Robert PECK (1548 – 1593) was Alex’s 12th Great Grandfather two times over, one of 8,192 in this generation of the Shaw line through his son Joseph and one of 8,192 in this generation of the Miner line through his son Robert.  I bet he never imagined his lines would come together 400 years later when I was born!

The Pecks were exceptional among our ancestors having a coat of arms at the time of their immigration
Eric Peck says “The crest is almost correct. I believe the center rose is actually white to represent the house of York. This is on my hand painted crest that I have”

The coat of arms of the Peck family of Beccles, Suffolk, England, and Hingham and Rehoboth, Massachusetts from “A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Joseph Peck: Who Emigrated with His Family to This Country in 1638; and Records of His Father’s and Grandfather’s Families in England and Records of His Father’s and Grandfather’s Families in England with the Pedigree Extending Back from Son to Father for Twenty Generations, with their Coat of Arms and Copies of Wills,” Ira Ballou Peck, Alfred Mudge & Son, Boston, 1868″

Robert Peck was born 28 Nov 1548 in Beccles, Suffolk, England. His parents were Robert PECK and Johun WATERS. He married Helen BABBS on 22 Jul 1573 in Beccles, Suffolk, England. Robert died 1593 in Beccles, Suffolk, England.

Helen Babbs was born Sep 1546 in Guildford, Surrey, England.  Her parents were Nicholas BABBS (1525 – 1550) and Helen PARKHURST ( – 1550)  Helen died 31 Oct 1614 in Beccles, Suffolk, England.

Children of Robert and Helen:

View from Beccles Bell Tower

The Peck family (including recent mayors) is long associated with Beccles,  a market town and civil parish in the Waveney District of Suffolk, England, within an area known as The Broads.  The name is conjectured to be derived from Becc-Liss* (Brittonic=Small-court). However, also offered is Bece-laes* (Old English=Meadow by Stream. Once a flourishing Saxon riverport, it lies in the Waveney valley and is a popular boating centre. The town was granted its Charter in 1584 by Elizabeth I.

Beccles Bell Tower

The townscape is dominated by the detached sixteenth-century bell tower (known as the Beccles bell tower) of St Michael’s church. Like the main body of the church, the tower is Perpendicular Gothic in style and is 97 ft tall. The interior of the church was badly damaged by fire in 1586. It has a 13th-century font.  The tower is not attached to the church and at the wrong end of the church as the correct end would be too close to a large cliff.  Local historians believe that the tower was originally intended to have a steeple and spire but after forty years of construction, the Protestant Reformation during the reign of King Henry VIII (and the suppression of Roman Catholic institutions) intervened to bring work to a halt.   It was at this church in 1749 that the mother of Horatio Nelson, Catherine Suckling, married the Reverend Edmund Nelson (a former curate of Beccles).

Robert Peck (1548 – 1593) – Signature

The position which he occupied in society was that known in England as gentleman or gentry entitled to coat-armor, etc., and at that time, before the title of Baronet was given, next to the nobility, or the title honored.

Robert was a man of wealth, consisting of lands, houses, etc. His will was found at Ipswich. It was written with his own hand.

Will of Robert Peck from “A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Joseph Peck pg 21-23” sourced from the original will found at Ipswich, England.

In the name of God Amen The XXIV day of March in the year of o’r Lord God according to the computation of the church of England 1592 and in the XXXVth yere of the Reigne of o’r moste gratious soveraigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god of England ffrance and Irelande Quene Defendor of the faith etc. I Robert Peck of Beccles in the countye of Suff hole of mynd and perfect of Remembrance thanks be to the maiestye of god therefore Although sick and weake of body at chemisfforde in the cowntye of Essex at this pr’sente of a pluresye not knowinge whither it will please god to take me awaye here or not, do for the better orderinge and dispocision of such goods cattels chattells plate lands tenements and other heriditaments with the appertences do make and dispose them as followeth ffirst I bequeath my sowle to the Infinite mercye of Almightye Gode trustinge assurealye to be saved by the meritts death and passion of Jesus christ his dere sonne, and my bodye to be buried where it shall please god to call me

