The second part of this post concerns the genealogy of the several branches of the Assheton family. For an introduction to the family and their estates, and information about the houses they owned, please go to part 1 of this post.
De Assheton, Sir John (d. 1427), kt. Elder son of Sir John de Ashton (c.1354-98) and his wife, Joan, the daughter of William Radcliffe of Smithills in Lancashire. He followed his father into service with the House of Lancaster in the 1380s, and was made a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of King Henry IV in 1400. JP for Lancashire from 1404 and MP for Lancashire in 1411, 1413 and 1416. He may have fought against the Welsh and the Scots during Henry IV's reign; he certainly served under King Henry V in 1415 on the Agincourt campaign. In 1417 he returned to France and was appointed seneschal of Bayeux and baillie of the Cotentin in 1418, offices he held until 1421. During those years he was also sent three times on embassy to Brittany. In the 1420s he played less part in public life, but was appointed JP for Yorkshire. He married 1st, Jane, daughter of John Savile of Tankersley (Yorks), by whom he had three sons and eight daughters, and 2nd, Margaret Gray. His issue included:
(1.1) Sir Thomas Assheton (c.1403-60), kt.; knighted by 1434 but was exempted from appointment to Crown offices, 1442; had a licence to practice alchemy, 1446; married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Byron and had issue ten children;
(1.2) Lucy Assheton; married 1st, Sir Berton Entwisle, 2nd, Richard Byron, and 3rd Sir Ralph Shirley;
(1.3) Margaret Assheton; married Thomas Langley of Edgecroft;
(1.4) Katherine Assheton; married John Dukinfield;
(1.5) Elizabeth Assheton; married 1st, Sir Ralph Harrington and 2nd, Sir Richard Hammerton;
(1.6) Agnes Assheton; married Thomas Booth of Barton;
(1.7) Anne Assheton; married [forename unknown] Dutton of Cheshire;
(2.1) Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), kt. (q.v.).
He inherited estates at Ashton-under-Lyne, Wardle and Alt (Lancs) and Morley (Yorks WR); his Lancashire estates were left to his eldest son, but his Yorkshire property to the son of his second marriage.
He died 3 September 1427. His wives dates of death are unknown.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (c.1425-88), kt. Only child of Sir John de Assheton (d. 1427), kt. and his second wife Margaret Gray, born c.1425. As a child he was a Page of Honour to King Henry VI, but in adulthood his sympathies lay with the White Rose. He earned the favour of King Edward IV by service to Richard Neville, earl of Salisbury (d. 1460), and was rewarded with office as receiver of the honour of Pickering. He was knighted in 1464 or 1465, perhaps in the course of northern campaigning. In spite of his earlier Neville links Ashton supported Edward IV in his conflict with the earl of Warwick in 1469–71, and was out of office until the restoration of Edward in 1471. High Sheriff of Yorkshire, 1472. In the 1470s Ashton was associated with Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later King Richard III) and fought under the duke in the campaign to recover Berwick, when he was made a Knight Banneret in July 1482. After Richard III's accession Ashton became a knight of the king's body and he was one of those who rode in procession with the King at his coronation. In October 1483 he was made vice-constable of England, which gave him a key role in the suppression of Buckingham's rebellion, for which he was rewarded with lands in Kent. He was briefly Lieutenant of the Tower of London. He seems to have avoided fighting at the Battle of Bosworth, perhaps because of his age and increasing infirmity, and was not attainted by King Henry VII. His reputation for violence and unscrupulous dealing has, however, caused him to pass into Lancashire folklore as the Black Knight, and at Ashton-under-Lyne his death is still celebrated by the annual ceremony known as the "Riding of the Black Lad". 19th century antiquaries recorded the rhyme:
(1.1) Sir Richard Assheton (d. 1507) (q.v.);
(1.2) Sir Ralph Assheton (fl. 1501), kt. [for whom see Assheton family of Great Lever below];
(1.3) John Assheton (fl. 1501);
(1.4) Roger Assheton (fl. 1501);
(1.5) Edmund Assheton (fl. 1484).
He inherited his father's Yorkshire property as an infant, and the Middleton Hall estate in right of his first wife. He seems to have lived primarily at Fryton (Yorks NR) until the 1480s, when he acquired lands in Kent.
He died (according to folklore being murdered by a woman he had raped), c.1487/8. His first wife died between 1480 and 1483. His widow married 3rd, before 1490, John Bourchier, a younger son of Henry, earl of Essex; and died on 2 April 1499.
Assheton, Sir Richard (d. 1507). Elder son of Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), kt. and his wife Margaret, daughter of John Barton of Middleton (Lancs). Knighted for his services in the Scottish wars under Lord Strange. He had royal pardon for civil offences, 1487. He married, 1480 (agreement 29 July), Isabel (d. 1531), daughter of John Talbot of Salesbury Hall, Ribchester (Lancs), and had issue:
(1) Sir Richard Assheton (c.1482-1549) (q.v.)*;
(2) Margaret Assheton; married John Hopwood (fl. 1533) of Hopwood;
(3) Dorothy Assheton; married Robert Holte (c.1481-1554) of Stubley;
(4) Alice Assheton (d. 1531); married 1st, 1501 (settlement 9 November), Richard Radclyffe (1454-1502) of Radclyffe Tower; 2nd, 1503 (settlement 28 November), John Lawrence, brother of Sir Thomas Lawrence, kt.; and 3rd, before 1515, Thomas Booth of Hackensall; died 27 March 1531 and was buried at Middleton, where she is commemorated by a brass;
(5) Elizabeth Assheton (fl. 1514); married, c.1500-01, Robert (c.1481-1513), son of Thurstan Holland esq. of Denton, but had no surviving issue;
(6) Rev. Edmund Assheton (d. 1522); rector of Middleton; died 22 August 1522;
(7) Anne Assheton (fl. 1506); married (but div. 1506 on grounds of consanguinity), George Atherton (d. 1518) of Atherton.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father before 1494.
He died 28 April 1507 and was buried at Middleton; an inquisition post mortem was held 15 August 1508.
*Some genealogies insert here an extra generation, of Richard Assheton, who married Anne/Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Fouleshurst of Crewe (Cheshire), but the dates do not really permit this. I can find no evidence of such a marriage, although a deed of 1502 in which Fouleshurst is given power to appoint feoffees for the marriage settlement of Sir Richard's son, Richard and his wife Anne Strickland implies some relationship between the two families.
Assheton, Sir Richard (c.1482-1549). Eldest son of Sir Richard Assheton (d. 1507), kt. and his wife Isabel, daughter of John Talbot of Salebury, born about 1482. A distinguished warrior, who raised a company of archers from his estate for the Scottish wars and was knighted for his valour at the Battle of Flodden, 1513, where he took the Scottish standard-bearer's sword and captured Sir John Foreman, the Scottish monarch's serjeant-porter, who later identified the body of King James IV. On his return from the war, he continued the rebuilding of Middleton church and commissioned the "Flodden Window" depicting himself and his wife, the seventeen captains of his troop of archers, and the priest Henry Taylor who blessed them before the battle, commemorating them each by name in stained glass; the glass was installed in 1515 but altered in 1847 and restored in 2012. He also placed his standard in the church. He 'received several privileges from the king', including a general pardon for all "riots, illicit retainments and assemblies" committed before 4 Mar 1514. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1530. He married 1st, 1502 (settlement 29 August), Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Strickland, kt. of Lonsdale (Cumbld) and 2nd, 19 October 1541, Anne, daughter of Sir James Pickering and widow of Sir Robert Bellingham of Burneside, and had issue:
(1.1) Richard Assheton (c.1511-50) (q.v.);
(1.2) Rev. Robert Assheton (b. c.1515); rector of Middleton, 1538-59 and Radcliffe, c.1548-54;
(1.3) Rev. John Assheton (1524-84); educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1547; BA 1549/50; MA 1553); Fellow of Trinity College, 1551-59; rector of Middleton, 1559-84; married Anne [surname unknown] (d. 1578) and had issue (including Rev. Abdias Assheton (1563-1633) who was rector of Middleton, 1618-33); buried at Middleton, 9 October 1584;
(1.4) Ralph Assheton; married and had issue;
(1.5) Thomas Assheton; apparently brought up in the household the Byrons of Newstead (Notts); married and had issue;
(1.6) Leonard Assheton, of Chelsea (fl. 1549); died without issue;
(1.7) Mary Assheton (d. 1595); married 1st, [forename unknown] Gouland (d. by 1547) of Offerton and 2nd, 18 July 1547, Sir John Southworth, kt. (1526-95) of Samlesbury Hall (Lancs) by whom she had issue six sons and five daughters; died 3 November 1595 at Samlesbury Hall.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in about 1507 and had seisin of the estate in May 1511.
He died 11 January and was buried 14 January 1548/9; an inquisition post mortem was held 29 March 1549. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His widow survived him but her date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Richard (c.1511-50). Eldest son of Sir Richard Assheton (c.1482-1549), kt. and his first wife, Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Strickland, kt. of Lonsdale (Cumbld.). He married 1st, 1521 (settlement 20 August), Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Gerrard, kt. of Bryn (Lancs) and 2nd, 1541?, Katherine (d. 1572), daughter of Sir Robert Bellingham of Burneside (Westmld), and had issue:
(1.1) Anne Assheton (b. c.1530); married, 22 November 1547, as his second wife, John Booth (c.1526-52) of Barton, but had no issue;
(1.2) Richard Assheton (1536-63) (q.v.);
(2.1) Dorothy Assheton (b. 1543; fl. 1573), baptised 28 August 1543; married Alexander Hoghton (d. 1581) of Hoghton Tower (Lancs) (who m2, Elizabeth, widow of George Warburton and daughter of [forename unknown] Hesketh), but had no issue; died before 1580;
(2.2) Margaret Assheton (1544-1609); said to have been born 6 April 1544; married as a child, 1550 (settlement 6 February), William Davenport (d. 1585) of Bramhall/Bromhall (Cheshire) and had issue four sons and one daughter; she and her husband inherited the manor of Casterton (Westmld) from her parents; died 1609.
He also had an illegitimate son:
He died 4 August 1550; an inquisition post mortem was held 18 September 1550. His widow married 2nd, Sir William Radclyffe (d. 1568) of Ordsall and 3rd, c.1570, Sir William Davenport, and died 31 April 1572.
Assheton, Richard (1536-63). Only son of Richard Assheton (c.1511-50) and his first wife Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Gerrard, kt., of Bryn (Lancs), born July 1536. He married, 1549/50 (settlement 6 February), Elizabeth (d. c.1600), daughter of Sir William Davenport, kt., of Bramhall (Cheshire) and had issue including:
(1) Sir Richard Assheton (c.1558-1617), kt. (q.v.);
(2) John Assheton; died without issue.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1550, aged 14, and had livery of the estate 24 June 1558.
He died 17 July 1563. His widow was convicted of murder (whether of her husband or another is not clear) but was not executed and lived later at Garstang (Lancs); she died about 1600; an inquisition post mortem was held on 26 March 1601.
Assheton, Sir Richard (c.1558-1617), kt. Only recorded son of Richard Assheton (1536-63) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Davenport, kt., of Bramhall (Cheshire), born c.1558. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1585-86 1592-93, 1597-98, 1606-07. Knighted at the coronation of King James I, 1603. He married 1st, c.1575, Mary (d. 1592), daughter of Sir John Byron of Clayton and 2nd, 1593 (post-nuptial settlement 18 May), Mary (d. 1645), daughter of Robert Holte esq. of Ashworth and widow of John Greenhalgh esq. of Brandlesome, and had issue (with other children by his second wife who died before baptism):
(1.1) Winifred Assheton (fl. 1606); married John Holte (c.1577-1622) of Stubley Hall, Littleborough (Lancs), and had issue;
(1.2) Richard Assheton (c.1578-1618) (q.v.);
(1.3) Mary Assheton (1579-1600), baptised at Clayton, 18 October 1579; married, 28 October 1594 at Middleton, Robert Holte (d. c.1609) of Ashworth and had issue; died August 1600;
(1.4) Dorothy Assheton (d. by 1603); married, 1602 (post-nuptial settlement, 20 March), James Anderton (1576-1658) of Clayton and had issue one son; died before 1603;
(1.5) John Assheton (b. 1582; fl. 1619) of Middleton, baptised 21 December 1582 at Middleton; died unmarried and without issue;
(2.1) Susanna Assheton (1593-1644), baptised at Middleton, 30 December 1593; married. 17 October 1609 at Middleton, Alexander Wolstenholme (1571-1623) and had issue two sons and two daughters; buried at Middleton, 10 June 1644;
(2.2) Ralph Assheton (1596-1644) of Kirkby (Yorks), born 5 January 1595/6 and baptised at Middleton, 18 January 1595/6; educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (matriculated 1614; MA 1614/5) and Grays Inn (admitted 1614); married Catherine, daughter of William Brereton esq. of Ashley (Cheshire) and had issue; died 1644.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father and had livery of the estate in 1579. He purchased Blackley Hall and its demesne from his Byron relations c.1600 but it was sold by his descendants in 1636.
He died 27 December 1617 and was buried at Middleton, 28 December 1618 although the funeral was not held until 15 January 1617/8 (according to the diary of Nicholas Assheton). His first wife was buried at Middleton, 12 January 1591/2. His widow lived in widowhood at Radcliffe Tower, died 24 February 1644/5, and was buried at Middleton, 27 February 1644/5.
Assheton, Richard (c.1578-1618). Only son of Sir Richard Assheton (c.1558-1617), kt. and his first wife, Mary, daughter of Sir John Byron of Clayton. He had some differences with his father and stepmother. He married, 1604 (settlement 13 February), Mary (1576-1645), daughter of Thomas Venables of Kinderton (Cheshire) and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton (d. 1605); died in infancy and was buried 25 March 1605;
(2) Ralph Assheton (1606-51) (q.v.);
(3) John Assheton (1607-41); died 14 August 1641 aged 34 and was buried at Middleton;
(4) James Assheton (1608-11), born 30 July and baptised at Middleton, 3 August 1608; accidentally 'slain with a dart' and was buried 13 August 1611 at Middleton;
(5) Rev. William Assheton (c.1609-62), born about 1609; reputedly educated at university (BA); ordained deacon, 1632 and priest, 1633; rector of Middleton, 1634-c.1662; married, 27 May 1635 at Great Lever, Eleanor (k/a Ellen), daughter of Thomas Brooke of Norton (Cheshire) and had issue; died about 1662;
(7) Dorothy Assheton (b. 1610), born 16 December and baptised at Middleton, 23 December 1610; married, c.1636, John Legh (c.1601-60) of Norbury Booths Hall, Knutsford (Cheshire) (who married twice more) and received absolution for their clandestine marriage, 11 January 1638;
(6) Thomas Assheton (b. 1612), born 29 June and baptised at Middleton, 12 July 1612; married, 4 April 1638 at St Andrew, Holborn (Middx), Susanna Trott (d. 1647) of Colney Hatch (Middx);
(8) Mary Assheton (1613?-56), perhaps the child baptised 12 December 1613 at Manchester Collegiate Church (now Cathedral); married, 9 December 1645 at Middleton, Rev. Paul Latham, rector of Standish, and had issue; buried 5 August 1656 at Standish, where she is commemorated by a memorial brass.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1617.
He died 7 November 1618 and was buried at Middleton; an inquisition post mortem was held 12 January 1619. His widow (described as 'a right worthy and truly religious matron') died 24 February and was buried at Middleton, 27 February 1644/5. A brass at Middleton commemorates both husband and wife and their six sons and two daughters.
