George Hesketh

Personal and Family Information

George was born about 1495, the son of Barthollmew Hesketh and UNKNOWN1. The place is not known.

He died after 1572. The place is not known.

His wife was Dorothye Westbye. They were married, but the date and place have not been found. Their only known child was William (c1540->1613).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Notes

Note 1

!Note: Now because of the Massye sisters, the “of Hesketh” and “of Rufford” lines are much closer cousins.

!Source: BHO | British History Online. The parish and township of Aughton: Manors https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp292-304

James Scarisbrick held Uplitherland for less than ten years, selling it to Gabriel son of Bartholomew Hesketh, who had already an estate in the parish. [fn. 29] In 1561 George and Gabriel Hesketh mortgaged the manor to Edward Halsall for £500, recovering part of the land two years later, [fn. 30] the manor being restored to Gabriel's son and heir Bartholomew in 1573. Gabriel Hesketh died 21 November, 1573, [fn. 31] and his holding is described in the subsequent inquisition as four messuages, land, &c. held of Henry Starkie of Aughton, by a rent of 3s. 2d.; other land in Aughton held of James Scarisbrick by a rent of 6s. 2d.; lands, &c. in Uplitherland held of the queen in socage by a rent of 4s. 3d. Bartholomew Hesketh was his son and heir, and twenty-nine years of age. [fn. 32]

Hesketh of Aughton. Argent, on a bend sable cotised gules three garbs or.

Soon after his father's death Bartholomew Hesketh was involved in disputes with his stepmother Elizabeth [fn. 33] and halfsisters. [fn. 34] Much more serious trouble fell upon the family through their adherence to the Roman Catholic religion. Among those who attended the ministrations of a Cistercian monk [Dominic Halsall] at North Meols Hall in 1577 were Mr. Bartholomew Hesketh of Aughton and his second wife Margaret, [fn. 35] daughter of a noteworthy victim of the persecution—Sir John Southworth. Mrs. Hesketh was at this time returned by the bishop of Chester as 'a busy recusant.' She acted so undisguisedly that in 1584 Walsingham wrote to the bishop of Chester touching her 'bad disposition,' and 'how she did much hurt in being at liberty to go [as she used to do] where she would among recusants and like persons.' [fn. 36] She was accordingly arrested at Meols Hall and confined in the New Fleet in Salford. The husband, though returned in 1590 as 'in some degree of conformity,' [fn. 37] was reported about the same time for having 'kept for sundry years now together one Gabriel Shaw to be his schoolmaster, which Shaw is most malicious against truehearted subjects.' [fn. 38]

Bartholomew Hesketh died in February, 1600, and was succeeded by his son Gabriel, [fn. 39] who died, outlawed, about the end of 1615. His widow Jane renounced executorship of his will on 8 December, and at an inquiry made in the following March an account was taken of his goods, which were seized to the king's use. [fn. 40] Gabriel's son Bartholomew was his heir, being about fifteen years of age. [fn. 41] In the civil war Bartholomew Hesketh [fn. 42] escaped any penalties until, upon some charge of 'delinquency,' his estate was seized at the beginning of 1652. [fn. 43]

Gabriel Hesketh, who succeeded to the manor and other estates of his father about 1672, quickly fell into financial difficulties. He mortgaged or sold his estate to his younger brother Alexander, who seems to have taken up his residence at Aughton and kept the place in repair. [fn. 44] In 1682 Gabriel demanded the estate from his brother, offering £200, on the allegation that he had merely mortgaged it, and had a right to redeem it; but Alexander contended that the bargain was absolute, and retained the whole. [fn. 45] He does not seem to have prospered. [fn. 46] In 1718 he and his son Thomas joined in the sale of the hall and demesne of Aughton and all other their lands in Uplitherland and Aughton to John Plumbe of Waver tree; and the latter having in 1724 obtained a decree in the Court of Chancery confirming the same, Thomas Hesketh surrendered possession. [fn. 47]

Footnotes:

