John “Johan” Hotchkiss

Personal and Family Information

John was born about 1538, the son of Richard Hotchkiss and Margret. The place is not known.

He had two marriages/partners. His first wife was Johanne, who he married in ABT 1558. The place has not been found. Their only known child was William (c1560-?).

His second wife was Anne Hale, who he married on 4 NOV 1560 in All Saints, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, England. They had no known children.

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Notes

Note 1

!Note: The theory is that Richard and Margaret moved from Shropshire to Worcestershire prior to John’s baptism between 1535 and 1539. John at 13 years of age was most likely not named in his father’s 1552 will. It is possible that he hd been separately given the families Worcestershire property before his father’s death, as the will was all about Shropshire. He may also have been apprenticed there as per the law of the time. His omission suggests he was considered provided for, and was no longer part of the Uppington household when the will was written.

Note: Johan was likely born in mid-1538, shortly after the family’s move from Uppington to Worcester. His baptism was delayed until 21 Oct 1539, likely due to household instability during the transition. By then, he was weaned, allowing his mother Margaret to travel separately. While visiting possible extended family in Barford, she gave birth to Maude, who was ill from birth. Margaret remained there with Maude until the child’s death and burial in November, while Johan stayed in Worcester with his father.

!Note: The year 1539 was a defining and traumatic period for the Hotchkiss family. As descendants of minor nobility, with at least one deceased knight as grandfather and probable landholdings in multiple counties, the family navigated both personal tragedy and the responsibilities of inherited status. That year, Robert Hotchkiss Sr. and his extended household undertook multiple long-distance journeys between Barford , Worcester, and Houghton Regis —a 90-mile route that would have taken at least a week by wagon, especially with pregnant women and small children aboard.

Given the known dangers of the roads at the time, including robbery and lawless areas, they likely traveled with armed escort. These journeys—likely tied to marriage, estate, or mercantile obligations—coincided with the deaths of Joan , Robert Jr I , and Maude . Surviving sons William and Robert Jr II were likely born during or shortly after this ordeal.

The family’s presence across multiple regions, along with shifting dialects and clerical habits, led to numerous spelling variations of the surname in official records—appearing alternately as Hotchkiss, Hawkins, Hodgkins, and Hoskins. These events, combined with the burden of travel and infant mortality, reshaped the family’s structure and may explain Robert’s remarriage later that same year.

Children & Events

Joan

Born ~1537 before things got complicated. Traveled with parents as an infant.

John Hotchkiss

Born ~1538, likely in Worcester where his family was relocating.

Traveled with his father to Barford in 1539 during family movements.

Baptized 21 Oct 1539 in Worcester, likely belatedly, while accompanying his father on a return trip.

Robert Jr. I

Baptized 23 Jan 1539 in Barford, suggesting his parents were staying temporarily with family.

Later buried in Barford, Nov 1539 — possibly never fully well.

William & Robert Jr II

Born August 1539 in Houghton Regis, after Robert had returned home.

Joan died shortly after the twin’s birth, and they appear to have survived.

Maude

Baptized 25 Sep 1539 in Barford, born while her mother stayed with extended family.

Died 16 Nov 1539, burial regester entry in Barford next to Robert Jr I.

Interpretation

Barford served as a central family support hub, possibly tied to their father's household.

The brothers' wives may have gone there for childbirth support, with the men traveling in and out.

John, being older and weaned, could travel easily with his father.

The year saw the loss of three children and may have deeply impacted the family's future movements and decisions.

!Source: England Births & Baptisms 1538-1975 https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=R_939754277&tab=this

First name Johan

Father's first name -

Last name Hodgekins

Father's last name -

Sex Female <<< Note: There is no indication of sex in the original and Johan is a male form of John.

Mother's first name -

Baptism year 1539

Record set England Births & Baptisms 1538-1975

Baptism date 21 Oct 1539

Category Birth, Marriage & Death

Place Worcester

Subcategory Parish Baptisms

County Worcestershire

Collections from England, Great Britain

Country England

!Source: England Births & Baptisms 1538-1975 https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=R_945955907&tab=this

First name Thomas

Father's first name John

Last name Hawckines

Father's last name Hawckines

Sex Male

Mother's first name Margerie <<< Identification of John’s wife Margerie

Baptism year 1550

Record set England Births & Baptisms 1538-1975

Baptism date 10 Apr 1550

Category Birth, Marriage & Death

Place Alstone

Subcategory Parish Baptisms

County Worcestershire

Collections from England, Great Britain

Country England