Person:William Herrick (1)

Sir William Heyricke, who was born at Leicester about the year 1557, removing to London, in 1574, to reside with his brother Nicholas, then an eminent banker in Cheapside, attached himself to the court, and for a considerable time " resided constantly there." He was a man of great abilities and address; remarkably handsome, as appears by a small picture still preserved of him in his younger days; was high in the confidence of Queen Elizabeth, as well as of King James, and by honourable service to both, acquired large property. In the reign of the former sovereign he was despatched on an embassy to Ottoman Porte, and on his return rewarded with a lucrative appointment in the Exchequer. In 1594-5, he purchased from the agents of Robert, Earl of Essex, the nobleman's estate and interest at Beaumanor and soon after selecting that delightful spot for his residencce, bought in all the different outstanding leases, and, in 1598, obtained from Queen Elizabeth, by letters patent under the great seal, a grant of the manor of Beaumanor. In 1601, he was returned to parliament by the borough of Leicester, but retired upon the demise of her majesty. In 1605 he received the honour of knighthood, was appointed a teller of the Exchequer, and chosen alderman of Farringdon Without; from the civic office he was excused however, on agreeing to pay a fine of 300£. Shortly after, Sir William was a second time elected M.P. for Leicester, and for many years devoted his time and abilities to the promotion of the interest of his constituents. During the civil wars he suffered severly, and his fortune was much impaired in that calamitous season. He died 2nd March, 1652-3, and was buried on the 8th in St. Martin's Church, at Leicester, where against the north wall of the choir his gravestone still remains. His picture at Beaumanor exhibits him with a picked beard, a large ruff, and in a white satin doublet, which he used on Christmas day, attending Queen Elizabeth. He wears a sword and over his dress hangs loosely a large black cloak. His plaited fuffles are closely turned back over his sleeves. In one hand are his gloves, the other, elevated to his breast, holds the stump and tassells of his ruff. On one side, within a wreath, is the motto "Sola supereminet virtus." On the other, " Anno Dom. 1628, Aetatis suae 66." Lady Herrick is dressed in a close black gown richly ornamented with lace a nd fine ruffles turned up close over the sleeves; a watch in one hand, in the other a prayer book, and at her side a feathered fan. This portrait is dated "July 27th, 1632, aetatis suae fifty-four."

"Art may hir outsid thus present to view, How faire within no art or tongue can show."

By this lady, (whose christian name was Joan, and who was daughter of Richard May, ESQ of London, and sister of Sir Humphrey May, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.).

1. ↑ By Gen. Jedediah and Lucius C. Herrick, M.D. Herrick Genealogy: A Genealogical Register of the Name and Family of Herrick from the Settlement of Henerie Hericke in Salem, Massachusett. (Columbus, Ohio: Privitly Printed. 1885)
   Page 15.
2. ↑ John Clark Stinchfield. History of the Town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine: From Its Settlement June 10, 1780. (Published 1901. Press of Lewiston journal)
   page 201.
3. ↑ Charles Wentworth Upham. Salem witchcraft; with an account of Salem village, and a history of opinions on witchcraft and kindred subjects, Volume I.. (Published 1867 by Wiggin and Lunt)
   P.153-154.
4. ↑ http:/www.tacrocker.com
   http://www.tacrocker.com/Website/p60.htm#i3421.
5. ↑ John Clark Stinchfield. History of the Town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine: From Its Settlement June 10, 1780. (Published 1901. Press of Lewiston journal)
   page 201.
6. ↑ http:/www.tacrocker.com
   http://www.tacrocker.com/Website/p60.htm#i3421.
7. ↑ website
   http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/families/hmgfm/herrick-1.html.
8. ↑ John Clark Stinchfield. History of the Town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine: From Its Settlement June 10, 1780. (Published 1901. Press of Lewiston journal)
   page 201.
9. ↑ John Clark Stinchfield. History of the Town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine: From Its Settlement June 10, 1780. (Published 1901. Press of Lewiston journal)
   page 201.
10. ↑ website
    http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/families/hmgfm/herrick-1.html.
11. ↑ website
    http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/families/hmgfm/herrick-1.html.
12. ↑ John Clark Stinchfield. History of the Town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine: From Its Settlement June 10, 1780. (Published 1901. Press of Lewiston journal)
    page 201.
13. ↑ website
    http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/families/hmgfm/herrick-1.html.
14. ↑ John Clark Stinchfield. History of the Town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine: From Its Settlement June 10, 1780. (Published 1901. Press of Lewiston journal)
    page 201.
15.   GEDCOM file imported on 15 Sep 2002. Jody Gloor.
16.   GEDCOM file imported on 4 Oct 2002. merge of jim chapman & jody gloor.
17.   http:/www.tacrocker.com
    http://www.tacrocker.com/Website/p60.htm#i3421.

    [S145] Landed Gentry, Burke's, pg 1101.
    
    [S145] Burke, Sir Bernard, Burke Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry, Including American Families with British Ancestry, (1939) Burke's Peerage, Limited, Tracy Ashley Crocker, 3410.

18. ↑ William died on 2 March 1652/53
19. ↑ Ambassador from Queen Elizabeth to the Sublime Porte; held various lucrative offices in the Treasury
20. ↑ a successful courtier and politician of the Court of Queen Elizabeth; Beau Manor Park (the former estate of the unfortunate Earl of Essex, which Sir William purchased), situated in the parish of Loughboro, county of Leicester, is still in the possession of his descendants and has been for over two hundred and seventy-five years the headquarters of the Herrick race.