TRAVERS OF LANCASHIRE

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[Name Spelt ‘ Travers.’]

GALFRIDUS TRAVERS, of BURSCOUGH, CO. LANCASHIRE, temp. Hen. II
Rich. I. Had an estate bordering on the land given by Robert Fitz Henry for the foundation of Burscough Priory (c).

==>
HENRY TRAVERS, of BURSCOUGH, son and heir. Witness to the foundation charter of Burscough Priory, temp. Rich. I., (A.D. 1189-1199). Gave Benedict, Prior of Burscough, and his monks a piece of land near Burscough mill, temp. Hen. III. (d)

==>
HENRY TRAVERS, of BURSCOUGH, son and heir. Gave to the priory, &e. of Burscough a brook running towards the priory through the midst of his land, in pursuance of an agreement entered into in the lifetime of his father: s.a. (temp. Hen. III. (c))

(c) Burscough Register, (Due, Lac Off.,) ff. 7b, 8b, 21b, and 56b.
(d) Dugdale, Monast. Angl., VI.i.p. 458.

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This pedigree is of particular interest because of the location of the family, and the recurring names John, Henry, Robert and William.

[Name Spelt ‘Travers.’ ‘Traves.’]

HENRY TRAVERS, of WHISTON, CO. LANCASTER. Gave to Cokersand Abbey, for the health of his soul and that of Richard his son, two shillings per annum, to be paid from his mill at Whiston: s.a. (temp. Henry III. (c))

==> ADAM TRAVERS. Confirmed the grant of Henry Travers his father of the said two shillings, &c. (temp. Hen III. (c))
== > RICHARD TRAVERS, of WHISTON, son and heir. Witness to grant of land in Bold, Sutton &c., 36 Hen. III., A.D. 1251-2 (f). One of a jury at an assize at Lancaster, 30 Aug., A.D. 1270 (g).

==> ROBERT TRAVERS, of WHISTON. Held the manors of Whiston and “Raimforth” (under William de Dacre), 4 Edw. II., A.D. 1311 (h). Paid 6s. (a fifteenth and tenth) for his lands of Whiston, 6 Edw. III., A.D. 1332-3 (i).

==> JOHN TRAVERS, of WHISTON, son and heir. Presented by the foresters for having taken game in Toxteth Park, circ. 8 Sept., 23 Edw. 111., A.D. 1349 (k). Conveyed land in Liverpool to ----- 6 Rich. II., A.D. 1382-3
== BEATRIX, dau. and co-heir of HUGH DE STAYNULFE by Joane, dau. and heir of William Blundell, of Ince, co. Lancaster (l). Joined her husband in conveyance of land in Liverpool, 6 Rich. II., A.D. 1382-3.

==> RICHARD TRAVERS, of WHISTON, son and heir. Married A.D. 1407-8. Living 16 Hen. VI., A.D. 1437-8 (m).
== Katherine, dau. of JOHN BOLD, of BOLD, co. LANCASTER, 9 Hen. IV., A.D. 1407-8.
== > WILLIAM TRAVERS, of HARDSHAW, living 6 Hen. VI., A.D. 1427 (l).

==> THOMAS TRAVERS, of WHISTON, living 26 Hen. VI., A.D. 1447-8 (n).

==> JOHN TRAVERS, of WHISTON. Sold the manor of Whiston to Margaret, widow of John Ogle, and Roger Ogle, her son, ante 21 Hen. VII., A.D. 1505-6 (o).
== > ELENA TRAVERS == HENRY TRAVERS, of DITTON. Had grant of land in Ditton from Richard Blundel, of Crosby, 26 Hen. VI., A.D. 1447-8 (n).

==> THOMAS TRAVERS, of WHISTON. Confirmed the grant of Whiston manor lately made to the Ogles by his father and him, 11 March, 21 Hen. Vii., A.D. 1506 (o).

==> HENRY TRAVERS, of RUDGATE IN WHISTON, HARDSHAW, &c., 1 Hen VIII, A.D. 1509 (p) Paid 12s. for his lands in Whiston (rated at £6) towards the subsidy for Lancaster, 1 March, 35 Hen. VIII., A.D. 1544 (q).

==> JOHN TRAVERS, of RUDGATE, &c., in WHISTON. Died 18 Oct., 25 Eliz., A.D. 1583, seized of the manor of Rudgate in Whiston, and messuages and lands in Hardshaw, “Raynford,” &c. (r) Inq. p. mortem held, 6 Spet., 27 Eliz., A.D. 1585.

