Middlemore Family Genealogy

Hawkesley Family

49. William Middlemore, of Hawkeslow, gentleman.

He married first Margery, daughter of Robert Gatacre, of Gatacre, in the parish of Claverley, Salop, by Joan, daughter of John Hoorde, of Bridgnorth. Through this marriage the Middlemores of Hawkesley and Birmingham trace a royal descent from Alfred the Great.  This is given at length in the Appendix.

Hoorde. - The ancient seat of this family near Bridgnorth is still called Hoorde's Park. This John Hoorde is probably the John Horde who was Sheriff of Salop in 1488. His ancestors for seven generations are recorded in Visit. Salop, 1623 They bring in a descent from the Palmers, an important medieval family in the history of Bridgnorth. The Hoordes gave for their arms, Argent on a chief or, a raven sable.
He married (2) Dorothy, as shown by his will, 1544, at which date she was living, but nothing more is known of her. William Middlemore and Margery Gatacre had issue

  1. John Middlemore, of whom next (50).
  2. Thomas Middlemore, of whom nothing is known.
  3. A son, name unknown:
  4. Eleanor, married as second wife, Thomas Copley, of Bredon, Worcestershire, who, by the pedigree entered in the Heralds' Visitation of Worcestershire, 1569, appears to have been the eldest son of William Copley, of Bedings (sic) in Suffolk, by Bennett, daughter of Thomas Chaloner, of Enfield. The arms of Copley are, Argent on a cross moline sable, a martlet or.
  5. Mary, married Clement Swallow, of Shottery, gentleman; she is the only child, excepting John, mentioned by name in her father's will. His will, 18 March, 13 Elizabeth, 1571.  To be buried at Stratford-on-Avon ; leases at Walford Ruardyne andRosse to Mary his wife, then to son Clement. Overseers, brothers-in-law Robert Mydlemore and Thomas Copley.
  6. Jane, married Thomas Dingley, who was probably of the family of Dyneley of Charlton, whose pedigree is entered in the Visitation of Worcestershire, 1569.  They gave for arms, Argent a fess sable in chief a mullet of the second between two pellets.
  7. Edward Middlemore, of whom nothing is known.
  8. Robert Middlemore, probably of Clement's Inn, gentleman, (called "Rothes" in Vincent's pedigree), and presumably the Robert Middlemore who, in 1573, with his brother, John Middlemore, esquire, bought for £200 from William Hytche and John Moren, of Chobham, Surrey, premises in Alchurche, Worcestershire. He made the will of one Richard Hawkes, of-King's Norton, 24July, 1576, who devised certain lands to his brother, John Middlemore, of Hawkeslow, esquire, and was his executor, and made affidavit as to the testator's competency, 22 October, 1585.
  9. Henry Middlemore (74), ancestor of the Middlemores of Enfield and Barton upon Humber, of whom hereafter. Key pedigree Q,