Richard was born about 1503 in Shropshire, England, the son of William Hotchkiss / Hoskins and Jone.
He died about 1553 in England.
His wife was Sybil Hodgkinson. They were married, but the date and place have not been found. Their eleven known children were Thomas (c1529-1607), Richard (c1531-1592), John “Johan” (c1538-?), Maude (c1539-c1539), Richard (c1540-?), Humphrey (c1541-?), Joane (c1541-?), Margaret (c1543-?), Anne (c1545-?), Henry (c1546-c1560) and Edward (c1550-?).
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| Event | Date | Details | Source | Multimedia | Notes | ||
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| Birth | ABT 1503 |
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| Death | ABT 1553 |
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| Burial | ABT 1553 |
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Note 1
!StyleName: Hotchkiss, Richard of Uppington [~1508 - ~1553]
Note: The year 1539 was a defining and traumatic period for the Hotchkiss family. As descendants of minor nobility, with at least one deceased knight as grandfather and probable landholdings in multiple counties, the family navigated both personal tragedy and the responsibilities of inherited status. That year, Robert Hotchkiss Sr. and his extended household undertook multiple long-distance journeys between Barford , Worcester, and Houghton Regis —a 90-mile route that would have taken at least a week by wagon, especially with pregnant women and small children aboard.
Given the known dangers of the roads at the time, including robbery and lawless areas, they likely traveled with armed escort. These journeys—likely tied to marriage, estate, or mercantile obligations—coincided with the deaths of Joan , Robert Jr I , and Maude . Surviving sons William and Robert Jr II were likely born during or shortly after this ordeal.
The family’s presence across multiple regions, along with shifting dialects and clerical habits, led to numerous spelling variations of the surname in official records—appearing alternately as Hotchkiss, Hawkins, Hodgkins, and Hoskins. These events, combined with the burden of travel and infant mortality, reshaped the family’s structure and may explain Robert’s remarriage later that same year.
Children & Events
Joan
Born ~1537 before things got complicated. Traveled with parents as an infant.
John Hotchkiss
Born ~1538, likely in Worcester where his family was relocating.
Traveled with his father to Barford in 1539 during family movements.
Baptized 21 Oct 1539 in Worcester, likely belatedly, while accompanying his father on a return trip.
William I
Born abt 1536. Buried in Southill, Bedfordshire 2 Jun 1539. Traveled with his family as a toddler.
Robert Jr. I
Baptized 23 Jan 1539 in Barford, suggesting his parents were staying temporarily with family.
Later buried in Barford, Nov 1539 — possibly never fully well.
William II & Robert Jr II
Born August 1539 in Houghton Regis, after Robert had returned home.
Joan died shortly after the twin’s birth, and they appear to have survived.
Maude
Baptized 25 Sep 1539 in Barford, born while her mother stayed with extended family.
Died 16 Nov 1539, burial regester entry in Barford next to Robert Jr I.
Interpretation
Barford served as a central family support hub, possibly tied to their father's household.
The brothers' wives may have gone there for childbirth support, with the men traveling in and out.
John, being older and weaned, could travel easily with his father.
The year saw the loss of three children and may have deeply impacted the family's future movements and decisions.
!Source: Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield And Coventry Wills And Probate 1521-1860 https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FSTAFF%2FWILLS%2F310732&tab=this
Place Uppington, Telford, Shropshire, England
First name[s] Richard
Last name Hochekys
Year 1553
Will year 1552
Probate year 1553
Parish Uppington
County Shropshire
Country England
Series description Registered wills and original wills, administrations and inventories, 1494-1860, and, act books, 1532-1638 for Diocese of Lichfield Episcopal Consistory Court
Piece description Original wills, administrations, inventories
Piece surname range H
Piece year range 1549-1554
Record set Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield And Coventry Wills And Probate 1521-1860
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Wills & Probate
Collections from England, Great Britain
Image: https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=GBPRS%2FSTAFF%2F007620814%2F00496&parentid=GBPRS%2FSTAFF%2FWILLS%2F310732
Cover image, inventory and will
Notes: from image:
To be burried in Uppington
Thomas Hochekys my Son
Annes Hochekys my Daughter
Elizabeth Hochekys my Daughter
Mget Hochekys my Wyff
Rychard Hochekys my Son
Dated 26 May 1552
!Source: www.findmypast.co.uk Record Transcription: Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield And Coventry Wills And Probate 1521-1860
Place Uppington, Shropshire, England
First name[s] Richd
Last name Hochkyes
Year 1553
Will year 1553
Parish Uppington
County Shropshire
Country England
Series description Registered wills and original wills, administrations and inventories, 1494-1860, and, act books, 1532-1638 for Diocese of Lichfield Episcopal Consistory Court
Piece description Calendar of wills and admons.
Piece surname range A-L
Piece year range 1494-1650
Record set Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield And Coventry Wills And Probate 1521-1860
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Wills & Probate
Collections from England, Great Britain
Note from image: Probate date 3 October 1553.