==> JOHN TRAVERS, son and heir, act. 25, 6 Sept., A.D. 1585. Implicated in the Babington conspiracy. Ried 15 Sept., 28 Eliz., A.D. 1586; condemned, and executed on the 20th Sept., following (s). s.p.
== > WILLIAM TRAVERS, of RUDGATE, &c. Died 16 March, 33 Eliz., A.D. 1591, seized of the manor of Rudgate, lands, mills, &c., in Rudgate, Hardshaw, and “Rainforth.” Inq. p.m. taken, 8 Jan., 36 Eliz., A.D. 1594 (t). s.p.
== > HENRY TRAVERS, of RUDGATE, HARDSHAW, &c., brother and heir, act. 21 years and 1 month 8 Jan., 1594 (t)

(e) Dodsw. 149, f. 123b.
(f) Hard. 2,063, f. 206.
(g) Dodsw. 149. F. 120n.
(h) Gregson, iii. p. xliv.
(i) Lanc, Subs., 6 Edw. III.
(k) Placita Forest Duc. Lanc., temp. Edw. III, Rol 10, m.2.
(l) Gregson, p. 229.
(m) Harl. 2,063, f. 210.
(n) Dodsw. 58, f. 163.
(o) Harl. 2,042, f. 287d.
(p) Harl. 2, 085, ff. 460b, 483, 493h.
(q) Lanc. Subs., parcel 101, Hund of West Derby.
(r) Inq. post mortem, Duc. Lanc., (vol. xiv. No. 65).
(s) Howell’s State Trials, i. p. 1142; Statutes of the Realm, IV. Ii, p. 766.
(t) Inq. p.m., Duc Lanc., (vol. xvi. No. 35).

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            There is every reason to believe that this ancient family was a branch of the still more ancient one of Travers of Nateby; in fact, we might almost affirm that in the early part of the reign of Hen. III, there was but the distance of first cousin-ship between them. In an inquistion, without date, entered on the Testa de Nevill, (p. 404,) relating to land in this neighbourhood, it is recorded that “Vivian Gernet gave to Robert Travers four carucates and a half of land for the service of a third part of a knight’s fee.” The exact spot is not mentioned; but in a later inquisition, concering the manor of Whiston, the very words of this early grant are quoted. The inference therefore is, that Robert Travers was the first of that name who settled at Whiston; and that he came from Nateby may also be inferred from the fact that Vivian Gernet was brother-in-law to Laurence Travers of Nateby, temp. Hen. III.
            The manor of Whiston remained in the Travers family until 1506, and was then sold by John Travers to Margaret Ogle, widow, a second cousin; she being a daughter of Roger Booth, third son of Sir Thomas Booth, of Barton, Knt., by Katherine, daughter of John Bold, of Bold, and widow of Richard Travers, of Whiston. While parting from this, the manor of Rudgate-in-Whiston was still retained, together with considerable property at Hardshaw in Windle, where the later generations of the family resided. And it is somewhat singular that not an acre of this estate was lost at the time of the Babington conspiracy, although it unfortunate youthful owner was condemned and executed for high treason. The charge against him was, “that John Travers, (late of the parish of Prescott, in the county of Lancaster.(u) Gent., another false traitor in this conspiracy, went to Clerkenwell, in the county of Middlesex, traitorously to confer,” &e., and that “the said John Travers did traitorously conspire, and agree, for the delivery of Mary Queen of Scots, and to assist the foreign invaders of this realm (x).” But his defence was that “he was a Catholic and doubted to be troubled for his conscience and religion. He said but little, as one that cared not what evidence came against him, and was resolute to die.”
            William Travers succeeded immediately upon the decease of his brother, and appears to have held the estate, undisturbed, until his death in 1591; but on the 13 April, 1593, some “58 acres of the lands of William Travers, late of Hardshagh, Gent., a recusant, were taken and seized into the hands of the Queen by virtue of a writ directed to Thomas Hesketh, arm, and others (y); “and his heir was at once held to be a tenant of the same at a rent of “vi viij x 2/3” per annum. For forty years subsequently this sum is regularly entered on the Recusant Rolls as owing to the Treasury, but always accompanied by a much larger sum on account of arrears unpaid; until in 9 Car. I 1633-34, the amount stood thus :- “owing for the year last past “vi viij x 2/3; for arrears of previous years, ccixvij viij x 2/3.” After which, there is a note to the effect that the then present owners stand acquitted of the whole of the debt, and the Treasury Remembraneer of 10 Car. I. is to make an entry to that effect, “to wit, amonth the Records of Michaelmas Term.”
            During these forty years Henry Travers (viv. 1599 (z) appears to have died, leaving, as his heir, one James Travers, who also died (intestate) early in 1625, leaving a widow, Cecilia; and she was living at Hardshaw in 1631 (a). We should be glad to know at what date and in what manner the estate went out of the family.
            For arms, Gregson and other authors give one of the coats of Travers of Nateby, viz. :-
            Sable, a chevron between in chief two escallops, in base a boar’s head couped argent.
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This pedigree is of interest given the location of the family in Windle.

