Sir Alexander Choke, MP

Family and Education

b.1593/4, [1st] s. of Francis Chocke (d.1640) of Yatton, Som. and [1st w. Elizabeth, da. of Sir John Horner of Cloford, Somerset]. educ. Queen’s, Oxf. 1609, aged 15. m. (1) 5 Oct. 1612, Bridget, da. of Sir Anthony Hungerford* of Black Bourton, Oxon., s.p.; (2) Mary (with £2,500), da. of Sir William Pitt* of Old Palace Yard, Westminster and Hartley Wespall, Hants, s.p. suc. uncle Alexander Chocke I* 1607. d. 5 Feb. 1625.

Biography

Chocke succeeded to his uncle’s estates in Wiltshire, Somerset and Berkshire in 1607, having been adopted as the latter’s heir some years before, and during his minority his aunt Joan served as his governess. Related to the leading local families, the St. Johns of Lydiard Tregoze and the Hungerfords of Farleigh Hungerford, his local status was underlined by a visit from Anne of Denmark during her progress of the county in September 1612. In the following month he married into the Black Bourton branch of the Hungerfords.

Full Biography: History of Parliament online

Star Chamber Proceedings

Reference: STAC 8/110/18
Description:
Short title: Chocke v Dowse.
Plaintiffs: Sir Alexander Chocke kt, son and heir apparent of Francis Chocke esq, son of Richard Chocke, son of John Chocke.
Defendants: Sir Gabriel Dowse kt, JP, Francis Chocke, son and heir of the said John Chocke and William Sterrell gent.
Subject: Waste in the manor-house and demesne of Avington and maintenance of an action by Francis Chocke, defendant, for the manors of Avington, Radley, Denford, Shelbourne, Standwerwick and Luckington, settled on plaintiff Sir Alexander Chocke by Alexander Chocke his uncle.
Berkshire, Wiltshire, Somerset.
Barnes category: officer's misfeasance; conspiracy; maintenance; vexatious litigation; fraud; contempt.
Another action was also brought before the Court of Chancery
Date: 1622 June
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

Will of Sir Alexander Chocke of Shalbourne, Wiltshire, dated 24 July 1624 and proved 20 May 1625.

To be buried in the parish Church of Avington.
"my ffather in lawe Sr William Pitt knight"
"my brother in lawe Edward Hungerford"
"my ffather ffrancis Chocke of Yatton in the Counte of Somerset Esquire"
"my uncle William Chocke"
"my brother ffrancis Chocke until he shall attayne the full age of twenty years"
"my cosen the afoersaid Sr John Darell"
"my cousen Richard Browne"
"my uncle Gabriell Cox"
"Mary my beloved wife"
"my loving friends & ffathers in lawe Sr Anthony Hungerford and thaforesaid Sr William Pitt"