Wilmer, William, Sir (1578 -1646)

Sir William Wilmer, of Sywell in Northamptonshire, was the eldest son of Robert Wilmer, of Sywell, and Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Higgenson. He was educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, of which he was the “first pensioner, and was a considerable benefactor to that foundation, to which he made a presentation of books when he succeeded to the family estates in 1613”. He entered the college in October 1598, and was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1599. He became Sheriff of Northampton in 1616, and was knighted 4 April 1617. Sir William espoused the cause of Charles I and lost most of his property as a consequence. He married Anne, daughter of Robert Andrewe of Harleston, and they had three sons and one daughter.