William and Avis Alston

The effigies of William and Avis Alston of Marlesford, Suffolk, on their memorial, commissioned by their eldest daughter, Avis, in St. Andrew's church, Marlesford, which contains the inscription,

 

To the memory of William Alston Gent who

married Avis, daughter of Jeferie Pitman

of Woodbridge, in the county of Suffolk, Esqr

& had issue 3 sonnes & 5 daughters, Avis the

eldest daughter, who in pious memory

of her deceased parents hath here

erected this monument.

He died the Xth of June 1641

 

 

William was born c. 1594 at Marlesford, Suffolk, the son of William Alston of Siam Hall, Boxford, Suffolk / Gedding Hall, Polstead, Suffolk, and his wife Marian (- 1641), daughter of Richard Holborow of Bulmer,

William would become a Barrister-at-Law of the Inner Temple.

 

Avis was the daughter of Jeferie Pitman (1561-1627) of Woodbridge, High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1625, and his first wife Alice. Avis was baptised in Woodbridge on 28th. February 1593.

 

The marriage of William and Avis took place on 21st. May 1618 in Woodbridge. They would have 3 sons and 5 daughters together.

 

Samuel, first married Elizabeth Mann and then Alice Nicholson.

 

Thomas married Anne Guilford, a widow from of Chelsea.

 

William married Margaret daughter of Mathew Hammond of Bury Gent.

 

Avis married Sir Thomas Foster, son of Judge Robert Foster of Egham and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edward Burton of Bourne.

 

Mary.

 

Elizabeth married Thomas, son of Edward Mann of Ipswich and Dorothy Mannock.

 

Catherine.

 

Alice.

 

Avis died, aged 40, in 1633, and was buried on 18th. May 1633 in Woodbridge. After her death, William married Margaret, daughter of Henry Groom Gent of Ufford, Suffolk.

 

William died on 10th. June 1641, aged about 47. He is buried in the chancel of St. Andrew's church at Marlesford. He left the following will,

 

" I desire my executors to receive the rents and profits of my mess. tents and heredts in Marlesford and Parham, co. Suff. until my son Samuel be 21 when said Samuel is to have possession of said property.

 

My lands and ten'ts in Aspall or near thereto I give to my son Samuel at the age of 14, my executors to receive the rents of lands and tenements in Framsden and Creatingham co. Suff. during Samuel's minority.

 

The said Samuel not to interfere in any way with the lands left to my son Thomas.

 

My executors to hold in trust for my son Thomas until he is 14, my mess. lands, tenements and heredts in Eyle co. Suff. also until Thomas is 21 my lands and tents in Woodbridge, co. Suff.

 

I give to Margaret my wife my mess. lands &c in Hacheston, near Parham, Suff. with remainder to my son Thomas.

 

Also to my son Thomas my mess lands etc in Walton, co. Suff. said Thomas not to interfere in any with lands left to Samuel.

 

I desire my executors to receive the rents of certain lands in Walton in trust for my dau. Avis until she is 21.

 

My executors to hold in trust for my daughter Elizabeth until she is 21, the rents of my Mess. and lands in Chelmsford co. Essex called the Beerehouse.

 

I give to my dau. Avis L20 yearly, until she is 21 - the same to my dau. Elizabeth - to be paid out of the profits of the lands left to them.

 

I give to my dau. Mary L20 yearly until she is 21.

 

To my dau Avis L500 on her marriage or age of 21

 

to my dau. Eliz. L800.

 

to my dau. Mary L1000.

 

I desire that Margaret my wife may have all goods, chattels, cattle, plate and household stuff, which were hers before our marriage, she to give to my son Thomas and dau. Marie L100 at her decease

 

To the poor of Marlesford 40/-.

 

To the poor of Wickham 40/-."

 

 

Done