Genealogy
Eyre of Hassop, Rampton, Laughton
The Eyres were related by marriage to other historic families: Fitzherberts, Babingtons and Nevilles.
The Eyres were an important and numerous family in Derbyshire in the Middle Ages. Robert le Eyre was hereditary warden of the Royal Forest of the Peak which was administered from Peveril Castle in Castleton. The Hassop branch, traced back to Stephen Eyre of Hassop in the 15th century, became prominent in the 16th, particularly during the lifetime of Rowland Eyre who married one of Humphrey Stafford's co-heirs and acquired the manor of Rowland. The family were recusants and during the Civil War, delinquents. In the 19th century, Francis Eyre, the owner of the estate, succeeded to the titular earldon of Newburgh. The male line died out in the later 19th century.
William le Eyr of Hope was a direct ancestor of Nicholas le Eyr of Hope who was father of Nicholas le Eyr of Hope who married Joanna daughter of Edward Barlow of Barlow. Issue included:
- Robert m Joanna Padley
- William, of North Lees, Hathersedge, Derbyshire, who m. Elizabeth, daughter of Wickersley, of Wickersley
Hassop
Stephen Eyre married Catherine Dymoke who purchased the Manor of Hassop from the Plumpton family about 1498. He was succeeded by his son Rowland who discovered rich veins of lead ore on the Hassop Estate, and made a fortune from wool and lead which financed the construction of a new Hassop Hall which was completed around 1610.
Rowland Eyre of Hassop Derbyshire married in 1513 to Dorothy, dau of Henry Everingham, esq. of Stainbrough. Children:
- Stephen of Hassop
- Elizabeth,m. George Blackwell, esq. of Tideswell, Derbyshire
- Anne, m. to Anthony Longsden, esq. of Longsden Derbyshire
Stephen of Hassop married twice.
1. Helen (Elyn), daughter of Roger Downes, esq. of Shrigley, Cheshire
2. Anne, daughter and heir of Thomas Blackwell, esq. of Shirley, in Derbyshire.
Stephen and Anne had 6 children:
- Rowland, of Hassop, m. Gertrude, dau. and co-heir of Humphrey Stafford esq. of Eyam, and died in 1624. By this marriage the Eyres acquired the manors of Calver and Rowland. The last male lineal descendant was Francis, the seventh and last Earl of Newburgh, of Hassop
- Dorothy, m. to John Roberts, of Laughton-en-le-Morthen
- Jane
- Anne, m. to William Parker, of Whitley Hall
- Mary, m. John Staveley, of Redseats, Derbyshire
- Catherine, m. George Needham, of Thornset, Derbyshire
Will of Rowland Eyre of Hassop
His body is to be buried in the Church of Longstone or Etwall without pomp. He bequeaths Birchover Hall alias Rawtor Hall and the lands belonging, for which he was offered £450, to his son Rodger Eyre for life then to Roger's son, Adam Eyre and to his heirs male; £100 from his stock of lead to his son George Eyre, who will undertake to pay his (George's) daughters Gertrude and Jane £200 when they come of age; also from the lead stock 100 marks to Gertrude Eyre, daughter of Adam Eyre, his son; a bond for £40 from Mrs Buckley to George Eyre, his son; all his Groves in Tadington and Prestcliffe, also to George; lands held of Henry Dickens of Tadington to Thomas Eyre, his son; an annuity to Thomas Pege, his grandson, and debts owed by Christopher Pege. Appoints Rouland Eyre, son of Thomas Eyre of Hassoppe, Prudence Eyre, Thomas' wife, and Anne Eyre, wife of Rouland Eyre, his grandson, as his executors. Codicils making small bequests to servants, etc
Holme Hall Chesterfield
Roger Eyre of Holme Hall, Chesterfield, m Elizabeth, daughter and sole heir of Robert Whittington, of Whittington. He was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas.
Thomas Eyre of Holme Hall and Dunstan Hall was succeeded by his son Robert.
Robert Eyre of Holme Hall, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Barley, of Barley, in Derbyshire; he was succeeded by his son Edward.
Edward Eyre (1487-1556) of of Holme Hall, Chesterfield and Newbold, Derbyshire, aged 30 at his father's decease, m. twice:
1. Elizabeth, daughter of Ralph Reresby of Thrybergh, Rotherham and had by her one son and three daughters:
- Anthony m. Elizabeth, daughter of German Pole, of Radburne
- Elizabeth m John Rollesley. 12 children. Buried Darley Dale
- Ann m Thomas Revell of Carnthwaite
- Lucy m Humphrey Stafford of Eyam
Children of Humphrey and Lucy Stafford included:
- Alice m.John Savage, of Castleton
- Gertrude m. Rowland Eyre, of Hassop. 12 children. buried in Longstone Church
- Ann m. 1565, to Francis Bradshawe
- Katherine n. Rowland Morewood, of The Oaks
- Dorothy
2. Alice, dau. of Robert Pursglove, and had by her one son, Robert, of Kent, who died without issue
Edward Eyre of Holm Hall was succeeded by his son Anthony Eyre of Newbold.
