THE CROMBLEHOLMES OF LOUDMYTHAM

The Loudmytham site is immediate to the east of the former Leagram Deer Park at the convergence of the Loud and Hodder rivers. It appears to have been the home of the Crombleholme family from early times. The piece of land named Crombwalholme is just across the River Hodder that flows at the north boundary of the site. Bradley Carr to the south of Legram Park and the River Loud was also a family home. Chipping to the west of the park was the largest village in the area and its name is derived from Chepyn - a market place. It was named Chippenden in Doomsday

(See also the family tree below )

Above : An outline map showing the area surrounding Loudmytham :

It is highly probable that the Loudmytham family are descendants of the earlier Thomas Crombleholme [Cro0015], Edmund Crombleholme [Cro0016] , Edward Crombleholme [Cro0017] the pallisers and carpenters who worked around Leagram Park in the 1430 - 1440’s. Robert Crombleholme [Cro0021] of Loudmytham, who is recorded as a Bolland Juror in the Act Book of Whalley between 1518 and 1536, is also a very likely ancestor of this Loudmytham family.

Summary of the various family members :

1422 - 1440 : Thomas de Crumbilholme [Cro0015] a palliser in Leagram Park (Source : History of Leagram J Weld - Chetham Soc New Series Vol 72)

1435 - 1436 : Edward Crombleholme [Cro0017] paid as palliser in Leagram deer park and for carpentry at the Leagram Lodge (Source : Survey of Bowland Forest - Victoria County History Vol II + History of Leagram J Weld - Chetham Soc New Series Vol 72)

(For above two, please see the carpenters of Leagram for full details):

Records for the following are below

1518 - 1536 : Robert Cromleholme [Cro0021] of Lowde Mythun - Bowland Juror recorded in the Act Book of Whalley Abbey (see immediately below)

Ann [28] below is probably a daughter in law of Robert [21] above.

1530 - 1597 : Ann Crombleholme [Cro0028] of Lowdemythun (widow of unknown .......? Crombleholme [Cro00 ??] whom she states was buried in Chipping churchyard. (Note see her will SR13)

1560 - 1628 : George Crombleholme [Cro0029] Yeoman of Bradley Carr (across River Loud from Loudmythan) and son in law of Ann Crombleholme [Cro0028] - plus other family members descending from Ann Crombleholme [Cro0028] - all moved away from the area. (see family tree chart below)

Wife [649] of George C [29] - her name or maiden name not known

1560 - 1570 : Thomas Crombleholme [Cro0024] , Richard Crombleholme [Cro0023] and John Crombleholme [Cro0022] - all tenants of the Chase of Bolland.

1590 - 1614 : John Cromleholme [Cro0018] - (b 1553 - d1614) of Loudmythorne ; 1590 land transfers & witness in court case of 1605. Extensive Inventory in his will (Ref SR12) of 1614 (Source : Hist of Chipping & will SR12)

The Act Book of Whalley Abbey

Between 1518 and 1536 this book records that Robert Cromleholme [Cro0021] of Lowde Mythun sat as a Bowland Juror on various immoral cases: He would have had to travel approximately 7 miles south east to Whalley Abbey. (Source : Chetham Series Vol 44)

1518 - 21st April : [Bowlande - Parish of Whalley]

Robertus Crumleholme [Cro0021] "Item quod publica fama referente

Edmundus Parker } Hugo Shirburne armiger fouet in amplexibus

Johnes Swynhulhurst } adulterus filiam Rodulphi Dobsone"

Brianus Parkere }

1519 - Robertus Crumleholme [Cro0021] and others complain that Hugh Sherburne kept Joan daughter of Ralph Dobson "in concubinam" !! (Source : Chetham series Vol 44)

1528 - April [Bowlande - Parish of Whalley]

Robertus Crumleholme [Cro0021] "Presentant Elisabetham Cardhouse pro

Edmundus Parker } prole suscitata cum Thoma Kempe

Johnes Swynhulhurst } serviente Henrici Banaster fatentur

Brianus Parkere } articulum et submisevunt correccioni"

1529 - May [Bowlande - Parish of Whalley]

Thomas Burrowe, personliter juratus} "Qui dicunt (quod) Marsden filia

Thomas Ryther, nullo modo } Johannis Marsden nuper de Lowde

Robertus Belle, ] personaliter } serviens Roberti Crumleholme [Cro0021]

Johannes blesedell ] } de Lowde Mythun impregnata est in

Antenius Parker, ] nullo modo } serivicio dicto Roberti et dicunt

quod fama publica refert Johannem

Bowker de parochia de Chepyn esse

patrem prolis de vitreous dicunt omnia bene"

A translation of this last record was kindly provided by Phil Marsden of Kent in March 2016 :

"Those who say, that a certain Marsten, the daughter of the late John Marsten of Lowde and servant of Robert Crumleholme [Cro0021] of Lowde Mythun, became pregnant is in the service of the said Robert. They state that John Bowker of the parish of Chepyn is said to be the father of the child and they say that all is well."

