It’s noticeable that there is more use of variant names in
the early London records, with four or more variants used for the same
individual across different documents. For ease therefore I’ve used the most
frequent variants seen for each person, or the name they used as signature
where possible.
James Hollyland/Holliland was a scrivener and an original
member of the Stationers Company in the 1500s, and was a “common councellor” of
the city of London. He may have died in the parish of St Andrew by the Wardrobe
in 1565.
St Mary Overie |
Another man with the same or similar name – James or Jacobus Holliland – was minister/curate of St Mary Overie in 1564 -66, receiving £20 year as his wage. (St Mary Overie is better known today as Southwark Cathedral).
William Hollylande was a freeman and dyer who
lived in a messuage called the “Ledden Porche” in the parish of St Lawrence Jewry;
he and his wife, Margaret, baptised several children there between 1543 – 1555.
In 1562, William was wealthy enough to buy the manor of Wigfrith in Standon,
Herts, but unfortunately died only a year later. His will, signed just two days
before he was buried in July 1563, bequeathed Wigfrith and various properties
in London to his family; he left money to friends for mourning, and to
charities; he instructed that bread be distributed to every household in the
parish after his burial and he left 40 shillings to the Liverie of Dyers, of which he
was a member, “for a repaste
among them” if they attended his funeral; “and if they be not at my funeral
then nothing”.
Coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Dyers
|
William’s son David Holleland/Holliland appeared
in various records between the 1580s - 1620s as owner of Wigfrith and various other properties, including
the manor of Northaw, Herts., as well as many different addresses in London. He
was a mercer and member of the Clothworkers Guild and appears to have had a
high profile –the search for more information about David continues!
A year after William’s death, his widow Margaret
married John Lute, another wealthy London tradesman and previous Master of the Clothworker’s Company. William had been a dyer, and the family had close links with the textile trade, not only through this marriage, but also due to the fact that
at least 3 of William’s sons became master mercers. William and Margaret’s children benefited not only from William’s wealth, but also from that of their stepfather when he died a few years later.
Not all Holylands in 16th century London were wealthy; records show some working as servants. However, what all have in common is that to date I have not found any current day descendants still bearing the Holyland (+v) name. All present-day Holylands that I can trace seem to descend from the previously mentioned Leicestershire branches. If you’re a Holyland, and you think I’m wrong on this point, please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you!
(Some information on this page has been taken from the website of the Clothworker's Company, which contains a great deal of very interesting information; check it out!)
https://www.clothworkers.co.uk/
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