OF THE 
 
 FOREST OF ROSSENDALE. 
 
 
 
 NEWBIGGING.
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 VVII.I.IAM GEORGE'S SONS L-rD.i
 
 H I STO RY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FOREST OF ROSSENDALE. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 ILLUSTRATED.
 
 i*
 
 
 HV^.
 
 
 OFTHE 
 
 A
 
 H ISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FOREST OF ROSSENDHLE 
 
 BY 
 
 THOMAS NEWBIGGING. 
 
 SECON D EDITION 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 Printed and Published by 
 
 J. J. RiLEV, AT THE " ROSSENDALE FrEE PrESS " OFFICES, 
 
 Rawtexstall. 
 
 1893.
 
 ) ^^ 3 
 
 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 
 
 Some apology or explanation would seem to be due from me to 
 those who will peruse the present Work, why I, who am no native 
 of the Forest of Rossendale, should have presumed to write its 
 History. 
 
 I am aware that there are those residing in Rossendale who, by 
 their antiquarian and genealogical acquirements and their longer 
 acquaintance with the locality, are more fitted for the duty, and 
 have access, probably, to more copious sources of information than 
 those of which I can boast; but I have not been able to learn that 
 such have ever contemplated the undertaking, though their 
 researches, if given to the public, would be of enduring interest. 
 Their backwardness in this respect may, therefore, be accepted as 
 one reason why I have taken it in hand. 
 
 Again, the longer such a work is delayed the more difficult it is 
 of accomplishment, and the less trustworthy many of the sources of 
 information become ; and how desirable it is (applying the remark 
 to any district) that the fragments of Fact and Legendary Lore 
 which exist on our right hand and on our left, should be gathered 
 up and strung together, however indifferently, before they become 
 utterly dispersed and lost. 
 
 And how many there are amongst us who, possessing but vague 
 notions of the past History of the Forest, would rejoice in a better 
 acquaintance therewith — would delight to be told the story of its 
 earlier existence — to learn more than they at present know of "the 
 rude forefathers" who thinly tenanted its bleak hill-sides, or 
 wandered centuries ago in its wooded doughs ; where, instead of 
 the noise of manufacturing Industry, the rush of the Red Deer 
 through the leafy covert alone broke the prevailing stillness. 
 
 547904 
 
 ENGLISH LOCAL
 
 vi Preface. 
 
 But I have a further reason to assign for the present venture. 
 A residence of nearly seventeen years has endeared me to the 
 district (all the pleasanter for its rugged character) and its people ; 
 and should my efforts afford pleasure to the dwellers within the 
 boundaries of the Ancient Forest, I shall be, in some measure, 
 repaying the debt due for kindnesses received, and which I can 
 neither enumerate nor forget. 
 
 I have another and final plea to urge— the desire of personal 
 gratification. The enjoyment associated with the preparation of 
 any History, however limited in its range, or humble in its preten- 
 sions, is only such as can be fully appreciated by those who 
 undertake the pleasing labour. In following such pursuits we live 
 a double life ; for, whilst enjoying the intercourse of present friends, 
 we delight ourselves in the society of those who have long since 
 passed away. 
 
 A Work of this character, to be moderately complete, must 
 necessarily glean its material from every available source. I have 
 spared neither pains nor expense in the. search for authorities. Dr. 
 Whitaker's "History of the Parish of Whalley," of which this 
 district forms a part, contains many interesting particulars relating 
 to Rossendale and the neighbourhood ; and I have freely dipped 
 into the pages of that comprehensive work. In the "History of 
 the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster," by Edward Baines, 
 Esq., are also some references to this locality, and of the informa- 
 tion therein contained I have occasionally availed myself. The 
 elaborate papers "On the Battle of Brunanburh, and the probable 
 Locality of the Conflict," by T. T. Wilkinson, Esq., F.R.A.S. of 
 Burnley, read before the Historic Society of Lancashire and 
 Cheshire, and published in the Society's Transactions, are replete 
 with information of a Local character, and have enabled me to 
 supply a chapter connecting the district with the events of the most 
 important period in Saxon History. 
 
 In the early stages of the Work I received valuable assistance 
 from documents kindly placed at my service by the late Miss
 
 Preface. vii 
 
 Maden, of Greens House, and Mr. George Howorth, of Bacup-fold. 
 To George Hargreaves, Esq., J. P., of Newchurch, and to James 
 Rushton, Esq., of the same place, I am indebted for much that is 
 indispensable in elucidating the bygone manners and economy of 
 the inhabitants. 
 
 During the progress of the Work I have received many valuable 
 oral communications from different persons ; and several unknown 
 correspondents have supplied me with interesting material. 
 
 For all the assistance received, I am sensibly obliged, and desire 
 to tender my sincere thanks. Other sources of information are 
 duly recognised in the body of the Volume. Lastly, to my friend, 
 J. H. Redman, Esq., I am an.xious to express my grateful acknow- 
 ledgments for counsel in matters of Literary taste, and for his 
 kindly aid in revising the proof sheets of the Work. 
 
 Let me now crave indulgence for any mistakes or omissions 
 which may have been made. These cannot always be avoided, 
 even where the time at the disposal of the writer is most ample ; 
 and in the work that is performed during the intervals of leisure to 
 be found in the midst of other responsible duties, they may be 
 expected to occur. ■ 
 
 T. N. 
 
 B.ACUP, November i, 1867. "•
 
 PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 The writing of the History of the Forest of Rossendale, 
 more than a quarter of a century ago (how time slips away!) was a 
 great pleasure to me. Perhaps, after all, I was fairly well qualified 
 to undertake the work, because my duties during the years I 
 resided in the locality led me constantly to traverse the district from 
 end to end. In this way its places grew very familiar to me; I 
 came in contact with many of the old inhabitants, I noted their 
 characteristics, and became acquainted with circumstances and 
 incidents that might, and probably would, have passed into oblivion 
 (as doubtless many such have really done) had I not taken care to 
 preserve them. 
 
 Besides actual observations and notes made on the spot, I 
 searched original documents, and such works as were available, for 
 material throwing light on past occurrences in the district, and read 
 all that I could find written in books on the subject. 
 
 In this way my notes grew, and eventually took the form of a 
 regular History. The work was widely and favourably reviewed ; 
 it has since become scarce, and copies of the first edition that 
 find their way into the market fetch a price beyond what many 
 people are willing, or can afford, to pay. These considerations 
 have influenced me to undertake the revision of the work, and also 
 to add to the record the further materials of interest which 
 I have accumulated in the interval. 
 
 From a few friends, some of whom have passed away of recent 
 years, I received both encouragement and assistance by the loan of 
 original documents, and without these the work would have been 
 less attractive and valuable. My personal acquaintance with Mr. 
 J. J. Riley, J. P., the present publisher, justifies me in believing 
 that the production of the volume will be highly creditable to 
 him and acceptable to readers. 
 
 Thomas Newbigging. 
 Manchester, September 30th, 1893.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 BOOK FIRST. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 Absence of Eoman remains in Eossendale — The ancient Britons, their 
 worship, mode of life, and dwellings— The natural fealores of a country 
 or a district usually its most permanent monuments — The Forest of 
 Eossendale once the resort of wild animals of different kinds : the 
 Wild Boar, the Wolf, Wild Oxen, the Deer tribe— Names of places in 
 Eossendale having rcfci-ence to the Deer and its kindred — Discovery of 
 antlered horns, described by Captain Aitkin — Wild animals of an 
 inferior class — Fish formerly plentiful in the different streams — The 
 great natural and prominent boundaries of the Forest — The " WatUng 
 Street " of the Eomans— The " Limersgate," one of the oldest roads 
 in the locality — Derivation of the name, Eossendale, and of other place- 
 names in the District, .... Pp. 1-8 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 
 The Dykes at Broadclough— Described by Dr. Whitaker and by Mr. T. T. 
 Wilkinson, F.E.A.S. — Further description — Believed to be of Saxon or 
 Danish origin — Mr. Wilkinson's investigations connecting the Dyke 
 with the Battle of Brnnanburh— The history of the period recounted 
 —Ethelred— Alfred the Great— The Battle of Ethandune— Edward— 
 Athelstan, King of Wessex— On the death of Sihtric he annexes the 
 kingdom of Northumbria to his own dominions — Flight of Gnthfred and- 
 Anlaf — The ambition of Anlat to recover the kingdom of his father — 
 Sails from Ii'eland on an expedition — Lands his forces on the banks of 
 the Mersey, the Eibble, the Wyre, and the Lnne— Their advance 
 through the country— The Battle of Brnnanburh— Saxon Ode on tho 
 Battle — Discovery of relics- Tho Beacon remains on Thieveley Pike — 
 Central position of tlie Pike— View obtained therefrom, . Pp 9-21
 
 X Conienls. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Biver Irwell— Its source in Cliviger— The original boundary between 
 Clivigtr and the Forest of Kossendale— Removal of the ancient meres 
 or bouudry marks —Law-suit instituted by the Proprietors of Bacup 
 Booth against those of Cliviger daring the reign of Elizabeth— First 
 mention of the Irwell— Account of the origin of the name by Mr. 
 Whitaker, the historian of Manchester- The same by Dr. Wbitaker, 
 the historian of Whalley— Farther conjectures as to the derivation of 
 the name— Michael Drayton on the Irwell, . • Pp. 22-31 
 
 BOOK SECOND. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Pendle, Trawden, Accrington, and Rossendalc Forests formerly embraced 
 in the general name of the Forest of Blackburnshire — Signification of 
 the term Honor — Area of the Forest of Blackburnshire — Area of Bos- 
 sendale Forest — Account of the Hundred given in Domesday Book — 
 Measurement of Forests not included therein — Roger de Poictou fiist 
 lord of the Honors of Lancaster and Clitheroe — Succeeding owners — 
 The House of Lacy — Union of the Houses of Lancaster and Lacy — 
 Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, beheaded — His possessions forfeited on 
 account of his share in the insurrection of the barons against the De 
 Spensera — Act for reversing the attainder of his brother Thomas, 
 obtained by Henry, Earl of Lancaster— Henry, Dake of Lancaster — 
 John of Gaunt — Henry of Boliugbroke, afterwards Henry IV. of 
 England — The Honor of Clitheroe bestowed by Charles II. upon 
 General Monk — Duke of Montague succeeds to the Honor — Its posses- 
 sion by the Duke of Buccleuch, . . . Pp. 32-36 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 ft 
 
 Grant by Roger do Lacy of Brandwood to the Monastery of Stanlaw, in 
 Cheshire — Brandwood the first part of the Forest cleared and culti- 
 vated — The Deed of Roger de Lacy — Grant of John de Lacy to the 
 same Abbey, of the right to cut Hay in the Forest — Confirmation of 
 the foregoing grants to the Abbot and Monks of Whalley — Suit 
 between the Abbot of Whalley and Richard do RatclifEe, Master
 
 Contents. xi 
 
 Forester, for Patnre of the Foresters — Deed of Henry, Dnke of 
 Lancaster, confirming previous Grants of Brandwood, &o., and 
 relinqnisbing his right to pasture therein — References to Eossendale 
 in the rolls of the Duchy of Lancaster in the reign of Edward III. — 
 Commission of Henry VII. relating to the Pnture Rents within the 
 Forest — Character of Henry VII., . . . Pp. 37-51 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Rossendale a favourite Hunting-ground — Disappearance of the larger 
 animals of chase — The Deans of Whalley : Mighty hunters — Liwiphus 
 Cutwnlph — Forest Laws — Definition of a Forest — The Constitutiones 
 de Foresta of King Canute — Forest Courts — Justice-seat — Swainmote — 
 Woodmote or Attachment — Officers of the Forest — Their duties — 
 Signification of the terms Venison and Vert — Difference between a 
 Forest and a Chase — Beasts of Forest — Beasts of Park and Chase — 
 Beasts of Warren — Fowls of Warren — Appropriation of Forests by the 
 King — Exceptions to this rule — The Forests of Lancaster and 
 Pickering — Complaint of the Earl of Lancaster, temp, of Edward II., 
 of malefactors and disturbers of the peace — Saxon Forest Laws — 
 Punishments inflicted comparatively mild — A stern and merciless code 
 introduced after the Conquest — Severity of punishments during the 
 reign of William Rufns — A milder policy inaugurated by Henry III. 
 and Edward I. — Curious provision in the Carta Foresta of Henry III. — 
 Provision of Edward I. — Inquisition to be made of any Deer found dead 
 or wounded — Spaniels and Greyhounds forbidden in the Forest — The 
 Mastiff admitted — " Hambling," or " Expeditation," how performed — 
 Agisting of goats and sheep — Agisting of lands held by persons 
 within the boundaries of the Forests — The Boundaries of a Forest of 
 two kinds—" Dog-draw "— " Stable-stand "— " Back-Bear "— " Bloody, 
 hand " — The Fence-mouth — Rhymed Oath taken by the inhabitants of 
 the Forest — Purlieus — Parks — Mnsbury, the Park or Laund of the 
 Forest of Rossendale, .... Pp. 52-60 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Earliest known record of any Rossendale Inhabitant — Henry Rossyndale, of 
 Rosindale — Granted Lands in Denbigh — Certain of his descendants — 
 Humphrey Lloyd, the Antiquary — William Rosindale — The Rosindale 
 Arms — Adam de Rosindale — Owner of Hulme Hall, Manchester — 
 Grotesque Wood Carvings therein — Rossendale as a Surname — 
 Examples of, in the Diary of the Rev. Oliver Heywoq^, . Pp. 61-66
 
 xii Contents. 
 
 BOOK THIRD. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Commission for Granting of the Forosts — Eleven Vacearies in Rossondale 
 in time of Edward II. — Afterwards increased to Nineteen — Then 
 to Twenty — Their names and estimated value — Particulars relating to 
 property in Brandwood in the time of Henry VIII., . Pp. 67-73 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Freehold lands in Brandwood— Possessed by Henry VIII. after the Exocn- 
 tion of John Paslew, Abbot of Whalley — Granted by the king to 
 Thomas Holt of Gristlehnrst — Subsequent descent of tho Property — 
 Manor of Rochdale possessed by tho Byron family — Letter of Lord 
 Byron — Manor purchased by James Dcarden, Esq. — Action at law 
 respecting tho manorial rights of tho Freehold in Brandwood — 
 Summary of the trial — Verdict of the jury, . . Pp. 74-79 
 
 CHAPTER ni. 
 The titles to copyhold property in the Forests disputed by tho Crown 
 Lawyers of James I. — The land said to be only of the nature of assart 
 land — Explanation of the term — Letter of Richard Towneley, Edward 
 Rausthorn, and others — Dr. Whitakor's comments upon the proceed- 
 ings — Settlement of tho dispute — Titles to Wapontake, or copyhold 
 lands of the new tenure in Blackburnshire, . . Pp. 80-86 
 
 BOOK FOURTH. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 The Greave of the Forest— His Daties — Fulfilment of the ofiBoe not 
 optional— Accounts of the Greave— Dr. Whitaker and Mr. Baines on 
 the Greave of Rossendale Forest — The Reeve of Chaucer — List of the 
 Greaves of Rossendale from A D. 1559 to 1818— Historical value of the 
 list, in being an enumeration of tho oldest families of the district — 
 The Cause of the Parliament espoused by the inhabitants of Rossendale 
 during the Revolution — Names of Persons common to the 
 locality, ^ . . . . . Pp. 87-107
 
 Contents. xiii 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Description of tho Greaves' Accounts— Explanation of the various Kates 
 for the County Palatine of Lancaster— I. The Subsidy- Ii: The 
 Fifteenth— III. The Oxley— IV. Tho Jlaimed Lay— Y. The Prisoners' 
 Lay— VI. The Soldiers' Lay, or County Lay— Extracts from the 
 Greaves' Book— The Bridle or Brank for Scolding women— The 
 Ducking Stool — The Bridle formerly used in the Township of 
 Pilkington— Finger or Guide Posts— The Rebellion of 1715 — Trophey 
 Money — The Rebellion of 1745 — List of the Posts for Eossendale 
 Militia, 1744-5- The taking of Carlisle and Stirling— Watch and 
 Ward- Stocks in the different villages in Eossendale — Sabbath, 
 breaking and Profane Swearing— Old Custom of the Churchwardens — 
 The Town Box— Bacup Stocks — Impressing for the Navy— Dungeons 
 at Bacup — Minute respecting Dungeons at Newchnrch and Goodshaw 
 Chapel— Dungeon at Crawshawbooth— The war with France — 
 Expenses on account of the Militia — Numbering the Inhabitants- 
 Able-bodied men in Eossendale capable of actual service — The Peace 
 of Amiens — Threatened Invasion of Great Britain — Meetings held in 
 Eossendale for the Defence of the Nation— Eeturns made by the 
 Greave — Prisoners formerly conveyed to Holmes Chapel — Public 
 Notices in the Church- Cloughfold Pinfold— List of Pinders from 1747 
 to 1753— Workhouse Accounts for 1734-5, . . Pp. 108-137 
 
 CHAPTER ni. 
 
