The Coleshill Family

Blanche (Colshill) Smyth

Father: William Colshill

Mother: Catherine (West) Colshill

Married: _____ Smyth
This marriage occurred before 26 November 1557, when Blanche is described as married to Smyth in the will of her brother, Nicholas.

Blanche's husband was possibly Thomas Smyth. Thomas's tomb in St Laurence, Blackmore, Essex has an effigy of Thomas and his second wife, Margaret, and the inscription, now lost, was recorded by William Holman (Essex Record Office T/P 195/9), transcribed at Blackmore Area Local History
Heere under lyeth the bodye of Thomas Smith
Esquier extracted owt of the lys of right worth
and worthie Ancestors together ye meoriall
of his wifes and chilren whoe was first married to
Blanch daughter of Nicholas Colsill I ye Coutie
of Midd. Esquier by whom he had 2 sones and 2
daughters & secindlie married to Margarete
daughter & heire to John Turner in ye Countie
of Essex Esquier by whome he had 6 sonnes & 4
daughters which Margaret being after married
to Stephen Powle Knight in performance to him
and his above due sacred rites & in testimonie
to the Worlde and her love & sorrow did dedicate
to present and succeeding ages this sad & lasting
monument. He lived in the feare of God 70
yeares and Dyed in his favour ye 10th of May 1594
 
Factors in favour of this being Blanche's husband are the occurrence of the somewhat unusual name Blanche Colshill combined with the Smyth surname that we know Blanche married into from the will of Blanche's brother, Nicholas, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606) which has "I bequeath unto my brother Smyth and my sister Blanche his wif". Factoring against it is that this inscription clearly describes Blanche and the daughter of Nicholas Colshill, while "our" Blanche (and her brother Nicholas) were children of William Colshill (see William will at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)).

One other piece of evidence, slightly in favour of this connection, is that some sources (e.g. Visitations of Essex part 1 in Publications of the Harleian Society vol 13 p488 (1878)) show Blanche and Thomas Smythe having a son named Francis, who was apparently disinherited by his father and married the daughter of Sir Henry Billigsley, Alderman of London). The will of another brother of Blanche's, Thomas Colshill, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/85/243) mentions a "cossen Francis Smith"
... I the sayed Thomas Colshill doe by this my last will and testament appoynte and declare the sayed Annuitie or Yearly rente to be ??? and hereafter followeth if the sayed Elizabeth Dacres shall fortune to die before she shall accomplish the sayed age of one and twentie yeares at it aforesayed that is to saye firste I give and bequeathe to my cossen fFrancis Smith one hundered markes

Notes:
Blanche is named, last (but the only daughter) in a list of seven children, in the will of her father, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 (at which time she was a minor) and proved 13 September 1540 at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
... And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried

Blanche, and her husband Smyth, are named in the will of Blanche's brother, Nicolas Colshill, dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606). The wording implies that Blanche did not have children at this date.
... Item I bequeath unto my brother Smyth and my sister Blanche his wif asmuche blacke clothe as will make eche of them a gowne and more unto my sister Blanche to thintent she may give it to any of her children which she shall think be meete at therr daye of mariage xxx li in mony willing my brother Smyth to have the thoccupacion therof during that tyme, putting in suerties for the same to my executours, And if so be it that my said sister dye wtout yssue of her bodye as god defende it shulde so be I will she to have it during her life And then to retourne to ny executours. Also I will a ringe of golde price xxs to my sistr Blanche with a deathes hed.
... Item I will my brothr Smyth to be paide for my bonnde for the tyme I was with hym according to the bargayne made betwene us, whiche was for my bonnde my ??? and my housse founde at his charge for xli the yere Item I will Syb my sisters maide to have asmuche blacke cloth as will make her a gowne                      

Sources:

George Colshill

Birth: about 1524
George was admitted to the Mercer's Company, presumably by patrimony since his father was the "master", in 1545 (Records of the London Livery Companies Online). This admission usually occurred when the new member reached the age of 21 (see City of London Livery Companies' Commission vol 1 p69n) indicating George's birth in 1524.

Father: William Colshill

Mother: Catherine (West) Colshill

Married: Sence (Draper) Cletherowe by license dated 16 October 1545 at London
Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued from the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury at London, 1543 to 1869 p5 (Joseph Lemuel Chester, 1886)
1545 Oct. 16 George Colcell & Sens Clithero, Widow, of dioc. London, Gent.

The Muniment Book held at Lambeth Palace Library (F I/A p. 157) contains slightly more detail, including the cost of the license
Oct. 16 George Colcell & Sens Clithero, widow, both of gentle birth, Lond. diocese Dispensation for marriage without banns in any church, outside the statutory times. 6s 8d.

The unusually named Sence or Sense was the daughter of John Draper and Agnes Gonson. She married firstly Henry Cletherowe with whom she had three sons, Robert, Thomas and Henry. Henry, her husband, died on 16 July 1545 and she married secondly George Colshill. After George's death in 1549 or 1550, Sense married a third time to (Thomas or John) Ibgrave. Sence is named in the will of her brother-in-law, Ellis Ibgrave dated 4 July 1563 (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/47/308) "I doe give unto my sister Sence Ibgrave all my leases for the terms of yeres yet to come of all my tenementes in the Barbican in London the whiche were late hers", which has the strong implication that Sence's Ibgrave husband was already dead by this date. Sence is also named in the will of her brother, Sir Christopher Draper, dated 22 July 1580 (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/63/312) "Item I give and bequeathe unto my Sister Seintz Ibgrave the some of fyve poundes of lawfull monutye of Englande" as well as two of her sons from her first marriage "Item I give and bequeathe unto Clement Draper, Henrie Cletherowe, Bartholomewe Wornell and Thomas Cletherowe to every one of them fortie shillinges un money and a blacke gowne of the price of tenne shillings a yarde". Sence died in October 1582.
The will of Sence Ibgrave, widow of London, dated 10 October 1582 and proved in 15 October 1582, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/64/435).
In the name of god amen The tenth daie of October One Thousande fyve hundred eightie two And in the foure and twentieth yere of the raigne of or soveraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth etc I Sence Ibgrave of London widow, being syke of body, but sounde of memorie and remembrance Laude and prsise I therefore render unto allmoghtie god, Doo therefore make and declare this my Testamente in forme following ffirst I give and bequeathe my soule to god And my body to be buried in Christian buriall at the discretion of my executor And as touchinge the order and disposition of such goods chattells houses, Landes, Tenementes and other things which god hathe endowed me withall I give and bequeathe the same in forme followinge ffyrst I bequeath to the poore people in the p'rishe of Langley in the countie of hartford the Somme of fortye shillings. Item I give to my daughter ffyton the one half of all the lynnen which to me belongeth in my house at Langley aforesaid Item I give to Anne Cletherowe my sonne henry Cletherowes daughter, one dalmask table clothe and a double ??? belonginge to it. Also I give Beniamyne Ibgrave, and William Ibgrave, and to Christopher Cletherowe to either of theme a sylver boll all gilte. Also I give to Henrye and Dixy Cletherowe my sonne Thomas Cleterowes children to either of theme three pounde sixe shillings eighte pence. Also I give and bequeathe unto my sonne Henry Cletherowe All that my messuage withe all the heriditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging, sett and beinge at or nere Paules wharffe, wherein one David Smythe or his assignes nowe dwelleth, To have and to houlde the same Messuage or Tenementes with the appurtenances unto the saide Henrie Cletherowe his heires and assignees  for ever. The residue of all my goodes chattells and other thinges, I give and bequeathe unto the sayd Thomas Cletherowe and Henrye Cletherowe, whom I make my executors. In witness whereof I have sette my hand and seale the daie and yeare above written.  The marke of the saide Sence.  Sealed and delyvered by the saide Sence Ibgrave as her Last will and testamente in the presence of me Robt Awgar ??? and Alyce Warde                             

Children: Occupation: Mercer
George was a mercer, of London. He obtained the freedom of the Mercers' Company, presumably by patrimony, in 1545 (Records of the London Livery Companies Online).

Notes:
George is named, the third in a list of seven children, in the will of his father, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 (at which time he was a minor) and proved 13 September 1540 at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
... And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried

The watermills bought by George Colshill described here are also found in George's will.
A History of the County of Huntingdon vol 2 pp309-314 (1932)
In 1534 Sir Richard Williams alias Cromwell leased to John Keche of Huntingdon, yeoman, for term of his life, and to his executors for 7 years after, 4 watermills in Hemingford Grey with all dams, etc., called 'Dame Rewes,' the Green before the door of the mills, and fishing in the dams, etc., and made a fresh lease in 1540 in reversion to Peter Smyth of London, gent., servant of Sir Richard, in consideration of his faithful service. Sub-leases to George Coleshill, citizen and merchant of London, and later by his widow Susan Coleshill to Thomas Wolley of Kempston (co. Bedford), to Roger Tetlow and to Richard Isacke followed

In 1549 George was involved in a property dispute with Miles Byre. At the time he was living in the parish of St Martin Vintry in the City of London.
London Viewers and their Certificates, 1508-1558: Certificates of the Sworn Viewers of the City of London pp85-104 (ed. Janet Senderowitz Loengard, 1989)
253. [C.48] 8 July 1549.
Parish of St. James in Garlickhithe. Variance between Miles Byre, pl., and George Colsell of the parish of St. Martin in the Vintry, def., concerning a house belonging to pl. The viewers say that there is a stone wall between pl. and def. on the NE side of pl.'s house; it is 27 ft. 2 in. in length from a lane called [blank] lane and now commonly called the Church Lane, stretching S to a party [?wall] of both parties. The viewers say that the wall is pl. 's all its length from the [?upper] side of the floor of the cellar upward; in the cellar, def. ought to have 13 in. of the wall between the parties. Also, pl. must keep and bear up the somers that stand in the walls at his cost and charges; afterwards, def. shall maintain them at his cost continually forever. Either party is to bear his own water at his own cost and charge, according to the [custom] of the City of London. Except etc.
Endorsed: 15 July A[nn]o 3 E[dwardi] 6 infert[ur] his vis[us] feo[dum] inde sol[utum]

Death: between 5 August 1549 and 27 February 1550
George's will, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/33/118), was dated 5 August 1549 and proved 27 February 1550

Will: The will of George Colshill, Mercer of London, dated 5 August 1549 and proved 27 February 1550, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/33/118). Although the date of the will is written as 5 August 1546, this must be in error as it also states that it is in the 3rd year of the reign of Edward VI, which puts the year as 1549. Edward VI ascended to the throne on 28 January 1547.
In the name of god amen The fifth day of August in the yere of or Lord god a Thousand five hundred ffortie and six and in the third yere of the reigne of or soveraign Lorde king Edwarde the sixte by the grace of god king of England France and Irelande defendor of the faithe and of the church of England and also of Irelande in earthe the Supreme Godd. I George Colshill Citizen and mercer of London being in good and parfitt memory laude and praise be to god make ordeyn and dispose this my p'nt testament conteyning herein my last will in manner and forme following, that is to say First and principalie I bequeath and comytt my soule unto almightie god my maker Savior and Redemer in whom and by the merittes of whose gloriouse and most blessed passion is my trustre and confidence of the remyssion and forgivenes of my synnes And my body to be buried where it shall please god to dispose for it. And I will that all suche debtes and dueties as I owe of right and confidence to any person or personnes shalbe well and trulie contented and paide by myne executrix undernamyd or ??? ordeyned so to be paide as my goodes shall stretche thereunto. And as touching and concerning thorder and dispo'tion of all and singular my Leases and termes of yeres, where I have ytt to come of and in all and singular the houses Landes tenementes and mylls wt their appurtenances hereafter rehersed and specified, that is to say all that my Lease interest and term of yeres which I have yt to come of and in those two tenements wt theire appurtenances sett lying and being in the parishe of Sainte Mary Woolchurch in the Citie of London to me graunted and letten for the terme of fifty yeres And also all that my Lease interest and terme of yeres which I have it to come of and in those two tenements and howses wt their appurtenences sett lying and being in Cornehill in the saide Citie of London in the parishe of Sainte Mary Wool church to me graunted and letten for the terme of thirty four yeres by one Mr Tate gent And also all that my Lease interest and terme of yeres of those two tenements wt their appurtenances sett lying and being in the parishe of Saint Botolph wtout Aldgate of London graunted for the terme of xxij yeres the which Lease I late hav bought of one William Curttys ??? and also all that my Lease interest and terme of yeres which I have it to come of and in those four mylls wt their appurtenances sett lying and being in Huntington shire which Lease I lately bought of one Peter Smythe gent late sarviant unto Sr Richard Cromwell knight graunted for the term of fifty yeres My very will and mynde is that Sense my wiffe shalhave thym all to her own proper use for ever to give to sell or to doo wt thym what soever she best likith. And as touching thorder and dispo'tion of all and singular my lande tenementes rentes reversions and ??? and other hereditaments whatsoever they be goodes chattels or of what kynde nature or quality soever they be which late was of William Colshill my ffather late Citizen and mercer of London deceased and that to me by and after his death did desende or that at any tyme hereafter by any right title use ??? way or means shall or may desende or come sett lying and being aswell in the town and parishe  of ??? and the precinct of the same, in the Countie of Middl as also where in any other Cuntry or State or place wtin this Realm of England I do give will and bequeath all the same in Lands and tenements with their appurtenances last above rehersed to the saide Sense my wiffe To have and to hold occupie take and ??? and enjoy all my said Landes and the proffittes rentes and yerely issues of the same comyng and growing to the saide Sense my wiffe and to her assigns during her liffe naturall but I will that the Leases before rehersed she shallow theyme to do whatsoever they will wt theyme and only ??? ??? the Lande that may ??? to me and to myn that is Thomas Colshill and mary Colshill my children by dessent of my ffather or by or otherwise howe soever it may be that she shalhave that land only for her liffe tyme. So that it passe not above twentie poundes by the yere and if she kept her unmaried to have all for the terme of her liffe hepinge the thinges in reparation, but of she doo marry then if she kept the saide Land in her hand she to be accomptable for the same to my saide two childrens behoofe when they shall come to their full age or be married the proffitt thereof equaly to be devided betwixte theyme bothe and then as nowe and nowe as then my will and very intent is that after the death of my saide wiffe Sense Colshill as before rehersed my sonne Thomas Colshill shalhave and enjoy all the same my Landes and tenementes so comying by descent wt other my said ??? what or where soever hey be wt their appurtenances for ever And if it fortune my said sonne Thomas to dye and departe this liffe Then I will that Mary Colshill my doughter shall enjoy all aforerehersed as if my saide sonne Thomas Colshill had never been borne And if it shall so please god that both my said Children shall departe theire lyves as the will of god be fulfilled in all things Then I will that Sense my wiffe shalhave all my saide Landes and hereditaments and her heires forever The Residue of all my goods cattalls and debtes whatsoever they be I doo give unto Sense my wiffe which Sense of this my present testament and last will I make and ordeyn my sole executrix And my Overseer my brother xpofer draper And I revoke and utterly disannull all and every other former wills testaments Legacies bequestes executours Overseers by me in any wise before tyme named or bequeathed. And I will that this my present testament shall stande remayne and abide for my very testament and last will with executrix and Overseer by me made and named. In Wittnes whereof I the saide George Colshill to this my present testament and last will made and written wt my own hand I have sette my Seale and subscribed my name the day and yere abovewritten. by me George Colshill

 Sources:

James Colshill

Father: William Colshill

Mother: Catherine (West) Colshill

Notes:
James is named, the fourth in a list of seven children, in the will of his father, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 (at which time he was a minor) and proved 13 September 1540 at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
... And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried

James is not mentioned in the will of his brother, Nicolas Colshill, Gentleman of London, dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606), in which Nicholas clearly specifies three of his siblings - Thomas, Robert and Blanche and it is likely that James was deceased by the date of the will.

Sources:

John Colshill

Father: Thomas Colshill

Mother: Alice (Collin) Colshill

Married: Elizabeth Somaster

Children: Occupation: Churchwarden of St Petrock, Exeter in 1476-7, bailiff, in 1478 and 1483, and mayor, in 1493, of Exeter, Devon. He was also a merchant, trading linen cloth to London.

John was a churchwarden in the parish of St Petrock, serving in 1476-7.
The History of the Parish of St. Petrock, Exeter p29 (Robert Dymond, 1882)
      THE CHURCHWARDENS’ ACCOUNTS.   ...
   16-17 Edward IV. (1476-7). John Colshull and Simon Davy.
  Receipts.  For a “toga” out of John Hamlyn’s legacy, 27s. 8d.
  Payments.  For timber and “wenshote (wainscot?) pro lacyng de le belfray,” and repairing the wheels of the bells, 7d. [There was a great deal of work on the bells this year.]
  [John Colshull’s name occurs as a bailiff in 1478-83 and 1509.]

(The last part of the addition above is incorrect. The bailiff in 1509 was John's son, of the same name.)

History & Description of the City of Exeter p87 (Alexander Jenkins, 1806)
MAYORS and BAILIFFS in the reign of EDWARD IV.
    1478.
William Obleigh.
Robert Newton.
Richard Germin.
John Hampton.
John Coleshill 
p89
MAYORS and BAILIFFS in the reign of EDWARD V. and RICHARD III.
    1483.
John Atwill.
John Coleshill.
William Dark.
Thomas Pyke.
John Symons. 
p97
MAYORS and BAILIFFS in the reign of HENRY VII.
    1493.
John Coleshill.
Richard Undy.
John Danester.
Richard Nordon.
John Merrifield.

