Here is my suggested construction of the relationships between the Tipton, West Bromwich, Wednesbury, and Oldbury Dudleys. I use colours below to identify names I believe refer to the same key people. It seems to fit together well enough, but some of the relationships are not proven.
Thomas Dudley of Tipton [1493 lease below] had a son Cornelius Dudley of Tipton [1504-15 detention of deeds below]. This relationship is given in a pedigree in Harl. MS. 6128 (Grazebrook, p. 59). I think Cornelius had sons Thomas Dudley of Tipton; Edward Dudley of Tipton, cooper; and William Dudley of Wednesbury. Thomas is recorded as the son of Cornelius in a deed of 29 Henry VIII (Grazebrook, quoting Beltz). I think that Edward was also Cornelius’s son as he appears with Thomas in a Chancery case from the 1530s regarding land in Tipton and elsewhere, and is named in the will of William Dudley of Wednesbury as, together with what I take to be Thomas, one of his brothers. William is called Thomas’s brother in the 1549 gift below. The same property in the gift is later given in 1586 by Wiliam’s son Richard to Thomas’s son Thomas.
I believe that Edward Dudley, cooper of West Bromwich, Humphrey Dudley, cooper of West Bromwich, and Joyce Dudley were children of Edward Dudley, cooper of Tipton. The occupation of cooper seems significant and the dates seem about right, except that the Edward Dudley who left the 1622 will in West Bromwich had a son who seems a little young, but not impossibly young for a grandson of Edward. Edward’s siblings Humphrey and Joyce were already grandparents in the early 1600s, and so the generation seems correct.
Thomas Dudley of Tipton had a son William (Grazebrook, p. 60, citing Beltz.), who was a yeoman in Tipton in 1579-80. I believe this William got married in Albrighton in 1584, had his eldest son Thomas baptized in Tipton in 1585, and at some point after that moved to West Bromwich. He describes Edward as his cousin in his 1596 will, and it seems that another cousin, Richard, was a witness.
Evidence
Grazebrook (pp. 59-60:
“Some sixty years ago [i.e. in the 1820s] the late accomplished genealogist, G.M. Beltz, Esq., Lancaster Herald, was officially employed by the Rev. Edward Dudley, the then head of this family, to investigate his pedigree. Mr. Beltz succeeded in constructing from Mr. Dudley’s family papers a very fair genealogy… [A]ccording to the pedigree compiled by Mr. Beltz “Thomas Dudley of Tipton, gent., son and heir of Cornelius Dudley, deceaed,” (so described in a deed of 29 Henry VIII.) had a grant of the lands of Over Barnfield in Tipton from Reginald and Ralph Colle by deed dated 28 Hn. 19 Henry VIII., 1528; and his wife, was living in 29 Henry VIII., was named Agnes. He was alive in 38 Henry VIII., 1546-7, and by the said Agnes was father of a son “William Dudley of Tipton, Yeoman,” living 22 Eliz., 1579-80.”
Grazebrook discusses a discrepancy with the pedigree in Harl. MS 6128, which appears to be missing a generation.
1493 Lease: Walsall Archives 35/1/1
John Tolle of Tipton and his wife Elizabeth
Thomas Dudley of Tipton
to (2) land in le barnfild, Tipton, 96 years, 4d p.a.
1504-15 Detention of Deeds National Archives catalogue C 1/316/62
Plaintiffs: Humphrey Gravenour and Joys his wife
Defendants: Cornes Dudley of Tipton
messuages and land in Alveley and Tettenhall, Shropshire
1528 Gift Walsall Archives 35/1/1
[1493 lease above annexed]
1528
Reginald Tolle, Ralph Tolle
Thomas Dudley of Tipton
Property in the 1493 lease.
1532-1538 Bowde v Hardwyke, Chancery, National Archives catalogue C 1/750/19
Plaintiffs: William grandson and heir of Joan Bowde.
Def: Roger Hardwyke, and Thomas and Edward Dudley.
Expulsion from land in Tipton, Dudley, Sedgley, and Worley.
1546:(with Annexed gift of les Dalowes from James Wolriche to William Butler 1539);
Gift Walsall Archives 35/33/7
William Butler of Preston Capps, gent.
Thomas Dudley of Tipton
For 70 lbs, les Dalowes in Berondnee, Eccleshall, Staffs.
Gift 26 Dec 1549 Walsall Archives 35/4/1
Thomas Dudley of Tipton, yeoman
William Dudley, his brother, and William Grove of Rowley Regis, yeoman
to (2) pastures in field called Dalowes, Eccleshall, croft called Nicke Croft, Tipton
31 Dec 1549: Feoffment Walsall Archives 35/42/3
William Dudley, William Grove
Thomas Dudley of Tipton
to (2) pasture called le Dalowes in Berondnes, Eccleshall.
