1704   THOMAS AYRE, (Butcher and Grazier).

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Eldest son of Thomas Ayre of Leic. and descended from an old Leic. family, one of whom was mayor in 1509 (No. 137). He was baptized at St. Margaret's 18 August 1645, enrolled a free burgess 10 March 1668,9, joined the corporation 1680, chamberlain 1694 and an alderman 5 August 1699 ; married and left issue.

AId. Thomas Ayre was .buried at St. Margaret's 7 September 1716. Will, dated 16 June 1716, with a codicil 20 August 1716, was proved in the Prebendal Court of the Peculiar of St. Margaret's 23 October the same year. In this record he mentions his son Thomas (mayor in 1723) and son,in,law, Simon Martin (No. 306). He left £20 to the poor widows of St. John'sHospital.

Descendants of the Ayre family were seated at Kirby Bellars and Ashby Folville until about 1890.

Arms of Ayre :-Argent, on a fess sable, three mullets pierced argent. Crest :-An arm embowed holding a sword argent, shafted sable. Plate 5.