In 1495, John's estate was sued in the Star Chamber by Alice Tapton, who had been arrested and imprisoned by John during his time as mayor. The case is considered important in establishing English law around the rights of prisoners prior to their trials. In the plea, John appears as a particularly unsympathetic official.
Select Cases Before the King's Council in the Star Chamber vol 1 pages cxxxv-cxxvii (1903)
  A glimpse into the administration of public gaols is given both in Tayllour v. Att Well, already discussed, and in Tapton v. Colsyll (pp. 51-54). In this case, heard in 1495, the Mayor of Exeter, the defendant, had ordered his officials to arrest a widow living at Thorverton, or Thoverton. According to the plaintiff the order had been executed with brutality and personal injuries had been inflicted on her. She had been dragged off to gaol, presumably the city gaol at South Gate, where even in John Howard’s time, there was ‘no chimney; no court; no water; no sewer.’ Here she was fettered with leg-irons, weighing, according to her story, more than 30 lb., and a chain besides, to await her trial on a charge of felony. As a justice of the peace had power by 34 Ed. 3, c. 1, to imprison certain persons therein set out, and the charge against the plaintiff seems to have been one of felony, her incarceration was presumably legal. Whether the infliction of irons was so is more doubtful. Bracton lays down the general principle that condemnation to fetters was illegal ‘quia carcer ad continendos, non ad puniendos haberi debeat.’ Whether or not this proposition was borrowed from Ulpian, it was the principle which gradually won its way into English law. If this was the rule to be observed in the case of convicted prisoners, though Bracton admits that it was not universally recognised by the judges of his day, still more was it binding in that of the untried. ‘It is forbidden, says the “Mirror of Justices,” some twenty years after Bracton wrote, that any one be tormented before judgement.’ But the author agrees with Bracton that ‘it is lawful for gaolers to put fetters upon those whom they suspect (of trying to escape),’ though he limits the weight to twelve ounces. Britton, who was possibly contemporary with the author of the ‘Mirror,’ mentions other exceptions. ‘As to prisoners, we will that none may be put in irons, but such as have been apprehended for felony, or are imprisoned in parks or vivaries, or detained for arrears of accounts,’ the last of these being by Statute Westminster II. c. 11. Felony being capital, it may be that a suspicion of intended escape was an easily justified presumption, upon which the plaintiff in this case was dealt with. But the excessive weight was clearly incompatible with the spirit of Bracton as with the limitations expressed by the ‘Mirror.’ It speaks well for the promptitude of the criminal administration at this date that the prisoner was, in the course of the twenty-four weeks during which she was in gaol, thrice brought before commissioners of gaol delivery. It does not clearly appear why she was not either put on her trial or released. Possibly, as in modern usage, a removal was ordered on the first occasion pending the collection of evidence. If this were so, her subsequent imprisonment after the prosecution had had a reasonably sufficient time was undoubtedly oppressive. Coke cites 5 Hen. 4, c. 10 (1404) as authority for the proposition ‘that none be imprisoned by any justice of the peace, but in the common gaole, to the end they might have their triall at the next gaole delivery, or sessions of the peace.’ The Act does not go so far, being designed to put down arbitrary imprisonment in private castles. But Coke’s gloss states the practice in the case of imprisonment in common gaols based on c. 29 of Magna Carta, ‘nulli differemus justitiam vel rectum.’
  Having been released after the third assize, the prisoner was re-arrested in default of finding sureties to keep the peace. Fitzherbert, in his ‘Loffice de Justices de Peace,’ tells us that the justices can at discretion call upon any person to find surety of the peace and can imprison him in default until surety found. It was competent for such a person to sue out a writ of Supersedeas in Chancery, which, perhaps as a matter of common form, recited that sufficient security had been lodged in Chancery and ordered the immediate enlargement of the prisoner. Possibly the amount of the security was relaxed by the Chancellor ‘in favorem libertatis.’ It was by the humanity of some of the citzens of Exeter that the plaintiff thus obtained release and was able to petition the Star Chamber for redress of her wrongs.      
pp 51-4
          TAPTON v. COLSYLL.1
    A. To the kyng oure souerayne lorde and the lordes of hys moyst honorabull Cowncell
1495  Lamentably in the moyst humble vise sheweth to youre hyghnes youre dayly Oratryx Alice late the wyffe of Wylliam Tapton late of Thorverton2 yn your Counte of Deuynshyre that the sonday after corpus christi day the ix yere of youre moyst Ryoall reygne3 one John Colsyll than beyng meyre of youre Cetye of Excestre4 in the seyd Counte sent Rychard Ebbisworthy Thomas Hampton and one Clement than hys seruantes Ryotuos persons in maner of werre Arrayed wyth bowes arrowez byllez swerdes and daggares to Torverton A fore sayd and by Commaundement of the same Colsell than and there the sayd Rychard Thomas and Clement Ryotusly with force and armys entryd with oute ony Ryght or title in to the howse of youre sayd bedvoman5 at A bake wyndowe in herr Chaumber and there here assautyd bete and sore wondyd in herre head and drew herre owte of the hall by the here of herre hede so that she was in dyspere of herre lyffe and froo Thens so beyng wondeyd and bledyng Caryed herre forth to youre sayd Cetye of Excestre and there put herre in preson and fetheryd6 herre on beyth herre legges wyth fettyres xxx li. weyght and more and be syd that causyd herre to be tyed with a Cheyne and wold not suffre herre by the space of x wekkys next folowyng to haue Cloythys nore strawe to lye on but ley apon the bare bordys with the sayd fetthers and Cheynnys and wold not suffur herre to haue Eny surgeon to dresse herre sayd wonde bot so youre sayd bedwoman leye there wyth Ryght gret peyne by the space of xxiiij wekkys and more and youre sayd oratryx so lyeng in preson The same John Colshyll leyd suspecyon of felony on herre And Cawsed here iij tymes To be led wyth the sayd fetturs and Cheyn A moyng felons to the barre by fore your Commyssionerz7 ther and at the iijde tyme youre sayd bedwoman was delyuerid by proclamacon8 and than the same Colsyll malysciously dyssposyd in tendyng the dystruccion and fynally the deth of youre sayd Oratryx Toke suertye of pesse there A yens youre oratryx Where vppon she vas Remyttyd A gayne to preson where she leye and contenuyd vn to the Tyme that the sayd Colsyll was out of hys offys of maryalte and vj wekkys aftere on to the tyme that one John Atwyll9 fore Almes and petye with othere worshypfull men had compassyon on herre and lent to youre sayd bedwoman money to sew a supersedyas10 at Westminster for herre where by she was delyuerid out of pryson. Also gracyus lorde When youre sayd pouere oratryx Was betten and Ryotuusly Caryed oute of herre sayd howsse to the sayd pryson The same Colsell Wrongfully entred in to all Thehouses11 landys leyng within the sayd Towne of Thoruerton where of youre sayd bedwoman was possessyd & peysab(ly)12 had Contenuyd herre possessyon by the space of xv yere & more beyng of the yerly valuy of xij marke13 A boue The Charges and the sayd Colsyll there Wrongfully And Extortyusly toke Certeyn goodes & Catell from youre sayd oratryx os14 the parcell & valuye aperyth in A Cedull15 to thys byll Annexyd & oure all the forsayd Wronges in prysonment bettyng11 wondyng the sayd Colsyll hath Cawsyd your sayd bedwoman to spend by fanyd & sinistere Accons & by meyns in the lawe xl li. & more money to herre vttere vndoyng so that youre sayd bedwoman now ys of no powere ferthere to suye with oute youre good grace to herre be shewyd in thys behalf nowe Gratyus lorde hyt ys so that the sayd Colsell ys late dyssessyd16 and youre sayd oratryx hayth syth the tyme of hys deyth ben with hys wyffe to haue rescyte of herre landes and recompens of herre goodes & Catell the whech she denyeth to do where for that yt wold ples youre hyghnes of youre moyst habundant grace The premyssyes tenderly to Conseder to graunt your lettere of preuay seall to be dyrecte to the sayd Issabell17 late the wyfe of the sayd Colsyll18 & his execortrice18 that she may personally Apere A fore youre hyghnes And the lordys of youre moyst honorabull Cowncell At A certeyn day & Apon A certeyn payn by youre hyghnez to herre to be lymite and there Abyde and Abay all suche dyreccionz and Jugementes as to herre shall be A iugeyd be youre hyghnes and the sayd lordes of youre moyst honorabull Cowncell. And your poure oratryx shall euer pray to gode fore the preseruacyon of youre moyst Ryall Estayt &c.
    Indorsed. Termino michaelis Anno xjo.19
          Tapton contra viduam Johannis Colshyll.
    In modern hand. Tapton v Colsytt.
B.  Theys be the parselles folowyng that the sayd John Colsell Wrongfully with holdyth from Alyce Tapton.
4 Dicit Al5 Elizabet quod grana fenum atque brasium destruuntur.
  In primys vj keyne pryse iij li. Item x bullokes price l s. Item ij geldynges price xx s. Item vj hogges price x s.1 Item xxj gesez prys viij s. Item vj Capons ij Cockes xiiij hennez 2prys viij d 2 xviij 3 W(edders) xvj d the wedder xl Eues prys the Ewe x d. Item xv lambes prys the lambe viij d. Item Whete in the berne prys xiij s iiij d. Item xx bussell of otyn malte prys viij s iiij d. Item in the feldes ix acres of Whete prys iij li. Item iiij acres of Rye prys xx s. Item xj acres of otes prys xliiij s. Item iiij brasen pottes prys xiij s iiij d. Item vj pannez prys xx s. Item vj brewyng vesselles prys xxti s Item vj small tubbys prys vj s. Item iiij barelles prys v s iiij d. Item xxiiij pewter vessell prys x s. Item iij sackes xl d. Item ij pockes6 prys xij d. Item ij Regez7 prys xij. Item iij syvez prys xij d. Item iij Coferz prys iij s iiij d. Item iij sadelles x s. Item ij mattakes xxj d. Item j peyckes iiij d. Item ij Bvelles8 viij d. Item ij hookes viij d. Item ij hachettes viij d. Item ij sawez xl d. Item ij hangynges for beddes prys xx s. Item ij matresses prys xij s. Item iiij payre of setes prys xiij s jij d. Item iij Couerlettes prys xx s. Item iij Candilstykes. Item other trasshez9 xx s.
  1 S.C.P. Hen. 7, No. 17.
  2 Now Thoverton, six miles north of Exeter.
  3 June 22, 1494.
  4 Mayor 1493-94. See further Tayllour v. Att Well, A. p. 9, n. 18.
  5 Bedewoman, i.e. petitioner. See p.114, n. 3.
  6 Fettered.
  7 I.e. of assize or gaol delivery.
  8 Presumably a proclamation of a general pardon; but I have failed to discover any such at this date.
  9 See Tayllour v. Att Well, A, p. 7, n. 5.
  10 ‘Supersedeas is a writ in divers cases and signifies a general command to stay or forbear the doing of that which ought not to be done or in appearance of law were to be done, were it not for that whereon the writ is granted. For example, a man regularly is to have surety of peace against him of whom he will swear; he is afraid and the justice required hereunto cannot deny him; yet if the party be formerly bound to the peace, either in Chancery or elsewhere, this writ lies, to stay the justice from doing that which otherwise he ought not to deny.’ J Cowel, ‘Interpr.’ s.v.
  11 ‘And’ omitted.
  12 Parchment torn.
  13 81.
  14 As.
  15 Schedule.
  16 He died July 21, 1495. Inq. p. m. Hen. 7. 1185. No land or tenements are returned as having been held by him at Thorverton.
  17 ‘Elizabeth’ in the Inquisition. See ib. Document B shows Elizabeth to be correct.
  18 Interlined.
  19 Oct. 9, – –; Nov. 28, 1495.
  1 Above this apparently in another hand and ink. are the words ‘fatetur iiijor porcos quos comparabat Colshill defunctus de kirkham  Item xiij vacas de eodem.’
  2 Interlined.
  3 Parchment torn.
  4 Marginal note, apparently in the same hand.
  5 Sic. The scribe had evidently begun to write Alice, but had struck it through.
  6 Pokes, i.e. bags.
  7 Qu. rakes.
  8 Qu. bule, the handle of a pan &c. North. J. O. Halliwell, ‘Arch. Dict.’ s.v.
  9 Perhaps not in the sense of ‘trifles,’ but with the original etymological meaning of broken objects. See W. W. Skeat, ‘Etym. Dict.’ (1882), s.v.       

John's involvement in the linen trade is mentioned in this bill of complaint of Hewyt against the Mayor of London in 1500.
Select Cases Before the King's Council in the Star Chamber vol 1 p86 (1903)
  Mighell Sweteled Citezen and inhabitant of the Cite of Excestre of the age of lx yere sworn and examyned saith and deposeth that he vsed to carry lynnyn cloth and other merchandisez from Excestre to London from the ijd yere of the raign of Kyng Edward the iiijth ynto the iiijth yere of the reign of Kyng Henry the vijth and in that tyme he caried lynnyn cloth of one Robert Smyth and John Coshyll than Citezens and inhabitantes of Excestre forsaid and of many other from Excestre to London and thare sold and delyuerd moche of the same and in all that tyme he neuer paide Scavage ne other Custom nor none was of hym asked ne demaundid but only an halpeny for a horse comyng in wardes in to London and so for a nother halpeny goynge owte wardes from London. 

Notes:
The Archaeological Journal vol 30 p245 (1873)
    THE HERALDRY OF EXETER.
      By F. T. COLBY, B.D.
  5. COLSHULL. Checquy, or and sa., on a chief arg., five goutes.  (John Colshill, Mayor, 1493.)

Death: 21 July 1495

Will: The will of John Colshill of Exeter, Devon was proved on 3 November 1495, and is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/10/483). The will is written in Latin. I believe (trying to read Latin in medieval script!) the will is dated 11 June 1495.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem: Henry VII vol 1 p525 (1898)
1185. JOHN COLSHYLL, ‘gentilman.’
Writ 16 Sept., inq. 3 Nov., 11 Hen. VII.
  He was seised of the under-mentioned messuage and land in Norton and Chapell in fee, and being so seised, by deed dated 12 May, 6 Hen. VII, enfeoffed Thomas Austyll and William Somayster, clks., who survive, thereof in fee.
  He was seised at his death of the under-mentioned land in St. Sydwelles in fee.
  William Somayster, clk., was seised of the under-mentioned messuage and land in Morton Hampstede in fee, and being so seised, by deed dated 9 Oct., 2 Ric. III, gave it to the said John Colshyll, and Elizabeth his wife, and his heirs, and the said John accordingly died seised of it in fee.
  He was seised at his death of the under-mentioned messuages and gardens in Exeter in fee.
  He died 21 July last. Peter Colshyll, aged 20 and more, is his son and heir.
DEVON. A messuage, 100a. land, 8a. meadow, and 12a. wood in Norton and Chapell, worth 6 marks, held of John Waleys, by knight-service.
  Three acres of land and two acres of meadow in Saynt Sydwelles Fee without the east gate of the city of Exeter, worth 26s. 8d., held of the Dean and Chapter of St. Peter’s, Exeter, in socage.
  A messuage, two cottages, 60a. land, 4a. meadow, and 3a. wood in Boughdon, Little Cranbroke, and Great Cranbroke, in the parish of Morton Hampstede, worth 5 marks, held of William Courtnay, knt., by fealty, for all service.
  Four messuages and seven gardens in the city of Exeter, worth 20l., held of the Mayor and Bailiffs of the said city in force burgage.
               C. Series II. Vol. 11. (46.) 

Sources:

John Colshill

Father: John Colshill

Mother: Elizabeth (Somaster) Colshill

Married: _____ Duke

Children: Occupation: Merchant, churchwarden, and bailiff, in 1509, of Exeter, Devon.

In 1503, John Colshyll "son of John Colshyll" was noted to be an apprentice of "Richard Unde, merchant, his stepfather, (Exeter Freemen, 1266-1967 p64 (Devon and Cornwall Record Society, 1973)).

John also followed his father and stepfather as a churchwarden in the parish of St Petrock, serving from 1506 until 1510.
The History of the Parish of St. Petrock, Exeter p39 (Robert Dymond, 1882)
      THE CHURCHWARDENS’ ACCOUNTS.   ...
  22-23 Henry VII. (1506-7).  John Thomas and Richard John Colshyll. 
  Receipts. For 2 ozs. of broken silver from a girdle (zona), with silver harness, the gift of Elizabeth, wife of Sir John Speke, Knight.
  Payments. For making a foot for the best silver cross, 36s. 2d., besides 10½ ozs. of broken silver, collected from the parishioners. For repair of a silver thurible (censer), 2s. For work on the image of St. Jerome, 12d.
  [Elizabeth, daughter of John Cheney, of Woodley, county Berks, survived her first husband, Sir John Speke, of White Lackington, Somerset, Knight, and afterwards became the wife of Hugh Tucker, of Woodland, county Dorset, the second son of Alderman Robert Tucker, of Exeter. (Her. Visit. Devon, 1620.)]

  23 Henry VII. to 1 and 1-2 Henry VIII. (1507-10). John Colshyll and William Chanon.
  Receipts. A gift of William Wilkynson for his soul to be had in perpetual memory among the benefactors of the church, 20s. He also gave one broken gold noble. The receipts for the sale of broken silver, and gold, and ornaments, amount altogether to the large sum of £13 9s. 0¾d.
  Payments. There was an unusual expenditure in these years in binding and repairing books, and repairing candlesticks, &c., including “solut’ p’script certor’ quatuor’ cuisdm libri p’dict’ ecclie vsijijd. Et p’corrio albo & clapsis” for the same, 16d. “Et p’ij pellibz verid’ correi” for the same, 8d. The gold noble was used in gilding candlesticks, and a broken chalice for mending the same. Mention is made of the house, late Thomas Elyot’s.

History & Description of the City of Exeter p109 (Alexander Jenkins, 1806)
MAYORS and BAILIFFS in the reign of HENRY VIII.
    1509.
John Buckenham.
John Bradmore.
William Somaster.
John Coleshill.
William Hoig.

Death: 1518

Burial: John requested in his will to be buried in the conventual church of the Priory of the Black Friars, Exeter, Devon, England, if he died within the city of Exeter.
The Antiquary vol 24 p120 (Alexander Jenkins, 1806)
Burials at the Priories of the Black Friars.
By REV. C. F. R. PALMER.
...   EXETER.  ...
1518 JOHN COLSHILL, citizen and merchant, 28 Apr. In the conventual church, before the image of St. George, and next to the tomb of PETER COLSHILL, his brother, if he dies within the city.  Pr. 20 Oct.   

