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SOME TOLLERTON WILLS.
The following abstracts are typical of the old wills. Among these will be found examples of the wills of lords of the manor, rectors, farmers, and labourers. Unless otherwise stated these were proved at York.
The Will of Robert Lovett, Husbandman.
In the name of God amen, I Robert Lovett of Torlaston in my hole mynde maketh this my last Will and Testament in maner and forme following,
First I bequeathe my soull to Almyghtie God and our Lady Sancte Mary and to all the holie company of Hevyn and my body to be buried in the South Ile of the Church of Torlaston afore our Lady with my dew mortuary.
To the Hie Altar ther iiis. iiiid. To everywhon of my children vis. viiid. To everye one of my godchilder iis. or a yow.1 To Alice Grabbe xxd. To aither of the ffrers2 in Nottingham a quarter of Malte. To an abell priest xs. to sing a trentall3 for my soull. To Robert Ludlam a cowe.
The residue of my goods I give to Thomas Lovett and John Lovett my sones whom I make Executors they to distribute and dispose for my sall4 as best may please God after their good discretion with the supervision of Robert Lovett of Nottingham my sone.
These men witenes of all the premises : Robert Abbott, James Elies.
Made, 12 Jany., 1529. Proved, 22 April 1529, by the Executors. (York, vol. ix, 450).
The Lovetts—whose name is also spelt Lovet, Lovat, Lowet, Lowett, Levet—were associated with Tollerton from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century. Richard Lovett was on the coroner’s jury which enquired into a village murder in 1391. A William Lovett is mentioned in 1403, and another of that name, whose will is at York, died about 1473. Robert Lovet of this place sued in 1483 by Hugh Barry, is possibly the Robert of the will first given, and of the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1524 and 1525.
The Subsidy Roll of 1524 includes the name of Thomas Lovat or Lowett senr., and that for 1525 also “Thomas Lovatt the younger.” The elder Thomas is probably the “Thomas Levet of the Hall” who witnessed Edmund Farneworth’s will in 1540—the Hall being possibly that known as Bassetts Manor House.
William Lovet was churchwarden when the Commission of 1552 demanded the Inventory of Church Goods.
Richard Lovet was a juror of the Duchy of Lancaster Court at Saxindalc in 1583, and his name is in the list of freeholders of the Queen in Tollerton. The names of Richard5 and Robert6 Lovett are on the Subsidy Roll for 1591, and another Richard is on that for 1621.
William Lovett, labourer, of Tollerton, whose will is dated 1641, may be a later representative of the family. With this name our local records cease.
This family name is found in the Nottingham Records from 1387 to 1698. Robert Lovett, Mayor of Nottingham in 1548, is, we take it, the “Robert Lovett of Nottingham my sone” of Robert Lovett’s will in 1529. A Thomas Lovett was churchwarden of St. Peter’s Church in 1698.
There were Lovetts and Lovats in Plumtree parish in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the name occurs somewhat frequently in the registers of that parish.
The Will of Edmunde Farnworthe7
To be buried before the rode8 in the Church of Torlaston.
To Cotgrave Church a quarter of Barlie.
To the Church of Torlaston half a quarter of Barlie.
To Laurence Farnworthe my sone my best dublet and my best jacket half a dozen silver spoones a sleveles jacket and ii bonnets.
I will that Laurence Farnworthe have my best gowne and my crowne to cause a prest to synge for my soull in the Church of Torlaston for one year and that he dispose for my soull at my Burial 4d.
To William Perpoyate9 a goune of clothe.
To Edmunde Farneworthe ii bullocks and a mattress.
To Ranalde Lee ii heifers.
To Johane Willobie10 a shepe and to Edmunde her sone a shepe.
To Margaret Archer11 a shepe and to her sonne Laurence a shepe.
To Katherine my servant a lamb and xiid.
The residue of my goods I give to Isabell my wife whom I make Executor.
Supervisor Mr. Constable.
Witnesses: Richard Cowper, Thomas Levet (Lovet) of the Hall, George Vincent and Sir Robert Harrison prest and my gostlie fader.
Volume 13, Folio 157.
The Will of John Barry.
The will of John Berrey Esquire of the parish of Torlaston in the County of Nottingham. Date 30th August 37th Henrie 8th, i.e., 1545.
