Family and Education

b. Feb. 1549, o.s. of Robert White^† of Moyles Court by Katherine, da. of George Barret of Belhus, Essex. m. c.1570, Margaret, da. of one Hyde of Berks., 1da.1 suc. fa. 1565.

Offices Held

J.p. Hants from c.1582, q. 1587-d.; burgess, Lymington 1588.

Biography

White was still a minor on his father’s death in 1565, the wardship being granted to Edward Barret, probably his mother’s brother. In his will Robert White divided his estate into three portions: a third for his wife, a third for his debts and legacies, and the rest for his heir. By 1579 William had sold the manor of Marchwood Romsey to Richard Beconsawe, another Hampshire gentleman. Four years later a settlement was drawn up arranging for the marriage of White’s 13 year-old daughter Alice and Beconsawe’s son William. White settled the family estates on his daughter, receiving in return £1,250. The estate did not, however, remain unencumbered, and by the time he came to make his will the manor of Pennington, a mile from Lymington, had been mortgaged to his brother-in-law Edward Passion.

White was presumably well enough known in Lymington to secure his own return to the Parliament of 1589. Shortly after his election he was made a burgess ‘for the good by him already done, and in consideration of divers other things’. He would no doubt have been acceptable to the steward, Sir Henry Wallop. White was named to two committees during the Parliament, one on 20 Mar. 1589 on secret outlawries and the other (29 Mar.) asking for a declaration of war against Spain.

White made his will 19 June 1594, proved by his widow and executrix 15 Nov. White died 8 Aug. 1594, the heir being his only child Alice.2

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A. M. Mimardière

Notes

• 1. Vis. Essex (Harl. Soc. xiii), 145-6; C142/142/88. The White pedigree in Vis. Hants (Harl. Soc. lxiv), 81-3, is incorrect: Henry White, the grandfather of this Member, was a son of Robert White of Farnham (PCC 10 Ayloffe, 26 Hogen), not of Robert White of South Warnborough.
• 2. C. St. Barbe, Lymington Recs. 31; CPR, 1563-6, p. 236; D’Ewes, 449, 454; C142/142/88, 242/94; VCH Hants, iv. 554; PCC 75 Dixy.