Sir Thomas

The records of The Inner Temple Admissions Database show that a Thomas Crompton, a gentleman of Benington, Hertfordshire was specially admitted to the Inns, as a junior, on 5 December 1595. Pledges, for his admission, were made by Anthony Pembreche and Francis Swifte. Source: The Inner Temple Admissions Database

Why the Inner Temple when Thomas' father appears to be linked with the Middle Temple? The paper by Rider, see 1600 info5, suggests that 'inns of court and chancery became collectively known as 'the third university of England' and was seen to be a 'finishing school'.

Sir Thomas married Muriel, sister of Henry Lord Falkland in 1597.

Thomas of Benington had extensive estates around Driffield. But on 10 September 1602 Thomas Crompton, son and heir of Thomas Crompton of Bennyngton Co. Herts. esq. de'd. leased to Robert Wright of London and John Brewstar of the Middle Temple esqs. the manor of Bishop Burton, Cherry Burton, Skerne, Wansford, Skidby and Ruston; farms in Beverley, Skerne and Killingwoldgraves; the benefices of Slateborne, Leven and Foxholes; the parsonage of Skidby; the tithes in Skidby, as collateral security for recited payments, including £200.16.8d. to Elizabeth sister of Thomas Crompton. Source: HUMAD DDGE/6/11

Further sales of property followed particularly, on 9 May 1603 the 'Bargain and Sale for £2300: Thomas Crompton of the Inner Temple gent. to William Gee of Beverley esq. the manor of Bishop Burton. [DDGE/6/13] and on 10 June 1605 the 'Bargain and Sale by Sir Thomas Crompton son of Thomas C. esq. dec'd. to Sir William Gee of Beverley: Provost Hall Garthe, manor of North Burton alias Cherry Burton, portion of tithes of church of Foxholl alias Foxholes alias Foxhill, sometime property of P rebend of St. Steven in Beverley and advowson of Foxholes, all appurtenances (including 4 oxgangs) in Sowthburton, Northburton and Mollescrofte. [DDCB/4/91] Sir William Gee (qv) of Beverley had married Mary (qv), Thomas' sister, in 1601.

This is the earliest confirmed reference to Sir Thomas Crompton.

'Dr Thomas [Hasler] suggests was a long-standing servant of the Earl of Essex and his son Sir Thomas was knighted by the Earl, presumably while in the field in France or in Ireland, and then was unfortunately implicated in the Essex revolt of 1601. This seems to be borne out by ... Sir Thomas engaged in considerable land transactions circa. 1602. If he did fall foul of the government, for his support of Essex, it wouldn't be surprising if he was heavily fined, and had to rearrange his finances accordingly.'

'Hasler [records] that Sir Thomas went abroad shortly after his will was made on 18 October 1603 and didn't return before he was killed, presumably before the will was proved on 13 January 1606/7 [Julian/Gregorian calendars]'

Though 'the Prerogative Court of Canterbury's copy of his will doesn't mention travel plans, it is pretty curious in not referring to his state of health at all in the preamble. [The majority of] Tudor wills refer to being 'sick in body but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God'. Occasionally one refers to the testator being in good health but 'mindful of this transitory life and uncertain stay of human condition' they have therefore decided to sort out their affairs. But Sir Thomas simply doesn't mention his health at all, or give any reason for making a will. If he wasn't sick, and he wasn't old, why would he make his will? Unless he was planning to travel.'
Source: With thanks to Rita Lamb who quotes her research from P.W. Hasler's 3-volume work on the membership of the House of Commons in Tudor times

Family records suggest Sir Thomas was slain at Abbeville, in France, by a robber in 1600. However, he was alive for some years after that. There is another and local Abbeyville, on the road between Pocklington and Bishop Burton. The HUMDAD 'Papers of Crust Todd and Mills, Solicitors' makes reference to 'inventory and valuation of 'Abbeyville' in Westwood (1927).

