wickersleyweb

past and present

History

About Bramley Grange

Situated on Lidgett Lane Bramley, Bramley Grange was a fish farm. In the late 1700's, it was owned by William Spencer and Margaret his wife - the only daughter and heir of Henry Eyre , late of Bramley, Yorkshire.

The descent of the family of Spencer of Bramley Grange was from a younger branch of the family of Spencer of Badby in Northants.

Thomas, son of William Spencer of Attercliffe, married Elizabeth, daughter of William Fairfax of Steeton.

There is also a connection to the Bolle family of Swinehead - Rev. William P. Spencer, late Rector, was a descendant of Elizabeth, daughter of the former John Bolles, Esq. of Thorpe Hall.

WILLIAM SPENCER, esq. of Bramley Grange, and Attercliffe Hall, b. in 1640, m. Elizabeth, daughter of John Hatfield, esq

Spenser of Attercliffe Pedigree

George SPENCER, born 1586 at Bramley Grange married in 1606 at Ecclesfield to Dorothy BROWNELL (born 1590 at Newhall Grange). They had a daughter:

 

William SPENCER, born 1611 at Braithwell married twice:
m.(1) In 1634 at Braithwell to Elizabeth GILL (1614-1636) daughter of Leonard Gill of Norton. Child:

m.(2) in 1639 at Sheffield to Sarah Westby (1615-1669), daughter of George Westby of Guilthwaite. Children christened Braithwell:

 

Ann Spencer married James Bright of Sheffield and later to John Dawson of Misterton.

 

Mary Spencer (d.1682) married in 1655 to Andrew Morewood a Lead Merchant of Dronfield. Children »

 

William SPENCER (1700-1737), son of Thomas & Elizabeth Spencer (Nee Fairfax), married in 1726 at Wickersley to Margaret EYRE (1697-1745) daughter of Henry Eyre of Bramley Hall. Children born Bramley Grange:

Members of the Milner Family of Burton Grange and Attercliffe married into the Fell family of of Attercliffe Forge, Sheffield

Children of William and Frances SPENCER(d.1808) born Bramley Grange:

Will of Frances Spencer(Nee Milner) of Bramley Grange, widow

She bequeaths to her son, William Spencer, the manor of Darnall and all her property in Darnall, Attercliffe, Tinsley, Bramley and Dalton which belonged to her deceased husband, William Spencer. She bequeaths to the same son and to her daughters, Frances and Margaret Spencer, all her property at Swaith, Tyas Hill and Whitecross which descended to her and to her deceased sister, Mrs. Olive Marsden, from their brother, Gamaliel Milner, subject to certain mortgages, and also her shares in the Dearne and Dove and Barnsley Canals. Bequests of plate, linen, books etc. William Spencer residuary legatee and sole executor.
Will. 1 November, 1808. Probate. 4 December, 1815.Reference: BGM/72

Children of Lieutenant General Spencer William (1754-1829) Spencer and Charlotte Spencer:

William Pakenham Spencer was admitted into Holy Orders as a deacon in 1824. In 1827(9) ? he was admitted to the rectory of the Parish church of Sterston St. Margaret in Norfolk. In 1831 he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Norfolk and in 1834 appointed domestic chaplain to the Duke of Buccleuch.

Edward Cerjat Spencer was appointed a Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment of Foot on 8 Apr 1825. In 1830 he was a captain in the 88th Regiment of Foot (the Connaught Rangers).

Sheffield Archives hold The Bramley Grange Muniments which consist of deeds, papers, pedigrees, a few letters, surveys and maps of the Spencer family of Attercliffe and Bramley Grange, with a few deeds and papers of the related family of Milner of Burton Grange and Attercliffe. Among the latter is a diary kept by William Elmsall, an attorney of Thornhill, with daily entries from 1708 to 1740. His daughter married William Milner of Burton Grange.

