192 The History of the Parish of All Cannings. 



rents of assize. He hath fourscore pounds per annum out of Pryor's Court in 

 Cleevely parish, in Berks, at £4 13s. 4d. rent, holden of the Dean and Chapter 

 of Westminster hy lease for fourteen years to come. — As to his personal estate, 

 he hath eight cows, six oxen, five young heasts, and about fourscore sheep : — 

 And for other personal estate we know not of any. — Dated at the Committee for 

 Wilts sitting at the Devizes 19 November, 1645, by Thomas Goddard, John 

 Goddard, Robert Brown, William Jesse, and Edward Martyn." 



The same writer, to whom we are indebted for the above infor- 

 mation, further tells us, — ''Another certificate adds that he resides 

 at Etchilhampton and 'by reason of the times is much indebted and 

 behindhand.' In his own petition Mr. Ernie urges in extenuation, 

 that being in the Commission of the Peace near unto the Devizes 

 where the King's forces have so long time prevailed, he hath yet 

 done many good offices to the members and friends of the 

 Parliament, nor did he assist the adverse party with his person by 

 bearing arms; nor with his purse except under compulsion; nor 

 act in the commission of Array; but that when put in that com- 

 mission of which Mr. Robert Long was chief, he did so for the 

 good of his neighbours and countrymen, as no doubt they will 

 testify. But being willing to embrace the offer of the Parliament 

 which extends to the first day of December next, he desires to com- 

 pound, praying consideration of his much burdened estate, &c., 

 6 Nov. 1645." 



Edward Ernie died in 1656. By his wife, Gertrude, daughter 

 of John St. Lowe, of Knighton, he left two sons, Walter and 

 Michael. The former was, as an acknowledgment of the loyalty 

 of his father, created a Baronet at the Restoration (Feb. 2nd, 

 1660-1), and it was his great grand-daughter who, as we have 

 mentioned, carried the estate by marriage to Henry Drax Esq., the 

 ancestor of the present possessor of the Lordship of the Manor. The 

 latter son, Michael Ernie, was the founder of the Brimslade branch 

 of the family. One of these, grandson of the above Michael Ernie, 

 who bore the same name, assumed the Baronetcy on the decease of his 

 kinsman Sir John Ernie, Rector of All Cannings, in 1734, whose only 

 son, Walter, died, at the age of twenty, but four months previously. 

 From another grand-child, who was married to William Jones, Esq., 

 of Eamsbury Manor, are descended the Burdetts of Ramabury. 



