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HISTORY AND GENEALOGY
OF THE
CONANT FAMILY
IN
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
THIRTEEN GENERATIONS, 1520-1887 ;
CONTAINING ALSO SOME GENEALOGICAL NOTES ON THE
GONNET, GONNETT AND CONNIT FAMILIES.
ILI^ySTRATEl).
FREDERICK ODELL CONANT, M. A.,
OF
PORTLAND, MAINE, U. 8. A.
V
PRIVATELY PRINTED.
rORTLAXD:
1887.
350 coriES, Octavo.
10 COPIES, QUAKTO.
No.
e^.
'^\
Press of Harris & Williams, Portland, Me.
"/ haoe taken this pains not for the present a<je but a future^ rnany things lohicJt were knoimt to our grandsires are lost to us, and our grandchildren %oill search in oain for mang facts 'which are most familiar to us."
DEDICATED TO HIS DAUGHTERS,
||H2alicUi Aerrill anil pcr.sts iTurlng,
WITH THK HOI'K THAT THEY MAY SOME DAY' ENJOY
UEAD1.\(; THIS IJOOK AS MUCH AS THEIK
FATHER HAS ENJOY'ED ITS
CO^ri'lLATION.
V
ARMS OF SIR NATHAN iEL ^.oNANT, KNIGHT.
^-- , r-.->-uit: r and - w-.;^ -^-xmuJieoo. Whistoo.
i
PREFACE.
The time has passed when it was thought necessary to apol- ogize for presenting- a family history to the public, and the usefulness of such works is now so generally admitted that any raison cP etre for this work may be omitted. I will only state that my own interest in the subject was awakened at an early age — before I could have been influenced by such a feeling as family pride — for before I was old enough to write I remember getting my aunt to copy a brief pedigree of the family I found in possession of my grandfather, giving his ancestry back to Roger Conant, which pedigree I have carefully preserved to this day. How my attention was called to the subject I can- not say. About 1879 a desire to know more of the family history and what manner of people my ancestors were led rae to take up the subject again, and I then began the collection and arrangement of materials for the present Genealogy. The only important record of the family then in print was a con- densed account of descendants of Nathaniel Conant, contained in Mitchell's History of JBridgewater, Mass. I was fortunate in finding in the library of the Essex Institute, at Salem, a quite complete manuscript record of the earlier generations of the family, prepared several years ago by the late Dr. J. F. Worcester, of Salem, to Avhich I am indebted for many pedi- grees that it would have been difficult, perhaps impossible, to construct correctly at the present time. I desire also to ac- knowledge my deep obligation, and at the same time my grati- tude, to the late Hon, Charles Francis Conant, of Cambridge, Mass., for his many kind words of encouragement, advice and assistance in procuring town, probate and other records; to Miss Frances Batchelder James, of Cambridge, Mass., for her aid in procuring copies of English records, and to Hon. John A. Conant, of Willimantic, Conn.^ for information about the Connecticut branch of the family. Many other correspond-
(V.)
VI. PREFACE.
ents, both in England and the United States, have rendered substantial aid, and to them I return thanks. For those mem- bers of the family who have failed to answer my repeated letters of inquiry I have no words of reproach, but hope they may see the error of their way and send the desired informa- tion even now, so that a cori-ected copy of this book may be deposited in some public library.
In 1884 I published a "Pedigree of the Conant Family," embracing eight generations and giving the names of about six hundred descendants of Roger Conant. While the tabu- lar form has its advantages, the impossibility of attaining completeness by its use decided me in undertaking the present Genealogy.
The plan adopted is substantially that of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Only those names are num- bered which are subsequently taken up as the head of a family, and as the names are treated consecutively no difficulty will be expei'ienced in tracing any particular line of ancestors or descendants. For example, to find the account of the father of 135. Zenas*^ (on p. 2.^il), turn back until the name and number 135. Zenas is found in small type (on p. 200), and it will be found that he was son of (63) Thomas^; to find the account of 283. Oliver, son of 135. Zenas®, turn ahead iintil that name and number is found in heavy type (p. 319). The small index number above and after a name indicates the gen- eration from Roger Conant, and the names in italics enclosed in parenthesis after the name of a person give the male line of ancestry of that person back to Roger Conant. When a woman's name occurs enclosed in parenthesis, it is to be un- derstood that the enclosed name was her maiden name, or name before marriage. A few abbreviations, which will be readily understood, are used, such as h. born, hapt. baptized, m. married, unm. unmarried, d. died, d. y. died young, ch. children, dr. daughter, //. s. grand-son or grave-stone, (jrad. graduated, etc. Down to September 2, 1752, dates are given in the "old style" and may be made to correspond with the new or Gregorian calendar by adding ten days to dates be- tween A. D. 1582 and 1701, and eleven days between A. I).
PREFACE. Vll.
1700 :ind Septembei- 2, 1752. Before 1752 the legal year began on Lady Day, or March 25th, and March was called the first month, Ai)ril the second, and so on. The historical year began on .Tanuary 1st, and hence arose the custom preva- lent in England and its colonies of using double dates between January 1st and March 25th; thus, 20: 11: 1677-8, would be Jan. 20th, 1678, as we reckon now, or adding ten days for tlie difference in time, Jan. 30th, 1678.
The materials for the work have been collected with care, and at considerable expense, from printed works, from the Massachusetts Archives, from town and church records, from the records in the offices of the Registers of Deeds and Pro- bate of Plymouth, Essex, Middlesex and Barnstable counties iu Massachusetts, Cheshire and Rockingham counties in New Hamjishire, York and Cumberland comities in Maine, and from an extensive corresj^ondence with members of the family. Besides the above, which was conducted personally, I have caused an extensive search to be made in the Probate Offices at Somerset House, London, and Palace Gate, Exeter, the Public Record Office, College of Arms and Marriage Licenses of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in London, the Marriage Licenses of the Bishop of Exeter and the Parochial Registers of more than twenty parishes, and among other public and private records.
In a work of this class it is well nigh impossible to insure absolute correctness. Doubtless some, perhaps many, mistakes may be found, and I beg that any one noticing such, either of dates, names or facts, will kindly report the same to me. I shall be happy to receive additional family records, and dates of births, marriages or deaths, from members of the family, and should a sufficient number l)e obtained a supplement may be issued embodying these, together with any corrections. The list of additions and corrections beginning on page 572 is important, and all having occasion to use this book should consult it to see that statements niade in the text are not thereby modified.
The book contains the names of some 4300 Conants, about 1700 other surnames and about lOOO names of places, and is, I
VIU.
PREFACE.
think, so far as relates to Conants, as complete as any work its kind, a fact largely due to the care with which family recoi have been preserved in the various branches of the fami The descendants of Roger Couant, by name Conant^ me tioned in the book, number 3457.
Attention is called to the large number of the name wl served in the Revolutionary army. The names of sevent three have been preserved. It is doubtful if any family corresponding numbers furnished so many.
FREDERICK ODELL CON ANT.
139 Park Street,
Portland, Dec. 20, 1887.
GENERAL INDEX.
Additions and corrections, - - - - 572, 640
Anglo-Saxons, - - - - - 1
Ann, ship - - - - - - 57, 100
Assembly of divines at Westminster, - - - 64
Arms :
Brittany, Dukes of - - - - 6
Conan, -..-.. 5
Conant, - - 18, 48, 68, 84, 91, 94, 575
Duke, ...... 18
Reynolds, ..... 84
Wake, .... Frontispiece
Whiston, . - . . . 94
Beverly, Mass., incorporation of ... 116
Books written or published by Conants, 59, 63, 64, 84, 86, 89, 204, 236, 256, 307, 318, 322, 383, 390, 391, 394, 419, 426, 483, 484, 486, 518, 536, 543, 577, 578. Bren, Celtic word, meaning of - - - 6
Bretons, ...... l
Brittany, Dukes of - - - - - 5, 6
Cean, Irish word, meaning of - - - - 8
Celts,' ...... 1
Charity, ship - - - - - - 100
College graduates, lists of - - - - 47, 555
Con, Welsh word, meaning of - - - - 4, 6
Conant, etymology of - - - - 3-8
Conant family in England, - - - - 49
Conant family in America :
Descendants of Roger, ... 99
Descendants of George, .... 528
Whose origin is untraced, ... 540
Conant, orthograj)hy and pronunciation of - - 2
Conant family, origin of - - - - 1
(ix.)
X. GENERAL INDEX.
Conant, first appearance of tlie name, - - - 2
Conet family, - . . . . 57Q
Connanght, meaning of - - - . 4
Connet family, - . . . . 5(53
Connett family, - . . . _ ^q^
Connitt family, - - . . . 572
Cwn, Welsh word, meaning of - - - .7
Cun, Welsh word, meaning of - - - 8
Cymri, - - . . . . . 6
Cyning, Saxon word, meaning of - - . g
Cynu, Welsh word, meaning of - . . 7
Dorchester company, - . . _ 101-107
Exeter, Bishopric of, offered to John Conant, - - 81
Episcopal church, first, in Massachusetts, - - HQ
First Governor of Massachusetts, - - . 108
French wars, lists of soldiers in - - . 556 Gaels, -------1
Genealogical notes, - - - . . 9
General Court of Massachusetts, - - - 114
Grocers' company of London, - - - 46 56
Hun, Teutonic word, meaning of ... 7
Index of Christian names of Conants, - - 581
Index of names other than Conant, - - - 617
Index of places, - - - . . (329
Indian wars, list of soldiers in - - - . 556
Introduction, - . . . . j
Khan, Persian word, - - ... 8
King Phillip's war, list of soldiers in - - 556
Konig, German word, meaning of - - - 8
Koning, Dutch word, meaning of - - - 8
Konung, Swedish word, meaning of - - -8
Lion's Whelp, ship - - . . 137
List of illustrations, - - . . . xiii.
List of subscribers, - - . . 037
Livery companies of London, ... 50^ 99
Long Parliament, - . . . . 79
Massachusetts Bay company, origin of - - 106, 110
Mayflower, ship - - . _ . 51 8
GENERAL INDEX. XL
Mexican war, list of soldiers in ... 558
Miscellaneous records, - . - _ 554-563
Names changed, ..... 562
Nathaniel Conant, grant of arms to - - 94
Nonconformists, - - - - - 100
Puritans, - - - - - - 59, 100
IJebc'llion, list of soldiers in the ... 559
Records quoted :
Archbisho]) of Canterbury's Marriage Licenses, - 25
Archdeaconry Court of Exeter, - 30, 52, 78, 572
Assize 1 foils, . . . . . 40
Barnstable County Probate Records, - - 195
Bishop of Exeter's Act Books, - - 25
Bristol County Registers of Deeds, - - 253
Cheshire County Registers of Deeds, 194, 223, 225, 271
Close Rolls, - - . . . 45
Court Rolls, - - - - - 40
n u ^ in .i?-* f T^ A ^ 229, 231, 240, 242 Cumbei'land County Registers of Deeds, -
^ ^ ( 284,29(1,349
Domesday Book, .... 49
Essex County Court Files, - - 111, 119
( 70, 120, 123, 129, 134 Essex County Probate Records, -, ,„_ , ,_ ^r^ ^„^
( 137, 14/, 152, 1/6
Essex County Registers of ( 120, 133, 139, 147, 159, 177
Deeds, 'I 214, 217, 218, 227, 231
Fine Rolls, - - - - - - 44
Hundred Rolls, .... 43
Institution Books, - - - - - 40
Massachusetts Archives, - - 110,119,556
Massachusetts Colonial Records, - - - 113
(160, 206, 261, 263
Middlesex Count\ Probate Records, - „^,, „.. o.r
-^ ( 26b, 342, 345
Middlesex County Registers of Deeds, - - 192
Norman Rolls, ..... 41
Parochial Registers, - - - 9-24, 572
Patent Rolls, ..... 38, 39
Plymouth County Registers of Deeds, 159, 168, 199, 203, 252
Plyiuoutli County Probate Reords, 144, l.'.O, 170, 203
XU. GENERAL INDEX.
Pipe Rolls, - - - - - 44
Prerogative Court of Canterbury, - 26, 57, 58, 67
Rockingham County Registers of Deeds, - 211, 340
Salem Town Records, - - - . 114
State Papers, - - - - 41, 42
Subsidy Rolls, - - - - - 34-38
York County Registers of Deeds, - 183, 187, 219, 220
Revolutionary wai*, list of soldiers in - - 55^ (
Roger Conant, first Governor of Massachusetts, - 108
Roger Conant, site of his house in Salem, - - 104
Roger Conant, site of his house in Beverly, - 118, 146
Salters' company of London, - - - - 99
Savoy conference, - - - - - 76, 81
Senlac, battle of . - _ _ . 6
Separatists, - - - - - - 100
Signal lanterns of Paul Revere, _ . _ 238
Tobacco, exclusive privilege of planting, - - 106
Towns named Conant, - . - . . 563
War of 1812, list of soldiers in - - - 558
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Arms of Sir Nathaniel Conani, - - Frontispiece
Portraits of Elizabeth Merrill and Persis Loring
Conant, .... Dedication
Arms of John Conant (impaling Duke), - - 18
Conant Arms, . . . . . 48 Fac-simile of Indenture from John Lee to John Conantetals., 49 Main Street of East Budleigh, Devon, England, | All Saints Church, East Budleigh, - j Fac-simile of Title Page of Sermon published by John
Conant, B. D., 1643, - - - - 59 John Conant's house, Salisbury, England, | St. Thomas a Becket Church, - )
Portrait of John Conant, D. D., - - - 74
Arms of John Conant, D. D. (impaling Reynolds), 84
Lyndon Hall, residence of Edward IsT. Conant, - 97
Ship of 1620, 98
Roger Conant's house at Cape Ann, - - - 104
Fac-simile of Roger Conant's Declaration, 1655, - 112
Fac-simile of Seal on Roger Conant's Will, - - 125
Fac-simile of Lot Conant's Will, - - - 129 Map of part of Beverly, Mass., ... 146
Portrait of John Conant, of Alfred, Me., - - 274
View of Josiah Conant's house at Dudley, Mass., - 277
Portrait of John A. Conant, of Brandon, Vt., - 299
Portrait of Harry Conant, of Monroe, Mich., - - 309
Portrait of Joshua Conant, of Brookline, Mass., - 360
Portrait of Alvah Conant, of Portland, Me., - - 364
Portrait of Harvey Conant, of Dudley, Mass., - 370
Portrait of Frederick J. Conant, of New York, - 402
Portrait of Harry A. Conant, of Monroe, IMich., - 408
Portrait of John A. Conant, of Willimantic, Conn., - 412
Portrait of Roger Conant, of Capac, Mich., - - 422
(xiii.)
xiv. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
View of Conant Hall, Hanover, N. H., - - - 440
Portrait of Nathan D. Conant, of Boston, Mass., - 461
Portrait of Richard O. Conant, of Cumberland, Me., - 462
Portrait of Hezekiah Conant, of Pawtucket, R. I., 466
Portrait of Charles F. Conant, of Cambridge, Mass., 486
Portrait of Edward D. Conant, of Worcester, Mass., - 491
Portrait of Edwin Conant, of Worcester, Mass., - 500
Portrait of Frederick O. Conant, of Portland, Me., - 518
Fac-similes of Autographs may be found on pp. 55, 58, 59, 67,
72, 79, 112 (3), 129 (4), 134, 138, 140, 142, 145, 150, 154, 159,
161, 169, 175, 177, 180, 182 (2), 183, 186, 187, 189, 197,
'198 (2), 199, 202, 203, 205, 208, 213, 214, 216, 217, 223,
224 (2), 225, 228, 231, 239, 242, 251, 252, 253, 256, 258, 259,
261, 262, 263, 264, 265 (2), 266, 267 (3), 268, 269 (2), 275,
278, 280, 284, 288, 292, 299, 303, 324, 325, 338, 339, 343 (2),
344, 356 (2), 360, 364, 370, 402, 408, 412, 422, 439, 461, 462,
467, 486, 491, 500, 518, 553.
INTRGB(JeTlON.
INTRODUCTION.
The Coiiant family appears to be, primarily, of Celtic de- scent, for the name Coiiaii or Conon, from which the name is derived, is found at a very early ])eriod amoni:- various races of Celtic origin, includino- the Britons, Welsh, Irish, Gaels and Bretons. Nobody knows when the Celts first settled in Brit- ain, for at the beginning of authentic history the island was inhabited by them. When Britain was invaded by the Anglo- Saxons, these Celtic inhabitants retreated before them into Cornwall and Wales, where they retained their language and customs for a long time. Some crossed the English Channel southward and joined their kinsmen in Armoric Brittany.
Though Anglo-Saxon influence predominates, the English character of to-day is in no small degree an inheritance from Celtic ancestors. This influence is fully realized by Emerson, who says: "The sources from which tradition derives their stock are three. And first they are of the oldest blood of the world — the Celtic. Some peojdes are deciduous or transitory. Where are the Greeks? Where the Etrurians'? Where the Romans? But the Celts or Sidonides are an old family, of whose beginning there is no memory, and their end is likely to be still more remote in the future; for they have endurance and ])roductiveness."
Whether the family was of the Breton or the Cornish branch of the Celtic race, it is impossible to say. As the name is somewhat Gallic in form, it is possible the family is descended from some Breton follower of William the Concpieror. At all events, they were settled in Devonshire as early as the be- ginning of the fourteenth century. Three hundred years later, in the very vanguard of English emigration to America, two brothers of the name left Devonshire for the New World, from the younger of whom ni'arly all the Conants in Ajiu-rica are descended. The Conants have almost invariably married
(1)
2 INTRODUCTION.
into families of English descent, and moreover, into families long settled here, so that the branch of the family on this side of the ocean may be regarded as typically American.
Records remain to show that the name Conant, in very near- ly its present form, has existed in England for over six hnndred years, and a more extended search would doubtless reveal its earlier existence. This is, however, a very respectable anti(|- nity for the name, when the difficulty of tracing any particular name, and the fact that surnames have been in general use for only eight hundred years, is considered. The orthography has varied considerably, the variation l)eing j)rincipally due to the ignorance of clerks. In England thirty-two ways of writing the name have been found, as follows : Couenaunt, Conaunt, Cownat, Conat, Conant, Connant, Conante, Conannt, Conannte, Connante, Connannt, Conenant, Conenaunt, Counant, Connat, Connatt, Cornet, Conet, Conett, Connet, Connett, Counett, Conott, Connot, Connott, Coonet, Coonnet, Cunnet, Cunnant, Cunnatt, Cunnante, Conennte; and in America eighteen ways (nine of which are included among the foregoing), as follows: Conant, Connant, Cannant, Connont, Connontt, Connott, Con- nanght, Connunght, Connaught, Conet, Connet, Connett, Conat, Cunnet, Cunnant, Conit, Connit, Connitt; making forty-one variations in all.
In Devonshire, the old home of the family, though the name is written Conant, the common pronunciation is Connet or Cunnet. All descendants of Richard Conant, of East Bud- leigh, how^ever, both in England and the United States, have so far as known adhei'ed to the form (\mant^ generally pro- nounced Co-nant, with the accent on the first syllable; a few families in the United States accent the last syllable.
The earliest example of the name with the final "t" yet found, occurs in the Patent Rolls* of England, in the year 1277, when Solomon de Rochester and Thomas de Sodington were appointed to take the assize of novel disseizin arraigned by Robert Couenaunt against Filota, late wife of Richard Coue- naunt, touching a tenement in Alton (or Alveton), Stafford- shire. Four years later, a Robert Conet was a tenant of the
* Patent Rolls, 5 Edward I, m. 9, dors. 72.
INTRODUCTION. 6
manor of Iloriifastlo, LiiK-oliisliirc. In tlic year 1827 .Vlox- ander Conaunt* was livinti' in tlio IliimlrtMl of Exminster, Devonshire; five years later, Alan Conanntf was livinjj^ in the Hundred of Axniinster; and in 1879 Iluuh Conaunl$ was liv- ini; near Exeter. The tlime last named were ]»r()l)al)ly of our family, as they lived within twenty-live miles of the home of John Conant, with whom we heuin the Geneaiouy.
The name is derived from the Celtic Conan,§ formerly of Wales and Cornwall, and snl)sei)uently of Brittany. After the Con([uest this name heeame common in England, and is fre- quently found in the Public Kecords, almost always in some family of Breton oriiiin. Among- the Breton followers of William who settled in Devon, was Judhael of Totnes, a rela- tive of the Duke of Britaniiy. The King granted him 107 manors in Devonshire, and he also held houses in Exeter. Count Brian, of Brittany, was sent by King William to the relief of Exeter, then besieged by the English, in the year 1069. He defeated Plarold's sons in battle and was granted large estates. In the time of William Kufus, Cono, a monk of Battle Abbey (whose name indicates that he was a Breton), was sent to Exeter to look after the property of that house, and under his care the settlement there grew into a sej^arate priory. ||
The surname of the descendants of Geoffrey de Dinan, a Breton who settled in the north-western part of Devonshire, became, in course of time, Dinant, a change analagous to that from Conan to Conant. These facts indicate the probability of a Breton origin of the name, a supi)osition rendered more likely by the fact that the name went through a somewhat similar change in Brittany.
Arthur, in his "Etymological Dictionary of Family and
* Exchequer Lay Subsidies, Devon, Roll ~
tibid.. Roily
t Muniments of Exeter, Doc. 950.
§ As the Celts were descended from the same stock as the ancient Greeks, perhaps the name is from the same root as that of the Grecian Conon, (an Athenian general, contcmporar>' of Xenophon,) who rebuilt the walls of Athens, B. C. 393, and that of the mathematician, Conon of Samos, who flourished about 200 years later.
II Historic Towns: Exeter.
4 INTRODUCTION.
Christian Names," says: "Conaxt, (Welsh and Gaelic). Co- nan, a river, Counant, a cataract in Xorth Wales, from caw, a chasm, a deep hollow, shut up, and naiit, a rivulet." As this derivation did not seem entirely satisfactory, efforts were made to obtain the true etymology, and the o|)inion of several emi- nent philologists was sought, with the following results:
W. M. Hennessy, Esq., of Her Majesty's Public Record Office, Dublin, writes: "Conan is not a very general name in the Calendar of Saints, only seven of the name (besides two Connans) being mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal, which gives a A-ery full list. (\ma}i (which means 'little hound,' from con^ the genitive form of rn^ an^ a diminutive particle) is, under the corru]»t form (U/naii^ a very general name in W^elsh Chroiucles."
In this connection, the secondary meaning of the word (champion, great warrior, vide seq.) as suggested by Prof. Rhys, is worthy of note. In Irish JMythology, Conn (valor), son of Diancecht (god of the powers of healing), figures largely; and in the "Chronicles of the Four Masters" is rc])- resented as a descendant of Heremon, son of Milesius, and the 110th King of Ireland. He is known as Conn Ceadcatha, or Conn of the Hundred Battles, and was Monarch of Ireland in the second century. His posterity possessed the kingdom of Connaught, the name of which is derived from his name coup- led Avith "iacht" or "iocht," signifying children or ])()Sterity. Hence Connaught, or Coniacht as it was anciently written, means the territory possessed by the descendants of Conn.
W. F. Skene, LL. D., Historiogra])her Royal of Scot- land, writes: "Conan is a personal name l)elonging to names of Irish or Gaelic origin, and existed, l)Oth in Ireland and Scotland, at an early period. It ap])ears in the Irish Calendar as St. Conan, (d. about A. D. 048) Bishop of Sodor and Man, and in Scotland several parishes were dedicated to him, as, for instance, Kilchonan, in the district of Atholl. It api)ears also at an early period as a Christian name in various Scottish families."
But more satisfactory and definite are the two letters follow- ing: M. E. de Kerlinou, of Vannes, in the department of
INTRODUCTION. 6
Morbihaii, Franco, writes: "Tlie name Conan is well known in Brittany; many of our sovereign dukes have borne it, and it is still frequently used as a baptismal name, or borne by a great number of families w/iich came originally from Great Britain. Only one noble family of Brittany has borne the name Conan or C'onen ; it is still in existence; its arms are, 'Or and argent, a lion countercliange<l, armed, crowned and tongued gules.' In regard to the etymology of the word Co- nan, I must first state that the name of Conan ]Meria(lec,* ac- counted first King of the Armoric Bretons, is written by ancient authors. Conns, Cono (Canao), Coun, Cann or Can, which is, according to one of our historians, only an a1>ridgment or slight alteration of the name Conan. We find, also, Caton, Coton and Cathon, which are the same but more altered than Canao, Coun and CoTian. This King died about A. D. 421.
"Tlu' radical con is not employed in modern Breton, but it is found in many names of ancient jjlaces, where it signifies angle
* In the year 38S the Roman general, Maximus, having deposed the Emperor Val- entinian II, led an army into Gaul and Italy, against the Emperor TheodosiuS. He was accompanied in the expedition by Conan (or Kynan) Meriadec, one of the princes of Powys, and cousin to Helen, wife of Maximus, at the head of 6000 Britons. They were defeated at the battle of Aquiliea; those that escaped made their way across France as far as Armorica, and settling there got possession of that country, which took the name of Brittany from this fact. Maximus had conferred the sovereignty of Brittany upon Conan, a gift confirmed by Theodosius. From him descended the Breton dukes, terminating in the fifteenth century in Anne, daughter of Francis II, successively the wife of Charles VIII and Louis XII, Kings of France. In the third generation from Conan was Constantin, King of the Britons, whose son, Uter Pendragon, was the father of King Arthur. The stories of Arthur's deeds lingered in Brittany long after they were effaced in England by the .Anglo-Saxon conquest. Arthur was succeeded by his nephews, Constantine, Aurelius Conanus and Malgo Canones, from whom descended the kings of Wales.
From Aldroen, brother of Constantin, was continued the line of the dukes of Brittany. They maintained a semi-independent state, at times free and at others subject to the French Crown. Under Charlemagne the power of France over Brittany increased, but its rulers, availing themselves of the weakness of his successors, regained their independence, and their duke was acknowledged king by Charles the Bald. At the beginning of the tenth century, the country was troubled by internal dissensions among its princes; finally Juhel Berenger, Count of Rennes, and Alan Barbe-torte, Count of Nantes, united their forces against the Nor- mans, and a measure of tranquility was restored. The trouble with the Normans was settled by a double marriage, Geofl!"rey, son of Conan le Tort, and grand.son of Juhel Berenger, mar- ried Hadwisa, daughter of Richard the Fearless, Duke of Normandy; and Judith, si.ster of Geoffrey, by marrying Richard the Good, became the grandmother of William the Conqueror.
