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   Filmer Family Page


Welcome to the Filmer Family Page, which furnishes historical detail beyond the site index, exploring ten generations of Filmers in the line of Simon de Fynemere of East Sutton, Kent, England.
 

 

14. Katherine Filmer --  Born ca. 1597 in Manor, East Sutton, Kent, England; died in 1662 in St Andrews Parish, High Holborn, Middlesex, England. Married Robert Barham Aug. 1, 1620 in East Sutton, Kent, England. Her parents were: Sir Edward Henry Filmer and Lady Elizabeth Argall. She was a descendant of a long line of royalty and noble families descended from William the Conqueror and the Emperor Charlemagne. Katherine was a legatee in the 1629 will of her uncle, Robert Filmer, Gent. and in the will of her father, proved Dec. 5, 1629. Katherine and her husband, Robert Barham, were both legatees under the will of her mother, Elizabeth (Argall) Filmer, proved Aug. 16, 1638. Katherine left a will dated Nov. 1, 1662. Their daughter, Anne Barham, wife of Richard Bennett, is named as the daughter of Robert Barham and Katherine Filmer in "Magna Carta Ancestry." Katherine's brother, Robert Filmer, was an ardent loyalist in the Civil Wars, a friend of King Charles I and author of the famous treatise on the divine right of kings, "De Patriarcha." Katherine and Robert Barham had six sons and three daughters:

  • Thomas, named in grandparents wills dated 1629 and 1636

  • Edward, Esq., of Grays Inn, died without issue leaving a will dated 30 October 1657 and proved 27 October 1661

  • [Capt.] Charles Barham, named in grandparents wills dated 1629 and 1636, married Elizabeth __.

  • Richard, died by 22 January 1689/90, married Helena Burnett before 1670[4]

  • John

  • Robert, baptized 16 March 1622 at East Sutton, Kent,[6] named in grandparents wills dated 1629 and 1636

  • Elizabeth

  • Susan, wife of William Cockerman

  • Anne Barham, wife of Richard Bennett

​

15. Sir Edward Henry Filmer, VII Knight of Chester and High Sheriff of Kent-- Born Jan. 17, 1566 in East Sutton, Maidstone Borough, Kent, England; died on Nov. 2, 1629 in Kent, England. He was buried in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in England. He married Dame Elizabeth Argall, Countess of Kent, (born March 10, 1570 in East Sutton, Maidstone Borough, Kent, England and died Aug.9, 1638 in Kent, England) in 1585 in East Sutton, Kent. Elizabeth was the daughter of Robert Argall and Mary "Marie" Scott, and sister of Gov. Samuel Argall of Virginia. Elizabeth's father, Richard Argall, Esq. (1536-1588), Lord of East Sutton and High Sheriff of Kent, England, was the son of Thomas Argall, Esq. (1500-1553), of London and Margaret Tallakarne (1518 - 1592), daughter of John Tallakarne (1495-1559) and Lady Jane Braye (1512-1589). Elizabeth's mother was Richard Argall's second wife, Mary Scott (1546-1605), daughter of Reginald Scott, Knight (1512-1554), of Scott's Hall, Kent, and Mary Tuke (1522-1554).
       Edward Filmer's biography is in part quoted from Wikitree.com:

Edward Filmer was the oldest son of Robert Filmer (1525-1585) and Frances Chester (1536-1593) of the county of Kent in southeast England. He came from a venerable Anglo-Norman-Plantagenet aristocratic family that could trace its lineage back to Charlemagne, first Holy Roman Emperor (747-814 AD). The Filmers had been established land-owners in the parish of Otterden (Ottenge), Kent, since at least the 13th Century (King Edward II). Their ancestral home was Herst Manor until Edward's father, Robert Filmer, purchased Little Charlton Manor in nearby East Sutton. Edward was born in January 1566 at his father's estate of Little Charleton Manor, East Sutton, Maidstone Parish, Kent, England.

Edward Filmer attended school in East Sutton; he was then admitted to Caius College at Cambridge and graduated April 30, 1584. He became a Fellow there and embarked on a judicial career as well as inheriting three substantial manors in Kent when his father died in 1585, including Little Charlton Manor. Edward Filmer was an influential jurist (barrister) and courtier in the late Elizabethan era and during the reign of King James I (1603-1625). In 1593 he was appointed Justice of the Peace for Maidstone, Kent. He recorded his activities in a notebook which remains in the Kent Archives Office today. He was also Captain of the Light Horse for the Lathe of Aylesford, Kent. On July 23, 1603, he was knighted by King James I on the eve of his coronation and named Lord of Charlton Manor, East Sutton, Kent, where he had been born. He was appointed High Sheriff of Kent in 1614 for 2 years. He also had substantial business interests in London where he and his wife maintained a second residence. Their primary residence was "College House," Maidstone. 

