Wednesday, 8 October 2025

(614) Bickley of Attleborough, baronets

Bickley of Attleborough
"Rags to rags in three generations" is said to be the fate of many families who come suddenly into comparative wealth, and it applies pretty closely in the case of the Bickleys of Attleborough. We know little about their antecedents, but the Visitation of Warwickshire in 1682-83 recorded that Francis Bickley (c.1545-1603), with whom the genealogy below begins, descended from a younger brother of Bickleys of Bickley, who were a minor gentry family in late medieval Devon. Other sources suggest Francis was a younger son of Henry Bickley (1503-70) of Chidham (Sussex), but since there was no Francis on the list of 'my sons' which Henry included in his will, this seems unlikely. Francis was evidently a farmer, and settled at Lolworth (Cambs), where he married Amy Mayres in 1573, and over the next fifteen years they had five sons and three daughters, who all survived to maturity. The eldest son, the Rev. John Bickley (1575-1628) went into the church and became rector of Sandy (Beds.); the second son, Robert (b. 1581), probably inherited most of his father's lands; and the third son, Francis Bickley (1583-1670), was apprenticed to a London draper and obtained his freedom in 1608. It was Francis who made the family fortune through his successful London business as a draper and merchant taylor. He rose through his livery company to become its Master in 1646-47, and in 1649 became an Alderman of the City of London, although he was never chosen as Lord Mayor. Alongside his career in the city, he invested in land. His first purchase was a large house at  Dalston (Middx) called Beldames, which he retained until 1667. Soon afterwards he bought the manor of Over (Cambs), but he sold this again c.1636 before leasing the manors of Caxton and Longstowe (Cambs) c.1638 and going on to purchase their freeholds in 1649. His standing in Cambridgeshire was sufficient for him to be chosen as High Sheriff in 1647-48, but in 1655 he sold all his property in that county and bought the manor of Attleborough (Norfk), where he may have remodelled the manor house. His house in London was in the parish of St Antholin, Budge Row, London - long a centre for Puritan teaching - and since all his children were baptised there it is likely that he held Puritan views, but h
e seems to have preserved a careful neutrality through the Civil War, and after the restoration of King Charles II, he was quick to purchase a baronetcy in 1661.

Sir Francis Bickley died at an advanced age in 1670 (his funerary monument says he was 'nearly 90' but he was actually 87), and his estates passed to his eldest son, Sir Francis Bickley (1622-81), 2nd bt., who was raised as a gentleman through education at Oxford and Grays Inn, though at least one of his brothers was apprenticed to a London merchant. The 2nd baronet married the daughter of a London and Norwich merchant, who must have had a constitution of iron, since she bore him fifteen children in twenty-three years, although only ten of them can be shown to have reached maturity. If his father had not provided Attleborough Hall with new brick walls, he must have done so, but his position as head of the family was only to last for eleven years, for he died in 1681. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Francis Bickley (1644-87), 3rd bt., who was given a similar education to his father, but at the age of nineteen married Deborah (d. 1670), the daughter of the famous Dutch drainage engineer, Sir Cornelius Vermuyden (1595-1677), kt. After Deborah's death he married Mary (d. 1686), the daughter of Sir Humphrey Winch (1622-1703), 1st bt., of Hawnes (Beds) and Braunston (Lincs). Both were more socially advantageous marriages than his father's, but by the end of his life he was in serious financial difficulties. His eldest son and successor, Sir Francis Bickley (1668-1746), 4th bt. also married well, to Alathea (d. 1740), daughter of Sir Jacob Garrard, 1st bt., of Langford Hall (Norfk), a successful London merchant, who brought him two manors (Bretts and Ickburgh). As early as 1692, however, Le Neve recorded 'no child yet living, the estate sold; he not worth anything, my lady works plain work for her living'. He probably overstated their destitution, for Bretts was not sold until 1709 and Sir Francis was apparently still lord of Ickburgh in 1738; the estate passing at his death through Alathea's family to Sir Jacob Garrard Downing (c.1717-64), 4th bt. After the sale of Attleborough, the Bickleys seem to have lived with Alathea's family at Langford, although they continued to be buried in their vault at Attleborough.

