Sir Edward ABNEY LL.D.

     Sir Edward ABNEY LL.D., son of James ABNEY and Jane Mainwaring, was born on 6 February 1631 in Willesley, Derbyshire, England.^1,2

Sir Edward ABNEY LL.D. was educated in 1649 in Christ's College, Cambridge, England. While under the wing of the master of the college, Ralph Cudworth, Edward met and became quite taken with Ralph Cudworth’s stepdaughter Damaris, and marriage was considered. One difficulty for the Abney family was the political stance of Damaris' grandfather, Thomas Andrews. A London linen-draper and devout Puritan, Andrews had risen to become a prosperous merchant and moneylender. He became Alderman in February 1642 and was one of the principal financiers to Parliament during the first English Civil War. On the other hand, James Abney had supported Charles I in his war with Parliament. Andrews was one of judges appointed to try the King at Westminster and he attended most of the trial sessions in January 1649 and was present at Charles I's execution. A few days later, he unseated the royalist incumbent to become the first Lord Mayor of London under the republic. He died in 1659.

Edward Abney in letters to his father comes across as earnest and expansive. He is bold and often direct on “this business, which has caused the greatest trouble and perplexity of mind to me”. Earnestness turns to despair as his father seems to dither over the question of consent for the marriage to Damaris. Parental authority remained paramount in this period, both out of custom and for inheritance purposes. Edward uses all means he can to persuade his father, in whose hands his future effectively lay. He emphasises the social and intellectual qualities of his proposed bride, “a very comely and descreet person neither hath she any of the too common defects of lameness or crookedness” and “who has been piously educated”. The relationship with the eminent and influential Ralph Cudworth was important.

Edward's early education was at Ashby-De-La-Zouch under Mr. Porter and in Measham with Mr. Houlton. He received at bachelor of arts from Christ's College in 1653, his masters in 1656, and doctorate of law (LLD) in 1661. He received a fellowship from 1655-1670 and pursued the academic life.^3,4

Edward married first Damaris Andrews on 20 July 1661 in London, England. Their wedding announcement read: "Edward Abney uf Wilsley, Co. Derby, gent, bach' aged 29 second son of James Abney of the same. Esq., and Damaris Andrewes Spin', about 18, dau. of Thomas Audrewes the younger, late of St Margaret's, New Fish Street, London, dec'd, with consent of her mother Damaris Cudworth, alias Andrewes, now wife of Dr. Ralph Cudworth, Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, to be married at St Gregory's or St Dionys Backchurch London."^5,6 Edward left Cambridge in 1670 when he obtained a highly lucrative position as one of six clerks in Chancery. Sir Edward was knighted at Whitehall by King Charles II on 2 Aug 1673. His arms were recorded as "Or on a Chief Gules a Lyon issuant Arg. being the proper coat of Ingwardbly whose daughter& heir was married to this family about the time of King Henry the sixth."

In 1685 he stood for Leicestershire but was defeated. Sir Edward Abney was appointed a judge in the court of King's Bench and subsequently elected as a Whig to the House of Commons for Leicester in 1690 at the age of nearly 60 and served until 1698. As the oldest surviving son he inherited Willesley Hall from his father in 1693 and died there aged 96 in 1728, having been blind for the last 20 years of his life.^1,3,5,4

Edward married second Judith Barre on 18 December 1688 in London, England. She was the daughter of Peter Barre, merchant of London.^4,7,6

Edward left a will dated 1718 in Willesley, Leicestershire, England. In drawing up his will he excluded his eldest surviving, but mentally unfit son [James], leaving his estates in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire to his youngest son, Thomas.⁴

Sir Edward ABNEY LL.D. died on 3 January 1728 in Willesley, Leicestershire, England, at age 96. He was blind the last twenty years of his life.^2,6 He was buried in St. Helen's Churchyard, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England.