The Fylde
This section deals with the Croft Family who settled in the area of West Lancashire known as The Fylde.
The Fylde is a coastal plain in western Lancashire. It is a 13-mile-long square-shaped peninsula, bounded by Morecambe Bay to the north, the Ribble estuary to the south, the Irish Sea to the west, and the foot of the Bowland hills to the east. Lancaster can be seen on the map, some 12 miles or so to the north east.
The River Wyre meanders across the Fylde from Garstang on the eastern edge, westwards towards Poulton and then northwards to the sea at Fleetwood. The area north and east of the tidal Wyre, known as Over Wyre, is the more rural side of the river.
These days the west coast is almost entirely urban, containing the towns of Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Blackpool, St Annes and Lytham, with Thornton, Carleton and Poulton-le-Fylde not far inland, though in the 16th, 17th, 18th and even early 19th centuries when the Crofts made The Fylde their home, this area would also have been predominantly rural.
The Croft family who settled in the Fylde in the late 1500s did so in the very north of the area, around the villages of Preesall and Stalmine. The parish church for the area was in Stalmine, and records exist for this church back to 1583.
A branch of the family also spread across the River Wyre around the end of the 17th century/beginning of the 18th century into the Thornton area, and this branch will be dealt with in a separate section. Another branch of the Croft family from the Lune Valley made their home in the Fylde in the early 18th century, and this branch will also be dealt with in a separate section Lancaster to Preesall (18thC)
It should be noted that at this time there were also Crofts living on the eastern edge of the Fylde, in the Garstang area about 7 miles from Stalmine. There are baptisms of several children of John Croft and also Henry Croft in the 1590s and subsequently (after a gap of 20 years) more baptisms (fathers William Croft, John Croft and James Croft). There is only one marriage in this period, that of Elisabeth Croft to Henry Robinson in 1580. There are also the burials of Christopher Croft (1592) and an "unnamed child of Mr Croft from Claughton". This last entry proves that Members of the Croft family of Claughton were visiting this area, presumably to see relatives living there. How closely related these Crofts were to those living in Stalmine can't be proved, but it is likely that they were cousins to some degree. The numbers of Croft entries here are very low however, and there is no evidence of a Croft family settling and multiplying in the area, as is the case over in the Stalmine area.
The area of Kirkham in the south of the Fylde (about 9 miles from Stalmine) also has Crofts in the parish church registers. There is a marriage of John Croft (to Margaret Barker) in 1562, followed by the baptism of three children over the next seven years. There are three more Croft marriages in the register during the following 3 decades, but no baptisms. A surprising find is that between 1582 and 1812 there are 13 burials of Crofts in the Kirkham register, but only 3 baptisms; perhaps Catholicism is playing a part here. The Crofts of Claughton were known to be staunch recusant Catholics, and I have found many baptisms in that area missing from the parish church records, instead being found in the notebooks of the travelling priests who took it upon themselves to serve the recusant Catholic community during this very hazardous time.
The Catholic Mass became illegal in England in 1559, under Queen Elizabeth I’s Act of Uniformity. Thereafter Catholic observance became a furtive and dangerous affair, with heavy penalties levied on those, known as recusants, who refused to attend Anglican church services. From 1568 missionary priests were trained and sent out from France to sympathetic safe houses in England. Many of these priests were to meet death by hanging, drawing and quartering in the Elizabethan period (Of over 300 priests from Douai sent on the English mission, about one-third were executed). While the penal laws remained on the statute books, violent persecution diminished under the Stuarts, although Catholic hopes for improvement were not helped by the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which prompted further executions and suspicion. In the later Stuart period, the situation was made more complicated by the open or private Catholic faith of some monarchs, and by their Catholic marriages. James II was openly Catholic. On his accession in 1685 the penal laws were suspended, ecclesiastical hierarchy restored, and the country divided into four Districts, each led by a Vicar Apostolic (bishop to missionary territories). These developments were nipped in the bud by James II’s flight in 1688 and the accession of William III, ushering in the Glorious or Protestant Revolution. The penal laws were re-established, and practising as a priest made punishable with life imprisonment (the last priest to be so punished being in 1767).
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While recusant Catholics might choose the dangerous option of having their children baptised by a travelling Catholic priest, when it came to burial there was less choice. So the numbers of burials give us a more accurate idea of the number of people in the area. Even these figures are few though, (only four during the period 1560 to 1600, four more during the next 50 years, and only two more in the next 50 years). So while no concrete conclusion can be drawn about the absolute number of Crofts residing in the Kirkham district in the 16th and 17th century, we can certainly say it was a small number, perhaps only a few individual households, and no larger spread of the family.
Stalmine/Preesall
Returning now to the Crofts who settled in the north of the Fylde (in the Stalmine area) - The first Croft entries in the Stalmine parish registers are the marriages of Isabel Croft (to John Johnson) in 1585 followed by the marriage of John Croft (to Elizabeth Hey) in early 1586 (1587 by the modern calendar). The only evidence of any other family members at this time are the burials of the wife of James Croft in 1597, and the burial of Barbarie, the wife of Peter Croft, in 1622. It seems evident that Peter Croft was contemporary with John, as John's wife died in 1629 while John himself died in 1630. Perhaps John and Peter were brothers. My feeling is that James Croft (whose wife died in 1597) was a generation above these two, perhaps the father of one or both of them, but it is also possible that he was the same generation as them both and his wife simply died young. There is no burial record for either Peter or James unfortunately.