 Other Officers appointed by the Halmot Court — The Office of Ale- Taster— 
 The Ale-Taster's Oath— Richard Taylor, the Eossendale Ale-Taster— 
 His Eccentricities — His Petitions to the Court- Died, a martyr to 
 duty, ...... Pp. 138-145 
 
 BOOK FIFTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Eongh'Lee — View of the landscape from the hill — Chapel erected there — 
 Traditions respecting the Chapel — Description of the same — Fragments 
 of Stones bearing inscriptions found — Conjectures respecting the 
 foundation of the Chapel— The "Waste of Brendewode "— The Old 
 Hall, Newballhey, . . . .Pp. 146-149
 
 xiv Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Docroe ot the Cliancellor of the Dachy of Lancaster relating to the Chapel 
 in Hosseiiflalo — The original Chapel at Newchurch — Date of ita 
 erection— Rebuilt in the third year of the reign of Qaeon Elizabeth- 
 Legend connected with the Church— Addition made to the structnro 
 by Mr. John Ormcrod, of Tnnstead, and Mr. John Hargreavos, of 
 Newchurch, in 175.3— Memorial to the Bishop of Chester for authority 
 to enlarge- Extract from Bishop Gastrell's Notitia Cestricnsis— Church 
 rebuilt and enlarged in 1824-5 — Its Architecture and Situation — 
 Newchurch Bell-ringers— Surrender of Lands by Lattice JacVson for 
 the use of the New Church— Remarks by Dr. Whitaker thereon- 
 Letter from the Rev. J. B. Phillips respecting the same— Note by 
 Canon Raines on tlie same — Lambeth Inquisition — List of Incumbents 
 from the foundation— Will of Sir George Gregory, Priest— Bees in 
 Rossendule- Contest, for the right of Patronage, betwixt Dr. Keene, 
 Bishop of Chester ; the Archbishop of Canterbury ; and Mr. Johnson, 
 Vicar of Whalley — Extracts from the correspondence — Remarks 
 thereon— National School, Newchurch— Grammar School, Newchurch — 
 Endowments — Account of Thomas Sanders, Incumbent of Newchurch, 
 in parochial register— John Shorrock, A.M., Incumbent — The "Book of 
 Sports" — Newchurch Charities — Goodshaw Chapel — Deed entered 
 into for the building thereof— Extract from Bishop Gastrell's Notitia 
 Ccstriensia — Note by Canon Raines — Incumbents of Goodshaw — St. 
 John's Church, Sunnyside— Mills' Charity, . . Pp. 150-181 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 St. John's Church, Bacup— " Th' Kirk Gate "—Foundation of St. John's— 
 Consecration — " The Old School," Bacup, used as an Episcopal place of 
 worship— National School erected — Minister's Salary — Rev. Joseph 
 Ogden first Incumbent — His character — Rev. William Porter, Incnm- 
 bent — Fees — The Parsonage — Meadowhoad Farm, near Gambleside, 
 purchased by the Congregation of St. John's — Character of Mr. 
 Porter — Living sold to the Hulmeian Trustees — Account of the origin 
 of Halme's foundation — Names of Incumbents — Bacup made a Con- 
 solidated Chapelry in 1837 — Interments in the Churchyard ot St. 
 John's — Erection of a New Structure — St. Mary's Church, Rawtbnstall 
 — Its consecration — Names of principal Subscribers to its erection — 
 Incnmbents thereof — Tunstead Church, built through the efforts of 
 Robert Munn and George Ormerod, Esquires — Patrons — Incumbents — 
 District assigned to this Church— Lumb Church — Its consecration —
 
 Contents. xv 
 
 Patrons — Incnmbent — Lumb constituted an Ecclesiastical District by 
 Order in Council — Christ Chnrcb — Cost of erection — Patron — Conse- 
 cration — Incumbent — St. James's Church, Waterfoot — Date of opeuir.g 
 — Of consecracion — Cost of erection — Patrons — Incumbent — St. 
 Saviour's Church, Baoup — Date of consecration — Incumbent — 
 Baptistery for Adults — School — Parsonage — Patron — St. Anue'a 
 Church, Edgeside — Chief contributors — Patrons and Vicar — Church of 
 St. John the Divine, Cloughfold — Principal contributors — Patrons and 
 Vicar, . . . . . .Pp. 185-196 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The New Church originally Eoman Catholic — Goodshaw original Church 
 the same — Dispersion of Catholics at the Reformation — The Booth 
 family re-iutroduoe Catholicism into Eossendale — Early meeting places 
 of the Catholics — First resident Priest — Church at Constablee, Eaw- 
 tenstall — Opening ceremony— List of Inoumbents^-St. Mary's Church, 
 Bankside, Bacup — Incumbents, . . . Pp. 1&7-200 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Baptist denomination in Rossendalo — Bacup at the end of the 17th 
 century— No place of worship in Bacup prior to the establishment of 
 the Baptist denomination in Eossendale — William Mitchel and David 
 Crossley — Their character and labours — Mitchel taken prisoner uuder 
 the Conventicle Act — Crossley, the friend of Bunyau and Wbitefield — 
 Lawrence Britliffe executed at Lancaster — The United Congregations 
 of Bacup and Cloughfold — The Old School, Bacup, erected for the use 
 of the Protestant Dissenters— Trust-deed of the Building — Deed of 
 admission — Henry Lord and Joseph Piccop, successors to D. Crossley — 
 Erection of the "Now Meeting House" — Extracts from the Building 
 Accounts — Chapel rebuilt in 1778— Gallery erfeoted in 1783 — Again 
 taken down and rebuilt in 1811 — Cloughfold Section of the Baptist 
 Church in Eossendale — Writings belonging to the same — Endowments 
 — Baptist Chapel at Lnnib — Musical skill of the inhabitants of the 
 Lumb and Dean Valleys — John Nuttall — -Removal to Goodshaw — 
 Other Baptist Chapels in Eossendale — Baptist Churches which have 
 sprung from those in the district — Table, showing present position of 
 Baptist denomination in Eossendale — Sketch of Joseph Piccop — John 
 Hirst, forty-two years minister at Bacup, . . Pp. -201-213
 
 xvi Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Methodist denomination in Kossendalo — William Darney and John 
 Maden — Sketch of the life of John Madeu, the first Rossendale 
 Slethodist — Mr. Darney preaches at Heap Barn — Formation of a 
 Society at Miller Bam, Wolfenden Booth — Mr. Maden opens hia honse 
 for divine service — Progress of the Society — Another house taken — 
 The use of the Baptist Meeting-honse obtained — The propriety of 
 Building a Chapel discassed — The work accomplished — The New 
 Erection opened by John Wesley — Extracts from Mr. Wesley's Joarnal 
 relative to visits which he paid to Rossendale — Mr. Maden'a death — 
 Interred at Mount Pleasant, Bacnp — Inscription on Tombstone — 
 Character and labours of William Darney — Number of Methodist 
 Chapels in Rossendale — The Quakers j their place of meeting ; decrease 
 in th&ir numbers — Unitarians — Original Unitarian Chapel at Rawten- 
 stall — The old School there — Independents at Bacnp — Number of 
 Places of Worship within the Forest, . . Pp. 214-221 
 
 BOOK SIXTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. ' 
 
 Genesis of the original inhabitants of Rossendale— Pendle and Rossendale 
 compared — Clitheroe Castle and Church — The Parish Church of 
 Rossendale — The inhabitants of Rossendale proverbial for their shi-ewd, 
 enterprising character — The chief men of wealth and position in the 
 district risen from the ranks — Key to the success and growing 
 importance of Rossendale — Table showing the annual value of the 
 Rateable Property in each Township from 1815 to 1892 — Increase per 
 cent — Acreage of each Township — Increase on the "advanced rents" 
 confirmed by King James I. — Population of the district in 1511, 1551, 
 and during the Commonwealth — Table showing the amount of the 
 Population in each Township, and its increase from ISOl to 1801 — 
 Excess of Females over the Males in Rossendale — The Cotton Dearth — 
 Migration of many families into Yorkshire — The Municipal Boroughs 
 of Bacnp and Rawtenstall, . . . Pp. 222-230 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Rossendale forty years ago — Views of Scenery in Rossendale— The Hills 
 and their venerable antiquity — Wind on the Hills— Climate of 
 Rossendale — Effect of the HiUs in bringing down the rain — Character
 
 Contents. xvii 
 
 of thfl soil — The Climate not congenial to delicate constitntioas — 
 Eainfall — Number of days on which rain fell — Weight of rain annually 
 deposited on the area of the district — Mean temperature of Eossendale 
 Its Agrionlture — Dairy Farming — Epidemic diseases rare in Eossen- 
 dale— Births and Deaths for the years 1891-2, . Pp. 231-235 
 
 BOOK SEVENTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Local worthies — John Lord, schoolmaster— Traitsof his character — Bhyming 
 Calendar— Rev. John Butterworth — His religions views — Author of a 
 Concordance to the Holy Scriptures — His father Henry Butterworth, 
 and brothers — James Hargreavcs, author of the " Life of John Hirst " — 
 Incidents in his early youth — His first essay at preaching — Joins the 
 Baptist Society at Bacnp — Removes to Bolton, and afterwards to Ogden 
 — Opens a Boardiug-School — Accepts a Call to Wild Street Chapel, 
 London — Finally settles at Waltham Abbey Cross — He is appointed 
 Secretary of the Peace Society — His labours in connection therewith — 
 List of his Published Works — Lawrence Heyworth — His birth and 
 parentage — Education — Commences business — His success in Portugal 
 —Embarks for South America — Establishes Commission houses there — 
 Resists Sir James Chamberlain in his attempts to impose a tax upon 
 English goods imported into Rio de Janeiro — Founds an Establishment 
 at Hamburgh — Retires from business, and invests his Capital in 
 Railways — Begins to take an active part in Politics — His connection 
 with the Anti-Corn Law League — Is returned to Parliament for the 
 borough of Derby — His Political views — Resigns his seat in Parlia- 
 ment — His Literary Labours — John Crabtree, II.D. — Birthplace — 
 Early Education — Studies in Edinburgh and Dublin for the Medical 
 Profession — Takes the degree of M.D. — Obtains his disploma — Begins 
 to practise — Estimate of his abilities — His character — Decease — 
 Sketch of the life of Robert Muun — John Aitken — Henry Cunliffe — 
 William Hoyle, . . . . .Pp. 236-257
 
 xviii Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 Musical abilities displayed by tlie inhabitants of the Forest of Rossendale — 
 The "Dcighn Layrocks "—Sketch from the pen of Edwin Waugh— 
 Psalm Tnnes and Chants composed by the " Deighners "— " Old 
 Simon" — Hand-loom days — Anecdote of two Masical cnthnsiasts — 
 Anniversary Services at Lumb Chapel — Description of the Singers' 
 Gallery— The Minister peruses the Sacred Volume— His earnest prayer 
 -The old-fashionod instruments at Lumb supplanted by tho Organ— 
 The Hallelujah Chorus— Unspeakable value to mankind of these 
 glorious Musical Productions, . . . Pp. 258-265 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Visits of Remarkable Men to Rossendale — John Wesley — George Whitefield 
 — Christopher Hopper — William Gadsby — Fergus O'Connor — Mary 
 Harrison, aged 108 years — Sharueyford Mill — Changes in Baonp — 
 Bull-baiting formerly a common spurt in Rossendale — " Abb o' th' 
 Yate" — Tho Thrutch — Th' Arks o' Doarden and Pike Law — Legend 
 connected with Hell Clough — The belief in Witchcraft — Tong Boggart — 
 The Goodshaw Witch — Account of the killing of a Rossendale Witch or 
 Wizard, from Harland and Wilkinson's " Lancashire Fulk-Lore " — 
 Another Rossendale Witch— His Satanic Majesty at Crawshawbooth — 
 Story of a bewitched cow — Edwin Wangh's references to Rossendale, 
 
 Pp. 266-277 
 
 BOOK EIGHTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Result of the fulfilment of the decree of Henry VII. — Growth in tho 
 number of tho Population— Corn Mills in Rossendale — Introduction of 
 the Woollen Manufacture daring the reign of Henry VIII. — The Wool 
 at first greased with butter in lieu of oil— The processes of Carding, 
 Spinning, and Weaving originally performed by hand — Invention of the 
 Shuttle — Application of Water power in turning the Machinery — 
 Prejudices against the Water-turned Machines — Arkwright's Inventions 
 for Spinning Cotton — Invention of the Steam Engine — Woollen 
 Carding Mills in Rossendale from forty to fifty years ago — Spinning 
 and Weaving formerly entirely domestic processes — Lawrence Hard- 
 man, of Greens Spotland — John and James Hardman, merchants — 
 Prior to the erectiju of large factories, the warp and wool " put out "
 
 Contents. xix 
 
 to the several hands living in the district — Description of the Sizing 
 process — Drying the Warps — Jack Spinning — Hareholme Mill erected 
 in 1798 — The first building in Rossendale lighted with gas — Wool 
 combing — Festival in honour of Bishop Blaizo — Particnlars of the 
 Woollen trade of the district at the present time — The Slipper trade — 
 Silk Weaving— Manufaotore of Ginghams, . . Pp. 278-293 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Cotton Trade — The prosperity of the district chiefly dae to its 
 development — Increase in the population — Probably no Cotton goods 
 mannfactured in Rossendale prior to 1770 — Fastian Weaving — The 
 Deeting Frame — Early records of the Trade — The oldest Cotton 
 Factory in the district — J. & W. Clegg at Little Baltic — Haudloom 
 Weaving from 1815 to 1830 — Robert and John Munu — Whitehead 
 Brothers — Hardman Brothers — Trades directly dependent upon the 
 Cotton Manufacture — Other Trades — Gas and Water Supply — The 
 Rossendale Branch Railway — Tho Stone Trade — Coal and other Mines, 
 
 Pp. 291-303 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Co-operative Movement in Rossendale — Account of the origin of the 
 Bacup Co-operative Store — Difficulties experienced by the early 
 Co-operators — Mistakes in "buying in" — Educational appliances — 
 Table of Industrial and Provident Societies in Rossendale— Population 
 represented by the number of Members in the various Stores, 
 
 Pp. 301-311 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Power.loom Riots of April, 1826 — Description of tho Rioters — Progress 
 of tho Mob through the Rossendale valley — Names of persons in 
 Rossendale charged with being concerned in the Riots — List of persons 
 killed in the encounter with the Military at Chatterton — Compensation 
 paid to the Manufacturers — Distress amongst the Operatives- 
 Opposition of the Merchants and Woollen Manufacturers to the 
 introduction of Power-looms into the district — Extract from " Scars- 
 dale " — Remedies suggested to mitigate the distress — Pamphlet by "A 
 Friend to the Poor" — His arguments examined — The "Dandy-Loom" 
 —The Luddite Riots of 1812— The Plug Riots of August, 1842— 
 Prevailing distress of the period — Causes of the distress — The Corn 
 Laws abolished — Conclusion, . . . Pp. 312-.327
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 THE AUTHOR .... 2 
 
 HAREHOLME MILL ... 3 
 
 THE RIVER IRWELL, NEAR WATERFOOT . 29 
 
 COODSHAWFOLD . . . .127 
 
 HIGHER CLOUGHFOLD . . . I36 
 
 OLD HALL AT NEW HALL HEY, RAWTENSTALL I49 
 
 THE OLD CHURCH AT NEWCHURCH . 156 
 
 friends' MEETING HOUSE, CRAWSHAWBOOTH 220 
 
 NEWCHURCH .... 231 
 
 PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 
 
 PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 APPENDIX . - 
 
 INDEX 
 
 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS . 
 
 . Pp. v-vii 
 
 Pp. viii 
 
 Pp. ix-xix 
 
 Pp. 328-344 
 
 Pp- 345-352 
 
 PP- 353-369
 
 H ISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 > ♦ » ♦ < 
 
 BOOK FI RST. 
 
 > ♦»♦ < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " This is the Forest primeval." 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
 nPHE ancient Chase or Forest of Rossendale has Httle or no 
 -*- Roman history. No remains Roman in their character, 
 with the exception of the road through Musbury, (a) leading to 
 Ribchester, and the Beacon-remains on Thieveley Pike, so far as 
 has yet been ascertained, have ever been discovered within its 
 boundaries. 
 
 (<j) Musbury in past times was the laund or park of the ancient Forest 
 as will appear in a future chapter.
 
 2 History of the 
 
 Whilst that powerful race, the offspring of the imperial Mis- 
 tress of the world, remarkable for their proficiency alike in the 
 arts of war and peace, have left behind them in neighbouring 
 localities abundant memorials of their former presence and posses- 
 sion, it would seem as though Rossendale had held out no induce- 
 ments to tempt them to its fastnesses, or to lead any of them to 
 select it as their place of habitation. 
 
 The Celtic Britons, who doubtless constituted its first inhabi- 
 tants, scant in number, and barbarous in their social and domestic 
 habits and in their religious customs, were probably permitted by 
 the Roman invaders of the island to remain unmolested in their 
 primitive fttre.it. 
 
 Equally barren is Rossendale in early British relics. This, 
 however, is not matter for surprise, as monuments of the British 
 period are not abundant in any part of the kingdom. 
 
 If the religious rites and ceremonies of our half-naked and 
 painted ancestors were ever performed within the glades of the 
 Forest, the monumental remains of their Drudical worship have 
 disappeared in the long centuries which have elapsed since their 
 occupation of the land. But it is safe to conclude that the 
 country adjacent to the Forest was too sparsely populated for the 
 latter ever to have been selected as the site of the imposing and 
 often cruel religious pageants of our barbarian forefathers. Their 
 dwellings, generally of the rudest construction, were not calcu- 
 lated to survive the storms of time, or even the less formidable 
 influences of the changeful seasons. These, therefore, have also 
 perished, leaving behind them no trace of their existence. 
 
 The natural features of a country are usually its most per- 
 manent monuments ; and if we turn to the hills and other localities 
 comprised within or bordering on the district under consideration, 
 we find that many of their present names — as for example. Crag, 
 Cridden or Cribden, Cliviger, Hameldoo, &c. — are decidedly of 
 British origin. 
 
 That the Forest of Rossendale was the resort, probably for 
 centuries, both before and after the Roman era, of wild animals
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 3 
 
 of different kinds, is sufficiently attested by names which exist to 
 the present time. 
 
 To the thoughtful mind there is much food for varied reflection, 
 pleasing and profitable, as it endeavours to picture to itself the 
 appearance and characteristics of the dim Forest in its primeval 
 existence, when the streams that tinkled through the valleys, pure 
 as the air of its brown uplands, assuaged the thirst of its meaner 
 inhabitants, and the umbrageous foliage afforded them kindly 
 shelter from the heats of summer, and the cutting blasts of its more 
 inclement seasons ; and long ere yet the busy din of manufactures 
 and trade had invaded its shadowy precincts. 
 
 The wild boar tribe has left behind it tokens of its presence, 
 deeper and more ineffaceable than the marks of its warlike tusks 
 upon the trees of its favourite haunts. There is no mistaking 
 the parentage of such names as Boarsgreave, Sowclough, and 
 Swinshaw. 
 
 The wolf, ferocious and cowardly, has disappeared from its 
 lurking-place in the Forest ; but we still retain amongst us the 
 evidences of its occupation in the names, Wolfenden, Wolfenden 
 Booth, and Wolfstones. 
 
 That a species of wild oxen ranged the hills and hollows where 
 now our domestic animals graze, is proved by remains of horns 
 and bones from time to time disentombed from the debris depo- 
 sited in the valleys by the mountain-streams, whose courses have 
 been diverted, or whose beds have been narrowed and appropriated 
 to other uses. 
 
 The different varieties of the deer tribe, it is well known, were 
 denizens of the Forest, which they wandered at will, and no doubt 
 supplied both food and raiment to the partially-clothed human 
 inhabitants in this and surrounding neighbourhoods. 
 
 At a meetmg of the Manchester Geological Society, the late 
 Captain Aitken e.xhibited a pair of antlered horns, a bone, and a 
 short horn, and stated that the antlers and bone were discovered 
 whilst excavating for a drain in a bed of river gravel, six feet from 
 the surface, in the valley of the River Irwell, near Rawtenstall.
 
