Elizabeth Ledson s parents were Thomas Rymer of North Meols (1697/8 1764) and his wife Ellen Roscowe (died 1781).

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1 RIMMER of NORTH MEOLS & BICKERSTAFFE On 20 December 1816 at Ormskirk in south-west Lancashire, Henry Ledson, yeoman of Melling (Halsall parish, south-west Lancashire) married Elizabeth Rymer, then of Bickerstaffe (Ormskirk parish), but formerly of the coastal parish of North Meols, a coastal parish adjacent to Ormskirk. 1 Elizabeth s descent can be traced through four/six generations to a Rimmer/Rymer family of Row Lane/Rowe/New Rowe and Little London, two hamlets in North Meols. Elizabeth can also be traced through her grandmother Elizabeth Rimmer to a completely separate Rimmer line in Ainsdale (adjacent to North Meols) in the chapelry of Formby (Walton): that descent is dealt with in another file. 2 Elizabeth Ledson s parents were Thomas Rymer of North Meols (1697/8 1764) and his wife Ellen Roscowe (died 1781). Thomas Rymer s father was John Rymer of Rowe (North Meols) (fl and 1736). John Rymer s father was probably Thomas Rymer of New Rowe (? ). Thomas Rymer s father may have been Robert Rymer of Rowe (fl and 1643). BEGINNINGS The name Rymer is an occupational one meaning rhymer or poet and became particularly common in south-west Lancashire from an early period: in Formby and North Meols its occurrence was frequent to an extraordinary degree: it has been noted, for example that by 1666 the hearth tax returns show that nearly half the population of Birkdale were Rimmers! 3 This frequency led to nicknames being added to the name to make identification possible. The spellings Rymer/Rimer/Rimmer and Rimmer were all absolutely interchangeble and the variations are not to be seen as significant in any way. As elsewhere in this work the surname has usually been spelled according to the variation used in the source being quoted. 4 Those paying towards subsidies in the sixteenth century included Perys and James Rymer (North Meols, 1523/4) 5 North Meols tenant farmers c included Thomas Rymer of Blowyke (5s 6d) and of Crossens (16s 8d); and William Rymer (3s). 6 Depositions taken at Birkdale in in a boundary dispute included those of Richard Rymer of Egregarthe (87, tenant to Henry Halsall and Lawrence Ireland), whose father William had been pinder to Master Halsall and James Rymer of Birkdale (60, tenant to Henry Halsall), Nicholas and Richard of Birkdale, Thomas the elder (56) and Thomas the younger (50). 7 In 1627 William Rymer, alehousekeeper of North Meols was bound to appear at quarter sessions on a charge of harbouring and releaving of rogues and receavinge of stollen goodes. 8 The visitation of 1625 resulted in the presentation at North Meols of Richard Rymer and his supposed wife, secretly married; Thomas Rimmer, who hath had two bastards by one Rimer ; Rimer for incontinence; Cuthbert, son of Ellis Rymer, a dangerous person for seducinge of good protestantes ; and Peter Rymer and Mary his wife, suspected recusants. 9 The North Meols court roll of 1643 includes Hugh Rymer (of Churchtown, 2); John (Crossens, 2); Robert (Crossens, 2), Robert (Bankes) and Robert (New Row). 10 There were further depositions taken in 1662 from Richard Rymer of Birkdale, yeoman, aged 91 (born c. 1571) and blind; from John Rymer of Birkdale, aged c. 74 (born c. 1588); and from Thomas Rymer (also 74, a neighbour to John). 11 More depositions in 1664 came from William of Birkdale, alias Black Dick; William, c. 56 (born c. 1