Details from a Pre-nuptial settlement of 26th March, 1701:
Thomas Spencer of Attercliffe, esquire, to Robert Fairefax of Steeton Hall, esquire, and Gilbert Berry of Linwood (co. Lincs.), esquire. The capital messuage and farm called Bramley Grange in Braithwell and the capital messuage and farm called Flanderwell Yate in Dalton and Conisbrough. Upon trust that Farr Chappell Close in Braithwell is to be to the use of Thomas Spencer and the residue of the property is to be to the use of Thomas Spencer for his life, then to the use of his intended wife for her life, as a jointure, remainder to their issue, and a final remainder to Thomas Spencer. In consideration of the intended marriage between Thomas Spencer and Elizabeth Fairefax, spinster, sister of Robert Fairefax.
Deed to make a tenant (lease wanting). The same to Charles Sanderson of the Inner Temple, gentleman. The same property so that a recovery may be suffered to the same uses as the above settlement.

Settlement (lease and release) of 13 - 14 Sep 1726
Elizabeth Spencer of Bramley Grange, widow of Thomas Spencer, deceased, and William Spencer, esquire, their son, to John Mirfin of Slade Hooton, gentleman, and John Battie of Sheffield, gentleman. Bramley Grange with named closes, Flaunderwell Yate with named closes, a close in Darnall called Darnall Hall Meadow or Hunt Meadow, and a close in Attercliffe called the Mountney Field. Upon trust to the following uses:-
Bramley Grange and closes with the property in Darnall and Attercliffe to the use of William Spencer, and the residue of the property to the use of Elizabeth Spencer for her life and then to the use of William Spencer.

Pre-nuptial settlement of 3 Dec 1726
William Spencer of Bramley Grange, esquire, and Elizabeth Spencer, his mother, to George Bradshaw of Doncaster, esquire, and Thomas Fairfax of Newton, esquire, (with others being parties). Bramley Grange and closes, a cottage in Bramley, Flanderwell Yate or Woodlathes Farm, the manor of Darnall, a farm in Darnall, Darnall Hall and its lands, Attercliffe Hall with named closes, 2 messuages, a malthouse and 9 tenement cottages (tenants named) in Attercliffe. On trust to stated uses to provide a jointure for Elizabeth Spencer for her life, a jointure for the intended wife of William Spencer and then to the use of the issue of the marriage in tail male. In consideration of the intended marriage between William Spencer and Margaret, only daughter of Henry Eyre of Bramley, esquire.

Mortgage dated 20 Dec 1735
William Spencer of Bramley Grange, esquire, and Margaret, his wife, to Charles Wright of London, jeweller. Certain named closes in Bramley, a cottage in Bramley, Flanderwell Yate or Woodlathe Farm and closes and Bramley Grange with closes. For a term of 1,000 years. For £400.

A survey of the lordship of Bramley in the parish of Brewell (Braithwell) was taken in 1737, and also of Flaunderwell Farm in the parishes of Rotherham and Cunsber (Conisbrough). Made for William Spencer by Joseph Colbeck.

A meeting was held at the Blue Bell in Bramley for enclosing the Commons on January 7th, 1769.

Assignment of mortgage dated 6 May 1742
Hugh Hamersley of Doncaster, gentleman, with William Spencer of Bramley Grange, esquire, and Margaret, his wife, to Joshua Wilson of Pontefract, gentleman. Bramley Hall and other named property in Bramley (formerly property of Henry Eyre), further property in Bramley and the moiety of the reversion of the manor of Melbourne with Storthwait in Thornton (formerly property of John Bolle, esquire) all previously mortgaged to John Bright of Chesterfield, esquire, and others. William Spencer and Margaret, his wife, to Joshua Wilson. The Manor of Darnell and parcels of land, Attercliffe Hall and other messuages in Attercliffe with named closes, Bramley Grange and named closes, Flanderwell Farm and named closes and Kexbrough tithes. For £5,225 of which some is to be paid to earlier mortgagees

Leases

7 September, 1743 William Spencer of Bramley Grange, esquire, to Thomas Fairfax of Newton Kine, esquire. The manor of Darnall, the Hillfields, Attercliffe Hall, other messuages and closes in Attercliffe, Bramley Grange and closes, Flanderwell and closes and tithes in Kexbrough. For 1 year at a peppercorn rent.