 4 History of the 
 
 The gravel was very coarse, containing numerous large sandstone 
 boulders, weighing from one to two hundredweight, and was prin- 
 cipally derived from the carboniferous rocks of the surrounding 
 hills— mixed with granite and trap pebbles. The river appeared 
 to have changed its bed frequently, and had, doubtless, at one 
 time flowed where the discovery was made. The antlers and leg 
 bone were found at the same place, and as they did not exhibit 
 any appearance of having been water-worn, it was reasonable to 
 infer the animal died near the place where they were found. They 
 appear to be the remains of red deer, which at one time were very 
 abundant in the Rossendale valley. The short horn was found 
 along with several others, about a quarter of a mile higher up the 
 valley, and was probably the horn of Bos Primige^iius. Near the 
 same place two antlers were found a short time ago, resting upon 
 a loamy clay, under a bed of peat, seven to eight feet deep, near 
 a spring of water, in a depression of the surface, where animals 
 formerly resorted for the purpose of drinking, {b) 
 
 Names having reference to the deer and its kindred are plentiful 
 throughout the district ; we have Deerplay, Stacksteads, evidently 
 Stagsteads, Staghills, Harthill, Buckearth, Cridden or Cribden, 
 which, says the historian of Whalley, "is pretty obviously Keini 
 don, the Hill of Stags. It is precisely such an elevation as that 
 animal affects during the heat of summer, while the fallow deer 
 graze on the plains or slopes beneath ; and it might continue to 
 merit an appellation acquired in the remotest ages of antiquity 
 till within less than three centuries of the present time."(f) Bacup, 
 or Baycop, the cop or hillock, according to the same authority, 
 where the deer stood at bay. 
 
 Rockliffe — or rather Roclyffe, [roe cliffe,] as it is given in ancient 
 documents — the cliff that afforded shelter to the roe — the cliff 
 whose base was the favourite haunt of the roebuck — or the cliff 
 where that animal, in its headlong haste to escape its pursuers, 
 
 (6) Transactions Manchester Geological Society vol. IV. p. 333. 
 (r) History of the Parish of Whalley and Honor of Clitheroe, by Thomas 
 Dunham Whitaker, L.L.D., F.S.A., 3rd edition, p. 8.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 5 
 
 may have, by a precipitate fall, met an untimely fate. This latter 
 conjecture is by no means the most unlikely, because the two 
 places in the neighbourhood of Bacup, bearing respectively the 
 names of Roclyffe and Roclyffswood, are situated on opposite sides 
 of the valley, and approaching the summit of the hill, just in the 
 position where an incident of this character would be most hkely 
 
 to take place. 
 
 Wild animals of an inferior class were also plentiful, such as the 
 beaver, the badger or brock, the otter, the fox, the wild cat, and the 
 weasel, some of the names being preser\'ed in Badger cote, Brock- 
 clough. Tod carr. Foxholes, and Foxhill, all in Rossendale; and 
 in regard to the ubiquitous squirrel, it is affirmed that, without 
 once touching terra firma, it could traverse the Forest, leaping 
 from bough to bough of the thick intermingling trees, from Raw- 
 tenstall to its extreme eastern limits at Sharneyford. 
 
 That the streams which spring from the hill-sides to glide 
 through the different valleys, swarmed with fish of many kinds, 
 we may well suppose, as, even at the present day, trout, though 
 stunted in their growth, are found in at least two of the unpolluted 
 tributaries of the river Irwell, viz., in the small stream running 
 through Broadclough, and in the Dean Valley brook. 
 
 The great natural and prominent boundaries of the Forest of 
 Rossendale are Flour-scar, Cliviger Moor, Hameldon Hill, Cribden 
 Hill, Musbury Tor {d), Cowpe Law, Brandwood Moor, and Tooter 
 Hill. The western side of Musbury was traversed by the famous 
 Roman road known as " Watling Street," in the tenth iter of 
 Antonine ; while on the northern limits of the Forest the pack- 
 horse road, called the " Limersgate," winds along the Rossendale 
 side of the Cliviger ridge, and from thence away onward over the 
 hill to Yorkshire. This is one of the most ancient roads in the 
 locality, and in past times was a favourite route from the west 
 
 (d) The booths called Musbury, near Haslingden, and Yate and Pickup 
 Bank, near Blackburn, though detached from the Forest of Rossendale pro- 
 per, and lying outside of the boundary specified, are, nevertheless, reckoned 
 as part of the Forest.
 
 6 History of the 
 
 across the country to the adjoining counties; being travelled not 
 only by the coramon people, but by the ecclesiastics and nobles of 
 the land, in all the pomp of ancient dignity, and with the train of 
 followers and retainers who, in bygone days more than at present, 
 constantly hovered near the footsteps of those born to high estate. 
 It is in the immediate vicinity of this ancient track, now so over- 
 grown with grass and brown heath as scarcely to be distinguished 
 from the other parts of the moor, that the river Irwell takes its rise; 
 and we may with propriety assume that its neighbourhood would 
 be a familiar and welcome halting-place for man and beast. 
 
 With respect to the derivation of the name Rossendale, the 
 historian of Whalley remarks : " I was once inclined to deduce this 
 word from the E itish rhos, a bottom; but the following. etymology, 
 for which I am indebted to Baxter, (vide Gloss, in voc. Carnovaac,) 
 is much more appropriate : — '■Pagus iste, de Russeo puto graminum 
 colore, Rossen dicitur, nam ejusmodi ericcum pasatum Britannoriim 
 viilgo Rhos diciturJ If there was a circumstance about the place 
 which would strike the observation of the first colonists above 
 every other, it must have been the brown and dreary hue of its 
 native herbage, which the labours of three centuries have not been 
 able to overcome." (e) It may fairly be questioned whether the 
 labours of the last three centuries have not aggravated rather than 
 improved the hue of the native herbage. We are inclined to 
 believe that such is the fact ; but in any case the name Russet-dale 
 or Rossendale, is appropriate as describing the general appearance 
 of the district. Bailey has ' Ros-land, heathy land ; watery, moorish 
 land.' In a review of the first edition of this work, the late Mr. 
 H. Cunliffe remarks : " The origin and derivation of the name 
 Rossendale are wrapt in obscurity ; but we are inclined to accept 
 the explanation from Bailey. It is evident that at one time the 
 space between Bacup and Tunstead Thrutch, was one deep pool of 
 water; and so full of bogs was the distance between Waterfoot and 
 Hardsough, that Camden relates how prior to entering within those 
 limits, horsemen engaged in the chase dismounted and knelt in 
 ((?) Hist. Whalley, third edition, p. 220.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 7 
 
 prayer to the blessed Mary for deliverance from the sepulchral 
 quicksands." 
 
 Dr. March in his East Lancashire Nomenclature, referring to 
 local names that show traces of historical persons, has "Holen 
 weold Wrosnum," Holen ruled the Wrosns, two names that are 
 still found together in Hollin and Rossendale." The same authority 
 suggests that "Hrotan" may be traced in Rawtenstall, and " Ded- 
 win" in Deadwen Clough. (/) 
 
 The orthography of proper names in ancient times is proverbial 
 for its irregularity, and in no word is this quality more marked 
 than in the spelling of Bacup, which occurs in the following dif- 
 ferent forms : — Bacap, Bacop, Bacope, Bacoppe, Baccope, Baccop, 
 Baccup, Baycop, Backop, Backup, Bakup, Bakcop, Baicup, and 
 Bacup. With regard to the derivation of the name, Mr. James 
 Hargreaves in his interesting life of John Hirst, remarks, " The 
 deer in their excursions for pasture or play, would run down the 
 valley from Deer-play hill as far as where the village of Bacup 
 now stands, and then return, or back up again. From this circum- 
 stance, it is said, the place derived its name, ' Backup.' But 
 modern times have dropped the k, and so changed both the 
 spelling and the pronunciation into 'Bacup."' This explanation 
 of the etymology of the word does not appear to me to be the best. 
 The idea is rather too far-fetched to merit acceptance. There is, 
 to say the least of it, a want of dignity about it, which leads us to 
 inquire if no better account of the origin of the name can be given; 
 and, indeed, the same writer, as though he had experienced a 
 similar feeling, adds further — "Since the above was written, the 
 writer has been informed that a certain learned gentleman of the 
 law, in pleading a cause before the court at Lancaster, contended 
 that the village derived its name from Bay, red, and Cops, earth — 
 viz.. Red-earth -and that it should be spelled Baycop. This 
 etymology does not appear very probable, as the soil in the vicinity 
 is in general not red, but black." 
 
 (f) East Lancashire Nomenclature, by H. C. March, M.D. pp. 47,48.
 
 8 
 
 History of the 
 
 If I may be permitted to offer a further suggestion — accepting 
 the signification of bay in this connexion to be red, and cop to mean 
 hill, the term may have been used metaphorically to indicate the 
 large abundance of red deer frequenting the hillside, making it in 
 appearance a bay cop, or red hill. Mr. Wilkinson suggests " Back- 
 coppice," the back clearing on the sloping sides of the valley, 
 which is not very satisfactory ; and " Bay-copse," with reference 
 to the colour of the native herbage. In support of the latter, I 
 have often been struck with the red appearance which the uncul- 
 tivated moorlands around Bacup present in certain seasons of the 
 year. Mr. Henry Cunliffe suggested that the name was not 
 originally given to a hamlet, but rather to a locality, to whose 
 direct approach, in the primitive state of the Fflrest, Coupe 
 Valley would be the via media. Back Coupe, therefore, in Mr. 
 Cunliffe's opinion, seems to be a more reasonable form of the 
 original than any other that have been suggested. There is also 
 Back Cowm within a couple of miles of Coupe, which bears the 
 same relation geographically to Cowm as Bacup does to Coupe, (g). 
 On the other hand. Dr. March asserts that Coupe has nothing to 
 do with Bacup, and believes the latter to be either the Anglo-Sa.xon 
 bajc-cop or back-hope. He prefers the latter, and would class it 
 with Widdup, Stirrup, Harrop, but the oldest spelling yet obtained, 
 Bakcop, drives him to the former, {h.) 
 
 The derivation of the other place-names, Newchurch, ^\'ater- 
 foot, and Crawshawbooth, is obvious enough. 
 
 (k) Manchester City News, Notes and Queries, vol. vi., pp 178, 194. 
 (b) Ibid., p 184. See also East Lancashire Nomenclature, p. 18.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "Ho ! forth my sword ! Ho! up my men ! 
 My standard's folds uprear ; 
 Look out! my ancient enemies, 
 The ocean thieves, are here." 
 
 — Charlem.\gxe and the Sea-Kin'gs. 
 
 "Here, Athelstan, King — of earls the lord, of barons the bracelet-giver — 
 and eke his brother Edmund the Etheling, won life-long glory in battle, with 
 edges of swords, near Brunanburh 
 
 " Carnage greater has not been in this island, of people slain." — Saxon Ode 
 on the Battle of Brunanburh. 
 
 rr^HERE is a well-known earthwork called the Dyke or Dykes, 
 -■- situated in the neighbourhood of Broadclough, Bacup. This 
 singular monument of a bygone age is well worthy of a visit. By a 
 slight exercise of the imagination the spectator may cause to pass 
 before his mental vision the scenes long since enacted in its vici- 
 nity, and associate in spirit with the sturdy Danish warriors who in 
 all probability manned and defended the intrenchment. 
 
 Rossendale is not rich in relics; but for extent and importance 
 the Dykes at Broadclough eclipse a multitude of lesser archaeo- 
 logical remains to be found in other localities. This work is 
 described by Dr. Whitaker, the historian, as an "intrenchment to 
 which no tradition is annexed that may serve to ascertain either 
 its antiquity, or the end it was designed to answer. It is cut from 
 the gentle slope of a rising ground, in one direction, nearly parallel 
 to the horizon, for more than six hundred yards in length, not 
 exactly in a right line, but following the little curvatures of the 
 surface. In one part of the line, for about a hundred yards, it 
 appears to have been levelled, and in another, where it crosses a
 
 lo . History of the 
 
 dough, is not very distinct ; but more than four hundred yards of 
 the Hne exhibit a trench eighteen yards broad in the bottom, and 
 of proportionate depth — a most gigantic, and at the same time 
 almost inexphcable work, as it could only have been intended for 
 some military purpose ; and yet, in its present state, must have 
 been almost useless as a fortification — for, though it would have 
 defended a great army in front, yet their flanks might have been 
 turned with the greatest ease, and the whole might have been 
 destroyed in their trenches from the high grounds which imme- 
 diately command it. On the whole I am inclined to think it one 
 side of a vast British camp, which was intended to have been 
 carried round the crown of the hill, but for some reason, never to 
 be recovered by us, was left in its present unfinished and useless 
 state. Abating for the herbage with which it is covered, the pre- 
 sent appearance of it is precisely that of an unfinished modern 
 canal, though much deeper and wider in its dimensions." (ff) 
 
 The same monument of antiquity is thus alluded to by the late 
 Mr. T. T. Wilkinson, in a paper read before the Historic Society of 
 Lancashire and Cheshire, entitled " The Battle of Brunanburh, and 
 the probable Locality of the Conflict": — " Broadclough Dyke is a 
 formidable and gigantic intrenchment near Bacup. It measures 
 more than one tljousand eight hundred feet in length, is situated 
 on the edge of a gentle slope, and has a trench at least fifty-four 
 feet broad at the bottom. What can have been the object of such 
 an extensive earthwork can, of course, only be a matter of conjec- 
 ture. From its position it is capable of protecting a large army in 
 front, but it is easily accessible from the east, and must have been 
 abandoned by its defenders whenever the enemy had turned their 
 flank. Its construction can only have been suggested by temporary 
 necessities, since it has evidently been abandoned in an unfinished 
 state." 
 
 There are several features of interest connected with the Dyke 
 at Broadclough worthy of remark, which have either escaped the 
 
 (a) Hist. Whalley, third edition, p. 221.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 1 1 
 
 observation of those who have aheady described it, or for some 
 other reason are left unnoticed by them. 
 
 In several parts of the Dyke, in patches throughout its entire 
 length, and within twenty-four or thirty inches from the surface, 
 where the herbage is worn off, the shale and soil are clearly visible 
 in their natural, undisturbed layers, proving beyond question that 
 the earth-wall or rampart has not been formed from the loose 
 material dug from the trench, but that, as at present seen, the 
 height of the Dyke (which is eleven or twelve feet in the deepest 
 part) corresponds to the depth of the original excavation. It 
 therefore becomes interesting to inquire how the super-abundant 
 soil was disposed of. Either this was originally thrown up by those 
 employed in its construction, so as to form a wall throughout the 
 entire extent, or it was removed to some adjacent hollow in the 
 hill-side. If the former, then the original Dyke must have been 
 nearly double its present height, because the hill which rises to the 
 rear of the earthwork is a continuation of the gradual and regular 
 slope of the land lying below, and extending to the turnpike road ; 
 or else a second dyke in advance of the first was formed, and 
 which, being composed of loose material, has been levelled by 
 time. With respect to, and in support of, the second conjecture, 
 that the soil was removed to some contiguous hollow, the intelligent 
 tenant occupying the farm on which the Dyke is located informs 
 me that he has repeatedly had occasion to dig trenches in its 
 vicinity, a little distance below, nearer to the turnpike road ; and 
 although he has gone to a depth of six, eight, and even ten feet, he 
 has invariably found the soil to be of a loose and apparently filled- 
 up character, largely intermixed with fragments of sticks and bark, 
 and other substances foreign to the soil in its natural bed. He 
 also states that the earth is of such a friable nature that, though 
 only at a depth of three feet from the surface, he has had occasion 
 to shore up the sides of the trench with timber to prevent them 
 falling in — in short, altogether differing from the material of an 
 excavation through a natural deposit. The work extends from the 
 farm called " Dykes-house " to the edge of " Whitaker's Clough,"
 
 I 2 History of the 
 
 but is not now continuous throughout its entire length, being obh- 
 terated or levelled in the centre for a . considerable space ; — the 
 entrance to the end farthest from Bacup being through a deft or 
 cutting in the earthwork. 
 
 I am far from coinciding in the view taken both by Dr. Whitaker 
 and Mr. Wilkinson, that " it has evidently been abandoned in an 
 unfinished state, because it was not carried round the crown of the 
 hill." There is nothing, in my opinion, about the work which in 
 the least indicates any such intention on the part of those with 
 whom it originated. To have carried it over the hill would have 
 been a stupendous undertaking indeed, as any one viewing the 
 ground will readily admit. But even supposing it had been so 
 carried, the work, according to this theory, would still have been 
 incomplete unless the rampart had been continued either along 
 the summit or on the other side, and over the hill a second time 
 to unite its e.xtremities, thus forming a continuous wall. Neither 
 am I prepared to agree that it was easily accessible by an attack- 
 ing force from the east, thus rendering a flanking operation easy of 
 accomplishment. 
 
 It should be borne in mind that the nature of the approaches to 
 the work has undergone a material alteration since the time of its 
 construction. It is in the highest degree probable — amounting 
 almost to a certainity — that the rising ground to the rear and at its 
 extremities was protected by natural defences in the shape of trees 
 and a thick undergrowth of shrubs, forming an abatis which would 
 readily be strengthened by the ingenuity of the defenders, and than 
 which, even at the present day, with all the appliances of modern 
 warfare, few better means of protection or defence could be wished 
 for or devised. 
 
 The careful investigations of Mr. \Vilkinson have invested this 
 singular work with more of interest than had before been asso- 
 ciated with it, by his having, with marked ability and perseverance, 
 collected together a mass of exhaustive evidence, enforced by a 
 chain of argument the most conclusive, with regard to the much- 
 debated locality of the great struggle between the Saxons and the
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 13 
 
 Danes, which he endeavours, and most suQcessfully, to show is to 
 be found in the immediate neighbourhood of Burnley; and in 
 connection with which the earthwork in question constituted, pro- 
 bably, a not unimportant adjimct. (b) 
 
 This decisive conflict, won by the Saxon king, Athelstan, against 
 the confederated forces of the Danes, the Welsh, and the Scots, 
 under the Danish prince, Anlaf, completely established the supre- 
 macy of the former, and raised the Saxon character in the estima- 
 tion of surrounding nations. In order fully to appreciate the vast 
 importance of this victory to the Saxons and their ruler, and to 
 invest the old Dyke with that interest to which it seems entitled, 
 it is necessary briefly to recount the history of the period for some 
 time prior to the occurrence of the battle. 
 
