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A70453 Historical antiquities, in two books the first treating in general of Great-Brettain and Ireland : the second containing particular remarks concerning Cheshire / faithfully collected out of authentick histories, old deeds, records, and evidences, by Sir Peter Leycester, Baronet ; whereunto is annexed a transcript of Doomsday-book, so far as it concerneth Cheshire, taken out of the original record. Leycester, Peter, Sir, 1614-1678. 1673 (1673) Wing L1943; ESTC R2116 480,429 448

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of Abbies Henry the Eighth gave the Rectory of Runcorn and the Rectory of Great-Budworth in Cheshire unto Christ-Church in Oxford by special Grant dated 11 die Decembris 38 Hen. 8. which before belonged to the Priory of Norton This Parish comprehendeth these Villages following over and besides the Parochial-Chappelries of Daresbery and Aston juxta Sutton within the same which see in their due Places   The Mize   l. s. d. Weston 00 11 01 Runcorn Superior Inferior 01 01 04 Clifton now Rock-Savage 00 08 00 Halton 01 02 06 Norton 00 12 00 Stockham 00 08 00   04 02 11 Sale SAle is not in the Record of Doomsday-book The Town of Sale is of the Fee of Halton for we read in the Feodary of Halton sub Edw. 2. Dominus Petrus de Warburton tenet Villam de Sale pro decima parte Feodi Militis Here is Seated the ancient Family of the Massies of Sale which branched out from the Massies Barons of Dunham-Massy about the Reign of King John For I find Richard Massy Son of Robert Massy possessed of Lands in Sale under Henry the Third which Robert was younger Son of Hamon Massy Baron of Dunham-Massy And this Family of Massy of Sale is still continuing 1666. In the Offices of Massy of Sale he is found to hold the Moiety of Sale of Warburton of Arley and some of them have been Ward unto Warburton but Wardships are now taken off by Statute Anno 12 Car. 2. cap. 24. And as Massy was possessed of one Moiety so the other Lands in Sale are possessed at this day 1666. by these Persons following 1. Edward Holt of Sale whose Lands in Sale his Ancestor John Holt Son of Robert Base Son of Geffrey de Holt had in Marriage with Ellen Daughter and Heir of Thomas Sale of Sale 21 Rich. 2. 1397. Lib. C. fol. 273. a. b. The Originals in possession of Edward Holt of Sale 1666. 2. The Lord Delamere of Dunham-Massy hath seven Tenements in Sale These were Parcel of Holt's Lands and were purchased by Sr George Booth of Dunham-Massy from Thomas Holt of Whickleswick in Lancashire and Randle Holt his Son 4 Augusti 2 Jacobi 1604. being then twelve Messuages and Cottages with 4 d. Rent yearly issuing out of the Lands in Sale then in the Tenure of George Massy and also 4 d. Rent then issuing out of Thomas Wrenshaw's Tenement now the Lands of Sir Edward Moseley of Howesend in Lancashire late deceased Lib. C. fol. 273. c. 3. Geffrey Cartwright Gentleman His Lands in Sale were formerly bought from Massy of Sale 4. William Williamson of Sale 5. Richard Wrenshaw of Sale 6. The Lands of Sir Edward Moseley lately deceased to wit five Messuages and Cottages in Sale now in Lease and pays 4 d. chief-Chief-Rent yearly to Mr. Massy of Sale 7. Mr. Gerard of Riddings in Timperley three small Cottages in Sale now in Lease late Vawdrey's Land 8. Edward Legh of Baggilegh Esquire hath one small Cottage in Sale now in Lease 9. Robert Tatton of Wittenshaw Esquire hath certain Land in Sale now in Lease and and pays 3 s. 4 d. yearly Rent to Mr. Massy of Sale 10. James Wrenshaw of Limme one Tenement in Sale now Leased to Thomas Davys So that it seems Massy of Sale had anciently one Moiety of Sale and Holt another Moiety though now scattered as aforesaid For these other Parcels came some from the one and some from the other originally Stockham THis Township of Stockham belonged to the Priory of Norton and was Purchased from the King by Richard Brooke Esquire 37 Hen. 8. 1545 with Norton and other Lands also whose Posterity enjoyeth the same at this day 1666. See in Norton supra In Stockham is no Charterer at all Stretton THis Township of Stretton hath for long time belonged to the Starkeys Starkey of Stretton beareth for his Coat of Arms A Stork possibly in allusion to his Name scilicet Agent a Stork Sable the Bill and Legs Gules since the Reign of Henry the Second For Roger Fitz-Alured granted Stretton to Richard Starkey and his Heirs To hold as freely as any of the said Richard's Ancestors ever held the same for the Service of the tenth part of a Knights Fee Lib. C. fol. 135. a. This was was the Reign of King John This Roger Fitz-Alfred's Daughter and Heir called Agnes married Adam de Dutton the Ancestor of Warburton of Arley Wherefore in the Feodary of Halton under Edw. 2. we read Dominus Petrus de Warburton tenet Villam de Stretton pro decima parte unius Feodi Militis So that it should seem to be held originally from the Baron of Halton But I find it not mentioned in Doomsday-book probably it was then Waste And Sir Geffrey de Warburton released unto Thomas Starkey of Stretton and to his Heirs all his Claim in Villa de Stretton ceu in aliqua Parcella ejusdem ut de Wardis Maritagiis Releviis Escaetis Homagiis aut Servitiis quae praedictus Thomas aut Antecessores sui mihi seu Antecessoribus meis facere solebant Datum 4 die Aprilis 5 Rich. 2. 1382. Yet notwithstanding the said Thomas and his Heirs shall pay yearly to the said Sir Geffrey and his Heirs one Pair of White Gloves on Easter-day for all Service Lib. C. fol. 134. a. The Original hereof was in possession of Starkey of Stretton of the Lower-Hall 1650. Sealed with Warburton's Proper Coat of Arms Warbu●ton's Coat Argent two Cheverons Gules in a Canton of the second a Mollet Or. which he assumed upon taking the Sir-name of Warburton to wit Two Cheverons and in a Canton a Mollet inscribed about the Seal SIGILL GALFRIDI DE WARBURTON Sundry of the like I have seen to Deeds of Edward the Third's Time The Starkeys of Stretton branched into two Families here in Stretton long time ago The Lower-Hall and the Over-Hall Starkey of Over-Hall in Stretton is descended of a younger Son of Starkey of the Lower-Hall and branched out first about 16 Edw. 1. 1287. Lib. C. fol. 135. c. f. 134. h. k. Randle Starkey the first of the Family of the Over-Hall being younger Brother to Richard Starkey of the Nether-Hall Lord of Stretton living both 3 Edw. 2. 1309. So that Starkey of the Lower-Hall is the Original Root and Lord of the Mannor of Stretton but now lately in our days hath sold a good Parcel of the Demain of the Lower-Hall called Mosse-wood unto Raufe Jackson of Crowley whose Son Thomas Jackson now of Mosse-wood 1665. enjoyeth the same Also one George Webster alias Bromfield hath lately bought another Parcel of the Demain of Lower-Hall And William Southern late of Hatton hath bought several Tenements in Stretton from Starkey of the Lower-Hall So that this ancient Family * Of Starkey of the Lower-Hall is now languishing from when also branched the Starkey's of Wrenbury and the Starkeys of Olton in Cheshire and other Families originally In this Town of Stretton is an ancient Chappel
which he gave to his Brother Patrick during his Life which Moiety was confirmed to John Son and Heir of Augustine by Sir Richard Aldford and also by Randle Earl of Chester sirnamed Blundevill about the Reign of King John as appears by the Enrollment aforesaid whose Posterity enjoyed the said Moyety until Sir Raufe Mobberley having no Lawful Issue of his Body Estated all his Lands by Chaplains entrusted according to the manner of those Times on John Leycester of Tabley his Nephew with the Advowson of the Church of Mobberley also 1359. 34 Edw. 3. For Sir Raufe had often protested That he would not have his Lands mangled among his Sisters but that his Nephew John Leycester should have them wholly as appears by the Certificate of Sir John Winkfield Dated at London the eleventh day of June 35 Edw. 3. 1361. Lib. A. fol. 129. ff gg hh Afterwards upon some Composition John Leycester releaseth all his Right in Mobberley's Lands and in the Advowson of the said Church unto John Dumbill of Mobberley and to Cicely his Wife 1 Rich. 2. 1378. yet so as John Dumbill and Cicely should settle 15 Messuages 316 Acres of Land 16 Acres of Wood 8 Acres of Moss the third part of a Watermill and the third part of all the Wastes in Mobberley unmeasured to be understood of Mobberley's Moiety after the death of John Dumbill and Cicely to descend to Raufe Leycester younger Brother of the said John Leycester and to his Heirs for ever which by Chaplains entrusted was settled accordingly 30 die Maii 2 Rich. 2. 1397. Lib. A. fol. 130. mm. which was either Conditioned in the Agreement of John Leycester or the Reversion thereof bought by the said Raufe Leycester from which Raufe are descended the Leycesters of Toft who do now enjoy these Lands Anno Domini 1666. about one third part of the Moiety of Mobberley The other two Parts of this Moiety of Mobberley which John Dumbill had descended to Sir Hugh Hulse in Marriage with Margery Daughter and Heir of the said John Dumbill and Cicely And afterwards Margery Daughter and Heir of Thomas Hulse married John Troutback Esquire which Margery died 35 Hen. 6. and had Issue William Troutback whose Son Sir William dying without Issue Adam Troutback Brother of Sir William had Issue Margaret Daughter and Heir married to John Talbot Lord of Albrighton in Shropshire from whom the Talbots of Grafton in Worcestershire whose Posterity afterwards came to be Earls of Shrewsbury The other Moiety of Mobberley Sir John Arderne of Aldford granted to John Legh of Booths with Wardships and Freedom from Appearance at his Court of Nether-Alderley Rendring eight Pounds yearly for his Life And after the death of John Legh then to remain to John Legh Son and Heir of the other John Legh aforesaid and to Maud Daughter of the said Sir John Arderne and to their Heirs for ever Rendring a Rose at Midsommer for all Service And if John Legh Son of John died before he married Maud then William Brother to John Legh Son of John was to marry her Witnesses of this Deed were Sir John Orreby and Sir Richard Massy Knights Robert de Pulford Philip de Egerton Richard de Fowleshurst Thomas de Legh William de Mobberley Roger de Leycester William de Mere Adam de Tabley William Danyers Master Roger of Alderley Hugh Clerke and others Lib. A. fol. 122. a. The Original remaining among the Evidences of Mr. Robinson of Mobberley 1664. This Deed was made about 1303. 31 Edw. 1. Richard Ratcliffe of Urdeshall in Lancashire married Maud Daughter and Heir of John Legh Son and Heir of Sir John Legh by Maud Arderne and had these Lands of her Grandmothers to wit the Moiety of Mobberley whose Heirs enjoyed the same till they sold out certain of their Tenements in Mobberley to their Tenants there And what remained together with the Services of such Tenants as were formerly sold out of this Moiety Sir John Ratcliffe of Urdeshall sold unto Mr. Robert Robinson of Mobberley about the beginning of King James's Reign over England Lib. A. fol. 122. b. c. Now followeth the Descent of Mobberley of Mobberley Argent two Cheverons Gules in a Canton of the second a Cross Croslet Fitchée Or. John Son and Heir of Augustine Lord of the Moiety of Mobberley lived in the Reign of King John Lib. A. fol. 124. a. Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley Lord of the Moiety of Mobberley lived in the Reign of Henry the Third but I cannot prove him Son of John William Mobberley of Mobberley Son of Raufe was Lord of the Moiety of Mobberley and Patron of Mobberley-Church He bought the Moiety of Nether-Pever from Richard Bonstable Anno Domini 1281. G. num 21. The Original in my possession This William had Issue William Mobberley John Mobberley to whom his Father gave all his Lands in Nether-Pever and Tatton 31 Edw. 1. 1303. G. num 65. But John dying without Issue those Lands reverted to William his Brother Richard Mobberley another Son made Parson of Mobberley by his Father 1306. slain by Richard Son of Richard de Mobberley 1320. 14 Edw. 2. Lib. A. fol. 124. w. 131. Alice a Daughter married William de Tabley Lord of Over-Tabley and Knotsford She was Widow 27 Edw. 1. 1300. This William died about the beginning of Edw. 2. William Mobberley of Mobberley Son and Heir of William married Maud Daughter and Heir of Robert Downes of Chorley juxtà Werford unto which Robert Edmund Fitton gave all his Lands in Chorley in Free Marriage with Margery his Sister Lib. A. fol. 127. t. v. This William was Sheriff of Cheshire 13 Edw. 2. 1319. and had Issue Raufe Mobberley Cicely married John Dumbill of Mobberley Son and Heir of John Dumbill of Oxton in Wirrall Elizabeth married Sir Hugh Venables of Kinderton Margery married Richard Bold of Bold in Lancashire Emme married Robert Grosvenour of Houlme in Allostock who purchased the Moiety of Nether-Pever from this William de Mobberley Mary another Daughter married Nicolas Leycester Son and Heir of Roger Leycester of Tabley Joan married William Athurton of Athurton in Lancashire Ellen married Richard Bromhale of Bromhale in Cheshire and Agnes never married Lib. A. fol. 127. w. x. y. z. a. fol. 128. cc. fol. 129. kk This William Sealed usually with his Coat of Arms to wit Two Cheverons and in a Canton a Cross-Croslet Fitchée Lib. A. fol. 124. y. z. as is before expressed in the beginning of this Descent He died 1 Edw. 3. 1327. Lib. C. fol. 103. num 9. Maud his Widow afterwards married John Dumbill senior Lib. A. fol. 128. ff Sir Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley Knight Son and Heir of William was Ward to Sir John Arderne of Aldford 3 Edw. 3. Lib. A. fol. 128. cc. who gave the Marriage of this Raufe unto John Pulford of Pulford Son of Sir Robert Pulford sinè disparagatione 1329. This Sir Raufe married Vincentia Daughter of John Pulford Lib. A. fol. 128. bb and
seised of this Moiety whose Son Hugh had three Daughters Isabel Alice and Margaret 1343. Lib. B. pag. 52. num 6. And in Anno 1356. he settles his Mannor of Picmere for want of Heirs-Males of his Body on Hugh Bruyn of Stapleford and Margaret his Wife Daughter of the said Hugh Picmere Lib. B. pag. 53. num 12. Margaret the Widow of Hugh Bruyn of Picmere grants to Hugh Hulse of Picmere all her Lands of Picmere 42 Edw. 3. Lib. B. pag. 52. num 10. This Hugh Hulse was Lieutenant-Justice of Chester 20 Rich. 2. to Thomas Earl of Nottingham and married Ellen Daughter and Heir of Hugh Bruyn and Margaret 36 Edw. 3. The Marriage and Wardship of Ellen was granted by Margaret her Mother to David Hulse Vicar of Great-Budworth to marry Hugh Son of Sybill Daughter of William Son of Hugh de Norbery 36 Edw. 3. Lib. B. pag. 52. num 11. pag. 54. num 21. This Sir Hugh Hulse dying 3 Hen. 5. or thereabout it was found by Inquisition That he died seised of seven Messuages in Picmere 200 Acres of Land and 20 Acres of Wood ibidem quae tenentur de Willielmo Leycester ut de Manerio suo de Wethale sed per quod Servitium ignoratur Inter Recognitiones Scaccarii Cestriae Bundle 3 Hen. 5. Afterwards John Troutback Esquire married Margery Daughter and Heir of Thomas Hulse in the Reign of Henry the Sixth Lib. B. pag. 53. num 17. And Margaret Daughter and Heir of Adam Troutback married John Talbot of Albrighton in Shropshire from whom the Talbots of Grafton in Worcestershire descended whose Posterity at last came to be Earls of Shrewsbury And George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury sells all his Lands in Picmere to wit the Moiety of Picmere unto his Tenants there Anno 1620. every Tenant buying his own and so are become particular Free-holders at this day Thomas Starkey's Lands now in Picmere were Purchased from Raufe Bostock of Moulton by John Starkey his Father 14 Aprilis 7 Jacobi 1609. and was originally given by Henry de Picmere unto Richard his younger Son 1192. A Parcel thereof was given to the said Richard by Hugh Picmere his Elder Brother 1308. Lib. B. pag. 58. a. b. c. Plumley ROger Manwaring gave Plumley to the Abby of St. Werburge in Chester when he made his Son Wido a Monk there William and Randle his Sons being Witnesses Which Grant with many others Richard Earl of Chester confirmed 1119. 19 Hen. 1. In the Feodary of Halton about Edw. 2. we read Thomas de Vernon tenet Villam de Lostock cùm Parvâ-Lostock medietatem de Plumley pro medietate unius Feodi Militis This Thomas de Vernon was second Husband of Joan de Lostock in whose Right he held these Lands Her former Husband was William de Toft younger Son of Roger Toft of Toft The Posterity of which William assumed the Sir-name of Holford from the Place of their Residence at Holford according to the Custom of those Ages This Place or Hamlet called Holford lieth Part in Plumley and Part in Lostock-Gralam and hath its Name from the Ford which runneth under the Mannor-Hall which because it is situate in a Derne Hole was therefore called Holford as if you should say A Ford in a Hole Or else from the old Word Hale which we now call Hall and so denotes as much as A Ford under the Hall Or possibly from the old Word Holt A Wood quasi Holt-Ford for that the Ford anciently was environed with a Wood round about All the Tenants of Plumley at this day do Suit of Court to the Mannor of Barnshaw which formerly belonged to the Abby of St. Werburge in Chester but was bought by Manwaring of Carincham since the Dissolution of Abbies in England Agnes the Daughter of Walthef de Plumley by Henry her Son Attornatum positum ad lucrandum perdendum by Fine at Chester 2 Edw. 1. 1274. passeth the eighth Part of Plumley unto Thomas the Smith of Plumley and to William his Son This William in his Seal calls himself Willielmus Filius Ceciliae de Plumley And by another Fine 2 Edw. 1. the same Agnes passeth over one other eighth Part of Plumley unto Richard Sladehurst of Plumley and Lettice his-Wife which Lettice in her Seal calls her self the Daughter of William de Plumley Lib. A. fol. 157. h. k. The Originals Penès Manwaring of Carincham 1666. I find also that William Mobberley of Mobberley had certain Lands in Plumley about Edward the Second Lib. A. fol. 124. y. which were held of the Baron of Halton by the yearly Rent of a Pair of White Spurs or Six Pence See suprà in Halton And Sir Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley gave his Mannor in Plumley unto Thomas Toft and Margaret his Wife and their Heirs 1357. 32 Edw. 3. Lib. A. fol. 129. II. One half of these Lands now belong to Leycester of Tabley and the other half to Bradshaw of Marple as you may see more at large in Mobberley So that now Anno Domini 1666. the whole Township of Plumley is enjoyed by these Persons following ⚜ Thomas Cholmondley of Holford Esquire and James Holford of Newborough in Dutton have one Moiety of Plumley between them The other Moiety is enjoyed by these Persons following 1. Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Baronet hath five Tenements here now in Possession of Robert Massy Geffrey Wright William Ridgeway Thomas Wright and Thomas Hough 2. Mr. Bradshaw of Marple a good Farm in Possession of Thomas Buckley 3. The Land late Litler's of Wallers-cote nigh Northwich three Tenements in Possession of Hugh Yanes Homfrey Mere and Widow Bebington 4. George Leycester of Toft Esquire one Tenement in Possession of William Highfield 5. Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley hath three Closes in Plumley in Possession of Raufe Henshaw 6. Reynolds of Middlewich late belonging to Bostock of Moulton one Tenement in Possession of Raufe Newhall at the end of Plumley-Moore 7. John Hall of Norley one Tenement in Plumley in Possession of John Kirkman 8. Manwaring of Pever's Land sold to Holford of Holford one Tenement at the side of Plumley-Moore in Possession of Richard Eaton 9. Earl of Bridgewater a small Parcel about four Cheshire Acres Now followeth the Descent of Holford of Holford Argent a Greyhound Passant Sable Hugh de Runchamp Lord of Lostock Lib. C. fol. 126. ll Ricardus de Runchamp Gralanus Filius Ricardi de Runchamp in memory of whom the Town was called Lostock-Gralam for distinction He gave the Town of Lees unto Lidulf of Twamlow about the Reign of King John Lib. C. fol. 227. z. This Gralam also sold Houlme juxtà Nether-Pever to Richard Son of Randle * Ranulfi con Radulfi Grosvenour 1234. Lib. C. fol. 120. a. Gralam de Lostock Letitia Uxor ejus Tempore Hen. 3. Galfridus de Lostock ●ui Frater dedit medietatem de Rode Gralam de Morton Robert de Lostock Lib. C. fol. 182. b. Richard Son of Gralam de Lostock married