To be buried in the Chancell of the Church of St. Peter in the Parish of Torlaston.
Also my mortuarie to be paid after the Statutes.
To the Highe Alter of the Church of Torlaston xiid.
To Agnes Awsoppe my best cowe 2 calves a coverlett a blankett a smocke yerne to make a payre of Sheetes and a Table clothe.
To Henrie de le Hey a blake geldinge.
To Thomas de le Hey a blake coote and a green cote.
To Henry Pighte my marbell coloured cote a new Jerkyne and my horse geyres.
To Humfrey Conway 2 quarter of Pease a quarter of Wheate and my sword.
To Little Agnes my servant my great cupborde.
To Marierie my servant a mattress.
To Sir Robert Hampton Priest my best Shirte.
To Thomas de le Hey the younger my best Horse.
To my godson Power my best cappe.
To the Church of Torlaston my chief rent until the time my heire be married.
To George Crane my great Brass Panne.
To Elizabeth Walks a Brass panne.
To Isabel Soppe my wifes god-daughter one strike of Wheat.
To Thomas my servant a little Brass Pot.
To my godson John Nedam a silver spoone.
To Michaell Huchynson a hollow pewder basin.
To Michaell Cowper a basin and a ewre.
The residue of my lands and other things I give to Mr. Fitherbert and Mr. Molyneaux whom I make Executors they to dispose of the same for the health of my soul and for my children12 and they to have for their paynes 6/8.
Witnesses : Nicolas Leson, Michael Cowper, Thomas Delehey, George Crane and Sir Robert Hampton Batchelor of Dyvynytye and Curate of the Church.
Proved 20th May, 1546, by the Executors.
The Will of Peter Wilson of Torlaston, Labourer.
To be buried in the Church of Torlaston on the South side thereof nere unto the Fonte.
To the Churchwardens thereof for my Burial and the good maynteyance of the said Church iiis. iiiid.
To my elder sonne John Wilson my best jacket and my best dublet.
To John my younger sonne all the rest of my rayment.
To my daughter Alice an arke13 a table a forme and a chair.
To my daughter Isabell a chair and a coffer14
To Maister Greyne parson of Torlaston xiid.
To Sir Hugh Charlanton xxd. to pray for me and my fader and moder.
To Nicholas Lesone and Michaell Cowper whom I make supervisors xiid. a piece.
The residue of my goods I give to Isabell my wife whom I make Executor she to dispose thereof for the health of my soul.
Witnesses: Maister Greyne parsone of Torlaston, Nicholas, Lesone and Michaell Cowper.
Proved 9th October, 1549, by the Executor.
Vol. 21, Folio 82.
The Will of Richard Smythe of Torlaston.
To be buried in the Church of Torlaston.
After the payment of my debts I give unto Cecilia my wife the remainder but if she be with child then she shall pay unto it three score pounds.
To my brother Edward £10.
To Ric. Smith £10.
To my sister Alice £4.
To Richard Ireland and Robert Bradshawe £2.
To Agnes and John Smith 20/-.
To Margery Caunte 20/-.
To each of the children of Thomas and Robert Caunte xs.
To Alice Copendale 20/-.
To George Parker 20/-.
To the poore of Torlaston 6/-.
Executrix Cecilia my wife.
Supervisors my brother Edward Smythe, Willm. More, William Ward, Richard Barker.
To Thomas Cockin curate 3/4.
Witnesses: William More, Willm. Ward, Richard Brookes, Thomas Cockin.
Dated 20th September, 1577. Proved 18th February, 1577 by the Executor.
Vol. 21 Folio 376.
The Will of William Caunte of Torlaton.
Date 22nd October, 1579.
To be buried in the Churchyard of Torlaston.
To Robert Philingam Ric. Barthemew and Alice Philingham one quarter of Barley.
To Laurence Cawod and Slighte Cawodd my godchild xiid.
The Residue of my goods I give to Agnes Caunte my wife, John William Ric. and Mary Caunte my children whom I make Executors.
Supervisors: Simond Caunte, Thomas Caunte my brothers, and Robert Thompson.
Witnesses : William Allanson curate, William Moore.
