Sir Edward Darcy, grandfather of Mary (Launce) Sherman
Douglas Richardson
Below are two references to Sir Edward Darcy, Groom of the Privy
Chamber, which individual was the maternal grandfather of the colonial
immigrant, Mary Launce, wife of Rev. John Sherman. As a descendant of
Mary Launce's brother-in-law, Samuel Sherman, I've always had a
passing interest in Mary Launce and her ancestry.
The first reference to Edward Darcy is found in the book, Queenship
and Political Discourse in the Elizabethan Realms, by Natalie Mears,
published 2005, pg.:68. There it is stated that Edward Darcy was
special ambassador to Francis, Duke of Anjou and William of Orange in
1583. He was an extraordinary groom to the queen by 1583, and became
a feed groom in 1595, replacing his father-in-law, Thomas Astley.
Below is the weblink to this material:
The second item is taken from Google Book Search. The item has no
date and can not be viewed online. The source is one of the volumes
of the List and Index Society. It shows that Edward Darcy was a groom
of the privy chamber. Reference is made to his father-in-law, Thomas
Astley, deceased, who died in 1595.
List & Index Society
by List & Index Society - Archives - 2007
Page 182
Grant, for life, for services, to Edward Darcy, groom of the privy
chamber, ...
from the death of Thomas Astley, deceased, late groom of the privy
chamber. ...
Best always, Douglas Richardson, Salt Lake City, Utah
Hal Bradley
The following hodgepodge contains some small corrections and additions to
Richardson's PA3.
As noted earlier this month, Arthur Darcy could not have been born "about
1505" as stated in PA3. He was born no later than 1499 since he was a son of
Thomas & Dowsabel (Tempest) Darcy, who were married by Dec. 1499.
The descent of Mary Launce, 2nd wife of John Sherman, from Edward III, King
of England, is well attested. The chronology of the Launce and Darcy
families is a bit sketchy. The following items should assist a little with
this chronology.
Isabella Darcy, mother of Mary Launce, m. (1) circa 1619, John Launce, and
(2) Rev. Sydrach Simpson. The second marriage has been extracted and is
recorded on 23 July 1638 at St. Thomas the Apostle in London. This marriage
date would be an addition to PA3. According to the DNB, Rev. Simpson
"migrated to Holland, probably in 1638." He probably left shortly after his
second marriage. He returned to England in 1641.
Rev. Simpson's first wife was named Priscilla. They had at least four
children. Their daughter Katherine m. Joseph Denham. Both are mentioned in
Rev. Simpson's will of 1655. Katherine and Joseph were married 13 Nov. 1650
at St. Dunstan, Stepney. His other three children's baptisms are recorded at
All Hallows London Wall: Priscilla in 1633, Sydrach in Jan. 163[4?]/5 and
Sarah in Feb. 1636/[7?]. His first wife Priscilla apparently died between
this latter date and the re-marriage of Sydrach in 1638. Katherine,
Priscilla, and Sydrach are mentioned in their father's will. Sarah is not,
and probably died before her father's will was written. Rev. Simpson's will
also mentions his "son in law" James Lane. He probably had another daughter
who married James Lane, though it is possible that James was Rev. Simpson's
stepson, being a son of Priscilla from a prior marriage.
Sydrach's will mentions his brother Robert, of Bristol, and his brother
Joshua, of Boston (co. Lincoln). Three men of those names have their
baptisms recorded in Boston, sons of Henry Simpson. Robert in 1599, Sidrack
in 1601, and Joshua in 1603. Rev. Sydrach Simpson's baptism was recorded 3
July 1601 in Boston, Lincolnshire. This would also be an addition to PA3.
The Visitations of Cornwall, 1530, 1573 & 1620 (Exeter, 1887), p. 280, shows
that John Launce & Isabella Darcy had children: James, John, Darcy, John
(again) and Frances. Baptismal records in St. Clement, Cornwall exist for
the following children:
Frances, 25 Jun. 1622
John, 7 Aug. 1623
Darcy, 1 Aug. 1624
Isabella, 16 Dec. 1628
Elizabeth, 16 Mar. 1629[/30]
These would be an addition to PA3. Also, John Launce was stated to be "aged
23 in 1620". He was the son of Robert Launce. There is a baptismal record
for John Launce, son of Robert, on 27 Dec. 1595, at St. Clement. This is
probably the baptismal record for John, husband of Isabella Darcy.
Additionally, Isabella Darcy is the youngest of thirteen children of Edward
& Elizabeth (Astley) Darcy. She is stated to be born circa 1600. The second
youngest daughter of Edward Darcy was Philadelphia. Her baptismal record has
been extracted in the I.G.I. It is recorded at Dartford, Kent on 15 Nov.
1593. The marriages for two of their sisters, Elizabeth & Frances are both
dated in 1605. These dates indicate that Edward & Elizabeth (Astley) Darcy's
children were born between the mid 1570's and 1600, not as early as the
1550's & 1560's as many online databases indicate.
Finally, Doug identifies Abiah Sherman as a daughter of Rev. John & Mary
(Launce) Sherman. Helen Ullmann, FASG, citing Bond's Watertown Genealogies
2:935, notes that Abiah or Abiel was a witness, aged 19, on 24 Sept. 1683,
and was of Watertown when admitted a freeman 22 March 1689/90. Abiah or
Abiel was a son, not daughter, of John & Mary (Launce) Sherman.
Hal Bradley
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Probable Descendancy for John Launce of St Clement Cornwall from about
1500 at http://www.users.bigpond.com/tatiara/antique_launces.htm.
Doug Smith