Rev Richard Cromleholme

The Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] of St Michael on Wyre, Lancs) was the eldest son of Sherburne Crombleholme [Cro0105] and his wife Margaret (nee Houghton) [Cro0112] and a grandson of Richard Crombleholme [Cro0103] of Crombleholme Fold.

The relationship between Rev Richard Cromleholme [116] and Rev William Cromleholme [121] (who succeeded him as Vicar of St Michaels on Wyre) has at long last been resolved. They were second cousins, both having fathers named Sherburn Crombleholme with a common ancestor in William Crombleholme of Dutton [390] who had married Katherine Sherburne [111].

Please use this link to view the chart that shows these relationships.

1682 - 3rd July : Richard [Cro0116] ye son of Sherburne Crombleholme [Cro0105] of Smithbottom baptised. (Source : LPVS Vol 26 p60 Folio 196 Church of Ribchester)

Extract of record for above - the mention of Smithbottom (land near Huntingdon Hall) is important as later this Richard (i.e. Rev Richard C)[Cro0116] leaves "lands in Dutton called Smithbottom to his son William" [Cro0132] in his will. (RC ref NR15)

Note : It was common that a bishop could ordain anyone he wanted to with or without training as long as he was satisfied that they were "called of God" and capable of pastoring the people. Once ordained, they were as much priests as those with formal qualifications. (information via MP's friend Rev R F Keys BA of Surrey).

At the time of Bishop Gastrell's survey of the Diocese of Chester in 1705, the curate of Hambleton certified that he received £5 per annum from Sir Nicholas Sherburn out of the profits of the windmill and that £11 5s 0d was received from the rent of 17 acres of land and that the interest was £50 2s 10d. He also stated that there was preaching in the chapel one afternoon in three Sundays. The stipend of £5 per annum is still given to the vicar being a rental of land situated in Car Lane Hambleton (Source : RC Society go Gen. LPRS Vol 82)

The church appears to have been sited in a manor owned by the Sherburn family. The manor had a moat and an oratory chapel dedicated to St. Mary within it, a licence being obtained by Robert Sherbourne in 1456.

The inhabitants of Hambleton petitioned Queen Elizabeth in 1567 that ..........“their chapel commonly called “Our Ladie Chapell”, might be consecrated for divine service and administration of the sacraments by fit chaplains or curates, approved by the vicar of Kirkham, and for the burial of the bodies of the dead”.

This appears to have been successful as, in the same year, it was licensed for burials and administration of the sacraments.

The Parliamentary Commissioners in 1650 reported:- “There is no allowance to the minister, but only £5 per annum paid by Richard Sherbourne, Esquire, Lord of the Manor, and £40 per annum by order from the committee for plundered ministers.”

Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] was the last vicar to enter receipts in the Hambleton register.

Marriage

1706 - October 14th - St Chad, Poulton le Fyde. Richard Crombleholme [Cro0116] [of Hambleton] married Margaret (nee Thornton) [Cro0117] [Stano... ?? ] daughter of ... .....Thorton). RC - Hambleton; Margaret Thornton - Stano (Source : Marriages 1677 - 1713 p 174 entry 14 - Blackpool Central Library) Note : Margaret (nee Thornton) [117] died in April 1740, her will ref NR 13 notes debts of her eldest son Edward C [129] (see below)

Please see the top of this section for the correct relationship between the Rev Richard C [116] and Rev William C [116]

There was some confusion (about the relationship of Rev Richard C [Cro0116] to his grandfather Richard C [Cro0103] of Crombleholme Fold) in Victorian Histories and also by Mr John Bone who had supplied a lot of the information as this extract illustrates :

Presumptive evidence of this relationship (between Rev Richard C [Cro0116] and Richard Crombleholme [Cro0103] of Crombleholme Fold) appears in a mutilated marriage settlement dated January 1717 which exhibits among the parties to it William C [Cro0109] of Fairsnape, Richard C [Cro0116] "vicar of the parish and parish church of St Michaels" and Richard [Cro0123] son of the said William [Cro0109]. This document which appears to have been in the possession of Thomas C [Cro0146] of the Cross has descended with other family documents to a grandson [Cro0???] of his son Richard [Cro0154]

