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  1. Victoria County History - Lancaster
  2. A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6
  3. Townships: Whittle-le-Woods

Townships: Whittle-le-Woods

Pages 32-36

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1911.

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WHITTLE-LE-WOODS

Wythull, 1242; Whythill (or Whithull) in the Wode, 1304.

The northern half of this hilly township is traversed by the Lostock, here flowing from east to west and then north. In the angle thus formed lies the village, with the hamlet of Rip Row to the north. The ground here rises to over 400 ft. above sea level. The larger part of Whittle south of the Lostock has Shaw Hill on the western side, the ground rising to 360 ft., and other hills on the eastern side, attaining 460 ft. at the boundary of Chorley. The area is 1,355 acres, (fn. 1) and in 1901 the population was 2,333.

The principal road is that from Chorley to Preston, which goes north, by Rotherham Top and Waterhouse Green, through the village. From this point other roads branch off to Heapey in the east, (fn. 2) Brindle in the north-east, and Leyland in the west. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal winds through the eastern part of the township, a part or branch of it (the Lancaster Canal) going north-west through Rip Row.

The soil is sand, and the land is chiefly in pasture. Cotton is manufactured and calico printing carried on. There are excellent quarries, from which millstones are obtained. There is also a large brewery, and an alkaline spring discovered in 1845 is utilized for brewing. The springs and the scenery attract many picnic parties in the summertime. At the end of the 17th-century a lead mine was worked on Sir Richard Standish's land. (fn. 3)

In 1666 there were sixty hearths to be taxed in Whittlele-Woods. The largest house was Crook Hall with nine hearths; Swansey House had five. (fn. 4)

Boteler of Rawcliffe. Azure a cheveron between three covered cups or.

The township is governed by a parish council.

A hoard of Roman coins was found in 1837. (fn. 5) Pedestals of ancient crosses remain at Dolphin Hill and Gorse Hall. (fn. 6)

Manors

The manor of WHITTLE, a member of the fee of Penwortham, was included in the grant of eight plough-lands made by Richard Bussel to Richard Fitton. (fn. 7) It was afterwards held in moieties, one of which, like Gunolfsmoors, was acquired by the lord of Hoghton. The other moiety became in some way unknown the possession of the Cliftons of Clifton and Westby, (fn. 8) and of them was held by the Botelers of Rawcliffe from about 1250 to 1550. (fn. 9) In 1378 the 'lords of Whittle-le-Woods' contributed 5s. to an aid as for the fourth part of a knight's fee (fn. 10); and in 1445–6 Sir Richard Hoghton and Nicholas Boteler held the fourth part of a knight's fee, contributing equally to the relief when due. (fn. 11) The mesne lordship of the Clifton family was then, as usually, ignored; in inquisitions post mortem lands were stated to be held of Hoghton and Boteler.

The Hoghton moiety long descended with Hoghton, (fn. 12) but appears to have been sold about 1610. (fn. 13) The Boteler moiety was divided between co-heirs in 1572, (fn. 14) one-fourth part of the manor becoming the share of Standish of Duxbury, (fn. 15) and may still be vested in the trustees of this family, (fn. 16) the other fourth going to Anderton of Clayton (fn. 17) and being sold with another fourth part, making a moiety, in 1666 to William Crook. (fn. 18) This portion has been sold again, and the lordship of the manor is now indeterminate.

A family took its surname from the place, but little is known of its earlier history. (fn. 19) It appears down to the 17th century. (fn. 20)

The estate of CROOK, in the north-west of the township, often called a manor, descended in the Crook family for several centuries, (fn. 21) but the two daughters and co-heirs of Anthony Crook (fn. 22) in 1569–70 sold their moieties to John and Thomas Clayton, (fn. 23) stated to have been the sons of Ralph Clayton of Clayton. (fn. 24) John's moiety, known as the New Crook, descended to his son, Dr. Richard Clayton, Dean of Peterborough, (fn. 25) who died without issue, (fn. 26) and then to the issue of another son, Ralph. Richard Clayton, grandson of Ralph, died without issue in 1659, (fn. 27) and was succeeded by his sister Dorothy, wife of George Leycester of Toft in Cheshire. (fn. 28) The Old Crook descended from Thomas Clayton (fn. 29) in the male line (fn. 30) to Captain Robert Clayton of Fulwood, near Preston, who sold it to the above-named William Crook. (fn. 31) The New Crook came soon afterwards into the possession of the same family. (fn. 32)

