Trowbridge, Thomas

Notes:

Thomas Trowbridge Sr. was a leading citizen and charitable founder, a mercer, with a Tudor mansion, extant, in the high street, and had served as, constable and portreve of the castle manor. He was at one time Mayor of Taunton.

THOMAS TROWBRIDGE was a prominent merchant in TAUNTON and operated a store for the sale of woolen cloth and other goods at No. 15 FORE STREET, TAUNTON. He leased the store for 99 years from the Portman family and was responsible for the maintenance of the building. He remodeled it in about 1578 and carved the date, 1578, on a board, together with his initials, TT, on one side of the date and his wife's initials, JT, on the other. This sign (or a replica) is still hanging (1997) over the second storey window in the front of the store. The store is currently operated as a Pub, known as the TUDOR TAVERN.

THOMAS operated the store until about 1606, stating at this time that he had operated it for 30 years.

THOMAS is still remembered in TAUNTON as a result of a charity which he created in December, 1614. This charity gave a parcel of about eight acres of land in West Monkton to God for "the residue of 1,000 years." The rent on this land, to be administered by a rotating group of four trustees, consisting of the most prominent and honest men of TAUNTON, was to be distributed to the poor of the parishes of ST. JAMES' and ST. MARY MAGDALEN Churches, TAUNTON, on his Saint's Day, December 21st. The money was still being distributed in 1994 when Frank Trowbridge visited St. Mary's Church and inquired about it.

============================================
EXTRACT FROM THE SOMERSET ARCHAELOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, VOL. 119 (1975)

The house now known as the Tudor Tavern, no. 15 Fore Street (the Thomas Trowbridge house in Taunton) is acknowledged to be the oldest surviving domestic dwelling in Taunton. Its main structure has been dated to the 14th century.

Beneath the front window on the second floor of no. 15 is a board inscribed "T.T. 1578 I.T.", these initials can be identified as those of Thomas Trowbridge, described variously as a mercer or merchant tailor, and his wife Joan. Trowbridge stated in 1610 that he had held the premises for nearly thirty years. (Note, on Thomas wife, was her name Joan or Johanna? Somerset Record Office, DD/PM, box 7, makes mention of the facade panel erected by Thomas Trowbridge, this reads: T.T. 1578 I.T. Thomas and Johanna or Johane Trowbridge - the letters I and J being interchangeable at that time).
Thomas Trowbridge or Strobridge was buying up a number of properties within Taunton Deane manor from 1572 onwards. The remodelling of the Fore Street property was evidently carried out at the commencement of Trowbridge's lease, and his involvment in the commercial life of the town is indicated by his purchasing five successive licences to prosecute for debe beyond Taunton Deane manor court between 1579 and 1584, and taking a lease for six years in 1585 of the right to prosecute any tenant for debts over 40s.
Thomas Trowbridge used the shop at 15 Fore Street for the trade of selling "Mercerye wares" and evidently lived with his family behind and above his business. Thomas only son, John Trowbridge, baptized at St. Mary Magdalene on March 25, 1570, became a wool merchant and took a shop next to his father, probably that on the west (no. 16). The two shops was beneficial to both father and son, "by reason that such as come to the one shoppe to buye cloth wilbe and are incited to buie the mercery and silk wares and other requisites of convertinge the same cloth into apparrell, and those that came to Thomas's shop to buye the mercery comodityes of apparell would be and have ben incited the sooner to buye their woollen clothes at John's shop". Thomas Trowbridge retired from his shop at 15 Fore Street around 1606, and sub-let it to Benjamin Cosyns, another Taunton mercer.