1544-1551 National Archives catalogue C 1/1273/53-54
Chancery
Plaintiffs: Elizabeth, late the wife of Edmund Tolle, and Richard her son
Def: Edward Dudley of Tipton, cooper, and others.
Detention of deeds relating to messuages and land in Tipton in order to obtain the wardship of the said Richard, teneant in socage to William Wyrley, esq.. Staffordshire.
Will of William Dudley of Wednesbury 1557
In dei nomine amen the Seconde day off Auguste anno dmi 1557 I Wyllyam dudley off Wednesbure within the Count’ off staffs Sycke in bode and beying of perfycte mynde and memorie make my laste wylle & Testament in manor and Forme Folowyng Fyrst I bequethe my Soule to almyghty god maker and Redemer of all the worlde and to oure blessyd lade Soncte mare and to all the holly compane of heavon and my bode to be buryed within the church yarde of wednesbure Allso I bequethe to Ryc dudley my sone the some of iij li vij s viij d Allso I bequethe to Jone dudley my doughter the somme of iij li vj s viij d Allso I bequethe to Anne Dudley my doughter the somme of iij li vj s viij d Allso I bequethe to Frauncys dudley my dowghter the somme of iij li vjs viij d Allso I bequethe to Dorothe Dudley my doughter the somme off iij li vjs viij d Allso I wyle that yff yt Fortune that any off my sayde chyllderen to de or deceace before the shull Receve there Sayde legace and bequeste that the sayde legace or bequeste shall Remane to the other my chyllderen being survyuors equally to be devydyd emoungste them Allso I wylle them? margere my wyfe shall have the occupacyon and use of the sayde legaces and bequests bequethyd to my chyllderen so longe as she shall be and conynewe wyddo and yff she asortune to marre then I wyll that she shall ether be bonden in a suffycyent bonde unto my overseers of thys my laste Wylle and to performe and paye thyse my legaces and bequests unto my chyllderen as ys aboue specyfyed and yf she Refuce so to be bonden then I wyll that afore the day of hyr marryage she de[...] and pay the sayde legaces and bequests bequethyd to my chyllderen unto the overseers of thys my laste wyll and Testament And Yff She Remene wyddow stylle then I wylle that she pay the sayde legacys unto my chyllderen as she shall chuse to there hellpe and preferment only excepted that yff fortune that my sone Ryc Dudley be aprentyse or couenant servant in Coventre or in any other place that then I wyll that she delevr and pay the sayde legace unto the sayde Ryc at the oversyght and apoyntment off the overseers off thys my laste wylle and testament towards the preferment of the sayde Rycharde Allso I bequethe all the Reste of my goods nott bequethyd bothe moveauble and unmoveauble my detts beyng payde my funeralls beyng dychargyd unto margere my wyffe whome I ordene constyture and make my sole executryxe to thys my laste wylle and testament and the oversers of the same I ordene constytute and make [thomas dudley (written above)] edward dudley my brothers and nycolas hopkyng my brother in lawe to se thys my laste wylle and Testament truly to be performyd and fullfyllyd Wyttnesse to thys my laste wylle and Testament Thomas Sale vic’ of Wednesbure Edwarde Dudley Nycolas Hopkyng Edwarde Hopkyng George Marshall with other
by me Thomas Sale vic’ off Wednesbure
Inv. 10 Aug 1557, by Nycolas Hopkyng, James Wyresdale, Wyllyam Wettnaller
13 May 1586 Gift Walsall Archives 35/1/6
Richard Dudley of Oldbury, yeoman
Thomas Dudley of Tipton, gent.
to (2) le Dalowes in Berondee, Eccleshall
1586 Chancery Pleading National Archives catalogue C 2/Eliz/D7/27
Plaintiff: John Dodde.
Defendants: Thomas Dudley, Randolph Machin, Hugh Swinerton.
Subject: claim by lease; land in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, the inheritance of Thomas Dudley, and by him demised to Randolph Dodde, plaintiffs father, his wife Jane and the plaintiff.
[Glazebrook p. 61 summarizes: “[The documents of the proceedings] show that Hugh Swynnerton, son of Edward, married Thomas Dudley’s sister, and not, as stated [elsewhere], the daughter of Lord Dudley. The Bill is dated October, 1586, and John Dodde, of Eccleshall, complains that whereas one Thomas Dudley being lawfully seised in his desmesne as of fee of and in two pastures containing about 18 acres, and a meadow of 8 acres in Eccleshall, did by his feoffment about the 12th or 13th of Her Majesty’s reign (1569-1571) demise the same to Randolph Dodde and to Jane his wife, complainant’s father and mother, and to complainant himself for 21 years or more. Complainant’s father died, and Jane, the widow, took for her second husband one Randolph Machin, and about two years last past died. Immediately after her death the original lease came into the hands of the said Randolph Machin and one Thomas Dudley, son and heir of Thomas, the lessor, and one Hugh Swynnerton, which Hugh had married a sister of the said Thomas Dudley. And “confederance” was had between the said Machin, Dudley, and Swynnerton, that the said Machin should marry a sister of the said Thomas Dudley, when it was agreed that Machin should have a new lease of the said premises in consideration of such marriage. The marriage took place, and the defendants are keeping complainant out of the said lands and refuse to give up the said lease.
