Bibye Lake facts for kids

Sir Bibye Lake, 1st Baronet (born around 1684 – died 1744), was an important English lawyer and a member of the nobility. He was the very first person to hold the title of baronet in a new line of the Lake family. A baronet is a special title, like a knight, but it can be passed down through the family.

Who Was Sir Bibye Lake?

Sir Bibye Lake was a respected lawyer and a significant figure in his time. He was known for his legal work and for holding important positions. He became a baronet, which is a hereditary title, meaning it could be passed down to his sons.

His Family Background

Bibye Lake was the only son of Thomas Lake. His father, Thomas, was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, and also became a lawyer. Thomas Lake worked as a barrister, which is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court, at a famous legal institution in London called the Middle Temple.

His Grandfather, Captain Thomas Lake

Bibye's grandfather was Captain Thomas Lake. Captain Lake was a wealthy man from Boston. In 1660, he bought land in a place called Arrowsic, Maine. Sadly, Captain Lake was killed at his trading post in 1676 when he was 61 years old. He was buried in Copp's Hill Burying Ground in Boston.

A Special Uncle

Captain Thomas Lake also had an older half-brother named Sir Edward Lake, 1st Baronet. Sir Edward was also a baronet, but he did not have any children. When Sir Edward died in 1674, his property and wealth went to Bibye's father, Thomas Lake.

Becoming a Baronet

Bibye Lake was baptised on April 10, 1684, in a town called Bishop Norton in Lincolnshire. He later followed in his father's footsteps and became a Bencher of the Middle Temple, which is a senior position for a lawyer there. He also became a Sub-Governor of the African Company, a trading company.

A Royal Promise

After his father passed away, Bibye Lake discovered something interesting. His great-uncle, Sir Edward Lake, had received a special promise from King Charles I back in 1643. This promise was a warrant, like an official paper, saying Sir Edward would become a baronet and that the title could be passed to his male heirs.

Making it Official

However, this warrant had not been officially sealed with the "Great Seal of the Realm," which made it not fully valid. If it had been sealed, the baronet title would have gone to Bibye. So, a new, official warrant was created and properly sealed. This meant that Bibye Lake officially became the first baronet of a new Lake family line on October 17, 1711.

His Family Life

Around 1713, Sir Bibye Lake married Mary Atwell. Mary was the daughter of William Atwell of London. Sir Bibye Lake passed away when he was 60 years old and was buried on April 6, 1744, in the Temple Church in London. His wife, Mary, was also buried there later in 1752.

After April 1760, their bodies were moved and re-buried in Edmonton, London. They were placed in the same burial vault as their oldest son, Sir Atwell Lake, who became the 2nd Baronet.