(see John Bone) - unfortunately this document is now lost. (Source History of Garstang p260 - notes details supplied by J Bone)

1706 - 1717 : Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] was curate of Hambleton (Source : LPRS Vol 82 p X )

Note : At the time of Bishops Gastrell's survey of the diocese of Chester in 1705, the curate of Hambleton certified that he received £5 per annum from Sir Nicholas Sherburn out of the profits of the windmill and that £11 5s 0d was received from the rent of 17 acres of land and that there was preaching in the chapel one afternoon in three Sundays. The Stipend of £5 per annum is still given to the vicar being a rental of land situated in Car Lane , Hambleton. (Source : LPRS Vol 82)

1709 - 7th August : Edward [Cro0129] son of Mr Ricd Crombleholme [Cro0116] baptised at Blessed Virgin Mary, Hambleton, Lancs (Source : Parish Reg Hambleton via OPC Lancs)

1712 - 30th July : Elizabeth [Cro0130] daughter of Mr Ricd Crombleholme [Cro0116] baptised at Blessed Virgin Mary, Hambleton, Lancs (Source : Parish Reg Hambleton via OPC Lancs)

1714 - 20th June : Izabell [Cro0135] daughter of Richard Crumblan [Cro0116] baptised at Hambleton. (Source Soc of Gen RC Apr 1986 - LPRS Vol 82 p 8 Hambleton P Reg) Note : She died in 1729 aged 15

1715 - 1729 : "Clergy associated with Woodplumpton" - "Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] was instituted to the mother church of St Michaels holding the living from 1715 to 1729. He was curate of Hambleton in 1709 and was the last vicar to enter receipts in these registers. A man of some wealth, he purchased part of the forfeited estates of the Butlers of Rawcliffe as well as the advowson of St Michaels. His son Edward Cromleholme [Cro0129] presented William Cromleholme [Cro0121] his cousin after Richard's death who held the living from 1729-1765". (Source : NS From Brancket Woodplumpton Regs 1659-1784)

1715 - 29th February : St Michael on Wyre - Thomas Clitherall* of Elswick gent. patron for that turn (Bishops Reg Chester) nominated Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] in November 1715. (Source History of St Michaels on Wyre Fishwick p119). The previous incumbent (since 1668) Rev T Robinson having died. (Note* : Earlier in 1655 - Richard C [103] married Eliz Clitherall [104] at Preston)

Allen Johnson and others had the advowson in 1703 (Pal of Lanc Plea R.478, m 5 d) and sold this advowson (right to patronage) to Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] after he became vicar in 1715. Richard's son Edward [Cro0129]in turn sold it to Thomas Whitehead

1715 - November : Thomas Clitherall of Elswick gent. patron for that turn (Bishops Reg Chester) nominated Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] in November 1715. (Source : Hist of St Michaels on Wyre - Fishwick p 119)

c1716 Midsummer - Petition at Lancashire Quarter Sessions Preston. Sacrament certificate of Rev Richard Crombleholme,[Cro0116] minster of St Michaels (Source Lanc record office cat ref Q - QSP / 1098 / 6)

1717 - ......? January : Marriage Settlement to which my kinsmen William Crombleholme [Cro0116] of Fairsnape in Bleasdale and the Rev Richard Crombleholme [Cro0116] are parties (Source Notes & Queries 3rd series Vol XII 14/12/1867 - a query by Mr John W Bone relating to Lancashire Recusant Ballads)

Note : One such ballad he refers to : "the manuscript itself comes from the neighbourhood to which they relate and has descended to me through my mother (nee Crombleholme), in a cover formed of a marriage settlement to which my kinsmen .....etc as above). John W Bone also contributed information to the History of Garstang Chapter VII (p259 -263) where he notes ......."Presumptive evidence of this relationship appears in a mutilated marriage settlement dated January 1717, which exhibits among the parties to it William Crombleholme of Fairsnape, Richard Crombleholme vicar of the parish and parish church of St Michaels, and Richard, son of the said William. This document, which appears to have been in the possession of Thomas Crombleholme of the Cross, has descended, with other family documents, to a grandson of his son Richard.

