Townships: Scarisbrick

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1907.

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'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, (London, 1907) pp. 265-276. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

SCARISBRICK

Skaresbrek, Scharesbrech, 1238; Scharisbrec, 1307; Scaresbrecke, 1575; Scarisbrick, 1604. There was a tendency to omit the initial S; e.g. Charisbrec, c. 1240. Locally pronounced Scazebrick.

This township forms the north-western corner of the parish. It is situated in open country, flat as to surface, and like most of the wind-swept districts of the northern part of the hundred but poorly supplied with trees. Scarisbrick Hall, standing about the centre of the township, is surrounded by ample grounds fairly thickly wooded, and by comparison the rest of the country looks bare and unclothed with foliage, with the exception of scattered plantations in the fenny land. The north-eastern part of the township occupies part of the site of Martin Mere, and is consequently of a marshy character liable to flooding; therefore the land is systematically drained and pumping operations are constantly carried on. The geological formation consists of the keuper red marl of the upper red sandstone, except to the south-east of Scarisbrick Hall, where the upper mottled sandstone of the bunter series is thrown up by a fault—running north-east to near Tarlscough. In the north-western half of the township the strata are obscured by peat 10 to 30 feet in thickness. The northern half of its surface is less than 25 feet above the Ordnance datum.

The hamlet of Snape lies in the west; Bescar, a corruption of Birch carr, in the centre; and Drummers dale, anciently Drumbles dale, in the east. To the south-west of the park is Gorsuch, formerly Gooseford-syke. The southern half of the township is properly called Hurleton, now written Harleton. On the eastern edge is Barrison Green, and on the southern is Aspinwall, sometimes called Asmoll. The township measures five miles from north-west to south-east; the total area is 8,397½ acres. (fn. 1) The rich soil reclaimed from waste marsh is very fertile, fine crops of potatoes, oats, beans, turnips, &c., are successfully cultivated. The soil is loam, in some places sandy and peaty. The population in 1901 was 2,140.

The principal road is that from Ormskirk to South-port, passing along the west side of the park and through Snape. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal winds through the southern part of the township, mainly from west to east. At the point where the Southport road crosses it by the bridge, passengers for that seaside resort used formerly to alight to take the coach for the rest of the journey. (fn. 2) The Lancashire and Yorkshire Company's line crosses Scarisbrick to the north of the park, having a station at Bescar lane.

Bricks and drain pipes are made.

The township has a parish council.

'Divers scores' of Roman coins were found here in 1655. (fn. 3)

A considerable number of crosses are known to have existed in Scarisbrick. One is still standing within the park wall near the south-west corner; formerly it was a wayside cross, but the park has now encroached upon the road. (fn. 4) There is a well close by.

MANORS

The name SCARISBRICK does not occur in Domesday Book, the township being involved in 'Harleton and half of Martin,' which in 1066 was held by Uctred for half a hide, or three plough-lands, and was worth 10s. 8d. beyond the usual rent, being part of the privileged three hides. (fn. 5)

There is no express mention of these places from 1086 until the time of Richard I. It is probable that then, as for long past, they were held of the lord of Lathom in thegnage. (fn. 6) In the reign of Richard I Simon de Grubhead, who has been named in the account of Lathom, gave these places to his brother Gilbert, (fn. 7) who, as Gilbert de Scarisbrick, afterwards made a grant of land in his manor to Cockersand Abbey. (fn. 8) Some forty years later Richard son of Robert de Lathom gave, or confirmed, to Walter de Scarisbrick, who was son of Gilbert, 'Harleton and Scarisbrick, which Simon de Grubhead formerly gave to Gilbert his brother by charter, rendering the ancient farm, viz. 8 shillings of silver at Martinmas.' (fn. 9) Simon de Grubhead appears to have had some claims to the estates of the Lathom family, which, in 1224, were limited (by fine made with Richard son of Richard de Lathom) to the manors of Childwall, Roby, and Anglezark, and were extinguished in 1238 by Robert de Lathom by a payment of 80 marks. (fn. 10) Harleton and Scarisbrick were included among the lands which Roger de Marsey sold in 1230 to Ranulf, earl of Chester; (fn. 11) but the nature of Marsey's interest is not clear. It is possible that he was mesne between the lord of Lathom and the earl of Chester, to whom Henry III, in 1229, had granted the land between Ribble and Mersey, including the wapentakes of West Derby, Salford, and Leyland. (fn. 12) If so this mesne tenure was removed by the sale of 1230. (fn. 13)

Gilbert de Scarisbrick (fn. 14) was succeeded, probably before 1238, by his son Walter, who, like his father, was a benefactor to Cockersand, granting an acre of his demesne; (fn. 15) he also added to the endowments of Burscough by grants in Harleton, Gorsuch, and Scarisbrick. (fn. 16) According to the register of Burscough Priory Walter was twice married, (fn. 17) and by a certain Edusa he had a son Richard, sometimes called 'son of Edusa,' and sometimes 'son of Walter.' (fn. 18)

Scarisbrick of Scarisbrick. Gules, three mullets in bend between two bendlets engrailed argent.

Henry de Scarisbrick succeeded his father Walter about 1260, and held the manor some ten years. He and Roger de Hurleton made an agreement with the prior of Burscough as to the bounds between their lands. (fn. 19) He also was a benefactor to Cockersand Abbey. (fn. 20)

Gilbert, son and heir of Henry, probably a child, succeeded. He made a grant to the prior of Burscough, and came to a further agreement with him as to bounds. (fn. 21) He also acquired lands called Quassum (or Whassum) in Scarisbrick. (fn. 22) In 1312 Gilbert was returned by the sheriff as holding forty librates of land of others than the king, and not being a knight. (fn. 23) He was still living in 1336, when Robert son of Richard del Cross of Scarisbrick quitclaimed all right to a plot in Harleton and Scarisbrick 'on the east side of his field near Quassum'; on it Gilbert had erected a windmill. (fn. 24)

He was succeeded about 1330 by his son Gilbert, who before 1320–1 had married Joan daughter of Sir John de Kirkby. (fn. 25) Gilbert the father and Gilbert the son agreed not to alienate the manor of Scarisbrick or any part of the inheritance of Henry son of the younger Gilbert. (fn. 26) Gilbert Scarisbrick died in September 1359, (fn. 27) and was succeeded by his son Henry, who married Eleanor a daughter and coheir of William de Cowdray. (fn. 28) In 1361 he entailed his estates on his heirs male, with remainder to his brother Gilbert; the entail included his manors of Scarisbrick and Harleton, with the homage and services of the free and other tenants, with all the natives, their chattels and sequel. (fn. 29) In 1386 he went to Ireland in the king's service, under Sir John de Stanley. (fn. 30) About ten years later he made agreements as to bounds with the prior of Burscough, new disputes having arisen. (fn. 31) His last recorded act was the leasing of lands called Withinsnape to William the Stringer. (fn. 32)

His son, Sir Henry de Scarisbrick, succeeded before 1405, (fn. 33) when with his mother Joan he was a party to the agreement for the marriage of his daughter Ellen to Robert de Halsall. (fn. 34) By his wife Isabel he had Henry and other sons, and a second daughter Isabel, who in 1418 married Richard de Bradshagh of Aughton. (fn. 35) He took part in the French wars of Henry V, fighting at Agincourt, and being mentioned in the commissions of array in July, 1419, and May, 1420. (fn. 36) The writ of Diem clausit extremum concerning him was issued about July, 1420, so that he probably died in France. (fn. 37) His widow Isabel was living in 1442. (fn. 38)

He was succeeded by his son Henry, who had no surviving children by his first wife Katherine (who died before 1440), but by his second, Margery, had daughters Margaret and Agnes and a son James, born late in his life. He made several feoffments of his estates. (fn. 39)

He seems to have died in or before 1464, (fn. 40) in which year his son James was a juror on the inquest taken after the death of Hugh de Aughton, being described as 'esquire.' In 1471 a dispute between him and the lord of Halsall as to the bounds of Renacres in Halsall and Shurlacres (fn. 41) in Scarisbrick was settled by arbitration. (fn. 42)

In 1472–3 an arrangement was made between James Scarisbrick and Sir Thomas Talbot of Bashall as to the marriage of the former's son and heir, Gilbert, with the latter's daughter Elizabeth, and in 1488 the 420 marks due to James Scarisbrick were fully paid. (fn. 43) Of his own marriages it is recorded that his first wife was Margery, daughter of Sir Robert Booth of Dunham; (fn. 44) his second wife, who survived him, was named Elizabeth. He died between September, 1494 (fn. 45) and May, 1496. (fn. 46)

Gilbert, who succeeded, did not long survive his father, dying on 24 April, 1502. (fn. 47) His will recited a feoffment of his manors of Scarisbrick and Eggergarth, and desired his trustees to marry his son and heir, James, 'to a woman of worshipful blood,' and to apply the sums received for this marriage towards providing portions for his daughters Margery and Alice. His other son, Thomas, was to have £4 a year, and Margaret his wife certain lands in Snape and elsewhere; to his bastard daughter, Alice, he left 10 marks. (fn. 48)

James Scarisbrick was aged about ten years at his father's death. Some years later the king claimed his wardship, on the ground that certain of his lands were held directly of the crown; on inquiry this was found to be a mistake. Scarisbrick and Harleton were held of the earl of Derby as successor to the Lathom family, (fn. 49) Eggergarth of Butler of Warrington (the king then having the wardship of the heir), Snape of Sir Henry Halsall, and other lands of the prior of Burscough and the lords of Aughton, Griffith, and Starkie. (fn. 50) Before this was settled James died, (fn. 51) leaving his younger brother Thomas, then six years of age, to succeed. His wardship was granted by the king to William Smith, escheator of the county, (fn. 52) who sold it to the earl of Derby. The latter availed himself of the opportunity to marry his natural daughter Elizabeth to his ward. (fn. 53)

In 1529 a disputed boundary in the moss land between Scarisbrick and Halsall was decided by setting 'meres, limits and stakes' by twelve men (six from each side) in the presence of numerous witnesses. (fn. 54) In the same year new feoffees of the estates were appointed on the arrangement of a marriage between Frances (or Dorothy) Booth and James the son and heir of Thomas Scarisbrick. James was then about six years of age, and he chose Dorothy, aged four. (fn. 55) Thomas Scarisbrick did not long survive, his will being dated 4 October, 1530. (fn. 56)

