Thomas Stephens, MP

STEPHENS, Thomas (d.1613), of the Middle Temple, London and Over Lypiatt, Glos. MP

Stephens was a Middle Temple lawyer, who probably owed his return for Weymouth and Melcombe to another Middle Templar, William Weston, recorder of the combined boroughs.Stephens made a fortunate marriage, and a few years before his death purchased the Gloucestershire manors of Cherington, Over Lypiatt, Chipping, Little and Old Sodbury. He obtained a court appointment under James I, and in 1609 intervened on behalf of two Middle Templars who had killed a royal stag. He left his landed property to be divided between his three sons, all of whom were under age, gave his wife a life interest in Over Lypiatt, and left portions of £2,000 each to his two daughters. The will, dated 8 Mar. 1612, was proved 24 Nov. 1613. Stephens died on 26 Apr. of that year.

Notes:

3rd s. of Edward Stephens of Eastington, Glos. and bro. of Richard. educ. ?Magdalen Hall, Oxf. 1575, BA 1578; New Inn; M. Temple 1578, called 1585. m. Elizabeth, da. and coh. of John Stone of London, 3s. 2da.

From 'Barnwood', A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 4: The City of Gloucester (1988), pp. 410-420. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42324&strquery=... Date accessed: 03 September 2014.:

"At Isabel's death in 1559 or 1560 Barnwood Court passed to her son John Parker, whose wife Margery had a lease in reversion from her brother Thomas Stephens, the lord farmer, in 1587."

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