JOHN   GRESBROOKE
also Grazebrook & Graysbrook

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THE STORY AS I KNOW IT

John Gresbroke  was born probably in Gresbroke Hall, in Shenstone Staffordshire England about 1490.   Shenstone is a small village east south east of Birmingham. There was a long history of Grazebrook/Gresbrooke in the Midlands during this time.  We do not know who his mother was, but his father is given in the Heraldica noted below as John Gresbrooke, the Elder.

There is a family tree on line that states his wife was Elizabeth Rugeley, but I have no documentation to their marriage, but when he died her oath as widow was witnessed by Roland Rugley, gentlemen. One of her grandsons was Roland Gresbrooke.  So it has been thought she was a daughter or sister to Roland Rudgley.

In Miscellania Genealogica et Heraldica, page 122 to 124 are documented findings of the Gresbroke family of the early 16th century.
1.  It notes Chancery Depositions temp, Eliz, No 15, Calendar 97, 1595-6,(Eliaebeth was Queen) at the time, John Gresbrooke was noted to be alive in 1536, to have altered a brook course and is described as grandfather of Plaintiff Robert. This would have been Robert the second son of his son Robert who inherited Gresbroke Hall.

2. 1539 Muster Rolls of County Stafford 1539 describe John Gresbrok of Shenston as "as abul man, with horse, harness and bowe."

3.  Record office 177/117, 118 and 145.  I believe this to be Stafford County volume 177, pages 117 etc. shows that he paid subsidy in Shenston twice in 1542-3 and once 1545-6 when he was one of the Collectors.

4.  on page 478 of Miscellania Genealogica et Heraldica 1877, "John Gresbroke of ffullerley, to be buried in the church of St. John of Sheneton, Elizabeth my wyfe,  all my children (un-named).  Proved 23 March 1546/7  Her oath is witnessed by Roland Rugley, gent."   I wish there were named the documentation this was taken from as it was written 300+ years later. There is another 

5.  there is a document noted re John's father, S.H.C. xi 255,  maybe Stafford H???  County vol 11, page 255 that states Estates in Shenston, Fonderley, Stonehall, Lynde, and Chesterfield settled after the 12 May, 1506 on John Gresbroke, the elder for life, then would revert to his brother.   It is possilbe that ffullerley somehow relates to Fonderley.   I'm guessing here.

Through these documents we can picture a landowner, public servant - ie tax Collector and paid his taxes (I think that is what Subsidy means) and was a man to count on in a fight.

We believe his wife was Elizabeth Rugeley.  They had children but the only one known for sure is Robert Gresbroke who inherited Gresbroke Hall.

From his Will we know he died March 1545/6 and is buried in church of St. John of Shenston, Staffordshire.   His widow survived him but we don't know for how long.   However, she too is buried in St. John's for the Miscellania  states that when their son, Robert  died he was buried "nere unto father and mother" in Shenston church.  http://www.stjohnthebaptistshenstone.org.uk/ 


RESEARCH QUESTIONS

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

1. Who was his mother?
2.  Confirm his wife was Elizabeth Rugeley.
3.  What are the names of all his children?
4.  Their birthdates would be great.
5.  Where or what is ffullerley?
6.  when did his wife die?



 

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Date created: 11/13/2020