Thomas and Margaret JUDD (previously BATCHELOR)
of Avon Dassett and Adderbury

Thomas Jud is described as the son of Richard Jud of Warmington, Warwickshire when he married his bride on 22 August 1637 at Avon Dassett, Warwickshire. His bride was Margaret Batchelor who was baptised at Avon Dassett on 16 October 1614, Thomas himself was baptised sometime circa 1610 - 1612 or so, we will probably never know as the Parish records where we believe he was born do not start until 1636 and other records like Manorial records have not as yet been researched for Warmington or Avon Dassett. Margaret Batchelor was one of eight children born to John and Alice Batchelor (previously LAMPREY or LAMPRY) in the pretty little village hamlet of Avon Dassett. (Source: Avon Dassett Parish records)

Thomas Jud would have been a young man of approximately 18 years of age or so when a great fire ravaged Banbury on Sunday 2 March 1628. The fire began in a Malt House in Calthorpe Lane through negligence and went on to destroy about a third of the town leaving many homeless and destitute. Many Coventry residents heard about this calamity and instigated a collection so those left with nothing had a least something to eat and some clothes to wear until they received some form of relief. I believe it is possible that many residents of Coventry who undertook the collection for those poor souls of Banbury, may have had family and relatives in Banbury, hence the reason for the collection. (Source: Old Banbury, Banbury Historical Society - E R C Brinkworth MA and History of early Banbury in 16 & 17 century)

It is possible this Thomas Jud was one of those with John Long and Robert Prew who administered the Inventory of a Thomas Hyrons (Hirons or Hiorns), Carpenter of Banbury who deceased the latter end of March 1631/1632 and was buried 9 March 1631 - 1632, exhibited 23 April 1632, Bond dated 23 April 1632. The Inventory came to a total of £10, 12 shillings and 6 pence. (Source: Banbury Wills & Inventories Part 2, 1621 to 1650)

It wasn't long after Thomas and Margaret became betrothed in August 1637 that their first born daughter Marye was born and baptised. Marye was baptised on 26 November 1637 in Avon Dassett, Warwickshire. Soon after followed another daughter Jone, who was baptised on 15 December 1639, again in Avon Dassett. (Source: Avon Dassett Parish records)

In what must have been very difficult times and of concern to many people not only in the area but across the Country was the rising tension between The King and Parliament in what was to lead up to The English Civil War which lasted from 1642 until 1652. On 26 February 1642 with his brother Symon Jud, Thomas signed the Protestation Return and is listed under Adderbury East with many other residents including a Mr Oldish, Vicar of Adderbury (William Oldys), the vicar was to be murdered by a Parliamentarian soldier during the early days of the war. (Source: Oxfordshire & North Berkshire Protestation Returns & Tax Assessments 1641 - 1642)

William Oldys was for the King (Royalist) and had been sheltering in Banbury as Adderbury was for Parliament. His wife had to return their son to school in Winchester and the vicar decided to accompany them part of the way. In the meantime a neighbour had got wind of what the vicar had planned and informed the Parliamentary troops who then set up an ambush. The vicar sent his wife and son forward seeing the presence of troops ahead with the instruction that if they were for the King she was to raise her hand and he would join her, if by chance they were for Parliament she was to ride on without signal. The troops were for Parliament and the vicar turned tail and made back for Banbury but on the journey back through Adderbury and his own house, his horse halted and refused to go any further, the horse would not budge and ultimately the Parliamentarian troop caught up and proceeded to shoot the vicar. He was killed by a parishioner outside his own vicarage. (Source Oxfordshire Village Book by Nigel Hammond, Countryside Books, page 5, Adderbury)

On Sunday 23 October 1642 the Battle of Edgehill took place on the escarpment close to Warmington village, this was the start of the English Civil war and was on the doorstep of our JUDD ancestors, so it must have been a very stressful time for them. (Source: Edgehill & Beyond - The Peoples War in the South Midlands 1642 - 1645, Philip Tennant)

During 1644 Banbury Castle was laid siege to and the residents suffered greatly from this. Again the family were of Banbury so would have struggled with many others, not only of famine but plague and hardship too.

In addition to the war and plunder going on around them, several Political groups formed who either claimed to be Political or were people who proclaimed to be messiahs, prophets or preachers. There were the Levellers, (Political radicals) associated with John Lillburne, 1647 then The Diggers, True Levellers, associated with the Political Levellers, 1648 and finally The Ranters, late 1640's, all this Political turmoil and with the war going on around them as well as plague brought in by the soldiers and army, must have been a very traumatic time not knowing from one day to the next if you were going to survive or be the next victim. (Source: Internet research on 17th century Political groups)

From the research so far, Thomas and Margaret's next addition to the family was not until 3 December 1648 when another daughter Hester was baptised at Adderbury. A son John was baptised on 26 July 1650 at Adderbury and this must have given them great joy as they already had 3 daughters, so a son must have come as a welcome relief. (Source: Adderbury parish records)

From 6 September 1649 we find mention of a Thomas Judd in the Adderbury Manorial Court records where he appears on the Jury. On 9 May 1650 he is first on the list and on 15 May 1651 and 22 September 1652 he "essoined" (apologised for absence). (Source New College Archives Reference NCA 3780 Court Rolls, Adderbury 1649 - 1652)

From the Court Rolls for Adderbury 1653 - 1678 (New College Archives, Oxford, Reference NCA 3781) we find on 29 April 1653 a reference to "Thomas Judd & Margarett his wife of Adderbury admitted for the term of their natural lives, & then to the heirs of Thomas, according to a surrender made at a Court Baron held (blank) to one messuage & 2 lands & 3 yards with appurtenances in Adderbury for rent & services (not specified). Fine 5s."

