The Hilileighs of Clifton (Part 6) John Hilileigh b 1698

John was the son of Thomas Hilileigh - see the last post.

He was baptised in St Michael's Church, Spurriergate, York on 15th December 1698. 

There are a number of records referring to John, the last of which is dated 2nd February 1743. However, there is no record of either a marriage or a burial for him, and no records for anyone with the surname Hilileigh (or similar) after 1743.

John Hilileigh's name appears on the UK Register of Duties paid for Apprentices' Indentures. The Register shows the money received for the payment of taxes for an apprentice’s indenture between 1710-1811. The registers kept track of the money paid by masters of a trade to have an apprentice. John is referred to as a 'Milliner', 'Merchant' or 'Mercer'.

A view of York in the late 18th century. Licence obtained

John was listed as a Subscriber to 'Eboracum: or, the History and Antiquities of the City of York, from its original to the present time. Together with the history of the Cathedral Church and the lives of the Archbishops'. He was also listed on the Register of the Freemen of York.

There is an entry for John in 'The Company of Merchant Adventurers in the City of York: Register of Admissions 1581-1835'. It shows that he was a milliner/mercer, apprenticed for 8 years to Samuel Colston of York, merchant, in April 1716 aged 16 years, admitted in February 1725/6 by indenture, and elected warden 1736-8.

We must assume that this Hilileigh family died out with John - a family with its origins in Sowerby which moved to Clifton at the end of the 1300s, a family that became prominent in the village with members who were important landowners in the area.

The Hilileighs of Clifton (Part 5) Thomas Hilileigh 1671-1702

Thomas was the son of Thomas Hilileigh who featured in the last post. He was baptised in St Peter's Church, Hartshead on 31st May 1671.

Thomas married Jane Thomlinson on 16th November 1687 in York Minster. They were recorded as being 'both of Yorke', so at some point before then Thomas must have moved from Clifton to York. 

The couple had children Judith (b 1692), Jane (b 1694), Robert (b 1696) and John (b 1698). 

The West Yorkshire Archives hold a number of records which mention Thomas, including the following:

Deed of assignment by the Commissioners appointed in the bankruptcy of Thomas Hilileigh, late of the City of York, haberdasher, of his real and personal property to Laurence Tomlinson, of York. The real property is in Clifton. With schedule of personal effects and of debts due to the estate.

(12th August 1703)

This indicates that Thomas died some time before August 1703.

Thomas's daughter Judith married Robert Jeeb in 1716 but she died just 2 years later along with her daughter Jane. Judith and Jane, and Judith's brother Robert were buried at All Saints Church, Pavement, York and the plaque in the church to commemorate them is shown below.

Thomas's wife Jane died intestate, and on 26th December 1719, administration of her effects was granted to her son John Hilileigh.

The entry of Jane's burial in the Register of All Saints, Pavement, York is:

December 4th 1719 - Mrs Jane Hilileigh, Widow, buried under the great blew stone in the north Quire, over against ye Quire Door and under the North side of the stone, close to Mrs Judith Jeeb, her daughter, & upon Mrs Thomlinson, her mother.

Other records in the Archives describe various land and property transactions in which Thomas was involved. He was admitted to the Freedom of the city of York.