Sir Peter Proby, Lord Mayor of London

Peter Proby was born at Chester, and was the son of Randolph Proby, afterwards of Brampton, Hunts, by his wife, a Miss Bernard. He was admitted to our freedom in 1579, made a Liveryman 1st July, 1596, an Assistant 6th July, 1609, and served the office of Master 1615. He was Sheriff of London 1614, Alderman of the Ward of Queenhithe, and Lord Mayor in 1622.

Sir Peter Proby was the son of Randolph Proby and the unknown Miss Bernard. He married Elizabeth Thorougood, daughter of John Thorougood. Sir Peter held the office of Lord Mayor of London in 1622/23. He died in 1624.

Sir Peter kept homes in Brampton and Elton in Huntingdonshire, England, and in Rans, Buckinghamshire.

Children of Sir Peter Proby and Elizabeth Thorougood

• Henry Proby+2 d. 1660
• Reverend Edmund Proby2 d. b 1684
• Emmanuel Proby+2 d. 1646
• Walsingham Proby2
• Frances Proby2
• Sir Heneage Proby+2 b. 1600, d. 1652

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Sir Peter Proby, Lord Mayor of London and Comptroller of the Royal Household, was granted land and property at Elton by Queen Elizabeth I. Peter in 1593 was MP for Hull and for Liverpool in 1587/98. He succeeded to his father’s Brampton Estate on the death of his elder brother, Ralph, in 1605.

Sir Peter Proby’s will (undated) was proved 21st March, 1625, and commences—

I Peter Proby Knight and Alderman of London calling to minde the transitory estate of all flesh and more perticulerly the great age wch through gods especiall goodnes I have attayned, as alsoe the weake estate of my body broken of late wth many sicknesses and infirmities wch still hanging one mee as be many monitors unto me to pˀvide for my approachinge change and settlinge of that poore state wherewth it hath pleased god to blesse mee.

He gives to his wife Dame Elizabeth Proby (of whom he speaks in terms of the greatest affection) his manor of Allington, alias Aylton, Hunts, for 40 years, if she shall so long live, with remainder to his son Heneage, also to his wife his mansion and manor house of Caddington, Herts, with the demesne lands of that manor and the tithes thereof, also all his lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Luton and Dunstable with remainder to his son Henry, also to his wife his house in St. Swithin’s Lane, London. To his son Henry the manor of Yaxley, Hunts, with the tolls of the fair and markets there, which he had by virtue of a lease from Queen Elizabeth. To his son, the Rev. Edmund Proby, D.D., £1,000. To his son George £1,000. To his son Emanuel £500 (he having already had £500). His daughter, Walsingham having been provided for on her marriage, was to have £20.

To my kinde and loveinge soune in lawe William Downhall esquire £20. Item I give and bequeath unto my lovinge friends the Mr Wardens and company of Barber surgions the some of twenty pounds.

Also £30 to the Grocers’ Company and £6 6s. 8d. to Bridewell Hospital. To the poor of Aylton 12d. weekly for 5 years. To the poor of Yaxley 6d. weekly for 5 years.

And as for that yerely penc͠on yt I have given for ever in the parish I was borne in in the Citty of Chester I require my executor to see and make inquiry of the pˀformance thereof (accordinge to a brason table in the Church therefore) the wch for many yeres past I have knowne well performed and soe I hope wilbe for ever.

His sons, Heneage and Henry, and son-in-law, William Downhall, were appointed Executors.

Sir Peter Proby’s arms were, erm. on a fesse gu. a lyon pass. or. a crescent for difference.

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/49011/49011-h/49011-h.htm

Family

• Son of Randolph Proby and Mary Bernard

Married

1. Mrs Elizabeth Hanson, widow, daughter of John Thorogood and Margaret Smith.

At least 6 children

1. Sir Heneage Proby born c.1595. He married Ellen Allen, daughter of Alderman Edward Allen, of Finchley, Middlesex.
2. Rev Edmund Proby born in 1603.
3. Charles born in 1604. 
4. Henry born in 1606. Married Ellen Bonham daughter of William Bonham, London Vitner.
5. Emmanuel born in 1598. He married Mary Bland.
6. Nathaniel
7. Walsingham born in 1610. She married William Downhall.

Links

• http://www.aboutbritain.com/EltonHall.htm
• http://www.gaskellfamily.com/SirPeterProby.htm