1718 - Richard Butler took part in the 1715 Rebellion and in consequence his estates were confiscated and sold by Act of Parliament in 1718. Richard Butler had been taken prisoner and condemned to death but died in prison in London on 16th January 1716. The Rawcliffe Estates were purchased by Rev R Crombleholm [Cro0116] and others in 1723 (see 30/4/1723 below - where it is also said that Richard Butler did not die in prison but escaped !) (Source : Baines - "History of Lancashire Vol II p524)

1719 - 25th January : John Plesington in 1716 attainted of treason. By indenture 25 January 1719 commissioners sold Dimples and other property.

(other property was in trust for Richard Crombleholme [Cro0116] clerk) (Source History of Garstang Vol 104 Chetham Soc p232)

1719 - 25th November : Title Cause Papers : Crombleholme v Park Papers in a tithe dispute between the Revd Richard Crombleholme [Cro0116], vicar of St Michaels' on Wyre and John Parke of St Michaels on Wyre including articles of libel concerning 2,000 bundles of hemp and 1,000 bundles of flax, 1719; responses of John Parke that all the owners and tenants of 620 acres of land in Out Rawcliff pay a modus in lieu of tithes to the Vicar of St Michael's on Wyre namely Moses Butler, Thomas Cartmell, Thomas Ryley, John Cartmell, James Parke, William Taylor, Hillary Ashton, John Gaskell, Alice Corles, Thurstan Crooke, Ellen Coward, John Parke, junior, James Poole, Job Cowell, Richard Bibby, Henry Carter, Thomas Atkinson, Agnes Butler, Mary Johnson, John Roskell, William Hodgson, John Townson, John Cowell, Thomas Barton, John Parke, Peter Robinson, John Salsibury, William Bond, Phillip Butler, Thomas Kirkham, William Thornhall, Cornelius Fox, Richard Singleton, James Atkinson, John Bickerstaffe, Richard Crombleholme, [Cro0???]** Henry Kirkham, George Bennet, Nicholas Clarkson, John Walker, Elizabeth Morris, Robert Carter, John Wyld, Thomas Pr[imatt], Samuel Crooke, esq.,Richard Bond, Thomas Cowall, William Sandam, Thomas Coward and Thomas Hodgkinson, 4 Nov 1719; deposition by Thomas Cowel of Out Rawcliff aged 45, yeoman that he has lived in St Michaels for 20 years and that in 1714 he was constable and collected the modus in lieu of tithes and that in 1718 he let to John Park a "Little Close" of half an acre, 18 Nov 1719; deposition of Thomas [Neesham] of Preesall, aged 21, yeoman saying that in 1718 he saw "a great deal of fine flax upon the Ground of John Park" and about half an acre of hay, 18 Nov 1719; request for and grant of writ of prohibition, 25 Nov 1719

(Source : [MM] LCRO Archdeaconry of Richmond Consistory Court , Cause papers Ref APR/2/4/10/89) Note : Another Richard Crombleholme !

1720 - .....? : Richard Crombleholme [Cro0116] , the vicar of St Michaels , in conjunction with other parties, purchased a portion of the forfeited estates of the Butlers of Kirkland. (Source : History of Garstang chapter VII p260)

1720 - 2nd July : Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] clerk, bondsman at marriage of Richard Parkinson of Eccleston Magna and Alice Parkinson. Witnesses : Edw Threfall and Edward Cromleholme [Cro ] (Source : Rec Soc Lancs & Cheshire Vol 75)

1720 - Richard Cromleholme[Cro0116] takes John Cartmel to court over non payment of small tithes.

