The Mottrams of Whitle and Mare Dole Copyholders pre 1500 to c.1640

his information is a summary of previous research together with some additional material. It should be read with the information in Dr Simon Harris’ Peeling Back the Layers: Final Report, which contains detailed information on their land holding and changes to it.

 

The additional material includes:

       

• Information on earlier landholders of the messuage

• Exchanging land

• A dispute about, what we think is, Mare Dole

• Plus a few extra details about the family

 

From earlier research, the Mottrams held Mare Dole in the late 1500s but their property also included a farm which seems to have been to the north-west of Under Whitle, lying approximately between Hugh Manifold’s and the Horobin/Harrison lands. Possibly, it was later known as Nether Whitle. This farm, along with Hugh Manifold’s, was paying half the rent of Richard Sleigh’s and Richard Sterndale’s lands, in 1617, so must have been smaller.

 

We have found out a few more details about the families, but there are still gaps and they seem to have left the farm and Sheen by the start of the 1640s. However, a dispute between Reginald Mottram and William Horobin in 1533 gives information about people who were possibly living in Mare Dole in the early 1500s or before.

 

All baptism, burial and marriage dates are taken from St Luke’s, Sheen, parish registers unless stated otherwise. (Staffordshire Record Office, St Luke’s Church, Sheen Parish Registers D3596/1/1 )

 

Reginald Mottram pre 1509/10 to ..?

 

We do not know when the Mottrams first started living in Whitle but Reginald Mottram, in a dispute with his neighbour, Willam Horobin, refers to a copyhold document under Henry V11 which showed the Mottrams were given the tenure of a cottage and 9 ½ acres of land at Whittlebank.

 

In the earliest surviving manor court records of Sheen of 1509-1510, the jury stated that Reginald Mottram of Whitall, with others, were common trespassers and he was fined 2d. Unfortunately, due to fading it is not clear what he was doing. In April 1510, his name appears, not only as a juror, but also for being fined another 2d for felling wood in the Hartington ‘frith’ with his neighbours on both the Derbyshire and Staffordshire side of the River Dove.

 

‘and lastly the aforesaid jury (of Sheen) present that Nicholas Karder, Hugh Slegh, John Slegh, Hum.... ..... (probably Humphry Slegh), Hugh monyfold, Reginald motteram, Richard Howrobyn, Peter monyfold, Richard Stern(dale) are common trespassers who felled ....... ...... the lord’s woods in the Hartyndon frith therefore they are in mercy etc’ (1)

 

This was clearly a locally organised expedition to collect wood illegally. All seem to have been fined 2d except for Hugh Slegh who was fined 4d though whether this was because he was repeat offender, the leader or had more wood is unknown.

 

Despite his misdemeanours, Reginald appears as a juror regularly over the next few years e.g. in April 1 Henry Vlll (1510), October 6 Henry Vlll (1514), October 1516(?), May 8 Henry Vlll (1517) and October 13 Henry Vlll (1522). At this court he was appointed as reeve with Wiliam Milward. (2)

 

‘moreover William Mylwarde an Reginald Mottram were elected to the office of reeve for this coming year to collect the rents of the lord king’.

 

This post changed annually but just like the jurors the person appointed would have had a certain level of status.

 

At the end of 1533, there is a dispute between the Mottrams and their neighbours, the Horobins, over a cottage, with its 9 ½ acres, in Whitehillbank. Both families claim it is theirs and have possibly been been subletting it – though who they have been subletting it to differs. At Hartington Manor Court, on the 30th December 25 Henry VIII, (1533), Richard Horobyn of Whitehillbanke, represented by his ‘attorneys’ William Harrison and Hugh Percival, surrendered a cottage called Whytylbanke, lately in the tenancy of Radolphus Chadwyk , now in the tenancy of Reginald Mottram, to the work and use of Richard’s son, William Horobin. However, at the first proclamation, Reginald Mottram came and claimed the cottage as his by right and inheritance, being given the copyhold by Henry VII. He also states that it had been lately in the tenancy of William Grenesmyth. The jury felt that Reginald was right and he was admitted as tenant paying 12d. (3)

 

There is evidence in later manor court records that the Mottrams held a cottage, called Mare Dole, as well as their message. We suspect this is the same cottage.

 

Following that dispute we haven’t yet found any more references to the Mottrams until 1560.

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1. The National Archives (TNA) Sheen Manor Courts 1-2 Henry Vlll DL 30-49-588

 

2. TNA DL 30-49-588 1-2 Henry Vlll; DL 30-49-592 6-7 Henry Vlll; DL 30-49-594 8-9 Henry Vlll; DL 30-49-597 13-14 Henry Vlll

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3. Sheffield City Archives (SCA) Hartington Manor Courts ACM/D/100/32 25 Henry Vlll

 

William Mottam (Pre 1547- 1606)

Married 1 unknown who died 1571 or before

Married 2 Agnes Gilman (Pre 1560-1609)

 

So far, the earliest reference for William Mottram is in October 1561, when he asks to be excused from Sheen Manor court. As, generally, all men and boys from the age of 14 were expected to attend it seems he was born before 1547. At the time of his death, he had 7 surviving children but it is not known who their mother was, as he seems to have married twice. (1)

 

Three years later William’s name is mentioned, with several others, for trespassing with animals upon the commons and is fined 12d. The commons were managed through the manor court with rules about when, and how many, animals could go on to prevent over grazing. Offenders were fined because of their importance in subsistence farming. (2)

