Thomas Somerscales, Gentleman, 1596 - 1672

Thomas Somerscales, Gentleman, 1596 - 1672 ? of Craven and Hull, Yorkshire

The Somerscales of the Giggleswick area were sheep farmers and cloth workers who also tenanted a fulling mill in Horton. In terms of wealth they were not significant but benefited greatly from the sales of monastic lands following the dissolution. When Robert Somerscales died in 1553 he was able to leave property in Settle and London to his children. He also made appropriate arrangements for his brother Richard, a former deacon at York Minster, priest of Whalley Abbey in Lancashire and chantry priest of Giggleswick. He suffered after the dissolution. Thomas, Robert’s eldest son, was the main beneficiary of the will and by the time of his death in 1573 had added the tithes and rights of presentation to three churches and yet more land to the family estates. His younger brother Richard was a vicar and another brother, George, built-up extensive lands and manors elsewhere in Craven.

Thomas Somerscales “Gentleman” (decd. 1573) fathered three sons and four daughters. One son, William, had settled in London and another, Arthur, was the vicar of Gargrave being the only Somerscales’ child until then to have received a university education. He graduated from St Catherine's College, Cambridge in 1583. It was the eldest, Henry, who inherited the bulk of the estates.

Henry did not behave like his father and grandfather. He added little property to the family estates but concentrated on improving those he had inherited. He was the first to build a "grand" house. He mixed socially with other rising "middle class" families in Craven. Henry was twice a governor of Giggleswick School.

Henry Somerscales of Langcliffe Hall wrote his will on the 14th Sept 1609 leaving the bulk of his assets to his wife Janet and son Thomas. His five daughters received bequests ranging from £33 to £100 each. An earlier grant to Bridget, the eldest daughter, of the advowson and perpetual presentation of the vicarage of Gargrave (together with property there) was confirmed.

When Henry died his son Thomas was just 14 (baptised 8th July 1596). He appointed his wife Jennett Somerscales, his brother Mr. Arthur Somerscales and his cousin Thomas Preston younger to be joint executors and desired his “cousin” Richard Frankland of Neals Ing (amongst others) to be supervisor.

His aspirations for his son can best be interpreted from ".. my hearty desire is to have him brought up in learning, and if he be found capable of good literature to go to the university, and to make learning his best preferment, my desire is to have him maintained therein and I hope my wife together with my executors shall supply his wants therein so long as need shall require. Furthermore if my son goes not forward in learning according to my hearts desire, then my mind is to have him trained up, either in the laws of this land or in some commendable trade of life".

On the twenty fourth of November 1609 Master Topham, the Dean of the Craven, certified the probate of this will. Arthur Somerscales, the natural and lawful brother of the deceased (and vicar of Gargrave) renounced and refused the burden of execution.

An inquisition, taken at Skipton on the 4th of November 1609 enquired after the death of Henry Somerscales, late of Langcliffe in the county aforesaid, gentleman, confirmed his estate holdings and " that Thomas Somerscales is the son and nearest heir of the aforesaid Henry, and was, at the time of the death of the said Henry, of the age of 14 years or thereabouts. And that Janet Somerscales, widow, late wife of the aforenamed Henry, is now surviving, being in full life”.

Thomas was orphaned five months later when his mother Janet died. She was buried on the 15th February 1610. His guardians were Thomas Proctor, Robert Bancke and Thomas Preston. He moved to his sister’s house in Gargrave where his uncle Arthur was the vicar.

Thomas’s sister was then aged about 29 and, it appears from Pavers records of marriage licenses that she was engaged to one Richard Frankland of Beamsley. She seems to have postponed the wedding while Thomas was under age for it was two years later, when Thomas was 16 that she married Richard Frankland of Hoyle House, Beamsley (not Richard Frankland of Neals Ing, the supervisor of their father’s will) at a ceremony conducted by Arthur Somerscales at the Parish Church of Gargrave. The couple went to live in Beamsley probably leaving Thomas at Gargrave with some servants.

In 1613, aged just 17 Thomas married Bridget Lacy of Thornton by license. Bridget was the daughter of Nicholas Lacy, the son of the Lacies of Southowram near Halifax but then of nearby Thornton in Craven. They were friends and kin of the powerful and religious family of Lister in that area, later Barons Ribblesdale.

In 1619 Thomas and his wife sold his inheritance in Settle to Richard Monk. The Monks and the Lacy families were close and a Christine Somerscales had married one of their family (Robert Monk) in 1564.

