CRICH PARISH

which consists of the villages of Crich, Fritchley and Whatstandwell.

John Claye – Lord of the Manor

John Clay of Crich originated from Glapwell although someone in the past has mistakenly read Glapwell as Chapell (probably from difficult handwriting) and has led to some unintentionally as in the featured "A Tale of Crich" to give misleading information as to the origin of John Clay's ancestors.
I have done over thirty years study on this family and all the archives at various County Record Offices and The National Archives at Kew give this man and his ancestors origin as Glapwell, there were no Clay`s at Chapel-en-le-Frith.

David Clay

 


From "A Tale of Crich" Chapter 2 by Dr Geoffrey Dawes

John Claye (whose grandfather John came from Chapel-en-le Frith and had also lived in Crich) built a Manor house next to the Northwest corner of the churchyard. In 1597, John Claye (then said to be ' of Wakebridge') was one of the gentleman of Derbyshire who was 'requested' to make a 'loan' to the Crown. These loans were requested from Counties by the Privy Council acting on behalf of Elizabeth. The Earl of Shrewsbury delegated the job of collecting the money from Derbyshire to John Manners and on an earlier occasion in 1589 he had written to John Manners (his brother-in-law) to say that he was "troubled to hear of slackness of those gentleman who ought to be most favoured to do the Queen's pleasure" - and he recommended that new 'privy seals' be delivered to those in arrear and warning them of the need to make payment by an early date. The 'privy seal' was the official document demanding the particular share of the 'loan' assigned to a particular person, sealed with the royal privy-seal, and sent down to their local agent in the provinces by the Council. John Manners was beset with requests from many of those to whom privy-seals had been addressed - one such being John Claye. Later that year (1589) the Earl of Shrewsbury was informed from the Court that "sums of £50 imposed under a Privy Seal on John Claye of Crich be reduced to £25 - as they have large families and are in debt". Building the Manor House and buying the tithes from Anthony Babington must have upset Clayes 'cash-flow'.

In 1606 there is, in the Talbot Papers, a record of an examination of one John Dakin concerning a report that John Claye of Crich, Gentleman, had made certain slanderous speeches accusing the Earl of Shrewsbury of being forewarned of the Gunpowder Plot and of absenting himself from Parliament "under cover of his happy gout".

Claye had three daughters Susanna, Mary and Elizabeth on whom, in 1612, he settled his estates: he lived until 1632. Each of Claye's daughters married. Susannah married Robert Clark of Mansfield, and Mary, Timothy Pusey of Selston. The third daughter Elizabeth married Sir William Willoughby of Wollaton Hall in Nottingham. (An earlier Sir William Willoughby had married Alice, the daughter of Richard Curzon of Kedleston in the mid-15th Century)."


The Examination of John Dakin, 8th January 1605/06,
touching certain slanderous speeches
used by John Clay of Crich, gentleman,
concerning the Gunpowder Plot

from
Lambeth Palace Library
Ref: Talbot Papers MS 3203 Folio 380

Transcribed by Dr Alan Wilcockson

Synopsis
The examination of John Dakin, 8th January [1605/06], touching certain slanderous speeches used by John Clay of Crich, gentleman, accusing the Earl of Shrewsbury of being forewarned of the Gunpowder Plot and of absenting himself from Parliament 'under colour of his happy gout'; of having created Sir John Harpur, a man devoted to him, a deputy lieutenant of the county just before; and of conniving at the absence from Parliament of Sir John Harpur, a knight of the shire, and from London of Sir Charles Cavendish, annotated by the seventh Earl. Address in seventh Earl's hand