Other families occurring in the records as holding lands in the township were those of Bank, (fn. 33) Farington, (fn. 34) Foster, (fn. 35) Garstang, (fn. 36) Gerard of Brindle, (fn. 37) Shireburne of Stonyhurst, (fn. 38) Swansey (fn. 39) succeeded by Walmesley, (fn. 40) Wilson, (fn. 41) and Woodcock. (fn. 42) William Clayton and John Hilton were freeholders in 1600. (fn. 43) The heir of John Clayton is named in 1628. (fn. 44) Under the Commonwealth the estate of Hugh Tootell was confiscated for treason and ordered for sale (fn. 45); but Tootell was afterwards allowed to compound for part at least. (fn. 46) James Crook, Ralph Davenport, Peter Heatley and Richard Wilson, as 'Papists' in 1717 registered estates in Whittle. (fn. 47) In 1789 the chief landowners were Sir Frank Standish of Duxbury, Samuel Crook of Old Crook, Thomas Crosse of Shaw Hill, Thomas Townley Parker, Dr. Lowe and John Threlfall. (fn. 48)

The Shaw Hill estate, now the most prominent in the township, is said to be the result of a number of small purchases, added to lands inherited from Sarah daughter and heir of Robert Ashburner of Preston, who married Thomas Crosse of Cross Hall in Chorley in 1750. (fn. 49)

The Knights Hospitallers held lands in Whittle from early in the 13th century; the Molyneux family were tenants in later times. (fn. 50)

For the members of the Church of England St. John's was built in 1830 and rebuilt in 1882. The patronage is vested in the vicar of Leyland. (fn. 51)

Crosse of Shaw Hill. Quarterly gules and or, in the first and fourth quarters a cross potent argent.

A school was founded in 1769. (fn. 52)

The Wesleyan Methodists had a chapel built in 1839, now replaced by one built in 1897.

The Roman Catholic church of St. Chad, South Hill, represents a mission known to have existed in the adjacent parish of Brindle in the 17th century. (fn. 53) The first fixed place of worship was the upper room of a house at Slatedelph in Wheelton, secured from William Blacklidge and Henry his son in 1729. (fn. 54) It remained in charge of the Jesuits (fn. 55) till the death of Fr. George Clarkson in 1813; he was a native of the place and built a new church at South Hill in 1791. (fn. 56) This was rebuilt in 1896. It is in the hands of the secular clergy. (fn. 57)

