Sir John Kingsmill, Knight

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John Kingsmill1

• M, d. 1509
• Father Richard Kingsmill b. c 1440, d. May 1511
• Mother Alice

John Kingsmill Judge in the Court of Common Pleas. He married Joan Gifford, daughter of John Gifford, Esq. and Joan Brydges. John Kingsmill died in 1509.

Family

• Joan Gifford

Children

• ◦Sir John Kingsmill+ d. 20 Jul 1536
• ◦Alice Kingsmill+ b. c 1518

Citations 1.[S6670] Unknown author, Wallop Family, p. 363.

From the book, "A Genealogic and Heraldic History of the Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies," by John Burke: John Kingsmill, one of the Judges in the Court of Common Pleas, son of Richard Kingsmill, of Barkham, Berks, married Joan, daughter of Sir John Gifford, Knight of Ishill, and dying in 1504, left a son, Sir John Kingsmill, Knight, of Sidmanton, Hants., who married Constance, daughter of John Goring, Esq., of Burton, in Sussex, and had 4 sons.

John Kingsmill II was the son of John Kingsmill I and Jane Gifford. He was born c1494 and 1497 in Hampshire. He continued in his father’s legal profession and was admitted to Lincolns Inn in 1516. He married Constance Goring on 7th November 1519. He was acting for Thomas Cromwell with Thomas Wriothesley in Hampshire in the 1530’s. He acquired Sydmonton from the crown c1540 which used to belong to Rumsey Abbey. He was appointed commissioner for the dissolution of chantries under Edward VI in 1548 but was pardoned by Mary I in 1553 but he played no further part in politics and died in 1556. He left 17 children,

It could have began with King John giving land and the name Kingsmill to a miller who rescued him from the New Forrest while hunting.

John Kingsmill was 12 years old when his father died in 1509.

He signed a marriage indenture with John Goring of Burton, Sussex for his daughter Constance on 7 Nov 1519. He completed that agreement on 5th Mar 1521 by placing all his lands in Basingstoke, Hampshire in use to his wife.

1. Address: Sydmonton, Hampshire.

Sir John Kingsmill (c.1497-1556) maintained the upward social momentum established by his father, whom he followed into a legal career. He entered Lincoln's Inn in October 1516 and was called to the bar on 9 May 1521. It was also in 1521 that he took the momentous step of marrying Constance (d. 1580/81), the daughter of John Goring of Burton, Sussex, and the sister of William Goring.

Although the Gorings were only a modest family of Sussex gentry, the connection had important long-term results. First, another Goring daughter, Anne, married Richard Gifford, strengthening the Kingsmill/endash Gifford family alliance. Second, the Gorings were early protestants, and the influence of Constance and Anne helped bring both the Kingsmill and Gifford families into the reforming movement. Third, William Goring became a n ally of Thomas Cromwell and helped to introduce his Kingsmill brother-in-law into that important political connection by the early 1530s. Fourth, by 1537 Kingsmill acquired the manor of Litchfield from the Gorings, his first substantial property in Hampshire.

By 1530 John Kingsmill's career was starting to blossom. Knighted in that year by Henry VIII, he became steward of Mottisfont Priory in Hampshire. In 1533 he became involved in local government, serving as commissioner to inquire about wastes committed in various forests. He was appointed a JP in 1537, continuing to hold that office until his death, and served as sheriff of Hampshire in 1538/endas h 9 and 1543/endash 4. During the late 1530s he worked closely with Cromwell's protégé Thomas Wriothesley, and both men greatly benefited from the dissolution of the monasteries. Kingsmill's acquisitions included the manors of Sandford and Woodcott and also, in 1540, the rich manor of Sidmonton, which replaced Barkham as the family's principal residence.

During 1539 Kingsmill worked hard as sheriff to assure the election of Cromwell's candidates as Hampshire's representatives in parliament. As a result he earned the enmity of the conservative Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester. Nevertheless after the fall of Cromwell in 1540 Kingsmill remained active in local government and was sheriff again in 1543/endash 4. Under Edward VI he was a commissioner for the dissolution of chantries in 1548. Queen Mary pardoned him for offences committed prior to 1 October 1553, and thereafter he was inactive in local government and politics.

Sir John [ii] Kingsmill left a large, successful, and staunchly protestant family when he died on 11 August 1556, although the significance of his legacy was not immediately apparent in the unfavourab le atmosphere of the Marian restoration of Catholicism. During summer 1558 Hampshire experienced its only burning of a heretic, a gentleman named Thomas Bembridge, who happened to be a relative of both Anne Gifford and Constance Kingsmill. Bembridge recanted at the first attempt to burn him and his relatives illegally saved him from the fire. The privy council ordered a second and successful execu tion shortly afterwards, which created lasting bitterness among the Kingsmills and Giffords, especially toward the sheriff, Sir Richard Pexsall.

