Some time ago, you may recall my research into the convoluted
"marriage" of Humphrey Okeover to Lettice Bagot.
Lettice you will recall was the daughter of Walter Bagot (1557-1623),
esq of Blithfield by his wife Elizabeth Cave (d. 1638).
Humphrey was a ward of Mr Bagot's and was espoused to his daughter
from childhood. Humphrey Okeover's father Rowland Okeover, esq of
London had died in 1610. The widow Anne (Needham) Okeover between
1610 and 1618 married next to Sir Oliver Cheney.
Evidently "that wicked woman" Anne had other plans for her son
Humphrey and while he was visiting, had him married off to her new
step-daughter Martha Cheney in 1619 just as Humphrey was then aged 14.
Of course Walter Bagot put up quite a howl but eventually, having been
bested, married his daughter Lettice to William Owen, "fifth and
youngest son" of Thomas Owen Judge of the Court of Common Pleas by his
wife Sarah Baskerville, both now deceased. William must have been
quite a catch, as he was *25* years his wife's senior.
William Owen's first wife curiously enough was a Needham as well and
it's would be useful to determine what relation****p existed between
these two women.
Until today, although I have known that Anne Needham cannot be Martha
Cheney's mother, I had no lead as to who Martha's mother might be.
It now appears however that a strong candidate must be Frances Tryce
daughter of Richard Tryce esq of Great Stewkley. Today I found an
agreement "following the recent marriage" of these two and dated in
Aug 1604. This would allow Martha Cheney to be born 1605/10 and so be
at the outside, the exact same age as her spouse Humphrey Okeover.
Martha Cheney's only child with an exact birthdate was Rowland Okeover
born 19 Jul 1624, although Martha and Humphrey had at least four
children before his death 30 Dec 1639.
Interestingly enough I have another Tryce in my database, Anne who
married Edmund Cremer and are ancestral to Sarah Ferguson Duchess of
York
Reference: CON 3/3/1/14
Bargain & Sale
Creation dates: 17 Feb. 1617
Scope and Content
1. Oliver Cheyne, Okeover, Staffs, Kt.
2. John Stone, London, Esq. 1. to 2. for =A34,500 to use of 2. for ever.
All the Manor of Gt. S. called Camoys Manor, with all apps., lands
etc. Moiety of the Manor of Broughtons, with apps., lands etc. 1
windmill with the soil on which it stands in Gt. S. And all the lands
etc. of 1. in Gt. or Lt. S.
1. promises that property is free from all charges etc. made by 1. or
by Richard Tryce, late of Gt. S., Esq., & Francis, his dau. decd. &
Thomas Tryce, father of the said Richard, also decd., except demise of
26 April, 1615 from 1. to Henry Fisher, Esq., of the said Manor for 25
years, lease of 22 May, 1615 made of the premises by said Henry Fisher
to 1. for 24=BE years, and 1 deed poll of assignment of the said
indentures, premises and lease of 14th instant made by 1. to
Christopher Wood of London, gent, from 26th April 1615 for 25 years.
And 1 recognizance for =A34,000 of 22 May, 1615, acknowledged by 1. to
Henry Fisher, and 1 recognizance for =A35,000 of 25 Oct. 1616, ackd. by
1. to Hunfrey Handford, citizen and grocer of London.
1. agrees that he and Dame Anne, his wife, shall make the necessary
deeds of further assurance.
Will Johnson
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