Sir Francis and Alathea had no surviving children, so on his death in 1746 the baronetcy passed to his half-brother, the Rev. Sir Humphrey Bickley (1676?-1752), 5th bt., the rector of Attleborough, who died unmarried. The youngest of the 3rd baronet's sons, Joseph Bickley (c.1680-1751), had emigrated to Virginia before 1703, and it is not clear whether he and his descendants remained in contact with the family in England. At all events, Joseph's son does not seem to have claimed the baronetcy after Sir Humphrey's death, and it was instead assumed - on the grounds of what relationship is unknown - by a clergyman called Samuel Bickley, who was chaplain to the garrison at Sheerness (Kent) in 1754 and vicar of Bapchild (Kent), 1759-64. According to Lysons' Environs of London, he 'dishonoured a respectable family by crimes which involved him in distress and infamy', and for which he suffered 'a disgraceful punishment at Lincoln'. He evidently remained a clergyman and probably held curacies in Lincolnshire after being dismissed from Bapchild. Newspapers in 1773 carried testimonials to his conduct from several Lincolnshire clergymen and he is known to have sought relief from the Bishop of Lincoln, but he died without issue 'in great poverty at the King's Head Inn, Enfield' (Middx) in 1773. He evidently had antiquarian interests and a manuscript about the history of Kent was sold at auction after his death. His claim to the baronetcy seems to have been unquestioned at the time, and he was described as 'baronet' in the parish register of Enfield where he was buried on 29 July 1773, but it seems unlikely that he had a well-founded claim.

Attleborough Hall, Norfolk

This is a medieval moated site (though the moat has largely been filled in except on the south side), with an Elizabethan semi-timbered house on the platform which was encased or partly rebuilt in brick in the later 17th century. 

Attleborough Hall: the house from the south-east, with the bridge and deep moat in the foreground.
Image: David R. Wickham/Historic England.
The manor belonged to the Radcliffes, Earls of Sussex from 1529, and although they had grander properties elsewhere, the 2nd Earl, who died in 1557, requested to be buried at Attleborough and therefore presumably felt a connection with the place. Nothing coherent is known about the medieval house that stood here, although some walls have been excavated in the past. It seems to have been replaced in Elizabethan times by a semi-timbered hall house with cross-wings, of which some internal walls and four 16th century bridging beams in the kitchen survive. At the same time the moat, which is 60 ft wide and very deep, was revetted in flint and brick, and the present bridge over the moat was constructed. 

The outer walls of the house were all rebuilt in brick by Sir Francis Bickley (1583-1670) or his son, Sir Francis Bickley (1622-81). The Bickleys also laid out an impressive avenue leading to the house from the south (which was truncated by the building of the A11 Attleborough bypass). The present open-well staircase, which rises through three storeys to the attic and has a moulded string and handrail, turned balusters and square newels, was also constructed at this time. There is a good deal of other 17th century work surviving in the interior, including the panelled dado and deep moulded coving in the sitting room, and an upper bedroom with two walls of moulded panelling painted to initate marble, extending over the fireplace and enclosing an Arcadian painting as an overmantel. Later alterations to the house include the replacement of most of the windows with early 19th century sashes, and the insertion of a new drawing room fireplace of c.1830.

Descent: Robert Radcliffe (c.1483-1542), 1st Baron Fitzwalter and later 1st Earl of Sussex; to son, Sir Henry Radcliffe (c.1507-57), 2nd Earl of Sussex; to son, Thomas Radcliffe (c.1525-83), 3rd Earl of Sussex; to widow, Frances (d. 1589), for life and then to brother, Henry Radcliffe (c.1532-93), 4th Earl of Sussex; to son, Robert Radcliffe (1573-1629), 5th Earl of Sussex; to kinsman, Sir Alexander Ratcliffe; to son, John Ratcliffe; sold c.1656 to Sir Francis Bickley (c.1580-1670), 1st bt.; to son, Sir Francis Bickley (1622-81), 2nd bt.; to son, Sir Francis Bickley (1644-87), 3rd bt.; to son, Sir Francis Bickley (1669-1746), 4th bt., who sold, perhaps by 1692, to Mary, Lady Ashe (d. 1705); to Joseph Windham (later Windham Ashe) (1683-1746)... Rev. Sir Edward Smijth (later Bowyer Smijth) (1785-1850), 10th bt.; to son, Sir William Bowyer Smijth (1814-83), 11th bt.; to son, Sir William Bowyer Smijth (1840-1916), 12th bt. The house was occupied for nearly two hundred years from the 1820s by successive generations of the Salter family, including Thomas Salter (d. 1853), land agent; William Webb Salter, auctioneer and stockbreeder; Thomas Fisher Salter, auctioneer; William Herbert Salter (d. 1913), auctioneer, John E. Salter and Maj. Jack Salter (d. 2014); and is now the home of Ian Walker, a director of J. & J. Salter Ltd. The Salters appear to have acquired the freehold in the early 20th century.