From the will of Thomas Trowbridge (dated July 6, 1619, proved May 6, 1620; he was buried at St. Mary Magdalene Feb. 20, 1619/20). The will refers to the furnishings and fittings of his Fore Street house. To his nephew, Thomas Trowbridge, he left the three great chestes in the shoppe, sixe greate ringed boxes, one case of small boxes, one fayre glasse boxe, with all the shelfes in the shoppe, the great spruse chest in the hall, one tableborde and forme in the hall with all the seilinge and benchinge, and boards underfeete in the hall, twelve platters in the buttery, with sixe candelstickes, one bason and ewer, the chayre in the hall, and all other things belonginge to the hall. To his kinswoman Joan, wife of Stephen Parrye, he bequeathed the square wroughte tableboarde and frame standinge in the dyninge chamber, and the carpett wroughte with copper, and cruell belonginge to it, the cypers cheste in the Rayne chamber, the bedsteade wherein I lye in the Rayne chamber, performed with feather bed, boulster, pillowes, the second best coverlette, and curtaynes and sheetes, my best guilt salte, the eleaven silver spoones with rounde knobbes and the newest wharminge panne. (Note, his station in life is indicated by bequests to Richard Mercer, schoolmaster of the castle schoole in Taunton, to Richard Davies, vicar of St. James, Taunton, to his overseer and good friend, the Rev. John Clarke, D.D., and to three servants.)
Thomas Trowbridge's principal legacy to his town had been arranged before his death, in 1614, when he assigned six acres of land in West Monkton for the benefit of the poor of the parishes of St. Mary of Magdalene and St. James.

Buried:
St. Mary Magdalen Church, Taunton, Somersetshire, England

Thomas married Lawrence, Joan Hutchins about 1569 in Somerset, England. Joan (daughter of Lawrence, John and Hutchins, Alice) was born about 1546 in Taunton, Somerset, England; died on 20 Feb 1619 in Taunton, Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alice married Webb, Benedict about 1590. Benedict was born about 1565. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John Trowbridge was sole son and h. at his father's death 1620, and served Taunton as Mayor & Magristrate 1629 & 1637, and also as warden of St. Mary Magdalen, constable & portreve of Taunton castle manor. He m. (2) 11 Mar. 1623/4 Alice Reed of Tiverton. (The Gen., cit, pp. 1-2, 13, 15, 25 ).

====================================================
Proof: (The Gen., op. cit., p. 13; "The Trowbridge Ancestry in England" by Donald Lines Jacobus, THE AMERICAN GENEALOGIST, 18:3, pps. 129-137)

JOHN TROWBRIDGE was even more prominent than his father. He was a wool merchant and had a shop next to his father on FORE STREET. Monies collected in 1611 for the relief of plague victims at Minehead and Dunster were brought to his house, and in 1625 he supervised the repair of the TAUNTON HOUSE OF CORRECTION, and provided a field at WEST MONKTON for tents to quarantine travellers suspected of bringing the plague from LONDON to TAUNTON. He was regularily churchwarden of St. Mary Magdalen, twice mayor of TAUNTON (1629-30 and 1637-8), and traded with LONDON and BRISTOL.

ABSTRACTED DETAILS OF THE WILL OF JOHN TROWBRIDGE

The will of John Trowbridge of Taunton, woolendraper, published by word of mouth on 1 July 1649 in the presence of George Serle, esq., and Thomas Trowbridge, his son, and John Trowbridge, his grandchild. He left to his eldest son Thomas Trowbridge his messuage and tenement near Barthpoole Bridge in the parish of West Monckton, occupied by Henry Beale, to hold to Thomas for the remainder of his term therein after the deaths of the testator and Alice his wife. To his son Thomas his land in Stogursey, viz., certain tenements from which the testator received high rent. All his goods and chattels he left to his son Thomas whom he made sole executor. The will was proved on 25 Feb. 1649/50.

The will of John Trowbridge is found at the Public Record Office in London. The complete text can be found under ref. P.C.C. 32 Pembroke, Prob. 11/211.

John married Prowse, Agnes on 31 Jul 1597. Agnes (daughter of Prowse, John ll and Collack, Elizabeth) was born on 14 Apr 1575 in Taunton, Somerset, England; was christened on 15 Apr 1576 in Tiverton, Devon, England; died on 6 Jun 1622 in Taunton, Somerset, England; was buried on 6 Jun 1622 in Taunton, Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Reed, Alice on 11 Mar 1623 in Tiverton, Devon, England. Alice was born about 1580. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dorothy married Godsall, Robert on 22 Sep 1594 in Taunton, Somerset, England. Robert was born about 1570. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