An Examination of a Book, Lately Printed by the Quakers: By Thomas Hayter, pub J & H Pemberton at the Golden-Buck against St Duncan's Church in Fleet Street 1740 (Google eBook - extract from Page 28/29)

And by Them Distributed to the Members of Both Houses of Parliament, Entitled, A Brief Account of Many of the Prosecutions of the People Called Quakers, in the Exchequer, Ecclesiastical, and Other Courts, for Demands Recoverable by the Acts Made in the 7th and 8th Years of the Reign of King William III for the More Easy Recovery of Tythes, Church-rates, &c. : So Far as the Clergy of the Dioceses of Oxford, Glocester, and Chester, are Concerned in it

Quakers Charge page 68

John Cartmel was prosecuted in the Ecclefiaftical Court, for a Prescription in lieu of Tythes, at the Suit of Richard Cromleholm,[Cro0116] Priest, 1721.

[P] The Demand on John Cartmel was 6s 8d per annum in lieu of Tythes. He was committed by two Justices to Lancaster Goal, on a Significavit from the Ecclefiaftical Court, on the 20th of the month called July, 1721 and remained a Prisoner about three years. NB The parson first fummoned Cartmel to appear before the Justices who would have granted their Warrant for what they judg'd to be his due : But that not satisfying his Avarice, he proceeded in the severe manner aforefaid.

The Answer by the Rev William Cromleholm, [Cro0121] the present Vicar, and immediate successor to the said Richard Cromleholm [Cro0116] Mr Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] demanded 6s 8d of the said John Cartmel; not as a Prescription, but as a Composition for small Tythes, and applied to the justices to recover it. Cartmel pleaded, that Part of his Estate was sold off and that a proportionable Part of the siad Comosition should be born by the Purchasers, which was the Opinion of the Justices.But Mr Cromleholm dissatisified with this Judgement, sued him the Year following in the Ecclefiaftical Court, and Cartmel suffered himself to be excommunicated and imprisioned.

Divers Persons, of all Persuasions, were also prosecuted at the same time, to set aside an easy Composition which Mr Cromleholm's [Cro0121] immediate Predecessor had made with them 48 years before.

1720 - 2nd March : Richard Cromleholme, [Cro0116] vicar of St Michaels : Writ of Excommunication for John Cartmell of Rawcliff, St Michaels following a libel case involving Richard Cromleholme vicar of St Michaels. (Source : Lancashire Archives Ref ARR/2/3/6 - Archdeaconry of Richmond, Consistory Court - 1 paper folio) - not seen

1720 - 2nd July : Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] clerk co Lancs bondsman at marriage of Richard Parkinson of Eccleston Magna and Alice Parkinson. Witness : Ed Threlfall & Edward Cromleholme. [Cro0129](Source : Lancs Marriage Bonds Rec Soc of Lancs & Cheshire Vol 75 1711-1722)

1721 : Probate Cause Papers : Clitherall v Crombleholme - Citation for the Revd Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116], vicar of St Michael's-on-Wyre and executor of the will of Thomas Clitheral of Elswick, St Michaels (see W/RW/A/R24C/19) and show cause why administration of the estate cannot be granted to Ellen wife of James Morris/Norris and James Clitheral, niece and nephew of the deceased, 5 Feb 1721; depositions by William Hudson of Elswick, aged 30, reporting what happened when Thomas made his will "in the Testator's own house one Evening in the firehouse", John Bramwell of Elswick, aged 30 and John Thompson of Elswick, aged 46, all 21 Feb 1721; also mentions Margaret Bolton, the deceased's house keeper; final decree, 11 Apr 1722 (Source : Lancs Archives Ref ARR/2/4/8/148 - via Mike Murtha BC Canada 05/2017)

1721 - Thomas Clitherell gent left by will ..."£5 per annum charged upon his lands and ye advowson of ye Vicaridge for a master to instruct 25 of ye poorest children in Great Eccleston and Inskipp in Crosmore. The master to be chosen by Richard Crombleholme [Cro0116] Clerk, Vicar of St Michaels and his heirs and if he removes to Kop (Copp nr Elswick) school, or ever enjoys William Field's gift then another to be chosen." (Source Soc of Gen - Raines "Lancashire" Vol II Pt III p451 and also Notitia cestriensis Vol II Pt II Lanc [Soc of Gen])

