Calvert Families of the Ribble Valley
These records relate to those families across the Ribble Valley in the 16th century who may be the ancestors of Robert Calvert, who arrived in Great Harwood sometime after the Civil War.
My essay setting out the argument for Robert to belong to these families can be read here and his will can be viewed here.
References to the family can be found using the catalogue of Lancashire Archives, and useful information about the tenements and land holdings in the Clayton-le-Dale area can be found in Abram’s ‘History of Blackburn Town and Parish’, which can be found online. Used alongside the parish registers, in which there are many missing events for the families, these records can support a tentative family tree for the Calverts of Clayton-le-Dale, whom I believe to be Robert’s ancestors.
However, as I noted in my essay on Robert’s origins, there are already too many spurious pedigrees online, and I don’t intend to add to them. I have, of course, made my own version of a possible pedigree, tracing back to Richard of Balderstone, but sadly, once again, there the trail ends.
The Will of Richard Calvard of Balderston 1667
Transcribed by B. Youds
In the name of God Amen the fift day of August I Richard Calvard of Balderston in the County of Lancaster yeoman not sound in body nevertheless in good and perfecte memorie praised bee god therefore doe ordaine and make this my testament conteyning therin my last will in manner and forme following first and principally I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty god my maker and my body to Christian burial at the discretion of my frends and executors hereafter named And as for all such wordly estate as god hath bestowed upon me I give bequeath limit (?) and dispose the same in manner and forme hereafter expressed that is to say my mind and will is that all my goods cattells chattels whatsoever bee devided into three equall parts my mind and will is that Ellin my wife have one part thereof according as of right to hir belongeth another parte thereof I give unto my Children whereas John my eldest sonne hath already had the one halfe of my messuage and tenement manie yeares the Issues and profits whereof hath bine a greater portion than the rest of my childrens lyke to have for there portions being equallie devided nevertheless I give and bequeath unto the saide John my Sonne two Arks standing at my house in Clayton in le dale And whereas also Jennet my daughter nowe wife to Thomas Dewhurst hath already had threescore pounds nevertheless my mind and will is and I give hir Ten pounds more to be taken out of that part given to my Children so all the rest of that part I give and bequeath to bee equallie devided amonst all my Children John and Jennet only exepted and as for my owne parte after my funeral expenses being discharged and paide out of the same I give and bequeath it wholie to Jane my yongest daughter moreover if anie of my legatories whom I have given anie legasie unto [paper folded here] last will and testament but ? goes about to trouble or molest my Executors hereafter named that if ever anie of them so doing my mind and will is the shall loose and be debarred of their legasie or legasies by this my said last will for ever Also I dissanull and make voide all former wills and bequests whatsoever by me made ether by word or wryting And Lastlie I nominate and appoint Ellin my wyfe and John Talbott of Balderston afforsaide my executrix and executor trusting they will faithfully execute the same as my speciall trust is in them Also I have caused this my said Last will and testament to bee read and published in the sight and hearing of these persons hereunder subscribed and also have hereunto put myu hand and seale the day and yeare first above written
Postscripted I give to Richard Tumpson five shillings ? I am godfather to
Witnesses hereo: John Marsden – Richard Radcliffe his marke – Gyles Walmisley
The mark of Richard Calvard
The Inventory of Richard Calvard of Balderston 1667
A true and perfect Inventory of all the goods rights credits cattells and chattells of Richard Calvard late of Balderston in the county of Lancaster yeoman deceased vewed and prised the 17th day of August Anno Domini 1667 by John Entwistle and Thomas Calvard John Harrison Richard Ratliffe
| L | s | d | |
| Imprimis 4 beasts in Osbaldeston parke | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Item 8 younge beasts in Besow | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Item 4 oxen att Romsgreave | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Item 2 oxen att home | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| Item 4 milke cows | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Item one ould fat cow | 1 | 16 | 0 |
| Item younge calfes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Item a meare and a colt | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Item a swine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Item Corne and Barley growinge | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Item Hay | 6 | 0 | 0` |
