Thomas Grice and Alice

Their child:		Individuals in this page:		Their parents:
		Thomas Grice	{	No parents conclusively identified
Margaret Grice	{	&
		Alice	{	No parents conclusively identified

Thomas Grice was the father of John, Thomas, Lawrence ^CH14, Elizabeth ^BO4, and Margaret Grice ^{RA4, RI4, BO4}, whom he may have referred to as “Marie”, his daughter who was mentioned in his will ^CH14, although it is also possible that he had an additional daughter with that name, and neglected to mention Margaret in his will. He married Alice, and he was a yeoman ^CH14 and an innkeeper ^{CH14, BO4} of Warrington, Lancashire (now Cheshire) ^{RA4, CH14}. This inn, which may have been called the Signe of the Eagle, was probably located on fifty-three feet of frontage on Bridge Street, in Warrington ^BO4.

He was probably the Thomas Grice who was one of the witnesses of a copy of the deed to lead the uses of a fine to confirm the right of Sir Peter Leghe to a capital messuage of Beardley in Burtonwood, as well as lands located in Warrington, Great Sankey, Little Sankey, Overford, and Burtonwood ^CH29. This lease was dated August 30, 1564 and was between Thomas Butler of Bewsey, Esquire, and Sir Peter Legh of Lyme in Handley ^CH29. A deed to lead the uses of a fine meant that the deed provided details about what was to be done and the reason(s) for doing it ^UN24. The endorsed witnesses included Thomas Carus, George Browne, Robert Fletcher, and William Mason, while the witnesses to the copy included Richard Starkie, Richard Phippe, Thomas Grice, William Ashton, and Francis Wilkenson ^CH29.

Robertt Merbury (or Mearbury) and Thomas Gryse of Warrington, Lancaster, were called vintners in an indenture tripartite dated September 6, 13 Elizabeth I (1571) ^VI47. The three parties were Rychard Ellys (a gentleman of West Ham, Essex who was the deputy for Edward Horsey, esquire), Robertt Mearbury and Thomas Gryse (vintners), and several justices of the peace ^VI47. The indenture stated that since September 26, 8 Elizabeth I (1566), Robertt and Thomas each had a tavern or sold wine in Warrington, but they did not have legal authority to do so ^VI47. It was claimed that Robertt Merbury had fifteen tons of wine, and Thomas Grise had three tons of “all kyndes of wynes”, and they sold the wine at a higher price than what was permitted according to the statute enacted King Edward VI in about 1553 ^VI47. They were pardoned after they paid their fines to Rychard Ellys; Thomas paid of fine of twenty shillings, while Robertt paid about twenty-six shillings ^VI47. This indenture used the terms “uttered” and “utteringe”, which has several definitions. The definition as it pertains to law is “to deliver, or offer to deliver, as an unlawful thing for an unlawful purpose” ^WH21. Another definition is “putting forth; disposal by sale or otherwise; circulation” or “to dispose of to the public or in the way of trade; specifically, to put into circulation, as money, notes, base coin, etc.” ^WH21. The transcription of this indenture stated ^VI47:

This Indenture Trip[ar]tite made the Sixt daye of Septemb^r in the xiij^th yeare of the Reigne of o^r Sov[er]aigne Ladye Elizabeth by the grace of God of England Fr^annce and Ireland Quene defendo^r of the fayth &c/ Betwene Rychard Ellys of westh^am in the Cowntie of Essex gent[leman] deputie and assigne of Edward Horsey Esquier Capitayne of o^r sayde Sov[er]aigne Ladye of her highnes Isle of wight of the first p[ar]te And Robertt Mearbury and Thomas Gryse of warrington in the Cowntie of Lancaster vinteners of the second p[ar]te And S^r Rob[er]t Worseley [the previous name is uncertain] knight Thomas Butler ^{Robart worseley} [the previous name is uncertain] And Richarde bold esquires upon the thrid [sic] p[ar]te Justices of the peace of o^r sayde Sov[er]aigne Ladye in the sayde Cowntie of the third p[ar]te witnesseth that where the sayd Robertt and Thomas have sythens [since] the xxvj^th daye of September in theight [the eighth] yeare of the Reigne o^r sayde Sov[er]aigne Ladye untyll the daye of the delyv[er]y hereof used hade & kepte eche of them one Taverne or wyne Seller w^thin the sayde Towne w^thout Lawfull warr^annte or authoritye and have bought solde & uttered there in grosse and retayle by lesse and greater measure the number and quantitye that is to saye the sayde Robertt Merbury fyften [fifteen] Tonnes of all kynde of wynes and the sayde Thomas Gryse three tonnes of all kyndes of wynes at greater and higher prices then be lymited or appoynted by the Statute made in the Seventh yeare of the Reigne of or Late Sov[er]aigne Lorde Kinge Edward the Sixte and other Lawes & statutes of this Realme contrary to the true intent and exp[re]sse words & meaninge of the same lawes & Statutes By reason whereof the sayde Robertt and Thomas have incurred the dannger of the paynes penalties and forfectures [forfeitures] contained in the same Lawes and Statutes and thereby forfected [forfeited] to o^r sayde Sov[er]aigne Ladye dyv[er]se and greate Som[m]es of money w^ch beinge demannded by thextremity and sev[er]itye of the sayde Lawes and Statutes might and would tourne to the utter undoinge of the sayde Robertt and Thomas nevertheles o^r sayde Sov[er]aigne Ladye meaninge to forbeare towards all men offending herein w^ch knowinge theire offences and des[e]rved punishment for the same shall humbly and thankefully submitte and conforme them selfes to agree and paye suche reasonable fynes or Som[m]es of money for theire dischardge as by her trusty and welbeloved S^rv^ante [servant] Edward Horsey or his deputie or deputies assigne or assignes shalbe compownded concluded and agreed upon in mann[er] and forme in her Ma^tes [Majesty’s] l[ette]res patentes mencioned And therefore o^r sayde Sov[er]aigne Ladye in recompence p[ar]tly aswell in consideracion of the good and faythfull s[e]rvice heretofore done by the sayde Edward Horsey as of the specyall confydence and truste… [the previous word was too faded to read] in him reposed to p[ro]nownce declare and use her clemencye & mercye in this be halfe to the sayd Robertt and Thomas and others offending herein By her lres [letters] patentes aswell dated the xxiij^tes Daye of Aprill in the xij^tes yeare of her Ma^tes Reigne as allso by her l[ette]res patentes dated the second Daye of Aprill in the xiij^th yeare of her Reigne amonest other thinges in the same l[ette]res patentes exp[re]ssed hathe by the same l[ette]res patentes geaven and granted [the previous word was very faded and is uncertain] unto the sayde Edward Horsey his executo^rs and assignes all suche debttes dueties Som[m]es of money paynes penalties actions sewtes [suits] and forfectures as sythence [since] the sayde xxvj^th daye of September in the sayde eight yeare of her Reigne untyll the Feaste of the Byrthe of Chryste nexte followinge have bene Due or growen to the sayde o^r Sov[er]aigne Ladye her highnes heires or Successours of upon or agaynste any p[er]sone or p[er]sones w^thin her Ma^tes Realme dominion and other places lyberties and Fr^annchesies [franchises] aswelll exempte as not exempted be it in the Cincq portes [Cinque Ports] Cowntie Palantyanes any her Isle or Isles what soev[er] or els where [elsewhere] or any of them fo^r the keping havinge or occupynge [the previous word is uncertain] of one Taverne or Tavernes or for the buyenge sellinge utteringe or retaylinge of wyne or wynes without Lawfull warr^aunte or authoritye or for buyenge sellenge retaylinge or utteringe the same wynes or any of them at great or higher pryces then be lymited or appoynted by the same lawes & statutes or any of them or fo^r any offence acte defaulte or misdemeano^r contrary to the sayde Lawes & statutes or any of them and the br^annches p[ro]visions and purporte of them or any of them All whiche offences paynes penalties forfectures & misdemeano^rs or saide Sov[er]aigne Ladye by her sayde l[ette]res patentes hathe geaven and gr^annted her full & whole authoritye & powre to the sayde Edward Horsey his deputie & deputies assigne & assignes that the same maye & shalbe moderated mitigated & qualifyed by the sayde Edward Horsey his sayde deputies or assignes or any of them fo^r reasonbable fynes or som[m]es of money to be compownded concluded & agreed to be payde by the sayde offendo^r or offendo^rs in mann[er] & forme as in the same l[ette]res patentes is mencioned By vertue whereof the sayde Edward Horsey by his l[ette]res of deputacions aswell dated the thirde daye of maye in the xij^th yeare of her Ma^tes Reigne inrolled in her highnes Courte of Ch^ancery as the second of July in the xiij^th yeare of her Reigne inrolled in her highnes Courte of Eschequer hathe constituted o^rdeyned and made the sayde Rychard Ellys his deputie & assigne of & fo^r thexecution [the execution] of bothe the same l[ette]res patentes nowe at this p[re]sent shewed fourthe aswell to the sayde Robertt and Thomas as to the Justices of the peace afore sayde And therefore fo^r & in consideracion of the Som[m]e of xxvj^os [the expected symbol would be “^s” for shillings, but the symbol was “^os”] viij^d of lawfull money of England payde by the sayde Rob[er]tt Merbury and the so[m]e of Twenty shillinges of lyke money payde by the sayde Thomas Gryse to the sayde Rychard Ellys fo^r & in the name of a fyne thone [the one] moytie [moiety] thereof to be awnswerable by the sayde Edward Horsey his execut[er]s deputies or assignes to o^r sayde Sov[er]aigne Ladye into her sayde Courte of Excheqyer & thother [the other] moytie the sayde Edward Horsey his executors or assignes shall & maye have & enioye [enjoy] to his & theire owne onely use accordinge to the p^rporte [probably “proper”] & meaninge of the sayde l[ette]res patentes The sayde Rychard Ellys therefore in accomplishment & execution of bothe the same l[ette]res patentes and by v^rtue of the deputacions afore sayde by force & authoritye of bothe the same l[ette]res patentes and these p^re[se]ntes hathe for the sayde Som[m]es com^uted [the previous word is uncertain] concluded & agreed w^th the sayde Robertt & Thomas for them theire execut[ors] & assignes for & conc^erning the qualifyinge mitigatinge & moderatinge p[ar]doninge or leaseninge & discharginge the paynes penallties fo^rfectures debtes dueties & som[m]es of money due unto o^r sayde sov[er]aigne Ladye her heires & Successo^rs by the sayde Robertt & Thomas of & fo^r the sayde offences paynes penalties dueties & fo^rfectures & ev[er]y of them com[m]itted & done sythence [since] the sayde xxvj^th daye of Septemb^r in theight [the eighth] yeare above sayde untill the daye of the date hereof due accrued or grown And in respecte [the previous word is faded and uncertain] regard & consideration of the sayde l[ette]res patentes & by v[i]^rtue of the deputacions afore sayde fo^r the som[m]es above sayde The sayde Rychard Ellys dothe by these p[rese]ntes release aquitte p[ar]don & dischardge the sayde Rob[er]tt Merbury & Thom^as Gryse of fo^r & conc[er]ninge all & singuler the sayde offences contemptes actes defaultes necligences & misdemeano^rs w^ch synce the sayde xxvj^th daye of September untill the daye of the delyv[er]y hereof have been com[m]ited or done by the sayde Robertt & Thomas theire S^rvntes [the previous word is uncertain] Deputies & assignes or any of them agaynste the sayde Lawes and statutes or any of them or agaynste any clause sentence or p[ro]viso of them or any of them Any Statute acte of p[ar]iament howse restrayncte [the previous word is uncertain] p[ro]clamation lymitatcion of pryce or other thinges what soev[er] to the contrary in any wyse not w^thstandinge In witness whereof aswell the sayde Rychard Ellys w^th the Seale of the sayde Edward Horsey by him delv[er]ed as his Seale of office in this behalf and the sayde Justices of the peace as allso the sayde offend^rs [the previous word is uncertain] to thone p[ar]te of those Indentures trip[ar]tite remayninge w^th the sayde offendo^rs & the sayde Rychard Ellys & Justices of the peace afore sayde and the sayde offendo^rs to eav[er]y of thother [the other] two p[ar]tes trip[ar]tite thenc[e] to be delyv[er]ed unto the sayde Courte of Ch^ancery & thother to be… [the next line has been obscured because the parchment or vellum has been folded upwards upon itself]