Note : A footnote notes : His son (< incorrect) Rev William Crombleholme [Cro0121] MA Vicar of St Michaels married Anne [Cro0122] 3rd daughter of Alexander Butler of Kirkland Esq and his wife Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Parker of Browsholme Esq

1723 - 17th September : A document (I saw offered for sale on e bay !) - A very attractive and interesting hand written paper Bond document dated 17th September 1723 during the reign of King George I between Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] Clerk Vicar of St Michaels upon Wyre in the County Palatine of Lancaster John Leyland of Kellamergh Cornelius Fox of Preesall and Hackensall and James Poole of Hambleton all in the said County Yeomen on the one part and Edward Banks of Greenalagh and Thistleton in the said County Yeoman of the other part. Other names mentioned: Henry Butler Esq. Witnessed by: William Leyland & William Thawe. A very clean document bearing the usual storage folds. Comprising single sheet of period watermarked paper approx. 15” x 12” with all text fully legible for transcription. Five very delightful red wax seals. four of which are countersigned, or marked by Leyland, Fox,Poole and Banks plus three embossed revenue stamps. (Source : e bay !! - Not seen)

1723 : By virtue of an Act of Parliament Rawcliffe Hall and the manorial lands were in 1723 sold to Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] for £11,250.00 and in 1729 Edward Cromleholme [Cro0129] sold them to Thomas Roe whose heiress and daughter Elizabeth married John France of Eccleston. (Source : Historical Notes on the Fylde - Rev W T Bulpit 1913 - Lancs CRO)

1723 - Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116 of Upper Raw : Lease & release of a cottage and lands, a fishery in the Burn With in the River Wyre and a parcel of ground called Browns Parrock, all in Stalmine with Staynall. (Source : Lancs Archives Hawkshead-Talbot of Chorley Title deeds Gaskell Estates ref DDHK 3/7/29)

1724 - 8th August : Although Copp Chapel is near Elswick, it is situated in the township of Great Ecdeston (?). The following letters respecting the foundation of this Chapel are addressed from John France Esq and the Rev William Dickson, Vicar of Kirkham (1720-1744) to William Stratford Esq Commissary of Richmond and secretary to Bishop Gastrell.

....."Upon some discourse with Mr Dixon about Copp Chapell. I give you the trouble of this. When subscriptions were desired to build this chapel, it was proposed and intended to be not only for the use of inhabitants of St Michaels but likewise for the use of several other townships which lye in the Parish of Kirkham, remote from their Parish Church; and the inhabitants of this parish have contributed more towards the building than those of St Michaels, and we have erected it within Kirkham parish if the situation had been thought equally convenient (??). And, likewise, the person who promised to raise the hundred pounds towards the Queen's Bounty (?), gave a note touching the same, with conditions in Kirkham parish ?

Before the said chapel was erected the two Vicars of the Parishes were together, seemed to encourage our proceedings, and talked amicably and agreeably; but since the Chapell was built, several proposals have been made to which the vicar of Kirkham consented, but (Mr Richard Crombleholme)[Cro0116] the vicar of St Michaels seems to dislike them. One of the said proposals was that the determination of the affair might be referred to the Bishop of Chester, whose generous offer to procure a hundred pounds towards the Endowment of this Chapell gave great encouragement to our subscription, on pretence that the Vicar of St Michaels has departed from former proposals; but we hope (if these differences can be amicably settled to the satisfaction of the neighbour ? ) that not only the old, but likewise several new subscribers might be procured, especially if our grateful behaviour for by-past favours (?) may continue his Lordship's countenance and Encouragement; and we desire you to represent this matter to him as favourably as you think it will bear.

Pursuant to the intimat (?) in my former letter, Mr Dixon and some others went to View Mr Crombleholme's [Cro0116] estate in Goosnargh for which he asks £400. If the .....

