7. Robert Middlemore, of Edgbaston, esquire [eldest son of Thomas Middlemore (6) and Anne Littleton], was born about 1509, since he was twelve years old at the time of his father's death in 1521:. He held the office of sheriff of Warwickshire in 9-10 Elizabeth, 1567-8, and died, aged about sixty-seven, in 1576. Although it would seem that he must have conformed, yet it may be doubted if it was more than nominal compliance, for a still extant letter, dated 18 March, 1570, from the Warwickshire Justices to the Privy Council, states that they have assembled, and all have signed the articles for the uniformity of Common Prayer, except Sir Robert Throckmorton, Thomas Throckmorton, and Robert Middlemore.
In 1539, in an action relating to lands in Great Barr and Little Barr, the plaintiff, "a poor man," described the defendants, Robert Myddylmore, Henry Salter and others, as " men of great power and riches." He appears to be the Robert Middlemore of Edgbaston, esquire, against whom his .tenant, John Saunders, of Stodley, yeoman, filed a bill in Chancery relative to the rent, 18d., of some pasture land.
His will, dated 5 November, 1573, as Robert Myddilmore of Eggebaston, esquire, to be buried in the parish church of Edgbaston by my first wife, gives his son-in-law, John Chetwyn, esquire, his best bay gelding, and to Margery his daughter, wife of John Chetwyn, a "bruche" of gold; to Walter and Thomas their sons £20 each, and two pots of gold; to John Hanslepp, esquire, his son-in-law, £13 6s. 8d., a "bruche of gold" to Elizabeth Hanslepp, his daughter, and small legacies to their children ; bequests to poor of Birmingham, Hales Owen, West Bromwich, Walsall, King's Norton, etc.; land called Michelhaie to son William Myddlemore until Richard Myddlemore should pay him £100 ; names his cousins John Alicocke and Shelton. Residue to Richard Myddlemore; his kinsmen John Myddilmore of Hawkeslow and William Barnes of Talton, and friend Richard Smalbroke of Birmingham, to settle any disputes. Proved by Richard Middlemore, 28 June, 1576.
From his will it is clear that he was twice married, but only the name of one wife,
presumably the second, has been found. This lady was Anne, daughter of Ralph Egerton of
Wrynehill, Cheshire, by Isabel, daughter and heiress of Robert Hill, of Hownhill, which Isabell after her husband's death married Edward Littleton. Their children were:
- Richard Middlemore, of whom next (8).
- Robert Middlemore, who probably died young, before 1573, not being named in his fathers will.
- William Middlemore, of Birmingham, merchant, afterwards of Longdon, Stafford, in 1589. As we have seen, Michelhaie, perhaps now Metchley, in Harborne, was devised to him by his father to secure a legacy of L100. It seems probable that he was ancestor of the Middlemores of London and Bristol, who became benefactors to the Clothworkers' Company. But no record of his wife seems to be preserved, nor has his will been found, and the registers of Longdon do not help. But the reference to the Chetwynds in the will of Samuel Middlemore, London, indicates a connection with the Edgbaston line. See hereafter (13-15)
- Margery, eldest daughter, mentioned in her father's will (1573) as legatee for a "bruche of gold." Her will, dated
January, 1602, was found at Lichfield. She married, as his second wife, John Chetwyn, esquire, afterwards of Ingestre, co. Stafford. John Chetwyn, who had previously
married Marie Meverell, of the Bolde, co. Stafford, died 15 April, 1592, and administration of his effects was granted at Lichfield in the same year. She survived her husband, and left
issue:
- Sir Walter Chetwynd, of Ingestre and Grendon.
- Robert Chetwynd, d. unmarried.
- Thomas Chetwynd, of Rugeley ; m. Dorothy, d. of Walter Coleman, of Cannock, and had nine children. His seventh son was Philip Chetwynd, of London; mat. at Queen's Coll. Oxford, 27 February, 1600, aged seventeen ; died in 1662 (cf. " Pepys's Diary," " 3rd December, 1662, Mr. Chetwind is dead, my old and most ingenious acquaintance"). Doubtless the "curator" in 1654 of John and Rebecca Middlemore (15).
- Edward Chetwynd, Dean of Bristol, d. 1639 ; ex. matr. 1593, aged sixteen.
- Philip Chetwynd, of Ashby Park ; m. Elizabeth Conyers, and had a son, George.
- Margerie.
- Elizabeth, who, like her sister, received under her father's will: a "bruche of gold," married John Hanslapp of Stonithorpe, co. Warwick, a legatee for
£ 13 6S. 8d. under his father-in- law's will. They had issue
- Thomas Hanslap, who married Anne, daughter ol Thomas Penistone of Oxfordshire, and left issue.
- Robert,
- William,
- Richard, who all died s. p.
- Dorothy, married . . . . Salter.
- Frances, married Nicholas Bodington.
- Anne, married Richard Wagstaff.
On 9 February, 1589, he filed a bill in the Star Chamber, against Thomas Smallbrooke and others, in respect of premises in Birmingham known as the "Cock and Bear," which had belonged to his father, who, 26 July, 1533, leased them to John Wyllis for ninety-nine years. William Myddelmore set up a claim to these premises, alleging that John Wyllis by his will, 7 September, 1552, bequeathed the said indenture to Robert Middlemore (though probably only in trust) and the term of years to his wife Elizabeth, who was said to have assigned it to William Shorte, and he in turn to William Middlemore. Smallbrooke, as executor of Elizabeth Wyllis, disregarding these assignments to Shorte and William Middlemore, and breaking into the premises "in a warlike manner" took possession, and Middlemore filed his bill for an injunction, but the result of the action is not known.