The Sussex Colepepers
Part II: The Culpepers of Wakehurst

By Colonel F. W. T. Attree, R.E., F.S.A,
and Rev. J. H. L. Booker, M.A.

As has been related above, the two brothers, Richard and Nicholas Colepeper ran away with and married Margaret and Elizabeth, daughters and co-heiresses of Richard Wakehurst of Wakehurst in Ardingly, Esq.  Richard Culpeper died without issue, his wife, Margaret, having predeceased him; as also his brother Nicholas, who, by Elizabeth, his wife, left a very large family. The following is an abstract (partly translated from Latin) of the

Will of Richard Culpeper, Esq.¹

22 Sep 1516, 8 Henry VIII. I Richard Culpeper of the parish of Ardingly, co. Sussex, Esq. and son of Walter Culpeper late of Goudhurst co. Kent Esq. and brother of Sir John Culpeper late of Goudhurst aforesaid make my testament. To be buried in the chancel of the church of Ardingly next the sepulture of Margaret Culpeper late my wife. Bequests to the brothers of the house of Moatenden in Kent, Lewes in Sussex, Newgate in London and Lossenham in Kent. To Anne Pympe my cousin 10 marks at marriage or at 26. To the mending of the roads within the manor of Wakehurst and Seldwyke Cross 13s 4d. To Richard Culpeper son and heir of Nicholas Culpeper a bond or obligation of the said Nicholas for £5 6s 8d. To Master Edward Culpeper brother of the aforesaid Richard 40s. Residuary legatee Elizabeth Culpeper widow of my late brother Nicholas, and I appoint her together with Thomas Culpeper, George Culpeper and Richard Culpeper, younger sons of the aforesaid Nicholas Culpeper executrix and executors. And I make Richard Culpeper, Esq. and Master Edward Culpeper brother of the aforesaid Richard my overseers. Witnesses John Yonge, Vicar of West Hoathly, Henry Wellys, Thomas Doggett, Christopher Payne, and William Hordys with others.

Will as to lands of Richard Culpeper, Esq. "one of the sons of Walter Culpeper of Goudhurst, Esquire, and brother to Sir John Culpeper, sometime of Goudhurst, Knight" 22 Sep 1516. To Elizabeth Culpeper my sister a croft (a small piece of land, usually attached to a house, used for farming or pasture) in Horsemonden in Kent, with remainder to Alexander Culpeper, and no more for "thanks be to God he has no need." The male heirs of Walter Culpeper my nephew to have the manor of Heronden, and the tenement of the Bavre. Loggelond in Ardingly to the churchwardens to keep an obit, with beer bread and cheese, by 10 priests at 8d each to pray for self, Margaret my wife, Walter Culpeper and Agnes his wife my father and mother, Richard Wakehurst the elder and Richard Wakehurst the younger and Agnes his wife, my wife’s father and mother. Parishes of Ardingly, Balcombe, West Hoathly, Lindfield and Withyham. Elizabeth Culpeper, late the wife of Nicholas Culpeper my brother to take up the rents and issues of all other lands in Horsemonden or Goudhurst in Kent, and in Maresfield, Salehurst, Ifeld, Crawley, Slaugham, Worth and West Hoathly in Sussex and in Leigh in Surrey or elsewhere in England for life, and after her death the lands in Leigh, which I bought, to Richard Culpeper son and heir of Nicholas and Elizabeth. To Thomas Culpeper one of the sons of the said Nicholas and Anne wife of the said Thomas, lands in Ifeld, Crawley, Slaugham and Worth which I bought of John Wodye &c. To George Culpeper (after Elizabeth's decease) the messuage and lands of Strudgate for life, with remainder to Richard Culpeper son and heir of the aforesaid Nicholas. Also to the said George Busses in West Hoathly and a mill called Hope Mill in Goudhurst and the halfendele of a fulling mill in Horsemonden to him and his heirs. And as for Pilstye I cannot put it from George for it is copyhold. To Richard Culpeper, youngest son of the foresaid Nicholas and Elizabeth, a messuage or tenement called the Feryn in Ninfield and Salehurst co Sussex, and land and messuages at Turners Hill also two tenements in Goudhurst sometime John Bechefeld, Richard Mylis, Thomas Burges. Remainder after death of Elizabeth to foresaid Richard his heirs and assigns. If Thomas Culpeper, George Culpeper, or Richard Culpeper the youngest son die during the lifetime of the said Elizabeth, without wife or children, his part to remain to the other living of the aforesaid three.

