Known Fermor pedigree of Emotte (Hervey, Wenman) Fermor. She gifts her “cousin” Thomas Barett… but how is he related?
Fermor Wills
The 05 April 1501 will of Emmote (Hervey, Wenman) Fermor bequeaths to “my cousin Thomas Barett xxs. and vi spones [20 shillings and 6 spoons]…”[1]
The 01 July 1551 will of her son Richard Fermor bequeaths “a life annuity of 5 marks pa to my cousin Barret (which he already has by patent)…”[2]
The 1552 will of her son William Fermor bequeaths “to my cousin Thomas Barret a life Annuity of 40s pa to be levied out of my lands etc in Idbury and Bold…”[3]
Assuming we apply the modern translation of “cousin,” at a minimum Thomas Barett would have been the son of Emmote (Hervey, Wenman) Fermor’s aunt or uncle, of whose identities are unknown at this time. This requires knowing the siblings of her father Symkin Hervey and requires the identify of her unknown mother’s siblings to determine if Thomas is a paternal or maternal first cousin. By default, Thomas Barett as a cousin to Emmote would also be a cousin to her sons William and Richard, either as removed cousins or second cousins (and higher, e.g. third cousins).
As it may be possible that Emmote uses the term “cousin” to lovingly reference her husband Thomas Richards alias Fermor’s kin, we would also need to identify the siblings of her late husband’s paternal and maternal siblings, all currently unknown. Using this same possibility of referencing a late husband’s kin, we would also need to examine the paternal and maternal siblings of Henry Wenman, also currently unknown.
Will of Dame Elizabeth (Tenacre, Kyrkebye, Wymond) Thurston
A search of Wenman wills results in the 15 March 1520 will of Dame Elizabeth Thurston of Saint Vedast, City of London, bequeathing “to wife of Cosyn Barett, a pair of silver beads and a gurdell of stole work… Maister John Barett and his wife… Thomas Barrett and his wife…”[4]
Elizabeth Tenacre, was the daughter of William Tenacre of Strode and the granddaughter of Henry Tenacre of Halling and Strode, Kent.[5] As mentioned in her lengthy will, she married as follows:
Firstly to John Kyrkebye, vintner;
Secondly to Thomas Wymond, citizen and fuller of London, widowed after the death of his wife Johane ___. Both Elizabeth and Thomas are mentioned in the September 1494 will of William Tenacre, Mercer of the City of London, wherein he bequeaths “my Coufen Elifabeth Tenacre the wyf of Thomas Wymond…” as shown on the third line in the title picture.[6] Thomas Wymond’s will is dated 15 August 1496 and was proved 18 October 1496; and
Lastly to Sir John Thurston, goldsmith and borderer (embroiderer), alderman in 1515 representing Castle Baynard, and Sheriff of London in 1517.[7] Prior to his marriage to Elizabeth, John was married to Alice ___.By most accounts, Sir John died between the codicil to his will on 20 July 1520 and probate on 08 August 1520, and was buried at St. Foster’s Church.[8] However, this conflicts with his wife’s writing of the will in March 1520 before his death, and probated 23 February 1521. Other sources place Sir John’s death in 1519.[9]
Note however, no other Wenman wills that are known kin and connection to the Fermor family mention the Barett’s. Additionally, other surnames in the Wymond wills are not mentioned in the Wenman wills of known kin or connection to the Fermor family.
