My British Isle Heritage

Several of my earlier posts referenced my heritage from the British Isles …   

Genealogy and Genetics

Origin of the Family Name

The Askew Codex

Anne Askew – Protestant Martyr

I thought I would write about some of my possible ancestors in England ….

The earliest geographic location of the Askew family is Northern England, the name appears in both Cumberland and Lancanshire County England.   The earliest Askew’s can be dated back through property records.  Thurston de Bosco received from the Lord of Kirksanton, Aikskeugh (Askew) or Oakwood in 1202-3. It is certain that William, son of Guy Boyville granted lands in Kirksanton and Silecroft, near the two standing stones, to John, son of John of Aykescowgh (Askew). Sir Robert Mulcaster and Joan his wife and Margaret de Bampton granted 1403 to Richard de Ayscough their lands in Lacra and Scales. These estates descended to Matthew Ayscough* (Askew) who gave them to his son Richard in 1478. They descended to Hugh Askew (1558-1625) who married Elizabeth (1560-1649).   

Sir William Askew, possibly the son of Richard Askew, was knighted by Henry the VIII in 1513 at the age of 24 of Stallingsborpugh, Lincolnshire, England.  Sir William Askew was a commissioner in Lincolnshire county during the Louth Rising against King Henry VIII .  Sir William Askew is the father of Anne Askew, discussed in a previous Blog article. 

Sir Hugh Askew is believed to be the son of Sir William Askew and brother to Anne Askew.  Sir Hugh Askew was granted two estates by Henry the VIII, Marsh Grange and Seaton Priory in the year 1542. Marsh Grange was granted to the Askew Family or (Ascough, Asketh, or Askey) by Henry the VIII in the year 1542.  In 1547 he was created knight-banneret at Musselburgh, in Scotland, after the battle of Pinkey.  A brass plate on the wall of a church in Bootle, England bears the effigy of Sir Hugh Askew, who, as the inscription says, was knighted at the battle of Musselburgh, in 1547, and died in 1562. He married into a noble family, his wife being a cousin to Queen Jane Seymour, mother of Edward the Sixth.  He died leaving no children.    His estates in Lancashire then became the property of his nephew, William Askew (possible son to Anne Askew the martyr) and a niece named Bridget Askew.  Marsh Grange fell to William Askew and Seaton Priory to Bridgett Askew who later married a Pennington. 

According to the Lancashire County, Dalton in Furness - Parish Register, 1565-1620, John Askew married  Margaret Pyper on 08 Feb 1612.  John was possible son of William Askew (Son of Anne the martyr) and was buried in Lancashire County, Dalton in Furness on 25 May 1691.

One possible reason for the Askew migration from England was the English Civil War which occurred in England in the mid-17th century, between the royalist and parliamentarians.  The areas of Royalist support tended to be the North, West and Wales. Royalist support would include Lancashire County and Cumberland County where the Askew family was prominent.  Parliament was supported by the richer South and East, including London.

But much more research must be conducted in order to positively identify my English Ancestors and why they decided to begin a new life in the American Colonies.  

Historic Map of Britain

Map of the Counties of Britain