Biography
Son of John Exley and Elizabeth Tonge. Married Mary Lister in 1588 (recorded in the Halifax Parish Register). His son Samuel was connected to the Manningham branch, and through Samuel of Rawdon, the entire NZ line descends.
Note: This Robert (m. Mary Lister 1588) is distinct from Robert Exley of Halifax (d.1647), who heads Meryll’s hand-drawn tree. The relationship between them needs clarification — Robert (m. Mary Lister) may be the father or grandfather of Robert of Halifax.
Evidence
- Halifax parish registers of 1588 record the marriage (Victor Exley - The Exleys A Genealogical Study (1983))
- “Their son Robert married Mary Lister & their son Samuel started the Rawdon line” (Victor Exley Letter Sept-Oct 1990)
- John’s will names Robert as his son (Victor Exley Letter July 1990)
Open Questions
- The exact relationship between this Robert and Robert Exley of Halifax (d.1647) is not entirely clear. The hand-drawn tree starts at Robert of Halifax (d.1647) whose son Samuel of Manningham (d.1673) has a son Samuel of Rawdon. Victor’s pedigree has Robert (1588) > Samuel of Rawdon directly. The generation between may need further research.