The lack of any other Crofts in the records strongly suggests that the family had not been in this area for very long, John, Peter (James?) and Isabel perhaps only being the second generation to live there. It is even quite possible that these individuals actually moved into this area themselves, being born elsewhere. Their origin has to be speculation, though it's likely that they came from the Lancaster/Lune Valley area where the main Croft family resided. A strong clue in favour of this supposition is the fact that John named his first born son Gabriel (1594). It was a strong tradition in the Croft family of Claughton to call one of their sons Gabriel, and the fact that this was the first born son even suggests that this was the name of John's father (again naming your first son after your father was usual).
There are ten baptisms in Stalmine over the 22 year period following the marriage of John Croft. Of these, four or five are too close to each other to be comfortably attributed to the same parents. It seems likely that Both John and Peter Croft were having children during this period, but as the parents are not named in the register at this time it is impossible to say who is the father of who.
The lack of any other Crofts in the records strongly suggests that the family had not been in this area for very long, John, Peter (James?) and Isabel perhaps only being the second generation to live there. It is even quite possible that these individuals actually moved into this area themselves, being born elsewhere. Their origin has to be speculation, though it's likely that they came from the Lancaster/Lune Valley area where the main Croft family resided. A strong clue in favour of this supposition is the fact that John named his first born son Gabriel (1594). It was a strong tradition in the Croft family of Claughton to call one of their sons Gabriel, and the fact that this was the first born son even suggests that this was the name of John's father (again naming your first son after your father was usual).
There are ten baptisms in Stalmine over the 22 year period following the marriage of John Croft. Of these, four or five are too close to each other to be comfortably attributed to the same parents. It seems likely that Both John and Peter Croft were having children during this period, but as the parents are not named in the register at this time it is impossible to say who is the father of who.
First known generation in Stalmine:
m. 1586
John Croft = Elizabeth Hey Peter Croft = Barbarie James Croft = Unknown
b.~1560 d. 1629 d. 1622 d.1597 (possibly previous generation)
d. 1630
Second known generation:
m. 1586
John Croft = Elizabeth Hey Peter Croft = Barbarie James Croft = Unknown
b.~1560 d. 1629 d. 1622 d.1597 (possibly previous generation)
d. 1630
Second known generation:
Anne
Gabriel John Mary Simon Robert Martin Jenett James Mathew |
bapt. 3 Feb 1589/90
bapt. 29 Dec 1594 bapt. 12 Feb 1599/1600 bapt. 2 Sep 1600 bapt. 23 Oct 1603 bapt. 4 Sep 1605 bapt. 11 Jul 1606 bapt. 28 Jan 1606/07 bapt. 23 Dec 1608 (base written in margin - son of eldest daughter Anne?) bapt. 19 Sep 1609 |
There are no Croft burials in the Stalmine register during the period of the above baptisms (other than the previously mentioned wife of James), or in the twenty year period afterwards, which is surprising. It would be unusual for every child to survive infanthood in those days, so why no burials? Were they buried elsewhere, or are some records simply missing/illegible? More likely the latter I feel. Certainly, of the ten baptisms listed above I have been able to find only five (underlined in the list above) in adulthood in the records, despite searching a wide area.
It is worth noting at this point that while the parish records for Stalmine go back to the late 16th century, there are inevitably damaged/missing pages, (and some
areas which are simply illegible), which may have contained relevant information. This has led to some unanswerable questions and some 'educated guesses'
along the way. The use wills has helped in this respect, where bequests have been made to named relatives, however there are still some dead ends...
It is worth noting at this point that while the parish records for Stalmine go back to the late 16th century, there are inevitably damaged/missing pages, (and some
areas which are simply illegible), which may have contained relevant information. This has led to some unanswerable questions and some 'educated guesses'
along the way. The use wills has helped in this respect, where bequests have been made to named relatives, however there are still some dead ends...
Third generation:
Gabriel Croft (of Preesall) - married Elizabeth Doughtie 9 July 1620. Gabriel died in 1667, leaving a will
They had seven children between 1621 and 1638 (using evidence from the baptism records and the will). All the children listed below are mentioned in their father Gabriel's will, except for John. John is still alive at this point, he is mentioned a year later in the will of Gabriel's brother John, (and is actually one of the administrators of this will), so we must presume some other reason for him not being included in his fathers will.
Gabriel Croft (of Preesall) - married Elizabeth Doughtie 9 July 1620. Gabriel died in 1667, leaving a will
They had seven children between 1621 and 1638 (using evidence from the baptism records and the will). All the children listed below are mentioned in their father Gabriel's will, except for John. John is still alive at this point, he is mentioned a year later in the will of Gabriel's brother John, (and is actually one of the administrators of this will), so we must presume some other reason for him not being included in his fathers will.
John
George Martin Gregory Simon Isabell William |
b. 1621
b. 1623 ~ b. 1625 b. 1627 b. 1631 b. 1635 b. 1638 |
In the will which Gabriel left upon his death, the inventory of his possessions comes to a total value of a little over £21. This is a fairly typical amount for a tenant farmer, (Husbandman), and the inventory is made up of a small number of livestock animals, crops, husbandry gear and household items. He leaves the farm tenancy and all his estate to his son Simon, which is a little surprising as Simon does not appear to be his eldest son. However, although it was normal practice for the eldest son to inherit the majority of an estate, it was by no means obligatory, so we must assume Gabriel had his reasons. He does go on to specify an annuity of £3 each for four of his other sons, (excepting John) as well as an annuity of £5 for his daughter Isabell. These annuities to be paid from his estate by Simon on a specified date.
John Croft (of Stalmine) - married Elizabeth Bradshawe 14 Jan 1623/24. John died in 1668, leaving a will.
