Historical antiquities, in two books the first treating in general of Great-Brettain and Ireland : the second containing particular remarks concerning Cheshire / faithfully collected out of authentick histories, old deeds, records, and evidences, by Sir Peter Leycester, Baronet ; whereunto is annexed a transcript of Doomsday-book, so far as it concerneth Cheshire, taken out of the original record.

Norton.

THis Township of Norton was given by William Constable of Cheshire the younger, Son of William Fitz-Nigell, unto the Canons of Runcorne, in exchange for Lands in Runcorne; and so he removed the Canons of Runcorne to Norton, about the Reign of King Stephen.

Anno 1135. Monasterium de Norton in Comitatu Cestriae Fundatur à Willielmo Filio Ni∣gelli, Constabulario Cestriae: Historia Aurea Johannis Tynemytensis, lib. 19. cap. 41. A Manuscript in the Publick Library at Oxford, inter Libros Juris, v. 4. num. 4. Where∣with also agreeth Polychronicon, lib. 7. cap. 17.

Monasticon, Vol. 2. pag. 187. tells us, William Fitz-Nigell Founded a Religious House of Canons Regular at Runcorne, Anno Domini 1133. And afterwards William Constable of Cheshire, the younger, removed them from Runcorne to Norton. Which agrees with the Deed Lib. B. pag. 199. num. 1.

After the Dissolution of Abbies in England by Henry the Eighth, Richard Brooks Esquire Purchased from the King the Mannor of Norton, with its Members and Ap∣purtenances, to wit, Norton, Stockham, Acton-Grange, and Aston-Grange in Cheshire, and Cuerdly in Lancashire, with other Lands. The Charter is dated decimo die Decembris, 37 Hen. 8. 1545. whose Heir now enjoyeth these Lands, 1666.

There is a certain Hamlet or Place, called Endley, now belonging to the Town∣ship of Norton, and enjoyed as Part and Parcel of the same, which William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton held as a distinct thing by it self in the Conqueror's Time, as appears by Doomsday-book. This afterwards came to Aston of Aston: For Richard Aston of Aston, Son of Gilbert, gave to God, and St. Mary, and to Randle Prior of Norton—all his Land of Hendeley, with all its Appurtenances, about King John's Reign. Lib. B. pag. 200. num. 8.

Here was anciently a Church belonging to this Priory, dedicated to St. Mary: But this Church of Norton was pulled down after the Dissolution of Abbies.

The Place of this Priory is now the Seat of Brook of Norton, who enjoyeth the whole Town of Norton entirely, by himself and his Lessees, wherein is no Charterer at all.

Now followeth the Descent of Brook of Norton since the Purchase.

This Family is descended from the Brookes of Leighton in Nantwich-Hundred; of which Family I find one Adam Dominus de Leighton, sub Henrico Tertio, whose Son was stiled William de la Brook de Leighton, and his Son Richard stiled Ricardus de Doito, in an old Deed, 5 Edw. 1. that is, Of the Brook; for Doet in French, is A Brook in Eng∣lish; and under the said Manour-House in Leighton a Brook runneth, from whence their Posterity assumed the Sir-name del Brook.

Thomas Brook of Leighton Gentleman, the last of that Family in the Direct Line, died about 1652. very aged, having Issue four Daughters; but he sold away the Re∣version of his Lands to the Lady Mary Cholmondley, 6 Jacobi, 1608. which afterwards came to Francis Cholmondley, third Son of Thomas Cholmondley of Vale-Royal Esquire, who now enjoyeth the same, 1666.

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I. Richard Brook of Norton Esquire, younger Son of Thomas Brook of Leighton in Nantwich-Hundred, purchased the Mannor of Norton, with its Members, from the King, Anno Domini 1545. 37 Hen. 8.

He married Christian Daughter of John Carew of Haccomb in Devonshire, and had Issue Thomas Brook; Christian married Richard Grosvenour of Eaton-Boat in Cheshire Esquire; and Martha married Hugh Starky of Moore, younger Son of Starkey of Darley.

This Richard died 11 Eliz. 1569. Christian his Widow afterwards married Richard Done.

This Richard Brook was Sheriff 1563. 5 Eliz.

