Crombock family - Wiswell & Whalley

Wiswell is a township west of Whalley in Lancashire. From the earliest times, the Shireburne family had interests in the area although did not appear to live there. There are records relating to the Crombock(e) family and some past historians have taken this name to be a variation of Crombleholme **. This remains to be seen !

Records found to date set out chronological order :

c.1480 - Jennett Crombock born; she married Edward Braddyll and their son John Braddyll was born in 1505 (Source Geni Braddyll website managed by Anthony Charter - 2016)

1483 - John Crombock - Hailes, Gloucestershire (Beaulieu) Abbot Crombock reports on the low state of his monastery due to his predecessor's dilapidations. (Source Heads of Religious Houses in England & wales Vol III 1377-1540 p298)

1521 - Ricardo Crombock in itinerantibus (travelling expenses) from Whalley Abbey to Hull : 17s 3d (a footnote states that Richard Crombock was one of two sub-seneschals or stewards of the Abbey in 1535 and their annual fees amounted to 100s. (Source : The Whalley Abbey Bursar's Account - by Owen Ashmore MA p65)

See 1530 Lawsuit brought by Richard Crombleholme [Cro0013] against the Abbot of Whalley (John Paslew)

1535 - 20th February : Christopher Crombock ....originally a Cistercian monk of Whalley Abbey. He was ordained priest on 20th Feb 1535. His name comes directly after those of some Byland monks with the note " Christopherus Crammoke de Whalley per litters dismissorias" We have no means of knowing why he transferred his stability to Byland, because the community was heavily implicated in the Pilgrimage of Grace. But Crombock left Whalley for Byland at least two years before the rising. He died a Monk Fryston (?) in 1561. He had also appeared with his pension patent in 1552 in the North Riding, so that it seems unlikely that he ever returned to Lancashire for any major part of his life after the dissolution at Byland. (Source : Surtees Soc Yorks Chantry Certs Vol II 53 & Yorks Parish Reg Soc - from The Ampleforth Journal No 60 Vol 3 1955 item 18)

1539 - 2nd June : Edmund Crombocke son of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1540 - 3rd June : Joan Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1540 - 18th December : William Crombock became the Rector at Springfield Boswell (in London) - ordained by Bishop Edmund Bonner of London . A note states that "he survives here until 1561" (Source CCed Ref Gl 9531/12 Episcopal Reg)

1541 - 10th April : John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1542 - 30th October : Arthur Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1543 - 16th December : Agnes Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1544 : Some of this connection arises from a grant of lands and a rent called "works silver" made in 1544 (Pat 36 Hen VIII pt xxvii) which was part of the Whalley Abbey's estate purchased by Richard Crombleholme [Cro0013] in 1544. John Braddyll had acquired some of the abbey estate from Richard Crombleholme [Cro0013] of Dutton in 1544 ( a few days after he had purchased it from the Crown) (Source : History of Lancashire Vol 6 Townships : Wiswell Footnote 24 - see extract below)

From the text of the above source........ After the suppression of the abbey its third part was sold by the Crown in 1584 to various persons, (fn. 21) and their right was in 1610 transferred to Richard Shireburne, (fn. 22) who held the remainder by inheritance. Another estate called the third part of the manor was held by the Watson and Crombock families in succession. (fn. 23) From its tenure it must have been part of the abbey's estate, (fn. 24) and it appears to have been sold by Richard Crombock (or his trustees) to Sir Nicholas Shireburne in 1709. (fn. 25) The whole manor was thus reunited, and descended in the same way as Stonyhurst to the Welds. (fn. 26) By Thomas Weld it was sold in 1830 to Robert Whalley of Clerk Hill. (fn. 27)

1546 - 28th March : John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1547 - 28th March : John Crombock and Edward Bradyll in land dispute with Robert Morley who was the deforciant. (Source : The Lancs Witch conspiracy - Preston CRO Bradyll Papers)

