Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/151

 of our consideration. The site of the mansion is a little removed from the brink of the stream, and almost directly opposite the southern extremity of Fleetwood. The present building is of considerable age, having been erected by Richard Fleetwood, of Rossall, in 1656, as indicated by an inscription over the main entrance, but there can be no question that the origin of its predecessor was co-eval, at least, with the grant of the manor by King John, when earl of Moreton, to Geoffrey, the Crossbowman, who, with his descendants, resided there. The whole of the large estate remained in the family of Geoffrey until the fifteenth century, when it was conveyed in marriage to James Pickering, of Layton, by Agnes, the sole offspring and heiress of the last male Hackensall, the title assumed, according to custom, by the Crossbowman. James Pickering left at his decease four daughters, co-heiresses, and married to Richard Butler, of Rawcliffe, Thomas Aglionby, Nicholas Aglionby, and James Leybourne, each of whom inherited one-fourth of the manor in right of his wife. In 1639 Sir Paul Fleetwood, of Rossall, held three-fourths of Hackensall, whilst the remaining quarter had descended to Henry Butler. Under the will of Richard Fleetwood, the re-erector of the hall, at that time occupied by his brother Francis, the three-fourths just named were sold by his trustees, being purchased, in part, for the Hornbys, of Poulton. Geoffrey Hornby, vicar of Winwick, and Robert Loxham, vicar of Poulton, held between them three-quarters of the manor in 1729, and William Elletson, of Parrox Hall, had possession of the other fourth, which is now the hereditary estate of Daniel Hope Elletson, esq., justice of the peace, residing at the same seat. At the end of the last century the Hornbys disposed of their share to John Bourne, gentleman, of Stalmine, from whom it descended to his second son, James Bourne, of Stalmine, and from him to his nephews, Thomas, James, and Peter, successively. The other portion of the manorial rights of the three-fourths was subsequently acquired by the last-surviving nephew, Peter Bourne, of Heathfield and Liverpool. Peter Bourne, esq., of Hackensall, married Margaret, the only daughter of James Drinkwater, esq., of Bent, in Lancashire, and left issue James, who is the present lord of three-quarters of the manor, and owner of the ancient Hall. James Bourne, esq., M.P., of Hackensall, and of Heathfield, near