 

Interestingly, in 1566, the manor court agrees that he can exchange some of his land with George Manifold, his neighbour. It is not clear if this is a temporary or a permanent arrangement but this agreement has occurred previously as it refers to their ‘predecessors’ having done it. From their payments, the amount of land was the same or very similar. No reason is given for the exchange but we assume it is due to it being more convenient. (3)

 

In 1571 William Mottram, ‘of Sheene’, marries Agnes Gylman at Alstonefield. As his eldest son, another William Mottram, marries in 1585 this looks to be a second marriage. (4)

 

Around 1580 there are signs the family have begun to struggle. By 1578 William had sublet a dole of land to Richard Botham, who might have been living at Mare Dole. The lease had another three years to run so would end c. 1581 See Richard Botham’s will

 

By 1580 he owed Nicholas Percivall 6s and 8d. (5)  A year later, at Alstonefield manor court, William Mottram of Shene admitted that on the ‘Sunday afore Michaelmas was two year he came to have borrowed £4 of William Manyfold, the elder of Whitle bancke, and he answered that he was indebted by bill to Ric(ard) Oliver’ to be paid on Michaelmas day .... and therefore could not lend it except the said Richard could be persuaded to forbear a longer by 9 days after Michaelmas and for certain payment thereof he pledged all his corn in his barn...’ Unfortunately, William Manifold also seems to be struggling as the debt hadn’t been paid by the following manor court. (6)

 

In the same year William Mottram asks permission, at the Sheen manor court, to demise to Hugh Sleigh and his assigns, all his part of one close called le Meardole with one house lying at Whitle banke for 21 yaers.

 

In order to ensure the farm was passed on to his son, at the end of 1591, William Mottram the elder, renegotiates his tenancy so that he continues to have half, while the other half goes to his son William Mottram junior. Hugh Sleigh came to ensure he had the rights to Mare Dole ‘for many years to come’, which was granted.

 

Despite it had been acknowledged that Hugh Sleigh had the tenancy of Mare Dole, the William Mottrams and Blanche, the wife of William the younger, came to the manor court in 1595 and asked that one house called a Coate, and one parcel of land in Whittle called le mere dole with appurtenances, now in the tenure of Hugh Sleighe the elder, could go to the John Buxton. John as the son-in-law of Hugh Manifold who was an immediate neighbour of the Mottrams. Hugh Sleighe challenged it but seisin was delivered to the aforesaid John to hold to him and his heirs according to the custom of the manor. Was this another layer of subletting ? (7)

 

William dies in 1601. He leaves a will but his family are generally only left minor amounts eg 12d. This may be because they have received their goods and money previously on marriage. No animals are bequeathed, nor any faming implements. Though he leaves debts they are comparatively minor compared to the Horbins. He looks to have borrowed small amounts from people to tide him over when he was struggling. See Wills.

 

Agnes is buried on the 2nd June 1607.

 

1. TNA 3-5 Eliz DL 30-51-623

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2. TNA 6-7 Eliz DL 30-51-625

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3. TNA 8-9 Eliz DL 30-51 625

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4. Staffordshire Parish Registers Society: Alstonfield Parish Registers : St Peter’s Church 1538-1812 Published 2012 : 1571 July 15 Wm Mottram of Sheene marries Agnes Gylman of Alstonfield 1585 June 4 Wm Mottram of Sheene marries Blanche Stadon of Alstonfield

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5. Diocese Staffordshire Dioceses of Lichfield and Coventry wills and probates 1521-1860 Nicholas Percivell September 16th 1580.

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6. Derbyshire Record Office D2375/A/S/1/1/4 Alstonefield Manor Court book 1569-1593

 

7. See Peeling Back the Layers: Final Report for more information on these land transactions

 

William and Blanche (Staden)Mottram

Copyholders  1602? – 1640 ?

 

William married Blanche Staden in June 1585. We know that they had at least one son, Richard, who was baptised in February 1595/1596. There are other references to Mottrams living in Sheen during the 1620s . These could be other children but there were several Mottram families living around Sheen at this time. (1)

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William’s father, hands over half of the farm to his son in 1591. Meanwhile, Mare Dole had been sublet to Hugh Sleigh. Despite this agreement having, approximately, another 10 years to run, in 1595 William, his wife and his father ask the courts to allow the cottage to be sublet to John Buxton. Though the jury recognise Hugh has many years yet to run John is admitted as tenant. John is the son-in-law of Hugh Manifold, having married his daughter Grace.

 

Following his father’s death William will take over all the farm. We know little what happens over the next 30 years.

 

It is possible that the Richard Mottram who has three children baptised at Sheen is his son. (2)

 

In March 1631/1632 William dies and is buried on March 7th. Blanche has that right to continue to farm there but we do not whether she does with, or without, help from others. Blanche dies in January 1639/1640 and is buried on the 24th.

 

The Mottrams disappear from Sheen’s parish registers and we have not yet established who takes over their farm or what happened next to Mare Dole after the death of John and Grace Buxton.

 

1.Robert son of William ‘Mottrum’ baptised February 21st 1595/1596

 

2.Agnes daughter of Richard and Ann Mottram baptised 1627 Nov 1st; Thomas son of Richard Mottram baptised 1629 Oct 28; William son of Richard Mottram baptised 1631/32 March 4