The Early Years
The
Semark Russell connection can be
witnessed today at St Michael’s Church, Chenies, Buckinghamshire. Within the
Church which is next to the Manor is a Brass of Anne Semark. Anne Semark inherited
Chenies from her Aunt, Lady Cheyne in 1494 she is holding her heart with
scrolls under a buttressed Tudor canopy. Within the Brass you can make out the
Seamark Coat of Arms [one Seamark Arms and two Seamark half arms], her husbands
name David Phillips and the word Northampton. The Church of St Michael includes
a Bedford Chapel and the Russell-Bedford Coat of Arms can be seen.
From
[Whilst a large file you can view the brass of Anne Semark
it may take a while to appear]
In
Whatever Colours, arms comprising On a cross five mullets were used by a
Northamptonshire family of the name Seamark from the 14th Century
onwards. Its original progenitors were named de St Medard. From the early 14th
century on, the name appears variously as de St Marco, de Semarc, Seyntmerk,
Seymark, Semerk, Semark, Semarke etc This is unsurprising because surnames were
constantly evolving and had no fixed spelling until comparatively recent times.
Seamarks for example did evolve until the early 1800’s and became fixed mainly
due to 1837 registration, the 1800 Stagsden family are known to be fairly
illiterate.
Supplementing
the main family below… “ The Vincent family of Bernack recorded at the 1619
Heralds’ Visitation of Northamptonshire includes the marriage of Robert Vincent
of Bernack to Katherine, second daughter and co-heir of Thomas Seamarke. The
Vincents of Stoke D’Abernon, who were decended from Robert and Katherine ,
quartered the Semarke arms. This is evident from the Heralds’ Visitation of
Surrey 1662-68”.
The
majority of the work comes from Bridges, Northamptonshire.
DOMESDAY BOOK ENTRIES
Domesday
Book, A complete translation ISBN 0 141 43994 7
In Osgodby [Angoteby], Peterborough Abbey had and has 5 carucates of land to the geld. Land for 5 ploughs. Now Ansketil the abbots man has 2 ploughs there and 13 villages with 4 ploughs and 14 acres of meadow. Woodland pasture 13 furlongs long and 4 broad. TRE worth 60s, now 100s: tallage 20s.
Ansketil
holds of the abbot WITTERING [Wettering]
The first Medard at Thornhaugh
early 1100 was a Ansketil of Medard. We also know that the
Medards were linked to the Abbot of Peterborough Abbey.
The above villages are known holdings by 1146.
FIRST GENERATION
Anketil De St Medard living in
1146. In the bull of Pope Eugenius,
dated in 1146, the fee of Anketil, of St Medard, in Thornhaw, Wettering,
Sibberton, Angoteby, and Etton, with their apprentices, was confirmed, amongst
many other possessions, to the abbey of Burgh.
This is the first account of Thornhaw Lordship, no mention of it in the
Domesday Survey.
Lands included;
Ten hides, and three parts of one rood in Northamptonshire
Three Carucates in Angoteby in Lincolnshire
Anketil De St Medard had the following children:
+2 i. Richard De St Medard.
+3 ii. Girard De St Medard.
SECOND GENERATION
2. Richard De St Medard
(Anketil-1).
Richard De St Medard and Mabel Ridel had the following children:
+4 i. Geoffrey De St Medard.
5 ii. Hugh Ridel. Took
Mothers Name
3. Girard De St Medard (Anketil-1) .
Girard De St Medard had the following children:
+6 i. Robert De St Medard.
THIRD GENERATION
4. Geoffrey De St Medard
(Richard-2, Anketil-1).
Geoffrey De St Medard had the following children:
+7 i. Peter De St Medard.
6. Robert De St Medard
(Girard-2, Anketil-1).
Held Lands in Siberton and Etton
Robert De St Medard had the following children:
8 i. Margaret De St Medard.
FOURTH GENERATION
7. Peter De St Medard
(Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1).
Peter De St Medard had the following children:
+9 i. Geoffrey De St Medard.
FIFTH GENERATION
9. Geoffrey De St Medard
(Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
In ward to Benedict, Abbat of Burgh
Geoffrey De St Medard had the following children:
+10 i. Peter De St Medard.
SIXTH GENERATION
10. Peter De St Medard
(Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1).
Ward to Abbat Acharius
Peter De St Medard had the following children:
+11 i. Geoffrey De St Medard.
SEVENTH GENERATION
11. Geoffrey De St Medard
(Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) . Ward of Abbat Martin
Geoffrey De St Medard had the following children:
+12 i. Geoffrey De St Medard.
EIGHTH GENERATION
12. Geoffrey De St Medard
(Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1)
.
Geoffrey De St Medard had the following children:
+13 i. Nicholas De St Medard or Semarc.