29. In 1536 Bartholomew Hesketh, senior, one of the Hesketh of Maynes family, acquired Walshcroft from the Halsalls, who had held it of the Bradshaghs. See the Inq. p.m. of Henry Halsall, 1472; Lancs. Inq. p.m. [Chet. Soc.], ii, 87. Lands in Downholland were given for it; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. vii, n. 13 [Sir T. Halsall]. It passed to George Hesketh, who between 1543 and 1547 alienated it to his half-brother Gabriel, as is brought out in a complaint by James Lightollers of Eggergarth, gentleman, who had had a lease for six years granted by George Hesketh in 1543, and yet was expelled by force by Gabriel Hesketh in 1547; Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Edw. VI, xxiv, L. 5. In 1549 Gabriel claimed, as having succeeded to his brother's title, the Walsh and Bradshagh estates, which had come into the hands of Richard Molyneux of Sefton. This claim is of interest as giving a number of farm and field names: Broad Hey, Akens and Pyggill, Potter's Hey, Finch Hey, Whight Shaw, and Whightshaw Worrall, Cuttes Heys, Parson's Heys, Marewood Heys and Banks Hey; ibid. Edw. VI, xxvi, H. 5. Gabriel Hesketh is called 'son and heir' of Bartholomew Hesketh, deceased, in 1543; he was then a minor, and a ward of the king; Duchy of Lanc. Mins. Acct. [Burscough], bdle. 136, n. 2025–6.

30. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 23, m. 120; 25, m. 7.

31. An abstract of his will is in Wills [Chet. Soc. New Ser.] i, 211.

32. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xii, n. 32. Gabriel's first wife, the mother of Bartholomew, was Jane Halsall, sister and ultimately co-heir of Henry Halsall; see the account of Melling. The second son, Sir Thomas, made a fortune by the law and purchased Heslington in Yorkshire, where he was succeeded by his younger brother Cuthbert; Wills [Chet. Soc. New Ser.], ii, 165. As no 'manor of Uplitherland' is mentioned and the annual service is changed, it will be proper to add the account of its possession as given by Bartholomew Hesketh in 1599 in reply to William Bradshaw: 'As for the manor of Uplitherland and the messuages, lands, &c., in Uplitherland and Aughton, now in the tenure of the defendant or his tenants or farmers [other than the advowson of Aughton], the said Bartholomew Hesketh says that he by virtue of divers fines, recoveries, &c., levied and suffered and made by William Bradshaw the grandfather and William Bradshaw the father [of plaintiff] to this defendant's late grandfather and father or to defendant, is seised in the fee of some good estate of inheritance . . . . ever since the making of the said conveyances, part whereof were made in the time of Hen. VIII and Edw. VI, and the rest in Queens Mary and Elizabeth'; Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. cxcii, B.35.

33. She afterwards married William Gerard, the licence being granted 1 June, 1576; Pennant's Acct. Bk. at Chest.

34. These had leases of lands and tithes, and it appeared that they had been prevented from carrying the produce, and had only made a way by force; Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. lxxxvii, H. 11, 16.

35. Both are in the bishop of Chester's report of 1577; Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 216. The marriage licence was granted 20 September, 1575; Pennant's Acct. Bk. The first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Norris of Speke; her son Gabriel was baptized in 1574.

36. Desiderata Curiosa [ed. 1779], bk. iv, 149.

37. Gibson, op. cit. 245.

38. Ibid. 258. Here Mr. Hesketh is described as 'of New Hall.'

39. He recorded a pedigree in 1613; Visit. [Chet. Soc.], 22.

40. Wills [Chet. Soc. New Ser.], i, 212; and Testimony [1619] in the Dioc. Reg. at Chester. Margaret Hesketh, probably his step-mother, was the administratrix.

41. Aged 64 in 1664; pedigree recorded by Dugdale, Visit. [Chet. Soc.], 134. Jane Hesketh died about the end of 1622; among her bequests is one of 'my best heifer' to Gabriel Shaw. Will at Chest.

42. He paid £10 on refusing knighthood in 1631; Misc. [Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.], i, 212. By fine in Lent, 1641, a settlement was made of the manors of Aughton and Uplitherland, and the advowson of Aughton, Bartholomew Hesketh and Alice his wife, and Alexander Hesketh being deforciants; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 138, m. 35.

43. Royalist Comp. P. [Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.], iii. 185–6. No mention is made of recusancy, but his son Gabriel was described as 'a papist' in 1674. In 1665 Alice wife of Bartholomew Hesketh, Gabriel Hesketh, Alice his wife, and many others were presented as recusants, and in 1671 Bartholomew Hesketh himself was included; Visit. Rec. at Chest. Bartholomew's will, made 22 Feb. 1669–70, was proved at the beginning of 1673; it mentions his second wife Alice, and his sons [by his first wife, Anne Halsall] Gabriel, Bartholomew, and Alexander; he describes himself as 'of the manor of Uplitherland.' The inscription of the New Hall shows that he had made alterations in the building and that his son was married. The younger son Bartholomew seems to have died shortly afterwards [12 January, 1674–5], and administration was granted to his brother Alexander, described as 'of Croston.' The inventory [preserved at Chester] is noticeable: Nag, apparel, trunk, colt; books £5; two periwigs £1; his picture that hangeth in the gallery £1; the total was £14 14s.

