John Gledhill

He might have been the John Gledhill, baptized 2 November 1746 at St. Peter, Huddersfield, York, England, son of James Gledhill.

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The following article on the Gledhill family was published in THE AUSTRALIAN GENEALOGIST, Vol. 1, Part 5, January 1934 THE GLEDHILL FAMILY

PAPER READ BY MR P. W. GLEDHILL

The study of a family name is an interesting one, and to many it has a great fascination. Who has not wondered at times where his or her own name came from, and how far back, and what was its origin or significance? Some more interested than others have made this quite a hobby, and can trace their genealogical tree three or four hundred years back, and even more. The Jews, as a people, were very careful in this matter, and there is quite a number of genealogical tables given in Holy Writ, the outstanding examples being the two tracing in one the genealogy of Jesus to Abraham, and the other through another line to Adam. The name Gledhill has a very interesting origin and its significance is worthy of remembrance.

By referring to the old records at the different parish churches of Yorkshire, the name will be found spelt in many different ways, and from the pages of these registers an accurate account of the early life of the Gledhill family is obtained. It was stated by the verger of the Halifax Church, in 1931, that he could scarcely turn over a page without coming across the name; but the majority of names seem to be recorded at the Elland Church, and at the parish church of Saint Peter's, in Leeds. There are various forms of the name, such as:- Gladhill, Gleadall, Gleddall, Gleddale, Gleadhill, Gleddel, Gleddil, Gledal, Gleddol, Gladall, Gladdell, Gladell, Gledel, Gleadle, Gleaddall, Gledehill, Gleidhill, del Gledehill, de Gledhill, de Gledehill, Gleydehyll and Gleydhill.

In an interesting book entitled "The History of Brighouse" is contained some interesting information regarding the different ways in which the name is spelt. The earliest reference to the name is that of Ric de Gledhill in 1359; he was one of a jury at the sitting of a Court at Brighouse. Further, in Bardsley's "Book of Sur-names, " it is recorded that the name "Gledhill" was a well-known Yorkshire name, dating back to the year 1379, which is as far as the records go, when a Poll Tax was taken in the West Riding of Yorkshire. On p. 185 of these records appears the name of Ricardus de Gledhill and Thomas de Gledhill. Bardsley states: "I have not identified the spot so termed ['G]LEDHILL[';] it will, I doubt not, be found in the West Riding. Probably it means the hill frequented by the Gledes; gledes are known as kites, ['K]ite Hill[.'] The Glede is referred to in the Holy Bible, in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 14, Vol. 13, ['a]nd the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind. In the Biblical Concordance the glede is referred to as probably the buzzard, there being three kinds in Palestine, the most common being the large red species resembling a small eagle."

In the Halifax Church Register is found the following entry:- Dominus Thomas Gleydehill, contrarist in Cantaria Vocat Wylbe, chantre asquondam vicarius de Cannes berghe, sepuet. 12 Mai, 1541 The aforesaid had been appointed first chaplain of Wylbes Chantry, situated on the south side of the ancient church of Halifax. From a glance at the parish registers, which are now a pride and valuable possession of the grand old Anglican Church, we find the following information relating to the family:-

1. JOHN GLEDALL, left money for the poor in 1681 for the Parish of Braithwell, City of York.

2. THOMAS GLEDHILL, Gentleman of Barkisland, died October 31, 1612. His corpse was dug up on November 27, 1612, because of accusations of suicide, but was found untouched and unwounded and replaced in tomb.

3. THOMAS GLEDHILL, also of Barkisland, died and was buried at Elland Churchyard, 1657, bestowed benefactions to Ripponden Church by bequeathing the sum of £120 upon lands for the use of a lawful preaching Minister of the word of God at the Riponden CHAPPELL that shall be settled there from time to time. The profits of the same LANDES from YEARE to YEARE to succeeding ages shall be paid to the Minister in charge.

(In commemoration whereof the Minister was to preach one sermon yearly on the 1st May, if it be not on the Lord's Day, and if so, in the week following at the Minister's choice. He also set apart £50 to be bestowed in lands, the profits therefrom to be for the benefit of the poor of Barkisland.)

4. THOMAS GLEDHILL (1) Sarah Gledhill (2). Thomas endowed a Grammar School. Sarah bequeathed money for the poor of Barkisland.

5. RICHARD S. GLEDHILL, a Gentleman of Barkisland, Captain in the Royal Army under Sir M. Longdale, was knighted by the Marquis of Newcastle and slain at Hessay Moor in 1644.

6. JOHN GLEDHILL, a Gentleman, was married to Sarah Horton by license on October 11, 1636. He was the builder of Barkisland Hall (photo 57k), and was the son of Thomas Gledhill. On the same day in the same Church of England at Elland his sister, Elizabeth Gledhill, married William Horton, Gentleman, of Barkisland.

7. HUGH GLEDHILL, Vicar of Huddersfield, 1567.

8. It is noted from the records of the Foundling Chapel, London, that the Rev. John William Gledhill, Master of Arts, Fellow of Saint Catherine's, Cambridge, was for 37 years morning preacher at the abovementioned chapel. He was born June 1, 1799, and died October 26, 1882.

