Will of Francis Metham of Wiganthorpe

Date: 24 Oct 1597 to 24 Oct 1597
Location: Wiganthorpe, Yorkshire, England
Surnames/tags: Metham Bulmer Conyers

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Will 3 Inquisition 4 Sources

Introduction

communicated by John Wright^[1]

---

The following will from the York registry, relating to a once opulent and widespread but now extinct family, is presented to the members of the Yorkshire Archaeological Association and to the readers of the Journal, in the hope of eliciting some further particulars calculated to elucidate the topography of an obscure parish in the North Riding.

Testator was the second son of:

• Sir Thomas Metham
• and his wife Grace, daughter of Thomas Pudsey, Esq., of Barford.

By his wife Dionisia, daughter of Sir Thomas Waterton, of Walton, he had an only daughter, Dionisia, who married Anthony Bulmer, of Tursdale, in the county of Durham. But the name of his other wife has not transpired to the writer. The parish register of Terrington begins only in 1599, and there are no monumental inscriptions of the family in the church.

The benevolent disposition of testator is shown in a marked manner by his charitable donations to the poor of Terrington and to the prisoners of York and Durham, and his paternal solicitude in the touching allusion to the rebellion of his own daughter and only child, and for the good education and preferment of her children, and the humane and equal temper of the good master in that his family consisted “of sober and staid persons; for as the knight is the best master in the world, he never changes his servants; and as he is beloved by all about him, his servants never care for leaving him ; by this means his domestics are all in years, and grown old with their master.”

A presentment was lodged against our testator and his servant, Edward Simpson, at the Archbishop's visitation in 1594, and against the same servant in 1596, as noncommunicants. This appears to point to the laws of recusancy and the changes of religion in the sixteenth century.

The inquisition post mortem is in contracted Latin, but a translation in English is appended.

Will

• Date: 24 October 1595, (37 Eliz. I)
• Proved: 02 Sep 1596
• bur. Terrington church quire

In the name of God Amen.—The 24th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred ninety five and in the seven and thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England, France, and Ireland defender of the faith et.

I Francis Metham of Wigginthorp in the County of York Esquire, at this present healthy in body, and un-decayed in mind. God I thank him for both yet considering as the uncertainty of the life of young men so the necessary near end of old men in discharge of my duty towards God, towards my friends and towards the world, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First my soul I commend into the hands of the Almighty creator of the world, and of Jesus the gracious redeemer of mankind beseeching him of his infinite and unspeakable mercy to save that which he himself hath made and to accept that which he hath so dearly paid for to cleanse it at his good pleasure from all stains of sin and corruption and to translate it into the society of his blessed saints and Angels and into the rest of our everlasting country.

My body I will to be buried in the Church quire of Terrington near the place where both my wives are already laid before me. The substance which God of his goodness hath lent me in this world I thus dispose of First my debts (if I happen to have any at the time of my decease) I wish to be well and duly paid and discharged and all the promises and covenants which I have made with any man to be truly performed according unto good meaning.

My funerals I leave to be performed at the discretion of my Executors, and allow them towards the charges thereof the sum of Hundred pounds.

I have given to the poor of Terrington (in which parish I have long dwelt) four pound yearly out of my land in Terrington forever. And I heartily pray the Feoffees of whose faithfulness I have made choise to perform all things according to the affiance which I have reposed in them.

I give unto the behoofe of the poor prisoners of York and Durham ten pounds to be yearly issuing out of my lease of East Murton in the county of Durham during the space of six years immediately after my decease if Henry Bulmer (of whom I bought the same, and for term of whose life I hold it) live so long. Of which some of 10 pounds 40 shillings every half year to be distributed among the prisoners of Durham, and 50 shillings half yearly among the prisoners of York and the 20 shilling remaining I allow unto some one man who shall receive, transport, and distribute the foresaid sums which man to be John Barker, or some other of my old servants at the discretion and direction of my Executors.

