Townships: Over Kellet

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 8. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1914.

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'Townships: Over Kellet', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 8, ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1914), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol8/pp140-151 [accessed 8 November 2024].

'Townships: Over Kellet', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 8. Edited by William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1914), British History Online, accessed November 8, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol8/pp140-151.

"Townships: Over Kellet". A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 8. Ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill(London, 1914), , British History Online. Web. 8 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol8/pp140-151.

In this section

OVER KELLET

Chellet, Dom. Bk.; Kellet, Kelet, 1206; Kelleth, 1212.

Koupemoneswra, 1212; Caupemanneswra, 1228; Kaupmanwra, 1244.; Copmanwra, 1248; Caponwra, Capernwray, xvi cent.

The township of Over Kellet, sometimes called Lesser Kellet, is roughly an oval in shape, the main axis, about 3½ miles in length, lying south-west and north-east. Near the southern end is the wooded hill called Kellet Seeds, rising to 470 ft. above the sea; from the summit fine views can be obtained. Another hill, Aston Heads, about a mile to the east, attains the same height. The higher ground extends along the central axis, sloping away to the west and to the north, where the Keer forms the boundary. Here the surface descends to less than 25 ft. above the sea and is liable to floods. The area of the township is 3,210 acres, (fn. 1) and in 1901 there was a population of 438.

The village lies at the foot of Kellet Seeds, on the north side, at the intersection of cross roads. It stands about 200 ft. above the sea and is built round the green, about an acre in extent, in the centre of which stands the cross. The pedestal of this is ancient, the cross itself being a restoration by the late Mr. Johnson of Hall Garth. (fn. 2) To the bottom step of the cross are fixed two sets of hinged iron staples, forming part of the original stocks. The pound stood at the eastern corner of the green, where the post office now is. Hall Garth, built about 1826, is on the west side of the green, and on the east is the vicarage, which replaced an older building in 1862. The church lies a little way outside the village, to the south-east; opposite to it is Kirkhouse, while Birkland Barrow and Swarthdale are to the east. The northern end of the township forms the leafy hamlet of Capernwray. Between it and the village is Kellet Park, through which Swarth Beck flows north to join the Keer.

The old high road from Lancaster to Kendal (fn. 3) goes north through the village, having a branch to Capernwray. It is crossed by the road from Carnforth to Kirkby Lonsdale. The Lancaster and Kendal Canal passes through the north-west corner, as also does the Wennington and Carnforth branch of the Midland and Furness Railway Companies. A stream formerly known as Mill Beck runs, now under cover, for some distance by the side of the Lancaster road, and, after passing under the village green, sinks into the ground about half a mile north-west. The mill which it turned has long since disappeared. At the north corner of the green, within the grounds of Hall Garth, is the old town well, now partly covered up, from which the water is conveyed to a watering trough by the roadside. There are many ancient farm-houses in and near the village, most of them having moulded door lintels, inscribed with initials and dates. Lucas, the historian of Warton, remembered about 1700 a very ancient house which had stood in the centre of the village; it had no chimney, but there was a wall in the middle of the apartment, 5 ft. or 6 ft. long by 3 ft. high, to confine the fire. (fn. 4)

The inhabitants are almost entirely devoted to agriculture. There is a large stone quarry in Capernwray, and many old lime-kilns are scattered over the township. The land is mainly meadow and pasture, but there is some arable. The south-western half of the parish lies upon Carboniferous Limestone and the north-eastern upon the Millstone Grit. Except where there are beds of peat moss lying in hollows on the higher ground, the whole of the subsoil is self-draining. Beans used formerly to be an important crop; oats and barley, roots, potatoes and seed grass are now grown.

Two fairs for cattle, established by custom, were formerly held on 29 April and 9 October, but they have long been discontinued. (fn. 5) The village club festivals have also ceased.

The following field-names occur in deeds and in the tithe award:—Aldwray or Olvera, Azeard or Assured Croft, Blabberstone Rein, Borderig, Coney Garth, Coppack, Gills Croft, Gowbrigg or Goldbridge Dales, Hall Garth, Helks, Herron, Linedrains, Lunslet, Malvis or Melvis, Magots, Millersbarrow Dales, Mouter or Mootha, Ove Oaks, Pedder Pots, Sabsa, Sampitoes, Sellflat, Standersbarrow, Great and Little Rays, Thoristone, Timrigg, Watten Fallow, White Cross, Winder Garth, the Yanhams (Avenames).

The commons, which extended to about 1,033 acres, were inclosed in 1805, in accordance with an Act of Parliament obtained in 1797. (fn. 6) Kellet Moor was in 1536 a meeting-place of the Pilgrimage of Grace. (fn. 7)

The pipe line of the Manchester water supply from Thirlmere passes through Over Kellet. The Carnforth water supply is derived from a reservoir formed in the course of Swarth Beck in the higher land north-east of the village.

The affairs of the township are administered by a parish council of seven members.

Manors

The manor of OVER KELLET, although in Domesday Book surveyed with Nether Kellet, (fn. 8) was perhaps even then separate from it, for the survey of 1212, when it had become divided into moieties, shows that it was held by a different tenure, viz. in thegnage by a rent of 15s. It was assessed as three plough-lands. (fn. 9)

In a rental of 1226 the thegnage rent of Adam son of Osbert and William son of Orm, both then deceased, was given as 15s. (fn. 10) Adam son of Osbert in 1194 made peace with Richard I, after the rebellion of John Count of Mortain, by a fine of 10 marks (fn. 11); he died about 1206. (fn. 12) He appears to have held a moiety of Kellet in right of his wife Maud daughter of Uctred, for in the last-named year Henry de Kellet, lord of the other moiety, released to her all his right in a plough-land and a half in Kellet and half a plough-land in Bare. (fn. 13) Maud was undisputed tenant of this moiety of Over Kellet in 1212, holding in thegnage by a rent of 7s. 6d. (fn. 14) She died about 1219, for in that year her son, as Adam son of Adam de Kellet, paid 31s. as relief on succeeding to the lands of Maud de Kellet his mother. (fn. 15)

The younger Adam was also known as Adam de Coupmanwra or Capernwray, having probably fixed his principal dwelling-place in that part of the township. He was a benefactor of the abbeys of Cockersand (fn. 16) and Furness, (fn. 17) and in 1228 was one of the perambulators of the forest bounds. (fn. 18) He had a brother William. (fn. 19)

Thomas son and heir of Adam de Capernwray had livery of his father's lands in 1236, paying 15s. 6d. as relief. (fn. 20) He was escheator for the county about 1249 and later, (fn. 21) and in 1252 held the bailiwick of the forest. (fn. 22) He was a benefactor of Cockersand Abbey (fn. 23) and Lancaster Priory, (fn. 24) and in 1269 gave an oxgang of land in Kellet and various privileges to Furness Abbey. (fn. 25) He died not long afterwards, his heir being William son of Richard de Burgh, a minor, in ward to William le Boteler of Warrington. (fn. 26)

William de Burgh was dead in 1279, when his widow Margery demanded dower in various places, (fn. 27) but he had, perhaps as early as 1274, alienated his moiety of Over Kellet to Randle de Dacre and Joan his wife. (fn. 28) Randle in 1278 obtained the licence of Edmund Earl of Lancaster for inclosing a park in Over Kellet in the places called Stangerbarrow and Storthes. (fn. 29) Joan, as widow, had some disputes, (fn. 30) but in 1297 it was found that she held in Over Kellet, Bare and Heysham for homage and service, doing suit to the county and wapentake courts and rendering yearly 20s. 1d. and a sore hawk. (fn. 31) The 'sore hawk' probably indicates that a change in the service due from this moiety of Over Kellet had already been made, for Randle de Dacre in 1323 held the moiety by rendering one sore goshawk or 12 d. yearly, (fn. 32) and this tenure was recorded in later inquests. (fn. 33)

The moiety of the manor descended to Randle de Dacre, rector of Prescot, (fn. 34) who granted it to Thomas Brown, apparently for the benefit of a certain Ellen de Huyton. (fn. 35) After her death it passed to Ralph de Nevill Earl of Westmorland, (fn. 36) but he appears to have given it with his daughter Philippa in marriage to Thomas de Dacre. With the other Dacre lands it was declared forfeit after the battle of Towton in 1461, but the next year was granted, with other manors, to Sir Richard Fiennes and Joan his wife, she being granddaughter and heir of Sir Thomas Dacre. (fn. 37)

Soon afterwards this moiety of Over Kellet is found included with the Harrington of Hornby manors, (fn. 38) so that, like Hornby, it came in 1489 into the possession of Sir Edward Stanley, afterwards Lord Mounteagle, (fn. 39) and thus descended to William Parker Lord Mounteagle, (fn. 40) who, in conjunction with Elizabeth his wife and Henry Parker, conveyed it by fine to George Middleton of Leighton in Yealand in 1597. (fn. 41) As will be shown later, the purchaser already held by inheritance a third part of the other moiety of the manor. His estate is the only 'manor' of Kellet recognized in later times. For a time it descended with Leighton, (fn. 42) but in 1669 Sir George Middleton and Anne his wife conveyed to John Otway and others the manor of Over Kellet, (fn. 43) and shortly afterwards Sir John Otway, made a knight in 1673, (fn. 44) became sole lord of the manor. By Braithwaite Otway, one of his legatees, the manor was sold to Oliver Martin or Marton early in the 18th century. (fn. 45) Little seems known of the new lord, (fn. 46) except that he purchased the advowson of Lancaster. He was succeeded by his son Edward, M.P. for Lancaster 1747–58, and recorder also from 1748 till his death in 1758, when his brother Oliver, noticed among the vicars of Lancaster, succeeded. At his death in 1794 his son Oliver came into possession, but being of unsound mind there is nothing to relate of his tenure. He died in 1843. His brother George Richard, high sheriff in 1832, having died before him, the heir was George, son of this brother, who was M.P. for Lancaster 1837–47 and high sheriff in 1858. In 1867 he was succeeded by his son, the late Col. George Blucher Heneage Marton, high sheriff in 1877 and M.P. for the Lancaster division in 1885–6, who on his death in 1905 was followed by his son Mr. George Henry Powys Marton, the present lord of the manor. No courts are now held.

