:a of y:e p Contra being y:e halfe of foure duo (sic) 2:p Cont: is M:a

414:23	Ffeb:y 23: By Gold for peeces 964:ll 3s: 0d

Weatt 24: M:a peece is M:a

20739:-:
P Mathew Andrewes
Aprill 11: To M:r Wychees share p :d y:e ?London as appeares by his note according to order at her departure for England

1949:09
1661: To P:r Wyches share p:d Tulcidas in p:t of his debt

2593:-:
X:ber 29: To Ambergrease for To:s 591/4: at 211:s [I think this is correct] 9:p told is rup:s (sic) 474:& is Mamodees

1066:26
Jan:ry 6: To sead Pearles at soul:ll prises Viz:t

Cochin oz:s 7971/2 at 9:49: tabar p oz is z:s 1527:4:la

Cochin oz:s 43: at 3/1/2 p oz is zos 143:9

[the numbers above are then totalled as follows]
25 940 ½ (sic) oz:s at sow:ll prises cost 1679:0

Is rupees 12531/4 & is mamode:s 2919:26
149:- To Dymonds: 210: Stones p:z catt:s 173 ½
At 14: rup:s p catt:d is rup:s 2429:-:
[X?] To Dymonds: 29: Stones p:z a
Catt:s 10: at 10:rup:s p catt:d is rup:s 100:-

Stones: 231:p:e cat:s 1931/2 is ru:s 2529:-

[I think next number is mamodee equivalent] 5690:-9:
To taffetyes (sic) for 100: pr:s at 63LM:a p pre is 6300:-:
To charges of parking (sic) mesurdage (?) Etc:a M:a 4:14
[GRAND TOTAL] M:a 20739:-:

T: [inverted triangle]: T: The prementiondd goods are all m:ked as p marg:t y:e Amber, & Sead pearles is in á Scinda Srcotore (sic) y:e Tafseties (sic) made up in á Bale & y:e Dyamonds in á small Ivory Box w:th 4: Cornelian Rings sent home p y:e Eagle
M:r Tho: Thomlins
D:r M:a Pice P Contra
C:r M:a Pice:a
To A Scinda Screetore

M:a 50:-: Ffeb:ry 19: By a Bearer [?] hatt rat:d worth

100:-:
To Mare [?] for 3:S:r: at 9:rup:s p sear is rup:s 24: and -:-

M:a 54:-: By Ballance to even y:s Acco:t

4:-:
M:a 104:-: M:a 104:-:
M.A.

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Notes

Thomas Thomlins, Bromley

"Nobility and Gentry, Which are, or lately were, related unto the COUNTY of MIDDLESEX And CITY of LONDON: With their Seats and Tules by which they are, or have been, known.

Thomas Thomlins of Bromley Esq."

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Thomas Tomlins, Justice of the Peace, Bromley by Bow

"Edward Kenrick's widow Susanna was only 33 years old when her husband died in 1654, and being amply provided for soon married again in spite of her seven children. Her second husband, Thomas Tomlins, was a rich merchant of London, who resided at Bromley-by-Bow, and was a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex. Susanna was his third wife, and he had two daughters by a former marriage (These two daughters were : 1. Elizabeth Tomlins, who married John Lewyn, the widower of Mary
Kemick ; and 2. Anne Tomlins, who married, after her father's death, Griffith Vaughan B.D., and died before 1686). He had issue by his third marriage a son and a daughter, who were both under age at the time of his death. He was buried at Bromley, 14th April 1677."

