Further to my original post here on 7 June 2016, I have completed some further research on this family. Accordingly, I post below a slightly more detailed version of the pedigree that I posted earlier. I note that there appear to be several medieval and royal descents available to this family via Rev Dr Lancelot Ridley, DD (Died 1550). Robert O'Connor _________________________________ NIGHTINGALE OF YELLING & CAMBRIDGE REV. LEONARD NIGHTINGALE, M.A., of Yelling, Co. Hunts., Born c. 1545. That the Nightingales of Yelling & Cambridge were related to the Nightingales of Newport is evidenced by Leonard Nightingale (d 1660) of Yelling, due to his having no surviving children, devising in his will all his lands at Yelling, Co. Hunts. & Graveley, Co. Cambs. to Geoffrey Nightingale (d 1681) of Kneesworth, in the Parish of Bassingbourn, Co. Cambs., a scion of the Newport family. Educ. Clare College, Cambridge University. His entry in ‘Alumni Cantabrigienses’, Part 1, Earliest Times to 1751’ reads as follows – “Nightingale, Leonard. Matric[ulated] pens[ioner] from Clare, Easter, 1563. B.A., 1566/7; M.A., 1570. Ord[ained] deacon (Ely) Aug 24, 1566; priest, March 23, 1566/7. V[icar] of Stapleford, Cambs., 1567. R[ector] of Little Barford, Beds., 1571. R[ector] of Yelling, Hunts., 1585-1612”. He was ordained a priest by Richard Cox, Bishop of Ely, 23 March 1566/7. Recorded as “Leonard Nightingale, Stapleford” his name appears in a list of clergy who subscribed to the Liturgy at the visitation of Elsworth, 1571. Appointed Rector of Little Barford, Co. Beds., 20 June 1571. M after 5 June 1570 & before 13 Jan. 1584/5 Mary (Born c. 1555. She was mentioned in her father’s will as “Marye [sic] Ridlie [sic] my daughter”, 5 June 1570. She was mentioned in the will of her maternal uncle Rev. Thomas Parkinson (d 1586) with her mother & siblings as follows – “I give & bequeath to Margaret Slater my natural sister & her children viz Henry Ridley, Mark Ridley, Marye [sic] Nightingale, Susan Cranforth & Elizabeth Cole all such sume [sic] or sumes [sic] of money as Robert Siston of Hemingford do at present instant owe unto me to be distributed unto them at the discretion of George Slater Doctor of Divinity & my cozen [sic] Christopher Parkinson”, which will was witnessed by her husband Leonard Nightingale, 13 Jan. 1584/5. Will dated 5 Oct. 1625 – in which she was described as “Mary Nightingale of Yelling in the Countie [sic] of Huntingdon Widdow [sic]” & mentioned “my daughter Grace”, “my daughter Elizabeth”, “my daughter Susan”, “my daughter Frances”, “my sonnes [sic] Stephen & John & Roger & Thomas & Luke” & “Marke [sic] Nightingale my sonne” whom she appointed her executor. Died 1625. Will Proved at the Archdeaconry Court of Huntingdon, 8 Oct. 1625), d. of Rev. Dr. Lancelot Ridley, D.D., M.A., of Stretham, Co. Cambs. & his wife Margaret Parkinson (See RIDLEY). He was recorded as acting as a witness to the will of his wife’s maternal uncle Rev. Thomas Parkinson (d 1586), of Willingham, Co. Cambs., 13 Jan. 1584/5. Appointed Rector of Yelling, Co. Hunts., 22 Sept. 1585. At the baptism of his son Mark he was recorded in the Yelling baptismal register as “Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”, 20 Feb. 1587/8. At the baptism of his son Roger he was recorded in the Yelling baptismal register as “Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”, 12 Feb. 1589/90. At the baptism of his daughter Katherine he was recorded in the Yelling baptismal register as “Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”, 9 Jan. 1591/2. Recorded as “Mr Leonard Nightingale, Rector of Yelling”, 27 Sept. 1597. At the baptism of his son Luke he was recorded in the Yelling baptismal register as “Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”, 18 Oct. 1597. In an article by Rev. W.M. Noble entitled ‘Incumbents of the County of Huntingdon’ published in Volume III: Part VIII of the ‘Transactions of the Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Archaeological Society’ it was recorded as that “Leonard Nightingale signed the [Bishop’s] Transcripts [of the Yelling Parish Registers] as late as 1612”. Died 1612 (when Edward Heron was appointed to replace him as Rector of Yelling). He had issue: 1.Grace, Born c. 1573. M 23 April 1593 at Yelling, Henry Kyrspe. She was mentioned in her mother’s will as “my daughter Grace”, 5 Oct. 1625. 2.Elizabeth, Born c. 1575. She was mentioned in her mother’s will as “my daughter Elizabeth”, 5 Oct. 1625. 3.Susan, Born c. 1577. M 14 Nov. 1597 at Yelling, Robert Hilliard. She was mentioned in her mother’s will as “my daughter Susan”, 5 Oct. 1625. 4.Frances, Born c. 1579. She was mentioned in her mother’s will as “my daughter Frances”, 5 Oct. 1625. 5.Stephen, Born c. 1581. He was mentioned in his mother’s will with his brothers as “my sonnes [sic] Stephen & John & Roger & Thomas & Luke”, 5 Oct. 1625. 