Middleton of Leighton. Argent a saltire engrailed sable, a mullet for difference.

Marton. Or three bars gules, in the dexter chief point an escutcheon ermine.

While this moiety of the manor has never been divided, the other moiety was from early in the 13th century held in two or three portions. This second moiety of Over Kellet was probably held by the Bernulf son of Orm who was in 1212 described as 'ancestor' of the then holder. (fn. 47) Orm son of Bernulf about 1160 acted as one of the jurors who determined the bounds of Furness Fells. (fn. 48) Somewhat later he and his brother Adam attested a Heaton charter, (fn. 49) and it is recorded that he gave this brother a third part of his tenement in Kellet and Claughton. (fn. 50) William son of Orm (fn. 51) also attested the Heaton charter, and may safely be identified with the William de Kellet who in 1194 made his peace with the king by a fine of 20 marks, (fn. 52) double the sum paid by the lord of the other moiety. He died not long afterwards, for in 1199 Henry de Redmayne agreed with the king concerning the wardship of the land and heir of William de Kellet, paying 20 marks. (fn. 53) The heir is not here named, but he may have been the Henry de Kellet who held the estate from 1203 to 1208. (fn. 54) In 1210–11 Gilbert de Kellet rendered account of 20 marks and a palfrey due for livery of his lands, (fn. 55) and he was in possession in 1212, when William is stated to have been his father. (fn. 56)

Gilbert de Kellet was a benefactor to the abbeys of Furness (fn. 57) and Cockersand, desiring to be buried in the latter. (fn. 58) He was one of the perambulators of the forest in 1228, (fn. 59) and died in 1235 (fn. 60) or 1236. In the last-named year his son William paid relief on coming into possession of his lands, including a plough-land and a half in Kellet. (fn. 61) He granted an oxgang of land to Furness Abbey. (fn. 62) He died without issue in 1242, when Roger de Croft, his nephew, and Vivian Gernet and Godith his wife, sister of William, paid relief on succeeding. (fn. 63) Godith appears to have left no one to succeed to her part of the moiety, (fn. 64) so that the whole devolved on the Crofts, (fn. 65) of whom an account is given under Dalton in Kendal. There is some variation in the later inquisitions. The Croft share was usually called a half and at others a third part of the moiety of Over Kellet, the remainder being held by Claughton alone or in conjunction with Urswick. (fn. 66) Thus in 1396 John de Croft of Dalton gave to feoffees the fourth part of the lordship of Over Kellet (i.e. half of a moiety), with lands, &c., which Richard de Croft held for life of John's inheritance; yet in 1420 this part was recorded as held of the king in socage by a rent of 2s. 6d., which was the rent of a third part of the moiety. (fn. 67) On the partition of the Croft estates in 1489 their part of Over Kellet was included in the Middleton share, and so descended, (fn. 68) as stated above, to the George Middleton who in 1597 purchased the other moiety of the manor; so it falls out of notice, as merged in the greater estate.

The origin of the Claughton share of the moiety has not been recorded. William de Claughton is the first known to have held it, appearing as joint lord in disputes of 1277–8. (fn. 69) He probably inherited from Godith sister of Gilbert de Kellet. (fn. 70) The Claughtons disappear during the following century, and appear to have been succeeded by the Blackburns of Capernwray. This surname occurs in the district in 1392, when Richard son of John de Croft of Dalton and William son of Henry de Singleton of Fermonholes laid an armed ambush for one of the duke's justices, Robert de Blackburn, and slew him. (fn. 71) Some minor notices occur. (fn. 72)

Thomas Blackburn of Capernwray died in 1517 holding various lands in Kellet of the king by a rent of 2s. 6d. His heir was his brother John, aged thirty. He held lands in Arkholme also. (fn. 73) John Blackburn was assessed to the subsidy in 1543. (fn. 74) Robert Blackburn in 1560 sold part of his estate to Henry Croft of Claughton, (fn. 75) and Marmaduke Blackburn and Margaret his wife in 1572 sold or mortgaged a further portion to William Croft, (fn. 76) and confirmed the same in 1585 to Gabriel Croft and his brothers William and Edward. (fn. 77) The Blackburns continued to live at Capernwray after this, but the Crofts appear to have acquired all their part of the manor of Kellet, and there is an incidental notice of courts being held. (fn. 78) The above-named Henry Croft was the son of Thomas Croft, who died in 1556 holding messuages, &c., in Over Kellet in socage, (fn. 79) having purchased them two years previously from John Harrington and Anne his wife. (fn. 80) The Crofts, as will now be shown, also acquired the remaining part of this moiety of the manor. (fn. 81)

This Urswick part came from the third part of his moiety of Kellet which Orm son of Bernulf granted to his brother Adam. (fn. 82) In the earlier period it was held of the two lords of the moiety, each of them therefore holding a fourth part of the manor; but in the 14th century it came to be reckoned as an independent part, though it does not seem to have been regarded as a 'manor.' Thus was created the confusion between third and fourth parts already spoken of. Adam had land also in Urswick, (fn. 83) and this gave occasion for the surname of his branch of the family. Gilbert son of Adam attested a charter passed before 1190, (fn. 84) and received a moiety of Capernwray from Maud de Kellet, a rent of 3s. a year being due for it. (fn. 85) Adam son of Gilbert gave land in Urswick to Furness Abbey, (fn. 86) and from his kinsman Gilbert de Kellet he obtained a third part of the vill of Claughton. (fn. 87) Adam left a son who as John de Capernwray son of Adam de Urswick granted land in Kellet to Furness Abbey. (fn. 88) Adam de Urswick and Isabel his wife in 1307 obtained from Edmund de Nevill, probably acting as trustee, 4 oxgangs of land in Over Kellet, (fn. 89) and in 1319 they obtained similarly from John de Hornby the younger the manor of Capernwray; both were settled on Adam's heirs. (fn. 90) Adam son of Adam de Urswick in 1337 granted an oxgang of land in Over Kellet to John de Urswick, rector of Tatham; it had formerly belonged to Orm de Urswick. (fn. 91)

The descent is not clear, for it does not explain why the Flemings did not inherit this with other parts of the Urswick estates, like Claughton. Another difficulty is created by the record of an Adam de Urswick, who was coroner of the county, but retired in 1323 owing to ill-health. (fn. 92) Another Adam de Urswick was chief forester of Bowland, (fn. 93) and served in the French wars of Edward III, being present at Crecy. (fn. 94) He died in 1361, and was succeeded by his son Robert, (fn. 95) who has been noticed in the account of Upper Rawcliffe. (fn. 96)

The Urswick estates in Kellet did not descend in the same way, but probably went to a John Urswick who occurs about 1420, (fn. 97) and who may be the John who had land at Catterall in 1438 in conjunction with his wife Helen and their son Thomas. (fn. 98) Another Thomas, grandson of a John Urswick, died in 1519, having sold his lands in Over Kellet to William Redmayne, but his mother Mary had them for her life. They were held of the king in socage by 2s. 6d. rent, (fn. 99) and can thus be identified with the old third part of the moiety held by the Urswicks long before. William Redmayne of Twisleton in Ingleton died in 1536 holding five messuages, lands, &c., in Kellet of the king by the eighth part of a knight's fee and the rent of 2s. 6d. (fn. 100) In 1568 his grandson and heir the next William Redmayne conveyed his estate in Over Kellet and Claughton to Gabriel Croft. (fn. 101)

Gabriel Croft was in 1587 succeeded by his brothers William and Edward, who in 1590 made a feoffment of their estates, which included a fourth part of the manor of Over Kellet. (fn. 102) Though described as a fourth part of the manor, it was twothirds of a moiety of Over Kellet, and accordingly the socage rent due to the king for the estate therein held by William Croft at his death in 1606 was found to be 5s. a year. No manor was claimed. (fn. 103) The same return was made after the death of Edward Croft in 1614. (fn. 104) The estate was probably dissipated piecemeal. A remnant seems to have descended to another Edward Croft, who in 1702 sold to John Wilson of Hall Garth a rent of 15s. from Over Kellet and Borwick, with all other profits, jurisdictions and hereditaments within the liberties, and passed over to him all deeds, court rolls, &c. No 'manor' was expressly named. (fn. 105)

HALL GARTH, with the homestead and lands, formed part of the demesne lands of the Dacre moiety of the manor, and was demised by the second Lord Mounteagle, who died in 1560, to John Barwick according to the custom of tenant right. Thomas Barwick son of John succeeded, but his son George Barwick of Kendal complained that in 1592 he was expelled from a parcel of it called Grassgarth by Walter Curwen, (fn. 106) who claimed under a grant from Richard Middleton to his father Richard Curwen. (fn. 107) In 1675 Thomas Wilson of Over Kellet, who about the same time endowed the school there, purchased Hall Garth and other parcels of the demesne from Sir John Otway, who had, as shown above, recently purchased from Sir George Middleton; a rent of 1s. 3d. was to be paid to the Crown. Thomas Wilson soon afterwards sold to his brother John, who died in 1707, (fn. 108) leaving a son Henry Johnes Wilson, who ultimately succeeded and died in 1772. Through his wife Elizabeth he acquired the manor of Carnforth, in the account of which further details of the descent are given. His daughter Mary married Dr. James Ainslie of Kendal, (fn. 109) but had no issue, and after her death in 1820 Hall Garth went to her husband's descendants by his first wife, Margaret Farrer. The eldest son, Montague Farrer Ainslie, died in 1830 and his brother Henry in 1834, being followed by his younger son Dr. Gilbert Ainslie, (fn. 110) master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, from 1828 till his death in 1870. His representatives in 1891 sold the estate to the late James Henry Johnson, and in 1904 it was purchased by William Farrer, one of the editors of the present History. Since its purchase by the Wilsons the estate has been augmented in extent by the absorption of many small tenements. (fn. 111)

Farrer of Hall Garth. Quarterly 1 and 4, Argent on a bend indented sable between two acorns leaved and slipped proper three horseshoes of the field, for Farrer; 2 and 3, Azure on a cheveron erminois between three stags' heads erased of the last two oak branches slipped cheveronwise proper, in centre chief point a bezant charged with a rose gules barbed and seeded proper, for Ecroyd.

A dwelling called the Court House was in 1724 bequeathed by Christopher Bell to his son Thomas.

