Biography of Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles 1579-1662
Paternal Family Tree: Witham
On or before 30 Jun 1579 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles was born to William Witham of Ledstone (age 33) at Ledsham. She was baptised 30 Jun 1579.
On or after 08 May 1593 [her father] William Witham of Ledstone (age 47) died. He died of a malign influence caused by Mary Pannal who was subsequently executed for witchcraft; the last person in England to be so. Or it may have been son of his William Witham who had died in 1593. He was buried 08 May 1593.
In or before 1600 Thomas Jobson of Cudworth and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 20) were married.
Around 1600 [her son] Thomas Jobson was born to [her husband] Thomas Jobson of Cudworth and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 20).
On 21 Nov 1606 [her husband] Thomas Jobson of Cudworth died.
In 1611 Thomas Bolles (age 33) and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 31) were married.
On 23 Oct 1613 [her daughter] Anne Bolles Lady Dalston was born to [her husband] Thomas Bolles (age 35) and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 34)
On 02 Aug 1618 [her daughter] Mary Bolles was born to [her husband] Thomas Bolles (age 40) and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 39) at Worksop. She was baptised 07 Aug 1618.
In 1635 [her son-in-law] William Dalston 1st Baronet (age 25) and [her daughter] Anne Bolles Lady Dalston (age 21) were married.
On 13 Apr 1635 [her husband] Thomas Bolles (age 57) died at Worksop.
On 19 Dec 1635 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 56) was created 1st Baronet Bolles then Jobson of Osberton by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 35). Possibly the only time a woman has been created a Baronet. There are examples of the widows of Baronets being given the rank of Baronet.
On 08 Jan 1641 [her son-in-law] Thomas Leigh of Adlington (age 27) and [her daughter] Mary Bolles (age 22) were married at Worksop Priory [Map].
On 20 May 1643 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 63) entertained Royalist troops to a Bowling Match at Heath Old Hall. Wakefield [Map] was taken the next day by Paliamentary troops.
Around 1653 [her son] Thomas Jobson (age 53) died.
On 04 May 1662 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 82) made her will
On 05 May 1662 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 82) died at Heath Old Hall. Her grandson William Jobson 2nd Baronet (age 26) succeeded 2nd Baronet Bolles then Jobson of Osberton.
Around 16 Jun 1662 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (deceased) was buried at All Saints Church, Ledsham [Map] some six weeks after her death as stipulated by her will by which she provided £120 to "retain her kindred, friends and servants together, and to entertain other persons ordinary and extraordinary". Shroud Monument.
Her tomb consists of a large block of white marble on a black slab on which her finely carved effigy rests showing her in a winding sheet. The black slab is supported by black pillars with white capitals and base.
At the head of the tomb are the arms Witham as a widow: Or three eaglets overall a bend gules. The Witham crest: Out of a ducal coronet or a demi-woman hair dishevelled holding in dester hand a gem ring.
At the sides Jobson (impaling Witham and Bolles implaing Witham.
The inscription ...
Here under, lyeth interred the Body of the Right Worshipful Dame Mary Bolles of Heath Hall, in the County of York, Baronetess, on of the daughters of William Witham, of the worshipful and ancient Family of Witham of Leadstone Hall, in the County aforesaid, Esquire; who married to her first husband Thomas Jobson of Cudworth, in the said County, Esquire, by whom she had issue Thomas Jobson, Esquire, and Elizabeth, who married Thomas Sheerebrooke of Oxon, in the Country of Nottingham, Esquire. The said Dame Mary Bolles had to her second husband Thomas Bolles of Asbarstone, in the Country of Nottingham, Esquire; by who she had issue Ann, married the Right Worshipful Sir William Dalston of Dalston, in the County of Cumberland, King and Baronet; and Mary, who married Thomas Legh of Alington, in the County of Cheshire, Esquire. The said Dame Mary Bolles, being 83 years of age, departed this mortal life at Heath Hall, aforesaid, the 5 day of May, in the year of our Lord 1662.
Her bowels were buried at the Church of St Peter Kirkthorpe [Map].
Thomas Jobson of Cudworth: In or before 1600 he and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles were married. On 21 Nov 1606 he died.
[her daughter] Elizabeth Jobson was born to Thomas Jobson of Cudworth and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Witham of Grantham
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Witham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Witham of Bretonby
Great x 1 Grandfather: Matthew Witham of Bretonby
GrandFather: Henry Witham of Ledston
Father: William Witham of Ledstone