William Hesketh

Personal and Family Information

William was born about 1250, the son of William Hesketh and Annabell de Stafford. The place is not known.

He died before 1320. The place is not known.

His wife was Elbora de Totleworth. They were married, but the date and place have not been found. Their two known children were John (c1274->1332) and Adam (c1278->1339).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Notes

Note 1

!Note: The identification of two contemporaneous individuals named William Hesketh resolves discrepancies between the Visitation of Lancashire and the Victoria History of the County of Lancaster. One represents the established local line descending from Henry, while the other—described as landless and of unknown parentage—appears to have been a non-local figure who acquired Rufford through marriage to the Fitton heiress. This distinction supports the theory of separate yet later intertwined branches.

!Source: The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.

III. 3. William son of William Hesketh with land in Beconsaw in 1292.

Holds land adjoining holding of Richard.

Henry -> William -> William.

!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"

The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.

—

William de Hesketh, whose <<<< Differnt William - likely William Hawkins.

parentage is unknown,® was

apparently a ‘land‘ess man,’

the possessions of the family

in Rufford, Great Harwood

and Tottleworth being ac-

quired from his wife, Maud

Fitton,‘ or by purchase. He <<<< He here is likely William grandson of Henry.

had two sons, the above-named <<<< This statement does not agree with other records, such as the visitation, which lists a son Thomas, then grandson John, probably not this one as the Ruford line.

John, who succeeded, and <<<< This John appears to be the son of William, grandson of Henry.

Adam.® The former, in 1323, made a settlement

of the manor of Rafford and two-thirds of the <<< Rufford was inherited through Alice Fitton, so not Henry’s John.

manor of Harwood, the remainders being to his

children—William, Alice, Katherine and Margaret.°

He is described later as Sir John de Hesketh,’

and was succeeded by his son William, also a <<< This William is likely the son of John of the Rufford line.

knight.$

—

TOTTLEWORTH is first mentioned in a grant

made early in the 13th century by Maud de Praers

to Uctred son of Roger de Rishton ; her gift included

three-fourths of the place, the bounds going from

Oakenholt syke through ‘Tottleworth lache on the

west side of Bentley, and thence by Norden Brook

and Hyndburn to the starting-place.® A rent of

half a mark of silver was to be paid. ‘The descendants

of the new owner probably assumed the local name,

for in 1258 Richard de Tottleworth held 40 acres of

land in Rishton of the lord of Clitheroe, paying half

a mark yearly. The estate descended to an Anabil

daughter of John de Tottleworth,” who about 1290

sold to William de Hesketh.” The estate continued

to descend in the family of Hesketh of Rufford and <<<< No - not of Rufford. This is Henry’s de Hesketh line, so I doubt the remaining references.

Great Harwood. Robert Hesketh died in 1490

holding his land in Tottleworth of Edmund Talbot

by a rent of 65. 84% The Robert who died in

1620 held messuage, land, &c., there of Thomas

Walmsley in socage ; they were part of the jointure

of Jane his wife, afterwards wife of Sir Richard

—

The following seneschals of Walton have been

noted :—

Thomas Banastre, ante 1291

Gilbert de Haydock, temp. Edw. I

William de Hesketh, ante 1291

William de Blackburn, 11 Edw. If

Richard de Bradshagh, 13 Edw. II

Gilbert de Southworth, 17 Edw. II

Matthew de Haydock, temp. Edw. II

—

From the

notes to the account of the township of

Hesketh it will be found that there were

about his time a John de Hesketh and a

William son of John de Beconsaw ;

William son of Henry de Hesketh had

land there in 1246 and William son of <<<<

William in 1292. There is nothing to

connect any of them with Hesketh of

Rufford.

—

One Henry de Pool in 1292 confirmed

to Robert son of Richard de Hesketh

land in Hesketh adjoining that held by

William son of William de Hesketh for

a rent of 2d.; Towneley MS. C8, 13,

P57. The grantor may be the Henry

de Beconsaw of 1300; Lancs. Inz. and

Extents, i, 305.

