Wife 1 Eliot

The name of John's first wife is unknown. Her burial is noted in the churchwardens' accounts for Bishops Stortford for 1521-22 as 16d. received "of John Elyat for the wast of the torchis at the buryall of his wyfe."

The 1612 Essex visitations, by Metcalfe, inaccurately states that his first wife was "da. to ...... Grave."

In his will dated 22 October 1557, John Eliot left 20d. to "every child that Richard Grave or his wife hath now living...saving to John Elyott her eldest son, unto whom I give and bequeath twenty shillngs." The nuncupative will of Elizabeth Grave, widow and "late wiffe of Richard Grave of Storford," proved 18 June 1587, names her sons John Eliott, Abraham (no surname given), Richard Grave, and Edward Grave. Therefore, the "Elizabeth Grave" connected to John is the widow of one of his sons who later married Richard Grave.