They had five children between 1624 and 1631 (using evidence from the baptism records and the will). The only child from the list below who is mentioned in the will is Elizabeth, who by then is the wife of Thomas Chew. I can find no mention in any records other than their baptisms of Edward, Bridget or Katherine, so perhaps none of them survived to this point. However, Peter certainly survived (he married and had a family), so I can only speculate as to why he is not included in his father's will.
John Croft (of Stalmine) - married Elizabeth Bradshawe 14 Jan 1623/24. John died in 1668, leaving a will.
They had five children between 1624 and 1631 (using evidence from the baptism records and the will). The only child from the list below who is mentioned in the will is Elizabeth, who by then is the wife of Thomas Chew. I can find no mention in any records other than their baptisms of Edward, Bridget or Katherine, so perhaps none of them survived to this point. However, Peter certainly survived (he married and had a family), so I can only speculate as to why he is not included in his father's will.
Edward
Bridget Elizabeth Katherine Peter |
b. 1624
b. 1626 b. 1627 b. 1628 b. 1631 |
In his will John leaves sums to all his grandchildren, son and daughters of his daughter Elizabeth Chew (20 shillings to each granddaughter and 1 groat (about 4 pence) to his grandson. It seems his grandson wasn't his favourite!
He also leaves a larger sum (over £7) to his granddaughter Elizabeth Croft, who I assume must be the daughter of his son Peter.
The total value in the inventory of John's goods is £29, again a typical amount for a husbandman, however there is no farming gear or crops in the list, and only one heifer and one mare. Other than a few household items, the rest of the inventory is made up of debts owed to him by various people. Perhaps at the age of around 70 he has stopped farming and is comfortable enough to lend money to family and neighbours (presumably with interest).
He also mentions his "kinsman" John Croft, to whom he writes off a debt of £5 and who is also one the administrators of the will. The only individual this can be is the eldest son of his brother Gabriel.
There is no mention of his wife Elizabeth in the will, so we must presume she predeceased him.
He also leaves a larger sum (over £7) to his granddaughter Elizabeth Croft, who I assume must be the daughter of his son Peter.
The total value in the inventory of John's goods is £29, again a typical amount for a husbandman, however there is no farming gear or crops in the list, and only one heifer and one mare. Other than a few household items, the rest of the inventory is made up of debts owed to him by various people. Perhaps at the age of around 70 he has stopped farming and is comfortable enough to lend money to family and neighbours (presumably with interest).
He also mentions his "kinsman" John Croft, to whom he writes off a debt of £5 and who is also one the administrators of the will. The only individual this can be is the eldest son of his brother Gabriel.
There is no mention of his wife Elizabeth in the will, so we must presume she predeceased him.
Mary Croft (of Stalmine) - died in 1667, unmarried. She left a will, but only the administration bond remains, the bondsman being John Croft of Stalmine (brother or nephew).
Simon Croft (of Hackinsall) - married Agnes Powell 20 June 1636. I am unable to find the burial of Simon (or Agnes), so I assume they both died in the period where there are very few burial records for Stalmine (1640-1663)
They had only one child that I'm aware of (but again, there could have been more during the following 25 years when records were not being kept).
Simon Croft (of Hackinsall) - married Agnes Powell 20 June 1636. I am unable to find the burial of Simon (or Agnes), so I assume they both died in the period where there are very few burial records for Stalmine (1640-1663)
They had only one child that I'm aware of (but again, there could have been more during the following 25 years when records were not being kept).
Gabriel
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b. 1637 - I can find no record of Gabriel after his baptism.
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(there is also the burial of an unnamed child of Simon Croft in Preesall in 1632, four years before he married Agnes! As Simon would have been 33 years old when he married Agnes, it is possible he was married before, and this burial is the child of that first marriage. There is a burial of Alice Croft in Preesall in 1630 who is unaccounted for in the baptisms - could this have been Simon's first wife?).
Jennett Croft - married Nicholas Butler (of Hackinsall) 2 Feb 1632/33
As we can see, the family has started to spread out a little, though Preesall and Hackinsall are only one and two miles from Stalmine (walking distance).
Jennett Croft - married Nicholas Butler (of Hackinsall) 2 Feb 1632/33
As we can see, the family has started to spread out a little, though Preesall and Hackinsall are only one and two miles from Stalmine (walking distance).
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There follows a very tricky period for genealogists - the English Civil War! During the period of the wars and the Commonwealth period afterwards (1641-1660) very few parish records were kept at many churches. In the case of Stalmine St James, there are no records for the period 1640-1653, and very few for 1653-1663.
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Emerging from that period, when Parish registers began to be kept again...
Fourth Generation
Children of Gabriel Croft and Elizabeth (Doughtie)
John - John's marriage would have been in the period 1640-1660, and there is no record. He died in 1677 in Stalmine. There is also no burial in the records which could be of John's wife, so I have to assume she died before 1660. John did leave a will, but only the Administration bond and Inventory remain unfortunately, the administrator being George Croft. This George cannot be John's brother, as he predeceased John in 1672.
In the will of John Croft in 1668 (this current John's uncle), there is mention of not only "John Croft, my kinsman", but also "John, son of John Croft". So we know that this current John had at least one son, also named John, born during the 1640's/50's. It's likely that George Croft, the administrator of the will, was also a son of John, and in his own will in 1702 George mentions his brother William, so that adds William to the list of sons of John Croft.
Fourth Generation
Children of Gabriel Croft and Elizabeth (Doughtie)
John - John's marriage would have been in the period 1640-1660, and there is no record. He died in 1677 in Stalmine. There is also no burial in the records which could be of John's wife, so I have to assume she died before 1660. John did leave a will, but only the Administration bond and Inventory remain unfortunately, the administrator being George Croft. This George cannot be John's brother, as he predeceased John in 1672.