Speeches spoken by Mr John Clay of Crich in the county of Derbye
gent upon the eighth daie of January beinge Wednesday at
his house in Crich aforesaid to me John Dakin in the presence
of Thomas Williamson of Wakebridge & others.
Imprimis that he thought that there were certaine other personage of g***
honor (who were not yet imblasoned) in the accon of this late intended ****
And that he thought that some of the greatest men of this sheire above s***
Could thereof very hardly free them selves
Item that the Lord of S with some of his greatest familiars had recea(ved)
An advertisement (out of the loue that the papiste bore unto him) so that
Under collor of his happie goute, cloakinge his not apparance at the
Parliament houses neither him self nor any other his favorites of acco**
Within the foresaid county should have byn by the said treason endamaged
Item he absolutely and dyvers times (in scoffinge mann(er)) said that
Foresaid Lord meant not to have youe to London till the Scribbes of
Peacsie had byn blowne up.
Item that the presumtions were greate and many
First that the aforesaid Lord by virtue of his proxi att*r*eated not his ***
To some other noble man that would have byn present at the said Parliament
Secondlie that the said Lord hath created Sir John Harper knight
who is a man wholly devoted to the said Lord bodie and soule Lieuetenant
For the said county of Derbie a little before the instance or beginning
Of the said parliament
Lastly that the said Sir John Harper absented him
Self from the Parliament house at that season beinge one of the
Elected knights for the county
Item quoth he (in rejoycinge manner) they meant to have had a
Parliament of theire owne hereafter
Item he marvelled why Sir Charles Cavendish knight did not
Goe up to London with the aforesaid Lord, but returned at Leicester
And did f*ske with them as he was want to doe.
Item (quoth he) I remember that when the said Lord was made a
Privie counsellor, there was great postinge downe into the countrie
To declare the same, but nowe all meanes are studied to conceale
Or dissemble this matter
Item to conclude he affirmed that heretofore never any of the Lord
T. were attainted of Treason
Whereupon I the said J(ohn): D(eakin): replied, I marvell how this can be so,
For as***ch as I heare that a commission is nowe a sittinge or newlie
Sitton betweene the said Lord and the Lady dowager his mother in la**
And that my father mr Richard Dakin is one of the commissioners
To the wrh he againe answered that the Lord of Northumberland doth
Proceede still in buildinge of his house at Sion, notwithstandinge his
Imprisonment.
Nowe the said Tho: W(illiamson): although he did not confirme the said speeches, y**
He seemed to rejoyce at this newes and spoke certaine
Speeces somewhat tending to the disgrace rather then to the honor
The said Lord of S(hrewsbury), but yet of no great amount or note

Written vertically in the margin
He sayeth further ** a f***cheman was x***** & ***de all this, though he dothe and p***th understand ………...(remaining line unreadable)


Land Assessment 1604

Fragments of a subsidy list for Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, 12pp.
Address by seventh Earl:
'This was the last sessment and loane yt was in Queen. Elizabethe's tyme, July 1604'.

From
Lambeth Palace Library
Ref: Talbot Papers MS 3204, Morleyston on Folio 432

Transcribed by Dr Alan Wilcockson

Hundred de Morleyston

Red text shows words or letters of which I am not convinced.

Place

Person

£

s

d

Codnor & Heynor

Sir John Zouche in Landes

26

13

4

Crich

John Clay gent in Landes

5

0

0

Denby

Pattrick Lowe Esquire in Landes

5

0

0

Egginton

Henrye Lege Esquire in Landes

12

0

0

Elvaston

Sir John Stanhope Knight in Landes

30

0

0

Litleover

Richard Harpur Esquire in Landes

5

0

0

Markton & Alstrie

Edward Mandy Esquire in Landes

10

0

0

Ditto

John Bullock Esquire in Landes

10

0

0

Morley et Smalley

Henry Sachenell Esquire in Landes

26

13

4

Risley

Sir John Willoughbie Knight in Landes

20

0

0

West Hallam

Thomas Powtreall Esquire in Landes

7

0

0

Ditto

Cassaner Powtreall  Walblve in Lands

5

0

0


On the Claye memorial beside the altar is written:

"Here lieth John Claye, Gentleman and Mary whom he first did wive,
With her he lived near eight years space, in which God gave them children five.
Daughter of William Caulton Esq. who was unto that King of fame,
Henry 8th, Chief Cock Matcher and servent of his Hawkes by name.
And as she had a former match, Charnell of Swarkestone in Leicestershire,
So she deceast, this Claye did take the widow of German Pole Esq.
Daughter of Edward who was son to Sir J. Ferrers of Tamworth, Kt.
She lies entombed in this Church with her by whom he first was plight.
So now this Claye is closed in Claye, the fairest flesh doth fade like grass:
He had one sister who unto Stuffyn of Shirebrook married was.
For death doth give an end to all, and now this Claye shall rest therein.
All claye to claye shall come at last, by death the due reward of sinne.
Thou death, his death, Thy death is he whose soul doth rest with Christ for aye.
The sting of death can no one flee, the greatest Monarchs are but claye."

Memorial to John Clay and his family


John Clay married twice. Firstly to Mary then to Margaret the widow of German Pole. Oddly when Margaret died she was interred with her first husband and their tomb is to the left of the altar.

Margaret Claye's memorial


On a tablet in the church is written:

"Soules they are made of Heavenly spirit: From whence they come ye heavens inherite:
But know the bodyes made of claye: Death will denounce by night or day:
Yett is he, as hee was I lay: Ye livinge and dead remaineth Claye:
His very name that nature gave: Is now as shall be in his grave:
Tymes doth teach experience tryes: That Claye to dust the wind up dryes:
Then this a wonder corrupt we must: That want of winde should make Claye dust."

Tablet and verse to the Claye family


Claye's Barn

photo of Claye's barn

Claye's Barn is at the end of the main path through the churchyard

In 1667 Squire Claye's Barn was the setting for a moving story of Quaker suffering. This tale has passed into Quaker history. Read the full account.

Squire Claye's Barn


The Inventory of John Clay of Crich.1633. 
(Lichfield Record Office Ref.-B/C11).  
Transcript by David Clay.

A true and perfect Inventory of all the goods,cattles and personall estate of John Clay late of Crich in the County of Derby.Gentleman, taken,served and praysed the 11th day of June in the year of his majesties reign Charles by the grace of God of England,Scotland,France and Ireland being defender of the faith and the neenth annoys dom.1633 by Robert Clarke, Richard Pickard, George Taylor, Robert Wilcokson and Richard Archer as followeth.-

His purse,girdell and apparell. - £10.

In the Hall. One table and frame,one little table and frame,two buffet frames, two buffet stools,one sealed chair,four sacks of harnes,two haulberts,two pikes,one forest bill,five brown bills,four leaden mantles,one private armour complete with other old armour with head pieces,one window curtayne and curtayne rod,one pair of playing tables,one little salt box,one land iron,one fire shovel,two pair of tongs,one gallow tree,two hooks,three toasting irons and two salt barrels. - value.- £4-16s-10d.

In the Dining Parlour. One table with frame,six buffet stools,two carpets,two livery cupboards,three buffet stools,four old carpets.-value 14 shillings.
One pair of sirginalles and a frame,two sealed chairs with buttons in them,one perese cupboard with a darning edging -value £3-6s-8d.
Four window curtaynes with rods,twelve cushions,two brushes,one pair of candle snuffers.- value 24 shillings and 4 pence.

In the Little Room under the Chamber Stairs. One serges barrel, two glass bottles,twiggen bottle,pair of brassways,two saddle girthes,three candle poppets. - value.- 5 shillings and 6pence.

In Mrs Stuffins Parlour. One sealed bed and a trundell bed,one feather bed,one mattress,one blanket,two coverlies,one pillow,one boulster,prese cupboard, little table with a frame, two turned chairs, curtayne with a year rod.- value £4-16s-6d.

In the Parlour next unto Mrs Stuffins. Two old bed seads,two mattresses,two blankets,four old coverlies,two boulsters,two spinning wheels,one clothes stool. - value -13 shillings and 4pence.