Kellet Park was in 1580 tenanted by William Curwen, who complained of trespass. (fn. 112) It was owned by the Middletons, (fn. 113) and was reserved by Sir John Otway when he sold Hall Garth.

The manor of CAPERNWRAY has been mentioned incidentally as held with parts of the manor of Over Kellet. There may have been two estates with the same name, one derived from the grant by Maud de Kellet to Gilbert son of Adam and held in 1319 by Adam de Urswick and the other that held by Thomas Blackburn in 1517; but though, as recorded, the services were quite distinct, it is possible that the Urswick manor was acquired by the Blackburns. The above-named Thomas held the manor of Capernwray, with lands there and in Arkholme, of Lord Mounteagle by rendering a pound of cummin yearly. (fn. 114) The Blackburns alienated lands in Capernwray as well as in Kellet, (fn. 115) but Thomas Blackburn of Capernwray in 1627 alleged, in partial explanation, that his father Marmaduke, on account of his age, had wished to be relieved of the care of his estate and therefore demised it to Gabriel Croft of Claughton, a near kinsman, and went to live at Gabriel's house, taking with him all his deeds. (fn. 116) Two years later Thomas Blackburn compounded for his manor of Capernwray and lands there, two-thirds being liable to sequestration for his recusancy, by an annual fine of £10. (fn. 117) Robert Blackburn of Capernwray in 1647 had to compound with the Parliament for taking the king's side in the Civil War; nothing is said of his religion, so that he must have been a conformist. (fn. 118)

Robert Blackburn and Joan his wife in 1650 released the manor of Capernwray to Edward Cresset, who may have been acting for Sir Robert Bindloss of Borwick. (fn. 119) At any rate, Sir Robert and Rebecca his wife in 1664 conveyed the manor with lands and mill there, perhaps in trust, to William Tatham, (fn. 120) and again in 1674 to Sir John Otway, the purchaser of Over Kellet, (fn. 121) Soon afterwards the separate manor of Capernwray ceased to be noticed. The estate there has descended to Mr. Marton in the same way as his part of the manor of Over Kellet, and the family have always made it their seat. Lucas writes: 'A little before the end of last century [1700] the old hall at Capernwray was partially pulled down and a new one erected. When the old building was to be demolished the workmen found the walls . . . so firmly cemented that they were obliged to blow them up with gunpowder.' (fn. 122) It is now occupied as a farm-house. After the inclosure of the commons in 1805 a mansion-house was erected upon a portion of the inclosed common during the time of Mr. Oliver Marton. In 1830 it was known as Keer Bank, but was afterwards re-named Capernwray Hall, (fn. 123) and is the chief seat of the Martons of Capernwray.

Apart from some minor estates, one of which was an oxgang of land held in 1347 by John Croft of Durslet, (fn. 124) the remaining ancient tenements were those of religious houses. The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem early had an estate there known as Withwaites. (fn. 125) Birklandbarrow, as appears from charters cited above, (fn. 126) was held by Cockersand Abbey and demised to tenants at will. (fn. 127) After the Suppression it was sold by the Crown in 1546 to Richard Stephen and George Buck, (fn. 128) who seem to have sold to Thomas Standish, for he in 1572 conveyed the estate of Birklandbarrow to Richard Burton. (fn. 129) Richard died in 1587 holding a messuage and land in Over Kellet of the queen as of her manor of Greenstead in socage; his heir was his son Thomas, aged twelve. (fn. 130) It was still owned by this family in 1697, when depositions were taken in a suit between Janet Edmondson on one side and Thomas Burton, Mary his wife, Richard Burton (son of Thomas), Anne his wife, Richard Gibson and John Cumming. Janet, a cripple, was daughter of Richard Burton, deceased, by Alice Eskrigg, his first wife, and granddaughter of Thomas Burton, and she claimed maintenance from the estate. Her father had married a second wife, Ellen Stout, and had issue the defendant Thomas and other children. After Richard's death the stepmother turned Janet out of the house, and she took refuge with her grandfather, then living; afterwards she taught school at Holme, near Burton, and about 1669 married Richard Edmondson. A copy of her father's will, dated 1638 and proved 1665, was produced. One witness deposed that Richard Burton was a lieutenant in the army at the latter end of the Civil War and was buried at Over Kellet, a musket being shot off at the time. The following parcels of his land were named:—Luncelet, Kiln Close, Middle Barrow, Moss Close, Helks, Wooveakes and Hemplands. (fn. 131) Birklandbarrow was in 1805 and 1847 the property of Richard Gibson. It was purchased by Mr. Septimus Booker, and is now the property of his son, Mr. John Lee Booker of Swarthdale.

The gifts to Furness have been recorded above. There were 2 oxgangs of land, each of them in 1412 let at 7s. a year, one to Adam de Langshaw and the other to Richard son of William de Beck. (fn. 132) After the Suppression the lands were retained by the Crown for a time, (fn. 133) as appurtenant to Beaumont in Skerton, and were sold in 1628 to Edward Ditchfield and others. (fn. 134) St. Bees in Cumberland appears also to have had some land in Kellet. (fn. 135)

Swarthdale was built about a century ago by the Rev. J. Stainbank, rector of Halton and curate of Over Kellet. Later it became the property of Admiral Barrie and then of Captain W. Barrie, R.N. The last-named sold it to the late Septimus Booker in 1872. He in 1885 was succeeded by his son Mr. John Lee Booker, the present owner and the patron of the vicarage.

Hogarth or Hogget House perhaps derived its name from former owners. One Edmund Hoggard of Over Kellet in 1653 complained that two-thirds of his small estate had been sequestered for recusancy by mistake, he being a Protestant and attending Protestant worship; later, however, he asked leave to compound under the Recusants' Act. (fn. 136) The Hogarth House estate was about that time owned by John Wilson, who gave an endowment to the church to secure a preaching minister. He died in 1669. His eldest son Richard rebuilt the house; younger sons Thomas and John have been noticed in the account of Hall Garth. From Richard descends the present owner, Mr. Henry Talbot Wilson. (fn. 137)

John Thompson in 1597 purchased from Lord Mounteagle a considerable estate in Over Kellet, a water-mill being included. (fn. 138) It does not occur in the records again, and was perhaps sold to the occupiers in parcels. The names of Eskrigg, (fn. 139) Gibson, (fn. 140) Leaper, (fn. 141) Lucas (fn. 142) and Wither or Widder (fn. 143) occur in inquisitions and otherwise.

According to the hearth-tax return in 1666 there were in the township eighty-one hearths liable. The largest houses were those of Sir Robert Bindloss and Robert Wither, each with four hearths; Richard Lucas's had three, but no other more than two. (fn. 144)

In 1784 the principal contributors to the land tax were Dr. Ainslie, Bartholomew Bradshaw, Mr. Wakefield, Thomas Swinley and John Dickinson.

The existence of the north-country tenant right has been referred to already. According to depositions made about 1550 there was within the manor an ancient custom called 'the Town's term,' by which in addition to their yearly rents and services the tenants paid at every ten years' end an additional year's rent. A double rent was also paid as fine on succession. (fn. 145)

Church

The church of ST. CUTHBERT (fn. 146) is situated about a quarter of a mile to the south-east of the village on rising ground and consists of a nave and sanctuary under one roof, 58 ft. 6 in. long internally by about 13 ft. 6 in. wide, (fn. 147) with north and south aisles, north porch and west tower. There is also a vestry in the angle between the tower and the north aisle. The oldest part of the building is the west arch and pier of the south aisle, which, together with the respond, are of early 13th-century date and transitional in character. The west respond of the north aisle is probably also of the same period, and if in its original position would indicate an aisled nave in the first building of the same width as the present one. The plan of the early church can only be conjectured, and probably consisted of a nave and small square-ended chancel. There are, however, no indications of transitional work east of the pier just mentioned, the remainder of the building having apparently been erected in the 16th century, to which date the arcades, outer walls and tower must be assigned. There was a restoration in 1863–4 when the easternmost pier and arch of each aisle and the whole of the east wall were rebuilt and a new porch erected. (fn. 148) In 1909 the whole of the exterior walling, with the exception of the east end, was covered with rough-cast and dormer windows were inserted in the roof over the sanctuary, one at each side.

The building as reconstructed in the 16th century is on plan a parallelogram, the total width of which is 35 ft. 6 in., the aisles being divided from the wider middle space by an arcade of four arches on each side. At the east end there is a straight piece of wall 4 ft. 6 in. long on each side, forming the original sanctuary, and the west responds, which are square and have chamfered abaci, project respectively 2 ft. 9 in. and 1 ft. 5 in., making the spacing of the arcades slightly unequal. The external walling is apparently of rubble with angle quoins, but is now hidden by the modern rough-cast, and the roof, which is of a single wide span over both nave and aisles, is covered with green slates and has overhanging eaves. The south wall is probably built on the foundations of that of the early 13th-century church, the aisle being only 6 ft. 6 in. wide, but on the north side the building was probably extended, the width of the aisle being 10 ft. 6 in. The arcade walls are 14 ft. in height to the wall plate and the side walls average about 9 ft. 6 in.

The east window is a modern pointed one of three lights with perpendicular tracery, and the new walling is of coursed roughly dressed stones with coping and apex cross to the gable. There is a buttress at each side of the window at the end of the nave arcade walls. No traces of mediaeval ritual arrangements remain, the whole of the chancel (which occupies the easternmost bay) being modern. The arches of the north arcade are all obtusely pointed, of two chamfered orders springing from octagonal piers 21 in. in diameter and 6 ft. 9 in. in height to the top of the capitals, which follow the section of the piers and have two chamfered members. The bases are hidden by the wooden floors of the pews, except at the east end where the piers have been rebuilt and the detail is different. The three easternmost arches of the south arcade are of similar form to those on the north, but the middle pier is less in diameter and has a deeper moulded capital, apparently of late 15th-century date. It may be part of a previous rebuilding of that period. The original west arch is semicircular in shape and of a single square order now covered with cement, and the pier, which is 2 ft. 3 in. in diameter, is circular in section and has a shallow bell-shaped capital with large square abacus. The base is square but partly covered by the floor of the pews, and the height to the top of the capital is 6 ft. The north aisle is lit by three square-headed windows each of three roundheaded lights, with an external hood mould and double chamfered jambs, and there is a modern square-headed window of two lights at the east end. The windows of the south aisle are modern. All the walls are plastered internally, and the roof, which has plain principals, is plastered between the spars.

