Townships: Thornley with Wheatley

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1912.

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'Townships: Thornley with Wheatley', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7, ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1912), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp32-36 [accessed 8 November 2024].

'Townships: Thornley with Wheatley', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7. Edited by William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1912), British History Online, accessed November 8, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp32-36.

"Townships: Thornley with Wheatley". A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7. Ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill(London, 1912), , British History Online. Web. 8 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp32-36.

In this section

THORNLEY WITH WHEATLEY

Thorenteleg, 1202; Thorndeley, 1258; Thornedelegh, 1262. The d in the middle occurs to 1350 and later.

Watelei, Dom. Bk.; Whetelegh, 1227; Queteley, 1258; Wetteleye, 1302.

This township stretches from south-west to northeast for over 4 miles along the northern slope of Longridge Fell, the highest point within the township being about 1,100 ft. The Loud forms the north-west boundary; it falls into the Hodder just outside the limits. Wheatley, which anciently was the principal member of the township, is now considered to be no more than a small area of 55½ acres, somewhat south of the centre. The whole township measures 3,220½ acres, (fn. 1) and in 1901 had a population of 313.

The principal road is that from Longridge eastward through the length of the township, which it enters about half a mile north of Longridge railway station. Passing Cockleach it descends till it comes to the Loud, and then for a mile and a half runs near this stream, passing between Wheatley on the south and Lee House on the north. At Higher Arbour it divides, part going north-west, crossing the Loud (fn. 2) into Chipping, and part ascending eastward past Thornley Hall and Bradley Hall, the latter being near the boundary of Chaigley. From Thornley Hall a branch goes north to cross the Hodder.

A Roman road is said to have crossed the township into Yorkshire, passing near Bradley Hall.

The township is governed by a parish council.

Manors

Included in the grant of Chippingdale in 1102 THORN LEY descended like Clitheroe. (fn. 3) From later records it seems that the Osbaldeston family were lords of the place. (fn. 4) The immediate lordship was held by a family using the local name, (fn. 5) who were about the beginning of the 14th century succeeded by the family of Knoll or Knolls (fn. 6); as early as 1302 John de Knoll held of the Earl of Lincoln the eighth part of a knight's fee in Thornley and Wheatley. (fn. 7) John shortly afterwards acquired two messuages, 2 oxgangs of land, &c, in Thornley, which had been granted by Thomas son of Hugh le Surreys to John son of Jordan de Mitton. (fn. 8) In 1319 Thomas son (and heir) of John de Knoll called upon Thomas de Osbaldeston as mesne lord to acquit him of the service in respect of a tenement in Wheatley claimed by the Earl of Lancaster; (fn. 9) and Osbaldeston claimed the custody of the manors of Wheatley and Thornley, Thomas de Knoll being a minor, because John his father had held by knight's service. (fn. 10)

Thomas de Knoll died between 1350 (fn. 11) and 1354, his widow Margaret and son Richard having the lordship in the latter year. (fn. 12) Richard and his brother Adam were defendants in 1358 against a claim by John Maudson of Core. (fn. 13) From later deeds it appears that Adam ultimately inherited; he had three sons — Richard, John and Adam. (fn. 14) Richard repudiated his wife and married another, but on trial this was decreed unlawful and he had to return to his first spouse. She bore him two sons, Miles and Gerard. (fn. 15) The former had a daughter Margaret, who married John Singleton, (fn. 16) and the latter had a son Richard, whose son John Knoll was the heir male, when, about 1500, Thomas first Earl of Derby purchased the manor of Thornley. (fn. 17) From the rental of 1523–4 it appears that a rent of 4s. 4d. was due to the king and 12d. to the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem. (fn. 18)

The manor descended like Knowsley until 1600, when William the sixth earl sold it to Baptist Hicks of London, (fn. 19) who in turn sold it to Michael Doughty of Lathom, (fn. 20) one of the clerks of the kitchen there. (fn. 21) Henry Doughty and his son William took part against the Parliament in the Civil War, and the estate was sequestered and afterwards sold. (fn. 22) As in other cases, part or the whole was recovered for the family. John Doughty, the eldest son, who died in or before 1647, (fn. 23) left two daughters, Mary and Susan. (fn. 24) The former married Thomas Patten of Preston, who died in 1697, leaving as heir his daughter Elizabeth wife of Sir Thomas Stanley of Bickerstaffe. (fn. 25) By this marriage the manor has descended to the present Earl of Derby in the same way as Bickerstaffe. (fn. 26) Manor courts are still held once a year. (fn. 27)

