Edmund Elvey ( ? - 5 Feb 1609) and Ann Cowland (2 Feb 1572 - ca. 1610)

Edmund's marriage licence states that he is a tailor. In the 16th century, farmers as a rule made their own clothes. Edmund must therefore have worked as tailor for very rich families like the Sondes, who since the middle of the 14th century were Lords of the Manor house of Throwley, situated next to the Church. This parish Church still contains the tombs of Sir Thomas Sondes, who died in 1592, and of Sir Michael Sondes, who died in 1617. The statues on these two tombs show fine examples of what was worn by men and women of he gentry in those days, the kind of dresswear that the gentry days would have commissioned tailors such as Edmund to make.

Edmund owned the house Cignett with 40 acres of land as well as a "lower" house in Throwley with 20 acres of land. As a farmer he had bee stocks, cows and sheep, and he grew cereals on some of his land. During the period around 1602 he was a churchwarden in Throwley.

When Edmund died his sons were still minors. Thomas was only 15 years and Edmund nearly 3 years old. The way he mentions all his farming tools in his Will, which he gave to his eldest son, shows that he was also proud of his job as farmer. Also interesting in his Will is that the house "Cignett", in which he lived, was inherited by his son Thomas and later passed on to his grandson Edmund Elvey in the last Will of Thomas.

It is interesting to note that Edmund's name is stated as Edward on this marriage licence, and on his last will it is Edmonde. At the birth of his children, however, it is written as Edmund. It would appear that the precise written form of names was perhaps not considered to be as important as it is today.

Click here to read Edmund's entire Will
Click here to read Edmund's and Ann's marriage licence of 22nd October 1593