I give and bequeath unto my well beloved nephew Thomas Metham^[2] of Metham, Esquier all those parcels belonging to the house of Wigginthorpe, viz. All the wainscot, and ceiling in the hall and in both the parlors the glass in all the windows in and about the house with all the doors, locks, and keys, and all frames and shelves fastened unto the walls, or ground. All the brewing vessels their stand now in the brewhouse, all the stable hecks, mangers, and hayes with all the Oxe stalls and heckes together with all the pales and rayles about the house and all the stoopes and rayles of stacke garthes in the grounds. And I heartily pray him as I have that undoubted trust in his friendship that he will suffer my Executors to have and enjoy the house and grounds of Wigginthorpe for half a year after my decease at the least paying for the same according to the rate as myself now pay that they may get of my stock and goods without loss. And I give him moreover in friendly remembrance of that good will which hath now of long time been between vs the best jewell which I have namely my mother's wedding ring.

I give unto my good niece Katheren Metham,^[2] his wife, the best breeding mare which I have and one spurre ryall^[3] as, a token of remembrance of my good will towards her.

I give unto my young nephews and nieces their children as here ensueth.

• To my nephew Thomas Metham,^[4] son and heir apparent to my nephew Metham the best Colte stag which I shall have at the time of my decease. And an Angel,^[5] to my niece his wife.
• To my nephew Jordan Metham,^[6] five marks to buie him books at such time as he shall be ready to go to the university.
• To my niece Frances Constable,^[7] a silver salt of five marks value.
• To my nieces Bridgett Metham,^[8] and Dorothie Metham,^[9] to each of them 40 marks. And to my niece and godaughter Elenor Metham,^[10] 30 pounds to be paid unto each of them at their several marriages or at such time as they shall grow to 21 years of age, and at whether time of those two shall first fall out : or if I happen to over live those times then within one year next after the time of my decease.

I give to my brother John Metham my own saddle horse and half my apparel, and 10 pounds annuity to be issuing unto him yearly during his life at Pentecost and Martinmas by even portions, out of East Murton aforesaid if Henry Bulmer happen so long to live. And for not payment thereof the said John Metham to enter and distreyne within the said grange of East Murton.

I give to my nephew George Metham,^[11] two old Angels, and one to my niece his wife in remembrance of goodwill.

I give also in remembrance of natural love and good affection to my brother John Trollop,^[12] one spurre Ryall ; and to my sister his wife a dooble dooble duckett. And I forgive him all such Reckonings and debts as are between him and me saving 50 pounds which I lent him upon a bond of his and his son Francis.

I give unto my nephew Sampson Trollop their son 40 shillings annuity to be paid unto him yearly out of my lease of the parsonage of Terrington during the continuance thereof. And if I fortune to outlive the lease, then do I give him five marks to be paid out of my goods.

I give also unto my nieces their daughters as follows. To my nieces Grace, Claxton, and Margaret Forcer to each of them a Cow, and a Calf, or with Calf. To my niece Dorothie Trollop towards her preferment in marriage twenty pounds to be paid unto her at the day of her marriage, or if she be married before my decease, then within one year ensuing my decease.

I give to my cousin Richard Cholmeley two old Angels in remembrance of our long acquaintance.

I give to each of my godchildren in Terrington Parish one ewe and lambe, or else with lamb.

I give to each of my servants which shall serve me at the day of my death one half years wages over and above their wages then due.

I give to my old man John Barker one horse of five pounds price or else the price itself : and to his wife an old angel. And I have forgiven him in recompence of his service thirty pounds which he ought me.

I give unto Christopher Allanson my man five marks in recompence of that good service which he hath done me. And I give him moreover the yoke of Osen which I have lent him heretofore. And whereas I have granted him the use of my farm at Ampleforde which I hold of Sir William Fairfax my will is that he continue there, and enjoy the same with all the commodities thereto belonging in like sort as he now doth during the whole term of my lease thereof : And have also the same yearly wages which now I give him Provided that he keep my sheep there for the use of my Executors as heretofore he hath done and that he reserve so much haie yearly for my sheep as shall be sufficient for their plentiful relief during all the said term which I trust he will honestly and faithfully perform.

I give unto my man Cuthbert Atkinson five marks having heretofore in recompence of his service bought him a farm of Sir Edward Gowre. And I forgive him also other 50 shillings which he owe me.

