EARTHE, Roger (d.1589), of Dinton, Wilts.

Earthe was a servant of the earls of Pembroke, described as a gentleman usher when he attended the 1st Earl’s funeral in 1570. He held his farm and lands at Dinton as a Pembroke tenant. He also owned lands at Stockley, the farm of Wylye, Wiltshire, and the parsonage of Weekes Regis, Dorset. The subsidy return of 1576 assessed him at £15 for lands in Coilingborne Kingston, Sutton and Valence, Wiltshire. By marriage he acquired lands in Hampshire. He was approaching the end of his life when the 2nd Earl of Pembroke brought him into Parliament for his borough of Wilton. On 11 Feb. 1585 he was given leave to depart from Parliament on account of ill health. By his will, made 24 Mar. and proved 3 May 1589, Earthe devised Dinton, with its stock, and other property to his wife, the sole executrix, with reversion to Joseph, son of William Earthe, rector of Langtree, Devon.1Wilts. Arch. Mag. xviii. 128-30; Wilts. Vis. Peds. (Harl. Soc. cv, cvi), 53; PCC 44 Leicester; D’Ewes, 347; C2.Eliz./0.2/54; Two Taxation Lists (Wilts. Arch. Soc. recs. br. x), 79.