It is interesting to record that during the 15th and 16th centuries the approximate numbers of births, marriages and deaths of people bearing the name of Gledhill in its different forms are as follows:-

15th Century.- Baptisms, 202; Marriages, 82; Deaths, 178

16th Century.- Baptisms, 173; Marriages, 219; Deaths, 124

The coat of arms of the Gledhill family was first granted to Richard Gledhill by Norroy, King of Arms, in the year 1612 and confirmed by Segar, Knight, Garter, King of Arms, in the year 1632. The following are the particulars:- Arms: Azure, three lozenges in fesse Argent. Crest: A cock proper. Motto: "Fortiter et Recte" ("Bravely and Rightly").

I will give you some extracts from a peculiar marriage settlement of John Gledhill, of Barkisland, dated November 20, 1502:-

"Whereas it is agreed that his son Thomas shall take to wife Janet, daughter of Nicholas Woodhead." and among the provisions of the settlement are:-

1. His son and his wife to receive an annual rent of 6/8, issuing out of a property called "Pierce Hey."

2. His son to have two days in a week in a "Walk Milne, " otherwise a fulling mill at Pierce Hey.

3. On day of marriage to have £8/6/8.

4. Similar amount within 40 days of wedding.

5. A gift of 40/- in pennies.

6. £6/6/8 in pennies when they shall "goo to hous."

7. His son's father-in-law to agree to array his daughter Janet sufficiently in bed and back and to give meat and lodging to them for 3 years after marriage.

8. The father-in-law of his son is to provide a surety of 100 marks that his daughter Janet shall not vex, trouble or interfere with him (John Gledhill) her father-in-law to be.

The son of the above marriage, who was also named Thomas, was a much married man.

1st Marriage: Agnes Savile, his cousin, two children: John and Elizabeth.

2nd Marriage: Janet Woodhead, 4 sons: Thomas, James, George, Richard, and one daughter: Janet.

(A marriage settlement of May 8, 1543, stated that his wedding must be celebrated before Michaelmas. He inherited from his father and grandsire a new house in the "nether end" of Barkisland and seven closes of land called Southey, Tirredore, Karre, Longmytrode, Lyttyll, Alylnrode, Longholme and Sprying in Barkisland. His father-in-law covenated to give £6 in pennies at the time of their marriage and he promised to honestly "arraye his daughter of bedde and bakke as beseemeth both for the deliverer and taker.")

3rd Marriage: Agnes? and by this wife were two children: Donrel and Susan.

Thomas died, and was buried in the Elland Churchyard on March 25, 1568, and his eldest son and heir, John, of the first wife, now came into his own, and he:-

1st Marriage: Elizabeth, surname unknown.-Had a son Thomas (presumably son Michael) and four daughters. His wife died 1575.

2nd Marriage: Cicily, daughter of John Thornhill, one son (John) and four daughters.

(He died, and was buried at Elland, December 31, 1594.)

John Gledhill was an extremely wealthy man in those days, and we find no indication that he was engaged in the staple trade of the district. We must, therefore, conclude that he was to be numbered among the comparatively few landed gentry in the parish in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and undoubtedly he was the most influential personage in Barkisland township.

This John Gledhill was succeeded by his son Thomas Gledhill, who kept up the family traditions in regard to marriages. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Richard Wade. They were married at Halifax, January 23, 1534-35, and had Thomas, a son, baptised at Elland, May 7, 1587, and who died in 1607, during his father's lifetime.

By a second marriage with Edith, daughter of John Harrison, of Leeds, he had: John, Elizabeth, Thomas, Richard and Judith. John, the eldest son, was the builder of Barkisland Hall, as we know it to-day.

In the year 1922, Mr. Hugh P. Kendall read a paper before the Halifax Antiquarian Society, entitled: "Barkisland Hall and the Family of Gledhill, " from which we note that Barkisland Hall is a beautiful mansion, which stands at the foot of the village which bears the same name. It is a stately building, entered by a three-decker porch, surmounted by a rose window. Over the doorway of this is the date 1638, with the initials J. G.-S. G., those of John Gledhill and his wife Sarah. This building is still standing to-day, but unfortunately not in the hands of the family.

Barkisland Hall was the centre of social life, for opposite the entrance gates are some cottages, which were once the kennels of Barkisland in the days when the Gledhills hunted the surrounding country. The Hall is situated close to the road and can be seen by all who pass through the village. John Gledhill might have had some premonition of the end of his line, when he caused to be cut over a doorway the following:

Nunc mea, mox hujus, postea nescio cujus

(Once his, now mine, but I know not whose afterwards).