NINTH GENERATION
13. Nicholas De St Medard or
Semarc (Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3,
Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
In the ninth year of Edward II Thornhawe Lordship was in the hands of
Nicolas de St Medarde. This Nicholas de St Marco as he is stiled, or Semarc
died at his Manor of Thornhawe, in 1327.
Nicholas De St Medard or Semarc had the following children:
+14 i. John De Semarc.
TENTH GENERATION
14. John De Semarc (Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7,
Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
I the third year of his regin, was presented in the court of King’s
Bench, because of full age , he had not taken upon him the order of knighthood.
He died in 1334 and was not buried in the Monastery of Burgh
John De Semarc and Elizabeth
had the following children:
+15 i. Nicholas De Semarc.
ELEVENTH GENERATION
15. Nicholas De Semarc
(John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4,
Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Nicolas who held Thornhaugh Manor of Burgh Abbey, by knight’s service,
dying in 1349, a black horse with his saddle, bridle, and arms, was delivered
as a Mortuary.
Nicholas De Semarc had the following children:
16 i. John De Semarc.
+17 ii. Nicholas De Semarc.
TWELFTH GENERATION
17. Nicholas De Semarc
(Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5,
Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Nicholas held Thornhaugh as older brother John did not have heirs
Nicholas De Semarc had the following children:
+18 i. Nicholas De Semarc.
THIRTEENTH GENERATION
18. Nicholas De Semarc
(Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7,
Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Nicholas De Semarc had the following children:
+19 i. Thomas De Semarc.
From IGI – Alice 1406, Katherine 1408, Margaret 1410, Margaret 1428,
Margaret 1458
FOURTEENTH GENERATION
19. Thomas De Semarc
(Nicholas-13, Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8,
Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1)
.
Thomas Seymark who in the thirtieth of Henry V1 levied a fine of
Thorhaugh and Siberton, and of the advowson of the church. Thomas was living in
1451.
He left Anne Seymark a minor , in ward to Sir Richard Sapcote, Knight,
of Elton in Huntingdonshire, who in her right in 1462 presented to the rectory.
Thomas De Semarc had the following children:
+20 1. Anne De Semarc.
2. Katherine Semarke – “A pedigree of the
Vincent family of Bernack recorded at the 1619 Heralds’ visitation of
Northamptonshire includes the marriage of Robert Vincent of Bernack to
Katherine, second daughter and co-heir of Thomas Semarke. The Vincents of Stoke
D’Abernon, who were descended from Robert and Katherine, quartered the Semarke
arms. This is evident from the Heralds’ Visitation of Surrey 1662-68.”
FIFTEENTH GENERATION
20. Anne De Semarc (Thomas-14, Nicholas-13, Nicholas-12,
Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5,
Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Ann Seymark became the wife of William Sapcote Esq, second son to the
said Sir Richard Sapcote. William living in 1483.
After his decease married Sir David Phelip. David in the fourteenth year
of Henry V11 was sheriff of the counties of Bedford and Buckingham. He was a
benefactor to the church of Holme. A
window of that church : “Of your Charite pray for Sir Davy Phelip and my lady
his wife, and for all benefactors of this windowe”. David living in 1502.
Anne De Semarc and Sir William Sapcot had the following children:
+21 i. Sir Guy Sapcot.
SIXTEENTH GENERATION
21. Sir Guy Sapcot (Anne De Semarc-15, Thomas-14, Nicholas-13,
Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6,
Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Sir Guy Sapcot and Margaret Wolfson had the following children:
+22 i. Anne Sapcot.
SEVENTEENTH GENERATION
22. Anne Sapcot (Sir
Guy-16, Anne De Semarc-15, Thomas-14, Nicholas-13, Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11,
John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4,
Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Anne Sapcot first Married Sir John Broughton of Tudington, Bedfordshire
Anne Sapcot and John Russell, Earl Of Bedford, had the following children
+23 i. Francis Russell.
The Manor of Thornhaugh,
together with Stibbington, Wansford and Sibson, had been the property of the
St. Medard family, and passed to the Russells through
the marriage of Ann Sapcote with John Russell, (later created 1st Earl of
Bedford) c. 1526. A settlement of the Thornhaugh estates was made in 1562 on
William, 4th son of Francis the 2nd Earl. In 1603 he was created Baron Russell
of Thornhaugh, and in 1613 on his death, he was buried in Thornhaugh church
where a magnificent monument was erected. "Looking after the
monument" is one of the items that occurs frequently in the Thornhaugh
accounts. Together with Thorney, the estates were reunited with the main
Russell property when his son Francis succeeded as 4th Earl.
