WAY, Thomas (d.1596), of St. George’s, Southwark, Surr.

Way was keeper of a Southwark prison for the greater part of 40 years, a vestryman of St. George’s parish, and owner of a local tavern called the Queen’s Arms. His Southwark property was valued at £15 in the 1593/4 subsidy.

In the 1572 Parliament, Way sat on committees concerned with the poor (11 Feb. 1576) and with inn-holders and tipplers, (17 Feb. 1576).

Described as ‘yeoman’ in the 1559 pardon roll, by the time he made his will on 25 May 1596 he was a ‘gentleman’. His wish was to be buried ‘in Christian manner without vain pomp or ceremony’. The local poor benefited, likewise his fellow-vestrymen who had £3 ‘for a drinking’ and the Vintners’ Company of which he was a member. The only child mentioned was an infirm son, placed in the care of cousins, at an annuity of £20. Way’s widow and executrix inherited valuables as well as the Queen’s Arms. The other principal heir was a nephew, who was instructed to recover sums due from the lord chamberlain and his son, Sir Edward Carey. The will was proved on 15 June 1596.1CPR, 1558-60, p. 179; Surr. Arch. Colls.xviii. 183; CSP Dom. 1581-90, p. 243; 1591-4, p. 310; APC, xii. 271-2; D’Ewes, 247; CJ, i. 105, 106; PCC 50 Drake.