WEST DERBY HUNDRED 



sixteenth century, 1 when they appear to have sold 

 their estates, being succeeded by Livesey of Ravenhead 

 and Watmough of Micklehead. 2 



John de Northale in Sutton was plaintiff in 1276 

 with the lords of Rainhill in a suit respecting the 

 boundaries ; 3 the family are mentioned from time to 

 time in various pleas ; thus Gilbert son of Henry de 

 Northale occurs in 1 292,* Alice, widow of Henry son 

 of Simon de Northale, in 1 317,* and Hugh de 

 Northale in 1305 and 1332." By this time, how- 

 ever, the main branch appears to have settled at 

 SHERDLET and assumed a new surname from it, 

 for in 1319 John de Sherdley, in a claim to lands in 

 Sutton, traced his descent thus : he was son and heir 

 of Robert, who was son and heir of Henry de 

 Northale. 7 In 1303 John de Sherdley was reckoned 



among the lords or freeholders of Sutton. 8 The 

 family appear to have held their lands down to the 

 sixteenth century, when they also gave place to 

 others. 9 



Captain Michael Hughes, the present owner ot 

 Sherdley Hall, is a great-grandson of Michael Hughes, 

 whose first wife was Mary, daughter and heir of the 

 Rev. William Johnson, a former owner. 10 



Some ancient deeds as to Blackley are preserved at 

 Warrington. 11 



Among the families who held lands in Sutton were 

 those of Gerard, Parr, Atherton, Sale, and Standish. 11 



The leasehold estate of Robert Cowley was seques- 

 tered by the Commonwealth authorities. 13 Besides 

 the Hollands the following ' Papists ' registered estates 

 in Sutton in 1717 : Henry Foster; Catherine 



