There is no record of Roberte and Miss Billington marrying, but Robert Cornoe and Elin Billington had a son Henry christened in 1651 in Kirkham.


Robert "of Catforth" died and was buried 26 April 1671 in Woodplumpton.



Roberte and Miss Billington had the following child:


*1. Elizabeth, christened 24 August 1634 in Woodplumpton; married Richard Eyves 31 January 1656 in Preston, Lancashire.


2. Henry, christened 6 September 1651 in Kirkham (as Henry the son of Robert Cornoe and Elin Billington).



SOURCES: Woodplumpton parish register; Kirkham parish register; Preston St. John parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk.





Richard Cornoe "of Cornoe" was christened 30 April 1584 in Kirkham.. He married Elizabeth Hudson 20 November 1606 in Kirkham.




Cornoe is a townland in Greenhalgh, about three miles north of Kirkham. The family had ancient roots there and their surname was taken from this place: "Cornoe or Corner Row (in Greehalgh) – The original name was Corney, to which was added raw, row “a number of houses standing in a line”. Corney apparently means “corn island”, i.e., the island where corn was grown. Corney stands in a bend of Thistleton Brook, which here makes a right angle; this may have caused the place to be described as an island." (The Place-Names of Lancashire)




Richard and Elizabeth had the following children:


1. John, christened 3 September 1607 in Kirkham.


*2. Roberte, christened 5 December 1609 in Kirkham, "de Cornoe".



Baptism record for Roberte Cornow in Kirkham: "Robt Cornoe fillius Richard de Cornoe - v"


3. Jenet, christened 29 August 1612 in Kirkham.


4. Henry, christened 13 March 1615 in Kirkham.



SOURCES: Kirkham parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk.







Raffe Cornoe was born in about 1540 of Kirkham, most likely the son of Robert and Margaret Cornowe. He married Jenet Charnock 2 November 1572 in Kirkham. Janet was christened 10 September 1544 in Kirkham, the daughter of James Charnock.




Raffe and Jenet had the following children:


1. Richard, christened 7 December 1578 in Kirkham; buried 7 February 1578/9.


2. Henry, christened 26 March 1580 in Kirkham.


*3. Richard, christened 30 April 1584 in Kirkham; married Elizabeth Hudson 25 November 1606 in Kirkham.



Baptism record for Richard Cornoe in Kirkham: "Richard Cornay fillius Raffe - xxx"


4. Alice, christened 3 October 1596 in Kirkham.



SOURCES: Kirkham parish register; www.findmypast.co.uk; Calendar to Pleadings, Ducatus Lancastriae Pars Quarta; The Tyldesley Diary.





Robert Cornow was born in about 1520 of Cornowe. He is most likely the father of Raffe Cornowe. Robert married Margaret. Robert was a free tenant in Cornowe in 1585: "Robert Cornow was returned as a free-tenant in 1585, and his Inq. Post-mortem is dated 6 Jas. 1 (1609-10). (The Tyldesley Diary)


Margaret died and was buried 11 December 1577 in Kirkham.



Robert and Rowland Cornowe were involved in a court case in 1592 brought by Henry Butler, the landlord, over messuages and lands in Greenhalgh and Cornowe, just like Raffe Cornowe. It seems the Cornowes and Henry Butler were having some disagreements, or this may be a way of recording and preserving their land transactions.








Robert had the following children:


1. Rowland, born about 1538 of Cornowe; occupation - yeoman; died 12 February 1608/9 in Cornowe. "Rowland Cornoe, yeoman. Vol. xix. No. 40. 27 April, 1609. Inquisition taken at Preston in Amounderness 27 April, 7 James [1609], before the same Escheator, after the death of Rowland Cornoe of Cornoe Roe, yeoman, by the oath of the same Jurors, who say that the said Rowland was seised in fee of 3 messuages, 12 acres of land, 6 acres of meadow, and 10 acres of pasture in Cornoe and Grenall, which are held of Henry Butler, Esq., as of his manor of Grenall, in free and common socage by fealty and 11d. rent, and are worth per ann. (clear), 20s. Rowland Cornoe died 12 February last [1608-9] and Henry Cornoe, his son and next heir, is now aged 29 years and 6 months." (Lancashire Inquisitions Returned into the Chancery of the Duchy of Lancaster)


*2. Raffe, born about 1540 of Cornowe.