 About the end of the eighth centur)', the Danes and Norwegians 
 (Scandinavians) began to make their, predatory incursions on the 
 southern and eastern coasts of Britain, ravaging wherever they 
 penetrated, and leaving destruction and desolation in their track. 
 This warlike and perfidious race inhabited the shores and islands 
 of the northern seas ; but it was their boast that the sea itself was 
 their natural home and empire, over which they reigned supreme. 
 They were known by the name of " Vikings," or " Children of the 
 Creeks." These bands of Vikings had leaders, whom they styled 
 " king," who were chosen for their pre-eminence in skill, daring, 
 and ferocity. According to their bards, he only was accounted 
 worthy to be a " sea-king " who " never slept beneath a roof, nor 
 quaffed the horn at the covered hearth." (c) They were, moreover. 
 Pagan idolaters in their worship, and took especial delight in plun- 
 dering and persecuting all who bore the name of Christian. 
 
 During the reign of Ethelred, (a.d. S66-871,) the Saxon king of 
 Wessex and Kent, the Danes with a strong force invaded and 
 nearly overran the island. A series of sanguinary conflicts be- 
 tween the Saxons and their invaders, extending over a period of 
 
 (b) See Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 
 vol. ix. pp. 21-42. 
 
 (c) Doyle's Chronicle of England, p. 41.
 
 14 Hisiory of ike 
 
 five years, with varying success, but on the whole favourable to 
 the Northmen, finally resulted in King Ethelred's death, caused by 
 a wound received in battle. His brother Alfred (afterwards sur- 
 named "the Great") succeeded to the vacant throne, a.d. 871. 
 This wise ruler, of whom England has just reason to be proud, was 
 for more than six years unable to cope successfully with his power- 
 ful and treacherous foes — until at the battle of Ethandune, after a 
 long and bloody conflict, the Saxons were completely victorious, [d) 
 During the remaining years of the reign of Alfred, the country of 
 the Saxons enjoyed — with the exception of the invasion by the sea- 
 king Hasteng— comparative tranquility. 
 
 Under Edward, the eldest son of Alfred, who succeeded his 
 father, and reigned for a period of twenty-four years, the Saxons 
 increased in power and military ascendancy throughout the country. 
 This warlike and sagacious jcing devoted his energies to subjugating 
 the Northmen, and consolidating the Saxon rule, by drawing into 
 closer union the different states into which the country was divided. 
 But we now approach that period in Saxon history, the events of 
 which more immediately concern and interest us in the present 
 inquiry. 
 
 Upon the death of Edward, a.d. 925, his eldest survivmg son, 
 Athelstan, ascended the throne of Wessex, at the age of thirty. 
 He had been a favourite of his grandfather Alfred, who directed 
 his studies in the military profession, and early instilled into his 
 mind an absorbing love of his country, and those principles of 
 patriotism which adorned his life. 
 
 Throughout his vigorous and brilliant reign, by. his warlike 
 prowess, no less than his wise administration of the civil affairs 
 of his kingdom, he reflected credit on the teaching of his noble 
 ancestor. 
 
 On the death of Sihtric, the Danish king of Northumbria, who 
 had espoused a sister of the Anglo-Saxon monarch, Athelstan 
 promptly extended his sway, by annexing that important kingdom 
 to his own dominions. 
 
 (rf) Doyle's Chronicle of England, p. 51.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 15 
 
 In those days of semi-barbarism, when might took the place of 
 right, and when 
 
 "The good old rule, the simple plan, 
 That they should take who have the power, 
 And they should keep who can," 
 
 was in full force and vigour, it almost amounted to a crime to be 
 unfortunate. Accordingly, Sihtric's two sons, Guthfred and Anlaf, 
 fled from the country to escape the death by assassination, or at 
 least the persecution, that usually awaited princes in their forlorn 
 condition. Guthfred took refuge among the Scots, and Anlaf 
 sought the shores of Ireland. 
 
 It is probable, however, that Athelstan would have exercised 
 clemency towards the brothers ; for the elder, on surrendering 
 himself some time afterwards, was received with kindness by the 
 king, and might have lived in peace had not his roving Danish 
 propensities led him to renounce his quiet life, and assume that of 
 marauder and sea-king. 
 
 Anlaf, who was ambitious to recover the kingdom of his royal 
 parent, had vigorously employed the years of his exile in organising 
 a force to depose the Anglo-Saxon ruler; and having perfected 
 his plans, and secured the alliance of the Scots, the Welsh, and 
 his Danish kindred, he set sail from Ireland on his expedition, with 
 a fleet of six hundred and thirteen vessels. Most writers on the 
 subject state that Anlaf landed the whole of his forces in the 
 mouth of the Humber; but no substantial proof is offered in 
 support of this very improbable theory. It is scarcely to be sup- 
 posed that Anlaf would risk a long and dangerous voyage with the 
 whole of his numerous and uncertain craft, when he was already 
 almost within sight of shores where he might with greater ease, 
 and with less risk of being confronted by an opposing army, dis- 
 embark his hosts. 
 
 Accepting, then, the conclusions at which Mr. Wilkinson has 
 arrived in the paper previously alluded to, that a portion— pro- 
 bably the largest portion— of Anlaf 's ships sought the estuaries of
 
 1 6 History of (he 
 
 the Mersey, the Ribble, the Wyre, and the Lune, on the banks of 
 which their human freight was landed, we may in imagination 
 try to picture to ourselves the march of the grand confederate 
 army that came to wrest the kingdom of Northumbria from the 
 sway of the great Saxon ruler. The bowmen, the spearmen, the 
 gaily-caparisoned horses ; the hosts with their battle-axes and bur- 
 nished shields ; the flaunting banners, bearing the Norwegian and 
 Danish insignia, and all the miscellaneous paraphernalia of ancient 
 warfare, would compose a picture worthy of the canvas of a Falcone 
 or a Salvator Rosa ; and having safely trod the plain of Lancashire, 
 and drawn near to the mountain fastnesses where the conflict was 
 to be waged which should decide the fate of Northumbria : (e) — as 
 night closed with its dark mantle upon the embattled hosts, how 
 the beacon fires would flare forth their red signals from hill to hill ! 
 — Cribden, Hameldon, Pendle, Thieveley Pike, Blackstonedge, 
 and the rest. The grandeur of the scene would stir the indifferent, 
 and inflame the patriotic to those deeds of valour which the Saxon 
 bard has endeavoured to depict in that ode, (/) which time has 
 spared from the oblivion that has fallen upon the writings of more 
 prosaic chroniclers. 
 
 If Saxonfield (Saxifield), near Burnley, was the scene of the 
 engagement between the troops of Athelstan and Anlaf, then it is 
 in the highest degree probable that one or other of the rival armies, 
 most likely that of the Saxon king, forced, or attempted to force, 
 a passage through the valley of the Irwell ; and that here they were 
 encountered by the confederated hosts intrenched behind the vast 
 earthwork at Broadclough that commanded the line of their march. 
 Whether this was taken in flank or rear by the Saxon warriors, or 
 whether it was successful in arresting their progress, or delaying the 
 advance of a portion of their army, it is impossible to determine ; 
 but that it was constructed for weighty strategical purposes, under 
 
 (f) Northumbria, one of the most important and powerful of the Saxon 
 kingdoms under the Heptarchy, comprehended Durham, Northumberland, 
 Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, and the chief portion of Lancashire. 
 
 (/) Saxon Ode on the Battle of Brunanburh.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 1 7 
 
 the belief that its position was of the last importance, so much of 
 the remains of this extraordinary work which still exists, affords 
 sufficient evidence. 
 
 The battle of Brunanburh settled for the time being the position 
 of the Danes in the land ; the Saxon arms were completely victo- 
 rious. The battle raged from early morn till sunset, amid fearful 
 carnage, the best blood of the country being shed. Five sea-kings, 
 seven jarls, and many thousands of brave warriors were sacrificed 
 in the strife. 
 
 " Here Athelstan, king, of earls the lord, of barons the bracelet- 
 giver, and eke his brother, Edmund Etheling, won life-long glory in 
 battle, with edges of swords, near Brunanburh. 
 
 " They clove the board-wall, they hewed the war-lindens. Off- 
 spring of Edward they, in battle oft, 'gainst every foe the land 
 defended— its hoard.s and its homes. Such was their noble 
 natures, derived from their fathers. The foe they crushed ; the 
 Scottish people and the shipmen fated fell. 
 
 "The field reek'd with warriors' blood, since the sun was up at 
 morning-tide. The mighty planet, God's candle bright, the eternal 
 Lord's, glided o'er the grounds, till the noble creature sank to her 
 settle. There lay many a warrior by javelins strewed ; northern 
 men, shot over shields ; also Scots, weary and war-sad. 
 
 " West-Saxons onwards, in bands, throughout the day, pursued 
 the footsteps of the loathed nations. They hewed the fugitives 
 behind, amain, with swords mill-sharp. Mercians refused not the 
 hard hand-play to any heroes who, with Anlaf, over the ocean in 
 the ship's bosom, this land sought, fated to the fight. 
 
 " Five lay on the battle-stead, youthful kings, by sword in slum- 
 ber laid ; so seven eke of Anlaff's earls ; shipmen and Scots of 
 the army countless. 
 
 " There was made to flee the Northmen's chieftain ; by need 
 constrained to the ship's prow with a little band. The bark drove 
 afloat. The king, outgoing on the fallow flood, his life preserved. 
 So there, also, Constantine, hoary warrior, came by flight to his
 
 1 8 Histoiy of the 
 
 north countrv. He had no muse to exult in tlie rommunion of 
 swords. 
 
 " Here was his kindred band of friends o'erthrown on the folk- 
 stead, in battle slain : and his son he left on the slaughter-place, 
 mangled with wounds, young in the fight. He, the grizly-haired 
 baron, the old deceiver, had no cause to boast of the bill-clashing ; 
 nor had Anlaf any more with the remnant of their armies. 
 
 " They had no cause to exult that they in war's works, the better 
 men were in the battle-stead, at the conflict of banners, the meeting 
 of spears, the concourse of men, the trafific of weapons — that they 
 on the slaughter-field with Edward's offspring played. 
 
 " The Northmen departed in their nailed barks ; bloody relic of 
 darts, o'er the deep water, Dublin to seek — again to seek Ireland, 
 shamed in mind. 
 
 "So too the brothers, both together, King and Etheling, (i,') 
 their country sought, the West-Saxons' land, in war exulting. 
 
 " They left behind them, the corse to devour, the sallow kite, 
 and the swart raven with horned beak, and the dusky vulture, and 
 the white-tailed heron ; the corse to enjoy came the greedy war- 
 hawk, and the gray beast, the wolf of the wood. 
 
 " Carnage greater has not been in this island ever yet, never 
 before this, of people slain by edges of swords." 
 
 Anlaf, with the scattered remnant of his forces, escaped from 
 the field, and fled again to Ireland, as the ode relates ; while Athel- 
 stan, the Saxon, was raised to the proud position of king of Eng- 
 land, and peace was secured to the country during the remaining 
 years of his life and reign. 
 
 I am not aware that any considerable relics have been found 
 within the Forest, which would connect the district more imme- 
 diately with the military presence of the Saxons or Danes ; but 
 this may have arisen for want of the frequent use of the plough in 
 our fields. So strong, however, are the probabilities in favour of 
 the conjecture that the Dyke constituted a portion of the line of 
 
 [g) Etheling or Atheling, in Saxon times, was the name or title given to 
 the heir to the crown.
 
 Foresl of Rossendale. 19 
 
 defensive works in connection with the great battle strife,' that it is 
 not at all unlikely that some other memorials of the time may yet 
 be discovered in the locality. 
 
 But we are not entirely without evidence of even this direct 
 confirmatory nature ; for Dr. Whitaker {h) states that, " In the Red 
 Moss, a part of the two hundred and forty acres once within the 
 Forest, (/) iron arrow-heads have often been found. These, it is 
 probable, had been aimed against the deer, rather than used in 
 battle. In a field belonging to the author was found a Torques of 
 the purest gold. It was lying upon the surface, having been turned 
 up by the plough or harrow, and picked up by a reaper. The 
 weight is above one ounce and a half It was originally a complete 
 circle, then bent back upon itself, and twisted round, excepting at 
 the ends, which are looped, as if intended to be fastened about the 
 neck by a cord. It is now in my possession." 
 
 It is not unlikely that the learned historian, liad he lived under 
 the light of recent investigations, might have formed a different 
 opinion with respect to the original use of the arrow-heads, and 
 would rather have attributed their presence to purposes of a warlike 
 character. 
 
 The beacon-remains on the neighbouring hills which Mr. Wilkin- 
 son conjectures may have been successively used by Britons, 
 Romans, Saxons, and Danes, are highly interesting monuments of 
 antiquity. The one on Thieveley Pike is quite distinct, and is a 
 complete circle in the form of a basin, the circumference round the 
 centre of the embankment being about eighty feet ; many of the 
 stones within the ring, 'and in the immediate vicinity, bear evident 
 marks of having been charred or scorched by fire. 
 
 In earlier times, when the means of intercommunication were 
 slow and uncertain, these beacons played a most important part in 
 the defences of the country, being kept in readiness, and used by 
 the authorities on occasions of civil broil and commotion, or 
 
 (A) Hist. Whalley, third uditiuii, p. j66. 
 {ij Now in ClivigtT.
 
 20 Ilistoty pf the 
 
 threatened invasion by foreign powers. Accordingly, we find that 
 during the times of disquiet in the reign of Queen Ehzabeth, in the 
 year 1588, when the great "Spanish Armada" was hourly expected 
 to land its invading hosts on the Lancashire coast, a mandate was 
 issued by the queen's " right trustie and well-beloved the Lord 
 Strange," to Henry, Earl of Derby, as Lord-Lieutenant of the 
 ■ county of Lancaster, to the effect that the beacons in every part of 
 tlie county were to be specially taken in charge, and kept in con- 
 tinual readiness for kindling, that they might flash forth tlieir 
 telegraphic signals, and call the country to arms on the approach of 
 danger. Severe punishments were threatened to be inflicted on 
 any person raising a fiilse alarm. 
 
 The circular basin form, of which Thieveley furnishes a good 
 eNami>le, was that usually adopted in the construction of the beacon 
 bed, the centre being hollowed or scooped out, and surrounded by 
 an embankment, doubtless as a protection to the fire, to prevent 
 its being extinguished when strong winds prevailed. 
 
 On a clear day a magnificent view is obtained from the Pike, 
 embracing to the west Hameldon Hill and the country stretching 
 far beyond to the Irish Sea ; to the north-west, Pendle Hill, Ingle- 
 borough, and Pennyghent ; while due north are Worsthorn and 
 Beadle Hill ; to the east Black Humbledon, and inchning a little 
 farther south, Stoodley Pike ; more southerly still, Tooter (/) Hill, 
 below Sharneyford, and the bleak profile of Blackstonedge ; while 
 nearly due south are Coupe Law, Cribden, Musbury Tor, Hol- 
 combe Hill, and, beyond, the great plain of Lancashire. 
 
 (j) Tout, Dut. to look out. — '• We eftsones coine to the rising up of th;: hill 
 towards ye Mount of Sion, which is called the tootyng hill, or peake, or high 
 beakon place, or watching toure, from whence to see a ferre of.'' — Uttal. 
 Luke .\i\". 
 
 A Correspondunt ilMr. J. k. Buyh-i .suggests that the name of Tooter Hill 
 may be derived from the name of the Celtic god Tot. In confirmation of 
 this he refers to Harland and Wilkinson's Folk Lore, where (page 45,) it is 
 pointed out that Toland in his History of the Druids speaks of Toot hills as 
 the hills dedicated to the worship of the Celtic god Tot, or Tent, or Tentates, 
 the same with the Egyptian Thoth, and from which " the grand sacred fires
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 2 I 
 
 Occupying, as it does, a central position, the beacon lights of 
 Thieveley would blazon forth their ominous signals, and answering 
 fires would soon flare on every surrounding hill. This is no vague, 
 unsubstantial picture uf the imagination : the existing vestiges of 
 occupation by one or other, or all of the primitive tribes in succes- 
 sion, speak a language that can scarcely be misunderstood. 
 
 of the Bel-Tine flamed thrice a year, at three ot the great festivals of the 
 Druids, in honour of Beal, or the sun, viz., on the eve of May-day, on Mid- 
 summer-eve, and on the eve of the 1st November." There is much relevancy 
 in this suggestion.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " The niislayer of a mere stone is to blame." — Baciin. 
 
 " Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the 
 people shall say, Amen." — Deut. .\xvii. 17. 
 
 " Men may come, and men may go, 
 But 1 go on for ever. — Tknnvson. 
 
 rr^HE River Irwell takes its rise in Cliviger((?) in a large tract of 
 moorland, to the right of, and including Derplay Hill, the 
 whole of which originally constituted a part of the Forest. Owing, 
 however, to the carelessness or indifference of the proprietors 
 residing in Bacup Booth, which at one time embraced what is now 
 a portion of Cliviger, or probably to the superior cunning or 
 unscrupulousness of those of the latter, this e.xtensive tract was lost 
 to Rossendale and became a jjart of Cliviger. 
 
 It would appear that in the earlier years of the reign of Edward 
 IV, the meres marking the boundary between Cliviger and the 
 Forest had been wrongfully extended into Bacup Booth ; and 
 although the proprietors of the latter during the reign of Elizabeth 
 instituted a suit for the recovery of this part of the common, a 
 prescriptive right was established against them. 
 
 "The original boundary between Cliviger and the Forest of 
 Rossendale " (states Dr. Whitaker) " was unquestionably the old 
 dyke which traverses the ridge of the hill nearly from east to west 
 by Pikelaw. The freeholders of Cliviger, however, are now pos- 
 sessed of a large tract of moor ground on the other side ; a poor 
 
 la) Formerly Clivacher 1 Anglo-Saxon 1, rocky field.— East Lancashire 
 Nomenclature by H. C. March, M.D., p. 21.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 23 
 
 compensation for the loss of their freehold rights in all their ancient 
 commons, which the acquirement of this occasioned. 
 
 "In the earlier part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a suit was 
 instituted by the proprietors of the vaccary of ITorelaw Head, 
 otherwise Bacop Booth, against those of Cliviger, to recover this, 
 parcel of common, on the following grounds : — 
 
 " It appeared from the evidence of several ancient persons, who 
 remembered the boundaries before the disforesting of Rossendale, 
 that the meres (1^) lay from Tower Hill (near Bearnshaw Tower) to 
 Hag-gate, or the old road along the Haia Dominicalis, still called 
 Old Dyke, thence to Routandclough Head, thence to Pike Law, 
 and thence to Derplay Hill. And this division nature as well as 
 tradition pointed out. 
 
