William Barcroft (1612 - 1696)

Born 4 Oct 1612 in Noyna Near Colne, Lancashire, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 2 Apr 1696 at age 83 in Drumcooley, Offaly, Ireland

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William was a Friend (Quaker)

Biography and Research notes

William Barcroft was born near Colne in Lancashire in 1642, to a moderately wealthy family, came to Ireland, possibly as a soldier with Cromwell, became a Quaker and died in the Queen's county in 1696. Some of the details of his life are not clear. According to Olive Goodbody, he was one of very few among the former Cromwellian soldiers who became Quakers in that he 'refused title to land on the grounds that it was the spoils of warfare'. ^[1] However, Goodbody provides no source for this statement and while plausible, it has proved difficult to substantiate.

He was not a good Quaker. He was criticised by Friends for paying tithes via his landlord and eventually disowned for drunkenness.

Family background and suggestion of millitary service

William Barcroft was the son of Ambrose and Mary Barcroft. Irish Quaker records show that he was born at Noyna in the Parish of Colne, Lancashire on the 4th of October 1612 ^{[2] [3]} although a record on FamilySearch states that he was baptised in Colne on 5 July that year. ^[4].

The Quaker records have no information on his parents' family, William's early life or how he came to be in Ireland. Burke's Irish Family Records (BIFR, prepared by the famillies themselves and citing no sources) tells us that he was born on 4 August 1612 (almost certainly through a misunderstanding of the date 4 8m 1612 in the Quaker records). It gives some detail on his family, Barcroft of Foulridge and Barcroft Hall, Lancashire. It also states that William had a first wife not mentioned in the Quaker records, a daughter of John Waddington of Lancashire, by whom he had five children, and relates that the mother and children were all drowned crossing to Ireland to join him. Like the Quaker records, BIFR makes no reference to William Barcroft having been a soldier. ^[5]

The 'Barcroft Family Records' (mainly devoted to another branch of the family which emigrated to the US) have the same family background as BIFR, with some sources. They tell us that William Barcroft was baptised on 5 July 1612 and continue

He married, first, Grace Rycroft, of Moss house in Foulridge, by whom he had five children. They lived at Haigh, parish of Thornton, Yorkshire, where lands had been conveyed to them by the will of his father, under date 1641.

William Barcroft entered the army under Cromwell, rose to the rank of major, and in 1648 went to Ireland. Some time later his wife with their five children sought to join him there, but by shipwreck were all lost at sea.^[6]

No source is cited for William's time in the army, his rank, the date of his going to Ireland, his first family or the shipwreck, although there is a reference to the chart of the Irish branch of the family. The publication does provide a transcript of his father's will (pp 180-182), the original of which is held by Lancashire Archives. This describes William as the third son. ^[7]. Interestingly, although Barcroft senior obviously has some substance, he describes himself in his will as a yeoman rather than a gentleman.

Apart from the difference in the name of his first wife, there are other differences between BIFR and the Barcroft Family Records. The former tells us that William Barcroft had an elder son 'Ambrose, (ven), Incumbent of Cavan, Archdeacon of Killmore 1663, went to Ireland with his brother William...' Whereas, according to the Barcroft Family Records, Ambrose was a younger brother who remained in England. Certainly there was an Ambrose Barcroft in Ireland - and since the name Ambrose Barcroft appears frequently in William Barcroft's family, a family link is likely - and he was a cleric in Cavan. He was awarded 'the impropriate tythes of the Parish of Urny, for ever, co. Cavan' in the Act of Settlement of 1662. ^[8] This grant suggests that Ambrose had been of some service to Cromwell in Ireland, perhaps as a millitary chaplain. (Grants were mainly made to soldiers or to 'Adventurers' who had financed Parliament's army in Ireland from 1642-9, and Ambrose was not an Adventurer.) Ambrose appears fairly frequently in the Quaker sufferings - as the priest taking tithes from the Quakers of Cavan. ^[9] An Ambrose Barcroft was also schoolmaster in Birr in 1657, ^[10] which would indeed place him in Ireland relatively close to William at about the time that William probably moved there. However, no definite proof of his role or his relationship to William Barcroft has been found. This Ambrose appears to have become Archdeacon of Killmore and to have died intestate. Administration of his will was granted to his principal creditor, Oliver Duckett in 1681. ^[11]

An article 'Irish Quaker Records' by former Quaker archivist William Henry Webb, gives more details, citing as his source a family pedigree on parchment provided to him by Miss Barcroft of The Glen, Newry, daughter of the then head of the family.

