JOHN GRESBROOKE
also Grazebrook & Graysbrook
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?
Maier_Associates: © Copyright 2020
Doc; gpgra030.html
Date created: 11/13/2020