I give unto Edward Simson my man my lease of 21 years of Stephen Ewebankes Farmehold in Over Whitwell in recompence of his service. And if by any misfortune it fall out it he cannot enjoy the same lease, and farm and do not either in my life time, or after my decease make his commodity thereof, but shall be utterly deprived of my good meaning towards him in this behalf, then, and in that case I give unto him annuity of five pounds yearly during his life out of my farm of East Murton if Henry Bulmer live so long to be taken half yearly at Pentecost and Martinmas by even portions with power to distreyne there for the same and the arreages.

And now to come to my own issue wherewith it hath pleased God in the midst of other manifold and undeserved blessings to lay an heavy, and grievous Cross upon me. I am sorry from my very heart that the long continued undutifulness, unkindness, and unnaturalness of my own daughter, and only child whom I have carefully brought up according to my ability and to my great charge preferred in a worshipful marriage should constrain me so contrary to my nature-affection and inclination to make her a mere stranger to this my last will and testament.

Howbeit God's blessing, and mine with her, and I give her the gold ring which I wear on my little finger, that she may thereby yet one day think of me and remember that I was her father. And concerning her children (whose good education and preferment I have always carefully tendered, neither spared any labor or any charge which might procure their benefit and that without expectancy of other reward save only thankfulness), I have already put to my helping hand according to my ability to see some of them well placed and preferred and upon other some I am desirous to bestow in effect almost all that which God hath give me in this world, upon condition that I may have hope that it may turn to their good, and not to the satisfying of the neediness and greediness of some other whose friendship I greatly fear will redound in the end to their overthrow who so much embrace it. For the preventing whereof (if it may so stand with the good pleasure of Almighty God which I crave most humbly at the hands of His Divine Grace and mercy): in the bequeathing of the rest of my substance to the behoofe of my grandchildren I have advisedly taken this course which here ensueth.

First I give and bequeath into my grandson Bertram Bulmer,^[13] the best piece of plate which I shall have at my decease. And I give unto him and to his heirs my messuage, barn garden and three oxgaugs of coppiehold land which I have in Womylton. I give unto him also my lease of the garner at Womylton.

I give unto my grandaughter Katheren Conyers,^[14] a silver salt of the value of five marks. And I have put her for the third life in the lease of the parsonage of Kirkedale which I hold of the Queen. And in regard that she hath no portion at all from her father I give her moreover for her better preferment in marriage 100 pounds to be paid unto her by my executors at the day of her marriage, or within one year after upon these conditions ensuing.

First that her mother my daughter Dyonis Bulmer do not directly or indirectly by herself or by any other practice, or endeavor to interrupt, or impeach that course which I have already taken, or hereafter shall take touching the education and bestowing in marriage of my grandson Bertram Bulmer.

Secondly that the said Frances Bulmer and her husband when she shall happen to have any, shall upon reasonable request to be made to them, or to either of them, by the said Bertram assign and convey over to the use and behoofe of the said Bertram her and their whole title estate and interest in the parsonage of Kirkedale aforesaid, in such sort as shall be reasonably devised by the counsel of the said Bertram if the said Bertram will give and pay for the same the sum of 100 pounds. And if it fortune that either of these two conditions be infringed or that the said Frances Bulmer die before she be married, then and in each of these three cases I give and bequeath the foresaid 100 pounds as a legacy from me to my grandson Bertram Bulmer. Provided always that whereas my daughter Dionis Bulmer is duly indebted unto me in the sum of 112 pounds upon an accompt between her and me touching the dowry of her daughter Katheren Comyers if my said daughter Dionis do not pay unto me in my life time or to my executors within one year after my decease the said sum of 112 pounds then and in that case I utterly abrogate and revoke to all intents and purposes my said bequest of 100 pounds made before to my said granddaughter Frances Bulmer, and in lieue thereof I give unto her that debt of 112 pounds to be paid unto her at her marriage by her mother my said daughter.

And lastly whereas I have assigned over the wardship of the body, and the marriage of my grandson Bertram Bulmer unto my well-beloved cousin Edwin Sandis of the Middle Temple London esquire upon intent and desire that a marriage might be had and solemnized between the said Bertram and Elizabeth Sandis eldest daughter of the said Edwin if it pleased God that the two young parties could each of other so well like.