Thomas Barrett
The “cousin Barret” mentioned in the will of Richard Fermor is presumed to be the same Thomas Barett, citizen and merchant tailor of London, partnered with William Fermor and Richard Fermer, their step-brother Richard Wenman, and possibly a Farmer alias Draper relative for several land purchases in 1525 and in 1527…
“Alex Hawte & wife Joan to Thos Barrett, Wm & Ric Fermour. 1/3 of a moiety of 3 mess. 120a land, 30a mead, 140a past & 100a wood in Lee, Charlton, Eltham, Greenwich & Lewisham. £80 (28)”[10]
… and as partners with Richard Fermor in 1532 to acquire and sell land in Kent to Thomas Cromwell and Christopher Hales on behalf of Henry VIII for the king’s use:
“A.5281. Bond by Richard Fermor merchant of the staple of Calais, and Thomas Barett, citizen and merchant tailor of London, to Thomas Crumwell, master or treasurer of the king’s jewels, and Christopher Hales, attorney general, for 100l, for the king’s use. 16 June, 24 Henry VIII. Signed. Two seals. Endorsed : Condition of above bond, witnessing that if the said Fermor and Barett shall observe the covenants of certain indentures of even date with the said bond, made between the above parties, the said bond shall be void.”[12]
“A.5278. [Kent] Receipt by Richard Fermor, merchant of the staple of Calais, and Thomas Barett, citizen and merchant tailor of London, for 58l. 7s. 3d. received from Thomas Crumwell, master and treasurer of the king’s jewels, in payment of all sums due to them for the purchase of the moiety, ‘purparte or haulfendele’ of the lands and tenements &c. called ‘Smythes landes’ and ‘Newlands’ within the king’s new park of Eltham, purchased by the said Cromwell and Christopher Hales, attorney general, from them, for the king’s use. 22 August, 24 Henry VIII. English. Two seals.”[13]
While numerous other publications reference Barett as a “tailor of London”, one legal source describes a “Thomas Barett, of Wainfleet (Lincolnshire), Merchant of the Staple of Calais…”[14] providing a reasonable rationale how Barett and Richard Fermor were further acquainted having both shared the same occupation.
Likewise, a “John Barett, goldsmith, gifted about £3 5s. per annum to supply coal to the poor of the Goldsmiths’ Company…” in 1511,[15] another likely Barett family connection to the Thurston’s.
Another land transaction involves the manor of Fritwell, Oxfordshire, once owned by Sir William Boleyn, but having died a year or two after possessing the manor, left it to his son and heir Sir Thomas Boleyn. Thomas and his wife Elizabeth promptly sold the manor to Thomas Barett. The manor consisted of 200 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, 200 acres of pasture, 3 acres of wood, and 13s. 4d. rent with their appurtenances. As the Boleyn’s did not obtain the King’s license for the sale, Barett and Boleyn sued for the royal pardon granted in 1520.[16]
William Fermor held lands and tenements in Somerton, Fritwell, Duns Tew, Steeple Aston, Middle Aston, Idbury, Foscot, Bold, Kingham, Pudle Hill(?), and Banbury that he left to his wife Elizabeth (Norreys) Fermor, which then passed to William’s nephew Thomas Fermor (son of William’s brother Richard Fermor), and then to Thomas’ son Richard Fermor.
Conclusion
There is insufficient evidence to conclude Thomas Barett is a cousin of the Fermor family, with a pedigree to confirm missing leaves on the Fermor tree. Additionally, while there may be a Wymond-Wenman connection based on similar surnames, the Wymond wills and the Wenman wills show no direct connection. Thomas Barett may have been referred as a cousin as a term of endearment due to his close personal and/or working relationship with the Fermor family.
[1] TNA PROB 11/12; Hutchens, “Will of Emott Fermer of Witney,” Oxfordshire Family History Society (OFHS.uk). nd; For alternate translation: Bloom, Wayman Wills and Administrations Preserved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1383-1821 (1922), pp.2-3.
[2] Hutchens, “Will of Richard Fermer of NTH Easton Neston,” Oxfordshire Family History Society (OFHS.uk). nd.
[3] Hutchens, “Will of William Fermor of Somerton,” Oxfordshire Family History Society (OFHS.uk). nd. An abstract also found in Blomfield, History of the Present Deanery of Bicester, Oxon (1882), p.105.
[4] PROB 11/20/149; Bloom, Wayman Wills and Administrations Preserved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1383-1821 (1922), pp.6-10. The author in his introduction posits the many spellings of Wenman, to include Wymond.
