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Townships
Ribchester

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Victoria County History

Publication

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7

Author

William Farrer & J. Brownbill (editors)

Year published

1912

Pages

45-51

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'Townships: Ribchester', A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7 (1912), pp. 45-51. URL: http://british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53185 Date accessed: 24 May 2013. Add to my bookshelf

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Contents

RIBCHESTER
Manor Footnotes

RIBCHESTER

Ribelcastre, Dom. Bk.; Ribbecestre, 1202; Ribbelcestre, 1227; Rybchestre, 1292. The forms Riband Ribbel-occur together till about 1360, when the former prevailed.

The little town takes its name from the Roman station founded by the Ribble. The township has an area of 2,211½ acres, (fn. 1) and in 1901 there was a population of 1,237. The general slope of the surface is down from north to south, the greatest height on the side of Longridge Fell being nearly 900 ft. above the ordnance datum. Boyce's Brook flows south-east through the township to join the Ribble.

Roads branch out from the town eastward to reach the bridge across the river about a mile away, northward to join the road from Longridge to Mitton, near the hamlet of Knowl Green, and northwestward to join the same road nearer Longridge. Buckley is central.

Few relics of the Roman occupation remain in the town. In the main street, forming a portico to the 'White Bull Inn,' are four columns with debased capitals, said to have been taken out of the river. They rudely resemble the Roman Doric in appearance and are 6 ft. 7 in. high; their dressing also admits the possibility of their Roman origin. In the rectory grounds are three Roman vases, said to have been dug up in the churchyard, and there is a fourth at Lower Alston Farm. At the rectory there is preserved also a Roman altar, without inscription and focus, which was found in 1888 built into a cottage wall. (fn. 1a)

There are some 17th-century houses remaining, one with an interesting stone door-head dated 1680, and in the main street is a block of two houses of some architectural merit, the lead rain-water heads of which are dated 1745. The building, which is of brick, with moulded stone architraves to the windows and a stone cornice, is well proportioned and simple in design.

Three fairs used to be held in Ribchester, but have been discontinued. (fn. 2)

The stocks were used as late as 1829. (fn. 3)

There was till recently some hand-loom weaving. There are two small weaving-mills and two bobbinworks.

The Preston Union Workhouse is situated here.

Manor

In 1066 RIBCHESTER, assessed as two plough-lands, was a member of the Preston fee held by Earl Tostig (fn. 4) ; it then probably included Dutton also. After the Conquest it was given to Roger of Poitou, (fn. 5) and later is found, together with Dilworth and Dutton, as a member of the honor of Clitheroe. (fn. 6) Through the Lacys the manor descended to the Earls and Dukes of Lancaster, and thus to the Crown.

Robert de Lacy gave a moiety of Ribchester to Robert son of Henry in or before 1193. (fn. 7) John Constable of Chester early in the 13th century granted to Walter Moton a moiety of the vill of Ribchester with all its wood and the mill, just as the grantor's father and brother had held it, two gloves or 4d. being payable at Michaelmas. (fn. 8) About the same time Alan de Windle granted all his land of Ribchester and of Dilworth to Walter Moton in free marriage with Amabel his daughter, (fn. 9) and John de Lacy gave Walter all the farm, aid and service which had been due from Alan de Windle for the same rent as for the above-named moiety. (fn. 10) Thenceforward the whole manor was held by the Moton family.

Walter Moton was a benefactor to Stanlaw Abbey (fn. 11) and also to the hospital at Stidd. (fn. 12) He died in or before 1246, when his widow Amabel, who had married Robert de Ribchester, was suing his son William Moton in respect of her dower. (fn. 13) This son also was a benefactor of Stanlaw, (fn. 14) and gave land to Sawley (fn. 15) ; others of his charters are known. (fn. 16) He was described as lord of the whole vill. (fn. 17) He died about 1278, (fn. 18) and in 1282 and again in 1292 his widow Edusa or Edith appears in the records. (fn. 19) He seems to have left several sons. (fn. 20) Robert Moton, a son or grandson, succeeded to Ribchester, (fn. 21) but in 1305 Robert's son William occurs. (fn. 22) The exact succession at this point is obscure. Henry son of William Moton in 1317 gave a release to the Abbot of Whalley. (fn. 23) William Moton, son of Robert, and Isabel his wife occur in 1331. (fn. 24) William died in or before 1342, in which year his widow Isabel was suing Robert Moton his brother for two-thirds of the manor of Ribchester. (fn. 25) In 1337 Robert Moton, perhaps the same or else son of William, was stated to hold the manor of Isabella Queen of England by the service of 5s. yearly. (fn. 26) Robert was again in 1346 called chief lord of Ribchester. (fn. 27) Katherine, the heiress in 1361, was apparently his daughter, or perhaps a granddaughter. (fn. 28)

In or before 1373 she married William de Lynalx, (fn. 29) and was living, a widow, in 1407, being then described as lady of Ribchester. (fn. 30) Their son John Lynalx succeeded (fn. 31) ; but though the family retained the lordship till I 581, when Robert Lynalx sold it to Hugh Shireburne, second son of Sir Richard Shireburne of Stonyhurst, (fn. 32) practically nothing is known of their history. (fn. 33) From Hugh the manor passed to Sir Richard Shireburne, (fn. 34) and descended in the same way as Stonyhurst (fn. 35) until 1831, when it was sold to Joseph Fenton of Rochdale, and it has since descended with Dutton. (fn. 36)

A manor of Rochester is named among the Osbaldeston estates in 1625. (fn. 37)

A number of the neighbouring landowners had estates in Ribchester, including Hoghton, (fn. 38) Singleton, (fn. 39) Southworth, (fn. 40) and Talbot. (fn. 41) Of the minor families some used the local surname, (fn. 42) but the most noteworthy was that of Boys, which can be traced back to the 13th century. (fn. 43) John Boys died in July 1551 holding three messuages and various lands in Ribchester of Robert Lynalx in socage by a rent of 2s. 3d. (fn. 44) His daughter Grace, then aged twelve, was first married to Robert Talbot, but separating from him was married to John Dewhurst of Wilpshire, (fn. 45) and carried the Boys' estate to this family. (fn. 46)

Roger Shireburne of Buckley died in 1605 holding various lands of the king by knight's service, and leaving as heir a son Richard, then aged six. (fn. 47) Buckley Hall, which stood about a mile to the north-west of the town, was pulled down in 1895. It was a picturesque gabled stone house with mullioned windows, but for some time before its demolition had been spoiled externally by a thick coating of whitewash. On the front was inscribed:

new buckley is my name,
ric sherbvrne bvilt the same
anno 1662, aged 62. (fn. 48)

The Walmsleys of Dunkenhalgh (fn. 49) and Showley (fn. 50) acquired estates, and other owners occur in the inquisitions. (fn. 51) The late T. H. Rymer of Calder Abbey inherited in 1902 a considerable estate here.

