1584/5 "Christenings February 14 Marie daughter of Thomas Farrington ye foureteneth" at St Dunstan in the East, London, England. [1]
1592 Henry Polsteede, son of Henry Polsteede, deceased was admitted to the Company of Merchant Taylors of London by patrimony on 17 July 1592. The notes in his record say Livery 5 June 1602, Court 12 Oct 1619, Master 1625. [2] Thomas Polstedd, son of Henry Polstedd, was admitted by patrimony on 13 November 1644.
1599 Sept. 22 "The names of such persons as have written with their own hands, to venture in the pretended voyage to the East Indies (the which it may please the Lord to prosper), and the sums that they will adventure, the xxii. September 1599, viz. ... 35. Thos. Farrington, vintner £200 ... Henry Poalstedd [and] George Whitmore £200." [3]
1600 Thomas Farrington and Henry Polsted were among the adventurers named in the charter granted to the East India Company by Queen Elizabeth at Westminster on December 31. [4]
Charter of incorporation of the East India Company by the name of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies. "A privilege for fifteen years granted by Her Majesty to certain adventurers for the discovery of the trade for the East Indies;" that is to say, to Geo. Earl of Cumberland, and two hundred and fifteen knights, aldermen, and merchants, as follows: ... Thos. Farrington ... Hen. Polsteade.
1600/1 March 21 to 1602 April 26. Henry Polsted and Thomas Farrington were among the "Names of those to whom 'Bills of Adventure' have been to sealed in the East India Company, with the date of the bill of adventure and the amount. [Unless otherwise expressed, the sum subscribed by each adventurer is 240l., which includes the bill and supplies; the total amount is 62,880l.] ... Henry Poulsteede ... Thos. Farrington." [5]
1602 Henry Polsted was created a liveryman of the Merchant Taylors' Company. [6]
Extracts From Court Minutes as to Calling to the Livery to Raise Money for Sir Robert Lee's Mayoralty, 1602.
The Company used to create liverymen much as the Crown did knights, viz., to cover the expense of any extraordinary occasion. The entry of the calling of the Livery to cover the expenses of Sir Robert Lee's election as Lord Mayor in 1602 may be given as an illustration …
"Be it remembered that these several persons hereafter named (viz.), Bobert Leo the younger, Raphe Smith, John Proude, Peter Goures, Richard Tennant, John Erie, William Adderley. Henry Moody, George Wynne, Ot-ho Mawdytt, Robert Gore, Raphe Gore, George Sotherton, Jacob Procter, Edwd. Davenont, James Graves, Edmd. Creetch, Wm. Bond, Win. Brett, John Harrison, Matthew Beadles, Edwd. Katcher, Anthony Sprott, John Haughton, Thos. Offley, Henry Polsted and Wm. Speight, being lately (as appeareth by former Courtes) taken & called into the Clothing and Lyvery of this Society, did upon Summons and Warning unto them given, make theire p'sonal appearance before our Master and Wardens and other Worshipfull Assistants of this Company in the Common Hall of this Societie upon a certen date appoynted for that purpose, and they were informed by Mr. Robt. Dowe, a grave & wor11 Member of this Company that the Master, Wardens, and Assistants having received sufficient testimony of theire habylities, wysdom, and civill conversations, had elected and chosen them to be of the Clothing & Lyvery of this Societie; and withal they were informed that accordinge to a late decree every of them that had not supplied the place of a Warden Substitute, was to pay Twenty-five poundes a-piece, and those that hod executed the same place onlye Thirty-three shillings and fourpence, which they were appoynted to send within a few daies. Also they were appoynted to p'pare their Lyverie Gowns and Hoods in a readiness within ffourteen dayes, and upon a certen daie appointed, to resort hither agayne, to receive and take the usuall Othe, upon Admittance into the Lyvery; and they were all appoyted to provide theire Livery Hoods suitable, all of one Cloth, and not to provyde any olde Hoods. They were also informed that they of this Lyvery sholde bestowe on the Clerk and Beadle, to either of them a new Hood, beside such further Gratuitie as they thought fitt. They were further advertized by the Wardens, that it hath been an auncient and usual custome and curtesy that those that be called into the Lyverio shoulde present and helpe our Master with Venison agaynst his ffeaste. After which they departed, and all the said p'sons agaynst the day appoynted either brought or sent in their money due upon their said admyttance.