1547 - 20th February : Agnes Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1548 - 24th April : Christopher Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1548 - 24th April : Joan Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1551 - 15th January : John Crombocke baptised at St Mary & All Saints Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1552 - 9th February : Agnes Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1553 - 20th February : John Crombocke baptised at St Mary & All Saints Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1553 - 1665 : Crombock family occupied Wiswell Old Vicarage NW of Whalley. Secret room in house owned by Crombock (Source : Cath record Soc "Secret Hiding Places")

1556 - 9th October : Halmote of the Manor of Acryngton held there on Friday 9/10/1556 : amongst land transactions etc ....... to the use of Ellis Cunclif, son and heir apparent of the said Nicolas and Jenet Crombocke, daughter of John Crombocke and the heirs between Ellis and Janet lawfully begotten..... (Source : Clitheroe Court Roll No 39 Roll LIV - preserved at Clitheroe Castle)

1567 - 1st December : Richard Crombocke of Wiswall, mercer, assigned a messuage in Wiswall to Richard Kellet, yeoman. To John Crombocke his son 1/12/1547 for 41 years after death of John Crombocke and Margaret (nee ?? ) his wife: assigned to Richard Crombocke on 4th Feb 1577/8.

1576 - 6th September : Jenet Cromboc daughter of John Cromboc baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1579 - 13th September : John Crombocke son of Richard Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1580 - 11th March : Willielmus Crombock baptised at St Mary & All Saints Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571 row 24)

1581 - 20th May : Ann Crombocke daughter of William Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1581 - 8th October : Elizabeth Crombocke daughter of Richard Crombocke baptised at St Mary & All Saints, Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1582 - 11th November : Lettitia Crombocke baptised at St Mary & All Saints Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571 - row 31)

1583 - 30th May : John Crombocke son of William Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1583 - 21st October : Francis Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1584 : In the same year, John Crombock , Elizabeth (nee ?? ) his wife with William Crombocke their son and his wife Thomasine (nee ?? ) made a settlement of lands etc in Wiswell. (Source : Pal of lancs Feet of Fines bale 46, m82).

1584 - 29th September : Elizabeth Crombocke daughter of William Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1586 - 14th May : Clerk Hill Muniments - Wiswell - Conveyance Walter Spendilowe of London, Lewis Steward of the Strand, John Crombocke and John Chew of Whalley, gentleman, and Richard Chewe of Elkar in Billington yeoman to William son and heir of .... (Source : Lancs Archives Ref DDg 18/13) Note - Feoffment on the following day.

1586 - 10th November : Richardus Crombocke baptised at St Mary & All Saints, Whalley (born 27th October) (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571 row 38 & 39)

1589 - 11th December : Elena Crombocke married Thomas Laugshay at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -7132208)

1593 : At the time of his death in 1593, John Crombock held a third part of the manor, various messuages etc of the Queen as of her manor of East Greenwich in socage (tenure of land by certain fixed services other than knight service - often a payment as rent). His son William Crombock then 56 years old, held the same properties later in 1601. William's son John Crombock of Snelsoe (or Clerk Hill) in turn held the properties in 1617. He left a son and heir Richard Crombock aged only seven years (i.e. b 1610). Richard Crombock in turn was living in 1664 when he a recorded a pedigree having a son William Crombocke aged 27 years old. (Source for 1584 & 1593 & Note ** : History of County of Lancaster Vol 6 - Wiswell pub 1911 text and footnotes Nos 23 & 24 but now on line)

1598 - 12th November : Anna Crombocke married John Cottom at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1600 - Subsidy Roll for Whalley gives the following landowners : Edward Braddyll, John Braddyll, John Chew, William Shuttleworth, William Crombock, Christopher Smith and Alice Smith his mother (Source Lay Subs Lancs Bundle 131 No 274)

