My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Thomas Ensign
Thomas Ensign (b. 1575, d. 14 Dec 1631)
Notes for Thomas Ensign:
From Ensign, files of Stephen Larson, Taken from a series of articles on The English Ensign
s by Paul C. Reid in the American Genealogist.
Though one or more generations are missing, it is likely that THOMAS was a descendant of THOMAS ENSING of Winchelsea, Sussex, and of JOHN ENSING,, who lived in 1478 at Robertsbridge, Salshurst, Sussex. THOMAS ENSING of Winchelsea was mayor there several times between 1519 and 1538 and was a member of Parliament in 1529. He was the father of JOAN ENSING who married first PETER MASTER and second PHILLIP CHUTE. THOMAS ENSING who was possible born at Robertsbridge, Sussex was living at Rye, Sussex by 1595, remaining there until relocating to Hove, Sussex, sometime after his wife
s death in late 1624 and before writing his will in late 1631. Rye was a port city and THOMAS ENSING was a prominent citizen and public figure. He was land chamberlain in 1599, purchased a tenement called Vyne in 1600, posted an 800 pound bond for the estate of his brother-in-law William FRENCH in 1602/3, was jurat and auditor in 1607, a baliff in 1609, mayor in 1614, and deputy mayor in 1615. He appears many times in Rye records until the port declined in the mid 1620
s. During religious conflicts in 1623/4 he was called gentleman and was charged with other Puritan reformists with obstructing the activities of the established church. Thomas was married on May 27, 1594 at Brightling, Sussex.
This information comes from the Henderson-Whorton Family Tree submitted by Judith Henderson [email protected] Please contact Judith Henderson with any additions or corrections.
Thomas's Will
# Will: 14 DEC 1631 Rye, Sussex, Eng.
# Note: Proved 27 Mar 1632, Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The ffourteenthday of December In the yeare of the incarnacon of our blessed Lord andSaviour Jesus Christ One thousand six hundred thirtie one And in theyeare of our Soveraigne Lord Kinge Charles by the grace of God Kingeof great brittayne ffraunce and Ireland the Seaven defender of thetrue and auncient and Apostolicke faith, to sonne Thomas Ensign tennepounds currant money, to sonne David Ensinge five pounds, to daughterMarie five pounds, to her sonne Thomas Couchman my godsonne threepound and to Constance and Elizabeth Couchman Twenty shillings; to dauConstance Ensing five pounds; all rest of lands & goods to sonneJeames Ensing whom I make my Sole Executor Provided allway that if mysonne Thomas Ensinge doe pay to his brother Jeames Ensing 120 poundsthen Jeames shall resigne to his brother Thomas that land I bought ofAnne Wyborne before my sonne Thomas did marry with the said AnneWyborne. I doe intreat my faithfull & loving Friend Mr. Small hoppeBigge to be my Overseerto this my last will, and he to have for his paynes Twentyshillings. In witness of the truth that this is my Will I havehereunto sett my hand and seale.
Thomas Ensing the elder
Witnesses hereof: Humfrey Streete, John Bishipp. Probated the 27thday of March 1632 by James Ensing son and executor.
Children of Thomas Ensign and Anne (Hanna) Wyborne are:
- +James Ensign, b. 1590, Chilham, Kent England, d. 23 Nov 1680.
Children of Thomas Ensign and Constance Pilcher are:
- +Thomas Ensign, b. 15 Apr 1599, Rye, Sussex, England19, 19, 19, 19, d. 166319.
- James Ensign, b. 1590, Chilham, Kent, England19, d. 23 Nov 1680, Hartford, Hartford, CT, USA19.
- Hannah Ensign, d. date unknown.
- Sarah Ensign, d. date unknown.
- Constance Ensign, b. 1610, Cranbrook, Kent, England19, d. 1631, Hove, Sussex, England19.
- Edward Ensign, b. 10 May 1601, Rye, Sussex, England19, d. 05 Jan 1621, St Mary Madgalen, Bermondsey, Surrey, England19.
- John Ensign, b. 1616, Diddenden, Kent, England19, d. date unknown.
- Mary Ensign, b. 1606, Rye, Sussex, England19, d. 1641, Cranbrook, Kent, England19.