1531 - April [Jurors of Bowlande]

Robertus Cromylholme [Cro0021] personaltia } All well !!

(& other jurors)

1531 - [Romysgreyve]

Robertum Cromeleholme [Cro0021] Edwardum Braydeley were arbitrators in a libel suit between James Parker & John Rider.

1536 - September [Jurors of Bowlande]

Robertus Crumleholme [Cro0021] "Hoc die Jurati dicunt et

Robertus Swynlehurst }presentant quod Raynaldus

Johannes Walker }Sawer procreauit prolem ex

Johannes Barker }Isabella Hayerest manentum

extra et est maritutus"

The last entry was one of the last regarding Bolland and the accused Reynald Sawer is recorded as having been required to go round Whitewell Church on two Sundays carrying a candle for adultery with Isabella Hayerst !!

In the Act Book, there is also a list of tenants of the Bolland forest. The Crombleholmes do not appear on these lists as they were probably tenants of the de Hoghtons on the Leagram Estate.

Court Rolls :

1536 - Robert Crombleholme [Cro0021] of Loudmytham is recorded in the Court Rolls of the Honour of Clitheroe in 1536 : (Vol III p408)

"Tithes and Obligations received by the Abbot & Convent of Whalley from the whole parish of Whalley and parochial chapelries in the year 1536...

The Chapel of the Castle of Cliderhow Bowland:

From sheaves.....Robert Crombalholme [Cro0021].....2s..0d. (Source : "The Royal Forest of Lancashire" by Cuncliffe Shaw - 1570 & 1571 both from pages 234-238 & 261)

The woodmote and swainmote courts were held twice a year under the Master Forester of Bolland. The first presentations were offences of vert and venison enrolled before a sworn jury of keepers of the chase. After this came the presentations of the local tenants and agistors (those paying for pasture) of the chase represented by a jury made up of 12 to 15. They considered in the most part minor cases, consisting of taking firewood and saplings and for burning wood for charcoal. They did not deal with any offences against venision. There were no cases of poaching deer but dogs were kept under tight control and all had to be able to pass through a dog gauge kept at Whitewell. The earliest surviving records of these courts are from 1554.

Leagram Deer Park dispute : From 1595 & 1608 records relating to hearings during the final days of the Leagram Deer Park, it has been possible to deduce birth dates of some family members :

1544 - John Cromleyholme [Cro00 ?? ] approx birthdate given by being a deponent in 1608 aged about 64 years. (see hearings above)

Note : The John C [Cro ??] above is noted in the same record in 1608 as John C [Cro0018] below and is therefore not the same person !

1548 - John Cromilholme [Cro0018] approx birthdate of 1548 given by being a deponent in 1608 aged about 60 years. (see hearings above)

1557 - George Crumbleham [Cro0029] approx birthdate of 1557 given by being a deponent in 1595 aged about 38 years. (see hearings above)

1559 - 28th October : Robert Chromlholme [Cro0413] baptised at Chipping (Source : Parish Reg from LPRS Vol 14 & surnamed.com MM & Ancestry / CFI)

Further Court Roll Records : (Source : "The Royal Forest of Lancashire" by Cuncliffe Shaw - 1570 & 1571 both from pages 234-238 & 261)

1560: Tenants of Bowland Chase ......John Crombleholme [Cro0022]

(1 of 17 - all being tenants of the vaccaries.)

In 1570 at a Woodemot and Swanimot of the Lady Elizabeth for the Forest of Bolland held at Whitewell on Friday 13th October Eliz XIJ (1570) under Richard Shireburn Kt, Chief Steward Master Forester with 12 jurors amongst them....... John Crombleholme [Cro0022] tenant/agistor:

Item: Allen Bradley for fellynge of ollers with the tenement of John Crombleholme [Cro0022] 20d.

