Bio of Andrew Pardoe - Wolverhampton, UK
I am a Cost and Management Accountant based in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. I have always had a strong interest in history. This lead to a keen interest in genealogy and, an appreciation of the social, economic and environmental history of my local area.
The Black Country has a long and rich history of metal working and mining. Like many people from this area I share some of these roots. The need for power, fuel and raw materials has distinctly affected where and how people chose to live over several centuries. These aspects inform my approach to research.
**********************************************************************************
The old county boundaries here in the UK can be very confusing as they weren't always rational. Dudley was a prime example. The castle was in Staffordshire, the surrounding town was in Worcestershire which was self-surrounded by Staffordshire. Parts of Halesowen were detached and apart of Shropshire, surrounded by Worcestershire.
Also places aren't always where you think they are. There is a village called Northampton in Worcestershire as well as the county town of Northamptonshire. There is also a Woolaston both in Worcestershire and Northamptonshire.
PEDIGREE of THOMAS NEWBROOKE
I. THOMAS NEWBROOKE m. ELENOR MELLEY d. 1592 at Amblecote, Staffordshire, five children.
GENERATION II
CHILDREN of Thomas and Elenor:
1. JOSEPH NEWBROOKE m. Ann Jones separated 1601
2. JASPER NEWBROOKE m. Margery Smart 6 April 1608, Oldswinford, d. buried 29 May
1647, Oldswinford. Nine children.
GENERATION III
CHILDREN of Jasper and Margery all born in Oldswinford:
1. MARY NEWBOROUGH b. 6 January 1608
2. JASPER NEWBROOKE b. 13 June 1611, m. MARY MILLNER 24 Jan. 1639
CHILDREN of Jasper and Mary all born Oldswinford:
1. Jasper Newbrough b. 24 Jan. 1640
2. Mary Newbrough b. 4 Mar 1644
3. Samuel Newbrough b. dec 1649
4. Margery Newbrough b. 16 Jan. 1642
3. JOSHUA NEWBROOKE b. 24 May 1613, d. 1684 extant will
CHILDREN of Joshua and ___all born Oldswinford:
1. Elizabeth Newborough b. 9 Sept. 1648
2. Sarah Newborough
3. Hannah Newborough b. 24 Aug. 1658
4. Ann Newborough b. 10 March 1656, d. 18 July 1657
5. Mary Newborough b. 4 March 1650
4. THOMAS NEWBROOKE b. 8 Oct. 1615, Oldswinford
CHILDREN of Thomas and ___ all born Oldswinford:
1. John Newbrough b. 26 July 1656
2. Sarah Newbrough b. 17 April 1658
3. Thomas Newbrough b. 7 April 1645
4. Elizabeth Newbrough b. 30 July 1653
5. Joseph Newbrough b. 22 Sept. 1646
6. Mary Newbrough b. 23 March 1643, d. 5 May 1644
5. BRIDGET NEWBROOKE b. 20 July 1617, Oldswinford
6. BENJAMIN NEWBROOKE b. 27 July 1619 Oldswinford
m. JOYCE HICKMAN, Oldswinford 18 Dec. 1643 d. 1684,
occupation clothier, extant will.
CHILDREN Benjamin and Joyce all born Oldswinford:
1. Henry Newbrough b. 14 May 1661
2. Elizabeth Newbrough b. 6 Dec. 1645
3. Alice Newbrough m. Thomas Blick 20 May 1673
4. Joshua Newbrough b. 8 Feb. 1653
5. Sarah Newbrough b. 16 Feb. 1658
6. John Newbrough b. 3 Feb. 1652
7. Benjamin Newbrough b. 6 April 1644
7. RICHARD NEWBROOKE b. 10 Jan. 1624, Degree at Oxford, Served the King
in Civil War, Canon of Hereford Cathedral, Rector of Stoke Milborough, d. 1686 –
extant will.
CHILDREN of Richard and ___
1. Samuel Newborough 1650 to 1718
8. JOHN NEWBROUGH b. 27 May 1627, Bristol merchant, d. 1662 extant will
9. JOSEPH NEWBROOKE
GENERATION II continued
3. Alice Newbrooke daughter of Thomas and Elenor
4. Elizabeth Newbrooke daughter of Thomas and Elenor
5. Daughter name unknown, daughter of Thomas and Elenor
~end
************************************************
Known History of the Newborough Family of
North Worcestershire and South Staffordshire
1570 to 1690
NOTE: Numerical notations within the body of the manuscript (between parentheses) indicate bibliographical citations. Roman numerals (between parentheses) indicate other information or citations.
An important branch of the Newborough/ Newbrough/ Newbrooke family
came from Worcestershire and Staffordshire. This family included:-
1) Benjamin Newbrough 1619 to 1684 Clothier
2) John Newbrough 1627 to 1662 Bristol Merchant
3) Thomas Newbrough 1615 to 1663 Iron Monger at Stourbridge
4) Richard Newbrough 1624 to 1686 Clergyman of Stoke Milborough, Shropshire
5) Joshua Newbrough 1613 to 1684 Iron monger Stourbridge
Recent research has uncovered more about their background and family connections.
First let me briefly describe the area around Stourbridge where the Newbroughs/Newborough's lived. Today Stourbridge is a largely residential town on the southern edge of the West Midlands conurbation. Historically, it held important iron, clay, coal and glassworks. Its Northern and Eastern suburbs were on the edge of the industrial Black Country.