In the “towne of Wyndull—hund’ de West Derby – co. Lanc,” on 1 July, 1545, was living one “PERRS TRAVASSE,” who, judging from the amount at which he was assessed towards payment of the subsidy of that year, must have been a wealthy man (b). At a later date he is styled “Peter Travas of Wyndle,” and was doubtless the head of the following family.

[Name spelt ‘Travers’]                                                …. TRAVERS ==

PETER TRAVERS, of WINDLE, co. LANCASTER, "husbandman." Held a messuage, &c., in Windle on a lease (from Sir Thomas Gerard) for his life, his brother's life, and twenty years after their decease. Will dated 15 March, 1603; inventory taken 23 March, 1603; will proved at Chester 1604.

== Margaret ... Executrix to will of her husband, 1603-4. Living, a widow, at Windle 4 Car. I., 1628-9 (c)

==> WILLIAM TRAVERS, of WINDLE, CO. LANCASTER, son and heir, viv. 1628-9 == JANE, dau. of .... viv. 2 Car. I., 1626-7 (d)

JOHN TRAVERS, of WINDLE, son and heir, viv. 1626-7 (d). == ELLEN, dau of .... viv 1626-7.

PETER TRAVERS, living at WINDLE, CO. LANCASTER, 1626-7 (d).

==> JOHN TRAVERS, of ECCLESTON, CO. LANCASTER, "butcher." Appears in a list of recusants, &c., above seventeen years old, 2 Car. I., 1626-7 (d). Died 1639. Inventory taken 30 Dec., 1639. Will proved at Chester: mentions "his sister Jane." == CECILIA, dau. of .... living 4 Car. I., 1628-9 (c).

JOHN TRAVERS, of ECCLESTON, son and heir. Executor to his father's will, 1639.

ELLEN TRAVERS. Married .... KNOWLES ante 1639. ==> PETER KNOWLES. Legatee under his grandfather's will, 1639.

ALICE TRAVERS. Unmarried 1639.

Like the Travers of Whiston and Hardshaw, these were all Catholics. Peter Travers, 1603, mentions his "base dau'r Jane," who is also a legatee under will of her brother, John Travers, of Eccleston, 1639. The inventory of the effect of John Travers, of Eccleston , 1639, was drawn up by Edmund Lyon, sen., of Eccleston, William Travers (brother), and Leonard Tyrer, of Eccleston.

(w) Statutes of the Realm, IV. Ii. 766.
(x) Howell’s State Trials, i. 1134.
(y) Recusant Roll, 35 Eliz., m. 12 dorso.
(z) Lanc. Subs., 41 Eliz.
(a) Lanc. Subs., 7 Car. I.
(b) Ibid., Hen. VIII.
(c) Ancient Misc., Q. Rememb. Excheq., parcel 103, 4 Car. I.
(d) Ibid., 2 Car. I.

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This pedigree is of interest given the names Matthew and John Travers and the mention of Windle.

[Name spelt ‘Travers,’ ‘Traves’]

MATTHEW TRAVERS, WINDLE, CO. LANCASTER. Held lands in Windle on a lease for many years, granted to him by one John Travers (e), of whose inheritance it formed part before 10 Eliz., 1567-8. Ob. ante A.D. 1586. == ELIZBETH viv. 1586

==> KATHERINE TRAVERS, Married JAMES PEMBERTON, Jun., Gent., of HALSENHEAD (sic) IN WHISTON, circa June, 9 Eliz., A.D. 1567 (e).

==> JANE TRAVERS. Married JOHN BOLD, of NORTHMEOLS, Gent., son of John Bold, of Bold, co. Lancaster, circa 24 Eliz. 1581-82. Had her father's lands in Windle by settlement, Jan., 10 Eliz., 1568 (e).

GEORGE WETHERBY, Gent., (ob. 3-10 Eliz.,) left an illegitimate son, Peter Wetherby, alias Travers, seven years of age 10 Eliz., by one Anne Travers, and enfeoffed him with his lands in Halsenhed in Whiston, &c., making Matthew Travers his guardian. The above James Pemberton was a tenant of said Peter. Matthew Travers had land in Hurlston and elsewhere. In a List of Recusants over seventeen years of age, A.D. 1626-7, in parish of Whiston, "Anne, ux. Mr. Wetherby."

(e) Probably John Travers, of Whiston, who died 1583. Pleadings, Due. Lanc., temp. Eliz., vol. 99, H. 11; vol. 79, W.8; vol. 37, W. 6.