Elizabeth second Daughter born at Nether-Tabley on Wednesday the sixteenth day of June 1647. married Samuel Birch younger Son of John Birch of Whitborn in Herefordshire 1666. She miscarried of a Female-Child in November 1667. and soon after died of the Small-Pox on Saturday the last of November at Whitborn aforesaid Anno Domini 1667. and was buried at Whitborn-Church Byron Leycester third Daughter born at Nether-Tabley on Saturday the sixth day of October 1655. and is yet living 1669. Sir Peter Leycester and Elizabeth his Lady are both yet living 1669. He was Created Baronet the tenth day of August 1660. 12 Car. 2. XV. Robert Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire eldest Son of Sir Peter and Elizabeth married Meriel Daughter and Heir of Francis Watson late of Church-Aston nigh Newport in Shropshire Esquire 6 die Junii 1667. and hath Issue Robert a Son born at Marcham in Berkshire on Friday the sixteenth day of April Anno Domini 1669. Over-Tabley THe Township of Over-Tabley was held by William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton in the Time of William the Conqueror We read in Doomsday-book thus Isdem Willielmus tenet Stabelei Lewinus tenuit liber Homo fuit ibi tertia pars unius Hidae Geldabilis Terra est una Caruca Wasta fuit est Silva ibi dimidia Leuva longa XL Perticis lata valuit X solidos Isdem Willielmus tenet in ipsa Villa unam Bovatam Terrae tertiam partem unius Hidae Geldabilem Segrid Ulsi tenuerunt pro duobus Maneriis liberi fuerunt Terra est una Caruca Wasta fuit est Tempore Regis Edwardi valebat septem solidos But not long after certain it is that this Township was of three distinct Fees One third Part of Over-Tabley Roger de Manwaring gave to the Monastery of Saint Werburge in Chester in the Reign of Henry the Second Lib. B. in principio This third Part came afterwards to William de Tabley * This William de Tabley writ himself Dominus de Tabley that is de Over-Tabley sometimes Dominus de Knotsford tempore Edw. 1. who gave the same to Sir John Grey Son of Sir Reginald Grey and Sir John granted it to Roger Leycester Lord of Nether-Tabley Anno Domini 1296. F. num 1. Which in all the Offices of Leycester of Tabley is found to be held of the Abby of St. Werburge And Leycester of Tabley is now possessed of this third Part at this day 1666. One other third Part was possessed by Adam de Tabley in the Reign of Edward the Third Sir William Boydell being Chief Lord thereof For William Son of John Boydell of Dodleston releaseth unto Adam de Tabley all Services due for his third Part of Over-Tabley for one Penny onely to be paid at the Nativity of St. John Baptist yearly for all Service Dated at Dodleston 17 Edw. 3. 1342. F. num 3. This Adam de Tabley I conceive was originally a Massy for he Sealed with Massy's Coat of Arms. This third Part came afterwards to Thomas Daniell younger Son of Thomas Daniell of Bradley in Appleton the Elder by Joan Norreys a second Wife in Marriage with Katharine Daughter and Heir of William Son of Adam de Tabley 27 Edw. 3. 1353. Lib. C. fol. 241. l. for which Marriage Thomas Daniell the Father gave to Adam de Tabley 46 l. 13 s. 4 d. By Katharine came also the Moiety of Bexton to Thomas Daniell the Son her Husband who was afterwards Sir Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley 6 Rich. 2. 1382. whose Heirs are possessed of this third Part at this present 1666. One other third part remaining was possessed anciently by another Family of the Tableys called The Hall of the Wood in Over-Tabley until Matthew de Tabley was Attainted of Felony 22 Edw. 4. 1483. whose Lands by the Office taken 1 Hen. 7. were found to be held of the Honour of Halton and so were seized into the King's Hands And I find John Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esq excepting against that Office of 1 Hen. 7. and complaining to the Judges and Chamberlain of Chester and alledging That these Lands were held of him by Homage and Fealty and Twelve Pence * This 12 d. Rent is at this day paid to Leycester by Th Warburton of Tabley-Hill which Tenement is Parcel of the Hall of Wood lands yearly Rent and praying that he may be restored to these Lands as Chief Lord of the Fee C. num 31. But he had too Potent a Person to deal with And King Henry the Seventh granted these Lands to Sir William Stanley of Holt-Castle Lord Chamberlain But he being beheaded for Treason 1495. these Lands Escheated again to the King And Henry the Eighth Leased them to Randle Brereton for his Life 2 Hen. 8. And after Roger Brereton his Son had them for his Life Afterwards these Lands continuing in the King's Hands Robert Chornock and Roger Chornock of London purchased the same and sold them to Piers Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire for 240 l. whereof one Moiety was paid in Hand and the other he gave Bond for But Peter Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire purchasing these Lands at 9 l. per Annum in the King's Books the Chornocks purchased them after the Rate of 18 d. in the King's Books and cheated the said Piers Leycester by a fraudulent Conveyance so that he could not enjoy these Lands It was Decreed in the Court of Requests 4 Maii 1 Eliz. 1559. That the Chornocks should restore the Money which they had received and deliver up the Bond Obligatory to be Cancelled And so Daniell had the Lands which his Posterity now enjoyeth 1666. C. num 13. Charterers in Over-Tabley 1666. 1. Edward Hewet of Mobberley hath one Tenement in Over-Tabley now in Possession of his Tenant John Kell which is within Mr. Daniell's Part. 2. There is also one other in Leycester's third Part to wit the Tenement in Possession late of Richard Duncalfe of Tabley-Hill whereunto formerly Coithurst-Meadows now part of Mr. Daniell's Demain did belong This payeth 12 d. of Chief-rent yearly to Leycester now paid by William Legh of Tabley-Hill This Free-hold was Purchased by George le Criour from Thomas Monkys 5 Ed. 4. Afterwards this Land was purchased by John Duncalfe of Mere 30 Hen. 8. After it came to Peter Hulse of Over-Tabley Hulse sells it to Whitmore of Sudlow 1604. Whitmore sold it to Peter Daniell Esquire 1611. In this Township there is an Ancient Chappel called Over-Tabley-Chappel or more generally known by the name of The Chappel in the Street for it is situate in the High-street An old pitiful Structure ill seated and now in decay This Chappel of Ease being within the Parish of Rosthorn was built about the Reign of Henry the Sixth by the Ancestors of Leycester of Nether-Tabley and Daniell of Over-Tabley for the Ease and Convenience of these two Families and of all their Tenants in Over-Tabley and Nether-Tabley Probably after the Match of Thomas Daniell and Maud Leycester which
came in Person to Assault it Anno 1216. after the Death of King John on the Feast-day of Simon and Jude the Apostles the twenty eighth day of October Henry the Third being then but nine Years old eldest Son of King John was Crowned at Glocester principally by the Power of Walo the Pope's Legat Peter Bishop of Winchester Randle Earl of Chester and William Marshall Earl of Pembroke and some others Paris and Polychronicon Anno Domini 1217. after Easter Randle Earl of Chester with many others met about the besieging of the Castle of Mountsorell by the procurement of William Marshall Regent of England for the young King which they fiercely assaulted But Lewis King of France and the Barons of England sent Forces from London in the very beginning of May to raise the Siege Randle Earl of Chester hearing thereof with others came to Nottingham The Barons march on and Besiege Lincoln Castle In the interim William Marshall Guardian of the young King and Kingdom Commanded all the Forces out of his several Garrisons to meet at Newark on Tuesday in Whitsun-week for the raising of the Siege at Lincoln among whom Randle Earl of Chester was the Prime Commander and in the beginning of the Week following they routed the Barons at Lincoln Mat. Paris pag. 294 295. And the Monk of Chester in his Polychronicon saith That Randle Earl of Chester slew many of the French so that Lewis the French King seeing his Party much weakned for a Sum of Money surrenders up all his Garrisons and returns to France Anno 1158. the Abbey of Pulton in Cheshire was Founded Anno 1214. that Convent was removed to Deulacresse in Staffordshire 10 Calendas Maii by this Earl Randis Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 891. Anno 1218. 2 Hen. 3. Randle Earl of Chester after he was accorded with Lhewellin Prince of Northwales took a Voyage to Jerusalem In which Year Damieta was taken by the Christians Mat Paris pag. 303. Anno 1220. 4 Hen. 3. Randle returning out of the Holy Land built Beeston Castle in Cheshire and Chartley Castle in Staffordshire and the Abbey of Delacresse near Leeke in Staffordshire of the Order of white Monks * De ordine Cisterciensi To which Abbey he gave Leeke and Rudeyard in Staffordshire Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 891 892. Bivelegh vulgo Byley near to Middlewich in Cheshire was a Grange belonging to the Monks of Delacresse Monasticon Vol. 2. pag. 919. Towards the Charge of the Castles he Levied a Tax through all his Lands and Tenants Polychronicon Also Knighton pag. 24. 30. Nor can I here pass by the Mistake of Bale de Scriptoribus Britanniae Cent. 3. num 93. where he writes thus Ranulfus de Glaunvyle Cestriae Comes vir nobilissimi Generis in utroque jure eruditus in Albo illustrium virorum à me meritò ponendus venit ità probè omnes adolescentiae suae annos Legibus tùm humanis tùm divinis consecravit ut non priùs in hominem per aetatem evaserit quàm nomen decusque ab insigni eruditione sibi comparaverit Cùm Profecti essent Francorum heroes Ptolemaidem inito cùm Johanne Brenno Hierosolymorum Rege concilio Damiatam Egypti urbem obsidendam constituebant Anno Salutis humanae 1218. misit illùc Henricus Rex ab Honorio tertio Romanorum Pontifice Rogatus cùm magnâ Armatorum manu Ranulfum ad rem Christianam juvandam Cujus virtus Polydoro teste in eo bello miris omnium laudibus celebrata fuit Quo confecto negotio Ranulfus in patriam reversus scripsit unum librum de Legibus Angliae Fertur praetereà alia quaedam scripsisse sed tempus Edax rerum ea nobis abstulit Anno 1230. claruit confectus Senio dum Henricus tertius sub Antichristi Tyrannide in Angliâ regnaret So Bale and from him Pitseus thus Ranulfus Glanvillus ex Splendissimâ familiâ Cestriae Comitum in Angliâ natus c. in his Book De illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus These are both mistaken in the Name confounding Randle Blundevill and Randle Glaunvill together Randle Glaunvill indeed was Chief Justice of England under Henry II. and writ a Book De Legibus Angliae yet extant amongst us He died at the Siege of Accon Anno Christi 1190. Hoveden pag. 685. But this Randle Blundevill Earl of Chester is of later time a little and died Anno Christi 1232. This Earl was at the Siege of Damiata but writ no Book De Legibus Glaunvill writ the Book but was neither Earl of Chester nor of the Race of the Earls of Chester So much of Bale See Spelman's Glossary pag. 338. b. Anno 1224. Randle Earl of Chester John Constable of Cheshire and others of the Nobility were much displeased with Hubert de Burgo Chief Justice of England alledging that he did exasperate the King against them and did not well Execute the Laws insomuch that the Earl of Chester with his Complices at Leycester in stead of surrendring up the Castles which the King demanded from him as belonging to the Crown had thought to have sent threatning Messages both against the King and his Chief Justice but upon more deliberate Advice surrendred them Paris pag. 318 319 320. Anno 1229. the King having gathered a great Army together at Portsmouth thought to Transport them beyond Sea to recover those Lands which his Father had lost but not finding sufficient Shipping for half his Army he imputed the fault to the Treachery of Hubert de Burgo that he should have been Bribed thereunto by the Queen of France and drawing his Sword to have killed Hubert Randle Earl of Chester interposed and saved him that he got out of the King's sight till his fury was past Paris pag. 363. And in the same Year Randle Earl of Chester refuseth to pay Tythes to the Pope Paris ibidem Anno 1230. Randle Earl of Chester marched through Anjou and took certain Castles and so returned into Little Britain where the King had made him Commander in Chief of his Forces together with William Marshall and William Albemarle Paris pag. 367. Anno 1232. in the Parliament assembled at London the King demanded Money for the Discharge of his Debts occasioned by the Wars The Earl of Chester answering for the Nobility of the Kingdom told him That the Earls Barons and Knights which hold of him in Capite were personally with him in the Service and had exhausted their own Money in that Service and therefore ought not to pay any thing and so nothing was Granted Paris pag. 372. In this Year Randle Earl of Chester did a second time save the Life of Hubert de Burgo when the King being exasperated with Hubert sent to the Mayor of London to send away all the Armed he could raise immediately to put him to Death who in one Nights space were encreased to 20000. willing of the occasion But the King by the perswasion of Randle Earl of Chester telling how dangerous it might be to raise
Margaret and Emme M. num 16. and so this Land of Heild continued to their Heirs until the one Moiety thereof was purchased again by Thomas Leycester of Tabley Esquire Anno Domini 1500. M. num 19. and the other Moiety was purchased by Dorothy Leycester Widow from Richard Sutton of Sutton nigh Maxfield Esquire Son of Francis Sutton Anno Domini 1601. 43. Elizabethae M. num 60. So that the whole is now reverted again to Leycester There is also another Place in this Aston called The Mannor of Wethale which the aforesaid Geffrey Son of Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton gave unto Margaret his Daughter aforesaid and to her Heirs with all Commons and Easements of the Town of Aston Et Sciedum est quòd ipsa Margareta Haeredes sui Homines eorum qui manebunt in Wethale habebunt Housebote Haybote sufficientèr ad ardendum ad aedificandum de Bosco de Aston sinè visu Forestariorum praedicti Galfridi haeredum suorum habebunt etiàm omnes Porcos suos proprios ubicunquè fuerint nutriti in eodem Bosco sinè Pannagio as the very words of the Deed do run R. num 3. At which time also he gave her the Town of Nether-Tabley by another Deed and this about the latter end of the Reign of Henry the Third for in these Ages Gentlemen used to give a large proportion of Lands with their Daughters in Marriage rather than a small Sum of Money Land being then but of little value All which Lands descended to her Heirs by Sir Nicholas Leycester And Peter Dutton Son of the said Geffrey released all his Right in Nether-Tabley Wethale and Heild unto Roger Leycester Son of Sir Nicholas Anno Dom. 1296. 24 Edw. 1. I. num 6. and do now remain in possession of Sir Peter Leycester of Tabley Baronet and his Tenants at this day 1669. The Mannors of VVethale and Heild in Aston juxta Budworth do contain about a third part of the Town of Aston the Demaine Land of Arley being taken out and excepted All the rest of this Town hath been enjoyed by the Ancestors of the VVarburtons of Arley from the time of Adam de Dutton aforesaid even to this present save onely the Lands granted away by them unto the Predecessors of these Charterers following and now 1666. in possession of 1. The Widow Garstid of Chester called Litley Lands formerly belonging to Hayes of Litley and was possessed by Adam Son of William de Litley Anno Domini 1335. 2. Daniel of Tabley hath two small Tenements in Aston 3. Raufe Vernon of Aston called Wethale Farm 4. Gerard of Wimbles-Trafford late Picton's Land 5. Philip Antrobus of Over-Pever one small Tenement in Aston 6. Berry's Tenement in Aston which formerly was the Inheritance of Sneyd of Bradwell and sold by William Sneyd unto Gawen Legh of Northwood younger Son of Matthew Legh of Swineyard in High-Legh 35 Hen. 8. afterwards Richard Legh of Northwood sold it to Peter Leycester of Tabley Esquire 1633. and lastly Sir Peter Leycester of Tabley sold it to his Servant Thomas Jackson of Heild 1 Aprilis 1669. 21 Car. 2. In this Aston is situated the Hall of Arley now the chief Mansion-house of the Warburtons of Arley which House was built by Piers Warburton of Arley Esquire who died 10 Hen. 7. 1495. wherein of late a Ground-Room hath been converted into a Chappel But see more in Budworth of the ancient Places of Habitation of Warburton In the Feodary of Halton about the beginning of Edward the Third we read thus Galfridus Warburton Johannes Fitton tenet Villas de Budworth Aston juxtà Budworth tertiam partem de Tabley Superiori duas bovatas Terrae in Tabley Inferiori bovatam Terrae in quartâ parte de Comberbach unam bovatam Terrae in manu Prioris de Norton in Budworth totam Terram de Lythe ultrà Dee juxtà Cestriam pro uno Feodo Militis pro Relevio l. s. d. 05 00 00 Where Geffrey Warburton is put over the Head as then Tenant to the Baron of Halton for those Services when this Feodary was made the other possibly as it stood in former Rentalls Here should follow the Descent of Warburton of Arley but Sir George Warburton denied me the perusal of his Evidences so as it could not exactly be performed wherefore I have omitted the same Baggiley Or three Lozenges Azure The three first named I take to be Gilbert Venables Baron of Kinderton Ranulfus supposed to be the Ancestor of the Manwarings and Hamon Massy Baron of Dunham-Massy Sunderland is Locus cognitus within the Town of Dunham-Massy About the Reign of King John Hamon Massy then Lord of Dunham-Massy and Descended from the other Hamon before named gave unto Matthew de Bromhale Bromhale Duckenfield and two parts of Baggiley which the Father of the said Matthew held of the said Hamon as his Inheritance in Knights Service to him and his Heirs Faciendo praedicto Hamoni Haeredibus suis liberum Servitium Feodi unius Loricae Quitting all other Service de aratro hosterio * Houe Gallice an Instrument of Husbandry to break up the Earth Segibus secandis Feu † Feu Gallice Fire Fewel Colligendo Homagio faciendo de Averiis de Pannagio Salicher * Salicher puto pro Saligerio carrying of Salt from the Wich a Service in those Ages very usual de omnibus aliis consuetudinibus c. Lib. C. fol. 258. c. as I had it from Mr. Vernon's Notes Certain it is that this Town gave Name to the Family of the Baggileys who were Seated here Sir VVilliam Baggiley was Lord of Baggiley 13 Edw. 2. 1319. and John Baggiley his Son made a Feofment of the Mannor of Baggiley in Cheshire and of his Mannors of Hyde and Leveshulme in Lancashire unto Sir John Legh of Booths nigh Knotsford Covenanting that Sir John shall Settle them on the said John Baggiley and the Heirs Males of his Body and for default of such then to Settle the Mannor of Hyde on Sir John Hyde and his Heirs and to Settle the Mannors of Baggiley and Leveshulme upon William John and Geffrey Sons of the said Sir John Legh and to the Heirs Males of their Bodies in order one after another the remainder to Thomas Son of Richard Massy then to John Son of Robert Legh then to William Son of Piers Legh then to Robert Son of Robert Massy of Kelsall Lib. C. fol. 270 a. The Original in French now remaining with Edward Legh of Baggiley Esquire 1666. a fair Seal with Sir John Legh's Coat of Arms to wit a Bend over two Bars the other Seal is demolished to wit Baggiley's Coat three Lozenges with a Bear 's Head for the Crest There is no Date put to the Deed but Sir John Legh did Settle them accordingly with the Services of all the Freeholders in Baggiley to wit Richard Son of VVilliam Richard Hod Robert Son of VVilliam
and Nether-Tabley I believe this Town was Waste in the Conqueror's time Ex Chartulis Daniell of Over-Tabley I find little mention thereof before Henry the Third about that time Robert de Bexton seems to be possessed of a moiety thereof at least for he and Sibill his Wife by the consent of Matthew de Bexton their Son and Heir do give to Randle Son of Thomas de Picmere with Margery their Daughter totam quartam partem medietatis totius Villae de Bexton Reddendo annuatìm unum Denarium Argenti ad Nativitatem Beati Johannis Baptistae Lib. C. fol. 240. e. John Son of Matthew de Bexton releaseth to Adam de Tabley and Beatrix his Wife all the Lands which Maude Mother of the said John held in Dower in Bexton under Edward the Second Whereunto another John de Bexton is Witness Lib. C. fol. 241. f. Adam de Tabley was Lord of half of Bexton 1304. as appears by the Agreement made inter Johannem de Lostocke Dominum medietatis Villae de Bexton ex unâ parte Adamum de Tabley Dominum medietatis ejusdem Villae ex alterâ supèr Clausturas bladorum suorum de Bexton Datum apud Knotsford Anno Domini 1304. Lib. C. fol. 241. h. And then Adam de Tabley Son of the other Adam settles his Dominium Parcenarium de Bexton after his death on Thomas Son of Thomas Daniell 35 Edw. 3. 1361. Lib. C. fol. 241. k. Since which time the moiety of Bexton hath belonged to the Daniels of Over-Tabley even to this present 1666. Concerning this Adam de Tabley see more in Over-Tabley In a loose Paper among the Evidences of Daniell of Over-Tabley I find a Copy of a Deed wherein John de Bexton gives Ricardo filio Johannis de Croxton Margeriae Uxori ejus filiae meae tertiam partem totius medietatis Villae de Bexton excepto Capitali Messuagio Habendum sibi Haeredibus inter eos Remanere Hawisiae Elianorae Filiis meis remanere rectis Haeredibus meis Testibus Willielmo de Massy Johanne de Legh Militibus Rogero de Leycester c. Sub Edw. 3. Memorandum Quòd praedicta Hawisia nupta fuit Willielmo de Moulton Et Elinora nupta fuit Willielmo Filio Roberti de Winnington This Memorandum was writ in the bottom of the Paper Lib. C. fol. 244. p. This John Bexton I take to be the same with John Lostock above-named and called Bexton from the Place of his Residence I find also John de Bexton gave to William Son of Robert de Winnington and to Elianour his Wife totam tertiam partem totius medietatis Villae de Bexton tempore Edw. 2. John Booth's Book Lib. H. pag. 117. h. The Original penès Leycester of Toft And Hugh Toft of Toft grants to Sir Hugh Venables of Kinderton all his Land in Kinderton apud Rushford and a place of Land in Sproston in exchange pro sextâ parte Manerii de Bexton 24 Edw. 3. 1350. Lib. C. fol. 226. l. Penès Leycester of Toft In an ancient Feodary of Halton we read Johannes de Bexton tenet medietatem Villae de Bexton pro vicesimâ parte unius Feodi Militis And over the head of John de Bexton are writ Thomas Daniel Raufe Hulse and Thomas Croxton These last as I conceive as the Present Tenants about Henry the Sixth's time when that Rental was renewed the other as he stood in former Records of Edw. 1. or Edw. 2. Lib. C. fol. 86. Thomas Holford of Holford held Land in Bexton of the Baron of Halton in Knight-Service as appears by his Office 12 Eliz. a small Parcel So Robert Bromfield of Witton died seised of Land in Bexton held of the Barony of Halton in Knight-Service by Office taken 12 Eliz. but this Land was sold afterwards by Bromfield to the Lady Mary Cholmondley of Holford who gave it to Hugh Cholmondley her younger Son Sir Randle Manwaring of Over-Pever had Land in Bexton and Baggiley found by Office Anno 5 6 Phil. Mar. to be held of Edward Legh of Baggiley by Fealty and rendring a Red Rose yearly Sir Raufe Leycester of Toft had Land in Bexton and Plumley found by Office 14 Eliz. to be held of the Honour of Halton Paver of Northwich had a Messuage in Bexton found by Office 5 Eliz. to be held of the Barony of Halton and so Anne Pavers Office 40 Eliz. Thomas Winnington of Ermitage nigh Holmes-Chappel had Land in Bexton found to be held of John Croxton by Office 34 Eliz. a small Parcel William Croxton of Ravenscroft died seised of the third part of the Mannor of Bexton found to be held of Halton by the third part of the twentieth part of a Knights Fee by Office taken 32 Eliz. and John Croxton's Office 41 Eliz. tenuit medietatem totius Villae de Bexton But Croxton's Land in Bexton was sold to the Lady Mary Cholmondley of Holford aforesaid who gave those purchased Lands in Bexton to her younger Son Hugh Cholmondley whose Son and Heir Robert afterwards became Heir to all Cholmondley-Lands and is now Lord Viscount Kelles in the County of Meth in Ireland and living 1666. So that now Anno Domini 1666. the Town of Bexton is possessed by these Persons following 1. Robert Lord Cholmondley Lord of the moiety of Bexton He hath about 70 Cheshire Acres in possession of his Tenants there who pay one Shilling Chief to Halton yearly 2. Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire Lord of the other moiety of Bexton He hath about 65 Acres in possession of him and his Tenants there 3. George Leycester of Toft one Tenement in Bexton in possession of William Highfield about 20 Acres 4. Thomas Deane of Nether-Pever one Tenement in possession of George Swinton about 30 Acres This formerly belonged to one Hulse of Middle-wich * Of Clyve near to Middle-wich and payeth a Chief to Cholmondley and also to Halton 5. Thomas Cholmondeley of Holford Esquire a small Cottage about four Acres in possession of Hugh Woodward his Tenant This anciently belonged to Holford before the Lady Mary Cholmondley purchased any Lands in Bexton Bollinton THis Town hath its Name from the River of Bollin which runneth along after the side thereof It is not mentioned in the Record of Doomsday-book so that it seems to be Waste in the time of the Conqueror Hamon de Massy Baron of Dunham-Massy gave unto Geffrey Dutton Son of Geffrey Dutton all his Land in Bolinton to wit all the moiety of Bolinton with Agnes his Daughter in Free-marriage Rendring yearly a Pair of Gilded Spurs at the Nativity of St. John Baptist About the beginning of Henry the Third Lib. C. fol. 150. a. The same Agnes in her Widowhood by the name of Agnes de Nechel perhaps meant for Etchells late Wife of Sir Geffrey de Chedle gave unto her eldest Son Geffrey de Chedle all that Land of Bolinton which she had of the Gift of Hamon Massy her Father Lib. C. fol. 150. b. William
