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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http: //books .google .com/I 4 .^/^. THE CHUKCH OF BURTOK k t. i . t » . V I'll vr . . THE HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THB PARISH OF KIBKBURTON AND OF THE ate 0f olnu\ IKCLUDINO HOLMFIRTH, IN THB COUNTY OF YORK. Wi'iih numerous SKustnttions. BT HENRY JAMES MOREHOUSE HUDDERSFIELD : FRINTBD FOR THE AUTHOR BY H. ROEBUCK, KINO-STREET. MDOCOLXI. TO THE BIGHT HONOUBABLE ^taxQt Jfrebmrh Suxaml, €kxI bje (Srtg kviti ^ip0m My Lord, In the desire to Dedicate to your Lordship the result of my humble Topographical labours, I was influenced by the relation in which your Lordship stood towards the West-Riding of Yorkshire, as one of its Bepresentatives in Parliament, at the time when this work was announced for pubUcation. Although that relation exists no longer, the desire which prompted my wish remains unabated ; and I gladly embrace the opportimity afforded me of expressing my sincere admiration of the zeal which your Lordship still manifests in promoting the welfare of all classes of the community, by upholding in their efficiency our time-honoured institutions. — both civil and rehgious : whilst consistently supporting every measure tending to adapt them to the altered circumstances and requirements of the age. With sentiments of sincere and grateftd respect, I avail myself of the permission so courteously granted to DEDICATE this work to your Lordship ; and have the honour to remain Tour Lordship's Most obliged and humble Servant, HENRY JAS. MOREHOUSE. PREFACE. In giving to the public the result of his labours^ the Author feels it due both to them and himself, briefly to state some of the circumstances which led him to engage in this work. On settling down, more than thirty years ago, to the active duties of a laborious profession, in his native vaUey, surrounded by an industrious and enterprising people actively engaged in manufactures, and amidst scenery highly diversified and pleasing, the desire to know something of the district and its inhabitants in the " olden time," would seem a natural and perhaps a gratefiil curiosity. On referring to the topographical works connected with this part of Yorkshire, he found them almost silent in relation to his own parish. Dr. Whitaker, whose learned and comprehensive labours in the field of topo- graphy are deserving of gratefiil remembrance, gives in his large and expensive work, '^Loidis et Elmete,^' only a very brief account of the Church of Burton, the materials for which seem to have been hastily gathered, and after describing the descent of the lordship of Burton, he incidentally mentions Storthes Hall, the residence of the Horsfalls, and then he says, " Scarce another family seems to have arisen in the parish, which begins almost immediately to approach the hills, and where the climate becomes more ungenial, and the soil less productive." He therefore passes over the remainder of the parish, recording only the names of the townships, and their population; except that in relation to Holmfirth Chapel [Church], he furnishes some data respecting its early foundation. Watson's and other histories of Halifax contain allusions to the district ; but with the exception of it being part of the same baronial fee, they fiunish little directly to the Author's purpose. Mr. Hunter, in his ^* SouthYorkshirej^ records incidentally some interesting facts. From that very excellent and valuable work, and fi:om his ^^Eallamshire,^' the VI. PREFACE. Author has derived considerable assistance in the prosecution of his labours, either in guiding his enquiries or in furnishing more material aid. While the concluding sheets of this work were passing through the press, the Author received the painful intelligence of Mr. Hunter's death, at -the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He had been many years an Assistant Commissioner of Public Records, — ^a situation for which he was eminently fitted by his extensive knowledge aod accurate attainments. It is due to Mr, Hunter's memory that the Author also acknowledge here his personal obligations, for the readiness and uniform courtesy with which he replied to his numerous enquiries in relation to Yorkshire topography : a subject with which he was peculiarly conversant, and in the advancement of which he manifested a lively interest. In the summer of 1852, shortly after the Holmfirth catastrophe, Mr. Hunter was led to visit this neighbourhood. On that occasion he did the Author the honour of spending the day with him, when they went, in company with a mutual friend, over the course of the devastating flood, which seemed deeply and painfully to impress him. His unabated attachment to his native county — the scenes of his early topographical labours — was remarkably manifested on the occasion of a visit a few years ago, by the circiunstance of choosing for himself a resting-place in the church-yard of Ecclesfield, a pleasant village in HoMamskire. There he was interred. May 15th, 1861. The Author has already intimated the comparative absence of published records connected with the district, and he believes no attempt had hitherto been made towards compiling its historical materials. With a view to satisfy his own curiosity, he adopted the plan of jotting down from time to time, when opportunity offered, traditions and facts communicated by aged intelligent persons, which seemed deserving of notice; and likewise took notes of all deeds and other evidences connected with "olden time," which came in his way; also copies of ancient charters, whether belonging to his own or the surrounding districts : thus his materials accumulated insensibly, when at length an unexpected circum- stance occurred, which placed in his possession a number of family documents and evidences, some of which praved of considerable local historic value. »J_^-» PBEFAOJE. VU* Altliough it mmt be admitted that by this f}m, maay documeats, o£ no real importance have been Qoted, stilly on tbe whole, he belieyes much interesting matter has been preserved which otherwise might have perished. What was, therefore, first begun to satisfy his own curiosity, at length so far rewarded his researches, and enlisted his sympathies, that at the desire of some of his friends, for whose judgment he felt great deference, he was led, in 1844, to issue a prospectus, with the intention of laying before the public the result of his. labours. The public did not then evince much interest in the undertaking, and it was therefore postponed, if not abandoned. It was not till the autumn of 1858 that some of his fiiends again urged upon him the importance of supplying such a desideratvm, and kindly undertook to interest themselves to obtain subscribers among their acquaintance. The question of the intrinsic value of the materials here laid before the public, the Author leaves to the decision of his readers, feeling more solicitous himself respecting a judicious selection and appreciation of them for topographical purposes. While thus engaged, he has experienced much inconvenience and serious disadvantage in being so remote from a good topographical library, to which he could, consequently, only have an occasional access, and for very brief periods. This circumstance must necessarily have rendered his work deficient in literary research and taste, although he believes it has had the effect of stimulating his enquiries, and leading him to rely more upon the result of his own collections of local evidences, which perhaps may be accepted by those of his readers in the district, as compensating to some extent for the deficiency in artistic merit. Humble as his efforts have been, the Author is free to confess that as his enquiries and researches advanced, the subject itself rose in interest and importance ; he trusts that something of this feeling may be excited in his readers ; and if the work should in any degree contribute to increase the taste for such enquiries in districts where Uttle has hitherto been done, the Author will feel satisfied. Another remark the Author takes leave to make respecting himself in relation to his topographical labours. He first began to arrange his materials and to give them an historical character, during a period of protracted ill health, when VIU. PREFACE. the subject was taken up with a view to " beguile the tedious hours ;" had it been otherwise, the time which must necessarily have been bestowed upon their arrangement could not have been given ; and he would have rested content with the pleasure derived from collecting them. Since the first issue of his prospectus in 1844, several of his friends to whom he had been under obhgation, have passed from among us, and are now beyond the reach of gratefiil acknowledgments. To the Clergy and Dissenting Ministers of the district, the Author has been much indebted ; and from many other friends — especially Henry Lumb, Esq., the venerable Deputy-Steward of the Manor of Wakefield — the Author has received valuable aid : to each and all he begs to return his cordial thanks. Stonet Bank, May 2Sth, 186U LIST OF PLATES AND ENGRAVINGS. The Church of Burton Frontispiece Map ot the District 1 Brifish Weapon 3 British and Roman Earthworks 4 Flint Arrowhead . • 6 Flint Weapon 7 Roman Coins 7 and 8 Roman Spearhead • 9 Quern 10 lich Gate 58 West Door of Burton Church 60 Sflyer Ring, or Hoop for the Finger • 63 Arms of the Lords of Shelley • 92 Shepley Hall 99 Remains of an old Manor House in Shepley 105 Shepley Church • 108 StorthesHall 114 Arms of iheHorsfalls • 117 Christ Church, Newmill • •• 153 Hdmfirth Church 155 Town Hall, Holmfirth 170 Tradesman's Token 171 TottiesHall 176 Old Genu's Dial 178 Moorcroft 179 Lydgate Chapel and Parsonage 180 Friends' Meeting House •• .. 193 St David's Church, Hohne Bridge 216 St John's Church, Upper-Thong • 218 Lane Independent Chapel • 219 Wesleyan Methodist Chapel 222 Ahnshouses •• .. • 240 .-if" '■■*••. i A '^h / \U......\i ^"^ S s i .'rim I- \.-., )•:.-•; M '"1' or •/../ '•' f 'i 11 .. t .'.1 - i; \ » » • • * \. <3 THE HISTORY OF KIRKBURTON ▲HD THE GRAVESHIP OF HOLME. PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL REMARKS. The district which is here brought under the notice of the reader, adjoins upon, and forms a portion of, the extensive mountain range called the English Apennines, the hififhest part of which is 1860 feet above the level of the sea. It is intersected by numerous ravines and deep narrow valleys. Two considerable rivers take their rise upon the moorlands within the Graveship of Holme, — ^the Deame and the Don, which traverse the southern parts of Yorkshire. The rivulet which descends through the Burton valley, takes its rise in the townships of Shelley, Shepley, and Cumberworth ; and unites with the Oolne below Huddersfield. The river Holme or Holne, also takes its rise upon the high groimd to the west, and is formed by the confluence of several small brooks and rivulets at Hinchliff Mill, whence it flows in a rapid stream in a northerly direction ; receiving in its course through the Hohne valley a number of rivulets until its jimction with the Colne, near Huddersfield. The whole of the district is composed of hiU and dale, and abounds in fertile spots and romantic scenery ; and is the highest part of the southern boundary of the Upper Division of the Wapentake of Agbrigg. Notwithstanding the apparent irregularity of its surface, an attentive observer will perceive a great uniformity in the general contour of the hiUs, as well as of the more open plains, which stretch out and dip towards the east, or nearly so, while the diflerent strata of imderlying rocks are seen occasionally breaking out on the more abrupt western side. Yet the natural form of the hills which are covered with verdure is generally smooth and regular. On the high mooilands near " Cook's Study,*' are numerous (ijemral Pbioiriral ^jemarhs. quarries of slate and fiag^ which, since the enclosure of these commons, not only supply the surrounding neighbourhood, but also a very large demand from the Lancashire and Cheshire manufacturing districts, whither the stone is conveyed from the Dunford Bridge Station, along the Sheffield and Manchester Railway, which traverses this high district. In the eastern part of the parish, coal is being worked of a superior quality, being part of the Emley Moor beds ; these are, however, quickly thrown out : while in the more western part there are only two thin seams of coal varying from one to two feet in thickness, both of which are thrown out on approaching the principal stream of the Holme valley ; and though of inferior quality, this coal is much in demand for manufacturing purposes. These are the lowest known beds, except the mountain mme^ which is worthless. In the shale, above the coal, occur several thin beds of won-stone, which are found to yield a large per centage of metal, of a superior quality, affording sufficient encouragement to induce the formation of a highly respectable company, who have obtained a lease of the coal and minerals under the common lands of the Graveship, from the Lord of the Manor, and a considerable plant, for the smelting of the ore, was put down in (1858) on Crow- edge, in the township of Hepworth. The district has the advantage of direct railway communication, by means of the Huddersfield and Penistone Une, belonging to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company, which passes through north and south, from which a line of about two miles in length branches off at the Brockholes Station to Holmfirth, where it terminates. Gbnebal Historical Behakes. The whole of Yorkshire constituted part of the territory of the Brigantines, and was occupied by that fearless and warlike people, who had, however, to succimib to the superior skill and prowess of the Romans. It can scarcely be questioned that when the Britons were driven from the more fertile parts of the country, they took reftige in these mountainous districts, which were then so covered with timber and underwood intersected with bogs and swamps, as to render them, for a time at least, secure in these fastnesses. Of the existence of this people here, few vestiges now remain, or at least have come under my observation. In 1830, a " British Celt (or stone battle-axe) was found near Pike-Law above Mealhill : it measured rather more than seven inches ^tncral historical Ptmarhs. in length, and about three inches in breadth at the broadest part. Its veight was two pounds ten ounces. In shape it nearly resembled the common axe of the present day, — the cutting edge wedge-shaped, and about three inches broad on the face ; the other end being rounded, and about five inches and a half in circum- ference." This relic shortly afterwards fell into the hands of the late Mr. Thomas Pitt, of Huddersfield. In 1845, another of these weapons was found near High-Flats, in the township of Denby, in a piece of common land, the property of Mr. Herbert Dickenson, of that place, by one of his workmen, while engaged in making a drain, and at about two feet &om the surface. It is wedge-shaped, is six inches and three-quarters in length, and about three inches and a quarter on the cutting edge, gradually tapering to the other end to about two inches, being about one inch and three- quarters at the thickest part ; the cutting edge is formed by a rapid slope on each side, of nearly two inches and a half, forming a uniform convex edge, like that of a common axe, and as fine as the quality of the stone would admit. It has a dusky white appearance, with a polished surface — of a close texture, having much the look of iron-stone where the pohsh has been slightly rubbed off. Its weight is two pounds nine oxmces. (See engraving.) No Roman roads traversed this district, or approached within several miles, — that which passed over Slack, in Longwood, being probably the nearest ; and to which place Watson, and Whitaker of Manchester, have assigned the Cambodunum of the Romans, as described in the second Iter of Antoninus, from Mancunium (Manchester) to Bboracum (York). This is, however, by no means a settled question, and when all the evidences are duly considered, perhaps the siiggestion of Horsley may appear the most probable, that in Greetland, in the parish of Halifax, was in reality the site of this long disputed Roman station.* * Sm tn lnt«TMtlng paper on thii Mibject io the ArebaMlogj, vol. ziii. p. 16, b^ the Bot. /. Hunter, F.6.A. A 2 ^mnral Pistoncttl ^cmarhs. The only existence of earthworks, probably appertaining to this remote period, occur on the Loto Moor, adjoining the Denby encloBure ; the most material part, however, being within that township, on a gentle eminence, at a considerable elevation, called Castle-Hill, about a quarter of a mile fiiom the boundary of the Graveship, on the right-hand side of the road leading to High-Flats. But whether of British, Roman, or early Saxon origin, it seems now difiBcult to determine, as one half of the trenches have been levelled for the purpose of f^riculture. The subjoined sketch will best convey to the reader its precise appearance. At the low comer of the entrenchment, near where a stone quarry has been opened, is a fine spring of water. It may be remarked here that the two large British weapons which have already been described, were found at no great distance from this place — the one found near High-Flats being within half-a-mile to the east, and the other scarcely ex- ceeding a mile to the west of these earthworks. This would seena to give some countenance to the supposition that this encampment on Castle-Hill had a British origin. No remains have, however, been found on the spot to furnish satisfactory data for determining the question. 6meral ^ist0rixal §ltmarks. On the road from Piper Well, towards the Broadstone which runs nearly in a straight line from north to south, and forms the boundary of the Graveship, separating it from the townships of Cumberworth and Denby, is a plot of common land which has recently been brought into cultivation. It was purchased at the enclosure, by the late Mr. Isaac P. Newton, of Stagwood-Hill, but is now the property of Mr. Arthur B. Newton, his son, and of Mr. Charles Lockwood and Mr. John Robertson, in right of their respective wives. This piece of ground was anciently called " Burnt Cumberworth.'* Under what circumstances it came to be so designated it is now impossible satisfactorily to say. Along these several plots of land previously to their being cultivated, were a considerable number of ridges, running in tolerably straight parallel hnes of irregular lengths of six to ten or twelve yards ; these were crossed at right angles, at irregular distances of from seven or eight yards to fifteen or twenty, the lines not always very straight or continuous. Into many of these comparatively square compartments there was an entrance left in the trench of from one to two yards in width. In some of them the trenches were complete, forming a square, while other portions had no corresponding trench at the opposite end. These ridges were very uniform in height, seldom exceeding half-a-yard ; they disappeared suddenly on approaching the declivities, but reappeared at some distance on higher ground. The stones which had been gathered off these plots were generally very small, and some of them of a red colour, indicating the effects of fire, but none, so far as could be learnt from the person who farms the property, shewed any appearance of having been employed for building purposes. On that piece of land adjoining the Broadstone rivulet, now the property of Mr. A. B. Newton, the farmer, when engaged in breaking it up, discovered a floor composed of moderate sized grit stones, not squared but fitted irregularly together, covering a space of about four yards square. Several of these stones lay near the place when I examined it, one side of each being rough and uneven, while the other was smooth and regular as if caused by the attrition of the feet ; no other indication appeared of its having been a habitation. About three hundred yards distant from this place on the declivity towards the rivulet, a considerable quantity of iron scoriae had been found, which the farmer had endeavoured to bury, by covering with soil ; many pieces of the scorisB I readily foimd, which contain a considerable proportion of metal.* No coins have been found at Castle-Hill, or Burnt Cumberworth ; but a British * The Romans are stated to have used foot blasts to smelt their ore ; which was, therefore, very imperfectly done. general historical ^etnarhs. arrow head of flint was found in 1835, by Mr. Joseph Firth, of Carr-Hill, about three hundred yards to the west of Burnt Cxunberworth, when the commons were being broken up. We subjoin an engraving of its actual size. Although it has been chipped into shape, the edges are remarkably fine, but the point has been broken off. These diBcoveries probably may give some force to the conjecture that Burnt Cumber- worth was a British settlement, nevertheless the earthworks are not very charac- teristic of that people ; therefore, amidst our conjectures, it still remains uncertain to what people these works are to be assigned. It may here be men- tioned that about 6fteen years since a smfill flint weapon, weighing ex- actly six ounces and a half, was found on Mel- tham Moor, within about three hundred yards of the boundary lines which divide these commons fixim those of the Grraveship of Holme, and Netherthong township. It was dis- covered by James Redfeam, while eng&ged in breaking up a piece of land, and is now in the author's possession. It is five inches and a half in length, with a polished surface. Its cutting edge is about two inches, which is wrought very fine ; it gradually tapers to about an inch at the other end. (See the engraving.) If we have no positive appearance of earthworks belonging to the Romans in the district, we possess incontestable evidences of their presence, by the occasional discovery of their money ; some of these coins we will proceed to notice. There is little doubt that single coins may occasionally have been picked up, which, having fallen into the hands of persons ignorant of their historic value, and regardless of their preservation, have been lost, and no account of them preserved. In 1830, an Aureus of Carinus was found in Holmfirth by James Barroclough, in hia garden, in South- Lane. It shortly afterwards passed into the hands of the late John Harpin, Esq., J.P., of Birk's Hoiise.* Obverse, a laureated bust, with ■ Now In the poMM^on of bU wo, Joho Haipln, Esq., J.P, to whom I aid oiidw obligRtioa far the Iomi of it, for tUi tagm'mg. (&mtxid Ptstorixal §UmmrhB. legend, m. aue. caeinus nob. cabs ; reverse, Victory standing on a globe, with a palm-brancli in the left hand, and a wreath in the right ; legend, viotoeia Aua. This coin is in very fine preservation. A Theca of Roman money was foimd at Wistance in Thurstonland, on the 22nd May, 1838, by a labourer on the farm then occupied by Mrs. Crowther, the pro- perty of C. H. BiU, Esq. The person was employed in digging around the sides of a field near to the house, when he struck his spade into the treasure, to his no small astonishment and joy. It was estimated that there would be fix>m six to eight hundred small copper pieces, most of which were quickly dispersed through the neighbourhood. They were all encrusted by a green oxide, by which many of them were closely cemented together, and on its removal, many were found so much corroded as to render it impossible to assign them to their respective reigns. Nearly all of them are of the third or small brass, while several are distinguished by somewhat rare reverses. The following constitute the series in my possession, viz : — 1. (Silver.) Obverse, bust; legend, julia mamaba atjg.; reverse, a female figure standing, supported by a staff in the left hand; legend, juno consebvatob. This is behoved to have been the only silver coin found in this collection. 2. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown ; legend, gallienus aug.; reverse, figure representing the upper part of a man, holding a strung bow, and the body of a horse ; legend, obUterated. 3. (Brass.) Obverse, bust; legend, c. salonina aug.; reverse, a stag; legend,, partly lost. 4. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, posthumits; reverse,, nearly obliterated. 6. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, imp. victoeinus p. f. aug.; reverse, a Victory; legend, partly obliterated. 6. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, tetbicus p. f. AUG.; reverse, a female figure holding a staff in the right hand. 7. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, Pivi su tbtbicus aug.; reverse, a figure holding in the right hand an olive branch; legend, partly ob* lif^i><Lf^ In f.liA lAAf. min CNo. 6V the head disnlavs a larcre beard. No. 7 haft ^tnnrat historical ^tmtaka. no beard. This is usually regarded aa the distinction between the elder and the younger Tetricus. 8. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, imp. Claudius AUG.; reverse, a female figure, to the right of which is XII ; legend, partly obliterated. Another of Claudius, on the reverse an eagle rising on its wings; legend, CONSECEATIO. 9. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, imp. cl. tacitds auo.; on the reverse, a Victory ; legend, maes tictoe. Another of Tacitus : obverse, the head and legend as before ; reverse, a female figure holding a spear in the lefi> hand, and in the right an ohve branch; legend, pas abtbbna. 10. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, imp. c. fbobus p. F. AUG.; reverse, the goddess of plenty; legend, abundantia. This is in fine preservation, and nearly the size of a shilling. (Brass.) Another of Probus : obverse, head with radiated crown ; legend, imp. 0. H. AUZ. PE0BU8 AUG.; revcrse, a Roman Temple, within is seated the Emperor ; legend, eegea aeteena. This is in good preservation, except that two small pieces have been broken off at the edge. It is larger in size than the last one, and seems to have been struck as a medal on his being raised to the Imperial Throne. The reverse, however, is probably xmique, as it does not appear in Ackerman, on the Roman Coinage. 11. (Brass.) Obverse, head with radiated crown; legend, imp. c. caeausius . p. p. AUG.; reverse, a female holding in the left hand a spear, and a wreath in the right ; legend, laetitia aug. Of the coins found at Wistance, those of Carausius were the most numerous and the largest in size, except those of Probus. These constitute the whole series that have come under my observation. • About twenty years since a Roman coin was found near Meal-Hill, in the town- ship of Hepworth, of a white metal (not silver); but owing to a small piece having been broken off, it is not very clear to what Emperor it is to be assigned. An experienced Numismatist assigns it to Garacalla. A bronze spear-head, measuring about six inches in length, was found on Cart- ^nural historical ^ntarhs. 9 worth Moor, by one of the servanta of the late Mr, Joseph Barber, of Hinchliffe Mill, while engaged in digging peat, about fifty years since, of which we here subjoin an engraving. The socket is much wasted, and the side loops are worn through. This interesting reUc was presented to me by Mr. Barber, and is now in my possoBsion. In the adjoining township of Meltham, are the remains of a Roman encampment, on the moor below West Nab, a short distance to the left of the road which leads thence to the village, and in the property of Mr. Uriah Tinker, of Bent House, forming nearly a square of about four chMns. When I visited the place about twenty years since, in company with the owner and other friends, the whole v/aa very distinct and perfect. This piece of ground has since been brought into cultivation, yet the trenches are still visible. This encampment would appear only to have been made to supply some temporary emergency. We have no evidence to prove what progress had been made here by the Romans in the cultivation of the soil. It is to the Saxons we are indebted for all those political and social arrangements and institutions, arising from their conversion to Christianity, which through a series of changes and modifications have descended to our time : to them also we owe the origin of our villages and townships, and the division of our parishes. Their money, however, is seldom to be found ; un- like the Romans in this particular. Neither are there any earthworks nearer than Castle-Sill, in the adjoining parish of Ahnonbury, to testify to their skill or mark them as a warlike people. That high and commanding situation so difficult of approach, must have impressed them with its great importance in regard to the surrounding country, and which they consequently fortified with deep trenches and strong breastworks, converting it into a triple fortification, rendering it at that period an almost impregnable fortress. Connected with this period it may here be mentioned that Querns, or hand-mill stones, have been occasionally found in the district. These rude machines for the grinding of com, are of great antiquity, having been introduced into this country by the Romans. Their form is pretty generally known, as their thickness no doubt has greatly contributed towards their preservation. Their grinding surface was about twelve or thirteen inches in diameter. This early invention was suc- ceeded by another of a more efficient but of a more fragile construction, and (gcmral PiBtorical ^marks. therefore much more rarely met with perfect. One of these, an upper stone, of which a sketch is here given, was found about twenty years ago, in a very perfect state, on breaking up a piece of common land on Wooldale Cliff, and is now in the author's possession. It consists of a flat circular grit atone, about three inches in thickness, and of about twenty inches in diameter, somewhat concave on the under surface ; in the centre of the stone is a circular hole, of about two inches and a half in diameter, which is surrounded on the upper surface at a dis- tance of about three inches, by a circular ridge. At the outer rim of the stone, is a small hole through which a cord had been attached, and by which it was turned about. These rude machines had idtimately to give way, when lords of manors, after the Norman Conquest, erected water-mills to grind the com of their tenants. We have already stated that the district adjoins upon, and forms a part of, that high range of hilla which divides the northern counties, and which by attracting the clouds, renders the adjacent country subject to frequent and heavy falls of rain. The draining and cultivation of large tracts of moorland, and the improved management of the ancient enclosures within the last quarter of a century, have materially contributed to the health, as well as the general prosperity, of the district. Like many other parts of Yorkshire, we find these districts have occasionally been visited with pestilential disease. At two distinct but remote periods, the parish of Kirkburton has been visited with the Plague. Its first appearance was in 1558, and was confined for the most part to Burton, Highburton, and adjacent townships, extending to Woodsome Mill, in the adjoining parish of Almonbury ; a few cases also occurred in Holm- firth. It ought to be stated that Kirkburton and its immediate vicinity, was then the most populous part of the parish. The Plague began early in Jime, 1558, and continued till the following October, during which time 120 persons fell a sacrifice to its mahgnity. The first entry of the burials in the parish register took place on the 11th June ; from which date one or more occurred daily up to the 23rd, after which no dates are given. Opposite the above-mentioned entries is written " Plague tyme." The foUowiDg i* the remainder of the entry of bnriala : — " Elizabt^lh uxor Thotnae Lockwode, & two (Sjemral Histnrical ^marhs. 11 chyldren ; Margarett Chapel], Ejebell Avrell, Elizabeth Morehouse, young women ; Uxor Hopton & puer, Elizabeth uxor Carolus Stone, ii chyldren, Jennett Morehouse & ii chyldren, Margarett Hayworth, Jane uxor Thomas Shay, & iv chyldren. Item, Two chyldren of John Tomson, and Alys hys wyfe. Item, Raufe Greve, and Jennett hys wyfe, & two chyldren, Henry Genne, Thomas Chapell, & Alyson hys wife, Jennett Estwode, & John Robuke, Wylliam Oxlay, & hys wyfe, Robert Byrkynshay, & i chyld, Richard Shay, and three chyldren ; Margarett Shay widow, Charles Shay, Robert Hynchlyfie & one chyld, Elizabeth Shay, Margarett Hey uxor Willm Hey, & two chyldren. Uxor Blnnes vidua ; iii chyU dren of George Kyrkbye, Margarett Hey vidua & one.chylde, Uxor Archer, & two chyldren ; Elizabeth Kay, Uxor Rockley & iii chyldren, Robert Belay and Jennett hys wyfe, & iii chyldren ; Agnes Wode uxor George Wode. One chylde of Henry Hey, Elizabeth uxor James Slake, Richard Bennes & hys wyfe, John son of Edward Wode ; Uxor Bever ; Wylliam Broke and v chyldren ; Three chyldren of Wylliam Denton ; Uxor Boyth vidua ; Henry Boyth and hys wyfe & iii chyldren : John Jesope, and hys wyfe & iii chyldren'; Uxor Tomson vidua Holmfyrth and her doughter ; Uxor Wyllm Smyth & two chyldren, John Wode, Jane Dodworth, and other two. Ah Dodworth wyfe : Elys Lokewode, and John Tyas : Robert Fourth ; John Armytage and hys wyfe ; and two chyldren of John Hey ; and Elizabeth uxor John Clegh, & two chyldren." During these four sad months there is neither baptism nor marriage recorded 1 Dr. Whitaker gives the following extract from the register of the parish church of ALnonbury. " The plague began at Woodsome Mill, in the house of Thomas Scammonden, whereby in some four days, the said Thomas, with Robert, Ralph, Elizabeth, and Dorothy, his sons and daughters, died, and were buried as follows : — Robert buried 26th [July], at ten o'clock at night, by WilUam and Beatrix; his brother and sister ; Ralph buried 27th, at nine at night, by the said WilHam and Beatrix ; Thomas and Elizabeth his daughter buried together the 30th, at nine at night, by his wife and the said William and Beatrix ; Dorothy buried 10th August, at seven at night, by her mother and her brother WilHam/' These simple but touching recitals tell but too painfully their own sad story 1 But to arrive at a tolerably clear view of the extent of this calamitous visitation, it seems requisite that we should ascertain, by approximation, the amount of pop- ulation in the parish at that time. It is difficult to fix any precise data upon which to calculate the probable amoimt of population of parishes at that period. It has been stated by some writers, that by taking the average of births or baptisms for several consecutive years, and for every such baptism to multiply by 30, will lead to a pretty correct estimate. The number of baptisms within the parish of Kirkburton, for the five years preceding the plague, averaged about 70 per annum, which, multiphed by 30, gives us a population for the whole parish of 2,100 persons. Out of this niunber we find B 2 12 (gjemral HidxrncEl §l^marb« no less than about 120 persons carried off by the plague in the short space of four months, being nearly six per cent, of the whole population 1 In 1665, the plague again appeared in the parish, within the township of Hep- worth, where the population was thinly scattered. Here, according to tradition, it had been occasioned through a quantity of the wearing apparel of a relative who had died of the plague, having been sent from London to Foster Place, a farm-house not far from the village. No contemporary records have been found of this visitation, neither is the number of its victims known. Since that time these parishes have not suffered from any similar visitation. The following is a table of baptisms, marriages, and burials, at the parish church of Burton, from 1651 to 1685, being on the average of several years, except in par- ticular instances where the mortality hafi been unusually large or otherwise in any one year. 1551 to 1554 inclusiye, the average 1556 1558, died of the Plagae 121, and 37 of ordinary sickness •• 1561 1571 to 1573 inclusive, the average 1583 to 1586 inclusive, the average 1591 to 1595 inclusive, the average 1601 to 1605 inclusive, the average 1642 1643 1644, 1647, 1648, and 1649, the average of these years • . 1651 to 1656 inclusive, the average • 1663 to 1666 inclusive, the average 1681 to 1 685 inclusive, the average 71 60 29 49 66 71 69 71 77 41 40 44 86 86 13 9 1 14 16 19 20 16 22 9 9 13 21 24 Barilla. 34 81 158 28 33 48 38 41 51 93 64 33 61 68 The year 1556 appears to have been one of unusual mortality, but from what cause does not appear. The great mortality in 1558 arose from the plague. The burials in the year 1561 were unusually small. In 1643, the number of burials were considerably larger than the average of years, and nearly double that of the pre- ceding year, exhibiting the eflTects of the sanguinary contests of the civil war. In the diary of Mr. Arthur Jessop, a medical practitioner near Holmfirth, in the first half of the last century, who was about forty years actively engaged in practice,* we find recorded the periodical visitation of the small-pox, which * Perhaps a better opportunity maj not present itself thsn here offers, to give a few brief putlenlsrs of Mr. Jessop, to produced a fearful mortality, more particularly among the juvenile population. When we contemplate these ravages, and call to mind the discovery of vaccination by Dr. Jenner, which has so happily arrested the progress of this loathsome scourge to humanity, we feel that the name of Jenner deserves to stand among the foremost benefactors of his species. The atmospheric changes here are often greater and the air colder and more piercing than in the less elevated districts ; it is, therefore, probable that the class of diseases connected with the respiratory organs, as incident to children, may prevail more at certain seasons, yet the general salubrity of the atmosphere, and whose diary I haye been under many obligationa for the notice of matters and incidents of oontemporaneoos history. He was a native of the district, and died in 1761, at the age of 69 years. The diaiy commences with the year 1780, and ter- minates on the 80th March, 1761, within three days of his death. It is written for the most part in short hand, and comprises a great variety of sabjects, but more particularly those connected with his own professional and other engage- ments, and are, therefore, of too personal and domestic a character, to be largely quoted ; but it may not be altogether uninteresting to give my readers some idea of the labours and trials to which a medical practitioner was exposed in this district a century ago. Situated among a comparatively thin and scattered population— eurrounded on eveiy side with narrow and dreadfully bad roads, which seemed to meander through the valleys, as if they had no particular destination, winding their coiuae up the steep hill sides along precipitous banks and rocks, and over the open plains of wild moorlands, which they inter- sected, unprotected by walls or fences— he had to pursue his weary way on horseback or on foot, in the discharge of hla duties, even through pelting storms and winter snows. These professional districts were then wide, but the roads were generally well known; yet the journeys were often perilous. The most frequent causes of danger arose from thick fogs, or sudden darkness rendering invisible the usual landmarks : several of these perilous journeys Mr. Jessop narrates— two of which we will here briefly record. " 1748, January 22nd, a cold frosty morning with snow. 1 was called to Joseph HorsfiJl's, of Garlcoats, to visit his sen; after leaving there I called at Mr. Empson's ; I came away from thence at a quarter-past three, but a heavy fog came on and I was unable to find my way. I wandered about I knew not where, for two hours and three-quarters, when I at last got to the Boyd, to John Swindon's, at six of the clock ; at my request he took a horse to guide me towards Maythom, but could not find his way, and sidd he would go no further, for we should both be lost ; and we turned back, and I stayed all night I was troubled for them at home, for I feared they would think I was lost, and make a great stir. I got up in the morning as soon as I could, and went home, but my brother, and a company with him, were gone to seek me. Th^ went a long way to seek me, as they did not return till near two at clock.** But before this time he had experienced a much worse fate, having fitllen into a deep stone quarry, at Wooldale CUIE He was then 68 years old. He afterwards measured the depth of the quarry, and found it "six yards and a hal^" "1744, December 16th, being Saturday; returning home on foot through the village of Wooldale, I mist my way through the West-field, it having suddenly come on very dark ; I fell into a stonepit on my back and leg, and was so hurt that I could not stir, but was forced to lie there. I suppose it was about 6 of the clock in the evening when I fell in, and it was extremely dark. I lay in the stonepit all night, and till the afternoon service was done at Holmfirth (church)» having laid nearly 28 hours, when Blias Radcliffe found me, and it was thought that about 200 persons came about me, , and they carried me home, as I was very much hurt, and almost frozen to death." It is pleasing to find him at this time recording the kind sympathy of his surrounding friends, as indicated by a variety of substantial tokens; his professional brethren also manifested much thoughtful attention and kindness; among others^ a Mr. Hardcastle, of Wakefield, a surgeon of some celebrity; although they seem to have had little previous acquaintance^ yet having heard of Mr. Jessop's " misfortune," in the words of the diaxy, thus testified his sympathy : " hearing a good character of me, was very sorry for my misfortune, and could well find in his heart to come and see me." Mr. Jessop observes that this " Mr. Hardcastle was the grandson of the Mr. Hardcastle who took lifevison prisoner." 14 (^tmtid Pbtonral ^IjemErks. its bradng and healthful character, will bear a comparison with most other parts of the West-Riding. This is borne out by the statistical tables published by the Registrar General in his annual reports, as given in connexion with the Poor Law TJnions.* The district comprised within our topographical survey is divided into three stbb-districtSi for registration purposes, viz. — ^Earkburton, NewmiU, and Holrafirth, The following table shows the number of deaths in each, taking the average of five years, and the per centage upon the population, according to the census of 1851. 8UB.DISTBICTS. ▲nain Btatnto Aom. Population in 1851. The ftTengv of Deathi over 5 yean, ftom 1861 to 1865 indnsive. Rate of Deaths peroent Kirkburton Newmill ••••••••#tt« 7,160 9,760 6,460 12,027 6,160 11,313 270 130 350 2-24 2-11 2-21 Holmfirth 23,380 29,500 650 2-20 It is necessary to state in connexion with the Holmfirth district, that the per centage here given is somewhat increased, in consequence of the calamitous loss of life in the Holme VaUey, in 1852, by the bursting of the Bilberry Reservoir, when upwards of eighty persons perished. The following instances of extreme longevity are recorded in the Register of the parish church of Burton. *' 1655. Elizabeth Clayton, widow, buried 20th February, aged 112 years and upwards." " 1670. Widow Lee, of Broome Bank Steele, buried 2nd March, aged 105 years." " 1672. Robert Fitton, buried 9th February, aged 94 years." ** 1708. Ellen Booth, of Scholes, widow, buried July, supposed to be 100 years old." " 1749. Robert Ellis, of Bamside, Hepworth, buried 25th December, aged 106 years." ** 1800. John Sykes, Snowgatehead, in Fulstone, aged 101 years." "1812. James Hinchli£fe, of Milshaw, in Hepworth, clothier, buried May, aged 102 years." * The rate of mortality within the following Unions on the average of fiye years, from 1851 to 1855 indiuiye : — Hadderafield Union 2*28 per cent. HaUfex 2-82 do. Bradford 2-70 do. Dewabiuy 2*58 do. Wakefield 2-58 do. Pontefract 2*29 do. Doncaster Union 2*27 per cent. Hemsworih 1*65 do. Bamaley 2*88 do. Wortley 2-27 do. Ecdesall Blerlow 2*78 do. Sheffield 814 do. It will be seen that the mortality in the Sheffield Union is considerably laxger than in any of the other here mentioned, ariaing from the nature of ita manufacture, in which a large proportion of the population is engaged, while that of Hud- dersfield holds a position scarcely inferior to any here mentioned, if we except the Hemsworth Union, which comprises only a small agricultural population. The Registers of the parish church of ALnonbury supply us also with the following, in connexion with this district. " 1596. Elizabeth, the wife of John Greene, of Holme, buried 8th April, aged 100 years." In 1695 occurs the following remarkable record : " Nicholas Grime, of Brockholes, buried 9th March, aged 96 years." " Dina Eaj, of Castle- Hill, widow, buried 10th March, aged 105 years.'* " Maria Earnshaw, of Honley, widow, buried 11th March, aged 90 years." *' Alice, widow of Daniel Dyson, of Crosland, buried 10th March, aged 63 years." The vicar adds " these four burials took place at the parish church, within the space of forty-eight hours, and their united ages amounted to 354 years ! " In the year 1813, the clergy were required to record in Parochial Registers, the ages of aU persons interred by them : previous to that time it was at the discre- tion of the oflGiciating minister, who might be more or less curious to note extra- ordinary instances of longevity. The following list of the names of persons who had attained the age of 95 years and upwards in this district, since 1813, has been copied from the Parochial Registers of E^irkburton and Holmfirth, and from the Registers under the Regis- tration Act. '* 1822. Mary Hoyle, widow, Shepley, aged 95 years." " 1827. Grace Lee, of RHey, aged 99 years." " 1833. Joseph Smith, of Grange, Thurstonland, aged 96 years." " 1850, Michael Wortley, of Shepley, aged 97 years." — Mary Hellawell, of Cumherworth, aged 99 years." (I it 1857. George Chappell, of Paddock, Kirkburton, aged 100 years." In addition to these, it may be stated that there are forty-one persons recorded to have attained the ages of from 90 to 94 years. The district ftimishes few apparent objects to gratify antiquarian taste, or to stimulate enquiry or research. It can boast of no monastic foundations even of the lesser kind, and its ecclesiastical edifices possess no indications beyond the ordinary class of village churches, and they are more than usually barren of monumental inscriptions, or remains of the remote past ; so that evidences of the families of the resident owners of the soil, of the Plantagenet, and the Tudor periods, must be sought for elsewhere. We find no inscriptions prior to the 17th century. The Town of Burton, from the circumstance of its being the site chosen for the Pcurish Churchy was undoubtedly the most important place in the parish, and being at the eastern extremity, clearly indicates that the western part, at that time, possessed a very small population. Its importance is still further shown by 16 (&mtvnl pistorical IRtmarhs. its being constituted a Market Touon. After the introduction of the woollen man- ufacture, the western part of the parish began to increase, and Hohn firth took its rise, and became a new centre of population, and has now attained no inconsider- able importance.* In tracing the several sub-enfeudations within the limits of our enquiries, and in setting forth the families and pedigrees in connexion therewith, we have been led to deviate from the usual custom of topographical enquirers, by recording a number of other families ; to which some of our readers may possibly take excep- tion: but topography may be regarded as having, like the sciences, greatly extended and widened its range ; and it surely would be giving a very inadequate view of an active manufacturing and commercial district, were we merely to ftunish a record of a few comparatively wealthy families who have resided there, whose easy circumstances have precluded the necessity for active exertions, and the result of whose general habits of life could inspire no earnest desire for scien- tific or commercial enterprise and progress. The yeomen, the class whom we now propose to notice, take their rise from a very remote period, and were seated upon small estates of their own, which they man- aged with industry, and lived upon the produce in frugality — ^having sufficient spur to exertion without the depressing anxiety of impending want. Men inured to such physical exertions were always ready to take up arms at the call of their chief lord, when dangers threatened or foes menaced; and their indomitable courage was equal to every trial : but the time at length arrived, when the barons no longer possessed the power to call these lion-hearted men to their sides to " redress an insult, or avenge a wrong." They were, therefore, left to pursue uninterruptedly their rural occupations, "converting their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.'* Thus left free, they applied themselves to trade and commerce, * It may not be onintereBting to shew the relative importance of some of the towns and yilU within the Wapentake of Agbri^y aa given in an ancient " Taxe " of the whole Wapentake, made probably aboat the reign of Edward III, It wM probably an estreat roll, the amonnt for the whole Wapentake being £40 4b. lOd. (West's MS8.) £ s. d. Barton 12 SheUey 14 6 Shepley 14 Ciimberworth 10 ThniBtonland 12 £ s. d. Holmfyrth 18 floneley 11 Meltham 12 Fameley Tyas 16 Almonbary 16 Hoderesfeld 18 4 It will be seen that the seven townships in " Holm^jrrth," or Or<tveihip qf Holme, were not then assessed in amount equal to the townships of Shepley and Cnmberworth. and by the progress of the woollen manufacture here, were enabled greatly to improve their domestic and social condition.* The designation of Yeoman, is of great antiquity, but as its true origin has not been generally understood, we may here be permitted to give a brief explanation. There exists some difference of opinion as to its derivation. It is by some sup- posed to be derived from the Saxon ^evficene, a common man, or one of the commonalty. Spehnan regards it as the first degree of the Commons, freeholders who have lands of their own and live on good husbandry. Sir Thomas Smith defines a yeoman to be " a free-bom Englishman, who may lay out of his own free land in yearly revenue, the sum of forty shillings." It seems to us, however, that the title yeoman has a somewhat different origin — ^that it has reference rather to a military than a civil rank, and that it is derived from yew-man, so called from the preference given to that species of wood for hoios used in battle — ^that is, the class of men who used the yew how. By an Act of Parliament, 13 Edward I., all persons were obliged to be fttmished with bow and arrows; " but," says Grose, in his Military Antiquities, vol. i., p. 142, " yew at length became so scarce, to prevent a too great consumption of it, bowyers were directed to make four bows of witch-hazel, ash, or elm, to one of yew : and no person tmder seventeen, unless possessed of moveables worth forty marks, or the son of parents having an estate of ten pounds per annum, might shoot in a yew bow." * Chancer'B lively picture, in his Canterboiy Tales, of an English Yeoman, sufficiently indicates the estimation in which this class was then held ; and when it is remembered that Chaucer himself became " Teoman to King Edward III." it is a convincing proof of his regard for so honourable a distinction, as the representative of an important and most effective branch of the military strength of the kingdom. A yeoman is there introduced as one of the attendants upon a " worthy knight." " A yeoman had he, and servants no mo At that time, for him pleased to ride so ; And he was clad in coat and hood of green, A sheafe of peacock arrows bright and keen Under his belt he bare full thriftily ; Well could he dress his tackel yeomanly : His arrows drooped not with feathers low, And in his hand he bare a mighty bow. A round head had he, with a brown visage ; Of wood craft knew he well all the usage ; Upon his arm he bare a gay bracer, And by his side a sword and buckler. And on that other side a gay dagger, Harnessed well, and sharp as point of spear; A cristofrc on his breast of silver shene ; And horn he bare, the baudrick was of g^en. A forester was he soothly I guess." C 18 6meral |pistoricaI ^tmarhs. The object in planting yew trees in churchyards in remote times, has drawn forth from antiquarians a variety of conjectures ; perhaps the most generally received opinion is, that they were intended for the supply of the yew-bow, for the bowmen of each parish. Without attempting to enter into the several views which have been advanced on this subject, which would, for the most part, be foreign to our present purpose, we may observe that it seems extremely improbable that the supply derived from such a source would be at all adequate to the require- ments of the times. In the range of our topographical observations, which, however, only extend over a small district, the yew is by no means of common or promiscuous growth, yet in the immediate vicinity of many of our more ancient messuages or home- steads, formerly belonging to the class called yeomen, one or more of these ancient trees are often to be seen — ^these, in some instances, being the only indications now left as to the class of persons who had once been seated there, all other out- ward vestiges having long since disappeared. These time-worn remains had no doubt been cultivated by their ancient possessors with great care and veneration. Thus " the old yeomanry" supplied themselves from these trees with those excel- lent bows which rendered them the best and most dreaded archers in Europe. They regarded the yew-bow with as much satisfaction as the hero of modem times surveys his Minie rifle. The very protracted contest of " the War of the Roses," and the deep and implacable hostility of its leaders, afforded but too ample an opportunity for a display of the prowess of the English Yeomanry. That Henry VII. was duly impressed with their valour and prowess at the battle of Bosworth Field, w© may readily infer, from his establishing in the following year the '" Teomen of the Ouards.^* Of the style of house inhabited by this class of persons, we have no remains of a very remote period ; the earliest we possess do not go beyond the latter years of the reign of EUzabeth, and even these specimens are few, and have undergone many alterations to suit the convenience of succeeding generations, more especially as to their internal arrangements. Houses belonging to this class had before that time been constructed with wood and plaster, or but partially built with stone. In Elizabeth's reign, houses began to be built in a more commodious style, and of a more substantial character, as stone then, to a considerable extent, took the place of wood. The windows, which before that period had been small narrow lights, were then made considerably larger, with mulUons, and among the better kind, with transoms in one or more windows. These houses had usually one or two gables to the front, the entrance being often by a porch, and the chimneys frequently forming large projections.* The interior of the house usually consisted on one side of a spacious room or " house," and a parlour beyond it, and on the other of a large kitchen and offices. These were divided from each other by partitions of strong oak. The parlour was usually the sleeping room of the worthy yeoman. The chambers or other sleeping apartments were low, dark, and dreary, and open to the roof. Notwith- standing the gratifying change from wood to stone, we find it was regarded by some conservative minds with unfavourable forebodings. Thus HoUinshed, in 1570, alluding to the preceding times, when the ordinary houses were unprovided with chimneys to conduct away the smoke, says, " now we have many chinmeys, and yet our tenderhngs complain of reumes catarres and poses ; then had we none but reredoses and yet our heads did never ake ; for as smoke in those days was supposed to be a sufficient hardning for the timber of the house, so it was re- puted a far better medicine to keep the good man and his family from the quack." He also says, " of old time, our country houses instead of glass, did use lattis, and that made of wicker or of old riftes of oak in checkwise." The furniture in those days was entirely of oak, and consisted, for the most part, of a large dining table, with seats or benches to match ; chairs, an aumbry, t several large and small chests, of which one or more usually presented fronts neatly carved and ornamented — sometimes having initials of the names and the dates upon them. A neat chest was often brought by the thrifty wife on her mar- riage, containing a part of her wardrobe ; the linen also, which she brought, being oft«n of her own spinning. The bedsteads were of massive oak, and frequently carved, and sometimes ornamented with figures. The walls of the house or kit- chen were usually decorated with such weapons of warfare as were then, or had been, iu use, and for which their owner evinced much regard. A pleasing instance of one of this class ot persons, we have met with, who resided in the adjoining parish of Penistone. Thomas West, of Underbank, in Hunshelf, made a disposition of his estate and effects among his family. The whole displays so much of the habits and manners of our ancestors in their domestic character, that we shall here briefly record it as illustrative of those times. He made his will 1543, in which he directs his body to be " buryed within the * Dr. Whitaker, in his History of Whiilley, pp. 499—506, has an interesting " Dissertation on the Origin and Progresa of Domestic Architecture," Ac t Raj, in his collection of obsolete English words, states aumbry to signify " a cupboard to set rictaals in/' and in proof of it, he gives an old proverb — " No sooner np, but the head in the aumbry, and nose in the cup." c 2 20 (gmeral Pistxrrkal §ljemarh». pishe cliurcli of Penyston." He was living, however, in 7 Elizabeth (1564), when he executed a deed of feofl&nent to WnUam Walker, of Hunshelf, yeoman, and Thomas Walker, of West Bretton, tanner, of his " capital, messuages, and lands at Hunshelf and Snodden-Hill, for and until such tyme as they shall have receyved out of the rents and profetts thereof the fiill sum of fourescore and sexe pounds, for ye only use, profett, and comoditye of Ahce West and Dorothye West, my doghters, towards ye prferment and attaynment of their marriage." He had, however, executed a deed, bearing date the first year of Elizabeth (1558), in which " I fi'eely grant to John West, my sone and heire apparent, and to his heires males for ever, all those parcells of goods following and remaynyng att my chief capitall messuage at Hunshelf, within the parish of Penyston, That is to say, one counter, one almbyrye or cupboard, one gamer or one grett arke, being in the lathe or bame ther, and all my bedstocks being at Hunshelf aforesaid, one brasen morter with a pestell, and one sylver spone with a marlion in the end thereof; my best jaoke and one bowe with a quyver of arrowes and one stele cappe, for this intent and purpose, yt ther they shall for ever remayne as heire-lomes/' And "all other my deade goods whatsoever they be remanyng and being at Hunshelf aforeseid. And also I gyve to the seid John West, and to his assignes for ever, my best horse, my sadell and brydill, my best gyrdill and purse, my best dagger and swerd. And all my tymbre lying and being within my croft at Hunshelf afforseid, and all other my tymbre lying and being ther in pyles, and all my sawen bords, &c." To his son Thomas West, he gives all his "cattle at Hunshelf," (ex- cept .what is here above mentioned,) " and also all his goods and cattle moveable, unmoveable, as well quyck as dedd, of what kind or make or facion soever they be, being pasturyng or remaynyng at Littlebretton aforseid."* Civil Wae. — In the Civil War in the reign of Charles I., the people of these districts, as well as the nation at large, were deeply interested and actively engaged. Though involving principles of the highest importance, both civil and religious, yet they were regarded with very opposite views, and maintained by each party, with a pertinacity almost incredible. While soine arrayed themselves under the banners of the RoyaUsts, others, and those a more numerous class in the West- Riding of Yorkshire, joined with equal earnestness and zeal the standard of the Parliamentarians. * These partlcalars are gathered from a small quarto MS. volume, in the anther's possession, written in the reign of Elizabeth, by one of the West fiunily. It contains other eyidence of the fiunily, and is written in a neat bold hand ; it contains also a transcript of a considerable number of old deeds, and other evidences connected with some of the principal families of the sarronnding districts, more particularly within the Wapentake of Staincross. In future, references to this document we shall designate it the " West MS." ^tneral ^istorital §ljemarhs. 21 It wotdd seem next to an impossibiKty that in an active display of " physical force," prudence and moderation should at all times prevail. Struggles like these could not take place without producing great social disorganization. This we find exemplified, in the history of that period, in this district. More than two centuries have passed since the scenes were enacted which we are about to record, and of which tradition has preserved only a vague and indistinct accoimt. Some con- temporary evidences, however, have been preserved, enabling us to fiimish the following facts, which will not be read without interest by many of oiff readers acquainted with the district. The following extract is from a petition which was drawn up about the year 1650, by the inhabitants of the chapelry of Holmfirth, who were anxious for some ecclesiastical changes, and therein they record some of their recent suflFerings in the cause of the parliament. « '* That the Inhabitants of Holmfirth, have always and still doth stand for the Parliament's service, by reason whereof they had above thirtie houses burnte downe by the Armye against the Parliament, under the late Earl of Newcastle, five Regiments of the enemye's foot, three of Horse and two of Dragoones, came into the said Chappellrie, killed and tooke prisoners, and plundered, and tooke away all their goods, 8oe that many lyed in prison and tlie rest was forste from their own habitacons to the great impoverish- ment and hurt of the poor Inhabitants. " That the said Inhabitants of Holmfirth, did make and set forth a hundred musqueteers for the Par- liament service, by order from the late Lord General Fairfax, and that there are several of the Sonnes and Servants of the Inhabitants, still in actuall service for the Commonwealth." It may seem somewhat difficult to fix the precise time when a detachment of the Earl of Newcastle's army visited Holmfirth. From a careful examination into the evidences we have been able to consult, it is with some degree of confidence we can state, that it took place in the spring of 1643. The following are briefly the facts. The Earl of Newcastle came to the assist- ance of the Royalists in Yorkshire, about the 30th November, 1642, where he held the principal command, till he was joined by Prince Rupert, at York, immediately before the decisive battle of Marston Moor, 1644, which was fatal to the Royal cause. Soon after the Earl arrived in Yorkshire, he settled garrisons at Leeds and Wakefield ; the latter of which he made the head quarters, surroimding these by many smaller posts ; one of which was at Bamsley. Sir Francis Wortley, who had been a " fast finend " of the Earl of Strafford, had also fortified his own house at Wortley, and about the same time he likewise made the church of Penistone a garrison, *^ from whence he roved up and down the coimtry, robbing and taxing many honest people."* * Life and Diary of Oliver Heywood, by the Rev. J. Hunter, P.S.A. 8ro. pp. 156. 22 d^tmtnl Pistmcal |Bljemarhs. « About the close of the month of April, 1643, the Earl marched from Wakefield with a part of his army towards Rotherham, and thence to Sheffield, (leaving the greater part of it at Wakefield ;) and having reduced those places, he was intend- ing to proceed into Derbyshire, but received information that Sir Thomas Pairfistt had defeated his forces at Wakefield — ^having fallen suddenly on them on the 21 st May, capturing nearly all the troops he had left there, with his General of the Horse, Lord Goring, and his whole magazine : he immediately changed his course, and fell back upon York. About six weeks after, the battle of Adwalton Moor took place, when the Par- liamentarians suflered a defeat by the Earl of Newcastle, who pursued them to the borders of Lancashire. He also possessed himself of Halifax. " When I had received this sad intelligence," says Lieutenant Colonel Roseworm, " I informed myself of the nature of the passes by which the enemy could most easily come upon us, and finding them capable of a sudden fortification, by the consent of the Deputy Lieutenants, I quickly helped nature with art, and strengthening Black- stone Edge and Blackgate, and manning them with soldiers, to prevent the Earl's dangerous approa<5li. by whicli means, being diverted like an angry storm with a gust, he went to the siege of Hull, whither Lord Fairfax and his son Sir Thomas had already taken refuge."