Wilford, Wilforde, Wylford, Wilsford, Wyllesford, Willesford

[mohun]

Very briefly, James is recorded in his father's 1476 Will (enrolled in the Mayor of Exeter's Court Roll MCR 17/18 Ed IV m7)), and in the two 1490 Deeds of his father's executor, Philip Skinner, with regard to properties in Exeter (DRO: ED/M/912 & D5/222/2). (These documents are held at the Devon Heritage Centre). These properties, including that at Broadgate, Exeter, also provide a fairly constant connection between James, his younger brother William the younger, Merchant of London, and James' children. James was an apprentice 1470/80 of John Percyvale, Merchant Taylor and later Mayor of London, and as "James Wilford Alderman" is recorded in Percyvale's Will proved 1503 (PROB:11/13). James' first Will 26 Sep 1524 (enrolled in the Court of Hustings pt2, Roll 240 (6), Sharpe, 1890) bequeathed the Broadgate property to his son William. Also see the Action at Chancery 1551/53 brought by James' son, Thomas of Hartridge, against his cousin Peter Wylforde of Oxton and Combe Lancey, Devon, regarding "Detention of Deeds relating to the manor of Oxton, late of Robert Wylforde, deceased, grandfather of the said Thomas and Peter" (TNA: 1/1322/40-42). There are many more firm connections but too detailed for this forum. I would be happy to provided full (if lengthy) details by email if you are able to provide a contact via RootsChat.

[mohun]

For a further, immediate, connection, see the 1515 IPM of John Farringdon, (who married Elizabeth daughter of Robert and sister of William, James, etc) in which a Charter 4 Sep 1510 records trustees, William Wilford senior, James Wilford, William Wilford junior (TNA: C142/30/131).

[Conan-the-Barbadian]

Brilliant! Thanks very much for all these leads, which I'll explore. And I agree that James “of London” (died 1526) certainly looks to be the son of Robert “of Oxton” (died 1476). Thanks too for your kind offer of further info, which will probably be taken up as soon as the present chunk has been digested.

[mohun]

See attached Will of Robert Wilford 1 Nov 1476. Records, inter alia: son Robert (priest), son Jacobus (James), daughter Frydeswyde, daughter Elizabeth, son Edmund, son William junior, father William Wilford, wife Johan, William Wilford senior my son and heir.
Given the order, William senior son and heir was probably son by a first marriage

[mohun]

Attached painting 1781 of Oxton, Kenton, Devon, by Rev John Swete, who demolished it same year and replaced it. Oxton was acquired by Robert Wilford c.1445 from William Norton (husband of Elizabeth Cruwys, the stepdaughter of Robert's father, William Wilford). Most probably the birthplace of Robert's children, including James. It was inherited by Robert's eldest son William Wilford senior (Mayor Exeter 1511), and descended via William's granddaughter Joan to the Horsey family, being sold c.1589 by the impecunious Sir Ralph Horsey (Robert Wilford's g.g.g.grandson) to William Hurst of Exeter.

[Cochoit]

See attached Will of Robert Wilford 1 Nov 1476. Records, inter alia: son Robert (priest), son Jacobus (James), daughter Frydeswyde, daughter Elizabeth, son Edmund, son William junior, father William Wilford, wife Johan, William Wilford senior my son and heir.
Given the order, William senior son and heir was probably son by a first marriage

Do you have a transcription of this will?

[mohun]

I have done a cursory scan of the Will, with a full transcription awaiting a rainy day together with an attempt to recall school and uni medieval abbreviated Latin. My brief notes as follows:
This Will, “Robert Wylsford Senior”, see right and Appendix which requires a full translation, is dated 1 November 1476 and was “made in the presence of the venerable master Walter Wyndesore subdeacon of the Cathedral Church of St Peter of Exeter”. It records, inter alia, that Robert requested that his body be buried in his prepared tomb at the church of St Andrew of Kenton “in ecclia’ Sct’ Andree de Kenton’”. Throughout his Will Robert refers to “St Andrew’s of Kenton”, however St Andrew’s is at Kenn, near Willesworthy & Bepyls Bridge, while the church at Kenton, in which the Oxton Chapel is sited, is dedicated to All Saints. Neither church has a North Porch, although St Andrew’s at Kenn has a blocked door on the north wall. Both Kenn and Kenton were held by the Courtenay family at the time. Presumably Robert did mean St Andrew’s at Kenn?  Robert’s son, Robert a priest, is bequeathed the rent of properties in Exeter. Daughters Frydeswyde and Elizabeth are bequeathed sums of money upon marriage. Sons and daughters “Robert, James, Frydeswyde, Elizabeth, Edmund and William Wylsford Junior” are recorded in relation to property, and reference is made to “William Wylsford Senior my son and heir”. The Vicar of Kenton is given 3s 4d for ten obiits; 40s is given for the construction of a north porch? at the Church of Kenton “edificado’em’ borialis p’oic’ ecclis’ de Kenton’”; 20d is given to the High Cross of the same; 20d is given to the Office-holders of the Blessed Marie of the same; 20d to the Office-holders of St Andrew of the same; a Missale and silver Chalice are given to the Church of St Petrock’s in Exeter; a reference is made to the “Chaple of William Wilford my father”, see William Wilford 1408 earlier. Robert appointed as his executors his wife Joan and Walter Wyndesore subdeacon of the Cathedral Church of Exeter.