44. At the time of the bargain [1675] Gabriel was a prisoner in the Counter in London, and on the 'common' or poor man's side; there were fourteen actions against him. Through a friend, Cuthbert Gerard of Garswood, he was relieved and transferred to the Fleet. His brother soon afterwards procured his release, paying £130 for him. It appeared that Gabriel had been living in Falcon Court, London, in great splendour all the previous winter, being known as 'the great esquire Hesketh of Lancashire.' A few years later he was anxious to join the earl of Macclesfield's regiment; see Duchy of Lanc. Depos. 1682, n. 3.

45. Ibid. The estate was described as worth 'about £100 or £120 a year, and to be an esquire's estate.'

46. In August, 1692, Alexander Hesketh and Mary his wife by fine remitted to Thomas Earl Villiers and his heirs the manors of Uplitherland and Aughton, and various lands there and in Ormskirk, Scarisbrick, Aspinwall, Harleton, and Snape; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 229, m. 77. On 21 January, 1705–6, he wrote to Richard Norris of Liverpool urging the completion of a sale of land: 'All persons was agreed and you and Mr. Greene did take possession. The estate is yours and none of mine . . . . though writings was not made out'; Norris Papers [Chet. Soc.], 148. In 1716 he appears, as a magistrate, 'happily' preventing his grandson Edward Molyneux from going over the seas to be educated for the priesthood; Payne, Rec. of Engl. Cath. 152. In his will, dated 21 July, 1717, and proved 12 March, 1718–9, Alexander Hesketh described himself as 'of Uplitherland,' and desired to be buried 'in his own chancel' in Aughton Church. There are bequests to his wife Mary and his son Thomas; no other children or relatives are mentioned.

47. Will at Chester, with deposition attached. It does not appear what became of the son; but in 1741 Anne Holme of West Derby, principal creditor of Thomas Hesketh, late of Aughton, gentleman, deceased, gave a bond of £100 to exhibit an inventory and truly administer his goods; Administration granted 19 Nov. 1741. A similar bond was in 1749 given by Stanley Hesketh of Liverpool, as son of Thomas Hesketh, late of Ormskirk, gentleman, deceased; administration granted 20 March, 1748–9. In 1745 Stanley Hesketh was vouchee in a recovery of the manor; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 560, 3; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 332, m. 90. A full account of the descent from the Restoration down to Stanley Hesketh may be found in the rolls of the Exch. of Pleas, 10 Geo. II, Trin. m. 25–9. There appears to have been an unsuccessful attempt to regain the manor for the Heskeths.

!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.

—

Gabriel and George Hesketh contri-

buted to the subsidy of 1542-3 for lands

in Rufford ; Subs. R. Lancs, bdle. 130,

no. 126,

—

An earlier George

Hesketh [Kirkham] had held land in

Penwortham of John Fleetwood ; Duchy

of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiii, no. 15.

—

George Hesketh of Kirkham

held lands in Croston and Mawdesley of

Sir Thomas Hesketh and Roger Croston ;

Duchy of Lance. Ing. p.m. xiii, no. 15.

—

7 George Hesketh of Poulton [1572]

held lands in Longton of John Fleetwood

by arent of 12d.; Duchy of Lance. Ing.

pm. xiii, no. 15. This may have been

acquired by James Stopford of Ulnes

Walton, who held similarly in 1611;

Lancs. Inj. p.m, [Rec. Soc. Lancs. and

Ches.], i, 1703 ii, 73.

—

The Beconsaw family held their moiety until the

16th century.© Edward Beconsaw recorded a pedigree

in 1§33,’ and died on 19 April

1535, holding the manor of

Becconsall and lands there of

Sir Thomas Weston, Prior of

St. John of Jerusalem in Eng-

land, in socage by a rent of

gs. the clear annual value

being {10. He had lands

also in Lydiate, Aughton,

Aspinwall in Scarisbrick and

Much Hoole. His heir was

his son Henry, nineteen years

ofage.® Henry left a daughter,

Dorothy, whereupon the

manor and lands were claimed

by Adam Beconsaw, brother of Henry, as heir male.

