ELSDEN, Christopher (d.c.1609), of Lyme Regis, Dorset.

Elsden’s assessment for ship money in 1596 was the highest in Lyme. He represented the borough in one Parliament, and it was at his house that the assize judges stayed in 1599. He resigned from the corporation in pique after failing to be elected to a second mayoralty in 1606. He still owned property at Lyme in 1608 and had died by 15 Feb. 1609, when his will (made 20 July 1603) was proved. He left 40s. to the poor of the borough, £500 to his brother Henry and his children, and remembered his son-in-law George Turhill and his wife’s son Nicholas Holcombe. ‘My now wife’ Frances was sole executrix and residuary legatee.1Roberts thesis; PCC 15 Dorset; Lyme Regis recs., reg. of freemen; ct. bk. cal. 1592-1602, pp. 15, 25; 1604-8, p. 31; 1613-27, pp. 2, 221; council order bk.; fugitive pieces; G. Roberts, Hist. Lyme Regis and Charmouth, 356; Cam. Misc. iv(2), p. 34.