I do here by this my last will and testament declare that my especially hearty and unfayned desire both hath been, and is that the said marriage may accordingly p'ceede and prosper, and in token of my good affection towards the said Elizabeth whom I wish might be my daughter, I give unto her 5 marks to buy her a jewell with God's blessing and mine. '

I give devise and bequeath unto my said nephew, and cousin Thomas Metham and Edwin Sandis, and their heirs all my lands, tenements and hereditaments in Gaterlie, and Multon in Richmondshire in the County of York with their appurtences and all the rents and reversions thereof; and all other my lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever wherein I have, or hereafter shall have an estate of inheritance upon confidence and trust that if the said marriage between Bertram Bulmer and Elizabeth Sandys do proceed, and be solemnized : That the said Thomas and Edwin and their heirs shall within two months after the solemniž con of the said marriage assign and set over by good and sufficient conveyance in the law all my said lands and tenements with all other the premises in Gaterly, and Multon aforesaid to the said Bertram and Elizabeth during their lives, and the longer liver of them : The remainder to be to the heirs males of the body of the said Bertram lawfully begotten, and for default also of such issue to the said Thomas Metham and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, and for default also of such issue to the right heirs of the said Bertram Bulmer for ever, according to the true meaning of certain deeds of Covenants by me formerly made.

And all other my said lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever to the said Bertram his heirs and assigns for ever. And upon further confidence and trust that although the said marriage intended should break off, either or both of the said parties dissensinge from the same, that then if the said Bertram and upon condition that the said Bertram do effectually follow such advice, counsel, and direction as either myself (if I shall happen to be then living) or my said nephew Thomas Metham after my decease shall give him concerning the disposing and staying of himself in some other marriage without disparagement, and also if the said Bertram be from thenceforth content and do yield himself quietly and obediently to be ordered and governed by my said cousin Edwin Sandis and such other under him as he shall appoint for his good education till such time as he accomplish the age of twenty and one years (my desire and intent being that my said cousin Edwin Sandis in whose faithfulness and friendliness I have especiall affiance should have the sole bring up of my said son Bertram and that my daughter his mother should in no case have anything to do therewith nor yet should any other ways enter meddle with his estate). And also if the said Bertram do from henceforth utterly forbear, and refuse, the familiarity, acquaintance, and company of one Thomas Riveley sometime servant to his father till such time as the said Bertram be of the age of 25 years, which Riveley for his bad, and ryatous conditions I of all men most dislike should have any acquaintance with the said Bertram, and for that it is generally the opinion and fear of all men that the said Riveley will in the end be the utter overthrow of the said Bertram, and of his house, which God forbid. And also if the said Bertram do condiscend, choose and suffer Thomas Metham and Edwin Sandis to take and receive for the use of the said Bertram all the commodities and profits of the said personage of Kirkedale which shall accrue after my decease to have the managing the said parsonage until such time as the said Bertram accomplish the age of one and 20 years which said profits and commodities to be accompted for and paid the said Bertram within two years after his said age of 21 years, that then and upon the conditions aforesaid the said Thomas Metham, and Edwin Sandis, and their heirs shall at such time as the said Bertram shall accomplish the full age of 25 years assign and set over the said lands in Gaterlie and Multon ynto the said Bertram, and the heirs males of his body lawfully begot with like remainders over as is before declared : and all the residue of my said lands unto the said Bertram and his heirs forever.

And also pay unto the said Bertram at the time aforesaid all the mean profits of the said land remaining over and above my debts and legacies. And upon further confidence and trust, that if the said Bertram do breakeany of the last specified conditions that then not withstanding whereas the purchase of the said land in Gaterlie, and Multon hath cost me 900 pounds, or thereabout, and 300 pound, and upward have I bestowed of my own goods in the maintenance and education of the said Bertram if the said Bertram do at anytime within four years after he shall come to his said age of 21 pay the moiety of the foresaid sums namely the sum of 600 pounds to my executors. That then the said Thomas and Edwin and their heirs shall assign, and set over unto the said Bertram and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, all the said land in Gatcrlie and Multon with other the premises thereto belonging with like remainders over as is before expressed. All the residue of my messuages lands, tenements tithes, rents, pfitts, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever, and all my leases terms estates, and interest into them or any of them whether for years or for life, or lives in possession or reversion of all other my goodes and Chattells both real and personal credits and debts whatsoever not before in this my last will and testament bequeathed.