Vernon of Hulme in Allostock At this day 1666. Cogshull is possessed by these Persons following which were all bought of the King in Fee-farm Rent 1612. being formerly Copy-holders to Halton Elinour Ashton Widow formerly Booth's of Cogshull ⚜ and before that Massy's of Cogshull descended from Massy of Rixton Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esq hath Land here Edward Piggot of Cogshull Edmund Massy of Cogshull John Richardson of Cogshull Pownall of Barnton No House Green of Sanbach In possession of Richard Perceivall George Low of Hartford One Close Comberbach ROger Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton about the Reign of Richard the First granted Deo Beatae Mariae Fratribus servientibus beatis Pauperibus Sancti Hospitalis de Jerusalem totam medietatem de Comberbach illam scilicèt quam Willielmus de Comberbach de me tenuit unà cùm salina in Northwich quae pertinet ad Astonam juxtà Budworth in puram perpetuam Elemosynam Et si Ricardus Fitton vel Haeredes sui praedictum feodum super me vel supèr Haeredes suos recuperaverit Ego Haeredes mei praedictam donationem praedictis Hospitalariis Warrantizabimus Willielmo Comberbach Haeredibus suis Tenendum de praedictis Hospitalariis in Feodo Haereditate Reddendo eis annuatìm sex denarios pro omnibus quae ad Domum ad Fratres ejusdem Domus pertinent Hiis Testibus Henrico Priore de Norton Ricardo Capellano Ricardo Fratre Constabularii Hugone de Boydell Radulfo Filio Symonis Thomâ Dispensatore Hugone de Dutton Adâ de Dutton Radulfo Filio Rogeri Alexandro Filio Radulfi Liulfo Vice-Gomite Bertramo Camerario Johanne Burdon Hugone de Eccleston Ricardo Filio Henrici Roberto de Pulle Johanne Filio Aluredi Gilberto de Lymme Willielmo de Gamul Alano de Waley Willielmo Filio Matthaei Ricardo Filio Johannis Ricardo Filio Gilberti Aytropo Ricardo Starkey Ricardo de Whitley Willielmo de Tabley Waltero de Toft Johanne de Comberbach Henrico Fratre suo toto Hundredo de Haltonshire Lib. C. fol. 274. num 1. Out of the Book of Legh of Swineyard's Deeds num 1. now in his possession John Son of Henry de Comberbach gave to Adam Son of William de Litley in Aston juxtà Budworth all his Lands in Comberbach unà cùm reversione dotis Elenae Matris praedicti Johannis Piscariâ suâ in Lacu de Budworth c. Entailing these Lands first on the said Adam and the Heirs of his Body and in default of such then on Robert Brother of the said Adam Dated at Comberbach die Lunae Sancti Petri ad Vincula which is the first day of August Anno Domini 1335. 9 Edw. 3. Ibidèm num 28. The Moyety of Comberbach is now 1666. in possession of 1. Richard Legh of Swineyard hath two Tenements Their Tenants do at this day pay the Chief-Rent of Six-pence at Tatton-Vurt 2. Mrs. Ashton of Cogshull two small Cottages Their Tenants do at this day pay the Chief-Rent of Six-pence at Tatton-Vurt 3. Mr. Warburton of the Grange nigh Weverham three little Tenements 4. John Gleyve of High Legh one little Tenement which Thomas Gleyve of High Legh purchased from Thomas Sonkey of Little Sonkey in Lancashire 37 Hen. 8. 1545. Lib. C. fol. 269. num 2. 5. Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley one Cottage about two Acres 6. Sir George Warburton of Arley five small Cottages not two Acres in all The other Moiety of Comberbach was granted to the Priory of Norton After the Dissolution of Abbies by Henry the Eighth the King sold all those Lands which belonged to the Priory of Norton unto John Grimsdich of London Gentleman 36 Hen. 8. 1544. then in possession of Robert Merbury George Hulme Randle Worral Agnes Walker Randle Low Lawrence Persivall Roger Grymshaw and George Eaton out of which 7 s. 7 d. ob Chief-Rent is reserved to the King And these were sold by Grimsdich to Robert Eaton and lastly bought by George Low of Hartford from John Eaton of Over-Whitley about fourteen or sixteen Years ago Other two Tenements then in possession of Homfrey Shakeshaft and Thomas Highfield out of which the yearly Rent of 2 s. 1 d. was reserved to the King were bought by Mr. Merbury of Merbury and are lately sold to Edward Piggot of Cogshull who is now Owner of the same 1666. Daresbury THis Town is of the Fee of the Ancient Barons of Halton I find that in the Reign of Henry the Third and before there was a Family of the Daresberies seated here whence they took their Sir-name but whence originally sprung I find not Rogerus de Hiberniâ that is Roger of Ireland grants unto Beatrix Daughter of William de Daresbery and to the Heirs which shall be begotten on her Body by Robert of Ireland Ex Chartulis Daniell de Daresbery 1649. Son of the said Roger all his Land of Leverpool in Lancashire Testibus Domino Roberto de Atherton Vice-Comite Lancastriae Domino Henrico de Thorbock Roberto le Sauvage tùnc Ballivo Comitis intèr Ribble Mersey Domino Willielmo Parsonâ de Waleton Willielmo de Waleton Serviente Domini Regis Willielmo de Molineaux c. Lib. C. fol. 184. a. Anno 1291. Henry le Norreys was Lord of Daresbery which Mannor he had in right of Margery Daresbery his Wife Ego Margeria Domina de Daresbery dedi Alano Filio meo Mabiliae Filiae Ranulphi de Merton quem idem Alanus ducet in Uxorem totum Manerium meum de Daresbery cùm suis pertinentiis unà cùm Dominio Villae de Over-Walton 7 Edw. 2. 1313. Lib. C. fol. 185. e. So in the Feodary of Halton under Edward the Second we read Alanus le Norreys tenet Villam de Daresbery Villam de Wolton superiori pro medietate unius Feodi Militis This Alan le Norreys had a Son called also Alan le Norreys and Clementia Daughter and Heir of Alan the Son married William Danyers Son and Heir of Sir John Danyers of Daresbery 1344. Lib. C. fol. 185. g. h. In which Family commonly now called Daniell it hath continued to this present John Daniell of Daresbery Esquire being now possessed thereof 1666. It seems that Daniell had Land in Daresbery before the Marriage of William Daniell with Clementia Norreys For Henry le Norreys Lord of Daresbery and Margery his Wife howbeit the Original Deed hereof calls her Margaret being miswrit for Margery for so she is called in all other Deeds granted to William Daniers the Elder one Messuage in Daresbery with all the Land which William More formerly held in the same Town and one Water-mill with a Croft called Wallmore and one Wood called The Common VVood also one Wood and Land called Daresbery-Cliff containing 60 Acres by estimation Dated on our Lady-day 1291. 19 Edw. 1. Reddendo un●am libram Piperis vel septem Denarios sex Porcos qui Pesonam fecerint per Annum Lib. C. fol. 184. d. Afterwards Sir John Danyers of Daresbury married
1403. He was made Lieutenant or Deputy in the Office of the Seneschalcy of the County of Chester by Elizabeth Countess of Salisbury while they both should live and to be of Council with her for which Service she gave him two Marks Annual Rent which he ought to pay her for his Lands of Little Legh held of her Castle of Harden during the Term aforesaid 1408. 10 Hen. 4. Lib. C. fol. 164. b. Great Contention fell between this Sir Peter Dutton and Sir William Athurton of Athurton in Lancashire insomuch that they made Inroads and Invasions one upon the other And the said Sir Piers Dutton and his Adherents to wit Sir Rafe Bostock of Bostock Richard Warburton of Budworth Thomas Warburton of Halton John Done of Utkinton junior John Manley of Manley Hugh Dutton of Hatton the elder William Leycester of Nether-Tabley Sir Peter Legh of Clifton Ancestor to Legh of Lyme and John Carington of Carington were all sued by Sir William Athurton for taking away forty of his Oxen and forty Cows out of his Closes at Athurton and for beating of his Servants But this Variance was composed between them by the Award of John Duke of Bedford Earl of Richmond and Kendall Constable of England and Regent of the Kingdom in the absence of Henry the Fifth Dated 9 Aprilis 7 Hen. 5. 1419. Restitution being awarded on both sides The Horses and Saddles taken by Sir William Athurton to be restored to Sir Piers Dutton and the Cattel taken by Sir Piers to be restored to the said Sir William Lib. C. fol. 146. n. Sir Peter de Dutton was made Parcarius de Northwood or Governor of Northwood Park in Over-Whitley during his Life with all the Fees thereof 1 Hen. 6. 1423. Vel 1 Hen. 5. Out of which he had Orders from William Harrington Chief Steward of Halton under Henry Archbishop of Canterbury and other Feoffees of King Henry the Fifth to deliver one Oak for the Repair of Witton Bridge then in decay and another for the Repair of Farnworth Chappel Dated 9 Hen. 6. Lib. C. fol. 147. w. Sir Peter died 12 Hen. 6. 1433. aged sixty six Years Obiit 1433 Lib. C. fol. 147. x. y. fol. 163. x. XIII John Dutton of Dutton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Peter married Margaret Daughter of Sir John Savage of Clifton 6 Hen. 5. 1418. Lib. C. fol. 160. w. and had Issue Thomas Dutton Son and Heir Roger Dutton another Son afterwards Lord of Dutton John Dutton slain with his Brother Sir Thomas Dutton at Blore-Heath 1459. Stow. Robert Dutton another Son died without Issue Lib. C. fol. 180. k. Margaret married Hugh Son and Heir of Raufe Egerton 21 Hen. 6. 1443. Lib. C. fol. 147. b. Maud married Sir William Booth of Dunham-Massy 21 Hen. 6. 1443. Lib. C. fol. 164. g. Agnes married Richard Wynnington of Wynnington nigh Northwich Son and Heir of Robert Wynnington Son and Hir of Sir Richard Wynnington 25 Hen. 6. 1446. Lib. C. fol. 160. y. Ellen married Edward Son and Heir of Richard Longford of Lancashire Esq 28 Hen. 6. 1450. Lib. C. fol. 160. a. Elizabeth married John Merbury Son and Heir of James Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach Esquire 1458. The Original penès Thomam Merbury Armigerum 1666. Obiit 1445 This John Dutton of Dutton died 24 Hen. 6. 1445. aged forty two Years Lib. C. fol. 160. y. z. Margaret his Wife survived and was living 1450. XIV Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton Knight Son and Heir of John and Margaret married Anne Daughter of James Lord Audley and had Issue Peter eldest Son slain with his Father at the Battel of Blore-Heath as Tradition hath it John Dutton second Son who succeeded Heir to his Father Anno married Sir Thomas Molineaux of Sefton in Lancashire Isabel married Sir Christopher Sotheworth of Sotheworth in Lancashire Lib. D. pag. 173. f. Elizabeth married Raufe Bostock of Bostock in Davenham Parish in Cheshire Esq by whom he had Issue Anne Daughter and Heir married to Sir John Savage of Clifton in Cheshire juxtà Halton which Elizabeth after the death of Raufe Bostock married Thomas Scriven of Frodsley in Shropshire and she died Anno Domini 1516. 5 die Februarii 8 Hen. 8. Lib. C. fol. 139. x. Margaret another Daughter of Sir Thomas Dutton married Thomas Aston of Aston juxtà Sutton Esquire 7 Edw. 4. 1467. Afterwards she married Raufe Vernon of Haslington in Cheshire Esquire And Elinour another Daughter married Richard Cholmondley of Cholmondley in Broxton Hundred Esq Lib. C. fol. 161. I. n. Obiit 1459 This Sir Thomas was slain at the Battel of Blore-Heath in Staffordshire September 23. 38 Hen. 6. 1459. Stow in his Annals and in the thirty eighth Year of his Age. Anne his Widow afterwards married Hugh Done of Olton in Cheshire and she died 19 Hen. 7. 1503. Lib. C. fol. 162. v. XV. John Dutton of Dutton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Thomas and Anne was made Steward to the Prior of Norton for his Life of all the Lands and Tenements belonging to that Priory Robert Leftwich being then Abbot of Norton and for which the said John Dutton had three Pound yearly for his Fee Dated at Norton in September 38 Hen. 6. 1459. Lib. C. fol. 145. c. He married Margaret Daughter of Richard and Sister to Sir Thomas Molineaux of Sefton in Lancashire Obiit 1473 but died without Issue 13 Edw. 4. 1473. leaving Roger Dutton his Uncle to succeed in his Estate Lib. C. fol. 160. d. e. Margaret his Widow married William Buckley of Eaton junior 15 Edw. 4. Lib. C. fol. 160. b. XVI Roger Dutton of Dutton Esquire younger Brother to Sir Thomas and Heir to his Nephew John Dutton married Joan Daughter of Sir Richard Aston of Aston juxtà Sutton and had Issue Lawrence Dutton Son and Heir Obiit 1499 This Roger died 14 Hen. 7. 1499. Joan his Widow afterwards married Sir Richard Strangewaies Lib. C. fol. 162. v. fol. 164. e. XVII Lawrence Dutton of Dutton Esquire 14 Hen. 7. Son and Heir of Roger and Joan Obiit 1526 8 Hen. 8. married Joan Daughter of Robert Duckenfield of Duckenfield in Cheshire Esquire but died without any Lawful Issue Anno Domini 1526. aged fifty Years Lib. C. fol. 164. e. fol. 161. k. He had a Bastard-son called John Dutton to whom he gave the Messuage in Preston nigh Daresbery called The New Mannor for his Life 1526. Lib. C. fol. 162. s. He had also two Bastard-daughters Isabel and Joan. Upon the sailing of the Issue Male of this Line of Dutton there fell great Controversie and Suits of Law concerning this fair Inheritance of Dutton between Sir Piers Dutton of Hatton in Broxton Hundred as next Heir Male on the one part and the Daughters and Co-heirs of Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton and their Heirs on the other part At last it was composed and ended by the Award of King Henry the Eighth Dated the sixteenth day of May 26 Hen. 8. 1534. and Confirmed by
William Son of William Venables of Bradwell and Half-Brother of this John released unto him 13 Edw. 2. 1319. Which Lands in Rosthorn Legh of Booths enjoyeth at this day 1667. This John de Legh the first Legh of Booths gave to Robert Legh his younger Son a Tenement in High-Legh which Sir John Legh elder Brother of Robert confirmed to the said Robert 1336. 10 Edw. 3. which Tenement continued in the possession of the Leghs of Adlington until Sir Vrian Legh of Adlington not very long since sold the same to John Legh of Aldford who sold it to Richard Legh of Swineyard in High-Legh his Brother 45 Elizabethae 1602. And from this Robert the Leghs of Adlington are Originally descended Of which see more in High-Legh Ellen the Widow of this first John Legh purchased a Weekly Market on the Wednesday and a Fair to be kept yearly at Knotsford-Booths on Tuesday and Wednesday in Whitson-week under the Seal of the Exchequer at Chester Dated 18 die Maii 9 Edw. 3. Which Fair is at this day kept accordingly but the Market vanished long ago Lib. C. fol. 219. l. ⚜ Here should follow the Descent of Legh of Booths But because I was denied the Perusal of the Evidences by Robert Venables Esquire younger Son of Peter Venables of Kinderton Esquire who hath married the Widow of John Legh late of Booths deceased I must omit the same and therefore let Posterity blame him for it and not me Lachford WIlliam Son of Samson released Domino suo Hugoni de Boydell pro defectu Servitii sui retrò Lachford cùm omnibus pertinentiis Pro hâc donatione Hugo dedit Valentiam quatuor Marcarum Testibus Radulfo de Manwaring tùnc Justiciario Cestriae c. tempore Ricardi Primi Lib. C. fol. 286. t. The Original penès Thomas Merbury de Merbury Armigerum 1666. This was at the same time and before the same Witnesses when he Released Gropenhale also Vide Gropenhale NOverint Universi Anno Domini 1305. 32 Edw. 1. Intèr Dominum Johannem de Boydell Militem ex parte unâ Davidem Filium Haeredem Patricii de Barton ex altera super Partitione Vastorum de Lachford Praedictus David cognovit quòd tres partes omnimodi soli in eadem Villa sint jus Haereditas ipsius Johannis quarta pars est Haereditas ipsius Davidis Lib. C. fol. 285. c. The Original hereof also in possession of the said Mr. Merbury Sir John Daniell and Joan his Wife Purchased to them and their Heirs from Edward stiled The Black Prince then Earl of Chester to keep two Fairs in Lachford yearly one upon the fifth and sixth days of May and the other upon the seventeenth and eighteenth days of October and also to have two Market-days Weekly every Wednesday and Friday nisi sint ad nocumenta Vicinorum Mercatorum Datum apud Cestriam 3 die Martii 41 Edw. 3. under the Seal of the Exchequer The Original penès Merbury de Merbury Lib. C. fol. 283. f. Anno 26 Edw. 3. Partition was made of the Inheritance of William Boydell in Cheshire and Wales between Sir John Danyell of Gropenhale and Joan his Wife on the one Part and Howel ap Owen Voil on the other Part. Lib. C. fol. 282. q. William the Son of Howell called himself by the Name of Boydell and had to Wife Cicely Sister of William Belew by whom he had Issue Thomas Boydell She was Widow 8 Hen. 4. for William Boydell her Husband died 16 Rich. 2. 1392. Lib. C. fol. 286. v. 281. g. Thomas Boydell had Issue Thomas who died without Issue also Margaret married to Hugh Reddish and Isabel married to John Alburgham afterwards to Nicolas de Langton Which Margaret and Isabell divide the Inheritance of Thomas Boydell their Father 5 Hen. 5. 1416. Lib. C. fol. 282. l. And among other Lands these of Lachford were divided between them The Part belonging to Reddish came to William Merbury of Merbury Esq in Right of Maud his Wife Daughter and Heir of Thomas Reddish of Caterich in Gropenhale They were married 2 3 Philip and Mary 1556. whose Heir is now possessed of one Moiety of Lachford 1666. The Part belonging to Alburgham descended to two Daughters and Heirs 3 Hen. 7. Constance Daughter of Gilbert Alburgham married Henry Byrom of Byrom in Lancashire Isabell the other Daughter married James Holt of Griselhurst in Lancashire Francis Holt and Thomas his Son sell all their Part of Lachford unto Thomas Starkey of Stretton Esquire 25 Elizabethae Starkey sells it to Thomas Brooke of Norton Esquire 43 Eliz. and Thomas Brooks of Norton sells it to Thomas Ireland of Beusy nigh Warrington 43 Elizabethae He was afterwards Sir Thomas Ireland Thomas Ireland Son of Sir Thomas with other Brothers and Feoffees sell their Lands in Lachford unto Thomas Blackborn 5 Car. 1. whose Son Thomas Blackborn of Lachford now enjoyeth the same 1666. ⚜ Byrom's Part in Lachford was sold to the Ancestors of these Free-holders in Lachford following Freeholders in Lachford Anno Domini 1666. 1. John Longshall 2. Richard Hall 3. Widow Middlehurst pays 1 d. Chief to Blackborn 4. Peter Barker one Acre formerly Part of Widow Middlehurts 5. Peter Hall 6. Arnold Middlehurst 7. William Morris of Gropenhale 8. Legh of Lyme one Tenement 9. Widow Pierson 10. Widow Hatton now Twambroke Byrom of Lancashire retains yet the Advowson of the Church of Gropenhale Legh juxta Barterton vulgo Little-Legh THe Township of Little-Legh was held by William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton in the Time of the Conqueror as appears by Doomsday-Book Out of the Originals remaining among the Evidences at Dutton 1649. Simon Fitz-Osbern being possessed of this Village about the Reign of King John Grants the same unto Hugh Dutton Son of Hugh Dutton of Dutton and to his Heirs scilicèt totam Villam de Leiâ in Feu-firma Reddendo annuatìm duas Marcas Argenti ad Festum Sancti Martini Lib. C. fol. 154. f. Which Rent is paid by the Heirs of Dutton at this day 1666. as to the Mannor of Harden-Castle Roger Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton acquitteth Hugh Dutton of Dutton de Judice de Leghâ in Hundredo meo de Halton id est Of the Judger of Legh in his Hundred of Halton about Anno Domini 1200. Lib. C. fol. 154. g. To be Judger of a Town was to serve at the Lord's Court on the Jury for such a Town whereof Dutton was discharged for Little-Legh by this Deed. The Hamlet of Clatterwig in Little-Legh was Purchased by Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton from Hugh de Clatterwig in the Reign of Henry the Third Hiis Testibus Domino Galfrido de Dutton tùnc Seneschallo Domino Galfrido de Budworth Filio Adae de Dutton Domino Hugone Priore de Norton Ricardo de Astonâ Rogero de Toft c. Lib. C. fol. 156. t. This Township hath ever since remained to the Heirs of Dutton even to this day 1666. and is 25 l. 18 s.
