1. Speculation, as there is no specific record. However Robert died aged c.71, 9 Nov 1476 (IPM), while Joan died 20 Oct 1513 (IPM) some 37 years later, very much suggesting a considerable age difference. Note also the “terminology” in Joan’s 2 IPMs which does not appear to reflect a grandmother/grandson relationship with William senior’s son, Peter (although these are official documents). Add to this the fairly clear indications, from surviving documentation (little in Devon, -note the 1490 deeds- but more re James and the London/Kent branches), that son William senior, was “differenced” to Robert’s other children (as per Robert’s Will) – note that daughter Julia, who married, as his 1st wife, John Kelly/Kelvelegh, had died by 1476. The various Visitations, London and Kent, virtually ignore the branch of William senior (unfortunately the Devon branch was extinct by the time of the earliest Devon Visitations). John Faringdon’s 1515 IPM does record William senior as a trustee, but he was in Devon, and the record of the 1551/53 Chancery Action between Thomas of Hartridge and Peter of Oxton merely states that they are grandsons of Robert.
2. Essentially nothing, apart from that recorded in Alice Lovecock’s grant 1375 (RTDA 1912, 44, p.511), see attached extract from my paper.
3. Unfortunately cannot readily find the source for 7 Jul 1396. The date is precise so doubtless relates to a specific document. I’ll keep searching.
4. I suspect that there is potential for either conflation or the fact that Robert’s widow was Elizabeth and William’s first wife also appears to have been Elizabeth (daughter of Walter Pollard). I have only seen partial printed transcripts of the D&C entries (which appear to overlap) and speculate that “Elsote” is a diminution/abbreviation “Elsbt”? in the original. There could well have been two “Elsote-s”, and further research into the chronology of these entries would I think be worthwhile.
5. As you have found, there are few records relating to John F. I attach two (self-explanatory) files on what I have re his immediate history/Wilford connection. I have additionally quite a bit of research on John and Elizabeth’s children and their marriages – Christopher, Charles (Stukeley, Walrond,plus children), Mary (Wadham, plus children), Margaret (Barnes, Dunch), Grace (Paget, Sharington).
I would be happy to email my research to you (to enable you to pick through it at leisure) should you contact me direct via the Rootschat system.