William Barcroft was a Major in the Parliamentary Army, and came to Ireland with Cromwell. It is said that he was offered by Cromwell, as a reward for his services, an estate near Athlone ; but he, having become a Friend, while the matter was pending, refused the offer on conscientious grounds, as he could not accept what had been acquired by the sword. The estate was then, it was said, given to the next in command, the ancestor of the present Lord Castlemaine (of the Handcock family). It was said to have been worth £14,000 per annum in 1783.

Major Barcroft was twice married, but his first wife was drowned with her five children when crossing to Ireland to join her husband.^[12]

This family pedigree is probably the same that was registered by the family with the Genealogical Office of the National Library of Ireland. ^[13] Some of these books of pedigrees are available on-line, but unfortunately not this one.

In his book 'The Beginnings of Quakerism' (p218) William Charles Braithwaite also refers to 'Major William Barcroft' as among the Irish Quaker converts, but his source is the TH Webb article cited above. ^[14]

William Handcock was indeed awarded land in Westmeath and Roscommon in the Act of Settlement, a total of more than 8,000 statute acres. ^[15] He received his awards on three grounds, as an Adventurer for land, as a soldier and as a Connaught purchaser. ^[16] He later became MP for Westmeath in the Irish House of Commons and Lord President of Connaught. ^[17] Nothing has been found to substiantiate or disprove the claim that he received these lands as a deputy for William Barcroft.

The most reliable source for William Barcroft's life should perhaps be expected in the autobiography of his son, the noted Quaker minister John Barcroft. ^[18] However, this makes no reference to his father having served with Cromwell or having had a first wife and five children. It also pushes the family's move to Ireland back from 1648 to 1658. It tells us

I was born at Shralegh, near Rosenallies, in the Queens-County, in Ireland, in the Year 1664; about the time that my Parents were convinced of the Blessed Truth: they were born at Couln [sic], in Lancashire, in England (descended from a Family of considerable account in the World) and came to settle in Ireland in, or near the year 1658: I was the youngest child they had ...

The same John Barcroft gives a slightly different account in the testimony that he wrote to the life of his mother Margaret Barcroft nee Barnard.

My dear mother Margaret Barcroft daughter of Daniell Barnard of Allenscott near Colne in Lancashire was born about ye 8th of ye 8th month [October] 1621 and was married to my father in the year 1652 & they removed into Ireland about the year 1660.

She was convinced of the Blessed Truth by our Antient [sic] and Blessed Friend William Edmondson about the year 1668 ...^[19]

The 'Pender census' of about 1659 shows Rosenalis ('Rossen Allis') having a population of 26, 19 English and 7 Irish, and the land held by three 'tituladoes', Godfrey Cantrell, gent, William Edmondson, gent, and William Barcroft, gent. ^[20] These three may have held their lands in short leases as most of Rosenallis and surrounding townlands were confiscated from Catholics and awarded to Nathaniel Markes and John Wood in the Act of Settlement ^[21] who still held them in 1670. ^[22]

William Edmondson mentions his move to Rosenallis very briefly in his diary. ^[23] It is covered in slightly more detail in Wight and Rutty (p107) ^[24]

This year (1659), several of the Friends above mentioned, by reason of their landlords not performing covenant with them, removed from the County of Cavan, and settled in and about Mountmellick, in the Queen's county, viz. W.E., Richard Jackson, John Edmundson, John Thompson, William Moon, and others, with their families; and several having been convinced thereabouts for some time before, a meeting was settled at Mountmellick, which has since become large.

Notably neither Godfrey Cantrell nor William Barcroft is mentioned in this account. Godfrey Cantrell was evidently among those who moved with William Edmondson or those having been convinced thereabouts for some time before as he appeared in the Quaker sufferings there in 1658. ^[25] William Barcroft, however, does not feature in the Quaker records until ten years later. Nor has any record of his acquisition of land in Rosenallis been found.

