priests

A SHORT ACCOUNT

OF THE MISSIONARY PRIESTS

WHO SERVED UGTHORPE AND EGTON BRIDGE

DURING THE PENAL DAYS

Little is known of the lives of many of these brave men, dates and names are confused, but with the aid of Fr. Hervey's registers and notes of Ugthorpe and district I have endeavoured to give a fairly accurate account of those known to have been in the district. Fr. Hervey's book, now in the Archives at Westminster, is a delight to read, and a great contribution to local history. It is just a bundle of paper sheets roughly sewn together, and covered in old brown leather, much too small a cover, consequently the edges of the leaves are frayed and dirty. When one considers that Fr. Hervey must have written these notes from memory (for notes in those days of anything pertaining to our religion would be very unsafe to have about), the little inaccuracies that crop up may readily be forgiven as it is, with the aid of my own family papers I have been able to correct and supplement these notes. I wish they could be printed for all to read.

The first name is that of the Venerable Edmund Gennings, who arrived at Whitby from Douai in 1590. He narrowly escaped capture there by Ratcliffe the pursuivant but took refuge in an inn, and eventually was conducted to the house of a Catholic gentleman a few miles inland, probably Egton Bridge, He stayed in the district some six months, then went to London, where at Gray' Inn Fields he suffered martyrdom 10th December 1591.

Thomas Clarke, a renegade priest, reported to the Privy Council in 1593, that the Rev. Cuthbert Crayford had been serving at Mrs. Radcliffe's at Ugthorpe (Ugthorpe Old Hall) for a year, and that Alexander Rawlins, Peter Gonne, Peter Snowe, Richard Redon, Thomas Jackson, Anthony Page and John Wilton, all priests, had been seen at the house of John Hodgson at Grosmont. Frs. Rawlins (1595) Snowe (1598), Page (1593) all suffered martyrdom at York. John Hodgson was of the Biggin House family, and in I563 Thomas Smith of Bridgeholm Green, Egton Bridge, was a witness to his will. In the earliest known list of Yorkshire Recusants 1604, there are many evidences of priests working in the district, but no names are given, though secret marriages and baptisms imply that they were performed by priests. Egton makes a brave show, Smiths, Hodgsons, Knaggs, Lawsons, Roes, Pearsons, and Readmans, are but a few of the names mentioned in this list, whose descendants are still living today in the district.

The second name is that of the Venerable Nicholas Postgate D.D. our own beloved martyr, who was born at Egton Bridge in the year 1596, and, after being educated at Douai, returned to England in 1650. He first served the Meynell and Saltmarshe families at Kilvington near Thirsk, and Lady Dunbar at Burton Constable, returning to his native place about 1650. Much has been written about this dear old man, but more might be done by all, much more to further his cause at Rome. Perhaps we do not realize that many of us are descendants of his playmates and that he who gave his life for the Faith, has kept guard over those descendants and prayed that the Faith may never leave them, and looking around us, how wonderfully those prayers have been heard. "Make known your Martyrs to Us and We will canonise them" words of Pope Pius X.

After fifty years as a missionary priest, Fr. Postgate was arrested whilst baptising a child at Littlebeck near Whitby, and taken to York, where he was executed on the 7th of August 1679. During his examination he mentioned the names of Father Goddricke and Father John Jowsey who were then dead. On 8th Dec. 1678, Andrew Jowsey (described as a priest by the witness Matthew Morgan of Egton) was arrested; he denied the fact of his being a priest, but refused to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and was acquitted, a clear case of the wrong man being arrested, as John Jowsey the priest was dead. The Jowsey family were natives of Guisborough, John Jowsey before he became a priest, was a corrier of leather dresser of that town, he was proclaimed as a recusant at Thirsk Sessions 5th Oct. 1636, and convicted at Hemsley 10th Jan. 1637, he went to Douai in 1646, and was ordained on 1647.

The Rev. George Smith had evidently been on the Ugthorpe mission previous to the 24th July 1684. He was probably of the Egton Bridge family; there is still in existence a carved oak missal box, inscribed with the following initials (E.S.) (G.S.) dated 1666. He was of the Order of St Augustus, and had a stipend of £12 yearly, the first record of any stipend.

