Sir Francis Barnham, Knight

  General Notes:

There are several areas of confusion about the life of Sir Francis. 'The Barnum Family' (in different editions) says that he was born in Kent about 1582 or 1592; the 'Genealogical Record of the Barnum family' gives a date of 20 Oct 1576. 'The Barnum Family ' (both editions) also says that Sir Francis was knighted in 1603; other sources indicate that it was his father, Sir Martin Barnham, who was knighted -- on July 23 of that year.

'The Barnum Family' also states that Sir Francis served in Parliament in 1603, 1604 and 1610, and gives his wife's name as Elizabeth Lennard, while other sources call her Elizabeth Leonard, Baroness Dacre. That source is alone in stating that Sir Francis had fifteen children, of whom the immigrant ancestor, Thomas Barnham, was the last. Only nine of the supposed fifteen children are named, and Robert is called a baron and William the mayor of Warwick in 1652. Other sources confirm the information about William, while Robert is shown as a baronet, and the second son of nine.

From "The History of Parliament; The House of Commons 1660-1690;" FHL Book 942 D3hp 1660-1690, v.1. [Sir Francis was a] member of six Parliaments. ......he ceased to attend both Parliament and county committee in July 1643, though he 'never failed in his duty to the House, nor committed anything against them'.

From "The History of Maidstone;" Peter Clark & Lyn Murfin; FHL Book 942.23/M1 H2c. "Although relatively little is known about the town's parliamentary elections for much of our period, those elected MP's under Elizabeth were mostly prominent local landowners maintaining the town's connection with the Court. In the early Stuart period the picture was similar; we see the return of sympathetic county magistrates like the moderate Puritan Sir Francis Barnham of Hollingbourne, who represented the borough in every Parliament bar one between 1614 and 1640, frequently sitting with a member of the important Fane family, strong supporters of the town. "In 1640 the county was broadly united in its opposition to the king, his ministers and their disastrous religious and other policies. In the elections to the Short Parliament in the spring there were only two candidates: Sir Francis Barnham, the town's long-standing MP, and Sir Humphrey Tufton .........Barnham was nearly expelled from Parliament in 1643, due to his poor attendance possibly because of unhappiness over the war, though he held on to his seat untill 1646; after his death he was replaced by the recorder Tomas Twisden.."

'The Barnum Family' also mentions a son, Winthrop, not found in other sources, whom it is said came to America with his brother Edward in 1630. Mention is also made of Edward (here called a son or nephew) who came to America and returned to England in 1649.

This site shows Thomas Barnam (1625-1695) as a son of Sir Francis, based primarily on the statement of Noah G. Barnum, in 'The Barnum Family, 1517-1904.' Although the statement has not been proven, neither has it been disproved, and it seems likely based upon the available information.

'An Account of the Families of Lennard and Barrett,' Chapter III (pages 226-227) states, "At the time that Lord Dacre (Samson Lennard's grandson, Richard Lord Dacre) wrote his Family History there existed in the possession of Sir Thomas Rider, of Boughton, Kent, a MS. account written by his ancestor, Sir Francis Barnham, of his own family, of which Lord Dacre obtained a copy. I give the following quotation from it, as Sir Francis mentions his marriage with Samson's daughter Elizabeth, and he also refers to his father-in-law's mode of living and to his character:

"In the fortieth year of Queen Elizabeth my Father Martin Barnham served the Office of High Sheriff for the County of Kent and during his Shrievalty married me to the daughter of Mr Sampson Lennard and the Lady Dacre in which match his goodness sought rather to give me a Wife that might bring me a Noble alliance and promise the happiness of
a good Wife (as being borne of a Mother that abounded as much in worth & Virtue as in honour) than to enrich himself or his other children by so great a Portion as it is probable he might have had in divers places, if that had been his Chiefest Ayme in my Marriage.... Within less than two years after my Marriage, I came to live in my Father's House tho' I had then by Covenant one Years Being more with my Father in Law (Mr. Sampson Lennard) who tho' he kept a very honourable House and lived in all respects in so brave a Fashion, as might make the being there very delightfull, especially to me, who had always from all hands a very loving & Noble treatment, yet the happiness promissed myself in the comfort of my Father's kind & familiar usage, & in his Advice & instructions &c made me hasten my coming to live with him." [with thanks to Ann Manning Tappero]