2 1608) and a mariner of Liverpool; Richard of North Meols, husbandman, c. 54 (born c. 1610); Thomas of Birkdale, husbandman and tenant to Henry Blundell; Thomas of Birkdale, yeoman, c. 78 (born c. 1586); William ( Black Dicks William ), yeoman, c. 46 (born c. 1618); John of Ainsdale; John of Ainsdale, c. 54 (born c. 1610); and Dorothy of Ainsdale, widow, c. 70 (born c. 1594). 12 At the visitation of 1665 Nicholas and John Rymer as churchwardens were presented for want of a book for the accounts. 13 In 1677 the wife of Thomas Rymer was to be presented as a papist recusant. 14 In 1686 Robert Rymer, senior and junior and Thomas Rymer were among inhabitants of North Meols petitioning against hearth tax abuse. 15 New Rowe In 1602 James and Richard Rymer had tenements in New Rowe (worth 9s and 14s per annum). 16 We have seen that Robert Rimmer appears at New Row in the 1643 North Meols court roll. The 1664 North Meols hearth tax returns show John and James Rymmer at Rowe (together with Thomas and Richard at Hawes and 19 other Rimmers, 10 of them in Birkdale). 17 There was an administration and inventory of one Alice Rymer in In 1695 the house of William Rymer, senior of North Meols was approved for meetings of protestant dissenters. 19 ROBERT RIMMER Robert Rimmer of New Rowe was born perhaps c an so was married perhaps c Robert had a son Thomas Rymer, baptised on 22 April 1630, who was perhaps Thomas Rimmer of New Rowe (? ). 21 We have seen that Robert occurs at New Rowe in the 1643 court roll. Robert may have been any one of five of his name buried at North Meols from : these were Robert Rimer of Crossens (6 September 1664); Robert Rimer of the Bankes (24 November 1668); Robert Rimer younger, Bankes (9 February 1671/2); Robert Rymer (7 March 1679/80); Robert Rymer (5 May 1715). 22 THOMAS RIMMER Thomas Rimmer of New Rowe may have been the son born in 1630 to Robert Rimmer of New Rowe and was probably the father of Elizabeth Ledson s great-great grandfather John Rymer of Rowe, maltman. Thomas was married perhaps c We know from his will that Thomas had sons Robert and John and a daughter Margaret. Thomas Rimmer of New Rowe made his will in 1714/15, mentioning by name his two sons and his daughter, now wife of Nicholas Rimmer of Liverpool. The will also mentions Robert s son Thomas and John s children Thomas, John, Robert, Dorothy, Cicely, Alice and Ann. Thomas was buried at North Meols on 7 March 1714/15. JOHN RIMMER John Rimmer (great-great grandfather of Elizabeth Ledson) was born by c. 1677, probably to Thomas Rimmer of New Rowe. He was perhaps John, son of Thomas Rimmer baptised at North Meols on 10 September John was married by 12 February 1697/8 when Thomas Rymer, son of John Rymer of Ye Rowe, maltman was baptised at North Meols. A daughter of John Rymer, maltman was baptised on 26 September If John is to be identified as the son of Thomas Rimmer of New Rowe (above), we know from Thomas will that there must have been six more children: John, Robert, Dorothy, Cicely, Alice and Ann. These may have been among: Sisley, daughter of John Rymer (baptised at North Meols on 6 July 1693); John, son of John (24 December 2

3 1700); Robert, son of John (26 September 1708). [Everyone would have been affected by the great storm of 18/19 December 1720, which struck particularly hard in North Meols and Martin Mere: 47 dwellings in the area were washed downe.] 24 The 1736 Bankes map of North Meols shows John Rimmer at Rowe Lane, farming Row Hey, John at The Hawes, James at Crossens and Oliver at Banks. 25 The dates of death of John Rimmer and his wife are not known. 26 THOMAS RIMMER and ELLEN ROSCOWE Thomas Rymer was baptised on 12 February 1697/8, a son of John Rymer of Ye Rowe, maltman. It seems possible that Thomas was married by c and was the father of Helen (born c and later wife of William Boond of Meols) and of Thomas Rymer, mariner (who married Mary, born c. 1714) and was in 1746 the 56-year-old lessee of Hawes House and North End House in Birkdale. 27 One Ellen Rymer of Little London, single had a son Peter in 1737, fathered by Peter Halsall. On 4 September 1737 (at 39) Thomas Rymer [miller] married Ellen Roscowe at North Meols. Ellen was no doubt related to Margaret Roscoe of Little London, buried at North Meols on 10 February 1733/4. 