In 1524 Robert Walmersley and Henry Boys contributed to the subsidy for their lands in Ribchester and Dilworth. (fn. 52) In 1543 Robert Linalx, Henry Boyes and Robert Walmsley the elder so contributed. (fn. 53) John Rodes and Richard Ward were freeholders in 1600. (fn. 54) In the 1626 Subsidy Roll no landowners are named; John Osbaldeston was a convicted recusant, and a large number paid as noncommunicants. (fn. 55) John Ward paid £10 on refusing knighthood in 1631. (fn. 56) The Civil War does not seem to have affected any of the resident landowners, (fn. 57) but in 1717 two or three had to register estates as 'Papists.' (fn. 58)

A rental of the wapentake compiled in 1662 (fn. 59) shows that Richard Shireburne paid 2s. 4d. for the manor of Ribchester and 1s. for a house there; another Richard Shireburne paid 11d. for Buckley, Richard Ward 6d. for Ward Green, Richard Darwen 1s. for Swinglehurst, William Dewhurst 7d. for Boys House, Richard Dewhurst and Thomas Shaw 3d. for Idesforth and Edward Walmsley 3d. for Rodes Mill. There were other tenants.

In 1354 Adam Bibby demised land in Ribchester to William de Bradley, ferryman, who was to hold it by paying 12d. rent and ferrying men across the river. If the men of the place should wish to build a wood or stone bridge, then the rector of Ribchester or the lord of Osbaldeston might sell the lands and apply the money to the bridge. (fn. 60) The date of the building of the bridge is uncertain (fn. 61) ; the ferry continued in use until 1903. The ferryman was the occupant of Boathouse Farm, about half a mile south-west of the church and opposite Osbaldeston Hall on the other side of the Ribble. (fn. 62)

The Hospitallers (fn. 63) and Whalley Abbey had lands in Ribchester. (fn. 64)

From the land tax return of 1788 it appears that Mr. Walmsley and esquire Hinks were the chief landowners. (fn. 65)

An Inclosure Act for Chipping, Mitton and Ribchester was passed in 1808, (fn. 66) and under it the boundaries of the manors of Ribchester and Dutton were fixed. (fn. 67)

The parish church has been described. There is a Church of England Evangelical Protestant Missionroom in the town.

The history of the Congregational cause at Knowl Green goes back to preaching begun at Lum Mills in 1814, but afterwards discontinued, (fn. 68) and the chapel, 1827–31, owes its rise to the zeal of an artisan. A new chapel was built in 1867. (fn. 69)

Of the persistency of the Roman Catholic religion in the township and district there are numerous tokens. Various persons were presented to the Bishop of Chester in 1622 as 'seducers and harbourers of seminary priests.' (fn. 70) Again in 1635, when trade rivals sought to check one John Cutler, a Ribchester shopkeeper, they said he was 'by his confession a convicted recusant, an utter enemy of the blessed word of God both in argument and life,' who 'commonly, for the most part weekly, used to go to where priests of his profession [were] harboured to say mass,' and they wished him to be summoned before the assize judges and required to take the oath of supremacy, to discover 'whether there be in him any loyalty to his majesty or not.' (fn. 71)

James Standford, the benefactor, in 1695 left £500 for the maintenance of a good priest for ever at Stidd or Bailey Hall Chapel, if times permitted that public service could there be had; otherwise to be for one who should serve in the country two miles round about the places of Stidd and Bailey Hall; and he desired that the privilege of nominating one to enjoy the benefice should remain to Mr. Tempest and Mr. Westby and their families for ever, if they remained in the Catholic faith, otherwise should redound to some eminent Catholic of good repute in the said circuit; provided that he whom they nominated should be a very exemplary, virtuous, careful, vigilant and sufficiently learned person, and that he should not be absent from his flock for above two or three days and that only upon extraordinary business; and he obliged him who enjoyed the benefice to say four masses every year for him and his family. (fn. 72)

The mission was served from Showley during the times of proscription. It is worthy of note that in 1706–10 some baptisms and marriages are entered in the parish church registers as performed by a Roman, Romish, or Papist priest. The present chapel of SS. Peter and Paul, situated close to the boundary of Stidd, was opened in 1789. The priest in charge acts as chaplain to the adjacent almshouses. (fn. 73)

