Sir John Puleston, MP

See Peter Bartrum, https://cadair.aber.ac.uk/dspace/bitstream/handle/2160/4821/CILMIN%... (February 17, 2018; Anne Brannen, curator)

See Peter Bartum, https://cadair.aber.ac.uk/dspace/bitstream/handle/2160/5559/PULESTO... (March 2, 2017; Anne Brannen, curator)

PULESTON, John (by 1492-1551), of Caernarvon, Caern. and Bersham, Denb.

Family and Education

b. by 1492, 1st s. of John Puleston of Hafod Y Wern and Bersham by 1st w. Ellen, da. of Robert Whitney of Whitney, Herefs. m. (1) by 1526, Gaynor, da. of Robert ap Meredydd ap Hwlcyn Llwyd of Glynllifon, Caern., 4s. inc. Robert 5da.; (2) Sioned, da. of Meredydd ap Ieuan ap Robert of Dolwyddelan and Gwydir, Caern., wid. of Edmund Gruffydd of Porthyr-Aur, Caern., 1s. 3da.; 1s. illegit. suc. fa. c.1523. Kntd. by 20 Dec. 1546.2

Offices Held

Sewer, the chamber by 1513; serjeant-at-arms 1513-d.; constable, Caernarvon castle 1523-d., ex officio mayor, Caernarvon 1523-d.; dep. sheriff, Merioneth bef. 1533; sheriff and escheator 5 May 1533-40; steward, lands of Bardsey abbey by 1535-d.; commr. tenths of spiritualities, diocese of Bangor 1535, coastal defence N. Wales 1539, musters, Merion. 1539, relief, Caern. 1550; v.-adm. N. Wales by 1539; j.p. Caern. 1540-d.; sheriff, Denb. 1542-3, Caern. 1543-4; ?chamberlain, N. Wales in 1547.3

Biography

The Pulestons of Caernarvon were an offshoot of the family of Bersham in Denbighshire, itself sprung from the main line at Emral, Flintshire; the name derived from Puleston or Pilston near Newport, Shropshire. John Puleston’s father and namesake had fought for Henry VII at Bosworth and served in the royal household: he was made constable of Caernarvon castle in 1506 and receiver of the lordship of Denbigh in 1519. John Puleston the younger saw service in Henry VIII’s first French war as a member of Viscount Lisle’s retinue, and it was on his return from France in November 1513 that he was made a serjeant-at-arms. Ten years later he succeeded his dead or dying father as constable of Caernarvon castle and ten years after that was made sheriff and escheator of the old county of Merioneth in the principality of North Wales.4

Puleston’s relations with Sir Richard Bulkeley, the joint chancellor and chamberlain of North Wales until his death in 1547, were far from happy. During a dispute in 1535 Bulkeley described Puleston and his son-in-law Edward Gruffydd of Penrhyn as his old adversaries, and both parties thought it expedient to write to Cromwell. Two years later Puleston and Bulkeley were at loggerheads again when Bulkeley sent his brother William Bulkeley I to put Cromwell’s nephew Gregory Williams in possession of the benefice of Llandwrog, of which Puleston and another were patrons but which Cromwell wanted for his nephew. The pair had sometimes to work together, as when in 1539 they were commissioned to inspect the coastal defences in the region; at the time Puleston was vice-admiral of North Wales. In 1538 he and a fellow serjeant-at-arms, John ap Richard, had leased the ex-priory at Conway with various lands and the rectory at Eglwys Rhos.5

Following the death of Edward Gruffydd in 1540, Puleston supported his daughter in her quarrel with her brother-in-law Rhys Gruffydd over the descent of the Penrhyn estates. Puleston maintained that Edward Gruffydd’s lands should descend to his three daughters, the eldest of whom was six, Rhys Gruffydd that he should inherit. In July 1542 Chancellor Audley and Sir William Paulet awarded lands to the value of £33 to Rhys Gruffydd and the rest to the daughters, but even that was not the end of the affair. In June 1544 Puleston purchased the wardship and marriage of his three grand-daughters; it was one of several such deals, including the wardships of William Lewis of Presaddfed, Anglesey, and of the daughters of Robert Salusbury of Llanrwst, Denbighshire.6

In 1539 Puleston was fearful that the new order in Wales would diminish his authority, but at the Union he emerged as one of the chief figures in the region: he was among the first justices for Caernarvonshire, was sheriff of that county and Denbighshire, and was knighted. He also sat in the first three Parliaments to which Wales sent Members, in 1542 for Caernarvon Boroughs, where his constableship made him supreme, and in 1545 and 1547 for the shire. In 1545 the sheriff who returned him was his brother-in-law and ally John Wynn ap Meredydd, who was to replace him as knight of the shire on his death during the prorogation between the third and fourth sessions of the Parliament of 1547. In that Parliament Puleston’s son Robert sat for the Boroughs.7