6.John, of Yelling., Born c. 1583. M 14 Dec. 1607 at Horningsea, Co. Cambs., Magdalene Jugge (She was mentioned in her husband’s will as “my lovinge [sic] wife Magdalene”, 19 May 1626). At his marriage he & his wife were recorded in the Horningsea marriage register as “John Nightingale of Yelling, Co. Hunt. & Magdalen [sic] Jugge”. He was mentioned in his mother’s will with his brothers as “my sonnes [sic] Stephen & John & Roger & Thomas & Luke”, 5 Oct. 1625. Will dated 19 May 1626 – in which he was described as “John Nightingale of Yelinge [sic] in the County of Hunts Gent[leman]” & provided “I doe [sic] give & grant unto my said wife duringe [sic] her natural life one annuity or yearlie [sic] rent of tenn [sic] pounds of lawful money of England to be charged out of my farme [sic] in Yellinge [sic] aforesaid which was my fathers towards the bringinge [sic] up of my children William & Magdalene until [sic] they shall attaine [sic] to their several ages of one & twentie [sic] yeares”, & “I give & bequeath unto my sonne [sic] Leonard & his heirs my farme [sic] in Yellinge [sic] which was my fathers with all the lands meadows pastures profitts [sic] commofities & appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonginge [sic] called by the name of Osburnes, upon condition that my sonne [sic] Leonard pay unto my said wife the said annuity or yearly payment of tenn [sic] pounds as aforesaid…” & “I give & bequeath to my brothers Roger & Luke to either of them tenn [sic] poundes [sic] to be paid within tenn [sic] years next after my decease”. Died 1626. Will Proved at P.C.C., 7 July 1626. He had issue: 1a.Leonard, of Yelling, Co. Hunts & Graveley, Co. Cambs., Bapt. 25 March 1610 at Horningsea. Educ. Magdalene College, Cambridge University. His entry in ‘Alumni Cantabrigienses’, Part 1, Earliest Times to 1751’ reads as follows – “Nightingale, Leonard. Matric[ulated] sizar from Magdalene, Easter 1625”. M Parradine. In ‘The Victoria County History of Cambridgeshire’ article for the Parish of Graveley it was recorded as follows – “In the 16th & early 17th century the Wiseman family held c. 200 acreas, divided & sold c. 1650. Half passed through Robert Pepys (d. 1661), an uncle of the diarist, to the Brookes. Leonard Nightingale of Yelling (Hunts.), who bought the other half in 1650, devised it in 1660 to his kinsman Geoffrey Nightingale of Kneesworth. The estate, 157 acres after 1660, descended in that family until Sir Charles E. Nightingale, Bt., in 1807 sold the 175 acres allotted at inclosure to the Londoner Richard Haighton (d. 1813)…”. Will dated 13 Jan. 1659/60 – in which he was described as “Leonard Nightingale of Yelling in the County of Huntington [sic] Esquire”, mentioned “my daughter Anne” to whom he devised all his lands at Yelling & Graveley, but provided that if she did not survive him & attain the age of 21 years they were to pass to his kinsman “Jefferie [sic] Nightingale of Kneesworth in the County of Cambridge Esquire” provided that “he shall paye [sic] or cause to be paid unto Roger Nightingale the eldest sonne [sic] of Roger Nightingale of Cambridge in the Countie [sic] of Cambridge & servant in King’s College the full summe [sic] of Twentie [sic] pounds of lawfull [sic] money of England when he attaine [sic] to his full age of Thirtie [sic] years”. Died 1660. Will Proved at P.C.C., 27 March 1660. He had issue: 1b.Anne, Bapt. 10 May 1654 at Yelling – recorded in the baptismal register as “Anne daughter of Leonard & Parradine Nightingale”. She was mentioned in her father’s will as “my daughter Anne”, 13 Jan. 1659/60. As her father’s lands at Yelling & Graveley passed to Geoffrey Nightingale (d 1681), of Kneesworth, she must have died young. 2a.William, He & her sister were recorded in their father’s will as “my children William & Magdalene”, 19 May 1626. 4a.Mary, Bapt. 9 Aug. 1612 at Horningsea. 5a.Edward, Bapt. 9 March 1616/7 at Horningsea. 4a.Magdalene, Bapt. 7 April 1622 at Horningsea. She & her brother were recorded in their father’s will as “my children William & Magdalene”, 19 May 1626. 5a.John, 4 Aug. 1624 at Horningsea. 7.MARK, of whom we presently. 