In the Parlour over the Cellar. One sealed bed and one trundell bed,two feather beds,matteress,three boulsters,five blankets,little table and a frame,a little carpet, four curtayne rods,one press,one trunk,two chests,one handyarn,one mantle screen,one crossbow,one pair of garden shears.- value - £6-13s-4d.

In the Chamber over the Hall. One sealed bed,one trundell bed,three feather beds, three blankets,one mattress,one bed covering,two boulsters, four pillows,seven curtaynes, and five curtayne rods,two turned chairs,two chests,one little table and frame,a covering and a basin.- value.- £7-16s-8d.

In the Starching Chamber. One sealed bed and one trundell bed,three feather beds,one mattress,three boulsters,one pillow,,six blankets,one bed covering,five curtaynes,three curtayne rods,one little cupboard and a covering,one chest,one napkine press,one turned chair,one buffet stool,ten slippings of yarn and one warming pan. - value.-£10-10s.

In the Stairhead Chamber. One feather bed,one trundell bed,one feather bed and a boulster,two blankets,two bed coverings,one pillow,one chair,a cushion,one clothes stool,a writing desk, in the the featherhouse one old bit and some ferne feathers.- value.- £2-8s-2d.

Under the Stairhead Chamber Stairs. Three iron maulles and a goosflock. - value.- 5 shillings.

In the Kitchen. One pair of racks,one pair of cubbords,one fire shovel and a pair of tongues,two gallow hooks,three dripping pans,six spits,one grid iron,five brass pots,three skellets,four kettles,two brass pans,one brassen morter and a pestell,one skimer,three basting laddels,one beef fork,one cleever,two chopping knives,one bread grater,five kits,two frying pans,one iron chaffing dish,one toasting hook,three pair of pot hooks,two brass candlesticks,one dish cradle, one little cupboard,one pair of butter wayes,one pigeon,one bowl,one form,five inche boards,one pair of bellows and one mustard ball. - value -£15.

In the Boulting Howse. One cilefate and a cowler,one kimmell,one stick,one peck,one half peck,one quarterine,four wooden bottles,two looms,one tressel,one lantern,one temse,one barrel and one tandish.- value.- £2-6s-8d.

In the Back Howse. Four brewing vessels,one dresser,two tubs,one brandy arm,a surgon,one peule and a cowler ark.- value.- £1-11s-4d.

In the Larder. One flesh axe,five shelves,one kimnell,two powthering tubs,one kit and one peabowl. - value. - 10 shillings.

In the Chamber over the Larder. One great chest,two window sheets,four sacks,one bag,two cheese fats,one hopper,six sives,one shovel,one tub,one old cane.- value.- 16 shillings.

In the Cheese Chamber. One great chest,one straw basket,two cheesefats,cheese board,one bowl,two penbowls,one cheese forme,three cheese boards and one hoope.- value .- 7 shillings.

In the Chamber over the Back Howse. One old kimwell,one old spinning wheel,one pair of woolwares. - value.- 3s-4d.

In the Corn Chamber. Two quarters of barley malt,thirty one strikes of dried malt ready ground,three strikes of wheat, two quarters of brewarme,six strikes and a half of barley and some other kind,one strike and a half of payes.- value.-£11-7shillings.

In the Little Court Yard. One still. - value - 5 shillings.

In the Cellar and Inner Cellar. Five barrels,one loom,four barrels,five silver bowls,twenty two silver spoons,one silver and gilt salter,one safe,one chest,one glass cane,two taptubs,three wine bottles,two pewter flaggons,three salters,one kimnell,one table basket,one dresser,four wooden games,three black pots, seven dozen and a half of trenchers and six glasses.-value.- £20-12s-8d.

In the Pewter Chamber. One chest,two sheeffes,one reel,one pound of toe,eight pewter candlesticks,two voyders,two basins and a vase,six chamber pots,six pewter plates,six saucers,forty five pewter dishes,two pewter plates and one puddinger. - value.- £3-8s-6d.

