B7 - Wilfrey Walker & family, 1562
see cht. 2-0
According to Parish records Wilfrey Walker was born in Littletown, a small Hamlet in the Manor of Liversedge, of Birstall Parish, Yorkshire, England in 1562 and was baptized on 14 Oct. 1562 at the Church of Saint Peter. He was the 3rd child of William III and Alice (born Rayner) Walker.
It is not known at this time who Wilfrey married, nor when. However, he did have three children that we know of, all of whom were born were, "of Little Liversedge":-
Robert bapt 17-9-1592 buried 6-9-1683
Elizabeth bapt 8-8-1594 buried
Ciselie bapt 10-5-1597 buried
Robert later (in Parish records) became known as Robert Sr. See separate biography. Little is known at this time of Elizabeth and Ciselie.
It would seem appropriate at this point in Wilfrey's biography to provide some background of England's history of which Wilfrey was a part:-
In 1608 King James I had a survey done of Liversedge Manor to find out, among other things, how many Freeholders there were on the premises. Among those listed was "Wilfrey Walker" who held land for which he paid an annual rent of one shilling and six pence. In 1614 Sir Philip Carey, who was granted the rights to the manor by "King James the first", sold off various farms so enabling tenants to own their own estates. At this point in British history the Monarchy were ever more dependent on Parliament for money and so had resorted to selling lands, thus beginning the breakdown of the Feudal System which had stood for over 500 years.
Of the 456 acres of land to be sold, Sir Philip claimed half for himself and proposed that the remainder should be divided amongst the 32 other Freeholders in proportion to the Parish "Lay" or assessment they respectively paid. The land was to be divided into 3 kinds, "best, worse and worst", and each Freeholder had an equivalent share of each kind according to the amount of his "Lay". The following are a few examples of the divisions recorded:-
According to this list Wilfrey was the 13th largest Freeholder of the 32 who received a share. This act of claiming land, generally for the benefit of the wealthy or "Well-to-do", was repeated many times. As a result the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. Fortunately our ancestors were among the "Well-to-do", they were Yeomen, both Freeholders of land and also wool manufacturers.
Wilfrey was left 20 shillings, a pair of Walker sheres and an equal share of shereboards and handles, the tools of a woollen manufacturer, in his father's will.
All of these lands were held "of late" by the Abby of Kirklees from the Brethren of Saint John of Jerusalem. The "of late" refers to the suppression of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII, who took away most of their power, wealth and lands. In his view they were becoming too powerful and a threat to the Monarchy.
The "FLEET OF FINES" was a "Court" which settled disputes, including those of land ownership. It is referred to by Frank Peel in his book entitled "Spen Valley : Past and Present". The Court existed throughout the medieval period of English history, and had, in most places ceased to exist by about 1600. It was run by magistrates appointed by the reigning monarch.
Wilfrey Walker's name appeared in the "West Yorkshire Fleet of Fines" records as a Plaintiff in the 1592 - Trinity Term - 34 - Elizabeth, for Lands at Heckmondwike.
Wilfrey Walker died in 1629 and was buried in Birstall Parish on 12 Nov. 1629.
Sources:
Richard Walker, Formby, Lanc. Eng.
Birstall Parish Records, Yorkshire, Eng.
Spen Valley Past & Present by F. Peel in 1893
Rev. by:- R. B. Walker, Eng., & H.L. Walker - 12 December, 2001