1723/4 - 30th January : Out Rawcliffe. Conveyance by lease and release for £43. 17s . 6d. (i) Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] of Upper Rawcliffe cum Tamicar, clerk, John Leyland of Kellanargh, Cornelius Fox of Hackinsall, and James Pooll of Hambleton, yeoman, (ii) Thomas Blacow of Out Rawcliffe, yeoman, (iii) William Shaw the younger of Preston, gent -- a messuage and tenement in Out Rawcliffe, and closes called the field before the door, the field above the house, the Great Moss, the dale, and half the new acre 4ac. 3r,20f, formerly in possession of Thomas Coward now of T.B. --- to W.s> and his heirs Chief Rent of 2d. (Source : Lancs CRO. Bourne Family of Stalmine papers Ref DDBO 1 -182 Out Rawcliffe DDBO 70)

1723/4 - 4th February : Out Rawcliffe. Conveyance by (lease and) release for £55: (i) Richard Cromleholme, [Cro0116] of Upper Rawcliffe cum Tankard, clerk, John Leyland of Kellamargh, Cornelius Fox of Hackinsall and James Poolle of Hamilton, yeoman (ii) George Lewtus of Out Rawcliffe, husd. (iii) John Richardson of Preston, gent -- messuage and tenement in Out Rawcliffe, 5ac. formerly of Catherine Singleton, widow, now of GL. (Source : Lancs CRO. Bourne Family of Stalmine papers Ref DDBO 1 -182 Out Rawcliffe DDBO 71)

1723 April 30th... (From Preston Guardian 1878 - query 155) An extract from the diary of Rev Thomas Parkinson Curate of Garstang 1723-4 :

.......... Studied hard yesterday in the afternoon and this morning and finished the 103rd sermon. At night I preached it for T Raby of Tarnaker at St Michael. His son paid me 10s. Mr Crombleholm,[Cro0116] the vicar there came from London whilst I was there who in conjunction with three more had bought Rawcliff Demain and Tenants paying to the Board £11,260 (the estate of Mr Butler of Rawcliff Hall sequestered for his share in the 1715 rebellion). It cost them near £1000 more in hush money, as they call it.

The above appears to have been taken from "The Old Church Clock" by Rev Richard Parkinson (London, Rivingtons pub 1844) and is also quoted from by Baines in his "History of Lancashire Vol II p524 - he also quotes a further extract to explain the hush money :

....The allusion to "hush money" may be explained by the fact, communicated to me by Mr Thornber that the father of Richard Butler was not, as usually supposed, dead, but living as late as March 1719.

Rev W T Bulpit in his Historical Notes on the Fylde (pub 1913) notes ... By virtue of an act of parliament Rawcliffe Hall and manorial lands were in 1723 sold to Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] for £11250 and in 1729 Edward Cromleholme [Cro0129] sold them to Thomas Roe whose heiress and daughter Elizabeth married John France of Eccleston.

1723 / 1724 - Lease and release for £15 : Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] of Upper Rawcliffe, clerk, John Leyland of Kellamergh, Cornelius Fox of Hackinsall, and James Poolle of Hambleton, yeoman; 2) Margaret and Sarah Jacksonspinster daughters of Jennet Jackson of Stalmine, widow (Source : Lancs CRO Ref DDH 1351)

1723 / 1724 - Richard Cromleholme,[Cro0116] Clerk of upper Rawcliffe and Tarnacre party to lease and release (Source : Preston CRO Quarter Sessions Petitions DDX 15/20)

1724 - 1st & 2nd May : Conveyance by lease and release for £15 : Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] of Upper Rawcliffe cum Tarnicar, clerk, John Leyland of Kellamergh, Cornelius Fox of Hackinsall, and James Poolle of Hamilton, yeoman, to John Woodhouse of Stalin, husb. and Robert Hudson of Hamilton, blacksmith -- a wind corn mill and Mill Hill and waste ground in Styanoe, in possession of Henry Wilkinson, with the "mill stones, sales (sails ?), sale yards. going gear" also moss upon Stalmin Moss -- Chief rent of 2d. Above premises in lease to Henry wilkinson of Stain. (Source : Lancs CRO. Bourne Family of Stalmine papers Ref DDBO 1 -182 Stalmine with Staynall DDBO 126)

1725 - 1st & 2nd July : Transfer back again between above parties ( LCRO : ref DDBo127a+b)

Note : Copies of above documents (i.e. DDBO 126 & 127) relating to the windmill sale have been obtained (by RC) from Lancashire CRO but not fully transcribed as they are in a difficult hand and are complex with several pages of script.