In the Churchyard Chamber. One sealed bed,one trundell bed,three feather beds,two boulsters,three pillows,one mattress,three blankets,one coverlie,one rug,eight curtaynes,,three curtayne rods, two little tables with frames,two carpets,two chairs, three cushions,one pair of tongues,one fire shovel,one buffett stool, two window curtaynes,two curtayne rods and one looking glass. - value - £9-4s-8d.

In the Dairy. One cheese press,one chest and six butter pots,three brass pans, three cheese fats,seven shelfs,two tressells,four ponscions,one stool,one churn,five leaden weights.- value- 19 shillings and 6 pence.

In the Mylne. (Mine). One pair of horse rayns and one ox pair,one iron chisel,three mylne pickes.- value- 15shillings and 4 pence.

In the Swine Yard. Nine swine, six pigs, five stone trowes and one wooden trowe. - value - £6-10shillings.

In the Coal Howse. Three loads of coals. - value.- 6 shillings and eight pence.

In the Stable. Three saddles,one horse cloth,four bridles,one shrowde,one lantern,two plowes,four pair of saddles,six sursingles,four wantuns, one bill, two shovels and two pitch forks.- value.- 31 shillings.

In the Corn Barn. One horse harrowe,one rack,one shack fork,one shovel and two pickforks.- value.- 4 shillings.
---In the same Barn.-One pair of horse fours,four water barrels,one scoop, one tandish, two short ladders,one stone trough,one three pronged fork.- value.- 10 shillings and eight pence.

In the Coal Howse Chamber. One bedstead, one chaffe bed,two boulsters,two blankets, two coverlies, four shearing hooks,one chest,one axe with other iron hatchets.- value.- 12 shillings.

In the Cow Howse. One swine trowe, eleven cow sules.- value.- 12d.

In the Work Howse and the Chamber. Two great chests,one steepfate and one stone trowe, horseware,  yoake,one iron team,two  wayne nathes,two framing sawes,one great wymble,one axle tree,six bunches of whyte and barbes gerthes,one barrel,one hand saw,two muck hooks,one plowe buck,a laund,one loge with and ten oxe bowes.-value - £2-19s-2d.

In the Fule Yard. Two stone trewes, one sleade, one wayne side,800 wood bids,one wheel barrow and some manure. - value.- £2-1s-6d.

In the Green Yard. Three culmes and one little stone trewe.- value.- 34 shillings and 4 pence.

In the Kilne. One pair cloaths.- Value.- 3 shillings and 4d.

In the Hen Howse. Three turkeys,two ducks, three ducklings, two cocks, seven hens,four cappons.- value.- 10 shillings.

In the Grounds. Four mares, two colts, six oxen, eight cows,one bull, two heifers, three stears, fifty two old sheep and fourteen lambs. - value.- £80-16s-8d.

In the Goose Howse. Some plowe twirles. - value. 12d.

In The Edge Barn. Two old waynes, four yoakes,three iron teams, one pair of clivis,one ladder and one horse harness, two piche markes,one piche pane,two plowes,one pair of plowe yoakes,one wayne rope. - value.- £4-5s-4d. One wayne,one stone trewe and one sleade. - value.- 36 shillings.

In the Hall Chamber in a chest. Twelve pair of flaxon sheets, six pair of midling sheets,five pair of canvas sheets, ten table clothes, two dozen of napkins, six towels. - value.- £8-0s-12d.

Corn Sown. In the Super Breache eleven strikes of wheate and clen corn in the Middle Breache,two quarter of oates in the Neather Chappell Field, three strikes of oates and one strike of payes and in the Tymeflate ten strikes of barley.- value.- £11-14 shillings.

                                                      Sum Total. - £246 -19s - 8d.

Further information to be found on David Clay's website: clayofderbyshire

 


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