Father Anderton is the first mentioned as forced to leave the place, but whether the reference is to Ugthorpe, Egton Bridge or Cleveland generally is not clear; no date is given, except that of his death in 1708, and I think he has been confused with the Fr Anderton who was arrested at Craythorne in 1746, convicted at York, and eventually set at liberty in 1747 on condition he left Yorkshire.

The Rev. John Marsh was Fr. Postgate's immediate successor; he is described as a man of excellent parts, wit, and zeal, educated at St. Omer and Valladolid, returns to England in 1660. He was banished from London by Dangerfield the informer, and went to Lancashire, thence to Ugthorpe, but resided chiefly at Egton Bridge. One Eastertime he had nearly 900 communicants and these scattered at great distances.

The Rev. John Danby had a warrant out for his arrest, on the evidence of Ursula Hawkswell dated 13th July 1708, for saying Mass at Craythorne and Ugthorpe; he was imprisoned at York. The following extract is from the Loftus Parish Register "Mr. John Danby, Priest of the Church of Rome, was buried 19th June 1719.

The Rev. George Bostock lived and died with the Smiths at Egton Bridge, leaving behind him a small book of printed editions with his signature inscribed, printed in 1686, which I possess. It is said Fr Bostock died of cold through hiding from the constables who were sent to arrest him. I know he was working in the garden at Egton Bridge when they came after him, but as he was disguised as a working man, and was a clever gardener, he was able to satisfy their enquiries. When Bishop Williams 0.P. made his Visitation of Cleveland in May 1728, the first of the four houses he visits was that of Richard Smith of Egton Bridge, and in the chapel attached to the house; His Lordship confirmed 84 persons. When this chapel was taken down in the early part of the nineteenth century, a horn chalice banded with silver was found. This is now in the possession of Richard Smith New Zealand, the last representative of a family who for many generations helped to keep the Faith alive in this district. Father Bostock died on l7th Sept. 1728, and the following is an extract from Egton Parish Register, "Buried 20th Sept. 1728, George Bostock, ye supposed Papist priest of Egton Bridge.

The Rev. Thomas Smith is another priest who was banished, but no date is given; he is sometimes described as of Angram Grange near Coxwold, if so, he died near Easingwold 2nd Nov 1755. Angram Grange was the seat of Marmaduke Bowes, who on the arrest of Fr. Taylor there in 1585, rode immediately to York to speak for him, and was himself arrested and hung at York, dressed as he was In his boots and spurs, on 26th Nov. 1585.

The Rev. Peter Phillips, was at Egton Bridge, in 1734, as in that year he was a witness to the will of Mrs. Richard Smith, (nee Vasavour). He is described by the Rev. Jas. Borwick, incumbent of Whitbv as 'a close and artful man'. Fr. Phillips went from Egton Bridge to Leyburn, and afterwards to Ugthorpe about 1757. He died there on 23rd Nov. 1761, leaving in his will to the Rev. Thomas Shepherd of Egton Bridge the sum of £6-6-O. Fr. Phillips used often to visit Guisborough to see three Catholic ladies of the name of Metcalf. These ladles were descended from the old Catholic family of Tocketts of Tocketts.

The Rev. Thomas Liddell, Egton Bridge, ordained at Lisbon, 21st Jan. 1742, arrived in England 16th Jan.1743, gave great scandal to the Government by political propaganda in favour of the Stuarts so Bishop Dicconson had to replace him. He was of the Liddell family of Wycliffe and a relation by marriage of the Smiths.