00 d. of an old Rent Charterers in Little-Legh 1666. 1. Sir Gilbert Ireland of Hut in Lancashire one Cottage in possession of Thomas Clough 2. William Touchet of Nether-Whitley Esquire one Tenement in Lease 3. William Bentley of Northwich Physician two Crofts but no House 4. Joseph Basnet of Legh formerly part of Dr. Bentley's 5. Mr. Huxley one Tenement in possession of Joseph Basnet 6. John Barker of Legh lately bought of Mr. Merbury of Merbury 7. Richard Worrall of Legh 8. John Eaton of Woolley 9. Mrs. Anne Moseley of Howes-end one Cottage in Possession of one Lawrenson In this Township is an ancient Chappel of Ease called Little-Legh Chappel within the Parish of Great-Budworth It was lately Repaired by the Inhabitants of Little-Legh Anno Domini 1664. whereunto Five Pounds was given towards the Repair thereof by the Parishioners of Great-Budworth me praesente Legh vulgo High-Legh GIlbert Venables Baron of Kinderton held this Town in the Reign of The Conqueror under Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester Ulviet Dot pro duobus Maneriis tenuerunt ibi una Hida Geldabilis ibi Presbyter Ecclesia cùm uno Villano duobus Bordariis habens dimidiam Carucam ibi Silva unius Leuvae Longitudine dimidiae Leuvae in Latitudine As you may read more at large in Doomsday-book So that it appears here was a Church at the Time of the Conquest but at this day no Prints thereof remain Here is now a Chappel of Ease in this Township called High-Legh Chappel within the Parish of Rosthorn which was built by Thomas Legh of High-Legh de East-Hall Esquire Anno Domini 1581. as I find the Year his Name and Coat of Arms engraven in the Stone on the side of the same Chappel In which very Year his Grandson George Legh married Elizabeth second Daughter of Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire and Co-heir to the Lands of her Mother Elizabeth sole Daughter and Heir of Edward Colwich of Colwich in Staffordshire near Owsley-Bridge as appears by my own Deeds and in which Year also the said Thomas Legh died which Thomas built the New Hall of Stone in High-Legh called The East-Hall in which House his Heirs do now Inhabit the Old Hall there being pulled down Here was also another ancient Chappel of Ease in this Township belonging to the Family of the Leghs of the West-Hall in High-Legh The Fabrick is yet standing near to his House but now converted to other Uses by the Heirs of that Family This Chappel was built about the Reign of Henry the Fourth See in Limme In the Reign of Edward the First I find one Hugh de Legh Ancestor to the Leghs of the East-Hall in High-Legh possessed of the Moiety of High-Legh The Right Line of which Hugh ending about the Reign of Henry the Seventh a long Suit hapned between the Daughters and Co-heirs * Raufe Legh de East-Hall the last of that Lane had three Daughters and Heirs for Richard his Son died without Issue Jane married Randle Spurstow of Spurstow Margaret married Robert Shaw and Katharine married Thomas Legh Son and Heir of Richard Legh de West Hall but had no Issue After the married Richard Done of Flaxyards on the one Part and Thomas Legh of Northwood on the other Part which Thomas then Claimed as next Heir-Male by vertue of an Entail and Recovered of whom is descended Henry Legh of the East-Hall Esquire now living 1666. and branched out first from the ancient Leghs of the East-Hall under Edward the Third For John Legh of the East-Hall Son and Heir of Hugh Lord of the Moiety of High-Legh tempore Edw. 2. had Issue William Legh de East-Hall Son and Heir of whom the Leghs de East-Hall who continued till the Issue-Male of that Line failed under Henry the Seventh and John Legh of Alpram second Son from whom the Leghs of Northwood in High-Legh anciently descended whose Heir Thomas Legh of Northwood was adjudged next Heir-Male and from whom the Leghs of the East-Hall now in being and Lords of the Moiety of High-Legh And Matthew Legh third Son of John of whom the Leghs of Swineyard in High-Legh yet in being 1666. are descended The other Moity of High-Legh was possessed by Thomas de Legh Ancestor to the Leghs of the West-Hall in High-Legh whom I have seen subscribed as a Witness unto sundry old Deeds made in the Reign of Edward the First by the Name of Thomâ Domino medietatis Villae de Legâ But one half of this Moiety was Purchased by Sir Richard Massy of Tatton towards the middle of Edward the First 's Reign as may appear by this Partition HAEc est Partitio Terrarum in Villâ de Legh Intèr Dominum Ricardum de Massy Militem Thomam de Legh ex unâ parte Hugonem quondam Dominum de medietate Villae de Legh Johannem Filium Haeredem ejusdem Hugonis Matthaeum de Alpraham custodem ejusdem Johannis ex alterâ parte videlicèt Quòd Terrae Tenementa subscripta remaneant in perpetuùm Domino Ricardo de Massy Thomae de Legh Haeredibus eorum seu Assignatis in Campo Jordani de Verdon sex Acrae Aud so of several other Parcels Lib. C. fol. 267. 9 10. This was in the Reign of Edward the First The Original Penès Legh de West-Hall 1665. Roger de Monte alto Seneschallus Cestriae Confirms to Sir Richard Massy all the Lands and Tenements cùm Boscis Wastis which he had of the Grant of Raufe Son of William de Hawarden in the Township of Legh Robert Grosvenour then Sheriff of Cheshire being one of the Witnesses which was about Anno Domini 1286. The Original among the Evidences of the Earl of Bridgewater 1667. whose Heirs at this day enjoy the same videlicet The Earl of Bridgewater hath a fourth Part of High Legh which belonged to the Massies of Tatton and Mr. Legh of the West-Hall in High-Legh hath now one other fourth Part of High-Legh which belonged to his Ancestors of Ancient Time Charterers in High-Legh 1666. 1. John Gleyve of High-Legh This is a very ancient Free-hold For Matthew Somervyle Lord of Alpraham releaseth Gilbert Gleyve from his Service to the Court of Alpraham 1270. 54 Hen. 3. And Thomas de Legh Dominus medietatis Villae de Legh gave unto Gilbert Son of Gilbert Gleyve of High-Legh freedom of Pannage in all the Woods of High-Legh about the beginning of the Reign of King Edward the First And Agnes de Legh the Widow of Richard de Limme calls Gilbert Gleyve her Uncle which Agnes was Daughter and Heir of Richard de Legh Lord of the Moiety of High-Legh and Mother of Thomas de Legh aforesaid as shall by and by appear Lib. C. fol. 269. num 10 11 14. The Originals Penès John Gleyvè aforesaid 1664. 2. Richard Legh of Swineyard in High-Legh Gentleman This Family branched out of the ancient Leghs of the East-Hall in High-Legh under Edward the Third whose Ancestor
Edw. 4. Anno 1472. ultimo Januarii Venerabilis vir Ricardus Legh Armiger Patronus per resignationem Ricardi Vayse praesentat Nicolaum Devyas ad medietatem Ecclesiae de Limme 4 Hen. 7. Anno 1489. 14 die Augusti Thomas Legh de Legh Armiger Patronus praesentat post mortem Nicolai Devyas ultimi Rectoris Hamonem Legh ad medietatem Ecclesiae de Limme 16 Hen. 7. Anno 1501. in July Thomas Legh Armiger Patronus praesentat Johannem Heton Capellanum post mortem Hamonis Legh ultimi Rectoris ad medietatem Ecclesiae de Limme Concerning the other Moiety of the Church belonging to Warburton of Arley 1 Edw. 3. ANno 1327. 11 Calendas Aprilis Robertus de Warburton Miles Patronus medietatis Ecclesiae de Limme praesentat Willielmum Warburton Clericum post mortem Roberti de Dentene ad medietatem pradictam 41 Edw. 3. Anno 1367. 2 Nonas Octobris Johannes Daniell Miles Johanna Uxor ejus praesentant Petrum de Shawe post mortem Willielmi de Warburton ultimi Rectoris 14 Rich. 2. Anno 1391. 28 die Junii Dominus Johannes Massy de Tatton Miles Patronus hâc vice ratione Custodiae Petri Warburton minoris aetatis in manu dicti Johannis praesentat post mortem Domini Petri de Shagh ultimi Rectoris Johannem Berkin Presbyterum ad medietatem Ecclesiae de Limme 10 Hen. 6. Anno 1432. 7 die Octobris Galfridus Warburton Miles Patronus praesentat Rogerum Dumbill utriusque Juris Bacalaurium per resignationem Johannis Berkin ultimi Rectoris ad medietatem Ecclesiae de Limme 36 Hen. 6. Anno 1458. 7 die Maii Hugo Calveley Philippus Egerton Armigeri Johannes de Hogh hâc vice ratione Feoffamenti Petri Warburton Armigeri praesentant * One of these Names is mistaken by Vernon either Richard Chounall or Thomas Chounall Richardum Chounall Capellanum ad medietatem Ecclesiae de Limme 1 Hen. 7. Anno 1486. 24 die Februarii Rogerus Chapman per mortem * One of these Names is mistaken by Vernon either Richard Chounall or Thomas Chounall Thomae Chounall vacante medietate Ecclesiae praedictae In the Feodary of Halton under Edward the Second it is said Gilbertus de Limme tenet medietatem Villae de Limme pro medietate unius Feodi Militis The Issue of this Gilbert failing Thomas Legh de West-Hall in Hig-Legh was next Heir as descended Lineally from Richard Limme Uncle of the said Gilbert And indeed at last Gilbert de Limme settles all his Lands in Limme cùm Servitiis liberorum Tenentium on Robert Dumbill Son of John Dumbill and Agnes Daughter of Thomas Legh de West-Hall and on the Heirs of the Bodies of the said Robert and Agnes Anno Domini 1342. 16 Edw. 3. from whence are descended the Dumbills of Limme This Robert Dumbill if I mistake not was younger Son of John Dumbill of Oxton in Wirrall in Cheshire John Dumbill Son of the said Robert and Agnes was retained the King's Servant and had Five Pounds yearly Pension for his Life given him out of the Exchequer at Chester Dated 21 Rich. 2. 1397. Lib. C. fol. 264. m. and was employed in the War against Owen Glendore 3 Hen. 4. and was a Soldier under Sir John Stanley Governor of Roxborough-Castle 20 Rich. 2. Lib. C. fol. 263. i. k. m. n. o. The Original in possession of Dumbill of Limme 1664. In which Family of the Dumbills of Limme hath the Moiety of the Town of Limme and the Seigniory thereof ever since continued to this present The Advowson of the Moiety of Limme-Church being formerly granted away to Thomas Legh de West-Hall by the said Gilbert de Limme 10 Edw. 2. continueth still in the same Family as I have shewed before Indeed I find the first Gilbert de Limme to have lived about King John's Time who was Lord of the Moiety of Limme which Family of Limme were Sirnamed from the Place of their Residence here and continued to the end of Edward the Third the last Gilbert de Limme and his Issue-Male then failing But whether the first Gilbert de Limme was originally a Venables or of what other Family and how this Moiety came to the Baron of Halton from the Baron of Kinderton I find no mention The Seigniory of the other Moiety hath for long time belonged to the Warburtons of Arley howbeit at this day he hath not above six or seven Tenements in possession there How it came from the Boydells to Warburton I find not precisely I conceive it came with Agnes Daughter and Heir of Roger Fitz-Alfred in Marriage to Adam de Dutton Ancestor of Warburton together with the Moiety of Warburton and other Lands about the Reign of Richard the First In this Township are now 1666. these Charterers 1. John Gandy of Over-Limme-Booths 2. John Dichfield of Stathum lately Purchased Cherry-tree-hurst formerly Daniell of Tabley's Land 3. John Legh of Oughtrington 4. Gilbert Steel of Reddish 5. Robert Gleyve of Heateley 6. John Blackburne of Limme-Booths 7. Richard Legh of Lyme Esq hath seven Tenements 8. Randle Cross of Limme nigh Agden 9. William Reddish of Stathum 10. Richard Rowlinson of Stathum 11. John Trevis of Chester formerly Daniell's of Tabley 12. Peter Davys of Oughtrington 13. James Hey of Limme-Booths 14. Nicolas Peacock of Brown-Edge in Limme 15. John Perceivall of Stathum 16. Peter Martin of Heateley formerly Daniell's 17. Richard Deane of Heateley formerly Daniell's 18. Robert Thomason formerly Daniell's 19. John Legh of Higher-Lane 20. Richard Dutton of Reddish 21. Peter Page in Stathum Marbury THis Hamlet of Marbury comprehendeth onely the Mannor-House with the Demain-Lands thereunto belonging and hath its Name from our two old English Words Mere which signifies A great Lake or Pool and Birig which signifies A House or Place covered and sometimes A Town So Verstegan And here denotes as much as A House or Dwelling by the Mere. About the very beginning of Henry the Third's Reign Warin Vernon Baron of Shibbrok confirms this Hamlet to William de Merebirie in these Words GUarinus de Vernon Omnibus Amicis hominibus suis Clericis Laicis Francis Anglis tàm praesentibus quàm futuris Salutem Notum sit vobis me concessisse hâc meâ praesenti Chartâ confirmâsse Willielmo de Merebiriâ totam Villam de Merebiriâ Tenendam de me Haeredibus meis illi Haeredibus suis cùm omnibus pertinentiis suis in Bosco in Plano in Pratis in Pascuis in Molendinis in Vivariis in Aquis in Viis in Semitis in omnibus aliis locis in omnibus Libertatibus ad praedictam Villam de Merebiriâ pertinentibus Haereditariè sicùt Ricardus Frater suus de Merebiriâ concessit ei pèr Chartam suam coràm nobis consirmavit sicùt Ranulphus de Merebiriâ Pater suus eam meliùs liberiùs tenuit habuit unquàm in vitâ suâ liberè honorificè eodem Servitio scilicèt pro sextâ parte Servitii unius
Militis Ut autèm haec nostra confirmatio futuris temporibus rata inconcussa permaneat eam Sigilli mei impressione coràm hiis Testibus confirmavi Ricardo de Vernon Matthaeo de Filio suo Gilberto de Bostock Willielmo Filio suo Hugone de Tiwâ Hamone Briton Matthaeo de Muneshull Ricardo Fratre suo Radulfo Filio Rogeri Dispensatoris Willielmo Fratre suo Willielmo Capellano de Shibbrok aliis multis A very fair Seal In a Rondlet a Lion Rampant written about thus SIGILL WARINI DE VERNUN The Original hereof remaining among the Evidences at Merbury 1666. From hence had this Family the Sir-name of Merbury and seems to be originally a Vernon Nothing more usual than in those Elder Ages to be stiled from the Places of their Habitation which After-ages retained as Sir-names This Family hath continued in this Seat ever since by the Name of the Merburies and Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esq is now Owner thereof 1666. Out of this Family branched Randle Merbury in the Reign of Edward the First whose Son Simon married Idonea Daughter and Heir of Thomas de Walton from whom the Marburies of Walton in this Hundred were propagated See more hereof in Walton Marston THis Township of Marston is not in Doomsday-book and seemeth to have its Name from the two Meres whereto it adjoineth to wit Budworth-Mere and Pickmere-Mere as it were Meres-Town or The Town abutting on the Meres It hath very anciently belonged to the Barons of Kinderton Andrew Prior of Norton and the Convent there granted unto Sir William Venables Charissimo Amico nostro to find him the Celebration of Divine Service in his Chappel at Marston during his Life-time when either he or his Wife shall be there and do also Lease to Robert his Son Clerk their Tythe of the Mill and of the Fishings there about the beginning of Henry the Third Lib. H. num 21. It seems Hugh Son of Alfred of Marston had some Parcel of Land here tempore Edw. 3. For Richard Venables releaseth to Hamon de Venables all his Right de Pueris Hugonis de Marston Ibidèm num 7. Peter Venables Esquire now Baron of Kinderton 1666. hath an old Mannor-House in Marston with ancient demain-Demain-Lands thereunto belonging and hath also all the rest of Marston Township in possession of his Tenants there except onely 1. Richard Symcock's Tenement in Marston now belonging to Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley which Tenement was sold by Sir Thomas Venables of Kinderton and Thomas his Son and Heir to Peter Leycester of Tabley Esquire 6 Elizabethae 1564. and adjoyneth to Nether-Tabley B. num 2. 2. Bromfield's Lands in Marston which anciently belonged to Bromfield of Witton but now Richard Wilcocson hath bought Part hereof and the other Part called Sim-fields Peter Kennardy of Aston juxtà Pickmere hath bought Marthall IN the Conqueror's Time in Doomsday-book I find no mention of Marthall But this Town anciently belonged to the Wynningtons of Wynnington nigh Northwich in whose Offices they are found to hold it of the Heirs of Manwaring of Warmincham in Soccage by the yearly Rent of one Penny Of which Family Richard Wynnington of Wynnington Esquire married Katharine the fifth Daughter and Co-heir to Robert Grosvenour of Houlme in Allostock Esquire by whom he had the Mannor of Pulford beyond Chester by Partition Anno 1465. and a fifth part of Allostock as Heir to her Sister Margery Grosvenour by Partition Anno 1474. and had Issue three Sons Richard Wynnington Peter and George and two Daughters Jane and Elizabeth all living 5 Hen. 7. Lib. C. fol. 125. F. 161. O. Richard Wynnington Son and Heir of Richard and Katharine married Joan Smith and had Issue two Daughters Katharine who died without Issue 23 Hen. 7. as appears by her Office taken 6 Hen. 8. and Elizabeth married Sir Piers Warburton of Arley 2 Hen. 8. being then sole Daughter and Heir For Richard Wynnington died 19 Hen. 7. Joan his Wife died 24 Hen. 7. and Sir Piers Warburton died 4 Edw. 6. and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of Richard Wynnington of Wynnington Esquire died Anno sexto Mariae So that Warburton of Arley had by this Match all the Lands then belonging to Wynnington of Wynnington as well as the Part of Grosvenour's Lands before-mentioned which descended also whose Heir at this day 1666. is possessed of the Town of Marthall entirely there being no Free-holder or Charterer in this Township at all Mere. THis Town undoubtedly took its Name from the Mere therein and was held by Gilbert Venables Baron of Kinderton in the Time of William the Conqueror which one Ulviet held before Not many Ages after it became the Seat of the Family of the Meres who took their Sir-name from hence among whom Robert de Mere senior lived about the Reign of King John whether originally a Venables I cannot positively affirm Ex Bundello Escaetarum in Turri Londinensi 8 Rich. 2. Willielmus de Mere tenuit Villam de Mere cùm medietate Manerii de Bollinton de Hugone de Venables which Hugh was Lord of Kinderton Certain it is this Family of Mere of Mere continued in this Seat a long time together until in our days John Mere of Mere Esquire and William his Son sold this Mannor of Mere unto Peter Brooks younger Son of Thomas Brooks of Norton Esquire Anno Domini 1652. Which Peter also bought the Estate of Thomas Merbury of Walton and was after Sir Peter Brooks Knighted Anno Domini 1660. and Sheriff of Cheshire 1669. He hath Beautified and Built anew the Hall of Mere very handsomly and had three Wives The first was Alice Hulse Daughter and Heir of Richard Hulse of Killingworth in Warwickshire by whom he had Issue Thomas Brooks eldest Son who married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Henry Brereton of Eccleston in Cheshire Gentleman 1663. Richard Brooks second Son who married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Robert Charnock of Charnock in Lancashire 1666. The second Wife of Sir Peter Brooks was Frances the Widow of William Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach in Cheshire Esquire and Daughter of Sir Nicholas Trot of Quickshot in Hartfordshire but had no Issue by her The third Wife of Sir Peter Brooks of Mere was Mabill the Widow of Richard Clayton of Crooke in Lancashire Esquire and Daughter of William Farrington of Werden in Lancashire Esquire who with Sir Peter her Husband are now living 1669. but hath no Issue by her Charterers in Mere 1666. 1. Henry Legh de East-Hall in High-Legh Esquire pro Strethull-Farm not long since Purchased from Hugh Cocker of Pickmere 2. One Messuage in Possession of Robert Simmons given to the use of the Poor of the Parish whereof Massy of Mosse-house is a Feoffee 3. George Venables of Agden Esquire one small Tenement in Mere. 4. John Spinke of Howes-Heath in Mere. 5. William Pownall of Barnton for Granthams Lands 6. Peter Fernhead of Mere for Granthams Lands 7. John Bradburne of Mere.