Assheton, Maj-Gen. Ralph (1606-51). Second but eldest surviving son of Richard Assheton (c.1578-1618) and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Venables of Kinderton (Cheshire), born 31 March and baptised 6 April 1606. He refused a knighthood in 1631 and was MP for Lancashire, 1640-48 (when he was excluded for opposing the trial and execution of the King). He was a strong Presbyterian and one of the leaders of the Parliamentary party in Lancashire, and was made a Deputy Lieutenant and Col. of the Lancashire Levies by Parliament in 1642. He was early in the field at the commencement of the Civil War, preventing the King's Commissioners from seizing Manchester in June 1642, and sending 150 of his tenants in arms to defend the town in September that year. Parliament allowed him a "small brass piece" (i.e. a cannon) for the defence of Middleton Hall in November 1642, indicating that he was recognised as a military target. He was Colonel in command of the 500 men who guarded Bolton against the attacks of Lord Derby's forces in February 1643, and defeated Lord Derby at Whalley, April 1643. He drove the Royalists out of Wigan, 22 April 1643, before going on to capture Liverpool, Hornby Castle and Thurland Castle in May and June, 1643. He was surprised and overpowered by Lord Byron, near Middlewich (Cheshire) in December 1643 but escaped and took part a few days later in the relief of Nantwich, being particularly praised by Fairfax. He took part in the first siege of Lathom, Feb-May 1644, and was raised to the rank of Major-General and made commander of all the Parliamentary forces in Lancashire. In April 1643 he was appointed to the committee for sequestering delinquents' estates. In the second Civil War he commanded the Lancashire forces against the Duke of Hamilton, June 1648, and he and his men were praised by Cromwell for their gallantry at the battle of Preston, August 1648; he later relieved Cockermouth and took Appleby, October 1648. His disbanded troops mutinied at Clitheroe in March 1649. He married, 4 May 1623 at Woodsome (Yorks WR), Elizabeth (c.1608-62), daughter of John Kaye esq. of Woodsome and had issue, with other children who died young:
(1) Richard Assheton (c.1625-30), born about 1625; died in the lifetime of his father, 25 March 1630, supposedly as the result of witchcraft, for which one Utley was hanged at Lancaster; buried at Middleton, 27 March 1630;
(2) Sir Ralph Assheton (1626-65), kt. and 1st bt. (q.v.);
(3) John Assheton (d. 1678) of Burne (Yorks) and Middleton; married, 1 September 1663 at Penwortham (Lancs), Elizabeth, daughter of John Fleetwood of Penwortham and had issue two daughters; buried at Middleton, August 1678;
(4) Elizabeth Assheton (b. 1628), born 16 March 1627/8; married, 1651, Adam Beaumont (1631-55), son of Sir Thomas Beaumont of Whitley Beaumont (Yorks WR), and had issue one son and two daughters;
(5) Mary Assheton (1636-80), born 7 December and baptised 15 December 1636; married Christopher Banastre (c.1635-90) of Bank Hall, Bretherton (Lancs) and had issue two daughters; buried at Croston (Lancs), 20 October 1680;
(6) Anne Assheton; died unmarried.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1618.
He died 17 February 1650/1 and was buried at Middleton where he is commemorated by the only brass to record a Civil War soldier in full armour. His widow died 22 March 1662.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1626-65), kt. and 1st bt. Second but eldest surviving son of Ralph Assheton (1606-51) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Kaye esq. of Woodsome (Yorks), born 9 July 1626 at Denby Grange (Yorks). Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1639). He was an opponent of the Cromwellian republic and after the Restoration was knighted 16 July 1660 and created a baronet, 17 August 1660. MP for Clitheroe, 1660. He married, c.1647, Anne (1623-84), daughter of Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Great Lever and Whalley Abbey [see below] and had issue:
(1) Sir Ralph Assheton (1651-1716), 2nd bt. (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (1654-1705) (q.v.);
(3) Anne Assheton (1655-1711), born 7 August and baptised at Middleton, 22 August 1655; married, 16 February 1685 at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), Edward Thornicroft esq. of Thornicroft (Cheshire); buried 3 January 1712 at Gawsworth (Cheshire);
(4) twin, John Assheton (b. & d. 1659); born and baptised 31 January 1658/9; died in infancy;
(5) twin, Mary Assheton (b. & d. 1659), born and baptised 31 January 1658/9; died in infancy.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1651.
He died 23 April and was buried at Middleton, 2 May 1665, where he was commemorated by a monument. His widow died 27 October 1684 and was also buried at Middleton; administration of her goods was granted at Chester, 4 December 1684.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1651-1716), 2nd bt. Elder son of Sir Ralph Assheton (1626-65), kt. and 1st bt., and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Great Lever and Whalley Abbey, born 11 February and baptised 19 February 1651. Educated privately by an ejected Presbyterian minister appointed by his mother, and at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1668); travelled abroad, 1673. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 28 April 1665. He was brought up in the Presbyterian faith but conformed to the Church of England after returning from his travels c.1673, and was made a Freeman of Preston, 1662 and 1682; JP for Lancashire, 1675-87 and 1689-1716 and DL 1682-87, 1688-1716; MP for Liverpool, 1677-79 and for Lancashire, 1694-98. An officer in the Lancashire militia (Lt. Col. by 1680; Col. by 1697). He married 1st, c.1680, Mary (d. 1694), only daughter and heir of Thomas Vavasour esq. of Spaldington (Yorks), and 2nd, 30 July 1696, Mary (d. 1721), only daughter and heir of Robert Hyde esq. of Denton (Lancs), and had issue:
(1.1) Anne Assheton (1681-1729), baptised at Middleton, 21 July 1681; inherited her mother's estate of Spaldington (Yorks); married, 15 August 1701 at Manchester, Humphrey Trafford esq. of Trafford, and had issue four sons and four daughters; died 9 August 1729 and was buried in Manchester Collegiate Church (now Cathedral);
(1.2) Dorothy Assheton (1683-86), baptised 6 November 1683; died in infancy, 27 January 1685/6;
(1.3) Frances Assheton (1685-90), baptised 27 June 1685; died young, 3 April 1690;
(1.4) Edmund Assheton (1686-88), born 25 November and baptised at Middleton, 15 December 1686; died in infancy, 20 June 1688;
(1.5) Richard Vavasour Assheton (1689-1708), baptised 20 May 1689 at Middleton; died unmarried in the lifetime of his father, 14 February 1707/8;
(1.6) Elizabeth Assheton (1690-91), born about November 1690; died in infancy, 15 January 1691;
(1.7) Catherine Assheton (1692-1728), born 5 March and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 18 March 1692; inherited her stepmother's estate at Denton (Lancs); married, 27 November 1716 at Middleton, Thomas Lister (1688-1745) of Arnoldsbiggin and Gisburn Park (Yorks WR) and had issue two sons; died 30 August 1728;
(1.8) Mary Assheton (c.1694-1776), born about November 1694; inherited the Whalley estate from her father; married, 19 February 1716 at Middleton, Sir Nathaniel Curzon (1675-1758), 4th bt., of Kedleston (Derbys) and had issue three sons (one of whom died young); died 18 March 1776; will proved May 1776.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1665 and came of age in 1672. In 1697 he inherited the Whalley Abbey estate from his kinsman, Sir John Assheton, 4th bt. At his death, Middleton passed to his nephew, the 3rd bt., and Whalley to his youngest daughter and her husband.
He died 3 May 1716 and was buried at Middleton, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved 13 February 1716/7. His first wife died 11 November 1694 and was buried at Middleton, where she is commemorated by a monument erected in 1709. His widow died at Kensington, 16 June 1721 and was buried at Denton (Lancs), 6 July 1721; her will was proved 27 June 1721.
Assheton, Richard (1654-1705). Second son of Sir Ralph Assheton (b. 1626), kt. and 1st bt. and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Great Lever and Whalley Abbey, born 4 May and baptised at Middleton, 15 May 1654. Educated privately, partly by a Presbyterian clergyman ejected from his living in 1662 who was engaged by his mother. MP for Lancashire, 1703-05. He married, 1691 (licence 3 April) at Rothwell (Yorks WR), Mary (b. 1667), daughter of John Parker esq. of Extwistle Hall (Lancs) and widow of Benjamin Waddington (d. 1690) of Chapel Allerton and Gledhow (Yorks WR), and had issue:
(1) Sir Ralph Assheton (1692-1765), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(2) John Assheton (1694-1758), born 2 April and baptised at Leeds 14 April 1694; died unmarried and was buried at Middleton, 25 September 1758;
(3) Anne Assheton (b. 1695), born 10 May and baptised at Leeds, 24 May 1695; died unmarried;
(4) Elizabeth Assheton (1697-1729), born 6 August and baptised at Leeds, 17 August 1697; married, 13 November 1727 at Middleton, Thomas Pigot (fl. 1760) of Manchester, but died without issue; buried at Middleton, 9 July 1729;
(5) Richard Assheton (d. 1765) of Bent, Prestwich (Lancs); married, 11 October 1743, Elizabeth (1717-95), daughter of Ralph Assheton of Cuerdale; died without issue and was buried 23 November 1765.
He inherited a life interest in Allerton and Gledhow (Yorks WR) in right of his wife on their marriage.
He died in September 1705. His wife's date of death has not been traced.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1692-1765), 3rd bt. Eldest son of Richard Assheton of Chapel Allerton and Gledhow (Yorks WR) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Parker esq. of Extwistle and widow of Benjamin Waddington esq. of Allerton and Gledhow, born 21 April and baptised at Leeds (Yorks WR), 27 April 1692. He succeeded his uncle as 3rd baronet of Middleton, 4 May 1716. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1739. He married 1st, 3 October 1734 at Prestwich (Lancs), Mary (1716-36), daughter of Sir Holland Egerton, 4th bt. and 2nd, 28 May 1739 at Thornhill (Yorks WR), Eleanor (1714-93), daughter of Rev. John Copley, rector of Emley (Yorks WR) and later of Thornhill, and widow of Henry Hulton (d. 1737) of Hulton (Lancs), and had issue:
(2.1) Mary Assheton (1741-1823), born 10 November and baptised at Middleton, 26 November 1741; inherited the Middleton Hall estate from her father; married, 7 October 1760, Sir Harbord Harbord (1734-1810), 2nd bt. and 1st Baron Suffield and had issue two sons and two daughters; died at Richmond (Yorks NR), 1 June 1823;
(2.2) Ralph Assheton (1745-56); died young, July 1756;
(2.3) Eleanor Assheton (1752-1816), born 10 November 1752; married, 12 September 1769, Sir Thomas Egerton (1749-1814), 7th bt. (later 1st Baron Grey de Wilton, 1st Viscount Grey de Wilton and 1st Earl of Wilton) and had issue including an only surviving daughter (who married in 1794 Robert Grosvenor, later 1st Marquess of Westminster); died 3 February 1816.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his uncle in 1716; at his death it passed to his elder daughter.
He died in the night, 31 December 1765, when the baronetcy of Assheton of Middleton became extinct, and was buried at Middleton, 7 January 1766. His first wife died 11 January 1736/7. His widow died in Manchester, 25 March and was buried at Middleton, 30 March 1793.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (fl. 1501), kt. Second son of Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), kt. [for whom see above, under Assheton family of Middleton Hall] and his wife Margaret, daughter of John Barton of Middleton (Lancs). He married Margaret (d. c.1483), daughter of Adam Lever of Great Lever, and had issue:
(1) Adam Assheton; presumably died young;
(2) Ralph Assheton (fl. 1509) (q.v.);
(3) Robert Assheton;
(4) John Assheton; married Eleanor, daughter of Sir Robert Constable of Masham (Yorks NR) and had issue a daughter.
He acquired the manor of Great Lever through his marriage.
His date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Ralph (fl. 1509). Eldest son of Sir Ralph Assheton (fl. 1501), kt. and his wife Margaret, daughter of Adam Lever of Great Lever. He married Eleanor, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park, and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (d. 1559) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (d. 1579); Deputy Receiver of the Court of Augmentations for the Northern Counties by 1550 and probably earlier; Receiver, 1550-52; a Receiver of the Exchequer, 1554-72?; JP for Lancashire by 1561; MP for Carlisle, 1558, Aldborough (Yorks), 1559 and Carlisle, 1563; he purchased Whalley Abbey (jointly with John Bradyll) in 1553 and Downham Hall in 1558; married Jane (d. 1581), daughter and heir of Ralph Harbottle of Northumberland but had no issue; buried at Whalley, 30 January 1578/9;
(3) Roger Assheton;
(4) Alexander Assheton;
(5) Rev. Nicholas Assheton; rector of Wickford (Yorks);
(6) Patrick Assheton;
(7) Margaret Assheton;
(8) Anne Assheton;
(9) Katherine Assheton; married 1517/8 (agreement 16 January), Richard Halgh, son of Roger Halgh.
He inherited the manor of Great Lever from his father.
He was living in 1509; his date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Ralph (d. 1559). Eldest son of Ralph Assheton (fl. 1509) and his wife Eleanor, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park. JP for Lancashire by 1550; MP for Liverpool, 1553. Receiver of Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire and Cheshire, 1558-59. He married Margaret, daughter of William Orrell of Turton Tower and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (c.1523-87) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton;
(3) Rev. Andrew Assheton (d. 1614); ordained deacon and priest, 1562; rector of Mongewell (Oxon), 1564-1614;
(4) Eleanor Assheton;
(5) Alice Assheton;
(6) Elizabeth Assheton.
He inherited the manor of Great Lever from his father.
His death was reported at the Manchester court leet, 4 October 1559.
Assheton, Ralph (c.1523-87). Elder son of Ralph Assheton (d. 1559) and his wife Margaret, daughter of William Orrell of Turton Tower, born about 1523. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1578-79. Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire, 1559-87. He married Alice, daughter of William Hilton of Farnworth (Lancs) and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (c.1552-1616) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (fl. 1595) of Downham [for whom see below, Assheton of Downham];
(3) Christiana Assheton; married William Banastre of Bank.
He inherited Great Lever Hall from his father, aged 36, in 1559.
He died in 1587. His wife survived him but her date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Ralph (c.1552-1616). Only recorded son of Ralph Assheton (c.1523-87) and his wife Alice, daughter of William Hulton of Farnworth (Lancs), born about 1552. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1594. Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire, 1592-1616 (jointly with his son from 1605); also Steward of Cliviger and Crown Receiver for Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire. He married* 1st, c.1572, Joanna (1554-93), daughter and co-heir of Edward Radclyffe of Todmorden (Lancs), and 2nd, Anne, daughter of John Talbot and widow of Edmund Assheton of Chadderton, and had issue:
(1.1) Jane Assheton (1573-1634), born 1573; married Richard Towneley (1566-1628) of Towneley Hall (Lancs) and had issue; died at Hapton Tower and was buried at Burnley (Lancs), 13 July 1634;
(1.2) Alice Assheton (1574-1604), born 1574; married, 30 May 1592 at Bolton (Lancs), Alexander Standish (c.1571-1622) of Duxbury (who had three further wives), and had issue ten children; died 21 October 1604, aged 30;
(1.3) Elizabeth Assheton (1575-1602), born 1575; married, 1593 (settlement 5 October), George Preston (d. 1640) of Holker, son of John Preston; buried at Cartmel (Lancs), 10 April 1602;
(1.4) twin, Margaret Assheton (1578-1630?); died unmarried; possibly the person of this name buried 12 March 1630 at Wrightington (Lancs);
(1.5) twin, Anne Assheton (b. 1578); died unmarried;
(1.6) Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. (q.v.);
(1.7) Radclyffe Assheton (1582-1645) [for whom see below, Assheton of Downham Hall and Cuerdale Hall].
He inherited Whalley Abbey on the death of his great-uncle, Richard Assheton in 1579 and Great Lever Hall from his father in 1587.
He died in May 1616. His first wife, who is depicted in a portrait at Towneley Hall, died in or after 1582. His second wife's date of death is not known.
* Some sources place the wives in reverse order, but since all are agreed that Joanna was the mother of all Ralph's children, the dates of their birth make this improbable.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1579-1644), 1st bt. Elder son of Ralph Assheton (c.1552-1616) and his first wife Joanna, daughter and co-heir of Edward Radcliffe of Todmorden (Lancs), born 1579. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1598/9) and Grays Inn (admitted 1601). Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire, 1605-44 (jointly with his father until 1616, and with his son from 1627); Bailiff of Blackburnshire, 1625-44. MP for Clitheroe, 1625, 1626. He was created a baronet, 28 June 1620. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1623-24. Later in the 1620s he was outlawed, apparently in consequence of a Star Chamber case, and incurred a fine of £500 by High Commission for adultery and incest, but if he was required to leave the country if was not for very long and did not disturb his tenure of his Duchy offices. At the outbreak of the Civil War he supported the Parliamentarian cause. He married 1st, 1604 (settlement 19 August), Dorothy (d. c.1610), daughter of Sir James Bellingham (1560-1641), kt., of Levens (Westmld) and 2nd, 18 April 1610 at Padiham (Lancs), Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), and had issue:
(1.1) Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1606-80), 2nd bt. (q.v.);
(2.1) Richard Assheton (1612-39), baptised at Whalley, 28 March 1612; died 1639;
(2.2) Alexander Assheton (1613-14), baptised at Whalley, 6 April 1613; died in infancy and was buried 5 March 1613/4;
(2.3) Thomas Assheton (b. 1614), baptised at Whalley, 11 December 1614; merchant in Rotterdam; married, 7 February 1644/5, Frances (b. c.1625), daughter of Maj-Gen. Sir Sheffield Clapham, kt. and had issue two sons (who died young); died before 1680;
(2.4) Nicholas Assheton (1616-60?), baptised at Whalley, 14 April 1616; educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1643); Clerk of the Common Bench at Lancaster, 1647; died unmarried, 1660?;
(2.5) Radcliffe Assheton (1617-61), baptised at Whalley, 22 June 1617; died 1661;
(2.6) James Assheton (b. 1618), baptised at Whalley, 14 August 1618; died without issue;
(2.7) John Assheton (b. 1619), baptised at Whalley, 10 October 1619; died in infancy;
(2.8) Sir Edmund Assheton (1620-95), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(2.9) Sir John Assheton (1622-97), 4th bt. (q.v.);
(2.10) Anne Assheton (1623-84), baptised at Whalley, 23 November 1623; married Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Middleton Hall [for whom see above under Assheton family of Middleton Hall] and had issue three sons and two daughters; died 27 October 1684 and was buried at Middleton; administration of her goods was granted at Chester, 4 December 1684;
(2.11) William Assheton (b. 1625), baptised at Whalley, 10 April 1625; died without issue;
(2.12) Joan Assheton (b. 1626), baptised at Whalley, 4 June 1626; married 1st, before 1654, Peter Bold (d. by 1660) of Bold Hall (Lancs) and had issue; married 2nd, Thomas Owen of Condover Hall (Shropshire).