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Thomas Tomlins will, written July 4, 1674

"To my son Thomas Tomlins, £10,000 at 21, all my books and military arms, my seal ring and my best table diamond ring. To my daughter Elizabeth Tomlins, £2400, to be paid to her within six months after my death, but I hereby strictly charge and enjoin her never to intermarry with John Lewin, of London, merchant, who, without my knowledge and contrary to my will and inclination, hath endeavoured to steal my said daughter from me. Also to my said daughter, the silver basin which her grandfather gave at her baptizing, and also one Hose Botkin Jewel of Diamonds. To my daughter Anne Tomlins, £2100, to be paid within six months after my decease and the peece of plate given at her baptism by Dr. Wilson deceased, also a Rose Bodkin Jewell of Diamonds after my wife's death. To my daughter Sarah Tomlins, £2400 at 21 or marriage, and sundry jewels and plate. To my dear and loving wife Susanna Tomlins, £5000 and the use of all my goods and household stuff for life and sundry jewels, &c. If my said son Thomas die before 21 his portion to be equally divided among my said three daughters.

To Rebecca and Dorothy Kenrick and to John and Matthew Kenrick, £50 each. To my wife's 2 married daughters, Mrs. Susanna Peake and Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, £50 each. To my sister Elizabeth Palmer, £20; and to her husband Gamaliel Palmer, £5. To my cousin Elizabeth Hamond, £20 ; and the same to her brother Thomas Hamond. To Sir John Cloberry and his lady, £12 each for mourning. To my brother John Webb and my sister his wife, £10 each. To my son-in-law William Williams, £20 for a ring. To my brother Thomas Evans and Mary his wife, £10 each for mourning ; and to my brother William Cranmer, £20. To my aunt Eleanor Church in Hereford, £5 and an annuity of £6 for life. To the poor of Poplar in Middlesex, £25 ; and to the poor of St. Leonard's, Bromley, £25. To my brother Richard Goodlad. Woollen Draper, £10. To the children of my sister Young lately deceased, £10 each. To each servant, £3. To Justinian and Mary Lewen, two motherless children of my daughter-in-law Mary Lewen deceased, £50 each at 21 or marriage. The residue of my estate to my said children, Thomas. Elizabeth, Anne, and Sarah Tomlins, in equal shares. My wife Susanna to be my Executrix. My son in-law Major William Williams and my brother-in-law Mr. William Cranmer to be verseers (sic) of my Will.

Will confirmed by testator, 6 April 1077.

Will proved in C.P.C. by widow, 1 May 1077. [55 Hale.]" (p. 47)

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Susanna Tomlins will, written July 4, 1674

"Susanna Tomlins survived her second husband nearly five years, and was buried in the same vault with him at Bromley, 5th Jan. 1681-2. (217)

Susanna Tomlins, of St. Leonard's, Bromley, Middlesex, Widow, Executrix of my former husband Edward Kenricke, late of London, deceased, and also relict and Executrix of my late husband Thomas Tomlins, late of Bromley aforesaid, Esq., deceased. Will dated Sept. 1679.

Whereas by Indenture dated 3 Sept. 1679 and made between me of the one part. Sir John Clobery of Winchester Kt., William Williams, Citizen and Merchant Taylor of London, William Cranmer of London, merchant, and John Kenrick of London, merchant, of the other part, I agreed that my Executors should pay £1200 within 6 mouths after my decease to the Trustees thereof for the purposes therein mentioned, I now direct £1200 to be so paid.

