16. William14 Flegg (15. John13, James12, William11, John10, John9, William8, Philip7, Philip6, Philip5, Sir John4, Sir John3, Henry2, Algar1), was born, probably in Shipdham about 1490, and as eldest son was made executor of the will in 1536 of his father, most of whose lands he had doubtless received by enfeoffment.
The church wardens' accounts of Shipdham have mentions of him during a period of over thirty years. 1513; "resevyd of Willm Fleg for ye Solowmes, 12d." 1523; "payd to Wyllm Fleg and John Huntman for a days worke of hegyn [hedging] at the churchyerde and the town hows." 1529; "payd to Wyllm Fleg for ij lods of sond & the careg, 8d." [loads of sand and the carriage]. 1542; paid to William Fleg for sealing a deed, 7s. 1543; paid to William Fleg for carrying stone and sand l0d. and for a load of sand 2d. 1546; received of William Fleg for a pair of splints, 2s. 4d. These accounts also mention William14 Flegg as a church warden in 1528, 1529, 1530, 1542, 1543, and 1544.
William14 Flegg was a witness to the will of his brother Thomas14 Flegg, dated 31 Aug. 1524, and also to the will of Robert Platfoote of Shipdham, dated 6 May 1534. (Archdeaconry of Norfolk.)
From his ratings on the subsidies it is evident that William14 Flegg was one of the most substantial men in the community. In the subsidy of 15 Henry VIII (1523) he paid at Shipdham 20d. on goods of 5 marks [£3-6-8]; in that of 37 Henry VIII (1545) he paid 12s. on lands, the largest assessment among the fifty persons rated in the parish; and in that of 3 Edward VI (1548) he again paid the largest assessment, 18s. on goods, only eighteen persons in the parish having enough estate to be liable to this subsidy. (Lay Subsidies, Norfolk, 150-214, 151-346, 151-362.)
The will of Wyllyam Flegge of Shypdham, co. Norfolk, dated 25 July 1551. To be buried there. To my son James, a tenement in Thorpe Row in Shipdham and land which I bought of my father John Flegg. Cock's Close (bought of Richard Webster), and Coldam's Close, said James to pay my daughter Elizabeth 5 marks [£3-6-8], etc. To my son Thomas Flegg, Warne's Close and two acres of land. To my wife Agnes and my son John, the messuage I now dwell in with twenty acres of land, etc. To said son John, three acres of land, he to pay to Thomas More, 40s. when twenty-four, and also to William Leveryngton the younger and Maryon Leverington, children of William Leverington the elder, and to Agnes Moore, each 6s. 8d. Residue of goods to wife Agnes and son John, executors. Supervisor, son Thomas Flegg. Witnesses, Richard Busshe, William Leveryngton, James Flegge, Thomas Walsyngham. Proved by the executors, 18 Dec. 1551. (Archdeaconry of Norfolk, vol. for 1550-1552, fol. 245.)
William14 Flegg died in 1551, aged about sixty years. He married about 1513, AGNES _____ who survived him and died in 1556. The will of Agnes Flegge of Shipdham, widow, dated 18 May 1556, mentions son James Flegg and his daughters Agnes and Joane Flegg; daughter Elizabeth Leverington and her daughter Agnes More; and son John Flegge and his son William Flegge. All residue of goods to son John Flegge, sole executor. Supervisor, my brother-in-law Richard Busshe. Witnesses, Myghelle Busshe, John Mordewe the elder, Wyllm. Leverington and Thomas Walsingham. Proved by the executor, 16 June 1556. (Archdeaconry of Norfolk, register for 1555-6, fol. 178.) [For list of children see p. 420]