Proved at Lambeth 8 Nov 1516 by Richard Culpeper, George Culpeper, and Thomas Culpeper in person and by Elizabeth Culpeper in the person of William Crowland.

The sons of Nicholas Culpeper and Elizabeth Wakehurst were as follows:

1. Richard, who inherited Wakehurst and of whom hereafter.
2. Thomas Culpeper of Crawley, Esq., who from the Inq. P.M.² of John Fenner and from the will of his uncle, Richard Culpeper, appears to have been married shortly before 1513 (when her younger son was aged four year) to Anne, the widow of Thomas Fenner, his son, who died shortly before his father. The will of John Fenner, the father, and Thomas Fenner, the son, were both proved in P.C.C. in 1513.³ John Fenner gives his messuage in Crawley with certain lands to Anne Fenner, late the wife of Thomas Fenner, his son, and nor;• the wife of Thomas Culpeper, for her life. She is also to have his lands in Ifeld called Bonswick and Westland until her younger son, John Fenner, aged four years, shall attain the age of 21. "Anne" describes herself in her will⁴ as "Joane," widow of Thomas Culpeper of Crawley, Esq., and as she mentions no Culpepers in it we may assume that she left no issue by her second husband. Her will is not dated, but was proved between 1541-1549. Her husband, Thomas Culpeper, is probably the defendant in an action, William Williams, clerk, versus Thomas Culpeper.⁵

Interrogatories

Whether the said plaintiff made a lease of years of the parsonage of Burstow unto the said Thomas Culpeper or not and what rent the said Thomas should pay yearly and what chambers or any other things were reserved to the said person… and many other interrogatories.

Among the evidence given is that of Thomas Busse of Burstow, carpenter. He says that he does not know whether the said William Williams, clerk, leased the said parsonage to Thomas Culpeper or not, but at the end of his evidence he says he knows and did see the said Thomas Culpeper come to the said Williams clerk for to have a mattock from him which he claimed to be his mattock and thereupon the said Thomas Culpeper and William clerk fell out and made a fray together, but who was in the fault, this deponent knows not.

Thomas Bray, yeoman of Burstow deposed that he knows not whether the parsonage was leased to Thomas Culpeper or not "And he says that the said William clerk in the house of this deponent required the said Thomas Culpeper that he might have his rent of the said parsonage to him due, and thereupon they multiplied words together, and then the said Thomas Culpeper broke the brow of the said William, clerk, with the shaft of a knife so that the blade ran down his face in the presence of this deponent. And he says by the report of one William Playce and Robert Fulcher late of Burstow that the said Thomas Culpeper did assent the said William, clerk, to have a mattock from him which was the proper good of the said clerk, and then the said Culpeper gave the said William, clerk a blow or two with a staff for he was not able to sing mass for a fortnight after, and thereupon the said clerk plucked the said Culpeper down by the beard in the sight of the wife of the said Culpeper who with one or two of her servants came running to help to beat the said William clerk, so that he was forced to cry to the said William Playce and Robert Fulcher for aid. How be it the said Culpeper took away the said mattock by force, and by report the said Culpeper drew his dagger at another time to strike the said William, clerk, and more he cannot depose.

3. Edward Culpeper, B.C.L., D.C.L. (7 Mar 1505/6 ; B. Can L. and (? D. Can L.), 26 Jan 1506/7; D.C.L., 1 Jul 1510 of All Souls College; third son of Nicholas Colepeper, who died 1510 (2 Henry VIII).⁶ He was instituted Rector of Ockley, co. Surrey, 3 Aug 1514, Master or Provost of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Lingfield, 20 Jul 1524, and was alive 16 Apr 1544 (36 Henry VIII), when he acknowledged the receipt of £6. 13s. 4d. annuity out of the lands of the College of Lingfield, and during the four subsequent years, when he gave similar receipts.⁷
    