Will: The will of Johannes Colshill of Exeter, Devon was dated 28 April 1518 and proved on 20 October 1518. It is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/19/151). The will is written in Latin.

Sources:

John Colshill

Father: William Colshill

Mother: Catherine (West) Colshill

Notes:
John is named, the second in a list of seven children, in the will of his father, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 (at which time he was a minor) and proved 13 September 1540 at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
... And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried

John is not mentioned in the will of his brother, Nicolas Colshill, Gentleman of London, dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606), in which Nicholas clearly specifies three of his siblings - Thomas, Robert and Blanche and it is likely that John was deceased by the date of the will.

Sources:

Katharine (Colshill) Dacres

Father: Thomas Colshill

Mother: Mary (Crayford) Colshill

Married: Thomas Dacres on 28 September 1581, in Chigwell, Essex, England
Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued by the Bishop of London 1520-1610 vol 1 p104 (Joseph Lemuel Chester, 1887)
 1581
Sep. 25  Thomas Dakers, of Chesthunt, Herts, & Katherine Colsell, Spinster, of Chigwell, co. Essex; at Chigwell. 

Children: Death: between 28 September 1581 and 2 July 1584
Katherine died before 2 Jul 1584, when Thomas Dacres married his second wife, Dorothy Pigott

Buried: Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England
The historical antiquities of Hertfordshire p302 (Sir Henry Chauncy, 1700)
On the North side of the Altar is a fair Monument about Eight foot high, with two Columns of Marble on either side, and this Inscription.
  This Tomb in the Year 1543, Erected to the Memory of Robert Dacres of Cheshunt in this County, Esq; and Privy Councellor to King Henry VIII. and for his Wife Elizabeth, whose Bodies lye both here Interred, and since hath been the Burial place of his Son, George Dacres Esq; who died 1580, and of his Wife Elizabeth; as also of Sir Thomas Dacres Kt. Son of the said George, who died 1615, and of Katharine his first Wife by whom he had only one Daughter, and of Dorothy his second Wife, who bear him Thirteen Children, whose Son and Heir, Sir Thomas Dacres, Kt. now Living, hath at his Charge this Year, 1611, Repaired this Monument, intending it in due time, a Resting-place for himself, his Lady Martha, and their Posterity.
  Dormio nunc Liber qui vixi in carcere carnis,
  Carnis libertas non nisi morte venit.
        Robertus Dacres: 1543 

Sources:

Mary (Coleshill) Leake

Father: Thomas Colshill

Mother: Mary (Crayford) Colshill

Married: Jasper Leake

Children: Notes:
Mary is named as "my daughter" and as the wife of Jasper Leake in the will of her father Thomas Colshill, dated 23 April 1593, which is held at the National Archives (PROB 11/85/243):
... Item I give unto my daughter Mary the wife of Jasper Leeke one Tankerd of Allowblaster covered and bounde aboute with silver and guilte to be delivered within one halfe yeare after my decease.
... Item I give and bequeathe to my sonne Leeke and to my daughter his wife to either of them a morning gowne to be worne at my funerall

Memorial to Thomas Coleshill and Mary Crayford in Chigwell
Monument to Thomas Colshill and Mary (Crayford) Colshill on the south wall of the chancel in St Mary, Chigwell, Essex, with two figures to the right, likely their daughters, Susan and Mary
photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0) posted at geograph.org.uk
Familiae minorum gentium vol 3 p987 (Joseph Hunter, 1895)
Susan, dau. & c. of Thomas Coleshull of Chigwell in Essex, Inspector of the Customs; she & her sister Anne, w. of Jasper Leake, Esq., erected a Mon. to their father's memory in the Church of Chigwell; survived 

The monument, shown here, depicts Thomas Colshill and his wife Mary, with two smaller female figure kneeling behind Mary. These are quite probably their daughters, Susan and Mary.

Mary is also named as "my daughter" in the will of her mother Mary (Crayford) Colshill, dated 2 June 1599 and proved on 29 June 1599, held at the The National Archives (PROB 11/93/439).
... Item I doe give to my sonne Stanhope and my daughter Susan his wyfe, to my sonne Leeke, and my daughter Mary his wyfe, to my brother Arthur, and his wyfe, to my cosen Manwood and his wyfe, to my Grand childe Elizabeth Dacres each of them mourning gownes and of such stuff as shalbe thought meete by my Executors. The gentlemen to have cloth of Eighteene shillings the yarde; And the gentlewomen silke ??? of Three shillings ffour pence ye yarde, hoping that they (if their helthes will permitt them) will not only attende my body to the buriall but will also furnish such of their children as may be at it with mourning apparel for that purpose.
...  Item I give to my daughter Leeke in token of my motherly good will to her my ??? gilte bason And Ewer hopinge that she will keepe it at a memoriall of me and her father I give it as an heireloome to her sonne and heire after her decease.
...  And my daughter Leeke the silver porringer that my husband gave her in his lyfe tyme.

A History of the County of Somerset vol 9 pp120-42 (ed. R W Dunning, 2006)
Godney Manor
The reversion was acquired by Sir Robert Peckham who, with his wife and parents, sold it in 1560 to Thomas Coleshill of London. In 1601 Mary, wife of Jasper Leeke, and Susan, wife of Edward Stanhope, daughters of Thomas Coleshill, each conveyed half Godney manor to Edward Seymour, earl of Hertford, but may have retained a life interest.

Mary is remembered in the will of her sister Susan (Coleshill, Stanhope) Marbury, dated 12 February 1618(9) and proved 16 March 1618(9), held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/133/312).
Item I give and bequeathe unto my loving Sister Mrs Mary Leake widowe my best gowne and kirtle that I shall leave behinde me                    

Death: 1623
Essex Records Office D/DU 400/1
Title: Admission of Jasper Leake on death of mother Mary Leake
Scope and Content: Messuage called the 'White Hart' with garden, stables etc., Barnemead (6 acres) and Kitchinfield (6 acres), copyhold of manor of Chigwell, in Chigwell
Dates of Creation: 5 December 1623

Sources:

Mary (Colshill) Phyton

Father: George Colshill

Mother: Sense (Draper, Cletherowe) Colshill

Married: George Phyton
Calendars of the Proceedings in Chancery, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth vol 2 p332 (1830)
  P.p. 10.
No. 19
Plaintiffs.  George Phyton & Mary his wife.
Defendants.  Henry Perry and Richard Trice.
Object of the Suit.  Claim as next of kin.
Premises.  A lease of four water mills, and ground thereto belonging, in Hemmingford, granted by Sir Richard Williams alias Sir Richard Cromwell knight, to Peter Smith, afterwards vested in George Collshill deceased, father of plaintiff Mary.
County.  Huntingdon   

Notes: Mary is named, and was a minor, in the will of her father, George Colshill, Mercer of London, dated 5 August 1549 and proved 27 February 1550, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/33/118).
And as touching thorder and dispo'tion of all and singular my lande tenementes rentes reversions and ??? and other hereditaments whatsoever they be goodes chattels or of what kynde nature or quality soever they be which late was of William Colshill my ffather late Citizen and mercer of London deceased and that to me by and after his death did desende or that at any tyme hereafter by any right title use ??? way or means shall or may desende or come sett lying and being aswell in the town and parishe  of ??? and the precinct of the same, in the Countie of Middl as also where in any other Cuntry or State or place wtin this Realm of England I do give will and bequeath all the same in Lands and tenements with their appurtenances last above rehersed to the saide Sense my wiffe To have and to hold occupie take and ??? and enjoy all my said Landes and the proffittes rentes and yerely issues of the same comyng and growing to the saide Sense my wiffe and to her assigns during her liffe naturall but I will that the Leases before rehersed she shallow theyme to do whatsoever they will wt theyme and only ??? ??? the Lande that may ??? to me and to myn that is Thomas Colshill and mary Colshill my children by dessent of my ffather or by or otherwise howe soever it may be that she shalhave that land only for her liffe tyme. So that it passe not above twentie poundes by the yere and if she kept her unmaried to have all for the terme of her liffe hepinge the thinges in reparation, but of she doo marry then if she kept the saide Land in her hand she to be accomptable for the same to my saide two childrens behoofe when they shall come to their full age or be married the proffitt thereof equaly to be devided betwixte theyme bothe and then as nowe and nowe as then my will and very intent is that after the death of my saide wiffe Sense Colshill as before rehersed my sonne Thomas Colshill shalhave and enjoy all the same my Landes and tenementes so comying by descent wt other my said ??? what or where soever hey be wt their appurtenances for ever And if it fortune my said sonne Thomas to dye and departe this liffe Then I will that Mary Colshill my doughter shall enjoy all aforerehersed as if my saide sonne Thomas Colshill had never been borne

Mary, named as "my daughter ffyton", is also left a legacy in the will of her mother Sence (Drpaer, Cletherowwe, Colshill) Ibgrave, dated 10 October 1582 and proved in 15 October 1582, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/64/435).
... Item I give to my daughter ffyton the one half of all the lynnen which to me belongeth in my house at Langley aforesaid

Sources:

Nicholas Colshill

Birth: about 1533
Nicholas was admitted to the Mercer's Company, presumably by patrimony since his father was the "master", in 1554 (Records of the London Livery Companies Online). This admission usually occurred when the new member reached the age of 21 (see City of London Livery Companies' Commission vol 1 p69n) indicating Nicholas's birth in 1533.

Father: William Colshill

Mother: Catherine (West) Colshill

Occupation: Mercer
Nicholas was a mercer, of London. He obtained the freedom of the Mercers' Company, presumably by patrimony, in 1554 (Records of the London Livery Companies Online).

Notes:
Nicholas is named, the sixth in a list of seven children, in the will of his father, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 (at which time he was a minor) and proved 13 September 1540 at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
... And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried

Death: between 26 November 1557 and 4 December 1557
Nicholas's will, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606), was dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557.

Will: The will of Nicolas Colshill, Gentleman of London, dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606).
In the name of god amen I Nicolas Colshill of London gentilman being in perfitte mynde of soule and bodye having the feare of god before my eyes do ordeyn and make and caused to be ordeyned and made this my present last will and testament for distribution of all my goodes and cattalles which I at the making herof and shalbe at the day of my deathe possessed of by any manner of ??? titell or interest Inprimus I bequeath my soule unto thands of allmighti god my maker and redeamer, my bodye to be buryed in the next parishe churche next adjoyning unto the house or place where my soule shall departe to god out of this myserable world and my bodye to be buryed and conveyed to the erthe in a decent order according to my calling, and as shalbe thought requisiteand convenient by the good disceation of my executor or executours hyerunder named. Item I wille afore the life shall departe out of my bodye that xxx? shalbe given to the poore to thintent that by their praiors my soule may be the better accepted into the mercy and handes of allmighti god. Also I will other xxxs to be distributed and given by egall porcionnes unto the poore at the daye and tyme of my buriall. Item I bequeathe to my brother Thomas Colshill and his wif eche of them asmuche black clothe as will make them a gowne and to my brother Thomas a ringe of golde with a deathes hed to the value of xls. Item I bequeathe unto my brother Robert Colshill asmuche clothe as will make him a gowne , and a ringe of golde to the value of xls wt a deathes hed, also unto my said brother xiij li vjs viijd in mony. Item I bequeath unto my brother Smyth and my sister Blanche his wif asmuche blacke clothe as will make eche of them a gowne and more unto my sister Blanche to thintent she may give it to any of her children which she shall think be meete at therr daye of mariage xxx li in mony willing my brother Smyth to have the thoccupacion therof during that tyme, putting in suerties for the same to my executours, And if so be it that my said sister dye wtout yssue of her bodye as god defende it shulde so be I will she to have it during her life And then to retourne to ny executours. Also I will a ringe of golde price xxs to my sistr Blanche with a deathes hed. Item I bequeath unto my cousyn Nicolas Bacon and my cousyn his wif asmuche clothe as shall make eche of them a gowne and to her a ringe of golde price xxs made wt a deathes hed at my charge. Item I bequeath to my cousen William Colshill if it shalbe thought meete by my Executours asmuche clothe as will make hym a blacke gowne. Itm I bequeath unto Margarett Gryndone besids her wage asmuche cloth as will make her a gowne, and vjs viijd in money for the paynes she toke wt me in my sickenes Item I bequeth xls for a dynner to be made at the daye of my burying or morrowe after for such honest personnes as shall come therunto Item I will it be opined and declared by the preest that I most hartilie request and desire all the worlde of forgevenes And if there be any persone that that can justify ??? matter or wronge doon by me to their hindrance I will my executours shall make recompence to the persone or personnes so hindred of wronged. And if there be annye that hathe offended me I forgive them as I would be forgeven of god Item I will my extr to call to my cousen Nicolas Bacon to accompte for all suche somes of moneye whiche he at any tyme Receyved of myn into his handes, charging hym by his ??? for thoccupation therof and to make true accompte of the same as he will answere the same afore god. Item I will my brothr Smyth to be paide for my bonnde for the tyme I was with hym according to the bargayne made betwene us, whiche was for my bonnde my ??? and my housse founde at his charge for xli the yere Item I will Syb my sisters maide to have asmuche blacke cloth as will make her a gowne Item I will humfray Thompson and William giles for theor paynes taken in my sickenes to have eche of them asmuche black cloth as will make a coote. Item I bequeath unto goodwif Plombe asmuche black clothe as will make her a gowne. Item I will that for asmuche as my brother Thomas and Robt Colshil be of right more nere unto me of bludde and name than any other personne I will all my land lying at harking to remayne unto them and their heires forever and to non other personne or personnes according. Item I will also that for that my saide two brethrene Thomas and Robt Colshil knowe my state of substance better than I my self doo at the making herof and be the two personnes meete and convenient in abating and plucking back any legacie or bequest to any personne or personnes herin named being by them thought superflouous and not meete to be doon and accomplisshed. And the Residue of all my goodes, my dettes and funeralles paid I will to remayne to my brother Thomas and Robert Colshill my executours. And of this my last will and testament I constitute and make to be my executours my brother Robert Colshill and because my brother Robert will not take upon hym the same alone I will my brother Thomas Colshill to be joyned wt hym so that he will like a good brother use hym self upright for the payment of suche monney which he hath of myn in his handes. And all other wills or testamentes made tofore I will them to stande in no effecte In witnesse whereof I have subscribed my name and sette my seale the xxvj of November ???  per me Nicolas Colshill. This will and testament was declared by me Nicolas Colshill to his brother Robert Exrc confessing it to be his acte and deede and wt his owne hande his name subscribed, by me Roger harman preest Witness John Gryndon and Margarette Grendon his wif with others  

Sources:

Peter Colshill

Birth: 1474/5

Father: John Colshill

Mother: Elizabeth (Somaster) Colshill

Occupation: Bailiff, in 1504, of Exeter, Devon.

History & Description of the City of Exeter p98 (Alexander Jenkins, 1806)
MAYORS and BAILIFFS in the reign of HENRY VII.
    1504.
Thomas Andrew.
John Gumby.
Peter Coleshill.
John Thomas.
John Beadmore.

Notes: Peter is possibly the "Peter Colswell, of Exeter" who appears in Landed Gentry of Great Britain p567 (John Burke, Bernard Burke, 1846), having a daughter and heir, Elizabeth, who married John Hext of Kingston, Devon. If they are the same person, then it ties in neatly to the otherwise unidentified Elizabeth Colshill left "a tawny gowne of cloth purfeled with black velvet" in the will of Peter Colshill's mother, Elizabeth Speke, in her will dated dated 18 December 1518. The connection is also somewhat supported by The Visitations of Essex in Publications of the Harleian Society vol 14 p562 (1879) which shows Peter Colshill having a daughter Margaret who married a Hext.

Burial: Conventual church of the Priory of the Black Friars, Exeter, Devon, England
In 1518, Peter's brother, John, requested to be buried "before the image of St. George, and next to the tomb of Peter Colshill, his brother"
The Antiquary vol 24 p120 (Alexander Jenkins, 1806)
Burials at the Priories of the Black Friars.
By REV. C. F. R. PALMER.
...   EXETER.  ...
1518 JOHN COLSHILL, citizen and merchant, 28 Apr. In the conventual church, before the image of St. George, and next to the tomb of PETER COLSHILL, his brother, if he dies within the city.  Pr. 20 Oct.   

Sources:

Robert Colshill

Father: William Colshill

Mother: Catherine (West) Colshill

Occupation: Member of Parliament and a Gentleman Pensioner, or bodyguard, to Queen Elizabeth I.
Robert represented Horsham, Sussex in Parliament in 1555, Steyning, Sussex in 1558, Mitchell, Cornwall in 1559, Newport iuxta Launceston, Cornwall in 1571 and Portsmouth, Hampshire in 1572. A description of his official positions held is contained in biographies at The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558 entry for COLSHILL, Robert (by 1534-79/80), of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Mdx. (S.T. Bindoff, 1982) and The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 entry for COLSHILL, Robert (d.c.1580), of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. (P.W. Hasler, 1981).

