The Sussex Colepepers
Part II: The Culpepers of Wakehurst
Chapter C: Edward & Phillipa Culpeper and their
descendants
We will now revert to Edward Culpeper (A), only son of 'I'homas
Culpeper. of Wakehurst, by Philippa Thatcher, his wife. He was born in
or about 1561, married at Steyning. 21 Jun 1584, Elizabeth, daughter of
William Farnfold of Nash in Steyning, was knighted at the accession of
James I, 23 Jul 1603, and was a Sergeant at Law; he was buried at
Ardingly, 9 Apr 1630, as "Sir Edward Culpeper, an ancient
knight," and on 15 May 1630, administration45
of his estate was granted (Lady Elizabeth Culpeper having renounced) to
William Culpeper, Baronet, the natural, lawful and eldest soil, who is
bound together with Henrv Faulconcr of West Hoathly, in £2000. The
Inventory amounted to £410/2s/0d. Sir Edward Culpeper was the builder
of Wakehurst Place in 1590, and greatly enlarged his property there, and
in 1613 bought of Edward Neville, Lord Bergavenny, for £1,700, all that
park or enclosed ground called Strudgate Park, alias Strudgate Walk,
alias Reder's Walk, now part of Worth Forest.46
See also Pat. Roll 12 James I, pt. 33, No. 65, where leave is granted to
Sir Edward Culpeper to purchase from Edward Neville, Lord Bergavenny and
others six messuages , six cottages, two water mills, 12 gardens, 400
acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, 300 acres of pasture, 300 acres of
wood, 40 acres of marsh and 500 acres of furze and heath in Worth, West
Hoadley, Ardingly and Balcombe.
In the same Rolls47, leave was
granted to Johanna Culpeper, widow, to convey two houses, 100 acres of
land, 20 of meadow, 60 of pasture, 60 of wood and 100 of furze and heath
in Balcombe to Sir John Morgan and James Thatcher, to he held by them to
the use of Johanna Culpeper for her life, with remainder to the use of
Sir Edward Culpeper and his heirs for ever. This looks as if Sir Edward
Culpeper lost his case for .immediate possession of Naylands, but only
came into it after his aunt's death. In 1621, he sold it to Robert
Spence, of Lincoln's Inn, gent., for £1,225.48
At the Inq. P.M., taken at East Grinstead, 6 Oct 1630, Sir Edward
Culpeper was found to be seized of the following property:
Sir Edward Culpeper of Wakehurst, Inq. P.M. of 1630.49
The Manor of Wakehurst, and the advowson of the Parish Church of
Ardingly. A messuage and tenement called Tittinghurst occupied by Henry
West. Another occupied by Edmund Moorer. Another called Lodgeland
occupied by Ninyan Jenkin. A barn called Hilland occupied by George
Cheesman. A parcel of land called Langridgeland occupied by the same.
Two tenements occupied by Thomas Jerrard and Owen Botting respectively.
A water mill called Wakehurst mill occupied by George Gatland. A parcel
of land occupied by Andrew Jordan. A house in Ardingly occupied by
William Brooker. A parcel of land called Faulkeners in Ardingly occupied
by Edward Culpeper. Strudgate Park lately disparked in Ardingly, West
Hoathly, Worth and Balcombe. Wakehurst Park.
In addition to the above property in Ardingly he was also seized of
the manor of Wickham in Steyning. A farm at Bevenden and of a farm and
tenement called Moulsecoomb in Clayton, Keymer, Pycombe. Falmer,
Brightelmstone, Patcham, Preston. Hurst, Stanmer and Rottingdean.