1607 - 5th August : Dorothy Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1608 - 9th May : Elizabeth Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1609 - 19th June : Richardus Crombocke baptised at St Mary & All Saints, Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1610 - 20th April : Richardus Crombocke baptised at St Mary & All Saints, Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1612 - 30th July : Jenet Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1614 - 27th December : Ann Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1618 - 9th March : Nicolaus Crombocke son of John Crombocke baptised at St Mary and All Saints, Whalley (Source : LDS film 1471099 p16)

1620 - 22nd November : Priscilla Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at St Mary and All Saints, Whalley (Source LDS film 1471099 p18)

1623 - 24th January : Richard Crombocke married Alicia Hartley at Colne (Source : Colne Par Reg)

1623 - 30th December : Dorothy Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1626 - Subsidy Roll for Whalley gives the landowners as Sir Ralph Assheton, John Braddyll, George Shuttleworth, Roger Kenyon and Richard Crombock who was a ward. There were 13 non-communicants.

1627- 11th July : Helen Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1629 - 5th March : Eleanor Crombocke daughter of Richard Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1629 - December : Alms for the Poor - employing a certain sum of money left by John Chewe, late of Whalley, gentleman deceased. Orders and agreements made at Parish Church of Whalley by and amongst Sir Ralph Ashton of Whalley, baronet; Richard Sherburne of Stonyhurst, Richard Townley of Townley, Richard Shuttleworth of Gawirop (?) Roger Nowell of Read, John Braddill of Brockhole, Thomas Sherburne of Little Mitton, John Starks of Huntrode, Thomas Walmesley of Coldcotes, George Shutleworth of Esterlie, Richard Crombock of Clarkhill, Francis Paslewe of Wiswall, Royer Kenyon (sen) of Whalley, John Crombroke of Wiswall & John Holker of Rclid (?) (Source : History of Whalley item 90)

1631 - 10th June : William Crombocke of London - Will (Source : Nat Archives ref PROB 11/160/34)

1631 - 16th December : Alice Crombocke daughter of Richard Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1635- 29th March : Elizabeth Crombocke daughter of Richard Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1644 - 19th July : William Crombocke of Whalley co Lanc, mercer (will made 19/7/1644 proved October 1644) (Source : Sheffield Archives : Oakes Deeds Vol 1 (pt 1) Yorkshire West Riding Staincliffe Barnoldswick in Craven via A2A internet search) Not seen

1646 - 16th August : Dorothy Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1648 - 23rd July : Elizabeth Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1651 - William Crombock of Wiswall gave a chalice to parish church of Whalley (but it was stolen in 1674) (Source : Hist of County of Lancs Vol 6 - Whalley pub 1911)

1655 - 18th September : Braddyll of Portfield in Whalley . Settlements etc - Common Recovery : Richard Crombocke and Robert Chewe against Thomas Braddyll esq and Jane his wife - 20 messuages, 24 cottages, 12 shops, 1 toft 200........?? (Source : Lancs Archives ref DDBR 16/13)

1664 - 13th September : Visitation of Lancashire by Sir William Dugdale in 1664

A pedigree submitted by Richard Crombock :

1665 - 24th August : Dorothy Crombocke married Stephen Gey at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)

1666 : Hearth Tax for parish of Whalley : John Crombock was recorded as having 6 hearths; Richard Crombock 10 hearths; Sir Ralph Assheton : 18; Thomas Braddyll : 9; Richard Haworth, Richard Horrobin, Marg Shuttleworth and Richard Waddington all having 7 No. (Source : Lay Subs, Lansc bale 250 No 9)

1682 - 17th October : Richard Crombock married Mrs Clemence Bushel at St Mary the Virgin, Goosnargh Lancs (Source : LDS film 1470930 p 112 entry 1)

1683 : The Shireburne Abstract Book records notes of a draft of articles of marriage for Richard Crombock (son and heir of William Crombock) and Clement (nee Bushell) daughter of Dr Seth Bushell the vicar of Lancaster.