I give devise and bequeath unto my said nephew Thomas Metham and my said cousin Edwin Sandis Esquiers whom for that good experience and singular affiance which I have of their fidelity, iust dealing and true meaning towards me, and my said son Bertram, I doe make, constitute, ordaine, and by these presents declare the Executors of this my last will and testament upon especiall trust and confidence that my debts and duties being paid, my funeral charges defrayde and my legacies first performed which my will is to be paid and discharged out of all my goods and Chattells, and out of the rents of all my lands and leases whatsoever.

That then if the said marriage between Bertram Bulmer and Elizabeth Sandis do proceed and be solemnized the said Thomas and Edwin their Executors and administrators shall at such time as the said Bertram shall accomplish his age of 23 years by good and sufficient conveyance in the law, assign and set over unto my said son Bertram all the said leases, terms, and estates for years, or for lyse, or lives, and also at the same time make a just, true and perfect accompt to the said Bertram of all the said goods and other the said premises, and of all rents and mean profits so accruing, and remaining of the same together" with all other my goods, debts, and credits remaining, and the profits and commodities thereof whatsoever at such time as the said Bertram shall accomplish the full age of 24 years.

And upon further confidence, and trust that if the said marriage intended do break of that then if the said Bertram do effectually follow such advise and direction as myself if I be then living, or my said nephew Thomas Metham after my decease shall give him concerning the bestowing of himself in some other marriage without disparagement and also if the said Bertram do yield himself to be ordered and governed by my said cousin Edwin Sandis and such other as he shall appoint for his good education during his nonage, and also if the said Bertram do refuse and forbear the familiarity, acquaintance, and company of the said Rivelie till such time as the said Bertram be of the age of 25 years, and also if the said Bertram do condiscend, choose and suffer the said Thomas Metham, and Edwin Sondys to take and receive for the use of the said Bertram all the profits and commodities of the parsonage of Kirkdale aforesaid in manner before more largely declared. And also if the said Bertram do at all times after his age of 21 years upon reasonable demand ratify, confirm and allow the said lease of Stephen Ewbankes farmhold in Overwhitwell by me formerly bequeathed to my man Edward Simpson : That then, and upon the conditions aforesaid the said Thomas and Edwin, their executors and assigns shall assign and set over unto the said Bertram all the said leases, terms and estates at his said age of 24 years, and also well and truly accompt for the same at the same time, as is before expressed, and lastly pay, and deliver unto the said Bertram all the said debts and credits and the profits thereof at such time as the said Bertram shall come to the age of 25 years. And upon further confidence and trust that if the said Bertram do break any of the last said conditions that then the said Thomas and Edwin their executors and assigns shall give and pay unto each of the legatories aforesaid which are of my kindred as much more as is by me before bequeathed unto them out of my goods. And generally my will meaning, intent, and desire ys that of all the lands, leases and other commodities whatsoever, which are any way by force of this my will, or otherwise to descend and come to the use and behoofe of the said Bertram my said Executors custody, use, managing, and disposing : making accompt for the same, and the mean profits thereof, and also well and truly paying and delivering the same, at the several times before limited, and expressed. And I further by this my last will give authority to my said Executors at their own choice and free pleasure to employ and bestow all my said goods remaining as is aforesaid, and all the said mean profits likewise remaining as is aforesaid which goods and mean profits shall be by force and according to the true meaning of this my will to come to the use and behoofe of the said Bertram in purchase of lands or leases to the use of the said Bertram. The charges of which purchase and all payments for the same to be defacted deducted and allowed in the said accompt and in all other accompts and payments to my said Executors by the said Bertram any thing in this my will to the contrary not withstanding. And I give unto my executors for their pains and care to be taken in the performance of this my will, to each of them ten pounds in Angels. And moreover do allow them all their charges which they shall be any wayes at, concerning the performance thereof, or in any suites or other troubles which shall fortune to arise either touching this my will or touching any my lands leases Chattles, goods, Rights, credits, or debts whatsoever which charges to be fully allowed to them in all their accompts to the utmost.

