Monuments, station, and confiscation have vanished before the scrutiny of the Rev.Joseph Hunter; it can only be safely concluded that Milton's ancestors dwelt in or near the village of Holton, by Shotover Forest, in Oxfordshire, and that their rank in life was probably that of yeomen.

Notwithstanding Aubrey's statement that Milton's grandfather's name was John, Mr.Hyde Clarke's researches in the registers of the Scriveners' Company have proved that Mr.Hunter and Professor Masson were right in identifying him with Richard Milton, of Stanton St.John, near Holton; and Professor Masson has traced the family a generation further back to Henry Milton, whose will, dated November 21, 1558, attests a condition of plain comfort, nearer poverty than riches.

Henry Milton's goods at his death were inventoried at L6 19s.; when his widow's will is proved, two years afterwards, the estimate is L7 4s.4d.Richard, his son, is stated, but not proved, to have been an under-ranger of Shotover Forest.

He appears to have married a widow named Jeffrey, whose maiden name had been Haughton, and who had some connection with a Cheshire family of station.

He would also seem to have improved his circumstances by the match, which may account for the superior education of his son John, whose birth is fixed by an affidavit to 1562 or 1563.