Under Alan V, son of Geoffrey, Brittany enjoyed peace many years, and on the death of Robert le Diable he was appointed guardian of William, then a minor. Alan died A. D. 1039 and was succeeded by his son, Conan the Fat, who rose against William of Normandy, and, it is said, though upon doubtful authority, was poi.soned by him at the siege of Chateau Gontier, A. D. 1066. The next duke after Conan was Hoel, son of .^lan Cognant, Count of Cornou- aille, who was descended from Budic, brother of Juhel Berenger. He married Hadwisa, sister
6 INTRODUCTION.
in the special sense of an angle formed by the meeting of two rivers, in French confluent^ e. g., Men9on, Conlo, Conde, etc. In a figurative sense, con signifies a reunion, an assemblage, and our ancient traditions inform us that Conan Meriadec came from Great Britain and reimited under his sceptre, to his an- cient subjects, who emigrated Avith him, the Celts and Cymri who inhabited Armorica. They took the name Bretons and the country of Arvor (my country) that of Little Britain. In a precise sense, (Jon or Conan {an is a simple plural) is more a title than a name. Many of our historians in speaking of him, say, 'the Conan Meriadec,' 'the Chief Meriadec,' follow- ing the meaning. Con in the Welsh and Cymric languages seems to have the meaning of Brenn {chief) in Celtic.
"At times he is called Can, or Cau, signifying combat, Canao (another plural), the combats. He is then the victor, the conqueror, the chief, the imperator of the Romans.
"Finally, at the Court of Assizes of Morbihan, an interpreter
of Conan, and was the father of Alan Fergand, who became Count of Brittany in 1083. Alan made war on William, whom he defeated at the siege of Del (1086), soon after which he mar- ried Constance, daughter of William. Constance died childless and he married Hermengardc, daughter of Fulk, Count of Anjon, by whom he had a son, Conan, who married Matilda, natural daughter of King Hen^y I. On the death of Conan, the succession was disputed be- tween his son, Hoel, who was disowned by his father, and Eudes or Odo, Count of Porhoet, who had married Bertha, daughter of Conan, as her second husband. At length Conan le Petit, son of Bertha by her first husband, Alan the Black, Earl of Richmond, took Ejides "./W prisoner and united all parts of the country under his control, calling it the County of Brittany. / His daughter and heiress married Geoffrey, third son of King Henry H; their son Arthur, on the death of King Richard, was the heir to the throne of England, but was assassinated by King John, 1203. The duchy then passed to Alix, daughter of Constance by her third hus- ^ band, Guy of Thuars, who married Pierre de Dreux. Their son, John, became head of the ducal family, which reigned till the beginning of the sixteenth century. Another branch of the family rendered substantial aid to William in his conquest of England. Odo, Count Penthievence, brother of Alan V, married Agnes, daughter of Alan Cognant, and had several children. Alan Fergant, one of the number, led the Bretons in the battle of Senlac, and was granted all the lands which had belonged to Earl Eadwin, amounting to 442 manors. He built the Castle of Richmond, and was succeeded as Lord of Richmond by his brothers, Alan the Black, and Stephen, Count Penthievence. Stephen was succeeded by his son, Alan, who married Bertha, daughter of Conan the Litde, thus uniting the English earldom and the Breton duchy. Ribaldus, another of Odo's sons. Lord of Middleham, Yorkshire, is the ancestor of the Neville and Tailbois families. Another, Brian, is the ancestor and founder of the Chateau Briant family in France; he also took part in the Conquest, and defeated Harold's sons in bat- tle in Devonshire. Beside Conan, Duke of Brittany, Alan and Bertha had several other children, among whom were Brian, father of Alan, Lord Bedale, Guy, ancestor of the Barons Strange, and Reginald, who went to Scotland.
The arms of the Dukes of Brittany were " Ermine," said to have been adopted by the first Conan from the fact that an ermine took refuge under his shield and was spared by him, its skin thereafter forming the arms of Brittany (Miss Yonge's Christian N'ames), with the motto " Malo mori quam foedari."
INTRODUCTION. 7
of Finisterre, in translating a deposition, did not hesitate to employ the equivalent (■oioit for the proper name Conan. Conan Meriadec, then, siiiiiifics the Chief Meriadec, or the Chief of many Chiefs, the Count. It is, perhaps, from this fact that Freneh historians havt^ taken the title Count of Brittany for our sovereii>-ns who called themselves kings or dukes.
"As to the frequence of the name Conan among the families of the peo])le, it is due to two causes: first, from its use as a Christian name among various ])atronymics; second, as a fam- ily name borne by all a clan, the same in Brittany as in Scot- land."
Prof. Loth, who is ))rofessor of Celtic at the Faculty of Sciences at IJennes, in the department of Ille et Vilaine, says: "Conant, in the 14th c-entury, of the county of Devon, is an Armoric Breton or Cornish name, hut surely it is not Welsh. It is almost certainly an Armoric name. The ordinary form in Armorica to-day is Conan ; in the 9th century it was Cunan. It is the same name as the Welsh Cynan. We iind in Wales, in an inscription of the Gth century, a genitive foi'm, Ounegni,* which presupposes for the same time a nominative form, Ciin- ayno-s. The root is the same as in the name of the British King, C'uno-helinos,oi the British king in- Gildas, Muglocunos (later Maelgwn), and probably as in the Welsh verb cynu., to raise, to exalt."
The statement of Prof. Loth is very interesting, as Cunobe-
*" Cunegni, (Traws Mawr near Carmarthen). This name is singular in its being Cunegni and not Cic7iag7ii, which is the form analogj' suggests; but it should perhaps be regarded as an early instance of a modulated into e by the influence of / in the following syllable, a change well known later in Welsh. In that case Cunegni \iov\A be a variation of Cunagni, which is to be regarded as the early form of the name which appears subsequently as Conan, Cinan, and Cynan." (Rhys' Lectures on Welsh Philology, p. 400.)
The same author (j-f^ O/i/ir 5r/Vaz'«,/. 5cS6), writing about the name Cuneglassos, says: " This is given by Gildas in the vocative as Cuneglase, which he asserts to have meant in Latin, lanio/itlva, the tawny butcher. But this is difficult to accept, for though glas may have meant any colour that might be described as blue, green or gray, there is no indication that the word ever denoted any colour inclining to red or yellow. The other element, Cune, is more usually met with as Cuno or Cuna, as in Cunobelinos and Cunalipi. The reason for the variation is that the formative vowel was already but slightly pronounced; later it disap- peared altogether, leaving these names in the forms Conglas and Conbelin, whence later Cynlas and Cyn/elyn. The meaning and origin of Cuno are obscure; but Gildas may have had in his mind the Welsh word for dog, which was ci, plural ciun, though in his time it was probably cii, genitive c\Uio{s), and what he renders lanio may well have meant, considering the mood he was in, a champion or great warrior. The corresponding Teutonic vocable was hun, the meaning of which is also obscure, though that of giant has been suggested."
8 INTRODUCTION.
lin, who was King of Britain at the beginning of the Christian era, was the original of Shakespeare's Cymbeline, and Maglo- cunos was the fourth king after the renowned Arthur.
The conchision, then, seems to be that Conan, the early form of Conant, is the equivalent of the Welsh cUn, (a chief) ; Irish cean', Saxon cyjiing, (a leader, a king); German kdnig ; Dutch koning ; Swedish homing ; and also of the Oriental khan ; all meaning Jiead, chiefs leader or king.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF GITTISHAM, CO. DEVON.
BURIALS— (Records begin 1559.)
1559 John Conant, 4 of September.
1570 Harrye Conennte, xxiiij. Januarye.
1572 Agnyse Conante, ye first of Februarye.
1576 Elizabeth Connant, wydoe, ye vii. of September,
1597 Elizabeth Conannte, ye xx"* of Apryell. (^1./ 1605 Henrias Conante, ye xxviii. August.
1628 Henry, ye sonne of Henry Conet, was bur"* 24 Junii.
1638 Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Conant, ffeb. 18.
1643 Christopher, the sonne of Henry Conant, July 2.
1643 Mary, the daughter of Henry Conant, July 14.
1643 Richard, the sonne of Henry Conant, Aug. 15.
1665 Mary, the wife of Henery Connet, february the 23"*.
1684 Grace, ye daughter of Tho : Conet, Sen'', was buried on tuesday, ye 27* day of January. Affidavit was made by Joane Wyat, certified by Sir Tho. Putt, Bart., Jan. 30"*. Witnesses, Charles Churchill & John Michell.
1691 Margaret, wife of Thomas Connet, Sen', June 15. Affidavit made by Mary Hodge, widow, certified by Henry P"'ry, Esq., June 18. Witnesses, William Hus- ey, Daniel Pring.
1694 Sarah, wife of Salter Conet, October 26. Affidavit made by Jane, wife of James Lugg, certified by Hen- ry ffry, Esq., Octob'' 30. Witnesses, George Passe;ier, Daniel Pring.
1705 Salter Conant, yeoman. May 30. Affidavit made by Grace Hawkins, certified by S' Tho: Putt, Bart., June 6. Witnesses, Eliz. Crossing, Reginaldo Putt. (9)
r^
^
10 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
MAEKIAGES— (Rocoi-ds begin 1571.)
1608 Johes Connant, uxorem duxit Marriam Eveleighe, quorto die Julii, An° 1608.
1613 Christopher Mathew, of Oterye St. Marye, was married unto Elizabeth Co/net, ye dauglif^ of Henry Connet, deseased, of Gittisham, in Devon, 9 : of June.
1613 (Goyn?) Thorne, of Cotley, was married to Al'ce Con-
nat, of Gitsam, alis Giddisham, (ye daughter of Hen- ry Connat, disseased,) the 16 : day of August.
1647 Salter Conant to Sarah Corkeram, July 25.
1655 Thomas Connet, ye sonne of Henery Connet, of Gittis- ham, was lawfully married ye thirten day of June, 1655, unto Margsiret Knook, ye dafter of Richard Knook, of Salcom, before Robert Duke, Esq'', on of ye Justisses of Peace of ye county.
1663 William Michell to Johan Connet, August 27.
1682 John Stockdale and Elizabeth Conant, of Buckerill, Novemb. 30th.
1697 Thomas Capron, widower, and Mary Conet, ye daughter
of Salter Conet, Novemb. 15.
1698 John Conant & Mary Kingman, ffebra 2'^.
1702 Jonathan Conant & Mary, daughter of William Wood, both of Branscomb, wei'e married July 27.
CHEISTENINGS— (Records begin 1.559.)
1574 Nycholas Conannt, ye vi. of Julye.
1578 Jone Conannte, ye xxv. day of A])rrell.
1580 Bettey Connant, a man child baptised ye xxiii. of
June, named John. 1586 Elizabeth Conannte, ye viii. of Julye. 1612 Elizabeth, ye daughf of Henry Ccmat, was l)ai)tised ye
27 : day of September.
1614 Christofer, ye sone of Henry Conet, was bajttised ye 1:
(lav of Januarie. 1616 Joane, ye daughter of Henry Coiu-t, iiata 18°, Bajitisata
15° Februarii. 1619 Salter, ye sonne of Henry Cunnet, 14 Decembris.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 11
1621 Mary, ye daiiohter of Henry Conett, was borne ye 21 and Baptised yc 24th day of Fcbruarii.
1625 Catharin, ye daughter Henry Conct, was ba])tised ye tenth thiy of xVpril.
1627 PIcnry, ye Sonne of Henry Conet, was Baj) : 16" Febru- ary.
1630 Thomas, ye sonne, of Henry Conet, was Bap: 5° Sep- tenib.
1650 Thomas, ye sonne of Salter Conant, May 19.
1654 Mary, ye daughter of Salter Conant, Septemb. 6.
1659 Mathew, ye sonne of Salter Conant, Febr. 24.
1662 Benjamin, ye soon of Salter Connet, January the 20.
1663 Josup, t4ie soone of Thomas Counnet, Aprill the i.
1665 Margaret, ye daughter of Thom: Conant, Febr. 23.
1666 James, ye sonne of Salter Conant, Oct: 18. 1671 Sarah, ye daughter of Thom. Conant, Aug. 31.
1700 Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Conant, August 19.
BIRTHS.
1654 Mary Connet, ye dafter of Salter Connet, was borne ye
six day of September. 1656 Henery, ye soon of Salter Coonet, was borne ye 8th of
March. 1659 Mary Coonnet, ye dafter of Thomas Connet, was borne
ye 19th day of February. Mathae Coonet, the soone
of Salter Coonnet, was borne ye 24th of Feberary.
{On a Jbj Jeaf apart from the other entries:)
Salter Conant was baptised Deem. 14, A. D. for yt he died aged 85 yeares old & 5 months & 22 days.
The Rector of Gittisham, Rev. F. T. Salmon, states that he has given every entry relating to the name Conant down to the year 1702; and also that there are still persons in his parish bearing the name Connet, who are in humble circumstances.
12 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF COLYTON, CO. DEVON.
CHRISTENINGS— (Records begin 1538.) 1539 Oct. 16, Thomas Clarke, the son of Richard Clarke. 1539 Nov. 27, Walter Clarke, the sou of John Clarke. 1541 June 30, Maryen Clarke, the dafter of John Clarke, of
Coliton. 1548 May 16, Annes Clarke, dafter of John Clarke, of Coliton. 1582 Oct. 26, John Clarke, son of John Clarke, the younger,
of Coliton. 1589 Mch. 8, Annys Clarke, dafter of Edward Clarke, of
Coliton. 1589 Sep. 28, William Clarke, son of John Clarke, the elder,
of Coliford. 1593 Nov. 7, Roger Clarke, son of Edward Clarke, of Coliton. 1600 Nov. 1, Agnes Clarke, dafter of Edmund Clarke, of
Coliford.
BURIALS.
1585 Apr. 9, "John Clarke the elder of Coliton raarehant was buried the 9th day of Aj)rill who hi his life tyme was the cheftest traviler of the purchas of the mannor of Colliton and the marketts with other lyberties p'tayning to the same as ai)erieth by the pattern (patent) and decessed the 6th day of Aj^rill 1585."
MARRIA(tES. 1544 June 9, John Clarke, of Colyford, to Anne Macye, dau:
of William Macye, of Colyton. 1563 Jan. 23, John, the son of John Clarke, of Colyton, to
Mary, dau: of Simon Repingtoii.
1574 Nov. 22, John, son of John Clarke, of Colyford, to Mar-
garet, dau: of John Smyth, of Sidbury.
1575 John, son of John Clarke, of Colyton, to Ellenor,
dau: of John Flower, of Abbott's Isle, Co. Somerset. 1578 Ry chard Connett, the sonne of John Co.iinett, of Easte Budleye, was wedded unto Agnes Clarke, the daught. of John Clarke, senior, of Collyton, the iiij day of ifebruary.
GEN~EALOGICAL NOTES. 13
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF EAST BUDLEIGH, CO. DEVON. BUEIALS— (Becords begin 1562.)
1596 Mch. 30, John Conant.
1625 Sep. 3, Richard Connant, Junr. 1627 Dec. 1.^, l*hillip Wotton, an infant.
1630 Sep. 22, IJichard Conant, Gent, and Agnes, his wiffe.
1644 May 15, ]\Iartha Connant.
1677 Fel). 14, Mary, the wife of Richard Conant, vie.
168S Dec. (), Mv. Richard Conant, Xu-.w of thif^ p's'h.
1699 Jnly 2, Henry Connant.
1740 Apr. 6, Mary Conant.
MAKRI AGES*— (Records begin 1.556.)
1558 Nov. 26, William Conante.
1578 Feb. 4, Richard Conante.
1607 Oct. 14, Robert Conant, Elizab. Morris.
1609 Sep. 18, Richard Conant & Jane Slade.
1609 Sep. 18; Tho. Knolles & Jane Conant.
1615 Jan. 16, Edmund Coombe & Anne Conant.
1626 Apr. 19, Jane Knolles and Philip Wotton. 1681 July 7, John Mercer, Gent, & Mary Conant.
1698 Aug. 4, George Cross and Joanna Conant, both of this
parish. 1806 Aug. 7, Robert Conant and Mary Hill Litton, both of
this parish.
BAPTISMS— (Records begin 1.555.)
1561 Mch. 2, Christine Conante.
1564 Jan. 28, Johane Conante.
1579 Jan. 20, Johane Conante. 1581 Feb. 21, Richard Conannt.
1584 May 9, Jane Conante.
1585 Mch. 18, John Conannt.
1587 Apr. 30, Thomas Conant.
1588 June 13, Christopher Conante.
*The names of females are not mentioned in the Marriage Registers from 1356 to 1605.
14 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
1592 Apr. 9, Roger Conaiit.
1611 June 16, Jane, daughter of Richard Conant.
1615 Xov. .30, Martha, daughter of Richard Conant.
1617 Jan. 20, Mary, daughter of Richard Conant.
1621 Feb. 10, Richard, son of Ric Connant.
1624 Mch. 30, Sara, daughter of Richard Conant.
1626 Dec. 26, Priscilla? daughter of John Conant.
1660 May 7, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Connant.
1663 Jan. 6, Richard, sonn of Richard Conant.
1668 Sep. 5, JMary, the daughter of Richard Connant.
The Rector of East Budleigh says : " There ai-e people here named Connett, whose name in 1851 is registered as Connant, but in subsequent entities has been changed to Connett."
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF BICTON, CO. DEVON.
BURIALS— (Records begin 1.557.)
1616 Xov. 5, Richard, son of Robert Conant.
1616 Nov. 14, Thomas, son of Rol)ert Conant.
1638 May 12, Robert Conant.
1647 May 22, Conant.
1654 April 1, Elizabeth Conant, widow.
1658 Xov., Elizabeth, the daughter of Richard Conant.
1658 Dec, Joane, his wife, was buried.
1669 Dec. 20, Richard Conante.
1731 Sep. 22, John Conant.
1883 Xov. 16, Mary Conant.
MARRIAGES— (Records begin 1557.)
1624 Xov. 20, Xicholas Conant and Anne (Rosimond?). 1641 Oct. 28, Richard Conantt and Joane Co(— ?)t. 1677 Sep. 24, Robert Conant, of this parish, and Mary Gib- bons, of Woodbury.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 15
1699 Fel>. '28, Josei»li Long, of Aylosbcar, and Gr.ce Conant,
of Collaton ]{ak'oh. 17(M) 3[ay 9, John (\)nant, of this parish, and Joan Warren,
of Sidniontli.
BAPTISMS-(Records begin 1(542.)
1(U2 Aug. 2S, Maria, danghter of Richard and Jane Conant.
1648 Apr. 18, Jane, (huighter of Nicholas and Anne Conant.
1645 Nov. 80, Richard Conant, son of Richard Conant.
1651 Johanni', daughter of IJichard Conatt.
1()62 Mch. 81, Sarah, daughter of Richard and Joane Co- nant.
1666 Nov. "24, Susanna, daughter of Richard Conant and Joan, his wife.
1679 Aug. 8, Elizabeth, daughter of John Conantt and Maria, his wife.
1683 Mch. 5, Johanna, daughter of John Conant and Mary, his wife.
1685 Aug. 9, John, the son of John Conant and Mary, his wife.
1713 Oct. 15, Joan, daughter of John Conant and Joan, his
wife.
1714 Dec. 10, Mary, daughter of John Conant and Joan, his
wife.
1720 Aug 19, Joan, daughter of John Conant and Joan, his
W'ife.
1721 Oct. 12, John, son of John Conant and Joan, his wife.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF HENNOCK, CO. DEVON.
BAPTISMS.
1592 Enfanor Connant, daughter of Robt. Connant.
1593 Richard, son of Robert Connant, of Knighton. 1600 Benjamin, son of Robert Connant.
BURIAL.
1596 Richard, son of Robert Connant.
16 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF OTTERY ST. MARY AND ALPHINGTON, CO. DEVON.
MAKRIAGES.
1629 May 7, Robert Salter and Marie Connott. 1629 May 9, James Connot and Grace Sj^arke.
BAPTISMS.
1603 May 13, Margaret, dan: Robert Connot.
1604 Jan. 3, James Connot, son of John Connot.
1607 June, Thomasine Connot, dan : John Connot.
1608 Sep. 7, Susan, dan: Robert Connot.
1629 Elizabeth, dau: John Connot, of Alphington.
1630 July 12, James Conant, son of James Conant. 1632 Mch. 3, Susanna, dau: of John Conant.
1635 May 2.5, Elizabeth, dau : James Conant and Grace, his
wife. 1639 May 1, William, son of James Conant and Grace, his
wife.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF DUNSFORD, CO. DEVON.
BURIALS— (Records begin 1594.)
1672 Feb. 16, (Melony?), dau: Nicholas Conant.
1675 Oct. 27, Anne, Avife of John Connant.
1676 Aug. 9, Elizabeth, dau: John Connant. 1676 Dec. 26, John Conant, Jun.
1683 Oct. 2, John Connett.
1708 Dec. 6, Sarah, wife of Nicholas Conant.
MARRIAGES— (Records liegin 1.594.)
1673 June 17, John Connant and Katherine White.
1706 Apr. 9, John, son of Charles Connant, of Parish of Brid- ford, and Jane Cox, of this parish.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 17
BAPTISMS— (Records he^nn 1598.) I(i82 May 27, Melonge, the dan: .Tohii Cnnn.ant. 1634 Aut;. 21, Charles, son of .lohn Cuniiaiit. 1087 Mch. 20, Barbara, dan: .Inhii Ciiiinaiit and Barbara, liis
wife. 1041 Meh. 2<^, Cliristojiher, son of .loliii Ciiiiiiaiit and Barbara,
Ids wife. lOOS ^Viio;. 6, Madelot, dan: Xicdiolas ("onant. 1672 Meh. 2, Malothy, son of Xicliolas C'oiiant. 1078 Felt. 17, Katherine, dan: .lohn Connant. 1070 Anu". ^. Klizabeth. dan: .lohn ('onnant. 10S2 Se|i. !». (Jcorue. son of (int. (onant. 10S8 Feb. .3, KIi/ab(^th. dau-lilei- of (ieoro-e ('onnant. 10S4 P\'b. S, Nicholas. >..n of (b-or-v Conneri. 17ns Xov. 2S. ]Jobei-t. son of Xi(diol:is ('onant. 1718 Dec. 17, (Jeorn'e, son of Holjert (^"onant.
(A Mrs. C'onant and her son, .lohn, are now li\ ing in Duns- ford parish.)
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF SIDMOUTH, CO. DEVON. BFKIALS.
1664 Jan. 28, ITenrv, son of Fdwin Conant.
166.'i Meh. 2S, (Trace, dang, of lli'nry Conant.
1684 .lane 18, Henry Cunnat.
1692 Feb. IS, .loan C(»nnant.
1694 Meh. 11, (4raee C\)nnant.
1708 Dec. l(i, Mr. .John Conant.
1721 Nov. 2<t, Mrs. .loan Connant.
1786 .Jan. l-i, Mr. .[ohn Conant.
177;") T)ec. 4, Ann Conant.
17S() Aj.r. 27, Sarah Conant.
1780 Oct. 1(), .^fary Conant.
1786 Feb. 17, Elizabeth Conant.
15APT1SMS. 1728 Meh. 7, Anna, dauuhter of IJoger and Anna Conant. 2
18
GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
1750 Aiiti'. 6, John, son of John and Anne Conant.
1752 May 10, Robert, son of John and Anne Conant.
1754 Mch. 10, William, son of John and Anne Conant.
1755 Dec. 21, Henry, son of John and Anne Conant.
MOXUMEXTAL INSCEIPTIONS.
Here lyeth ye Body of
Hexry Coxxaxt, Gext., who
Dy'ed ye 10th day of June,
Axxo DoM. 1684.
Arms: Coxaxt impalitig Duke.
Here lyeth ye Body of John
CoNAXT, Esq., who died ye 13th or
Jan., 1736. Aged 88.
The Vicar of Sidmonth says: "The sexton of onr church here and foreman of our bell-rins:ers is George Conant, no doubt a member of the family, and a most resjiectable man; and we have a good many fisher folk of that name."
From another source it is learned that Henry Conant, the father of the above George, is living in the parish, aged about 70 years. His brother, John, was accidentally drowned some years since.
John Cornet succeeded Henry de Oustyn as Vicar of this j)arish, 23 April, 1402, on presentation of Sir Peter Courtenay (Oliver's Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Devonshire^ .
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 19
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF BUCKERELL, CO. DEVON. lU'RIALS.
1705 Dec. 10, Nathaniel CN)nant.
1708 Jan. IS, :\[artha (\)iiant.
1708 Jan. IS, Sarali Coiiaiit.
1708 ]\reh. 15, John Conant.
1741 Sep. 19, Ao'iies Coiiaiit.
1742 Fel). '27, Betty, dauj^hter of William Conant and Eliza-
beth, his wife.
1749 Apr. 13, Nicholas Conant.
1753 Jan. 7, Joseph Conant,
1755 Mch. 2, Thomas Conant.
17(57 Jan. 4, Thomas Conant.
17G9 Jan. 8, Elizabeth Conant.
1772 Feb. 23, Sarah Conant.
1773 Jan. 31, Elizabeth Conant. 1773 May 15, Henry Conant.
1779 Dec. 19, Elizabeth Conant.
1780 Nov. 20, Mary Conant.
MARRIAGES.
1739 Dec. 17, William Conant and Elizabeth Lane. 1742 Aug. 29, John Conant and Elizabeth Fortescue. 1746 Oct. 21, John Conant and Mary Bisho)).
1748 Apr. 11, Thomas Conant and Martha Gould. 1771 Mch. 7, John Conant and Mary Maudit.
BAPTISMS.
1677 Sarah, the dautrhter of Thomas Conant and Ann, his wife, was born the second day of April and baptised
the day of the same month, in the year of our
Lord 1677.
1686 May 5, Mary, daughter of Conant.
1705 May 13, Agnes, dan. John Conant and Martha, his wife.
1706 Feb. 19, Martha, dau. J(.l)n Conant and Martha, his wife.
1740 Feb. 10, Betty, dau. John and Elizabeth Conant.
20 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
1745 A]>r. 28, Elizabeth, dau. John and Elizabeth Conant.
1746 Oct. 12, George, son of John Conant and Mary, his
wife. 1748 Ang. 15, John, son of John Conant and Elizabeth, his wife.
1750 Nov. 5, William, son of John Conant and Elizabeth, his
wife.
1751 Oct. 27, Anne, d;iu. of John Conant and Mary, his wife.
1753 July 15, Christo])her, son of John Conant and Elizabeth,
his Avife.
1754 A]>r. 28, Henry, son of Thomas Conant and Martha, his
wife. 175('> A])r. 11. Joseph, son of .lolni Conant and P]lizal>eth, his
wife. 175G A]tr. 25, Joseph, son of Thomas Conant and Martha, his
wife. 1758 A))r. 2, John, son of Thomas Conant and Martha, his
wife. 1758 May 21, Ann, dau. of .John Conant and Elizabeth, his
wife. 1760 .Tune 8, .James, son of Thomas and Martha Conant. 1762 .Mcli. 23, .James, son of .John Conant and Elizabeth, his
wife. 1762 .June 6, Daniel, son of Thomas Conant and Martha, his
wife.