[5] Jewers, “Grants and Certificates of Arms,” The Genealogist, vol.27(1911), pp.179, 223. Possibly the same Henry Tenacre pardoned for his involvement in the Jack Cade Rebellion of 1450 (reference Orridge, Jack Cade’s Rebellion (1869), p.51; Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Henry VI (1909), p.350.) The Tenacre heraldric arms are described as “gu. on a fess chequy Or an Az. betw. three martlets Arg., beaks Vert., as many scallop shells Erm.” per Stowe MSS 692 fo.90 & 702 fo.115.
[7] Beavan, The Alderman of the City of London (1913), p.23; Jewers, “Grants and Certificates of Arms,” The Genealogist, vol.27(1911), pp.179, 223; Rylands, Grantees of Arms (1915), p.250; AALT CP40no1060, Image 5718f; AALT CP40no1060, Image 6120f.
[8] Chaffers, Hall-Marks on Gold and Silver Plate (1922), p.21. The later states “buried 1519.”
[9] Prideaux, Memorials of the Goldsmiths’ Company (1896), p.322.
In an earlier blog, we highlighted the fascination that two characters from William Shakespeare’s play had with a coat of arms. Even today, there is a modern fascination with wanting to display family heraldry. You see it on family trees, or with companies selling you a certificate or coffee mug. Regrettably, some of these companies and genealogists are assigning the wrong coat of arms. This blog examines various Farmer family heraldry and how it can be used to build a good family tree.
When the Heralds convened their county visitations, they called “all persons that do pretend to bear arms or are styled Esquires or Gentlemen… to produce and show forth by what authority they do challenge and claim the same.”[1] Families or their agents arrived and provided documentation of their family pedigree. Additionally, the Heralds documented the arms displayed at the churches, universities, and other houses. Those persons who could not defend their claim or stole the arms were shamed in the market square and the wrongfully displayed arms were pulled down or defaced. When the Heralds visited Shropshire in 1623, Edward Farmer of Brome, John Farmer, and Roger Farmer were disclaimed.[2]
The visitations provide a good source of genealogical data; however, the Heralds’ abilities to take good notes, the abilities of families to document their family trees, and editorial mistakes have produced some errors. Some good examples include children listed as siblings, incorrect names, and omissions of entire generations. One slight issue is one heraldic description, with a multi-generational pedigree.
A descendant may have made at least two changes to have a new coat of arms granted. Therefore, as shown below, family heraldry is subject not only to geography – of Northamptonshire, or of Leicestershire – but also subject to a moment in time.
Richards
Henry Richards, of Welsh ancestry, was born in 1420. At the age of twenty-four, he met Agnes Fermor, born in 1426.[3] Sometime after their 1446 marriage, Henry took his wife’s surname, an indication that Agnes, the daughter and heiress of her father’s estate, was from a family of higher social distinction than the Richards. Henry Richards alias Fermor had a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Thomas.
FERMOR, quartering 1. Azure a saltier between four eagles displayed or [RICARDS]; 2. Gules on bend argent three trefoils slipped vert [HERVEY]; 3. Per pale indented argent and or a chevron between three escallops gules [BROWNE].[4]
Fermor (top left) quartered with Richards (top right), Hervey (bottom left), and Browne (bottom right).
The Hervey arms signify the marriage of Thomas Richards alias Fermor to his second wife Emmote Hervey. The Browne arms signify the marriage of Thomas Richards alias Fermor’s son Richard to Anne Browne.
Fermor (ancient) & Wenman
When Thomas Richards alias Fermor married Emmote Hervey as his second wife, the expectation would be for the Richards arms on the dexter to impale Hervey on the sinister, with possible quarterings to signify Emmote’s first marriage to Henry Wenman. The Wenman coat of arms granted by Roger Machado, Clarenceux and King of Arms in London, is described as:
WENMAN: on a fess between three anchors as many lions’ heads erased.[5]
Wenman Coat of Arms
However, Richard Lee, Portcullis and Pursuivant of Arms, in his 1574 visitation of Oxfordshire, records among the arms in Witney Church the following below the inscription “Thomas Ffarmor and Alice and Emote his wyfes.”