The Rev. Luke Potts was sent Thy Bishop Dicconson to Ugthorpe, as on account of the indiscretion of Fr. Liddell, it was thought not safe to send him to Egton Bridge, he arrived at Ugthorpe with a letter to Fr. Hervey on 12th Nov. 1745. News, however, had leaked out of his arrival, and the constables were sent to arrest both priests, so they tried to get shelter at Egton, but no one would take them in, so they wandered about the moors until, exhausted they returned to Ugthorpe, where they were arrested on 11th Dec. 1745 and imprisoned at York. In fairness to the Egton people an explanation of the above is needed. As Catholics they were in the minority, (a troop of soldiers was stationed at Guisborough) they knew nothing of the views of Fr. Potts, and having had experience of Fr.Liddell, they did not wish to be embroiled in schemes which would undoubtedly have caused bloodshed. "Obedience to the powers that be" is an injunction of the church, which such staunch Catholics, generation after generation, could not fail to know. Only when the Government came between them and God, came their firm refusal to comply. On that basis the name "Recusant" will always remain an honoured one amongst us. I think there was no charge of disloyalty to the loyal priests, bitter though Fr. Hervey's remarks are. On Fr. Potts' acquittal on the 21st. Dec. 1746, he rode sixty miles to Wycliffe, and on being called next morning, he was found booted and spurred, kneeling, as he knelt exhausted to say his prayers the night before.

The Rev. Monoux Hervey arrived at Ugthorpe in 1734, and opened a school there in 1737. He was arrested with Fr. Potts, by a constable, and twelve soldiers, at 10 o'clock on the night of 11th December 1745, carried the next day to Whitby, and were there assaulted and abused by the mob. They were kept there until Sunday morning under strict guard, whence they were taken to Guisborough, where four Justices of the Peace committed them to York Castle upon their refusal to take the oaths. Fr. Hervey was released in 1747 under bail to leave Yorkshire. He retired to London, where he died on 22nd Dec. 1756. The following is his farewell to Yorkshire:

"A Memorandum for the Moors at Ugthorpe.

Mr. Nicholas Postgate was martyred at York.

Mr. Anderton was forced to leave the place.

Mr. John Danby was cast into York Jail.

Mr. Bostock died of a cold, in hiding himself from the Constables.

Mr. Thomas Smith was banished.

(Fr. Hervey) was denied shelter, taken and cast into Jail.

And Mr. Potts they would not receive at Egton, therefore was taken along with the same M.H. from the Moors in Yorkshire, good Lord deliver us. Amen."

The chief evidence against Fr. Hervey, was Ralph Pierson, a weaver, a fallen Catholic to whom Fr. Hervey had been for many years a father to him and his poor family. The Lord convert him and pardon him., I freely forgive him and my Enemys. Fr. Hervey's words.

The Rev. Thomas Shepherd, a newly ordained priest from Douai, was in charge of Ugthorpe some time previously to August 1747; later he was at Egton Bridge as seen by Fr. Phillip's will; he probably died 19th Jan. 1774. There is some confusion with another priest of the same name.

The Rev. Edward Ball, a Professor at Douai until 6th Aug. 1747, after which he was appointed to Ugthorpe where he stayed until 1750, subsequently he became a Professor at St. Omer.

The Rev. James Parkinson, is said to have come to Ugthorpe in 1761, dying 13th November 1766.

The Rev. Christopher Hodgson, son of William and Elizabeth Hodgson of Ugthorpe, born 1729, ordained at Lisbon, was stationed at Ugthorpe when he died on Christmas Day 1765 aged 36. As the mission could not possibly have supported two priests, we may assume that Fr. Hodgson returned home an invalid, doing a little work when able, his parents, of the Biggin House family being well able to support him.

The Rev. Francis Hodgson, though not known to have been at either Ugthorpe or Egton Bridge, assisted the poor Catholics on the moors and Cleveland generally; he was also of the Biggin House family and died 24th May 1726.

The Rev. John Bradshaw, came from Douai to Ugthorpe in 1768, and. in the following year opened the new chapel, which occupied the space over his rooms, and under the thatched roof. This does not sound very grand, but it had to serve its purpose for the next 42 years. When Bishop Walton made his visitation in Oct. 1773, Fr. Bradshaw returned his Communicants at 173. He left Ugthorpe for Cliffe in 1777, but returned and died there 30th Apr. 1790.

The Rev. Thomas Ferby, came to Ugthorpe about 1774 and remained there until 1777.

The Rev. John Marsland, came to Ugthorpe from Scarborough about 1777 and remained 10 years. He died at York 20th May 1808, aged 82.

The Rev. Henry Dennet succeeded in 1788, but remained only one year, and after this brief tenure termed Ugthorpe "The purgatory of the Mission".