No trace of William Barcroft has been found in the Cromwellian land records (the grants of land, the Civil Survey, the Down Survey, the Books of Survey and Distribution) or in the records of the Commonwealth (State Papers for Ireland, Papers of the Parliamentary Commissioners for Ireland). Intriguingly, however, there are several references to a William Barcroft in the depositions about the rebellion of 1641. This William Barcroft, gent, of Kiltemyll in the Countie of Wexford, states that he had a farm of 165 acres, held for 24 years, and had losses amounting to £439. ^[26] It is unclear whether this was the same person, although the name is rare and our William would have been old enough at (28 years old) at the time. In any event, the description of 'Gent' appears to have been optimistic.

(An extremely short section on Barcroft in O'Hart's pedigrees ^[27] adds nothing. A pedigree of Barcroft in 'The History of Whalley' shows the family from before the time of Edward I, but ends our branch with Henry Barcroft who founded the Fouldridge branch in the 16th c. ^[28] No information on William Barcroft has been found in the diaries of William Edmundson, William Penn or John or Jonathan Burnyeat.)

Family and move to Ireland

William Barcroft's own family lists tell us that he 'took to wife Margaret ye daughter of Daniell and Isabell Barnard of Allencoats in ye parish and County aforesaid' [Colne, Lancashire] and continue 'she was born ye 6m [August] 1619'. They do not tell us when the couple married, or where, although one can assume that it was in Lancashire. The family lists also include the dates of the couple's deaths, and of the death of their daughter Ellen, but not of the births of any of their children. Nor do they contain details of their move to Ireland or their convincement, which was presumably after the last of their children was born. ^{[3] [2]}

We have seen above that John Barcroft was 'born at Shralegh, near Rosenallies, in the Queens-County, in Ireland, in the Year 1664', his parents having come to Ireland in or about 1658 and that he was the youngest child. ^[18] John Barcroft's own family list tells us that he was born in Shragleagh, Queen's County on 3 Aug 1663. ^[29]

His parents' family list also records the death of their daughter, Ellen, on 27 October 1678 and a testimony to her life in the same volumes states that she was in 'the 19th year of her age', ie born c 1660. There is no indication of where she was born. ^{[3] [2]}

A further pair of family lists show the birth, marriage and children of Ambrose Barcroft, son of William and Margaret. ^{[30] [31]} Neither of these state when Ambrose Barcroft was born, but they both tell us that he was born in Haig, parish of Thornton, Yorkshire, and brought into Ireland in the year 1657. Pleasingly, his name is the same as his grandfather's and the place of his birth is where his grandfather granted lands to his father.

We therefore have a marriage probably in Lancashire in 1652 (testimony to Margaret Barcroft), an eldest son Ambrose born in Yorkshire in 1657 at the latest, brought to Ireland by his parents in 1657 (Ambrose's family list), 1658 (John's autbiography) or 1660 (testimony to Margaret) when they settled in the Queen's county, where they were present in about 1659 (Pender census); a daughter Ellen was born in about 1660 and a son John in 1663 (his family list) or 1664 (his autobiography). BIFR gives these three children and adds a middle son, Thomas, said to have died without issue. ^[5] No trace of Thomas has been found.

Convincement and Quaker life

According to John Barcroft his parents were convinced in 1664 (his autobiography) or 1668 (testimony to Margaret).

His religious persuasion before his convincement is not known. If he was indeed a soldier with Cromwell, he may well have been an Anabaptist or belonged to some other Puritan sect. He may have been converted through contact with William Edmundson and the other Quakers living nearby (as his son John writes) or there may have been a family connection. In 'The Begingings of Quakerism' (p 24) William Braithwaite descibes at least one case of a Grindletonian afterwards becoming a Friend. Thomas Barcroft of Colne, about the year 1656, wrote a treatise preserved in manuscript in the Swarthmore collection ^[14]

those with whom I have had in times long past sweet society and union of spirit, ... called then ... Grindletonians, Antinomians, Heretics, Sectaries, and such like names of reproach as in these days .. the Children of Light are in scorn called Quakers.

Thomas Barcroft of Colne was William Barcroft's elder brother.

William Barcroft first appears in the Quaker records in the sufferings for 1669 when he was resident in the Queen's county. ^[32] He was one of a group of Friends including William Edmundson who were arrested, remanded to the next assizes and then imprisoned for not having paid towards the cost of the repair of the church, notwithstanding the fact that goods worth more than the value of their assessed contributibution had been taken from them. Seventeen of the same group of Quakers were further imprisoned for not having been to church in the previous year, notwithstanding the fact that they had previously been excommunicated.

