Thrale history

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Lavington would not give up the pictures because Coulthurst had been in debt to him, and John naturally claimed them, most of which had been purchased by John from Coulthurst. Amongst the pictures were portraits of Cleopatra, Berenice, Portia, Lucretia, with a rich gilt frame, Leada, Narcissus, being six pieces painted by Mons. Phillips, an excellent artist. There was also a fruit piece by the hand of Guillman, a little piece of drollery by an excellent hand. The Virgin Mary and the Shepherds by the like hand, one landskipp, one old head of Anthony Moores, one head with a ruffe, a piece with an ebony frame, were also included. It was indeed quite a picture gallery.

Rather suspicious conduct was displayed by John when acting as executor to the will of Samuel Parker, former Bishop of Oxford. He was sued by the Bishop's son Gilbert who complained that he became acquainted with John who professed great friendship. John then made insinuations about the virtue of Gilbert's wife and persuaded him to go to Utrecht, leaving his wife as a boarder with John. Further John refused to render any account of the Bishop's estate. John's motives would appear to be rather obvious, but as further answers and replications written in great detail on eight large membranes of parchment are badly stained and illegible, the final outcome cannot be reported.⁴²

The surviving children of John were three daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth and Sarah. In the Government Tontine of 1693, Sarah is noted, daughter of John Thrale of St. Nicholas Cole-Abbey, London, merchant, aged 10, resident in Distaff-Lane. Also noted is Margaret Thrale aged 13, sister of Sarah.⁴³ In the 1730 List of Survivors Margaret appears as the wife of William Hide, gentleman, of the Wilde, nr St. Albans, and she was still resident there in 1748. The Court Roll of Sandridge records that by the will of John in 1704, Margaret, wife of John had life interest in Fairfolds, after which it would pass to daughters of Margaret and Sarah with remainder to daughter Elizabeth. Margaret the mother however gave up her claim by taking one-third, and Margaret Hide, wife of William Hide of London, salter, and Sarah Thrale, were admitted.

John's will is curious in that no mention is made of Thrale kin except his daughters. No knowledge can therefore be gleaned of the destinies of his brother Thomas, or sisters. He asked to be buried at St. Albans Abbey. He bequeathed funds for the benefit of the Abbey, St. Peter's and St. Michael's, all of St. Albans, the funds to be supervised by Mayor and Aldermen of St. Albans. His numerous London friends are mentioned, silver spurs being a favourite legacy. Gilbert Parker was to benefit

Footnotes

42. Chancery Bills & Answers Bridges 1780/81.↩︎
43. Ref. B.M. Pressmark 514 K.2 (23) 7 8285 ee. 48.↩︎