28 Thomas and Ellen seem to have lived variously at Little London, 29 Rowe Lane, Haws Houses and Marshside, all in North Meols. Their elder children were Anne (born at Little London and baptised at North Meols on 9 April 1738); and John (born at Rowe Lane and baptised on 9 March 1739/40). Anne, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Rymer of Ye Rowe was buried at North Meols on 25 November There were further children James (born at Little London and baptised on 10 January 1741/2); Robert (born at London and baptised on 18 December 1743); Richard (born at Haws and baptised on 6 April 1746); Thomas (born at Haws Houses and baptised on 21 February 1747/8); William (born at Marshside and baptised on 8 July 1753); and Robert. On 27 September 1758 Thomas Rymer, yeoman of North Meols consented to the marriage of his son John (then 18½) with Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Rymer, yeoman of Aynsdale. The wedding took place by licence that day. 30 Nicholas, son of Thomas Rymer, miller was buried at North Meols on 27 April Thomas and Ellen s son Richard (born 1746) married Ellen ( ), daughter of Gilbert and Margaret Rymer. He or his descendants farmed at Underhill (Dicks) at Birkdale. 31 It is uncertain whether Thomas Rymer of Rowe Lane was one and the same as Thomas Rymer of Little London, who received the estate (amounting to about 21 ) of Ann Johnson of Little London, under her will made on 1 February 1763 and proved on 20 January 1765: Ann Johnson, widow of London was buried at North Meols on 29 August Deaths of Thomas and Ellen Rymer Thomas Rymer of Rowe Lane made his will on 25 January 1764, leaving his two estates at Rowe Lane and Marshside to his wife Ellen for her life. That at Rowe Lane (where he was then living) was then to go equally to his sons John and James; and that at Marshside equally to Richard and William. His son Robert was to receive 5. Executors were to be his wife and William Boond (perhaps his son-in-law) and the witnesses were John Boond, James Spencer and Laurence Hall. Thomas Rymer, miller of Rowe Lane died aged 65 in 1764 and was buried at North Meols on 28 January His will was proved on 6 May Among those paying land tax at Rowe in 1781 was Ellen Rymer, Peters. Ellen, wife of Thomas Rymer, Rowe Lane was buried at North Meols on 12 September

4 JOHN RYMER and ELIZABETH RYMER John Rymer was born at Rowe Lane and baptised at North Meols on 9 March 1739/40. John Rymer, yeoman married Elizabeth Rymer of Ainsdale at Formby by licence on 27 September Both were minors and married with the consent of their parents (signified by John s father Thomas and Elizabeth s father Thomas). 32 John and Elizabeth s children were Thomas, James, Margaret, Elizabeth, Ellen and Alice. Thomas was baptised at Formby on 12 August 1759, son of John Rymmer, Ainsdale. 33 Bronk House, Formby John and Elizabeth seem to have moved from Ainsdale to a leasehold at Bronk House near Formby Hall by 27 September 1761 when Ellen, daughter of John Rymmer, Bronk was baptised. The Formby call book for has John Rymer for Wickey Dale [at Bronk]-- admitted. 34 Alice daughter of John Rymmer, Bronk was baptised at Formby on 29 January James, son of John Rymmer, Brook House (sic) was baptised on 6 July 1766, but James, son of John Rymer, Brank was buried at Formby on 17 December [Another James was born later]. Ann, daughter of John Rimmer, Bronk was baptised on 11 February 1770, but was buried at Formby in [Other children born to John Rymer, Ainsdale and baptised at Formby are less likely to have been those of John and Elizabeth: these were Elizabeth (13 October 1765); Ann (15 December 1771); Jane (to John Rymer, Kattie s, 20 November 1774); William (26 May 1776); James (15 December 1776); Edward (13 April 1777); Elizabeth (22 February 1778); Jane (23 March 1779); Mary (13 February 1780). Successive Formby land tax returns from 1782 have John Rimmer, Brank: 9s 0d (occupied in 1782 by James Knowles). This becomes 9s 9d in has John Rimmer: 9s 9d and 1798/9 has John Rimmer, Brank: 9s 6d. It was however about this time that John Rimmer moved to a new farming tenancy at Upholland, in Wigan parish. On 20 April 1792 a licence was granted for the marriage of John s eldest son Thomas Rimmer of Upholland, farmer with Ann Johnson of Ormskirk. The marriage took place at Upholland. 