The History of Putnoe in Bedford

Almost 200 Years of the Gostwicks (1539 to 1731)

The Story of the Gostwicks and Putnoe begins in 1539. Sir John Gostwick Served as a commissioner for the dissolution of the convent at Elstow. He purchased Putnoe Manor from Oliver Leader for £760 in August 1539. Sir John and wife Joan built up a significant estate which included Willington, Cople, Putnoe, Ravensden, Renhold and Goldington. They continued to own Putnoe until 15th April 1545, when he died and his estate passed to his only son William Gostwick. However, William died suddenly later that year in December aged 21 years. Although married he had no children. He had outlived his father by only 8 months. The majority of his inheritance therefore passed to his uncle, and next of kin, William Gostwick.

William Gostwick (m. Anne Pyke of Renhold), brother of Sir John Gostwick, did nothing to enlarge the Gostwick inheritance, in fact it reduced slightly, but still contained Putnoe.
Before his death at the end of 1549, he entered into an agreement with Sir William Petre of Ingatstone whereby after his death his manors should be reserved for the use of Elizabeth Petre, Sir William Petres eldest daughter, who should marry John, Robert or any other surviving son of William Gostwick. Williams eldest son John Gostwick was a minor, aged only 10, when William Gostwick died. He lived under custody of Sir William Petre between the ages of 10 and 20 years. Sir William Petre managed the Gostwick inheritance until Johns coming of age in 1559.

John Gostwick married Elizabeth Petre. John was described as "a man of great simplicity" and of "little or no understanding". He mismanaged the estate, leasing Putnoe Manor to Robert Hatley for £30 rent (approximately one tenth of its real value). He sold the reversion of Putnoe Wood to Richard Ackworth. He later took legal action against the Ackworths to upset the sale of Putnoe Wood, alledging he had not known what he was doing. The court rejected his plea.

The estate passed to John Gostwicks son, Sir William Gostwick, 1st Baronet of Willington. William was held by his Gaurdian Arthur, Lord Gray until coming of age in 1586. He married Jane Owen and strenghtened the family line with 11 children (7 sons and 4 daughters). Under the terms of his marriage settlement, his widow was reserved the use of the Willington manor house after his death on 19 September 1615.

Williams eldest son1615 to 1630 Sir Edward Gostwick (m. Anne Wentworth), 2nd Baronet, eldest son of Sir William, returned to Willington in 1625 after his mother (Jane Owen) had re-married and moved to London.

From 1630 control passed to Sir Edward Gostwick (m. Mary Lytton - most observant daughter of Sir William Lytton of Knebworth), 3rd Baronet, deaf and dumb from birth, eldest son of Sir Edward. The Gostwick Estate was put under the control of five trustees due to Edwards disabilities and that he was only ?? years old when Sir Edward died:-

Thomas Bainbrigg,

William Ashwell, gentleman and merchant of London,

George Kenshawe of Tempsford,

William Farrer, of Bedford and the inner temple,

Francis Reade of Willington.

Sir Edwards deed provided that the manors of Willington, Cople, Putnoe, Ravensden and Goldington (plus other property in Renhold and Bedford), should be held on lease by the 5 persons at a peppercorn rent, in trust. Edwards younger brother, Thomas Gostwick, on coming of age was provided with an annuity of £100 charged on the manor of Putnoe.

From 1671 control of the estate passed to Sir William Gostwick (m. ??), 4th Baronet, second son of Sir Edward. He became heavily involved in Politics. His wealth was severely affected by seven elections as an MP for the Whigs. As a consequence he ended up owing £26,700 to the Duke of Marlborough. He outlived his son and heir John, who died in 1697. Sir William died at the age of 70 in 1720.

Sir William Gostwick, 5th Baronet, son of John Gostwick, grandson of Sir William inherited his grandfathers estate. Unfortunately for him he also had to shoulder the burden of his grandfathers debts. Too poor and proud to retrieve his fortunes he was commissioned as Cornet in Major-General Copes dragoons, now called 9th (Queens Royal) lancers. He sold Putnoe, along with Willington, Ravensden, Goldington and Cople to Sarah Duchess of Marlborough for £51,000 on 25th November 1731. All money was paid to his creditors.

Navigate this site:

Use the side menu, bottom bar or the 'Quick Access' drop down list below to search this site:

HOME - Clubs - Contact - Events - Guestbook - History - Links - Maps - Photos - Search - Weather

We make every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information on this Web. However, we cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage which may occur from its use. If you see anything which you think is inaccurate or misleading please contact us.

Copyright © 2002
These pages, unless otherwise stated, are copyright protected.