FARMER (ancient): arg[ent] on a fess Sa[ble] between three lions’ heads erased Gu[les] three anchors Or.[6]
Fermor / Farmer Coat of Arms (ancient)
Interestingly, the Wenman and Fermor heraldry is very similar, signifying there may have been a family connection much earlier than Thomas and Emmote’s marriage.
The “anchors and lions” coat of arms remained with Thomas Richards alias Fermor’s line with his sons William and Richard, and then by Richard’s son Sir John Fermor. The arms were passed down to Sir John’s sons and daughters. For example, Mary Fermor married Thomas Lucas, son of John Lucas of London and Colchester by his first wife Mary Abell of Essex. Mary (Fermor) Lucas died on 05 July 1613, and the Lucas coat of arms on her tomb has three shields impaling Fermor.[7]
Fermor (modern)
Sir John Fermor’s son Sir George Fermor had the anchors removed in 1591 with approval from Clarenceux Robert Cooke and Richard Lee of Richmond.[8]
These arms were passed down to Sir George’s sons and daughters, as also seen on his tomb.
Fermor / Farmer Coat of Arms (modern)
I to VI: FERMOR
VII: Argent an eagle displayed sable collared or within a border sable Bezanty [KILLIGREW] impaling FERMOR. [Jane Fermor’s marriage to Sir John Killigrew.]
VIII. FERMOR ancient [sic?], impaling FERMOR modern. [Agnes Fermor’s marriage to Sir Richard Wenman?]
IX to XI: FERMOR
XII: Argent a fess between three blackbirds sable [HOBY] impaling FERMOR. [Katherine Fermor’s marriage to William Hoby.]
XIII. FERMOR impaling 1. Argent a chevron between three crosses flory sable [ANDERSON]; 2. Argent three cocks gules [COCKAYNE]. [Sir Hatton Fermor’s marriage to Elizabeth Anderson and Anne Cokayne.]
XIV: 1. Or a chevron gules canton ermine [STAFFORD OF BLATHERWICK]; 2. Gules an inescocheon argent between eight mullets in orle or [CHAMBERLAYNE], impaling FERMOR. [Elizabeth Fermor’s marriages to Sir William Stafford and Thomas Chamberlayne of Wickham.]
XV: FERMOR
XVI: 1. Argent lion rampant azure [CRICHTON]; 2. Gules three lions passant in pale or [O’BRIEN], impaling FERMOR. [Mary Fermor’s marriages to Robert Crichton and Barnabas O’Brien.][9]
Burke’s A General Armory of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1884) has “lions and anchors” for the Farmers of London; of Somerton, Oxfordshire; and from Northamptonshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. For descendants who claim Sir George Fermor as an ancestor, “lion heads,” to include the descendants of Oxfordshire; Mount Pleasant, Sussex; Nonsuch Park, Surrey; Northumberland; and Clarvil, Sussex.
Descriptions of the heraldry for other Farmer families are as follows.
Farmer of Norfolk (1552) Argent, on a saltire sable (sometimes sable), between four lions’ heads erased gules, a martlet between four bezants, on a chief azure an anchor between two pallets or.[11]
Farmer Coat of Arms, Norfolk
Farmer of Walsh, Sussex (1575) gules, a chevron vaire between three lions rampant or.[12]
Farmer Coat of Arms, Walsh, Sussex
Farmer of Sussex Ermine a chevron Sable between three roses Gules [Farmor].[13]
Farmer Coat of Arms, Sussex
Farmers of Worcestershire argent, on a fesse sable between three lion’s heads erased gules, as many acorns slipped or.[14]
Farmer Coat of Arms, Worcestershire
Farmers of Leicestershire sable, on a chevron between three lamps argent, flammant proper, a leopard’s face between two mullets gules.[15]
Farmer Coat of Arms, Leicestershire
Draper alias Farmer
At one time, the Fermor’s became Draper’s through the line of Thomas Richards alias Fermor’s son John, born to his first wife Alice ___, possibly Draper.
When examining the arms granted to Thomas Draper alias Farmer, the letters included in the Visitation of Berkshire are those of Thomas Draper of Lincoln’s Inn (ThomasA) whose arms granted in 1612 are identical to the arms of Thomas Draper of Great Marlow (ThomasB) granted in 1571.