The son James Scarisbrick's lands were in 1543 valued at £20. (fn. 57) Soon afterwards a complaint was made against him by Ralph Olgreve of Manchester, that he had carried off the latter's wife Isabel from her father's house and was living with her at his own mansion. (fn. 58) A little later (1547) Thomas Gorsuch and Margaret his wife complained that he had trespassed on their lands and made illegal claims. (fn. 59) In 1551 he purchased from William Bradshagh the manor of Uplitherland and the third part of the manor of Aughton, but sold it soon afterwards. He sold the manor of Eggergarth and various lands to Lawrence Ireland of Lydiate. (fn. 60)

His son and heir Edward succeeded early in the reign of Elizabeth. He married Margaret, daughter of Alexander Barlow of Barlow, and had several children. He was a justice of the peace, and in religion 'conformable,' though his wife was a recusant, his children were trained up in Popery and his daughters never came to church. (fn. 61) He died on 27 April, 1599, (fn. 62) and was buried in the Scarisbrick chapel ('his own chancel') in Ormskirk church. By his will, as he had no surviving son, he made Henry son of Thomas Scarisbrick of Barwick his heir, bequeathing to him his sealing ring and other heirlooms. (fn. 63) He had previously made a settlement of his estates, described as the manor of Scarisbrick, two windmills, a hundred messuages, 3,000 acres of land, &c.; these were to go to the above named Henry Scarisbrick, who was to marry Anne daughter of Anthony Parker of Radham in Yorkshire, with remainder to Henry's younger brothers, Anthony, Francis, and Thomas; and then to Edward, son of James Scarisbrick of Downholland. (fn. 64)

The new lord of Scarisbrick was only fifteen years of age on succeeding. (fn. 65) The wife chosen for him was a daughter of Anne, sister of Edward Scarisbrick, so that the two lines were re-united by the marriage. (fn. 66) He did not long enjoy possession, dying on 17 October, 1608; he was buried in 'his own chapel' at Ormskirk. His son and heir Edward, the only child of the marriage, was not born until the following March. (fn. 67)

Edward Scarisbrick, shortly after coming of age, married Frances daughter of Roger Bradshagh of the Haigh, by whom he had nine children. He had been brought up in the Roman Catholic religion, but appears to have avoided conviction as a recusant; his wife's name is in the list of 1641. He was at 'the great gathering of Catholics at Holywell' in 1629, (fn. 68) and, adhering to the royal side in the Civil War, shared the misfortunes of the defeated. In 1645 and 1649 his name occurs among those 'delinquents and Papists in arms' who had to supply Liverpool with timber and £10,000 as compensation for its losses during the sieges; and his estates were sequestrated. (fn. 69) He died in 1652, and was buried in St. Andrew's, Holborn. (fn. 70)

James Scarisbrick, the heir, was seventeen years of age at his father's death, and it was not till the Restoration that he obtained possession. (fn. 71) He married Frances, daughter of Robert Blundell of Ince Blundell, and had numerous children, one being born after his death in April, 1673. (fn. 72)

His son and heir Edward was ten years of age at his father's death; and at eighteen entered the Jesuit novitiate at Watten in Holland, resigning his estates to his brother Robert. Apparently there was a further settlement when he came of age in 1685. (fn. 73) Robert Scarisbrick came of age about 1690 and five years afterwards married Anne daughter of John Messenger of Fountains Abbey. Nine sons and four daughters were born to them. He was a Jacobite in politics; as early as 1701 he seems to have been suspected by the authorities, (fn. 74) and was perhaps in some way implicated in the rising of 1715. For this he was attainted, and on his surrender in 1717 was committed to Newgate. Next year he was admitted to bail at Lancaster, and on trial, acquitted, his estates being restored to him. (fn. 75) He died in March, 1737–8, and was buried in the Scarisbrick chapel at Ormskirk. (fn. 76) His widow died in 1744. Of his children James, the eldest, died before his father; (fn. 77) Edward, the second, became a Jesuit priest and renounced his right to the estates, as did Francis and Henry, younger sons. (fn. 78)

Robert Scarisbrick, the third son of Robert, succeeded, but died unmarried in 1738, leaving his brother William the heir. He married Elizabeth Ogle of Huyton, and had an only child Elizabeth, who married John Lawson of Brough (afterwards a baronet). It is not certain whether or not he took any part in the rising of 1745, but a local tradition has it that 'one of the Stuart adherents was concealed in a farmhouse on Martin mere.' He died in July, 1767; his wife lived till 1797. Joseph, another brother, succeeded, and held the estates for some years, dying between 1772 and 1778. The Jesuit order having been suppressed in 1772 Edward and Francis Scarisbrick seem to have occupied the hall; the latter, just before his death in 1789, settled the estate on his nephew Thomas Eccleston.

The remaining son of Robert Scarisbrick was named Basil Thomas; in the early part of his life he is said to have lived at Cadiz, probably as a merchant; he occurs as 'of Liverpool' in 1742 and 1743. In 1749 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Dicconson of Wrightington, and had by her a son Thomas, and two daughters. He succeeded to Eccleston in 1742, and soon afterwards took the surname of Eccleston. (fn. 79) It was his son Thomas Eccleston who, after holding Scarisbrick under his uncle Francis for some years, succeeded him in 1789 as lord of the manor, having already succeeded his father at Eccleston. (fn. 80) During this time he had attempted improvements in the agriculture of the neighbourhood and begun the drainage of Martin mere. (fn. 81) He added to the family estates the manors of Halsall and Downholland, but tried to sell Eccleston in 1795; in 1807 he succeeded to the Wrightington estate on the death of his uncle Edward Dicconson. He resumed the family name of Scarisbrick instead of Eccleston. In 1784 he married Eleanora, daughter of Thomas Clifton, by whom he had several children.

He died at Ormskirk in November, 1809, having been taken ill during the celebration of the jubilee of George III. The Scarisbrick and Eccleston estates then went to his eldest son Thomas, who sold Eccleston in 1812, and Wrightington to the younger son Charles. Thomas's only child was a daughter, who died young, so that on his death in 1833 Charles succeeded to the whole. He had taken the name of Dicconson in 1810, but now adopted the family name of Scarisbrick. He purchased the Bold moiety of the manor of North Meols in 1843. His great work was the re-building of the hall, the two Pugins being in succession the architects; he was also a collector of pictures. The Hall is in the same state at this time. The tower is particularly graceful and forms a landmark. At his death in 1860 he was supposed to be the wealthiest commoner in Lancashire.

The Marquis de Castéja. Gules, three mullets in bend between two bendlets engrailed argent; in middle chief a cross crosslet or.

He never married, (fn. 82) and his youngest sister Elizabeth, wife of Edward Clifton, succeeded to Wrightington; while the eldest sister, Ann Lady Hunloke, had Scarisbrick and Halsall, and assumed the name of Scarisbrick. She died in March, 1872, and was succeeded by her daughter, Eliza Margaret, who had in 1835 married Remy Léon de Biaudos, Marquis de Castéja. She took the name of Scarisbrick in 1873. There was no surviving issue, (fn. 83) and on the marchioness's death (13 November, 1878), her husband (d. 1899) and then his adopted son, Marie Emmanuel Alva de Biaudos Scarisbrick, Count de Castéja, under a deed of settlement succeeded to Scarisbrick. The latter was born in 1849 and married in 1874 Adolphine Gabrielle Marie de Faret, daughter of the Marquis de Fournès; a son, Marie André Léon Alvar, was born in 1875. (fn. 84)

HARLETON

HARLETON (fn. 85) was held of the lords of Scarisbrick by a family whose surname was derived from it; the tenure was homage and fealty and the yearly service of 4s. (fn. 86) The first mention of the place after Domesday book is a charter of about the year 1190 by which Robert, son of Ulf de Hurleton, gave to the abbey of Cockersand 2 acres of his land in Harleton. (fn. 87) He afterwards granted to Burscough Priory land near Ayscough in Harleton, in pure alms, for the souls of King John, his own father and mother, and others. (fn. 88)

Before 1233 Robert had been succeeded by his son Roger. (fn. 89) Roger was a benefactor to Burscough, granting land in the townfield of Harleton, (fn. 90) also the lands on the east of Nather dale, 'from Simon's barn to the Graynet hake,' and elsewhere in Harleton. (fn. 91) Several of his charters are preserved at Scarisbrick, including one to his brother Richard. (fn. 92) In 1246 he was summoned to warrant to the abbot of Cockersand 48 acres, which the latter held of him by the charter of Robert his father; Walter de Scarisbrick was claiming certain land in Naithalargh as inherited from his father Gilbert. (fn. 93) Roger was himself a benefactor to Cockersand. (fn. 94) He took part in 1261 in the agreement as to boundaries made with the prior of Burscough, and in 1303 Robert, his son and successor, joined in a further agreement. (fn. 95)

Hurleton of Harleton. Argent, four ermine spots in cross sable.

For several generations the lords of Harleton bore the name of Robert, so that it is impossible to distinguish them clearly. (fn. 96) In 1365 there occurred a dispute as to the wardship of Robert, son and heir of Robert de Hurleton, ten years of age; Henry de Scarisbrick claimed as the immediate lord of Harleton, while Sir William de Atherton claimed as representing the Lathoms; the former established his right. (fn. 97) In 1369 Robert de Hurleton and Margaret his wife were claiming lands in Harleton from Roger de Shaw and Margery his wife and their son John. (fn. 98)

William de Hurleton, possibly a younger brother of the last-mentioned Robert, was holding the manor in 1381 and granted it to Gilbert de Gorsuch in marriage with Maud, apparently a daughter and coheiress of Gilbert. (fn. 99) From 1418 there are for some time no certain evidences by which the descent of the manor can be traced. (fn. 100) Nicholas de Hurleton occurs as early as 1433, (fn. 101) and as he seems to have inherited the Gorsuch estate in Longton, he must have been a descendant. (fn. 102)

Humphrey Hurleton, son and heir of Robert son of Nicholas, succeeded his father before 1524. He was soon afterwards engaged in a dispute as to the Little Branderth, near Harleton Brook, this being claimed by Thomas Scarisbrick; the matter was settled by the arbitration of the prior of Burscough and others in 1529. (fn. 103) In 1537 he was one of the farmers of the parsonage of Ormskirk. (fn. 104) He had a son Thomas who married Elizabeth, daughter of Adam Birkenhead, and seems to have settled in Cheshire. His eldest son was Richard, (fn. 105) who was succeeded in 1589 by his son John, described as 'of Picton,' near Chester. A dispute occurred between John Hurleton, as lord of the manor, and John Shaw of 'the hall of Shaw,' the latter asserting that he and his ancestors had from time immemorial had a right of way through the pasture called Long Furlong, from their house to Ormskirk. (fn. 106) From this time onward the story of the Hurletons belongs to Cheshire rather than to Lancashire. (fn. 107) It is not known when they sold Harleton to the Scarisbricks. (fn. 108)

Harleton Hall stands on rising ground near a small stream, and a quarter of a mile north of the road to Ormskirk. It is a house of the H type, originally of the fifteenth century, much altered about the beginning of the seventeenth, the central hall and parts of the east wing being of the first date, and the west wing, with the bay window and chimney of the hall, and the south end of the east wing, of the second. A considerable part of the east wing has been re-built in brick in modern times, though probably on the old plan.

