ANCESTRY OF JOHN LAKE,

HUSBAND OF MARGARET (READE) LAKE

By Walter Goodwin Davis, B.A., LL.B., of Portland, Me.

Published In

NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL REGISTER

July 1930 Volume LXXXIV

Pages 304-317

From several references in the Winthrop family correspondence it has long been known that John was the given name of the husband of Mrs. Margaret (Reade) Lake, the stepdaughter of Rev. Hugh Peter and the sister-in-law of Gov. John Winthrop, Jr., and Deputy Gov. Samuel Symonds, who emigrated to New England previous to 1635, lived with her sister, Mrs. Winthrop, in New London, Conn., and died at Ipswich, Mass., in 1672. Through her two daughters, Hannah (Lake) Gallop and Martha (Lake) Harris, Mrs. Lake has many descendants in America.

In 1891 Charles H. Browning, in his "Americans of Royal Descent," identified John Lake with John, son of Richard and Anne (Morrelly) Lake and a half brother Sir Edward Lake, Baronet, members of a family of Lincolnshire gentry; and through them Browning traced John Lake’s from numerous royal personages. A comparison, however, of know facts regarding the Lincolnshire Lakes and John Lake, husband of Margaret (Reade) Lake, definitely proves Mr. Browning’s identification to be erroneous; but, in spite of at least one clear demonstration of these facts in the Genealogical Department of the Boston Evening Transcript (J. D. F. in answer to A. H. M. A., *3037.3, 19 Feb 1913), this "royal descent" is still appearing in genealogies dealing with descendants of the Gallop and Harris families.

Very briefly, the destructive argument is as follows: Sir Edward Lake died in 1674, aged 77, and was born, therefore, about the year 1597. He had two younger half brothers whom he mentioned in his will, Thomas and John, the former being the Capt. Thomas Lake who was a selectman of Boston, Mass.; and it was this Captain Lake’s son who was the Baronet’s heir. Capt. Thomas Lake was killed by Indians in 1676, and his gravestone in the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, Boston, states his age at death as 61. He was born, therefore, about the year 1615, and it may be inferred that his brother John was born about two years later, in 1617. Now that John Lake and Margaret Reade were married and had two children in 1623, when John Lake of the Lincolnshire family was at most only six or seven I cars old, is proved by the will of Mrs. Lake’s father, Edmund Reade of Wickford, co. Essex, made in that year, wherein they are mentioned. [CF. Ancestry of Priscilla Baker, by the late William Sumner Appleton, 1870, p. 119.]

Luckily, however, the Winthrop correspondence produces a clue by pursuing which the husband of Mrs. Margaret Lake is definitely identified. On 18 Jan. 1661/2 Mrs. Lake wrote to Gov. John Winthrop, Jr., who was then in England, asking him to ascertain whether her "sister Breadcale" of Lee, Essex, was still living. From this starting point it was not difficult to establish the fact that John Lake was a member of a family seated for several generations at Great Fanton Hall, North Benfleet, co. Essex. Although they held several Essex manors, the Lakes appear to have been of the rank of yeoman, or, at best, minor gentry, and there is no evidence at the College of Arms or in the Visitations of Essex that they were entitled to coat armor. Great Fanton Hall, a large farmhouse of no architectural pretension, was still standing in 1925, although sadly threatened, on the London side, by the on-coming tide of suburban bungalows.

The following abstracts of records from English sources throw light on the history of this Lake family; and the information derived from them is summed up in a brief pedigree in the usual genealogical form.

