Thomas Donkley

Thomas Donkley (sometimes called Donckly or Duncklin), closet keeper to Charles II from 1683, was buried in the north cloister of Westminster Abbey on 8th February 1689. No marker or memorial exists for him.

On 18th May 1665 he married in the Abbey Elizabeth Fox, daughter of John Fox (who was buried here on 23rd November 1691), and niece of Sir Stephen Fox. Their son William and two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, were the only children who reached maturity. Ten infants or young children of theirs were buried in the north cloister.

Daughter Elizabeth, who was baptised at St Margaret's Westminster on 7th June 1666, married William Yardley in the Abbey on 10th April 1683. He was clerk of the kitchen to the Queen dowager. Their children were Elizabeth and Gertrude. She was buried with her young siblings on 10th August 1686 and William married again and was buried at Greenwich in 1707. Daughter Margaret married Gilbert Thornborough and died aged 60 and was buried with her father on 12th October 1730.