Harleton Hall: North Side of Hall

The hall is entered by a door at the north-east corner, opening into a passage which once formed the screens, and probably still contains some of the original wooden construction concealed in the partition which forms part of the east end of the hall. The passage, once open at both ends, now has a north doorway only, its south end leading to a staircase which fills up the space between the hall chimney and the east wing. Externally the north wall of the hall is much in its original condition, and is a picturesque piece of timber construction of upright posts set in a massive wooden sill, which rests on a dwarf wall of wrought stone twelve inches thick. At somewhat over half height the uprights are mortised into a moulded headpiece which has had a row of carved paterae or some such ornament along it, of which only the traces of attachment remain. Above are a shorter row of uprights, reaching to the wall-plate. The spaces between the timbers are filled in with a yellowish plaster, and have been decorated in modern times with quatrefoils painted in black to imitate timber-work, with the usual poor and flimsy effect. There are no original windows; a modern four-light window has been inserted in the lower part of the wall, and smaller ones above to light the bedrooms in the roof. The condition of the external woodwork is bad in places, it having been much strained by the weight of the floor inserted at half height in the seventeenth century. Of the south wall of the hall only a small piece remains by the staircase, concealed by plaster and otherwise mutilated. The interior has suffered by being cut up into two stories; the ground floor, which is paved with stone, shows three moulded beams of the seventeenth century in the ceiling, but has no other features of interest, the seventeenth-century fireplace being hidden by the insertion of a modern grate, and the bay-window cut off by a partition. On going into the bedrooms above it will be seen that the fifteenth-century roof remains, though but little of it appears through the plaster and whitewash. It is a good specimen of its kind, having king-post trusses with cambered ties and curved braces below, and quatrefoiled wind-braces between the purlins. Its easternmost truss has larger braces than the others, forming a four-centred arch below the beam designed to frame the gallery over the screens. The bay-window of the hall is in two stories, as originally designed, built of brick with stone mullions and dressings, with a five-light window on the south and single openings on each side, all being square-headed with weathered labels of the usual section above.

Harleton Hall: Ground Plan

The west wing, of two stories, with brick walls only 14 in. thick, is all of the early seventeenth century, and contains on the ground floor two rooms, now used as sitting room and kitchen, with modern out-houses built on to the north. The sitting-room has a good window of seven lights on the south, and a small projecting two-story bay on the west, one side of which is formed by a large chimney stack. The interior is completely modernized, the fireplace being blocked with a modern grate, the bay partitioned off to form a cupboard and its windows filled in, and the long seven-light south window in great part built up. Externally the original arrangement is clearly to be seen, and on the accompanying plan the windows are shown without the modern blocking. They are exactly similar in character to those of the hall bay above described. The room now used as a kitchen has been much altered, and has no ancient features of interest, but retains in part the chamfered stone plinth which runs all round the seventeenth-century work. The upper rooms in this wing contain nothing worthy of mention.

The east wing, of two stories, has been largely rebuilt in red brick, but its plan is probably on the ancient lines, and the west and south walls, though now refaced, are of timber and plaster construction of the same date as the hall; the original roof also remains, though hidden by plaster. Under the south end of this wing is a cellar, entered from the passage at the end of the hall, with seventeenth-century mullioned windows in its south wall.

The family of Shaw were an early off-shoot of the Scarisbricks. Simon del Shaw was a son of Walter de Scarisbrick by Edusa de Hurleton, and had a son Gilbert and a daughter Quenilda. (fn. 109) His brother Robert had a son William. (fn. 110)

In 1449 Henry Scarisbrick complained that Isabel, widow of James del Shaw, had taken away Hugh son and heir of James, whose marriage belonged to him. (fn. 111) Hugh Shaw of Scarisbrick, Maud his wife, and James his son and heir, occur in 1477. (fn. 112) James Shagh was assessed to the subsidy in 1525 upon lands worth £5; (fn. 113) and occurs in 1539 with his son William. (fn. 114) In 1563 Thomas Shawe was assessed to a subsidy in respect of lands here, and John Shaw in 1599. (fn. 115) John Shaw of Scarisbrick, gent., and Thomas, his son and heir-apparent, occur in 1618. (fn. 116) John Shaw, gent., contributed to the hearth tax in 1666; (fn. 117) his will was proved in 1692. (fn. 118)

GORSUCH

GORSUCH was given by Walter de Scarisbrick to his younger son Adam, who took the local surname; subsequently the land was given to Burscough Priory to be held of Adam in free alms. (fn. 119) The prior regranted it to Adam at a rent of 12d. with other lands in Scarisbrick, a yearly pound of cummin to be paid. (fn. 120) Adam was succeeded by Walter de Gorsuch, probably his son, as is indicated by a grant to Nicholas son of Simon de Renacres. (fn. 121)

In May, 1292, an agreement was sealed for the marriage of Robert son of Walter de Gorsuch with Agnes granddaughter of William Brid of Donnington; Robert, though a minor, had been enfeoffed of lands by the prior of Burscough, his father binding the feoffees to find food and raiment for Robert and Agnes, any surplus to be kept for them and delivered with the lands on their coming of age. (fn. 122) Robert seems to have died without issue, (fn. 123) and his brother John succeeded, marrying in 1299 Cecily daughter of Richard de Culcheth. (fn. 124) John de Gorsuch granted (about 1320) to Gilbert his son lands in the townfields of Scarisbrick on the north of land near the cross, held of William son of Richard de Scarisbrick. (fn. 125)

The family acquired lands in North Meols, Lathom, and Huyton, about this time. Gilbert de Gorsuch succeeded about 1347; (fn. 126) he is described as 'son of Adam son of Walter.' Gilbert had no son, and settled estates in Longton upon his younger daughter Maud, wife of William de Hurleton; the latter also had no son, and Gorsuch and other lands went to Richard de Sutton, who had married the elder daughter Joan. (fn. 127) In 1390 Gilbert de Gorsuch had made a settlement or testament providing for the succession to a portion of his lands; (fn. 128) and other deeds preserved by Kuerden show that the main portion was settled on Richard de Sutton and Joan his wife, with the remainder to William de Hurleton and Maud his wife. (fn. 129)

For more than a century the Suttons (fn. 130) remained in possession, and then the estate returned to the Gorsuch family, for in 1515 a marriage was arranged between Margaret daughter of Roger Sutton (son of John, the son of Gilbert) and Thomas son and heir of William Gorsuch. (fn. 131) Gilbert Sutton died on 20 April, 1518, and the inquisition taken after his death shows a considerable estate, the heir being his infant great-granddaughter, already espoused to Thomas Gorsuch. (fn. 132) Thomas Gorsuch was succeeded about 1560 (fn. 133) by his son James, who in 1577 secured from Edward Scarisbrick a right of way from Gorsuch to Carr Cross in Snape, to Snape Green, thence to Wood moss, near Long Wyke, to Baldmony Hooks in North Meols, with right to carry hay, &c., in carts or on horseback. (fn. 134)

The family, which then ranked among 'gentry of the better sort,' (fn. 135) adhered to the Roman Catholic faith, and in 1590 John, son and heir of James Gorsuch, was 'a recusant and indicted thereof.' (fn. 136) Probably John died before his father, for it was another son, Edward, who succeeded to the estates. (fn. 137) The latter, as a convicted recusant, paid double to the subsidy of 1628, (fn. 138) and dying in 1641 (fn. 139) was succeeded by his son James, who was then thirty-one years of age. (fn. 140) Under the third Confiscation Act, 1652, the land and estates of James Gorsuch 'a Papist delinquent,' was declared forfeit and ordered to be sold. (fn. 141) In October, 1653, he petitioned for restitution; but in November two-thirds of his lands were sold to George Pigott and William Smith. (fn. 142)

A pedigree of the Gorsuch family was entered in the visitation of Lancashire by Sir William Dugdale in 1665, and is headed by a trick of an interesting canting coat shewing three sprigs of gorse between two chevronels. A contemporary note states that these arms are on an old seal of Queen Elizabeth's time in the possession of the family; and James Gorsuch, no doubt, put the seal forward as evidence for the traditional coat-armour of his house. It is noteworthy, however, that no tinctures are shewn in the tricked shield; and the heralds do not appear to have allowed these arms to the family.

James Gorsuch appears, however, to have regained part, if not the whole, of his estates. He married Anne Harrington of Huyton, and was succeeded by his grandson James, the son of his second son Edward by Mary Eccleston. (fn. 143) The younger James, born in 1656, was buried at Ormskirk on 21 December, 1752. (fn. 144) His surviving son John obtained the Eccleston estate in virtue of a settlement made by Father Thomas Eccleston, S.J., as being a descendant of Mary Eccleston, and took the name of Eccleston; he died without issue in 1742, when this estate went to Basil Thomas Scarisbrick, whose son succeeded to Scarisbrick also.

