SIR PETER PROBY.

Peter Proby was born at Chester, and was the son of Randolph Proby, afterwards of Brampton, Hunts, by his wife, a Miss Bernard. He was admitted to our freedom in 1579, made a Liveryman 1st July, 1596, an Assistant 6th July, 1609, and served the office of Master 1615. He was Sheriff of London 1614, Alderman of the Ward of Queenhithe, and Lord Mayor in 1622.

19th August, 1605. This day M^r Peter Proby a very lovinge member of this company did out of his love and affection to this house of his owne voluntarie good will give unto this company a very fayre large and serviceable standinge Cup of silver and double gilte wayghinge xxx ouncꝭ & a penny waight with a cover unto it whereupon are his armes placed And hath this supˀscription ingraven upon it [This cup is given to this hall by Peter Proby gentleman free of the same, A servant to Queene Elizabeth and to Kinge James And for both keepˀ of the Recordes in the Tower of London. Postm^r for the service of Ireland. And for speciall Service a pentioner for leife. Who was twice of the high courte of Parliament] which cup was kindlie accepted by this Court, And in gratificac͠on thereof It is by this Court ordred that the said Peter Proby shalbe exempted and discharged from all offices within this Company except the office of M^r or Governo^r of this companie. And from all other attendaunces for the sˀrvice or affaires of the said Company And when it shall please him to come to the hall he is to be kindlie and freindlie intertayned. finis coronabit opus.

24th May, 1614. It was agreed that Mr. Alderman Proby should, if he desired it, “have the use of this house together with the plate and other necessaries for to keep his Shrievalty,” and if he desired to keep his Shrievalty elsewhere he was to be allowed to borrow the plate for a year; and on the 1st July it was agreed that £40 should be given to him towards the “bewtifying of his howse.”

25th August, 1614. Fifteen Members of the Court of Assistants were nominated to attend Mr. Sheriff Proby on Michaelmas eve and the next day, and all charges and expenses which they might incur were to be borne by the Company.

In 1616, Sir Peter who had previously been appointed Governor of the colony of Ulster by special commission from the King and the City of London, repaired thither, attended by divers of the most eminent citizens, to regulate certain affairs belonging to the plantation, taking with him two rich swords of state as a present from the City, to be carried before the Mayors of Londonderry and Coleraine, the former having been some time before erected into a city and the latter into a Mayor-town.

8th June, 1622. At a Court held this day Alderman Proby was ordered to be translated to the Grocers’ Company, in view of his coming election as Lord Mayor.

20th September, 1622. At this Court it is agreed that there shalbe hiered on the Lord Maior^s day a Noyse of Trumpettꝭ at the Charge of the howse.

At this Court it is agreed that M^r Alderman Probie shall have our plate & hangeingꝭ for this yeare of his Maioralty.

Sir Peter’s eldest son, Heneage, was knighted; he was Sheriff of Bucks, and M.P. for Amersham. His second son, Henry, was Common Serjeant of London. Sir Peter was the ancestor of several members of Parliament as also of the Marquess of Rockingham and the Earl of Carysfort. His grandson Peter Proby, who married Grace, daughter of Sir Richard Ford, was chosen a Liveryman of the Company 10th March, 1659.

Sir Peter Proby’s will (undated) was proved 21st March, 1625, and commences—

I Peter Proby Knight and Alderman of London calling to minde the transitory estate of all flesh and more perticulerly the great age w^ch through gods especiall goodnes I have attayned, as alsoe the weake estate of my body broken of late w^th many sicknesses and infirmities w^ch still hanging one mee as be many monito^rs unto me to pˀvide for my approachinge change and settlinge of that poore state wherew^th it hath pleased god to blesse mee.

He gives to his wife Dame Elizabeth Proby (of whom he speaks in terms of the greatest affection) his manor of Allington, alias Aylton, Hunts, for 40 years, if she shall so long live, with remainder to his son Heneage, also to his wife his mansion and manor house of Caddington, Herts, with the demesne lands of that manor and the tithes thereof, also all his lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Luton and Dunstable with remainder to his son Henry, also to his wife his house in St. Swithin’s Lane, London. To his son Henry the manor of Yaxley, Hunts, with the tolls of the fair and markets there, which he had by virtue of a lease from Queen Elizabeth. To his son, the Rev. Edmund Proby, D.D., £1,000. To his son George £1,000. To his son Emanuel £500 (he having already had £500). His daughter, Walsingham having been provided for on her marriage, was to have £20.

To my kinde and loveinge soune in lawe William Downhall esquire £20. Item I give and bequeath unto my lovinge friends the M^r Wardens and company of Barber surgions the some of twenty pounds.

Also £30 to the Grocers’ Company and £6 6s. 8d. to Bridewell Hospital. To the poor of Aylton 12d. weekly for 5 years. To the poor of Yaxley 6d. weekly for 5 years.

And as for that yerely penc͠on y^t I have given for ever in the parish I was borne in in the Citty of Chester I require my executor to see and make inquiry of the pˀformance thereof (accordinge to a brason table in the Church therefore) the w^ch for many yeres past I have knowne well performed and soe I hope wilbe for ever.

His sons, Heneage and Henry, and son-in-law, William Downhall, were appointed Executors.

Sir Peter Proby’s arms were, erm. on a fesse gu. a lyon pass. or. a crescent for difference.