HALTON, John (by 1491-1527/30), of Lincoln.

John Halton was a mercer of Lincoln, dwelling at the High Bridge, who moved swiftly up the civic ladder. His election as mayor followed a series of nominations since 1513: during that time he had audited the city’s accounts, viewed and valued civic property, and collected for the schoolhouse and for the renovation of the Foss Dyke, a project almost certainly sponsored by Wolsey. On his election to Parliament in 1523 the common council named as his lieutenant Thomas Burton or, failing Burton, William Irchenet or Robert Alanson, all three being former mayors. After the first session had ended in May, Halton informed the council that in the course of it he had discussed with Bishop Longland the felling of ash trees in several of the city’s churchyards by the precentor of the cathedral, whereupon the council agreed to give a reasonable answer when Wolsey came to Lincoln. After the third and last session Halton reported ‘how that he and Mr. Recorder [Richard Clerke] hath done at the said Parliament’ and ‘that they be now owing for burgess-spens £12’, a liability which was met by an assessment.4Lincoln min. bk. 1511-42, ff. 4-98 passim. 157-61 passim; HMC 14th Rep. VIII, 30.

Halton made his will on 12 Dec. 1527 and it was proved at Lincoln on 16 Aug. 1530. He made numerous small bequests of a religious nature and gave his children ten marks each. He left his dwelling-house and another in St. John’s parish to his wife, and one in St. Margaret’s parish to Anthony Atkinson in return for a yearly payment of four marks to his wife and children. He asked to be buried in the church of St. Benedict, just below the High Bridge.5Lincoln Wills, ii. 56-57.