* The Earl appeared with his whole army before Hull on the 2nd September, and continued the siege till the 11th October, when he drew off his army and marched to York. He was afterwards engaged in more distant parts of the country. It was while the Earl of Newcastle was lying with his large army at Wakefield, in the spring of 1643, that a detachment was sent into those mountainous districts of Yorkshire, immediately to the west of Wakefield, (viz. — the parishes of Almon- bury, Kirk-Burton, and Penistone,) whence at that period they could most readily be approached ; and where the bias in favour of the parliament was very strong. Of this we have corroborative testimony in a letter fi'om Sir Thomas Fairfax to his father, the Lord General Fairfax, which points to this event, written firom Bradford, April 20th, 1643, in which he says — " This town is very weak, by reason many are gone to defend Ambry [ Almonbury] and those parts ; but I hear Captain Batlifie is revolted to the enemy, and most of his company if not all, the other company, being not strong enough, retired to Elam [qu. Elland]: there Captain Mor- gan, who hath raised some dragoons, joins with them for the defence of those parts this day ; some of Peniston men came also to demand aid, thei'e being seventeen * " An Historical Relation of Eight Tears* Service for King and Parliament, done in and about Manchester and thoee parts, bj Lieutenant Colonel Roseworm." (gjetwral historical ^tmarhs. 23 colours in Bamsley, five miles off them. I advised them to seek help from Rotherham and Sheffield,* and whilst they stood upon their guards, to get their goods to places of most safeguard, for it will be impossible, without more horse, to defend the country from spoil." " The enemy lies strong at Wakfield."t It is evident that the inhabitants of this district were, for the most part, favour- able to the parliament, and many of them were deeply tinctured with republican sentiments, as we find from the petition already referred to, wherein they complain that " the armes of the late tyrant t King were continued up in both the churches of Kirkburton and Almonburie, contrarie to the Act of Parliament in that case made for the abolishinge of Kingship." The vicar of the parish, the Rev. Gamaliel Whitaker, on the contrary, was warmly attached to the cause of the King. This appears to have manifested itself very early, for we find that in 1642 — 3, he was displaced ; and that the Rev. Daniel Clarke " was on the 14th March appoynted to officiate as vicar in the parish church of Kirk-Burton, in his stead, and to receive the profitts of the said vicaridge for his paynes, till ftirther orders bee taken by both Houses of Parliament." || Judging, therefore, from the political and religious bias of the parishioners, it is not improbable the displacement of Mr. Whitaker had arisen in a great measure through their agency. In the autumn of the year 1643, the cause of the parliament began to brighten, and continued steadily to advance till these sanguinary conflicts were brought to a close, by the entire subversion of the Royalists, and the death of the King. Whether the attack made by the army under the Earl of Newcastle, upon the inhabitants of Holmfirth, had been at the instigation of Mr. Whitaker can now only be matter of conjecture ; but what shortly afterwards befel him, seems to imply that the inhabitants regarded it as such; for, not long after, a party of soldiers from Woodhead (Parhamentarians) went in the night to Burton to carry * Thia was within a few days of the Earl of Newcastle setting out to redace these places. t " MemorialB of the Civil War, comprising the Correspondence of the Fairfiuc Family, and edited by Bobert Bell." 2 ▼ols. 1849 pp. X We quote from the draft copy of the Memorial, from which it appears that the word tyrant, has a dash through it in paler ink, and, therefore, we may presume this expression did not accord with the views of all the parties who signed the memorial, or petition ; and doubtless was expunged from it li Parish Begister. At a somewhat later period. Lord General Fairfax was authorized by parliament to supply those pulpits in the north which became vacant. In the Ordinance of the 27th February, 1644, the preamble states — "The House being credibly informed that many ministers in the county of York were not only of a scandalous life, but having left their churches and cures, had withdrawn themselves wilfully from the same, and joined such forces as had been raised agunst parliament, and assisted them with men, money, horses, and arms ; therefore it is ordained that Lord Fairfax be authorized to fill up their places with such learned and godly divines as he shall think fit, with advice of the assembly." — Parliameniary Chron. p. 4—1 28. 24 ^tmxnl pistorixal ^Ijemarhs* off Mr. Whitaker to Manchester, " where he died in a month of grief and ill usage."* Whether any resistance had been offered on the part of the vicar or his Mends, there exists no evidence to shew, but tradition states that Mrs. Whitaker was shot in the staircase of the parsonage. The parish register has the following record — " Hester Whitaker, wife of Gramaliel Whitaker, vicar of Earkburton, whoe was slaine the 12th day at night January instant, and was buried the 15th day, 1643 — 4." There is a tradition also which reports, that when the soldiers were on their way to Burton, they called upon a Mr. Firth, of Shepley Hall, to go along with them, to direct them to the vicarage. This he was unwilling to do, but was compelled to join them, and accordingly he had to mount on horseback behind one of the troopers. On their way, he, however, seized a favourable opportunity and slipped off the horse, and took refuge in an adjoining wood, and thus freed himself from their unwelcome company. At this distance of time we must not expect to arrive at a precise knowledge of all the circumstances which influenced parties in these painful transactions. There are several concurring circumstances which go far to prove that Mr. Whitaker's political views were very unpopular among a large proportion of his parishioners ; and, that we may better understand his position in relation to the cause which he had espoused, it will be necessary to state something of his family and social connexions. He was the son of the Rev. William Whitaker, rector of ThomhiD, and had married Hester Marshall, sister to the wife of Thomas Wentworth, of Kirby, Esq., whose son, William Wentworth, was a captain under Sir George Wentworth, both of whom were active men in the Royal cause. Matthew Wentworth, of Cawthome Park, Esq.,t had also married Dorothy Whitaker, a daughter of the rector of ThornhiU. He was thus closely connected with one of the leading and most powerful Yorkshire families of that time, a member of which had taken a dis- tinguished part, as the adviser of his Sovereign, and in the administration of the laws. Thomas Wentworth, afterwards Earl of Strafford, the head of the House of Wentworth, and the most gifted of its members, set out in public hfe as a patriot, but suddenly changed his course to that of a courtier, and in consequence of his arbitrary conduct and treasonable practices, was executed the 12th May, 1641. The death of this high-spirited nobleman was undoubtedly felt by his kindred as a heavy and a painful sacrifice to popular resentment. * Dr. Johnstone's MSS. t His elder brother, Thomas Wentworth, of Bretton, Esq., afterwards Sir Thomas, held a commission as Lieatenani Colonel under Sir Francis Mackworth, and was a severe saficrer for his adherence to the King. The adoption of measures, therefore, to check and subdue the growing spirit of liberty which had now begun to menace kingly power, and its ancient prerogative, not only engaged their sympathies, but received their active support. In this, the vicar of Kirkburton was not behind, and it is evident that many of the clergy were not silent spectators of the contest. We find, moreover, the Rev. Charles Greenwood, rector of the neighbouring parish of ThomhiU, (the immediate successor of Mr. Whitaker's father in that rectory,) who had been tutor and companion to the Earl of Strafford, and " a clergyman long honoured with the firiendship and confidence of that great man," * was equally decided in his views, but an older man, and therefore less able to take an active part in the struggle, t Thus intimately connected, by near relatives and friends, with the cause of the Royalists, it is more than probable that Mr. Whitaker's views and feelings had been strongly excited, and had, therefore, led him to adopt a prompt and decided course at the onset, in the great struggle which was about to ensue. This appears in some degree countenanced by the fact of his early displacement fi'om the vicarage, when Mr. Clarke "was appointed in his stead." That his conduct had rendered him particularly obnoxious to the dominant party, may be inferred fi^om the fact, that a detachment of soldiers had been sent to take him prisoner to Manchester, which proceeding would suggest that he was suspected to be impli- cated in some open or secret design against the parliamentary cause, and this may serve to account for the severity of the treatment he received. His attachment to the Royal cause, doubtless, in the first instance, occasioned the sequestration of his living ; but the imprisonment which he afterwards suffered, evidently points to some graver political offence, instances of which were not of unfi-equent occurrence amongst his clerical brethren at this period. — "When Lambert was besieging Colonel Morris, in Pontefi'act Castle, the Rev. George Beaumont, vicar of South Kirkby, was detected holding an unlicensed correspondence with the Colonel. He was seized, imprisoned, and finally sentenced to death, and execution was immediately done upon him." J Scotch Rebellion. — Scarcely had another century rolled over, when the people of these districts heard the alarming news of rebellion. The dire effects of the civil war still lived in the memories of its inhabitants, for, notwithstanding the * In 1025, Sir Thomas Wentworth, (aflerwardB Earl of Strafford,) emplojed Mr. Greenwood, the rector of ThomhiU, in hia intexwt for the election of Knight of the Shire. Dr. Whitaker, who edited " The Life and Correapondence of Sir Qeoige BadcUffe," and who will not in thia instance be suspected of censuring unduly, obserres, " the rector of Thomhill ought to haye been better employed than in electioneering intriguea." p.p. 176. t He died in 1644. t Mr. Hunter'a South Yorkshire. VoL ii., p.p. 449. D 26 ^tmtul pbtorkal ^l^marhs* generation which had witnessed its horrors among them had passed away, yet not a few of their children still survived, to whom the sad tale had often been told, and on whose minds it still remained vividly impressed. In 1745 the Scotch Rebellion broke out, when the Pretender, Charles Edward, the grandson of James II., having landed in Scotland on the 10th of August, was joined by a large body of highlanders, and they proceeded into England to claim, and to seize the British crown, which had been transferred to the BrunB- wick line. A feeble attempt had been made in 1715, to restore the Stuarts, in the person of the "Pretender" James, the father of Charles Edward, which utterly failed. The progress of the rebels towards London was, however, slow, which aflforded opportuniiy to those who possessed valuable personal property, to remove it to places of secrecy, and also to make some preparation against the advance of the enemy. The people of these districts were for the most part attached to the reigning family ; there were, however, some — a small section — ^who were desirous of the restoration of the Stuart dynasty ; am^ong these were a few of the clergy, yet none of them took any active part, contenting themselves with giving expres- sion to their wishes more or less openly. The Rev. William Eden, the presbyterian minister at Lydgate, entered with great spirit into the cause of the reigning monarch. His appeals to the people from the pulpit, in which he seems to have been assisted by the Rev. Benjamin Shaw, of Bullhouse Chapel, were calculated to arouse the people " to patriotism and to duty :" — " to stand fast to the liberty which had been so dearly won for them," warning them "not to become entangled in the yoke of bondage, or the devices of popery, which led to both civil and religious slavery." When the news was received here that the rebels had arrived in England, the state of alarm became very great. The chief constable of the district, and some of the principal inhabitants set about actively to soHcit sub- scriptions, for the purpose of establishing watch and ward ; and raising men to prepare to defend the district from pillage and violence. On the 1st of November, Watch cmd Ward was accordingly set up in Holmfirth and in the adjoining town- ships. The weather during that month was extremely cold and severe, often alternating between rain, frost, and snow. The accounts of the progress of the rebels, brought from day to day, were vague and often contradictory, and the numerous stories which were circulated of the enormities committed by them, and the severities exercised upon the people were very exciting ; each day seemed to add to the excitement. But early on the morning of Saturday, the 30th November, a report had spread far and wide that the rebels had got to Marsden, (§meral Pifittrncal ^marha. 27 and would be at Huddersfield in the course of the day. An express had been sent in the middle of the night from Huddersfield to all the principal clothiers in the Holme valley, to fetch away their cloth. " They were in a terrible conster- nation in Huddersfield," as they were hourly expecting the arrival of the rebels. It was also reported that a large body of rebels had arrived in Saddleworth, and were expected to come over the moors to Hohnfirth ; the people here, and in the surrounding places, were in the greatest consternation and alarm. The " people flocked into Holmfirth fi'9m every side," the young men, as weU as the older ones, having provided themselves with either guns, swords, hay-forks, scythes, or such other deadly weapons as they could obtain, and formed themselves into a large and formidable force. At the head of this troop of mountaineers was the Rev. William Eden, who had displayed great zeal in the cause. For some days pre- vious to this, Mr. Eden had been at considerable trouble " in going about to get men to sign their hands to a paper, to go with him if there should be occasion ; upon which great numbers volunteered,^^ and now came prepared. He addressed the men before they marched away, urging them to be faithM and stand their ground, and resolutely to defend their king, their country, their famihes, and their homes. Thus prepared, they marched away in the direction in which the enemy was supposed to be coming, but they met with no resistance. This day has since been remembered as " Rebel Saturday. ^^ From the circumstance of Mr. Eden having led this band of mountaineers, he afterwards received the appellation of "Captain" Eden. The unexpected retreat of the rebels from Derby, northward, occasioned fresh consternation in Holmfirth and the surrounding country. On. Tuesday, the 10th December, a report was extensively circulated, that a considerable body of the rebels had arrived at Woodhead, and were on their way over " Holme Causeway," {i.e., the road over Holme Moss, constructed then of large stones.) Notwithstanding the excitement was very great, the troop of mountaineers does not seem to have again assembled, neither did occasion require it. " 1746. December 11th. General Wade's dragoons came from Wakefield to Huddersfield, through Almonbury, where they remained all night, and went forward to Halifax the following day." " 27th. The bluecoats searched Woodsome, on suspicion that some rebels were harboured there." " 1746. January 11th. Gave up keeping watch and ward in Holmfirth." " April 24th. In Holmfirth there was a large bonfire made, and ringing the bell, on receiving the news of the victory over the rebels at Culloden ; also a d2 28 (Smerol Pistoncd ^lemarks. large bonfire on the Sudehill.'* " At Burton they had great rejoicings on Satur- day, the 3rd of May, a large bonfire and an eflSgy of the Pretender, which they Bhot at, and rung fiying pans. This was upon the report that the Pretender was taken." Tbadb and Manufaotuees. — In entering on the subject of trade and manufac- tures, we must revert to the social condition of the people as it existed for many generations after the Norman Conquest, when the population was very thinly scattered over this high moorland district, which, from the general sterility of the soil, was rendered unfavourable to agricultural enterprise. This was especially the case in the western part of the district ; the whole forming a constantly changing surface of hill and dale, better adapted for pasturage than for arable purposes, and oats were then nearly the only grain product. The abundant growth of native oak, however, in the valleys and other sheltered situations ; and the valuable streams of soft water which take their rise on the hills and along their sides, fiimished additional sources of wealth, which in some degree compensated for other defects. These advantages were rendered subservient, by an actively industrious and quick-sighted people, to the purposes of trade and manufactures, of which the woollen branch was destined to become the staple trade, long before the mineral wealth of the district was discovered. Before we proceed to speak of the advancement of cloth manufectures we would here record a singular fact in regard to another of the ancient staple trades, which may be considered as now nearly extinct. We allude to the Tan- nmg of Leather. The abundance of oak bark, and the valuable springs of water, rendered the locaUty singularly favourable to this branch of business, which seems to have formed an important trade from a very remote period. Within the parish of Kirkburton alone, in the early part of the last century, there were at least a dozen tanyards in actual use, at several of which a considerable business was done. This branch of trade has, however, rapidly declined ; for at the present time there exists only one, and that recently revived. The introduction of "woollen cloth working" is unquestionably of great antiquity ; and there are strong reasons for believing that it was actively carried on here in the reign of Edward III. It would be a work of supererogation to enter into its early history, the elucidation of which, rather belongs to the coimty, than to so small a district, our object being simply to give a brief record of such facts as have immediate reference to the locahty, either as illustrative oi its social influence, or of its gradual progress and development. (&mttnl IPistorical Sljemarks. 29 In the reign of Henry VIII. we find one fiilling miH at Mytham Bridge, in Thurstonland ; and persons following the business of "clothiers," at which time there existed a custom, in regard to the foiling of cloth, which we may infer had long been practised. This consisted in the Lord of the Manor requiring "clothiers" within the manor "freeholders and tenants" to fuU or mill their cloth at his said miU. In the reign of Edward VI. an Act was passed prohibiting any one from making cloth, unless he had served an apprenticeship of seven years; this was afterwards repealed, but was revived in Elizabeth's reign- Notwithstanding this, a great impetus was given to the progress of woollen manufactures in that reign, during which two fiilling mills were erected within the Graveship of Holme. From a MS. book kept by a Mr. Hep worth, of Shepley Hall, written in the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth, and in the early part of James I. ; one portion of which purports to be a register of " servants and apprentices," we give the following extracts respecting " cloth working," as illustrative of the times. The entries, it will be seen, are brief, simply recording the names of the parties, places of residence, the nature of the work, and the terms of agreement. '* John son Thomas Roberts of Wooldall to serve Luke Firth of Booth-house in Hohnfirtb, from the 2nd January 1602, for six yeares as an apprentice during which term he is to be provided by the said Firth, with meat, drink, apparell and lodging, and likewise to give unto his said apprentice every quarter of a year 4d. of money. The said Luke Firth to instruct his said apprentice in the mystery and science of Cloth-working, and weaving the broad lombes. The said apprentice to serve his said master one whole yeare, after his tearme be expired, having for the said yeare xxs. of money at the beginning of his tearme of one yeare. In another agreement between a master and an apprentice, it is stipulated that the master shall give his apprentice " a Ewe lambe and the said lambe to be kept during the last two years by his master, and the apprentice to have the profits.*' In another about the same date, it was agreed for the apprentice to be bound " for nine yeares the master to find him meat drink and Cloths, and xvid. yearely," and teach his apprentice '' the traid of weaveing, warping, dying. Shearing, and all other things to the said traid and occupation of Cloth- working belonging after the best manner he can." Notwithstanding the statute 43 Elizabeth, c. 2, it would appear that mills had not been rated for the reh'ef of the poor until 1638. In that year the following order was granted, being the result of an appeal to the Sessions of the Peace, holden at Pontefract, the 3rd April, 14 Charles 1st, before William Lord Crichton, Sir Ferdinando Fairfax, Sir William Savyle, Bart., Sir Thomas Bland Knight, Sir George Wentworth, Kt., Sir John Savile, Kt., Sir Edwd. Rodes, Kt., John Kaye, Esq., Robt. Rockley, Esq., Justices of the Peace. " Upon complaint made this day by the Churchwardens and overseers of Holme, within the parish of Kirkburton, who compleyned that Bertyn Allott held two Mills within Holme aforesaid, which being assessed sixe shillings eightpence per ann. for the Poore, was refused to be paid. It was conceived by 30 (gjeneral Pistorkal |BLemarhs. the Court and soe ordained that Mills are lyable to be assessed for the Poore as well as lands. It is therefore ordered that his said Mills shall pay yearelj the said sume of sixe shillings eightpence now assessed upon them. And all other Mills in Burton Parish as well Fulling Mills as Com Mills, be assessed for the Poore accordingly and proportionably as necessity shall require/' The next piece of evidence we have to record, having immediate reference to the district, is from an original document, containing a series of articles of agree- ment, entered into by the " Owners and Farmers of divers Fulling Mills, in the parishes of Kirkburton, Almondbmy, Huddersfield, and Kirkheaton, dated 7th Oct., 6 Anne, 1707." ■ ** The Owners and Farmers respectively, whose names are affixed to this Instrument, covenant and promise to and with William Bradley of Huddersfield Salter &c. by these presents " &c. " 1. That they nor any of them, their nor any of their Servants, Agents, or Workmen from and after the 1 3th day of this instant month shall or will on the Sunday or Lord's day full or Milne any manner of Cloth in or by any of their respective Mills, betwixt the hours of six of the clock in the morning and six of the clock in the evening of the same day, at any time during the space of seven yeares next coming. '' 2. That they the said Owners or Farmers nor any of them nor any of their Servants, Agents, or Workmen shall or will at any time during the said tearme give or deliver, or cause and suffer to be delivered any cloth-piece or pieces of cloth fulled in any of their respective Mills to the Owners or Pro- prietors thereof, or to any of them their or any of their Servants or Workmen unless the said Owners and Farmers their Servants, Agents, or Workmen or some of them shall be first paid or satisfied for fulling the same. " 3. That they the said Owners or Farmers nor any of them their nor any of their Servants, Agents, or Workmen shall or will at any time during the said tearm ftiU or milne any cloth-piece or pieces of cloth for or at any lesser rate or value than sixpence a piece for every piece of Cloth under eighteen yards in length, and for every' piece of Cloth above eighteen yards and under thirty yards in length eightpence. And for every piece of Cloth above thirty yards in length twelvepence, nor take or receive any lesser sum of money for doeing the same than as aforesaid. " 4. That if any one of the said Owners or Farmers or his Servants, Agents, or Workmen shall act or doe contrary to the tenor purport true intent and meaning of the above mentioned Articles or any of them, and Oath thereof made before a Justice of the Peace in writing by any informer and two Credible witnesses at the least ye said Owners or Farmers so offending shall forfeit and pay to the said William Bradley the sum of Five Pounds whereof twenty shillings shall goe and be paid to the said Informer, other twenty shillings thereof to the Poor of the Town where the same ofience shall be com- mitted and Three Pounds the residue thereof to and amongst the said Owners and Farmers other tiian the Delinquent. *' 5. That if any action plaint or suit shall happen to be commenced or prosecuted by virtue of these presents ye said Owners or Farmers other than the Delinquent shall and will at all times hereafter save keep harmlesse and Indemnifyed ye said William Bradley his executors Administrators &c. of and from all such Costs and Charges losses and damages as shall be awarded or adjudged by the said William Bradley his executors &c. or his or tKeir lands. Tenements, hereditaments, goods or chattells or any of them for or upon any suit which hereafter shall happen to come or arise upon fbr or concerning the premises or any of them or any part thereof. (&mtxul PiHioxkal ^Ijemarka* 31 " Lastly. The said William Bradley for himself his executors &c. doth covenant promise and grant to and with the said Owners and Farmers other than the Delinquent by these presents, that he the said William Bradley his executors &c. shall and will from time to time upon the reasonable request and at the cost of the said Owners and Farmers other than the Delinquent justly maintain avow & allow all and every such action suit plaint and arrest as the said Owners and Farmers other than the Delinquent shall commence sue or prosecute or cause to be commenced sued or prosecuted for the recovery and obtaining of all the money to be forfeited by virtue of these presents ratifying and confirming all and every lawful acts matters and things whatsoever which the said Owners and Farmers other than the Delinquent shall conmience or prosecute for the recovery or obtaining of the same. " In witness Ac." • Amidst the progressive clianges whicli have taken place from time to time in the woollen branch, many evils must of necessity have arisen, and combinations been formed, requiring sound judgment, and often great forbearance, to counteract or modify ; but it seems difficult at this distance of time to understand clearly the reasons for combining together on all the points here mentioned. That there existed in the minds of many of the mill occupiers, a strong desire to put down the mi l ling or fiiHing of cloth on Sundays, as dishonouring the Christian Sabbath, there can be no doubt ; and that there were other occupiers desirous of continuing the old custom is equally certain : thus far the attempt to bind each other to observe the Lord's day was very laudable. That it might be expedient also, to fix a imiform rate for the milling of cloth of certain prescribed lengths, we readily understand ; but that they should likewise require that all cloths so milled at any of the said mills, should be paid for before being delivered to the OvmerSy seems a strange anomaly, which we at least of the present time, should regard as a point best left to the consideration of the parties themselves. Until the latter half of the last century, the kind of cloths manufactured here were called ^^ Leeds Beds^^ a coarse class of goods, manufactured in the white, or undyed state, and dyed red in the cloth, slightly finished, and then sold to the Leeds merchants. These goods were manufactured in the old form, — scribbled and carded by a single pair of cards, — spun by a single thread, and woven by the hand shuttle. It was about the year 1776, when the first spinning jenny was introduced into the Holmfirth district. It contained about 18 spindles, and was hailed as a prodigy. They rapidly multiplied in numbers, as well as in spindles. The first * Attached to this insiroment are seyenteen seals, from which we may infer this was the number of Falling Mills then existing within the four abovo-mentioned parishes. Of these seals thirteen only hare been duly signed and attested ; the others remaining blank. It may not be uninteresting to some of my readers to give the signatures, tlb. : Elizabeth Bradley, Joshua Wilson, B. Bockley, Caleb Crosley, Luke Wilson, William Brooke, John Hanson, James Boberts, William Bamsden, Abraham Dyson, Peter Hepworth, Joseph Boberts, and Joshua Wilson. 32 (gjemral Pistontal ^Itmarhs* scribbling engine set up in this district was in Ing Nook Mill, about 1780. It appeared in a rude state, before the invention of the fly-roller, and seemed to tumble the wool off the cards like flocks. It was not tiU about the year 1798, that steam came to be applied to the aid of water power, and then the advantage of coal within the district contributed largely to the spread of the several manufacturing processes, and the general prosperity. The introduction of machinery, however, occasioned a strong feeling of alarm, not only among the operatives, but also among a large body of manufacturers, — the cry being, " the domestic system is in danger.*' This alarm arose, no doubt, from what they regarded as its obvious tendency to endanger the independence which was conceived to pervade the old system, to supersede a large amoimt of manual labour, and to reduce the rate of wages. But the introduction of improved machinery into the finishing department, met with a more determined opposition from that class of operatives, than had been shewn ia regard to improvements in other manufacturing processes. The whole body of croppers were aroused, and began to organise themselves to resist the innovations. The struggle of the Luddites was of a deeply exciting character. They were so called after an imaginary personage, styled General Ludj or Ned Ludf their reputed commander, whose short " reign " was indeed a " reign of terror." It seems necessary we should briefly state some of the facts connected with those unhappy transactions, in which a few misguided persons within this district were implicated, while several others suffered in the destruction of their property, through their lawless conduct. A number of manufacturers and master croppers having set up shearing machines in their houses, Shops and Mills, some of which were worked by hand, others by horse, water, or steam power, the work- men rose in large bodies, or in detached parties, and broke open those places which contained the obnoxious machines, and with hammers, and other instruments, broke them to pieces. These acts were generally perpetrated in the night, and effected so suddenly, by parties mostly disguised, that for some time they escaped detection. To render themselves more secure and sufficiently formidable to defy resistance, they banded together in companies, and prowled through the district by night — forcing those inhabitants to rise, who were supposed to possess fire arms, which they demanded and took with them, and in some instances they proceeded to other acts of pillage. The snappers, as the breakers of the Dressing Machines were technically called, commenced their campaign early in the year 181 2« On the 23rd February they paid a nocturnal visit to Marsh, near Huddersfield ; on the 27th we find them at Ley-Moor in Longwood. In the second week in March they continued their work of destruction at Linfit, Honley, Dungeon, &c. But the greatest muster yet made was in the evening of 15th (Sunday) when they attacked the house and workshops of Mr. Francis Vickerman of Taylor-hill, where they instantly set to work demolishing a number^'of machines, and even fired a gun or pistol into the room where Mr. Vickerman and his family were sitting ; happily without (gjeneral pibtorical fltmarks. 33 doing any personal injury. The first week in April they were at Hill End and at Horncoat, in Fulstone : on the 1 1 th they attacked Rawfolds Mill, in Liversedge, which was gallantly defended by Mr. Cartwright and his men ; and from which the assailants were obliged to retire leaving two of th eir number on the ground mortally wounded • This severe check is stated to have produced an alteration in the plans of these infatuated men. The assassination of the chief patrons of this kind of machinery was now resolved on ! Accordingly on the 28th of the same month, only 16 days after the successful resistance at Rawfolds, Mr. William Horsfall, of Marsden, was waylaid on his return from Huddersfield market, and shot in open day, about 5 or 6 o'clock in the afternoon, by four of these miscreants, who concealed themselves in a plantation near Crosland-moor, adjoining the turnpike road from Huddersfield to Marsden, watching for their prey ; when their victim appeared they took deliberate aim firing simultaneously, and Mr. Horsfall fell to the ground — he lingered a day or two in excruciating agony from his wounds, when he expired. Crimes so atrocious nerved the retributive arm of justice, and a vigorous system of police was organised by a neighbouring magistrate (Joseph Radclifie, of Milns-Bridge House, Esq.,) who afterwards received the honour of a baronetcy for his intrepid conduct at that alarming crisis. Yet some time elapsed before any clue could be discovered which promised to lead into the deep labyrinth of combina- tion, which concealed such complicated crimes and guilt. Meanwhile tliese desperate marauders proceeded in their dark designs. Within a few days of this horrid deed, they attacked several places around Holm- firth, although Watch and Ward h^ been established through the districts. Troops of soldiers were stationed in Huddersfield, and in consequence of vague rumours, occasionally scoured the country, but with little effect. A young man named Barrowclough, was stated to have betrayed certain lawless proceedings of the Luddites in this neighbourhood. He was accordingly secured as a useful spy and informer ; and in the night of the 8th July a party of Scotch Greys were marched to Holmfirth, who early the following morning searched several places where it was stated arms were concealed ; but very few seem to have been discovered : perhaps the Luddites had sufficient warning to be able to remove them. But two or three nights after, eight men were taken out of their beds,- in this district, and kept in close custody ; and after repeated examinations before the magistrates were committed to York for trial. On the 23rd July a person named Hinchliffe then clerk of the Parochial Chapel of Holmfirth, was called out of bed and was shot in the face ; by which he lost an eye. It was generally supposed that he knew something both of the parties and of the proceedings of the Luddites, and was suspected by them of having given some information. Though this happened at midnight, and the assassins were disguised, he told his friends that he knew the person who had shot him ; but when examined by a magistrate (Josh. Scott, of Woodsome Hall, Esq.,) the next day, he denied having such knowledge. A person of the name of Schofield, absconded, who was believed to be the perpetrator, a^ was afterwards asserted by Hinchliffe. He was subsequently apprehended in London and eventually tried at York ; but through the evidence of the magistrate (Mr. Scott) he was acquitted. Earl Fitzwilliam, as Lord Lieutenant, with his son Lord Milton visited Holmfirth, a few weeks after, to examine into these alarming circumstances. A special assize was held at York, for trying these infatuated and misguided men ; eighteen were capitally convicted, seventeen of whom were executed : the rest, including eight persons taken from near Holmfirth, were liberated on bail. This year [1812,] had been a dreadful year in many respects. It was the first of a series of back- ward seasons, and deficient crops, and com rose to a high price.* * The foregoing aecoant of the Luddites is compiled partly from a brief sketch furnished to the author by the late Mr. Joseph Holmes of Underbank, and partly from an account printed by the late Mr. Edward BalneS; of Leeds. E 34 6meral Hibtorxrsd ^mwchB. It remains to be stated that the class of woollen cloths which were manufactured in the Holme valley thirty years ago, usually styled " plain goods," have now, for the most part disappeared, giving place to what are called " fancy woollens." It must likewise be observed that the districts of Kirkburton, Shelley, and Shepley, which were formerly much engaged in " fancy waistcoatings," are now principally employed in the fancy wooUen trade. The rapid increase of machinery of late years in the various manufacturing processes which has so immensely facilitated production, has, it is gratifying to record, served to lessen the amoimt of excessive physical laboiur, while the rate of wages has been augmented. The following statistical tables shew the number of mills and factories, within the district, engaged in woollen manufactures, with the amount of horse-power and number of persons employed, in 1835 and 1858 respectively, according to the returns made to the Inspector of Factories. With these returns, which will be found highly interesting to those of our readers intimately acquainted with the district, I have been obligingly favoured by Alexander Redgrave, Esq., Inspector of Factories, and James Bates, Esq., Sub- Inspector. m A Tabular View of the number of Mills and Factories in each Township, within the Parish of Kirkburton and Grayeship of Holme, with the amount of Horse-power, the kind of Manufacture engaged in, and the Number of Persons employed, in the year 1885 : — TOWNSHIPS. -1- 080, Hi Burton Shelley Shepley Cumberworth Half Thurstonland •/.. Wooldale Fulstone Hepworth Cartworth •••••• Holme Austonley Upper Thong. ••• 12 3 3 7 1 5 2 I o 1 I 12 3 3 7 1 5. 3 20 14 147 14 24 90 64 14 I 6 109 26 22 93 6 72 34 It 20 20 256 40 46 183 6 136 48 PERSONS EHPLOTBD. From 9 to 12. Male Female 46 6 10 43 2 26 15 14 38 2 2 21 3 22 7 13 to 18 Male I Female 10 64 4 10 49 5 42 13 S3 19 3 5 29 1 26 10 Abore IB. Male Female 6 78 7 27 56 2 33 13 TOTAL. M. F. 20 14 2 188 17 47 148 9 101 41 9 48 59 5 7 52 4 49 17 (^mtxvl ^btoncal Remarks. 35 A Tabular View of the number of Mills and Factories in each Township within the Parish of Kirkburton and the Graveship of Holme, with the amount of Horse-power the kind of Manu&cture engaged in, and the Nnmber of Persons employed, in the year 1858 : — TOWNSHIPS. Burton Shelley Shepley ••..... Cumberworth Half Thurstonland .... Wooldale Fulstone Hepworth Cartworth Holme Austonley Upper lliong • • • • 3 6 1 1 24 4 6 19 1 8 14 I I 6 1 3 6 1 1 23 4 6 19 1 8 14 M 1 112 20 132 25 25 20 20 10 10 229 119 348 37 37 19 109 91 200 4 4 44 39 83 62 7 69 PERSONS EHPLOTSD. Aged 8 and under 13. Male 15 8 4 2 114 12 6 63 3 24 25 Female 15 5 2 3 58 10 2 31 1 34 10 Agd 13 and under 18. Male 54 24 10 3 97 17 24 93 4 42 63 Aged above 13. Female 140 19 14 10 162 26 18 84 1 36 95 Aged above 18. Male 106 28 22 8 218 27 40 151 4 49 124 TOTAL. Male 175 60 36 13 429 56 70 307 11 115 212 Female 155 24 16 13 220 36 20 115 2 70 105 < O 330 84 52 26 649 92 90 422 13 185 317 The Area, Annual Value ; also a Comparative Account of the Population Returns of the several Town- ships within the Parish of Kirkburtcm and the Graveship of Holme : — TOWNSHIPS. Burton Shelley Shepley Cumberworth Half Thurstonland .... Wooldale Fulstone Hepworth Cartworth Holme Austonley ••••.• Upper Thong,... Area in Bngllah statute acres. Annual Value. 1260 7150 1420 3699 1250 3210 250 3120 2050 3549 2370 10246 1200 4917 3370 3601 2820 7611 3390 1705 1760 6050 710 7945 POPULATION. 1801 1405 416 619 783 2620 1128 804 997 302 674 1033 1811 1693 1057 793 868 3083 1139 828 1121 347 814 1015 1821 1831 1841 2153 1329 1000 989 3445 1264 1048 1211 459 968 1437 2650 1319 893 1098 3993 1573 1229 1796 630 1420 1648 1851 3474 3560 1772 1880 1088 1200 487 484 1286 1320 4806 5600 1856 2257 1436 1532 2247 2538 713 849 1940 2234 2258 2463 e2 36 ^jemra:! Pistflrrital §ljemarhs. The rapid increase of population in manufacturing districts may be regarded as affording a satisfactory indication of prosperity and comparative wealth. There are, however, periodical depressions of trade from various causes, from which the operative classes have not imfrequently been exposed to great privations. Perhaps in no part of the kingdom are these classes more industrious than in the " English Apennines ; " the principles of selP-rehanoe and independence are strong characteristic features of the class, though by strangers these are some- times mistaken for less estimable quahti6s. The amount of crime committed within the district to which these enquiries refer is believed to be considerably less than in most districts of an equal population. Eespecting the Graveship of Hohne, however, we are enabled to state more definitely, having been kindly favoured by Martin Kidd, Esq., of Holmfirth, who for twenty years has acted as clerk to the Holmfirth bench of magistrates, with the foUowing interesting statement :— Previous to the year 1889, there were no magistrates resident at or near to Holmfirth; abont that time a memorial was presented ta the Lord Lieutenant on the subject ; and Mr. Joseph Charlesworth, and Mr. JohnHarpin were appointed, and both qualified at Bradford sessions in July, 1839. They appointed Mr. Kidd, solicitor, as their clerk, and immediately afterwards commenced holding courts of petty session weekly in Holmfirth, and continued to do so until the year 1852, t^hen, in consequence of the paucity of business, it was considered that a court once a fortnight would be quite ample to meet the requirements, with occasional meetings for urgent business ; and the usual fortnightly meetings, with such occasional meetings, have been continued till the present time, one magistrate attending once a week, at the clerk's office, to take informations and sign precepts. By an arrangement with the Huddersfield bench, all petty session business arising within the Grave- ship of Holme has been taken at the court, and which comprised a population, in 1831, of 12,289 ; in 1841, of 15,256; in 1851, of 17,473. ^ During the twenty-one years ending July, 1860, the summonses and warrants issued by the bench amounted to 7,157- These are divisible into three classes, namely :-» 1, — For non-payment of rates, and other casual matters not coming within the category of crime, or offences against good order 5639 2.— -Summary convictions 1374 3. — Felonies, and other indictable offences, but principally minor indictable offences, and not a single case of murder 144 7157 And of the last 144 cases, only forty occurred during the last seven years. And it may be said that crime has decreased, and is light considering it to be a manufacturing district, with an increasing population. The operative classes display very commendable forethought, by associating for mutual assistance during times of sickness and disease, as exemplified in the following statistical table of the various societies of secret orders and sick clubs.* These institutions, when formed on a proper basis, are invaluable, no less by enabling their members to preserve a proper self-respect, than for the material support they provide. We possess no statistical information to enable us to speak definitively as to the ratio which the members of sick clubs and secret societies bear to the population of the kingdom, or in regard to the agricultural, as compared with the manufac- turing districts. It is to be regretted that means have not hitherto been adopted to obtain these statistics in connexion with taking the census of population periodically, which would have supplied the political economist, as well as the public, with interesting and important information. Spoets and Pastimes. — ^A century ago, horse racing constituted one of the amusements of the district. Horse races were annually held on Cartworth Moor, which were usually styled Cartworth Moor Races. But perhaps there was no kind of sport to which our ancestors were more devotedly attached than hunting with the beagles ; and on account of the hilly state of the country, they were generally followed by persons on foot. In connexion with this kind of sport, tradition has preserved some remarkable incidents. Perhaps the most singular, if not the most remarkable, is that of " Old Nan Allen," a tail gaunt woman, who not only joined in the sport, but acted as hy/ntswoman, which tradition aflBrms she usually did, having a long staff in her hand, keeping up with the hounds with wonderful strength and agility. About the close of the last century there was, in the township of Thurlstone, a small public house, having for its sign " Nan Allen," with the following couplet : ** Hark to cuddy, thou has it hy this, J, Nan Allen, the Huntress.*' * These StatiBiical Tables have not been completed in time to appear in thia place, the reader is, therefore, referred to appendix. % btuf %ttmrd of ilgt f orbs of tlgt paimr jof Mabfieftr. There is some difficulty in determining the precise period when the Manor of Wakefield was granted by the crown to one of the Earls Warren, According to Domesday Book, which was completed in 1086, it was then in the possession of the King. William de Warren, the first Earl of Smrey had married Grundreda, daughter of William the Conqueror.* He died in 1088, and it is generally admitted that, with the exception of Coningsborough and its dependencies, he had no other estate in Yorkshire. He lefb issue William de Warren, II. Earl of Surrey, who married Isabel, daughter of Hugh, Earl of Vermandois, widow of Robert, Earl MeUent, by whom he left issue. Our best authorities seem agreed in the opinion that the grant of this manor was made to this earl, although they differ as to the time and the circumstances under which it was given. It is generally regarded as the grant of Henry I., in 1107 or 1116, as a recompence to him for having done the king great service, by taking his brother Robert prisoner, whose crown of England, and dukedom of Normandy, Henry had usurped. A more probable conjecture, however, is that of Mr. Himter, t that this grant was made between the years 1091 and 1097. This earl enjoyed the honours and possessions of the family nearly fifty years, dying in 1138, leaving his son, William de Warren, III. Earl of Surrey, who married Adela, daughter of William Talvace, Earl of Ponthieu, by whom he had Isabel de Warren, sole daughter and heiress. He was * In 1845, tlie workmen employed in making the Brighton, Lewea, and Hastings Bailwi^, through the Prioiy grounds at Lewes, had their progress arrested by a stone, on the removal of which, they discoyered two cists or coffers^ side by side. On the lid of one was the word " Gandreda," perfectly legible ; and on the lid of the other " Wiirus." On remoT- ing the lids the remains appeared to be quite perfect, aod the lower jaw of William Earl de Warren in eztraordinaiy pfeservation. The cists in which the bodies were deposited were not more than three feet in length, and about two feet wide, and there is no doubt that they had been remoyed from some other place and reinterred ; and according to tradition the bodies of William de Warren, and Qundreda, his wife, were reinterred 200 years after their decease. These interest- ing and ancient relics were remoyed to Southoyen Church, in which there is a yery ancient tablet to the memory of ** Gundreda." t South Yorkshire. Vol. i., p.p. 106. Ip0rirs Off % ^anor jof Make&Iir. 39 slain in Palestine, in 1147. To this earl is ascribed a grant of all the Warren churches in Yorkshire, to the priory of Lewes, in Sussex. We are indebted to the Rev. J. Hunter for satisfactorily deciding this point, upon which some difference of opinion had previously existed. Isabel de Warren married first William de Blois, son of King Stephen, who became IV. Earl of Surrey, and Earl of Morton, but died without issue in 1160. She married to her second husband Hameline, the natural son of Geoflfrey, Earl of Anjou, and half-brother to Henry II. She died 13th July, 1199, and was interred in the Chapter-house, at Lewes. Hameline became V. Earl of Surrey. He died 7th May, 1202, leaving issue by the said Isabel, William de Warren, VI. Earl of Surrey, to whom the Manor of Wakefield, &c., devolved. This earl married first Maud, daughter of William, Earl of Arundel, who died without issue. He married to his second wife Maud, daughter of William, Earl of Pembroke, and widow of Hugh, Earl of Norfolk, by whom he left issue. He died iQ 1239. This earl bestowed his patronage on the monks of Roche Abbey, to whom he made several grants of lands ; and also confirmed a grant, made by Matthew de Shepley to the said monks, of land, in Oumberworth, in the parish of Kirkburton. He was succeeded by John de Warren, Vn. Earl of Surrey, aged five years at the death of his father. He married Alice, daughter of Hugh le Brun, Earl of the Marches of Aquitaiae, sister by the mother, to Henry III., by whom he had issue. This earl rendered himself memorable by his conduct on being summoned by Edward I., to shew by what right he held his lands, &c., of which Hollinshed gives the following brief account. ** King Edward standing in need of money devised a new shift to serve his toume," he issued a proclamation, " that all suche as helde any landes or tenements of h3rm shuld come and she we by what right and title they helde the same, that by such meanes their possessions might returne unto him by escheate, as chiefe lord of the same and so to be solde or redeemed agayne at his handes." This was a cause of much com- plaint on the part of the people. " Many were called to answer, till at lengthe the lorde John de Warren Earl of Surrey, a man greatly beloved by the people perceyving the King to have caste his net for a praye, and that there was not one whyche spake against him determined to stand against those so bitter and cruell proceedings, and therefore being called afore the justyces aboute this matter he appeared, and being asked by what right he held his lands, he sodenly drawing forthe an olde rusty sworde : by this instrument (sayd he) doe I hold my landes and by the same I intende to defend them." Another circumstance is recorded indicative of this earl's fiery and indomitable temper. *' He having committed an outrage on Allen, Lord Zouch, of Ashby, and his son Roger, in Westminster Hall, occasioned by an estate being adjudged to Lord Zouch which was unjustly claimed by the fiery earl, who when the verdict was pronounced, gave way to the natural vehemence of his temper, drew upon that nobleman and his son, and almost killed the father and severely wounded the son. He was fined 10,000 40 f orbs d % Pamrr td m^hMb. marks, which the king afterwards remitted to 8,400. In 1270 he executed an instrument at Croydon, stating his intention to stand to the judgment of the Court after his outrage, on pain of excommunication and forfeiture of his estates." In the 7 Edward I., (1278,) this earl was summoned " Quo Warranto," to answer by what right he appropriated to himself as a forest inter alia, all the divisions of Halifax and Holmfirth, and by what warrant he refused to permit the king's bailiffs to enter his lands to perform their offices, except his own bailiff were present ; to which the earl answered that he claimed gallows at Conisborough and Wakefield, and the power of doing what belonged to a gallows in all his* lands and fees, * and that he and his ancestors had used the same from time immemorial. This earl died in 1304, having outlived his son and heir, William de Warren, who was killed in a tournament at Croydon, 15th December, 1286. He had married Joan, daughter of Robert, Earl of Oxford, who was delivered of a posthumous child, John de Warren, who became VIII. and last Earl of Surrey of this family, also Earl of Strathearn, in Scotland, &c. He was one of the most powerful barons in England. He married Joan de Bar, daughter of Henry, Earl de Bar, and grand daughter to Edward I. ; the marriage was issueless, and not a happy one : both parties sued for a divorce, but the law of the church was uncompromising. He settled upon her an allowance of seven hundred and forty marks, per annum, for life. She died in 1361. One intrigue of this earl, observes Mr. Hunter, produced consequences which threatened for a time a premature separation of Wakefield from the possessions of the house of Warren. " The northern border of the lands in Yorkshire, forming the Warren fee, touched in a great extent of its course, on the fee of the Lacis lords of Pontefract. Disputes seem to have, from time to time, arisen between these great chiefs; and in the year 1268, it appears that in a dispute about a pasture, the Warrens and Lacis had armed each their retainers, and prepared for one of those lawless encounters, of which there are several instances in our baronial history, but were prevented by the king. Alice de Laci, the heiress of Pontefract, was of about the same age with the eighth Earl of Warren. She was given in marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, grandson of Henry iii,, who lived for the most part at her castle of Pontefract. This * The following is an extract of InspeximiiB in regard to the jus fwreot at Wakefield. "Farcas apnd Wakefield et facere item Jndiciam quad ad Furcas pertinet, de omnibus terris et Feodis sais." Neither Halifax nor Holmfirth are mentioned, yet they mnat be comprehended in " omniboB terris et feodis sals." In a Roll 26 Edward I., (1297,) it stands recorded "Nicholas de Wyston recipavit qnemdam tacutt^tem cytheristam per plares vices, qui decollatos est nt creditnr et qnam ultimo recesait de domo suo permisit in custodia dictl Nicholai unam cytheiam, et preceptnm est quod earn produeat et quod attachiatur quosque produeat/' of which the following is a translation :— " Nicholas de Wyston hath harboured a certain « « « harper many times, who was beheaded, as it is believed, and when he last departed fh>m his house he left in charge of the said Nicholas, a harp, and it is commanded that he produce it, and that he is attached until he do produce it." That the place of trial and execution of felons was originally at Wakefield, the head of the manor and the seat of its principal officers, we can scarcely doubt, but what led to its removal to Halifax, and what were the peculiar circumstances which caused it to be perpetuated there long after it had fallen into disuse over the rest of the kingdom, it is now perhaps impossible to discover. The jw furcm |waB a power vested in the lords of the great fee of Pontefract; and that right seems to have been exercised at Almonlmry within that fee, as the name of ChUovhfidd is still preserved there. The ancient gaol at Hali&x, which was coetaneous with the ju» fureos, belongs to the Lord of the Manor of Wakefield, for the imprisoment of debtors within the manor, under mesne process and executions out of the superior Courts. lady, on the Monday before Ascension day, A.D. 1317, was carried off by violence, to a castle of the Earl of Warren, at Reigate, in Surrey. There was much mystery in this affair at the time, and much scandal. Certain it is she was divorced by her husband, and the Earl of Lancaster proceeded to avenge himself by laying siege to the castles in Yorkshire, belonging to the Earl of Warreu. But the king commanded he should cease from so doing ; and further it is certain, that when in 1318, the Earl of Lancaster, engagad to pardon every one all trespasses and felonies done against him, he made an exception of the trespasses and felonies of the Earl of Warren. In the same year, (1318,) the Earl of. Lancaster, who was then in the plenitude of lus power, took from the Earl of Warren a grant of his Manor of Wakefield, for the life of the Earl Warren, if a make peace, it must be allowed a noble one. The Earl of Lancaster also obtained Coningsborough, thus banishing his rival entirely from the north. In 1322 the discontents of the Earl of Lancaster drove him into open rebellion. Amongst others to whom the king's warrant issued to pursue and take the earl, was the Earl of Warren, who was among the peers present in the Castle of Pontefract when sentence of death was passed on the Earl of Lancaster, and he was led forth to execution. On his death these lands escheated to the crown, nor did the Earl of Warren recover possession until some years afterwards. In the 1st Edward III., (1327,) a warrant was issued to the king's escheator, north of the Trent, not to meddle with the Castle of Sandal or Conings- borough, and the Manors of Wakefield, Sowerby, &c., to which the Earl of Warren laid claim, they being by consent of the said earl, and of Henry, Earl of Lancaster, who was brother of Earl Thomas, and his next heir, to remain in the king^s hands, to be delivered to the said Henry. The grant of his Yorkshire lands to the Earl of Lancaster, had been made by the Earl of Warren only for his own life ; indeed he only possessed a life interest at the time of the grant, for a little before he had settled the remainder after his own decease on certain parties who must now be mentioned. Estranged from his wife, the earl took to his bed Maud de Neirford, a lady of a &mily of rank in the county of Norfolk. By her he had two sons, John and Thomas de Warren, and on these sons it was the desire and design of the earl that Wakefield and his other property north of the Trent should descend. For this purpose he conveyed to the king by charter, dated on the Thursday next after the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, in 9 Edward II., (1316,) '* Castra et villas meas de Coningsburgh et Sandal ; et maneria mea de Wakefeld, Hatfeld, Thome, Sowerby, Braithwell, Fishlake, Dewsbury, et Halifax," and on the fourth of August following, the king by charter tested at Lincoln, made a regrant of the same lands to the earl for life ; remainder to Maud de Neirford for life ; remainder to John de Warren and the heirs male of his body ; remainder to Thomas de Warren and the heirs male of his body (both sons by the said Maud) ; remainder to the heirs of the body of the said earl, lawfully begotten, and in de£Eiult of such issue to revert to the king. This remarkable disposition however did not take effect, for the two sons died before the earl without leaving issue, and he also survived Maud. After the death of Maud de Neirford the earl is stated to have married Isabel de Holand, ** and pre- vious to this marriage," says Watson, " the king seems to have been prevailed upon to secure to the said Isabel what before had been settled upon Maud." " As a difference of opinion seems to exist, whether this Isabel de Holand was ever Countess of Warren, I have introduced an interesting extract from the earl's will ; * ' jeo devys a Isabel de Holand ma compaigne mon avel d'or one le bone ruby.' " The precise force of the word campaigned observes Mr. Hunter, '' as applied to Isabel de Holand, is not apparent. Joan de Barr was beyond question then * Kr. Honter's South Torkahire. F alive, and bearing the title of Countess of Surrey, but it is thought by many that the marriage was dis- solved, and that Isabel was in truth his wife, a relation which was expressed by the word compaigne, of which we have a pertinent proof in the will of Richard Fitz Allan, Earl of Arundel and Surrey, nephew to the Earl of Warren, who desired to be buried in the Priory of Lewes, 'pres de la tombe de ma treschere compaigne Alianore de Lancastre.' " " This Isabel,'' says Watson, '* survived the earl, living till the year, 33 Edward III., (1359,) and keeping courts at Wakefield, &c., in the name of the Countess de Warren" Mr. Leatham * in his more recent enquiry states that after the death of Maud de Neirford, in the 23 Edward III., " it (Manor of Wakefield,) appears to have been given to Joan de Bar, the earl's former wife, from whom he had been divorced, and was held by her as Countess of Warren.'* " This statement," he observes in a note, " varies from that of Watson, but is the result of a careftd examination of the Court Eolls of this period, the name of Joan de Bar is inserted in the rolls of the 23 Edward IQ., as 'Countess of Warren;* ^^ the style before this period is merely "The Court at Wakefield," and after this period, until the 33 Edward III., (1359,) "The Court of the Countess of Warren," &c. t The difference between Mr. Watson's statement and that of Mr. Leatham, although the latter is the result of " a careful examination of the Court KoUs," seems to arise only from a different apprehension of the person to whom the title of Countess de Wa/rren was intended to apply : Mr. Watson applying it to Isabel, while Mr. Leatham assigns it to Joan de Bar. It is shewn by the researches of Mr. Hunter, that Isabel stood in a somewhat different relation to the earl from Maud de Neirford. But " previous to the earl's marriage with Isabel," says Watson, " the King seems to have been prevailed upon to secure to her what before had been settled upon Maud," the earl having then lost aU future disposal of the manor. In the 23 Edward III., (1348,) only about a year after the earl's death, the " Countess de Warren " appears upon the rolls. The allowance of seven hundred and forty marks per annum, made by the earl to Joan de Bar, for life, was undoubtedly intended to be in ftiU satisfaction of all claims by her against his estate ; and, therefore, there seems to have been no necessity, — ^neither does it seem probable that he woidd, \mder " the estrange- ment," endeavour to obtain from the king a grant to her of the Manor of Wakefield, although it is certain that Isabel de Holand was living with him as wife, for whom he would be desirous of making some suitable provision for life. But, * The HLstoiy of Wakefield and its Antiqnities; being one of a aeries of lectares dellTered at the Liteiaiy and Mechanics' Institations, 1845. t Watson mnsty therefore, have been mistaken, when he stated that "Isabd, Gonntees of Warren," is foond in the conrt rolls at Wakefield. supposing Joan de Bar to have had such a grant, why did she not retain it until her death, which occurred in 1361 ? Whereas, we find that in the 33 Edward III., (1359,) the " Countess de Warren " ceases to appear on the rolls, which period agrees with the time usually stated as that of the death of Isabel. There is another circumstance not unworthy of being named, that "Joan de Bar," after her marriage, was styled " Countess de Surrey," by which title she presented a clerk to one of the Warren Churches, in the year of the earVs death. We, therefore think, so far, the weight of evidence is in favour of Isabel being in reality the " Countess de Warren^^ and lady of the Manor of Wakefield. If Mr. Leatham is correct in saying that the earl was divorced from Joan de Bar, (of which, however, the accounts I have seen are not quite clear,) there stood then no legal impediment to a marriage with Isabel de Holand. John de Warren, the last Earl of Surrey of that name, died on the 30th June, 1347, on his sixty-first birthday, and was buried in the Abbey Church of Lewes. On the 6th of August, ld47» only thirtj-seven days after the death of the earl, a royal patent was signed at Reading, ' per manus Lionelli filii noetri carissimi custodis Angliae/ (the king being then in France,) by which ' omnia castra, maneria villas, terras, et tenementa cum pert, quae fuerunt Johannis de Warrenna nuper comitis Surr. in partibus ultra Trentam, et quse occasione mortis ejusdem comitis in manu nostra existunt,' were settled on Edmund of Langley, a younger son of the king, and the heirs male of his body, with remainder to John of Gaunt, and Lionel of Antwerp, and their heirs male respectively ; remainder to the crown. This grant was confirmed by parliament, but Edmund not being more than six years of age, his mother. Queen Phillipa, was allowed to receive the profits for the education of 'him and her other children. Edmund had been created by his father Earl of Cambridge, but in the 9th Richard II., he was advanced to the title of Duke of York. He died 1st August, drd Henry IV., (1402,) seized iider alia of the Manor or Lordship of Wakefield, leaving Edward, Earl of Rutland, his eldest son and heir aged 26 years, who thus on his father's death became Duke of York. This Edward, then Earl of Rutland, engaged in a conspiracy with the Earls of Kent, Huntingdon, and Lord Spencer, who had been degraded from their respective titles of Albemarle, Surrey, Exeter, and Gloucester, conferred on them by Richard II., together with the Earl of Salisbury, and Lord Lumley, for raising an insurrection, and for seizing the king's person at Windsor, but the treachery of Rutland gave the king warning of the danger. The conspirators were afterwards taken and executed, ' but,' says Hume,* ' the spectacle, the most shocking to any one who retained any sentiment either of honour or humanity, still remained. The Earl of Rutland appeared, carrying on a pole the head of Lord Spencer, his brother-in-law, which he presented in triumph to Henry as a testimony of his loyalty ! This infamous man, who was soon after Duke of York, by the death of his father, and first prince of the blood, had been instrumental in the murder of his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester ; had then deserted Richard II., by whom he was trusted ; had conspired against the life of Henry, to whom he had sworn allegiance ; had betrayed his associates, whom he had seduced into the enterprise ; and now displayed in the face of the world these badges of his multiplied dishonour.' " * History of England. r2 It remains only to be said of him, that he accompanied Henry Y. in his expediton to France, and loet his life at the battle of Agincourt, in 1415, (being a fat man, he is reported to have been crushed to death,) leaving a widow Fhillipa Mohun. The duke d3ring without issue, his honours and estates descended to his nephew, Richard of Conings- borough, as he was usually called, after the fashion of the Plantagenets, naming themselves from the places of their birth. The father of this Richard, who is usually called Earl of Cambridge, married Anne Mortimer, the daughter of Roger, Earl of March, son of Edmund, Earl of March, and Fhillipa the daughter and heir to Lionel, Duke of Clarence. This marriage brought the claim to the crown to the house of York, for her brother, Edmund Mortimer, the last of the Mortimers, Earls of March, died without leaving issue, but not until after the death of Anne, so that she is not in strict propriety called the heiress of Lionel, Duke of Clarence. In her issue, however, the rights of Lionel inhered entire. This Richard, Earl of Cambridge, appears not to have been insensible to the wrong which was done to the house of Mortimer, by the accession of Henry IV. to the throne. A little before Henry Y. left England to prosecute his war in France, this Richard was engaged in a real or supposed conspiracy, and was attainted. His act of attainder gives rather a different view of his object from that which is to be found in our common histories. The treason alleged therein was, conspiring to lead his brother-in-law Edmund, Earl of March, to the borders of Wales, and there proclaim him king, and countenancing the impostor, Thomas de Trumpington, de Scotia ideotam^ who personated Richard II. The whole act is curious, and the reader may peruse after it, with pleasure, the scene at Southampton, so powerfully drawn by Shakspeare, in the first part of King Henry Y. The Earl of Cambridge was beheaded in 3 Henry Y. (1415.) This earl could have no view upon the crown himself, for his wife Anne Mortimer was dead, and Edmund, Earl of March was living, and did actually live through the whole reign of Henry Y., and till the 3rd year of his successor. He was also married, but at his death left no issue, so that his nephew Richard, son of Richard of Coningsborough and Anne Mortimer, was his undoubted heir, and the equally undoubted heir to the rights of Lionel's posterity. A long period elapsed before he ventured to assert them. Richard, Duke of York, married Cecily Nevil, a daughter of Ralph, Earl of Westmorland, and she produced him ofispring. The stimulations of the ambitious family of Nevil, the weakness of the rule of Henry YI., and his own love of power, did not suffer this duke to forget the right which had descended to him from his mother, and he gave indications of his aspiring disposition before his conduct ceased to be equivocal. The issue of the struggle is well-known. The lords of the party of Lancaster were laying waste his lands in Yorkshire, * when he hastened to Sandal, which appears to have been a favourite residence, -f*. With about 5000 men he left London on the 21st December, 1460, giving orders to his son, the Earl of March, to come and join him with the rest of the army. In his progress thither, he received the mortifying news of the queen's success in the levying of troops. At length having arrived at Wakefield, he heard that the queen was advancing towards him with greatly superior numbers. On this he resolved to retire to his castle at Sandal, until the Earl of March should arrive with the rest of his forces. The queen soon appeared before the walls of Sandal Castle with the main body of her army led by the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter, provoking her enemy to battle, sometimes by menaces, and at other times by insults and defiances, observing that it was disgraceful to a man who aspired to a crown to suffer himself to be shut up by a woman. This was more than he could endure. The Duke of York ♦ Mr. Htmtei^s Sonth Yorkshire. Vol. I., p. 118. t In the 88 Henry YL, (1460,) December 19th, the King granted to John, Earl of Shrewsbniy, out of the Manor of Wakefield, for life, 100 marks per annum ; the manor being then in the crown by the forfeiture of Bichard, Duke of York. See Bolls fine. 88 Henry YI., p. l, m. 16. (Patent Roll I suppose.) had, until this fatal moment, invariablj displayed great prudence in his conduct ; but on this occasion he unfortunately suffered his courage to determine his conduct, contrary to the opinion of his officers, par- ticularly Sir Dayid Hall and the Earl of Salisbury, who advised him to despise these vain reproaches. He marched out of Sandal Castle, and drew up his forces on Wakefield Green, trusting that his own courage and experience would counter-balance his deficiency in numbers. He had no sooner arranged his small army in order of battle, than he was attacked by the Queen's troops, who being &r more numerous than his, had greatly the advantage. While he was pressed in front by the main body of the enemy, the troops in ambush under Lord Clifford and the Earl of Wiltshire, fell upon the rear of his army. This unexpected assault threw his forces into such confusion that in half-an-hour they were routed, and almost annihilated ; the duke himself was slain valiantly fighting hand to hand with his enemies. His body was soon recognised among the slain and his head was cut-off, and crowning it with a paper crown was by Lord Clifford fixed on the top of his lance, and presented to the Queen, who ordered it to be placed on the walls of York. The duke's second son, the Earl of Rutland, who was only twelve years of age, was flying firom the sanguinary scene, when he was overtaken by Lord Clifford, who plunged his dagger into his breast, notwithstanding the earnest entreaties of his tutor to spare the young prince's life. Thus fell Richard, Duke of York, about the fiftieth year of his age ; his abilities, together with the weakness of the reigning monarch, had placed him within one step of the throne, and one act of rashness hurried him to the grave. This battle was fought on the last day of the year. This apparent success seemed to have confirmed the power of the Lancastrians, but it proved only a prelude to their destruction ; for the spirit and object of the father, descended to the son, Edward, Earl of March, then Duke of York, who by the battle of Towton, fought on Palm Sunday, the 29th of March, in the following year, avenged the death of his father, and thereby placed the crown on his own head, and thlis became King Edward lY. The Lords of the Manor of Wakefield thus became kings of England. On the marriage of Henry YII. with Elizabeth of York, the ancient rivalry of the white and red rose was extinguished, and there being no probability that the right of succession of the issue would be questioned, the whole of what had been settled upon Edmund Langley was declared to be resumed, and for ever annexed to the crown.