William Westby, who was under-sheriff of Lancashire in 1345, is the first of the name, we can find, residing at Mowbreck; and a great-grandson of his, named William Westby, is recorded as inheriting the Mowbreck and Westby property in the reign of Henry VI., 1422-61. John Westby, the son of the latter William, succeeded to the estates, residing, like his ancestors, at Mowbreck Hall, and was twice married, the offspring of the first union, with Mabill, daughter of Richard Botiler, being two daughters; and of the second, with Eleanor Kirkby, of Rawcliffe, a son and heir, named William, who succeeded him at his death in 1512. William Westby, although the lawful holder of the estates, did not obtain control over them until after 1517, being a minor at that date. He married Elizabeth Rigmayden, of Wedacer, and had issue—John, Elizabeth, and Helen. John Westby, the heir, had possession of Mowbreck, and Burn in Thornton township, about the year 1556, after the decease of his father; his places of residence were Mowbreck and Burn Halls. He was thrice married, and by his last wife, Ann, daughter of Sir Richard Molyneux, of Sefton and Larbrick, and widow of Thomas Dalton, of Thurnham, had issue—John, Thomas, William, Ellen, and Mary. John Westby succeeded his father in 1591, and dying unmarried in 1604, was in his turn succeeded by his brother, Thomas Westby, who was twice married, and purchased the estate of Whitehall, where the children of his second union established themselves. The offspring of his first wife, Perpetua, daughter of Edward Norris, of Speke, were—John, Thomas, Edward, William, Francis, Margaret, Perpetua, and Anne. John Westby, the heir, came into the Mowbreck estate and Burn Hall some time after 1622, but dying without issue in 1661, was succeeded by his nephew, Thomas, the eldest son of his fourth brother, Francis Westby, Thomas Westby, M.D., slain in the civil wars, and his two other brothers, Edward and William, having died childless. Thomas Westby, the inheritor of Westby, Mowbreck, and Burn, was born in 1641, and espoused Bridget, daughter of Thomas Clifton, of Lytham Hall, his issue being John, Thomas, William, Cuthbert, Robert, Francis, Bridget, Anne, and Dorothy. John Westby, the eldest son, inherited Westby, Mowbreck, and Burn Hall, on the demise of his father in 1700. Thomas Tyldesley, of Fox Hall, was intimate with this gentleman, as observed from the following entry in his diary in the year 1715:— “June primo.—Went to Mains to prayers; thence with Jack Westby to Burn to dinner; stayed till 4; thence to Whinneyheys; stayed till 9; soe home.”