He inherited Great Lever Hall and Whalley Abbey from his father in 1616 but sold Great Lever in 1629 to Rt. Rev. John Bridgeman, bishop of Chester. Thereafter Whalley became his main home, which he remodelled.
He was buried at Whalley, 18 October 1644. His first wife died c.1608. His widow died in 1658.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (c.1611-80), 2nd bt. Only child of Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. and his first wife Dorothy, daughter of Sir James Bellingham, kt. of Levens (Westmld), born about 1606. Educated at University College, Oxford (matriculated 1622/3) and Grays Inn (admitted 1624). High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1632-33. MP for Clitheroe, 1640-48, 1660-62 and 1679-80. Receiver of Revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster, 1627-49?, 1660-80 (with his father until 1644). He was a Captain in the Parliamentarian Army, and served on the Lancashire sequestration committee, 1643. A Presbyterian in religion, he was an elder of the Blackburn classis, 1646. JP for Lancashire, 1647-49 and 1660-66. He married 1st, 1630 (licence 17 April) at Hothfield (Kent), Lady Dorothy Tufton (c.1606-35), daughter of Nicholas Tufton, 1st Earl of Thanet, and 2nd, 3 February 1643/44 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields (sep. 1649), Westminster (Middx), Elizabeth (d. 1686), daughter of Sir Sapcote Harrington of Rand (Lincs), but had no surviving issue.
He inherited Whalley Abbey from his father in 1644 and in the 1660s retired to this estate, where he pulled down the church and most of the claustral buildings. He inherited Downham Hall from his kinsman Richard Assheton (d. 1657) and settled it on his cousin Richard Assheton of Cuerdale Hall in 1678.
He died in London, 30 January 1679/80 and was buried at Downham (Lancs), where he built the family vault in the chancel, 3 March 1679/80; his will was proved 4 May 1680. His first wife died 28 January 1635 and was buried at Downham. His widow died 8 June 1686 and was buried in the New Chapel, Westminster; her will was proved 25 June 1686.
Assheton, Sir Edmund (1620-95), 3rd bt. Eighth son of Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. and his second wife Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), baptised at Whalley, 27 December 1620. Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1648). Barrister-at-law. He succeeded his brother as 3rd baronet, 1680. He was unmarried and had no issue.
He inherited Whalley Abbey from his elder brother in 1680, and unsuccessfully challenged his brother's settlement of Downham on their kinsman, Richard Assheton of Cuerdale Hall.
He died intestate, 31 October 1695.
Assheton, Sir John (1622-97), 4th bt. Ninth son of Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. and his second wife Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), baptised at Whalley, 3 February 1621/2. He succeeded his brother as 4th baronet, 31 October 1695. He married Catherine (c.1612-76), daughter of Sir Henry Fletcher, 1st bt., of Hutton-in-the-Forest (Cumbld.) and widow of Thomas Lister of Arnoldsbiggin, Gisburne (Yorks WR), but had no issue.
He inherited Whalley Abbey from his elder brother in 1695. At his death the Whalley estate passed to his nephew, Sir Ralph Assheton (1657-1716), 2nd bt. of Middleton Hall.
He died 9 June and was buried 18 June 1697, when the baronetcy of Assheton of Great Lever became extinct. His wife was buried at Gisburne, 20 May 1676, aged 64.
Assheton, Richard (fl. 1595), of Downham Hall. Second son of Ralph Assheton of Great Lever (c.1523-87) and his wife Alice, daughter of William Hilton of Farnworth. He married Margaret, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park, and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton (d. c.1597); married Isobel, daughter of [forename unknown] Hancock of Pendleton Hall (Lancs); died without issue in the lifetime of his father, reputedly as a result of witchcraft;
(2) Nicholas Assheton (c.1590-1625) (q.v.);
(3) Alexander Assheton (fl. 1618), linen draper in London; died without issue;
(4) George Assheton; in business in London; died fairly young and without issue;
(5) Dorothy Assheton; married Richard Sherburne of Dunnow, son of Sir Richard Sherburne of Stonyhurst (Lancs).
He inherited Downham from his great-uncle, Richard Assheton (d. 1579) of Whalley.
His date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Nicholas (c.1590-1625). Second but eldest surviving son of Richard Assheton (fl. 1595) of Downham Hall and his wife Margaret, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park. Educated at Clitheroe Grammar School. Author of a diary, 1617-19, which provides a vivid picture of the character of gentry life in Lancashire at this time; it was published in the 19th century but the manuscript has since been lost. He married Frances (d. 1659), daughter and heir of Richard Greenacres of Worston and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton; died in infancy;
(2) Richard Assheton (d. 1657) (q.v.);
(3) Ralph Assheton (d. 1643); educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1637); DL for Lancashire, 1641; appointed to the Lancashire sequestration committee, 1643, but died without issue later the same year;
(4) Margaret Assheton (d. 1650); married Richard Johnson, son and heir of John Johnson of Worston (Lancs) and had issue two daughters (who died young); died 1650;
(5) Christiana Assheton; died without issue and probably unmarried.
He inherited Downham from his father.
He died 16 April 1625. His widow died at Worston, April 1659.
Assheton, Richard (d. 1657). Second but eldest surviving son of Nicholas Assheton (c.1590-1625) and his wife Frances, daughter of Richard Greenacres of Worston. A Presbyterian in religion, and a member of the third Lancashire classis, 1646. He was unmarried and without issue.
He inherited Downham from his father, but devised it at his death to his kinsman, Sir Ralph Assheton, 2nd bt. of Great Lever and Whalley.
He died 8 October 1657.
Assheton, Radclyffe (1582-1645) of Cuerdale Hall. Second son of Ralph Assheton (c.1552-1616) of Great Lever [for whom see above] and his first wife Johanna, daughter and co-heir of Edward Radclyffe of Todmorden (Lancs), born 1582. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1598/9) and Grays Inn (admitted 1601). Clerk of the Common Pleas for the Duchy of Lancaster, 1608-44; JP for Lancashire. At the commencement of the Civil War he joined the Royalist party and was appointed collector for the hundred of Blackburn of the King's assessment upon the county, December 1642. He married, 4 May 1611?, Elizabeth (c.1590-1658), daughter and co-heir of John Hyde, citizen and grocer of London and had issue including:
(1) Ellen Assheton (c.1611-c.1634); married, 1627 (licence 19 September), Edward Rawsthorne (d. 1646) of New Hall esq., a Colonel in the Royalist army (who m2, 24 May 1635 at Bury (Lancs), Mary, daughter of John Greenhalgh of Brandlesome); died about 1634;
(2) James Assheton (b. & d. 1612), baptised at Whalley, 24 May 1612; died in infancy and was buried at Whalley, 29 September 1612;
(3) John Assheton (c.1614-43) (q.v.);
(4) Ralph Assheton (fl. 1658); citizen of London; married [name unknown];
(5) Joan Assheton (b. 1617?; fl. 1658); married Ughtred Shuttleworth, third son of Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), but had no issue;
(6) Alice Assheton (fl. 1644); married John Bancroft, citizen of London;
(7) Elizabeth Assheton (b. 1621; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 16 February 1620/1; married Richard Greene of Poulton (Lancs);
(8) Julian Assheton (fl. 1658); married John Legh;
(9) Jane Assheton (b. 1623; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 4 June 1623; married Richard Holt and had issue;
(10) Margaret Assheton (b. 1627; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 17 July 1627; married Thomas Parker of Browsholme (Yorks WR);
(11) Richard Assheton (b. 1629; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 20 September 1629; died unmarried;
(12) Dorothy Assheton; died young.
He purchased, with his father, the Cuerdale Hall estate in 1614.
He died 19 January 1644/5; his will was proved at Chester, 19 November 1647. His widow was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 14 December 1658; her will was proved in the PCC, 25 June 1659.
Assheton, John (c.1614-43). Elder son of Radclyffe Assheton (1582-1645) of Cuerdale Hall and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of John Hyde of London, grocer, born about 1614. Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1632). Captain of Foot in the Royalist army during the Civil War. He married Anne, eldest daughter of Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs) and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton (c.1642-1709) (q.v.).
He died in Bristol in 1643 of wounds received at the battle of Edgehill on 23 October 1642; administration of goods was granted to his brother Richard, 17 July 1647. His widow married 2nd, Richard Townley (d. 1651) of Barnside and Carr (Lancs) and had further issue; her second husband is said to have been killed by a bull baited at Gisburn (Yorks WR) in 1651 or 1655; she was living in 1664.
Assheton, Richard (c.1642-1710) of Cuerdale and Downham. Only child of John Assheton (d. 1642) and his wife Anne, eldest daughter of Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), born about 1642. He married, 29 January 1665/6 (agreement 24 January) at St John, Preston (Lancs), Mary, daughter and heiress of George Pigott of Preston and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (1666-1705) (q.v.);
(2) Radclyffe Assheton (b. 1669), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 23 February 1668/9; died without issue;
(3) John Assheton (1670-71), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 25 June 1670; died in infancy and was buried 4 March 1670/1;
(4) George Assheton; died without issue;
(5) Elizabeth Assheton (b. 1674), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, November 1673; married, before 1701, Barton Shuttleworth (1665-1731) and had issue; living in 1715;
(6) Anne Assheton (b. & d. 1676), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 31 January 1675/6; died in infancy, 28 September 1676;
(7) Mary Assheton (1677-1746), baptised 6 August 1677; married, 12 December 1706 at Walton-le-Dale, Alexander Nowell (d. 1750), son of Roger Nowell of Read (Lancs); buried at Burnley (Lancs), 3 May 1746;
(8) Grace/Lucy Assheton (b. 1679), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 15 September 1679; died without issue;
(9) Richard Assheton (b. 1682), baptised 21 January 1681/2 or 20 June 1682; married, 30 May 1704 at Barwell (Leics), Jane Brooksby;
(10) Edmund Assheton (1685-1746), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 26 May 1684 or 1685; Mayor of Preston, 1713-14, 1721-22, 1729-30, 1737-38; married Mary (d. 1747), daughter of Josias Gregson of Preston and had issue; buried 6 April 1746; will proved at Chester, 3 April 1749;
(11) John Assheton (b. 1690), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 9 September/October 1690; died without issue;
He inherited Cuerdale Hall from his grandfather in 1644 and came of age about 1663. Downham Hall was settled on him in 1678 by his cousin, Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1611-80).
He was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 15 February 1709/10; will proved at Chester, 1710. His widow was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 16 December 1718; her will proved 12 February 1718/9.
Assheton, Ralph (1666-1705) of Cuerdale and Downham. Eldest son of Richard Assheton (c.1642-1709) and his wife Mary, daughter and heiress of George Pigott of Preston (Lancs), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 16 November 1666. He married, 19 December 1695 at Walton-le-Dale, Sarah (1679-1700), daughter of Tilston Bruen of Bruen Stapleford (Cheshire) and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (1696-1729) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (1698-1731), baptised at Leyland (Lancs), 14 September 1698; slave merchant at Kingston (Jamaica); died unmarried, 1731, but made provision in his will for two illegitimate sons: Richard Hanson of Bristol and John, son of Elizabeth Angier of Kingston (Jamaica); will proved 2 November 1731.
He seems to have lived at Leyland (Lancs).
He died in the lifetime of his father and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 29 March 1705. His wife was buried 22 June 1700, aged 20.
Assheton, Ralph (1696-1729) of Downham and Cuerdale. Elder son of Ralph Assheton (1666-1705) and his wife Sarah, daughter of Tilston Bruen of Bruen Stapleford (Cheshire), baptised at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 28 December 1696. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1712/3). He married, 9 or 19 April 1716, Mary (1695-1729), daughter of Thomas Lister of Arnoldsbiggin, Gisburn (Yorks WR, now Lancs), and had issue:
(1) Elizabeth Assheton (1717-95), born 12 and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 22 February 1717; married, 11 October 1743, Richard Assheton (d. 1765) of Bent, Prestwich (Lancs), brother of Sir Ralph Assheton, 3rd bt. of Middleton, but had no issue; buried at Middleton, 12 February 1795;
(2) Sarah Assheton (b. & d. 1718), born May 1718; died in infancy, June 1718;
(3) Ralph Assheton (1719-58) (q.v.);
(4) Mary Assheton (1721-97), baptised at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 7 November 1721; married 1st, 2 January 1748/9 at Sandal Magna (Yorks WR), Rev. John Witton (1691-1754) of Lupset Hall, Wakefield (Yorks WR) and 2nd, 19 June 1758 at St George's, Hanover Square, London, Peregrine Wentworth (1722-1809) (who had m1, 6 June 1751, Mary (d. 1756), daughter of Beilby Thompson of Escrick (Yorks)) of Toulston Lodge, Newton Kyme (Yorks), registrar of West Riding of Yorkshire and a keen racehorse owner, but had no issue by either marriage; died 29 June and was buried in York Minster, 7 July 1797, aged 76; administration of her goods was granted to her husband, 6 July 1798;
(5) Rev. Dr. Richard Assheton (1727-1800), born 19 August and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 20 August 1727; educated at Westminster and Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1744; BA 1748; MA 1751; BD and DD 1782); ordained deacon and priest, 1754; chaplain to Martha Harley, Countess of Oxford, 1757-59; rector of Middleton, 1757-1800; Dean of Manchester Collegiate Church, 1782-1800; founder of the Middleton Musical Society, 1772; married, 1757, Mary (c.1735-1815), younger daughter of William Hulls of Freelands (Kent) and Popes (Herts), one son and four daughters; died 6 June 1800 and was buried at Downham, where he is commemorated by a monument; will proved 12 November 1800.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his grandfather in 1709 and came of age in 1717.
He died 21 September and was buried at Downham, 25 September 1729; administration of his goods was granted 18 November 1729. His wife was buried at Downham, 14 January 1728/9.
Assheton, Ralph (1720-58) of Downham and Cuerdale. Son of Ralph Assheton (1696-1729) of Downham and Cuerdale, and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Lister of Gisburne, born 25 January and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 10 February 1719/20. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford (matriculated 1738). He married, 8 August 1752 in King Henry VII's Chapel, Westminster Abbey, Rebecca (1732-1812), elder daughter and co-heir of William Hulls of Freelands, Bromley (Kent) and Popes (Herts), citizen and pewterer of London, and had issue including:
(1) Ralph Assheton (b. & d. 1753), born and baptised at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 2 May 1753; and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 3 May 1753;
(2) Ralph Assheton (1754-60), born at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 5 April 1754; died young and was buried at Bromley (Kent), 11 May 1760;
(3) Anne Assheton (1755-1835), born 28 May and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 20 June 1755; married, 23 May 1782 at Burghfield (Berks), Rt. Rev. Dr. William Cleaver (1742-1815), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford, 1785-1809 and Bishop successively of Chester, 1787-1800, Bangor, 1800-06 and St. Asaph, 1806-15, and had issue a large family of whom two sons and three daughters survived; lived latterly at Little Missenden (Bucks); will proved 24 October 1835;
(4) Rebecca Assheton (b. c.1756/7); married, 19 February 1787 at Hatfield (Herts), Francis Penyston (d. 1827) of Cornwell (Oxon) and Woodend, Harlington (Beds) and had issue one son and three daughters; living in 1805 but died before 1827;
(5) William Assheton (1758-1833) (q.v.);
(6) Mary Elizabeth Assheton (1759-1806), born posthumously and baptised at St Andrew Holborn (Middx), 18 May 1759; lived at Beaconsfield with her mother; died unmarried and was buried at Amersham (Bucks), 15 September 1806; will proved 25 September 1806.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1729 and came of age in 1740. His wife inherited the manor of Popes in Hatfield (Herts) from her father.