Date 22nd October, 1579. Proved 24th February 1579 (old style) by Anne the relict. Power reserved to the children.
Vol. 21, Folio 162.
The Will of Laurence Huchinson of Torlaston.
To Robert Huchinson my sonne one stowke of Barlie.
To Robert Huchinson my sonne one horse.
To Agnes Huchinson my daughter a cowe
To Ric. and Willm. my sons a fielde of corne.
To every of my childers children iiiid.
To every godchild iiiid.
The residue of my goods I give to Isabell my wife whom I make Executrix.
Witnesses : William Moore, William Warde.
Date 21st July, 1577. Proved 9th October, 1578, by the Executrix.
Vol. 21, Folio 353.
The Will of William Grayson of Torlaston.
To be buried in the Churchyard of Torlaston. To the repair of the Church xxd. To William Barker v-li. To Kirchiane Wright iii-li. vis. viiid. To Agnes Ludlam the same. To Robert Wright xxvis. viiid. To my brother Henry Grayson or to Nicholas his son one horse. To each godchild xiid. To every cottager in Torlaston that haythe nede xiid. To Richard Barker xls. To William Richemonde xiid. To John Brumly xiid. To Willm. Richardes xiid.
I wyll that Alice my wife shall give unto the poore one stryke of wheat and that she shall give every year during her life to Raufe Wright one bushel of corne.
To John Cade vis. viiid. To Mary Wright one ewe and a lamb. To Mary Foxe xxs. To Amy Ludlam xiiis. iiiid. To George Wryght one heffer. To Gervase Wryght a bushel of corne. To Willm Wryght a ewe and a lamb. To Gervase Wright Jr. a ewe and a lamb. To everye of Amy Ludlames children a lame15 except Agnes. To Alexander Simson a ewe.
To the worshipful and my good Master Sir Gervice Clifton Kt. an olde Riall16 most humbly desiringe his worship to be a good master unto my wife and mayntayn her in her right.
To my young Master George Clifton Esq. an olde angell To Richard Hanley an olde angell17. To William Wright xxs. To Henry Hanley by beste shirte. To Mr. William Thirkell a shirte. To William Jackson a shirte. The residue of my goods I give to Alice Grayson my wife whom I make Executrix.
Supervisors : Richard Hanley, William Wright.
Witnesses: Richard Barker, William Richmonde, John Brumbie, Will Richerde.
Date 16th January, 1579. Proved 24th February, 1579 by the Executor.
Vol. 22, Folio 427.
The Will of William Ward of Torlaston, Husbandman.
To be buried in the Church of Torlaston. To the poor of Torlaston 10/-. To every godchild 12d. To my sister Jane Joard £6 13s. 4d. To my Shippard 1 ewe. To Christopher and Ann Ward my daughter £40. To Wm. Lovert children a shepe. To Agnes my wife and Henrie my son the farm I now occupy and that my children be brought up upon the farm until they marry. To Mr. Hoodfield18 my landlord and his wife to either of them an angel. To Robt. Ward one brown heffer. To Jane Ward my sister one brown heffer.
Debts owing to me:—Roger Parker £25 3s. 4d. Thomas Plewman of Basyngfield 20/-. Robt. Ward 6/8. Francis Ward of Karcssome19 20/-. Thomas Willioes of Torlaston 40/-. William Smith 10/-. Thomas Lovett 5/-. Richard Cleton 50/-.
The Residue of my goods I give unto Agnes my wife and Henry my son whom I make Executors.
Supervisors: George Harbie Parson of Torlaston, and William More of the same place.
Witnesses: Richard Barker, Robt. Isone, Willm. Butler, Geo. Harbie parson, Wm. More.
Date 6th April 1583. Proved 27th July, 1583 by the Executors.
The Will of John Allsopp, Rector.
To be interred in the Chancell belonging to the Parish Church of Tollerton.
To my sister Bakewell20 the furniture of the best chamber and my silver spoons.
To my godson John Bakewell the sum of twenty guineas.
To the Hospital in Osgathorpe,21 founded by Mr. Harlow, for the maintenance of a Minister’s widow one hundred and three score pounds to be disposed on according to my tru intent and meaning.
To Mis Mary Charlton my wacth (watch) and ten guiness.