Footnotes

  • 1. 1,357 acres, including 19 of inland water; Census Rep. 1901.
  • 2. The road to Heapey is called in part Town Lane; a map of 1774 shows that the Town field lay on the north side of it. Somewhat to the south is Lucas Green.
  • 3. a Gibson, Cavalier's Note-Bk., 300.
  • 4. Subs. R. 250, no. 9.
  • 5. Watkin, Rom. Lancs. 235.
  • 6. Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Soc. xvii, 23, 27.
  • 7. Farrer, Lancs. Pipe R. 374.
  • 8. Gilbert de Clifton was a defendant in 1290; Assize R. 1288, m. 13. Robert son of Mons. William de Clifton in 1322 demised to Randolf two parts of the park of Whittle-le-Woods until the full age of Nicholas son of William le Boteler; Dods. MSS. liii, fol. 93b. Cuthbert Clifton died in 1512 seised of the homage and service of Sir Nicholas Boteler for certain lands held in Whittlein-the-Woods; Duchy of Lane. Inq. p.m. iii, no. 3; iv, no. 12. Sir William Molyneux, who married Elizabeth, the daughter and heir, was seised of the same in 1548; ibid. ix, no. 6.
  • 9. Richard le Boteler released to Thomas de Whittle his claim made against him in 1259–60, so that Thomas might hold his land in Whittle of Richard and his heirs; Dods. MSS. liii, fol. 86b. On the other hand Mabel daughter of Thomas gave to Sir Richard le Boteler all her land in Whittle (ibid. fol. 87), and William son of Thomas de Whittle granted to Sir Richard lands within certain bounds; Kuerden MSS. iii, W 22. He also released to Nicholas son and heir of Sir William Boteler all the rent he had been accustomed to receive from Sir William for the mill of Whittle and various lands there; Dods. MSS. liii, fol. 87. Richard le Boteler in 1259–60 also released his claim against William Ball and Richard de Hesketh and their wives; ibid. fol. 95. To the same Richard Adam Topping conceded all his right to common of pasture in Richard's park in Whittle; ibid. fol. 87. This park is also named in a grant by William Bussel of Euxton to Sir Richard, viz. of 4 acres of land with their appurtenances of the waste of Werden lying between Sir Richard's park of Whittle and the Kirkgate from Whittle to Leyland; ibid. fol. 95. In a charter of 1347 Sir Nicholas le Boteler demised to Joan widow of Adam de Charnock for her life the lands which Robert de Heskin, formerly her husband, had held in the park of Whittle, except a messuage, &c., then held by Margery widow of Adam de Heskin for life; ibid. fol. 95b. See also Assize R. 1238, m. 31 d.; Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iii, 108, 136.
  • 10. Harl. MS. 2085, fol. 421, &c.
  • 11. Duchy of Lanc. Knights' Fees, 2/20. In 1431 Sir Richard Hoghton was said to hold the moiety of the manor of the king by the fourth part of a knight's fee and 6d. rent; Harl. MS. 2085, fol. 447b.
  • 12. See Final Conc. i, 192; iii, 146. It does not appear how the Hoghtons acquired this estate, unless it had previously become united with Gunolfsmoors. A 'Whithill in Wheelton,' perhaps this Whittle, is named in the account of Wheelton. Sir Richard de Hoghton in 1388 gave to Thomas son of Richard Hanson de Whittle the moiety of certain land newly approved on the south side of the Berefield in Whittle, at a rent of 9d.; Add. MSS. 32109, fol. 50. The other moiety was about the same time given to Thomas by Sir Robert de Urswick and Ellen his wife; it was described as 'upon Leythlandhurst, between the Berefield and the boundary of Worden'; ibid. fol. 57. Sir Alexander Hoghton in 1498 held the moiety of a fourth part of a knight's fee of the king as of his duchy; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, no. 66. Later inquisitions record the tenure similarly.
  • 13. It does not occur in fines, &c., concerning the Hoghton estates, and was probably acquired by Standish of Duxbury and Anderton of Clayton; cf. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 23, 214; iii, 313.
  • 14. John Boteler of Rawcliffe died in 1488 holding twenty messuages, lands, &c., in Whittle-le-Woods and Goosnargh of the king by knights' service, viz. by the moiety of a knight's fee; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, no. 43. His son James in 1503 complained that this finding was erroneous, asserting that the premises in Whittle were held of Robert Whittle by fealty and a rent of 12d.; ibid. iii, no. 45. James Butler himself died the next year, and the jury did not know of whom his lands in Whittle were held; ibid. iii, no. 109. Later the tenure was called knights' service; ibid. x, no. 4. John Butler, who died in 1534, left four daughters, of whom Elizabeth married James Standish of Duxbury, and Grace married Hugh Anderton of Euxton; Anne, daughter and heir of a third, married Gilbert Gerard, who became Master of the Rolls. On the partition in 1572 Thomas Standish and James Anderton received the moiety of the manor of Whittle, while Gilbert Gerard and his wife had Hoole; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 231, m. 8.