THORNLEY HALL, sometimes known as Patten Hall, stands at the foot of Jeffrey Hill on the north side of Longridge Fell, and is a plain two-story house very much modernized, but retaining some ancient features. Over the doorway is the inscription ' B. O. Michael Dovghtie 1605,' and in the dining-room over the mantelpiece is a small cupboard on which are the initials of Elizabeth and Mary Patten and the date 1709. All the windows are modern sashes and the house has little architectural interest, but the front lay-out is effective with balled gate piers, low fence wall and a tall clipped yew tree close up to the building rising to the level of the eaves.

WHEATLEY was in 1066 the important part of the township, being named in Domesday Book as assessed at one plough-land. (fn. 28) In later times it is sometimes named before Thornley and sometimes after it, as at present. Occasionally Wheatley appears to have been regarded as a separate manor. (fn. 29)

BRADLEY was held by the Hospitallers, (fn. 30) the tenants being a family assuming that name, (fn. 31) who had lands also in Chaigley and neighbouring townships. A pedigree was recorded in 1567. (fn. 32) Thomas Bradley died in 1564. holding the capital messuage called Bradley Hall with 60 acres of land, &c, in Thornley of the queen as of the late priory of St. John of Jerusalem in England by a rent of 4s. (fn. 33) John, his son and heir, then thirtysix years of age, died in 1597, leaving three daughters as coheirs, viz. Ellen wife of John Osbaldeston, Elizabeth widow of Thomas Talbot and Jane wife of Francis Ducket, aged respectively forty, thirty and twenty-eight years. (fn. 34) It descended to the heirs of Alexander Osbaldeston (1660), (fn. 35) and from them was purchased in 1764. by the Earl of Derby. (fn. 36)

Bradley of Bradley. Sable a fesse engrailed argent, in chief a mullet or between two crosses for my fitchy of the second all within a bordure engrailed of the same.

STUDLEY is also named in the records, though it has now disappeared from the map. The Greenhills and Sowerbutts families were connected with it. (fn. 37) Studley also occurs as a surname. (fn. 38)

Apart from these estates there is but little record of the landowners of former times. As in Chipping, the Leylands of Morleys and their successors had lands in Thornley, Wheatley and Studley, held of the Earl of Derby in socage. (fn. 39) The Wawne family held their land in Wheatley of the Crown as of the dissolved priory of St. John of Jerusalem by a rent of 12d (fn. 40); and Richard Shireburne of Stonyhurst in acquiring the Hospitallers' manors and lands in Stidd and Chipping acquired therewith rents and lands in Thornley, Wheatley, Studley and Cockleach. (fn. 41) John Rodes, another landowner, also held of the Hospitallers. (fn. 42)

One or two other names occur. (fn. 43) John Bradley and John Rodes contributed to the subsidy of 1524 in respect of their lands. (fn. 44) The widows of John Bradley and William Rodes so contributed in 1543 (fn. 45) and John Rodes in 1597, in which year Thomas Wawne was in ward to the queen. (fn. 46) John Rodes and William Wawne paid for their lands in 1626, and many others paid as non-communicants. (fn. 47) Thomas Bourne paid £10 on refusing knighthood in 1631. (fn. 48)

James Bradley (fn. 49) and Ellen Wilkinson, (fn. 50) recusants, had two-thirds of their estates sequestered during the Commonwealth. Thomas Eccles of Thornley, as a 'Papist,' registered his estate in 1717, as also did Stephen Dilworth. (fn. 51) The land tax return of 1787 shows that the following were chief landowners: Lord Derby, Robert Rhodes and Roger Kenyon. (fn. 52)

Archbishop Sancroft about 1685 purchased farms in Thornley called New House and West House, and gave them to augment the stipends of the vicar of Blackburn and the curates of the chapels of ease. (fn. 53)