In May 1623 Thomas' brother-in-law Richard Frankland died, leaving Thomas as the guardian of Richard and Bridget’s daughter Margaret who had been baptised at Fewston on the 15th April 1613.

Richard Frankland was the son of Ralph Frankland and brother of William. The family had purchased the manor of Blubberhouses in 1562/63. Beamsley, the seat of the Clapham family, is situated between Blubberhouses and Craven. The Frankland family was intent on building an estate in the area. In 1576 they had obtained substantial messuages in Ickhorngill, Paceyate and Maiden Kirk in Beamsley (between the hamlet of Somerscales and Bolton Bridge) and in 1617 they obtained the manor of Fewston on the other side of Blubberhouses. They thus owned land from close to the Wharfe, over the Washburn to the eastern boundaries of Fewston, which adjoin Harrogate. The Fewston purchase included property called Cragge House. These lands were settled on Richard. He was thus possessed, at least potentially, of a considerable estate.

However, Richard appears to have been physically unwell and was certainly unable to balance his books. William, his brother, on the other hand was dynamic and vibrant, building-up the family fortunes at Thirkleby Hall and elsewhere. Richard sold Fewston to his brother. William had paid but had not received the signed deeds. His patience running short William looked as though he would take possession. In 1622 Richard realised he was dying and begged his brother not to take The Cragge.

"Most loving brother" he wrote, "both my wife and myself were present at my fathers' when my mother did deliver the surrenders to Mr. Pickering for our uses according to our agreement and we all desire that my wife may have her widowhood at the Cragge" there follows some legal wording the essence of which is that his mother felt she could not sign the surrender while William was absent. Richard continues "can you help me with the £60 that is our bargain, I pray you do it, for that debt which I owe, I owe it to many, and my debtors come earnestly upon me because money is so scant in our country. And for that £10 which my wife is to have out of it, if you think I will not give it her, I am sure you need not fear it" Richard signs off the letter and then adds a post script "brother I pray you pay £5 to Mr. Monks' attorney which I will allow of the £60 which I do owe to one Steve Snell".

Richard's father Ralph also wrote to "his very loving son Mr. William Frankland" on the 24th September "this is to let you know that your brother Richard is very sorrowful about the bargain that should be between you and him considering that the lands go [after his death] without any condition at all". Not giving anything for Bridget's widowhood. He thinks, "the strict covenants you have tied him to make him very heavy". He asked him "not to be miscontent" that the bargain did not proceed and for the lapse of time "as for your money, you shall have it honestly paid back".

The family's lawyer Francis Day also wrote "your father, mother, brother and sister are all unwilling that your surrender should proceed because you have not estated your sister (in law) in the Cragge for her widowhood ... they have persuaded your father to pay you your money back.. if you estate the land to their daughter". William seems to have relented because later Margaret, their daughter was said to be possessed of The Cragge.

Her mother Bridget returned to her estate in Gargrave and subsequently married William Ferrand of Ilkley by licence of 1623. The 11-year-old Margaret moved in with Thomas and Bridget Somerscales who were then living in grand style at Thornton.

In 1625 Margaret was aged just twelve and despite her tender years it was agreed on the 1st October 1625 that she would marry John the son of Richard Banister of Barnoldswick. The following trustees were appointed, Sir William Lister of Thornton knight; Thomas Lacy of Thornton (Thomas Somerscales’ brother-in-law); Thomas Heber the younger (whose uncle Henry had married Margaret the widow of Robert Somerscales, Thomas’s great uncle), and Thomas Somerscales himself. Richard Banister's capital messuage in Barnoldswick Cotes and the water corn mill with its soke and suit were held for John and Margaret. Clauses assured John and Margaret and their heirs were well provided for with guarantees made for her. The trustees were empowered to sell the Cragge before Margaret reached twenty-one if they deemed fit. The couple married at St Mary's Barnoldswick three days later.

Sir William Lister one of the trustees had a number of children of whom, Frances one of his daughters was born in 1622. Later in his life Thomas Somerscales was to say he knew Frances very well. She was the wife of John Lambert parliamentary major general.