There is also another letter, to Lord Dacre from Sir Thomas Rider (Note Thomas Rider, of Boughten, Kent, is a descendant of Sir Frances and Lady Elizabeth), in which, speaking about his ancestress Elizabeth, Lady Barnham, he says: "Of this lady there is a fine monument in my parish church. Tradition delivers her down as one of the Handsomest Women of the Age she liv'd in, & if the Sculptor, & Painter, did not flatter there is reason to believe that Account of her is just. She had fifteen children by Sr. Francis Barnham Kt; whose eldest son Robert was created a Baronet by James the 1st."

Boughton Monchelsea Place, where Sir Francis lived for a number of years, is located near Maidstone, Kent, and is today a tourist attraction. The Boughton Monchelsea web site has this to say about the history of the house:

The recorded history of Boughton Monchelsea begins before the Norman Conquest. It was then called Boltone, later Bacton, meaning a clearing in a beech wood. Before the Conquest, it belonged to the Saxon Earl Godwin. William the Conqueror granted the manor, together with many others in Kent, to his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. The Bishop then fell into disgrace and all his property was confiscated. At the end of the 12th Century Boughton came into the possession of the Montchensies (a Norman family) from whom the second part of the name of the village derives. The Montchensies were an important family, with large possessions in Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent. The line died out when William de Montchensie was killed in a mining operation at the siege of Dryslwyn Castle near Carmarthen, in 1287. William's Daughter Dionysia married Hugh de Vere, son of the Earl of Oxford.

From the Montchensies, the ownership of the manor passed by inheritance through various Kent families, including the Harpurs and Peckhams, until in 1551 it was bought by Thomas Wyatt, the son of the poet of the same name, who lived in nearby Allington Castle. Wyatt sold it in 1551 to Robert Rudston. The price paid for it, together with the manor of Palster in Wittersham, was £1,730. Rudston's descendants occupied the Manor until 1888. Robert Rudston, son of Sir John Rudston (d. 1531), scion of a Yorkshire landowning family, had come South, made a fortune as a draper, bought more land and was Lord Mayor of London. As a boy, Robert was bought up not far away. His mother, now widowed, married Sir Edward Wotton of Boughton Malherbe, who was Treasurer of Calais and an executor of King Henry VIII. Robert Rudston then married Anne Wotton, his stepfather's daughter by his first marriage. (The arms of Anne Wotton and Rudston appear on the right hand side of the southernmost window in the Entrance Hall).

In January, 1554, when Rudston had only lived at Boughton for 3 years, he joined the revolt against Catholic Queen Mary. This revolt, led by his friend Thomas Wyatt, was crushed and Wyatt was beheaded. Rudston was locked in the Tower of London and his land was confiscated. He was released in 1555 and allowed to lease Boughton from the Crown. Then, in the latter part of 1555, he was allowed to re-purchase the lands for £1,000. In 1575, Rudston had recovered enough to have the House lengthened eastwards and he added the present east wing and two more wings to enclose the Courtyard. An inventory of 1613 shows that it contained 14 bedrooms, a hall, a gallery, two dining rooms, three other living rooms and a large number of other rooms connected with the storage and preparation of food. Robert Rudston was a man of culture, but a difficult character. Sir Francis Barnham described him as a 'brave gentlemen and of a very loving disposition, but so furiously cholerick as required a great deal of discretion to avoide the incounter of that humour.'

