Constituency Dates
Maldon 1572
Family and Education
1st s. of William Gent of Steeple Bumpstead by his 2nd w. Agnes, da. and h. of Thomas Carr of Thurlow, Suff. educ. ?Christ’s, Camb. 1548; M. Temple c.1551, called by Nov. 1567. m. (1) Elizabeth (d.1585), da. and h. of John Swallow of Bocking, Essex, 7s. 6da.; (2) c.1586, Elizabeth, sis. of Morgan Robyns, wid. of Robert Hogeson of London, s.p. suc. fa. c.1559. Kntd. 1585.1Vis. Essex (Harl. Soc. xiii), 14, 106, 202; Morant, Essex, 353-4.
Offices Held

J.p. Maldon 567, Essex from 1571; of counsel to Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, and steward of his courts 1571; alderman, Maldon 1568, recorder 1569 – ?86; Lent reader, M. Temple 1571 and 1573, bencher, M. Temple 1571; serjeant-at-law 1584; baron of the Exchequer and justice of assize for Essex 1586; freeman, Southampton 1592.2Essex RO, DB1/6/48, 57, 87, assize file 35/13/5; Al. Cant. i(2), p. 206; Haydn, Dignities, 384; Trans. Essex Arch. Soc. i. 87; Morant, ii. 354; HMC 11th Rep. III, 21.

Address
Main residence: Moynes, Steeple Bumpstead, Essex.
biography text

Gent was the ‘glory and ornament’ of a yeoman family established at Moynes since the fourteenth century. During his one Parliament, sitting for his local borough, he served on nine committees, concerning outlawries (12 May 1572), Middlesex jurors (19, 22 May), juries (5 Mar. 1576), benefit of clergy (7 Mar.), collateral warranties (7 Mar.), statutes of the staple (28 Jan. 1581), Dover harbour (4 Mar.) and the draining of Erith and Plumstead marshes (8 Mar.). A speech is also recorded in his name on 22 May 1572 concerning Middlesex freeholders.3Morant, ii. 353; CJ, i. 94, 96, 97, 111, 120, 131, 132; D’Ewes 206, 212, 213; Trinity, Dublin Thos. Cromwell’s jnl. f. 35.

He served on a number of commissions and inquiries, devoted part of his wealth to rebuilding Moynes in or about 1590, and his children married well. He died intestate in 1593 and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead.4Lansd. 57, f. 52; APC, xviii. 276; xx. 315; Trans. Essex Arch. Soc. n.s. iii. 119; Morant, ii. 353-4; PCC admon. act bk. 1593, f. 65.

Author
J.H.
Volume
Commons 1558-1603
Notes
  • 1. Vis. Essex (Harl. Soc. xiii), 14, 106, 202; Morant, Essex, 353-4.
  • 2. Essex RO, DB1/6/48, 57, 87, assize file 35/13/5; Al. Cant. i(2), p. 206; Haydn, Dignities, 384; Trans. Essex Arch. Soc. i. 87; Morant, ii. 354; HMC 11th Rep. III, 21.
  • 3. Morant, ii. 353; CJ, i. 94, 96, 97, 111, 120, 131, 132; D’Ewes 206, 212, 213; Trinity, Dublin Thos. Cromwell’s jnl. f. 35.
  • 4. Lansd. 57, f. 52; APC, xviii. 276; xx. 315; Trans. Essex Arch. Soc. n.s. iii. 119; Morant, ii. 353-4; PCC admon. act bk. 1593, f. 65.