[Reverend] RobertB Porter, the earliest known progenitor of this family, was born say 1547, in England, and he was buried at Watton-at-Stone, Hertfordshire, 21 February 1623/4 styled "parson" in his burial record. … Robert Porter matriculated pensioner from Pembroke College at Cambridge University, at Easter, 1563. He received a B.A. degree in 1566-7, an M.A. from Trinity College in 1570, and a B.D. in 1577. He was ordained a deacon in the diocese of Ely, 21 September 1567, and as a priest in the diocese of Lincoln, 8 May 1569. He was rector of Langham, Essex 1571-2, and vicar of Standon, Hertfordshire, 1572-5, and he served as rector of the parish of Watton-at-Stone, Hertfordshire, where he lived from 1571 until his death in 1624. … In his own will, its date missing, but proved … 17 March 1623/4 by Mathew Sutor on behalf of William Porter, with bondsmen Adrian Porter of Ware and Christopher Browne of Hertford. The inventory, totaling £31 15s 4d, taken 23 February 1623/4 …
