Having searched for information about Francis Holyoke, came across references to another out-of-the-ordinary minister of Southam, John Oxenbridge (1552-1617), 'a learned and pious Puritan devine and friend of the Throckmortons'.
This was the age after the split from Rome. The Throckmortons were an extended local family with connections to royalty and much involved in national politics and intrigue. (Francis Throckmorton was famously executed in 1584 for allegedly plotting to murder Queen Elizabeth and replace her with Mary Tudor.) John courted controversy himself with his fundamentalist views, being called twice before ecclesiastical courts, the second time being suspended from office.
John's will survives, giving a small insight into domestic affairs around the turn of the seventeenth century. He leaves his house and garden in Coventry to his wife and daughters, as well as his 'brass', 'plate', 'pewter', 'linen', 'bedding', and 'all other implements and utensils whatsoever' belonging to the house. All the 'English books' his wife wants from his library she can have, and the remainder to be given to his son, Daniel (1571-1642). A small debt that his son owes him, he instructs to be paid to his wife, but all other debts to be forgiven. Lastly, 'To Hope Gellibrand my grand child a piece of plate worth in value four nobles or thereabouts.'
John's son, Daniel, avoided becoming embroiled in ecclesiastical affairs by becoming a doctor of medicine and moving to London, where he died. Daniel's son, John (1609-1674), escaped in a different way, by migrating to America, and becoming pastor of the First Church of Boston in 1670.
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