Puleston made his will on 14 Jan. 1551, leaving his lands in Denbighshire to Robert Puleston and those in Caernarvonshire mainly to a younger son. His bequests of cattle and other livestock show that he must have farmed on a considerable scale, while silver articles and featherbeds witness to a comfortable home in Caernarvon. He was also well befriended, his executors including Paulet, then Earl of Wiltshire, (Sir) John Salusbury II, and John Wynn ap Meredydd. The will was proved in the following month.8

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

• Author: P. S. Edwards
• Notes
• 1. Did not serve for the full duration of the Parliament.
• 2. Date of birth estimated from first reference. Griffith, Peds., 275; DWB (Puleston fam.); E. Breese, Kalendars of Gwynedd, 127; Cal. Caern. Q. Sess. Recs. ed. Williams, 33; LP Hen. VIII, iv.
• 3. LP Hen. VIII, i, viii, xiii, xiv; Breese, 70, 126-7; P. R. Roberts, ‘The Acts of Union and the Tudor settlement of Wales’ (Camb. Univ. Ph.D. thesis, 1966), 40, 172; Cal. Caern. Q. Sess. Recs. 31, 38-39, 53, 55-56, 60-61; HCA 13/3, f. 182; CPR, 1553, p. 363.
• 4. Breese, 126-7; LP Hen. VIII, i, iv; NLW ms Wales 20/3, m. 22.
• 5. LP Hen. VIII, viii, ix, xi, xiv.
• 6. Req. 2/6/210; LP Hen. VIII, xv, xvii, xix; Wards 7/4/1, 3, 100/4, 8; 9/131/169.
• 7. Cal. Caern. Q. Sess. Recs. 33(5); CPR, 1547-8, p. 307.
• 8. PCC 7 Bucke.
• From: http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/pu...
• ____________________________________
• PULESTON, Robert (by 1526-83), of Plas ym Mers, Denb.
• b. by 1526, 1st surv. s. of (Sir) John Puleston† of Caernarvon and Bersham by his 1st w. Gaynor, da. of Robert ap Meredydd ap Hwlkin of Glynllifon, Caern. m. Ellen, da. of William Williams of Cochwillan, Caern., 6s. 2da. suc. fa. 1551.1
• From: http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/pu...
• ___________________________
• 3 Sir John Puleston (d. 1551) of Caernarvon m. (1) Gaynor (W), d. of Robert ap Meredydd ap Hwlcyn Llwyd of Glynllifon, co. Caernarvon and (2) Jonet (Sioned) (W), d. of Meredydd ap Jevan ap Robert of Dolwyddelan and Gwydir, co. Caernarvon (H of C 1509-1558, III, 160-1).
• From: http://welshjournals.llgc.org.uk/browse/viewpage/llgc-id:1277425/ll...
• _______________
• THOMAS, William I (1551-86), of Caernarvon.
• b. 1551, 1st s. of Rhys Thomas of Aberglasney, Llangathen, Carm., and later of Llanfair Isgaer, Caern. by Jane, da. of Sir John Puleston† of Caernarvon, wid. of Edward Griffith of Penrhyn, Caern. m. Ellen, da. of William Griffith of Plas Mawr, Caern., 5s. 4da. suc. fa. 1577.2 ....
• From: http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/th...
• __________________________________
• GRIFFITH, John II (d. by 1609), of Plas Mawr, Caern. and Llanidan, Anglesey.
• 1st s. of William Griffith (d.1587), and bro. of Edward, ?Robert and William I. m. Margaret, da. of Rhys Thomas of Aber by Jane, da. of (Sir) John Puleston† and wid. of Edward Griffith of Penrhyn, 4s. inc. Nicholas and William Griffith II 3da. ....
• From: http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/gr...
• _____________
• John Puleston 'Hen' of Hafod y Wern & Bersham
• m1. Elin Whitney (dau. of Robert Whitney ap Sir Robert)
  • 1. Sir John Puleston of Bersham, Constable of Carnarvon Castle (d 1551)
  • m1. Gaynor (dau. of Robert ap Meredydd ap Hwlkin Lloyd, of Glyn Llifon)
    • A. Robert Puleston of Bersham
    • m. Ellin Williams (dau of William Williams of Cochwillan)
    • B. Rowland Puleston of Carnarvon (4th son)
    • m. Annes (dau of Rowland Griffith of Plas Newydd)
    • C. Elizabeth Puleston
    • m. John Wynn ap Hugh, of Bodfel
    • D. Sibyl Puleston
    • m. Ellis ap William Lloyd, of Rhiwaedog
    • E. Elin Puleston
    • m. Morris ap Eliza, of Clenenney
    • F. Jane Puleston
    • m1. Edward Griffith of Penrhyn
    • m2. Rhys Thomas of Aber
    • G. Margaret Puleston
    • m. William Lewis of Presaddfed
    • H.+ other issue (dsp) - John, William