“Hugh Swynnerton, in his answer, sworn 20th October 1586, admits the lawful seisin of Thomas Dudley, sen., and the demise to Dodde, and says that the said Dodde died in possession, and that on his death the widow Jane entered into possession, but he denies complainant’s right as survivor.”
Will of William Henning of West Bromwich 1587/8
Edward Dudley owes him money.
Will of William Dudley of West Bromwich 1596
In nomine dei Amen I William Dudley of Wesbromwiche in the dioces of Coven’ and Lich’ yeoman being sicke in bodie but whole and perfect in mynde praised be god: doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme followeinge Item in memorie which I desyr and assuredlie hope for I hartelie beseech god my Creator of his infinite mercie and accordinge to his mercie and promise (that in what hower soever the synner repenteth he will heare him) to pardon all my offens and make me one of the ioyfull partakers of his kingdome And my soule therefore I doe commende unto the blessed handes of my Sauvior and Redeemer Jesus Christe through whose death and passion I trust to be saved And my bodie I desyr maye be buried in the churchyarde of westbromwiche Item I giue and bequeath unto Thomas Dudley my sonne and heire apparant my best cupborde my best coffer the longe table boarde and frame and all benches and formes in the hall the best charger or voider the best candlesticke and all the seelinge and paynted clothes in the hall. Item I giue and bequeath unto William Dudley my sonne one weather sheepe. Item I giue and bequeath unto Elizabeth Dudley my daughter one ewe and a lambe. Item I giue and bequeath unto Marie Dudley my daughter one ewe and a lambe. Item I giue unto Elizabeth Sharrott one ewe lambe. Item I will that Anne my wiefe shall haue my lande called gritts grounde to bring upp my saide children untill my heire doe accomplishe the full age of twentie and one yeares. Item all the residue of my goodes moueable and unmoueable my debts paide my funerall expencs discharged I giue and bequeath unto Anne my wiefe. Item I will that my saide wiefe shall haue the bringing up and custodie of my saide heire untill such tyme as he shall come to the full age of one and twentie yeares. Item I make ordaine & constitute my saide wiefe and Thomas my sonne and heire my whole Executors of this my last will and testament And for the executinge of the same I will and desier my cozen Edwarde Dudley and Robert Salter my brother in lawe to be Overseers And all other wills I utterlie revoke and disannull. In witnes whereof I haue setto my hande in the presence of these whose names are under written, the eighte daie of Maye, in the yeare of our Lord god One thowsande sixe hundred ninetie and six Richard Dudley Edward Dudley Symon Rider and John Nocke.
Will of Humphrey Dudley of West Bromwich 1603
In the name of God amen the viijth day of September 1603o, and in the yere of the Raign of our Soueraign lord James by the grace of god of England Fraunce & Ireland kyng defender of the faithe etc the First and of Scotland the seaven & thirtethe, I Humfrey Dudley of Westbromwiche in the Countye of Staffs Cowper being sicke in body butt of good & p[ar]fitt mynd & memorye thankes be to god therefore doe make & declare this my last will & testament in manner & forme following that is to saye First & pryncipallye I Comend & bequeathe my Sole unto the m[er]cye of allmightie god trustinge & faithefullye belevinge to be saved amongest the nomber of thellect by thonly meritts & bloudsheadinge of Jesus Christ and my body to the earthe and to be buryed in the Churche yard of Westbromwiche of aforesaid Item I geve & bequeathe unto Roger Dudley my eldest sonne all my tooles belonginge to my occupacon and all my barkes hoopes, Item I geve & bequeathe unto Anne Dudley my dawghter one pece of wollen Clothe which is vj yards or thereabouts. and I will that it shalbe sold & sett forthe to the use of the said Anne, Item I geve unto the said Anne one sylver pyn[er]? Item I geve unto Frances Dudley my dawghter one payre of Sylver tachehooks Item I geve & bequeathe unto Nicholas Dudley my yongest sonne my wifes best hatt and to be sold & sett forthe to his use, The Residue of all the app[er]ell which was my wifes I geve unto the said Anne & Frances my dawghters to be equally devided betwene them, Item my mynde & will is and I desyre my welbeloved frends Edward Grove John Jesson John Curtler William Hobben of Westbromwich aforesaid to have the governance & brynging uppe of my foure children William Anne Frances & Nicholas untill suche tyme as they shall seuerally accomplyshe theire seuerall ages of foureteene yeres, and then to place them in some honest S…es, and I geve unto them towards the brynginge uppe of the said Anne