Description
Three typed pedigree sheets titled “EXLEY FAMILIES of YORKSHIRE”, compiled as the NZ version of the Exley pedigree. These are the pedigree sheets that Victor Exley discusses in his letters, compiled by Edith Ellen Exley and her aunt Lillian (“Aunt Lillie”) c.1941. The sheets present the family descent from Swaina de Ecclesley through to the 16th century, tracing a different route through the early generations than Victor’s published research.
Also duplicated at lower resolution in Scan_20260308.pdf (= sheet 3 duplicate) and Scan_20260308 (2).pdf (= sheet 1 duplicate).
Transcription
Sheet 1 — Scan_20260308 (3).pdf
Upper section:
- Swaina de Ecclesley at top
- Hugh de Ecclesley (liv. 1250)
- Henry of Ecclesley Hall, m. Joan daughter of Simon de Monte Alto (Maud)
- Children: Ellen de Ecclesley (liv. 1284), Robert de Ecclesley (liv. 1329)
- Note: “Ellen and Robert left their property to Richard s. of Roger, s. of Richard, s. of William de Ecclesley of Dewsbury”
- Separately: Elizabeth de Ecclesley (liv. 1277) m. Richard de Backhall; Joan
Lower section (from John liv. 1455):
- John liv. 1455
- Richard of Burton (d. prior 1501), m. Isabel
- Children: Robert Exley (d. prior 1519), Margaret Exley (liv. 1529) m. John le Clerke of Priestley
- Note: “Margaret contested her brother’s Will and threw the Estate into Chancery”
- Robert > James Exley (d. prior 1601). Note: “The above Robert left his property to his son James and Thomas Exley of Wortley”
- James’s children: Francis de Southowram (d. 1572) m. Elizabeth, widow of John Speight (d. 1578); William de Southowram (d. 1572) m. Margaret (d. 1559), 2nd m. Alice Barran 1559, issue d. 1563; Margaret (d. 1577)
- Francis de S.’s children: John (1540-61), Francis (1548-90) m. Margaret Stansfield, Alice m. Edward Souterstall 1568, Richard (d. 1539), James Exley (1540-1592) m. Sybil Oates (d. 1599)
- William de S.’s children: John (d. 1561), Edward (d. 1572), William (1580)
Sheet 2 — Scan_20260308 (4).pdf
Right-hand side of the pedigree:
- William de Ecclesley of Dewsbury
- Two sons: William liv. 1275 m. Alice daughter of William de Backhall; Richard de Ecclesley (liv. 1277)
- William’s children: John m. Ann de Copley, Margaret, Rose m. Hugh son of Thomas le Clerke of Priestley
- John > Robert > John liv. 1393 also 1420. Note: “This John also left his share in the Exley Hall property to the descendants of Roger, grandson of William de Ecclesley”
- Richard’s branch: William de Ecclesley (liv. 1284), Roger de Ecclesley (liv. 1303)
- William (1284) > Richard de Ecclesley (killed 1317) > son (name missing) > Robert of Exley Hall (liv. 1424)
- Roger (1303) > Richard de Ecclesley (liv. 1339)
- Robert of Exley Hall > Robert of Bankhouse (liv. 1456)
Also shows: John de S. (d. 1566) m. Margaret, 2nd m. Elizabeth Tonge; John (de S., m. Margaret?), 2nd m. E[lizabeth?]; Tong[e] (partially cut off on right edge)
Sheet 3 — Scan_20260308 (5).pdf
Continuation from Bankhouse line:
- Robert of Bankhouse (liv. 1456)
- James of Wortley (liv. 1481)
- Thomas Exley (liv. 1501)
- James Exley (liv. 1516)
- Thomas Exley (d. 1553) m. Pelagia (d. 1539). Note: “Last Exley owner of Bankhouse, Skircourt”
- Note: “Thomas and Pelagia were probably the parents of the following all described as ‘of Southowram’”
- Children: John de S. d. 1566 m. Margaret, 2nd m. Elizabeth Tonge 1554; John (1539, d.y.); Richard (d. 1554); William (1540)
- John de S.’s children: Agnes (1543) m. Thomas Broadley; Thomas de S. (1546) m. Sebell Palden 1576
- Thomas de S.’s children: Samuel (d.y.), Grace (1577), Alice (1579), John (1586)
Significance
These sheets present the NZ branch’s understanding of the pedigree, tracing through the Richard line (second son of William de Ecclesley of Dewsbury) rather than through the William line favoured by Victor. They also include an earlier generation (Swaina > Hugh > Henry) not present in Victor’s published work. Victor notes in his letters that “A combination of both may even be more correct.”
The key difference in paternity: Victor traces John (m. Eliz. Tonge) as son of Francis (c.1539) via the William branch. The NZ pedigree traces him as son of Thomas (d. 1553) via the Richard/Bankhouse branch. See Pedigree Connections for discussion.
See Also
- Victor Exley Pedigree Sketch — Victor’s version
- Victor Exley Letter July 1990 — Victor’s discussion of the differences
- Pedigree Connections — analysis of how both pedigrees relate