Oswald Woodall (1594-1628) of Branthwaite Edge

Oswald is conveniently described at his christening as son of Thomas Woodall the Elder, and his later probate confirms that through mentions of his siblings. He was apparently the son of Thomas by a second wife.

He decribed Oswald Fearon, one of his executors, as his nephew; and, in describing another Fearon, mentioned 'fields twixt him and me'. This strongly suggests that his wife was a Branthwaite Fearon.

He was a prizer for Dorothy Marshall of Branthwaite Edge in 1622.

He died young, at the age of 34, probably not married very long. He left a will in 1628. His widow was named Elizabeth. The will has no mention of surviving children, let alone of minors.

The Will

The will is hugely informative, as wills of prosperous men without children tended to be at this time. The bequest part is divided into four sections: bequests to his immediate Woodall family; bequests to his brother John's family; bequests to Fearons; and bequests to others.

Woodall individuals are mentioned elsewhere. The third section mentioned James, John, Thomas, William and Oswald, sons of Thomas Fearon; a Henry Fearon with children;  and Thomas' brother Christopher. The fourth section mentions Margaret and Janet, the daughters of his late brother Henry, and a raft of miscellaneous characters: the three illegitimate children that Thomas Fearon had with Mary Wilson; Thomas Salkeld of Pardshaw; and Lady Jane Curwen of Crakeplace Hall.

He gave money to the poor of Dean, to be supervised by Thomas Fearon of Calva, John Roger, John Robinson and Henry Wood.

The executors were his wife Elizabeth and his nephew Oswald, son of Thomas Fearon. The witnesses were Thomas Fearon and Thomas Woodall.

My assumption from all this is that he married Elizabeth Fearon, sister of Thomas Fearon.