John Gledhill was buried at Elland, May 28, 1656, and it was his desire to be laid to rest in the chapel at Elland "amongst his ancestors." The end of this branch of the Gledhill family came with great suddenness, as father and son had departed this life in the short space of about ten months, and within a year after, the daughter of the last survivor followed, and Barkisland Hall knew them no longer. This daughter, Sarah Gledhill, was known for her benevolence, as will be noted from some extracts from her will:-

I do give and bequeath the sum of £200 unto the use of a schoolmaster, for teaching such poor children of the township of Barkisland whose parents are not able to bring them up in learning, and I do will that my executors hereafter named bestow the said sum of £200 in some convenient place in the purchase of lands, and put the same into feoffees estate, the profits whereof to be yearly gathered by such feoffees and their heirs to succeeding generations for ever, and paid to such schoolmaster or schoolmasters as shall be by them in their discretion placed or appointed in the town or township aforesaid, for which said yearly profit the said schoolmaster shall teach such children to read English and to write or cast account, or further learning as the said feoffees shall think meet and convenient, and as the moneys so raised will extend. During the 15th and 16th centuries we note that the Gledhills lived in the following towns and villages of Yorkshire: Huddersfield, Woodhouse, Churchyard, Halifax, Hunslet, Bathroyd, Littlehaven, Warley, Elland, Stainland, Sowerby, Baytenge, Rishworth, Rastrick, Barkisland, Auldlynley, and Brighouse.

The Gledhills, therefore, are a very old Yorkshire family, about which little has been published. If we turn to the pages of Mr. Watson's "History of Halifax, " we shall find the copy of a pedigree of the family of Gledhill, as collected from ancient deeds, etc., and confirmed by William Segar, Knt., Garter King of Arms in the year 1632. In searching the records of the world to-day, we note that the family of Gledhill has spread far and wide the world over and is increasing as the years roll by. The name is perpetuated as follows:-

1. Gledhill Yard, Leeds, Yorkshire.

2. Gledhill Street, Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria, named after William Gledhill.

3. Steamship "Gledhill." The following are the particulars taken from Lloyd's Register of 1927: - No. 20, 808, Gledhill, ex Taywood, N.G.H.G. Well Deck Steel, 505 tons, 155 ft. long, 26 ft. 8 inches breadth, 11 ft. 7 inches depth, built 1894, Registered Newcastle, British, J. Geddes, Robinson, Brown & Co., Managers.

Mr Geddes named the ship "Gledhill, " after a farm called Gledhill, in Morayshire, near Garmouth on Spey, Scotland.

As we read in this article these simple records, we cannot help but feel that there is a deep significance behind the fact of the name of Gledhill, that the members of the family were servants of the Lord and helped along the work of God and His Church amongst all classes of people. Centuries have rolled by, and still to-day we find scattered all over the world many of those who bear the name actively engaged in the work of the Lord.

The following article was published by the Halifax Antiquarian Society, 1922

BARKISLAND HALL and the FAMILY OF GLEDHILL, by HUGH P. KENDALL

(Note: The family trees of Denise Choppin and Denise Sibley include the families mentioned in this article)

Twenty years ago the Halifax Antiquarian Society, in the days of its youth, paid a visit to Barkisland, when some notes on its ancient hall were contributed by Mr. John Lister, MA I might perhaps be forgiven for again taking up the subject in order to present a more amplified account of a very old local family about which little has been published in our transactions.

If we turn to Mr. Watson's "History of Halifax" we shall find the copy of a pedigree which he saw at Howroyde, and which he describes as "a beautiful pedigree on vellum" giving the descent of the family of Gledhill as collected from ancient deeds, evidences, etc. and confirmed by William Seagar, Knt., Garter King of Arms, in the year 1632. We find from this that at some uncertain date one Richard de Barkisland had two sons, Thomas and Robert, and the former of these had also two sons, Peter and John. Peter had two daughters, one of whom married Henry Gledhill, so we might presume that the male line direct had become extinct with these daughters, and Henry had married one of the co-heires. Where he sprung from history sayeth not, but the Gledhills have certainly been resident in Barkisland township from very early times. In the Wakefield Manor Rolls we find Henry de Gledehill and Peter de Barkisland mentioned together in the year 1308, and it is quite within the bounds of probability that these two are the father-in-law and son-in-law in question, and further it helps us to rely a little more on the pedigree as quoted by Mr. Watson, for one is apt to look with a certain amount of suspicion on any local pedigree earlier than the 16th century.

Henry Gledhill, by his marriage with the daughter of Peter de Barkisland, had a son William Gledhill, who in his turn married and had a son Adam, who was mentioned in a deed of 1327, and he had a son John Gledhill, who appears in a deed of 1356. These deeds must have been in the possession of the Gledhill and Horton families at the time the pedigree was sanctioned by the Heralds College, and the latter family still possess some of the earliest of our local documents. John Gledhill was followed by a son, Thomas Gledhill, who was mentioned in a deed of 1448. These entries do not go any further than the eldest son, although other contemporary deeds tell us that there were other members of the Gledhill family witnessing documents, all described as of Barkisland. Tedious though it is we have no option than to follow the bare entries as given although we should much prefer to know the contents of the deeds in question. Thomas Gledhill, last mentioned, had a son named John who, besides being mentioned in a deed of 1476 as given in the pedigree is also mentioned elsewhere, and now we feel on safer ground. In the year 1502 he was a party to a marriage settlement which I must quote at some length because of its interest and abbreviate as much as possible in the process.

