Blythes Norton Lees I think I've got it.

[duckweed]

I think I have family history for Norton Lees.

William and Saffrey have 2 sons who did not become bishops, Richard who married Catherine of Birchett and stayed in Norton area. Thomas who married Alice Skelley or Skellowes and lived in Barnby Dunn and carried a junior coat of arms. Thomas had 1 son William. William had 2 children Nicholas and his heir John. John and Elisabeth his wife had no surviving children so adopted Nicholas's son Thomas who also had no surviving heirs so the land went to 2 cousins William Blythe grandson of Richard and Katherine and John Blythe of Norton Lees also grandson of Richard and Catherine.

So there would be a John Blythe in Norton Lees directly from William and Saffrey but a younger branch, but still able to carry a Blythe coat of arms.

So we have John son of Catherine and Richard married to Agnes Dent.Lives in Bishops House. Son John married to Ann.Lives in Bishops House. Son William lives in Bishops House.

It seems to make sense although still have a few stray Blythes which are unaccounted for

 

[leefer]

Good Duckweed....looks like your hard work is starting to bear fruit.
Some spare Blythes...and Scythes no doubt:biggrin:

 

[duckweed]

I've looked up 2 lists of Land owners, the first in 1541 only lists 3 Blythes as landowners in Norton. Katherine wife of Richard, her son William, and Robert Blythe (of Woodseats) There is a John Blythe mentioned in other documents but he is obviously not a Yeoman in his own right at that time. After Catherines death and moving on to William has died there is another list of landowners in 1570 Jerome of Norton and John Blithe of Norton Lees. No others there even though I know there were others around, they must not have owned sufficient land to be counted.

 

[leefer]

Thing is Duckweed...you have done well.
But remember there is things you will never know about Bishops House...the reason being it wasn't documented.
So when your big summing up day comes it may be a case of saying might have lived here...could have lived here,rather than did live here.
I for one think you have done well(how patronising!) in this interesting saga...keep up the good work.

 

[duckweed]

Armitage who wrote the book Chantry Land which most people quote always said that it was an unbroken line from the first Blythe in Norton Lees till Samuel died in 1735. From what I've found the evidence mainly backs him up except it isn't father first born son all the way. One William Blythe had no legitimate heir so passed it to his nephew. So I can say that my investigations would seem to back Armitage up.

There are still plenty of documents I haven't accessed yet as they are in Stafford, Nottingham and Matlock. Hopefully I can find some more evidence to firm up my evidence.

There's some interesting court cases about people storming into people's houses etc. and a Blythe who was robbed by a relative. So there hopefully should be a bit more colour to add to the story. Apparently Samuel Blythes sermons were published too so may see if I can access them. Also Bishop John Blythe is quoted a lot in Academic journals. I have some Cambridge University records but they are in Latin unfortunately so will have to ask my friendly vicar to translate. I think now I'm looking for anything that gives me an idea what the Blythes were like. You can learn quite a lot from their wills of course.

 

[susanwillis59]

great stuff, my lot are all boring , woudnt get a look in on wdya. yours would make a fab programme . suexx

 

[duckweed]

They are not my relatives though my husband has some distant connections to them. My relatives are not particularily interesting except to me.

They are the owners of the historic Bishops House in Sheffield which is known to be over 500 years old.

 

[leefer]

http://www.translation-guide.com/free_online_translators.php?from=Latin&to=English

These are fairly good Duckweed.

Bonus Fortuna(good luck:biggrin