Footnotes

1 2,224 acres, including 21 of inland water; Census Rep. 1901.
1 a J. Garstang, Roman Ribchester, 5. (Report of Ribch. Excavations, 1898.)
2 T. C. Smith, Ribchester, 71.
3 Ibid. 72. In 1599 the people of Ribchester were fined 3s. 4d. because there was no cuck-stool; Clitheroe Ct. R.
4 V.C.H. Lancs, i, 288b.
5 Ibid.
6 There is no record of the gift of Ribchester and Dilworth as there is of Dutton. It is doubtful whether the fine of 1187 recording the acquisition of the vill of Ribbec' refers to Ribchester or not; Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 1; ii, 185. If it does, it shows that Robert de Lacy purchased it from William son of Rosselin or else confirmed it to him.
7 Ibid, ii, 185, quoting an abstract found at Pontefract in 1325; Duchy of Lanc. Misc. cxxx, fol. 20 d. The moiety was to be held in thegnage by a rent of 7s. The advowson of the church and 'the forest of buck and doe, wild boar and sow' were reserved. One Robert son of Henry was lord of Lathom about that time.
In 1202 Alan de Windle and Agnes his wife made grants of portions of Ribchester; Final Conc. i, 13, 21. The plaintiffs in these fines—Henry son of Bernard and John son of Robert—claimed by inheritance. Agnes may have been the daughter of the Robert son of Henry named in the text.
8 Kuerden fol. MS. (Chet. Lib.), 77. John de Lacy became constable of Chester in 1211 and Earl of Lincoln in 1232; he died in 1240. It is not clear whether this is the other moiety of Ribchester or a new and more complete grant of the same moiety.
9 Dods. MSS. liii, fol. 17. The surname is spelt in many ways—Mutun, Motoun, &c.; sometimes a de is prefixed. It may be derived from Mitton, though this spelling rarely occurs.
10 Ibid. fol. 23. There was among the Stonyhurst deeds a grant by John de Lacy to Walter Mutton of the manor of Ribchester and Dilworth for the same service as Alan de Windhull and his predecessors had rendered—viz. a pair of gloves or 4d.; Shireburne Abstract Bk. at Leagram. In accordance with these charters it was found in 1258 that Ribchester rendered 2s. and one pair of gloves (or 4d.) to Edmund de Lacy; Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 217.
Walter Moton in 1219 acquired an oxgang of land in Ribchester from Siegrith, Wynniva and Maud, daughters of Godwin; Final Conc. i, 40.
11 He gave the monks Hulliley (or Hilliley), from the Stonyway on the east to Godrichley Croft on the west, and from a syke on the south to an oak crossmarked on the north, also 3 acres of wood. He desired their prayers especially for the soul of that venerable man his lord Roger de Lacy; Whalley Couch. (Chet. Soc), iii, 868. He also gave them the mill with its rights, reserving multure of his own house, desiring that he might be buried at Stanlaw; ibid. 869. Amabel daughter of Alan de Windle and widow of Walter Moton confirmed the gifts, and her second husband released any right he might have in the same; ibid. 870–2.
To Roger de Hurst he gave part of his land in Ribchester in Turnley, the bounds commencing at a stone house, and including (in part) Chester Brook; Add. MS. 32106, no. 493 (fol. 330).
12 His gift of land in Godrichley in Ribchester to the hospital of St. Saviour at Stidd is mentioned in a charter in Towneley's MS. DD, no. 889. He also gave land in Shipenley, adjoining Turnley at one point, confirmed by his son William; Dugdale, Mon. Angl. vi, 687.
13 Assize R. 404, m. 3 d. She and her husband also claimed certain land and a moiety of the mill against the Abbot of Stanlaw; ibid. m. 2 d. This suit affords an approximate date for their charters already quoted.
14 Whalley Couch iii, 872–4. William son of Walter Moton confirmed his father's gifts and added land between Lauediley Clough and Godrich Clough.
15 Harl. MS. 112, fol. 81b.
16 To Henry son of Helewise he gave land, the bounds of which went north up the clough of Godrichley to Hulliley, thence east to Stonygate, south to the land of Robert the Kirkman, and then west to the starting-point. A rent of 12d. was to be paid; Kuerden MSS. iii, R. 9. The seal bore a fleur de lis and the legend sigill: will: de: mvtvn.
By another charter he gave Robert the Skinner part of his waste within bounds which went down Crinsil Brook to its junction with Chastel or Castel Brook, and up the latter brook to Ruddegate, &c.; ibid. Josce the clerk was a witness, and the seal was the same as before.
William de Singleton and Alan his son granted a rent of 3s. from Dilworth to William son of Walter Moton and Edith his wife; Dods. MSS. lxx, fol. 157.
To Josce the clerk William son of Walter Moton gave half an oxgang of land in Ribchester at a rent of 12d.; Add. MS. 32106, no. 271. To Richard son of Robert Boys (de Bosco) he gave land in Nutbrook strinds, at a rent of four barbed arrows; ibid. no. 314. In 1268–9 he gave Sir Adam de Hoghton the homage of Robert for Ametehalit in Ribchester, with the rent of 2s. due therefrom; Dods, MSS. cxlii, fol. 20.
17 He was so described in a gift by Beatrix de Kuerden, referring to his charter made to her father Richard son of John de Kuerden; Add. MS. 32109, no. 14 (Edw. III), no. 54 (s.d.).
18 He was living in 1278, when together with Roger de Chippenley and Richard son of Hugh de Ribchester he was found to have disseised Adam de 'Mutton' of his free tenement in Ribchester. Adam had been over sea aad was reported dead; Assize R. 1238, m. 33.
19 In 1282 Edusa as widow claimed dower in various tenements in Ribchester held by Richard son of William son of William Moton and Denise his mother, Richard son of Adam and Richard his son, Richard son of Ellis and Henry his son and Richard son of Ellis; De Banco R. 47, m. 4 d. A Richard son of William Moton gave an acre in Ribchester to Richard de Hurst; Add. MS. 32106, no. 867.
In 1292 Edusa, then wife of Richard le Sothron, claimed in right of her former marriage with William Moton dower in a messuage and land held by Alice de Lacy; Assize R. 408, m. 62.
20 The pedigree at this point is indeterminate, but from the charters preserved by Towneley and Kuerden it is obvious that there were several branches of the family having estates in Ribchester and Dutton. William Moton, William his son and Robert Moton attested an undated charter; Add. MS. 32106, no. 265. In 1332 Robert, Richard and Henry Moton contributed to the subsidy in Ribchester and William Moton in Dutton; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 86–7.
21 The uncertainty arises from the possibility of two Williams. In 1302 Robert Moton, lord of Ribchester, demised to Walter de Lofthouse, chaplain, a part of his waste in Ribchester between the close of land called Beteleyfield, belonging to St. Saviour's, and the Nutbrook; Towneley MS. DD, no. 985. Henry and Adam Moton attested this charter; from another deed it appears they were Robert's brothers; Add. MS. 32106, no. 273.
Robert son of William Moton released to Master Richard de Hoghton in 1298 his right in lands held in Ametehalgh in Ribchester; ibid. no. 233. In 1309 Robert son of William Moton gave his brother Adam land called the Berridding Bank, bounded on one side by the high way to Ribchester Church; ibid. no. 272. From the plea of 1282 above cited it would seem that a Richard Moton was the heir; perhaps he died and Robert, a younger brother or else an uncle, succeeded. There was an escheat to the chief lord, or a guardianship, for in 1292 Robert Moton claimed two-thirds of a messuage and lands in Ribchester and 5 markates of rent against Alice widow of Edmund de Lacy, and the other third against Edith widow of William Moton; Assize R. 408, m. 73, 4 d. In 1293 — de Lacy released to Robert Moton a capital messuage and a moiety of the rents, services, &c., which had come into his hands by the death of William Moton father of Robert; Shireburne Abstract Bk. Robert Moton was lord of Ribchester in 1302; Towneley MS. DD, no. 985.