On Nov. 20, 1502, an indenture was made between John Gledhill, of Barkisland, and Nicholas Woodhead, bearing witness that John Gledhill is agreed that Thomas Gledhill, his son and heir, shall take to wife Janet, daughter of the said Nicholas, and John Gledhill agrees to make a sure and sufficient estate in law of all such messuages, lands, meadows, woods, pastures, mills, rents, etc., as he possesses within the township of Barkisland and Stainland for the benefit of his son and heir and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten betwixt the said Janet and him. Also Thomas is agreed to make a sufficient estate to his father for term of life of and in the aforesaid messuages, etc., and that done, a deed of settlement is to be made by John Gledhill and his son conveying the property to four trustees. Thomas and Janet are to have a yearly rent of 6s. 8d. issuing out of a messuage called Pierce Hey for the term of their lives; also Thomas is to have two days in a week in a "walk milne, " otherwise a fulling mill at Pierce Hey for the term of his life, provided always that, two of the sons of Nicholas Woodhead shall occupy the said mill with Thomas Gledhill so long as they dwell in the house with Nicholas, their father, bearing their shares of the cost of repairs to the same. John Gledhill agrees to deliver all such evidence as he possesses concerning his livelihood to "an indifferent man dwelling within the township of Barkisland, " to the use of himself for term of his life, and after his decease to his son Thomas, a clause, I presume, to ensure the father's estates being passed to the son. Nicholas Woodhead, on his part, agrees to pay to John and Thomas 25 marks as follows: On the day of the marriage £8 6s. 8d., and a similar sum either at the wedding day or within forty days after, the sum of 40s. in penny or pennyworth, and the other £6 6s. 8d. in penny or pennyworth, at such time as Thomas and Janet shall "goo to hous." Also Nicholas agrees to array his daughter sufficiently in bed and back, and also to give meat and lodging to Thomas and Janet for three years after marriage. He also finds surety in 100 marks that Janet shall not vex, trouble, nor interfere with the said John Gledhill in any of the said messuages, etc., except in the matter of the annual rent before mentioned. Also the parties are agreed that John Gledhill shall have all his will and liberty in a messuage and close called "Sifrod" in Stainland for the space of twenty years after the death of the said John. (This clause does not appear to have any sense in it). Should there be no heirs male, then the heirs female are to inherit the before said messuage.

The witnesses to this peculiar marriage settlement are John Savile of Fixby, Sir Gilbert Clay (of Halifax, chaplain) and Gilbert Woodhead. The document is quoted in full with all its old world spelling in "Yorkshire Deeds, " published by the Yorks. Arch. Society in the Record Series and the original is at the Howroyde. I give the doubtful clause as printed.

Besides the son Thomas, John Gledhill had one daughter Margery, who married John Savile of the New Hall, Elland.

Thomas Gledhill, by his marriage with Janet, daughter of Nicholas Woodhead, had one son Thomas Gledhill, a much married man. He married for his first wife, Agnes, daughter of John Savile, of New Hall (who was by the way his cousin), and by her had John Gledhill, eldest son, and a daughter Elizabeth. By a second marriage with Janet, daughter of Thomas Woodhead, of the Howroyd, he had four sons and one daughter, and in connection with this marriage we have a marriage covenant dated May 8th, 1543, whereby the marriage was to be celebrated before Michaelmas, and Thomas Gledhill was to make a lawful estate to four trustees, Thomas Savile of Exley, Henry Savile of New Hall, Richard Gledhill of Baitings and James Foxcroft of Soyland, of all his messuages, etc., corn mill dam on the water of Blackburn, etc., in Barkisland and Stainland, "which had belonged to Thomas Gledhill, his father, and John Gledhill, his grandsire." The trustees were to make estates to Thomas Gledhill and Jenet, his wife, for their lives, with the usual remainders. A new house was mentioned in the "nether end" of Barkisland and seven closes of land called Southey, Tirrerode, Karre, Longmylnrode, Lyttyll Mylnrode, Longholme and Spryng, in Barkisland and Stainland. Thomas Woodhead, on his part, covenanted to make an estate of a third part of his property in Barkisland, and to pay in penny or penny worth £6 "at such tyme as the sayde partyes can be contented to delyver and take wyth the delyverance of his sayde doughter ageyn and at the sayde tyme of weddying honestly arrayed of bedde and bakke, as beseemeth both for the delyverer and taker."

This Thomas Woodhead was the last of his line to own the Howroyd and, after his decease, the estate passed to his three daughters, Jenet, above named, Margaret, who married John Hanson of Rastrick, the father of our well known local antiquary and lawyer, and Elizabeth, who married John Foxcroft of Sowerby.

The children of Thomas Gledhill, by this second marriage were, Thomas, James, George, Richard and Jenet, and the elder of these, Thomas Gledhill, in 1578, came into possession of the Howroyd in satisfaction of his share, or rather his mother's, in the estate of Thomas Woodhead, she being then deceased. He was apparently residing there at this period and had married Mary Woodhead at Elland, 21 November, 1563. The details of the release of Howroyd to him are published in detail in "Yorkshire Deeds" and do not concern us at this time.

Thomas Gledhill, senior, as we must now call him, married yet a third time, and by this wife, Agnes, there were two children, Daniel and Susan. Thomas Gledhill was buried at Elland March 25, 1565, and administration of his estate was granted to his widow, Agnes Gledhill, and Thomas Gledhill, son.

