Simon Heveningham

V. SIMON HEVENINGHAM, who was born presumably in about 1615-1617. His name appears in the 1664-4 Visitation, which merely states that he married 'the da(auhter) of . . . . .. Alport, and tells nothing of his descendants. His wife was Katherine, daughter of Thoms and Katherine Alport of Newton Regis, Warwickshire. She was baptized there in 1633, her father being a substantial yeoman, grandson of Thomas Alport of the same place, whose Will was proved at Lichfield in 1576. The Alports were evidently Protestants, and Simon Heveningham's marriage would therefore be doubly distasteful to his family.

The Will of Thomas Alport of Newton Regis alias Newton in the Thistles, co. Warwick, Yeoman was dated 21 August, 1658.

The Testator bequeath "to my eldest son Erasmus Alport all my lands and tenements in Newton aforesaid, he to pay £100 to the children of my daughter Katherine Heningham to be equally divided amongst them, to be paid to their guardian within five years next following; and to £200 to my second son Thomas Alport within the said five years and meantime to pay him £3 a year. Should Erasmus not pay these legacies, then I bequest my two yardlands and tenements known as Dawes and Spencers Yardlands late in the tenure of Richard Butler and John Prinsepp to the said Thomas and the children of Katherine my daughter.

To my daughter Joan Taverner and her children ten shillings each. to my wife Katherine a featherbed, and another featherbed to my son Thomas. To the poor of Newton ten shillings. Executor my son Erasmus.

Witnesses:- Tho Whelpdale, William Hill, Robert Spencer. The Testator signs with a mark. Proved by the Executor named, on 15 Apr., 1659.

It will be seen that a guardian had been appointed for the children of Simon and Katherine, the latter being evidently dead, but whether this had been done because Simon was a recusant, or out of the Country, or out of his mind, I cannot say. He evidently received an annuity from the family estate, and it was confirmed to him by his brother Walter's Will. He was therefore alive in 1691. No Will or Administration of him is to be found in P.C.C. or at Lichfield. In accordance with a remarkable document mentioned hereafter,