* This was done in parliament 2 Henry YIL, and the manor continued parcel of the royal possessions until 1554, the time of the marriage of King Philip and Queen Mary, when it was united to the Duchy of Lancaster. In the reign of Charles I. the Manor of Wakefield was again granted from the crown. The king, by his letters patents bearing date 28th July, in the sixth year of his reign, (1629,) for the consideration of one thousand six hundred and forty- eight pounds, one shilling, granted the same to John Hawkyns and Thomas Leeke, gentlemen, in trust for Henry, Lord Holland. On the 30th November, in the following year, Thomas Leeke, only surviving trustee, by the direction of Henry, Earl of Holland, conveyed the same to Kobert Leeke t and William * Mr. Hanter'g South Torkshire. Vol, L, p. US. t Mr. Leeke resided at Horbury, near Wakefield, and was ^>parentl7 aomewliat of an Antiqaarian CoUeetori and his Swanscoe, gentlemen, in trust for Sir Gervas Clifton, of Clifton, in the county of Nottingham, knight and baronet, and Penelope, his first wife, daughter of Robert Bach, Earl of Warwick, and their issue. The marriage portion, £6000, had been given by the will of Charles Blount, Earl of Devonshire.* The name of Sir Gervas Clifton is rendered memorable by the nimiber of his wives, on which account Ralph Thoresby styles him "the noted baronet who out-did Henry VIII. in the number of his wives," having had seven. But, unlike Henry, he seems to have been a kind and indulgent husband ; his last wife survived him but a short time, dying in the same year with himself. He served in eight parhaments. It is recorded of him that " with generosity, hospitality, and charity he entertained all, from the king to the poorest beggar," "being generally the most noted person of his time for courtesy. He was an extraor- dinary kind landlord and good master." He died 28th June, 1666. He left issue by three of his wives. By his first wife he had only one child, " the wretched and unfortunate Sir Gervas, his father's greatest foil." t By deed, dated 12th February, 1657, Sir Gervas Clifton conveyed the said manor for the sum of £3500, to Anthony Oldfield and Kichard. Clapham, in trust for • Christopher Clapham, Esq.,- afterwards Sir Christopher, who by their deed, dated connexion with this manor for more than twenty-fire years, afforded him an opportunity of examining the records and other eyidencea of that office, and making extracts from them. I find mention of manuscript collections in three volumes made by him ; two volumes of which are each entitled, " A Book of Manuscripts ; " and the third entitled, " Manuscript Collections, concerning several of the Ancient Customs, &c, within the Manor of Wakefield." These volumes were borrowed in 1704 by a gentleman within the Graveship of Holme, of Mr. Thomas Leeke, the grandson of the collector, then also of Horbury, by whom it is stated they had not been returned, and for the recovery of which, some time after, a legal process was issued. The party accused admitted having borrowed the property in question, but declared that the same had been duly returned to the owner. Beyond thid point the papers from which I quote afford no further information. Not having seen reference made to these MSS. by any topographical writer, I have been led to state these particulars respecting them, in the hope that this notice may lead to further enquiry. * " Charles Blount, Earl of Devonshire, married Penelope, eldest daughter of Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex : this lady had been forced into a marriage with the wealthy Robert Eich, Earl of Warwick, to whom she proved fiiithless ; from him at length she was divorced, having abandoned her husband, taking with her five children, whom she declared to be the issue of the Earl of Devonshire ; who, on his part, midst the fearful conflicts of various and contrary feelings, submitted to the impulse of those, which till now, had been the chief ornaments of his character. He received her, with what mournful cordiality may easily be supposed; and on her divorce from the Earl of Warwick, which of course imme- diately followed, was married to her at Wanstead, in Essex, on the 26th December, 1605. Laud, (afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury,) who then was a young man, and the earl's domestic chaplain, performed the nuptial ceremony. The earl survived the wretched union but a few months. He died the 3rd April, 1606, and was buried in Westminster A.bbey.'* He is stated by a contemporary writer to have "left his lady (for so she is generally held to be,) fifleen hundred pounds a year, and most of his moveables ; and of five children that she fathered upon him at the parting from her former husband, I do not hear that he provided for more than three, leaving the eldest son, I hear, between £3000 and £4000 per year ; and to a daughter, six thousand pounds in money." This daughter was Penelope, who married Sir Gervas Clifton, as already stated. She died in 1613. 47 f 0rirs 0f % p;mt0r of MuMttb. 19tli February, 1660, conveyed the same to the said Sir Christopher Clapham, of Uffington, in the county of Lincohi, knight. By indenture, dated 10th July, 1677, Sir Christopher Clapham conveys the same to Craven and Wiatt, in trust, for what purpose does not appear. By indenture, dated the 4th June, 1700, Sir Christopher Clapham, knight, Craven and Wiatt, conveyed all the said manor to his Grace the Right Honourable Thomas, first Duke of Leeds, J which descended with the title, until George William Frederic, sixth Duke of Leeds, settled the same, with other estates in trust, on his son-in-law, Sackville Lane Fox, Esq., and to his heirs by Lady Charlotte Mary Anne Georgiana, only daughter of the said duke, in whom it now vests. t Throeeb/g History of Kottinghamshire. X Cnbtree (History Hali&x,) by a Tery unaccoantable mistake states that it was bought by Peregrine, the third Duke of Leeds. ^^t %^tiiAoBan anb $ljedois oi ^^mion. The Churcli of Burton, otherwise Kirkbixrton, appears to have been founded about the same time as those of Ahnonbury and Huddersfield. There is no mention of them in the Domesday Survey, which is regarded as presumptive evidence that they were not then in existence. Dr. Whitaker, in treating upon the church of Burton, appears to have adopted rather a fanciftd speculation concerning its site. He says " wherever the name of Burton [qu. Burg-town,] occurs, may probably be expected either the remains or tradition of a Saxon fortification. Accordingly, at this place the parish church, from which there is a steep declivity on the north and west, the appearance of a ditch on the south,and a deep and a narrow lane at a corresponding distance on the east, has every appearance of a Saxon fort, though the keep has been levelled. In addition to these appearances, a small sike, immediately adjoining to the north and east is still called the Old Saxe Dike." I shall not presimie to dispute the general accuracy of the Doctor's suggestion, in regard to the . etymology of the name^ but I apprehend that he was misled by too hasty a survey of the place, and an insufficient knowledge of the habits and peculiarities of the district. The " Old Saxe Dyke," the name usually given to this small brook, had undoubtedly a very diflFerent origin. The aged people of the district well remember when the sexton of the parish church dwelt in a house near this rivulet, and as he was usually designated the old Saxe, or Sac, (for sexton,) * the brook thereby acquired the name of the old saxe dyke. » Concerning its early severance from Dewsbury, Dr. Whitaker says, " it still continues to pay a pension of four pounds per annimi, as a mark of its ancient dependence upon that ancient and fruitM mother of churches, Dewsbury, — ^a sum^ the amount of which at that remote period, is to be accounted for from the great extent of the parish of Burton, at least ten miles in length, and probably containing fifty square miles." * The sexton is still popularly known as (Ac «ae Dr. Whitaker has certainly arer-estimated the extent of this parish. It is now clearly ascertained that it does not comprise more than 16,000 acres, including a very considerable extent of moor-land. Respecting the first foundation of this and the neighbouring church of Almonbury, several learned antiquarians, who have written upon the district, are agreed that they were founded by the Norman barons soon after they had acquired these possessions. After a careftd examina* tion of certain evidences, and the peculiarities of the district, we are led to the conclusion that they are of Ante-Norman origin : the grounds of which we will briefly state. This parish comprises within its limits the townships of Burton, Shelley, Shepley, Cumberworth Half, Thurstonland, Wooldale, Fulston, Hepworth, and Cartworth ; the foxir last-mentioned lie within the Graveship of Holme, and all within the Manor of Wakefield : but there are hkewise three other townships within the said Graveship, viz. : Holme, Austonley, and Upper Thong, also within the Manor of Wakefield, which form part of the parish of Almonbury. It is extremely difficult to conjecture what the circumstances were which led to so arbitrary a division as we have just described, as they have long since ceased to be apparent ; for why Earl Warren, if he were the founder, did not include the whole of this part of his fee in the parish of Kirkburton is very extraordinary, especially when it is remembered that the townships of Holme, Austonley, and Upper Thong, are at least a mile nearer to the church of Burton than to that of Almonbury. That such a division of the parish should have been a matter of indifference to the Warrens, if they had the power to control it, will not be difficult to disprove, by a circumstance which bears singularly on this point, and which, if it do not elucidate it, at least famishes us with a ghmpse of evidence which may guide us in our enquiry through the dark vista of so many ages. We have already seen that the church of Dewsbury was the ancient parish, or mother church, of these districts during the Saxon times : but whether chapeU had been erected at Burton^ Almonbury j Huddersfield^ ^c, anterior to the Norman Conquest, and had districts assigned to each, is the question to which we purpose directing our enquiry. Dr. Whitaker, in reference to the chapel at Hartishead, says, " It may have existed before the time of Domesday, which, as it does not take notice of chapels, affords no evidence of their non-existence. In regard to Burton," he says, " at the a6ra of Domesday here was no church." * * He also staies that this church, with seyeral others, toere granted by William, Earl Warren and Gandreda, his wife, daughter of the Conqueror, to the Monks of St. Pancras, of Lewes. In this he was mistaken; the first Earl of Warren had no connexion with the Manor of Wakefield. It was acquired by the ieeond Earl Warren, who died ia the year 1188.— See Histoiy of the Manor. a Whatever was the state of the church when Earl Warren came into possession of this great fee, we have incontestible evidence that he distributed his bounty with a liberal hand. He, as well as the lords of the adjoining fee, endowed their churches if they did not found them with the tithes of their respective lands, certain annual payments being reserved to the mother church of Dewsbury, viz. : from Kirkburton, £4 ; Almonbury, £2 6s. 8d. ; Huddersfield, 4s. ; Earkheaton, £1 3s. 4d. ; Bradford, 8s. The wide diflference in the amount of these pay- ments bears no proportion to the extent of the several parishes, or the 'quality of their respective lands; Kirkburton paying the highest, and being the least productive ; and yet, Mr. James, in his History of Bradford^ states, that, the payments made by Bradford and Huddersfield, to Dewsbmy, were equivalent to their value. This is so obviously erroneous, that it is evident we must look to other sources for an explanation of so great an inequality. It perhaps may be questioned whether, in taking this subject into consideration, suflGicient attention has been paid to the fact, that the churches of Burton and Dewsbury were parcel of the Warren fee, while those of Almonbury, Huddersfield, Kirkheaton, and Bradford, were connected with that of the Lacis ; that when these chin*ches were endowed by their respective owners, their object was to reserve all such endowments to their own churches; thus, to the churches of Dewsbury and Burton, Earl Warren while desirous of giving to the latter a sufficient maintenance, was equally anxious to preserve to the former an ample competence. The Lacis would not be influenced by these considerations, and doubtless would resist all attempts of the rectors of Dewsbury, to exact from their territories what otherwise might have been granted to them. Still they might be constrained by ecclesiastical authority, to submit to small annual payments from each, in token of their dependence. If we suppose Earl Warren to have been the original foimder of this church, it seems extremely difl&cult to account for such an ecclesiastical division, in assigning the townships of Holme, Austonley, and Upper Thong, to Almonbury, and at the same time reserving to his own church of Dewsbury the rectorial tithes arising from them, which afterwards passed with that church to the monks of St. Pancras, at Lewes, in Sussex. Here we have Earl Warren's special care to ftirther the interests of his own church in regard to its endovrmenty while apparently disregarding its parochial division ; a supposition which seems in no degree probable. Moreover, we find in the Domesday Record, that these three townships or, as they are there stated to be four, were not surveyed in connexion with the other townships within the Graveship, but were regarded as quite distinct and independent: fortunately, Domesday, in this particular, is unusually explicit; it states in "duabas Holne," (two Holnes,) " Alstanelie," (Austonley,) and " Thoae," (Thong,) " the King two carucates." Again, after enumerating Breton, Horbury, and Osset, it states " besides these there are to be taxed two carucates in Holne, and another Holne, Alstanelie, and Thoae, one plough may till this land. It is waste, wood here and there. Some say this is Thanelandy others in the Soke of Wakefield^ Here, then, we find at the Norman Conquest these townships, which afterwards, constituted part of the Graveship of Holme, Were held by a more independent tenure, at which time it was doubted whether they even owed soke to Wakefield. Domesday likewise mentions their last Saxon owner, Dunestan, whom the Conqueror dispossessed. We are led to infer, therefore, that the churches of Burton and Almonbury were founded at some period antecedent to the conquest, and that Dunestan, or some of his progenitors, when these districts were divided for greater ecclesias- tical accommodation, might be led by some local consideration to desire their annexation to Almonbury.* They might be, and doubtless were, denominated chapels y and, therefore, were not mentioned in the Conqueror's survey : to each Chapel had been assigned a district or chapelry: — ^these chapelries, after the conquest, were constituted parishes, and then it was that the Norman barons displayed their munificence, by granting to these churches so liberally of " their spoil." The church of Burton was granted by the third Earl Warren and Surrey, along with Dewsbury, Halifax, and Wakefield, and the rest of their churches and chapels in Yorkshire, to the Priory of Lewes, in Sussex, t which religious house had been founded and endowed by his ancestor, Wilham de Warren, the first Earl of Surrey. The value of this rectory, according to Pope Nicholas' taxation, taken in 1292, is stated at £35 9s. 8d. per annimi. The exact time when the monks of St. Pancras, of Lewes, alienated the church of Burton is not known i they presented for the last time in 1331. To * Perhaps the circamstance as recorded in Domesday, whether this was "Thaneland," or " in the Soke of Wakefield/ affords the best solution of the difficulty, why these lands were assigned to Almonbury in that diyision, and not to Burton, as their Saxon possessor would be desirous of thus asserting a more independent tenure, and ridding himself of any apparent or supposed connexion with the Soke of Wakefield, even though it subjected him to inconTenience of distance in his religious devotions. t For iiirther particnlani respecting this grant, see the Histories of Halifi», by Watson and Grabtree. G 2 whom they granted it is equally unknowii ; we find, however, that in 1356 it vested in the king, (Edward III.,) from, the following extract firom Torre's MS.S., p. 803. I4th July, 1356. The church of Burton having been given by King Edward, in the 30th year of his reign, to his new-founded College of the Chapel of St. Stephens, in the palace yard of Westminster, was by John, Archbishop of York, appropriated to the Dean and College thereof, who, in recompence to the hurt done to his Cathedral Church thereof, reserved out of the fruits thereof an annual pension of ISs. 4d. to himself and successors, and to his Dean and Chapter 6s. 8d., payable by the said Dean and College at Pents. and Marts, by equal portions. Also reserving a competent portion for a perpetual vicar. All which was confirmed by the Chapter of York, 9th August, 1356." Dr. Whitaker, with a view to account for its passing from the monks of Lewes to the College of St. Stephens, conjectured that this church, along with that of Wakefield and others, had again reverted to the Warren family, and, by the last earl were once more granted to the Chapel of St. Stephens. " This," says Mr. Hunter, in reference to the church of Wakefield, but which is equally applicable to that of Burton, "was gratuitous and improbable. It also left him to account for the possession of the church of Wakefield by the last Earl of Warren, of which there was no proof, neither, indeed, of any connexion of the Earl Warren with the church of Wakefield after the time of the sons of the Conqueror, when the Warrens gave it to their newly-founded monastery of St. Pancras, of Lewes." Mr. Hunter then explains from positive evidence, how the churches of Wakefield and Dewsbury passed from the monks of Lewes by grant, in 1325, to the Despencers, who being attainted, forfeited them, together with the rest of their possessions, to the crown, "thus," says he "it was that King Edward HI. acquired his right to give the church of Wakefield to the College of St. Stephens." At present nothing is known how the king, (Edward III.,) acquired the church of Burton, " that it was ceded by the monks of Lewes to the king, is indeed by no means an improbable supposition. They had given in the reign of Edward II. Wakefield and Dewsbury," as we have just seen, " to the Despencers. In fact, "the alien houses," says Mr. Himter, "of which Lewes was, I think, accounted one, were often glad to save themselves from greater calamities by jrielding up some portion of their possessions." On the 27th March, 1357, the ordination of this vicarage took place, and is thus described in Torres* MSS. '' John, Archbishop of York, ordained that there shall be in the church of Birton one perpetual secular vicar, &c., the portion of whose yicarage shall consist in 1. One competent mansion, with other sufficient edifices, at first erected by the said Dean and College of St. Stephen. 2. The yicar shall have the whole glebe of the church which belonged to the rectory ; the rents of diverse tenants in the town only exeepted to the said Dean and College. 3. Also he shall have the tithe-hay of the whole parish, and the tithe of lambs and wool, and both quick and dead mortuaries. All quadragesimal tithes, (tithes of line, hemp, milkness, calves, foals, pigs, broods, geese, hens, bees, wax, honey, ducks, poultry, pigeons, eggs, swans. Of fruits and herbage, and hay of the gardens and crofts of the whole parish ;) and the tithe of mills, whether already built or hereafter to be set-up. And all sorts of obventions and small tithes in anything whatsoever. Likewise the Peter pence and pennies for hallowed bread, and all oblations whatsoever made In espousalls, purifications of women and children, baptisms, and wax offered in sepultures and exequies of the dead ; the tithes of garbs of any sort of blade of the same parish only excepted to the said Dean and College. Furthermore ordaining, that if the said Dean and College should recover the tithes of herbage of woods and parks of woods, of iron and coal mines under ground in the places of decimation, that then they shall pay out of such, tithes to the vicar for the time being yearly. And that the said Dean and College shall bear all extraordinary burdens incumbent on the same church, and stand to the new building or repairs of the chancel ; and the vicar bear all the ordinary burdens thereof forever." The living was valued in the king's books at £13 6s. 8d., after deducting synodals 7s. 6d., and procurations 4s. It seems to have been customary to grant out the rectorial rights on lease. Mr, Hunter * observes, respecting Burton and Penistone, — ^the latter of which had also been given to the College of St. Stephen, that : The Dean and College were accustomed to grant leases of their rights in the two adjoining parishes Penistone and Burton, one of which dated 17th November, 37 Henry YIIL, [1546,] which was the year before the College was suppressed I have seen. It is made to Thomas Burdet, of Denby, gentleman, and William Hawksworth, of Gunthwaite, yeoman, and assigns to them for twenty-one years, ' those two personages of Fennystone and Birton, with all glebe lands, tithes, rents, &c., apperteyning to the said two personages, &c., at an annual rent of £53, to be paid to them or their attorney in their countying-^ouse at Westminster.' Establishments, such as the College of St. Stephens, did not fall with the monasteries, but by the operation of the act of 1 Edward YI. At the dissolution of the College of St. Stephens, the Rectory and Advowson of Burton, along with many others, again reverted to the crown, and the rectorial tithes of Penistone and Burton were again leased out by letters patent by dueen Elizabeth, dated 22nd July, 8th of her reign, for £145 15s., ibr twenty-one years, to Nicholas Smyth, citizen and merchant taylor, of London, late in the tenure of Thomas Burdet, all late parcel of the possessions of the Free Chapel of St. Stephens. Smyth soon after for £120 assigned the remainder of his lease to Francis Wortley, of Wortley, Esq., from whom it passed to his son. Sir Richard Wortley, who had a renewal of the lease, first for a term and then for Hniee lives. * Mr. HoBter's South Torkshbe. YoL ii., p. 887. Near the close of the reign of Elizabeth, an attempt was made by the vicar to regain to the church the tithe-hay, and certain lands held by the impropriator, as part of the rectory, by bringing the case before " Commissioners appointed to divide spiritualities from temporaUties," wherein it was stated that : Mr. Wortley, £irmer of her majesty's rectory of Kirkburton, claimeth the tithe oome and hay within the same, and a certain close called the Long Close, as parcel of the same. The Rev. William Smith, Ticar, demandeth the said tithe-hay, &c.** Whereupon the said vicar came before Mr. Baron Savile and others, being commissioners, concerning things given " ad pios nsus," and now wrongfully detained or employed, and there sheweth forth certain Easter-books to prove that tiihe-Uay was due onto him. And also the ordination of the vicarage, whereby the tithe-hay was given nnto him, and further witnesses to depose that the said tithe-hay was part of the said vicarage, and was paid to the said vicar for the time being, unto the 20th year of the queen's reign. And likewise that the said Long Close is parcel of the said glebe of the vicarage. The jury upon these proofs (Mr. Wortley being absent, and having no counsel there) found that the said tithe-hay and close were wrongfully detained by Mr. Wortley from the said vicar, and upon return of the verdict unto the chancellor under pain of £500 was awarded to give possession of the said tithe-hay and close unto the vicar. The case was again heard, when Mr. Wortley produced his title to the tithe-hay, &c. Ist. He shewed by letters patent that the hay was demised to him. 2nd. That both he and his father, and others before them, as farmers to her majesty, hath been ever in possession of it : and the said vicar never in possession thereof, drd. That the officers of the College of St. Stephens, in West- minster, whereunto the said Rectorie was impropriated, did yearly, from the time of Edward III. until the time of Henry VI., sell the said tithe-hay, together with the come in right of the said College. 4th. That in the ordination of the vicarage there is a clause augendi et diminuendi^ &c,, and the pa3rment of the said tithe-hay unto the College within a short time after, for many years together, sheweth that the ordination was altered. 5th. It appears by a survey in the 2 Edward VI., [1547,] and by a com- mission, 2 and 3 Philip and Mary, for division of spiritualities from temporalities, that the tithe-hay belongeth to the parsonage ; * and that by a survey of the vicarage, 26 Henry VIII., [1534,] tithe-hay was no part of the vicarage. Mr. Wortley's title to the Long Close. — 1. That the said close hath been ever in the possession of Mr. Wortley, his father, and other farmen before them, and never in the possession of the said vicar. 2nd. That it is found by the said commission for dividing of spiritualities from temporalities, that two crofts belong to the parsonage, and there are no other crofts or closes belonging to the said parsonage. Srd. That one Otha Hunt, who was vicar of Kirkburton before the said now vicar, [Smith,] did take the said closes and the said tithe-hay of one Smith, who was then farmer of the said parsonage. 4th. That when the vicar sheweth his Easter-books it is apparent by a roll 35 Henry VIII., [1543,] that the vicar let the tithe-come and hay as an approver for the College, and so came it to be entered into the Easter-books, although it belonged not to them. It was therefore moved on behalf of Mr. Wortley, that the injunction may be dismissed for the reasons aforesaid, and the vicar referred to the law in regard to the matter concerning her majesty's inheritance : and is not therefore as Mr. Wortley taketh it, inquirable by virtue of the said conmiission ad pio9 itfiM, as directed by Mr. Baron SavUe and others. * Through the whole of this doeomcnt " parsonage" means the reetoiy. What was the immediate result of these proceedings we have not been able to discover.* We find nothing 'more concerning it till the year 1606, about which time Mr. Smith, [the vicar,] petitioned the Lord Chancellor Bllesmere, to grant processes against Jervas Golthorpe and about thirty other parishioners, to recover the tithe-hay and close, &c., in possession of the impropriator. In the same year we find, that — ** by virtue of a commission directed to WilUam Ramsden, of Longley, Esq., and others, for the examination of witnesses in a case depending in the Court of Wards and Liveries, between Henry Hubberd, knight, his Highnesses attorney of the said court plaintiff, and William Smith, clerke, defendant, — ^the said commission was to meet and hear evidence * at Almonburie Church, upon Thursday next after Trinitie Sonday.'* The issue of these pro- * It may here be obeenred that Mr. Wortlej, afterwarde Sir Bichard Wortley, knight, died in 1608, leaving Francii Wortley his eldest son and heir, aged twelve years, who sabeeqaently became Sir Francis Wortley, the first baronet. We shall here introduce a short notice of him, partly on account of his connexion with this parish, partly because he was an active magistrate of the West-Riding in " troablous times," but more especially with the view of recording one or two unpublished &cts relative to himself and fiunily. We may first observe in regard to the rectorial tithes, or modus in lieu of it, that Sir Francis Wortley and his father, appear to have preserved a good understanding with the parishioners of Kirkburton, which Ib very different from the disposition they manifested towards the landowners, &o., of the parish of Penistone, who found it necessary to " bind themselves to mutual support against attempts which were made by them to exact tithes in kind ;" a proceeding in that parish which rendered them exceedingly unpopular. Perliaps the attempt made by Mr. Smith, the vicar of Kirkburton, to recover tithe-hay, might impel the impropriator and the parishioners to make common cause. Sir Francis Wortley became, in 1608, a commoner of Magdalen Hall, Oxford; in 1610, he was knighted by King James at Theobalds; and created a baronet on the first institution of the order, in 1611, being the thirty-ninth gentle- man upon the list, and the third of the county of York. About that time he married a daughter of Sir William Bouncker, of Milksham, in Wilts, by a daughter of Sir Walter Mildway, and during the remainder of that reign, and the earlier years of the next, he appears to liave lived a happy life at Wortley, " treading in the steps of his worthy ancestors/ says Wood, "in hospitality, charity, and good neighbourhood.'* The Oxford Antiquary farther describes him "as well learned in the Greek and Latin authors, of a ready quick wit, a good speaker, and well-seen in poetry.** It is a pleasing picture which Taylor, the water poet, presents of the courteousness and hospitality of Sir Francis, in the account he gives of his visit to Wortley and Whamcliffe, in 1689. f Sir Francis was a firm friend of the Earl of Strafford ; they had for their political antagonists the Saviles, of Howley HalL A misunderstanding appears to have originated as early as 1623, out of an election for kinghts of the shire for this county. He was occasionally about the court, for in Trinity term, 2 Charles I., Sir Thomas Savile was indicted for a breach of the peace within the palace, to wit» for assaulting Sir Francis Wortley, and he pleaded his pardon. — See Poplam*s Beports, 207. "1 find," says Mr. Hunter, " this afiair there mentioned in a letter of Joseph Mede, preserved in the Harl. MS., 88S« dated 2nd September, 1626. 'It hath been reported here that Sir Thomas Savile and Sir Francis Wortley, knight, of Yorkshire, have slain one another in single combat.' " The following account of the afiair is recorded by Mr. Hepworth, of Shepley Hall, :); in a MS., to which we shall have occasion to refer hereafter; the circumstances which it records places it beyond doubt as to its being the origin of the dispute between these powerful knights. "Memorandum, that I was att Henry Potters, in Crofton, at Dynner, upon Sonday, the 25th of January, 1623, there beinge at Dynner the same time Matthew Heather, of Sharlston, Henry Potter, and myselfe, and Henry Potter's wiffe ; and beinge sett together speeches began amongst us concerning the last election of t See Mr. Hunter's " Booth Yorkshire." Yol ii., p.p. 816, 817. t See Hepworths of Shepley Hall ceedings seem to have terminated adversely to the vicar^s claims as I find at a later period an allusion is made to it, wherein the writer states that ^' one Smith, vicar, about eighty years ago sued for tithe-hay but got it not." The rectory was granted by King James I., by letters patent, in the fourth year of his reign, to Henry Butler and Henry Ogle, in trust for the Duke of Lennox ; this must have been in reversion, as the Wortleys still held by lease as already shewn. The duke, who was successively created Earl and Duke of Bichmond, also had other honours conferred upon him in rapid succession. He, however, died in 1623, at Whitehall, suddenly, as he was preparing to attend parHament, leaving no male issue, and was succeeded by his brother, Esme Stewart in the dukedom of Lennox, who, by his wife Catherine, daughter and sole heiress of Gervas Lord CHfton, had issue several sons and a daughter. Lady Elizabeth Stewart, who married Henry Frederic Howard, Earl of Arundel, and had issue. Henry Howard, the second son, created Earl of Norwich, was in possession of this rectory in 1670. It would therefore appear knights for the parliftment, which wu the xix January, 1628, amongBt which talke we had some speeches that it was reported there were some faleinge [falling] out there betwixt Sir Francis Wortlej and Sir Thomas SaTile, which liatthow Heather said was true and therenpon tould as, (as he said the certaintie) as a friend of his who knew the passages had fnendlie tould him, which was this, he said that after Sir Thomas Savile and his father. Sir John Savile, was chosen. Sir Francis Wortley came to Sir Thomas Savile and other gentlemen in a chamber in the the Castle garth, and tould him that a great trust was leyd upon him by the countrie, and therefore it would be expected that he should dischaige that trust, and for his own particular he would looke to have an account of his doeings ; which speeches Matthew Heather sa d Sir Francis did reitteiat once or twice : whereupon Sir Thomas said ffiddle fiaddle Sir Francis, what adoe is here with you. Ffiddle flkddle, said Sir Francis 1 Yes, ffiddle ffaddle, said Sir Thomas. Some other speeches passed betwixt them but I did not heare what they was, soe they parted att that tyme. And upon the next momeinge Matthew Heather said that Sir Francis sent his man with a challenge to Sir Thomas, which was this, — that he would have him to take his horse and appoint his weapon, and go over with him into Germany, and there give him satis&ction for the wronge he had done him the day before; Sir Thomas answered that the countrie had imposed other business upon him, therefore he could not goe any such jomey, but said he would come to Sir Francis's chamber, which he presently did, and then tould Sir Francis that hs would not goe into Oennany, and tould him his reasons, but. if he pleased to take his horse and weapon and ride with him into the first or any meadow about Yorke, they two would end the quarrell, both which Matthew said Sir Francis denied him, and thereupon Sir Thomas cal'd in one Ireland to bear witness that Sir Frauds denyed him. Of this I tould Sir Francis againe and he tould me for the beginning it was partly trae, but the rest were not true." Not yeiy long after this the aspect of public affiiirs began to change. " Sounds of war were heard all around, and Sir Francis Wortley entering earnestly into the royal cause, fortified his house at Wortley and raised a troop of horse, with which he kept up a guerilla warfare, annoying to the enemy, but of little importance to the decision of the question. This species of warfiire would naturally create him many personal enemies, and he appears to have been treated with more severity than others who had stood forward in defence of the prerogative, when the war was over. He was taken prisoner at Walton-house, near Wakefield, on the 8rd June, 1644, and not only were his estatss sequestered, but he was kept, for several years, a prisoner in the Tower. The order of parliament for his committal was made 22nd August, 1644." He died in London, but when or where he was interred is alike unknown. — It seems also a remarkable coincidence that of Sir Thomas Savile, who, by the death of his fiither, became Lord Savile, of Howley, and was afterwards created Earl of Sussex, nothing is known either of the time of his death or the place of his buriaL C^t %libtAaBon mib ^tdoxTi oi §ttrt(m. 57 to have passed from Lennox to Howard by marriage. The earl about tliat time threatened legal proceedings against the parishioners, to compel the payment of tithe com and hay in kindj and for many years refrised to accept the accustomed modus in lieu thereof In 1676, the earl, however, agreed to give a receipt according to ancient custom, on the payment of the modus, with the arrears then due, comprising a period of ten years, which was accordingly done. The Earl of Norwich, in 1665, commenced the foimding of an hospital in accordance with the benevolent intentions of his ancestor, Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury, for the perpetual maintenance of twenty poor persons belonging to the town or parish of Sheffield, called "The Hospital of Gilbert, Earl of. Shrewsbury.'' On the 23rd November, 1680, the Earl of Norwich by the death of his elder brother without issue, having become Duke of Norfolk, conveyed certain portions of his estate to trustees for the perpetual support of the Hospital, inter . aUa " the rectory of Kirkburton, with the glebe lands thereto belonging," and in connexion with which it has since remained. It has already been shewn, that in 1357, when this church was constitued a vicarage, tithe-hay formed a part of the endowment, but from some cause unexplained, it seems to have passed at a subsequent period to the rectory, and was included in the mod/vbSy or fixed annual payment due to the impropriators for tithe com, which for the whole parish amounted to £20 Os. Id., called Bate Money 9 which was borne in the following proportions, and paid by each township on St. Mark's day, in the chancel of the church of Burton. Fulstone 2 15 8 £ Burton 2 SheUey 2 Shepley 2 Thurstonland 2 Cumberworth Half * 4 7 2 2 6 3 Wooldale 2 11 Hepworth 2 17 3 Cartworth 2 4 7 Scholes 18 7 In 1852 this mod/us in lieu of the tithes was purchased by each of the townships, of the trustees of Sheffield Hospital, at the rate of forty years* purchase, according to their respective proportions, under the direction of the Tithe Commissioners for England and "Wales, by virtue of the powers to that effect, given by the statute of 6 and 7 William IV., c. 71. * It would seem that Gamberworth Half had not been tnbject to Tithe Cam, This would probably arise from its haTing belonged to a Beligions House.— Boche Abbey. H '.^i '^isabsvm mtb tutors of ^nrion. At the dissc^utioTL of the religious honses, thia Rectory and Advowson reverted to the crowB : aad it seems not improbfU>Ie that when the Manor of Wakefield was united to the Duchy of Lancaster, on the mforiage of Philip of Spain to Queen Mary, the Advowson Ac. might also form a part of that settlement, as the patronage has long vested in the chancellor of that Dn<^y. f aris^ C^4 flf ^ttxim. " The situation of the town of Burton," says Dr. Whitaker, "is beautjfiil — on the verge of a valley finely diversified with native oak, which has been permitted to attain a greater bulk than usual, where it is not immediately intended for the purposes of ornament." In the midst ofthis thriving village, onafine knoll, stands the Church, with its lofty embattled tower, bidding defiance to the raging tempest which has , so often assailed ^. True it is that the battJing storms have not beat upon this edifice for so many ages without leaving deep traces of their trem^idous power. To the east of the church is seen the Vicarage House, a neat and commodious building, embowered in lofty beeches and sycamores, among whose branches the deeprtoned chorus of a colony of rooks adds to the soi^nnity of the place. When seen at a distance, or from any of the neighbouru^ heights, the churdi is a pleasing and interesting object, but a closw inspection reveals some dis- cordant repairs and alterations made by successive g^ieratious of churchwardens. More recent repairs and alterations have been made which have greatly improved its appearance, and it is only to be regretted that they have not been extended to other parts of the edifice. The stranger, in surveying the graveyard, will not fail to observe the two ancient covered sheds, or Inch Gates, which constitute the two principal entrances, — one at the south-east, and the other at the south-west comers of the ground. Under these sheds the corpse and mourners remained till the approach of the minister. f aocwfe (S;&ttr4 xrf ^mtan. 59 There are few of these now to be found in connexion with our Yorkshire churches. "Of the first Norman church/* says Dr. Whitaker, "there are no remains; the present structure must have been built in the reign of Edward III. ; the east end has three lancet lights; the nave has eight cylindrical columns,* with peculiar, but very elegant capitals, and the west door of the tower, of which the arch is pointed, is much enriched with k kind of hatched ornament." We may here observe, in connexion with the rebuilding of this church, that there is still remembered by some of the old people in the parish, a legendary story, which represents that when the church was to be rebuilt, it was the desire of many of the parishioners to have it erected on Stocks Moor, in Thurstonland ; but no sooner had they determined to do so, and begun to convey the materials to the place, than they were as speedily removed back to Burton ; — ^that is, what Hxaterials had been brought in the day, were miraculously removed to Burton in the night so l^t the parishioners were at length obliged to adopt the ancient site! This story a|^)ears to embody a probable fact imder a very superstitious garb. It may. be observed that the church of Burton is situate near the eastern extremity of the parish. This, when it was originally founded, no doubt arose from its being by far the most populous and fertile part. In the reign of Edward III. the population and cultivation of the western part of the parish had greatly increased, probably through the introduction of cloth manufactures, and with this increase of population, the distance from the church must have been felt a serious inconvenience. Accordingly, when it became necessary to rebuild the church, eflforts would be made by the inhabitants of the western part to have it fixed in a more central situation : — ^thus, the situation on Stocks Moor seemed the most advantageous. What should have deterred the authorities from adopting it can now only be a matter of conjecture. The influence of the lords of Burton and SheUey, who were persons of the greatest consideration in the parish at that time, would most likely be adverse to the change ; and, perhaps a popular feeling also might exist to retain the ancient site. If the authorities, in the first instance, were disposed to make the change, it was ultimately abandoned ; but with a view to accommodate the western part of the parish, it is not improbable that it was arranged that a chapel should be erected in Hohnfirth, for the convenience of the inhabitants of that district. Whether * Dt. Whitaker is here mistaken, all the colamna are of octangular form, except one at the north-west end which is cylindrical, with the dog-tootii ornament in ^e capital H 2 IpBiis^ €}saxc^ of ^xtxtan. this was done at that time does not appear. A chapel did exist in Holmfirth in the reign of Edward IV., if it was not erected dming the reign of Edward Illy which, however, seems most probable ; the imaettled government of Richard II., and the dire effects of the long and protracted wars of the Roses, in which the lords of Wakefield were principal actors, so engrossed the minds of the people that there seems little reason to expect it was accomplished at that period. Another circumstance seems to favour the supposition of its having been erected in Edward III.'s reign, the king having granted the patronage of this church to the Dean and College of St. Stephens ; it waa held by them till the dissolution of the monasteries, by Henry VIU., therefore Edward IV. had no immediate control of the ecclesiastical arrangements of the parish, although he was lord of the Manor of Wakefield. He might, notwithstanding, make an annual grant towards the maintenance of a priest or chaplain ; — -for we find thwe is extant a confirmation under the privy seal of Richard III., of a grant made by Edward IV. "to the hinges tenants of Holmfirth, member of the lordship of Wakefield, of xl*" per ann., towards an exhibition to ministre divine service in the chapel there." The tower of the church of Burton is twenty-six yards high, and of two stages, with diagonal buttresses to the first ; the second stage is surmounted with a strong battlement without pinnacles. A cursory inspection will readily discover that it is of a more recent date than the body of the church ; the stone being of a diflferent kind of grit, except the west door, which accords with that of the church, difiering also irom the rest of the tower which is of the plain perpen- dicular style. This ornamented doorway of the tower over which is a small niche, had before been the west door of the church. A closer examination win likewise shew that previously to this erection, the church of Edward Ill's, reign had no tower, as indicated by the strong buttresses at the west* end of the nave, from which arose a small belfry containing a beU. The tower was probably erected in ^^ in the reign of Henry VII. or VIII. It has recently been furnished with a peal of six musical bells. About thirty-five years since the porch was rebuilt, and the north choir, at which time a vestry was added. The water tables on the east-side of the tower shew that the roof of the nave has been angular and lofty, but now IParisj^ Cj^rj^ of ^wdam. 61 greatly reduced ; this change may perhaps date back a century or more. These alterations tend to destroy those fair proportions which this church anciently possessed. Extensive repairs have been made in this structure within the last few years. The chancel has been entirely rebuilt, and the interior of the church very greatly improved by the removal of the screen, plaster work and whitewash, by which the edifice had long been disfigured. A handsome east-window has been introduced, and the pews and stalls have been made uniform. The church is fitted-up with an efficient warming apparatus, and has very recently been lighted with gas, thus rendering it one of the most comfortable and interesting of our country churches, reflecting credit upon the architect employed ; but especial praise is due to the worthy vicar, to whose untiring zeal in the accomplishment of this desirable work, the parishioners are much indebted. The nave of the church is seventy-four feet long, by forty-six wide. The chancel is forty-four feet long by nineteen feet wide ; in the south side wall is a piscina. The nave has a centre and two side aisles. The north choir was the property of the lords of the Manor of Burton ; and the south choir belongs to the lords of the Manor of Shelley ; the early lords of these manors having founded chantries here.* Galleries have been erected on the north and south sides, and at the west-end : fiswjulties being granted for these purposes in 1770, and 1780. In 1789 a faculty was obtained to re-pew the church. About the year 1830 an excellent-toned organ was erected in the west gallery. The pews in the chancel are the property of the trustees of Sheffield Hospital, the impropriate rectors. " It is not very probable," observes Dr. Whitaker, " that painted glass was introduced into the windows of this church before the reign of Henry VII, yet the ancient lords, the Earls Warren were not forgotten. " " In Dugdale's elegant manuscripts of Yorkshire Monuments, &c., 'are three shields copied from the windows of this church; namely, 1st Warren, 2nd Warren, and a bordure Argt. ; 3rd Warren, and on an escutcheon Argt. a bend gules.^t **In one of the windows," of the south choir, "remaining not many years since, was the figure of a woman, holding a church in one hand, and a palm * There aie two chantriee returned in ArchbiBhop Holgate's catalogie. The time of their foundation is not known.. Kirkbnrton. — The lenrice or stipend of our Ladye in the parish church, the jearlj Talue IXs. IVd. The stipend of Si Nicholas^ in the said ehnreh, the yearly Talue XIIIs. t Whitaker's Leod. and SImete. » 62 ^atbj^ €}snxtlg xrf §ttrtoti. branch in the other." " In the western window/' of the north choir, were these afms, namely, Arg. a chevron between thtee crosslets, gules." It is scareely necessary to say that these have now almost, if not entirely disappeared. The church is dedicated to St* John the Baptist, and the certified valute of the benefice is £14 9s. 6d. In the parhamentary survey there wae found " belonging to the parish church of Burton a vicarage presentative, with cure of souls, the profits thereof worth about eighty pounds per annum. Mr* Darnel Cldafke is vicar, a painfiil preacher, who receiveth the profits. The Beetorie is impropriate." There is nothing deserving of special remark in regard to the stalls oi* pewS) exc^t one opposite the pulpit, on which is engraven in the wood, " john waleeb, XX OP APBiL, AJiSTNO DOMi., 1584." It has been asserted by some ecclesiastical writers, that prior to the refoimation, the seats or stalls in our parish churches were open to aU the parishioners indiscriminately, and that no rights were either acquired or recognised tiU after the reformation. Some misapprehension exists on this point, such rights were recognised long before that period, as the following somewhat remarkable charter evidence proves, which is in the author's possession, and which, in more respects than one, is an interestii^ docum^oit. It is an award made by the kirkgraves, [churchwardens] of the church of Burton, to settle a dispute respecting the rights of certain persons to kneel> &c^ in a certain stall in the said church ; and bears date 1490. It also indicates the separation of the sexes in the churches, a custom which begun to decline about the period of the reformation.* Whatever tends to disclose the social condition and habits of our remote ancestors must always be interestiBg. "To all true Cristian People this our present wrytyng indented seyng ox lieryng We Thomas HjrneheljfiT, Thomas Chapell, Richard Marsh, John Dalton, John Home, John Pogeson, James Gharljsworth, John Stakwod, Thomas Tjnker, John Hutchonson, John Charlysworth, John Bamesley, John Ljtylwod and John Wade y® Kirkgraves of ye Parish Kyrke of Burton send greatyng in our Lord God : Knawe ye all uniyersile yat whereas diverse controversies, and quarells nowe late wer had and moved & also yett be pendynge betwixt John Jakson on ye one partie, and Richard Wright upon ye other partie and in especiall for knealynge of ya^e wyffes & yare menze [families] at a fourem in ye said Kirke of Barton. Whereuppon due examynatyon of & in thies premisses afor us all byfor named & ay' now had thallegeaments & records of both ye said parties to ye same herd & by gud deliberation derlie understand it is condescended & fullie agred emonge us by all our Reasones & Myndes afor named also by ye iidvise & discretion oi many of theldyst & discretyst persones of ye said parysh in forme iiisuynge * Thus ire find Sir Thomas More in his Utopia, states " when liiey txaxt thither the men ge into the right side of the church, and the women into the left side." Perhape Sir Thomas had observed a dedention firom aadent custom which he mig[ht think augored no good. IParisj^ Cj^ttrtj^ oi "^nrton. 63 y»* is to witt that y« said John Jakson wyff and his menze [family] of dutye and ryght ought to knell at yo said fourem hynge in variance next to ye pyllor. of ye same in lykewysse as yaw ancessours hath doon without tyme of mynd. And then next unto her & her menze [family] the wyff of William Morehouse & her menze. And the wyff of ye said Richard Wryght next to the stulp of the said fourem end if it her pleas or els her sons wyff or on of her prentices. And soe it hath hen had & used without tyme of mynd as Ood and all ye said parysh right well knoweth and for mor acredance herof to be had to yi* our Wryteyng indented. We ye said Kirkgraves hath set our sealys xxii. day of Octobre in yer of our Lord God millcccclxxxx." About a hundred years since the sexton of this church, while digging a grave, found an ancient silver hoop or ring, for the finger, but whether within the church 9L_^^^^^ or in the churchyard is not now remem- BinOr +in^Vj^ +lKr Pfr bered, upon which the following inscription is engraven, "amor 4. meus 4- i.h.s. est. I.H.S. is perhaps a contraction for Jesus, or as some writers contend, they are the initials of " Jesus hominum Salvator.^^ This ring had probably belonged to some ancient ecclesiastic, who had been interred with it on his finger. This relic soon after its discovery fell into the hands of the late Mr. Newton, of Stagwood Hill, who retained it in his possession about seventy years. It is now in the author's possession. The Registers of this parish commence in 1540, within about two years of the period when the act was passed, requiring Registers to be kept in churches. From their commencement to the close of the year 1607, they have been kept with tolerable regularity, but with occasional breaks. There is a con- siderable hiatus, extending form 1607 to 1639. From that time downward the register seems to ha?e been preaerved with considerable care. They contain no records of special interest. In 1583 there is an entry of the churchwardens' accounts which we here give. — B. d. "Imprimus paid unto Thomas Shawe for fyndlnge bred & wine, upholdinge the bellstringes, & washing the church clouse, or church geare, the some of XX. VI. '* Item paid unto John Senior for mosinge the church & Reparation thereof the some of XXVI. VIII. ** Item paid for Rynginge for the Queene the some of » • • V. IV. ** Item paid for Mending the Bell Clapper the some of XVI. " Item paid for the article at Pomfiret at the Visitations XX. " Item paid for Keeping the Roges at Wakefield XIII. IV. '' Item paid for wrytinge of these that were ratyeffed XVI. ** Item paid for one lock and keye, pen inc and paper the some of II. VII. Somma totalis IHh.. XIX»- IV*- ''^^ €loM €Txtdogm oi il^t WxtwcB oi fiuhimtion. TIMX or IKSTITUTION. YICARB. PATRONS. HOW TACATKD. Ist April, 1357 Dns Rich, de Birton Dec. & Coll. Sei. Stephen Westm. Death nth Jan., 1361 Dns Robt. Pelle, Cap. The same 2nd June, 1406 Dns Robt. Boner, Cap. The same leth Febr., 1425 Dns Wm. Sutton, Phr. The same 3rd April, 1447 Dns Rio. Ohampney, Cap. The same Death 1st Nov., 1472 Dns Geor. Graveson, Cap. The same Death 9tli April, 1506 Dns Henr. Suthill, The same Death Otho Hunt, CI., « 12tli July, 1579 WiUiam Smith, CI., Eliz. ReginsB Death 19tli April, 1615 Gamaliel Whitaker, M.A., lac. Rex. 14th Mar., 1642 Daniel Clarke, 1649 Nathaniel Shirt, M.A., Death 28rd May, 1662 Joseph Briggs, M.A., Carol, n. Rex. Death 1727 Robert D'Oyley, M.A., Death William Mountjoy, M.A., Death Benjamin Kay, M.A., Death Thomas Wickham, M.A., Besisned Edward Markham Willan, Resigned Benjamin Hutchenson, Death Rev. Richard Collins, M.A., present vicar. §iief ^aiktn of nwm of t^t J?icars oi ^kWmrton. Hbnrt Suthill. Hx ii supposed to be descended from the ancient family of Suthill, of Suthill, near Dewsbury. Little is known of him beyond the circumstance of his being appointed to this vicarage on the 9th April, 1506, and being buried here on the 9th July, 1562, having been yicar 56 years. During this long incumbency ^arisj^ Cj^rr^ oi "^nrim. 65 there had been five successive soyereigns on the throne. His appointment was made in the reign of Henry VII., in the dominant period of Romanism, when the priesthood had uncontrolled power in the state : continued through that of Henry YIII., with its great changes — the early steps of the Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries : also, through the reign of £dward YI. with the temporary establishment of Protestantism : and, the inauspicious reign of Mary when Romanism again predominated ; and until after the accession of Elizabeth, when Protestantism took a permanent stand. What effect these great religious and social changes had upon the mind of Mr. Suthill, whether his sympathies were more accordant with the old or the new religion, can now only be matter of conjecture ; all we know is, that he remained vicar till his death. If it would not be putting too uncharitable a construction upon hit conduct, we might be led to suppose that, like his contemporary of Bray, he had determined to live and die vicar of Burton. 0th A Hunt Was a native of Swinton, in the parish of Wath-upon-Deame, near Rotherham. He was educated at University College, Oxford ; and became a fellow of that college. He was presented to the vicarage on the death of Mr. SuthilL He also acquired the valuable rectory of Methley, where he resided, and resigned the vicarage of Kirkburton, in 1579» but retained Methley till his death, which took place in 1590 or 1591. He gave all his lands in Swinton. freehold and copyhold, to the college where he had been educated, for the maintenance of scholars, first, from Swinton ; secondly, from any place in the parish of Wath ; thirdly, from the parishes of Methley and Kirkburton ; and when no applicant from any of these places, fourthly, from any other place in Yorkshire. Mr. Hunt never resided at Kirkburton. William Skith, M.A., Was inducted to this vicarage on the 12th July, 1579. He continued here till his death, in 1615. His name is in no degree remarkable, except for lawsuits with his parishioners, and the iraprqpriate rectors of the parish, respecting the tithes. He did not succeed in obtaining " tithe-hay, but got wool and lamb in kind, yet he was not made so rich thereby," as stated in a MS., written about the year 1680, ** but that some of his children went a begging from door to door, and that in Holmfirth also, within the memorie of some yet living, which might be a caution to his successors from treading too much in his steps." Gamaliel Whitaker, M.A. He was entered of St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1605, and M.A., in 1608, and was appointed to this vicarage in 1615. We have already had occasion to notice, at some length, the character and family of this gentleman in connexion with the part he took in the civil war, to which we must refer the reader. He died at Manchester, where he was suffering imprisonment, in 1644. Daniel Clarke, M.A., Was educated at King's College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1631, and M.A., in 1634. He was for a short time minister of Denby Chapel, [church,] and married a daughter of George Burdett, of Denby, Esq. Mr. Clarke was favourable to the cause of the parliament, for he was appointed by ordinance of Parliament of the 14th March, 1642-3, " to officiate in the church of Kirkburton, and to receive the profits of the said vicarage for his paynes, till further orders be taken by both houses of parliament." This arose from Mr. Whitaker having been suspended or displaced. In the parliamentary survey Mr. Clarke is styled ** a painful preacher." He removed from Burton about the year 1649. I 66 ^nxisj^ ^\p^dg td §icrt(m* Nathaniel Shiht, M.A. Nathaniel Shirt was a native of Cawthorne, near Bamslej, where his family seem to have been both numerous and respectable. His father's name is supposed to have been John, who was steward to Godfrey Bosvile, Esq., of Gunthwaitei Hall. Captain Shirt, of Rawroyd, near Cawthome, a parliamentary officer in the civil war, was also a near relation. He was bom about the year 1620, and at a proper age was entered at Emanuel College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1639-40, and that of M.A., in 1643. He was appointed to the episcopal chapel of Midhope, by Mr. Bosvile the patron of the living, which he held in 1647. But on the retirement of Mr. Clarke from Kxrkburton, he was appointed to succeed him, probably through the same interest, as Mr. Bosvile*s * influence with the goverment of the time, and his own attachment to the parliamentary cause, would procure for Mr. Shirt a favourable reception among the parishioners. He married Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Nicholas Broadley, incumbent of Cawthome. Although Mr. Shirt's family were attached to the parliamentary cause, he seems to have adopted no extreme political views, for when the parisliioners, among other grievances, complained that *' the armi of the late king, [Charles I.,] were still kept in the [parish] church/' it is evident Mr, Shirt did not sympathise with them ; and as they seem to have manifested some hostility to him, it is not improbable it might arise from this cause. Mr. Shirt died shortly after the restoration of Charles II., apparently of a very short sickness. He was interred at Eirkburton, on the 3rd May, 1662. Joseph Brioos, M.A., Was a native of Wakefield, where his father, whose name was William, had resided some time. He was baptized at the parish church on the 25th March, 1639. He received his early education at the Grammar School in that town, and was, in May, 1654, admitted a sizar of Magdalen College, Cambridge, at 14 years of age ; having for his tutor, Mr. Joseph Hill, ** a man of some eminence in his day." At the time of his entering college his &ther was dead, and he records of himself, that he was '' of a sickly constitution of body." He took his B.A. degree in 1658, and that of M.A., in 1661. Where he was ordained does not appear ; the Archiepiscopal See of York was then vacant, so that he had to seek it from some bishop out of the diocese. He was resident at Swillington, in 165 S as curate to his valued friend, the Rev. Heniy Robinson, then rector of that parish, who had previously been vicar of Leeds, and whose daughter, Grace Robinson, he afterwards married. By the death of the Rev. Nathaniel Shirt, in 1662, the vicarage of Burton became vacant, when Mr. Briggs was appointed his successor, and was accordingly inducted on the 31st May, in that year. He was thus called upon at an early age, to fill a responsible situa- tion in the church, at a very trying and exciting period of its history, being shortly after the restoration of episcopacy, and within three months of the period when so many of the clergy were ejected from their livings by the act of uniformity. * Mr. Bosvile resided principally at Wrozalli in Warwickshire, and was elected member of parliament for Warwick, in the long parliament When the royalists and parliamentarians joined issue, he took the side of parliament, "and was appointed, in 1648, colonel of a regiment of foot. In the same year he was named one of the commiBsioners for the West-Riding, to put in force the act for the pnnishment of scandalous clergymen and others, and also for the speedy raising and levying money. In 1648, he was named one of the high court of justice for the trial of the king, in vhicb, however, he never sat" He died in 1658.