The porch, which is 7 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft., stands near the east end of the north wall opposite the second bay from the east, being so placed by reason of the nature of the site and position of the church in relation to the village. The inner doorway is modern. Two fragments of a grave cover with floreated cross are built into the north-west angle of the building, and there is another sculptured fragment in the lower part of the south wall. The floor has a downward slope to the east, following in some measure the fall of the hill-side on which the church is built. (fn. 149)

The tower has a moulded plinth and terminates in an embattled parapet, but the walls, which are covered with rough-cast like the rest of the building, are unmarked externally by string courses or any other indication of the internal stages. There is a vice in the south-west corner and diagonal buttresses of five stages at the western angles carried up the full height to the top of the parapet. The eastern angles have flat pilaster buttresses facing north and south. The west door, which has a pointed arch of two hollowchamfered orders, is now built up in its lower part and made into a window, and above it is a squareheaded window of three rounded lights similar to those in the north aisle. The belfry windows are of similar type, but that facing south has no hood mould. The north and south walls below the belfry are blank. The tower arch is of two chamfered orders dying into the wall at the springing and is the full width of the tower. The present boarded floor, from which the bells are rung, is 2 ft. 6 in. above that of the nave.

The font is a modern stone one and stands at the west end of the south aisle. The old font, which is a circular bowl of gritstone, is now in the garden at Hall Garth.

The pews are apparently of early 19th-century date, and mostly belong to estates in the parish, but the pulpit and chancel fittings are modern.

At the east end of the south aisle are mural monuments to Thomas Wilson, founder of the free grammar school, who died in 1702; John Wilson of Hall Garth, who died in 1707; and Henry Wilson of Hall Garth, who died in 1772. At the other end of the aisle are the royal arms of George III. There is a brass on the north side of the sanctuary to Robert Speight, who died in 1822.

The organ, which stands at the east end of the north aisle, was given by Septimus Booker in 1863.

There are three bells in the tower, one of which is of pre-Reformation date. It bears the inscription in Gothic characters, 'Sancte Petre ora pro nobis.' The second bell is inscribed 'iesvs be ovr speed 1664'; and the third is by T. Mears of London, 1824.

The registers begin in 1658. (fn. 150)

The churchyard lies chiefly on the north side of the building and slopes down the hill-side from west to east. The entrance from the road is at the east end, but was formerly on the north side, near to where the base and part of the shaft of a cross are still standing. (fn. 151)

Advowson

The chapel as shown above can be traced back to the beginning of the 13 th century, but the written evidences do not begin so early, the earliest intimation being in April 1281, when the incumbents of benefices in the deanery of Amounderness were ordered to meet the Archbishop of York at Kellet. (fn. 152) The Archdeacon of Richmond, as rector of Bolton, had the Kirkhouse estate, which was sometimes called a manor. (fn. 153) The curate would normally be appointed by the archdeacon and by the Bishop of Chester in later times, but the patronage was at some time alienated. (fn. 154) In 1698 the inhabitants, resenting the interference of the vicar of Bolton, desired the Bishop of Chester to appoint directly, allowing them to nominate the curate. (fn. 155) The present patron is Mr. John Lee Booker of Swarthdale, (fn. 156) who also owns Kirkhouse. (fn. 157)

There was no chantry foundation, and the curate was paid by the small tithes. In 1650 the income from this source was £10, and £50 a year had been added out of the sequestered tithes by the Parliamentary Committee. (fn. 158) About 1717 the curate's income was certified as under £9, (fn. 159) but several gifts were made to secure 'a preaching minister,' and in particular George Eskrigg in 1715 gave his messuage and land, then producing £24 a year, towards the stipend. (fn. 160) The income is now stated to be £258. (fn. 161) The benefice was declared a vicarage in 1866.

The following have been curates and vicars:—

oc. 1540 William Southworth (fn. 162)
oc. 1562 William Robinson
oc. 1580 Marmaduke Burton (fn. 163)
oc. 1602 Henry Reynolds (fn. 164)
c. 1610 —Barker (fn. 165)
1611 Robert Preston (fn. 166)
c. 1640 William Curwen (fn. 167)
oc. 1650 William Smith (fn. 168)
1655 Michael Altham (fn. 169)
1674 Oliver Dickonson, M.A. (fn. 170)
1682 Henry Batty (fn. 171)
—Smith (fn. 172)
1698 ? Thomas Jackson (fn. 173)
1699 John Turner (fn. 174)
1714 Thomas Atkinson (fn. 175)
1738 John Benison (fn. 176)
1739 John Brunton, B.A. (assistant curate)
1746 Silvester Petty (fn. 177)
1761 Robert Fletcher, B.A. (fn. 178) (St. John's Coll., Camb.)
1795 James Stainbank (fn. 179)
1825 William Bradshaw
1862 George Quirk, M.A. (fn. 180) (Worc. Coll., Oxf.)
1888 Charles Timbrell Fisher, B.A. (Brasenose Coll., Oxf.)
1907 John Edward Wade Johnston

In 1840 a chapel was built at Capernwray by Mr. and Mrs. Marton and opened for service.

There is a Wesleyan chapel, opened in August 1879 and rebuilt in 19l0. (fn. 181)

George Fox early made disciples in Over Kellet. Robert Wither or Widder, a native of the place, 'who was one of the Lord's worthies,' from 1654 till his death there in 1686, gave his testimony in Lancaster and many other towns in the north of England, suffering much in consequence of this and his refusal to pay tithes or the 'Sunday shillings.' (fn. 182) Thomas Wither's house at Kellet was in 1689 used as a Quakers' meeting-place. (fn. 183) One or two members of the Society of Friends were buried in a close near the house, which still exists as Brookside Farm House.

A school is mentioned in 1650, (fn. 184) but the only considerable endowment was the £200 given by Thomas Wilson about 1670. (fn. 185) The money was used in the purchase of the Keer Holme estate, and produces £68 a year. It was intended to found a grammar school, but there has long been only an elementary school. A dame's school was built on the village green about a century ago by subscription, but the building, which is now the post office, was sold in 1899 and the proceeds applied to new buildings for Wilson's school.

Charities

Official reports on the charities of the township were made in 1826 and 1899. From them the following particulars are taken:—

Thomas Wither in 1709 gave land for the apprenticing of poor children. (fn. 186) The income of this and some minor charities amounts to £17 4s. 4d., of which part is paid for apprenticeship fees and part for education. John Blackburn and others (fn. 187) left money which was invested in land, and this was sold in 1799 for £80 and other lands purchased for £55. On the inclosure of the commons 2 acres were given in respect of the Poor's Riddings, part of the charity lands. These benefactions have merged in Wither's charity.

Of the above-mentioned Keer Holme estate part belonged to the overseers, who received three thirteenths of the rent. In 1864–5 the railway companies purchased part of the land for £660, and it was resolved by the school trustees and the overseers to buy out the interest of the township in the estate. The purchase-money is invested in £601 railway preference shares, producing £18 0s. 6d. a year for public uses.

The township property consists of the village green and the pinfold, and formerly there was a public quarry. (fn. 188)

Thomas Wither bequeathed part of his estate in 1715 to the Society of Friends. (fn. 189) This was exchanged in 1830 with Montague Farrer Ainslie for lands in Yealand Conyers.

