William Lilburne

GrGrGrandfather of Thomas Jefferson 3rd US President

William Lilburne was first cousin to "Freeman" John Lilburn. William was described in the visitation of 1666, as a barrister at Grays Inn. The register of the parish of St. Nicholas, New Castle, contains the record of his marriage on 21 August 1662 to Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Nicholson, merchant. He was admitted a freeman of New Castle in July 1674 and made his will January 1681/2.

From his will it is known that he owned land in Sunderland and also an eighth interest in the coal mines at "Kenton" and possibly some other mines in Gunnerton, both these last named places were in the county of Northumberland. After William's death, a number of law suits ensued involving what would seem to be very valuable leaseholds on some of the mining property. The suits were not only between his widow, and his heirs, but also some third parties. The outcomes of which are not reported, but it appears interests in the property were under litigation from at least 1694 through 1719, with the final decree coming on 1 July 5, George I. (The result of which were not mentioned in the article.)

From one of the filed Complaints it is know that William had lent a man £4,500 in August 1678 for which he was given an interest in the coal mines in Gunnerton until the sum was paid with interest. However, it is not specified if this was William's only interest at the time in the Gunnerton mines. Neither was enough information provided in the article to ascertain if the dispute had anything to do with "Freedom" John Lilburne's imprisonment - wherein William's father, George, had some interest - are the same as those William and his heirs had an interest in.

Although three other complaints are abstracted in the article, the following one gives the clearest interpretation of the suits that followed William's death, this one sited as being from the "Chancery Decree (Enrolled) 1430 M. 3":

"Elizabeth Lilburne widow, Mich. Term 1694, exhibited bill of complaint against William, Robert, Elinor, Jane, Elizabeth, Alice, Mary, Isabell and Anne Lilburne, and others, stating that her late husband, William Lilburne, Esq., being seized off land at Sunderland, County Durham, on Gunnerton and lands and colliery at Kenton, County Northumberland, made will 13 January 1681 (he died 17 June following) leaving complainant £600 and the land in Sunderland and Gunnerton for life, valued at £200 per annum, the value to be made up out of the Kenton property should it fall short, the reversion of land in Sunderland and Gunnerton to his sons, said William, Robert, and Benjamin (now dead), £700 apiece to daughters Elianor, Jane and Elizabeth; £500 apiece to daughters Alice, Mary and Isabell; £400 to daughter Anne. On account of debts, the complainant had not received her legacy and the lands in Sunderland and Gunnerton fall short of £200 per annum. She therefore prayed that the Kenton property might be sold.

"Mich. 1704 said William and Robert Lilburne, Charles Rogers and wife Jane (late Lilburne), Alice, Isabelle, Mary and Anne Lilburne, entered bill against Elizabeth Lilburne, widow, and Elinor Lilburne. Jane married Charles Rogers, the younger and Elizabeth died before the proceedings were finished, making Jane, Alice, Isabelle and Mary, her executors.

"Decree 28 June 1704, for division of profits, etc. at Kenton.
"Report 23 May 1710.
"Deed Poll of plaintiff Elizabeth to Elianor 10 Dec 1712.
"Report of Master to be heard 9 March 1716.
"Report 17 June 1719 Elizabeth Lilburne, widow.
"Final decree 1 July 5, George I."
Elizabeth's will was dated in 1715 and proved in 1721. From which it is evident that she and William had three sons and seven daughters, as named in the above proceedings. Of the daughters, our line comes down from Jane.

Death
Death:
Date: 17 JAN 1681/82
Place: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England

per:https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lilburne-2