By 'circa 1610 [when in a] Quitclaim, Sir Thomas' brother, Sir John Crompton of the Inner Temple, London and his brother Robert Crompton of Skerne esq., to Sir William Gee of Bishopburton, a final Concord between Sir Thomas Crompton dec'd. brother of Sir John Crompton and Richard Crompton (6 October 1605). Not executed'. Source: HUMAD DDGE/3/15, DDGE/3/28

1600info1, sheet 2

Additional sources

HUMAD references: DDGE/6/13, DDCB/4/91

See also:

• Yorkshire Archaeological Society, York: Sir Thomas Crompton's deeds to Ruston, 20 October 1603 - ref: MD229/87
• East Riding Archives, Beverley: Payment to Thomas Crompton of London Esq £150, 17 October 1610: ref: DDBE/27/1
• Borthwick Institute, York: Sale of property to Thomas Crompton, 11 October 1660: ref: YM/D/PO/13, YM/D/PO/14

For further investigation: When his will was written in 1603 the phrase 'limitation of tyme' suggests that he was near to death. Mortally wounded perhaps?  The will has yet to be fully transcribed.

Sir John of Skerne and the Inner Temple - 2nd son of Thomas Crompton

Sir John, second son of Thomas of Bennyington, assumed his knighthood on the death of his eldest brother (qv) circa 1660 but certainly by 24 June 1610. He married Frances Crofts, daughter of Sir Henry Crofts of Little Saxham, Suffolk, in 1597. He took the manor of Skerne, south east of Driffield, (known as Driffield Castle) but on 13 December 1623 the stewardship of manors of Patrington, Elloughton and Bishop Wilton, which were granted to Sir John Crompton, passed to Sir William Constable. (Source: DDHA/18/12)

He died 8 December 1623 and was buried in the Temple Church (London?).

Robert of Driffield - third son of Thomas Crompton

There are no reports of the birth of Robert in IGI records.

Robert, a Clerk in Augmentation Office, was married three times:

1. 1. to Jane, daughter of Rev Culverwell of Cherry Burton on 7 August 1610 (IGI);
2. 2. to Ann, daughter of Francis Haldersley, who was buried at Cherry Burton in 1625 (Query as there are no family dates or IGI records);
3. 3. to Ceziah Strickland, daughter of Walter Strickland of Boynton, at Boynton on 30 September 1628.

Source: DDSY/68/15, IGI)

He held the manor and estates of Wanford, which were passed to his daughter Anne and her husband William Metcalfe Alderman of York. Source: DDSY/68/15 On 19 March 1653, Ceziah Crompton of Great Driffield, a widow, bought land for £266.13s, from Sir Thomas Remington of Lund. Source: DDCV/100/2 Land was sold by Ceziah Crompton, now of Leckonfield (sic), to her eldest son and third child Walter Crompton of Sunderlanwicke (sic) esq., on 12 May 1662. This agreement was witnessed by Robert Crompton, her second son and fourth child. Source: DDCV/100/3

On the death of Sir William Gee, 1612, Robert was involved in the 'wardship and marriage of John Gee son and heir of Sir William Gee dec'd by making a grant to his sister Dame Mary. Source: DDGE/6/19)

Robert died on 4 September 1646 and was buried at Bishop Burton.

HUMAD references: DDGE/6/19, DDSY/68/15

See also:
Borthwick Institute, York: Sale of property to Thomas Crompton, 11 October 1660: ref: YM/D/PO/13, YM/D/PO/14

1600info2, sheet 3

Frances Crompton

Frances married Sir Robert Fen, Comptroller of HM Household.

Mary Crompton

Married and became the second wife of Sir William Gee (qv) to become Dame Mary Gee.

Thomas Crompton's other children

It is possible to argue the order of birth of Thomas' sons and of his daughters from their order of inclusion in the will. However there is little evidence of the order of males and females.

Notes:

Information from Hull University Manuscripts and Archives Database is referenced: eg- HUMAD Reference DDCA3/8/14
Link to Search page at HUMAD
Family records have also been used.

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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass	Version A.5 Updated 13 November 2007