died in France 35 Edw. 3. 1361. without any Lawful Issue of his Body Sir Raufe had by Alice Rode his Concubine a Daughter called Margaret married to Thomas Toft younger Brother to Hugh Toft of Toft to whom Sir Raufe Mobberley gave his Mannor in Plumley 1357. Afterwards Margaret married Hugh Chaderton living 1360. Lib. C. fol. 226. v. Lib. A. fol. 129. hh These Lands in Plumley descended to the two Daughters and Co-heirs of Margaret by Thomas Toft to wit Ellen who married John Bodon of Plumley and Sybill who married Thomas Haslington of the Ermitage nigh Holmes-Chappel John Bodon Son of John Bodon aforesaid sold his Moiety of these Lands in Plumley to John Leycester of Tabley the elder Esquire 25 Hen. 6. 1446. whose Heirs enjoy the same at this day S. num 2 3 5 6 9. The other Moiety of those Lands in Plumley descended unto Cicely Daughter and Heir of Sybill aforesaid which Cicely married Hugh Winnington of Northwich 1444. and ever since continued to the VVinningtons of Ermitage until Mr. Bradshaw of Marple in Cheshire bought those Lands from VVinnington in the Reign of King CHARLES the First Thomas Buckley of Plumley being now Tenant thereof 1666. The Sisters of Sir Raufe Mobberley shared their Mothers Land in Chorley but Emme Grosvenour purchased most of the other Sisters Parts Lib. A. fol. 127. w. x. y. aa So ended the Line of Mobberley of Mobberley The Mannor-House of Mobberley of Mobberley and which at last came to the Talbots of Grafton in VVorcestershire stood close by Mobberly-Church where now 1672. the House of Mr. Mallory of Mobberley standeth But the ancient Fabrick which was more spacious and very ruinous was not long since taken down Which Old House with the Demain thereof together with the Advowson of Mobberley-Church and Mobberley-Mill was bought by Andrew Carrington of Mobberley Gentleman from George Talbot of Grafton Esquire about 14 Jacobi Part of which Demain was sold soon after by Carrington to Robert Robinson of Mobberley Gentleman The Advowson of the Church was sold by Andrew Carrington aforesaid and John his Son and Heir unto Thomas Mallory Dean of Chester by Deed dated the eleventh day o● October 17 Jacobi 1619. whose Heir Thomas Mallory now under Age is Patron of Mobberley-Church 1672. Son of Thomas Son of Richard Mallory Son and Heir of Dean Mallory aforesaid The Mannor-House aforesaid with what remained of the Demain unbought by Mr. Robinson was sold by Andrew Carrington aforesaid and John his Son and Heir unto Dean Mallory the eighth of May Anno primo Caroli Primi 1625. Dean Mallory also Purchased the Royalty of Talbot's Part of Mobberley from John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Dated the twentieth day of March 7 Car. 1. 1631. The Mill Carrington sold to Legh of Booths There is Engraven in the Stone under the Ledge or Border on the West-end of Mobberley-Steeple and on the South-west-corner as followeth ORATE PRO BONO STATU DOMINI JOHANNIS TALBOT MILITIS ET DOMINAE MARGARETAE UXORIS SUAE And then beginning again just over the said Border in the very Corner of the Steeple aforesaid PATRONAE ECCLESIAE And so passing along to the South-side of the Steeple ANNO DOMINI MILESIMO QUINGENTESIMO TRICESIMO TERTIO RICHARD PLAT MASTER-MASON Over which on the said South-side above near to the Little Window under the Bells is Ratcliff's Coat of Arms Quartered with another Coat engraven in a Stone So that Mobberley-Steeple seems to have been built with Free-stone and the Church repaired Anno 1533. 24 Hen. 8. The Names of all such Persons who now stand possessed of any Free-hold Lands of Inheritance in Mobberley Anno Domini 1672. 1. Raufe Leycester of Toft Esquire Lord of a third Part of one Moiety of Mobberley This came originally to his Ancestor as is before declared 2 Rich. 2. 1379. And he hath at this day a Demain-House there re-built this Year 1672. and also sixteen Tenenements and twelve Cottages in Lease to his Tenants 2. The other two third Parts of this Moiety together with the Advowson of Mobberley-Church lately belonged to the Talbots of Grafton in Worcestershire whose Posterity afterwards came to be Earls of Shrewsbury and were lately sold away by Talbot to his Tenants here in Mobberley in the Reign of King James Talbot's Lands as they now stand Possessed 1672. or more briefly the Freeholders of Mobberley in Talbot's Part since their several Purchases from Talbot as they now stand 1672. Edward Alcock Charles Bradbury of the Wood-end Randle Barlow Robert Barlow late Griffin's House Thomas Booth Hugh Brook late Wilkinson's John Hough William Barnes John Davenport for Mosse's House by the Mill A small Cottage Richard Strethull's Cottage formerly Hobson's House by the Mill. Hugh Strethull of Brown-Edge James Stewart of Brown-Edge Schoolmaster Raufe Wrenshaw of Brown-Edge Francis Newton of Knowl-Green late John Baggiley Hugh Strethull of Salterley in Mobberley Edward Davenport Roger Symcock late Stretche's House Hugh Strethull of Reyley-Wood Richard Wright part of Worseley's Tenement John Hawkinson late Bolton's Tenement John Hewet John Oakes Richard Parker late Edward Hewet's Roger Worthington of Hield-Mill in Mobberley and also for Hill-house John Burges of Wood-end Susan Grange Widow Henry Stewart formerly Berry's Tenement John Fletcher formerly Berry's Tenement John Holland of the Dam-head in Mobberley George Talbot of Grafton Esq sells the Tenement of John Strettle of the Dam-head to one Perine of Manchester 1 Junii 14 Jacobi Perine Mortgageth it to Francis West of London 16 Aug. 14 Jacobi West and Perine after joyn in the Sale of it to William Holland 1650. Peter Bredbury of Lea-House William Nuthall now Richard Yarwood Widow Tipping of Bowdon hath a Tenement in Mobberley now in possession of Richard Cragg of Baggiley-Green in Mobberley Peter Legh of Booths Esq hath Mobberley-Mill and three Tenements now in Possession of Loundes Barrow and Symcock and also Graisty's Cottage These were anciently Talbot's The Heir of Nathaniel Robinson Gentleman hath part of the Demain which belonged to the old Mobberley-House formerly belonging to Talbot Thomas Mallory of Mobberley Gentleman now under Age. This was the old Mobberley House And he hath also the Royalty of all Talbot's Part of Mobberley and the Advowson of the Church 3. The other Moiety of Mobberley lately belonging to the Radcliffs of Ordsall in Lancashire nigh Manchester was sold away by Sir John Radcliff about the beginning of King James's Reign over England to his Tenants there The Names of the Free-holders in Radcliff's Part since the several Purchases from Radcliffe as they now stand 1672. The Heir of Nathaniel Robinson late of Mobberley Gentleman hath now seven Messuages and eleven Cottages in Mobberley besides a Demain-House here built first by Robert Robinson about 1612. who Purchased these Lands by the Name of Robert Robinson of Manchester Clothier from Sir John Radcliff of Ordsall Knight together with the Royalty of all Radcliffs Lands in Mobberley formerly sold by Radcliff to his Tenants here and
s. 8 d. and had also nine Tenants at Will paying in all 8 l. 11 s. 10 d. Rent In the Office after the death of Alice the Widow of Sir John Massy of Tatton 6 Hen. 6. 1427. she was found to hold the Mannor of Owlarton of John Ratcliffe of Urdeshall in Lancashire nigh Manchester How it descended from Massy of Tatton to the Earl of Bridgewater see the Pedegree in Tatton Charterers in Owlarton 1666. 1. Legh of Booths now under Age hath about fifty Cheshire Acres in Owlarton in Lease in possession of Randle Cadman John Wainwright John Ridgeway del Oake Richard Ward William Baggiley's Cottage and Robert Partington's Cottage 43 Edw. 3. Isabell the Widow of Sir John Legh del Booths died seized of the sixth Part of Owlarton which was then found to be held of Hugh Massy of Tatton 2. Edmund Howe of Owlarton hath a good Freehold there 3. Richard Wright of Ashley hath Land in Owlarton 4. William Baggiley junior about four Acres of priest-Priest-land 5. Downes of Shropshire but late of Toft four Tenements in Owlarton in possession of Philip Ridgeway Roger Cadman John Smith and John Clerke These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Nether Alderley as held of Arderne 6. John Norbury of Harborough in Over-Alderley hath one Tenement in Owlarton and three Cottages These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Nether Alderley as held of Arderne 7. Humfrey Duncalf bought of Page of Yerdshawe These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Nether Alderley as held of Arderne 8. John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford hath two Tenements in possession of James Ridgeway and Richard Banks These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Nether Alderley as held of Arderne 9. Lawrence Barlow one Cottage bought of John Merriman in possession of Hugh Manwaring another in possession of Elizabeth Huet 10. Randle Cadman bought from John Hall of Norley lately Partington THis Township of Partington was anciently of the Fee of the Barons of Dunham-Massy a. Hamon Massy gave to Hugh Bodon Clerk the sixth Part of Partington about Edw. 1. Hugh Bodon Clerk gave to Aytrop de Millington cùm Mabiliâ Nepte meâ sextam partem totius Villae de Partington Rendring to Hamon Massy and his Heirs one Pair of Gloves at Midsummer b. Hamon de Massy gave to Adam Sunderland all the Moiety of his Land in Partington which he bought of Geffrey Holdene Salvo Servitio Homagio Ricardi Bolour in eâdem Villâ videlicèt sextam partem totius Villae de Partington Reddendo dimidiam Marcam Argenti An old Copy of a Deed no Witnesses This is conceived to be the Copy of Mr. Hadfield's Deed of Derbyshire who now holdeth a sixth Part of Partington and pays 6 s. 8 d. yearly to Mr. Crew of Crew 1666. c. Geffrey Son of Robert de Walley gave to John his Brother all his Land in Partington which he had of the Grant of Sir Hamon Massy Rendring yearly to Hamon Massy and his Heirs one Pound of Cummin in Festo Johannis Baptistae that is Midsummer-day about Edw. 1. Lib. B. pag. 211. num 3 4 5 6. The Originals among the Evidences of the Lord Delamere at Dunham-Massy d. In an ancient Rental of Dunham-Massy 3 Hen. 4. Georgius Carington Chivaler tenet Manerium suum de Carington medietatem Villae de Ashton tertiam partem Villae de Partington pro duabus Partibus Feodi Militis So that now Anno Domini 1666. the Mannor of Partington is shared as followeth 1. George Lord Delamere of Dunham-Massy is Lord of a third Part of Partington in Possession which was Carington's of Carington and also Chief Lord of the other two third Parts which are originally held of the Barons of Dunham-Massy 2. John Hadfield of Over-Cliffe in the County of Derby hath now a sixth Part of Partington according to the Original Deed made by Hamon Massy supra b. 3. Thomas Warburton of Partington hath another sixth Part according to the Purchase thereof made by Thomas Flixton from Hamon de Massy tempore Henrici tertii Rendring yearly four Shillings Which Rent idem Thomas Warburton payeth to the Lord of Dunham-Massy at this day Idem Thomas Warburton hath an eighteenth Part of Partington more id est a third Part of a sixth Part which his Ancestor William Son of Peter Warburton had from Richard le Harper of Partington and Agnes his Wife by Fine at Chester 13 Edw. 2. 1319. Lib. B. pag. 212. num 6 7. The Originals now remaining with the said Thomas Warburton of Partington 4. John Warburton of Partington Have another sixth Part lately Purchased from John Millington of Millington according to the Original Deed of Hamon Massy supra a. Who now pay one Penny yearly in lieu of the Gloves to Dunham John Owen of Partington Have another sixth Part lately Purchased from John Millington of Millington according to the Original Deed of Hamon Massy supra a. Who now pay one Penny yearly in lieu of the Gloves to Dunham 5. John Partington of Partington hath two Parts of the three of a sixth Part or two third Parts of a sixth Part of Partington which with Thomas Warburton's third Part of a sixth Part makes up the other sixth Part. Over-Pever IN the Time of the Conqueror Ranulphus the supposed Ancestor of the Manwarings held this Township of Over-Pever or the greatest part thereof and also the Hamlet or Place called Cepmundwich in Over-Pever as a distinct thing by it self as appears in Doomsday-book This Roger Manwaring was Son of Raufe Manwaring Judge of Chester about the Reign of Richard the first In the Reign of Henry the Third Roger Manwaring of Warmincham in Cheshire gave unto his younger Son William Manwaring Totum Tenementum Redditum Boscum quae praedictus Rogerus habuit in Villâ de Pever Salvo Capitali Domino debito consueto Servitio per manum dicti Rogeri Haeredum suorum Reddendo indè annuatìm praedidicto Rogero Haeredibus suis unum Nisum Sorum ad Festum beati Petri ad vincula pro omni Servitio Lib. B. pag. 2. c. The Original Penès Sir Thomas Manwaring of Over-Pever Baronet 1666. Sealed with an Escocheon of Six Barrulets This William Manwaring fixed his Habitation at Over-Pever where his succeeding Heirs have ever since continued to this day and do now pay yearly unto Mr. Crew of Crew Lord of Warmincham one Sore-Sparrow-Hawk or two Shillings in lieu thereof according to the Deed aforesaid In this Township are now onely two Charterers 1666. Ex Chartulis ejusdem Johannis Swinton 1. John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford for Radbrook-House in Over-Pever In the Reign of Edward the First William Manwaring then Lord of Over-Pever gave unto Thomas his younger Son illam Terram quae vocatur Radbroc integram Reddendo ad Nativitatem Sancti Johannis Baptistae unum Denarium vel unum par albarum Cheirothecarum Testibus Domino Thomâ de Manwaring * That was Manwaring of Warmincham Domino Warino Filio suo Domino
Willielmo de Manwaring tùnc Rectore Ecclesiae de Werunith c. Lib. B. pag. 7. num 1. Richard Son and Heir of Thomas Manwaring gives all his Land in Over-Pever to William Glasebroke Anno Domini 1320. Lib. B. pag. 7. num 2. William Glasebroke releaseth all his Lands in Radbrook in Over-Pever unto William Son of John del Mere and to Agnes his Wife and the Heirs of her Body 45 Edw. 3. 1371. It continued in the Name of Mere until the Year 1501. when Robert Mere gave all his Lands in Over-Pever to Oliver Hurlebot Son of Richard Hurlebot Rendring yearly twenty Shillings Dated 14 die Augusti 16 Hen. 7. 1501. Which Rent of twenty Shillings Mere passed over to Thomas Manwaring of Nantwich Son of Nicolas Manwaring and the said Thomas Manwaring passed it to John Manwaring of Over-Pever Esquire by Deed dated 24 die Octobris 23 Hen. 7. Robert Burges of Knotsford married Joan one of Hurlebot's Daughters to whom her Father gave Radbrook Which Burges had onely two Daughters Katharine married Mr. Thomas Browne and Jane married John Harper of Hallywell near Bolton in the Moors in Lancashire Katharine had a Son called George Brown who married Townesend Sister to George Leycester of Toft Esquire and had Issue three or four Children but all died before they came to maturity Afterwards Katharine suffers a Fine and Recovery and settles these Lands on Jane Daughter of John Harper aforesaid This Jane married John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford aforesaid the ninth of February 1659. who now hath Radbrook-House in Possession Ex Chartulis Willielmi Beard 2. William Beard of Over-Pever hath part of Fodon-Land in Over-Pever which Land he lately bought of John Downes of Toft 1663. and Downes formerly bought the same by the Name of Half a Messuage called fodon-Fodon-Land from John Henshaw of Lockwood in Staffordshire Dated 6 Junii 33 Eliz. 1591. I find by ancient Deeds that there were anciently two Places or Hamlets in Over-Pever one called Cepmundewich the other Fodon William Manwaring Lord of Over-Pever gave Fodon to Thomas his younger Son under Edward the First and Thomas gave it away to Hugh de Stoke Cepmondswich William Manwaring Son of William and Brother of Thomas gave unto Gilbert Gykes towards the end of Edward the First But these Lands came afterwards to be divided and are now all bought in by the Lords of Over-Pever save that Part of Fodon which Beard now enjoyeth 7 Edw. 3. Thomas de Cepmondswich and Agnes his Wife gave to John Son of William Glasebrook and to Nicolaa Daughter of Thomas Cepmondwich unum Messuagium 21 Acras Terrae in Over-Pever in quodam Hamletto qui vocatur Fodon Capitale Messuagium nostrum decem Acras Terrae duas Acras Mossetae unam Acram Bosci in eâdem Villâ in quodam Hamletto qui vocatur Cepmondswich Remanere rectis Haeredibus praedictae Agnetis And a Fine was levied hereon at Chester 7 Edw. 3. Lib. B. pag. 6. f. So much of the Charterers in Over-Pever In this Township is also a Parochial Chappel Seated near to the Mannor-Hall of Over-Pever and hath these Villages within the Chappelry   The Mize   l. s. d. Over-Pever 01 00 00 Marthall cùm Little-Werford 00 13 04 Snelston in Maxfield Hundred 00 02 00   01 15 04 This Chappel is a Daughter of the Mother-Church of Rosthorn and seems to be first Erected about the Reign of Edward the Third But I find not any Monument in this Church exceeding the Reign of Henry the Sixth It was certainly a Parochial Chappel in Henry the Sixth's Time and had then liberty of Burial and hath now the yearly Stipend of Five Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence allowed from the Vicar of Rosthorne The neat Chappel and Vault under the same for a Burying-place on the North-side of the Chancel was built in Stone at the Charge of Ellen the Widow of Philip Manwaring of Over-Pever Esquire Anno Domini 1648. The other Chappel of Stone on the South-side of the Body of Over-Pever Church seems to be built Anno Domini 1456. as appears by the Inscription in one of the Windows of the same Chappel yet extant 1666. Now followeth the Descent of the Manwarings of Over-Pever He had Issue William Son and Heir Thomas to whom his Father gave Fodon in Over-Pever Lib. B. pag. 2. d. pag. 3. g. h. Benedict another Son Ibid. pag. 4. m. pag. 13. e. f. Guy another Son Sir Tho. Aston's Deeds pag. 31. n. Also Roger another Son whose Son William married Margaret Daughter of Roger Toft of Toft 1 Edw. 1. Lib. B. pag. 8. a. II. William Manwaring of Over-Pever Son and Heir of William married and had Issue Roger eldest Son William another Son whose Daughter Ellen married Adam Glasebrook 14 Edw. 3. 1341. Lib. B. pag. 9. g. Reginald another Son Lib. B. pag. 11. r. And Maud a Daughter to whom her Father gave a Messuage in Over-Pever which Hamond of Radbroke formerly held Lib. B. pag. 11. t. This William Lord of Over-Pever lived 1286. 14 Edw. 1. Roger Manwaring Son and Heir of William married Christian de Birtles and had Issue William Son and Heir and Joan a Daughter married Robert de Fallybrome nigh Birtles by whom she had Issue Robert John and Roger living 1342. Lib. B. pag. 27. y. pag. 9. I. This Roger died in the Life-time of his Father and Christian his Widow afterwards married John de Byrun and lastly she married Robert de Varnon living 8 Edw. 3. 1334. Lib. B. pag. 8. b. d. f. III. William Manwaring of Over-Pever Son and Heir of Roger married Mary Daughter of Henry Davenport living 19 Edw. 2. Lib. B. pag. 8. c. d. and had Issue William Manwaring Son and Heir Roger Margery and Millicent all living 8 Edw. 3. 1334. Lib. B. pag. 8. f. This William died about 12 or 13 Edw. 3. IV. William Manwaring of Over-Pever Son and Heir of William had two Wives His first Wife was Joan Daughter and Co-heir of William Praers of Baddiley near Nantwich by whom he had Issue William Manwaring Son and Heir Lib. B. pag. 13. g. 15. I. Margery the other Co-heir married John Honford of Honford in Maxfield-Hundred who had Issue John Honford Afterwards she married Hugh Holt 33 Edw. 3. but had no Issue by Holt And she died 3 Rich. 2. 1380. Lib. B. pag. 28. b. But in the Inquisition taken at Chester 28 Febr. 21 Rich. 2. it was found that John Honford the Son was a Bastard and that William Manwaring was sole Heir to Margery nullus alius Lib. B. pag. 27. z. Yet did William Manwaring by his Will Anno 1399. divide the Lands of Baddiley between John Manwaring his Half-Brother and the said John de Honford Lib. B. pag. 28. a. After the death of Joan Praers this William married Elizabeth Daughter of Nicolas Leycester and Sister of John Leycester of Nether-Tabley by whom he had Issue John Manwaring Randle Manwaring both afterwards Lords of
after the death of Sir Robert de Monte alto his Uncle except the Rents formerly given unto Queen Isabel Dated 24 Edw. 3. Lib. C. fol. 230. y. The Original of this Deed remained among the Evidences of the late Lord Cholmondley and the Copy of the Fine Levied hereon in the same Year is Enrolled in the Leiger-Book of the Abby of Vale-Royal fol. 30. b. which Book was in possession of Thomas Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach Esquire 1666. Vide Tom. 2. of my own Evidences in principio In the Year of Christ 1364. die Veneris in Festo Sanctae Luciae Virginis John Pool came before Thomas then Abbot of Vale-Royal in the said Abby and did Fealty to the said Abbot for this Moiety of the Mannor of Nether-Pever which he acknowledged to hold of the said Abbot by the yearly Rent of Twelve Pence to be paid at the Feast of St. Michael onely and by paying to the said Abbot two Shillings for Relief as appears by the same Book Lib. C. fol. 230. z. From Pool of Hartington this Moiety was granted to George Holford of Holford about the Time of Henry the Seventh In which Family of the Holfords of Holford it continued till Mary Daughter and Heir of Christopher Holford Esquire brought the Inheritance of all Holford-Lands unto Sir Hugh Cholmondley of Cholmondley the younger in Marriage in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Concerning which Inheritance great Suits fell between the said Lady Mary Cholmondley and George Holford of Newborough in Dutton uncle to the said Mary and next Heir-male of the Holfords These Suits lasted above forty Years At last towards the end of King James's Reign the matter was compos'd by Friends The Lady Mary had Holford-Demain and George Holford had the Demain of Iscoit in Flintshire near to Whitchurch in Shropshire The Lands in Nether-Pever Plumley and Lostock-Gralam belonging to the Holfords were promiscuously allotted Part to the one and Part to the other as at this day they be enjoyed So that in the Year 1659. Robert Cholmondley Earl of Leimster in Ireland Son and Heir of the said Lady Mary and James Holford of Newborough Esquire Son of Peter Son of George Holford abovesaid did enjoy this other Moiety of Nether-Pever between them In which Year the said Lord Cholmondley died without any Lawful Issue of his Body Concerning the Chappel of Nether-Pever see above in Budworth Picmere This Township of Picmere is not in Doomsday-book whereby it seemeth to be Waste at that time It was anciently of two Fees in the Reign of King John One Moiety Raufe Manwaring sometime Judge of Chester gave unto Henry de Aldithley or Audley in Free-Marriage with Bertrey his Daughter together with the Towns of Smallwood and Snelston and a Mark of Annual Rent in the City of Chester of the Land which belonged to one Fagun Unto which Deed Philip Orreby then Judge of Chester was a Witness The Original is in Cotton's Library at Westminster Lib. B. pag. 1. a. Henry of Audley by the consent of Bertrey his Wife gave to Thomas Son of Randle de Longsdon libero homini suo half of his Land in Picmere and half of his Wood there Rendring yearly 3 s. 4 d. as I find the Deed extracted in Vernon's Notes This Moiety of Picmere is now enjoyed by these Persons following 1666. 1. Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esquire hath one half of this Moiety which formerly belonged to the Cockers of Picmere ever since the Reign of Henry the Third until Hugh Cocker of Pickmere sold the Reversion hereof after his Life unto Thomas Merbury Father of Thomas aforesaid Anno Domini 1604. Probably this was that Part which Henry Audley gave to Thomas Longsdon 2. Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire hath four Tenements here in Lease These were formerly held by William Wiche and called Wiche's Lands which upon the Attainder of Sir William Stanley of Holt-Castle Anno Domini 1495. Lord Chamberlain to Henry the Seventh Escheated to the King and were afterwards given to George Sutton one of the Grooms of the Chamber 14 H. 8. Sutton sold them to Richard Sneyd 7 Novembris 14 Hen. 8. and William Sneyd sold them to Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire 36 Hen. 8. 3. Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Baronet hath one Tenement here now in Possession of John Perceivall which was Part of Wiche's Lands and was sold by William Sneyd to Gawen Legh of Northwood in High-Legh 35 Hen. 8. 1543. before he sold the rest to Daniell And this Tenement afterwards Richard Legh of Northwood Gentleman sold among other Lands to Peter Leycester of Tabley Esquire 1633. whose Son now enjoyeth the same 4. John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford hath one good Tenement here But part of this lieth in Winsham formerly Crocket's Land of Nantwich 5. John Key of the Yate in Picmere Part of Crocket's Land formerly 6. Peter Deane of Over-Tabley hath Land in Picmere lately bought from Key of the Yate 7. Philip Anterbus of Over-Pever one Close belonging to his Free-hold Land in Aston juxtà Picmere 8. Sir George Warburton of Arley Baronet hath about one Acre and a half in Possession of Robert Deusbery and Thomas Starky of Feldy The other Moiety of Picmere together with the Mannor of Winsham William Venables gave to Maud his Sister in Free-Marriage to be held by the Service of half a Knights Fee whereunto Roger Lacy Constable of Cheshire is a Witness Which Roger died Anno Domini 1211. 13 Johannis Regis saith Matthew Paris in his History Lib. B. pag. 50. a. This Maud had two Husbands The first was Raufe Son of Roger the second was Hugh de Bixis or Brixis This Hugh and his Wife grant to Hugh Venables all the Land which William de Offley held of them in Picmere and the Wardship of the Children of Hugh Son of the said William de Offley till they come to such Age as to govern the said Land Lib. B. pag. 50. e. Ex Chartulis Glover de Picmere Hugh Venables grants to Hugh de Picmere and his Heirs the whole Moiety of the Village of Picmere for the same Service contained in the Deed of William Venables his Father the Donor of the same Lands This was tempore Henrici Tertii Lib. B. pag. 51. num 1. Afterwards William Son of Guy of Winsham grants to Henry Son of Hugh de Picmere all his Rent in the Township of Picmere to wit 3 s. 1 d. ob which he yearly received from Hugh de Picmere Rendring a Pair of White Gloves yearly Lib. B. pag. 54. num 19. And Pagan Son of Raufe de Wastneys Lord of Winsham releaseth to the said Henry all his Right in 3 s. 1 d. ob Rent which he received of the said Henry So that now he was onely to pay 3 s. 1 d. ob yearly from henceforward and a Pair of Gloves for all Services And this was in the Reign of Edward the First Lib. B. pag. 51. num 2. Hugh Picmere Son of Henry was
