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York Peculiars Probate Collection - Parishes, townships and peculiar jurisdictions
The following list gives the names of parishes and townships that came under peculiar jurisdictions. Please note, however, that the nature of peculiar jurisdictions varied greatly, and that jurisdictions could change over time. Even if a place was a peculiar it does not mean that all probate was proved in the peculiar court - much of it may well be found in the exchequer and prerogative courts. Please also note that for many of these courts, very few records survive.
Note also that the Peculiar Jurisdiction of the Chancery Court of York (which exercised jurisdiction over beneficed clergy in the diocese and over lay people during times of archiepiscopal visitations) and Vacancy jurisdiction (exercised by the Dean and Chapter of York during the periods when the diocese was without an archbishop), could cover any area of the diocese.
Parishes, townships and peculiar jurisdictions
| A | Peculiar Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Acklam near Malton | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Acomb | Acomb |
| Airmyn | Snaith |
| Aldborough | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Allendale | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| Allerston | Court of the Dean of York |
| Allerthorpe | Court of the Dean of York |
| Alne | Alne & Tollerton |
| Ampleforth | Ampleforth |
| Anston, North | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Anston, South | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Apesthorpe, Notts. | Apesthorpe |
| Askham, Notts. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Askham Bryan | Askham Bryan |
| Asselby | Howdenshire |
| B | |
| Balne | Snaith |
| Barlby | Howdenshire |
| Barlow | Selby |
| Barmby Marsh | Howdenshire |
| Barmby Moor | Court of the Dean of York | Barnby |
| Barnby, see Barmby Moor | |
| Barnoldswick | Barnoldswick |
| Beeford | Beeford |
| Beningbrough | Newton on Ouse |
| Beverley | Beverley |
| Bielby | Court of the Dean of York |
| Bilton in Ainsty | Bilton |
| Bilton in Holderness | Beverley |
| Bingley | Crossley, Bingley, Cottingley & Pudsey |
| Bishop Wilton | Bishop Wilton |
| Blacktoft | Howdenshire |
| Bole, Notts. | Bole |
| Bolton near Pocklington | Bishop Wilton |
| Boston Spa | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Bramham | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Brandesburton | Beverley |
| Brantingham | Howdenshire |
| Brayton | Selby |
| Brotherton | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Broughton, Lancs. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Bubwith | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Burn | Selby |
| Burton Leonard | |
| Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar | |
| Burton Pidsea | Beverley |
| C | |
| Carlton | Snaith |
| Carlton Husthwaite | Husthwaite |
| Cave, South | South Cave |
| Cawood | Wistow |
| Cherry Burton | Beverley |
| Church Fenton | Fenton |
| Copmanthorpe | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Cottam | Langtoft |
| Cottingley | Crossley, Bingley, Cottingley & Pudsey |
| Cowick | Snaith |
| Crossley | Crossley, Bingley, Cottingley & Pudsey |
| D | |
| Dalton, South | Beverley |
| Dalton on Tees | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Drayton, East, Notts. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Drypool | Beverley |
| Dunnington | Dunnington |
| Dunsforth | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| E | |
| East Drayton, see Drayton, East | |
| Eastrington | Howdenshire |
| Ebberston | Court of the Dean of York |
| Ellerburn | Court of the Dean of York |
| Ellerker | Howdenshire |
| Elloughton | Wetwang |
| F | |
| Fangfoss | Court of the Dean of York |
| Fimber | Wetwang |
| Firbeck | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Foston on the Wolds | Beverley |
| Fridaythorpe | Fridaythorpe | Wetwang |
| G | |
| Gate Helmsley | Osbaldwick Beverley |
| Gateforth | Selby |
| Givendale | Court of the Dean of York | Givendale |
| Goathland | Court of the Dean of York |
| Goodmanham | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Goole | Snaith |
| Gowdall | Snaith |
| Great Driffield | Court of the Precentor of York |
| Grimston, North | Langtoft |
| Grindal | Grindal |
| H | |
| Hambleton | Selby |
| Handsworth | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Haxby (part) | Court of the Precentor of York | Strensall |
| Hayton | Court of the Dean of York |
| Heck | Snaith |
| Helperby | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Helperthorpe | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Hemingbrough | Howdenshire |
| Hensall | Snaith |
| Heslington | Ampleforth |
| Hexham | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| Holtby | Howdenshire |
| Hook | Snaith |
| Hornby | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Howden | Howdenshire |
| Husthwaite | Husthwaite |
| K | |
| Kilham | Court of the Dean of York |
| Kilnwick Percy | Court of the Dean of York |
| Kirkby Irelyth, Lancs. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Kirkby Wharfe | Wetwang |
| Knaresborough (part) | Knaresborough |
| L | |