In 1558, Robert was appointed exigenter in the court of common pleas by Queen Mary. The office of exigenter is usually granted by the Chief Justice, but that post was vacant at the time. When the new Chief Justice, Anthony Browne, was appointed, he appointed his nephew Skrogges to the post and a dispute ensued between Skrogges and Colshill. A committee of judges found in favour of Skrogges. The queen then apppointed her own committee, and when Skrogges refused to testify before it, he was imprisoned, but released after two weeks and appears to have continued to hold the office of exigenter.
Reports of Cases in the Reigns of Hen. VIII, Edw. VI, Q. Mary, and Q. Eliz p175 (Sir James Dyer, 1856)
       Skrogges against Coleshil
(25) THE office of Exigenter of London and other counties became vacant by the death of Henninges in the year 1558, and afterwards SIR R. BROOKE the Chief Justice of the Common Bench died, and during the time of the vacancy of both the offices queen Mary granted the office of Exigenter to one Coleshil by her letters patent, and afterwards by letters patent of the same date granted the office of Chief Justice to ANTHONY BROWNE who was admitted Judge, and sworn on the first day of Michaelmas Term in the year aforesaid, who refused Coleshil, and admitted to it Skrogges his nephew. And now in this Term there was a great contention between them for the said office; and our lady the now queen commanded Nicholas Bacon, knight, Keeper of the Great Seal, to examine the right and title of the said Coleshil, and to make report thereof to the said queen. Which said Keeper, after the end of this Term, having convened all the Judges of the Queen’s Bench, s. CATLYN, WHIDDON, RASTAL, and CORBET, and SAUNDERS, Chief Baron, and GERRARD, Attorney General, and also J. CARIL, Attorney of the Duchy (all the Judges of the Common Pleas being excluded) took a clear resolution after long debate and hesitation of all the premises, that the title of Coleshil was null, and that the gift of the said ofice by no means and at no time belongs or can belong to our lady the queen, but is only in the disposal of the Chief Justice for the time being, as an inseparable incident belonging to the person of the said Chief, and this by reason of prescription and usage. And it follows from this, that our lady the queen herself can not be Chief Justice in the said Bench. And notwithstanding the said resolution of the Judges aforesaid, the queen upon importunate suit directed her commission to the said earl of Bedford and nine others of whom were CORBET, Justice, WHIDDON, Justice, SIR ROGER CHOLEMELEY, SIR W. CORDEL, Master of the Rolls, and RICHARD GOODRICKE, giving them full authority to hear and determine the interest and title of the said office between the aforementioned parties and to place Coleshil in the office if &c. and that if Skrogges refused to make answer before them, that they should immediately commit him to prison, &c.  (26) And afterwards, s. in M. Term next following, Coleshil exhibited a bill of complaint to the said commissioners against Skrogges, containing all his title as above, and that he was diffeised and deforced of it by Skrogges; and S. came and demurred upon the bill and jurisdiction of the court by the said commission, and would not make other answer; and for this contempt he was by them conmitted to the prison of the Fleet, and there remained for two weeks, and then request was made by three serjeants in the Bench to grant a corpus cum causâ directed to the warden of the Fleet. And upon good consideration of the Court, s. JA. DYER, A. BROWNE, and R. WESTON, the request was held reasonable, and to be granted, because he was a person in the court and a necessary member of it. But what the form of the writ in this case should be Cur’ adv’ vol’, and divers precedents thereof were vouched. And see the form of a general habeas corpus, post fol.
  And note the words of the statute West. 2. c. 30. for the origin of clerks of assize, s. “All Justices of the Benches from henceforth shall have in their circuits clerks to inroll all pleas pleaded before them, like as they have used to have in time past.” And so it seems in reason that the Justices were before the clerks, and made clerks at their pleasure.  

Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reigns of Edward VI., Mary, Elizabeth 1547-1580 p391 (1856)
      VOL. LXXIII. 1570.
Sept. 1. 50. The Queen to the Earl of Bedford. Directions to assist Mr. Robert Colshill, a Gentleman Pensioner, in his claims against certain parties for depasturing cattle on the Forest of Exmoor.
p569
      VOL. CXVIII. 1577.
Nov. ? 63. Memorandum of the grant to Henry Mackwilliams and Robert Colshill of the Queen’s moiety of the forfeitures for unlawful transportation of corn.

Robert was a follower of the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth and her unsuccessful suitor. Dudley was appointed to the Privy Council in 1562 and in subsequent years Robert Colshill received some commissions from the Council.

On 11 June 1576 Robert and two others were sent by the Privy Council to Germany to negotiate loans to the Queen.
First Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts p95 (1870)
  Instructions gyven by certayne of my lords and other of hir mats most honourable privie Counsell to Robt Colshill, esquier, Christopher Hudson, and Edward Eastline beinge sent into Germanye for the takinge up of certyne sommes of monye for hir matie the xjth of June 1576
  Begins, “Whereas not only soundrie of the inhabitaunts of the Citie of Culline and Hamborough, but also many other on the countries there abouts beinge of great wealth and good qualitie have made offer to lend to hir matie good sommes of monye for a reasonable interest hir majtes pleasure is that you make your repaier to the sd citties and countrie there to deele, talke, and conclude with such as are willing to lende the said sommes in manner and forme followinge.”

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth vol 11 1575-1577 p339 (Allan James Crosby, 1880)
A.D. 1576. 
[June 11.]  812.   LOAN of MONEY at COLOGNE.
  1. Copy of the instructions given to Roland Fox sent over to Cologne to take up money in the end of 1575, especially 100,000 dollars from a certain widow named Hilton.
  2. Copy of the instructions given by the Privy Council to Robert Colshill, Christopher Hudson, and Edward Castelyn sent into Germany for the taking up certain sums of money 11 June 1576. They are to take up not more than 200,000li for 10 and not less than seven years at the rate of six per cent. per annum. If the money is paid in bullion they are to see that it contains at least 11oz 2dwt of silver, and 8dwt of copper, according to the standard of England. They are to assure the money both by sea and land, and provide chests to contain it. A pension of 100 dollars to be given to Furstemburg.
  3. Copy of commission for the taking up of the money by the above-mentioned persons, in Latin.—Greenwich, 20 May 1576.
  4. Copy of the safe-conduct for the said commissioners, in Latin, dated at Greenwich, 20 May 1576.
  5. Copy of the bond of the city of London, in Latin.— Guildhall, 1576.
  6. Copy of the Queen's bond, in Latin.  
p345
A.D. 1576. 
June 23.  828.   R. COLSHILL to LORD BURGHLEY.
  On Corpus Christi day a sudden mutiny fell among the Almains in garrison here under Count Hannibal to the number of 1,500, who killed one burgess and wounded sundry, but by giving them two dollars apiece, and making promise for a better provision for them by the States they be appeased. That night the Flushingers burnt a village called Oysterwell [Austrawel] not two miles from the town and took 200 oxen and 100 horses, and next day to the number of 17 sail chased four of the King's galleys under the bulwark at the town's end, between whom was long and great shot without hurt to any party.
  It is said that Count Hannibal and his regiments shall be discharged, and Count Overstein shall come in his place, and M. Champagny shall hold the governorship. The King minds to send mariners from Biscay for the new vessels and, ships in the haven. One Ingram Thwynge, naming himself servant to the late Earl of Northumberland, has humbly required his letters to Burghley for his pardon, which with sharpness he has denied, except in recompense of his sundry treasons he would betray or disclose some worthy matter; who answered that he knew nothing, yet to this is he come that, having promise of pardon, he will do hereafter great service and deliver sundry packets of letters, and disclose Sundry practises as he can learn them.
  The English traitors utter much malice against Her Majesty, as do likewise the Spaniards. At Calais, on his arrival, he noted the town much amended, and great traffic, and but a small garrison.
  In the galleys here are many English continually tormented, for whom he begs that some mercy may be procured. Reminds him of his promise that nothing shall be done in the commission of Her Majesty’s lands, wherein he is a poor officer—Antwerp, 23 June 1576.  Signed.
  Add.  Endd, with seal. Pp. 2⅔.
pp348-9
A.D. 1576. 
July 10.  840.   MR. COLSHILL to LORD BURGHLEY.
  Thanks him for his letter, but much more for his honourable counsel and care of him, so poor and simple a wight. Without his own guilt the secresy of his cause is more known than wished for, yet he hopes, whatsoever hap befals him, honourable and good minds will hold the attempt honest, specially when the same was grounded upon reason and judgment of those holden wise. Cannot write anything thereof, the party has not yet returned from Strasbourg from weighty affairs, as is said, yet has he received letters from her containing more than a friendly welcome, and in her absence is well comforted by her inward friends; yet all this will not cause him to believe thereof more than doubtfully, till more proof and better ground. There is nothing worth advertising touching the Queen’s service in Cologne, although they have delivered her Majesty’s letters and those of the Steelyard to the Burgher Masters and Senate; first they be men of the greatest ceremony in all things, which causes no expedition; secondly, a late request from the Emperor but for 40,000 has been denied him, and the like requests from King Philip and the French somewhat staggers their speedy resolution. Some of their friends be absent at the council of the Hanse towns at Lubeck, and others at the Diet at Ratisbon; also the time of election for new Burgher Masters is now doing. Hopes that he may not be blemished or blamed for others’ acts if this matter fall not out as was looked for. Minds to go this day with her Majesty’s letters to the Count Nevenor, who is a man of credit in this town.—Cologne, 10 July 1576.
Signed.
  Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 2.
pp373-5
A.D. 1576. 
Sept. 11.  912.   R. COLSHILL to WALSINGHAM.
  1. Has received his letters of 28 July and 23 August, and by the first perceives that he understands the unwillingness of this city to grant her Majesty either credit or loan of money, to excuse which action there fails no excuses. Albeit he has received good entertainment, he never found in them will to pleasure her Majesty, although with good terms he pressed them to remember the great benefits and privileges they have long enjoyed by her goodness. Begs that their guilt may be no condemnation to his innocency. It is excused by the absence of such as promised the same at the Diet, and by the want of expedition in England, whereby their money was otherwise determined. Thinks there is no want of money if they had will. Earnestly travailed with them for 100,000 dollars, or less, to serve the Earl of Leicester’s turn, but could not have it, and yet the Burgomaster Sowderman delivered as of himself that if they could have their ancient privileges restored they would not only lend 200,000li, but 400,000li. Hears of a further, communication the fruit whereof he dare not warrant anything. Hears of sundry practices here by the ministers of the Kings of Spain and France, and the Pope's nuncio, for that it is said that this money should be used to maintain the Protestants, yet thinks that this service may take good eff elsewhere. Has been at great charges for his living, and sending to different places on her Majesty’s service. The Duke of Silesia has offered of himself 400,000 dollars. Intends to repair to Aachen [Aix la Chapelle] where he understands there are great sums of money, but of more interest than their commission is to give. By this bearer he will receive a letter from Count Carlo de [Nevenor], addressed to her Majesty; he seems greatly affected to her; he is very rich, and married a sister of the Prince of Orange, and is a Protestant. He has with him a kinsman called Count Adolph Nevenor, a lusty gallant, married to the old Count’s sister, who was Count Horn’s wife, who is a very modest and virtuous lady, and well affected to the Queen. This nobleman’s sister is married to the Count Palatine, and was wife to Count Brederode. He makes great offers to serve her Majesty with footmen and horsemen at all times, and is very desirous to be her pensioner. He is a Protestant, and brought up in France and desires Walsingham to further his wife’s request for her Majesty’s picture, for she never goes without her Majesty’s counterfeit in her bosom, “and is so ill done as it grieveth me to behold the same, knowing the excellency of her Majesty.”
  2. By the goodness of her Majesty, and by the Earl of Leicester’s letter, his own suit takes good effect; he has already got the Mother’s consent, and if he could only get her Majesty's letter in his favour he would have small difficulty in obtaining the daughter. Begs that Dr. Furstemburg may have his pension; he is more worthy of 100li than 100 dollars. Mr. Dymock has come hither out of Sweden, by whom he finds there is a greater sum to be had in the land of Holst than the Queen requires. Dymock  has been of great assistance to him in his own cause.—11 Sept.1576.
  3. Begs that he may have some comfort concerning their letters patent, that howsoever he does, he may have to pay his debts.  Signed.
  Add. Endd. Pp. 6.
Sept. 12.  913.  MR. COLSHILL to BURGHLEY.
  Has received the answer of the Burgomasters to the Queen’s letters in writing, which he has caused to be translated into French, and sent to Mr. Walsingham. It is a flat denial to lend their money on credit in whole or part. They plead inability, but the Burgomaster Sowderman told him that if their ancient privileges might be restored to them not 200,000li but 400,000li should be ready to serve her Majesty. Beseeches that the fault may not be laid on the innocents. Finds that there has been great practice to hinder this service by the ministers of the King of Spain, the Pope, and the French King, as they fear that this money is borrowed to assist the Protestants. Has been promised by the Duke of Silesia, the 400,000 dollars which were provided for the Duke of Alençon. Is also assured that there will be found in Bolstein more than they have commission to receive. Would have repaired thither if he had not received letters from Walsingham to stay for Mr. Castelyn’s return. Is heartily sorry that there is more ability and secrecy judged to be in him, or that a merchant is thought fitter to serve here than a gentleman, as they disdain the race and doings of merchants, and call them in derision “pepper-men.” Trusts that he will have in consideration as he has had to bear all the charges in her Majesty’s service. Means to go to Aachen, where there is store of money by reason of the rich Netherlanders having fled thither. His own cause takes so good and sweet a course that there is more than hope if her Majesty and his good friends fail him not. Though sought by nobles, it is never denied him his repair unto her, when to all others it is denied. Refers him to this gentleman, Mr. Bond, to understand what he has seen, and knows who has been with him all this journey. The stay of their proceedings is that she would be assured of his good behaviour, and that he will be found a good husband for her, and God calling him before her that she may be protected from wrong and enjoy her own. Her mother’s consent he has, and he doubt not of hers also, if he may be backed as aforesaid. Desires him to procure the Queen’s letters, and send his own in Latin to the maid named Margaret Hilton, and to other people to befriend him. Desires that Dr. Furstemberg’s pension of 100 dollars may be confirmed, as he thinks him worthy of one of 100li—Cologne, 12 Sept. 1576. Signed.
  Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
p392
A.D. 1576. 
Oct. 4.  949.   MR. COLSHILL to LORD BURGHLEY.
  The plague is universally spread in all places in Germany, and shrewdly is this town infected, and so it is said of Italy, especially of Milan and Venice. The Bishop of Cologne from the Pope has dispensation to marry and to resign his bishopric to the son of the Duke of Bavaria, who is a Bishop and Canon here, and to retain the electorship and other seignories. This is denied of the Chapter as contrary to their privileges, as the Canons are all dukes and earls; it is thought that this will prove a bloody cause in Germany, for that both parties be greatly friended and allied. The Pope and the Emperor stand for the Bishop to be Elector, and the same to be for ever annexed to his house. Begs that he may be paid his fee for the general stewardship of Somerset and Dorset. His charges are so great that he cannot continue the same without his Lordship's favourable help.—Cologne, 4 Oct. 1576.  Signed.
  Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1½.
pp410-1
A.D. 1576. 
Nov. 1.  992.   MR. COLSHILL to LORD BURGHLEY.
  Though he has received no letters from his Lordship of late, yet cannot he but continue his good meaning towards him by any possible service. Has received letters from Mr. Secretary in the name of the Council that he should not further deal in the matter of money without great likelihood of performance, lest her Majesty’s credit might be brought in question. The deputy governor at Hamburgh has written that there is offered 100,000 guilders by one Herick Ronsoe after eight or nine per cent. for two years; and that in January next the money men of Holstein and others have a meeting, when there will be great store of money at reasonable interest. Sends accounts of offers by others, but has found in the best and most honourable, great untruth. The Emperor is dead, and the Palsgrave died on 27 October of a disease in his breast, which choked him, whose death is thought will bring great change and trouble in the State, there being a discord between the two brethren Ludovic and Casimir, the one being a scant Lutheran and the other a secret Calvinist, so that all the Calvinists desire Casimir for their Lord. Sundry regiments of reiters are marching hitherwards, which is much feared. On the 8th instant answer is to be delivered to the lay Bishop (of Cologne) by the Chapter. The outrage of Maestricht breeds great speeches here. There were slain more than 600 of the inhabitants, and the Spaniards have confiscated all their moveables. This cruelty, with the taking of another town upon the Meuse, has caused the Bishop of Liege to complain to the Circuit. Here is looked for tomorrow ambassadors from the King of the Romans, the chief of whom is the old Count of Wenigberge, who are to repair into the Low Countries to treat a peace between the States and the Spaniards. For his own cause, through certain speeches and practices made by an Englishman and other of the Steelyard being most injurious and false, his matter has not such speed as hoped for by reason thereof, and the Pope’s Nuncio, who dreads her conscience with marriage of a heretic; yet the cause is not desperate. Complains of his intolerable charges, and also that his enemies have spread reports that he is a person of small account at Court. Trusts in his goodness that he may not be a loser by this journey.—Cologne, 1 Nov. 1576.  Signed.
  Add. Endd. Pp. 5.  

In February 1579(80), Robert was appointed by the Privy Council to investigate conditions at Newgate prisons.
Acts of the Privy Council of England vol 11 pp398-9 (1895)
    xxiijo Februarij, 1579.
... A letter to the Lord Maiour of the Cittie of London that wheras their Lordships weare geven to understand of many great and notable misdemeanours commytted and suffered within her Majesties prison of Newgate by suche as have the charge there, and for that their Lordships desier to be thoroughly informed of every particuler disorder commytted ther, and from what persons the same dothe growe, thought good to appoint Sir Owen Hopton, knight, Mr. Robert Colshil, esquire, and —— Haulton, of the Temple, to repaire thether, and being assisted with suche as his Lordship shall appoint for that purpose, to enquire dilligentlie of the particulareties therof; their Lordships doe likewise require his Lordship to appoint some ij or iij suche as he shall thinck meet for that purpose to joygn with the gentlemen aforesaid, and after dewe examynacion had of the premisses to deliver unto their Lordships a trew reporte of the abuses that be there commytted, and after their Lordships shall understand therof they meane to take order accordingly, &c.

