Gateford
Gateford is situated at a short distance from Worksop, on the Sheffield Road.
This place gave name to a family anciently seated there. John de Gateford, held the fourth part of a knight's fee in Gateford, Worksop, of Thomas de Furnival. He died 13th March, 1346, having previously made his will, which was proved 26th June, 1347: he gives his soul to God Almighty, and his body to be buried in the porch of the parish church of Worksop. Another John, probably nephew of the last-mentioned, and described as John Gaiteforth, of Gaitforth, Esq. died 8th February, 1464, after making his will, proved 7th March, 1464, in which he gives his soul to God Almighty, his creator and saviour, and his body to be buried in the chapel of St. Mary the Virgin, in the parish church of Worksop, against his uncle.
Thomas de Gayteford, held this manor of another Thomas de Furnival, by a service similar to that first mentioned.
John de Gateford sat in parliament, as a knight of the shire. Another person of his name was returned, probably John de Gayteford, who died in 1406, who made his will, proved 17th March, 1406; in which, after giving his soul to God Almighty, and his body to be buried in the parish church of Worksop, between the two pillars there standing, he bequeathed to the prior and convent of Worksop, in name of his mortuary, one of his best horses, with bridle, saddle, and other furniture, and warlike habitiments.
The family continued here some time. There was a fine levied the day after All Souls' Day, 16 Hen. VII., between Edward Greysacre, clerk, and Richard Bristowe, and Thomas Knight, Esq., and Elizabeth, his wife, and John Townley, knight, and Isabella, his wife, deforcients, of the manors of Gateford and Harwell, with appurtenances in more than twenty others manors. The premises were settled on the above Thomas and Elizabeth, and their heirs-male; remainder to the heirs of Elizabeth ; remainder to the above Isabella Townley, and her heirs; with several other remainders to the family of Gateford, issuing with a remainder to the right heirs of John Gateford, father of the above Elizabeth Knight, for ever.
Gateford next came into the family of Lascelles. George Lascelles, Esq. 37 Hen. VIII., claimed against Richard Townley, Esq., the manor of Gateford, and others, with the appurtenances: he was successful, and his family remained long seated here in great respectability being neighbours, they were on intimate terms with the family of the Earl of Shrewsbury, to whose munificence they subsequently became indebted.
Bryan Lascelles was one of the knights of the shire, 31 Eliz. His son, George Lascelles, had a daughter, Elizabeth, who was his heir, and married to Sir Francis Rhodes, of Barlborough whose grandson, Sir Francis Rodes, was high sheriff of the county in 1671.
After remaining some time with the last-mentioned family, the estate was purchased by the late Mr. Vessey, whose father occupied a farm, originally part of the Kingston estate, called Collinthwaite Grange, near Welbeck, and lately ceded to the Duke of Portland. William, the eldest son, was the first lessee of Gateford Hall and farm, under Mr. Rodes; he died without issue, and was succeeded by Henry, the next brother, who became purchaser in the year 1810, he died unmarried, and was succeeded by John, the youngest brother, who had resided at a large farm at Aughton, in the parish of Aston, purchased for him by his father, out of the estate of the late Lord Holderness. John dying on the 2nd of April, 1823, bequeathed his estates, etc. to his sister, the only survivor of the family, to hold during her natural life; and then to Henry Machon, Esq., of Gateford Hill, whose mother was a Miss Vessey, sister of the late John Vessey, Esq., of North Laiths, near Rufford, and cousin to the Vesseys of Gateford.
Gateford Hall was built by Henry Machon, Esq. There was also a large brick house the residence of Benjamin. Eddison.
Source:The History, Antiquities, and Description of the Town and Parish of Worksop . By John Holland, 1826
The Vessey's mentioned are most likely connected to the Vescy's living at Brampton-en-le-Morthen.