At a very early period land called Aspinwall was given by an ancestor of the lords of Scarisbrick to the church of Ormskirk. The gift was confirmed early in the thirteenth century by Richard, son of Gilbert de Scarisbrick, who describes it as lying within Harleton. (fn. 145) The place gave a surname to the tenant. (fn. 146)

The inquisition after the death of George Aspinwall, 4 December, 1559, shows that he held a messuage and small parcels of land in Harleton and Scarisbrick of Richard Hurleton, Edward Scarisbrick, and others; his daughter and heir was Jane Aspinwall, then one year of age. (fn. 147) Later (1562 to 1579) occurs William Aspinwall, who in the last-mentioned year made a grant or transfer of lands to James Gorsuch. (fn. 148) Directly afterwards William Moorcroft released certain lands to William Aspinwall, and others to Humphrey Aspinwall; the latter were in 1581 conveyed by Humphrey and his wife Ellen to Roger Sankey. (fn. 149)

A charter by Thomas, son of William de Cowdray, made at Aspinwall in 1354, shows that he held lands there and elsewhere in Scarisbrick. (fn. 150)

Snape has some notice under Halsall. It was held by the Scarisbricks of the Halsalls, as the inquisitions show, (fn. 151) and parochially its position was uncertain. It is now, however, reckoned as a hamlet of Scarisbrick and within the parish of Ormskirk. It gave its name to a local family of whom there are some traces. (fn. 152)

Two plots of land in Harleton given by Walter de Scarisbrick to Burscough Priory became known as Moorcroft, and gave a name to the family which held it of the canons. (fn. 153)

John de Moorcroft's lands, or part of them, were the subject of a dispute in 1292; he died seised of them, and his son Robert held them for ten years or more, when they were claimed from Robert's son Hugh by his sisters Beatrice (wife of William Fraward) and Margery (wife of Richard le Ditcher), and by Agnes, daughter of the Roger just named. The claim, however, failed. (fn. 154) The Hugh de Moorcroft successful in 1292 may be the Hudde father of Richard who married Margery and had by her a son Richard, enfeoffed of lands in 1327. (fn. 155) William Moorcroft, yeoman, who died in 1608, held a messuage and land in Harleton and Scarisbrick of the earl of Derby, as of his manor of Burscough, by 4d. rent; also lands in Aughton. His son Humphrey, who had married Agnes Holland, was his heir, and living at Harleton. (fn. 156) William Moorcroft, as a 'Papist,' in 1717 registered a small estate here. (fn. 157) The family appears to have spread to the adjoining townships. (fn. 158)

Shurlacres was adopted as surname by a local family. (fn. 159)

In 1717 a number of 'Papists' registered estates here, including John Barton, Thomas Blundell, John Bullen, Edward Cooke, William Culcheth, Robert Draper, John and James Worthington, and Peter Wright. (fn. 160)

The land-tax return of 1794 shows that Thomas Eccleston paid about a third of the levy here; the remainder was in small sums.

A school-chapel at Scarisbrick was founded in 1648, when Henry Harrison alias Hill and Thomas Hill his son and heir-apparent gave the Great Hey at Barclay Hey to the inhabitants for a chapel or school. A building was erected and was used as a chapel in 1650, when Mr. Gawin Barkley, 'an able, orthodox, and godly preaching minister,' was there, with a salary of £50 paid from Royalists' sequestrated estates. (fn. 161)

The Anglican church of St. Mark was built in 1848 and consecrated in 1853; the vicar of Ormskirk is patron. A district chapelry was formed for it in 1869. (fn. 162)

About 1840 Richard Sephton, a member of Ormskirk Congregational Church, gathered a Sunday school, for which in 1843 a small school-chapel was provided at Drummersdale. (fn. 163)

Roman Catholic worship was suppressed for but a short time at Scarisbrick, as the presence of Jesuit missionaries can be traced from the early years of the seventeenth century. Several of them were members of the Scarisbrick family, and a room in the hall was used as a chapel until 1812. An old tithe barn was then utilized (St. Mary's), and was enlarged in 1840; it was, however, a great contrast to the squire's splendid mansion, and a new chapel, St. Elizabeth's, was built on the old site by the marquis de Castéja and opened in 1889; the marchioness's remains were brought from Wingerworth to a new vault here in 1890. (fn. 164)

