1698 JOHN CRACROFT, (Apothecary).

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The Cracrofts are a family of great antiquity in co. Lincoln where a branch was seated temp. Hen. Ill. Richard Cracroft of Ingoldmells died in 1516. His great grandson, Frands Cracroft, buried at Waslingborough in 1671, was father of John Cracroft of Spalding whose will, proved 1669, is filed at Lincoln.

AId. John Cracroft of Leic. was the only surviving son of the last named by his wife, Margaret Lambe. He was baptized at Spalding 22 February 1651,2 and after a short residence at Market Deeping settled at Leic., taking up his freedom 10 April 1682, was a chamberlain 1683 and an alderman in 1686. He married twice, firstly at St. Margaret's, Leic., 28 October 1675 Maria Greene by whom, who died 1681, he had several children. By his

second wife, Alice (--), he had two sons and two daughters (vide St. Martin's registers). Some of the descendants were living at Leic., Peckleton and London in 1768.

AId. Cracroft was churchwarden of St. Martin's in 1687. His name appears in the list of aldermen in the Hall Book for the last time in 1706. He either died, or what is more probable, removed from Leic. about that date.

Arms of Cracroft of Lincs. and presumably used by some of the Leic. members :-Per pale vert and gules, on a bend indented argent, three martlets sable. Crest :­A stork, in the dexter claw a battle,axe proper. Plate 5.