8.Roger (Rev.), of the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace, London., Bapt. 12 Feb. 1589/90 at Yelling – recorded in the baptismal register as “Rogerus [sic] son of Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”. In Church of England clergy records he was recorded as being ordained as a deacon, 20 Jan. 1616/7, & as a priest, 22 March 1616/7, by John Overall, Bishop of Lichfield & Coventry. He was a Gentleman [priest] of the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace, London – initially appointed in extraordinary [on a temporary basis], 29 June 1619, & then in ordinary [on a permanent basis] 20 July 1620. He was mentioned in his mother’s will with his brothers as “my sonnes [sic] Stephen & John & Roger & Thomas & Luke”, 5 Oct. 1625. He was mentioned with his brother Luke in the will of his brother John who provided “I give & bequeath to my brothers Roger & Luke to either of them tenn [sic] poundes [sic] to be paid within tenn [sic] years next after my decease”, 19 May 1626. M 1st 1631 (marriage settlement dated 9 June 1631) Margaret (Born at Glaston), d. of Richard Bedoe, of the Parish of St John, Glaston, Somerset. It was recorded in the ‘Report of the Commissioners for inquiring concerning charities’ made in 1825 concerning the Parish of Glastonbury in Somerset as follows – “It appears also, by an indenture, dated 20th February 1634, an abstract of which is subjoined, that one Roger Nightingale, & his wife, granted an annuity of £6 8s 6d for the benefit of the poor people in the said alms houses. By indenture of this date, made between John Wrinkmore, the elder, of Glaston, in the county of Somerset, yeoman, & Mary, his wife, of the first part; Roger Nightingale, clerk, one of the gentlemen of his Majesty's chapel royal, & Margaret, his wife, born at Glaston aforesaid, daughter of Richard Bedoe, then late of the parish of St. John, there deceased, of the second part; & Edward Dyer, esq. Thomas Brooke, esq. Christopher Preston, gentleman, Christopher Hopkins, mercer, John Gutch, mercer, Nicholas Mapson, clothier, John Wrintmore, the younger, clothier, John Poode, yeoman, Richard Hall, yeoman, Richard Bound, yeoman, Thomas Jenkins, white-baker, & John King, yeoman, of the third part; It is witnessed, that said Wrinkmore & wife, for themselves, & the heirs of the said John, in consideration of £120 paid to the said Wrinkmore by the said Nightingale, at the entreaty of his wife, according to a covenant or agreement contained in certain articles made on the marriage of the said Nightingale & wife, dated 9th June, 6th Charles [1631], did give, grant & confirm unto the said Edward Dyer, &c. one annuity, or yearly rent-charge of 6 l.2s. 6d. issuing & going forth out of all that tenement or inn in Glaston aforesaid, called or known by the name or sign of the Crown, & out of all the lands, tenements, feedings, &c. &c. to the said tenement or inn belonging, or in anywise appertaining; to hold the said annuity or yearly rent-charge unto the said Dyer, &c. their heirs and assigns, for ever; to be paid at or upon the High Cross in Glaston aforesaid, at two of the most usual feasts or terms of the year, viz. at the feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, & St. Michael the Archangel, by even & equal portions, the first payment to be made and to begin at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, then next ensuing..”. It was recorded in ‘The History of the English Dramatic Poetry to the time of Shakespeare’ as follows – “By a similar warrant, of the 20th of April 1641, we find that the following was the establishment of the Chapel Royal. Subdean – Stephen Broughton. Chaplains – Anthony Kirby, Richard Cotton, Ezechiel Wade, Edmond Nelham, Roger Nightingale, & John Frost…” In ‘The Musical World’ it was recorded that “During the civil wars & the interregnum which followed, the members of the chapel were dispersed throughout the country, seeking protection from those who were often ill able to afford it to them…” According to Sir John Hawkins in his ‘A General History of the Science & Practice of Music’ – “Roger Nightingale, a clergyman, & one of the chapel at the restoration, was then an old man. He had been of the chapel to Charles I, & even before the commencement of that King’s reign, distinguished as a singer. He dwelt with Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, at Budgen in Huntingdonshire, the episcopal seat: & when that prelate was translated to York, he took Nightingale with his to Cawood Castle, & as a mark of his favour, gave him a lease worth £500 to be sold”. It was recorded in the ‘The Marriage, Baptismal & Burial Registers of the Collegiate Church or Abbey of St Peter, Westminster’ as follows – “He was sworn as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in ordinary 29 June 1619, & succeeded to the next vacancy 20 July 1620. In the Cheque Book he is described as “a Base from St. Paul’s”, & as in holy orders. He was sworn Confessor to His Majesty’s Household in June 1660, & died 25 Nov. 1661, being succeeded in that office by Rev Philip Tynchare, the preserve of the old Abbey Register”. It was recorded in Rembault’s ‘The Old Cheque Book, or Book of Remembrance, of the Chapel Royal. From 1561-1744’ as follows – “1661. Roger Nightingale, one of the Gentlemen of His Majesties Chappell [sic] & Confessor to his Majesties Household, died November 25, 1661, into whose place as gentleman was admitted Roger Hill, as Confessor Philip Tucker, one of the Gentlemen of His Majesties Chappell [sic]”. Died 25 Nov. 1661. Bur. 28 Nov. 1661 in the East Cloister, Westminster Abbey, London – recorded in the burial register as “Mr Roger Nightingale, one of the Gentlemen of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, & Confessor of His Majesty’s Household”. 