 " But on the other hand, it was proved on the behalf of Cliviger, 
 that, about sixty years before, certain marked stones then remaining, 
 and including the disputed ground, had been laid as meres by Sir 
 John Townley, knight, in the presence of Sir Peter Legh, steward 
 of the Honor of Clitheroe, and Sir John Booth, receiver. 
 
 " Secondly, it appeared from court rolls, that two acres of land, 
 parcel of the two hundred and forty acres in dispute, had been 
 granted to Robert Whitaker, of Holme, as part of the common of 
 Cliviger within Dirpley Graining, Anno 17 Edward IV., and two 
 acres more to Thomas, his son, Anno . . . Henry VII. 
 
 " To all these things the people of the vaccary replied, that they 
 were done without their knowledge or privity. 
 
 " On the whole, there can be no doubt that the Old Dyke had 
 been the original boundary of the forest, but that the meres of 
 Cliviger had been wrongfully extended at some indefinite period 
 before the 17th of Edward IV., in consequence of which a prescrip- 
 tion was established against the foresters. 
 
 " Under this impression, therefore, they abandoned the suit, 
 and consented to enclose along the meres which Sir John 
 
 (A) Meres or Meers : lakes or other waters ; but the term is often appUed 
 to dykes or stones set up to mark the bounds of property.
 
 24 History of the 
 
 Townley had laid ; and the outfcnce then built forms the present 
 boundary.'' (c) 
 
 Harrison, in his Descriptioti of England, remarks : — " The 
 Irwell is a notable water which riseth above Baco]i, and goeth 
 thence to Rossendale, and in the way to Aytenfielde it taketh in a 
 water from Haselden. After this confluence, it goeth to Newhall, 
 Brandlesham, Bury, and above Radcliffe joineth with the Rache 
 water, a fair stream. Being therefore past these two, our Irwell 
 goeth on to Clifton, Holland, Edgecroft, Strangways, and to Man- 
 chester, where it uniteth with the Yrke, that runneth thereinto by 
 Royton, Middleton, Heaton Hill, and Blakeley. Beneath Man- 
 chester also it meeteth with the Medlocke, that cometh thither 
 from the N.E. side of Oldham, and between Clayton and Garret 
 Halls, and so between two parks falling into it about Holm. 
 Thence our Irwell goeth forward to Woodsall, Whicleswijc, Eccles, 
 Barton, and Denelham, it falleth near unto Flixton, into the water 
 of the Mersey. 
 
 Yrke, Irwell, Medlocke, and Tame, 
 
 When they meet with the Mersey, do lose their name." 
 
 The first mention of the Irwell is to be found in the charter 
 of Brandwood, by Roger de Lacy, about the year 1200. With 
 respect to the origin of the name, opinions differ. 
 
 Mr. Whitaker, the historian of Manchester, states that the Irwell 
 springs from a double fountain near the upper part of a hill 
 between Broadclough and Holme ; that it carries its waters on the 
 western side of Mancenion, and was therefore denominated Ir 
 Gaeil, Irwell, Irwill, or the western torrent. This explanation is 
 plausible, and is worthy of consideration in any investigations as to 
 the origin of the name. 
 
 Dr. Whitaker, the historian of Whalley, entirely differs from the 
 conjectures of his namesake, and he elaborately endeavours to 
 prove that the word is deduced " from a nearer and less venerable 
 source than the British language." He states that " Ere, in the 
 
 (c) Hist. Whalley, pp. 365, 366.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 25 
 
 semi-Saxon dialect of this neighbourhood, is hoar, used as a sub- 
 stantive ; and very high grounds, which are often gray with sleet 
 or hoarfrost while the meadows and pastures beneath remain 
 unsprinkled, are said to be in the Ere. Now this remark is strikingly 
 verified in Derplay Hill, which, many times in winter, presents a 
 hoary head, while the lowlands of Rossendale retain their native 
 brown. Erewell, therefore, is the spring in the Ere. The neigh- 
 bouring Whitewell probably derives its name from the same 
 circumstance ; and the very next elevation north-west of Derplay 
 Hill in ancient charters (for the present coarse orthography of the 
 word rests on no authority) is styled Her, or Horelaw." (i) 
 
 This is ingenious reasoning, but not altogether convincing. 
 The quality of whiteness in winter is by no means peculiar to 
 Derplay, but is probably more or less common to every lofty 
 elevation in the United Kingdom ; and that this occasional white 
 appearance of the hill top— which would surely be neither un- 
 usual nor unexpected in the winter season — should be the cause 
 of the origin of the name, is not satisfactorily demonstrated. Had 
 the crown or summit of Derplay Hill retained its white appearance 
 all the year round, the argument might have been indisputable ; 
 but the whiteness is by far the exception, and not the rule. The 
 names of the neighbouring stream, Whitewell, and Horelaw Hill 
 certainly give weight to the argument of the learned historian, but 
 the coincidence may be accidental, nevertheless. But further, in a 
 deed in the possession of Mr. Whitaker, late of Broadclough, of 
 the time of Henry VH., and to which reference is made by 
 Baines, in his " History of Lancashire," (e) the name of the adja- 
 cent hill is spelt Harlawhead, and not Horlawhead, thus : — 
 
 " Harlawhead, alias vocat. Bacopboothe. Also there is another 
 vaccherye called Harleyhead, otherwise called Bacopboothe, late 
 in Ferme, at ;^8 13s. 4d. by yere, is now letten to Lawrence 
 Lorde, Alexander Lorde, John Whiteacr, and Christopher Tatter- 
 sall for ^i\ yere. Ex. per W. Tusser." 
 
 (d) Hist. Whalley, third edition, p. 226. 
 (c) Vol iii. p. 275.
 
 26 History of the 
 
 In regard to the opinion of ^Vhitaker, the historian of Man- 
 chester, that Irwell is a British name signifying " Western torrent." 
 Mr. H. Kerr, a well-known local antiquary, remarks, that "what- 
 ever it is in its lower reaches, the Irwell in its upper course at least, 
 is certainly a torrential stream, and has on many occasions proved 
 itself a most destructive torrent, as the inhabitants of Rossendale 
 know to their cost. The terrible flood of 1870, and the scarcely 
 less disastrous one in July, 188 1, are fresh in the memory of all 
 who dwell near its banks. The rapidity of the stream when in 
 flood may be estimated from the fact that within the limits of 
 Rossendale it has a fall of about 800 feet in a distance of some 
 eight miles." Mr. Kerr, however, inclines to the opinion of some 
 other authorities that the prefix "ere" or "ire" means simply 
 water, stream or river ; and that the same word in various forms 
 occurs in the designation of other rivers such as the Yure, the 
 Orwell, and the /^. 
 
 The following is the account of the origin of the name, Irwell, in 
 " Mamecestre," edited by the late John Harland, F.S.A., (f) 
 "The Irwell. from Ir. (Welsh), fresh, vigorous; and G^rc//? (Welsh), 
 a name for river, as the Gwili in Carmarthenshire ; properly that 
 which turns or winds — a winding stream. In composition, ' gwili ' 
 loses the initial G." 
 
 Other derivations have been suggested, as, for instance, that the 
 name may have reference to the Chief Justice in " Eyre " of the 
 Forest. 2. The Higher Well, afterwards changed to Ire\\€A, as 
 contradistinguished from the lower well ; the two together con- 
 stituting the " double fountain " spoken of by Mr. Whitaker, the 
 historian of Manchester. 3. The more poetical one, that it may 
 have been named after the fabulous nymph of Arcadia, " Hyrie," 
 who, it is said, in lamentation for the loss of her son, dissolved 
 into a fountain. Hypothetical as these are, any one of them, in 
 my judgment, is more probable than the derivation grven by Dr. 
 Whitaker. 
 
 (/j Vol. i. p. 9.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 27 
 
 There can be so little of certainty in any investigations con- 
 cerning the origin of the name ; and so much room for doubt and 
 contention, seeing that the materials for forming an opinion are 
 scarce and inadequate, that I have no desire to dogmatise on the 
 subject, or unnecessarily to dispute the conclusions of previous 
 writers thereon. These, however, are so unsatisfactory, that I 
 hope to be excused for stating an impression which I entertain, 
 that the name is, after all, one which has been handed down to us 
 from our earliest British ancestors. I am fully sensible of the 
 deficiencies of the argument, and it is with some diffidence that 
 I advance it at all ; but it is not less plausible than those already 
 put forward, and it may serve to awaken a degree of interest on a 
 subject which, perhaps, has not received the attention it deserves. 
 
 " Eire is the name of one of the ancient Celtic deities, who is 
 commemorated in such words as Aldeire (Auldearn,) Stratheire 
 (Strathdearn and Strathearn.) This word is probably also the 
 origin of the name Eire for Ireland ; and not larinn, as generally 
 supposed." {a) In the Green at Glasgow there is a celebrated well 
 or spring, popularly known to the inhabitants as Eirn's, or Aim's 
 Well, which, no doubt, has reference to the same mythical deity. 
 Is it too much to suppose that Ire in Irewell, or Irwell, is from the 
 like source ? • 
 
 But again, in the charter of Roger de Lacy, in which the first 
 mention of the river occurs, the name is not spelt Irwell or Irewell, 
 but Iretvill. In the Celtic language, Uillt, pronounced wW, or 
 7vilt (the / at the end of the word having the liquefied sound of iia 
 in Christian), is a mountain stream — a brook — a river. The 
 conclusion, then, to which we are naturally led is — First, that we 
 are not necessarily indebted to its source for the name of the river. 
 It is by no means essential that we should trace a stream to its rise 
 in order to arrive at the origin of its name. Secondly, that the 
 prefix Ir, or Ire, has reference to the ancient British deity of that 
 name. Thirdly, that will (Uillt), is the Celtic word for stream. It 
 
 {a) Celtic Gleanings, by the Rev. T. M'Laughlin, A.M., F.S.A.S., p. 130.
 
 28 History of the 
 
 therefore requires no violent effort of the imagination to beheve 
 that the river which takes its rise on Derplay Hill was dedicated 
 to and designated after the British Deity Eire, or Ire — that it was 
 known as Ire will, the stream of the god — and that the name has 
 survived to the present time. 
 
 The Irwell, it should be noted, has really two sources or springs, 
 separated by a few hundred yards, on Derpley Moor, down which 
 the rivulets flow, uniting near to the present boundary of Bacup 
 Booth. Its five principal tributaries within the confines of Rossen- 
 dale are (i). Tong Brook, which rises in the moors of Tooter Hill 
 and Sharneyford, flows down Greave Clough, and joins the Irwell 
 at Bacup Fold. (2). Coupe Brook, rising in the Brandwood Moors 
 and falling into the main stream at Waterfoot. (3). The river 
 Whitewell, having its source on the hill slope overlooking the 
 Cliviger Valley, and not far distant from the spring of the Irwell. 
 It flows down the Lumb and Whitewell valleys, and falls into the 
 Irwell also at Waterfoot. (4). The Limy Water, which rises in the 
 moors above Dunnockshaw, and, traversing the Crawshawbooth 
 valley, joins the Irwell at Rawtenstall. (5). Balladen Brook, which 
 forms the boundary of Rossendale to the South West ; this, coming 
 down from the adjacent height.s, falls into the Irwell near to 
 Townsend Fold. 
 
 Reference has already been made to the legend that Tunslead 
 bottoms at one time formed a deep lake, the only outlet for its 
 waters being a narrow gorge through the rocks at what is now called 
 Glen Top. In proof of this, the late H. Cunliffe vouches for the 
 statement that when the present turnpike road was cut from ' 
 Stacksteads to Rawtenstall in the year 1826, numerous remains 
 of stags and other forest animals were dug out of the ground above 
 the Thrutch, as though they had been washed down the river, and 
 had settled in the still waters of the lake. 
 
 If Cliviger can claim the high honour of giving birth to the 
 Irwell, so Rossendale is surely foster-parent to the nursling ; and 
 who shall compass the honour of being the parent and nurse of 
 that stream, which, while yet a mere stripling, has performed more
 
 H 
 O 
 O 
 
 OS 
 
 w 
 
 <: 
 > 
 
 o 
 
 _) 
 w 
 m 
 
 > 
 
 Pi 

 
 Forest of Rossendale. 29 
 
 work than a hundred rivers of greater pretensions — and which, ere 
 it has discharged its vexed and darkened waters into the Mersey, 
 has accomplished labours only paralleled by those recorded in 
 fable of the mighty Hercules of old ! Fitting emblem of true 
 greatness, it springs from its parent bed on the bleak hillside ; no 
 enchanting scenery distinguishes the place of its rise ; it is the sole 
 fruitful offspring of a sterile and uninviting tract of country. 
 Neither throughout its whole course does it meander through 
 delicious wildernesses of rural beauty, fringed by overhanging 
 foliage, or embroidered with wide-reaching acres of velvet-lawn. 
 Far other scenes the bounteous river affects : the abodes of men, 
 the forests of piled stones where Labour lives and thrives, and 
 where the incense of Vulcan's fires continually ascends ; where the 
 busy hammer is heard to reverberate ; where the endless whir of 
 the spindle and the unceasing tumult of the loom, with all their 
 generous produce, bring gladness to the pale mechanic's hearth, 
 and light up with cheerful glow the humble fireside of the thrifty 
 operative. Having more of the useful than the ornamental in its 
 composition, the Irwell is a noble work-a-day river, with smutty 
 face, winning the children's bread. 
 
 Michael Drayton, in his Poly-Olbion pubHshed in 1622, reciting 
 a contest that took place between the Irwell and the Ribble as 
 to " which of those floods deserved to have their sovereign due " of 
 " the neat Lancastrian Nymphs for beauty that excel," makes the 
 
 " lovely Erwell " say : — 
 
 "Note, 
 " As from my fountain I tow'rds mightier Mersey float, 
 " First Roach, a dainty rill, from Rochdale, her dear dam, 
 " Who, honoured with the half of her stern mother's name, 
 " Grows proud ; yet, glad herself into my banks to get, 
 " Which Spodden from her spring, a pretty rivulet, 
 " As her attendants brings, when Irck adds to my store, 
 "And Medlock to their much by lending somewhat more, 
 " At Manchester do meet, all kneeling to my state, 
 " Where brave I show myself. Then with a prouder gait, 
 "Tow'rds Mersey making on. Great Chatmosse at my fall, 
 "Piles full of turf, and marie, her unctuous mineral.
 
 30 History of the 
 
 " And blocks as black as pitch (with boring augurs found), 
 
 " There at the general flood supposed to be drowned. 
 
 " Thus chief of Mersey's train, away with her I run, 
 
 " When in her prosperous course she wat'reth Warrington, 
 
 " And her fair silver load in Le'rpoole down doth lay. 
 
 " A road none more renown'd in the Vergivian sea. 
 
 " Ye lusty lasses, then, in Lancashire that dwell, 
 
 " For beauty that are said to bear away the bell. 
 
 " Your country's hornpipe ye so mincingly that tread, 
 
 " As ye the egg-pye love, and apple cheery red, 
 
 '■ In all your mirthful songs and merry meetings tell 
 
 " That Erwell every way doth Ribble far excel." 
 
 A transformation in the charms of. the river has taken place 
 since the poet sang the praises of the " lovely Erwell ; " and 
 whatever the circumstances may have been in the past, the man, 
 to-day, would be a false witness who declared " That Erwell every 
 way doth Ribble far excel." 
 
 There is an interesting reference to Rossendale as the district in 
 which the river Irwell takes its rise, in a poem entitled " Irwell," {6) 
 possessing some merit. After a short introduction it proceeds : — 
 
 But not so high my fancy soars, 
 Content to roam on Irwell's shores, 
 Its fleeting relics seek among, 
 Fit subjects for my simple song ; 
 Nor would my muse to this aspire. 
 But thoughts of early days inspire 
 My pen to move unfettered, free, 
 Irwell, in love alone to thee I 
 
 Black as thou art, thou sullen stream, 
 Thee have I chosen for my theme; 
 For there are spots which skirt thy tide 
 Full many a favoured land might pride. 
 Where speed thy waters in their youth, 
 As childhood bright, and pure as truth. 
 So very fair, I've seen on thee 
 The shadowed form of passing bee. 
 
 (b) Irwell and other Poems by A. (Joseph Anthony), Dedicated to Charles 
 Swain, 1843.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 31 
 
 Rich is the spot, in nature's worth, 
 Sweet Rossendale, that gives thee birth; 
 Whoe'er from thence thy charms may trace, 
 Till charms are lost in Art's embrace — 
 Shall (having seen thy murky gloom^ 
 See beauty's birth and beauty's tomb. 
 
 And SO the poem goes on to narrate a legend of Old Kersal Hall. 
 
 The beginning of the pollution of the Irwell is by no means of 
 recent date, as appears by the following lines from " Knaster," a 
 humourous poem written by John Ferriar, M.D. of Manchester, (r) 
 a century ago, where, referring to one of his hterary townsmen, he 
 says, — 
 
 Deep in a den, conceal'd from Phoebus' beams, 
 Where neighb'ring Irwell leads his sable streams, 
 Where misty dye-rooms fragrant scents bestow, 
 And fires more fierce than love for ever glow. 
 
 The scurvy way in which the Irwell has been treated all these 
 years is enough to make it dry up its waters and retire to cavernous 
 depths. Vex not the spirit of the stream ! Why not a spirit in 
 the waters as well as in these dull clods of mortal bodies of ours? 
 There is a spirit I We can hear it speak, and it looks out at us 
 with a thousand appealing eyes ! 
 
 (c) Palatine Note Book, Vol. II., p. 69.
 
 BOOK S ECO N D 
 
 > ♦♦♦ < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh ; but the 
 earth abideth for ever." — Eccles. i. 4. 
 
 \\r E have now reached that point when it becomes necessary 
 " '^ to trace the connexion of the present lord of the manor 
 with the district. History and existing records are sufficiently full 
 and explicit on this head ; and we shall experience no difficulty in 
 tracing the ownership from the time of the Conqueror down to the 
 present day. In order to do this clearly and satisfactorily, we must 
 view Rossendale as constituting a portion of the Hundred of 
 Blackburn, or Honor of Clitheroe, {a) parcel of the Duchy of 
 Lancaster. 
 
 Previous to and at the time of the Norman Conquest, (a.d. 
 1066,) the four forests of Pendle, Trawden, Rossendale, and 
 Accrington were embraced in the general name of the " Forest of 
 Blackburnshire ; " and though the different subdivisions were pro- 
 bably well known by their distinctive appellations, yet we may form 
 a fair estimate of the limited extent of occupation and cultivation 
 
 (a) " The term Honor implied superiority over several dependent manors, 
 whose proprietors were obliged to do suit and service to their superior baron 
 or chief, who kept his Honor Court annually with great pomp, all the inferior 
 landholders standing bareheaded in his presence, while he sat in a chair of 
 state." — CoRRV, Hist, of Lancashire, vol. i. p. 151.
 
