Rev William Cromleholme

The Rev William Cromleholme [Cro0121] of St Michael on Wyre, Lancs) was the second eldest son Sherburn Crombleholme [Cro0211] and his first wife Mary (nee Ricroft) [Cro0409] and a grandson of Roger Crombleholme [Cro0097] of Long Preston.

The relationship between Rev William Cromleholme [Cro0121] and the Rev Cromleholme [Cro0113] who he succeeded as Vicar of St Michael on Wyre in 1729 has at long last been resolved. They are second cousins, both having fathers named Sherburn Crombleholme ([Cro0121] & [Cro0121] ) with a common ancestor in William Crombleholme [Cro0390] of Dutton.

Please use this link to view the chart showing these relationships.

Little is known about Rev William Cromleholme's [Cro0121] early life or education.

Fortunately, some clerical history and his ordination (see 1723 below) have been found. It appears that 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).

1722 - 27th August : A petition to Rev John Holme, Vicar of Blackburn, signed by sixty seven inhabitants of the Chapelry of Tockholes, the prayer of which is : “We desire you will please to nominate the Rev, Mr Clayton curate of our chapell, and you will thereby very much oblige us”. The Vicar paid no regard to this application, for one William Crombleholme [Cro0121] was nominated to the vacancy.

The Endowment of a dwelling house is in the hands of the Presbyterian Trustees, who will give no account of the Benefactors, but pay the curate punctually with the interest except when the chapel wants repairing, when they apply it to that use to save themselves. Circumference about 9 miles. The inhabitants of Tockholes and part of Livesey, repair to it. Divine service every other Sunday (....most of the inhabitants frequent a Presbyterian Meeting House there is within the chapelry those Sundays there is no service in their own chapel.) No Warden. Three miles from Parish Church and two miles from any other chapel. (Source : History of Blackburn, town and parish by W A Abram 1877 - p694/5)

1723 - 22nd September : Ordination of William Cromleholme [Cro0121] as Deacon by William, Archbishop of York (with Heraldic Seal)

(Source Lancs CRO Pedder MunimentsRef DDPD/46/1) (Not transcribed - Latin)

1724 : In 1724, a commission consisting of Thomas Towneley, Banister Parker, Robert Chaddock, John Ainsworth Esqrs, and Henry Seilden, gentleman, were directed to inquire by oath of twelve good and lawful men of the country into certain breaches of trust and misemployment of moneys belonging to the chapel at Tockholes. Before these commissioners evidence was given..............."that several gifts, donations by several charitable and well disposed persons amounting in the whole to the sume of £163;” .........the trustees have taken upon them act as trustees for the said stock without any authority or warrant to do so ............and have misapplied, misconverted, and misgoverned the same”. A decree dated 3rd November 1724 (confirmed by the Court of Chancery of Lancaster) required the above parties should repay the sum within one month. This sum to be invested for the use of the preaching minister for the time being at Tockholes Chapel. (Source : History of Blackburn, town and parish by W A Abram 1877 - p694/5)

1724 - 1729 - William Cromleholme [Cro0121] - licence to preach in Tockholes in 1726 (see copy of licence - to be checked). William had been ordained as a deacon at this time.

Note : RC visited Tockholes in May 1985 and it is obviously an ancient site. Church rebuilt in 1494, restored in 1620 and rebuilt again in 1833. Sadly in 1985 a modern prefab type building occupies the site with only an old entry doorway standing nearby. A marble plaque on the modern porch wall (not fixed) lists vicars from the earliest times.

1728 : Christopher Preston of Leyland (of the Long Preston family) mentions in his will of 1728 "cousin Crombleholme [121] parson of Tockholes" (source : Dr Hoyle ...... ? via MM Nov 2021)

1729 - 14th June : William Cromleholme [Cro0121] : Letters testimonial from Samuel, Bishop of Chester, presenting William Cromleholme,[Cro0121] clerk, to the vicarage of St Michaels-on-Wyre (Heraldic Seal) (Source : Lancs CRO Pedder Muniments - Ref DDPD/46/2)

1729 - 24th June : Edward Cromleholme [Cro0129] of St Michaels gent. son and heir of Richard Cromleholme [Cro0116] Clerk deceased presented William Cromleholme [Cro0121] clerk to the living and he was instituted 24th June 1729. (Source History of St Michaels on Wyre p121)

1730 - Freemen of Garstang admitted since 1721 (from History of Garstang Chetham doc Vol CIV & CV)

