WILCOCKS, Robert (1575-1619), of New Romney, Kent

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010
Available from Cambridge University Press

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

bap. 6 Nov. 1575, 2nd s. of John Wilcocks (d.1597) of Lydd, Kent and w. Joan. m. 9 Nov. 1596, Mildred Strugghil of Lydd, 4s. 1da.1 d. by 22 Apr. 1619.

Offices Held

Common councilman, New Romney by 1602, chamberlain 1603-4, jurat 1608-d., mayor 1612-13, 1618-d.;2 commr. piracy, Kent, Suss. and Cinque Ports 1613.3

Biography

Wilcocks’ family had lived at Lydd, a member of the port of New Romney, since the early fifteenth century. His grandfather and great-uncle represented the port in 1572. Wilcocks himself inherited lands in Lydd, Dengemarsh and Tenterden, but had settled at New Romney by 1602.4

Wilcocks was allowed wages of 3s. a day by the corporation for his parliamentary services, plus 4s. a day for the four days it took to travel to and from Westminster.5 He left no trace on the records of the Addled Parliament, but presented a bill for 41 days’ attendance.6 In 1616 he was one of the solicitors who attended the lord warden about the grievances of the Cinque Ports.7 In February 1619, during his second mayoralty, he was among those sent by the Cinque Ports to Lord Zouche, the new lord warden, to obtain free trade for the members. Shortly after, ‘sick in body’, he drew up his will. He was dead by 22 Apr. 1619, when the will was proved, the last member of his family to sit in Parliament.8

Ref Volumes: 1604-1629

Authors: Peter Lefevre / Andrew Thrush

Notes

  • 1. Cent. Kent. Stud. PRC32/38, ff. 11v-12v; P237/1/1.
  • 2. Cal. White and Black Bks. of Cinque Ports ed. F. Hull (Kent Recs. xix), 374, 387, 397, 417; E. Kent Archives Cent. NR/ACo1, ff. 20v, 21, 25.
  • 3. C181/2, f. 185 (appointed as mayor of New Romney).
  • 4. E. Hasted, Kent, viii. 23; Cent. Kent. Stud. PRC32/38, ff. 11v-12v; E. Kent Archives Cent. NR/ACo1, f. 20v.
  • 5. E. Kent Archives Cent. NR/AC 1, f. 210v.
  • 6. Ibid. f. 212
  • 7. Cal. White and Black Bks. of Cinque Ports, 414.
  • 8. HMC 13th Rep. IV, 154; Cent. Kent. Stud. PRC32/45, ff. 69v-72.