Rev. John Lothropp's Ancestors

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Thomas Lowthroppe was born in Cherry Burton, Yorkshire, England about 1536 the eldest son of four known children born to Robert and Ellen Lowthroppe. Researchers say he was baptized there on June 19, 1536, probably in the Saxon built St Michael and All Angels Church.

Thomas married Elizabeth Clark on November 27, 1558, in South Cave, Yorkshire.(Mouse over and click on their marriage record image on right to enlarge it in a new window/tab.) According to William Frederick Adams in his book Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, Volume 4 and Richard Woodruff Price’s biography of John Lothropp, her maiden surname was Wood, and she was the widow of a Mr. Clark. During this marriage they moved to Etton, the parish bordering Cherry Burton. They had eight children together — Robert, who married Ann Pattison in 1608; Katherine, who married William Akyt on June 12, 1597 in Etton; Awdrey, who married a Mr. Wykam; Elizabeth married Thomas Rinwood on February 19, 1587/88 in Etton; Anne, the first to be baptized in Etton on February 13, 1568/69, and died young, probably before 1572; Isabell baptized July 30, 1570, married Mr. Burne; Martin, baptized on October 21, 1572, and buried in Etton less than a month lateron November 12, 1572; and Andrew, baptized on April 23, 1574. Three months after their last child was born, Thomas’ first wife Elizabeth died and was buried in Etton on July 29, 1574, leaving him with at least six young children. During this marriage, on November 20, 1568, Thomas was involved in a dispute with Anthony Langdaill of Santon, Yorkshire about property in Willenhall. Thomas was “bound in £60 to Anthony . . . to perform covenants described in deed of even date.”

Without giving any documentation, researchers say that on September 5, 1575, Thomas married ancestor Maud and they had five additional children (see her bio for details). It should be noted that their marriage is not listed in either the Etton, South Cave, or Cherry Burton church registers for this time period. After Maud died, Thomas was again left with young children.

Thomas married a women named Jane. Some say her surname was Carter and they married on November 11, 1588, in Etton. This researcher has not found any documentation for this marriage, but just 3 miles away in Leckonfield, two England Marriages, 1538–1973 records exists for a Thomas Lowthrop who married a Jane Brenner in 1589. No month or day is given on the text transcriptions and both images are hard to read, but it looks like December 21^st. (Mouse over and click on their marriage record images on left to enlarge it in a new window/tab.)

Thomas and Jane had nine more children, all baptized in Etton on the dates given — Margaret, February 13, 1590/1, married Mr. Bateman; Isabell, September 20, 1592; Lucy, January 4, 1593/4, married in Etton, Ralph Cawnsby, in 1613; Richard, October 12, 1595, married in 1634, in York, Dorothy Lawson; Mark, September 27, 1597, died unmarried; Lawrence, August 19, 1599, married Mary Lowthropp in 1629; Jane, March 14, 1600/1; Joseph, December 31, 1602; and Bartholomew, on March 1, 1604/5.

Thomas wrote his will on October 5, 1606, and an abstract of it is printed in E. B. Huntington’s book, A Genealogical Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family in This Country, as follows:

“1. Jaine, my wieff, lease, for 12 yr. for ed. of my younge children whom I give unto her with these legacies.

2. Richard my sonne, if he die, then to my sonne Mark, and if be be not of age XXI. my sonne to be a tutor unto him.

3. Jane my wieff and Lawrence my sonne, lease of Westwood. leas in territories of Scarbrough.

4. Robart-three kye gatts in Etton.

5. Markes, Lawrence, Joseph, and Bartholomew-moiety of lease of Etton pke or Calfe pke.

6. Bartholomew, pte Freehold Iande called temple wood.

7. Robart-best horse.

8. Isabel Burne, my daughtr, one cowe.

9. Katherine Aket, my daugbtr, one cowe.

10. Wm. Wykam, Thos. Wykam, and Jayne Wykam, children to my daughter Audric Wykam, one cowe among them.

11. Robert-my best, bound wayne.

12. Robert, all my freehold land in So. Dalton and Walkinton.

13. Jane, Anne, Isabell, and Elizabeth Akeit, daughters of Wm. Akeit, my son-in-lawe each of them, one ewe.

14. Poore of Etton, vj^s-viij^d.

15. The rest to Jane, my wief, Richard, Lawrence, Marks, Joseph, Bartholomew, my sons, and Margaret, Luce, and Jane Lowthorp, my daughters whom I make executors.