Dudley my dawghter Fiftie shillings. And towards the bringinge uppe of the said Frances Dudley my dawghter & Nicholas Dudley my sonne I geve unto the said Edward Grove John Jesson John Curtler & William Hobben Fortie shillings and allso the lease which I have & hold of the grant of William Smallwood of a certain ground called Small Heathe in Westbromwiche aforesaid, for the terme of teene yeres, And then after the said tenne yeres I geve & bequeathe unto my vj children the reuersion of [illegible] devided amongest them Item my mynd & will is that all my debts shalbe paid out of the residue of all my goods with as muche spede as conveyentlie may be. And then my debts being paid my funerall & p[ro]bacon of my will discharged & my legacs performed. The residue of all my goods Cattells debts & Chattells I geve & bequeathe unto my said vj Children to be equallye devided amongest them and to be paid att suche tymes as they shall seuerallye accomplyshe theire seuerall ages of xxj yeres or happen to be married wheather shall first happen and to be sett forthe in the meane tyme to theire uses & p[ro]fitt by my executor & overseers, provided allwayes & my will is that if any of my said Children shall happen to decesse before he or shee soe decessinge shall have receaved his or her part that then that part or parts of suche Child or children soe decessinge shall remayn amongest the other livinge And I make ordeyne & Constitute the said Edward Grove my sole & lawfull executor to execute & performe this my last will & testament as my speciall trust is in him, And I desyre the said John Jesson John Curtler & Wiliam Hobben to be my overseers to be ayding & asistinge my said exeutour in performing of the same. These being witnesses John Jesson John Curtler & Jone Curtler with others
Debts which the said Humfrey Dudley owithe
Imprimis to Mr Richard Parkes vli
Item to Edward Grove iij li xiiijd
Item to John Howghe lij s
Item to Frances Symcocks of the parke xv s
Item to Thomas Hurbutt xxvij s
Item to my sonne Richard Dudley xs
Item to my brother Roger Symcocks iiij s
Item to Richard Orrys xvjd
Item to Walter Orrys xviij d
[Inventory taken 5 October 1603 by John Jesson, Richrd Title, John Curtler, Edward Dudley, & William Hobben. Will proved 19 October 1603.]
Will of Roger Simcox of West Bromwich 1603
Roger names his wife Joyce, his children George, Richard, Frances, Elizabeth, Simon, Joane, Francis, William, Ann, Richard, and Alice Simcox and makes “Edward Dudley my Brother in Lawe” an overseer. He leases land from William Orme.
Will of George Simcox of West Bromwich 1606
George names, among other people, three children, his sisters Joan and Alice, and his uncle Edward Dudley.
Will of Edward Dudley of West Bromwich 1622
In the name of God amen the Nynthe day of Februarye 1621 and in the yere of the Raign of our Soueraigne Lord James by the grace of God kynge of England Frannce & Ireland defender of the faithe &c the Nynetenthe, and of Scotland the Five & Feftithe, I Edward Dudley of Westbromewiche in the Countye of Staffs cowper beinge disseased in bodye butt of good & p[ar]fitt mynd & memorye thanks be geven to God therefore, Doe make & declare this my last will & testament in maner & forme followinge that is to say First & pryncipallye I comend & bequeaathe my soule unto the mercye of allmightye god, trustinge & faithfullye belevinge to be saved amongest the nomber of thellect by the onelye merytts and bloudsheadinge of Jhesus Christ, and my bodye to the earthe, and to be buryed in the p[ar]yshe Churche of Westbromech aforesaid, Item my mynd & Will is that my debts shalbe paid out of my wholl goods, and then my debts beinge paid, and my body honestlye browght tot he earthe, The Resydue of all my goods cattells chattells & debts whatsoeuer, as well moveable as unmoveable I geve & bequeathe unto Margery my Wife & to Edward Dudley my sonne to be equallye devided betwene them, and my mynd will & yntend is that Margerye my Wife shall have the use occupacon & possession of all my goods cattells & chattells what soeuer untill such tyme as the said Edward Dudley my sonne shall accomplishe the age of Twentye one yeares, (if the said Margery my Wife doe kepe her self sole and soe longe unmaryed,) and if the said Margerye doe fortune to be marryed my Will is that all the said goods cattells chattells & debts shalbe then presentlye devided betwene my said wife & my sonne equallye, and I make ordeyne & constitute my welbeloved wife Margerye my sole & lawfull executrixe of this my last will & testament to execute & performe the same accordinglye as my speciall trust is in her, These beinge witnesses
Edward Grove
Richard Simcox
[Inventory taken 19 February 1621 by Edward Grove, Michaell Pultney & Richard Symcocks]