In the will of John Croft in 1668 (this current John's uncle), there is mention of not only "John Croft, my kinsman", but also "John, son of John Croft". So we know that this current John had at least one son, also named John, born during the 1640's/50's. It's likely that George Croft, the administrator of the will, was also a son of John, and in his own will in 1702 George mentions his brother William, so that adds William to the list of sons of John Croft.
John
George William |
b. 1640's/50's
b. 1640's/50's b. 1640's/50's |
The Inventory of John's will comes to a total sum of just under £18, and shows him to be a farmer with just enough crops and animals to survive. Assuming his administrator George is indeed his son though, his son has done well, as he is described as "Yeoman" on the administration bond, showing that he owns his own land and is not merely a tenant.
George - died 1672 in Preesall. I have no evidence of him having married or had any children. It is possible however, that like his brother John he married in the period of no records, and it is also possible that the George and William listed above as sons of John were in fact sons of this George.
Gregory - married Jane Hankinson in St Michaels in 1662. They settled in Garstang where he died in 1709. I can find no baptisms of any children of Gregory, but there is another marriage of Gregory Croft to Jane Bamber in Garstang in 1682. This could possibly be the son of the first Gregory (but he would be underage) or it is the second marriage of Gregory. Jane (Hankinson or Bamber), Gregory's wife died in 1699.
Simon - became a sailor, and married Mary Clarkson in 1664 in Lancaster. They settled in Preesall and had two children. He died in 1670 leaving a will. His children were:
Gabriel
Joshua |
b. 1666
b. 1669 |
Only the Administration bond and Inventory of Simon's will have survived, his administrator being Mary, his widow.
The Inventory (appraised by, among others, John Croft - presumably his brother) comes to a total value of £20, and includes one cow, one calf and two heifers, oats and barley and hay, despite his occupation as a sailor. Presumably these were tended by his wife Mary. There is no mention of any husbandry gear however (as he was not a farmer), only household items in addition to the animals and crops.
The Inventory (appraised by, among others, John Croft - presumably his brother) comes to a total value of £20, and includes one cow, one calf and two heifers, oats and barley and hay, despite his occupation as a sailor. Presumably these were tended by his wife Mary. There is no mention of any husbandry gear however (as he was not a farmer), only household items in addition to the animals and crops.
I can find no record of what happened to Gabriel and Elizabeth's other three children (Martin, Isabel and William).
Children of John Croft and Elizabeth (Bradshawe)
Of John and Elizabeth's five children, I can find only two in the records after 1660. As Elizabeth is the only child of John who is mentioned in the will of 1668, and all his bequests are to his grandchildren, it looks likely that John and Elizabeth's other three children (Edward, Bridget and Katherine) died at some point in the period 1640-60.
Elizabeth - Married Thomas Chew ~1650 (based on her age)
Peter - married Jane Brad in 1661/62 in Poulton. Peter died in 1681 in Stalmine. They had four children:
Of John and Elizabeth's five children, I can find only two in the records after 1660. As Elizabeth is the only child of John who is mentioned in the will of 1668, and all his bequests are to his grandchildren, it looks likely that John and Elizabeth's other three children (Edward, Bridget and Katherine) died at some point in the period 1640-60.
Elizabeth - Married Thomas Chew ~1650 (based on her age)
Peter - married Jane Brad in 1661/62 in Poulton. Peter died in 1681 in Stalmine. They had four children:
Bridget
Elizabeth Eling Dorothy |
b. 1662 I can find no record of her after this
b.~1663 (mentioned in grandfather John's will 1668) - I can find no record of her after this b.~1664/5 (d. 1665) b. 1665 (married John Penny in 1699) |
Fifth generation
Children of John Croft (and unknown wife) or possibly George Croft (and unknown wife)
John - married Elizabeth Stons in 1677 and had five children (all in Preesall):
Children of John Croft (and unknown wife) or possibly George Croft (and unknown wife)
John - married Elizabeth Stons in 1677 and had five children (all in Preesall):
Mary
Margaret Unnamed George Mary |
b. 1678 died 1682
b. 1679 died in infancy b. 1681 died in infancy b. 1682 died in infancy b. 1684 died 1691 |
All of these children died young, and Elizabeth Croft herself died in 1684, probably as a result of the birth of her final child (Elizabeth was actually buried on the same day as her daughter Mary was baptised).
John remarried in 1685 to Ann Coluart, and they had a further two children together (in Preesall). I can find no record of John or Ann's burial.
John remarried in 1685 to Ann Coluart, and they had a further two children together (in Preesall). I can find no record of John or Ann's burial.
George
Edward |
b. 1689 see next generation
b. 1692 died 1705 |
Of these two, Edward also died young, but fortunately George survived and went on to marry and have a family.
George - married Katherine Clarkson (of Rawcliffe) in 1684. They appear to have had no children. George died in Out Rawcliffe in 1702, leaving a will.
The inventory of George's will comes to £28, and is the usual mixture of a few cattle, a horse, plough, and household items, typical of a husbandman. The administrator of the will is Nicholas Clarkson of Out Rawcliffe, who I think is his wife's brother. He leaves his estate ("lands, tenements and hereditaments in Stalmine and Out Rawcliffe") to his wife Katherine and Nicholas Clarkson.
He also bequeaths 1 shilling each to four individuals, (including two more Clarksons) and 1 shilling each to John and Elizabeth, son and daughter of William Croft, his brother.