 Forest of Ros sen dale. 33 
 
 throughout this portion of the county of Lancaster in those remote 
 times, from a consideration of the significant and interesting fact 
 that the broad and far-extending woodlands, so branched or dove- 
 tailed one into the other, as to justify the title which inchided them 
 all in one vast, wide-reaching forest. The area of the whole was 
 about 76)^ square miles, or 48,945 statute acres ; the superficial 
 extent of Rossendale— which is the largest of the four— being about 
 TfiYi square miles, or 19,505 statute acres. 
 
 The forests at that time were not comprised within the limits of 
 any township or other subdivision of property or estate, and being 
 without paramount owner, were naturally claimed by the great 
 Norman barons or other dignitaries, the favourites and followers of 
 the Conqueror, who would readily endorse their title thereto in 
 consideration of fealty and distinguished services. Neither in the 
 latter years of William's reign, at the time of the Domesday survey, 
 were they embraced within the measurement of the Hundred of 
 Blackburn, as given in that authentic and valuable record. 
 
 " William brought in his train a large body of military adven- 
 turers, and the Roll of Battle Abbey, given by Ralph Holinshed, 
 contains the names of six hundred and twenty-nine Normans, who 
 all became claimants upon the fair territory of Britain. To satisfy 
 the cravings of this rapacious host was a task of some difficulty ; 
 but the new monarch did not hesitate to seize the possessions of the 
 Anglo-Saxon proprietors in every direction, and to confer them 
 with no parsimonious hand, upon his companions in arms." {b) 
 
 The vast possessions which included the Honors of Lancaster 
 and Clitheroe were given to Roger de Poictou, alias Roger Picta- 
 vensis, the third son of Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel 
 and Shrewsbury. This Roger de Poictou, then, was the first Lord 
 of the Honor of which the Forest of Rossendale forms a not 
 unimportant part. He was the founder of the Castles of Lancaster 
 and Liverpool. Owing, however, to his taking part in certain 
 rebellions, his inheritance was forfeited. The Honor of Lancaster 
 
 (i) Baines.
 
 24 History of the 
 
 was given to Stephen, who became king of England. From this 
 monarch it passed to a series of noble and royal owners in succes- 
 sion—William de Blois, Earl of Montaign and Bollogne ; King 
 John, of Magna Charta fame ; Ranulph, fourth earl of Chester ; 
 William, Earl of Ferrers. Henry III., son of King John, gave the 
 Honor to his youngest son, Edmund Crouchback, and conferred 
 upon him the title of Earl of Lancaster. Thomas Plantagenet, the 
 next earl, afterwards became the possessor, and to him we shall 
 again immediately refer. 
 
 The house of Lacy (the first of which family in this country, 
 Ilbert de Lacy, came over from Normandy with the Conqueror) 
 became possessors of the Hundred of Blackburn, or Honor of 
 Clitheroe, either by direct gift from \Villiam the Norman, or 
 through Roger de Busli and Albert Greslet, to whom the original 
 Baron, Roger de Poictou, had granted the Hundred. There is 
 some obscurity about the transfer, the best authorities differing on 
 the subject. The following is a translation of the account which 
 is given of the Hundred in " Domesday Book : " — 
 
 " IN BLACHEBURNE HUNDRET 
 " King Edward held Blacheburne. 
 
 " There are two hides (c) and two carucates (d) of land. The Church had 
 two bovates (c) of this land; and the Church of St. Mary's had in Whalley 
 two carucates of land, free from all custom. In the same manor there is a 
 wood, one mile in length and the same in width, and there was an aerie of 
 hawks. 
 
 " To this manor belonged twenty-eight freemen, holding five hides and a 
 half and forty carucates of land for twenty-eight manors. There is a wood 
 six miles long and four broad, and there were the above-said customs. 
 
 (c) Hide or oxgang of land, as much land as can reasonably be ploughed in 
 a year by one yoke of oxen, the yoke consisting of two beasts. 
 
 (rf) Carucate of land, from caruca, a plough, as much land as can reason- 
 ably be cultivated in a year by one plough. 
 
 [e) Bovate of land, as much land as can reasonably be ploughed by one ox 
 in a year. 
 
 There is some uncertainty about these several quantities, the bovate 
 according to different authorities, ranging from 13 to 18 acres.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 35 
 
 " In the same hundred King Edward had Hunnicot (Huncote), with two 
 carucates of land ; Waletune (Walton), with two carucates of land ; Penil- 
 tune (Pendleton), half a hide. The whole manor and hundred paid to the 
 king for rent thirty-two pounds two shiUings. 
 
 "The whole of the hundred was given by Rogerius Pidavenis to Rogerio de 
 Btisli and Alberto Greslet, and there are as many men who have eleven 
 carucates and a half ; they allowed these to be exempt lor three years, and 
 therefore they are not rated.'' 
 
 As Lords of the Hundred of Blackburn, or Honor of Clitheroe, 
 the house of Lacy exercised power and authority through a series 
 of generations, its members being more or less distinguished, till 
 the marriage of Alice de Lacy to Thomas, the Earl of Lancaster, 
 already mentioned. 
 
 This event united the two powerful families of the county, the 
 rich and vast possessions of which, from that time forth, all centred 
 in the house of Lancaster. This unfortunate earl was beheaded 
 for joining the insurrection of the barons against the De Spencers, 
 and his estates and title devolved to his brother Henry. 
 
 Among the records preserved in the Treasury of the Court of 
 Exchequer, on a roll endorsed " Pleas of the Crown, &c., county 
 of Lancaster, in the 17th year of King Edward HL,"— it is stated 
 that, after the death of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster (beheaded), his 
 wife Alice surrendered into the hands of King Edward H. all the 
 Forest of Eossendale, with the appurtenances, at whose death it 
 descended to his son, King Edward HL, who granted the same 
 Forest, with its appurtenances, to Isabella, Queen of England, his 
 mother, to hold for the whole of her natural life— and that during 
 the time of her possession she confirmed a grant of the office of 
 forester to Richard de Radeclyve. 
 
 The ownership of the Forest is not pursued further in the roll in 
 question ; but at the death of Isabella, the possession returned to 
 the Earl of Lancaster, agreeably to the Act obtained by Henry, 
 Earl of Lancaster, in the first year of Edward III., for reversing 
 the attainder of his brother Thomas, whose vast possessions had 
 been forfeited on account of his share in the rebellion.
 
 36 History of the 
 
 Henry (the brother of Thomas), at his death left an only son, 
 Henry, on whom was conferred the title of Duke of Lancaster by 
 King Edward HI. Henry left two daughters, Maude and Blanche, 
 the latter of whom was married to the great John of Gaunt, the 
 fourth son of Edward HI., by the title of "John, son of the King 
 of England ; Duke of Aquitaine and Lancaster ; Earl of Derby, 
 Lincoln and Leicester; and Seneschal (High Steward) of England." 
 At the death of John of Gaunt, his eldest son, Henry of Boling- 
 broke, became Duke of Lancaster, and he afterwards ascended the 
 throne of England as Henry IV. A line of sovereigns thenceforth 
 possessed the Honor of Clitheroe, till King Charles H., at his 
 restoration, bestowed it upon General Monk, Duke of Albemarle, 
 for distinguished services rendered to the Crown. His son, 
 Christopher, who became possessed of the estates, died without 
 leaving issue, having bequeathed the possession to his wife, the 
 daughter and co-heiress of Henry Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle. 
 For her second husband she married Ralph, Duke of Montague, 
 whose heir, by a previous marriage, John, Duke of Montague, 
 became the owner of the property, leaving at his decease two 
 daughters, Isabella and Mary, the latter of whom was married to 
 George Brudenel, afterwards Duke of Montague, whose daughter, 
 Elizabeth, in 1767 married Henry, Duke of Buccleuch, who thus 
 became the possessor of the estates, as lord of the Honor which 
 includes the Forest of Rossendale, and in whose family the freehold 
 still remains.
 
 I 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " The Abbot he was a holy man, 
 
 And eke he was an able ; 
 He ruled with gentlest master han' 
 
 The monks that graced his table. 
 But woe betide th' unlucky wight 
 That dared bereave him of his right !" 
 
 " I will carpe of kings that conquered full wide, 
 
 That dwelled in this land .... 
 
 Henry the Seventh, that sovereign lord." 
 
 N the earlier stages of our enquiry we have been, as it were, 
 groping along in the mists of antiquity, with but few rays of 
 light to guide our path ; and with scarce a finger-post to direct us 
 on our way. But, leaving in our wake the times of the Ancient 
 Briton, the Roman, the Saxon, and the Dane, and reaching far into 
 the rule of later days, we draw near to a period in the history of the 
 district possessing more substantial records, over which we can 
 pace with firmer tread; we begin to detect the sound of footsteps, 
 and we descry in the hazy distance, " men as trees walking." 
 
 The association of the Forest of Rossendale, in those early days, 
 with Whalley Abbey and the Monastery of Stanlaw in Cheshire — 
 the prior abode of the Cistertian monks— was so intimate as to call 
 for some notice of these by way of elucidation of the history of the 
 district. 
 
 Before the erection of the religious edifice at Whalley, the 
 mouldering ruins of which add an additional charm to that 
 romantic and delightful locality, the abbot and his inferiors the 
 monks occupied the Cistertian Monastery of Stanlaw. This
 
 38 History of the 
 
 abbey was founded by John, sixth Baron of Halton, and Constable 
 of Chester, in the year 11 78, being the 24th of Henry II., on the 
 eve of his departure for the Holy Land, where he died in the year 
 1190. "The site was singularly inauspicious, and probably owed 
 its selection to the austere and mortified views of the founder on 
 the approach of his meditated crusade. In 1279, according to the 
 Chronicle of St. Werburgh, the sea (or Mersey) broke in upon the 
 house and did the Religious incredible injury. In 1287 the great 
 tower of their church fell in a violent storm, and in 1289 the 
 greater part of the Abbey perished in a conflagration, and the sea 
 again inundated their lands. On a representation of their accumu- 
 lated calamities to Pope Nicholas the Fourth, the Abbot and 
 Convent obtained permission to remove to Whalley in Lancashire, 
 where their munificent patron, Henry de Lacy, had given them a 
 new and more fertile site. This auspicious event took place in the 
 year 1296, and Stanlaw continued to be a cell to the Abbey of 
 Whalley (as it had formerly been reputed a filial dependency of 
 Combermere) until the suppression of that house, when it was 
 granted to Sir Richard Cotton, whose son sold it, anno 13th Eliza- 
 beth, to Sir John Poole, of Poole, in whose descendant it is now 
 vested." (a) 
 
 About the year 1200, during the reign of King John, Roger de 
 Lacy, one of the lords of the Honor of Clitheroe, granted to the 
 monastery, along with other valuable donations, that portion of 
 Rossendale known as Brandwood ; {b) and, as a result of this gift, 
 the district so named, by being cleared and cultivated, was the first 
 part of the Forest which was rendered suitable for the habitation of 
 man. 
 
 The following is a copy of the deed granting the land in 
 question, with other important and interesting documents having a 
 local bearing. It is given in the " Coucher Book " of Whalley 
 Abbey, leaf 82, the following being a translation : — 
 
 (a) Canon Raines. Notitia Cestriensis, vol. i. pp. 82-3 (1845.) 
 
 (6) Brandwood : brent, burnt. Brentwood, firewood from the forest.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 39 
 
 (c) " The deed of Roger of Chester of 4 Bovates {d) of Land in 
 Rachdale and of Brendewod. 
 
 " Know all men, as well present as future, that I Roger de Lacy, 
 Constable of Chester, having given and granted, and by this my 
 present charter have confirmed to God and the Blessed Mary, and 
 to my Abbot and Monks of the Blessed place of Stanlawe, 4 
 Oxgangs of Land in Rachdale, in the Township which is called 
 Castleton, with all their appurtenances, with common of the whole 
 Township of Rachdale, free and discharged from all service, 
 exaction, and custom, belonging to me or my Heirs for ever. Also, 
 
 (c) The original is as follows : — 
 
 "Carta Rogeri Constabularij de quatuoi bouatis terre in Rachedale et de 
 Brendewod. 
 
 " Sciant omnes tarn presentes quam futuri quod ego Rogenis de Lascy, 
 constab. Cestrie, dedi et concessi et hac presenti carta mea confirniani Deo et 
 beate Marie et Abbati et monachis meis Loci Benedict! de Stanlawe quatuor 
 bouatas terre in Rach. in villa que dicitur Castellana cum omnib3 Ptinentijs 
 suis, scil. cum communione totius ville de Rach., liberas et quietas ab omni 
 seruicio, exactione et consuetudine ad me vel ad heredes meos ptinente 
 imppetuum. Dedi etiam eis in foresta mea pasturam illam que dicitur 
 Brendewod ad eorum animalia pascenda p diuisas subnotatas, scil. do 
 Gorsichelache usq. Cuhopheued, et sic sicut Cuhope descendit in Irewil, et sic 
 Irewil usq. ffulebachope, deinde ascendendo usq. Saltergat, sic usq. Ham- 
 stalesclogh, et sic usq. Denesgreue, et sic p transitum muse usq. Cumbehop 
 ad Gorsichelache. Habebunt autem predict! monachi in pastura ilia centum 
 vaccas cum excitu duorum annorum. Et si animalia ibi habuero, eorum 
 animalia pascent et ibunt in latum et in longum ubicunq. mea pascunt et 
 vadunt. Et phibeo ne quis balliuorum et seruientium meorum predictis 
 monachis vel eorum hominib3 molestiam vel grauamen inferat, vel injuriando 
 eorum animalia iniuste fatiget. Ego autem et heredes mei hanc donationem 
 predictis monachis meis contra omnes homines fideliter warantizabimus. Hijs 
 testib3, dno Turgisio Abbate de Kyrkestall, Ric. de Cestria, Eust. de Cestria, 
 fratrib3 meis, Rob. Wallensi, Willo de LunguiUers, Hug. Dispenser, Thomas 
 Dispenser, Hug. de Dutton, Adam de Dutton, Galfr. fratre eorum, Hendone 
 de LunguiUers, Henr. Wallensi, Galfr. Pincerna, Magistro Waltero medico, 
 Roberto Clerico, Henr. Probo, et multis alijs." 
 
 [cl) For an explanation of the terms "bovate" and " oxgang " of land, see 
 Ante, Chap. I, Book Second.
 
 40 History of the 
 
 I have given to them in my Forest, that Pasture which is called 
 Brendewod, to feed their Animals by the divisions undermentioned, 
 to wit, from Gorischelache to Cuhopheved, and so as the Cuhope 
 descends to the Irewill, and so Irewill to Fulbachope, (e) then going 
 up to Saltergate, then to Hamstalesclogh, and so on to the Denes- 
 greve, and so by the Top of the Moss to Cupehep to Gorischelache. 
 Also the aforesaid Monks shall have in that pasture loo Cows, 
 with the Offspring of 2 years. .\nd if I shall have Cattle there, 
 their Cattle shall feed and go far and wide wheresoever mine feed 
 and go. And I forbid any of my Bailiffs, or Servants, to offer to 
 my said Monks, or their men, any trouble or grievance, or by 
 injuring their Animals, to unjustly distress them. And I and my 
 Heirs will faithfully warrant this gift to my aforesaid Monks against 
 all men. To these being Witnesses. Lord Turgesius Abbot of 
 Kyrkestall, Richard de Chester, Eustace de Chester, My Brothers, 
 Robert VVallensis, William de Longvillers, Hugh de Spencer, 
 Thomas de Spencer, Hugh de Button, Adam de Button, Jeoffrey 
 their Brother, Hendon de Longvillers, Henry Wallens, Jeoffrey 
 Pincerna, Master Walter the Physician, Robert the Clerk, Henry 
 the Yeoman, and many others." 
 
 A grant or gift was also made to the same Abbey by John de 
 Lacy the son of Roger, of the right to cut Hay in his Forest of 
 Rossendale, viz: 
 
 " Carta lohannis de Lascy de licentia falcandi in Rossendale. 
 
 " lohannes de Lascy, constab. Cestrie, omnib3 forestarijs et balliuis suis 
 salutem. Sciatis me dedisse licentiam Abbati et monachis meis Loci 
 Benedict! de Stanl. falcandi fenum in foresta mea de Rossendile, sicut antea 
 solebant, ad sustentand. in hyeme aueria sua que illic habent. Hijs testib3, 
 Gilberto de Notton tunc senescallo, Henr. de Nouo campo, Henr. de Tieys, 
 magistro Rogero, et multis alijs." 
 
 (e) Fulbachope : no doubt intended to mean Bacup-foot. In the Greaves' 
 accounts for the year 1799, George Haworth is stated to be Greave of the 
 Forest for the inhabitants of Bankside within Backup-foot in Rossendale. 
 This expression seems to favour the derivation of the name Bacup as 
 suggested in Chap. I. Baycop foot, the foot of the bay cop or red-hill.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 41 
 
 Among the records of the Court of Chancery preserved in the 
 Tower of London, and in the Patent Roll of the 2d year of the 
 Reign of King Edward the Third (1328), p. i. M. 24, is contained 
 a confirmation of the foregoing Grants, as follows : — 
 
 " For the Abbot and Monks of Whalley. 
 
 " The King to all whom it may concern, Greeting. [Here is given a 
 detailed enumeration of the many Gifts and Grants made to the Abbot and 
 Monks when in their Abbey, at Stanlaw in Cheshire, and afterwards when 
 they had removed to their new abode at Whalley, and it proceeds :] — The 
 gift, also grant and confirmation, which Roger de Lacy, formerly Constable of 
 Chester, made by his deed, to the said Abbot and Monks, of Four Oxgangs (/) 
 of Land with the Appurtenances in Rochdale, and of the pasture which is 
 
 called Brendwood in the Forest of the said Roger The gift 
 
 also which John de Lacy, formerly Constable of Chester, made by his deed to 
 the said Abbot and Monks, of cutting Hay in his Forest of Rossendale 
 . Grant and Confirm those things for ourselves, and our heirs, as much 
 as in us lies, to the aforesaid Abbot and Monks now residing at Whalley and 
 their Successors. In witness, &c., the King at York." 
 