In 1600 the area’s industrial development was still in its infancy. South Staffordshire and North Worcestershire were considered to be under developed compared to more prosperous areas in the south and east of England. There were still significant areas of woodland which would later be cleared for industry and housing. (1) (2)
Small scale mining and metal working had been ongoing in the area since the Middle Ages. The 16th century saw the beginnings of early industrialization. The area had a wealth of coal, iron ore,
clay, and wood for charcoal, whilst the River Stour provided useful water power. (1) (2)
From the 1560s there were a number of technological developments that increased productivity. Blast furnaces were introduced to replace the medieval bloomery.* This increased the production of iron but also started to deplete the local woodlands which were exploited for charcoal. This led to experiments in the use of coal as a fuel, and a consequent increase in mining in the area. (3)
These factors may have lead the Newborough’s to settle in Stourbridge late in the 16th Century.
Benjamin, Thomas, John, Richard, and Joshua Newbrooke were all sons of Jasper Newbrooke and Margery Smart who married at Oldswinford 5th April 1608. We get glimpses of Jasper through a couple of legal cases. (4)
In 1620 he is described as an iron monger in a recognizance before Sir John Bucke. (5) Whilst in 1634 he was prosecuted for obstructing High Street near Stourbridge Market. (6)
An idea of Jasper's social standing in the town can be gained by a deed dated 13 November 1632. According to historian Nigel Perry, A History of Stourbridge, Jasper Newborough was one of the fifteen original trustees of the Stourbridge Almshouse Charity. Among the names listed was Richard Foley (1580 to 1657) who amassed an immense fortune from integrating the iron industry in the West Midlands and by introducing one of the first splitting mills at the Hyde in Kinver. Other Trustees include John and Gregory Baker, governors of Stourbridge Grammar School, and Nicholas Addenbrooke, a member of the influential Addenbrooke family who owned mills along the Stour. (7) See footnote (i)
I believe these social contacts proved invaluable for Jasper's children. Joshua Newbrough was later to go into partnership with Phillip Foley to make tinplate at Wolverley wire mill circa 1669. (8) Whilst Richard Newbrough obtained a degree from Oxford University and became a Canon of Hereford Cathedral. (9) I believe it was probably the education received from Stourbridge Grammar School that brought fruition of these opportunities.
Turning to Margery Smart, Jasper Newbrough's wife. Margery was the daughter of Richard Smart a Stourbridge Butcher, one of the wealthier inhabitants of the town having goods worth £3 in the 1603 Lay Subsidy. (10) (11) Members of this family were involved in developing coal mining on Pensnett Chase, and in Amblecote.
According to P.W. King in Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, Humble Ward let mines in the grounds of Richard Brettel to William Winhurst and Thomas Smart. In 1661 they agreed to supply 10,000 tons of coal to John Addenbrooke and Richard Smart, who in turn were to supply 15,000 tons to the owners of the Stourbridge Navigation.
Addenbrooke and Smart built a tramway to carry the coal from the mines to the River Stour. Andrew Yarranton was the engineer involved in building Stour Navigation and also had an interest in the Tin plate-works at Wolverley Wire Mill along with Philip Foley and Joshua Newbrough. (12) See Legal Case Smart vs Smart. (40)
Returning to the Newbrooke/ Newbrough family, Jasper Newborough was probably born in Amblecote sometime after 1571. He was the son of Thomas Newborough and Elenor Melley. Thomas left a very informative will when he died in 1591. (13) We know from this that Thomas and Elenor had an elder son Joseph probably born before 1570, and two daughters Alice and Elizabeth, both unmarried and under age in 1591. The will mentions property and workshops on the Holloway/Amblecote which in the 16th century was the main road into Stourbridge from the north just across the Stour bridge.
Thomas Newbrooke owned a blacksmith's workshop complete with bellows, tongues and tools. This was divided between his two sons. Amongst the other items mentioned in the will were over 300 scythes and 1.5 tons of steel. I believe this provides useful insight into Thomas Newbrooke’s business.
In the 1580’s steel was only made in very small quantities in the Black Country and involved a lengthy process of folding and re-forging iron by hand. The volume of steel here strongly suggests the steel was imported through Bewdley, an inland port on the Severn River. I believe it likely that Thomas was supplying steel to the local scythe-smiths and then collecting the finished scythes for sale and transport. A legal case, Attorney General vs Herwin, discussed below shows how local
scythe-smiths were involved in steel importation.(14) See footnote (ii)
The steel had been purchased from Marie Madstard the widow of Thomas Madstard a wealthy Stourbridge merchant. The Madstard family are well documented and were involved in a notorious legal case involving Stourbridge Grammar School. (35)They were known to have had connections to Bewdley. Thomas Madstard's will. It actually mentions Richard Smart and leaves a legacy to his
children. Another telling piece of testimony from Richard Madstard himself, mentioned that he had been to Bristol and on the way meet with a local nailor who also going to Bristol for the fair. It was suggested that Bristol was an important meeting point for foreign merchants who had warehouses in the city.
Thomas Newbrook's will provides an insight into the background of Elenor his wife. The will says that Thomas Newbrooke had a brother-in-law Thomas Malley who was presumably Elenor’s brother. It seems likely that Elenor and Thomas were part of the Melley family from Halesowen and Romsley about five miles from Stourbridge. The manorial records of Romsley mention the death of a Henry Melley in 1573, and the inheritance of his lands by his sons Thomas, Adam and John. John Melly's will of 1605 gives further information. It says that he was a scythe smith and that his daughter married Samuel Addenbrook. William Melly, John Melley's son is mentioned in the legal case of Attorney General vs Herwin regarding the importation of steel contrary to the patent held by William Ellyottes and Matthew Meisey. (14) See footnote (ii)
Most of the early Newbrooke/ Newborough records of Oldswinford record the offspring of Jasper Newbrooke and Margery Smart but the will of Thomas Newbrooke makes it clear that they had an elder son Joseph Newbrooke. A number of legal cases throw some light on his background. It appears that in 1603 Joseph Newbrooke was involved in a legal challenge to his father's will. (16) Joseph was the plaintiff. Nicholas Bennet, Roger Sturmy and Agnes Clempson were the defendants. Nicholas Bennet was the executive for the will.