| Laneham, Notts. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Langtoft | Langtoft |
| Laughton en le Morthen | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Laxton | Howdenshire |
| Leconfield | Beverley |
| Letwell with Gildingwells | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Leven | Beverley |
| Linton on Ouse | Linton on Ouse |
| Little Driffield | Court of the Precentor of York |
| Little Ouseburn | Court of the Precentor of York |
| Lowthorpe | Beverley |
| Luttons Ambo | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| M | |
| Mappleton | Archdeacon of the East Riding |
| Market Weighton | Weighton |
| Marsden | Marsden |
| Meltonby | Court of the Dean of York |
| Mexborough | Archdeacon of York |
| Micklefield | Fenton |
| Middleton on the Wolds | Beverley |
| Millington | Court of the Dean of York | Givendale |
| Misterton, Notts. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Monk Fryston | Wistow |
| Murton (part) | Osbaldwick | Strensall |
| N | |
| Newbald, North | North Newbald |
| Newbald, South | North Newbald |
| Newton near Pickerin | Court of the Dean of York |
| Newton on Ouse | Newton on Ouse |
| Ninebanks | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| North Anston, see Anston, North | |
| North Grimston, see Grimston, North | |
| O | |
| Osbaldwick (part) | Osbaldwick | Strensall |
| Ottringham | Beverley |
| Ousefleet | Snaith |
| P | |
| Patrington | Beverley |
| Pickering | Court of the Dean of York |
| Pocklington | Court of the Dean of York |
| Pollington | Snaith |
| Preston in Holderness | Subdean |
| Pudsey | Crossley, Bingley, Cottingley & Pudsey |
| R | |
| Ravenfield | Archdeacon of York |
| Rawcliffe | Snaith |
| Reedness | Snaith |
| Riccall | Riccall |
| Routh | Beverley |
| Ruston | Beverley |
| S | |
| St John Lee | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| St Mary Bingfield | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| St Oswald‚s | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| St Peter‚s Allenheads | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| Salton | Salton |
| Scorborough | Beverley |
| Seathwaite, Lancs. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Selby | Selby |
| Sherburn in Elmet | Fenton |
| Shiptonthorpe | Weighton |
| Sigglesthorne | Beverley |
| Silsden | Silsden |
| Skipwith | Howdenshire |
| Snaith | Snaith |
| South Anston, see Anston, South | |
| South Cave, see Cave, South | |
| South Dalton, see Dalton, South | |
| Stillington | Stillington |
| Stokeham, Notts. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Strensall | Strensall |
| Swinefleet | Snaith |
| T | |
| Temple Newsam | Temple Newsam |
| Thockerington, Northumb. | Tockerington |
| Thornton on Spalding Moor | Court of the Dean of York |
| Thorpe Salvin | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Thorpe Willoughby | Selby |
| Throapham St John | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Tollerton | Alne & Tollerton |
| Topcliffe | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Tresswell, Notts. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Tunstall | Succentor |
| U | |
| Ulleskelf | Ulleskelf | Wetwang |
| Upper Poppleton | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| W | |
| Wadworth | Wadworth |
| Wales | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Walkington | Beverley | Howdenshire |
| Warthill | Warthill |
| Wawne | Chancellorship with Laughten en le Morthen |
| Weaverthorpe | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Welwick | Beverley |
| Welton | Howdenshire |
| West Allen | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| West Stockwith, Notts. | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Wetwang | Wetwang | Beverley |
| Wharram le Street | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| Whitgift | Snaith |
| Whitley | Hexhamshire Peculiar |
| Wigginton | Alne & Tollerton |
| Wilton | Court of the Dean of York |
| Wistow | Wistow |
| Withernwick | Holme Archiepiscopi |
| Y | |
| Yapham | Court of the Dean of York |
| York, Bedern | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Andrew | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St John del Pike | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St John, Hungate | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St John, Ousebridge | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Lawrence | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Martin, Coney Street | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Mary Bishophill Junior | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Mary, Layerthorpe | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Maurice | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Michael le Belfrey | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Nicholas | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Sampson | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
| York, St Wilfrid | Dean & Chapter of York Peculiar |
Jurisdiction of the Archbishop
EXCHEQUER AND PREROGATIVE COURTS
The Exchequer court exercised probate jurisdiction in respect of layman and of unbeneficed clergymen who had goods solely in the diocese of York. Probate records of the exchequer court are arranged according to rural deanery.