William married Jennet Jump in 1679 and had seven children:
Unnamed
Unnamed Margaret Alice Ann John Elizabeth |
b. 1680 died in infancy
b. 1687 died in infancy b. 1689 I can find no record of her after this b. 1691 died in infancy b. 1696 I can find no record of her after this mentioned in will of George 1702 - I can find no record of him after this mentioned in will of George 1702 - I can find no record of her after this |
In all the baptisms and burials of his children (most of which are at Stalmine), William is described as "of Hambleton", a small village about 2 miles south of Stalmine. There is no surviving record of William's burial in either Hambleton or Stalmine, although he must have died before 1702 as he is mentioned in his brother George's will as "my brother William Croft of Hambleton, deceased". There is also no record of his wife Jennet's burial. However, confusingly, there is a record of the burial of Mary Croft, wife of William Croft in 1699. How Jennet became Mary I have no idea!
Children of Simon Croft and Mary (Clarkson)
Gabriel - married Margaret Clarkson in 1690. Gabriel died in 1723, leaving a will. Gabriel and Margaret had six children (in Preesall):
Gabriel - married Margaret Clarkson in 1690. Gabriel died in 1723, leaving a will. Gabriel and Margaret had six children (in Preesall):
Simon
Rachel Simon Eling Mary Thomas |
b. 1690 died in infancy
b. 1692 married Cuthbert Bennet in 1721 b. 1693 see next generation b. 1696 died 1723 unmarried b. 1698 married William Clarke 1728 or William Taylor 1730 b. 1700 see next generation |
Gabriel is described a a husbandman in his will, and the inventory of his will comes to £58, quite a large amount for a husbandman in those days. However, his debts amount to around £56, so it would seem he lived rather beyond his true means. The list of animals and crops is actually very similar to other husbandmen, with three cattle, a horse and some corn, and husbandry gear all amounting to about £20. It's the interior furnishings of the house which are unusually extravagant, quite a long list of items adding up to another £10, and a sum £30 for "chattel Leases" - presumably this refers to items loaned out. For the sum to be £30 it must have been a large number of items, or items with some value.
His executor is Cuthbert Bennet, his daughter Rachel's husband.
He bequeathed his tenement to his son Thomas, and specifies sums for his two daughters Rachel and Mary. He also leaves sums to his grandchildren Gabriel Croft and Mary Croft. As his son Thomas is not yet married at this point, these must be children of his other son Simon.
Joshua - I am unable to find the record of a marriage of Joshua, although in his will he names his wife as Elizabeth. He died in 1727 in Preesall, leaving a will. Joshua and Elizabeth had six children:
His executor is Cuthbert Bennet, his daughter Rachel's husband.
He bequeathed his tenement to his son Thomas, and specifies sums for his two daughters Rachel and Mary. He also leaves sums to his grandchildren Gabriel Croft and Mary Croft. As his son Thomas is not yet married at this point, these must be children of his other son Simon.
Joshua - I am unable to find the record of a marriage of Joshua, although in his will he names his wife as Elizabeth. He died in 1727 in Preesall, leaving a will. Joshua and Elizabeth had six children:
Robert
Sarah Mary Anne Sarah Robert |
b. 1697 died in infancy
b. 1697 died in infancy b. 1699 married William Clarke 1728 or William Taylor 1730 b. 1702 I can find no record of her after this b. 1702 died in infancy b. 1707 see next generation |
Joshua is described as a House Carpenter in his will, and the inventory of the will comes to a value of £18 (with debts amounting to £17). The inventory includes one cow, one mare, corn in the barn, hay, potatoes and a small cottage.
As Joshua wasn't a farmer, there is no husbandry gear, but instead is listed his worktools (value £1).
As Joshua wasn't a farmer, there is no husbandry gear, but instead is listed his worktools (value £1).
Sixth generation
By this time virtually all the branches of the family had moved from Stalmine to Preesall, with the exception of William Croft of Hambleton and George Croft who went to Out Rawcliffe. The only member of the family who stayed in Stalmine was Peter Croft (died 1681), but as he and Jane had no male children, the Croft name ends in Stalmine there too.
Children of John Croft and Ann (Coluart)
George - married Elizabeth Saul of Cockerham in 1711 (in Lancaster). They remained living in Preesall and had two children:
By this time virtually all the branches of the family had moved from Stalmine to Preesall, with the exception of William Croft of Hambleton and George Croft who went to Out Rawcliffe. The only member of the family who stayed in Stalmine was Peter Croft (died 1681), but as he and Jane had no male children, the Croft name ends in Stalmine there too.
Children of John Croft and Ann (Coluart)
George - married Elizabeth Saul of Cockerham in 1711 (in Lancaster). They remained living in Preesall and had two children:
Hannah
John |
b. 1712 married William Marshall in 1741 (Cockerham)
b. 1715 died before 1730? |
George died in 1730, though I am unable to find a record of his burial, or that of his wife Elizabeth. The only record of his death is a bond made in January 1730 (1731) in which William Smith of Cockerham is bound to bring up Hannah, George's daughter, until she turns 21 years of age, and then deliver to her her inheritance (from both her father and her grandfather Richard Saul). From this we can deduce that not only has her father George died in 1730, but that her mother is also deceased, as is her younger brother John who is not mentioned in the bond.
Children of Gabriel Croft and Margaret (Clarkson)
Simon - I am unable to find the record of a marriage of Simon, or of his burial. He had at least two children, as his father's will (1723) names two grandchildren (Gabriel and Mary) who can only be the children of Simon. The parish records for Garstang have a baptism of Mary Croft, daughter of Simon Croft (seaman) in 1719, and I feel this must be the correct family as Simon would have been 26 years old at this time, and the occupation "seaman" is appropriate also, as Simon's grandfather (also Simon) was also a sailor. I am unable to find a baptism for his son Gabriel however (although there is a burial of Gabriel in Great Eccleston in 1774).