Lastly of this my last will, I make and constitute Supervisors:

• my loving nephew Robert Waterhouse " of York Esquier,
• and my loving cousin John Girlington of Huton gent,

trusting in their good and well approved friendship towards me that they will give their best aid and advise to my Executors for the well and effectual performance of this my Testament according to the just meaning and true intent of the same. And for their pains therein to be taken I give unto each of them 5 pounds in Angels.

And this do I publish to be my sole last will and testament, and all other wills by me formerly made at any time abrogate, revoke, and disann'll by these presents.

In Witness whereof I the said Francis Metham have set my hand and seal before sundry good witnesses by me specially required thereunto the day and year first Above written.

This testament was acknowledged by the Testator, Francis Metham of Wigginthorpe in the county of Yorke Esquier, and afterwards signed and sealed by the said testator before vs whose names are here under written being specially required to be witnesses thereof: 20th day of October, in the 37th year of the reign of our sovereign lady Elizabeth and in the year of our Lord One thousand five hundreth, ninety five.

Edwin Sandys, Edward Otby, John Blande, Willm Raughton, Francis Otby, Bryan Cunyngham, John Crosby, The mark of // Thomas Turner, The marke of + Edward Simpson.

(Proved 2nd Sept 1596.)

Inquisition

Inquisition Indented taken at Thirsk, in the County of York, the 27th day of October, in the year of the reign of Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland defender of the faith &c. the 39th of the Court of Peter Watson Esquire Escheator of the said lady the Queen in the aforesaid County by virtue of a writ of the said lady the Queen de dicm clausit Extremum to the same Escheator after the death of Francis Metham late of Wigginthorpe in the aforesaid County Esquire deceased and to this inquisition annexed by the oath of Thomas Fox, Lancelot Pinkney, William Garbutt, Thomas Routh, William Hodge, Oswald Taylor, Robert Williamson, William Hutton, Marmaduke Bell, John Williamson, Richard Hanforth, William Dayle, William Thompson, and John Bell, Who say upon their oath that before the day of the death of the said Francis Metham named in the brief the same Francis and one Thomas Meetham were seized in the Dominion as of Fea of and in one messuage tenement or Chapel commonly called Mary Magdalen's Chapel(*) in Gallanthorpe alias Gawthorpe in the said County of Yorke, and of and in One Cottage two Closes or Inclosures in the tenure or occupation of Edward Otbie (6) called Spittle Closes, 20 acres of land 20 acres of meadow, 30 acres of Pasture and 40 acres of Common Moore and Turberie with their appurtenances in Galanthorpe alias Gawthorpe late belong. ing and appertaining to the said Chapell And of and in One Cottage with its appurtenances in Terrington in the said County of York called Deribus house And of and in pine closes of land soil and meadow with their appurtenances in Thornley in the County of Durham con. taining by estimation acres. And so seized thereof the said Francis Metham died, and the said Thomas supervised him.

And that the said Thomas Metham long before his death was likewise seized in his demesne as of Fee of and in two Messuages or tenements with their appurtenances in Mawlton in the said County of York late in tenure of Willm Marshall and Thomas Smith alias Smithson of the annual rent of 812 138 4d late parcell of the possessions of the Monastery of Caleston in the said County of York formerly dissolved.

And of and in 13 Cottages one Mill one forge One common oven 34 Oxgange of meadow land 100 acres of pasture and 100 acres of common moor waste and Turbarie with the appurtenances in Mawlton and Gaterley in the said County of York Aurt of a free Rent of all the free tenements in Mawlton aforesaid amounting to the value of 3li 28 jd p ann. Which premises in Mawlton and Gaterley last recited have been parcel of the lordship of Richmond and Middleham within the Archdeaconry of Richmond in the said County of York And that all the premises with the appurtenances in Mawlton, Gaterley Galanthorpe alias Gawthorpe Tirrington in the County of York and Thornley aforesaid in the County of Durham were held at the time of death of said Francis, of our Lady the Queen as of her Manor of East Greenwich by Fidelity only in free and Common Socage and not in Capite nor by Knight service, and by the rent of 2011 198 110 yearly paid for all services, exactions and demands what. soever And are worth in all issues beyond reprisals 2011 184 111

And the Jury aforesaid say that the said Francis so seized of the said Messuages cottages, lands meadows and premises with appur. tenances in Mawlton and Gaterley has bound by his last voluntary testament in writing to one Thomas Metham his nephew and Edwin Sands and their heirs the aforesaid messuages cottages Jands tenements and other premises with appurtenances in Gaterley and Mawlton in Richmondshire in the said County of York with their rents ard reversions and all other his lands tenements and here ditam's whatsoever among other things uonder certain conditions specified at large in the aforesaid writing, by one Bertram Bulmer Kinsman to the said Francis to be done and performed.