A decree concerning the wastes of Thornley, Wheatley and Studley was made in the time of James I. (fn. 54)

The only place of worship is St. William's Roman Catholic church, Lee House, founded by the abovenamed Thomas Eccles in 1738. (fn. 55) He gave it to the English Franciscans, and on their approaching extinction in 1826 the secular clergy took charge for a time; but owing to a dispute between the Rev. Francis Trappes and the vicar apostolic the chapel was closed from 1841 to 1859. (fn. 56) Since then it has been served by the English Benedictines. (fn. 57) In the churchyard is the base of an old cross removed from the road between Chipping and Longridge. (fn. 58)

Footnotes

  • 1. 3,219 acres, including 3 of inland water; Census Rep. 1901.
  • 2. In 1635 there is mention of a new stone bridge built at a place called Loud Bridge, where was formerly a bridge of wood, the highway being a frequented one; Cal. S. P. Dom. 1625–49, p. 510; 1636–7, p. 333.
  • 3. See the account of Chipping. In 1258 rents of 6s. 8d. from Wheatley and 2s. 6d. from Thornley were due to Edmund de Lacy; Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 217. The rent of 7s. due from 'Utteley' in 1241–2 probably relates to Wheatley; ibid, i, 156,
  • 4. There does not seem to be any evidence of the manner in which this family acquired the mesne lordship. In 1349 it was found that the heir of Thomas de Osbaldeston held in service one ploughland in Wheatley and Thornley, where eight plough-lands made one knight's fee; Baines, Lancs, (ed. 1870), ii, 693, quoting the Lansdowne Feodary. In 1445–6 Richard Balderston held Thornley with Wheatley as well as Osbaldeston; Duchy of Lanc. Kts.' Fees, bdle. 2, no. 20.
  • 5. The assignment of dower to Iseult widow of Robert by Richard son of Robert in 1202 gives the names of several undertenants, including Jordan (probably of Wheatley) and Roger de Bradley. The mill is named; also clearings called Braderode and Flaxerode; Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 10. Ralph son of Adam de Thornley occurs in 1262; ibid. 137. He was living in 1292, being then engaged in several suits. As chief lord of Thornley common of pasture was claimed against him by John son and heir of John de Knoll in respect of 40 acres of wood, it being alleged that Ralph had disseised plaintiff's father; Assize R. 408, m. 33 d. Ralph on his part alleged that he had a right to grind his demesne com at John de Knoll's mill in Thornley quit of multure; ibid. m. 53. At the same time Richard son of William de Thornley was non-suited in a claim against Robert son of Thomas de Salesbury for a tenement in Thornley; ibid, m. 76. Richard de Thornley appears in 1302; ibid. 418, m. 13. Alice wife of John de Sedbergh and her sisters Christiana and Agnes were non-suited in 1292 in a claim against Ralph son of Adam de Thornley; Ralph's daughter Avice ig named; ibid. m. 33. One of the sisters may have been the Christiana widow of Robert del Town who in 1304 claimed dower against Ralph de Thornley; De Banco R. 151, m. 203 d. Ralph seems to have called upon John de Knoll for warranty; ibid. 154, m. 31. Alice widow of William del Town was defendant in 1351; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 1, m. v d. In 1316 Margery daughter of Richard Franceys of Ribchester demised land in Thornley in Chippingdale to Adam son of Hugh de Clitheroe; it had been given to her for life on her marriage with Adam son of Ralph de Thornley; Towneley MS. DD, no. 1182.
  • 6. Ralph de Mittoa made complaint against Richard de Knoll and others of the neighbourhood in 1253; Curia Regis R. 150, m. 20; 151, m. 22, 25 d. There were disputes between John de Knoll and Hugh le Surreys in 1277–8, it being adjudged in the latter year that John had thrown down part of Hugh's ditch in Wheatley (3 rods justly and 6 rods unjustly), 6d. damage being awarded; Assize R. 1235, m. 13; 1238, m. 31 d. A claim by John son of John de Knoll in 1292 has been mentioned. He also claimed common of pasture against John son of Jordan de Mitton, giving his pedigree as son and heir of John, brother and heir of Richard (s.p.), son and heir of Richard de Knoll; Assize R. 408, m. 55 d. The family therefore held some land in the township as early as the middle of the 13 th century.
