JET^e 2|iiln<i0roitie Jp^mfls

THE

RAINBOROWE FAMILY.

GLEANINGS BY HENRY F. WATERS, A.M.

By ISAAC J. GREENWOOD, A.M.

[Reprinted from the N. E. Histoiiical and Genealooical Register for April, 1886.]

NEW YORK :
FIFTY COPIES, PRIVATELY PRINTED.
i8S6.

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THE RAINBOROWE FAMILY.

Thomas Rainborowe of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, mar
iner, 4 December 162-2, proved 23 February 1623. My hody to be buried
in the church yard of I]ast Greenwich with such solemnity as ray executors
in their discretion shall think fit. My wife Martha and eldest son Wil
liam Rainborowe to be executors. Ten pounds to be given for the putting
forth of poor children of the parish of Greenwich aforesaid, &c. To said
Martha my wife all my plate and household stuff and the furniture of my
house and also my one sixteenth part of the good ship called the Barbara
Constance of London and my one sixteenth of the tackle, apparel, muni
tion, furniture, freight, &c. of the said ship. To my said son William two
hundred pounds within one year next after my decease, and one sixteenth
of the good ship Rainbowe of London & one sixteenth of her tackle, &c.,
one sixteenth of the ship Ldley of London (and of her tackle, &c.), one forty
eighth part of the ship Royal Exchange of London (and of her tackle, &c.). .
To my son Thomas Rainborowe two hundred pounds within one year, &c.
To my daughter Barbara Lee two hundred pounds within one year, &c. To
my daughter Martha Wood two hundred pounds within one year, &c. To
my daughter Sara Porte two hundred pounds within one year, &c.
Whereas I have taken of the Right Honorable Edward Lord Dennie,
Baron of Waltham Holy Cross in the County of Essex, by Indenture of
Lease bearing date the eight and twentieth day of September Anno Domi-
id 1619, a capital messuage called by the name of Claver Hambury and
certain lands, with their appurtenances, situate, lying & being in the said
County of Essex, for the term of two and twenty years, &o. and for and
under the yearly rent of a peppercorn, &c. ; for which said lease I have
paid to the said Lord Denny the sum of two thousand three hundred pounds
of currant English money; and the said messuage and lands, &c. are worth
yearly in rent [de claro) two hundred and twenty pounds or thereabouts,
&c. &c. it is my will that there shall be paid out of the rents, profits, &c.
to Martha my wife oiie annuity or annual rent of one hundred pounds, to
my son Wihiara an annuity, &c. of twenty pounds, to my son Thomas an
annuity, &c. of twenty pounds, to my daughter Barbara Lee an annuity,
&c. of twenty pounds, to my daughter Martha Wood an annuity, &c. of
twenty pounds, to my daughter Sara Port an annuity, &c. of twenty
pounds. The residue of my personal property to my two executors to be divided
equally, part and part alike. My dwelling house and lands in East Green-

wich shall be sold by my executors for the most profit they can & within
as short time after my death as conveniently may be, and of the money
arising therefrom one third shall go to my wife Martha, one third to my
son William and the other third to my said four other children, Thomas,
Barbara, Martha & Sara.
The witnesses were J. W. the mark of John Wotton, of the precinct of
S' Katherine's, mariner, John Woodward, Not. Pub., and John Brooke
his servant. Byrde, 8.
Anthony Wood of Redrith in the county of Suri'ey, mariner, 13 Au
gust 1 625, proved at London 3 January 1 625 by the oath of Martha Wood
his rehct and executrix. To wife Martha all my lease &c. in my now dwell
ing house in Redrith & my part of the good ship Exchange of London &
of the Charity of London. To son Richard all my portion of the good ship
Rainbow of London & my adventure in her &c. To my sons Richard,
Thomas & Anthony five hundred pounds apiece, & to my daughter Sara
five hundred pounds, at one & twenty. To iby brother John Wood five
pounds a year for eighteen years. To mj^ mother Raynborrowe three
pounds for a ring. To my brother William Raynborowe five pounds for a
cloak. To my brother Fi'aricis Port three pounds for a ring. To my bro
ther Thomas Lee three pounds. To my bi-other Thomas RaynborOwe
three pounds. To my uncle Wilham Wood & his wife four pounds, for &
in remembrance of tokens of my love urito them. I give to my said wife
all my lease of certain lands at Waltham which I have & hold from the
Lord Denny, &c. My said Wife & my said soh Richard to be full & sole
executors &c., aiid I name & appoint overseers of this my wdl my loving
friends the Wor" Henry Gai-way & William GarWaye of Londoii mer
chants. A codicil made Tuesday the 23* of August A.D. 1625 revokes the be
quest of his portion of the ship Rainbow to son Richard & bequeaths it to
Martha Wood his wife. Hele, 4.
Rowland Cottemore of Wapping in the County of Middlesex, mar
iner, 5 June, 16-26, proved 24 November 1626 by Katherine Coytemore,
relict and' executrix. To son Thomas Coytemore and his heirs, &c. the
messuage or teliement, lands, hereditaments and appurtenances in the
manor of Milton in the parish of Prittlewetl als. Prickltewell, in the Coun
ty of Essex, now in the tenure and occupation of John Greene, &c. and
my farm and copyhold land of forty four acres or thereabbtlts, in the parish
of Great Bursted in the County of Essei ; wife Katherine to have the use
and rents until my son Thomas shall accomplish his age of one and twenty
years; To my daughter Elizabeth Coytemore three score pounds at her
age of one and twenty years or day of marriage, also the tenement or mes
suage known by the sign of the Blewboare in the town or parish of Retch-
ford, in the County of Essex, now in the tenure of William Ashwell als.'
Hare. To my son in law Thomas Gray* and his heirs my two copyhold
tenements, &c. in Rederith ah. Rederiff, in the County of Surrey, now in
the several occupations of Francis Welby and John Moore. If my child
ren and children's children die before they abcomplish their several ages of
one and twenty or be married, then my aforesaid lands' shall remain, come
and be unto my kinsman 'Hugh Hughs a&. Gwyn, my sister Elizabeth's
• see Gray and Cdytmore Faknllies, Reo. xxxiv. 253.— Ed.

