As I stated in my last post, this branch of the Kemp family isn’t closely related, as far as I know. I’m doing this research in the hopes of finding the ancestors of my 5th ggm, Elizabeth Kemp.
Robert Kempe is the first-born son and heir of the estates of his father, Bartholomew Kempe. He was born around 1516 in Flordon, Norfolk, England. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Smythwyn, daughter of Edmund Smythwyn of Berkshire. She was born around 1520 in Gissing. They were the parents of four children who died as infants and four who survived. Again, there are many conflicting dates as to the birth dates, including the fact that the son who is heir to his father estates is the last born instead of the first. Add this to the fact that Robert’s siblings are also having children, and using the same family names. As best as I can tell, here are the children of Robert and Elizabeth Smythwyn.
1. John, born 1534 in Gissing and died Nov 18 1610. He married Anne Calthrope, the daughter of Richard Calthrope and his wife Anne Hastings. Anne Calthrope Kempe was born about 1529 and died about 1610 in Antingham.
2. Margaret was born in 1538 in Gissing and died in 1599. She married Thomas Rous of Flodon who was born in 1534.
3. Ann was born in 1536 and married Anthony Drury on May 26 1657 at Besthrope. Anthony Drury was born about 1542 at Besthrope, and died about 1616.
4. Richard, who was also called Robert, was born in 1542 at Gissing. He married Alice Cockerham, the daughter of Phillip Cockerham of Middlesex on Jan 22 1566. Alice was born in 1545 at Hampstead and died in Gissing. Richard and Alice are the parents of one son, Robert, born Dec 28 1567 at Spain Hall, Finchingfield, Essex.
It appears that Elizabeth Smythwyn dies about 1543 and Robert marries again to Elizabeth de Grey, the daughter of Edmund de Grey of Merton. Elizabeth de Grey was born about 1532 in Merton with her marriage to Robert Kempe taking place about 1551. Elizabeth de Grey was the mother of 4 sons and one daughter, as follows:
1. William (1554-1597) marries Thomasine Waldegrave (1550-1601).
2. Thomas (1555-1607) marries Ann Moore (1562-1589).
3. Robert (1557-1616) marries Ann Stanton. They also have a son named Robert (1591-1647).
4. Edward, born in 1561.
5. Elizabeth, born in 1563 and married to John Buxton of Besthrope.
Robert Kempe, son and heir of Bartholomew Kempe, dies on April 27 1594 and is buried in the North Chapel of the church at Gissing.
The Best and the Brightest 