4. George Culpeper. In 1542, Naylands in Balcombe was his occupation (residence), and in June of that year it was conveyed by John Michelbourne to George Culpeper to hold to him and Alice, his wife, and the heirs of George. George Culpeper of Balcombe, gentleman, made his will 30 Jan 1542/3, and desires to be buried in the church of Balcombe "before the alter or memorial of our lady," and that all his land which he purchased in Balcombe, called Naylands, should go to William, his son, and gives his goods to his wife Alice and his son William equally. He makes Mr. Thomas Michell and Richard. Gaston overseers. Edmund Michell and John Michell, Junior are witnesses with others.⁸

His widow, Alice Culpeper, survived him many years, and from her will⁹ dated 12 Jan 1571/2, and proved 9 Dec 1574, which was written by her cousin Culpeper, parson of Ardingly, we find that besides her eldest son, William Culpeper of Worth, then deceased, she had a daughter Alice, then wife of George Nin, and mother of Alice and Anne Nin, and two other sons, Thomas Culpeper and Richard Culpeper, her youngest son, who was residuary legatee and executor. She leaves to her grandsons, Charles and Edward Culpeper, sons of William Culpeper of Worth, deceased, 20s each. and mentions her granddaughter Jane, their sister. The witnesses were Richard Culpeper of Onstye, and her grandsons, Charles and Edward Culpeper.

1. William, the eldest son of George and Alice Culpeper of Balcombe, was buried at Worth, 12 Jul 1568. He made his will¹⁰ 10 Jul 1568, as "William Culpeper of the parish of Worth, in the County of Sussex, gent.", and proved 10 Dec 1568. To be buried in the parish church of Worth. To my son Charles £5 at 21. To my son Edward £10 at 21. To my daughter, Jane Culpeper, £10 at 21. To my servant, John Symons, 20s. To my servant, Mary Merdyne, two lambs. Residuary legatees and executors, wife Elizabeth and George, my eldest son. My brother-in-law, Mr. James Yngler and my brother, Thomas Culpeper, gent., overseers. Witnesses, Thomas Culpeper, gent., Thomas Gaston and George Hodshon. Proved by Elizabeth, the relict, with power reserved for George Culpeper, the son, the other executor. His widow afterwards married Mathew Poyntz, Esq.,¹¹ of Alderly Manor, co. Gloucester, and died 1 Nov 1612 (10 Jas. I).
    

1. George Culpeper, the eldest son, inherited Naylands, in Balcombe, which, soon after the death of his grandmother, Alice, by deed dated 18 Jun 1574, he conveyed to his second cousin, Thomas Culpeper of Claverham, in Arlington. He was buried at Ardingly, 29 May 1623.
    
2. Charles Culpeper was of Slaugham, and died before 17 Sep 1614, when administration of his estate was granted¹² to his brother, George Culpeper of Ardingly. His inventory amounted to £4, 1s, 8d, and Nicholas Culpeper of Alciston (co. Sussex), clerk, was one of the sureties in £10.
    
3. Edward Culpeper. In 1612, on the death of his mother, Elizabeth Poyntz he succeeded to five acres called Halecroft, in Balcombe and Worth, as youngest son and next heir of William Culpeper, deceased. Two years later he surrendered it to John Lymecricke of Stratton, co. Gloucester, and Giles Reeve, yeoman of Cirencester, co. Gloucester; and in 1616 (14 James I), John Lymecricke. gent., surrenders Halecroft to Sir Edward Culpeper, Knight. In the Chancery Proceedings above quoted Edward Culpeper, gent., complained on 3 May 1621, that Mathew Poyntz, deceased, being a widower and seized of the Manor of Alderly, co. Gloucester, did marry Elizabeth, my mother then being a widow. In 1600 (42 Elizabeth), the said Matthew settled the manor on himself for life, with remainder to the said Elizabeth, his wife, for jointure for life, with remainder to his right heirs. The said Mathew also granted me, the said Edward Culpeper, an annuity of £10 out of the manor for life. Mathew died 1605 (3 James I), and Elizabeth, his widow, entered and leased the premises to Robert Branston, gent., 1606 (4 James I), who held the manor till Sir Nicholas Poyntz entered and expelled him. The said Elizabeth died 1 Nov 1612 (10 James I). Edward Culpeper now wants to recover his annuity which is denied him.
    

