The Dudley's of Tipton

 There is a work about the minor Dudley branches that can be found in the Collections of History of Staffordshire, Volume 10. In it there is found an article on the Dudley's of Tipton. It is important I think to realize a few things. The Sutton de Dudley family was the nobility that held Dudley Castle from the 14th century. Branches ofW this family will be seen with the Sutton De Dudley, but some family members appear as Dudley. Then there are other Dudley's that are nobility, and then there are the Dudley's of Staffordshire that are a mix of early gentleman and yeoman and common laborers.

As I mentioned in my blog on the Timmins, Martha Dudley was baptized in Tipton in 1761, the daughter of Joseph Dudley and Mary Darbey. She was one of 4 daughters and had 3 brothers. Joseph Dudley was baptized in Tipton in March of 1772. He was the fourth child and fourth son of Edward Dudley, Gentleman and his wife Hannah Fellows. Joseph had a younger sister and brother who died as infants. Joseph Dudley was buried in Tipton in 1779 and his wife Mary in 1775.

 Edward Dudley was baptized in Tipton in May of 1694. He was the son of Thomas Dudley Gentleman and Martha Eccleshell. Edward Dudley married Hannah Fellows in Lichfield Cathedral in 1715. Edward Timmins gentleman was buried Feb 3, 1745, and no will is found for him. His wife Hannah died in 1750 in Tipton. At the time of his death his children were in their late 20's to 30's. Thomas Dudley his father was baptized in Rowley Regis in May of 1661. He was the son of Edward Dudley Gentleman and Mary Steward. He married his wife, Martha Eccleshall in 1689 at Sedglely, and in 1708 it states he is "of Greenhall" and a gentleman. Thomas has a will that leaves his estate to his children Edward and wife Ann (note Anna/Anne is often used for Hannah), Martha and her husband Charles Ellwill, son Joseph Eccleshall Dudley and daughter Miriam Dudley. Thomas Dudley died in 1722 and his wife in 1704.

Edward Dudley Gentleman was baptized in Dudley in March of 1622. He was the son of Thomas Dudley Gentleman and his wife Catherine Sutton alias Tomlinson. He had two wives, his second wife Mary Steward he married in Tipton in 1658. Edward died before his father. His wife's will mentions children Thomas Dudley and Mary wife of Richard Sterry along with grandchildren. This Edward lent money to the parliament during the English Civil Wars and was a captain of the local militia. Edward sometimes used the of Summery with his name. 

Thomas Dudley Gentleman was baptized in Tipton September of 1592. He was the son of Edward Dudley Gentleman and Elizabeth Sheldon. Thomas married the natural daughter of Edward Sutton, the 5th Baron of Dudley and his mistress Elizabeth Tomlinson. Thomas Dudley is named in the will of Elizabeth Tomlinson as a son in law, and is involved in a law suit brought by Dud Dudley alias Tomlinson. The visitation with Dud Dudley gives his lineage. Baptisms refer to him as Thomas Dudley of Conigree. He left no will, but his widow Katherine leaves a will mentioning sons Cornelius and Humble, grandson Thomas (son of Edward), son in law Richard Keeling and grandchildren. Thomas Dudley and his wife Katherine both died in 1675. 

Edward Dudley Gentleman was married in Wednesbury in 1591. He is presumed to be born around 1572 and left a will in 1653. This Edward had a large amount of items he bestowed. He mentions his son Thomas items of furniture, money to his grandchildren by Thomas, his brother Henry and William Dudley and some of their children, an unknown kinsoman Thomas Dudley of Brierly received a sum, his godchildren Jukes, children of cousin Richard Bradley in Birmingham, and brother in law Edward Perry (this is not clear). He also left money to the poor. He mentions several leases, indicating he had some holdings. Edward Dudley's wife was Elizabeth Sheldon who died in 1592. I find no record of additional children for Edward.

Edward Dudley's father was Thomas Dudley who married Elizabeth Swynnerton in 1569 in Tipton. The visitation books that give the Dudley history gives his children as Edward, William, Thomas, Henry and Hugh Dudley with a daughter Mary. Edward was born about 1550 and died in 1579. Thomas Dudley the father of Thomas Dudley was born about 1510 and died between 1557 and 1586. This Thomas was married to Agnes Swancote. The eldest son Robert may have died, and he also had a son William Dudley with daughters Joan and Jane. 

Thomas Dudley was the son of Cornelius Dudley, Gentleman, who was born around 1450-1470 and married Ann Hoo. He died bef 1538. The couple is known to have had a son Richard besides their son Thomas. Cornelius Dudley, Gentleman was the son of Thomas Dudley and Joan Welles Clarke. This Thomas was born about 1435-1450 and his death is not known. His wife died in 1515. The couple is known to have had a daughter Margaret besides their son Cornelius. Margaret was married to a John Phillips, presumingly of Birmingham. 

The lineage that is known ends with John Dudley who was born about 1413 and married a Margaret Turnpenny. John died 1492 and only his son Thomas is known. It is presumed their is a relationship between the Dudley's of Tipton and those of Sedgely as the Tipton's had the original seal for the coat of arms. 

The same book gives information on the Dudley's of Sedgley. The line goes back to Lord John Sutton who married Isabelle Chereton. (Additions to Grazebook, The Barons of Dudley).  Isabelle had two children by John Sutton, Thomas who was the youngest, and John. By her husband, Richard de Fisshere of Dudley (who would later be known as Richard de Dudley, Knight) she had a son Richard, who had to have been born after 1358 (conveyance of deed to John Sutton that went to Isabelle then her son Thomas Sutton). Thomas Sutton was still a minor in 1362 when a suit was brought over the conveyance.

Richard Dudley and Isabelle Cherelton 

1. Richard (1) Dudley born about 1358      

 2. John  Dudley b abt 1360 married Elizabeth Buffrey and had Richard (2),  William, John (2),  and Elizabeth.

This John was the head of the Sedgley Dudley's. It is felt that the Clopton Dudley's are related but no one can connect them at this time. 

There is a Richard Dudley son Thomas minor in 1412 (Priory of Dudley).

Richard (1) may be the ancestor of the Clopton Dudley's, marrying Joan Hotot and having a son Richard who died in 1456 and had a wife also named Joan.

John (2) Dudley married a Joan and died by 1456 leaving only a son John. 

Without seeing the full visitations, it is hard to guess where my  John fits in, he would have to be a grandson of Richard (1) Dudley, or a son of Richard (2) or William Dudley. Since the Tipton Dudley's have the seal which matches the Clopton and the Sedgley family, I am inclined to believe they are related. This puts both the Dudley family and the Sutton's sharing a partial lineage. It is reasonable also because we know the lands, though small, were given to the family since they held several leases.

The most logical theory is that the Richard with a minor in 1412 is the son of John and my John is a younger son. Richard who married Joan Hotot was the son of Richard Dudley and Isabelle Cherelton.