In another legal case dated 1601, Joseph accused his wife of adultery. Her name is given as Ann Newbrough - alias Jones. The result of the case was a legal separation. The alleged infidelity was supposed to have happen at Wellington and Tipton. (17)
Another legal case of Jones vs Harrington 1648 (18) is a about a property dispute between Francis Jones of Wellington and Edward Harrington. This may be unconnected but it appears possible that Francis Jones could be related to Ann Jones, Joseph’s estranged wife. Edward Harrington had earlier prosecuted Newbrooke and Dorothy Mytton for a felony in Worcestershire, committed in 1621. (19)
There is a connection between the Bennet family and Jones family. Richard Bennet who died in 1572. He married Joane Bendy the Sister of Richard Bendy who was the husband of Elizabeth Jones. See footnote. (iii) If Ann Jones the estranged wife of Joseph Newbrooke is related to Nicolas Bennet the administrator of Thomas Newbrooke’s will, this might explain why relations became strained after the legal separation.
These legal cases suggest that Joseph may have had links to Shropshire. Wellington is on the North bank of the Severn near the new town of Telford. Historically, it would have been close to Madeley, Broseley and Ironbridge. These areas have similarities to the Black Country as they all experienced early development of the iron and coal industries. Sometime after 1600, Sir Basil Brooke developed the first successful cementation plant for steel production in England. (20) It is possible that the Newbrooke’s were customers of Sir Basil Brooke and this might explain Joseph's connection to Wellington.
The reference to Dorothy Mytton is intriguing as the Myttons were one of the leading families in Shropshire with links to the Grey family of Enville Hall, lords of the manor of Amblecote, and the Newbrookes landlord. (See Richard Mytton of Halton 1500 to 1591) (21)
Henry Grey had significant family links to some of the leading Sussex ironmasters. (Antony Browne 15-- to 1548) and (Alice Gage 15-- to 1540) (22)
There are a number of lines of enquiry which may throw further light on Thomas Newbrooke's origins and connections with the wider Newborough family.
With the connections to the Bennet, Bendy and Sturmy families there appear to be strong links to the Shutt End area of Kingswinford. A closer look at the Bendy and Corbyn families may be useful.
Thomas Newbrooke seems to have had connections with Shropshire via his son Joseph Newbrooke and his grandson Richard Newbrough. There was another Thomas Newborough of Yerdington in Shropshire who was related to the Newborough family of Berkeley. (23)This Thomas Newborough according to his will had a great nephew known as Thomas Grey. If this Thomas Gray is related to the Greys of Enville Hall this could be significant. Further investigation suggests this is a different line.
Intriguingly, Jasper Newbrooke’s nephew bore the forename Gray Smart. (24) (25) This may be coincidental but also may hint at a connection to the Gray family of Enville.
Dud Dudley the experimental iron master had intriguing links to the Horsey family of Dorset. In 1638 he was granted a patent with Sir George Horsey for making Iron with pit coal. (26) The arrangement was unsuccessful and short lived but raises the possibility of links between the Dudley and Horsey families. Analysis suggests that there were earlier links between the Dudley's and the Horsey's during the Throckmorten Plot. (27)(28)(29) Again this may be significant or an interesting historical curiosity. It may be significant that the name Jasper was used in the Horsey family.
From the above analysis it is clear that the Newbrooke family had important connections to the iron and coal industry, and were linked to many of the leading families in Stourbridge. The Foley family were particularly important because of their role in the iron industry, both locally and nationally. Richard Foley (1580 - 1657) had important links to the Dudley family of Dudley Castle via Dud Dudley the experimental iron master and his father Edward Sutton Lord Dudley. (30) In turn these were connected to the Whorwood family who also had important interests in iron works and were the landlords of Richard Foley at Hyde Kinver.(31) (32) & (33) See also footnote (iv) Further research may reveal links to the Grey family of Enville Hall.
---------
i) The trustees of the Stourbridge almshouse in 1632 were Parson Richard Hottoft, John Lyddiate, Nicholas Addenbrooke, Richard Foley, Jasper Newborough, George Winchurch,
Thomas Milward, John Baker, Gregory Baker, John Taylor, Richard Hickman, John Compton, and Richard Deavell.
The almshouses were donated by John Sparry who was a Stourbridge mercer related to Roger Sparry of Clent (1504-48) yeoman of the bedchamber to King Henry VIII. Many early trustees were related. Joyce Hickman, Richard Hickman's daughter married Benjamen Newbrough, Jasper Newbroughs son. Richard Hickman son of Richard Hickman married Dorothy Addenbrookes. Dorothy Addenbrookes mother was related to John Sparry. (An History of Stourbridge by Nigel Perry, p. 40) See also the Addenbrooke family tree. (36)
ii) This case involved the illegal importation of steel in breach of the patent of William Ellyottes and Matthew Meisey. Jocob Herwin is a foreign merchant possibly from the Netherlands. (34) Some of those mentioned are local to Stourbridge. Samuel Westwood was a scythe smith who owned a scythe mill at Cradley Halesowern (15). William Melly is probably the son of John Melley of Romsley, a scythe smith.
iii) Nicholas Bennet is mentioned in the will of Thomas Bennet of Himley, Staffordshire who died 1610. He was the executive of Thomas Newbroke's will and the defendant in the case of Newbrooke vs Bennet above. It would appear that Nicholas Benet and Thomas Benet are either father and son or brothers. Thomas Bennet appraised the will of Elizabeth Bendy of Shutt End.
“The will of Richard Bennet of Kingswinford, 1572, may explain some of the connections between the Bennet family and the Bendy family. In this will Richard Bennet talks of his wife Johan, his late mother-in-law Alice Bendy and his brother-in-law Richard Bendy. It also mentions the dispute with John Woodhouse which cross references with documents in the National Archives (C 3/198/34).” See (37) for source.
