The History of the Jacob’s Family of East Anglia 

The Jacob name is one of the earliest recorded in Great Britain.  In his scholary works, St. Bede the Venerable, mentions Jacob as a cleric in AD 628. (Ref: Bede Historia Ecclesiastica Anglorum, Liber II). Further references to Jacob are made in AD 633 (Ref: Paulinus) and ADD 652 (Ref: Bede Historia Ecclesiastica Anglorum, Liber III). See Trevor Walker Jacob's early reference section, page 1.

The family history starts-off with William Jacob AD 1138 in the Hundred Roll of Cambridge (Ref: Bolden Book of Inquisition, by the bishop of Durham). These early histories are documented in Trevor Walker Jacob's works (Ref: early reference page 2-15).

There are many branches to this Jacob Family of East Anglia. Here are some of these documented and recorded families.

LAVENHAM, SUFFOLK    

William Jacob of Lavenham, (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob’s pedigree page 38) was a fabulously wealthy merchant whose cloth production in the late 15th century was second only to that of Thomas Spring.

Lavenham was one of the wealthiest towns in the country, even surpassing cities like Lincoln and York. The leading Lavenham merchants were bigger operators than any in Colchester. Thomas Spring, William Spring and William Jacob all in 1477/8 sold at least twice as many cloths as Colchester's major seller, William Smith (Ref: Growth and decline in Colchester, 1300-1525, by R.H. Britnell. Page 184).

Between 1475-85, a case was drawn between Bartholomew Doon, John Lynch, Aleyn Dextere and Thomas Causton versus William Jacob, merchant of Lavenham, ref -  forfeiture of bond given as security for the delivery at Colchester of certain corn shipped at Yarmouth but delayed by enemies and tempest (Ref: Ptd Calendar Early Chancery Proceedings II page 174).

In his will dated 1500, at least 14 houses were mentioned in addition to his residence, including one in Norwich and -  "my manor called Ballesdon Hall with its lands, which I bought off Mr Clopton, another tenement with its lands called Lavenhams, another tenement with its lands called Ladydon, my tenement called Denstonse with its lands". All were be-quested to his wife, except the latter (now Denton's farm) which went to John Fermer and Joan his wife. "Mr Clopton" was the builder of Kentwell Hall (Ref: Babergh District Council, Hadleigh, Suffolk).

William Jacob also left the large sum of 20 marks to repairing the road between Lavenham and Bridge Street, £20 to rebuilding the church and money for a new market-cross. "I will have a cross made of my proper cost that shall settle upon the market here within the town of Lavenham". The market cross of Lavenham still stands to this day with a plaque commemorating William Jacob (Ref: Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology, page 20).

William Jacob's market cross of Lavenham. Although the base is original the cross itself was replaced in 1725.

WEYBREAD, SUFFOLK

The Jacob family had long been established in the parish of Weybread. The earliest reference is to Nicholas Jacob A.D. 1451, 29. Henry VI (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob pedigree page 32).

In 1524, Nicholas Jacob of Weybread was mentioned in the subsidy returns for Suffolk. In the Stowe Charters of 1538, a grant was made from John Coke (being the son of Henry Coke) heir of Margaret Coke, widow, to Nicholas Jacob, of all the lands in Weybread which descended to him after the death of Margaret Coke (Ref: Stowe Charters, British Library).

A further grant was made in 1543, from Nicholas Jacob of Weybread, yeoman, in pursuance of the will of John Coke of Harleston, Norfolk, of all the lands in Weybread. (Ref: Stowe Charters, British Library).

In 1684, Nicholas Jacob bought Instead Manor in Weybread from Robert Walpole, father to Sir Robert Walpole 1st Earl of Orford. Instead Manor had previously been held by the Walpole family for 250 years (Reference: Manors of Suffolk by W.A Copinger).

Nicholas Jacob, by his will dated 2nd January 1705 (Ref: IC/AA1/135//82 - see legal reference page 21), gave Instead Manor to his godson, Nicholas Jacob of Laxfield (later of Arminghall), who sold it by deeds dated 23rd and 24th March 1748, to John Lucas, of the Inner Temple (Reference: Manors of Suffolk by W.A Copinger).

Instead Manor

 

LAXFIELD, SUFFOLK

The Jacob family had long held their seat in the Parish of Laxfield. The earliest reference to this family is of John Jacob, who died in Laxfield circa 1485. He was the son of Nicholas Jacob AD 1451 of Weybread. (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree page 39).

There are ten Ledger Stones along the nave in Laxfield church baring the names and coats of arms for 12 members of this family (Ref: The Heraldry of Suffolk Churches, qs.929.8 number 17, Suffolk Records Office, Ipswich). See Armoury category.

There is also a monument to Nicholas Bradley alias Jacob, buried 8th August 1628, displayed on a stone in the north wall of the vestry (Ref: The Topographer and Genealogist, by John Gough Nichols).