Note that original wills for the archdeaconry of Nottingham were transferred to Nottinghamshire Record Office in 1972.
If a person had bona notabilia either in more than one jurisdiction within the diocese of York, or in more than one diocese in the northern province, probate was granted by the Prerogative court.
Note that during the vacancy of the see probate jurisdiction was exercised by the Dean and Chapter of York.
Dates: 1389-1858
CHANCERY COURT OF YORK
Jurisdiction: The probate and administration of the goods of beneficed clergy in the diocese of York and probate ratione vistationis belonged to the Chancery court or court of Audience of the archbishop.
Dates: 1535-1857
HEXHAMSHIRE PECULIAR
Jurisdiction: Hexham, Allendale, West Allen, St Peter's Allenheads, St Mary Bingfield, St John Lee, Ninebanks, St Oswald's, Whitley.
After the Restoration (1660) the probate business of this court was recorded in the act books of the Prerogative Court of York, and the original documents are filed with the Prerogative Court documents.
Jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter of York
PROBATE RECORDS DURING VACANCIES OF THE SEE
The dean and chapter of York exercised archiepiscopal jurisdiction during vacancies of the see. There are very few surviving records before the vacancies of the 17th century. Note that vacancy wills and bonds for 1691, 1714, 1747 and 1757 are included among the records of the Exchequer Court.
Dates: 1464-1847
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF YORK
Jurisdiction:
Yorkshire: Aldborough, Boston Spa, Bramham, Brotherton, Burton Leonard, Burton Pidsea, Copmanthorpe, Dunsforth, Helperby, Helperthorpe, Hornby, Luttons Ambo, Upper Poppleton, Weaverthorpe, Wharram le Street; in York city: Bedern, St Andrew, St John del Pike, St John Hungate, St John Ousebridge, St Lawrence, St Martin Coney Street, St Mary Bishophill Junior, St Mary Layerthorpe, St Maurice, St Michael le Belfrey, St Nicholas, St Sampson, St Wilfrid
Nottinghamshire: Askham, East Drayton, Laneham, Misterton, Stokeham, West Stockwith Lancashire: Broughton, Kirkby Irelyth, Seathwaite
Note: A few records also survive from the time the dean and chapter exercised jurisdiction in Bubwith, Dalton on Tees, Goodmanham and Topcliffe in Yorkshire, and Treswell in Nottinghamshire.
Dates: 1383-1858
Jurisdictions of the Cathedral Dignitaries and Archdeacons
COURT OF THE DEAN OF YORK
Jurisdiction Allerston, Allerthorpe, Barmby Moor, Bielby, Ebberston, Ellerburn, Fangfoss, Givendale, Goathland, Hayton, Kilham, Kilnwick Percy, Meltonby, Millington, Newton near Pickering, Pickering, Pocklington, Thornton on Spalding Moor, Wilton, Yapham.
From the 18th century the prebendal jurisdiction of Barnby (Barmby Moor) became absorbed into that of the deanery of York, and for a short period after the restoration of Charles II in 1660, the prebendary of Givendale appears to have exercised testamentary jurisdiction in Givendale and Millington, in place of the dean.
