Aquila Ginn of Sawbridgeworth d. 1742

Aquila here was brother of Philip jnr in my last post. At some point between 1690 and 1695, Aquila married  Martha Grave, sister of the Margaret who married his brother Philip.  The Grave family came from Sawbridgeworth and Martha had inherited some money from her father when he died and, as a widow when she married Martha may have brought other money to the marriage.  For whatever reason Aquila and his new bride moved to Sawbridgeworth. 

It is clear that from 1696 to 1715 or so Aquila Ginn held the same land - apparently two messuages, orchards, gardens, yards and a field or two.  The Tithe records survive (HRO) and the Vicar was scrupulous in keeping a note.  Aquila also continued to hold land in Bishops Stortford however, being Overseer of the Poor there for some years, having a freehold tenement there and having the vote in 1714 as a result  (though said to be resident in Sawbridgeworth)

I can tell (from the Land Tax) where Aquila was living.  Before 1718 he paid tax on the land of Daniel Holland, after that date on the property of Robert Gibson.  The book "Hertfordshire Inns" reports that the "White Lion” pub in London Road, Sawbridgeworth was owned by Daniel Holland (a saddler) who in 1717 sold it to a Robert Gibson.  Thus Aquila clearly was the Landlord of "The White Lion".  He is the first known Landlord.

Aquila ran the Tavern until at least 1722, but ceased to be Landlord thereafter. "The White Lion" is still there (below) on the corner of London Road and Bell Street.  The exterior has been much altered (in the late 18th century) but the inside has substantial elements of Aquila's day.  I had a drink there in his and Martha's memory and over the years have passed the pub many times and always remember them.

Aquila also had his own land, mentioned in his will and partly freehold because he contined to have the vote in Sawbridgeworth. 

It is unclear what happened to Aquila after 1722.  He tells us in his will that he was still a victualler and owned two properties one next to the other which share a yard and pump and one has a cellar, obviously a beer cellar.  It is clear therefore that Aquila continued to hold a Tavern in Sawbridgeworth but I do not know which one.

                                                          Signature from 1742

Sadly, Aquila and Martha never had any children.  Aquila was quite educated and wrote an excellent hand (see Oaths of Allegiance - Quarter Sessions HRO).  He was a good Uncle to the children of his brother Philip of Stortford, and quite close to his in-laws.  He died in 1742, aged 73.

Aquila left a will (ERO) making various bequests, both to his and his wife's family.  But his land went to James Edwards.  He was Aquila's great-nephew, a Tailor, and son of John Edwards and his wife Ann (nee Ginn) mentioned in my last post.  I cannot find Martha’s death entry.  She may have left Sawbridgeworth.