Thomas Eyre, Esq., who died in 1595, sold Holme Hall to the Leakes
Newbold
Anthony Eyre of Newbold in Derbyshire and Kiveton, Yorkshire married Elizabeth, daughter of German Pole, of Radburne, Derbyshire; he died in 1575 He was succeeded by his son Gervase (c.1547-1626). buried at Laughton-en-le-Morthen. Gervase was succeeded by his only son Anthony.
Gervase Eyre(c.1547-1626) of Newbold and Kiveton married Mary, daughter George Nevile Thorney, Nottinghamshire and Barbara sister and co-heir of Sir George Hercy of Grove, Nottinghamshire. Children:
- Anthony (b c.1576) of Laughton, Kiveton and Rampton
- Elizabeth, m in 1595 Thomas Riccard of Hatfield, Doncaster
- Barbara m John Frechville, 2nd son of Peter Frechville Esq. of Staveley, Derbyshire
- Jane, m Sir Hardolph Wasteneys, of Headon
Laughton & Kiveton
24 10 1588 Mr John EYRE was buried at Laughton-en-le-Morthen, his wife Elizabeth was buried 02 02 1587
On 01 02 1589 John EYRE (aka MORLEY) Son of Anne was buried at Laughton-en-le-Morthen
01 01 1593 Elizabeth EYRE m. Thomas RICARD Gentleman at Laughton-en-le-Morthen
01 08 1594 Francis EYRE m. Frances MIDDLETON at Laughton-en-le-Morthen
Barbara Eyre m. Robert MICHELL 21 06 1608 at Laughton-en-le-Morthen
Anthony Eyre of Laughton, Kiveton and Rampton married twice.
1. Anne (buried 23 06 1608 at Laughton), daughter of John Markham of Sedbrough, Lincolnshire. Children:
- Marie c.17 08 1600
- Gervase of Rampton
- Martha c.06 10 1602 married at Rampton to William Saltmarsh
- John c.24 12 1603
- Francis c.30 04 1605
- Roger c.24 04 1606 buried 28 01 1607 Laughton
- Robert (b 1607) by his will left to poor of Laughton 20s per annum from his manor of Boughton in Kent
- Mary married 6 June 1633, at Rampton, to William Blythe
- Isabella
2.In 1609 Mary (d 1632), daughter of Henry Nevile of Grove. Children:
- Anthony c.26 03 1612 Laughton, m Frances, daughter of Sir Gervase Clifton. Royalist Officer during the Siege of Newark.
- Arthur (1615-1617)
- Thomas
- Margaret (b 1610)
- Bridget (b 1613)
- Jane (1614-1618)
- Jane (b 1618), m. Sir Gervase Clifton
- Anne (b 1620)
- Millicent (b 1622)
A Gervase Eyre, son of Anthony was buried 28 10 1625 at Laughton
Rampton Tapestry Map
Mary Eyre, daughter of Anthony Eyre of Laughton, Kiveton and Rampton and his first wife, Anne(Nee Markham)(d.1608), became well known for commissioning a Tapestry Map of Nottinghamshire which was hung on the main staircase at .
By the late sixteenth century, tapestries were customary parts of the material culture enjoyed by the elite.
The map, worked in 1632 by the Hyckes family, ( Richard Hyckes(d.1621) was William Sheldon's manager), is in two parts, showing the northern and the southern areas of Nottingham. The panels are woven in multi-coloured wools and the name of every place in the county is marked with accuracy, and in the deftest manner. The map uses symbols to represent the towns and villages of the county that for Greasley, for example, is a gatehouse feature.
The first part is based on Christopher Saxton's Survey of Nottinghamshire (1579) and bears the inscription 'At Rampton made wee wefe by Mistress Mary Eyre, 1632'.
The second part of the tapestry is based on John Speed's map of 1616.
The art of weaving tapestry was brought into England by William Sheldon who opened his tapestry works in Warwickshire about 1561; there was a family connection to the Sheldon family via Anne, the mother of Mary Eyre, who was a distant cousin of Elizabeth Markham (c.15651630), daughter of , who married Edward Sheldon (1566-1643), son of Ralph Sheldon (1537-1613), who established the famous tapestry works at Barcheston Manor House; and grandson of William Sheldon (d. 1570) of Beoley , founder of the Sheldon Tapestry Workshops.
The Tapestry Maps are still in their frames in the former Museum of Costume and Textiles at Nottingham. The museum is now closed to the public. I understand that the collections will eventually be moved to new stores, yet to be built, on the edge of Wollaton Park, currently the Nottingham Natural History Museum.
The Bodleian Library holds three other Sheldon Tapestry Maps.
Rampton
Gervase Eyre of Rampton married in 1624 Elizabeth (b 1607), younger daughter of John Babington Esq. of Rampton, and had:
- Mary (b 1628), m Sir John Newton
- Anthony (1632-1633)
- Barbara (1633-1634)
- Anthony (1634-1671) of Rampton, MP
- Gervase (1638-1640)
- Anne (b 1640)
Gervase Eyre of Rampton sold the estates at Kiveton and Newbold and lived at Rampton. He was killed in 1645/6 at the seige of Newark during the Civil War.