Thomas is mentioned in his brother Richard Judd's Will dated 27 March 1659 and he was left one quartern of a yard land .... and £10 of lawful money of England. (Source: Will of Richard Judd dated 1659)

Between 1654 and 1675 we find several references to Thomas Judd, on 18 April 1655 he is shown as "Foreman", on 15 April 1658 essoined by Thomas Blinkow and on 17 May, 18 Charles II 1666, Thomas is elected as Constable.

In 1665 Thomas Judd was involved in a family dispute with his brother Symon regarding money and property left by another brother Richard Judd (deceased)
(Source: A2A document reference C5/614/222 dated 1665)
Also in 1665 and from the Hearth Tax Assessments for Adderbury there is a reference to a "Thomas Tudd with 1 hearth".

Further references to Thomas can be found in New College archives material and Adderbury Manorial records reference NCA 3782 (Manorial Court records for Adderbury 1680 - 1693), the first entry is dated 20 September, 32 Charles II, 1680, when Thomas (senior) is on the jury. He appears again on the jury (first on the list) 17 September, 34, Charles II, 1682 and 17 September, 35, Charles II, 1683.

Sadly his wife Margaret died and was buried on 10 November 1680 at Adderbury, aged 66 years old, so the family must have been quite distraught at their loss.

From New College archives dated 12 September 1684 (New College Archives reference NCA 3794) can be found several references to Thomas Judd.

From some of the Warmington Deeds which have been transcribed by Mrs Elizabeth Newman we can find further mention of Thomas Judd. In the first Mortgage document dated 23 September 1689 there is mention of Simon Judd the elder of Drayton, Oxford, Shoemaker, Richard Judd of Shotteswell, Shoemaker and Thomas Judd the elder of Adderbury, Oxford, Shoemaker, the document was witnessed by John Richard, John Churchill and John Long, the document was signed by Simon Judd and Richard Judd made his mark.

In another document, a Mortgage Assignment dated 2 May 1691 the parties listed appear as Thomas Judd the elder of Adderbury, Shoemaker, Simon Judd the elder of Warmington, Shoemaker, John Little of Neithrop (parish of Banbury) School Master, and John Bowers & William Southam both of Neithrop, Yeoman Trustees for John Little. This Mortgage Assignment with agreement of Simon Judd (now sole owner since death of Richard Judd) from Thomas Judd to John Little. Signed and delivered in the presence of Richard Messenger, Joseph Perkins, Robert Gibbert, and the mark of Richard Spencer. (Source: Warmington Deeds & Mortgage records)

These must have been the twilight years for our Thomas as he died and was buried in Adderbury on 20 December 1693, just five days before Christmas and thirteen years after the demise of his wife Margaret.

In further Manorial Court records for Adderbury (New College, Oxford reference NCA 3783) dated 11 September 1694 "The jury presented that Thomas Judd who held for himself & his heirs by copy of the Court Roll dated 29 April 1653 one messuage, 2 lands and 3 yards, with appurtenances in Adderbury, has died since the last Court. Heriot due 2s 6d".

Thomas Judd his son & next heir was admitted. Rent (blank).

There then follows several mentions of a Thomas Judd from 1696 until 6 October 1721.

In a Manorial Court record dated 2 October 1724 there is a reference to an Isaac Judd (on the jury), he also appears in Manor Court records for 5 October 1722 (on the jury), and 4 October 1723 (on the jury). Under the date of 2 October 1724 we find ....... "The jury presented that Thomas Judd who held for himself and his heirs by copy of Court Roll 2 lands & 3 yards (less one messuage), copy dated 11 September 1694, has died since the last Court. Heriot 2s 6d." (I have a burial for this Thomas as possibly being on 31 October 1723 in Adderbury)

Isaac Judd his son is the next heir and was admitted to 2 lands & 3 yards.

Footnote:

As yet I don't quite have all the pieces of the jigsaw, but I thought this article would be proof that with determination, coupled with Parish records, Manorial Court records, Hearth Tax records, Family Search (IGI), various printed reference books, A2A (Access to Archives online) and help along the way, that obstacles can be overcome and Family research taken beyond the 17th century and the English Civil war. The material that brought all this together was the Manorial Court records, which I hasten to add were in the main in Latin, so had to be transcribed for me by a professional researcher. From previous research undertaken by myself and Mrs Elizabeth Newman on this JUD - JUDD family, it is possible the line may now be traced further back to Coleshill and Over Whitacre, in Birmingham, Warwickshire. I now truly believe that this article and research effectively takes the family line back some 3 - 4 generations.