Footnotes

  • 1. 3,213 acres, including 21 of inland water; Census Rep. 1901.
  • 2. Lancs, and Ches. Antiq. Soc. xxi, 108.
  • 3. Ibid, ix, 113. This road formerly passed over rising ground above the church, but was diverted to a more level but circuitous course.
  • 4. This and othor extracts from Lucas's MS. are printed by Whitaker; Richmondshire, ii, 285, &c.
  • 5. Baines, Lancs. (ed. 1836), iv, 569.
  • 6. Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Soc. vi, 125. The award is preserved at Lancaster Castle.
  • 7. L. and P. Hen. VIII, xii (1), p. 416.
  • 8. V.C.H. Lancs. i, 288b.
  • 9. Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 90, 91. The extent of the Over Kellet tenement is gathered from a comparison of this record with others quoted below.
  • 10. Ibid. 141.
  • 11. Farrer, Lancs. Pipe R. 77. He was living in 1202; ibid. 152.
  • 12. Maud widow of Adam son of Osbert in 1207 paid 4 marks to the king that she might be at liberty not to marry; ibid. 216; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 118.
  • 13. Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 25.
  • 14. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 91; she is called Maud de Kellet. She had one moiety of Over Kellet and Bare and Gilbert de Kellet had the other moiety, pointing to a division between co-heirs. As Gilbert's grandfather had part of Kellet the division must have been made long before 1212. The rents for Kellet and for Bare were 15s. and 16s., so that each tenant paid 15s;. 6d.
  • 15. Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 31.
  • 16. As Adam son of Adam de Kellet he gave to Cockersand Abbey, with the assent of his mother Maud, land in Kellet between the road to Cawood and the crosses on the Hospitallers' land; Cockersand Chartul. (Chet. Soc.), iii, 904. As Adam son of Adam son of Osbert de Kellet he made a further gift; ibid. 906.
  • 17. He gave the monks of Furness the right to take millstones in Kellet; they were in return to pray for the souls of Adam his father and Maud his mother; Add. MS. 33244, fol. 44. It must be noted that here he is called Adam son of Adam son of Orm de Kellet.
  • 18. Farrer, op. cit. 422. He is called Adam de Capernwray.
  • 19. Lanc. Ch. (Chet. Soc.), i, 32.
  • 20. Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 308. Thomas de Capernwray paid 3s. 9d. rent for some land unnamed in 1246–8 and 10s. for a house in Lancaster; ibid. 169.
  • 21. Close, 33 Hen. III, no. 175; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 204, 228.
  • 22. Close, 36 Hen. III, no. 217.
  • 23. Cockersand Chartul. iii, 907–9. His grants included land at the eastern head of Yerleskelde on both sides of the road, all his land and meadow in Helks and Birkland Wray, and land on the Southcoteflat, outside the Summerlidyate, with various easements.
  • 24. For his own soul and that of Alice his wife he gave land in Bolton to the priory; Lanc. Ch. (Chet. Soc.), i, 180, 253. He made some other gifts; ibid. 156, 160.
  • 25. Add. MS. 33244, fol. 45. The monks might take ten oaks a year, also millstones and dead wood. These grants were afterwards disputed by Randle de Dacre, and an agreement was made in 1286; ibid. fol. 46. The original charters granting the oxgang of land are in Duchy of Lanc. Anct. D. (P.R.O.), L 407–8. The witnesses included Richard le Boteler, then Sheriff of Lancaster, John de Cansfield, Richard his son, William de Heaton, the king's coroner, and others. The seal has the legend: + s' THOME DE COVPMANWRA.
  • 26. Thomas had a son Robert de Capernwray, who must have been illegitimate; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 320. In 1276 Alice widow of Thomas de Capernwray sued Robert de Capernwray for her dower in lands in Over Kellet, and he called William son of Richard to warrant. She made a similar claim against William son of Richard de Burgh and recovered; De Banco R. 14, m. 9; 15, m. 22. For William de Burgh see the account of Nether Burrow. It appears from later suits that the guardian made various feoffments of his ward's lands in Over Kellet and elsewhere.
  • 27. Ibid. 30, m. 26; 32, m. 24. In Over Kellet her demand, in respect of two tofts and 2 oxgangs of land, was made against Randle de Dacre, who called Adam de Burgh to warrant; ibid. 34, m. 21.
  • 28. In the inquisition after the death of Randle de Dacre in 1286 it appears that the purchase was made in 1274, he and Joan his wife having been in that year jointly enfeoffed of the 'manor' of Kellet. The manor of Heysham was acquired soon afterwards; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 263. From the pleading of 1276 above cited it might be inferred that William de Burgh was still in possession. Some account of the Dacre family has been given above under Halton.
  • 29. Duchy of Lanc. Forest Proc. bdle. 1, no. 17, m. 3 d.; a claim by a later Randle de Dacre in 1334 for a free park, without deer leap, in Over Kellet, in virtue of the charter he produced.
  • 30. Roger de Croft in 1292 complained that John de Urswick and Joan widow of Randle de Dacre had disseised him of common of pasture in Over Kellet, but he was unwilling to prosecute Joan, while John de Urswick proved that Roger had common of pasture in the open season; Assize R. 408, m. 49 d. The Prior of Lancaster claimed the right to take three oaks a year from the manor of Over Kellet; ibid. m. 76. In 1303 Adam the Tailor of Caton claimed a messuage and land in Kellet against Joan, but she produced the charter from Adam's father Nicholas de Lee, granting the same to her husband Randle de Dacre; De Banco R. 148, m. 72.
  • 31. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 293. The rents for the three manors should have been 7s. 6d., 8s., and 8s. 9d. respectively.
  • 32. Ibid, ii, 118. In 1328 Randle de Dacre and Margaret his wife had licence to agree with William de Burgh, rector of Dacre, concerning the manor of Kellet and other lands; De Banco R. 275, m. 106 d. From the consequent fine it appears that John de Croft had a lease of the manor for nineteen years. The remainders were to the sons of Randle— viz. William, Thomas and Randle—and to his right heirs; Final Conc. ii, 69.
  • 33. Sir William de Dacre held the moiety of Over Kellet in 1346, rendering a sore sparrow-hawk or 12d., which was paid to the lord by Alice de Slene; Surv. of 1346 (Chet. Soc.), 68; Add. MS. 32103, fol. 153b. In the ministers'charge made in 1348 the service is said to be for tenements in Kellet and Oxcliffe; Duchy of Lanc. Various Accts. bdle. 32, no. 17.
  • 34. In 1362 it was found that Margaret formerly wife of Randle de Dacre held by knight's service in Over Kellet a little park (winter herbage worth 2s. and summer herbage 10s.), a decayed water mill (untenanted), and rents of one free tenant (2d.) and various tenants at will (85s.). The heir was her son Randle de Dacre, rector of Prescot; Inq. p.m. 36 Edw. III, pt. i, no. 62. Randle de Dacre was in 1375 found to have held the moiety of Over Kellet by rendering a sparrow-hawk or 12d. yearly; ibid. 49 Edw. III, pt. ii, no. 39.
  • 35. After Randle de Dacre's death the king demanded the moiety against Ellen de Huyton, who replied that she held for life by grant of one Thomas Brown in 1368, he having obtained it from the said Randle. The reversion was to Sir Hugh de Dacre, Randle's brother; Coram Rege R. 459, pt. ii, m. 54; Lancs. and Ches. Rec. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 369. Thomas Brown (living 1387) was a Scot; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 25. In the following year (1376) the manors of Over Kellet and Stub were settled on William Massey and Ellen (de Huyton) his wife for life, with reversion to Sir John de Nevill; Final Conc. ii, 191. From this it appears that Nevill had purchased the reversion from Hugh de Dacre. Ellen afterwards married John de Honford, and, though in 1387 the king again sought possession, this moiety of Over Kellet was in 1392 allowed to John and Ellen, who were to pay 50 marks; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xl, App. 526; xliii, 366. Ellen wife of John de Honford (d. 1393) is said to have been the widow of Hugh de Clayton of Thelwall, and to have married lastly Richard de Mascy of Sale; she died about 1404; Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), iii, 644; i, 565.
  • 36. In 1409 Ralph Earl of Westmorland had the king's pardon for entering without licence upon the manor of Over Kellet, as son and heir of John de Nevill. The manor was held of the king in chief as of his duchy of Lancaster, and had lately been held by Ellen de Huyton for life, with reversion to the said earl; Towneley MS. CC, no. 438.
  • 37. Cal. Pat. 1461–7, pp. 140, 534.
  • 38. No record it known of the manner in which it came to the Harringtons.
  • 39. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. v, no. 64; the manor and lands in Over Kellet were held of the king by knight's service. Evidence of its having been part of the Hornby manors is afforded by later pleadings, &c.; e.g. in the conveyance by Stephen Harrington to the queen in 1572; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 34, m. 76, 80; also in the grant to Charles Lord Gerard in 1664, in which it is called the moiety of the manor; Pat. 16 Chas. II, pt. vi, no. 10.
  • 40. In 1594 William Dobson, in right of Lord Morley and Elizabeth daughter of Lord Mounteagle, complained against Thomas Croft and others in respect of certain messuages, lands, &c., in Hornby, Kellet, and other places, and also of the custom of tenant right; Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), iii, 300.
  • 41. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 58, m. 66; the manor of Over Kellet, with 26 messuages, water mill, lands, and rents in Over Kellet and Capernwray. In 1598 George Middleton, as lord of the manor by purchase from Lord Mounteagle, complained against various customary tenants of Hornby for intrusion on his lands in Over Kellet; Ducatus Lanc, iii, 380.
  • 42. Thomas Middleton of Leighton died in 1640 holding the manor of Over Kellet, with messuages, lands, moor, moss, &c., of the king as duke by the fourth part of a knight's fee; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxix, no. 64.
  • 43. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 182, m. 94. In 1679 Thomas Hebblethwaite, probably as trustee, obtained from Sir John Otway the manors of Over Kellet and Capernwray; ibid. bdle. 203, m. 23.
  • 44. Sir John Otway was son of Roger Otway of Ingmire, near Sedbergh, and was educated at Sedbergh (where he was born) and St. John's College, Camb., being expelled from his fellowship for refusing the Covenant in 1643. He also studied at Gray's Inn. He entered the king's army, and prepared the way for the Restoration by winning over two Parliamentary officers, his brothers-inlaw. He had several public offices, being recorder of Lancaster 1684–91 and member for Preston in 1677 and 1679. He died in 1693. Braithwaite Otway was his son by his second wife; B. Wilson, Sedbergh School Reg. 76. He is not noticed in Dict. Nat. Biog.
  • 45. Lucas in his MS. 'History of Warton' writes thus: 'The next lord of the manor of these villages that I meet with was Sir John Otway of Ingmire, kt., who had so great a hand in the Restoration of King Charles II. He left his large estate . . . . to Dr. Charles Otway, a great civilian, and Braithwaite Otway, Esq., one of which sold the estate here, since the beginning of this [18th] Century to Oliver Martin, Esq., the present owner.'