— Mr. Hunter's South Torkshire. Yol. IL, p. 848. ^ms]^ €)pxxt\i at ^urtan. 67 The principles of the Puritans and other sects had taken deep root here daring the Commonwealth, and the circumstance that one of his predecessors had, in the early part of the civil war, heen entirely overwhelmed by his opposition to the popular cause, at once indicated that the situation, for a young man of such very limited experience, was one of no light responsibility. It does not appear that Mr. Briggs had any misgivings of this kind, but set himself earnestly to the performance of what he regarded as his duty. His ministiy here was prolonged to the extraordinary period of sixty-five years, during which time he was led to publish several small works, in defence of the established church, and the improvement of its discipline. Like many conscientious men, Mr. Briggs looked with abhorrence upon the period which immediately preceded the restoration, as " the disordered times," — ^which he believed to have originated in the diversity of religious doctrine among the people, and thought that to reduce these various elements to one uniform standard of doctrine and discipline, was the paramount duty of the state. In the accomplishment of this object the episcopal clergy, now reinstated in their former position, were ready to become active instru- ments, from a conviction that, unless this great work was effected, the scenes which had so recently taken place might ere long be re-enacted. With these views he applied himself to the task of reducing the *' schismatics," and restoring them again to the bosom of the church ; and if his persuasions failed in their object, he did not scruple to call upon the civil magistrate to enforce obedience. He maintained the divine right of kings, with its associated prindple of *' passive obedience." When Charles II. granted his Indulgence^ in 1672, to the nonconformists, Mr. Briggs shortly after published a small volume, which was addressed to his parishioners, in which he observes, '' it is not fit for me, or any other son of the church, who profess the strictest obedience and loyalty, to make any saucy descant upon his Majesty's actions. He is wise as an angel of God, and fireely do we submit to his deliberate counsels and determinations," &c. This servility, even in Mr. Briggs, was subsequently put to the test. But he had differences of another kind with his parishioners, in regard to the tithes; these differences were kept up, more or less, till the close of Charles II *s. reign ; but in that of James II. it resulted in a suit, in which he " sued a number of the principal parishioners for tithe-hay, flax, hemp, and rape, in the Exchequer Court," upon all, except the first, he was successful. Scarcely had this suit been concluded, when James II. issued his *^ Declaration" dated 4th April, 1687, for the suspension of the penal enactments, by which he granted liberty of conscience to his subjects. This was commanded to be read by the clergy in all churches and chapels : upon which, Mr. Briggs as well as a large proportion of the clergy, manifested a strong spirit of resistance^ and as it seems, made it, not unnaturally, the subject of animadversion from the pulpit. It appears that on the 12th and 19th June, succeeding the issuing of the declarationy Mr. Briggs preached sermons in the parish church, and in the episcopal chapel at Holmfirth, in which he is reported to have used several *' seditious expressions against the government of the king." The witnesses against him were a number of parishioners, who probably were strongly embittered by their recent contest respecting the tithes, and who appear to have made these expressions known to the authorities ; upon which they were called to give evidence before Mr. Justice Alibone, at Rotherham, who was then on his return from " the assize for the northern circuit," " who examined them touching the said sermons ; " after which the judge ordered their affidavits to be made and forwarded to " The Ecclesiastical Commissioners," the prosecution being undertaken by the judge. The result of which was, that the court decreed that for his .offence, Mr. Briggs should be suspended from his function as vicar, until further orders ; peremptorily requiring him to abstain from I 2 68 ^aris& C^rrj^ of ^nxtm. preaching, &c., upon pain of deprivation. His suspension was read and published in the church of Burton, and in the chapel of Holmflrth, on the 16th October following. He afterwards applied to *' The Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and acknowledged his fault, and was thereupon released from his suspension, and restored to his benefice." The long-cherished maxim of " passive obedience/' had now been put to the test, when he saw the Anglican church in danger of being subverted, through the stubborn will of a Popish king, and his conscience at once dictated the line of duty. It is, however, much to be regretted that he afterwards submitted to the humiliation of acknowledging this as a "fault,** It must also be stated that, soon after William III. became seated on the throne, Mr. Briggs instituted a suit for compensation, against those parishioners who had given evidence against him, laying his damages " at £500 for losses sustained," alleging also, that " The Ecclesiastical Commissioners" had been unlawfully constituted, and, therefore, had no jurisdiction, and that the prosecution had been unjustly instituted. It was contended by the defendants that, as the Commission was unlawful, its orders were void ; that the prosecution had been instituted by Judge Alibone, and that they only gave evidence as to (acL The pleadings describe him as " a very troublesome litigious vicar." We will now turn to the more agreeable part of his character, as a minister of the sanctuary, — here he seems to have been most exemplary in the performance of his duties, and especially in the work of catechising the young ; for his deep sense of the importance of whch he acknowledged his great obliga- tions to his early and revered friend, Mr. Robinson, his father-law, who not only first drew his attenti<m to it, but furnished him with the most material part of the questions and answers upon the Apostle's creed, which he used, and which he afterwards published in 1696, along with question and answers ''of the Baptismal Covenant, the Decalogue, the Lord's Prayer, and concerning the Sacraments," which he entitled, " The Church Catechism, explained to the meanest capacity ; not only in questions and answers, as usual, but after each answer is an enlargement by the catechist, for the improvement and further instruction of the congregation in general. Useful for families. By Joseph Briggs, M.A., Vicar of Kirkburton, in the county of York." He printed a second edition in 1722, when he had been vicar of the parish sixty years, and dedicated it to Sir William Dawes, Archbishop of York. In 1704 he published another small volume, entitled, "Catholic Unity and Church Communion, ot Christians' duty to communicate with the church of England ; with a just reproof of several novel and schismatical notions and practices, particularly that of occasional conformity ; clearly stated and proved by way of question and answer. Suited to the well-meaning countryman's capacity. By Joseph Briggs, Vicar of Kirkburton, in the county of York." It is dedicated to " John [Sharp,] Archbishop of York." Mr. Briggs acted many years as a surrogate for the proving of wills, &c., to which office he had been appointed in the reign of Charles II. He was twice married. His first wife was Grace, daughter of the Rev. H. Robinson, rector of Swillington, by whom he had issue. She died in 1695. His second wife was Ellen, widow of John Earnshaw, of Holme, whom he also survived. He died on the ;25th July, 1727, in the 89th year of his age, and was interred in the chancel. RoBBRT D'Otlet, M.A., Was appointed vicar on the death of Mr. Briggs, but was non-resident, being also vicar of Windsor, but whether of Old or New Windsor is not known. This parish did not, therefore, benefit much by his personal services ; indeed, it is reported that during the whole period of his connexion with this church, which was nearly forty years, he only paid three visits to it. The Rev. John Hardy, who had been f ari8& C^r^ 0f ^wdan. 69 qurate to Mr. Briggs, in the latter years of his life, also became curate to Mr. D'Oyley, and remained through the greater part of his incumbency, till Mr. Hardy became incapacitated by age, when the ReT. William Mountjoy was appointed to succeed him as curate. The neglect on the part of the vicar to appear more frequently among his parishioners, gave them great cause of complaint, and the reasonableness of that discontent appears to have been felt by Mr. Hardy, as is implied in the following facetious reply of the vicar to his curate, dated " 15th June, 1736." " Methinks Yorkshire nettles are very forward this year, and sting mightily, and surely one or more of them had not lightly touched you when you wrote your last, for 1 think I never saw so many marks and signs of a pet as I saw in yours." " The people grumble, and murmur, and upbraid you with my absence ? Silly people for so doing. How can you help it ? * * * Well, to set all things right, 1*11 certainly, God willing, be with you next summer, — this, I can't possibly, let matters require never so much. * * * I believe you never once thought how travelling is disagreeable to the old Fellow, — how hard a matter to get a supply for Windsor. These are things. Yesterday B[ishop] of Sarum was here and told me that A[rch] B[i8hop] of Y[ork] could not visit, neither would he be in your country.— So newspaper, what art thou." • • • • • « Yours in good humour, " D'Oyley." Mr. D'Oyley died in 1766. William Mountjot, M.A., Was descended from an ancient and respectable family, at Wooton-under-Edge, in Gloucestershire, where his father was an eminent surgeon. After receiving his elementary education in his native town, he was entered of Brazen Nose College, Oxford ; where he took at the usual period his B.A. degree, and in due course that of M. A. He was ordained to the curacy of the parish church of Huddersfield ; from thence he was appointed, by Mr. D'Oyley, resident curate of Kirkburton, about 1754, on the resignation of Mr. Hardy, through bodily infirmities, which also rendered it necessary for him to resign the office of school- master to the Free School of Burton, to which Mr. Mountjoy was likewise appointed. On the death of Mr. D'Oyley, he was appointed to this vicarage through the interest of the Eurl of Dartmouth with Lord North, then prime minister. He married Jane, daughter of Mr. John , Gill, of Blackhouse, in Thurstonland, who survived him many years. Here he continued till his death, on the 7th September, 1778, aged 47 years, having been twelve years curate, and twelve years vicar. He was a worthy, pious minister, a good preacher, and from his amiable and conciliatory manners, gained the warm affection of his hearers, and the esteem of his parishioners. Bknjamin Kat, M.A. Was inducted on the death of Mr. Mountjoy, and was in many respects the opposite of his predecessor, from whom he differed widely in doctrinal sentiments. Although possessing strong religious feelings, and many excellent qualities, which in some situations might have rendered his ministrations eminently useful, he was, unfortunately for himself and his parishioners, of an irritable and imperious temper which was but too frequently manifested in the excitement occasioned by the annual collection of the vicarial tithes, under circumstances calculated to arouse a determined spirit of resistance on the part of the parishioners. This was felt by them more especially after the quiet, peaceable, and unostentatious demeanour of Mr, Mountjoy. 70 f aris^ C^c^ 0f §tirl0tt. Mr* Kay had not been long seated at Burton, before he gave indications of his intentions to assert what be conceived to be his rights, — and these to the full : thus the great body of his parishioners, and he, were at an early period in complete antagonism. ** This wrought upon his warm temper,*' observes a contemporary, " and caused him to fly to the Ecclesiastical Courts for redress, which proved his ruin. He brought actions against a great number of his parishioners, many of whom were of the poorer class, which alarmed and aroused their superiors, and induced them to form a general association through the parish, for mutual protection and defence* These inconsiderate proceedings brought upon him, as well as on several of his parishioners, long and tedious, as well as expensive and troublesome contests, which lasted ten years, and were only terminated by his death, which no doubt had been greatly accelerated, if not occasioned, by grief and distress of mind, as he died insolvent, being much in debt to all his friends who could or would assist him« His proctor, after his death, took out letters of administration, sold all his effects, and paid six shillings in the pound to his creditors." " Mr. Kay rebuilt the greater part of the vicarage house, and greatly improved the garden and grounds.'' He died 16th January, 1793, aged 47 years,— ^having been twelve' years vicar. He was a popular preacher,*'— possessing a fine voice, and a commanding person* His doctrinal views were highly Calvinistic. onmmrd^ anir (gpitapl^s. Only a few marble monuments have been erected in this church, all of which are modem. Some of the inscriptions on the floor of the chancel are of an older date. On the floor of the chancel : — •* Here lyeth the Body of Mr. Joseph Briggs, who was Vicar of this church 65 years, departed this life ye 25th day of July, A.D. 1727, in the 89th year of his age. Here also lyeth the body of Mrs. Frances Wells, daughter of the above named Mr. Briggs, who departed this life ye 10th of September, 1748, in the 74th year of her age. William, sonne of Joseph Briggs, Vicar, was here interred March 25th, 1668. Here lyeth the body of Richard Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, gent., who departed this life the 12th day of December, 1 668. iEtatis suae 56. Mary Horsfall, late wife of Richard Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, gent., and daughter of John Lewys, of Marr, Esq., who dyed 20th of September, 1641. ^tatis suae, 56. William Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, gent., who was interred here ye 8th of February, 1711. He died aged 77 years. Elizabeth, daughter of William Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, gent., who departed this life ye 17th of December, 1678. Mi, suae, 19. John Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, gent., her brother, who departed this life ye 8th day July, A.D. 1722. JEt. 62. IParis^ €}^xclj of §iwl(m. 71 Elizabeth, wife of Jonas Eaye, of Milsbaw, gent., who departed this life ye day of May, 1701, in ye year of her age. Infra jacet Jonas Kaye de Milshaw, gent., qui obiit. Anno Dom : 1723, ^t., 82. John Kay«, gent., only son of the aforesaid Jonas Kaye, was buried here Sept. Ist, 1745, in the 34 year of his age. Beneath are deposited the remains of the Rev. Benjamin Kay, late vicar of this parish : he died the 16th January, 1793, aged 47 years. Anne, wife of William Newton, of Stagwood Hill, who departed this life 10th July, 1613, aged 62 years. Lydia, daughter of the said William Newton, who departed this life 11 th March, 1817f aged 48 years. Marble Monument : Sacred to the memory of William Horsfall, of Btorthes Hall, Esq., who died the 2nd August, 1780, in the 55 year of his age. He was descended in direct line from Captain Richard Horsfall, who took an active part with the Royalists in the Grand Rebellion, in the reign of King Charles the first, against the Rebel Army. He married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Beckwith, of Thurcroft, in this county. Esquire, by whom he had issue Ingram, his son, who died 17th November, 1770, in the 11 year of bis age, and five daughters, viz. : Dorothy, Elizabeth, Anne, Grace married to George Sutton, of Stockton, Esquire, and Frances. On another : To the memory of Elizabeth Horsfall, relict of William Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, Esquire, who died the 2 Ist of April, 1793, in the 72 year of her age. Another Marble Monument : This monument is erected in remembrance of Dorothy, the wife of Robert Bill, Esquire, and eldest daughter of the late William Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, in this parish, Esquire. She departed this life the 16th day of May, 1792, in the 42 year of her age. Marble Tablet in the north choir : In memory of James Armitage, late of Dedmanstone, son of the late Joseph Armitage, of Alverthorp Hall, near Wakefield, who died at Almondbury, July 8th, 1811, aged 40 years. Also of Anne, daughter of the late Rev. William Mountjoy, formerly vicar of )his parish, and widow of the above James Armitage, who departed this life July 23rd, 1853, aged 84 years. Also William, their son, who died in his infancy, July 17th, 1810. Also of Jane, daughter of James and Anne Armitage, who died June 3rd, 1821, aged 16 years. In the Middle Aisle, on the floor : Here was interred the body of Mary, wife of the Rev. Mr. John Hardy, who died the 18th of June, 1754, aged 63 years. Also, near this place, was interred the body of the Rev'. Mr. John Hardy, who died ye 20th September, 1756, aged 66. Here lyeth the body of Thomas Wilson, the beloved son of Luke Wilson, of Mytham Bridge, who departed this life the 16th day of February, in the 23rd year of his age, A.D., 1711-2. Joseph Wainwright, of Shepley, who died the 2nd day of December, in the 80th year of his age, in the year 1761. Sarah, the wife of Joseph Wainwright, of Shepley, died October 25th, and was buried here ye 28th, 1758, aged 69. W[illiam] S[mith|] vicar Kirkburton, who died April ye 1615. 72 ^arisj^ Cj^rx:^ of §ttrtoTt. On the floor of the south aisle : Edmund Ellis, late of Smjthe-place, departed this life the 20th day of May, 1712, in the 73rd year of his age. John Tyas, of Scholes, who departed this life the 29th October, 1755, aged 77 years. Christopher Cookson, of Newmill, aged 69 years, 1803. Joseph Green, of Oxlee, in Hepworth, departed this life the 26th October, 1754, aged 36 years. Also Martha Green, of Drake House, near Sheffield, daughter of the aforesaid Joseph Green, who died the 21st of May, 1806, in the 58th year of her age. In the church yard : Frances, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Wm. Mountjoy, vicar of this parish, buried February 24th, 1777, aged 4 years. Also the said Rev. Mr. William Mountjoy, buried September 9th, 1778, aged 47 years. Jane, wife of the Rev. William Mountjoy, died April 5th, 1807* aged 78 years. Also Jane, their eldest daughter, buried November 1st, 1795, aged 31 years. Sarah, Wife of Jonas Hobson, of Wooldale, died 12th of March, 171 — , aged 83 years. Jonas Hobson died December 22nd, 1768, aged 59 years. John, his son, died February 25th, 1781, aged 43 years. Joseph Heap, of Hepworth, buried June 29th, 1778, aged 59 years. Jonas, his son, died February 25th, 1824, aged 52 years. Ebenezer Tinker, of Hepworth, died May 19th, 1765, aged 39 years. Uriah Tinker, of Hepworth, died March 14th, 1795, aged 78 years. John, the son of Abel Tinker, of Shelley, died July 9th, 1828, aged 40 years. Martha, wife of Joseph Bottomley, buried 25th July, 1760, aged 42 years. Joseph, their son, buried July 13th, 1784, aged 22 years. Joseph Bottomley died July 14th, 1791, aged 73 years. Martha, wife of John Bottomley, died December 30th, 1806, aged 46 years. John Bottomley, of Shelley Hall, died November 2l8t, 1832, aged 80 years. Joshua, son of Jonas Newton, of Holstage, died September 8th, 1753, aged 12 years. Jonas Newton died February 25th, 1755, aged 68 years. Esther, wife of Jonas Newton, died June 28th, 1770, aged 61 years. John Newton died February 6th, 1824, aged 82 years. John, his son, died October 10th, 1798, aged 25 years. Here lyeth interred the body of Elias, son of George Hollinworth, of Wooldale-Townend, he was late gamekeeper to his Grace the Duke of Leeds. He departed this life 28th day of September, in the 36th year of his age, A.D., 1709. " One, humble, meek, and patient here doth lye. Who hunting loved and feared not to dye." Hannah, wife of Samuel Roberts, of Hillhouse, in Cartworth, died June 13th, 1749, aged 38 years. Elizabeth, wife of John Tinker, of Shepley Carr, died June 3rd, 1772, aged 63 years. John Tinker died April 12th, 1794, aged 84 years. John Tinker, of Shepley Carr, died March 23rd, 1820, aged 72 years. Martha, wife of John Tinker, died February 6th, 1830, aged 69 years, John McGowan, surgeon, of Skelmanthorpe, died December 7th, 1828, aged 38 years. Ann, wife of John Womersley, of Totties, died September 21st, 1788, aged 81 years. Edward Wortley, of Shepley, yeoman, was buried January 4th, A.D., 1665. Joseph Hardcasde, schoolmaster of this town, died May 4th, 1796, aged 57 years. Mary, wife of John Taylor, of this town, died April 11th, 1789, aged 88 years. John Taylor died April 17th, 1797» aged 95 years. William Booth Gartside, of Smithy-Place, died December 24th, 1820, aged 35 years. James Hinchliff, of Upper Green-hill,-bank, died November 11th, 1812, aged 69 years. Sarah, his wife, died Nov. 19th, 1835, aged 88 years. George Smith, of Newhouse, buried September 4th, 1824, aged 54 years. Thomas Hardy, of Birksgate, son of the late Rev. John Hardy, formerly curate of this parish, died March 15th, 1777, aged 54 years. Martha, wife of the said Thomas Hardy, died March 6th, 1795, aged 67 years. Thomas Hardy, son of the said Thomas and Martha, died Febmaiy 21st, 1836, aged 88 years. Thomas Hardy, of Birksgate, died May 3rd, 1849, aged 74 years. Benjamin Stocks, late of Woolrow, died May 17th, 1745, aged 66 years. Sarah, his wife, died April 20th, 1751, aged 71 yean. Mary Beever, of Scholes, died July 1st, 1765, aged 91 years. Samuel Beever, late of Castle Hall, near Penistone, died December 21st, 1776, aged 73 years. Mary, wife of Samuel Beever, died January 5th, 1778, aged 73 years. Ann, wife <^ Abraham Eamshaw, of Thcmgs-Bridge, died January 26th, 1785, aged 39 years. Abraham Eamshaw, died May 21st, 1805, aged 73 years. Samuel Eamshaw, of Thongs-Bridge, died July 27th, 1805, aged 42 years. Elizabeth, his wife, died June 3rd, 1802, aged 42 years. Matthew, son Jonathan Nobles, of Marsh Hall, in Thurstonland, died August 2nd, 1789, aged 23 years. Rebecca, wife of Richard Matthewman, of Shepley, and daughter of Richard Street, late of Langsett, buried here August 12th, 1737> aged 82 years. Richard Matthewman, of Shepley, was buried Sep- tember 8th, 1740, aged 76 years. Richard Matthewman, of Shepley, son of the above, died September 30th, 1766, aged 71 years. Thomas Matthewman, Esq., formerly of Wakefield, and late of Leeds, cousin to the late Mr. Richard Matthewman, of Clifilop House, in Shepley, died May 8th, 1810, aged 73 years. Ann, his wife, died at Wakefield April 19th, 1807, aged 72 years. Sarah, wife of John Archer, of Heymorhouse, died Febmary 20th, 1748, aged 49 years. Joseph Archer, of Cowcliff, son of the above, died May 3rd, 1816, aged 93 years. George Smith, of Newhouse, died September 4th, 1824, aged 54 years. Mary, wife of John Sedgwick, of Thurstonland, died August 2nd, 1794, aged 60 years. James, his son, died March 21st, 1801, aged 30 years. John Sedgwick died December 12th, 1808, aged 67 years. John Gill, of Blackhouse, died June 20th, 1761, aged 64 years. Thomas, his son, died July 4th, 1766, aged 39 years. Bridget, the latter lyife of the said John Gill, died August 13th, 1784, aged 91 years. Richard, son of John Gill, died 24th February, 1809, aged 74 years. Joseph Nobles, of Causeway-foot, died February 15th, 1754, aged 50 years Mary, his wife, died March 11th, 1798, aged 86 years. Thomas Firth, of Shepley, died July 2nd, 1702, aged 71 years. Martha, his wife, died April 5th, 1723, aged 69 years. Thomas, son of the said Thomas and Martha Firth, died May Ist, 1710,* aged 23 years. Rebecca, daughter of the said Thomas and Martha Firth, died May 31st, 1767, aged 81 years. 74 iparisj^ €\pxxtlg jrf ^mbm. « John Firth died July 2nd> 1732, aged 71 jean, Sarah, his wife, died August 11th, 1772» aged 81 years. Mary Ann, Wife of James Binns, of Barton, died November 9th, 1833, aged 60 years. James Binns, died January 28th, 1860, aged 68 years. Thomas Eenyon, of Dogley Mill, died September 10th, 1835, aged 65 years. Sarah, his wife, died September 23rd, 18.47» aged 82 years. Robert Beeley, of this town, died May 21st, 1845, aged 84 years. Martha, his wife, died May 25th, 1845, aged 74 years. Martha, wife of George Hey, of Newhouse, in Kirkburton, died May 17th, 1845, aged 76 years. George Hey, died February 6th, 1858, aged 88 years. William Child, of Brookhouse, in Shelley, died May 7th, 1848, aged 49 years. John Batty, of Scholes, died May 18th, 1748, aged 53 years. Benjamin Cocker, of Highburton, died April 25th, 1842, aged 70 years. Thomas Littlewood, of Damhouse, in Cartworth, died May 13th, 1759, aged 76 years. Elizabeth, his wife, died May 20th, 1773, aged 90 years. In quitting these sacred precints, we may here remark that about a century ago, there was to be seen in the clerk's house, at a short distance from the church, the following lines, which have now disappeared, but which wiU not inappropriately conclude this part of our subject. — " I wyll tomorrow, yea that I wyll, I wyll be sure to do it : To-morrow comes, to-morrow goes And yet you are to do it. And so Repentance is deferred From one day to another, Until the day of Death itself doth come. And Judgment is the other. I am indebted to the kindness of the Rev. Joseph Hunter, F.S^., of Iiondon, for a eopj of these lines, which he tnnscribed from the MSS. of the late Mr. Wilson, of Broomhead, an industrions collector and antlqnary, who saw them on the clerk's house, at Eirkbnrton, in 1760. To Mr. Hnnter I am also indebted for diseoyering whence these lines are borrowed. For, as he justly obserres, " I always thonght them above the reach of the rostic muse of Kirkburton. Th^ are taken from Drazelins' OonBiderations of Btemity, in B. Winterton's translation, originally printed in 1682, the woik became popular and passed throngh sereral editions." SCnfams^pf 0f §urlmt irlj^irixriflje IlirWwrtim. In Domesday Book "Bertone" is surveyed as a member of the Soke of Wakefield, consisting of three carucates. It was then part of the Terra Regis, and returned as waste. When this great fee was granted to Earl Warren, Burton was soon after given to one of his retainers, who took the surname of Burton, or "deBirton/* The family were of considerable importance here; Dr. Whitaker states, " they may be traced as Lords of this Manor, to the highest period of local names." The name firequently occurs in charter evidences, either as principals or as witnesses. A Nicholas de Birton was a witness to a charter in the 6 Edward I., [1277,] wherein Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, confirms certain privileges to the burgesses of Pontefi'act.* We find that the early lords of Burton were also lords of Gunthwaite, which they had acquired, probably in. the reign of Henry IIL, or not later than Edward I. ; but not long after this it appears to have vested again in the de Grunthwaites ; for in 1359 John de Gunthwaite gave to Thomas Bossvile de Erdesley and his heirs, his estate and Manor of Gunthwaite. In these trans- actions of the Burtons with the Gimthwaites, we have Nicholas de Byrton, Henry de Byrton, his son, who had Roger de Byrton. t This Nicholas de Byrton was a person of some consequence, as he appears to have held the office of seneschal, or steward, of Blackbumshire, imder Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln. Henry de Birton appears as a witness to a deed, without date, firom Matthew de Oxspring to Roger del Hyde, about the reign of Henry IIL, or Edward I. J Elias de Byrton appears as a witness to a charter, bearing date 1284, fi'om John d© Carlton to Elias de Midhope.|| This Elias de Byrton was probably nephew to Sir Elias de Midhope. § * Booihroyd's History of Ponteiiact. t Mr. Hunter's South Yorkshire, toI. ii., p. 344. 4: td. vol. iL, p. 354. |) Id. yol. IL, p. 358. I "Elias de Midhope had two sisters not named in the genealogy. They married, one the Lord of Thnrgoland, th^ other the Lord of Barton, (Eirkbnrton,) in the Wapentake of Agbrig. On the death of Elias John de Thoxgoland, son 0^ the one, and William de Barton^ grandson to the other, claimed to be heirs of Ulias de Midhope, on the ground that k2 76 Cnfamsj^ d §iitloTr» There was a William de Burton in 1304, presented to the Rectory of High Hoyland, of the first mediety, by Sir Thomas de Burgh.* The name also of William de Burton appears in several charters connected with this parish, from Edward Fs. reign to 1335. In the 32 Edward III., [1359,] Elias de Burton, Lord of Burton, and John de Dronfield, Lord of West Bretton, obtain a royal hcense, that they might give the Advowson of the church of Penistone to the Dean and College of the Free Chapel of St. Stephens, Westminster.! In the 8 Henry IV., [1406,] " BUas de Byrton Armiger" occurs as a witness to a charter. A John de Birton occurs also as a witness to a charter, dated 24 Henry VI., [1445,] and again in a charter dated 27 Henry VI., [1448]. In 1455, Thomas Burton gave his daughter, Isabel, with certain lands, in marriage to Edmund Kaye, of Woodsome, Esq., by whom he had issue Nicholas Kaye, of Woodsome, Esq., who dying S.P., the estate ascended to his uncle Greorge, an ancester of the late Sir John Kaye, bart. But Thomas Burton had a son John, who had Robert, who had an only daughter, Joan. Robert dying in the 19 Henry VII., [1504,] the jurors found, inter alia^ that he was seized of the Manor of Kirkburton and the Advowson of Chantry of St. Mary, in preste to that church, all which descended to Joan, his only child. This daughter, in the 18 Henry VII., married Thomas Triggott, of South Kirkby, and had issue, Robert Triggott, son and heir, whose grandson had issue three daughters, co-heiresses. { his issae were illegitimAte. The qnestion came to a hearing, and of the pleadings we hare an abstract by Dodsworth. It appears from them, that in 1252, Sir Elias had entered into a covenant to marry Maud, a daughter of Richard Gramary, (Grammaticug, a family who had considerable possessions along the line of the Aire,) but that marriage was neyer completed, and she became the wife of Robert de Stapleton, of Thorp Stapleton, while Sir Elias married Mabiliay a daoghter of Josceline de Swainsby. The marriage with Mabilia was contracted in the face of the church, and without any contradiction of the said Maud, or of any other person, and she lived fifteen years at Midhope as his wife, and there died in peace, and was buried in the parish church of the said Elias, at Ecclesfield. But eight years after the death of Mabilia, Robert de Stapleton being also dead, Maud perceiving, as the pleadings say, Elias de Midhope to be rich, came and challenged him for the conditional contract he had entered into with her. Elias replied that the contract was only conditional, and the conditions not having been fulfilled, the contract was null, when John D'Eyvile, of AdUngflete, the discontented baron, who was concerned in the burning of Shefileld, uncle to Maud, and other persons of her lineage, seized upon Elias, carried him to York, and there compelled him to marry her in the Chapel of St. James, without the walls, without sentence or judgment." " The determination upon this cause I have not seen," says Mr. Hunter, " but it may be presumed to have been in favour of the son, as he succeeded to the inheritance, as did his posterity after him. There is a quit-claim in 1829, f^m John de Thurgoland, of all the lands which were Elias de Midhope*s, which may be connected with this transaction." Mr. Hunter's South Yorkshire, vol. ii., p. 364. * Mr. Hunter's South Yorkshire, vol. ii., p. 864. + Id. vol. ii. p. 836. t Whltaker*s Loidis et Elmete. ^xrtonsj^pf ot ^tcxtont. 77 The following pedigree more fully explains the descent. PEDIGREE OP TRIGGOTTT, OF SOUTH KIEKBY AND OF BUETON.* A&M8 : Argent, a chevron between three cross crosslets fitchee, sable. Crest : a lion's head or, deTouring a child proper. ThomM Triggott, of Soath Klrkbj and of Kirkboitoii, jw« Vx.ss=, roan^augfater and heir of Robert, son of John, son of Bliaa de Burton : her mother, Joan, was a daughter of Willkm Sinunes, of Bamslev. by Mar(^u«t daughter and co-heir of Thomas Boevile, of Edderthorp. Bobert Triggott, son and heir=^Jane, daag^ter of Sir John Wentwoitfa, of EmaaL a son, named Stephen. Anthony, 8.p. Isabel, 1st wife,= daughter of Anne, of Frek- ley,Esq. ^Bartholomew Triggott, of 8onth= Kiritby, Esq., son and heir, living there in 1565 ; will dated 6th Aug., 1585, proved 38th Jan., 1605.0 ; died IStfa Aug., 1590, aged 70, buried at South Kirkby. I TT I.. Jc I sLucy , 9bd wife, daugh- ter and heir of Ed. Booth,ofCranswiok, buried 19th March, 1027. William, 4th son, was married. John, died young. Dorothy. Alice Franoes Elizabeth Frances and Joan died Ann, lstwire5Utnr====Tbomaa Triggott, of8onth====Elizabeth,8nd wife, daughter Mansfield- Voodhouse, Esq. young. Catherine married Thomas Holgats, of Stapleton. Jane mvried Thomas Candy, of Brayton. Rhter of Thot. Rereaby, of Therebeifb, Esq. Kirkby, Esq., son and heir, 1586, was buried in the church of Kirkby, 20th Aug., 1633. Ann Triggott, eldest daughter & co-heir, married Thomas ThomhiD, of Fixby, in the parish of Halilkx, Esq. John Moseley, or= York,EBq.,died 1624, buned in the ehuroh of St John, Ous»- bridge End, York. -Elizabeth Triggott, 2nd daughter and co-heir, died 1640. aged 60, and was buried with her husband. Luey Triggott, y. d„ married at Mans- field, 13th Septem., 1024. Sfa- John Digby, of Mana- fleld-Woodhouse, brother to Elizabeth above. John Moseley, an alderman of York, married Elizabeth, daughter, and one of the co-heiresses of the last Thomas Triggott, to whom, in a partition of the estate, the Manor of Burton was allotted; they had issue, Margaret and Ann, also co-heiresses. The former married Si/r John Kaye^ of Woodsome, the first Baronet, by whom he acquired the manor and estates of Burton. He died in 1662, and was succeeded by his eldest son Sir John Kaye, the second Baronet, aged 24 in 1665. He married Anne, daughter of William Lister, of Thornton, in Craven, in the county of York, Esq., and sister and sole heir of Christopher Lister, of the same place, Esq., by whom he had issue — 1st, Sir Arthur Kaye, his successor ; 2nd, Greorge Kaye, of Grange, sometimes called Denby-Grange, in the parish of Kirkheaton, Esq., and other children. Sir John Kaye was many years M.P. for the county of York. He died in 1706. From Mr. Hunter'B Sooth YorkBhire, toL iL, p« 447. 78 Cohms^p 0f §url0n. To Ms son, George Kaye, of Grange, Esq., among other estates, he gave the Manor of Burton. The said George Kaye married Dorothy, daughter of Robert Savile, of Bryam-Royd, near EUand, Esq., and had issue, John Kaye. He died 1707. His widow afterwards married Wabnersley, of Dalton, Gentleman. She died in 1726. John Kaye, of Grange, Esq., succeeded his father in his estates, and on the death of Sir Arthur Kaye^ his uncles the Srd Baronet, without male issue the Baronetcy devolved upon him. On the death, also, of his uncle, Thomas Lister, Esq., without issue, who constituted him his heir, he took the name of Lister in addition to that of Kaye, and became Sir John Lister KayCy of Gh'angej 4ith Baronet, He married Ellen, only daughter of John Wilkinson, of Greenhead, in the parish of Huddersfield, Esq., who died January 29th, 1729, by whom he had issue John Lister Kaye, his ^'successor. To his second wife he married Dorothy, eldest daughter of Richard Richardson, of Bierley, near Bradford, Esq., by whom he had issue ; 1st, Lister, died an infant ; 2nd, Richard, of whom we mention hereafter ; Srd, Christopher, died an infant; 4th, Dorothy, wife of Robert Chaloner, of Bishop Auckland, county of Durham, Esq. ; 5th, Catherine, died young ; 6th, Miles, died an infant ; and 7th, Margaret. Sir John Lister Kaye, waa sometime M.P. for the city of York. He died April 5th, 1752, aged 55 years, and was succeeded by his eldest son Sir John Lister Kaye, the 5th Baronet, who was bom July 7th, 1725. He served the office of High Sheriff of the county of York in 1761, and died November 27th, 1789, without issue. He was succeeded in the Baronetcy by his half-brother, the Rev. Richard Kaye, LL.D., Dean of Lincoln, prebend of Southwell, &c., the 6th Baronet, who died without issue 25th December, 1809, when the Baronetcy created in 1641, became extinct. Sip John Kaye, the 5th Baronet, dying without issue, devised the Manor of Burton and the rest of his estates to John Lister Lister Kaye, Esq., of Grange, who married October 18th, 1800, Lady Ameha Grrey, 6th daughter of George Henry Grey, Earl of Stamford and Warrington, by whom he had issue. In 1812 he was advanced to the dignity of a Baronetcy. Sir John Lister Lister Kaye, about the year 1827, sold the Burton estate in small lots. The manor and a small portion of the estate were purchased by the late Mr. Tedbar Tinker, of Shelley, and Mr. Nathaniel Sykes, in whose heirs it now vests. Cjoteifij^p 0f ^ttthm, 79 BuETON Hall, The ancient seat of the lords of Burton — ^until the family of that name finally merged into that of Triggott, who had their residence at South Kirkby — ^was situated in the hamlet of Highburton, on the verge of the hill to the west, and on the north-east side of the Burton valley. The ascent is steep, and the situa- tion high and exposed, but commanding a fine view of the valley beneath, in which Storthes HaU, with its richly wooded grounds, forms a striking and prominent object. The designation of Eally has almost ceased to be apphed to the humble edifice which now occupies this site. There appears to have been attached to the Hall, a small domestic chapel of pointed gothic architecture, the greatest part of which was taken down about twenty-five years ago. It is difficult to conjecture the cause of its erection so near to the parish church. It must have existed before the Reformation, as it is apparent that the owners of the estate did not reside here after that period. BUETON CeOSS. In the small hamlet of Highburton stands an ancient cross, the precise object of which has not perhaps been clearly understood by the inhabitants, but the preservation of this ancient reUc firom the wasting hand of time, appears to have been always an object of their special care. It is certain that Burton was, in the time of the Plantagenets, a Market Town ; it seems probable that it had been so from a still more remote period, but whether it originated by charter, or by prescription, is unknown. From the fact of the cross being placed in Highburton, there can be httle doubt that the markets were held there. In the Court RoUs of the Manor of Wakefield, in the 26 and 27, Edward III., [1352,] 24th January, under " Holne," it is stated that the tolls of Burton market were let for 26s. 8d. Not the least curious circumstance connected with this market, is, that the toUs would seem to have belonged to the Chief Lord of the Pee, and not to the mesne lords — ^the de Burtons. Here resided about two centuries ago, a family named Roebuck, who were usually described as of Highburton Gross. They continued to reside here through several generations. The last of the name was Thomas Roebuck, who left an only child — a daughter, who msgried to Wood, of Monk Bretton, near Bamsley, whose grandson was Sir Greorge Wood, knight, one of the barons of the exchequer, who died in 1823, at an advanced age. 80 Cofotis^ir of burton. Yew Tree. This ancient homestead was, for upwards of three hundred years, the property and residence of a family named Mokeson, of the class usually styled " Yeomen.** John Mokeson, the last possessor, sold the estate to B. Haigh Allen, of Greenhead, Esq., in whose heirs it still remains. There is a singular record of this family, viz. — ^that the said John Mokeson, and Olive, his wife, daughter of Joshua Senior, of Shelley, had thirty children, of whom, however, only four arrived at the adult age. Riley. Riley is now a small hamlet, on the road from Burton to Thunder- Bridge. There is nothing to recommend it to notice except that at a remote period, its owner, who resided here, received his surname from it. The name appears among the witnesses to ancient charters, viz. — a "John de Rylay," appears in a charter without date ; and a ** John de Rylay " appears also as a witness to a charter dated 16, Edward I., [1298,] probably the same person. A "William de Rylay," occurs in another dated 1319. Independent Chapel, Dogley-Lane. This chapel was built in 1816, but has since been considerably enlarged, and galleries erected. It is warmed by an efl&cient apparatus. An organ was added in 1853. In connexion with the chapel are school-rooms, built in 1832. The chapel, schools, and parsonage, have recently been fitted-up with gas, &c., at the cost of £100, which sum was liquidated by congregational collections. The church was formed December 25th, 1816, and as no minister had then settled, the Rev. John Oockin, of Holmfirth, at the request of the friends, pre- sided at the meeting. The first minister, — ^the Rev. William Lees, commenced his labours January 2nd, 1820, and remained until his death. His remains are interred within the chapel, and a tablet erected to his memory. The second minister, — the Rev. George Ryan, commenced his labours March 11th, 1832, and resigned the pastorate March 10th, 1837. The third minister, — the Rev. William Baines, entered on his oflBce May 3rd, 1840, and died November 28th, 1840, only a pastorate of a few months. The fourth pastor, — the Rev. John Hughes, commenced his labours here January 1st, 1842, and died FiBbruary 14th, 1849, and was interred inside the chapel. Cxrtxmsj^p 0f ^ttrtcm. 81 The fifth pastor, — ^the Rev. WilUam Inman, commenced first Sabbath in November, 1850, and resigned the charge September 2nd, 1858. He was suc^ ceeded by the Rev. Joseph Oddy, the present minister, to whom I am indebted for the information here given. There is no endowment or grant to the chapel, and the minister is wholly sup- ported by the congregation. The chapel has been duly licensed for marriages. Registers of baptisms fi-om 1816. In the chapel are marble tablets which record as follows : To the Memory of the Rev. William Lees, who discharged the pastoral duties of this church nearly twelve years, with seriousness, fidelity, and zeal ; and who, in the vigour of his age, and of his useful- ness, was suddenly called to enter into the joy of his Lord. He died August 13th, 1831, in the 46th year of his age, greatly lamented, as he had been beloved by his own people, and by all who knew him, for his christian spirit, and consistent deportment. Sacred to the memory of Paul, the son of Joah and Rachel Sugden, of Woodsome Lees, who departed this life February 18th, 1821, aged 18 years. Also, of the above Joah Sugden, who died August 9th, 1845, aged 63 years. He was a faithful office bearer in the church of Christ for 38 years ; one of the chief promoters of the building of this chapel, and continued its firm friend unto death. Also, of thcf above Rachel Sugden, who died December 24th, 1850, aged 72 years. Sacred to the Memory of Ann, the wife of Joseph Turner, Woolstapler, of Huddersfield, and daughter of Joah and Rachel Sugden, of Woodsome Lees. She died June 10th, 1832, aged 24 years. In Memory of the Rev. John Hughes, who died February 14th, 1849, in the 39th year of his age, and the 8th year of his ministry. His remains lie interred beneath this chapel. As a minister and pastor, he was earnest, affectionate, and faithful. This monument is erected by the church and congre- gation as a testimony of their high regard and mournful remembrance. In the grave-yard is a very handsome monument, with broken column and wreath — on one slab : In affectionate remembrance of Wright Rhodes, of Spring-Field, who died March 8th, 1859, aged 65 years. On a second slab : In Memory of John, eldest son of Wright and Sarah Rhodes, who died November 5th, 1 846, aged 21 years. Also, of Franklin, their fifth son, who died October 4th, 1852, aged 15 years. Wesletan Methodist Chapel, Kibkburton. In 1816, the Wesleyan Methodists of this district erected a chapel at Burton, which at length becoming too small a new site was chosen, and a neat and L 82 CxriDHS^p 0f ^nxtan. commodions chapel was erected in 1845, which was opened for religious worship in 1846, when their former chapel was sold. Spacious schoolrooms were erected in 1848, to accommodate 300 scholars. The entire cost of the chapel and school premises amounted to £1660, exclusive of an excellent-toned organ, given by Mrs. Cocker, of Highburton, in 1859. Primitive Methodist Chapel. This Chapel is situate in Highburton, and was bmlt in 1832, at a cost of about £100, and is calculated to hold about 100 persons. KlEKBUETON SCHOOIu This school was established in the year 1714, as appears from the following inscription, on an old stone tablet, removed from the front of the original schoolroom and retained in the present schoolroom. "This school, built A.D. 1714, at the charge of the inhabitants; it was first endowed with £100» being the free gift of Mr. Henry Robinson, of Leeds, clerk ; with £20 given by Mr. John HorsMl, of Storz Hall, gentleman ; and was afterwards endowed by the said Mr. Horsfall's noble legacy in his last will, with £400 ; all which sums are to purchase lands and tenements, for the better maintenance of the schoolmaster, and for poor children learning in Thurstonland and Kirkburton* Da dum tempus habes, Tibi propria sit manus Hoeres auferet hoc nemo, quod dabis ipse Deo.*^ The above benefa<5tions and legacy were laid out in the piu'chase of real estates, with the exception of the sum of £42 2s. 6d., which was placed on mortgage of the tolls of the Huddersfield and Penistone turnpike road, but was recalled about 15 years ago, to help to liquidate the expenses incurred in building a large and commodious schoolroom, the original schooboom being very small and incon- venient, and very much dilapidated, and thus unfit for the purposes of education. The trustees for the time being are the Vicar of Kirkburton, and the heirs of Eichard HorsfeJl, Esq., and the heirs of Robert Rockley, Esq. The Vicar of Ejrkburton, the Rector of Kirkheaton, and the Rector of Elmley, are the electors of the schoolmaster. The real estates which were purchased consist of — ^a farm house, outbuildings, and about 20 acres of land, at Holme, in the parish of Almonbury, and let to John Hadfield, for £26 a year — a house and about six acres of land, in the township of Cartworth, let to Benjamin Green for £10 10s. a year — a house in Wakefield, usually called the Old Com Exchange, let in offices, and which produces about £30 a year net — and a small portion of land, situate in Kirkburton, and let as a garden to George Jenkinson for £1 a year. Cofanxs^pf 0f ^wdott. 83 These, together with the schoolmaster's house and premises, comprise the property of the school. The master of the school occupies the school premises, and receives the emoluments derived from the property after deducting the necessary expenses for keeping the several buildings and estates in proper repair. He teaches twenty poor children of Kirkburton, and ten of Thurstonland, gratis, by agreement with the trustees. Twenty of these free scholars are provided with 2f yards of linen for clothing, on St. Thomas* Day, in every year. BENEFACTIONS. Mn. Elizabeth Catharine Farmer, of Leasingham, near Sleaford, in Lincohuhire, who died the 2nd of September, 1847, bequeathed ** to the vicar of the parish of Kirkburton, in Yorkshire, which benefice mj late dear father held, the sum of one hundred pounds, to be by him applied to some charitable purpose, in his discretion, for the permanent benefit of the poor of that parish." Mrs. Farmer's legacy hsis been laid out by the vicar in the purchase of govern- ment consolidated three per cent, annuities. Mr. James Booth, of Lockwood, formerly of Lane-head, in Burton, by his will dated the 8th day of October, 1852, bequeathed " the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, the remainder of the said trust money, to apply and appropriate the same to and for the poor of the township of Kirkburton, in the said county of York. And I direct that the said sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, shall be and remain invested in the names of the yicar, churchwardens, and overseers, for the time being, of the parish of Kirkburton aforesaid, in government, or other good security ; and that the dividends, interest, or annual proceeds thereof, shall be for ever hereafi;er paid and applied by the vicar, churchwardens, and overseers, for the time being, of the said parish, at their discretion, for the maintenance, relief, or comfort, of the poor people of the said township of Kirkburton." The above sum is invested in the Huddersfield Water Works, and pays interest at three-and-a-half per cent. The enclosure of the Common Lands of this township took place in 1816, comprising 187 acres The ancient enclosure 1073 „ Total 1260 9^ L 2 Coixmsj^p 0f S^lgtlltii Tms township is surveyed in Domesday as a member of the Manor of Wakefield. " Scehieleie one carucate." It appears to have been granted off soon after the Norman Conquest, and to have given to its early lords their names of addition. The following copy of a charter, hitherto mipublished, conveying to the Monks of Eoche Abbey certain lands, in Birchworth, a neighbouring township, exhibits a proof of the good will to the church, of one of the early lords of this subenfeud^,tion. The charter is without date, but was probably executed early in the reign of Henry III., and is remarkable for comprising in the grant some of the tena/nts. Sciant omnes presentes et futuri quod ego Henricus de Schellaya, filius Robert!, dedi concessi et hae carta mea confirmayi pro salute animi, mei et omnium antecessorum et heredum meorum. ' Abbati et Monachis Sanctse Marise de Rupe homagium et servicium Johannis, filii Roberti del Ker, quae mihi dcbuit et heredibus meis vel assignatis pro duabus bovatis terrse, cum pertineDciis in Birche worth, et homagium, et servicium Johannis, filii Adami quae mihi debuit, et heredibus meis et assignatis pro una bovata terras, cum pertinenciis in eadem villa, et duas bovatas terras, cum pertinenciis quas Ricardus et Jona tenuerunt de me in eadem yilla, et ipsos Ricardum et Jonam cum tota sequela sua, et ipsos Ricardum et Adamum cum tota sequela sua, et unam bovatam terras cum pertinenciis quam Gilbertus capellanus tenuit de me in eadem villa, et unam essartam cum pertinenciis in predicta villa que vocatur Wetelaja, tenenda et habenda in perpetuam elemosinam liberam, et quietam ab omni servicio ad me et heredes meos pertinente salvo forenseco servicio, quantam pertinet ad unam carucatam terras, unde novem carucatas faciunt feodum unius militis. Et ego et heredes mei warrantizabimus totam supradicam terram, cum pertinenciis supradictia Abbati et Monachis de Rupe in perpetuum contra omnes. His testibus Dno Henrico persona de Rothell, Hugon de Urnethorp, tunc Senescallo de Pontefracto, Roberto de Stapleton, Henrico Walente, Roberto filio Ade, Thomas de Littel, Alano filio Roberti de Smecheton, Roberto filio Gilbert], Simone filio « « « , Alano filio Alani.* * This grant comprised not only lands, but the tenants or villeins, " cam tota seqnela sua," with their progeny. This species of tenure is graphically described by Blackstone in his Commentariea. — " Under the Saxon government there were, as Sir William Temple speaks, a sort of people in downright servitude, used and employed in the most serrile work; and belonging, both they, their children, and effects, to the lord of the soil, like the rest of the cattle or stock upon it" Yol. ii., bk. 2, c. 6. " These villeins, belonging principally to lords of manors, were either villeins regardant, %.€., annexed to the manor or lands ; or else they were in gross, or at large, %.e., annexed to the person of the lord, and transferable by deed from one owner to another. They could not leave their lord without his permission; but if they lan away, or were purloined from him, might be claimed and recovered by action, like beasts or other chattels. They held C0fams|^p d 5^|^tliej|- 85 By a charter without date, Heniy, the son of Eobert de Scellay, granted to John Molendinario de Scellay, and to his heirs, &c., a bovate of land in the village and territory of Scellay, "in feudo et hereditate cum omnibus Ubertatibus commimis," rendering fourpence yearly in two equal payments ; at the feast of St. Oswald, and at the feast of St. Martin, " pro omnibus secularibus serviciis, consuetudinibus' et demandis excepto forenseco servicio.'* Among the Wortley evidences is a deed of the same " Henry, son of Robert de Shelvelay," who " quits claims to Adam de Wannervile, son of Adam, all right in the town of Kynneslay, belonging to 'the town of Hemsworth ; and also all lands which I demanded against the aforesaid Adam, and Nichola mother of Adam, in the said town of Hemsworth, by writ of right in the court of the Lord Henri de Laci, Earl of Lincoln. This was in the latter part of Henry Ill's, reign."* By a charter, without date, but from the witnesses not later than Henry III., William Spinke, of Scheluelay Wodhous, granted to Henry de Scheluelay, his lord, and to Robert, his son and their heirs, all his rights, &c., which he had of the gift of Wilham, his father, in the territory of Scheluelay. It is, therefore, evident that Henry had a son Robert, which Robert had also a son Henry, as we find by a charter, dated 27 Edward I., [1289,] when Henry de Scheluelay, and Margaret, his wife, received a grant from Robert de Bameby, to them and their issue, of the Manor of Scheluelay ; and in default of issue, to John de Scheluelay, his brother. The manor, there is little doubt, had been previously granted by Henry de Scheluelay, to Bameby for that purpose. This Henry de Scheluelay appears in several charters, without date, either as principal or as witness. The last mention I find of him is the 10 Edward II., [1316]. After this period he did not long survive, for in the 18 Edward II., [1324,] I find that John de Schellay was lord, who was living in 2 Edward III., [1337,] and then described as John, son of Henry de Schellay. But, contemporary with Henry de Schellay, was Elias de Schellay, who held lands in Schellay, and who had a son Robert. There was also a Peter de indeed, small portions of land by way of sustaining tiiemselTes and their families ; but it was at the mere will of the lord, who might dispossess them whenever he pleased ; and it was upon yillein services, that is, to cany out dung, to hedge and ditch the lord's demesne, and any other the meanest offices." The state of servitude of these villeins was not absolute, like that of the negroes, for as Hallam, (Middle Ages, vol. i.,. p. 149,) observes, "it was only in respect of his lord, that the villein, at least in England, was without rights ; he might inherit, purchase, sue in the courts of law, though as defendant in a real action or suit, wherein land was claimed, be might shelter himself under the plea of villeinage." * Mr. Hunter's South Yorkshire, vol. 11., p. 424. 86 Cofama^p 0f S^iUeg. Schellay^ "clericus." These names appear in cliarters, without dates, except in one instance, in 1316, respecting Robert, son of Blias de ScheUay. There was, however, a Nicholas de ScheUay, son of Nicholas, who, in his charter, dated 18 Edward II., [1324,] had for its witnesses John de Schellay, lord of Schellay, and John de Schellay the elder. There can be no doubt that this John de Schellay the elder was the brother of Henry de Schellay, as mentioned in the charter of 1298. I find that John de Schellay, lord of Schellay, was dead in the 17 Edward III., [1342,] leaving his son and heir, John de ScheUay, a minor, and in ward of the chief lord, John, Earl Warren and • Stratheme, who, by his charter of that date, granted the said wardship to Sayer de Kendale, one of his attendants, together with the Manor of ScheUay, which John de ScheUay, the father, late held of him by knight's service, &c. John de ScheUay the younger had issue, a daughter Katherine, apparently an only child, and who, it would seem, married ^._ ^^_^ ^^^ * Dodworth, of Dodworth, near Bamsley. The next piece of evidence I have found is a charter, dated 27 Henry VI., [1448,] wherein Thomas Groldthorp and William Stone, granted to Johanna, late wife of Robert Storriz, (Storthes,) land and tenements belonging to Thomas Dodworth, and EUzabeth his wife, in the Manor of ScheUay ; out of which the said Johanna Storriz had to receive seven marks annuaUy, in perpetuity, to her and the heirs of her body ; and ia default of issue, to her right heirs. It would, therefore, appear that the estate had previously been vested in Goldthorp and Stone, in trust. It seems not improbable that Johanna was the sister of Thomas Dodworth.* But the foUowing important genealogical facts, gathered fi'om a charter, dated 1479, wiU somewhat elucidate this point : it recites that William Malett, of Normanton, Esq., heir by blood of John Malett, namely, son of , who was the son of Robert, who was the son of the said John, granted and confirmed to John Storthes, of Thurstonland, one of the heirs by blood of John de Schellay, namely, son of Thomas, who was brother of Henry, brother of Robert or Richard, sons of Johanna, who was the daughter of Katherine, the daughter of the said John de ScheUay, the Manor of ScheUay, with com miU, lands, &c. ; also lands in Birton, Thurstonland, Shepley, and Cumberworth, which had been devised to the said John Malett and John CoUerslay, chaplain, then deceased, by the last wiU of the said John ScheUay, John Malett being the * To suppose tbat Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Dodworth, was the daughter of Katherine de Schellay, and sistw to Johanna, is rendered improbable by the circumstance of the manor not being held jointly as co-heiresses. S^jcrfamsj^p ai Sj^tllej. 87 surviving trustee; the said William Malett conveyed the same to Nicholas Burdett and John Savile, of Holynage, in trust for the use or benefit of the said John Storthes, his heirs and assigns. By another charter, dated 2 Eichard III., [1484,] Ralph Dodworth, son and heir of William Dodworth, Esq., lately deceased, granted to Hugon Hastynges, knight, Henry Pierpoint, knight, John Savile, knight, Hugon Bosvile, clerk, George Graveson, clerk, (then vicar of Kirkburton,) Richard Keresford, John Birton, John Keresford, John Wombewell, jun., and Thomas Birton, all his Manor of Schellay, &c. ; but for what purpose is not stated. These several feofl&nents of the manor, &c., do not reveal to us very clearly their precise intentions : it is, however, certain that although the fee simple of the Manor of Shelley vested in the Dodworths at this period ; a large annuity for those times was paid out of it of nearly seven marks to the Storthes, of Storthes, in Thurstonland, as we shall soon have occasion to mention. In the reign of Henry VIII. the Manor of Shelley vested in WiUiam Dodworth, who had three daughters, co-heiresses; 1st Jane, married to John Kaye, of Dalton, gentleman; 2 Elizabeth, married John Harryson, of WooUey, gentleman ; and 3 Anne, married John Jenkynson, of Gawbard Hall, yeoman. William Dodworth was dead before the 2 Edward VI., [1548,] when a division of his estate took place. He is stated to have possessed messuages and lands in Shelley, Shepley, Thurstonland, Dodworth, Barghe, Bamsley, Lepton, and Bardslande, (Barkisland,) in the county of York. The Manor of Shelley, the com mill, with the messuages and lands, then became the portion of John Kaye, in right of his wife. In the 6 Edward VI., Gervas Storthes, of Storthes Hall, in the parish of Kirkburton, gentleman, sold to John Kaye, of Dalton, gentleman, then lord of Shelley, a rent charge of £4 6s. 8d., for the simi of £64. The deed bears date 26th October, 1551, by which the said Gervas Storthes releases for ever to the said John Kaye, his heirs, &c., " one annuitye or yerelie rent of four pounds six shillings and eightpence, by yere goynge forth and yerelie, to be received by the said Gervas, his heirs, and assigns, for ever, out of the Manor of Shelley, &c., together with all and singular evidences, escripts, mynements, and . wrytyngs which he or any person or persons hath to his use, concerning the said yerelie rent charge, &c.*' There can be no doubt that the annuity of seven marks, or £4 13s. 4d., specified in the charter of the 27 Henry VI., [1448,] which had been granted to Johanna, then late wife of Bobert Storriz, (Storthes,) was identical with the 88 Cnhmsj^p of 5^%- annuity here alienated by Grervas Storthes, her descendant. The dificrepancy in the sums might arise from several causes, the most probable one is, that the Dodworths would charge the annuitants with a proportionate share of the modus, or rent charge, payable in lieu of tithe-corn and hay, as seven marks, in the reign of Henry VI. must have been regarded as a considerable sum. We7ay here observe, that the series of evidences from which the foiling account is compiled, do not clearly set forth the descent of the Dodworths from the last John de Schellay, although the "consanguinity," of the Storthes is stated. It seems probable that Katherine Schellay was his only child, — ^that she married Dodworth, who had a son Thomas, and a daughter Johanna, who married Robert Storthes, as ab*eady stated ; and it is not improbable that John de SheUay devised, by his will, a certain annual payment out of the Manor of Shelley, to the said Johanna, his grandaughter, but vested the fee simple in Thomas Dodworth, his grandson. John Kaye, of Dalton, had issue, by Jane, his wife, viz., John Kaye, of Okenshaw, his son and heir, but whether any other children is uncertain.* I find that John Kaye the elder, near the close of his life, resided at " Shelley Hall," where he died in 1572, and was interred at Kirkburton. John Kaye, of Okenshaw, on the death of his father, became Lord of Shelley. He built Heath Hall, near Wakefield, " one of the finest specimens remaining in Yorkshire of the Elizabethan house ; " there can be no question that, by its erection, he greatly embarrassed his circumstances, as he certainly had not an estate answerable to it ; and it appears that in the 19 EHzabeth he sold his estate at Shelley. The deed bears date 28th January, 1576, made between John Kaye, then of Okenshaw, gentleman, and Robert Kaye, his son and heir apparent, of the one part, and John Thomhill alias Haighe, of Lockwood, Chapman, of the other part, for the sum of £1390, paid to the said John Kaye and Robert Kaye, in. consideration of which they granted and sold to the said John Thomhill alias Haighe, his heirs and assigns, for ever, the Manor and Lordship of Shelley, &c., and all messuages and lands, houses, &c., together with all rights, courts, perquisites of court realties, wards, marryages, reliefs, escheats, fishyngs, fowlings," &c., *' belonging to the said manor." This John Kaye, who is usually styled of Okenshaw, but is sometimes described as of Heath, was for a time under-steward of the Honour of Pontefract during a part of the time Sir Henry Savile, of Thornliill, was high-steward. He * In the 3 of Elizabeth's reign, I find " Bichard Kaye, of Dodworth, gentleman,** who then released his interest in lands, at Orerbrokholes, in Thnrstonland. Cofamsj^p 0f 5|^jelleg. 