1683 - 1st November : Richard Crombock son of Richard Crombock baptised St Mary & All Saints, Clarkhill, Whalley, Lancs (Source : LDS 10687555)

1685 - 2nd December : Anna Crombocke daughter of Richard Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005572)

1688 - 28th December : Anna Crombocke daughter of Richard Crombocke baptised at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005572)

1692 - 11th July : John Crombock married Maria (nee Baldwin) of Newland at St Bartholomew Colne, Lancs (Source LDS film ref 1471023)

1694 - 18th September : John Crombock & Richard Crombock sons of Richard Crombock baptised at Padiham , Lancs.

1699 - 21st November : Bond of £1500 : William Crombock of Clarkhill, gentleman, and Richard his son and heir, to Thomas Whalley of Sparth, gentleman - for performance of covenants of 16/17 (64) (Source : Lancs archives ref DDG 1/15 The Clerk Hill muniments)

1709 : Richard Crombock (or his trustees) finally sold the manor to Sir Nicholas Shireburne

1715 - 10th September : Richard Crombock recorded as one of the Coroners of the County (Lancashire) in a Writ of Exigent - Judgement of Outlawry pronounced arising from a great multitude of traitors and rebels to the number of 1000 persons, in warlike array, with standards unfolded, drums etc traitorously assemble themselves in arms and wage war against the King's subjects and during such war did take the town of Preston and traitorously hold the same against the King. (Source : Deputy Keeper of Public Records Pouch LXVI app 11 p 157) Note : ie Jacobite Rebellion of 1715.

1717 - 22nd April : Edmund Crombocke son of John Crombocke baptised at Clitheroe (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -C033252)

1726 - 31st January : Ann Crombocke daughter of John Crombocke and Alice (nee ?? ) baptised at Clitheroe (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -C033252)

1729 - 24th August : James Crombocke son of John Crombocke and Alice (nee ?? ) baptised at Clitheroe (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -C033252)

1733 - 27th March : Anne Crombocke daughter of Richard Crombocke baptised at Burnley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -C005203)

(Note : Source for the majority of above material non IGI material : A History of County of Lancashire Vol 6 [p396-399])

Wiswell Hall - stood about a mile to the north east of Whalley on the lower slope of Pendle Hill and contained Paslew's private chapel. Whalley Church now has the font from this chapel in the rear of the nave. The building was demolished in 1895 but the original stone building had a date over the door of 1636 with arms and initials of the owner Francis Paslew §. It is thought that this was the date of major alterations to an even earlier dwelling. ( Source : History of County of Lancaster Vol 6 - Wiswell pub 1911 text and footnotes but now on line)

Note : A earlier member of the Paslew family was John Paslew was the Abbott of Whalley who contested a pension with Richard Crombleholme (see Richard Crombleholme 1530 lawsuit) - Paslew was executed in 1537 for his part in the Pilgrimage of Grace.

Some more information on Wiswell Hall and the Crombock family appears on p84 of John Dixon's The Forest of Bowland (Ribchester & Hurst Green + Ribble Valley & Pendleside) edition. (Aussteiger Publications). :

§ "A carved figure of Paslew in prayer is built in over a nearby roadside cottage."

(RC note - presumably obtained from the demolished building ??)

There is also a further interesting account on this page : ........ "Vicarage House, the first one notices on entering the village from Whalley, is a good example of local architecture and contains within its fabric an older 16th century dwelling. During the 17th century the house belonged to Crombocks (Crombleholme) family of Catholic yeoman stock. During those dark times, given its secluded position became a place for secret worship and a number of hiding holes can be found in the house. The family remained Catholic until Dorothea Crombrocks , the last of the family line, turned Protestant when she married the Vicar of Whalley in 1665 hence the house present name "The Old Vicarage" . " To be checked

From records above :

1665 - 24th August : Dorothy Crombocke married Stephen Gey at Whalley (Source : IGI 1988 - p 17876 -P005571)