“Mrs. Forth, buried at London, 1 Dec. 1589.” This was Martha, wife of Robert Forthe, Doctor of Laws, who, after a marriage of 24 years and 5 months, died 26 Nov. 1589, age 65, and was buried at St. Gregory’s by St. Paul’s. See her epitaph in the Histories of London. Dr. Forth died 3 Oct. 1595, seised of the manors of Levehurst in Lambeth, and Palmer’s, alias Tylehurst, in Croydon, leaving Thomas his son and heir, age 25, and a daughter married to ___ Townshend. Inq. P. mort. 37 Eliz. The following is Dr. Forth’s funeral certificate:
“The thirde of October anno 1595 departed out of this mortally and transitory lyffe Mr. Robert Forthe, Docter of the Civell Lawe, whose funeral was worshipfully solemnized on Mondaye the xiij of the same moneth next ensuinge, at his parishe church called St. Gregoryes nere unto Poles. The forsaid Robert Forth maryed to his first wyffe Martha, doughter of Will’m Box, late Alderman of London, by whome he hathe issue now lyving one sonne, and one doughter, viz. Thomas Forthe, sonne & heire, etatis xxij, or there abouts, Margarett Forth, maryed to Henry Tounsend, esquire, of Bracknashe, in com. Norff. By whome she hathe issue iiij, sonnes whose names and age I coulde not parfetlie lerne. Also, the said Robert Forth maryed to his second wife, Elizabeth, doughter and sole heire to George Baldre, esquire, and late wyddow of Robert Lord Riche, by whom he had no issue. And lastlie the said Robert maryed to his third wife Marye, doughter of Sir Richard Southwell, knight, and the late wyddow of Will’m Drewry, Doctor of the Civell Lawe, by whome he had no issue. The forsaid Robert Forth lefte Mary his wife sole exsecretrix. The overseirs Mr. Thomas Southwell, Mr. Edward Barker, Mr. Michell Forth, and Mr. Arthur Forth, gentlemen. The officer of Armes to direct this funeral was Lancaster Herrauld, deputie for Mr. Clarentiules, and Portculles. In wytnes of the trewth the Execretrix, wt some of the overseyers, have subscribed their names the daye and yere above written.” (Signed) MARY FOORTH. THOMAS SOUTHWELL. EDWARDE BARKER . (Original penes J. B. Nichols, Esq. F.S.A.)