In a Chester Quarter Sessions record from 1574, a memorandum was witnessed by Thomas Grice, who was at that time the bailiff of Warrington, and John Lister, the steward of the court of Warrington ^CH32. This memorandum was given by William Sotherne and Thomas Farror (this surname was uncertain), who were toll takers for cattle sold at Warrington, Lancashire, and stated that on Wednesday, May 19, 1574, Thomas Mathewe of Chester paid them two pence for a dun-colored mare with a black mane and tail who was in foal, which he had purchased in the open market from a servant of Mr. Morgan ap Darcy of Clan Sayntfrud (the transcription of the surname and clan name were uncertain) in Montgomery County ^CH32.

The names of Thomas Gryce, John Gryce, and Richard Gryce were included in a nineteen-page list of individuals who paid one tenth of their worth to the parsonage of Warrington at Easter in 1580 ^RY6. This list was called “The proffictes of the Easter Roll of the p[ar]sonage of Warryngton in the Countie of Lanc’ Due at Easter Anno Regni Regine Elizabeth xxij° [A.D.1580] ^RY6. J. Paul Rylands stated “the Easter Dues were small sums of money paid to the parochial clergy by the parishioners at Easter as a compensation for personal tithes, or the tithe for personal labour”, and they were intended to be paid to the Rector of Warrington based on what they were able to afford as an Easter oblation or offering ^RY6. This is what was referred to in the abbreviated phrase “p e’ obl” (pro ejus oblatio) ^RY6 which appeared frequently in the roll: “for his offering”. Sometimes the individual paid money, but instances in which an individual offered hay, flax, or livestock indicated that they were donating one tenth of what they owned ^RY6. Rylands stated that other abbreviated Latin words used within this roll included fenum, linum, vacca, vitula, porcus, aper, pullus, and agnus (hay, flax, cow, calf, pig, boar, fowl, and lamb ^RY6.

The names of the individuals in the Easter Roll of 1580 were arranged by residences using their street name, and Thomas, John, and Richard Gryce resided on “The Bridge Streete” ^RY6. Their names were written on page nine of the roll ^RY6. The roll stated “Thomas Gryse p e’ obl vj vac’ vj vit’ ixd. p[ro] feno iijs. iiijd. … iiijs. iiijd.” ^RY6. The unabbreviated roll with the English translation stated “Thomas Gryce pro ejus oblatio [for his offering] six vaccae [cows] six vituli [calves] nine pence pro feno [for hay] three shillings four pence… three shillings four pence” ^RY6. The relationship between Thomas, John, and Richard was not stated, but John and Richard might not have been the sons of Thomas, because John was less than twenty-one years old when Thomas wrote his will in 1583, and Richard was not a name mentioned in the will ^CH14. However, because the roll entry for John Gryce had no amount of money or livestock, perhaps he was of sufficient age to be included in the roll but had no possessions to offer because he was too young. The entry for John Gryce stated only “John Gryse p[ro] e’ obl.” with nothing else ^RY6. The entry for Richard Gryse stated “Ric Gryse p e’ obl… iijd. ^RY6 (he donated three pence). In terms of how the names of Thomas, John, and Richard Gryse were positioned in the roll, they were written near the names of his three of friends that he mentioned in his will. John Wackfelde (Wakefield), Thomas Rydgewaye, and Richarde Cartewrighte all lived on “The Bridge Streete”, but Thomas Alyn lived on “The Strete that goth to the Hethe [Horsemarket Street]” ^RY6.