  • 15. By virtue of the above-named partition Thomas Standish died in 1599 holding the manor with messuages, lands, &c. in Whittle-le-Woods of the queen as of her duchy by the twentieth part of a knight's fee; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xvii, no. 54. Alexander his son, who died in 1622, also held the manor, &c., by knights' service; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iii, 399. In fines, &c., regarding this family's estates the manor of Whittle is included, and as the Hoghton manor disappears about the same time it (or a moiety) may have been purchased by Alexander Standish. See Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 104, no. 10; 306, m. 77, &c.
  • 16. In 1611 a partition of the manor was desired by Alexander Standish and James Anderton; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 305, m. 20 d. The partition was decreed the following year; ibid. 307, m. 20.
  • 17. James Anderton of Worden in Leyland, who died in 1523, held lands in Whittle of Sir Richard Hoghton and John Butler; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. v, no. 51. James Anderton of Euxton in 1552 held lands in Whittle of Sir Richard Hoghton in socage by 6d. rent; ibid. ix, no. 14. It was his son Hugh who married one of the co-heirs of John Butler, as above stated, and ultimately the fourth part of Whittle descended with Clayton to his son James. James Anderton died in 1630 holding a fourth part of the manor of Whittle of the king by the hundredth part of a knight's fee, and another fourth part, also by knights' service; ibid. xxvii, no. 56; W. and L. Inq. p.m. lxxxvi, 191. The former fourth part was inherited from his mother and named in the settlement of 1602; the latter fourth was probably purchased from Hoghton. This manor is named in settlements of the Anderton of Clayton estates; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 64 (1602), m. 233; 177, m. 88. This last, of 1666, indicates the time of sale, for in that year James Anderton of Clayton gave the manor of Whittle to Grace Bold, reserving a few parcels and the right to take millstones for Clayton mill out of the quarries, 'roaches,' or 'delphs' in Whittle at the rate of 13s. 4d. a millstone; Close, 18 Chas. II, pt. xvi, no. 20 (4209), m. 27; no. 18, m. 28–9; no. 21, m. 26 (a reference due to Mr. H. I. Anderton).
  • 18. A statement by Kuerden quoted in Baines, Lancs. (ed. 1870), ii, 141. The manor of Whittle-le-Woods and other lands were in 1768 held by Samuel Crook and Elizabeth his wife; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 230, m. 31. In 1769 Sir Frank Standish and Samuel Crook were lords of the manor; End. Char. Rep. (Leyland), 22.
  • 19. The first of the family known seems to be the Henry son of Gilbert who, as stated below, made a grant to the Hospitallers. He had sons Thomas and Hugh, the latter perhaps ancestor of the Crook family. Richard le Boteler in 1259–60 gave land to Thomas de Whittle; Kuerden MSS. iii, W 22. Thomas made a grant to Hugh his brother, while William son of Thomas confirmed it or made an additional grant to the same Hugh his uncle; ibid. ii, fol. 265. Ellen widow of Thomas de Whittle released to William her son her dower land; ibid. iii, W 22. Ellen was living in 1301; Assize R. 1321, m. 8 d. William son of Thomas gave lands to Adam de Priestlache; he also made a grant to Sir Richard le Boteler, while to Nicholas le Boteler he gave the service of Adam del Moor (viz. a rent of 6d.); Kuerden MSS. iii, W 22. To Richard de Hoghton he gave 'what he had' in Whittle, and Agnes daughter of William son of Thomas de Whittle released to Master Richard de Hoghton what she had in the Halgh in Whittle; ibid. William son of William de Whittle was a plaintiff in 1292; Assize R. 408, m. 57 d. He granted to Sir Richard le Boteler a fourth part of the wood and waste, his father being a witness; Kuerden MSS. iii, W 22. William son of Thomas granted the Townyard to his daughter Ellen, together with the homage of Alice del Crook; ibid. Cecily the widow of William son of Thomas in 1304 claimed dower against Master Richard de Hoghton and Henry son of John del Bank, and it appeared that Emma the daughter (and heir) of William had married John (or Jordan) de Ditton (Dutton), and had left four daughters, all under age, viz. Isabel, Avice, Alice and Christiana; De Banco