He died 27 December 1758 and was buried 3 January 1759. His widow lived latterly at Beaconsfield (Bucks) and died in 1812, aged 79; her will was proved 23 September 1812.
Assheton, William (1758-1833) of Downham and Cuerdale. Third but only surviving son of Ralph Assheton (1719-58) of Downham and Cuerdale, and his wife Rebecca, daughter of William Hulls of Freelands (Kent) and Popes (Herts), born 19 June 1758. Educated at Westminster, Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1775; MA from Balliol College, 1779) and Middle Temple (admitted 1779); undertook a Grand Tour of France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium in 1783-84 with his cousin, Richard Assheton, and Thomas Pitt (b. c.1758); while in Italy he visited Turin, Genoa, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Loreto, Rome (where he had painting lessons from Carlo Labruzzi), Naples, Leghorn, Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan; in 1785 he visited Lisbon. An amateur artist who travelled and sketched many parts of England and on his grand tour. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1792. He married, 20 November 1786 at Runcorn (Cheshire), Lettice (1762-1834), daughter of Sir Richard Brooke, 4th bt. of Norton (Cheshire), but separated from his wife in 1804; they had issue:
(1) William Assheton (1788-1858) (q.v.);
(2) Thomas Assheton (d. 1794); died young and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 22 September 1794;
(3) Mary Assheton (1790-1871), born 25 September 1790; married, 2 October 1818 at Downham, John Armytage (1792-1836), eldest son and heir apparent of Sir George Armytage, 4th bt. of Kirklees (Yorks), and had issue three sons and five daughters; died 21 April 1871; will proved 26 June 1871 (effects under £12,000);
(4) Richard Assheton (b. & d. 1791), born 5 September and died in infancy, 21 November 1791;
(5) Frances Assheton (d. 1795); died young and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 23 October 1795;
(6) Robert Assheton (d. 1797); died young and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 19 January 1797.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1758 and came of age in 1779. From 1779-86 he lived at Over Norton (Oxon) and later, around 1800, he lived in York. In 1813 he purchased the Worston estate from the Yorke family.
He died 29 January and was buried at Downham, 8 February 1833; his will was proved 9 May 1833. His widow died 30 December 1834, aged 72.
Assheton, William (1788-1858) of Downham and Cuerdale. Only surviving son of William Assheton (1758-1833) and his wife Lettice, daughter of Sir Richard Brooke, 4th bt. of Norton (Cheshire), born 16 March and baptised 17 March 1788 at Holy Trinity Micklegate, York and again 20 May 1788 at Oswaldkirk (Yorks). Educated at Harrow and Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1805). An officer in the Cheshire Militia (Capt., 1808) and later 1st Royal Lancashire Militia (Major). JP and DL for Lancashire and JP for West Riding of Yorkshire. He married, 9 August 1816 at Downham, Frances Annabella (1795-1835), ninth daughter of Hon. William Cockayne and co-heiress of 6th Viscount Cullen and had issue:
(1) Frances Assheton (1823-41), born 5 May and baptised 7 June 1823; died unmarried, 1841;
(2) Ralph Assheton (1830-1907) (q.v.);
(3) Rev. Richard Orme Assheton (1835-1909), born 12 July 1835; educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1853; BA 1857; MA 1860); ordained deacon, 1860 and priest, 1862; curate of Warminster (Wilts), 1860-62; rector of Bilton (Warks), 1862-95; Rural Dean of Dunchurch, 1879-93; married, 22 October 1863, Charlotte Emma Willoughby, sixth daughter of Joseph Feilden MP of Witton Park (Lancs) but had no issue; died 13 May and was buried at Bilton, 18 May 1909; will proved 27 July 1909 (estate £22,550).
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1833, but seems to have lived at Brandon House (Warks).
He died 8 August 1858; will proved 9 November 1858 (effects under £30,000). His wife died 25 July and was buried at Downham, 4 August 1835.
Assheton, Ralph (1830-1907) of Downham and Cuerdale. Elder son of William Assheton (1788-1858) and his wife Frances Annabella, daughter of Hon. William Cockayne and co-heiress of 6th Viscount Cullen, born 20 December and baptised 22 December 1830. Educated at Eton (admitted 1844) and Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1849; BA 1853; MA 1856). Conservative MP for Clitheroe, 1868-80; JP and DL for Lancashire and JP for West Riding of Yorkshire. He married, 3 August 1854 at Blackburn (Lancs), Emily Augusta (1834-1916), fourth daughter of Joseph Feilden MP of Witton Park (Lancs) and had issue:
(1) Frances Annabella Assheton (1855-1939), baptised 31 October 1855; married, 20 October 1886 at Downham, Sir Mervyn Lloyd Peel KBE JP DL (1856-1929) of Danyrallt (Carmenths.) and had issue one daughter; died 5 March 1939;
(2) Sir Ralph Cockayne Assheton (1860-1955), 1st bt. (q.v.);
(3) Richard Assheton (1863-1915), born 23 December 1863 and baptised 31 January 1864; educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1883; BA 1886; MA 1890; ScD 1913); Lecturer in Zoology at Owens College, Manchester, 1889-93; in Biology at Guy's Hospital, London, 1901-14; in Vertebrate Embryology at the Imperial College of Science, 1910; in Animal Embryology at Cambridge, 1913-15; Fellow of the Royal Society; married, 5 January 1892 at Hatherop (Glos), Frances Annette Ellen JP (1865-1945), third daughter of Sir Thomas Sebastian Bazley, 2nd bt., of Hatherop Castle, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 23 October 1915 and was buried at Grantchester (Cambs); will proved 24 December 1915 (estate £5,182);
(4) Dorothy Assheton (1864-1908), born 31 December 1864 and baptised 2 February 1865; married, 1 July 1886 at Downham, Edward Henry Burrows (d. 1910) of Drove House, Singleton (Sussex), schools inspector, (who m2, 23 June 1909, Ionë, daughter of Alexander Macdonald), eldest son of Capt. Montagu Burrows RN of Norham House, Oxford, but had no issue; died, 2 February 1908; will proved 1 August 1908 (estate £3,358);
(5) Rev. William Orme Assheton (1866-1953) of The Gable House, Bilton (Warks), born 16 February and baptised 15 April 1866; educated at Eton and Jesus College, Cambridge (admitted 1885; BA 1890; MA 1894); ordained deacon, 1892 and priest, 1894; curate of St Luke, Beeston Hill, Leeds (Yorks WR), 1892-95; rector of Bilton (Warks), 1895-1935; Rural Dean of Rugby with Dunchurch, 1912-20; and Canon of Coventry Cathedral, 1937-53; married, 14 June 1898 at Petersham (Surrey), Winifred Maude (1878-1958), third daughter and co-heiress of John Henry Master JP of Montrose House, Petersham, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 20 November 1953; will proved 20 February 1954 (estate £40,244);
(6) Joan Assheton (1869-1962) of Bilton (Warks), born 20 April and baptised 14 May 1869; died unmarried aged 92, 21 January 1962; will proved 24 May 1962 (estate £39,386);
(7) Nicholas Radclyffe Assheton (1870-1960), born 5 July and baptised 31 July 1870; educated at Eton; apprenticed to London & North-Western Railway Co., 1889 but later farmed at Upper Hardres (Kent); married, 15 April 1915, Mary Nina (1877-1933), elder daughter of William Peel of Knowlmere Manor (Lancs) and had issue one son and one daughter; died 14 April 1960; will proved 26 July 1960 (estate £7,925).
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1858.
He died 22 June 1907; his will was proved 15 October 1907 (estate £140,638). His widow died 19 September 1916, aged 82; her will was proved 6 January 1917 (estate £8,843).
Assheton, Sir Ralph Cockayne (1860-1955), 1st bt. Eldest son of Ralph Assheton (1830-1907) and his wife Emily Augusta, daughter of Joseph Feilden MP of Witton Park (Lancs), born 13 September 1860. Educated at Eton and Jesus College, Cambridge (admitted 1879). Director of Hargreaves Collieries and Union Bank of Manchester. JP and DL for Lancashire and JP for West Riding of Yorkshire; High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1919; member of Lancashire County Council, 1892-1902 and County Alderman, 1902-49; created a baronet, 4 September 1945. He married, 27 September 1898 at Petersham (Surrey), Mildred Estelle Sybella CBE JP (1876-1949), second daughter and co-heiress of John Henry Master JP of Montrose House, Petersham, and had issue:
(1) Dorothy Winifred Assheton (1899-1972), born 7 August 1899; County Commissioner of Girl Guides for Bedfordshire, 1938-41; married, 18 June 1924, Capt. Robin Coventry Barrett MA FRICS FLAS (1895-1984), elder son of Robert Bell Barrett JP of Skipton Castle (Yorks WR) and had issue one son and one daughter; lived latterly at Bar House, Boroughbridge (Yorks WR); died 24 May 1972; will proved 19 July 1972 (estate £33,775);
(2) Sir Ralph Assheton (1901-84), 2nd bt. and 1st Baron Clitheroe (q.v.);
(3) Mary Monica Assheton (1903-82), born 6 May 1903; JP for Lancashire; married, 20 July 1940, Capt. (Charles) Peter Fleetwood Bibby-Hesketh (later Fleetwood-Hesketh) DL (1905-85) of Hale Hall (Lancs), architect and author, second son of Charles Hesketh Fleetwood-Hesketh of Stocken Hall (Rutland), North Meols Hall (Lancs) and Holcombe Court (Devon) and had issue one daughter; died 14 June 1982; will proved 26 October 1982 (estate £71,091);
(4) Eleanor Assheton (1907-2000), born 2 May 1907; Vice-Chairman of Yorkshire Province of Conservative & Unionist Associations, 1952-55; married, 30 September 1926, Maj. John Edward Evelyn Yorke (1904-97) of Halton Place, Hellifield, Skipton (Yorks) and had issue one son and one daughter; died 11 January 2000; will proved 4 July 2000.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1907. In 1945 he purchased the lordship of the honour of Clitheroe.
He died 21 September 1955; will proved 21 March and 2 May 1956 (estate £40,513). His wife died 18 August 1949; her will was proved 3 October 1949 (estate £15,276).
Assheton, Rt. Hon. Sir Ralph (1901-84), 2nd bt. and 1st Baron Clitheroe. Only son of Sir Ralph Cockayne Assheton (1860-1955), 1st bt. and his wife Mildred Estelle Sybella CBE JP, daughter and co-heiress of John Henry Master JP of Montrose House, Petersham (Surrey), born 24 February 1901. Educated at Eton, Christ Church, Oxford (MA 1923) and Inner Temple (called to bar, 1925). Barrister-at-law; member of the London Stock Exchange, 1927-39; Chairman of Mercantile Investment Trust Ltd and Borax Holdings Ltd; Deputy Chairman of National Westminster Bank; Director of RTZ; Coutts & Co.; John Brown & Co., Tube Investments Ltd. Conservative MP for Rushcliffe, 1934-45, City of London, 1945-50 and Blackburn West, 1950-55; Parliamentary Private Secretary, 1936-38; member of Royal Commission on West Indies, 1938-39; Parliamentary Secretary to Ministry of Labour, 1939-42 and Ministry of Supply, 1942; Financial Secretary to Treasury, 1942-45; appointed to Privy Council, 1944; Chairman of Conservative & Unionist Party, 1944-46; Chairman of Public Accounts Committee of House of Commons, 1948-50; Chairman of Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, 1951-53; raised to the peerage as 1st Baron Clitheroe, 20 June 1955 and succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 21 September 1955. JP and DL for Lancashire; Vice-Lord Lieutenant, 1956-70 and Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, 1970-76. High Steward of Westminster Abbey, 1962-84. Member of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster; Member of House of Laity of Church of England National Assembly, 1930-50; Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He was appointed KCVO, 1977 and a Knight of St John of Jerusalem, 1972. He married, 24 January 1924, Hon. Sylvia Benita Frances FRICS (1903-91) (who was a Governor of Westminster Hospital and a member of the Council of Lancaster University), elder daughter of Frederick William Hotham, 6th Baron Hotham, and had issue:
(1) Anne Assheton (b. & d. 1924), born and died, 22 December 1924;
(2) Hon. Bridget Assheton (1926-2004), born 20 August 1926; educated at Downham School (Herts) and Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts; served with WRNS in Second World War at Bletchley Park; married, 10 December 1955, Sir (William) Marcus John Worsley, 5th bt., and had issue; died 22 May 2004; will proved 20 December 2004;
(3) Ralph John Assheton (b. 1929), 2nd Baron Clitheroe (q.v.);
(4) Hon. Nicholas Assheton (1934-2012), born 23 May 1934; educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (BA 1957; MA 1960); served in Life Guards and Inns of Court Regiment; liveryman of Vintners Company; member of London Stock Exchange (member of Council, 1968-88); with Montagu, Loebl, Stanley & Co., stockbrokers, 1957-87 (partner, 1960; senior partner, 1978-86); member of London board of National Mutual Life Association of Australia, 1972-93; Director of Coutts & Co., 1987-99 (Deputy Chairman, 1993-99); Director of SG Hambros Bank & Trust, 1999-2007 (Chairman, 2000-07); Treasurer and Extra Equerry to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, 1998-2002; appointed CVO, 2002; Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries; Chief Honorary Steward of Westminster Abbey, 2002-06; married, 29 February 1960 at Westminster Abbey, Jacqueline Jill (b. 1939), youngest daughter of Marshal of the RAF Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st bt., GCB OBE AFC, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 27 November 2012; will proved 15 August 2013.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1955.
He died 18 September 1984; his will was proved 20 February 1985 (estate £375,178). His widow died 9 January 1991; her will was proved 15 May 1991 (estate £87,612).
Assheton, Ralph John (b. 1929), 2nd Baron Clitheroe. Elder son of Rt. Hon. Sir Ralph Assheton, 2nd bt. and 1st Baron Clitheroe, and his wife, Hon. Sylvia Benita Frances, elder daughter of Frederick William Hotham, 6th Baron Hotham, born 3 November 1929. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (BA 1954; MA 1956). Served in 2nd Life Guards, 1948-49. Director of RTZ Corporation plc, 1968-89; Borax Holdings; Halliburton Co., Texas, 1987-2002; First Interstate Bank of California, 1981-89, Touche Remnant Natural Resources, 1982-87, American Mining Congress, 1982-89, Chemical Industries Association, 1984-88; Chairman of Yorkshire Bank plc, 1990-99. Liveryman of Skinners Co., London, 1990; President of the Association of Lancastrians in London, 1990. He succeeded his father as 3rd bt. and 2nd Baron Clitheroe, 1984. DL Lancs, 1986; Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, 1995-99. He married, 2 May 1961, Juliet, only daughter of Lt-Col. Christopher Lionel Hanbury MBE DL of Juniper Hill, Burnham (Bucks) and had issue:
(1) Hon. Ralph Christopher Assheton (b. 1962), born 19 March 1962; educated at Eton; served in Life Guards; Lt-Col and late commanding officer of The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry; MRICS; DL for Lancashire, 2008; married, 19 October 1996, Olivia Sarah, only daughter of (John) Anthony Cromek Warrington of Low Burton Hall, Marsham (Yorks NR) and had issue one son and one daughter;
(2) Hon. John Hotham Assheton (b. 1964), born 12 July 1964; educated at Harrow; married, Jul-Sep 1989, Amanda, daughter of Geoffrey Freeman of Red Lion House, Nettlebed (Oxon) and had issue two sons and one daughter;
(3) Hon. Elizabeth Jane Assheton (b. 1968), born 6 October 1968; educated at Wycombe Abbey School and Edinburgh University; married 6 May 1995, Capt. Robin Anthony Edward Tarling, son of Timothy Tarling of Dulverton (Somerset) and had issue one son and two daughters.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1984. Downham Hall was handed over to his elder son c.2012.
Now living.
J. Burke, Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, 2nd edn., 1841, pp. 19-22; Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 2003, pp. 827-29; F.R. Raines, The journal of Nicholas Assheton of Downham, 1848; T.D. Whitaker, An history of the original parish of Whalley, 1876, passim; VCH Lancashire, vol. 4 (1911), pp. 338-47, vol 5 (1911), pp. 151-61, 182-87 and vol. 6 (1911), pp. 381-88, 552-58; J.M. Robinson, The country houses of the north-west, 1991, pp. 178, 187, 221; A. Taylor, The Websters of Kendal, 2004, pp. 103-04, 195-97; C. Hartwell, M. Hyde and Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Lancashire - Manchester and the south-east, 2004, p. 159; C. Hartwell & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Lancashire - North, 2009, pp. 277-78, 691-97; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entries on Sir John Assheton (d. 1427); Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), Sir Thomas Assheton (c.1403-60), Nicholas Assheton (1590-1625) and Ralph Assheton (1901-84), 1st Baron Clitheroe; History of Parliament biographies of Ralph Assheton (d. 1559), Richard Assheton (d. 1579), Richard Assheton (1654-1705), Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1606-80) [sic], and Sir Ralph Assheton (1652-1716), 2nd bt.