Draper alias Farmer, 1571 & 1612
On a column within the Old St. Pancras Church near Islington are the same arms belonging to Richard Draper, Serjeant-at-Law, who died at Highgate in 1756 at the age of sixty-one (b. ca. 1695). The same arms are claimed by Richard Draper’s father Thomas Draper. When proof of descent was requested at the 1687 visitation of London, Thomas produced an untinctured steel seal.[16]
At another point in family history, the surname dropped the alias and simply became “Farmer.” The arms for John Farmer of Cookham, son of ThomasB, at his tomb in the north transept of the All Saints church in Great Marlow has the sinister showing the relationship of his father’s marriage to Agnes Barker,[17] while the dexter description is described as…
Langley, History of Buckinghamshire (1797) Arms, Baron and femme. In chief, 3 fleurs de lys in base 3 bends [DRAPER] ; impaling quarterly, 1 and 4, a lion [BARKER] — 2 and 3, three spears [BURGHLEY].[18]
Lipscomb, History of Buckingham (1847) On a Chief three fleur-de-lis: in base three bendlets: repeated on another shield. Quarterly, 1 and 4, party per chev. Engrailed, a lion ramp… counter charged; 2 and 3, a chief… surtout three spears in pale.[19]
Burke, General Armory (1884) bendy of eight or and gu. on a chief ar. three fleurs-de-lis az.[20] [Most closely matches the untictured arms for Thomas William Farmer (1786-1837), a hop and seed merchant buried with his wife Mary Ann (1791-1838) at St. Saviour, Southwark.] [21]
Stephenson, Monumental Brasses (1903 & 1926) (1). (Gu.). three bendlets (or), on a chief per fess (arg.) and ermine three fleur de lys in the upper part (sa.) DRAPER. (2). Per chevron engrailed (or) and (sa.) a lion rampant counterchanged. BARKER. Quartering. Per chief (sa.) and (arg.) over all three tilting spears erect counterchanged. BURLEY.[22]
John Farmer of Cookham, d.1631
The 1797 and 1847 description has led to speculation that Thomas Richards alias Fermor’s first wife Alice may have been related to John Norman, Lord Mayor of London in 1453 based on descriptions for his coat of arms.
Burke’s General Armory: or, three bars gules; in the chief argent as many fleur-de-lis sable.[23]
Harleian MSS: or, three bendlets gules, a chief per fess argent and ermine, charged in chief with three fleurs de lys sable.
Ferney
When Sir George Fermor changed his arms, the Fermor coat of arms became identical to Fiernye of Yt Ilk from Fife, Scotland. According to Robert Stodart in Scottish Arms, Being a Collection of Armorial Bearings, A.D. 1370-1678 (1881), the arms in Illuminated Heraldic Manuscript (ca. 1565) once owned by James Workman in 1623 are described as…
the fess is sable… with three anchors on the fess; anchors are the bearing of Ferme or Fairholme.[24]
Burke’s General Armory notation for Ferny in Scotland is slightly different, perhaps as a result of location and moment in time for the family:
Or. a fesse az. betw. three lions’ heads erased gu.[25]
Ferney Coat of Arms
Burke’s Ferney tinctures were used by Thomas Trotter for his 1801 watercolors of the Fermor family monuments at Somerset church,[26] including the arms above the monument to Sir George’s uncle Jerome and his wife Jane. Today, the tinctures on the monument are of the sable fess and lions gules impaling “sable, a bend between two leopards’ faces or.”
Jane (Isaacs?) Fermor Coat of Arms
As Jane’s identity is unknown, a study of arms and pedigrees may suggest that she descended from the Isaacs of Kent. The research is supported by multiple associations with the Fermors. The Isaacs family arms changed over time, including the tincture of the leopard faces changing from gules to or, and the sinister bend changing to dexter bend.
Featured image: “St Mary’s Church, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire,” SeeAroundBritain.com. nd.
[1] Rylands, Disclaimers At The Heralds’ Visitations (1888), pp.iii-viii, 26.