He next appears in the minutes of the Leinster Quarterly meeting of 13 November 1670 when members were deputed to visit him, present him with 'several reports of foul actions yt he hath committed' and ask him to write a paper of self-condemnation. ^[33]

He did indeed write a paper of self-condemnation dated 20 12m (February) 1670 (1671) ^[34] in which he condemned himself for keeping bad company, drunkenness and vanity.

In 1672 there was a continuation of the events of 1669, although the 1672 Mountmellick minute places those earlier events in 1666 ^[35] and the corresponding national minute places them in 1660. ^[36] The minute explains that the earlier imprisonment of the Friends from Rosenallis had been for non-payment of the amount of £1-16-10 and had only been brought to an end by a successful application to the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland which had given instructions to the judges to quash the indictment. Nothwithstanding this instruction, in 1672 the high sherrif complained that his fees for the earlier action had not been paid and seized three or four cows each and various other goods from six of the Friends involved (including William Barcroft who lost three cows worth £10), to a total value of £52. These events led the Quakers to appeal to the King's Lt General and General Governor and Council of Ireland. ^[37] Confusingly, this appeal places the original events in 1659. The results of the appeal are not known. (The minutes of the national half-year meeting include a copy of the appeal and place the original events in 1669, which appears to be correct.) ^[38]

In his autobiography John Barcroft continues

In about the Year 1673, my parents came to settle in Ballymorane, in the Kings-County, where there was then no Meeting of Friends, but soon after, divers Friends came to settle at Edenderry, and the Meeting was kept for some Time at my Father's House ...^[18]

Wight and Rutty (p 345) describing the first settlement of meetings in Leinster include Edenderry

At William Barcroft's, at Ballymorane, which for some time was removed to John Edmunson's at Edenderry, and was continued there after the Wars, after which he moving to Ballynculart, the Meeting was removed thither.^[24]

(At this time the Edenderry meeting was a preparatory meeting for Mountmellick, and did not become a monthly meeting in its own right until 1731. ^[39])

But despite his helping to establish the meeting at Edenderry, the story told in the minutes is not flattering. In November 1677, the Leinster meeting summoned him to attend the next meeting and answer for his behaviour. ^[40] At the next meeting it was reported that William Barcroft had long had an arrangement by which his landlord paid his tithes, which Barcroft later remitted to him. William Barcroft signified his sorrow for having miscarried himself in the matter. ^[41] Abraham Fuller was deputised to accompany William Barcroft when he visited his landlord to end the arrangement, in a sign that the meeting didn't fully trust Barcroft to do it on his own. Perhaps the meeting was right not to take this on trust, because it was reported twice in 1678 that the matter was still not solved. ^{[42] [43]} In January 1679 he was asked to condemn himself for his behaviour, ^[44] The paper was also mentioned at the next meeting, but it does not appear in the record.

Then in February 1680/81, he was again reported to the meeting for excessive drunkenness. In response he

... declared himself sensible of the Love of God & Friends love to him and that he hoped to answer the desire of Friends for amendment.

But in March 1680/81 he was again requested to come to the meeting, this time to explain his 'disorderly practices of drunkenness &c.'. ^[45] He did attend a meeting in April 1681 and Friends spoke about his scandalous walking and being overcome with beer. The meeting desired that William may not hide his sin, but Confess and foresake the same, and it also expects that he may give out a testimony against it. The minute continues but if William do continue therein, Friends ought to testify against it and him. ^[46]

The matter was discussed again in June, July, September and October. In November the meeting finally published a testimony against him