Assheton family of Middleton, bts.: deeds and papers, 1200-1837 [Greater Manchester Record Office E7]; letter books and accounts, 1648-1715 [Chetham's Library, Manchester Mun.A.3(2)90]
Assheton family of Downham, bts and Barons Clitheroe: manorial and estate records for Honour of Clitheroe, 1376-1918 [Lancashire Archives, DDHCL]. Further records are likely to remain with the family.
Argent, a mulled sable pierced of the field.
This post was first published 12 May 2016 and was updated 21 May 2016, 24 May 2017, 7 March 2021, 26 June 2022 and 1 June 2023. I am grateful to Amanda Worrall for corrections to this account.
Assheton family of Ashton-under-Lyne and Middleton Hall, baronets
(1.1) Sir Thomas Assheton (c.1403-60), kt.; knighted by 1434 but was exempted from appointment to Crown offices, 1442; had a licence to practice alchemy, 1446; married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Byron and had issue ten children;
(1.2) Lucy Assheton; married 1st, Sir Berton Entwisle, 2nd, Richard Byron, and 3rd Sir Ralph Shirley;
(1.3) Margaret Assheton; married Thomas Langley of Edgecroft;
(1.4) Katherine Assheton; married John Dukinfield;
(1.5) Elizabeth Assheton; married 1st, Sir Ralph Harrington and 2nd, Sir Richard Hammerton;
(1.6) Agnes Assheton; married Thomas Booth of Barton;
(1.7) Anne Assheton; married [forename unknown] Dutton of Cheshire;
(2.1) Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), kt. (q.v.).
He inherited estates at Ashton-under-Lyne, Wardle and Alt (Lancs) and Morley (Yorks WR); his Lancashire estates were left to his eldest son, but his Yorkshire property to the son of his second marriage.
He died 3 September 1427. His wives dates of death are unknown.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (c.1425-88), kt. Only child of Sir John de Assheton (d. 1427), kt. and his second wife Margaret Gray, born c.1425. As a child he was a Page of Honour to King Henry VI, but in adulthood his sympathies lay with the White Rose. He earned the favour of King Edward IV by service to Richard Neville, earl of Salisbury (d. 1460), and was rewarded with office as receiver of the honour of Pickering. He was knighted in 1464 or 1465, perhaps in the course of northern campaigning. In spite of his earlier Neville links Ashton supported Edward IV in his conflict with the earl of Warwick in 1469–71, and was out of office until the restoration of Edward in 1471. High Sheriff of Yorkshire, 1472. In the 1470s Ashton was associated with Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later King Richard III) and fought under the duke in the campaign to recover Berwick, when he was made a Knight Banneret in July 1482. After Richard III's accession Ashton became a knight of the king's body and he was one of those who rode in procession with the King at his coronation. In October 1483 he was made vice-constable of England, which gave him a key role in the suppression of Buckingham's rebellion, for which he was rewarded with lands in Kent. He was briefly Lieutenant of the Tower of London. He seems to have avoided fighting at the Battle of Bosworth, perhaps because of his age and increasing infirmity, and was not attainted by King Henry VII. His reputation for violence and unscrupulous dealing has, however, caused him to pass into Lancashire folklore as the Black Knight, and at Ashton-under-Lyne his death is still celebrated by the annual ceremony known as the "Riding of the Black Lad". 19th century antiquaries recorded the rhyme:
Sweet Jesu, for thy mercy sakeHe married 1st, c.1439, Margery (fl. 1480), daughter of John Barton of Middleton (Lancs) and heir to her uncle Richard Barton of Middleton, and 2nd, about July 1483, Elizabeth (d. 1499), daughter of John Chichele of Wimpole and the widow of John Kyriel of Stockbury, Westenhanger (Kent), and had issue six sons and two daughters, including:
And for thy bitter passion
Save us from the axe of the Tower
And from Sir Ralph of Ashton.
(1.1) Sir Richard Assheton (d. 1507) (q.v.);
(1.2) Sir Ralph Assheton (fl. 1501), kt. [for whom see Assheton family of Great Lever below];
(1.3) John Assheton (fl. 1501);
(1.4) Roger Assheton (fl. 1501);
(1.5) Edmund Assheton (fl. 1484).
He inherited his father's Yorkshire property as an infant, and the Middleton Hall estate in right of his first wife. He seems to have lived primarily at Fryton (Yorks NR) until the 1480s, when he acquired lands in Kent.
He died (according to folklore being murdered by a woman he had raped), c.1487/8. His first wife died between 1480 and 1483. His widow married 3rd, before 1490, John Bourchier, a younger son of Henry, earl of Essex; and died on 2 April 1499.
Assheton, Sir Richard (d. 1507). Elder son of Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), kt. and his wife Margaret, daughter of John Barton of Middleton (Lancs). Knighted for his services in the Scottish wars under Lord Strange. He had royal pardon for civil offences, 1487. He married, 1480 (agreement 29 July), Isabel (d. 1531), daughter of John Talbot of Salesbury Hall, Ribchester (Lancs), and had issue:
(1) Sir Richard Assheton (c.1482-1549) (q.v.)*;
(2) Margaret Assheton; married John Hopwood (fl. 1533) of Hopwood;
(3) Dorothy Assheton; married Robert Holte (c.1481-1554) of Stubley;
(4) Alice Assheton (d. 1531); married 1st, 1501 (settlement 9 November), Richard Radclyffe (1454-1502) of Radclyffe Tower; 2nd, 1503 (settlement 28 November), John Lawrence, brother of Sir Thomas Lawrence, kt.; and 3rd, before 1515, Thomas Booth of Hackensall; died 27 March 1531 and was buried at Middleton, where she is commemorated by a brass;
(5) Elizabeth Assheton (fl. 1514); married, c.1500-01, Robert (c.1481-1513), son of Thurstan Holland esq. of Denton, but had no surviving issue;
(6) Rev. Edmund Assheton (d. 1522); rector of Middleton; died 22 August 1522;
(7) Anne Assheton (fl. 1506); married (but div. 1506 on grounds of consanguinity), George Atherton (d. 1518) of Atherton.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father before 1494.
He died 28 April 1507 and was buried at Middleton; an inquisition post mortem was held 15 August 1508.
*Some genealogies insert here an extra generation, of Richard Assheton, who married Anne/Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Fouleshurst of Crewe (Cheshire), but the dates do not really permit this. I can find no evidence of such a marriage, although a deed of 1502 in which Fouleshurst is given power to appoint feoffees for the marriage settlement of Sir Richard's son, Richard and his wife Anne Strickland implies some relationship between the two families.
Assheton, Sir Richard (c.1482-1549). Eldest son of Sir Richard Assheton (d. 1507), kt. and his wife Isabel, daughter of John Talbot of Salebury, born about 1482. A distinguished warrior, who raised a company of archers from his estate for the Scottish wars and was knighted for his valour at the Battle of Flodden, 1513, where he took the Scottish standard-bearer's sword and captured Sir John Foreman, the Scottish monarch's serjeant-porter, who later identified the body of King James IV. On his return from the war, he continued the rebuilding of Middleton church and commissioned the "Flodden Window" depicting himself and his wife, the seventeen captains of his troop of archers, and the priest Henry Taylor who blessed them before the battle, commemorating them each by name in stained glass; the glass was installed in 1515 but altered in 1847 and restored in 2012. He also placed his standard in the church. He 'received several privileges from the king', including a general pardon for all "riots, illicit retainments and assemblies" committed before 4 Mar 1514. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1530. He married 1st, 1502 (settlement 29 August), Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Strickland, kt. of Lonsdale (Cumbld) and 2nd, 19 October 1541, Anne, daughter of Sir James Pickering and widow of Sir Robert Bellingham of Burneside, and had issue:
(1.1) Richard Assheton (c.1511-50) (q.v.);
(1.2) Rev. Robert Assheton (b. c.1515); rector of Middleton, 1538-59 and Radcliffe, c.1548-54;
(1.3) Rev. John Assheton (1524-84); educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1547; BA 1549/50; MA 1553); Fellow of Trinity College, 1551-59; rector of Middleton, 1559-84; married Anne [surname unknown] (d. 1578) and had issue (including Rev. Abdias Assheton (1563-1633) who was rector of Middleton, 1618-33); buried at Middleton, 9 October 1584;
(1.4) Ralph Assheton; married and had issue;
(1.5) Thomas Assheton; apparently brought up in the household the Byrons of Newstead (Notts); married and had issue;
(1.6) Leonard Assheton, of Chelsea (fl. 1549); died without issue;
(1.7) Mary Assheton (d. 1595); married 1st, [forename unknown] Gouland (d. by 1547) of Offerton and 2nd, 18 July 1547, Sir John Southworth, kt. (1526-95) of Samlesbury Hall (Lancs) by whom she had issue six sons and five daughters; died 3 November 1595 at Samlesbury Hall.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in about 1507 and had seisin of the estate in May 1511.
He died 11 January and was buried 14 January 1548/9; an inquisition post mortem was held 29 March 1549. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His widow survived him but her date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Richard (c.1511-50). Eldest son of Sir Richard Assheton (c.1482-1549), kt. and his first wife, Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Strickland, kt. of Lonsdale (Cumbld.). He married 1st, 1521 (settlement 20 August), Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Gerrard, kt. of Bryn (Lancs) and 2nd, 1541?, Katherine (d. 1572), daughter of Sir Robert Bellingham of Burneside (Westmld), and had issue:
(1.1) Anne Assheton (b. c.1530); married, 22 November 1547, as his second wife, John Booth (c.1526-52) of Barton, but had no issue;
(1.2) Richard Assheton (1536-63) (q.v.);
(2.1) Dorothy Assheton (b. 1543; fl. 1573), baptised 28 August 1543; married Alexander Hoghton (d. 1581) of Hoghton Tower (Lancs) (who m2, Elizabeth, widow of George Warburton and daughter of [forename unknown] Hesketh), but had no issue; died before 1580;
(2.2) Margaret Assheton (1544-1609); said to have been born 6 April 1544; married as a child, 1550 (settlement 6 February), William Davenport (d. 1585) of Bramhall/Bromhall (Cheshire) and had issue four sons and one daughter; she and her husband inherited the manor of Casterton (Westmld) from her parents; died 1609.
He also had an illegitimate son:
(X.1) John Assheton (fl. 1550).
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1549 aged 38, and had livery of the estate on 1 June 1549. He inherited the manor of Casterton (Westmld) in right of his second wife.He died 4 August 1550; an inquisition post mortem was held 18 September 1550. His widow married 2nd, Sir William Radclyffe (d. 1568) of Ordsall and 3rd, c.1570, Sir William Davenport, and died 31 April 1572.
Assheton, Richard (1536-63). Only son of Richard Assheton (c.1511-50) and his first wife Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Gerrard, kt., of Bryn (Lancs), born July 1536. He married, 1549/50 (settlement 6 February), Elizabeth (d. c.1600), daughter of Sir William Davenport, kt., of Bramhall (Cheshire) and had issue including:
(1) Sir Richard Assheton (c.1558-1617), kt. (q.v.);
(2) John Assheton; died without issue.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1550, aged 14, and had livery of the estate 24 June 1558.
He died 17 July 1563. His widow was convicted of murder (whether of her husband or another is not clear) but was not executed and lived later at Garstang (Lancs); she died about 1600; an inquisition post mortem was held on 26 March 1601.
Assheton, Sir Richard (c.1558-1617), kt. Only recorded son of Richard Assheton (1536-63) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Davenport, kt., of Bramhall (Cheshire), born c.1558. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1585-86 1592-93, 1597-98, 1606-07. Knighted at the coronation of King James I, 1603. He married 1st, c.1575, Mary (d. 1592), daughter of Sir John Byron of Clayton and 2nd, 1593 (post-nuptial settlement 18 May), Mary (d. 1645), daughter of Robert Holte esq. of Ashworth and widow of John Greenhalgh esq. of Brandlesome, and had issue (with other children by his second wife who died before baptism):
(1.1) Winifred Assheton (fl. 1606); married John Holte (c.1577-1622) of Stubley Hall, Littleborough (Lancs), and had issue;
(1.2) Richard Assheton (c.1578-1618) (q.v.);
(1.3) Mary Assheton (1579-1600), baptised at Clayton, 18 October 1579; married, 28 October 1594 at Middleton, Robert Holte (d. c.1609) of Ashworth and had issue; died August 1600;
(1.4) Dorothy Assheton (d. by 1603); married, 1602 (post-nuptial settlement, 20 March), James Anderton (1576-1658) of Clayton and had issue one son; died before 1603;
(1.5) John Assheton (b. 1582; fl. 1619) of Middleton, baptised 21 December 1582 at Middleton; died unmarried and without issue;
(2.1) Susanna Assheton (1593-1644), baptised at Middleton, 30 December 1593; married. 17 October 1609 at Middleton, Alexander Wolstenholme (1571-1623) and had issue two sons and two daughters; buried at Middleton, 10 June 1644;
(2.2) Ralph Assheton (1596-1644) of Kirkby (Yorks), born 5 January 1595/6 and baptised at Middleton, 18 January 1595/6; educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (matriculated 1614; MA 1614/5) and Grays Inn (admitted 1614); married Catherine, daughter of William Brereton esq. of Ashley (Cheshire) and had issue; died 1644.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father and had livery of the estate in 1579. He purchased Blackley Hall and its demesne from his Byron relations c.1600 but it was sold by his descendants in 1636.
He died 27 December 1617 and was buried at Middleton, 28 December 1618 although the funeral was not held until 15 January 1617/8 (according to the diary of Nicholas Assheton). His first wife was buried at Middleton, 12 January 1591/2. His widow lived in widowhood at Radcliffe Tower, died 24 February 1644/5, and was buried at Middleton, 27 February 1644/5.
Assheton, Richard (c.1578-1618). Only son of Sir Richard Assheton (c.1558-1617), kt. and his first wife, Mary, daughter of Sir John Byron of Clayton. He had some differences with his father and stepmother. He married, 1604 (settlement 13 February), Mary (1576-1645), daughter of Thomas Venables of Kinderton (Cheshire) and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton (d. 1605); died in infancy and was buried 25 March 1605;
(2) Ralph Assheton (1606-51) (q.v.);
(3) John Assheton (1607-41); died 14 August 1641 aged 34 and was buried at Middleton;
(4) James Assheton (1608-11), born 30 July and baptised at Middleton, 3 August 1608; accidentally 'slain with a dart' and was buried 13 August 1611 at Middleton;
(5) Rev. William Assheton (c.1609-62), born about 1609; reputedly educated at university (BA); ordained deacon, 1632 and priest, 1633; rector of Middleton, 1634-c.1662; married, 27 May 1635 at Great Lever, Eleanor (k/a Ellen), daughter of Thomas Brooke of Norton (Cheshire) and had issue; died about 1662;
(7) Dorothy Assheton (b. 1610), born 16 December and baptised at Middleton, 23 December 1610; married, c.1636, John Legh (c.1601-60) of Norbury Booths Hall, Knutsford (Cheshire) (who married twice more) and received absolution for their clandestine marriage, 11 January 1638;
(6) Thomas Assheton (b. 1612), born 29 June and baptised at Middleton, 12 July 1612; married, 4 April 1638 at St Andrew, Holborn (Middx), Susanna Trott (d. 1647) of Colney Hatch (Middx);
(8) Mary Assheton (1613?-56), perhaps the child baptised 12 December 1613 at Manchester Collegiate Church (now Cathedral); married, 9 December 1645 at Middleton, Rev. Paul Latham, rector of Standish, and had issue; buried 5 August 1656 at Standish, where she is commemorated by a memorial brass.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1617.
