John PEIRSE, and Family, of Bedale
"The Early History of Bedale"
by H.B. McCall, published 1907, provides details of the PEIRSE family’s association with the Bedale area from the sixteenth century.
Although resident in Bedale from an early date, the family also had links with London, where their pedigree and arms were recorded in the Herald’s Visitations of 1634…….
‘19th December, 1634 – By Richard St George, Clarenceux.
‘Being requested by John Peirse of East Greanwich in the county of Kent, and Richard Peirse, brother of the said John, both of them being gentleman sewers in ordinarie to his Majestie’s chamber*, to maike a declaration of the desents and armes of there family, and to emblason and sett them forth in such maner and with such differences and distincktions as they may lawfully beare, I do hereby declare that they were the sons of Henery Peirse of Bedall in the county of Yorke, which Henery was the sonn of Marmaduke Pierse, who was sonn of Thomas Pierse, son of Petter Peirce of Bedall, which land the said John possesseth at this day, and may beare there for coat armour, Asure a ducall crowne betweene three cross crosletts fitche, or, and for their creaste a crown murall gules standing uppon the topp of a cross crosslet, or. Which armes and creaste I declare to bee the proper and peculier armes of the said John and Richard Pearse, and that they and their posteryty may lawfully use and beare the same at all times, bearing there lawfull differences.'
McCall goes on to state that the above John Peirse married Sarah, daughter of Peter CHAMBERLAYNE, and sister of the "celebrated Peter Chamberlayne, M.D., the eccentric physician and author." It was this John Peirse who purchased half the manor of Bedale from the Theakston family about 1657. Negotiations had apparently begun as early as 1638, but due to the Royalist part taken by Richard Theakston's grandfather during the Civil War, the property was not finally cleared from the claims of the Treason Commissioners until April 1654.
The Will of John PEIRSE* of Bedale,
July 21, 1658 -
John Pearse of Bedall, Esq. To my eldest daughter Dorothy Dawson £500 over the sum of £200 given her in marriage.
To my daughter Sarah Pearse £500, if she assigns over to my son Richard all her rights in lands in Lazenby. To my daughters Isabell and Hannah Pearse £500 each.
To my wife Sarah £50 yearly. To my son Richard lands in Lazenby, to have residue and to be executor.[Pr. Sep 9 1659, by Richard Pearse, son]. *According to Dugdale, gentleman sewer in ordinary to Charles 1. He married Sarah, daughter of Peter Chamberlayne. The daughter Isabella married at North Allerton, Jan 28 1660, Abraham Clough of Kingston upon Hull, merchant. [Abstract of Will from YAS, Record Series, Volume IX, edited by John William CLAY]. [Portrait information: Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) Attributed. An Oil on Canvas; half length portrait of John Peirse Esq. of Bedale and East Greenwich, re-lined and bearing paper label on verso printed with a brief history of the sitter; of East Greenwich, Co Kent born 1593, became a gentleman sewer to the chamber of charles 1 and thus resident in London at the visitation of 1634; recorded his pedigree therein. He purchased Manor of Bedale and died in 1658. Recently removed from Caunton Manor, Near Newark where is was bought with the contents of the house by the previuos owner, 46 ins x 34.5 ins (117 cms x 88 cms), restretched and framed in a later gilt surround with paper framers label; Mawson, Swan & Morgan, Newcastle on Tyne, dated 13-3-46.] |
Marriage - (Lazenby Haule) 22 August 1656. Ralph DOWSON of Low Lofthouse in Nidderdale, gent. and Dorothy PEIRSE of Bedale (Lazenby Haule), gentlewoman, married before Francis Lascelles (Lassels) esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in Yorkshire; in the presence of Richard PEIRSE, Mark HODGSON.
Depositions from York Castle
To be buried in the Chapel of Hutton Bonville.
Richmond St Marys
Marriage - 12 June 1663: Dominus PEARS et Maria filia Magistra HUTTON, armigerie[sic].
[The marriage of Richard PEIRSE and Mary HUTTON]
PEIRSE - WASTELL Marriage:
13 May 1682 - Barbara PEIRSE, daughter of Richard PEIRSE and Mary nee HUTTON, married John WASTELL at Danby Wiske.
In several printed pedigrees, Barbara Peirse is incorrectly named as "Catherine or Katherine Peirse". The compilers of these pedigrees have combined two separate facts - 1) that John Wastell married a daughter of Richard Peirse, and 2) that John Wastell's wife named in his will was Catherine. Both statements are correct separately, but Barbara died in 1690, and John Wastell then remarried in 1701 to widow Katherine Smelt. It is this Katherine that he names in his will.
Some Printed Extracts:
John Peirse of Bedall, esq., maketh oath
that Robert Ashton, late of Askew, gen., commonly called Doctor Ashton, having a woman who charged him with bastardy, this deponent, having receaved from London an ordinance of Parliament in print against adultery, wished the said Mr Ashton to read the same, which he did accordinglie, and withall wished him to put away the woman on respect that he had crediblie heard that he had a wife and childre in Wappen nee London. The said Mr Ashton's answer was that before 25 June, as neer as it was, he hoped to see all the rebells that made that ordinance and act to be hanged; saying that there would be an alteracion of the State, and his Majestie's sonne, whose picture he kept and loved, would have his owne in despight of all the rigues and rebells, and he, this deponent, would be put to his last game.
FootnoteMr Peirse, a member of a family that is still resident in Bedale, was a Parliament man. I find a person called Ralph Douthwaite of Thirske, indicted at York for having said at Bedale on 14th June 1652, "Mr Pearse, the Parliament are all turned levellers, and will levell every man, that the poorest soldier will bee as good as the best freeholder."
Quarter Sessions Records, North Riding
1652 - John Peires Esq., of Lazenby for not paying his Constable-rates to the Constables of North Allerton.
3 Oct 1654 - John Peirce, Esq., of Lazenby, for using severall provoking speaches unto the Deputy-balliff for Allertonshire.
2 Oct 1660 - Thirske - Rich. PEARS, Esq. fined £5 for refusing to take upon him the office Thrr. [ie Treasurer] for L.S. {ie Lame Soldiers] and Hospls. [ie Hospitals].
The Will of Richard PEIRSE of Hutton Bonville
Two sons in law John WASTELL Esq. and Thomas STILLINGTON Esq, to hold land in the parish of Northallerton (excepting that formerly given to eldest son John PEIRSE (ie Lazenby Grange), for seven years - to pay annually £100 to son and executor Thomas PEIRSE. Balance of profits to be equally divided between John Wastell and Thomas Stillington.
After 7 years, lands in Northallerton to grandson Henry PEIRSE, son of said son John PEIRSE deceased, for life. After his (Henry's) death, to his 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, sons successively. Or issue of eldest son etc (three lives).
In default of issue, to son Thomas PEIRSE and his heirs for ever.
Dated 30 Nov 1708. Richard PEIRSE.
Witnesses: Chr. PINKNEY, Marm. DOWSON, John GREGORY.
Proved Apr 1710, by Tho: PEIRSE.
Detailed descriptions of many deeds relating to the PEIRSE family during the 17th and 18th centuries can be found in the Hull University Archives, known as HUMAD2, and available on-line Here.
Also see this entry for PEIRSE of Lasenby from the
Visitation of Yorkshire, 1666 and for PEIRSE in the Visitation of London, 1634
Visit the Bedale Heritage Trail and check out the Old Photo Gallery.