 Among the Eecords preserved in the Treasury of the Court of 
 Receipt of Exchequer, on a Roll endorsed "Pleas of the Crown 
 and of Trespasses before the Justices in Eyre, in the County of 
 Lancaster, in the 17th year of King Edward IIL," (1343) is an 
 Account of a suit between the Abbot and Convent of Whalley 
 and Richard de RatclifTe, Master Forester, for puture of the 
 foresters ; in which, strangely enough, the Forest of Rossendale is 
 spoken of as being included within that of Pendle ; and which 
 affords some glimpses of the condition of a portion of the district in 
 the earlier periods of its history. In ancient Law, the term Puture 
 (Putura) had reference to the custom, or privilege, which the 
 Foresters had of claiming meat and drink, gratis, for themselves, 
 their horses and dogs, from the tenants within the bounds of a 
 forest. The document is one of considerable length, but I shall 
 extract only those portions which relate immediately to the district 
 under consideration. 
 
 (/) For an explanation of the term an " oxgang of land," see Ante, Chap. 
 I., Book Second.
 
 42 History of the 
 
 " Lancashire to wit, 
 " Richard de Radeclyve [Radcliffe], Master Forester of the Forest of 
 Penhull, [Pendle], in the Wapentake of Blakeburnshire, was attached to 
 answer the Abbot of Whalley of a Plea, wherefore while the said Abbot 
 holds the Manor of Bryndewode, in Rossendale, in free pure and perpetual 
 Alms, as belonging to the said Abbot's Church, of St. Mary of Whalley, 
 without any services or other charges therefore payable, or to be done to any 
 one, except only prayers and orisons for the souls of its founders and feoffers, 
 the said Richard by color of his aforesaid office, in divers manners charged 
 the said Manor, by claiming there, certain puture for himself and his four 
 foresters, and for his horse, and one boy, to wit, for each Thursday night, and 
 for each Friday during the whole year, to wit, victuals, as well meat as drink, 
 at the costs of the said Abbot's aforesaid Manor, unduly and by oppression 
 against the will of the said Abbot, and against the law and statute in such 
 case provided, to the disinheritance ot the said Abbot's Church of the blessed 
 Mary of Whalley. And in that way the said Richard continued the aforesaid 
 oppression, and took the aforesaid puture unjustly, and by extortion, to wit, 
 on every Friday, and on the night preceding the same day, as is aforesaid, 
 from the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, in the sixteenth year of the 
 reign of the Lord the now King of England, to the day of the delivery of this 
 Bill, to wit, until Friday, on the morrow of the feast of Corpus Christi, in the 
 17th year of the reign of the said Lord the now King, to the grievous damage 
 of the said Abbot, of one hundred marks and wherefore he brings suit," &c. 
 
 On the behalf of Richard de Radeclyve, the Master Forester, it 
 was contended that one Henry de Lacy, formerly Earl of Lincoln, 
 and his ancestors were seised of the Forest of Penhull [Pendle] 
 and Rossendale, and had therein their Master Foresters and other 
 under Foresters, who were seised of the puture as belonging to 
 their office. That on the death of Henry, the Forest descended 
 to Alicia his daughter, who married Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, 
 and that the latter granted and demised the office of Forester, 
 together with the puture, to one Richard Mereclesdene, [Marsden,] 
 for the whole of his life. But that during the reign of his then 
 present majesty Edward HI., this Richard Mereclesdene had 
 granted his Estate in the office of the Forestship, and in the puture, 
 to the said Richard de Radeclyve ; whose right to the office was 
 afterwards ratified and confirmed by Isabella, the Dowager Queen, 
 to whom by her son King Edward HL, the Forest had been
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 43 
 
 granted for the whole of her hfe. So that he took the puture for 
 himself, and his under-foresters, as belonging to his ofSce, justly, 
 and as to him was lawful. 
 
 For the Abbot it was argued, that one Roger de Lacy, former 
 Constable of Chester, was seised of the Forest, with its appur- 
 tenances, and of a certain piece of waste called Brendewode where 
 the puture was claimed, which was parcel of the same Forest ; and 
 that in the time of King John, the place of Brendewode was a 
 waste, having no manor-house nor any habitation. That this 
 Roger granted this piece of waste with other tenements, to God 
 and the Blessed Mary, and to the Abbot of Stanlaw, in Cheshire, 
 from which place, by the grant of the founders, and license of the 
 Bishop, on account of the inundation of the Sea, the Abbey was 
 transferred to Whalley ; in proof of which gift the original deed of 
 Roger de Lacy, and the charter of 2nd Edward III. confirming the 
 same, were recited. It was further urged, that the Abbot in the 
 time of King Henry III., first constructed and built a manor-house 
 in the waste of Brendewode, where the puture was claimed, and 
 that the Manor was held in free pure and perpetual alms freed 
 from all charge, excepting only prayers and orisons for the souls of 
 the founders and feoffers, and their ancestors and heirs. But, 
 moreover, it was contended, that even the original Grantor, Roger 
 de Lacy, could have had no such puture as was now claimed ; 
 because when the original grant was made the place was altogether 
 waste, neither was there built upon it a manor-house or any house 
 whatsoever, and where houses and inhabitants were wanting, it 
 follows that puture there could be none ; so that even the title of 
 Roger might be annulled by plea in Law. At intervals, from 
 courtesy, and of their free will, the Abbot and his predecessors 
 had fed the Foresters ; but this, it was urged, was no justification 
 of the claim for puture. 
 
 It was therefore commanded to the Sheriff that he summon 
 twelve jurors, who by consent of the parties to the suit, being 
 elected and sworn, found upon their oath that in the time of King 
 John the place of Brendewode was waste, not built upon, nor
 
 44 Hisio>y of the 
 
 cultivated, and was part of the Forest of Penhull, (/) which place 
 of Brendewode, Roger de Lacy gave to the Abbot of Stanlaw, 
 predecessor of the Abbot of Whalley, and to his Church ; by 
 which gift the said Abbot and all his successors were seised as in 
 right of their Church. Also, that John, son of Roger, Edmund 
 and Henry, by deeds, granted and confirmed the gift to be held 
 in free and perpetual alms. They further found that in the time 
 of King Henry HI., one Abbot who then was, first constructed 
 and built houses in the said waste, and brought into cultivation 
 a great part of the land which was called the Manor of Brendewode ; 
 at which time, one Henry de Lacy, who was Lord of the Forest, 
 and had his Foresters there, went in obedience to King Henry HL, 
 into Scotland, and before his departure requested the Abbot who 
 then was, and other neighbours of the County, in his absence to 
 succour and help his Foresters. Wherefore the Abbot from courtesy 
 and free will, fed the Foresters at intervals, when he pleased ; and 
 in the same manner other Abbots, his successors, did the like by 
 their own free will. In conclusion the Jurors said that neither 
 Richard nor any other Forester, never of right, or by any just title 
 were seised of the puture as belonging to their office, but that 
 Richard de Radeclyve, by extortion and oppression, under colour 
 of his office, took the puture against the will of the Abbot to the 
 damage of ;^4. The Abbot therefore recovered his damages, and 
 Richard was committed to Gaol. 
 
 Just eight years after the conclusion of the trial above recounted, 
 Henry, first Duke of Lancaster, (son of Henry, Earl of Lancaster, 
 in whose favour the attainder of his unfortunate brother Thomas 
 had been reversed, on the plea that he had not been tried by his 
 peers,) as Lord of the Honor and Hundred, by Deed confirmed 
 and ratified the grants of previous lords, of Brandwood and other 
 lands, to the Abbeys of Stanlaw and Whalley, and not only 
 exonerated them from all claim on account of puture for the time 
 to come, but also relinquished that which had been reserved 
 
 (/ ) Evidently nn error of description.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 45 
 
 to himself and his heirs — the right of pasturing cattle on the lands 
 in question. 
 
 In the " Coucher Book " of Whalley Abbey, leaf 409, is 
 contained the Deed, of which the following is a translation : — ■ 
 
 "The Deed of the Lord Henry of the Pasture of 
 Brendewode, &c. {g) 
 
 " To all whom this present writing indented shall come, Henry, Earl of 
 Lancaster, Derby, Leicester, and Lincoln, Steward of England, Greeting. 
 
 " Know ye that whereas the Lord, Roger de Lacy, Constable of Chester of 
 good memory, and our predecessor of the Lordship of Blackburnshire and of 
 Rachedal, formerly had given and granted by his Deed, which we have seen, 
 among other things, to God and the Blessed Mary, and to the Abbot and 
 Monks of the Benedictine place of Stanlawe, the Predecessors of the Abbot 
 and Convent of Whalley, that Pasture which is called Brendewode, in his 
 Forest, by the divisions undermentioned, to wit, from Gorsichelache to 
 
 (g) The original Deed is as follows, — 
 
 " Carta domini Henrici comitis Lancastrie depastura de Brendewod et de 
 vastis approuyatis in Blakeburn. 
 
 " Omnibus ad quos presens scriptum indentatum puenerit Henr. comes 
 Lancastrie, Derbe, Leycestr, et Lyncoln, senescallus Anglie, salutem. 
 Noueritis quod cum bone memorie dnus Rogerus de Lasey constabularis 
 Cestrie et predeceesor noster dnij de Blakeburnschir et de Rachedale 
 dudum inter cetera dedisset et concessisset per cartam suam, quam inspexi- 
 mus, Deo et beate Marie et Abbati et monachis Loci Benedicti de Stanlawe 
 predecessoribz Abbatis et conuentus de Whalleye pasturam illam que 
 dicitur Brendewode in foresta sua per diuisas subnotatas videlicet de 
 Gorsichelache 'usque Couhopeheued et sic sicut riuulus de Couhope descendit 
 usque in aquam de Irewell, et sic ascendendo aquam de Irwell usque ad 
 Saltergate, et sic per Saltergate usque in Hamstaleclogh, et dehinc usque 
 ad Denes greue, et dehinc sequendo transitum musse per Coumbehore usque 
 ad primum locum de Gorsichelache, liberam et quietam ab omni seculari 
 seruicio consuetudine et exaotione. Nos Henricus comes predictus dona- 
 tionem et concessionem supradictas ex certa scientia et de gratia nostra 
 special! appbamus ratificamus et quantum in nobis est confirmamus. Volentes 
 insuper ob donationem quam habemus ad Dei Genetricem virginem 
 gloriosam, et effectionem specialem quam habemus ad personam fratris 
 Johannis de Lyndelay, Abbatis dicte domus de Whalleye sacre pagine pfessoris, 
 eisdem Abbati et conuentui ac eorum successorib;? gratiam ubiorem facere 
 in hac parte, remisimes relaxauimus et omnino de nobis et heredibz nostris
 
 46 History of the 
 
 Cuhopheved, and so as the Cuhope descends to the Irewell, and so Irewell to 
 Fulbachope, then going up to Saltergate, then to Hamstalesclogh, and so to 
 the Denesgreve, and so by the Top of the Moss to Cupehep to Gorischelache. 
 We, Henry, the aforesaid Earl, of our certain knowledge, and of our special 
 favour, approve, ratify, and as much as in us lies, confirm the aforesaid gift 
 and grant. We willing, moreover, on account of the devotion which we have 
 to the Mother of God, the glorious virgin, and the special affection which we 
 bear to the Person of Brother John de Lindelaye, Abbot of the said House of 
 Whalley, Doctor of Divinity, to do so to the said Abbot and Convent and 
 their successors the greater favour in this behalf, have remised, released, and 
 altogether have quit claimed for us, and our heirs, to the said Abbot and 
 Convent of Whalley, and their successors, for ever, all the right and claim 
 which can belong to us or our heirs, by any title whatsoever, within the 
 pasture aforesaid; so that, henceforth, the said Abbot and Convent may have 
 and hold the said pasture in severality, exonerated, freed and discharged, as 
 well from Future of the Foresters of us and our heirs, as from agistments (A) 
 or any putting of Cattle on the Pasture aforesaid, by us or our heirs, or the 
 
 quietuclamauimus prefatis Abbati et conuentui de Whalleye suisque suc- 
 cessoribz imppetuum totum ius et clameum quod ad nos vel heredes nostros 
 quocunque titulo ptinere poterit in pastura predicta. Ita quod de cetero 
 predicti Abbas et conuentus ac eorum successores habeant et teneant dictam 
 partem in sepali, epoueratam liberam et solutam tam a putura forestariorum 
 nostrorum et heredum nostrorum quam ab agistiamentis seu quacunque 
 supinductione animalium quorumlibet in pastura ilia p nos vel heredes et 
 niinistros nostros ad heredum nostrorum faciend, atque ab alijs quibzcunque 
 seruicijs exactionibz et demandis. Liceatque dictis Abbati et conventui ac 
 eorum successoribz prefatam pasturam includere ipsamque redigere in 
 culturam seu aliud quodcunque pficium suum inde facere p sua libera 
 voluntate sine contradictione vel impedimento nostri vel heredum nostrorum. 
 Saluis nobis et heredibz nostris in pastura predicta saluagio nostro seu 
 venatione nostra absque dampnificatione vel molestatione dictorum Abbatis 
 et conuentes et successorum atque seriuientium suorum, &c. Hijs testibz 
 dno Henr. de Walton archid, Richemundie, Hugone de Berwyk senescallo 
 nostro, Henr. de Trafford, Adam de Hoghton, Nicholao de Boteler, Willmo 
 de Clifton, militibz, Ric. de Radeclif, Willmo Lawrentz, Joh. de Aluetham, 
 et alijs. Dat. apud manerium nostrum de Sauuoye iuxta Londinum xx" die 
 ffebr. anno regni Regis Edw. tertij a conquesta Anglie xxv°, regni vero sui 
 ffrancie xij°." 
 
 {h) Grass, or, as the term is sometimes used to mean, the right of pasturing 
 cattle in the forest.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 47 
 
 servants of us or our heirs ; and from all other services, exactions, and 
 demands whatsoever. Aud that it may be lawful for the said Abbot and 
 Convent, and their successors, to enclose the said Pasture and to reduce it to 
 cultivation, or to make any other profit thereof, at their free will, without 
 contradiction or impediment of us or our heirs, saving to us and our heirs in 
 the aforesaid Pasture our right to hunt without injury or troubhng the said 
 Abbot and Convent of Whalley or their successors and servants, &c. To 
 these being witnesses, Master Henry de Walton, Archdeacon of Richmond ; 
 Hugh de Berewick, our Steward ; Henry de Trafford; Adam de Houghton ; 
 Nicholas le Botiller ; William de Clifton; Knight Richard de Ratcliffe, 
 William Lawrentz, John de Aluetham, and others. — Given at our Manor 
 House of the Savoy, near London, the twentieth day of February, in the 
 twenty-fifth year (1349) of the reign of King Edward III. from the conquest 
 of England, but of his Reign of France the twelfth." 
 
 In the Patent Rolls, 20th Edward III. (1346 Sept. 15) it is 
 stated that John de Radeclyf, Robt. Oilstones, Robt. de Henclif, 
 forester, Robert de Catlowe, forester, Alan, son of Adam Greyeieson 
 of Staytburn, and others were purturbators of the Abbot of 
 Whalley, at Castleton, Blakebourn, and Brendwood in Rossendale. 
 
 In the Rolls of the Duchy of Lancaster, during the time of the 
 same Duke Henry aforementioned, in the reign of King Edward 
 III., being the period of the first ducal administration, the following 
 references to Rossendale occur : — 
 
 A Grant of a Lease of the Herbage of Musbury Park. 
 
 In the loth year of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, there was an 
 Appointment of Justices to try Malefactors for Trespasses in the 
 Chases of Rowland, Penhull, Trowden, Rochdale, Rossendale, and 
 Romesgrene. After the death of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, 
 which occurred March 24th, 1361, an Inquisition was made by 
 Commission of King Edward III., before Henry de Haydok and 
 John Cockayn, of all the Lands and Tenements of which the Duke 
 was seised on the day that he died. 
 
 This document is preserved amongst the records of the Court of 
 Chancery, and, along with other particulars, it is therein stated, 
 that the Chase of Penhull, [Pendle,] for herbage beyond the 
 feeding the Beasts of Chase, is worth by the year ^20 13s. 4d. 
 That the Chase of Trogden, [Trawden,] together with herbage and
 
 48 History of the 
 
 other profits, is worth by the j'ear 104s. That the Chase of 
 Rossendale, with Accrington, for herbage and other profits beyond 
 the feeding of Beasts of Chase, is worth by the year ;^2o, 2s. The 
 Manor of Tottington, ^^29, 15s. i^d. ; and the Chase and Park 
 there, £,(>, 53. Also the herbage of the Wood at Hoddesden, 
 ^i, 9s. 6d. 
 
 In the Register of John of Gaunt, under date 45th Edward III. 
 (1372,) June 14th, Savoy, is a "Warrant to Richard de Radchf, 
 our chief forester in Blakebournshire, to deliver to Robert Dyngeley, 
 Esquire, two harts of grease, in the Chace of Rossendale, and two 
 does in the Chace of Penhull." 
 
 Two years later, in the same Rolls, under date " Hegham 
 Ferrers, July 20th, T. Banastre " appointed forester of our Chaces 
 of Penhill, Trowedon, and Rossyndal." This Tho. Banastre, as 
 appears by the saine Records, was drowned at sea (" commanded 
 to God by tempest in the sea") in the month of December, 1379, 
 (3rd Richard II.) 
 
 In the Calender of Rolls of the Chancery of the County Palatine 
 of Lancashire, there is a precept dated the 1 2th year of Henry IV. 
 (141 1), addressed to the Sheriff of Lancashire, requiring him to 
 cause public proclamation to be made at the next ensuing Sessions 
 to be held at Lancaster, against hunting and killing deer in the 
 King's Forests of Bowland, Penhil, Rossyndale, and Trauden. 
 
 The Coucher Book or Chartulary of Whalley Abbey contains a 
 quittance or release (/■) for the tithes, amounting to ;^ii 13s. 4d., 
 of the grass land and pasturage for cattle in the closes (enclosures) 
 
 (/;) The original is as follows : — Acquietantia pro herbagio in EoUand, 
 Penhull, et Rossendale. Nouerint universi p presentes nos Abbatem et 
 conuentum de Whalleye recepisse et habuisse die confectionis presentium de 
 Thoma Stanley milite receptore dni Regis in comitatu Lancastrie undecim 
 libras tresdecim solidos et quatuor denarios p decima herbagij et agistamenti 
 diuersorum clausorum in Bowland, Penhull, et Rossendale de anno ultimo 
 preterito terminat. ad festum sancti Michaelis ultim preterit. De quibz quid 
 ■em xj. libr. xiij. sol. et iiij. denar. fatemur nobis fore solut. diet, p dnum 
 Regem ac receptorem predictum inde esse quietos p presentes. In cuius re:
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 49 
 
 in Bolland, Pendle, and Rossendale forests for one year ending 
 Michaelmas, to Sir Thomas Stanley, of Knowsley, Comptroller of 
 the Household, and Chamberlain to the King. This deed bears 
 date the 20th November in the 23rd year (1445) of the reign of 
 Henry VI. 
 