son. To my grandson Wilham Ball, son of William Ball, forty shillings.
To my daughter in law daughter Dorothy Lamberton forty shillings. To
the poor of Wapping three pounds and to the poor of the IJfiper Hamlet
of Whitechapel forty shillings. To the masters of Trinity House, for their
poor, ten pounds within one year, &c.
My wife Katherine to be executrix and sons' in law Thomas Gray and
William Rainsborough of Wapping aforesaid, rnariners, to be overseers.
The witnesses were Raphe Bower pub. scr. and John Wheatley serv' to
the said scr. Hele, 125.
Martha Rainborowe of the parish of S' Bridget als. Brides, near
Fleet St. London, widow, late wife of Thomas Rainborowe, late of East
Greenwich in the county of Kent, mariner, deceased, made her will 29 No-
¦yembfer 1626, proved 23 September 1631. In it she referred to her hus
band's will & the lease of the messuage called Claverhambury and the dis
position of its rents, bequeathed her own annuity among her five children,
devised to her daughter Barbara Lee her sixteenth part of the good ship
called Barbara Constance and gave the residue of her goods, chattels, &c.
to her said daughter Barbara, wife of Thomas Lee, citizen & armorer of
London, whom also she appointed sole executrix.
The witnesses were Robert Woodford, Thomas Turner and Tho: East
wood. S' John, 102.
, William Rainborow of London Esq. 1 6 July 1 638, with codicil of
1 February 1642, proved 8 April 1642. To the Hamlet of Wapping as a
stock for their poor fifty pounds ; to the Hamlet of Whitechapel ten
pounds, &c. To the Trinity House fifty pounds, with the condition that
they give to poor seamen or their widoyvs of the Hamlet of Wapping,
every St. Thomas Day, forty shillings. To my eldest son Thomas Rain
borowe all those my houses in Southwark purchased of M"^ .William
Gambell and some of them lately built. To my son William Rain
borowe those my houses in Gun Alley in Wapping purchased of my father
in law Renold Hoxton and also one thousand pounds. To my son Edward
twelve hundred pounds. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Mar
tha Coytmore, the wife of Thomas Coytmore now in New England, the sum
of seven hundred pounds, if she be alive at the time of my death. To my
daughter Judith Rainborowe one thousand pounds & to my daughter Joane
Rainborowe one thousand pounds. All this to be paid to them, by my ex
ecutors, at their several days of marriage or at their age of one and twenty
years, and those that be of age at six months after my decease. To the
four sons and one daughter of my deceased sister Sara Port, namely Robert,
John, Thomas, William and Martha Porte, two hundred and fifty pounds,
that is to each fifty pounds, at twenty one. To my brother M"' Thomas
Rainborowe flfty pounds. To my sister Buckridge fifty pounds. To my
sister Wood fifty pounds. To my father in law Renold Hoxton and to my
mother in law Joane Hoxton ten pounds apiece to buy them each a ring.
My executors to be my loving sons Thomas and William Rainborowe and
I appoint them to bring up my younger children to their age of twenty one
years or day of marriage and to have the tuition of them and be at the
charges of meat & drink & clothes & learning. For overseers I desire my
loving brothers in law M"' Robert Wood and M' John Hoxton to have a care
that this my wih be fulfilled and do give them twenty pounds apiece for
their pains. Witnesses Robert Wood and William Ashley.

To my mother in law Jone Hoxton my house at Wapping now in the
occupation of M"^ Sander Bence, during her natural life, toward her mainte
nance. To my grand child William Rainborowe one hundred pounds.
CodicU. Whereas the said Wilham Rainborowe hath by his will given
to Martha Port fifty pounds the said William Rainborow did about a year
since and at other times afterwards declare his mind and will to be that the
said Martha should not have or expect the said legacy because he had given
her the sum of ten pounds and all her wedding clothes in marriage with
William Ashley. Subscribed by witnesses 1 February 1641.
Witnesses to the codicil, John Hoxton, Thomas Hoxton & Mary Bennfes.
Campbell, 51.
Steven Winthrop of James Street, Westminster, Esq., 3 May 1658,
proved 19 August, 1658. To wife Judith the house wherein I now dwell,
with the house adjoining, lately erected, for her life, and then to all my
children. All the rest to my daughters Margaret, Joanna and Judith and
such child or children as my said wife shall now be great withall. To my
nephew Adam Winthrop, son of my brother Adam Winthrop deceased ; to
the children of my brother Deane Winthrop; to my brother Samuel Win-
throp's children ; to my half brother John Winthrop's children ; to my cou
sin Mary Rainborowe daughter of my brother in law WiUiam Rainborowe
Esq. ; to my cousin Judith Chamberlaine, daughter of my brother in law
John Chamberlaine Esq. — sundry bequests. " To the poor of Boston in New
England one hundred pounds of lawfull money of England upon Condition
that the Inhabitants of Boston aforesaid doe build and erect a Tombe or
Monument, Tombes or Monuments, for my deceased ffather and Mother
upon their graue or graues of fihftie pounds value att the least, whoe now
lyeth buried att Boston aforesaid, according to the Loue and honour they
bore to him and her in theire life time." The executors to be my wife
Judith Winthropp, my brother in law John Chamberlaine Esq. and Tho
mas Plampyon, gentleman.
The witnesses were Leo: Chamberlaine, Elizabeth Baldrey and Clement
Ragg (by mark). AVootton, 418.
[In Suffolk Resistry of Deeds (Book 8, p. 193) may be found record of convey
ance made by Judith Winthrop and John Chamberlain, executors of Stephen Win
throp, 20 April, 1671, to Edward Rainborow of London, of all the said Winthrop's
land in JNcw England, eonsistino; of one half of Prudence Island and fifteen hun
dred acres in Lynn or Salem, &o. This latter oroperty included the well known
Pond Farm (Lynnfield), originally granted to Colonel John Humfi-ey.— n. r. w.
In addition to the ten letters of Stephen W., printed in Part IV. of the Win
throp Papers (5 Mass. Uiet. Coll., viii. pp. 199-218) we have found several others,
but they are of no importance. Before his final return to England he was Recorder
of Boston and a Representative; and, but for the failure of his health caused by
sleeping on the damp ground, there is reason to believe Cromwell would have made
him one of his generals, as Roger Williams, writing to John Winthrop, Jr., in
1656, .^iays, " Your brother Stephen succeeds Major-General Harrison." By his
own desire he was buried with his ancestors at Groton in Suffolk, where were also
intorrpdanumber of his children, most of whom died young. Only two daughters
are known with certainty to have survived him : Margaret, who married 1st, Henry
\yai-d, and 2d. Edmund Willc.v, R. N., and had issue; and Joanna, who mar
ried Kicliard Hancock, of London, and died s. p. During \\\s military service
liis wife resided partly at Groton and afterwards at Marylebone Park near Lou
don, a portion of which estate he had purch-ased. This gave rise to an absurd tra
dition, perpetuated in some pedigrees of the last century, that the Winthrops were
'' of Marylebone Park before they settled in Suffolk." Besides his house in James
Street, Westminster, he owned, at the time of his death, his lather's house in Boston,

