310
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
published the amended edition of Gerard's Herball, and
in that book, with suitable acknowledgment to Goodyer, this
Elm is described with the note :—
"My worthy friend and excellent Herbarist of happy
memorie Mr William Coys of Stubbers in the parish of
Northokington told me, that the wood of this kinde was
more desired for naves of carts than the wood of the first.
I observed it growing very plentifully as I rode between
Rumford and the said Stubbers, in the yeere 1620, inter-
mixed with the first kinde, but easily to be discerned
apart, and is in those parts usually called Witch Elm."
According to Morant, Coys was a descendant of Gwillim
ap Jenkyn alias Herbert, of Monmouthshire, whose son
John was father of Roger Coys, of London. Roger Coys
was a Freeman of the City of London, and a member of the
Mercers' Company. He lived in the parish of St. Mary,
Aldermanbury, in the city, where he owned considerable
property. It was at this parish church that his only son,
William Coys, was baptized on 15th September, 1560. From
the parish register of North Ockendon we learn that Coys
was buried on 9th March, 1627, having lost his wife Mary
10 years previously. His wife was the daughter of Giles
Alleyn, of Hasleigh Hall, Mundon, Essex. On their tomb-
stone there was a brass recorded by Holman, but now
missing. Fortunately, a rubbing of this brass was taken and
is in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries, and from
this the arms of Coys impaling Alleyn were described.
There was also an inscription which has also disappeared.
It probably ran as follows:—
'' Here under ly buried the Bodies of William Coys of
Stubbers in this parish Esquier, who decessed the 6 day
of March 1627 and of Marie his wife, the second daughter
of Giles Aleyne of Hasleigh Hall in the County of Essex,
Esq who decessed ye 13th Day of March 1617 who had
issue 8 sonnes and 6 daughters.
And heres the worst that envious Death could doe
Let loose two soules that long'd to Heaven to goe."
His will is dated 8th December, 1618, and proved 2nd
April, 16'27, Giles Coys being named as sole executor.