Storeys of Old.

It is perhaps most appropriate as a corollary of the pedigree of the family of Sir Thomas Storey, to commence with the wills of various Storeys, ancestors of Sir Thomas, or connections of ancestors. In some instances only digests of the wills are given - in others transcripts are given. The wills demonstrate clearly that the Storeys have long been identified with both North and South Westmorland, with Lambrigg, Kendal, Old Hutton, Troutbeck and Kirkby Lonsdale.

AN OLD KENDAL STOREY WILL.

May 21st 1562. Robert Storreye of Kirbye in Kendall in his will leaves to his son Charles his counter and dishebourd one cheare with one close backe, two chests in the loft, th' one was Sir Anthony my brother's th' other is one newe chest which I mad of myne owne stoufe. Also to William my sone one chest in the sellar where I lye. Also to Charles my sone one new sheit which James did gyve me, one clock of colour called milk and watter, pannes, kettils *rakencrucks, tongs, a †speite, tripett and pot cruks, a cownter, an ‡almerye chaire, stolles, stees, stanggs, peatts, old tenture timber, a bleacket, cheists, selblacke woulle studles, wheills and cards are mentioned in this quaint Storey will.

(See Derchetts.)

WILL OF RICHARD STOREY of the parish of Eversham made, on the 4th day of August, 1592. Testator mentions his sister Mabel and leaves her two houses. To Bryan Preston one yowe. To Christopher Storey his clock. He appoints Richard Storey his executor, and Mabel and Ellen Storey his sisters as executrices. His goods and chattels he bequeathes to Richard Storey and his sisters. He directs his body to be buried at Eversham.
Witnesses : Christopher Storey and Edward Wilson.

Of names mentioned in an Inventory are Edward Middleton and George Holme.

WILL OF RICHARD STOREY Vth Oct. 1594, of Milnthorpe, sicke in body but whole in mind. Testator's wife named Agnes [Smith]. He leaves tenements, &c., to his son-in-law, Robert Smyth. The said Robert Smyth to pay forty marks to another son-in-law James Sandle or Samble (may be Saulle). "If Robert Smythe doe not pay the entire sum of forty markes as is aforesaid then it is my will that James Sanble (?) shall have and enjoy my said tenement and pay unto his brother-in-law Robert Smythe the sum of fforty pounds. Agnes (testator's wife) to give the third part of all testator's goods to son-in-law James Sanble(?) alias James Saulle.

Inventory mentions a Mrs. John Saule, John Richeson and Rich. Diconson.

WILL OF ARTHUR STOREY OF LAMBRIGG, made 31st May 1630. Testator mentions being sicke and infirme in bodie. He directs his remains to be buried in Kendal [churchyard] wherein his friends shall think meete. His messuages and tenements with

*Rakencruk, sometimes written Rattencrook. and even raking crocke.-" Very often a wooden beam, the rannel-balk, was placed across the chimney, and from this hung a chain with hooks suitable for hanging different cooking utensils thereon. In better houses there was a long crook from the rannel-balk to the fire, called the rattencrook."
†Speite.-"In the "down-house' was another great open hearth. Upon the heap of wood-ashes stood the brandreth, an iron tripod, on which was placed the 'girdle.' a large round iron plate, for baking oat bread, called havers. Before the fire stood a spit. The two standards which support the horizontal rod were hinged, so that they could be folded and laid aside when not in use. They were three feet high with seven hooks, on which the spit could be placed at different heights. The (pit, a slender horizontal rod, was six feet in length, and terminated in a handle, by which it could be made to revolve. On the rod were two pairs of prongs to bold the meat."
‡Almerye chaire, a chair with a chest in it. A Stolle was a stool, & stee a step-ladder, a bleacket a covering sheet. Stangges were blocks of soft peaty wood. and old *tenture timber meant timber stretched on frames "Crucks" were, of course, curved beams, usually in pairs, so that each pair formed an arch. A tie-beam or pan connected the "cruck" with its fellow, and upon these beams the upper floor was laid.

See A Westmorland Village by S. H. Scott, 1904, pp.32, 38 and 80