2. Thomas, the second son of George and Alice Culpeper, was alive in 1568, as appears from his brother William's will, but, beyond this, we leave been able to discover nothing further about him.
    
3. Richard, the youngest son of George and Alice Culpeper , married at Balcombe 30 May 1575, Barbara Milles, by whom he had four children, baptized at East Grinstead:
    

1. Thomas, 25 Feb 1575/6
    
2. John, 23 Feb 1577
    
3. Nicholas, 22 Apr 1580. He was M.A. and Vicar of Alciston, 1612. Instituted Rector of Ockley, co. Surrey, 14 Sep 1615; buried there 5 Oct 1616. He appears to have married at Isfield, 25 Oct 1615, Mary Atersole, and by her to have been the father of:
    

1. Nicholas, Culpeper, the herbalist, son of a Surrey clergyman, born 18 Oct 1616, died 1654
    

4. Richard, 14 Apr 1583
    

Richard Culpeper (C), the father, made his will on 2 Sep 1600, as of Moulsecoomb in Patcham (co. Sussex), gent. In it he desires to be buried in the church. Leaves to his wife Barbara £30 and £3 per annum out of lands in Worth; to his son John £160, and to his sons Nicholas and Richard £160 each at 21. He appoints as overseers his friends Edward Culpeper of Wakehurst, Esq., Thomas Culpeper of Naylands, gent., and John Mascall, Junior of Plumpton (co. Sussex), and makes Thomas Culpeper, his eldest son, his residuary legatee and executor, by whom his will was proved at Lewes, 20 Jun 1603, with an inventory amounting to £775, 2s, 6d.

In 1573 (16 Elizabeth), or a year before his marriage, he appears to have bought half the manor of Clayton, with lands in (the Sussex parishes of) Clayton, Patcham, Keymer, Hurst, Balcombe, Ditchling, Cuckfield, Wivelsfield, Lindfield, Westmeston and Street, from the Earl of Derby.¹³ In 1577 (20 Elizabeth), he sold part of what he had bought. In 1592 (35 Elizabeth), he purchased Great Pilstye and Robins, in Ardingly, from Sir Francis Carewe, which premises he, with Barbara his wife, sold a year later to Sir Edward Culpeper.¹⁴ In 1576 (19 Elizabeth), he bought more property in Clayton manor from Henry Broadbridge¹⁵ and in 1587 (30 Elizabeth), he sold a small portion more.¹⁶

He was buried at Patcham in 1603.

5. Richard Culpeper, the youngest son of Nicholas Culpeper and Elizabeth Wakehurst, his wife, and brother of Richard Culpeper of Wakehurst, Esq., was of Lewes, and soon after the death of his uncle Richard sold all the property he received under his will as appears from (a) Harl., Ch. 76, H. 9, which is a bond, dated 10 Jun 1517 (9 Henry VIII) from Richard Culpeper of Lewes, gent., younger son of Nicholas Culpeper, brother of Richard Culpeper, late of Wakehurst, deceased, to Alexander Culpeper, Esq., in 40 marks, to grant to the said Alexander Culpeper and to Thomas Darell, gent., and others, to the use of the said Alexander, a sufficient estate in fee simple in all the lands in the parish of Goudhurst, bequeathed to the above Richard Culpeper and Elizabeth, his mother, by the late Richard Culpeper, Esq., and (b) Harl., Ch. 76, H. 10, which is a charter by which Richard Culpeper, junior, one of the sons of Nicholas Culpeper, late of Wakehurst, Esq., deceased, granted to Alexander Culpeper of Goudhurst, Esq., Thos. Darrell, gent., Thos. Hart, clerk, and Wm. Lodynden, certain lands and tenements in Goudhurst which Richard Culpeper, Esq., late of Wakehurst, uncle of the said Richard Culpeper, junior, by his last will, wished to remain to Richard Culpeper, junior, after the death of Elizabeth, his mother. Dated 1 Sep 1517 (9 Henry VIII). Harl., Ch. 76, H. 3, 6 Sep 1517 (9 Henry VIII) is the quitclaim of Elizabeth Culpeper of Wakehurst, widow, late the wife of Nicholas Culpeper of Wakehurst, and of Edward Culpeper, clerk, Richard Culpeper, senior, Thomas Culpeper and George Culpeper, to Alexander Culpeper of Goudhurst, Esq., Thomas Darell, gent., Thomas Hart, clerk, and William Lodynden, granted concerning lands and messuages (houses) in Goudhurst, which the said Alexander Culpeper had of the enfeoffement of (had been granted by) Richard Culpeper, junior, brother of the said Edward, Richard, Thomas and George Culpeper.