—

William de Hesketh is named in 1305,

1312 and 1318; Towneley MS. DD, no.

1681, 1683, 1686. The executors of

Anabil Fitton made claims against the

executors of William de Hesketh in

1320; De Banco R. 236, m. 3234.

—

John de Clayton succeeded his father Henry

shortly after 1292, when he was suing him for a tene-

ment here, and was a juror on the inquest after the

death of the Earl of Lincoln in 1311. Lands near

Merelache were released to him in 1317 as lord of

Clayton.!2 Two years before he had settled half the

manor and mill upon his son Henry and Matilda his

wife! Henry succeeded his father before 1332, in

which year he was the principal contributor to the

subsidy ; two years later he covenanted with William

de Hesketh for the construction of Hesketh’s weir

and pool of Martholme Mill upon Henry’s land

called Oldemon Ridding in Clayton and the mill-

stream through his land in Great Harwood for 124.

rent and the right to be hopper free and to grind his

grain there without giving multure. He was returned

as holding Clayton in 1346 and 1365 for the eighth

partof a knight’s fee, and in 1356 passed his manor

to feoffees for settlement.!4 In 1360 William de

Hesketh claimed damages against Henry de Clayton,

Adam de Grimshagh and others for lowering the

weir of his mill on Hyndburn in Great Harwood aud

Clayton, but was non-suited because his ancestors had

reinuved that mill to another site in Harwood which

plaintiff had abandoned in favour of the original site."

Henry died in or about 1361 without Icgitimate

male issue, when Adam de Grimshagh of Eccleshill

and Henry de Rishton of Rishton succeeded to the

mheritance in right of their respective wives Cecily

and Margaret, daughters and co-heirs of Henry de

Clayton.!®

!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/2b23ed40-ebda-4e17-b276-8a9b01ed3ed2

55 - Lancashire Archives

DDSC - THE SCARISBRICK MUNIMENTS

DDSC 43A - ANCIENT CHARTERS PRESERVED AT SCARISBRICK HALL IN THE COUNTY OF LANCASTER, DONE INTO ENGLISH AND ABSTRACTED BY THE REVEREND EDWARD POWELL.

Catalogue description On Monday the feast of the Annunciation of Blessed Mary in the 31st year of the reign of...

Reference: DDSC 43A/47

Description:

On Monday the feast of the Annunciation of Blessed Mary in the 31st year of the reign of King Edward an agreement was made between Brother Richard Prior of Burscogh and the Canons there on the one part. and Gilbert of Skaresbrek and Robert of Hurleton on the other part regarding their respective boundaries of Burscogh Merton and Ormeskirke and Skaresbrek and Hurleton which they agree to refer to the ordinance of Dom Henry Rector of Standysh Alan le Norreys Gilbert of Suthworth Nicholas Blundel Mathew of Haydok William of Heskayth Radulph of Bykerstath Robert of Byrom Richard le Waleys and Roger of Harb& gtilde;h The Arbitrators on Wednesday and Thursday after the Octave of Easter are to take with them the older and most prudent tenants and ordain and fix the boundaries and perambulations between the said Vills and if any of the said arbitrators do not come them another shall take his place And their ordinance and definition shall have force for ever.

Given at Burscogh on the day and year above said.

Date: [1303.]

Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives

Language: English

!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/6a9a2fed-d1ec-4978-98a4-2f5ff2015784

55 - Lancashire Archives

DDB - PARKER FAMILY of BROWSHOLME

DDB 10 - Rishton

Catalogue description Quitclaim: Ebbot of Tadilwrth, in her widowhood, to William of Heskeyth -- all her dower...

Reference: DDB 10/1

Description:

Quitclaim: Ebbot of Tadilwrth, in her widowhood, to William of Heskeyth -- all her dower in Tadilwrth in Ryston -- Witn. Robert of Schyreburn, then steward of Blakeburneschire, John of Blakeburn, Symon of Alvetham, Robert of Ryston, Richard of the same, Adam of Asspiden, John of the Clogh Adam of the Clogh, John of Plesynton, Alan of Kenyam. Given at Tadilwrth.