Uncertainty is created by the appearance of Robert and William sons of Adam Moton in other suits of 1292 (Assize R. 408, m. 36 d., 36), and by the claim of Thomas son of Orm de Ribchester against Richard son of William Moton, Cecily daughter of Robert Moton and the above-named Edusa wife of Richard le Sothron, the last-named holding in dower; ibid. m. 31.
Robert son of Adam Moton and Richard his brother frequently occur in the Ribchester deeds in Add. MS. 32106. Adam son of Roger son of William de Ribchester gave lands to Robert son of Adam Moton in free marriage with Alice his sister; ibid. no. 239.
22 Robert was probably living at that time, for in 1309 Robert son of William Moton agreed with his brother Adam respecting certain land which Robert was to grant from his waste; Add. MS. 32106, no. 496, fol. 330b. Henry Moton was a witness. In 1313 Beatrix de Kuerden successfully claimed certain pasture in Ribchester against the representatives of Hugh de Dilworth, whose son Richard had had a grant of it from Robert son of William Moton, lord of Ribchester; Assize R. 424, m. 3. Richard was then dead, and Robert also, Henry Moton appearing for the defendants.
William son of Robert Moton (Mittun) and Alice his wife in 1305 claimed a tenement against Avice daughter of Richard son of William de Ribchester; De Banco R. 153, m. 29. At the same time Robert Moton was defendant; ibid, m. 317 d.
In 1317 Williamson of Robert Moton, with the consent of Alice his wife, demised six butts of land to Henry Moton for the term of Alice's life; Add. MS. 32106, no. 308. Alice widow of William was in 1331 the wife of William Bisset, as appears by a pleading cited below.
William son of Robert Moton of Ribchester confirmed to Robert his brother a place in his waste lying on the west side of Fallonwelhalgh; ibid. no. 452, fol. 322.
Alice widow of Robert (? William) Moton had dower in 1330; Shireburne Abstract Bk.
23 Whalley Couch, iii, 874. Robert son of John de Hilliley granted to Henry son of William Moton all his lands in Ribchester, with the homages of various tenants; Towneley MS. C 8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), H 285. About 1300 Henry Moton had from Adam de Blackburn the homage of Richard de Hurst and the rent of 10 d. for his lands; Add. MS. 32106, no. 244. Henry also obtained a small grant from Simon son of Richard son of Ellis de Ribchester; Kuerden MSS. iv, R 14.
From the release to Whalley and from the fact that Henry's name is almost invariably placed before those of others of the family in local deeds of the latter part of the reign of Edward II, it appears that he was the head of the family or at least its senior member. William son of Henry Moton and Agnes his wife were in 1334 accused of having, so far back as 1320, struck a woman at Dutton so that she died; Coram Rege R. 298, Rex m. 18.
Henry had several sons. As 'Henry de Moton of Ribchester the elder' he granted his son Walter land in the Hagh, with meadow, buildings, &c., in 1328; Kuerden MSS. iii, R 9. Walter son of Henry Moton io 1359 made a feoffment of lands he had had from his brother Henry; Towneley MS. C 8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), M 77. Henry son of Henry Moton leased some of his land to William son of Henry Moton in 1329; Add. MS. 32106, no. 291. In the same year a grant was made to Henry son of Henry Moton and Nicholas his brother; ibid. no. 482, fol. 328. Henry Moton in 1337 gave half an acre in Erley in Ribchester, William Moton, Robert his brother and Robert son of Adam Moton being witnesses; ibid. no. 264. In 1346 Henry Moton released a rent he had received from Erley, Robert son of Robert Moton and Robert son of Adam Moton being the first witnesses; ibid. no. 470, fol. 325. Nicholas Moton occurs again in Dutton; ibid. no. 288. He was living in 1360, when he and his wife Cecily obtained a quitclaim from Richard son of Adam le Seinture of Aighton respecting lands of Richard's mother Diota, formerly belonging to Richard Willison de Ribchester; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 8, m. 120; Add. MS. 32106, no. 254. The same lands were in 1369 released by Cecily widow of Nicholas Moton and Alice her sister; ibid. no. 302.
In 1329 various acres in Ribchester were claimed against Henry Moton the younger, William Moton, Richard Moton and Nicholas son of Henry Moton; De Banco R, 279, m. 405 d.
24 William as lord of Ribchester attested a charter in 1329; Add. MS. 32107, no. 1497.
The manor of Ribchester was given to William Moton and Isabel his wife in 1331 by Robert Ragh, chaplain; Robert son of Adam Moton was a witness; Towneley MS. OO, no. 1195. In the same year Adam de Clitheroe appeared against William Moton concerning the manor of Ribchester and against William Bisset and Alice his wife concerning 16 acres of land in the township; De Banco R. 287, m. 380 d.; 290, m. 77 d. The latter suit was prosecuted in the following year, when William Moton appeared and stated that the 16 acres were part of his inheritance, held by Alice in dower, while the plaintiff alleged that they had belonged to his father Hugh de Clitheroe until Robert Moton had disseised him; ibid. 292, m. 98 d.
William Moton was styled 'lord of Ribchester' in 1338 and 1341, according to the Towneley transcripts; Add. MS. 32106, no. 245, 301, 463, fol. 324. William and Robert his brother attested Ribchester charters in 1338 and 1342; ibid. no. 230, 300.
25 De Banco R. 332, m. 30. The defendant is called Robert Moton of Ribchester. Isabel continued her suit in 1344 against Robert for two-thirds of the manor (except a messuage and 10½ acres), and against some others; ibid. 340, m. 557 d. Two years later Robert Moton summoned Robert son of William Moton to warrant him as to the two-thirds of the manor; ibid. 348, m. 427. In 1347 Isabel widow of William Moton came to an agreement with Robert son of Robert Moton; Shirebume Abstract Bk.
26 In an inquiry as to the proposed endowment of Bailey Chapel; Inq. p.m. 10 Edw. II (2nd nos.), no. 10.
Robert son of Adam Moton is frequently named. He is probably the Robert Moton who, with his sons Adam and William, was in 1334 alleged to hold 5 acres wrongfully, by Amery widow of Roger at Kirkstyle; De Banco R. 300, m. 13.
27 Add. MS. 32106, no. 249. By a charter of the same year Robert son of Henry son of Walter Moton, chief lord of Ribchester, reduced the free rent due from certain tenements from 2s. to 20d.; ibid. no. 242. A William Moton attested this deed. The descent here stated is not otherwise known, but it is clear there were many Roberts as contemporaries. The date may have been copied wrongly.
In 1349 Robert son of Robert Moton was lord of Ribchester; Add. MS. 32106, no. 450 (fol. 322). This deed was a grant by Robert son of Adam Moton to his sons William and Thomas; a witness was Robert son and heir of Robert son of Adam Moton. In the same year Robert son of Robert Moton granted a messuage and land called Falwelshalgh, Walter Moton being a witness; ibid. no. 293. On the other hand in 1355 Robert son of William Moton granted his manor of Ribchester to William de Whalley (no doubt as trustee), with all homages, services and rents; Kuerden fol. MS. 250.
Not long before (in 1353) Richard Moton of Ribchester had settled his lands on his daughter Agnes and her issue, with remainder to William son of Robert Moton, chaplain; ibid. no. 299. William Moton was a subdeacon in 1350; ibid. no. 253. In 1361 his brother Robert, here styled Robert son of Robert de Ribchester, released all his claim in the estate of the above-named Richard Moton; ibid. no. 262. William was still living in 1408 (ibid. no. 256), and seems to have been one of the chief promoters of the chantry at the north side of the church, even if he were not the true founder, and he was specially named as one of those to be prayed for; ibid. no. 364.