Above : Hambleton Old Mill (left hand : from a water colour sketch by Chas Auty). (Given to RC by Christine Crumblehulme January 2012)

The mill is a small timber post mill and the above record appears to be the earliest record so far as windmill records have the earliest mention as 1870. It was sadly demolished along with the cottages in 1934.

1726 - Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] & Jekin Turner (defendants) v Robert Butterworth , clerk of Wood Plumpton (Plaintiff) Litigation Court of Chancery Six Clerks Office Pleadings Sewell Div. (Source Nat Archives ref C 12/29/7 & C 11/363/53) (not seen)

1730 - 24 June Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] (deceased) transfer to Henry Fox from his exct Margaret [Cro0117] (Richard's wife) - Rich Thornton witness (Source Lancashire CRO DDBo126 & 127 as above)

His Signature :

His Children :

Their Baptisms :

1709 - 7th August : Edward C [Cro0129] son of Richard Crumleholme [Cro0116] baptised (Source : Hambleton Parish Reg Soc of Gen LPRS Vol 82)

1712 - 30th July : Elizabeth C [Cro0130] dau of Richard Cromleholme baptised (Source : Hambleton Parish Reg Soc of Gen LPRS Vol 82)

Elizabeth Cromleholme [Cro0130] married Nathan Arden (of Ribchester) at Ribchester on 6th December 1731 (Source : Boyds Marriages 317 p124 has St Michaels on Wyre ?? )

Elizabeth Cromleholme [Cro0???] married Laurance Salter at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : Boyds Marriages 317 p124) ???

1714 - 20th June : Izabell C [Cro0135] daughter of Richard Crumblan baptised (died as child in 1728 * (Source : Hambleton Parish Reg Soc of Gen LPRS Vol 82) (Note* : recorded on stone by father's floor grave stone)

1717 - 22nd June : Agnes C [Cro0131] daughter of ye Reverend Mr Rich Cromleholme Vicar of St Michaels baptised (Source : Michaels on Wyre baptisms 1707 - 49).

Agnes Cromleholme [Cro0131] married Richard Harrison of Bankfield in 1740 at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : Boyds Marriages 317 p118) and they had five sons :

Richard Harrison of Bankfield, gent.

Rev Cuthbert Harrison BA (Trinity College Cambridge) died 1st June 1790 aged 46.

Joseph Harrison of Poulton

Edward Harrison physician of Horncastle Lincolnshire

William Harrison - of St Michaels gent died 19th August 1836

(Source Vol XXIX Lanc & Cheshire Antiq Soc p 127) (Note : Agnes [131] is recorded on a floor flagstone by father's floor grave stone - She was buried June 18th 1768 aged 50 at St Michaels on Wyre.

1722 - 16th September : Mary C [Cro0134] daughter of ye Reverend Mr Rich Cromleholme Vicar of St Michaels baptised (died as infant 1728) (Source : Michaels on Wyre baptisms 1707 - 49) (Note : recorded on a flagstone by father's floor grave stone)

(twins)

1722 - 16th September : William C [Cro0132] son of ye Reverend Mr Rich Cromleholme Vicar of St Michaels baptised (Source : Michaels on Wyre baptisms 1707 - 49)

William Cromleholme [Cro0132] Mariner of Singleton was buried 7th November 1754 at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : St Michaels on Wyre burials 1750-72) (note : recorded on a flagstone stone by father's floor grave stone)