In the Early 19th century Shutt end was a major area of industrial activity with coal mines, iron works and railways. (38)
Sturmey is mentioned as a debtor of Thomas Newbrooke in his 1592 will. There was a family of Sturmeys in Trysul about 1600 who may be related. There is also a family connection between the Corbyn Family of Kingswinford and the Sturmey Family of Polesworth, Warwickshire. (39) p. 60. Agnes Clemson may possibly be related to a family of Clemson’s in Tettenhall near Wolverhampton.
iv) Richard Smart (d.1605) left land to his wife held from Thomas Whorwood.
v) I can now identify John Hodgetts who is shown as a creditor on Thomas Newbrooke’s inventor. He was most likely John Hodgetts of Shutt End see (39)
vi) I am attaching a spreadsheet of family trees for the following:-
1) The Newbrookes/Newbroughs/Newborooghs
2) The Smarts
3) The Melleys
Family Trees for the following can be found in Kingswinford Parish and Manor by Chris Baker.
1) The Sutton Dudleys p. 52
2) The Corbyns showing link to the Sturmy family of Polesworth Warwickshire. p. 60
3) The Bendy Family and their connection to the Jones family and Bennet Family. p. 66
4) The Hodgett Family also showing Addenbrookes and Foley's. p. 71
5) Dud Dudley and Abraham Derby p. 82
vii) Thomas Dudley mentioned in the case of Smart vs Smart (25) may be the brother of Dud Dudley see references (39) p. 82
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
1) King, P. W., Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, p. 1.
2) Upton, Chris, “The Origins of Pensnett in the Black Country” Birmingham Post 8 February 2013.
3) King, P. W., The Development of the Iron Industry in South Staffordshire in the 17th Century: History and Myth, p. 59.
4) PRO registers of St. Oldswinford. The marriage of Jasper Newbrooke to Margery Smart and the subsequent baptisms of their offspring.
5) Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service:-
Reference: 1/1/33/3
Recognizance before Sir John Bucke by Richard Fowler of Stourbridge and Jasper Newbrooke
both of Stourbridge Ironmongers to appear at Sessions and prosecute William Love.
William Love
Date: 14 March 1620
6) Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service:-
Reference: 1/1/34/33
Title: Indictment of Jasper Newbrooke of Sturbridge for obstructing the highway at Stourbridge
near the market place.
Date: (1634)
7) Perry, Nigel, A History of Stourbridge, p. 32, 40, 46.
8) King, P. W. "Wolverley Lower Mill and the Beginnings of the Tinplate Industry", Historical Metallurgy, 1988, 22 (2): 104–113
9) Oxford University Alumni 1500 to 1714 p.1059
10) The Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1384 to 1858 Richardi Smarta Sturbridge, Worcestershire, England 31 Oct 1605
11) Perry, Nigel, A History of Stourbridge, p. 39
12) King, P. W., Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, p. 10, 11.
13) Worcester Record Office. The will of Thomas Newbrooke Amblecoate, 1592.
14) The British National Archives Kew
Reference: STAC 8/25/17
Short title: Attorney General vs Herwyn. 1618 November
15) Bradley, Margaret , Blunt, Barry, The History of Cradley Court Rolls - Part three, p. 140
16)The British National Archives Kew
Reference: C 2/Eliz/N5/13
Short title: Newbrooke vs Bennett.
Between 1558 and 1603
17) Staffordshire Record Office B/C/5/1601/16
Matrimonial case (divorce): Newbrough against Newbrough, Wellington, Shropshire
Date 1601
18) The British National Archives Kew
C 8/87/232
Short title: Jones v Harrington.
Date: 1648
19) Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service
Reference: 1/1/83/22
Title: Recognizance before Sir John Bucke by Edward Harrington to appear at Sessions to
Prosecute . . . Newbrooke and Dorothy Mytton for felony.
Date: 13 November 1621
20) Bedford, Paul, Blood, Faith and Iron: A dynasty of Catholic industrialists in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England
21) History of Parliament
22) Pedigree of Henry Grey
23) The Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1384 to 1858, Thomas Newborough of Yardington, Shropshire 5th Dec 1654
24) Parish Registers of St Mary's Oldswinford.
25) See also :-
The National Archives, Kew
Reference: C 7/566/44
Short title: Smart v Smart.
Plaintiffs: Josias Smart.
Defendants: Thomas Dudley, John Reade the younger, John Reade the elder, Richard Brettall,
John Harrison, gent, Joseph Gill, Grey Smart and Margaret Smart his wife and others.
Date: [1620-1713]
26) Shill, Ray, The South Staffordshire Ironmasters p. 24.
27) Horsey pedigree
28) Edward Horsey
29) Dudley Conspiracy
30) King, P.W., Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, p. 6.
31) Thomas Whorwood
32) King, P. W., The Development of the Iron Industry in South Staffordshire in the 17th Century: History and Myth, p. 64.
33) The British National Archives, Kew
Reference:C 21/W53/8
John Whorwood esq v Richard Worrall concerning the Hide [Hyde] House in Kinver, a walk mill
replaced by a slitting mill, and watercourse
to mill: depositions taken in the country
Date: 1634
34) King, P.W., The Development of the Iron Industry in South Staffordshire in the 17th Century: History and Myth, p. 63.
35) Perry, Nigel, A History of Stourbridge, p. 36, 37.
36) Addenbrooke Family Tree
37) Elizabeth Bendy
38) Shutt End
39) Baker, Chris, Kingswinford Manor and Parish, p. 52, 60, 62, 71, 82.
*A bloomery is a type of metallurgical furnace once used widely for smelting iron from its oxides. The bloomery was the earliest form of smelter capable of smelting iron.
