My wife's ancestors - Shelley - Contents

John Shelley, of Michelgrove

Memorial to John Shelley (died 1550) and Mary Fitzwilliam.
Clapham church, Sussex.
Photo 2019. See full size.

John Shelley,
of Michelgrove, Sussex.
He mar Mary Fitzwilliam [descendant of Edward I].
His will dated 8 Aug 1550.
He died 15 Dec 1550.
He was bur Clapham Church, Clapham (near Michelgrove), Sussex.
Will proved 27 Apr 1551.
John and Mary had issue:

1. William Shelley,
   eldest son, born 14 Sept 1537.
   Father died 1550.
   He inherited Michelgrove.
   Remained Catholic. Imprisoned 1580 for recusancy.
   Convicted of treason 1585. Jailed in Tower of London. Not executed but his estates were confiscated.
   Released 1596.
   Died 15 Apr 1597.

   
   

2. John Shelley,
   second son,
   died 1580 (before his brother),
   never held Michelgrove (but his son did).

   
   

Wider shot of memorial to John Shelley and Mary Fitzwilliam.
RHS of altar, Clapham church.
Memorial to their son John Shelley to lower LHS.
Photo 2019. See full size.

Close-up of memorial to John Shelley and Mary Fitzwilliam.
With spelling modernised it says: "Here under lies buried the body of John Shelley esquire which deceased the 15 day of December in the year of our Lord God 1550, who married Mary the daughter of Sir William Fitzwilliams knight by whom he had issue 4 sons and 8 daughters".
Photo 2019. See full size.
See other shot.
See other shot. From here.
See rubbing. From jmc4 on Flickr. Used with permission.

John Shelley (died 1550).
Photo 2019. See full size.

Brass of John Shelley and Mary Fitzwilliam.
Painting of 1789.
From here.

Claim that there was a Catholic priest residing at Michelgrove in 1592.
The Shelley family remained Catholic.
From p.176 of Calendar of state papers, reign of Elizabeth, vol.3.