1725 - 27th March : Margaret C [Cro0133] daughter of ye Reverend Mr Rich Cromleholme Vicar of St Michaels baptised (died as infant 1728) (Source : St Michaels on Wyre baptisms 1707 - 49) (Note : recorded on a flagstone by father's floor grave stone)

1728 - 23rd February : Mr Sherburn Crombleholme [Cro0105] (Rev Richard C’s father) buried at St Michaels on Wyre; abode - Upper Rawcliffe (source : OPC via MM 28/7/17 & Parish Reg MM 11/2019)

Deaths : Very sadly, three of his daughters died as young children all in one month in 1729 with Richard himself dying only a month later. (Note : all in 1729 calendar year as end date for church year was 25th March). These deaths were probably due to a contagious illness in the family (see graph and research paper below). All the deaths are recorded on a stone by father's floor grave stone.

1729 - 7th March : Isabel C [Cro0135] daughter of Richard Cromleholme vicar of St Michaels buried (age 14) (Source : St Michaels on Wyre burials 1707 - 49)

1729 - 13th March : Margaret C [Cro0133] daughter of Richard Cromleholme, vicar buried (age 2.5) (Source : St Michaels on Wyre burials 1707 - 49)

1729 - 28th March : Mary [Cro0134] daughter of Richard Cromleholme, vicar buried (age 6) (Source : St Michaels on Wyre burials 1707 - 49)

His Will :

1729 - 16th April : Will (My ref NR 15) : This appears to have been written on the very day that Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] died aged 47 years. A transcription can be read using this link.

His Death and burial :

1729 - 16th April : Richd Cromleholme - vicar. (Source : St Michaels on Wyre burials 1707 - 49). From the inscription in St Michaels upon Wyre Church (see below), he died on the 16th April having, it would seem, made his will on the same day. He was buried in the church itself with a floor tombstone in what is now the Butler Chapel. (inscription is below photographs)

Below : Crest on Rev Richard Crumbleholme's [Cro0116] floor tombstone (in St Michael's Church) (photos : RC)

Inscription on Rev Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] gravestone in St Michaels Church :

"Under this stone are ye remains of the Reverend Mr Rich Cromleholme late Patron and Vicar of ye Parifh Church of St Michaels who resigned up his Soul udo ye hands of ye eternal Comforter ye 16th Day of April 1729."

On immediately adjoining stone :

"Isabell, Margret and Mary daughters of Richard Cromleholme buried here in March 1828. Margaret **his widw. interred April the third Anno 1740. William their son inter'd November the 17th 1754 aged 34 years. Agnes Harrifon their daughter interred June 18th 1768 aged 50".

RC note : I had visited the church on a couple of occasions in the 1980's but one of those "chance happenings" (perhaps a result of fate ?) occurred when I visited the church with my son Simon in June 1990. We entered the church and I took him to the Butler Chapel only to see a carpet fitter roll a new carpet over the stone at that precise moment ! We obviously explained the situation and he removed it temporarily to allow us to view it.

I did write to the then vicar, the Venerable Kenneth Gibbons, asking that he sought advice from his church architect. He did reply but without much reassurance ! As I write this in February 2012, I have not returned to the church since but hope to do so in the future. I was not very happy that the stone was being covered.

However, in December 2015, whole area was badly flooded. Let us hope that this lovely church escaped damage. I returned in 2016 and although it was badly flooded, the building has been fully reinstated. The carpet was not replaced so the gravestone is now visible again. Thank you Mother Nature !

1736 - 13th March : Edward Crombleholme [Cro0129] : Deposition of Mofs ? House to Robt Hudson - lease and release of Rev Richard C in 1724 (Source : Lancs CRO Ref 4/88 DDBo157) Note : Probably Moss House

1740 - 3rd April : Mrs Margaret Cromleholme [Cro0117] (wife of Rev Richard C) of Elswick buried at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : Par reg burials 1707-49; + "History of St Michaels on Wyre" by Henry Fyshwick - Published by Chetham New Series Vol 25 p119-122 = Rev Richard & William Cromleholme)

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