To my cousin Thomas Borrodale my studdy of books except such as Mrs. Mary Charlton and Mrs. Anne Pendick and Mis Mary shall choose out.
To Mrs. Mary Chadwick £20 and the furniture of her chamber.
To Mrs. Anne Pendock 10 guinease.
To Mis Mary Pendock 10 guinease.
To Mis Jane Pendock 10 guinease.
To Mis Anne and Mary Pendock my best suite of dinner linen and half a dozen silver salts.
To Mr. William Parker my silver tankerd.
To my brother Richard Allsopp £50 to be paid by my brother Thomas Allsopp.
To my brother Benjamin Allsopp £50 to be paid by my brother Thomas out of monies due to me.
To the poore of the Parish of Tollerton £20.
To the poore of the Parish of Hathern £5.
To the poore of the Parish of Loughborough £5.
To the poore of the Parish of Cheedall £5.
The residue of my goods I give to my brother Thomas Bakewell whom I make Executor.
Witnesses : Thomas Briggs, Will Parker and Elizabeth Rayner.
Date 8th July, 1683. Proved 5th September, 1683, by the Executor.
The Will of Mr. Samuel Houghton of Tollerton.
To my wife one half of my estate during her life and after her decease to be equally divided amongst my children.
To my daughter Elizabeth Houghton my daughter Jane Houghton my daughter Mary Houghton my daughter Katherine Houghton my sonn Samuel Houghton and my daughter Alise Houghton the other half of my estate to be equally divided amongst them. I make my dear wife Joyce Houghton and my daughter Elizabeth Houghton Executrixes.
I appoint Mr. Francis Moult of Tollerton, and Mr. Thomas Houghton of West Bridgford, Executors.
Witnesses: Ralph Houghton, William Allen and Elizabeth Painter.
Bond dated 9th November, 1689, by Joyce Houghton of Tollerton and Robert Kirkby of the same place Husbandman in the sum of £50 for the due execution of the said Will of Samuel Houghton clerk late Rector of Tollerton by the said Joyce Houghton his relict.
Inventory dated 16th October, 1689, appraised by Mr. Moult, Edw. Kettleborn and Robt. Pacy Miscellaneous Goods valued at £287 3s. Od.
Date 4th October, 1689. Proved 9th November, 1689, by Joyce Houghton widow his relict.
Thomas Houghton—Administration.
Bond dated 19th November, 1692, by Katherine Houghton of West Bridgford in the County of Nottingham widow and James Grenehalgh of Wentworth Woodhouse in the County of York clerk in the sum £50 for the faithful administration of all the goods of Thomas Houghton late Rector of Tollerton in the County of Nottingham by the said Katherine Houghton widow his relict.
The endorsement on the papers reads as follows : —
Administration granted 9th January, 1682, to Catherine, widow, the relict. This should be 1692.
The Will of Agnes Crosse.
To my Reverend Cousin Mr. Latimer Crosse and to Mr. Thomas Crosse 10 guineas. To Mrs. Rachel Sandsby 10 guineas. To Mrs. Anne Markham 10 guineas. To Mrs. Elizabeth Crosse 10 guineas. All my relations.
To Davis Lamb my brothers godson all his mathematical instruments.
To Latimer Hunt son of John Hunt hackney coachman in London £10.
To Mrs. Caroll for her care and kindness to my brother during his illness £10.
To Susannah Carol my goddaughter £10.
To my cousin Robert Girton of London £20 and to his two sisters Ellen Wood and Sarah Charlesworth and their brother Francis Girton all of Newark £10.
To William Molynaux of Doncaster Esq. £30.
To my cousin Anne Mottrame wife of Samuel Mottrame of Newark £5.
To the several parishes of Mansfield Woodhouse, Tollerton, Loudham and Cotgrave I give 50/- a year for ever to be paid on St. Peter’s Day22—20/- thereof to be given the same day in Bread to such pore children as have learned the Creed Lord’s Prayer and the Commandments whose parents receive no collection.
To my servant Elizabeth Hall £3 a year for life.
I leave £300 to be laid out in Lands to secure the true payment of what I have heretofore given by my Executors and their heirs and surplus of the rents of the said lands so purchased I give to Mrs. Mary Willoughby, wife of Francis Willoughby.