89 seems to have been a gay and improvident man, and although he was married and had a son and heir, as abeady described, yet he succeeded in seducing Dorothy, the daughter of his friend Sir Henry Savile, by whom he had seven illegitimate children. " This," it has been observed, " is the only lady in one of the great Yorkshire houses, of the sixteenth century, who has been handed down by the old genealogical writers, Dodsworth and others, as having sullied the honour of her famfly." Arms were granted to John Kaye, of Dalton, by Flower the Herald, on the 7th October, 1564. The Cebst : a griflin holding a key. The Arms : quartering those of Dodworth, a chevron between three bugle-horns. In the 23 Elizabeth, John Thomhill, alias Haighe, son and heir of John Thomhill, alias Haighe, deceased, and Fecilia Thomhill, alias Haighe, sold the said manor and estate to " John Savile, of Stanley, Esq.," who devised the same to his third son, John Savile, of Netherton, alias Nether Sljitlington, Gentleman, who sold it in the 34 Elizabeth, [1591,] to " John Ramsden, of Longley Hall, gentleman." In 14 Charles I., (1638,) " William Ramsden, of LasseUs Hall, Esq., son and heir of John Ramsden, late of the same place, Esq., deceased," sold the said manor, &c., to Richard Sykes, of Leeds, gentleman ; Richard Sykes, rector of Kirkheaton, son of the said Richard; and Richard Sykes, of Earkheaton, gentleman, son of the said Richard Sykes, clerk, their heirs, assigns, &c. The estate ultimately vested in Richard Sykes, the yoimgest, or grandson of the first Richard, who became rector of Spofforth, and prebend of York, from whom it passed to Richard Sykes, M.A., of Sheepscar Hall, but he dying without issue in 1686, it descended to his brother Micklethwaite Sykes, who died also without issue, and by his will dated 18th April, 1695, devised the same to his aunt Rebecca Kirshaw, widow of the Rev. John Kirshaw, rector of Ripley.* She died in 1706, when it descended to her son Richard Kirshaw, D.D., also rector of Ripley, who died in 1736 ; then to his son Samuel Kirshaw, D.D., vicar of Leeds, and likewise rector * The Bey. Jolin Kinhav, IL A., rector of Ripley, was a considerable sufferer for his loyalty daring the Commonwealth, as appears from a narratiye which he wrote soon after the Restoration, in which he relates some circumstances and eventa he had witnessed, and the part he had taken at that unsettled period : being a defence of himself against certain accusa- tions which had been raised against him. That portion of it which refers to the simultaneous rising over many parts of the country, for the restoration of Charles XL, of which Sir Qeorge Booth was at the head, and in which design a considerable number of the gentry and others of York and the surrounding country participated, furnishes another link in the aeries of events of that period. The attempt to take the city of York by surprise, seems to have been a feeble and therefore an unsuocessfal one. It will not, however, be read without interest^ as the prelude to the more successful attempt made by General Monk, who gained his admission into the city in a great measure through the personaHnfluence of the Rev. Edward Bowles, a Presbyterian divine of that city, as recorded by the Rev. J. Hunter, in his history of South Toiksbire, vol. 11., p. 416, from a contemporary M.S. written by Sir Philip Monkton. It may be neceesaiy to observe that the following aooount is abridged from Mr. Klrshaw's MS., which has also referenoe M 90 C^hmsj^ip oi 5^%. of Ripley, who died in 1780, leaving issue, Richard Kirshaw, B.D,, rector of Masham, who died unmarried in 1792, and four daughters, in whom, by the death of their brother, the estate vested. Of the sisters, Mary, Anne, and Rebecca, died unmarried, while Frances married Ralph Shipperdson, of Hall Garth, in the county of Durham, Esq., whose second surviving son, the Rev. Thomas Richard Shipperdson, D.D., vicar of Woodhom, in the county of Northumberland, on the death of his aunt. Miss Rebecca Kirshaw, in 1846, became sole proprietor. to matters of a more private character, and which seems to have been intended as a defenee of himself against accasationa which had been brought against him ; but what refers more partieuiarly to public intereit we here give at length in th« words of the writer. The account states that it had been read to Sir Solomon S , on the 7th November, 1664, which no doabt refers to Sir Solomon Swale, of Swale Hall, in Swaledale, Baronet. Hr. Kirshaw had been educated at Oxford, having been entered of Brazen Nose college, about the year 1645, and la due course took his B.A. degree. He was afterwards elected to a fellowship, but was " turned out of it^ and the tuition of his scholars," for refusing to take the " engagement," by which he lost £50 per annum. Through the interest of Dr. Langley, he became chaplain to Lady Franklyn, near London, where he remained in retirement till he took his M. A. degree, having received episcopal ordination from the Archbishop of York.* " From thence," says he, " I came to Wakefield as their vicar.** « « * " After I had been there a while, some of Mr. Lamberte's favorites did inform against me to Oliver's Councell (where Lamberie was their president) that I was an enemy to the State, and did utterly refuse to come in the church to observe either the days of fasting or thanksgiving that were ei^oyned, (which was a tmth,) upon which, the State*8 pretty broade scale was given to a Nottinghamshire minister, Mr. Pocker : and I was cast out. Sir John Savile, and all my parishioners disclayming that act ; only some army-men owned it, and one gentleman more especially that is now knighted, but then was an exciseman. " That most loyal lady. Mrs. Hutton, of Poppleton, hearing of my disaster, gatt some friends to write to me, to tak^ shelter with her, and be their minister at Poppleton. I embraced the motion, and had £50 per annum engaged to me, besides all conveniences for myself and horse, in her family. There I continued for seven or eight years, and for a long time I came not in the church there, nor elsewhere on any State-day, either for fasting or thanksgiving. One of Lilbeme*a souldiers lived in the parrish, and he, with some others, threatened to have mo turned out for that reason, upon which, by the advice of some ministers and other friends, I did, in Oliver's time, keepe some fast-days, but never read the titles of authority given to Oliver in his paper, nor any matters of disloyalty to the late King or his family, bat always waived these passages when I read the occasion of humiliation in the State's printed papers ; and living in the ^ynsty, I used then constantly to say in publique that the Lord Mayor of York had sent me a paper for a day of fasting, to be kept such a day. And in all Oliver's time I never came into Poppleton church to keep one day of thanksgiving, which brings to my mind, that when I lived at London, and a day of thanksgiving was kept for the defeating of his Miyesty's forces at Worcester, I kept private in my Lady Franklyn's family that day, when she and her family went to church, whereof I can produce witnesses, for the first at Poppleton, and for the latter at London, and for this latter Sir W B did dislike me. '' When Sir George Booth, Colonell Egerton, &c., did endeavour the introducing of King Charles IL, I was all along privy to it, and was engaged by promise to procure the boats from Poppleton Ferry, neare to Sir Thomas Slingsby's bouse, for the more safe passage of a troope of horse, that was to surprise Bootham Barre at Yorke, while others came to Micclegate Barre. This, the captaine of the troope, and now Justice of the Peace, will witnesse for me. " When Sir George Booth, Colonell Egerton, and two more were proclaymed traytors by the Rnmpe, the paper for that purpose was sent to me by the chief constable ; I shunned it the first time, and Mrs. Hutton ordered all her servants that if any papers were sent to me, they should take it and give it her, which she purposed to keepe from my knowledge, that I might safely say to my accusers that none came to my hands ; but the chief constable sent a messenger subtily, with a charge to speake with mc, and deliver the paper to my owne hands, which he did, and, seeing that ministers were enjoy&ed to publifch four loyal gentlemen to be traytors, I gave the paper back again, and said I believed they were loyal Bubjecta. I was threatened by army-men to be turned out of Poppleton, and had not General Monck found Mr. Lambert other woric, * Archbishop Williams died in 1649, when the See remained vacant till after the Bestoration. Coteitsj^ijT of S^^tlk^. 91 In 1851, Dr. Shipperdson sold the estate in several parcels. The manor, with the hall and adjoining farm, were purchased by the Rev. Augustus Hopper, M.A., rector of Starston, in the county of Norfolk, nephew to Dr. Shipperdson. To this gentleman I am under great obligations for the attention and courtesy he has shewn me in the course of my enquiries, by permitting me to examine a considerable collection of ancient charters, and other evidences in his possession, connected with this manor, and for the general interest he has taken in forwarding my design. To him also I am indebted for the annexed pedigrees. ■ome of LUbeme*! Boaldlen had procared my ejection. " When Mr. Lambert was gone into the north, and General Monck*8 declaration oame forth, a ^eatlenan, the Duke of Buckingham's chief steward, acquainted me with his message that he was to carry to General Monck, from some gentlemen, namely, that if he did not give satis&ction priyately to them, and many other loyall persons through the kingdom, that he would desert the eause of the Rompe, and stand up, at least, for the readmission of the secluded members, or a free elacUon of Parliament-men, he could not expect the assistance of the gentlemen. The messenger gott safely to General Monck and back agalne, and made me privy to the answer that he returned. ^' As I nmember, about this time the Yorkshire gentlemen made and printed their declaration at Torke. Not long after, I was engaged to goe with a gentleman (Captain Levitt) to wayte on the Lord Fairfax, and acquaint him with Lilbume's design to sett a guard neare his house at Nun-Appleton, or to fetch him to Yorke. That night, about one of clocke, he went to Ardington ( Arthington) ; the gentleman that went with me, assured my Lord Fairfax, that within a day or two his lordshipp should have a sufficient guard to attend him to Ardington. The next day one comes to me while I am sitting with Mrs. Hutton at dinner, and tells me of Sir Thomas Slingsby's danger to be sent for to Yorke, and that some others sent him, desirepng] me to wayte on Sir Thomas Slingsby, and entreate him^to goe with his forty horse, that he and his brother had in readinesse, to Ardington. No sooner was I gott to his chaplaine's chamber, by name Mr. Heskyth, butt Sir Thomas comes running to know the newes, und after takes me into the house to some other gentlemen. After some debate they resolved to goe that night to Ardington, and when it was darke sett forth. The Duke of Buckingham came with many gentlemen to Knaresborough. and thence resolved to come with what force they had to Yorke, leaving promises from some there to helpe them into the city by two postemes. On Saturday nighty att twelve of clocke, a messenger came to me from Knaresborough with a little piece of paper, it which it was thus, or to this purpose written, 'Gentlemen, wee intend to bee in Yorke to dine with you to-morrow, att noone—make ready for us.' About midnight, I did arise and consider how, according to my trust, I might gett this piece of paper, with some other verball instructions, to certayne loyal persons in Yorke, who had promised to help to betray, or rather deliver, the city into the gentlemen's hands. I sent to Mrs. Hutton, and entreated her to rise, who, before one of clocke, was ready, and wee sent for a woman and a younge man, her son ; and Mrs. Hutton did looke to the sewing of a piece of paper in some close place of the woman's clothes, and then wee sent them away to bee ready to goe into Yorke ; by that time the Micdogate wicket was opened by the guard ; they gott in and delivered the paper safely. While I was in my sermon a eouldier, staying at home, in Upper Poppleton, went out of his house, and espyed the company coming : ridd straight to Torke in the forenoone. and caused the gates to be shutt up, and posted to Lilbume to tell him all, who imadiately came to Micclegate Barr himself, and secured the postemes also. " There is a passage in the covenant, whereby hypocriticall Oliver, and many others with him, were engaged te muntain the honour and happinesse of the King's Majesty, and his posterity, whereby, I endeavoured to disuadge some yett living that had tooke the covenant, from going against Sir Geoige Booth ; and endeavoured a conviction to the parties, and to diverse others in Poppleton, that the army practised quite contrary to that engagement, by opposing his Migesty*8 retmme. For this pHun dealing, I was grievousiy threatened, when Lilburne returned out of Cheshire. I thall add one passage more. When Mr. Love, and Mr. Gibbons, were beheaded, for endeavouring to pix>cuie a supply of moneys to the King, in Scotland, one Colonel Purefoy, came to give a visit to a lady, to whom hec was allyed. In discoune I tooke that liberty of speech, which occasioned his saying in a passion, ' That if any desired that Charles Stuart the King of Scotts, should reigne in England, they were traytors,* upon which I held my peace, because he was one of the Rumpe at that time." M 2 92 Cotims^ uf Silgtlkg. FEDIGBBES OF THE FAMILIES OF STBCES, EIBSHAW, SHIPPERDSON, AlH) HOFPIB, LOBDS OF THE KANOB OF SHELLET. \ V V t Stkbs. — Anns : Argent, ft clMTTon, Mble, be(««ra three Syketf or fountains proper. Crest: afleorde lis.sftUe. KinsHAW. — Amrm t On. ft sword in pale arg, bilted or. in base, a serpent nowed ppr. end on ft ohief of the third.two dovee olose, beftked and legged. SBimBDsoir.— >Anns: 8ft. on ft bend arg. three losenges ft& , caeh charged with a plane- tarj sun in its glory. HoFPBB.— Arras: Qnarteriy, first and fourth gyrunny oTeii^t, sft. and erm. a tower or. for Hopper * second and third, or. on a mount in base, an oftk tree tert, over all on ft feese go. three r^gal erowns of the first for Caries or Catlos. (these bearings oTCarlos were granted Slst May. 1606, bT Chftrles II. to his pm- server in the royal oak.) Biehard Svkes, deseended from Ri«hard Sykes, of Sykes Dike," nearCaiiisle, Lord of the Manor of Leeds, by purchase from King Charles I. Purchased the Manor of Shelley, ilst May, Dorothy daug^t ofEdw. Binns, ofHor- bnry. John Sykes of Leeds, obt. 10«. HnvnrSykes,aMary, daug. of Hunslet of Sir John Hall, obt. 1650, of whom no male issue remains. Wood, of Beeeton, knight. Biofaard 8ykes,> rector of Kirk- heaton. Lord of the Manor of SbcIIey, bapt. 94th July, 1603, obt.l6&ii. -Elia, daughter of • Mawson, obt. 19th August, lOM. SwahaW. Horn, of Mexbro, Esq. Eliza- 1. W Lodge. 2, W. Ald- burgh, of Aldburgb, Esq. Biebd. Sykesc rector of Spoflbrth, & ?retiend. of brk. Lord of Sfaelley. bapt. 16(h Oct, 16^, obt 8th Feb. 1606. Grace, dang, of KeT. R. Stock, rec- tor of Kirk- heaton, mar. Oct 90th, 16S7. MaryoJchn Bernard, Wilm.Sykes,»6race, Esq., of Hull merchant. Eliz.— John Taylor, Esq. of York 01 d. onm. Sibil-iW. DobsoD, Esq., Mayor of Hull daughter and oo-heiress of Jo«iah Jen. kinson, of Leeds Esq. Anna, da of Kev. Mark Mickle- thwait, rector of Long Marston John Sykes,! merchant, at liort, bapt, 9ih January l(ViO,ob.2nd June, 16S6. Anne, dan. of Barny Reymes of belf SamL Sykes,! Mayor of Leeds, 1674, bapt. dOth Mar., 1696, Ob. 9Hth May, 1684 .Eliz. da. and hdr of John Simpson ol Leeds, Esq. I TV « • • • L Rebecca, ob —John Kir- From whoa 1706, Lady of Shelley, by bequest ofMickleth- waite Sykes her nephew Shaw, M. A. rector of Ripley, ob. 16S4. deecend the lamllies of Sir Tattoo Sykes, bart., andofSykee ofKkk-EUa Bitib. Sykes. MA, of Shipecar Hall, ob. s.p., 10th Oct. 1666, Loid of Shelley Mickleihwait Sykes, ob. s.p Will dated ISih April, 1605, I^rd of ShcUey. ■"i » Adriana mar. Sir Griffith Boyn. ton,bart 1. Caleb Wood, s.p. -EliasLth,< eo-hairess T 1 I LConstanoe,— Richard— 9. Rebecca sister and heir uf Sir Grifilth Boynton, bart, mar. 98th May, 1709, ob. 1706. i I I William kirshaw Boynton, Esq , heir to the B o y n tons, whose name he assumed. Bap. 1706. Died un- married. Ixird of Sbeller. Si o o 6 I Kirahaw D D . rector of Biplej. ob. I l.M, •ged79. Lord of the {Manor of Shal. ley. Sykes, co- heir, ob. 173&,aged 64. Mary- Syk Samuel Kiishaw. Esq., of Samuel Kirshaw^s D.D., \icar of Leeds and rec- tor of Ripley, Loid of Shelley, died 1780. ?Anne, daughter of SamL Brook, D.D., reetor oi SL Alphag^ London, of Richaid obit. 1 Adriana, sp, 1 i Bjiahaw, Mary— WOHam of Pndsey, oh. 6awtho>p» a.p. leolor oT a i C0fam8^i;pf d S^jellej; 98 a JUchard Klnhaw, B.D.Jellow of Trinity College, Camb. reolor of MMham, oo. Toric, b. 1743, ob. 1799. num. Lord of Shallej Mary, b. 1744, d. onm. oo-hetrras Joint Lady of SbeUey, with haraisCera. Vranoea, oo-h.=:Ra]ph Bblpperdaon, Eaq., Hall-Oarth k Hurton, ooonty Diifiiain. Anne, b. 1751, d. Franeb Roaaell, 180S, oo-heiresa of Baaingstoke, a.p. Bsq-t d. wilhoat iaaue. f Bebeeaa, b. 17ft7, d. at Leeda, nna. Bdwd. SbippeWU Balph, aon^of Pftsing. B. N. ion & Morton, d. on. eo.Dmli,Eaq. 1806 BSgb ftheriir of eo. Dubafli, 1843, died unm. 98tbD«i.,18ftft. § e >» I Thoraaa IUdiard,= D.D , Ticar of Woodbooae, oo. Nortbumbcrlnd LordofBbeUey ^Marianne, da. of John Butebin- aon, Baq-, of Durham Prancea, ma. William Apletre, Eaq., of Basing- Btuke. Anne d. onm. 1841. Maivmret, d.s 81Ui,Mar., 1810. r Bdmond HeolorssssAdeline, Boppart M.A., da. of J. of Hermitage, Kerrioh, 00. Durham. Esq., of Aaramed by Barim- Boyal Sign ton, co. Manual the Korfolk. name and anna of Mippcrdton only,on inherit- ing the eatataa of hia unde, Edward Ship- pord8on.Eaq. Walter Anthony of Litt- oolna Inn, d. nnm., 1846. Balph WUm. fihipperdaon, M D., ob. nnm. 1856. Auguatoa Maodonald^ Hopper, b. 11 Aug., 1816, M.A Form, eriy fellow of 8t Jobn'a CoUne, Cambridge. Hon- orary canon of Nor- wich, and rector of Staraton, oo. Nor- folk, Lord of BheU lay. Tboa. Benry Shipperdaon, b. 96lh Ang. 1839. MaiyAdaUno laabeUa Blehard Carlea Hopper, b. 4th Feb., 1640, d. Slat January, 1866. cCharlotte, youngar daughter of the Kev. John Holmra, of Oawdy Ball, co. Norfolk. T sWalter Cariea Hopper, Eaq, of Belroonr, it Walworth, eo. Durham. Mary, died nnmankd, 1896. T Mary Anne Caroline Franoes, ma. Elizabeth, John Smith, mar. Rev. Esq. , of B ur- Jamea Boo^ ley House, char. laabella S Margaret, § married her g cousin, F. B, In Apletra, Eaq. Edmund Carlea Hop- per, b. «3rd June, 1866. Anthony Shipperdaon Hoppo*, b. 17th June 1868. I Annie Mais garat 6anh Conatanaa There are several places within this township which may be mentioned as haying been the residences of families of the class of yeomen. Heelet. This place possesses no interest beyond the fact of its having given surname to a family, who at a very remote period resided here, and members of which frequently appear as witnesses to charter^ connected with the district, down to the reign of Henry V. or VI. The earliest mention of the name is that of ^^ Adam de Helay," as a witness to a charter in the reign of Henry IH. A " William de Helay" appears as witness to another undated charter, not later than Edward I. A " John de Helay** occurs as a witness to another undated charter ; and an '^ Adam de Helay," witness to another dated 1835. A John de Helay, in the 5 Henry V., [1416,] along with two others, released to Bobert Bocldey, Esq., certain lands with which he had been enfeoffed. This k the last evidence I have found of them, in connexion with this townshin. 94 C0imis^p d Sj^^Ueg. A family of the name of Wright was resident here in the reign of Henry VIII., and probably at an earlier period. They were also resident here in the reign of Ehzabeth. In 1490, Richard Wright had a dispute with John Jackson and William Morehouse, respecting the right of their respective wives and families to stand and kneel in a certain stall in the church of Burton, which was settled by the kirkgraves, (churchwardens,) who, after hearing evidence on both sides, gave their award, which proved adverse to Wright's claim. WOOL-EOW. This is a large farm, pleasantly situated. The buildings are comparatively modem, and possess no features worthy of remark. The name is of considerable antiquity, and like several others in the district, it gave surname to a family, who were resident here at a remote period. Robert de Wolwro appears as a witaiess to a charter riot later than Edward I. By a charter without date, Margary, daughter of Richard de Wl-Wrohe, granted lands in SceUey to Richard Hunt. A Robert de Wlve-wro was witness to charters dated 1312 and 1316 respectively. The name is variously spelt : in one instance it is Wulf-wro, which seems clearly to point to its derivation, from that destructive animal. This is supported by a charter dated 1 Edward II., [1307,] wherein two acres of land, in the lordship of Shelley, are granted in " that field, which is called Wolf-falls, in which these thieves feU."* In the reign of Charles I., this was the property of John Clayton, of Clayton Hall, Esq., who was a Justice of the Peace during the Commonwealth. He was in possession of the estate in 1667. By an inquisition in 1677, it was found to have vested in Joseph Watkinson, in consequence of the decease of his brother, Edward Watkinson, without issue. In the reign of Queen Anne, it was purchased by, and became the residence of the Stocks', a collateral branch of the Stocks* originally of Stocks, in Thurstonland, whence they derived their surname. The late Samuel Stocks, of Wakefield, Esq., devised this and other estates in this parish, to his daughter Sarah, wife of Thomas Farmer, of Arthington Hall, Esq., in whom it now vests. WOODHOTTSE, Commonly called " Shelley- Woodhouse," was an ancient homestead. There is nothing in its present appearance to recommend it to notice, except that * One method of taking and destroying tliese animals was by digging deep pits and covering them slightly, which no doabt was what is here alluded to. Cxrfamsi^p 0f Sj^tlltff. 96 notwithstandiiig its elevated situation, it has been chosen as the site of a woollen mill. At a very remote period, it gave name to its possessors. The name appears in three charters without dates, but somewhat differently described in each, viz. — Adam de SceUay Wodehus, Adam del Wodehus, and Adam de le Wodehus, and yet it is not improbable these may all refer to the same person. In the reign of Henry III., or early in that of Edward I., some of the property had passed into other hands, for, by a charter about that period, William Spinke de Scheluelay Wodhous granted to Henry de Scheluelay, his lord, and Robert, his son and heir, the whole of his lands, which had been given him by his father in the territory of Scheluelay. By a charter dated 6 Henry V., [1416,] Robert Taillior de Byrton, William Pelle, the chaplain, and John de Heelay, granted and confirmed to Robert Rockley, Esq., John Stonelegh de Ledes, and William de Hanlay, lands within the territory of Shellay, which had been granted to them in trust, by Robert de Wodehous, but for what purpose is not stated. GmcB. This place is quite imdeserving of notice as regards its present appearance, but formerly like others already mentioned, it gave surname to a family of considerable importance in the West-Riding for several generations. A Richard de Oris occurs as witness to charters dated 1307 and 1312 respectively. ROTDHOUSE. This place has been the residence of a family of respectability at a very remote period, and from it they acquired their -name of addition. The following charter evidences, in which they appear for the most part as principals, will best inform the reader. In a charter without date, but not later than Henry III., Thomas, son of Robert de le Rodis, granted to Peter, son of Pagam de Scheluelay, clerk, and to his heirs, &c., the whole of his lands " de le Rodis in villa de Scheluelay," with all pastures, woods, &c. This charter is in fine preservation, written in a clear and beautiful hand; and having appended to it the seal in green wax, with s. tome bobebt quite perfect. By another charter without date, and not later than Henry III., Adam, the son of WiUiam le Trievur de Wake... [Wakefield ?] and Alice his wife, granted certain lands in " villa de ScheUay," to " Ricardo, clerico, de Rodys et Edus uxori suae et eorum heredibus ex eis legi." &c. Here we have not only the celibacy of the 96 ^tAmslgii^ d S^tUeg. priesthood violated, but the marriage publicly acknowledged. Among the witnesses to this charter, was John de le Hyl, then seneschal to Earl Warren. Richard de Rodes, " clerico,** appears as a witness to a charter without date. In another charter without date, about the reign of Edward I., Adam, son of Eduse del Rodes granted quit claims to Henry de Schellay, his lord, of all his right, &c., in the com mill, in Schellay ; the said Adam reserving to himself, and his heirs, the right to have ground, at the said mill, all the com grown upon his lands, at Rodes, at the rate of every twenty-four vessel. By a charter dated 1 Edward II., [1307,] Robert, the son of Elias de Scheluelay, granted to Adam, the son of Richard, the son of Ellen de le Rodes, two acres of land, within the lordship of Scheluelay, "in illo campo q. d. Wlfalles que in acciderat fiire.'* In 18 Edward II., (1324,) Nicholas de Schellay, son of Nicholas, granted by his charter, to John de Grenegate de Wakefeld, " consanguineo meo imam bovatam terras, in villa et campis de Schellay, una ac totam terram meam in le Roides, cum pratis et bosco eisdem adjacentibus et cum omnibus edifids, et pertinentibus suis." The witnesses were John de Schellay, Lord of Shellay; William de Byrton ; and John de Schellay, senior. Independent Chapel. The independent interest here had its rise from the preaching of the Rev. Benjamin Kay, vicar of Kirkburton, who died in 1793, and held high Calvinistic sentiments. The theological views of his immediate successor were widely different, on which account some of the congregation seceded from the church, and met together for rehgious worship at Burton lane-head. They chose for their minister William Thorp, a self-educated man, possessed of good natural powers, which he greatly improved by reading and study, and became an eminent preacher. He remained with them about two years, then removed to Netherfield chapel, near Penistone ; thence to Chester, and lastly to Bristol, where he died in 1832. He was succeeded by Rathall, a Baptist minister, who remained till the congregation built this chapel in 1796. Robert Harper, from Melbourne, was the first minister who preached at the new chapel. He remained four years, then removed to Northowram, near Halifax, and died at Stockport. The next was Robert Blake, from Bridlington. He remained five years, and then removed to Ossett, near Wakefield, but ultimately emigrated to America. ®;0hnT»^ip of Sj^iII^ff* 97 John Hanson, succeeded, from Elland. He remained ten years, then removed to the neighbonrhood of London. He afterwards retmned to Yorkshire, to take charge of a small congregation at Loxley, near Sheffield. Mr. Hanson's successor here was Sugden, from Grassington, in Craven. He resigned within two years, and was succeeded by Stewart, who, after remaining five years, removed to the neighbourhood of Manchester. His immediate successor was Whitworth, from Manchester. He remained eight years, and then removed to Northowram. G. B. Scott, late missionary in Ireland, Manchester, &c., was minister here in 1848. The chapel is a neat building, and has a small grave-yard. Attached, also, is a house, for the resident minister. Eb'za, wife of George Benjamin Scott, pastor of this church and congregation, died November 18th, 1847, aged 32 years. Martha, wife of George Townend, died June 8th, 1848, aged 84 years. Also, the above George Townend, who died July 22nd, 1851, aged 89 years. Ann, daughter of Amos and Hannah Townend, of Shelley, died September 17th, 1830, aged 13 years. Wbsleyan Methodist Chapel (New Connexion). This chapel was built by the Wesleyans about the year 1789, and vested in trustees. About 1797, some dissatisfaction arose in the Wesleyan body respecting the management of the affairs of their churches, in which Mr. Alexander Kilham, one of their popular preachers, took a leading part, and which, ultimately, led to a secession of a few of their preachers and a small section of the body. The trustees of this chapel, with the majority of the congregation, joined the Eilhamite party, and in consequence of the chapel not being under the control of " OoTiference," they succeeded in retaining possession. This is one of the few chapels which passed into the hands of the seceding party, and has since maintained an independent position. A spacious school-room was erected in 1835. School. " On an inclosure of the commonable land in this township, about twenty-three years ago, [viz., in 1803,] an allotment of six acres, or thereabouts, was set apart» N 98 C0ton8^p d S^^H^g. with the consent of the lord of the manor, and other proprietors of land in Shelley, and awarded to the Vicar of Kirkburton, and the churchwarden and overseers of Shelley, in trust, for the use of a schoolmaster, to teach the children of Shelley ; and a house for the schoolmaster, with school-room adjoining, were shortly afterwards erected, by means of a subscription. The master of the school, who is appointed by the trustees, occupies the school premises, and receives the rent of the allotment, which is £12 a year — the fiill annual value ; and in consideration thereof, he instructs four poor children in English reading, writing, and accounts, free of charge ; and other children in the hke branches of learning, on moderate terms, fixed by the trustees."* The enclosure of the Common Lands of this township took place in 1803, comprising 70 acres The ancient enclosure 1350 „ Total 1420 „ * Charity CommisBionerB' Beport Cohms^p of Sl^tp^g. The etymology is evident — Slieep-ley. It is included in the Soke of Wakefield in the Domesday survey, which states, in " Seppeleie two carucates " returned as waste. This manor appears to have been granted off by Earl Warren at a very remote period, to one of his attendants, who took his name of addition from the place. In some " Notes and Remembrances of the Manor of Sheepleye, which I have seen, it is stated that "one Matthew de Sheepleye was Lord of Sheepleye," and steward to the Earl Warren, of the Lordship of Wakefield ; and that he had lands granted to him froai Thomas de Burge, which said Thomas had of the graunte of Dni Rogeri de Montbegon, to be holden by the 20th part of a knight's fee, &c., and it is called Hayain de Kesceburgh," &c. I have seen no other evidence in proof of Matthew de Shepley being steward to Earl Warren, at the same time it is by no means improbable ; as we find from charter evidence that a "Matthew de Shepleie" was present with his lord, and both n2 100 ®;0tons^p 0f Sfe^tpltff* were witnesses to a deed from Alice, Countess of Eu, formerly wife of Ralph de Isondon, Earl of Eu, who confirmed the site of Roche Abbey, &c., to the monks. The deed was executed at Tickhill, and the witnesses were William Earl Warren her uncle, Phihp Ulecote, William de Oressi, Mauvesyn de Hercy, Baldwin his brother, and Matthew de Shepleie, all knights. This deed is remarkable for having a date so early as 1219.* Here then we have proof of the personal attendance of Matthew de Shepleie upon his lord, and that he was knighted : an honour which would not have been conferred had he not performed some signal services. Prom a charter from Henry, the son of Roger de Serwind de Cumbrewode to William de Bretton, his lord, in which Matthew de Shepley appears as a witness, who was probably the same person, we have the record of another interesting transaction in connection with this Matthew de Shepleie, and, as it would seem, anterior to his being knighted ; consequently, previous to 1219. It is a confirmation of certain lands previously granted by " Matheus de Schepelay " to the monks of Roche Abbey, then confirmed by William, Earl Warren, to the monks : to this charter we have two witnesses who were also witnesses to the charter of the Countess of Eu; namely, — ^Malvesyne de Hersy and Baldwin de Hersy, but as neither of them is styled knight, we may justly infer this transaction was of a stiU earUer date. Omnibus Christi fidelibus, ad quos presens carta pervenerit, WillelmuB Comes Warren, salutem in Domino. Sciatis me concessisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse Deo, et beate Marie et Monachis de Rupe, pro salute anime meo et antecessorum meorum totam terram de Cumbrewode cum messuagiis, et omnibus pertinenciis quam Matbeus de Scbepelaj, eis debit et cartis suis confirmavit tenendum in perpetuam, elemosinam secundum tenore carte Mathei. Hiis testibus Willielmo filio Willielmi, Malveisimo de Hersy, Rico, de Memers, Baldewino de Hersj, Roberto de Brettvile, Radulfo de Ecclesbale, Jobe de Wakling, clerico, Johe Wkefeld, clerico, Regnaldo Coc.f Sir Matthew de Shepley had a son Matthew, who seems to have lived through the long reign of Henry III. He appears as witness to a number of charters, all without date, except one in 1257. He was succeeded by " John de Scheplay," whose name frequently occurs in charters of the reign of Edward I., but without dates. • Mr. Himter^s South Torkshire, toL ii., p. 251. f '< Badnlf de Bccleahall/ Lord of Eccleiall in HaUamshire, gave lands to tbe Abbey of Beaucheit He was also a witness to a giant of Gerard de Fmniyal to the monks of Kirkstead before the 8 Henrj III. [1219]. See Mr. Hnntet's Uallamahire, p. 19& SL^0hms^pf of S^feftplej. 101 It appears that a " Thomas de Scheplay was lord in 1316, and that he had to wife one Margaret, by whom he had issue John de Scheplay ; which Margaret smrived and had her dower assigned." " In the 12th yeare of the reigne of Edward III., this John de Scheplay in the court of the Earl Warren, holden at Wakefield, did acknowledge that he held a carucate of land of Thomas de Burgh by homage fealtye and escuage, &c. This John was twice marryed ; by his first wife, Johanna, he had issue William de Scheplay. By his second wife, Margaret, he had issue Robert de Scheplay.'* " WiUiam, the elder son and heir, was in ward to John de Burge, son and heir of Thomas de Burge, in the 36 Edward III, [1361,] who sold his wardship to Jennet, wief of William Storres" [Storthes]. " William de Shepley married and had issue two daughters, to wit — Isabell and Dionysia, co-heiresses. Isabell married Robert de Goldthorp, but more frequently called Robertson or Robinson, of Goldthorp, near Bamsley, by whom she had issue. Dionysia married Thomas Stone, by whom she also had issue : and the manor and estates were divided." " But Robert de Scheplay, brother of William, had hkewise issue two daughters, namely — ^Alice, wife of Alcoke, and Agnes, wife of Cobbocke ; the elder daughter had issue a son, named John Alcoke : and the second daughter had issue a son, named William Cobbocke." "Isabell, the elder daughter of William Scheplay, had issue a son, named Thomas Goldthorpe; and the younger daughter, Dionysia, had issue a son, named William Stone. These were the next heirs of WilHam Sheplay, who, in the 8 Henry VI. [1429], sewed John Alcoke for a chiste and evidences, which William Sheplay, their grandfather, in anno 12 Henry IV. [1410,] delyvered to Alice, the mother of John Alcoke, to keepe, and for a deed whereby John Sheplay had given the manor of Sheplay to Gilberte de Leighe in fee, and for another deed whereby the said Gilberte had gyven the said manor to John Sheplay, and Jennet, his wiff, and to the heires of their bodye lawfiillye issuying," &c. " John Alcocke denyed the withholding of the chiste of evidences. But in the yeare after, John Alcocke and WiUiam Cobbocke, cousens and next heires of the two daughters of Roberto Shepleye, brought a formedom in descender against Thomas Goldthorpe and William Stone, the coosens and next heires of the two daughters of William Shepleye, for the manor of Shepleye, supposing the same to be entailed to the heires of the bodye of the second wief, &c. This was tryed and found against them. So that the manor hath since contynued in the right 102 C0fam»|^ip of Sj^tpl^eg, line of the Shepleys by force of the deed of entaile, made by Gilberte de Leighe, &c., to John Shepley and his first wieffe in especial taile.'* "Thomas Goldthorpe, the son of Isabel, took to wife, in the 8 Henry V. [1419,] Alice, daughter of Laurence Kaje, the second of that surname at Woodsome. Of this marriage it was stipulated that Laurence Eaye should name the day and place, when and where the marriage should be solemnized : that William Shepley should enfeoff Thomas and Alice in lands to the annual value of 26s. 8d. ; and that Robert Robertson, als. Goldthorp, should settle lands on them also. Laurence Kaye agrees to pay them 40 marks. There is also in the same deed a provision for the marriage of William Stone, another grandson of William Shepley, with another daughter of Laurence Kaye. The marriage of Alice took place, and she was living in 1463, when Thomas Goldthorpe, described as of Shepley, made his will; in which he mentions many children, and directs that Henry, his son, shall have a messuage in Goldthorpe, called the Dovecote Land, and a messuage in Bolton. He is to be buried in the cemetry of the parish church of Bolton, with his princlpale, according to custom. He gives to the high alter 20d., to the fabrick, 2s., to the service of the Blessed Mary, a cow of the value of lOs.; to the support of the tapers burning before the crucifix, 6d. ; to the repair of the bridge of Horbury, 12d. ; to the torches burning about my body on the day of my sepulture, 2s. He had before this time settled on his eldest son, John Goldthorpe, all his lands which came to him by right of inheritance after the death of Robert, his father, in the townships of Goldthorpe, Bolton, and Billingley, and those at Shepley which had descended to him after the death of William Shepley, his grandfather, on his marriage with Elizabeth,* daughter of Thomas Savile, of Hullenedge, in 1456. Savile being to pay to Thomas Goldthorpe 26 marks on the day of the spousal, and in the year after, 20 marks more. The last William Goldthorpe having no male issue, made an entail of his lands, which are described as twelve messuages, thirty acres of meadow, one hundred of pasture, ten of wood, and 20s. rent, in Goldthorpe, Bolton, Billingley, Barnborougb, and Shepley, to the use of himself and his heirs male of his body ; remainder to John and James, his brothers, and their heirs male respectively ; remainder to his uncle, William Goldthorpe, and the heirs male of his body ; remainder to his right heirs. "-j- By virtue of this entail they descended to his nephew, Thomas Goldthorpe, of whom we shall next have to speak. The Goldthorpes had their principal residence at Goldthorpe, till, having married the heiress of the manor of Shepley, where they afterwards resided. In the 32 Henry VIII., [1540, 7th May,] Thomas Goldthorpe, by his deed of this date, sold to Richard Stansfield, of London, an annuity of £20 per ann. for forty-five years, out of the manors of Goldthorpe, Billingley, Bolton, Barnborough, and Shepley, to be paid half-pearly on Lady-day and Lammas, in St. Paul's church, London ; and for six weeks' non-payment, to forfeit 40s. as a fine ; and for non-payment for a whole quarter of a year, Richard Stansfield to enter to the whole of the rest of the 45 years that was to come. But before this, Thomas Goldthorpe had sold Richard Stansfield an annuity of £8 6s. 8d., for 47 years ; but this was done away by this latter contract of £20 per annum. It * Thoresby calls her " Alice.* See Dacatns Leod, p. 114. f Mr. Hanter's South Yorkshire, yol. ii., p. 887. Cofamsj^p oi 5^^iepUg. 103 was also agreed that if Thomas Goldthorpe should sell or mortgage any of his estate, that Richard Stansfield should have the preference of buying, &c. And if Thomas kept and performed his covenants above-mentioned, a recognisance for £500 as security ** shall be void and of none effect; otherwise it shall be of fuU force." In the 34 Henry VIII., [1542, September 16th,] the said Thomas Goldthorpe sold to the said Richard Stansfield, for £290, his "moiety of the manor of Shepley, the hall, a messuage, miln, cottage, and all lands, together with all manorial rights, profits of courts, leets, &c., with all deeds, &c. This terminated the connexion of the Kne of Goldthorpe with the manor. In the 13 EKzabeth, [1571,] on the 25th August, Richard Cooke, Esq., of FulweU, in Essex, sold to John Savile, of Stanley, near Wakefield, Esq., for £520, all the said moiety of the manor of Shepley, the hall, lands and appurtenances, miln courts, franchises, royalties, &c., being of the annual value of £18 9s. lid. How the manor, &c., came to vest in Richard Cooke, does not appear ; it is not improbable that it passed fi^om Richard Stansfield to him, through marriage ;. or Cooke might be his grandson or nephew. John Savile, of Netherton, gentleman, son of the above John Savile, sold the same to Robert Hepworth, of Shepley haU, his tenant, at two sales, amoimting together to the sum of £580 : these transactions bear date July 1st, 36 Elizabeth, [1594,] and the 30th August, 37 Elizabeth, [1595,] respectively. Robert Hepworth died in 1598, leaving Robert his son and heir, who married Frances, daughter of the Rev. John StoweU, vicar of Penistone. He held the office of high constable of Agbrigg, and was appointed collector of the tithes, chantry and other rents belonging to his Majesty, James I., in the West-Riding of Yorkshire. He built, or rather rebuilt, Shepley haU, a small mansion in the style then prevailing, the front part of which stiU remains nearly entire, as shown in the foregoing sketch. Over the door, cut in the stone, are initial letters of his name, and the year, " 1608." He died about the year 1616, leaving a son, WilHam, who married Lord, of "Rachdale." He also appears to have held the office of collector of the king's tithes and chantry rents; in addition to which, he held the office of coroner of the district. I have seen a folio MS. belonging to, and written by this person and his father, in which they record many particulars concerning their various duties ; also many private memoranda, and a few incidental notices of occurrences in the district. He had also been employed by Sir Francis 104 Cnfamsj^ipr 0f Sj^iepltg. Wortley, of Wortley, Baronet, to receive the modus in lieu of the rectorial tithe of this parish, which was at that time held by him on lease from the crown. He appears to have been on intimate terms with Sir Francis, concerning whom, and his family, he has recorded several particulars. I have had frequent occasion to allude to this MS., from which many extracts have been made in the course of this work, either in recording facts, or illustrating the manners and usages of the times. William Hepworth seems to have practised as an attorney ; his name often occurs in the transaction of public and private business of the district at that time. Notwithstanding his office of coroner of the wapentake, and likewise that of collector of his Majesty's rents, for which alone he had £20 per ann., and "rather over £15 per ann. of rents out of Lancashire, belonging to his wife,'* his worldly circumstances were not prosperous; for in the 5 Charles I. [1629,] the 12th June, he sold to John Firth, of Oumberworth, all his moiety of the manor of Shepley, the hall, &c., lands, woods, free rents, perquisites of courts, &c., reserving to himself and his wife certain annuities during their lives. Hepworth had previously mortgaged a part of the estate for £100 to Gamaliel Whitaker, vicar of Kirkburton, and Hester, his wife ; the interest of which was stipulated to be paid " in the south porch of Kirkburton Church." John Firth, of Shepley haU, died in 1682, aged 86 years, and his wife, Ann, died in 1694, aged 91. He devised the estate to Thomas Firth, his son and heir, who had issue John and Thomas ; to whom, at his death in 1702, he devised the same. Thomas died a minor, when John became sole proprietor. The said John, by his will, devised the same to Thomas Firth, his only son, who married Martha, daughter of John Tyas, of Scholes, and widow of Joseph Green, of Oxlee, by whom she had Joseph Green and three other children. In 1773, Thomas Firth, then of Shepley haU, conveyed his manor and estate in Shepley, to Joseph Green, of Oxlee, in Hepworth, his stepson, in exchange for messuages and lands at Oxlee; but in 1775, the said Joseph Green sold the same to Thomas Hardy, of Birks-gate, in Thurstonland, who died in 1836, and devised the same to his nephew and next heir, the late Thomas Hardy, of Birks-gate, Esquire, who was an active magistrate of this county, at whose death it descended to his eldest surviving son, Edward Hardy, Esq., now rf Shepley haU. 8;Dfama|ip of S^tpleff. REMAINS OP THE OLD MANOR HOUSE BELONGING TO THE STONES. The other moiety of the manor and estate of WilUam Shepley, vested in Dionysia, his younger daughter, who married Thomas Stone, and was co-heiress with her sister, who, as we have already shown, married Robert Goldthorpe. Thomas Stone and Dionysia had issue William Stone, who was witness to a deed in the 16 Henry VI., [1437]. In the marriage agreement entered into between Robert Goldthorpe, another grandson of WiUiam Shepley, in the 8 Henry V., [1419,] with Alice, daughter of Laurence Kaye, of Woodsome, a provision was also made for the marriage of Wilham Stone, the other grandson of William Shepley, with another daughter of Laurence Kaye ; but whether this marriage took place does not appear. From 1437 to 1574 I have met with no positive evidence illustrative of the pedigree of the Stones, of Shepley manor. In the 17 Elizabeth I find a deed of enfeoflinent made by John Stone, of Shepley, yeoman, wherein he grants to William Brammall, John West, and Nicholas Ellyson, all his half of the manor of Shepley, together with all houses and lands, arable, pasture, and wood, in Shepley, to the use and behoof of him, the said John Stone and Dionysia, his now wife, for their lives, and to the heirs of their bodies lawfiilly issuing ; and in default of such issue, to Francis Brammall, son of the said WilUam Brammall, and to his legal issue ; and in default to the right heirs of the said John Stone. John and Dionysia Stone had, however, issue an only child — Aime Stone ; who married in 1601, Thomas Morehouse, then of Shepley, by whom she had issue 106 Coimtsj^ip of Sfe^ipltg. William Morehouse, baptised 21st November, 1602. She died the following spring, and was interred at Kirkburton, 26th April, 1603 ; so that her son, then an infant, became at the death of his grandfather, which was during his minority, sole possessor of this moiety of the manor and estate, and likewise sole representative of the family of Stone : which, by the death of John Stone, the grandfather, became extinct in the male line at Shepley. The said William Morehouse married Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Oglethorpe, of Pontefract Castle, Gentleman. The marriage settlement bears date 12th April, 1626 ; wherein he conveyed to trustees the whole of the capital messuage and manor of Shepley, called " Stone place, or Stones's manor," together with certain lands therein mentioned, after his death, for the use of BUzabeth Oglethorpe, durinsf the term of her natural Ufe. The deed mentions his father, and likewise Dionysia Stone, his grandmother, as both living. We find that in 1649 he sold a part of his estate, and that in 1654 he was imder the necessity of alienating the remainder, — the hall and manor, &c. — ^to John Hollingworth, of Tintwistle, in the county of Chester. What were the circumstances which impelled to such a necessity, we have not seen stated ; but the marriage settlement, which is in the author's possession, seem to supply an important link in elucidating the cause which probably led to these disastrous consequences. The trustees appointed in this settlement were the Rev. Gamahel Whitaker, vicar of Kirkburton, and John Johnson, of Wrigglefprd, yeoman. It has already been shown that Mr. Whitaker was an Active royalist, and lost his Ufe in the cause ; it is also more than probable that Mr. Johnson, who had married Mrs. Whitaker' s sister, took the same side. It is moreover abundantly evident that Mr. Francis Oglethorpe, who is stated as then "of Pontefract Castle," and held a commission in the army, was also in the royal cause : for Thoresby mentions " the very ancient family of Oglethorpe, of Oglethorpe, which place had continued in the family till the civil wars, when it was lost from their loyalty, and it is said several of the name died at once, in the bed of honour : being slain in a battle near Oxford, of the King's party." It seems, therefore, highly probable that William Morehouse had espoused the royal cause, and become involved in its troubles.* He was buried at Kirkburton, * Such was the nnsettled state of the times, that it is impossible to ponrtray ^he losses and deprivations which were entidled upon each party ; both had eagerly engaged their fortunes and their liyes in the servioe, with noble bravery and determination ; but at the close of the war, alas ! too many found their estates involved, their constitutions broken, and their expectations disappointed. Upon the royalists this may be supposed to have fallen with a heavy hand, but upon many of those who had fought valiantly in the field for the cause of liberty, and after a long and arduous struggle had gained so complete a victory, it must have been a deep source of mortification to find they had only been putting down Slofenfij^jpf at Sj^ipleff. 107 3rd July, 1672; his wife Elizabeth had also been interred there, 16th July, 1663. John HoUingworth devised the estate to John Wagstaff and others, who sold oflf portions to several parties ; but they made their last sale, including the manor, to William RadcUflfe, Gentleman, bearing date 15th May, 1708 : from whom it descended to his son, William RadcUffe, of Milns-Bridge, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the West-Eiding Militia, and a Justice of the Peace. He died without issue in 1795, aged 85 years. By his will he made his nephew, Joseph Pickford, sole heir to his estates, who thereupon took the name' of Badcliffe, and likewiie fixed bis residence at Milns-Bridge, where he became an active and efficient magistrate of the district. For the courage and energy which he displayed in putting down Luddism, he received the honour of a baronetcy in 1813, at the recommendation of Earl Fitzwilliam, at that time Lord-Lieutenant of the West-Riding. This moiety of the manor has since descended wit3i the title. «Be degpot to creaito another; that, however high theii adminriioa of Cfomwell ae a geneial, or brilliaiit hii exi^oifi in the field, yet hie intrigBes and dissimulation but too plainly indicated his desire of power and aggiandisement ; so that whatever stood in the way of his accomplishing these ends, was disposed of in the most unscmpulons manner. Sir ThoiBas Va&r&z, an honest and brave man, was not di^Kwed to adopt the extreme views of his rival, and therefore soon became distastefal to him, and ere long was treated by him with marked disrespect ; and many of those who had fonght with him shared the like neglect. We have been led to premise these resuuka on introdneing here a very brief notice of a parliamentary officer, who leiDded in the adjoining paririi of Penistone, and whioh to some extent illastrates the aabject onder consideration. Adam Eyre, of Uazlehead, in Thurlstone, was a gentleman of good education, and resided on his own estate; he held a captain's commission, and served under Sir Thomas Falrfiuc ; and at the close of the war his claim against the state was £688 8s. He had been under the necessity, from the non-payment of his arrears, of mortgaging his estate to meet his penonal expences while in active service. His brother, Joseph Eyre, who died unmarried before 1647, had also served in the army, and seen considerable service, and his daim against the state was J&1,168 ISs., which was not paid in 1649. Judging from the fitct that the mortgage upon Adam Eyre's estate remained unpaid at the time of his death, which took place in 1661, soon sifter the restoration, it may be regarded as eertain that neither of these claims had been discharged. A similar claim of Captain William Bich, of Bnllhouse, against the state, amounting to £700, was not paid in 1656; and doubtless never was paid. Captain Adam Eyre kept what he styles a "Diurnal of my life,'' a diary from the 1st January, 1647, to the 27th January, 1649, with some slight intermissions. This MS. is in the authoi's possession, and is in several respects a curious document ; but as it was commenced after the wimt had drawn to a dose, it does not supply ns with any material recorda eonceming its progress. It^ however, gives us an inaight into the manners, habits, and social condition of the better class of yeomanry, to which he belonged. The candour with which he unbosoms his cares, his joys, and his sorrows, renders it often not devoid of interest^ notwithstanding the great monotony of a rural life. It was the intention of the author to have introduced a considerable part of this d^ry into the present work, hut it is found that so doing would involve considerable delay in its publication, from the necessity there is to supply local information for the elucidation of many parts of it; and as Mr. Eyre did not reside within the limits of the present topographical survey, it does not seem necessary that it should form a part of it o2 Cotons^p of S^^cpUg. Ohtjbch. A new church was erected here in 1848, at a cost of £1,500, through the influence of several influential inhabitants ; but principally throi^h the perseTering efforts of the Rev. Richard Collins, the vicar, whose laudable efforts in providing spiritual instruction and accommodation for this widely-extended parish, is deserving of grateful acknowledgment. It is a neat structure, with a small turret at the west end, which contains two bells. It is surrounded by a spacious burial groimd ; in immediate proximity with which have also been erected a neat parsonage and schoolroom. The Rev. John Collins, M.A., is incumbent. Wesleyan Methodist Chapel {New Connexion). In 1837 this branch of the Wesleyan body erected a neat chapel in the village, at a cost of £650. Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. In 1857 a small chapel was built at a cost of £120. National Sohgol. A National school was built in 1854. Betcish School. In 1834 the principal inhabitants and land-owners in the township erected a spacious schoolroom, by subscription, which is conducted on the principles of the British and Foreign School Society's plan. Cufcoms^p ai S^j^tpl^g. 109 There was formerly an old schoolhouse in this village, which was founded in 1 William III. [1689,] by the Rev. Richard Thorpe, a Presbyterian divine, (who had been ejected in 1662), and was then residing at Hopton, being the owner of a considerable property in this district. He conveyed the said schoolhouse to four of the principal inhabitants of Shepley, in trust, who were to pay to the said Richard Thorpe, his heirs and assigns, " the yeariy rent of a red rose, if demanded," — "to the intent and purpose nevertheless, and upon this express trust, that the said schoolhouse shall so continue to be constantly employed for a schoolhouse for ever." Notwithstanding the benevolent founder's intention, the schoolhouse, many years ago, was allowed to fall into decay, and at the present time not a vestige of the building remains to mark the site. The principal trade of the village about 80 years ago, consisted in the manufacture of sale yam. It was spun for warps, and taken on pack-horses to Dewsbury market, and sold. The market people were usually assembled early in the morning by the sound of a horn, when they proceeded on their way together. This branch of business led to some of the inhabitants becoming hawkers of stocking yarUy and as their means increased, they extended their dealing to cloth and general drapery. The success of their enterprise stimulated others to follow the example. This village, about 25 years since, possessed a very humble appearance. The change has been remarkable. Its increase of population has been rapid, and its progress in manufactures has also been great. Shepley was formerly noted for its bull and bear baitings ; and its young men obtained some celebrity as players at knor and spell. These sports no longer meet with popular favour. The enclosure of the Common Lands of this township took place in 1826, comprising 220 acres The ancient enclosure 1030 „ Total 1250 a (^nmhttbsottlg ll^If, ht llh'klnirtait. The district known as GumberwoHhy in the Narmon survey, oomprises two townships, now called Cumberworth, and Gumberworth Half: the former withw the wapentake of Staincross, and honour of Fontefract, and in the parishes of Silkstone and High Hoyland. The latter in the wapentake of Agbrigg, and in ibe Manor of Wakefield, is described in the Domesday survey as " one carucate/' Cumberworth Half is in two divisions : high and law. The fcnmer in the parish of Kirkburton ; the latter in the parish of Emley. That portion withm the parish of Kirkburton seems to have been granted off at a very early period, io the '^ de Shepleys."^ A Matthew de Shepley, in the latter years of King John, or early in the reign of Henry III., granted these lands for the good of his own soul, and that of his ancestors aiul successors, to the Monks of Roche Abbey, who held the same till the dissokitian of the monasteries, when ihey were granted off by King Henry VIII, In the 16 Elizabeth, [1574,] a parcel of these lands called " Birkhouse," was in the possession of Robert Denton, of Tadcaster, yeoman, who in that year sold the same to Thomas Bylborough, of Wetherby (in the county of YOTk), yeomaa, together with ^^all deeds, charters, evidences, letters patents, escripts, asd writings," — " as do conceme the said premisses.'* Gxunberworth and Gumberworth Half possessed, jointly, rights of commcm. It is, therefore, extremely difl&cult to define the boundary line of the wapentakes, or of the parishes to which these lands respectively belonged. In regard to the rectorial tithe of this part of the parish of Kirkburton, we were led to infert that as no modus or annual payment was made when the rest of the parish purchased the modus of the trustees of Sheffield Hospital, these lands had been ^conerafced. This is a mistake ; when the common lands were enclosed in 1800, an allotment was set out in Ueu of the modus, to Sheffield Hospital. The amount of the ancient enclosed and Common Lands within this division is 476 acres. * See page 100. f See Bectoiy, page 57. S^j^rsionlmtb. This township is included in Domesday survey under the name of Oartworth, along with Wooldale, Pulstone, and Hepworth, being fire townships, containing six carucates ; but in the recapitulatio of that record, they are severally named, of which Cheteuurde [Oartworth] stands at the head ; they were then returned aa "waste." After the Manor of Wakefield had passed into the possession of the Earls Warren, doubtless many important changes were effected : and it would seem that this township did not long remain a part of the Free Chace of Oartworth, or M it afterwards became designated, Holmjvrth, although the townships of Holme, Austonley, and Upperthong, had been previously added to it. This township differs in one respect from those which have abeady engaged our enquiries. We have seen that the chief lord of the fee had granted off whole mils, or townships, to some of his attendants and retainers, who held the same by military service, &c. In this township the chief lord seems to have granted smaller plots of land in different parts of it, probably to a number of his humbler dependants ; perhaps to those who had the care of his Free Chase of Holmfirth, close upon which they might reside, and over which they might be enabled, ft'om its high and commanding situation, to exercise a degree of supervision. These grants were made at a very early period, and for many generations several of the families continued to occupy their small possessions, as will be hereafter shown. In the reign of Edward I., John, the seventh Earl Warren, was found to be Lord of Thurstonland. Mr. Hunter informs us that the last Earl Warren, in his latter years, appears " to have sought to be on better terms with the church than he had been in the busier and more active period of his life, and made, as it would appear, a grant of the Rectory of Hatfield to the neighbouring Abbey of Roche, in loco penitenticBy the profits of which were sufficient to enable them to add thirteen monks to their foundation." This grant was made about 19 Edward III., [1345,] the King having granted his licence to John, Earl Warren, to give the Advowson of Hatfield, then valued 112 C0fanis^5r at ^]pixuianhnh , at seven marks, to the Monks of Roche Abbey. It is therefore pretty certain that the earl must have included other property ; and it does not seem improbable that the Manor of Thurstonland, with certain lands, formed a part of it, as we find the manor was in the possession of this earl in the reign of Edward II., but in that of Edward IV.* it was in the possession of the Monks of Roche Abbey ; after which we find they had their steward and resident bailiff^ as shown by the books of the abbey, " Thomas Green, Steward of Thurstonland- cum-membris, 20s. per ann." — " Henry Gillott, bailiff there, also 20s. per ann/* With the monks it remained until the dissolution of the monasteries, when, in the 32 Henry VIII., this manor and the lands, &c., were granted by the said King, by his letters patent, bearing date the 1st March, 1540, " to John Storthes, of Shittylyngton, gentleman, (and of Storthes Hall), all his Manor of Thurstonland, with all his rights, membres, and appurtenances, &c., late to the Monastrye of Roche, and now dyssolved, belonging," &c., " and all other messuages, houses, byldyngs, mylnes, granges, lends, tents, meadowes, pastures, comens, waters, fysshyngs, lyng, and heth," &c., to hold of the said sovereign lord the King, his heirs and successors in cheff, by the suyte of the XX part of a knyght's fee, and yelding, therefore, yerly, 20s. to the King's Cort of Augmentacon of the revenues of his Crowne," &c. The manor remained with the ancient family of Storthes, of Storthes Hall, till the close of the reign of Elizabeth, when they alienated the whole of their estates in the parish to Mr. Richard HorsfaU, who shortly after took up his residence there. It is therefore unnecessary here to enter into particulars respecting its descent, as this will be shown in connexion with that place. This township is principally engaged in agriculture ; although a number of mills and factories adjoin upon it, which are employed in woollen and fancy manufactures. A large proportion of the cottagers are, however, employed in weaving woollen cloth, yet the occupiers of land are almost entirely devoted to agriculture. At Mytham Bridge, in this township, is an ancient com mill, at which the inhabitants, in " olden time," were required to grind their com. In connexion with it, also, was a fulling mill, where the lord of the manor appears to have required clothiers within the manor, *' fi:*eeholders and tenants," to full or mill their cloth : this unusual custom existed in 1540, in which year John Walker, of Thurstonland, clothier, had conveyed to him from the lord of the manor, certain * From the death of the last Earl Warren to this period, we find none of the Lords of Wakefield bestowing patronage upon the Monks of Roche Abbey. Cofamsj^p 0f d^rstoitlanb. 113 lands, late belonging to the Monks of Roche Abbey. In that conveyance it is stipulated in addition to the said customs, " that the said John Walker, or his heirs in tyme to come, shall never erect or buyld, nor set up," within the said lordship, "any manner of myll or mylnes." Without effecting any perpetual legal impediment to John Walker, or the rest of the freeholders in the township, it is remarkable that this stipulation has been so far observed that there has never since been any other miU erected within this lordship, although the ancient customs respecting the grinding of com and fulling of cloth, have long since become extinguished. The Grange. The name of this place is sufGlciently indicative of its ancient use being connected with Roche Abbey, to which it remained appendant imtil the dissolution of the monasteries, when the Manor of Thurstonland, with all the lands belonging to this abbey, reverted to the Crown, and were shortly after granted out by the King, as stated under the manor. This grange possessed a right of stray and pasturage for twenty sheep upon the commons and waste lands in the lordship of Shelley, a privilege which, no doubt, had been granted to the Monks of Roche Abbey, by one of the early lords of Shelley. This estate has descended along with the manor, and now vests in 0. H. Bill, Esq. tiottmspir .of S^^stonlanb. Stobthes Hall. Tlus is the largest mansion within the parish of Kirkburton. It is situated on a fine richly-wooded knoll, at the north-eastern extremity of the township of Thurstonland, and on the banks of a small stream, which divides the townships of Burton and Shelley icom that of Thurstonland. It is a modem-built mansion, plain, but xmiform in its exterior, having been erected about 70 years ^o, by the aunts of the present proprietor, — Charles HorsfaU Bill, Esq. When viewed fix)m the opposite banks, the house has a very pleasing appearance, surrounded with fine timber, which has been allowed to attain a considerable size. There is idso an extensive sweep of woodland, which stretches in an \mbroken line to the west, and along the south ftx>nt into the winding deU below. To the west of the mansion are several fine spreading beeches, which have attained an unusual size. A little beyond these are a number of fine oaks, which, it is much to be regretted, owing to the want of timely thinning, have lost many of their lower branches, and are evidently on the decline. It must be admitted, too, that a judicious thinning of the timber in the foreground within the vale, by affording more variety of hght and shade, would add greatly to the effect of the scenery. This is the only instance within the limits of my topographical survey, where timber has been allowed to become redmidant. Alas ! it has been but too often the subject of regret and complaint, that timber, which was not only highly ornamental to the estate upon which it stood, but also to the surrounding @^0i]ms^p d ^}pxt»tsndmii!. 