I have been puzzled by to whom Eleanor GATTON married. It should be an easy questions as there is a book “Memoirs of the Protectoral-house of Cromwell: Deduced from an Early Period, and Continued Down to the Present Time, Volume 1” by Mark Noble 1787 which states
“She [Ann Smith/Thornhill] remarried to Peter Hinde a brewer in London who died at Theobalds and left her a second time a widow. Letitia died in April 1759 who by her brother’s death without issue became entitled to the manor of Cheshunt park and she surviving her sister Frances who died unmarried one half part of the estate became vested in Mr Rob Cromwell as heir to his mother the other moiety in Rich Hinde esq son of Peter Hinde of Cheshunt esq and Eleanor Gatton sister of Sarah Mr Cromwell’s mother but by the death of Mr Peter Hinde who in 1760 was drowned whilst watering his mule on Gaily wood common his share in the estate came for life to his widow who is now the wife of Fra. Moreland esq an officer in the army who in her right now enjoys it and at whose death it will come to the right heirs of Mr Rob Cromwell by Sarah Gatton his wife; for Ann the other sister of Sir Robert Thornhill who married Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu a citizen and one of the sheriffs of London left an only daughter Eleanor who died Feb 26 1737-8 unmarried”
1. Letitia‘s death in 1759 is confirmed by Probate being granted to Letitia THORNHILL of Red Lyon Square, Middlesex, (Probate granted 8th October 1737: National Archives Reference PROB 11/846)
2. Sarah GATTON (sister of Eleanor GATTON) married Richard CROMWELL (1695-1759) of Lincolns Inn and they had a son called Robert CROMWELL
3. According to The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690-1715, ed. D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, 2002, Bartholomew Gracedieu was an Member of Parliament and was to Frances (died 1720) (rather than Ann as suggested in the above text)
4. There is a PCC Will Probate granted for Eleanor GRACEDIEN spinster of Holborn, in 1738 which includes bequests to the CROMWELL and GATTON families. A probable daughter of Bartholomew.
5. Rather than Peter HINDE (senior) who is suggested as drowning on Galleywood Common in 1760 as well as it suggests dying at Theobalds. I think it was actually Richard HINDE brother of Peter HINDE (Junior). Richard HINDE’s will was proved (PROB 11/942) in 1768 and he described as residing at Galleywood, Great Baddow Essex. A Francis MORLAND witnessed this Will and might be the same person as referred to as marrying the widow Elizabeth.
6. Peter HINDE married Ann THORNHILL 21st August 1733 at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Both are described as widower/widow. If this is Peter HINDE (Senior) then he first married Elizabeth JACOB but there is no record of her death.
7. Peter HINDE married Eleanor GATTON in 1737 in Finsbury, Middlesex. The association with Peter HINDE (junior) of Grays Inn is support in his 1746 Will (PROB 11/745) which names his wife Eleanor.