3. Parnell, (female) christened 7 June 1543 in Kirkham.


4. Richard, christened 13 December 1545 in Kirkham.


5. Elizabeth, christened 25 May 1547 in Kirkham.


6. Luke, christened 17 October 1551 in Kirkham; buried 22 February 1551/2 in Kirkham.



SOURCES: Kirkham parish register; www.ancestry.co.uk; Inquisition post mortem for Robert Cornowe, 1609/10; British History Online – Greenhalgh-with-Thistleton; Calendar to Pleadings, Ducatus Lancastriae Pars Quarta; The Tyldesley Diary; Kirkham in Amounderness.



EARLY CORNOWES

The Cornowe name comes from the townland of Cornowe in Lancashire: "“Cornoe, or Corner Row, gave a surname to its tenants. It, like Esprick and Whitacre or Whitter was usually regarded as part of Greenhalgh.” (British History Online – Greenhalgh-with-Thistleton)  The family and location are mentioned in the Tyldesley Diary: "Greenhalgh-with-Thistleton forms one township. A family of the name of Cornowe, of Cornowe, or Cornoroe, in this township, is the only family of particular note we find ever to have resided here. Robert Cornow was returned as a free-tenant in 1585, and his Inq. Post-mortem is dated 6 Jas. 1 (1609-10). Ralph Cornoe about this time was seized in fee of messuages in Greenoe, Greenall, and Cornoe, and Henry Cornow de Cornowe, was returned as a free-tenant in 18 Jas. 1 (1621). His descendant, Rowland Cornoe was living here in 1693.” (The Tyldesley Diary)

Several Cornowes are mentioned in a rental list in 1508: This list “gives us a full list of all those who paid annual chief rents for housing in Kirkham town, and also those who paid the annual rent for the land in the common field of Kirkham. The rental also includes the tithe returns for the several hamlets of the parish of Kirkham, including the manor. It is dated the 24th year of Henry VII (1508/9), and is as follows:

Rentale Garbarum et dicimar parochicae de Kyrkham debet Abbati monasterij Beate Marie Vallae Regali Anno Regni Regis Henrici septimi post Conquestum Angliae vicessimo quarto. (Rent rolls for the abbott of the monastery of St. Mary in the parish of Kirkham in the 24th year of the reign of King Henry VII)

The record includes: “Plompton maior”, “Greenall”, and “Medylar” (Plumpton, Greenhalgh and Medlar)

Rentale terrarium et tenentorum de Kirkeham debet Abbati Monasterii Beate Mariae de Vallae Regali Anno Regni Regis Henrici septimi vicessimo quarto. (Rental records of the land and holdings of the abbott of St. Mary in the parish of Kirkham in the 24th year of the reign of King Henry VII)

William Corney   … 00  10  00
John Corney … 05  05  00
Richard Corney … 00  02  06

Rentale Libri Redditus Domminii de Kirkham debet Abbati Monasterii Beate Mariae de Valle Regali Anno Regni Regis Henrici Septimi vicessimo quarto. (Summary of the rental returns of the abbott of the monastery of St. Mary in the parish of Kirkham in the 24th year of the reign of King Henry VII)

William Corney … 00  03  00
Richard Corney  …  00  00  06
John Corney (senior)  …  00  02  08

The list shows that 28 people paid rents for houses which amounted to 2  1s. 7d., and 25 people paid rents for the land of the manor. (Kirkham in Amounderness)

John Cornay's occupation is discussed in light of these records, as his rent was considerably higher than his neighbors: "If we refer to the Vale Royal rental of 1509, it will be recalled that in the list of the tenantry paying rents for land in Kirkham manor occurs the name of John Corney, who paid the exceptionally large amount of 5 5s. 0d., and that it was concluded from other evidence that this sum represented the rent of the oxgang land plus a mill rent...The rental of a oxeon was 10/- which, deducted from John Corney’s rent, gives us 4 15s. 0d. for the mill rent...It is thus suggested that John Corney was probably the miller and held the remaining portion of the oxgang land not accounted for amongst the holders of the burgages, and those that held land but no houses." (Kirkham in Amounderness)

Richard Corney "of Grenall" left a will written 11 August 1571 which mentioned his wife Joan, his daughter Elyn, his brothers Lawrence Corney and James Corney, and his father-in-law William Orsmyne. He also left bequests to William Corney, and "to John Willm & Eliz Corney every one of them", without specifying relationships. Joan, his wife, and James Corney, his brother, were named as executors of the will.

These Cornowes are found in the early Kirkham parish register:

• Thomas Cornoe married Joan Crosse 18 January 1549.
• William Cornow married Alice Wilkinson 17 November 1542.
• Lawrence Cornow married Jone Freckleton 25 January 1548.
• Lawrens Cornay married Annes Haryson 1 February 1560.
  
