Abraham Luce

In 1608 a census of potential soldiers was made in Gloucester. The men were classified by age group (about 20, about 40, and between 55-60), and by build. Many Lewises appear throughout the county, but only a few Luces:

Elyas Luce, about 40, of tallest stature fit to make a pikeman, servant to Mrs. Kingscotte at Kingscotte where Anthony Kingscotte was Lord of the Manor.

Moises Luce, about 20, of lower stature fit to serve with a cavalier, servant to Joan Hardinge, widow, at Hauxbury (Hawkesbury) where Nicholas Botiller was Lord of the Manor. (Note that there was also a Moise Luce, born about 1568 at Saint-Helier, Jersey, England.)

James Lewce, about 40, fit to be a musketeer, at Aveninge, where Thomas, Lord Windsor was Lord of the Manor.

There was also an earlier military survey, the 1522 Military Survey of Gloucestershire. It shows the Abbot of Pershore as Lord of the Manor and John Butler, Esq. as Steward at Hawkesbury, and William Knyght, Doctor of Laws as Lord of the Manor of Horton, with Sir Thomas Moore as his Steward. At Horton was Henry Luce and David Luce, Henry had personal property valued at 20s. and was armed with a bill, an axe-blade and spear combined on a pole, used to unhorse cavalry. David Luce also had personal property valued at 20s. but was not shown as armed for military service. David Luce was a servant, but it is not clear whether to the Lord of the Manor or to the man whose name appears above his on this list (Richard Graunte, son of John Graunte).

An Edward Lewes was named as a "lynnen draper" in Bristol, 1609.

There is a letter from Christopher Boroughe to Capt. Edw. Barkley, 6th January [no year] concerning property seized by "my Lords officers" and taken to Cardiff Castle, and mentioning Sir George Chaplyn, a lease which Henry Lewes of Gloucester claims from Sir Wm. Morgan, and advice by Sir Wm. Harbert that an approach should be made to "my lord." (Visitors of Hugh Sexey's Hospital, Bruton, Somerset Archive and Records Office, DD\\SE/32/1).

GEDCOM Note

About Israel Luce According to a theory put forward by Charles Banks, Israel might have been the father of Massachusetts immigrants Henry Luce and Harke Luce. The theory is controversial.

GEDCOM Note