on the southerly portion of which estate the Old South Church now stands ; this
was suhsequently sold by his widow, but whether she ever returned to New Eng
land I do not know. My kinsman Robert Winthrop, of Now York, has a portrait
(of which I have a copy) of a young officer of the Stuart period, which has been in
our family for generations, and is called "Colonel Stephen Winthrop, M. P." If
authentic, it must have either been sent by him as a present to his father before
his death, -or subsequently procured by his brother John, or his nephew Fitz-John,
during their residence in JEngland. — R. 0. Winthrop, Jr.]
Thomas Rainborowe of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, gen
tleman, 24 November, 1668, proved 2 January 1671 by Mary Rainborowe,
his widow & executrix. To wife Mary, for life, an annuity bought of Ralph
Buskin of Oltham in the- County of Kent Esq. one bought of Edward Tur
ner of East Greenwich, gentleman, and all my other goods, moneys, &c.
She to be executrix and to pay two hundred pounds (on a bond which tes
tator made to his mother*). I give to my brother's son Edward Rain
borowe twenty pounds, to my brother's daughter Judith Winthrop twen
ty pounds, and to my said brother's daughter Joane Chamberlaine fifty
pounds. To the poor of East Greenwich ten pounds. The witnesses were
William Richardson & John Fuller. Eure, 7.
[The following notes on the Rainsborough family, collected some years ago, will
throw light on Mr. Waters's abstracts :
1537. — Reynold Ravynsbye, freeman of the Co. of Cloth Workers, London.
1598. — Roger Rain.seburye of Stawley, co. Somerset. Will dated July 24, prov
ed Aug. 23, 1598. Bequeaths to the poor of Kettleford 3-4. To the poor of Ash-
brittle 3-4. To his goddaughter Agnes Gover20s. To each of his other godchildren,
not named, 4d. To Edward Blackaller his wife's godson 20s. Residue to wife
Honor, whom he appoints executrix, and her friends John Gover and William
Golde overseers. — Book Lewyn, fo. 68.
1603.— Nicholas Rainbury of Stawley. Will dated April 19, 1603 ; proved May
4, 1611. To the poor of Stawley the interest of £10, — to be used in keeping them
at work. To each of his godchildren, not named, 6s. To Mary, dau. of Richard
Wyne 20s. To each of the children of John Grover 12d. To the poor of Ashbrit-
tle 10a. To the poor of Kettleford 5s. To each of the ringers 12d. • To Parson John
Blackealler 10s. Residue to his sister-in-law Honour Rainsbury, whom he appoints
executrix, and William Golde and John Gover, overseers. — Book Wood, fo. 46.
Stanleigh or Stowley, Kittesford and Ashbuttel, all in Milverton Hundred.
1615. — Henry Raygnesburye of Culmstock, co. Devon, husbandman. Will dated
Feb. 8, 1615 ; proved March 9, 1615. To his son Henry £60. To daughter Alice
R. £80, to be paid to her uncle Christopher Baker, clothier, for her use. To George,
son of Andrew Bowreman 10s. To each of his godchildren, not named, 12d. To
the poor 20s. Residue to wife Susan whom he appoints executrix. — Book Cope,
fo. 29.
During the Protectorate the Baker family held the Manor of Columbstock, Hem-
yoke Hundred, co. Devon,
1636. — Henry Raynsbury, of the parish of St. Austin (Augu.stine) in London,
factor. Will dated March 15, 1636, proved May 8, 1637. To Mr. Stephen Deni-
son. Doctor and Lecturer, of Great All Hallows, lOs, to preach a sermon at his bu
rial, and to the minister of the parish, where he shall be buried, for giving him way
to preach the sermon £5. To each poor man and woman of the parish as the church
wardens may select 10s. To the parish of Cullumstock, co. Devon, where he was
born £100 — for the u.se of the poor forever, the interest to he divided once a year
among eight poor men aud women. To the poor of Samford Arundel (Milverton
Hund.) co'. Somerset, £10 — for the use of the poor forever. To his sister Alice
Wood, widow, ol Henryoke, CO. Devon, all his inheritage lands in the county of
Lincoln, during her life, then to be divided among her five children. To Mrs. Susan
Fleming, wife of Mr. John Fleming of St. Austin's, London £100, To their three
children, Roland, Mary and Susan, each £10. To each of his godchildren, not
named, 20s. To ten poor laboring porters of Blackwall Hall (market for selling
• His mother had been dead many years.

a
woolen cloths) , each 10s. To cousin Edward, son of cousin Edvyard Baker of Hen
ryoke £20. To ten poor servant-maids of Cullumstock, each 20s. Residijo to his
godson Henry Baker, .son of cousin John Baker the elder, 6f Cullumstock, elothier,
when 21 years of age. Appoints the said John Baker executor, apd his' uncle
Christopher Baker, cousin 'Henry Holvraye, and gossip John Eew, overseers, and
gives each of them £5.— .SuoF G^ofz-e, fo. 59. . '
The Hundreds of Milverfoii, co. Somers and Henryoke, co. Devon adjoin.
The parish registei-s of Vyhitechapel, CO. Mid., which begin in 1558, record the
marriage of
TfiOMiS' Raineborow and Martha Moole, Nov. 11, 1582.
In Chancery Proceedings, temp. Elizabeth, P.p. No. 23, occurs a bill, filed 1641 ;
Thomas Raynsbury and others, to vacate an annuity charged hy George Peirce
plaintiff on a freehold messuage in Gate Lane, parish of St. Mary Staynings, London;
for use of plaintiff's daughter Eliz. Peirce.
Thomas Rainborowe of East Greenwich, mariner, had a lease of certain lands, 28
Sept. 1619, iit Claverhambury, co. Essex, from Lord Edward Denny, which manor,
with Hallytield Hail, &c., had been grahted by Henry Vlll., 1542, to his lordship's
grandfather Sir Anthony Dennye. '
- His children, baptissed at Whitechapel, were :
1. 1583, April 28. Barbara,^ m. Thomas Lee, armorer, of London, and after
Mr.  Burbridge, or Buckridge.
2, 1584-5, Feb. 21. Elizabeth,'' d. unm. before 1619.
3. 1587, June 11. William. ^
4. 1589, Sept. 23 Martha,^ m. Anthony Wood.
5. 1591-2, Feb. 20. Thomas,^ d. young.
6. 1594, Oct. 15. Thomas. »
7. 1597, June 19. Sarah,^ m. Francis Porte.
The name is spelled variously on the registers, as Rain(e)boro.w(e), Rain(e)8r
borow(e), Raynsboro-w, Raineburrow(e), Rainsberry, and, though possibly it is .«y-
nonymous with Eamesbury or Remmesbury [of co. Wilts, &c,), the armorial bear
ings of the two families do not coincide, the Eainshorowe arms bejng similar to
those of the Raynes, Rcyries, or Reymes.
The will of Thomas' Rainborowe, mariner of East Greenwjcli, cp. Kent, dated 4
Dec. 1622, and proved 23 Feb. 1623, is given in this article hy Mr. Waters, as ^l.so
that of the widow, Martha Rainborowe, who afterwards resided in the parish of St.
Bridget's, London, where she died in 1631.
Before considering the elder son William,^ it may be briefly stated that the sec
ond son —
Thomas'* Rainborow, bapt. at Whitechapel 15 Oct. 1594, in his will of 24 Nov.
1668, proved 2 Jan. 1671 (as given by Mr. Waters), is styled " of Eist Greenwich,
gent." lie evidently died without issue surviving him, though he bad a son Tho-
liias,'' bapt. at Whitechapel, 18 Sept. 1614. The will of his widow is as follows :
Mary Rainborow of Greenwich, co. Kent, widow ; dated II Feb. 1677, proved 9
Apr. 16'/'8. Whereas she has heretofore expre.ssed her kindness to her brother and
sister, not named, to the utmost of her ability, she now gives them but twelve
pence. Appoints her niece Sarah Trott, who now lives with her, executrix, and
makes her nsiduary legatee. — Book Reeve, foi. 37.
William'' Rainborow (eldest son of Thpmas'), bapt. at Whitechapel, 11 June,
1587. In Nov. 1625, we find him a part owner and ih command of the Sampson of
Lohdorl, 500 tons, built at Limehouse, and now granted the privilege of carrying
great guns. His name occurs frequently in the Cal. Dom, State Papers. Secretary
Lord Edward Conway writes him, 20 March, 1626, relative to taking aboard the
trunks, &c. of Sir Tho'nlas Phillips, Ambassador for Constantinople. Letters of
Marque were granted 24 Oct. 16'27, and finally, when the reconstruction ol the navy
was paramount with King Charles, the merchantman Sampson, well fortified with
iron ordnance, was one of the vessels presented, in Dec'. 1634, by the City of Lon
don, for his Maje.sty 's service. W illiam Raynisborowe, as one of the inhabitants in
the vicinity of the Tower, complained, in the summer of 1627, of the nuisance of an
alum-factory erected at the west end of Wapping. Five years later we find his
knowledge and experience of maritime matters duly recognized by the Lords of the
Admiralty, who in their order of 21 April, 1632, appoint Capt. Rainsborough one
of the gentlemen to attend a meeting of the Board on the 26th, to give their opin-^
ion concerning the complements and numbers of men to be allowed for manning each
of his Majesty's ships. - '