36 In 1793 some notes on Poole s estate at Bronk and Wickey Dale in Formby spoke of part first sold to John Marow, then to John Rimmer of Ainsdale Caty s in whose possession it now is and another part first sold to John Rimmer of Formby, shopkeeper and after to John Rimmer of Ainsdale Caty s, who kept it for a few years. 37 Ann, daughter of John Rimmer, wheelwright and Elizabeth was buried at Formby in The Upholland land tax returns for 1798 show John Rimmer as a tenant of Miss Prescott (daughter of a principal landowner). 38 John Rimmer was a farmer of Upholland when he made his will in September He left his leasehold Brankhouse in Formby to his wife Elizabeth, to pass at her death to their eldest son Thomas. Elizabeth also had the right to life occupation of their farm in Upholland, held under Prescott s trustees. James, Margaret and Elizabeth received 40 each and all John s personal property was to be shared equally between them and their sisters Ellen (wife of John Meadows of Upholland, farmer) and Alice (wife of Edward Fildes of Upholland, shoemaker). [Edward Files of Upholland (6 months) was buried at Ormskirk on 3 March 1818 and Edward Files of Upholland (43) on 31 October 1822]. 4

5 Deaths of John and Elizabeth Rimmer John Rimmer, wheelwright, Upholland died at 61 and was buried at Formby on 15 October Elizabeth Rimmer, Standish died at 89 and was buried at Formby on 19 September THOMAS RIMMER and ANN JOHNSON Thomas Rimmer was baptised at Formby on 12 August 1759, son of John Rymmer, Ainsdale. On 20 April 1792 a licence was issued for the marriage at Upholland of Thomas Rimmer of Upholland, farmer and Ann Johnson of Ormskirk, spinster: both parties were over 21 and the bondsman was James Rimmer of Upholland, farmer. The marriage took place on 22 April: both parties ( of this parish ) marked and the witnesses were Luke Foster and James Rimmer. Thomas was It is clear that Thomas and Ann at first farmed Thomas father s leasehold Bronk House near Formby Hall. Their first child Hannah was baptised at Formby on 18 December 1792 and Elizabeth was baptised there on 24 March 1794, daughter of Thomas and Anne Rimmer, Bronk. The tithe map and award of 1845 was to show Old Brank House (lessee Jane Norris: occupier John Rimmer, Captain) comprising Higher Wham; Brows; Old Brank House; Orchard; Warren; W Gates; Feb Brank; White Hill; Hey; Lane; and Wickey Dale. Wickey Dale stretched right up the Ainsdale boundary on the north side. 40 The site of Old Brank House is now part of Woodvale airfield. [By 1841 there were two households at Bronk: those of Jane Norris (c. 65 and independent) and of John Rimmer (c. 45, farmer) and his wife Ann. 41 In 1851 Jane Norris was a farmer s widow, while John Rimmer was 57, born c at North Meols and farming 60 acres. A further 48 acres were being farmed by James Barton.] 42 The electoral registers of 1845 and 1848 showed John Rimmer as occupier of house and land at Bronk and Robert Rimmer at Brank Farm. 43 The 1854 directory showed John Rimmer as a farmer at Brank. 44 Bickerstaffe During the 12 months following Elizabeth s birth in 1794 Thomas and Anne Rimmer moved to Bickerstaffe, where Anne (later Nancy ) daughter of Thomas Rimmer, husbandman and Anne was born on 29 April 1795 and baptised on 24 May at Rainford. Esther was born at Bickerstaffe on 11 June 1796 and baptised at Rainford on 3 July: she died aged five in 1802 and was buried at Ormskirk on 17 May. There were further children John (baptised 31 March 1799); Richard (born 4 May 1801, baptised 31 May); James (born 7 January 1803, baptised 30 January); Esther (born 20 April 1808, baptised 15 May); and finally Thomas (born 11 January 1810, baptised 11 February). In 1798 Thomas Rimmer paid 16s 7½d land tax at Bickerstaffe as occupier of land owned by Richard Johnson. 