Witness. Thos. Cardener, Alexander Lyon, Henry Fenby.

Proved, Jan. 13, 1606-07.”

Thomas, the father of 22 children, died at the age of 70 in Etton and was buried there in the St. Mary's Church graveyard pictured right (mouse over image) on October 9, 1606. His burial record reads, “Thomas Loothropp, yeoman, was buried in the church of Etton.”  (Mouse over and click on his butial record image on left to enlarge it in a new window/tab.) His third wife, Jane, left with several young children, is said to have married a Mr. Coppendale, sometime after Thomas’ death.

Maud is believed to be the second wife of Thomas  Lowthroppe, although there is much confusion about exactly who she was. She was born sometime between 1538 and 1556. Some researchers say she was the daughter of John Howell and Gauche St. Andrews, daughter of John St. Andrews. In the October 1995 issue of The American Genealogist #280, Vol. 70, No. 4, there is an article written by Clifford L. Stott called "Lothrop and House Entries in the Parish Registers of Eastwell, Kent." Stott writes that Maud (last name unknown) was the name of John's mother. So there is a great deal of uncertainty about John’s mother. After much research, it is plausible to say tha Maud was born about 1556 and her ancestry is unknown.

Researchers say that on September 5, 1575 Maud married Thomas in Etton, after his first wife died and raised his existing six children. They had at least five children together, all baptized in Etton on the dates shown — Anne, July 29, 1576, is said to have married John Stearns; Mary’s birth has been estimated between 1578 and 1581, as there are no baptism records for this period-but she is mentioned in her brother’s will, she married in Etton, John Gallande in 1611; Thomas baptized on October 14, 1582, married a woman named Elizabeth,was the Rector of Dengie, Essex, and died there at the age of 46; ancestor John; and William baptized on May 24, 1587, was mentioned in the wills of his brother Thomas and his half-brother, Mark.

“Maud Lowthrop, wife to Tho” died and was buried on June 26, 1588, in Etton leaving her husband, again a widow with young children. (Mouse over and click on her butial record image on left to enlarge it in a new window/tab.)

Robert Lowthroppe is believed to have been born between 1510 and 1513 in Cherry Burton, Yorkshire, England to parents Margaret Wade and John Lowthroppe. Some researchers say he was baptized in 1513 in Lowthrope, but give no supporting documentation. G. Andrews Moriarty, in his Genealogical Research in England, states that Robert “was undoubtedly the son of the John Lowthrop who was taxed at Cherry Burton in 1523/4 and was one of the defendants in the Star Chamber case in the reign of Henry VIII.” (This case is described in his father’s bio.) Robert lived a privileged life as his parents owned a large estate, including land in Cherry Burton and elsewhere.

Robert married a woman named Ellen and they had at least four children (See Ellen for details). In 1545, Robert inherited the estate from his father, and during his lifetime made many additions to it. The Lowthroppe tax records for 1543 and 1545 read as follows: “Lay Subsidies for co. York. 35 and 36 Henry VIII. Burton Robert Lowthorppe at Isabella Lowthorpe's in manibus John Milsoin, in goods, (valuation) 4 pounds (tax) 4d.” In the book John Lothropp (1584-1653) A Puritan Biography & Genealogy, Richard Woodruff  Price writes about the family wealth:  “He appeared on a Yorkshire subsidy roll where he was assessed twice as much as any other inhabitant of the parish because he owned at least twice as much property.” Price continues with “Robert must have been shrewd or lucky or both, for during his lifetime, those properties increased considerably.”   According to English Origins, First Series, in “1557/8 Robert sued Marmaduke Whytyng and Alice, his wife, over lands in Wolkyngtin.”