9
Jan. 2, 1634-5. the King in Council had expre-ssed his desire that the Merhonour,
the Swiftsure, the City of London and other vessels should be presently put forth to
sea. The order was confirmed March 10, and the first named vessel was ordered to
be fitted out and victualled by April 24 for six months' service, the charge to be
defrayed with moneys paid by the several ports and maritime places. To the Mer
honour, at Chatham, the Lords of the Admiralty appoint Capt. William Rainbo-
rough, March 30, with Capt. William Cooke as Master. This 44 gun vessel (800
tons), sometimes called the May Honora, had been rebuilt and launched, 25 April,
1614, at Woolwich, by Phineas Pett. Other vessels commissioned at the time
were the Constant Reformation, Capt. Thomas Ketelby ; the Swallow, Capt. Henry
Stradling ; the Mary Rose, Capt. George Carteret; the Sampson, Capt. Thomas
Kirke, &c. &c. ; and these were under the command of Sir William Monson, Vice
Adm. in the James, and Sir John Pennington, Rear Adm. in the Swiftsure. Since
the death of the Duke of Buckingham in 1628, the office of Lord Admiral had re
mained in commission, but on May 14, 1635, one of the Navy Commissioners. Rob
ert Bertie, Lord Willoughby de Eresby and Earl of Lindsey, was appointed Admi
ral, Custos Maris, General and Governor of His Majesty's Fleet, for the guard of
the Narrow Seas. He was to defend the King and the Kingdom's honor, which had
been lately called in question by a fleet of French and Dutch off Portland, and to
exact " the due homage of the sea '' from passing ships, and so restore to England
her ancient sovereignty of the Narrow Seas ; he wa-s also to clear the neighboring
waters of pirates and Turks ; to convoy merchants and others desiring it ; to guard
against any infringement of the custom on the part of returning vessels, ifcc. About
the middle of April the IVJerhonour repaired to Tilbury Hope to receive the remain-
¦ der of her stores ; and on May 16 the Admiral came on board, the ships meeting
twelve days later in the Downs. Eainsborough's vessel, though a good sailer,
proved somewhat leaky, and the Admiral was desirous at first of changing to the
Triumph ; however, the leaks having been found and her foremast repaired, 3ie con
cluded she would do well for her present employment, and continued cruizing in her
until he brought the fleet into the Downs once more on Oct. 4. Most of the ships
were now ordered to Chatham and Deptford, though a few continued out under Sir
John Pennington. The Earl despatched his journal of the expedition to the King,
and hoped he might, with his Majesty's favor, return home. The Hollanders, who
in pursuit of the Dunkirk frigates, had been accustomed to land on the English
coast, committing depredations upon the inhabitants, had been checked ; one of their
armed bands had been arrested at Whitby, and a vessel of 21 guns had been taken
and sent into Hull ; moreover, Capt. Stradling, in the Swallow of 30 guns, being
off the Lizard alone, had met the French Admiral Manti with two vessels, who after
receiving an admonitory shot apiece, had each struck their flags and topsails, and
saluted with three pieces of ordnance.
Writs were now sent to the sheriffs of the various counties of England, to levy
money to defray the charge of a fleet for next year of double the strength of that
which had just been employed, and attention was paid to the improvement of the
vessels in the removal of the cumbersome galleries, as suggested by Capt. Rains
borough. This gentleman, together with one of the commissioners. Sir John Wo.s-
tenholm and others, was appointed Dec. 9 to inquire into the institution, state, or
der and government of the Chest at Chatham, as established in 1588 by Queen Eliz-;
abeth, with Adms. Drake and Hawkins, for the relief of wounded and decayed
seamen, and to certify their doings to the Co. of Chancery.
Towards the close of Feb. 1635-6, a list of Naval Captains, twenty-five in num
ber, was handed in for the year, with Algernon, Earl of Northumberland, as Adm.,
Sir John Pennington as V. Adm., and Sir Henry Mervyn as Rear Adm. The Eirl,
in the Triumph, had chose Rainborow as his Captain, with William Cooke as Mas
ter, and during the next month he desired the Lords of the Admiralty that his Cap
tain's pay might be made equal to theirs, and that he might have a Lieut., as he
had more busine-ss to do than any other captain of the fleet. April 9, the ships at
Portsmouth were awaiting the arrival of Capt. R. to take them out to sea, the Ad
miral having promised to send him down for that purpose.
At this time, and for a long series of years previous, England was and had been snf-
feringfroma grievous scourge, viz. : the pirates from the north of Africa. So bold and
venturesome had they become during the summer of 1636, as to land within twelve
mjles of Bristol and successfully carry off men, women and children. Their chief
place of refuge was the port of Cardiff and its vicinity, whence th6y carried on their
depredations along either coast of the St. George's Channel. No relief, save an