Item I give and bequeath to Hellen my welle loved wife (in consideration of the paiment of my debts the bringinge up of my children and the finishinge of the houses w’ch I am now in buildinge) All my houses Lands Tenements medowes pastures fedlings aswell free hold as coppeholde and all other my leases plate goods and cattles whatsoev’r or wheresoev’r ling w’th in the townes of Becces, Barsh”m Ingate or else where to haue and to hold all and singular the p’rmises w’th the apprtens to the said Hellen or her assignes for and duringe her natural life in concinderacion of the things above mentioned and also paienge such legacies unto my children as I shall appointe or otherwise leave it for want of tyme to her godly consideration where in I desire her in gods behalf to provide for the accordinge to her abillitye.

And for the better accomplishinge here of I do give unto her full power and authoritye to sell my woods in Barshm” or my medows in Barsh” or both if neede shall so require And I doe hartelye desire my very good ffriends Mr Bartholomew Stiles and Mr John Talbot to be aidinge and assistinte my said wife w’th there good counsell advice and labo’r about the execution of this my last will and Testament.

Item I give unto Richard Peck my sonne all that my houses where in I dwell in Blibergate street [Blyburgate today] my close at Ingate church, my pightill in the same field to have and to hold to him and to his heres forever And also all the lease lands adioyinge to the said close for and duringe the numbers of yeres y’t to come yf his mother will vouchsafe him such favo’r uppon condicon that he paye such legacies as his mother shall think good to appoint him to doe

Item whereas Thomas Peck my brother deceased by his last will and Tistament did give unto the said Richard my sonne two tennements ine Balligate street [Ballygate today] lately burnt and now againe one of them builded upon the same grownde and the other upon pcell of the said grownede and upon pcell of other free grownde w’ch I purchased of mine uncle Wm Waters I will therefore that the said Richard my sonne w’thin one month after that he shall be of his age of XXVth years shall make over astate in fee simple to such of my sonnes and there heirs as I shall hereafter bequeath the said teenements unto and also surrendo’r. And yf my saide sonne Richard shall not pform these things before assigned him I will that he shall loose the benefit of such houses landes and leases as I have before assigned unto him and the same to be to thoese of my twoe sonnes to whoeme I shall geve the foresaide newe tenments and to there heires and assignes forever

Item I give to Nicholas Peck my sonne my newe tenement ptely builded uppont the Tenement late Wm Waters and my medowes lienge in Barshm (if his mother shall spare the saide medowes) To have and To holde to him the said Nicholas and his heires for ev’r paienge out of the same such somes of money as his mother shall assigne him to doe.

Item I geve unto Samuell Peck my sonne the other newe tenement and little coppiholde yard to have and to holde to him & his heirs foev’r paienge out thereof to such of his brothers and sisters such money as his mother shall assigne him to doe

Item I will yf for the benefit of paienge my debres bringinge up my children findinge my sone Robert at Cambridge and providinge legacies for my twoe daughters and my sone Joseph That if my saide wife shall make a lease of all or any pcell of my sayde landes and Tenements That the same shall continue for so many years as she shall lease the same her saide death or any other legacies what soev’r before given or appointed to the contrary in any wise notw’thstandinge, The Residewe of all my goodes and chattells whatsoever. I give them whoelye to the saide Hellen my wife whoeme I make my sole executrix desiringe her in godes behalf to have care of thoese my children whoese legacies I have lefte to her consideracon.

And also of Joane Babb & Elisabeth Babb and Robert Meriman & my sister Note as she may Item I ordain Mr Bartholomewe Stiles clerk, Mr Roger Peirson and Mr John Talbot supervisoer hartelie desiringe them to Aide my wife w’th there beste helpe counsell and advice aboute the Execution herof Written w’th my owne hande The day and yere above saide By me

Robert Peck
Proved at Beccles 10 Nov 1598

Excerpt from the book “Genealogical History of the Descendants of Joseph Peck by Ira B. Peck 1868”