Notes:
Robert is named, the fifth in a list of seven children, in the will of his father, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 (at which time he was a minor) and proved 13 September 1540 at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
... And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried

Robert is also named as a primary legatee and executor of the will of his brother, Nicolas Colshill, dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606).
... Item I bequeathe unto my brother Robert Colshill asmuche clothe as will make him a gowne , and a ringe of golde to the value of xls wt a deathes hed, also unto my said brother xiij li vjs viijd in mony.
... Item I will that for asmuche as my brother Thomas and Robt Colshil be of right more nere unto me of bludde and name than any other personne I will all my land lying at harking to remayne unto them and their heires forever and to non other personne or personnes according. Item I will also that for that my saide two brethrene Thomas and Robt Colshil knowe my state of substance better than I my self doo at the making herof and be the two personnes meete and convenient in abating and plucking back any legacie or bequest to any personne or personnes herin named being by them thought superflouous and not meete to be doon and accomplisshed. And the Residue of all my goodes, my dettes and funeralles paid I will to remayne to my brother Thomas and Robert Colshill my executours. And of this my last will and testament I constitute and make to be my executours my brother Robert Colshill and because my brother Robert will not take upon hym the same alone I will my brother Thomas Colshill to be joyned wt hym so that he will like a good brother use hym self upright for the payment of suche monney which he hath of myn in his handes. And all other wills or testamentes made tofore I will them to stande in no effecte In witnesse whereof I have subscribed my name and sette my seale the xxvj of November ???  per me Nicolas Colshill. This will and testament was declared by me Nicolas Colshill to his brother Robert Exrc confessing it to be his acte and deede and wt his owne hande his name subscribed, by me Roger harman preest

Robert participated in at least two chivalrous tournaments before the Queen, in 1565 and 1571.
The Life of the Learned Sir John Cheke pp133-4 (John Strype, 1821)
  This Henry Mac Williams was a person of valour and chivalry, being one of those that were chosen by the Earl of Leicester, in a great exercise of tilts and tournaments, anno 1565, before Queen Elizabeth, (wherein he met with a remarkable accident,) at the marriage of Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick, with a daughter of Francis Russel, Earl of Bedford, solemnized before the said Queen, at her palace at Westminster, Sunday, 11th of November, the year above-said. For the greater magnificency, on the said Sunday, and two days after, were holden justs, tourneys, and barriers, at Westminster, by four gentlemen challengers against all comers, viz. Sir Henry Knoles, son and heir to Sir Francis Knoles, Vice-Chamberlain; Thomas Leighton, Christopher Hatton, and Robert Colshill.  

The Progresses and Public Processions of Queen Elizabeth vol 2 p334 (John Strype, 1821)
  A Royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Majestie; wherein were Challengers, the Earle of Oxenford, Charles Howard, now Lord Admiral, Sir Henrie Lea, and Sir Christopher Hatton, now Knights of the Garter; the one Master of her Majestie's armorie; the other (at his death) Lord Chancellor.
          The Defenders were,
  The Lord Stafford, the Lord Henrie Seamor, Edward Harbert, Sir George Carie, Thomas Cecil, Henry Gray, William Howard, Sir Jerome Bowes, Henrie Knowles, Henry Knevet, William Norris, Richard Bulkley, Thomas Knevet, William Knowles, Rafe Lane, George Delves, Robert Colsel, Launcelot Bostock, Brian Anstey, Henrie Macwilliam, Thomas Beddingfield, Thomas Moore, William Worthingtõ, Richard Blunt, Thomas Connesby, Robert Alexander, Roger Clopton.
  This Triumph continued three days: the first at Tilt, the second at Turney, and the third at the Barrier.
  On every of the Challengers her Majestie bestowed a prize; for the receiving whereof, they were particularly led armed, by two Ladies, unto her presence chamber.
  The prize at the Tilt, on the Defender’s party, was given unto Henry Gray; at the Tourney, to the Lord Henry Seamor; at the Barriers, to Thomas Cecil; Before them went Clarencieux King of Armes, in his rich coate of armes.
  This magnificent Triumph was performed, anno 1571.  

In this sale of land in Kent by Robert Colshill and Henry Mackwilliams to Sir Warham St. Leger, Robert is stated to be "of St Martin in the fields, Middlesex".

When Robert was sent to Cologne on a commission from the Privy Council to negotiate loans to the Queen, he courted Margaret Hylton, the daughter of a wealthy widow who was one of potential loaners. Robert went so far as to request his connections at court to obtain a letter of recommendation for him from the Queen to help his cause. Writing to Lord Burghley on 12 September 1576: "His own cause takes so good and sweet a course that there is more than hope if her Majesty and his good friends fail him not. Though sought by nobles, it is never denied him his repair unto her, when to all others it is denied. ... Her mother’s consent he has, and he doubt not of hers also, if he may be backed as aforesaid. Desires him to procure the Queen’s letters, and send his own in Latin to the maid named Margaret Hilton, and to other people to befriend him." (Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth vol 11 1575-1577 p339 (Allan James Crosby, 1880)) although a later letter to Burghley, dated 1 November 1576 indicates the suit was being undermined: "For his own cause, through certain speeches and practices made by an Englishman and other of the Steelyard being most injurious and false, his matter has not such speed as hoped for by reason thereof, and the Pope’s Nuncio, who dreads her conscience with marriage of a heretic; yet the cause is not desperate. Complains of his intolerable charges, and also that his enemies have spread reports that he is a person of small account at Court. Trusts in his goodness that he may not be a loser by this journey". I have not found any evidence that Robert and Margaret did actually marry.

Robert Colshill signature in manuscript book
Folio ii of the manuscript Opusculum de ratione spere on which Robert Colshill signed his name three times. The manuscript is held at the Bodleian Library MS. Digby 83
image posted at Bodleian Library
Robert owned a 12th century manuscript book, Opusculum de ratione spere, in which his name is written. The book is an anonymous Latin compilation on astronomy, geography and astrology. Robert signed the book three times, once spelling his surname Colshill, and twice spelling it Colshyll. The manuscript is now held at the Bodleian Library of the University of Oxford.

Death: between 23 February 1579(80) and 21 April 1580
Robert's death must have occurred after an appointment made to Robert by the Privy Council on 23 February 1579(80) and before 21 April 1580, when administration of Robert's estate was granted.

Administration: Administration of Robert's estate was granted on 21 April 1580 to his brother, Thomas Colshill, and Sir Christopher Hatton.

Sources:

Susan (Coleshill, Stanhope) Marbury

Father: Thomas Colshill

Mother: Mary (Crayford) Colshill

Married (1st): Edward Stanhope

Children: Married (2nd): Lawrence Marbury

Lawrence was the son of William Marbury, of Marbury, Cheshire, and Maud Redish. He is mentioned in the will of his wife, Susan (Coleshill) Stanhope, along with his brother Thomas Marburie, "of Marbury in the county of Chester" and his uncle, also Thomas Marburie. Lawrence was deceased by the date of Susan's will, 12 February 1618(9), and was probably the "ould" Lawrence Marbury buried on 14 November 1618 in Great Budworth, Cheshire (Cheshire Parish Register, Cheshire Bishop's Transcripts)

Notes:
Susan is named as "my daughter" and as the wife of Edward Stanhope in the will of her father Thomas Colshill, dated 23 April 1593, which is held at the National Archives (PROB 11/85/243):
... Item I give unto my daughter Susan the wife of Edward Stanhope one Tankerd of Alloblaster covered and bounde aboute with silver and gilte to be delivered unto her within one halfe yeare after my decease ... Item I doe give and bequeathe unto my sonn Stanhope and to his wife and to either of them a mourning gowne to be worne at my funerall

Memorial to Thomas Coleshill and Mary Crayford in Chigwell
Monument to Thomas Colshill and Mary (Crayford) Colshill on the south wall of the chancel in St Mary, Chigwell, Essex, with two figures to the right, likely their daughters, Susan and Mary
photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0) posted at geograph.org.uk
Familiae minorum gentium vol 3 p987 (Joseph Hunter, 1895)
Susan, dau. & c. of Thomas Coleshull of Chigwell in Essex, Inspector of the Customs; she & her sister Anne, w. of Jasper Leake, Esq., erected a Mon. to their father's memory in the Church of Chigwell; survived 

The monument, shown here, depicts Thomas Colshill and his wife Mary, with two smaller female figure kneeling behind Mary. These are quite probably their daughters, Susan and Mary.

Susan is also named as "my daughter" in the will of her mother Mary (Crayford) Colshill, dated 2 June 1599 and proved on 29 June 1599, held at the The National Archives (PROB 11/93/439).
... Item I doe give to my sonne Stanhope and my daughter Susan his wyfe, to my sonne Leeke, and my daughter Mary his wyfe, to my brother Arthur, and his wyfe, to my cosen Manwood and his wyfe, to my Grand childe Elizabeth Dacres each of them mourning gownes and of such stuff as shalbe thought meete by my Executors. The gentlemen to have cloth of Eighteene shillings the yarde; And the gentlewomen silke ??? of Three shillings ffour pence ye yarde, hoping that they (if their helthes will permitt them) will not only attende my body to the buriall but will also furnish such of their children as may be at it with mourning apparel for that purpose.
... Item I give to my daughter Stanhope my Twelve silver and gilte spoones that be with ??? on their order, hopinge that she will keep them as monument made by her father of his my good will and love to her, And so I give them to her sonne and heire as an heirloome after his parents decease And although they be much lease in value than my gift to my daughter Leeke yet I doubt not but she knoweth my love to them both to be equall.
...  Item likewise my will and meaning is that my daughter Stanhope may take away at her pleasure after my decease the Alabaster Tankard bounde with silver and gilte which her father gave her, And likewyse for the gilte Cupp called ye Cullyn Cupp with the cover which her father in his lyfe tyme signified unto her in his letters that he had given unto her to the behoof of such childe as she was then in childe with which was in Ffebruary before he dyed.
... Item I give to my cosen Mary Manwood my silke grograine gowne and the ??? which my daughter Stanhope gave me for a peticote.  

A History of the County of Somerset vol 9 pp120-42 (ed. R W Dunning, 2006)
Godney Manor
The reversion was acquired by Sir Robert Peckham who, with his wife and parents, sold it in 1560 to Thomas Coleshill of London. In 1601 Mary, wife of Jasper Leeke, and Susan, wife of Edward Stanhope, daughters of Thomas Coleshill, each conveyed half Godney manor to Edward Seymour, earl of Hertford, but may have retained a life interest.

Susan received a legacy in the will of her brother-in-law, Edward Stanhope, dated 28 February 1603
The National Archives PROB 11/111/228 (Prerogative Court of Canterbury copy of the last will and testament, dated 28 February 1603 and proved 25 March 1608, of Sir Edward Stanhope (d. 10 March 1608), modern spelling transcript ©2007 Nina Green)
  Item, I do give to my loving sister, Susan Stanhope, wife to my said brother, Edward Stanhope, one piece of plate of silver and gilt of thirty ounces’ weight, to remain after her decease to her youngest daughter which shall be living at the time of her death;
  Item, I do give to every one of the sons and daughters of my brother, Edward Stanhope, and my sister, Susan, his wife, which shall be living at the time of my death one gold signet ring of three angels’ weight apiece with the same crest and inscription as is set down for the sons and daughter of my brother, Sir Thomas Stanhope, knight, deceased

Susan is provided for in the will of her first husband, Edward Stanhope, dated 8 August 1603 and proved 16 February 1603(4), is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/103/253).
... first as touching my wife with whom I haue lived these manie yeres in the blessed estate of honorable wedlock in the feare of god and true and perfect loue; by whom by the blessing of god I haue had manie children and by her good helpe and furtherannce hetherto I hope well educated and brought vp in the feare of god whom I must confess before Jesus christe hath alwaies bin a moste kinde and loving wife vnto me, And therefore in parte of recompence thereof I hope I haue to her good liking assined her for her Jointure certaine of my landes and tennementes wherewith I doubt nott but she is well placed yet neuertheles am content to giue her my Lease and terme of yeres in Hedlay Grange with the sheepe walke And Conny warrant there, And my Leases of the woodes of Osmondthirk Blackson and Whitwell Ca???, for the better prouision of her howse at Grimston, And also a rent chanrge of xxli per Annum out of my mannor of [blank] during her naturall life
... Item to Marye Stanhope my daughter for her porcion or childes parte the somme of fiue hundred poundes, ... the somme of twentie pounds per Annum for her private maintenance, which saide somme of twentie poundes to be paide vnto the Ladie Stanhope my wief to her use quarterly, whereof the first payment to begin at the feast of saint Martin the Bishop in winter next ensuing the date hereof, Item to Fraunces Stanhope my daughter for her porcion or childs parte the somme of fiue hundred poundes, ...  the somme of twentie poundes  per Annum for her private maintenance, which saide somme of twentie poundes to be paide vnto my said wief for my said daughters use quarterly whereof the first payment to begin at the Feast of saint Martin the Bishop in winter next ensuing the date hereof, And my Will and further desire is that my saide two daughters Marie and Fraunces maye contynue in howse with my said wife their mother to th'end she may bringe them up and educate them in the fearfe of god, as hitherto she has doen, vntill they come vnto the age of eightene yeres or be married, whether shall first happen, of whose approued and virtuous educacion of them, I make no doubte, having had soe good experience thereof,
... And further my will and meaning is That the Ladie my wief shall haue the cubbard of plate commonlie called the chamber plate And all the furniture for the same chamber to her owne propper vse and vses, And for the residue of my plate housholdstuf and movable goodes wheresoever, my will and purpose is, that the same shall be equaly devided betwene the Lady my wife, and the saide Sir Edward Stanhope my sonne;

She is also mentioned in the will of her sister-in-law, Jane (Stanhope, Townshend) Berkeley, dated 20 July 1617
The National Archives PROB 11/131/287 modern spelling transcript ©2007 Nina Green)
  Item, I give unto my well-beloved sister-in-law, the Lady Susanna Stanhope, my jewel thick-set with small diamonds, only with a round pearl at each end thereof, and to her daughter Frances, my niece, one jewel with diamonds therein and a ruby in the middest of the same and a pearl hanging thereat;

Portraits of Susan, her husband, Sir Edward Stanhope, and her father Thomas Coleshill, were noted to be in the house at Panmure, Scotland, north of Dundee, on 30 August 1772 on a tour of Scotland made by Thomas Pennant.
A Tour in Scotland part 2 pp129-31 (Thomas Pennant, 1776)
Panmure, a large and excellent house, surrounded by vast plantations. ...
  In the house are some excellent portraits of distinguished personages: among them, ...
   Mr. Coleshill of Chigwell, Yorkshire, a half length, in a black cap, furred gown, with a gold chain.
  His daughter, grotesquely dressed in black; her arms perfectly herisseès with points. She was the lady of Sir Edward Stanhope, president of the north, whose picture, in small, is by her.

Death: between 12 February 1618(9) and 17 February 1618(9)

Burial: 17 February 1618(9), in St Martin in the Fields, Middlesex, England

Curiously, Susan's burial is recorded as "Domina Suzan Stanhope" rather than her married name at the time of her death, Susan Marburie, although she appeared to use both names - she writes in her will "I Susan Marburie widowe alias Dame Susan Stanhope"

Will: The will of Susan Marburie alias Dame Susan Stanhope, dated 12 February 1618(9) and proved 16 March 1618(9), is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/133/312).
In the name of god amen I Susan Marburie widowe alias Dame Susan Stanhope of the parishe of St Martin in the fieldes in the Countie of Midds the late wife of Sr Edward Stanhope knight deceased beyng sikke in bodie but of sound and perfect mynde and memory (praysed be god) and considering that all fleshe is as grasse and mans life very uncertaine on earthe and that all thinges are disposed according to the will of god whoe of his most gracious goodnes hath preferred me hitherto and blessed me with the vse of some Landes possessions and goodes do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme folowinge: First I commend my soule into the handes of Almyghtie god hoping to be saved by the onlie meritts deathe and passion of Jesus Xrist my onlie Savyoure and Redemer and my bodie to be buryed decentlie without any pompe or vanitie at the discrecion of my Executors hereinafter named Item whereas the saied Sr Edward Stanhope by his laste will and testament did give and bequeathe unto me the moitie of one halfe of all his goodes and ymplementes of houshould stuffe a greate parte whereof is nowe remayning in the handes, custodie or possession of Sr Edward Stanhope knight my eldest sonne as, in and by a certaine booke conteyning an Inuentarie of the same goodes and by some other writinges in my custodie appeareth And whereas allso I am nowe possessed of divers goodes and chattells jewells lynnen and ymplements of houshoulde and houshoulde stuffe All which I have onto a purpose to have given to some of my best deserving children But fynding my estate to be muche ympayreil by many chardgable and troublesome suites in lawe betwene my selfe and some of Those that were neerest and ought to haue ben deerest in love and affection towards me I haue nowe altered my mynde and purpose in yt poynte and do leave the same to the disposition of my Executores herein after named for the payment of my debtes and suche Legacys as are herein after expressed  And whereas I did many yeres synce as a testimonie of a thankfull harte for curtesies recyved, by my deed under my hand and seale give and grannte unto Thomas Marburie of Marbury in the Countie of Chester Esquire the eldest brother of my saied late husband Laurence Marburie Esquire deceased and to the heires males of his bodie lawfullie begotten as an heireloome to ??? to the name and house of the Marburies for ever One cupboard of white silver plate consisting of these severall parcells hereafter folowing that is to saye one Bason and Ewer, twoe Liverye pottes, twoe Colledge pottes three bolles and one sugar boxe weighing  in the whole [blank] ounces All which bee stamped or marked with my owne Armes and according to the purporte of the saied deede are to be enioyed by me during my life And after my decease my will is that my Executors herein after named shall foerthwith deliver or cause to be delivered all the saied last mentioned particular parcells of plate to the said Thomas Marburie of Marburie or the heires males of his bodye to be held and enioyedby hym and them for ever as my propper gifte and as an heireloome to their house according to my true meaning of the sayed deede : And touching my daughtr Harte I do acknowledge her to have ben a good and loving childe and according to my power I have done well by her And yf my abilitie were awnswerable to my mynde I would remember her better. Item I give and bequeathe unto my loving Sister Mrs Mary Leake widowe my best gowne and kirtle that I shall leave behinde me Item I give and bequeathe unto my twoo kynneswomen Mrs Mary Manwood widowe and to her sister ??ley [blank] widowe and to my servannte Katherine Burknell all the residue of my wearing apparrell whatsoever to be equallie devided amongst them three (saving onlie and except my newe scarlett petticoate layers with gould lace) which I do hereby give unto Elizabeth Harte my grandaughter Item my will and pleasure is that all my servanntes shall have their wages duelie payed unto them Item my desire is that the Accomptes and reckoninges betwene me and Mr Bemarke of Arham in the Countie of Yorke be dulie cast vp and sett streighte according to suche letters and noates about in my Cabbinett Allso my Will is that suche money as over due to be paied by my sonne in lawe Sr Henry Vaughan for the mayntenance of his children shalbe called for in And I may not forgett my most worthye and honorable good brother the Lord Stanhope and his honorable Ladie unto whome I haue ben allwayes much ??? and will ever praye for the happines of them and theires And for my good friend Mr Edward Smythe my cownsellar in Lawe causes whome I have allwayes found very faithfull carefull and trustie I do hereby give vnto hym a peece of silver plate of the valewe of tenne poundes of lawfull money of England as a token of my love Nowe for my daughter Frances Maule whome I must confess hath ben always a deerlie beloved child unto me And for my vncle Mr Thomas Marburie whom I have allways found to be my faithfull friend in my greatest necessities and whoe doth nowe stand mgages for me, I do make the said Francis Maule and my said vncle Mr Thomas Marburie my sole and onlie executors of this my last will and Testament In witnesse whereof I the said Same Susan Stanhope haue herevnto put my hand and seale the twelueth daye of February in the yeres of the raigne of ower soveraigne Lord James the Kynges Maiestie that nowe is over his Realmes of England France and Ireland the Sixteenth and of Scotland the twoo and fiftith  Su: Stanhope  Signed sealed and published the daye and yere abovewritten in the presence of Edward Smythe John Arscott Thomas Thist?? Thomas Bemarke                                  
Sources:

Thomas Colshill

Married: Alice Collin

Children: Notes: The Visitations of Essex in Publications of the Harleian Society vol 14 p561 (1879) has Thomas as the son of John Colshill and Joane Hardfeld and the brother of Sir John Coleshill of Cornwall, knight, who  married Elizabeth Cheney. I am unconvinced by this, as the large estates of Sir John Coleshill passed, on his death without children in 1493, to his "sister and heir" Joan. This is descibed in the post mortem inquisition of Joane's grandson, Sir Edmund Arundel on 29 June 1504, which makes no mention of any Thomas Colshill, brother of Sir John Colshill, or any heirs of such a Thomas. The post mortem inquisition of the father of this Sir John Coleshill, also Sir John Coleshill, on 20 September 1418, mentions a wife, Anne, his son and heir, John, aged 2, as well as daughters Joan and Anne, but no Thomas.