R. 149, m. 177; 151, m. 213, 201 d. The following had in 1303 been called to warrant Master Richard: Thomas Topping and Alice his wife, Adam del More and Ellen his wife, Jordan de Dutton, clerk, and Emma his wife, and Agnes daughter of William de Whittle; De Banco R. 145, m. 163. The above-named Thomas de Whittle granted land in Farnley to Roger de Whittle, who may be the Roger del Crook of other deeds; Robert son of Roger gave the same to William his son, while another son, Richard, regranted to his father Robert what he had had; Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 265. William (son of Robert) made a grant to his sister Agnes, and from a charter of hers it appears she had brothers Adam and John and a sister Alice; ibid. iii, W 22. From a dispute as to a messuage and lands in Whittle in 1331 it appears that Robert son of Roger de Whittle granted them to Agnes, afterwards wife of William the Disherson; Robert's son Richard died before his father, leaving (by a second wife) a son and heir Adam, under age; Assize R. 1404, m. 26. Margery the widow of Richard de Whittle was a plaintiff (for dower) in 1330; De Banco R. 283, m. 14. The suit named was still proceeding in 1347 when Adam son of Richard de Whittle unsuccessfully claimed three messuages, 32 acres, &c., against William le Disherson, Agnes his wife, and John their son; Assize R. 435, m. 39 d., 43 d. Richard had a brother Henry, whose son was William. In the Kuerden deeds cited Thomas son of Richard Hanson de Whittle is several times mentioned, c. 1380. Other deeds about him and his family are in Add. MS. 32109.
  • 20. See also the account of Wheelton. Oliver Whittle contributed to the subsidy of 1542–3 for lands; Subs. R. 130, no. 126. In 1595 James Anderton of Clayton purchased a messuage, &c., from Thomas Whittle; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 57, m. 54. Richard Whittle died in 1591 holding a messuage, &c., in Whittle of James Anderton and 'two falls or perches of land' lately improved from the waste, held of the king by the two-hundredth part of a knight's fee; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 179. His son Oliver had left a son Richard, who was three years of age at his grandfather's death.
  • 21. The early history of the family is very obscure, but, if it may be assumed that Hugh de Crook was identical with Hugh de Whittle son of Henry, the following is the outline of it. A number of the Crook deeds are in the Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 240; iii, W 13, W 22; and in Harl. MS. 2042, fol. 169. William Fitton (de Lytton in one place) granted to Hugh son of Henry de Whittle a moiety of the land between certain bounds—the Crossland, Clough, Horstan, and the Lostock being named, Amiria daughter of William Fitton (de Lydton or Litlton) part of her land within bounds beginning at Horstan, by the thread of the Lostock to the ditch and so to Castilne Clough, beyond Black Menegate to Penelache, Croysitland, &c., to the starting place. See Kuerden MSS. iii, W 13, W 22. Hugh del Crook in 1256–7 made an agreement with John de Clayton as to common of pasture; ibid. ii, fol. 240b. In 1292 it was averred that Hugh del Crook had held land in Clayton and Whittle, to which the heirs were his daughters Alice and Emma; the latter, of unsound mind, was then dead. Alice married William Ball and had a son William, a minor; and then married one Thomas Coltman, by whom she had issue, and afterwards died. Henry de Charnock was holding the land for Thomas's life. See Assize R. 408, m. 3. It seems that Alice was living in 1290; Assize R. 1288, m. 13. William Fitton gave to Emma his daughter, who had married William son of Henry Ball, lands in Snape, Croston, Farnley, &c., and an eighth part of his demesne; Kuerden MSS. iii, W 22. Richard le Boteler in 1259–60 released to William Ball and Eve (? Emma) his wife and to Richard de Hesketh and Amiria his wife their tenement in Whittle, &c.; Dods. MSS. liii, fol. 95. William de Crook, perhaps the minor of 1292, was a grantor in 1303; Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 240. The next step is uncertain. Alice daughter of Richard de Clayton and widow of William de Chorley gave to Richard her father land in Crook in Clayton (sic); and Alice de Crook, apparently the same, in 1322–3 gave a moiety of Crook field to her brother Robert (son of Richard), with remainders to Philip and William, brothers of Robert; ibid. William de Crook, probably the brother of Alice, in 1331 obtained a part of the waste from Adam de Clayton; ibid. In the following year William de Crook contributed to the subsidy; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 