The Rev. Thomas Talbot of the Lancashire family, came to Egton Bridge about 1788 and also had the charge of Ugthorpe for a time. He painted the picture of Egton Bridge showing the Smith's house with their chapel, also the new chapel, now the present school built in 1798. This picture I possess.

The Rev. James Bertout, a French émigré priest was at Ugthorpe from 1798 till 1802? when he returned to France.

The Rev. John Woodcock, served both parishes until the arrival of the Rev. George Leo Haydock in 1803; he, Fr. Haydock, replaced the thatch on the old Chapel with tile and built and opened a new Chapel and house in 1810, the list of all those who helped in the building of the Chapel and house makes very interesting reading. The repeal of some of the Penal Laws, made things a little easier for those who had bravely struggled to keep the Faith alive during those dark days; so I conclude my notes in the hope that those who may read them, will find them as interesting as I have done.

Egton, 1933.

THE UGTHORPE LETTERS TO FR. BRADSHAW FROM REV. RICH. ROBINSON, CURATE OF EGTON.

7th November 1770.

Sir,

I am told, and have sufficient reason to believe it by several of my Popish Parishioners that you officiate in this Parish in all the Branches of a Popish Priest. I shall only say, that if you ever officiate again in my Parish, admit Ann Wake, Thomas White's servant into your mafs again whom you have deceived by your specious arts of sophistry, you shall not escape punishment. You cannot plead ignorance of the law, but if you are not sufficiently aware, that even to be found in the Realm is itself, High Treason, by the 27th Elizabeth.

Yours,

Richard Robinson.

The original letter which was not sent, was written by my great- great grand-father, who met Fr, Bradshaw a few days later and I expect said something much milder to him. Though Mr. Robinson was so bitter against the Catholics (he pulled down the Cross in Egton Churchyard, and was never able again to preach to his congregation), he left all his property to his Papist grandchildren at Egton Bridge to share and share alike. His father Johnathan, was the last vicar of Lythe to be perpetual curate of Egton and Glaisdale; when he died (5-12 1777 after 60 years in office) Lythe the Mother Church of the district was separated, and Richard who succeeded, only got Egton and Glaisdale.

Ralph Pierceson (Pierson)

On the twelfth of December 1736, was reconciled to the Church by (M.H.) Fr. Hervey before the Congregation at Ugthorpe Ralph Pierceson (pray good reader take notice of this Yorkshire chap), late constable of Ugthorpe, from this day to December 1745, he behaved himself exceedingly well, and was very good and regular and not singular. His wife died in childbirth and left him five small children, I took one boy from him, named Jacob, and bred him up, gave both the boy and his father clothes and money to keep him from starving, and married him for nothing to a good careful Catholic. But in the year 1745, when the troubles started in Scotland, this my Saint turned tail, and swore against me, and became the main evidence against me at York Castle. He swore enough to hang all the priests in the kingdom, as to their functions, and all this in the hope of getting a reward, which was at last but shame and confusion. God pardon him, I freely forgive him. (M.H)

Ursula Hawkswell

On the 15th of December 1754, was reconciled to the church by (M.H.) Fr. Hervey before the whole congregation at Ugthorpe, Yorkshire, Ursula Hawkswell, who had 24 years previously turned Protestant, prosecuted the Priests Frs. Danby and Bostock, the first she got into York Castle, the second was forced to fly. She betrayed all the grounds and houses belonging the priests and sold them; made away with all the altar stuff, goods and furniture of the house and chapel, and made her husband turn also Protestant, and bred up her children in the same way. Yet after all this mischief, injustice and ill example, God was so gracious as to touch her heart, and one day this third Sunday of Advent, she stood with a lighted torch, and openly confessing her faults and great evils, humbly desired to be reconciled to the Catholic Church which was done before the people, they crying for joy, and she for sorrow of her crime and scandals. She died on the 25th of May following, having received all the Holy Rites of the Church, aged four score and three. Requiescat in Pace. Amen.

Mr. Borwick's Letter to Dr. Sterne about the Papists. (1736).

Mr. Precentor

As it is my great good fortune to have a Cure within your Archdeaconry, I am sure you will readily attend to ye complaints I am about to make to you. Because I make 'em as a faithful subject of King George, and as a dutiful Minister of ye Church of England, against ye Practices of a People who are determined Enemies to be even in open defiance of ye plainest and severest Laws.