[2] Rylands, Disclaimers At The Heralds’ Visitations (1888), pp.iii-viii, 26.
[3] Farmer, “Thomas Farmer, Jamestown Adventurer: His History, Descendants, & Ancestors,” Pioneers Along Southern Trails, vol.3 (December 2009), p.212; Howard et al, Genealogical collections illustrating the history of Roman Catholic families of England (1887).
[4] Baker, History and Antiquities of the County of Northampton, vol.2 (1844), p.148.
[5] Blomfield, History of the Deanery of Bicester (1882), p.121.
[6] Blomfield, History of the Deanery of Bicester (1882), pp.103, 121; Turner, The Visitations of the County of Oxford (1871), p.46.
[7] Raven Visitation of 1612. Metcalfe, Visitations of Essex, p.235.
[8] Rylands, Grantees of Arms Named in Docquets and Patents to the End of the Sixteenth Century (1915), p 86.
[9] Baker, History and Antiquities of the County of Northampton, vol.2 (1844), p.148. Installed in 1609 on the east wall of the All Saints Church in Bisham is a window consisting of six panes, each pane with a shield on the top and a shield on the bottom. Presently, the bottom shield on the fifth pane from the left has Hoby impaling Fermor (modern). Also reference: Page, A Victoria History of the County of Berkshire, vol.3 (1923), pp.139-152.
[10] “Colonial Estates – Philadelphia, PA & Bucks County, PA,” Hobbs and Phillips Family Genealogy; Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine, County Tipperary, Ireland and of Whitemarsh, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania,” The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, vol.21, no.2 (1959), p.93; “Wills Proved at Philadelphia 1682-1692,” Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, vol.1, no.2 (1896), pp.58-59. Endorsed on reverse: Mary Farmers Will 1686 Prob**1 in forme of Law l: 5th month 1687 & registered Book A: fol: 45 #32. In America, the arms were used by: 1) Edward Farmar (Committee on Heraldry, New England Historic Genealogical Society. A Roll of Arms. 9 vols. Boston, 1928-1980; Jordan, Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, vol.4 (1932), p.168/169); 2) Edward’s nephew Thomas Farmar (NEHGS aforementioned; Crozier, William Armstrong. Crozier’s General Armory (1904, reprint 1972)); and 3) Robert Adolph Farmar who was the son of Major Robert Farmer, the British Governor of Mobile (Crozier aforementioned; Matthews, John. Matthews’ American Armoury and Blue Book (1907, reprint 1962). An incorrect coat of arms of “a fess between three cocks’ heads” appears in Bean, History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, vol.2 (1884), p.1139.
[11] Rye, The Visitacion of Norffolk (1891), p.119; Rye, A List of Coat Armour Used in Norfolk Before the Date of the First Herald’s Visitation of 1563 (1917), p.23; Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (1884), p.340.
[12] Bannerman, The Visitations of the County of Sussex, Made and Taken in the Years 1530 (1905), p.113. “by patent dated the xth of November 1575 17 of Q. Elizebeth by Cla. Cooke.”
[13] Metcalfe, The Visitations of Suffolk Made by Hervey, Clarenceux, 1561, Cooke, Clarenceux 1577, and Raven, Richmond Herald, 1612 (1882), p.113.
[14] Grazebrook, The Heraldry of Worcestershire (1873).
[15] Fetherston, The Visitation of the County of Leicester in the Year 1619 (1870), p.179. Arms tricked for the descendants of Bartholomew Farmer and Margery ___ of Ratcliff. The coat of arms patented on 20 October 1663 by Sir Edward Walker to George Farmer of Holbeach, Lincolnshire, the fourth son of Bartholomew Farmer of Leicestershire and Ursula Mootus of Whitchurch, removed several charges as follows: “Sable, a chevron between 3 lamps Argent, flames Or.” (Ryley et al, The Visitation of Middlesex, Began in the Year 1663 (1820), p.50; Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (1884), p.340.)