1850 map showing bramley grange and hall

26 Jan 1784 William Spencer of Bramley Grange and his trustees to Jonathan Frost of Conisbrough, farmer. Flanderwell House and closes, all lying near Bramley. For 21 years at an annual rent of £84.
Source: Sheffield Archives.Reference: BGM/47

On 14 Apr 1796 William Spencer late of Bramley Grange, esquire, Lieutenant Colonel in the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons and trustees, leased to John Wheatcroft of Bramley, gentleman - a messuage in Bramley and closes called The Croft, Gervase Close, 2 Balk Lane Closes, Far Chappel Close etc. For 11 years at an annual rent of £150. 5s.

On 28 Jan 1807 Frances Spencer of Bramley Grange, widow, and William Spencer of the same, esquire, leased to George Woollen of Sheffield, miller. A messuage at Bramley occupied by John Wheatcroft with closes called The Croft, 2 Balk Lane Closes etc. For 8 years at an annual rent of £153. 15s.

 

The Spencer family no longer lived at Bramley Grange after the death of Lieutenant General Spencer in 1829, and after the death of his son, Reverend William Pakenham Spencer, rector of Starston in Norfolk, in 1845, the Bramley Grange estates descended to Mrs. Ollivant, a sister of Reverend W. P. Spencer, and her children.

Will of Margaret Spencer of Masbrough, spinster

She bequeaths to her nephew, William Pakenham Spencer, her moiety of closes in Darnall and shares in the Barnsley and Wakefield Canal. She bequeaths all her remaining property, funds, plate, furniture etc. to her sister, Frances Spencer, for her life and then one moiety to her niece, Frances Spencer, for her life, and the other moiety to her niece, Alicia Olivia Ollivant, remainders to their respective husbands, further remainders to any children they may have and to the children of William Pakenham Spencer and Edward Cerjat Spencer. Certain other bequests. William Pakenham Spencer to be sole executor. Will. 27 August, 1829.Probate. 13 September, 1834.
Source:Sheffield Archives. Reference: BGM/73

Will of Frances Spencer of Masbrough, spinster
She bequeaths to her nephew, Rev. William Pakenham Spencer all her part and share of closes in Darnall and her shares in the Dearne and Dove and Barnsley Canals. Bequests of money, plate, jewellry etc. to Rev. W. P. Spencer, her nieces, Frances Spencer and Alicia Ollivant, and others. She bequeaths all the rest of her real and personal estate to Rev. W. P. Spencer on trust that the income of 1 moiety be paid to her niece, Frances Spencer, for her life, remainder to Rev. W. P. Spencer for his life, remainder to his children; and on trust that the income from the 2nd moiety be paid to Alicia Olivia Ollivant for her life, remainder to her husband, remainder to their children, and a final remainder to Rev. W. P. Spencer who is to be sole executor. Will. 15 May, 1837. Probate. 25 September, 1839.
Source:Sheffield Archives.Reference: BGM/74

Will of Rev. William Pakenham Spencer, clerk
He bequeaths his personal estate to his trustees, Rev. Charles Swann and Rev. Alfred Ollivant, to pay his funeral expenses etc. and then for the use of his mother, Mrs. Charlotte Spencer. He bequeaths all his real estate to the same trustees to the use of his mother for her life, and then one moiety to his sister, Miss Frances Spencer, for her life, and the other moiety to his sister, Mrs. Alicia Olivia Ollivant, for her life. After their decease the trustees are to hold Bramley Grange, Kingsforth Ponds, and other houses and lands in Bramley to the use of his nephew, William Spencer Ollivant, eldest son of Mrs. Ollivant, with remainders to his younger brothers and a final remainder to any daughters of Mrs. Ollivant. He bequeaths all the rest of his real estate to the same trustees on trust for sale (with certain provisos) to raise portions for the younger children of Mrs. Ollivant. Rev. Charles Swann and Rev. Alfred Ollivant to be joint executors. Will. 15 February, 1844. Probate. 13 September, 1845.
Source:Sheffield Archives.Reference: BGM/75

 

© Copyright 2003