1764 Dec. 2, Susanna, dau. of Thomas Conant and Martha.
1765 Feb. 17, IMary, dau. of Jolm Conant and Elizabeth, his
wife.
1767 Xov. 2l», Samuel, son of Thomas Conant and Martha,
liis wife.
1768 Sarah daughter of Conant and Elizabeth, his wife,
was born Aug. 1st, 17t)7, .•imi baptised Oct. 11th, 1768. 1772 .Jan. 12, l^ichar<l, son of ,b)lin Conant and Mary, his
wife. 177!> Oct. 25, Jknny, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Conant.
1780 Feb. 3, .Tohn, son of John C(»Ti:tnt and Mary, his wife.
1781 .I;iii. 7, T^obcrt, son of Nicholas Conant and Elizal)cth,
his wife.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 21
1783 June 1, Aaron, son of Nicholas Conant and Elizabeth,
his wife.
1784 Oct. 10, Dinali, dau. of John C'onant and Dinah, liis
wife.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF AWLISCOMBE, CO, DEVON.
lUTlllALS.
1506 August 20, Wincfreil C'oiu'nannt, the daughter of Nich- olas Conant, was buried. 156() September 11, Nicholas C'onannt was buried.
MARRIAGES.
1568 December 6, Ralph Erie and Johane Connant were married.
BAPTISMS.
1562 November 29, John Couenant, the son of Nicholas
Counaunt, was baptised. 1566 August 19, Winefred Conannt, the daughter of Nicholas
Conannt, was baj»tised.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF COTLEIGH, HONITON, CO. DEVON.
MARRIAGE.
1756 April IG, Joseph Connant and Mary Paddock.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF POOLE, CO. DORSET. JiAPTIS.M.
1709 May 17, Anne, ye D.iughter of ^NI'' John Conant, Minis- ter, and Elizabeth, his wife, born 10* inst.
22 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
BURIAL. 1720 August 6, Mr. John Conant, Minister.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF LYTCHETT MATRAVERS, CO. SOMERSET.
MARRIAGE.
1706 John Conant, widower, and Mrs. Dorothy Culliford, widow, were married July 24, 1706.
BURIALS.
1696-7 March 5, Edward Culliford.
1719 Xov. 21, the Ke^'d Mr. Samuel Conant, ye very
learned and worthy Rector of this Parish. 1721-2 Feb. 15, John Conant was buried.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF ST. ANN'S, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON.
MARRIAGE. 1618 Nov. 11, Roger Conant and Sara Horton.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF ST. LAWRENCE, JEWRY, LONDON.
CHRISTENINGS.
1619 Sept. 19, Sarah, the daughter of Roger Connaute. 1622 May 27, Caleb, the son of Roger Connaut and Sarah,
his wiffe.
BURIALS.
1618 Mrs. Cannaunt was buried the fifth of August.
1620 Oct. 30, Sarah, daughter of Roger Conant.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 23
REGISTERS OF GRAY'S INN CHAPEL, LONDON. (TakiMi troiu Fosti-r's ColU rlnncu Gcncaluylca.)
mahhia(;e.
1713-4 Jan. 23, Jose])!! (\)iiet, of the parish of St. Martin's in the Fiehls, and Marv Burrace,
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF PLYMTREE, CO. DEVON.
CHRISTENINGS.
1672 Feb. 2, Thomas, son of Christo])her Conant. 1675 Mch. 12, Christoi)her, son of Christopher Conant. 1679 Ajjril 30, John, son of Christopher Conant.
BURIAL. 1681 Jan. 2, Christopher Conant.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF WOODBURY, CO. DEVON.
BURIAL.
1651 March 5, Priscilla, wife of Mr. Richard Conant, Minis- ter of Otterton.
BAPTISM;
1679 April 30, John, soniie of IJoUcrt (^innatt.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF CREDITON. CO. DEVON.
BURIAL. 1641 Oct. 6, Mr. Christoplier Conant, ('onstable.
MARRIAGE. 1562 Oct. 4, Mr. William Stone and Mrs. Anne Conant.
24 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF KENN, CO. DEVON.
BAPTISM.
1652 John, fil of John and Mary Connett, was baptised ye xxv"" of June, 1652.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF SHOBROOK, CO. DEVON.
MAERIxVGE.
1619 Oiristopher Conant, merchant, of London, and Mn Anne Wilton were married 14th Sei)t., 1719.
PAROCHIAL REGISTERS OF ST. MARY MAJOR, EXETER, CO. DEVON.
BAPTISMS.
1597 Nathaniel, son of Roger Conatt, 5 Sept.
1603-4 Zachery, son of liOger Conant, 29 Jan'y.
1687-8 Joan, dau. of Mr. John Conant, 4 Mch.
1689 Henry, son of John Connet, 14 July.
BURIAL.
1613 Roger Connat, 6 Xovemher.
MARRIAGES.
1596 Roger Conett and Joan ffrancis, 10 May.
1614 Richard Shrieff and Joan Connet, 1 May.
VICAR GENERAL'S MARRIAGE LICENSES.
1664-5 Thomas Rowe, of liadcomhe, co. Somerset, clerk, bachelor, about 30, and Sarah Conant, of Litchet Matravers, co. Dorset, spinstei", about 30, and at own dispose, at Badcombe or (blank; .
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 25
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY'S MARRIAGE LICENSES.
169() July 22, John C'oiiaiit, of Morden, co. Dorset, clerk, bachelor, 'Hk and Elizabeth Parker, si)inster, 19, dau. of William Parker, of Kil>\vorth, co. Leicester, gent., who consents; at St. C'lenu'nt Danes, Midd., or (l)lank).
MARRIAGE LICENSES ENTERED IN THE BISHOP'S ACT BOOKS, EXETER, CO, DEVON.*
1G25 Nov. 12, (4eorge Hill, of Tedbourne St. Mary, and
Joanna C'onnant, of the same. 1(120 Oct. 9, Laurence Puddicombe, of Bovey Tracy, and
Alice Connatt, of Bridford. 1633-4 Mch. 7, Charles Adams, alias Fordc, of Sandford, and
Amy Connatt, of the same. 1(140 Dec. 30, George Lacy, of Branscombe, and Grace
Conant, of Sidmouth. 1G8G Sept. 18, John Conant, of Sidmouth, and Joanna
Brown, of Exeter, sjiinster. 1774 June 10, William Conant, of Dunsford, yeoman, and
Mary of the sanie, s])inster.
1779 Aug. 3, Robert Conant, of Sidmouth, shi])wright, and
Mary Bartlett, of the same, spinster.
OBITUARY NOTICE.
"Died (172S) Se])tember 24, Thomas Conant, commonly called Beau Conant, well known at Bath, Tunbridge, and to the Beau Monde. He was the son of an eminent divine."
Gent. Mag., viii. (173S) 491.
* These extracts are the result of a casual search ; no systematic search has been made.
26 GENEALOGICAL NOTES,
WILLS AND ADM'ONS IN THE PREROGATIVE COURT OF CANTERBURY, SOMERSET HOUSE, LONDON,
Xo Conant wills are to be found in the Consistory Court of the Bishop of London. The following is a complete list of Conant wills and adm'ons in the Court of Canterbury, down to the year 1750. The indexes were examined from the begin- ning in 1383 to 1750.
Richard Conant, the younger, of East Budleigh. Adni'on 3
Jan., 1625-6. Caleb Conant, late beyond seas, a bachelor. Adm'on 11 Nov.,
1633. Edward Connett, late l)eyond seas, a bachelor. Adni'on 17
Sep., 1646. John Conant, of the Close of Sarum, Wilts, clerk. Proved 26
Sep., 1653. Elizabeth Conant, of Bicton, Devon. Adm'on 19 June, 1654. Zachary Conant, of Ilennock, Devon, yeoman. Proved 18
May, 1658. Benjamin Conant, of Hennock, Devon, gent. Proved 22 P^eb.,
1663-4. John Conant, of Xortham])ton, D. D. Proved 19 May, 1694. George Conant, of Queen's Ship, Pembroke. Adm'on 4 July,
1706. Elizabeth Conant, of Northampton, widow. Proved 2 Dec,
1707. Jeremias Cannon, al's Conant. Proved Mch., 170S, (Barrett
57). John Conant, of Kidlington, Oxford, LL. D. Proved 13 Sej).,
1723. John Connett, of London. Proved July, 1726, (Plymouth 141). Elizabeth Conant, of the Close of Sarum, Wilts, widow. Pro- ved 11 May, 1733. Anna Hougham, al's Conant, of London. Adm'on 26 July,
1733.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 27
ABSTKACTS.
Edward Conxett, late beyond seas, bachelor, dec'd. Adm'on 17 Sep., 1646, to Eleanor Billett, a creditor.
(Adm'ons 1646, fo. 152.)
Zachary Coxaxt, of Ilennoek, co. Devon, yeoman, sick in body, etc. Will dated 1 Jan., 1657; proved 18 May, 1658, by Anne Conant, the relict. To the poor of Hennock, £6 — of Bovitracy, £3 — of Newton Abbott, 20s. To my sister, Susan Coniyn, and licr daughter, Susan Xosworthy, £5 each. To my kinswoman, Mary Hynes, and her children, Joseph, Benjamin and Grace, £5 each. To my kinswoman, Elizabeth Conant, and her sister, Susan, daughter of John Conant, of Alphington, dec'd, £4 each, and to their brother, John Co- nant, 20s. To John Conant, of Buckrell, 40s, and to his daughter, Sarah, £4, and to Joseph Conant, bi-other of John, 20s. To Alice Aishford, daughter of my uncle, Edward Co- nant, dec'd, and to her sister, Elizabeth, 10s each. To Mar- garet Conant and her sister, Susan, daiighters of Robert Conant, of Alphington, dec'd, lOs each. To Martin Salter and Robert Salter, sons of my kinswoman, Margaret Salter, of Alphington, lOs each. To ray kinsman, John Reynell, of Totnes, 20s, and to his brothers and sisters, children of Richard Repiell, of Newton Abbott, dec'd, 10s each. To William Reynell, son of my kinsman, Henry Reynell, 10s. To Oliver Oram and his sister, Margery, 5s each. Elizabeth, Florence, Anne and Grace, daughters of my cousin, John Hore, 10s each. John AVoolcott, Dorothy Martyn, Joane Oxenham and Hose Boond, 5s each. Joane, wife of John
Prouse, of Chudleigh, . To my brother, Thomas Maurie
or ]Maurye, lands called Woodland in Bovitracy. I forgive Henry Westlake £8. To my kinsman, Robert Conant, sou of my brother, Benjamin Conant, dec'd, certain bonds. To my cousin, John Ilore, of Hennock, wearing a))j»arel. Residue to my wife, Anne, sole Executrix. My friend, Mr. Francis Southcott, and my cousin, John Hore, to be over- seers. Witnesses, John Hore and William Nosworthy.
(252 Wootton.)
28 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
Bexjamin Conant, of Hennock, co. Devon, gentleman, dated 2 July, 1653; proved 27 Feb., 1668, by Susan Hoare, al's Nosworthy ; power reserved to the other executors. To be buried near my father, Robert Conant, if I die in co. Devon. To the poor of Hennocke, £20 — of Bovitracie, £10 — my wife, Martha, £o— my son, Robert Conant, £5 at age of 21. To Mary King, sometime wife of Andrew King, and her daughter, Grace King, £10 each. To Joseph King, son of the aforesaid Mary, all my interest in a tenement in Knigh- ton, now in tenure of my brother, Zachary Conant. To my brother-in-law, Thomas Mawry, £5. The children of Augustine Osborne, late of Culme Stoke, clerk, £25. To Bryan Du])pa, sometime Bishop of Chichester, £200. To Charles Danverse, son of Sir John Danverse, of Chelsey, near London, £100. To Christopher Lynes, of Bovitracie, and his children, £25. Thomazine, wife of William Pethe- bridge, of Hennocke, £5. The residue to my cousin, Henry Westlake, of Dawlish, clerk. Thomas Westlake now Town Clerk of Exon, and my niece, Susan Hore, executors. Wit- nesses, John Leaker, the elder, and Robert ^Nlarlin.
(12 Bruce.)
George Conant, of Queen's Sliip, Pembroke, but in the Queen's Ship, Bedford. Adm'on 4 July, 1706, to John Co- nant, junior, son and lawful attorney of John Conant, senior,
father of deceased.
(Adm'ons 1706.)
LIST ON WILLS AND ADM'ONS AT EXETER.
1544 Jan. Thomas Connett (will missing).
1583 A])r. Elyen Connaunte, Colyton, Ranlegh, widow,
1585 Mch. Roger Connett, Whimj.le (adm.).
1585 Apr. Joane Conet, Christow.
1586 Sep. John Connante, Gitsham.
1590 May Peter Connant (will missing).
1591 Feb. Elizabeth Connante (will niissing). 1605 Aug. Henrie Conante (will missing).
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 29
1B07 William Coiiantc (will missing).
KUo Nov. liOgrr Coiiatt, 8t. ]\Iary Major, Exeter (missing).
161() Apr. Kichard Connet, Al])hington (adm.).
161(5 Dec. Joanc Coiinot, Doddeseombli'igh (adm.).
1617 l\()l»ert Coiiant, Ilennoeke.
1618 John Connett, Ooliton Kawleigh.
1619 Ellery Connett, Ashburton. I6'J1 Jan. John Connatt, Al|»hington.
Ki'Jl Ai)r. Edith Connatt, Coliton Kawlegh.
l()'ir> Meh. Mary Carnet, Otrey.
16-Jt) Eeb. Robert (\>nant, ( )ttery St. Mary.
1(;-JS Sept. Nathaniel ("minett. Exeter.
ICi'J'.l Willinni and Snsanna Conett (orCovett?) (a(bn.).
16:51 Oct. K'icliard Conaiit, East Biidleigh.
1688 May IJobert Connant, Bicton.
1643 Eeb. Kobert Connet, Ashton (adm.).
1661 Se])t. Anna Conant, Ilennock.
166o Apr. Josies Connet, Hridt'ord.
1664 A])r. William Connatt, Doddeseombleigh.
1660 .)an. IJichanl Coiniant, l^riston.
1()7<> ^fch. .lohn Citnnett, Doddeseoinbk'iirh.
1670 Meh. liarbara Connett, Ib'idt'ord.
1675 Jan. Jonathan Conm-tt, Colyton Ivawleigh.
1676 Jan. Richard Connett, Rlympstock. 167() Dec. John Cunnett, Dunst'ord {a<lm.). 167U Jan. Crenica Coiuient, Ottery St. Afarv.
1680 Oct. John Cunnett, Sidniouth (adm.).
1681 Jan. John Connet, senior, J\enn. 1()8'2 Ei'b. Maria Connent, AljJungton.
1682 Robert Conant, Woodbury. 1684 Aug. Henry Coneiil, Sidniouth. 1688 Feb. Joanna Conant, l)ic1oii.
1688 Eeb. Richard Conant, Kast liudhMgh.
16!t(> .Ian. Jacolius Cunnett, Stokeiiteiidiead (adm.).
1692 .\]ir. John Cunnent, Cond)e Rawleigh.
1704 July John Conant, Sidmouth (adm.).
1706 June Salter Connet, ( Jittisli.im.
1709 Jan. George Com ict, Dunst'ord.
30 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
1710 Dec. ffrancis Cunnet, Lim])stone (aclm.).
1718 Oct. Henry Cunnet, Gittisham (adm.).
1714 July John Conant, Colyton Kawleigh.
17'i(l Mch. Elizabeth Cunnet, Tedl)ourne (adm.).
1722 July Jonathan Cunnet, Exeter (adm.).
1725 May Robert Cunnet, Holcombe Burnell.
1727 Sept. Susanna Conant, Colaton.
1732 July John Conant, Bicton (adm.).
1732 Sept. Joseph Connatt, Colyton Rawley.
1734 Dec. (ieorge Conant, St. Nicholas (adm.).
1736 Zachary Connett, Kino-skerswell.
1736 Jan. Thomas Connett, Gittisham (adm.).
1737 John Conant, Sidmouth.
1740 July Joseph Conant, Gittisham (adm.). 1747 Mch. Robert Connett, Dunsford (adm.). 1747 Apr. John Connett, Dunsford.
George Connett, Dunsford.
Elizabeth Connett, Dunsford.
John Connett, Bridford.
William Connett, Dunsford.
John Connett, Dunsford (adm.).
31ary Cimnett, Dunsford. 1788 Ai>r. Nicholas Connett, Tedbourn St. Mary. 1791 Sept. Mary Connett, Tedbourn St. Mary. 1797 Feb. Joan Cunnett, East Tawton.
1797 July Jeremiah Cunnet, Dunsford.
1798 June Margery Cunnett, Whitstone. 1798 Oct. Jeremiah Connett, Exeter. 1801 Mch. George Connett, Dunsford.
ABSTKACTS.
Archbeacoxry Court of Exeter.
Elyex Conant, of Colyton Rawlegh, widow, dated 20 Feb., 1583, proved 5 Apr., 1583. To the four children of my son- in-law, John King. To Jane, dau. of sd. John King. To Jane, <lau. of Jno. Bocher. To Margaret, dau. of James Eliott. To Thos. Hidon, the younger. Owes "my ladye
|
1756 |
Oct. |
|
1776 |
Jan. |
|
1777 |
Dec. |
|
1778 |
Feb. |
|
1785 |
May |
|
1786 |
Ai)r. |
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 31
Dennys" and John Connanto. IJi'siduo to my dan., Eliza- beth, who is solo c'xocntiix. OviTsoers, Robert Ballement and Thomas Hidon, who an- the witnesses.
Ko<iKK CoxxKTT, late of Whimplc, deceased. Adm'on oranted 31 Mch., 15S5, to Joan, his Avidow. James Brodheare joins in the bond. Sum, £16 os. 4d.
.ToANK CoxKTT, of Christowe, widow, dated 27 May, 1583, proved 17 A]»r., liiS;"). jVEentions son Robert Lendon, son John (\)iinett. Residue to son Richard Lendon, who is sole executor. Witnesses, Christopher Townsente, John Synone and John Taverner. Sum, £4 17s. 2d.
Joiix Cox'^XETT, of Colyton Rawlegh, dated Sejt., 1618, proved Oct., 1618; mentions wife, Ede, sons, Nicholas and John, daughters, Mary and Joan, and the three children of his son, John.
Edith Coxx^att, of Colyton Rawlegh, widow, dated 30 May, 1620, proved Apr., 1621, inventory 31 May, 1620; mentions the same children as al)ove.
John Coxx^gt, al's Gkegorye, of Alphington, dated 3 Dec., 1620, proved 21 Jan., 1620-1. To John Parr, "me platter dishe." To John Connot, my kinsman, "my Byble." To my son, Robert Connot, "my best cloake." To my kins- woman, Agnes Whyte, 20s. To my daughter, Barbara Downe, "my crocke." To my daughtei"s, Agnis Connett and Mary White, "all the goods knowen to bemyne." The rest of all my goods not given noi- bequeathed, to Edward Downe, whom I make my whole executor. Thomas Drew, and Robert Connot, ray son, to see my will ])erformed. "Item, my will is that if Lawrence Whyte doe come and trowbell my Executor for the Legacie given unto Mary, his wife, that then the legacie shall be gi^'en unto Agnis, my daughter, or the Executor." AVitnesses, John Vincent, Ebbett Handin and Thomas Drewe.
Robert Coj^ant, of Otery St. Maries, co. Devon, datecl 11 Feb., 1626-7, proved ^Nlch., 1626-7. To my wife, Elizabeth,
82 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
daughters, Susan, Mary, Margaret, son, John, and two chil- dren of my daughter, Jone Tecs, A-arioiis small bequests.
XATHAXDiL CoxNKTT, of Exctcr, CO. Dcvon, cutler. AVill proved Sep., 1628, by Philli]»])e Connett. Witnessed by Elizabeth Jewell and Jewell. Xo others mentioned.
John Conxktt, of Bridford, co. Devon, dated 1().58, proved Apr. 1053, inventt)ry returned Mch., 10(52. To my daughter, Barbai'a, two debts of £20 each due from my son, John Connett, of Dunsford, to his brother, Christopher, now dec'd. jMv son, Charles Connett, to be executor. ]My wife, Barbara.
Jonathan Coxxett, of Colytnn IJawleigh, co. Devun, proved Jan., ir»7o. My sons, Jonathan and HeniT Connett; my daughters, Jane and Amy Connett. Jonathan Connett and Ainv Connett to be executors. Witness, Nicht)las Hooper.
John C\)XXKTT, of Keini, co. Devon, Jan., 1081. His entire estate given by his son, John, to Thomas (touM, a creditor.
Hexry Coxxktt, of (4ittisliani, co. Devon, dated Dec, 1001), ))roved Mch., l()(»!)-7(). My sons, Thomas and Salter Con- nett; daughters, Joan ^[itchell and Catherine, wife of Kobert Mitchell. Witnesses, Thomas Iloojiei- and Salter Connett.
Joan Coxxktt, of Doddeseombleigli, co. De\dn, proved jMch., 1070. Legacies to sevei'al persons named Crispin. To my granddaughter, lvel)ecca Teyley (or Taly); my brotlu'r, Willinm Smith.
Bahhaka CoNNKTr, of Bridsford, co. Devon, widow, [n-oved Mch., 1070. IJesigiis all iMghts in est;ite of liec daughter, Barbara Connett, s]iinsttT, to the brother of said Barbara, Charles Connett.
IIknkv Coxkxt, of Sidmouth, co. De\'on, proved Aug., I(i84. Inventory dated July, 1084; value, £2211). Life interest to wife, Jane, then to my daughter, Jone, or if she die unmar-
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 33
ried to my son, John. My grandson, Abraham Kerslako. My son, John to be executor. Witnesses, Nicholas Hooper and others.
Joiix CoNXANTT, of Sidmouth, CO. Devon, dated 14 Apr., 1657, ))roved Oct., 1680. Poor of Sidmonth, £4. My wife to have the use of all my a'oods durinir her life. To Jonathan, my son, "my chattle lease of Colleton after my wiftVs decease, and five pounds yearlie of that my write due fiom liini." "To Henry, my sonn, ffee o'f my land and close called ffor- lande." "The rest of my rent of Colleton, wch is fifteen pounds yearlie I give to my wiff and Johana Lacy for & towards ther housekeejiing." * * * * "The rest of my goods except corne T give to my childrens children to be equally divided." Witnesses, Charles Lee, Joanna Lacy and Mary Swaine. As his wife, who was executrix, predeceased him, adm'on was granted to his grandson, John Conant.
Salter Connet, of Gittisham, dated 1702, proved 2 June, 1606. Mentions his sons, Benjamin, James, Henry, Matthew, Thomas and John; daughter, Mary Capron. Sons, Thomas and John, executors. Witnesses, John Connon and Gideon Hodge. Thomas Ca])ron was a witness to the inventory.
Henry Cunxet, of Gittisham. Adm'on granted to his daughter, Sarah, Oct., 1713.
John Conant, of Bicton. Adm'on granted to his widow, Jo- anna Conant, of Bicton, 1732.
Thomas Connett, of Gittisham. Adm'on granted 17 Jan., 1786. Among the ])apers are deeds of lands at Awliscombe from the Bishop of P^xeter to Thomas Connett and others.
Joseph Conant, of Gittisham, yeoman, d. 3 July, 1740. Adm'on granted to his sister, Margaret Conant.
Court of Dean and Chapter of Exeter.
Ellery Connett, of Ashburton, co. Devon, jiroved 1619. Leaves a legacy to John Helde's eldest daughter, and /ler entire estate to her master.
.3
34 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
Akchdeaconry Court of Totxes.
Anna Connant, of Hennocke, co. Devon, widow, proved Sep., 1G61. ^Mentions her brother Richard Ilcnell's children.
Richard Connett, of Plympstock, co. Devon, [troved Jan., 1676. Leaves legacy to his brother, Nicholas, and i*esidue to his wife, Willmot. Witness, Jane Ellerv.
EXTRACTS FROM RECORDS IN THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, FETTER LANE, LONDON, E, C.
SUBSIDY KOLLS.
Tax of a twentieth in tlie County of Devon. Alexander Conaunt, in the Hundred of Exmystr', - - 6d. Exchequer Lay Subsidies, Devon, 1 Edward TIL
(1327), Roll'f
Roll of the tax of a Tenth and a Fifteenth in the County of Devon.
From Alan Conaunt, in the Hundred of Axrainster, - - 8d.
Ibid., 6 Edward III., Roll 7
Assessments of the inhal)itants of Exminster and Tyne- bridge for the first payment of the subsidy granted 14, 15 Henry VIII.
Hundred of Exmyster. Parish of Doddyscomb Lcght. John Cownat, in goods 40s — to the subsidy, - - 12d. John Cownat, senior, in goods £6 — to the subsidy, - 3s. John Cownat, junior, in goods £4 — to the subsidy, - - 2s. Mychaell Conant, in wages 2()s — to the subsidy, - - 4d. Ibid., 14-15 Henry VIII. (1522), Roll ~i,
Assessment dated 20 December, 15 Henry VIII. , for the pay- ment of the subsidy granted 15 Henry VIII. u])on the inhabi- tants within the Hundreds of Eastbudleigh, Colyton and Otery Saint Mary.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 35
Hiindrod of KastbudK'jih. Tlu' Parish of Wodehurv. John Couuaut, t'ossed at the subsidy for his wattes at
20s — assessment, - - 4d.
Same Hundred. I'arish of Colatoii IJalcLch. Henry Conant, cessed at subsidy for waii'cs at 2(ls — as- sessment, ..--.-.. 4(J.
Same Hundivd. Parish of (Tyttysham. John Conant, senior, eessed at subsidy for his snoods at
£7 — assessment, --.... .Ss (xl.
John Conant, junior, ci'sst'd at subsidy foi- his y-oods at
£4 — assessment, ----... 2s.
Nichohis Conant, cessed at subsidy for his wages at
26s 8d — assessment, ---... 8d.
Il)id., 15 Henry VHI. { 1.5-28), Poll g
Certificate of the assessment of the second subsidy, dated 10 December, Ki Henry VHI. (1524).
Hundred of Estbudleuh. Parish of Wodebury.
John Conant, for \va<>-es 2(ls, . . . . . 4d.
Same Hundred. Parish of (Tyddysham.
John Conant, senior, for goods £7, - - - - 8s 6d.
John Conant, junior, for goods £4, . . . . 2s.
Nicholas Conant, for wages 2Gs 8d, . . . . 6d.
Roger Conant, for wages 20s, - - - - - 4d.