1603/4 "Matrimonia Hennery Poalstead and Mary Farington 20 of February" at St Peter Le Poer, London. [7]
1603[/04?] A list dated 15th March 1603 of members who paid an assessment of members includes "Henry Polsted" First First Assessment 1 0 0, The Second Assessment 0 6 8. [8]
1607 At a meeting of court of the Merchant Taylors' Company on June 27, plans were made for a banquet in the company hall for King James and his wife and son. [9]
George Lydiatt, Otho Mawditt, Richard Osmotherly, George Sotherton, James Graves, Matthew Beadles, John Houghton and Henry Polstrede, being all of the Livery of this Company, are entreated and appointed to make provision of plate at the Companies charge, wherein it is not doubted but they will deale carefully and frugally for the Company.
1615 Son Henry Polsted was born on August 15. [10]
1621 "Henry Poulsted" was elected one of four warden of the Merchant Taylors' Company: Wardens 1st and 2nd. Edmund Crich. Edward Ketche or Catcher. 2nd and 3rd. Henry Poulsted. William Speight. [11]
1623 "Henry Polsted" was elected one of four warden of the Merchant Taylors' Company: Wardens 1st and 2nd. Henry Polsted. Richard Bigg. 2nd and 3rd. Edward Warner. Robert Draker . [12]
1624 Henry Polsted was one of sixteen appointed by the court of the Merchant Taylors' Company to raise funds for the mayor elect. [13]
In the afternoon of 1st October l624 (22nd James I.), temp. Edmund Crich, Master.
First at this Court it was ordered yt these Woorll persons hereafter named, vizt the Mr and Wardens, Mr. Marsham, Mr. Streete, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Slany, Mr. Towers, Mr. Raph Gore, last Master, being old Masters, Edward Catcher, Henry Poulsteed, Bartholomew Elinor, Jeramy Gay, Richard Bigg, Edward Warner and Nicholas Elton, of the Assistants or any eight of them, calling to them the Wardens' Substitutes, new and old, and such and so many of the sixteene men as they shall thinke fit, shall have full power and authority to rate, taxe and assesse, all such of the Brothers of the Batchlors Company as they in their wisdomes shall thinke sufficient and able to be contributors to all such paymts and charge as the Company shall defraye and expend in preparacions and other necessaries against ye right honoble John Gore, Knight, Lord Mayor electe, and a worthy member of this Society, shall take his oath at Westminster, and to appoint Batchlors both for Ffoynes and Budge, and Gentlemen Ushers, otherwise called Whiflers, and all other Officers to be imployed in such service, in like manner and forme as heretofore in such cases hath been accustomed when there hath been a Lord Mayor of ye Company, and to make preparacions of all necessaries and to defray and disburse money, and in every respect to order and dispose that busines as in their wisdomes shalbe thought fitt. And whatsoever they shall order and direct, the whole Assistants will approve and allowe, And that to their best understanding, they impose no charge upon any brother of the Company towards this shew and service, but such as shalbe of ability to beare the same.
1625 "Henry Polsteed," admitted "by patrimony, 17th July, 1592," was elected master of the Merchant Taylors' Company.
1626 Sons Henry and John matriculated at the Merchant Taylors' School in London in 1626. [14] [15]
1649/50 Henry Polsted, the elder, of the City of London, wrote his will on February 13. He requested burial at the church of Martin Outwich in London where his wife lyeth buried. Bequests were made for Sonne Francis Polstedd and wife, sonne Henry Polsted and his wife, sonne John Polsted and his wife, sonne Thomas Polsted and his wife, sonne Benjamin Polsted and his wife, son-in-law Thomas Barnardiston and his wife and their daughter Mary (god-daughter of Henry), son-in-law Brampton Gordon and his wife and their sonne Brampton (god-son of Henry), son-in-law Hugh Morris and his wife, Henry Polsted oldest sonne of deceased brother John Polsted, brother-in-law Caswell Farrington and his wife. Four sonnes Henry, John, Thomas, and Benjamin were named specifically. Daughter Ann, wife of Thomas Barnardiston and god-daughter Mary were named. Daughter Mary, wife of Brampton Gordon and their son Brampton were named. Daughter Susan, wife of Hugh Morris and their daughter Susan were named. Helena, daughter of sister Hester was named. Others were also named. [16]
1651/52 The will of Henry Polsted was proved on January 22 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. [17]
Research Notes:
A biosketch (with some errors) states, [18]
Henry Polsted, MT, of St Martin Outwich, m Mary, da of Thomas Farrington of St Dunstan-in-the- East, mar Anne, da of ___ Coles, wid of George Fanshawe ... father of Henry Polsted who was b 12 Aug 1632, d Jun-Jul 1675 ... Will PCC 78 Dycer pr, 16 Jul 1675.