115 neighbourhood, has Men beneath the axe, to gratify a penurious craving, or to supply the calls of profligate extravagance. For more than twenty years this place has ceased to be the residence of its owner, for whom it is to be regretted that so singularly pleasing and picturesque a situation should no longer possess a charm. It was for many generations the residence of a family of very great antiquity, who either derived their surname from the place, or gave their own name to the estate ; and although none of these ever appear to have taken a higher rank than that of " Gentleman," yet they at all time maintained their position in a remarkable degree, forming alliances with some of the best families in the country, imtil they finally quitted the place. The Storthes' of Storthes, afterwards called Storthes Hall, appear frequently either as principals or witnesses in ancient charters connected with the district. I am, however, unable to reduce them to a clear and connected pedigree. The earliest mention of them is a Matthew de Storthes, who appears as witness to a charter along with Matthew de Scheplay, in the reign of Henry lH. The next is Eobert de Storthes, who was witness to a deed in Edward I.'s reign. He seems to have been succeeded by William del Storthes, whose name appears in charters dated 1335 and 1339, respectively. But in 36 Edward III., [1361,] we find that ** Jennet, wief of William Storres," bought the wardship of William de Shepley. It is most probable she was of this place, and then widow of the aforesaid William, after whom was Robert del Storthes, who was witness to charters dated 1384 and 1387. A Robert del Storthes also appears as a witness to a deed 5 Henry V., [1416]. In the 24 Henry VI., [1445,] Richard Storthes occurs as a witness to a deed. In a deed of trust, dated 1448, we find Johanna, the widow of Robert Storrez, holding an annuity of seven marks out of the manor and lands of Shelley, belonging to Thomas Doddworth, and Elizabeth, his wife, which was to remain to the said Johanna, and to her heirs lawfully issuing. A charter dated 1479, purports to set forth the consanguinity and descent of John Storthes from John de Schellay, the last lord of that surname, viz., that the said John Storthes was the son of Thomas Storthes, who was the brother of Henry, the brother of Robert or Richard, who were the sons of Johanna, the daughter of Katharine, who was the daughter of John de Schellay, aforesaid. The consanguinity of John Storthes with John de Schellay, as stated in this deed, it seems probable stood as follows : — p2 116 Cjofants^p of Cfextrstonlanir- Eafberine, dang^ter, and probably aola heir ^ Doddwoith* of Dodwoi^, near Baxnaley. of John de BdieUay. I 1 I Thomas Doddworth, lifing in 1448.~Elizabeth. Johanna, living in 1448. jBobot Stoifhes, daad in 1448. Henry Storthos, d«ad in 1479. Kobert or Biehard, dead in 1479. Thomas 8toithe8.7 Ellen, dangfatar of Thos. Savile, of Hullenedge, inl4M. John Storthes, living m 1479. For a period of sixty-two years we have found no fiirther mention of the Storthes, till in 1541, in the 32 Henry VIII., the King, by his letters patents, granted to John Storthes, of Shitlington, but Ukewise of Storthes Hall, Gentleman, — ^who was probably grandson of the last-named John, — the Manor of Thurstonland, together with certain lands, &c., late belonging "to the Monastrye of Eoche " [Roche Abbey], " now dyssolved." Here we have the first indication of the family removing fi:*om their ancient inheritance. But in the 6 Edward VI., [1551,] (Jervas Storthes, of Storthes HaU, Gentleman, released by indenture, dated 26th October, to John Kaye, of Dalton, Gentleman, for the sum of sixty-four pounds, an amiual rent-charge of four pounds, six shillings, and eightpence, due to him, his heirs or assigns, issuing out of the Manor of Shelley, &c., which he thereby conveyed and assured to the said John Kaye, his heirs, &c., for ever. This annual payment out of the Manor of Shelley, then due to Gervas Storthes, has an evident reference to the seven marks (£4 13s. 4d.), settled on one of his progenitors, as already stated.* The discrepancy in these sums might arise from the owner of the Manor of Shelley deducting what might then be regarded as the proportionate share of the modus due, in lieu of tithe com and hay. In 1573, Gervas Storthes was interred at Kirkburton, where his wife, Elizabeth, had been interred the preceding year. They appear to have had a numerous issue, most of whom died young. He was succeeded by Thomas Storthes, of Storthes Hall, Gentleman, who, by his indenture dated 17 Elizabeth, [1574,] conveyed to Arthur Bynnes, of Over Brockholes, one acre of wood, called " Seynt Marye Wod :" this had evidently been a part of Roche Abbey lands. In 1603, Mr. Storthes was still resident at Storthes Hall ; not long after this time the property seems to have been sold, along with the more recently acquired Manor of Thurstonland, to the Horsfalls. Thus passed away this ancient family from their equally ancient ancestral inheritance, from which time not a trace of the name have I found in the parish 1 neither have I been able to discover to what place they removed. t According to the statement of a local genealogist, * See Manor of Shelley. + The family of Storthes Becms not to have appeared at any of the Herald's yiaitationfl, to register their pedigree, or receive a grant of arms. SDotonsl^ip 0f ^\p(xxBtonhv^. 117 the Horsfalls, of Storthes Hall, came here from a place called Mankenholes, in the parish of Halifax. I regret my inability to give a more complete accoimt of this family ; repeated applications have been made to its present representative, but without success. It affords me considerable satisfaction to be able to ftimish the following pedigree, which, for the most part, has been supplied by the Rev. J. Hunter, F.S.A., the able historian of South Yorkshire, whose extensive researches and devotedness to topographical enquiry, especially in connexion with Yorkshire, have enabled him to render essential service, not only in this instance, but in several other important particulars connected with this work. We cannot, however, pass imnoticed the name of Captain Richard Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, who took a part in the civil war : joined the royal cause, and became " a captain in Sir George Savile's Regiment of Foot." In one of Sir William Savile's. letters to Major Beaumont, Lieutenant Governor of Sheffield Castle, dated September 22nd, 1643, in reply to one of Major Beaumont's, he states : — " I received your letter of the 17th instaDt, together with a muster of Captain Horsfairs troope ; and I doe desiare him that he will march forthwith, with his troope in Linconshire, to the regiment, and lett him send one trooper to the regiment to give them notise of his cumminge. I desiare he speedily march with his troope, because theare are but few Captns. with my regiment of Horse : and lett Capt. Horsfall carry with him his muster roU, lined by yourself and Capt. Hemsworth, and the comissaryes deputy at Lincon will make it up.*'* In August, 1644, Captain Horsfall' s father died about five weeks after the battle of Marston Moor ; upon which event he seems to have settled down in retirement at Storthes Hall, where he suflTered no interruption, as he does not appear in the list of compounders for delinquency. He died in 1668, aged 56 years. Horsfall.— Arms: Ga. a brzaot between three hones' heads, eouped ar., bridled az. Crest: A horse's head eouped ens. PEDIGREE OF THE HOBSFALLS, OF STORTHES HALL, IN THURSTONLAND. Bichard Horsfall, of Storthes Hall, m Xirkbaiton.= HarL 4830 f. 896. i dau. of Mr. Lister, (but in Harl., 1487, it stands Alice, dau. of Scarborough). Biehard HorsfiOI, of Storthes Hall, Oeut.,Ioni= of the Manor of ThnrMonland. Buried at Kixkburum, 13th Sept, 1044. ^Mary, dau. of John Lewis, of Marr. Esq., (who died in IWO, Bit 4A ;) by MuT, dau. of Lionel Reresby, of Threbergh. She was buried at Kirkburton, SOth Sept , 1041, aged 66 years. * Mr. Hunter's HallaxDBhire. 118 C0boiYB|^ oi ^IgtxtBiatdw^. A _L HwT HorsfUl. bap. Biofaard HorsflOl, of Stortiiea HaU,7 Mt KirirbartoD, 7th Gent , lordof the Manor of Thnn- tonland ; wm a oaptain in Sir J. Banuden's regimflnt, at the siegp of Pontefhtet Castle, in the dvil war. Was buried at Kiricburton, 13th Deo., 1008, ajjred M years. Sep. 10O7; mar. Thomas Feoay, of Fenay, Gent L Ann, daoftht. Jno. Horsfall, of GenraM baried 10th Sieoard, of Jan., lOM. Hook, Esq. { s 9 -6 a a Jane Horsfall,ma. Mr. John Rie- oard, of Heck., 10th Oct., 1041. Susan, w. of John Lindley. Cadierine, w. of Chas.Ne«tla- Wm. Hors(U], of Siarthea"'I>orothT,danghter of John Hall, Gent, lord of the Manor of Thoretonland, intrd. at Kirkbnrton, 8th Feb., 1711, nt 77 years. EUerker, of Tork, bar. at Kirkborton, Slst Got, 1007. \^ I I I I I I Ann, mar. 1st Mr. Riohardand Elizabeth, Mary, buried Charles, bur. Susanna, bom Tlh Ths.Beanmont, Rieoard. ba. 94lh 93rd Sep., 11th July, May, 1054, ma. of Mirfield, 3rd twins, the May, IMG. 1061. John Bariter.of Jan.,1000. Snd elder died 1046. ... Hy. Stanhope, ininJknoy of Leeds, mer. Elizabeth, eldest dan., buried John HoraiUl, of Stortfaes Hall,= . 13th Deo., 1078, aged 19 yrt. Gent , lord of the Manor of Thnr- stonland, died 8th July, 17SS, aged OS yean. lliam.i T William, d. y. Ann, d. y. in in 1000* 1000. DoroQiy, m. Mr. Arthur Ingram, of ttie parish of Pontefract, lOlh July, 1700. Biohaid Horsfhll. of Storthes Hall, Gent, lord of Ihe Manor of Thurstonland, baried at Kirkbuiton, 1731. 'Graoe Brigffs, granddaoghter of * Bar. Gadriek Ingram, viear of Kiiby Malzaid, the Rev. Joeeph Briggs, ricar Yorkshire, Snd hue., married at Kirkboiton, of iCirkbarton. Dee. 11th, 1733. I William Horsihll, of Storthea Hall, Esq., lord of the Maaor= of Thoretonland, bap. at Kiricburton, SSnd Sept, 1794, died Aug. Snd, 1780, aged U yean. I r T ^Elizabeth, dan of Wm. BedkwMi, of Thororoft, Dorothy, baptised at KlikbortoB, Mtti Esq., diedSiat April, 17B0, aged 71 years. Sept, 17W. Died onmanled. Ingtam Honftll, only son, Dorothy, married Robert diedl7lhNoT.,1770,aged BUI, Esq., died 10th 10 yean. Maj, 179S, aged 4S. E lizabeth, diedun- Hy, Ann, died Graee, mar. Geerge Sut- ton, of Stoekton, Esq., died without iaaoe. Franoea, mar. Joseph SeoCt, of BMis- worth, Esq., a Jnstfee of tiia PMee, died without isaoe. Charies Hcnrsfldl Bill, Esquin, peaent lord of ttie Manor of Thurstonland. sole hefr to his mother and annts, as oo-heiressM of Wm. HorafUl, Esq., their fkther. Stocks. This place would be quite imdeserving of notice were it not for the circumstance that its early owners acquired their name of addition £rom the place, and from their appearing in ancient charters, both as principals and as witnesses. The earliest mention we have found of the name occurs in a charter dated 1319, wherein John de Stockes appears as a witness. In a charter d&ted 1335, John, the son of John del Stockkes de Thurstonland, granted lands to Adam, the son of Thomas del Cote, of Thurstonland, in " villa et infra divisas de Thurstonland," which he held in trust from Robert, the son of William de Maresto, for the use of the said Adam. The witnesses were John de Shellay, William de Birton, Adam de Helay, William, the son of Hugh, and Richard de Thomtclay. In another charter of the same year, John del Stokhus (here the name is given with a Latin termination), appears again as a witness. In a charter dated at Birton, 1384, John de Collerslay, capellanus [chaplain], granted to John del Stockys, and Marjorie, his wife, for the term of their natural lives, and to their issue, certain lands and tenements ^^in villa et campis de Thurstonland," with which he had been enfeoffed by the said John del Stockys. HM^^MMWa C0fams|^pf tfi ^IgtxxBioxdmi^. 119 An acquittance dated 16th May, 16 Henry VI., [1437,] was given by William Hynchcliffe de Scooles, in the parish of Burton, to Adam le Stokkes, and Elizabeth, his wife, de Thurstonland, on the payment of 10s., which sum had been given by Marjory Thickholyns and Alice Stone, to the said Adam les Stokkes, and Elizabeth, his wife, to remaia to the use of the said Marjory and her executors. Adam Stokkys was also a witness to a charter dated 19 Edward IV., [1478]. The last male heir, Thomas Stocks, of Stocks, appears to have died before the 2nd of Philip and Mary, [1554,] and to have left two daughters, Alice and Margaret, co-heiresses ; at which time they made a division of his estate. Alice became the wife of Bobert Morton, of Thurstonland, and Margaret the wife of William Fairholme, of Tickhill, linen webster. The estate appears to have passed shortly . after into other hands, as we find a "John Lockwood, of Stocks Hows," in 1569. The name of Stocks House would imply a superior dwelling. Whatever were its former pretension, it has long since disappeared, and given place to a few ordinary farmhouses. A part of Stocks appears to have been owned by another family, fi^om a remote period, as I find firom an ancient charter ; where Matthew, son of Adam Fabus de Famelay, granted to his son John, and to his heirs, lands, &c., at le Stocks, in Thurstonland, which Thomas Flandr. de Dalton gave to Adam Fabus, father of the grantor. The witnesses to this charter were EUas de Byrton, John de Rylay, Adam de Helay, John de Burytwait, and Henry de Byrton. This charter, which is without date, was about the latter part of Henry III.'s reign, or early in that of Edward I.'s. These estates now vest in Charles Horsfall Bill, Esquire, and Thomas Firth, of Toothill, Esquire, and it is not a little singular that, although the former is Lord of Thurstonland, yet his lands at Stocks owe suit to the Manor Court of SheUey, being held by military services, and three shillings annual rent to the lord. We may remark that a collateral branch of the family of Stocks afterwards became seated at Wool-row, in the township of Shelley, where the name still continues. Mabsh Hall. Whatever were the views of our ancestors with respect to the designation " haU,'* there is now little pretension to the name in this place according to modem estimation. The present ancient edifice was erected in the reign of Elizabeth, bearing the date " 1596" over the door. Though it has since undergone many 120 Cofamsj^p of d^rsl0nlanjtr» alterations and adverse changes: even then it could only be regarded as a comparatively humble dwelling. The family who had been seated here from remote antiquity, seem to have derived their surname from the place. In 1319, John del March was witness to a charter. From another charter, dated 1335, it would appear AUen de Mercheston granted to William, son of Matthew del Merche, the whole of his tenements and lands, &c., called "le Merche infra divisas de Thurstonland," with which he had been enfeoffed by Johes del Merche. The witnesses were Wilham de Birton, John de ScheUay, John de Schepelay, Adam de Helay, William del Storthes, Richard de Thomtclay, cler., ohn del Stokhus, &c. In another charter, John, the son of John le Flemyng de Dalton, grants to William, the son of Matthew del Merche de Thurstonland, a parcel of land called Blakeden (with which the said William had enfeoffed him, but for what purpose does not appear), lying along Heyghet BlakedAin, adjoining Famelay Moor, in Thurstonland, and on the north side the lands of Henry Dobsun, and on the south the lands of Thomas Faber. Dated at Thurstonland, XX. day after the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude, 1339. In 7 Edward III., [1335,] judgment was given at Westminster, in the case of Agnes del Merch, of Thurstonland, complainant, and William del Forest and Agnes, his wife, deforciant, of one messuage, two bovates and a half, and six acres of land, two acres of wood within Thurstonland and Famelay Tyas ; the said Agnes del Merch to hold the same to her heirs, she paying to the said William and Agnes, his wife, twenty marks of silver, on executing a release or quit claim from them and their heirs. William de Merse appears as a witness to a deed in 1387, and a John de Merssh in another of the 8 Henry IV., [1406,] and a WiUiam Marshe in another of the 24 Henry VI., [1445]. By a charter in 49 Henry VI., Richard Mershe; son of William Mershe de Thurstonland, granted to his said father lands, &c., in Thurstonland, during his father's life. The witnesses were Blias Byrton, Esquire, John Beamont, of Almobery, and WiUiam Oldfield. But the said Richard Mersche in the 19 Edward IV., [1478,] granted to John Ashton, of Ashton, Knight, William Oldfield, of Meltham, William Kaye, of Famelay, and Adam Lokkewodde, of Thurstonland, all his lands and tenements in Thurstonland, which he had formerly given to his father, William Marshe, in trust for Edmund Marsche, son of the said Richard. The witnesses to this charter are, James Coppelay, Adam Stokkys, James Walkare, William Coppelay, and John Marsche, all of Thurstonland. SDxrfons^lpf of %\pxxBiotdixt^. 121 The next record I find of this family is from the parish register, June 18th, 1568, when Edmund Marshe of Marshe Hall was buried. He must have been the son or grandson of the last-mentioned Edmund. He left Henry Marsh. In the latter part of Elizabeth's reign, or in the beginning of that of James I., the Marshes appear to have deserted their ancient residence, and to have built and occupied a more commodious and substantial mansion at Hallstead, in Thurstonland, where they remained for several generations. Here we find Matthew Marsh resident in 1616, under the style of yeoman. In 1652, by inquisition, Henry Marsh, of HaUstead, was found heir to certaiQ lands and tenements in the Manor of Shelley, in right of his wife (daughter of Edward Storer, of Stocks), by the death of her brother, Robert Storer, without issue. In the reign of Charles II. there were Richard and Henry Marsh, of Hallstead, the latter of whom died in 1685. Soon afterwards, this estate, with Marsh Hall, passed to the Kayes, of Woodsome. There is a tradition in the district that a Marsh, of Hallstead, being fond of hunting, resorted to the very reprehensible and reckless conduct of hunting and killing deer in Woodsome Park, which provoked the indignant baronet to take legal proceedings against the offender, and these terminated in the utter ruin of Marsh, whose estates were seized ; and in this way, it is said, they were acquired by the Kayes. I have met with no authentic evidence on the subject ; but there is nothing improbable in the story, as hunting was a very favourite diversion among the yeomanry and other classes of these districts, in the pursuit of which they were often led into great excesses. The estates passed from the Kayes by marriage, along with the rest of their large possessions, to the Earl of Dartmouth, in whose descendants they still vest. Black House. This ancient messuage was built about the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth, by a family named Lockwood, who appear to have been resident in the township for several previous generations. The name of Black House is a corruption of " Blake :" the lands upon which this messuage is built no doubt had been a part of the possessions of the Marshes, of Marsh Hall, who possessed a considerable plot of land called "Blakeden:" a name which still exists in that immediate vicinity. Q 122 S0fam8|rip 0f Cj^mBtonlanb. The Lockwoods appear to have liad their ancient residence at CoUerslej, in the reign of Henry VI., about which time they also acquired property in this township. The Lockwoods, of Bla<5k House, were in possession of a good estate in Thurstonland during the Stuart dynasty, and until the reign of Gteorge II., when the last male heir died, and the estate was divided and sold. This place is now the property of C. H. Bill, Esq. Manob House. This house haying been modernised at difierent times, now possesses but few indications of an ancient messuage, except the date, 1616, over a doorway which was once the principal entrance, but is now hidden by other buildings firom observation, It was erected by John Walker, of Thurstonland, who possessed a considerable estate here, where his family had been resident mapy generations. The first mention we have found of the name was as a witness to a charter in the 21 Henry VI., [1442,] of "John Walkere, of Thurstonland;" and in a deed dated 19 Edward IV., [1478,] " James Walkere, of Thurstonland," appears as a witness. In 1532, John Walker, of Thurstonland, clothier, obtained a lease fi*om the Abbot and Convent of Roche [Roche Abbey], of lands in Thurstonland, given, under the seal of the monastery. After the dissolution of this monastery, which speedily followed, the King granted the manor and all the lands, &c., in this township, to John Storthes, of Shittlington, Gentleman, in 1540. In the following year, the said John Storthes conveyed by indenture, dated 23rd March, to John Walker, of Thurstonland, clothier, and John Walker his son, for the sum of one hundred pounds, " one messuage, four score acres of land, sixteene acres of meadowe, twenty acres of pasture, and four acres of wodd, &c., in Thurstonland,'* " with commons," &c. The deed stipulates that "John Walker and his heirs hold the messuage and lands, &c., of John Storthes and his heirs, &c., for ever, by knight's suyte, if the lawe will suflfer it ; and if they and their heirs must needs hold of the King's grace, his heirs or successors in cheff, then they and their heirs to pay at every deth, or change of heir, thirty shyllyngs for their releff and also sute yerly to the cort of the seyd John Storthes, and his heirs within the lordship of Thurstonland, and to pay yerly to the said John Storthes and his heirs, 5s., at the feast of annuncyacon of our Lady and Seynt Michel tharchangell, by even porcons." And it further stipulates " that John Walker and his heirs, at all tymes as they shall have any oloth redy to be mylledt S^xrixmsj^ td Cj^rstonlanJCr. 123 or any come to be ground, shall exercise and occupy the myll or myUnes mthin the lordship of Thurstonland, if they be truly well and reasonablye sued and used ; and they to pay for the mylning of the seyd cloth and grynding of the seyd come, accordyng after the maner and custome as other freeholders and tenants ther do. And that John Walker and his heirs in tyme to come, shall never erect, buyld, nor set up, within the said lordship, any manner of myU or myUnes," John Walker the younger was dead in the 13 Elizabeth, [1570,] having left John Walker his son and heir, who was living in the 39 Elizabeth, [1596,] and then styled John Walker the elder: having then a son and heir of the same name. The said John Walker the elder was, however, living in 1616, when John Walker the younger had a son Thomas Walker, being his " heir apparent.'* The said John and Thomas became parties to a marriage agreement dated 9th May in that year, wherein it was agreed that a marriage should be solemnised between the said Thomas Walker and Frances, daughter of John Smith, of Shepley, yeoman, which was to take place on the 6th June following; in consideration of which marriage, John Smith covenants to pay to John Walker the sum of £100 in the dwelling-house of the said John Walker, as follows,— "that is, fiftie pounds upon the day of marriage, and the other fiftie pounds within one year next after the said marriage : if the said Frances or any issue of hers by the said Thomas shall be then hving." And that the said John Smith shall at the marriage, or within four months next after the same, "decently apparell the said Frances, according to her calling and the custome of this countrye ; and shall give the said Thomas and Frances, within the said four monthes, one fethw bed and bedstocks, with bedclothes for the same.'* The said John Smith also to pay to the said Thomas Walker, on the 2nd February, 1617, the sum of thirty pounds, if the said Frances or any issue be living. And for reasonable jointure and dower for the said Frances, the said John Walker covenants with the said John Smith that he shall, within the space of five years next ensuing, "make and execute all such reasonable acts, devised in the lawe, &c., as the said John Smith and Thomas Walker shall reasonably devise and require for the perfect assuring and conveying all the capital messuage and tenements, now divided into two messuages, in Thurstonland, now in the several occupations of the said John Walker and John Walker the elder, together with the lands, &c., to the said Thomas Walker and the said Frances, and their issue.'' q2 124 Cnfansj^p of Cj^rstonlanb, At a court baron held at Shelley in 1^34, it was presented that John Smith, late df Shepley, deceased, held half a bovate of land in Shelley, and that Elizabeth Walker and Mary Walker were his proper heirs. Thomas Walker had issue— perhaps by a second marriage,— John Walker, also styled yeoman, who seems to have been involved in litigation, by which it appears that his property suflTered some diminution. He died in 1663 : will dated December 1st, 1656. He left William his son and heir, who died in 1685. This ancient messuage^ together with the greater part of the lands, were sold by Jonas Walker, of Thurstonland, yeoman, and Eneas Walker, his son and heir, tanner, to William HorsfaD, of Storthes Hall, Esq., in 1754. Over Brookholes, — otherwise Bank End. Brockholes is compounded of Bpoc, a badger, and Polh, which signifies a cave, den, or hollow in the earth. This answers very much to the character of this immediate locality, which is a deep woody ravine, where the badger and other wild animals in former ages might find shelter and security. There is little in the appearance of this place to attract the attention of the observer, except several aged yew trees, which once surrounded this ancient messuage : a significant proof of its having once been the seat of a family of some respectabiUty. It is situated on the eastern accHvity rising out of the vale of Holme, on a bold and picturesque knoll, which commands a fine view of the valley below. It gave the surname to its aacient owners, who were seated here fi^om remote antiquity. In the reign of Edward III. we find " John Brockholes" of this place, who appears to have been the last of that surname. He granted this estate to John Dyson, son of Adam Dyson, of Lynthwayte. From a series of evidences we are enabled to give the following account of the transaction. In a charter dated 1406, " John Dyson granted to William Dyson, his son, a tenement with all lands, &c., in Thurstonland, called Over Brockholes, which Jphn Brockholes had formerly granted to him. He likewise granted to the said William, after the term of his own life, all his lands, &c., in Lynthwayt in Crosseland mere," formerly belonging to Adarp Dyson, his father* There is a still older charter, dated 1387, fi*om Margaret, daughter of this Adam Dyson, wherein she granted to her brother John, and Margaret, his wife, Coimtsj^p of ^\[txx^tonlmth. 125 and to the heirs of the said John, all her right, &c., in a messuage, &c., called "le Brokholes," in Thurstonland. The witnesses were Willo. de Sheplay, Robto. de Storthes, Johe de Inlay, WiUo. de Merse, &c. WiUiam Dyson granted to William Smyth, capellanus [chaplain], Henry Beamond, of Lassels-Hall, Richard Beamond, of Newsam, Richard Beamond, of Crosseland, a messuage and lands called Over Brokholes, in Thurstonland, in trust, to the use of the said William Dyson and his heirs, Ac. Witnesses : Johane Byrton, Rico. Storthes, Ade. Stokkes de Thorstanland, Willmo. Marsche, Johane Walkare de eadem, et aliis 21 Henry VI., [1442]. The next charter is dated 1452, wherein the aforesaid William Smyth, capellanus, Henry Beamond, of Lassel-Hall, Richard Beamond, of Newsam, and Richard Beamond, of Crosseland, re-grant to William Dyson the said messuage and lands at Over Brokholes, which had been vested in them in trust by the said William Dyson, to hold to him for life ; with remainder to Alice Katherine and Cecilia, his daughters, and their assigns, for the term of twenty-one years, &c. Witness : Willmo. Lokkwod de Collerslay, Willmo. Lynthwayte, Thome. Hage de Styrhens, Johne Bemond de Crosseland, Johne Lokkewod de Lokkewod, et aliis. Dated on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, 31 Henry VI., [1452]. The next transaction appears to be a charter dated 12th September, 1455, when William Dyson, of Lynthwayte, granted to WiUiam Lokwod de CoU^slay the messuage, with lands, &c., at Over Brokholes, in Thurstonland. Witness : Willmo. Lynthwaite, Thome. Lokwod de Dodmanston, Ric. Crosland, et aliis. In three days after, a release was executed by John Herst and Alice, his wife, daughter of William Dyson, to William Lokewod, his heirs, &c., of and in all the messuage and lands at Over Brokholes ; likewise a release, bearing the same date, from Katherine Dyson and Cecilia Dyson, the two other daughters of William Dyson. In a charter dated 27th May, 14 Edward IV., [1473,] WiUiam Lokewode de Collersley granted to John Pilkyngton, Knight, John Leeke, Thomas Beamond, and Bichard Beamond, of Crosland, a messuage and lands at Over Brokholes, in trust for the life of the said William ; and at his decease, to Richard Lokewode, his son. Witnesses : John Kaye, of Wodesome, WiUiam Lynthwaite, WiUiam Dawson, and others. By another charter dated 6th October, 17 Edward IV., [1476,] WiUiam Dighton, son and heir of Rdbert Dighton, John Pilkyngton, Knight, Richard Wyntworth, Egq., Henry Longley, and Christopher Dighton, trustees for the «aid William Dighton, released to WiUiam Lokewod, his heirs and assigns, all 126 ^aixmn^fvii sd C^stelamptr* right, &o., to a messuage and lands called Over Brokholes, in Thurstonland. Witness : Thome. Beamont de Whitlay. armigre., Johe. Bradford, Johe. Leeke, Thome. Listr., WiUmo. Watson, et aliis. For what purpose these transfers were made from Lockwood to trustees, and again to Lockwood, does not appear. The estate not long after passed from Lockwood to Kay. In the 32 Henry VIII., Richard Kay appeared in the Court of the Lord the King, at Heaton [Kirkheaton], to do suit and fealty on being admitted to a messuage and lands at Brokholes, in Thurstonland, — ^his father, Thomas Kay, being then deceased,— and paid xvd. fine. By an indenture dated 20th March, 3 Elizabeth, [1560,] Richard Kay, of Dod worth, in the county of York, Gentylman, sold and conveyed aU his right and interest, &c., in the messuage and lands at Over Brokholes, being two parts, to Arthur Bynnes, of Thurstonland, clothier. In the 30 Elizabeth, [1587,] John Hoile, son and heir apparent of John Hole, of Holehouse, and Agnes, his wife, in the village of Hyperhome, yeoman, granted to John Bynes, son and heir of Arthur Bynes, late of Brokholes, deceased, one-fifth part of the messuage and lands called Over Brokholes. In whom the other two-fifths ve§ted we have not seen ; but the whole shortly afterwards vested in John Bynes, in whose posterity it remained until the death of the last male heir. The following pedigree wiU best explain the descent of the Binns, of Over Brockholes. Arthar Bjmnes, of O^er Broekbolet,= [Bank Snd], in ThuntonUmd, dothier, liTing 3 Elizabeth. livinK in her ^dowhood in SO Elizabeth. John Byset, of Orer Brookbole8,=^SIizabeth, danf^ter of Thoa. jreoman. Marriage agreement daUd 11th September, 1576. Gastell, of Wodldale, in BolmArth. John Binos, M.A., ineumbent of ^=Ma]7, daaghter of Wflliaii Holmflrth Chapel I churehl, died ml640. Crosley,ofHonley,jeoman. Mania^e settlement dated November 17th, lff]9. I T Christian Binnt, B A., incombeiit Elizabeth Binns, married of Maltham Chapel [ehuroh], Anthony Anutage, of ordamed in 16M. Baried at ThinhholHni. Eirkbuiton, 97th Jnna, 1660. The two last male heirs in this pedigree deserve some notice. John Binns, the son of John Binns and Elizabeth CasteU, was at a proper age entered at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and took his B.A. degree in 1611, and M.A. in 1614. He was appointed to the incimibency of Honley Chapel [Church] ; his licence firom Archbishop Matthews bears date 2nd May, 1618, where he C0fam«^p d %\p(xx%tanlim)i. 127 contmued about eighteen years, when he resigned on being appointed to the inoumbency of Holmfirth Chapel [Ohnroh], which he held until his death in 1646. Not long after his appointment to Holmfirth, he became involved in litigation with some of the principal inhabitants of his chapelry, which was kept up more t>T less during the remainder of his incumbency. On the breaking out of the civil war, this spirit of opposition became more strongly manifested against him. Many of the inhabitants of his chapelry joined in petitioning Lord Fairfax for his removal. This was met by a counter petition from some of his congregation and friends, who stated that during his ministry at Honley and Holmfirth, they regarded his " doctrine as sound, orthodox, and profitable ; and himself in his trailing, painful; and in life and conversation, peaceable; ready to compose differences, and to set peace among his neighbours upon all occasions.'* His somewhat sudden death in 1646, brought these differences to a close.* Christian Binns was the only son of the Rev. John Binns above-named. He was bom at Over Brockholes, and after receiving his elementary education, was sent to Trinity College, Cambridge : his residence there was during the exciting period of the great national struggle of the civil war. He took his B.A. degree in 1646. How soon he entered on the ministry after he left college, does not appear. It is probable he took up his residence at his paternal estate at. Over Brockholes [Bank End] ; from which he never removed. He had been ordained a deacon, but does not seem to have taken a church : perhaps the very unsettled state of the national church contributed to make him undecided in his course. He had applied for ordination to Dr. Tilson, Bishop of Elphin, who then resided at Suthill Hall, near Dewsbury, from whom many clergymen of the West-Riding sought ordination ; " but it had been delayed in consequence of his having to take the oath of the King's supremacy,'* respecting which he appears to have had scruples. He, however, on the 3rd of October, 1650, was ordained a Presbyter by the Bishop of Elphin, at Emley Church, and was the following year appointed to the incimibency of Meltham"" Chapel [Church], which had recently beeji erected, and which was consecrated on 24th August, 1661, by the same bishop, t Mr. Christian Binns continued incumbent of Meltham until his death, which took placeat Bank End. He was interred at Kirkburton, 27th June, 1669. Bank End, otherwise Over Brockholes, — ^for the ancient name is now forgotten * Incumbents of Holmfirtli Church. t The erection and conaeeration of an Epiaoopal Chapel, under the then existing state of the Anglican Church, is perhaps unparalled in the eoolesiasfelcal history of Yorkshire. 128 Cnfamaj^p of C^rstonknlr. in the district, — owes suit to the Manor Court of Kirkheaton, late parcel of the dissolved Hospital, or Preceptory of Newland, near Wakefield, belonging to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in England. There are also lands at Marsh Hall and Black House in this township, which owe suit to the same court. The places belonging to this religious order were usually distinguished by an iron or wooden cross, fixed at the end or upon the top of one of the buildings. The Court of St. John's of Jerusalem possessed the right of issuing probate of wiUs within its jurisdiction, being what is termed a " peculiar." The will of the Eev. Christian Binns, B.A., the last of the name at Bank End, was proved in this court, and probate granted in the 2B Charles II., [1670]. He devised his estate to the children of his sister Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Anthony Armitage of Thickhollins. We may here briefly narrate an extraordinary circumstsince which took place at Bank End, near the close of the seventeenth century. Some years after the death of Mr. Christian Binns, there came to reside at this place the Bev. Edmund Robinson, who for several years was assistant minister at Holmfirth, to the Rev. John SavUe, then incumbent, who died in 1685, when Mr. Robinson was appointed his successor. The few particulars we have been able to gather respecting this gentleman, — who was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 166f, and M.A. in 1670, — ^represent him as a person of a singular mould ; there was an air of myst^ in his general behaviour, in consequence of which, he was vulgarly supposed to be deeply imbued with '* the black art." His conduct in 1688, on some account, had become very exceptionable, as we find it recorded in the parish register under that date, that he was " suspended all ministerial offices ;" but wherefore is not stated. The annals of Yorkshire can fiimish many instances of persons having engaged in the dishonest and dangerous calling of " clipping and coining ;" but perhaps there are few, if any, instances to be found of a person in a respectable sphere of life, and a clergyman too, so engaged ; such, however, is the fact with respect to Mr. Robinson. He pursued this disreputable course at Bank End, — ^then a large ancient dwelling-house, or hall, since pulled down, and the materials converted into three farmhouses. Under this ancient edifice was a large cellar, where he carried on his work with great diligence, secrecy, and success, for some years without suspicion, by which, as tradition states, " he got a deal of money : people knew not how." At length he was suspected, his premises were searched, and Cxrfxmsj^p 0f SDj^rslonlawptr. 129 the secret discovered,* He was sent to York Castle, along with his son, then a youth about eighteen years of age, who had assisted him, and had become equally proficient in the art. They were put upon their trial, and found guilty: the father was accordingly executed; but the son, by reason of his youth, and haying, as it was alleged, acted under the direction of his father, was reprieved and sent to London, where he was employed in the Royal Mint, and tradition states that there he remained and acquired an ample fortime. The exact period of Mr. Robinson's execution we have not been able to ascertain. It appears that the records of the trials and executions at York between the years 1674 and 1700, have been lost, from which cause we have not been able to derive any information fi:om that source. In the office at Wakefield belonging to the Lord of the Manor, an abstract is kept of certain lands, &c., in the several graveships within the said manor, which at different times have been forfeited to the lord for the time being, in which occurs the following entry : — " A cottage and croft in Holmfirth, now in the possession of John Lockwood, was forfeited to the lords for that, about 20 years agoe, Robinson, clerk, the owner thereof, was convicted for the treason of counterfeiting money, and was executed at York, now farmed by the said John Lockwood, under the yearly rent of £1 4s." The foregoing document bears no date ; but there is little doubt it was made about the time when the last verdict by jury was given at a court, to enquire into the rents and evidences concerning the graveship of Holme, in the 8 Queen Anne, [1710]. His Grace Thomas, Duke of Leeds, being then Lord of the Manor. This would fix the period of the execution about the year 1690. About seventy years since, in pulling down, an ancient bam at this place, some coining implements, &c., were discovered, which unquestionably had been secreted by one of the Robinsons about the time of their apprehension. These subsequently came into possession of the late Mr. Newton, of Stagwood HiU. It only remains to be added that the Bank End [Over Brockholes] estate is now the property of the trustees under the will of the late Ben Haigh Allen, Esq., of Greenhead, in Huddersfield, he having purchased it of the late J. G. Armitage, Esq., of Thickhollins. * So genenllj did dipping and coining previil in the kingdom, tiiat in 1695 an act was passed for remedying the coin of the nation, much of wMch was debased by oonnterfeits^ and diminished by clipping, and a tax was laid upon windows to make up the deficiency on its being called in. " About fiye millions of clipped money was brought into the exchequer, and the loss that the nation snfiered by the recoining of the money amounted to two millions and two hundred thousand pounds." Bishop Burnet's History of his own Time, 8yo, 1838, roL 4, page. 816. B 130 Cntonsj^p nf ^Igtxtsttmhrtii. Episcopal Ohap^l. This chapel was built in 1810, by voluntary subscriptions from the inhabitants, among whom were members of the Established Ohiircli, Wesleyan Methodists, and Independents, and was occasionally used by each ; but t^as for many years occupied by the Wesleyans. The original trust deed stipulated that the liturgy of the Church of England should be read in the morning service. Owing to some differences among the trustees, it was ultimately decided by a majority, in 1834, to put the chapel under the patronage of the Vicar of Kirkburton, with whom it has since remained. In connexion with the chapel is a Sunday school. In Memory of Margaret WalsH, wife of the Rev. T. H. Walsh, minister of this church, who departed this life January 18th, 1852 ; aged 32 years. Jonas Walker, of Thurstonland, died 21st June, 1022 ; aged 36 years. Deborah, his wife, died 2nd March, 1856 ; aged 73 years. John Walker, of Aekroyd, in Thurstonland, died April 17th, 1830 ; aged 53 years. Mary, his wife, died January 81st, 1855 ; aged 77 years. .Edwin Walker, of Huddersfield, died August 21st, 1858; aged 56 years. Caroline Isabella, wife of Stephen Washington, of Thurstonland, irho died dOth Novelnber, 1849; aged 33 years. Jesse, daughter of Jonathan and Sarsth Gill, who died 10th June, 1846 ; aged 21 years. Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. After the Wesleyan party withdrew in 1834, they proceeded to erect a chapel of their own, which they accomplished in 1837, They have since erected schoolrooms ; the whole at a cost of £590. Chaeity School.* Ann Ludlam, by will dated 15th April, 1763, bequeathed £300, and also the residue of her personal estate, to be laid out by Thomas Hurst, her executor and trustee, in estabhshing a school, and providing for a salary to a schoolmaster for tdaching the poor children of the township of Thurstonland : such schoolmaster to be chosen by her said trustee and his heirs, and the principal inhabitants of the township. The produce arising under the bequest, amounting in the whole to £500, has * Charity CommissionerB* Report. S!0fam8^p 0f 9^1pxtdanlm^. 131 been laid out on a mortgage of the tolls of the Wakefield and Austerland turnpike road, in the names of trustees, at interest £5 per cent. A dwelling-house and schoolroom were erected by subscription of the Lord of the manor and the inhabitants, and in respect thereof, an allotment of 2a. 1b. 23p. of land was awarded on the enclosure in 1801. The school is under the management of seven trustees, chosen jGrom the principal inhabitants, and is conducted by a master who receives the interest of the money secured on mortgage, and occupies the echoed premises and fdlotmeat rent free. The school is &ee for instruction in reading to all children in the township, and the scholars are taught to write for a small quarterage. They fkre admitted to the school on application to some of the resident trustees. The enclosure of the Common Lands of this township took place in 1801, comprising 497 acres The ancient enclosed lands , 1553 „ Total 2050 b2 C^t Jfm €\imt oi ^ohttM^jf—dlgttiom tlgz (Urab^sj^ip d Polme, This district, now generally known as the Oraveship of Eolmey comprises seven townships, viz. : — ^Hohne, Austonley, TJpperthong, Wooldale, Pulstone, Hepworth and Oartworth, and was anciently a Free Chase of the Earls Warren. That there was a chase here before the Norman conquest, when it formed part of the possessions of Edward the Confessor, or even earlier, does not admit of a doubt. At the time of the Domesday survey the Manor of Wakefield, of which this is parcel, remained in the possession of the Conqueror : that record states, " this manor [Wakefield] was in the demesne of King Edward." It remained in the possession of the Crown till granted off to William, the second Earl Warren. Notwithstanding the great antiquity of this chase, it appears to have undergone not only a change of name, but also of boundary, soon after the conquest ; in confirmation of which we must again appeal to the Domesday survey, which, in describing the lands belonging to the soke of Wakefield, among others it states " Amelie [Emley], three carucates ; Chetenurde [Cartworth], six [carucates ; Bertone [Burton], three carucates ; Seppeleie [Shepley], two carucates ; Scelneleie [Shelley], one carucate; Cumbrenurde [Cumberworth], one carucate," &c. ; these are returned "waste." The sil carucates in Cartworth unquestionably refer to the chase ; but in the recapitulatio of thip record it states, " In Chetenurde [Cartworth], Heppenurde [Hepworth], Vluedel [Wooldale], Fugellstun [Fulston], and Tostenland [Thurstonland], the King, six carucates." These five townships were comprised in the above-mentioned six carucates, as stated under GoHworthf which is thus recognised as the head of a territory or district. The etymology of Cartworth appears to be a compound of British and Saxon : Kert, a camp or fortification, and Worth, a residence, which would seem to imply a principal residence ; where, perhaps, the lords of the fee took up their abode when partaking of the sports of the chase. There is another circumstance which may be mentioned in connexion with this hypothesis. Within the township of Cartworth is a small hamlet called Arrenden, situated on the west side of the Bibbleden valley, which, notwithstanding its high ^rabftsj^p 0f P0lnw. 133 situation, is surrounded by lands much sheltered by the adjacent hills. This name closely resembles, and probably is identical with, Enringden, in the forest of Sowerbyshire, in the parish of Halifax, and seems to have had a similar origin. Thus Mr. Watson suggests its derivation from the Anglo-Saxon " Erian, to plow,, to till, or eare ;'* and this name it might acquire when it was enclosed as a park, as being expressive of the chief purpose for which it was enclosed; for the country to a considerable extent being a forest, and stored with beasts of various kinds, for the purpose of himting, there could not be much com grown where these had liberty." There seems great probability that this derivation is the correct one ; and it appears to agree with the purposes to which Arrenden in Cartworth would be employed in relation to the himting residence of its early lords : having probably been chosen to provide hay and com for the deer and other beasts of the chase, during the severe winter months, when nearly all other sources of food would be cut off. Supposing, therefore, Cartworth to have been the occasional residence of the early lords of the fee — ^which is thus supported by what may be termed collateral evidence, — ^it seems not improbable that this ancient residence was situated near the knoll of the hiU, not far from the spot where Cartworth House stood, and which, from its commanding situation, would render it an eligible site, having the Arrenden Park, or enclosure, immediately below. With respect to the boundary of the chase at the time of the Norman survey, the statement given in that record is clear and explicit. The three other townships in this graveship— or, as recorded in Domesday, four, — ^were not mentioned in connexion with the foregoing, and consequently did not form a part of the chase at that period ; but after enimierating Bretton, Horbury, and Ossett, it states, " besides these there are to be taxed two carucates in Holne, and another Holne, Alstanesliei [Austonley], and Thoac [Thong, now called Upperthong] : one plough may till this land : it is waste. Wood here and there. Some say this is Thaneland; others, in the soke of Wakefield:" therefore it is evident that these lands at that period were not held in connexion with those of Cartworth, &c., but were in the possession of a Saxon Thane, and were held under a superior ten/ure, until they came into the possession of the Conqueror. It may be further noticed that though the township of Thurstonland was comprehended by Domesday under Cartworth (as we have already shown), it appears to have been severed from them at a remote period, for the Norman lords of the fee granted off lands there to some of their humbler dependents, who probably might have . the care of the chase. These were free tenants, while 134 gxtt €;^as^ of Polmfirfj^, those of the graveship were copyhold tenants, who held their lands by copy of court roll. The prominence, therefore, given to Cartworth in Domesday, and the fact that the name of Holmfirth does not appear in that record, together with the reasons here assigned, seem to establish the conclusions at which we have^ arrived. Without indulging in fanciful speculation, we may infer &om the name Holmfirth, or Wood of Oaky which this district or chase acquired after the Domes- day survey, that its valleys were then thickly covered with wood, and that the acclivities and open plains were here and there studded with fine spreading timber, interspersed with coppice and hazel; while in the sheltered and more favored spots, the fine green luxuriant herbage became the inviting repast of the red and fallow deer, the roe, and hare. Higher up along the ridges, where now a tree is scarcely to be seen, were then wide-spread patches of ^* wood here and there ;" while the highest ground, where now there is nothing but heath and bog, was then thickly covered with birch, scarcdy acquiring the dimensions of trees,* but forming a close cover of bushwood, affording protection and shelter to the shy and more retiring beasts of the chase, t At the time of the J^orman survey the Manor of Wakefield was valued at only £15, though previously estimated at £60. This shows the great devastation which had been committed by the Conqueror within the precincts of this manor. Who can contemplate without horror William's rapacity, in the following account : — " The Conqueror, in 1078, gave orders to lay waste the fertile lands between the Humber and Tees, for the extent of sixty miles. Many flourishing towns, fine villages, and noble country seats were accordingly burnt down, the implements of husbandry destroyed, and the cattle driven away." The great Lord Lyttleton, speaking of these devastations, and those occasioned by the forest laws, observes that, " Attila no more deserved the name of the scourge of God, than did this merciless tyrant; nor did he, nor any other destroyer of nations make more havoc in an enemy's country, than William did in his own." From a manuscript account of the Manor of Wakefield, compiled apparently upwards of 200 years ago$ — in the possession of H. Lumb, Esq., of Wakefield, — * This is indicated by the great abandanoe of decayed birchwood which is now to be found in the bog earth, on some of the high grounds. t The wild boar had its &Tourite retreat here, as still piesenred in the name, " Wildboar Clough/' near to the Boshaw Resenroir. t This MS. may have been a part of the manuscript collections made by Mr. Leeke, (see note, page 46), or perhaps a transcript of a part of theqi. 01 (Srab^sj^p jrf P0ltru. 135 is the following passage : — " It is manifest by diverpe records, tbat the townes under the leet at Halifax, were sometimes called Forresta de Sowerbie, and the inhabitants, homines de Sowerbyshire ; and that there were courts kept at Sowerby many years together, and it is by many records called Manerium de Sowerby, &c. ; and the townships under Burton leet are likewise called Forresta de Hohne, alias Holmfirthes ; but the courts thereof were always kept at Wakefield." " Unfortunately," as Mr. Lumb justly observes, *' the compiler does not give the date of any roll or record showing where Holme is called a forest.''^ It is singular that the townships under the Burton leet were called Foreata de Holmey alias Holmfirth^ when, as we shall soon see, Earl Warren claimed free chase in Holmfirth only ; we may, therefore, dismiss this part of the question as unsupported by any sufficient evidence. It is not, however, improbable that the term forest may have been used in relation to Holmfirth, as in the case of the Forest of Sowerby, which was only a free chase. "But perhaps a free chase," says Mr. Lumb, " was near akin to a forest, and that these lands might popularly be considered as such." In the following extract of Inspeximus of the Quo Warranto^ 7 Edward I. [1278,] we find that John, Earl de Warrenne, claimed ^^ Liberam Ghaceam^^ in " HolnefiHhj'* among other places therein named. He also claimed to have fi-ee warren as well in his fees as in his demesne lands, which he had of ancient tenure. He then refers to a charter of Henry [III.jj father of Edward [I.], 27th January, 37 A. Regin, by which the King granted him fi^ee warren in all his demesne lands which he then had, or which he should acquire. Respecting this chase as such, we possess few evidences calculated to gratify the curious concerning its management, either as regards the appointment of the officers who had the care of it, or the strictness or otherwise with which it was preserved. It seems by the following entry in the court rolls at Wakefield, that it sufiered from occasional trespass ; for in 1306, at a court of the Manor of Wakefield, held at Burton, on Wednesday afber the octaves of Easter, 9 Edward, son of Edward [i. e. Edward II.] the jury presented " that John de Dalton, vicar of BraytheweU, several times forcibly entered the fi-ee chase of the Lord Earl de Warren in Eolnefvrth armed, and killed, seized and carried ojff the game of the said earl, and assaulted the men of the said earl there present, and with his arrows shot and wounded them ; for which he was ordered to be arrested.* At a court held at Burton 23rd October, 15 Henry VI., [1436], under the title * Mr. Hunter's South Yorkshire, vol. I, page 134. 136 gxn €^uu ai "^alm&ti^, "Holme," there appears in the court rolls "a presentment for enterincf the wa/rren of the lord and killing hares," &c., within the township of Hepworth. In the reign of Edward III.,, we are furnished with another glimpse of the chase of Holmfirth, arising out of the feud of EUand of EUand with Lockwood of Lockwood, Beaumont of Crosland, and others.* After that lawless tragedy, Lockwood sought retirement. He had remained some time about Ferry Bridge, but passing thence to Cannon HaU, he casually met with two young gentlewomen of his kindred, as they were travelling from Lepton to Whitley, who informed him that diligent search was being made after him by the sheriff and his men, &c., and therefore advised him to go directly to Crosland Hall to Adam Beaumont, where he might live safely and hunt with him and other gentlemen both the red a/nd fallow deevy at Eamhy [Honley~\ and Eolmfirth. At what period the term " Graveship" came to be applied to this chase, we are unable to determine; but is is unquestionably of great antiquity. The word. Grave (propositus in Latin deeds) is probably derived from the Anglo-Sason Cejicjpc or the German Graf: an officer, whose duty it was to collect the lord's rents, &c. Considerable portions of waste or demesne lands have been enclosed here at different times from a remote period, by consent of the lord of the manor for the time being, which were brought into cultivation by the tenants, who were allowed to occupy and enjoy them, and which likewise were allowed to pass under the same tenure, and subject to the rents and fines in like manner as the more ancient copyhold lands, &c. When Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne, the entire graveship was of copyhold tenure ; but in the eighth year of her reign she, by letters patent, under the seal of the Dutchy of Lancaster, dated 9th October, [1565], granted to * As part of this tragical scene lay along the banks of the rirer Holme, and within a short distance of the district upon which we have undertaken to write, it may not be out of place to introdace here a veiy brief sketch of it^ as given by Dodsworth in his MSS., more than 200 years since. ** Sir John EUand of Blland was a man of great account^ and high steward to the Earl Warren of the Hanor of Wakefield, and other lands in the north parts. He was Lord of Elland, Tankersley, Folbridge, Henchfield, and Batchdale ; and being Sherifib of Yorkshire, he slew Robert Beaomont in his own house at Crosland Hall, 24 Edward IIL, and was himself slain by the said Bobert Beaumont's sons, as he came from keeping the sheriff's turn at the Manor of Brighonse. And not long after the said Beaumonts slew the said Sir John Elland*8 son and heir, as he came over Elland Mill-dam to church, on Pftlm Sunday morning, — ^there being at that time no bridge. This appeareth by evidence and pedigrees in the keeping of John Armitage, of Kirklees, Esquire; and they have a play and song thereof In the countij still. The quarrel was about the Earl of Lancaster and the Earl Warren, that took away the Earl of Lancaster's wift^ there being a man slain of the Earl Warren's party in a hurly-burly betwixt the said lords for that matter. Elland came to search for the murderer in the said Beaumont's house— who belonged to the Earl of Lancaster,— and slew him in his own hall, as aforesaid." The ballad is given in the Histories of Hali&x, by Watson Crabtree. ot (Srabfjesj^ip of '^almt, 137 the Eight Honorable Robert Earl of Leicester, divers lands, &c., being parcel of the waste or demesne land of the Manor of Wakefield, amounting to 536 acres, which the said earl shortly afterwards granted to Sir Thomas Gargreave and Henry Saville, Esq., who sold the same in small parcels to the copyholders of the manor.* A considerable part of the lands comprised in this grant lay within this graveship. Soon after James I. came to the throne, processes were instituted against those tenants of the Crown whose titles to their estates were not perfectly secure; among the rest the copyholders of the Manor of Wakefield were called in question respecting their fines and the customs of the manor, upon which inquisitions were held in the several graveships within the manor. That in relation to this graveship was held in Holmfirth Chapel [Church], before a jury sworn to enquire into certaiQ articles ministered to them by his Majesty's commissioners. We here give, from a series of MS. evidences, the following epitome of the transactions which took place on that occasion, and of the arrangements entered into by the copyholders with the King, together with the final settlement ; by which the fines paid on demise or otherwise were rendered " small and certain," and not contingent on the will of the lord. It 18 recorded that " the second day of meeting was appointed for the jury to be att Holmfirth Chappell of Tuesday, being 1st May, 1607> by eight a clock in the morning. At which day before X a clock did mett of the jury these persones : — Mr. Nettleton, Thomas Morton, Robert Hepworth, Richard Matthewman, James Greene, WiUiam Royds, Thomas Tyas, John Beaver, William Moorhouse, of Ebson House, James Bray. Against which day the Greave did command all the inhabitants of Austonley. to appear the tyme above said, and bring their copyes and shew them there to the jury. At which tyme the deputie Greave did appear and certify yt he had given commandment accordingly, but never a man appeared to shew their copyes. f Shortly afterwards, Sir John Brograve, Kt., Attorney- General of the Dutchy of Lancaster, exhibited an information in the Dutchy Court against divers tenants and copyholders within the Manor of Wakefield, alledging that whereas tlie King and his progenitors had for a long time been lawfully seized in his and their demesne, as oF fee of the said manor, in right of the Crown of England, within the precincts of which manor the graveships of Wakefield, Stanley, Alverthorpe, Thorns, Sandal, Horbury, Ossett, Sowerby, Hipperholme, Holmfirth, Scammonden, and Rastrick, being members and parcel of the said manor. The greatest part of these lands, &c., had from time immemorial been demised and demisable by copy of court roll at will, in fee simple or fee tail, or for term of life or lives at the will of the lord, according to the custom of the manor for fines uncertain and arbitrable at the will of the lord." • The acre described in this grant is stated to be 80 yards in length and 40 yards in breadth, which is little more than two-thirds of the statute acre. f Nearly all the large copyholders of the graveship appeared, and produced their copies of court roll. S 138 gttt €\iwt jof P0lmfirt|^, " The said copyholders had time out of mind ased in the court of the said manor, by way of surrender, to grant rents out of their copyhold tenements, for which the lord had a sum of money in the name of a fine, for his assent to be assessed or taxed by the lord or his steward at pleasure. And further alledging that the defendants had combined together to defraud the King." — " That there were divers parts of the waste of the said manor which were demesne, and had not been demised or demisable by copy of court roll, till of late that some part thereof, by commission or by the stewards, had been granted and improved as if the same had been ancient copyhold or customary lands : the tenants thereof making like claim for the certainty of the fines thence arising." To which information the defendants appeared, and confessed that his Majesty was lawfully seized in his demesne as of fee in right of his Crown, or his Dutchy of Lancaster, in the said Manor of Wakefield ; and that the graveships above-mentioned were within the precincts of the said Manor. The greatest part of the lands in the said graveship are, and from time immemorial hare been, copyhold, and demised and demisable by copy of court roll in fee, fee tail, or otherwise. The aaid copyholders had used from time immemorial, in the court of the said manor, by way of surrender, to grant rents out of their copyhold tenements ; and further, that the fines to be paid on every grant and admittance to the said copyhold land, &c., were not uncertain and arbitrable at the will of the lord, but certain, viz. : — every admittance by surrender or descent to any estate of inheritance in possession, a year's rent and half, according to the rent paid to the lord for the lands to which the admittance is made ; for a messuage without lands, 4d. ; for a cottage, 2d. ; and for every such grant of rent as aforesaid, 20d. for every twenty shilliogs rent so granted ; and according to that rate for any greater or lesser sum. And on any admittance to any estate for life, lives, or years, in possession or reversion, or to any estate of inheritance in reversion depending on such particular estates, half so much as is before-mentioned to be paid on the said admittance to estates of inheritance in possession ; and on admittance after seisures accustomed there to be made for bettering of assurances, three years' rent, according to the rent paid to the lord, or his steward for the time being, ought to admit every person to whom any of the said copyhold premises should come by descent, surrender, or otherwise ; or who should give or commit cause of seisure for bettering of assurances, or to whom any such grant of rent should be made as aforesaid, for such certain fine and rate as above-mentioned. They acknowledge that divers parcels of waste gp-ound of the said manor had been inclosed by virtue of several commissions, and other lawful authority; and improved for the greater benefit of the lord thereof; and that the said parcels of waste after such improvement, had been granted by copy of court roll for certain yearly rents, customs, and services, as had been usual, and had passed by surrender, descent and otherwise, as the ancient copyhold premises had passed ; and that the lord had been duly answered of such fines, &c., as in the case of ancient copyhold estates ; and that the defendants and their ancestors had disbursed great sums of money in taking and purchasing, as well as building on and fencing the same.* In consideration of which, they prayed that their several lands, &c., parcel of the said waste held as above, might, by fkvour of the court, be judicially and finally declared and decreed to be lawfully devised to them, according to the custom of the manor on such certain yearly rents as already stated, or such other reasonable fines as the court should think meet," &c. An information was also exhibited against the said copyholders by Sir Henry Hobart, Kt., Attorney- General to the Exchequer Court. After which, the said copyholders preferred their petition to the King, setting forth that their estates * The crown lawyers seem to have discovered, or fancy they had discovered, thai these new lands or new improvements could not be claimed by custom or preaeription to be copyhold, which constitaied the basis of copjhold tenure. 