Bickley family of Attleborough, baronets


Bickley, Francis (c.1545-1603). Parentage unknown*, born about 1545. He married, 13 December 1573 at Lolworth (Cambs), Amy Mayres (d. 1619), and had issue:
(1) Elizabeth Bickley (c.1574-1630), born about 1574; married, 6 January 1591/2 at Lolworth, Anthony Ashe (d. 1624) of Islington (Middx), and had issue two sons who died young; they then took in Anne, a daughter of her sister Dorothy and raised her; Elizabeth married 2nd, 1625 (licence), as his second wife, Sir Rowland Rugeley alias Ridgeley (1569-1629), kt. of Dunton Hall, Curdworth (Warks); buried at Over (Cambs), 27 November 1630; will proved in the PCC, 8 February 1630/1;
(2) Rev. John Bickley (1575-1628), baptised at Lolworth, 29 December 1575; educated at St John's and St Catherine's Colleges, Cambridge (matriculated c.1592; BA c.1595; MA 1598; BD 1605); ordained deacon, 1596 and priest, 1601; rector of Sandy (Beds), 1601-27; married, 1600 (licence), Anne Chamberlain (d. 1628)**, and had issue four sons and five daughters; buried at Sandy, 2 January 1627/8;
(3) Margaret Bickley (1576-1631), said to have been born 6 July 1576; married, 31 March 1608 at Islington (Middx), John Cosford (d. 1640) of Over (Cambs) and had issue one son and one daughter; buried at Over, 1 June 1631;
(4) Dorothy Bickley (b. 1578), baptised at Lolworth, 9 November 1578; married, 27 October 1596 at Lolworth, Thomas Stallen (d. 1647) of Over (Cambs), and had issue one son and two daughters (of whom Anne was raised by her uncle and aunt, Anthony and Elizabeth Ashe, and later married John or Richard Yorke); living in 1624 but death not traced;
(5) Robert Bickley (b. 1581), baptised at Lolworth, 15 January 1580/1; lived at Caxton (Cambs); married Jane [surname unknown] and had issue at least one son and one daughter, who evidently predeceased him; living in 1624, but death not traced; 
(6) Sir Francis Bickley (1583-1670), 1st bt. (q.v.);
(7) Richard Bickley (1585-1667), baptised at Lolworth, 3 October 1585; lived at Halloughton, Nether Whitacre (Warks); married, 13 September 1618 at Kingsbury (Warks), Sarah (fl. 1670), daughter and co-heir of John Rugeley, and had issue four sons and five daughters; buried at Kingsbury, 27 October 1667;
(8) Thomas Bickley (1588-1625?), baptised at Lolworth, 2 June 1588; married, 14 May 1623 at Kingsbury, Elizabeth Spencer, and had issue two daughters; living in 1624, but possibly the man of this name buried at Kingsbury, July 1625.
He settled at Lolworth (Cambs) before 1573.
He was buried at Lolworth, 30 January 1602/3; his will was proved 16 February 1602/3. His widow died in 1619 and was buried at Over (Cambs).
Some sources suggest he was a younger son of Henry Bickley (1503-70) of Chidham (Sussex) and his first wife, Eleanor Sonnford, but there is no mention of him in Henry's will of 1570, so this seems unlikely. The Visitation of Warwickshire, 1682-83 says that he was 'descended from a younger brother of the Bickleys of Bickley' (Devonshire). His will indicates that he was survived by two brothers, John and George Bickley. Richard Bickley, buried at Lolworth in 1594 may have been another brother, as the registers show that he was adult, who was married and had children.
** Anne was buried just six days after her husband, so it seems likely they died of an infectious disease.