28 Katherine widow of Robert Moton in 1361 released her claim for dower against Katherine daughter of Robert Moton; Shireburne Abstract Bk.
29 Final Conc. ii, 185; the manor was settled on William de Lynalx and Katherine his wife, with remainders to the issue of Katherine, and in default to Richard son of Alexander de Lynalx and his issue. William de Lynalx occurs at Ribchester in 1369; Towneley MS. DD, no. 512. In 1386 he was to go to Ireland on the king's service, but the protection was revoked as he did not go; Cal. Pat. 1385–9, pp. 156, 274.
A release of lands which had belonged to Robert Moton was made to William de Lynalx and Katherine his wife in 1395–6; Shireburne Abstract Bk.
The Lynalx family occurs in Pemberton. The name is spelt in many ways; e.g. Linales, Lennox, &c.
30 Kuerden fol. MS. 247. As widow she had made a feoffment of her lands in 1402; Shireburne Abstract Bk. She gave all her lands to John her son in 1405; ibid.
31 John son of William Lynalx made Thomas Lynalx his attorney to receive from his mother Katherine certain lands in Ribchester; Towneley MS. C 8, 13, L 259. It appears that Thomas was also a son of William Lynalx, receiving from his father land in Mayridding, &c., in Ribchester; Towneley MS. DD, no. 516. Richard son of John Bradley of Dodhill was in 1408 pardoned for the death of Thomas Lynalx of Ribchester; Pal. of Lanc. Chan. Misc. 1/9, m. 33.
The next in possession was Thurstan Lynalx, named in 1416 (Shireburne Abstract Bk.) and in 1418, when a certain William Hill, an idiot, was found to have held of him land called Sprodpoolhey by a rent of 22d.; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc), i, 130; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxiii, App. 14. In 1421 Thurstan granted a messuage in Ribchester to Christopher Hoghton; Towneley MS. DD, no. 1552.
John Lynalx occurs from 1430 onwards, and Richard Lynalx from about 1470. Thus in 1432 Thomas Southworth held land in Ribchester of John Lynalx; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 46. Again in 1449 John regranted Richard Towneley a parcel of land in Ribchester; Add. MS. 32104, no. 1117. He was styled lord of Ribchester in 1456; Shireburne Abstract Bk.
Richard Lynalx in 1469 gave a lease to Ellis and Edward Cottam, Cecily widow of Thurstan Lynalx being apparently still living; ibid. Richard attested a deed in 1472; Add. MS. 32106, no. 485, fol. 328. In 1491–2 he and Thomas his son and heir-apparent were also witnesses; Add. MS. 32107, no. 1006. Richard, who in 1512–13 married Elizabeth widow of John Elston of Ribbleton (Shireburne Abstracts), occurs in inquisitions, &c., down to about 1522. In 1516 he made a feoffment of his messuages and lands in Ribchester and Dilworth; Kuerden fol. MS. 246.
From various inquisitions (Robert Singleton and others) it appears that Thomas Lynalx was lord in 1525, John Lynalx his son (Shireburne Abstracts) in 1530–40 and Robert Lynalx in 1547 onwards. Isabel widow of Thomas Lynalx had dower in 1536; Shireburne Abstract Bk. Robert Lynalx in 1548 was one of the defendants in a plea respecting chantry lands in Ribchester; Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), i, 225. In 1575 Robert is called son and heir of John Lynalx when claiming Hall heys, &c., in the manor of Ribchester against John Talbot and Robert his bastard son; ibid, ii, 328; iii, 23, 29.
32 Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 43, m. 155. The Lynalx family do not appear to have retained the whole manor, for in 1588 Hugh Shireburne purchased the manor, with messuages, free fishery, &c., from John Talbot and his bastard son Robert, whose wife Elizabeth also agreed; ibid. bdle. 50, m. 87. Two years later still Hugh purchased the manor, with messuages in Ribchester and Dilworth, fishery in the Ribble, and the advowson of the church, from John Squire; ibid. bdle. 52, m. 31. It does not appear how these manors originated; the latter vendor may have had some claim through the Lynalx family by purchase or descent. The Talbot 'manor' is named in Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), i, 304; iii, 228.
33 Neither pedigree nor inquisition is known. They were styled 'gent.' not 'esq.' Their arms are given in Whitaker, Whalley (ed. Nicholls), ii, 459 n.
34 Hugh Shirebume of Esholt in Yorkshire left no sons, and in his purchase of Ribchester may have been acting for his father; Sherborn, Family of Sherborn, 102–3.
Sir Richard Shireburne died in 1594 holding the manor, with messuages, watermill, &c., in conjunction with Hugh Shireburne; the tenure was unknown; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xvi, no. 3. The Shireburnes seem to have had a tenement in Ribchester much earlier than this; see ibid, viii, no. 27.
35 In 1593 the manor was settled on Richard Shireburne (son of Sir Richard) and his heirs male, and as his son Henry died without issue it went to his second son Richard, aged thirty-seven, in 1628; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxvi, no. 4. The tenure was unknown. The manor is again named among the estates of Thomas Duke of Norfolk and Mary his wife in 1719; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 284, m. 81. Also in later recoveries—1737 and 1777 (Weld).
36 Baines, Lancs. (ed. 1836), iii, 382. Courts used then to be held twice a year, in May and October. The court rolls are extant from 1821 only.
37 Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 107, m. 36. Sir Edward Osbaldeston, John his ton and heir, and others were deforciants. No 'manor,' however, was claimed at the death of Sir Edward or of his son John, but only a messuage called the Boathousefield in Ribchester, the tenure of which is not stated; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxvii, no. 15, 40.
38 This family's holding was of ancient date, and some of their charters have been cited in the account of the Moton family.
Sir Henry Hoghton in 1424 held lands in Ribchester of the king as duke; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc), ii, 45. William Hoghton held lands in 1500 of the king by services unknown; ibid, ii, 127. This, or 'in socage by fealty,' was the usual record in the later inquisitions.
39 Robert Singleton of Brockholes died in 1525 holding a messuage, &c., in Ribchester of Thomas Lynalx by a rent of 15d.; Duchy of Lanc Inq. p.m. vi, no. 64. His son William held it in 1573 of Robert Lynalx by a rent of 16d.; ibid. xii, no. 34.
John Singleton of Chingle Hall held a messuage of John Lynalx in 1530; ibid. vi, no. 32. John Singleton held the same of Robert Lynalx in 1571; ibid. xiii, no. 16.
40 Thomas Southworth of Samlesbury in 1432 held a messuage of John Lynalx; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 46. In 1502 it was found that the tenement was held of Richard Lynalx by a rent of 1d.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, no. 41.
41 The Talbots may have succeeded the Clitheroe family. Henry de Clitheroe claimed land in 1292 as brother and heir of Alice who had been wife of Adam de Blackburn; Assize R. 408, m. 18, 31 d.
Disputes afterwards arose between the Blackburn and Clitheroe families; Assize R. 1299, m. 16 d.; De Banco R. 152, m. 89. See also Final Conc. ii, 64; Lancs. Ina. p.m. (Chet. Soc), ii, 42.
Sir John Talbot of Salesbury held land in Ribchesterof Richard Lynalx in 1511; ibid. 144. JohnTalbot in 1588 held lands of the Crown, formerly the Hospitallers; ibid. 161. John Talbot had made several purchases; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdles. 37, m. 64; 39, m. 72; 40, m. 106.