On March 20, 1581, Thomas leased property in Warrington from Sir Edward Boteler for the duration of the lives of his sons, John, Thomas, and Lawrence ^BO4. He was probably the Thomas Grice who was one of the witnesses of a copy surrender dated August 24, 1582 from Lady Anna Butler, the widow of the deceased Sir Thomas Butler, to Edward Butler, Esquire, to manors of Warrington, Burtonwood, and Gret Sankey ^CH31. The endorsed witnesses included Richard Bolde, John Nuthall, Edward Norres, William Norres, John Fleminge, and Edward Tarleton, while the witnesses to the copy included Thomas Grice, William Asheton, Richard Phippe, Richard Starkie, and Francis Wilkenson ^CH31.

Thomas Gryce witnessed a copy of a release dated probably in 1587 from Margaret Butler, the widow of the deceased Edward Butler of Bewsey, Esquire, to Robert, Earl of Leicester, which released lands in Bewsey, Warrington, Burtonwood, Great Sankey, and Overford, in return for an annuity of seventy pounds ^CH30. The endorsed witnesses included Richard Maystersone, Gabriel Wetenhall, John Danyell, Hugh Glaseor, William Glaseor, Toby Mathewe, Thomas Allen, and John Johnes, while the witnesses to the copy included Richard Starkie, Richard Phippe, Thomas Gryce, William Asheton, and Francis Wilkenson ^CH30.

His leased properties were described in the Survey of the Earl of Leicester which was conducted on April 19, 1587 ^MA71:

Demenes & Fearme land in Bewsey & Warington copied from the original in the possession of James Nicholson esq June 7. 1856…. Survey of the Earl of Leicester 19 April. 29 Eliz. [1587] Copied for William Beamont, Esquire… A Booke of Survey of the Baronye of Warrinton in the Countie of Lanc Parcell of the Possessions of the Right Honorable Robert Erle of Lecester baron of Denbighe &c. taken by S^r. Richard Shereburne Knight S^r. Peirs Leighe Knight Will[ia]m Glasier Esqyre Vice chamber Leyne of Chester Edward Holt Esqyre Robert Wrothe Esqyre and others thereunto authorized by commission and appointment from the sayd Erle as well by vewe and informa^con of a Jurie of Survey there holden as also by vewe of the sayd Comissioners and by the true mesure of acres accordinge to the custome of the sayd Baronie w^h. is 24 Foote to the Pole the 19^th. of Aprill in the XXIX^th. yeare of the Reigne of o^r. Sovringe Ladye Elizabethe by the grace of god of England Frannse and Ireland Quene Defender of the Faythe &c.

Tenants of tearme landes in Warington

Warington mesure is 7 yardes to a pearche or roode ~~only~~ ^evry plowe at 16 ^d and Harrowe at 10 ^d. if the serve not the Lord two days P[er] ann:

Thomas gryce holdeth a ten[an]t and a close adjoyninge to it called Kylne Crofte conteyninge two roodes &c &c, and one close called Stanfyeld conteyninge 3 roodes 34 pole, and one close called ~~neere~~ ^nocre warthe conteyninge 2 acres 1 rood 17 ^pch and one closed called ~~far~~ ^fur warthe 1^a 2^ro ~~and~~ ^one severall medowe in Arpley 2^a, 2^r / 29^pch And in Arpley comon Fyeld in dyvers pcells 8 acres of erable land and 7 acres of medowe: So is all the land belonginge to this ten[an]t in greate mesure 20 acres w^h. is in Warington mesure

In the left margin of this entry for Thomas Gryce, a notation stated “Reddit P ann: a Lease of edw btl^r. 3 Lyves in esse 5^li. 16^s.” ^MA71. The first portion of this notation was Latin and probably meant “reddit per annum” or “pays per year” or “returns each year” ^MA71. This notation seemed to state that Edward Boteler or Butler (“edw btl^r.”) leased this land to Thomas Gryce, and it was a lease for three lives ^MA71. It is unclear if Thomas Gyrce was meant to pay Edward Butler five pounds, sixteen shillings each year. Another notation further down in the left margin stated “a plowe”, and this might have referred to the parcel of eight acres of arable land ^MA71. In the right margin, the entire entry was bracketed and the notation “25^ac, 1^ro” was written, probably indicating that in all, Thomas Gryce held twenty-five acres and one rood of land ^MA71.

Another entry in the same April 19, 1587 survey stated “The Horsemill was ialed [the first letter of this word is uncertain] at 11^li to Thomas Gryce… The newe horsmill in the L [Lord’s] hands 26^s/8^d.”, and a notation in the left margin stated “of E. B. for 49 yeres if 2 lyves so long co’tinue” ^MA71. This may have meant that Thomas could lease the horse mill from Edward Butler for forty-nine years if the two people (not named) were still alive. A lengthy description of his leased lands in Warrington included a close named Kyll Croft, a close named Stanfyld located south of Warrington Heath and north of the lane that the led from Warrington to Sankey mills, a close named Narwarthe which was located north of the River Mersey and east of the Queen’s Highway that led from Warrington Bridge to Manchester, a close named Farwarthe located north of the lane that led to Hovley common and east of the lane leading to the bowling green, and several closes of meadow in Arpley that were north of the River Mersey and south of the town field in Arpley ^MA71. This entry was bracketed on the right margin, and a notation to the right of the bracket stated that the total amount of land held by Thomas Gryce was “25^a. 1^r.” (twenty-five acres and one rood) ^MA71. A transcription of this entry follows ^MA71:

Tenants of terme Lands in Warrington

Thomas gryce holdeth a ten[an]t and a close called Kyll crofte adioyninge to the backe yard of the same house w^ch. close extendeth in Lenght from the freehold Lands of Thomas Cadwall called the Freezes on the Southe unto the Gardyne and backyard of the sayd gryce on the northe, and in Bredth from a close of the Lords tearme Lands in the ocupac[i]on [occupation] of Richerd Burtonwood on the weste syde unto a gardyn styde of the lords ten[an]ts and the backyard of the ten[an]t late in the ~~towne~~ ^tenure of Suthworth on the east syde w^ch. close contenethe 2^r. 20^p. [two roods and twenty perches] And one close called Stanfyld cont. 1^a. 1^r. [one acre and one rood] w^ch. extendeth in Lenght from the Lords wast called Warington Heathe on the northe unto the Lane or Highe waye leadinge from Warington to Sonkye milles [Sankey mills] on the southe and in bredthe from the freehold Lands of S^r. Pyers Leighe K. [Knight] on the west unto the Lords terme lands in the ocupac[i]on of Jane P.poynt on the east syde; And one close called narwarthe cont. 3^a. 0^r. 30^p. lyinge betwene the Ryver of Marcye on the Southe syde and the freehold lands of m^r. Warberton on the northe and the Lords wast called the grene bowlinge Place on the east syde and the que’s highe waye [Queen’s highway] Leadinge from Warington brydge to Manchester on the west syde, And one close called farwarthe cont. 2^a. 0^r. 0^p. extendinge in Lenght from the Freehold Lands of Peter Warberton gent on the northe unto the ~~land~~ ^lane leddinge unto hovley comon fyld on the southe and in breadthe from the quenes ma^ties [majesty’s] Land in the ocupac[i]on of S^r. Pyers Leighe Knight on the East syde unto the Lane leadinge to the greene or bowling place on the west syde. And one severall close of medow in Arpley contey [containing] 3^a. 1^r. 10^p. lyinge betwene the ryver of mercye on the Southe syde and the towne fyeld called Arpley fyeld on the northe and east sydes and the Lords tearme lands in the ocupac[i]on of Richerd bates and Ric[herd] Gryce on the west syde and in Arpley comon fyeld & dyvers [diverse] pcells [parcels] 6^a. of erable land and 8 acres 3^r. 20^p. of medowe so is all the Land belonginge to this ten[an]t in customarie mesure being 21 foote to the pole

Richard Gryse was also included in the Survey of the Earl of Leicester which was conducted on April 19, 1587, and because it is probable that he was related to Thomas Gryce, I have included his entry in the survey. The entry stated “Richard Gryse holdethe two howses and a close of medowe in Arpley cont 1^a. 2^r. 6^p. one close by the meane fyeld cont 1^a. 1^r. 19^p. [this number is unclear] in Aderswell one acre of Erable land – com[m]on in Arpley com[m]on fyld one acre 2^r. of medowe so is all the land in this ten[ant] in Warington mesure” ^MA71. The left margin notation stated “Of Tho. B. [probably Thomas Butler] 3 Lyves 2 in esse 43^s”, and slightly further down in the left margin a note stated “quere a plowe” ^MA71. The right margin had a bracket containing the entire entry, and the notation to the right of that bracket stated “5^a., 3^r.” ^MA71.

“Thomas Grise balif” was included in a list of names under the sub-heading “The Drpers Boothes” (Drapers’ Booths) which was part of the list of individuals named in “The Rentalle of Warrinton due toe the Right H^o. Rob^t. Earlle of Leicester Lord Baron of the Barony of Warrington at the feast of S^t. Martin the Bishop Anno R Ren Elyzabeth the XXIX.”, a list which was dated November 10, 1587 ^MA71. This indicates that in 1587, he was a bailiff for Warrington, and he owed two shillings and six pence ^MA71. A notation in the ledger stated “All rents in this booke… Due at this feast of S^t. Martin the Byshop…” ^MA71. Richard Grise was included in the November 10, 1587 rental of Warrinton ^MA71. This entry stated “Richard Grise for tow house” (this was probably the toll house) was to pay eighteen shillings and four pence ^MA71. Richard also owed three shillings and four pence for rent in “Arplley Meadowe” ^MA71.

His will, in which he referred to himself as a yeoman, was created on March 27, 1583 ^{CH14, BO4}. John Hawarden was named in the will, but his daughter, Elizabeth (who married John Hawarden), was not ^CH14. The will of Thomas Grice of Warrington is in poor condition, and the first six or more lines of his will are illegible due to broad, dark shadows and tattered parchment (or perhaps paper), and the right margin has varying degrees of obscurity. A transcription has been provided below. Most of the ellipses indicate that probably one or more unknown words were unable to be viewed along the right margin, although the first several phrases, separated by ellipses, were merely snippets of legible writing, surrounded by darkness ^CH14:

…the xxvij^th daie of march…fyve hundredth foure score, & three whole in bodie & p[er]fecte in m [this likely stated “memory”]… therfore ]the previous word is uncertain] given toe almightie god, doe ordein, constitute, & make my Testamente &… in manner & forme followinge, firste I bequeath my soule toe almyghtie god, & my bodie… buried in the churche of warrington aforesaide at my seates ende, there, for the… give toe the churche wardens viz, viij^d [probably “eight pence”] Alsoe I will that there shalbee… the poore at the time of my decesse, the sum[m]e of [a blank space was left, and no amount or number was visible] of currante english [the previous word was only partially legible under the black splotch which obscured it]… Alsoe I will & bequeath toe Alice my beloved wif, my beste fetherbedde, & all f [the previous word began with an “f”, so it was probably “furniture”]… belonginge toe the same, and twoe paire of my beste sheetes, in case she shall take a se… [the previous word may have stated “second”] husband in marriage. Alsoe I will that the said Alice my wif, shall have the use… occupaconne [occupation] of all my goodes & cattalles [chattels], aswell moveable as unmoveable, for & duringe… longe time as shee shall live sole & unmaried, And from & after hir decesse, or daie whe [the previous word probably stated “where” or “when”]… she shall take a seaconnde husband, Then I will the same toe such of my sonnes, vidz, … John, Thomas, & Lawrence grice, as shall firste have accomplished the aige of xxi^tie y [the previous word probably stated “years”]… & then the same toe bee deliv[ere]d toe him, & in the meane time the same toe bee safelie kepte… my lovinge frendes, John Wackfeld, Thomas Ridgewaie, Richard Cartwrighte, and… Thomas Allen, toe thentente [the intent] that my nowe dwellinge house, maie bee kepte by them, a [the previous word probably stated “as”]… an Inn, in suche sorte as I have heretofore used, Alsoe I doe constitute & make the said… Alice grice my beloved wif, my sole executrix of this my laste will & testamente. And i [the previous word probably stated “if”]… she fortune toe marrie, or shall refuse toe proove this my laste will & testamente, wthin [probably “within”]… twoe monethes nexte ensuinge after my decesse, Then I doe ordein & constitute my said so [probably “sonnes”]… John grice, Thomas grice, & Lawrence grice, Together wth [with] my said lovinge frendes, Jo [John]… Wackfeld, Thomas Ridgewaie, Richard Cartwrighte, & Thomas Allen, my sole executors of… this my laste will, toe the use & benifite of my said children, as aforesaid. Alsoe I… doe appointe my beloved frendes Randall Rixton & John Hawarden gent, overseers of th [probably “this”]… my laste will & testamente, and I doe give toe everie of them for theire paines herein toe… taken, xs [ten shillings], a peece. Lastlie I will that my wif shall give, toe Marie grice my daug [the previous word would have been “daughter”]… suche sum[m]e of money, as my said wif & overseers, or the survivor^s of them, shall thinck… Conveniente. And I doe also give untoe my worshipfull m^r, Edwarde Butler esquir… one peece of golde of Thirtie shillinges, desiringe him toe stand goode m^r, toe my said… wif & children. In Witnes whereof I the said Thomas grice toe these p[rese]ntes my… hand & seale have putte, the daie & yere firste above written. # . # . #

The inventory of the estate of Thomas Grice was conducted on February 16, 1587/8, and his will was proved on April 24, 1588 ^{CH14, BO4}. A transcription follows ^CH14:

A true [the previous word is uncertain] & p[er]fecte inventorie of… goodes and cattalles late of Thomas grice, late of warrington in the countie of Lanc[aster] yoman decessed, taken & valued by the p[er]sones whose names bee subscribed the xvith daie of Februarie, 1587.

Inprimis one Cowe & twoe heffers… three carte horses… cartes, whiles, ploughes, harrowes, tesses [the previous word is uncertain], w[i]th other instrumentes of husbandrie… lif [the previous word is uncertain] Swyne… in Timber… hempe & flaxe braked [the hemp and flax had already been crushed, and the fibers then separated]… in Linseede [linseed from the flax plant]… one ould hare… in hempe unbraked… ij [two] paire of brakes… iij coumbes.. Eleaven stone troughes… xv^en Ashleres [perhaps ashlar, thin slabs of cut stone]… in fowell [perhaps fowl]… foure ladders… barley threshed & unthreshed… Beanes and fitches… in haie… foure Boardes [tables, on which meals are served]… one standinge bedde, one truckle bedd [same as a trundle bed] standinge in the chamber in the nearer gallarie, w[i]th the furniture toe the said beddes belonglinge… one table & one forme [a bench] standinge in the same Chamber… one standinge bedd w[i]th a tester & one truccle bedd standinge in preston chamber, w[i]th the furniture toe the said Beddes belonginge… one table standinge upon a frame, w[i]th a carpet, belonginge toe the same, & twoe formes in the same Chamber… one standinge bedd w[i]th a tester, & one truccle bedd standinge in Manchester chamber w[i]th the furniture toe the same belonginge… [at this point, the inventory continued on a new piece of parchment or paper, and the topmost margin is ragged] one table standinge upon a frame, w[i]th a carpet theretoe belonginge & twoe formes in the same chamber… one standinge bedd w[i]thowt tester, and one truccle bed standinge in the chamber in the farther gallarie, w[i]th the furniture toe the same belonginge… one table w[i]th a carpet in the same chamber… twoe standinge beddes, & one boarde in the fishers chamber… twoe standinge beddes, & one borde in kendall chamber… twoe standinge beddes, one tester, one truccle bedd, one borde w[i]th a frame, standinge in my Lordes chamber, w[i]th the furniture toe the said beddes belonginge… one standinge bedd w[i]th a tester, one truccle bedd, ij bordes, ij carpettes, and one cheste standinge in the ^lower p[ar]lor w[i]th the furniture toe the same Beddes belonginge… one standinge bedde w[i]th a tester, one truckle bedde, one borde, one carpet, and twoe formes standinge in the higher p[ar]lor, w[i]th the furniture toe the same beddes belonginge… ij standinge beddes w[i]thowte testers, and twoe chestes, standinge in his owne chamber w[i]th the furniture toe the same beddes belonginge… ij beddes in the maidens chamber w[i]th the furniture toe the same belonginge… one standinge bedstocke, & ij chestes in my Ladies chamber, w[i]th iiij pillowes… in sheetes & other lin[n]ens… in plate [probably silver plate; this item had a value of sixteen pounds]… xv^en cutions [probably “cushions”]… xviij^en buffet stooles… iij chaires… iij tables standing upon frames in the hall… one cupborde… in seelinge… one malter & one pestill [probably a mortar and pestle]… in pewter… in brasen [brazen] candlestickes & chafinge dishes… in Potte Brasse… one skim[m]er & ij litle brasen ladles… in pann brasse… in Iron ware… ij iron grates & one litle grate… in Bacon & Beef… Couperie [cowpery] ware… in harnes

