John Heron

Sir George Heron’s son and heir John followed in his father’s footsteps, in so far as he also flouted the authorities. He was appointed Keeper of Tyndale on 31 August 1587.

From Chipcase Castle History

In a Scots foray to Haydon Bridge it was reported that Heron lay in wait for the raiders. Once near he relieved them of their spoils, killed six of them, and took two prisoners and sixteen horses. Shortly after the encounter the word spread that Heron had deliberately allowed the raid to take its course so that he might collect some plunder.

The Warden reported to the Queen on 8 December 1587 that he believed John Heron was “not fit for the place, for beside his negligence in that service at the burning of Haydon Bridge…he is greatly suspected to be acquainted with that journey”. The Warden went on to claim that John Heron’s son, one of his bailiffs and a young man call Ridley were “directly charged with the bringing in of Scots to Haydon Bridge.”

John Heron died in June 1591, follow by his wife Margery in 1613. She gave all her goods to her younger son Reynold, except £100 which she gave to Reynolds son Anthony. Reynold was certainly the black sheep of the family but due to him being his mother’s favourite she made him her heir. In 1603 Reynold Heron, with others, were put before the assizes for burning and taking the spoil of a house in the Bishop Bank at Durham; some of his accomplices were taken and hung and a warrant was sent out for his arrest.

John Heron’s eldest son and heir, George, only survived his father by less than year and died unmarried on 10 September 1591. The heir was George’s nephew Cuthbert Heron a child of six years old.

John Heron was the son of George Heron of Chipchase and Marion Swinburne. He married Margery (will 03 Nov 1612, proved: 19 Mar 1613/4), daughter of Thomas Grey and Dorothy Ogle.

Will Date: 05 Dec 1590 Proved: 19 Jun 1591[1]

• https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/fenwick/518/
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Heron-813
• Hodgson, J.C. (1897). "Hexamshire: Part II." A History of Northumberland, IV, pp. 340. Northumberland County History Committee. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne: Andrew Reid & Co., LTD. <GoogleBooks> (Margaret Forster is not listed as a wife)