To my son Thomas Tomlins when he is 21, £1500, also his late father's picture set with diamonds, my gold watch, my best diamond ring with seven diamonds, sundry plate, all my books and his father's coat of arms ; but if he die before 21 years of age the same are to go to my daughter Sarah Tomlins his sister. To my said daughter Sarah. £800, sundry jewels, furniture, &c. ; but if she die unmarried or under age then the same are to go to my said son Thomas. My said two Children are not to interfere in any agreements or proceedings between me and my children by my former husband Edward Kenrick or the children of my last husband Thomas Tomlins by his former wives; if both my said children Thomas and Sarah Tomlins die unmarried or before 21, then their said legacies are to go to my children John Kenricke, Matthew Kenricke, Elizabeth Williams, now wife of William Williams Citizen and Merchant Taylor of London, Rebecca Kenricke and Dorothy Kenricke spinsters, and be divided among them equally. To my daughter-in-law Elizabeth Tomlins, daughter of my said last husband Thomas Tomlins and now wife of John Lewyn of London Esq., sundry plate engraved with her father's and my arms. To my daughter-in-law Anne Tomlins daughter of my said late husband Thomas Tomlins, my biggest silver bason and ewer. To my four daughters which I had by my said former husband Edward Kenricke, viz. Susanna, now wife of Benjamin Peake of London Gent.; Elizabeth, now wife of the aforesaid William Williams ; Rebecca Kenricke, and Dorothy Kenricke, all the plate and linen which belonged to my said former husband. To my said daughter Rebecca Kenricke, £50. To the poor of St. Leonard's, Bromley, £15. To my grandchildren, viz. Susanna, William, Elizabeth, Robert, John, Edward, and Rebecca Peake; Susanna, Selina, and John Williams; and Justinian and Mary Lewyn, each, £20 at 21. To my son John Kenrick, a diamond ring. To my son Matthew Kenrick, a diamond ring and £100. To my brother William Cranmer, a diamond ring, and I appoint him and my son John Kenrick to be my Executors. The residue of my estate to my said children Thomas and Sarah Tomlins in equal shares.

Codicil, dated 10 Aug. 1681, refers to the payment of £650 to said William Cranmer and John Kenrick as Trustees of an indenture dated 15 Aug. 1681.

Will and Codicil proved in C.P.C. on 8 Feb. 1681-2 by William Cranmer, John Kenrick the other Executor renouncing. [25 Cottle.]" (pp. 47-48)"

"Susanna had issue by her second marriage two children, Sarah and Thomas.

I. Sarah Tomlins married about 1684 Sir Robert Jenkinson, the second Bart., of Walcot in Oxfordshire, who sat in ten Parliaments as M.P. for Oxfordshire, (232)
and died 30th Jan. 1709-10. (233) Sarah inherited a considerable fortune on the death of her brother Thomas in 1686, and died 8th Aug. 1709, six months before her
husband. (233)..."

"II. Thomas Tomlins was still under age when his mother died, and was bred to his father's business of a merchant ; but he did not long survive his majority, for he was murdered by his own coachman, who robbed him and threw him into a ditch. (221) He died unmarried, and was buried at Bromley 29th Nov. 1686.(217) ..."

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Thomas Tomlins junior will, written August 9th 1686

"Thomas Tomlins of St. Leonard's, Bromley, Middlesex, Merchant. Will dated 9 Aug. 1686.

To be buried in the Parish Church of St. Leonard's, Bromley, hi the Vault where my father Thomas Tomlins Esq. lies buried.

£1000 to be paid to the trustees of a certain Indenture, dated 5 Aug. 1686, and made between myself of the one part, and Sir Robert Jenkinson of Walcot, Oxon, Bart., William Cranmer of St. Leonard's, Bromley, Esq., and John Kenrick of London, merchant, of the other part, for the purposes declared in the said Indenture, £1000 to be paid to the trustees of another Indenture, of the same date and made between the same parties, for the trust declared therein.