John Gledhill, son and heir by the first wife, now came into his own, and he married Elizabeth, surname unknown, by whom he had Thomas Gledhill and, presumably, a son Michael, and four daughters. The first wife was buried at Elland in 1575, and John Gledhill afterwards married Cicily, daughter of John Thornhill, Esquire, of Fixby, by whom one son, John, and four daughters. He was buried at Elland December 31, 1594, and is the first of his line whose testamentary depositions are found amongst the York wills.

Abstract of the Will of John Gledhill, of Barkisland. Date, 20 April, 1594

To be buried in the Church or Chappel of Elland, where my late father and mother were buried.

To Michael Gleedhill, my second son, All my messuages lands etc., in Barkisland, which I late had and purchased to me and my heirs from Richard Gleedhill, late of Baytings, deceased, And also all those messuages, lands, etc., in Bothomley, in the township of Barkisland, in the tenures of Alexander Nevile and John Taylor, which were some time the inheritance of one William Reyner, deceased, or of Marmaduke Reyner, which I purchased of the said William deceased, or of Richard Denton of Bothomley, or of any others, Also one house and one acre of land in Barkisland in a place called Rawneslaw Cliff, now in the tenure of Thomas Woodhead, and my reversion therein after his death, two other closes in a place in Barkisland called Stele-lane, commonly called the Sprotts, which I purchased of James Gleedhill, late of Stele lane, deceased, and one other close called the Spetch in Barkisland, which I purchased of John Stead, And all my estate in certain lands in Barkisland called Newlightlie Roids, To hold the same to the said Michael Gledhill, my son, and the heirs male of his body, with remainder for default of such issue to John Gleedhill, my youngest son, and the heirs male of his body, with remainder to my right heirs.

Also to John Gleedhill, my youngest son, a close called Old Lightlye Roid in Barkisland, in the tenure of Gilbert Fox, and my moiety of a messuage and lands in Sowerbie in the tenure of John Dobson, which I bought of the co-heirs of one Gilbert Lombe, or any other persons, which is freehold, To hold the same to the said John Gleedhill, my youngest son, and the heirs male of his body, yielding for the said close called Old Lightlye Roid yearly unto Thomas Gleedhill, my son and heir apparent, 6s. 8d., And for default of such issue, to my right heirs.

Whereas I have made certain Stalls in Rybonden chapel for me and my children, I will that my eldest son have one Stall next the table. And I will that my said son Thomas Gleedhill, and my younger sons Michael Gleedhill and John Gleedhill, shall have the next Stall equally among them. Also to my sons Michael and John, one seat in the long stall next the wall, where my Tenants do kneel, and one stall at the back of the quire, at the Chancel door. And the residue of my stalls or seats in the said chapel I give to the said Thomas Gleedhill, my eldest son, and his heirs for ever.

To Judeth Gleedhill, Elizabeth Gleedhill, Jane and Dorothie Gleedhill, my daughters, all that Messuage with its lands, closes, etc., in Barkisland, now in the tenure of John Dean, and the rents thereof, until my said four daughters shall have received £66 13s. 2d., as mentioned in an Indenture dated the 17th February, 27 Eliz. made between me the said John Gleedhill, and Thomas Gleedhill, my son and heir, of the one part, and Richard Wade of Quickstavers in Sowerbie, of the other part. But if the said Thomas Gleedhill, my son, will pay to my said four daughters that sum, that is £16 13s 3d. (?) each, as they attain 21 or marry, Then he shall have the use of the said tenements.

To Martha, now wife of John Midgley, daughter of Richard Baylye by Janet, his late, wife, and one of my daughters, £6 13s. 4d.

To John Midgley, son of the said John Midgley by the said Martha, 20s.

To the two children of Robert Illingworth by Jane, my daughter, now deceased, £5 each as they attain 21 or be married.

To the two younger sons of John Firth by Mary, my daughter, now his wife £5 each. But if the said Robert Illingworth, John Firth and others commence any suit, the above to be void.

To the said John Gleedhill, my youngest son, £20 for his portion of my goods. To the said Michael Gleedhill, my son, £20 for his portion of my goods. To the said Michael Gleedhill the custody I have of Richard Wheately deceased.

Whereas I have with the consent of Cicilie, now my wife, given forth of my goods £400 for the preferment of my said four daughters by her, I hereby confirm the same.

Residue of my goods to the said Judeth, Elizabeth Jane and Dorothie Gleedhill, my daughters, equally, whom I make Executrices. I give the government of them and their portions during minority to my sons Thomas and Michael Gleedhill, they to permit my said four daughters to remain in the custody of Cicilie, their mother during widowhood, and my two sons and the said John Midgeley to be answerable to my said daughters for their education. I give the government of John Gleedhill, my youngest son, to my wife Cecilie, during her widowhood, and if she marry, to Michael Gleedhill, my son.