• James Cornow, son of William Cornow was christened 7 January 1543.
• Margaret Corno, daughter of Jhon Corno was christened 12 December 1545.
• Margrett Cornow, daughter of William Cornow was christened 1 March 1545.
• Alic Corno was buried 16 August 1540.
• Alice Corno was buried 20 May 1542.
• Wm Carnow was buried 10 July 1543.
• Thom Cornow was buried 31 July 1543.
• Janna Corno, daughter of Wm Corno was buried 11 November 1543.
• Jhon Cornoe was buried 6 March 1544.
• Wm Cornow was buried 18 January 1550.
• Margret Cornay was buried 31 October 1552.
  
• Ellin Cornay was buried 6 April 1554.
• Jona Cornay, uxor Lawrens was buried 15 November 1554.
• Richard Cornay son of Lawrens was buried 14 November 1555.
• Ellin Cornay, daughter of Lawrens was buried 17 October 1562
• Annes Cornay, relict of Wm Cornay was buried 11 December 1565.
• Agnes Corno, uxor of Thome Corno was buried 15 May 1566.
• Jam: Cornay, son of Law: was buried 10 January 1568.
• Richard Cornay was buried 14 August 1571.
  

The Cornowes have deep roots in the area:

"In a deed granted 6 April 2 Henry 4(1401) John de Bredkyrk granted Robert son of John Smith de Kyrkham a certain “burgage” in the town of Kirkham The deed was witnessed by Robert de Merscowe, John le Smith, John de Cornay chaplain, and John de Coton." (The History of the Parish of Kirkham: in the County of Lancaster)

In the 1379 poll tax, Symone de Cornay and wife are found in Wesham with Medlar, and assessed 4d.

(4 September 1371) "Alice, the widow of William Dronale of Kirkham, granted a burgage and garden in Kirkham to John of Cornay and William of Sotheworth, chaplains, Adam Skilycorne and William of Dutton. John of Cornay was no doubt a member of the local famly of that name who held land north of Wesham on the Esprick road at the place subsequently known as Corner Row." (Kirkham in Amounderness)


In 1332, William de Cornay was listed in the Lay Subsidy in "Grenoll cum Thiselton", with a tax of ij. s. x. d. (Kirkham in Amounderness)


Perquisites of the Wapentake of Amondirness held at Preston, on Saturday next after the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 18th year [of Edward II, 9th Feb 1325…Thomas son of Roger, in mercy for trespass against Benedict de Cornay” (Some Court Rolls of the Lordships, Wapentakes and Demesne Manors of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster)



The adjacent vill of Greenhalgh immediately north of Kirkham and Wesham, between the later hamlet and Thistleton, contained the estate of Cornay. later known as Corner Row. This gave its name to a family who made several grants to Cockersand between the years 1212 and 1242. The principal lordship belonged to the Botiler fee of Weeton, but Adam of Cornay was the mesne tenant…Adam of Cornay granted to Cockersand five acres of land in Greenhalgh in the eastern part of Whitaker, two acres between land which formerly belonged to Robert, son of Ravenkill, and the land of Richard the Skinner. A further grant by the same Adam conveyed two seillons of land next to the land of Jordan, the clerk of Kirkham, on the north side. Another charter of Adam of Cornay mentions “one headland between the highway and Adam of the pool’s land”. (Kirkham in Amounderness)

These grants are mentioned in the Chartulary of Cockersand:

“Grant in frankalmoign by Henry son of Ketel de Corney [to the brethren of Cockersand] of a portion of his demensne in Corney, to wit two-thirds of the land within these bounds, namely where the Malpas reaches the road which crosses over Thornbarrow and from thence as the said road proceeds to the end of Haverbarrow and afterwards by the edge of Haverbarrow to Micklegill which lies between the two Corneys, thence to Northmoss and from Northmoss to the aforesaid Malpas, with common of pasture and all easements of the vill. [S.D. 1190-1200]

“Grant in frankalmoign from Gilbert, son of Roger fitz Reinfred, to God and St. Mary [of Cockersand], of the whole tenement and land of Medlar, namely, one carucate of land, with the appurtenances as well in demesne as in services, together with the mill of Greenhalgh and the homage and service of Adam de Corney and his heirs, and all easement and rights, free from all secular demands saving the service due to the King for so much land. [S.D. 1190-1220]"

“Grant in frankalmoign from Adam de Corney [to the monks of Cockersand] of a certain portion of his land in Greenhalgh, to wit, Laithollow house-stead, within these bounds, viz., by the road going up from Medlar to the turf pits on the moor, following the same northward to the syke, along the syke to the Whinnyhowe turbary on to the road, following the road to the land which Adam de Bradkirk holds of the said donor, following the boundary thereof downwards to the Carr; also the whole land and meadow at the way going up from Medlar to the turf pits on the moor, with the appurtenances. [S.D. 1212-1242] The heir of Ralph de Kirkham holds the said land by inheritance, rendering 4s. yearly and 8s. upon a decease.