To my sister Dame Sarah Jenkinson, now wife of the said Sir Robert Jenkinson, £3000. To my sister Mrs. Elizabeth Lewyn, £200. To my sister Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, £200. To my sister Mrs. Rebecca Moore, £200. To my sister Mrs. Dorothy Kenrick, spinster, £200. To my brother John Kenrick of London, merchant, £200 ; and to his now wife Mrs. Sarah Kenrick, £100. To my brother Matthew Kenrick, merchant at Oporto in Portugal, £200. To my uncle William Cranmer of St. Leonard's, Bromley, Esq., £1000. To my uncle Gamaliel Palmer, £200 ; and the same to my aunt Mrs. Elizabeth Palmer, his wife. To my cousin Mrs. Elizabeth Shattock, £100. To my cousin Mrs. Hester Perkinson, £100. To my cousin Mrs. Sarah Bone alias Peake. £20. To my cousin Richard Young, £200. To my cousin Thomas Haniond, £20. To my cousin Selena Palmer als. Hill, £20. To my brother-in-law Sir Robert Jenkinson Bart., husband of my sister Dame Sarah Jenkinson, all my books, a diamond ring, and £200 ; and to my said sister Dame Sarah his wife, sundry plate, pictures, and jewels. To Dame Mary Jenkinson, mother of the said Sir Robert, £10. To Sir John Cloberry Kt., and Dame Anne his wife, £10 each. To Sir Charles Holt Bart., and Dame Anne his wife, £10 each. To my cousin William Bromley Esq., £10. To my cousin Susanna Cloberry, £10. To my cousin Mary Cloberry, £10. To my aunt Mrs. Elizabeth Webb, widow, £10. To my aunt Mrs. Mary Eyans, widow, £10. To my brother John Lewyn Esq., £10. To my brother Griffith Vaughan Clerk, £10. To my brother William Williams, £10. To my brother Mr. John Moore, £10. To my cousin the Hon:ble William Maynard Esq. and Dame Susanna his wife, £50 each; and to each of their children, £5 for mourning. All legatees to release their claims against the Estates of my late father and mother Thomas Tomlins Esq. and Susanna his wife, both deceased; and of Edward Kenrick. late of London, merchant, deceased, the former husband of my said late mother Susaima Tomlins. To the poor of St. Leonard's, Bromley, £50. My uncle William Cranmer Esq. and Sir Robert Jenkinson Bart, to be my Executors and residuary legatees.

Will proved 2 Dec. 1686 in C.P.C. [172 Lloyd.]"

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John Lewyn, widower, m. Elizabeth Tomlins, dau. of Thomas Tomlins, 1677

"John Lewyn had issue by Mary Kenrick two children, JUSTINIAN and Mary, who were both very young when their mother died, for their father was in July 1676 paying his addresses to Elizabeth Tomlins, the daughter of his late wife's stepfather Thomas Tomlins of Bromley. This match was highly distasteful to Elizabeth's father, who strictly enjoined his daughter by his Will ' never to intermarry with Lewyn, who, without my knowledge and contrary to my will and inclination, hath endeavoured to steal my daughter from me.' This injunction was coupled with the bequest of a considerable fortune ; but love was stronger than filial gratitude, and Elizabeth married Lewyn six weeks after her father's death. Her marriage license is dated 23d May 1677. Lewyn had no issue by his second wife, and resided at Fulham, where he died intestate in 1691, for letters of administration were granted to his widow Elizabeth on 20th October in that year. His widow and her two stepchildren are mentioned in Sir William Cranmer's Will in 1697."

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Williams Adventure

Thomas Tomlins was a subscriber to the Williams Adenture, subscribing at least 1,000 to the joint stock.

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EEIC, 1660-1663

"[1661] 22 May Nathaniel Wyche to Thomas Tomlins, 1,000/.", in

"[January 29, 1662] Certain Committees are directed to draw up a bill to be exhibited in Chancery against Thomas Thomlings and the captain and purser of the East India Merchant, to discover who supplied their calicoes, and who are the real owners of the same here."

"[March 21, 1662] John Goodyear is given lXX. for fresh provisions, and Thomas Thomlings is accepted in 1,000/. as his security."

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Chapel at Poplar: Major contributors Maurice Thompson, Thomas Tomlins & Sir Henry Johnson, 1650-54

"The hamlet of Poplar and Blackwall lies on the south side of the parish, is seven miles in circumference, and contains about 600 houses. The chapel at Poplar was begun before the year 1650, and finished in 1654, when Thomas Walton was appointed chaplain by William Greenhill, vicar of Stepney. The subscription for building it was begun by Gilbert Dethick, Esq. with a benefaction of 100l.; the whole expence was above 2000l. Mr. Maurice Thompson, Mr. Thomas Tomlins, and Sir Henry Johnson, were among the principal contributors. It is a brick structure, consisting of a nave, chancel, and two aisles. At the west end is a small wooden turret. The whole chapel was nearly rebuilt by the East India Company in 1776. On the front of the gallery are the arms of Johnson , and in the windows those of Dethick, Thomp son, and Tomlins"