II. Thomas Brook of Norton Esquire, Son and Heir of Richard, had three Wives.

The first was Anne Daughter of Henry Lord Audley, by whom he had Issue Richard Brook, Son and Heir; George, drowned in Warrington-Water; Christian married Ri∣chard Starky of Stretton in Cheshire, Esquire; Elinour married John Brook of Blacklands in Staffordshire; and Margaret married one Warburton.

His second Wife was Elizabeth Sister of Thomas Merbury of Merbury nigh Comber∣bach, Esquire, by whom he had Issue William Brook, Thomas Brook, and Valentine Brook; also Townesend married Thomas Legh de East-Hall in High-Legh Esquire; Elizabeth mar∣ried George Spurstow of Spurstow in Cheshire Esquire; Dorothy married William Barneston of Churton in Cheshire; Frances married George Legh of Barton in Lancashire Esquire; Anne married Richard Merbury of Walton in Cheshire; and Clare, Wife of Theophilus Legh of Grange in the File of Lancashire.

His third Wife was Elinour Gerard, by whom he had Issue Andrew, who died young; and Peter Brook, who Purchased the Mannor of Mere, nigh Over-Tabley, 1652. and was Knighted 1660. of whom see more in Mere: Also Alice, a Daughter, married Thomas Birch of Birch in Lancashire; Elinour married William Ashton Rector of Middle∣ton in Lancashire, and younger Son of Ashton of Middleton; which William purchased the Lands of Booth of Cogshull in Cheshire juxtà Over-Whitley; Elinour was Widow 1660. And Rachel Wife of Henry Slater of Light-Okes in Bedford in Lancashire, after∣wards Sir Henry Slater.

This Thomas Brook of Norton was twice Sheriff of Cheshire, 1578. and 1592. and died Anno Domini 1622.

III. Sir Richard Brook of Norton Knight, Son and Heir of Thomas, was Knighted in Ireland, and married Jane Daughter and Heir of William Chaderton Bishop of Chester, by whom he had a Daughter, married to one Joseline of Cambridgeshire, who had all her Mothers Lands: But through some dislike after Marriage, Sir Richard and Jane his Wife lived asunder.

Afterwards Sir Richard married to his second Wife Katharine Daughter of Sir Henry Nevill of Billingsbere in Berkshire, by whom he had Issue Henry Brook, Son and Heir; Thomas Brook, second Son, who married Jane Daughter of one Weston of Sutton nigh Frodsham, Tenant to Warburton of Arley, by whom he had Issue Richard Brook, and Catharine a Daughter, both living 1666. Richard Brook, third Son of Sir Richard, Professor of Physick, died at Boughton, nigh Chester, without Issue, Anno Domini 1667. George, fourth Son; and John, fifth Son: Mary married Thomas Merebury, Half-Bro∣ther and afterwards Heir to William Merebury of Merebury nigh Comberbach Esquire; Anne married Edward Hyde of Norbury juxtà Pointon, Esquire; Dorothy married Law∣rence Hyde, younger Brother of the said Edward.

Sir Richard Brook died Anno Domini 1632.

IV. Henry Brook of Norton, Son and Heir of Sir Richard, was Created Baronet, 1662. He married Mary Daughter of Timothy Pusey of Nottinghamshire, by whom he had Issue Richard, Son and Heir; Henry, second Son, married Mary Daughter and Heir of Philip Prichard of Bostock-Green in Davenham-Parish; and Pusey Brook, third Son, all living 1666.

This Henry Brook was Sheriff four Years together, beginning 1644. appointed by the Parliament without the King, in the time of the late Rebellion: Richard Grosve∣nour of Eaton-Boat Esquire (Son and Heir to Sir Richard Grosvenour of Eaton, Baronet, then also living) being made Sheriff by the King in the same Year, 1644. The other being extrajudicial, against the Law and Prerogative of the King.

Sir Henry Brook Baronet died Anno Domini 1664.

V. Sir Richard Brook of Norton Baronet, Son and Heir of Sir Henry, married Fran∣cisca-Posthuma (so called, because she was born after the death of her Father) Sister to Richard Legh of Lyme in Cheshire Esquire, and hath Issue.

This Sir Richard was Sheriff of Cheshire, 1667.