Last updated 8.10.2021
Possible connection to Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt who as a Jacobite plotted against William III and was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1697. Comments and evidence to prove or otherwise this connection are sought and will be very welcome.
A horse, White Sorrel, owned by Sir John Fenwick was among items of his estate confiscated by the Crown on his attainder and a fall from that horse was responsible for William III's death. The horse purportedly stumbled when it stepped on a mole hill. In recognition of this, the Jacobites' secret toast was to “”The little Gentleman in Black Velvet”. Constantia Fenwick in her Memoire “The making of a family” (see elsewhere in this site) certainly claims him as at least associated with us. Sir John’s uncle John Fenwick was killed in 1644 at the Battle of Marston Moor, fighting as a Colonel of Dragoons on the Royalist side.
Burkes shows a Fenwick line starting with George Fenwick, alive in 1527. A pedigree that shows earlier generations starts in the 12th century. It shows that Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt was also descended from George Fenwick’s grandfather. However, the accuracy of this pedigree is questioned. Below is what is shown for these two lines descending from George Fenwick’s grandfather, John Fenwick.
Numbers before /s [slashes) are those from the pedigree starting in the 12th century. Numbers after the /s are based on the Burkes tree where George Fenwick is shown as Generation 1. Therefore George’s grandfather is shown here as -1 and his 2 sons, William and Martin head up the lines which reach Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt and the George Fenwick ie Burkes entry line respectively.
Summary of Pedigree linking Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt and the “Fenwick formerly of Thirlestaine” entry in Burkes
9/ -1. John Fenwick, Ancestor of both Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt and the George Fenwick line in BLG. 2 sons William and Gerard (William by his 1st marriage to Mary Strother, Gerard by his 2nd marriage to Elizabeth Widdrington
10/ 0.1. William Fenwick
11/ 1. John Fenwick
12/ 2. John Fenwick
13/ 3. Sir Roger Fenwick
14/ 4. Sir William Fenwick
15/ 5. Sir John Fenwick 1st Bt
16/ 6, Sir William Fenwick 2nd Bt
17/ 7. Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt
10/ 0.2. Gerard Fenwick
11/ 1. George Fenwick – 1st entry in Burkes
12/ 2. Martin Fenwick
13/ 3. George Fenwick
14/ 4. William Fenwick
15/ 5. Cuthbert Fenwick
16/ 6.1. John Fenwick
16/ 6.2. Martin Fenwick
17/ 7. John Fenwick
18/ 8. George Fenwick
The line leading up to the above John Fenwick is shown on this pedigree to start with “1. Robert de Fenwick during reign of Henry II and Richard I”, followed by 2. Robert de Fenwick, 3. Sir Thomas de Fenwick, 4. Thomas de Fenwick, 5. Thomas de Fenwick, 6. Alan de Fenwick, 7. Sir John de Fenwick, 8. Sir John de Fenwick (father of 9. John Fenwick)
Detail from Pedigree linking Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt and the “Fenwick formerly of Thirlestaine” entry in Burkes
9/ -1 John Fenwick, “perhaps identical with John Fenwick of Newburn, Esq who with John, his son received bond in £20 from John Carr of Newcastle-upon Tyne, 20th June 1437; claimed possession of Fenwick, 1460, being then of Wallington, Esq; agreed 4th Sept 1465, with Sir Henry’s co-heiresses to stand to the award of John, Earl of Northumberland, who gave his award 7th Dec 1465; living 23 Apr 1468”
M1. Mary daughter of William Strother and co-heiress of her brother William Strother of Wallington, died before 10th Aug 1456. 3 SONS INCLUDING WILLIAM FENWICK WHOSE DESCENDANT IS SIR JOHN FENWICK 3RD Bt
10/ 0.1. William Fenwick, d before 1484 to whom and his brother Robert, their brother John gave the manor of Gunnerton for their lives, 4th July 1472
M. Joan daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Musgrave of Ryal and of Isabel his wife; living 20th Apr 1494
11/ 1. Sir John Fenwick d. 1544, had a grant from his mother of 10 marks rent out of Heton, 3rd July 1484; had licence of entry without proof of age to the lands of Thos. Musgrave, 18th June 1506; of Ryal, Esq., 18th Feb. 1510/11, when he granted to Ralph Fenwick junior, esquire and others his lands in Heton to the use of himself and Marjory, his wife; obtained the tower and manor of Fenwick, by the award of Sir Thomas Tempest against the claim of George Fenwick, his cousin german, 20th June, 1527; defendant in chancery against the coheirs of Sir Henry Fenwick, circa 1527; knighted before 15th Aug. 1533; died 24th Dec 1544.