I am also unable to find supporting evidence of Thomas's marriage to Alice Collin, daughter of Henry Collin, or Thomas and Alice being the parents of John Colshill, mayor of Exeter, as also described in Visitations of Essex in Publications of the Harleian Society vol 14 p561 (1879), but I have no evidence that leads me to disbelieve it.

Sources:

Thomas Colshill

Portrait of Thomas Coleshill
Portrait of Thomas Colshill, aged 45, in 1565
In 1772 this portrait was hanging in the house at Panmure, Scotland
The painting appears again in the catalogue for the Great Sale of Strawberry Hill in 1842
photo from wikimedia commons
Birth: 1517-20

Father: William Colshill

Mother: Catherine (West) Colshill

Married: Mary Crayford circa 1545
According to the inscription on Thomas's tomb, Thomas and Mary were married for fifty years. Since Thomas, the first dying of them, died in 1595, we can deduce a marriage date of around 1545. However, Thomas "and his wife" are remembered by Richard Reynolds in his will dated 30 September 1541 (held at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/29/375)) "Item I bequeath to Thomas Colsell Citizen and mercer of London and his wife viij yards and a halfe blak clothe at vjs the yarde", which would indicate that either Thomas was previously married, or that his marriage to Mary occurred before 30 September 1541.

Children: Occupation: Mercer, Member of Parliament, customs official.
Thomas was supervisor of petty customs in 1549 and surveyor of great customs for the city of London by 1562. He represented Knaresborough, Yorkshire, in Parliament in 1558 and Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in 1563. Further details of the offices he held and his parliamentary career can be found in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981, entry for COLSHILL, Thomas

Thomas was a mercer, of London. He obtained the freedom of the Mercers' Company, presumably by patrimony, in 1541 (Records of the London Livery Companies Online).

Interesting anecdotes about Thomas's career in customs collection are found in:
The Mercery of London: Trade, Goods and People, 1130–1578 p531 (Anne F. Sutton, 2016)
Thomas Colshill feared that suspicion would fall on him in the 1560s when some of his books were sealed inside the office of Thomas Smith, pending investigation. He persuaded a servant of his ‘a slender hipped’ young man, to climb through a window to rescue his books ‘and they made so great a fire of these books that they almost set the house in flame’, William Cecil was told. Thomas Colshill was, however, an industrious official; he regularly compiled statistics for the privy council and William Cecil from the records of the Customs House: in 1559-61 he reported an adverse balance of trade of just over £100,000; and in 1572 he compiled a list of ships and their owners. Hints of peccadilloes did not lose him him office or prevent him from serving as warden to the Mercers and compiling reports for them.  
p490
In May 1572, Upper Warden Thomas Colshill, who had been second warden in 1561 and probably not forgotten the grilling received from the royal council, put forward his ‘device’ to the court of assistants, for the ‘reducing all such as occupy any retail of silks in to the fellowship of mercers and none to retail then but mercers as of old time hath been accustomed’. Colshill was the son of a mercer and the husband of a great-granddaughter of Lady Joan Bradbury, and may have had deep loyalties to the company as well as memories of his father's trade; he had been an MP and was now a customs official, well versed in writing reports on trade matters for Lord Burghley. 

In 1572 Thomas produced a survey of all the merchant ships in England, in case they were needed to assist the navy, at that time under threat from Spain.
The survey is described at the time in
Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Elizabeth, Addenda, 1566-1579 p440 (1871)
      VOL. XXII. 1572.
  1. Volume, originally bound in vellum and gilt, entitled, “Merchant Shipps in England Ao 1572,” and headed, “The numbre of shippes and vessells, and the maisters’ names, beinge in all the portes and crekes within the realme of Englande, and tradinge the waye of merchandize, as appearith by the customers’ accomptes: from the Feaste of St. Michaell the Archangell anno Domini 1571, unto the same Feaste, anno 1572. Collected by Thomas Colshill, surveyor of ye porte of London.”

The survey is the earliest list of the merchant shipping of England in existence. The abstract of a publication of the survey in 2018 as England’s reserve Navy: the Ship Survey of 1572 (Craig Lambert, 2018)  reads:
The threats to Queen Elizabeth I from a possible Spanish invasion were real. The ‘Queens maiesties shipes’ in 1570 listed only twenty ships and three galleys. However, the merchant fleet could be requisitioned in an emergency, and Burghley ordered a survey of the merchant fleet, which was carried out by Thomas Colshill in 1572. Colshill was intimately acquainted with the merchant trade, having started in 1549 as supervisor of petty customs in London and appointed surveyor of great customs in London in 1572. He used the customs accounts to compile the survey, listing the head ports all the way round the coast from Newcastle to Chester. Under each port are listed all the ships in that port arranged by tonnage from the largest to the smallest, together with the master of that vessel.

Allegations of corruption have been made against Thomas, primarily involving the a fraud of receiving export taxes based on a certain volume of shipments and then reducing the volume in the records, presumably to reduce the amount passed on to the crown. Oliver Dunn of Queen's College, Cambridge investigates this as part of his 2010 doctoral thesis:
London's merchant smugglers p9 (Oliver Dunn, 2010)
A third document dated April 1572 concerns Thomas Colshill, who as the surveyor attracted much attention from the commission that was to investigate Byrd. He was eventually arraigned at the Queen’s Bench alongside Byrd. The document is a rough 'note', probably written by Colshill's clerk, John Smythe, who complains of 'sartyn Enteris...Rasid & alterid in my boke of Enterys Deleverid to (Colshill) to subscrebe acordyng to the ordars mad by my Lord treserer'. According to Smythe, between 21st April and 14th June in 1572, Colshill altered the official entries for seven outgoing shipments that he had previously correctly entered, presumably on receiving the cockets for the same shipments from the searcher
... it is alleged that merchants, along with Byrd, Colshill, the searcher of cloths Richard Gray, and the “comptroller”, William Rivet, would prefabricate cockets at merchant's dwellings. This same cocket would then be given to the searcher by the merchant or master of the ship immediately prior to sailing. After the ship had departed, the searcher would allegedly falsely declare at the custom house that a predetermined proportion of the cloth recorded on the cocket could not be loaded due to unforeseen circumstances; a certificate would then be produced allowing for the same supposedly unloaded proportion of cloth to go custom free on a later voyage. This was seemingly a simple process, but one that would require the cooperation of many individuals. If these frauds were to be planned, then it is believable (as the author states) that meetings of sorts would take place within the houses of merchants to decide on which 'parcels' were to be said to have been left at the key side for lack of  'stowage' or other excuse.
... The writer goes on to state how Colshill was generally a corrupting influence at the customs house, and clerks such as John Smith who came 'bare and neady' grew to 'good wealthe' by his 'crafty dealing'.

Byrd, who was a warden of the Mercer's Company, was brought to trial for the fraud, and Thomas was a witness at that trial although not charged himself. Byrd was convicted at the trial, but later vindicated in an appeal conveniently adjudicated by the Mercer's Company, which found John Smythe "responsible for the few concealments that remained. Byrd, being responsible for overseeing his clerk, was subsequently fined for lack of diligence and the case closed."
A State of Corruption: Fraud and the Birth of British Customs Taxation, c.1550 -1590 pp138-9 (Oliver Buxton Dunn, 2015)
  At the Queen’s Bench in January 1572 thirteen merchants are named as shippers of ‘concealed’ cloth, principally to Hamburg, between 1569-70. All thirteen, foreign and denizen merchants involved presumably had dealings with Bird, as Collector, but also his clerks, and his Surveyor, Thomas Coleshill. Although none of these are charged.... During the investigation, it seems the merchants involved had ‘confessed’ the details of their shipments, including their real dates and quantities. These confessions were compared with the cockets’ data by the investigators, disparities were found. Bird defended the disparities by averring that these shipments, as ‘confessed’ by the merchants involved, had been ‘shipped as the merchants had sworn’. Bird states that the missing shipments were recorded informally by makeshift certificates, but recorded by Bird and others. The problem was that these cargoes had previously been entered but could not be shipped in realty due to unforeseen causes, and after the cockets had been submitted. The informal certificates remedied this problem. But in error, the Searchers had mistakenly entered the original cockets, rather than Bird’s certificates in their own ‘original books’. Thomas Coleshill seems to have then shown evidence that unwittingly contradicted this account. Coleshill states that it was common for merchants to request, under oath, for such certificates due to regular disruption of shipping. Their goods, having stated as being exported in the cockets, could after simply be shipped again without being taxed twice. Coleshil stated that he would mark these instances in the margins of his own ‘surveyor’s book’, recording that goods were in fact shipped on other occasions and in other ships. Coleshil was then asked to show the court this marginalia in his own books, which had been obtained by the commission and were being held open for him and all to see. It was clear that there were no such annotations made for the specific merchandise in question. ‘Thereupon the Jury went together, and so upon these and diverse other manifest proofs gave their verdict against the said William Bird.’

Notes:
Portraits of Thomas, his daughter, Susan, and son-in-law, Sir Edward Stanhope, were noted to be in the house at Panmure, Scotland, north of Dundee, on 30 August 1772 on a tour of Scotland made by Thomas Pennant (Thomas's granddaughter, Frances Stanhope, was the mother of Elizabeth Maule, "Lady of Panmure").
A Tour in Scotland part 2 pp129-31 (Thomas Pennant, 1776)
Panmure, a large and excellent house, surrounded by vast plantations.
... In the house are some excellent portraits of distinguished personages: among them, ...
  Mr. Coleshill of Chigwell, Yorkshire, a half length, in a black cap, furred gown, with a gold chain.
  His daughter, grotesquely dressed in black; her arms perfectly herisseès with points. She was the lady of Sir Edward Stanhope, president of the north, whose picture, in small, is by her.

The portrait of Thomas next appears in the catalogue of the Great Sale of Strawberry Hill in 1842 in which it is attributed to Hans Holbein although this cannot be correct since the painting is dated 1565 and Holbein died in 1543. The painting sold for £6 16s. 6d.
Catalogue of the Classic Contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole p204
TWENTIETH DAY'S SALE.
97  A curious original Portrait with the arms and an inscription of Colshill of Cornwall, with a Latin inscription on the frame     HOLBEIN

The description is enhanced in a contemporaneous article in
The Gentleman's Magazine vol 173 August 1842 p149
    The Treasures of Strawberry Hill.
  “A portrait with the arms of Colshill of Cornwall, by Holbein.”  20th Day, Lot 97. 6l. 16s. 6d.—Holbein died in 1554, which puts him out of the question for this picture, which is dated 1565. It is inscribed as follows:
Quid facis? ah demens! cur ora fugātia pingis?
Cum cras mihi novus aut nullus vultus erit.
    An. d’ni 1565.
    ÆTA. SVE 45.
  The arms are quarterly of six:
  1. Checky or and az. a chief ar. gutté de sang, Coleshill
  2. Ar. a castle within an orle of fleurs-de-lis sa.
  3. Az. three water bougets or, on a chief of the second three. . . . ?
  4. Obscure: qu. a hand from the clouds grasping another ?
  5. Ar. a chevron az. between 3 butterflies gu.
  6. Bendy az. (?) and arg.
  These are not the quarterings of the Coleshills of Cornwall, according to Lysons. 

Thomas is remembered with two yards of black cloth in the will of his mother's stepfather, Sir Thomas Exmewe, dated 6 January 1528(9) and proved on 9 March 1528(9) (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/23/55).

Thomas is named, the first in a list of seven children, in the will of his father, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 (at which time he was a minor) and proved 13 September 1540 at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
... And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried

Thomas and his wife are also remembered by Richard Reynolds in his will dated 30 September 1541 and held at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/29/375) "Item I bequeath to Thomas Colsell Citizen and mercer of London and his wife viij yards and a halfe blak clothe at vjs the yarde".

The land transaction below gives an idea of Thomas's wealth.
Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol 20 part 1, January-July 1545 p128 (1905)
GRANTS in FEBRUARY 1545
52. Licenses to alienate lands :—
  Thos. Colsell, of London and Mary his wife to Sir Wm. Dacre lord Dacre. All their lands in Depedale, Patterdale, Penreth, Carleton and Farleton, in cos. Lanc., Westmld. and Cumb., which belonged to Wm. Lancaster, attainted, and which the said Thomas purchased from Sir Humph. Radclyff, of Bedyngton, Surr. (4th). P. 20, m 11  

Thomas is named as a primary legatee and executor of the will of his brother, Nicolas Colshill, dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606).
... Item I bequeathe to my brother Thomas Colshill and his wif eche of them asmuche black clothe as will make them a gowne and to my brother Thomas a ringe of golde with a deathes hed to the value of xls.
... Item I will that for asmuche as my brother Thomas and Robt Colshil be of right more nere unto me of bludde and name than any other personne I will all my land lying at harking to remayne unto them and their heires forever and to non other personne or personnes according. Item I will also that for that my saide two brethrene Thomas and Robt Colshil knowe my state of substance better than I my self doo at the making herof and be the two personnes meete and convenient in abating and plucking back any legacie or bequest to any personne or personnes herin named being by them thought superflouous and not meete to be doon and accomplisshed. And the Residue of all my goodes, my dettes and funeralles paid I will to remayne to my brother Thomas and Robert Colshill my executours. And of this my last will and testament I constitute and make to be my executours my brother Robert Colshill and because my brother Robert will not take upon hym the same alone I will my brother Thomas Colshill to be joyned wt hym so that he will like a good brother use hym self upright for the payment of suche monney which he hath of myn in his handes.

Thomas is also mentioned in the will of Dionyse (Bodley) Leveson, the great-aunt of his wife, Mary.
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES PROB 11/43/645 (last will and testament, dated 13 March 1559 (will of lands) and 1 August 1560 (will of goods) and proved 20 December 1560, of Dionyse Leveson), modern spelling transcript ©2014 Nina Green)
  Also I will and bequeath unto every of those my loving friends hereafter written a ring of [-of] gold of the value of 30s, that is to wit, unto the Lady Dorothy Broke, late wife of Sir Robert Broke, knight; to the Lady Dormer of London; to my cousin, Jane Crafford; to my cousin, Thomas Colshill and to his wife, either of them a ring;
...
Also I bequeath to my said cousin Colshill and his wife, either of them a black gown;

A History of the County of Somerset vol 9 pp120-42 (ed. R W Dunning, 2006)
Godney Manor
The reversion was acquired by Sir Robert Peckham who, with his wife and parents, sold it in 1560 to Thomas Coleshill of London. In 1601 Mary, wife of Jasper Leeke, and Susan, wife of Edward Stanhope, daughters of Thomas Coleshill, each conveyed half Godney manor to Edward Seymour, earl of Hertford, but may have retained a life interest.

Thomas is left a legacy in the will of his mother-in-law, Joane Crayford, dated 10 December 1583, of which he was also appointed overseer.
Wynch, Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history (1584 Joane Crafford widow)
1584 Joane Crafford widow
ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my son in law Mr Thomas COLSHILL Esquire one black gown with the hood piece eighteen shillings the yard, and also one ring of gold with a death’s head weighing three quarters of an ounce of twenty crown gold, and also one standing cup of silver and gilt with a cover.
... and for the better performance and execution of this my present testament and last will I make and ordain my well-beloved son in law Mr Thomas Colshill to be overseer of the same, trusting that he with my said executors will see this my said testament and last will in all things truly performed.