  • m2. Jonet (dau of Meredydd ap Ifan ap Robert, of Cesall Gyfarch)
    • J. Hugh Puleston
    • m. Margaret (dau/heir of Llwyn y Cnotiau)
    • K. Jane Puleston
    • m. Rhys Wynn
    • L. Ann Puleston
    • m. Edward Conwy
    • M. Margaret Puleston
    • m. _ Royden
  • 2. Elizabeth Puleston
  • m1. Sir Roger Salesbury of Llyweni
  • m2. John Wynne of Melai (a 1577)
  • 3. daughter
  • m1. John Eyton Vaugan of Rusbon
  • m2. John Erddig of Erddig
  • 4.+ other issue - Robert, Hugh (d 1566?, vicar of Wrexham), Richard, Lancelot
• m2. Alice Lewis (d 1480, dau of Hugh Lewis of Presadfesdd)
  • 8. John Puleston of Tir Mon, later of Hafod y Wern
  • m. Catherine Stanley (dau of Piers Stanley of Ewlo Castle)
• Griffith shows the following Jane twice, under both Elin Whitney & Alice Lewis. Accordingly, we are not sure who was her mother.
  • 9 Jane Puleston
  • m1. Robert Ap Meredydd, of Glynlliffon (ap Hwlkin Lloyd)
  • m2. (1520) Sir William Griffith of Penrhyn
• From: http://stirnet.com/genie/data/british/pp/puleston3.php#top
• _________________________
• Welsh Biograph Online
• (3) A cadet branch of the Pulestons of Hafod-y-wern flourished at Caernarvon for part of the 16th cent. , its founder being the son by his first marriage (to Elin , daughter of Robert Whitney), of John Puleston (‘ Hen ’) , Sir JOHN PULESTON (d. 1551 ), who was sheriff of Caernarvonshire , 1543-4 , Member of Parliament for Caernarvon , 1541-4 , and for Caernarvonshire , 1545-7 and 1547-51 , chamberlain of North Wales , 1547 , and constable of Caernarvon castle , 1523-51 . He m. (1) Gaynor , daughter of Robert ap Meredydd ap Hwlcyn Llwyd of Glynllifon , and (2) Sioned , daughter of Meredydd ap Ieuan ap Robert , of Cesail Gyfarch and Gwydir . From HUGH PULESTON , his son by his second wife, who m. Margaret , daughter and heiress of Hugh Lloyd , of Llwynycnotiau , near Wrexham , were descended the Pulestons of that place. There is evidence that the Rev. EDWARD PULESTON (d. 1621/2 ), second son of this Hugh , who became rector of Burton Latimer, Northants , in 1592 , and ultimately inherited Llwynycnotiau from his childless elder brother, was a confidant of captain John Salisbury of Rûg (see Salusbury of Rûg ), one of the principal conspirators in the Essex revolt of 1601 ; while his younger brother, RICHARD PULESTON , had served under the captain in Ireland . On the death, without issue, March 1677/8 , of Edward 's grandson, JOHN PULESTON , Llwynycnotiau came into possession of his wife's brother, Simon Thelwall , of Plas-y-ward (see Thelwall of Plas-y-ward ), by virtue of a settlement made in 1672 .
• From: http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s-PULE-EMR-1294.html
• ______________________
• Robert Puleston (by 1526 - 15 August 1583), was a Welsh politician.
• He was the eldest surviving son of Sir John Puleston of Caernarvon and Bersham, who was MP for Caernarvon and Caernarvonshire. He succeeded his father in 1551.
• He was a Justice of the Peace for Denbighshire in 1555-61, Justice of the Peace of the Quorum from 1562 until his death, and appointed High Sheriff of Denbighshire for 1558-59 and 1569-70. He was also High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire for 1571-72 and from 1573 to his death a J.P. for Caernarvonshire.
• He was elected a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Caernarvon Boroughs in 1547 and for Denbighshire in March 1553 and 1571.
• He married Ellen, the daughter of William Williams of Cochwillan, Caernarvonshire; they had 6 sons and 2 daughters.
• From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Puleston_(MP)
• ______________________

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John Puleston Gender: Male Birth: 1492 Wales Death: 1551 Father: John Hen Puleston Mother: Eleanor Whitney Wife: Gaynor Ferch Puleston (born Robert) Child: Jane Thomas (born Puleston) Source: View full record on WikiTree website (wikitree.com)