On 16th October 1545, Nicholas Jacob was appointed "to be Yeoman of the Queen's Chamber", replacing the deceased Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, from correspondence of King Henry VIII, Windsor Castle, 16th October 1545. (Ref: Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 20 Part 2: August-December 1545, by James Gairdner).

His first wife, Magere Waller, was daughter of John Waller, Gent. Both his brother-in-laws, Owen Waller and Arthur Waller, were mentioned in his will.

And his second wife, Thomasina, was chief legatee of his will (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's - pedigree page 52).

He described himself in his will dated 1551 as "Sergeant at Arms to the King" and also mentions Clarke "his man" (valet) together with William Atkinson, his servant (Ref: "will of Nicholas Jacob - R16/173, W14/151, Suffolk Records Office, Ipswich). See legal reference section, page 20.

John Jacob was under-constable for Laxfield during trial & execution of John Noyes (Ref: The Martyrdom of John Noyes of Laxfield - 1557, account by John Fox).

John Noyes of Laxfield, was burned at the stake in the centre of Laxfield parish on September 22, 1557, as part of the religious intolerance that was the hallmark of the reign of Queen Mary. "Bloody Mary" came to the throne in 1553 and in a bid to restore Catholicism as the state religion, she ordered the burning of 300 prominent Protestants, 34 of them in Suffolk. It is said that on the day of John Noyes' execution, every fire in Laxfield was extinguished so that the soldiers of the Crown could not find a light to ignite the faggots.

But one unwitting householder failed to put his fire out completely and the burning went ahead.

(Ref: Laxfield festival to remember martyr's execution, by Judy Foster).

John Bradelaugh alias Jacob married Margaret Smythe alias Dowsing, relation to the infamous William Dowsing of Laxfield (Ref: See pedigree page 55).

William Dowsing was Provost-Marshall for the armies of the Eastern Association during the English Civil War. He was later appointed commissioner for the destruction of monuments of idolatry and superstition for over 250 Churches throughout the counties of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire (Ref: Puritan Iconoclasm during the English Civil War, by Julia Spraggon, page 121). His wife Sybil Dowsing, died in 1676 aged 68 and was buried along the nave of Laxfield church (Ref: The Heraldry of Suffolk Churches, qs.929.8 number 17, Suffolk Records Office, Ipswich).

Thomas Bradly alias Jacob was born in Laxfield on 14th November 1585, and died 18th August 1655 and buried in Chancel at Ubbeston church (Ref: see pedigree page 51). He married his 1st wife Barbara Heveningham at Ketteringham, Norfolk on April 11th 1631. Barbara was the youngest daughter (baptised 26th December 1594) of Sir Arthur Heveningham of Ketteringham Hall.  Her grandmother Mary Shelton, was 1st cousin to Ann Boleyn, Queen of England.

Portrait of Mary Shelton, married to Sir Anthony Heveningham, by Hans Holbein

There is a monument to Mrs Barbara Bradly alias Jacob at Ketteringham church. She was buried there on September 17th 1634 and shares the same monument with her brother, Sir John Heveningham, (son and heir to Sir Arthur) who died one year earlier on 17th June 1633 (Ref: Norfolk Archaeology by Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, pages 284 & 292).

His second wife Mary Waldegrave, was eldest daughter and heiress of John Waldegrave of Badingham, Suffolk. This Waldegrave family were related to the Waldegrave family of Smallbridge in Suffolk. Ancestors to the 1st Earl Waldegrave (Ref: Joan Corder's - A dictionary of Suffolk Arms, page 411).

Thomas Jacob alias Bradly Gent. of Redisham was married  to Frances Garney. In the East Anglian Miscellany, it is stated "there seems to be no other printed record of any member of the Jacob family living at Mendham from the early part of the 17th century, till 1757, they resided at Laxfield, but Thomas Jacob alias Bradly, who died in 1689, and is buried at Laxfield, was connected by marriage with the Frestons of Mendham" (Ref: East Anglian Miscellany, page 56). Frances Jacob was the daughter of Edward Garney and Frances Friston, herself daughter of Thomas Friston of Mendham. Frances Jacob inherited Redisham Hall from her uncle, Nicholas Garney (Ref: The history and antiquities of the county of Suffolk, by Alfred Inigo Suckling, page 63 and Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History, Suffolk Institute of Archaeology, page 144)

See Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree page 88, connected families page 16 and legal references page 20 - ref: will of Thomas Jacob Gent. of Redisham, died 1689 (A6/29/93 : A28/156 - Suffolk Records Office, Ipswich).

Redisham Hall, Suffolk

 

A verdict of a general court held at Laxfield that George Bradelaugh alias Jacob has cut down several trees belonging to him as a bond tenant of the manor in return for which he grants passage over the land to the Queens people with horses & carts on 20th April 1585 (Ref:FC/80/G5/1 Suffolk Records Office, Ipswich).

