I am searching for the parents and family origins in Sussex County, England of two brothers, John and Thomas Mayo. They were cannon makers of great importance in the mid-1500's, and are thought to have originated in Sussex County. Their cannons still exist in Plymouth, MA., U.S.A.; the Guernsey Islands; and in Fort Nelson and in Woolwich, London; all made in the 1550's.
On June 26, 1555, in recognition for their previous services, they were appointed gunners in the Tower of London, as cannon makers. Thomas Mayo, gunfounder unto her Majesty, died in London Oct. 9, 1573. I am not sure if that is the date of his death, the date his will was written, or the date his will was probated in London. In his will, he mentions his wife, Elizabeth Mayo, and his brother, John Mayo, but mentions no children.
It is believed that these Mayo brothers came from Sussex, England and possibly that their families worked in metals or that the Mayo brothers were apprenticed to the great gunfounders in Sussex, England, where this trade was prevalent in the 1500's.
I am searching for any information concerning John and Thomas Mayo and their family origins in Sussex County, England. I understand that few records exist for this time period I am researching; however, I am hoping that if their family was early iron workers or silversmiths or worked with metals, there may be information concerning them going further back in time in Sussex, England.
My own Mayo family fought at the Battle of Hastings under William the Conqueror and were rewarded with lands in Cornwall, where they lived many generations until my line moved to Marston St. Lawrence in the 1550's and went on to Farthinghoe and Thorpe Mandeville in Northamptonshire; and then to Leiden, Holland; then to North Newington, Oxfordshire; and then finally to America in 1638.
Any help in getting further information concerning these Mayo brothers, cannon makers, would be very much appreciated.
Jean Mayo