OXLADE FAMILY HISTORY GROUP

HISTORY of BISHAM, BERKSHIRE

Bisham Abbey home of Dame Elizabeth Hoby Mill

BISHAM, a parish in the hunded of Beynhurst, in the county of Berks, 1 mile from Marow and 5 miles to the N.W. of Maidenhead, its post town and nearest railway station. It is situated in a beautiful country, on the banks of the river Thames. It was the site of a preceptory of the Knights Templars, founded in the reign of Stephen and converted into a priory of the Augustine order by William de Montacute in 1338. This priory had a revenue of 327 pounds and flourished nearly 200 years. It wws then re-founded by Henry VIII., as a Benedictine abbey, but shortly after dissolved and granted by Edward VI. To the Hoby family. In this parish are Temple Mills, formerly employed for the manufacture of copper aticles but now converted into paper mills

The living is a vicerage in the diocese of Oxford, value 156 pounds, in the patronage of G. Vansittart, Esq. The church, which stands by the river, is dedicated to All Saints and has recently been restored. The most ancient portions are in the Norman style; and the church contains some interesting monuments of the Hoby family."

The fine old mansion called Bisham Abbey was erected by Sir Edward Hoby, who was Speaker of the House of Commons in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It occupies the site and was built of the materials of the ancient abbey. Queen Elizabeth, when Princess, used to reside here, and there is a well still called the Princess Elizabeth's, also a large apartment called the Queen's council chamber, in commemoration of her residence there. The abbey was the burial place of the founder, of several Earls of Salisbury, of the great Earl of Warwick, and other eminent persons.

Source: The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)

Will of Elizabeth Oxlade formerly Dame Elizabeth Hoby Mill 1783

THIS IS THE LAST WILL and Testament of me Dame Elizabeth Hoby Mill late of bisham Abbey in the County of Berks Widow but now the Wife of Robert Oxlade of Mitcham in the County of Surry Esquire which I make publish and declare pursuant to the power to me given in and by the Settlement made made previous to my Marriage with the said Robert Oxlade in manner and form following ( that is to say) first I give and bequeth unto my following God Children namely John and Lavinia Comyn Son and Daughter of my Brother Stephen Comyn Esq and Harriot Daughter of my Brother Thomas Comyn Charles (Neale) Son of the Reverend Richard (Neale) Elizabeth Daughter of James Harman late of Great Marlow George the Son of Benjamin (Beet) of Blackfriars London and John ffox Son of the Reverend John ffox and to each and every of them mu said God Children the sum of fifty pounds to be paid within one year next after my Decease Also I give and bequeath unto the Reverend John Davis the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid to him also within twelve months next after my Decease Also I give and bequeath unto my said Husband Robert Oxlade the Dividends and Interest of Two Thousand pound Stock in the three per Cent Consolidated Bank Annuities for and during the Term of of his natural life and from and after his Decease Then I give and bequeath the said principal Sum of Two Thousand pounds unto my half-sisters Elizabeth and Ann Comyn equally between them share and share alike as Tenants in Common and to their several and respective Executors Admons and Assignees Also I give and devise unto my said Husband Robert Oxlade all my Messuages Lands and Tenements and Hereditments whatsoever (formerly) called (fflyering) situate and being in the ( ) parish of (fflyering) ( ) ( ) in the County of Essex which ( ) of (W ) College Oxford and now in the (tenure) or occupation of Mr J Chaplin or his ( ) and also all my Messuages and Tenements and ( ) County of Lands which are held by Lease of ( ) South Christ College Oxford ---------------------------------- my said Husband Robert Oxlade -------------------------set my hand and Seal this fourth day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty-three – Eliz. Hoby Mill Signed Sealed published and Declared by the said Dame Elizabeth Hoby Mill the Testatrix as her last Will and Testament in the presence of us at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have hertein to Subscribed our Names as Witnesses John (Soker) Ja Payn,

NOTES

Robert Oxlade (1735-1798) of the Widmer Farm Oxlades married Elizabeth Comyn (1737-1792) second wife and widow of John Hoby Mill (1719-1780) of Bisham Abbey about 17 April 1781.

Benjamin Beet of St Ann, Blackfriars married Susannah Oxlade at Bisham 5 Oct 1775. Susannah was the sister of Robert Oxlade.

James Harman married Mary Oxlade at Bisham 10 July 1760. Elizabeth was the sister of Robert Oxlade.

Robert Oxlade's Mother was Susannah Harman of Great Marlow.

See the Borlase Document for further mention of the Harman family.

Last changed: 16 /11 /2006, 14.35.00