Edward Crombleholme [Cro0129] June 29th 1730

Rev W Crombleholme [Cro0121] September 1730

1735 - 6th April : Marriage At Parish church of Garstang - William Cromleholme [Cro0121] vicar of St Michaels and Ann Butler [Cro0122] of Kirkland in parish of Garstang spr. Bondsman : Thomas Beesley of Kirkland yeoman; Witness Legh Richmond & Eliz Moore. (Source Lanc Marriage Bonds Part V 1734-38 p43. Soc of Gen)

1736 - March 13th : Deposition of Mofs (? sic) House to Rob Hudson by Edward Crombleholme [Cro0129] (NB Rob Hudson party to lease / realise inn 1724 - see Rev Richard C) (Source Lanc CRO 4/88 DDBo 157)

1736 - 6th August : Alexander Cromleholme [Cro0136] born son of Rev William Cromleholme[Cro0121] of St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire and his wife Ann (nee Butler) [Cro0122] (daughter of Alexander Butler of Kirkland) was baptised at St Michaels.

1736 - St Michaels Church : The choir area was re-roofed and date inscribed on beam over the choir. (Source - church information article)

1737 - 13th November : Elizabeth Cromleholme [Cro0140] daughter of Rev William Cromleholme [Cro0121] & Anne (nee Butler) [Cro0122] baptised at St Michaels. (Note : She did not marry but died very wealthy (left £7000+) living at Kirkland Hall - her will : NR7)

1737 - William Cromleholme [Cro0121] vicar of St Michael upon Wyre (plaintiff) v Thomas Iddon & Richard Harrison (defendants) Bill Only Court of Chancery Six Clerks Office : Pleadings 1714-1758. Sewell Div. (source NA - ref C 11/620/9) not seen

1738 - July : Rev William Cromleholme [Cro0121] made an entry in the Church Warden's book saying that he had seen ..." a register belonging to ye Parish of St Michaels commencing for ye year 1574 and ending with ye year 1641 and that it was in the hands of Hugh Tyrer". Hugh Tyrer died the year following and left his estate to his only son Robert Note : It appears that the records have not been found. St Michael on Wyre Parish Registers exist before 1661 (?). The earliest vestry book & accounts start in 1667. (Source : Church information article)

1739 - 11th March : William Cromleholme [Cro0141] son of Rev William Cromleholme [Cro0121] & Anne (nee Butler) [Cro0122] baptised at St Michaels (Note : It would appear that he did not marry ??) He was buried 9th February 1773 at St Michaels on Wyre recorded as "Gent of London son of Rev William C vicar of this parish) (Par Reg 1750-72)

1741 - 7th October : William Cromleholme [Cro0121] (vicar of st Michaels) witness to appointment of John Braithwaite as vicar at Garstang by Alexander Butler. (Source : History of Garstang p206)

1742 - St Michaels Church : One church bell (English type) installed or replaced (source as above)

1755 - 13th August : - Mortgage for £1500 : 1) Edmund Butler of Elm Court in the Temple, London and Thomas Clayton of Preston, gents; 2) William Crombleholme [Cro0121] of St Michaels, clerk, Ann [Cro0122] his wife (a daughter of Alexander Butler of Kirkland esq deceased) , Elizabeth Wilson.

It also quotes an earlier mortgage dated 4th Feb 1735 between John Singleton of Knowle, William Cromleholme & his wife, Thomas Whitehead of Claughton gent dec'd and others (Source : Lancs CRO Pedder Muniments Ref DDPD DDP4)

Below : Rev William C 's [Cro0121] Church Records (CCed) : CCEd ref 72261

1764 - 28th October : Ann Cromleholme [Cro0122] ye wife of Rev Cromleholme [Cro0121] vicar of St Michaels buried. (Register of St Michaels - Burials 1750-72)

1765 - 18th July : Rev William Cromleholme [Cro0121] died on 18th July 1765 and is recorded as being aged 65 (on inscription below).

He was buried on 20th July 1765 at St Michaels on Wyre (Register of St Michaels - Burials 1750-72)

WILL

1765 : Will (Ref NR 12) Rev William Cromleholme [Cro0121] Vicar of St Michaels on Wyre

Will made 18th November 1764 Died 18th July 1765 Proved 1765

Left his son Rev Alexander C [Cro0136] estate in Great Eccleston & Elswick called Water Gate & his tobacoe (sic) pipe, books & manuscripts.