     The Filmer family was originally seated at Herst, in the parish of Otterden, Kent, where Robert Filmer lived in the reign of Edward II. Sir Edward Filmer was eldest son of Robert Filmour, prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas in the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603), who removed to the estate of Little Charleton, in East Sutton, which he had purchased, and died in 1585. Sir Edward increased this estate by purchasing from his brother-in-law John Argall, Esq., the manor of East Sutton; he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, and served the office of sheriff of Kent under James I.
      In 1585 Sir Edward and Lady Elizabeth Argall, from another distinguished local aristocratic family, were married in the Anglican church in Lenham, Kent, England. By all accounts, their 44-year marriage was happy, prosperous and fruitful. The couple had 18 children: 9 sons & 9 daughters, most of whom survived to maturity:

  1. Mary FILMER b: 1586 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  2. Robert FILMER b: 1586 in London, Kent, England

  3. Margaret FILMER b: 1587 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  4. Edward FILMER Jr. b: 1589 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  5. John FILMER b: 1590 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  6. Elizabeth FILMER b: 1592 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  7. Judith FILMER b: 1594 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  8. Thomas FILMER b: 1595 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  9. Reginald FILMER b: 1596 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  10. Katherine FILMER b: 1597 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  11. Jane FILMER b: 1598 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  12. Anne FILMER b: 1599 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  13. Henry FILMER b: 1600 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  14. Thomas FILMER b: 1601 in Canterbury, England

  15. Susanna FILMER b: 1603 in Canterbury, England

  16. Richard FILMER b: 1604 in East Sutton, Kent, England

  17. Sarah FILMER b: 1606

  18. Augustine FILMER b: ABT 1609
     

Sir Edward Filmer died on November 2, 1629, at his Little Charlton Manor, East Sutton, Kent. He mentions his wife and daughter, "Catherine Barham" in his 1629 will. His wife, Dame Elizabeth (Argall) Filmer, survived him, dying at their Maidstone residence on August 9, 1638. They are buried together in a sumptuous marble tomb at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, East Sutton, Maidstone Borough, Kent, England. The tomb includes magnificent brass etchings of the Argall-Filmer family. In the etching, Edward Filmer is represented in a handsome suit of body armor, a large frill round his neck, trunk-breeches, and jack-boots. His wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Argall, Esq., wears a cap, hood, ruff and short mantle; her dress opens in front and discovers a petticoat worked and fringed at the edge. Upon her death, Lovelace penned an elegant "Elegiacal epitaph," which concludes with these lines:
 

"Thus, although this marble must,

as all things, must crumble into dust;

and though you find this fair-built tomb

Ashes as what lies in its womb;

Yet her saint-like name shall shine

A living glory in this shrine,

And her eternal fame be read,

When all but very virtue is dead."


16. Robert Filmer, Esquire -- Robert was born in 1525 in Herst Manor, Otterden Parish, Kent, England; he died Aug.31, 1585 at Little Charlton Manor, East Sutton, Kent, England. On March 5, 1564 in Saint Dunstan in the East church, London, England, Robert married Francis Chester (born  in 1536 in Royston, Hertfordshire, England; died Jul 8, 1593 in East Sutton, Maidstone, Kent, England), daughter of Sir Robert Chester, Gentleman Usher of the Chamber to King Henry VIII (1510-1574) and Catherine Throckmorton (ca. 1512 - 1563). Robert was the son of James Filmer, Esquire , of Herst Manor, Otterden Parish, Kent, England and Marjorie Raynor. Robert had an important judicial and administrative career as a Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please at Westminster, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. During his lifetime he bought the Manor of Little Charleton in East Sutton, Kent, and moved his family seat there from Herst Manor. Robert and Francis had nine children:
 

  1. Jan 17 1566 - Birth of Sir Edward Filmer; East Sutton, Kent

  2. Jul 17 1567 - Birth of Katherine Filmer; East Sutton, Kent

  3. 1569 - Birth of James Filmer; East Sutton, England

  4. 1570 - Birth of Robert Filmer; East Sutton, England

  5. 1572 Birth of Mary Filmer; East Sutton, Kent, England

  6. Feb 13 1573 - Birth of Affera (Affrey) Filmer; East Sutton, Kent

  7. 1574 - Birth of Henry Filmer; East Sutton, Kent, England

  8. 1577 - Birth of Anthony Filmer; East Sutton, England

  9. 1580 - Birth of Francis Filmer; East Sutton, England
     

Robert died on Aug. 31, 1585 at Little Charlton Manor, East Sutton, Kent, England. His Will was dated March 28, 1584 and proven on November 15, 1585 . He was buried at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, East Sutton, Maidstone, Kent, England.

