Thomas Birds

1602 - 1666

Thomas was born in Youlgreave around the beginning of 1602, the eldest child of Francis and Clemens, and baptised there on 14th February that year ⁽¹⁾. He had five younger sisters. Anne was born in 1604 ⁽²⁾, followed by Jane ⁽³⁾, then Elizabeth ⁽⁴⁾, Dorothy ⁽⁵⁾, and finally Maria in 1616 ⁽⁶⁾.

He married Elizabeth Ridiard, at All Saints in Youlgreave, on 27th November 1628 ⁽⁷⁾. It is believed that they lived in Elton after their marriage, and had at least 5 children there over the next 15 years - son Francis, and daughters Clemens, Elizabeth, Anne and Mary ⁽⁸⁾. Thomas's mother Clemens died in February 1639 ⁽¹⁰⁾, followed soon after by his father in law George Ridiard, who left him five pounds in his will (along with ten pounds for his wife and two sheep each for his children) ⁽²⁰⁾.

By 1643, and the baptism of their next son Thomas, they were back in Youlgreave ⁽¹¹⁾. Their next son George, born in 1645 ⁽¹²⁾, only lived about 4 months ⁽¹³⁾. Their youngest son John was born in 1647 ⁽¹⁴⁾, and their youngest daughter Catherine in 1650 ⁽¹⁵⁾.

Thomas's father, Francis, died in 1656 ⁽¹⁶⁾, and Thomas was the main benificiary in his will, inheriting all his property, along with any balance remaining after all his childrens', sisters' and nephew's and nieces' bequests were paid ⁽¹⁷⁾.

At the restoration of the monarchy in 1661, at which time he was descibed as a yeoman, he gave ten shillings towards the "free & voluntary present" to Charles II ⁽²¹⁾.

His wife Elizabeth died in 1659 ⁽¹⁸⁾. Thomas died the week before Christmas of 1666, and was buried in Youlgreave on 22nd December ⁽¹⁹⁾.

• Clemens was probably born in Elton in the early 1630s. She married William Gladwin in Youlgreave on 8th May 1652. She was mentioned in her grandfather's will of 1655 (where he called her Clement Birds, rather than using her married name, but there are no other Clemens Birds that could have married in 1652, so this must have been her, and her grandfather's will is in error). No further mention of her of William is found in Youlgreave parish register, so they must have lived elsewhere.
• Francis was probably born in Elton in the late 1630s. He was mentioned in his grandfather's will of 1655 when he was still under 21, and is likely to be the Francis who, with wife Maria, had a son Thomas baptised in 1665. Nothing else is known of him.
• Elizabeth was probably born in Elton in the 1630s. She was mentioned in her grandfather's will of 1655, but nothing more is known of her.
• Anne was probably born in Elton in the 1630s. She was mentioned in her grandfather's will of 1655. She married William Buxton in Youlgreave on 1st June 1659. No other mention of them is found in the Youlgreave parish registers, so they probably lived elsewhere after marriage.
• Mary has her own page
• Thomas was born at about the beginning of 1643 in Youlgreave. He was mentioned in his grandfather's will of 1655, but nothing more is known of him.
• George was born in Youlgreave in 1645, but died the following January.
• John was born in Youlgreave in 1647. He was mentioned in his grandfather's will of 1655. Nothing more is known of him.
• Catherine was born in Youlgreave in 1650, and mentioned in her grandfather's will of 1655. Nothing more is known of her.

1. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [February 1602] Thomas Byrd the sonne of Francys bapt xiiii^th
2. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [November 1604] Anne Birdes the daughter of Francis bapt 22^d
3. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [1608] Bapt Jana fil Francisci Birdes Feb ult
4. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [1610] Bapt Elizabetha fil Francisci Byrds Apr 3
5. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [1613] Bapt Dorothea fil Fra: Byrds Apr 12
6. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Maria Birds, daughter of Francis, on 9th April 1616.
7. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [Marriages 1628] Thomas Birds & Elizabeth Ridyard Novemb: 27
8. After their marriage, they are not found mentioned in any parish registers until the baptism of their son Thomas in 1643 ⁽¹¹⁾. However Thomas is described as being "of Elton" in an agreement of 1636 ⁽⁹⁾, so they lived there at that time, and more than likely all the time from their marriage up to sometime prior to the baptism of Thomas. The parish registers of Elton do not survive from this period, but the will of Thomas's father Francis. lists all of Thomas's children, including 5 that were not baptised in Youlgreave, so the most likely scenario is that these 5 children (Francis, Clement, Elizabeth, Anne and Mary) were baptised in Elton.
9. Derbyshire Record Office holds an agreement reference D258/40/36/4, dated 1636, in the archives. The catalogue entry reads:
   Agreement between William Greatrax of Hopton and Francis Beards of Youlgreave, yeoman, and Thomas Berds of Elton his son, whereas William married Anne daughter of Francis and has by her one son, John Greatrax, and one daughter, Elizabeth Greatrax, and is desirous to retain his estates in Hopton and Wirksworth in his blood and kindred, the estates are to be held to his own use for life with remainder to John Greatrax and the heirs of his body, and for default, to Elizabeth Greatrax and the heirs of her body, when Elizabeth is 16 she is to enter into the premises and take the issues etc until she has received £100, if William shall die within 7 years Elizabeth is to have £150
   Get copy/transcription
10. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1639] Yolgrave Sepult Clementia uxor Francisci Byrds Febr. 05
11. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1643] Yolgrave Bapt Thoma fil Thome & Elizabeth Birdes Jan 22
12. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1645] Yolg Bapt Georgius fil: Thoma & Elizabetha Birdes Sept 21
13. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of George Birds, son of Thomas and Elizabeth, on 29th January 1646.
14. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of John Birds, son of Thomas and Elizabeth, on 17th July 1647.
15. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1650] Yolgrave Bapt Catherine filia Thomasi et Elizabetha Birds August 22
16. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Francis Birds, on 24th October 1656.
17. Contemporary PCC probate copy of the will of Francis Bird, late of Youlgrave dated 1655, proved 1657 reads:
    In the name of God Amen
    The Eighteenth Daie of June in the yeare of out Lord accor-
    -ding to the English accomp.. One Thousand Six hundred Fifty
    Five I Francis Bird Late of Yollowgreave in the County of Darbie
    Yeoman being of good and perfect health and of sound Mind & perfect
    Memorie, Praised be God for the same, doe declare and make this my last
    will and testament in Manner and forme following. First and principalie
    I bequeath and Commend my soule to Almighty God my creator, Jesus
    Christ my redeemer, and the holie ghost my Comforter. And my Bodie
    to the Earth to be buried in the Chancell at Yollowgrave aforesaid (as
    nere unto the place where Clemens my beloved wife was interred as Conve-
    -nientlie may be. Also I give and bequeath unto Thomas Bird
    My Sonne ye Indenture of Lease And all ye Messuage houses and
    Lands therein Conteyned Lying & being in Yollowgreave aforesaid which
    I tooke of Nicholas Gilbert Esquire for & dureing All ye Time & Terme
    that I have therein. Also I give and bequeath unto Jane Wife of
    Francis Hawksley Dorothy wife of John Ashton, And to my Grandchildren
    Walberg Pott and Marie Pott everie one of them Tenne pounds of Current
    Monie of England. Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandchild and
    Godsonne Francis Bird Sonne of ye said Thomas Bird Five pounds of
    Lawfull Monie of England, To be paid to him when he shall accomplish his
    age of Twentie & one yeares. Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandchildren
    Francis Hawksley sonne of my Daughter Jane, Anne [Wamsley], Elizabeth
    Twigge Children of my Daughter Elizabeth; Francis Pott Clement Pott
    John Pott, Percival Pott, And to everie other Child of my Daughter Maries
    Charles Ashton Clement Ashton [Anne Ashton] John Ashton Dorothy Ashton
    & Francis Ashton, Children of my daughter Dorothy; Clement Bird
    Elizabeth Bird, Anne Bird, Tho: Bird, Marie Bird, John Bird
    Katherine Bird Children of my sonne Tho: Bird, And to my Grandchild
    John [.it.ricks], To everie one of my said grandchildren Five pounds of Lawfull
    Monie of England. I give & bequeath to the poore of Yollowgreave Fortie
    Shillings To be distributed amongst them at the discrecon of my Executor. I
    Give & bequeath unto ye Ringers at my Buriall Tenne Shillings. Also after
    that my Debts Legacies and Funerall Expences bin discharged and paid, All
    the rest of my goods Cattle,s Chattles, Monie, and Debts unbequeathed I
    give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Bird my sonne whom I constitue
    Nominate and appoint sole executor of this my last will and Testament hope-
    -ing he will ..enelie and justlie performe the .... And I desire my loveing
    Sonne in Lawes John Pott Clerk, John Ashton and Raph Twigg to be
    Overseers hereof, And for their paines therein I give unto everit one of
    them Twentie Shillings of Currant Monie of England. And hereby I re-
    -nounce Repeall ...... and F...... all former wills Legacies and Bequeaths
    whatsoever. In Testimony whereof I have heeunto put my hand & Seale
    The daie and yeare first above written. Francis Bird ... These
    being witnesses George Samuel, Robert roberts, George Goodwin
    [snr]
    This will was proved at London The sixth
    day of May in the years One Thousand six hundred Fifty seaven
    Before the Judges for Probat of wills and granting Administracon
    Lawfullie authorised. By the oath of Thomas Bird the sonne and
    sole executor named therein. To whom was grannted Administracon of
    all and singular the goods Chattels and Debts of the said deceased. He
    being by Comm..ss. first sworn truelie to Administer ye same.
    
18. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1659] Yolgrave Buried Elizabeth y^e wife of Thomas Birds [.....]
19. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Thomas Birds, on 22nd December 1666.
20. The will of his father in law George Ridyard reads:
    In the name of God Amen the seaventeenth daie of April in the yeare of our
    Lord God 1639. I George Ridiard thelder of Midleton within the Countie of
    Derbie yeoman beinge sick in bodie but of good and pfct memorie praised be God
    be make and ordayne this my last will and Testament in manner and form
    followinge First I give and bequeath my soule into the handes of God [... ....]
    it [....] my onlie savioure and redeemer and my bodie to be buryed in the pishe
    Church of yolgrave as neere my wife as conveniently maie be Also my
    worldlie goods which it hath pleased pleased God to give me I dispose give and bequeath
    as followeth. Imprimis I give to my grandchilde George Rydyard all my
    [....., ......], ploughs, harrowes, and all other husbandrie ware as [....] tables
    cheares, formes [....] iron [.....]. Item I give to my Daughter in law Sarah her
    daughters viz Marie, Elizabeth and Sarah to everie one of them one mattrisse and
    any part of bedding belonginge to them. Item I give to Marie Ridiard one
    paire of bedsticks with a [.....] in the chamber Item I give to George Ridiard
    my grandchild the bill of lye in with the furniture therit belonging Item I
    give to my daughter in lawes their daughters everie one of them one [.....]
    Item I give to George Ridiard one great pann and one great pewter dish
    Item I give to Elizabeth Ridiard one little pott. Item I give Sara one little
    pann. Item I give to Marie Ridiard one great pott and a pewter dish Item
    I give to Elizabeth Birds the wife of Thomas Birds Tenn pounds Item
    I give to Katheren the wife of Humfri Pegg Tenn pounds. Item I give
    to everie one of my grandchilde which are Thomas Birds and Humfrie Peggs
    to everie one of them two shepe and evrie one of my servants which shalbe with
    me at the tyme of decease one shepe a peece Item I give to my sonnes in
    lawe Thomas Birds and Humfrie Pegg five pounds a peece Item I give
    devise and bequeath to my welbeloved daughter in lawe Sarah Rydiard
    and her assigns the one halfe of the Mill field duringe the continuance of
    all the tearme of the said Mill field [....] in beinge and [.......] with said
    lease is made to mee and my assignes by my [honourable] maister John Manners
    [Esq] for one and twentie yeares. Item I give devise and bequeath to my
    grandchild George Ridiard and his assigns the other halfe and moitie of the
    said Mill field dureinge the continuance of all the said Tearme Item I give
    to my said daughter Sarah and her assignes all that Moitie and halfe of
    Slaters farme in Middleton and all my estate therein, whereof I have a lease
    in beinge for sixe yeares dureinge the continuance of the said six yeares, she
    payinge thirtie pounds by five pounds a yeare to George Marie Elizabeth and
    Sarah the fower children of the said Sarah by William my deceased sonne
    equallie by equall porcons, the first five pounds to be paid the first year
    after my death Item whereas I did intend at the tyme of the marriage
    between my said sonne William and the said Sarah that the said William
    my sonne should have the full halfe of all my shepe and beasts which
    goodes not beinge divided bitwene my said sonne William and mee but occu-
    pyd bitwene us jointly, the whole maie survive to mee in [....mitie] of lawe of
    beinge the survivor. Nevertheles in a [..nscionable] dischardge and pformance
    of the true intention betwixt us I have latelie caused all the said shepe
    and beastes to be divided and the halfe [.. .....] Which I intend for my
    deceased sonne half I have maked with a [.....] in the sholder with said
    shepe and beastes so maked in pfrmance of my said intencon I do herebie
    give divise and bequeath to my said daughter Sarah. And my further
    will and pleasure is that all my legacies of money herebie divised to my
    two daughters and theire two husbands shalbe paid out of the debts due unto
    mee and in default and want thereof the same to be made upp and paid out
    of the moitie of the said shepe which I have lefte unto my self and which are
    not maked Also my will and mind is that the two shepe a peece herebie
    given to my grandchildren and that the shepe herebie devised to my servants and my
    funerall charges shalbe paid and discharged out of my said moitie of the said
    shepe and beasts And their legacies defaulted I give devise and bequeath
    all the rest and residue of my half and parte of my said shepe and beasts to
    my said daughter Sarahs said fower children equallie to be divided between
    them, the same [......] to bee disposed of and imployed to and for [....] best
    pfitt and advantage and if any of the said fower children dye then their [...]
    so dying to be equallie divided amongst the said surveiving children And I
    herebie make my said daughter in lawe Sarah my full and sole executrix
    of this my last will and Testament And i disire my loveing kinsmen
    Robert Bateman and George Ridiard and my loveing sonnes in laws
    Thomas Birde and Humfrie Pegg to be supervisors of this my last will
    and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and
    seal the daie and yeare first above written
    Sealed the daie and yeare
    above written in the prsence               George Ridiarde
    of Robert Bateman                                       his mark
    George Ridiards junior his mark
    Edw Harris
    
21. DD/3P/2/2 at Nottinghamshire Archives is the subscription list to the free and voluntary present, for the High Peak Hundred. One entry under Youlgreave township reads:
    Tho: Birds of the same [Youlgreave] yeom: tenn shillings

Confirm baptism of Maria/Mary & John in BT - PR entry is unreadable on film.
Confirm burial of son George in 1646, as my transcript has the father named as George not Thomas.