Between 1625 and 1642 there is little known about the career of Thomas, he may have joined the company of Armourers and Braziers. Aged 46 in 1642 his children were between 2 and 18, his eldest son Henry, 15. He should have been thinking about marriages for his daughters and the career of his elder son Henry. John, the younger son was just two. Whatever his actions he was deeply involved with families that were to be prominent on the parliamentary side in the Civil War. His near contemporary and friend John Lambert (subsequently Major General) described his politics in terms of the values of honesty, sobriety and gravity “we have groaned under oppression, thirsted after grace, we own the country’s service and expect no advantage from king or court, we have no by ends (ulterior motives).” Uncle Arthur, the vicar of Gargrave was a Puritan, as was his successor John Waite whose patron was Richard Monk who had purchased the right from Thomas Somerscales.

Thomas was associating with Sir William Lister’s children and their circle of friends. Frances Lister had married John Lambert of Carlton Hall at Thornton Church in 1639. John was 20 she 17. The beginning of the Civil War proper was 1642. Lord Fairfax of nearby Denton was given command of the Parliamentary forces in the north of England and he appointed John Lambert and his brothers- in-law William and Christopher Lister as captains. From then until 1657 Lambert played an important part as both soldier and statesman in the affairs of the nation. He rose to the rank of major general and was considered a potential replacement for Cromwell in his latter years.

His story is well known but that of his wife less so. Frances was extraordinarily beautiful and with a "backbone of steel". Her brother William Lister was one of the first casualties of the civil war, killed at the battle of Tadcaster (December1642) where the earl of Newcastle with some 8000 men attacked the much smaller forces of Fairfax.

Frances Lambert was moderately royalist and certainly used to the good life. When the couple was in Scotland, for example, she sent back home for a scallop and a yard of very fine French wine. Contempories described her as proud and showy, a little self-willed. In a 20th century play she is portrayed as “flashing angry ambition". Although Cromwell described her as a jewel, Frances was instrumental in the breakdown of the relationship between Cromwell and John Lambert around 1659. Winston Churchill wrote, "His (Lambert's) wife, a woman of culture and good family, cherished Royalist sympathies and family ambitions". A plan was proposed to which she and the general lent themselves, for the marriage of their daughter to Charles II's brother, the Duke of York. If Lambert became chief magistrate of the republic he would restore the king to his thrown. The plan was seriously entertained on both sides but Lambert's course was "secret, tortuous and full of danger" and Cromwell, mistrusting Frances, stopped the project.

The family was out of favour and retired to Lambert’s mansion in Wimbledon where John indulged his passion for gardening. John Lambert was later imprisoned in the Tower where Frances and the children joined him in "a little house there". Frances appealed to the House in the “Debate upon the Bill of General Pardon and Oblivion" on the 16th June 1660 but was unsuccessful, although his life was spared. John was sent to Guernsey where Frances and the children joined him for nine long years. He was transferred to Drake's Island in Plymouth Sound and again Frances moved, renting a house in Plymouth and visiting regularly. Frances was able to regain possession of their Craven property eventually inherited by their son John. She died in 1676 aged just 54, a brave, determined, independent, loyal and admirable woman who shone in her time. They had been married for 37 years and Frances had born ten children.

Going back some three decades, to the siege of Hull in 1643, the earl of Newcastle was routed and 100 of his men captured by forces led by Lambert. Hull became a secure town for the parliamentary forces and it is almost certain that Thomas Somerscales moved there at about this time. He probably had some rank in the army as, in 1644, he was granted £50 from sequestered estates for twice bringing prisoners from the north. He may have been wounded or did not have the spirit for fighting because he slotted into an important administrative role. The comptroller of customs at Hull in 1642 was one William Thornton about whom the committee at Hull complained “for practices that threatened the safety of the town”. It seems he lost his job within 2 years because in 1648 Thomas Somerscales had been in the job as "comptroller of the customs in the port of Kingston upon Hull for about 4 years now last past". The House of Lords (now under marshal law) agreed that Thomas should have, hold and enjoy the said office with all fees, profits and benefits.

Thomas obtained the freedom of the city of Hull by purchase on 20th April 1654.

From 1654 to 1659 there exists a series of letters from Thomas to captain Adam Baynes. Captain Baynes was baptised at Leeds on the 22nd December 1621. He married Martha the daughter of Richard Dawson and Elizabeth nee Clapham, the daughter of George Clapham of Beamsley.