42 The Ribchester family or families have occured in former notes. One of the earliest named in Ellis, a clerk; Final Conc. i, 51. Richard de Turnley granted part of his land in Turnley to William son of Adam son of Ellis de Ribchester; Add. MS. 32106, no. 546. Richard son of Ellis complained in 1292 that Master Henry de Clayton was detaining a charter; Assize R. 408, m. 94. He claimed reasonable estovers in the wood against Thomas de Singleton; ibid. m. 54 d. He was perhaps the Richard de Ribchester, clerk, who was non-suited in his claim for a tenement against Richard son of Adam de Ribchester and Adam de Lingard; ibid. m. 42.
Robert son of Ellis was concerned in several suits of the same year. He complained that Richard son of William de Ribchester, Isabel his wife and William his son had disseised him of a strip of land, but was non-suited; ibid. m. 49 d. In 1313–14 Robert son of William son of Robert son of Ellis de Ribchester sought four messuages, 26 acres of land, &c., against his elder brother Henry (a minor), William de Livesey and William son of Robert de Osbaldeston, alleging a grant from his father, and succeeded; Assize R. 424, m. 2 d.
Roger son of William de Ribchester gave land in Turnley to his son Richard; Kuerden MSS. iii, R. 9. Richard son of Roger Willison in 1331 claimed land (by grant of one Simon) against John son of Richard Franceys and Amery his wife (tenants in right of Amery, who was sister and heir of Simon), and against Adam son of Richard Franceys; Assize R. 1404, m. 26.
Simon son of Richard son of Ellis de Ribchester made a grant to Henry Moton; Add. MS. 32107, no. 368. Diana widow of Adam son of Simon released her dower in certain land to William son of Richard de Ribchester, who had purchased the land from her daughters Margery and Maud; Kuerden fol MS. 357. The seal bore the inscription s' iorda . . clerici. John son of Richard son of Simon occurs in 1340, when he gave lands to Roger de Elston and Amabel his wife for life; Kuerden MSS. iii, R. 9. Roger son of Roger de Elston was plaintiff in 1346, Robert son of Robert Moton being defendant; Assize R. 1444, m. 7. The Elston family occur later; Kuerden, loc. cit
Uctred son of Warine de Ribchester gave land in Shippenley to Adam son of Ellis de Ribchester; ibid. Richard son of Adam de Hurst in 1313 gave a moiety of his land between Bolingbrook and Shippenley Clough to William son of Uctred de Ribchester; Add. MS. 32106, no. 869. The grantee afterwards (1314) gave his capital messuage (lying in Ribchester between John de Preston's land and the Brendeyerd) to Henry son of Beatrice de Kuerden; ibid. no. 456, fol. 323. William son of Uctred was living in 1342; ibid. no. 260.
Thomas son of Orm in 1285 sought a messuage and an oxgang of land against Robert son of Ellis de Ribchester; De Banco R. 60, m. 83 d. The same Thomas gave to Roger de Turnley a toft near Shippenley Clough in 1316; Add. MS. 32106, no. 428, fol. 318.
Cecily daughter and heir of Richard son of William Atkokson in 1341 gave to Henry de Ribchester, chaplain, all her meadow in Exgangedoles in the Town meadows; ibid. no. 289. To the same Henry Roger son of William Atkokson made a grant in Turnley; ibid. no. 265. Alice and Cecily, daughters of William son of Richard de Rochester, in the same year granted to Adam son of Robert son of Adam Moton a plat called the Fall, lying between the outlane from Cornleyyeth to Tillycarr and Robert Franceys' lands, and between the outlane to Hothersall and land of Robert son of William son of Nicholas; ibid. no. 429, fol. 318. John son of William Atkokson occurs in 1342; ibid. no. 491 (fol. 329).
Robert son of William Ribchester in 1403 acquired the lands of Agnes wife of Dawkin de Claughton and sister of Henry Hodgson; Kuerden fol. MS. 73. In 1421 Katherine widow of Robert Ribchester made a feoffment of the lands, &c., she had had from her husband; ibid. 357. Percival Ribchester and Robert his brother occur in 1443–4; ibid. 87. In 1447 Percival gave land in the place called Shorton to Robert Halgh; Add. MS. 32106, no. 269. It may be added that Robert Halgh gave his lands to John Talbot of Salesbury aa trustee, and that the latter's son John in 1474 released them to John Halgh son of Robert; ibid. no. 278, 810. Robert son and heir of John Ribchester occurs in 1539; Kuerden fol. MS. 396.
John Ribchester in 1542 gave hit son Richard the reversion of a house tenanted by Robert Ribchester the elder, brother of grantor; ibid. 357. From an indenture of 1588 it appears that Robert Ribchester's lands, after two transfers, were acquired by John Dewhurst; ibid. 384; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle, 27, m. 67.
Of the other minor families—some of whom, as Shippenley, Hilliley, Turnley and Franceys have been named—only occasional notices are found. Alice daughter of Thomas son of Roger de Shippenley and her son Henry in 1306 claimed a messuage and land against Adam the son and heir of Thomas and Amabel the widow of Thomas; Assize R. 420, m. 5. Alice daughter of Avice de Shippenley obtained a judgement in 1358 against Henry de Kuerden and Eva his wife respecting a tenement in Ribchester; Assize R. 438, m. 3. For the Kuerden estate see Final Conc. ii, 156. John de Hilliley gave his son Robert the land of Stanlaw Abbey except what he had given with Agnes his daughter to Henry de Dutton; Kuerden MSS. iv, R. 14. Cecily widow of William de Hilliley was complainant in 1358; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 6, m. 4 d. She may have been the Cecily who in 1352 was wife of John son of Robert de Turnley; ibid. 2, m. 1 d. Richard le Franceys was called to warrant William son of Roger son of William de Ribchester in 1303, when Agnes widow of Richard de Tumlache sought dower in certain land; De Banco R. 145, m. 171 d.
43 An early grant to Richard son of Robert de Boys (Bosco) has been cited above. A William son of Robert de Boys had land in Dutton about 1250; Add. MS. 32106, no. 133. John son of Alexander de Boys in 1292 claimed a debt from his brother Jordan; Assize R. 408, m. 98. In 1390–1 Cecily widow of William de Healey and Cecily his daughter and heir settled certain lands in Ribchester with remainders to Nicholas de Boys, Alice his wife, John son of Robert de Turnley and Alice sister of John; Townley MS. C 8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), R 70. Henry son of Nicholas Boys was living in 1435; ibid. T 128. John Boys was witness in 1403; Kuerden fol. MS. 73. Robert brother and executor of John Boys was plaintiff in 1445; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 8, m. 2. Ellis Boys of Ribchester found security for £20 in 1457; Pal. of Lanc. Chan. Misc. 1/1, no. 50.
Lawrence Cottam of Garstang in 1488 released to John son of the late Henry Boys his right in the lands, &c., recently owned by Roger Elston in Ribchester; Kuerden fol. MS. 87. In 1520 John Talbot of Salesbury granted Henry Boys a messuage on lease (ibid. 397); and in 1524 Sir Thomas Southworth exchanged lands in Ribchester for Henry's lands in Mellor and Samlesbury; ibid. 386. Henry Boys made a feoffment 'of his lands, &c., in Ribchester (except Moton House) in 1543; Add. MS. 32104, no. 698.
44 Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, no. 64. He had also a tenement in Oswaldtwistle. From later pleadings it appears that John was the son and heir of Henry Boys.
45 The divorce was granted in or about 1562, because the marriage had taken place in childhood without the consent of Grace; Furnivall, Child Marriages (Early Engl. Text Soc.), 16. Robert Talbot and others in 1563 became bound to William Dewhurst of Wilpshire and John his son to abide the award of an arbitration concerning Boys House and other lands, &c, in Ribchester; Add. MS. 32104, no. 714. John Dewhurst and Grace his wife demised a plat of land called Cockcroft to Richard Watson in 1565; Kuerden fol. MS. 95. They were still living in 1590, when they made a feoffment of the capital messuage called Boys House, &c.; ibid. Again, in 1599, they made a settlement by fine; ibid. 94.
