Please note: Family pages are organised by surname; however, this does not mean that all those people featured are related to each other. Where possible we will try to be clear about any connections there may be.

William Atkinson – Rector of Hickling 1566-1593

William Atkinson was the Rector of Hickling from 1566 until his death in 1593; in his Will he included three bequests to the village:

“I, William Atkinson, clerk, parson of the parishe of Hicklinge, co. Notts., &c. I geve unto the repaire of the Churche of Hyglynge, wheareof I am now parson, iij li [£3]; to the repaire and amendinge of the Causey in Hyglynge xxs [twenty shillings].; the same iij li. I will to be bestowed on the said Churche and Causey at the discresion of Rauff Smythe, Geo. Dafte and John Parlabye of Hycklinge, when and in what places as they shall thinke convenient, and not tatt anie others appointment but by theimselfes or some of theim. I geve to twentye of the poreste house holders in Hycklinge xij d. [12pence] a pece, and to everye of theim a strike of suche corne, bairley or wheate, as shall please my executors, the same money and corne to be bestowed by the dyscrecion of the said Rauff, Geo. and John.”

(Transcript – Surtees Soc. Knareborough Court Rolls)

The Surtees Society: (to find the Will of William Atkinson go to; publications – Wills & Admon Knaresborough Court Rolls 1 – document/search William Atkinson: page 214, Will)

William Atkynson was instituted on 8th August 1566 and died in August 1593, leaving a will. He was a Yorkshire man from quite a wealthy family and was born at Ripon and had previously served at Wighthill in the same county. He made several charitable bequests and spread legacies widely among his “kinsfolke”, leaving the rest to Anthony and Margaret Mallory, his executors. The charitable legacies were divided between Hickling and Wighthill (his former parishes) and Ripon, his home town. The will suggests that he was a man of moderate wealth.

(Chris Granger: History of Hickling and All its Clergy)

William Atkinson is also referenced in the Ecclesiastical Court Records:

1587: William Atkinson, parson, Thomas Noble and William Howitt, church wardens and John Warde, curate, came before the court by Thomas Jesson and Ralph Pecke who were perhaps constable and overseer.

• “We present Mr Fearbarne for that he did not receive the Communion this last Easter for that he and the parson were not friends”
• “The lead of our church is something in decay but we appointed a workman to mend ye same.”
• “Our parishioners did ring corfew upon Alseynte evening but who they were we do not perfectly knowe” (ringing the bells on All Saints Eve (Halloween) was considered pagan)