| Item waines carts and wheles | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Item one Arke in the barne | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Item in ploughs with Irons and Harrows | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Item one – – – – in Besow | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| A pair of wheles in Besow | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Item one bed with clothes belonginge to same in Besow | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Item one counter in Besow with the lease (?) for the same | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Item horse geare and yokes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| In broken wood and other couper timber | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Item one chist one arke for – – – – | 0 | 16 | 0` |
| Item one bed with bedinge belonginge to the same in the New chamber one chist one cheare in the same roome | 2 | 13 | 4 |
| Item one bed with furniture for the same in the old chamber and two chists | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Item 2 beds with furniture for the same and 2 chists in the old chamber | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Item in the loft above one bed with furniture an arke and a chist | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Item in Linnen and unshapen cloth | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Item in Brasse | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Item in Pewter | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Item in wooden vessell | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Item in cheares stooles and quissions | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| Item in butter and cheese | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Item in meale and malt | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| Item in shelves and loose boards | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Item fire iron r acks spits tostinge iron and rackentree with other things about the fire | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| Item teams hacks spades hooks and other iron geare for husbandry | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Item packe sadles owrlays and wantons | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| Item in pullen | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Item in a tacke of ground by an Indenture of lease livinge in Balderston from Mr. William Yates of Blackburne for certaine years yet unexpired | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Item a note and tacke of ground taken of Robert Singleton | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Item in coales and fuell with other huslements | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Item in money owinge by bond to the decedent by John Waterhouse of Balderston | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Item owinge to the decedent without specialty by John Talbot of Balderston | 5 | 15 | 0 |
| Item owinge by John Marsden of Balderston to the decedent with specialty | 1 | 12 | 9 |
| Item owinge to the decedent without specialty by John Waterhouse of Balderston – – – – – – | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Item the decedents Apparrel sadle and bridle | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Totall is | 174 | 6 | 9 |
The Will of John Calvert Senior 1690
Transcribed by B. Youds
In the name of God Amen: The third day of January in the second yeare of the Raigne of our most Gracious Soveraigne Lord and Lady King William and Queene Mary by the grace of God over England and Defenders of the faith, And in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred and nintie; I John Calvert of Clayton Le Dayle Senier being infirme in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory (praised be God for the same) to make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following (that is to say) First and principally I commend my soule unto Almightie God my creator assured by trusting that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sinns and bee saved by the precious death and merits of my blessed saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, And my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buryed in such decent and Christian manner as to my Executors and friends shall be thought fitt and convenient at the parish Church of Blackburne; And as touching such worldy estate as the Lord in mercy hath lent me, my will and meaning is the same shall bee Imployed and bestowed as herafter by this my will is expressed; And first I do revoke, renounce, frustrate and maker voyd, all wills by me formerly made, And declare and appoynt this to be my last will and testament; Item I give and bequeath unto Mary my sister the sume of tenn pounds of lawfull English money together with one black gelding which I have formerly lent her Item I give and bequeath unto Richard Thomson, William Thomson and Jane the wife of John Jacson the sume of thirtie pounds of lawfull English money equally to be divided amongst them Item I give and bequeath unto John Thomson the sume of eleaven pounds of good money which I have formerly lent him, Item I give and bequeath unto Jenet Dewhurst the sume of ten pounds of good money; Item I give and bequeath unto Mary, Charity and Catherine daughters of John Calvert of Clayton aforesaid the sume of five pounds of good money equally to divided amongst them; Item I give and bequeath unto James Bashawe, Robert Bashawe, Edmund Bashawe, John Dobson, Richard Dobson, William Dobson, Jane Aspinall, Jane Wilkinson, Jane Haworth, Elizabeth Jackson, and Mary Radcliffe to every one of them the sume of three shillings and fower pence of lawfull English money; Item I give and bequeath unto Mary the wife John Calvert