There is a pedigree in the 1613 Visit. (Chet. Soc), 96; see also the account of Wilpshire, and T. C. Smith, Ribchester, 235–7.
46 There were a number of suits before the succession was settled. In 1565 Robert Talbot complained that, whereas Boys House should be in his possession in right of his wife Grace, the Dewhursts had entered, and were cutting down hedges, destroying 'the great timber woods and underwoods,' &c. The defendants alleged the divorce and new marriage of Grace to John Dewhurst; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. Ixv, T 5.
In 1576 William Boys of Great Faling in Middlesex, son of Edward and grandson of Henry Boys, sought to recover Boys House, the ferry over the Ribble known as 'the ferry of Osboston,' &c., alleging that Grace, the child of his uncle John Boys, was illegitimate. The defendants stated that John Boys was divorced from his first wife Anne Dewhurst before he was married to Alice Rodes, and that it had been decided in court in 1557 that Grace should enjoy the Boys estate; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. xcix, B 18; cvi, B 15; ccx, D 7.
William Dewhurst, son of John and Grace, died at Ribchester in 1621 holding Boys House, &c., of Richard Shireburne; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 284. The surname long remained known in the township.
47 Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 58–61. The holding was a composite one. Two messuages with land called the Hagges were held of the king as of his duchy of Lancaster by the 200th part of a knight's fee, a half rood of land was held by the 300th part of a fee, 2 acres called Sprodspool by the 200th part, and the rest by the twentieth part of a fee. A settlement is recited, made by Richard Shireburne, the father of Roger, in 1589–90, relating to the capital messuage called Buckley, and giving the names of fields, lancs, &c.—as Turnley, Chester gate and Kendal heys.
In the pedigree by Mr. C. D. Sherborn (Fam. of Sherborn, 104–8) it is stated that Richard the father was a son of Roger Shireburne of Wolfhouse in Chipping, and that Richard the son (who built New Buckley in 1662) died in 1674 without issue. It appears, however, that Richard the father was a brother of Roger of Wolfhouse (ibid. 57–9), for in 1554 a settlement of an estate in Ribchester which seems to be certainly that of Buckley was made by Robert Shireburne and Margery his wife in favour of their son Richard. In default of issue the lands were to go to Richard son of Sir Richard Shireburne of Stonyhurst; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 15, m. 65.
Buckley is named in a 13th-century grant by William Moton to Thomas son of Ralph de Ribchester; Towneley MS. OO, no. 1210.
In the 18th century Buckley Hall was tenanted by a family named Pye; Smith, op. cit. 253–6.
48 Smith, Hist, of Ribchester, 240.
49 Roger de Walmersley in 1360 had lands in right of his wife Alice, who seems to have been an Ellel; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxii, App. 343. Robert de Walmerlegh alias Walmesleye of Ribchester received a pardon in 1400–1; Pal. of Lanc. Chan. Misc. 1/9, m. 146.
In 1550 or later Alexander Walmsley of Elston, Margaret his wife and Robert and Thomas their sons acquired various lands, which seem to have passed to the Dewhurst family; Add. MS. 32104, no. 1128, 693, &c.; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 19, m. 64; 45, m. 169.
Thomas Walmsley, father of Sir Thomas and Richard, purchased a messuage, &c., from Richard Singleton and Alice his wife in 1562; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 24, m. 10. He added other lands, more especially for his younger son; but in 1584, in the inquisition after his death, the tenure of his estate in Ribchester is not recorded; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiv, no. 72. The son, Sir Thomas Walmsley of Dunkenhalgh, at his death in 1612 held his moiety of lands here in socage; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 249, 252. The tenants'names are given.
In 1653 Dame Anne Lucas of Dunkenhalgh and Thomas son and heir of Nicholas Walmsley of London sought allowance of their title to a tenement in Ribchester leased to Thomas Dewhurst in 1597. Two-thirds had been sequestered for the recusancy of Leonard Walmsley, deceased, husband of Elizabeth Dewhurst (one of the lives); Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 3126.
50 Richard Walmsley of Showley (brother of Sir Thomas) had part of his father's lands; his principal acquisition was that of the Preston family's estate in 1593; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 55, m. 92. He died in 1609 holding Fastenfields of the king by knight's service; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc.), i, 149. This had belonged to the Hospitallers.
At one time the family resided at Ribchester, Richard Walmsley being described as 'of Ribchester' when he registered his estate as a 'Papist' in 1717; Estcourt and Payne, Eng. Cath. Non-jurors, 100. Part of their estate was in 1867 given to the support of the almshouses; End. Char. Rep.
51 In the earlier fines and pleadings names of owners occur, but these have usually to be recorded also in other townships; e.g. Dodhull and Hurst, 1335, and Hayhurst, 1355; Final Conc. ii, 96, 147. Shaw of Elston held land in 1446; ibid, iii, 112.
A small part of the land given to the Hoghton chantry in 1407 was held of Robert Townley by the rent of 2s.; Inq. a.q.d. file 435, no. 26. Henry son of Robert Townley had lands in Cliviger, Ribchester and Dutton in 1420; Towneley MS. DD, no. 2020. Alice widow of John Anderton of Ribchester in 1453–4 leased her lands to John Towneley of Birtwistle and afterwards sold them; Towneley MS. C 8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), A 49, 50. Richard Towneley had lands in the township in 1447 and 1473; ibid. B 297, 301, 304. Richard Townley of Dutton in 1618 held his lands in Ribchester and Dilworth of Richard Shireburne by 6d. rent; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), ii, 137.
Henry Preston of Preston died in 1549 holding land in Ribchester of the king as of the late priory of St. John of Jerusalem by a rent of 6d.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. ix, no, 19; x, no. 10. The estate, including a fishery in the Ribble, was sold in 1593 to Richard Walmsley as above. A Preston family is of early occurrence, for in 1292 Robert son of Adam de Preston held the moiety of a messuage and 40 acres in Ribchester in right of his wife Margery; they were claimed by Margery the infant daughter of Adam son of Bernard de Ribchester; Assize R. 408, m. 15 d. Adam son of Robert de Preston in 1313–14 claimed messuages and lands against John de Preston (apparently his son) and others; Assize R. 424, m. 2 d. Robert Preston was in 1472–82 the feoffee of Alexander Halgh's estate at Goddisbrook in Ribchester; Add. MS. 32106, no. 270,1016.
William son of Richard Blackburn was in 1552 reputed to be an idiot. He had sold his lands, and his father's heirs, Roger Salebury and Ellen wife of Henry Seed, put in a claim as kinsmen and heirs; they were aged twenty-six and forty respectively, and Ellen was William's sister; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. ix, no. 13; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 13, m. 121. Both Blackburn and Seed are names of long standing in the district. William Blackburn had land there in 1443; Add. MS. 32106, no. 341. Robert Seed in 1564 held three messuages, &c.; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 26, m. 125. Robert Seed, senior and junior, were purchasers in 1589 and John Seed in 1590; ibid, bdles. 51, m. 212; 52, m. 40. Roger Seed sold to William Charnley in 1577, and the purchaser and his wife Alice settled their lands in Ribchester and Dilworth in 1579; ibid, bdles. 39, m. 55; 41, m. 123.
