The Whitlock Family
By Robert Whitlock
JOHN WHITLOCK, Vicar of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Nottingham): his involvement with St. Mary is outlined under the section titled ‘The Church: Parochial Clergy’.
The influence of the historical Whitlock family of Nottingham was both a local and national phenomenon, including links to the current Royal family.
Included in the ancestors of Rev. JOHN WHITLOCK (1625-1708) was SIR JAMES WHITLOCK (1570-1632). Sir James was a Parliamentarian during the reign of James I with considerable influence as was evidenced by a knighthood given in 1620. James married ELIZABETH BULSTRODE in 1602. Descendants of this couple include a long list of English aristocrats, most notable being ELIZABETH ANGELA MARGUERITE BOWES-LYON (1900-2002), wife of George VI and mother of QUEEN ELIZABETH II.
Sir James and Elizabeth were also the parents of SIR BULSTRODE WHITLOCK (1605-1675). Bulstrode sustained a long political career serving under Charles I, Oliver Cromwell and Charles II respectively. At one time during the Commonwealth period he effectively served as Ambassador to Sweden (1653) when he helped to negotiate a treaty of alliance with Christina, Queen of Sweden.
Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Rev. John Whitlock who had been forced to leave Nottingham in 1662, returned in 1687 to Nottingham continuing his focus on a Presbyterian outlook. By 1690 a new Presbyterian church was built at High Pavement Chapel where John would continue to minister almost up until his death in 1708.
JOHN WHITLOCK (1661-1723) (son of Reverend John Whitlock) would continue the ministry at High Pavement Chapel.
NATHANIEL WHITLOCK (1700-1749), son of the junior John Whitlock would continue his father’s ministry at High Pavement Chapel from 1729 to 1739.
MATTHEWS WHITLOCK (son of Nathaniel) and two of his sons, JOHN AND NATHANIEL WHITLOCK, would continue to serve the community of Nottingham, appointed to the honourary position of Sheriff of Nottingham, all appearing to have previously served the City of Nottingham in one capacity or another. Matthews served as a Chamberlain in 1762. Years of service in the position of Sheriff are as follows: Matthews Whitlock 1762-1763; John Whitlock 1790-91 and Nathaniel Whitlock 1793-94.
MATTHEWS WHITLOCK (1802-1879), son of John Whitlock above, and grandson of Matthews Whitlock senior, would continue the family traditional of involvement in the business of Nottingham well into the 19th Century, involved in hosiery and lace manufacturing.
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