Nicholas Jacob of Laxfield (later of Arminghall), was appointed Sheriff of Suffolk between 21st December 1718 to 3rd December 1719 (Ref: Sheriffs of Suffolk: a list from 1129-1979, 344.20716. Suffolk Records Office, Bury St. Edmunds). He was married to Elizabeth Buxton, daughter of Robert Buxton of Channons Hall, Norfolk. This family are buried in the nave of Laxfield church (see: Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree page 73). See Armoury category.

Portrait of Elizabeth Buxton (Mrs Nicholas Jacob) aged 18, circa 1722, by Michael Dahl (1656-1743).

Donated with kind permission by Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery.

Various members of this family were admitted with others as trustees to farms held by the parish, and to the Guildhall of Laxfield, donated by the lord of the manor, in 1461, as a church house (Ref: Laxfield Guildhall Museum).  See Trevor Walker Jacob's Laxfield Parish Registers.

Jacobs Hall, Laxfield

HORSEHEATH & GAMLINGAY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

The Jacob family had long held their lands in Horseheath. Hugh Jacob (fl. 1448-77), whose son and heir William (d. 1508) left his Horseheath lands to his youngest son Robert (d.1518). In 1544 Richard Jacob sold Goodreds manor to Sir Giles Arlington with his ancestral lands, themselves by 1640 described as Jacobs Manor (Ref: A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 6).

This Jacob family of Horseheath produced a line of 6 Baronets which can be viewed in the work of  David Elisha Davy together with Trevor Walker Jacob's partial pedigree on page 27. A further study of this family can be made in the "Families of Jacob", published privately by Jacob and Glascott.

Sir John Jacob 1st Baronet of Bromley, Middlesex, married Elizabeth Halliday, great-granddaughter to Sir Leonard Halliday, Lord Mayor of London.  Sir John was Farmer of the king's customs in the port of London and was Knighted on 8th May 1633 by King Charles I (Ref: A genealogical and Heraldic History of Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies by Bernard Burke, page 279).

Sir John bought the Manor of St. Leonard's in Bromley in the following year of 1634. During that year, Sir John erected a monument to his father Abraham at Bromley Church (Ref: Old and New London, by Walter Thornbury, page 575). Sir John later became MP for Harwich in the short parliament of 1640, followed by Rye and Winchelsea in the long parliament (Ref: Alumni oxoniensis: the members of the university of Oxford, 1500-1714 by Joseph Foster, page 797).

He supported King Charles I during the English Civil War and was later imprisoned at Crosby House in 1642 (Ref: Thomas Lodge and the other Elizabethans by Charles Jasper Sisson, page 501). Sir John was created 1st Baronet of Bromley in 1664, by King Charles II, for his "loyalty and zeal" for the Royal Family (Ref: The Concise Pepys, by Samuel Pepys, page 161).

During his life, Sir John held the Manor of St. Leonard's in Bromley, Stanstead Hall, Peirier Manor, Copt-Hall, Wakes Hall in Essex and "The Great Lodge" in Earls Colne (Ref: Essex Records Office).

Sir John Jacob of West Wratting, 3rd Bart of Bromley, built the new family seat of West Wratting Park, Cambridgeshire. He died in 1740 and was buried in Withersfield church, Suffolk. His Ledger Stone displays the Jacob's of Bromley and Gamlingay coat of arms.  He built a rectory house in the parish of Withersfield called Jacobs Manor for his son-in-law the Reverend Abraham Oakes (Ref: Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archeology, by the Suffolk Institute of Archeology, page 110).

 

Hildebrand Jacob (first son of Sir John 3rd Bart of Bromley)  became a popular poet and play-write. His best known work was possibly "The Fatal Constancy", a blank-verse tragedy acted six-times at Drury Lane, twice by command of the Princess of Wales (Ref: Justin Croft: Antiquarian Books. - The Fatal Constancy, by Hildebrand Jacob).

The title became extinct in the early 1800's without any heir's from Sir Clement Bridges Jacob 5th Bart. and his brother Sir Charles Jacob 6th Bart. (Ref: The baronetage of England, by William Betham, page 367).

There was an ancient hospital in Gamlingay named after this family of Jacob (Ref: The baronetage of England, by William Betham, page 366). Sir John Jacob 1st Bart. of Bromley, constructed 10 almshouses as a final refuge for "widows of good character" for the parish of Gamlingay. They are still used to this present day by the Gamlingay parish council (Ref: Charities for the Poor, Parishes: Gamlingay, A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 5).

Sir John Jacob's almshouses of Gamlingay

SUDBURY, SUFFOLK

Mathew Jacob, Constable for Sudbury (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's - early reference section, page 14), died in 1423, the earliest recorded will  for any known Jacob  (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's - legal reference section, page 21B). See pedigree page 31.