Simon - I am unable to find the record of a marriage of Simon, or of his burial. He had at least two children, as his father's will (1723) names two grandchildren (Gabriel and Mary) who can only be the children of Simon. The parish records for Garstang have a baptism of Mary Croft, daughter of Simon Croft (seaman) in 1719, and I feel this must be the correct family as Simon would have been 26 years old at this time, and the occupation "seaman" is appropriate also, as Simon's grandfather (also Simon) was also a sailor. I am unable to find a baptism for his son Gabriel however (although there is a burial of Gabriel in Great Eccleston in 1774).
Mary
Gabriel |
b. 1719 I can find no record of her after this
b. ~1720 see next generation |
Thomas - married Jennet Williamson in 1725 and settled in Preesall. Thomas died in 1774. They had six children:
Simon
Margaret John Thomas Rachel Tomasin |
b. 1729 see next generation
b. 1732 married Richard Sturzaker in 1758 b. 1735 see next generation b. 1737 I can find no record of him after this b. 1740 died in infancy b. 1743 died age 6 |
Children of Joshua Croft and Elizabeth
Robert - married Mary Lancaster in 1730 and settled in Preesall where he was a weaver. He died in 1753, leaving a will. Robert and Mary had three children:
Robert - married Mary Lancaster in 1730 and settled in Preesall where he was a weaver. He died in 1753, leaving a will. Robert and Mary had three children:
Margaret
Elizabeth Joshua |
b. 1731 married John Whiteside in 1756
b. 1736 died in infancy b. 1736 died in infancy |
It's odd that there is no burial record for Robert in the Stalmine register, though it is not that uncommon for records of both burials and baptisms to be missing from registers. There is a record of his wife Mary being buried there two years later.
The inventory of Robert's will comes to a value of £46, so he was reasonably well off (certainly better off than the average husbandman). As well as a couple of cattle and some household items the inventory includes his weaving tools. There is also "Money on Security" to a value of £30. This was presumably money lodged with a bank. Robert bequeathed everything to his wife Mary for her lifetime, as long as she did not remarry. When Mary died two years later, her inventory came to slightly less at £41, but notably the £30 on security remained. Mary left everything to their only surviving child Margaret (unmarried at that time).
The inventory of Robert's will comes to a value of £46, so he was reasonably well off (certainly better off than the average husbandman). As well as a couple of cattle and some household items the inventory includes his weaving tools. There is also "Money on Security" to a value of £30. This was presumably money lodged with a bank. Robert bequeathed everything to his wife Mary for her lifetime, as long as she did not remarry. When Mary died two years later, her inventory came to slightly less at £41, but notably the £30 on security remained. Mary left everything to their only surviving child Margaret (unmarried at that time).
Seventh generation
Gabriel Croft (son of Simon Croft)
Gabriel married Isabel White in 1751 (I am unable to find the actual marriage, but the marriage bond has survived). They lived in Great Eccleston. Gabriel died in 1774, leaving a will, but only the admin bond remains which names Isabel as his administrator. Gabriel is described as "Yeoman" in the bond, implying that he owned his own property and land.
I can only find the baptism of one child of Gabriel and Isabel in the St Michaels registers (Simon in 1751), but there are marriages of Alice Croft and John Croft in 1787 and 1788 who I feel must be brother and sister to Simon. They are certainly brother and sister, as John and his wife are the witnesses to the marriage of Alice, and their ages on their burials makes them born in 1754 and 1758 which puts them almost certainly as siblings of Simon, born in 1751.
Gabriel Croft (son of Simon Croft)
Gabriel married Isabel White in 1751 (I am unable to find the actual marriage, but the marriage bond has survived). They lived in Great Eccleston. Gabriel died in 1774, leaving a will, but only the admin bond remains which names Isabel as his administrator. Gabriel is described as "Yeoman" in the bond, implying that he owned his own property and land.
I can only find the baptism of one child of Gabriel and Isabel in the St Michaels registers (Simon in 1751), but there are marriages of Alice Croft and John Croft in 1787 and 1788 who I feel must be brother and sister to Simon. They are certainly brother and sister, as John and his wife are the witnesses to the marriage of Alice, and their ages on their burials makes them born in 1754 and 1758 which puts them almost certainly as siblings of Simon, born in 1751.
Simon
John Alice |
b. 1751 I can find no record of him after this point
b. 1754 see next generation b. 1758 married Rev. Henry Foster in 1787 (St Michaels). They had a family in Great Eccleston. Alice died in 1810 in Woodplumpton near Preston. |
Children of Thomas Croft and Jennet (Williamson)
Simon - married Elizabeth Bell in 1753. They settled in Preesall where they had ten children over an eighteen year period.
Simon - married Elizabeth Bell in 1753. They settled in Preesall where they had ten children over an eighteen year period.
John
Rachel Thomas Simon Isabel Jonathan Benjamin Benjamin Elizabeth Benjamin |
b. 1754 see next generation
b. 1756 possibly married James Ball in 1778 (Cockerham) b. 1758 I can find no record of him after this b. 1760 possibly married Molly (Mary) Taylor in 1783 (Liverpool) b. 1762 married William Jolly in 1794 (Lancaster) b. 1764 see next generation b. 1767 died in infancy b. 1769 died 1771 b. 1771 married Waddington Dickinson in 1796 b. 1772 I can find no record of him after this |
Simon Croft died in 1814, aged 85. He was buried in Stalmine, but his abode is given as Staining, which is about 7 miles south of Preesall, near Blackpool. His wife Elizabeth had died 15 years earlier in 1799, and their abode at that time was given as Hackinsall Ridge, which is only about a mile from Preesall. Why Simon ended up down near Blackpool I have no idea!