He was dead in 1549, as appears from Close Roll, 3 Edward VI, pt. 1, which gives an Indenture between Richard Culpeper, one of the sons of Richard Culpeper of Lewes, deceased of the one part, and John Culpeper of Warnham, co. Sussex, son and heir of the said Richard Culpeper, the father of the other part, and witnessed that for £30 paid by the said John Culpeper the said Richard sold him the third part of the manor of Badsell, alias Fobyllys, in co. Kent, now in the occupation of John Culpeper, the elder of Wakehurst.

One of these two, preferably John, from his buying the property, was probably the father of two sons:

1. Richard Culpeper of Lewes, aged 10 in 1541, when he was admitted as a scholar at Winchester, and
    
2. John Culpeper, Rector of Ardingly from 1564 to 1589, who married Margaret… and by her had two sons.
    

1. Richard, son of John Culpeper, parson of Ardingly, baptized there 13 Jan 1568/9 who by his will¹⁷ dated 6 Apr 1594, and proved 2 Jul 1595, by Stephen Staple, proctor of Margaret Culpeper, the mother and executrix named in the will, desires to he buried in the church of All Saints, leaves to little Alice, my mistress kitchen maid 5s, and unto Alice, Mary and Besse 10s each, and to every one of my father's godchildren 2s. Unto Agnes Dawes £5. To every poor man in Ardingly aforesaid 12d. Makes his mother residuary legatee and executrix, and appoints Thomas Bourd of Lindfield, and my cousin Thomas Culpeper of Balcombe, overseers, to whom 20s each.
    
2. John, son of Parson Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly 25 Aug 1573, and buried there 30 August, 1573.

The Rector himself was buried at Ardingly 13 Mar 1589/90, and his will is dated 8 Sep 1589, and proved 21 Aug 1590.¹⁸ In it he bequeathed "20s to six of the poorest and most needy of Ardingly" To each of his godchildren 12d. To every one of his servants 5s. "To my brother Richard Culpeper, if he be living and does come himself and demand the same, 40s. Item, I will that a sermon be made at my burial by Mr. Kellinbacke, or some other learned and discrete minister, and that the said preacher have for his pains, 6s, 8d." He appoints his wife Margaret and his son Richard executors, and his cousin Thomas Culpeper of Naylands in Balcombe, and Mr. Thomas Board of Lindfield, overseers of his will.¹⁹ His will was proved by Richard Culpeper, his son.

His widow Margaret, after her son Richard's death, appears from a marriage license at Lewes, dated 20 Nov 1597, to have married, as "of Lewes, widow," Nicholas Dyce. They were married at All Saints, Lewes.

To Next Chapter

1 P.C.C., 24 Holder
² Inq. P.M. 8 Henry VIII, No. 143
³ P.C.C., 19 Fetiplace
⁴ Lewes, A. 1, 16; S.A.C., Vol. X., p. 155
⁵ Chancery Town Depositions, Henry VIII, Bundle 9, No. 7
⁶ Foster's Alumni Oxonienses
⁷ Roy. Com. on Hist. MSS., 7th Report, fol. 603a
⁸ Lewes, A. 1, 157
⁹ Lewes, A. 6, 366; B. 1, 11
¹⁰ P.C.C., 26 Babington.
¹¹ Chanc. Pro., James l, Bundle C. 14, No. 82
¹² Lewes, B. 4, 57
¹³ Pat. Roll, 16 Eliz., pt. 13
¹⁴ Pat. Roll, 35 Eliz., pt. 2 ; 36 Eliz., pt. 7
¹⁵ Pat. Roll, 19 Eliz., pt. 11
¹⁶ Pat. Roll, 30 Eliz., pt. 13
¹⁷ P.C.C., 48 Scott
¹⁸ Lewes, A. 8, 370; B. 2, 102
¹⁹ S.A.C., Vol. X., p. 155, note 3