Ibid., Roll 151
Dated 30 January, 16 Henry VIII. (1525).
A list of the inhabitants of Exminster and Teinl)ridge, with the sums to be ])aid by each towards a subsidy.
Huinb-ed of Exminster. Parish of Dodyscumblegh. John Conat, senior, in goods and chattels, - - - 2s 6d. John Conat, junior, m goods and chattels, - - - 2s.
John C(^nett, in goods and chattels, . - . . 12d.
Same Hundred. Parish of Exminster. John Conatt, in goods and chattels, - . . . 12d.
Thomas Conott, in wages, ------ 4d.
Same Hundrecl. Parish of Ayscheberton Manor. Robert Conett, in goods and chattels, - - - - 2s 6d.
Ibid., Roll ~
36 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
Assessment of the secon<l ])ayraeut of the subsidy granted 34-35 Henry VIII. *
Parish of (Ottery Saint M?)ary. John Connante, -------- lOd.
John Connante, --- 2d.
John Connante, - - - - - - - - Id.
Parish of Ottery St. jNIary. John Connante, - - - - - - - - Id.
Parish of Colaton Ralegh. James Connante, --..... lOd.
George Connante, - - - - - - - Id.
Ibid., Roll 2^
Assessment of the payment of the subsidy granted 35 Henry VIII. (1543-1544).
Hundred of Ilartlond. Parish of Lamerton. John Connett, in goods £5, ..... lOd.
Ibid., Roll 23i
Assessment dated 2 April, 13 Elizabeth (1571).
Parish of Estl)udleigh. Prom John Conant, for goods £4, - - - - 6s 8d.
Parish of Gytisham.t From John Conant, for lands £4, ... 10s 85.
Parish of Combralegh. Hundred of Axminster. John Conant, in lands 20s, ------ 16d.
Parish of Ottery St. Marye. John Conant, in land 20s, .-.-.. I6d.
Manor of Aishburton. Hemiocke Hundred. Thomasina Conant, for lands 20s, - - - . 16d.
Ibid., Roll S;
23 Elizabeth (1580-1581).
Assessment of the second payment of the subsidy on the in- habitants of the whole county.
Parish of Estbudlegh. John Conant, in goods £4 ------ 4s.
*This Roll is much injured.
t The last part of the Assessment on this Parish is quite obliterated.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 37
Parish of Gyttisham. John Conant, in lands £4, - - - - - - 5s 4d.
Henry Conant, in goods £3, . . . . . 8s.
Ibid., Holl 'ir
31 Elizabeth (1588-1589).
Assessment for the second payment of the second subsidy.
Parish of Ottery St. Mary. John Conant, in lands 40s, - - - - - 2s 8d.
Parish of Asheberton. Thomasina Conant, in lands 20s, .... l(jd.
Parish of Estl>udleigli. Lands. IJichard Conant, £4, . . . . _ 4s.
Parish of Collaton Raleigh. Lands. George Conant, 20s, . . . . . 16d.
Parish of Gittesham. Goods. Henry Conant, £3, . . . . . 3s.
Parish of Harpforde. Hundred of Estbudlegh. Lands. William Conant, 40s, - - - - - 2s 8d.
Ibid., Roll 4^
Assessment of the subsidy granted 7 James I. (1609-1610), uj)on the inhabitants within the Hundreds of Axminster and East Budleigh.
Hundred of East Budleigh. Parish of Sydmouth. In goods. John Connant, £3, ----- 3s.
Same Hundred. Parish of Gyttisham. In goods. Henry Conant, £3, ----- 3s.
Same Hundred. Parish of Bickton. In goods. Robert Conant, £3, ----- 3s.
Same Hundred. Parish of Collaton Rawleigh. In lands. John Conant, £1, ----- is.
Ibid., Roll 4-g
Assessment of the third subsidy, 21 James I (1623-1624).
Hundred of Wonford. Bridford Parish. In lands , George Conant. -------
Parish of Hemlock. In lands. Zachery Conant, 20s. ------
38 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
Parish of Sydmouth. In lauds. John Connatt, £4.
Parish of Gittesham. In goods. Henry Conett. . _ -
Hundred of Ottery St. Marie. Lands. Robert Conant, £1. -
Ibid., Roll 4^3
James I.
Parish of Mortonharapsteed. In lands. Andrew Conant, 20s — therefor, - - - 16d.
Ibid., Roll ^9 James I.
Hundred of Hemiocke. Parish of Buckrell. Thomas Cunnante, £1. -
Ibid., Roll ~
PATEXT ROLLS.
Appointment of John de Oketon and Elias ile Beckingham to take the assize of novel disseisin arraigned by Ismannia, daughter of Conan de Ridmere, against Reginald, son of Con on de Ridmere, touching a tenement in Ridmere, Yorkshire.
Patent Rolls, 1 Edward I., m. 7, dors.
Appointment of G. de Preston and another to take assize of novel disseisin arraigned by Hugh le Tollere, of Peterborough, against Conian, son of (Fitz) Guy, touching a tenement in Peterborough, Northamptonshire.
I1)id., 1 Edward L, m. '2.
Appointment of Nicholas de Stapletou and Elias de Beck- ingham to take assize of novel disseisin arraigned by Petronilla, daughter of Conan de Lenham, against Simon de Markham and others, touching a tenement in Wormeston, Nottingham- shire.
Ibid., 2 Edward I., m. 9, dors. (57).
Appointment of Guichard de Charruii and William de N(jrthbure:h to take the assize of mort dancestor arraigned
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 39
by Henry, son of Roger de Kelketiekl (Kelfield), against
Henry, son of Conan, touching land and rout in Keltiold
and Shytehou, Yorksliire.
Ibid., 8 Edward I., m. 28, d. 89.
Appointment of (Juicliard dc Cliarrmi and William dc Northburgh to take tlie assize of novel disseisin arraigned by Hasewic de Glesby against Henry, son of Conan, touching a tenement in Mansfield, Yorkshire.
Tbid., 8 EdAvard I, m. 15, d. 48.
Appointment of John de Reigate and William de North- burgh to take assize of novel disseisin arraigned by Henry Fitz-Couany against Thomas de Derwentewater and William Fitz-Hughtred, touching a tenement in Belton, near Appleby,
Westmoreland.
Ibid., 5 Edw. I, m. 19, (70).
Appointment of Solomon de Rochester and Master Thomas
de Sodington to take the assize of novel disseisin arraigned by
Robert Couenaunt against Filota, late wife of Richard Coue-
naunt, and (others, touching a tenement in Alton, Staffordshire.
Ibid., 5 Edw. 1., m. 9, d. (72), A. D. 1277.
PARTICULARS FOR GRANTS. 18 MAY, 35 HENRY VIM,, NO. II.
PARCEL OF THE POSSESSIONS OF RICHARD DUKE,
Ottertox axd IIarfokd, CO. Devox.
Firm (rent) of the Kith of the corn of Harford, aforesaid, leased to John Conant for a term of (50 years by an Indenture made by the said Richard Duke and Elizabeth, his wife, bear- ing date 15th day of jMarch, in the 84th year of Henry VIII. Rendering therefor l)y the year, 106s. 8d.
(These particulars for grants were made at the time of the dissolution of the Monasteries.)
40 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
EXCHEQUER COURT OF AUGMENTATIONS. COURT
ROLLS, P. 21, NO. 27. m. 1.
Ottery St. Mary.
Court held 14 October, 27 Elizabeth (1585). From William Batt, for license to agree with Thomas Conant in a plea of debt, 6d.
m. 3.
Court held 7 November, 31 Elizabeth. Edward Conant, for license to agree with John Brown in a plea of trespass.
m. 5.
Court held 13 April, 34 Elizabeth. The jurors present that Edward Conant resides with his father and lives within the manor, and is not sworn for allegiance and fealty toward the Lady the Queen.
ASSIZE ROLLS.
In a plea of customs by tenants of the Manor of Horncastle against the Bishop of Carlisle, the name Robert Conet appears.
M t
Assize Roll, Lincoln, a M, 9 Edward I.
Assizes taken at Lincoln on Monday next before the Exalta- tion of the Holy Cross. The name of Philip Conet, of Maryng, occurs as a Recognitor (i. e., one of the jury) in a plea between John, son of Richard de Tynton, and Richard, son of the same John.
N »
Assize Roll, Divers Counties, a ^ 5, 2 Edward II.
is)
INSTITUTION BOOKS, VOL. 2, P. 70, CO. SOMERSET.
Lymington. £21 Gs. 5d.
llenricus Kosewell,Milit. 30 Dec.
1619. idem. 24 Nov. 1045.
Johes Conant. RobtusBryen.
This shows that John Conant was instituted in the living of Lymington on Dec. 30, 1019, that he was succeeded by Robert Bryen, and that Sir Henry Rosewell was the patron.
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 41
EXCHEQUER OF ACCOUNTS. FIRST FRUITS. LIBER COMPOSITION.
Jai>. 8, 1618, to 31 Dec, 1628, fol. 38.
Here it is recorded that John Conant compounded for the First Fruits of the Rectory of Lymington, on Jan. 20, 1619, (O. S.) his sureties being Christo})her Conant, grocer, and Koger Conant, Salter, both of the parish of St. Lawrence, Jewry, London.
NORMAN ROLLS.
5 Henry V. Safe conduct to Nicholas Conen and others "in villa Regis Falesiae (Falaise)."
6 Henry V. Pait I., in. 5. Caen, May 22. Grant to Wil- liam Barrys, of Caen, of the house in Caen of John Conarte, a rebel, together with such lands as were held by the said John Conarte within the vicouite of Caen, but not within the town of Caen, by homage and the rendering yearly a pound of pep- per to the king.
6 Henry V. Part II., m. 26, d. Rouen Castle, Feb. 22. Appointment of John Cannet as wine broker at Rouen. Also on the same membrane, March 1, following, is the appointment of William le Conete and various other persons, all of Rouen, as wine brokers at Rouen.
6 Henry V. Part II., m. 15. Rouen Castle, March 14. Grant to John Conuart, of Caen, and Egidia, his wife, of the lands they held in Normandy before .Vug. 1, 1417.
STATE PAPERS. LETTER FROM ClIALLUNER TO JOHN CUERTON.
^Madrid 27 .May 1562 Mr. Cuertou, with my most herty reeomendacons
* * * * If any good barrell butter be at Bilboa to be
42 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
bought I pray you send me one Fyrken oute of hande and likewise the fardell of cloth for my sei'vants lyvereys and the
doblett that m^y servant sent me in James Connants shippe.
* * * *
State Papers, Foreign, 1562, No. 84.
LETTEE FEOM JOHX CUERTON TO CHALLOXER.
Bilboa 5 June 1562 Right Honorabul
Unto your honor I have me reeomendyd
* * * your servants Goyher and Wynssla who came in good
tyme the did depart as 4 days past in a ship of London wt on
Jamys Conant * * *
Ibid., No. 107.
LETTEE PROM CUERTON TO CHALLOXER.
Bilboa 12 Sept 1562 Right Honorabul
* * * * Master White de}»arted from Sensebasteans in James Conats shij) and the be in heylth no dowt but by Gods helpe the be in Ingland er this * * * *
Ibid., No. 462.
LETTER EEOM CUEETOX TO CHALLOXEE.
Bilboa 7 March 156f Right Honorabul
I * * * * send you sertyn letters * * * * this our resyvyd one from sir Thomas Chamberleyne with anodr for you he wryts that his guardemeselles were dystroyd w* salt water james conant denyes hit and the had byn so at the our the shold a laid hit to his charge ther *****
Ibid., 1568, Vol. lii.. No. 381.
LETTEE FEOM CUEETOX TO CHALLOXEE.
Bilboa 11 July 1564 Right Honorabul
* * * * ^}^i^ sh;ill be to advertyse you that as the syxt of this month James conant made seyle from Portegerleyt wherein went Mistress Adrea & the rest that
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 43
came w* her & more yo'' servant Robert Farneham & Harvey came a cley before the ship did de]->art and went w' them * *
Ibid., 1564, Vol. Lxxm., No. 468.
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.
William Coinan, or Conian, was living- in the 2)arish of Coly- ton Ralegh, Devon, in the year 1456.
Duchy of Lancaster, Court Rolls, 34 Henry VI., Bundle 57, No. 692.
Robert de Ros, of Scorborough (Scorreby), Richard de Breus, of Thorganby, Henry, son of Conan, of Kelfield, and others, maintain a warren in the wapentake between Ouse and Derwent, co. York.
Rotuli Hundredorum, Temp. Henry III., Ed- ward I., Vol. I., p. 122.
The Archbishop of York, Henry, son of Conan, and the Prior of Drax maintain a fish weir in the river Ouse, by which the said river is much contracted, to the injury of those passing.
Ibid., p. 135.
Thomas de Wyketoft imprisoned Conan at Lincoln and took from him 28 shillings by way of a pledge.
Ibid., p. 306.
Yorkshire, Edward I. Henr}', son of Conan, holds the Manor of Liverton, in Cleveland, of the king, and the Manor of Kelfield, of the Abbey of Selby. Action of Petronilla, mother of said Henry (who is under age and in custody of the King), against William de Roseles and Margaret, his wife, to recoAcr the Manor of Kelfield.
Placitorum in domo capitiilari Westmonast. asservatoruni abbreviatio, p. 210.
The sheriff of Lincolnshire returns account of an amerce- ment of 9sh. 9d. paid by Conan, son of Ely.
Rotuli Cancellarii, 3 John, ]>. 175.
44 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
Conan, son of Brian, held half a knight's fee in Lincolnshire, of the honor of Brittany.
Ibid., p. 19'2, 8 John.
Hampshire. "De oblatis." Gilbert Conan renders account of 20 shillings.
Ibid., p. 255, 3 John.
Norfolk and Suffolk. Third scutage of King Richard. The sheriff renders account of 70sh. 7d. due from Count Conan, of which he paid 27sh. 4d. and owes 43sh. 3d.
Ibid., p. 328.
Rotuli de Finibus, l5 John, m. 3. Suit by Conan, son of
Ely, and Robert, son of Mendred, on the part of their wives,
Avicia and Isabella, rigainst Henry de Neville and Geoffrey de
Cogneriis, concernin g certain lands in the county of Durham.
Roti_di de Oblatis et Finibus in Turri Lond.
a^iserv. temp. Heii.. Joh. p. 509.
Lincolnshire. S,uit of Alan de Bosco against John de Bosco concerning certai,n lands in Ledsham and Fulbeck. Alan claims that the la.nds were given to Alan, son of Geoffrey (ma- ternal uncle of, the said Alan), by Counts Alan and Conan of Brittany, and that the gift was confirmed by King Henry I. John clairus the lands were given to himself l)y Count Geoffrey of Brittany and Constance, his wife.
Rotuli Curiie Regis, Vol. 1, ]). 56, (m. 7, d.)
Conan, chaplain to Count Conan, pays 5 marks into the treasury.
Magnum Rotulum Pipie, Lincoln. 31 Henry 1., p. 114.
Wai'wickshire and Leicestershire. Conan, son of Daniel, compounds for service; pays 2sh. and owes 4sh. 8d.
Great Roll of the Pi])e, 1189-11'JU, 1 Richard I., (1189-1190), p. 123.
Charter of King John confirming to Henry, son of Ilervey, certain lands granted to him by Walter, son of Zachary, Hen-
geneWlogical notes. 46
ry, son of Connn, Warrer^. de Scaregile, Kobert de Rokeby and Agnes, his wife, and landlorantod to Hervey and his heirs by Conan, Duke of Brittany.' Dated 21 Feb., 2 John.
liotuli Chirtarum in Turri Londinensi. Vol. 1, Part '., 1199-1210, j). 88^ (m. 10.)
Conan, son of Guiomar c]e Leon, going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, is taken jjrisoner at Mirabel and ransomed by the |iayinent of 400 marks in silver. Anno 4 John.
Hotuli Litterarum Patentivmi in Turri Londinensi. Vol. 1, Part 1, 1201-1216, p. 15^ (m. 11.)
Safe conduct to Conan, son of Ely, and others. Anno 17
John (1216).
Ibid., p. 169.
Thomas Conan, one of the adherants of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, obtains a pardon by consent of Parliament, for all felonies and trespasses committed by him up to the 7th August then last, the robbery of the Cardinal Legates only excepted. Tested at York, 1 Nov., 12 Edward 11.
Parliamentary Writs, Vol. 2, Div. 3, p. 712.
Fitz Conan, Henry. Henry, son of Henry, son of Conan, certified, pursuant to writs tested at Clipston, 5 March, as Lord of the Townships of Kelfield and Little Halton, in the county of York. 9 Edward IL
Ibid., Part 2, p. 407, No. 8.
Fitz Conan, Henry (Henrieus fil' Conani), returned from the wapentake between Ouse and Derwent, in the county of York, as holding lands, either in capite, or otherwise, to the amount of £40 yearly value, and upwards, and as such summoned un- der the general writ to jx-rform military service against the Scots. Muster at Carlisle, on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, 24 June, 28 Edward I.
Ibid., Vol. 1, p. 332, No. 17.
Recognizance of debt from Stephen de Edesworth to Gil- bert Conan. Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum, 3 Edwai-d I., (m. 13, d.)
46 GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
N'ottinghamsliire. Xicholas Toxto and Christopher Conet presented themselves on the 4th day against Adam le Paumer of a plea that he render to them £10 which he owes them and unjustly detains, etc.
De Banco Roll, 9-10 Edward . (1281), No. 45, (m. 3, d.)
Thomas Conan was Knight of the Shire for Kent, 46 Ed- ward III.
EXTRACT FROM RECORDS IN THE GUILDHALL, EXETER, DEVON.
Document 950, 6 June, 1379. Lease of land from the ]Mayor and Corporation to AVilliam de 3Iolton and Joan, his wife, of a tenement called "la Woodhaye," without the Westgate. The boundaries fulh' described. " Bounded on the south by the garden of Hugh Conaunt."
RECORDS OF THE GROCERS' COMPANY, LONDON.
Apprenticeshi]) of Christopher Conant to Thomas Allyn for vii. years from Michaelmas last. Received and entered 29 Nov., 1609.
Admission to freedom of Christopher Conant, late apjiron- tice to Thomas Allyn. Entered and sworn the xiv. day of March, 1616.
"Thomas Conett: lo: goings sonn in law," is mentioned as an inhabitant of the Tower Ward, London, 1640 {Miscella- nea Genealogica et.JIeraldka^ 1S86, p. 114). This is probably a misprint. Burke says that Diana, fifth daughter of Sir George Goring, Knt., created Baron Goring 1632, married Thomas Covert, Esq., of Slaugham, Sussex {Hist, of the Com-
GENEALOGICAL NOTES. 47
moners, Vol. 1, p. 8S7-S). Dall:i\v;iy, in his Jlistory of tJie Western Ditjision <\f Sxfise.i^ s:vys, that Diana, third daughter of Sir George Goring, married Thomas Covert, Escj.
Halstkd's Jlt^tory of Keiit^ Vol. 4, p. 140, mentions Thom- as Conant, A. M.- as Rector of Great Mongeham, eo. Kent, in l(>04. This is also a misi)rint. Thomas Consant compounded for the First Fruits of the living 21 Nov., 1604 (First Fruits Composition Books, '1 James I.). Thomas Consant was ad- mitted to the Rectory 11 Oct., 1()04 (Bishop's Certificates).
GRADUATES OF ENGLISH COLLEGES*
1600 John Conant, B. A., of Exeter College, Oxford.
1631 John Conant, B. A., of Exeter College, Oxford.
1645 Richard Conant, B. A., of Emanuel College, Cambridge.
1648 Thomas Conant was an undergraduate of Magdalen
Hall, Oxford (not identified).!
1649 Samuel Conant, B. A., of Exeter College, Oxford. 16.54 Malachi Conant, B. A., of Exeter College, Oxford. 1673 John Conant, B. A., of Trinity College, Oxford. 1687 John Conant, B. A., of Exeter College, Oxford. 1697 Samiiel Conant, B. A., Magdalen College, Oxford. 1700 Philip Conant, B. A., of Exeter College, Oxford (not
identified). 1727 John Conant, B. A., of Pemljroke College, Oxford. 1757 John Conant, B. A., of Lincoln College, Oxford. 1783 Culpepper Conant, B. A., of Trinity College, Cambridge. 1806 William Conant, B. A., of Trinity College, Cambridge. 1842 Edward Nathaniel Conant, V>. A., of St. John's College,
Oxford. 1847 John AVilliam Conant, B. A., of St. John's College,
Oxford.
* Richard Cognett was admitted D. C. L. of Oxford, 20 Feb., 1450-1. Roger Connard, al- ready B. A., became M. A. 1534, M. B. 1559. George Connard, B. A. 1565. Boase's Reg^. Univ. Oxon.
t Burrows' Register 0/ the Parliametttary Visitors.
•r Lease from purtenances belonging to Weringston Manor, Cownant, junior, and Isabella, his first wifa (prei al DiinltcswcU, on the feast of Si. Catherine the Vit
and John, junior, sons of John Cownant, farmer, of a tenement and ap- lease, dated 30 May, 13 Henry VIII. (1521), to John isses: John Galye, Thomas flifcy and William Ha^ri^. Dated In height and 16 in. broad.
EAST BUDLEIGH, CO. DEVON, ENGLAND.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH. EAST EUDLEIGH, CO. DEVON, ENGLAri^D
51
THE CONANT FAMILY IN ENGLAND.
A. John Conant,^ with whom the authentic genealogy of the family begins, lived in the ])nnsh of East Budleigh, Devon- shire, England, but was probably born about the year lo20 at Gittisham, some ten or twelve miles north-east. The Life of Dr. John Conant, written about the year 1700, states that John Conant of East Budleigh "was descended from ingenuous pa- rents of Gittisham, near Honiton, whose ancestors for many generations had been fixed here but were originally of French extraction." Gitt^isham (pronounced Gitsham) is a small parish on the river Otter, between Honiton and Ottery St. Mary, and about fourteen miles from Exeter, the capital city of the county. In Domesday Book the name aj)pears as Gides- ham. A Roman road i)assed through the jjarish, traces of which may still be seen.
In the 13th year of the reign of Queen P^lizabeth (1571), he was assessed for goods of the yearly value of £4.* In 1581 he was still taxed at East Budleigh, but in 15S8 the tax was paid by his son, Richard, and it is probable that between these dates a transfer of property had taken place.
In 1577 John Conant and Edmond ffowler were church- wardens of East Budleigh. In those days the office of church-warden was of considerable imj)ortance, and only mem- bers of the leading families and such as were of recognized ability were elected to this im|)ortant office.
John Conant was buried at East Budleigh, 30 Mch., loDG.f It is most unfortunate that many early Conant wills, proved in the court at Exeter, which might throw light on the ancestry of John Conant, are now missing. Although no legal evidence of the fact has yet been found, it seems likely that he was the
* Subsidy Rolls.
t Parish Registers of East Budleigh.
(49)
50 THE CONANT FAMILY
son of the John Conant who was buried at Gittisham 4 Sept., 1559.* In the 15th year of the reig-n of King Henry VIII. (1523), John Conant, senior, of Gittisham, was assessed for £7 in goods, and John Conant, junior, for £4 in goods. f The latter was perhaps the one who died in the year 1559.
In the Will Office at Exeter there is a copy of the will of John Conn ante, of Gittisham, dated 21 June, proved 20 Sept., 1586. The testator desires to be buried in Gittisham church- yard. He bequeaths his "cubborde" to Nicholas, his son, and his "table board" to John, his son; to Matthew, his son, he leaves a bed. The residue is left to Marie, his wife, who is sole executrix. Persons named Smith, Crabb, Turling and Vann are also mentioned. No record of the burial of this John is to be found in the Parish Registers of Gittisham, although careful search has been made. A Nicholas Conant was ba2)tized at Gittisham in the year 1574; if he was the one mentioned in the will it indicates that the testator died before middle age. Or, if this was not the Nicholas of the will — and this is the only ground for supposing the testator died in middle age — it may be that the son John mentioned in the will was John Co- nant of East Budleigh, and the testator was the John Conant, junior, of the Subsidy Roll. In this case the testator must have died at an advanced age, say eighty-five or six years. And the burial of the John Conant in 1559 may be that of the John Conant, senior, mentioned in the Subsidy Roll in 1523.
The ancestry of John Conant, of East Budleigh, may never be established by legal evidence, but the fact that his parents lived in Gittisham, and the similarity of names, renders it prob- able that he was the son of the John Conant who was buried 1559, or the one who died 1580.
Child of John Conant : — . ,
B. Richard.
B. Richard^ {John') was probably born in the parish of East Budleigh, about the year 1548. In 1588 he was assessed for lands in East Budleigh of the yearly value of £4.$ Richard
* Parish Registers of Gittisham. t Subsidy Rolls. \ Subsidy Rolls.
IN ENGLAND. 51
Conant and Henry Cowde were ehurch-wnrdons of the parish in IGUO, and in 161G Kiehard Conant again filled the office. In the year 1600 he paid a "malt rate" of 4s. In 1630 he is rated at 2s. 6d., his rating being next to the highest in the parish, which was paid by a member of the Arscot family, and the only other who paid over one shilling.
The parish of East Budleigh gives its name to the Hundred. It is situated on the west side of the river Otter, about two miles from its mouth, and about fourteen miles south-east of Exeter. The manor belonged to Otterton ])ri()ry, and in the year 1260 was valued at £13 13sh. Gd. ; its mill alone then rented for £1 14sh. 4d. In 1337 the lordship was granted to Hugh de Courtenay, Earl of Devon. In 153G the manor and advowson of Budleigh belonged to the Benedictine Convent of St. Cath- erine of Polsoe, and in this year Margaret Trewe, Prioress of Polsoe, leased the rectory with the tithes to John Drake for fifty years at a rental of £26 17sh. 3d, In 1540 the manor and advowson came into possession of Richard Duke, Esq., who purchased from Henry VIII. The church of East Budleigh, dedicated to All Saints, and consecrated by Bishop Lacy about A. D. 1430, is situated on a hill behind the village. It consists of a nave and chancels, and north and south aisles. It is 80 feet long and 48^ feet broad, and the tower, containing five bells, is 72 feet high. In the east window are to be seen the arms of Courtenay, Bishop Lacy, St. George, Holland and Bon- ville. The pew ends are curiously carved with arabesques, figures, heads and the armorial bearinsrs of local families, among them Ralegh, St. Clere, Grenville, Arscot, Ford, Courtenay and others. The first vicar was Stephen de Bud- leigh, admitted 11 July, 12G1, on presentation of the Prioress and Convent of Polsoe (see Oliver's Ecclesiastical Antiqui- ties of Uevun).