As soon as I was fixed here, by ye favour of my Lord Archbishop I was assured yt I had not above 2 Popish families in my parish yt Popery was held in universal contempt, yt I need be under no Apprehension of its spreading. But I had not enjoyed this pleasing satisfaction long before I was alarmed with an account of ye Perversion of Mr. John Breckon, master of a ship of 120 tons and of his having been to hear Mass at Egton. This new Proselyte to Popery was gone to sea again before I could speak to him but however I found yt (ye little time he stayed on shore) he acknowledged his perversion, owned his having been at Mass, argued for Popery in public company, and (as his wife complained) threatened her and his children with damnation unless they followed his example. This accident has led me to enqire very carefully into ye number and behaviour of these enemies of all our happiness; and instead of 2 or 3 families so poor as to be below my notice. I find that in my Parish are near 40 grown Persons besides Children who profess Popery (to which number they are increased from 7 or 8 within ye last 6 years). I have found a good many more, who are concealed Papists, because tho' they sometimes go to Church; yet, they never receive the Communion in our way, which. I take to be ye most certain Criterion. I have found yt one Mr. Smith (who till lately liv'd at Egton Bridge, and in whose house there is ye Mass Room) is fixed here, and has taken a large House in yerivate part of the town, with a view (as is universally suspected) yt ye Papists of this place may assemble with ye greater secrecy and safety when ye Priest comes to town; and I have found, yt soon after any Popish women are deliver'd ye said Priest (who liv'd at Egton Bridge and is known by no other name than that of Mr. Phillips is frequently seen going to their houses to christen their children as may well be expected supposed; for I am never call'd to do the office tho' every Recusant who neglects this for a month seems to incur a penalty of £100 by 3 Jac. I C. 5.

At Egton, (a Parochial Chapelry within the Parish of Lythe, ye adjoining Parish to mine) lives ye Mr. Phillips above mentioned who is universally talk'd of as a Popish Priest and who, besides ye Chapelry of Egton has ye Care of Whitby and of ye promising harvest at Scarborough. This Phillips has the character of a close artful man for tho' he is often seen here going into Popish houses, yet I have not got any legal Proof of his performing offices in 'em. There lives with him, one Crathorne (brother of Mr. Crathorne of here) said to be a tradesman who has fail'd who is much admir'd by ye country people as a great Traveller and a man of Sense, and who is thought to a great deal of mischief. In short, matters at Egton seem to brought to a sort of compromise; for (as Mr. Robinson ye Curate assures me) ye Papists have a particular Part of ye Churchyard assign'd 'em for ye burial of their dead. And they are married baptiz 'd and Interr'd without his knowing anything of ye matter 'till afterwards yt they come to pay him his Fees.

At Ugthorpe (a small Vill immediately in this parish of Lythe) lives one Mr. John Trevet (Fr. Hervey) who is not only reputed a Popish Priest, but has own'd himself to succeed the Vicar of Lythe, and by way of merit has boasted to him, yt he forfeited his right to £11OO a year by his turning Papist and going into Orders. This Spark is so far from being afraid of ye Law, yt he teaches School (as the Vicar of Lythe complains) and has had ye Assurance to invite People to go to hear him do his duty.

My sincere Attachment of ye Cause of our present Establishment in Church and State which I verily think to be the cause of Truth and Liberty, wou'd not suffer me to sit still while ye Enemies of it are slily and gradually undermining its Foundation, but oblig'd me to lay these facts before you in full Assurance of being favour'd with your Instructions how to behave. Arguements in private they won't listen to; conferences in Publick they always turn to their own Advantage by their Lies and Impudence. Where we lay open their Corruptions and Absurdities from the Pulpit they thence take occasion (as far I have fully experienc'd since I came here), to represent us as Favourers of Presbyterianism; and our Laws require such solemn and strict proofs against 'em of Facts which nobody doubts of, and our Friends are so tender in speaking out, when seriously call'd upon, that it is extremely difficult to convict 'em legally. However I beg to know whether my Churchwardens ought not to give timely notice to every grown Papist of the Communion to be celebrated at Easter, and to put 'em in mind yt ye Law obliges 'em to receive it. For, if upon Neglect or Refusal to observe such Notice ye Law shou'd deem 'em Recusants, they might be easily dealt with upon any misbehavior. But if such neglect or Refusal shou'd not legally make 'em Recusants, then I beg to know what does? For I am humbly of opinion yt ye first step to check their Boldness, is to separate these Goats from ye Sheep by some means sure legal Mark of Distinction which they can neither wipe off nor conceal, but this and every thing else I submit, and, if you are pleas'd to favour me with your particular commands on this occasion, they shall be thankfully received and punctually executed by,