John - married Mary Law (of Out Rawcliffe) in 1756. they had one child (in Preesall) that I can find record of:
John - married Mary Law (of Out Rawcliffe) in 1756. they had one child (in Preesall) that I can find record of:
Simon
|
b. 1756
|
I can find no record of John Croft's burial or of what became of John and Mary's son Simon, other than he could have married Molly (Mary) Taylor in Liverpool in 1783 (as a possible alternative to the other Simon (son of Simon and Elizabeth) mentioned above. There is, however, a burial of Mary Croft in Preesall in 1788 which could be John's wife.
Eighth generation
Children of Gabriel Croft and Isabel (White)
John - married Ann Smith in 1788 (St Michaels). John is described as "Yeoman" in the marriage register. John and Ann had six children in Great Eccleston - the choice of the names Simon and Gabriel for two of his sons is another confirmation that John was indeed Simon's brother and a younger son of Gabriel Croft. He died in 1830 aged 76, leaving a will.
There is no inventory attached to John's will, but the will itself is extensive and lists many properties and land so John seems to have become quite wealthy by the time of his death in 1830. The properties listed include his house, orchard, butcher's shop and other buildings, 6 cottages (let to tenants) , fields, and also the public house called The White Bull.
He bequeathed all the house contents to his wife Ann, and named two executors to take charge of all his properties and run them on behalf of Ann, with her to receive all the income until the end of her life. He specified that The White Bull, currently being occupied and run by his son Simon, should continue to be so until the death of Ann "unless he shall conduct the said public house improperly, then he shall be compelled to quit the same with all possible speed". I have no record of how long Simon actually stayed at The White Bull, but he certainly left before his mother died, as she died in 1844, and by the time of the 1841 census Simon was in Liverpool and had become a policeman!
The will goes on to specify that after the death of his wife Ann, all the properties should be sold by his executors and the proceeds shared between all his sons and daughters
John and Ann's children were:
Children of Gabriel Croft and Isabel (White)
John - married Ann Smith in 1788 (St Michaels). John is described as "Yeoman" in the marriage register. John and Ann had six children in Great Eccleston - the choice of the names Simon and Gabriel for two of his sons is another confirmation that John was indeed Simon's brother and a younger son of Gabriel Croft. He died in 1830 aged 76, leaving a will.
There is no inventory attached to John's will, but the will itself is extensive and lists many properties and land so John seems to have become quite wealthy by the time of his death in 1830. The properties listed include his house, orchard, butcher's shop and other buildings, 6 cottages (let to tenants) , fields, and also the public house called The White Bull.
He bequeathed all the house contents to his wife Ann, and named two executors to take charge of all his properties and run them on behalf of Ann, with her to receive all the income until the end of her life. He specified that The White Bull, currently being occupied and run by his son Simon, should continue to be so until the death of Ann "unless he shall conduct the said public house improperly, then he shall be compelled to quit the same with all possible speed". I have no record of how long Simon actually stayed at The White Bull, but he certainly left before his mother died, as she died in 1844, and by the time of the 1841 census Simon was in Liverpool and had become a policeman!
The will goes on to specify that after the death of his wife Ann, all the properties should be sold by his executors and the proceeds shared between all his sons and daughters
John and Ann's children were:
Isabella
Thomas Gabriel Simon Ann Joseph |
b. 1788 married Henry Fisher in 1813 (Preston). Died in Great Eccleston in 1836
b. 1789 I can find no evidence of him marrying, and he died in Great Eccleston in 1827 b. 1791 married Elizabeth Ness in 1817 in Pickering, North Yorkshire. They had no children as far as I can see. In 1841 they were still in Pickering and he had become an Independent Minister, but by 1851 they were in Clifton, near Bristol, Gabriel described as a "Retired Independent Minister". Elizabeth died sometime between 1851 and 1861, as in the 1861 census Gabriel is a Widower, lodging in a house in Bonds, Garstang. He died in 1868, living in Preston (buried at St. Michaels, the parish church of Great Eccleston) b. 1793 see next generation b. 1798 Ann never married, and in the 1841 census she was living with her widowed mother and her brother Simon's daughter, Ann. They are all described in the census as "of Independent Means". In the 1851 census she was boarding in a house in Great Eccleston, described as a "Fund Holder" (from her father's will) and by 1861 she was sharing a house with her brother Simon, still a Fund Holder. Ann died in 1865 b. 1802 see next generation |
Children of Simon Croft and Elizabeth (Bell)
John - married Elizabeth Churchward in 1778 in Lancaster. He is described as "Sailor" in the register. They had only one child that I can find:
John - married Elizabeth Churchward in 1778 in Lancaster. He is described as "Sailor" in the register. They had only one child that I can find:
Ellin
|
b. 1779 died 1780
|
I can find no burial for John or Elizabeth.