Alice was likely the mother of John, Thomas, Lawrence, Elizabeth, and Marie and/or Margaret Grice.

John Grice was less than twenty-one years old when his father wrote his will on March 27, 1583 ^CH14. John Grise was listed amongst the tenants of “The Rentalle of Warrinton due toe the Right H^o. Rob^t. Earlle of Leicester Lord Baron of the Barony of Warrington at the feast of S^t. Martin the Bishop Anno R Ren Elyzabeth the XXIX.”, a list which was dated November 10, 1587 ^MA71. The amount he was to pay to Robert, the Earl of Leicester was fifty-three shillings and six pence ^MA71. John Grice was said to have been the innkeeper after his father’s death ^BO4. John Gryce was mentioned as a tenant who lived on Bridge Street “comonlie called or knowne, by the name of the signe of the Eagle” in an indenture of sale dated February 12, 1596/7 of various properties in Warrington from Richard Williams of Blackfriars to Richard Bold and Thomas Ireland ^LA23. Richard Williams sold three properties on Bridge Street (whose tenants or occupiers were James Marshall, John Gryce, and Robert Marbury), a property on Heath Street (whose tenant was a widow named Anne Allen), a property on Church Street (which had three tenants, Richards Highefeilde, Richard Clarke, and Richard Mather), a property in Orford (occupied by John Ashton), the windmill on Warrington Heath, and other properties on this date ^LA23. This location on Bridge Street in Warrington, “the signe of the Eagle”, may have referred to the inn.

The “Copy of the Survey of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester 11 August 35 Eliz: Copied for William Beamont, Esquire” contained information about the Manor of Warrington in the survey conducted in 1593 ^MA71. In that year, Warrington had one church (“the highe Church of warrington”), and residents of Warrington, Little Sonkie, and Orforde were part of this parish and thus paid their tithe to this church ^MA71. The lord of the Manor of Warrington held two fairs annually and one market day each week, from which he had the “libertie toe take towle [toll] for horse, cowe, sheepe, swyne, hydes, corne & malt, Linnen cloth & other thinges” ^MA71. There was one malt mill within the town, one windmill on the heath, and two water mills (“called sonkie milnes”) which were in the same building or vicinity, as the water mills shared a roof ^MA71. This survey also contained a list of encroachments in Warrington, and the name “Elen Grices” was included: “Item, one Incrochment of Elen Grices, conteyninge by estimacone a p [this may have been an abbreviation for “portion”, but it is unclear what the scribe meant] of a roode lande, the rente” ^MA71.

Thomas Grice was less than twenty-one years old when his father wrote his will on March 27, 1583 ^CH14. Thomas Gryce, the son of the deceased Thomas Gryce, was mentioned as one of many legatees in the will of Thomas Pasdmeiche/Pasmuch, a chapman (peddler) of Westleigh, which was dated July 26, 1594 ^LA23. “Thomas Gryce, winholder, in Warrington” was mentioned in a twenty-one-year lease dated December 12, 1611 in which Jane, the widow of John Bolde of Northmeales, Esquire, leased all her dower properties in Northmeales and Barton to Thomas Rowe of Harthford, Chester County ^LA23. “Winholder” was perhaps meant to state “innholder”. The record indicated “lease void on payment of £48.13.4 in house of Thomas Gryce, winholder, in Warrington, and £5 to John Hyde of London, draper” and was witnessed by Robert Dawe, Ja. (probably James) Pemberton, and Hughe Rowe ^LA23. According to the “true Coppey of an oulde Register made in tyme of Mr Ashworthe parson of Warrington begininge the 29^th deaye of Meaye a^d 1591 taken by me Henrye Woderoffe Clerke of the same Parish Churche the 24^th deaye of Meaye a^d 1611”, “Thomas Grice Inkeper” was buried in the parish of Warrington on May 28, 1623 ^CH39.

