Our Frost Family History

As to the origin of the Frost family in England. Careful research shows that the cradle of those members of the Frost family who are to be found even to this day in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridge, and Yorkshire, was in the vicinity of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. The first authentic record we have of the family is of Henry Frost, who founded there in 1135 and the Hospitals of the Brothers of St. John the Evangelist, out of which grew St. John's College, University of Cambridge. His son, Robert Frost, subsequently bestowed a message on the Priors of St. John. These are the only Frosts of whom we have any authentic and specific record in this locality in the twelfth century. In the thirteenth century, we find Robert Frost and Galfriedo Frost located in Aslakeby, near Kirkby, in Norfolk County. We also find late in the thirteenth century a Walter Frost, located at Trekengham in the same county. During the fourteenth century the son or grandson of Walter Frost of Trekengham, located at Hull England. He was mayor and bailiff of Hull and was buried at St. Mary's, Hull, in 1372. But the majority of the direct descendants of Henry Frost of Cambridge settled early in the thirteenth century in the County of Suffolk. They probably came first to Bury St. Edmunds and from there spread out into Hartest, Langham, and other parishes.

William Frost of Glemsford, county Suffolk, England, was probably born about 1495-1500. His wife was named Philippa. William died in the summer of 1549, testate. After his death, his widow remarried on 15 September 1552 at Glemsford, John Webb of Lidgate, which is about eight miles from Glemsford. He was a widower, his wife Rose having been buried at Lidgate on 11 February 1551/2. John and Philippa (_____) (Frost) Webb had a daughter, Anna, baptized in 1553, so it is apparent that Philippa was probably born after 1508, Philippa was buried at Lidgate on 20 January 1577/8 and John Webb on 25 July 1558.

Children:
1. Roger FROST, b. Between 1525 and 1530, Glemsford, Suffolk, England, d. Bef 04 Apr 1580, Glemsford, Suffolk, England
2. John FROST, b. Between 1527 and 1532, Glemsford, Suffolk, England
3. John FROST, b. Between 1530 and 1535, Glemsford, Suffolk, England, d. Bef 09 Feb 1610, Hartest, Suffolk, England
4. Henry FROST, b. Aft 1535, Glemsford, Suffolk, England
5. Audry FROST, Glemsford, Suffolk, England
6. Jane FROST, Glemsford, Suffolk, England
7. --- FROST, Glemsford, Suffolk, England

A William Frost appears in the Glemsford Subsidy list for 1524 when he was taxed two shillings on £4.

An abstract of his will follows.

5 July 1549 - the will of WILLIAM FROST of Glemsford, county Suffolk, sick in body, to be buried in the churchyard of Glemsford.

For tithes forgotten 11s.

To wife Phillipa £5 a year for life. Roger my eldest son, shall pay every year for 4 years this sum to wife Phillipa her dwelling in 'these howss of my hed house', including use of parlor, parlor chamber and buttery. Son Roger to keep for my wife 2 beasts during her life and firewood during the 4 years. Son Roger to have profits and usage of hall lands for 4 years on condition that he see Henry my son relieved with meat, drink and apparell at school or to see him set to a good service. Son Roger to keep house in repair during 4 years. Roger to have plow, cart, 15 head of beasts and bullocks and 40 sheep.

To John, my middle son, my tenement and lands that were Strutt's except one pightell called Rawlyns, and one piece of land lying in Melfed and a piece of pasture called Rogylles pasture, to him for 4 years. To him at his entrance, 2 horse, 5 head of cattle, 15 sheep and after the entrance of the said John, my middle son, into his tenement and land to him given, he shall pay to my wife Phyllip 40s a year. Of the said £5, he also to find his mother fire wood.

To my younger son, John, at the age of 26 my tenement called Rogille's with Rogille's pasture, Rawlings pightell, and a meadow of an acre. And that young John shall have his ease always to carry and drive to his grounds over old John's lands, said brother to pay his brother old John rent of 10s. a year. To son, young John, a bullock and 5 sheep.

To son Henry when he reaches age of 26, 2 meadows at Sedmell and Newcroft. If son Roger pays 40 marks within 1 year after Henry reaches 26, then Roger shall have it. To son Roger after the death of his mother, 6 silver spoons. To Jonas Woode my acre of land in Melfyld that I bought of Stynte, at age 26, or £4 which son Roger shall pay him for it. If Jonas die before he reaches 26, son Roger shall pay my 3 daughters' children the said £4. To John Wood the new house at Strut's where he dwells now, for 3 years, paying for reparations 3s 4d. yearly. To Roger Rysbye my tenement called Rogell with the yard except Rawlins, he to pay 22d a year for reparations for 3 years. To my 3 daughters the debt due me by Stephen Tonye and William Merchall. To daughters Audrye and Jane each a seam of barley. To my sister Jurdon a quarter of barley and a combe of wheat. If wife remarries, she is not to have her dwelling or beasts but shall have yearly £6 to be paid to her by eldest sons Roger and John. Roger to pay her £3 13s and John my eldest son 46s 8d.

Executors: sons Roger and Henry, Wife Phillipa to have half my household stuff. To wife Phillipa 2 of my best beds.

Witnesses: Robert Stansbye, Giles Fyrman.["] Proved 15 September 1549. (Ref.: R2/21/536 & W1/8/43.)

Children, probably all born at Glemsford:

[i] ROGER, "my eldest son", prob. b 1525-30; m 1, Agnes _____ who was bur. at Glemsford 10 Feb. 1558/9; 2 ch.; he m 2, Katherine _____; 7 ch.; he was bur. 4 April 1580. He was on the 1568 Subsidy list for Glemsford as taxed 5s. 4d. on £4 in lands.

His will calls him husbandman & names his 6 surviving ch.: Anne, John, Katherine, Alice, Edward & Henry.

[ii] JOHN, called "old John" or "middle John". He was one of his father's 2 eldest sons, but since he was also called "middle John", Roger must have been the elder of the two; prob. b about 1527-32; m Elizabeth _____, who was his wife 7 Dec. 1564 when their twin sons were buried (earlier records do not name the mother); 12 ch. b 1554 - 1576/7. . . .

[iii] JOHN, called "young John" in his father's will & mentioned therein as being under 26. So, he was b perhaps 1530-35. He m 1, 29 Jan. 1558/9 at Glemsford, Ann Scott, dau. of Richard. 9 or 10 ch.; she was bur. 30 July 1588 at Hartest; he m 2, Ellen _____; he was bur. 6 Feb. 1609/10 at Hartest, testate.

[iv] HENRY, prob b after 1535 as his father in his will made provision for his schooling.

[v] AUDREY.

[vi] JANE.

[vii] DAUGHTER, referred to, but not named in her father's will.

John Frost is the next ancestor in our lineage.