Information on Oliver Cromwell's maternal uncle is extremely sparse, the DNB doesn't include him and Noble's Memorials entry is short and unhelpful, not even being sure of his christian name.

The only son of William (d 1593/4) the eldest/only son of Nicholas Stewart/d. Nicholas was the brother of Dr. Robert Stewart/d, the last Prior and first dean of Ely, who, on his death in 1557, left most of his property, including leases on the rectory and barn at Ely to Nicholas. These eventually became Sir Thomas's and were renewed in October 1610 lasting the lives of himself, his wife, Robert son of Simeon Stewart/d and his nephew Oliver son of Robert Cromwell.

Sir Thomas, of Stuntney Manor, Cambridgeshire, married Bridget Poole in 1592. There seems to have been no children or any that reached maturity. His will was made on 29 January 1636, by which time his wife was dead. 'Being weak in body but of perfect and disposing memory, (praised be God...'.

His will directed as follows:

• 'my body I commend unto the earth whereof it is made to be decently interred in the Cathedral Church of Elie in the tomb or grave of my grandfather'
• an annuity of E60 to his sister, Elizabeth Cromwell, widow
• an annuity of C10 to Rowland and Mary Poole
• his executor, Humphrey Stewert/d, to hold Bernes manor and property in Elm and Emmith in Ely and Norfolk to pay off Sir Thomas's debts and legacies and then they were to pass to nephew Oliver Cromwell
• the bulk of his property to go to Oliver Cromwell:
  • Chapman's Close and Tilkylne Close in Wichford, Isle of Ely
  • 7 acres of land in Outwell, Norfolk
  • Paradise Close, Newenham Street, Ely
  • the leases or farms of the Rectory of Holy Trinity and the Blessed Mary the Virgin in Ely and of the Chapel of Chetisham in Ely
  • the sextry barn and all houses, barns stables and other edifices there built belonging to or pertaining to the sextry and one close of pasture called Mill Close
  • 90 acres of glebe land in the common fields of Ely
  • all the tithes of corn and hay and other dues on the said Rectory and Chapel
  • 8 acres of pasture known as Bishop or Pinfold in Upwell manor in the Isle of Ely

Thank you to Pete Gaunt for the above information. Also thanks to Cambridgeshire Museums services and the Cromwell Museum for our cover Picture.