  • 7. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 319. The mesne lord at the time is ignored.
  • 8. The charter from Mitton to Surreys is in De Banco R. 89 (1291), m. 19, and has been referred to in the account of Chipping. John son of Jordan de Mitton appears in Thornley as plaintiff in. 1305, the defendants being John and Adam sons of John de Knoll and others; Assize R. 420, m. 9 d. The two messuages and 2 oxgangs of land seem to have been acquired by John de Knoll from John de Mitton and Alice his wife about 1308; De Banco R. 171, m. 23 d. In reply to the claim of John de Mitton in 1308–9 John de Knoll, here styled 'lord of Wheatley,' averred that the 2 oxgangs were in Wheatley, and not in Thornley; Assize R. 423, m. 1 d. Hugh de Salesbury and William son of Hawise de Livesey were also defendants. In 1310 Thomas son of Hugh le Surreys, called to warrant John de Mitton and Alice in respect of the estate, summoned Henry de Lacy Earl of Lincoln to warrant him; De Banco R. 183, m. 374. The connexion of the Surreys family is shown in later pleas. Agnes widow of Thomas le Surreys in 1335 claimed dower in certain lands in Wheatley in Thornley against Amabel widow of Thomas de Osbaldeston, but the defendant produced a charter of Roger son of John de Mitton (1332) granting the lands to Thomas and Amabel for life or eleven years; ibid. 303, m. 9. Agnes also made claims against Roger, Hugh and John, sons of John de Mitton; in reply Hugh and John said they held jointly with their wives, Agnes and Cecily; ibid. 303, m. 9 d.; 311, m. 206.
  • 9. Ibid. 229, m. 151. Thomas de Knoll was dootnsman of Wheatley and Thornley at the court of Clitheroe in 1323; Lancs. Ct. R. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 48.
  • 10. De Banco R. 230, m. 34 d. John de Knoll appears to have had other issue, for in 1347 there was a suit respecting a messuage and lands in Thomley which were successfully claimed by William son of Richard son of Robert le Walsh and Cecily daughter of Robert de Hyde of Alston against Richard le Walsh (the father of William), John (son of John) de Knoll and William his son. The plaintiffs alleged a grant by Richard; Assize R. 1435, m. 16 d.
  • 11. In 1338 Roger son of John de Mitton granted to Thomas de Knoll part of his land and waste in Wheatley Wood in the vill of Thornley; Towneley MS. OO, no. 1010. Among the witnesses were Richard son of Adam de Knoll and Richard son of John de Knoll. The land seems to have been exchanged for Ramscloughgreen; Kuerden fol. MS. p. 212, no. 366. Thomas de Knoll was on the commission of the peace in Blackburn Hundred in 1345; Cal. Pat. 1343–5, P. 510. He was lord of the town of Thornley in 1350 when Thomas son of Richard de Bradley claimed common of pasture as to 100 acres of moor against him, Margaret his wife, Richard his son and John son of John de Knoll; Assize R. 1444, m. 4 d.
  • 12. At Easter 1354 William son of Richard son of Robert le Walsh claimed common of pasture in respect of 161 acres against Richard son of Thomas de Knoll and Margaret widow of Thomas, who had the lordship, also against Adam de Knoll and Reginald his brother. The claim succeeded, it being shown that a sufficiency of pasture had not been left; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 3, m. j. It appears from later records that Adam and Reginald were younger sons of Thomas de Knoll.
  • 13. Ibid. 6, m. 1; see the account of Chipping.
  • 14. This account of the descent is taken from depositions recorded about 1500; Towneley MS. OO, no. 1011.
  • 15. Final Conc. iii, 90, being a fine in 1425 settling the manor of Thornley with lands and wood in Chipping, Wheatley and Aighton on Richard Knoll and his sons Miles and Gerard and male issue. Miles Knoll was living in 1446; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 9, m. 33.
