William Offley

William Offley was born in Staffordshire, England before 1490, perhaps as early as 1475. He was the son of John Offley and Margery. William was married at least twice and had as many as 26 children. His first wife is thought to be Elizabeth Dillorne, she was the mother of the famous, Sir Thomas Offley Mayor of London. Another son by his first marriage, John, was Mayor of Chester in 1553. William married secondly to the widow of --- Rogerson who was also an Alderman of Chester and had many more children including Robert Offley. According to another son their mother's maiden name was Wright.

William Offley was a mercer and dealt in the trade of silk and linen cloth. William was Bailiff of Stafford in 1510 and 1511. William later served as Mayor of Stafford two terms and by 1517 was living in Chester where he was Sheriff and Alderman.

William Offley died before 1560. The will of his son, William provided for a monument erected to his memory in St. Peter's Church, Chester, no trace of which now remains; but a description and copy of the inscription was made by the antiquarian Elias Ashmole (1617-1692):

'Under the East window of the South Ile, is a faire Alabaster Monument Erected, wth the portraiture of a Man & Woman kneeling, under whome is this Inscription cut:

'Here lyeth the body of William Offley sometymes Sheriff of this Citty, to whome by two wives, God gave for ysue 26 Children, among whom Sr Thomas Offley his eldes son by his first wife Elizabeth Dillorne, attained to the dignity of Lord Maior of London; his second son John Offley, to the Mairoltie of this Citty, ano 1553, to whome also by his second wife, Elizabeth Wright among other was borne Hugh Offley, Alderman of London, who by his last will gave unto the Corporacon of this Citty £200, with an yearely rent of £5 to the reliefe of young Traders, & the poore of the same. And his eldest son by the same wife Robert Offley of London by his last will ave £600 to this Citty, for the like Godly use & releife of the poore, with an yearely exhibition of £5 towarde to the trayning of some learned divine, being the son of a freeman of this Citty, in the university of Oxford or Cambridge wth £5 towarde his Charge commencing Mr of Arte in either of the said Schooles.'

On the right hand, under the figures of their Sons & daughters, is cut this Inscription: 'He had also by his second wife William Offley, a wor Cittizen of London & Marchant of the Seaple: who had by Anne Offley 15 Children: who being blessed with greate wealth, by his last will, gave £300 to this Citty, being the place of his nativity, to the benefit of young Traders:& ordained the ereccon this Monumt according to the discrecon of Anne Offley by his loving wife & Executrix, who faithfully accomplished the same, in the yeare of or Lord 1602.'"

St. Peter's Church, Chester is still an active church. A church was first said to have built on the spot in 907. The oldest portions of the present church date from the 13th century. The building is Grade I listed under England's heritage protection laws, meaning a building of "exceptional interest."

A similar monument for Willam's most famous son, Thomas - Mayor of London, still survives at St. Andrew Undershaft Church in London.