I am a Cost and Management Accountant based in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. I have always had a strong interest in history. This lead to a keen interest in genealogy and, an appreciation of the social, economic and environmental history of my local area.
The Black Country has a long and rich history of metal working and mining. Like many people from this area I share some of these roots. The need for power, fuel and raw materials has distinctly affected where and how people chose to live over several centuries. These aspects inform my approach to research.
**********************************************************************************
The old county boundaries here in the UK can be very confusing as they weren't always rational. Dudley was a prime example. The castle was in Staffordshire, the surrounding town was in Worcestershire which was self-surrounded by Staffordshire. Parts of Halesowen were detached and apart of Shropshire, surrounded by Worcestershire.
Also places aren't always where you think they are. There is a village called Northampton in Worcestershire as well as the county town of Northamptonshire. There is also a Woolaston both in Worcestershire and Northamptonshire.
PEDIGREE of THOMAS NEWBROOKE
I. THOMAS NEWBROOKE m. ELENOR MELLEY d. 1592 at Amblecote, Staffordshire, five children.
GENERATION II
CHILDREN of Thomas and Elenor:
1. JOSEPH NEWBROOKE m. Ann Jones separated 1601
2. JASPER NEWBROOKE m. Margery Smart 6 April 1608, Oldswinford, d. buried 29 May
1647, Oldswinford. Nine children.
GENERATION III
CHILDREN of Jasper and Margery all born in Oldswinford:
1. MARY NEWBOROUGH b. 6 January 1608
2. JASPER NEWBROOKE b. 13 June 1611, m. MARY MILLNER 24 Jan. 1639
CHILDREN of Jasper and Mary all born Oldswinford:
1. Jasper Newbrough b. 24 Jan. 1640
2. Mary Newbrough b. 4 Mar 1644
3. Samuel Newbrough b. dec 1649
4. Margery Newbrough b. 16 Jan. 1642
3. JOSHUA NEWBROOKE b. 24 May 1613, d. 1684 extant will
CHILDREN of Joshua and ___all born Oldswinford:
1. Elizabeth Newborough b. 9 Sept. 1648
2. Sarah Newborough
3. Hannah Newborough b. 24 Aug. 1658
4. Ann Newborough b. 10 March 1656, d. 18 July 1657
5. Mary Newborough b. 4 March 1650
4. THOMAS NEWBROOKE b. 8 Oct. 1615, Oldswinford
CHILDREN of Thomas and ___ all born Oldswinford:
1. John Newbrough b. 26 July 1656
2. Sarah Newbrough b. 17 April 1658
3. Thomas Newbrough b. 7 April 1645
4. Elizabeth Newbrough b. 30 July 1653
5. Joseph Newbrough b. 22 Sept. 1646
6. Mary Newbrough b. 23 March 1643, d. 5 May 1644
5. BRIDGET NEWBROOKE b. 20 July 1617, Oldswinford
6. BENJAMIN NEWBROOKE b. 27 July 1619 Oldswinford
m. JOYCE HICKMAN, Oldswinford 18 Dec. 1643 d. 1684,
occupation clothier, extant will.
CHILDREN Benjamin and Joyce all born Oldswinford:
1. Henry Newbrough b. 14 May 1661
2. Elizabeth Newbrough b. 6 Dec. 1645
3. Alice Newbrough m. Thomas Blick 20 May 1673
4. Joshua Newbrough b. 8 Feb. 1653
5. Sarah Newbrough b. 16 Feb. 1658
6. John Newbrough b. 3 Feb. 1652
7. Benjamin Newbrough b. 6 April 1644
7. RICHARD NEWBROOKE b. 10 Jan. 1624, Degree at Oxford, Served the King
in Civil War, Canon of Hereford Cathedral, Rector of Stoke Milborough, d. 1686 –
extant will.
CHILDREN of Richard and ___
1. Samuel Newborough 1650 to 1718
8. JOHN NEWBROUGH b. 27 May 1627, Bristol merchant, d. 1662 extant will
9. JOSEPH NEWBROOKE
GENERATION II continued
3. Alice Newbrooke daughter of Thomas and Elenor
4. Elizabeth Newbrooke daughter of Thomas and Elenor
5. Daughter name unknown, daughter of Thomas and Elenor
~end
************************************************
Known History of the Newborough Family of
North Worcestershire and South Staffordshire
1570 to 1690
NOTE: Numerical notations within the body of the manuscript (between parentheses) indicate bibliographical citations. Roman numerals (between parentheses) indicate other information or citations.
An important branch of the Newborough/ Newbrough/ Newbrooke family
came from Worcestershire and Staffordshire. This family included:-
1) Benjamin Newbrough 1619 to 1684 Clothier
2) John Newbrough 1627 to 1662 Bristol Merchant
3) Thomas Newbrough 1615 to 1663 Iron Monger at Stourbridge
4) Richard Newbrough 1624 to 1686 Clergyman of Stoke Milborough, Shropshire
5) Joshua Newbrough 1613 to 1684 Iron monger Stourbridge
Recent research has uncovered more about their background and family connections.
First let me briefly describe the area around Stourbridge where the Newbroughs/Newborough's lived. Today Stourbridge is a largely residential town on the southern edge of the West Midlands conurbation. Historically, it held important iron, clay, coal and glassworks. Its Northern and Eastern suburbs were on the edge of the industrial Black Country.