10
occasional collection for the redemption of captives, had heretofore been devised,
and numerous were the petitions and statements now being presented to the King
and the H. of Lords, The Court was moved to proclaim a general fast, and a ser
mon was preached in October by the Rev. Charles Fitz-Geffry, of St, Dominick, in
Plymouth, from Heb. 13, 3 ; this was printed at Oxford, and entitled, " Compas
sion towards Captives, chiefly towards our Brethren & Countrymen who are in such
miserable bondage in Barberie." A cotemporaneous document reads: "It is. cer
tainly known that there are five Turks in the Severne, wher they weekly take either
English or Irish ; and that there are a great number of their ships in the Channell,"
upon the coast of France and Biscay. Whereby it is come to passe that our mare-
ners will noe longer goe to sea, nor from port to port ; yea, the fishermen dare not
putt to sea, to take fish for the country. If timely prevention be not used, the New-
loundland fleet must of necessity suffer by them In an extraordinary manner." The
greater part of the captives, reported to be some 2000 in number, had been taken
¦within the last two years, and the sea-rovers, most to be dreaded, were the pirates
of New Sallee, who had revolted from the Emperor of Morocco, headed by a rebel
who was called the Saint. The matter coming to be more seriously discussed, three
plans were suggested — peace, war, or suppression of trade. Finally it was proposed
that Capt. Rainsborough should be employed in an expedition against Sallee, and
he and Mr. Giles Penn (father of the future Adm. William Penn) were called
upon by the King, Dec. 28, to give their opinion concerning the particulars. In a
letter, some three weeks earlier, Capt. R., then an invalid at Southwold, on the
Suffolk coast, states his great willingness to attend the Lords and further their pro
ject, as soon as he can set out for London. The plan, which be .subsequently
submitted, states that to redeem the Captives would require over 100,000/., the pay
ment of which would but encourage the pirates to continue their present course.
Whereas to besiege them by sea would not only effect the purpose, but give secu
rity for the future, or a fleet might be kept on their coast for two or three years,
until their ships were worm-eaten. That " the maintenance of the suggested fleet
'Would be very much to the King's honor in all the maritime poits in Christendom,
&o." He recommends himself to go as Admiral in the Leopard, Capt. George Car
teret as V. Adm. in the Antelope, Capt. Brian Harrison in the Hercules, Capt.
George Hatch in the Gt. Neptune, Capt. Th. White in the largest pinnace, and
Capt. Edmund Scamon in the lesser. The plan was adopted, and, Feb. 20, 1636-7,
Sec. Coke writes fi-om Whitehall to the Lord Dep. Strafford : "This day Capt.
Rainsborough, an experienced & worthy seaman, took his leave of his Majesty, and
goeth instantly to sea with four good ships and two pinnaces to the coast of B.ir-
bary, with instructions & resolution to take all Turkish frygates he can meet, & to
block up the port of Sally, & to free the sea from these rovers, which he is confident
to perform."
iVlarch 4 the little squadron was in the Downs and on the eve of departure. The
port of Sallee was reached in good season, and the enemy's cruisers, about to start
for England and Ireland, were hemmed in and twenty-eight of their number de
stroyed. Aclo.se siege was now maintained, assisted on the land side by the old
Governor of the town, and the place was delivered up to the English, July 28th.
The Emperor now agreed to join in a league with King Charles, promising never
again to infest the English coasts, and forthwith delivered up some 300 captives,
¦w\th whom Capt. Carteret immediately returned homeward. Rainsborough, how
ever, on Aug. 21, proceeded to Saffee to treat for about 1000 English captives who
h-.id been sold to 'Tunis and Algiers. Here he remained till Sejat. 19, when the
Emperor's Ambassador came aboard, accompariied by Mr. Robert Blake, a merchant
trading to Morocco, for whom the Emperor had formed a friendship, and who had
obtained the position of Farmer of all. his Ports and Customs. On the 21st they
left the coast, and arriving fifteen days later in the Downs, landed, Oct, 8, at Deal
t astle. Detained at Gravesend through sickness, it was not until the 19th that the
Amba.'i.sador was conducted to London by the Master of Ceremonies, and, landing
at the Tower, was taken to his lodgings " with much display & trumpeting." In
the procession were the principal citizens and Barbary merchants mounted, all rich
ly apparelled, and every man having a chain of gold about him, with the Sheriffs
and Aldermen in their scarlet gowns, and a large body of the delivered captives,
some of whom had been over thirty years in servitude, arrayed in white, and though
it was night, yet the streets " were ?ilmost as light as day." Sunday, Nov. 5, the
Ambassador was received by the King, to whom he brought, as a present from his
imperial master, some hunting hawks and four steeds, '¦' the choicest & best in all

11
Barbary, & valued at a great rate, for one Horse was prized nt 1500 pound." These,,
led by four black Moors in red liveries, were caparisoned with rich saddles embroid
ered with gold, and the stirrups of two of them were of ma.ssive gold, and the bosses
of their bridles of the same metal. An account of the proceedings -was printed to-
'wards the close of the month, entitled, " The Arrival & Entertainment of the Moroc
co Ambassador Alkaid (or Lord) Jaurar Ben Abdella. from the High & Mighty
Prince Mully Mahamed Sheque, Emperor of Morocco, King of Fesse & Susse, &c."
Great was the enthusiasm created by the successful- issue of the expedition, and
even Waller was prompted to eulogize the event in the following rather ponderous
lines : " Salle that scorn 'd all pow'r and laws of men.
Goods with their owners hurrying to their den ;
This pest of mankind gives our Hero fame.
And thus th' obliged world dilates his name.
^ ******
With ships they made the spoiled merchant moan ;
With ships, their city and themselves are torn.
One squadron of our winged castles .sent
O'erthrew their Fort, and all their Navy rent :
******
Safely they might on other nations prey ;
Fools to provoke the Sov'reign of the Sea !
******
Morocco's Monarch, wondering at this fact.
Save that his presence his affairs exact,
Had come in person, to have seen and known
The injur'd world's revenger, and his own.
Hither he sends the chief among his Peers,
Who in his bark proportion'd presents bears.
To the renown'd for piety and force.
Poor captives manumis'd and matchless horse,"
Even grumbling Master Andrew Burrell, who, in a pamphlet of 1646 condemns
the entire Navy, its officers, &c., though he had himself built for them the Marie
Rose, " the most sluggish ship " they had afloat, confesseth that Rainsborough 's
Fleet " performed better service than England's Navie did in 44 years before."
'The King was very willing and forward to have knighted the gallant Admiral, but
he declined the honor, and order was given that he should have a gold chain and
medal of the value of 300^. ; a memorial of loyal service perhaps still extant,
"should not very opposite family feelings have melted it down in the days of the-
Rump," observes Disraeli in his Life of Charles I. An augmentation to the fam
ily arms was undoubtedly conferred at the time in the shape of " a Saracen's head
couped ppr. in the fesse point."
Meanwhile the raising of funds and supplies for the equipment of the fleet for the
following year had again become necessary, and Strafford, writing to the Abp. of
Canterbury from Dublin, 27 Nov., says in connection, " this action of Sallee, I
assure you, is so full of honor, that it will bring great content to the subject, arid
should, methinks, help much towards the ready, cheerful payment of the shipping
monies." Early in Feb. 1637-8, the list of ships, which were to keep the seas dur
ing the following summer, was publi.shed, headed by the Sovereign of the Spas.,
This vessel, launched at Woolwich the preceding year, had been in progress since
May, 1635, and surpassed in size, tonnage and force anything heretofore constructed
for the English Navy. Thomas Heywood published an account of it, with a view
of this " his Majesty's royal Ship, the Great Glory of the English Nation, and not to
be paralleled in the whole Christian World," while Marmaduke Rawdon, of York,.
mentions in his Life,* a visit, in 1638, to the Royal Sovereign, Capt. Rainsberry,
then newly finished and riding at Erith, below Woolwich.
Burrell, in his pamphlet before alluded to, condemns the vessel as " an admira
ble ship for costly Buildings, & cost in keeping ; and, which adds to the miracle,
the Royall Ship is never to be used for the Kingdom's good," &c. The Commis
sioners of the Navy answered in reply : " Capt. Rainsborough, whom Master Bur-
* Camden Soc. Pub.