01 (grabjesj^pf ai P0lme. 139 and customs were likely to be impeached, and praying that his Majesty would be pleased to give warrant to the Lord Treasurer of England, the Chancellor of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer, the Lord Chief Baron, and other Barons of the same court, and also the Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster, for confirmation of their estates by copy of court roll, if the said parcels of waste for ever to be enjoyed by the petitioners, their heirs and assigns, as ancient copyhold lands of the said manor, for the usual yearly services, rents, and customs paid and done for the same ; and for establishing the certainty of the fines as aforesaid. That the same might be decreed by the said courts, and that those decrees might be confirmed by Act of Parliament, in consideration of which they offered to his Majesty as much money as would amount to 35 years' rent of Ail the rents then paid, &c. : amounting to the sum of five thousand four hundred pounds, eight shillings, and sixpence hal^nny farthing half-farthing. The ofier was accepted. Whereupon the King's letters of privy seal were directed to the Lord Treasurer of England, the Chancellors of the Exchequer and Dutchy of Lancaster, &c., signifying that for establishing the certainty of the above fines, his Majesty did grant his royal assent that such a bill as above-named should pass both Houses of Parliament; and that in the meantime authority should be given to the Lord Treasurer, and Chancellors of the Exchequer and Dutchy Courts, to make orders and decrees in their respective courts, agreeable to the petition, — which was made accordingly. These were likewise confirmed by Act of Parliament, 12 James I., [1613,] entitled '' An act for confirmation of several decrees made in the Court of Exchequer Chamber and Dutchy Chamber, between the King's Majesty and divers copyholders of his Majesty's Manor of Wakefield, in the county of York." From an original parchment, purporting to be " A true and perfect Rentall of all the Copyhoulde rentes of all and ev'ie Copyhonlders and Ten'nts hereafter named, who have subscribed to the Coraposi'ion and Agreement made with his Maj^, for reducinge of the Fjmes of theyr Copyhould landes and ten'ntes within the Manor or Lordshippe of Wakefelde, in the county of Yorke, into certeyntie, as the same have bene p'sented unto us, Henry Savile, Knight, Robt. Kaye, and William Ramsden, Esquiers, and John Midgley, Gent., by virtue of his Majtiat Commission to us and others forth of his Matm Court, of his Highnes Dutchie of Lancaster, at Westmr. directed, by the Oathes of Henry e Hynchliff, George Tyncker, Humfrey Charlesworth, Edmmid Eastwood, John Tynker, of Holmehouse, Thomas Roebuck, Willm. Broadheade, John Castell, Thomas Littlewood, Humfrey Crosknd, John Charlesworth, Thomas Braye, George Charlesworth, John Byns, John Grene, John Earnshawe, Willm. Kay, and John Morehouse, the three and twentieth day of October, and the thirde day of November, in the yeares of his Matte reigne of England, France, and Ireland, the eight, and of Scotland the Foure and Fourtieth, Ano: Dom: 1610." Then follow the names of seventy-five persons holding ** lands and tenements," to each of which is added the annual amount and rent for which their lands were compounded; at the end of which list is a number of names of persons (compounders) in Scammonden, Wakefield, Sandall, Sowerby, and Hepperholme. The document is signed by RobL Kaye, JVillm. Ramsden, and John Midgley, the last of whom was Deputy-Steward of the Manor. Appended to this is a smaller parcliinent, entitled " An addition of the names and rentes of such Copyhonlders as compounded before us after the ingrossinge of the Booke whereunto the Schedule is annexed." This list contains twenty-five names of persons " with lands and tenements" in the graveship of Holme with the fixed annual rent as aforesaid. This is signed s2 140 jfm Cfefase d "^alm&xi^, only by " John Midgley.^' There were, however, several copyholders who refiised to compound for their lands at that time; some were compoimded for at subsequent periods, and a few still remain uncompounded. The whole annual rent due to the King arising from these copyhold lands within the graveship of Holme, compounded for imder this deed, amount to £32 Is. l^d. A further enfranchisement of waste lands took place in the 24 Charles II., [1671,] when Sir Christopher Clapham, of UflBngton, Knight, in the county of Lincoln (then Lord of the Manor of Wakefield), and Dame Margaret, his wife, by their indenture bearing date 6th July, for the considerations therein mentioned, did " grant, bargain, and sell, enfeoffe and confirme unto Thomas Whiteaker, of ThomhiU, in the county of York, Gentleman, and John SiddaU, of Stanley, in the said county, yeoman, their heirs and assigns for ever, all those lands, grounds, parcells of land, tenements, and buildings, &c., lately taken and enclosed from the wastes of the commons lying and being within the graveship of Holme, at Holmfirth, in the said Manor of Wakefield." A schedule of these lands was appended to the said grant. The said Thomas Whiteaker and John SiddaU shortly afterwards sold all the said lands to the freeholders and copyholders. These, together with the lands formerly granted by Queen Elizabeth to the Earl of Leicester, constituted the whole of the freehold lands in the graveship, except the grant made by King James I. of the Soke Mills, Ac, which we shall hereafter have occasion to mention. The last verdict by jury, summoned by the Steward of the Manor, at a court to enquire into the rents and evidences concerning this graveship, was held at The jurors were Jonas Kaye, James Earnshaw, Luke .Wilson, John Newton, Philip Bray, Humphrey Roehuck, John Tinker, Jeremy Kaye, Daniel Broadhead, Joshua Newton, George Hirst, John Whitehead, Joshua Dixon, Richard Crosland, and Henry Jackson, heing freeholders and copyholders within the said graveship of Holme, &c. It was found that there were sixty-one greaves, who paid £61 15s. 5}d., &c. After revising the grave roll, they subscribed the following declaration : — " We, ye Jury sworn for the lord of the Manor of Wakefield abovesaid, upon our Inquiry into the old Rentalls and Evidences concerning our said Graveship of Holme, find and present yt there are 61 Graves within our said Graveship and yt ye persons abovesaid, under their several numbers, ought to serve ye ofi^ce of Grave in their respective turns, for their Lands and Tenements there mentioned, and have helpers which are there set down under the same number for their Lands and Tenements there also mentioned. And that those persons under ye number one do serve ye ofllce for this present year, beginning at Michaelmas last; and ye rest successively as they follow in their numbers. And yt y« respective rents under every number are due and payable yearly to the lord of the said manor." or (Srafajesj^p d ^olnw. 141 Newmill, in Holmfirth, by adjournment, the 25tli day of May, in the 8 Anne, [1710] : his Grace Thomas, Duke of Leeds, being then Lord of the Manor. The graveship comprises about 15,920 acres; and the following record of its boundary is stated to have been taken in the reign of Henry V. '* BegiDning at Mjtham-brigg so to Mear-hill, Rough-law, Eirk-ljdgate, Smithroyd-head, Hacking- bank, Piper-well, Windmill-stone, Burnt Cumberworth, Liginstone, Broadstone, Blackstone-edge-fore, Salterway, Mearthome-cross, Thuskenholes, Hare-law, Finch-edge, Dodroyd-edge, Cocker-edge, Harden- hill, Sty-gate, Ottership ; up Dead-edge, as the rain flows each way ; so to Wikehead, Wikefoot, and up Salterbrook-water to Riddlepit ; so in a line to Wicken-edge ; from .thence up Holme-moss, as the rain falls each way to Holme-clough, Ring-hole-slacks, Armfleld-stye, Rough -round-hill, Harden-hill, Wolf- stones, and Bordmans-fore, to Mytham-brigg aforesaid." "In such wild and open country," observes Mr. Hunter, "there must have been jfrequent disputes respecting boimdaries, and great necessity to keep up, as far as possible, the recollection of the ancient metes.'* It appears by the hundred roU that the Earls Warren had encroached upon Thurlgtone ; the jury returning that " the Earl of Warren had appropriated to himself warren at Thurlstone for sixteen years past : they knew not by what warrant." When the freeholders of the township of Thurlstone were about to enclose their waste lands, a dispute again arose respecting their boundary.* In 1828 an act was obtained for enclosing all the common and waste lands within the graveship of Holme. All mines and minerals being reserved to the Lord of the Manor. The commissioners appointed by the act to carry out its provisions were Thomas Bradley, of Richmond, Grentleman, and Frederic Robert Jones, of Huddersfield, Gentleman. The surveyors appointed were William Bingley, of Wombwell, Woodhead, Gentleman, and Thomas Dinsley, of Huddersfield, Gentleman. The commissioners were empowered to make roads over the commons and waste lands, and to sell such portions of the said lands for defi'aying the cost of obtaining the said act, together with all other expenses connected with the said enclosure in carrying out and completing the same, by the said commissioners who were to execute their award. One-sixteenth part of the residue of the commons (after the payment of all expences), was to be set out and awarded to the Lord of the Manor. To the Vicar of Kirkburton and his successors was to be allotted and enclosed such a proportion of the waste lands, for and in fiiU compensation and satisfaction of all the vicarial * This took place in 1812. 142 gxn C^afije of '^olm&xilg, tithes and ecclesiastical dues, or money payments, in lieu thereof ; and also in full compensation for all Easter offerings (including house duty and communicants' fees), and mortuaries ; and in compensation of all other dues, — surplice fees only excepted. Such allotment or allotments so set out to the Vicar of Kirkburton not to prejudice or lessen such parts of the said commons and waste lands to be set out and allotted to the proprietors of land within the parish of Almpndbury . The remainder of the waste lands to be divided among the proprietors of the ancient lands. All allotments of lands to be of the same tenure as the lands in respect of which the allotments are made. The commissioners executed their award 12th April, 1834. The plans and the award were lodged with the Incumbent of Holmfirth Church. The Court Baron of the Manor which is held in the Moot Hall at Wakefield, holds pleas for the recovery of debts under £6, and in matters of replevin. Within the manor are held four " Courts-leet," or " Sheriff's Toms," viz. : — at Wakefield, Halifax, Brighouse, and Holmfirth. In Mr. Lumb's *^ Nomina Villarvm^'^ the constabularies under the four leets are thus enumerated. Under "Wakefield Leet" are the following: — ^Wakefield, Stanley, SandaU, Crigglestone, Walton - cum - Bretton, Horbury, Ossett, Normanton, Soothill, Dewsbury, West Ardsley, and Eccleshill. Under "Halifax Leet" are: — ^Hahfax, Sowerby, Skircoat, Ovenden, Warley, Wadsworth, Rushworth - cum - Norland, Stansfield, Langfield, Heptonstall, Erringden, and Midgley. Under "Brighouse Leet" are: — Northpwram, Shelf, Hipperholme - ciun - Brighouse, Rastrick, Quarmby, Dalton, Fixby, Stainland, Barkisland, Hartshead- cum-Clifton. Under "Holmfirth Leet" are: — Burton, Shelley, Shepley, Flockton, Cumber- worth, Thurstonland, Emley, and Holme. As an appendage to the manor the Clicking Stool, or Ducking Stool, may be named. " This formidable machine was invented," says Brand, in his "Observations on Popular Antiquities," &c., " for the punishment of scolds and unquiet women, by ducking them in the water, after having placed them in a stool or chair fixed at the end of a long pole, by which they were immerged in some muddy or stinking pond." Blount teUs us that " some think it is a corruption firom Ducking Stool, but that others derive it from Choking Stool." These machines are of great antiquity, and were maintained by the baiUff, or other officer in connexion with manors. at (Sraiyjesj^p oi ^oltm. 143 The only evidence I have met with concerning its existence here, occurs in the year 1711, in the accounts of Joshua Charles worth, then Constable of the graveship of Holme, in which he records, " Sept. 14th. Paid Joshua Smith for making Kucking Stool, and Stocks mending, 3s. 6d." That the cucking stool had its existence in Holmfirth will not, therefore, admit of a doubt, and that it occasionally was brought into requisition would be hard to gainsay; there is, however, every reason to believe that shortly afterwards, through common consent, or by public disapprobation, it deservedly fell into disuse. Soke Mills. Another characteristic of a feudal age was the Soke Mill, which, however, is here only matter of history. From MS. evidences it appears that a water com mill existed at Holmfirth in the reign of Edward II., which had probably been established at a much earlier period ; having doubtless been erected by one of the Earls Warren, for the benefit of his tenants within the graveship, and at which they were required to grmd their com. When the population had considerably increased, the Lord of the Manor built an additional mill at a place about a mile and a half to the east of Holmfirth, on a tributary stream of the river Holme, which in contradistinction to the old, or Holmfirth. MiU, was called New Mill^ — a name still retained by that populous village. In the 23 Richard II., [1398,] Roger del Morehouse farmed " the mills of Holme and toUs," Ac, of the Lord of the Manor of Wakefield, at the annual rent of 8s. 4d. This certainly could not be considered equivalent to their value. There is little doubt that a certain sum, or bonus, had been paid on entering upon the contract for a term of years, subject to a small annual rent. I have met with no other reference to these mills tiU the reign of Edward VI., when Richard Charlsworth, of Totties, farmed them imder the Crown, by which he greatly enriched himself. He died in 1557, leaving four daughters co-heiresses, who married into some of the leading families of the West-Riding, viz. : — 1st, Grace Charlsworth married John Savile, of Wath, Gentleman, in 1568.* 2nd, * He iraa descended from Nicholas Sayilo, of New Hall, Elland. '<In the xnaniBge settlement made with Grace Charlsworth, he is described of Hatfield, Gentleman. The marriage was to take place before the Michaelmas day ensuing. John Ki^e, of Dalton, John Eaye, of Okenshaw, and Robert Allott, of Bentley, were enfeoffed in half the Manor of Dalton, settled upon the marriage. Grace brought with her, lands in Holmfirth, Cartworth, and Thurlston, besides £24 towards her apparel, a good feather bed, furnished with all things rnqnisitey and £10 towards the wedding dinner, which John Savile was to prepare. It is also coYcnanted that not more than thirtyndz persons of the party of the Charlsworth's shall be brought to the said dinner. " Amidst the uniformity and generally uninteresting character of legal instruments,, it is pleasant to meet with one which opens so much of the usjigeB of our simple ancestors." Mr. Hunter's South Yorkshire, rol. ii., p. 67. 144 gnt Cj^ase 0f P0lmfirt|^, Dorothy Oharlsworth married Matthew Wentworth, of Bretton Hall, Esquire, in 1571. 3rd, Margaret Oharlsworth married, first, Nettleton, to her second husband, George Kaye, of Woodsome, Esquire ; and 4th, Johanna — or, as stated in some of the pedigrees. Jennet Oharlsworth — ^married Robert Allott, of Bentley Grange, ^on and heir of Robert Allott of the same place, who, besides lands and tenements in Holmfirth, which he received by his wife, acquired the tenancy of the soke mills, which remained with him till his death, about 1605. In 1609 King James I. granted by letters patent dated 29th May, to Edward Ferrers, of London, mercer, and Francis PheUps, of London, Gentleman, their heirs and assigns for ever, along with other property, " all that moiety of our two water com mills of Holmfirth, in our said coimty of York, together with all thereto belonging, situate, lying, and being in Holmfirth aforesaid, under the demesne of Wakefield aforesaid ; and all that moiety of all the water-courses, streams, banks, standing water, fish-pools, fisheries, profits, advantages, and Emoluments what- soever," &c. The said Edward Ferrers, and Francis Phelips, to hold the same in as fiill, free, and ample a manner and form as we or our ancestors or predecessors, former Kings or Queens of England, have held or enjoyed the same with our Dutchy of Lancaster. To hold the same " of our heirs and successors as of our Manor of Enfield, in our county of Middlesex, by suit fealty in firee and common soccage, and not in capite nor by military service : to render and pay yearly to us, and our heirs and successors, the sum of two pounds, five shillings, and tenpence each, into the hands of the General Receiver of the Dutchy of Lancaster, &c., at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary." On the 24th August, 1609, the said Edward Ferrers, and the said Francis PheUps, sold the same in fee to Bartyn Allott, of Bentley, in the county of York, yeoman, the third son of Robert Allott aforesaid. About the time when the Crown granted off these mills, the soke was becoming an odious impost to the inhabitants. But the two soke mills had, in process of time, led to a division of the custom — the inhabitants resorting to the one most suiting their convenience. The earliest attempt at combination to resist the soke that I have met with took place in 1624, but that had reference only to the Newmill valley, and seems to have manifested itself in the somewhat irritating course of diverting the springs and rivulets firom their ancient course over the adjacent lands, ostensibly for irrigating purposes, by which, in the drier seasons, they occasioned " the water to be so spent that the Newmill was so destitute of water, as not to be able to 0r (Srabfjes^p of ||0lnw. 146 grinde anie come at all, if the several springs continued to be diverted from their ancient coiu'se.'* The plaintiff contended for the exclusive right of the water, and held that the owners of property along these streams had no right to erect any mills, or dam up, or impound the water. The issue of these proceedings does not appear. In 1653 a more general combination was entered into by the inhabitants of the graveship, as indicated by the following record. " Wednesday, 6th July, 1653 : Richard Allott, Gentleman, plaintif, v. William Tinker, Edward Beever, and John Charlesworth, defendants. By the Right Honourable the Chancellor and Councell of the Dutchie of Lancaster, sittinge at Whitehall. Whereas the plaintif exhibited his case into this Courte, thereby settinge forth that King James being heretofore seized in fee of two water come mills in Holmefirth, being a graveship within the Manor of Wakefield, in the coimtie of York, known as Holmefirth Mill and New Mill granted the same to several persons and their heirs, from whom by good conveyances and by descent the said mills are come to the plaintif : and fiirther, that in right thereof the said Eange and his ancestors Kings and Queens of England and Earles and Dukes of Lancaster, have, used to have, and ought to have the . grist, suit, and soake of all their tenants, as well fi:^eholders as copieholders, within the said graveship : that the said freeholders and copieholders have for the like tyme used and been accustomed to grind all their come and graine at the said mills ; not only that which growes upon their grounds, but such also as is brought and spent and used in their houses within the said graveship, payinge the accustomed and reasonable toll then used. And the biU complaynes that the defendants and others, being freeholders and copieholders within the said graveship, have ground their mault and other graine at other mills, to the disabling the plaintif from paying his fee-farm rent. Whereupon and for that it hath been formerly decreed in this Court that the said fireeholders and tenants should grind their graine and come at the said mills, the reliefe of this Court was preyed. To which bill the defendants answered, and by their answers deny the said custom, as by the bill and answers remayninge on record in this Court may, among other things, more ftilly appeare. And to their answers thereunto replyinge, several witnesses were examined touching the same ; of whose depositions publication being granted was sett downe to be heard this present day ; and accordingly the same came this day to be heard before the Right Honourable the Chancellor of the said Courte, assisted with Mr. Justice and Parker, the Judge assistants of ..; the T 146 gut €lgdiBt oi Polmfirtl^, plaintif s bill, and readinge several depositions of witnesses, and upon readinge an ancient surveye made in the time of King Edward the Second—- although upon readinge of the proofes there appeared cause of strong presumption that the said suite and soake was due to [the] farmer of the said mills, yett for as much as the usage is not clearly ascertained or established in the depositions to have some knowledge thereof, the matter is not yett fitt for a decree ; find soe that the case is proper to be determined by a tryall at common lawe. " It is therefore ordered by consent that the plaintif shall bring a feigned action at lawe, for tryal of the custome, to which the defendants shall appear gratis, and both shall insist meerly on the custome; and that the issue in question shall be as it is laide downe in the biU. The whole equitie being reserved to this Court/' Accordingly the plaintiff brought his action at Trinity term, 1665, before OUver, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c., in the Upper Bench at Westminster, laying his damage at £200. What was the issue of this suit I have not seen, but we may infer that these efforts to free themselves had not been successful, since in the reign of James II. another attempt was made to rid themselves of the soke, which was becoming each year more obnoxious. The owners of the soke had diverted a small rivulet from its ancient course into the Newmill dam, over lands belonging to John and William Brooke, of Cl^reenhill Bank, on payment of an annual rent. The inhabitants now agreed with the owners of this property to restore the stream to its ancient course, by which, as it was stated, " one-fourth part of the water is cut off." It had before been stated in evidence that when the other springs and rivulets were being diverted, the miller was only able to grind **a met of wheat, four sacks of oates, twelve sacks of mault, in twenty-four hours ;" it was now significantly asked, " what will it now grind when one-fourth part 9f the ordinary stream is diverted ? " In 1723 ^^An information was filed against Ja^mes Eamshaw, of Holme, Gentleman, in the Dutchy Court of Lancaster, at the suite of Bryan Allott, G-entleman, to show cause why he ground his com at his com mill, erected in the township of Cartworth, within the graveship of Holme ; and likewise the com of other copyholders within the said graveship ; thereby defi:auding the said Bryan Allott, the said fee farmer, of his accustomed suite and toll." The defendant's answer was *' that his late father, James Eamshaw, of Holme, who died on or about the 18th day of July, 1722, did erect and set up, some time before his ox (Srafar^sj^pf ai P0lnu- 147 death, one water com mill, in the township of Cartworth, in the graveship of Holme, on his own estate situate about two miles from the Relator's mill, called Holmfirth Mill, to grind his com, and the com of such as brought the same to his said mill. He denies the custom as due from him to grind at the Relator's mill, for that his fether had always carried his com to grind at such mills as he chose, without any hindrance from the owners of the said Holmfirth Mills.'* No farther steps seem to have been ta'ken by Mr. Bryan Allott, who afterwards became Rector of Kirkheaton. He seems to have been a man of a genial temper and kind disposition, and is stated to have "lived much beloved by his friends, among whom was Qfirrick, who wrote these beautiftJ lines to be inscribed on his tomb :■— * More witb the love tban with the fear of Ood, This vale of sorrows cheerfully he trod. 80 toned to harmonj, and hating strife, From jouth to age unclouded was his life ; Nought could his earthly virtuous joys increase But heavenly song and everlasting peace.' " For one possessing such a disposition and character, we may readily suppose litigious wariare had no charms. From this time the soke within the graveship ceased to be acknowledged. Mr. Bryan Allott was, however, succeeded by a son of the same name, but of much less intrinsic worth. Rector of Bumham, in Norfolk. " He had originally been in the army, and was a man of expense. In 1779, only six years after the death of his father, his affairs were in disorder, his living sequestered, and himself in prison, when his estates were offered for sale.'* Some years, however, elapsed before they were sold.* * The following letter written in March, 1770, addreased to " Jonathui West, Eeq., at Cawthome, near Wakefield," solicitor, indicates that the estate was considerably inrolved before the father's death : — " My dear Sir, — I have consnlted both Mr. Wilmet and Sir Lionel Pilkington, who are both of opinion y^ the best thing which can be done will be for my &ther, mother, and myself to dock ye entail of the settled estates, for the whole to be made orer in trust to me (jointly with any other person my fiither shall chose), during y« life of my frther and mother, with power to sell what shall appear proper and sufficient to pay off debts, and secare y« yoanger children's fortunes, and to secure to them during their lives such an annuity as upon a fiiir examination of ereiy thing shall seem proper ; after their death (all debts and younger children's fortunes being paid) the whole residue, together with Mr. Turner's reversion, to come to me or my heirs or executors. " Mr. Wilmot will, 1 hope, write about it in a post or two, and I will be much obliged to you to second it with my fisther, and endeavour to convince him of the necessity of it. What annuities can be given it will be impossible to say, tUl the worth of the estates can be ascertained ; but this Fll venture to say, yt my iSither's income shall not be worse than it now is. t2 148 Jfm Cl^afte a( ^olxaMls, The annexed is the pedi^ee of the Allotts, of Bilham Grange,* as farmers of the Hohnfirth Soke Mills. Arms : A fess between two bars, gemelle wavy. Bobert AUott. of BenUey Orange, son and heir of Robert Allott, of the same plaoe.=f=Jennet, daagbter and oobeiress of Bieh. Charitwoiih. Wfll dated lOih Nov , leOoT^ Died 14th Oct., 1604 or 1605, aged 75. of Totties, in Holmfirth. Will dated 4lfa Apnl, 1«10. Bartin AUott, of Bendey Thorpe, in Almondbuiy, and of Bilham Grange, exeoator=^^race, dau|diter of Thomas Binns, of Thorpe, and sister of to his mother, who parefaased the Holmfirth Soke M Ols. Will dated Ulh July, 1 Biehard Binns, married at Almondbnry 4th Feb., 1610, 1644. Died 14th Oct, 1648, aged 67, and was buried at Hoylaad. boned at Hoyland, 23rd Nov. 1643. ffidiaid AUott, of Bilham Onuige, 6entleman,=j=Oraee, dangfater of George Wentworth, of BaldiCRs and Bretton. son and heir, bapt 13th July, 1617. Inventory | Marriage settlement dated I8th Jul/, 1640. Married at Barton, dated 30th September, 1674. I 98(h July, 1640 ; inventory dated SSnd Sept, 1681. Bartin Allott, of Bilhsm Grange, Gent, son and heir, bom 14th=?=Mary, daughter and oo-heiress of John Peebles, October, 1666, a lieutenant of militia 89th May, 1669. Will of Dewsbury, Esq. Married 4th Got, 1682 ; dated lOlh May, 1701, and he died on the Mth. " " "" "' ""' died 6th May, 1696. 1 Brian AUott, of Bilham Grange, clerk, Reotor of Kirkheaton.— r-Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Nicholas Wilmot, second Bom 6th Nov. 1093; died ll&^Jan. 1773. I son of Robert Wilmot, Esq., of Osmaston. Bryan AUott. of Bilham Grange, clerk. Rector of Bumham,-y-Mary, dau. of Hugh Kennedy, of Kirii Michael, in Ayrshire, by Catherine, his in NorfoUi! Sold ttie soke mQls in Holmfirth in 1784. i wUb, dan. and co-heiress 0fRey.Dr.3Uis, Dean of 8tDavid*s, mar. 5 8ep.l761. Bryan Mon^^omery AUott, Catherine Maiigaretta AUott, sale daog^tnr ; bora 18(h July, 1763, married John only son, died young. Beck, Esq., comptroller of the customs, at Workmgton ; and died in 1812. The Holmfirth Soke Mill was purchased in 1784 by John Fallas, of Wood, in Holmfirth, clothier. By indenture dated 21st September, 1804, James FaUas, of Wood, and Elizabeth Fallas, widow of John Fallas, sold the same to Mr. William Gartside, of Holmfirth, who, dying without issue, devised the same to his brothers, Messrs. John and George Gartside ; to the latter of whom, on a division of their estates, the Holmfirth Mill devolved. The same now vests in Miss Gartside, the only daughter and heiress of the said Mr. George Gartside. t " Now towards nising this I would sell : — £ b. d. Chidswell tythes,— now let at 102 Gawthoipe tythes, — ^nowletat 40 Richard Terry's &rm, in Gawthorpe, two houses and— acres of land 15 In Holmfirth, — two water com mills, one house and falling mill, with a small parcel of land adjoining— now let at £62 lOs. Od. but in 1726 were let at £95 62 10 In Da a close of about three acres — very convenient for building on, — now let at ... 4 10 " The money to be raised you know is: — ^ B. d. My other's debts 4,160 Bister's fortune 1,000 Brother Richard's 500 Harry's debts 1,800 £7,450 £224 " Query : how many years' purchase do tythes and mills and lands generally sell at, situated as these are t « I should be much obliged to you if you would make a rough calculation how much one may expect for those estatea. If they 11 sell for more than the sums above-mentioned, after securing the annuities to my &ther and mother, y« oveiplus should go towards paying my own debts. If they sell for less, the deficienpy must come out of Henry's^— at least for the present « I shall be glad of a speedy answer as I yet know not what to say to Henry's creditors. " I hope by this time you are perfectly recovered, and that this cold weather may not occasion a relapse. " I beir mv compliments to Mrs. Twigge ; and am your most obdt. servant, ® "^ " BRYAN ALLOTT, Juhb. " Please to direct to me at Mr/Flezney's, Bookseller, in Holboume." * From Mr. Hunter's South Yorkshire, vol. ii., page 866. t The new mill was also sold, and converted into a woollen mill Cofamsj^p of Jfttlstom. This is one of the seven townships comprised in the graveship of Holme^ and forms its eastern boimdary ; but it did not, like the rest of the graveship, form a part of the ancient chapeby of Hohnfirth. This township has several lofty hills, which are intersected by narrow valleys and deep ravines. The river Deame takes its rise here, at a short distance to the east of the Pike-law Observatory. Besides an ancient village of the same name, it contains several hamlets, of which Newmill is much the largest : and now a rapidly increasing centre of popu- lation and manufactiu*es. FuLSTONE Hall. About half a mile to the east of Newmill is Fulstone Hall. The modem aspect of this place aflfords no indications of an ancient " Hall." It is, however, certain that in the fifteenth century it was so designated ; but the " old hall " was taken down about seventy years ago. In the reign of Henry VII. it was the property of William Morehouse, who, in 1490, was a party in a dispute respecting the right of his wife and family to kneel, &c., in a certain stall in the Parish Church of Burton. He was descended fi'om Roger del Morehouse, who, in the reign of Richard II., [1398,] farmed the soke mills of the graveship of Holme. This William was succeeded by a son John, living here in 20 Henry VIII., [1528] : he died in the reign of Philip and Mary, and was succeeded by a son Thomas, living in 1574, who had a son WiUiam, residing here in 1607, in which year he appeared before a jury at' Holmfirth Chapel [Church], appointed to enquire into the nature of the evidences and the tenure of the lands within this graveship ; when he shewed by his evidences that he held seventy-three acres of copyhold lands, by estimation, at Fulstone Hall, besides " seven selions lying in the new croft." He held also five acres and a half of land by deed fi-om Sir Thomas Gargrave, Knight, being a part of a parcel of lands granted by Queen Elizabeth to the Earl of Leicester. At what period the estate passed fi:'om the Morehouses I have not seen. It was purchased in the latter part of the last century by the ancestor of the present proprietor, John Frederic Winterbottom, Esq., of Eastwood Heys, Berkshire. 150 Crrimtsj^pf ai gnkiam. Stagwood Hill Occupies a bold aud prominent ridge on the eastern "acclivity above Neumdll, whence the ascent is very steep, but at the top it opens out into a wide and spacious flat, stretching out for a considerable distance, with a gentle descent towards the village of Fulstone, and possesses a south-easterly aspect. This estate comprises a number of farms of highly productive land ; pleasingly wooded and belted with plantations. The name which is here given, according to modem orthography, has been somewhat changed within the last three-quarters of a century : as it was formerly designated " Stackwood '* Hill. About eighty years ago the late Mr. Newton,— when it passed into his possession, — ^supposing /StocJfe to be a corruption of Stag^ changed it to its present name. The house is situated on the verge of the hiQ, and although of ancient foundation, has been repeatedly altered and modernized. It is surrounded by a number of yew trees, some of a considerable size : i an evident indication of its having been from a remote period the residence of a family of respectability. Thus we find that at an early period it gave the surname to a family who resided here doubtless for some length of time — ^the De Stakwoods. At what period they left the place is uncertain, and who were their immediate successors is equally unknown. In 1490 I find John Stakwood then living in the district, but whether of this place does not appear. In that year he was one of the churchwardens, or as then designated, kirkgraves, for the Chm^ch of Burton. In the 12 Henry VIH., [1520,] I find Ellen Stakwood, then in her widowhood (th^ document from which I quote does not state her residence), leased in that year a messuage and lands at Holmehouse, in Fulstone, to John Tynker, but reserved the annual rent to John Kay. This is the last mention I have found of the name. It is probable she was the widow of John Stakwood, already named ; and at her demise it would seem the Stakwoods became extinct, as there is no mention of the name in the parish register, which commences within twenty-five years after that period. The exact period when the Stagwood Hill estate passed to the Newtons, I have not been able to ascertain. They were residing here at the close of Elizabeth's reign. In 1607, William Newton, then of Stagwood Hill, appeared at the inquisition in that year, and produced his evidences concerning his copyhold lands in the graveship, wherein he fiimished the boundary of his lands, together with the annual rents due to the Chief Lord the King. In the reign of Charles I. there was a William Newton of this place. He was Cflffamsj^p 0f Jfrtlstom. 151 • ■!■ » probably the son of the aforesaid William. In the protectorate he had a law suit with Captain Richard Hors&ll, Lord of the Manor of Thurstonland, respecting a right of stray and pasturage for his cattle, &c>, upon the adjacent commons and waste lands in that lordship, which was confirmed to him by a decree from "the Upper Bench at Westminster." He died in 1673, and was succeeded by his son and heir, John Newton, who was interred at Kirkburton in 1704, and left two surviving sons — John, who succeeded him at Stagwood Hill ; and Joshua, to whom he devised lands, &c., at Fulstone, Newmill, and Thurstonland. John Newton, the elder son, baptised 23rd August, 1663, married Mary Beaumont, of the parish of Ahnonbury, in 1684. She died in 1689, leaving issue an only son, William, bom in that year. He married to his second wife Mary, the daughter and co-heiress of Joshua Wilson, of Thongsbridge, and widow of William Wordsworth, of Sofley, in the parish of Penistone. He died in 1736, and was succeeded by his only son, William, who had married daughter of William Wordsworth, of Sofley (and the daughter of his stepmother), by whom he had issue, first, Joshua Newton, who died unmarried in 1762; Lydia, married to Benjamin Empson, of Goole Hall ; and John Newton, of Thongs-^ bridge, who, by the death of his elder brother, became heir to the Stagwood HiU estate. He married Hannah , who died in 1759, leaving no surviving issue. He married, secondly, . . Woodhead, of HuUen-edge, and had issue two daughters — ^Lydia and Elizabeth. He was engaged in commerce, and by unsuccessfiil speculations, and a general mismanagement of his affairs, he became a bankrupt, and his estates were ultimately offered for sale, when the Stagwood HiU estate was purchased by William Newton, the grandson of Joshua Newton, the younger son of the first John Newton in this pedigree. Mr. Newton by his success in business was thus ultimately enabled to become the purchaser of the ancestral estate, which he considerably enlarged by subse- quent purchases, and which he greatly improved by judicious planting. His general business habits led him to take an active part in whatever was calculated to promote the prosperity of the district, and in all matters of public interest, whether political, civil, or ecclesiastical. In the midst of his varied occupations he had been a considerable reader, and possessing an excellent memory, his store of knowledge was not inconsiderable. His perception of character was remarkable. Notwithstanding his numerous engagements, he was a keen sportsman, and retained a lively interest in active sports long after advancing age precluded his further participating in them. To those who knew him only in advanced life, and saw him in his own house, 152 C0imrs|^pf oi ^nhtam. the remembrance of him did not soon pass away. He was usually cheerAil, often facetious in conversation and racy in his remarks : fond of relating his adventures and recounting his reminiscences. The interior of his house, which was simple and unpretending, exhibited the characteristic tone of his mind. The entrance hall, which was of moderate size, was fitted up with old-fashioned furniture^ not so much of a choice or antique character as indicating its descent from " sire to son." The walls were hung with guns in their racks of various kinds, both of early and modem invention ; with pistols, swords, halberts, crossbows, and various other weapons and instru- ments. These, however, were not exhibited for show (for he was no lover of ostentation), but that he might see them from time to time, so that by his supervision they imght receive proper care and attention. In this room he usually sat in his declining years, with a nimiber of dogs at his feet like a true sportsman of "olden time." He died on the 24th September, 1834, aged 90 years. He was succeeded by his son and heir, Isaac Parker Newton, who survived his father only a few weeks ; but who left issue, of whom Mr. Arthur Blencow Newton, of Stagwood HiU, is now the only male representative. BUTTBELEY HaLL Is situated about three-quarters of a mile from Newmill. It is a small house, of respectable appearance, and was erected about 1740 by Mr. John Kaye, the only son of Mr. Jonas Kaye, of Milshaw Hall, in the township of Hepworth, who disliking the situation of the ancient mansion at Milshaw, as being both bleak and difficult of access, abandoned it and took up his residence at this place, where he died in 1745.* A considerable part of the Butterley estate was purchased about twenty years ago, by the late Mr. Samuel Sandford, who ultimately made the hall his residence. He had by industry and frugality acquired a very competent property. He had an only child, Mr. Jonathan Sandford, who was also successful in business ; but melancholy to relate, was, with his family, drowned in the Holmfirth catastrophe of 1851. Chbist Chuech, Newmill. In 1829 a church was erected here, under the Million Act, for the accommodation of the increasing population of the district. The site being given by the late Mr. Newton, of Stagwood Hill. * Farther particalan of this fiunily, and the descent of the estate, may be found under Milshaw, in Hepworth. Sioimu^p^ of ^htma. It is a large and very substaxitial Gothic structure, with a tower. It was erected at the cost of £3,600, and is in the patrona^ of the Vicar of Kirkburton. Although situated at the foot of three conBiderable bills, this church stands on a bold but picturesque eminence, and is seen from a considerable UST OP INOUMBBNTS. vunmn. ■UIB. TUUfU. 1880. Richard E. Leach, ReaigDed. 1632. Samuel Jonea, Reaigned. 1834. Henr; Middleton, Reaigned. 1836. Ebenezer Elliott, B.A., Reaigned. 1843. Rev. J. W. Hohnes. ir reseDt mctuubeiit IPjnmmmlal Jnscripiioiw. In Memory of John Tinker, of Hepworth, who deputed thi* Ufb July Stfa, 1857 ; aged 85 jun. Alao Suah, hia wife, who departed thia life November 10th, 1852 ; aged 80 years, Charlotte, wife of George Charleaworth, of Sudehill, died May 2lBt, 1S5S ; aged 65 years. Martha, wife of John Morrey, of Daisy-lee, who died March 20th, 1857; aged 60 yean. Jonathan Wood, of 164 C0fam8|^p 0f Jfttlstoitt* Hepworth, diedJanuarj 30th, 1942; aged 91 yean. Also Joseph Broadhead, his nephew, who died Septemher 25th, 1842 ; aged 74 years. William Hirst, of Snowgate-head, who died 26th Fehruary, 1837 ; aged 57 years. Joseph, youngest son of Timothy Bentley, Esq., late of Lockwood, died February 10th, 1848 ; aged 28 years. Mary, wife of Joseph Booth, of Moorcroft Mill, died May 8th, 1858; aged 73 years. Also the said Joseph Booth, who died June 16th, 1859 ; aged 76 years. James Barrowclough, of Holmfirth, died 17th October, 1858; aged 72 years. Edmund Sykes, of Booth House, who died July 25th, 1855 ; aged 59 years. Hannah, wife of James Turner, of Fulstone, died April 18th, 1851 ; aged 80 years. Mary, wife of William Preston, of Wooldale, died 14th January, 1853 ; aged 23 years. Mary, wife of Joseph Brook, of Horncoat, died April 5th, 1834; aged 71 years. Also the said Joseph Brook, died August 15th, 1843 ; aged 78 years. Samuel Fawcett, of Totties, died August 18th, 1857 ; *ged 76 years. Ambrose, son of James and Mary Lockwood, of Fulstone Hall, departed this life April 26th, 1852 ; aged 38 years. Jonas Cartwright, of Wooldale, died January 14Uiv 1857; aged 92 years. Also George, his son, died August 17th, 1857 ; aged 64 yean. G«orge Thackray, of Newmill, died November 14th, 1856 ; aged 70 yean. National School. Near to the church is a large schoohx)om, built in 1838, and a house for the teacher ; also used for the purposes of a Sunday school, in connexion with the church. Newmill School. This school was founded in 1694, at the joint expense of Mrs. Bodes, of Flockton, John Newton, of Stagwood Hill, and George Morehouse, of Stoney Bank, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the townships of Fulstone and Wooldale. The schoolroom, which was rebuilt in 1838 by voluntary subscription, being of small size, has been employed as an infant school since the erection of the National School. BENEFACTION. Mr. William Newton, late of Stagwood HiH, by his wiD, dated 7th day of April, 1827i bequeathed as follows : — ** Unto ten poor persons belonging to the township of Fulstone aforesaid, one stone each of good wheat flour, out of my estate at Stagwood Hill aforesaid, to be delivered to them by the owner for the time being of such estate, or by his direction, on Saint Thomas's day, in every year for ever.' 9$ The enclosure of Common Lands of this township took place in 1816, comprising ^ 740 acres. Ancient enclosure 1,300 „ Total 2,040 9i HOLHUBTH CETTBOH. €^mhiS ^ €^xc^ 0f Polmfirt^. This ancient Chapehy compriBed the townships of Wooldale, Hepworth, and Cartworth, in the parish of Kirkburton ; and those of Holme, Austonley, and Upperthong in the parish of Almonbury. The Vicar of Kirkburton being patron. But since the erection of three new churches, the chapelry has been subdivided. Respecting the origin of this chapeby there is nothing with certainty known. I have, however, had occasion (pp. 48 — 51) to allude to this subject, and have given what appears a probable conjectiu^. Thither I must now refer the reader for further information. It is certain that there was a chapel at Hobnfirth in the reign of Edward IV. Dr. Whitaker observes, " there is extant a confirmation under the privy seal of Richard III., of a grant made by Edward IV. to the King's tenants of Hobnfirth, members of the lordship of "Wakefield, of xls. per annum, towards an exhibition to mynestre devine service in the chapel there." From a series of original MSS. and loose memoranda, I am enabled to give many interesting historical particnlars connected with this chapelry, &om the early part of the reign of Elizabeth down to that of William III., but more particularly u2 156 Cferajrtlrg xrf ^olmfirl^. during the reign of Charles I. and the Commonwealth period, when the inhabitants were anxious to have the chapel made a parish church. Prom these MSS. I shall quote largely, and in their own words, which will best preserve the spirit and character of the times to which they refer ; although doing this wiU necessarily involve some repetition, and a reference to matters which do not immediately bear upon the subject. The first MS. fi:'om which I shall quote is entitled, " Some notes touching the Chapel at Holmfirth, and the chaplains or curates there; what the inhabitants gave them, and how raised," &c. It bears date 1698, and has evidently been written by one who had been at some trouble to make himself acquainted with many of the circimistances recorded. This will therefore form the basis of the following historical account. ** It appeareth by ancient writings that the said chapel was built by the mutual consent and at the charge of the inhabitants within the chapelrie, for a chappel of ease ; and that no stipend or endowment was settled upon it by them or others. " That ye said inhabitants did by like consent, from time to time procure and agree with such as they thought fitt to be curates there, sometimes for a greater, and sometimes for a lesser sum of money, as may be seen by sundrie witnesses, sworn and examined touching these matters, by which it is manifest yt y» inhabitants gave the curates more or less as they pleased.' » In the early part of the reign of Elizabeth the curates " had £6 13s. 4d. per ann. in money, and sent some persons up and down the chappelrye for what wool and oats the inhabitants would give them;" but to a Mr. Lord •^they agreed to give £12 per ann.," as " he esteemed it too low and base a thing to go from house to house for such wool and oats as the inhabitants would give him, and did desire them to let him have aU in money." " For the raising of which, they appointed tenn men to measure the chappel, and sett out to every inhabitant a yeard for everie penny tax (according to the ancient occupance tax), and for everie such yeard they agreed to give ye curate 12d. per ann., to make up the said simi of £12." "About the year 1632 and 8, ye chappel was pulled down and re-edified, with the addition of about 132 seats ; after that, one Mr. John Bynns was admitted to be curate, and in the year 1635, procured a commission out of the Ecclesiastical Court,* to diverse commissioners (without the consent of the major * The oommissioneiB appointed were, " Mr. John Kay, of Denby Grange, and Thomas Thomhill, of Fixby, Eaq. ; Gamaliel Whitaker, derke, M. of Arts, Yicar of the Pariah Church of Kirkburton ; George Croaland, clerke, Yicar of the Pariah Church of Almondbnrie ; Bichard Sykes, clerke, Parson of the Pariah Church of Kirkheaton ; and Anthonle Bennea, derke, Parson of the Medictie of the Rectorie of the Pariah Church of High Hoyland, of the Diocese of Tork,* who were directed as follows : — " Whereas, wee are informed that the Chappell of Holmeforth, within the pariah of Kirkburton aforesaid, hath of late bene enlarged and repaired, and the Stalls therein made decent and uniforme, and that fewe or none of the Inhabitants within the chappelrie doe knowe theire proper aeates within the said Chappell, or at least C^apjelrj d p[0lmfirl^. 157 part of the principal inhabitants), to allot seats unto the inhabitants (being then few or none knew their proper seats as was then alledged), and to raise and fix a competent stipend for the curate. Which commissioners did meet to execute ye same, and thereupon made their certificate, by which they ordered the inhabitants to pay ten pence yearly for every seat,* with which the inhabitants most generally were dissatisfied, and refused to pay the same. ** Upon which the said Mr. Bynns com'enced suit against divers of them, which continued until 1639; and then all matters in diflerence were submitted and referred to four arbitrators indifferently chosen, finally to judge of and end the same. Whereupon, the 10th day February, 1639, made and declared their awardf in writing, by which they ordered yt ye Commission (which was the occasion of the suit), bare no seates or Btalls aasigned unto them by owr authority. By reason whereof, diverse Suites and differences are every day likely to arise and growe amongit the said iahabitants, if the tame be not in time prevented. *' Wee, therefore, myndinge and tendinge the good and quiett of the said Inhabitants, and for the p'servation of Christian amity amongst the eaid Inhabitants, and of good order in the said Chappell, as alsoe for the p*vidinge of a competent yearly maintenanee for the minister servinge from time to time at the same Chappell of Holmeforth, have thought good, and by these presents doe give full power and authoritie unto you, the said Mr. John Kay, Thomas Thomhill, Esq., Gamaliel Whitaker, George Crosland, Richard Sykes, and Anthonie Bennes, clerkes, or any fewer or more of you, whereof the eaid Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Crosland to be two, to allott and assign unto the several Inhabitants within the said Chappelrie of Holmeforth aforesaide, such sittings and convenient stalls, pewes, or seates within the ssme Chappell, wherein to sitt, kneele, and heare Divine Service there read, and Sermons preached, aocordinge to their respective degrees^ Estates, and oondi'cons as you in your judgements and discre'con shall think meete and convenient. And likewise to take order for a competent Annual Stypend to be raised and imposed upon the said, amongst the Inhabitants of the said Chappelrie, for and towards the maintinance of a ministre to serve this Cure of the same Chappell of Holmeforth aforesaid. And of your doeinges herein you are to certifie us or our lawfull Deputie in that behalfe, in the Consistorie place in York Minster, upon Friday next after the Feast of St. John the Baptist, next eominge or before ; together with these p'sents. Given at Yorke, under the Scale of our said office, the 12th March, 1086. " The Execution of this Commission doth appeare in a Schedule or Modell of the said Chappell thereto annexed, attested by signatures of all the said Commissioners." * " The old chapell contained about 480 seats, the new one 132 seats more, making in all 612 seats, which, at ten pence per sitting, amounted to £25 10s." f We here give it at length. " Decemo die mensis Febr., Ann. Doul 1689. " In the Canee of Difference betweene John Bynns, Cler., ministre and preacher of God*s word on the one pte., and Henry Jackson, James Genne, and Josa. Eanishaw on the other pte. We, whose names are hereunto subecrybed, being arbitrators indifferently chosen by the said p'ties for endinge thereof, doe order and award as followeth : — " Imp'us.— We doe order and award that the said parties shall from henceforth become lov'rs and friends as it becometk Christians in the feare of God ; and that all suits and controv'sies heretofore stirred up betwixt them, or any of them, shall now oease and determine. " Item. — We doe order and award that these several notes, under the hands of the severall Inhabitants of the Chappellrie of Holmeforth, and the said Henry Jackson, James Genne, and Josa. Eamshaw, now tendered unto the said Mr. Bynns shall stand and be counted effectuall for the said Mr. Bynns to recover his wages by, for serving the cure at the said Chappell, of all such as have subecrybed thereunto without cleaving or flying to the Commission formerly granted concerning the same. " Item. — We doe order and award that the said Henry Jackson, James Genne, and Jo. Eamshaw, or some for them to be elected and chosen, shall repayre to the Court at Yorke, and that the said Mr. Bynns, or some for him, shall lykewise at the same tyme be there, and that then they shall joyne and agree together to enter an order in the said Court, where the suyte concerning the Chappelliye and him is now depending, whereby the former division concerning the seatts in the said Clu4>pell out of which the said wages must aryse, shall be by Mr. Chancell'r subducted, the plattforme remayning in Court taken off the roll, soe the said plattforme to be made voyd. And thereupon the aforenamed Commission and Certificate thereupon shall be alsoe cancelled and made voyd. 158 Cj^apjelrg oi P0lmfirt|^. the Certifioate aLbo, and wbatelse were done thereupon by the consent of the plaintiff and defendants,, should be subducted and taken out of the Court, and made utterly void and of none effect. "And so eyery one was left in the same plight as they were before the said Commission waa procured." Shortly after this, the civil war broke out, when many of the clergy withdrew fix)m their cures, to join the King^s forces, or rendered other assistance — ^i. e. with money, arms, &c. This appears to have been especially the case in York* shire, as we find the ParHament passed an ordinance, dated 27th February, 1644, " authorising Lord Fairfax, with the advise of the assembly," to fill up those places " with such learned, godly divines as they shall think fit." This aflforded Mr. Binns's opponents in the.chapelry an opportunity, which they appear not to have allowed to pass, of trying to displace him, although he does not appear to have absented himself firom his cure. It would seem they presented a memorial ^^ to the Lord Fair&x and the standing committee at the city of York ;" but a counter-memorial was also got up and presented, which stated that " John Binns, of Bank-end, within the township of Thurstonland, clerke, is bj and upon some informations intended against him, called before your Horn*, at the city of Yorke» and there resteth. We» whose names are subscribed, being neare neighbors to the said John Binns, thought ourselyes in consdenoe bound to certify yr Honn* the trutii as concerning the doctrine, life, and conv'sation of the said John Binns, viz., that a great part of us hare knowne him from his tender yeares ; and that he hath served aa minister of God's word at the Chappell of Honly for the space of about eighteene or nineteene yeares, and since, at the Chappell of Holmfirth, some eight or nine yeares ; during which time both we, his hearers, and others — Divines in the countrie, acquainted with him, — have ac^udged his doctrine to be sound, orthodox, and profitable ; and himself in his calling, painfull ; and in life and conv'sation, peaceable ; ready to compose differences, and to set peace among his neighbours upon all occaisions, and under whose ministry we have belonged to the Chappell of Holmfirth, [and] shall be willing to continue if it may stand with aj^robation of your Honn. ; and in testimonie of the truth of the p'misses, have hereunto subscribed our names, humbly taking leave and resting your Honn. in all service to be commanded." '* Not long after'* this, *' the curate Binns dyed.* After whose death, by virtue of a Commission under the great Seal of England, the Commissioners returned a Certificate into the High Court of Chancerie, " Item. — We doe order and award that Heniy Jackson shall pay, or cause to be paid, onto the said Mr. Bynns, the Bam of fiftie-seavea shillingB of current money, in fall satisfiietion of all arreanges which should come and accreu unto him out of the Lands at Holmehouse given to the miniBtre of the said Chappell, by Jo. Tynker, deoeased ; and so, conse- quently, shall pay the same according to the said guilt, at the end of every half yeare. The said arrearages to be pud im'ediately after their retume from Torke, from finishing thereof. " JOHN HIRST, " JOHN FIBTHB, "THOMAS BOB'TS, "GODFBAT HOULT.- * See more respecting him, at Bank-end, in Thurstonland. C^aptlrj 0f pnlmJBrl^. 159 that they found belonging to the Parish Church of Burton a vicarage presentative, with cure of Soules, the profits thereof worth about eighty pounds per ann. *' Mr. Daniel Clarke is viccar, a painful preacher, who receiveth the profits. *' We find, alsoe, a Chappelrie in the said parish, and a Chapell called Holmfirth Chappell, four or five miles distant from the Parish Church, having no endowment: one Mr. Gamaliel Appleyard is preacher there, and stands at the benevolence of the people. We conceive it fit that the Chappelrie of Holmfirth be made a parish of itself, and Holme [Holmfirth] made a parish church, in regard to the distance from its parish church aforesaid." *' And the like certificate was given by seven Justices of the Peace for the Weet-Riding of Yorkshire,* under their hands and seals." The inhabitants of the chapeby entered with much spirit into this proposal, and drew up petitions and memorials, which were presented to the authorities. The following " certificate," signed by 128 persons within the chapelry, was presented at this period : — *' These are to certifie aU whom it may conceme, that the chappell of Holmefirth standeth about fower myles from the parish churches of Kirkburton and Almonburie, many of the Inhabitants dwelling five, six, teaven, and the nearest above three myles firom tiie nearer of the said churches. Fower hundred Communicants repairinge to the said chappell upon the Lord's-day» to heare the word of God preached. And there beinge noe meanes allowed the Minister of God's word for servinge the Cure in the said chappell, Wee, the Inhabitants whose names are subscribed, doe humbly pray that the said chappell be severed, and divided from the said churches, and be made a parish church ; and the several hamletts of Wooldale, Hepworth, Cartworth, Holme, Austonley, Thwonge, and Scholes, within the Constablerie and Chappelrie of Holmefirth aforesaid, be annexed and appropriated thereunto, by reason of the larger and remote situation thereof; and that the small tithes and Easter duties yearly arissinge and ackrewinge within the said hamlets, may be established upon a preaching minister of God's word for servinge the cure at the said chapell. All which we pray, and are readie to testifie, as your Honii> shall thinke most meete, and as shall be for the glorie of God, and the furtherance of true Religion and virtue." The next document is a petition drawn up by " the Constables and Church- wardens of Kirkburton, and the Constable and Churchwardens of the Chappelrie * The following is " The hnmble petition of the poore Inhabitants of the Ohappelxye of Holmefirth, in the pariaheB of Kirkbnrton and Almonburie, hmnbly sheweth that, whereas your pooze peUtionen dweUing a great way remote and distant firom the churches of Kirkburton and Almonburie, have been compelled and oppressed to contribute and pay all such asseasmentg as the churchwardens of Kirkburton and Almonburie have been pleased to impose upon them, for the wiftinta^Titng of the Bclls, Clocks, and eveiy other ornament in the said churches; and to pay wages for tenting of the laid docks, and other things as they please, to the great impoyeriahment and grinding of the fitoes of your poore petiUoners, and contrarie to equitie and good oonscience. Your poore petitioners never being chargeable to the said churches or psfrifhw ; there being no seates or roomes for your petitioners in the said churches. And your said petitiooers not being able to goe to either of the said churches, but doe usually resort to the chappell within their chappelrie aforesaid, for the ^iftftf^ng of the word of Qod preached, receiving the Sacraments, and other divine worship. " That your Honn> would be pleased to grant an order forth of this Honourable Court, for your petitioners reliefe herein that they may be noe further compellable, but to the repayres of the roofe, windowes, and doores of the said churches, which your poore petitioners are very willing to doe, though they receive no profitt thereby." 160 Cj^apjeliii ai goImM^. of Holmfirth,'* addressed, " To the Commissioners at Leeds." The interesting and cmious revelations which it makes, will doubtless be accepted as a sufficient apology for its length. It is dated June 8th, 1650. " That the said chappelry should be divided from the parish churches of Kirkburton and Almonburie, and made a parish of itselfe ; and Holmfirth Chappel made the parish church. " That the Right Honorable the Commissioners hath returned and confirmed the same certificate into the High Court of Chancerie, under their hands, as bj the certificate appeareth, for that the said chapp^ standeth five mjles from the nearest of the churches of Kirkburton and Almonburie ; many of the inhabitants living six, seven, and some about eight miles, and the nearest Inhabitants above three miles from the nearer of the said churches. '*And that the people of the Chappelrie of Holmfirth have congregated themselves in the said chappell for to heare the word of GU>d preached ; the time whereof the memorie of man is not to the contrarie. " That Mr. Daniel Clarke, then incumbent, did consent and agree, with consent of diverse of the best and well affected in the said parish, with Gamaliel Appleyard, minister of God's word in the baid chappel, for the cure of the Soules was soe many in the chappelrie that they could not resort to the said church, neither would the church contain them, and did invest upon him, the said Mr. Appleyard, the full moytie and half parte of all the tythes arisinge in the said chappelrie, for preachinge and ofiiciatinge the cure in the said chappell : the said Mr. Appleyard did gather, divide, and enjoy the tythes with the said Mr. Clarke, with consent as aforesaid. " That Mr. Nathaniel Shirt, now Incumbent of Kirkburton, did consent and agree, with the consent of diverse of the best and well affected of the said parishioners, with Mr. Appleyard, now minister of God's word in the said Chappell, and did contynue and invest on him, the said Mr. Appleyard, the full moytie and halfe part of all the tythes belonging to the vicarage of Kirkburton within the chappelrie of Holmfirth, for preaching and officiatinge the cure in the said chappell, and the said Mr. Appleyard hath gathered, divided, and enjoyed the same with the said Mr. Shirt's consent accordingly. " The said Mr. Nathaniel Shirt did consent and agree, with the consent of severall of the best and well affected Inhabitants of the parish of Kirkburton, with the said Mr. Appleyard, that the said Chappell of Holmfirth should be made parochiall, with full consent on both sides : the said Mr. Shirt receivinge the one halfe of aU the tythes within the said Chappelrie to the vicarage of Kirkburton aforesaid. " That all the well affected within the said chappelrie of Holmfirth, with consent of diverse others of the well affected of the said parish of Kirkburton (with joynt consent), have petitioned and certified to this Honbie Committee, that the said Chappell of Holmfirth be made parochial, as by their petition and certificate under their hands and certificate out of the Chancerie, and certificate under the hands and scales of several of the Justices of the Peace, within the West-Ridinge of the county of Yorke, remaininge in the office of the said Com'ittee, may and doth more at large appeare. '* For that the said Inhabitants of the said chappelrie are not able to goe to the churches of Elirkburton and Almonburie, by reason that the nearest Inhabitants liveth above three miles ^m either of the said churches, and severall of the Inhabitants above eight miles, and the said chappell is above five miles, and that in the winter time when there have been great snowes, there are several men tivinge that hath help't Cj^aptlrg Di Polmfirtj^. 161 to carrye corpes to the church, and were not able to reach that night, but lodged bj the way, and made the best haste they could, and were not able to reach home the next day.* " That the Inhabitants of Holmfirth have alwayes, and still doth stand for the Parliaments' sernce, by reason whereof they had aboTe Thirtie houses burned downe by the Armye against the Parliament, under the late Earle of Newcastle, five Regiments of the enemye's foot, three of Horse, and two of Dragoones, came into the said Chappelrie, killed, and tooke prisoners, and plundered and tooke away all their goods, soe that many lyed in prison, and the rest were forste from their owne habita'cons, to the great impoyerish- ment and hurt of the poore Inhabitants. " That the said Inhabitants of Holmfirth did make and set forth a hundreth Musqueteers for the Parliament's service, by order of the late Lord General Fairfax ; and that there are severall of the sonnes and servants of the Inhabitants still in actual service of the Commonwealth. *' That the said Mr. Shirt doth threaten the Churchwardens of the said Chappelrie of Holmfirth, to present them for everie month that they are absent firom the church of Kirkburton. That the said Mr. Shirt hath read and preached in the church of Kirkburton, over several corps standing in the alley neare under the pulpit. *' That the said Mr. Shirt hath not read the Act of Parliament for observinge the Lord's day, dayes of Humilia'con and Thanksgivinge.-|- " That they continue up the Armes of the late tyrant j:Einge in both the churches of Kirkburton and Almonburie, contrarie to the Act of Parliament in that case made for abolishing of Kingship. ''That William Hepworth is clarke of Kirkburton, and speaketh only for his owne advantage and benefit, for he hath troubled and sued severall of the poore Inhabitants of the said Chappelrie of Holm- firth, for two pence a person that were not able to goe to the church, and forced them to agree with him, for that he threatened them that he would doe mischieff to the Inhabitants of Holmfirth, if ever it lyed in his power. " That the said Inhabitants of the Chappelrie of Holmfirth hath a clarke at the said chappell, and that the said Hepworth was chosen clarke without their consent, therefore they ought to pay nothinge, for that they doe not resort to the church of Kirkburton, neither have they any benefit by him. " That Mr. Thomas Naylor, Incumbent of Almonburie, hath come forth of his owne parish to the said chappell of Holmfirth upon Lord's-day, and reckoned with severall people for Lambs, sittinge and tippleing in a Com'on Alehouse, to the dishonor of God and evil example to others. " That the said Mr. Naylor threatened the churchwardens of the said Chappelrie for to fine them in five pounds everie man for everie month they were absent from Almonburie, and shewed them a statute, and tould them it was in force : which is repealed by Act of this present Parliament. * In the parish register of Almonbury the following circnmstance is recorded, which seems to confirm what is here said "This year (16345), almost the whole winter was remarkable for frost and cold; the snow was in such abundance and so drifted, that it was scarcely possible to go oat of doors to the com miU or the butchers. Hauy iravellera periBhed in the stonn, through hunger and cold. At which time the inhabitants of Over-Thong bringing for burial the corpse of Marmaduke Pepper, were detained in Honley, and brought it to the church the following day. This winter was much colder than that of the year 1614 ; so that it might be justly called the greatest, the severest, and longest It began on the 10th January, and lasted till the 8rd March." t Mr. Shirt was of a Presbyterian fiimily, and did not sympathise with the party then in power, who had recently put Charles I. to death. X The word "tyrant" has a dash put through it, in paler ink, in the original MS. copy from which I quote, and H may therefore be oonsidered as objectionable to the views of some at least of the parties sobseribing. W 162 Cj^apilrs 0f "^olmM^, " That seyeral of the best and well affected of the parish of Almonburie hath and doth consent and agree with the Inhabitants of the Chappelrie of Holmfirth» that the said Chappell be made parochial], by full consent on both sides."