45 In 1802 Thomas Rimmer took a lease from Lord Derby s estate of 20 acres of land at Bickerstaffe comprising: The Lane; Rye Croft; Rushy Croft; Rushy Hey; Turner Hey; Turner Croft; Pingot; Nearer and Further Three Acres; Old Moss Hey; Pit Hey; Clover Hey; Underheads; Clover Moss; Penketh s Brow; Three Nooked Moss; and Upper Brows. The lease described this as Tenement No. 155, numbered 88 on plan. 46 The fields can all be identified on the tithe map and award of 1841, when they still formed part of Thomas own tenement in the south east of the township, near the Rainford and Skelmersdale boundaries. 47 The 6 inch ordnance survey map of 1849 shows the tenement around Yew Tree House and forming much of the area of Bickerstaffe Colliery : 48 more recent maps show it as Ivy House. The life lease registers speak of a further grant on 9 September 1805 for a fine of 70; 49 and in 1808 Thomas Rimmer took a further three acres (tenement 163, also numbered 88), comprising Little, Nearer, 5

6 Big and Further Hollin Hey. This was to be held by the lives of Thomas sons John (6), Richard (4) and James (2). 50 The land tax return of 1816 (not 1794) shows Thomas with three Bickerstaffe holdings (Lord Derby s and Sanley s, both occupied by himself and taxed at 5s 11d and 9s 6d, with another piece occupied by Isaac Vorse at 8s 3d). 51 Marriage of Elizabeth Rymer and Henry Ledson On Christmas Day 1816 a licence was issued for the marriage of Elizabeth Rymer of Bickerstaffe with Henry Ledson, a yeoman of Halsall parish. The marriage took place at Ormskirk on 30 December. On 19 February 1824 a licence was granted for the marriage of Ann Rymer (Elizabeth s sister Nancy) with Henry Ledson s brother George. There was a further licence on 15 December 1827 for the marriage of Elizabeth s brother John Rimmer, farmer with Jane Rotheram: both were of Bickerstaffe. The marriage took place at Ormskirk on 21 December: both parties signed and the witnesses were Anne Rimmer and James Rimmer,?junior. Esther Rimmer later married William Stockley of Bickerstaffe. In 1831 the land tax return shows Thomas Rimmer occupying his own tenement (9d) and land under William Stanley (9s 6d) and as the owner of a further tenement occupied by John Rimmer (7s 6d) In the 1841 census Thomas Rimmer (c. 80 ) is found at Cawsey Moss with his wife Anne (c. 70 ) and their sons Richard (c. 35 ) and Thomas (c. 25 ) and daughter Anne (c. 35 ). Immediately after their farm in enumeration came Little Know, Two Barns, Big Know, Holly Fold and Penketh Hill. This all lay in that part of Bickerstaffe south and west of the Lathom, Skelmersdale and Rainford boundaries and northeast of the road which led from Ormskirk to Rainford via Stanley Gate, School Brow, the windmill and the Intake Lane. 52 James Rimmer, probably Thomas third son and perhaps already a widower, was at Barrow Nook. John does not appear to have been in Bickerstaffe in The Bickerstaffe tithe award (also 1841) seems to show a different picture. Thomas Rimmer had three holdings. He was himself the occupier of two adjacent ones around what is now Ivy House, just off the main Bickerstaffe-Rainford road. The first (of which he was leasee under Lord Derby) comprised 83 acres numbered and : these were the lands leased in 1808 (see above), together with several Moss Heys; Big, Further, Near and Middle Crofts; and New Moss. Adjacent was a 39 acre holding under W.M. Stanley numbered 1584 (Cow Hey) and (Round, Waggon, Daisy, Top West, Near West and Far West Heys; Croft; Orchard; Near and Far Stony Croft; Old Mead; and a homestead [Yew Tree House] (1595). Thomas third holding, leased from Lord Derby and occupied by John, comprised 77 acres around