Edward Ayscough (died 1699)

In 1668, he succeeded to the family estates on the death of his father. He studied further in Padua in 1671 and entered Gray's Inn in the same year. He was knighted on 17 January 1672.^[2] He was twice appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1683 and 1684.^[1]

In 1685, he was elected Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby. He was high steward of Great Grimsby from 1686 to October 1688 and commissioner for prizes from 1689 to June 1699. In 1690, he was commissioner for drowned lands.^[1]

Ayscough married firstly Bridget Skinner, daughter of Edward Skinner of Thornton College, Lincolnshire. Before her death in August 1684, they were the parents of a son and two daughters, including:^[3]

• Bridget Ayscough (1672–1741), who married John Hanbury of Pontypool, MP for Gloucester and Monmouthshire,^[4] in 1703.^[5][6]
• Anne Ayscough (1674–1696), who married John Digby of Mansfield Woodhouse in 1696 and died later that same year.^[2]
• Edward Ayscough (1679–1681), who died in infancy.^[3]

After his first wife's death, he married, secondly, on 1 August 1685 to Mary Harbord at Grasby. Mary was a daughter and heiress of William Harbord (son of Sir Charles Harbord, surveyor general to Charles I).^[3] Together, they were the parents of one son and seven daughters, including:^[3]

• Letitia Ayscough, who married St Andrew Thornhough of Osberton and Fenton.^[2]
• Isabella Ayscough (1691–1748), who married Matthew Boucherett, the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1706. They were the grandparents of Ayscoghe Boucherett.^[2]
• Margaret Ayscough (1692–1710), who married William Frankland, FRS Treasurer of the Stamp Office, son of Sir Thomas Frankland, 2nd Baronet.^[2]
• Charles Ayscough (d. 1707).^[2]

Sir Edward died on 3 October 1699, at the age of about 49, at Grasby, Lincolnshire, and was buried at Stallingborough.^[1] His only surviving son Charles died soon after him, and the estates were shared by his daughters, to whom he had made bequests amounting to over £10,000.^[1]