Robert's Will was written on July 16, 1558 in Cherry Burton (listed as North Burton, Sheributon), and proved in the Prerogative Court of York on October 20, 1558. So it is assumed he died in mid October 1558 and probably is buried in the St Michael and All Angels Churchyard pictured left (mouse over image left). His will mentions his children, wife and servants by name, plus many others without relationship information. It also tells us he had three surviving sisters, but doesn’t give their names. The Reverend E. B. Huntington in his book Lo-Lathrop Family Memoir, written in 1884 says about the will: “This will is thus fully reported as best setting before us the condition and social position of this representative of the Lothrop family more than three centuries ago.” (Mouse over and click on his will image below to enlarge it in a new window/tab.) It is amazing that we have this information four and a half centuries later. It is printed in Huntington’s book as follows:

"WILL OF ROBERT LOWTHROPPE OF CHERRY BURTON.

  1. To ye blessed sacrament of ye altar for forgotten tythes, v s.
  2. To poor people at his burial, 4 marks, by executors.
  3. To ye church of "Sheriburton," 6s. 8d.
  4. To son JOHN all lands and tenements in So. Dalton and all freehold lands and titles; the lauds in Burton purchased of Richard Fenle and Marmaduke Whytinge; and in default of issue from him, the reversion of the foregoing to be unto son Lawrence and his heirs.
  5. To son THOMAS all lands and their appurtenances in Walkinton.
  6. To daughter Margaret a messuage in Beverlaie, in the Tenore of Christopher More. If she fail of issue this also to go to son Lawrence.
  7. To wife ELLEN, during widowhood, and then to son Thomas all leases and terms of years of his two "fermolds" in Burton and Rainthorpe. If she should marry or die the leases to remain in Thomas and his executors and heirs. The said Ellen and Thomas are to succor "with meat and drink and house room" in said "fermold" in Burton all the rest of the children to their several marriages.
  8. To daughter Margaret, 40 marks.
  9. To son JOHN, a gray stoned horse.
10. To son Thomas, an ambling gelding, dapple gray.
11. To son Lawrence, a bright bay gelding.
12. To daughter Margaret, a branded flect cow, in consideration of one I sold which my father gave to her. Also a lead, a table, two chairs, two trestles and a forme with a great with eaves, two basings, two lavers, two candlesticks, twelve pieces of pewther, and ye best (beast), yt came from Beverlaie."
13. To " everie of my godchildren, 4d.
14. To " everie of my sister's children, 8d.
15. To my three sisters, everie of them, 6s. 8d.
16. To John Swinburne, John Pickering, William Fisher , Robert Barnes, Gawin and Hewe Mason-my servants, every of them, halfe a quarter of barlye (two bushels).
17. To Catherine Shadlock, maid servant, half a quarter of barley and a bushel of wheat.
18. Elizabeth Thornton and Isabell Coke, maid servants, either of them a mett (two bushels) of barley.
19. To ye township of So. Burton, 6s. 8d.
20. To children of William Burne, every of them, 8d.
21. To William and John, sons of Henry Sowersby, 7d. each.
22. To Alison Simson and Henry Bynks, 4d.
23. To Robert Binks, 4d.
24. To every of my three sons a bound waine and gear.
25. To Richard Eshton, a quarter of barley.
26. To Robert Hoyeson, Robert Wilson, William Burne, Robert Patenson, and John Patenson, 20d.
27. To Thomas Jervis, 6s. 8d.
28. To Mr. John Eglesfield, Esq., supervisor of this will, 20s.
29. To son Thomas, two draughts nante-a hawked and browne-and fourtie (40) weathers such as he will choose.
30. To son John, a cow "such as daughter Margaret will appoint," and a couple "stotes goying at Harswell such as he choose."
31. To son Lawrence, two stotes.
32. To daughter Margaret, two whies goying at Harswell.
33. " To ye, Prests," 20d.
34. To ye Clerk, 12d.
35. To William Burne, "my buckskin doublet."
36. To Robert Johnson, " my vilett jacket."
37. To Simon Naves, "my second best vilett jacket."
38. To son Thomas, a "jack" (coat of mail), "bill " (battle ax), steel cap, and pair of splents.
39. To wife Ellen, son John, son Thomas, son Lawrence, and daughter Margaret, the rest of the estate, and all ofthem are appointed executors. ROBERT. Cherry Burton."

