Description
Published article in Old West Riding, Vol. 3, No. 2, Winter 1983, pp. 32-33. Local History Publications. The most comprehensive single source for Exley genealogy, covering the family from its single origin at Ecclesfield in the 13th century through to the 19th century.
Transcription
Victor traces the family from its single origin at Exley, Southowram. John Lister, the Halifax historian, tells how William de Dewsbury, who held a capital messuage and land in Dewsbury, came to Ecclesley, Southowram c.1245 to farm 200 acres on the southern slope of Beacon Hill. His son William de Ecclesley became the first bearer of the family name (1).
Key dates and facts from the article:
- c.1245: William de Dewsbury settles at Ecclesley, Southowram
- 1270s: William de Ecclesley, first to bear the family name
- 1341: Manor Court Rolls of Bradford record a distraint against Robert de Eckeslay
- 1346: Robert mentioned with other heirs of Morton
- 1379: Poll Tax shows only Exleys in West Riding were Robert de Eghisley (Franklin) at East Keswick, Robertus and Richardus Eghisley at nearby Garforth, and John Ecclesley and wife at Southowram — only three families
- 1379: Henry, Robert and their progeny established the Manor of Exley of 130 acres at Echisley, Keighley (Exley Head). Manor sold in 1572 to John Paslew (2)
- After 1346: No reference to family at Keighley until 1513 Muster Roll for “Thomas Exley, archer, Flodden Field”
- 1544: Thomas Exslay living in Morton
- 15th century: Family spread to Calderdale, Airedale, and Wharfedale
- 1460: Family had branches at Skirsote, Bankhouse (not Barkisland/Bailey Hall as NZ version states), and Exley Hall
- 1469: Robert of Southowram received a royal pardon (7)
- 1468: Eight years later, Robert of Ouzan (Robert of Exley Hall) indicted for treason
- 17th century: Family leased land in Skircote, Elland, Stainland, Hipperholme and Shelf
- The Halifax parish registers of 1588 record a marriage important for connecting the Rawdon branch: Robert Exley married Mary Lister. Robert was the predecessor of the Rawdon Exleys.
- Robert’s eldest son was named Edmund and Jane (nee Ellis) who married at Kildwick in 1629
- By 1569 family moved westward to Calderside and Wadley
- By end of century, found at Birstall at Liverpool Hall, Dewsbury; York; at Narro Springs on Egton by Lye in Wakefield; and at Robin Hood’s Bay on the East Coast
- 18th century: Consolidated in other West Riding locations including Emley, East Ardsley, Hartishead, Barnsley, Frickley, Gildersome, and Castleford
- In the early 19th century they emigrated to Canada and the USA
- Two American Exley families: one in Delaware where Wakefield ancestor went to Philadelphia, and the other in San Clemente whose Heckmondwike ancestor went to California. Both emigrated in the 1820s.
References cited
- J. Lister, “Exley Hall, Southowram”, Transactions of the Halifax Antiquarian Society, 1914, p. 112
- “The Last Exleys of Exley”, Bradford Antiquary, Vol. 5, p. 101
- ibid. p. 102
- Will of Edmund Exley, 1637, Yeoman, Haigh-in-Thornton
- Exley PM, Borthwick Institute, York
- S. Lister, op. cit. p. 83
- S. & P. 118, Pub Rec. Office, London
- Settlement dated 1650 in West Yorkshire Deeds, Wakefield
- Ripley Papers, County Record Office, Wakefield
- ibid
Extracted Claims
- All Exleys worldwide originate from one family at Exley Hall, Southowram, c.1245 — Victor Exley states this definitively
- William de Dewsbury (c.1245) settled at Ecclesley, Southowram c.1245
- William de Ecclesley (c.1270) was first bearer of the family name
- Robert Exley (c.1450) of Southowram received a royal pardon in 1469
- Robert Exley of Halifax (d.1647) married Mary Lister in 1588 (Halifax parish register)
- Family had spread to Rawdon, Bradford, and beyond by the 17th century