In 1571 there are three Crombleholme tenants of the forest recorded: Thomas [Cro0019] , Richard [Cro0023] and John[Cro0022]

Item: Thomas Cromelholme [Cro0019] one saplynge.

Item: Thomas Cromelholme [Cro0019] one fother of yardinge by *estymacion, 1d. (*by estimation)

(note : a fother is a load or cartful)

Item: Wife of Rychard Cromelholme [Cro0023] two fother yardinge and fyere wood

Item : We present the wife of Roberte Shirburne for burning wood to be ashes contrary to the payne of 3s :4d.

Item: We present the wife unknown (nee ??) [Cro0026]) of John Cromelholme [Cro0022] for burning wood to be ashes contrary to the payne of 3s:4d.

1571 - In another court in the same year, Thomas Cromweholme [Cro0019] a juror:

Item: Thomas Cromelholme [Cro0019] for sapling stube for Rayler -8d.

Item: The wife unknown (nee ??) [Cro0025] of Richard Cromwelholme [Cro0023] yardinge and fyere wood.

(Note his wife may have been Ann [28] ??

Item: Allan Bardley's servant for one great oller powell in John Cromelholm's [Cro0022].

Item: Allan Bradley hath felled in John Cromelholm's [Cro0022] fermold great ollers and other underwood oto his use unreasonable that might be counted to better use, worth 3s:4d. Besyde a payne their of layed 6s :81/2d

Note : The modern day meaning of some of the old terms and names above are:

"fother" : load; "oller" : Alder; "hollin" : holly; "old heythorns" : hawthorn; "old hassilles" : hazel; "crab" : crabtrees;

Other Records :

1557 : George Crombleholme [Cro0029] probable birth date.

Note : He was a son of Ann (nee ?? ) [Cro0028] of Loudmytham, his wife is unknown (nee ??) [Cro0649] and they had seven children Richard C [36], Anne [37], John [38], Robert [39], William [40], Thomas [41] & Margaret [42]. He lived on the south side of the River Loud (shown on Moore's map of 1605) Noted as 38 years old at a 1595 hearing relating to the Deer Park (giving this birthdate). Noted as "of Burholme" in of John C's [18] will of 1614. He died in April 1633 - his will NR28. being noted as "of Bradley Carr in the parish of Chipping.

1566 - 20th March : John Chromlholme [Cro0018 or 411 ??] baptised at Chipping (Source : History of Chipping, Smith. p111)

1579 - 18th April : Richard Chromlholme [Cro0036] baptised at Chipping (Source : Parish Reg from LPRS Vol 14) Note Son of George C [29]. His will ref Y3 was made in 1644

1581 - 12th June : Ann Chromlholme [Cro0037] baptised at Chipping (Source : Parish Reg from LPRS Vol 14)

1581 - 10th October : Elizabeth Chrolmeholme [Cro0669] baptised at Chipping (Source : Parish Reg from LPRS Vol 14)

Note : Presumed not a sister of Ann C [37] above due to timings but could be Ann C [90] ??

1582 - 30th November : Ann Parker alias Chrolmeholme [Cro0670] baptised at Chipping (Source : Parish Reg from LPRS Vol 14) (d/o ??? C [671])

1583 - 15th July : John Chromlholme [Cro0038] the son of George Chrolmeholme [Cro0029] baptised at Chipping (Source : Parish Reg from LPRS Vol 14) Note : John will PCC/1 and George will NR/28

1584 - George Crombleholme [Cro0029] : Chipping - John Swinglehurst c George Cromheiling [29] for tithe barley and hay from newly enclosed ground - libel. (Source : Cheshire Archives Ref EDC 5/1584/27 - Consistory Court Records)

1590 - 2nd March : John Crumbleholme [Cro0018] of Lowdemythorne, Roberte Parker of Preston-in-Amoundernes, and Regenolde Parker of Graystonlye, yeomen, to John Dewhurste of Ribchester, gentleman (Source Lancashire Quarter Sessions Cat ref Q Roll 3 QDD/3 (n.d) - not seen yet

1590 - 12th June : Lancashire County Quarter Sessions - enrolled deeds & other documents : John Crombleholme [Cro0018] of Lowdmythorne, yeoman, to Robert and Regenolde, sons of Thomas Parker of Graystonelye, deceased., -- Ribchester. Deeds of Bargain and sale Roll 2. (Source Lancs CRO - QDD/2/m21 - Lancs county quarter sessions enrolled deeds & other docs.) - not seen yet

1592 - John Crumbleholme [Cro0018] ? : Court case regarding the unlawful entry into a messuage and land Ribchester, Lancashire.