  • 46. He was a lawyer, and was admitted to Gray's Inn on 5 May 1727 as 'Oliver Marton of Warwick Court, parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn, Esq.' His son and heir Edward was admitted 3 Aug. 1728; Gray's Inn Reg. 1521–1887. 'Jane widow of Oliver Marton, Esq., of Lancaster' was buried at Lancaster 14 April 1755; Reg. The family is supposed to have sprung from Marton-in-Craven and to have been established in Bowland during the 16 th century.
  • 47. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 90. In addition to the moiety of Bare the lords of this part of Over Kellet held also a plough-land in Claughton.
  • 48. Farrer, Lancs. Pipe R. 311.
  • 49. Ibid. 409. Adam son of Bernulf occurs also in 1168; ibid. 12, 15.
  • 50. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 90; here the father is called Bernard instead of Bernulf.
  • 51. Godith daughter of William son of Orm de Kellet had somewhat later a moiety of the advowson of Claughton; Cockersand Chartul. iii, 883–92.
  • 52. Farrer, op. cit. 78.
  • 53. Ibid. 107, 117; see also 168.
  • 54. Henry de Kellet contributed to scutages in 1203 and 1205; ibid. 178, 204. His release to Maud de Kellet in 1206 has been recorded above. Henry was still living in 1208; Final Conc. i, 34. William son of William de Kellet is also named; Cockersand Chartul. iii, 886.
  • 55. Farrer, op. cit. 241.
  • 56. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 90.
  • 57. He allowed the monks to take a load of dead wood from his woods here every day from the first day of spring until 1 Aug. and to take millstones also; Add. MS. 33244, fol. 44. His brother William was also a benefactor; ibid. fol. 46.
  • 58. He gave his part of Birklandbarrow and also of the land between the crosses that marked out the Hospitallers' lands and the road to Cawood; Cockersand Chartul. iii, 904. With the assent of his brother William he gave 12 acres of land, with his body; ibid. 905.
  • 59. Farrer, op. cit. 420.
  • 60. In 1235 he purchased and sold land in Tunstall; Final Conc, i, 59, 69.
  • 61. Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 311.
  • 62. Add. MS. 33244, fol. 46.
  • 63. Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 389. Roger was the son of William's sister Alice by Henry de Croft. In 1246 it appeared that Katherine late wife of William de Kellet had married William son of William de Tunstall without licence; Assize R. 404, m. 24. She and her second husband released to the monks of Furness their right to dower in the oxgang of land which William de Kellet had given; Duchy of Lanc. Anct. D. (P.R.O.), L405.
  • 64. There were two Godiths, aunt and daughter of William, as will be seen in the account of the Claughton family. Godith de Kellet was in 1246 said to be in the king's gift, her lands being worth 50s. a year; Assize R. 404, m. 24; but in 1245 John de Bigging and Godith his wife granted to Furness Abbey half an oxgang of land which William de Kellet had given to them; Add. MS. 33244, fol. 46. It was probably the same Godith who was in 1262 the wife of John le Peddere; Final Conc, i, 138.
  • 65. Roger son and heir of Henry de Croft paid 10s. as relief in 1243; Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 408. Roger de Croft died in 1255 holding 7 oxgangs of land in Kellet of the king by the yearly rent of 4s. 2d. Others had been enfeoffed by charter, paying nothing beyond the rent due to the king; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 200. The remainder may have been the third part (4 oxgangs) held by the Claughton family and the oxgang held by Furness Abbey. Alice widow of Henry de Croft (perhaps the Henry who died in 1243) in 1273 released to the canons of Cockersand her claim to the advowson of Claughton Church; Cockersand Chartul. in, 892.
  • 66. In 1292 Roger de Croft and William de Claughton sued Joan widow of Randle de Dacre for a tenement in Over Kellet; Assize R. 408, m. 42 d. The equal partition of the former moiety was distinctly recorded in 1298, Roger de Croft and William de Claughton each holding 6 oxgangs of land in Over Kellet by rents of 3s. 9d.; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 292. On the other hand it was in 1323 found that three lords held the moiety equally, by rendering 2s. 6d. a year each, viz. Henry son of Roger de Croft, Adam de Urswick and John de Claughton; ibid, ii, 118. In 1325 Henry de Croft held the fourth part of the manor (a moiety of a moiety); Inq. a.q.d. file 176, no. 17. The division into third parts was again recorded in 1346, when the tenants were John de Croft, Isabel de Urswick and John de Claughton; Surv. of 1346 (Chet. Soc), 68.
  • 67. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc), i, 141.
  • 68. Thomas Middleton of Leighton died in 1517 holding messuages and lands in Kellet of the king by 2s. 6d. rent; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iv, no. 91. His son Gervase was in 1548 stated to have held his lands, &c., in Kellet of the king as duke by knight's service; ibid, ix, no. 11. He had given Kellet to his second son William for life. William Middleton in 1550 presented a complaint against George Middleton, John Blackburn and others as to lands in Over Kellet; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Edw. VI, xxiv, M 11; xxvi, M 8.
  • 69. In 1277–8 John de Urswick of Capernwray sued the freeholders of one moiety of Over Kellet, viz. Alice widow of Henry de Croft and William de Claughton, lords of the manor, and others, for a tenement there; Assize R. 1235, m. 11. The other defendants at that time were Robert del Crag, Peter de Kirk Kellet (Curckelet), William of the Moor and Thomas son of Michael. Alice replied that the land she held was the inheritance of one Roger son of Henry de Croft, who was under age, and that she with William de Claughton and Randle de Dacre, as joint owners of the vill, had approved land as was her right. The plaintiff replied that the land he claimed was in Akergarth, among the arable land, where there was no waste to approve, and he obtained a verdict in his favour; Assize R. 1238, m, 32. Peter de Kellet was joined in the defence with Croft and Claughton. In 1299 Finian son of Peter of Over Kellet slew Robert son of Peter the Carpenter, but was pardoned in 1302 for his good service in Scotland. His chattels, worth 17s. 9d., were forfeited because he fled after the deed; Assize R. 422, m. 2 d.; Cal. Pat. 1301–7, p. 13.
  • 70. Cf. William son of Godith daughter of William de Kellet and William de Claughton son of Godith; Cockersand Chartul. iii, 908, 891. William's mother Godith had on her death-bed granted the canons land between Birklandbarrow and Swancliff, and he confirmed the gift; ibid. 908. This may not be the same William as the one mentioned in the text.
  • 71. Cal. Pat. 1391–6, p. 388. Pardons were granted in 1394 and 1397. See Pal. of Lanc. Chan. Misc. bdle. 1, file 3, no. 16; Cal. Pat. 1396–9, p. 196.
  • 72. John son of Nicholas Heysham in 1477 claimed 36 acres in Over Kellet against Thomas Blackburn; Coram Rege R. 17 Edw. IV, m. 23. The claimant was successful in 1488; Pal. of Lanc. Writs Prothon. Aug. 1 Hen. VII, 27 d. Thomas Blackburn of Capernwray was a surety in 1490; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xl, App. 541.
  • 73. Duchy of Lanc Inq. p.m. iv, no. 84. He had made a feoffment of lands, &c., in 1509 and his will is recited. He desired to be buried on the south side of the 'parish kirk' of Kellet. He left 6s. 8d. to the friars of Lancaster and the same sum to the repairs of the bridge there. His wife Elizabeth, who survived him, was to have his manor called Capernwray Hall, with lands called Mothalez (?Moothaw). To his brother James, a priest, he left rents for life, that he might pray for his and other souls; to his sister Elizabeth he left closes called Borwins for life.
  • 74. Lay Subs. R. Lancs, bdle. 130, no. 122.
  • 75. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 22, m. 132. A further sale was made in 1561; ibid. bdle. 23, m. 144.
  • 76. Ibid. bdle. 34, m. 141.
  • 77. Ibid. bdle. 47, m. 170. Gabriel Croft, Henry's brother and heir, in his will of 1587 calls Margaret Blackburn his cousin; her son Thomas was under age. 'Old Mrs. Blackburn' was to have a pension of £6 6s. 8d. a year.
  • 78. Thomas son of John Mawson of Over Kellet in 1589 alleged that he and his ancestors had held a messuage, &c., according to the ancient custom of tenant right used in the north parts time out of mind, but in 1569 Hugh Muckalt and Richard his son put forward a claim to it at the assizes. The judges remitted the matter to Henry Croft, to hear it before himself or else in his court at Kellet, and to certify them. The plaintiff had since then enjoyed the same, till now Edward Croft, brother and heir of Henry and Gabriel, Richard Muckalt and Hugh his son expelled him; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. cxlvii, M 15.
  • 79. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. x, no. 28.
  • 80. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 15, m. 62.
  • 81. Henry Croft died in 1570 holding his estate in Over Kellet of the chief lords in socage. His heir was his brother Gabriel Croft; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiii, no. 23. The other brothers William and Edward also occur.
  • 82. Lancs, Inq. and Extents, i, 90; no service for it is recorded.
  • 83. Farrer, Lancs. Pipe R. 14.
  • 84. Ibid. 402.
  • 85. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 91. This estate does not seem to have descended in the same way as the other part of the Urswick estate in Kellet. Probably it was the Fleming share of the inheritance, for about 1277 Capernwray is named among the lands descending to Elizabeth wife of Richard le Fleming; De Banco R. 15, m. 58 d. But see a later note. It may have been recovered by Adam de Urswick, as shown by the fine of 1319.
  • 86. Furness Coucher (Chet. Soc), i, 73.
  • 87. See the account of Claughton.
  • 88. Add. MS. 33244, fol. 47. The grant was of a piece of turbary near the dyke of Birklandbarrow. John de Urswick was living in 1297; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 290.
  • 89. Final Conc, i, 211. Adam de Urswick was probably the son (though not the heir) of John, for the old index to the Furness Coucher records a grant in 1303 to 'Adam son of J. de Urswick'; op. cit. i, 70, 449.
  • 90. Final Conc, ii, 32. From references already given it will be seen that Adam de Urswick held in 1323 and Isabel de Urswick in 134.6.
  • 91. Dods. MSS. cxlix, fol. 75b. This charter was dated at Over Kellet and the seal had three lozenges on a bend.
  • 92. Cal. Close, 1323–7, p. 25.
  • 93. Cal. Pat. 1330–4, pp. 36, 78, 334. He was temporarily removed; Cal. Close, 1330–3, p. 252.
  • 94. Staffs. Hist. Coll. (Salt Soc), xviii, 113, 129.
  • 95. Chan. Inq. p.m. 35 Edw. III, pt. ii (1st nos.), 88; it refers only to land in Westmorland. Robert de Urswick the younger, his son and heir, was of full age. This implies another Robert, the elder. There is nothing to indicate that these Urswicks had land in Urswick or Kellet. Adam's widow was Sarra daughter of Robert de Tatham. Sir Walter de Urswick was in 1374 chief forester of Bowland, and appears later in other capacities; Duchy of Lanc. Reg. Edw. III, 209; Whitaker, Whalley (ed. Nichols), i, 335; Pink and Beaven, Parl, Repre. of Lancs. 40.