FROM PROBATE RECORDS

1. The Will of Thomas Sandell of Basselden [Basildon], co. Essex, yeoman, dated 10 October 1593. To be buried in Basselden churchyard. To my son John Sandell one-third of all my lands holden by knight’s service. To my wife Elizabeth my tenement called Sayers for life, and then to my son Thomas and the heirs of his body, with reversion to my son John. My mother’s third being set off and my son John’s third, with the dowry of my wife in all my lands holden by knight’s service, the remaining shall be to my executor for ten years, and then to my son John. To my wife her dwelling in this my capital house till Michaelmas after my decease, twelve kine, forty ewes, one ram, all the goods she had when I married her and has made since, my ambling young mare, my horse, "Buttun," three loads of timber for the repair of Sayers, etc., and she is to have the bringing up of all the four children we have had between us. To my son John all my stuff in the parlor and all the glass. To my daughter Joan, Anne, and Elizabeth £20 each at marriage or at the age of eighteen, with the right of survivorship if any die before. To my daughters Mary, Thomasin, and my youngest daughter, Anne, £20 each, to be delivered to my wife towards their education, and, if any die, my son Thomas is to have her portion. If my mother die before my son John is twenty-one, my executors are to take the land she had till he is of age. If John die before he is twenty-one, then all my lands shall descend to my son Thomas, he paying to my daughters living £40 apiece, to my sister Stauterford’s [sic] children £10, to my sister’s son, Roger Dowe, £10, to my sister Lacke’s son, John Lacke, £10, and to his sisters, Elizabeth and Sybell Lacke, £10. The Widow Ivyt is to have her dwelling in "Jacke at woods" for life for £4 a year. To my servant Alice Radlynne a tenth profit of my tenement called Bacons for five years. To my boy Chatterton my red bullock with the white face. To my cousin Ann Park a bullock, in consideration of 20s. due to her of my fathers gift. To Abraham Richbell 3s. 4d. To Widow Chatterton 3s. 4d. To Widow Marrage 3s. 4d. To my daughter-in-law Elizabeth Ladde a bullock. Residue to Thomas Taylor of Stornedowne and my brother Richard Sandell, my executors, for the education of my children. Overseers: my brother William Hurte and Mr. John Paschall. Witnesses: Arthur Denham, Alexander Paschall, Jo : Paschall. Proved 11 April 1594 by the executors. (Consistory Court of London, Sperin 85.)

2. The Will of John Lake of North Bemflete [North Benfleet], co. Essex, dated 10 December 1596. To be buried in North Bemflette church or chancel. For making of forms and other things necessary and convenient in and about the chancel of the said church, 20s. To the parson of the said church, for a Communion Book or l’salter, 10s. To Trimming and mending the porch buttresses of the said church a nd chancel, 20s. To each of the eight people who carry my body to the church 12d . To the poor of Bemflette and of the parishes of Runwell, Wickford, and Rawreth e, co. Essex, to each parish 20s. To the poor of Rayleigh, co. Essex, 40s. To Wi dow Castle, my mother-in-law, who now dwelleth with me, the bed whereon she usua lly lieth, furnished with all things belonging thereunto, as it now standeth, an d 20s. To my wife Mary Lake all my goods, household stuff, and implements in my house called Fanton Haule, in Bemflette, except the leases of my manors or farms of Fanton Haule aforesaid and Bonefields alias Boneviles, in Bemfette, m y ready money, and all other my writings, bonds, evidences, scripts, and munimen ts, which are to go to my executor. To my wife all goods and household stuff in my kitchen, bolting house, "woll" house, granary, or north end of my h ouse of Fanton Haule aforesaid, and in my house in Kemps Crofts, also all my but ter, cheese, bacon, other provisions, all my calves, milk of my kine, and all my ewe sheep on my farm of Fanton Haule, and also free use of my mansion house, Fa nton Haule, and my new house in Kemps Croft, etc., for a month after my decease, whereupon [various articles specified] are to be carried by my executor to Bone fields alias Boneviles for my said wife. My said wife is to pay my execut or £6 yearly for the premises [Bonefields] and to enter into a bond, and, if she refuses, the legacy to her is to be void and my executor is to pay her 100 mark s. To my brother Richard Lake, who dwells with me, pasture of one horse for life , my best black nag, and also his meat, lodging, washing, and entertainment for himself in my house for life. To Nicholas Stelewoman £21 left him by John James, late of Hockley, co. Essex, on the day appointed in the said will. To Dorothy L uther, daughter of Henry Luther, deceased, £20, and my wife is to educate her. T o Elizabeth, Frances, and Joan Luther, the other daughters of the said Henry, £2 0 each, at the age of eighteen or marriage. To every godchild 2s. To Thomasine D rywood, dwelling with John Brooman of South Bemflette, £10, £4 thereof being what I owe her. To my cousins John and George Porter £10 each. To every one of my brothers’ and sisters’ children, except the said John and George Porter, the children of my brother Robert Lake, Richard Lake, the son of my brother Richard Lake, Joan Ducket, the wife of Robert Ducket, who owes me £20, the which I forgive him, and John Brooman of South Bemflette, to everyone of the other I give £5. To Simon Prisceley, my servant, a bullock and sheep which were Robert Lone’s, deceased, and £10. To every man and maid servant, except those before and after named, 6s. 8d. To Richard Lake, son of my brother Richard Lake, lands in Wickford and South Hannyngfield which I late bought of Robert Vane of Sinocke, co. Kent. To John Brooman of South Bemflette, my kinsman, my house and lands in South Bemflette which I bought of Thomas Wyat, late of Thundersleye, co. Essex. To Elizabeth Lone, daughter of Margaret Lone of Rayleiqh, widow, the houses, lands, etc., which I purchased of John Camber of Tilburie; but Foulk Evans, tailor, is to have his free use and occupation of all those rooms which he now has for life, without paying any rent for the same, and Elizabeth Lone is to make a lease for twenty-one years to Henry Julian which I have promised him. To Anne Castle, who dwells with me, £10 at twenty years. To Anthony Lone, who dwells with me, £10 at twenty years, and my executor is to educate him in the meantime. My tenement at Layndon called Nokes, which I late bought of Thomas Anger, and the residue to John Lake of North Bemflette aforesaid, the son of my brother Richard Lake, whom I make sole executor. Overseers: Mr. Edmund Reade of North Bemflette, Mr. Richard Mason, parson of Rawrethe, and Mr. Thomas Jobic, parson of Thundersley, and they are to have 20s each. Witnesses: William Harryes, Isaac Gillbert, Thomas Meredithe. Proved by the executor 7 April 1597. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts.)