Sir Walter Ralegh was born at Hays House, in East Bud- leigh, and his father was one of the church-wardens in 1561. The tales of adventure of Ralegh and Sir Francis Drake — for the Drakes were also connected with this parish — must have had an important influence in leading Roger and Christopher Conant to embark for America.
52 THE CONANT FAMILY
The Marriage Registers of East Budleigh lack the names of females from the beginning to 1605; but the date of Richard Conant's marriage is given: "4 Feb., 1578." Luckily this omission is supplied by the Registers of Colyton where the marriage took place. There it is recorded that "Rychard Counnett, the sonne of John Counnett, of Easte Budleye, was wedded unto Agnes Clarke, the daughf^ of John Clarke, sen- ior, of Collyton, the iiij. daye of ffebruary, 1578." Colyton is a market town of Devonshire, twenty-two miles east of Exeter and about eight miles east of East Budleigh.
The Manor of Colyton was part of the possessions of Henry Courtenay, Earl of Devon, and Marquis of Exeter, who was beheaded in 1538. His estates, of course, reverted to the Crown, and a niimber of the wealthy inhabitants of Colyton purchased from King Henry a ]:)ortion of the manor. These citizens were enfeoffed by the King, who also granted them the management of fairs and markets. The name of John Clarke stands first on the patent from the King, and also ap- pears on the patent of the second incorporation of enfeoffment, which was granted by Queen Mary. He d. 6th and was buried 9th Apr., 1585.* He m. 9th June, 1544,t Anne, daughter of William Macye, of Colyton, and their daughter Annes, or Agnes, was born 16th May, 1548.$
Richard and Agnes Conant were buried on the same day, 22 Sep., 1630. § Both are spoken of in the Life of John Conant as persons of "exemplary ])iety," and judging fi'om what is known of the character of their children this was undoubtedly the case. His will, which is printed in full, is preserved in the Archdeaconry Court of Exeter, and was proved 13 Oct., 1631.
WILL OF EICHARD COXAXT.
"In the name of God, Amen, on the twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord God 1029. I, Eichard Co- nant, of East Budleigli, in the countie of Devon, yeoman,
*Parish[Registers^of Colyton.
t Ibid.
J Ibid.
§ Parish Registers of East Budleigh.
IN ENGLAND. 63
knowing the certenty of death, but of the time and hour most uncertain, and thex'efore preparing myselfe ready whensoever it shall please the Lord to call mee out of this transitorie life into his celestiall kingdome, whereuntol)'swade<l by faith I shall aspire in and by the death, meritts and previous bload sheding of Christ Jesus, my onlie Lord and Saviour and Redeemer, doe by this my Testament containing tiierein my last will in man- ner and forme as followeth: ffirst I bequeath my soule into ye hands of Almightie God and my body for Christian buriall, and as touching my worldlie goods: ffirst I give and beiiuath unto my grandcluld, Richard Conant, soime of Richard Conant, of East Budleigh, my silver Bowie, only reserveing the use there- of to my wife dureinge her life tyme : Item, I give and be- queath unto my sonne, John Conant, my silke grogren dublet and turkie grogren hose : Item, unto my sonne, Robert Conant, I give and bequeath my second best clokes and myne other ap- parell (except the worst) and the other before mencioned. Item, I give the poor of the parish of Eastbudleigh the sume of twentie shillings to bee disposed according to the discretion of myne executrix: Item, I give and bequeath further unto my sonne, John Conant, my gold ringe with a Turkies in it: Item, I give and bequeath unto Sarah Conant, daughter unto my Sonne, Roger Conant, the sume of five pounds: Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Knowles and Susan Knowles, children unto my daughter, Jane Knowles [Knowles erased and Wotton written over it], namely to each of them five pounds to bee paid unto them at their day of marriage if soe they marrie with the consent and likeing of their friends, par- ticularlie of the fatherinlawe, Phillippe Wotton, of their mother, and onkle, John Conant. If they marry not: to be paid untoe them they being of the age of thirty yeares. And if in the meantyme, before their said age or marriage, it hap- pen that any of them dye, then that her portion of ffive pounds bee likewise paid to the sister surviveing: Item, I give and bi'queath unto all my childrens children (vizt. to every of them in p'ticular except such as have a larger portion given them) five shillings: All the residue of my goods, as well move- able as immoveable, or chattels whatsoever is myne or in me for to give in Budleigh or elsewhere, my debts being paid fun- eralls discharged and respect had to my promise made to Phil- lippe Wotton, my sonneinlawe, and niy daughter Jane, his wife, I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Jane Wotton (onelie reserving the use thereof unto my wife, Agnes Conant, during her life tyme), and doe make my said daughter whole and sole executrix: And I doe also ordaine my sonne, John Conant, of Lymington, in Somersets] lire, to be this my over- seer to see this my will and testament to be fulfilled. In wit-
54
THE CONANT FAMILY
ness whereof, I, the aforesaid Richard Conaut, have hereunto put my hand, seale, even the day and yeare first above written.
^
xcJ^J^
C ©yvo^vJ^
(Signed) Witness: John Conant, Robert Conant.
Probatu fuit huoi testatum apud exon 13 die mense Octobris 1631. Coram mgre Robto Parsons clerico, etc.
The inventory, which is too long to print in full, is also pre- served. As of interest for comparison with values of the present day, many of the items are here given. The inventory was taken 30 Sept., 1631, by John Richards (probably a son- in-law), Robert Conant and John Leye ; the total amount was £129 14s. 4d.
"Imprimis : his owne and his wifes wearing apparel Item : 13 old slieepe and 4 lambs, - - - -
In the Hall : Item: one long tableborde, 1 square tableborde, 2
formes, 3 chairs and 6 joynt stools, . . . Item : 1 muskett with all its furniture belonging to
the same, ---------
Item : 1 Iron Barr and 1 Clarke bill, - - -
In the new parlour : Item: 1 featherbed, 2 feather boulsters, 2 feather
pillows, 1 yard of blankett and one coverlett. Item: a Laundry Cobbert and 2 Coupetts ['?] Item: an Eargon [?] Salte and Cups, the moity of 1
mapp, sand glasses with some other small things. Item: one Chair and Cushon, -----
In the old parlour: Item: 1 standing bedsted and 1 trundle bedsted,
XX. s., one tablebord, vi. s., -
In the Buttery : Item : 2 dozen and f ouer of pewter dishes, 4 por- ringers, 3 saussers, 1 plate, 1 bason, all of pewter. Item : 4 pewter Cupes, 2 Saltes, one paint pott, 3
Chamber potts, all of them of pewter, Item : 3 dozzen of Tranchers, - - - - Item : 6 brasse Candlesticks, ----- Item: 1 pessel and morter, ----- Item: 0 Stonnige Fuggs [jugs?] and cups, Item : 1 pipe, 3 hogsheads, 5 beare barrells.
lbs. s. d.
xx.-OO-O
v.-iii.-iiij.
O-xxxiij.-O
O-xxvi.-iiij. O-iiij.-iiij.
vi.-O-O O-xxv.-O
O-vi.-O O-xvi.-O
O-xxvi.-O
O-xxxvi.-O
O-x.-O O-iij.-O 0-X.-0 O-v.-O O-i.-O O-xxii.-O
IN ENGLAND. 55
lbs. s. d. In the Shoppe lU'xt to the Hall:
Item: 2 beanu's and skales with some bi'ass and
leadden waights, --..... O-v.-O
Item: one Counter, a chest, the shelves with some
other odd implements, O-x.-viij.
In the longe Entery and in the Kitchen: Item: 2 Cubbords, ------- O-x.-O
In the brewinge House: Item: 1 pare of Iron Racks, 1 pare of And Irons, 2
hearth irons and (i spetts, - - . . . O-xxviij.-vl. Item: 2 hand Irons, 2 Are picks, 1 tire pan, 3 little
iron dogs, a. tlesh pike, a frying pan, a gridiron, - O-v.-iiij. Item: 1 dozen wooden dishes and one dozen of
spoones, --------- O-ij.-O
Item: 1 Breweinge f(M-nace, ----- O-L.-O
Item: ;^ brasse pots and 2 brass ix)snetts, [?] - O-xliij.-O
Item: o brasse Caldrons, skillets and a brasse ladle, O-xx.-O
Item: 5 breweing fates [vats] and 1 boate trundle, O-xv.-O
Item: :3 dowe [?] and a bowle, ----- O-v.-iiij.
Item: a Clever, a shreeding knife, 2 lettle berrells
with some eaithen potts, ----- O-iiij.-O
In the Milk house : Item: 10 brass milk pannes with some other old
brasse there, -------- iiij-iij.-O
Item: one still to distill water w'thall, - - O-vj.-O
Item: 4 cheese fates [vats], - - - - - O-ij.-O
In the Weaving Shopp: Item: 2 old bedsteads, 2 doust [?] beds, 2 doust
boulsters with sheets, blanketts, and coverletts, O-xx.-OO Item: 2 old Coffers with some bords and other
small triffells, - - - O-ij.-O
In the new paidour: Item: one silver bowle, ------ O-L.-O
Item : 5 silver spoones, ------- O-xxviij.-O
Item: .5 glass bottles, ------ O-v.-O
Item: 1 little Table with a liberry table and 2 little
formes, --------- 0-xxij-O
Item: 2 Chests and one Coffer, - - - . O-xiiij.-O
Item: 2 great deskes and one lesser one with small
things in them, ------- O-xxvij.-viii.
Item: one greate byble and a deske, - - - O-xxx.-O
Item: all other bookes, ------ iij.-O-O
In the Chandler over the Shopj): Item: one bedsted and vallens, a feather bed and a
tlocke bed, 1 feather boulster, 2 feather pillows, 1
blankett and 1 couerlett, - . - . . 0-xl,-0
Item: Eleven pare of shifts and 4 pare of pilotyes, iiij.-xxi.-O Item: 3 large table Clothes & 4 lesser table clothes.
56 THE CONANT FAMILY
lbs, s. d.
2 dozen of Table napkins, . . _ . . iij.-viij.-O
Item: 1 warminge pan, vi. s., a sherhook and other
small things, ij. s., ------ - O-viij.-O
In the Chamber over the Hall: Item: 1 hamper with old iron and other things in
the same, --...... O-vi.-viij.
Item: 2 Swords, with an Alment [helmet?], Revett,
an old edd [head] peece and some small things, O-vi.-viij.
In the Chamber over the entry: Item: 2 pare verginalls, .--... O-viij.-O
In the small Chamber: Item: 2 Sidsaddles and one Couring [covering], - O-xiij.-iiij. Item: a Skaymer, a cheese Racke, etc., - . . 0-iiij,iiij. Item : a crosbowe and bender, - . . . O-v.-O
Item: all the small tooles in the toole honse, - - O-x.-O
Item: some tooles titt for the use of Husbandry, O-vi.-viij. Item: some plane stuffs, a manger, some Racks, 2
ladders, draught fatts, troughs, some peeces of
Timber and all other things about the Court, - 0-0-ix.
Item: Certaine Imi)lements belonging to a Mill, O-xxvj.-viij. Item: three Ceilings [?] with bynches to them, a
new millston and Certain other things, - - - ix.-O-O
Item: Cei'tain debts dew unto Richard Conant, now
deceased, --------- viii.-0-O "
Children of Richard and Agnes (Clarke) Conant: —
Joan, baptized 20 Jan., 1579-80; m. Richards.
C. Richard, baptized 21 Fel)., 1581-2.
D. Robert, b. .
Jane, baptized 9 May, 1584; m. 18 Sept., 1609, Thomas Knowles; ' had Jane, Susan and perhaps others. She m. 2nd, 19 April, 1626, Philip Wotton; had Philip, who d. Dec, 1627, and per- haps others.
E. John, baptized 18 Mch., 158.5-0.
Thomas, baptized 30 April, 1587, supposed to have d. y.
Christopher, baptized 13 June, 1588. In 1609 he went to Lon- don where he became an apprentice to Thomas Allen, a grocer, and after an apprenticeship of seven years was ad- mitted to the freedom of the Grocers' Company on 14 Mch., 1616*. The Grocers' Company is one of the twelve Great Livery Companies of London, and was incorporated by King Edward III. in 134.5. The next record of him is found at Shobrook, Devon, 14 Sept., 1619, where "Christopher Conant, merchant, of London, and Mrs. Anne Wilton were married." On 20 Jan., 1619-20, he signed the composition bond of his
* Records of the Grocers' Company.
IN ENGLAND. 57
brother, John, and is there described as "grocer, of the par- ish of St. Lawrence, Jewry, London." In 1623 he came to Plymoutli, Mass., in the ship Ann, and shared in the division of hmd in that year. He had one acre "lying beyond the brooke toward Strawberry liill."* From this it may be con- jectured that he brought no family, as, if he had had a wife or children his share of land should have been larger. In 1627 he was not at Plymouth, foi- he hail no share in the di- vision of cattle in that year. Possibly he was at Salem with his brother, Koger; but if in England he returned, for he was on the first jury for criniiual trial in this country, impanneled for the trial of Walter Palmer for manslaughter, Nov., 1630.
^<rhis is the last record of him found. He may have returned to England, or gone southward, but if he had died in Massa- chusetts some record of the fact would most likely have been preserved.
Roger, baptized 9 Ajir., 1592. The emigrant to America. See beyond. '-^ 9c,./
C. Richard' {lllchard, John), baptized at East Budleigh, 21 Feb., 15^1-2; m. 18 Sept., 1G09, Jane Slade, and was bur- ied at East Budleigh 3 Sept., 1625. His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Somerset House, Lon- don (9 Hele) . The following is an abstract :
JRichard Conant, the younger, of East Budleigh, co. Devon. Will dated 1 Sept., 1625 ; administration granted 3 Jan., 1625-6, to Jane Conant, the relict, and Robert Conant, the brother. "My lands in Culliton, called Chaple lands, to be sold to satisfy claim of Thomas periani for £76, or else the sd lands to be granted to him. My lands at Poole Hayes, now in possession of George Mico for term of his life and that of his wife. My brothers, John Conant and Robert Conant, and my brothers-in-law, Wm. Slade and Roger Slade, to sell the fee simple of my said lands at Culliton and Poole Hayes to pay my debts, and the overi)lus to be emjjloyed. for the benefit of such of my children as they shall think tit. Witnesses, Richard Swetland, Robert Conant, Jane Knowles, Elizabeth Duke, Johan Richards."
Children of Riciiaud and Jaxe (Sladk) Coxant:
Jane, baptized 16 June, 1611, at East Budleigh. Martha, baptized 30 Xov., 161.5, (d. 15 May, 1644?).
• Records of Plymouth Colony.
S8 THE CON ANT FAMILY
r. Mary, baptized 20 Jan., 1617-18. G. Eichard, baptized 10 Feb., 1621-2. Sarah, baptized 30 Mch., 1624.
D. Robert^ {Richard, John), b. ; was of Bicton, a
parish adjoining East Budleigh. He m. at East Budleigh 14 Oct., 1607, Elizabeth Morris, who was buried 1 Apr., 1654. Administration granted on her estate 19 June, 1654, to her son, Richard Conant, of Bicton {P. C. C. Adm'ons 1554, /b. 92). He was buried 12 May, 1638, at Bicton. His will, dated May, 1638, was probated 23 May, 1638, in the Archidiaconal Court
son, John Conant, clerk, with (I629.)
legacies to his son, Richard Conant, and servant, Jane Upham. Children of Robert and Elizabeth (Morris) Coxaxt : —
of Exeter. He leaves most of his estate to his oldest
H. John, born IS Oct., 1608 (Life).
Kichard, buried 5 Xov., 1616.
Thomas, buried 14 Xov., 1616. I. Eichard, b. .
E. John^ {Richard, John), baptized 18 Mch., 1585-6,* at East Budleigh, Devon. He was matriculated at Exeter Col- lege, Oxford, 15 Nov., 1605; B. A., 5 May, 1609; elected Pro- bationer 30 June, 1611, in place of Vilvaine, and admitted 5 July following; full Fellow 10 July, 1612; B. D., (2 Dec, 1619) or 28 June, 1620. t The resignation of his Fellowshi]) is as fol- lows: "Ego Johannes Conant sacrae theologiae Baccalaureus, et scholaris perpetuus Collegii Exon infra universitatem Oxon, omne meum ius et interesse quod habeo in dicto Collegio, in manus venerabilis viri Johannis Prideaux sacrae theologiae Professoris Rectoris dicti Collegii et scholarium eiusdem Col- legii in his scriptis resigno. In cuius rei testimonium i^re- sentibus manu mea propria nomen subscri])si meum et sigillum aposui. Data tricesimo die mensis Junii A. D. 1620.
(Signed) Joiianxes Coxaxt."
* Registers of All Saints, East Budleigh. t Boase's Reg. Col. Exon.
I ■ THE \ fl
|WOE AND WEALEf
■fe OF
GODS P EO PLE.
2fr
^
^ , DispLArED i;
t|IN A SERMON PREACHEDf ^ before the Honourable Houfc of ^ ^ Commons at their late fo-
^1 lcmaHumiHationon/«/y 2^. !*■
k «<54j. it
H Eyfohn Conant B.D. and Paftour of ^ H PMiJhedby Order ofthatHoufe: |*
^ Lam E NT. 3. 31,32. ^
^ J^y ^/;^ Lord mil not CAJi off forever. But though he caufe y jjS. <?^^^/i y^^ mil he havecorftfapon according to the multitude 3^ le ''f his mercies, * 3^
^ ' ?^
2 LONDON, 3^
r^ Printedbyx;.Jl/.forC/;r/7?tf/>/^friVffr^^/>/7at the Signe of 3^
,/^ the Crane in P^^/j Church-yard. 1643. -j^
<> (^ *?. 'l^^ n*- '{^ ^^ '> 4*- V- '^ >J«- 4- ^ ^l* >t^ ^v iJcT^L ij^ jIx >^ j^ "v;.
IN ENGLAND. 59
On Dec. 30, 1G19, he was instituted Rector of Lyraington, a country ])arish near Ilchester, Somer- ^ /* Cui/iO/ttA^ setshire, on the presentation of Sir ^ (i6->o.)
Henry Rosewell (Public Recoi'd Office, Institution Books, Vol. 2, p. 70), and on the 20 January following compounded for the First Fruits of the living, the sureties of his bond being his brothers, Christopher and Roger. The rectorship of this par- ish was the first preferment of Cardinal Wolsey. The appoint- ment to a living- in the gift of Sir Henry Rosewell is not without its significance, as Rosewell, or Rowswell, is well known to students of Massachusetts' history, his name stand- ing first among the grantees in the Patent from the Council of Plymouth. It indicates that Conant had already espoused the cause of the Puritans. He remained at Lymington until the troubles of the civil war forced him to leave the parish, when he repaired to London ; this was probably toward the close of the year 1642. During his enforced absence his nephew. Rev. John Conant, D. D., then Fellow of Exeter, attemj^ted to per- form his duties for him, but was also driven away. It is not likely that he returned to Lymington, and on Nov. 24, 1645, Robert Biyan was instituted in the rectory as his successor.
On July 26, 1643, he preached a sermon before the House of Commons for which he received the thanks of the House with a request that he print the sermon. The sermon was printed in 1643 and copies of it are now excessively rare. The fac- simile of the title page here given is from a copy now in possession of the compiler. As it is probably the earliest printed work by a Conant, full particulars are here given. The pages are 7;^ in. x 5f in. in size. There are 28 leaves, or 56 pages. The signatures are A, B, C, I), E, F and G, with four leaves to each letter.
Signature A 1, r°, is blank.
Signature A 1, v", the order "by the House of Commons, that Master Rous do from this House give thanks unto Master Conant, for the great pains he took in the Sermon he preached (at the intreaty of the House) at S. Margaret in the Citie of Westminster, being a day of jtublike humilia- tion, and they desire him to print his Sermon."
60 THE CON ANT FAMILY
Signature A 2, r°, is the title page.
Signature A 2, v°, is blank.
Signature A 3, r", — A 4, v°. The dedication " To the Honoura- ble House of Commons now assembled in Parliament. * * * * your hearts being ingaged to approach nigh unto God, your resolutions and endeavoui's fixed, with all possible self- deniall, to advance his honour, to promote his cause, to establish his truth, further the much desired ha])piness of Church and State." Signed "John Conant."
Signature B 1, r°, — G 3, v°. The Sermon.
"A Sermon preached at a late Fast before the Honourable House of Commons." (paged 1-46.)
Signature G 4, r°, is blank.
Signature G 4, v", order by the " Commons House of Parlia- ment that M. Rous do give thanks to Mr, Covant, (sic) and Mr. Blackstone to Master Simpson, for the great paines they tooke in the Sermons they this day [(reached * * *."
ABSTEACT OF THE SEEMON.
p. 1. Jer. 30 7.
'■^ Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacobs trouble; but lie shall be saved out of itP
"These words are the words of the Lord, which he spake by Jeremiah the Prophet, concerning Israel and Judah * * *. He jn-ophesied * * * uuder five Kings * * *.
p. 2. "He is in his writings Historicall, Propheticall, Kepre- hensorie, Hortatorie, Deploratorie, Consolatorie. 1. Historicall, recording the acts and occurrences of the times * * *. 2. Propheticall, foretelling partly Avhat should betide this people * * *. 3. Reprehensorie, crying out against the idolatries, oathes, falshoods, and other abominations of the laud. 4. Hortatorie, earnestly perswading them to forsake their former evill ways * * *. 5. Deploratorie, bewailing the heinous and IioitI- ble transgressions * * *. 6. Consolatorie, intermix-
IN ENGLAND. 61
inc: sweet reviviiii^s and refreshings, for supporting the drooping spirits of Gods contrite ones * * *. p. 3. "A specimen of these two later we have in the words of ray Text, which are * * * A mixture of doleful! and joyfull tidings. And these are the Parts thereof, namely: 1, a Lamentation * * *. 2, a Consolation
* * *
p. 4. "It is even the time of Jacobs trouble * * *.
p. 5. "There is * * * a threefold great day. First, the time of Christs first coming and continuance here on earth * * *. Secondly, the time of Christs second coming * * *. Thirdly, the time of Gods more es- pecially visiting or punishing a sinfull people in this life., bringing on them some heavy calamitie, or great de- struction, * * *.
p. 6. "That day will evidently appear to be a great day * *.
p. 7. "That day, on which God visits his people by the hand of their enemies, being a great day, how great is their inadvertency, how Ijrutish their stupidity, who overlook
& passe by that day, as if not worthy to be regarded. *
* *_
p. 9. "Xeither is there any cause of questioning such Gods proceedings against his own Church, and people, for, 1. There he doth more especially love and therefore there he will assuredly visit * * *. 2. There God more es- pecially hates likewise. As he loves their persons, so he hates their sinnes * * *.
p. 10. "3. God is very tender and jealous of his own honour
* * *
p. 11. "This consideration calleth on us for dispositions suit- able there unto: namely, for great Preparation before
that day cometh, and great Observation when it is come
* * *_
p. 12. "As for the parts of Preparation, I shall name but two, viz : Repentance and Prayer * * *,
p. 14. "But great dayes call also for great Observation, es- pecially if such great dayes be great dayes of affliction. And here three things are especially to be observed,
62 THE CONANT FAMILY
namely: 1. What is done. 2. By whom it is done. 3. To what end it is done * * *.
p. 16. "Dayes of affliction betiding the Church of God, are imto Gods people justly days of mourning and lamenta- tion * * *.
p. 22. " Touching the afflicted condition of Gods Church at this day * * *. I shall but intreat you to look over the Maps of Gennanie, Ireland., and England., you have the summe of what I would say: * * * you shall find there a roll like that in Ezekiel, written within and without in capital! letters; and with a pen di]>ped in bloud, and the writings as there, lamentations, and mourn- ing, and woe. In Germanie and Ireland (for I joyne those together), what robberies, and spoiles, what sack- ings, and burnings, what devastations, and depopulations have there been? what horrible oathes, and blasphe- mies, what ravishing of wives, and deflowring of virgins, what irreverent carriages toward the gray-head ? * * *
p. 23. "But I return ere I goe too far, this field being too wide for me to walk through it * * *. As for England., we have here had our Aceldama's also, the sword having well nigh gone through the land * * * and many thousands having fallen by the dirt thereof * * *. The judgement of the sword hath its begin- ning amongst us * * * were it drawn against a for- raigne enemie, it were more eligible, more tollerable ; but civil war is of all els most dangerous & dolefull, when within the same Princes dominions ♦ * * ,
p. 26. "Our sins as well as other mens, have acted their part in provoking Gods indignation against the land; and is it not requisite that our sorrow and humiliation should do their part likewise in appeasing the same ? * * *
p. 28. "The troubles or afflictions of Gods peo|)le are not per- petuall. As they have a day of trouble, so also of salva- tion and deliverance * * *.
p. 35. "As duties of Humiliation concern every soul here present, so also duties of Reformation, as we all desire to make and maintain our peace with God, and enjoy his
IN ENGLAND. 63
favour, which is the very life of our souls. Howbeit you who are failed to he our Senators and Worthies in the Parliament are more esjiecially concerned herein, and that in a two-fold relation. First, as by your example you are to encourage others in duties of Reformation. Secondly, as by wholesome Ordinances and Sanctions you are to com})el others thereto * * *.
p. 37. "T desire to mention one or two generals whence, I conceive, abuses mostly in Church and State do either take their lirst rise, or at least are to much fomented thereby. That in the State seems to me to be the want of due execution of wholesome lawes enacted.
p. 38. "That other general 1 in the Church, I can but briefly touch at neither. I conceive the chief Hydra of abuses there to lodge in the Ministerie.
p. 41. "Deliverance corporall * * *. "Deliverance spirit uall * * *. "Deliverance eternal * * *.
p. 44. "Grounds of apprehending deliverance neer approach- ing, taken from the Church and people of God, may be these: 1. When in the way of humiliation they throw themselves at Gods footstoole * * *.
p. 45. "2. When they do renew their covenant with God to hear his voice * * *. 3. When they do wholly rest themselves on Gods protection * * *. But (to con- clude) whether deliverance be neer at hand, or further off, certain it is that, 1. The rage and power of the ad- versarie is limited * * *. 2. The draught of affliction is measured * * *. 3. The strength of Gods people is fitted thereto * * *.
p. 4G. " 4. Whatever extremeties they are put to, it shall as- suredly be well with those that fear God * * *. ,5. Such have a ])romise from Chi-ist himself * * *. But contrariewise, The end of transgressows is that they shall be destroyed together^
According to Wood, the Oxford historian, he also published a sermon the same year on Lamentations iii. 31. 32; but ap-
64 THE CONANT FAJMILY
parently Wood is mistaken, as this text appears on the title page of the Fast Sermon of July 26. There is, however, in the Library of the British Museum, an imperfect copy, lacking all after p. 8, of a sermon on Isaiah xiii. 24. 25. In 1644 he wrote a j^reface to the Thesaunis Hiblicus published in that year by R. Barnard, Rector of Batcombe, co. Somerset, and a noted Puritan.