That the said Thomas and Edwin bave granted the aforesaid tenements &c. in Mawlton and Gaterley aforesaid to the said Bertram Bulmer and Elizabeth Sands then supposed about to be the wife of the said Bertram if the said Bertrain shall marry her, for the term of life of said Bertram and Elizabeth and the supervivor of them Remaining after that to the heires males of the body of the said Bertram lawfully begotten and for defect of such issue then to remain to the said Thomas Metham and the heirs males of his body lawfully begotten, and for defect of such issue then to remain to the right heirs of the said Bertram for ever.

The said testament was made the 24th day of October in the 37th year of the reign of the said Lady the Queen that nowe is. The aforesaid Francis died seized of the said premises the 20th day of August or thereabouts in the 38th year of the same reign. And that Dionisia Bulmer, widow, daughter of the said Francis Metham and mother of said Bertram is heir of the said Francis, and at the time of the death of the said Francis her father was of the full age of 35 years and as yet is living

And lastly the aforesaid Jurors say that the said Francis had not on the day of his death any other lands tepements or hereditaments either in demesne, reversion, or by service in the said county of York of the Queen in chief, or otherwise or of any other or in any manner of any others than is as above mentioned as to them could be made to appear.

In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Escheator as the aforesaid Jurors have to this Irquisition indented placed their seals alternately the day and place afore. said Anno Dni 1597 (©).

(*) Ganthorpe in the parish of Terring. ton. A cottage occupies the site, but no vestiges of the Chapel are visible. In digging in the garden occasionally human bones bave been discovered.

(b) “ Edwarde (teby Clarke was buried the xxxjtie of July 1608." (Terrington Par. Regr.) "4 July A.D. 1609 Edric Ottby late Vicar of Terrington dying, Administration of his goods was granted to Anne Otbie his Relict.” Torr's MSS.

(9) Chancery Inquisitions post mortem. 39 Elizabeth, part ii, no. 1. Liber fuit cur vicesimo quinto die Novembro R.R. Elizabeth quadragesimo p manus Willi

Sources

1. ↑ "The Will of Francis Metham of Wiganthorpe." The Yorkshire Archaeological and Topographical Journal, 1884, 8, p. 367- Google Books.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Thomas Metham, Esq., married Katherine, daughter of Sir William Bellasis, Knt.
3. ↑ Spurr ryall, or royal, a handsome gold coin. On the obverse a figure of the Queen in her royal robes, with sceptre. Reverse, the star-pointed figure of a spur in center. Value 15s.
4. ↑ Sir Thomas Metham, knighted at York by King James I., 1603, married Barbara, daughter of Phillip Constable, Esq., slain at Marston Moor, 1644.
5. ↑ Angel. A gold coin, so named from the figure of the Angel St. Michael standing upon the dragon, and piercing him through the mouth with a spear, the upper part of which terminates in a cross.
6. ↑ Jordan Metham, kuighted at Durham, May 2nd, 1612, by King Charles I., married Margaret, daughter of William Langdale, of Langthorpe
7. ↑ Frances, married to Marmaduke Constable.
8. ↑ Bridget, married to William Langdale.
9. ↑ Dorothy, married to Robert Thornton
10. ↑ Eleanor, married to Ralph Ellerker.
11. ↑ George Meetham, of Pollington, Gent. Will proved November 3rd, 1598.
12. ↑ Trollop of Thornley. A pedigree of this family is in Surtees Durham, vol. i. p. 92,
13. ↑ Sir Bertram Bulmer resided at Tursdale in considerable splendor in the reign of King James, and died 1638, having dissipated the greater part of his paternal inheritance. Surtees Durham vol. i. p. 77.
14. ↑ Catherine, wife of Sir George Conyers, of Sockburne, Knt.