Week 16 - Oldest Story - Dillingham Family

Usually, research starts with now and works its way back. But I am going to start at the end of one of my lines (so far). 

It starts with John Dillingham, born ca1490 in Upper Dean, Bedfordshire, England. John married Joan Olyff from Over Dean, Bedfordshire, England. They were the parents of 10 children. I descend from their youngest son William Dillingham, born ca1540. And the next 12 generations down to me have a lot of stories that they can tell.

But I want to concentrate today on my 11th great-grandfather's brother. His name was Walter Dillingham, and he was born ca1526 in Upper Dean, Bedfordshire, England and was married to Alice Roulte.  They were the parents of six children.  

Their first-born son was Francis Dillingham who was born 15 Aug 1568 in Upper Dean, England and died 24 Feb 1625 in Wilden, England. 

Francis was an English Protestant scholar and cleric. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, becoming a Fellow there in 1594. He was one of the 47 scholars appointed to the "First Cambridge Company" charged by James I of England with the translation of parts of the Old Testament for the King James Authorized Version of the Bible. He was renowned for his mastery of the Greek language and authored several theological treatises, including a "Manual of the Christian Faith".  Francis died a bachelor in 1625.

Their second-born son was Thomas Dillingham. Thomas was born 3 Oct 1570 in Upper Dean, Bedfordshire, England. Thomas and his wife Frances Jackman were the parents of two children. Thomas was Rector of Upper Dean, Bedfordshire. A bible (450 years old) was acquired by David Wiltshire, Peterborough, England, that had belonged to Thomas and was fully restored and then donated to Jesus College, Cambridge where Thomas had attended.  An amazing find and very wonderful that it was placed where it can be seen by many. 

Another interesting tidbit is that Thomas is the 9th great grandfather of Lady Diana Frances Spencer and the 10th great grandfather of the future King of England, William, Prince of Wales.  

So, Thomas's father Walter and my 11th great grandfather were brothers, and we can lay claim to a relationship to William, Prince of Wales and his mother Lady Diana Spencer.

Barbie






 


Comments

  1. Colleen G. Brown PasqualeApril 16, 2025 at 12:35 PM

    Wow. Your Dillingham line goes way back. That Bible is a treasure!

    ReplyDelete

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