[16] Woodcock, “Heraldry in Old St Pancras Church,” The Coat of Arms; Annual Journal of the Heraldry Society, ser.4 vol.1 no.235 (2018), pp.60-61. Thomas Woodcock, Garter Principal of Arms, writes, “As Thomas’ father Joshua Draper of Braintee [sic], Essex, died in 1686 aged 73, he must have been born in 1613, a year after the grant [to Thomas Draper of Stroud Green in Middlesex by William Camden, Clarenceux in 1612], so would not appear to be a descendant of Thomas Draper the grantee, particularly as his father is also recorded as another Joshua Draper of Braintree, who died in about 1630…” Woodcock also notes that its location as described in Lyson’s time was on the east wall of the chancel and had been relocated to the north wall of the nave (Lysons, The Environs of London, vol.3 (1795), pp.351-353).
[17] “[the] coats-of-arms for Barker and Burghley signify the marriage of William Barker and Anne Burghley, daughter and coheir of William Burghley who lived in Sonning… Who Thomas married though is unknown. John Barker of Wokingham and his wife Katherine Martin had two daughters, Anne and Bridgett, who are not shown in the visitations. All of the children of John Barker and Katherine were listed in John Barker’s will, dated 1551. Neither Ann nor Bridget were married at the time of his death. Both were given an inheritance, to be paid to them should or when they married… It is not clear how the coat-of-arms would have become attached to the Farmers…” (Farmer, “Thomas Farmer, Jamestown Adventurer: His History, Descendants, & Ancestors,” Pioneers along Southern Trails, vol.3 (December 2009), p.234.) Per parish records, “1592. Dec. 19. Agnes ffarmer, wife of Thomas ffarmer alias Draper, gent., was buried…” (Stephenson, “Monumental Brasses Formerly In Great Marlow Church,” Records of Buckinghamshire, vol.8 (1903), p. 456.)
[18] Langley, The History and Antiquities of the Hundred of Desborough, and Deanery of Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire (1797), p.128.
[19] Lipsomb, The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham, vol.3 (1847), p.603.
[20] Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (1884), p.341.
[21] Bax, “On Some Armorial Ledgers in the Cathedral Church of St. Saviour, Southwark,” Surrey Archaeological Collections, vol.22 (1909), pp.23-24; Boumphrey, Surrey Coat of Arms (1983), p.123.
[22] Stephenson, “Monumental Brasses Formerly In Great Marlow Church,” Records of Buckinghamshire, vol.8 (1903), pp.454-455; Stephenson, A List of Monumental Brasses in the British Isles (1926), p.55. Based on a rubbing in the Society of Antiquaries. The 1673 Roll of Arms for Thomas Draper, Baronet, of Sonninghill Park will also omits the ermine as “656. Three bends, on a chief per fess and argent three fleurs-de-lis, badge of Ulster (Schomberg, “A Roll of Arms, 1673,” The Genealogist, vol.25 (1909), p.245.)
[23] Farmer, “Thomas Farmer, Jamestown Adventurer: His History, Descendants, & Ancestors,” Pioneers along Southern Trails, vol.3 (December 2009), pp.215, 224-225; Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (1884), p.737.
[24] Blomfield, History of the Deanery of Bicester (1882), p.121; Stodart, Scottish Arms, Being a Collection of Armorial Bearings, A.D. 1370-1678 (1881), pp.168-169. “William de Ferny occurs in 1390; his descendants held the various Offices of keeper of Falkland forest, constable of Cupar, and mair of fee of Crail. Ferny was alienated early in the seventeenth century, and the heiress married Lovell of Ballumbie. The arms are cut in stone on a monument at Cupar of the fifteenth century. The coat given here is exactly that of Fermor, Earl of Pomfret, in England, and a family of Farmer, in England, bore the same, with three anchors or on the fess; anchors are the bearing of Ferme or Fairholme in Scotland, so it would seem that these southern families, with a surname certainly derived from an occupation, have wished to make out a Scottish descent…”
[25] Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (1884), p.341.
[26] CMD ID 19903, MS. Top. Oxon d., “Drawings of Somerton church and of the Fermor family monuments there,” Bodleian Library, Oxford.
