John Isham

John Isham of Pytchley and Braunston, esquire, son and heir of Sir Euseby Isham, knight (whom he succeeded on 11 June 1626),¹ by Anne Borlase his wife, died 11 December 1626 as appears by an inquest taken 31 July 1627,² and was buried 13 December at Braunston, to which church he bequeathed a treble bell.³ His will of 29 September 1624, with a codicil of 8 December 1626, was proved by Thomas Isham, his brother and executor.³

He married first Anne Fitzwilliam, daughter of Sir William Fitzwilliam of Milton, knight, by Winifred, daughter of Sir Walter Mildmay of Apethorpe.³ His father Sir Euseby Isham with Anne his wife, by an indenture of 8 May 1604, made a settlement on this marriage of the manors of Staffords and Engaines in Pytchley, as appears by the inquest taken after John Isham's death.² Anne, wife of John Isham, died in June 1604 after giving birth to her only child.³

He married secondly at Little Wittenham in Berkshire, 23 November 1605, Elizabeth Dunch, daughter of Edmund Dunch of Little Wittenham, esquire.⁴ She was born at Brightwell in Berkshire and lived after her husband's death at Sandford, Oxfordshire.³ Dying without issue on 6 August 1657 she was buried at Little Wittenham.³ Her will of 7 April 1656 was proved 30 October 1657 by Samuel Dunch, her brother, administration d.b.n.a. being granted 13 November 1672 to Major Dunch, esquire, son of John Dunch and nephew of the late executor.³ She bequeathed a cup and paten to the church of Braunston, where they still remain.³ The cup, with the hall-mark of 1657, has the inscription, To the faithfull of Braunston in North'ton the guift of Elizabeth Isham, widdow about 40 (sic) yeares, who died 6 August 1657.³