Ellen is said by some researchers to have been born between 1510 and 1518 to parents Thomas Aston and Bridget Harewell, in Cherry Burton, Yorkshire, England. There is no proof these are her parents. What we know of Ellen and her children comes from Reverend E. B. Huntington’s book, Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family. From this book we learn that Ellen mentions a sister named Margaret, in her will. We know Ellen’s given name from her husband Robert’s will, but many researchers believe she could be an Aston because in Robert’s will he names a Richard Eshton, but no relationship is given. Thomas and Bridget Aston did have a younger son named Richard so the Richard mentioned in the will could be Ellen’s brother, cousin, uncle, etc., but no documentation exists to support this. Also, there is no documentation that Thomas and Bridget had a daughter named Ellen or Margaret. Some researchers believe that Ellen and Robert are being confused with Ralph, son of Thomas Lathrop and Mary Salte of Staffordshire, who married a Mary Aston.

Ellen married Robert Lowthroppe about 1535 in Cherry Burton and they had at least four children, all probably born in Cherry Burton, but how many is uncertain, as only four are mentioned in their father and mother’s wills — ancestor Thomas; John, said to have been baptized on April 19, 1537, never had children; Lawrence is said to have been baptized on March 21, 1538/39, married a woman named Elizabeth, and was buried there on June 8, 1602; and Margaret born about 1540-43, who married Robert Hodgeson. It should be mentioned that there isn’t documentation, other than the wills, for the children’s names and baptism dates.

Ellen survived her husband by fourteen years, leaving a will dated February 12, 1572/3, which was proved on February 26^th, which means she died sometime between the 12^th and 26^th. Her will, in the name of Elline Lowthropp of Northeburton, als. Cheryburton, widow, is said to confirm the names of her surviving children-eldest son Thomas, John, Lawrence, and Margaret. (Mouse over and click on her will image on left to enlarge it in a new window/tab.) Reverend E. B. Huntington in his book Lo-Lathrop Family Memoir, says she names ancestor Thomas’ three children by his first wife; her son Lawrence’s wife and two of their children; her daughter Margaret’s husband; and her sister Margaret. Unfortunately, this researcher has not been able to find an abstract of her will, which is very difficult to read.

Records show that a Helen Lowthrop was buried March 8, 1572/3 in Cherry Burton in St. Michael and All Angels ’s churchyard, pictured in her husband’s bio above. Some researchers believe she wouldn’t have been buried so long after the will was proved, as 10, or possibly even more, days is a bit long to hold a body in 1573. This researcher agrees, and thinks it possible that she was actually buried about February 18^th.

John Lowthroppe is said to have been born between 1474 and 1480 in the Lowthorpe-Cherry Burton area of Yorkshire, England and he is the proven great-grandfather of Rev. John Lothropp. In Richard Woodruff Price’s book, John Lothropp (1584-1653) A Puritan Biography & Genealogy, Price writes about the town of Lowthrope: “In the East Riding of Yorkshire, 180 miles due north of London, lies the small parish of Lowthorpe. The old Danish termination thorpe, usually altered to throp, refers to an outlying farmstead or hamlet. The Lowthorpe church, dedicated to Saint Martin during the reign of Richard II (1377-1400), was originally a very handsome structure; but in the twenty-first century it stands partially ruined and the tower and chancel are almost entirely overgrown with ivy. The Gothic architecture of the church indicates that it was built about the time of Edward III (1327-77). One of its chaplains, not surprisingly, was Robert de Louthorp.

Today the parish has around two hundred residents; but the family names of Lowthrop, Lothropp, Lathrop, and other variations scattered around the world derive from this parish. John Lothropp, a man historians called ‘vexed and troubled,’ was born here and would make his influence felt in the religious life of two countries.

From early English histories we discover interesting entries about various Lowthorpes of this parish and its vicinity:
1216- Walter de Lowthorpe is elected sheriff of Yorkshire.
1287- Robert and Richard Lowthorp of Whepsted, Suffolk, are licensed by Edward I to give land in support of certain chaplains celebrating mass daily in the chapel there.
1292- Walter de Lowthorpe is summoned to answer to King Edward I for attempting to regulate the distribution of beer of his tenants without a license from the king. Walter defends himself on the grounds that distributing beer had been an ancient custom of his ancestors.
1474 - Robert Lowthorp of Bridlington makes his will, which was proved at York. He gives his landed estate to his relatives in Cherry Burton and Lowthorpe.”