Three MS. sermons preached by John Conant in Oxford, 1618-19, on 1 Kings xxi. 20; one on Psalms iv. 1; one on 2 Chron. xxxv. 6; and one in Latin on Mai. ii. 7, are preserved in the "Rawlinsou MSS." in the Bodleian Library.
In 1643 he was constituted by Parliament one of the As- sembly of Divines* which met at Westminster July 1, of that yeai', and remained in session till Feb., 1649. The "Confession of Faith " and the " Catechisms " recommended by this Assem- bly and adopted by Parliament, are to this day the standard of the Presbyterians in England and the United States, and are recognized by the Congregationalists, as a body, as sub- stantially expressing their doctrines.
While he was in London he acted as Curate of St. Botolph, Aldersgate, but about Apr., 1646, he became Rector of St. Thomas a Becket, Salisbury, co. Wilts, where he remained till his death.
A view of his house in the Close of Salisbury is here pre- sented, together with a description of the same taken from a contemporary MS. belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury; on the same i^age is a view of St. Thomas Church:
"A survey of certaine houses with gardens, orchards and Backsides to them belonging, together with certaine p'cells of Lande called by the name of Options lyeing and being in the Close of ye Canons of the Cathedrall Church of the Virgin Mary of New Sanxm, in the county of Wilts, late parcell of the possessions or late belongings to the late Deane and Chap- ter of the sayd Cathedrall. Made and taken by us whose names are hereunto subscribed in the moueth of -lune, 1649, By virtue of a Commision to us graunted (grounded upon an
* Fuller's Church History, Vol. XI., p, 198.
1^
1
j/gjLjgS-fS.
HOUSE IN THE CLOSE OF SALISBURY, fOnce the residence of John Conant, B. D.)
IH'JMA,-^ A BECKET, SALISBUHV. UU. WILTS, ENGLAND.
IN ENGLAND.
66
XVHI. £
Act of the C^na'ons of Kiii^laiid jisscMiiblod in Parliament for the abolishing; of Deancs, Deanes and Chapters, Cannons, P'bends and othci- Offici's and Titles of and belonging to any Cathedi-all or Collegiate Cluireh or Chappell within England and Wales) nnder the hands and scales of five or more of the
Trustees In the same Aet named and a]»poynted:
*******
The Mansion Ilowse of Doctor ()gl)orne one of the late Canons now inhabited by and in the possession of Mr. John Conant Minister of St. Thomns Church in Sarum:
This Howse hath for its entrance a great gate and conteyneth a large Hall a Kitchen a lowe gal- lery about 80 foot long and 9 foot broad two larders two woodhouses a pantry waynescoted thi-ee cellers two waynescoted Parlors a Buttery 12 chambers whereof 4 are waynescoted eight other rooms be- sides Garretts. A stable conteyning sixe Bayes of building two gardens with an Orchard conteyning one Acre all which are worth ])erannum —
The ])remises are bounded with the highway or Common Passage between the Cathedrall Churchyard and the sayd Howse on the Eastpart with the river of Avon on the West parte with a Ditch betweene the Deanry and the same howse on the South })art and with the howse and Orchard now in the possession of Mr. Richard Davyds on the North.
The premises we find to be graunted by the Committee of Wills (Wiltshire) unto the sayd John Conant in Augmentacon for his better livelyhood * * *.
One peece of pasture ground abutting upon the Close Wall on the South upon a ditch severing it from the high way that leadeth to Harnham Gate on the East by another ditch sevring it from the vvalke 2)lanted with young Elmes that leads to the howse that did lately belong to D'cor Hinchman on the West and by another ditch sevring it from another peece of pasture lyeing on the North there- of being another Option appertayneing to one of the late Canons through w'^'' there is a foot path and Cartway that leadeth to the howse lately belonging to Doctor Hinchman conteyneth p'estim' two acres more or less and is worth per annum —
£ s nil. X.
66 THE CON A NT FAMILY
Memorandum that in this Close or Oj^tion is yearly kept a Sheepe Fayre upon the first Tuesday after Pentecost graunted by Lease from the Deane and Chapter to Roger Upton.
One other peece of pasture ground abutting upon the last before named peece of pasture on ye South upon the highway leading to Harnham Gate on the North and East and upon a ditch lyeing before the howse that was lately D'cor Thorneborough's on I £ the West being another option through w"^'' lyeth a [ 2 way leadeing to the sevrall bowses lately belonging to D'cor Thorneborowe D'cor Mason and Doctor Hinchman conteyneth p'estemat one Acre more or lesse and is Avorth p'annuni —
Memorandum that within this Close or option there is an other faire or fayre for Cattle yearly ke})t upon the first Tues- day after Pentecost and the proffitts are graunted by Lease from the Deane and Chapter to Roger Upton.
Memorandums That the before ment'o'ed peece of pasture ground conteyne- ing one two acres valued at iiii, £ x. s. and one other peece of pasture ground conteyneing one Acre valued at ij. £ x. s. are likewise in the possession of Mr. John Conant one other of the ministers of the sayd Citty given him likewise by the sayd Committee for his augmentac'on.
Examts & Approb'° per Walt. Foy
Will : Webb Supvs'' Gen^'" Jo : Squibb
1649 Chr: Weare
Geo: Fairley.
Although Wood says nothing of his character or ability, it is evident that he was a man of high character and much abil- ity; for at this time (1049), on the death of Dr. George Hakewill, Rector of Exeter College, the choice of a new Rec- tor lay between him and his nephew, John Conant. But he absolutely declined the position, and the latter was elected.
He d. 13* and was bur. 15 Apr., 1658. f In the chancel of
* Miscellaneous Collections of Malachi Conant, B. D., Rawlinson MSS., Bodleian Library. t Parish Registers of St. Thomas, Salisbury.
IN ENGLAND. 67
St. Thomas Church, until the restoration of that church in 1868, was to be seen a flat stone bearing the inscription, "John Conant, died 1653." His funeral sei'mon (on Matt. xxv. '28) was preaclu'(l by Mr. Gower. A copy of the sermon is to be found in the Kawiinson MSS., BodU'ian Library.
WILL OF .lOUN CONANT.
John Conant, of the Clo.se of Sarnm, Wilts, clerk, weak in body, etc. Dated 8 Apr., 10.53; proved 26 Sept., 1653, by the executors. My dwelling house in the Close of Saruni to my eldest son, John Conant, to whom also lands called ()[)tions, if he will buy them. Lands, etc., in Tluntspill [Iluntsfell?], co. Somerset, to my son, Samuel C*mant, my executors to take the rents for 7 years for his better maintenance at the LTniversity. To my sons, Richard Conant and Malachi Conant, the lease de- mised to my brother, ^Malachi Dewdney, merchant, and Edward Pele, clerk. ]My daughter, Sarah Conant, £2(K) at age 21, or marriage. My two sisters, Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Wootton, 20 shillings each. My son-in law, Timothy Sacheverell. Poor of Budley, I3evon, where I was born, 20s., poor of New Sarum, 40s. The residue to my friends and executors, Mr. John Strick- land, of the Close of Sarum, clerk, the aforesaid Malachi Dewdney and Timothy Sacheverell, and William Stone, of New Sarum, Gent. Witnesses, Richard Combe, John powell, John Vining and Ambrose Ringwood.
(P. C. C. 285 Brent.)
Children of Johx and (Dewdnp:y) Conant: —
J. John.
Samuel, b. 1(527. He was a(hnitted into Emanuel College
Cambi'idge, 15 Jan., 1645-(j; appointed by Board of Visi- tors, Fellow of Exeter Coll., Oxford, 20 July, 1648; B. A. 26 May, 1649; allowed to incept 29 Apr., 1652; M. A. and B. D. 8 Apr., 16.57.* In 1().")7 ho was one of the Proctors of the
1657.
University. Professor liurrows states that he was a delegate of Visitors, 1649, Imt therein seems to confound Sanniel with his cousin, Jf)hn, then Rector of Exeter.t He was removed from his Fellowship l()62; ])resented by the University to the Rectory of Brown Candover, Hants; was Chaplain to Dr. Reynolds, Bishop of Norwich. In 1662 he was instituted
* Boase's Reg. Col. Exon.
t Burrows' Register of the Parliamentary Visitors, p. 501.
68 THE CONANT FAMILY
Rector of Litchet Matravers, Dorset, on the expulsion of Thomas Eowe for non-conformity. In 1673 he was presented to the Rectory of Child Ockford, Dorset; and in 1704 or 1705 to the Rectory of Holy Trinity, Dorchester, which he re- signed 1706. On Jan. 24, 1695, he was elected Rector of Exe- ter College, by the votes of five Fellows who had been expelled for adhering to Dr. Arthur Bury, but never got possession. (See Boase's Re(j. Col. Exon. ; Cassan's Bishops of Salhhury, iii. 149; Wood's Life, p. exx., Athenae, iv. 397; Hut chins' Dorset, iii. 333, 334, iv. 84.) As is learned from a contemj)orary letter, he d. 18 Nov., 1719, having been Rector of Litchet Matravers for 57 years. He left £10 towards build- ing a front gate for Exeter Col., and some books to the College Library, among which is an annotated copy of Prince's Worthies of Devon. He was buried 21 Xov., 1719, in Litchet Matravers churchyard, where his tomb still exists. The tombstone bears a coat of arms (gules, ten billets or) and a long inscription in Latin. Richard, living 1677. (See will of Roger Conant. ) K. Malachi.
A daughter, name unknown, who married Timothy Sacheverell. Sarah, b. about 1637, in Lymington, Somersetshire, and d. 31 Aug., 1719. On 22 Mch., 1664-5, license was granted for her marriage with "Thomas Rowe, of Badcome, co. Somerset, clerk, bachelor, about 30;" she was then of Litchet Matra- vei's. He is probably the same Thomas Rowe who was ex- pelled from the Rectory of Litchet Matravers, co. Dorset, in 1662, for non-conformity. They had several children, among whom were: —
John, who was an "upholsterer" of London.
Samuel.
Thomas. Two very interesting letters written by him have been preserved. They are written on one large sheet of pa- per which is now in possession of Hon. Zalmon A. Storrs, of Hartford, Conn., and are here given in full:
Lichet, May 1.3, 1721. Dear Cousin Exercise Conant: I rejoice to hear by yr son's Letter yt you are yet in ye land of ye living and with yr son Josiah since ye death of yr dear wife. Tis a mercy yt you have such a son to be a comfort to ye in your old age. I'm pleased to hear yt ye things I sent you some years since came safe to yr hand and was of such singular use and sei'vice to you. My good old Uncle Conant (who bore a part in yt present to you) is now safe in Glory at ye age of above 91 wn. he departed this Life, as is my good hond mother too. I pray God I may follow both their pious steps who thro' faith and patience are now inheriting ye promises. My mother was near abt yt age when siie died. I hope God will in mercy continue yr Life to a good old age: and yt twill be rendered to ye last comfoi-table to you. You
IN ENGLAND. 69
have experieucL'il (Jod'.s greiit care and guoihius.s all your life long hitherto and I hope he will not fail you to the last, but be ye strength of ye Heart evii when ye Heart and strength is ready to fail you, and also l)c yr i)ortion forever. Another Relative oi ours Mr. Conant who was minister of Pool in this country is suddenly dead too since my uncle Conant: who has left a widow and (5 or 7 children. So death is at work we see every where abt. us is a loud call to us to be also ready and to see yt ye sting of death in particular be taken away and yt wn our turn conies to pass throu' ye vnlley of death we need feer no HI. I have not heard from Dr. John Conant lately, but I hear he is indiffert well. One of my Brothers now in this country joins with me in wishing you and yours all Health and Happiness and tendering our kind Respects & Service to you »&c. with wh desiring yr. Prayers, concludes in great Haste from
Yr most Affectionate and truly
loving Kinsman and Sei'vt
TllOS. ROAVE.
Directed ffor Mr. Exercise Conant at Mr. Josiah Conants at Windham in Xew England.
Lichet, May 13, 1721.
Dear Cousin Josiah Conant : Yours bearing date Sep. 12, 1720, came safe to my hands tho' twas not rightly directed for my brother John (ye upholster) lives at ye sign of ye Angel by ffleet ditch near ffleet Bridge, Londn, and so any Letter for ye future will come to us. I wondered for a great while yt no letter came from you or yr ffather to give an account of ye Recept of those things yt wex-e sent some years since which made me fear either ye things never came to hand or yt else my good old cousin yr. ffather was not in ye Land of ye living, but I learn to my great satisfaction yt both of ym are not so : wch. I am glad of. My cousin yr ffather I find reed all ye particulars of ye Things wch. I sent Him & there was no mistake neither as to ye Persn. from whose Hands He had ym. for (ye parcell of things being so small) I desired a ffriend of mine in London to send ym for me in his things to Mr. Pitt his correspondent wch accordingly he did and delivered ym as desired safe ye same to yr ffather. I chose this way of sending not knowing whether your ffather might be liv- ing, for no letter had come over ffrom him for a great while before: But I'm glad to hear he is still alive and with you I hope in tolerable good health foi- his great Age. I did not know as I remember yt you had Imried yi- mother before ye last made mention of it. I dont remend)er yt I've either heard from you or writ to you since ye death of my good old mother and Uncle, who departed this Life ye first of ym on the last day of Augst & ye other on Nov. 18th 1719: they both lived to a good old age viz. my uncle above 91 and my
70 THE CON ANT FAMILY
mother was 82 years of Age. My brother Samuel enjoys not his Health very well by reasu. of an xVstma and dropsy & so proposes to lead for ye future a county Life somewhere in these parts— but my other Bro. John lives as I mentioned above in London. Im at present here yet in this country but propose in some little time to return to London where I have Lodgings: for I'm not yet married: Di-. Conant lives still at Kidlington near Oxford. I suppose you know he has buried his wife some years since. His two Brothers lived both of ym in London who were all pretty well when I heard from ym last. You don't mention cousn in yr last what Business at present you follow and wt yr family consists of &c. wch I should be glad to know. I send this under cover to Dr. Cot- ton Mather according to yr order. You will remember me I hope very kindly to all Eelatves as if particularly named and I hope we shall mutually share in each others Prayers & of- ten meet yt way at ye throne of Grace. I am (being in Great Haste) Dear Cousin
Yr most Affectionate & Truly
loving Kinsman and Servt.
Titos. Eoave.
F. Mary* {Hichard, liichanl, John), baptized at East Budleigh 20 Jan., 1617-8. She came to New England and m. at Salem, 12 April 1641, Hilliard Verin. He was son of Philip Verin, of Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, and baptised there 3 Mch., 1621-2. He came to New" England with his father in 1635; joined the first church of Salem 1648, and was chosen deacon 1680. He was clerk of writs for Essex co. for several years. In Oct., 1663, was appointed by the General Court, commissioner of customs to enforce the observance of the Navigation Act in Salem, Marblehead and Gloucester. May 18, 1664, he was chosen ensign of the Salem foot company. During the last twenty-five years of his life he performed the duties of clerk of writs, clerk of courts, register of deeds, register of probate and collector of customs. The first books of the Probate Records of Essex co. are in his hand- writing, and besrin in 1671. About 1650 he built the house later known as the Henfield house, which stood l)ack of the old First Meet- ing House at Salem, and which was taken down when the Eastern Railroad tunnel was constructed about 1839. He d. 20 Dec, 1683, and was buried in the Charter street burying ground, where his grave-stone still stands. Mary Verin sur- vived her husband.
IN ENGLAND. 71
Children of Hili.iaim) and Mauy (Conant) Vekix: —
M;u-y, b. 15 Feb., 1(141; in. li \\n:, 1602, Samuel, son of George Williams, of Salem. Children:— Sanmel, b. 26 Dec, 1662, d. y.; Sanuiel, b. 21 Nov., 16()4; Mary, b. 7 Mch., 1667, d. y.; Ilil- liard, b. 26 Dec, 1668; George, b. 12 Feb., 1670, d. y.; Sarah, b. 15 July, 1672; Mary, b. 27 Nov., 1674, d. y.; Richard, b. 8 Mch., 1679; jSIary, b. 2 ]Mch., 1681; Joshua, b. May, 1688; Nathaniel, b. 25 Jan., 1687.
Deliverance, b. 28 Feb., 1644; (ni. Benjamin Miii-slon, 'I'heir son, Benjamin, graduated at Harvard College, l(i8!), and was a prominent merchant of Salem; his s(m, IJenjaniin, was Sheriff of Essex, Justice of the Court of Ccmnnon Pleas, and frequently Deputy to the General Court?)
Hilliard, b. Apr., 1649; in. 4 May, 1670, Hannah, dr. of Walter Price. He was a merchant of Earbadoes and was lost at sea between Nov., 1679, and June, 1680, leaving children.
Sarah, b. ; m. 9 Dec, 1678, Deliverance, son of Elias Park- man, who d. 1681. She d. 14 Jan., 1687. Children:— Deliver- ance, b. 10 Jan., 167(), d. aged 5; Sarah, b. 29 July, l(i7S; Verin, b. 15 Feb., 1681.
Dorcas ?
Abigail?
G. Richard'* {liichard, Jilchard, John), baptized 10 Feb., lG21-'2, at East Budleigh. He graduated B. A. at Emanuel College, Cambridge, 1645. During the Commonwealth he was probably settled in the parish of Otterton. Dr. Oliver (£Jc- clesiastical Antiquities of Devo?i) states that Kichard Venne, Vicar of Otterton from 6 Dec, 1625, was buried 28 June, 1GG2, and adds, " Of Venue's barbarous treatment for his loyalty, for the sequestration of his living and the intrusion of one Conant, see pages 386-7, part 2, of Walker's Sufferings.'''' Walker re- lates that the Parliamentary Committee sequestered the living and ordei'ed a "Troop of Horse to give Mr. Conant, whom they had aj)pointed to succeed him [Venne] Induction to, and Possession of, the Living," and adds that Venne lived to re- possess his Vicarage after the Restoration, and recover the fifths from Mr. Conant, " who could not forbear discovering how loath he was to pay them by throwing the money uj)on the Floor. At which 'Sir. Venne, smiling, said, 'Well, well, I will take the pains to pick it up.'" The conduct of Mr. Co- nant in this matter seems rather childlike, but religious l)reju- dice was strong and party feeling violent in those days.
72 THE CONANT FAMILY
Some years later Mr. Couant must have conformed to the Established Church, for he succeeded Henry Evans as Vicar of East Budleigh 17 July, 1672, on presentation of Richard Duke, Esq., of Otterton. The sureties of his Composition Bond were Thomas Duke, of the parish of St. Peter le Poer, London, merchant, Richard Neve, of London, merchant, and Henry Austin, of Clifford's Inn, gent.
From this time till his death his name is frequently men- tioned in the church-warden accounts. During the year end- ing Apr. 20, 1674, there was paid lOd. "for a booke for Mr.
1674.
Conant to register gift money;" and 5s. "for an order from the Bishop for Mrs. Conant's seat." At this time there was a controversy about the seat of the Vicar's wife. It seems that the use of the pew in the chancel, occupied by the wives of former Vicars, was denied to Mrs. Conant, whereupon the Vicar made complaint to the Bishop who ordered that certain pews erected without license should be removed, and "that a seate bee therein erected accordingly for the use of your said Vicars wife, and to bee continued henceforward for the use of the Vicars wives of the said Parish of East Budleigh afore- said successively." This order, dated July 17, 1673, was directed to John Upham and Abram Bollen, church-wardens. Other items from the accounts are : Apr. 5, 1675 (year end- ing), "paid Mr. Conants expenses at the Visitation, 8s. 2d." Apr. 1, 1678, i-eceived for "burling Mrs. Conant in the Church 6s. 8d.," and " laid out by Mr. Conant on travelers, 4d." " Sep. 25, 1680. Then collected Li the p'rish of East Budleigh In the County of Devon ffrom house To house ffor the Generall Redemption of Captives. The sum off three pounds fifteen shillings and sixpence witness our names subscribed. Richard Conant, Vicar, John Channon Jun. and Zachens Simnis, War-
IN ENGLAND. 73
dens." During the year ending April 1, 1689, 6s. Sd. was received "for Mr. Conants Kuriell in the Church."* He was huried at East Budk'igh, 6 Dec, 16S8.
A1J8TKACT OF THE WILL OF RICHARD CON ANT.
Richard Conant, minister, of East Budleigli; dated 29 Sept., 1088; proved 15 Feb., 1('>88-!), in the Principal Registry at Exeter. To the Poore of this parish 40s.; to the poore of the Parish of Witt iconic Rawleigh 10s. To luy (Jodsonne and grandcliild John Mercer 20s. To my grandchild Malachy Mercer 5s.; to my granddaughter Jael Mercer 5s. : to be paid to their parents. To dear daughter Mary Mercer one feather bed performed: that is to say A Bed and bolster and two pillows, one pair good sheets and pillowties and the Rugg and Blanket thereunto be- longing. The oaken chest that stands in the middle chamber. Two green window cushions that doe ly in the great Island chest in my chamber. One black forreld bound in quarto writ- ten by Mr. Baxter entitled A Saint or a Bruto which stands in the upper shelfe of the middle row of bookes in my study. To my dear sister Mrs. Mary Veren of Salem, in New England (if she be living at the time of my decease) another book of Mr. Baxter's in quarto with blew leaves entitled the Life of Faith. To servant Martha Margary £3. To her sister Jane Clappe of Otterton 5s. 8d., and to Mr. Archelaus Achcot and his wife 6s. All the I'est to my dear sonne John Conant whom I make exec- utor. Witnesses, Richard Upham, senior, Thomas Saunders, and Richard Upham, junior.
(Signed) Richard Conant. (seal)
Books valued at £40 by Charles Tarlton, Rector of Bicton, and Thomas Upton, Curate of Withycombe Rawleigh. Total value of estate £122 :]s. (kl.
He m. 1st, Priscilla who was buried at Woodbury 5
Mch., 1651, and 2nd, 1654,t Mary who was buried at East
Budleigh 14 Feb., 1677.
Child of lliniAUD and Priscilla ( ) Conant: —
John (probal)ly son of the first wife), the executor of his fat her's will. In 1(504 Abraham Bollen was one of the church- wardens of East Budleigh, as "Debuty for ]\Ir. Jno. Conant." lie ])r()bably left descendants.
Children of Kiciiaku and Mauv ( ) Conant: —
Elizabeth, bapt. 7 May, lilOO, at E. Ihidleigh.
* These facts from the church-warden accounts are furnishej by the kindness of T. N. Brushfield, M. D., of Budleigh-Salterton.
t Polwhele's iTiit. of Devonshire, Vol. ii, p. 231.
74 THE CONANT FAMILY
Richard, bapt. G Jan., 1663, at E. Budleigli.
Mary, bapt. 5 Sept., 1668, at E. Budleigli; m. at E. Budleigli, 7
July, 1681, John Mercer, gent., and had John, Malachi and
Jael.
H. John* {Bobert, Richard, John) h. 18 Oct., 1608, at Yeatenton, in Bicton parish, Devonshire. At an early age, having shown a desire and a]»titude for study, his uncle, Rev. John Conant, of Lyniington, Somersetshire, took charge of his education, first placing him in the free school at Ilchester, and afterwards under the tuition of Mr. Thomas Branker, a learned schoolmaster in the neighborhood. In Lent term, 1626, his uncle took him to Oxford and entered him of Exeter College, placing him under the charge of Lawrence Bodley, B. D., nephew of Sir Thomas Bodley, founder of the Bodleian Li- brary. He was matriculated 18 Feb,, 1626-7; B. A. 26 May, 1631; allowed to incept 12 Jan., 1684-5; M. A. and B. D. 29 May, 1654.* He applied himself diligently to his studies and in a short time became known as one of the shrewdest dispu- tants in his college, then one of the most celebrated in the University. He soon became proficient in Latin and Greek, and his knowledge of the latter was so perfect that he was able to dispute publicly in that language in the schools. These ac- complishments brought him to the notice of Dr. John Prideaux, then Regius Professor of Divinity, whose saying '■'■ Conanti, nihil est difficile,^'' gives evidence of his high o])inioii of him.
He was chosen Probationer June 30, 1632, and actual Fel- low of Exeter College July 3, 1633. For the next ten years his time was fully occupied with his duties as Fellow and tutor, and in the study of the Oriental languages. "He became pro- ficient in Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldee and Arabic. All of which he thought necessary to a thoi-ough understanding of the scrip- tures. Nor was there any man of his time more remarkable for being a solid and sound expositor, or for clearing the true sense of such texts as were niisinter})reted by the Socinians and other heretics." f
In 1642, owing to the troubles of the civil war, he was
* Boase's Reg. Col. Exon. t Biographia Britannica.
REV. JOHN CONANT, D. D., Rector of Exeter College and Vice Chancellor of Oxford University.
IN ENGLAND. 75
obliged to leave the University, leaving there a large library, which was stolen during his absence.
Before leaving Oxford he had taken Deacon's orders, and finding that his uncle had been driven from his living at Lyni- ington, he ]»erformed his duties for him until he also was obliged to leave the ])ai"ish. He then joined his uncle in Lon- don and assisted him in his ])astoral duties at St. Botolph's, Aldersgate.
About this time he was offered and accepted the position of domestic chaplain in the family of Lord Chandos, where he re- mained until elected Rector of Exeter College. During his stay at Harefield, or ILirvill, the home of Lord Chandos, he gained the esteem of the family and others by his piety, learn- ing and exemplary life. I lis salary, though small, was largely exj)ended in charity; and his labors were not confined to the household, for he preached regularly at L^xbridge, the neigh- boring market town, where great numbers came to hear him. In 1647 he was called upon to relinquish his Fellowship or to sign the CoA^enant and submit to the Parliamentary Visitation. His resignation in the College Register bears date at Harefield, Sejit. '27, l(i47. This he })referred rather than "abjure the good order that was established in this church ever since the Reformation, and was })erfecte(l under Queen Elizabeth."*
In the sjjring of 1649, the Rectory of Exeter College be- came vacant by the death of Dr. George Ilakewill, and on the 7th of June Mr. Con ant was chosen to that office, and ad- mitted the 29th of the same month. At this time he must have signed the Covenant, which he had before refused. Con- temporary judgment might, in this course, accuse Mr. Conant of self-interest, but we may safely follow the opinion of an emi- nent Oxford Professor t of to-(hiy, who says:
"As Ills whole conduct !ic(iuits him of self-seeking", we nuist suppose lie felt that matters had now gone too far to justify him in declining to do the work to which he had been calli'd by those who knew him best. The points of difference which agi-
* /,(/<? o/ the Rev. John Conant, D. D.
t Register of the Visitors of the University of Oxford, 1647-1638. By Montagu Bur- rows, Chichele Professor of Modern History.