17. James Filmer, Esquire -- James was born May 1, 1500 in Otterdon, Kent, England and died June 22, 1571 in Otterden, Kent, England. In 1467 James married Marjorie Raynor (born ca.1500 in East Sutton, Kent, England and died April 5, 1588 in Wychling, Kent, England), daughter of Robert Raynor (b.ca.1455). James' parents were Benedict Filmer and Joan Pepere.  Bruce John Filmer's book, Filmer Family Notes states that "Most persons with the name FILMER who can trace their origins to Kent are descendants of James Filmer of Otterden and Marjorie RAYNOR, daughter of Robert Raynor of 'Bamletts' Doddington. They were probably married at Doddington." Their son, Robert, who was born in 1525, was likely either the second son or the twin of his brother, George. In most documents and wills they are referred to together and seem generally to have been treated equally and in preference to the other children. Their other children were sons, Reginald, John, William and Isaac and daughters, Benet, Agnis, Margaret, Fraunces, and Rabige.
 


18. Benedict (Benete) Filmer --  Benedict was born in 1427 in East Sutton, Kent, England and died on

November 17, 1508 in St Laurence the Martyr, Otterden, Kent, England. Benedict's parents were John Filmer and Joanne May. He married Joan Pepere (born ca. 1446 in Kent, England; died in 1512 in Doddington, Kent, England), the daughter of Simon Pepere of Otringden. In 1460, several decades after the death of john, her husband, Joanne May Filmer remised to Simon and Benedict, two of her sons, the tenement called 'Filmers' with 40 acres adjoining in the parish of Otrynden then held of the Court of Sutton. Three days later, on the 31st October, 1467 Simon gave up his right in the property to Benedict. Benedict and his wife Joan continued to live in the old family residence called Filmers after his mother's death. They had the following children: Thomas, Izoote (Isode), Margaret and James Filmer.

19. John Filmer, IV Esquire -- John was born ca. 1380 in East Sutton, Kent, England and died in 1436  in East Sutton, Kent, England. His father was John Feynmour (Filmer) and his mother is unknown. In a deed dated June 18, 1407 John entrusted all his lands to Nicholas May to safeguard the welfare of Nicolas' daughter Joane, John's wife to be, which was in effect a marriage settlement. He married Joanne (or Joan) May later that year. Joanne May (born in 1390 in Downham, Essex, England; died after 28 Oct 1467 in Otterden, Kent, England) was the daughter of Nicholas May (1356-aft. 1437), a yeoman from the village of Downham, in County Essex, England. Her mother is unknown. John and Joanne Filmer appear to have had the following children: 

  1. John Filmer b: 1408

  2. Richard Filmer b: 1410

  3. Joan Filmer b: 1413

  4. Thomas Filmer b: 1417

  5. Elene Filmer b: 1420

  6. Simon Filmer b: 1422

  7. Benedict Filmer b: ABT 1427

   8. Agnus Filmer b: 1430

20. John Feynmour (Filmere) III of Oterindenne -- John was born ca. 1350 in Otterden Parish, East Sutton, Kent, England and died ca. 1406 in East Sutton, Kent, England. His parents were John Filmere II and Joanne (surname unknown). His wife is unknown and it is unknown if there were and other children than their son John.

21. John Filmer I -- John was born in 1320 in Otterden Parish, East Sutton, Kent, England and died in ca. 1389 East Sutton, Kent, England. His wife's name is unkown. John's parents were John de Fynemere Sr. and Joanne (surname unknown). There are very few records about John other than a land deed of 1378. He lived during the period of the Hundred Years' War as well as the Black Death, which greatly reduced the European population which opened opportunities for considerable improvement in material prosperity of the Filmer family.


22. John de Fynemere (Sr.) -- John was born ca. 1278 in Ottenge, Kent, England and died ca. 1329 in East Sutton, Kent, England. In about 1315, John married Joanne (Joan), born ca. 1280 in Otterdon, Kent, England and died ca. 1380 in Kent, England. His parents were Simon de Fynemere and Sarah (surname unknown). A 1378 land deed involving John begins with the following statement: "I, Roger Pistor of Lenham give etc. to John de Fynmere and Joan his wife and heirs of the said John all that my tenements which I lately purchased of Robert Godard lying in the vill of Otryngden, in a place called Fynmere round about the tenement of the said John de Fynmere ...." In the deed, not only is John de Fynmere mentioned but also the location of a place called Fynmere. In later deeds of 1436 and 1467 the place 'Filmer' is said to contain in all some 40 acres but its exact location is not described. It is unknown if there were and other children than their son John.

23. Simon de Fynemere -- Simon was born ca. 1250 in East Sutton, Kent, England and died ca. 1311 in
Ottenge, England. Simon's wife was named Sarah (surname unknown; born ca.1253). Simon's parents are unknown but he is thought to have had at least two brothers named  John de Fynemere and Edward de Fynemere. Although little is known of Simon, an intriguing entry occurs in a Calendar of Close Rolls. In 1311 the Sheriff of Kent was ordered to release a Simon de Fynemere together with several others from around that area who were imprisoned in Canterbury Castle. Why they were imprisoned in Canterbury Castle is not at all clear but they obviously had been acting as a group, possibly for political motives. No further ancestry is known prior to Simon and Sarah de Fynemere.

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