  • 16. There was a settlement of the manor by John son of Christopher Singleton and Margaret his wife in 1479; Final Conc. iii, 137. The claims of Margaret appear to have met with much opposition. Thus in 1483 Stephen Knoll claimed the manor against John and Margaret Singleton by virtue of a settlement on Richard son of Thomas de Knoll and Joan his wife, with remainders to Adam and Reginald, brothers of Richard, in default of male issue. Reginald had sons John and William, the latter being succeeded by a son John and a grandson George, through whom apparently Stephen claimed; Pal. of Lanc. Writs Proton, file 1 Ric. III; Plea R. 58, m. 6. John Singleton in 1487–8 demised Thornley to Sir Alexander Hoghton for a year; Dods. MSS. cxlii, fol. 49b, no. 3.
  • 17. In 1479 Robert Wilkinson and Thomas Newton gave a bond to Thomas Lord Stanley as to the manor of Thornley; Towneley MS. OO, no. 1007. It does not appear how their title came, but Robert Wilkinson in 1482 released his title in the manors of Thornley, Wheatley and Aighton, with various lands, &c, late of John Knolles; ibid. no. 1008. They were, therefore, probably the heirs or trustees of one of the John Knolls of the text. Later still, in 1503 John the son and heir of John Newton, then of Towas [?Towcester], Northants, released his right (by inheritance) in the manor to Thomas Earl of Derby; ibid. no. 1006. The earl's purchase of the manor from Christopher Singleton, son and heir of Margaret (widow of John Singleton) daughter of Miles Knoll, took place in 1499; ibid. no. 1003–4. Margaret Singleton was living in 1503 and 1504; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xl, App. 544; Final Conc, iii, 154. About the same time Roger Shireburne and Isabel his wife, heiress of the Wolfhouse branch of the Knoll family, appear to have released their right in the manor and lands; ibid, iii, 155.
  • 18. Rental in the possession of Lord Lathom. The following tenants paid the 'gressum' due every eighth year: Margaret Alston 19s., Alexander Bradley 24s. 4d., Thomas Burne 7s., wife of Thomas Dilworth 10s., Richard Kilworth 8s., Henry Dicconson 10s., Richard Eccles 13s. 4d., Ughtred Huddersall 7s., Richard Marsden 15s. 11d., Edward Rodes 10s., Thomas Rodes 8s., Christopher Sowerbutts 10s., John Thornley 14s. 9d., Robert Wilkinson 20s., &cc. The rents of free tenants amounted to 22s. 9d., of tenants at will £22 4s. 10d., the demesne yielded £10 (to which was added the rent of a close in Chaigley lately purchased, viz. 10s. and 6d. instead of a stone of cheese), the commuted ' works' of the tenants 18s. 6d., the turbary of Withinreap 18s. 10d. The gross return from the manor was given as £44 12s. 9d., but many allowances had to be made. No courts had been held. A payment of 4d. called 'Juger sylvere' was made yearly to the bailiff of Blackburnshire at the court held at Clitheroe.
  • 19. Towneley MS. OO, no. 1013–16. In 1602 the earl sold lands, &c, in Chipping and Bosden in Bowland to Baptist Hicks, who in 1606 sold the same to Michael Doughty; ibid. no. 1001–2.
  • 20. In Feb. 1602–3 Baptist Hicks of London transferred to Michael Doughty of Lathom, Cecily his wife and Henry his eldest son the manor of Thornley, late the inheritance of Ferdinando Earl of Derby; OO, no. 1000. From a later fine, however, it seems that in 1609 Sir Baptist Hicks acquired the manor of Thornley and messuages and lands in Thornley, Chipping and Bosden from Thomas Lord Ellesmere and Alice his wife, Countess of Derby (i.e. widow of Ferdinando); Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 75, no. 18. For the countess's right see Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), iii, 323, 352, 458.
  • 21. Stanley Papers (Cher. Soc), ii, 23, 106, &cc. Michael Doughty represented Preston in the Parliament of 1589 and Liverpool in that of 1593; Pink and Beaven, Part. Repre. of Lancs. 146, 184. A pedigree of Doughty of Thornley will be found in the Visit, of 1613 (Chet. Soc), 64. Henry Doughty paid £10 on refusing knighthood in 1631; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 217.
  • 22. Royalist Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), ii, 256–68. It appears that Henry Doughty the father about Aug. 1648 'took up arms against the Parliament and fled away with the Scots forces under Duke Hamilton '; ibid. 266. Other sons, Henry and Michael, are named. Henry Doughty's estate was sold in 1652; Index of Royalists (Index Soc), 41.
