John Farrer "the elder" of London, Esq., & of Croxton, Linc.

In July 1609, "the Armorial Bearings of John Farrer of Croxton (were) confirmed as appertaining to him by William Camden Clarenceux, King of Arms." (College of Arms record) The family crest of: ARMS OF JOHN FARRER THE ELDER OF LONDON, ESQUIRE AND OF CROXTON, LINCS., CONFIRMED IN 1609 consist of as "Argent, on a bend engrailed sable, three horse-shoes of the field; and for the crest, on a wreath of the colours, a horse-shoe argent, between two wings Or."

As the second eldest son, John Farrer inherited the estates, including Ewood, from his brother Henry, after Henry's death without heirs in 1610.

His father's Will read, in part:

• Item I give and bequeath unto Henry Farrar my eldest sonne all my messuages landes tenements and hereditaments called or knowne by the severall names of Great Ewood. Little Ewood, Upper Whiteleigh and Stony Rode, and the yate and all other my messuages, landes tenementes, rents, reversions, services and herediatements whatsoever of and in greate Ewood and litle Ewood aforesaid beinge within the parishe of Hallifax in the countie of Yorke with all and singular their and every of their rights members and appurteances whatsoever
• To have and to hold all the said messuages, landes tenements, rents, reversions, services and hereditaments to the said Henry Farrer my sonne and to the heirs male of his bodie lawfullie begotten or to be begotten and for lack of such issue to his right heires forever.
• Also I give and bequeath to my daughter in lawe Martha the wife my aforesaid sonne Henry Farrar as a token of my loving affection tenn poundes. "

John Farrar did not reside at the family estate Ewood - as his brothers' widow, Ellen (Blakey) Farrer continued to reside there for some time. The building was demolished in the early 1970s.

• John Farrer was the first of the family granted the right to bear arms, his son Henry also recording his pedigree in 1623 and 1634. John acquired property in Amwell, Broxbourne and Hoddesden in 1597, 1611 and 1613, and on November 24, 1615,

"John Farrer the elder of London, Esquire, granted to his sons, Henry, John, William and Humfrey, lands in Newgate, London."

• The same day he granted to his son John of Brearley Hall, in Midgley, the following properties: Hanroyd in Midgley, Fearnlee, Cappice, land in Luddenden, two fulling mills, a messuage called Backside and a stable near Luddended Chapel, etc.
• To Cicely Farrar daughter of John Farrar (son of John Farrar the Elder) 40 (Pounds sterling)
• His Will provided to the poor of Croxton, Lincolnshire, 'twelve pence a week to be bestowed in bread forever among the poor at the discretion of the heire and his assigns;" and to the poor of St. Mary Adermanbury parish "sixe poundes thirteen shillings and fowerpence at the discretion myne executor and the overseers."

  ---

1628 Will of John Farrar the elder of London, Esquier:

• Will dated 24 April 1628
• Will proved 28 May 1628 Extract: "My son William shall receive .of my executor 50 (pounds) at his return into England. "Other goods between my sons Henry, John, William and Humphrey. William's part shall be reserved for him or the value, in case he be not living to be reserved for his wife and children."

[William Farrar came to Virginia in August 1618, and at the census of 1624-5 was aged 31, making his birth about 1594.]