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.

The Descent of Leycester of Toft, collected carefully out of the Evidences of that Family, 1672.

I. Rafe Leycester, younger Brother of John Leyce∣ster

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

of Tabley, married Jone, Daughter and Heir of Robert Toft of Toft: She was Widow 14 Rich. 2. 1390. and Rafe died between Michaelmas-day and the twelfth of October, in the fourth Year of the Reign of King Richard the Second. C. num. 22, 23.

The first of the Issue of Joan that possessed the Mannor of Toft whom I meet withal, was Robert Ley∣cester, Son of Robert, Son of this Rafe and Joan, and that 2 Edw. 4. 1462. T. num. 51. for that till about this time Robert Toft Father of Joan, survived, or Roger his Son.

When John Leycester of Nether-Tabley sold away all his Right and Title to the Moiety of the Mannor of Mobberley, with the Advowson of the Church of Mobberley, unto John Dumvill of Mobberley and Ciceley his Wife, 1 Rich. 2. 1377. (which Lands were Setled on the said John Leycester by Sir Rafe Mobberley of Mobberley his Uncle, by Feoffees intrusted, Anno Domini 1359. M. num. 32. and M. num. 33. and T. num. 31.) It was then agreed, That one third part of that Moiety should descend to Rafe Leycester his Brother, after the death of John Dumvill and Cicely: which was Estated accordingly by Thomas Fitton of Gowesworth, and other Feoffees intrusted, (after division thereof made) by the Name of 15 Mes∣suages, two parts of a Messuage 316 Acres, half an Acre, half a quarter of an Acre, ten Perches and half a Perch of Land, sixteen Acres of Wood, one quarter and five Perches, eight Acres of Moss, the third part of a Water-Mill, and the third part of all the Wastes of Mobberly then unmeasured, together with the Rent and Services of the said Rafe Leycester and William Dawson in Mobberley; to hold to John Dumvill and Cicely his Wife for their Lives—and after their Deaths then to remain to Rafe Leycester and the Heirs-males of his Body; and if Rafe die without Heir-male of his Body, then to remain to the right Heirs of Cicely aforesaid for ever: Dated at Mobberley on Tuesday in the Feast of St. Petronill the Virgin, 2 Rich. 2. 1378. M. num. 34. And Rafe Leycester had 15l. 00s. 00d. annual Rent Estated on him, during the Lives of the said John Dumvill and Cicely, out of all the Lands in Mobberley by Fine Levied to the said Feoffees, 1 Rich. 2. M. num. 2. & M. num. 3. which Lands of Mobberley so Setled on this Rafe Leycester, are now in possession of Leycester of Toft, 1672.

So that it seems Rafe Leycester aforesaid, had one Messuage in Mobberley by the Grant of Nicholas Leycester his Father, and Mary his Mother, before these other Lands were Estated on him in Mobberley, M. num. 39. and he purchased William Dawson's Land in Mobberley after the Settlement aforesaid, to wit, 3 Rich. 2. M. num. 27, 28.

But the third part of the Mill in the Settlement mentioned Robert Leycester sold to John Troutback. 18 Hen. 6. M. num. 13.

This Rafe Leycester and Joan his Wife, had Issue Robert Leycester, who succeeded Heir; and Roger Leycester living, 18 Rich. 2. E. num. 1. among the Evidences of Ley∣cester of Tabley.

Now that this Rafe Leycester was younger Brother to John Leycester of Nether-Tabley, appears by their Examinations taken on the part of Robert Grosvenour of Hulme, against Scroop, concerning the bearing of a Coat of Arms, Anno Domini 1386. 10 Rich. 2. where John Leycester is said to be then forty six years old, and Rafe Leycester forty years old. Lib. C. fol. 126. KK. II. The Original upon Record in the Tower of Lon∣don, called The Bundle inter Scroop & Grosvenour: A Copy of which Record, transcri∣bed in a great Book, remains now with Grosvenour of Eaton-boate in Cheshire.