  • 23. Royalist Comp. Papers, ii, 257. His widow Elizabeth daughter of Serjeant Robert Callis was claiming under her marriage settlement of 1641. A mortgage by Henry Doughty (the father of John) of the manor-house of Thornley, called Thomley Hall, is named. No 'delinquency ' seems to have been alleged against John Doughty.
  • 24. In a fine respecting the manor of Thornley, with lands, water-mill, &c, in Thornley, Chipping, Goosnargh and Witton in 1684 the plaintiffs were William Patten and Thomas Naylor and the defendants Thomas Patten, esq., Mary his wife and Susan Doughty, spinster; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 213, m. 8.
  • 25. See the account of Bickerstaffe. Thomas Patten, a barrister, was the eldest son of William Patten of Preston; see pedigree in Gregson's Fragments (ed. Harland), 185; Preston Guild R. Thomas Patten represented Preston in the Parliament of 1688 as a Whig; Pink and Beaven, op. cit. 156.
  • 26. The manors of Thornley and Chipping were held by successive Earls of Derby in 1738 and 1776; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 549, m. 5; 623, m. 1a.
  • 27. T. C. Smith, Chipping, 46–52, extracts from the old Court Rolls being given. From a record of the boundaries of the manor in 1808 they seem to have been those of the township. On the border of Dutton were a stone called the White Stoup and a group of stones called the Cripple Oak.
  • 28. V.C.H. Lancs, i, 288b. Cf. the tenement of Osbaldeston in 1349 as already recorded. A family named Wheatley occurs. Thus in 1227 Jordan de Wheatley obtained from Eve widow of William de Edisford an oxgang of land in Wheatley, which was to descend to Jordan's heirs by his late wife, sister of Eve; Final Conc, i, 50, 60.
  • 29. In 1612 William Helme (see Chipping) was said to have held lands in Thornley and Wheatley of Edward Tyldesley, as of his manor of Wheatley, by 2s. 5d. rent; Lancs. Inq.p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 213. See also note 8 above.
  • 30. 'Wheatley' is named in the list of the Hospitallers' estates in 1292; Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 375. In 1294 the Prior of St. John complained that John de Knoll had rescued certain cattle impounded at Thornley; De Banco R. 103, m. 26. In a Stidd rental of 1609 a rent of 2s. 10d. is entered as due from John Rodes for a tenement in Thornley, and one of 6d. from John Hurst (lately Edmund Wall or Wawne) in Wheatley; Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 132b.
  • 31. Adam son of Adam de Bury appears to have held the ' manor of Bradley' in 1246, when he sold it to Thomas rector of Slaidburn; Final Conc, i, 102. The bounds extended from the Loud to Longridge and from Bradley Syke to Bradley Brook. This may have been only a feoffment in trust, for in 1262, when Ralph son of Adam de Thornley acquired from Robert de Bradley 100 acres of wood in the township, Adam de Bury 'put in his claim,' as did also the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem and John de Knoll; ibid. 137–8. The bounds began at the place where Bradley Brook fell into the Loud, went up the brook to the Veu Viver, thence west to Bradley Syke, down this to Ramsclough and so down to the Loud. Hugh le Surreys charged Robert de Bradley in 1278 with breaking his pound at Thornley; De Banco R. 23, m. 37d. Thomas le Surreys in 1289 complained that Robert had cut down trees in Thornley in contravention of the above agreement; Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 219. A Roger de Bradley of 1202 has been already mentioned. In 1278 Robert de Bradley had some dispute with Ralph son of Adam de Thornley; Assize R. 1238, m. 33 d. The same parties appear to have been again at variance in 1292; Assize R. 408, m. 54. From Richard son of Robert de Bradley dower in Thornley, Aighton and Chaigley was in 1313 claimed by William de Huyton and Emma his wife, in right of her former marriage with Thomas de Bradley; De Banco R. 201, m. 69 d. In 1332 Richard and Robert de Bradley contributed to the subsidy; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 82. Richard de Bradley, perhaps another of the name, was one of the chief inhabitants in 1341; Inq. Nonarum (Rec. Com.), 38. Thomas de Bradley in 1389 acquired a messuage and land in Thornley from John son of Thomas son of Roger de Chipping and Cecily his wife; Final Conc. iii, 35. In the following year he was a juror; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc), i, 41. Robert Bradley attested a Thornley deed in 1441; Dods. MSS. cxlii, fol. 53b. John Bradley of Chipping, Robert son of John Bradley of Chaigley and Miles the brother of Robert occur in 1445; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 8, m. 33. Robert Bradley was concerned in the manor of Thornley in 1479; Final Conc, iii, 137. John Bradley of Thornley was concerned in a rescue of impounded cattle in 1521, which seems to have led to great disturbance;, Duchy Plead. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 88–93. Joan the widow and John the son of John Bradley of Bradley Hall in Thornley were defendants in a plea of debt in 1538; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 167, m. 16. Joan wife of Thomas Crombleholme and sister of Henry Bradley of Chipping in 1420 received from the feoffees lands in Ribchester, Thornley and Wheatley, the remainders being to Christopher son of Thomas and Joan and to Joan's right heirs; Towneley MS. C 8,13 (Chet. Lib.), 224.
  • 32. Visit. (Chet. Soc), 38; the descent is thus given: John -s. Thomas -s. John, who had three daughters. The younger John had a brother Thomas Bradley, who acquired part of the manor of Silverdale.
  • 33. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, no. 37.
  • 34. Ibid, xvii, no. 28. There is in it recited an indenture dated 1590 by which John Bradley granted the rectory of Warton to feoffees, for the use of Thomas Talbot and Elizabeth his wife as to one moiety, and of John Osbaldeston and Ellen his wife as to the other moiety. See Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 53, m. 170.
  • 35. The heir of John and Ellen Osbaldeston was Edward their son, living in 1613; Visit. (Chet. Soc), 84. In 1611 it was found that Thomas Osbaldeston, outlawed for murder, had a life annuity of £20 from Bradley Hall and other lands of John Bradley, late of Beetham in Westmorland, recently in the possession of John Osbaldeston, next of Ellen hie widow, and in 1611 of Edward Eccleston of Prescot parish; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 179. The following fines relate to it: 1658, Anthony Munson and Frances his wife, deforcianr.8 of the manors of Bradley and Balderston; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 162, m. 16. 1726, Nicholas Starkie v. Alexander Osbaldeston, manors including Bradley; ibid. bdle. 298, m. 4. 1763, the manor of Bradley and messuages in Bradley, Thornley and Chaigley, the plaintiff being William Turner and the deforciants David Sturgeon, Jane his wife, Richard Shuttle-worth, William Bartlett and Elizabeth his wife; ibid. bdle. 370, m. 66.
  • 36. Information of Mr. J. J. Hornby.
  • 37. The feoffees in 1441 regranted to John Formby his lands, &cc., in the vill of Studley, a hamlet of Thornley, with remainders to his daughters Alice and Joan in equal shares for life, and then to Thomas Greenhills the cousin and heirapparent of the said John, with remainders to Margaret and Isabel, sisters of the said Thomas, and then to Alice, mother of John Formby; Dods. MSS. cxlii, fol. 53b. John in 1444 made a formal affirmation that Thomas Greenhills was theheir of the land he had from his mother Alice; ibid, fol. 54b; Towneley MS. OO, no. 1213. William Sowerbutts of Studley released to Thomas Lord Stanley in 1458 certain lands in Studley and Wheatley; ibid. no. 1009. Robert Sowerbutts in 1482 released to William son of Henry Hoghton all his right in certain lands in Studley and was re-enfeoffed; Add. MS. 32106, no. 350; Towneley MS. DD, no. 1869. Richard Sowerbutts was a freeholder in 1600; Misc. (Rec. Soc), i, 235.
  • 38. a In 1357 John de Studley claimed a messuage and lands in Wheatley against Henry de Dinckley and William son of Richard the Smith; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 5, m. 8 d., 1 d.
  • 39. See the account of the Leyland tenement in Chipping and the references there given. In 1621 Edward Tyldesley's estate was held of Michael Doughty as of his manor of Thornley; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), ii, 261–9.