FOLLOWING INFO TAKEN FROM THE GENEALOGY CHART FOUND IN THE FROUNT OF  BLOOMFIELD’S HISTORY OF NORFOLK

Robert’s grandfather – Issue of John PECK Esq. of Wakefield, England {# 18 on chart} Joan daughter of John Arne of Trickley:
1. Richard Peck m Anne
2. John Peck
3. Thomas Peck
4. Ruth Peck
5. Nicholas Peck
6. Francis Peck
7. Robert PECK {# 19 on chart}
8. Katherine Peck
9. Margaret Peck m John Taylor
10. Anne Peck m Robert Page
11. Dorothy Peck m William Rouke

Rev. Robert’s grandfather – Issue of Robert PECK of Beccles, Norfolk, England {# 19 on chart} his two wives:
12. John Peck died without issue
13. Robert PECK {# 20 on chart}
14. Thomas Peck died without issue
15. Joan Peck m Rihcard Merriman of Beccles,
16. Olive Peck m Richard Nott of Beccles
17. Margaret Peck died without issue
18. Anne Peck died without issue

Rev. Robert’s father – Issue of Robert PECK of Beccles d 1593 age 47 {# 20 on chart} Helen dau of Nicholas BABBS OF GUILFORD
19. Richard Peck d 1615 age 41 no issue
20. Nicholas Peck age 24 in 1600
21. Robert PECK age 20 in 1600
22. Joseph Peck bapt 30 Apr 1587 {#21 chart}
23. Margaret Peck
24. Martha Peck
25. Samuel Peck oft 1619

Issue of Rev. Robert PECK who married 1st Anne of England 2nd Mrs. Martha Bacon widow:
26. Robert Peck bapt 23 July 1607
bur 11 Apr 1648
27. Thomas Peck bapt 6 Sept 1608
28. Joseph Peck bapt 22 Apr 1610
29. Benjamin Peck bapt 29 Sep 1611
30. Samuel Peck bapt 13 Sept 1614
31. Nathanile Peck bapt 13 Sept 1614
32. Samuel Peck bapt 1 Mar 1615/1616
33. Daniel Peck bur 8 June 1616
34. Anne Peck bapt 1 Nov 1619
This chart contains 22 generations from Rev. Robert’s ancestors back to John Peck Esq. of Belton, Yorkshire, England who married the daughter of Melgrave.

1. John PECK was born about 1126 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He died in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He married Melgrave about 1149 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. [__?__] MELGRAVE was born about 1129 in Yorkshire, England.

2. Thomas PECK was born about 1150 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He married Middleton about 1170 in Belton, Yorkshire, England.  [__?__] MIDDLETON was born about 1152 in Middleton, Yorkshire, England.

3. Robert PECK Sr was born about 1171 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He died about 1241 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He married Tunstall about 1190 in Belton, Yorkshire, England.  [__?__] TUNSTALL was born about 1175 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. She died in 1245 in Belton, Yorkshire, England.

4. Robert PECK Jr was born about 1191 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He married Musgrave about 1211 in Belton, Yorkshire, England.  [__?__] MUSGRAVE was born about 1195 in Belton, Yorkshire, England.

5. John PECK was born about 1213 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He married Watford about 1220 in Belton, Yorkshire, England.  [__?__] WATFORD was born about 1217 in Belton, Yorkshire, England.

6.  Thomas PECK Sr was born about 1236 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1268. He married Braxton about 1250 in England.  [__?__] BRAXTON was born about 1238 in England.

7. Thomas PECK Jr was born in 1257 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1283 in England. He married Littleton about 1278 in England.  [__?__] LITTLETON was born about 1258 in England.

8. John PECK  Sr was born in 1279 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1322 in England. He married Carre about 1298 in England.  [__?__] CARRE was born in 1283 in England.

9. John PECK Jr was born about 1299 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1372 in England. He married Wemborne about 1313 in England.  [__?__] WEMBORNE was born about 1299 in England.

10. Richard PECK Sr was born about 1313 in Belton, Yorkshire, England. He married Browning about 1327 in England.  [__?__] BROWNING was born about 1313 in England.

11. Richard PECK Jr was born about 1328 in Heselden, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1391 in England. He married Saville about 1342 in England.  [__?__] SAVILLE was born about 1323 in Heselden, Yorkshire, England.

12. Thomas PECK was born in 1343 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1420. He married Bradley about 1367 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.  [__?__] BRADLEY was born about 1377 in England.