3. The Will of Richard Lake of North Bemflette [North Benfleet], co. Essex, dated 17 September 1599. To be buried in the church or churchyard of North Bemflette. To the poor of the parish 5s. To every godchild 12d. To every servant dwelling with my executor 12d. To my brother William’s wife 5s. To my sister Greene and my sister Cracknell 12d. each. To the children of George Reignolde which he had by my daughter £10, to be paid to the said George for their use. To my son Richard Lake £20. To my daughter Phennynge and her children £10 equally between them. To my daughter Lachyngdon and her children £10 equally between them. To my son-in-law Thomas Lachyngdon all the debts he owes me. To my daughter Joan Ducket and her children the £21 which her husband Robert Ducket owes me, and to her two children two of my best platters. To my son Richard Lake, to my daughters Margaret Phennynge and Sybille Lachyngdon, and to my executor my chest of linen and certain pewter. To every one of my brothers’ and sisters’ children 5s. Residue to my eldest son, John Lake, and he is to be executor. Witnesses: Edmund Portwaye and Thomas Meredithe. Proved by the executor 11 October 1599. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts.)

4. The Will of John Lake of North Bemflet (North Benfleet], co. Essex, yeoman , dated 29 November 1612. To be buried in such place as my wife and friends shal l think good. To the poor of North Bemflet 10s. To the poor of Nevendon 10s. To Elizabeth, my wife, my manor of Little Bastable Hall, now in the tenure of one J eremy Rogers, during her natural life, a third part, however, being reserved unt o John Lake, my eldest son, with all the quitrents and profits of the courts, an d he is to pay a third part yearly of the £28 which is due to be paid out of the said manor to my sister Blage for her thirds, and my wife is to pay the rest. To my wife Elizabeth all the household stuff in the said house of Bastable Hall, all the bedding and furniture belonging to the bed in the parlor at Fanton Hall, with one great chest and a trunk standing in the chamber over the parlor and all that is in them, my gelding, three kine, ten sheep, and all the brass and pewter. My wife shall have her dwelling with my son John during the term of Jeremy Rogers’s lease of Bastable Hall, if she marrieth not, without paying anything either for her diet or dwelling, if she like thereof. Otherwise she is to have the house where Abraham Turke dwelleth to herself during the said term. To Richard Lake, my son, the lease of Bonfields, when he shall accomplish the full age of twenty-one, the bed, bedding, and furniture, as it stands in the chamber over the parlor, and one chest. To Thomas Lake, my son, my messuage and tenement called Jacat-Hoods [sic] in Basseldon, Fobing, and Vange, in the tenure of Edward Ivitt, and my wife is to have the use of the said land and the bringing up of my said son Thomas during his minority. To Elizabeth Paschall, my daughter, two kin, and to each of her sons, Andrew and Thomas Paschall, a sheep. To Sybell Bentten, my daughter, £100 and one cow or £3 in money, at her choice. To Tamsen Lake, my daughter, £100 at the age of eighteen or at marriage. To Anna Lake, my daughter, £100 at the age of eighteen or at marriage, and my executor shall bring up my said daughter Anna until she accomplish the age of sixteen, and my wife is to see her set to school at the charge of my executor. To Tebetha Lake, my brother Richard’s daughter, 40s at twenty-one. To all of my servants in my house 2s each. Residue to John Lake, my son, whom I make sole executor. Overseers: Andrew Paschall and Andrew Bentten. Witnesses: Thomas Man, Abraham Turke, Robert Castell. Proved 30 January 1612/13. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts.)