Bickley, Sir Francis (1583-1670), 1st bt.  Third son of Francis Bickley (c.1545-1603) of Lolworth and his wife Amy Mayres, baptised at Lolworth (Cambs), 4 February 1582/3. Apprenticed to Henry Gay of Watling St., London, draper; and made free of the city of London, 1608. A member of the Draper's Company (Liveryman, 1614; Fourth Warden, 1631; Auditor, 1637-39; Master, 1646-47). Alderman of the city of London, 1649. Like so many other prosperous London tradesmen he pursued gentility, registering his pedigree at the herald's visitation in London in 1634, buying a country estate, and finally purchasing a baronetcy from King Charles II, 3 September 1661 (he received discharge for the payment of the fee of £1,095, November 1668). He was Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, 1647-48. His attendance at St Antholin's church in London suggests he had Puritan sympathies. He married, 15 May 1615 at St Lawrence Jewry, London, Mary (d. 1635), daughter of Richard Parsons of London, and had issue:
(1) Anne Bickley (b. 1617), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 3 August 1617; married, 11 June 1633 at St John, Hackney (Middx), Richard Edisbury (d. 1654) of London, merchant taylor, son of Kenrick Edisbury (d. 1638) of Chatham (Kent), surveyor of the Navy 1632-38, and had issue two sons; living in 1670 but death not traced; 
(2) Amy Bickley (1619-57), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 14 February 1618/19; died unmarried and was buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 28 July 1657;
(3) Mary Bickley (1620-1701), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 17 December 1620; married, 15 May 1637 at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, Thomas Hoo (d. 1649), son of William Hoo of Hoo Bury, St Paul's Walden (Herts), and had issue at least one son and one daughter; married 2nd, as his second wife, Sir Kenrick Eyton (c.1607-81), kt., of Lower Eyton (Denbighs.), judge and MP for Flintshire, 1660-61, and had further issue one son and two daughters; as a widow lived at Wrexham (Denbighs.); a nonconformist in religion, whose reputation as a 'godly woman' protected her second husband from the confiscation of his estates in the 1650s; she died 13 February 1701/2 and was buried in the nonconformist burial ground, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, where she was commemorated by a monument; will proved at St Asaph, 30 January 1702/3;
(4) Sir Francis Bickley (1622-81), 2nd bt. (q.v.);
(5) Elizabeth Bickley (b. & d. 1624), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 10 August 1624; died in infancy and was buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 21 August 1624;
(6) Richard Bickley (d. 1626); buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 2 September 1626;
(7) Thomas Bickley (1627-50), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 2 February 1626/7; apprenticed to Thomas Adams, 1643; died unmarried and was buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 14 November 1650; administration of his goods granted in the PCC, 1650;
(8) John Bickley (b. 1628), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 10 September 1628; said to have died unmarried before 1650, but burial not traced;
(9) Elizabeth Bickley (1630-75?), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 25 December 1630; married, 30 January 1648/9 at St John, Hackney, Col. William Beale; living in 1670 and probably the Elizabeth Beale buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 17 November 1675;
(10) Margaret Bickley (b. & d. 1634), baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 24 January 1633/4; died in infancy and was buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 27 January 1633/4.
He lived chiefly in London. Probably in the late 1620s he purchased a house called Beldames (later Graham House) at Dalston (Middx); this had 15 hearths in 1664. At much the same time he bought the manor of Over (Cambs), but he is said to have sold it again c.1636. He leased the manors of Caxton and Longstowe (Cambs) c.1638 and purchased the freehold in 1649, but sold them in 1655 to Sir Ralph Bovey of Hillfield Hall (Warks). In 1656 he purchased the manor of Attleborough (Norfk), and may have remodelled the manor house, but he had a previous association with Attleborough, since he petitioned the king on behalf of the town in 1639 for the granting of new letters patent for its market and fairs. He sold Beldames in 1667 to Sir Stephen White (d. 1678), and that house was rebuilt c.1800.
He died 11 August, and was buried 23 August 1670 in a vault which he had constructed in Mortimer's Chapel at Attleborough church, where he is commemorated by a monument erected by his son; his will was proved in the PCC, November 1670. His wife died 7 December 1635.