He died 7 November 1618 and was buried at Middleton; an inquisition post mortem was held 12 January 1619. His widow (described as 'a right worthy and truly religious matron') died 24 February and was buried at Middleton, 27 February 1644/5. A brass at Middleton commemorates both husband and wife and their six sons and two daughters.
 |
| Maj-Gen. Ashton |
(1) Richard Assheton (c.1625-30), born about 1625; died in the lifetime of his father, 25 March 1630, supposedly as the result of witchcraft, for which one Utley was hanged at Lancaster; buried at Middleton, 27 March 1630;
(2) Sir Ralph Assheton (1626-65), kt. and 1st bt. (q.v.);
(3) John Assheton (d. 1678) of Burne (Yorks) and Middleton; married, 1 September 1663 at Penwortham (Lancs), Elizabeth, daughter of John Fleetwood of Penwortham and had issue two daughters; buried at Middleton, August 1678;
(4) Elizabeth Assheton (b. 1628), born 16 March 1627/8; married, 1651, Adam Beaumont (1631-55), son of Sir Thomas Beaumont of Whitley Beaumont (Yorks WR), and had issue one son and two daughters;
(5) Mary Assheton (1636-80), born 7 December and baptised 15 December 1636; married Christopher Banastre (c.1635-90) of Bank Hall, Bretherton (Lancs) and had issue two daughters; buried at Croston (Lancs), 20 October 1680;
(6) Anne Assheton; died unmarried.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1618.
He died 17 February 1650/1 and was buried at Middleton where he is commemorated by the only brass to record a Civil War soldier in full armour. His widow died 22 March 1662.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1626-65), kt. and 1st bt. Second but eldest surviving son of Ralph Assheton (1606-51) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Kaye esq. of Woodsome (Yorks), born 9 July 1626 at Denby Grange (Yorks). Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1639). He was an opponent of the Cromwellian republic and after the Restoration was knighted 16 July 1660 and created a baronet, 17 August 1660. MP for Clitheroe, 1660. He married, c.1647, Anne (1623-84), daughter of Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Great Lever and Whalley Abbey [see below] and had issue:
(1) Sir Ralph Assheton (1651-1716), 2nd bt. (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (1654-1705) (q.v.);
(3) Anne Assheton (1655-1711), born 7 August and baptised at Middleton, 22 August 1655; married, 16 February 1685 at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), Edward Thornicroft esq. of Thornicroft (Cheshire); buried 3 January 1712 at Gawsworth (Cheshire);
(4) twin, John Assheton (b. & d. 1659); born and baptised 31 January 1658/9; died in infancy;
(5) twin, Mary Assheton (b. & d. 1659), born and baptised 31 January 1658/9; died in infancy.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1651.
He died 23 April and was buried at Middleton, 2 May 1665, where he was commemorated by a monument. His widow died 27 October 1684 and was also buried at Middleton; administration of her goods was granted at Chester, 4 December 1684.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1651-1716), 2nd bt. Elder son of Sir Ralph Assheton (1626-65), kt. and 1st bt., and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Great Lever and Whalley Abbey, born 11 February and baptised 19 February 1651. Educated privately by an ejected Presbyterian minister appointed by his mother, and at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1668); travelled abroad, 1673. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 28 April 1665. He was brought up in the Presbyterian faith but conformed to the Church of England after returning from his travels c.1673, and was made a Freeman of Preston, 1662 and 1682; JP for Lancashire, 1675-87 and 1689-1716 and DL 1682-87, 1688-1716; MP for Liverpool, 1677-79 and for Lancashire, 1694-98. An officer in the Lancashire militia (Lt. Col. by 1680; Col. by 1697). He married 1st, c.1680, Mary (d. 1694), only daughter and heir of Thomas Vavasour esq. of Spaldington (Yorks), and 2nd, 30 July 1696, Mary (d. 1721), only daughter and heir of Robert Hyde esq. of Denton (Lancs), and had issue:
(1.1) Anne Assheton (1681-1729), baptised at Middleton, 21 July 1681; inherited her mother's estate of Spaldington (Yorks); married, 15 August 1701 at Manchester, Humphrey Trafford esq. of Trafford, and had issue four sons and four daughters; died 9 August 1729 and was buried in Manchester Collegiate Church (now Cathedral);
(1.2) Dorothy Assheton (1683-86), baptised 6 November 1683; died in infancy, 27 January 1685/6;
(1.3) Frances Assheton (1685-90), baptised 27 June 1685; died young, 3 April 1690;
(1.4) Edmund Assheton (1686-88), born 25 November and baptised at Middleton, 15 December 1686; died in infancy, 20 June 1688;
(1.5) Richard Vavasour Assheton (1689-1708), baptised 20 May 1689 at Middleton; died unmarried in the lifetime of his father, 14 February 1707/8;
(1.6) Elizabeth Assheton (1690-91), born about November 1690; died in infancy, 15 January 1691;
(1.7) Catherine Assheton (1692-1728), born 5 March and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 18 March 1692; inherited her stepmother's estate at Denton (Lancs); married, 27 November 1716 at Middleton, Thomas Lister (1688-1745) of Arnoldsbiggin and Gisburn Park (Yorks WR) and had issue two sons; died 30 August 1728;
(1.8) Mary Assheton (c.1694-1776), born about November 1694; inherited the Whalley estate from her father; married, 19 February 1716 at Middleton, Sir Nathaniel Curzon (1675-1758), 4th bt., of Kedleston (Derbys) and had issue three sons (one of whom died young); died 18 March 1776; will proved May 1776.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his father in 1665 and came of age in 1672. In 1697 he inherited the Whalley Abbey estate from his kinsman, Sir John Assheton, 4th bt. At his death, Middleton passed to his nephew, the 3rd bt., and Whalley to his youngest daughter and her husband.
He died 3 May 1716 and was buried at Middleton, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved 13 February 1716/7. His first wife died 11 November 1694 and was buried at Middleton, where she is commemorated by a monument erected in 1709. His widow died at Kensington, 16 June 1721 and was buried at Denton (Lancs), 6 July 1721; her will was proved 27 June 1721.
Assheton, Richard (1654-1705). Second son of Sir Ralph Assheton (b. 1626), kt. and 1st bt. and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Great Lever and Whalley Abbey, born 4 May and baptised at Middleton, 15 May 1654. Educated privately, partly by a Presbyterian clergyman ejected from his living in 1662 who was engaged by his mother. MP for Lancashire, 1703-05. He married, 1691 (licence 3 April) at Rothwell (Yorks WR), Mary (b. 1667), daughter of John Parker esq. of Extwistle Hall (Lancs) and widow of Benjamin Waddington (d. 1690) of Chapel Allerton and Gledhow (Yorks WR), and had issue:
(1) Sir Ralph Assheton (1692-1765), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(2) John Assheton (1694-1758), born 2 April and baptised at Leeds 14 April 1694; died unmarried and was buried at Middleton, 25 September 1758;
(3) Anne Assheton (b. 1695), born 10 May and baptised at Leeds, 24 May 1695; died unmarried;
(4) Elizabeth Assheton (1697-1729), born 6 August and baptised at Leeds, 17 August 1697; married, 13 November 1727 at Middleton, Thomas Pigot (fl. 1760) of Manchester, but died without issue; buried at Middleton, 9 July 1729;
(5) Richard Assheton (d. 1765) of Bent, Prestwich (Lancs); married, 11 October 1743, Elizabeth (1717-95), daughter of Ralph Assheton of Cuerdale; died without issue and was buried 23 November 1765.
He inherited a life interest in Allerton and Gledhow (Yorks WR) in right of his wife on their marriage.
He died in September 1705. His wife's date of death has not been traced.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1692-1765), 3rd bt. Eldest son of Richard Assheton of Chapel Allerton and Gledhow (Yorks WR) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Parker esq. of Extwistle and widow of Benjamin Waddington esq. of Allerton and Gledhow, born 21 April and baptised at Leeds (Yorks WR), 27 April 1692. He succeeded his uncle as 3rd baronet of Middleton, 4 May 1716. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1739. He married 1st, 3 October 1734 at Prestwich (Lancs), Mary (1716-36), daughter of Sir Holland Egerton, 4th bt. and 2nd, 28 May 1739 at Thornhill (Yorks WR), Eleanor (1714-93), daughter of Rev. John Copley, rector of Emley (Yorks WR) and later of Thornhill, and widow of Henry Hulton (d. 1737) of Hulton (Lancs), and had issue:
(2.1) Mary Assheton (1741-1823), born 10 November and baptised at Middleton, 26 November 1741; inherited the Middleton Hall estate from her father; married, 7 October 1760, Sir Harbord Harbord (1734-1810), 2nd bt. and 1st Baron Suffield and had issue two sons and two daughters; died at Richmond (Yorks NR), 1 June 1823;
(2.2) Ralph Assheton (1745-56); died young, July 1756;
(2.3) Eleanor Assheton (1752-1816), born 10 November 1752; married, 12 September 1769, Sir Thomas Egerton (1749-1814), 7th bt. (later 1st Baron Grey de Wilton, 1st Viscount Grey de Wilton and 1st Earl of Wilton) and had issue including an only surviving daughter (who married in 1794 Robert Grosvenor, later 1st Marquess of Westminster); died 3 February 1816.
He inherited the Middleton Hall estate from his uncle in 1716; at his death it passed to his elder daughter.
He died in the night, 31 December 1765, when the baronetcy of Assheton of Middleton became extinct, and was buried at Middleton, 7 January 1766. His first wife died 11 January 1736/7. His widow died in Manchester, 25 March and was buried at Middleton, 30 March 1793.
Assheton family of Great Lever, baronets
Assheton, Sir Ralph (fl. 1501), kt. Second son of Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), kt. [for whom see above, under Assheton family of Middleton Hall] and his wife Margaret, daughter of John Barton of Middleton (Lancs). He married Margaret (d. c.1483), daughter of Adam Lever of Great Lever, and had issue:
(1) Adam Assheton; presumably died young;
(2) Ralph Assheton (fl. 1509) (q.v.);
(3) Robert Assheton;
(4) John Assheton; married Eleanor, daughter of Sir Robert Constable of Masham (Yorks NR) and had issue a daughter.
He acquired the manor of Great Lever through his marriage.
His date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Ralph (fl. 1509). Eldest son of Sir Ralph Assheton (fl. 1501), kt. and his wife Margaret, daughter of Adam Lever of Great Lever. He married Eleanor, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park, and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (d. 1559) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (d. 1579); Deputy Receiver of the Court of Augmentations for the Northern Counties by 1550 and probably earlier; Receiver, 1550-52; a Receiver of the Exchequer, 1554-72?; JP for Lancashire by 1561; MP for Carlisle, 1558, Aldborough (Yorks), 1559 and Carlisle, 1563; he purchased Whalley Abbey (jointly with John Bradyll) in 1553 and Downham Hall in 1558; married Jane (d. 1581), daughter and heir of Ralph Harbottle of Northumberland but had no issue; buried at Whalley, 30 January 1578/9;
(3) Roger Assheton;
(4) Alexander Assheton;
(5) Rev. Nicholas Assheton; rector of Wickford (Yorks);
(6) Patrick Assheton;
(7) Margaret Assheton;
(8) Anne Assheton;
(9) Katherine Assheton; married 1517/8 (agreement 16 January), Richard Halgh, son of Roger Halgh.
He inherited the manor of Great Lever from his father.
He was living in 1509; his date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Ralph (d. 1559). Eldest son of Ralph Assheton (fl. 1509) and his wife Eleanor, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park. JP for Lancashire by 1550; MP for Liverpool, 1553. Receiver of Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire and Cheshire, 1558-59. He married Margaret, daughter of William Orrell of Turton Tower and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (c.1523-87) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton;
(3) Rev. Andrew Assheton (d. 1614); ordained deacon and priest, 1562; rector of Mongewell (Oxon), 1564-1614;
(4) Eleanor Assheton;
(5) Alice Assheton;
(6) Elizabeth Assheton.
He inherited the manor of Great Lever from his father.
His death was reported at the Manchester court leet, 4 October 1559.
Assheton, Ralph (c.1523-87). Elder son of Ralph Assheton (d. 1559) and his wife Margaret, daughter of William Orrell of Turton Tower, born about 1523. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1578-79. Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire, 1559-87. He married Alice, daughter of William Hilton of Farnworth (Lancs) and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (c.1552-1616) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (fl. 1595) of Downham [for whom see below, Assheton of Downham];
(3) Christiana Assheton; married William Banastre of Bank.
He inherited Great Lever Hall from his father, aged 36, in 1559.
He died in 1587. His wife survived him but her date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Ralph (c.1552-1616). Only recorded son of Ralph Assheton (c.1523-87) and his wife Alice, daughter of William Hulton of Farnworth (Lancs), born about 1552. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1594. Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire, 1592-1616 (jointly with his son from 1605); also Steward of Cliviger and Crown Receiver for Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire. He married* 1st, c.1572, Joanna (1554-93), daughter and co-heir of Edward Radclyffe of Todmorden (Lancs), and 2nd, Anne, daughter of John Talbot and widow of Edmund Assheton of Chadderton, and had issue:
(1.1) Jane Assheton (1573-1634), born 1573; married Richard Towneley (1566-1628) of Towneley Hall (Lancs) and had issue; died at Hapton Tower and was buried at Burnley (Lancs), 13 July 1634;
(1.2) Alice Assheton (1574-1604), born 1574; married, 30 May 1592 at Bolton (Lancs), Alexander Standish (c.1571-1622) of Duxbury (who had three further wives), and had issue ten children; died 21 October 1604, aged 30;
(1.3) Elizabeth Assheton (1575-1602), born 1575; married, 1593 (settlement 5 October), George Preston (d. 1640) of Holker, son of John Preston; buried at Cartmel (Lancs), 10 April 1602;
(1.4) twin, Margaret Assheton (1578-1630?); died unmarried; possibly the person of this name buried 12 March 1630 at Wrightington (Lancs);
(1.5) twin, Anne Assheton (b. 1578); died unmarried;
(1.6) Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. (q.v.);
(1.7) Radclyffe Assheton (1582-1645) [for whom see below, Assheton of Downham Hall and Cuerdale Hall].
He inherited Whalley Abbey on the death of his great-uncle, Richard Assheton in 1579 and Great Lever Hall from his father in 1587.
He died in May 1616. His first wife, who is depicted in a portrait at Towneley Hall, died in or after 1582. His second wife's date of death is not known.
* Some sources place the wives in reverse order, but since all are agreed that Joanna was the mother of all Ralph's children, the dates of their birth make this improbable.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (1579-1644), 1st bt. Elder son of Ralph Assheton (c.1552-1616) and his first wife Joanna, daughter and co-heir of Edward Radcliffe of Todmorden (Lancs), born 1579. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1598/9) and Grays Inn (admitted 1601). Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster lands in Lancashire, 1605-44 (jointly with his father until 1616, and with his son from 1627); Bailiff of Blackburnshire, 1625-44. MP for Clitheroe, 1625, 1626. He was created a baronet, 28 June 1620. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1623-24. Later in the 1620s he was outlawed, apparently in consequence of a Star Chamber case, and incurred a fine of £500 by High Commission for adultery and incest, but if he was required to leave the country if was not for very long and did not disturb his tenure of his Duchy offices. At the outbreak of the Civil War he supported the Parliamentarian cause. He married 1st, 1604 (settlement 19 August), Dorothy (d. c.1610), daughter of Sir James Bellingham (1560-1641), kt., of Levens (Westmld) and 2nd, 18 April 1610 at Padiham (Lancs), Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), and had issue:
(1.1) Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1606-80), 2nd bt. (q.v.);
(2.1) Richard Assheton (1612-39), baptised at Whalley, 28 March 1612; died 1639;
(2.2) Alexander Assheton (1613-14), baptised at Whalley, 6 April 1613; died in infancy and was buried 5 March 1613/4;
(2.3) Thomas Assheton (b. 1614), baptised at Whalley, 11 December 1614; merchant in Rotterdam; married, 7 February 1644/5, Frances (b. c.1625), daughter of Maj-Gen. Sir Sheffield Clapham, kt. and had issue two sons (who died young); died before 1680;
(2.4) Nicholas Assheton (1616-60?), baptised at Whalley, 14 April 1616; educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1643); Clerk of the Common Bench at Lancaster, 1647; died unmarried, 1660?;
(2.5) Radcliffe Assheton (1617-61), baptised at Whalley, 22 June 1617; died 1661;
(2.6) James Assheton (b. 1618), baptised at Whalley, 14 August 1618; died without issue;
(2.7) John Assheton (b. 1619), baptised at Whalley, 10 October 1619; died in infancy;
(2.8) Sir Edmund Assheton (1620-95), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(2.9) Sir John Assheton (1622-97), 4th bt. (q.v.);
(2.10) Anne Assheton (1623-84), baptised at Whalley, 23 November 1623; married Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st bt. of Middleton Hall [for whom see above under Assheton family of Middleton Hall] and had issue three sons and two daughters; died 27 October 1684 and was buried at Middleton; administration of her goods was granted at Chester, 4 December 1684;
(2.11) William Assheton (b. 1625), baptised at Whalley, 10 April 1625; died without issue;
(2.12) Joan Assheton (b. 1626), baptised at Whalley, 4 June 1626; married 1st, before 1654, Peter Bold (d. by 1660) of Bold Hall (Lancs) and had issue; married 2nd, Thomas Owen of Condover Hall (Shropshire).