Hugh Ash's lands in Ribchester were held of the Crown; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. x, no. 35. See the accounts of Aighton and Dutton. George Ash, the son, appears to have sold his Ribchester lands to Richard Walmsley; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdles. 43, m. 143; 44, m. 215.
Hugh Swansey of Chorley in 1566 held a little land in Ribchester of Robert Lynalx; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, no. 29. John Swansey in 1548 had held lands, &c., in Ribchester and Mellor, but they seem to have been sold to John Southworth in 1559; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdles. 13, m. 190; 21, m. 96.
Wilham Burleydied in 1558 holding a messuage of the queen by knight's service and the rent of 2s. 8d.; Robert his son and heir was four years old; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, no. 57. Robert died in 1617 holding as before and leaving as heir a son William, forty years of age; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc), ii, 77.
George Newshamof Newsham in 1585 held a messuage, &c., in Ribchester of Hugh Shireburne, younger son of Sir Richard, by a rent of 6d.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiv, no. 88. Henry Newsham held of Richard Shireburne in 1619 by the same rent; Thomas his son and heir was twenty-three years of age; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc.), ii, 123.
Thomas Sowerbutts died in 1594 holding a messuage in Ribchester, formerly part of the chantry endowment; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xvi, no. 20.
The Halgh family has been named several times in former notes. It appears that Richard Crompton of Bury in 1545 purchased four messuages and a watermill in Ribchester and Hothersall from Nicholas and George Halgh; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 12, m. 199, 211. The purchaser made a settlement of his estate in 1556, the remainders being to George (son of John) Harper of Radcliffe, and to Richard (son of John) Crompton of Prestall; ibid. bdle. 17, m. 134. The estate is very soon afterwards (1565) found in possession of Thomas Greenhalgh, Jane his wife and Richard his son; ibid. bdle. 27, m. 42. See T. C. Smith, Ribchester, 53.
Michael Clarkson died in 1615 holding Whitecarr fall in Ribchester of Richard Shireburne; he bequeathed this to a younger son John. William the son and heir was only seven years old; Chan. Inq. p.m. dxx, 67.
52 Subs. R. Lancs, bdle. 130, no. 82.
53 Ibid. no. 125.
54 Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Chej.), i, 235; Smith, op. cit. 244.
John Rodes purchased a messuage from Henry Preston in 1588; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 50, m. 57. He died in 1620 owning Halgh House in Ribchester and other lands there of Richard Shireburne by 4s. rent; also lands in Dutton, Clayton-le-Dale and Preston; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), ii, 216. John his son and heir, then thirty years of age, died in 1623, leaving two daughters as co-heirs, viz. Ellen and Margaret, aged four and three respectively; ibid, iii, 360. The Jauden House was part of the estate.
Richard Ward was one of the purchasers from William Blackburn the idiot; Ducatus Lanc, ii, 177, 219; iii, 120, &c. For the family see Smith, op. cit. 256.
55 Subs. R. Lancs, bdle. 131, no. 317. John Osbaldeston, described as of Ribchester, compounded for his recusancy in 1630 by paying £2 10s. a year; Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xxiv, 174.
56 Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 218.
57 The estates of the Dewhursts, Walmsleys and Talbots suffered.
58 Estcourt and Payne, op. cit. 91, 92. They were Richard Trafford, brother of John Trafford of Croston, and John Higgison, miller.
59 In the possession of W. Farrer ('Honor of Clitheroe').
60 Towneley MS. OO, no. 1508; the 'Maydya ford of Ribble' is named. Adam the Ferryman is known from a much earlier deed; he paid a rent of 8d. for his land to William son of Richard de Dutton, who released it to Adam de Blackburn; Towneley MS. DD, no. 141, 1196.
The Bibby family is of frequent occurrence. Richard son of Bibby was in 1292 non-suited in a claim against Robert son of Ellis de Ribchester respecting certain lands; Assize R. 408, m. 57 d. William son of Richard son of Bibby attested a charter of about the same time; Add. MS. 32106, no. 144.
Adam Bibby, no doubt the benefactor, made claims for common of pasture in 1356 against Sir Adam de Hoghton and others; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 5, m. 10 d. In the same year he granted to John de Osbaldeston and William Moton, chaplains, certain lands he had had from William his father and John his brother, lying in landoles in the field called Erley; Add. MS. 32106, no. 456 (fol. 323). He had given a messuage to his brother Thomas in 1354; ibid. no. 208.
The land for the ferry may be the Boathouse field named in the Osbaldeston inquisition already cited.
61 In 1669 an old bridge was replaced by one destroyed in 1772 by a flood; the present one was built two years later; Smith, op. cit. 263.
62 Boathouse Farm was purchased from the Warren heirs (de Tabley) in 1854 by Jonathan Openshaw; information of Mr. James Openshaw, who adds that there was formerly a ford a little above the ferry.
63 The rental of 1609 shows that their lands in Ribchester were then held by Robert Burley (grandson of Robert, living 1544), who paid 2s. 8d. rent; John Rodes, 2s. 11d.; John Greenwood, 2s. 2d.; Richard Walmesley, Fastandfield, 1s. 6d., &c.; Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 132b. It was in 1544 that Richard Crombleholme purchased Fastandfield, land at Boys Bridge and other parts of the Hospitallers' estate in Ribchester and Dutton; Pat. 36 Hen. VIII, pt. xvii. He sold much of it in parcels.
The lands held by the Holts of Gristlehurst perhaps included both Hospitallers' and Whalley lands; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxvi, no. 25.
64 The grants have been recited above. In 1365 Robert de Kendal claimed from Alice daughter of John Wilcockson, John de Turnley and Cecily his wife acquittance of the services demanded by the Abbot of Whalley; De Banco R. 421, m. 157; 424, m. 266 d.
About 1540 Geoffrey Dewhurst held land in Ribchester at a rent of 2s. 1d.; Whalley Couch, iv, 1242.
65 Returns at Preston.
66 48 Geo. III, cap. 79.
67 T. C. Smith, Ribchester, 70–1; Lancs. and Ches. Rec. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 56 (award dated 1812)
68 Nightingale, Lancs. Nonconf. ii, 113.
69 Ibid, 115–17.
An Anabaptist was living at Dilworth in 1699, as appears by an entry in the church registers.
70 Visit. P. at Chester Dioc. Reg.
71 Smith, Ribchester, 56. For the convicted recusants in Ribchester and Dutton c. 1670 see Misc. (Cath. Rec. Soc.), v, 155–6.
72 End. Char. Rep. (Ribchester), 12. His first trustees were Stephen Tempest of Broughton and John Westby of Alston. The bequest, at that time illegal, was faithfully observed, though part of the capital was lost. In 1844 Sir Charles Robert Tempest claimed the right to nominate a priest to serve Stidd Chapel, and withheld the endowment from the Bishop of Salford's nominees, until advised by counsel that he had no right to do so. 'The trusteeship of the charity having thus proved to involve no privilege,' the legal estate was in 1884 transferred to the Bishop of Salford and other trustees.
73 Smith, op. cit. 210–13.