Footnotes

  • 1. 8,398, including 29 of inland water; census of 1901.
  • 2. Baines' Lancs. Dir. of 1825, ii, 554.
  • 3. T. Gibson, Cavalier's Note Book, 280; Trans. Hist. Soc. xxxi, 52.
  • 4. Others were Carr Cross, near Snape Green; Gorsuch Cross; Pinfold Cross; Harleton Gate Cross, of which the pedestal is still in position, to the south of Harleton Hall; Wood-end Cross; Heskin Hall Cross; and Hales Cross, which stood close to the boundary of Aughton, Ormskirk, and Scarisbrick. This line of crosses stretches south-eastward from Snape to Ormskirk. More to the north are Bescar Brow Cross, Turton's Cross, Moorfield Lane Cross, Barrison Green Cross, and Throstle's Nest Cross. These, though marked on the maps, appear to have disappeared completely; the last one was no doubt a boundary cross. Brooklands Cross, to the south, was also a boundary cross; it was standing complete about sixty years ago, but has disappeared. See H. Taylor in Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Soc. xix, 141–52; a plate of the Scarisbrick Park Cross is given at p. 180.
  • 5. V.C.H. Lancs. i, 284b. Scarisbrick-with-Harleton was formerly the name of the township, but Harleton has fallen out of general use.
  • 6. They are not mentioned in the inquest of service of 1212, nor in the rental of West Derby hundred made in 1226. Inq. and Extents (Lancs. and Ches. Rec. Soc. xlviii).
  • 7. Deed in poss. of Scarisbrick Trustees.
  • 8. It lay 'between the brook and the highway' and was next to 'the first field-dale'; and included an acre in Peasacres, the head extending to Adam's plat. Cockersand Chartul. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 551.
  • 9. Deed in poss. of Scarisbrick Trs., also Kuerden MSS. (Coll. of Arms), v, 115, n. 1. It is interesting to note that this 'ancient rent' was the exact amount of the carucate geld paid in 1066 for 3 carucates of land, the assessment area of these places. See V.C.H. Lancs. i, 276. Simon de Grumbeheved, or Grubhead, attested a charter of Thomas de Colevill to Whitby Abbey (Surtees Soc. lxix, 62) and another of Richard de Radcliffe giving land in Martin to Burscough Priory; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxvi, App. 2, 199.
  • 10. Final Conc. (Lancs. and Ches. Rec. Soc.), i, 44, 76.
  • 11. Duchy of Lanc. Gt. Coucher quoted by Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), i, 37.
  • 12. Cal. Chart. R. i, 101.
  • 13. In 1323–4 Robert de Lathom held the manor by homage and service, viz. 8s. yearly; Dods. MSS. cxxxi, 36. Later the tenure is described as military, by the service of four-fifths of a knight's fee, with a castle-guard rent of 8s.; Extent of 1346, Addit. MS. 32103, fol. 144b.
  • 14. In the time of Richard I, Henry de Halsall granted to Gilbert de Scarisbrick lands called Trussbiwra, Thornihevet, and Shirewalacres lying within bounds ascending from Souekar to the end of Souekar Brook, thence to Rodilache, between Wulfawe and Shyrewalacres, from thence returning westward to Snapeshevet and to Snapesbrok, where the boundary began; with common of pasture of the vill of Halsall. The witnesses were all early landowners in the hundred, viz. Richard son of Roger (Wood Plumpton), Robert son of Henry (Lathom), Richard de Molyneux, Alan son of Outi (? Pemberton), Richard son of Henry (Tarbock), Gilbert son of Walthef (Walton on the Hill), Stephen, clerk of Walton, William son of Swain (Carleton), and Richard Blundell (Ince); D. in poss. of Scarisbrick Trustees.
  • 15. Cockersand Chartul. ii, 552.
  • 16. By one charter he gave the lands held of him by William son of Simon Horebert of Renacres, Richard son of Robert de Renacres, and Richard son of Roger del Hull. By another he gave a portion of Hawkshead, bounded by ditches touching the 'Quytegore,' and so to Muscar Syke. Burscough Reg. fol. 15b –17. To his daughter Godith he gave his man Henry son of Uctred, with his sequel and chattels; Scarisbrick D. (in Trans. Hist. Soc. New Ser. xii), n. 18.
  • 17. Fol. 17, 17b. His wives were named Quenilda and Margery; the latter had a son (apparently by a former husband) named Thomas; Scarisbrick D. n. 26.
  • 18. Edusa is called 'de Hurleton'; besides the son Richard, who had a son William (Scarisbrick D. n. 24, 25, 40, 33), she had a son Simon, called 'del Shaw,' probably from the Shaw between Harleton and Scarisbrick; Simon's daughter was Quenilda (ibid. n. 15, 24, 25, 36, 53). A fuller account is given later.
  • 19. See the account of Martin.
  • 20. He gave an acre in the townfields, viz. in the Hoarystones Hill, for the welfare of the souls of his father and mother; Cockersand Chartul. ii, 553. By another charter he gave to Simon son of Adam de Scarisbrick the fourth part of his lands in Scarisbrick, Gorsuch, and Renacres; Scarisbrick D. n. 24.
  • 21. See the account of Martin; also Scarisbrick D. n. 44. In 1303 he quitclaimed to the prior all his right in 4 acres between Longshaw Head and Hawks Head; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxvi, App. 199.
  • 22. Scarisbrick D. n. 39. The places named are Quassum, Gorstihill, and 'Heuippe field.' In 1303 John de Edge-acre gave to Gilbert all the lands the grantee had in Quassum by the gift of John de Quassum; ibid. n. 45. Gilbert probably married the heiress of Eggergarth in Lydiate, as this small manor was long held by his descendants.
  • 23. Misc. R. Chan. Knights' Services, bdle. 8, n. 4, roll 9. He seems to have proved that he did not hold so much, for he was not made a knight, and in 1324 his lands were said to be worth only £15 a year; Palgrave, Parl. Writs, i, 639.
  • 24. Scarisbrick D. n. 64. In 1308 Gilbert de Scarisbrick and others were accused by the earl of Warwick of entering his lands at Middleton and Newbiggin in Westmorland and making prey of his cattle, selling, killing, and otherwise disposing of them; Cal. Pat. 1307–13, p. 169.
  • 25. Scarisbrick D. n. 35; the grant made on the occasion included a messuage, 17 acres of land, 2 acres of meadow, and 20 acres of pasture in Harleton, and rents amounting to about 84s.
  • 26. Scarisbrick D. n. 66. Richard de Scarisbrick, a son of the elder Gilbert, and William de Cowdray appear to have been the trustees for Henry; the deed was probably made on the occasion of the Scarisbrick-Cowdray marriage.
  • 27. Scarisbrick D. n. 83. His will was made on 23 Sept. and proved (at Ormskirk) on Tuesday, 1 Oct. 1359. He desired to be buried 'in the old chapel on the northern side of the church of Burscough, near his mother and his wife'; his best beast was to be given 'before his body' as a mortuary. He mentions his son Henry and his daughters; also his brother Richard. He describes himself as 'the elder,' having a younger son Gilbert, on whom the manor was entailed in 1361; Scarisbrick D. n. 92. The younger Gilbert acquired lands in the township; ibid. n. 93, 96. For a dispensation for the marriage of Richard de Scarisbrick and Maud de Birchecar in 1364, see Cal. of Papal Letters, iv, 42.
  • 28. She died before 1350, leaving an only daughter Isabel, who died in childhood; but Henry enjoyed, in the right of this marriage, a share of the manor of North Meols during his life; Towneley's MS. CC. n. 2100. His annuity was 5½ marks. He surrendered lands in North Meols to his wife's sister in 1377–8; Kuerden MSS. vi, 83, n. 299.
  • 29. Scarisbrick D. n. 91. The names of the tenants are given in full; they include Gilbert de Gorsuch, Adam de Teulond, Richard son of Walter del Shaw, William Blethin, Henry Tebaut, also the Milner, the Mercer (Lydiate), the Stringer, the Fisher, the Salter, and the Bagger. The occasion was probably his second marriage, with Joan …, who survived him and was still living in 1433; Ibid. n. 157. Licence was granted to Joan in 1420–1 to have masses and other divine services in her oratories, to be said in a low voice by a suitable chaplain; ibid. n. 152.
  • 30. Cal. Pat. 1385–9, p. 189.
  • 31. Scarisbrick D. n. 129, 133. Henry the son was joined with Henry de Scarisbrick the father in the second arbitration.
  • 32. Ibid. n. 138; dated Nov. 1399. He may have been living in June, 1402, when his son in attesting a deed describes himself as 'the younger'; ibid. n. 149.
  • 33. Letters written about this time by him, as lieutenant of Sir John de Bold at Conway, are printed in Sir H. Ellis's Original Letters, 2nd series, i, 30, 37.
  • 34. Scarisbrick D. n. 141.
  • 35. Scarisbrick D. n. 151.
  • 36. Nicolas, Agincourt, 354; Norman R. (Dep. Keeper's Rep. xlii), 323, 373.
  • 37. Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxiii, App. 18; also in 1422, p. 21; also 12 Mar. 1422–3, p. 24.
  • 38. Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 4, m. 11. She is described as 'of Eggergarth.'
  • 39. One of these was made in 1424; Scarisbrick D. n. 153. Another in 1433 granted the manor of Scarisbrick, except lands held by his grandmother Joan and those jointly occupied by himself and his wife Katherine; ibid. n. 157. A third (1440) concerned lands in Scarisbrick called Otterhauxholme, Long heys in the Wyke, Pewe hey with Chitfold, Pole hey, Pewe meadow, and Gyliot meadow; ibid. n. 159. This deed has an armorial shield displaying three mullets between two bendlets engrailed; the helmet is surmounted by a dove; the legend is sigillum henrici scaresbrec. A month later these lands were regranted to Henry and his wife Margery, with remainders, in default of male issue, to his daughter Margaret and his brothers William and Gilbert; ibid. n. 160. This Margaret was a daughter of the first wife. She was married in 1433 to Boniface de Bold; Lich. Epis. Reg. ix, fol. 168; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of Fines, bdle. 8, m. 98. Probably it was another Margaret, daughter by the second wife, who was in 1452 married to Nicholas Blundell of Little Crosby, a child, and lived with him for sixty years. Scarisbrick D. n. 166; Gibson's Cavalier's Note-book, 10. In September, 1447, the bishop of Lichfield granted to Henry Scarisbrick and Margery his wife licence for mass (in a low voice) and other divine service in their oratories; other sacraments not to be ministered, and no prejudice to be done to the mother church. Scarisbrick D. n. 163–4 (dated 1451). For some reason unknown he found it advisable, early in 1452, to have it declared publicly in Halsall churchyard that he was born of lawful wedlock, was of sound estate, good respect, uninjured character, not under sentence of excommunication, nor convicted of any notable crime; calling upon the apostolic see and the primatial court of Canterbury, submitting himself to their protection, and protesting that in the event of any trouble of the kind he feared he appealed to them; Scarisbrick D. n. 165.
  • 40. He was living in April, 1463; ibid. n. 169.
  • 41. Shirwall acres.
  • 42. The prior of Burscough and the other arbitrators perused the charters and muniments and took the evidence of certain old inhabitants, and determined the bounds as follows: Beginning at the end of Senekar where the Whit syke fell into it (and where a stone was then placed) to an old ditch between the disputed areas to a large stone; thence following the stones placed by the arbitrators to the Rodelath between Wolfhaugh and Shurlacres to two large stones on the bank of Shurlacres mere; the lands and moor on the north, as far as Snape, to be Scarisbrick's, and those on the west, as far as Halsall church, to be Halsall's; Scarisbrick D. n. 172. There was later (1488–9) a dispute with Hector Scarisbrick, prior of Burscough, as to a lease of land called Menewater, made by Henry Scarisbrick to William his brother. The latter's widow Janet was called; she spoke of the prior as her son, another son (Robert) having succeeded his father William as tenant; Kuerden MSS. vi, 83, nn. 303, 304.
  • 43. Harl. MS. 804, fol. 17b; Add. MS. 32104, n. 913.
  • 44. Trans. Hist. Soc. (New Ser.), vi, 257; Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), i, 523.