76 THE CONANT FAMILY
tated religious men at this time were not so clear as they now seem to us, nor did they always obscure the honest judgment of strong and decided High Churclmien in relation to the actors in these scenes. The famous Robert Nelson was well ac- quainted with all the facts about Conant, yet he calls him 'a great man, who encouraged learning during his government, and gave an example of piety to those under his care.'* There is nothing excei)t the pronounced Calvinism of Prideaux' earlier works to distinguish the theological principles of that divine from those of Eeynolds and Conant. All three of them, acknowledged to be among the most learned men of their day, l)elieved that they represented the Primitive Church and the Elizabethan Establishment. Two of them were bishops, one an archdeacon. Yet the first, strenuously resisting the Laudian theology, but accepting (in some sense) the Divine right of Kings and Bishops, threw himself, in spite of the persecutions he had undergone from Charles and J^aud, into the cause of Church and King, and died a martyr for his principles: the second, unable to accept the claims of the English Episcopate, joined the Parliament in the Great liebellion, but giving up all wlien his King was dead, rather than put his hand to the ' En- gagement' which postulated a Commonwealth, gradually returned to Church and King: the third, agreeing more nearly with Reynolds than with Prideaux on questions of Church and State, yet too much attached to the Constitution to join the Parliamentarians during either their war or their victory, was ready, when things had gone so far that nothing else could be done, to co-operate with them in working the institutions which he was summoned to administer. On the other hand, he car- ried his objections to the re-organization of the Church at the Restoration further than Reynolds. Though heartily working with him for that great event, connected with him by marriage, standing by his side at the Savoy Conference, and offered 'an ecclesiastical dignity, supposed to be the Bishojiric of Exeter,' he again preferred to give up everything rather than confoi'm, taking his place among the Philip Henrys, and that numerous moderate section of Presbyterians who were Churchmen in everything but the recognition of English Episcopacy. His mind would seem to have been an essentially practical one, agreeing on this point, no dovd)t, with Stillingtleet and Rey- nolds, wlio are reported to have held that 'no Church-govern- ment is determined in the word of Cod, but is variable as occasion requireth.' It took ten yeai's to convince him that the Church, as settled at the Restoration, unsatisfactorily as he thought, had attained that staliility wliich gave a promise of national acceptance. Following much the same course of anx- ious inquiry as before, when he joined the Xon-conformists, he
* Life of Bull, Works, Vol. vii., p. lo.
IN ENGLAND. 77
at last made u]» liis iniiid, in l(i7(), to rojoin the Communion in wliich he had formerly ministiMvd so successfully. Some years later he became Archdeacon of Norwich and Prelx'ndary of "Worcester, dyinj; in old ay;e, admired and beloved for his Apos- tolical simplicity and devotion, 'a worthy niendjer of the Church of Eny;land.'*"
When he assumed the Ivectorship, he found the College ijreatly in debt and the number of students much reduced; but by his tjood manaoement the debt was soon discharged and the numlier of students largely increased; indeed, it is said that : " Exeter College flourished so much under the gov- ernment of Mr. Conant, that the students were many more than could be lodged within the walls ; they crowded in here from all parts of the nation, and some from beyond the sea, where the fame of Exeter College discipline had reached."t His system of government was truly paternal and, no doubt, fitted to the times. We are told that "his first and chief care was to ]»lant the fear of God in the y<mth there, to see that they had well laid the foundation of sincere piety and true re- ligion. * * * The public prayers in the College chaj)el, he would constantly attend u|)on, whatever other business he neg- lected, and was strict in obliging the whole College to a constant attendance. * * * He took care that the inferior servants of the College * * * should be instructed in the principles of the Christian Religion, and would sometimes catechize them in his own lodgings. * * * He looked strictly himself to the keeping u]» all exercises, and would often step into the hall, in the midst of their lectures and dis- putations, to see that they were jierformed with that accuracy and exactness as they ought to be. * * * He would often go into the chambers and studies of the young scholars, ob- serve what books they were reading, and reprove them if he found them turning over any modern authors, and sent them to Tully, that great master of Roman eloquence, to learn the true and genuine propriety of that language. Such as were idle, or of sus})ected morals, were sure to have his company very often, especially at late hours; and he would admonish
* Life of Bull. t Life of Conant.
78 THE CONANT FAMILY
such to keep company with none but those he should recom- mend, which ahvays were such whose k^arning and virtuous inclinations had distinguished them in the house, and who might be a check to them as well as a guide."*
Soon after he was settled as Rector, he was in danger of los- ing this, and all other public employment, through his refusal to take the " Engagement." Time was given for him to recon- sider, and it is evidence of the high appreciation in which he was held, that accompanying his acceptance he was allowed to lodge a protest, as follows: "Being required to subscribe, I humbly premise : I. That I be not hereby understood to ap- prove of what hath been done in order unto, or under this present government, or the government itself; nor Avill I be thought to condemn it ; they being things above my reach, and I not knowing the grounds of the proceedings, II. That I do not bind myself to do anything contrary to the word of God. III. That I do not so herel>y bind myself; but that if God shall remarkably call me to sul)mit to any other power, I may be at liberty to obey that call notwithstanding the })resent engagement. lY. In this sense and in this sense only I do promise to be true and faithful to the present government, as it is now established, without King or House of Lords." f
As Rector of Exeter College, he was Vicar of Kidlington, a large parish near Oxford, where he preached regularly twice every Sunday, for a while, but later nominated a curate. Be- sides attending to his regular duties, he preached very fre- quently in the three j)arishes adjoining Exeter College. At All Saints church he preached at seven o'clock every Friday morning for more than ten years ; at St. Michael's almost every Sunday; and at St. ]\Iary Magdalen's at four o'clock in the afternoon every other Sunday during the summer months.
On Oct. 28, 1652, he was ordained Priest at Salisbury, and May 29, 1654, was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Divin- ity. In Dec, 1654, on the death of Dr. Hoyle, Dr, Conant became Regius Professor of Divinity. His lectures while he occupied this chair "were received with the general approba-
* Life of Conajii.
t See Prince's IVorthies.
IN ENGLAND. 79
tion of the learned," and he was urged by many to publish them, but could never be induced to do so. In 1655 he had a presentation to the IJec-tory of Ewelme, in Oxfordshire, but as he was already Hector of Kidlington, refused it. In 1657, however, he accepted the imjiropriate Rectory of Abergeley, in Denbighshire, which he held till 1660.
From 1651 till 1657 he was one of the "Board of Visitors" established by the Long Parliament for the regulation of the University, and continued l)y Cromwell. Indeed, he was ap- pointed a delegate to the first l^oard of Visitors in Sept., 1647, only a few days after he had i-esigned his Fellowshij), l)ut did not serve till 1651, in which year his signature is first found in the Visitors' Register. The fact that Dr. Conant was one of the Parliamentary Visitors of Oxford is nowhere mentioned in his Life. His son, writing at a time when eveiy act of Crom- well or the Puritans was looked upon as odious, shrunk from mentioning it ; but Dr. Conant bore himself in this position, as in others, in a manner which commends itself to all impar- tial observers.
On October 5, 1657, Dr. Conant was appointed, by Richard Cromwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and
18 Nov., 1657.
admitted on the 9th of the same month. His service in this honorable office continued till August^ 1660, and in it he exercised "the most beneficial influence"* during a most try- ing period. " LTpon his receiving the insignia of that office, laid down by Dr. Owen, there was such a universal shout of a very full convocation, as has hardly ever been known on the like occasion. This was owing to the general esteem the Uni- versity had for him, -and to their expectation of something extraordinary from his government. Nor did he disappoint their hopes. The first Lent he made a sur])rising reform in their public disputations, which for some years had been man-
* Prof. Burrows' Introduction to the Register of the Visitors.
80 THE CONANT FAMILY
aged with such vehemeney and disorder as had created several unhappy divisions in the University. By degrees he so cor- rected these disorders, and prevailed upon the philosophical gladiators, that they were willing to be reduced to a just tem- per. * * * He used frequently to take his rounds at late hoiirs to ferret out the young students from public and sus- pected houses. It was not the quality or degree of the persons taken in these circuits that would excuse them to the Vice- Chancellor, who could not Ijetray the trust which the Univer- sity had deposed in him, or wink at what was punishable by the Statutes."* In 1659 he was largely instrumental in pre- venting the establishment of a college at Durham, a movement in which Cromwell had been deejjly interested, which at that time would have been a serious injury to the old Universities. During the same year the Selden collection of books was added to the Bodleian Library largely through his influence.
On the restoration of King Charles the second, the Univer- sity sent a de])utation, at the head of which was Dr. Conant, to London, to present an Address of Welcome and volume of poems to the King. His Latin speech to His Majesty on this occasion is unfortunately lost, but his Latin poem has been preserved and a copy of the verses is here given :
AD SEKENISSIMUM KEGEM.t Accipe ])acato, ])rincips celissime vultus. Quae tibi dat tremula, Musa togata manu.
* Life of Conant.
t The following translation of the verses is taken from Biographia Britannica, Vol. 3, p. 1437, Edition 1750:
TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY.
Kindly accept, that tribute, best of Kings,
The college muse, with trembling rev'rence brings,
The first essays of her unpractis'd song.
Whom war's harsh clamour doom'd to silence long.
But, now reviv'd, the lamps of learning burn.
And, arts returning, wait on thy return.
Heav'n has thy rights restor'd; do thou restore
The rights of heav'n ! religion's sacred power !
Return the sceptre God bestows again,
And Charles reigning; let his Maker reign.
Thrice happy Britons, whom you thus shall sway,
And only rule that they may Christ obey.
Our slaughter's past, no longer we deplore.
Nor ills regret that such a Prince restore.
IN ENGLAND. 81
Prima oft'i-iKsaiitis capias toiitainiiia linguae, Qiuenou ansa din, inartc strc])ente, lo(jvii. Jam solitos rescisse modus patiare Camaeiias, Agnoscuiit artcs, te redeunte, siias. Quji? tua siiut c'(L'lum tibi reddidit; ipse vieissim Jam eado reddas, Carole magne, sua: Sceptra Deo tradas, ilium regnare jubeto, Inelyte rex, (|uo tu sceptra jubente tenes. O ter felices, te sic regnante, Britannos, Christus ut enu'iu'at, tcMpu- regente regat! I])sa sibi tristes gratabitur Anglia elades, Peusari tanto qute [)Otuere bono.
On the '25th of March, lOGl, the King appointed a commis- sion, known as the Savoy Conference, for the review of the Book of Common Prayer. Dr. Conant was one of this com- mission on the Puritan side, as was also Dr. Reynolds, whose daughter he had married. Upon the ])assage of the Act of Uniformity he refused to conform, and thereui)on lost the llec- tory of Exeter College, which was pronounced vacant Sep. 1, 16G2. And now, though he was offered "an ecclesiastical dignity of considerable note," supposed to be the Bishopric of Exeter, he resolved to consider coolly and carefully what line of conduct to adopt, whether to conform or to remain firm in his present conduct. He therefore studied the whole contro- versy relating to conformity, and having decided on his course was reordained on Sept. 28, 1670, by Dr. Reynolds, Bisho}) of Norwich. Being now qualified for public service, he was nom- inated to the Vicarage of All Saints in the town of North- ampton, where he had lived for some years, and was instituted on the 15th Feb., 1670-1. In 1675 the town of Northampton was almost entirely destroyed l)y fire, though his house was unhai-nu'd. A very interesting account of the fire, which is too long to reproduce, is given in his Life ; the original letter is ])reserved in the l^odleian Library at Oxford.
As to his ministerial labors, it is said that in preailiiiig he avoided "rhetorical flowers, lofty e])ithets, j»omi)ous (piotations, ttc, always esteeming it the truest rhetorick in the church to
82 THE CONANT FAMILY
S2)eak a language different from that of the schools, to deliver God's word in his own phrase to the capacity of common hearers. In the pul]»it he rarely touched upon curious and disputable questions of divinity, but applied himself in earnest to the inculcating the substantials of religion; those solid truths which all sides agree in, and which every Christian ought to know and understand. Though he rarely made cere- monious visits, none visited the sick oftener than he did. In his visits to the sick, where he found any of them indigent and necessitous, he Avould alwa3's liberally bestow his relief. His skill in casuistical divinity was so very singular, that strangers came to him from distant parts, and he leceived several letters from foreigners to remove their inward troubles, and to solve cases of conscience."
On the 8th of June, 1676, he was installed Archdeacon of Xorwich, and discharged the duties of this office as long as his health would permit. The beautiful descrij)tion of charity which follows is taken from his farewell address to the clergy of his Archdeaconry:
"He that would successfully promote the salvation of souls, should be a ])erson of universal charity. By which I under- stand not such a large and unlimited charity as should dispose him to think well of the s])iritual estate of all men ; that were charity mistaken and misplaced, many were so bad and so apjtarently wicked and ungodly, that no such charity is due to them, or can warrantabl\- be exercised towards them. The Word of God represents the condition of such as most dan- gerous and fearful, and thei'efore we cannot judge otherwise of them, if we frame our judgment according to the Scrii)tures, which give us the rules and assign the measures of our charity. By an universal charity, therefore, I understand a love of be- nevolence and goodAvill towards all men, an unfeigned desire of the good of all, with a readiness of mind to do what in us lies for j)romoting the good of all, the happiness and welfare of all, both temporal and eternal. Such a charity, I mean, as makes us glad of op])ortunities of ])erforming offices of love to all, even to the worst, to the most wicked and profligate among men, as well as to the best, to enemies as well as friends; to
IN ENGLAND. 83
such ;is ha\ e liiH'ii most \c\;itit)iis .-iiid in jiirioiis in llicir c:ir- ri:is;H' towards us, as wril as to such as have been kind and beneficial tons. Such a chai-ily, 1 mean, as makes us wiilinu; and ready u]ion all occasions to lend our helji ami best assist- ance to all that may stand in need thereof; as makes us always ready and willinu' to i-eliew them that an; in want accordino' to our ability, t<i counsel and advise sucii as need our help that way, to instnu-t the iiiiioi-ant, to reduce the erroneous, to i-e- claiin the \icious, to strenu,then and su|)])oi't the weak, to settle and establisli the waxeiann', to succour and uphold the tein))ted, to resolve tlie doubtful, to disentangle the scruiudous, to <|uiet ami satisfy the troubled, to comfort the sorrowful, to symjiathi/.e with others in every condition, mourninu' with them that mourn ami rejoiciuii,- with them that rejoice.'"
On Nov. 17, 1(>S1, he was ajjpointed by King- Charles II. (see 46th Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Pul)lie Records, p. 4U), and installed Dec. 3rd of the same year, a Prebendary of Worcester. This preferment came to him wholly unsought, and was procured by the Ear! of Raihior, who, it is said, rec- ommended him to the King in these words: "Sir, I come to beg a preferment of you for a very deserving man, who did never beg anything for himself.'"
In his personal conduct Dr. Conant pi-acticed the virtues he constantly preached. His charity was great; no one seeking assistance was turned away from his door without relief, for he l)elieved it bettei- to give to nine undeserving beggars rather than to let one honest indigent ))ei-son suffer. At Northamp- ton, for twenty years, he constantly furnished the means whereby never less than twenty, and sometimes as many as forty, poor children received an elementary education ; and these childi'en were placecl in the families of needv widows so that the money exjtended foi' them might indirectly helj> others also.
He was small in stature, and, though of a delicate constitution by his temperate course of life, his senses were preserved even in extreme age, except that by constant study he lost his eye- sight seven years before his death.
The modesty of Dr. Conant was so great that he could not
84
THE CON ANT FAMILY
be prevailed upon to publish either his lectures or sermons, thoiigh repeatedly urged to do so. Six volumes of his sermons, preached (biring the latter ])art of his life, have, however, been published, and thirty manuscript volumes of sermons are pre- served in the Bodleian Library. The following of his sermons have been published: Vol. I., Svo., London, 1693, edited by Dr. John Williams, contains eleven sermons, with a dedication by Dr. Conant to the inhabitants of Northampton. Vol. II., 8vo., London, 1697, edited by Dr. John Williams, Bishop of Chichester, contains fifteen sermons. Vol. III., London, 1698, edited by Dr. Williams, contains fourteen sermons. Vol. IV., London, 1703, by the same editor, contains thirteen sermons. Vol. v., London, 1708, by the same editor, contains fourteen sermons. Vol. VI., Oxford, 172*2, edited by Digby Coates, M. A., Principal of Magdalen Hall, contains thirteen sermons.
Dr. Conant died 12 Mch., 1693-4, and was buried in All Saints Church, Northampton. At the east end of the church, on the north side of the entrance into the chancel, is a white marble monument, supported by two pillars of the Ionic order, bearing the following inscription :
(Ar)Hs: Conant, impdU/iff Reynolds.)
Hie juxta requiescit
Johannes Conant, S. T. P.
E Devonia ortus,
Apud Oxoniensis enutritus:
Ibidem Collegii Exoniensis Hector,
IN ENGLAND. 85
Academuii Professor Regius,
Et tertio N'ice-cnncellarius ;
Collegio \:ile(lixit anno 1662:
Postea
Arcliuliaeomis Norvicensis,
Eeclesiae Vigornieiisis Prebendarius,
Et liujus Ecclesije Vicarius.
Vir oniniljus liisee muneribus,
(Quonim nulhini ambivit, phira refugit)
Par et su])erior.
Doctrina, Moril)us, I'ietate, non minus quani aniiis,
Consummatus, obiit
Anno tetatis sua? 86, Domini 1693,
Mensis Martii die 12 mo.
Elizabetha Uxor maistiss : Viro charissimo
Hoc marmor, amoris et observantiie ergo,
Posuit.
ABSTRACT OF THE WILL OF DR. JOHN CONAXT.
Will dated 4 Oct., 1093; proved 19 May, 1694. To wife Mrs. Elizabeth Conant, Edward Reynolds, of Kingsthorp, co. North- anii)ton, D. I)., and son .John Conant, of Kidlington, co. Oxon, Dr. of Laws, all my lands in Kingsthorp, Long Buckby and Qninton, co. Xorthampton, in trust for wife for life, and to pay £400 each to daughter Francis and son Edward within 12 months from my decease. Also £400 to son Robert 3 months after he shall come out of his apprenticeship. All these sums to be over and above my children's legacies under the wills of their grandfather and grandmother Reynolds. To son John Conant, LL. D., my lands, etc., in co. Norfolk, holden of the Bishop of Norwich by lease for three lives, whereof I have al- ready made a settlement. To son Payntor, and my daughters Dix and King and their husbands, £."j each for mourning. My • wife executrix. £5 to the i)0()r of All Saints, Northanii)(on. Witni'sst's, ,T(»hn Farr, .John Massey and Bridget Shorthand.
(P. C. C. Box 97.)
Dr. Conant married, Aug., 1651, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Rev. Dr. Edward Reynolds, then Rector of Braunston, co. Northaini)ton, afterwards Dean of Christ Church ColIege,Vice- Chancellor of Oxford, and Pishoj) of Norwich.
86 THE CONANT FAMILY
ABSTRACT OF WILL OF ELIZABETH CONANT.
Dated 9 Jan., 1706; proved 2 Dec, 1707. To sou Robert Co- nant £'200 and to his children £5 each. To daughters Mrs. Sarah King and Mrs. Frances Travell £200 each. The four children of my daughter Ti-avell £5 each, and the two children of my daughter Faynter, deceased, £5 each. To my grand- children Mary and Susanna Faynter my great silver salver and cup and other plate. To my son John Conant and his wife, £10 each for mourning. My five other children, Edward Conant, Robert Conant, Elizabeth Dix, Sarah King and Frances Travell £10 each for mourning. My sons-in-law Dr. William Faynter, Mr. Jonathan Dix, Dr. Benjamin King, and Mr. John Travell; and my son Robert's wife £5 each for mourning. Foor of Braunston, co. Northampton, the i)lace of my birth, £5. Foor of Allhallows, in the town of Northampton, where my dear husband was long minister, £5. Foor of Kidlington, co. Oxon, £5. Residue to son John Conant, of Kidlington, LL. D., executor. Witnesses, Elizabeth Williams, Marg. Gregory and Edward Conant.
(F. C. C. Faley, 2.57.)
Children of John and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Conant: —
John, b. 165:1 B. A. of Trinity College, Oxford, 17 Oct.
1678; Fellow of Merton College, Oxford, 167(5; M. A. of Mer- ton, 12 July, 1677; * B. and D. C. L. 22 June, 1683. He settled in Ijondon and became an eminent advocate of Doctor's Commons, but was compelled by delicate health to seek re- tirement in the country. He then settled in Kidlington, co. Oxford, where he died 23 Aug., 1723. t He married Mary Strut, a widow, but left no children. He wrote a life of his father which was published in 1823 under the following title : The I Life | of the 1 Reverend and Venerable | John Conant, D. D., 1 Rector t)f Exeter College, Oxford, Regius Frofessor of I Divinity in tliat University, Archdeacon of Norwich, | Frebendary of Wori-ester, and Vicar of | All Saints, North- ampton, I at the time 1 tliat town was destroyed by flre: I of whicli dreadful catastrophe, a particular account is given, | in a private letter to a friend. | The whole written by his son, | John Conant, LL. D., | and now tirst publislied by the | Rev. William Stanton, M. A. | London: | Frinted for C. and J. Rivington, | St. Faul's Churchyard, | and Waterloo Flace, Fall Mall. | 1823. | A monument to his memory in Kidlington Church says: "Johannes Conant, LL. D., obiit Aug. 2.5, 172.5, tetatis suae 71." The date is evidently a nnstake for 1723. His will is dated 20 Aug., 1723; i)roved 13 Sei)t., 1723 (F. C. C. Rich- mond, 186). To my l)rother Mr. Edward Conant, of London,
* Broderick's Ulerto/i College.
t Hearne's MS. Collections, xcvii. p. 122.
IN ENGLAND. 87
an annuity of £100. SistiT Kin^' an annuity of tlo, if she survive her husl)an(l, Dr. Kinj;'; iier sons Mr. Benjamin King, of Northampton, and Mr. .Jolni King, of (ihnicester, £10 apieee in books out of my study. Cousin Jolm Travell £10 in hooks out of my study; mourning rings to l)rother Travell and his wife; their sister Mrs. Jane Travell, a pair of silver salvers. My cousin Mary Nanson £20, and her sister Warn- ford £20. My eousin Frances I)ix, when she comes out of her time, £20; her brother and sister that are beyond the seas £10 each when they return to England. Dr. Lane, of lian- bury, £2 and a si)ring clock. My brother Mr. Robert Conant, of London, all my real estate and the residue of my personal estate; mourning rhigs to him and his wife. His son John, my godson, £50 and £;J00 in books fi'om my study, proi)ei" for him being designed for the Ministry. To Ann, daughter of my brother Robert, £100, and to her sister Mary my plain sil- ver sugar dish. My three servants that used to constantly attend me, £8 each, and to my housekeeper and her husband, the gardener, £8 each. My other three servants, Ann Nown, Richard Penn ami James Hunt, who have not long lived with me, ;50 shillings each. Poor of Kidlington £10. Every par- ticular in my dear wife's will to be performed. My brother Robert to be executor. Witnesses, John Travell, ffrances Travell, James Wiggington and Lidia Wiggington.
Sanuiel, b. 1(154; d. 1(581.
Mary, b. 1057. She m. 1st, M. Pool, M. D., and 2nd, Rev.
William Paynter, I). D., and had a family. She d. 7 May, 1(598. There is a M. I. to her memory in the parisli chui-cli of Wootton, CO. Nf)rthampton.*
Elizal)eth, b. 1(5.58; d. 1709. She m. 1(382, Jonatiian Dix,
and had a family.
Sarah, b. 1(5(31; d. 17.51. She m. 1684, Rev. Benjamin King, I). D., afterward Rector of All Saints, Northampt<m.
Frances, b. 1(5(57; d. 1757. She m. 1(595, John Ti-avell, Es(i.
Edward, b. 1(5(59; d. 1789. He m. 1(597, Mary Pocock, who
(1. 1G98, and is buried in the church of All Hallows, Jiread Street, London.
I>. Robert, b. 1670.
There were also two sons and two daughters who died young.
I. Richard^ {Itohert^ Rlduird., John)^ horn in Bicton ])ar- ish, where lie lived. When his father died, in KiiiS, he left most of his estate to his son, John Conant, then Fellow of Exeter College, who gave his share to his brother Richard.
He m. at Bicton, 28 Oct., 1641, Joane Co(?)rt, wlio, accord-
* Bridges' Hist, of Northamptonshire.
88 THE CONANT FAMILY
ing to the Rector of the parish, was buried Dec, 1658; but he seems to have mistaken the date 1688 for 16oS. Her will is dated 31 Dec, 1686; proved Feb., 1688-9. She mentions her daughter, Mary Guddridge ; sons, Robert and John Conant; daughters, Joanna and Rebecca Conant; grand-children, John, son of Robert, and Elizabeth, daughter of John. Daughter Joanna executrix. Witnesses, Clement Peryim, .John Tew- leake and Roger Bagwell. He was buried 20 Dec, 1669.
ABSTRACT OF THE WILL OF RICHARD CONAXT.
The Avill of Richard Connantt, of Bicton, co. Devon; dated 11 Xov., 1(5(58; proved Jan., 10(59-70, in the Archidiaconal Coui't of Exeter. To the poor of Bicton. To my daughter Mary, wife of Joseph Gutteridge, of Otterton, £12. To my oldest son Robert Connantt, £12. To my son John Connantt £12. To my son Richard Connantt £12. To my daughter Rebecca Connantt £12. To my daughter Joanna Connantt £12. To my daughter Sarah Connantt £12. To my daughter Susannah Co- nantt £12. Residue to my wife Joan. Witnesses, John Tui*- leak, Richard Upham and Roger Bagwell. Amount of estate, £441 9s. Od.
Children of Richard and Joan ( ) Conant: —
Maria, bapt. 28 Aug., 1(542; m. Joseph (jiutteridge, of Otterton.
Robert, called oldest son in his father's will. He m. 24 Sept., 1(577, Mary Gibbons, of AVoodbury. They had a son, John, bapt. at Woodbury, 30 April, 1679. Administration on his es- tate was granted at the Woodbury Peculiar Court, 1682, to his wife, Marie. William Gibbons and Richard Upham, ap- praisers.
John; m. Maria . He was buried 22 Sep., 1731; adm'(m
granted on his estate July, 1732. Children: i. Elizabeth, bapt. 8 Aug., 1679; ii. Joan, bapt. 5 Mch., 1683; ill. John, bapt. 9 Aug., 1685, m. 9 May, 170(5, Joan Warren, of Sidmouth, and had Joan, bapt. 1713, Mary, bapt. 1714, Joan, bapt. 1720, and John, l)a|)t. 1721.