Mr. Precentor,

Your most obliged humble servant, Jas. Borwick,

Whitby, Jan. 25th, 1736-37. (Directed to the Reverend, The Precentor of the Church)

If the man who wrote the following lines could revisit the scenes of his child-hood, I think he would be shocked at the now uncared for look of the village. "Its woods, its gardens, the river that passes it, the Rookery behind it, even the cawing of the rooks, though far from an agreeable sound, waked me with delight, and recalled to my memory my former playful hours."

Records of the Pre-Reformation Church of St. Hilda, Egton, which were was consecrated on the 6th of June 1349, by the Bishop of Damascus, and was ruthlessly destroyed about the year 1876; the very stones and the round pillars were carted away and were erected on a site nearer the village; the font was thrown on the hillside, until a kindly person from Goathland took it and placed it in the church there where it is now; more than one cottage in the village has the paneling of the oak pews. I know of a table and corner cupboard made from them. The church itself had only a south aisle with three round pillars supporting circular arches. Two very tunable bells were cast at York. The King's Arms stood under the arch; they and the bells were removed to the present church. The Sanders of Cote Bank are buried at the north side of the altar, and the Burdetts at the west side, the Smiths in the Salvin Pew where their right is.

Elizabeth Burdett was buried in her nuptial dress on the day appointed for her marriage, under the south window of the altar.

George Duck has a daughter buried before the Choir door under a great stone. Parsons Smoothman, Hardwicke, and Smith are buried in the aisle of the church. Egton Church was dependent on Lythe, and it may be of interest to know that St. John Fisher was at one time Vicar of Lythe.

The Rev. Johnathan Robinson was the last Vicar of Lythe to have charge of Egton when he retired, Lythe was separated, and his son Richard Robinson got the Chapelries of Egton and Glaisdale (and Goathland for a time). Egton was made a Vicarage in 1868-69. Mural paintings went round the walls of the old Church, copies of which are in the Whitby Museum. A Pre-Reformation chalice and communion set (this latter in pewter) mysteriously disappeared when the church was taken down, Monuments to the Sanders and Burdett families were torn down from the walls and broken up, then when the damage was done, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners came down with a heavy hand, alas too late.

Each district, such as Shortwaite, Limberhill, The Banks, etc. had a pew or pews assigned to it, and some had a faculty for burying there in. There are two stones of armoured knights, much defaced, probably the Salvins, in the present mortuary chapel.

The Rev. Richard Robinson knocked down the old cross in the churchyard, as it savoured too much of Popery, and for his sins, he was never able to preach afterwards. I have a letter written by him describing this illness. The letter is to the Archbishop of York, asking for leave of absence as he wishes to go to Whitby for the benefit of his health. Singularly enough, in his will he leaves all he possessed to his Papist grandchildren at Egton Bridge to share and share alike.

Fr. Richard Holtby, S.J,. born at Fryton, Yorks, in 1552 and to whom we owe so much from his writings of the persecutions of this time, may have visited Egton bridge as he was a cousin of the Mrs. Richard Smith of that day (nee Forster). He is described as a little man, with a reddish beard, very clever with his hands, was a carpenter, and made vestments and constructed well contrived hiding places. His great friend was the Blessed (now Saint) Edmund Campion who stayed with him in the Durham district in 158?. Fr. Holtby had many wonderful escapes from the pursuivants, but was never once arrested, and died quietly in his bed in May 1640.

Richard Forster was living at Egton Bridge when the banns of marriage between him and Clare Meynell of Kilvington were published in Whitby market place in 1657. James Craythorne of Craythorne lived at Egton Bridge about 1736 and there is a prayer book of his still in existence.