Daughter Elizabeth C [Cro0140] (NR 7)- Freehold estate in Catterall & Claughton, Sturzacker Houses

Son William C [Cro0141] - Cottage & land in Outrawcliffe formerly Primart House

Residue to three children

Executors : Alexander Butler of Kirkland & sister in law Jane Butler & daughter Elizabeth C.[140]

Gravestone of Rev William Cromleholme[Cro0121] (RC photo - external against wall of church)

Other records for St Michaels on Wyre :

1670 - 23rd September : John Crumlam (Crombleholme) [Cro0502] of Elswick buried at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : Par Reg & LPRS)

1727 - 23rd February : Sherburn Cromleholme) [Cro0105] of Upper Raw buried at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : Par Reg 1707-49 )

1731 - 6th December : Elizabeth (Mrs ??) Crombleholme [Cro0130] married Mr Nathan Arden of Ribchester at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : Par reg marriages 1707-41)

1733 - 20th January : Elizabeth Crombleholme [Cro0120] of Michaels married Laurance Salter of Preston at St Michaels on Wyre (Source : Par reg marriages 1707-41)

1777 - 27th April : Agnes (Mrs) Crombleholme [Cro0520] of Liverpool buried at St Michaels on Wyre (Par reg - 1772-1812) (Note : Agnes (nee Baygott) [Cro0520] had married William C [Cro0519] “of Liverpool” in 1750 in Ormskirk. Her will SR6 - no known children)

1783 - 20th July : Grace Crombleholme [Cro0287] d/o John C [Cro0272] & Winifred (nee Threlfall) [Cro0273] at Great Eccleston St Mary RC in Michaels on Wyre (CFI)

1787 - 25th March : Sarah Crombleholme [Cro0288] d/o John C [Cro0272 ] & Winifred (nee Threlfall) [Cro0273] at Great Eccleston St Mary RC in St Michaels on Wyre (CFI)

1794 - 26th August : Henry Crombleholme [Cro0384] (X) Parish of St Michael, married Margaret (nee Preston) [Cro0385 ] (X) Parish of St Michael at St Anne, Woodplumpton. Witnesses : Thos Moon & William Holiday; Married by publication by Matthew Worthington, curate. (Source : OPC Lancs Marriages 1784-1803 p 30’ entry 67 LDS Film 1470949)

1807 - 18th October : Winifred Crombleholme [Cro0317] d/o Sarah Crombleholme [Cro0288] at Great Eccleston St Mary RC in Michaels on Wyre (CFI)

1812 - 25th March : Grace Crombleholme [Cro0318] d/o Sarah Crombleholme [Cro0288] at Great Eccleston St Mary RC in Michaels on Wyre (CFI)

1819 - 19th December : Elizabeth Crombleholme [Cro0319] d/o Sarah Crombleholme [Cro0288] at Great Eccleston St Mary RC in Michaels on Wyre (CFI)

1826 - 6th February : Winifred Crumbleholme [Cro0317] x) married John Cross of Out Rawcliffe - both of Out Rawcliffe in this parish by banns in presence of Charles Cross and Robert Fairclough. (Par reg - 1813-1866 No 201) Note : This Winifred C [317] is d/o John C [272] & Winifred (nee Threlfall [273] - born before their marriage. (Note : Is this the Cross who settled property etc on the Brothers of Garstang ??)

1829 - ..................: Sarah Crumbleholme [Cro0288] married Thomas Parkinson at St Michaels on Wyre. (Source : Boyds Marriages 497)

1832 - 13th October : Winifred Crumbleholme [Cro0292] of Poulton spinster married Thomas Cumming of Great Eccleston of this parish, Surgeon and bachelor at St Michaels on Wyre by licence in presence of Robert Holden and Jane Crombleholme (x) (Source : Par Reg No 330 & Boyds Marriages 497)

1836 - 19th November : Grace Crumbleholme [Cro0303] spinster, married Joseph Gornall, bachelor (both of Great Eccleston of this parish) at St Michaels on Wyre. by banns in presence of Margaret Gornall and William Crombleholme (Source : Par Reg No 407 & Boyds Marriages 497)

1836 - ..................: Winifred Crumbleholme [Cro0307] married Richard Shaw at St Michaels on Wyre. (Source : Boyds Marriages 497)

1837 - ..................: William Crumbleholme [Cro0305] married Jennet (Jenny) (nee Butler) [Cro0306] at St Michaels on Wyre. (Source : Boyds Marriages 493 p273)

1869 - 7th October : Dorothy Crumbleholme [Cro0326] married Thomas Swarbrick at St Michaels on Wyre. (Source : IGI M005751 / 2538)

End.