9.Katherine, Bapt. 9 Jan. 1591/2 at Yelling – recorded in the baptismal register as “Katherina [sic] daughter of Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”. 10.Thomas, In the ‘Merchant Taylors School Register, 1562-1874’ he was recorded as “Thomas Nightingale son of Leonard Nightingale of Yelling, Co. Hunts. gent” when he was apprenticed to a merchant taylor, 24 May 1624. He was mentioned in his mother’s will with his brother’s as “my sonnes [sic] Stephen & John & Roger & Thomas & Luke”, 5 Oct. 1625. 11.Luke, of the Muscovy Company., Bapt. 18 Oct. 1597 at Yelling – recorded in the baptismal register as “Lucas [sic] son of Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”. He was mentioned in his mother’s will with his brothers as “my sonnes [sic] Stephen & John & Roger & Thomas & Luke”, 5 Oct. 1625. He was mentioned with his brother Roger in the will of his brother John who provided “I give & bequeath to my brothers Roger & Luke to either of them tenn [sic] poundes [sic] to be paid within tenn [sic] years next after my decease”, 19 May 1626. He was a member of the Muscovy Company (also called the Russian Company or the Muscovy Trading Company), which was an English trading company chartered in 1555. It was the first major chartered joint stock company & had a monopoly on trade between England & Muscovy until 1698. Like his maternal uncle, Dr. Mark Ridley, he spent considerable time in Russia. In the ‘Slavonic & East European Review’ it was recorded as follows - “In his letter of 7 December 1646, [King] Charles [I] asked Aleksei [Tsar Alexis I] to allow Luke Nightingale, who had been active in the Muscovy Company’s trade since the 1620s, to purchase 300,000 quarters of grain, which would be exchanged for English cloth; the grain was needed because the late disturbances in Ireland had so interrupted the ‘tillage & husbandry’ there…”. Kotilaine, in his ‘Russia’s Foreign Trade & Economic Expansion in the Seventheenth Century’ recorded as follows – “Anglo-Russian trade, & the status of the [Muscovy] Company, were considerably complicated by the on-going civil war in England. Not lacking political acumen, Russian merchants responsible for penning an anti-foreigner petition in 1646 pointed out that the Company’s original rights had been issued in response to a request by the King of England. Now, however, ’all the English traders, are not loyal to him, but have been at war with him four years’. A particularly striking example of the confusion caused by the troubles in Britain was the so-called Nightingale Affair. Luke Nightingale, a member of the Company, arrived in Russia in June 1648 as an envoy of Charles I who requested permission for grain purchases of 300,000 chetverti in response to shortages at home. Nightingale further claimed to be on a secret mission to convince the tsar [Tsar Alexis I] of the disloyalty of the Muscovy Company & to suggest that ‘the Russia trade be thrown open to all English merchants on equal terms’. As agreeable as Nightingale’s agenda may have in some ways appeared to the tsar, there were serious questions as to the envoy’s authenticity & credibility. Matters were further complicated by the arrival of Thomas Bond, an English physician seeking employment in the court. He brought a letter, allegedly from Charles, but almost certainly from the Parliament, which expressed ‘wonderment & grief’ at the imposition of customs on the Muscovy Company, & at its harsh treatment by officials at Archangel. The Russians apparently distrusted Bond, whereas Nightingale initially made a very good impression & gained the tsar’s trust. Nightingale returned to Russia in Sept. 1648, apparently for the main purpose of trying to buy the 270,000 chetverti grain outstanding from his previous request. A month into his stay, he was denounced as an imposter by one of his servants. A subsequent investigation ruined Nightingale’s credibility but, in a bid to regain his stature, the disgraced envoy launched a renewed attack on the Company. He alleged that a group of Russian merchants were preparing a military raid on Arkhangel’sk in revenge for the loss of old privileges. The Russians, in response, set Nightingale free”. MARK NIGHTINGALE, of Cambridge, Co. Cambs., Bapt. 20 Feb. 1587/8 at Yelling – recorded in the baptismal register as “Marcus [sic] son of Leonardi [sic] Nightingale”. M 1st c. 1615 Elizabeth (Bur. 11 May 1639 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the burial