Death: 30 March 1595, aged 77

Memorial to Thomas Coleshill and MAry Crayford in Chigwell
Monument to Thomas Colshill and Mary (Crayford) Colshill on the south wall of the chancel in St Mary, Chigwell, Essex
photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0) posted at geograph.org.uk
Effigy of Thomas Coleshill from monument in Chigwell
Closeup of the effigy of Thomas Coleshill on the monument on the south wall of the chancel in St Mary, Chigwell, Essex
cropped from photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0) posted at geograph.org.uk
Buried: in the chancel of St Mary at Chigwell, Essex, England
The History of Essex p238 (Elizabeth Ogborne, 1812)
    CHIGWELL.
  On the south wall of the chancel is a white marble monument, with the effigies of the deceased kneeling at a stand with books; the lady with her two daughters behind her in the same attitude, dressed with large ruffs and lappeted head-dresses and inscribed as follows:
  “Thomas Colshill, ar. et Maria uxor, filia Guidonis Crayford, ar. nupti 50 annos. Ipse serviens Edw. regi, Mariæ et d'ne Eliz. Reginis, per ide·· tem·· ut superiu······ sor magne custumiæ civitatis London.
  “Et in isto comitatu unus custodu’ pacis per 24 an’os; quorum integritas vitæ et mortis christianitas placentur eoru’ animas in’ cœlo, ut corpora in hoc tumula requiescere.
      ipsi        77        37           30 Martii
        ætatis       obiit    Eliz. Re.
      ipsi        74        41             3 Junii.
  “Hic sepulti sumptibus Edwardi Stanhope, militis, et Susannæ uxoris Jasparis Leake armigeri, et Mariæ uxoris filiaru et heredu’ predictoru’.” 

The Environs of London vol 4 p119 (Daniel Lysons, 1796)
CHIGWELL.
  Against the south wall of the chancel is a monument of alabaster and veined marble, (with the effigies of the deceased in kneeling attitudes,) to the memory of Thomas Coleshill Esq., servant to King Edward IV., Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, and inspector of the customs for the city of London, ob. 1595. Mary, his wife, daughter of George Crayford, Esq. died in 1599: they were married fifty years. The monument was put up by Susanna, wife of Sir Edward Stanhope, and Anne, wife of Jasper Leeke Esq. daughters and co-heirs of the deceased.

Transactions of the Essex Archeological Society New Series vol 12 p140 (1911)
    CHIGWELL CHURCH.
  On a mural monument on the south wall of the chapel near the east end, depicting under an entablature the kneeling figures of a man and woman on either side of a priedieu and behind the woman two smaller female figures, probably children, all with hands clasped in prayer, is a Latin inscription, of which the following is a translation:—“Thomas Coleshill Esq., and Mary his wife, daughter of Gideon Crayford Esq., were married 50 years. During the same time, he served King Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, as Surveyor of the great Customs of the City of London, and in that County was one of the Justices of the Peace, 24 years. The integrity of their lives and their Christian deaths promise their souls to rest in Heaven as their bones do in this tomb. He died March 30th, aged 77. 37th Elizabeth (1595). She died June 3rd, aged 74 years, 41st Elizabeth (1599).”

Will: The will of Thomas Colshill of Chigwell, Essex, dated 23 April 1593 with a codicil dated 28 February 1594(5), and proved 12 April 1595, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/85/243).
 In the name of god Amen the three and twentith daye of April in the first and thirtieth year of the raign of our Soveraigne Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of god of England fFrance and Ireland Queene defender of the faythe and in the yeare of our Lorde god one thousand five hundred nintie three I Thomas Colshill of Chigwell in the countie of Essex esquier beinge sicke in bodie but whole of minde and of good and perfecte rememberance thanks be to Almightie god therefore do make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge, that is to say ffirst of all I do surrender and deliver upp my soule unto the hande of allmightie god my maker and Redeemer hopinge to be saved by the deathe and passion of Jesus Christe who was Crusified uppon the Cross and did shed his most precious blood for the redeeminge of all mankind And do appoynte my body to be buried in the heigh Channcell of the parish churche of Chigwell between the comunion table and the wall of the Southeside of the same channcell. And as touchinge the disposinge of my worldlie goodes I do give and dispose them as hereafter followeth ffirst I do give and bequeath unto seavintye of the poore peopill of this parish of chigwell to everie of them fouer pence to be disposed at the discretion of my executor. Item I give and bequeath to Jasper Leeke my sonne in lawe one standinge cupp of silver and gilte with a cover which was my grandfather Westes conteyning fortie seaven ounces or there aboutes to be delivered unto hym within one half yeare after my decease. Item I give unto my daughter Mary the wife of Jasper Leeke one Tankerd of Allowblaster covered and bounde aboute with silver and guilte to be delivered within one halfe yeare after my decease. Item I give and bequeath to my sonne in lawe Edward Stanhope one neest of Drinking boules of silver and guilte, with a cover conteyninge by estimaticion sixtie five ounces or there aboutes requiring my sonne Stanhope for rememberance of the giver he would cause the colshill arms to be sett uppon the cover to be delivered within one halfe yeare after my decease. Item I give unto my daughter Susan the wife of Edward Stanhope one Tankerd of Alloblaster covered and bounde aboute with silver and gilte to be delivered unto her within one halfe yeare after my decease Item I do give and bequeath to my cossen Mary Manhood the wife of John Manwood the fetherbed boulster blankett coverings bedsted vallens and pillowes and all other furnitures to the same beinge in the little parlor wherein hee and his wife nowe lyeth And whereas by one deed indented bearinge date the nine and twentieth day of Julie in the thirtieth yeare of the reigne of our most glorious Soveraigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth I have reserved one Rente chardge or Annuitie or Yearlie rente of three score six poundes thirteen shillinges foure pence payable at the feast of St Michaell Tharchangell onely during the space of ten yeares which is to be payed to Sr Thomas Henage knight vicechamberlain to her matie and one of her highnes most honorable privy counsell Thomas Smithe of London Esquier Thomas Harris of the middle temple London Esquier Thomas Barfoote of Lamborne in the countie of Essex Esquier and Nicholas Crafford of Cassalton in the countie Surrey gentleman the first payments thereof to begynn he feast of St Michaell tharchangell which shall happen to ?? next after the tyme of the decease of the survivor of the sayed Thomas Colshill Mary Colshill and Elizabeth Dacres uppon trust and confidence to the intent and purpose that they the sayed Thomas Henager Thomas Smithe Thomas Harris Thomas Barfoote Nicholas Crafford and the survivors of them and the heires of the survivors of them shall and will convey and assign the sayed Annuitie or Yearlie rente and all and every such parcell parte and portion thereof to such person or  persons as the sayed Thomas Colshill in and by ani writtings hereafter by him to be sealed & subscribed in the presence of two credible witnesses at the least or by his last will and testament in writting shall declare appoynte and requier and move therefore I the sayed Thomas Colshill doe by this my last will and testament appoynte and declare the sayed Annuitie or Yearly rente to be bestowed and hereafter followeth if that the sayed Elizabeth Dacres shall fortune to die before she shall accomplish the sayed age of one and twentie yeares as is aforesayed that is to saye firste I give and bequeathe to my cossen fFrancis Smith one hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Thomas Manwood the sonne of John Manwood my godsonne one hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Ann Leeke the daughter of Jasper Leeke a hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Katherine Leeke her sister a hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Ann Stanhope the daughter of Edward Stanhope one hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Jane Stanhope her sister one hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Susan Stanhope their sister one hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to ??? Crafford my goddaughter one hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Jasper Manwood the sonne of John Manwood one hundered markes Item I give and bequeathe to Willim Kirkland my servante one hundered markes Item I doe give and bequeathe unto my sonn Stanhope and to his wife and to either of them a mourning gowne to be worne at my funerall Item I give and bequeath to two of his men that shall wayte upon him at my funerall to either of them a black coate Item I give and bequeathe to my sonne Leeke and to my daughter his wife to either of them a morning gowne to be worne at my funerall Item I give and bequeathe to two of his servantes that shall then wayte uppon them a black coate Item I give and bequeath to my brother Crafford and to my sister his wife and to either of them a mourninge gowne Item I give and bequeath to my cossen Manwood and to his wife and to either of them a mourning gowne Item I give and bequeathe unto my cossen fFrncis Smithe a mourning gowne Item I give and bequeath to Mr John Smithe my deputy a ringe of forty shillings And to his wife a ringe of thirtie shillings both with this powsy Quis fuerim nosti. Item I give and bequeathe to nine of my men servantes viz John Hopkins William Kirkland John Parker Hugh Mellons fFrancis Smithe John Stanhope John Kelly John Pett and Richard Carswell and to every of them a blacke coate Item I give and bequeathe to every maydservante in my house a blacke gowne Item I give and bequeathe to William Kirkeland my servante five poundes over and above his wages Item I give and bequeatht to my servante over and above John Parker over and above his wages five and twentie  over and above his wages shillinges and eight pence Item I give and bequeathe to my servante Hugh Mellons and John Kelly and to either of them twentie shillinges over and above their wages. Item I give and bequeathe to Joh?? ??? my serviente five poundes over and above her wages. Item I give and bequeathe to my servientes ??? ??? and Julian Turnage and to either of them xxs a peece over and above their wages. Item I give and bequeathe to the wife of Willm ??? one blacke gowne and five shillinges in money. Item I give and bequeathe unto Mr Atterbie vicar of Chigwell twenty shillinges in goulde to make him a ringe. Item I give and bequeathe towardes the reparation of the parish church of Chigwell twenty shillinges. Item all the rest of my goodes and chattells moveable and nonmoveable not given nor bequeathed, my debtes beinge payed my legacies performed my funerall dischardged I give and bequeathe unto Mary my wife whom I do make my sole executrix of this my last will & testamente Item I doe ordain and appointe John Woode of the Middle Temple London gentleman and John Manwood gentleman to be the overseers of this my last will and testament and doe give to either of them for their paynes a ringe of gould to the value of twenty shillinges. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale and have published this as my last will and testamente in the presence of these witnesses Arthur Crafford Thomas Allen John Serrott William Kirkland: The marke of Thomas Colshill.
Memorial that uppon the eighte and twentithe daye of fFebruarie one thousande five hundered nintie fouer and in the seventh and thirtith yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Ladie Elizabethe Thomas Colshill of Chigwell in the countie of Essex, Esquier, beinge in his bedd in the Inner Parlor where he usually lay there beinge presente with him his brother in lawe Arthur Crafford gentleman John Manwood gentleman and William Kirkland the sayed Thomas Colshill Clarke he the sayed Thomas Colshill beinge in communication with the sayed Arthur Crafford of the death of John Smithe of London Deputie Surveyor to the sayd Thomas Colshill of her Matie Cusstomshouse sayed brother John Smith hath not remembered me nor my wife soe much as ??? a mourning gowne nor ani other remembrance at all by his will as willm ??? his man hath told me which he havinge beene my man and deputie afterwardes for longe as he was he mighte well have done And therefore thought I have put him and his wife downe in my Will for to have such legacyas you knowe I will have it Broken oute for them bothe, and neither he nor his wife shall have ani thinge by my Will  By mi Arthur Crafford By mi John Manwood  William Kirkland         

Other extracts and partial transcriptions of this will can be found in the following sources:
Transactions of the Essex Archeological Society New Series vol 11 p341 (1909)
  THOMAS COLSHILL.—April 23, 1593. Of Chigwell, esquier. To be buried ‘in the heighe chauncell of the parishe churche of Chigwell, betweene the comunion table and the wall of the southeside of the same chauncell.’ To seventy ‘poore peopell’ of the parish, 4d. each. Names his son-in-law, Jasper Leek, husband of his daughter, Mary, to whom he gives a ‘Tankerd of allowblaster, covered and bounde about with silver and guilte’; his son-in-law, Edward Stanhope, to whom ‘one neest of pinked bowles of silver and guilte, with a cover,’ estimated at 65 oz., he to have the Colshill arms engraved thereon ‘for remembrance’; and to Susan, his wife, an alabaster tankard (as above). Names several persons —i.a., Mary Manwood; Nicholas Crafford, of Cassalton, Surrey; Elizabeth Dacres; and a brother-in-law, Crafford. To his deputy's' wife, a ring ‘with this powsy Quis fuerim nôsti.’ Many gifts to servants, male and female. To Mr. Atterbie, vicar of Chigwell, 20s., to make him a ring; to the reparation of the parish church, 20s. Residue to testator 's wife, Mary.
     Proved April 12, 1595.  (P.C.C.: 23, Scott).

The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981, entry for COLSHILL, Thomas
His will, made in April 1593 and proved two years later, is that of a wealthy man, his salary of £46 13s.4d. no doubt having been supplemented by the usual perquisites. He asked to be buried in the high chancel of Chigwell parish church. He left money and plate to a number of relatives, some of the bequests totalling 100 marks or more. Only two children are mentioned, Mary, wife of Jasper Leeke, and Susan, who married Edward Stanhope I. Another daughter, Katherine, married Sir Thomas Dacres of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. The widow was sole executrix and residuary legatee, and the two overseers were John Wood of the Middle Temple and John Manwood, husband of Colshill’s cousin Mary. A codicil was added on 28 Feb. 1595.

Birth, Marriage, and Death : Ritual, Religion, and the Life-Cycle in Tudor and Stuart England p440 (David Cressy, 1997)
Thomas Colshill, esquire, whose will was dated 1593, assigned
"to my son Stanhope and his wife each a mourning gown to be worn at my funeral, two of his men that shall wait on him at my funeral each a black coat, two of his servants a black coat, my brother Crafford and my sister his wife, my cousin Manwood and his wife and my cousin Francis Smithe, each a mourning gown."

Sources:

Thomas Colshill

Father: George Colshill

Mother: Sense (Draper, Cletherowe) Colshill

Notes: Thomas is named, and was a minor, in the will of his father, George Colshill, Mercer of London, dated 5 August 1549 and proved 27 February 1550, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/33/118).
And as touching thorder and dispo'tion of all and singular my lande tenementes rentes reversions and ??? and other hereditaments whatsoever they be goodes chattels or of what kynde nature or quality soever they be which late was of William Colshill my ffather late Citizen and mercer of London deceased and that to me by and after his death did desende or that at any tyme hereafter by any right title use ??? way or means shall or may desende or come sett lying and being aswell in the town and parishe  of ??? and the precinct of the same, in the Countie of Middl as also where in any other Cuntry or State or place wtin this Realm of England I do give will and bequeath all the same in Lands and tenements with their appurtenances last above rehersed to the saide Sense my wiffe To have and to hold occupie take and ??? and enjoy all my said Landes and the proffittes rentes and yerely issues of the same comyng and growing to the saide Sense my wiffe and to her assigns during her liffe naturall but I will that the Leases before rehersed she shallow theyme to do whatsoever they will wt theyme and only ??? ??? the Lande that may ??? to me and to myn that is Thomas Colshill and mary Colshill my children by dessent of my ffather or by or otherwise howe soever it may be that she shalhave that land only for her liffe tyme. So that it passe not above twentie poundes by the yere and if she kept her unmaried to have all for the terme of her liffe hepinge the thinges in reparation, but of she doo marry then if she kept the saide Land in her hand she to be accomptable for the same to my saide two childrens behoofe when they shall come to their full age or be married the proffitt thereof equaly to be devided betwixte theyme bothe and then as nowe and nowe as then my will and very intent is that after the death of my saide wiffe Sense Colshill as before rehersed my sonne Thomas Colshill shalhave and enjoy all the same my Landes and tenementes so comying by descent wt other my said ??? what or where soever hey be wt their appurtenances for ever And if it fortune my said sonne Thomas to dye and departe this liffe Then I will that Mary Colshill my doughter shall enjoy all aforerehersed as if my saide sonne Thomas Colshill had never been borne

Thomas is not named in the will of his mother, Sence Ibgrave in October 1582.

Sources:

Walter Colshill

Birth: probably about 1493
Walter was admitted to the Mercers' Company in London in 1515, by servitude to John Barnard (Records of the London Livery Companies Online). Since apprenticeship was typically seven years and entered in to around the age of fifteen, this could place John's birth around 1493.

Father: John Colshill

Mother: Elizabeth (Somaster) Colshill

Occupation: Mercer
Walter was admitted to the Mercers' Company in London in 1515, by servitude to John Barnard (Records of the London Livery Companies Online). Since apprenticeship was typically seven years and entered in to around the age of fifteen, this could place John's birth around 1493.

Notes:
Walter was left a legacy in the will of his mother, Elizabeth, dated 18 December 1518 and proved 17 June 1519
Somerset Medieval Wills: 1383-1500 p195 (Frederic William Weaver, 1903)
  1518. ELIZABETH SPEKE (COLSHILL).
... To my sonne William Colshill is wif a bee of gold with stonys, and to the said William my two best salts of silver and gilt with the cover and oon of my best stondyng cuppis gilte and chased of oon sorte, and to his brother Walter Colshill the other cupp of the same sorte and my best basyn and ewer of silver.

Will: Walter left an unsigned and undated "memoradum" detailing his final will and appointing his brothers John and William, mercers, as executors. The memorandum seems to have been sufficient for probate to be granted on 25 February 1518(9), to William who was made executor (John had died between 28 April 1518 and 20 October 1518). The memorandum and probate notice are held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/19/216).
Memorandum. that I Walter Colshill mercer of London beying in goode mynde and in good helthe bequeth my soule to allmyghty god and to hys blessed mother mary my body where it shall please god to rest And for my Executors I make my brethren John Colshill and William Colshill mercers they to pay my debts and all ??? And if any surplus remain they to ??? it as it shall pleyse them most best for my souls helthe  And this I rest comittying all to godds pleasure.      

Sources:

William Colshill

Birth: probably about 1485
William was admitted to the Mercers' Company in London in 1507, by servitude to William Ipeswell (Records of the London Livery Companies Online). Since apprenticeship was typically seven years and entered in to around the age of fifteen, this could place John's birth around 1485.

Father: John Colshill

Mother: Elizabeth (Somaster) Colshill

Married (1st): Catherine West in 1517 or 1518

This marriage had not occurred by 24 July 1517 - the date of the will of Catherine's father, John West, but had occurred by 18 December 1518 - the date of the will of William's mother which mentions his wife.