Date: 27 Oct. 1306

Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives

Language: English

!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/099ef574-0f07-4a45-9482-6e8536cf6fd7

55 - Lancashire Archives

DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD

DDHE 25 - LONGTON

Catalogue description Lease for life : Rayner the Flemyng to Jurdan Bussel of Longeton -- 1ac. land in...

Reference: DDHE 25/21

Description:

Lease for life : Rayner the Flemyng to Jurdan Bussel of Longeton -- 1ac. land in Longeton in Lighteroe between land of William son of Mabel on the east and land of Adam son of Jurdan on the west : and ½ of a mossdale against ½ of another mossdale which Roger Bussel holds of William of Heskayth -- paying 22d. silver annually. Witn: Thomas the Clerk, John son of Han, Henry Pluket, Thomas son of Malle, Robert the Reeve of Longeton and others. Given at Longeton, Sunday after Ascension, 4 Ed. II.

Date:

Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives

Language: English

!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/3f4e048a-de64-4060-bfc7-138948eec6f7

55 - Lancashire Archives

DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD

DDHE 36 - RISHTON-TOTTLEWORTH

Catalogue description Quitclaim : Richard of Stafford and Anabilla his wife, to William of Heskeyth --...

Reference: DDHE 36/3

Description:

Quitclaim : Richard of Stafford and Anabilla his wife, to William of Heskeyth -- properties in Tadilwrth in Ryston -- Witn: Adam, lord of Waleton, Reyner Flemynes, Robert of Schereburn, steward of Blakeburn, John Banastre of the Bancke, Symon of Alvetham, Robert of Ryston, Richard of the same, Adam of the Clough, and others. Given at Croston, Friday, 19 May, 5 Ed. II.

Date:

Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives

Language: English

!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/02e05459-9bd0-40ff-a171-4f9476b6fae1

55 - Lancashire Archives

DDN - NATIONAL TRUST DEEDS

DDN 1 - Description available at other catalogue level

Catalogue description Release: Adam son of William of Heskeyth to John his brother -- rights in tenements in...

Reference: DDN 1/21

Description:

Release: Adam son of William of Heskeyth to John his brother -- rights in tenements in Totilworth in Riston -- Witn: Richard of Hulton, Robert of Schrburne, John of Croft, William of Radeclif, Adam of Clidderowe, Robert of Ashton, Roger of Radeclif.

Date: 17 Oct. 1318

Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives

Language: English

!Source: Visitation of Lancashire by Richard St. George, 1613, page 128. https://johnhoughton.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1613_visitation.pdf

Heskayth.

[Harl. MS. 1437, fo. 124 b, 125.].

Arms. — The first twelve quarterings of the shield described at fo. 110.

Entered.

,…,

William de Heskaith = Annabell, dau. and

| heir of Rich:

___________|

|

Robert Heskaith. = ….. Richard, de Totleworth, = Isabell, dau. and coheir

| in right of his wife. | of Rich: Lord: of

| | Totleworth.

_________| _________________________________|

| |

William Hesketh = Elbora, dau. and sole heire <<<< This William, but sons only John and Adam.

| of Rich: and Isabell.

|

>>>>>

>>>>> Note: The [above] earlier part of this visitation chart [before Sir William & Maude] appears to have been based on actual names of earlier Hesekth records,

>>>>> but without any knownledge of how they were actually related. Also the wives in that portion don’t appear to have been real.

>>>>>

| Rich: Fitton, = ….

| lord of |

| Great Har- |

| wood and |

| Martholme. |

________________|_________________ ___________________ |_______________________

| | | | | |

John Adam de Sir William Heskayth, = Mawde, dau. and Elyza., dau. and Anabyll, dau. and <<<< John and Adam from Henry’s line.

Heskaith. Heskaith. knt., lo. of Heskayth | co heire of coheire, wife to coh: wife to

and Betonsaw, | Rich: Fytton. Roger Nowell, Edmond Leghe,

4 Ed. 1.[1275/6] | Lo. of Read. Lo: of Croston.

|__________________

|

Thomas de Heskayth. = Alice, dau. of ...