As also, that the ancient Lands of the Leycesters remain at this day, 1672. in the possession of Leycester of Tabley; which must have descended to the Heirs of this Rafe, if he had been the elder Brother.

Again in the Deeds of Toft, M. num. 10. mentioning the Partition of the Lands in Mobberley, between John Dumvill and Cicely his Wife on the one part, and John Leycester and Rafe his Brother on the other part: for if Rafe Leycester had been the el∣der Brother, it would have been said betwixt Rafe Leycester and John his Brother.

And lastly, That Leycester of Toft beareth his Coat of Arms at this day with a di∣stinction from the Coat-Armour of Leycester of Tabley, by adding a Fret upon the Fess: and omnis additio probat minoritatem.

But of this enough; which I rather mention, least any should judge me partial in my own Cause, without certain Grounds of Truth.

This Rafe Leycester had Lands in Chorley juxta Warford, by the Grant of Mary his Mother.

II Robert Leycester, Son and Heir of Rafe, married _____ _____ and had Issue Robert Son and Heir, Randle second Son, and John third Son, living 11 Hen. 4. C. num. 11.

This Randle Leycester, second Son, married Isabel Daughter and Coheir of David Crew of Pulcroft; from whom the Leycesters of Poole in Nantwich Hundred are descen∣ded, as appears by the Evidences of that Family. This Randle died Anno Dom. 1438. whose Posterity continued here until Richard Leycester, late Mayor of Chester, and Al∣derman of that City, having no Issue, gave all his Lands in Poole to Sir Henry Delves of Dodington Baronet, in Marriage with Mary his Neece, Daughter of Randle Leycester his late Brother. This Lady Mary Delves was second Wife of Sir Henry, and was Widow 1666. but had no Issue by Sir Henry. But these Lands are Setled to descend to ano∣ther Leycester sprung from that Family, after the Death of the said Mary without Issue.

III. Robert Leycester of Toft Esquire, Son of Robert, is the first of this Family whom I find stiled De Toft, and possessed of the same, to wit, 2 Edw. 4. 1462. T. num. 51.

He married Jane, Daughter and Coheir of Rafe Booth, younger Son of Sir Robert Booth of Dunham-Massy, whom the said Rafe begot on Margaret his Wife, Daughter and Heir of Thomas Sibell of Sandwich in Kent.

This Robert had Issue Rafe Leycester, Robert another Son, living 1 Hen. 7. John ano∣ther Son, 12 Hen. 8. Agnes a Daughter, married to John Birtles of Birtles nigh Over-Alderley, 6. Edw. 4. 1466. M. num. 14. Lib. A. fol. 133. e, f, g, h, i, k.

This Robert Leycester and John Legh of Booths, committed an Assault on Dennys Holland, Servant to Sir Geffrey Massy of Tatton, in the night-time, and chased and destroyed his

Deer in Tatton Park; for which they paid 20l. apiece. 20 Hen. 6. T. num. 79. by Award.

IV. Rafe Leycester Son and Heir of Robert, married Agnes Daughter of Robert Rat∣cliff, 17 Edw. 4. 1477. and had Issue John Leycester Son and Heir, and James Leyce∣ster, living 1 Hen. 7. Lib. A. fol. 133. H, I, K, L.

This Rafe died in the Life-time of his Father, to wit, 1 Hen. 7. 1485.

V. John Leycester of Toft Esquire, Son and Heir of Rafe, married Elinour, one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Sir James Harrington of Wolfage in Northamptonshire;* 1.1 and had Issue Rafe Leycester Son and Heir; Philip, another Son, who married Elizabeth the Widow of James Grimsditch of Grimsditch in Nether-Whitley. 27 Hen. 8. Lib. C. fol. 196. m. Geffrey Leycester, another Son, living 12 Hen. 1520. T. num. 89. Jane, a Daughter, married Robert Langton of Lowe in Lancashire Esquire, 14 Hen. 8. T. num. 88. I find also mentioned in a Pedegree two other Sons, Thomas and Richard; but I cannot yet prove them so directly as the other.

This John Leycester died 2 Hen. 8. 1511. Elinour survived, and was Widow 12 Hen. 8. 1520. T. num. 89. and 14 Hen. 8. T. num. 88. She was the ninth Daugh∣ter and Coheir, and had Lands in Bricklesworth in Northamptonshire: for Sir James had ten Daughters and Coheirs in all. Lib. A. fol. 133. m.n.

VI. Rafe Leycester of Toft Esquire, Son and Heir of John, married Ellen Daughter of Rafe Egerton of Ridley in Cheshire Esquire, 4 Hen. 7. 1489. Lib. A. fol. 133. l. & fol. 134. P. and had Issue Rafe Leycester Son and Heir.

This Rafe died 16 Hen. 8. 1525. aged 37 years. Afterwards Ellen his Widow mar∣ried Robert Honford of Chorley. Lib. A. fol. 134. r. & 135. T. Ellen survived both her Husbands, and was living 20 Hen. 8. C. num. 13.

VII. Sir Rafe Leycester of Toft Knight, Son and Heir of Rafe, was Knighted at Leith in Scotland the 11. day of May, 36 Hen. 1. 1544. at which time the Earl of Hertford, being then General, Knighted some other Cheshire Gentlemen, and several others also. So Stow in his Annals of that Year.

Sir Rafe had two Wives; the first was Ellen Daughter of Philip Legh of Boothes nigh Knotsford Esquire, 13 Hen. 8. T. num. 83. by whom he had Issue Rafe Leycester eldest Son, who died young. William Leycester second Son succeeded Heir.* 1.2 Lawrence Leycester, another Son, married Jane Daughter of John Warburton of Bromfield; and John, who died without Issue: Also Elizabeth married Sir Randle Manwaring of Over-Pever; she was his second Wife, but had no Issue by him: afterwards she married Sir Edmond Trafford of Trafford nigh Manchester. Anne, another Daughter, married Philip Manwaring, Brother and after Heir to Sir Randle aforesaid. Ellen died in her In∣fancy; and Mary married Hugh Calveley of Lea nigh Eaton-boate in Cheshire Esq

His second Wife was Jane, the Widow of John Edwards of Chirk in Denbighshire Esquire, and Daughter of Sir George Calveley of Lea, but had no Issue by her.

William Davenport of Chorley Gent. granted to this Sir Rafe Leycester the Office of Seneschall, or Stewardship of all his Lands in Chorley, Werford, and Fulshaw, and the Conduction, Governance, and Service in time of War called The Mauraden, as well of him the said William and his Heirs, as of all his Tenants: Dated 4. July, 4 & 5 Phil. & Ma,. C. num. 25. Also the like Deed made to Sir Rafe by Henry Bradshaw of Brad∣shawbrooke in Allostock, 1 & 2 Phil. & Mar. Also another such Deed made to Sir Rafe by John Hiccock of Nether-Pever, 1 & 2 Phil. & Mar. H. num. 25. H. num. 28. the Originals are in Latin. Hiccock's Land of Nether-Pever, is now Powdrell's and others. These I note for the rarity of the Deeds.

Sir Rafe also bought from William Bradshaw of Allostock, two Messuages in Allostock, Hulse, and Bancroft, by Fine, Levied at Chester the 27. of May, 1 & 2 Philip and Mary. F. num. 1.

He was entrusted for receiving certain Sums of Money by way of Loan in Denbigh∣shire, and for delivering such Privy-Seals as were sent unto him, as appears by the Queens Letter unto him, Dated the 30. of December, 5 Eliz. C. num. 33.