An Indenture tripartite 10 Apr 1626 (2 Charles I). Between Sir Edward
Culpeper of the 1st part, William Culpeper Bart son and heir apparent
and John Theobald of the 2nd part, and Sir Benjamin Pellatt
and John Whitfield of the third part. Witnesseth: That in consideration
of a marriage between William Culpeper and Jane daughter of Sir Benjamin
Pellat and for the better maintenance of the aforesaid Sir Edward
Culpeper and for competent jointure to be had and made for Dame
Elizabeth wife of the said Sir Edward and for competent jointure to be
had and made for the foresaid Jane -- and for the advancement of the
heirs male of the aforesaid William and Jane, and those of Edward second
son of Sir Edward. He the said Sir Edward Culpeper hath covenanted and
agreed with Sir Benjamin Pellatt and William Culpeper Bart that he shall
stand seized to the following uses. Concerning the Manor of Wakehurst
and the advowson of Ardingly and all those tenements occupied by the
various persons above mentioned--all of these are to be for the use of
the said Sir Edward during his life. At his death one .half of the
capital messuage called the manor house of Wakehurst and all the
buildings to the same pertaining, and half the orchard and garden, also
one barn and one stable is to be to the use of Dame Elizabeth for the
term of her widowhood. She is also to have those various tenements in
Ardingly mentioned above for her life as a part of her jointure. At her
death or remarriage the half of Wakehurst with these premises are to
come to William Culpeper Bart and his heirs male begotten on the body of
Jane Pellatt. In default of such issue to the heirs of the said William
Culpeper legitimately born. In default to Edward Culpeper the second son
and his heirs. The other half of the manor house of Wakehurst and the
lands in the occupation of Sir Edward are to go at his death to his son
William and his heirs. In default to Edward the second son and his
heirs. Wakehurst Park is to go at Sir Edwards death to his son William
and his heirs. In default to Edward the second son and his heirs.
Wickham Manor, the farm of Bevenden and Moulsecoomb is to be to the use
of his son William for life, remainder to Jane Pellatt for her life for
jointure, at her death to the heirs male of the said William and Jane,
and in default of such issue to Edward Culpeper second son and his
heirs. Sir Edward Culpeper was also seized of the manors of Burstow,
alias Burstow Court Lodge, Ockley, and Rowley. all of them in Surrey.
William is his son and heir, aged 27 at his father's death.
His widow, Lady Elizabeth Culpeper, survived him three years, and was
buried at Ardingly 11 Jun 1633, as Lady Elizabeth Culpeper, an ancient
woman. Her will was proved at Lewes, and the following is an abstract:
Abstract of Elizabeth
Farnfold Culpeper Will.50
The last will of the old Lady Elizabeth Culpeper widow of Bolney, her
son Edward being sole executor, written 7 Jan 1632. To son Edward my
diamond border and pearl chain to be sold to pay debts and legacies. The
best deaths head ring to my son William, the other deaths head ring to
my sister Pellatt. To my daughter Turner my sergeants ring. To my
daughter Theobalds my wedding ring. To my son Edward’s wife my turkey
ring. To my nephew William Farnfold the great gold ring with a seal. To
my cousin Katherine Farnfold the knobbed gold ring. All my best wearing
apparel to my daughter Theobalds and also my cloak and safeguard and
furniture for a horse. To my sister Farnfold my best black stuffe gown
and chamlett petticoat, my bible, and some of my worse sort of linen. To
my cousin Culpeper the widow one cloth coat, one quilted taffeta
waistcoat and some of my worse sort of linen. To my cousin Michell my
old black gown. To goodwife West my night gown. To Mary Dumbrell one of
my best under petticoats. To my grandchildren that are my godchildren a
piece of gold. To my son Edward the little bedstead with the bed and
furniture in the chamber at Wakehurst where I used to lie, and curtains
and counterpoint about my own bed and the bed bolster and pillows I
bought of my cousin Michell "unless he bring the money I paid him
for it," and also the great joined chest in the chamber next my son
Williams chamber. £3 to Mary Winne. To my son Edward all the money my
son William owes me. To my son Edward the bedstead that was in my son
William's chamber before he bought one. I desire to be buried in
Ardingly. Witness the mark of Edward Pepper, Henry Warde, John
Burtenshawe. Proved 30 Aug 1633 by Edward Culpeper Esq. the son and
Executor .
