Thomas Whitbred

Citations

1. [S1723] Clarence Almon Torrey, The Whitbread Family of Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire, England, pages 133-134. - The result of the investigation is not entirely satisfactory, as some greatly desired records were not found. It is hoped that other Whitbread descendants will seek additional information in English records. Members of the Whitbread family Gravenhurst, co., Bedford, are mentioned in very early records. The records are fagmentary before 1500. After 1500 records of two branches of the family were found. The first shown Thomas was born, presumably, by 1500, and the second Thomas, it is believed, about 1522. Circumstancial evidence indicates that these men were closely related, but how related is left ofr subsequent research of others to determine, if indeed records exist to make positive conclusions possible.
   The Second Thomas Whitbread Line:
   1. Thomas Whitbread is supposed to have been born about 1522; married, presumably about 1546, a wfie whose name has not been found. They may have serveral children, but the name of only one child is known. Death dates of Thomas and his wife cannot be stated. He may perhaps be the Thomas buried at Upper Gravenhurst 6 June 1585, though this record may refer to a young child of his son John.
   No record has been found of this Thomas, who heads the second line, during his lifetime. The authority for his existence is a land transaction in 1639, many years after his death. This important record is as follows:
   Conveyance of Wm. Whitbred of Ion alias Ine, Upper Gravenhurst, gent; Henry Whitbread of the same, get (son and heir apparent of Wm.)and Elizabeth his wife; Wm. Carter of Offley, Herts, gent; and John Shepard of Upper Gravenhurst, yeoman; to Wm. Aleyn, citizen & grocer, of London; for 2,200 pounds paid to Wm. and Henry Whitebred; with convenat to levy a fine. A capital house or manor house in the tenure of Wm. and Hen.Whitbred; 4 cottages in Upper Gravenhurst (names of occupants are given). Covenant as to "tytles troubles charges incumbrances and demands whatsoever heretofore donne or wittingly suffered by them the said Wm. Whitbred and Hen. Whitbred or either of them or by John Whitbred deceased father of the sd. Wm. Whitbred or by Thomas Whitbread his deceased grandfather." 8 October 1639. (Whitbread Collection at Bedford Record Office, particulars supplied by Anthony R. Wagner, Richmond Herald.) From this record we learn that Thomas was father of John, who was father of William, who was father of Henry. That this Thomas was a near relative of the older Thomas who heads the First Line, seems ceretain, but it is idle to speculate in the absence of records whether he was a son, nephew or other connection.