Elizabeth I's accession immediately revived the Kingsmills' prospects and her reign can largely be considered the zenith of the family's fortunes. Sir John and Constance Kingsmill had seventeen children.

Of the Kingsmills much more is recorded: they were wealthier and have lasted into our own century. But in this period they too chose to emphasize not their wealth, but a claim to ancient genealogy and prestigious and powerful positions that stem from wealth. The Kingsmills traced their line back to the thirteenth century, and liked to tell stories of personal services to kings and queens.

Records of sums of money, rents owed, taxes paid on enviable amounts of land do go back to Henry VII, although the claim in Charles I's time that Sydmonton was theirs for four generations back was stretching it a bit.

From the nine sons and three daughters of Sir John (died 1556) and Constance Goring Kingsmill, the eldest son and heir, a Sir William who held significant offices under both Elizabeth and James I (sheriff, Justice of the Peace, &c for Hampshire), and was written down as 'the wisest gentleman of his country.'

from Collection of Kingsmill of Sydmonton:- Page 53 of 131

Level Item Finding No. 19M61/2933 Title Ink drawing by Alfred Scott Gatty, York Herald of the arms of Sir John Kingsmill, marriedd Constance Goring

WATER MILLS Water rises at Wells Head which once fed four water mills all within a quarter of a mile of each other. Gailey Mill lies in the hollow beneath the Downs, there was a mill on this site at the time of the Domesday survey. During the 14th century a mill was farmed out for 16/8d per year. In the 16th century there was a 'messuage', that is a dwelling house with outbuildings and land. His w as known as Gaylys Mill. There was a Swaynes Mill included in the Manor of Sandford to John Kingsmill in 1540.

COLLECTION Kingsmill of Sydmonton

Level Item FindingNo 19M61/1534 Title Warrant of Thomas, Lord Cromwell, and William St John to John Kingsmill and John Taulke[?] for sale of timber on crown lands in Hampshire and for enclosing of coppices cleared for 6 years, dated 26 Jan [?]31 Henry VIII Date 26 Jan 1540 Description Signed: Thomas Crumwell, William Seint John Endorsed: John Kyngesmyll and John TaulkePaper, single sheet. PhysicalDescription Badly damaged.

COLLECTION kingsmill of Sydmonton Finding No. 19M61/2577 Level Item Extent 2 items Title Translation of a Crown grant to John Kinsmill of Whitchurch and Constance his wife of various lands and pensions (see description, as in 19M61/257 6), made by Hardy and Page, record Agents Date (20 Apr 1540)-1892

Descriptions:- Lands include: the manors of Sidmonton (formerly belonging Romsey Abbey) and Sandford (formerly Godstowe): two watermills in Kingsclere called Gales Mill and Swaynes Mill (Godstowe); pension of 13s 4d from Litchfield manor (formerly paid to Hyde Abbey); reserving a pension of 55s out of the lands of John Cherry, esq. called Pigeons in East Enborne and all advowsons.

Consideration 976 pounds 5s. 10d.

Copy made 1892. With letter from Hardy and Page to WH Kingsmill enclosing the translation, 6 May 1892

Paper file

Related Material:- 19M61/2576-2578 consist of 19th century translations of Crown grants of Sydmonton and Sandford (1540) and Kingsclere re ctory (1544).

COLLECTION Kingsmill of Sydmonton Level Item FindingNo 19M61/1511 Title Receipt of Richard Poulet to John Kingsmil l, esq, for £5 8s 6d for rent due to the Crown for the manor of Sidmonton for the year ending Michaelmas 1540 Date 15 Dec 1541 Description Signed: Rycharde Poulet. Paper, half sheet.

Will of Sir John Kingismyll or Kingesmyll of Godmanstone, Hampshire 30 August 1556 PROB 11/38

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Kingismyll of Sydmaton in the countie of South(hamp)t(on) knight being of p(er)fyte mynde and memory and well in bodie do ordeyne and make my laste will and testament the twentie daye of Julye in the yere of our Lord God a thousane fyve hundreth fiftie and sixe in maner and forme folowinge.

First and formally I bequeathe my soule unto almightie God my redeemer and saviour to whome I praye for mercie and grace and my bodye I will to be buryed in th churche or churche yarde where myne executors shall think moste neate and convenient.

Item I doe give and bequeathe and will that Custaunce my wief shall have all my goodes and cattells as well in and upon my house manor and landes of Sydmanton in the countie of South(hamp)t(on) aforesaid except and forprised all my stuf beding and all other stuf in the corner chamber in the east ende of my house next the new garden at Sydmaton before rehersed and half a dossen of the best cusshyns to furnyshe the same chamber and my best carpet for a table one of the blewe carpetts with lyons the red? hangings of siye? in the greate chamber abason and ewer of silver gilt the best folte? of silver gilt and one of the best dyaper clothes for a table the towell and a dossen napkyns for the same table clothe three of my rode geldings for the fadbel? with three sadells brydels and there apparell all whiche excepted and forprisyd.

