Ancestors

Robert Tilley

Robert Tilley was a yeoman of Henlow, in Bedfordshire. The parish register calls him "yeoman" at the baptism of his son William in 1585. His children were baptized at Henlow over twenty years: John on 19 December 1571, Rose in May 1574, George in January 1577, Agnes in March 1580, Elizabeth in January 1583, William in September 1585, Edward on 27 May 1588 and Alice in February 1591. The clerk entered Edward as "Edmd s Rob TILLY."

Alice died a girl. The register records her burial on 29 July 1597 as "Alice d Rob TILLYE, a younge mayde."

His son John married Joan Rogers, a widow born Joan Hurst, at Henlow in 1596. John's children were baptized in the same church as his own. Robert's daughter Rose probably married John Goods at Henlow in 1599.

In 1588 Robert was executor of the will of William Ellborne, and in 1579 he witnessed and oversaw the will of William Ward. He made his own will on 31 December 1612. As reported by the genealogist Robert Leigh Ward, it named "Elizabeth nowe my wife," "John Tilleye and his children," his sons Edward and William, and his daughters Rose and Elizabeth. He was buried at Henlow on 21 February 1613. His widow, "Eliz TILLIE, wid.," was buried there on 27 March 1614.

Seven years after his death his sons John and Edward sailed on the Mayflower. John took his wife Joan and his daughter Elizabeth. Edward took his wife Agnes and two young relatives, Henry Samson and Humility Cooper. Both brothers and both wives died in the first winter at Plymouth. Elizabeth survived and married John Howland.

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Cite: Heirology, "Robert Tilley (d. 1613)", https://heirology.com/ancestors/robert-tilley-1613-8e8d64.