register as “Elizabeth uxor [wife of] Marke [sic] Nightingale, Gent”). At the baptism of his son Roger he was recorded in the Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge baptismal register as “Marke [sic] Nightingale”, 21 Oct. 1621. He was mentioned in his mother’s will as “Marke [sic] Nightingale my sonne [sic]” under which he was appointed her sole executor, 5 Oct. 1625. At the baptism of his son Thomas he was recorded in the St. Andrew the Great Church, Cambridge baptismal register as “Mark Nitingale [sic]”, 30 Nov. 1625. At the burial of his 1st wife Elizabeth he was recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge burial register as “Marke [sic] Nightingale, Gent”, 11 May 1639. M 2nd 1640 at Barton, Co. Cambs., Ann Aspland (Died 9 Nov. 1645 – as recorded in the burial register. Bur. 10 Nov. 1645 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the burial register as “Ann the wife of Mark Nightingale, gent, died 9 Nov.”). In the ‘Cambridgeshire Lay Subsidy Rolls’ he was recorded as “Marke [sic] Nightingale”, as being resident in “Highe [sic] Ward, Cambridge” & as being assessed for tax of £2 on his goods, 8 May 1641. At the baptism of his son Benjamin he was recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge baptismal register as “Marke [sic] Nightingale”, 18 May 1641. At the burial of his son Luke he was recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge burial register as “Marke [sic] Nightingale”, 2 June 1643. At the burial of his 2nd wife Ann he was recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge burial register as “Mark Nightingale, Gent”, 10 Nov. 1645. Bur. 26 Nov. 1649 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the burial register as “Marke [sic] Nightingale”. Admon Granted at P.C.C., 1649. He had issue by his 1st wife: 1.Luke, M.A., Born c. 1618. Educ. Trinity College, Cambridge University. His entry in ‘Alumni Cantabrigienses’, Part 1, Earliest Times to 1751’ reads as follows – “Nightingale, Luke. Adm[itted] pens[ioner] at Trinity, July 9, 1635. Matric[ulated], 1635. B.A., 1639/40. M.A., 1643. Fellow, 1640”. Bur. 2 June 1643 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the burial register as “Luke, son of Marke [sic] Nightingale, M.A. buried in church”. 2.ROGER, of whom we presently. 3.Thomas, Bapt. 30 Nov. 1625 at St. Andrew the Great Church, Cambridge – recorded in the baptismal register as “Thomas, son of Mark Nitingale [sic]”. Mark Nightingale (1588-1649) had further issue by his 2nd wife: 3.Benjamin, Bapt. 18 May 1641 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the baptismal register as “Benjamin, son of Marke [sic] Nightingale”. Bur. 5 July 1655 at Cambridge. ROGER NIGHTINGALE, of King’s College, Cambridge, Co. Cambs., Bapt. 21 Oct. 1621 at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge – recorded in the baptismal register as “Roger, son of Marke [sic] Nightingale”. M Mary (At the burial of her son Roger she & her husband were recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge burial register as “Roger & Mary Nightingale”, 6 June 1649). He was granted administration of the estate of his father Mark Nightingale, 1649. At the burial of his son Roger he & his wife were recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge burial register as “Roger & Mary Nightingale”, 6 June 1649. At the baptism of his daughter Mary he was recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge baptismal register as “Roger Nightingale”, 28 May 1650. At the baptism of his son Roger he was recorded in the St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge baptismal register as “Roger Nightingale”, 28 April 1652. He & his son Roger were mentioned in the will of his 1st cousin Leonard Nightingale (d 1660), of Yelling, Co. Hunts., who devised all his lands at Yelling & Graveley to his daughter Anne, but provided that if Anne did not survive him & attain the age of 21 years that those lands were to pass to his kinsman “Jefferie [sic] Nightingale of Kneesworth in the County of Cambridge Esquire” subject to Geoffrey Nightingale (d 1681) being required to “…paye [sic] or cause to be paid unto Roger Nightingale the eldest sonne [sic] of Roger Nightingale of Cambridge in the Countie [sic] of Cambridge & servant in King’s College the full summe [sic] of Twentie pounds of lawfull [sic] money of England when he attaine [sic] to his full age of Thirtie [sic] years”, 13 Jan. 1659/60. He was sued in the Court of Chancery by his kinsman Geoffrey Nightingale (d 1681), of Kneesworth, in the Parish of Bassingbourn, Co. Cambs. in respect of the property in Yelling & Hemingford, Co. Hunts. previously owned by his 1st cousin Leonard Nightingale (d 1660), 20 Oct. 1660. In his ‘Answer’ to the complaint of Geoffrey Nightingale (d 1681) he alleged that Leonard Nightingale’s