Family and Education

b.1557, 1st s. of Lawrence Ashburnham of Broomham by Eva, da. of Richard Adams of Suss., wid. of John Levett of Hollington. m. Elizabeth, da. of Roger Twysden of Roydon Hall, East Peckham, Kent, 5s. 1da. suc. fa. 1565.

Offices Held

Escheator, Surr. and Suss. 1587-8; capt., rape of Hastings by 1588; j.p. Suss. Jan. 1595.

Biography

Of a minor branch of a family established in Sussex since the twelfth century, Ashburnham was returned for one of the Cinque Ports and could have served on a committee for the explanation of statutes appointed on 28 Mar. 1593. He died 5 June 1597, leaving a house at Broomham, possibly built by him; lands, mills, dams and ironworks in Fletching; lands in Pevensey, occupied by Ashburnham Pecke, and in the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Some of these he described as held by knight service, and therefore subject to wardship until his eldest son came of age. The will was proved 4 Feb. 1598.

Suss. Rec. Soc. xiv. 8; xxxiii. 50-51; W. Berry, Co. Genealogies, Suss. (Comber’s copy at Chichester), 28; PRO Assizes 35, S.E. Circuit, Suss. 37; R. B. Manning, Religion and Soc. in Eliz. Suss.234; VCH Suss. ix. 127. 179, 181; E. Suss. RO, Winchelsea mss; D’Ewes, 511; PCC 18 Lewyn.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Authors: J.E.M. / P. W. Hasler

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