my bedd and bedding thereunto belonging together with all my linnen, pewther and brass, and my best chist with all things therein contained at my decease; Item I give and bequeath unto Richard Calvert of Balderston all the husbandry goods of mine which he now has in his owne possession; Item after all my debts legasies and funerall expences bee paid and discharged I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my goods and chattells of what kind and nature soever they bee unto John Calvert of Clayton Le dayle Husbandman and JohnThomson of Dinkley husbandman equally to bee divided betwixt them. And lastly I do ordaine constitute nominate and appoint them the said John Calvert of Clayton afforsaid husbandman and John Thomson of Dinkley afforesaid husbandman Executors of this my last will and testament, hopeing that they will carefully and faithfully see the same performed as my trust is in them reposed. In Wittnesse whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written
John Calvert His mark
Sealed signed published and declared to be my last will and testament in the presence of us
Henry Hayhurst – Thomas Dewhurst -John Hesmondhalgh – George Entwistle
The Will of Thomas Calvard
Transcribed by B. Youds
January the 27th 1690 In the Name of God Amen:
I Thomas Calvard of Clayton le Dale in the County of Lancaster husbandman being by the pleasure of almighty god vizitted with sickness and weakness of body yett thanks be to god I am whole in spirit and of good and perfect Remembrance and knowing death to be most Certaine unto every living creature and being not willing to die intestable I doe therefore make ordaine Constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament in maner as followeth Viz: – first and principally I doe Commit my soul into the hands of almighty god my maker hoping through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to be one of his elect and I doe Commit my body Christall buryall eyther in the parysh Church or Church yard att Blackborne and as for such worldy goods that god hath pleased to bestow upon mee I doe give and bequeath them in maner as followeth
First I doe nominate and appoint my Sonn Edmund Calvard to be my whole executer and to pay all such legacies or bequests as are hereafter mentioned Which is to say I doe give and bequeath unto my sonn Edmund Calvard Three pounds six shillings and eight pence and I doe give and bequeath unto my daughter Hellin Calvard six pounds and I doe give and bequeath unto my son William Calvard five shillings and I doe give and bequeath unto my son Richard Calvard five shillings and I doe give and bequeath unto my son in law Thomas Hawkshead one shilling and likewise I doe give and bequeath unto every one that I am Grandfather unto each of them one shilling all which the said Legacies and bequests as all soe my debts and funerall expenses shall be paid out of the whole and then the remainder or resedue of my goods and Chattelles I doe give to be equally by even portions divided amongst my five children which is to say my Son Robert Calvard my sonn Edmund Calvard my daughter Elizabeth my daughter Ann and my daughter Hellin and I doe appoint by the way of define my Trusted and well belloved friend Richard Cooper of Clayton in le Dale in the County of lancaster husbandman according as my hope and trust is in him reposed to be overseer of This my last Will and Testament to see that the same bee performed and done acccording as is heare inserted in Wittness whereof I have heare unto put my hand and seal the day and yeare first above Written
Thomas Calvard his mark
Published and declard to be my last Will and Testament Witness hereof
John Lund – Elizabeth Lund – Edward Lund
Post script
Alsoe my Will and mind is that my sonn Edmund Calvard my executer aforsaid have possession of my house and premises untill my sonn William Calvard doe pay the sum of Tenn punds unto himm the said Edmund Calvard whcih is to be divided amongst my five children with the remainder of my goods and Chattells equally as aforesaid.
February the 17th 1690
A True and perfect Inventory of all the goods Cattells and Chattells of Thomas Calvard of Clayton in le Dale in the County of Lancastre husbandmanlate deceased:
| L | s | D | |
| Imprimis Debt oweing by William Calvard | 10 | 0 | 00 |
| Foure Cowes | 10 | 0 | 00 |
| Three Tweentes | 4 | 10 | 00 |
| Three Calfes | 2 | 0 | 00 |
| Two meares | 3 | 10 | 00 |
| one hay cart Wheeles and axeltrees | 1 | 0 | 00 |
| in hay and straw | 1 | 0 | 00 |
| in oates | 00 | 10 | 00 |
Will of John Calvert of Clayton-le-Dale, yeoman
[Transcribed by Claude: Fable5; checked for accuracy by B. Youds]
8 April 1692; proved 23 May 1692. Transcribed from a photograph of the original.