[mohun]

By way of interest, herewith translations of the two Deeds of 1490:
1. 3 June 1490    (DRO: ED/M/912)
“To all faithfull Christians to whom these presents shall come, Philip Skynner, Clerk, executor of the Will of Robert Wilfford, Armiger, sends greeting. Whereas Robert Wilfford Armiger gave, conceeded and by his deed dated (blank) confirmed to the aforesaid Philip, together with Walter Wyndsore, Clerk, Nicholas Pyne and Thomas Dourissh now deceased, for fulfilling the last will of that said Robert, which by the Will of the aforesaid Robert may more at large appear, all those messuages, lands, tenements, rents, and services, with their appurtenances which he had lately in the City of Exeter. Tenure being granted to said Philip, Walter, Nicholas and Thomas, their heirs and assigns forever, as fully appears in that deed. Now I the said Philip grant, demise, and by these writings confirm to John Faryngdon, Armiger, and Elizabeth his wife daughter of the aforesaid Robert, a moiety of all those messuages, lands, tenements, rents, and services, with their appurtenances which he had lately in the City aforesaid which John Starre, Robert Chubb, Henry Stephyns, John Brendon, Thomas Elys, Thomas Sares and Stephen Clawe now hold separately, to hold of the aforesaid John Faryngdon and Elizabeth and the heirs of the body of the said Elizabeth lawfully begotten; and on the failure of issue, with remainder to James Wylfford, Edmund (Edo) Wylfford and William Wyllford Junior, brothers of the said Elizabeth. And in case of failure on their part, the moiety to descend to the right heirs of the said Robert Wylfford. Randolf Duke (Duck) Junior and William Northlegh attornies.
Witnesses: Stephen Ruggeway, Maior of the said City, Mathew Alyngton, Robert Bonyfant, Walter Yorke and Simon Davy, Bailiffs of the same City and all citizens of Exeter aforesaid. 3 June An. Reg. HVII 5.” (Seal: a Lion rampant guardant crowned).                       
                                                                 
2. 4 June 1490   (DRO: Exeter City Archives D 5/222/2).                                                                                   
 “To all faithfull Christians to whom these presents shall come, Philip Skynner, Clerk, executor of the Will of Robert Wilfford, Armiger, sends greeting. Whereas Robert Wilfford Armiger gave, conceeded and by his deed dated (blank) confirmed to the aforesaid Philip, together with Walter Wyndesore, Clerk, Nicholas Pyne and Thomas Dowrisshe now deceased, for fulfilling the last will of that said Robert, which by the Will of the aforesaid Robert may more at large appear, all those messuages, lands, tenements, rents, and services, with their appurtenances which he had lately in the City of Exeter. Tenure being granted to said Philip, Walter, Nicholas and Thomas, their heirs and assigns forever, as fully appears in that deed. Now I the said Philip grant, demise, and by these writings confirm to William Wilsford junior the moiety of all those tenements, and their appurtenances in the City aforesaid in which William Osett, Richard Cliff, Geoffrey Lewes and Robert Crewes now live, situated in the High Street (in summo vico) and extending from the Broad Gate (lata Porta) of the City aforesaid called le Brodeyeate towards the East as far as the tenement of Thomas Calwodelagh in which John Weston, apothecary (poticary), now lives. Tenure of that moiety and all its appurtenances to the said William Wilsford and to his legitimately begotten heirs. And on the failure of such issue, with remainder to James Wilsford, Edmund Wilsford and Elizabeth, wife of John Faryngdon, and to their legitimately begotten heirs. And in case of failure on their part, the moiety to descend to the right heirs of the said Robert Wilsford for ever. Tenure from the Chief Lords of that fee for the rent and services formerly owing for the same and by right accustomed. Witnesses: Stephen Ruyggewey, Maior of the said City, Matthew Alynton, Robert Bonefaunt, Walter Yorke and Simon Davy, Bailiffs of the same City and all citizens of Exeter aforesaid. 4 June An. Reg. HVII 5.”  (Seal: a Lion rampant guardant crowned). 

[mohun]

Re the two 1490 Deeds, the Seal appears to depict "Gules a lyon rampant ermine crowned or" which was the armorial of Hamlyn of Larkbeare. Nicholas Hamlyn was Bailiff Exeter 1485 and 1491, Mayor of the Staple 1491/2, Mayor 1499. He died 1504 and his widow Anne/Amey married by 1511, and as his second wife, William Wilford (eldest son of Robert) Mayor Exeter 1511. There was a later Action at Chancery relating to Oxton, Combe Lancey and other properties (1539/44) between Peter Wilford (William's son by his first marriage) and Henry Hamlyn (the well recorded Mayor Exeter) who was the son of Nicholas and Anne/Amey (her parentage presently unknown).