Inquisition taken at Marlborough, 4th April, 2 Charles I [1626], before John Foyle, esquire, escheator, after the death of Geoffery Whitaker, gentleman, by the oath of Richard Smith, gentleman, John Spencer, gentleman, George Mortymer, gentleman, Bartholomew Smith, gentleman, Alexander Dismer, Henry Smith, John Noyse, Thomas Smith, John Waterman, Edward Dismore, Thomas Slower, Thomas Eins, Thomas Freeman, Thomas Kinge, and John Lawrence, who say that
Geoffrey Whitaker the elder, grandfather of the abovesaid Geoffrey, was seised of a messuage and one virgate of land, with appurtenances in Tinhide and Edington, co. Wilts, and of 40 acres of meadow and pasture with appurtenances in Steeple Ashton, co. Wilts, and being so seised by his will dated 12th March, 42 Elizabeth [1600], devised the premises aforesaid to Nashe Whitaker, father of the aforesaid Geoffrey, and his heirs male, with remainder to Geoffrey Whitaker the younger, second son of the said Geoffrey the elder, and his heirs male ; ultimate remainder to his own right heirs ; and the said Geoffrey Whitaker the elder died on bth April, 43 Elizabeth [1601].
Nash Whitaker died on the 23rd October, 8 James I [1610]. After whose death the aforesaid Geoffrey Whitaker the younger (on whom the Inquisition is taken) was seised of the premises aforesaid, as son and heir of the said Nash Whitaker.
The said Geoffrey Whitaker the younger was also seised of the moiety of two closes of land, meadow and pasture, containing 20 acres, in Steeple Ashton and Edington, called Lossam Leaze.
The messuage and virgate of land in Tinhide and Edington are held of William Marquis of Winchester, as of his manor of Tinhide Romsey, in free socage, viz. by fealty, suit of court, and the rent of qs. per annum, and are worth per annum, clear, 20s. ; the aforesaid 40 acres in Steeple Ashton are held of the King as of his manor of Steeple Ashton in free socage, viz. by fealty, suit of court, and the yearly rent of 12s. 9d., and are worth, clear, 40s. ; and the moiety of the two closes called Lossam Leaze are held of the King in chief by knight’s service, but by what part of a fee the jurors know not.
Geoffrey Whitaker the younger died on the l7th of December [1625], and Geoffrey Whitaker, gent, is his kinsman and heir, viz. brother and heir of Nash Whitaker, father of the aforesaid Geoffrey the younger, and is of the age of 40 years and more.
Inq. p.m., 2 Charles I, p. 1, No. 30.
Originally published in Abstracts of Wiltshire Inquisitions Post Mortem, Returned Into the Court of Chancery in the Reign of Charles the First, edited by George and Edward Fry and issued to the subscribers by The British Records Society in 1901