Dates: 1510-1857
COURT OF THE PRECENTOR OF YORK WITH THE PREBENDAL JURISDICTION OF DRIFFIELD ANNEXED
Jurisdiction: Great Driffield, Little Driffield, Haxby (part), Little Ouseburn
Dates: 1557-1852
COURT OF THE CHANCELLOR OF YORK WITH THE PREBENDAL JURISDICTION OF LAUGHTON EN LE MORTHEN ANNEXED
Jurisdiction: Acklam near Malton, North and South Anston, Firbeck, Handsworth, Laughton en le Morthen, Letwell with Gildingwells, Thorpe Salvin, Throapham St John, Wales, Wawne
Dates: 1548-1858
COURT OF THE SUBDEAN OF YORK
Jurisdiction: Preston in Holderness
Dates: 1559-1837
COURT OF THE SUCCENTER OF YORK
Jurisdiction: Tunstall
Dates: 1557-1838
COURT OF THE ARCHDEACON OF YORK
Jurisdiction: Mexborough, Ravenfield
Dates: 1662-1839
COURT OF THE ARCHDEACON OF THE EAST RIDING
Jurisdiction: Mappleton
Dates: 1571-1849
Jurisdiction of the dissolved treasureship of York
Note: The treasurership was surrendered to the king on 26 May 1547; obviously some of the early wills of these three peculiars belong, strictly speaking, to the still extant jurisdiction of the treasurer of York, but for the sake of convenience they have been kept with the post-1547 records of the individual peculiar courts.
PECULIAR COURT OF ACOMB
Jurisdiction: Acomb
Dates: 1456-1837
PECULIAR COURT OF ALNE AND TOLLERTON
Jurisdiction: Alne, Skelton, Tollerton, Wigginton
Note: A probate register 1545-1553 is still in the Minster Library, York.
Dates: 1458-1856
PECULIAR COURT OF BISHOP WILTON
Jurisdiction: Bishop Wilton, Bolton near Pocklington
Dates: 1531-1842
Jurisdictions of the Prebendaries of York Minster
PREBENDAL COURT OF AMPLEFORTH
Jurisdiction: Ampleforth, Heslington
Dates: 1528-1827
PREBENDAL COURT OF APESTHORPE
Jurisdiction: Apesthorpe (Nottinghamshire)
Dates: 1557-1844
PREBENDAL COURT OF BARNBY
Jurisdiction: Barmby Moor
Note: Subsequent probate jurisdiction was exercised by the dean of York and the records are to be found under the jurisdiction of the Deanery (see above).
Dates: 1610-1729
PREBENDAL COURT OF BILTON
Jurisdiction: Bilton in Ainsty
Dates: 1591-1849
PREBENDAL COURT OF BOLE
Jurisdiction Bole (Nottinghamshire)
Dates: 1546-1847
PREBENDAL COURT OF BUGTHORPE
See Court of the precentor of York above
PREBENDAL COURT OF DUNNINGTON
Jurisdiction: Dunnington
Note: Testamentary jurisdiction was apparently not exercised by later prebendaries of Dunnington and henceforth Dunnington wills are to be located in the main Exchequer court series.
Dates: 1549-1729
PREBENDAL COURT OF FENTON
Jurisdiction: Church Fenton, Micklefield, Sherburn in Elmet
Dates: 1528-1854
PREBENDAL COURT OF FRIDAYTHORPE
Jurisdiction: Fridaythorpe
Note: Probate jurisdiction in Fridaythorpe was henceforth exercised by the prebendary of Wetwang (see below).
Dates: 1593-1730
PREBENDAL COURT OF GIVENDALE
Jurisdiction Givendale, Millington
ote: Probate jurisdiction was normally exercised by the Dean of York both before and after this period (see above).
Dates: 1661-1669
PREBENDAL COURT OF GRINDAL
Jurisdiction Grindal
Note: Probate jurisdiction was not normally exercised by later prebendaries of Grindal and henceforth Grindal wills are to be located in the main Exchequer court series.
Dates: 1623-1629
PREBENDAL COURT OF HOLME ARCHIEPISCOPI
Jurisdiction: Withernwick
Dates: 1560-1836
PREBENDAL COURT OF HUSTHWAITE
Jurisdiction: Husthwaite, Carlton Husthwaite
Dates: 1633-1842
PREBENDAL COURT OF KNARESBOROUGH
Jurisdiction: Knaresborough (part)
Note: The prebendary of Knaresborough anciently exercised probate jurisdiction over some parts of the town of Knaresborough.
Dates: 1546, 1560. Please note there are only two items in this collection.
PREBENDAL COURT OF LANGTOFT
Jurisdiction: Langtoft, Cottam, North Grimston
Dates: 1520-1845
PREBENDAL COURT OF LAUGHTON EN LE MORTHEN
see Court of the Chancellor of York above.