THOMAS TROWBRIDGE, b. ca. 1600, and named in his father John's nuncupative will I July 1649 as "eldest son" (PCC pro. 25 Feb. 1649/50) when he moved from Taunton to Exeter, where he was fined for freeman £12. On 20 Dec. 1624, according to registers of St. May Arches he m. Elizabeth Marshall. In his own parish of St. Petrocks were b. to him: 6 Mar. 1627 Elizabeth; 5 Nov. 1629 John; 11 Dec. 1631 Thomas; Sep. 1633 William. The child Eliz. d.y. & John, the s. & h., remained in England, d. 1653: local will, naming John Maiming of New England, merchant, Wm. Davis of Muskeeta, Newfoundland, implied that he had sailed the sea with father (vide Trowbrdge Family). Sons Thomas (Jr.) and William emigrated with parents to Dorchester, Mass., where James Trowbridge was born; they moved to New Haven, where Elizabeth the mother died. Three children remained to have large families. Thomas Sr. returned to Exeter to remarry, by license, widow Frances Shattuck 10 Feb. 1640 in St. David's church. She, his cousin, was dau. of Dorothy, dau. of Thos. Trowbridge (Sr.) of Taunton. Thos. Jr. paid £4 subsidy at West Muncton, nr. Taunton. By 1643 they were back in New Haven, a family of 5, rated at £5OO. When Taunton, under colonel, later admiral Robert Blake, was besieged by the royalists, Thomas served as captain in Cromwell's army, 1645. Later, he supported a wounded soldier's pension claim at Taunton Court of Sessions. He gave his New England sons power of attorney for property there 14 Jan. 1664. He and they traded to the Azores from both sides of the Atlantic. He was buried at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Taunton, Somerset, 7 Feb. 1672. (Trowbridge Family (1872); The Gen, cit).

Thomas is the 4th cousin of his spouse, Elizabeth Marshall. Their common ancestors are John Prowse, lord of Chagford b. 1436, and his spouse, Joan Orchard.

====================================================================
From: (The Gen., op. cit., p. 13; "THE TROWBRIDGE ANCESTRY IN ENGLAND by Donald Lines Jacobus, THE AMERICAN GENEALOGIST, 18:3, pps. 129-137)

As a young man, THOMAS TROWBRIDGE settled in EXETER where he became a member of the powerful MERCHANTS AND ADVENTURER'S GUILD. His wife ELIZABETH'S father, JOHN MARSHALL, was Sheriff, Alderman and Mayor of EXETER and ELIZABETH'S grandfather, RICHARD BEVYS (BEAVIS), was Mayor of EXETER from 1600 - 1603 when he died in office. JOHN MARSHALL, in addition to his political offices, was a successful merchant. It was probably through his connections that THOMAS was able to gain entrance to this Guild.

When he immigrated to America, he was working as a merchant and was therefore not one of the Puritans in the settlement at Dorchester, MA. He sided with those who were dissatisfied with conditions at Dorchester and moved with them in 1639 to the NEW HAVEN Colony. He appeared to have spent very little time in NEW HAVEN, making several voyages to BARBADOS and ENGLAND in pursuit of his business. His wife, ELIZABETH, died in about 1643 or 44, possibly while he was away. He never returned to NEW HAVEN but returned to TAUNTON where he got caught up in the ENGLISH CIVIL WAR of 1645. He served as a CAPTAIN in the PARLIMENTARY TROOPS , serving under COLONEL BLAKE in the defence of TAUNTON. He later married his first cousin, widow Frances Shattuck, daughter of his aunt Dorothy Trowbridge.

During his many absences he left his family under the care of his steward, HENRY GIBBONS, who appeared to be an unfaithful servant who seized THOMAS' property and deserted the three boys. Town records show where the boys were declared wards of the Colony and SERGEANT THOMAS JEFFRIES took them into his home to rear and educate. THOMAS corresponded with his sons and when they became of age, he gave them power of attorney to regain his property from GIBBONS. The sons were successful in reclaiming their father's estate which he gave them on a share and share alike basis. GIBBONS died without any children in about 1680.