I give the said Thomas Gleedhill my son, 53s. 4d. of my goods, and also £11, parcel of £20 remaining unpaid to me by James Gleydhill of Stele lane, under an Indenture dated 24th July, 30 Elizabeth made between the said James of the one part, and me (the testator), of the other part. And if the said James and his heirs make default in payment, then the said Thomas Gleedhill, my son shall have a dwelling house called Steele lane, garden, etc., by the said Indenture conveyed to me, until the said sum of £11 shall be paid. To the intent that the said Thomas Gleedhill shall pay to the sons of Leonard Denton, late of Helliwell Green, deceased, £13 13s. 4d. (which I have of their child's portions) as they attain 21 years, provided that if Susan Wheatley, my sister do pay £30 which I lent her, within one year after my decease, she shall occupy all the messuages, lands, etc., of the said Richard Wheatley during his nonage, paying yearly to my son Michael Gleedhill £5 according to his father's will.

Providing that if the said Richard Wheatley shall pay to Robert Wheatley his brother, £110 within half a year after attaining 21 or marriage, then the said Richard shall have full power to marry without consent of guardians.

I make my friends Mr. Serjant Savill, my brother-in-law, Mr Brian Thornhill, Esquier, and John Thornhill, his brother, Richard Watkins, my brother-in-law; the said Thomas Gleedhill and Michael Gleedhill, my sons, Supervisors.

Signed 4th November in above year in presence of Henry Sharrock, clarke, Thos. Horton, John Midgley, John Hillam, John Firth, John Burch. Probate granted 11 June, 1596 to Thomas and Michael Gledhill and John Midgley, to the use of the four daughters and executors, under age.

Mr. "Serjant Savill" was the celebrated John Savile of Bradley Hall and Methley, Serjeant-at-law in 1594, Baron of the Exchequer 1598, knighted 1603. Under the will he was to have "for his pains" the sum of 20s., Brian Thornhill 10s., John Thornhill "one spruce jerkin, " Richard Watkins (?Watkinson) 10s. and each of the two sons a like amount.

The above quoted will shows us that John Gledhill was an extremely wealthy man in those days, further we can find no indication that he was engaged in the staple trade of the district. We must therefore conclude that he was to be numbered amongst the comparatively few landed gentry in our parish in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and undoubtedly he was the most influential personage in Barkisland township. He is not mentioned with any frequency in the local wills of the period although he was one of those to whom Henry Savile of Bradley, in 1566, entrusted the "ordering in marriage" of his daughters.

As before mentioned his wife survived him, dying in 1601, buried at Elland, May 13, of that year. Her will is as follows:-

Abstract of the will of Cicilie Gledhill, widow, of Barkisland, late wife of John Gledhill (nuncupative). Date 19 April, 1601. Whereas she hath given unto John Gleydhill and Dorathie, two of her children, certain goods, bedding, etc., contained in two notes of writing, she did confirm the same.

She gave to Elizabeth, wife of Francis Richard, one black cow and one side saddle. And to Frances Richard, daughter of the said Elizabeth, one brown whie. She gave to Jane her daughter, now wife of John Cooper, one black cow, one cubbord, and sundry household articles, also one spended heifer.

To every one of her three daughters, Elizabeth Richard, Jane Cooper, and Dorathie Gleydhill, ten pieces of pewter.

Residue to John Gleydhill, her son, and Dorathie Gleydhill, her daughter, whom she made Exors., to be advised by Mr. John Thornhill of Fixbie, Esq., and Nicholas Thornhill, his brother.

Proved 22 April, 1602, by John Gledhill, son and Exor.

John Gledhill was succeeded by his son Thomas Gledhill, who kept up the family traditions in regard to marriages, his first wife being Mary, daughter of Richard Wade, of Quickstavers, in Sowerby, by his wife Agnes, daughter of William Farrer, of Ewood. They were married at Halifax, Jan. 22, 1584-5, and had Thomas baptised at Elland May 7, 1587, and Susan. Thomas died in his father's lifetime and was buried at Elland in 1607. He married Isabel Deane who survived him, and his will, proved in the last named year, mentions his father, to whom is bequeathed £5, his uncle, Anthony Wade (of Peel House), brother-in-law Robert Deane, of Exley, and cousin Anthony Wade, of King Cross. To the poor of Barkisland, Stainland, and Halifax, he bequeathed £5 each, and to the Free Grammar School further £5.

By a second marriage with Edith, daughter of John Harrison, of Leeds, Thomas Gledhill, senior, had John, Elizabeth, Thomas, Richard, and Judith.

John, the eldest son, was the builder of Barkisland Hall (photo 57k), as we know it to-day, and he was baptised at Elland on the 15th of September, 1605, and married there, 11th Oct., 1636, Sarah, daughter of William Horton, of Barkisland. Over the principal doorway at the hall can be seen the initials of John and Sarah Gledhill, with the date "1638." Elizabeth, elder daughter, was baptised at Elland, 15th Oct., 1609, and married William Horton, aforesaid, and a reference to the Elland Registers reveals the interesting fact that a brother and sister of the house of Gledhill were wedded to brother and sister of the house of Horton on the same day, Oct. 11th, 1636.

Thomas, second son, baptised at Elland, 15th Nov., 1607, died without issue.