Whereas William Barcrof of Ballymorane who for divers years have gone under the denomination of Quaker (so-called) and yet in several things from year to year have walked disorderly and more especially he hath been subject to the vile and notorious sin of drunkenness and though by many of the church and people of the Lord (in scorn called Quakers) he hath from time to time for the space of 10 years or upwards been very tenderly admonished both privately and publiquely yet still hee persists and is subject to be overcome with that notorious sin, to the great disonour of God his truth and people, and to be saddening of the hearts of the upright, amongst whom he had often assembled. Therefore for the considerations aforesaid, and for the honour of God his name and Truth, and for the purging and cleansing of his house which Holiness becomes of all pollution and defilements, and the scandalls and Reproaches that if cast upon it by the means and Occasion of such unruly and disorderly members, having according to the nature of true Christianity from time to time for above the space of years aforesaid sought to recover him from his sin in true and unfeigned tenderness and Love and all along waited for his amendment, And now finding by sad Experience no hope of answering our desire wee can now do no less than declare against him, and his evil Course of Life, and hereby signify unto all the world, that we do disown him, and all such ungodly and unsavoury members and Actions as hee is found in, And the Lord our God knowes the hearts of all men in whose presence we now are, that this thing is not done in any rashness or prejudice towards him as a man, but in very much tenderness and humility for the clearing of the Lord his truth and people as aforesaid. And if it shall please God so to work upon his heart and spirit that hee bee made sensible of his sin and transgression and come through judgement into true and unfeigned Repentance and Amendment of life, and in true penitency and brokenness of spirit seek Reconciliation again with the Lord and his people, we shall in the same tenderness and unfeigned Love bee glad and willing to receive him as the Father did his prodigall into favour and fellowship again until which time wee do disown and deny him and his Actions and cannot account or Esteem him to be one of us.^[47]

William Barcroft does not subsequently appear in the minutes.

Death

William Barcroft died at Drumcooly in the King's County on the 2nd April 1696 and was buried in the Friends' burying ground in Rosenallis. ^{[3] [2]}

He appears not to have left a will, and no testimony was written to his life.

Comments in summary

The Quaker records and his son's autobiography identify William Barcroft as the son of a substiantial family in Lancashire. His father Ambrose's will shows him granted lands in Haig, Yorkshire, and the family list of his son Ambrose shows that he (Ambrose) was born there in or before 1657. The first event that we can definitely fix in his life (after his birth in 1612) is his marriage in 1652 to Margaret Barnard. He was 40 at this time and might already have accomplished much.

A William Barcroft, who might or might not have been him, was present in Ireland in 1641 and an Ambrose Barcroft who might or might not have been his brother received grants of tithes in Cavan.

Several secondary sources state that William was a Major in Cromwell's army, was awarded lands in lieu of arrears of pay but turned them down as the spoils of war, having become convinced as a Quaker before the award was finalised. No evidence has been found to support any of this, and the dates at least do not fit. The first awards of land to soldiers were made in the Act of Settlement of 1652, which was thought to be final at the time. Things changed after the restoration; awards were confirmed or amended in the Act of Settlement of 1662 and further amended in the Act of Explanation of 1665. William did not receive awards in these acts, although he was present in Ireland in 1659 (probably on lands rented or leased short term) and was convinced in either 1664 or 1668. The same sources state that he had a first wife and five children all of whom drowned travelling to join him in Ireland, presumably before 1652.

He may also have been influenced by his elder brother, who was convinced by at latest 1656, but if so, the reason for his not himself joining until 1668 are not clear.

The original source for these claims appears to be a parchment pedigree held by his descendants, the Barcrofts of Newry, and yet, Willam Barcroft's son John does not mention the death of his five half-siblings, his father's role in the army or his honourable descision to renounce the awards of lands in his autobiography. This seems odd. Nor were his first marriage or army position mentioned on his Quaker family lists.

William Barcroft appears in the Quaker sufferings in 1669 as being among a group of Friends who were arrested and again in 1672 when he had three cows taken from him for Sherrif's fees in the earlier events. These were his only appearances in the sufferings. Although he is said to have held meetings in his house and to have been useful in recruiting Friends, all his other appearances in the minutes are in relation to ill-discipline, drunkenness, paying tithes and drunkenness again.

His son John wrote testimonies to both his mother (William's wife Margaret) and his sister (their daughter Ellen) when they died, but did not write one to William who appears not to have been a very good Quaker. He was eventually disowned.