After some disputing a settlement was made, chiefly

in his favour,’ but he did not enjoy possession long,

dying in December 1544, and leaving it to a son

George, two years old."

In 1551, George having <<<< Beconsaw family is not Heketh family, so different George.

died, the manor of Becconsall and lands there and in

Hesketh, Much Hoole and Aughton were settled

upon Richard Beconsaw, with remainders to his wife

Joan for life, and then to the issue of Richard, or in

default to Richard Ashton of Croston.'' The claim

by Richard seems to have been unjust, for this

moiety of the manor went to Dorothy, and was sold

to Sir Thomas Hesketh of Rufford,'? who thus gained

as 3,662 acres [including 8 of inland

water’, with 79 acres of tidal water and

1,130 of foreshore. The difference,

over 1,$00 acres, is due to the inclosures

recorded above.

Statistics from Bd. of Agric. [1905].

—

Note: By the mid-13th century the manor of Hesketh-cum-Becconsall was divided into moieties between the Hesketh and Beconsaw families. From the above, it would appear that George Hesketh [1495->1572] and the “senior” or “Henry [1206] line” still controlled at least much, if not all, of their holdings at this time. In 1561 Sir Thomas Hesketh of Rufford purchased the Beconsaw share, securing his title to one moiety. Consequently, after this date, ownership of Hesketh cannot be used to distinguish between the senior Hesketh line and the Rufford branch, as each likely held a portion of the manor.

!Source: Visitation of Lancashire by Richard St. George, 1613, page 22. https://johnhoughton.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1613_visitation.pdf

Hesketh.

[Hart. MS. 1437 fo. 23.]

Entred.

Thomas Hesketh = Margaret, dau. of

of Hesketh, esq. | Hamon Massye

| of Rixton.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

| | | | | |

Robert Hesketh, = Alice, dau. of William Thomas John Hugh William Hesketh, = …. .

sonne and heire. Sir Robert 2 sonne. 3 sonne. 4 sonne. 5 sonne. 6 sonne. |

Booth. [died 1st] |

_________________________________________________________________________

|

Ann, dau. and = Barthollmew Hesketh. = ........... .

coheire of | | ……….. .

William Clif- | | first wife.

ton, second | _______________

wife. | |

| George Hesketh.

Gabriell Hesketh = Jane, dau. of

of Aughton. | Sir Henry Hal-

| sail of Halsall,

| knt.

____________________________________________________________________________________

| | | |

Bartholmew Hesketh, = Margaret, dau. Sir Thomas, 2. Cutbert,3. Richard, 4.

sonne and heire. | to Sir John

| Sowthworth,

| knt.

__________________________________________

| |

Gabriell Hesketh = Jane, dau. of Henry, 2.

of Awghton, | Hen. Stanley

sonne and heire, | of BickerslOI1,

living 1613. | esq.

_____________

|

Barthollmew Hesketh, = Ann, dan. of Sir

sonne and heire, ætat. Cuthbert Halsall

II annor. 1613. of Halsall, knt.

[aged 2]

!Source: Visitation of Lancashire by Richard St. George, 1613, page 21. https://johnhoughton.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1613_visitation.pdf

Hesketh.

[Hart. MS. 1437 fo. 22.]

Entred.

Thomas Hesketh = Elyza. dau. and sole

of Heskaith, esq. | heir of Wm Fleminge,

| baron of Wath.

-

- >>> Connection Not shown <<<

-

Barthollmew Hesketh, = …. .

descended of Heskethe |

of Hesketh. |

_______________________________________________

| |

Geor: Hesketh = Dorothye, dau. of'Vm. Gabriell. <<<<

of Awghton. | Westbye of Mowbrick,

_______ | esq.

|

William Hesketh = Elyza. dau. of

of Pooton , | John Allen of

living 1613. | Roshal!.

__________________________________________________

| |

WIlham Hesketh, = Ann, dau. of Hugh Wilfred,

sonne and heire. | Anderton of Ewxton. 2 sonne.

|

_________________________________________________________________

| | | | | |

Thomas, Roger, 2. John, 3. William, 4. Hughe, 5. George, 6.

sonne and heire,

ætat. 29 annor.

1613.