52. In 1349 Margery daughter of John de Clayton made a grant to William de Crook and Ellen his wife; Kuerden, loc. cit. Richard de Crook occurs from 1383 to 1401; he is described as son of William in 1384 and again in 1401, when he obtained land called Letherland le Hurst on Priestlache moor; ibid. Hugh son of John de Crook in 1386 gave Toppinghouse land, &c., to Richard de Crook and Thomas his son; ibid. In 1387 William de Crook and Richard his son appear to have withdrawn from the king's service at sea and in Scotland; Cal. Pat. 1385–9, pp. 280, 284. Richard de Crook in 1400 made a feoffment of his lands in Whittle, Walton-le-Dale, Heath Charnock, Howick and Wigan; Kuerden, loc. cit. His wife Clemency occurs. In 1401 Richard gave land on the Withenbutts in the Town field in exchange for the Skinnerbutts in the same field given him by Thomas son of Richard Hanson; Add. MS. 32109, fol. 67b. Thomas son of Richard Crook about 1411 married Godith daughter of William Ambrose; and Godith widow of Thomas occurs from 1426 down to 1447; Kuerden, loc. cit. Richard the son and heir of Thomas Crook made an agreement with Godith as to her dower in 1436–7, and the following year he seems to have married Janet; ibid. Richard was still living in 1482, in which year William Crook, who from other deeds is known to have been his son and heir, had a wife Agnes, sister of Isabel Wild; ibid. William Crook died in November 1506 holding twelve messuages, 300 acres of land, &c., in Clayton and Whittle, which he granted to trustees in 1494 for the use of Agnes his wife and his heirs. The lands in Whittle were held of John Butler of Rawcliffe and Richard Hoghton by the rent of 3d. His heir was a son Anthony, fifteen years of age; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, no. 32. By his will his brother Gilbert, a priest, was executor; Anthony was to be kept at Oxford and the Inns of Court. Other children are named— Thomas, Cecily, Anne. James Anderton of Worden was a brother-in-law. Testator's first wife was Alice daughter and heir of John Eltonhead, esq.; she had given 10s. a year to keep her obit in Grace Dieu Abbey, Leic. His second wife was named Agnes; Dods. MSS. xxii, fol. 104b. In the same charters another family of Crook may be traced from about 1300 to 1386. One of them was Joan wife of Richard the Clerk; see Final Conc. iii, 11.
  • 22. Anthony Crook died about 1525. His wife's name was Joan. By his will he divided his manor of Crook and lands between his daughters Katherine and Mary; Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 240. In 1541 Nicholas Williamson, Mary his wife, George Smalley and Katherine his wife demised the manor of Crook for twenty-one years to William Garstang at £6 16s. rent; Kuerden MSS. iii, W 13. Another lease of Crook Hall was made in 1564 to Cecily widow of Thurstan Garstang and William her son by Henry Richardson, Katherine his wife, John Ward of Denford, Northants, and Mary his wife; ibid. ii, fol. 240.
  • 23. Sir Henry Richardson and Katherine his wife conveyed their moiety of the mansion house of Crook, alias Crook Hall, and of messuages, &c., in Whittle, Clayton, and Crook Manor, to John Clayton; while John Ward of Denford and Mary his wife conveyed their moiety to Thomas Clayton. Oliver Breres and Cecily his wife and William Garstang were in possession under a lease; James Anderton was their tenant. See Duchy of Lanc. Plead. lxxxii, C 10; lxxxi, A 3, 13; Draft Dec. 15 Eliz., no 21. The sale of a moiety by John and Mary Ward to Thomas Clayton was made in 1569; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 31, m. 40. The sale of the other moiety took place the following year, Henry Richardson, Katherine his wife and the latter's son Anthony Smalley being the vendors; ibid. bdle. 32, m. 6. See also Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xxv, 55, for the Clayton family; Gen. xxvi, 129.
  • 24. Pedigree recorded in 1664; Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 85.
  • 25. John Clayton had sons William, Richard and Ralph and daughters Jane (wife of Richard Ashton), Ellen (wife of John Leigh) and Janet (wife of William Johnson); and the eldest son William having died before him he seems to have made contradictory settlements, one giving the preference to Richard and the other to Ralph. John died in January 1585–6 and disputes arose. Richard, 'a poor student at Cambridge,' seems to have established his right. See Duchy of Lanc. Plead. cxlv, C 5; cxliv, A 20; cxlix, C 18. See also Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 22–3; the capital messuage and lands in Whittle were held of the lord of Whittle le Woods by services unknown.