Sources

1. ↑ Goodbody, O, 'Irish History and the Earliest Irish Friends', Journal of the Friends' Historical Society, vol 49 no 4 (1961) p 189 (https://journals.sas.ac.uk/fhs/article/view/4595/4547 : accessed 16 October 2022)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Family Lists, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record/browse?id=ire%2fquaker%2fmm111m-1%2f0008 : accessed 16 October 2022), Edenderry monthly meeting Family List for William Barcroft; citing Edenderry MM family lists, births and burials 1612-1814, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Family Lists, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record/browse?id=ire%2fquaker%2fmmvm-1%2f0054 : accessed 16 October 2022), Mountmellick monthly meeting Family List for William Barcroft; citing Mountmellick MM family list 1641-1798, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
4. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   FamilySearch Record: NY1C-V26 (accessed 16 October 2022)
   William Barcroft baptism on 5 Jul 1612, son of Ambrose Barcroft, in Colne, Lancashire, England.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Family of Barcroft in Montgomery-Massingberd, H. (ed.) (1976), Burke’s Irish Family Records, London: Burke’s Peerage Ltd, page 59 https://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/nbl/lh_nbl_show5.php?mysession=&choice=&id=052166&pdfpage=95 retrieved 16 Oct 2022
6. ↑ ten Broeck Runk, E., (1910). Barcroft family records: an account of the family in England and the descendants of Ambrose Barcroft, the emigrant, of Solebury, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., p 184 (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89062851605&view=1up&seq=184 : accessed 16 October 2022)
7. ↑ Will of Ambrose Barcroft of Fowlridge, yeoman. 'He has previously preferred his children as follows: messuage in Fowlridge to eldest son Thomas; messuage at Haigh in Thornton, co.York, to 3rd son William, he paying £100 to youngest son Robert; £160 each to sons Ambrose and John; money and goods value £160 to son Paul; £160 to daughter Jenet on marriage to John Jackson. £20 to said J.J. when he receives properties of father Christopher J. in Worsthorne and Marsden. Of residue a 3rd to wife Marie, and 2-thirds to wife and to youngest son Robert, who are executors. Seal. Dated 30 Sep. 1641. Probate 9 May, 1668.' (https://archivecat.lancashire.gov.uk/calmview/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=DDB%2f62%2f147&pos=2 : accessed 16 October 2022)
8. ↑ Abstracts of Grants of Land etc under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation being part 1 of the appendix to the Fifteenth Annual Report of the Irish Records Commission, 1825, p 217 (https://archive.org/details/op1244157-1001/page/216/mode/2up?view=theater : accessed 15 October 2022)
9. ↑ eg "Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) Yearly Meeting Sufferings," image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-1%2F0027&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1183599 : accessed 23 October 2022), sufferings of Thomas Hutchinson county of Cavan for the year of 1667, Thomas Hutchinson had taken from him by Ambrose Barcroft priest of Cavan two carlowds of hay out of ten citing YM Sufferings 1694-1705, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives ref YM G2.
10. ↑ Seymour, S. John D. (St. John Drelincourt). (1921). The Puritans in Ireland 1647-1661. Oxford: Clarendon Press. appendix, p 225 (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89097241830&view=1up&seq=245&q1=Barcroft : accessed 23 October 2022)
11. ↑ "Betham Genealogical Abstracts"
    Archive: National Archives of Ireland
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 16 October 2022)
    Collection: Genealogical abstracts of records of the Prerogative Court of Armagh; Series description: Series 2, admons.: v. 1 "A" 1617-1763 v. 2 missing v. 3 "B" 1652-1683 v. 4 "B" 1683-1724 v. 5 "B" 1724-1747 v. 6 "B" 1747-1766 v. 7 "B" 1766-1788 v. 8 "B" 1788-1800 "C" 1618-1661; Notebook: Betham's Genealogical Abstracts Prerog Admons. (Int) B. 1652-1683; Year: 1681; Abrose Barecroft Admn; Event date: 16 Nov 1681; Country: Ireland.
12. ↑ Thomas Henry Webb, 'Irish Quaker records' part II, The Journal of the Friends’ Historical Society Vol 3 No 2 (1906), p62 (https://sas-space.sas.ac.uk/6676/1/Vol.%203%20No.%202%20-%201906.pdf : accessed 19 October 2022)
13. ↑ Pedigree of Barcroft of Barcroft, Worsthorn, Foulbridge, of The Haigh in Lancashire, of Ballylaking and Ballybritton in Kings Co., of City of Dublin, of Lisburn and Strangmore Lodge, Co. Tyrone, of Glen, Co. Armagh, of Belfast, 1422 -- 1953. Dublin: National Library of Ireland, Genealogical Office: Ms.179, pp.245-52 (http://sources.nli.ie/Record/MS_UR_007857 : accessed 23 October 2022)
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} Braithwaite W C, The beginnings of Quakerism, MacMillan & Co, London, 1912 (https://archive.org/details/beginningsofquak00brai/page/218/mode/2up?view=theater&q=Barcroft : accessed 20 October 2022)
15. ↑ Abstracts of Grants of Land etc under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation being part 1 of the appendix to the Fifteenth Annual Report of the Irish Records Commission, 1825, pp48-49 (https://archive.org/details/op1244157-1001/page/48/mode/2up?view=theater : accessed 15 October 2022)
