Family and Education

b. 5 Jan. 1529, 1st s. of William Higford of Dixton by Dorothy, da. of Robert Vampage of Glos.; ?bro. of Robert^†. m. (1) by 1551, Elizabeth, da. of Edmund Fettiplace of Besselsleigh, Berks., 2s. inc. John^† 3da.; (2); (3). suc. fa. 11 Dec. 1545. Kntd. Sept. 1592.1

Offices Held

Commr. sewers, Glos. 1554; j.p. 1558/59-?d.; sheriff 1572-3, 1585-6.2

Biography

John Higford came of a branch of the Warwickshire family that had been established at Dixton in Gloucestershire since the 15th century. He was under age when his father died and in October 1546 his wardship was granted to his kinsman and namesake John Higford of Henwood, Warwickshire, an esquire of the body to Henry VIII. This namesake survived until August 1558 but there can be little doubt that it was the younger Higford who was returned to the Parliament of that year as junior Member for Buckingham and that he owed his election to his wife’s family. Her stepfather Thomas Denton, himself knight of the shire for Oxfordshire in this Parliament, lived only three miles from Buckingham and her brother George Fettiplace had been returned for the town to both the Parliaments of 1554.3

Throughout Elizabeth’s reign Higford filled the role of country gentleman at Dixton, where he rebuilt part of the manor house. In his will, made on 3 May 1606 and proved on 18 Nov. 1607, he referred to the graves of two of his three wives (unnamed) in the chancel of Alderton church. He died on 24 Feb. 1607.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: M. K. Dale

Notes

• 1. Date of birth given in fa.’s i.p.m., C142/74/76. PCC 6 Stonard; C142/296/130; Vis. Worcs. (Harl. Soc. xxvii), 138; Vis. Berks. (Harl. Soc. lvi), 28.
• 2. CPR, 1553-4, p. 37; 1563-6, p. 22; 1569-72, p. 225; APC, xvi. 342.
• 3. VCH Glos. vi. 192; Gloucester consist. ct. wills 1546; Vis. Berks. 233; PCC 24 Populwell, 60 Noodes; LP Hen. VIII, xxi; LC2/2, f. 61v; C142/115/73; CPR, 1549-51, p. 173.
• 4. Nichols, Progresses Eliz. iii. 129; PCC 88 Hudleston; C142/296/130.