Sir Edward and Lady Elizabeth, his wife, had a numerous family.
- Elizabeth, baptized at Ardingly 13 Dec 1584, married there 25 May
1611, to John Whitfield, Esq., of Mortlake, co. Surrey, son and heir
of Thomas Whitfield, of Mortlake. She died 23 May, 1624. As their
marriage settlement,51 wherein
she is described as the eldest daughter of Sir Edward Culpeper, is
of some interest to Sussex antiquarians, we give it here.
Sir Edward Culpeper covenants to pay £1200 as jointure at the
Royal Exchange London. Also he will convey to Thomas Whitfield all
those marsh lands called Hoe marsh in Sussex which he Sir Edward
bought from William Jordan of the yearly value of £50. For seven
years after the marriage Sir Edward Culpeper covenants that he will
provide and allow unto the said John and Elizabeth and unto one
manservant and one maidservant convenient and fit meat and drink and
lodging with all necessary according to their several places and
degrees, with the said Sir Edward Culpeper or his heirs.
Thomas Whitfield on his part doth covenant and grant with the said
Sir Edward that he is seized of 100 acres of marsh in Olderton Inning
in Brookland, co. Kent. Also of a messuage in All Saints Barking near
Tower Hill, London. Also of a messuage and 3 score and ten acres in
Staplehurst co. Kent. Also of the ancient manor house of Eastsheen in
Mortlake and of the manors of East Sheen and Westhall and of 190 acres
of land in Mortlake and of the capital messuage in Mortlake where the
said Thomas now dwells. Also of 100 acres in Minster in the Isle of
Sheppey.
He promises to hand over the marsh land in Brookland and the
property in Staplehurst to their use until the marriage is completed.
He further covenants that if his son John Whitfield before the feast
of St Andrew the Apostle in 1616 shall fitly and worthily for his
learning in the common Law of this Realm of England be called and
admitted in Lincoln's Inn to be an outer barrister in which house the
said John is now a student, that then the said Thomas Whitfield will
suffer to discend and come unto the said John such estate in the manor
of Whitfield in the county of Northumberland as he the said Thomas
shall think fit to the value of £800. Also at his the said Thomas
Whitfield's death John is to have furniture to the value of £200 by
the Judgment of indifferent men. Mortlake is also to go to John at
Thomas' death.
- Timothea, baptized at Ardingly 8. Apr 1538 ; married there, first.
on 25 Jun 1616, George Philips, of East. Peckham, co. Kent, and,
second, Thomas Turner of Surrey.
- Edward Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly 20 May 1580; buried there 28
Jun 1506.
- Dorothy, baptized at Ardingly, 13 Oct 1590 ; married there 22 Jun
1614, John Theobald of Seale, co. Kent.
- Margery, baptized at Ardingly, 18 Apr 1593; married there 19 Feb
1626, Anthony Bickerstaffe; and buried there 2 Aug 1628.
- John Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly, 24 Feb 1594/5; knighted at
Rycott 11 Sep 1617; buried at Ardingly 12 Feb 1620/1. Administration
of his estate was granted at Lewes52
17 Apr 1621, his father, Edward, consenting, to Henry West, of
Ardingly, gent., one of the creditors, who is bound together with
Robert Plumer, of St. John-sub-Castro, Lewes, gent., in £200.
Inventory, £89/3s/4d.
- Ann, baptized at Ardingly, 6 Mar 1595/6; married there 25 Jun
1616, Thomas Wood, of West Hoathly.
- Catherine, baptized at Ardingly 3 Jul 1597; married there 24 Feb
1619/20, Richard Infield of Gravety, West Hoathly. She died without
issue in 1623 and was buried at West Hoathly. Her husband died the
following year, when Gravety came to his brother James, who also
died without issue in 1633.
- Philippa, baptized at Ardingly 13 Aug 1598; buried there 20 Jan
1600/1.
- Eleanor, baptized at Ardingly 23 Dec 1599.