MENDHAM, SUFFOLK

William Jacob of Mendham, Suffolk (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree page 78A) is documented to have been a cavalier in 1642, during the English civil war (Ref: Homes and family names in Great Britain, by Henry Brougham Guppy, page 292).

BUXHALL, SUFFOLK

See "The History of Buxhall", by W.A. Copinger (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's pages 90 and 91). See pedigree page 81.

NEEDHAM MARKET, BARKING AND CREETING ST. MARY, SUFFOLK

We begin this family's history with Thomas Jacob of Needham Market, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Returns for Suffolk in 1524 (ref: In movables 10s, Needham Market). See Trevor Walker Jacob's page 22.

It is also recorded that Thomas Jacob in 1537 held a vestry meeting at the Bull inn of Needham Market (ref: Needham Market Limes - pub details from Suffolk CAMRA - see extra historical information).

Thomas Jacob's son, Francis, was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy for Suffolk in 1568. (ref: In goods 6s 8d, Needham Market - see Trevor Walker Jacob's page 40).

Francis Jacob married Rose Bugs on 9.11.1562 in Barking and died in 1603, Creeting St Mary (ref: Trevor Walker Jacob pedigree page 59 & legal reference page 21A).  Francis Jacob's will mentions his servant - Thomas Botton,  his "boy" - Thomas Symond, Bess his maid and John Bradelaugh as his tenant.

Francis Jacob's daughter, Ann, married Thomas Garrard - Sheriff of London. Ann Jacob's first son, Sir Jacob Garrard, was created 1st Baronet of Langford (Norfolk), on 16th August, 1662. (ref: History and antiquities of the county of Norfolk, page 48). See Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree page 59.

Francis youngest son, Thomas Jacob of Creeting St Mary, married Mary, daughter of John Malby of Stonham Aspal (ref: Visitation of Suffolk 1612 and 1664). Thomas and Mary lived at Broughton Hall, Stonham Aspal. (ref: see Trevor Walker Jacob's parish records for Stonham Aspal).

Broughton Hall, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk

John Jacob of Ubbeston, son of Thomas Jacob of Creeting St. Mary, married Mary, daughter of Robert Randall of Denton, Norfolk (ref: Visitation of Suffolk, 1664). The Visitation of Suffolk 1664 confirms arms for Jacob of Ubbeston (ref: see armoury category, Joan Corder's - A Dictionary of Suffolk Arms and A Dictionary of Suffolk Crests).

Robert Jacob, Gent. of Stowupland, died in 1695 and was buried inside Creeting St. Mary church (ref: see armoury category - ledger stone). Robert's will mentions Thorney Hall, five tenants and his maid-servant, Martha Clough (ref: Trevor Walker Jacob pedigree page 97 & legal reference page 21A).

John Jacob Gent. inherited Thorney Hall in Stowupland from his uncle Robert, and was buried in 1730 at Creeting St. Mary. His son John Jacob Gent, died two years earlier in 1728 (ref: see armoury category - ledger stone, Creeting St Mary).

There is another ledger stone for John Jacob Gent of Eye, Suffolk (ref: see armoury category - Creeting St Mary). He  was the son of John Jacob who died in 1728, Creeting St. Mary. His will dated 1769 mentions six tenants together with Creeting St Mary (ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree page 127 & legal reference page 19).

Further branches to the family are mostly represented as yeoman & farmers referenced from Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree charts.  Here is a list of parishes for these featured families (Ref: Trevor Walker Jacob's pedigree charts, pages 23 to 158).

SUFFOLK - Baddingham, Bardwell, Barking, Brandeston, Brandon, Bredfield, Brundish, Bucklesham, Bungay, Burstall, Bury St. Edmunds, Campsey Ash, Cockfield, Combs, Cratfield, Creeting St. Mary, Cretingham, Drinkstone, Edwardstone, Elmsett, Eye, Framlingham, Fressingfield, Gislingham, Great Cornard, Groton, Hadleigh, Harleston, Henstead, Hessett, Heveningham, Huntingfield, Ixworth, Kersey, Kettleburgh, Milden, Mutford, Naughton,    Needham Market, Newton, Pakenham, Peasenhall, Rougham, Scarston, Sibton, Stanton, Stoke by Clare, Stoke by Nayland, Stonham, Stowmarket, Stowupland, Thurston, Tuddenham, Ubbeston, West Creeting, Wethingsett, Wickham Market, Wickhambrook, Wilby, Wilford, Withersfield, Woodbridge, Yaxley, Yoxford.

NORFOLK - Arminghall, Fincham, Hempnall, Redisham, Rushall, Thornham, Weeting, Wrentham.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE - Balsham, Barton, Harlton, Haslingfield, Histon, Leverington.