Heraldry & Genealogy.- Erdeswick [Erdeswicke] (Sampson, of Sandon, Cheshire, antiquary, c. 1538-1603) "Erdeswick M.S. Pedigree of the Cholmundeleigh Family A.D. 1597" [title from spine label], manuscripts, comprising: (1). a large watercolour coat of arms of the Cholmondeley family, quartered with numerous associated families in red, gold, red, blue and other colours, 1597, (2). Autograph Letter signed "S: Erdeswick" to Sir Hugh Cholmondeley, 1p., folio, London, 17th November 1597, explaining the details of the draft of the pedigree of the Cholmondeley he has been working on, "Sir at the lengthe I hae founde a time to trace forth ye dissente according to ye noats I have receved of yor evidence such recorded as myself have... and whereof noe appearance sheweth (as yet) to contradict the same," (3). Autograph manuscript pedigree of the Cholmondeley family, in a fine italic hand, 2pp., and on verso of last page a note in Latin on the Minshull family, together 3pp., 1597; (4). [Alphabetical listing of various noble families], 218pp., manuscript in secretarial and italic hands, ruled in red throughout, n.d.; (5). "The names of the Earles and nobilitie of England that have enioied there Customs and dignitie by dissente from ye Conqueror unto this presente daie and of Brief declaraton of theire matchinge in mariage with noble houses from time to time...", manuscript, 27pp., n.d.; (6). The Assise of Armes, manuscript, 6pp., n.d.; (7). "John Newton. A brief note... of the yearlie value of all the landes ffees and fformes of Sir John Savage knight...", 5pp., manuscript, in Latin and English,n.d.; (8). Wever (Robert, of Nantwich) [Heraldic note of families with a description of their coats of arms], 2pp., ink inscription: "Thes blasens found amongst the manusscripte of Mr Woodnoth of Shavington who was a great affecte. of Pedigrie antiquites, and who maried a daughtr of Mr Robt Cooke als Clarenciuex Kinge of Armes... Robt Wever ano 1694", laid in, folds, slightly soiled, 1694, together 258pp. excluding blanks, all autograph manuscripts (all but the last by Erdeswick), bound in differing order, some foxing and marking, very small stains at head of some ff., 19th century dark blue velvet over thick wooden boards, corners rubbed, velvet fading, joints splitting, spine worn, leather and gilt label on spine, edges chipped, g.e., folio, 1597-1694.

⁂ Sampson Erdeswick was the son of of Hugh Erdeswick of Sandon, Staffordshire (1520/21-1596), and Mary, daughter of Roger Leigh of Ridge in Sutton Downe, Cheshire. The Erdeswick family took their name from their estate of that name in Minshull Vernon, Cheshire; a note relating to Minshull is at the end of this manuscript. Erdewick entered Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1553, and in 1555 was admitted to the Inner Temple. The family was staunchly Roman Catholic and along with his father, Erdeswick was in constant trouble for recusancy. Sampson Erdeswick's main activity was that of an antiquary, and to his friend William Camden he was 'venerandae antiquitatis cultor maximus' ('a very great reverencer of venerable antiquity'; Camden, 518). In 1586, at Sampson's request, Robert Glover, Somerset herald, wrote and emblazoned the Erdeswick pedigree. About 1593 Erdeswick began work on what he called a 'View' of Staffordshire and Cheshire, unfinished at his death in 1603.

Sir Hugh Cholmondeley (1552-1601), soldier and local politician; married Mary Holford (bap. 1563, d. 1625), litigant; daughter of Christopher Holford of Holford Hall.

Robert Cooke (d. 1593), herald.