He inherited Great Lever Hall and Whalley Abbey from his father in 1616 but sold Great Lever in 1629 to Rt. Rev. John Bridgeman, bishop of Chester. Thereafter Whalley became his main home, which he remodelled.
He was buried at Whalley, 18 October 1644. His first wife died c.1608. His widow died in 1658.
Assheton, Sir Ralph (c.1611-80), 2nd bt. Only child of Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. and his first wife Dorothy, daughter of Sir James Bellingham, kt. of Levens (Westmld), born about 1606. Educated at University College, Oxford (matriculated 1622/3) and Grays Inn (admitted 1624). High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1632-33. MP for Clitheroe, 1640-48, 1660-62 and 1679-80. Receiver of Revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster, 1627-49?, 1660-80 (with his father until 1644). He was a Captain in the Parliamentarian Army, and served on the Lancashire sequestration committee, 1643. A Presbyterian in religion, he was an elder of the Blackburn classis, 1646. JP for Lancashire, 1647-49 and 1660-66. He married 1st, 1630 (licence 17 April) at Hothfield (Kent), Lady Dorothy Tufton (c.1606-35), daughter of Nicholas Tufton, 1st Earl of Thanet, and 2nd, 3 February 1643/44 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields (sep. 1649), Westminster (Middx), Elizabeth (d. 1686), daughter of Sir Sapcote Harrington of Rand (Lincs), but had no surviving issue.
He inherited Whalley Abbey from his father in 1644 and in the 1660s retired to this estate, where he pulled down the church and most of the claustral buildings. He inherited Downham Hall from his kinsman Richard Assheton (d. 1657) and settled it on his cousin Richard Assheton of Cuerdale Hall in 1678.
He died in London, 30 January 1679/80 and was buried at Downham (Lancs), where he built the family vault in the chancel, 3 March 1679/80; his will was proved 4 May 1680. His first wife died 28 January 1635 and was buried at Downham. His widow died 8 June 1686 and was buried in the New Chapel, Westminster; her will was proved 25 June 1686.
Assheton, Sir Edmund (1620-95), 3rd bt. Eighth son of Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. and his second wife Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), baptised at Whalley, 27 December 1620. Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1648). Barrister-at-law. He succeeded his brother as 3rd baronet, 1680. He was unmarried and had no issue.
He inherited Whalley Abbey from his elder brother in 1680, and unsuccessfully challenged his brother's settlement of Downham on their kinsman, Richard Assheton of Cuerdale Hall.
He died intestate, 31 October 1695.
Assheton, Sir John (1622-97), 4th bt. Ninth son of Sir Ralph Assheton (1579-1644), 1st bt. and his second wife Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), baptised at Whalley, 3 February 1621/2. He succeeded his brother as 4th baronet, 31 October 1695. He married Catherine (c.1612-76), daughter of Sir Henry Fletcher, 1st bt., of Hutton-in-the-Forest (Cumbld.) and widow of Thomas Lister of Arnoldsbiggin, Gisburne (Yorks WR), but had no issue.
He inherited Whalley Abbey from his elder brother in 1695. At his death the Whalley estate passed to his nephew, Sir Ralph Assheton (1657-1716), 2nd bt. of Middleton Hall.
He died 9 June and was buried 18 June 1697, when the baronetcy of Assheton of Great Lever became extinct. His wife was buried at Gisburne, 20 May 1676, aged 64.
Assheton family of Downham Hall
Assheton, Richard (fl. 1595), of Downham Hall. Second son of Ralph Assheton of Great Lever (c.1523-87) and his wife Alice, daughter of William Hilton of Farnworth. He married Margaret, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park, and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton (d. c.1597); married Isobel, daughter of [forename unknown] Hancock of Pendleton Hall (Lancs); died without issue in the lifetime of his father, reputedly as a result of witchcraft;
(2) Nicholas Assheton (c.1590-1625) (q.v.);
(3) Alexander Assheton (fl. 1618), linen draper in London; died without issue;
(4) George Assheton; in business in London; died fairly young and without issue;
(5) Dorothy Assheton; married Richard Sherburne of Dunnow, son of Sir Richard Sherburne of Stonyhurst (Lancs).
He inherited Downham from his great-uncle, Richard Assheton (d. 1579) of Whalley.
His date of death is unknown.
Assheton, Nicholas (c.1590-1625). Second but eldest surviving son of Richard Assheton (fl. 1595) of Downham Hall and his wife Margaret, daughter of Adam Hilton of the Park. Educated at Clitheroe Grammar School. Author of a diary, 1617-19, which provides a vivid picture of the character of gentry life in Lancashire at this time; it was published in the 19th century but the manuscript has since been lost. He married Frances (d. 1659), daughter and heir of Richard Greenacres of Worston and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton; died in infancy;
(2) Richard Assheton (d. 1657) (q.v.);
(3) Ralph Assheton (d. 1643); educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1637); DL for Lancashire, 1641; appointed to the Lancashire sequestration committee, 1643, but died without issue later the same year;
(4) Margaret Assheton (d. 1650); married Richard Johnson, son and heir of John Johnson of Worston (Lancs) and had issue two daughters (who died young); died 1650;
(5) Christiana Assheton; died without issue and probably unmarried.
He inherited Downham from his father.
He died 16 April 1625. His widow died at Worston, April 1659.
Assheton, Richard (d. 1657). Second but eldest surviving son of Nicholas Assheton (c.1590-1625) and his wife Frances, daughter of Richard Greenacres of Worston. A Presbyterian in religion, and a member of the third Lancashire classis, 1646. He was unmarried and without issue.
He inherited Downham from his father, but devised it at his death to his kinsman, Sir Ralph Assheton, 2nd bt. of Great Lever and Whalley.
He died 8 October 1657.
Assheton family of Cuerdale Hall and Downham Hall, baronets and Barons Clitheroe
Assheton, Radclyffe (1582-1645) of Cuerdale Hall. Second son of Ralph Assheton (c.1552-1616) of Great Lever [for whom see above] and his first wife Johanna, daughter and co-heir of Edward Radclyffe of Todmorden (Lancs), born 1582. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1598/9) and Grays Inn (admitted 1601). Clerk of the Common Pleas for the Duchy of Lancaster, 1608-44; JP for Lancashire. At the commencement of the Civil War he joined the Royalist party and was appointed collector for the hundred of Blackburn of the King's assessment upon the county, December 1642. He married, 4 May 1611?, Elizabeth (c.1590-1658), daughter and co-heir of John Hyde, citizen and grocer of London and had issue including:
(1) Ellen Assheton (c.1611-c.1634); married, 1627 (licence 19 September), Edward Rawsthorne (d. 1646) of New Hall esq., a Colonel in the Royalist army (who m2, 24 May 1635 at Bury (Lancs), Mary, daughter of John Greenhalgh of Brandlesome); died about 1634;
(2) James Assheton (b. & d. 1612), baptised at Whalley, 24 May 1612; died in infancy and was buried at Whalley, 29 September 1612;
(3) John Assheton (c.1614-43) (q.v.);
(4) Ralph Assheton (fl. 1658); citizen of London; married [name unknown];
(5) Joan Assheton (b. 1617?; fl. 1658); married Ughtred Shuttleworth, third son of Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), but had no issue;
(6) Alice Assheton (fl. 1644); married John Bancroft, citizen of London;
(7) Elizabeth Assheton (b. 1621; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 16 February 1620/1; married Richard Greene of Poulton (Lancs);
(8) Julian Assheton (fl. 1658); married John Legh;
(9) Jane Assheton (b. 1623; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 4 June 1623; married Richard Holt and had issue;
(10) Margaret Assheton (b. 1627; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 17 July 1627; married Thomas Parker of Browsholme (Yorks WR);
(11) Richard Assheton (b. 1629; fl. 1658), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 20 September 1629; died unmarried;
(12) Dorothy Assheton; died young.
He purchased, with his father, the Cuerdale Hall estate in 1614.
He died 19 January 1644/5; his will was proved at Chester, 19 November 1647. His widow was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 14 December 1658; her will was proved in the PCC, 25 June 1659.
Assheton, John (c.1614-43). Elder son of Radclyffe Assheton (1582-1645) of Cuerdale Hall and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of John Hyde of London, grocer, born about 1614. Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1632). Captain of Foot in the Royalist army during the Civil War. He married Anne, eldest daughter of Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs) and had issue:
(1) Richard Assheton (c.1642-1709) (q.v.).
He died in Bristol in 1643 of wounds received at the battle of Edgehill on 23 October 1642; administration of goods was granted to his brother Richard, 17 July 1647. His widow married 2nd, Richard Townley (d. 1651) of Barnside and Carr (Lancs) and had further issue; her second husband is said to have been killed by a bull baited at Gisburn (Yorks WR) in 1651 or 1655; she was living in 1664.
Assheton, Richard (c.1642-1710) of Cuerdale and Downham. Only child of John Assheton (d. 1642) and his wife Anne, eldest daughter of Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall (Lancs), born about 1642. He married, 29 January 1665/6 (agreement 24 January) at St John, Preston (Lancs), Mary, daughter and heiress of George Pigott of Preston and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (1666-1705) (q.v.);
(2) Radclyffe Assheton (b. 1669), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 23 February 1668/9; died without issue;
(3) John Assheton (1670-71), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 25 June 1670; died in infancy and was buried 4 March 1670/1;
(4) George Assheton; died without issue;
(5) Elizabeth Assheton (b. 1674), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, November 1673; married, before 1701, Barton Shuttleworth (1665-1731) and had issue; living in 1715;
(6) Anne Assheton (b. & d. 1676), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 31 January 1675/6; died in infancy, 28 September 1676;
(7) Mary Assheton (1677-1746), baptised 6 August 1677; married, 12 December 1706 at Walton-le-Dale, Alexander Nowell (d. 1750), son of Roger Nowell of Read (Lancs); buried at Burnley (Lancs), 3 May 1746;
(8) Grace/Lucy Assheton (b. 1679), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 15 September 1679; died without issue;
(9) Richard Assheton (b. 1682), baptised 21 January 1681/2 or 20 June 1682; married, 30 May 1704 at Barwell (Leics), Jane Brooksby;
(10) Edmund Assheton (1685-1746), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 26 May 1684 or 1685; Mayor of Preston, 1713-14, 1721-22, 1729-30, 1737-38; married Mary (d. 1747), daughter of Josias Gregson of Preston and had issue; buried 6 April 1746; will proved at Chester, 3 April 1749;
(11) John Assheton (b. 1690), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 9 September/October 1690; died without issue;
He inherited Cuerdale Hall from his grandfather in 1644 and came of age about 1663. Downham Hall was settled on him in 1678 by his cousin, Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1611-80).
He was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 15 February 1709/10; will proved at Chester, 1710. His widow was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 16 December 1718; her will proved 12 February 1718/9.
Assheton, Ralph (1666-1705) of Cuerdale and Downham. Eldest son of Richard Assheton (c.1642-1709) and his wife Mary, daughter and heiress of George Pigott of Preston (Lancs), baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 16 November 1666. He married, 19 December 1695 at Walton-le-Dale, Sarah (1679-1700), daughter of Tilston Bruen of Bruen Stapleford (Cheshire) and had issue:
(1) Ralph Assheton (1696-1729) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Assheton (1698-1731), baptised at Leyland (Lancs), 14 September 1698; slave merchant at Kingston (Jamaica); died unmarried, 1731, but made provision in his will for two illegitimate sons: Richard Hanson of Bristol and John, son of Elizabeth Angier of Kingston (Jamaica); will proved 2 November 1731.
He seems to have lived at Leyland (Lancs).
He died in the lifetime of his father and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 29 March 1705. His wife was buried 22 June 1700, aged 20.
Assheton, Ralph (1696-1729) of Downham and Cuerdale. Elder son of Ralph Assheton (1666-1705) and his wife Sarah, daughter of Tilston Bruen of Bruen Stapleford (Cheshire), baptised at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 28 December 1696. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1712/3). He married, 9 or 19 April 1716, Mary (1695-1729), daughter of Thomas Lister of Arnoldsbiggin, Gisburn (Yorks WR, now Lancs), and had issue:
(1) Elizabeth Assheton (1717-95), born 12 and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 22 February 1717; married, 11 October 1743, Richard Assheton (d. 1765) of Bent, Prestwich (Lancs), brother of Sir Ralph Assheton, 3rd bt. of Middleton, but had no issue; buried at Middleton, 12 February 1795;
(2) Sarah Assheton (b. & d. 1718), born May 1718; died in infancy, June 1718;
(3) Ralph Assheton (1719-58) (q.v.);
(4) Mary Assheton (1721-97), baptised at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 7 November 1721; married 1st, 2 January 1748/9 at Sandal Magna (Yorks WR), Rev. John Witton (1691-1754) of Lupset Hall, Wakefield (Yorks WR) and 2nd, 19 June 1758 at St George's, Hanover Square, London, Peregrine Wentworth (1722-1809) (who had m1, 6 June 1751, Mary (d. 1756), daughter of Beilby Thompson of Escrick (Yorks)) of Toulston Lodge, Newton Kyme (Yorks), registrar of West Riding of Yorkshire and a keen racehorse owner, but had no issue by either marriage; died 29 June and was buried in York Minster, 7 July 1797, aged 76; administration of her goods was granted to her husband, 6 July 1798;
(5) Rev. Dr. Richard Assheton (1727-1800), born 19 August and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 20 August 1727; educated at Westminster and Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1744; BA 1748; MA 1751; BD and DD 1782); ordained deacon and priest, 1754; chaplain to Martha Harley, Countess of Oxford, 1757-59; rector of Middleton, 1757-1800; Dean of Manchester Collegiate Church, 1782-1800; founder of the Middleton Musical Society, 1772; married, 1757, Mary (c.1735-1815), younger daughter of William Hulls of Freelands (Kent) and Popes (Herts), one son and four daughters; died 6 June 1800 and was buried at Downham, where he is commemorated by a monument; will proved 12 November 1800.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his grandfather in 1709 and came of age in 1717.
He died 21 September and was buried at Downham, 25 September 1729; administration of his goods was granted 18 November 1729. His wife was buried at Downham, 14 January 1728/9.
Assheton, Ralph (1720-58) of Downham and Cuerdale. Son of Ralph Assheton (1696-1729) of Downham and Cuerdale, and his wife Mary, daughter of Thomas Lister of Gisburne, born 25 January and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 10 February 1719/20. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford (matriculated 1738). He married, 8 August 1752 in King Henry VII's Chapel, Westminster Abbey, Rebecca (1732-1812), elder daughter and co-heir of William Hulls of Freelands, Bromley (Kent) and Popes (Herts), citizen and pewterer of London, and had issue including:
(1) Ralph Assheton (b. & d. 1753), born and baptised at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 2 May 1753; and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 3 May 1753;
(2) Ralph Assheton (1754-60), born at Walton-le-Dale (Lancs), 5 April 1754; died young and was buried at Bromley (Kent), 11 May 1760;
(3) Anne Assheton (1755-1835), born 28 May and baptised at Walton-le-Dale, 20 June 1755; married, 23 May 1782 at Burghfield (Berks), Rt. Rev. Dr. William Cleaver (1742-1815), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford, 1785-1809 and Bishop successively of Chester, 1787-1800, Bangor, 1800-06 and St. Asaph, 1806-15, and had issue a large family of whom two sons and three daughters survived; lived latterly at Little Missenden (Bucks); will proved 24 October 1835;
(4) Rebecca Assheton (b. c.1756/7); married, 19 February 1787 at Hatfield (Herts), Francis Penyston (d. 1827) of Cornwell (Oxon) and Woodend, Harlington (Beds) and had issue one son and three daughters; living in 1805 but died before 1827;
(5) William Assheton (1758-1833) (q.v.);
(6) Mary Elizabeth Assheton (1759-1806), born posthumously and baptised at St Andrew Holborn (Middx), 18 May 1759; lived at Beaconsfield with her mother; died unmarried and was buried at Amersham (Bucks), 15 September 1806; will proved 25 September 1806.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1729 and came of age in 1740. His wife inherited the manor of Popes in Hatfield (Herts) from her father.
He died 27 December 1758 and was buried 3 January 1759. His widow lived latterly at Beaconsfield (Bucks) and died in 1812, aged 79; her will was proved 23 September 1812.