M Marjorie daughter of John and Alice Harbottle, living 10th Nov 1545
12/ 2.2. Roger Fenwick of Bitchfield, …?...manor of Prestwich and lands in Bitcfield. …?... Alice Harbottle
12/ 2.1. John Fenwick d. c1538. To whom and his wife Joan, daughter of Joan Clavering, widow, his father John Fenwick of Ryal, together with John, William and Edward Clavering and Robert Raymes, on 28th May 1519, gave the manor and tower of Ryal for life; dead by 2nd Aug 1538
M1 Joan Clavering probably dau of Robert Clavering of Callaley
13/ 3.2. John Fenwick d. 1581 of Walker, will dated 10 Oct 1580, proved 14 Aug 1581
m. Isabel, daughter of George Heron of Chipchase; she married (2nd) James Ogle; will dated 1 June 1602, proved 1604: to be buried in Benton “near my husband John Fenwick”
13/ 3.1 Sir Roger Fenwick c1517- 1550; Gunnerton and Cambo settled on him and his wife by his grandfather 1540; aged 23 and more 24 December 1544; knighted 23 Sept 1545; sold lands in Heaton 1st August 1546; died 28 November 1550
m. Dorothy daughter of Sir John Widdrington. She married secondly Robert Constable of Flamborough; buried 23 Sept 1583
14/ 4. Sir William Fenwick c1550-1613 of Wallington born circa 1550; wardship granted to Wm. Hilton, 3rd Nov. 1560; livery……?... of his lands 3rd Dec. 1612, proved at York, 13th March 1614; died at Wallington, 29th Aug. 1613
M1. Grace, daughter and coheiress of Sir John Forster of Adderstone; marriage settlement, 1st August 1579
M2? [missing part of the pedigree but sons 5.2 and 5.3 below appear to be from a 2nd marriage]
15/ 5.2. Sir William Fenwick, d.1652 of Meldon to whom his father left by will Meldon, Heron’s Close, the Leehouses and the rectory of Hartburn; died in London 26th May 1652
M1 Isabel, daughter and heiress of Sir Arthur Grey of Spindlestone
M2 Elizabeth dau of Sir Edward Radcliffe of Dlston, 2nd Bart, art. Before mar., 18th Sept 1641; will 6th July 1700, proved Aug 1704
15/ 5.3. Roger Fenwick …?...
15/ 5.1 Sir John Fenwick 1st Bt of Wallington c1579-1658, aged 35 at 14th Sept. 1614; his grandfather, Sir John Forster settled upon him, 22nd Apr. 1602, the manor of Hexham, Anick Grange, Poyfield, Dotlandd Park, Hexham Mills; in 1618 he purchased Rothley and in 1632 the regality of Hexham; MP for Northumberland; created Baronet, June 1628; discharged from sitting in parliament, 22nd Jan. 1643/4; taken prisoner by the parliamentary troops 1644; high sheriff of Northumberland, 1645; order against him rescinded 26th June, 1646; died circa 1658
M1. Catherine, daughter of Sir Henry Slingsby of Scriven, West Riding; married at Moor Monkton, 1602, mother of John, Catherine and Elizabeth
M2. Grace, daughter of Thomas Loraine of Kirkharle, mother of Sir William Fenwick 2nd Bt
M3. ? daughter of Mr Bone
16 / 6.1. John Fenwick kia 1644 matriculated at Cambridge, Easter 1628, Trinity College; Admitted at Gray’s Inn 28th April, 1630; MP for Morpeth 1640-44; Colonel of dragoon, killed at Marston Moor, 2nd July, 1644, no issue
16/ 6.3. Catherine Fenwick
16/ 6.4. Elizabeth Fenwick
16/ 6.2. Sir William Fenwick 2nd Bt, c1611-1676, aged 45 in 1666; MP for Northumberland in place of his father 1643 and in 1654, 1656, 1658; died 1676.
M. Jane dau of Henry Stapilton. 1s 2dau
17/ 7. Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt. C1647-1698. MP in 1660 and succeeding Parliaments; sold the greater part of his Northumbrian property including Fenwick Tower to Sir William Blackett of Newcastle in 1689; executed for high treason, 27th Jan. 1698, aged 51; buried next day in the church of St. Martin in the Fields, London
M Lady Mary Howard, dau of Charles, Earl of Carlisle; married at St. James’, Clerkenwell, died 27th Oct. 1708, buried in York Minster.