  • 96. Sir Robert Urswick died in 1402 holding jointly with Joan his then wife 20 marks rent from the wapentake of Langbargh in Yorkshire, and leaving a son Sir Robert, aged thirty years; Chan. Inq. p.m. 4 Hen. IV, no. 15. The younger Sir Robert had a messuage in Over Kellet in 1410, but it may have been inherited with other lands in Lonsdale from his aunt, Alice Sparrow; Dods. MSS. cxlii, fol. 125. He left daughters, his heir male being his brother Thomas Urswick, who died about 1456. A later Sir Thomas, perhaps Thomas's son, died in 1479 holding the manor of Markes in Essex, and leaving four daughters as co-heirs; Chan. Inq. p.m. 19 Edw. IV, no. 75; Topog. and Gen. i, 94.
  • 97. Beck, Annales Furn. 295.
  • 98. Anct. D. (P.R.O.), C 815.
  • 99. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. v, no. 17.
  • 100. Ibid, viii, no. 34. The knight's service does not occur in the other inquisitions. For the family see Greenwood, Family of Redman, 198.
  • 101. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 30, m. 53. In 1561 William Redmayne had presented a bill of complaint against Gabriel Croft, the queen's auditor in Ireland, respecting messuages, &c., in Over Kellet and Claughton held on mortgage; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. x, R11.
  • 102. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 52, m. 169.
  • 103. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 56. The estate was described as twenty messuages, with lands, &c.
  • 104. Ibid, ii, 91.
  • 105. Abstract of D. at Hall Garth.
  • 106. Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. clxii, B 7.
  • 107. Ibid, clxviii, B 1; Middleton's title was derived from a grant by the same Lord Mounteagle in conjunction with Ellen his wife and Sir William Stanley in 1559.
  • 108. The will of John Wilson, gent., was dated and proved in 1707, Elizabeth his widow (daughter of Henry Johnes) being executrix. His lands were charged with sums to be paid to Elizabeth daughter of his brother Thomas Wilson. Ove Oaks in Over Kellet, Carnforth and Borwick, Wegber and Hawkshead in Halton, Lancaster and Torrisholme are named. The following were his sons and daughters: Richard, John, Henry, Benjamin, Thomas, Elizabeth and Ellen. Richard Wilson, by his will of 1723, left all his property to his brother Thomas; but he did not administer, and in 1727 administration was granted to Henry Wilson of Over Kellet.
  • 109. He died in 1790.
  • 110. The elder son, Montague Ainslie, was seated at Grizedale in Hawkshead.
  • 111. Hall Garth D.
  • 112. Duchy of Lanc. Plead, cxvi, C 7. The defendants were Richard Robinson, Agnes his wife and Thomas Starnthwaite.
  • 113. Ibid. bdle. 350. This is a complaint, dated 1637, by Thomas Middleton against Richard and John Curwen, — Leaper, Jane Gibson and Richard Knype, reciting that the Park had been demised by Lord Morley to Walter Curwen for a term not then expired, and that Walter had been succeeded by his son the above-named Richard Curwen, who refused the rent and services due and was cutting down the timber trees.
  • 114. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iv, no. 84.
  • 115. Marmaduke Blackburn in 1582 sold to Robert Bindloss various messuages and lands in Capernwray and Cawood; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 44, m. 163. Marmaduke was living in 1600; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 230.
  • 116. Duchy of Lanc. Plead, bdle. 310. The petitioner sought to recover the deeds from Edward Croft of Claughton, who denied that he had any of them.
  • 117. Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xxiv, 173.
  • 118. Cal. Com. for Comp. iii, 1701; Royalist Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc Lancs, and Ches.), i, 190. His mother—probably Magdalene Blackburne, widow— had two-thirds of her estate under sequestration for her recusancy only; ibid.
  • 119. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 148, m. 91. The purchaser may have been the Edward Cresset of London who in 1650 compounded for his 'delinquency' in 'the first war' by a fine of 33s. 4d.; Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 2406. Another of the name was master of Sutton's Hospital.
  • 120. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 172, m. 31. A mill and various lands in Over Kellet were included.
  • 121. Ibid. bdle. 192, m. 15; including messuages, land, water mill, &c., in Capernwray.
  • 122. MS. 'Hist, of Warton.'
  • 123. Hugh son of Walter in 1246 recovered seisin in 3 acres of land in Kellet, of which Hugh de Crag and Thunnoka his wife had disseised him; Assize R. 404, m. 1 d. William del Crag was an inhabitant of Kellet in 1332; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 101. Bare, Green, Holme and Hill were other surnames then in use. William del Green of Kellet was defendant in 1381; Cal. Pat. 1381–5, p. 40. Henry de la Funtayne acquired a toft in Kellet from John le Pedder and Godith his wife in 1262; Final Conc, i, 138. The purchaser may be the Henry de Wells who, with Adam his son, was defendant to a claim by Philip son of John de Fridaythorpe in 1294; Assize R. 1299, m. 16. A messuage with 3 acres of land in Over Kellet was in 1308 in dispute between Adam son of William son of Henry de Fonte and Adam son of Henry de Fonte; De Banco R. 173, m. 364 d. John the Beerbrewer of Halsall and Ellen his wife obtained a croft in Over Kellet in 1338; Anct. D. (P.R.O.), A 9570. This may have been the messuage with croft which in 1331 Robert son of Adam the Tailor (who had it from his brother John) gave to Adam Spomestan of Hornby and Alice his wife. It lay between land of St. Bees and land of Sir Randle de Dacre; ibid. A 11486.
  • 124. John Croft of Durslet and Tewitfield held a messuage, an oxgang of land, &c., of Sir William de Dacre, rendering a rose at Midsummer. It was occupied by a tenant at will, who paid 10s. 2d. a year; Inq. p.m. 21 Edw. III, pt. i, no. 42. Robert Washington of Tewitfield, who died in 1483, had lands in Over Kellet of unknown tenure; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc), ii, 116. Another Robert Washington died in 1517 holding land in Kellet by knight's service; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. v, no. 10. The same tenement was held later by George Kirkby of Upper Rawcliffe, who should render a rose yearly to Lord Dacre; ibid, xi, no. 8; Towneley's 'Lancs. Tenures' MS. p. 101. Part was later in the hands of Gilbert Latus, who died in 1577 holding in Kellet of Lord Mounteagle in socage; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xii, no. 11.
  • 125. The crosses marking the Hospitallers' lands are mentioned in the early Cockersand charters. Kellet is named also in the list of the Hospitallers' lands in 1292; Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 375. Lands in Over Kellet were given back to the Hospitallers by Queen Mary; Pat. 4 & 5 Phil, and Mary, pt. xiv.
  • 126. The two lords of Over Kellet gave their moieties of Birklandbarrow within these bounds: From the Stanraise to the brook of Wolfpit, thence to the moss, going round it to Hartseyl and back to the Stanraise; Cockersand Chartul. iii, 906. Adam son of Austin de Kellet was a benefactor; ibid. 907. About 1286 the abbot's rights were disputed by Joan widow of Randle de Dacre, but he established them on trial. He held a 'plough-land' in Over Kellet; ibid. 910–11.
  • 127. John Port held the grange there in 1450 and Robert Hubbersty in 1460; ibid, iii, 1286. A rent of 20s. was paid at that time and 24s. in 1501 when Robert Lucas was tenant; ibid, iii, 1287. Lucas was still there in 1537, but Peter Burton was to succeed him; ibid.
  • 128. Pat. 38 Hen. VIII, pt. x.
  • 129. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 34, m. 157.
  • 130. Duchy of Lanc Inq. p.m. xiv, no. 34. In his will Richard Burton names Janet his wife and his sons Thomas and Robert.
  • 131. Exch. Dep. 9 Will. III, Mich. no. 42. Anne Harrison of Broughton, daughter of Thomas Burton, the grandfather, was a witness.
  • 132. Add. MS. 33244, fol. 69b.
  • 133. Leases of parts were granted in the time of Elizabeth to John Starnthwaite, Richard Winder, Robert Dicconson and others; Duchy of Lanc. Index to Leases, pt. iii. Roger Starnthwaite occurs here in 1443; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 5, m. 3 d. John Starnthwaite of Over Kellet died in 1614, but the land recorded in the inquisition was in Carnforth; Robert, his son and heir, was six years old; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), ii, 15. Richard Dicconson in 1636 held lands in Over Kellet of George (or Thomas) Middleton by the ancient rent of 12d. by demise of John Sandys in 1624. The claimant was John Sandys son of Richard and grandson of the former John Sandys. He appeared by his mother Elizabeth of Wraysholme; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. bdle. 344, 345.
  • 134. Pat. 4 Chas. I, pt. xxxiv.
  • 135. It is mentioned in a deed already cited (Anct. D. [P.R.O.], A 11486), but nothing further seems to be known about it.
  • 136. Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 3111; Royalist Comp. Papers, iii, 236. He asked for an inquiry in the country, as he was too old to make the journey to London.
  • 137. This information is due to Mr. H. T. Wilson, who gives the following descent: Richard Wilson, who bought the Hogarth House property from Sir George Middleton in 1625 -s. John, d. 1670 -s. Richard -s. John -s. Luke -s. John Talbot -s. John Johnson, d. 1862 -bro. Henry, d. 1872 -s. Henry Talbot Wilson. The will of Richard Wilson, 1692, mentions lands in Over Kellet, Nether Kellet, Priest Hutton and Borwick. He had sons (under age) John, William, Thomas and Samuel.
  • 138. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 58, m. 155. The vendors were William Parker Lord Mounteagle and Henry Parker. As appears from the account of the manor the remainder of the estate was sold later in the same year.
  • 139. Roger Eskrigg in his will of 1592 mentions his lands called Barderston House and Braecroft House, held of George Middleton. His sons were Thomas and George Eskrigg. A later George Eskrigg was a benefactor of the church.
  • 140. Richard Gibson died at Over Kellet in 1635 holding of the king in socage one messuage, &c., there. His son George, aged twenty-two, was the heir; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxix, no. 33. The will of George Gibson, 1674, names his sons Richard and John. Richard Gibson's will, 1699, names sons George, John and Richard, also lands called Hebergarth in Over Kellet. See also the account of Birklandbarrow.
  • 141. Roger Leaper occurs in 1448; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 11, m. 1 d. John Leaper by his will (1567–8) desired to be buried in the church of St. Cuthbert at Over Kellet. Another John (1666–7) held Stout's Houses and various lands; he had a son Robert.