Bickley, Sir Francis (1622-81), 2nd bt. Eldest son of Sir Francis Bickley (c.1580-1670), 1st bt., and his wife Mary, daughter of Richard Parsons of London, baptised at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 26 October 1622. Educated at University College, Oxford (matriculated 1637) and Grays Inn (admitted 1640). He married, 4 April 1643 at St Mary Bothaw, London, Mary, daughter of Ald. John Mann of Norwich and London, and had issue:
(1) Sir Francis Bickley (1644-87), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(2) Mary Bickley (1645-56), born 22 November and baptised at St John, Hackney, 4 December 1645; died young and was buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 23 July 1656;
(3) Anne Bickley (b. 1647), born 22 August and baptised at St John, Hackney, 27 August 1647;
(4) Thomas Bickley (c.1648-50), probably born about August 1648; died young and was buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 14 November 1650;
(5) Amy Bickley (1649-88), baptised at St Pauls Walden (Herts), 31 August 1649married, 7 September 1682 at Attleborough, Rev. Thomas Church, rector of Hethersett (Norfk); died 2 July 1688 and was buried at Attleborough, where she was commemorated by a monument;
(6) Elizabeth Bickley (1650-58), baptised at St Paul's Walden, 22 October 1650; died young and was buried at St Antholin, Budge Row, London, 8 June 1658;
(7) Thomas Bickley (1652-97?), baptised at St John, Hackney, 20 August 1652; buried at St Edmund King and Martyr, London, 17 November 1697; administration of goods granted to his sister Jane in the PCC, 1 December 1697;
(8) John Bickley (1654-82), baptised at Hackney, 14 March 1653/4; educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge (matriculated 1669; BA 1673; MA 1676); died unmarried and was buried at Attleborough, 19 June 1682;
(9) Richard Bickley (b. 1655), baptised at St John, Hackney, 31 December 1655; mercer in London; died unmarried; living in 1670 but death not traced;
(10) Nathaniel Bickley (b. 1657), baptised at St John, Hackney, 29 August 1657; an officer in the Duke of Norfolk's regiment (Lt.); said to have died unmarried in Ireland; 
(11) Elizabeth Bickley (b. 1661), baptised at St John, Hackney (Middx), 5 February 1660/1; married, 15 June 1684 at Attleborough, John Ware (d. 1708), leather seller, of London and Chesham (Bucks); living in 1708 but death not traced;
(12) Mary Bickley (1663-1708), baptised at St John, Hackney, 18 February 1662/3; married, 29 May 1683 at Attleborough, her cousin, Rev. Richard Bickley (c.1637-1708), rector of Attleborough; died 24 March 1707/8 and was buried at Attleborough, where she was commemorated by a monument;
(13) twin, Jane Bickley (b. 1664), baptised at St John, Hackney (Middx), 26 January 1663/4; married, 23 November 1694 at St Nicholas, Cole Abbey, London, William Bernard, apothecary, of London; living in 1697;
(14) twin, Anne Bickley (b. 1664), baptised at St John, Hackney, 26 January 1663/4; died unmarried;
(15) Charles Bickley (1666-94), baptised at Attleborough, 18 April 1666; an officer in the Duke of Norfolk's regiment (Lt.); murdered at New Buckenham (Norfk) while visiting relations; a crime for which an Irishman named Hickford, who is reputed to have followed him from Ireland, was later convicted at Norfolk Assizes and hung; died unmarried and was buried at Attleborough, 3 July 1694.
He inherited Attleborough Hall from his father in 1670.
He was buried at Attleborough, 29 April 1681; his will was proved 6 May 1681. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bickley, Sir Francis (1644-87), 3rd bt. Eldest son of Sir Francis Bickley (1622-81), 2nd bt. and his wife Mary, daughter of Ald. John Mann of Norwich, baptised at St John, Hackney (Middx), 19 April 1644. Educated at Clare College, Cambridge (matriculated 1656), Magdalen College, Oxford (matriculated 1660) and Inner Temple (admitted 1662). He married 1st, 1663, Deborah (d. 1670), daughter of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, kt.; 2nd, Mary (d. 1686), daughter of Sir Humphrey Winch (1622-1703), 1st bt., of Hawnes (Beds) and Braunston (Lincs); and 3rd, Rebecca (c.1640-94), daughter of Edward Warne of New Buckenham (Norfk) and widow of Samuel Benson of Norwich and Thomas Davy of Norwich, and had issue:
(1.1) Anne Bickley (b. 1664), baptised at St John, Hackney (Middx), 26 January 1663/4; living in 1670;
(1.2) Sir Francis Bickley (1668-1746), 4th bt. (q.v.);
(1.3) Charles Bickley (1670-71), baptised at Attleborough, 20 February 1669/70; died in infancy and was buried at Attleborough, 2 August 1671;
(2.1) Capt. John Bickley (1675-1739), baptised at Attleborough, 17 August 1675; an officer in the army (Capt., 1694), who was evidently wounded as he appears later as captain of companies of invalids at Windsor, Tilbury Fort and Tynemouth Castle, 1710; died unmarried and was buried at Attleborough, 30 July 1739;
(2.2) Rev. Sir Humphrey Bickley (1676?-1752), 5th bt., said to have been baptised at Attleborough, 13 August 1676, but does not appear in the register; educated at Bury St Edmunds GS and Magdalene College, Cambridge (matriculated 1692; BA 1696); ordained deacon, 1706 and priest, 1707; rector of Attleborough, 1708-52 and of Thurston (Norfk), 1742-52; succeeded his half-brother as 5th baronet, 4 July 1746; died unmarried, 14 August, when the baronetcy should probably have passed to the American descendants of his next brother, Joseph, and was buried at Attleborough, 17 August 1752, where he is commemorated by a floor slab; will proved at Norwich, c.1752;
(2.3) Joseph Bickley (c.1680-1751), baptism not traced; emigrated to Virginia by 1703; sheriff of Louisa County, Virginia, 1744; JP for Louisa County (from 1745); married, 1703/4, Sarah Shelton (d. 1733), widow of Richard Gissage, and had issue six sons and one daughter; said to have died 4 December 1751;
(2.4) Elizabeth Bickley, baptism not traced; died unmarried;
(2.5) Mary Bickley (d. 1681), mentioned but not named in Kimber's English Baronetage; died young and was buried at Attleborough, 13 September 1681.
He inherited Attleborough Hall from his father in 1681, but by the end of his life was in financial difficulties.
He was buried at Attleborough, 19 July 1687; his will was proved at Norwich, 1687/8. His first wife died following childbirth and was buried at Attleborough, 6 March 1669/70, where she is commemorated by a monument. His second wife was buried at Attleborough, 26 January 1685/6. His widow married 4th, Nicholas Poynter of Norwich, gent; she died 18 August 1694 and was buried at New Buckenham, where she was commemorated by a monument.