Rudston died in 1590, leaving Boughton to his younger son, Belknap Rudston. On Belknap's death, in 1613, the male line of the Rudstons came to an end, and Boughton passed to Sir Francis Barnham (son of Belknap's older sister who had married Sir Martin Barnham). Robert Barnham was created a Baronet in 1663 and was MP of Maidstone from 1660-1679. He, and his father before him, represented Maidstone in Parliament for 43 years. Robert was a Royalist at heart and took part in the Kentish Rising of 1648. This rising was sparked off by Parliament clamping down on religious and traditional observances at Christmas. Robert Barnham died in 1685 and, passing over the daughters of his first marriage, left Boughton to his only child by his second marriage - a daughter, Philadelphia, who was married to Thomas Rider of Essex. The Riders came to Boughton in 1685, and made the first alterations since Rudston's time. The original Tudor staircase did not fit in with the more gracious way of life, so the wide, shallow staircase to the first floor was put in.

Little is known of the first Thomas Rider, (d 1698), or of his son Sir Barnham Rider (d 1728). Both, however, were apparently hard drinkers. Philadelphia, who died in 1730, left £400 to her grandson, another Thomas (aged now 12), to 'educate him as a gentleman so that he might be sensible of how fatal intemperance had been to his Father and Grandfather.' Young Thomas inherited the property, which he enlarged. He was High Sheriff and was knighted, but never married. In fact, for a period of 175 years, between 1728 and 1903, there were children in the House for only 30 years. It was possibly during Thomas' time that the north and west wings of the House were pulled down. At 30 years of age and a bachelor, Thomas probably thought the house too big and dilapidated (due to his father's and grandfather's money having been spent on drink). Sir Thomas died in 1786 and was succeeded by his cousin Ingram Rider. Ingram Rider had lived at Yalding (Buston Manor) and produced 14 children. He and his son Thomas carried out important alterations to the house before and after 1800, and it was possibly during the second Thomas' time that the north and west wings of the house were pulled down. It was also a time when the taste for 'gothik' had superseded the 18th Century admiration for classic line. About 1790, the windows on the east front were given a gothic air. The Regency Gothic pillars were placed in the Red Dining Room and Entrance Hall by Ingram Rider. The turret clock was moved to its present position. The bell of the clock bears Sir Robert Barnham's name and the date 1647. In 1801, the formal gardens were swept away, by the third Thomas Rider. He replaced the entrance through the Stable Yard and laid the present main rive, creating a romantic approach to the House. Thomas Rider died, childless, in 1847. He left Boughton to his nephew's younger brother, the fourth Thomas. In 1868, this Thomas married a Welsh girl and left Boughton for her village in Wales. When he died in 1887, leaving only a daughter, Boughton went to the son of his elder brother, in America. The young man came home to have a look and decided not to stay here. The house remained empty for many years. The fact that the property remained empty explains the absence of Victorian additions.

In 1903 Lt. Col. George B. Winch came to Boughton. (He was Chairman of Style & Winch-Maidstone Brewers). His only son having been killed in the First World War, and his adopted son in the Second, the house passed on his death to his nephew, Mr. Michael Bluett Winch. On 11 November 1990 Michael Winch, having never married, passed the house to his Godson, Mr. Charlie Gooch, the present owner.

Boughton Monchelsea Place is open for guided tours on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Mondays 2pm - 6pm. Also Wednesdays in June, July & August. Groups are welcome on any other day (not Saturdays) by previous arrangement. The tour is always guided and lasts 55 minutes. Afternoon teas available. Morning coffee, light lunches & dinners by
arrangement. Other functions: Licensed premises for civil marriage ceremonies. Exquisite marquee site for receptions, smaller receptions can be held in the house. Private dining, corporate days, family fun days.

Telephone 01622 743120 for further information.

The will of Francis Barnham only lists some of his sons and daughters. Others were left out. The most noteable omission is Thomas Barnum, if he was, indeed, a son of Francis. It is possible, of course, that since Thomas emigrated to America in 1640, before Francis' death, he was either given money beforehand or was intentionally left out of the written will.

WILL OF SIR FRANCIS BARNHAM
Made 4 April 1642 - Probated 1646

IN THE NAME OF GOD amen this fourth day of Aprill 1642, in the eighteeth yeare of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland King Defender of the faith: I Francis Barnham of Maydeston in the Countie of Kent knight, being of perfect health both of bodie and minde, thankes be given to God therefore, FIRST revoking and quite Disannulling all wills whatsoever made by mee at anie time before the date hereof, do ordaine and make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following. First I bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God most humbly beseaching him of his infinite mercie, and for his Sonne my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ his sake in whose merritts' only I putt the whole hope of my salvation to forgive my great & grievous synnes committed against his heavenly Majesty and to make me partake of his heavenly and eternall kingdome.