The Gostwicks
HOME Clubs & Societies Contact us Events & News Guestbook History Local Links Maps Photos Search the Web Weather	Almost 200 Years of the Gostwicks (1539 to 1731) The Story of the Gostwicks and Putnoe begins in 1539. Sir John Gostwick Served as a commissioner for the dissolution of the convent at Elstow. He purchased Putnoe Manor from Oliver Leader for £760 in August 1539. Sir John and wife Joan built up a significant estate which included Willington, Cople, Putnoe, Ravensden, Renhold and Goldington. They continued to own Putnoe until 15th April 1545, when he died and his estate passed to his only son William Gostwick. However, William died suddenly later that year in December aged 21 years. Although married he had no children. He had outlived his father by only 8 months. The majority of his inheritance therefore passed to his uncle, and next of kin, William Gostwick. William Gostwick (m. Anne Pyke of Renhold), brother of Sir John Gostwick, did nothing to enlarge the Gostwick inheritance, in fact it reduced slightly, but still contained Putnoe. Before his death at the end of 1549, he entered into an agreement with Sir William Petre of Ingatstone whereby after his death his manors should be reserved for the use of Elizabeth Petre, Sir William Petres eldest daughter, who should marry John, Robert or any other surviving son of William Gostwick. Williams eldest son John Gostwick was a minor, aged only 10, when William Gostwick died. He lived under custody of Sir William Petre between the ages of 10 and 20 years. Sir William Petre managed the Gostwick inheritance until Johns coming of age in 1559. John Gostwick married Elizabeth Petre. John was described as "a man of great simplicity" and of "little or no understanding". He mismanaged the estate, leasing Putnoe Manor to Robert Hatley for £30 rent (approximately one tenth of its real value). He sold the reversion of Putnoe Wood to Richard Ackworth. He later took legal action against the Ackworths to upset the sale of Putnoe Wood, alledging he had not known what he was doing. The court rejected his plea. The estate passed to John Gostwicks son, Sir William Gostwick, 1st Baronet of Willington. William was held by his Gaurdian Arthur, Lord Gray until coming of age in 1586. He married Jane Owen and strenghtened the family line with 11 children (7 sons and 4 daughters). Under the terms of his marriage settlement, his widow was reserved the use of the Willington manor house after his death on 19 September 1615. Williams eldest son1615 to 1630 Sir Edward Gostwick (m. Anne Wentworth), 2nd Baronet, eldest son of Sir William, returned to Willington in 1625 after his mother (Jane Owen) had re-married and moved to London. From 1630 control passed to Sir Edward Gostwick (m. Mary Lytton - most observant daughter of Sir William Lytton of Knebworth), 3rd Baronet, deaf and dumb from birth, eldest son of Sir Edward. The Gostwick Estate was put under the control of five trustees due to Edwards disabilities and that he was only ?? years old when Sir Edward died:- Thomas Bainbrigg, William Ashwell, gentleman and merchant of London, George Kenshawe of Tempsford, William Farrer, of Bedford and the inner temple, Francis Reade of Willington. Sir Edwards deed provided that the manors of Willington, Cople, Putnoe, Ravensden and Goldington (plus other property in Renhold and Bedford), should be held on lease by the 5 persons at a peppercorn rent, in trust. Edwards younger brother, Thomas Gostwick, on coming of age was provided with an annuity of £100 charged on the manor of Putnoe. From 1671 control of the estate passed to Sir William Gostwick (m. ??), 4th Baronet, second son of Sir Edward. He became heavily involved in Politics. His wealth was severely affected by seven elections as an MP for the Whigs. As a consequence he ended up owing £26,700 to the Duke of Marlborough. He outlived his son and heir John, who died in 1697. Sir William died at the age of 70 in 1720. Sir William Gostwick, 5th Baronet, son of John Gostwick, grandson of Sir William inherited his grandfathers estate. Unfortunately for him he also had to shoulder the burden of his grandfathers debts. Too poor and proud to retrieve his fortunes he was commissioned as Cornet in Major-General Copes dragoons, now called 9th (Queens Royal) lancers. He sold Putnoe, along with Willington, Ravensden, Goldington and Cople to Sarah Duchess of Marlborough for £51,000 on 25th November 1731. All money was paid to his creditors. <Back to Top>
Navigate this site: Use the side menu, bottom bar or the 'Quick Access' drop down list below to search this site: Quick Access:
HOME - Clubs - Contact - Events - Guestbook - History - Links - Maps - Photos - Search - Weather We make every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information on this Web. However, we cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage which may occur from its use. If you see anything which you think is inaccurate or misleading please contact us. Copyright © 2002 These pages, unless otherwise stated, are copyright protected.