Newborough in Dutton Brother to Christopher Holford and now next Heir-Male of the Holfords hapned long and tedious Suits concerning holford-Holford-Lands which continued above forty Years At last the Matter was composed by Mediation of Friends and the Lands parted between them The Lady Cholmondley had the Mannor-House of Holford with the demain-Demain-Lands thereof and George Holford had the Mannor of Iscoit in Flintshire The Lands and Tenements in Lostock-Gralam Plumley and Nether-Pever were parted promiscuously as they be now enjoyed This George Holford married Jane Daughter and Heir of Charles Awbrey of Cantriff in Brecknockshire and Widow of Henry Masterson and by her had Issue Thomas Holford and John Twins Edward third Son Peter fourth Son * Peter the fourth Son waited on James Earl of Darby and married Frances Daughter of William Wolley of Warrington Mercer and Widow of one Pikford of London Haberdasher and had Issue James Peter and George and also Frances Mary Anne and Hannah George Charles and William Also Mary married to William Harcourt of Winsham Gentleman 1629. both yet living 1666. George Holford of Newborough died 1635. and Thomas Holford of Iscoit Son and Heir of the said George died without Issue-Male Wherefore his Inheritance is descended now unto James Holford † This James Holford married Margaret Daughter of Matthew Carleton of Lincolns-Inn in London and had Issue Thomas Holford a Son and Mary a Daughter James Holford died 1666 Margaret his Wife died 1662. of Newborough Son and Heir of Peter fourth Son of George for all the other Brothers of Peter died without Issue But the Mannor of Iscoit was sold by Thomas Holford eldest Brother unto one Mr. Adams of London The Lady Mary Cholmondley survived her Husband and lived at her Mannor-House of Holford which she builded new repaired and enlarged and where she died about 1625. aged 63 Years or thereabouts King James termed her The Bold Lady of Cheshire So ended the Family of Holford of Holford XIII Robert Cholmondley of Cholmondley Son and Heir of Sir Hugh and Mary Holford his Wife was Created Baronet in June 1611. and after Created Viscount Cholmondley of Kellis in Ireland about 1635. and lastly Lord Cholmondley Baron of Wich-Malbeng * Made Baron of Wich-Malbank Sept. 1. 1645. id est Nantwich in Cheshire and also Earl of Leinster in Ireland 21 Car. 1. 5 die Martii 1645. He married Katharine Sister of Charles Lord Stanhop of Harrington but had no Issue by her This Robert Lord Cholmondley died 1659. aged 75 Years without any Lawful Issue of his Body leaving Robert eldest Son of Hugh Cholmondley his Brother to succeed in his Inheritance Which Robert was Created Viscount Kells in the County of Meath in the Kingdom of Ireland 29 Martii 1661. 13 Car. 2. But this Robert Earl of Leinster estated Holford-Lands which came by his Mother on Thomas Cholmondley his Son by one Mrs. Goldston to whom as some think he was affianced though never married to her This Thomas Cholmondley died at Holford in Festo Epiphaniae the sixth of January 1667. and was buried at Nether-Pever on Thursday the sixteenth day of January following on whom Mr. Kent his Chaplain in the Funeral Sermon truly observed That he was a Loyal Subject a Good Husband a Good Father a Good Master a Good Landlord a Good Neighbor a Good Friend a Good Christian and a Good Man This Coat of Arms as it is here inserted he had granted unto him by the Patent of William Dugdale Norroy at Arms about Anno 1666. Preston juxta Dutton THis Township of Preston was Purchased by Hugh Dutton of Dutton from Henry de Nuers and Julian his Wife Rendring eight Shillings yearly at the Feast of St. Martin exceptis Foranis Servitiis propter hanc Concessionem dedit Hugo Dutton quinque Marcas Argenti praedictae Julianae de Recognitione unum Palfridum Nigrum unum Annulum Aureum as the Words of the Deed be This was about King John's Reign This Grant was Confirmed by Randle Earl of Chester sirnamed Blundevill Lib. C. fol. 155. o. p. The Originals to possession of the Lady Kilmorey at Dutton 1649. Since which time this Township hath belonged to the Duttons of Dutton Charterers in Preston 1666. 1. Thomas Barker of Preston 2. Thomas Baxter of Preston Rosthorne HEre is an ancient Parish-Church Dedicated to St. Mary their Wakes or Feast of Dedication being on the fifteenth day of August This Parish comprehendeth these Villages following besides the Parochial Chappelries of Knotsford and Over-Pever which see in their due Places   The Mize   l. s. d. Rosthorne 00 14 00 Tatton cùm Norshagh 00 11 08 Over-Tabley cùm Sudlowe 00 13 04 Mere 00 19 00 Millington 00 09 04 High-Legh with its Hamlets of Swineyard Sworton and North-wood 01 13 00 Agden one half 00 01 10 Bollington one half 00 03 00   05 05 02 That there was a Church at Rosthorne before Anno 1188. appears by this following Deed collected by Samson Erdeswick of Sond in Staffordshire out of the Evidences of Venables of Kinderton Lib. H. num 1. UNiversis Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae Filiis Willielmus de Venables Miles salutem Noverit universitas vestra me concessisse Hugoni de Venables Clerico id juris quod habui in Ecclesiis terrae meae scilicet in Ecclesia de Rosthorne in Ecclesia de Eccleston in Ecclesia de Estbirie c. Facta vero est haec Donatio Synodo apud Cestriam proxime celebrata post confectionem Venerabilis Episcopi nostri Domini Hugonis de Novant existente Custode Honoris Cestriae Domino Adamo de Aldithley Datusque est Tutor Praenominato Clerico Hugoni de Venables Adam Panton ejus Avunculus Hiis Testibus G. de Venables R. Michaele ejusdem Fratribus N. G. Capellanis Willielmo de Monte alto Magistro Philippo de Cestria Clerico R. Capellano Waltero Ecclesiae Sanctae Trinitatis Presbytero Domino Nigello Hugone Filio Andreae Husbanda Ecclesiae Sancti Johannis in Cestria Canonico Warino de Vernon R. Fratre ejus Liulfo de Crokeston Willielmo Donne multis aliis Hugh Novant was Consecrated Bishop of Coventry 1188. So Hoveden in his History But the Advowson of Rosthorne-Church came afterwards to Massy of Tatton and Sir Richard Massy of Tatton releaseth all his Right in the Advowson of St. Maries Chuch of Rosthorn unto Sir Hugh Venables of Kinderton in the Reign of Edward the First Lib. H. num 61. And ever since the Barons of Kinderton have been Patrons hereof to this day 1666. The Steeple of this Church was built in Stone Anno Domini 1533. 25 Hen. 8. as appears by the Figures cut in Stone on the South-side of the said Steeple Over these Figures is written Orate pro Anima Domini Willielmi Hardwick Vicarii hujus Ecclesiae pro animabus omnium Parochianorum suorum qui hoc sculpserunt This Town of Rosthorne was held in the Conqueror's
I. num 5. Sir Nicolas Leycester died 23 Edw. 1. 1295. He bought out all the Freeholders or Charterers in Nether-Tabley the principal whereof was that of William Heart of Nether-Tabley and so made that Township entirely his own I. num 38. num 60. num 43. Anno Christi 1296. he had the third part of Over-Tabley cum Sudlow by the Grant of Sir John Grey Son of Sir Reginald Grey and which Sir John Grey had of the Grant of William de Tabley Lord of Over-Tabley and Knotsford F. num 1. This Roger married Isabel Daughter of _____ and had Issue Nicolas Leycester Son and Heir Roger Leycester and Margaret married to Adam de Moldesworth 17 Edw. 2. 1323. Which Adam was Sheriff of Flint 5 Edw. 3. I. num 60. num 83. Lib. C. fol. 206. c. fol. 207. i. His Seal of Arms was A Fesse between three Flower de Luces inscribed about thus SIGILLUM SECRETUM I. num 26. and many others Sub Anno Domini 1325. Roger Leycester died about 1349. and survived his Father fifty three years III. Nicolas Leycester Son and Heir of Roger had to Wife Mary Daughter of William Mobberley de Mobberley and one of the Sisters and Co-heirs to Sir Raufe Mobberley married about 15 Edw. 2. 1322. R. num 23. and had Issue John Leycester Son and Heir Raufe Leycester younger Son from whom the Leycesters of Toft in this Hundred of Bucklow and Elizabeth the second Wife of William Manwaring of Over-Pever the Elder from whom are descended the Manwarings of Over-Pever She was Widow 38 Edw. 3. 1364. and was living 6 Hen. 4. 1404. S. num 2. I. num 68. Lib. C. fol. 126. KK II. Lib. B. pag. 9. h. Nicolas Leycester died 1349. 23 Edw. 3. Lib. A. fol. 127. y. For he survived his Father very little if he died not before him IV. John Leycester of Nether-Tabley Son and Heir of Nicolas and Mary served in the Wars of France under John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster 1373. 47 Edw. 3. of whose Puissant Army our Histories do make mention Walsingham tells us That when he enter'd France at Calice triginta amplius millia Equorum in Comitatu habuerat But of these thirty thousand Horse very few were brought alive to Burdeaux being starved for want of Victuals so that this Voyage proved unsuccessful It appears by the Account of this John Leycester before John Tilly Clerk and other Auditors of Sir Thomas Felton who was at that time Judge of Chester dated at Southampton on the Eve of St. John 49 Edw. 3. 1375. where he accounted for 266 l. 13 s. 4 d. allowed unto him for the Payment of Jenkyn Mobberley Esquire and other Soldiers who served under the said John Leycester and also for his own Pay that he had allowed for himself for 210 days Pay beginning on St. Michael's day 47 Edw. 3. to the first of May then next following at 3 s. per diem 31 l. 10 s. 00 d. And there was also pardoned unto him remaining of his Account the Sum of 38 l. 10 s. 00 d. which I conceive was for a Reward or Gratuity Whereupon he gave to the Lady Felton a White ambling Pal●rey I. num 85. Sir Raufe Mobberley his Uncle setled on him by Feoffment of Chaplains entrusted as was the manner of those Times all his Lands in Mobberley with the Advowson of the Church of Mobberley and other Lands Dated at Mobberley 1359. 33 Edw. 3. For Sir Raufe often protested having no Lawful Issue but eight Sisters expecting to share his Inheritance that all his Lands should descend to his Nephew John Leycester and that his Estate should not be shattered and divided as appears by the Certificate of Sir John Wynkfeld Knight dated at London 1360. 35 Edw. 3. A. fol. 128. ff fol. 129. hh Yet did John Leycester after release all his Right in these Lands unto John Dumbill of Mobberley and Cicely his Wife and also to the Advowson of the Church of Mobberley Dated at Chester 1 Rich. 2. 1378. Which Cicely was one of the Sisters of Sir Raufe Mobberley aforesaid Lib. A. fol. 129. kk But so conditioned and agreed between them That Dumbill and Cicely should settle 15 Messuages 316 Acres of Land 16 Acres of Wood 8 Acres of Mossing the third part of a Water-mill and the third part of all the Wastes not measured to be understood of that Moiety of Mobberley belonging to Sir Raufe Mobberley to descend after the death of John Dumbill and Cicely his Wife unto Raufe Leycester younger Brother of the said John Leycester and to his Heirs for ever Which was so setled accordingly 2 Rich. 2. 1379. Lib. A. fol. 130. ll.mm. and are at this day 1666. enjoyed by Leycester of Toft as Heirs of the said Raufe about a third part of Mobberley's Moiety of Mobberley This John Leycester also sold away his Mannor of Hield in Aston to William del Hield and Goditha his Wife in Fee-farm 1355. 29 Edw. 3. which Manor reverted back again to Leycester of Tabley to wit one Moiety purchased 1500. and the other Moiety purcha●ed again 1601. as shall be observed in their due places M. num 13 14. This John built the Manor-Hall of Nether-Tabley within the Pool in that place where it now standeth about Anno Domini 1380. 4 Rich. 2. before which time it stood a little higher out of the Compass of the Pool in a certain place adjoining to the Saffron-yards where there is yet a Trench to be seen which environed the Old Hall about with Water which Old Hall I conjecture was the Seat of the Hearts of Nether-Tabley whose Free-hold was bought out by Roger Leycester as I have told you before The Colours of the Coat at this day received are Azure a Fesse Gules between three Flower-de-Luces Or The Crest A Swans Head Couped Proper with little Drops upon the Neck Gules He married Joan Daughter of Robert Touchet of Nether-Whitley 5 Rich. 2. A. num 2. and had Issue William Leycester Son and Heir Raufe Leycester another Son living 14 Rich. 2. I. num 74. 6 Novembris 1387. Concessa fuit Licentia Johanni Leycester pro Oratorio suo apud Tabley per unum Annum Regist Ricardi Scroope apud Lichfield fol. 123. b. This is Mr. Dugdale's Note This John Leycester died 1398. 22 Rich. 2. about the Age of 58 Years and survived his Father 49 Years He was one of the Justices of Peace of Bucklow-Hundred in the Reign of Henry the Fifth and Sealed with a Seal of his Coat of Arms and Crest in all points like that of his Fathers save onely the Form of the Mantle was a little different R. num 10. and many others Lib. B. pag. 115. He had two Wives The first was Agnes Dutton Sister to Sir Piers Dutton of Dutton and Daughter of Edmund Dutton whom he married Anno Domini 1398. 22 Rich. 2. A. num 5. By her he had Issue John Leycester Lawrence Leycester Geffrey Leycester living 5 Hen.
6. K. num 9. and Joan a Daughter married to Thomas Son of Thomas Starky de Wrenbury 1422. 1 Hen. 6. A. num 12. Also Cicely married Thomas Masterson of Masterson nigh Nantwich His second Wife was Pillaryne Widow to Robert Massy of Hale and Sister to Sir Richard Cradock Knight whom he married 3 Hen. 6. 1425. A. num 11. But he had no Issue by her William Leycester died Anno Christi 1428. 6 Hen. 6. E. num 3. about the Age of 50 Years and survived his Father 30 Years VI. John Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire the Elder Son and Heir of William and Agnes married Elizabeth Daughter of Hamon Massy of Rixton in Lancashire Esquire 10 Hen. 5. 1422. A. num 9. and had Issue John Leycester the Younger Hamon Leycester made Parson of Mobberley 1460. Randle Leycester admitted into the Hospital of Holy Trinity and St. Thomas the Martyr in Rome with all the Privileges thereof 1449. E. num 4. Nicolas another Son Henry another Son William another Son A. num 26. Maud a Daughter married to Thomas Son and Heir of Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esq 1440. 18 Hen. 6. A. num 16. Alice another Daughter married to Richard Son and Heir of John Legh of High-Legh de West-Hall Esquire 20 Hen. 6. 1442. Lib. B. pag. 121. John Leycester the Elder died 2 Edw. 4. 1462. about the Age of 62 Years and survived his Father 34 Years Elizabeth his Widow was living 19 Edw. 4. H. num 20. VII John Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esq the Younger Son and Heir of John and Elizabeth married Margery Daughter of John Legh of High-Legh de West-Hall Esquire 20 Hen. 6. 1442. Lib. B. pag. 121. and had nine Sons Thomas Leycester Hamon Bryan Martin John Sir Lawrence a Chaplain Piers Roger and Godfrey Isabell a Daughter married John Glegge of Gayton in Wirrall Esquire H. num 2. A. num 25. John Leycester the Younger died Anno Christi 1496. 12 Hen. 7. Wills num 2. about the Age of 73 Years and survived his Father 34 Years VIII Thomas Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of John Leycester the Younger had four Wives The first was Margaret sixth Daughter and Co-heir of Robert Grosvenour of Houlme nigh Nether-Pever Esquire whom he married Anno Christi 1464. 4 Edw. 4. A. num 20. and had Issue by her John Leycester Son and Heir By this Margaret Thomas Leycester had the Moiety of Nether-Pever cum Little-Pever the third part of Over Alderley the third part of Pygreve-wood in the Demain Lands of Allostock in the County of Chester and certain Lands in Hope juxta Alstonfield in the County of Stafford by Partition dated 5 Edw. 4. 1465. and Margery Grosvenour fourth Daughter and Co-heir dying without Issue 1474. John Leycester Son and Heir of Thomas and Margaret had in Right of his Mother as Sister and Co-heir to Margery a fifth part of Allostock by Partition dated 14 Edw. 4. 1474. For Margery had all Allostock to her Share But Margaret the Mother of John Leycester was now dead at the time of this later Partition made Z. num 28. V. num 1 2. She was living 9 Edw. 4. K. num 6. But she was dead 14 Edw. 4. The second Wife of Thomas Leycester was Margery the Widow of Edmund Legh of Baggilegh Esquire and Daughter of Sir John Savage of Clifton near Halton in Cheshire She was married to Thomas Leycester 17 Edw. 4. 1477. and by him had Issue Arthur Leycester and Geffrey Leycester living 1508. Lib. C. fol. 271. d. e. Lib. B. pag. 133. A. num 25. The third Wife of Thomas Leycester was Elizabeth the Widow of Peter Dutton of Hatton Esquire and Daughter of Sir Robert Fowleshurst of Crew in Cheshire whom he married 22 Hen. 7. 1506. T. num 1. The fourth Wife of Thomas Leycester was Blanch the Rich. Widow of Oliver Berdesley of Warrington whom he married 1522. 14 Hen. 8. A. num 29. But he had no Issue by her This Thomas Leycester purchased again the one Moiety of Hield 1500. 16 Hen. 7. M. num 19. which John Son of Nicolas Leycester sold away as I have shewed before Thomas Leycester of Tabley Esquire died about 1526. 18 Hen. 8. about the Age of 82 Years and survived his Father 30 Years IX John Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of Thomas by Margaret his first Wife married Lucy Daughter of John Ratcliffe of Ratcliffe in Lancashire Esq 19 Edw. 4. 1479. A. num 26. by whom he had Issue William Leycester who married Anne Daughter of Richard Sneyd of Bradwell in Staffordshire Esquire 23 Hen. 7. 1508. A num 25. But William dying without Issue in the Life-time of John his Father Anne his Widow married Roger Hurleston of Chester Esquire 25 Hen. 8. 1533. After the death of Lucy John Leycester married Alice Daughter of Henry Henshaw de Milne-house nigh Chelford Gentleman 15 Hen. 7. 1499. Z. num 13. and by her had Issue Peter Leycester who succeeded Heir to his Father Richard another Son James Leycester third Son by Alice from whom the Leycesters of Hale-lowe in Bodon-Parish Lawrence Leycester another Son living 1577. Also Isabel a Daughter married John Ogle of Roby in Lancashire Esquire O. num 6. Wills num 3. This John Leycester had also two Bastard-sons Nicolas from whem the Leycesters now of Hield 1666. and John Leycester who died without Issue Also three Bastard-daughters Elizabeth married Thomas Swynton of Nether-Knotsford 30 Hen. 8. Joan another Base Daughter she was called Joan Birchenhead 1543. And Margaret another Base Daughter O. num 6. Wills num 3. A. num 34. John Leycester of Tabley sold Hulme-House in Over Alderley now called The Pastures unto Nicolas Hobson 18 Hen. 7. 1502. Z. num 1. This John died 35 Hen. 8. 1543. Wills num 3. and was buried at Great-Budworth in our Lady Mary's Chappel there in the appropriate Burial-place of his Family in the seventy seventh Year of his Age and survived his Father seventeen Years X. Piers Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of John by Alice his second Wife married Alice Daughter of Sir John Holford of Holford juxta Nether-Tabley 21 Hen. 8. 1529. O. num 6. by whom he had Issue Peter Son and Heir Adam second Son William third Son from whom the Leycesters of Legh in Staffordshire B. num 28. Alice a Daughter married Geffrey Brereton Son and Heir of Sir Richard Brereton of Tatton nigh Knotsford Anno Christi 1551. 5 Edw. 6. A. num 35. Margaret another Daughter married Richard Birkenhed of Manley Recorder of Chester Elizabeth Ellen and Parnell were never married Wills num 10. E. num 7 9. Piers had also two Bastard-sons John and Christopher O. num 7. He bought the Lands of Budworth 2 Edw. 6. and Symcock's Tenement in Marston 7 Eliz. 1564. and the Lands in Northwich 13 Eliz. 1571. B. num 2. num 26. L. num 10 11. For the effecting of these he sold the Land in Hope juxta Alstonfeld in Staffordshire