5. The Will of Andrew Paschall of Nevendon, co. Essex, gentleman, dated 9 November 1613. To my wife Elizabeth my lands in Nevendon and Basseldon, and she is to bring up my son Andrew, allowing him for his maintenance and good education £20 a year, and, when he is twenty-one, the lands are to be divided between my said son and wife. If my wife does not marry again, she is to enjoy my mansion house; but, if she marries, my son is to have the same and all my lands, allowing my wife half the revenues and rents for life. To my sister Anne Reynoldes £30, if she makes no claim to my legacy left to her by her father. To my cousin Marie, daughter of my said sister, £10 at the age of twenty-one or at marriage. To the poor of Nevendon 10s. Residue to my wife Elizabeth, and she is to be sole executrix. Overseers: my kinsman Thomas Bretton of Laynedon, co. Essex, gentleman, and Thomas Man of South Bemfleet, yeoman. Witnesses: John Woode, John Browne, T. Gibbonson [?]. Proved 25 February 1613/14. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts.)

6. The Will of Elizabeth Lake of Nevendon, co. Essex, dated 1 May 1616. To the poor of Basseldon 5s. To the poor of Nevendon 5s. To the poor of Northbenflet 5s. To my daughter Elizabeth Paschall 44s. To my daughter Sybell Benton 44s. To my daughter Tamson Lake £10. To my daughter Anne Lake £10, to be paid into the hands of John Lake, my son, upon this condition, that he shall pay for the education and bringing up of my daughter Anne from her age of sixteen years to her age of eighteen years. To my daughter Elizabeth Paschall my best gown, To my sister Slaterford 31s. To my servants Richard Woodly, Dorothy Sworder, and John Wood 2s. each. Residue to my son Thomas Lake, who is to be sole executor. Overseers: my sons John Lake and Richard Lake, to whom [I give] 22s. apiece. To each of my daughter Benten’s children a sheep. To Andrew Paschall, my daughter’s son, a sheep. To Anne Lake, my daughter, a trunk. To William Purland a lamb. Witnesses: Jeremy Rogers, Thomas Man, Thomas Playle. Proved 3 June 1616. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts.)

7. The Will of Elizabeth Bridcake [Breadcake], widow, of Leigh, co. Essex, dated 10 July 1651. To my son Andrew Paschall 20s. To Cleere Paschall, his wife, 20s. To each of my said son’s children now living, to wit, Andrew Paschall, Thomas Paschall, Cleere Paschall, and Elizabeth Paschall, and to John Bundocke and Elizabeth Bundocke, children of my daughter Cleere Bundocke, 40s. each. To Mr. Argor and his wife 20s. each. To my daughter Cleere Bundock my house I now dwell in for her life, then to her daughter Elizabeth, and, if Elizabeth die without issue, to her brother John Bundock. To Cleere Bundock all my goods, and what remains of them on her death to Elizabeth Bundock. Executors: my daughter Cleere Bundock and my cousin Mr. Thomas Harrison. Witnesses: Thomas Salmon, Anne Goodland, Thomas Fenner. "Since the sealing and subscribing by the executrix [sic, ? testatrix] her will is that her brother John Lake shall receive of her executors the summe of twenty shillings within three months after her decease." Proved 28 August 1651.

8. The Will of Thomas Lake of Nevendon, co. Essex, clerk, dated 18 February 1651/2. To my brother John Lake, for his life, my tenement and lands called Mangers alias Bacons, in Basseldon, which I late bought to me from one Thomas Dennys and Jeremy Croxton; and after the decease of my said brother the said tenement and lands are to go to my second son, John Lake, and to the heirs of his body, and, in default of such issue, to my youngest son, Peter Lake, and his heirs, and, in default of such issue, to my nephew Richard Lake, son of my late brother Richard Lake, deceased. To my son Peter Lake all my tenement and lands called Great Bradmore, and Little Bradmore, in the parish of Stock, co. Essex, which I lately bought of my kinsman Richard Sandell, tailor. To my son Thomas £10 and my bedstead standing in the parlor of my dwelling house [and various other articles of furniture]. To my son John £60 [and various articles of furniture]. To Elizabeth Sandell, daughter of my cousin Richard Sandell, all my childbed linen. To my cousin Richard Sandell’s other four children, namely, Thomas, Richard, Susan, and Eleanor, 20s. each. To my cousin Richard Sandell a silver-gilt cup, with a cover. To William Bushe of Nevendon 10s. To Richard Sandell a mortgage I have in lands in the parish of Downeham, belonging to one William Kniglitsbridge, for the use of my son Peter. Residue to my son Peter, and Richard Sandell is to be his guardian and my executor. Overseers: my brothers-in-law Robert Sumpter of Leaden Roodinge and Francis Sumpter of White Roodinge. Witnesses: Raphe Frithe, John Frithe.

