Robert Crewes

Biography: Robert Crewes (1625W) Robert Crewes merchant/grocer baptized. 25 Jan 1577 Dulverton Englnd son of Nicholas Crewes of Dulverton , Somerset, England.. His widow Elizabeth Tempest deposed on her remarriage that she was born in 1590. In his will of 1625 Robert leaves money to the poore of Dulverton, Devlon, England and several relatives and heirs live in that area so it is likely that his family is from that area. Robert named his oldest son Thomas which possibly could be the name of his own father. His brothers named in his will were Ambrose Crewes, Richard Crewes, and Nicholas Crewes. He named one sister Jane Westerne. Some reference to these names are in local records of Dulverton for the 1600's. There is a record of Robert Crewes being an Adventurer (investor) in the 4th voyage (1610) of the East India House (East India Company). This business operated from about 1600 for about 200 years and were involved with trade to the East of manufactured goods, Cloth, guns, gunpowder to the east in exchange for high valued portable items such as Gold, Jewels, Opium, Cotton, Salt peter, Indigo and spices especially pepper. Robert lived in the Soper lane area of London before 1615. In 1615 he leased 3 properties on Soper Lane a large house # 15A where he lived and carried on his business. This area (Soper Lane) was referred to as the Pepperer's district. He married about 1610 to Elizabeth maiden name unknown. They had 14 children most baptized in St. Pancreas Church. All but two of their children lived to adulthood. Daughter Mary and son Denorax dying young. Denorax was baptised May 4, 1626 after his father's death. Thomas was the oldest son and Elizabeth the oldest daughter. Other children were: John, Robert, William, Ann, Edward, Francis, Mary, Sarah, Julyan, Stephen, James, and Denorax the youngest. At the time of his death Robert's estate is estimated to value over 6000 lbs. He leased 3 houses in London, 2 parts of a messuage (large house) in Barkinge, 2 parts of a close (farm) in Barkinge, a croft in Barkinge, land in the manor of Woodbury , a close called Everton or Langley Pasture in Gamlinghay one messuage in Cambridge. He appears to have been highly successful in business, perhaps having a head start with inherited wealth or perhaps some royal connections. His widow married Sir Thomas Tempest, and one daughter married Sir Thomas Craddock, another married Sir Henry Savill. A sister Sarah married Timothy Whittingham. Later his son Edward had a daughter also called Sarah that married William Whittingham. When Robert Crewes died in 1625 he was buried inside the church of St Pancreas on September 14, 1625. He was buried in the Chancel under the communion table as were several other family members including his wife, and a daughter were later also buried. This was possibly the location of the entrance to an underground vault or crypt. Generally only the rich or royalty were buried inside the church. St Pancreas church dates back to about the year 900 , but didn't survive long after Robert's burial. His eternal rest was disturbed by the Great Fire of London which in 1666 burned the house he had leased 15a and the Church of St. Pancreas. The church was not rebuilt and the site became a burial ground for plague victims. The Vaults were mentioned in burials into the 1670's. To add insult to injury the site was used for a railway station in the 19th century. Many bodies being relocated to another area and the tombstones stacked around a tree. What became of the remains and markers for Robert's family is not known. All that is left of the Church site is a small garden with a few benches surrounded by large buildings. The dates of death of all of Robert Crewes family is uncertain. He died in 1625 his wife after her remarriage died in the year 1638. Son John in 1643, Son William in 1643, Son Robert Jr. in 1656. Son Edward before 1656. Son Francis lived by lease records until the early 1660's and was likely the last survivor of James Crewes siblings in London. James Crewes the last surviving son of Robert Crewes was hung in Virginia Jan 26, 1677 for his participation in Bacon's rebellion. Mathew Crewes his nephew and son of brother Edward Crewes was James Crewes administrator for his will. In 1684 Mathew Crewes and his cousin Sarah Whittingham (daughter of Francis Crewes) broke the will of James Crewes in which he had given (20,000 lbs of tobacco most of the value of his Turkey Island Plantation) to Susannah and Mary Carter the daughters of his close friend Giles Carter who had leased a house and land from him and in James Crewes will was made the overseer for the Turkey Island Plantation (a job he likely previously held). Giles Carter was related by marriage but was not a blood heir to James Crewes. Marguret daughter of Daniel Llewellyn had married James Crewes. Daniel Llewellyn had married Ann the widow of John Price Sr. His son John Price Jr. died and his widow married John Rowen. John Rowen was the stepfather of Daniel and John Price who were the grandchildren of Ann Price Hallom Llewellyn now wife of Daniel Llewellyn so step grandchildren of him as well. John Rowen's will indicates that it is highly likely Giles Carter married his sister Hannah Rowen daughter of Henry Rowen of Percey's 100 plantation. As his bequests to Giles Carter are similar to what he gave his other sister unnamed that married Richard Ingram and John Rowens named brother Henry Rowen. John Rowen was living in the 1660's on Turkey Island on part of the grant given to John Price Sr. and willed to his son John Price jr. the estate later owned by Daniel and John Price John Rowen's stepchildren. Giles Carter also seems to be living with him in 1662 and is given the use of a house and land for a year in Rowen's will. About this time James Crewes also buys land on Turkey island sold by the heirs of Ann Price Hallom Llewellyn to Edwards who sold it to James Crewes and Bullington, Crewes later buying Bullingtons part winding up with his 560 acres Turkey Island Plantation.