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my sonne Francis Barnham the somme of sixteene hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be payd unto him within six months next after my death, and an allowance of five pounds in the hundred for that somme during these six moneths if hee doe within three months next after my death surrender into the hands of his Brother Robt Barnham ye Annuitie of fiftie pounds a yeare which I have formerly settled upon him and his heires by deed, and take an assurance from his sayd Brother of fiftie pounds a yeare during his life in such manner and forme as the Annuities of fiftie pounds a year during life are severally graunted by mee to his three younger Brothers'. But if hee shall refuse to surrender within the tyme before mentioned, the sayd Annuitie setled upon him and his heires by deed, and to take an assurance from his sayd brother Robert of fiftie pounds a yeare during his life, Then I give and bequeath to him no more than ye somme of one thousand pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be payd him within six moneths next after my death, and an allowance of five pounds in the hundred for that somme during that time.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my sonne William Barnham besides the annuity of fiftie pounds a yeare which I have already settled by deed during his life the somme of five hundred & fiftie pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be payd unto him within six monethes next after my death, and for those six moneths an allowance of interest at ye rate of six pounds in the hundred, But if my sonne Robert Barnham shall as I hope hee will doe and desire hee should do within three moneths after my death settle by good assurance an Annuitie upon him of fiftie pounds a year besides the other fiftie formerly setled during his life, Then my will and pleasure is That hee shall have but one hundred pounds of money to be payd him within three monethes next after my death.

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my sonne Dudley Barnham besides the annuity of fiftie pounds a yeare during his life which I have already settled upon him by Deed the somme of five hundred and fiftie pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be payd unto him within six moneths next after my death and for those six monethes an allowence of interest after the rate of six pounds in the hundred, But if my sonne Robert Barnham shall as I hope hee will and desire hee should doe within three moneths after my death settle upon him by good assurance one annuitie of fiftie pounds a yeare during his life besides the other fiftie formerlie setled, Then my will and pleasure is that hee shall have but one hundred pounds of money to be payd him within three monthes next after my death.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my sonne John Barnham, besides the anuity of fiftie pounds a yeare during his life, which I have already setled upon him by Deed the somme of five hundred and fiftiepounds of good and lawfull money of England, to be payd unto him within six monethes next after my death, And for those six months an allowance of interest after the rate of six pounds in the hundred, But if my sonne Robert Barnham shall within three monthes next after my death settled upon him by good assurance an Annuitie of fiftie pounds a yeare during his life, besides the other fiftie pounds formerly settled, Then my will and pleasure is that hee shall have but one hundred pounds to be payd unto him within three monthes next after my Death. And whereas I am now possessed of one Annuitie or yearly payment of Threescore and Tenne pounds by the yeare & which I bought of Sir John Culpeper Knight which annuitie is to continue for the terme of eleaven years from Lady day last, and is to be payd half yearly by the Expenditer of the five waterings within Romney Marsh at every Michaelmas & Lady day during the sayd terme, My will and pleasure is that from & imediatly after my death my sonne ffrancis shall have during that terme fifteene pounds a yeare of ye sayd Annuities or yearly payment by the equall porcons of seaven pounds tenne shillings to be half-yearly payd, my sonne William fifteene pounds my sonne Dudley fifteene pounds a yeare, And my sonne John fifteene pounds a yeare to be payd in the same manner, And the tenne pounds a yeare remayning of that annuitie of Threescore and tenne pounds a yeare I give and bequeath to my good servant Joane Deane if shee shall live to thee end of that terme, and if shee happen to outlive it then I give and bequeath unto her one Annuitie or yearly rent of Tenne pounds by the yeare to be issuing and going out of my Land in Maydston to be payd her half yearly during her life which power to [distreyn ?] for the same if it shal be behinde and unpayd for the space of fiftie dayes next after either of the sayd ffeasts.