In 1600 the area’s industrial development was still in its infancy. South Staffordshire and North Worcestershire were considered to be under developed compared to more prosperous areas in the south and east of England. There were still significant areas of woodland which would later be cleared for industry and housing. (1) (2)
Small scale mining and metal working had been ongoing in the area since the Middle Ages. The 16th century saw the beginnings of early industrialization. The area had a wealth of coal, iron ore,
clay, and wood for charcoal, whilst the River Stour provided useful water power. (1) (2)
From the 1560s there were a number of technological developments that increased productivity. Blast furnaces were introduced to replace the medieval bloomery.* This increased the production of iron but also started to deplete the local woodlands which were exploited for charcoal. This led to experiments in the use of coal as a fuel, and a consequent increase in mining in the area. (3)
These factors may have lead the Newborough’s to settle in Stourbridge late in the 16th Century.
Benjamin, Thomas, John, Richard, and Joshua Newbrooke were all sons of Jasper Newbrooke and Margery Smart who married at Oldswinford 5th April 1608. We get glimpses of Jasper through a couple of legal cases. (4)
In 1620 he is described as an iron monger in a recognizance before Sir John Bucke. (5) Whilst in 1634 he was prosecuted for obstructing High Street near Stourbridge Market. (6)
An idea of Jasper's social standing in the town can be gained by a deed dated 13 November 1632. According to historian Nigel Perry, A History of Stourbridge, Jasper Newborough was one of the fifteen original trustees of the Stourbridge Almshouse Charity. Among the names listed was Richard Foley (1580 to 1657) who amassed an immense fortune from integrating the iron industry in the West Midlands and by introducing one of the first splitting mills at the Hyde in Kinver. Other Trustees include John and Gregory Baker, governors of Stourbridge Grammar School, and Nicholas Addenbrooke, a member of the influential Addenbrooke family who owned mills along the Stour. (7) See footnote (i)
I believe these social contacts proved invaluable for Jasper's children. Joshua Newbrough was later to go into partnership with Phillip Foley to make tinplate at Wolverley wire mill circa 1669. (8) Whilst Richard Newbrough obtained a degree from Oxford University and became a Canon of Hereford Cathedral. (9) I believe it was probably the education received from Stourbridge Grammar School that brought fruition of these opportunities.
Turning to Margery Smart, Jasper Newbrough's wife. Margery was the daughter of Richard Smart a Stourbridge Butcher, one of the wealthier inhabitants of the town having goods worth £3 in the 1603 Lay Subsidy. (10) (11) Members of this family were involved in developing coal mining on Pensnett Chase, and in Amblecote.
According to P.W. King in Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, Humble Ward let mines in the grounds of Richard Brettel to William Winhurst and Thomas Smart. In 1661 they agreed to supply 10,000 tons of coal to John Addenbrooke and Richard Smart, who in turn were to supply 15,000 tons to the owners of the Stourbridge Navigation.
Addenbrooke and Smart built a tramway to carry the coal from the mines to the River Stour. Andrew Yarranton was the engineer involved in building Stour Navigation and also had an interest in the Tin plate-works at Wolverley Wire Mill along with Philip Foley and Joshua Newbrough. (12) See Legal Case Smart vs Smart. (40)
Returning to the Newbrooke/ Newbrough family, Jasper Newborough was probably born in Amblecote sometime after 1571. He was the son of Thomas Newborough and Elenor Melley. Thomas left a very informative will when he died in 1591. (13) We know from this that Thomas and Elenor had an elder son Joseph probably born before 1570, and two daughters Alice and Elizabeth, both unmarried and under age in 1591. The will mentions property and workshops on the Holloway/Amblecote which in the 16th century was the main road into Stourbridge from the north just across the Stour bridge.
Thomas Newbrooke owned a blacksmith's workshop complete with bellows, tongues and tools. This was divided between his two sons. Amongst the other items mentioned in the will were over 300 scythes and 1.5 tons of steel. I believe this provides useful insight into Thomas Newbrooke’s business.
In the 1580’s steel was only made in very small quantities in the Black Country and involved a lengthy process of folding and re-forging iron by hand. The volume of steel here strongly suggests the steel was imported through Bewdley, an inland port on the Severn River. I believe it likely that Thomas was supplying steel to the local scythe-smiths and then collecting the finished scythes for sale and transport. A legal case, Attorney General vs Herwin, discussed below shows how local
scythe-smiths were involved in steel importation.(14) See footnote (ii)
The steel had been purchased from Marie Madstard the widow of Thomas Madstard a wealthy Stourbridge merchant. The Madstard family are well documented and were involved in a notorious legal case involving Stourbridge Grammar School. (35)They were known to have had connections to Bewdley. Thomas Madstard's will. It actually mentions Richard Smart and leaves a legacy to his
children. Another telling piece of testimony from Richard Madstard himself, mentioned that he had been to Bristol and on the way meet with a local nailor who also going to Bristol for the fair. It was suggested that Bristol was an important meeting point for foreign merchants who had warehouses in the city.
Thomas Newbrook's will provides an insight into the background of Elenor his wife. The will says that Thomas Newbrooke had a brother-in-law Thomas Malley who was presumably Elenor’s brother. It seems likely that Elenor and Thomas were part of the Melley family from Halesowen and Romsley about five miles from Stourbridge. The manorial records of Romsley mention the death of a Henry Melley in 1573, and the inheritance of his lands by his sons Thomas, Adam and John. John Melly's will of 1605 gives further information. It says that he was a scythe smith and that his daughter married Samuel Addenbrook. William Melly, John Melley's son is mentioned in the legal case of Attorney General vs Herwin regarding the importation of steel contrary to the patent held by William Ellyottes and Matthew Meisey. (14) See footnote (ii)
Most of the early Newbrooke/ Newborough records of Oldswinford record the offspring of Jasper Newbrooke and Margery Smart but the will of Thomas Newbrooke makes it clear that they had an elder son Joseph Newbrooke. A number of legal cases throw some light on his background. It appears that in 1603 Joseph Newbrooke was involved in a legal challenge to his father's will. (16) Joseph was the plaintiff. Nicholas Bennet, Roger Sturmy and Agnes Clempson were the defendants. Nicholas Bennet was the executive for the will.