13. Richard PECK was born in 1368 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1443 in England. He married Margaret Haselton about 1388. Margaret HASELTON was born about 1373 in Haselton Hall, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. She died in 1423 in England.

14. John PECK was born in 1389 in Normanton, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1460 in England. He married Isabel de Lacy about 1409 in England.  Isabel de LACY was born in 1391 in Brombleton, Yorkshire, England.  Her parents were  John de LACY (1365 – ) [Parents] and Emmota [__?__] (1366 – )

15. Richard PECK was born in 1410 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1507 in England. He married Joan Harrington about 1453 in England.  Joan HARRINGTON was born in 1433 in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England. Her parents were John HARRINGTON (1418 – ) [Parents] and Catherine CULPEPPER (1418 – 1476) Joan died in 1514 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.

16. Richard PECK was born in 1454 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. He died on 24 Jun 1516 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. He married Alice Middleton in 1489 in England.  Alice MIDDLETON was born in 1458 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. She died in 1498 in England.

17. John PECK Sr was born in 1490 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. He married Joan Aune on 23 Jul 1506 in England.   Joan AUNE was born in 1493 in Frickley, Yorkshire, England.

18. Robert PECK of Beccles, Norfolk, England married Johun WATERS.

19. Robert PECK was born 28 Nov 1548 in Beccles, Suffolk, England. He married Helen BABBS on 22 Jul 1573 in Beccles, Suffolk, England. Robert died 1593 in Beccles, Suffolk, England.  Helen Babbs was born Sep 1546 in Guildford, Surrey, England.  Her parents were Nicholas BABBS (1525 – 1550) and Helen PARKHURST ( – 1550)  Helen died 31 Oct 1614 in Beccles, Suffolk, Englan

20.  Our ancestors Rev. Robert PECK and his brother Joseph PECK

Children

1. Richard Peck

Richard’s wife Bridget [_?_]

Item I give unto Richard Peck my sonne all that my houses where in I dwell in Blibergate street [Blyburgate today] my close at Ingate church, my pightill in the same field to have and to hold to him and to his heres forever And also all the lease lands adioyinge to the said close for and duringe the numbers of yeres y’t to come yf his mother will vouchsafe him such favo’r uppon condicon that he paye such legacies as his mother shall think good to appoint him to doe

Item whereas Thomas Peck my brother deceased by his last will and Tistament did give unto the said Richard my sonne two tennements ine Balligate street [Ballygate today] lately burnt and now againe one of them builded upon the same grownde and the other upon pcell of the said grownede and upon pcell of other free grownde w’ch I purchased of mine uncle Wm Waters I will therefore that the said Richard my sonne w’thin one month after that he shall be of his age of XXVth years shall make over astate in fee simple to such of my sonnes and there heirs as I shall hereafter bequeath the said teenements unto and also surrendo’r. And yf my saide sonne Richard shall not pform these things before assigned him I will that he shall loose the benefit of such houses landes and leases as I have before assigned unto him and the same to be to thoese of my twoe sonnes to whoeme I shall geve the foresaide newe tenments and to there heires and assignes forever

2. Nicholas Peck

Nicholas’ wife Rachel Yonge was born 1590 in Beccles, Suffolk, England.  Rachel died 4 Oct 1618 in Beccles, Suffolk, England

Item I give to Nicholas Peck my sonne my newe tenement ptely builded uppont the Tenement late Wm Waters and my medowes lienge in Barshm (if his mother shall spare the saide medowes) To have and To holde to him the said Nicholas and his heires for ev’r paienge out of the same such somes of money as his mother shall assigne him to doe.

3. Rev. Robert PECK  (See his page)

5. Joseph PECK (See his page)

6. Samuel Peck

Item I geve unto Samuell Peck my sonne the other newe tenement and little coppiholde yard to have and to holde to him & his heirs foev’r paienge out thereof to such of his brothers and sisters such money as his mother shall assigne him to doe

Sources:

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=3821348&st=1

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jhmjr&id=I06433

New England Families Genealogical and Memorial: Third Series, Volume IV By William Richard Cutter; New York, 1915, Page 1693