More notes keep cropping up still; Robinson letters would make quite good volume on their own; there is a quaint old pedigree showing the Smiths' descent from Edward the Third through the Vavasour, Craythorne and Constable families, much too long to detail here and perhaps not correct, their own, an oak tree with its branches painted on one of the cupboard doors was destroyed though I have a copy of it. I trust those who read these notes will be as interested as I have been in writing them. ..... (illegible) ...... remark which I have made before. W.G. Ward - Egton 193?.

THE YORKSHIRE MARTYRS - PRIESTS AND LAYMEN - BIRTHPLACE - DATE OF MARTYRDOM

1. John Fisher Priest Cardinal Beverley East Riding 1535

2. John Nelson Priest Cardina1 Skelton, North Riding 1578

3. James Thompson Priest Cardina1 York 1582

4. William Lacy Priest Cardina1 Horton West Riding 1582

5. Richard Kirkeman Priest Cardina1 Addingham West Riding 1582

6. Marmaduke Bowes Layman Ellerbeck North Riding 1585

7. Margaret Clitherow Laywoman York 1586

8. Robert Bickerdike Layman Farnham West Riding 1586

9. Francis Ingleby Priest Ripley West Riding 1586

10. Richard Langley Layman Dalton West Riding 1586

11. John Finglow Priest Barmby East Riding 1586

12. Alexander Crow Priest South Duffield East Riding 1587

13. John Hewett Priest Tollerton North Riding 1588

14. Luke Kirby Priest Richmond North Riding 1588

15. Luke Simpson Priest Well North Riding 1588

16. William Dean Priest Linton West Riding 1588

17. John Robinson Priest Ferrensby West Riding 1588

18. Robt. Morton Priest Bawtry West Riding 1588

19. James Claxton Priest Yorkshire 1588

20. William Spencer Priest Gisburn West Riding 1589

21. John Amias Priest Wakefield West Riding 1589

22. Robert Dalby Priest Hemingboro East Riding 1589

23. Anthony Middleton Priest Middleton Tyas North Riding 1590

24. Francis Dickenson Priest Otley West Riding 1590

25. Nicholas Horner Layman Grantley West Riding 1590

26. Richard Hill Priest Yorkshire 1590

27. John Hogg Priest Yorkshire 1590

28. John Holliday Priest Yorkshire 1590

29. Robert Thorpe Priest Yorkshire 1590

30. Thomas Watkinson Layman Menthorpe East Riding 1591

31. Joseph Lambton Priest Malton North Riding 1592

32. Thomas Partmore Priest Hull East Riding 1592

33. William Harrington Priest Mount St. John North Riding 1594

34. William Gibson Layman Ripon West Riding 1596

35. William Knight Layman South Duffield East Riding 1596

36. Edward Fulthrop Layman Foxton North Riding 1597

37. Henry Abbott Layman Howden East Riding 1597

38. William Andleby Priest Etton East Riding 1597

39. William Freeman Priest Menthorpe East Riding 1597

40. Richard Horner Priest Bolton Bridge West Riding 1598

41. Peter Snow Priest Ripon West Riding 1598

42. Ralph Grimston Layman Nidd West Riding 1598

43. John Britton Layman Monk Bretton West Riding 1598

44. Edward Thwing Priest Heworth North Riding 1600

45. John Talbot Layman Thornton-le-Str. North Riding 1600

46. Thomas Palasor Priest Ellerton North Riding 1600

47. Christopher Wharton Priest Middleton West Riding 1600

48. John Pibush Priest Thirsk North Riding 1601

49. Robert Middleton Priest York 1601

50. Thurston Hunt Priest Carlton West Riding 1601

51. Robert Watkinson Priest Hemingboro East Riding 1602

52. Anthony Bates Layman Yorkshire 1602

53. William Richardson Priest Wales 1603

54. John Fulthering Layman Ilkley West Riding 1605

55. Thomas Welbourne Layman Hutton Bushel North Riding 1605

56. Edward Oldcorne Priest York 1606

57. Matthew Flathers Priest Weston West Riding 1608

58. Thomas Atkinson Priest Leeds West Riding 1616

59. Edmund Catharick Priest Carlton North Riding 1642

60. John Lockwood Priest Sowerby North Riding 1642

61. John Duckett Priest Sedbergh West Riding 1644

62. Nicholas Postgate Priest Egton Bridge North Riding 1679

63. Thomas Thwing Priest Heworth North Riding 1680

64. Edmund Sykes Priest(omission) Leeds West Riding 1587

A FEW EXTRACTS FROM THE PAPERS AND DEEDS OF THE SMITHS OF EGTON BRIDGE WHICH MAY BE OF INTEREST

