Person:Thomas Ensing (2)

On 26 August, the Moyor of Rye, Sussex conveyed to Thomas Ensigne, yoeman, a tenement callled Vyne, with kitchens, solars, buildings and gardens, abbutting south on Longer Street, east on a lane, north onthe town walls, west on the lands and tenemants of William Tharpe,paying rent of 12d to the Queen [reference: Richard F. Dill, editor,The Records of Rye Corporation, published 1962, pg 190.] In 1601,Thomas Ensigne served as land commissioner for the city of Rye. Dueto the city's declining fortunes, he was allowed £19.16.0 for 52 properties which had defaulted, compared to his reciept of £19 19.11 from the remaining 57 properties [Reference Graham Meyhew, tudor Rye, published 1987, pg 234]. The reason for Rye's financial dislocation at this time is attributed to the wholesale transfer of it's trade to London which affected all of London's outports during the late 16th Century, the departure of the French after 1589, and an increasing onerous tax burdon to fund the grandious schemes for the improvement of the town [Reference: Ibid.]. In 1608, at the baptism of his daughter Constance, Thomas was styled as "Mr. ThomasEnsing, jurat" which indicates that he was serving on the jurat's bench that year.

Thomas Ensign left a will dated 14 December 1831, proved 27 March 1632, a transcript of which is presented below. Although his place of residence is not stated in his will, he was doubtless of Rye, Sussex,which in fact is indicated by the bequest he made to the poor of that parish. [Reed says no, that he was living at Hove, co. Sussex at that time and he was buried at Hove].

"In the name of God Amen, The ffourteenth day of December In the yeare of the incarnation of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ One thousand six hundred thirtie one And in the yeare of our Soveraigne Lord Kinge Charles by the grace of God Kinge of great brittayneffrance and Ireland the Seaven defender of the true and ancient and Apostolic faith I beinge in good rememberance, I thanke god for it,doe make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.First I bequeath my Soule unto Almighty God my Creator And to Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and to the holy ghost, my Sanctifier, three persons, one true and everlasting God, Concerninge my body I comit it to the Earth to be buried at the discrecon of my Executor not doubting but at the great day of the general resurreccon I shall receive it againe by the mighty power of the Almighty God, not a weake raile, and mortall body as now, through the marritts of Jesus Christ, Concerning my worldly goods Item first I give unto the poore of the Towne of Rye Twenty shillings. Item I give unto my sonne Thomas Ensing tenne pounds current money. I give unto my sonne David Ensigne five pounds of money my grograine gowne and my best cloke lyingat my cousin Briggs at Cranbrooke in Kent. Item I give to my daughter Marie five pounds, and to her son Thomas Couchman my godsonne three pounds and to Constance and Elizabeth Coachman Twenty shillings either of them. Item I give unto my daughter Constance Ensing five pounds. All the rest of my lands and goods wheresoever it lyeth I give unto my sonne Jeames Ensing whom I make my Sole Executor of theis my last will and Testament Provided allway that if my sonne Thomas Ensigne doe pay to his brother Jeames Ensing one hundred twenty pounds of good and lawful money of England at or before the end of one year next after my desease, then Jeames shall resign to his brother Thomas that land I bought from Anne Wyborne before my sonne Thomas did marry with said Anne Wyborne, but if my sonne Thomas do fayle in paying the hundreth twenty pounds as above mencned Then my sonne /////////Jeames to hold that lands to himselfe and his heires forever, he performing the payment of debets and legacies as is above mentioned. I doe intrea tmy faithfull and loving Friend Mr. Small hoppe Brigge to be my Overseer to this my last will and he to have Twenty shillings. In witness of the truth that this is my Will I have hereunto set my hand and seale.

[Signed] Thomas Ensing the elder.

Witnesses hereof Humpfry Streete, John Bishopp."

The above will was proved 27 March 1631, by J:ames Ensing son of said deceased and the executor named in the will to whom was committed administration of the etate of the said deceased [Reference Wills,Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 34 Audley, found on FHL Later Day Saints Microfilm.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} Reed, Paul C. The English Ensigns: Ancestral of Thomas(1) Ensign of Scituate, Massachusetts, and James(1) Ensign of Hartford, Connecticut. American Genealogist (D.L. Jacobus). (Jan, Apr, Jul 2000)
   75:1-15.

   Unfortunately, proof of the descent has not been found. There are still one or two missing generations. The earliest Ensign from whom the immigrant can be traced is: Thomas^A Ensing was born possibly at Robertsbridge, co. Sussex, say 1571, and was buried at Hove, co. Sussex, on 2 February 1631/32.