the present Ben Lane Farm on Intake Lane between Bickerstaffe and Rainford. These were and (homestead at 1401). In addition James Rimmer occupied and , a little further south-west around Walkden House, near Barrow Nook (leased by Edward Boyer under Lord Derby). William Stockley held 1247 and Deaths of Ann and Thomas Rimmer Nancy Ledson s husband George died at Simonswood in 1844 and was buried at Melling on 29 November, aged 52: administration was granted in Nancy lived on at Simonswood until her death in On 22 August 1844 Thomas Rimmer s son Richard died aged 43: he was buried at Ormskirk on 26 August. Thomas Rimmer s wife Ann died of natural decay at Bickerstaffe on 24 November 1845, aged 76: the death was registered by Henry Wainwright of Bickerstaffe. 53 As Hannah Rimmer she was buried at Ormskirk on 28 November. 6

7 A railway plan of c shows James Rimmer s land at Barrow Nook. The 1845 electoral register for Bickerstaffe showed Thomas Rimmer with a freehold at Higher End (tenant John Rimmer); John Rimmer, occupier of a house and 40 acres at Higher End; and Joseph Rimmer, with a house and 68 acres at Barrow Nook. 54 On 3 August 1847 Thomas Rimmer made his will, disposing of freehold and leasehold estates in Bickerstaffe and Halsall and a pew in Rainford chapel to his three sons John, James and Thomas and his daughters Anna Rimmer, Elizabeth and Nancy/Ann Ledson and Esther Stockley. Thomas Rimmer died of old age at Bickerstaffe on 31 March 1848, aged 88. The death was registered by his son-in-law William Stockley. 55 Thomas was buried in Ormskirk churchyard on 3 April, near the north west corner of the church. A memorial stone is inscribed: Thomas and Ann Rimmer s Burial Place, Bickerstaffe and also records the deaths of their daughter Esther in 1802 and son Richard in The will was proved on 26 September 1848 and by 1888 the legacy duty register noted that the bequests to Thomas sons and daughters were all under 20 and not worth following. 56 The Next Generation The 1851 census showed Thomas Rimmer junior (40) farming 48 acres at Skelmersdale Road (between Lyelake Lane and Moss Lane in enumeration) and employing six labourers. With them were his wife Elizabeth (28); their four small children; Thomas nearest surviving elder brother James (48), a widower and farm servant; and their sister Ann (58), a Formby-born annuitant. Before them in enumeration came Mill lane, Rainford road and Lyelake Lane. 57 Meanwhile Thomas brother John Rimmer (52) and his wife Jane were farming 100 acres between Intake Farm and Lodge Farm with their sons and daughters William (22); Hannah (21); and Thomas (18). In 1852/3 the Southport branch proposals for the East Lancashire Railway showed Thomas Rimmer as leassee of land at Bickerstaffe. Both Thomas and John are shown as farmers at Higher End, Bickerstaffe in the 1854 directory. 58 Esther and William Stockley (43 and 44) were among the many households at Barrow Nook farming 90 acres, with their children John (26); Thomas (18); William (16); Richard (8); Hannah (5); and James (1). The Ormskirk Advertiser announced the birth on 27 July 1860 of a son to the wife of Thomas Rimmer, High Farm, Bickerstaffe. In 1861 Thomas Rimmer (51) was farming 120 acres at High Farm, with his brother James (58): their sister Anna was in an adjacent cottage. Hannah Rimmer died on 20 November John Rimmer (62) and his wife Jane were retired at New Road, near Bickerstaffe Hall: their son Thomas (28) was at Ben Lane Farm. John Rimmer died on 24 December The 1872 electoral register shows Thomas Rimmer at Ben Lane and the Stockleys at Barrow Nook. Deaths of Elizabeth and Henry Ledson Elizabeth Ledson died at Melling on 20 April 1860 aged 66 and was buried there on 24 April: her husband Henry Ledson died at Melling on 15 October T.M. Steel (revised 20 July 2010) 7