The Russell family, Dukes of Bedford: The Russell family
first appeared prominently in the reign of Henry VIII. John Russell, 1st Earl
of Bedford, c1486-1555, was Lord High Steward and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
under Henry VIII and Edward VI. He was created 1st Earl of Bedford in 1550, and
had a part in arranging the marriage of Mary I to Philip II of Spain. He died
possessing lands, which have remained in the family until the 20th century;
these now include Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire and large parts of Bloomsbury in
London. His son, Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, c 1527-1585, was an
Privy Councillor under Elizabeth I and President of the Council of Wales.
Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford, 1593-1641, was an opponent of Charles I
in the House of Lords. William Russell, 5th Earl and 1st Duke of Bedford,
1613-1700, fought first for Parliament and then for the king in the Civil War.
In 1694, when his sons attainder was reversed, the 5th earl was made Duke of
Bedford. John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, 1710-1771, served in the cabinets
of Henry Pelham, 4th Duke of Newcastle, 1696-1754, John Stuart, 3rd Earl of
Bute, 1713-1792, and George Grenville, 1712-1770. He was the leader of a
faction of Whig politicians, known as the Bedford Group
Anne died 1558 or March 1559
EIGHTEENTH GENERATION
23. Francis Russell (Anne Sapcot-17, Sir Guy-16, Anne De
Semarc-15, Thomas-14, Nicholas-13, Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9,
Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2,
Anketil-1) . Earl of Bedford
Frances died 1585
Francis Russell had the following children:
+24 i. Sir William Russell.
NINETEENTH GENERATION
- Sir William
Russell (Francis-18, Anne Sapcot-17, Sir Guy-16, Anne De Semarc-15,
Thomas-14, Nicholas-13, Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9,
Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3,
Richard-2, Anketil-1) . Created
Baron Russell of Thornhaugh
Baron Russel of Thornhaugh , died 1613
Sir William Russell had the following children:
+25 i. Francis Russell.
20TH GENERATION
- Francis
Russell (Sir William-19,
Francis-18, Anne Sapcot-17, Sir Guy-16, Anne De Semarc-15, Thomas-14,
Nicholas-13, Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8,
Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2,
Anketil-1) .
Baron of Thornhaugh and 4th Earl of Bedford, died 9 May 1641
Francis Russell had the following children:
+26 i. William Russell.
Died 1700
21ST GENERATION
- William
Russell (Francis-20, Sir
William-19, Francis-18, Anne Sapcot-17, Sir Guy-16, Anne De Semarc-15,
Thomas-14, Nicholas-13, Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9,
Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7, Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3,
Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Earl of Bedford, 11th May 1694, created Marquis of Tavistock, and Duke
of Bedford
William Russell had the following children:
+27 i. Lord William Russell.
22ND GENERATION
- Lord William
Russell (William-21, Francis-20, Sir William-19, Francis-18, Anne
Sapcot-17, Sir Guy-16, Anne De Semarc-15, Thomas-14, Nicholas-13,
Nicholas-12, Nicholas-11, John-10, Nicholas-9, Geoffrey-8, Geoffrey-7,
Peter-6, Geoffrey-5, Peter-4, Geoffrey-3, Richard-2, Anketil-1) .
Beheaded in Lincoln's Inn Fields 21 July 1683
Lord William Russell had the following children:
28 i. Wriotbefly Russell.
Duke of Bedford, heir to his grandfather in his Estate and Honours;
created Baron Howland of Streatham
The Patrons of the Chantry are
the Lords of Thornhawe.
Patroni: Nicolas de St
Marco
Incumb & Temp Institut :
William de Suthwyk
Date: 17 November 1326
Patroni: John de St Marco
Incumb & Temp Institut :
John de Halughton
Date: 1329
Patroni: Nicolas de St Marco
Incumb & Temp Institut :
William Balle de Styvecle
Date: 1348
Patroni: Eliz relict John de St
Marco
Incumb & Temp Institut : Richard Adae De Gouteby
Date: August 1349
Patroni: Epise Lincoln
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Robert Terry de Staunford
Date: December 1352
Patroni: Eliz relict John de St Marco
Incumb & Temp Institut :
William Horbling
Date: January 1352
Patroni: Epise per lapsum
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Thomas Benet de Walfokene
Date: July 1365
Patroni: John de Harwedon & Alan de Merle, Dom de Thornhawe
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Walter Redmare