  • 142. Robert Lucas died in 1589, desiring to be buried in the church of St. Cuthbert in Over Kellet. If his son Richard, who was under thirteen, should die without issue one of Robert's tenements was to be given to his daughter Agnes and the other to his daughter Margaret. Richard Lucas of Over Kellet died in 1614 holding a messuage and lands there of the king as duke by the two-hundredth part of a knight's fee. Robert his son and heir was thirteen years old. The estate had been bequeathed to the father by Richard Robinson, whose widow Janet was living; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), ii, 7. Richard Lucas the younger in 1667 left his messuages, &c., to trustees for his five daughters equally. His son had died before him.
  • 143. Robert Wither, who died in 1581, mentions in his will 'the house which I bought beyond the green'; his wife and son Thomas were executors. Thomas Widder died in 1611 and had a grandson Thomas (son of Robert) Widder, to whom he made bequests. It was probably this grandson who died in 1623 holding two messuages, land, &c., in Over Kellet of the king by the hundredth part of a knight's fee. His heir was his son Robert, aged four; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), iii, 402. John Wither died in 1633 holding a messuage, &c., of the king as duke in socage by a rent of 3d. His heir was his kinsman Robert Widder, aged eighteen; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxix, no. 40. The Wither estate may in part have been derived from a sale by Lord Mounteagle in 1597; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 58, m. 192. Thomas Wither (will proved 1715) was a benefactor of the township. He was a friend of William Stout of Lancaster, who writes of him: 'He was a man of very extensive charity to all people, and had the character from everyone of a very honest and virtuous man'; Autobiog. 91. His widow Margaret died ten years after him, in 1725. They had no children. Robert Wither was next of kin. Robert Wither in 1733 bequeathed all his lands, &c., in Over Kellet to his grandson Richard Wilson.
  • 144. Subs. R. Lancs, bdle. 250, no. 9.
  • 145. Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Edw. VI, xxvi, M 11. Another case ibid. Eliz. clxxxiii, M 9.
  • 146. The dedication is frequently mentioned in local wills. John Fawcett in 1537 desired to be buried in the 'kirk of Sanct Cudbert of Overkellet.' He left 5s. to Miles Wathman and William Robinson, priests, to sing half a trental of masses for his soul, 'if Sir Miles will come to this kirk to service them; if not, then another to have them.' He gave to the church 3s. 4d. in order to have four torches to meet him at the kirk cross; Richmond Wills (Surt. Soc.), 13.
  • 147. This is the average width. At the west end it measures 14 ft. 4 in. and at the east 13 ft. 4 in.
  • 148. The restoration was begun in August 1863 and completed in April 1864.
  • 149. Jane Baleman in 1540 left 5s. for the painting of the rood loft and for her burial. John Helme in 1617 left 3s. 4d. 'to the whiting of the church of Over Kellet.' Robert Cock in 1633 desired to be buried 'at the porch door near unto the font.' In 1719 Peregrine Gastrell, commissary for the Archdeaconry of Richmond, ordered the seats in the church to be repaired. The reading desk being in an awkward position was to be placed under the pulpit, and a seat for the clerk was to be made under it or near it. Old plans of the seating (1817–55) show that there was no central aisle. The pulpit and reading desk stood in the centre before the communion table. There was a pew on the north side of the chancel for Capernwray and one on the south side for Hall Garth.
  • 150. In 1697 there were two register books in existence, the present and an earlier one, for a baptism in 1636 was proved by it; Exch. Dep. 9 Will. III, Mich. no. 42.
  • 151. The cross is named in the will of John Fawcett (1537) quoted above. Again in that of Robert Backhouse, proved 14 Mar. 1586: 'To be buryed in my Parishe Churche Yarrde of Over Kellett nye unto the crosse.' Quoted by Taylor, Anct. Crosses of Lancs. 401. Robert Robinson of Capernwray in 1602 desired to be buried 'as near below the cross as may be'; and Janet Ireland in 1615 wished to be buried 'on this side the cross in the churchyard.'
  • 152. Wickwane's Reg. (Surt. Soc), 118. In 1335 it was reported that the maid of the chaplain of Over Kellet had been carried off by some evil doers; Coram Rege R. 300, Rex m. 11.
  • 153. In a survey made about 1320 the Archdeacon of Richmond was stated to have a toft and croft and land in Lesser Kellet, belonging to his church at Bolton, worth 13s. 4d. a year; Registrum Honoris de Richmond, 68. From pleadings of the year 1530 it appears that one Matthew Hutton had been owner of Kirkhouse according to the custom called tenant right, and had sold to Walter Curwen. The tenement was held of the Archdeacon of Richmond as of his manor of Over Kellet. Joan Hutton, daughter of Richard, younger brother of Matthew, claimed the same; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Hen. VIII, vii, H 2. In a complaint in 1627 concerning distraints upon the lands of Thomas Middleton in Over Kellet and Bryning Walter son of Thomas Cock stated that the sheriff's officers had taken one at Kellet from his father's tenement called the Kirkhouse, of the archdeacon's land, and belonging to the rectory of Bolton; Exch. Dep. East. 3 Chas. I, no. 9.
  • 154. The advowson was probably assigned to George Eskrigg, in consideration of his benefaction. He assigned the nomination of the curate to John Leaper and his heirs. In 1797 the heir-at-law of Leaper sold the right of presentation to William B. Bradshaw of Halton, who in 1799 obtained a full confirmation from the governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, the Bishop of Chester (as rector) and the vicar of Bolton-le-Sands, according to I Geo. I, stat. 2, cap. 10. A further ratification was given by the Bishop of Chester in 1805; Church Papers at Hall Garth.
  • 155. Gastrell, Notitia Cestr. (Chet. Soc), ii, 551.
  • 156. John Walmsley of Lancaster acquired the patronage about 1849; ibid. In 1859 the late Septimus Booker purchased it.
  • 157. Mr. Septimus Booker purchased it in 1865. In 1816 it belonged to Thomas Dowbiggin.
  • 158. Commonw. Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 130. The £50 was assigned in 1646 out of the sequestered tithes of Sir Henry Compton 'Papist and delinquent,' the maintenance of the minister being stated as only £6; Plund. Mins. Accts. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 21. A further order to the same effect was made in 1649; ibid, ii, 143. In 1659 £45 was paid; ibid, ii, 289.
  • 159. Gastrell, Notitia Cestr. ii, 550. Out of the £9 the tithes came to £6, legal rents £2, and surplice fees less than £1. The inhabitants did not contribute to the repairs of Bolton Church and did not pay mortuaries to the vicar there. The vicar of Bolton about 1640 had claimed a noble yearly from the minister of Over Kellet, but had failed to establish the claim.
  • 160. Ibid.; the will provided that the beneficiary should constantly reside and minister in Over Kellet, the only exception being the vicar of Bolton, who might enjoy the profits if he officiated at Bolton and Kellet alternately. John Baleman by his will of 1662 left £20 for a preaching minister, there being none at Kellet then. John Wilson in 1670 left a like sum for the purpose.
  • 161. Manch. Dioc. Dir.
  • 162. Mentioned in the will of Jane Baleman, 1540. He was among the Bolton clergy in 1548, but not in 1554; William Robinson had the same position in 1562, so that he may have served Kellet; Visit. Lists.
  • 163. A witness to various wills, 1580–7.
  • 164. Mentioned in the wills of Richard Fawcett and Robert Robinson, 1602.
  • 165. He was 'no preacher'; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 7.
  • 166. Named in the will of Robert Leaper, 1611, and Robert Lucas, 1620. He was still curate in 1622; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 69.
  • 167. Gastrell, Notitia Cestr. ii, 550. He was minister of Crosby Ravensworth in 1678, being then an old man.
  • 168. Commonw. Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 130. He was 'a preacher.'
  • 169. Plund. Mins. Accts. ii, 143. Altham was still there in 1659; ibid, ii, 289.
  • 170. Licensed to be curate 3 July 1674; Parish Reg. fol. 26b.
  • 171. Visit. Ret. of 1691; he was in deacon's orders and master of the school at Warton. He was 'conformable' in 1689; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 229. He was suspended for leading an evil life. Mr. Sparke, vicar of Bolton, then obtained leave to preach every Sunday afternoon until he should nominate a minister. He failed in both respects, so that Mr. John Wilson of Over Kellet requested the bishop by letter dated 7 June 1698 to license Mr. Jackson.
  • 172. He removed about 1697.
  • 173. William (sic) Jackson was nominated curate about 1698 by thirty-eight inhabitants of Over Kellet. Thomas Jackson of Beetham, B.A. of Univ. Coll., Oxf., completed one year here on 1 Feb. 1698(–9); Parish Reg. fol. 12.
  • 174. Occurs as minister 27 Nov. 1699 and 26 Oct. 1702; Parish Reg. fol. 27b.
  • 175. Named in the will of Christopher Bell. He occurs in the registers from 1714 onward, and was buried 29 June 1738.
  • 176. On 12 June 1739 John Benison, curate of Over Kellet, nominated John Brunton, B.A., as his assistant curate. Benison retired in August 1746.
  • 177. Nominated curate 16 Aug. 1746 by the vicar of Bolton. He was buried at Kellet 23 Feb. 1761. John Wilson, master of Heversham School, was nominated by Robert Leaper and some of the inhabitants, but appears to have been rejected or withdrawn.
  • 178. Also rector of Halton. Nominated 13 Apr. 1761 by Robert Leaper of Halton, yeo., nephew and heir at law of John Leaper, late of Over Kellet, yeo., in pursuance of directions contained in the last will of George Eskrigg, late of Over Kellet, yeo., deceased.
  • 179. Also rector of Halton. He lived at Swarthdale in Over Kellet.
  • 180. Afterwards rector of Yarmouth, I.W.
  • 181. a Information of Mr. S. B. Harries.
  • 182. From a brief printed account (1688) of his Life and Death, Trials and Sufferings; see also Fox, Journ. (ed. 18 52), i, 129 (a great meeting); ii, 225. He was imprisoned at Carlisle and Lancaster. He visited the West Indies and New England to preach there. He had a wife Jane and a son Thomas, probably the Thomas Wither named in the text.
  • 183. a Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 230. For hia family see note 143 above.
  • 184. Jane Gibson of Catterall left 10s. to it. Richard Dicconson of Crag House in 1693 left £20 for the free school. Gastrell (loc. cit.) aays that Walter Cock also gave £20.
  • 185. Articles of agreement dated 1678 between Thomas Wilson of Kendal and the inhabitants of Over Kellet state that he had several years before given £200 for a free grammar school in the schoolhouse lately built. The schoolmaster was not to preach without leave of the trustees. See V.C.H. Lancs. ii, 613.
  • 186. Will dated 1709, proved 1715. William Stout of Lancaster was one of the trustees.
  • 187. The poor stock amounted to £78 in 1717; Gastrell, loc. cit. Robert Robinson of Capernwray left £10 to the poor in 1675.
  • 188. Lucas (Warton MS.) mentions a quarry of excellent millstone and another ' delf of common grit slate.'
  • 189. Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxii, App. ii, 486 (Close R. of 1842, pt. cix, no. 6).