The Rev. John Graves in his History of Cleveland, states that the family of Smith came to Egton Bridge after the Conquest. After many generations as tenants under Whitby Abbey, Thomas Smith on April 6th 1578, bought Bridgeholme Green (now Egton Manor) from Sir Richard Cholmley, Knt., of Roxby, (who a few years previously had bought the Abbey lands) for the sum of £316. Twenty years later, his three grandsons Richard, John and William, bought the Lilan Hall estate of Marmaduke Clarionate for £530, 1st. December 1598. Various other parts, mostly cottages and small holdings were bought in between these dates.

By deed dated 15th May 1606, Richard Smith settled Bridgeholme Green to the interest that the same "shall and may for so long as it shall please Almighty God to remain and continue in the name, blood and kindred of the parties". It pleased Almighty God that eleven generations should hold the same, extending over a period of 300 years. Richard Smith married Anne, daughter of John and Agnes Forster of Earswick, York. She and her mother were imprisoned in the Ousebridge prison at York for the Faith, Mrs. Forster dying there in 1578. She was buried in the grave of Blessed Thomas Percy, to whom she had great devotion; her maiden name was Lascelles. The Syon Abbey Chronicles give a nice account of her, also the obituary notices of her and Mrs. Richard Smith. Her son, Father Foster was Confessor General to the Augustinian Canonesses at Louvain, and on his death was succeeded by his nephew William Smith whose sister and niece were members of that Community and whose great-niece Mary Meade was Abbess there in the 17th century. Mary Smith took with her a shipload of wood from Egton Bridge, and her father, at the instance of his son's guardians was fined for cutting it down, no Catholic was allowed in those days to do what he liked with his own property.

Thomas Smith married Everilda Constable, daughter of Joseph and Mary Constable (nee Craythorne) of Upsall Castle, and grand-daughter of Sir John Constable of Burton Constable. I may add here, as I think it is of interest, that Lady Dunbar to whom Fr. Postgate was chaplain was the daughter-in-law of Sir John Constable. Henry Constable his son, was created Viscount Dunbar about the year 162 0.

Thomas was offered a knighthood by Charles 1 but refused and had to pay a fine of £12; at the same time Ralph Marshall of Egton refused the honour and was fined £10, this is the man who left the "Ralph Marshal Charity" to Egton poor. Thomas Smith later on, for being a constant Royalist, had to pay a fine of £263 a goodly sum in those days 1653.

Thomas Smith his grandson, married Elizabeth Vavasour, daughter of John Vavasour of York, a younger son of the Hazelwood family, and she brought £500 of good English money as her dowry. Their marriage articles are dated 14 May 1685; she lived to a great age and her will was proved at York in 1743.

Richard Smith, married Mary Smelt of Grosmont, and she, I think brought Grosmont Farm into the family, the smaller one of Fotherley was bought afterwards.

Thomas Smith, married Elizabeth Robinson, daughter of the Rev. Richard Robinson, Curate of Egton, and she brought the Egton property to the family.

Mary Smith was Abbess of the Poor Clares at Rouen and when the convent was seized at the French Revolution, she was imprisoned together with her community, which included her sister Catherine Syssons, who eventually became Abbess of the Abess of the Poor Clares at Scorton and died there on the 6th March 1843, in her 84th year, and the 64th year of her religious profession, being Abess for 16 years.

When the first wife of the last Smith of Egton Bridge lay dying, she prayed that her only surviving child might be taken with her. This prayer was granted, and as the Double funeral wound its way up Egton Bank, the last white-tailed eagle ever seen at Egton Bridge, slowly flew past the cortege and was seen no more in the district.