Date: August 1367
Patroni: Nicolas Seyntmark
Incumb & Temp Institut :
John Eft de Copmanford
Date: August 1380
Patroni: Nicolas Seymark
Incumb & Temp Institut :
John Eft
Date: June 1392
Patroni: Nicolas Semerk , Dom de Thornhawe
Incumb & Temp Institut :
John Cook, Cap and John Maydenwell
Date: both 1402
Patrons of the Church are Lord of the Manor
Patroni: Dom. Galfr de St Medardo
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Elias de Thornhaw 1247, Robert of Swafeld 1272, William de Sutton 1280
Patroni: Abb & Conv de Burgo
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Robert Sutton 1280
Patroni: Nicolas de St Marco
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Hugo de Sutton 1303, William de Marco de Ofgodeby 1316, Adam de Ardern
1336,
Richard le Forster de Wormhull 1349
Patroni: John de Brampton Rect Eccl of Rokyngham
Incumb & Temp Institut :
William Carter of Brampton 1362
Patroni: Nicolas Semark
Incumb & Temp Institut :
William Braunch de lidington 1372
Patroni: Nicolas de Marco, Dom de Thornhaugh
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Thomas de Harwedon 1375, Richard Kende 1379, John de Habyndon 1382,
Walter Hervy 1386, Nicolas Taylor 1386, John Este 1392, Richard Aleyn 1398,
William Botelesham 1403, John Maysand 1404
Patroni: Thomas Seymark, arm
Incumb & Temp Institut :
John Wollesthorp 1413, John Campe 1422
Patroni: Richard Sapcote Sen Cust Anne fil & her Thomas Seymark
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Dom. Thomas Howys 1462
Patroni: William Sapcote
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Thomas Pygge 1483
Patroni: David Philip, Arm
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Edward Hawtre 1500
Patroni: Anna Russell [nee Sapcote]
Incumb & Temp Institut :
Robert Fyssher 1527
Date:
Patroni: Francis Com Bedford
Incumb & Temp Institut :
John Smyth
Date:
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE DEEDS
ETTON, GLINTON, PEAKIRK and Woodcroft
Deeds
date: M aft F of St
Thomas, Ap [22 Dec] 6 Hen IV [1404]
Witn. Thomas Spycer, parson of Etton; Nicholas Seymark; Anthony Kyllum;
John Sulgrave.
MARHOLM DEEDS
date: F of the
Purification [2 Feb] 18 Ric II [1395]
Witn. John Wytlesbury; Nicholas Seymark; Nicholas Rydell.
MAXEY DEEDS
date: -- Sept 47 Edw III
[1373]
Witn. Thomas de Mortymer, Knt.; John Geffroun; Nicholas Seymark; John
Rydell; Hugh Sulgrave.
MILTON DEEDS
date: M aft F of St
Dunstan [24 May] 18 Ric II [1395]
Witn. John Wyttelbery; Nicholas Seymark;
Thomas de Wyke.
date: M aft Holy Trinity
[7 June 1395]
Witn. John Wyttelbury; Nicholas Seymark; Thomas de Wyke.
Pre 1700 Family Strays
Also see Northants timeline
Seymark, Thomas, esq:
Northants 38,39 Hen VI
Thomas SEYMARK v. Richard
CUPPER, gentleman, one of the Six Clerks, William GEFFREYS, and others.: Tithe
teasels and other profits of the rectory of Cheddar, of the demise of the dean
and chapter of Wells.: SOMERSET.
The Abbot of Peterborough
(Burgh' St. Pier). v. Thomas, son of Nicholas Semark, and John Calverley.:
Resisting arrest and assaulting the abbot's bailiff, and his villain Henry
Hopkyn, at Thorpe.: [Northants]. 8
(Hen. IV.)
Thomas
Pygge v. John Browe, of Wodehede, stepfather of petitioner's wife Elizabeth
Semarke, and William Aldwyncle, esq.: Execution of marriage covenants,
concerning lands, &c. (unspecified).
Thomas
Pygge v. John Browe, esq., of Wodehed; the sheriffs of Lincoln, Rutland, and
Northampton, and William Aldewyncle, esq.: Comments made upon the marriage of
petitioner with Elizabeth Semarke, daughter of the said John's wife, concerning
lands in Stibbington? (Stevynton) and Carlton-Curliew, and the reversion of the
manor of Hill. 33 Hen. VI
Letters
patent releasing to John Browe esq., and Elizabeth, his wife, executrix of
Thomas Mortymer, otherwise John Browe esq., and Elizabeth, his wife, executrix
of Will of Thomas Semark, otherwise John Browe esq., and Elizabeth, his wife,
daughter and heir of John Tame kt. 5
November 1533.
John
Cory and Agnes, his wife, daughter of Richard, son of John Vyncent and
Margaret, his wife. v. Thomas Semark, esquire, feoffee to uses.: Manor of
Barnack: Northampton.
John
Bagard and Thomas Neche, clerk. v. William Mannyng and Harry Sennak (Semark),
feoffees to uses.: Mortgage of lands in Bury St. Edmunds, by John Wastell, of
Cambridge, freemason.: Suffolk.
Parties:
Thomas Semark and Joan his wife, and Robert Semark and Margaret his wife v.
Robert Morrys Land in Horsemonden.
Manwood
v. Semarke: Kent. A.D. 1558-1579