will, which gifted those lands to Geoffrey Nightingale (d 1681), was false & that those lands should pass to him as “being cousin & next heir of ye whole blood unto ye said Ann Nightingale as to the said Leonard Nightingale”. His ‘Answer’ to the complaint of Geoffrey Nightingale in that proceeding was as follows: “The Answer of Roger Nightingale gent defendant to the Bill of Complaint of Jeffery [sic] Nightingale Esquire Complainant. All advantages of [?] to the several unintended uncertainties & other insufficiencies to the matters set forth in the said Bill of Complaint being now & at all times hereafter saved to this defendant for a full answer to so much of the said Bill as materially concerns this defendant to make answer to, he this defendant answereth & saith, he beleeveth that Leonard Nightingale now deceased in ye bill named was in his lifetime & at ye time of his death seised in his demesne as of fee of simple in divers messuages lands tenements & hereditaments in Yellinge & Hemingford Gray in ye County of Huntingdon & in Graveley in ye County of Cambridge in ye said bill named with the appurtenances & that part of ye premises were & are freehold, & other part thereof copyhold, And that the minde & intention of the said Leonard Nightingale was that his copyhold lands & premises should be enjoyed with his said freehold lands but by noe other person than by his next heire at law, And this defendant further saith that he knoweth not that the said Leornard Nightingale did duly or otherwise surrender all or any part of his said copyhold lands & premises to [?] which he should declare in his last will & testament, or if he did make any surrender or surrenders thereof, yet this defendant denies that the said Leonard Nightingale did on ye thirteenth day of January in ye year of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty & nine being ye time mentioned in ye said Bill or at any other time when he was of a sound perfect or disposing mind or memory make or declare his last will & testament in writing or otherwise or thereby did dispose of his said lands & premises to any sure uses intents or purposes as in ye said bill & set forth or to any other uses whatsoever, But this defendant saith sincerely believeth & covete fully to prove that on the thirteenth day of January in the said yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty & nine, & that in the after noone in the same day & not many hours before ye date of [?] ye said Leonard Nightingale some person or persons without ye knowledge {?] or consent of ye said Leonard Nightingale (for ought that this defendant knoweth) did drawe a writing pretending ye same to be ye last will & testament of ye said Leonard Nightingale, And for that the said Leonard Nightingale then to witt on ye said thirteenth day of January & from the time of his becoming sick of ye sickness whereof he died & not a sound or disposing mind or memory as this defendant [?] also to prove therefore & for no other reason as this defendant believes that said person or persons by whom the said writing was drawn did cause ye said writing to bear that day thirteenth day of January in the said year of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty & nine, within which writing being drawn in ye form of ye last will & testament of ye said Leonard Nightingale it is amongst other things contains & supposed that the said Leonard Nightingale did give & bequeath unto Paradine his wife mentioned in the said bill as much of his lands in Yelling during her natural life as might be let for £40 by ye year with the house wherein she then dwelt with the orchards & gardens thereunto belonging, or £40 by ye year to be raised out of ye said lands, which of these his wife Paradine should make choice of, [?] his daughter Ann Nightingale should attain to ye age of one & twenty years before ye death of his said wife then it is supposed in ye said writing, that his will was that the cause garden & orchard aforesaid should be & returned to ye immediate possession of ye said Ann Nightingale which said then now at any time before as this defendant believeth was vested in the possession thereof, And further it is mentioned & contained in ye said writing that he the said Leonard Nightingale did give & bequeath all ye rest of his lands, meadow, & pasture ground houses & buildings of what kind soever in Yelling aforesaid, And meadow grounds in ye meadow of Hemingford Gray with all his houses & buildings of what kind soever in Graveley in the said County of Cambridge with all ye pasture grounds, groves & woods, arable lands & leys, sword ground & [?] with all the appurtenances whatsoever unto his said daughter Ann Nightingale, provided always that if it should please God that his said daughter should depart this life before she should attain the age