Assheton, William (1758-1833) of Downham and Cuerdale. Third but only surviving son of Ralph Assheton (1719-58) of Downham and Cuerdale, and his wife Rebecca, daughter of William Hulls of Freelands (Kent) and Popes (Herts), born 19 June 1758. Educated at Westminster, Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1775; MA from Balliol College, 1779) and Middle Temple (admitted 1779); undertook a Grand Tour of France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium in 1783-84 with his cousin, Richard Assheton, and Thomas Pitt (b. c.1758); while in Italy he visited Turin, Genoa, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Loreto, Rome (where he had painting lessons from Carlo Labruzzi), Naples, Leghorn, Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan; in 1785 he visited Lisbon. An amateur artist who travelled and sketched many parts of England and on his grand tour. High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1792. He married, 20 November 1786 at Runcorn (Cheshire), Lettice (1762-1834), daughter of Sir Richard Brooke, 4th bt. of Norton (Cheshire), but separated from his wife in 1804; they had issue:
(1) William Assheton (1788-1858) (q.v.);
(2) Thomas Assheton (d. 1794); died young and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 22 September 1794;
(3) Mary Assheton (1790-1871), born 25 September 1790; married, 2 October 1818 at Downham, John Armytage (1792-1836), eldest son and heir apparent of Sir George Armytage, 4th bt. of Kirklees (Yorks), and had issue three sons and five daughters; died 21 April 1871; will proved 26 June 1871 (effects under £12,000);
(4) Richard Assheton (b. & d. 1791), born 5 September and died in infancy, 21 November 1791;
(5) Frances Assheton (d. 1795); died young and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 23 October 1795;
(6) Robert Assheton (d. 1797); died young and was buried at Walton-le-Dale, 19 January 1797.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1758 and came of age in 1779. From 1779-86 he lived at Over Norton (Oxon) and later, around 1800, he lived in York. In 1813 he purchased the Worston estate from the Yorke family.
He died 29 January and was buried at Downham, 8 February 1833; his will was proved 9 May 1833. His widow died 30 December 1834, aged 72.
Assheton, William (1788-1858) of Downham and Cuerdale. Only surviving son of William Assheton (1758-1833) and his wife Lettice, daughter of Sir Richard Brooke, 4th bt. of Norton (Cheshire), born 16 March and baptised 17 March 1788 at Holy Trinity Micklegate, York and again 20 May 1788 at Oswaldkirk (Yorks). Educated at Harrow and Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1805). An officer in the Cheshire Militia (Capt., 1808) and later 1st Royal Lancashire Militia (Major). JP and DL for Lancashire and JP for West Riding of Yorkshire. He married, 9 August 1816 at Downham, Frances Annabella (1795-1835), ninth daughter of Hon. William Cockayne and co-heiress of 6th Viscount Cullen and had issue:
(1) Frances Assheton (1823-41), born 5 May and baptised 7 June 1823; died unmarried, 1841;
(2) Ralph Assheton (1830-1907) (q.v.);
(3) Rev. Richard Orme Assheton (1835-1909), born 12 July 1835; educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1853; BA 1857; MA 1860); ordained deacon, 1860 and priest, 1862; curate of Warminster (Wilts), 1860-62; rector of Bilton (Warks), 1862-95; Rural Dean of Dunchurch, 1879-93; married, 22 October 1863, Charlotte Emma Willoughby, sixth daughter of Joseph Feilden MP of Witton Park (Lancs) but had no issue; died 13 May and was buried at Bilton, 18 May 1909; will proved 27 July 1909 (estate £22,550).
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1833, but seems to have lived at Brandon House (Warks).
He died 8 August 1858; will proved 9 November 1858 (effects under £30,000). His wife died 25 July and was buried at Downham, 4 August 1835.
 |
| Ralph Assheton 1830-1907 |
(1) Frances Annabella Assheton (1855-1939), baptised 31 October 1855; married, 20 October 1886 at Downham, Sir Mervyn Lloyd Peel KBE JP DL (1856-1929) of Danyrallt (Carmenths.) and had issue one daughter; died 5 March 1939;
(2) Sir Ralph Cockayne Assheton (1860-1955), 1st bt. (q.v.);
(3) Richard Assheton (1863-1915), born 23 December 1863 and baptised 31 January 1864; educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1883; BA 1886; MA 1890; ScD 1913); Lecturer in Zoology at Owens College, Manchester, 1889-93; in Biology at Guy's Hospital, London, 1901-14; in Vertebrate Embryology at the Imperial College of Science, 1910; in Animal Embryology at Cambridge, 1913-15; Fellow of the Royal Society; married, 5 January 1892 at Hatherop (Glos), Frances Annette Ellen JP (1865-1945), third daughter of Sir Thomas Sebastian Bazley, 2nd bt., of Hatherop Castle, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 23 October 1915 and was buried at Grantchester (Cambs); will proved 24 December 1915 (estate £5,182);
(4) Dorothy Assheton (1864-1908), born 31 December 1864 and baptised 2 February 1865; married, 1 July 1886 at Downham, Edward Henry Burrows (d. 1910) of Drove House, Singleton (Sussex), schools inspector, (who m2, 23 June 1909, Ionë, daughter of Alexander Macdonald), eldest son of Capt. Montagu Burrows RN of Norham House, Oxford, but had no issue; died, 2 February 1908; will proved 1 August 1908 (estate £3,358);
(5) Rev. William Orme Assheton (1866-1953) of The Gable House, Bilton (Warks), born 16 February and baptised 15 April 1866; educated at Eton and Jesus College, Cambridge (admitted 1885; BA 1890; MA 1894); ordained deacon, 1892 and priest, 1894; curate of St Luke, Beeston Hill, Leeds (Yorks WR), 1892-95; rector of Bilton (Warks), 1895-1935; Rural Dean of Rugby with Dunchurch, 1912-20; and Canon of Coventry Cathedral, 1937-53; married, 14 June 1898 at Petersham (Surrey), Winifred Maude (1878-1958), third daughter and co-heiress of John Henry Master JP of Montrose House, Petersham, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 20 November 1953; will proved 20 February 1954 (estate £40,244);
(6) Joan Assheton (1869-1962) of Bilton (Warks), born 20 April and baptised 14 May 1869; died unmarried aged 92, 21 January 1962; will proved 24 May 1962 (estate £39,386);
(7) Nicholas Radclyffe Assheton (1870-1960), born 5 July and baptised 31 July 1870; educated at Eton; apprenticed to London & North-Western Railway Co., 1889 but later farmed at Upper Hardres (Kent); married, 15 April 1915, Mary Nina (1877-1933), elder daughter of William Peel of Knowlmere Manor (Lancs) and had issue one son and one daughter; died 14 April 1960; will proved 26 July 1960 (estate £7,925).
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1858.
He died 22 June 1907; his will was proved 15 October 1907 (estate £140,638). His widow died 19 September 1916, aged 82; her will was proved 6 January 1917 (estate £8,843).
Assheton, Sir Ralph Cockayne (1860-1955), 1st bt. Eldest son of Ralph Assheton (1830-1907) and his wife Emily Augusta, daughter of Joseph Feilden MP of Witton Park (Lancs), born 13 September 1860. Educated at Eton and Jesus College, Cambridge (admitted 1879). Director of Hargreaves Collieries and Union Bank of Manchester. JP and DL for Lancashire and JP for West Riding of Yorkshire; High Sheriff of Lancashire, 1919; member of Lancashire County Council, 1892-1902 and County Alderman, 1902-49; created a baronet, 4 September 1945. He married, 27 September 1898 at Petersham (Surrey), Mildred Estelle Sybella CBE JP (1876-1949), second daughter and co-heiress of John Henry Master JP of Montrose House, Petersham, and had issue:
(1) Dorothy Winifred Assheton (1899-1972), born 7 August 1899; County Commissioner of Girl Guides for Bedfordshire, 1938-41; married, 18 June 1924, Capt. Robin Coventry Barrett MA FRICS FLAS (1895-1984), elder son of Robert Bell Barrett JP of Skipton Castle (Yorks WR) and had issue one son and one daughter; lived latterly at Bar House, Boroughbridge (Yorks WR); died 24 May 1972; will proved 19 July 1972 (estate £33,775);
(2) Sir Ralph Assheton (1901-84), 2nd bt. and 1st Baron Clitheroe (q.v.);
(3) Mary Monica Assheton (1903-82), born 6 May 1903; JP for Lancashire; married, 20 July 1940, Capt. (Charles) Peter Fleetwood Bibby-Hesketh (later Fleetwood-Hesketh) DL (1905-85) of Hale Hall (Lancs), architect and author, second son of Charles Hesketh Fleetwood-Hesketh of Stocken Hall (Rutland), North Meols Hall (Lancs) and Holcombe Court (Devon) and had issue one daughter; died 14 June 1982; will proved 26 October 1982 (estate £71,091);
(4) Eleanor Assheton (1907-2000), born 2 May 1907; Vice-Chairman of Yorkshire Province of Conservative & Unionist Associations, 1952-55; married, 30 September 1926, Maj. John Edward Evelyn Yorke (1904-97) of Halton Place, Hellifield, Skipton (Yorks) and had issue one son and one daughter; died 11 January 2000; will proved 4 July 2000.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1907. In 1945 he purchased the lordship of the honour of Clitheroe.
He died 21 September 1955; will proved 21 March and 2 May 1956 (estate £40,513). His wife died 18 August 1949; her will was proved 3 October 1949 (estate £15,276).
 |
| 1st Baron Clitheroe |
(1) Anne Assheton (b. & d. 1924), born and died, 22 December 1924;
(2) Hon. Bridget Assheton (1926-2004), born 20 August 1926; educated at Downham School (Herts) and Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts; served with WRNS in Second World War at Bletchley Park; married, 10 December 1955, Sir (William) Marcus John Worsley, 5th bt., and had issue; died 22 May 2004; will proved 20 December 2004;
(3) Ralph John Assheton (b. 1929), 2nd Baron Clitheroe (q.v.);
(4) Hon. Nicholas Assheton (1934-2012), born 23 May 1934; educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (BA 1957; MA 1960); served in Life Guards and Inns of Court Regiment; liveryman of Vintners Company; member of London Stock Exchange (member of Council, 1968-88); with Montagu, Loebl, Stanley & Co., stockbrokers, 1957-87 (partner, 1960; senior partner, 1978-86); member of London board of National Mutual Life Association of Australia, 1972-93; Director of Coutts & Co., 1987-99 (Deputy Chairman, 1993-99); Director of SG Hambros Bank & Trust, 1999-2007 (Chairman, 2000-07); Treasurer and Extra Equerry to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, 1998-2002; appointed CVO, 2002; Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries; Chief Honorary Steward of Westminster Abbey, 2002-06; married, 29 February 1960 at Westminster Abbey, Jacqueline Jill (b. 1939), youngest daughter of Marshal of the RAF Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st bt., GCB OBE AFC, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 27 November 2012; will proved 15 August 2013.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1955.
He died 18 September 1984; his will was proved 20 February 1985 (estate £375,178). His widow died 9 January 1991; her will was proved 15 May 1991 (estate £87,612).
Assheton, Ralph John (b. 1929), 2nd Baron Clitheroe. Elder son of Rt. Hon. Sir Ralph Assheton, 2nd bt. and 1st Baron Clitheroe, and his wife, Hon. Sylvia Benita Frances, elder daughter of Frederick William Hotham, 6th Baron Hotham, born 3 November 1929. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (BA 1954; MA 1956). Served in 2nd Life Guards, 1948-49. Director of RTZ Corporation plc, 1968-89; Borax Holdings; Halliburton Co., Texas, 1987-2002; First Interstate Bank of California, 1981-89, Touche Remnant Natural Resources, 1982-87, American Mining Congress, 1982-89, Chemical Industries Association, 1984-88; Chairman of Yorkshire Bank plc, 1990-99. Liveryman of Skinners Co., London, 1990; President of the Association of Lancastrians in London, 1990. He succeeded his father as 3rd bt. and 2nd Baron Clitheroe, 1984. DL Lancs, 1986; Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, 1995-99. He married, 2 May 1961, Juliet, only daughter of Lt-Col. Christopher Lionel Hanbury MBE DL of Juniper Hill, Burnham (Bucks) and had issue:
(1) Hon. Ralph Christopher Assheton (b. 1962), born 19 March 1962; educated at Eton; served in Life Guards; Lt-Col and late commanding officer of The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry; MRICS; DL for Lancashire, 2008; married, 19 October 1996, Olivia Sarah, only daughter of (John) Anthony Cromek Warrington of Low Burton Hall, Marsham (Yorks NR) and had issue one son and one daughter;
(2) Hon. John Hotham Assheton (b. 1964), born 12 July 1964; educated at Harrow; married, Jul-Sep 1989, Amanda, daughter of Geoffrey Freeman of Red Lion House, Nettlebed (Oxon) and had issue two sons and one daughter;
(3) Hon. Elizabeth Jane Assheton (b. 1968), born 6 October 1968; educated at Wycombe Abbey School and Edinburgh University; married 6 May 1995, Capt. Robin Anthony Edward Tarling, son of Timothy Tarling of Dulverton (Somerset) and had issue one son and two daughters.
He inherited the Downham Hall and Cuerdale estates from his father in 1984. Downham Hall was handed over to his elder son c.2012.
Now living.
Sources
J. Burke, Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, 2nd edn., 1841, pp. 19-22; Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 2003, pp. 827-29; F.R. Raines, The journal of Nicholas Assheton of Downham, 1848; T.D. Whitaker, An history of the original parish of Whalley, 1876, passim; VCH Lancashire, vol. 4 (1911), pp. 338-47, vol 5 (1911), pp. 151-61, 182-87 and vol. 6 (1911), pp. 381-88, 552-58; J.M. Robinson, The country houses of the north-west, 1991, pp. 178, 187, 221; A. Taylor, The Websters of Kendal, 2004, pp. 103-04, 195-97; C. Hartwell, M. Hyde and Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Lancashire - Manchester and the south-east, 2004, p. 159; C. Hartwell & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Lancashire - North, 2009, pp. 277-78, 691-97; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entries on Sir John Assheton (d. 1427); Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1425-88), Sir Thomas Assheton (c.1403-60), Nicholas Assheton (1590-1625) and Ralph Assheton (1901-84), 1st Baron Clitheroe; History of Parliament biographies of Ralph Assheton (d. 1559), Richard Assheton (d. 1579), Richard Assheton (1654-1705), Sir Ralph Assheton (c.1606-80) [sic], and Sir Ralph Assheton (1652-1716), 2nd bt.
Location of archives
Assheton family of Middleton, bts.: deeds and papers, 1200-1837 [Greater Manchester Record Office E7]; letter books and accounts, 1648-1715 [Chetham's Library, Manchester Mun.A.3(2)90]
Assheton family of Downham, bts and Barons Clitheroe: manorial and estate records for Honour of Clitheroe, 1376-1918 [Lancashire Archives, DDHCL]. Further records are likely to remain with the family.
Coat of arms
Argent, a mulled sable pierced of the field.
Can you help?
Here are a few notes about information and images which would help to improve the account above. If you can help with any of these or with other additions or corrections, please use the contact form in the sidebar to get in touch.
- The information given about the earlier generations of this family is sadly incomplete, and I would be most grateful to receive additional information from authoritative sources.
- If anyone can supply images of portraits of members of this family I should be very pleased to include images of them.
Revision and acknowledgements
This post was first published 12 May 2016 and was updated 21 May 2016, 24 May 2017, 7 March 2021, 26 June 2022 and 1 June 2023. I am grateful to Amanda Worrall for corrections to this account.
Dear Nick
ReplyDeleteNo further information I'm afraid, but a very big thank you for all your hard work on the Assheton family. I am in the very early stages of trying to write a novel (or possibly novels!) on the women who lived at Bank Hall in Bretherton, Lancashire towards the end of the 17th century. The first of these women will be Mary Assheton, and before discovering your blog I was being driven mad with the confusion of all the different Ralphs/Richards who may or may not have been her father. Your detailed biographical information has thrown more light on this than anything I've yet come across, so thank you!
With best wishes
Barbara Mosse
Delighted to have been of help!
DeleteDear Nick. As a Middleton local historian, I will find the work you have done on the Assheton family of immense help. We have a fairly detailed tree in the parish church which Lord Clitheroe says is inaccurate. I will try and transcribe your work into a tree so that it can be compared. One of Lord Suffield's descendants is working on the Asshetons and the Suffield's so I shall introduce him to your work. I am now going to see if you've yet done anything on the Hopwoods of Hopwood as we have Hopwood DePree XIV from Michigan 'trying to save my ancestral home'. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNothing on the Hopwoods I'm afraid as I'm working alphabetically. If Lord Clitheroe has any additions or corrections to my piece I should be very pleased to receive and incorporate them.
DeleteThis has been fascinating and extremely useful for me. I descend from the Assheton's and this has been useful for backing up my research. Thank you
ReplyDelete