In another legal case dated 1601, Joseph accused his wife of adultery. Her name is given as Ann Newbrough - alias Jones. The result of the case was a legal separation. The alleged infidelity was supposed to have happen at Wellington and Tipton. (17)
Another legal case of Jones vs Harrington 1648 (18) is a about a property dispute between Francis Jones of Wellington and Edward Harrington. This may be unconnected but it appears possible that Francis Jones could be related to Ann Jones, Joseph’s estranged wife. Edward Harrington had earlier prosecuted Newbrooke and Dorothy Mytton for a felony in Worcestershire, committed in 1621. (19)
There is a connection between the Bennet family and Jones family. Richard Bennet who died in 1572. He married Joane Bendy the Sister of Richard Bendy who was the husband of Elizabeth Jones. See footnote. (iii) If Ann Jones the estranged wife of Joseph Newbrooke is related to Nicolas Bennet the administrator of Thomas Newbrooke’s will, this might explain why relations became strained after the legal separation.
These legal cases suggest that Joseph may have had links to Shropshire. Wellington is on the North bank of the Severn near the new town of Telford. Historically, it would have been close to Madeley, Broseley and Ironbridge. These areas have similarities to the Black Country as they all experienced early development of the iron and coal industries. Sometime after 1600, Sir Basil Brooke developed the first successful cementation plant for steel production in England. (20) It is possible that the Newbrooke’s were customers of Sir Basil Brooke and this might explain Joseph's connection to Wellington.
The reference to Dorothy Mytton is intriguing as the Myttons were one of the leading families in Shropshire with links to the Grey family of Enville Hall, lords of the manor of Amblecote, and the Newbrookes landlord. (See Richard Mytton of Halton 1500 to 1591) (21)
Henry Grey had significant family links to some of the leading Sussex ironmasters. (Antony Browne 15-- to 1548) and (Alice Gage 15-- to 1540) (22)
There are a number of lines of enquiry which may throw further light on Thomas Newbrooke's origins and connections with the wider Newborough family.
With the connections to the Bennet, Bendy and Sturmy families there appear to be strong links to the Shutt End area of Kingswinford. A closer look at the Bendy and Corbyn families may be useful.
Thomas Newbrooke seems to have had connections with Shropshire via his son Joseph Newbrooke and his grandson Richard Newbrough. There was another Thomas Newborough of Yerdington in Shropshire who was related to the Newborough family of Berkeley. (23)This Thomas Newborough according to his will had a great nephew known as Thomas Grey. If this Thomas Gray is related to the Greys of Enville Hall this could be significant. Further investigation suggests this is a different line.
Intriguingly, Jasper Newbrooke’s nephew bore the forename Gray Smart. (24) (25) This may be coincidental but also may hint at a connection to the Gray family of Enville.
Dud Dudley the experimental iron master had intriguing links to the Horsey family of Dorset. In 1638 he was granted a patent with Sir George Horsey for making Iron with pit coal. (26) The arrangement was unsuccessful and short lived but raises the possibility of links between the Dudley and Horsey families. Analysis suggests that there were earlier links between the Dudley's and the Horsey's during the Throckmorten Plot. (27)(28)(29) Again this may be significant or an interesting historical curiosity. It may be significant that the name Jasper was used in the Horsey family.
From the above analysis it is clear that the Newbrooke family had important connections to the iron and coal industry, and were linked to many of the leading families in Stourbridge. The Foley family were particularly important because of their role in the iron industry, both locally and nationally. Richard Foley (1580 - 1657) had important links to the Dudley family of Dudley Castle via Dud Dudley the experimental iron master and his father Edward Sutton Lord Dudley. (30) In turn these were connected to the Whorwood family who also had important interests in iron works and were the landlords of Richard Foley at Hyde Kinver.(31) (32) & (33) See also footnote (iv) Further research may reveal links to the Grey family of Enville Hall.
---------
i) The trustees of the Stourbridge almshouse in 1632 were Parson Richard Hottoft, John Lyddiate, Nicholas Addenbrooke, Richard Foley, Jasper Newborough, George Winchurch,
Thomas Milward, John Baker, Gregory Baker, John Taylor, Richard Hickman, John Compton, and Richard Deavell.
The almshouses were donated by John Sparry who was a Stourbridge mercer related to Roger Sparry of Clent (1504-48) yeoman of the bedchamber to King Henry VIII. Many early trustees were related. Joyce Hickman, Richard Hickman's daughter married Benjamen Newbrough, Jasper Newbroughs son. Richard Hickman son of Richard Hickman married Dorothy Addenbrookes. Dorothy Addenbrookes mother was related to John Sparry. (An History of Stourbridge by Nigel Perry, p. 40) See also the Addenbrooke family tree. (36)
ii) This case involved the illegal importation of steel in breach of the patent of William Ellyottes and Matthew Meisey. Jocob Herwin is a foreign merchant possibly from the Netherlands. (34) Some of those mentioned are local to Stourbridge. Samuel Westwood was a scythe smith who owned a scythe mill at Cradley Halesowern (15). William Melly is probably the son of John Melley of Romsley, a scythe smith.
iii) Nicholas Bennet is mentioned in the will of Thomas Bennet of Himley, Staffordshire who died 1610. He was the executive of Thomas Newbroke's will and the defendant in the case of Newbrooke vs Bennet above. It would appear that Nicholas Benet and Thomas Benet are either father and son or brothers. Thomas Bennet appraised the will of Elizabeth Bendy of Shutt End.
“The will of Richard Bennet of Kingswinford, 1572, may explain some of the connections between the Bennet family and the Bendy family. In this will Richard Bennet talks of his wife Johan, his late mother-in-law Alice Bendy and his brother-in-law Richard Bendy. It also mentions the dispute with John Woodhouse which cross references with documents in the National Archives (C 3/198/34).” See (37) for source.