16. ↑ Supplement to the Eighth Report of the Irish Record Commissioners, being a Catalogue of Schedules addressed to the Court of Claims, p 272 (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c044991757&view=1up&seq=294 : accessed 19 October 2022)
17. ↑ Wikipedia contributors William Handcock (Westmeath Politician) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Handcock_(Westmeath_politician) : accessed 19 October 2022}
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2} Barcroft, J. (1730). A brief narrative of the life, convincement, conversion and labours of love in the Gospel-ministry of that worthy servant of Jesus Christ, John Barcroft ... Dublin: Sam. Fuller, pp 1-3 (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hn3dy6&view=1up&seq=23&skin=2021 : accessed 12 October 2022)
19. ↑ "Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) Edenderry Meeting Testimonies to Deceased Ministers," image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record/browse?id=ire%2fquaker%2fmm111m-1%2f0009 : accessed 16 October 2022), testimony to Margaret Barcroft, citing Edenderry MM family lists, births and burials 1612-1814, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
20. ↑ Pender S. (ed), A Census of Ireland circa 1659, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1939, p505 (https://www.irishmanuscripts.ie/product/a-census-of-ireland-circa-1659/ : accessed 18 October 2022)
21. ↑ Abstracts of Grants of Land etc under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation being part 1 of the appendix to the Fifteenth Annual Report of the Irish Records Commission, 1825, p 170 (https://archive.org/details/op1244157-1001/page/170/mode/2up?view=theater : accessed 19 October 2022) and p224 (https://archive.org/details/op1244157-1001/page/224/mode/2up?view=theater : accessed 19 October 2022)
22. ↑ Books of Survey and Distribution (Quit rent office copy) for the Parish of Rossanollis (Rosenallis) in the Barony of Tenchinch (Tinnahinch) and the Queenes County (Laois) from Ireland's virtual record treasury (https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/item?isadgReferenceCode=NAI%20QRO%201%2F1%2F3%2F13%2F18%2F1 : accessed 19 October 2022)
23. ↑ Edmundson, W., A journal of the life, travels, sufferings and labour of ... William Edmundson, Mary Hinde, London, 1744, page 40 (https://archive.org/details/journaloflifetra00edmu_0/page/40/mode/2up?view=theater&q=1659 : accessed 18 October 2022)
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} Wight, T and Rutty, J. A history of the rise and progress of the people called Quakers in Ireland, William Phillips, London, 1800 (https://archive.org/details/historyofrisepro00wigh/page/107/mode/1up?view=theater : accessed 18 October 2022)
25. ↑ "Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) Yearly Meeting Sufferings," image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FMMVG-1%2F0009&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F701196 : accessed 18 October 2022), sufferings of Godfrey Cantrell county of Queen's county for the year of 1659, Richard Jackson, John Edmondson, Godfrey Cantrill, William Archer with many others of the Lord's people being peacefully mett togther to write [?] upon the Lord in Mountmellick, one John Part, with a Rude Company, did breake up the meeting and abuse the said people very grosly both in words and actions. citing Mountmellick MM Sufferings 1654-1680 & family lists & testimonies, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives ref MM V G1.
26. ↑ Deposition of William Barcroft, 25/1/1642, 1641 Depositions, Trinity College Dublin, MS 818, fols 050r-050v, http://1641.tcd.ie/index.php/deposition/?depID=818050r080. Accessed 16 October 2022.
27. ↑ 'Barcroft, of The Glen, Newry' in O'Hart, J., Irish Pedigrees; of The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, vol 2, p 33, Dublin, J Duffy & co, 1892 (https://archive.org/details/irishpedigreesor02ohar/page/33/mode/1up?q=Barcroft : accessed 17 October 2022)
28. ↑ Whittaker, T.D, An history of the original Parish of Whalley, and honor of Clitheroe, to which is subjoined an account of the Parish of Cartmell. 4th ed. rev. and enl. vol 2, G Routledge, London, 1872, p 219 (https://archive.org/details/historyoforigina02whit/page/219/mode/1up?q=Bar&view=theater : accessed 17 October 2022).
29. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Family Lists, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=ire%2fquaker%2fmmvm-1%2f0063&parentid=ire%2fquaker%2fburs%2f16247 : accessed 16 October 2022), birth of John Barcroft in Shragleagh, Queen's County on 3d 6mo (Aug) 1673, father: William Barcroft, mother: Margaret; citing Mountmellick MM family list 1641-1798, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
30. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Family Lists, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FMMVG-1%2F0043&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F701573 : accessed 16 October 2022), Mountmellick family list of Ambrose Barcroft; citing Mountmellick MM family list 1641-1798, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
31. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Family Lists, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=ire%2fquaker%2fmm111m-1%2f0010&parentid=ire%2fquaker%2fburs%2f16 : accessed 16 October 2022), Edenderry family list of Ambrose Barcroft; citing Edenderry MM family lists, births and burials 1612-1814, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