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Captain Leonard Bushell, the Society attacked by Dutch, 1657

"Relating how on the 25th April, 1657, the ship Society, being about 200 leagues to the south of the Cape of Good Hope homeward-bound from Masulipatam, was attacked by the Orange, a Dutch vessel of about 1,400 tons coming from Amsterdam and bound for Batavia, commanded by Rikelof with 400 men aboard. The attack was quite unprovoked and very fierce and the English ship was soon so disabled that her sails had to be lowered and she was forced to await the approach of her opponent. Her captain and some of her men were then ordered aboard the Dutch vessel, and on the captain asking the reason of such unwarrantable usage, he was told that at sea it is the custom for the weakest to submit to the strongest. The English ship was then searched for Portuguese goods, but none being found, some books of accounts and letters directed to men in Holland were taken, and the English commanded to return to their ship. The men declared that rather than venture in such a sea they would prefer to lose their wages and be carried captives to Batavia, but the Dutch threatening to throw them overboard, they were forced to go. Four men were washed overboard by the heavy seas but eventually rescued by ropes. Signed by Hugh Squier and attested by Leonard Bushell, commander of the Society, on the 6th January, 1658, before the Right Worshipful Charles Cock, Esq., Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, in the presence of Edmund Arnold, examiner of the said Court"

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Possible primary sources

London Metropolitan Archives

London Metropolitan Archives: Wood Family: THE MANOR OF LITTLETON (Gilbert Lambell's Title Deeds) ACC/0928/001 1419 - 1652: Assignment of Trusteeship. Hurlestone and Mosse to 3. to the use of 2. ACC/0928/001/69 1649
- Contents:
1. Nathaniel Goodlad of Rederith, Surrey, Mariner, and Nicholas Hurlestone of Rederith, Mariner, and Henry Mosse of London, Gent.
2. Gilbert Lambell of London, Merchant
3. Ellston Wallis of London, Goldsmith and Thomas Norton, Citizen and Clothworker of the City of London.
The manor of Littleton etc. as in Acc/0928/001/54.

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TNA

C10/72/23 Bornfold v. Andrewes, Winter, Edwards, Cranmer, Tomlins: Middx 1661
C 10/98/2 Thomas Andrewes, Thomas Winter, James Edwards and Thomas Tomlyns v Jane Bornford and Robert Cranmer: money matters, Middx 1663

PROB 11/163 Russell 1-57 Will of Edward Maplesden, Mariner of Rotherhithe, Surrey 31 May 1633
PROB 11/279 Wootton 363-416 Will of Nathaniell Goodlad of Rotherhithe, Surrey 22 July 1658
- Possibly James Moyer senior's brother-in-law, who was one of the overseers' of James Moyer senior's will
- Dead by 1658, so cannot be the "Mr. Goodlad" of Thomas Tomlins letter to Sir George oxenden dated March 26th, 1663
PROB 11/314 Bruce 49-96 Will of Jarvis Maplesden, Mariner of Rotherhithe, Surrey 13 August 1664
PROB 11/350 Bence 1-54 Will of Phebe Maplesden, Widow of Rotherhithe, Surrey 04 January 1676
PROB 11/354 Hale 44-95 Will of Thomas Tomlins of Saint Leonards Bromley, Middlesex 01 May 1677
PROB 11/385 Lloyd 136-181 Will of Thomas Tomlins, Merchant of Saint Leonard Bromley, Middlesex 02 December 1686
PROB 11/388 Foot 90-132 Will of Richard Goodlad, Commander of the good Ship Adventure 22 October 1687
PROB 11/399 Dyke 45-90 Will of Richard Goodlad, Merchant Tailor of Saint Dionis Backchurch, City of London 23 June 1690

PROB 11/417 Coker 175-222 Will of Richard Goodlad, Gentleman of Stepney, Middlesex 07 November 1693