In Culleton's of London; Genealogical Collection, it states that John was 33 years old in 1513, which indicates he was born about 1480. Culleton also proposes that he was the son of Robert or Roberti Lowthrop, also of Cherry Burton and that John married Margaret Wade daughter of John and Margaret Wade there. Researchers believe this marriage took place between 1508 and 1511 and they had five children. Other researchers believe he married first Alice Lilley in about 1508 and they had three unnamed children together. Unfortunately there’s no documentation for either marriage or the name of John’s father. There was a John Lothrop born about 1509 in Dickering, but there’s no proof of his parentage. It should be noted that Cherry Burton is in the Dickering wapentake - a civil division of the country, established in medieval times, but are no longer used.What we know about John’s married life comes from his son, ancestor Robert’s will where he mentions that he had three sisters, but doesn’t name them.

In Rev. Huntington’s book on the Lo-Lathrop Family he says about John: “He was, though belonging to a junior branch of the family, a gentleman of quite extensive landed estates both in Cherry Burton and in various other parts of the county, Of his parentage and of the names of his brothers and sisters, if he had any, we shall probably be unable to find the record, the early parish registers having disappeared. No record of baptisms before 1597, none of burials before 1561, and none of marriages before 1562, now remain.” Early in the sixteenth century, about 1513, John Lowthrop was living in Cherry Burton, about four miles from Lowthrope, and held extensive lands there, and in neighboring areas. According to The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, volume 84 pages 437 to 439, and information taken from the Lay Subsidies for County York, for the years 1523-1524 and 1540-1541, he appeared on a Yorkshire subsidy roll where he was assessed twice as much as any other inhabitant of the parish because he owned at least twice as much property.

In about 1534, John was a defendant in the Court of Star Chamber over a dispute of “… one acre of customary land in the manor of South Dalton, co. York, with appurtenances in Cherry Burton, co. York, called Coke Merys…” James and Agnes Carter with Thomas and Isabell Layton charged that John along with others attacked them: “of their malicious and riotous minds, with clubs, staves, swords, daggers, pikes, etc. by force of arms, about Monday sennight next after the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin [15 August] 25 Henry VIII [1533-1534], entered the land, took away the wheat which had been reaped, and reaped and carried off the rest, making assault upon James Carter, beating and wounding him, and putting him in jeopardy of his life.” In answer to the charge, John “denies that he is guilty of any riot or any other misdemeanor. Further, if he had committeed any such riot or misdemeanor, the King, by authority of Parliament, has pardoned to all his subjects all riots and misdemeanors committed before 3 November last, before which time the riot is said to have taken place.” John asked that “the petition be dismissed with costs.”

John Lowthroppe is said to have died in or a few years before 1545 in Cherry Burton Parish, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, leaving his grand estate to his son Robert. He most likely was buried in the Cherry Burton churchyard. Unfortunately, no documents can be found for his death or burial.

Ancestor Towns of East Riding of Yorkshire

Lowthorpe is where it is believed the Lothropp family originated. It's about 20 miles from Cherry Burton. Etton and Cherry Burton are only one mile apart, so travel between the three locations was not a major concern.

Photo right is a tower windmill near Cherry Burton and Etton in Yorkshire, known as Etton or Cherry Burton Mill, showing a view from the front with no cap or sails, taken on June 27, 1935 by Mr.Donald William Muggeridge.

Cherry Burton:  The wonderfully named village of Cherry Burton enters history through the descriptive talents of the Venerable Bede, who relates that St. John of Beverley performed a miracle at a place most historians associate with this location. Around 686 AD a nobleman by the name of Earl Addi calledon John to consecrate his new church at North Burton (though there are numerous 'Burtons' in the area, North Burton is thought by many to be the current Cherry Burton). John agreed, and when he had finished, the nobleman asked him to lay his hands on a sick servant, who was near death.