PREBENDAL COURT OF NORTH NEWBALD
Jurisdiction: North and South Newbald
Dates: 1496-1851
PREBENDAL COURT OF OSBALDWICK
Jurisdiction: Osbaldwick (part), Gate Helmsley, Murton (part)
Dates: 1549-1827
PREBENDAL COURT OF RICCALL
Jurisdiction: Riccall
Dates: 1549-1833
PREBENDAL COURT OF STILLINGTON
Jurisdiction: Stillington
Dates: 1515-1843
PREBENDAL COURT OF STRENSALL
Jurisdiction: Strensall, Haxby (part), Murton (part), Osbaldwick (part)
Dates: 1528-1852
PREBENDAL COURT OF TOCKERINGTON
Jurisdiction: Thockrington (Northumberland)
Dates: 1741-1744
PREBENDAL COURT OF ULLESKELF
Jurisdiction: Ulleskelf
Note: Probate jurisdiction in Ulleskelf was also exercised by the prebendary of Wetwang.
Dates: 1612-1751
PREBENDAL COURT OF WARTHILL
Jurisdiction: Warthill
Dates: 1548-1837
PREBENDAL COURT OF WEIGHTON
Jurisdiction: Market Weighton, Shiptonthorpe
Dates: 1502-1858
PREBENDAL COURT OF WETWANG
Jurisdiction: Wetwang, Elloughton, Fimber, Fridaythorpe, Kirkby Wharfe, Ulleskelf
Note: see also Prebendal Court of Fridaythorpe; Prebendal Court of Ulleskelf above.
Dates: 1559-1850
PREBENDAL COURT OF WISTOW
Jurisdiction: Wistow, Cawood, Monk Fryston
Dates: 1558-1842
Jurisdiction of dissolved prebends
PECULIAR COURT OF SOUTH CAVE
Jurisdiction: South Cave
Dates: 1558-1843
PECULIAR COURT OF SALTON
Jurisdiction: Salton
Dates: 1531-1826
PECULIAR COURT OF WADWORTH
Jurisdiction: Wadworth.
This peculiar jurisdiction was formerly part of the prebend of South Cave.
Dates: 1639-1819
Other Ecclesiastical and Lay Jurisdictions
MANORIAL COURT OF ASKHAM BRYAN
Jurisdiction: Askham Bryan
Dates: 1715-1799
MANORIAL COURT OF BARNOLDSWICK
Jurisdiction: Barnoldswick
Dates: 1660-1794 (note that these are mainly inventories)
MANORIAL COURT OF BEEFORD
Jurisdiction: Beeford
Dates: 1561-1768
PECULIAR COURT OF THE PROVOST OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF ST JOHN, BEVERLEY
Dates: 1539-1552, 1555
MANORIAL COURT OF CROSSLEY, BINGLEY, COTTINGLEY AND PUDSEY
Jurisdiction: Crossley, Bingley, Cottingley, Pudsey
Dates: 1585-1804
PECULIAR COURT OF THE DEAN AND CHAPTER (FORMERLY PRIOR AND CONVENT) OF DURHAM WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF HOWDEN AND HOWDENSHIRE
Jurisdiction: Howden, Asselby, Barlby, Barmby Marsh, Blacktoft, Brantingham, Eastrington, Ellerker, Hemingbrough, Holtby, Laxton, Skipwith, Walkington, Welton
Dates: 1521-1857
MANORIAL COURT OF LINTON ON OUSE
Jurisdiction: Linton on Ouse
Dates: 1710-1735
MANORIAL COURT OF MARSDEN
Jurisdiction: Marsden
Dates: 1655-1855
MANORIAL COURT OF NEWTON ON OUSE WITH BENINGBROUGH
Jurisdiction: Newton on Ouse, Beningbrough
Dates: 1614-1812.
PECULIAR COURT OF SELBY
Jurisdiction: Selby, Barlow, Brayton, Burn, Gateforth, Hambleton, Thorpe Willoughby
Dates: 1555-1858
MANORIAL COURT OF SILSDEN
Jurisdiction: Silsden
Dates: 1588-1809
PECULIAR COURT OF SNAITH
Jurisdiction: Snaith, Airmyn, Balne, Carlton, Cowick, Goole, Gowdall, Heck, Hensall, Hook, Ousefleet, Pollington, Rawcliffe, Reedness, Swinefleet, Whitgift
Dates: 1568-1858
MANORIAL COURT OF TEMPLE NEWSAM
Jurisdiction: Temple Newsam
Dates: 1612-1701