In the name of God Amen I John Calvert of Clayton in Ledall in the County of Lanc[aster] Yeoman this: Eight day of Aprill An[n]o: 1692: not beeinge well in Body of sound & p[er]fect Memory praised god bee god for the same And therefore is willinge to make this my last will & testam[ent] in manner & forme followinge And first & principallye I comend my soule unto the Hands of Allmighty god Assuredly trustinge in & thorow the death & sufferinge of his Sonn & my Saviour Jesus Christ to have liffe Eternall & my Body I committ to Christian buriall at the discretion of my execut[o]rs heare after named revoakinge & makinge voyd all forme[r] and other wills by my mayd in word or writtinge And my temporall Estat I give & devise as followeth And first whereas I have one Messuage & tenem[en]t that Live upon Lymge in Clayton in Ledall afore s[ai]d & that I hould under S[i]r W[illia]m Warden of Dinkley by vertue of a lease granted unto me by Dorothy my wiffe for certayne terme of Liues yet in beinge & under Annuall rents & servisses Item I give & devise unto Mary my lovinge wiffe the Moyetie or one halffe of ye s[ai]d Messuage & tenem[en]t for and duringe her naturall liffe in full satisfac[ti]on of her widdowright and all the rest of my goods & Chattells & the other Moyety or halffe of the s[ai]d Messuage tenem[en]t & p[re]messes I give unto Richard Calvert my eldest son & his Assignes subject & Chargable as is expressed heare after, & that Moyety of ye s[ai]d Messuage & tenem[en]t Limited & given to Mary my s[ai]d wiffe I give & devise after her decease unto Rich[ard] my s[ai]d son & his assignes upon Condition that hee or his assines well & truly pay out of ye same after his s[ai]d mothers death & decease the sume of Twenty pounds of lawfull mone unto his tow sistors Charaty & Catharine Calvert & surviv[o]r of them as also to pay out of the p[re]messes the sum of five pounds unto John his Brother if hee shall come in his p[er]son [i]n p[er]son to demand the same in full of his Childs p[ar]t & por[ti]on unto all the rest of my goods & Chattells And as for the rest of my p[er]sonall Estate I give & dispose as followeth Item I give unto Mary Whalley my daughtor two shillinge Item I give unto ye s[ai]d Mary my daught[er] Conditionally the sume of three score pounds w[hi]ch was p[ro]mised her at Mar[r]idge p[ro]vided that Thomas Whalley & John Whalley his father Husband & fatherinlaw to ye s[ai]d Mary doe sette such [illegible] & Assurance [of] an Estate of Messuages & Land [as] shee now have or theire assignes of sufficient [illegible] upon ye s[ai]d Mary my daught[er] as her [illegible] or dower duringe her liffe & upon her Issue begotten [or] to bee gotten by [the s[ai]d] Whalley her now Husband as shall bee Adjudged Consented & Agreed upon by my well beloved friends & trusties Will[ia]m Dewhurst of R[i]bchest[er] & George Entwisle of Clayton in Ledall in the s[ai]d County yeomans in as full Ample powre & Manner as I my selffe could doe if I weare livinge & until ye [s[ai]d] p[re]messes be setled as afore s[ai]d noe p[ar]t of ye s[ai]d sixty pounds to bee payd And as for ye rest of my p[er]sonall Estate my will is that my debts & funarall expenses be payd first out of the same And the remainder of all my goods Chattells & Creditts I give unto my tow youngest daught[e]rs Charaty & Catharine equally betweene them And lastly nominate & apoint Mary my s[ai]d wiffe & Richard Calvert my s[ai]d son whole Execut[o]rs of this my last will & testament hopeinge they will truly performe the same as my trust is in them reposed In wittnesse whereof I have heare unto sett my hand & seall the day & yeare above writte[n]
Sealed published & declared in the p[re]sents of
James Cotterill – Henery Dewhurst – Jam[e]s Norcrosse [his] mark
John Calvert [signature] [seal]
Will of Catharine Calvert of Clayton-le-Dale, spinster
[Transcribed by Claude: Fable5; checked for accuracy by B. Youds]
15 July 1702 — 1 Anne. Signed by mark; transcribed from a photograph of the original.
In ye name of God Amen I Catharine Calvert of Clayton in le Dale in ye County of Lancaster Spinster (this fifteenth day of July in ye first year of ye Reign of our Gracious Soveraign Lady Ann Queen of England Scotland France & Ireland defender of ye faith &c and in ye year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and two) being of perfect memory and remembrance praised be God; do make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First I bequeath my Soul into ye hands of Almighty God my Maker, hoping through ye meritorious death and Passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour & Redeemer to receive free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins: and as for my Body to be buryed in Christian Burial at ye discretion of my Executor hereafter named. Item I will and my mind is yt my just debts and funerall expences be first paid out of my estate. Item I give unto my brother Richard Calvert of Madg=hill=banke ye summe of one shilling. Item I give to my brother John Calvert the summe of twentie shillings. Item I give to Mary Whaley my sister the summe of one shilling. Item all my linnen (except my wearing apparel) and two silver spoones I give unto Mary Clayton of Croft head my dear & loving Mother, for terme of her life only, and then to Charity Calvert my sister. Item I give to John Calvert son of Richard Calvert my Brother one Cradle, now in ye possession of my said Brother Richard. Item I give to Mary Calvert daughter of John Calvert my Brother one bearing Cloth. Item I give to Ann Whaley my neese and daughter of Thomas Whaley of Meadows ith’ Moores my Bible. Item all ye rest of my goods, moneys at Interest or otherwais, and the whole of my personall Estate whatsoever, I give unto Mary Clayton my dear and loving Mother. And lastly I nominate and appoint Thomas Clayton of Croft-head within Little Harwood my kind and loving Father to be sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other Wills & Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written
Sealed, published, and declared to be the last Will and Testament of ye above named Catharine Calvert
in ye presence of us
Margaret Clayton – Ann: Collin[–] – John Clayton
her (S) marke
Catharine [seal] Calvert