Sir William Wrey, 1st Baronet


Sir William Wrey, 1st Baronet of Trebeigh, St Ive, Cornwall and North Russell, Sourton, Devon, was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1598 and was created a baronet by King Charles I in 1628.

Origins

He was the second son of John Wrey by his wife Blanch Killigrew, heiress of Trebeigh, daughter and heiress of Henry Killigrew, Esquire, of Woolstone, in the parish of Poundstock, near St Ive, in Cornwall.

Inheritance

William succeeded his childless elder brother John II Wrey, who had married Eleanor Smith, daughter and heiress of Bernard Smith, Esquire, of Totnes in Devon, MP for Totnes in 1558 and mayor of Totnes 1549-50 and c.1565-6 also was escheator of Devon and Cornwall 1567-8.

Career

William was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1598. and was knighted at Whitehall on 27 July 1603 before the Coronation of King James I. He played a leading figure in the local government of Cornwall. He served as a Deputy Lieutenant and a Commissioner of Oyer and Terminer. He served in the honorary post of Recorder of Liskeard from about 1615 to his death. He was created a baronet by King Charles I in 1628. He was described by Carew as a man of hospitality, and a general welcomer of his friends and neighbours.

Lands held

He added to his patrimony inherited from his brother, much of which formed his mother's Killigrew inheritance, and at his death he owned over 6,000 acres including four manors in Cornwall and a share in four others.

Marriage and children

He married Elizabeth Courtenay, a daughter of Sir William V Courtenay of Powderham in Devon by whom he had an only son and heir: