meadows pasture lands tenements and other inheritances in Scaresbrek all and each of which the said Christopher Anderton lately had and bought for himself and heirs by gift solely bargaining of me the aforesaid William as appears more fully by certain assurances in law In testimony of which I have affixed my seal on the 18th day of August in the 20th year of the reign of our Lady Elizabeth Queen of England France and Ireland. Signed William Moorecroft.

[On back.] Sworn at Lancaster on Monday next after the Assumption of the B. Mary (Aug. 15) before Robert Mounson and Thomas Mead Judges of the Queen's Bench. [Roll the 4th.]

197. [1597.] Know the present and future that I James Gorsuche gentleman have given to Andrew Norris of West Derbie Humphrey Golbourne of Scarisbrick Edmund Bispham of Billinge and John Blackledge of Lathom in the County of Lancaster gentlemen all those three closes or parcels of land with their appurtenances and the chief messuage in Gorsuch commonly called Rughmanheye the Greatmaudhey and the Littlemaudheye containing by estimate 12 acres be they more or less now in the tenancy of me James Gorsuche To be held from the chief lords of the fee by due services and subject to the agreement of indenture

Given on November 10th in the 39th year of Elizabeth 1597. Witnesses: Miles Strange, Thomas Gasken, and Ellis Ambrose. (In English.) The purport of this trust is to secure an annuity of 50 shillings to Frances Gorsuch daughter of the said James Gorsuch to be paid at Pentecost and Martinmas (November 11) for the whole term of her life and after her death to revert to James Gorsuch and his heirs.

Seal on an ornamental shield three fleurs de lys between two cheveronels.

198. [1604.] Indenture made between Edmund Bispham of Billinge gentleman and Robert Sutton of Scarisbrick husbandman by which for the consideration of £30 the said Edmund Bispham hands over to Sutton a yearly rent of £3 secured on lands called Bakers Intack Sinderhill Gladencroft and Ouled Marled Earth in Billinge during the life time of Frances Gorsuch daughter of James Gorsuch of Gorsuch to be paid at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24) and the Nativity of our Lord between 1 and 4 oclock in the south porch of the Parish church of Ormeskirk And if the said £3 be not paid within ten days of these dates then Robert Sutton can

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distrain for the same and Edward Bispham binds his son James Bispham to the said indenture Sealed signed and delivered by Edmund Bispham in the presence of Thomas Scarysbrek Edward Gorsuch, John Whatton, Ellis Ambrose, and by James Bispham in the presence of Gabriell Longton, Ellis Ambrose, Edward Gorsuch.

199. [1606.] To all the faithful in Christ to whom this present writing shall come James Gorsuch of Gorsuch gentleman wishes eternal health in the Lord Let them know that I the aforesaid James Gorsuch for good causes and reasonable considerations and for the support and help of my natural daughter Frances have given and granted to her an annuity or annual rent of 24 shillings of good and lawful money of England to be paid from and arising from one messuage or tenement situated and lying in Burscogh or Marton in County of Lancaster commonly called by the name of Muskarre or Carrmeadow now or lately in the occupation of Jane Moorcrcfte widow relict of Henry Moorcrofte late of Aghton gentleman deceased to be paid annually for the whole term of her natural life at the feast of St. Martin (November 11) Bishop in winter and Pentecost in equal proportions And if the said rent or any part be not paid then it shall be lawful for the said Frances to enter into the said messuage or distrain upon it for such rent and all arrears if such there be I James Gorsuch have placed the said Frances in full and peaceful possession thereof by the delivery of two shillings In testimony of which I have affixed my seal.

Given on the 24th day of June in the 4th year of James of England and 39th of Scotland in the year of our Lord 1606 (Signed) James Gorsuch. (On back) Witnesses: Edmund Bispham, George Daudge, Henry Arnold, Nath. Oshdis Frances Gorsuch her writing.

200. [1607.] This indenture witnesseth that whereas Edmund Bispham of Billinge co Lancaster gentleman by his indenture dated March 10th in the 2nd year of the reign of his present Majesty for considerations therein mentioned did give and confirm to Robert Sutton of Scarisbrick in the said county husbandman and his assigns one annuitie or yearly rent of £3 of lawful money of England yearlie to issue out of certain closes of land meadow and pasture with the appurtenances of the inheritance of the said Edmund in Billinge aforesaid commonly called by the several names of the Bakers Intack Sinder Hill and Gladden

croft and Ould Marled Earth To have and hold the said annuities to the said Robert etc immediately after the making of the said indenture during all the terms of the natural lyfe of Frances Gorsuch daughter of James Gorsuch in the same county. gentleman at the feast of the Nativitie of Christ and St. John Baptist (June 24) by even portions etc And whereas James Bispham sonne and heir apparent of the said Edmund by his several deeds of confirmation and approbation of the said indenture dated March 4th in the 4th year of the said reign did approve the same as by indorsement on the said indenture Now the said Robert Sutton being thereof lawfullie possessed doth hereby for good consideration him thereunto specially moving give and sett over to Frances Gorsuch above named and her assigns as well the said Annuitie and the said indenture and all other writinge and assignments confirming the same whatsoever As also all the estate right title interest terms clayme which he the said Robert hath or rightfullie might have to the same To have and to hold the said annuitie and all other the said assigned premises during all the tearm of her natural lyfe in as full ample large and beneficial manner as the said Robert can And the said Robert hath put the said Frances into full and peaceful possession of the said annuitie and premises by the delivery of two pence of lawfull money of England being now in the seale of this present deed infixed and inclosed In witness whereof the said Robert hath put his hand and seale and delivereth the same for his deed to the said Frances Gorsuch on the 4th day of April in the year of the reign of our Sovereign lord James by the grace of God of England France and Ireland the 5th of Scotland the 40th 1607 Sealed signed and executed for the deed of the said Robert delivered as is aforesaid in the presence of William Fazackerley Ellis Ambrose William Pemberton Signum manuale (Signmanual of) Robert Sutton.

201. [1623.] Let all know that I James Hulme of Shevington yeoman am firmly bound to Richard Halsale of Scarisbrick gentleman in the sum of £600.

Given on the 20th day of November in the 20th year of the reign of James King of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the 56th.

Condition: James Hulme John Bymson and George Bordman of Orrell bind themselves to fulfil covenants of two indentures respecting one dwelling house and one cottage with land in Scaresbrek.

Fancy seal a stork, much mutilated.

202. [1631.] Indenture made between Roger Bradshagh of Haigh and his son James on the one part Edward Scarisbrick of the 2nd part and Richard Lord Mullineux Viscount Maribourgh and Sir Gilbert Haughton knight and baronet of Haughton of the 3rd part that as the last two stand possessed of a capital messuage commonly called The New Hall with buildings lands pastures turbary &c by an Indenture of March 24th 1631 for the use and behoofe of Frances daughter of Roger Bradshagh and now wife of Edward Scarisbrick this witnesseth that the said Edward Scarisbrick binds himself (under a penalty of £1000) to expend £300 in rebuilding the said New Hall and the outbuildings as a jointure house for the said Frances before Nov. 2nd 1638.

Seals illegible.

203. [1666-1667.] Indenture made Feb. 1st in the 19th year of Charles II between James Swift of Eccleston near Knowsley husbandman and Thomas Lyon of Eccleston clay potter Witnesses that whereas James and his children Ellen and James stand possessed of 4 acres and a rood of largest measure lately in the possession of Elizabeth Denton for their lives or for the surviver of them leased by the late Henry Eccleston esquire on May 30th, 1663 now in consideration of the sum of £100 paid by Thomas Lyon James Swift denises to him with the consent of William Gerrard of Brine and Henry Blundell of Ince Blundell dated Jan. 24th last the feoffees of Henry Eccleston all the land buildings &c for the term of their three lives (cannel and coal being reserved) and he also hands over the original indenture of lease.

Signed and executed on March 11th 1666 by the said James Swift and Thomas Lyon in the presence of William Rigbie Richard Bushell and Thomas Walton.

204. [1681-1682.] This Indenture made Feb. 10th in the 34th year of Charles II 1681 between Thomas Eccleston esquire of Eccleston and Edward Finney joiner Witnesseth that on payment of £24 he the said Thomas grants to Edward Finney a lease of the land in Eccleston formerly in possession of Nicholas Finney now in that of Thomas Finney for the lives of Edward Finney Ann Finney his mother and her brother Henry or the longest liver of them for rent of £1 9s 4d at Pentecost and Nativity of our B. Lady in equal portions The lessee or an able man shall give 5 days shearing or 6 pence a day Covenants for

distraint and reservation of coal cannel and stone and appointment of John Yates as his attorney to give possession.

Executed by Thomas Eccleston and Edward Finney in presence of Richard Chorley, James Travis, John Yates junr. Witnesses to possession being given by John Yates junr., James Rigbi, John x Clarkson (his mark), James Travis.

Seal arms of Eccleston, argent a cross sable, in the dexter chief a fleur-de-lis gules, helm, mantling, and crest a magpie.

205. [1687.] Indenture made between Thomas Eccleston of Eccleston near Knowsley and John Wood of Sutton In consideration of £55 paid Thomas Eccleston grants to John Wood all that messuage lately in the possession of Mary Cross with lands liberties rights to dig for marl earth and clay (coal and cannel only excepted) during the natural lives of his daughters Margaret Sarah and Esther at a yearly rent of £1 25 8d to be paid at Pentecost and the Nativity of the B. Virgin (September 8) together with one days ploughing one days leading turfs and one days loading dung with a proper team or in default a payment of 6 shillings and the said John Wood consents to keep for Thomas Eccleston a hound greyhound or spaniel under penalty of 20 shillings yearly and Thomas Eccleston appoints his servant Eduund Taylor as his attorney to give possession Executed by John Wood in the presence of William Roson and Henry Webster.

206. [1701.] Let all know that we Mariam Mullineux spinster and Ann Mullineux widow of Eccleston near Knowsley bind ourselves to pay to Robert Sorsby of Croston farmer the sum of £30.

Given on Jan. 13th in the 13th year of William King of England etc. and in the year of the Lord 1701.

The condition of the obligation is such that if Mariam Mullineux and Ann Mulineux or either of them or their assigns pay or cause to be paid to Robert Sorsby or his certain attorney the full and just sum of £15 of current English money viz. £3 on Dec. 30th next 1702 and 4 more yearly payments or 5 in all then the said Robert Sorsby shall deliver up an assignment formerly to him made by Richard Mullineux deceased and also safely to deliver one lease also a standing cupboard and dishboard with other goods.

Signed sealed and delivered by Mary Mullineux (her mark), Ann Mullineux (her mark), in the presence of Mary Jarman (her mark), Richard Bellian.