ELSDEN, Christopher (d.c.1609), of Lyme Regis, Dorset.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

m. Frances, ?wid. of one Holcombe.

Offices Held

Freeman, Lyme 31 Aug. 1590, collector of customs 1590, capital burgess 13 Sept. 1596-9 Dec. 1607, mayor 1599-1600.

Biography

Elsden’s assessment for ship money in 1596 was the highest in Lyme. He represented the borough in one Parliament, and it was at his house that the assize judges stayed in 1599. He resigned from the corporation in pique after failing to be elected to a second mayoralty in 1606. He still owned property at Lyme in 1608 and had died by 15 Feb. 1609, when his will (made 20 July 1603) was proved. He left 40s. to the poor of the borough, £500 to his brother Henry and his children, and remembered his son-in-law George Turhill and his wife’s son Nicholas Holcombe. ‘My now wife’ Frances was sole executrix and residuary legatee.

Roberts thesis; PCC 15 Dorset; Lyme Regis recs., reg. of freemen; ct. bk. cal. 1592-1602, pp. 15, 25; 1604-8, p. 31; 1613-27, pp. 2, 221; council order bk.; fugitive pieces; G. Roberts, Hist. Lyme Regis and Charmouth, 356; Cam. Misc. iv(2), p. 34.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: P. W. Hasler

Notes