The birth date for the son Henry is implausible as Henry is listed in the 1633 visitation of London as the second son, and his birth date is given as 15 August 1615 in the record of his matriculation at the Merchant Taylors' School in London in 1626. The fourth son, Thomas, was admitted to the Company of Merchant Taylors by patrimony on 13 November 1644, suggesting he was born by 1623. All of the sons, Francis, Henry, John, Thomas, and Benjamin, and daughters, Ann, Mary and Susan, were adult and married at the time Henry wrote his will 13 February 1649/50. The last son mentioned in the visitation, Ezekell, was not mentioned in the will. Perhaps the second marriage reported above pertains to Henry's son, also named Henry.
[1] London Metropolitan Archives, St Dunstan in the East, Composite register, 1558-1653, P69/DUN1/A/001/MS07857, Item 001, London, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812, image 9, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[2] The Merchant Taylors' Membership Index 1530–1928 (formerly on Parish Registers website but no longer available). See London Metropolitan Archives, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, Indexes of Freemen, 1530-1509, Reference Code CLC/L/MD/C/015, [LondonMetropolitanArchives], [LondonMetropolitanArchives], [FamilySearchCatalog].
[3] W. Noel Sainsbury, ed., Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Vol. 2, 1513-1616 (1864), 100, of 99-100, [InternetArchive].
[4] W. Noel Sainsbury, ed., Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Vol. 2, 1513-1616 (1864), 115, noting that where Purchas printed the names differently his spelling is inserted in brackets, for example, [Polstee] next to Polsteade, [InternetArchive].
[5] W. Noel Sainsbury, ed., Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Vol. 2, 1513-1616 (1864), 123, right column, [InternetArchive].
[6] Charles Mathew Clode, ed., Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist, in the City of London and of its Associatated Charities and Institutions (London: Harrison and Sons, 1875), 598-599, [HathiTrust].
[7] London Metropolitan Archives, St Peter le Poer, Composite register: baptisms, marriages and burials 1561-1723, banns 1653-1655, P69/PET2/A/001/MS04093, Item 001, London, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812, image 25, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[8] Charles Mathew Clode, ed., Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist, in the City of London and of its Associatated Charities and Institutions (London: Harrison and Sons, 1875), 591, [HathiTrust].
[9] Charles Mathew Clode, ed., Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist, in the City of London and of its Associatated Charities and Institutions (London: Harrison and Sons, 1875), 149, [HathiTrust].
[10] Rev. Charles John Robinson, A Register of the Scholars Admitted Into Merchant Taylors' School: From A. D. 1562 to 1874, Compiled from Authentic Sources and Edited with Biographical Notices, Vol. 1 (Lewes: Farncombe & Co., 1882), 115, lists his birth date in the 1626 matriculation list, [GoogleBooks].
[11] Charles M. Clode, The Early History of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist, London, with Notices of Lives of Some of its Eminent Members, Part II. The Lives (London: Harrison and Sons, 1888), 745, [HathiTrust].
[12] Charles M. Clode, The Early History of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist, London, with Notices of Lives of Some of its Eminent Members, Part II. The Lives (London: Harrison and Sons, 1888), 745, [HathiTrust].
[13] Charles Mathew Clode, ed., Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist, in the City of London and of its Associatated Charities and Institutions (London: Harrison and Sons, 1875), 608, [HathiTrust].
[14] Rev. Charles John Robinson, A Register of the Scholars Admitted Into Merchant Taylors' School: From A. D. 1562 to 1874, Compiled from Authentic Sources and Edited with Biographical Notices, Vol. 1 (Lewes: Farncombe & Co., 1882), 115, [GoogleBooks].
[15] Rev. Charles John Robinson, A Register of the Scholars Admitted Into Merchant Taylors' School: From A. D. 1562 to 1874, Compiled from Authentic Sources and Edited with Biographical Notices, Vol. 1 (Lewes: Farncombe & Co., 1882), 120, [GoogleBooks].
[16] Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, The National Archives; Kew, England; Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers; PROB 11; Piece: 220, [AncestryImage].
[17] Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, The National Archives; Kew, England; Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers; PROB 11; Piece: 220, [AncestryImage].
[18] J. R. Woodhead, The Rulers of London, 1660-1689: A Biographical Record of the Aldermen and Common Councilmen of the City of London (London: 1965), 124-134, [GoogleBooks], [BritishHistoryOnline].