James F Gallimore

Sir Symon Degge James F Gallimore

He 'served in barrister's robes with a sword by his side'. Sir Symon Degge came from a Staffordshire family of country gentleman and yeoman farmers but sought a different way of life. He trained as a lawyer and dispensed justice as a judge, magistrate and High Sheriff in 17th century England, and Wales. He once gaoled a bishop for slander, but guided Noah, the Derby counterfeiter (who had launched an 'ark' on the river as a cover for his illegal operation) away from the hangman's noose. Symon Degge is a minor celebrity in his home town of Uttoxeter but little known elsewhere. Imprisoned during the Civil War as a Royalist his career advanced rapidly during the following Restoration period. Becoming an eminent judge, he was knighted by Charles II. Twice married, Sir Symon Degge made contacts who were able to assist him in reaching a position of prominence. During a long life his success and high status brought him property and wealth. Degge put his knowledge and experience to good use in writing his book 'The Parson's Counsellor', a clergyman's guide on legal matters. He was also a noted antiquarian with a particular interest in writing about the history of his native county. Short biographies of Sir Symon Degge have been written, but this is the first account which describes his life and times in detail. This book traces his Staffordshire roots but also follows up with further accounts, describing the fate or fortune of his descendants, the wider Degge family including the Degge settlers in Virginia, as well other relations. A wealth of carefully researched genealogical information, presented in the form of a series of pedigree charts is used in support, explaining the connections between individuals mentioned. Descendants and other relations of Sir Symon Degge included a supposed ghost, a lunatic, Fellows of the Royal Society, wealthy ladies who enjoyed Georgian society in Bath, and those who found a new life in America. An extremely wealthy young lady married the son of a duke, but was she a Degge?The 'lunatic' died without obvious heirs. Claims were made on his estate. What would become of the Degge inheritance? We follow a property trail back through the generations. The story of Sir Symon Degge, his family and other relations begins in Tudor times, and is described against a background of great change through the Stuart period, and into the reign of George III. The book also give a flavour of this history, with many footnotes being used to give further explanatory information, and set the scene during the period in which these individuals lived.