General Notes

See: Radcliffe and Hervy Pedigrees in part 2 of this book. Some genealogists feel that due to the timeline and Eleanors will she desends from one of these two families. We have included the pedigrees for further research by other researchers.
Source: Clarence Almon Torrey , The Whitbread Family (TAG 32). The first Thomas Whitbread, of Upper Gravenhurst, was alive in 1552, when mentioned in the will of his son Lawrence, but no probate record was found. Sir William Gasgoyne, knight, had made a feoffment of the manor of Schepoe with appurtenances in Great and Little Gravenhurst and Clopton to Thomas Whytebrede on 12 April 1538. The will of Lawrence, son of Thomas, proved 1552, mentioned his brother John, father Thomas, and minor sons Henry and John, etc. Almon Torrey estimated that this William was born about 1573, but William Whitbread, yeoman, of Gravenhurst, swore deposition in 1625, stating that he was then 55 or thereabouts, or born about 1570.
Source:  The American Genealogist, Whole Number 127, Vol 32, Nr.3, July 1956. John Whitbread , born about 1548, a resident of Upper Gravenhurst as early as 1571, appears to have been the John Whitbred as  written in the parish register buried 28 Nov 1598. A search failed to find a will or other probate record and no deeds to or from him have been located. John married Eleanor/Ellenor. [as noted is probate record found] Ellen was of Elstow in her nuncupative will  which was probated 18 April 1629, and was most likley then living with her youngest son John, who had settled in Elstow. But she was the "Widow Whitebread" buried at Upper Gravenhurst 20 Nov 1628, in the churchyard near her husband's grave. Eleanor may have been related in some way to the Radcliffe or the Harvey family.  The evidence of such a relationship is: 1] 1 August 1611, Sir Edward Radcliffe, of "Eluestowe" sold John Radwell of Kempston, ploughwright, in consideration of 32 pounds, and a messuage or tenement with yard garden and adjoining orchard in Eluestowe between land of the King and Lambes Lane alias Lambesyate on the west highway leading from Eluestowe to Kempston on the north and the Common green there on the south, to be held of the chief lord of the fee by the rents and services therefore due.  2] Edw: Radcliffe then signed a "Covenant of assurance against Dame Isabel Radcliffe late of Eluestowe deceased his mother." Isabel (Hervey) Radcliffe was already dead, the covenant was to guard against claims from any of her heirs. 3] That same day, Sir Edward Radcliffe entered a bond for 60 pounds to secure the deed poll just made to John Radwill. 4] also that same day, John Whitbread of Eluestowe, husbandman, also entered a bond for the sum of 20 pounds to John Radwell, "assuring him quiet enjoyment of above premises against Elner Whitbread of Eluestowe, widow, his mother."
Source: Bedfordshire Deeds compiled by F. A. Page-Turner, Bedfordshire Historical Record Society, v. 4. Sir Edward Radcliffe noted in these records was son of Sir Humphrey Radcliffe, who died 13 Aug 1566, aged 57, by his wife Isabel Hervey, who died 8 May 1594. Eleanor, a generation younger than Isabel, failed to appear on the Radcliffe pedigree in the Visitation of Bedfordshire, 1566. [See Pedigrees Part 2]Sir Edward presumably was giving assurance against any encumbrance that might have been placed on the property by his mother Isabel, or perhaps against claims of her creditors or heirs, as this property may have an inheritance claim from the Hervey family. It is unknown at this time how Eleanor may be related to the Radcliffes or Herveys. "The last will and testmt, of Ellenor Whitebread of Elstowe deceased, uttered by her in her life time and since her death put into writings as followeth. The said Ellenor Whitebread beinge of pfect memorie did in the prsence of William Whitebread and Henrye Whitebread utter her minds touchings the disposing of her worldlie goods as followeth vizt. Imprimis she gave unto Willia' Whitebread her eldest sonne her silver measure and after his decease to his eldest sonne Henery Whitebread and after his decease to his eldest sonne Willia' for to be a standard for ever unto the heire of the Whitebreads. It' she gave unto Willia' Whitebread her godsone a silver spoone. It' she gave unti Henery Whitebread her godsonne a silver spoone and unto Ellenor Whitebread her goddaughter his sister a silver spoone and a porridgpot. It' she gave unto Willia' Spencer a silver spoone beinge my godsonne. It' she gave unto Ellenor Whitebread her goddaughter unto John Whitebread a silver spoone & a porridgpot. It' she gave unto Ellenor Chapman her godaughter (sic) a porrigpott if ever she do come for it. It' she gave unto John Whitebread her godsonne a silver spoone. It' she gave unto Thomas Spencere xlvj s. viij d. It' she willed her sonne John Whitebread to pay all her debts and to be her Executor." No signatures or date Probate: 18th April to Executor named.  Source: Copy of the Will of Ellenor Whitbred of Elstow 1629, Bedord Archdeaconry Court, 1628/9, No. 122. Ellenor’s eldest son William in 1639 styled himself a gentelman.  The recorded marriage of Alice Whitbread in 1600 to Gerard Spencer, the known baptisms of her Spencer children, and the fact that two of them, William and Thomas received legacies in Eleanor's will, one of them being her godson, insures that Alice belongs to the family of John and Eleanor Whitbread. William Whitbred and Gerrard Spencer sold to John Whitbread 11 messuages, 1 pigeon house, 11 gardens, 11 orchards, 200 acres arable, 200 acres meadow, and 60 acres pasture, in Shillington, Over Gravenest, Nether Gravenest, Flitton, Silsoe, Elstoe, Kempston, and Stotfolde, Easter, 9 James I 1611. Feet of Fines for Beds. P.R.O., CP. 25, 2, 270. The children listed, William, Henry, Alice and John are positively proved as belonging to John and Eleanor. The children of John , probably all born in Upper Gravenhurst, were: i. Elizabeth (3), bapt. 28 Sept. 1571; ii. William, b: (1573); m. Elizabeth. iii. Henry, bapt. 9 Jan 1575/6; m. Elizabeth Leventhorpe iv. Alice, b. (1578) m. 10 Nov 1600, Gerard Spencer (supra, 27:84). Four of her sons came to New England and all left descendants. v. Francis, bapt. 30 Apr 1581; no further record. vi. John, bapt. 8 Nov 1584; m. Mary Newman vii. Judith, bapt. 6 June 1591; m. 23 July 1626, Richard Poulter.