The servant miraculously recovered from his illness, and Addi was so grateful that he granted the manor and advowson to the monastery founded by John at Beverley. This is one of the first examples of the parochial system in England, where the church was built and endowed by the local lord of the manor.

By the time of the Domesday Book the manor was held by the Archbishop of York for the Minster of St John. The Saxon church was probably made of wood, and was eventually replaced by a more durable Norman building of stone. By the mid 19^th century the church was falling apart, so it was pulled down and an entirely new church was built. It is this Victorian building we see today.

Cherry Burton today is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) north west of the market town of Beverley and lies to the west of the B1248 road. The civil parish is formed by the village of Cherry Burton and the hamlets of Gardham and High Gardham. According to the 2001 UK census, Cherry Burton parish had a population of 1,473. The village has a Costcutter shop which also acts as a post office and there is a village hall which holds live musical events and hosts an annual local pantomime. It also houses a traditional village public house known as the Bay Horse which has a popular events every week. On July 22, 2003, the village gained a Fairtrade Village status for promoting fairtrade and local produce. It is one of the few villages in the UK awarded with this status.

Lowthorpe: The small Village of Lowthorpe is located in the Wolds of East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately three miles north east of the centre of Driffield and seven miles south west of the center of Bridlington. Lowthorpe is scattered across quiet an area due to its remoteness, elegant houses and farm buildings appear along the quiet country road. During the 1900’s there was a railway station there which was a hive of activity. Post would be dropped off by the mail train every morning and then taken by horse and cart to the post office in the village. From there it would be taken by post men on bicycles to the outlying villages. They would return with outgoing mail which was put on the train bound for Hull.

The railway station closed many years ago and trains no longer stop at Lowthorpe, buildings once used for storage have now been renovated and are private residences, the old post office is now also a private house. Automatic barriers nowadays police the crossing.

St. Martin’s Church stands behind high conifers, which have grown tall over the years giving it a dark and gloomy appearance as you walk up the path towards it. It is believed to have been built in 1333, when the church was made collegiate by Sir John de Heslerton and housed six chaplains and three clerks. The college survived until its dissolution in 1579, when it declined in status to a Parish Church. The chancel now is open to the skies but the church remains supported and used today. There is a strange family tomb on the left as you enter the church, which depicts a man and a woman in flowing robes.

East Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Wolds: Magnificent scenery in a countryside of unrivalled beauty and varied heritage. The Wolds are an outstanding and unspoiled range of hills along the banks of the Humber river; a destination to which visitors return year after year. The Yorkshire Wolds are a series of gently undulating hills and valleys, south of the North York Moors and stretching in an arc from the city of Hull and the market town of Beverley to the coastal resorts of Filey and Bridlington on the Yorkshire coast.

From the Yorkshire Wolds to the flat Holderness Plain, the countryside is spectacular. Open roads lead to the charming and ancient market towns of Howden, Hedon, Pocklington, Driffield, Lowthorpe and the historic town of Beverley, appealing not only for its glorious Gothic Minster but also for its lovingly preserved old streets and buildings.The Wolds have countless villages, with characterful inns, ponds and fine churches. For a glimpse of the grand lifestyle of landowners in times past, a visit to Burton Agnes and Burton Constable, are both outstanding Elizabethan country houses, and the Georgian Sledmere House and Sewerby Hall.

Etton: In its own shallow dale, Etton is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately four miles north-west of the center of the town of Beverley and two miles west of the village of Leconfield. One mile to the south-east is Cherry Burton. Three miles to the west lies the hamlet of Kiplingcotes; one and a half miles to the south-west is Gardham; and one and a half miles to the north-west lies South Dalton. The village's buildings are almost entirely situated on either side of Main Street. Along this street, lie both the village pub and the parish church of St. Mary (entrance pictured right), which is a Grade II listed building-meaning it has been placed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Etton has been known to suffer quite badly during floods, due to its position in a small valley.

Notes of interest:

• Thomas Carling, who emigrated from Etton to Canada in 1818, used "a recipe from his native Yorkshire" to found the Carling Brewery in 1840.
• According to the 2001 UK census, Etton parish had a population of 285.