Lancashire Esquire 14 Eliz. 1571. Lib. C. fol. 243. I. l. This Peter Purchased the Hall of Woodlands in Over-Tabley 3 4 Phil. Mar. 1556. which Escheated to the Crown upon the Attainder of Matthew de Tabley 22 Edw. 4. as I have shewn before in Over-Tabley This Peter Daniell died 9 die Novembris 4 5 Phil. Mar. 1557. at the Age of 28 Years within a Month leaving Thomas his Brother and Heir to succeed him Lib. C. fol. 238. k. IX Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire Brother and Heir-male to the last Peter married Alice Daughter of Fouk Dutton of the City of Chester and had Issue Peter Son and Heir Thomas second Son Richard third Son William fourth Son died 20 die Maii 33 Eliz. 1591. John fifth Son and Margaret a Daughter living 1575. 17 Eliz. Lib. C. fol. 240. x. This Thomas Daniell Esquire died 1575. 17 Eliz. aged 41 Years Alice survived and was living 1590. Lib. C. fol. 239. m. 238. l. X. Peter Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of Thomas and Alice married Anne Daughter of Henry Manwaring of Carincham in Cheshire Esquire 1574. and had Issue Peter Son and Heir six Years old when his Father died Richard Daniell second Son died without Issue Frances married Edward Littleton younger Son of Littleton of Pillaton in Staffordshire near Pancridge Anne second Daughter died without Issue Mary third Daughter married John Woodnot of Shenton in Cheshire after to John King of Salmondley in Lincolnshire Jane fourth Daughter died without Issue This Peter died 3 die Augusti 1590. 32 Eliz. aged 29 Years Anne his Widow afterwards married Thomas Ashold Parson of Swetenham in Cheshire And she died 29 Julii 1633. and had the Wardship of her Son Lib. C. fol. 239. n.o. XI Peter Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of Peter and Anne married Christian Daughter of Richard Grosvenour of Eaton-boat in Cheshire Esquire and had Issue Peter eldest Son Henry second Son married Anne Daughter of Sir John Dorell of Westwoody in Berkshire but had no Issue John Daniell third Son was an Apprentice in London and married but died also without Issue William fourth Son married Dorothy Forth of Wiggan in Lancashire Thomas fifth Son slain at the Battel of Brainford near London 1642. Margaret eldest Daughter married Richard Green of Conglyton in Cheshire Gentleman Christian second Daughter married George Davenport of Calvelcy Esquire Mary third Daughter married one Colonel Finch 1651. an Officer for the Parliament-Party against the King and are both now living in Ireland 1666. Elizabeth fourth Daughter died unmarried Anne the youngest Daughter married Robert Sanford of Sanford in Shropshire Esquire 1648. This Peter Daniell was one of the Knights of this County for the Parliament 1625. and died the eighteenth day of April 1652. aged 68 Years and was buried at Great-Budworth Christian his Wife survived and died 1663. XII Peter Daniell of Over-Tabley the younger Esquire Son and Heir of Peter and Christian married Sarah Daughter of Richard Wilcocks of London and had Issue Thomas Son and Heir Sarah died in her Infancy and Margaret another Daughter This Peter the Son died at Oxford of a Shot received at the Siege of Glocester 1643. in the life-time of his Father being at that time a Captain of a Foot-Company in the Regiment of John Earl Rivers raised on the King's Part. Sarah his Widow afterwards married Robert Hyde of Nantwich one of the Sequestrators of Cheshire for the Parliament 1651. but she had no Issue by him XIII Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of Peter and Sarah married Alice Daughter of William Smith alias Nevill second Brother of Henry Nevill of Holt in Leycestershire and hath Issue Samuel Thomas Nevill Peter and Sarah all living 1666. William the fourth Son died young Tatton IN the Reign of William the Conqueror William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton held one half of Tatton which one Erchbrand held formerly And Ranulfus the supposed Ancestor of the Manwarings held the other half which one Leuvinus held before So the Record of Doomsday-book informs us About one hundred Years afterwards I find Alanus de Matton possessed of the Manor of Tatton And Alanus Filius Alani de Tatton stiled himself in his Chartes Dominus de Tatton who assumed the Sir-name of Tatton from this Place of their Residency here which their Posterity retained For Sir-names in those elder Ages were not taken up generally but Men were denominated usually of the Places where they lived and that by Continuance at last became a Sir-name VVilliam Son of VVilliam Son of Quenild de Tatton granted a great part of Tatton unto Sir Richard Massy and Isabel his Wife about the Year of Christ 1286. which Peter Hackham then Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England confirmed Placita ante Festum Sancti Dunstani 16 Edw. 2. apud Cestriam upon a Distress by Hamon Massy Baron of Dunham-Massy on the Goods of Robert Massy of Tatton taken in Tatton aforesaid Hamon pleads That Nicolas de Audley held the Manor of Tatton of him the said Hamon by Knights Service and by working at his Castle of Dunham and by the Service of Sixty Shillings yearly Rent Of which Services the said Hamon was seised by the Hands of the said Nicolas de Audley Which Three Pound yearly Rent Sir James Audley of Heelegh-Castle in Staffordshire released afterwards to Sir John Massy of Tatton 1 Rich. 2. 1377. for which Sir John gave him two Messuages in VVrenbury in Cheshire Also it appears that Nicolas de Alditheley or Audley granted to Sir Richard Massy and Isabel his Wife all his Lands in Tatton and Owlarton Testibus Reginaldo de Grey Justiciario Cestriae Johanne Filio suo Radulfo de Vernon Hamone de Massy VVillielmo de Venables Militibus Roberto le Grosvenour Vicecomite Gestershiriae c. This was about 1286. The Original of which Deed is now among the Evidences of the Earl of Bridgewater 1667. So that it should seem to me that in the Reign of Edward the First one Moiety of Tatton was held of the Baron of Dunham-Massy and the other Moiety of the Prior of St. John of Hierusalem That of the Fee of John of Hierusalem probably was the Moiety that in the Conqueror's Time belonged to the Barony of Halton It is manifest by Deed That Alan Son of Alan de Tatton Released to Helen Manwaring and her Heirs and to Robert Manwaring and his Heirs sequelam Halmoti mei de Tatton under Henry the Third Lib. C. fol. 135. num 34. So that Alan de Tatton seems to have the Royalty of all Tatton and he grants the Land called Bruchel in Tatton unto William Son of William Massy Ibid. num 36. But whether he had any more than a Moiety of the Town I cannot affirm in regard we see above William Son of William Son of Quenild of Tatton had a good part How and when ⚜ this Manor of Tatton was given to be held of
of Walter de Toft was possessed of most of the Town of Toft under Henry the Third And I find Roger Toft Son of this Roger Toft stiling himself Dominus de Toft Anno Domini 1298. 26 Edw. 1. T. num 9. to whose Posterity the Manor and Town of Toft hath continued ever since that is to say The Family of Toft of Toft continued till the end of the Reign of Henry the Sixth above 250 Years and then Robert Leycester Son of Robert Son of Joan Daughter and Heir of Robert Toft of Toft Esquire was possessed of the Manor of Toft 2 Edw. 4. and hath since belonged to his Posterity Rafe Leycester of Toft Esquire being now possessed of the same Anno Domini 1672. Charterers in Toft Anno Domini 1672. 1. The Messuage late the Inheritance of Litler of Wallers-cote nigh Northwich Randle Mores now Tenant 2. John Stretch of Little-Pever hath now certain freehold-Freehold-Lands in Toft which he lately purchased from John Downes late of Toft and purchased by Downes formerly from Mainwaring of Pever For in the Office taken after the death of Sir Randle Mainwaring of Over-Pever 5 6 Phil. Mar. Tenuit terras in Toft de Radulfo Leycester Milite per fidelitatem redditum decem Denariorum c. The Pedegree of Toft of Toft collected out of the Evidences of Toft 1672. II. Roger de Toft Son of Walter de Toft He lived Anno Domini 1230. and purchased several Lands in Toft as I have before declared T num 2. and T. num 8. He had two Sons Roger de Toft and VVilliam de Toft and Margaret a Daughter married VVilliam Son of Roger Manwaring 1 Edw. 1. 1272. Lib. C. fol. 226. VVilliam de Toft younger Son of this Roger married Joan Sister of Richard de Lostock-Gralam the younger Son of Richard de Lostock 5 Edw. 1. 1277. Lib. C. fol. 228. b. This Joan became Heir to her Brothers Richard and Thomas who both died without Issue but she had Issue by this William Roger de Holford who living at Holford gained the Sir-name of Holford which his Posterity retained and from whom the Holford's of Holford are descended Lib. C. fol. 229. K. o. She had two other Husbands of whom see more in Plumley Note That John Holford under Richard the Second Sealed with Tofts Coat differenced with a Cheveron as I have seen in sundry of his Seals to wit Argent a Cheveron between three Text Tees Sable but Toft of Toft's Coat is Argent three Text Tees without a Cheveron III. Roger Toft of Toft Son of Roger married Beatrix Daughter of Hugh Venables of Kinderton about the very beginning of Edward the First to whom her Father gave Land in Rusford in Kinderton beyond the Brook towards Sproston Lib. C. fol. 225. e. and had Issue Roger Son and Heir Richard living 6 Edw. 2. Hugh died before 9 Edw. 2. Lib. C. fol. 215. K. Thomas living 9 Edw. 2. Hamon Toft also Henry Toft another Son T. num 12. IV. Roger Toft of Toft Son and Heir of Roger married Margery Daughter of Thomas Wever of Weever in Cheshire Anno Dom. 1298. 26 Edw. 1. T. num 9 10 11. and had Issue Hugh Toft Thomas Toft who married Margaret to whom Sir Rafe Mobberley gave his Mannor-House in Plumley 1357. 31 Edw. 3. T. num 24. Lib. C. fol. 226. v. William Toft another Son T. num 13. 16 Edw. 3. Margaret Toft Sister of Hugh Toft 16 Rich. 2. Lib. C. fol. 226. w. V. Hugh Toft of Toft Son of Roger married Felice Daughter of Thomas de Donstable 19 Edw. 2. 1325. Lib. C. fol. 225. K. and had Issue Robert de Toft Roger de Toft living 2 Hen. 5. 8 Hen. 5. Emme a Daughter married Thomas Son of Sir Hamon Ashley of Ashley in Bowdon Parish 1359. 33 Ed. 3. John Booths Book Lib. H. pag. 110. d. It seemeth that Roger Toft was elder Brother to Robert T. num 46. and had no Issue-male at least This Hugh de Toft gave to Sir Hugh Venables all his Lands in Kinderton and Sproston which Lands were given by Venables to his Grandmother in exchange for the sixth part of Bexton 1359. 34 Edw. 3. B. num 12. Lib. C. fol. 226. l. Sir John Seyvill Knight Brother of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and procurer of the Pardon or Indulgence of the Castle of St. Peter by virtue of this Indulgence of Pope Alexander the Fifth granted to all those who have put to their helping hand to the fortification of the said Castle that they shall chuse themselves a Confessor now granteth to Hugh de Toft and Alice his Wife because of their Charity and Aid towards the said Castle full liberty by the Pope's Authority to chuse themselves a Confessor whereunto the Seal of the Indulgence for the said Castle is affixed Dated apud Templum Bruer Anno Domini 1412. And on the back of the said Deed is written in Latin which I have here put into English as followeth THe Lord Jesus Christ who hath given to his Disciples power of binding and loosing absolve thee and I by the Apostolical Authority of St. Paul and the whole Mother-Church by the help of both which and the Popes Indulgence do absolve thee from all thy sins of which by contrition thou hast confessed or hereafter shalt confess And I grant thee full remission of all thy sins that thou mayest have eternal life for ever Amen And if it happen that thou recover not this present Infirmity I reserve it for thee even in the very point of death T. num 48. By which Deed it may seem that Hugh de Toft had a later Wife called Alice and that he died Anno 1412. or thereabout T. num 44. Quaere if John de Holford did not afterwards marry this Alice T. num 35. Robert Toft of Toft Son of Hugh married Cicely the Widow of John Clark of Hawarden and had Issue Roger de Toft who died without Issue and Jone married Rafe Leycester younger Brother to John Leycester of Tabley Howbeit her Issue was not possessed of the Mannor of Toft till after the death of her Father and Brother about the end of the Reign of Henry the Sixth T. num 78. T. num 47. T. num 51. John Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield this was John Burghill granted to Robert de Toft and Cicely his Wife liberty of keeping a Chaplain for celebrating of Divine Duties in their private Oratories Dated in our City of Lichfield December 21. 1398. 22 Rich. 2. T. num 39. And it seemeth to be this Robert de Toft who was Constable of the Castle of Halton in Cheshire and received 40 l. 00 s. 00 d. at Chester by the hands of William de Alcumlow Bailiff of the Sergeanty of Halton from Robert Paris then the Kings Auditor at Chester the 2● day of July 23 Rich. 2. for the Ward and Custody of the said Castle for himself and divers Esquires and Archers then being in the said Castle
by the appointment of the King's Council T. num 80. So ended the Family of Toft of Toft The Descent of Leycester of Toft collected carefully out of the Evidences of that Family 1672. The first of the Issue of Joan that possessed the Mannor of Toft whom I meet withal was Robert Leycester Son of Robert Son of this Rafe and Joan and that 2 Edw. 4. 1462. T. num 51. for that till about this time Robert Toft Father of Joan survived or Roger his Son When John Leycester of Nether-Tabley sold away all his Right and Title to the Moiety of the Mannor of Mobberley with the Advowson of the Church of Mobberley unto John Dumvill of Mobberley and Ciceley his Wife 1 Rich. 2. 1377. which Lands were Setled on the said John Leycester by Sir Rafe Mobberley of Mobberley his Uncle by Feoffees intrusted Anno Domini 1359. M. num 32. and M. num 33. and T. num 31. It was then agreed That one third part of that Moiety should descend to Rafe Leycester his Brother after the death of John Dumvill and Cicely which was Estated accordingly by Thomas Fitton of Gowesworth and other Feoffees intrusted after division thereof made by the Name of 15 Messuages two parts of a Messuage 316 Acres half an Acre half a quarter of an Acre ten Perches and half a Perch of Land sixteen Acres of Wood one quarter and five Perches eight Acres of Moss the third part of a Water-Mill and the third part of all the Wastes of Mobberly then unmeasured together with the Rent and Services of the said Rafe Leycester and William Dawson in Mobberley to hold to John Dumvill and Cicely his Wife for their Lives and after their Deaths then to remain to Rafe Leycester and the Heirs-males of his Body and if Rafe die without Heir-male of his Body then to remain to the right Heirs of Cicely aforesaid for ever Dated at Mobberley on Tuesday in the Feast of St. Petronill the Virgin 2 Rich. 2. 1378. M. num 34. And Rafe Leycester had 15 l. 00 s. 00 d. annual Rent Estated on him during the Lives of the said John Dumvill and Cicely out of all the Lands in Mobberley by Fine Levied to the said Feoffees 1 Rich. 2. M. num 2. M. num 3. which Lands of Mobberley so Setled on this Rafe Leycester are now in possession of Leycester of Toft 1672. So that it seems Rafe Leycester aforesaid had one Messuage in Mobberley by the Grant of Nicholas Leycester his Father and Mary his Mother before these other Lands were Estated on him in Mobberley M. num 39. and he purchased William Dawson's Land in Mobberley after the Settlement aforesaid to wit 3 Rich. 2. M. num 27 28. But the third part of the Mill in the Settlement mentioned Robert Leycester sold to John Troutback 18 Hen. 6. M. num 13. This Rafe Leycester and Joan his Wife had Issue Robert Leycester who succeeded Heir and Roger Leycester living 18 Rich. 2. E. num 1. among the Evidences of Leycester of Tabley Now that this Rafe Leycester was younger Brother to John Leycester of Nether-Tabley appears by their Examinations taken on the part of Robert Grosvenour of Hulme against Scroop concerning the bearing of a Coat of Arms Anno Domini 1386. 10 Rich. 2. where John Leycester is said to be then forty six years old and Rafe Leycester forty years old Lib. C. fol. 126. KK II. The Original upon Record in the Tower of London called The Bundle inter Scroop Grosvenour A Copy of which Record transcribed in a great Book remains now with Grosvenour of Eaton-boate in Cheshire As also that the ancient Lands of the Leycesters remain at this day 1672. in the possession of Leycester of Tabley which must have descended to the Heirs of this Rafe if he had been the elder Brother Again in the Deeds of Toft M. num 10. mentioning the Partition of the Lands in Mobberley between John Dumvill and Cicely his Wife on the one part and John Leycester and Rafe his Brother on the other part for if Rafe Leycester had been the elder Brother it would have been said betwixt Rafe Leycester and John his Brother And lastly That Leycester of Toft beareth his Coat of Arms at this day with a distinction from the Coat-Armour of Leycester of Tabley by adding a Fret upon the Fess and omnis additio probat minoritatem But of this enough which I rather mention least any should judge me partial in my own Cause without certain Grounds of Truth This Rafe Leycester had Lands in Chorley juxta Warford by the Grant of Mary his Mother II Robert Leycester Son and Heir of Rafe married _____ and had Issue Robert Son and Heir Randle second Son and John third Son living 11 Hen. 4. C. num 11. This Randle Leycester second Son married Isabel Daughter and Coheir of David Crew of Pulcroft from whom the Leycesters of Poole in Nantwich Hundred are descended as appears by the Evidences of that Family This Randle died Anno Dom. 1438. whose Posterity continued here until Richard Leycester late Mayor of Chester and Alderman of that City having no Issue gave all his Lands in Poole to Sir Henry Delves of Dodington Baronet in Marriage with Mary his Neece Daughter of Randle Leycester his late Brother This Lady Mary Delves was second Wife of Sir Henry and was Widow 1666. but had no Issue by Sir Henry But these Lands are Setled to descend to another Leycester sprung from that Family after the Death of the said Mary without Issue III. Robert Leycester of Toft Esquire Son of Robert is the first of this Family whom I find stiled De Toft and possessed of the same to wit 2 Edw. 4. 1462. T. num 51. He married Jane Daughter and Coheir of Rafe Booth younger Son of Sir Robert Booth of Dunham-Massy whom the said Rafe begot on Margaret his Wife Daughter and Heir of Thomas Sibell of Sandwich in Kent This Robert had Issue Rafe Leycester Robert another Son living 1 Hen. 7. John another Son 12 Hen. 8. Agnes a Daughter married to John Birtles of Birtles nigh Over-Alderley 6. Edw. 4. 1466. M. num 14. Lib. A. fol. 133. e f g h i k. This Robert Leycester and John Legh of Booths committed an Assault on Dennys Holland Servant to Sir Geffrey Massy of Tatton in the night-time and chased and destroyed his Deer in Tatton Park for which they paid 20 l. apiece 20 Hen. 6. T. num 79. by Award IV. Rafe Leycester Son and Heir of Robert married Agnes Daughter of Robert Ratcliff 17 Edw. 4. 1477. and had Issue John Leycester Son and Heir and James Leycester living 1 Hen. 7. Lib. A. fol. 133. H I K L. This Rafe died in the Life-time of his Father to wit 1 Hen. 7. 1485. V. John Leycester of Toft Esquire Son and Heir of Rafe married Elinour one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Sir James Harrington of Wolfage in Northamptonshire M. num 37.
at Chester 8 Edw. 2. had five Acres of Land and half of the Manor of Over-Walton cum pertinentiis granted unto him by Henry Son of Richard de Walton Lib. B. pag. 204. num 7. whereby it may seem that Standish now had all Over-Walton except the Capital Messuage and the Fishing in Mersey River But afterwards I find Isabel Daughter of Thomas de Elton making Richard Lestwich her Attorney to take possession in her Name of the Manor of Over-Walton and of certain Lands in Nether-Walton together with the Reversion of the Lands of Idonea Grandmother of Thomas Son of Randle Merbury in Hatton 34 Edw. 3. Lib. B. pag. 204. num 13. Not long after Merbury was possessed of Over-Walton for William Danell of Daresbery having the Wardship of the Heir grants to Alice Widow of Randle Merbury two parts of the Manor of Over-Walton during the Minority of Hugh Son of the said Randle Merbury now deceased for the yearly Rent of 01 l. 06 s. 04 d. Dated 3 Hen. 4. 1401. Lib. B. pag. 204. num 14. Since which time the Merburies of Walton enjoyed the same until Sir Peter Brooke of Mere now living 1666. lately bought the same from Thomas Merbury of Walton Gent. with all his whole Estate Charterers now in Over-Walton 1666. 1. John Dunbabbin of Over-Walton 2. Richard Rutter 3. Richard Webster These Lands formerly belonged to Sir Richard Brooke of Norton 4. Thomas Warburton of Partington lately bought from Thomas Merbury late of Walton Nether-Walton THis Town as well as the other Walton seems to take their Name from the multitude of the Springs therein for the ancient Saxons called a springing Water A Wawe for which we now use the word Well Geffrey Dutton of Chedill gave to Richard Son of Robert Massy of Sale all his Lands in Nether-Walton in exchange for his Mannor of Ashley in the Reign of Edward the First Lib. C. fol. 150. f. Sir Hugh Dutton of Dutton 22 Edw. 1. is found to hold half of Nether-Walton of the Baron of Halton Lib. C. fol. 156. bb And in the Feodary of Halton sub Ed. 2. Dominus Petrus de Warburton tenet medietatem de Walton inferiore pro decima parte unius Feodi Militis And in the Offices of Massy de Sale Massy is found to hold half of Nether-Walton of Warburton of Arley But Massy of Sale hath sold his Moiety of Nether-Walton except one Cottage as followeth 1666. 1. Thomas Massy of Nether-Walton This was bought from his Landlord Massy of Sale 2. William Ford of Nether-Walton bought from Massy of Sale 3. John Hatton of Nether-Walton bought from Massy of Sale 4. Richard Massy of Sale Esquire hath now one Cottage in possession of William Wilson 1666. 5. John Dumbill 6. William Norman The other Moiety of Nether-Walton which formerly belonged to Dutton of Dutton is now belonging to Sir Peter Brooke of Mere which he purchased lately from Merbury of Walton as also all his Lands in Over-Walton Appleton Hull Stockton The Mannor-House is situate in Over-Walton but part of the Demain now thereunto belonging lieth in Nether-Walton Warburton HEre is an ancient Free Chappel at Warburton now usually taken for a Parish Church whereof Warburton of Arley Lord of the Town is Patron This Parish comprehendeth onely the Township of Warburton which in our Mize-Book is Rated at 00 l. 12 s. 00 d. The words of the Institution and Induction of the present Parson are Ad liberam Capellam de Warburton medietatem Rectoriae Ecclesiae de Limme So that Warburton hath the Gift of half of Limme as well as of Warburton wholly and he is Presented here to both and ought to supply Warburton every Sunday and Limme every other Sunday by course In the time of William the Conqueror William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton held one Moiety of Warburton which Ernui formerly held And Osbern Son of Tezzon surmized to be the Ancestor of the Boydells of Dodleston held the other Moiety of Warburton which Ravene formerly held Adam de Dutton younger Son of Hugh Dutton of Dutton became possessed of both these Moieties of Warburton towards the Time of King Rtchard the First One Moiety he had by Agnes his Wife Daughter and Heir of Robert Fitz-Alured and I take it to be that Moiety held of Boydell Which Adam by the Consent of Agnes his Wife gave to the Religious House of Canons of the Order of Premonstrants here at Warburton about the Reign of King John in these Words Ego Adam de Dutton assensu Agnetis Sponsae meae dedi Deo Sanctae Mariae Sanctae Werburgae de Werburton Canonicis Premonstratensis Ordinis ibidèm medietatem totius Villae de Werburton in liberam Eleomosynam pro salute Animae Johannis Constabularii Antecessorum suorum pro salute Animae Corporis Rogeri Constabularii Sponsae suae pro Animâ Patris mei Matris meae pro Animâ Rogeri Filii Aluredi de cujus Feodo haec est Antecessorum suorum pro Animâ Johannis Filii mei cujus Corpus ibì sepultum est pro salute Animae meae Sponsae meae omnium Antecessorum meorum Testibus Hugone de Dutton Galfrido Fratre suo c. Extracted by me from the Original remaining among the Evidences at Dutton Lib. C. fol. 136. b. This Saint Werburge was the Daughter of Wolfere King of Mercia a Holy Virgin whose Feast is celebrated usually on the sixteenth day of June Some Almanacks place it to the 21 of June And probably from the Church or some Religious House founded here anciently unto the Honour of this Virgin it had the Name of Warburton Certain it is that it gave the occasion of the Sir-name of Warburton to the Lords and Owners thereof For the Posterity of that Adam de Dutton coming to reside at Warburton under Edward the Second Peter de Dutton was then stiled Peter de Warburton from the Place of his Residence as was the manner and custom of those Ages which Sir-name of Warburton his Heirs have ever since wholly retained to this day See more of this suprà in Budworth But to return to the Moiety of Warburton of the Fee of Boydell which was confirmed to Adam de Dutton by Hugh Boydell in the Reign of Richard the First or thereabouts in these Words NOverint universi tàm praesentes quàm futuri quòd ego Hugo de Boydele dedi concessi hâc praesenti Chartâ mea confirmavi Adae de Dutton pro homagio servitio suo totam terram meam in Warburton scilicet totam dimidiam partem ejusdem villae cùm omnibus pertinentiis jure haereditario illi haeredibus suis Tenendum de me haeredibus meis liberè pro XII solidis annuatìm reddendis scilicèt sex solidis ad Festum Sancti Johannis sex solidis ad Festum Sancti Martini unum hominem ad Castellum operantem ad suam expensam pèr octo tantùm dies annuatìm inveniendo