  • 45. On 15 Sept. 1494, a settlement was made of lands in Parbold, Wrightington and Dalton, and others in Ormskirk and Scarisbrick (the latter including Whassom Heys and the fishery of Wyke); with remainder to James Scarisbrick the younger, and then to Gilbert, son and heir of James Scarisbrick the elder; Scarisbrick D. n. 179.
  • 46. In May, 1496, Elizabeth widow of James Scarisbrick and their son James on the one part, and Gilbert the son and heir on the other part, came to an agreement as to lands which the former had received (for life) from James Scarisbrick the father; Scarisbrick D. n. 180. See also Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, n. 102, for particulars.
  • 47. Writ of Diem cl. extr. issued 1 Aug. 1503; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xl, App. 542.
  • 48. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, n. 10, 102. The trustees appear to have carried out the wishes of the testator; Pal. of Lanc. Bills, bdle. 1, n. 10. There are other directions in the will that should be noticed here. He desired to be buried in Halsall church; his 'best cattle' he left to the prior of Burscough as a mortuary; and £4 a year was to be paid for fifteen years to Thomas Paytson, priest, or some other, to pray for his soul and his wife's. Towards buying a cross for Ormskirk church 5s. was bequeathed.
  • 49. The holder paid 30s. yearly, and rendered 2s. to a scutage of 40s.
  • 50. Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 109, m. 11 and 131, m. 4.
  • 51. On 25 July, 1508; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. ii, n. 1 (imperfect); and iii, n. 10.
  • 52. Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxix, App. 559.
  • 53. Duchy of Lanc. Plea. (Hen. VIII), iii, B. 3.
  • 54. Scarisbrick D. n. 182. There was another arbitration in 1530 on the disputes between Thomas Scarisbrick and Humphrey Hurleton; ibid. nn. 184, 186–7.
  • 55. Scarisbrick D. n. 183; Visit. of 1533 (Chet. Soc.), 78.
  • 56. In this he mentions the marriage of James and Dorothy, his (second) wife Jane, his son Gilbert, and his daughters Margaret, Maud, and Anne; his uncle James Scarisbrick was to be one of the overseers; Piccope's Wills (Chet. Soc.), i, 183, &c. He desired to be buried in Ormskirk church before the altar of St. Nicholas, and left his 'best quick cattle' to the curate as a mortuary. A priest was to say mass, at the altar named, for seven years for the souls of the testator and his parents, receiving 6 marks a year. The prior of Birkenhead was to take charge of the moneys set aside from time to time for his daughters' portions. His son Gilbert was to be kept at school, and the issues of his lands not to be wasted but employed for his use till he should reach twenty years of age. The chapel at Scarisbrick Hall has been mentioned; the following 'heirlooms' show that it was fairly well furnished: two vestments, two chasubles, two albs, a chalice, two mass books, twelve images closed in box cases and two not closed; with various altar linen. The other apartments mentioned are the kitchen and brewhouse, the buttery, chamber, larder-house, and hall. Examples are extant of alabaster images set in wooden cases.
  • 57. Lancs. Lay Subs. bdle. 130, n. 168, fragments D. 8. In the following year the valuation was £60, and he paid 60s. to the 'benevolence.'
  • 58. Duchy Pleadings (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 221.
  • 59. Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), i, 225; Pal. of Lanc. Pleadings, Edw. VI, i, G. 8.
  • 60. See the accounts of Aughton and Lydiate.
  • 61. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 244, 247, 257. He was described as 'of fair and ancient living.'
  • 62. Duchy of Lancs. Inq. p.m. xvii, n. 95.
  • 63. Piccope, Wills (Chet. Soc.), iii, 8. The accounts of his executors, preserved at Chester, show disbursements of £1,335, of which 'blacks for mourners at the funeral' cost £167. Mr. Rumney, the herald-at-arms, had a fee of £10. A signet-ring, a white bell salt, and some apostle spoons had been given to Mr. Henry Scarisbrick; and a 'treble sovereign' to each of the godsons—Alexander Barlow the younger and Edward, son of James Scarisbrick. At the selling of the testator's cattle at Newburgh fair 3s. 8d. was spent, and 11d. paid to Gilbert Waring for carrying cloth to Ormskirk for sale. The will of Jane, daughter of Edward Scarisbrick, is printed in Piccope's Wills, iii, 23.
  • 64. This James was Edward's brother, mentioned in his will and appointed executor and trustee. It is difficult to understand why he did not succeed to Scarisbrick, unless he was illegitimate. It is supposed that he was one of the very few 'gentlemen of the better sort' who in 1590 were 'soundly affected in religion'; Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 246. For the Scarisbrick quarterings in 1590 or thereabouts, see Trans. Hist. Soc. (New Ser.), vi, 256, 274.
  • 65. He was descended from James Scarisbrick, who died about 1495, and had by his second wife, as mentioned, a son James. The latter married the heiress of Bickerstaffe, by whom he had an only daughter, and afterwards married again; by this wife he had a son Henry, father of the above-named Thomas Scarisbrick, of Barwick.
  • 66. Much of the information in this and the later parts of this account are derived from a paper by W. A. Abram in Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Notes, ii, 211–54. The descent as arranged by Edward Scarisbrick was in accordance with a settlement made by his father, by which the lands were to descend to his son Edward, then to Gilbert brother of James, and then to Henry son of James Scarisbrick of Bickerstaffe, knight; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. (38 Hen. VIII), bdle. 12, m. 308. 'Knight' is an error.
  • 67. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 119. Before his death Henry Scarisbrick had demised to James Anderton, of Clayton le Woods, the hall of Scarisbrick and lands belonging to it for the use of Anne his wife; there are mentioned the Damstead, Townwood, Whawshaw windmill, and Otterstyes moss. The manor was held of the earl of Derby by 8s. yearly rent.
  • 68. Foley, Rec. S. J., iv, 534. In 1631 he paid £13 6s. 8d. on refusing knighthood; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 212.
  • 69. Part at least was sold under the second act, 1652, for the use of the Navy; Index of Royalists, 30; Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 2494.
  • 70. W. A. Abram, quoting from Foley's Recs. S. J., vii, 1408, and the Cavalier's Note-book (288–90.) Four of his five sons—Henry, Edward, Thomas, and Francis—entered the Society of Jesus. Henry was priest at the hall from 1679 to 1688, but had to fly at the Revolution, being an adherent of James; he died in Lancashire in 1701. Edward was a chaplain to James II, and published some sermons and other works. He was one of the intended victims of Titus Oates. On the Revolution he took refuge on the Continent for a time, but returned to Lancashire, where he died early in 1709. Gillow, Bibliog. Dict. and under 'Nevill' in Dict. Nat. Biog. In Foley's Rec. S. J., vol. vii, will be found accounts of several members of the family.
  • 71. In the meantime he had finished his education at St. Omer's, his tutor at Scarisbrick having been the resident priest, his uncle Christopher Bradshaw.
  • 72. For the story of his death, anticipated in a dream, see Cavalier's Note-book, 261. His widow wished to retire to a convent, but her duty to her children being put before her by William Blundell of Crosby, she remained in the world, dying in 1721.
  • 73. He became superior of the Derbyshire district and died in 1735.
  • 74. See his letter in Norris Papers (Chet. Soc.), 66.
  • 75. The account of his temporarily forfeited estates (Geo. I, B. 75, 119) gives a list of the tenants and their holdings. Among the lands attached to the hall were the Sutch fields, Scarth, Damstead, Flatbacks, and Clift. Other place names include Biscarr and Ekoe wood. The mill seems to have been rented at £5. At the end is the note, 'Acquitted on Tryall.' A further account (B. 76, fol. 34–9) estimated the value of the hall, in Mrs. Scarisbrick's possession, at £159; the new hall was let for £70. Nicholas Blundell of Crosby visited him in Newgate, and afterwards at Scarisbrick; Blundell's Diary, 144, 148. In 1717 Frances Scarisbrick, widow, and Edward Scarisbrick registered estates here. Engl. Cath. Non-jurors, 112, 108.
  • 76. The Gent. Mag. of 1738 among the deaths has—'March 11, Robert Scarisbrick, esq., of £2,000 per annum, in Lancashire, a Roman Catholic of very good character.'
  • 77. He had entered the Jesuit novitiate, but left after eighteen months' trial.
  • 78. Of the daughters one married, and the others became Franciscan nuns.
  • 79. He is said to have joined the Young Pretender in 1745; see the story, obviously inaccurate as referring to a 'defeat at Preston,' in Gillow's Bibl. Dict. of Engl. Cath. iii, 39.
  • 80. He is said to have been 'much influenced by the infidel and anti-Catholic literature of the time;' Foley's Rec. S. J., vii, 1411.
  • 81. The land was laid dry in 1783, and the first crops sown in 1784; and he wrote accounts of the operations for the Society of Arts in 1786 and 1789, receiving their gold medal. He adopted grazing rather than tillage, and found that horses answered best on the natural coarse grass and weeds of the softest parts; flax also succeeded well.
  • 82. He had natural children, on whom he settled part of his estates, now in the hands of the Scarisbrick Trustees.
  • 83. A son died in infancy.
  • 84. Burke's Landed Gentry, 9th edit., ii, 1315.
  • 85. Hirletun, Dom. Bk.; Hurlton and Hurleton, xiii cent. and usually; Hyrdilton, 1278; Hurdelton, 1359.
  • 86. Before 1230 they appear to have held directly of the lords of Lathom.
  • 87. Kuerden MSS. ii, C. m. 32 d.; Roger and Adam, sons of Ulf, are among the witnesses. See also Cockersand Chartul. ii, 638, 639, 752, where other charters of Robert's are printed. The first grants the whole of 'Naithalarwe' (also spelt Nazelarwe and Naithalargh), one of the boundaries 'following the syke as far as Hurle of Aykescough'; the second concerns land on Twinegreave; the fourth mentions Blaklache by Whitestop, Broadhead brook, and the Waingate on the west side of the moor.
  • 88. Burscough Reg. fol. jb.
  • 89. In the year named an agreement was made relating to the boundaries of Scarisbrick and Harleton; by it Walter de Scarisbrick granted to Roger and his heirs the twelve oxgangs of land in Harleton (to be held as described above), while Roger surrendered his claim to Gorsuch and other lands, including the common on the west towards North Meols; Kuerden MSS. v, 115, n. 181. Harleton and Scarisbrick together were three plough-lands, and the service was 8s.; thus Roger had half, rendering half the service.
  • 90. Burscough Reg. fol. 19. The Town green, Waingate, Fold syke, Kiln stead. and barn are mentioned.
  • 91. Ibid. fol. 19b, 18b, 19. The last concerns land 'at the head of Aykescough'; the bounds began at the syke on the west, followed the ditch north to the boundary of Aspinwall,' saving a certain exit where the road leads from Litherland to Harleton;' then by Aspinwall ditch to the corner by the south, and by another ditch to the commencement.
  • 92. Scarisbrick D. n. 6. This mentions Lamford, rights of way to Broad head and Moorcroft, and safeguards the watercourse to Roger's mill. Another (n. 31) concerns land on the north of Withinsnape, the bounds commencing 'at a certain litgate'; Withinsnape itself was granted by n. 4. Others mention Holditches greve, Blakelands heads, Wet renes, the Long Sharp, and Quassum; n. 5, 8–11. His seal is appended to several; it bears four palm (?) leaves arranged crosswise surrounded by the legend + S' ROG' DE HUREL'.
  • 93. Assize R. 404, m. 9, 10. Walter's claim was dismissed.
  • 94. Cockersand Chartul. ii, 640. He gave an acre and the south side of Greenland and Heselengreaves, a high acre, to wit, 'Whiteland and Blackland,' and an acre in the garden adjoining the road from Hallford to the village; also the messuage of Lewin and half a selion.
  • 95. See the account of Martin.