Children: Married (2nd): Johanne Wyatt

Johanne married, secondly, Sir Clement Harleston, of Coggeshall, Essex, as his second wife. Shortly after Clement's death on 24 October 1544 (Clement did not mention Jane in his nuncupative will of that date - see National Archives PROB 11/31/503), Lady Jane Harleston married fpr the third time, to William Cooke with a marriage license issued 20 November 1544.
Lists and Indexes Issue 51 p113
EARLY CHANCERY PROCEEDINGS—FILE 1004.
22   Clement HARLESTON, knight, v. the mayor and sheriffs of LONDON, and Robert WYAT, gentleman.
Action on a bond for payment of 100l. on the marriage to complainant of Jane, sister of defendant and late the wife of William Collsill of London, mercer, to which defendants contributed no assistance and whereby complainant gained less money than was promised.  Certiorari and subpœna.   LONDON 

Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued from the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury at London p3 (Joseph Lemuel Chester, 1886)
1544
Nov. 20  William Cooke, Esq., & Lady Jane Harleston, Widow.  

Occupation: Mercer
William was admitted to the Mercers' Company in London in 1507, by servitude to William Ipeswell (Records of the London Livery Companies Online). Since apprenticeship was typically seven years and entered in to around the age of fifteen, this could place John's birth around 1485.

William is listed a number of times as a mercer's records. He was the master of new freeman Richard Kynwelmersche in 1522 and new freeman William Darryngton in 1537. In 1540 William Colshill, warden of the mercer company, is listed as the master of a mercer apprentice, Richard Springham. Thomas Nicholes was released from three years of his apprenticeship in William's will "Item I bequeith to Thomas Nicolls myne apprentice thre pound six shillings eight pence and I remytt and release unto hym thre yeres of his termes of apprenticeshode" and became a freeman in 1542. William is also listed as the master of three of his children who became freemen of the Mercers' Company by patrimony when they reached the age of 21 - Thomas in 1541, George in 1545 and Nicholas in 1554.

"Wm. Colshill, mercer" is found on a list compiled in 1536 of the debts of King Henry VIII (among the "small sums to be paid forthwith, where the sums vary from 100 l. to 10l.)

Notes:
William is named in the will of Catherine's father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September 1517, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550). His name appears next to Catherine's but they were evidently not married at the date of this will (compare to the mention of her sister, Bridget who was married to Robert Palmer by this time). William is also a witness to the will.
... I gyve and bequeath one equall part or portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an other equall part of portion thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children Wyllyam John James and Katheryn And I will that if the same my childrens part and portions amount and be unto any of thing above the summ of cc marks then the ??? or surplusage thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided betweene my children afore named and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of Robt Palmer mercer so that of the same surplus the same Bridgytt shall have her just part
... Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing that is to saye Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and his wife Robert Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and Katheryn my daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ?? yardes of blake cloth for a gowne
... These wittenes John Temple parrishe preest of Saint Mary Magdalene in mylkestrete John Hosyer Henry Hyll Thomas Neest  ??? ??? Robt Sedge of ??? per me Johann Temple ??? per me  Robert Palmer mercer per me John West mercer per me William Colshill mercer 

William and his wife are left legacies in the will of his mother, Elizabeth, dated 18 December 1518 and proved 17 June 1519
Somerset Medieval Wills: 1383-1500 p195 (Frederic William Weaver, 1903)
  1518. ELIZABETH SPEKE (COLSHILL).
...  To my sonne William Colshill is wif a bee of gold with stonys, and to the said William my two best salts of silver and gilt with the cover and oon of my best stondyng cuppis gilte and chased of oon sorte,  

William and his wife and their son Thomas are also remembered with yards of black cloth in the will of Catherine's stepfather, Sir Thomas Exmewe, dated 6 January 1528(9) and proved on 9 March 1528(9) (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/23/55).

William is found in the Books of the Court of Augmentations which dealt with the property confiscated by the crown at the dissolution of the monasteries. It seems William obtained (probably bought, for a lifetime lease) a garden in Mill Alley, in the parish of St Stephen Coleman Street, London, previously the property of Rewley Abbey in Oxford.
Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol 14 part 1 January-July 1536 p609 (1905)
1538-9
51b  Wm. Colshill, mercer, of London. A garden in Mill Alley, St. Stephen's Colmanstreet, London. Rewley, Oxon. 27 March

Burial: St Stephen Colman Street, London, England

Will: The will of William Colsell, mercer of the city of London, dated 28 March 1537 and proved 13 September 1540, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206). The will mentions Robert Palmer and his wife who, at that time, was Bridget née West, the sister of William's wife, Katherine. It also leaves gold rings to "Richard Reynolds and to Blanche his wif" which has the connection that after Richard Reynolds died in 1542, Robert Palmer, who was a widower at that time, married Blanche in 1543.
 In the name of god amen the xxviijth day of the month of March the yere of or Lord god a thousand fyve hundreth thirty and sevyn and the xxviij yere of the Reign of or soverain lord king henry theight I William Colsell Citizen and mercer of the Citie of London being of hole mynde and in good and perfect remembrance laude and prayse be unto almyghtie god make and ordeyn this my present testament conteynyng herein my last will in manr and forme following that is to say ffirst and principally I comend my soule unto allmyghtir Jhu my maker and redemer in whom and by the merites of whose blessed passion is all my hole truste of clere Remission and forgiveness of my synnes And my body to be buried within the pishe church of Saint Stephyn in colmanstrete of London as nigh unto the grave there where the body of katheryne my wif lieth buried as may conveniently be Item I bequeith to the high aulter of the said pishe church of saint Stephyn where I am nowe a pisher for my tithes and oblacons by me forgothyn or negligently witholden if any suche be in dischardge of my soule and conscience vjs viijd Item I will that all suche debts and dueties as I owe of right or of conscience to any personne or personnes be well and truly contented and paied by myne executours hereafter namyd orels ordeynyd for to be paied without any delay or contradiction and after my debts paied and my ffunerall expenses performyd I will that all my goodes catalls and debts shalbe devyded into three egall parts whereof I will that Johanne my wif shall have one egall parte to her owne proper use in the name of her purpart and reasonable part to her of all my said goodes Catalls and Debts after the laudable custome of the Citie of London belongyng And the second egall part of all my said goodes catalls and debts I bequeith to Thomas Colsell John Colsell George Colsell, James Colsell Robert Colsell Nicholas Colsell and Blanche Colsell my children equally amongst them to be devyded and to be delyvered unto them when they shall accomplishe and come to thair lawfull ages or to be maried and if it fortune any of my said vij children to decesse before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried then I bequeith his parte or her part of them so decessying to thotherz of my said children then survyving egally And if it fortune all my said children to decesse as god it defende, before they accomplisshe thair said ages and before that tyme be not maried
And the thirde egall parte of all my said catalls and debts I reserve unto my self and to myne Executours hereafter namyd therewith to performe my Leagcies hereafter spified that is to say ffirst I bequeith towards the reparacons of the body of the said churche for my sepulture there to be hadd ten pound Item I will that myne executours shall provyde and ordeyn twelve convenient Torches and foure tapers to breen and ??? at my dirige and masse of requiem to be done for me within the foresaid parishe churche of Saint Stephyn by ??? with asmany prests and clercks as my said executours shall find convenient by their discretion and that sixtene poore men shall hold the same torches and Tapers and any of them having for his Labour in that behalf viijd And after that my said dirige and masse of requiem shalbe done and ended as is a foresaid then I will that the said twelve torches and foure taprs shalbe distributed by myne Executours in manr and forme following that is to saye to the parishe church of Saint Stephyn in Colmanstrete aforesaid foure torches to the pishe churche of all halowes in hony Lane foure torches to the pishe church of saint mary Magdalene in mylkstrete twoo torches and to the pishe church of our Lady at Bowe other ij torches And i will that the said foure tapers shalbe transposed and made into three tapers whereof I bequeith one to bren afore the roode within the said pishe churche of saint Stephens in Colmanstrete there to ??? and burne at tyme of dyvyne service aslong as it shall thereunto endure an other Taper to the said parishe church of all halowes in hony Lane to lyke intent and the thirde taper I will shalbe sett before the Image of saint Stephyns in Colman strete aforesaid aslong as it will thereunto endure Item I bequeith to and for a recreacion or a dynner for suche of the wardens and ffelysshyp of mercers of the citie of london as shalbe in thair lyveries at the tyme of my exequies six pounds & thirtene shillings and foure pence Item I bequeith to any order of the fyve orders of ffreers withing the citie of london that is to say the ffreers prechers, Mynours, Carmelytes, Augustynes and Crossed ffreers to thintent that they shall come and brynge my body to my buriall and saye Trentall of masses in any of thair covent churches shortly after my decesse for my soule and for the soule of the said Katheryne and for the soules of our faders moders chyldren benefactours and all xpen soules twenty shillings coin fyve pounds Item I will that assone after my deceas as conveniently it may be done that myne executours shall cause a solempne dirige and masse of Requiem by note to be sung in prshe churche of saint Patrick within the citie of Exetour for my soule and the soules above rehersed and that any prest inhabyting within the said citie, and beyng at my said dirige and say masse there for my soule and all xpen soules shall have eight pence and any clercke beyng there and helpyng to the same iiijd And I will that myne executours shall distribute or cause to be distributed to and amongst poore people there comyng to my said obit accordyng and after thair discretions six pound thirtene shillings and foure pence Item I will that my said executours shall provyde and ordeyn viiij torches and foure tapers and xij poore men to hold the said torches and Tapers there Duryng the tyme of my said dirige and masse any of them to have for his labour in that behalf iijd. And I will that after my said dirige and masse done as is aforesaid the said torches and tapers shall remayne to ??? of the said parishe church of saint Patrick there to be occupiede in tyme of dyvyne service aslong as they will thereunto endure Item I bequeith to the prior and convent of the Black ffreers in Exetour to thintent that they shall sing dirige and masse of Requiem solemply by note in thair covent church and also a trentall of masses for my soule and the soules above rehersed twenty shillings Item I bequeith to the Grey ffreers within the said citir of Exeter to lyke intent twenty shillings Item I will that myne Executours shall cause to be distributed to and amongst the poore people beyng in the Lazarhouses of saint Mary Magdalene at the ??? of Exentour aforesaid twenty shillings Item I bequeith to redeme for the the poore prisoners oute of prison as lye in Ludgate for debt under the some of fourty shillings twenty pound Item I bequeith ten pound to be distributed to and amongst the poore prisoners beyng in any of the prison houses of Newgate the kingesbenche and marshallsee Item I bequeith to the Mariage of twenty poore maidens six pound thirtene shillings and foure pence that is to say to any of them vjs viiijd Item I will that my said executours shortly after my decesse shall cause dirige and masse of Requiem to be solemply songe by note for my soule and the soules aforesaid within the parishe churche of much hadhm in the countie of hertff by the preste and clercke of the same parishe and any prest and clercke beyng and helpyng at the said obit to gave for his labour viijd And also I will that myne executours shall distribute to and amongst the poore householders of the said pishe fyve marks sterling according and after the discretion of the parson and Church wardens of the said pishe churche for the tyme beyng And I will that my said dirige shalbe so there kept the next sonday or holyday after my decesse if it may conveniently be done or assone after on a Sunday or holyday as maybe And I will that myne Executours distribute twenty shillings by the discretion of the said churchwardens in breade ale and Chese and all the same breade ale and chese to be distributed on a ??? after dirige done for the parishens and others comyng to the said dirige after the discrecions of the said Churchwardens And that either of the said Churchwardens shall have for his Labour in that behalf xijd Item I will and bequeith forty shillings to bye breade and frynke and the same to be distributed to and amomgst the poore prisoners beyng in the ij Counties of London accordyng and after the discretion of myne executours Item I will that myne executours shortly after my decess shall provyde and by a hundeth Shirts and a hundreth Smocks and the same to be given by the discretion of myne executours to and amongst poore men and women. Item I will that myne executours shall distribute to and amongst the poore householders inhabyting within the said pishe of saint Stephens in Colmanstrete within the said citie of London where I nowe & will, on the day of my buriall after thair discretions six pound thirtene shillgs and four pence Item I will that myne executours shortly after my decesse distribute and dispose xijli vjs viijd in suche workes or mercye and pitie as they shall think most convenient for the helth of the soules of such person or persons to whom I ??? have offended, hurtid or vexed And if that be not sufficient then I beseche them hartily all of forgiveness Item I will that myne executours, as shortly after my decesse as they may shall cause ___ Rynge of ffyne gold any of them to be the value of twenty shillings sterling a pece And I will that any of the same ryngs shalbe made at my coste and chardge and graven with this verse ex memory myseremini mei saltem vos amici mei with the said ryngs and shalbe given and distributed in the forme following that is to say one to mr Richard Reynolds and to Blanche his wif iche of them a ryng of gold and to Thomas Deberam of saint Mary Osserey in Devon a ryng of gold. And Edward Moreton Grocer of London and his wiff either of them a ryng of gold one ryng to John Buller of Ex??? oon ryng to willm ??? of Listwithiall in Cornwall, one ryng to Edward Crocker of  Listwithiall and to either of Nicholas Bakon mercer and his wiff a ryng of gold one ryng of gold to Richard Moreton of ??? oone ryng to Robert ffrancis of ??? one ryng to Richard ??? of B??? in Devon and to either of Robert Nicolls and his wif one ryng. oon ryng to Thomas ??? otherwise called Thomas ??? of  P???halle in the countie of hertf and a blackgowne so that he pay to myne executours all suche somes of money debts and duetis as he owith to me one ryng to John Curtes Letherseller of London To Thomas Jake of Barkhymsted in the countie of hertff one ryng, one ryng of gold to John Westgate ??? and a black gowne and to Thomas house my servant a ryng of gold and a black gowne and to Willm ??? Scrivener oon ryng Item I bequeith to Thomas ??? of my kechyn ten pound to be paid and delyvered unto the same Thomas by the discretion of mne executours Item I give and bequeith towardes the maintenance of the ??? within the parishe churche of our Lady at Bow fourty shillings Item I hereby remytt release and forgive to John huchyns of muche hadhm in the countie of hertf all such debts and dueties as he dothe owe and shall owe unto me at the tyme of my dethe never to be demanded of hym by myne executours nor any other person nr persons for them nor in the name of any of them And I bequeith to either of Robert Palmer mercer and to his wif a blacke gowne Item to wither of Richard Gressham Alderman and his wif a blacke gowne Item I bequeith to either of the said Richard Raynolds and to his wif a blacke gowne Item I bequeith unto either of the said Edward Moreton and to his wif a blacke gowne Item I bequeith unto Thomas Howse printer a blacke gowne Item I bequeith ten pound towardes the mendyng of the high waye between the mylk wiffe brydge and homberton in the parishe of hackney by the discretion of myne executours Item I bequeith to the mariage of Margarett Johns my Late mayden vjli xiijs iiijd And I will that the said Nichas Bakon and his wif shall have the said Margaret with her said Legacie Item I bequeith my cousyn Willm Colsill of ??? ??? a blacke Gowne Item I bequeith to Thomas Nicolls myne apprentice thre pound six shillings eight pence and I remytt and release unto hym thre yeres of his termes of apprenticeshode. And I bequeith to Richard Colsyll myne apprentice ten pound and I pardon and remytt hym three yeres of his termes of apprenticeshode Item I pardon and remytt unto Edmond _____  myne apprentice one yere of his termes of apprenticeshode. item I bequeith to the said Nichas Bakon and his wiff ffourty pound to thintent he shalbe assistant good and helpyng to my children. And also in procuryng and obteynyng of my Debts to the best that he can. And I will and my mynde and intent is that the said Nichas Bakon shall have the custody and occupyng of the moitie or one halff of my said childrens portions untill they shall come to thair said Ages. he puttyng in good and sufficient suerties to be bound to the chamberlain of the citie of London for the tyme being for the sure payment therof accordyng to the Laudable custome of the said citie The residue of all my goodes catalls and debts after my debts paid paied my ffunerall expenses performyd and these my Legacies conteynyd in this my present testament full fyllyd I holy give and bequeith to my said sevon children to thair owne propoer uses egally to be devyded amongst them and to be delyvered unto them after such manr and forme as I have above willyd and declared that thair owne portions shalbe And of this my present Testament I make and ordeyn the said Thomas Colsyll my sonne and Edward moreton Grocer myne Executours. And I bequeith to the said Edward Moreton for his Labour in that behalf thirtene pound six shillings eight pence. And of the execution of the same I make and ordeyn the said Richard Raynolds overseer and I bequeith to the said Richard for his Labour in that behalf ten pound. And I utterly revoke and adnull all any other former testaments wills legacies bequests Executours and overseers by me in any wise before this tyme made namyd willyd and bequeithed, And I will that this my present testament shall stand together with all the Legacies bequestes executours and overseers by me herein namyd willyd and bequeithed and none other nor otherwise. In witnes whereof to this my present testament I the said Willm Colshyll have sett my Seale yeven the day and yere first above writen per me William Colsell sigell subscript et deliberat per prefar William Colsell in ??? mei Wiliam darkeke ???
      
Sources:

William Colshill

Father: John Colshill

Mother: _____ (Duke) Colshill

Notes: William is probably the William Colshill who brought a suit in Chancery to protect land in Exeter that he inherited from his father, John Colshill.
Calendars of the Proceedings in Chancery, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth vol 1 p196 (1827)
  C.c. 17.
No. 21
Plaintiffs.  Wm. Colshill.
Defendants.  Matthew Hall and others.
Object of the Suit.  Bill to protect title as heir.
Premises.  A messuage in the parish of St. Petroke, in the city of Exeter, late the estate of John Colshill, plaintiff's father.
County.  Devon   

William is left a small bequest in the will of his cousin, Nicolas Colshill, dated 26 November 1557 and proved 4 December 1557, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/39/606).
... Item I bequeath to my cousen William Colshill if it shalbe thought meete by my Executours asmuche clothe as will make hym a blacke gowne.

He is possibly the "William Colshill of Saint Bartholomew the Great, City of London" whose will (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/69/402) , dated 27 June 1586 and proved on 9 July 1586. In that will, William writes of the "portion of my landes and Tenements which I have at Exeter in the countie of the cyttie of Exeter", perhaps connecting him to John Colshill of Exeter. William names his heir as his "cosen" William Bacon, son of William Bacon, deceased, son of Nicholas Bacon, the elder.

Sources:
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