Family and Education

b. by 1523. m. by 1548, 3s. 3da.1

Offices Held

Alderman, Grantham in 1557.2

Biography

James Wallis was a trader in flax and a merchant of the staple who in 1544 was assessed for the subsidy at Grantham on goods worth £30. He presumably owed his election to the eclipse of Sir William Cecil at the beginning of Mary’s reign, which enabled the town to choose a resident as its other Member after accommodating the 2nd Earl of Rutland by re-electing Sir Edward Warner. Unlike Warner, Wallis did not oppose the initial measures to restore Catholicism. After the fall of Calais he was licensed to ship wool to Bruges. He was in London on business when on 27 Apr. 1577 he made his will. After asking to be buried near wherever he died, he ordered his debts to be paid and his goods and property to be divided equally among his six children. He also remembered his servants and granddaughters and named his sons Harry and Robert executors. He died at Grantham on 13 Nov. 1588, when he was succeeded by his eldest son John upon whom he had settled his property in the town four years before, and his will was proved at Lincoln in December.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: T. M. Hofmann

Notes

• 1. Date of birth estimated from first reference. C142/277/166; Lincs. RO, Lincoln consist. ct. 1578/88.
• 2. B. Street, Grantham, 123.
• 3. E179/137/376; CPR, 1557-8, p. 301; 1558-60, p. 25; Lincs. RO, Lincoln consist. ct. 1578/88; C142/277/166.