Babworth, Moreton, and Normanton

BABWORTH, MORETON, and NORMANTON.

Soc to the kings manor of Bodmeschell which earl Tosti had before the conquest, in Babworth, Oglesthorp, and Ordsall were six bov. of land and an half for the geld.

The land three car. was waste, except that there were one vill. and two bord. with half a plow or car. There were ten acres of meadow. There was a manor in Babword of Roger de Busli's fee, which Ulmer had before, who paid for it as two bov. and an half. The land being two car. (fn. 1) There Goissrid the man of Roger had one car. and one bord. with half a car. Pasture wood two qu. long, one broad. In the Confessours time this was 40s. value, in the Conquerours but 10s.

It seems the family of Saundeby had very anciently some interest here, as in that place may be observed. Babbeworth in 9 E. 2, (fn. 2) answered for half a villa, and the earl of Lancaster, and Robert de Saundeby were then certified to be lords of it.

(fn. 3) William de Grendon held half a knights fee in Babworth of the old feoffment of the honour of Lancaster.

(fn. 4) The jury in 30 H. 3, found that William de Grendon held of Robert de St. George lord of Bodmeschell in Babworth two bov. and an half, and paid 3s. 4d. per annum.

(fn. 5) Robert de Swillington, 22 E. 1, had free warren granted in Babworth.

(fn. 6) There was an assize taken before William Skippewyth and his fellows at Nottingham, 28 E. 3, between Sir Thomas de Grendon chr. and Henry de Grendon of Warmesworth his brother concerning the manor of Babword, with the advowson of the church, which the said Henry acknowledged to be the right of the said Thomas, who afterwards sold it to Sir William Trussebutt and his heirs, who within three years of his possession gave the advowson of the church of Babbeword to the priory of Newstede, and that he did by the Kings licence, and the licence of Sir Thomas de Saunderby chief and mesne lord, whose charters the Cannons had.

(fn. 7) Sir Robert Trussebutt, son and heir of Sir William, entred after the death of his father into the said manor and appurtenances and rents, but claimed nothing concerning the said advowson, nor meddled any thing with it. And the prior and covent of Newstede in the life of Sir William Trussebutt presented to the said church of Babbeword one William Dobyn of Burgh, clerk in the Kings chancery. And the said Sir Robert Trussebutt within two years after the death of the said Sir William his father, by the counsel of his friends, sold the said manor of Babbeworth, with the appurtenances, to Sir Richard de Willughby lord of Wollaton, and his heirs, making mention in his deed of sale, saying thus, with the advowson of the church of the said town. Yet the said Sir Richard de Willoughby made no claim, but the said William de Burgh continued rector upon their presentation, having held the church above the sale, and four years after.

(fn. 8) In Queen Elizabeths time Richard Worteley paid for his lands in Babworth, sometimes William de Grindons, held by the service of half a knights fee 3s. 4d.— It was within memory sold to Sir Gervas Elwis.

[Throsby] Babworth.

This parish is bounded on the east by West-Retford and on the West by Worksop. It comprehends the hamlets of Great Morton, Little Morton, Norton Grange & Ranby; the whole contains nearly 6000 acres of land, sandy soil, most of which has been enclosed lately from the forest. It is cultivated as most of the forest land is by a succession of wheat, turnips, barley, & grass-seeds. The Chesterfield Navigation runs thro the parish. (fn. 9)

The Village of Babworth lies on the Mansfield road; it contains 51 houses, 1794. (fn. 10)

The church is dedicated to All Saints, has a tower steeple with 3 bells; a nave and North side aisle and chancel all neatly ceiled. The building altogether is handsome, but rather of a modern date by its external appearance. It retains no ancient monumental stones.

Here are remembered John Simpson esq: son of the late William Simpson of this place, and his wife Elizabeth, he died in 1727. William Simpson esq: of Stainforth and his wife, dau. of John Elurich esq; Linley Simpson esq: and his wife Catherine, dau. of the Honourable, and Rev. H. Bridges D. D. Rev. John Simpson 6f Stoke Hall, who died in 1784. father to the present Lady Bradford. Morgan Vane esq: son of the Honourable Morgan Vane, who died in 1758.

A monument has lately been erected from a design of Mr. Repton to the memory of Henrietta Frances Bridgeman Simpson, who died in 1791, aged 32. She was sister to the present Sir Richard Worseley Bart.

Patron, of this rectory is the Hon. John B. Simpson. Incumbent, Rev. John Eyre, K. B. 14l. 19s. 2d. Yearly tenths 1l. 9s 11d. Archiepisc. Syn. 5s. 8d. Archidiac. pro Syn. 7s. 6d. Mans. ter. gleb. decim. &c. John Simpson esq; presented in 1727, William Simpson esq; in 1743, and John Simpson Clerk, in 1769.

Babworth Hall,

The feat of the Honourable John Bridgeman Simpson esq; is seated on a gentle eminence seen from the high road, passing through the village of Babworth, within two miles of East Retford. This mansion has been greatly enlarged by the present potsessor, it has a modern front of brick, with plain ornamental stone. The pleasure grounds, which appear to be pleasing appendages, are improving under the direction of a Mr. Repton. The wood scenery, near the dwelling, is of age and bowery, and is of magnitude sufficient to shelter the mansion from the ordinary ravages of tempestuous seasons. (fn. 11) Hence I passed to view

West Retford Hall,

The seat of Alexander Emerson, esq;. This pleasant house is conveniently situated at an easy distance from West Retford, near the turnpike road leading to Retford. Before the principal front lies a kind of lawn or open space, ornamented with a variety of trees and shrubs, watered by a gentle stream. From this dwelling, the town of Retford, at one view, is a pleasing object. In other positions, near, the eye is gratified with views of pleasing field scenery, in some instances delightful.

We are told that the Prince of Wales in his journey from the north, spoke highly favourable of the situation of Mr. Emerson's feat.