* *' In the year t651 or 2, the chappell was made parochial, and the chappell yard was walled in, and the doores set as they now stand ; and the yard was digged up a certain debth, and a great quantity of earth was led into it ; and the Curate or Minister there was authorized to marry, bury, &e., there ; and accordingly very many Inhabitants were buryed both in the Chappell and Chappell-yard. " When the Rev. Daniel Clarke was vicar of Kirkburton, he did condescend that ye Curate at Hohn- firth should haye and take the half of the tythes of Wool, Lamb, &c., of the Inhabitants of the Chappelrie, within the parish of Kirkburton, which accordingly the Curate had and enjoyed for severall years (but with some struggling); after which, y matters in difference were referred to Wm. Bosyile and Thomas Westby, Esquires, who by their award, made in writing, under their hands and scales, did order that ye Vicar of Kirkburton should receive the tithes of the Inhabitants, and that he should pay yearly to the Curate at Holmfirth, £20 (deducting twenty shillings per ann. of the same, for and towards the four pounds payd to Dewsbury) ; which accordingly was paid for divers years. But afterwards Mr. Nathaniel Shirt refiised to pay it, so doth his successor, the present vicar [Mr. Briggs], neither doth he pay any other gratuity or sum of money in lieu thereof. * The foregoing petition educed the following official reply. Here, also, are sabjoined a series of origii relating to these important changes at that period. " By the Committee for Plondered MlnisterB, Febmary 25th, 1651. ** Upon consideration of the Petition of the Inhabitants of the severall Hamlets of Wooldall, Hepworth, Cartworth, Holme, Anstonley, Thonge and Scholes within the Chapelxy of Holmfirth, within the vicarage of Kirkburton, in the West Biding of the county of Torke. It is ordered, for the reasons in the said Petition contained, that the said Chappell of Holmfirth be made parochial, and the profits of the said Vicarage, arising within the said Hamlets and Cbappeliy, shall goe and be and allowed for and towards the maintenance of a godly and well affected Minister, to preach and officiate in the said Chappell,— unless good cause shall be showne to the contrary before the Committee, on the eighth day of April next; whereof the present Minister of Kirkburton, and all other parties concerned, are to have due notice. " GILBT. MILLINOTON, "WILLIA. HAT, "WILLIAM HANSON, "JO. MOYLB." This was finally determined and officially announced to the inhabitants before the close of the year. " By the Trustees for the Maintenance of Ministers, October 29th, 1651. " Upon hearing parties on both sides, to the inquiry made concerning the fittnes of dividing the Chappell of Holmfirth, within the parish of Kirkburton, in the county of Yorke, from the said parish : and due considera'con had of the certificate of the Com'iB8ionn< returned upon an inquiry made by virtue of a Com'ission under the great Scale of England, issued in that behalfe. It is ordered that upon good security given for the advanceing a competent maintenance for the Minister of Holmfirth aforesaid, in the said county, without taking anything from the vicarage of Kirkburton, or bringing any charge on the revenue, the said Chappell be divided from the said parish, and made a distinct parish of itself, endowed with such maintenance as shall be so settled and secured as aforesaid. " JOHN THOROWGOOD, " B. A. HALL, "JOHN HDMPRBT, "RICHARD YONG." The following is an order for granting a stipend to the minister :— " November 26th, 1651. Att the Comlttee for Reformation of the Universities. " Whereas, this Oom'ittee, the 7th of March last, directed the Trustees for Maintenance of Ministers, the 6th of August last, to grant and pay for an Augmenta'con to such minister as shall officiate in the Chappell of Holmfirth, in the county of Yorke, the yearly sume of thirUe pounds; and this Comlttee have this day received good certificate of the piety Cl^aptlrg of Polmfirt^. 163 *' And 80 now again the Inhabitants do pay to the Curate at Holmfirth, 5d. 8d. or lOd., some mme and some less, as thej please, and according to their discretion, and as they judge the Curate deserveth. And some others of the Inhabitants have gone to other Assembljes, upon the account of Divine worship, and so have given the Curate there nothing at all.*' At the restoration this church reverted to its former condition, in which it has since remained. From the increase of population, two new churches have been erected within its chapehy, and preparations are now being made for the erection of a third at Hepworth, to each of which, districts have been assigned. This church suflTered very considerable damage by a very large flood, which occurred in 1777; and the edifice having become much too small for the increasing population of the neighbourhood, the whole was taken down in the following year, and rebuilt in its present form, with the exception of the tower, which was erected at a somewhat later period, when a peal of six bells was added. The present church is a large and commodious building in the Grecian style, and abilitie of Mr. Gamaliel Appleyard, minister of the said Chappell. It is now ordered by this Comlitee that the said yearely same of thirtie pounds bee paid to the said Mr. Appleyard, and the said Trastees are to pay the same aoeordingly. "JO. BO0RCHIEB» " H. EDWABDS, "VALENTINE WALTON, "JO. MOYLE, "RIG. ALDWORTH.- The following is a copy of the authority probably given by the charchwarden, to receive the aforesaid grant " October Ist, 1651. " These are to certlfie to the Right Honorable the Committee, and to whom the same may conceme, that wee, the Inhabitants within the Chappelrie of Holmfirth, whose names are subscribed, do desire and empower Mr. William Williamson, clerke to the Right Honorable Sir John Boarchier, to reoeire one quarter of the yeare's rent dne before the date hereof formerly granted by the Honorable Committee for regulating the UniyersitieB, to an able preaching Minister at Holmfirbh Chappell, and to be payd by the Trustees, as by the same order may appeare to the use and behoofe of Gamaliel Appleyard, who doth officiate and preach in the said Chappell, who hath taken the engagement, and promised to be true and fiilthfnll to this Commonwealth as it is now established. And we rest your humble servants.** To complete the series of evidences of the Cmmonwealth period, connected with this ancient chapelry, I here ^ve a copy firom the original warrant given under the hands of two justices of the peace of the West-Riding, for the appointment of churchwardens to this church. One of the persons therein appointed being an ancestor of the author. " To Thomas Morehouse, Abraham Jaggar, and Thomas Charlesworth. " West -Riding of \ Whereas wee, whose names are here underwritten. Justices of the Peace for the said Riding, are now Yorkshire. ) certified by the Churchwardens of the Parochial Chapelry of Holmfirth, for the year last past, that the Inhabitants of the said Parochial Chapelry, have nominated and chosen you to whom these presents are directed to bee Churchwardens, or collectors of monyes for Churchdutyes, within the nUd Parochial Chapelry of Holmfirth, for the year following. Wee doe, therefore, according to an ordinance of Parliament, made for repairing of churches and payment of church dutyes, approve and aUowe of the said nomina'con and elec'con ; and doe alsoe authorize you, and nevertheleas stnughtly charge and command you forthwith upon sight hereof, to take upon you the execu'con of the said office within your said Parochial Chapelry, for thii present yeare ; and this shall be your sufficient warrant for the same ; wherein &lle you not, as you will answer the contrary, and avoyd the penalty and forfiture in the said Act limitted and appointed for contempt and neglect thereof. " HEN. TEMPEST, " Given under our hands snd seales, the 28th day of April, 1658. " JO. PICKERING." W2 164 Cj^apjelrg of Polmfirtj^. but the tower, at the east end, is Gothic, with four crooketted pinnacles. In the interior it has two aisles, a chancel, and three galleries : the one at the west end contains a powerful and excellent toned organ. The whole is preserved with neatness and order. The situation of the church is very objectionable, it is crowded on every side with buildings ; and by its projection into the street, renders one of the principal thoroughfares of the town very narrow and dangerous. . By an order in council dated 7th May, 1858, this church was constituted a perpetual curacy and district parish. A CATALOGUE OP THE OUBATES OF HOLMFIBTH OHAPEL [oHTJEOh], FROM THE BEPOBMATION TO THE PRESENT TIME. HdifPRiT Castel, Thomas Didsbueye, Whywell, Stanclifpe, HOYLE, LoED. " The inhabitants agreed to give him £12 per ann.," as "he These were " successively curates here at £6 13s. 4d. per ann. in money, and sent some persons up and down the chappelrye, for what wool and oats the inhabitants would give them." esteemed it too low or base a thing to go from house to house for such wool and oats as the inhabitants would give him; and did desire them to let him have it all in money.'* Henby Hoxilt was next curate here, "with whom the inhabitants agreed to give him £10." He continued curate here for about twelve years, till his death. He was buried 28th October, 1600. Adam Mellob was the next, with whom they agreed also to give £10 per ann. He resigned on being inducted to the rectory of Cumberworth, on the presenta- tion of Matthew Wentworth, of Bretton Hall, Esq., in 1602. John Fabney succeeded, "to whom the inhabitants gave £10 per ann., and wool and oats as aforesaid." Nathaniel Hunt was the next appointed ; but resigned. Edwabd Bboadehead became his successor : he also resigned. John Hall was the immediate successor, and is supposed to have resigned. Nicholas Gbeaves, M. A., succeeded Mr. Hall : but resigned. He was after- wards presented to the rectory of Tankersley, on ^the 26th May, 1634, by John Kaye, of Woodsome, Esq., where he died. Stephen Owen was the next. The five last-mentioned " received the same as Mr. John Famey." Cj^apjelrs jof p0lmfirl|^. 165 William Beoadhbad was next in succession. " The inhabitants agreed to give TiiTn about £20 per ann., and eight shillings payd by some persons that dwelt in houses built nigh the chappel." He resigned. John Binns, M.A., was the next. He was curate here about nine years, till his death in 1646. Gamaliel Appleyaed, B.A., was here in 1647, and it is therefore probable he was Mr. Binns's immediate successor. He took the "engagement," and he seems to have remained here till near the Restoration. Thomas Didsbuey was curate here in 1664. John Savilb was curate here, where he died, and was interred 12 th February, 1685. Edmund Robinson, M.A., was Mr. Savile's immediate successor. He resided at Bank End, in Thurstonland : where more may be found concerning him. Thomas Blythb was curate here in 1700. It is probable he immediately succeeded Mr. Robinson. He died here, and was buried 5th August, 1705. Tmghlbs was curate here in 1707. William Thompson was appointed curate on the 25th March, 1711, and took possession on the 20th May following. He remained here till his death, on the 17th 'March, and was buried on the 19th, 1743; aged about 60 years. "He was interred under the communion table in the chapel; Mr. Croft, of Honley, read the service. His funeral was attended by a numerous class of firiends.'* John Haeeop, B.A., was inducted on the 31st July, 1743. He died February 6th, 1795, aged 75 years. BiCHAED Cbuttwell, LL.B., was appointed on the death of Mr. Harrop, and was succeeded by The Rev. Richaed Ebenezeb Leaoh, the present incumbent, who has also been appointed a surrogate for the proving of wills. M. S. Reyerendi Johannis Harropi Aub. Cath. Cantab., A.B., hujus Capellae de Holmfirth» per annoB quinquagenta et quinqae* Pastor fidelissimus eztetit : Sacra Dei sanctissime coluit: Maritus optimuB amicus cams. Suis amandus. Vixit omnibus defietus, obiit 6^ Februarii, A.D. 1795 ; aetat 75. Sarah, wife of James Harrop, of Holmfirth, daughter of the late John Kenworthj, of Hades, she departed this life April 10th, 1805 ; aged 46 years. Also the said James Harrop, son of the Rev. John Harrop, died 7th May, 1811 ; aged 54 years. * This is an error : he was fifty-one yean incumbent. 166 C^^apjelrjl 0! Polmfiiij^. Sarah, wife of Thomas Dransfiield, of Wooldale, died 25th April, 1829 ; aged 68 years. Also the said Thomas Dransfield, died 16th October, 1841 ; aged 84 years. Joshua Wilson, of Holmfirth, died 23 October, 1768 ; aged 85 years. Also John Harrop, died 20th April, 1778 ; aged 23 years. John Wilson died 2l8t April, 1778 ; aged 60 years. Also Joseph Harrop, died 20th September, 1787 ; aged 23 years. Rachel, the daughter of Joshua Wilson, of Holmfirth, died 7th August, 1790 ; aged 71 years. Also Sarah, the wife of the ReT. John Harrop, departed this life 6th August, 1792 ; aged 71 years. Frances, wife of John Wimpenny, of Booth House, died April 28th, 1804 ; aged 90 years. Also the said John Wimpenny, died July 14th, 1804 ; aged 90 years. Hannah, wife of John Kenworthy, of Hades, died March 25th, 1780 ; aged 62 years. The said John Kenworthy died May 25th, 1785 ; aged 65 years. The Rev. Joseph Broadhurst, of Holme, died 2lBt November, 1806 ; aged 57 years. Hannah, wife of Joseph Hinchliff, of Stand Bank, died June 17th, 1812. Cookson Stephenson, of Sands, departed this life February 29th, 1828 ; aged 61 years. M«ry» his wife, died 22nd May, 1822 ; aged 59 years. Sarah, wife of William Stephenson, of Holmfirth, solicitor, second daughter of the late Mr. Words- worth, of Thorp Heys, surgeon; she died 5th July, 1833, aged 37 years. Also the said William Stephenson, died 28th November, 1841 ; aged 46 years. James Farrar, of Pricldeden, died the 5th September, 1826 ; aged 52 yean. Thomas, eldest son of James and Ann Farrar, died April 16th, 1836 ; aged 38 years. Rebecca, wife of Benjamin Bates, of Winney Bank, died June 8th, 1797 ; aged 80 years. Benjamin^ son of the above Benjamin Bates, died 9th March, 1776 ; aged 24 years. Hannah, daughter of the said Benjamin Bates, died March 17th, 1804; aged 60 years. Also the above Benjamin Bates, died April 23rd, 1808 ; aged 92 years. Maiy Qreen, widow of Christopher Qreen, of Austonley, died 5th of November, 1763, in the 80th year of her age. Anthony Green, of Austonley, died 8th of March, 1798, in the 78th year of his age. Edmund Green, of Austonley, died 26th of January, 1799, in the 77th year of his age. James Green, of Green House, died 27th of August, 1799, in the 73rd year of his age. Sarah, wife of the abovesaid Edmund Green, died September 27th, 1804; aged 77 years. James Whiteley, of Lower Mill, October 4th, 1844 ; aged 64 years. Mary, wife of Joseph Leak, of Holme, died September 16th, 1782 ; aged 20 years. The said Joseph Leak, died October 13th, 1831 ; aged 79 years. Jonathan Brook, of Shaley, died July 12th, 1800 ; aged 68 years. Mary, wife oi the said Jonathan Brook, died June 22nd, 1815 ; aged 77 years. Mary, wife of William Duckenfield, died November 12th, 1822; aged 69 years. The said William Duckenfield, died April 3rd, 1829 ; aged 80 years. Thomas Bray, of CinderhiUs, died June 2nd, 1761 ; aged 73 years. Mary, wife of John Bray, of Back Lane, died April 26th, 1781 ; aged 50 years. The said John Bray, died July 21st, 1800; aged 76 years. Martha, wife of Joshua Smith, of Hill, died March 2nd, 1774, in the 57th year of her age. The said John Smith, died March 15th, 1780 ; aged 64 years. John Lockwood, of Moss Edge, January 1st 1822; aged 85 years. Martha, wife of the said John Lockwood, died January 24th, 1823 ; aged 67 years. Sarah, wife of Robert Ramsden, of Clifi^, died January 6th, 1848 ; aged 59 years. Cj^apieii^g d Pnlmftrtj^. 167 Jc^ Hampshire, of BttMd Lane, died JaDuary 12th, 1799 ; aged 66 yean. Hannah, wife of the said John Hampshire, died May 3rd, 1812 ; aged 73 years. John Hampshire, of Upperthong, died April 15th, 1830 ; aged 70 years. Mary, wife of the said John Hampshire, died March 1st, 1855 ; aged 77 years. Rachel, wife of Edmund Leak, of Ramsden, died August 26th, 1813 ; aged 32 yean. William Leak, of Bawshaw, died February 17th; 1837 ; aged 82 yean. The abovesaid Edmund Leak, died May 17th, 1844, in the 79th year of his age. John Whitehead, of Upper Bridge, died December 26th, 1786 ; aged 72 yean. Lydia, his wife, died August 3rd, 1789 ; aged 73 yean. Joshua Beardsell, of Underbank, died March 24th, 1 833, aged 66 yean. Joseph Charlesworth, of this town, died 27th January, 1822 ; aged 61 yean. Also Penelope, his wife, ^ed 28th June, 1841 ; aged 72 yean. Ruth, wife of Joseph Charlcswoitli, died 16th September, 1830; aged 42 yean. Also Anne, his second wife, died May 31st, 1851 ; aged 58 yean. The said Joseph Charlesworth, died April lOtb, 1852; aged 59 yean. Sarah, daughter of George and Sarah Farrar, of Prickleden, died 2nd June, 1827 ; aged 23 yean. James HinchlifT, their son, died June 5th, 1830 ; aged 22 years. Joseph, their son, died December 2nd, 1832 ; aged 30 years. The said George Farrar, died May 6th, 1838 ; aged 65 yean. Also Sarah, his wife, died 20th August, 1849 ; aged 72 yean. J<^n Hobson» son of the above-named George and Sarah Farrar, died Jane 3rd, 1854 ; aged 43 yean. James Stocks, surgeon, Holmfirth, died April 18tb, 1832 ; aged 51 years. Ann, his wife, died August 4th, 1843; aged 57 yean. John Howard, of Wood-hey Bam, died April 5th, 1825; aged 64 yean. Mary, his wife, died April 16th, 1853 ; aged 90 yean. Mary, wife of Francis Littlewood, of Upper- bridge, died June 14th, 1807 ; aged 56 years. The said Frands Littlewood, died April 21st, 1837 ; aged 85 yean. Josias Wordsworth, of Holmfirth, surgeon, died March 19th, 1807; aged 72 yean. Elizabeth, his wife, died February 4th, 1811 ; aged 74 yean. Matthew Bower, of Upperbridge, died September 28th, 1829 ; aged 61 yean. Mary, his wife, died March 27th, 1849 ; aged 77 yean. John Boothroyd, of Holmfirth, died February 25th, 1825 ; aged 76 jean. Nancy, wife of Richard Boothroyd, died March 1 1th, 1854 ; aged 80 yean. The said Richard Boothroyd died AprU 17th, 1856; aged 83 yean. Alice, wife John HinchlifT, of Cross, died April 20th, 1843 ; aged 68 yean. The said John Hinchliff, died March 25th, 1844 ; aged 70 yean. The register books for baptisms and burials commence in 1797. For the endowment see appendix. The Eushbeaeing. In connexion with the chapehy may be mentioned the Rushbearing, which, a century ago, constituted one of the popular holidays and annual exhibitions of the district. It has been discontinued nearly eighty years. For an accoimt of the maimer in which the Rush Carts were prepared and decorated, and for a description of the whole cavalcade, the author was indebted 168 Cj^apielrs d "^almMlg. to the late Mr. Joseph Holmes, of Underbank, near Holmfirth;* and these are the more interesting as describing probably the last of these exhibitions here. *' One of the most gorgeous displays of rural and vulgar pastime, which has now been discontinued above fifty years, was the Rwhbearing. These gaudy and even costly amusements were not peculiar to> our district, being common at that time at least in several parts of Lancashire and Cheshire.' " To have any just idea of the imposing scene, a person must have been present ; words may represent the preparations and general process in getting up this grand show, but to see the idol in all its splendour^ is vasdy more striking. I have seen numbers, sometimes from three to seven in one day, got up in different hamlets, but all terminating at one point — Holmfirth parochi&l chapel. Here the demolition took place, and the rushes were distributed in the different pews'-*perhapB by the occupiers of those pews, or by their orders ; which being durisg harvest time, the chapel having only a mud fioor, must have been a very comfortable preparation for winter. " In preparing the Rush Cart much care and management were required : a common cart was used, upon which the rushes were built in the form of a loaded coach, or cart load of hay, overhanging both sides and ends, especially the latter. " The builder (a connoisseur, no doubt), being provided with several loads of rushes, cut and brought from the commons, together with small rods for prickers, and also cords. His assistants form the rushes into small tight bundles ; with these he fills the body of the cart, carrying up the sides and ends as already mentioned, to a considerable height, securing the whole by prickers and cord. Then the entire surface is shorn in the most regular and even manner, and the ends ornamented like carving. All this is only the mere groundwork. The ornamental part now commences. This consists of all the flowen the season and the surrounding gardens can supply, arranged with all the ingenuity and taste the builder is master of ; the whole being sprinkled with tinsel ornament. *' Now for the procession. Here is the greatest attention to display. If the pageant is to be drawn along by horses, they are caparisoned with all conceivable splendour. But the Rush Cart is pften drawn by young men. A fine clean linen shirt covers their other vestments ; this is all over ornamented with , ribbons of every shade and colour, put on in every imaginable form : these are furnished by their relations, sweethearts, or by any of whom they can borrow for the occasion. When it is not drawn by men, they are employed to ride on horseback, decked out in a similiar manner, and furnished with muskets, which they fire at short intervals : these precede the carriage. The procession is announced by beat of drum, — ^banda of music were not common here till the termination of the late French war. Aaold drummer from about Huddersfield, called Marlborough (from having served under that great general), was often engaged for these occasions. " One of these displays from Scholes, perhaps the last from that village, was preceded by from twenty to forty horsemen, equipped as above. It took place between sixty and seventy years ago ; I myself saw and accompanied the procession." * He was t schoolmaster. The account was vritten in 1888. He died at an adTanced age. a;ofam 0f f 0lmfi)rt^. 169 The Town op Holmfibth. This town* is singularly situated in a deep and narrow valley on the rivef Holme, surrounded by three stupendous hills ; two of which having bold and irregular surfaces, rise rapidly from the banks of the streams to a considerable height ; while the third, rising from the river with a more regular ascent to a less elevation, presents a verdant and pleasing aspect. Hohnfirth stands upon the verge of three townships, viz. : Wooldale, Cartwbrth, and XTpperthong. The two former of these are separated by the Ribbleden brook, the last from them by the river Holme : but connected by three bridges. Perhaps the first nucleus of a village here may date from the circunlBtance bt the erection of the lord's mill, for the grinding of the corn of the inhabitants of the graveship. The more ancient, as well as the most populous part of the town, lieS Within the Wooldale division ; which comprises also the tJnderbank and Gully, — ^being a continuation of the same bold, rugged, and precipitous front, extending along the Eibbleden valley. At a somewhat higher elevation is Seen the bold tod rocky outline of Wooldale cliff; beneath which, and along the tfnderbank, extending down into the valley, are numerous houses and groups of cottages, forming irregular terraces, which rise in rapid succession, crowding and overtopping each other, giving to the place a singularly striking, but not a prepossessing appearance. The streets here are narrow, winding, 6teep, and dangerous, except along the turnpike roads, where a greater width is preserved, and where the houses are built with more regularity. In this part of the town stands the church, which is of ancient foundation. On the Ribbleden turnpike road stands the National School, a large substantial building, erected in the year 1826, at a cOst of £1,800, and which will contain three hundred and fifty scholars. On the north entrance of the town is the Railway Station, and terminus of the Holmfirth branch of the Huddersfield and Femstone Railway, belonging to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company. This line was opened in 1850 ; since which time this part of the town has undergone considerable improvement by the erection of a number of superior houses and shops, and a large handsome hotel (Victoria), near to the station, built by Bentley Shaw, Esq., of Woodfield House, * lBd6dgi»til4;Ho1mfirlkft''ToirB,''itmiifiBoilMimdeftio4dintlie lltenl mdm (rf tin w«i4. Stffidtfy ipeikiiig it ii neither tewD, Tillage, nor hamlet ; neither doei it poaeeia any deined boqndaij. X Cotmi of PuInrGrt^. Lockwood. At a short distance also stands the "Druids* Hall," a large substantial building, erected by one of the secret orders — the " Druida" — at a cost of £1,800. That part of the town which lies within Cartworth is comparatively small, and not haTing undergone much modem improvement, its appearance is very similar to the older part of the town already mentioned. The most regularly built part of the town, as well as the more modem, is that within the township of Upperthong, sometimes called Newtown, together with Upp&rbridge. The streets here are wider, and the houses built with greater regularity. The Huddersfield and 'Woodhead turnpike road passes through this part of the town, and runs parallel with the river. The east and west sides of the river are connected by three public bridges. The Victoria Bridge, and the handsomely built street of the same name, form the principal thoroughfare between the two sides. Gas works were constructed here in 1840, for the supply of the town and neighbourhood with gas. The Town Hall Is a himdsome structure, built in 1842, at the cost of £2,200, raised in shares. In this part of the town is St. John's Church. The Independent Dissenters, the Wesleyan Methodists, and Wesleyan Reformers have each handsome and Coion tti Holinfirt^. 171 commodious chapels. To each of these places of worship are attached Sunday schools. These will be more particularly noticed under the township of Upper- thong. The Holmfirth Mechanics' Institute was founded in 1844, and the Church of England Literary Society was established in 1847. Both are well supported. Holmfirth was constituted, in 1837, one of the polling places for the election of parliamentary representatives of the West-Biding. The magistrates of the district hold their Petty Sessions every alternate Saturday. The County Court for the Holmfirth district is held monthly in the Town Hall. A Police Station containing three cells, with the inspector's house, was built here in 1857, out of the fund of the county rate, at the cost of £1,000. There is a society for the prosecution of felons : founded in 1813. Three fairs axe held in the jeax, viz., on the Saturday before the 31st March, Saturday after the 4th May, and the last Saturday in October. The first fair held at Holmfirth was in October, 1725. The town of Holmfirth contains about 5,000 inhabitants. Tbadbsmbn's Tokens. During the Commonwealth and in the early part of the reign of Charles 11., many tradesmen were \inder the necessity of issuing halfpence, owing to the great scarcity of copper money ; but in 1672, the government issued a fresh supply* when the " tokens" were cried down by proclamation. We have been able to discover only one token issued here at that period. The only specimen we have seen is, unfortunately, imperfect, having lost the impression of one side, containing the name of the person by whom it had been issued. The side which is comparatively perfect, has the initials of the person's name, and those of his wife, as shown in the subjoined sketch. Mr. JesBop records in his diary, in 1740, September 17th, having received a "token," which had been issued from Almonbury : " It is one of Nicholas (Jreaves'* (of Almonbury) half-pennies ; it was coined in 1668, when shopkeepers had hberty to coin half-pennies." * ThU lIIeholM QrMfM Menu to hare bem the Nn of the B«t. ITieholAi Qnarei, who had been Inonmbent of BolmflrUi, Id ISSO ; RAtrwiidi nclcr of Tuikenle;, to which he btd been q>polnt«d bj John E^t, of WooilHine, li^ 8y0bofn8|^pf £fi W&oathKh. This township forms the lower part of the graveship of Holme, and has an anoient village of the same name^ pleasantly situated on an elevation, having a fine aspect and sheltered from the west winds, but not presenting in itself an attractive appearance. Since the enclosure of the common lands within the graveship of Holme, this township, which is of considerable extent, has become by far the most populous of any within our topo^aphical survey. The greater part of the town of Holm- firth is comprehended within its limits, together with several populous, hamlets^ This township is mentioned in the Dpmesday survey as "Vluedal,'* and is described along with five others which were then returned as waste. The name is undoubtedly a corruption of Wolf dale, and indicates its having been the resort of those destructive animals, the prevalence of which, to a comparatively late period, in many of the mountainous districts of Yorkshire is a sufficient proof of the great difficulty there must have been in extirpating them. There are other places in this district which acquired their names from the same source, aa Wolf- stones, a rocky eminence about a mile from Holmfirth, along the north-western boimdary of the graveship. Mr. Hunter,* in reference to the district immediately to the south of this, says **The wolf found recesses in these woods even to a late period. Wolf-pits, between Dodworth and Silkstone, are mentioned in a charter of the reign of Henjy I. The Wolf-pits, near Slade-Hooton, appear in a charter about a centuiy later, and in the reign of Edward I., we find Wolf-pit OliflF, near Aughton, and the huporum fovea not a proper name, at Wolley.** These clearly indicate the method then usually adopted for their destruction. WooLDALB Hall. This small mansion, which stands about the centre of the village, was built about the close of the reign of Queen Anne by Mr. Elihu Jackson, who was the eldest son of Mr. Henry Jackson, of Totties Hall. Here he resided for some years, but subsequently removed to Doncaster, where he had beeit engaged for luauy years * Soath Torkibire^ toL L, page I. 9)irixm»]^i|i td Wiaabndi. 173 previoustj in an extensiye medical pracfcica He married Katherine, daughter of Mr. Vicars, of Doncaster (of the family of Thomas Cartwright, als. Vicars, who devised a large property to charitable uses), by whom he had issue an only child, Henrietta Katherine, sole heiress to her father. He died in 1730. Mrs. Jackson survived h^m many years-^ying in 1749. Henrietta Katherine Jackson married William Salkeld, merchant and citizeni of London (grandson of Sir Francis Salkeld, of "Whitehall, in the eomity of Cumber- land), who had issue three daughters, viz., Katherine, Ann, and Mary. Mr. Salkeld died in 1754. Katherine — the eldest daughter — ^marriedj first, — — Hay, who died soon after; saeooidly, a Mr« Clement, from whom she separated : having no issue. Ann Salkeld— the second daughter — ^married, in 1742, Richard Annesley, the sixth Earl of Ang^lesea. The ofl^pring of this marriage was an only snrnying child — Richard Annesley ; who, after his father^s death, became a claimant of his titles, honors, and estates* He being the only descendant in the third degree from Mr*. Blihu Jackson, and the yalidit^ of thia marriage baiig iar some time a oontefited question, first in the EngUsh House of Peers^ and afterwards in that of Ireland, it will not be altogether foreign to our subject to furnish a brief state- ment of the circumstances of this remarkable case, more especially with a view to correct the inaccuracies of Mr. Burke, both in his " Peerage,.** and in his " Extinct and Dormant Peerages," whose account of this part of the Annesley pedigree is incorrect, not only from its omissions, but from its misstatement of facts. Richard Annealej, Yiscotint Valeotia, Baron Mount Norns and Altham, in the kingdom of Ireland, and Ead of Anglesea and Baron, of Newport Pagpel in the British peerage, was the youngest son of Jliobard, Lord Altham, and had been an ensign in the army. It was not until the year 1727, on the death pf Arthur, the fifth Earl of Anglesea, that he succeeded to the titles and honours of the family, of which^ as Burke states, he was not left in the uninterrupted enjoyment; ''for soon after his accession, a claimant arose in the person of Mr. James Annesley, who asserted that he was himself the son of Arthur, fourth Lord Altham ; and a publicatioa entitled ' The Adventures of an Unfortunate Toung Nobleman,' gaye tk very extraordinary and interesting narrative of his case. In that statement it is alleged that Mr. Annesley was the true and lawful son and heir of Arthur, Lord Altham, and that he had been kidnapped and transported by his uncle Richard, to make room for his own accession to the honors and^ estates of of the jQunily. ''*Mrk. Annedfiy foll^w^d up^tbcbOMtter,. instituted a suit at law for the recovery of the estates,, and after » tM in ihe Cowrt of Elehequep in Ireland, lamea Annesley, vertui Bichard, oaUed fiarl of Ang^eaai^ b^pin oil ihe nth November^ 1743, and continued daily by adjournment to the 85tb of the same month, obtained a verdict. We believe, however, that he did not live long after, as the uncle, notwithstanding tkia decision, continued to ei^oy the honors and fortune. The conduct of that person throughout the whole emum of his iniq/oitous. career, fully sustained the presumption that he. had been very capable of committing the foul crime thus laid to his charge." 174 Cjofamsj^p 0f WSioalHRlt. In 1727 Richard, Earl of Anglesea, became enamoured, while in Dublin, with Anne Simpeon, the only daughter of a wealthy citizen, then scarcelj fifteen years of age, whom he married privately : her fiither was at first much displeased, but afterwards became reconciled. By her he had issue three daughters, and at that time she was recognised as the Countess of Anglesea. It was, however, afterwards discovered that he had previously married one Anne Phrust, of Devonshire, in England, who was living at the time of his marriage with Anne Simpson, but who diied the ISth August, 1741, without any issue by the earl. The said Earl Richard afterwards entered into a treaty of marriage with Anne, the daughter a[ William Salkeld, then of the city of London, a merchant, of good family, extensive trade^ and considerable property ; and the marriage was accordingly had and duly solemnized, in May, 1742,* between them^ agreeable to the rites of the Church of England, and by a regular clergyman of that church, in the presence of several persons of reputation and veracity; and from thenceforth the said Earl Richard and Anne, his wife, resided together, and were known and reputed for such; and the said Anne was acknowledged and treated as the lawful consort of the said earl, and accordingly did openly participate of and use the titles and honors of her said husband. The said Anne died in London, in some few yean after her said marriage, leaving issue Richard Annesley, her only child by the said husband, and then an infant of very tender years ; and thereupon he was by his father removed into Ireland, and kept there far from his mother's friends and relations, who all resided in Ghreat Britain. About the same time the Earl of Anglesea entered into an improper connexion with one Gffllfon, or Juliana Donovan, the daughter of one Richard Donovan, who sold an unlicensed kind of ale called ** Shebeen," in a cabin or hut in the village of Camolen, where Lord Anglesea resided. She obtained great infiuence over him, and exerted such an ascendancy against Richard Annesley — then an infant^ and fiir distant from his mother's firiends — ^in favour of her own children by the said earl, that, unhappily, she at length succeeded in abating the affection of the father towards hia son Richard, and exerted her utmost endeavour to exclude him firom the hereditary honors and property ofhis fiunily, hoping to procure them for her own issue. About the end of the year 1741, the earl took Juliana Donovan into his house as a menial servant, in which condition she continued many years^ during which time she had several children,— one named Arthur, who was bom in 1744, after the earl's death, claimed to be Earl of Anglesea. His claim was founded upon the marriage of the said Earl Richard with the said Juliana Donovan, his mother : which was stated to have taken place in 1741, but which his opponent stated did not take place until 1752.f It is certain that the Earl of Anglesea did not acknowledge his marriage till 1752, and that Juliana Donovan till nearly that time gave receipts and signed sureties for money by her maiden name ; and in 1751, by the same name, entered up a judgment in the Court of Exchequer in Ireland,— which remains upon record. On the other hand, ** a certificate of marriage in 1741 was produced in favour of Arthur^ which has not been legally invalidated.' t» * This marriage is not noticed in Burke's " Peerage," in oonnezloa with Movnt Korrls. t Burke, in his " Peerage," observes that "he is said to have married three wives, two of whom he heartiessly abandoned, and the oflbpring of the third was unable bnt partially to establish his legitimate." The fiict Ib, that he married foor wives, as the reader will pero^ve. The third wife allnded to by Mr. Burke was in reality his fourth wife, whom he ifylsa " Mils Donovan," and observes that he has been led to extract from Jacob a statement regarding this lady in the "Bxtinot and Dormant Peerage," which, upon inveetigation, he finds to be Ihll of error. Miss Donovan bo far from being of mean birth and disreputable diaracter, was a perMm very highly esteemed, and the nieee of Biehard Donovan, Esq., of Bally^ more, a gentleman of laige estate and great respectability, in the eoonty of Wexford. Her mother was Misi Hixon, 9;0Jbm0|^p of W&ool^ixU. 175 On the 7tli April, 1759, the Earl of Anglesea, though at that time under sentence of excommunication, made his will, hj which he bequeathed to Julian, by the name of his beloved wife Juliana, Countess of Anglesea, a rent-charge of £1,000 a year, and all his personal estate. The said earl died in 1761, under sentence of excommunication, and Julian possessed herself of his personal estate, to the amount of £20,000. Upon the decease of the Earl of Anglesea, Arthur Annesley, pretending to be the eldest son of the said earl by Juliana, and bom in lawful wedlock, did, without giving any manner of notice to Richard Annesley (the son of the said earl by Anne Salkeld, his late wife), and without divulging the real circum- stances or situation of the &mily, surreptitiously obtain a seat amongst the Right Honorable the Peers of Ireland, as Viscount Valentia and Baron of Mount Norris and Altham. The said Arthur having thus imposed himself upon the Right Honorable the Lords of Ireland, proceeded to claim the titles of Earl of Anglesea and Baron of Newport Pagnel, before the Right Honorable the House of Lords of Great Britain, alleging himself the lawful son and heir of the late earl by the above-named Juliana Donovan. But such pretences having then become a matter of public notoriety, opposition was given thereto, and the circumstances and situation of the family, and of the said Earl of Anglesea in particular, with respect to his marriage with the said Juliana, and of the time thereof, were laid in evidence before the house ; and as it appeared thereupon before their lordships that the said late earl did, in the year 1752, about eleven years after his marriage with the said Richard Annesley's (present claimant) mother, Ann Salkeld, intermarry with the said Juliana Donovan, now Countess of Anglesea. But the said Arthur, hoping to upset the marriage between the parents of Richard Annesley (claimant), in the year 1742, then pretended that the said earl had intermarried with the before-named Juliana Donovan, in the county of Wexford, so early as the 15th September, 1741, a month after the death of the said Anne Phrust. Their lordships having heard all the evidence produced by and in behalf of the said Arthur, touching the. pretended marriage, and having taken into consideration the testimony of the said Juliana, Countess of Anglesea, delivered at their bar ; and having been thereupon satisfied that the said Juliana was not then or for above eleven years afterwards, daly married unto, or acknowledged as the lady of the late earl ; they, upon the 22nd day of April, 1771, were pleased to resolve and judge, That the said Arthur has not any right to the title, honors, and dignities so claimed by him. The said claimant, Richard Annesley, next presented his petition to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, praying to have his claim to the said Irish honors laid before his Majesty, in order that the same might be put into a proper course of Examination and decision ; and also seeking such other relief as unto his Excellency should seem proper. The following notice of this affair appeared in the London Evening Poet of the 4th April, 1772: — ** Richard Annesley, the claimant to the titles and honors of Richard, the late Earl of Anglesea, is the daughter of Geoige Nizon, Esq., of Newtown, in the lame county." The aceoont which we have given of the fianily of Joliana Donovan, and her marriage with the Earl of Anglesea, is taken fh>m the GenUeman's Magarine, where fall partlciilars of the caae were given at the time the legality of the marriages was being contested ; and it seems extremely probable that the statements made in that respectable jonmal, and at the time the case was pending, wonld be in accordance with the evidence then giyen before the honse ; and that had it been either partial or incorrect, there is little donbt the editor wonld have been called upon to correct it No sach correction have I, however, been able to discover. Mr. Bnrke also states that the claimant of the said honors of the Annesley family, in opposition to the son of Jolian Donovan, was ''James Annesley, Esq., as heir at law," who is not shewn to have any immediate connexion with Richard, late Earl of Anglesea; a farther proof that he did not folly comprehend the true bearing of the case. ^Hiemigt^ at Waafhslt. leghinmte um oF the nid eo-l, b^ Ann, Beeood dnghter of ViDiam Salkeld, of the ctfy of LcndoD, raerelnuit, and gnat grrnddan^ter to Sir Fmbcis SalkeU, of 'Whita HaU, is tlie ntnnty of Cnmbariand, and granddanghtAT to Elihu Jackion, Eaq., of Wooldale Hall, in Yorkitiire," On Ae Snd Jnne, 177S, "the long coatMted Talentia oaoM wta doddad by (ha Hoiaa of Pawa in Ireland, in faTOUi of the aitting lord ; nineteen ware for him, and 0BI7 aix againat him. SaWnJ lord! did not TOte vpoa the qaeation, — whidi aeaned doubtfiil. It ti aomewbat r«narkab1a that thk aM» lotd ii illegitimate in England, and the true aon of hia &&ar in Iialand, and that ka hM Iwen ao dealarcd by two tribun^, each anprane in ita doeiiiona apon tba qneadoa of the difiertnt pea r agea."* Mary Salkeld, the tliird daughter, married Lieutenant James !Freston, E.N. She died without iaaue. Lieutenant Preston was many years engaged in aotive service, under the command of Admiral Sir Charles Hardy ; and he ultimately attained the rank of captain. He resided, in the latter years of his life, at Wool- dale Hall, where he died in 1807, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. TomES Hall. A substantially-bidlt mansion in the small hunlet of Totties : having much the appearance of a manor house. It is about half a mile distant from the village of Wooldale, to the southward. It consists of a centre, and two projecting wings. The engraving above will best convey an idea of its precise character. Over the principal entrance is out in the stone m'x. — ^the initial letben of the builder's name, and that of his wife; and over another door is the date, " 1684," whoi the house was erected. Mr. Henry Jackson, the builder, possessed a considerable estate in the graveship ; and on this, as well as on other accounts, is entitled to a brief notice. Cflfamsj^p 0f W&aaJiinh. 177 The family of Jackson — ^which hos become extinct in the male line, or at least has long ceased to have any connexion with the district, — was of long standing in this parish. The name is to be frequently met with in ancient copies of court roll, and other instruments connected with this district. The family appear to have been seated many generations at Mealhill, in the township of Hepworth. I have met with Humfray Jackson, of Mealhill, who married Margaret Crosland, by whom he had a son Henry, baptized at Kirkburton, 3rd Jime, 1593, which son, during the civil wars, was in King Charles I.*s service, a comet in Captain Joshua Castle's troop, under the command of Sir Francis Mackworth ; afterwards under Colonel Thompson, in the north of England. ' He married, in 1635, EUzabeth, daughter of George Tyas (and widow of OUver Roberts, of Wooldale, she having issue by her first husband one child, OUver, very young at the time of his father's death), by whom he had two children — ^a son, Henry, and a daughter, Elizabeth. He died in 1667. Elizabeth Jackson, the daughter, married in 1663 to Gervas, son of Robert Leek, of Horbury, Gentleman. Henry Jackson, his son and heir, who was the builder of Totties HaU, became an early convert and an active follower of George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, and like the early converts of that sect, he manifested a strong spirit of antagonism to the Established Church, and its priesthood. He had received a liberal education, and possessed an ample fortune, since in addition to his paternal estate, he had been made his principal heir by his half-brother, Oliver Roberts of Wooldale, who died in 1668, without issue. These circumstances combined to give him considerable local influence. It is more particularly as a leader of a reUgious sect that his name is now remembered. He was the principal founder of the Meeting House at Wooldale. He was probably instrumental also in founding the Highflatts meeting, in the township of Denby, which originated about the same period. He travelled through many parts of England, preaching and spreading the doctrinal views of the Quakers: for which he was subjected to many trials and hardships. He Buffered imprisonment along with many Quakers and other Nonconformists, ** for resorting to unlawfiil conventicles,'* and " absenting themselves from church.'* When James II. resolved, for his own political purposes, to grant to aU his subjects religious hberty, Henry Jackson was then a prisoner in York Castle, for nonconformity, and, together with many others, was released by an order dated 30th March, 1686, directing that all persons confined there "for conscience sake,** should be set at Hberty. He married, in accordance with the forms of the society, Katherine, the daughter of Charles Cooke, of Haitfield, the 8th February, 178 S^ohms^p ssi 'iSSLaal'buit. 1665, by whom he had issue three sons, — first, Elihu, afterwards of Wooldale Hall, of whom we have already spoken ; second, Henry, succeeded his father at this place ; and, third, Abel became a merchant in London. He had also one daughter, , who married Gervaae Seaton. He remained steadfast in his religious riews to the close of his life, and died at an advanced a^e in 1710, and was intrared in the burial ground attached to the Wooldale Meeting House. Henry, the second son, to whom his fether devised the Totties Hall and other estates, became a preacher among the Friends. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas Blwood, of Kirby, near Kendal, in the county of Westmorland, by whom he had issue two children — Ebenezer and Martha. The latter married, in 1735, Lister, of the parish of Bradford, and had issue. Mr. lister was dead in 1743 ; in which year she again mairied, — ^William CowiU, of Leeds. She died in 1745. Ebenezer Jackson, only son and heir, succeeded his father at Totties Hall, where he died without issue, and by his wiU, dated 3rd November, 1775, devised all his estates to his nephew, Henry Lister, then of Totties Hall, irom whom it passed by will in 1794 to Thomas Lister, surgeon, of Bradford, afterwards a merchant, who became a bankrupt in 1814, when the estate was divided and sold. The hall, with certain lands, were sold in two lots. One — purchased by the late Mr. Thomas Morehouse, of Spring Bottom, in Netherthong, was by him devised to his daughter Ellen, who married Mr. Thomas Dyson, of Ehnwood, in Netherthong, merchant, in whom it now vests. The other was purchased by the late Mr. James Moorhouse, of Downshutts, in Scholes, who devised the same to one of his sons. In front of an old messuage in this hamlet stood, about twenty years ago, a sun dial of singular design, formerly known as " Old Genu's Dial," or " Oenn's Clock," of which the subjoined sketch is a represen- tation. The pillar upon which the dial was fixed was formed of large stones, somewhat rudely hewn : the whole bearing a resemblance to a house clock. This relic of giohmB^p ai WUiaiiiviit. 179 " olden time " has not been preaerved entire to the present period, — its situation having been changed on rebuilding some of the premises : the di^ face having been placed on the top of an outbuilding, and the massive pillar removed. The dial bears date 1672, with an appropriate motto, "Ut hora sic vitafugit," and has also the initial letters of the names of the owner and the sculptor. Henry Glenn, the original owner, was a " sturdy yeoman," connected with the Society of Friends, or Quakers, and one most determinately opposed to the payment of tithes ; but in some respect his sympathies would seem to have accorded with a more ancient and primitive people — his house being surrounded with. a number of unhewn stones of remarkable size. He was a man of somewhat coarse manners, of primitive habits, of a stem inflexible temper, of a quaint but racy humour, yet with an apparent taciturnity, which, together, rendered him an object of local notoriety, and his sayings and doings were remembered long after he had passed away. MOOKCBOFT. This small but substantial structure was built by GJeorge Morehouse, of Stoney Bank, about 1630, for one of his sons. He was descended from Thomas More- house, of Fulstone Hall, in the adjoining township, living in 1574. This house is a pleasing specimen of the style usually occupied by the class called yeomen. Its original appearance was preserved entire till about 1778, when a considerable addition was made to it, but in a more modem style ; and subsequent alterations have also contributed to change its original character. The view of it given above is from a sketch taken before any material alterations had been made. Y 2 180 SDofamsj^ip 0f M00lirale. George Morehouse aforesaid by liis will devised Moorcroft to his son John, who in 19 Charles II. [1666], settled it upon George Morehouse, his son and heir, and Margaret Crosley, of Honley, his intended wife in fee, and to the survivor and to their heirs, &c. George Morehouse (last named) died in 1695, when it descended to his only son, George, who died in 1720, having devised it to his eldest son, John, who sold in it 1748 to his relative, Thomas Morehouse, of Stoney Bank, when it became the residence of his eldest son, Gteorge, — the author's grandfather. History of the English Peesbttbrian Chapel, at Ltdgate. This religious society takes its rise from the preaching of ejected ministers, nearly two centuries ago, in the reign of Charles 11., and is the only chapel which was founded through the labours of those worthy confessors within a district com- prising the parishes of Kirkburton, Almonbury, Huddersfield, and Eorkheaton ; comprehending the valleys of the Holme and the Colne (or Marsden valley), down to Cooper Bridge ; including now a population of more than one hundred thousand souls. Soon after the restoration of Charles II., the Act of Uniformity was passed, by which, on the 24th August, 1662, nearly two thousand ministers were ejected from their livings, because they could not conscientiously comply with its provisions. Before we proceed to the immediate history of this chapel and congregation, it may not be iminteresting to take a rapid survey of some of the adjoining parishes, in order to ascertain how far the clergy and people appear to have been influenced by the enforcement of this act. The adjoining parish on the north-west is Almonbury, of which the Rev. Thomas Naylor had been appointed vicar during the Commonwealth, and had taken "<fee engagement;** but at the Restoration he conformed. We find, how- ever, that his curate — a Mr. Dury, of Honley Chapel [Church] — did not conform, yet kept possession of his church : from which circumstance we may infer that Mr. Naylor was not disposed to exact a very strict obedience to the law ; the living was also too inconsiderable to excite attention. The parish of Kirkheaton was very differently circumstanced. The Rev. Christopher Richardson, the rector, refiised to conform, and was ejected. This living was a valuable one, and the parish formed a pleasant and retired district. On resigning his church he took up his abode at Lassels Hall, where he resided some years. It is not certain whether he continued to preach there from the « 'Mi^Wi • ,• I L V It-.'" ^ w » , • ' ■ , \ , . 1 (> ,'■■ ■* ,»i\ • ...i.-.«. i.i< s;Ml .i:.'L ].:• I'. •-1.1 ■ 1 » . » I l» • J ■ * 1 • J . * ; I > • ' V V. "is ra^* "^l !'■ » • . , [iv'.-r Hi .' . '" .1.'! iLl''-; • « 1 V / I ' 1 \ (' lit'.*"'' 1 ^ . . ■ 1 1 ; ! ! .\ ... .1 ' .. 1 I I •1 «-t»L'(.!!i'nc«* T«^ :!■ ■ i-iw ; : • II. I . .Ml 1 • ■ 1. I. V I I ♦ • i I I 1 .-^ " r • ■• > ■r , rr i. > ! «« i' mI . t. ^ ?'i'.-' ■- •1 :ii^'< I t.» •^\ :-i*|i I ;;;•! i 1*; Cnfamsj^p ai WSiaolijiuh. 181 period of his ejectment, until the year 1672, when the "indulgence" was granted ; but it is not improbable, as he then licensed his own house for reUgious worship. We shall have occasion hereafter to refer to this circumstance. He finally removed to Liverpool, where he died in 1698 ; aged eighty years. The parish of Penistone was peculiarly circumstanced. The Vicar — ^the Eev. Henry Swift — ^had been appointed in 1649, and retained the living until his death, in 1689, though "he never subscribed the oaths, nor used the Common Prayer Book; but was several times imprisoned for offences of nonconformity." The principal families in the parish were the Bosviles, the Wordsworths, and the Biches, who were his supporters. The presentation vested in the Bosviles, which circumstance probably contributed to favour this irregularity.* The next parish, or chapelry, is Cumberworth : of which place, during the Commonwealth, a much more eminent personage than any we have hitherto mentioned was incumbent — Henry ^Tilson,! Bishop of Blphin, — ^who had been driven firom his diocese by the Irish rebellion, had found shelter in SoothiU Hall, near Dewsbury. Previous to his being raised to a bishopric, he had been Vicar of Rochdale. In a letter which he wrote to an intimate friend (probably Sir George Radcliffe), dated 1661, after alluding to things of a more private nature, he says : — " But you shall knawe that I am not altogether idle, for I pray (after the directorie of the Church of England), and preach every Sunday at a place in the mountaines, called Cumberworth, two myles beyond Emley (where I have, by the way, Lawrence,^ my Gaius, or hoste). It was proffered me by a gentleman — Mr. Wentworth, of Bretton — whom I never sawe savinge once before he sent unto me ; and because it came' (as all my ecclesiastical livings and preferments have done) without my seeking and suite ; and because it is a lay donative, and in his power to give or detaine, and the engag [engagement] was past in that parish, I took it to be piointed out for me by God, as a little Zoar, to preserve my life, and did accept it : though it will not reach to 40 marks per ann. Besides, I trust to do God service in the exercise of my ministrie amongste that moorish and late rebellious plundering people. When I went first to Rochdale, you may remember what the old Ostler at the Baytinges willed me to do, ' Take with you (said he)t a yreat box fuU of Tarre^ for you thall find a great companie of scabbed sheepe.' The first Sunday I preached in the forenoone, and read service in the aftemoone ; and when I perceived by their murmerings that they must have two fodderlngs, I have made good use thereof; and whereas I might have given them two sixpences, they are well pleased if I give them two groates for a shilling, which I intend to pay them, — so childish they are in the right valuinge of God's coyne." Dr. Whitaker remarks upon this last sentence : — " The Puritans required two sermons every Sunday ; and the bishop, who seems to have been an economist of * After the death of Mr. Swift, Mr. Elkana Riohe, of Bullhonse, boilt a chapel in 1692, near his residence, and maintained a minister at the place; which was continued by his descendants so long as they resided there. For many yean the chapel has been in the hands of the Wesleyan Methodists. t Whitaker's History of Whalley, page 448. X Lawrence Farrington, Beclor of Bmley. 182 Cnhmsj^p d W&oolbvAt. his doctrine, probably meant by this whimsical figure that the people of Cumber- worth were better pleased with two discourses of twenty minutes each, than with one of an hour."* In regard to the parish of Kirkburton, we have already given at some length the history of the Episcopal Church, which it is unnecessary here to recapitulate, but give as briefly as possible such historical details connected with the rise and progress of this religious society as may have come under our observation. The most important agent in spreading the principles of nonconformity here, and in many parts of the West-Riding, was the Rev. Oliver Heywood.t He had been minister of Coley, in the parish of Halifax, and having been compelled to resign his church, from conscientious objections to comply with the conditions of the Act of Uniformity, his indomitable courage and perseverance in the discharge of what he regarded as his duty, were truly remarkable, as shown by persisting to preach in his own and the surrounding districts, notwithstanding the severe penalties and sufferings to which such a course necessarily exposed him. During the greater part of his life, Mr. Heywood kept a diary, wherein he recorded his engagements, and many of the circumstances and events connected with the times. Considerable portions of these MSS. have been published, in which many interesting facts connected with this and other societies in the surrounding districts, are recorded. Shortly after the "ejectment" took place, a considerable number of earnest persons in this parish having strong religious impressions, and deeply sympathising with those ministers, met together for worship ; but as the laws strictly forbade all such meetings, they were held in great secrecy, and as frequently as those perilous times would permit ; and sometimes, for their greater safety, in the night season. The place of their most frequent resort was the house of Godfrey Armitage, of Lydgate, who is stated to have been " a great friend of Mr. Oliver Heywood." This house was pulled down a few years ago. It was an ancient structure, built about the reign of Charles I., or somewhat earlier, and was only one story in height. It was sufficiently large to admit a considerable number of persons, and was entered by a spacious passage which went directly through the building, with a door at each end, where, as tradition states, persons were stationed when meeting together for worship, to watch, lest the King's spies should come upon them at imawares, and prevent their escape. The house being situated on * WhitakefB HiBtoiy of Whalley, page 448. t The Rise of old Diaaent : exemplified in the life of Oliver Heywood, one of the Founders of the Presbyterian Congregations in the county of York; by the Rev. J. Hnnter, F.S.A., 1842, Sto. C0imi0|^^ 0f W&OD^uh. 183 the knoll of a small hill, commanded a view on every side, and thus afforded the worshippers, in case of alarm, a ready opportunity to disperse. It appears from Mr. Heywood's diary, that one of his favourite places for preaching was Penistone. He was on terms of close friendship with Mr. Swift, the vicar, and he usually preached in the church. He generally took a considerable circuit in these excursions, and amongst the places which he visited Lydgate was usually included. In 1671» " On March ISth he had appointed to preach at Woodhead Chapel, in one of the passes of the mountains which separate Lancashire aud Yorkshire ; hut it was a terrible storm of snow, making the moors impassable, so he remained at Holme, and preached at Mr. Eamshaw's. On Monday night he preached again at Mr. Eamshaw's ; and the same night, after nine o'clock, he rode three miles, and preached at Grodfrey Armitage's, at Lydget, in Kirkburton parish.*' From the intercourse which subsisted between this society and the one gathered under the fostering care of Mr. Biche, of Bullhouse, a little beyond the border of this parish, within that of Penistone, there can be httle doubt that this congre- gation frequently had the assistance of some of the ministers who suppUed that place, namely, the Rev. Rowland Hancock, the Rev. Nathan Denton, and the Rev. Nathaniel Baxter, all of whom had been ejected ; these, and many others, found hospitable shelter under the roof of Mr. Riche, during these harassing times ; and afterwards, as long as the family remained at Bullhouse, which was till near the close of the last century, a very cordial union was kept up between the ministers of the two congregations. In 1672, when the King issued his declaration, granting certain " Indulgences" to the Nonconformists, by suspending the penal enactment against them, and by affording them the opportunity of licensing their places of meeting for worship, this society availed themselves of its protection, and obtained a license for the house of John Armitage, at Lydgate.* In 1674, January 2nd, *' Mr. Heywood preached at Mr. Richardson's, at Lassels Hall, and while thus engaged he was interrupted hy a clerk of Sir John Kaye, of Woodsome, a neighhouring magistrate, who waa zealous against nonconformity. The clerk required Mr. Heywood and Mr. Richardson to produce their licenses ; and on the next day they repaired to Woodsome, where they produced the license for Lassels Hall. Mr. Heywood had not his own license with him, hut sent it in a few days, for the inspection * The ancestor of Sir Elkanah Armitage, Knight, of Manchester, of whose fiunilj an interesting account was printed by one of its membem— Mr. Cyms Annitage, in 1850. The following are the names of some of the priacipal pezsoiis connected with its early history :— Abraham Lockwood, of Blackhonse, in Thnrstoniand ; Abraham Boberts, of Famley Tyss ; Hamphrey Bray, of Stake-lane, near Holmfirth ; and Bobert France, of Bdge-end, in Anstonley. Humphrey Bray had been a soldier in the anny of the Commonwealth, and died at a reiy advanced age. 184 Coiwnsfeip jrf M00lbaU. of Sir John Kaye. At the interview Sir John intimated that they had gone beyond the King's intention, and .that his permission was abused. It is not clear that this could be made out, so that no wonder Mr. Heywood departed little satisfied with the interview. He was no less so as he found the house at Wood- some full of jollity. There was open house, feasting, drinking, revelling, &c. — ^being the ChristmaB festivities." It was at this period that Mr. Briggs, vicar of the parish* published a 12mo. volume, of 252 pages, entitled " Sound Considerations for tender Consciences : wherein is shewn their obligations to hold close Union snd Communion with the Church of England and their fellow members in it, and not forsake the public assemblies thereof : in several Sermons preached from 1 Corinthians, i. chap. 10 ver., and Hebrews, x. chap. 25 ver., by Joseph Briggs, M.A., Vicar of Kirkburton^ in Yorkshire." The work is dedicated to " Sir John Kaye, of Woodsum, Famley^ Baronet, one of his Majesty's Justices of Peace of the Quorum, and Deputy Lieutenant for the West-Riding of York," &c. In " The Epistle Dedicatory " Mr. Briggs alludes to " the suspension of the lawes," by which the "hands" of the magistrate "seem to be boimd, so that he cannot proceed in the discharge of his oflBce with courage and eflBcacy." He calls upon them, however, in the name of the clergy, " not to be dismayed at these things," but perform their duty to their " utmost power." Next follows an " Epistle to his Parishioners," in which he says : — *' These Sermons, you know (together with others upon other texts relating to this subject, which to* imprint also would swell the book to too great a bulk), were preached both in Church and Chapel, [i. e». Kirkburton and Holmfirth]. The design of them was evidently to deal with your consciences, and inform them aright in this present juncture of public affairs; what your obligations are to your own Pastors, and to prevent ycur schismatical forsaking the Public Assemblies to joyn to an Independent Conventicle (pardon me if I mistake it, for I believe it cannot, as it is circumstantiated, consist with the principles of the old sober Presbyterians, nor yet with the modem, that have any remains of settled principles coneeming Church unity and Church