William Woollcombe

(page 157)

WILLIAM WOLCOMBE of Pitton 3rd son of William Wolcombe of Holland. He married Joan, daughter and heiress of John Pitts of Pitton, in the parish of Yealmpton, in the County of Devon, Esquire, and with her he aquired that estate.

According to the inquisition post mortem taken at Exeter 5 October 1 Elizabeth (1558) John Pitts died 20 May 2 & 3 Philip and Mary (1556), and his daughter who is therein described as "Joan Pyttes his daughter and next heir " was aged 5, 22 December last. This makes her to have been born 22 December 1553. (1552?-N.W.)

There is a deed among the Ashbury papers dated 6 November 8 Elizabeth (1566) granting to Michael Buresford gent. "the custodie wardship and marriage of Johan Pitte her highnes warde daughter and nexte heire of John Pitte gentleman deceased".

The marriage must have taken place before 26 December 19 Elizabeth (1577) as among the Ashbury papers is a deed of that date granting to William Woolcombe and Johan his wife that part of West Pitton held of Reginald Mohan, John Trelawney and the coheirs of the Earl of Devon, as of the Queens Honour of Plympton by Knights Service - this on the termination of Johan Woollcombe's wardship. The marriage was in 1571.

(Risdon)