Our Duxford family lineage starts with one John Duxford, of Ashwell, Hertsfordshire, who was born ca 1510. His surname Duxford derives from the village of Duxford, County Cambridgeshire which is 15 miles northeast of Ashwell. Nothing is known of his earlier ancestors from Duxford. John married, in Ashwell ca 153x, Agnes (–) who was probably born ca 151x and died after 26 April 1569, both in Ashwell. Her surname and ancestry is unknown. The only record we have of John Duxford, other than his last will and testament, is that he was listed on the 1545 subsidy (tax) roll at Clothall, a parish located 4 ½ miles south of Ashwell. Since neither a Parish Register nor a Bishop’s Transcript for Ashwell before 1604 have survived, John’s will is the only source of information we have relative to his family. That his son Richard was the same Richard who later appeared in Westmill seems fairly certain. The surname “Duxford” is rather unique and the chronology fits. Westmill is ten miles southeast of Ashwell.

John Duxford died sometime after 12 Feb. 1558, when his will was written and before 26 April 1559, the date his will was proved. The tenor of his will suggests that his children were in their late teens or early twenties. For some reason he was concerned that his wife might need outside help in settling his estate. An abstract of his will follows.

“12 February 1558 - the will of John Duxford of Ashwell, county Hertford –sick in body–to be buried in the churchyard of Ashwell–to goddaughter, James’s wife, a swarm of bees–to Dorothy my daughter a feather bed, bolster, cupbord, coverlet, 3 pairs of sheets, a table form, brass pot, kettle and six quarters of malt– Richard my son to have 6 quarters of malt, 3 of them being his own–James my son to have 5 marks (1 mark equal 13 shilling four pence) for three years and then he to give it to his brother John , and he to receive it at the feast of All Saints next of John Brown–Agnes ny wife to have residue, she to be executrix. Sir William Wilson, curate of Ashwell, to be supervisor, desiring him to be so good to go to the the ordinary with my wife to see this probated. If any man do stop, let or hinder her right, I will she will complain to Mr. Byll whom I trust will not suffer her to be oppressed.” Witnesses: Sir William Wilson, curate, John Johnson , James Duxforth. Proved 26 April 1559 at Baldoke. Summary of Inventory L7.8S.1P.

Obviously, John Duxford was a man of modest means. We can assume that he was a “tiller of the soil” and probably a tenant farmer as there is no mention of land in his will. Lacking evidence to the contrary, we can also assume that he was a responsible citizen and a God fearing man. John and Agnes (–) Duxford had four children, i.e., three sons and one daughter all of whom are assumed to be born in Ashwell. Son James, the eldest, was married by 1557/58, his wife being a “god daughter” of Jame’s father John Duxford. Nothing is known of son John or daughter Dorothy.
References:FH9:3574,7148.

Richard Duxford, the second son and third child of John and Agnes (–) Duxford, was born in Ashwell, Hertfordshire ca 1535-1540 and died in Westmill, Hertfordshire on 23 April 1622. He married , ca 156x at Westmill, Herts., Joan (–) who was born ca 154x and died 24 Sept. 1616, both at Westmill. Her surname and ancestry is not known.

Richard Duxford seems to have been the first of the Duxford name to settle in Westmill, Herts. which is located 16 miles southeast of Ashwell, Herts. Again it is assumed, based upon his will, that Richard was a tenant farmer of modest means. His last will and testament does provide a degree of information relative to his family. An abstract of his will and inventory follows.

“23 March 1618 – the will of Richard Duxford of Westmill, Hertfordshire, a husbandman ( a farmer) – weak in body – to daughter Joan Darde my tenement with appurtenances and one half acre of ground whereon it standeth, namely the house wherein Francis Wyman now dwelleth – to Agnes Duxford, Joan Duxford, Clement Duxford, Richard Duxford and Elizabeth Duxford my son William Duxford’s children, to each of them 6s. 8d., the eldest within one year, the next eldest the next year, the third eldest the third year, the youngest at age 21, to be paid by my daughter Joan Darde out of the tenement – to Katherine Richardson my daughter one messuage (a dwelling house with its adjacent buildings) or tenement now called Barwicke wherein she now dwelleth – to Agnes, Joan, William, Clement, Richard, and Elizabeth Duxford my son William’s children, to each of them 6s 8d to be paid by my daughter Katherine in same way as payments by daughter Joan – to Elizabeth Wyman one chamber at the east end of the tenement wherein I now lie if she fortune to be a widow, for as long as she remain a widow – to Katherine Richardson my daughter one feather bed and bolster – rest of my moveable goods unbequeathed to my daughters Joan Darde and Katherine Richardson, they to be executors. Signed by mark. Proved 2 July 1622 by the daughters”. The inventory including one “cowe at 46 shilling 8 pence” amounted to L5 3s 6d. The inventory reflects the consideration of all worldly goods which tells a lot about the life and means of a tenant farmer. From the above will above we would conclude that daughter Joan who married John Darde would be carrying on as the “tenant farmer”.

Richard and Joan (–) Duxford had four children, two sons and two daughters, who we assume were all born in Westmill. The first son, Nicholas, was convicted of horse stealing and sentenced to be executed. First daughter Joan as mentioned above. The second daughter, Katherine, our ancestor follows. The second son, William, married and eventually acquired free land.
References: FH9:1787, 3574, 7148; FH54:284.

Katherine Duxford, the second daughter and third child of Richard and Joan (–) Duxford, was born ca 1570+/- and died 16 March 1631 at Westmill, Herts.. She married, on 24 August 1590 at Westmill, Herts., Thomas Richardson who was born in 1570 at Standon, Herts and died 08 Jan. 1633 at Westmill, Herts. His ancestry is unknown.
References:FH9:1787,3574; FH54:284:FH29:834; PH165:1931; PH212:V3:216.