*Greenhalgh or Greenall was a member of the Fee of Weeton or Withton, held by the Botelers of Ireland. Adam de Corney was probably mesne tenant at this time (1212-1242). He took his name from an estate, or possibly hamlet, called Cornraw. His daughter Amabel married Adam de Bradkirk, who was returned in the Feodary of 1242, together with others, as holding the sixth part of one knight’s fee in Thistleton, Prees, and Greenhalgh”

“Grant in frankalmoign from the said Adam [de Corney to the monks of Cockersand] of five acres of land in Greenhalgh, in the eastern part of Whitaker; two acres between land which formerly belonged to Robert, son of Ravenkill and land of Richard the Skinner; and twelve perches in length and in breath on the north side of the donor’s house, next to the syke by the said Robert’s house; with common of pasture [S.D. 1212-1242.]”

“Grant and quitclaim by Adam de Corney, with the ascent of Christiana his wife, to God and to St. Mary of Cockersand, of all his land within the bounds of Greenhalgh, with the appurtenances, for the health of his soul; and of the service of Adam de Bradkirk of twenty pence for the lands which they held of him [S.D. 1212-1242] The said Christiana in her widowhood quitclaimed these lands to the said monks.”

“Grant in frankalmoign from the said Adam [de Corney to the monks of Cockersand] of three seillons of land, next to the land of Jordan the Clerk of Kirkham on the north side. [S.D. 1212-1242]"

"Grant in frankalmoign from the said Adam [de Corney to the monks of Cockersand] of one messuage of land in Corney, close by land which he previously gave to them in alms, to wit, on the western side thereof; and one headland between the highway and Adam of the Pool’s land; the measure of the messuage being six perches in length and five in breadth, with common rights and other liberties belonging to his fee in the said town, for the cattle of the monks’ tenant who might hold the land. [S.D. 1212-1242]”

"Quitclaim by Warin de Corney to God [and St. Mary of Cockersand] of all the land which he held by the gift of the said Abbot and Convent within these bounds, to wit, commencing on the east from the boundary of Medlar, which crosses the Carr, and continues towards the western side to the turf pits which they have made there, thence following the syke to Whinneyeves turf pit, thence to the King’s highway, following the same northwards to Adam de Bradkirk’s land, according to the terms of the charters of his father Adam concerning the said boundaries. [S.D. 1220-1260]”

“Quitclaim by the said Warin [de Corney to the monks of Cockersand] of all his right in the whole land of Corney, in services, wardships, escheats and rents, and in all other things, which might fall to him or his heirs. [S.D. 1220-1250]”

“We [the monks of Cockersand] have also the charter of grant of Matilda de Stiveton of the said town to Gilbert, son of Roger fitz Reinfred. And the said Gilbert’s grant of the town to Reiner de Stiveton. And also Elias de Hutton’s grant of the service of Adam de Corney, and of the mill of Greenhalgh, Medlar, and Thistleton to the brethren of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem; and his confirmation of his sister Cecily’s grant to them. {S.D. 1212-1220}
“Grant in frankalmoign from Warin de Corney [to the monks of Cockersand] of one acre of land with the appurtenances in Upper Rawcliffe, to wit, part of the War oxgang, half a seillon upon the Tunstead, and another half seillon upon the Ditchland, with appurtenances. [1220-1260]”  (Remains, Historical and Literary, Connected with the Palatine Chartulary of Cockersand Abbey)
 
"The Derby rental of 1212 records the payment… of 12 d. for certain lands in Greenhalgh Field held by Rowland Cornay." (British History Online – Greenhalgh-with-Thistleton)

“This was Middlehargh, now Medlar. About the year 1204, Robert the Treasurer, Prior of the Hospital, gave it to Gilbert fitz Reinfred, who gave it to Cockersand Abbey, with the homage and service of Adam de Corney, the tenant.” (Lancashire Inquests, Extents and Feudal Aids)


SOURCES: Lancashire Inquests, Extents and Feudal Aids; Kirkham in Amounderness: the story of a Lancashire Community"; British History Online - Greenhalgh-with-Thistleton, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp179-181; The Tyldesley Diary: Personal Records of Thomas Tyldesley;  Remains, Historical and Literary, Connected with the Palatine Chartulary of Cockersand Abbey.

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