of one & twenty years without issue of her body lawfully begotten, then all his houses & other buildings of what kind soever with all his arable lands leys and sword grounds, meadow ground, pasture grounds, woods & fitts, domons [?], domon [?] feedings to them or any of them belonging or appertaining lying & being in ye parish & bounds of Yelling, Hemingford Gray or Graveley aforesaid should be & remain to the only use & benefit & advantage of ye complainant his heirs & assigns forever, upon the condition notwithstanding that ye said complainant & his heirs should pay or cause to be paid unto Roger Nightingale the eldest sonn of this defendant the ful & instant sum of £20 of lawful money of England upon he should attain the full age of Thirty years, And further it is set forth in the said writing, that ye said Leonard Nightingale of his supposed will did make & nominate ye said Paradine his wife his executrix as in & by the said writing or supposed will if this defendant ye same to produce (& to which nevertheless this defendant for more certainty in ye premises doth refer himself) it doth & may more at large [?], And this defendant further saith he knoweth not that there is any such towne, village or place as Mingeford Gray in ye said writing named or that if ye said Leonard Nightingale had any lands or tenements in any such towne or village, but this defendant believeth that the said writing being drawn with such [?] & [?] as aforesaid & [?] as aforesaid in ye same writing which ye complainant in his bill doth suppose & pretend to be ye last will & testament of ye said Leonard Nightingale the said writing was never read in ye presence of ye said Leonard Nightingale as this defendant [?] to prove or ever affirmed or declared by the said Leonard Nightingale to be his last will & testament, And this defendant further saith he believeth ye secondly after ye making of ye said writing the said Leonard died & that all ye time of his sickness until his death, the disease whereof he died did so violently possess his head that he had not any perfect memory or ye right use of his wisdom, And likewise this defendant saith he believeth that the said Ann Nightingale before she attained ye age of one & twenty years died without issue of her body lawfully begotten on or about the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty & nine, & not on the tenth day of March in ye same year as suggested in ye said bill, And that the said Ann Nightingale and divers other persons as well inhabiting in ye house of the said Leonard as in ye said town of Yelling within a short time after ye death of ye said Leornard died of ye same disease which put an end to his life & that during all ye time of their sickness they remained without ye use of their right wisdom also, And this defendant saith that after ye decease of ye said Ann Nightingale all & every of the said messuages land tenements & premises as well freehold as copyhold as this defendant is advised should come descended & come unto this defendant as being cousin & next heir of ye whole blood unto ye said Ann Nightingale as to the said Leonard Nightingale & should not remain or come unto the complainant or be held or enjoyed by him, for that ye said supposed will or writing under which ye complainant claimeth the said lands & premises as this defendant covet to prove was feined & suppostitious & cannot properly & truly be called reputed or taken to be the last will or testament of ye said Leornard Nightingale, for ye the said Leonard Nightingale during ye time of his sickness wherein ye said [?] will is supposed to be made, And especially on ye said thirteenth & fifteenth day of January in the said year of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty & nine was not as this defendant believeth & covet to prove of a sound & disposing mind or memory, but by ye violence & severeness of his sickness was deprived of his understanding & deprived of his right use of his reason & manifested a week & [?] mind by many baine idle & inadvertent words & {?] & actions done by him in ye time of his said sickness & while the said supposed will was in writing whom before his said sickness was known to be a very rational & understanding person. And therefore this defendant contends that he doth & covet that he may lawfully go about to avoid the said pretended will & writing & to render the same of no force or validity, And likewise confess that he [?] ye exhibiting of ye said Bill, & not before made entry upon ye said lands & premises of the complainant contained material in the law for this defendant to make answer unto & not given before confessed & avoided deemed ot Traverssed is true to the knowledge of this defendant, And with matters & things the defendant is ready to [?] & [?] as this honourable Court shall award & humbly