12
rell confesseth, in his time, was the most eminent Commander in this Kingdom,
had the trial of her in the Channel of England, and at his return reported to bia
Majistie that he never set his foot in a better conditioned Ship in all his life. And
as for her Forces, she is not inferior to the greatest Ship in Christendom."*
On Sunday, March 18th, Algernon, Earl of Northumberland, obtained the position
of General at Sea, or Lord High Admiral, during his Majesty's pleasure, the King
designing to eventually bestow that office upon his younger son, the Duke of York.
That Capt. Rainsborough was ever in active naval service after his cruise in the
Sovereign does not appear. He and others, owners of the 200 ton ship Confidence
of London, were allowed Feb. 19, by the Lords of the Admiralty, to mount her with
20 pieces of east-iron ordnance, and, during the fall of the year, together with some
155 other sea-faring men, he signed his consent to a proposition made by the Lord
High Admiral and the Att. General, that an amount be deducted from their wages
fur the establishment of the Poor Seamen's Fund, to be administered by the officer.s
of the Trinity Hou.se. The following year, as appears by a paper among the Duke
of Northumberland's MSS., he submitted a proposition, in the form of articles, sug
gesting that 10,000 pieces of ordnance, with carriages, &e., be kept in readiness to
arm 100 collier-ships, which may fight with a great army ; stating their superior
ity for such service. Commission was given, Oct. 20, 1639, to Sir Edward Little
ton, Sol ic. General, Sir Paul Pindar and Capt. William Rainsborough, to inquire
into the truth of the statements made in the petition to the Privy Council, by Ed
ward Deacon, who with his goods had been seized and- detained in Sallee for debtJs
there contracted by Mr. Robert Blake, as factor for some London merchants ; peti
tioner having come to England, after leaving his son in Barbary as a pledge, in pur
suit of said Blake, who, at the time, or immediately subsequent, was one of the
gentlemen of the Council.
As William Rainsborough, Esq., he, with Squire Bence, merchant, were members
from Aldborough, a seaport of co. Suffolk, in the Fourth Pari, of Charles I., held
at Westminster from 13 April to 5 May, 1640 ; as also in the Parliament which
convened 3 Nov. following ; that most notable of English Parliaments, before which,
B week later, Thomas, Earl of Strafford, was accused of high treason. May 27,
1611, he with others took the oath of Protestatiim, for the defence of the religion
established, sf the King's person, and the liberty of the subject; the same having
heen assented to by both houses on the 3d and 4th of the same month. Aug. 35th
Capt. R. was at the head of the committee for taking the whole state of the navy
into consideration, and providing ships for transporting the ordnance and ammuni
tion from Hull and other parts of the north. Five days later the merchants' peti
tion t()r erecting a Company for America and Africa, &e., was referred to Sir John
Colpepcr and Mr. Pymm especially, assisted by twenty-three other members, among
'whom was Capt. Rainsborough. The same day he was included in a committee to
whom had been referred the Act for making Wapping Chapel parochial. He was
aLso appointed, Sept. 9, a member of the Recess Committee, during the adjourn
ment or Parliament till Oct. 20th ; and on Nov. 19. was on a committee for naval af
fairs, with some other members, including Sir Henry Vane. Three days later it was
ordered " that citizens that serve for the City of London and Capt. Rainsborough do
inform themselves what shipping are now in the River that are fit to transport the
Magazine at Hull to the Tower, and to give an account of it to-morrow morning " ;
this was in pursuance of a resolution of the 3d.
And so ends his life and public services, for no more is heard of him till Feb. 14,
1641-2, when the Speaker of the House was ordered to issue a warrant to the Clerk
of the Crown in Chancery for a new writ to be issued forth for the election of a new
Burgess to serve for the town of Alborough in co. Suffolk, in the room and stead of
Capt. Rainsborough deceased, and Alex. Bence, Esq., was accordingly elected.' On
the I7th his body was interred in St. Catherine's (lower), London. At the time of
his decease the Captain was a widower, his wife Judith, a daughter of Renold and
Joane Hoxton, having heen buried at Wapping, 3 .March, 1637-8. The will of Wil
liam Rainsborow of London Esq., dated 16 July, 1638, with codicil of 1 Feb. 1641,
proved 8 April, 1642, has been already given.
1. Thomas' Rainsborowe, Esq., of Whitechapel, oo. Midd. (William,''Thomas'),
commonly known in history as Col. Rainsborough. A naval captain at first under
the L. H. Adm, Warwick; then a colonel of infantry under the Parliament, and
* She subsequently did such good service that the Dutch nicknamed her " the Golden
Devil."