Come chose soit a totez gentz per ceste En- | Warren de Byspham,

denture qe de debatez qe furent Entre John de ___________| Lo. of Byspham.

Heskaith et Adam Nowell des tentz en graunt |

Harwod qe furent apres Ie Mort William Fitton Sir John de Heskaith, = Alice, sole dau. and

de sou heritage despartez entre sez treiz soeures knt. | heire to Edm: Fytton

et heires et lour barons, et cestasavoir Entre ___________| Lo. of halfe Rufford.

William de Heskaith et maude sa femme, Ed- |

mond de Legh et Amabilia sa femme, Roger Sir William de Heskayth, = Marcella, dau. and

Nowell, et Elizabeth sa femme. Lan du raigne knt., anno 29 Ed. 3. | coheire of Thwenge

le roy fitz au tres noble roy Edward disim et [1355/6] | of Kendall,

vint'. ______________| co. Westmerland.

|

Seal of Arms,-a wheatsheaf- Thomas Heskalth, = Margaret, dau. and

Signed, SIGILLVM : IOHANNIS : HESKETH: esq. | coheire of Tho:

| Banester, Baron of

__________________________________________________| Newton.

|

Nicholas Heskayth, = Margaret, dau. and coheire of . . .

esq. | Mynshull, obiit at Rufford, 5 H. 5·

[page 129] |

Sir Thomas Heskaith, = Sibill, dau. and coheire of Sir

knt., obiit 38 H. 6. | Robert Lawrance, knt., 5 H. 5.

_______________|

|

Tho : Heskaith, = Margaret, dau. to

Esq., Lo. of | Hamon Massy

Heskaith. | of Rixton.

____________|

|

Robert Heskaith, = Alice, dau. of Sir Robert Booth knt

Lo. of Heskaith, | lo: of Dunham Massye; after her hus-

obilt. 1490. _| band's death she professed chastitye.

|

Grace, dau. of = Thomas Heskaith, = Elyza., dau. and Drawing of a seal of arms, viz.-

Jo : Townley esq., obiit 1523. | sole heir of a fess engrailed between 3 fla-

of Townley. | William Fleminge, mingos [?J heads erased, ---;

| Baron of Wath, and helmet and mantling surmounted

______| lo. of Croston. by a flamingo's [?J head couped,

| wings erect, for crest.

Sir Robert Heskaith, = Grace, dau. of

knt. | Sir John Townley

| of Townley, knt.

_________________________________|___________________________

| | |

Sir Thomas Heskaith = Alice, dau. of Elynor, wife to Jane

knt. Lo. of Rufford, | Sir John Holcrofte Robert Barton

High Shenff of Lanc., | of Holcrofte, knt. of Barton Row.

anno 5 of Q. Elizab: |

obiit 1587. |_______________

|

Blanche, dau. and = Robert Heskaith, = Marye, dau. of

coheire of Hen: esg., lo. of Hes- | Sir George Stanley, knt.,

Twyford of Ken- kaith, Rufford, | Marshall in Ireland

wick, co. Salop, Holmes and | sister and heire to '

2 Wife, s.p. Holmewood Mart- | Hen: Stanlye, esq.,

holme, Great Har- | of the Croshall,

wood, Hougwick | 1 wife.

and Beconsawe, |

now living, 1613. |

_____________________________________________________________|_______________________

| ||| | | ||

John, Robert, 2. Thomas Heskaith, = Susan, dau. of Holcrofte, I dau., Jane, wife to

mar. the Henry, 3. sonne and heire, Th . .. Powes, wife to Lawrans William Reynalds.

dau. of… George, 4. ætat. 41 annor. co. Salop. Royston, after to

Haydock. 1613. Roger Dodsworth, Mary, wife to Rich:

= Chancelor of Barton, and after to

| York. Thomas Stanley,

Robert. and hath issue by

both