Generation 1

THOMAS BIGNETTE (d. 1542/7) of Hoxne

Parents: Unknown

Thomas Bignette died between 16 Jan 1541/2, when he wrote his will, and 6 Jun 1547, when it was probated. [Ref] He married an unknown first wife. [Ref] He married second Agnes Unknown. [Ref] She died between 20 May 1552, when she wrote her will, and 7 Nov 1552, when it was probated. [Ref]

Thomas was taxed 19 shillings in 1524. [Ref]

In his will of 16 Jan 1541/2, Thomas asked to be buried in the churchyard of the St. Peter and St. Paul church. [Ref] He left his wife Agnes his lands and tenements for her life; after her death they were to go to his son William. He also left bequests to his sons Nicholas, John and Peter and to his daughters Margaret and Johan. [Ref]

Agnes's will of 20 May 1552 suggests that she is not the mother of William, but is the mother of the other children. She left them livestock and household items. For example, she left her son Peter a brown cow, two ewes, two lambs, a flock bed and bedding, a bell candlestick and a pewter dish. She mentions all of her children and calls Margaret, Margaret Fygge. She also mentions William's four children. [Ref]

Children of Thoms Bignette and his unknown first wife:

1. William Bignette married Margaret Unknown.

Children of Thomas Bignette and Agnes Unknown:

1. Nicholas Bignette
2. John Bignette
3. Peter Bignette
4. Margaret Bignette married Unknown Figge, possibly he Simon Figge who witessed the wills of her parents. [Ref]
5. Johan Bignette

Generation 2

WILLIAM BIGNETTE (d. 1583) of Hoxne

Parents: Thomas Bignette

William was probably born in Hoxne. He died between 25 May 1583, when he wrote his will, and 24 Sep 1583, when it was probated. [Ref] William married Margaret Unknown. [Ref] She was buried on 25 May 1596 in Hoxne.

William was taxed 1s. 4d. in 1568. [Ref]

Both William and wife left detailed wills, hers is dated 19 May 1596. [Ref]

Children of William Bignette and Margaret Unknown:

1. Johane Bignette married Edmund Crosse, who is mentioned in her father's will. [Ref] She died after 19 May 1596. [Ref] She had one child recorded at Hoxne. [Ref]
2. Alice Bignette died after 25 May 1583 and probably before 19 May 1596, as she is mentioned in her father's will, but not her mother's will. [Ref]
3. George Bignette was buried on 12 May 1611 in Hoxne. [Ref] He married Alice Unknown. [Ref] He had seven children. [Ref]
4. Agnes Bignette died after 19 May 1596. She married Robert Runacres, who is mentioned in her mother's will and by his first name in her father's will, on 30 Apr 1581 in Mellis, Suffolk. [Ref]
5. Stephen Bignette was buried on 29 Sep 1628 in Hoxne. [Ref] He married first Grace Howes on 11 Oct 1584 in Eye, Suffolk. [Ref] He married second Marie Unknown. [Ref] She was buried on 15 Feb 1642/3 in Hoxne. [Ref] Stephen had 11 children recorded at Hoxne. [Ref]
6. Cecily Bignette was baptised on 21 Mar 1555/6 in Hoxne. [Ref] She was buried there on 13 Jun 1619. [Ref] She married Abraham Goodricke on 15 Oct 1587 in Hoxne. [Ref] She had three children recorded there. [Ref]
7. John Bignette was baptised on 3 Jun 1560 in Hoxne. [Ref] His parents are not recorded and he is not mentioned in their wills. [Ref]
8. William Bignette was baptised on 8 Jun 1562 in Hoxne. [Ref] He was buried on 7 Dec 1626 in Eye,Suffolk. [Ref] He married Dorothy London on 26 Jun 1586 in Eye. [Ref] He had a daughter and, possibly, a son.[Ref]
9. Grace Bignette was baptised on 8 Jun 1567 in Hoxne. She died before 8 Feb 1629/30. She married William Bullard.

Generation 3

GRACE BIGNETTE (bp. 1567)

Parents: William Bignette and Margaret Unknown

Grace Bignette was baptised on 8 Jun 1567 in Hoxne. [Ref] She died before 8 Feb 1629/30, when her undated will was proved. [Ref] She married William Bullard on 2 Jul 1587 in Barnham, co. Suffolk. [Ref]

References

Stutt, Clifford L. and Myrtle Stevens Hyde, "The English Bullard Family Revisited," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 154, 2000, 172 -.