Administration cum testamento annexo was granted to the overseers 8 April 1652, the executor having died before he took upon himself the execution of the said will. (P. C. C., bowyer, 77.)

FROM PARISH REGISTERS

NORTH BENFLEET, co. Essex, 1572-1635

1590 Johcs Lake filius Johis Lake Juniors et Elizabethe ux 26 September.

1591 Elizabetha lake filia Johis et Elizabethe Lake 12 December.

1592 Sibilla Lake filia Johis et Elizabethe 11 February [1592/3].

1594 Richardus Lake filius Johis Lake Junioris et Elizabethe 18 November

1596 Thomasina Lake filia Johis Lake et Elizabethe 14 October.

1597 Margareta Lake filia Johis Lake et Elizabethe 12 March [1597/8].

1600 Thomas Lake filius Johis Lake et Elizabethe 21 October.

1604 Anna Lake filia Johis Lake et Elizabethe 10 February [1604/5]

1618 Sarah Lake daughter of Richard Lake & Sarah his wife 13 September.

1620 Elizabeth Lake daughter of Richard Lake & Parnell his wife 10 August.

1621 Ann daughter of John Lake & Margaret his wife 3 July.

1622 Ann daughter of Richard Lake & Parnell his wife 1 July.

1623 Elizabeth daughter of John Lake & Marget his wife 5 June.

1624 Martha daughter of John Lake & Margaret his wife 20 July.

1629 Samuell sonne of John Lake & Margaret his wife 29 March.

1630 Elizabeth daughter of John Lake & Marget his wife 17 February [1630/1]

1578 Willmus Dixon et Helena Crosson servientes Johis Lake 8 November.

1589 Johes Lake et Maria Castle de North Benfleet 28 April.

1591 Thomas Lachyngdon et Sibilla Lake 11 October.

1592 Robertus Ducket de Thundersey et Johanna Lake 10 April.

1597 Johannes Greene de Rawreth et Marie Lake 26 May.

1588 Elizabetha Lake ux Johis Lake 10 March [l588/9].

1590 Filius Johis Lake senioris aqua non renatus 9 March [1590/1].

1592 Robertus Lone gener Johis Lake 4 December.

1596 Johannes Lake senior 12 March [1596/7].

1599 Ricdardus Lake senior 24 September.

1608 Robertus Lake filius Johis Lake de Basselden 13 August.

1612 ________ Lake 10 December.

1616 Elizabeth Lake Widdow 4 May.

1618 Sarah daur. of Richard Lake 5 October.

1622 Parnell the wife of Richard Lake 14 October.

1622 Sara the wife of Richard Lake seniore 17 December.

1623 Elizabeth daur. of John Lake 31 August.

1625 Rebecca Lake 4 October.

1629 Samuel Lake 19 March (1629/30].

RAYLEIGH, co. ESSEX

1579 Johne son of Johne Lake a joyner 12 April.

1580 Joane the daur. of Johne Lake 30 April.

1576 Johne Lake and Sisbell hedendon 22 September.

RUNWELL, co. ESSEX

1574 Susan Lake daughter of Robert 22 August.

1558 Jolin Lake and Elizabeth Lone 3 February [1558/9].

1563 A servant of John Lake.

1574 Susan Lake daughter of Robert 8 October.

1598 Margaret Lake, infant, 24 July.

SOUTH BENFLEET, co. ESSEX

1635 Elizabeth Lake daughter of John and ________ his wife 22 September.

1636. Emund [sic] Lake the base son of John Lake and Elsabeth Browne 26 March.

1636 Edmund the base son of John Lake and Elizabeth Browne 5 September.

WICKFORD, co. ESSEX

1597 John Lake son of Richard Lake 19 February [1597/8].

1602 Mary Lake daughter of Richnrd Lake 6 March [1602/3].

1606 John Lake son of Richard Lake 24 August.

1607 Edward Lake son of Richard Lake 20 December.

1617 John Lake son of John Lake 6 July.

1618 Thomas Lake son of John Lake and Margaret 18 January [1618/19].

1620 Richard the son of John Lake of Northe Bemfleet and Margaret 21 May.

1599 Goodwyfe Lake 22 September.

1605 John Lake 17 July.

1606 John Lake 16 September.

1608 Edward Lake the sonne of Ric’ Lake 13 February [1608/9].

1620 Richard Lake the sonne of John Lake & Margaret 22 May.

On the foregoing records the following short genealogy is based.

__________ Lake who lived in the first half of the sixteenth century was the father of at least four sons and two daughters.