requests to be dismissed [?] with his reasonable costs & charges on this behalf wrongfully sustained”. He appears not to have won the Court of Chancery case as the property in Yelling & Hemingford, Co. Hunts. previously owned by his 1st cousin Leonard Nightingale (d 1660) remained in the possession of Geoffrey Nightingale (d 1681). He was recorded as being assessed for Hearth Tax at Cambridge as having 4 hearths, 1664. When his son Roger was apprenticed to Robert Thodey, Vintner [Wine Merchant], of London his son was recorded as “Roger Nightingale, son of Roger Nightingale, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Gentleman, deceased”, 3 Sept. 1667. Died before 3 Sept. 1667. He had issue: 1.Roger, Bur. 6 June 1649 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the burial register as “Roger, son of Roger & Mary Nightingale”. 2.MARY, of whom we presently. 3.Roger, of London., Bapt. 28 April 1652 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the baptismal register as “Roger, son of Roger Nightingale”. He & his father were mentioned in the will of his 1st cousin once removed Leonard Nightingale (d 1660), of Yelling, Co. Hunts., who devised all his lands at Yelling & Graveley to his daughter Anne, but provided that if Anne did not survive him & attain the age of 21 years that those lands were to pass to Leonard’s kinsman “Jefferie [sic] Nightingale of Kneesworth in the County of Cambridge Esquire” subject to Geoffrey Nightingale being required to “…paye [sic] or cause to be paid unto Roger Nightingale the eldest sonne [sic] of Roger Nightingale of Cambridge in the Countie [sic] of Cambridge & servant in King’s College the full summe [sic] of Twentie pounds of lawfull [sic] money of England when he attaine [sic] to his full age of Thirtie [sic] years”, 13 Jan. 1659/60. In the ‘London Apprenticeship Abstracts, 1442-1850’ it was recorded as follows – “Name – Roger Nightingale, Livery Company – Vintners’ Company, Details – Roger Nightingale, son of Roger Nightingale, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Gentleman, deceased, apprenticed to Robert Thodey, Vintners’ Company, London”, 3 Sept. 1667. Bur. 29 May 1687 at Layston, Co. Herts. – recorded in the burial register as “Roger Nightingale, Citizen of London”. MARY NIGHTINGALE, Bapt. 28 May 1650 at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge – recorded in the baptismal register as “Mary, daughter of Roger Nightingale”. That Mary, the wife of John Redshaw (d 1721), of Layston, was the daughter of Roger Nightingale, of Cambridge, is evidenced by (1) Mary naming her eldest son “Roger” & her second son “Nightingale”; (2) Roger Nightingale (d 1687) being buried in 1687 at Layston - where Mary then lived with her husband & children; (3) Roger Nightingale (d 1687) being described in the Layston burial register as “Roger Nightingale, Citizen of London” – which indicates that he had been granted the Freedom of the City of London & was a member of one of the London livery companies, membership of which was usually obtained by serving as a apprentice to a company member; (4) Roger Nightingale (d 1687) being described in 1667 at the time that he was apprenticed to Robert Thodey, of the Vintners’ Company, London, as “Roger Nightingale, son of Roger Nightingale, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Gentleman, deceased”; & (5) baptisms being recorded at St. Benedict’s Church, Cambridge in 1650 & 1652 for Mary & her brother Roger respectively, & they being therein recorded as children of Roger Nightingale. M c. 1669 JOHN REDSHAW, of Layston (near Buntingford), Co. Herts. (Born c. 1645. Bur. 3 Sept. 1721 at Layston, Co. Herts. – recorded in the burial register as “John Redsher [sic], Wooll-comber [sic]”). At the baptism of her son Roger she & her husband were recorded in the Layston baptismal register as “John Redsher [sic] husbandman & Mary his wife”, 19 Feb. 1669/70. At the baptism of her son Nightingale she & her husband were recorded in the Layston baptismal register as “John Redshower [sic] & Mary his wife”, 13 Feb. 1673/4. At the baptism of her son John she & her husband were recorded in the Layston baptismal register as “John Redshaw & Mary his wife”, 3 July 1677. At the baptism of her daughter Mary she & her husband were recorded in the Layston baptismal register as “John Reedshaw [sic] & Mary his wife”, 2 Nov. 1679. At the baptism of her son Nightingale she & her husband were recorded in the Layston baptismal register as “John Radshaw [sic] & Mary his wife”, 8 June 1682. At the baptism of her son Joseph she & her husband were recorded in the Layston baptismal register as “John Redshear [sic] & Mary his wife”, 7 Nov. 1686. Bur. 20 June 1718 at Layston – recorded in the burial register as “Mary the wife of John Redshere [sic]”. She had issue: (See REDSHAW)