ITEM I give to my Daughter the Lady Wildgoose the somme of fiftie pounds of goods and lawfull money of England to be payd unto her within six moneths after my death.

ITEM I give and bequeath ot my good Couzin Mr. James Rudston Tenne pounds to by him a gelding.

ITEM I give & bequeath unto the poore of Boughton Mounchelsey Tenne pounds To the poore of Bilsington six pounds thirteene shillings foure pence. All these sommes to be payd within one yeare after my death and to be distributed according to ye discreson of mine Executors.

ITEM I give & bequeath to my servant Joane Deane the somme of Twentie Pounds to be payd her within halfe a yeare after my death if shee be then in my service, and to my servant John Mustard all my wearing clothes and fortie pounds of good and lawfull money of England. To be payd him within six monethes after my death if hee be then in my service, And to Augustine Ludlow if bee in my service or my sonne Roberts service at the time of my death thirteen pounds six shillings eight pence To be payd him within six monethes after And to my servant John Martin if hee be in my service at the tyme of my Death tenne pounds to be payd him within six monethes after. And my will and pleasure is That the somme of Twentie Pounds be distributed among myne other servants that shall be in my service at the tyme of my death according to the discrecon of mine Executors. desiring that Mary Fowse may be considered in the first place as having bin more yeares in my service then anie of the rest.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my sonne Robert Barnham all the interest I now have or at the tyme of my death I shall have in the land which come to mee by the unfortunate bargaine I made with Mr. John Gibbons, And also all my money plate goods Chattells leases [& personal estate] whatsoever saving the annuitie of seaventie pounds a yeare disposed of as is formerly ______and saving the wrought Clark and white bedd, the canopy bedd of Watchett damaske and the white Chm'a quilt which I have given to my Daughter Wildgoose And of this my last will and testament do make him my sole Executor Not doubting but that mine interest in Mr. Gibbens his lands [nereby ?] graunted unto him my personal estate with mine _____ Lands in Maydston which I have by deed conveyed unto him in trust as is therein specifyed will more than plentifully suffise for the payment of all my legacies and debts (if anie shall be by mee owing at the time of my death) and being most confident that will dutifully carefully & cheerfully performe all this my will.

ITEM I will that my body be very privately buryed without anie manner of ceremonial ffuneralls either in Boughton Church, or in the parish church where I shall dye as shall seeme best to my executor. In witnesse whereof I the sayd Sir Francis Barnham have to each of these two sheets of paper subscribed my name and have hereunto sett my hand & seale and published the same to be my last will and testament the day and yeare above written. Francis Barnham Sealed subscribed and published in the presence of John Davy, Richard Thomas, Thomas Mustard, Concordat cum testaments (the rest is in Latin and refers to the nortorial Thomas Pynfold and Judge Johannes Nayor)

PROBATUM FUIT TESTAMENTUM

The entering of the will for probate is in latin and states it was done at London at the Perogative Court by scribe Nathaniele Brent knight 23 Oct 1646 (vicesimo tertio die Mensio Octobrio Anno Din' Millesimo sexcenimo quadragesimo sexto) by Robert Barnham son of the deceased and executor in Testament, etc.

Francis was executor for the wills of several of his in-laws, including Richard Dacre. When Richard died, Francis took his two sons, Francis and Thomas, to Boughton, near Maidstone, and had them educated by a private tutor. (From a letter by Sir Thomas Rider, a descendant of Sir Francis) at Boughton to Thomas Lord Dacre, dated 23 Mar 1760.

Francis married The Honourable Elizabeth Lennard, daughter of Samson Lennard, Esquire and Margaret Fiennes, 11th Baroness Dacre, on 3 Jan 1598 in Sevenoaks, , County Kent, England. (The Honourable Elizabeth Lennard was born in 1581 in Chevening, , Kent, England, baptized on 26 Nov 1581 in Sevenoaks, , County Kent, England, died in 1631 and was buried on 19 Sep 1631 in Maidstone, , County Kent, England.)