3 sons, 1 dau all of whom died in childhood – Charles, William, Howard, Jane
M2. Elizabeth Widdrington. 3 SONS INCLUDING GERARD FENWICK WHOSE DESCENDANTS INCLUDE THE FENWICKS, SUCH AS ALAN FENWICK AND BERTIE FENWICK
10/ 0.2. Gerard Fenwick (2nd of 3 sons from 2nd marriage of John Fenwick)
“to whom his father granted 10 marks rent out of Fenwick Walker and Cambo and Harrington 23 Apr. 1468”
m co-heiress of Sir Walter Burradon
11/ 1.1. George Fenwick of Harbottle and Brinkburn; held lands at Barradon in 1527
M1 dau of Loraine of Kirkharle
M2. Mrs Jane Ogle, widow
George Fenwick of Brinkburn (living 1542) by his first wife, said to have been a Loraine of Kirkarle had issue:
Martin of whom presently, Michael, Tristram, Henry, Eleanor m Thos Reed of Houghton, Isabel, m …Mitford
12/ 2.1. Martin Fenwick d. 1585; (1st of 3 sons from m1) of East Heddon
M Anne, dau of Sir William Ogle of Cockle Park. 1 son, 4 dau
Martin Fenwick, of East Hedden, m Anne, dau of Sir William Ogle of Cockle Park, and d. 1595, leaving issue:
George of whom presently, Mary m Richard Wetwang of Dunstan, Anne, m John Bell of Bellaris, Edith m Christopher Allenson, Margery, Isabel m Cuthvert Mitford of Mitford, [Mabel] m Thomas Ouston mf Ouston, Dau?; m Mr Ridley
13/ 3.1. George Fenwick
M Elizabeth dau of John Hedworth of Harrowton. 3 sons 1 dau
George of East Hedden m Elizabeth, dau of John Hedworth of Harraton, Co Durham and had Issue:
William of whom presently, Richard of Wylam, Martin, John, George, had a son, John, Isabel m John Addison of Ovingham
14/ 4.1. William Fenwick 1585-1649
M Alice dau of Richard Wylam 2 sons
William of East Heddon, Aged 30 in 1615 d 1646 m Alice … and had issue:
John of East Heddon d 1665 aged 42 m Rebecca dau of William Sprigg of Osford and had issue:
(Legitimate) William of London (m Margaret, dau and heiress of Sir Adam Browne Bt, d.s.p.), Rebecca m … Sprint, Mary m Easeby Dormer of Great Appleby, co. Derby; Elizabeth, m Edmund Bedwell of Ipswich
(Illegitimate) Cuthbert of East Hedden, aged about 33 in 1636 d 1679. SEE BELOW. GIVEN THAT HE WAS THE ONLY SON, ALBEIT AN ILLEGITIMATE SON, WHO HAD CHILDREN, HIS LINE CONTINUES…:
15/ 5.1. Cuthbert Fenwick. ?1615-1679 of East Heddon. 2 sons John and Martin
Cuthbert of East Hedden, aged about 33 in 1636 d 1679 m Anne … d 1677 and had issue:
John, of whom presently, Martin (see below), Ruth b. 1667
16/ 6.2 Martin Fenwick b. 1647
M Margaret 2 sons
Martin of Tweedmouth, d.s.p 1717 m Margaret, dau of Lancelot Fenwick of Berwick
John of East Hedden, aged about 42 in 1684 (Omitted on Wheeler tree)-
17/ 7.1. John Fenwick b.1688 of East Heddon
M Deborah
18/ 8.1. George Fenwick
According to one expert, writing in 1967, the information shown under Martin is flawed. He didn’t address the descendants of John.
More on Sir John Fenwick 3rd Bt
We have a transcript of his trial. It looks genuine. Unfortunately not in a condition to scan easily so can't be linked here.
The pedigree used for much of the above (the accuracy of which is questioned) has been scanned onto many portrait sheets and can be made available.
This rude poem about Lady Fenwick may or may not be an accurate assessment of the woman but is hard to resist:
Lines 43- from “An Heroic Poem” 1681 in "Court Satires of the Restoration" by John Harold Wilson-
“But prithee, Fenwick, wherefore art though grieved?
Thy wants have by preferment been relieved;
Thy lady longed and had her wished delight;
The King dubbed her a whore and thee a knight;
And none can tell which best deserved the grace;
Thy mighty courage for her lovely face.”
Note. Fenwick. Sir John Fenwick of Fenwick, Northumberland, was knighted in 1677 and inherited as third baronet in 1682. On July 14, 1663, he married Lady Mary Howard, eldest daughter of Charles, Earl of Carlisle. The poet asserts that Fenwick was knighted because his wife was the King’s mistress. Fenwick, later an ardent Jacobite, was attainted for high treason and executed January 27, 1697
Sir John Fenwick's “The Flower Among Them All”. Tune is here - Can anyone find the lyrics? They are said to exist.