PASSEY, John (by 1514-?84), of Wigley in Stanton Lacy, nr. Ludlow, Salop.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Oct. 1553

Family and Education

b. by 1514. m. ?1s. 1da.1

Offices Held

Bailiff, Ludlow 1539-40, 1546-7, 1557-8.2

Biography

Nothing has been discovered about the origins of John Passey beyond his claim to gentle status, although a mercantile background is suggested by his, or a namesake’s, assessment for subsidy at Leominster in 1535 on goods worth £20 13s.4d. If Passey was not already domiciled at Ludlow he probably moved there following his lease in that year of a house from the hospital of St. John. It was after he had served the town twice as bailiff and had been to London on its business, perhaps over the renewal of its charter, that he was returned to Mary’s first Parliament with his kinsman by marriage Thomas Wheeler. Neither he nor Wheeler opposed the initial measures to restore Catholicism, but whatever his beliefs Passey seems to have been a good churchman, a pewholder close to the pulpit in his parish church and one of its benefactors. He was to do more business in London on the town’s behalf in 1555 but he was not re-elected. He died at some time before 12 Nov. 1584, when letters of administration were granted to his daughter. Another John Passey, perhaps his son, was steward of Corfton, near Ludlow, between 1587 and 1607.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: Alan Harding

Notes

  • 1. Date of birth estimated from first reference. PCC admons. act bk. 1581-6, f. 122v.
  • 2. Bodl. Gough Salop 1, ff. 276, 276v, 277v.
  • 3. G. F. Townsend, Leominster, 54; Add. Ch. 41330; Salop RO, Ludlow bailiffs’ accts. 1552-3, 1554-5; Ludlow Churchwardens’ Accts. (Cam. Soc. cii), 45, 87, 133; PCC admons. act bk. 1581-6, f. 122v; Wm. Salt Lib. Aqualate ms ex inf. F. Stitt.