George ABNEY

     George ABNEY, son of Lord James ABNEY and Mary Milward, was born in 1550 in Willesley, Derbyshire, England.² He was Lord of Willesley circa 1560. He inherited the estate from his father.³

George ABNEY was admitted in 1584 in St. John's College, Cambridge, England.⁴

George married first Margery Lowe circa 1591 in Derbyshire, England. She was the daughter of Michael Lowe of Tymore who died 1593. He was the son of Humphrey and Joan Lowe of Lichfield. Michael's will in July 1593 and proved 13 Feb 1594 refers to two son-in-laws, George Abney and Edward Bromley, and three daughters, Margery, Margaret and Katherine. Margery married George Abney and Margaret married Edward Bromley. Katherine was unmarried at the time of the will. Large numbers of relatives are mentioned in the will.^1,5,6,7

George was a barrister who was admitted to the Inner Temple in April 1591. The Inner Temple is one of four Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers and judges) in London. To be called to the Barand practice as a barrister in England and Wales, a person must belong to one of these Inns.

Members of the Lowe family were prominent in the law and it was through their connections in the profession that the marriages of Edward Bromley and Margaret Lowe, as well as that of George Abney and Margery Lowe were arranged. George joined Michael Lowe and his nephews Humphrey Lowe and Edward Bromley in their chambers in the Inner Temple. They repaired the buttery (cellar) of the Inner Temple for their use a study.⁷

George ABNEY and Anne ABNEY, his wife (late the wife of Humphry Whitwick), were plaintiffs in a lawsuit in Court of Chancery against John Farmor regarding his accounts between 1603 and 1624 in Derbyshire, England.⁸

George married second Anne Staples in 1611 in Norton juxta Twicrosse, Derbyshire, England. She was the daughter of George Staples and the widow of Humphrey Wightwicke of Coventre.^9,10

George ABNEY died in May 1645 in Willesley, Derbyshire, England.⁴ He was buried in St. Helen's Churchyard, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England.

His estate was probated on 19 June 1646 in Willesley, Derbyshire, England. His will is very difficult to read and I was only able to decipher bits and pieces. "In the name of God Amen. I George Abney of Willesley in the county of Darby esquire..." He asked to be buried in the Willesley churchyard and asked that a gravestone be bought. He provided a lease or trust to his daughter Elizabeth for 21 years. It mentioned lands in Willesley belonging to his brother Alexander Charles. Something "to be kept in trust for the benefit of my younger children." He left Willesley to his son James "at the time of his marriage with Mr. Maynwaring's daughter." If his daughter Elizabeth should die before the loan should expire then the remainder should go to his daughter Bromskill [daughter Sarah Bromskill. Some have misread this to include a daughter named Bronthil]. He mentions son John Abney, grandson George Abney the son of James Abney, and to my "good sister" Ladia or Lady(?) Bromley "my Bible." This refers to his sister-in-law Margaret Bromley. He mentions "brother Maynwaring" who I assume was a brother in law. He left his grandchildren 20 shillings apiece. He mentions "son May and his wife" who I believe is his son in law Thomas May who married his daughter Mary. Also his "son Brumskill" who is Oliver Brumskill/Bromskill the husband of Sarah Abney. There is a mention of Anne Stanley(?) "the daughter of Alexander Charles of Nottingham." She is apparently a niece. And finally there is a mention of Anne Staples, his second wife. He names his son James as executor, and it was James who proved the will.¹¹