Plaintiff : John Dewhurst; v Defendants : John Crombleholme [Cro0018 ? ] , Robert Parker, Renold Parker and Thomas Lyvesaye.

(Source : Ducatus Lancastriae Vol 3 p499 - Calendar of Pleadings from the 14th year to the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Printed by command of HM King William IV in pursuance of an address of the House of Commons of GB and under the direction of the commissioners of the Public Records of the Kingdom 1834)

1595 - First hearing relating to Leagram deer park - notes George Crombleholme [Cro0029] as being 38 years old.

1597 - 12th February : WILL of Ann Chrombleholme [Cro0028] , widow. (RC will Ref: SR 13)

"The 12th day of February or thereabouts the year of our Lord God 1594, Anna Chrombleholme [Cro0028] late of Loudmithon within the County Of Lancashire, widow, deceased being of sound and perfect remembrance before sufficient witnesses did pronounce, make and declare in express words without writing her last will and testament in manner and form following:

First, She gave and bequeathed her soul in the hands of Almighty God her maker and redeemer and her body to be buried in Chipping churchyard near unto the place where her husband was buried.

Item, Her mind and will was and she did freely forgo unto her son Richard Chrombleholme [Cro0032] all such debts and reckonings whatsoever that were betwixt them and upon condition that her son Richard shall dwell with her during her life & do as a dutiful son should do.

Item, She gave and bequeathed a great ark (wooden chest) standing in the house to Cislye [Cro0031] her daughter.

Item, She gave and bequeathed unto Richard [Cro0032] her son another great ark at toward the making of the said ark, her son Richard had formed some of the boards.

Item, She gave and bequeathed to Alice [Cro0030] her daughter the value or worth of such like ark to be taken up of her goods at her discretion.

Item, Her mind and will was and she gave and bequeathed all the rest and residue of her goods and cattells moveable and unmoveable whatsoever and her debts, legacies and funeral expenses first paid and discharged to be equally divided and distributed betwixt Richard Chrombleholme [Cro0032] and Cisley Chrombleholme [Cro0031].

And for the performance of this her last will and testament she .......and appointed her son Richard Chrombleholme [Cro0032] and George Chrombleholme [Cro0029] her son in law to be her true and lawful executors.

Amongst the inventory of her goods there were: 2 flitch of bacon and a quarter of beef, 20s. 3 hens and a cock 16d.

From the other wills found of this era and after it has been possible to trace some of the descendants of Ann Chrombleholme of Loudmithon.

She had named George Crombleholme [Cro0029] her "son in law" this could have meant that he was the son of her late husband's first marriage.

Anne Chrombleholme [Cro0028] was a widow in 1597 and probably wife of one other two brothers (?) Richard or Thomas. Her will is one of the earliest found for the family and it is a nuncupative will meaning that it was made by word of mouth. As such, it had to be made before credible witnesses who would then had to make sworn statements before the Probate Court. Before about 1600, it was usual to give the original written copy back to the excecutors as their guide and authority and then to file the Probate copy.

1605 - John Crombleholme [Cro0018] recorded in court case as living on Loudmytham Estate (source : History of Chipping MM)

1605 - Moore's Map (below) drawn up by Duchy of Lancaster in the Leagram Deer Park dispute shows the houses near the park occupied by Thomas Cromelholme [Cro0019], John Cromelholme [Cro0018] and George Cromelholme [Cro0029] of Bradley Carr

1608 - 2nd Hearing relating to Leagram deer park - notes John Crombleholme [Cro0018] of Loudmytham as being 60 years old and another John Crombleholme [Cro ?] of Newhey, county York being 64 years old.

Above : An extract of Edmund Moore's map of Leagram Park made in 1603 - 08.

On the Loudmython site there are two dwellings occupied by John Cromelholme [Cro0018] and Thomas Cromelholme [Cro0019] - **note that uxor appears before Thomas's name. (uxor : wife). This would appear to indicate that Thomas had died and his widow (unknown (nee ??) [Cro1361] occupied the premises. It may have been on a "lease for three lives" basis.