Bickley, Sir Francis (1668-1746), 4th bt. Eldest son of Sir Francis Bickley (1644-87), 3rd bt., and his first wife Deborah, daughter of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, kt., baptised at Attleborough, 29 January 1667/8. An officer in the army (Capt, 1689). DL for Norfolk, 1701, 1704. He succeeded his father as 4th baronet, 1687. He married, 25 May 1691 at Holy Trinity, Minories, London, Alathea (c.1675*-1740), daughter of Sir Jacob Garrard, bt., of Langford Hall (Norfk), and had issue:
(1) Charles Bickley (b. & d. 1692); died young and was buried at Attleborough, 3 July 1692;
(2) John Garrard Bickley (1694-95), baptised at Attleborough, 29 January 1693/4; died in infancy and was buried at Attleborough, 20 January 1694/5;
(3) Alathea Bickley (1696-1718), baptised at Attleborough, 15 January 1696/7; died unmarried and was buried at Bury St Edmunds, 4 July 1718;
(4) Francis Bickley (b. 1709), born 7 March and baptised at St James Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), 20 March 1708/9.
He inherited Attleborough Hall from his father in 1687, and through his marriage acquired the manors of Ickburgh (Norfk) and Bretts, West Ham (Essex). He sold Bretts to Peter Courtney (d. 1719) in 1711 and Attleborough to Dame Mary Ashe (d. 1705), perhaps as early as 1692. He and his wife lived latterly at Langford. Ickburgh passed on his death to his wife's kinsman, Sir Jacob Garrard Downing.
He died 4 July 1746, when the baronetcy passed to his half-brother; his will was proved in the PCC, 8 July 1746. His wife died at her lodgings in London, 19 February 1739/40; her will was proved 1740.
* She was baptised at Quidenham (Norfk), 8 May 1677, but the marriage licence stated she was sixteen, so she may have been born a couple of years earlier.

Principal sources

Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, 2nd edn., 1841, pp. 61-62; F. Blomefield, An essay towards a topographical history of Norfolk, vol. 1, 2nd edn., 1801; pp. 520-31; G.E. Cockayne, Complete Baronetage, vol. 3, 1903, pp. 229-30; G. Jahoda, 'The Bickleys of Virginia', The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 66, No. 4 (1958), pp. 463-482; Sir N. Pevsner & B. Wilson, The buildings of England: Norfolk - North-West and South, 2nd edn., 1999, p. 189; NHLE 1342452;

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Argent, a chevron counter-embattled, between three Griffin's Heads erased, Sable, each charged with a Plate on the neck, and langued Gules.

Can you help?

  • This post leaves more genealogical puzzles unresolved than most, and I would be particularly grateful to anyone who can shed light on how the 3rd and 4th baronets became so impoverished; or the relationship of the self-styled 'Rev. Sir Samuel Bickley' (d. 1773) to the rest of the family, or on the nature of the offences for which he was punished in the 1760s.
  • Can anyone confirm that the Salter family acquired the freehold of Attleborough Hall, and if so, when?
  • Can anyone provide photographs or portraits of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
  • If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 8 October 2025.

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