WILLIAMS, Philip (by 1519-58 or later), of Ipswich, Suff.

Philip Williams was one of three brothers of Welsh descent living in Ipswich. Their father was the first of the family to adopt the surname Williams but the circumstances of its migration to East Anglia have not come to light. Williams himself first appears in 1540 when he was fined 6s.8d. by the corporation for ‘colouring foreigners’ goods’. He evidently prospered as a merchant and in 1545 he was assessed for the subsidy on £20 in goods as a resident of the west ward. Five years later he began the brief municipal career which culminated in his election when treasurer to the Parliament of 1558; he remitted half his parliamentary ‘fee’. These are the last references found to him unless he is to be identified with the Philip Williams alias Footman who in May 1556 had given evidence against ‘such as favoured the gospel at Ipswich’ and who early in Elizabeth’s reign had a house in St. Mary Tower, Churchgate there. According to the visitation pedigree, Williams died without issue.3Bacon, 216, 251; E179/181/270; Foxe, Acts and Mons. viii. 598; Ipswich treasurers’ accts. 1559-60.