13
finally V, Adm. of their Fleet. A member of the Long Parliaradnt. A more de
tailed account of this prominent and distinguished individual may he given here
after. Suffice it to say that the Rev. Hugh Peters, alluding to the services of this offi
cer at the taking of Worcester, that last stronghold for the Kino; (in July, 1646),
observes, '• and truely I wish Colonell Rainborow a suitable employment by Sea or
Land, for both which God hath especially fitted him ; foraine States would he proud
of such a Servant '¦¦• Resisting a seizure of his person on the part of the royalists,
he was killed at Doncaster, 29 Oct. 1618, and buried at Wapping, 14 Nov. Ad
ministration on his estate was granted, 24 Nov., to his widow Margaret, maiden
name probably Jenney.
1. William,'^ eldest son ; mentioned in wills of his grandfather 1638, and his
uncle Edward 1677. He was a Captain in the army, it would appear,
during the Protectorate, and judging from the Winthrop Letters (Ma.ss.
Hist. Soc. Cul. 5, viii.) was in Boston, N. £., 1673 ; living 1687.
2. William' Rainsborow (William," 'Thomas') ; mentioned in Savage's Geneal.
Die. as being of Charlestown, Mass. Col., 1639 ; Artillery Co. same year ; purchas
ed 17 Dec. 1640, of Th. Bright, house and land in Watertown, which had been
the homestall of Lt. Robt. Feake. Budington mentions his purchase of the old meet
ing-house. He was evidently a trader or sea-captain. March 7, 1643-4, the trea
surer of the Colony was ordered to attend to the discharge of Mr. Rainsborow'a
debt, with allowance of £20 forbearance for the time past, and the loan of two sach-
ars for two great pieces for one voyage. He had been in England in 1642, when
in April his name, and that of his brother Thomas, are found on the list of the
proposed Adventurers by Sea, against Ireland. This was the expedition against
Gal way, &c., whereof, under Lord Forbes, his brother Thomas was commander,
and the Rev. Hugh Peters chaplain.
Judging from the discharge of his debt and the loan of cannon, Capt. R. again
returned to the old country in 1643-4, and though there are subsequent entries as
to the debt, the moneys are always to be paid to parties abroad on R.'s account. He
immediately espoused the people's cause and joined that division of the army which
was in the west under Lord Essex. Finding himself in a critical position, the Lord
General despatched Stapleton, his General of Horse, to Parliament, calling for aid,
and on the night of Aug. 30th, Sir William Balfour, his Lieut. General, pa.ssed
safely through the King's Quarters with 2300 horse, and reached London. Two
nights thereafter Essex himself and Lord Roberts fled in a cock-boat to Plymouth,
and the following day, Sept. 2, 1644, the commanding officer, Serj. Major General
Skippon, surrendered with all the infantry and a few horse.' According to a returnf
found in the quarters of Sir Edward Dodsworth, Com. Gen, of the Horse, we find
that the cavalry had previously mustered at Tiverton, co. Devon, 39 troops, 4-20 offi
cers and 2785 men. The first division of 8 troops, 639 men. under Sir Philip Sta
pleton, Major Gen. Philip Skippon and Maj. Hamilton ; the six troops of the second
division (62 officers, 432 men), being commanded hy Sir William Balfour, 14 offi
cers, 100 men ; M-ajor Biilfout, 9 officers, 77 men ; Sir Samuel Luke (Gov. of New
port PaKanel, co. Bucks), 10 officers, 72 men ; Capt. Rainsborow, 9 officers, 57 men ;
Capt. Sample, lOofficers, 61 men ; Capt. Boswell, 10 officers, 65 men.
Prestwich's " Respuhlica " describes the cornet of Capt. Rainsborough 's troop
as follows : " Azure ; from the sinister ha.se point all over the base, and up to the
middle of the dexter side, clouds Argent, shaded with bhick and crimson ; near the
middle or ha.se, a book in pale closed and clasped and covered Or, on the front or
side thus : ^^'*''™ between this book and the dexter side, and a little above the base,
an armed arm and hand uplifted, as issuant from the clouds, and as in pale, holding
in his hand a Hussar's sword as barr.vays, and waved on both sides, and the point
burning and inflamed with fire proper, hilted Or; in chief a scroll, its end turned
or doubled in, and then bent out and split, and fashioned double like two hooks, en
dorsed Argent, lined Or, and end.i shaded with crimson and Argent, and in Ro
man capital letters Sable, vincit Veritas. Arms. — Chequered Or and Azure, and
in fess a Moor's head in profile, bearded and proper, his head banded with a wreath
Argent." In the list of officers for the New Model of the army, which was sent up from the
House of Commons to the House of Lords, 3 March, 1644-5, and approved on the
* King's Pamphlets, Bi-it. Mus., E. 351.
t Symond's Diary oi M.irches, Camden Soc. Pub.

14
18th, Col. Sheffield's squadron of horse consisted of his own troop and those of Ma
jor Sheffield and Captains Eveling, Rainsborow, Martin and Robotham. He sub
sequently obtained the rank of Major, and Whitelock informs us of letters received,
July 2, 1647, from the Commissioners in the Array, certifying " that the General
had appointed Lt. Gen. Cromwell, Cols. Ireton, Fleetwood, Rainsborough, Harri
son, Sir Har. Waller, Richard Lambert and Hammond, and Major Rain.sborongh, or
any five of them, to treat with the Parliament's Commissioners upon the papers sei.t
from the Army tq the Parliament, and their Votes."
From the Journals of the House of Commons, under date of 27 Sept. 1650, we read
that '• Mr. Weaver reports from the committee for suppressing lyccntious and im
pious practices, under pretence of religious liberty, &c., the confession of Lawrence
Clackson (or Claxton), touching the making and publishing of the impious and
blasphemous booke called the ' Single Eye,' and also Major Rainsborrow's car
riage " in countenancing the same. Claxton, departing from the established
church, appears to have joined all the prominent sectaries of the day, and from a
tract of his published in 1660, entitled " the Lost Sheep Found," we gather that
much of his trouble and imprisonment resulted from his own licentious behavior,
he maintaining that " to the pure all things are pure." He was sent to the house
of correction fur one month and then banished, and his book was burned by the
common hangman. Major Rainsborough, residing at the time at Fulham, was one
of his disciples, " and seems to have been an apt scholar in improving his relations
with the female part of the flock."* It was resolved by the House that he he dis
charged and disabled of and from- being and executing the office of Justice of Peace
in 00. Middlesex, or any other county within England or Wales.
For almost nine years we hear nothing of him, hut on Tuesday, 19 July, 1659, he
presented a petition to theHou.se on behalf of the Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace
and Gentry of the co. of Northampton, and on the same day was made a Commis
sioner for the Militia for the same county. In accordance with a report from said
commissioners, he was appointed by Parliament, Aug. 9, Colonel of a Regiment of
Hor.se in co. Northants.f After the Restoration, a warrant was issued, 17 Dec.
1660, to Lieut. Ward for the apprehension of Col. William Rainsborough at his
residence. Mile End Green, Stepney (near London), or elsewhere, for treasonable
designs, and to bring him before Secretary Sir Edward Nichols. He was accord
ingly arrested and confined in the Gatehouse. On his examination next day he de
clared he was a .Major of horse, but dismissed hy Cromwell in 1649 ; that the Rump
Parliament made him a Colonel of Militia-horse, 1659, but nothing was done ; that
he had bought 40 cases of pistols for militia, and had since tried to dispose of them.
He gave bond for 500/., Feb. 7, 1661, with Dr. Richard Barker of the Barbican as
security for his good behavior.
His wife's name was Margery, and, as we have seen before, the will of Capt.
Rowland Coytmore of Wapping, in 1626, mentions a son-in-law William Rains
borough, mariner, of Wapping ; while the will of Stephen Winthrop, 1658, leaves
a legacy to "cousin Mary Rainsborowe, daughter of my brother-in-law William
Rainsborowe, Esq." From the Winthrop Letters (Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 5, viii.)
he appears to have been in Boston, N. E., in 1673, with his nephew William.
3. Martha." bapt. at Whitechapel. 20 April, 1617 ; married at Wapping, 14
June, 1635, Thomas Coytmore. { son of Capt. Rowland Coytmore, an East
India trader. He came to N. England next year and was wrecked, 27
Dec. 1644, on the coast of Spain, leaving issue. Her second husband,
whom she married 4 Deo. 1647, was Gov. John Winthrop, to whom she
was fourth wife : he died 26 March, 1649, aged 61. She married third
ly, 10 March, 1652, John Coggan of Boston, as his third wife ; he died
27 April, 1658, leaving issue. Disappointed of a fourth marriage, we are
given to understand that she committed suicide in 1660.
4. Judith," bapt. at Wapping, 14 Sept. 1624 ; married about 1644, Ste
phen Winthrop, son of Gov. John W.,born 24 March. 1619. He return
ed to England 1645, became a Colonel of Horse under Parliament, re
ceiving 474/. 10s. per annum, and in 1656 was M.P. for Banff and Aber-
* Notps and Queries, 4th Series, xi,487.
t In the limits of Charleton, parish of Newhottle, co, Northants, is a camp and hill com
monly called " Rainsborough Hill," supposed to be of Danish origin.
t Kiitherine, daughter of Thomas and Martha Quoitmore, bapt. at Wapping, 13 April,
and buried 19 April, 1636. '

