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 Maiors day a Noyse of Trumpettꝭ at the Charge of the howse.
At this Court it is agreed that Mr 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 wch through gods especiall goodnes I have attayned, as alsoe the weake estate of my body broken of late wth many sicknesses and infirmities wch still hanging one mee as be many monitors unto me to pˀvide for my approachinge change and settlinge of that poore state wherewth 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 Mr Wardens and company of Barber surgions the some of twenty pounds.