Richard, third son, baptised at Elland, 29th Dec., 1616, was educated for the law at Lincoln's Inn, and when the Civil War split England in twain he espoused the Royalist cause and became captain of a troop of horse, under the famous cavalry general, Sir Marmaduke Langdale. For some notable act of gallantry he was knighted by the Marquis of Newcastle, and as Sir Richard Gledhill, Knight, met his fate in battle, being killed on Hessay Moor, near York, in 1644. He was buried in Saint Martin's Micklegate, July 8, of that year.

There is an element of fatality in the end of Sir Richard Gledhill, for his mother was the daughter of that staunch Royalist, John Harrison, of Leeds, a man to whom the city owes much in the shape of benefactions, but perhaps Saint John's Church is his best memorial. He was harried by the Parliament as a delinquent, and although the commissioners appear to have been divided in their judgments, he was fined a considerable sum. We must now return again to the father Thomas Gledhill. He died in 1617 and was buried at Elland, 31st October, leaving no will, but administration was granted to Edith, the relict, also the tuition of Thomas, Elizabeth, Judith and Richard, the children. In July of the following year (1618) the widow revoked the tuition clause granted to her in favour of John Harrison of Leeds, her father. She was buried at Elland 13th April, 1637.

Her will is dated February 21st, 1636, wherein she bequeaths to Richard Gledhill, her younger son, "all my mannor of Clayton and all my messuages in the county of York, and I desire and earnestly charge my eldest son John Gledhill that he or his heirs, immediately after my death, shall make settlements to Richard, his brother." To John Gledhill, the eldest son, is given the sum of £200, and to the daughter Elizabeth, wife of William Horton, the younger, £100.

To the poor of Barkisland 40s.

Residue to Richard Gledhill, executor.

As we have already seen, Richard Gledhill did not live to claim his legacies and Elizabeth Horton proved the will as only daughter June 30, 1658.

John Gledhill, the builder of the Hall, had two children, Thomas and Sara, both of whom died without entering matrimony, therefore the line came to an end.

John, unlike his younger brother, had taken no active part in the Civil War, but, evidently to save any possible trouble he petitioned to compound for lands which had reverted to him as brother and next heir of Sir Richard. The Report says:-

"We find that the delinquacy was in the said Richard Gledhill, who was engaged in the war under the command of the Earl of Newcastle; the said Richard Gledhill died seized of the manor of Clayton consisting only of free rent and some small perquisites of court of the yearly value of £13 6s. 8d. and of one messuage in Barkisland worth yearly £20 and of one messuage in Stainland worth yearly £9."

Nevertheless John Gledhill, on the 12th July, 1650, paid the sum of £127 to get clear.

John Gledhill might have had some premonition of the end of his line when he caused to be cut over a doorway the lines:-

"Nunc mea, mox hujus, postea nescio cujus"; (Once his, now mine, but I know not whose afterwards).

John Gledhill was buried at Elland, 28th May, 1656 leaving a will to which he added a codicil shortly before his death.

Will of John Gledhill, of Barkisland. Date Aug. 19th, 1652. To be buried in the chapel of Elland "amongst my auncestors." Whereas I stand seised in the manors of Beamsley and Hellifield, and lands therein and in Barkisland, Stainland, Cromwell Bothom, Eland, and Southowram, I give to Sarah Gledhill, my daughter, an annuity or rent charge yearly for four years, then to Thomas Gledhill, my son and heir.

To Sarah Gledhill, one trunk which was her mother's and all the linen, jewels, therein, and half the embroidered work which "my late wife brought to my house."

To the poor of Barkisland £3 6s. 8d. To who shall be preacher of Ribonden church and shall make a sermon at my funeral, 20s.

Of the residue, Sarah Gledhill, for the residue of her portion, and in lieu of her right £400. The residue to my son Thomas. May 22, 1656. Whereas I gave Sarah Gledhill, my daughter, £200 rent charge and £400 out of my goods, I wish the said rent charge to be void and I give my said daughter £1,400 of which £600 to be paid at 21, Thomas paying her £30 yearly till paid. £800 to be paid at the end of twelve months after the day of her marriage, and £200 in two years after. Probate granted to Sarah Gledhill, daughter, Sept. 26th, 1657, Thomas Gledhill having died.

Thomas Gledhill was buried at Elland March 30, 1657, thus quickly following his father. His will adds further benefactions to Ripponden Church, Mr. Joshua Horton of Sowerby Hall, being the trustee. Will of Thomas Gledhill, of Barkisland. Date March 23, 1656. Bequeaths the sum of £120 "for the onely use of a lawful preaching minister of the word of God at Riponden Chappell that shall be settled there from time to time" The bequest appears to have been in lands as he goes on to say "My will and mind is that the profits of the same landes from yeare to yeare to succeeding ages, shall come and be paid to the hands of such minister or ministers for ever, which summe of £120 I have given in my life time into the hands of my uncle Joshua Horton, Esq., intreating him to bestowe or cause to be bestowed the said moneys upon lands in some convenient place to the best profit he can." In commemoration whereof the minister was to preach one sermon yearly on the 1st of May, if it be not on the Lord's Day, and if so, in the week following at the minister's choice. Should there be no minister the sum to go to the most needful poor of Barkisland.