The residue of my goods chattels and personal estate I give to such charitable uses as my Executors Trustees and Supervisors shall think fit.
Executors my friend Francis Willoughby23 of Aspley Co. Notts. Esq., and the Revd. John Lamb of Southwell.
Trustees and Supervisors the Revd. Mr. Proundlove of Risley and Mr. Risbeard Tuffin of Normanton.
Witnesses: Jno. Twells, Henry Davis, Grace Davis, Mary Twells, Jno. Garland.
Dated 23rd July, 1722. Proved 26th March, 1723, by both the Executors.
The benefactions of Agnes Crosse seem to indicate some personal or family connection with the four parishes which shared in her bounty. The connection with Tollerton is evident. Her brother, twice mentioned in her will, was rector of this place from 1692 to 1717, and, as it seems, found a home for his widowed mother and his sister. The register records the burial of the rector’s mother, “Mrs. Anne Crosse vid. was buried 29th April, 1709”; and of the rector, in 1717. Here, on August 24th, 1722 “Mistris Agnes Crosse” was buried. The tie with Tollerton was close.
The connection with Cotgrave is little less evident. In the roll of rectors, there is a Latymer Crosse, who held the benefice from 1603, possibly to the Usurpation. The identity of name with that of the rector of Tollerton indicates relationship, and we presume that he was the grandfather of Latimer and Agnes Crosse of Tollerton.
We have no clue to any association with Lowdham, but it may have been her home after her brother’s death.
If “Mrs. Anne Cross vid.” was Anne Neale, daughter of the second John Neale of Mansfield Woodhouse, Agnes Crosse’s interest in that place is natural. Richard Neale, who succeeded to the rectory of Tollerton, was the uncle of his predecessor, Latimer Crosse, if our identification is correct.
1. Ewe.
2. Friars.
3. A series of 30 Masses for the dead.
4. Soul.
5. Vol. iv. 191.
5. Will 20th April, 1502. York xxv, 1134.
6. Will 7th October, 1591. York xxiv, 722.
7. Date 1st August, 1540. Proved 12th August, 1540, by the Executor. There was an Ellis Farnsworth tenant of John Neale, cir. 1726, Ellis was a village surname in 1529.
8. Rood.
9. A. Wm. Perpoynte held the manor of Holme with land in Tollerton from 1500.
10. The Willoughbys had land in Tollerton at this time.
11. See Field Names.
12. The names not given. The eldest son appears to be John, for the guardians of John Barry appointed a rector of Keyworth, 22nd Feb., 1548.
13. A chest,
14. A smaller chest.
15. Lamb.
16. Rial. An English gold coin, worth about fifteen shillings.
17. Angel. A gold coin worth from about 6s. 8d. to 10s.—This was a lawyer’s fee. “ What is an angel but a lawyer’s fee.”“ Wit’s Recreation.”
18. Probably, Hatfield.
19. Carcolston.
20. John Allsopp’s sister—married Thomas, eldest son of Robert and Mary Bakewell of Normanton on Heath in the parish of Nailstone, Leicestershire, of a good yeoman family. They had four sons; John, the godson mentioned in this will, Robert, Thomas, and Joseph. John succeeded his father at Normanton; and Joseph, the youngest son, married Mary Wright of Nottingham, in which town he practiced as an apothecary. Joseph was buried at Tollerton 4th July, 1739, aged 59, where his wife had been buried earlier, on March 15th, 1734. Three of their five children were buried in the same churchyard, Joseph, aged 27, on June 10th, 1737; Thomas, 24th February, 1740; and Joanna, who died unmarried, 15th August, 1765. Robert, a younger brother of the first-named Thomas Bakewell settled at Dishley Grange, near Loughborough, being succeeded there by his son Robert; whose son, the fourth successive Robert, became famous as a sheep breeder,
21. The gifts to Osgathorpe and Hathern indicate a connection of the rector with those places; but this we have not been able to trace.
22. The patron Saint of Tollerton is St. Peter.
23. Francis Willoughby is registered in 1722 as a Roman Catholic, with lands of the value of £48 6 8. At the same date Robert Willoughby of Cossall, of the same faith, had lands worth £186 14 0.