Ralph Creffeild (born 1687)
Encyclopedia
Ralph Creffeild JP
(often incorrectly Creffield; 1687 - 12 December 1723 in Colchester) was a barrister and dignitary in Colchester
, Essex, England, from a family of wealthy drapers
and landowners.
Creffeild was born in 1687, the second son of Sir Ralph Creffeild
, and the only of his children to survive into adulthood, though he did not outlive his father. Educated at the Merchant Taylor's School
, in 1711 he married Sarah Webster, the daughter of John Webster
of Cornhill and later Barbados
. Creffeild's marriage settlement described him as being of the Inner Temple
, and thus it can be surmised that he was at that time already employed as a barrister
. In 1717/18 the couple moved to a new house in the centre of Colchester, Hollytrees, which had recently been constructed for Sarah's aunt. It was, at that time, known as "Esqr Creffield's ". At some point he also purchased Mose Hall in Ardleigh
, where his father already had a substantial estate.
Creffeild soon became a justice of the peace
for the county of Essex
and an Alderman
of Colchester
. It is likely the couple also had a home in West Mersea
, since two of their children were baptised there. Creffeild died on 12 December 1723 and was buried at St. James' Church in Colchester. Sarah married again after his death to Charles Gray
, but, since they had no children, the estates reverted back through Ralph's surviving children, Peter, Hannah (later married to George Wegg, another wealthy landowner at that time), and Sarah. Eight other children had died in infancy, including two Ralphs and a Joseph.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(often incorrectly Creffield; 1687 - 12 December 1723 in Colchester) was a barrister and dignitary in Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
, Essex, England, from a family of wealthy drapers
Drapers
Drapers, formerly Drapers Record, was founded on 6 August 1887 as a magazine for the women's clothing retail trade. It is now the leading weekly business-to-business magazine covering the fashion retail sector...
and landowners.
Creffeild was born in 1687, the second son of Sir Ralph Creffeild
Ralph Creffeild
Sir Ralph Creffeild was an alderman and three times Mayor of Colchester. A significant landowner, he controlled extensive estates in and around the town. He came from a family of wealthy wool merchants, originally from Flanders, but at Chappel by 1348...
, and the only of his children to survive into adulthood, though he did not outlive his father. Educated at the Merchant Taylor's School
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
, in 1711 he married Sarah Webster, the daughter of John Webster
John Webster
John Webster was an English Jacobean dramatist best known for his tragedies The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi, which are often regarded as masterpieces of the early 17th-century English stage. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare.- Biography :Webster's life is obscure, and the dates...
of Cornhill and later Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. Creffeild's marriage settlement described him as being of the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, and thus it can be surmised that he was at that time already employed as a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
. In 1717/18 the couple moved to a new house in the centre of Colchester, Hollytrees, which had recently been constructed for Sarah's aunt. It was, at that time, known as "Esqr Creffield's ". At some point he also purchased Mose Hall in Ardleigh
Ardleigh
Ardleigh is a village and civil parish in Essex, England. It is located northeast of Colchester and is northeast from the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the district of Tendring and the parliamentary constituency of North Essex. The village has its own Parish Council...
, where his father already had a substantial estate.
Creffeild soon became a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for the county of Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and an Alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
. It is likely the couple also had a home in West Mersea
West Mersea
West Mersea is a small town in the Colchester borough of Essex, England. It is the larger of two settlements on Mersea Island, located south east of Colchester. The smaller settlement on the island is the village of East Mersea....
, since two of their children were baptised there. Creffeild died on 12 December 1723 and was buried at St. James' Church in Colchester. Sarah married again after his death to Charles Gray
Charles Gray (MP)
Charles Gray FRS was a lawyer, antiquary and Tory Member of Parliament for Colchester....
, but, since they had no children, the estates reverted back through Ralph's surviving children, Peter, Hannah (later married to George Wegg, another wealthy landowner at that time), and Sarah. Eight other children had died in infancy, including two Ralphs and a Joseph.