- William Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly 4 Jul 1602, afterwards Sir
William Culpeper, Bart., of whom later.
- and 13. Twins, Mary and Edward, baptized at Ardingly 24 Feb
1604/5, of whom Mary was buried there 14 Mar 1604/5 and Edward was
educated at Eton and at Gonville and at Caius College, Cambridge,
1621 ; B.A. 1624/5; admitted of Gray's Inn 11 Apr 1627; married
Mary, daughter of Sir Edward Bellingham (query widow of John Peiton
of the Savoie in the Strand, Esq., to whom she was married at
Kensington, 31 Jan 1629/30).
The eleventh child, Sir William Culpeper, Bart., baptized at Ardingly
4 Jul 1602, was educated at Eton, and afterwards in 1621 at Gonville and
Caius College, Cambridge; admitted of Lincoln's Inn, Nov 1623; B.A. from
Balliol College, Oxford, 22 Jun 1625; married at Bolney 13 Jul 1626,
Jane, daughter of Sir Benjamin Pellatt, at whose death the manor of
Bolney came to Sir William Culpeper, according to the terms of the
marriage settlement dated 10 Apr 1626 (2 Charles I).53
He was M.A. from Hart Hall, Oxford, 18 Mar 1633/4, and was buried at
Ardingly 6 Dec 1678, as an ancient Bart. It is curious that all the
Baronetages confuse him with Sir William Culpeper of Aylesford, Bart.,
who died in 1651, and to explain the difference in age between his death
and that of his grandson and successor, Sir William Culpeper, the 2nd
Baronet, they create two more Baronets in Sir Benjamin and Sir Edward,
sons of Sir William, the 1st Baronet, to fill the vacancy. Neither Sir
William Culpeper nor Lady Jane, his wife, appear to have left any will.
Their children were as follows:
- Elizabeth, baptized at Bolney 20 Nov 1627; died 6 Dec 1634, and
buried at Ardingly. M.I.
- Benjamin, of whom hereafter.
- Jane, baptized at Ardingly 1 Apr 1630, and buried there 4 Apr
1645.
- Edward Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly, 26th May 1631, and buried
there 19 Jul 1672.
- Dorothy, baptized at Ardingly, 12 Sep 1633.
- Anne, baptized at Ardingly, 16 Sep 1634; married, first, on 3
Dec 1655, Ninian Burrell, Esq., of Cuckfield, who was buried there
3 Sep 1674, and second, Mr. Allen Savage of Sidney in Cuckfield.
She was buried at Cuckfield 23 Apr 1697, as Mrs. Anne Savage, wife
of Mr. Allen Savage, a daughter of Sir William Culpeper.
- Catherine, baptized at Ardingly 24 Jul 1635 ; married, first, at
West Hoathly, 18 November, 1680, Edward Browne, and, secondly,
also at West Hoathly, on 9 Nov 1682, George Brigstocke. She was
buried at Ardingly, 28 Apr 1691, as Mrs. Catherine Brigstocke aTs Culpeper.
- Mary, baptized at Ardingly, 17 Jan 1637/8; married 4 Oct 1671,
Alexander Haddon.
- Thomas Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly 15 Feb 1637/8; buried
there 11 Apr 1638.
- Elizabeth, baptized at Ardingly, 20 Dec 1640; buried there 14
Feb 1640/1, as Elizabeth Culpeper, a child.
- John Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly, 10 May; 1642; buried at
East Grinstead, 13 Oct 1694. Administration of his effects was
granted at Lewes, 12 Dec 1694, to Jane Culpeper, his widow, who
was also buried at East Grinstead, 8 Dec 1706. He died s.p.
We will now revert to (b) Benjamin Culpeper, the only son of Sir
William Culpeper, who left issue. He was baptized at Bolney, 11 Nov
1628; married, first, at Ardingly, in 1651, Margaret, daughter of
Goldsmith Hodson, by whom he had two daughters
- Mary, who died in 1658.
