Robert Choyce (Choyse) is the earliest progenitor for this Choyce family. I do not know when or where he was born. He was engaged as a husbandman at Congerstone, Leicestershire, England, at the time of his death in 1579. From wills,we learn that Robert had at least two brothers, John and William. Both brothers spelled their surname Choysse in their wills; and both brothers were identified as Vicars. According to Robert's will, he left a widow named Margaret, and four children.

In John Nichol's HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF LEICESTERSHIRE, Volume IV, page 580, Nichol mentions a Robert Choyce among the "Freeholders at Congerstone - 1630." Nichol spelled the surname Choyce. 1630 is too late for the progenitor of this chapter.

I cannot progress too far with this family's genealogy without digressing to introduce Mrs. Alexander Moretti, born Freda Jessie Holness, who prefers her second name, Jessie, and who will be referred to in this book as Jessie (Holness) Moretti. Jessie is a family genealogist. She has done most of the research for this family, and will be quoted extensively. The genealogical records which Jessie has supplied came from Parish Registers, Bishops' Transcripts, marriage bonds and wills, for the most part.

Although Robert Choysse's will was written in 1579, no death or burial record for him has been located. Jessie quotes excerpts from Robert's will:

Robert Choyce of Congerstone, 1579, (Husbandman) To be buried in the churchyard of Congerstone. Bequeath to Mother Church of Lincoln, 4d. To the poor box of Congerstone, 12d. Bequeaths to "Margaret, my wife, and John my son,"; "to Alys my daughter,"; "Jane, my daughter,";" the children of my daughter Elizabeth...to Margaret...Witnesses: Wm. Choysse (clarke) and Robert Wilkins.