8 Copy documents in author s collection Will of Thomas Rymer, N. Meols, 1765* Will of John Rimmer, Upholland, 1801* Will of Thomas Rimmer, Bickerstaffe, 1848* M Lic papers, Rymer & Rymer, 1758* M Lic papers, Rimmer & Johnson, 1792* Bickerstaffe census, 1841 (Thomas & Anne Rimmer)* D Cert Thos Rimmer 1848* D Cert Ann Rimmer 1845* 8

9 1 See also T.M. Steel, Ledson of Melling, See T.M. Steel, Rymer of Ainsdale, F.A. Bailey, A History of Southport (Southport, 1955), pp. 22, C.W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English & Welsh Surnames (London, 1901), p The National Archives [hereafter T.N.A.], E 179/130/84 (lay subsidy roll, W. Derby hundred, ) (copy, St Helens Lib., M/J/8) 6 From Ellen Aughton s dower assignment: P. Aughton, N. Meols & Southport: A History (Preston, 1988), p W. Farrer, A History of the Parish of N. Meols (Liverpool, 1903), pp. 101, 35 8 Lancs Record Office [hereafter L.R.O.], QSB/1.34/9 9 Farrer, N. Meols, p Aughton, N. Meols, p Farrer, N. Meols, p T.N.A., DL 4/108/10 (depositions); Farrer, N. Meols, pp Farrer, N. Meols, p. 8 & E. Bland, Annals of Southport (Manchester, 1887), pp ; Aughton, N. Meols, p Farrer, N. Meols, p L.R.O., QSP/621/30 16 Farrer, N. Meols, pp T.N.A., E 179/250/11 18 For wills, admons & invs: L.R.O., WCW/[name]/[place]/[year] 19 L.R.O., QSP/766/15 20 Rbt Rymer & Mary Jumpe were m. N. Meols 29 Jan. 1620; there were lics for Richd Rimmer of Meols & Alice Wignall of Croston at Croston (11 Feb. 1620/21); Richd & Jenet Moss of Croston, spinster at N. Meols or Formby (30 Oct. 1627); Richd & Alice Blevin of N. Meols at N. Meols or Formby (28 Sept. 1629); Richd & Ann Bond of Meols, spinster (24 Jun. 1630): the 1627 & 1629 ms are not recorded at Formby or N. Meols 21 For christenings, marriages & burials [hereafter cmbs] N. Meols to 1731: H. Brierley (ed.), The Parish Registers of N. Meols, , Lancs Parish Register Soc. [hereafter L.P.R.S.] (66), Bur. Records have not survived 23 Thos Rimmer m. Mary Rimmer, 1 May 1668 & Thos Rimer m. Iszabell Mather, 4 Feb. 1672/3, both at N. Meols 24 L.R.O., QSP/1171/9 25 Southport Lib., H. Bankes, Map of the lands in N. Meols belonging to Peter Bold of Bold, 1736, M 620; see also: Aughton, N. Meols, p There are admons for Jn Rimmer of N. Meols (1730) & 1731; an admon & inv. For Jn Rimmer of Birkdale (1743); another for Jn of Birkdale (1747); & a will for Jn Rymer of Birkdale (1755). A will of Jn Rimmer (1726) mentions his w. Jane, a (?2nd) s. Thos & ss Wm, Jn ( the brick house ) & Hugh daus Mgt & Ann 27 L.R.O., DDIn/46/ For cmbs N. Meols after 1731: F.H. Cheetham (ed.), The Parish Registers of N. Meols, , L.P.R.S. (72), In 1776 one Thos Rymer, yeoman was a freeholder at Little London (L.R.O., QDF/2/6 (49) 30 For m. lic. allegations & bonds: Cheshire Record Office [hereafter C.R.O.], EDC 8/[name]/[year]; EDC 8/Rymer/1758* 31 S. Harrop (ed.), Families & Cottages of Old Birkdale & Ainsdale (Preston, 1992), p Lic. granted 27 Sept; bondsman Jn Sumner, Scarisbrick 33 For cmbs Formby to1780: T. Williams (ed.), The Registers of Formby Chapel, , L.P.R.S. (112), L.R.O., DDFo/15/10. For evidence of title to New & Old Bronk: DDWw/3/7/23 & For cmbs Formby after 1780: T. Williams (ed.), The Registers of Formby Chapel, , L.P.R.S. (M5), Bondsman Jas Rimmer, farmer of Upholland 37?Merseyside Record Office, 920/WBL/4/34 (notes on Pooles estate, 1793) 38 T.N.A., IR 23/40 (f. 850v) 39 C.R.O., EDC 8/Rimmer/1792* 40 T.N.A., IR 29 & 30/18/ T.N.A., HO 107/519/8/2/15/2 42 T.N.A., HO 107/2196/338/34 43 L.R.O., EL 1/14/S & EL 44 P. Mannex & Co., History, Topography & Dir. of Mid-Lancs (Preston, 1854) 45 T.N.A., IR 23/40 (f. 561r) 46 L.R.O., DDK/L/4/322 (leases in Bickerstaffe, including Billinge, Lydiate & Ormskirk) 47 T.N.A., IR 29 & 30/18/29 48 Sheet 92

10 49 L.R.O., DDK/2118/9 (leases, ) 50 L.R.O., DDK/L/4/ L.R.O., QDL/W. Derby/10 52 T.N.A., HO 107/515/1/1/10/12* 53 D. Cert.* 54 L.R.O., EL 1/14/S 55 D. Cert.* 56 T.N.A., IR 26/1815/672* 57 T.N.A., HO 107/2196/464/1 58 Mannex, Dir. of Mid-Lancs 59 T.N.A., RG 9/2756/21/5