Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

Not sure if this belongs here or in the query section, but here goes...

I'm seeking help with two families: Halstead of Windle House (Briercliffe) and Hartley of Stone Edge or Stonehedge (Higherford). Both families married daughters into the Towneley family (of the Barnside branch) and, as a result, are ancestors of numerous descendants (such as myself) living in the United States today.

Specifically I'm seeking information on the family and ancestry of John Halstead of Windle House (d. 1601), and his wife Elizabeth, parents of Jennet Halstead (d. aft. 20 June 1623), wife of Lawrence Towneley of Stone Edge (d. Feb. 1654/5). Some online resources identify John Halstead's wife as Elizabeth Scolfield. Additionally I'm seeking information about Richard Halstead of Windle House, first husband of Elizabeth Towneley, daughter of Lawrence Towneley and Jennet Halstead.

In addition to the Halsteads, I'm also seeking information on the family and ancestry of John Hartley of Stone Edge (or as it appears in Dugdale's Vis. of Lancs, Stonehedge), father of Margaret Hartley who married Lawrence Towneley of Barnside and Blacko (d. 1597/8).

Any and all help will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Jeff Duvall
Indianapolis
USA
jeffery@iquest.net

He Jeffrey, welcome to the site.
Here is fune, hopefully someone may be able to help with your query.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Hi Jeff

I do not know if you are aware but there is quite a lot of information about Windle House in Roger Frost's book A Lancashire Township.Windle House can be traced back to the 12th century and the name derives from Wind Hill.
Halsteads were certainly living at Windlehouse as it was known in the 16th Century, as well as another branch of the family living at Cockden.
There are one or two photos of Windle House in Roger's book plus quite a lot of additional information on the history of Windle House and the families that lived there.

Hi Jeff,
glad you made it onto here from Oneguy, both sites are excellent.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

I have posted this link before Jeff but it gives some background on Windle House and the Halsteads

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report ... mpid=53154

Thanks for the tip on the Frost book, I didn't know anything about it. I'm going to try and order a copy of it through my university's inter-library loan system, but I don't hold out much hope that they'll be able to obtain a copy for me as it does not appear (at least in WorldCat) as though any libraries here in the States even own a copy. But, I'll give it a shot.

My hunch, and it's only that, is that the Cockden Halsteads and my bunch at Windle House were related to one another, but I've not been able to document that. The link you provided (David) indicates that another John Halstead was the owner of Windlehouse in 1617 -- probably a son of the John who died in 1601, and I've thought all along that it was likely that Richard Halstead, Elizabeth Towneley's first husband, was more than likely also her first cousin (or at the very least a cousin of some sort). So he may turn out to be the son of the younger John (fl. 1617).

Several years ago an American Halstead researcher sent me a pedigree indicating the following lineage for John Halstead (d. 1601) of Windlehouse:

-John Halstead (d. 1601) of Windlehouse m. Elizabeth N.
--John Halstead of Windlehouse m. Alice N.
---Robert Halstead of Windlehouse m. N.N.
----John Halstead of Cockden m. N.N.

Unfortunately, he provided no sources, and as you can see, practically no dates as well as little or nothing on the wives of the Halsteads. So, I guess I'm trying (hoping) to see if I can substantiate any of this information, and even better, fill in some of the missing details. It sounds as though the Roger Frost book might be the key. So thanks again for the tip, I just hope I can follow through with it.

Thanks again.

Jeff

Jeff, they come up now and again on e-bay. Mel usually spots them and mentions it on here.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

You're not supposed to tell anyone that Glo - I haven't got one yet and I'm hoping the next one up has my name on it!!

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

One came up while you were away Maureen. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Mel, See new topic on Books. Stephanie.

I have Stephanie, I have replied...excellent news. Thanks.

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!