Elizabeth Hall Nash Barnard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elizabeth Hall Barnard

Portait of Lady Elizabeth Barnard
Born February 21, 1608 (1608-02-21)
Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Died February 17, 1670 (aged 61)
Abington, Cambridgeshire

Elizabeth Hall Nash Barnard (baptised February 21st, 1608 - February 17th, 1670) was the granddaughter of the famous English-poet William Shakespeare, and was also his last direct descendant.

Elizabeth was baptised on 21 February 1608 in the Holy Trinity Church of Stratford-upon-Avon, England and was born to Susanna Shakespeare and Doctor John Hall. She was the only grandchild Shakespeare ever knew, for all of Judith's children were born after his death in 1616. In 1629, Elizabeth married Thomas Nash, who was a member of the Manor and Lordship of Shottery. He later made his will on August the 25th, 1642 in which he left his house on Chapel Street, probably called Nash’s House, and two meadows to Elizabeth. However, he left the bulk of his fortune to his cousin, Edward Nash, after Elizabeth’s death. On April 4th 1647, Thomas Nash died, leaving Elizabeth a widow and instructing his fortune to be passed on to his cousin's son. She was then married to Sir John Barnard (1604-1674), therefore receiving the title Lady Elizabeth Barnard.

In February 1662, Judith Quiney Shakespeare died in Stratford-upon-Avon, making Elizabeth Barnard the last descendant of William Shakespeare. She wrote her will on January 29th 1669, which did not give much to her husband, Sir John Barnard. Elizabeth Barnard died at Abington, Cambridgeshire on February 17th 1670. There is no gravestone locating her. It is surmised that she is buried in a tomb with her husband.

[edit] References

[edit] Related Pages