Anthony Eyre(1634-1671) of Rampton, MP for Nottingham, married twice.
1. In 1657 Lucy, daughter of Sir John Digby of Mansfield Woodhouse. Children:
- Robert (1655-1660)
- Elizabeth
2.Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Packington, Baronet, of Westwood, Worcestershire. Children:
- Margaret (b 1667)
- Gervase (1669-1704) of Rampton
- Anthony (1671-1672)
- Dorothy, m in 1680 John Bradshawe Esq. of Brampton-en-le-Morthen
- Mary
He died in 1671 and his son Gervase, then aged 2, inherited his estates in 1671.
Gervase Eyre (1669-1704) of Rampton married in 1687 Catherine (d 1704), daughter of Sir Henry Cooke of Wheatley. Children:
- Elizabeth (1688-1761)
- Dorothy (1690-1698)
- Anthony (1691-1748) of Laughton-en-le-Morthen & Adwick-le-Street
- Catherine (1692-1723)
- Henry (b 1693) of Rowter, m. Elizabeth Hickham
- George (1695-1761) Captain in the Royal Horse Guards
- Gervase (c.1697-1741)
- Charles (1700-1763), M.D., of Doncaster, m Elizabeth Fountaine of High Melton Doncaster. Child Anthony Fountaine Eyre of Barnburgh, Doncaster(d 1794)
- Honor
- Susanna (d 1766)
- Diana (c.1702-1763)
Gervase Eyre, served as Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, and sometimes was resident at Sandbeck Maltby. He was elected as Tory M.P. in 1698. He died in 1704 and his estates were inherited by his eldest son Anthony (1691-1748).
Anthony Eyre (1691-1748) of Laughton-en-le-Morthen & Adwick-le-Street married in 1717 Margaret (d 1748) daughter of Charles Turner of Kirk Leatham, Yorkshire. Children:
- Margaret (b 1719), m in 1742 Bache Thornhill(d.1763) of Stanton
- Gervase (1720-1741)
- Katherine (1721-1803), m in 1758 Matthew Dodsworth Esq.
- Elizabeth (b 1722)
- Diana (b 1723)
- Mary (b 1726), m in 1752 Anthony Cooke
- Anthony (1727-1788) m.Judith Laetitia Bury
Anthony Eyre(1691-1748) pulled down the manor house at Rampton, and moved to Laughton-en-le-Morthen. He bought an estate at Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster from his uncle, Sir George Cooke, in 1733, where he lived until his death in 1748. He was buried at Laughton-en-le-Morthen. He served as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1729.
Anthony Eyre (1727-1788) married in 1755 Judith Laetitia Bury (1731-1800), daughter of John Bury and Catherine Hutchinson, and the great-niece and heiress of Sir Hardolph Wasteneys. Children:
- Anthony Hardolph (1757-1836)
- John (1758-1830) Archdeacon of Nottingham, m in 1790 Charlotte, daughter of Sir George Armytage
- Charles (1768-1796)of Grove and Headon
- Sir George (1769-1839), K.C.B., Vice-Admiral, Royal Navy, m 1800 Georgiana, daughter of Sir George Cooke of Wheatley
- Julia (1760-1780) m in 1779 Robert Auriol Hay Drummond 10th Earl of Kinnoul
Anthony Eyre(1727-1788) was MP for Boroughbridge, In 1762 he purchased the manor and estate of Grove in Nottinghamshire, and Grove Hall was his principal residence.
Anthony Hardolph Eyre (1757-1836) married 1783 Francisca Alicia (d 1810), daughter of Richard Wilbraham Bootle of Latham Hall, Lancashire. Children:
- Gervase Anthony (1791-1811) killed at the Battle of Barossa, Spain, in 1811
- Mary Letitia (1784-1860) m in 1804 Charles Herbert Pierrepont, 2nd Earl Manvers
- Frances Julia (d 1844), m in 1814 Granville Harcourt Vernon (1792-1879), who inherited the manors of Grove and Headon
- Henrietta
Henrietta married twice:
1. cousin John Hardolph Eyre (1792-1817), son of John Eyre, Archdeacon of York.
2. Henry Gally Knight, M.P. (1786-1846)
The Manor of Laughton was sold to Anthony St. Leger of Firbeck in 1767.
On the death of Anthony Eyre, the manor of Rampton was inherited by John Hardolph Eyre's brother Reverend Charles Wasteneys Eyre in 1835.
Colonel Henry Eyre (b1834), son of Charles Wasteneys Eyre of Rampton and Lucy Dorothy (Nee Foulis) married in 1861 Kathleen (d.1899) daughter of Rev. Robert Machell of Beverley, Yorkshire. They had a son, Gervas Malcolm (b1862). Henry was JP for Nottinghamshire, and became Lord of the Manor of Rampton on the death of his father in 1862. He also owned land in Treswell, Nottinghamshire. He died in Lincoln in 1904.
Henry Eyre sold the Rampton estate in 1893 to Mr.Cottham who in 1902 sold to Charles R. Ellis.
Source:
Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry
Sheffield Archives: Bagshawe Collection
Laughton Parish Registers