Buried:
St. Mary Magdalen Church, Taunton, Somersetshire, England

Thomas married Marshall, Elizabeth on 26 Mar 1627 in Exeter, Devon, England. Elizabeth (daughter of Marshall, John and Bevys, Alice) was born on 24 Mar 1602; died before 1639 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Godsall\shattuck, Frances on 10 Feb 1640. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Rose, Judith in 1628. Judith was born about 1600. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Prudence married Mace, William on 1 Jul 1621. William was born about 1600. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Agnes married Wether, Charles on 13 Dec 1629. Charles was born about 1600. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Tacy married Seaman, Aldred on 1 Jan 1637/38 in Taunton, Somerset, England. Aldred was born about 1615. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Frances married Trowbridge, Thomas on 10 Feb 1640. Thomas (son of Trowbridge, John and Prowse, Agnes) was born on 8 Feb 1598 in Taunton, Somerset, England; died on 7 Feb 1672 in Taunton, Somerset, England; was buried on 7 Feb 1672. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Frances married Shattuck, **** about 1620. **** died before 1640. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
St. Petrocks, Exeter, Devonshire, England

Notes:

English Origins of American Colonists, p.66
Will of JOHN TROWBRIDGE of Exeter, co. Devon. There is oweinge vnto me from my uncle Mr. James Marshall of Exon, merchant, £49, and from my father Mr Thomas Trowbridge £10 which I lent him, and I have sent for Muclinx (sic) eight peeces of Sarges, cost twentie pounds And twentie fowre pounds Mr Jno: Manninge of New England, merchant, owes me, and twen-tie one pounds Mr William Davis of Muskeeta in Newfoundland owes, which I have ordered George Pardon, master of the Will-inge Minde, to receive of him this yeare there and carry it with him for St. Lukas and bring home returnes with him, All which summes amounts vnto £129, of which if it please God to take me hence £20 shalbe disbursed for my buriall, and of the other £109 I give vnto my honored father fortie pounds, to my brothers Thomas, William and James Trowbridge betweene them £50, to my aunt Mace £5, and to my cozen James Marshall £14. Dated at Taunton, 20 Oct., 1653. Witnesses to the identity of the handwriting: James Marshall, senior, Christo: Clarke, junior, Chr: Dore. 26 June, 1654, commission to Thomas Trowbridge, father and principal legetary named in the will of John Trowbridge, late of the city of Exeter, deceased, to administer. (P.C.C. Alchin, 492.)

Birth:
St. Petrocks, Exeter, Devonshire, England

Notes:

Birth:
St. Petrocks, Exeter, Devonshire, England

Thomas married Rutherford, Sarah on 24 Jun 1657 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Sarah (daughter of Rutherford, Henry and Sarah) was born on 31 Jul 1641 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; died on 5 Jan 1686/87 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William Trowbridge was brought as a child, by his parents, from England, first to Dorchester in the MA Bay colony, and then to the plantation of New Haven (Conn.). When his father was called back to England, he and his brothers were left in the charge of his father's former servant, Henry Gibbons. William Trowbridge is usually described in the public records of that time as a "planter," and later on as a "husbandman." In 1664 he appears to have been master of the sloop "Cocke", making voyages out of New Haven.

Will of William's brother John which mentions William:
English Origins of American Colonists, p.66
Will of JOHN TROWBRIDGE of Exeter, co. Devon. There is oweinge vnto me from my uncle Mr. James Marshall of Exon, merchant, £49, and from my father Mr Thomas Trowbridge £10 which I lent him, and I have sent for Muclinx (sic) eight peeces of Sarges, cost twentie pounds And twentie fowre pounds Mr Jno: Manninge of New England, merchant, owes me, and twen-tie one pounds Mr William Davis of Muskeeta in Newfoundland owes, which I have ordered George Pardon, master of the Will-inge Minde, to receive of him this yeare there and carry it with him for St. Lukas and bring home returnes with him, All which summes amounts vnto £129, of which if it please God to take me hence £20 shalbe disbursed for my buriall, and of the other £109 I give vnto my honored father fortie pounds, to my brothers Thomas, William and James Trowbridge betweene them £50, to my aunt Mace £5, and to my cozen James Marshall £14. Dated at Taunton, 20 Oct., 1653. Witnesses to the identity of the handwriting: James Marshall, senior, Christo: Clarke, junior, Chr: Dore. 26 June, 1654, commission to Thomas Trowbridge, father and principal legetary named in the will of John Trowbridge, late of the city of Exeter, deceased, to administer. (P.C.C. Alchin, 492.)

Christened:
St. Petrock, Exeter, Devonshire, England

William married Lamberton, Elizabeth on 9 Mar 1657 in Milford, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Lamberton, George and Lewen, Margaret) was born in 1630 in London, England; died in May 1716 in West Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Atherton, Margaret Mary on 30 Dec 1659 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. Margaret was born on 30 Apr 1638 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA; died on 17 Aug 1672 in Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]