  • 40. An account of the Wawne or Walne family has been given under Chipping; the tenure recorded is in Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xv, no. 13. See also the Hospitallers' rental of 1609 quoted above. In 1409 Agnes widow of Robert Moton gave her daughter Alice wife of John Wawne the elder a tenement in Wheatley, the bounds of which extended from the Loud on the north to Studley Brook on the south, and part of another tenement between Studley Brook and Longridge, which had descended to the grantor on the death of her sister Alice, a daughter of William the Smith; Anct. D. (P.R.O.), A 12063. The latter tenement was known as the Birks in 1525, when it was held by Robert Wawne, William Sowerbutts being occupier; ibid. A 13467, 13473. Lower and Higher Birks are now shown on the map to the south of Wheatley. For a dispute between Wawne and Sowerbutts see Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), iii, 163, 179.
  • 41. Thornley Hall, &c, as part of Stidd was included in the grant to George Whitmore and others; Pat. 9 Jas. I, pt. xxvii. It was sold to Shireburne in 1613; Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 132. See Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxvi, no. 4. Sir Richard Shireburne had in 1573 purchased a messuage, &c, in Wheatley and Thornley from Richard Alston; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 35, m. 101. Richard Shireburne in 1586 purchased messuages and lands in Thornley, Wheatley and Studley from Robert Newsham and Elizabeth his wife; ibid. bdle. 48, m. 27.
  • 42. See the rental of 1609 above cited. John Rodes was a freeholder in 1600; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 1,235. In 1631 the same or a succeeding John paid £10 on declining knighthood; ibid. 217. For the Rodes family see T. C. Smith, Chipping, 251–3.
  • 43. John del Woodscholes received lands in Thornley in 1316–17; Dods. MSS. cxlix, fol. 58. John son of Robert del Woodscholes was plaintiff in 1351; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 1, m.vd. In 1546 Elizabeth Rodes, widow, was plaintiff in a fine respecting Woodschole howe and lands, &cc., in Thornley, the deforciaats being Thomas Johnson alias Tomlinson and others; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 12, m. 293. In 1574 a settlement was made of a messuage, &c, in Wheatley and Thornley, by Robert Aytough, Joan his wife, William Ambrose, Ellen his wife (to whose heirs it was to remain), Agnes and Frances Eccles; ibid. bdle. 36, m. 121. Sir Richard Hoghton in 1630 held land in Thornley, but the tenure is not stated; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxvii, no. 13. Some appears to have been sold by Sir Henry Hoghton in 1772; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 615, m. 7 d. Thomas Shireburne of Heysham in 1635 held land of Henry Doughty as of his manor of Thornley; Towneley MS. C8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), 1083.
  • 44. Subs. R. Lancs, bdle. 130, no. 82.
  • 45. Subs. R. Lancs, bdle. 130, no. 125.
  • 46. Ibid. bdle. 131, no. 274.
  • 47. Ibid. no. 317.
  • 48. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 217.
  • 49. Royalist Comp. Papers, i, 217.
  • 50. Cal. Com. for Comp. v, 3200. The guardians of John Wilkinson, the heir, procured a discharge, the sequestration having been made in error. John was grandson of Ellen Bradley.
  • 51. Estcourt and Payne, Engl. Cath. Nonjurors, 136, 150. Edward Ecclcs was a recusant in 1668; Smith, Chipping, 30; also 254–8, and Misc. (Cath. Rec. Soc), v, 152.
  • 52. Land tax returns at Preston.
  • 53. Abram, Blackburn, 282; End. Char. Rep, for Blackburn, 1904.
  • 54. Lancs, and Ches. Rec. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), ii, 276.
  • 55. T. C. Smith, Chipping, 160–5; Thaddeus, Franciscans in Engl. 159. The first priest-in-charge-Germain Helme (usually called Holmes) of the Garstang family—was arrested on suspicion in 1745, during the Young Pretender's rising, and died a prisoner in Lancaster Castle the following year; Gillow, Bibl. Dict. of Engl. Cath. iii, 259–64.
  • 56. Misc. (Cath. Rec. Soc), iii, 139. The disputes were carried to the Roman courts and decided in favour of Fr. Trappes.
  • 57. Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xiii, 169.
  • 58. T. C. Smith, Longridge, 200.