Richard, bapt. 30 Nov., 164.").
Rebecca.
Joanna, bapt. 1651, month and day wanting.
Elizabeth, d. Xov., 1658.
Sarah, bapt. 31 Mch., 1662.
Susanna, bapt. 24 Vov., 1666.
IN ENGLAND. 89
J. John" {John, R!ch<ir<l, John), b. about 1025. It is pn'suuu'd that tliis Jolm was the father of Kev. John Conaiit, of Poole, for the folh)\vin<i- reasons: llev. John Conant, B. I)., of Salisbury, left liis lands called "()))tions" and his dwell- inij;- house in the Close of Salisbury to his son, John Conant. When Elizabeth Conant, widow of Kev. John (\)nant, of Poole, died, she is described as "of the Close of Saruin." 'Jnd, .lohn Conant, of Poole, is mentioned in a letter written by Thomas Rowe, nephew of this John Conant, as a relation.
In the parish records of Lytchett Matravers, where Samuel Conant, brother of this John, was Rector, we find the follow- ing entries: "John Conant, widower, and Mrs. IJorothy Cnlliford, widow, were married July 24, 170G;" and also, "John Conant was l)uried Feb. lo, 1721-2."
Child of John Coxant : — M. John, b. — 1670.
K. Malachi* {John, Iiich<ird, John), born probably in Lymington, Somersetshire. He was matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford, 13 Mch., 1650-1; B. A. 12 Oct., 1654; M. A. 28 May, 1657; B. D. 18 Dec, 1665. He was elected Demy of Magdalen College 1652; resigned his Demyship 1655. He was Fellow of Magdalen 1655-1657 ; Librarian 1665 ; Clerk of the Market 1659. Antony Wood says of him: "This Theolo- gist, who was a Somersetshire man born, became by the pre- sentation of the President and Society of his College, Minister of Beeding, alias Seal, in Sussex, where and in the neighbor- hood he was esteemed a good and godly preacher. He hath written and i)ul)lished '■ Urim and TJuounibn; or the Chnyjifs Dignity and Duty, recommended lit a Visitation ISermon preached at Letces in Sussex, 27 April, 1669, on Matthew v. 16. 4to, Oxford, 1669.'"
In Bloxam's Magdalen College Register, Vol. v., p. 218, the following particulars of him are found : In 16()8 lie was Pre- bendary of ^Middleton, in the Cathedral of Chichester. He was presented to the Vicarage of Scale, alias Beeding, 24 Jan., 1666-7.
90 THE CONANT FAMILY
"A monumental inscription, painted upon wood, remained on the south-east corner of the chancel of Beeding Church till the east end was rebuilt in 1852, when the tablet was taken down and a])parently (iestroyed, for it no longer exists. I had visited the church and copied the inscription a short time previously:
'Ilic obdormivit in Beata? Sj)e Resurrectionis Corpus Mala- chiji? Conant, S. T. B. qui non magis suis quam bonis, omnibus flebilis occidit. Cujus eximia eruditio et hand aequanda pietas omnium venerationem conciliarunt. Cujus indefessum con- cordiae studium, et singulai'is modestia, et amabilis animi can(k)r, nulli non acceptum reddiderent. Socius olim dignissimus fuit CoUegii Divae Magdalenae Oxon. unde in Ecclesiam hanc vicarius ascitus per xiii. annos officio suo dili- genter invigilavit. Tandem in virtute non annis senescens ac, coelo maturus, ardentissimam la])sus febrim, qua cum fortissime summfi cum patientia colluctatus animnm ex ignibus hisce vere jnirgatoriis immaculatam reddidit Mali mdclxxx. Ergo banc - - - - fivqiiowjvov I'
"EXTEACT FROM THE BURIAL REGISTfnj OF Bl^EDTXG.
"Died A. D. 1680, May 24, Mr. Malachi Conant, Bachelor of Divinity and Vicar of Beden.
"In the Parish Registers are also notices of the baptisms of Mary and Jane, and Samuel, children of Malachi Conant and Jane, his wife; and of the burials of the above mentioned Jane and Urith, their daughters. There is a manuscript note-book of Malachi Conant in the Bodleian Library, which is remarka- ble for containing an early co})y of the College Grace, in which the 100th Psalm takes the place of the Hymn us J^Kc/ton'sfift/K, afterwards comi)Osed by Dr. Thomas Smith."
The note-l)Ook mentioned by Dr. Bloxam, is to be found among the Rawlinson MSS. in the Bodleian Library, C. 945, under the title "Codex chartaceus, in 4to, manibus variis, sac. xvii. ff. 269. Miscellaneous collections, chiefly theological, of Malachi Conant, B. D., dated 1661." The following are some of the chief articles amona: the 46 of which the volume is com-
IN ENGLAND. 91
posed: 1. A preservative against Popery by Scriptures; under 47 heads. 2. Sermon (on Matt. xxv. 23) preached by Mr. (irOAver at the funeral of John C'onant, minister at Salis- bury, the father of ^Malachi Conaut, p. 1. o. Prayers before Pniversity Sermons at Oxfoi-d, pp. o, ISO, 327. 4. Directions and forms for private ])rayers and gi'aces at meals, ))]). lO, 80, 91, !t8. ."). Baxter's Directions for the study of Divinity, (i. "Pii concionatoris otKcium," a transcri])t of a treatise printed at Cambridge in KJof). 7. The last will and testa- ment of John Conaut, of Sarum, who d. 13 Apr., 1()53, ]». DA. 1). Thi'ee sermons j)reached in Oxford in 1G18-19, by a mem- l)er of Exeter College, no doubt the above mentioned John Conaut, pp. 129-221. 10. List of Malachi Conant's pupils, p. 184. 11. Statuta Collegii ^Magdalenensis, ]>. 225. 13. A brief survey of the new ])latform of Predestination, j). 393.
14. Confession of faith made l>y Dr. John Conaut, Hector of Exeter College, when he was ordained, 28 Oct., 1652, ]>. 425.
15. A short catechism for communicants, p. 420. 17. Classi- fied list of all the School-men. 18. Gratiarum actio a])ud Magdalenses, p. 501 (Psalm 100 occujnes the place of the "Ilymnus Eucharisticus" as now sung). 19. Directions of Mr. Thomas Barlow, Keeper of the Public Library, for the Study of Civil and Canon Law. 20. A sermon by Malachi Conant, on Rev. iv. 8, preached on Trinity Sumlay at St. Clary's, Oxford, p. 517.
Children of Malachi and Jaxe ( ) Conant : —
i. Mary.
ii. Jane.
iii. Samuel. lie was matriculated at ^Ia,n(lalen Hall, Oxford, 21) May, 1094, at^ed Ki; elected Demy of Magdalen C()lle«i;e 1()9(>, and Probationer in 170:5. lie d. IS May, ITOG. lie received the deforce of B. A. 1(5 Oct., 1G!»7, and M. A. 1 June, 17oo. "In the church of Holy Trinity, Cambi'idge, there is, or was, against a i)illar near the end of the Xave, a nuMiioi-ial of Sanuiel Conant, M. A. of Magdalen College, Oxford. Anns: (Jules, ten billets, or." (Extract from a letter from I{e\-. ,1. H. I^loxam. I). I)., ^'ieal• of r))])er l>ee(ling, Sussex.)
iv. Crith.
L. Robert^ {Jo/tii., Robert^ liichard, John), b. 1()70,
probably at Northampton, where his father then resided. He
92 THE CONANT FAMILY
was a citizen and merchant of London, where he d. 1756. He m. 1700, ]Mary Medlicott.
Children of Kobeut and Mary (Medlicott) Coxaxt: —
Ann, b. 1703; m. Culpepper Iloughani, of London, l)y wlioni she had: 1. Mary, who m. Robert Udney, Es(i. ; 2. Ann, who m. 1760, Spencer Compton, 8th Earl of Xortluimpton, as his second wife. Adm'on on her estate granted 20 July, 1733, to her husband. (P. C. ('. Adui'onti 1733.) X. John, b. 1706.
Robert, b. 1707.
Mary.
Frances, b. ; d. 1798; m. Joseph Woolston.
Susanna, who ni. George Tonipson, Esq. Seven otlier children, names unknown.
M. John^ ('? John^ John, Richard, John), b. 1G70. He re- ceived the degree of B. A. from Exeter College, Oxford, 17 Oct., 1687, and M. A. 20 Apr., 1690. On July 22, 1696, license to marry was granted to "John Conant, of Morden, co. Dorset, clerk, bachelor, 26, and Elizabeth Parker, spinster, 19, dau. of William Parkei", of (?) Kibworth, co. Leicester, gent., who con- sents; at St. Clement Danes, ^Middlesex, or (blank)."*
He was Rector of Poole, co. Dorset, as early as 1704,t and was buried there 6 Aug., 1720.
ABSTRACT OF THE WILL OF ELIZABETH COX ANT.
Elizabeth Conant, of the Close of New Saruni, co. Wilts, widow; dated 26 FcIj., 1732-3, and proved 11 May, 1733. To sons William and Richard, if living, Ish. each. To daughter Alice, all my lands, etc., in Kibworth or elsewhere in co. Leicester, and all my other lands whatsoever, upon trust to sell and pay my debts. Residue to my four daughters, Alice, Elizabeth, Anne and Parker, to be divided four years after my deatli, or on tlie marriage or death of daughter Alice. Daughter Alice,
executrix. Witnesses, De la Moore, M. Dyke and Dan'l
Dyke, junior.
(P. C. C. Price, 144.)
Children of John and Elizabeth (Pakkek) Conant: —
William. Richard.
* Marriage Licenses, Faculty Office of the Arclibishop of Caittcrlniry. t Hutchins' Hist, of Dorset.
IN ENGLAND. 93
Alice,!). 1700. On a Kcintoii tonibstouc, in tlif south cross aisle of Salisbury Cathedral, is an inscription t() the nu'Uiory of Alice Conaut, as follows: "Here lyeth Alice, 1 Daughter of the Rev'dJohn Conant | late Rector of Pool, Dorsi't, | who (lied July 5, 174.5, aged 45 years." *
Elizabeth.
Anne, bapt. at Poole, 17 May, 1700.
Parker.
N. John'' {liobe)% Jolin., Hubert^ lilchard, '7o/ut),]>. 1700. lie was of Pembroke Collegx', Oxford, B. A, 8 June, 1727, M. A. '20 Apr., 1780. He was Prebendary of Llanvair, in tlie Church of Bangor (collated 11 Oct., 1785); Vicar of Elnistead, CO. Kent (May, 178(5); Rector of Hastingleigh, co. Kent; and Pector sine cava of Elgingdon-Wroughton, co. Wilts.
He d. 2 Apr., 1779, and was buried in the cemetery of St. George the Martyr, Brunswick Square, London.!
He m. 1733, Mary, dr. of Rev. William AVake, JJector
of Hannington and of Waldgrave, co. Northants, Master of the Hospital of St. John, in Northampton, Prebendary of Sarum and of Lincoln, and first cousin of Archbishop Wake. She was b. 1712, d. 1773.
Children of John and Mary (Wake) Conant.
John, b. 1734; d. in infancy.
John, b. 173.5. He was of Lincoln Coll., Oxford; P. A. 7 Pel)., 1757; M. A. 17 Mch., 1775; Fellow of Lincoln. In 17()3 he was appointed by that College (in which the nomination is vested by the will of Sir Roger Marwood, the founder,) Master of the Free Grannnar Scliool of Sandwich, co. Kent. On .July 5, 1700, lu' was presentcnl to the Rectory of St. Peter's Church by the Corporation of Sandwich; was insti- tuted to the Vicarage of Sellinge-l)y-Lympne, co. Ki'nt, 13 Apr., 1778; and was made Vicar of Teynhani, 1S()5. He m. 170(5, Anne, dr. of (Jeorge and Sni'ali Nairne, of Sandwich, 1). 1731, d. 1811. He d. 21 Mch., 1811. t
William, b. 1737; d. 17.53.
Xathaniel, b. 1730; d. 1741.
Herbert, b. 1743; d. 1750.
* Cathedral Church of Salisbury, p. 113.
t Epitaphs of St. Pancras, p. 207.
t Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. Lxxxi. (1811, i. 400).
94 THE CONANT FAMILY
O. Xnthaniel, h. 1745.
Culpepper, b. 1748. He was B. A. of Trinity Coll., Cambridge,
1783; M. A. 178(5. He d. alMuit May, 181."),* at Mortlake. Elias, b. 1750; d. 1705.
O. Nathaniel" {John, Uohert^ John, Robert, Richard,
'loliii), 1). 174'"). He was for a long time Magistrate of
the Police Office in Marlborough Street; in Oct., ISIB, pro- moted to be Chief Magistrate at Bow Street, London. In 1S13 the honor of Knighthood was conferred on him, and the same year had a grant of arms. The lithographic frontispiece of this volume re})resents the arms granted to Sir Nathaniel Co- nant, Knt., quartered with the arms of Wake ; the escutcheon of j)retense bears the arms of Whiston.
THE (;RANT of arms TO SIR XATHANIEL CONANT, KMCHT.
To ALL AND SiNGULAH to whom these presents shall come Sir Isaac Heai'd Knight Carter Principal King of xVrms and (reorge Harrison Es([uire Clarenceux King of Arms of the vSouth East and West Parts of England from the River Trent Southwards send (xreetings:— Whereas Sir Nathaniel Conant of Portland Place in the County of Middlesex and of Mount Nugent in Bellingham in the County of Buckingham Knight hatli represented unto the most Noble Charles Duke of Norfolk Earl Mai'shal and Hereditary Marshal of England that the Armorial Ensigns hitherto borne by Jiim and his Ancestors are Cules ten Billets ()r but not finding on examinatLon that the said Amis have been duly Established to his family in the College of Anns and being unwilling to contimie the use thereof without lawful Authority he therefore requested the favor of His Grace's warrant for our devising granting and contirm- ing such Arms and Crest as may be proper to be borne by him and his Descendants according to the Laws of Arms: And the Memo- rialist Ijeing desirous that Ai*ms for Whiston may in the same Patent be assigned in Memory of his late wife Sai'ah Conant deceased Daughter and Coheir of John Whiston late of Great Ormond Street hi the Parish of St. Andrew Ilolboui'ii in the said County of Middlesex Es(iuire also deceased he farther re(juests the favour of His (Trace's Warrant for our granting and assigning sucli Arms ac- cordingl.v to be borne by her Issue l)y the Memorialist the whole according to the Laws of Arms: And forasnuich as the said Earl Marshal did by Warrant under his Hand and Seal bearing the date of the twenty fifth day of November last authorize and direct us
* GoUleiiiau's Magazine, Vol. i.xxxv. (1815 i. 475).
IN ENGLAND. 95
to uriiiit such Armorial Ensigns for ("oiiaut and Wliiston accord- iui;I.\ : Know ye tlierefore that wy the said (iarter and CUaren- (cux in pursuaiu'c of His (trace's Warrant and by Vii'tne of the Letters Patent of our several ofRees to each of us respectively granted have devised and do by these Presents grant exemplify and contirm unto the said Sir Xathaniel Conant the Arms following that is to say Per Saltire (iules and Azure Billety Or and for ("rest on a Wreath of Colours on a Mount Vert a Stag ])roper the dexter foreleg resting on a Shield (xules IJillety Or as the same are in the Margin hereof more plainly depicted to be borne and used for ever hereafter by him the said Sir Xathaniel Conant and his Descend- ants: And l)y the Authority aforesaid we do further grant and Assign the Anns following for Whiston that is to say Ermine on a Bend Vert between three Lions Heads Erased two and one Azure as many Roses Or as the same are here de]ncted to be borne by the Issue of the said Sai'ah Conant deceased by the Memorialist the whole with due and proper differences according to the Laws of Arms. In Witness Whereof we the said Gai'ter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms have to these Presents subscribed our Xames and affixed the Seals of our Several OtHces this tenth day of December in the Fifty fourth year of the Eeign of our Sovereign Lord dreorge tlie third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of (ireat Britain and Lvland King Defender of the Faith &c and in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thiiteen.
(Signed) Isaac Heard, Garter Principal King of Arms.
Geokgk Harrison, Clarenceux King of Arms.
Sir Nathaniel Conant d. 1822.
He m. 1776, Sai-ah, dr. of John Whiston, Esq., of Lon- don, granddaughter of the celebrated mathematician and divine, Hev. William Whiston. She d. 3 Dec, ISll.* She is descril)ed as a woman of great piety, infiexil)le integrity, highly cultivated understanding, and singular tenderness and sim-erity in her attachments.
Children of Sir Nathaniel and Sarah (AViiiston) Co- nant:—
P. .loini Edward. 1). is Oct., 1777.
Eliza, 1). 27 July, 1770. She m. at St. Marylebone, London, 1:5 Oct., 1.S14, Rev. George Robson, of Erl)istock, c(». Flint. {Gentlenian's Mngaziiie, Vol. Lxxxiv. (1814) ii. ;3i)2.) Frances, b. 1 Oct., 1780.
William, 1). 1:3 Sept., 17S:;. He was iJ. .\. of Trinity College, Cambridge, 180(3. On the death of a Mrs. Elizabeth Stainsl)y. wlio was a
* Geiiilemaii's /Magazine, Vol. i.xxxi. (i8ii) ii. p. 596.
96 THE CON A NT FAMILY
family friend of his father, he became heir to lier property, and assumed the name Stainsby-Conant.
He d. 18;3G, leavinj^' no family, and the estate left by Mrs. Stainsby passed to Paynton Pigott, Esq., (of Archer Lodge, CO. Hants, ami Banbury, co. Oxford,) then of Trunbewell House, Beech Hill, co. Bedford, who according to the condi- tions of the will of Mrs. Stainsby assumed the name and arms of Stainsby-Conant in addition to his own. He d. 1862. Mr. Paynton Pigott-Stainsby-Conant married Maria Lucy, dr. of Richard D. Gough, Esii., and had children:
I. Francis Pigott-Stainsby-Conant, b. 1810. He was M. P. for Reading, J. P. for Hants, Lieut. Gov. of the Isle of Man. He m. 1833, Frances Phillips, dr. of Gen. Sir Francis T. C. AVilder, by whom he had: (a) Francis Paynton Pigott- Stainsby-Conant, Esq., of Archer Lodge and Hecktield, b. 1837. He m. 18(34, Hon. Henrietta Anna, eldest dr. of the Right Hon. Guy Carleton, Baron Dorchester, when he as-* sumed the surname of Carleton in lieu of Stainsby-Conant.* He d. 188;J, leaving two sons, Guy Francis Pigott Carleton and Dudley Massey Pigott Carlton, (b) Stainsby Hem*y Pigott- Stainsby-Conant. (c) Pelling Hugli Gough Pigott-Stainsby- Conant, now of , Victoria, Australia, (d) Frances Lucy.
(e) Gertrude Elizalieth. (f) Emily Charlotte.
II. Richard Paynton Pigott, Rector of Ellistield, co. Hants; m. Emma, dr. of Gen. Sir Francis T. C. Wilder.
III. Spencer Botry Pigott, Vicar of Wilbraham, co. Cam- bridge; m. Eliza McMahan, dr. of Gen. Sir Francis T. C. Wilder.
IV. Sir Gillery Pigott, of Shertield Hill, co. Plants; m. 1836, Frances, dr. of Thomas Drake, Esq., of Ashday, co. York. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, 18:39; ai)])ointed in 1856 a Sargeant at Law; Recorder of Hereford, 1859; one of the Judges of the Court of Excheciuer, 1863; M. P. for Reading, 1863; Knighted 1863.
y. John Pelling Pigott, Major in the Army.
VI. Charles Stainsl)y Pigott.
VII. Frederick William Pigott.
VIII. Anna Dolljy Pigott; m. Bernard Brocas.
IX. Elizabeth Mary Pigott.
X. Lucy Pigott; m. Rev. T. T. Vaughan, Rector of
(iotham, Notts.
XI. Charlotte Archer Pigott.
XII. Isabella Pigott; m. Charles Everstield, Esq.
P. John Edward® (Nathaniel, John, Robert, John, lio- hert, lilduird, Jolm), b. IS Oct., 1777. In Oct., 1817, he was
* Sec Notes and Queries, 3rd Series, Vol. 6, p. 126, and Burke's Lauded Gentry.
IN ENGLAND. 97
appointed one of the Majijistrates of Worship Street Police Court, London,
He d. 18 Oct., 1848.
He ni. 4 Dec, 1817,* Catherine, second daug-hter of Kdward Brown, Esq., of Stamford and Horblinp^, co. Lincoln.
Children of Jonx Edward and Cathekink (Browx) Co- nant: — Q. Edward Nathaniel, b. 15 May, 1820.
Catherini', b. ; ni. Clias. Ellis, Esq., of Wallliani Place,
Berkshire. R. -John William, b. 1824.
Q. Edward NathanieP {John Edward^ Xathaniel^ Johti^ Robert, John, Robert, Richard, John), b. 15 May, 1820. Mr. Conant was educated at Rugby, and St. John's College, Oxford, (B. A. 1842, M. A. 1845,) and was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, 1845. He succeeded to the estate of his uncle. Rev. Edward Brown, of Lyndon, co. Rutland, 1862. He was High Sheriff of co. Rutland, 1867; is a J. P. and I). L. for co. Rutland, and was chairman of Quarter Sessions for the county 1885. Mr. Conant is Lord of the Manor of Lyndon, and of Aslackby and Dowsby, co. Lincoln, and patron of one living. His residence, Lyndon Hall, near Oakham, a view of which is here given, was built by his maternal ancestor, Sir Abel Barker, in 1673.
He m. 27 Aug., 1844, Gertrude ]Mary, 2nd dr. of Rev. Charles Proby, Vicar of Twickenham and Canon of Windsor. She d. 27 Mch., 1866.
Children of Edward N. and Gektkij)k M. (Pkoby) Co- nant:—
Gertrude Catherine.
Frances Ann, ra. 24 Sep., 1875, Byam Martin, son of Gen. Fran- cis John Davies, of Danehurst, co. Sussex, by Elizabeth, dr. of Sir Thomas Byam Martin, (J. C. B.
Edward Henry, b. 20 Oct., 1847; late Lieut. 5th Drayoon Guards.
Emily Agnes, who m. F. Yandeleur, Esq.
Ernest William Proby, b. 7 Mch., 1852.
Cecelia Eva, m. Capt. Frederick G. Fowke, son of Sir Frederick T. Fowke, Bart., of Lowesby, co. Leicester.
* Gentleman' s Magazine, LXXXvii. (1817) ii. 554.
98
THE CONANT FAMILY.
R. John William^ {John Edward^ Nathaniel^ John, Robert, John, Robert, Richard, John), b. 1824, d. 1884. He was educated at St. John's Coll., Oxford; B. A. 17 Nov., 1847.
He m. Frances Groves.
Children of John \V. and Frances (Groves) Conant : —
i. Harry, who m. 1st, Emily Murray, who d. 1882, and had two sons, Erick and Charles; m. 2nd, E. Grimshawe, and had a son, ii. Edward.
■HE GONANT FAMILY IN AMERICA.
1. Roger^ Conant (see p. f)!), the muuigraiit and iiiifestor of most of those l)e:iriiiii' the iiaiiu' in .Vmerica, was l)a|)ti/A'(l at All Saints Church, in the parish of East Budleigh, Devon- shire, England, 9 April, lo!l2. He was youngest of the eight ehildren of Kiehard and Agnes (Clarke) Conant, "who were esteemed for their exemplary piety."* His p.arents evidently instilled into their youngest son the prineij)les for which they themselves were noted, for during his whole life he bore ii character of s^ct integrity and devotion to principle, llich- ard Conant was one of the leading men of East Budleigh, a church-warden, as was his father before him, and evidently in good circumstances; his wife, Agnes Clarke, was the daughter of the leading merchant of Colyton, a neighboring parish. One of their sons was educated at Oxford, and Roger must have received a good education for the times, for he was fre- quently called upon to survey lands, lay out boundaries and transact public business. On Jan. 20, 1619-20, Christopher Conant, grocer, and Ivoger Conant, salter, both of the parish of St. Lawrence, Jewry, London, signed the Comj)Osition Bond of their brother, John, for the "first fruits" of the Rectory of Lymington. The recoi'ds of the Salters' Company have been destroyed by fire, so legal evidence cannot be adduced to show that Roger Conant was a freeman of that company; but the records of the Grocers' Company prove that Christopher Co- nant was apprenticed in 1609 and admitted to freedom Mch. 14, 1616. The fact that Koger signed this legal document as "Salter, of London," is strong pi-esumptive evidence that he ^vas free of the Salters' Comjiany f and a citizen of London.
* Prince's Worthies of Pi'voii.
t The London Guilds or Livery Companies arc divided into twelve great and fifty-eight minor companies, some of which have an authentic history of more than five hundred years. Their joint annual income is about .$4,000,000, of wliich over one-third is expended for charity, and about $500,000 for banquets. There are from thirty to forty thousand members; their
100 THE CONANT FAMILY
He was married in London in Nov., 1618, and as an appren- ticeship of seven years was necessary to gain the freedom of a company, he most likely went to London in 1609 with his brother, or soon after, for he would wish to be well setth^d in business before marrying. He probably remained in Lcndon until he emigrated to New England in 1623, a total residence, if it is assumed that he was a citizen, of about fourteen years. --'The name of the vessel in which he came is not certainly known but it is extremely probable that it was the Ann, which arrived at Plymouth about July, 1623, and in which his brother, Christopher, was a passenger. In a petition to the General Coui't, dated May 28, 1671, he says that he has been "a planter in New England forty-eight years and upwai-ds," which would fix the date of his arrival early in 1623. In the allotment of
land to the passengers of the Ann, ten acres were allotted to "Mr. Ouldom & those joyned with him."* "Those joyned with him" may have included, and probably did include, Roger Conant, his wife, Sarah, and son, Caleb. The colonists with John Oldham (Mr. Ouldom) were "particulars," that is to say, they came at their own charge, while the "generals" came at the ex])ense of the general stock or Com])auy of Adventurers in England.
He did not remain long at Plymouth, owing to a difference of religious belief between himself and the Pilgrim Fathers. They were Separatists and he a Non-conformist or Puritan. The ship Charity arrived in March, 1624, bringing supplies to the colonists, and also the Rev. John Lyford, a Puritan minis- ter, who was sent at the com])any's expense. Soon Oldham, leader of the "particulars," and Lyford, who was countenanced by some of the associates in England until they discovered his true character, began an intrigue against the colonists which ended in their expulsion in July, 162-4.
widows and descendants being the chief recipients of charity. The freemen of the Livery Companies enjoy various privileges — one of which is citizenship of the city of London