The Custom, Roll and Rental of John de Assheton. Tempus, First of Henry the Sixth. A.D. 1422. - Pew Rents.

"A Copy of an old Manuscript"

"possessione Jonae Harrop de Bardsley"

"Anno 1749"

"Nunc possessione Ralf Assheton, Bar. de Middleton."

Taken from James Butterworth's book 'History and Description of the Town and Parish of Ashton-under-Lyne' first printed in 1823.

The following is a seating plan within Ashton Parish Church. People rented their Pews which would have had their names on them. Only the women were seated, the men would have to stand through lack of space. Please note UXOR means Wife of.

At the first form upon the south-side of Ashton Kirk.

Uxor hered Henricii de Moston, Uxor de Shepley, Uxor Johannis de Heghrode, Uxor Rodi de Hunt, and the servant women of the Hall, and other gentills strangers.

At the second form on the south-side.

Uxor Radi de Bardisley, Uxor Adae de Leghes, Uxor Rici de Hurst, Uxor, William Tyrr, Uxor Blake Knolles, and their servants.

The third form on the south-side.

Uxor Thomas de Leghes, Uxor Joh. de Knolles de Leghes, Uxor Tenenti de Barsley, Uxor de Rasbotham, Uxor Adae de Wilson de Knolles, Uxor Job. de Aspynhalgh, Uxor Rodi de Hollinworth, and their servants.

The fourth form on the south-side.

The tenants of Rauf de Staveley, the tenants of Peter of the Lusley, the tenants of Thomas of Claydon, the tenants of Shepley, the tenants of John of the Heghrode.

The fifth form on the south-side

The tenants wynches of Sir John Byron that dwelling with him.

The sixth form on the same side

The Parson's tenants - Uxor Thomas Higson, Uxor Thomas de Curtnel, Carol Jenkyn daughter, Uxor ----------- Uxor Joh. de Bardesley, and the servants of the Woodhouse, and the strangers to the other form,

At the first form upon the north-side.

Uxor Thomas de Claydon, Uxor Rodi de Bardesley, Uxor de Sunderland, Uxor Raduphi de Wood, and their servants, and other gentills strangers.

The second form on the north-side.

Uxor Johannis de Leghes, Uxor Willi de Bardisley de ha, Uxor Roberti de Wright de Alt Hill, Rodi de Hadfield de Aldwinshagh, Uxor de Soureker, and their servants.

The third form on the north-side,

Uxor Radi de Bardesley, Uxor Radi de Curtnal, Uxor Thos. de Mehtham, Uxor Jacobi de Meltham, and their servants. Uxor tenenti Radi Assheton in Assheton.

The fourth form on the same side

Uxor Roberti de Cropper, Uxor Thomas del Leghes de Hazilhurst, Uxor Johannis de Hollinworth, Uxor Thomas Robinson, Uxor Regi le Baxter, and their servants.

The fifth form on the same side

Uxor Rodi le Smyth, Uxor William le Cooke, Uxor Robti Fullstaffe, Uxor Johanis de Wood, Uxor Robt Adamson, and their servants.

The sixth form on the same side

Uxor John le Spencer, Uxor Robti de Walker, Uxor Willi de Bardesley de Holdome, Uxor Johannis Jameson, Uxor Willi Robinson, and their servants.

The seventh form of the same side

Uxor de Milne, Uxor Robti Somayst, Uxor Robti Robinson, Uxor Gregori de Bardesley, Uxor Robti Saunderson, Uxor Johannis de Lyme.

The first form upon the north, in the nether-end of the Kirke

Uxor Willin Aitkynson, Uxor Robti de Lyngards, Uxor John de Lyngards, Uxor Roger le Cropper, Uxor Johs. Burdetan, Uxor Thurstan de Bardisley, Uxor Milti de Cross, and their servants.

The second form on the same side

Uxor Adae de Bardisley, Uxor Willi de Walkere de Ryecroft, Uxor Robti Robinson, Uxor Will Tett Robti de Walker, Uxor Radi Toneson, Uxor Rodi Wilkinson, Uxor Johis Sanderson, Uxor Richi Sanderson, Uxor Thomas Adamson, Uxor Willi le Sclater, and their servants.

The third form on the same side.

Uxor Thomas Sanderson, Uxor Robti Unton, Uxor Willi de Cowleshaw, Uxor Rodi Unton, Uxor Johis de Mercer, Uxor Hugh de Gatecliffe, Uxor Willi de Woodfield, Uxor Roger le Smith, Uxor Thomas le Coke, Uxor Robti le King, and their servants.

The fourth form on the same side

Uxor Johis le Coke, Uxor Thomas le Whiteleigh, Uxor Johis Fullstaffe, Uxor Robti de Chadwick, Uxor Patrick Margree de Stayley, Uxor Rodi Willison, Alice Hanson, Nanna Windebank, Elyn Wilkyn Doghter, Uxor Peryn, Uxor Henrici the Baxter, and their servants.

The sixth form on the same side

Uxor Adae de Held, Uxor Willi de Arrowsmith, Usor Johis le Hynd, senr., Elenor le Rose, Uxor William Somayst, Uxo Willi de Bardesley, Uxor Johanes de Howarth, Uxor Henrici Spakeman, Uxor Willi de Bulkeley, Uxor Robti Jackson, Uxor Adae Thomson, and their service.

The other void forms for Servants and Strangers.

Source: "History and Description of the Town and Parish of Ashton-under-Lyne" by James Butterworth, first printed 1823, Thomas Cunningham. Reprinted E J Morton.