Thomas Brinley

     Thomas was born circa 1600 in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Thomas married Anne Wase, daughter of William Wase and Anne Cole, on 21 October 1622 in Finchampstead, Berkshire, England, at St. James Church.⁴ He and Anne were blessed with 4 sons & 7 daughters of whom some names are unknown.^5,6 He was of Datchet, Buckinghamshire, England. He held the office of Auditor-General of the Revenues under Charles I. At the time of the Parlimentary revolt under Cromwell, Thomas lost much of his estate and posessions and is thought to have gone into hiding as he was known to be loyal to the King. He at least was forced to move and to keep a low profile. When Charles II was restored to the throne, Thomas was restored to his former position, but died the following year.^7,2 Thomas made his will on 13 September 1661 at Datchet, Buckinghamshire, England.

My third of tenements in the town of Newcastle upon Tyne, and two thirds of the manor of Burton in Yorkshire to his eldest son, Francis and his heirs. My half of the township or manor of Wakerfield, heretofore parcel of the Lordship of Raby, and my lands and tenements in Wakerfield, county and Bishoprick of Durham, purchased in the names of William Wase of Durham and of Robert Worrall, lately deceasedk and of Michael Lambcroft, lately deceased, and of John Maddocke, of Cuddingtom, co. Chester, in trust for the use lf me, the said Thomas Brinley, and the said Robert Warrall and our heirs and assigns forever, to my wife, Anne Brinley, during her natural life; at her death to eldest son, Francis Brinley. My lands in Horton and Stanwell, in several counties of Middlesex and Bucks &c., by me purchased of Henry Bulstrode of Horton, to my wife Anne for life; then to my second son , Thomas Brinley, a lease of ninety-nine years. Certain other lands &c., lately bought of James Styles, the elder, of Langley, to wife Anne; at her death to my third son, William Brinley. A legacy to daughter Mary Silvester, widow and her daughter, my granddaughter, Mary Silvester the younger, who are both left destitute of subsistence by the decease of my said daughter's late husband, Peter Silvester, &c. To the children of my daughter Griswell, the now wife of Nathaniel Silvester, gentleman, dwelling in New England, in the Parts of America, in an island called Shelter Island, one hundred pounds within one year after my decease.
The witnesses to the will were Robert Style and Rose Baker.⁸

He wrote a codicil to his will on 11 October 1661.

In the codicil he bequeaths legacies to his brother Lawrence Brinley and Richard Brinley his son, both of London, merchants, to the intent that they shall with all convenient speed sell that half of said lands, &c. (in Wakerfield), for the best rate and value that they can get for the same, &c.
The witnesses to this codicil were William Wase, Budd Wase, William Carter and William Brinley.⁹

He was buried at Datchet, Buckinghamshire, England, in the chancel floor of St. Mary's Church. His tombstone bears the inscription: "Here Lyeth ye body of Thomas Brinley Esq. beinge one of the auditors of the Revennue of Kinge Charles the First and of King Charles ye second borne in the citty of Exeter. Hee marryed Anne ye daughter of William Wase of Petworth in Sussex Gent. who had issue by her five sonnes and seaven daughters. He died ye 15th day of October in the yeare of our Lord 1661.^10,9 Thomas departed this life on Saturday, 15 October 1661 in Datchet, Buckinghamshire, England.¹⁰ His will was probated on 11 December 1661 by his widow, Anne.