To the poor of Barkisland £4

I have given to Mr. Joshua Horton £50 to be bestowed in lands, the profits for the poor of Barkisland, and also £10 to be given to Mr. Roger Kenyon, the present minister of Ripponden, as a legacy, he to preach my funeral sermon, and I give him 20s.

To each of my servants 40s. To Henry Ellstones 10s. To kinsman James Gledhill of London £5. Remainder to sister Sarah Gledhill.

Probate granted Sept. 26, 1657, to Sarah Gledhill.

The end of the Gledhill family came with great suddenness, for as we have already seen, father and son had departed this life in the short space of about ten months, and within a year after, the daughter, the last survivor, follows, and Barkisland Hall knows them no longer.

I give her will, which is dated Oct. 13, 1657, as follows:-

Will of Sarah Gledhill, late of Barkisland, now of London, spinster. I do allow the sum of £200 for funeral expenses, willing that such persons be put into mourning attire with part of the said sum, viz., my uncle Joshua Horton, Mr. Bococke, his wife, Mrs Oakes, my cousin Elizabeth Horton, and Martha Preston, my servant, which done "I do give and bequeath the sum of £200 unto the use of a schoolmaster, for teaching such poor children of the township of Barkisland whose parents are not able to bring them up in learning, and I do will that my executors hereafter named bestow the said sum of £200 in some convenient place in the purchase of lands, and put the same into feoffees estate, the profits whereof to be yearly gathered by such feoffees and their heirs to succeeding generations for ever, and paid to such schoolmaster or schoolmasters as shall be by them in their discretion placed or appointed in the town or township aforesaid, for which said yearly profit the said schoolmaster shall teach such children to read English and to write or cast account, or further learning as the said feoffees shall think meet and convenient, and as the moneys so raised will extend.

I give my grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Horton, £50 and one inlaid chest which was my mother's. To my uncle, Mr. Thomas Horton, of Liverpool, £150. To my cousin, Elizabeth Horton, £50. To Richard Hoyle and his son, Nathan Hoile, of Lightasles, £5 each. To my cousin, Edward Hanson, of Woodhouse, £30. To the use of my cousin, James Gledhill, of London, and of his wife and children, £50, which sum to be put forth by my executor for their profit, livelihood, and better support. To the sister of the said James Gledhill, £5. To Judith Haslan, of Rochdale, £10. To Thomas Deane, Michael Deane, and Henry Green's wife, £5 each. To Susan Horton and her son, Nathan, and her daughter Sarah, £5 each. To John Wormall, his sisters Grace and Martha, £5 each. To Nathan Hoile's wife of Milnebanck, £5. To Mr. Kenyon, minister of Ripponden, £10. To Martha Preston, my servant, £10. To Henry Ellistone, my father's apprentice, towards his preferment and putting forth to some trade, £10. And I desire my executors to see Mr. Bococke well satisfied for the charges I have put him to in the time of this my visitation, and I give to Mrs. Bococke, his wife, over and above, £20, and to his three daughters 20s. each., and to his two maids 20s. each, and I give Mr. John Tillatson £5. To Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. James Okes, £10. To Elizabeth Brooke, 40s. To Robert Pickles, £5. To the poor of Barkisland, £5. Residue to uncle Joshua Horton, of Sowerby, Esq., and my aunt, Elizabeth Horton, of Holroide, equally, both executors.

Proved April 30, 1658.

I have here traced the main line of the Gledhill family of Barkisland, but there are other branches which might well repay investigation. The 17th century homestead of that main line is still one of our most beautiful local buildings, although it has suffered in many ways during its somewhat chequered career. It was apparently built "from the ground" by John Gledhill in 1638, and did not supplant an older building on the site, indeed it marks, in some directions, the coming in of a more advanced style of architecture into the district.

The Old Hall stood further up the village of Barkisland and its site is now occupied by modern dwellings. These were built by Mr. Titterington, the owner of the Old Hall, and it is of interest to note that the Gledhill family name was associated with this hall until the death of Mr. Thomas Gledhill, father of the late Mrs. Titterington of the Greave, Luddenden. When the old building was taken down a piece of plasterwork was preserved and re-erected at the Greave, and this bears the initials of a Michael and Dorothy Gledhill, with the date "1596," within a circular panel decorated with fleur-de-lys and conventional pomegranates. In the upper floor of the Hall has been re-erected a stone fireplace found during the present structural alterations necessitated by the state of the building. It was found at the back of, and concealed by, a later stone fireplace of a date or period corresponding with the building. It would appear therefore that this older fireplace had been removed from somewhere and used in the new building, but perhaps being thought too small, had been supplanted by the larger one placed in front of it. In all probability it came from the Old Hall, for it bears the initials "T. G.," and date "1605," and can only refer to Thomas Gledhill, who died in the year 1617, and was the father of the builder of the new Barkisland Hall.

The Michael Gledhill of the plasterwork at the Greave was probably brother of the before-mentioned Thomas Gledhill, he being buried at Elland in 1623, his wife, Dorothy, having predeceased him in 1613. Presumably he had a son, besides three daughters, but that son has yet to be traced.