  • 96. The Scarisbrick deeds include several relating to them. In 1332 William, John, and Nicholas, sons of Robert de Hurleton, resigned to their father a rent of 3s. 4d. issuing from the manor (n. 61). Ten years later Robert son of Robert de Hurleton made various grants on the occasion of his own son Robert's marriage with Eleanor, daughter of Gilbert de Scarisbrick; by the first he gave his son a rent-charge of £20 upon his manors and lands; and by another he gave his part of the wood of Aykescough and lands tenanted by Richard Bonyard and others; while the son agreed that the rent-charge should not be used provided his father made no alienation of the estates (n. 71, 70, 70*). Alice widow of Matthew de Hurleton was a plaintiff in 1317. De Banc. R. 219, m. 151.
  • 97. Co. Plac. Chan. Lancs. n. 21; Lancs. and Ches. Rec. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 367; De Banc. R. 418, m. 31d. and 419, m. 67 d. Harleton (12 oxgangs) was still held by knight's service, paying 10s. to the scutage of 40s. and a rent of 4s. to the lord of Scarisbrick.
  • 98. De Banc. R. 434, m. 76.
  • 99. This appears from Scarisbrick D. n. 121 and 126. William's name occurs in 1397, 1398, 1416, and 1418; ibid. nn. 131, 137, 150; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 135.
  • 100. In 1427 Elizabeth widow of Gilbert de Hurleton remitted all actions, &c., against Henry de Scarisbrick and others; Scarisbrick D. n. 154.
  • 101. He and James, Thomas, and John de Hurleton, with others in this year gave a recognizance of a debt of £300 to Henry de Scarisbrick and others; ibid. n. 156.
  • 102. Kuerden MSS. vi, 83, n. 308. He is said to have married Eleanor Chisnall of Chisnall. In 1463 articles of agreement were signed between him and Henry Scarisbrick for the marriage of his son and heir Robert to Henry's daughter Agnes; Scarisbrick D. nn. 168, 169. Nicholas Hurleton was a juror at Ormskirk in 1473; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 102.
  • 103. Scarisbrick D. nn. 186, 184.
  • 104. Duchy Pleadings (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 125.
  • 105. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 12, m. 109. Thomas Hurleton was then dead. One of the family was John Hurleton, archdeacon of Richmond, ejected (probably as married) about 1554 and restored in 1559; Gee's Eliz. Clergy; Wills (Chet. Soc. New Ser.), i, 47.
  • 106. Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. clvii, H. 2. For another dispute of the same year see cliv, H. 8.
  • 107. Ches. Visit. of 1580 (Harl. Soc.), 130, where Richard Hurleton is said to have been 'living 1566'; also Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), ii, 815, where there is a pedigree. They altered their name to Hurleston. Numerous references to the Hurlestons will be found in the appendices to the Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxvii, xxxix; on p. 191 of the latter is an abstract of the deed of settlement on the marriage of John son of Richard Hurleton of Picton (in 1589) with Jane daughter of George Massey of Puddington, the manor of Harleton in Lancashire being among the lands included. Richard Hurleton died in the same year, and his son John in 1603, leaving an infant son.
  • 108. John Hurleston, Mary his wife, and Charles the son and heir apparent, were in possession in 1684; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 213, m. 69. In 1706, John Hurleston, son of Charles, was summoned to vouch concerning the manor; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 482, m. 3. In 1716 a chief rent of 2s. 2½d. was payable by Charles Hurleston, younger brother of the last-mentioned John, to the lord of Scarisbrick; Forfeited Estates, Geo. I, B. 76, fol. 36. After the death of Charles Hurleston in 1727 the estates were divided among his three nieces, daughters of John, viz.: Anne, who married, (2) John Needham, lord Kilmorey; Mary, who married John Leche of Carden, near Malpas; and Elizabeth, who married Trafford Barnston. See Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 320, m. 113, and bdle. 324, m. 164. John Leche and Mary his wife were concerned in a third part of the manor of Harleton in 1739; Pal. of Lanc. Docquet R. 548, m. 8. The Scarisbricks must have purchased it shortly after this, for it was included in the portion of Elizabeth, daughter of William Scarisbrick, who married John Lawson; and in 1772 the latter transferred to Joseph Scarisbrick and others 'a messuage in Harleton late the estate of Charles Hurleton the elder, late of Newton, Cheshire'; Piccope MSS. iii, 394, from R. 5 of Geo. II at Preston.
  • 109. Scarisbrick D. n. 15 (a grant to Simon by the prior of Burscough), 36, 53; there was a contemporary Thomas del Shaw; also n. 24, 25 (Quenilda), and n. 35 (Gilbert).
  • 110. Ibid. n. 33, 40. Other members of the family are named in the same deeds, but no connected pedigree can be formed. Simon del Shaw granted lands, &c., in Harleton, Scarisbrick, and North Meols, to his son Hugh, who had married Elina daughter of Richard Keneson; Scarisbrick Trustees' Deeds. Walter del Shaw and his son Simon occur in 1334; ibid. Hugh del Shaw was defendant in a suit as to lands, brought by Henry de Scarisbrick in 1376; De Banc. R. 457, m. 216d. and 459, m. 76d. Robert del Shaw in 1375 sued John de Westhead for waste in Harleton and Scarisbrick, as if he had just entered on possession; De Banc. R. 454, m. 289d. In 1449 an agreement as to bounds was made by James Shaw and Richard Shaw; Scarisbrick Trustees' D.
  • 111. Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 14, m. 11.
  • 112. D. in poss. of Scarisbrick Trs.
  • 113. Lay Sub. Lancs. bdle 130, n. 84.
  • 114. D. in poss. of Scarisbrick Trs.
  • 115. Lay Sub. Lancs. bdle. 131, nn. 211, 272.
  • 116. Lancs. Inq. p. m. (Rec. Soc.), ii, 186.
  • 117. Lay Sub. Lancs. bdle. 250, n. 9.
  • 118. Will at Chest. The will of John Shaw, of Scarisbrick, yeoman, was proved in 1735.
  • 119. Burscough Reg. fol. 15b. The charter gives the bounds thus:—From the head of Gosford Syke, along the syke to and then along the boundary between Renacres (in Halsall) and Scarisbrick to the place where the White Syke falls into Senekar Syke; then by the corner of Adam's ditch to the starting point.
  • 120. Scarisbrick D. n. 16; Kuerden MSS. v, fol. 115, n. 9, 10.
  • 121. Scarisbrick D. n. 27. See also nn. 13, 32; to the former the seal is attached, bearing an eagle attacking a hind, with the legend: *S' WALTERI DE GOSEFORD'.
  • 122. Ibid. n. 37.
  • 123. Agnes, wife of Henry son of Randle de Martin, claimed dower in Gorsuch from John son of Adam de Gorsuch and others, in 1315. De Banc. R. 212, m. 189d.
  • 124. Scarisbrick D. n. 41. Walter's possessions are described as 'all my lands, meadows, pasture, houses, mills, and millpools in Scarisbrick, Harleton, and Aughton.' Henry, Adam, and Richard were younger brothers of John.
  • 125. Scarisbrick D. n. 40. John de Gorsuch and others of the locality were in 1333 charged with complicity in the murder at Aughton of Adam de Cockerham, one of the canons of Burscough. The accused did not appear when summoned at three successive county courts in April, May, and June, and the sheriff was ordered to arrest them. At Michaelmas most of them surrendered, and at Martinmas they were tried and acquitted; the prosecution being adjudged malicious, damages were awarded. The really guilty person appears to have been John son of John de Gorsuch; he at last surrendered in June, 1344, but at the same time exhibited a pardon granted by the king 'for the good service which John de Gorsuch has bestowed on us in this present war of Scotland,' in which he had taken part under Sir Thomas de Lathom; Coram Rege R. 7 Edw. III, 'Rex' m. xxjd.; also Scarisbrick D. n. 62.
  • 126. John de Gorsuch attested deeds up to June, 1346. He had sons, Adam and Gilbert, who may have succeeded him for a few months; Scarisbrick D. nn. 73, 75, 77. The daughters of Henry, elder brother of Adam, remitted to Gilbert all their rights in the family inheritance; Agnes surrendered her right on 20 Jan. 1349–50, and Amota in the following September; ibid.n. 77, 79. The Black Death may have brought about the irregular succession.
  • 127. Scarisbrick D. n. 140; 'William de Hurleton swore in the house of Gilbert de Gorsuch before me [Richard de Twisleton, chaplain] and several others as to the espousals between him and Maud, Gilbert's daughter, and that he would never claim the inheritance of the said Gilbert which might disinherit or grieve Richard de Sutton or the jointure of his wife in time to come.' This declaration was made in 1403.
  • 128. This was made in Jan. 1389–90; ibid. n. 134. In the following Nov. lands were granted to his widow Margery, with remainders according to his wish; ibid. n. 126.
  • 129. Blundell of Crosby D. K. 65, 79.
  • 130. Some further particulars of this family will be found in the accounts of Eccleston and Croston. Richard de Sutton died at the end of 1405, and his widow made a fresh settlement, the remainders being to Gilbert de Sutton, Thomas, John, Richard, and Henry, and Cecily and Ellen; Scarisbrick D. n. 142. The first three died without heirs, for in 1444 Joan was suing Richard de Sutton, 'late of Tarleton,' for her dower; and in November this was delivered to her; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 6, m. 9, 9d.; Scarisbrick D. n. 161, wherein Richard is called 'the elder.' In 1456–7 indentures of marriage were sealed between Richard Sutton of Gorsuch and Edward Lathom of Parbold for the marriage of the former's son Gilbert with the latter's daughter Margaret; Blundell of Crosby D. K. 81. In 1486 Gilbert married his son and heir John Sutton to Mary daughter of John Crosse of Liverpool, making for her an estate of 4 marks a year and promising not to alienate any of his inheritance; Scarisbrick D. n. 178. In 1481 Gilbert Gorsuch leased lands in Penwortham to Evesham; Mon. Angl. iii, 421.
  • 131. Blundell of Crosby D. K. 60, 75, 79, 82. The lands were re-delivered to Thomas Gorsuch and Margaret his wife in 1545–6; ibid. K. 80.
  • 132. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p. m. V. n. 67. Lands in Scarisbrick and Harleton were held of the prior of Burscough by the rent of a pound of cummin; other lands were in Ormskirk, Aughton (rent of two barbed arrows), Welch Whittle (held of the Hospitallers for a rent of 12d.) Wrightington, Wigan, Aspull (of the Hospitallers, service unknown), Penwortham, Ulneswalton (Hospitallers, 4d.), and North Meols. A petition by Adam Ashurst and Alice his wife, the latter being the widow of Roger Sutton and mother of Margaret Gorsuch, describes the inheritance as a capital messuage called Gorsuch, 50 acres of land, 4 acres of meadow, and 10 acres of pasture. After the death of Gilbert Sutton the guardianship fell to William Gorsuch, and on his death (Thomas and Margaret being still under age) to his widow Emline, who married James Scarisbrick. During all this time a rent of 4 marks was paid to Alice Ashurst, but three or four years after coming of age (about 1536) Thomas Gorsuch refused to pay it any longer. She was a daughter of John Ireland and had 50 marks from her father, the last instalment being paid at John Nicholson's house, called Hill House, in Scarisbrick. In 1542, when the inquiry took place, Thomas Gorsuch had lands of 12s. value, including a house in Prescot, beyond his wife's inheritance, and 'he did not keep his wife in house with him,' but boarded her with his mother; Duchy of Lanc. Depositions, Hen. VIII, xxxvii, A. 1. The complaint was renewed in 1550, Thomas still refusing to pay; Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Edw. VI, xxv, A. 7. A few years later (1547) Thomas Gorsuch and his wife complained that James Scarisbrick had entered their lands and molested their tenants, and moreover had 'made a law in his manor of Scarisbrick, wherein the premises lie, that it should not be lawful for any of the tenants to sell any of their calves brought up on their farms within the said town to anybody in open market or elsewhere except to him (James) for 2s., under the forfeiture of 2s. for every calf so sold.' Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Edw. VI, xxiii, G. 8. For a complaint by Richard Halsall, rector of Halsall, as to Thomas Gorsuch see Duchy Pleadings (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iii, 127.