George Cromelholme [Cro0029] shown occupying a site south of the River Loud - presumably Bradley Carr (this does not appear on modern maps)

1608 - Thomas Crombleholme [Cro0019] - probably died prior to this date (see note** above)

1610 - 31st May : Survey of the Crown woodlands parcel of Duchy of Lancashire Bowland Forest held by lease :

........John Crumelholme [Cro0018] of timber trees, three worth = £2;

.........John Crumelholme [Cro0018] of ashes, three worth 20s ye pecce = £3;

.........John Crumelholme [Cro0018] of elmes 2 woorthe 20s;

.........John Crumelholme [Cro0018] of decayed trees, four worth 25s

Total in all £7 .. 5s .. 0d (Source : Royal Forest of Lancaster -Cuncliffe Shaw p261 + Hist of Whalley Weld - p354))

1613 - John Crombleholme [Cro0018] noted in Six Inquiries by the Duchy of Lancaster (Source : Slaidburn Court Rolls - via Mark Cornthwaite & MM)

1614 - 27th August : George Crombleholme [Cro0029] : Lands in Thornley comprised ..."all that messuage or house in the occupation of George Crombleholme [Cro0029] on a lease of 99 years (if the said Elizabeth Doughty so long live) at a yearly rent of 16s per annum." (Source : Hist of Chipping p35) (Note - Thornley borders Chipping and Leagram to the south)

Note : This record is included within the final agreement made at Lancaster 27th August 1614 between Anthony Chatburne and William Dunderdale plaintiffs & Michael Doughtie gent. and Henry Doughtie gent son & heir of Michael defendants relating to lands in Thornley.

1614 - 2nd April : Will of John Cromleholme [Cro0018] of Lowdmythome, Yeoman. (RC will ref SR 12)

A long Inventory made 2nd April 1614 after his death included: (from the 1608 record above he would have been about 66 years old)

4 oxen, 6 twinters, 8 kine and 20 sheep; "two tables and one stone cistern, to remayne as heirlooms" 24 pewter dishes 26s.8d; 3 brass candle sticks 4s; 6 silver spoons 40s, money and goulde £11; and debts due from Thomas Marsden of Pale, George Swinlehurst of Burholme, Thos Parker of Higher Greystoneley and George Crombleholme [Cro0029] of Burholme. Total goods etc amounts to £317 5s 1d.

Inventory was drawn up by : Henry Richmond, gentleman, John Parker, yeoman (of Lees ??) ; James Parker, yeoman and George Cromleholme [Cro0029] husbandman.

John Crombleholme [Cro0018] obviously had a major share in the family's possessions at Loudmytham, which it would seem consisted of at least a couple of Crombleholme families living in the same place. The house may have been subdivided or there may well have been a couple of dwellings on the site to accommodate an increasing members of the family.

At the time of drawing up the inventory in 1614, it would have only been a few years before the legal battles over Leagram between the Sherburne family and the Crown were resolved. It is also recorded that the present farmhouse standing at Loudmytham was built by the Marsden family in approximately 1625. It was therefore very likely that John Crombleholme [Cro0018] the last member of the family who lived at Loudmytham. After his death, it is uncertain what happened to cause the family to move away from Loudmytham.

1628 - WILL of George Crombleholme [Cro0029] of Bradley Carr in Chipping, Yeoman. (My ref NR 28 - Abstracted in the British Museum = reason not known !)

George Crombleholme [Cro0029] of Bradley Carr in the parish of Chipping, Yeoman, makes his will the 16th of February 1628.

Gives unto Richard Crombleholme [Cro0036] his ..(eldest ?) son all his conemont with the.... (apentnements ?) during his ...(loune ?) therin. Also wills that his debts and burial expenses shall be discharged out of his whole goods. Also gives one half of the remainder unto his daughter Anne Crombleholme [Cro0037] and Margaret Crombleholme [Cro0042] between them. The other half unto John [Cro0038] Robert [Cro0039] Thomas [Cro0041] and William [Cro0036] Crombleholme his younger sons to be equally divided amongst them. And makes John [Cro0038] & Robert [Cro0039] Crombleholme his said sons executors.

His inventory amounts to £180-00s-00d.

1633 - 28th May : William Crombleholme [Cro0040] , youngest son of George Crombleholme [Cro029] , had issue a son, George Crombleholme [Cro048] christened at Mitton May 28th 1633, and later in 1663 married at the same place to Jenet (nee Clough). [Cro0049] (Source : History of Chipping pp244-245)

Note In 1650 1st August : George Crombelholme [Cro00 ???? ] lands in Thornelle (Source : Royalist Comp Papers LRS Vol 26 p256) = son ??

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