I will to William Kingismyll my eldest sonne shall have of my gyfte and bequest sav???.

I will that Custaince shall have and chuse three of the best of all my geldings before Willyam Kingismyll have his three geldings.

Item I will and bequeathe to Richard Kingismyll my seconde sonne one hundreth poundes of money.

And unto Roger Kingismyll my thirde sonne one hundreth poundes of money.

Unto Edward Kingismyll my fourthe sonne one hundreth poundes of money.

Unto Henry Kingismyll one other of my sonnes one hundreth poundes of money.

Unto John Kingismyll one other of my sonnes one hundreth poundes of money.

Unto George Kingismyll one other of my sonnes one hundreth poundes of money.

Unto Andrew Kingismyll one other of my sonnes one hundreth poundes of money.

Unto Thomas Kingismyll one other of my sonnes one hundreth poundes of money.

Unto Alice Kingismyll one of my daughters two hundreth poundes of money.

Unto Katheryn Kingismyll one other of my daughters one hundreth poundes of money due unto her for her mariage.

And unto Mary Kingismyll one other of my daughters two hundreth markes of money.

Also I will that Custaince my wief shall have all my bullocks that be in the pastures in Barkshire that be above the age of two yeres.

And all other bullocks as will calves yerelinges of frerie ? as hifford as be under the age of two yeres with all other maner of cattell then goinge in the pastures and leysures in Barkshere except the bullocks before willed and bequeathed to Custaince my wief.

I will that Willyam Kingismyll shall have with all other goodes and cattells the whiche I have at Larkam? arels? where ....ith? in the countie of Barkshire.

Item I will that my executours shall of thre hundreth poundes to any of my yonger sonnes before bequeathed that they shall maynteyn every of them of there mony? to them bequeathed at lerninge that be now appoynted to .....? at the University of Oxforde that is to saye, John Kingismyll, George Kingismyll, Andrew and Thomas Kingismyll and of as muche myny as thexecutours shall have bestowed upon them in mayntening every of them to there lernynge so muche my executors to be alowed and abatyd of his hundreth poundes of them at the universitie before named as is bestowed and so muche to be of his hundred poundes as hath byn alowed to his fynding for his lirnynge and so by be wyse to every of them in lyke for?? to be abated for that span.

Item I will that all my landes in Ludshelfe otherwise called Lythefilde or Lydchelfe in the countie of Southampton shalbe to the use of payment of my legacies and debts with all the stocke of goodes or cattalls upon the same for the terme of fourtene yeres ymmidyatly after the daye of my death fullye to be ended and determyned.

Item I will not that Custens my wief becharged of any debts or legacies or mynyshed of any parte of the goodes or cattalls that I have appoynted given of before legacied or willed or bequeathed unto her by this my last will but that she shall have the same giftes and bequest freely as my gyfte without charge or doing anythinge for the same and of my goodes and cattells at and upon Ludchelfe and out of my landes at Ludchelfe otherwise callyd Lichfielde in the countie of Southampton for which landes in Ludchelfe I will as well demaynes and all other tenements and all the profytts of the same with all maner of goodes stacke and cattell upon the same mannor of Lichefilde shall go and be to the use and performannce of this my last will and testament for the terme of fourtene yeres as is before rehersyd and untill suche tyme of thes my late legacie and debts are performyed as well to my debts as al......? of legacies and bequests of my laste will and testament.

And for all these stockes and goodes of Lychefelde I will Willyam Kingismyll shall have the doinge and occupieng thereof to the use and bequest before rehersed for the whiche I will that Willyam Kingismyll shall ontrayer? make acompts? of the profytts thereof to his mother or thother executour.

And I will that myne executours shall not be compelled to paye any of the legacies but in like forward reasonable tyme as they may levye there money owte of land and stocke at Ludchelfe yerely so that I will the stock of Lichefild shall remayne hold upon the lande at Ludchelfe and the legacies to be payd by myne executours to any children in suche convenient tyme and to paye hyn or her of my children firste seconde myddle or last and at suche tyme within the said term as myn executours shall thinke to them most convenient and to whome they shall thinke by their discretion when they myn executours shall thinke moste meete to be firste and last paid of the legacies of my said children.

And I will asson and when my debts and legacies be fully executed and paid that then I will that all my stocke goodes and cattell upon Ludchelfe shall go to remayne to William Kingismyll my eldest sonne to his owne use and profite.

And further I will that proffyts of my lease of the p(ar)sonage of Ludchelfe shall go to the performannce of these my legacies last will and testament until thole some of these my legacies and last will be fullie contiatyd? and paide whiche I will Willm Kingismyll shall have the doing thereof and afterward I will William Kingismyll shall enyow my lease of the p(ar)sonage of Ludchelfe.