  • 133. Margaret Gorsuch was a widow in 1565, and apparently some years earlier; Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. xlix, M. 6.
  • 134. Scarisbrick D. n. 194.
  • 135. A branch settled in London; Visit. of 1633–4 (Harl. Soc.).
  • 136. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 246.
  • 137. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 63, m. 94. The inventory of James Gorsuch, dated 1615, is preserved at Chester.
  • 138. Norris D. (B.M.).
  • 139. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxix, n. 58. The hall of Gorsuch was then held of the earl of Derby, as of the late dissolved priory of Burscough, in socage by fealty and the rent of a pound of cummin. For a suit of his in 1639 see Exch. Depositions (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 26. His widow Elizabeth and sister Frances appear in the recusant roll of 1641; Trans. Hist. Soc. (New Ser.), xiv, 235.
  • 140. James and his sons James and Edward were foreign burgesses at the Preston Guild in 1642; Guild R. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 112.
  • 141. Index of Royalists, 42.
  • 142. Royalist Comp. P. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iii, 88–90. A survey made in Aug. 1653 shows that the reserved rents and boons were worth £3 7s. Gorsuch Hall consisted of a hall, kitchen, larder, two butteries and seven other lower rooms, a long upper room called the chapel chamber, four other large and small upper rooms and four closets; a wash-house; a decayed mill house, a brick kiln house of six bays, a fair slated barn of five bays, nine other bays of outhousing; with gardens, orchards, courts, fold or milking yard, &c. One-third had been sequestrated (like her other dower lands) for the recusancy of Elizabeth, widow of Edward Gorsuch; the other two-thirds were occupied by James Gorsuch. The lands comprised the Brand-earth, Broad Heys, Maud Hey, hop yard, Muscarrs and Hawkshead (in Burscough), the Hooks (North Meols); there was a conigree in the dower lands. The evidences had been 'lost in time of the late wars, when the house aforesaid was ransacked and plundered.' The lands granted out on lease are then described; two days' reaping and one day's filling of dung were among the services to be rendered; S.P. Dom. Interreg. G. 58a, fol. 524, &c.
  • 143. Visits. of 1664–5 (Chet Soc.), 123. On this Mr. Gillow remarks: 'Dugdale's Gorsuch pedigree, like most of his Catholic pedigrees, is very deficient. For instance, Edward Gorsuch's brother George is said to have died young; as a matter of fact he was a priest and passed under the "alias" of Talbot. Of course it was absolutely necessary to suppress such matters, and hence the returns of Catholics to the heralds are generally very imperfect.'
  • 144. Nicholas Blundell of Crosby was one of the bearers and William Molyneux of Mossborough was another; the latter's son William in 1732 married Frances daughter of James Gorsuch; Blundell's Diary, 4, 212; Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 254; Piccope MSS. iii, 250 (R. 5 of Geo. II). James Gorsuch had four sons—Thomas, who resided at Burscough Hall, and died without issue; John, who succeeded to Eccleston; George, who died childless; and James, a priest serving the Burscough mission. This last, at Douai in 1705, was described as son of James Gorsuch and Abigail Metham, born 29 Apr. 1683; Douai Diaries, 54, 90. A settlement by the father concerning Gorsuch Hall mentions 'Thomas my eldest son' and 'John my son'; Piccope MSS. iii, 172 (from R. 2, n. 266, of the Papists' Estates registered under the Act of 1 Geo. I in the Court-house, Preston); Eng. Cath. Non-jurors, 108. John Gorsuch in 1732 married Winifred, daughter of Anthony Low, M.D., described as 'late of Milnhouse, in the county of Chester'; ibid. 348 (R. 16 of Geo. II). Gorsuch Hall appears to have been acquired by the Scarisbricks towards the end of the seventeenth century, and leased to the original owners; ibid. 20, (R. 12 of Geo. II) and 194 (R. 9).
  • 145. Burscough Reg. fol. 23; he expressly says that his ancestors had given it in times past. One of the witnesses is Richard de Lathom, who died in 1232. Geoffrey, prior of Burscough, granted Aspinwall in Harleton to Walter, son of Gilbert de Scarisbrick, at a rent of 2s.; D. in poss. of Scarisbrick Trs.
  • 146. In 1292 Avice, daughter of Simon de Nathelargh, Adam de Aspinwall, and others alleged that Gilbert de Scarisbrick and Robert de Hurleton, chief lords of Harleton, had disseised them of 80 acres of moor, moss, and pasture, and their claim was sustained; Assize R. 408, m. 52. Adam de Aspinwall occurs down to 1307; Scarisbrick D. n. 48. On 24 Nov. 1310, Henry, son of Adam de Aspinwall. was pardoned for the death of John de Aykescough; Cal. of Pat. 1307–13, p. 296. In Aug. 1315, Henry de Aspinwall was in the king's prison at Stafford for the death of John de Aspinwall at Ormskirk; Cal. Close R. 1313–18, p. 242. Simon son of Adam early in 1306 granted to his daughter Emma 'all his land and manor' in Harleton, Scarisbrick, and Snape which he had had from James de Snape, rendering the services due to the chief lord and a rent of 16d. He was still living in 1316; Scarisbrick D. n. 46, 49, 51. A Gilbert de Aspinwall was contemporary with him, or perhaps later; ibid. nn. 33, 40. Thomas de Aspinwall appears from 1364 to 1398; ibid. nn. 96, 99, 131, 137. John de Aspinwall in 1371 made a settlement of two-thirds of his lands in Harleton and Scarisbrick on his daughter Joan and her heirs; Scarisbrick D. n. 114, &c. One Hugh de Aspinwall occurs in 1414 and 1429, and another in 1490; ibid. nn. 148, 155, 177. In 1474 Margaret, wife of Richard Male (Maghull), received dowry in Aspinoll (Aspinwall) and Aughton from Hugh Aspinoll: she had been wife of Owen Aspinoll; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 42, m. 10.
  • 147. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, n. 36. A grant by feoffees to Thomas son of Hugh de Aspinwall, ancestor of George, is recited; the pedigree being: Hugh—s. Thomas (1375)—s. Hugh—s. Evan—s. Hugh—s. James—s. William—s. George, whose brother and heir male in 1565 was James Aspinwall.
  • 148. Scarisbrick D. nn. 191, 192, 195; also Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 24, m. 64.
  • 149. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 41, m. 157, 160; 43, m. 29. From these Aspinwalls, it is said, descended the Aspinalls or Aspinwalls of Toxteth and Hale, who sided with the Parliament and attained a prominent position in the second half of the seventeenth century.
  • 150. Dods. MSS. cxlii, 226.
  • 151. See also Pal. of Lanc. Chan. Misc. bdle. 1, file 10; and Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 67, m. 7.
  • 152. Richard de Snape occurs about 1260. Scarisbrick D. n. 31. Simon, son of Alan de Snape, had a messuage and land in the place in 1292, and Thomas, son of Alan de Snape, occurs as plaintiff or defendant in suits of ten years later; Assize R. 408, m. 70; also Assize R. 1321, m. 3; 418, m. 6a, 11d. Richard, son of Siward de Snape, was joined with Gilbert de Scarisbrick in defending a claim to land brought by Robert son of Richard le Feuer of Aughton, as heir of his grandfather Robert le Feuer; De Banc. R. 225, m. 315. This land had been granted by the grandfather to his daughter Margery on her marriage with Thomas de Broadhead.
  • 153. The first grant—for the soul of Walter's wife Quenilda—was of land within bounds beginning at the watercourse dividing Harleton from Ormskirk, and going northward, eastward, and southward till the boundary of Ormskirk was reached again; the second—for the soul of his wife Margery—adjoined that held by William de Moorcroft; Burscough Reg. fol. 17. Walter de Scarisbrick gave land also called Moorcroft to Adam and Robert, the sons of Robert, 'formerly lord of Hurelton,' by bounds adjoining the land of Robert de Bickerstath and Alice, sister of the said Adam and John (?), and so towards Aikilchoh, following the ditch to the watercourse of Liverischalre, ascending the same to the first-named boundary; also land called Wilkeruding, bounded by Lamiput and by a watercourse to Lamiford Vra, where the sheepfold was in the time of their father. B. prior of Burscough, and Roger, lord of Harleton, were witnesses; D. in poss. of Scarisbrick Trustees. William de Moorcroft surrendered to the priory his right in the land his brother Henry held of him; Bursc. Reg. fol. 20b. Another grant by William de Moorcroft (about 1260) is in the Scarisbrick D. n. 67. Richard and Robert his sons also had land; and Roger son of John de Moorcroft released to Robert de Marehalgh his right in certain lands; Scarisbrick D. n. 29, 34. The seal of Roger is appended to the latter; it shows an eightrayed star surrounded by the inscription S' ROG' D' MORKROFT, the upstroke of the T prolonged to make a cross. For a claim of dower in 1278 by Alice, widow of William de Moorcroft, against Simon de Moorcroft, see De Banc. R. 24, m. 58d.
  • 154. Assize R. 408, m. 38d. Juliana, the widow of Robert, now re-married to Robert de Longton, also made a claim against Beatrice Fraward; ibid. m. 27d.
  • 155. Scarisbrick D. n. 57. Almost contemporary were three brothers, Richard, John, and Robert; ibid. n. 51, 59; and a generation later William de Moorcroft appears; ibid. n. 86, 111. William son of Hugh de Moorcroft granted part of Moorcroft to Simon del Shaw in 1334; D. in poss. of Scarisbrick Trs. In 1564 Margaret Gorsuch, widow, released to Henry Moorcroft and Jane his wife a messuage and lands in Scarisbrick and Martin, in consideration of £80; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 26, m. 202.
  • 156. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 101.
  • 157. Eng. Cath. Non-jurors, 107–8.
  • 158. Two of the name were rectors of Aughton in the sixteenth century; and James Moorcroft had a mill and various lands in the same parish in 1575. Probably he was the James Moorcroft who had the mill there in 1551; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 14, m. 259. James was succeeded by his son Henry, who died in 1612, leaving a son and heir Richard, of full age; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 281. See also the inquisition taken after the death of Richard Moorcroft of Burscough; ibid. i, 191. The Moorcrofts of Ormskirk recorded a pedigree in 1664; Dugdale's Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 209.
  • 159. In 1370 Joan, widow of Richard de Shurlacres, sued Robert, son of Robert le Spencer and Margery his wife for certain land in Scarisbrick; De Banc. R. 440, m. 96.
  • 160. Eng. Cath. Non-jurors, 107–12.
  • 161. Commonwealth Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 92; Gastrell, Notitia, ii, 199.
  • 162. Lond. Gaz. 14 Dec. 1869.
  • 163. Nightingale, Lancs. Nonconf. vi, 50.
  • 164. From the Liverpool Cath. Ann. 1892. A good account of the mission will be found in Foley's Rec. S. J. vii, 1398; it is by W. A. Bulbeck, O.S.B., formerly at Scarisbrick Hall. A list of the missionary priests is given from the books of St. Mary's library, which their bequests gradually built up; the school, which lasted from about 1628 to 1700, is also described, and many of the scholars' names are recorded. For this see also Pal. Note-book, iii, 221. The library is no longer at the hall. The Abbé Dorival, a French priest, was the first in charge of the detached chapel. In 1824 the English Benedictines took charge; J. Gillow in Trans. Hist. Soc. (New Ser.), xiii, 167. In 1860 a trust was created, called the Benedictine Trust, for securing certain lands and buildings for the use of a Roman Catholic chapel and burial-ground, to be served by a priest of the Benedictine order and of English birth. An exchange of land was made in 1886; End. Char. Rep. 1899 (Ormskirk), 71.