In the Early 19th century Shutt end was a major area of industrial activity with coal mines, iron works and railways. (38)
Sturmey is mentioned as a debtor of Thomas Newbrooke in his 1592 will. There was a family of Sturmeys in Trysul about 1600 who may be related. There is also a family connection between the Corbyn Family of Kingswinford and the Sturmey Family of Polesworth, Warwickshire. (39) p. 60. Agnes Clemson may possibly be related to a family of Clemson’s in Tettenhall near Wolverhampton.
iv) Richard Smart (d.1605) left land to his wife held from Thomas Whorwood.
v) I can now identify John Hodgetts who is shown as a creditor on Thomas Newbrooke’s inventor. He was most likely John Hodgetts of Shutt End see (39)
vi) I am attaching a spreadsheet of family trees for the following:-
1) The Newbrookes/Newbroughs/Newborooghs
2) The Smarts
3) The Melleys
Family Trees for the following can be found in Kingswinford Parish and Manor by Chris Baker.
1) The Sutton Dudleys p. 52
2) The Corbyns showing link to the Sturmy family of Polesworth Warwickshire. p. 60
3) The Bendy Family and their connection to the Jones family and Bennet Family. p. 66
4) The Hodgett Family also showing Addenbrookes and Foley's. p. 71
5) Dud Dudley and Abraham Derby p. 82
vii) Thomas Dudley mentioned in the case of Smart vs Smart (25) may be the brother of Dud Dudley see references (39) p. 82
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
1) King, P. W., Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, p. 1.
2) Upton, Chris, “The Origins of Pensnett in the Black Country” Birmingham Post 8 February 2013.
3) King, P. W., The Development of the Iron Industry in South Staffordshire in the 17th Century: History and Myth, p. 59.
4) PRO registers of St. Oldswinford. The marriage of Jasper Newbrooke to Margery Smart and the subsequent baptisms of their offspring.
5) Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service:-
Reference: 1/1/33/3
Recognizance before Sir John Bucke by Richard Fowler of Stourbridge and Jasper Newbrooke
both of Stourbridge Ironmongers to appear at Sessions and prosecute William Love.
William Love
Date: 14 March 1620
6) Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service:-
Reference: 1/1/34/33
Title: Indictment of Jasper Newbrooke of Sturbridge for obstructing the highway at Stourbridge
near the market place.
Date: (1634)
7) Perry, Nigel, A History of Stourbridge, p. 32, 40, 46.
8) King, P. W. "Wolverley Lower Mill and the Beginnings of the Tinplate Industry", Historical Metallurgy, 1988, 22 (2): 104–113
9) Oxford University Alumni 1500 to 1714 p.1059
10) The Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1384 to 1858 Richardi Smarta Sturbridge, Worcestershire, England 31 Oct 1605
11) Perry, Nigel, A History of Stourbridge, p. 39
12) King, P. W., Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, p. 10, 11.
13) Worcester Record Office. The will of Thomas Newbrooke Amblecoate, 1592.
14) The British National Archives Kew
Reference: STAC 8/25/17
Short title: Attorney General vs Herwyn. 1618 November
15) Bradley, Margaret , Blunt, Barry, The History of Cradley Court Rolls - Part three, p. 140
16)The British National Archives Kew
Reference: C 2/Eliz/N5/13
Short title: Newbrooke vs Bennett.
Between 1558 and 1603
17) Staffordshire Record Office B/C/5/1601/16
Matrimonial case (divorce): Newbrough against Newbrough, Wellington, Shropshire
Date 1601
18) The British National Archives Kew
C 8/87/232
Short title: Jones v Harrington.
Date: 1648
19) Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service
Reference: 1/1/83/22
Title: Recognizance before Sir John Bucke by Edward Harrington to appear at Sessions to
Prosecute . . . Newbrooke and Dorothy Mytton for felony.
Date: 13 November 1621
20) Bedford, Paul, Blood, Faith and Iron: A dynasty of Catholic industrialists in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England
21) History of Parliament
22) Pedigree of Henry Grey
23) The Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1384 to 1858, Thomas Newborough of Yardington, Shropshire 5th Dec 1654
24) Parish Registers of St Mary's Oldswinford.
25) See also :-
The National Archives, Kew
Reference: C 7/566/44
Short title: Smart v Smart.
Plaintiffs: Josias Smart.
Defendants: Thomas Dudley, John Reade the younger, John Reade the elder, Richard Brettall,
John Harrison, gent, Joseph Gill, Grey Smart and Margaret Smart his wife and others.
Date: [1620-1713]
26) Shill, Ray, The South Staffordshire Ironmasters p. 24.
27) Horsey pedigree
28) Edward Horsey
29) Dudley Conspiracy
30) King, P.W., Black Country Mining before the Industrial Revolution, p. 6.
31) Thomas Whorwood
32) King, P. W., The Development of the Iron Industry in South Staffordshire in the 17th Century: History and Myth, p. 64.
33) The British National Archives, Kew
Reference:C 21/W53/8
John Whorwood esq v Richard Worrall concerning the Hide [Hyde] House in Kinver, a walk mill
replaced by a slitting mill, and watercourse
to mill: depositions taken in the country
Date: 1634
34) King, P.W., The Development of the Iron Industry in South Staffordshire in the 17th Century: History and Myth, p. 63.
35) Perry, Nigel, A History of Stourbridge, p. 36, 37.
36) Addenbrooke Family Tree
37) Elizabeth Bendy
38) Shutt End
39) Baker, Chris, Kingswinford Manor and Parish, p. 52, 60, 62, 71, 82.
*A bloomery is a type of metallurgical furnace once used widely for smelting iron from its oxides. The bloomery was the earliest form of smelter capable of smelting iron.