  • 26. Ibid. i, 213; the moieties were held of Alexander Standish of Duxbury and James Anderton. The heir was John Clayton son of Ralph (brother of Richard), fifteen years of age. Dr. Richard Clayton entered St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1572, and became scholar and fellow (1577). He was elected master of Magdalene College in 1593, and two years later returned to his old college as master, being welcomed as 'a man of business and very sociable.' He caused the erection of the second court at St. John's, but in his time the reputation of the college for scholarship declined. At the same time the Calvinistic Puritanism which had distinguished it also died out. He became Archdeacon and Prebendary of Lincoln in 1595, Dean of Peterborough 1607, and warden of a hospital at Lincoln 1609; in his college he obtained a double share of the revenue for the master and a lease at his choice. 'By such means as this,' says the college historian, 'this master . . . heaped up great riches, but did not know who should gather them; for dying suddenly of an apoplexy 2 May 1612 without a will, his next relations not agreeing about the division, his wealth became a rich booty to the men of the law'; T. Baker, Hist. of St. John's Coll. (cd. Mayor), i, 190–7. Administration was granted to Jane Ashton, widow, his sister; ibid.
  • 27. John Clayton died at Whittle in December 1625, leaving a son and heir Richard, eight years old. In addition to his moiety of Crook (held of James Anderton), and other lands in Lancashire, he held the manors of Sotby and Bleasby, in Lincolnshire; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxv, no. 15. Richard Clayton was buried at Leyland on 7 June 1659; Parish Reg.
  • 28. Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), i, 506–7.
  • 29. Thomas Clayton died in 1591 holding messuages, land, &c., in Whittle-leWoods and Clayton, of the lords thereof, by services not known. He also had lands in Leyland, Fulwood and Fishwick. William his son and heir was thirty-six years of age; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xv, no. 3.
  • 30. William Clayton died in 1632 holding a capital messuage called the Crook in Whittle, and various lands there and elsewhere in Lancashire, and leaving a son and heir Thomas, forty years of age; ibid. xxviii, no. 79. Thomas was still living in 1664, when the pedigree was recorded. His son Robert was then thirty-seven years of age, and had a brother Thomas, from whom descended the Claytons of Adlington. Thomas Clayton the elder was a Parliamentarian, and served as a captain in 1643; War in Lancs. (Chet. Soc.), 42. He was buried at Leyland on 13 August 1669.
  • 31. Kuerden, quoted by Baines; Lancs. (ed. 1870), ii, 141.
  • 32. In 1703 Samuel Crook of Coppull granted to feoffees his moiety of the manor or reputed manor of Whittlele-Woods, the messuages called Old Crook and New Crook with lands appurtenant, Coppull House, &c., in Coppull, Burgh in Chorley, and other messuages and lands; Deed in possession of W. Farrer.
  • 33. John de Bank contributed to the subsidy of 1332; Exch. Lay Subs. 52. William son of William de Bank, Richard son of William and William son of Henry appear in deeds between 1386 and 1402 preserved by Kuerden; ii, fol. 156; iii, W 22. The seal of William de Bank is appended to one deed; it shows a cheveron between three billets (?).
  • 34. William Farington in right of Henry Butler (who had made an exchange) claimed lands in Whittle against James Anderton in 1594; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. clxiii, F 10. Whittle Green is mentioned. William Farington of Worden in 1610 held land of James Anderton and Alexander Standish; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 180.
  • 35. William Foster died in 1636 holding lands in Whittle of James Anderton. There were four co-heirs— Thomas Wareing, John Burscough, Richard Farington and William Stopforth; Towneley MS. C 8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), p. 423.
  • 36. Lewis Garstang (Gerstan) and Ellen his wife in 1458 gave to James son of Ralph Garstang all their lands, &c., in Whittle at a rent of 6s. 8d. during their lives; Add. MS. 32109, fol. 74. Thomas the son of Lewis in 1464 released to James his right in certain lands; ibid. fol. 87. John Garstang of Livesey, &c., in 1530 held lands in Whittle of Sir Richard Hoghton by a rent of 4d.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. vi, no. 5. His son and heir was James, eight years of age. For Garstang disputes in 1554 see Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), i, 277. William Garstang in 1590 made a feoffment of three messuages, &c., in Whittle; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 52, m. 10. It seems to have been the same William who died in 1638 holding two messuages, &c., in Whittle of Thomas Standish of Duxbury. His son Andrew having died before him, the heirs were the daughters of Andrew—Anne wife of Robert Lowe and Ellen wife of Henry Wright, aged respectively twenty-four and twenty-three; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxx, no. 64.