32. ↑ "Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) Sufferings," image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-1%2F0035&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1183893 : accessed 16 October 2022), sufferings of William Barcroft county of Queen's county for the year of 1669, citing YM Sufferings 1694-1705, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives ref YM G2.
33. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0005&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F971764 : accessed 16 October 2022), minutes dated 13d 9mo (Nov) 1670; citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
34. ↑ "Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) Testimonies of denial," image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FMMVG-1%2F0133&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F702519 : accessed 18 October 2022), testimony of self-condemnation by William Barcroft, citing Mountmellick MM Sufferings 1654-1680 & family lists & testimonies, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
35. ↑ "Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) Sufferings," image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FMMVG-1%2F0013&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F701293 : accessed 19 October 2022) Sufferings of William Barcroft for the year 1672, citing Mountmellick MM Sufferings 1654-1680 & family lists & testimonies, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives ref MM V G1.
36. ↑ "Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) Yearly Meeting Sufferings," image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-1%2F0055&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1184535 : accessed 19 October 2022), sufferings of William Barcroft county of Queen's county for the year of 1672, citing YM Sufferings c. 1665-1693, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives ref YM G1.
37. ↑ Appeal by the Society of Friends to the King's Lt General and General Governor and Council of Ireland, undated (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-2%2F0103&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1202769 : accessed 19 October 2022) Citing YM Sufferings 1694-1705, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives ref YM G2.
38. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FHYMA-1%2F0036&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F253 : accessed 19 October 2022), minutes pf half-year meeting dated 5d 9mo (Nov) 1673; citing Half-yearly Meeting Minutes 1671-1688, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
39. ↑ Goodbody, O., Guide to Irish Quaker Records, Stationery Office, Dublin, for the Irish Manuscripts Commission, 1967, p 36 (https://www.irishmanuscripts.ie/digital/guidetoirishquakerrecords/Guide%20To%20Irish%20Quaker%20Records.pdf : accessed 19 October 2022)
40. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0031&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F972529 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 17d 9mo (Nov) 1677, William Barcroft to come to the next general meeting to answer to Friends; citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
41. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0031&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F972529 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 29d 10mo (Dec) 1677, William Barcroft signified that he was sorry for having miscarried himself by making an arrangement in which his landlord paid his tithes which he later remitted to the landlord.; citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
42. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0035&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F972611 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 27d 5mo (Jul) 1678, William Barcroft hath not yet got the bargain of tithe free … from his landlord; citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
43. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0037&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F972660 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 19d 8mo (Oct) 1678, William Barcroft hath not yet gotten Clear of being Tithe Free by Contract with his landlord; citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
44. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0039&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F972713 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 11d 11mo (Jan) 1678 (1679), ... fitt yt William Barcroft shall condemn [himself] by publishing a paper against his taking his land tithe free; citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
45. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0052&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F972976 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 5d 12mo (Feb) 1680 (1681) and 19 1mo (March) 1680 (1681); citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
46. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record/browse?id=ire%2fquaker%2fqm1a-1%2f0053 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 30d 2mo (Apr) 1681; citing Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
47. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FQM1A-1%2F0056&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F973076 : accessed 20 October 2022), minutes dated 26d 9mo (Nov) 1681, Testimony against William Barcroft for drunkenness etc; Leinster Province Men’s Meeting Minutes 1670-1706 minutes, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.