THE Horobins of Under Whitle in the 17th century

William was married to Agnes by 1612 and possibly before.  Their daughter Anna was baptised in September 1613 and Agnes in October 1617.  We haven’t found a record of their son, William’s baptism. A month after Agnes’ birth, her father William dies leaving Agnes with three young children and debts. (1)

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William died intestate but the inventory of his goods shows that he was over £26 in debt. To repay these debts Agnes would have had to sell virtually everything they had and give up the lease of the farm.  Whether William had had a long-term illness, a disability caused by an accident, or the farm had been mismanaged due to idleness, drunkenness or another reason, they must have been struggling for some time to acquire this level of debt. It also seems likely they had to sell off their animals to survive. Although they had some oats and straw, they didn’t have any sheep and only one cow and a calf.   (See Wills)

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Unsurprisingly, Agnes remarries in November 1618.  Her husband William Mellor, a miller of Longnor, renews the lease on ‘Whittle Bancke’ for 80 years for himself, his wife Agnes and then to her son William Horobin.  Agnes and William Mottram will have two children but their son Robert dies in 1621, a few months before their daughter Ellen is born.  Agnes dies relatively young in 1631/32. (2)  It is not clear when William Mellor dies. He is still farming at Under Whitle, in 1631, when the Senior survey of the farms takes place, but his stepson William Horobin had taken over the farm by March 14th 1646/1647. (3)  See Peeling Back the Layers: Final Report for detailed information on the Senior Survey.

 

 William and Alice Horobin lease holders from at least 1646 to 1705.

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Unusually, the William Horobin who, at the latest, was born c 1615, was, at least, 90 years old when he died in 1705. (4)

William’s father died when he was a young child leaving extensive debts and the farm appears to have been neglected for some time. The family must have been living in poverty, surviving by borrowing money and selling their animals.

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Things are likely to have improved after his mother marries William Mellor who takes the lease of Under Whitle, but after his and Agnes’ death it is agreed that the farm will go to William Horobin, Agnes’ son. By 1646/1647 William Horobin has taken over the farm.  Although he was in arrears so were the majority of the people on the rental. This may be due to the disruptions and conflicts caused by the civil war.

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By 1666, William was married to Alice.  A son, William, was baptised in January 1665/1666 and a daughter, Anna, in 1667.  This would mean William (senior) was at least 50 when they had William.  Alice must have been much younger than him and, possibly, his second wife. Sadly, their daughter Anna dies in 1681. (5)

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At the time of his son’s birth William and Alice were living in a farm house which had one hearth- typical in this parish. It is likely to have had a second storey, or loft, and may have been built with stone. (6)  Despite his immediate neighbour, John Harrison, having a much larger house with three hearths, William seems to pay his rent on time – unlike John.

William renews the lease on the farm in 1680. References in the lease indicate he is the son of William and Agnes Horobin and William Mellor’s step son.   The lease is renewed just for himself and his son William.  See Peeling Back the Layer: Final Report.

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William’s son marries Ellen Brindey in 1687.  By this time his father would have been in his 70s and farming must be increasingly physically difficult for him. By the end of his life his son William had taken on all the responsibilities of the farm as his father’s inventory does not include any animals, farming equipment etc.  Apart from ‘his purse and apparelle’ most of his goods are furniture or furnishings, often described as old. William and Alice must have been dependant on their son to support them.  We do not know if they were all living in the same house or whether their son lived elsewhere.  (See Wills )

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William is buried on November 8th 1705. He dies intestate with a neighbour Micheal Slack and Robert Oliver appraising his goods. These come to just over £8. Robert Oliver is probably the same person who is described as a cousin of the younger Wiliam Horobin in a later document.   Alice renounces her claims and rights and appoints Notary Hicks instead.

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 Alice dies in May 1713.  (7)

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 William lived in poverty when young and in his later life was dependant on others.  However, things are beginning to change for the Horobins as they acquire increasing wealth and status.

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1. William Horobin buried 23rd November 1617. 

2. Robert son Of William and Agnes Mellor buried July 1621  Ellen Daughter of Wiliam and Agnes Mellor baptised 26 December 1621. Agnes wife of William Mellor buried  8th February 1631/1632.

3. Derbyshire Record Office : D2375/E/Q/2/3/1  Rent account of Alstonefield  1646/1647

4. William Horobin senior buried  8th April 1705

5. William, son of William Horobin and Alice his wife baptised  24th January 1665/1666; Ann daughter of William Horobin and Alice his wife baptised  22nd August 1667; Ann daughter of William Horobin  buried  12th June  1681.

6. Collections for a History of Staffordshire; Staffordshire Record Society; Third Series 1925 Lay Subsidy Hearth Tax Totmonslow Hundred, County of Stafford, 1666 pp. 155-242

7. Alice Horobin of Whitle buried 23rd May 1713