- Elizabeth, baptized at Lingfield, 13 Sep 1655; married at
Wiston (Marriage Licence in Faculty Office), 21 Sep 1671, Robert
Fagg, Esq., who was afterwards Sir Robert Fagg, Bart.
Benjamin Culpeper married, secondly, Judith, daughter of Sir
William Wilson, of Eastbourne, Bart., by whom he had three children:-
- William Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly, 26 Nov 1668, who
succeeded his grandfather in the Baronetcy, and at whose death
it became extinct.
- Benjamin Culpeper, baptized at Ardingly, 6 Jul 1670, and
buried there 18 Aug 1670. Administration of his estate was
granted in P.C.C., 21 Jun 1694, to Sir William Culpeper, Bart.,
his brother.
- Mary, baptized at Ardingly, 24 Sep 1667; buried there 6 Oct
1678.
He was buried at Ardingly, 4 Aug 1670, as Benjamin Culpeper, Esq.,
of Wakehurst, and his will, dated 3 Aug 1670, is in P.C.C.
Abstract of the Will of Benjamin Culpeper of
Wakehurst, Esq., 54
I Benjamin Culpeper, of Wakehurst co. Sussex Esq. To be buried iii
the Church of Ardingly. Unto my daughter Mary Culpeper £1800 to be paid
out of my lands or tenements or those which will descend to William
Culpeper my eldest son at 21 or day of marriage. To my youngest son
Benjamin Culpeper £1600 to be raised as above and paid him at 21. I
appoint Judith my loving wife, Sir William Culpeper of Wakehurst
aforesaid Bart. and Sir William Wilson of Eastbourne Bart. Executor.
Wife to bring up children till 21. Witnesses Rebecca Farnfold, Jane
Naylor, Thomas Moore. Proved 8 Feb 1671/2 by Judith Culpeper one
executor. Power reserved for Sir William Culpeper knight and Bart. and
Sir William Wilson Bart.
His widow, Judith, remarried Captain Christopher Mason. She died 9
May 1685, and was buried in the old church of East Greennwich. From the
letter55 which Captain Mason writes to Sir William Wilson in
1684 we have some idea of the willful and perverse nature of the young
Baronet. When only 26, Sir William sold Wakehurst for £9,000 to Dennis
Lyddall, Esq., one of the Commissioners of the Navy,56 and he
appears henceforth to have lived a gay and boisterous life, being
satirized by Pope in the following lines:
Had Colepeper's whole wealth been hops and hogs
Could he himself have sent it to the dogs.
This passage occurs in Epistle III. On the Use of Riches,
dedicated to Allen Lord Bathurst, and in a note is the following:
"Sir William Culpeper Bart. a person of an ancient family and ample
fortune without one other quality of a gentleman, who, after ruining
himself at the gaming table, passed the rest of his days sitting there
to see the ruin of others, preferring to subsist on borrowing and
begging rather than to enter into any reputable method of life, and
refusing a post in the army which was offered to him."
He died 28 Mar 1740, unmarried and was buried at St. James',
Westminster. The Gentleman's Magazine Obituary records him as
uncle of the Duke of Roxburgh. And with this last unworthy descendant of
a grand old family we will conclude.
The End
Footnotes
45 Lewes, B.6,58
46 Close Roll, 11 Jas. I, pt. 39
47 Pat. Roll, 2 Jas. I, pt. 20
48 Close Roll, 18 Jas. I, pt.
49 Inq. P.M., 6 Chas. I, pt. 1, No. 80
50 Lewes, A. 23, 56
5l Close Roll, 9 Jas. 1
52 Lewes, B. 5, 83
53 Inq. P.M., 13 Chas. I, pt. 2, No. 90 (on death of Sir
Benjamin Pellatt)
54 P.C.C. 12 Fine
55 S.A.C., Vol XL, p. 38
56 Close Roll, 6 Wm. and Mary
Last
Revised: 02 Jan 2015 |
|
