Biography of Susannah Evelyn 1669-1754

Paternal Family Tree: Evelyn

Before 10th September 1647 [her father] John Evelyn (age 26) and [her mother] Mary Browne (age 12) were married by Bishop John Earle (age 46) at Paris [Map]. She is first mentioned in his diary John Evelyn's Diary on 10th September 1647.

In 1669 Susannah Evelyn was born to John Evelyn (age 48) and Mary Browne (age 34).

John Evelyn's Diary. 20th May 1669. This evening, at 10 o'clock, was born my third daughter, who was baptized on the 25th by the name of Susannah.

John Evelyn's Diary. 1st March 1686. Came Sir Gilbert Gerrard to treate with me about his sonn's marrying my daughter Susanna (age 17). The father being obnoxious, and in some suspicion and displeasure of the King (age 52), I would receive no proposal till his Ma* had given me leave, wch he was pleas'd to do; but after severall meetings we brake off on his not being willing to secure any thing competent for my daughter's children; besides that I found most of his estate was in ye coal pits as far off as Newcastle, and on leases from the Bishop of Durham, who had power to make concurrent leases, with other difficulties.

John Evelyn's Diary. 12th February 1688. My daughter [Note. This may refer to a daughter-in-law?] Evelyn (age 19) going in the coach to visit in the city, a jolt (the door being not fast shut) flung her quite out in such manner, as the hind wheels passed over her a little above her knees. Yet it pleased God, besides the bruises of the wheels, she had no other harm. In two days she was able to walk, and soon after perfectly well; through God Almighty's great mercy to an excellent wife and a most dutiful and discreet daughter-in-law.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd July 1692. I went with my [her mother] wife (age 57), [her brother] son (age 37), and daughter (age 23), to Eton [Map], to see my grandson (age 10), and thence to my Lord Godolphin's (age 47), at Cranburn, where we lay, and were most honorably entertained. The next day to St. George's Chapel [Map], and returned to London late in the evening.

John Evelyn's Diary. 19th February 1693. The Bishop of Lincoln (age 56) preached in the afternoon at the Tabernacle near Golden Square, set up by him. Proposals of a marriage between [her future husband] Mr. Draper and my daughter Susanna (age 24). Hitherto an exceedingly warm winter, such as has seldom been known, and portending an unprosperous spring as to the fruits of the earth; our climate requires more cold and winterly weather. The dreadful and astonishing earthquake swallowing up Catania, and other famous and ancient cities, with more than 100,000 persons in Sicily [Map], on 11th January last, came now to be reported among us.

On or before 27th April 1693 William Draper and Susannah Evelyn (age 24) were married in St Ethedreda's Chapel Ely House by Archbishop Thomas Tenison (age 56). She the daughter of John Evelyn (age 72) and Mary Browne (age 58).

John Evelyn's Diary. 27th April 1693. My daughter Susanna (age 24) was married to [her husband] William Draper, Esq, in the chapel of Ely House, by Dr. Tenison (age 56), Bishop of Lincoln (since Archbishop). I gave her in portion £4,000, her jointure is £500 per annum. I pray Almighty God to give his blessing to this marriage! She is a good child, religious, discreet, ingenious, and qualified with all the ornaments of her sex. She has a peculiar talent in design, as painting in oil and miniature, and an extraordinary genius for whatever hands can do with a needle. She has the French tongue, has read most of the Greek and Roman authors and poets, using her talents with great modesty; exquisitely shaped, and of an agreeable countenance. This character is due to her, though coming from her father. Much of this week spent in ceremonies, receiving visits and entertaining relations, and a great part of the next in returning visits.

John Evelyn's Diary. 11th May 1693. We accompanied my daughter (age 24) to her [her husband] husband's house, where with many of his and our relations we were magnificently treated. There we left her in an apartment very richly adorned and furnished, and I hope in as happy a condition as could be wished, and with the great satisfaction of all our friends; for which God be praised!

On 27th February 1706 [her father] John Evelyn (age 85) died. His grandson John Evelyn 1st Baronet (age 23) succeeded to his Wotton, Surrey [Map] estates.

All About History Books

The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

On 9th February 1708 [her mother] Mary Browne (age 73) died.

In 1754 Susannah Evelyn (age 85) died.