And of this my laste will and testament I ordayne and make Custaunce my wief William Kingismyll my eldest sonne and Richard Kingismyll my sonne to be myne execuotours.

Further I will that Custaunce my wief shall and enyow my lease of the waragn? of holivegroves during her lyf and after her decease I give it to Willm Kingismyll my eldest sonne.

Item I will and do give all my leases in Barkshire shall remayne unto Willyam Kingismyll my eldest sonne.

Item I will give to my sonne Richard Kingismyll the blacke geldinge whiche he now hathe.

Also I do give unto my sonn Thornbury my baye geldinge in Lyethparke?

And I will that this shall stand as my last will and testament and all other to be frustrate and non effect.

John Kingismyll and these were witnesses to the same. Richard Gyfforde esquier, Charles Corson? phisycon, JOhn Thornbury gent, John Brodock?, Roger Kingismyll.

St Mary's church Kingsclere On the floor of the south chapel is a 16th century brass plate to Sir John Kingsmill (ob. Aug 11, 1559), who married Constance Goring, with a Latin inscription giving an account of the large family born to a Kingsmill of Sydmonton, and on a shield are the Kingsmill arms impaling quarterly (1) a chevron between three rings, (2) on a chief indented three molets, (3) on a chief three roundels, (4) on a bend cotised four lions passant, (5) barry of six with a leopards head on a quarter.

From the Victorian County History - 1908

'The manor of SYDMONTON (Sidemanestone xi cent; Sidemontaine xvii cent;) formed part of the original endowment of the abbey of Romsey, and continued in its possession until the dissolution in 1539. In the following year HenryVIII granted it with the pasture called Donymeade and Pontesdowne inSydmonton to John Kingsmill of Whitchurch, who died seised of it in 1556,leaving a son and heir William. He bequeathed the manor for life to his wife Constance, who remained seised of it until her death in 1580 when it passed to Sir William Kingsmill, knight. On the death of Sir William, who, dying in1619, was succeeded by his second but first surviving son Henry. The latterdied five years later, leaving a son and heir William Kingsmill, who suffered much during the civil wars. He was really on the Parliamentary side and only acted for the king under compulsion, being forced in 1642 by the king's summons to go to Reading, where he was made sheriff an office which he took in the honest sense of serving his country for which it was first ordained. In April 1645 he petitioned the Committee for Compounding tosettle him in his estate in Hampshire alleging that he had been thrice plundered by express order from the king, by whom he had been sequestered for the last twelve months, that eh had lost £400 in horses and cattle by Lord Manchester and Sir William Waller when lying at Newbury, and that owing to the position of his house between the two parties in the middle of the western road he had been obliged to entertain all comers. He was at length permitted to compound for his estate in May 1651 by payment of a fine of £750. He died in 1661, leaving a son and heir, Sir William Kingsmill, on whose death in 1698 the manor of Sydmonton passed to his eldest son William Kingsmill, who died unmarried in [page 254b] 1766. The estate then passed to his niece Elizabeth the daughter of his sister Francis Cory, who married Captain Robert Brice, afterwards Admiral of the Blue. Robert took the name of Kingsmill by Act of Parliament in 1766, was created a baronet on 24 November 1800 and died without issue in 1805. He left Sydmonton to the Rev. John Stephens, vicar of Chewton Mendip (Co. Somerset), who assumed the surname and arms of Kingsmill by royal licence in 1806. He died in 1814,

leaving an eldest surviving son, William Kingsmill, who married Anne Jane

daughter of William Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury, and died in 1865,

leaving issue William Howley Kingsmill, whose son and heir, Mr Andrew de Portal Kingsmill, is the present lord of the manor.'

Litchfield and Woodcott

At the time of the Domesday Survey there were most probably two estates in Litchfield - one held by the king and the other by Hugh de Port. The first, which afterwards developed into the Manor of Litchfield, was granted by Henry II to Ralf Monachus. In 1228 Ralf granted the manor to Brian de Stopham. It eventually passed to John Kingsmill in 1537 and when he died in 1556 his heir was William Kingsmill and the manor then followed the descent of Sydmonton.

Both the second estate, later known as the hamlet of Litchfield or West Litchfield, and Woodcott, were held by Faderlin and his daughter. These properties passed to Ruald de Woodcott and remained in the family until the early fourteenth century, when Richard de Cardeville inherited them. In 1303 he granted the Manor of Woodmancott and hamlet of Litchfield to the Prior and Brethren of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. They remained the property of the Prior and Brethren until the Dissolution when they became crown property. In 1544 they were granted to John Kingsmill and remained in the Kingsmill family until 1766. The manor was purchased by the Herberts and descended to the Earls of Carnarvon.