Charterers following 1. Moldesworth of Winsham These Lands were purchased by Edmund Moldesworth of Winsham Gent. from Raufe Egerton of Ridley in Cheshire Esq 3 Jac. 1605. Lib B. pag. 56. a. 2. Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley hath two Messuages in Winsham one now in possession of Raufe Pownall the other of Richard Eyton 3. Thomas Marbury of Marbury Esq hath one Messuage in Winsham the greatest part whereof he hath now laid to his Demain of Merbury the other part and the House is now in possession of Widow Maddock 1666. 4. John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford hath a parcel of Land in Winsham adjoyning to his Land in Picmere This was purchased from Mr. William Merbury elder Brother of the said Thomas 5. William Peacock of Winsham This Messuage was sold by Mr. William Merbury aforesaid unto Raufe Billinge and Raufe Billinge sold it to William Peacock Father of the said William 6. Hugh Lowton of Winsham This Cottage he purchased from Mr. William Merbury aforesaid the 13. of April 14 Car. 1. 1638. Richard Leftwich of Leftwich Esquire Obiit 2 Hen. 8. Margery Daughter of Laurence Marbury of Marbury Esquire Richard Leftwich of Leftwich senior died 30 Hen. 8. Katharine Daughter of Henry Manwaring of Carincham Esquire 1. Richard Leftwich junior Son Heir died without Issue-male 34 Hen. 8. Margaret Daughter and Heir of Robert Buckley of Eyton nigh Davenham Lord of the Moiety of Winsham Margaret Daughter and Heir of Richard Leftwich She died 1588. 30 Eliz. Thomas Woodrofe first Husband He died 1 Eliz. William Harcourt third Son of John Harcourt of Ranton in Staffordshire Esquire second Husband Thomas sine prole Elizabeth Wife of Robert Edowe Brigit 2. Raufe Heir-male to his Brother Richard Ob. 37. H. 8. Elizabeth daughter of Foulk Dutton of Chester John Legh del Ridge second Husband Raufe a Child died 6 Edw. 6. 3. George Leftwich third Son of whom the Leftwiches of Leftwich ⚜ Thomas Buckley of Eyton died 6 Hen. 7. and had Issue Thomas Buckley of Eyton living 15 Hen. 8. who died without Issue and Robert Buckley of Eyton Brother and Heir to Thomas This Robert Buckley had Issue Margaret Wife of Richard Leftwich and Anne Wife of John Brereton 7 Hen. 8. younger Son of Sir William Brereton and Katharine third Daughter But Anne and Katharine had no Issue The Family of the Harcourts of Ranton in Staffordshire are a Noble and Ancient Family whose Ancestor Richard Harcourt Son of William Harcourt of Stanton-Harcourt in Oxfordshire married Orabella Daughter of Saher de Quency Earl of Winchester and of Margaret his Wife Sister and Co-heir to Robert Fitz-Parnell Earl of Leycester unto whom her Father Saher gave Bosworth in Leycestershire in Marriage to wit Market-Bosworth about the end of King John's Reign to be held by the Service of a whole Knights Fee So saith Burton in his Description of Leycestershire p. 47. where he addeth That this Family came originally out of France and that Jean le Feron a Frenchman who wrote under our Edward the Sixth blazeth the Coat-Armor of John de Harcourt Marshal of France under Philip le Beau 1286. thus Gules two Fesses Or which is the same Coat born by the Harcourts in England And further saith That the Family of Harcourt had continued more than 800 Years to his time But of this enough And by Parnell a second Wife William Harcourt had Issue Mary Wife of Robert Pownall of Witton she was born 1599. And Jane married Richard Broom of Lostock-Gralam Margaret the first Wife of William who had her Mothers Lands to wit the Moiety of Winsham died 30 Eliz. 1588. William Harcourt her Husband died 43 Eliz. 1600. II. Richard Harcourt of Winsham Gentleman Son and Heir of William was Lord of the one Moiety of Winsham by Descent in Right of his Mother The other Moiety he Purchased 1606. He married one Elizabeth Widnester of London and had Issue William Harcourt eldest Son born 1605. Raufe born 1614. he died without Issue 1647. Thomas another Son died without Issue Elizabeth married Randle Birchenhead of Northwich whose Father was Usher of the Free-School of Northwich Mary married John Capper of Brindley she was born 1619. Margaret and Jane both died Infants This Richard Harcourt died 1628. III. William Harcourt of Winsham Gentleman Son and Heir of Richard married Mary Daughter of George Holford of Newborough in Dutton Gentleman Anno Domini 1629. This George Holford was younger Son of Thomas Holford of Holford nigh Nether-Tabley Esquire This William Harcourt and Mary are both yet living 1669. and had Issue Frances a Daughter who died young 1651. and George Harcourt a Son born 1632. yet living 1669. who hath sold the Reversion of all Winsham-Lands after the death of his Father and Mother and also what he had in possession unto Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley Gentleman Anno Domini 1668. to whom he had Mortgaged the same before THus have I by God's Assistance run through BUCKLOW-HUNDRED according to such Evidences and Records as I had carefully collected concerning the same If I had not met with some Obstructions by some Gentlemen who either out of Waywardness or Jealousie did refuse to let me have the Perusal of their Evidences some things might possibly have been further discovered and illustrated In the mean time I wish this may incite some more able Hand to undertake the like for the reviving of those decayed Monuments of Antiquity in the other Hundreds of this our County which yet lie buried and covered in the Rubbish of Devouring Time FINIS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Addenda in Part II. Page 134. It seems that Hugh Cyveliok Earl of Chester had either another Base Son or Daughter not there mentioned as appears by this following Deed the Original whereof is now in possession of Somerford Oldfield of Somerford in Cheshire Esquire 1672. SCiant omnes tàm praesentes quàm futuri Quòd ego Nicolaus de Verdon concessi hac praesenti Chartâ meâ confirmavi Siwardo filio Siwardi totam illam terram in Bidulf quam de Johanne de Lindele tenet cùm Bosco cùm omnibus aliis aisiamentis libertatibus eidem terrae pertinentibus sicut Charta praedicti Johannis testatur Sed praedictus Siwardus non dabit praedictam terram nec Hospitalariis nec Templariis nisi licentiâ praedicti Nicolai vel Haeredum suorum Pro hâc autèm Concessione praefatus Siwardus dedit praedicto Nicolao unam Marcam Argenti homagium suum annuatìm octo Sagittas barbatas ad Natale Domini Hiis Testibus Davide de Malo passu Willielmo filio ejus Randulpho de Estbury Nepote Comitis Cestriae multis aliis Where we find plainly That Randle of Estbury was Nephew to the Earl of Chester and this was Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill who was then Earl of Chester And it is not probable that this Randle de Estbury was Nephew to the Earl by any of his four Sisters and
Episcopi Anno Domini millesimo trecentesimo quinquagesimo nono Two Seals of Red Wax appendant The Certificate of Sir John Wynkfeld rendred into English the Original whereof is in French remaining among the Evidences of Leycester of Toft 1672. M. num 33. TO all those who shall see or hear these Letters John de Wynkfeld Knight sendeth greeting M. num 33. Whereas Plea and Debate is moved between John de Leycester on the one part and Hugh de Chaderton and Margaret his Wife who saith she is Daughter and Heir of Sir Rafe de Mobberley Knight deceased on the other part concerning the Manor of Mobberley with its Appurtenances and other Lands and Tenements in the County of Chester which belonged to the said Sir Rafe The Work of this Chart is to testifie and publish the Truth so as the Knights and Sergeants who are to try the Right thereof upon the Plea aforesaid and all others who are not to meddle therewith may be instructed to which of the Parties aforesaid the Right doth appertain and that they be not inveagled by concealment of the Truth to disinherit him that hath Right thereunto to the Peril of their Souls These give you to understand That the said Sir Rafe in the beginning of his Sickness whereof he died came unto me before Reynes and said unto me That before he went into Gascoigne he had enfeoffed certain Chaplains that is to say John Spendelow and others of the said Manour and of all the other Lands aforesaid on certain Conditions comprised in certain Indentures made between them and reckoned up the Conditions to me and said the Conditions were yet depending on his Will and Ordinance And there he said in my presence That his Heritage should not be divided nor dismembred by no means but ordained then and there before me That if he died in this Voyage the said Chaplains should enfeoff John de Leycester his Nephew of all his said Heritage to him and to his Heirs as entirely as the said Chaplains were enfeoffed thereof by him And prayed me in the Work of Charity that I would Record Witness and openly declare his said Ordinance and Will to all that it might concern and to all the Deeds which he had made when time required And that in the mean time this was to be kept private because of his Wife for he said he had a Daughter which he held not to be his Daughter who should never inherit any of his Heritage nor any other save onely the said John de Leycester And afterwards a little before he died I sent a certain Messenger whom I firmly trusted to the said Sir Rafe to move him on the behalf of his Daughter to see whether he was in the same mind as formerly towards the said John de Leycester and as he was at our last Conference abovesaid By which Messenger he certified me That he had fully granted and assigned to the said John de Leycester all his Heritage in manner as before me he had ordained and is above-mentioned and that neither his Daughter nor his Wife nor any other save the said John de Leycester should ever have any of his Heritage And prayed me for the Love of God that I would see his said Ordinance towards his said Nephew might be performed in manner aforesaid as it was made before me Which Will and Ordinance was spoken before me by the said Sir Rafe as is above-mentioned And as I desire to answer it before God I have witnessed and published the same before our thrice honourable Lord the Prince and before many other Grave and Wise Men as well Judges and Men of Holy Church as before other Knights that they hold the said Ordinance good and sufficient and this my said Testimony to be true Wherefore may it please you to give faith and credence to this my Testimony which before God on peril of a Curse I avow to be faithful And in case that there may not be any who may doubt of this my Testimony made in this my Letter because I am so much employed in the Affairs of my said Lord the Prince that I cannot come speedily into those Parts if he please to travel so far as to come where I am I shall be ready to make good my said Testimony by all reasonable ways which a Man of Worth shall desire me For to do this I am bound by my own Grant made to the said Sir Rafe at the time when he shewed me his said Will and Ordinance in manner abovesaid In Testimony whereof because I cannot be present at all times to certifie and publish the things abovesaid by word of mouth I have hereunto put my Seal Given at London the eleventh day of June 11 Junii 35 Edw. 3. 1361. in the Thirty fifth Year of the Reign of King Edward the Third after the Conquest So that by this Certificate it appears a Suit was then depending between John Leycester and Hugh Chaderton and Margaret his Wife concerning Sir Rafe Mobberley 's Lands which Margaret challenged as Daughter and Heir of Sir Rafe But this Suit ended by the determination of Nicolas Aston Fryar William Jorden Friar Thomas Garlond and Fryar John de Byninton Professors of the Holy Scriptures who were requested to hear the Cause And they say That if Sir Rafe Mobberley might lawfully give sell or alienate his Lands that in case he hath given the same to Sir John Spendelow Priest and others by his Deed in Fee-simple and afterwards being in Remote Parts beyond Sea did manifestly shew that his last Will was That the aforesaid Sir John Spendelow and others should settle and give the said Lands to John Leycester his Nephew and he the said Sir John Spendelow and others understanding the last Will of Sir Rafe Mobberley to be such have given the said Lands to John Leycester aforesaid We say according to our Conscience and the Law That the said John Leycester hath clear Right to the Lands aforesaid And this we firmly hold and declare by these Presents In Testimony whereof we have hereunto put our Seals Dated on the Eve of St. Bernard the Abbot 20 Aug. 35. Edw. 3. 1361. Anno Domini 1361. Lib. C. fol. 298. The Original being in Latin and now remaining among the Evidences of Leycester of Toft 1672. T. num 31. Afterwards about the Year of our Lord 1377. another Contest fell between John Domvill of Mobberley and Cicely his Wife on the one part and John Leycester aforesaid on the other part concerning these Lands of Sir Rafe Mobberley of Mobberley which John Domvill challenged in Right of Cicely his Wife as sole Heir and Sister of the Whole Blood to Sir Rafe her Brother Whereupon the same John Leycester John Domvill and Cicely were sworn at Knotsford before Sir John Massy Parson of Stopport Thomas Fitton of Gawesworth Thomas de Whyllok John de Hatton John de Damport and many others sur la Corps de Jhesu Christ sacred
c. to stand to the Ordinance of Sir Thomas Dutton Hugh Venables of Kinderton Sir John Massy Parson of Stopport Thomas de Whyllok Thomas Fitton of Gawesworth William de Stanley Robert le Grosvenour John de Olton John de Damport and David de Calveley to wit That the said John Domvil and Cicely his Wife and John Leycester shall put all their Right in the Manor of Mobberley to the Ordinance of the Persons aforesaid And another Point is That the said John Domvill Cicely his Wife and the said John Leycester shall shake hands and charge the Arbitrators aforesaid as they will answer it to award nothing on either Part but according to Right And also that neither Party do make Grievance one to the other till the said Arbitrators have made their Ordinance and also that the said John Domvill and Cicely make no delay by reason they have got the Possession of the Manor but may hold what the Award shall render according to all their Power And if any of the Persons aforenamed be contrary to Reason that the rest of them shall chuse other reasonable Men in their place And also that if these Persons abovesaid cannot agree of their Ordinance then to take others at their choice where they please The Original is in French but hath no date and remains among the Evidences of Leycester of Toft 1672. M. num 5. Lib. C. fol. 15. So that I conjecture Cicely was the onely Sister to Sir Rafe by the first Wife of William de Mobberley for otherwise the other Sisters of Sir Rafe would have challenged Mobberley Lands as well as Cicely which other Sisters were Daughters of William de Mobberley by Maud Downes of Chorley his later Wife and shared their Mothers Land in Chorley as Co-heirs whereunto I find not that the said Cicely ever made any Claim Lib. C. fol. 21. C. num 16 17 18 19. But how that could avoid the Settlement on John Leycester by the Chaplains enfeoffed by Sir Rafe Mobberley before-mentioned or what was the Award of the Arbitrators elected between John Leycester and John Domvill and Cicely his Wife at Knotsford I find not positively and directly Onely I find so it was That John Domvill and Cicely his Wife did levy a Fine at Chester die Martis proximè post Festum Sancti Petri in Cathedrâ Anno primo Ricardi secundi that is in January 1377. unto John Brunstath Parson of Mobberley John Brereton Chaplain Thomas Fitton of Gawesworth and Robert Grosvenour of 35 Messuages 627 Acres of Land 100 Acres of Wood 20 Acres of Pasture 120 Acres of Moor the Rent of two Pair of Gloves two Parts of a Water-mill tertiâ parte unius Molendini Fullonici with the Appurtenances in Mobberley and Tatton together with the Homages and Services of Rafe Leycester John Lawrenson of Mobberley Roger del Bower In January 1377. and William Dawson and their Heirs c. Lib. C. fol. 14. M. num 2. After this I find that the said John Leycester Son of Nicholas Leycester releaseth unto John Domvill of Mobberley and Cicely his Wife all his Right and Claim to all those Lands which the said John Domvill and Cicely do hold of the Inheritance of the said Cicely in Mobberley Tatton Plumley Somerford juxtà Swetenham Od-Rode and elsewhere in the County of Chester and also in the Advowson of the Church of Mobberley Witnesses John de la Poole Judge of Chester John Woodhouse Chamberlain of Chester Thomas de Dutton and Geffrey de Warburton Knights Hugh Venables de Kinderton John de Holford and William del Mere. Dated at Chester on Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist In April 1378. Anno primo Ricardi Secundi Also the said John Leycester Son of Nicolas Leycester releaseth all his Right to Thomas Fitton of Gawesworth Robert le Grosvenour John Brunstath Parson of the Church of Mobberley and John Brereton Chaplain in all those Lands which the said Thomas Robert John Brunstath and John Brereton had of the Grant of John Domvill of Mobberley and Cicely his Wife in Mobberley and Tatton by Fine levied thereon at Chester In April 1378. c. Dated also at Chester in April 1 Rich. 2. 1378. Lib. A. fol. 130. kk These two last preceding Deeds are enrolled among the Pleas at Chester in the Prothonotary's Office in the Castle of Chester coràm Johanne de la Poole Justiciario Cestriae die Martis proximè post Festum Sanctae Margaretae Virginis 5 Rich. 2. And two days after these Releases made by John Leycester the same Feoffees to wit Thomas Fitton of Gawesworth Robert le Grosvenour John Brunstath and John Brereton do grant to Rafe Son of Nicolas Leycester and to the Heirs Males of his Body an Annual Rent of Fifteen Pounds for the term of the Lives of John Domvill and Cicely his Wife issuing out of all the Lands in Mobberley and Tatton which the said Feoffees had of the Grant of the said John Domvill and Cicely his Wife by the Fine levied at Chester Dated at Chester on Thursday next after the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist In April 1378. 1 Rich. 2. Lib. C. fol. 14. M. num 3. Afterwards three of the same Feoffees to wit Thomas Fitton John Brunstath and John Brereton grant to John Domvill and Cicely his Wife 15 Messuages two parts of one Messuage 316 Acres half an Acre half a quarter of an Acre 10 Perches and half of one Perch of Land 16 Acres of Wood one quarter and five Perches 8 Acres of Moss the third part of a Watermill and the third part of all the Wastes of the same Town not measured at the making of this Deed together with the Rent and Services of Rafe Leycester and William Dawson with the Appurtenances in Mobberley To hold for the Lives of the said John Domvill and Cicely his Wife and after the death of John Domvill and Cicely then to remain to Rafe Leycester and the Heirs Males of his Body And if Rafe die without Heir Male then to remain to the right Heirs of the aforesaid Cicely for ever Witnesses John Massy of Tatton William de Legh Knights William de Mere Hamon de Ashley Robert de Toft and others Dated at Mobberley on Tuesday in the Feast of St. Petronill the Virgin 31 Maii 1379. 2 Rich. 2. Lib. C. fol. 18. Three fair Seals very perfect This Deed was enrolled before Thomas Felton Judge of Chester on Tuesday next after the Feast of the Epiphany 3 Rich. 2. The Original in Latin remains among the Evidences of Leycester of Toft 1672. M. num 34. And these are the Lands in Mobberley belonging to Leycester of Toft at this day 1672. who are descended from Rafe Leycester abovesaid about a third part of Sir Rafe Mobberley's Moiety of Mobberley So that upon the whole matter John Leycester of Tabley selleth or giveth away all his Right to those Lands in Mobberley upon some Composition but what Composition either from Domvill or from
8. John Bentley of the Hole in Mere. 9. George Bentley of Mere-Heys 10. William Grantham of Mere a small Parcel 11. Edward Allen of Rosthorne one small Tenement in Mere. 12 John Barker of Little-Legh one small Tenement in Mere. Middleton-Grange THis is but one Farm so called lying in Aston juxtà Sutton Vide suprà in Aston juxtà Sutton Millington IN the Time of William the Conqueror William Son of Nigell Baron of Halton held Millington in Bucklow-Hundred So we read in Doomsday-book John Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton in the Reign of Henry the Second gave to Wrono of Stretton half of Millington to wit that which he had in his Demain Rendring yearly a little Irish Nag called A Hobby at Midsommer Whereunto Hugh Dutton and Adam his Son with several others were Witnesses Lib. C. fol. 154. c. out of Vernon's Notes Whereby it should seem he had then but half of Millington in his Fee if these Words Quam habuit in Dominico suo be understood of his Fee Unless Dominico here be understood of his Demain or in his own Hands not given away from him as the other Moiety was which very probably is so meant here For Hugh de Millington being seised of Lands here before the Grant made by John Constable to Wrono de Strettonâ gives unto Wrono Punterling called also Wrono de Stretton duas Bovatas Terrae in Millington Faciendo Servitium Forense quantum pertinet aliis duabus Bovatis undè octo Bovatae faciunt octavam partem Militis in eâdem Villâ Hiis Testibus Hugone de Duttonâ Adâ Filio suo Ranulfo Filio Gilberti Gilberto Filio suo Tobaldo Avunculo Comitis Hereberto de Punterling Liulfo de Twamlow Ranulfo de Davenham omni Hundredo Haltonae Which John Constable also confirmed Lib. C. fol. 273. num 1 2. The Originals Penès Millington of Millington 1666. So the Office of John Millington of Millington 37 Elizabethae finds he held one half of Millington of the Honour of Halton by the eighth part of a Knights Fee and the other half of Millington he held of the Honour of Halton in Soccage by the yearly Rent of two Shillings Possibly the yearly Rent in tract of time might be continued in lieu of the Irish Hobby aforesaid But to return Certain it is That Aytrop de Millington whom I take to be the Son of Hugh married Christian Daughter and Heir of Wrono de Stretton aforesaid about the Reign of Henry the Second Lib. B. pag. 200. num 6. and so he came to be possessed of all Millington This Town gave Sir-name to the Family of the Millingtons Seated here near to the Time of the Conqueror A very ancient Family of Gentlemen and continuing at this day William Millington of Millington Gentleman being now Owner thereof 1664. He died in June 1666. Aytrop de Millington Son of the first Aytrop as I take it gave unto Robert Blund of Bexton pro finali Concordiâ intèr nos factâ de fine Duelli unam dimidiam Bovatam Terrae in Villâ de Mulinton Rendring three Pence at Martlemas yearly Philip Orreby being then Judge of Chester c. sub initio Hen. 3. Lib. C. fol. 274. num 6. The Original in possession of Millington of Millington Charterers in Millington 1666. 1. The Lord Delamere of Dunham-Massy Two Tenements bought from Millington 2. Venables of Agden one Tenement in possession of Hugh Gandy but part of Gandy's Tenement lieth in Agden That Parcel lying in Millington was given by Aytrop de Millington to the Priory of Norton about King John's Time Lib. B. pag. 200. num 6. Afterwards scilicèt 1329. Robert de Millington bought it of Agnes Daughter of William de la Booths and sold it to William de Aketon or Agden from whom it descended to Venables of Agden 3. Geffrey Cartwright Gentleman hath lately bought the Shaw-house in Millington from Millington of Millington Mobberley MObberley-Church was Dedicated to St. Wilfrid a Holy Archbishop of York who died Anno Domini 708.4 Idus Octobris Bede de Hist Angliae lib. 5. cap. 20. ad finem And Mobberley-Wakes were formerly Celebrated on the twelfth day of October though at this day those Dedication-Feasts are not so strictly observed Mr. Mallory of Mobberley is now Patron hereof and this Rectory is conceived to be fully worth 120 l. per Annum This Parish onely comprehendeth the Township of Mobberley which is 1 l. 18 s. 00 d. in the Mize-book I find in Monasticon the second Volume pag. 320. That one Patrick de Mobberley Founded here a small Priory of Regular Canons of the Order of St. Augustine in Honour of God the Virgin Mary and St. Wilfrid to abide and dwell for ever in the Church of Mobberley whereunto he gave all that half of the Church of Mobberley with its Appurtenances which belonged to his Grant so as the Parsons of the other half of the Church of Mobberley which was not of his Grant might challenge no Right in the said Tenements And he Constituted one Walter a Canon the first Prior thereof This was in the beginning of King John's Reign about Anno Domini 1206. By the half of the Church of Mobberley seems to be included here the half of the Mannor of Mobberley for in the end of the Grant is Liberty given to keep Courts there as freely as ever the said Patrick kept the same But not long after Patrick was Convented before Randle Blundevill Earl of Chester as appears by this Inrolment following a Copy whereof I received from old John Booth of Twamlow PAtricius de Mobberley Conventus à Johanne Filio Augustini de Brethmete Fratris sui Primogeniti in pleno Comitatu Cestriae coràm Domino Comite Ranulpho Philippo de Orreby tùnc Justiciario Cestriae Cognovit se nihil Juris Haereditarii habuisse in illâ medietate de Mobberley quam tenebat nisi tantùm in vitâ suâ ex permissione Fratris sui Augustini Primogeniti sicùt pleniùs continetur in Cheirographo intèr memorato Augustinum Patricium Fratres habito Et cùm saepè dictus Augustinus tùnc viam Universitatis ingressus fuit memoratus Johannes ejus Filius Haeres seizinam praefatae Terrae recuperavit Homagium suum fecit indè Domino Ricardo de Aldford qui ei fecit Chartam suam Confirmationis quam tamèn Terram praefatus Patricius tenebat in vitâ suâ de ipso Johanne ex permissione ipsius Johannis Nepotis sui Et sicut praemonstratum est à Domino Ranulpho dicto Johanni per Chartam suam confirmata est irrotulatur in testimonium veritatis There was a Doomsday-book in our Exchequer at Chester formerly wherein many Deeds and Records were Enrolled but this Book of Record is now lost I suppose this Priory continued not long the said Patrick having no further Estate in the half of Mobberley than onely for his Life The Advowson of the whole Church was Invested in the Heirs of