Jonathan - married Nancy Greenwood in 1787 in Lancaster. He is described as "Mariner" in the register (similar to his brother John). They had five children in Lancaster, where they settled:
Jonathan - married Nancy Greenwood in 1787 in Lancaster. He is described as "Mariner" in the register (similar to his brother John). They had five children in Lancaster, where they settled:
John
Simeon Thomas Betty Elizabeth |
b. 1789 married Isabella Ellershaw in 1812 (Lancaster) - no children
b. 1791 died in infancy b. 1800 I can find no record of him after this b. 1803 died in infancy b. 1804 married John Cartmel in 1827 (Lancaster) - John Cartmel was also a sailor ("Mate of the Packet Boat") |
There is a noticeable gap in the baptisms of Jonathan and Nancy's children between 1791 and 1800. On further investigation, Jonathan appears to have left his wife Nancy in Lancaster during this period, and is found in Liverpool. As a sailor, it is likely that Liverpool would be a place he might have regularly visited, so it seems he met and took up with someone there. There are the baptisms of two children to Jonathan and a woman named Philippa/Phillis during this period:
Mary
Philippa |
b. 1798
b. 1799 |
There is no marriage between Jonathan and Philippa/Phillis, so he doesn't appear to have been a bigamist, and judging by the continuation of the baptisms of children in Lancaster to Jonathan and Nancy it would appear that he returned to her. I can find no record of what became of the children Mary and Philippa.
I can also find no record of the burial of Jonathan or Nancy, or of what became of their son Thomas.
I can also find no record of the burial of Jonathan or Nancy, or of what became of their son Thomas.
Ninth generation
Children of John Croft and Ann (Smith)
Simon - married Elizabeth Raby in 1822. They married in Woodplumpton, near Preston, though they were both described as being of Great Eccleston. He is described as a Butcher in the marriage register. They had two children, Ann and John (died in infancy). Elizabeth must have died only a short time after the birth of her second child (I can find no record), as Simon married again in 1827 this time to Margaret Croft from Devonshire. His occupation is given as Innkeeper, so he must have taken over the running of the White Bull by this time. They had a son in 1828 in Great Eccleston, but delayed his baptism until 8 months later in Woodplumpton. By the 1841 census they had moved to Liverpool, with one son, John, age 10 (John was their only child, born in 1828), and Simon had become a Policeman. At this time Simon's daughter Ann was back in Great Eccleston with Simon's mother and sister. In the 1851 census the situation is the same, but by this time their son John is a Butcher's Assistant. Margaret died in 1855, in Liverpool, and by the 1861 census Simon was back in Great Eccleston (now a retired "Superannuated Police Officer"), sharing a house with his sister Ann. His son John must have also returned to Great Eccleston after his mother's death, as he died there in 1860. Simon also died in Great Eccleston in 1870
Simon and Elizabeth's children were:
Children of John Croft and Ann (Smith)
Simon - married Elizabeth Raby in 1822. They married in Woodplumpton, near Preston, though they were both described as being of Great Eccleston. He is described as a Butcher in the marriage register. They had two children, Ann and John (died in infancy). Elizabeth must have died only a short time after the birth of her second child (I can find no record), as Simon married again in 1827 this time to Margaret Croft from Devonshire. His occupation is given as Innkeeper, so he must have taken over the running of the White Bull by this time. They had a son in 1828 in Great Eccleston, but delayed his baptism until 8 months later in Woodplumpton. By the 1841 census they had moved to Liverpool, with one son, John, age 10 (John was their only child, born in 1828), and Simon had become a Policeman. At this time Simon's daughter Ann was back in Great Eccleston with Simon's mother and sister. In the 1851 census the situation is the same, but by this time their son John is a Butcher's Assistant. Margaret died in 1855, in Liverpool, and by the 1861 census Simon was back in Great Eccleston (now a retired "Superannuated Police Officer"), sharing a house with his sister Ann. His son John must have also returned to Great Eccleston after his mother's death, as he died there in 1860. Simon also died in Great Eccleston in 1870
Simon and Elizabeth's children were:
Ann
John |
b. 1823 died in 1843
b. 1824 died in infancy |
Simon and Margaret's children were:
John
|
b. 1828 died 1860
|
Joseph - married Elizabeth Baynes in 1837 in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Like his brother Gabriel, he became an Independent Minister (in the 1851 census he is described as an "Independent Minister of the Temple", so I think this indicates that they had become Mormons. I assume this was also the case with his brother Gabriel). They remained in Ripon and a family of one son and four daughters (one died in infancy). I can find no baptisms for any of the children, but that is not surprising as if they were Mormons they wouldn't have had their children baptised in a Church of England Church. Joseph died in 1879 and Elizabeth died in 1888.
Joseph and Elizabeth's children were:
Joseph and Elizabeth's children were:
Elizabeth
Joseph Ann Isabel Frances Baynes Mary Jane |
b. 1838 still at home with parents in 1871, unmarried, working as a Governess. She died in 1871
b. 1839 died in 1868 b. 1843 still at home with parents in 1881, working as a Governess. Married John Standen in Leeds in 1882. They continued to live in Ripon, but Ann died in 1888 b. 1847 died in infancy b. 1849 still at home with parents in 1881, working as a Governess. She never married, but did not remain in Ripon after her mother's death in 1888. In the 1891 census she was a visitor in the household of two elderly women in Coatham, on the North Yorkshire coast near Middlesbrough. She is described as "Living on Own Means", so perhaps she had inherited some wealth after her mother's death (she being the last surviving member of her family). In the 1901 census she was in Brighton, and she died in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1930 |
Having followed this line of the Croft family for nearly three hundred years from the late 16th Century to the middle of the 19th Century, through nine generations, this is where the family line ends. There are no members of the family carrying on the Croft name after this point, though of course the family bloodline almost certainly continued through female members marrying and having families, but as this would be with different surnames I have not followed them here.
The Croft name was carried on however, in the Fylde and beyond, by the other two branches of the family, and these are dealt with in separate sections Thornton and Lancaster to Preesall (18thC)
The Croft name was carried on however, in the Fylde and beyond, by the other two branches of the family, and these are dealt with in separate sections Thornton and Lancaster to Preesall (18thC)