William Charles
Mayor of Oxford 1633/4
William Charles alias Griffeth (c.1590–1646) was admitted free on 23 September 1614, and was immediately awarded a bailiff’s place on the council, paying £6 13s. 4d., 4s. 6d., and 2s. 6d.
Charles had at least nine children:
- Elizabeth (born before 1613, as she married Richard Bull at Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1627)
- Catherine (baptised at St Giles' Church on 3 January 1616/17)
- William (baptised at St Giles' Church on 16 July 1619)
- John I (baptised at St Giles' Church on 26 October 1620, buried there 18 April 1621)
- Jane (baptised at St Giles' Church on 20 May 1622)
- John II (baptised at St Giles' Church on 19 August 1623)
- Susanna (baptised at St Giles Church on 6 February 1625/6)
- Roger (baptised at St Giles' Church on 18 November 1628)
- Sarah (baptised at St Giles' Church on 5 April 1631, buried there on 6 May 1631).
Charles was made Junior Bailiff on 16 September 1622, but it was not until nearly ten years later, on 21 February 1632, that he was unanimously elected one of the eight Assistants. On 17 September that same year he was chosen as Mayor, requesting that William Cole and Thomas Ayers be admitted free and choosing Edward Daniel as his Child.
In 1641 his eldest son William died and was buried at St Giles' Church. By this time Charles is described as a gentleman.
In 1643 Charles gave £10 towards the £520 presented to the King by the City after the Battle of Edgehill. On 18 August that year he was elected an Alderman.
In September 1644 Charles was one of the two candidates chosen to stand for Mayor, but the Commons chose the other one this time. On 25 March 1645 he was elected a Coroner.
Charles died in June 1646.
See also:
- MS Wills Oxon Bd 107.88; 162/4/18