And I find that Gilbert Dethick, alias Norroy, Principal Herald and King of Arms of the North Parts of England from the River Trent Northward, gave to this Sir Rafe Leycester the Arms and Crest in manner following, to wit, Sable, on a Fess engrailed be∣tween three Falcons Silver volant, becked and membred Gold, a Lions Head Caboche Azure, langued and eared, between two Cups covered, Gules: upon his Helm, On a Torse Silver and Sable, a Roe-buck Party-Pale Gold and Gules, Horned of the second, holding in his Mouth an Acorn Branch, stalked and leafed vert, mantled Gules, doubled Silver: to hold for him and his Posterity, to their Honors for evermore: Dated the 15. of May, Anno 2. Edw. 6. two fair Seals appendant in woodden Boxes, the one being his own Arms, and the other the Seal of his Office as Norroy. T. num. 55. at which, I confess, I wonder, that he should seek for a Coat, as being ignorant of one due to him: and yet I have ob∣served, that among all the Deeds there is not any one to be found among the Deeds of Leycester of Toft hitherto, which hath any Coat of Arms at all in an Escutcheon affixed to any of their Deeds, or in any of their Seals, appropriated to Leycester of Toft: Howbeit, the Heralds of Chester have Recorded for them Leycester of Tabley's Coat with a difference, which indeed is most truly sutable.

This Sir Rafe Leycester sold away all his Purpart of the Manor of Brassingham in Nor∣folk, and Advowson of the Church there, to Francis Baldero and Edmund Wiseman Gen∣tlemen: Dated the first day of April, 4 Eliz. A. num. 1.

Upon some Difference between Sir Rafe and Dame Jane Legh, late Wife of Sir John Legh of Boothes deceased, it was agreed between Sir William Sneyd Knight, and the said Dame Jane Legh on the one part, and Sir Rafe Leycster Knight on the other part, by Deed dated the eighth of October, Anno primo Elizabethae, That Sir Rafe should not pursue any further Suit in the Court of Wards: in consideration where∣of, the said Sir Rafe and Dame Ellen his Wife should peaceably enjoy those Lands Demised to them, &c. and Sir Rafe to kill one fat Buck in Summer, and a Doe in Winter, out of the Park at Boothes, during the Minority of John Legh; and to have the keeping of a Horse in the same yearly. T. num. 92. But Anno quinto Elizabethae, Sir Rafe had a Grant from the Queen of certain parcels of Land, late the Inheritance of Sir John Legh deceased, and late the Joynture of the said Dame Jane, during the Minority of the Ward. C. num. 32.

Sir Rafe Leycester died 23. Februarii, 14 Eliz. 1572. aged 53 years. T. num. 59.

VIII. William Leycester of Toft Esquire, second Son and Heir of Sir Rafe, married Katharine, Daughter of John Edwards of Chirk in Denbighshire Esquire, and by her had Issue. Rafe Leycester, eldest Son, died without Issue; George Leycester, second Son, suc∣ceeded Heir; Jane, a Daughter, married Henry Davenport of Chorley Gent. 37 Eliz. C. num. 28. Anne, another Daughter; Ellen, another Daughter; Parnell or Petronill, another Daughter; these three were never married: and Mary, another Daughter, married Rowland Huntington, after to David Middleton of Chester, thirdly to George Cal∣veley, Bastard-Son to Sir George Calveley of Lea. C. num. 31.

Katharine the Wife of William Leycester, died Anno Domini 1572. 14 Eliz. C. num. 31. Afterwards William Leycester married Elizabeth, Daughter of Robert Worsley of Boothes in Lancashire.

This William sold away all his part of Bricklesworth in Northamptonshire, unto Thomas Barham of Teston in Kent Gent. for 300 l. by Deed dated the 29. of April, 20 Eliz. A. num. 2.

William Leycester of Toft died Novemb. 18. 32 Eliz. 1589. and was buried at Mob∣berley the 25. of November following, aged 48 years. T. num. 60.

IX. Sir George Leycester of Toft Knight, second Son and Heir of William, married Alice, eldest Daughter of Peter Leycester of Tabley Esq and Coheir to the Lands of Col∣wich

nigh Owseley-Bridge in Staffordshire, 22 Eliz. F. num. 9. which Lands descended in Right of their Mother Elizabeth, Daughter and Heir of Edward Colwich of Col∣wich Esquire.

Robert Earl of Leycester, Baron of Denbigh, &c. her Majesties Lieutenant, and Cap∣tain-General of all her Army and Forces in these Parts, and Governor-General of all the Provinces and Cities united, and their Associates in the Low-Countreys, for the good opinion we have of the fidelity of this Gentleman George Leycester our Servant, we have appointed him Captain of 150 Foot-men, and Hugh Starkey his Lieutenant, now Servant to Sir Christopher Hatton, &c. Given under my Hand and Seal at Amers∣ford the 15. of May 1586. T. num. 58.

Sir George was Knighted about 44 Eliz. and was made Sheriff of Cheshire by Patent dated Decemb. 29. 45 Eliz. but the Queen dying in March following, he had another Patent for the same durante beneplacito, Dated Apr. 3. 1 Jac. 1603. T. num. 63.

He had Issue William Leycester, who died at the Age of three years; George, second Son, who died at the Age of seven years; Rafe, third Son, succeeded Heir; also Elizabeth, eldest Daughter, died in her Infancy; Katharine married William Tatton of Withenshaw in Cheshire Esq F. num. 12. afterwards she married Doctor Nichols Parson of Chedle: Mary, another Daughter, married James Massy of Sale Esq 9 Jac. 1611. whose Wardship Sir George had. F. num. 33. Alice, another Daughter, married John Bradshaw of Bradshaw in Lancashire Esq

Sir George was buried at Mobberley Apr. 4. 1612. so the Register of that Church hath it: He was then aged about 45 years; a Person who had been very serviceable to his Countrey. He bought certain parcels of Land in Toft, from Randle Mainwaring of Over-Pever, Esquire, 33 Eliz. T. num. 61.

X. Rafe Leycester of Toft Esq third Son and Heir of Sir George, married Mary, Daugh∣ter of Anthony Woodhull of Mollington in Oxfordshire Esq and had Issue George Leycester Son and Heir; Rafe, second Son, died without Issue; Anthony, third Son, died without Issue; Mary, eldest Daughter, married Culvert Chambers of Oxfordshire, who bought the Castle of Carnow, and other Lands in Ireland; after whose Death she married Job Ward; and lastly to Colonel William Ayre, lately Imprisoned in Ireland; Jane, second Daughter, married Captain Conney, after to Thomas Hart of the Hart in Fetter-Lane in London; Townesend, third Daughter, married George Brown of Radbrooke in Over-Pever Gent. and had Issue George, Thomas, and other Children, but they all died before they came to maturity. F. num. 25, 26. F. num. 13, 14.

This Rafe sold his part of the Lands of Colwich, and the Advowson of that Church, and was buried at Mobberley the 17. of June 1640. Mary his Wife was buried also at Mobberley the 21. of September 1653.

XI. George Leycester of Toft Esq Son and Heir of Rafe, married Dorothy Daughter of John Clayton, and Sister and Coheir of Richard Clayton of Crooke in Lancashire Esq 14 Car. 1. 1639. F. num. 22. and hath Issue Rafe Leycester, eldest Son; George Leyce∣ster, second Son; Philip Leycester, third Son, who married Anne, Daughter and Coheir to Mr. Furnivall of Old-Withington deceased, Anno 1671. John, fourth Son, died with∣out Issue 1666. William another Son, and Richard another Son; Mary, eldest Daugh∣ter, married George Hocknell of Prenton in Wirrall Com. Cestr. 1668. Anne, second Daughter, and Elizabeth third Daughter, living 1672. and six Children more died in their Infancy, Richard, Anthony, Richard, Joan, Dorothy, and Joan.

This George was buried at Mobberley the 19. of June 1671. Dorothy survived, by whom came the Lands in Lincolnshire and Crooke.

XII Rafe Leycester of Toft Esq Son and Heir of George, married Eleanour, eldest Daughter of Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Baronet, 29 Augusti, 1665. and hath Issue Eleanour, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Frances, and Anne born at Mobberly August 24. 1672. being Saturday.

Notes

• * 1.1

  M. num. 37.
• * 1.2

  F. num. 4.