In his letters to Baynes, Thomas Somerscales often mentions "Mother Dawson" to whom he sent affectionate regards. In 1655 she had written to him asking him to pay special attention to a bundle of trees she wanted delivered to her at York and which were to be delivered to Hull. Thomas explained that the river was frozen solid (it was January) but he would do his best. General Lambert’s wife Frances corresponded with Mrs. Dawson and was a great friend of Martha Baynes. She would often admonish Baynes for not paying his wife sufficient attention.

In September of 1655 Thomas wrote to Adam saying that he had promised to send him and Captain Stafford "a taste of Hull Ale" but by the time the casks had been taken on board it had gone off. It was common knowledge that the merchants of that city would bribe MPs and others in London with casks of “Hull Ale”. He was forced to order a new brewing. The ale was received and Thomas asked that Baynes return the cask for replenishment "truly I have had so many friends' ale abused in the way that I am adoubt whether to send any or no unless it be in some small casks which can be locked up".

Some of the letters refer to Colonel Mathew Allured (then in prison) who had sent word that once released he would take the "cheques" place. Thomas enquired whether he would be released soon because otherwise he wanted the position since Colonel Allured had wrongfully disposed him in the first place. There was a trace of panic when it was learned in Hull that Baynes was initiating a strict inquiry "into the deportment of all cheques in their several ports". Thomas was at pains to explain to Baynes that although he (Baynes) was not aware of the full story, Lord Lambert was. Lambert then was in the ascendancy, the second most powerful man in England. The "absence of the cheque from Hull" was not Thomas Somerscales fault. Thomas and John Lambert must have enjoyed a close, indeed life-long, relationship for Thomas to appeal to higher orders in this way and to go over the head of his boss. In subsequent letters he twice requests that Baynes consult both John Lambert and his good lady (Frances) both of whom "know me well". He later asked to be granted the warehouse keepers place as well as surveyor, comptroller of customs and the "cheque". As for support he cites "his good friends Colonel White his kinsman and Mr. Robinson". This was 1659 and Thomas was already admitting to old age and infirmity, he was 63. He seems to have pulled through though, in 1662, he was removed from a Quaker meetinghouse and imprisoned for 20 hours in Mallay Tower , Hull.

In the 1672 hearth tax a Thomas Somerscales possessed 4 hearths in Trinity Ward, Hull, perhaps he was the 76-year-old Thomas of whom we write. His son John was a Quaker and had his goods restrained for non-payment of tithes.

Thomas Somerscales lived through interesting times. His parents and grandparents would have heard tales of the mighty monasteries (now but ruinous monuments) and the Pilgrimage of Grace at first hand from Robert Somerscales who was involved to his neck in the uprising and probably the first of the family to extend his business and family networks to London. Thomas, his grandfather was the adventurous, entrepreneurial and determined businessman who made a small fortune and set up the family for later generations, the first to be called “gentleman” he remained a worker and hands-on employer. The friendships and marriage alliances formed by these generations established the social environment in which Henry was to flourish and learn the behaviour and educational standards to which he aspired and wished upon his son. Henry’s was the first generation to be concerned with external appearances.

Henry’s daughter Bridget married twice into families, if not the individuals she actually wed, that were possessed of vast estates, wealth and influence. Thomas’s guardians placed him amongst the Lacies, Listers, Monks of Thornton and the Claphams of Beamsley, some of the most important families in Craven. He married very well indeed. His strong religious and political convictions committed him to an adventure with the Parliamentarians that would be to his advantage for much of his later career. He certainly did not follow the path his father dreamed of for him. He associated with people at the very peak of the pyramid of power in England. Their fall from grace was his anonymity.

Sources:

Somerscales wills at the Borthwick Institute, York Inquisition Post Mortem: Public Record Office, Kew Parish Registers for:- Giggleswick, Thornton in Craven, Fewston and Barnoldswick “A History of the Families of Skeet” Anon 1905 The Bradfer Lawrence Collection at the Yorkshire Archaeological Society Leeds British Library Additional Manuscripts House of Commons Journal House of Lords Journal Pavers Marriage Licenses Walsingham Merton Collection at Norfolk Record Office Oakes Deeds at Sheffield Archives “The Clapham Family” Barbara Clapham 1993 “The Hearth Tax for Hull …” Ripon Historical Society “Beamsley Hall” Peter Watkins 2005 “ Early Tudor Craven: Subsidies and Assessments 1510 – 1547” R W Hoyle Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series vol. 145 ,1987 “ John Lambert. Parliamentary Soldier and Cromwellian Major General 1619-1684” David Farr 2004