  • 37. William Gerard died in 1622 holding lands of James Anderton and Alexander Standish and Thomas son and heir of Alexander; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 313. Ellen Walmesley was daughter and heir.
  • 38. Richard Shireburne died in 1513 holding lands in Whittle of John Butler in socage; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iv, no. 46. A similar statement is made in later inquisitions.
  • 39. The Swanseys held lands in Whittle in 1493; Final Conc. iii, 144. Hugh Swansey in 1566 held a messuage, &c., there of Thomas Hoghton and Henry Boteler in socage by a rent of 4s. 8d.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, no. 29.
  • 40. Robert (the son of Hugh) Swansey sold to Thomas Walmesley the elder in 1572 and later; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 34, m. 36; 47, m. 48. Thomas Walmesley died in or before 1584, and left the capital messuage called Whittle House, with its lands, &c., to his younger son Edward and heirs male; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiv, no. 72. See also Ducatus Lanc. iii, 119, &c.
  • 41. Richard Wilson owned a messuage, &c., in 1593; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 55, m. 206.
  • 42. They held a third of the tithe barn and the tithes of corn, &c., of the king; Duchy of Lane. Inq. p.m. xxix, no. 63, 13.
  • 43. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 245.
  • 44. Ibid, i, 170.
  • 45. Index of Royalists (Index Soc.), 44.
  • 46. Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 3103.
  • 47. Estcourt and Payne, Engl. Cath. Non-jurors, 129, 132.
  • 48. Land tax returns at Preston.
  • 49. For the Ashburners see N. and Q. (Ser. 4), vi, 413. An account of the Crosse family is given under the townships of Wigan and Chorley; see also Foster, Lancs. Ped.
  • 50. a Sir Richard Molyneux in 1569 held lands in Whittle of the queen as of the late priory of St. John of Jerusalem; Duchy of Lane. Inq. p.m. xiii, no. 35. These lands of the Hospitallers in Whittle are named in 1292; Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 375. They probably included (or consisted of) a grant of land at the head of Meneriding, made about 1220 by William son of Edith for the souls of his parents and of Sir Roger de Lacy; Dods. MSS. liii, fol. 95. Another grant was made by Henry son of Gilbert de Whittle; Kuerden MSS. iii, W 22. The lands were not included in the 1540 rental (Kuerden MSS. v, fol. 83), being apparently regarded as part of the Euxton estate.
  • 51. The former church was built principally out of a parliamentary grant. A district was formed for it in 1842; Lond. Gaz. 3 May.
  • 52. End. Char. Rep. (Leyland), 22, 62. The school was built on part of the waste called Waterhouse Green.
  • 53. The list of recusants in 1628 is printed in Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 181. It includes Hugh Tootell and his wife.
  • 54. Foley, Rec. S. J. v, 338. An amusing account is given of the defeat of the enterprise of a gang of priest-catchers about 1730, the priest's gentle speech making them ashamed of their enterprise. For the Blacklidge family see A. Hewitson, Our Country Churches, p. 568. He states: 'Mr. Robert Blacklidge, of Highfield House, Brindle . . . has now [c. 1870] in his possession several very ancient Catholic vestments, the history of which cannot be made out, but which were probably used in a private chapel connected with some of his ancestors. . . . Mr. Blacklidge has also in his possession a pewter chalice and paten; but they are of more recent make and tally in style with those in use about 150 years ago, when a close eye was kept upon valuable Catholic church property, and when, by way of keeping "hands off," it was necessary to make sacred vessels of common metal.' An old vestment from Brindle is now at Stonyhurst, also a pewter chalice.
  • 55. In 1750 Fr. William Gillibrand (of Chorley) had a stipend of £50. In 1784 the number of communicants was 260, and 68 persons were confirmed; in 1793 the numbers were 240 and 110. Sec Foley, op. cit. v, 321–5.
  • 56. Ibid. vii, 136.
  • 57. Liverpool Catholic Annual.