Sir William Wray, 1st Baronet, of Glentworth facts for kids

Sir William Wray, 1st Baronet, of Glentworth, Lincolnshire (born around 1555 – died August 13, 1617) was an important English politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) and was known for supporting religious causes.

He represented the area of Grimsby in Parliament from 1584 to 1585. Later, he represented Lincolnshire in 1601. He returned to represent Grimsby again from 1604 until November 1611. In 1594, he was given the important role of High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, which meant he was the chief law enforcement officer in the county. On November 25, 1611, he was given the special title of a baronet. This is a hereditary title, like a knight, but it can be passed down through the family.

Sir William Wray was a strong supporter of religious ideas. A book called The Estate of the Church, with the Discourse of Times (published in 1602) was even dedicated to him. This shows how much he was respected in religious circles. A religious leader named John Smyth believed that Sir William was the main person supporting "godly" (religious and moral) ways of life in the county.

You can still find memorials for Sir William Wray and his second wife, Frances (who died in 1647), at St Peter's church in Ashby cum Fenby. There is also a memorial for Susanna Drury, who was Frances's sister.

Sir William Wray's Family Life

Sir William Wray was the son of Christopher Wray, who was a judge. His mother was Anne, the daughter of Nicholas Girlington.

His First Marriage

In 1580, Sir William Wray married Lucy. She was the oldest daughter of Edward Montagu and Elizabeth Harington. Lucy's grandfather was also a judge, Sir Edward Montagu. Sir William and Lucy had eight sons and one daughter together:

• Sir John Wray, 2nd Baronet
• Nathaniel Wray (born May 1591 – died July 1591). He passed away as a baby.
• Philip Wray (born June 1596). He passed away without children.
• Benjamin Wray. He passed away without children.
• Charles Wray. He passed away without children.
• Christopher Wray. He passed away without children.
• Nathaniel Wray (died December 1640). He passed away without children.
• Edward Wray (died March 20, 1658). He worked for the King as a Groom of the Bedchamber, which meant he was a personal attendant to the King. Edward married Elizabeth Norris. They had one daughter, Bridget, who inherited a noble title from her mother and became the 4th Baroness Norreys.
• Elizabeth Wray (died April 1638). She married Sir Francis Foljambe, 1st Baronet on October 21, 1614, and they had children.

His Second Marriage

Around 1600, Sir William married for a second time to Frances Drury. Frances was the widow of Sir Nicholas Clifford. She was also the daughter of Sir William Drury and Elizabeth Stafford. Sir William and Frances had four children:

• Sir Christopher Wray (1601–1646). He was also a Member of Parliament.
• George Wray (born October 1603 – died 1606). He passed away as a young child.
• Charles Wray (born March or April 1605). He was killed while fighting in Spain.
• Frances Wray (born October 1610). She married Sir Anthony Irby on March 25, 1623, and they had children.