15
deen. Resided at time of decease in James Street, Westminster. His
will of 3 May, proved 19 Aug. 1658, mentions three daughters, Marga
ret, Joanna and Judith, as before given. She is mentioned 1668, in her
uncle 'Thomas's will.
5. Samuel," b. ob. infs. ; buried at Wapping, S4 Nov. 1628.
6. Joane," b. ; m. John Chamberlain, a captain under Parliament ; living in
May, 1687. a brewer at Deptford, co. Kent. She is mentioned 1668 in
her uncle Thomas's will. 'The will of S. Winthrop, 1658, mentions their
daughter Judith,
7. Reynold," bapt. at Whitechapel, 1 June, 1632.
8. Edward." bapt. at Whitef-hapel, 8 Oct. 1633. Richard Wharton, writing
from Bostim, N, E., .Sept. 24, 1673. to a kinsman of rank and influence
in England, suggests that his Majesty should send out two or three frig
ates, by the ensuing February or March, with s.imc 300 soldiers, lor the
recapture of New Y(n-k from the Dutch. That the expedition should be
assisted hy a colonial force, the whole to he under the command of some
native leader, such as Maj. Gen. Daniel Dennison. It continues : " for
a more certain knowledge of the constitutions of C governincnt & com
plexions of the people I refer you to M' Hdv/'^ Rainsborough an intcllig'
Gentleman who went home three months since. 1 have requested him
to wait on j'ou & communicate w' I have advised him  M' Rains
borough dwells at Knights bridge & is to be heard of at M' Whiting's
shop upon the old Exchange."* He appears to he the same party
whose will runs as follows : Edward Rainborow of Cranfoid, co. Mid
dlesex, gentleman ; Sept. 14, 1677 (proved May 4, 1682), being in good
health, but going beyond the seas, do make- this my last will, &c.
Bequeaths to his wife Christian one fourth of all his real and personal
estate during her life. 'To his dear friend Mary Alcock, widow, for and
in consideration of a very considerable sum of money for which he stands
indebted to her, one fourth part of his real and personal estate either in
England or N. England, during her life ; one eighth part to be at her ab
solute disposal, 'io son Mytton R-iinborow one fourth of all his real and
personal estate when twenty-one years of age. To daughter Judith Rain
borow one fourth of his real-and personal estate until her brother Myt
ton shall enjoy that part which is .siven to his mother and also the
eighth part given to Mary Alcock. 'To his nephew William Rainsbo
row five pounds to buy him a ring. Appoints his wife's sister, Mrs. Sa
rah Mackworth of Shrewsbury, and Mrs. Mary Alcock of Cranford, ex
ecutors. — Book Cottle, folio 62.
Concerning the New England estate referred to by Edward Rainsborowe in his
-will of 1677, as above, we have evidence on file in the Registry of Deeds, Salem, of
which the following is a summary : Whereas Judith Winthrop and John Cham
berlain, two of the Executors of Stephen Winthrop deceased, had by certain deeds of
Indenture, Bargain & Sale conveyed to Edward Rainsburrowe of London, merchant,
all those parcells of lands lying & being in N. England in America, viz : one moiety of
Prudence Island, lying in or near y bay of Narragansett, in Rhode Island Colony,
and all that Farm at Lynn or Salem, containing by estimation 1500 acres more or
le.ss, now, considering the great hazard of transmitting ye conveyances beyond sea,
the said Executors do acknowledge before a notary -public the said deeds of bargain
and sale, 21 April, 1671. 'The document was signed in presence of Nich. Hayward,
Not. Pub., Symon Amory, 'Tim° Proutsen'', and his son W™ Prout. 'Timothy Prout,
shipwright of Boston, testified to the same before Dep. Gov. John Leverett, 5 Mar.
1672-3, and the instrument was recorded and compared 5 July following. As late
as 21 March, 1695-6, the above was compared with the original and found an ex
actly true copy of ye record in ye booke of Deeds Lib: 8° Page 195.
Meanwhile John Chamberlain, the sole surviving executor of Stephen Winthrop
deceased, having been shown a copy of the instrument above referred to, as being
on tile in some court in N. England, made oath 31 May, 1687, that be had never
signed nor executed any such writing or instrument, nor did he believe that Judith
Winthrop, widow & executrix, had inade any such conveyance to the late Edward
Rainsburrow. 'This testimony of Mr. Chamberlain appears to have been given at the
request of his nephew William* Rainsburrowe, son of Vice Adm. Thomas" Rains-
* Hist. Mag., 1867, p. 299.

16
burrowe, being, we may infer, at the.time the only, or at least the eldest, male rep
resentative of the family, and acting in the interest of his cousins the children of
Stephen Winthrop deceased. Robert Wildey, of the parish of St. Paules Peters,
CO. Middlesex, cook, and " Thomasine Jenney, of the same place spinster, aunt of ye
said William Rainsburrowe," swore to their knowledge of and acquaintance with
John Chamherlayn for thirty years and upwards last past ; that he and Stephen
Winthrop, E.sq., whom they had also known, had married two sisters, " this depo
nent William Rainsburrow's Aunts, and sisters of Edward Rainsburrow in ye above
written affidavit named, &c. &c." Nicholas Hayward, the Notary Public, men
tioned in the first instrument, swore that he had never drawn up such a paper, and
the whole denial was witnessed by four parties on the point of departure from Lon
don for New England, and was also compared with the original about nine years
later, viz : 21 March, 1695-6. I, J, Greenwood.]
New York, Dec. 17, 1884,

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