3. JOHN RAYNSFORD (William, Henry) of Great Tew, was born about
1474 (aged thirteen and more in 1487 at his father's inquisition post mortem), and died in 1551 (Bodleian Library, MS. Wills Oxon. 180, f. 65v.). He married before 1504 ALICE DANVERS, daughter of Sir William Danvers of Cothorp, Oxfordshire, by his wife Anne Pury, and granddaughter of Sir John Danvers and Joan Bruley (see MacNamara, The Dan vers Memorials). Alice was not named in the will her father made 18 April 1504 (PCC 5 Holgrave) having probably already received her portion at marriage. However, the will of Dame Anne Danvers, 13 February 1530/1 (Lambeth Wills, Somerset House, 4 Thower), leaves to "my son John Raynsford, Lord of Micheltieu, my two gilt salts.., to my Godson [grandson] John Raynsford I bequeath my new house lately built at Thatcham, with all the ground within the pale, also £6/13/4 in money to my Goddaughter Anne Langton, a flat piece of silver . . . the
rest of my goods I give to Alice Rayneford my daughter . . . my executrix.
Edward Raynsford of Boston 231
The Letters & Papers of Henry VIII show from the "King s Book of Payments" in November 1518: to "Alice, wife of John Raynsford, I year s fee, £15"; 29 September 1531, £10 to Alice Raynsford; and 29 September 1534, to Alice Raynesford (2 [1864]: 1480; S [1880]: 21, no. 445; 7 [1883]: 466, no. 1204). Further particulars on Alice s ancestry may be found in Samuel Barfield, Thatcham, Berks, and its Manors (Oxford, 1901), edited by James Parker.
John Raynsford of Michell Tew, Esquire, made his will 22 April 1551, probated 29 August 1551 (MS. Wills Oxon. lSOf 65V-66r at Bodleian Library, Oxford). He requested burial "in my pue withen the parsh churche of Mychell Tew," and appointed as executor his son and heir Sir William Raynsford, knight. He left a gold ring and cash bequest to son George Raynsford, and also a gold ring to Hercules Raynsford, son and heir of Sir William. Daughters Margaret Hollwey and Marie Grevell were left cash bequests, as were "Thomas Hollwaye my dowghter Margarett s sonne," "Marie Sawle," and "George Langston my dowghters sonne." Small sums were left to Wyllyam Webbe, Alice Moore and Raffe butnell, all servants. The will was witnessed by Charles Raynsforde, gent., Henry Beere, and Wyllyam Osbury, Vicar and curate. Since John s wife and son John are not mentioned in the will, they apparently died before him.
Printed from NEHG Register, Volume 139, July 1985,© New England Historic Genealogical Society & Broderbund Software, Inc., Banner Blue Division, May 22, 2001
