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.

Owlarton.

IN the Reign of William the Conqueror, Hamon Baron of Dunham-Massy held one Moiety of Owlarton; and Ranulphus, the supposed Ancestor of the Manwarings, held the other Moiety.

This Township was afterwards scattered into several Parcels; but Sir Richard Massy of Tatton by Purchase got into his Hands most part of this Township, and was Lord of the Mannor of Owlarton in the Reign of Edward the First, as may appear by these following Notes, extracted out of the Earl of Bridgewater's Deeds, 1667. by John Halsey of Lincolns-Inn Esquire.

Nicolas Lord Audley gave all his Lands in Owlarton and Tatton to Richard Massy and Isabell his Wife, about 1286.

Sir John Arderne of Aldford gave to Sir Richard Massy and Isabell his Wife, omnes Terras suas & Tenementa in Owlarton: Habendum cùm Homagiis, Servitiis, Wardis, Re∣leviis,

Redditibus, Escaetis,—&c. Reddendo quatuordecem Denarios per Annum pro omni Servitio, Sectâ Curiarum,—&c. This was about 27 Edw. 1.

Richard Dunne of Owlarton gave certain Lands in Owlarton, and two Parts of a Mill with the Pool, in exchange with Sir Richard Massy for other Lands in that Township.

Robert Massy of Sale, gave to Robert Massy of Tatton, Lands in Owlarton, in exchange for Lands in Sale, under Edward the Second.

Anno 1 Hen. 6. there was a Survey of the Mannors and Lands of Sir Geffrey Massy of Tatton by a Jury; it was there found, That Sir Geffrey was Lord of the Mannor of Owlarton, and divers Free Tenants there; among whom Ranulphus Manwaring qui reddit pro le Bronteles-Place, 5 s. 0 d. & Johannes Legh del Booths, pro certis Terris vocatis Babrinchull, reddendo per Annum 2 s. 8 d. and had also nine Tenants at Will, paying in all 8 l. 11 s. 10 d. Rent.

In the Office after the death of Alice the Widow of Sir John Massy of Tatton 6 Hen. 6. 1427. she was found to hold the Mannor of Owlarton of John Ratcliffe of Urdeshall in Lancashire nigh Manchester.

How it descended from Massy of Tatton to the Earl of Bridgewater, see the Pedegree in Tatton.

Charterers in Owlarton, 1666.

• 1. Legh of Booths, now under Age, hath about fifty Cheshire Acres in Owlarton in Lease, in possession of Randle Cadman, John Wainwright, John Ridgeway del Oake, Richard Ward, William Baggiley's Cottage, and Robert Partington's Cot∣tage.
• 43 Edw. 3. Isabell the Widow of Sir John Legh del Booths died seized of the sixth Part of Owlarton, which was then found to be held of Hugh Massy of Tatton.
• 2. Edmund Howe of Owlarton hath a good Freehold there.
• 3. Richard Wright of Ashley hath Land in Owlarton.
• 4. William Baggiley junior, about four Acres of Priest-land.
• 5. Downes of Shropshire, but late of Toft, four Tenements in Owlarton, in possession of Philip Ridgeway, Roger Cadman, John Smith, and John Clerke. These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Ne∣ther Alderley, as held of Arderne.
• 6. John Norbury of Harborough in Over-Alderley hath one Tenement in Owlarton, and three Cottages. These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Ne∣ther Alderley, as held of Arderne.
• 7. Humfrey Duncalf; bought of Page of Yerdshawe. These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Ne∣ther Alderley, as held of Arderne.
• 8. John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford hath two Tenements, in possession of James Ridgeway and Richard Banks. These 4 pay Chief to the Lord of Ne∣ther Alderley, as held of Arderne.
• 9. Lawrence Barlow, one Cottage, bought of John Merriman, in possession of Hugh Manwaring; another in possession of Elizabeth Huet.
• 10. Randle Cadman; bought from John Hall of Norley lately.