The “Inventory of all the goodes Cattelles & Chattelles of Thomas Gryce late of Warrington deceased… valued the xxiijth day of June anno… 1623” was written with headings of the names of the rooms, and then listed the items that were in each room ^CH14. The first heading was “In the Newe p[ar]lour”, followed by “In the Hall”, “In the p[ar]lour above”, “In the greate Chamber”, “In the kitchin Chamb^er”, “In the Redd Chamb^er”, “In the lypp [this word is uncertain because it was written very small above a word that was struck-out, but may have been an abbreviation for “lordship’s”] Chamb^er”, “In the gallarie”, “In the… Chamber” (this document had writing on both sides, and the ink from the other side has obscured portions of words on this side, but the middle word may have stated “beare”), “In the lapwinge Chamb^er”, “In the Unicornd Chamb^er”, “In the Dragon Chamber”, “In the garrett Chamb..s” (probably “Chambers”), “In the Bruehowse & Kitchen”, “In the Butterie”, “In our ladies Chamber”, and “In the Chamber at the starehead” (this may mean the room at the top of the stairs) ^CH14.

Lawrence Grice was less than twenty-one years old when his father wrote his will on March 27, 1583 ^CH14. Laurence Gryce was called a shoemaker of Preston, Lancashire in a deed dated April 14, 1601 from Anthony Wall of Chingle Hall, his brother-in-law ^FI11. Anthony Wall granted three messuages in Whittingham, Haighton, and Preston to Laurence Gryce, Thomas Heton, Roger Langton, and Thomas Banester, “to the use of Margaret, his wife, and William, his eldest son during his minority, and to his younger sons, Thomas and John” ^FI11. “Lawrencius Gryce” was called the son of “Thome Gryce de Warrington”; Lawrencius Gryce was listed as a foreign burgess for the Roll of the Guild Merchant for the borough of Preston, Lancashire in 1622 ^AB1.

Probably a different “Lawrencius Grice” was sworn in 1622; his name and the names of his four brothers, Mandivall Grice, Thomas Grice, Rogerus Grice, and Joh’es (Johannes, or John) Grice were listed in the Roll of the Guild Merchant for the borough of Preston, Lancashire in 1622, but they were not called foreign burgesses ^AB1. It is unclear who the father of Lawrence, Mandivall, Thomas, Roger, and John Grice were. Thomas Gryce, the son of “Rogeri defunct’ ” was listed as a foreign burgess for the Roll of the Guild Merchant for the borough of Preston, Lancashire in 1642 ^AB1. This Thomas Gryce may have been the son of Roger (one of the five Grice brothers) from the previous Roll of the Guild Merchant in 1622, or perhaps he may have been one of the five brothers, and their father’s name was Roger. Thomas Gryse de Warrington was listed as a foreign burgess for the Roll of the Guild Merchant for the borough of Preston, Lancashire in 1662 ^AB1; he may have been the same Thomas Gryce who was called the son of Roger in 1642.

Marie Grice was unmarried when her father wrote his will which mentioned her on March 27, 1583 ^CH14. This person may have been the same person as Margaret Grice, who was not mentioned in her father’s will.

Elizabeth Gryse married John Hawarden at Warrington on November 14, 1574, according to the register for the Parish Church of Farnworth; the record stated “mr. John Hawarden and Elizabeth: Gryse Weare maried At Warington the xiiij th day: An[n]o 1574” ^CH37. This marriage was mentioned in a 1607 plea of the Lancaster Court lawsuit (“John Hawerden gentleman beinge brother in lawe and havinge maryed the sister of the said mgarett & beinge a very dere friende to the said Peter Werden and his said wieffe”) ^PA7. It is probable, but not certain, that she was the mother of John, Francis, Edward, Prudence, Richard, and Christian Hawarden, who were christened at the Parish Church of Farnworth ^CH37. John Hawarden was christened on March 14, 1574/5 (“John Hawarden Sone unto John Hawarden of Appelton was Baptized y^e xiiij th day: 1574”) ^CH37. Francis was christened on August 16, 1576 (“Francis Sone unto John Hawarden was Bapt: y^e xvith day”) ^CH37. There is a gap of about seven years between Francis and Edward, but this could be due to incomplete records or my inability to locate other children in these years. Edward was christened on February 27, 1583/4 (“Edward sone to John Hawarden de Appelton Bapt: ye xxvij^th”) ^CH37. Prudence was christened on January 5, 1586/7 (“Prudence daughter to John Hawarden bapt y^e vth”) ^CH37. Richard was christened on September 7, 1591 (“Ric[hard] son[n]e to John Hawarden bapt: y^e vij th daie”) ^CH37. Christian was christened on February 8, 1593/4 (“Christian daughtr to mr John Hawarden bapt y^e viij th”) ^CH37. A burial record for Elizabeth Hawarden was not located, but John Hawarden, a gentleman of Fennel Street below Widnes was buried in or at the church on February 16, 1621/2 (“Joh[ann]es Hawarden de fenellstrite infra widnes gen[erosus] sepult[us]. in Eccl[es]ia. xvi ^to die”) ^CH37. The will and wrapper for John Hawarden, a gentleman of Fenelstreet, have been included in an index for the Archdeaconry of Chester Probate Records; this probate record has a date of February 28, 1621 ^LA23. However, only the wrapper, without the will, was located ^CH14.