William Drake, of Great Waltham

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William Drake was first mentioned (in relation to his parents) in a surrender made by his father Edmund on his death-bed, of the lands called Eldefeldes and Grangerys to the use of his wife Joan and after her death to William Drake, their son. At the Court held on February 14, 1482, William petitioned to be admitted to these lands. Since at the time of Edmund's death, it was reported at Court "...and none came to claim his lands," William's brother, Thomas, the eldest son and heir, must have been living outside the manor.

On August 1, 1469, it was recorded that one William Somerset had died, having surrendered his tenement and croft called "Goldstones" to William Drake, the latter paing 3 marks 16s. 8d. to Margaret Somerset, the widow. He was presented at Court on May 22, 1483, for not doing his office as ale taster and fined the usual 2d. He died before the Court held on December 19, 1510, when his lands were seized since no one came to claim them.

The name of his wife, whom he must have married before 1645, is not known but they had two children: Thomas and Joan.