Samuel Cromleholme [479] 1618 - 1672

My main research on probably one of the most important family members can be found using the link below :

http://www.opcdorset.org/fordingtondorset/Files2/SamuelCromleholme1618-1672.html

This website is part of Mike Russel's excellent Dorchester OPC site and contains a wealth of information on Dorchester (Dorset). Samuel Cromleholme [Cro0479] was Head master of the Free School in the town (now Thomas Hardye School) between 1651 - 1657 and is the reason why this particular research was placed on the Dorchester website (prior to this website being created).

It is further linked to the Samuel Pepys Club website and is now also cited in the 2012 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry as a source of research relating to Samuel Cromleholme.

A brief summary :

Samuel Cromleholme [Cro0479] 1618 - 1672) son of the Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0475] 1592 - 1648) (who originated in Lancashire) became High Master of St Pauls School, London and educated amongst others the Duke of Marlborough, Judge Jeffries and Samuel Pepys. He is mentioned several times in Pepys famous Diary and managed to survive the Great Plague and Great Fire of London losing a large private library due to the latter event.

Earlier, he had spent some time in Dorchester, Dorset during the Cromwell's time marrying one of the Mayor's daughters. Due probably to this Dorset connection, The Earl of Ilchester commissioned Mary Beale to paint his portrait but unfortunately this has eluded all attempts to locate its whereabouts.

Although he died without having made a will, I have now found his fairly extensive Probate records in the National Archives and have photographed and transcribed them adding greatly to my researches. These are referred to (and linked to) in the account noted above but the actual transcribed detailed probates are located in this website.

His wife Mary Cromleholme (nee Bury) [Cro0480] moved to Templecombe in Somerset after his death and lived there until her death in 1692. Samuel and Mary had no children.

His father Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0475] and Other Cromleholme family members can be found using this link.