 Assuming, as we may fairly do, that this payment represented 
 the one tenth part of the value of the cultivated lands in the three 
 forests named, it would appear that in 1445 the total yearly value 
 amounted to ;^ii6 13s. 4d. In the year 131 1, the herbage in 
 Rossendale (excluding Brand wood) was valued at only ;^5 los. 
 per annum, and in 1507 it had increased to j^t^-j 19s. 6d. ; so that 
 even before the disforesting, a marked progression in value is 
 apparent. 
 
 The following Commission of King Henry VII, relates to the 
 Future Rents within the Forests, exclusive of Brandwood, which 
 was exempt from all claim for puture : — 
 
 " To oure right trustie and well-beloved Father, the Erie of Derbie ; George 
 Stanley, Knt. ; Lord Strange; Sir Henry Halsall, Knt.; Sir Ihon. Towneley; 
 Sir Ric. Sherburne, Knt., &c. 
 
 " Whereas of olde use and custome the Foresters and keepers of oure 
 Forests of Penhull, Rossingdale, Accrington, and Trawden, have hadde of 
 verie right and dutie at c'tayne tymes and dales meate and drinke of the 
 tenants therein and adjoining, the which is now called Puture, otherwise 
 Forster Fee, as is sett forth in a boke, in which boke it also apperith, that for 
 divers displesours and annoyances that ye seide Forster committed agaynst 
 ye seide tenants, ther wyves, and s'vaunts, ye seide tenaunts made complaynt 
 to our p'genitors Dukes of Lancaster, whereupon ye seide tenaunts bounde 
 themselves, their heyres, and tenures, to our p'genitours, to pay for tyme 
 being, yerely XII/. XIIIs. IVd. to seide Foresters towards ther wages, and 
 in recompence of ther meat and drinke, called Forster Fee, ye which was paid 
 to ye ist yeare of King Edward IVth. ; in which yere, by labr and meanes 
 made with hym, ye seide Puture was putt in respite, soe that CXIX/. Vis. 
 Vllld. is now in respite, wch, if it shod be longer delayed, wold turn to our 
 disherison, and ye utter destruction of oure Forst, for lack of kepyng : 
 
 testimonium sigillum nostrum commune presentibz est appensum. Dat. 
 vicesimo die Novembris anno regni Regis Henrici sexti vicesimo tertio. 
 
 The Sir Thomas Stanley above named was summoned to Parliament as 
 Baron Stanley on 2oth January, 1456.
 
 50 History of the 
 
 "Wheretor wee will and desire, and nathless charge youe, and anie five of 
 youe, to call before you, as well our tenaunts nowe in being within ye seide 
 Forests, as other most ancient p'sons adjoining, as ye in your discretioun shall 
 think most convenient, and enquire which of ye seide tenaunts ought to pay 
 ye seide Duties, and what some ev'y one of ym, after ye old usuage and 
 custom ther, and thereupon to compel them, and evy of them to paye ye seide 
 some, and for default to distreyn them and thpr tenures, and for utter refusing 
 thereof to seaze on ther tenures imediately, and admyt such other persons 
 as will bee content to paye ye sd Duties." 
 
 The foregoing is eminently characteristic of the grasping, lucre- 
 loving spirit of the king. Henry loved money for its own sake, 
 and never was known to let slip an opportunity of obtaining it. 
 "Indifferent enough to the rights of the people, he was always 
 ready to increase his hoarded riches by cunning extortion rather 
 than by parliamentary taxation." (?) Lord Bacon, the historian of 
 his reign, observes, that, " Of nature, assuredly, he coveted to 
 accumulate riches," and that " he did but traffic in the war with 
 Charles VIII. of France, to make his return in money." " Even 
 the king's clemency seems to have been influenced by the sordid 
 motive of selling pardons ; and it has been shown that he made a 
 profit of every office in his court, and received money for conferring 
 bishoprics." (/) 
 
 At the same time, it is but fair to admit that he appears to have 
 been legally justified in enforcing the claim above set forth. Henry 
 possessed business talents and administrative powers of a high 
 order ; the exercise of which, though chiefly with a view to his own 
 increase in wealth, tended to the advancement of his Country. 
 He was accustomed to give his personal supervision to matters of 
 trade and commerce usually considered as beneath the immediate 
 notice of royalty. In an ancient Illumination in the Harleian 
 Collection in the British Museum, the king is depicted mace in 
 hand, in the Exchequer Chamber, superintending the proofs of the 
 standards for testing weights and measures. 
 
 (j) Knight's History of England, vol. II. p. 211. 
 (_7) Hallam. Constitutional History, vol. i. p. 15.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 51 
 
 I have thought it well to give the somewhat ragmentary details 
 contained in this Chapter, relating to the district as it actually 
 existed as a Forest, because they are the only materials which a 
 true forest-history can fairly be expected to offer to the enquirer. 
 The narrative is somewhat disjointed, and there is doubtless an 
 absence, to some extent, of purely human interest in the story ; 
 but this arises from the circumstance that in those early days 
 the human inhabitant was himself all but absent ; the only repre- 
 sentatives of the species being the chief Forester (not necessarily 
 a resident), with a few stray keepers of the deer, and here and there 
 a humble cultivator of the open spaces in the higher reaches of the 
 valleys. The details, also, may serve to close the mouths of 
 certain facetious critics who have been inclined to make merry over 
 the conception that Rossendale as they see it to-day, with its smoky 
 factory chimneys, and straggling rows of cottages, could, at any past 
 time, have been entitled to the designation of " a royal forest ; " or 
 that the antlered deer and other picturesque animals could ever have 
 graced the hill sides, or slaked their thirst at the streams in the 
 valleys. Such critics are apparently oblivious of the fact that it is 
 their own narrow mental vision and restricted knowledge which are 
 at fault, and that the picture as drawn is not the mere creation of 
 the fertile brain of a too fanciful historian.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 '■ Of all oleasures or pastimes ever heard or seen, 
 There's none in the world like to merry Hunting." 
 
 — Old Hunting Song. 
 
 " Marry I but these be hard laws, my master." 
 
 — Old Pl.w. 
 
 T) OSSENDALE has, from time immemorial, been a favourite 
 ■*-^ hunting-ground ; and there are, doubtless, still to be found in 
 the P'orest sportsmen as stout of heart and lithe of limb as ever 
 cleared dike or ditch in the blythe days of yore ; but alas ! the 
 • quality of the sportsman's game has woefully degenerated from its 
 pristine excellence. Gone from within its bounds is that right 
 royal brute, the stag ; the wild boar, the badger and the wolf have 
 given place to a civilisation which tolerates not their existence ; 
 even the wily fox has disappeared from its hill-sides, and no 
 thrifty house-wife now laments her spohated hen-roost. The 
 children's nursery rhyme records an incident which must have 
 been of common occurrence in Rossendale in times past, when it 
 states that — 
 
 " Old Mother Widdle-waddle, jump'd out of bed, 
 And out of the window popped her head : 
 Crying ' John ! John 1 John ! the gray goose is gone, 
 And the Fox is away to his den, 01'" 
 
 But Reynard has sought regions more favourable to his depre- 
 dations. The timid hare alone remains to kindle the huntsman's 
 enthusiasm, and wake the " vollied thunder " of the eager pack. 
 
 " The Deans of Whalley, like other ancient and dignified 
 Ecclesiastics, were mighty hunters, and enjoyed the right of
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 53 
 
 chase— first, to a considerable extent in other manors adjoining to 
 their own domains ; and, secondly, within the forests themselves." 
 It is related that Liwlphus, one of the Deans of Whalley, while 
 hunting in the Forest. of Rossendale, at a place called Deansgreve, 
 cut off the tail of a wolf, and in consequence of this incident 
 acquired the appellation of " Cutwulph," being afterwards known 
 by the name of " Liwlphus Cutwulph." This circumstance hap- 
 pened about the reign of King Canute (1016— 1035), in whose 
 time the aforementioned Dean lived. 
 
 Any outline of the History of the Forest of Rossendale would 
 be manifestly incomplete which failed to give some account of the 
 Laws by which the English Forests were governed, and the 
 peculiar customs and practices which prevailed therein in primitive 
 times. Those particulars I propose, briefly, to supply. 
 
 A Forest is a certam Territory of woody grounds, with occa- 
 sional clearances or cultivated pastures, privileged for wild beasts, 
 and fowls of Forest, Chase, and Warren, to abide and rest there, in 
 the king's safe protection, and for his delight and pleasure. This 
 Territory or ground so set apart, is meered and bounded with 
 certain marks, meres, and boundaries, known either by matter of 
 . record or by prescription ; and replenished with beasts of Venery 
 or Chase, and great coverts of Vert, for the succour of the various 
 beasts. And tl^t this Territory may be preserved and continued, 
 along with the Vert and Venison which it contains, there are par- 
 ticular Officers, Laws and Privileges, requisite for that purpose, 
 proper only to a Forest, and to no other place, {a) 
 
 The Enghsh Forests are of a very remote antiquity, the latest 
 formed being the New Forest, in Hampshire, created by William 
 the Conqueror, and the Forest of Hampton Court, by Henry 
 VHL Their first lawmaker was the Danish King Canute, who 
 promulgated the Constitutiones de Foresia. These were super- 
 seded, though in their principal features closely imitated, by a code 
 of laws inaugurated after the Conquest ; and certain officers were 
 
 (a) Manwood's Forest Laws, ed. 171 7, p. i43
 
 54 History of the 
 
 deputed, and courts established for their due administration. The 
 courts so constituted were— the " Justice-Seat," held every third 
 year before the Chief Justice in Eyre of the Forest ; the " Swain- 
 mote," held thrice every year before the verdurers, and a jury 
 composed of twelve swains or freeholders ; and the " Woodmote," 
 or " Attachment," held once in every forty days before the 
 verdurers. Of the holding of the Justice-Seat, forty days' notice by 
 proclamation had to be given. 
 
 The officers of a Forest were the warden, warder, or keeper, 
 rangers, verdurers, foresters, agistors, regarders, bailiffs, and bedels, 
 woodwards or woodreeves. The preservation of the " venison " 
 was intrusted to the foresters ; and the " vert " was in charge of 
 the woodwards or woodreeves, and the regarders. The verdurers 
 or verderers are the judges of the Forest courts. The business of 
 the bedel or beadle was to give notice of the time when the Courts 
 of the Forest were to be kept, to make all kinds of proclamations 
 in Court and out of it, and to e.xecute all the processes of the 
 Forest. 
 
 " Venison," in the language of the Forest laws, is a technical 
 term, and includes game of every kind. " Vert " has reference to 
 the trees and shrubs which afford shelter to the game, and signifies 
 " everything that bears a green leaf, but especially great and thick 
 coverts." 
 
 A Forest differs from a Chase in three things — ift its Laws, its 
 Officers, and in its particular Courts for the execution of the Laws. 
 Offenders in a Chase are punishable by the Common Law, and 
 not by the Laws of the Forests. The officers who are called 
 Foresters in a Forest, are named Keepers in a Chase. 
 
 Beasts of Forest are hart, hind, hare, boar, and wolf. Beasts of 
 Park or Chase are the buck, doe, fox, marten, and roe. Beasts of 
 Warren are the hare, coney, and roe — all, legally, wild animals of 
 venery. Fowls of Warren are such as the partridge, quail, rail, 
 pheasant, woodcock, mallard, and heron. 
 
 The king appropriated the Forests for his own special use and 
 pleasure. With Chases and Parks it was otherwise ; these could
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 55 
 
 be constructed under a licence, and owned and held by any sub- 
 ject, and were not governed by the Laws of the Forests. 
 
 Some exceptions there were to this rule, however ; and the 
 Forests of Lancaster, in which was included the Forest of Rossen- 
 dale, were of those exceptions ; for before they became the property 
 of the Crown they were under the Forest Laws, and bad all the 
 various officers and courts appertaining thereto. " By the 
 Records of the Duchy Court of Lancaster, it appears that the 
 Eari of Lancaster had a Forest in the Counties of Lancaster and 
 York in the reign of Edward IL and Edward III., and did execute 
 the Forest Laws there in as ample a manner as ever any king did 
 before him. And even at this day (about the end of the sixteenth 
 century) there are no Records extant which are of that validity 
 relating to Forests as those Laws are ; and therefore it is 
 necessary for him who will be learned in the Forest Laws, carefully 
 to read the Assizes of the Forests of Lancaster and Pickering, in 
 which he will find many precedents of Judgments and Resolu- 
 tions, and almost anything which may happen or relate to 
 Forests." (fi) 
 
 In 7 Edward II., the Earl ol Lancaster makes complaint— 
 " That several malefactors and disturbers of the peace, by force 
 and arms have entered his free chases in PenhuU, Trouden, 
 Acrington, Rossindale, Hoddesden, Romesgrene, and Todinton, 
 and his parks in PenhuUand Todinton, in the county of Lancaster, 
 and his free chases of Boweland and Marchedan, &c., without 
 his leave ; and chased, taken, and carried away his wild animals, 
 besides perpetrating other great enormities therein." 
 
 In Saxon times, though the game was strictly preserved, and 
 penalties inflicted for unlawful appropriation and for trespass ; yet 
 the laws were comparatively mild and merciful, not, except in 
 isolated cases, going beyond pecuniary fines or imprisonment, 
 and every proprietor had the right of hunting on his own estate. 
 But after the Conquest, a stern and merciless code was introduced, 
 
 (b) Manwood, ed. 1717, p. 205.
 
 56 History of the 
 
 and the severest penalties were inflicted, with the most relentless 
 and savage cruelty, upon the unhappy law-breaker. 
 
 The haughty Normans ruled with a high hand, and the Anglo- 
 Saxon and Danish population groaned under the iron despotism of 
 the conquerors. The king became the sole proprietor of the 
 game throughout the country, and no person might hunt even on 
 his own property. The life of a human subject was accounted of 
 less value than that of a buck or a doe, for the punishment of 
 death was awarded upon those who were known to kill either. If 
 found taking a boar, the unfortunate culprit paid the forfeit with 
 his eyes, which were pulled out of his head ; the lopping of a 
 limb was a common punishment for illegally hunting the roe or 
 fox ; and a fine equivalent almost to ruin and the loss of entire 
 worldly possessions was inflicted for taking a hare or other inferior 
 game. 
 
 It is impossible to read with any degree of calmness of the 
 atrocities which were perpetrated under shelter of the Forest Laws 
 during the rei,e;n of Wilham Rufus, and with the direct cognisance 
 of that brutal king. Confiscation, castration, and hanging, were 
 the familiar punishments of the time ; and such modes of punish- 
 ment, varying in decree according to the humane or tyrannical 
 disposition of succeeding princes, continued in operation during a 
 period of nearly two hundred years. 
 
 In the reign of Henry III., and to the credit of that prince and 
 his successor, Edward I., who really inaugurated the milder policy, 
 the inhuman laws of the earlier kings were abolished ; and it was 
 ordained, " That no man from henceforth shall lose either life or 
 limb for killing; our Deer ; but if any man be taken therewith, and 
 convicted for taking of our.Venison, he shall make grievous fine, 
 if he hath anything whereof to make fine ; and if he have nothing, 
 he shall be imprisoned a year and a day, and after that, if he can 
 find sufficient sureties, he shall be delivered ; and if not, he shall 
 adjure the Realm." {c) Hard enough, in all conscience ! 
 
 (c) Manwood, ed. 1717, p. 404.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 57 
 
 In the Carta Foresta of Henry III. the following curious pro- 
 vision appears : — " Whatsoever Archbishop, Bishop, Earl, or 
 Baron coming to us at our commandment, passeth by our Forest, 
 it shall be lawful for him to take and kill one or two of our Deer 
 by the view of the Forester if he be present ; or else he shall cause 
 one to blow an horn for him, that he seem not to steal our Deer ; 
 and likewise they shall do returning from us." 
 
 The following further provision of Edward I. is characteristic of 
 the times : — " If any Deer be found dead or wounded, there shall 
 be an Inquisition made by four of the next Villages to the Forest, 
 which shall be written in the Eoll ; the Finder shall be put by six 
 pledges, and the flesh shall be sent to a Spittal House, [Hospital,] 
 if, by the testimony of the Verderors and the County, there be 
 any nigh : but if there be no such house near, the flesh shall be 
 given to the poor and lame, the head and skin shall be given to 
 the poor of the next Town ; and the Arrow, if there be any found, 
 shall be presented to the Verderor, and inroUed in his Roll." 
 Commenting on the foregoing, Manwood, the great authority on 
 the Forest Laws, writing about the end of the reign of Elizabeth, 
 says, — " All this must be intended of such Deer which are not 
 sweet or fit to be eaten by the better sort of people, for if a principal 
 beast is found newly killed, 'tis not intended by this Statute that it 
 should be given to an Hospital," &c. (d) 
 
 Spaniels and Greyhounds were forbidden in the Forest, but 
 the Mastiff was admitted, provided the claws and pelote of its 
 forefeet were cut off, to prevent its chasing the Deer. This cutting 
 off the claws was termed "hambling," or " expeditation," and was 
 performed as follows : — The foot of the animal was placed upon a 
 piece of wood eight inches thick, and twelve inches square ; a 
 chisel two inches broad was then set upon the three claws, which 
 were struck off by the skin at one blow. Dr. Whitaker states that 
 in Bowland expeditation was not governed by species, but by the 
 size of the dog — an iron ring being kept as a gauge, through which 
 every foot that would pass escaped the operation. 
 
 (d) Manwood, ed. 1717, 409.
 
 58 History of the 
 
 The agisting of goats and sheep within the Forest was not 
 allowed, except by special license ; for they so tainted the pasture 
 where they fed, that the beasts of the Forest would not depasture 
 in those places where they had been. 
 
 Any person having woods and lands within the boundaries of the 
 Forest was allowed to agist his own land with his own cattle, but not 
 with the cattle of strangers, for the herbage only. But for the pannage, 
 (mast of trees), they were permitted not only to agist their woods 
 with their own hogs and swine, but also with those belonging to a 
 stranger. The reason of the difference was to prevent the cro])- 
 ping of the pastures so bare as to be prejudical to the deer for 
 want of food. 
 
 The Boundaries of a Forest are of two classes— inclusive and 
 exclusive. Of the former are highways ; and of the latter are 
 churches, churchyards, mills, houses, and trees ; these, though 
 bounding the Forest, are not considered to be within its limits. 
 But if any person kill or hunt any of the king's Deer in an inclu- 
 sive boundary, the offence is the same as if committed within the 
 Forest proper. The law further jjrovides that the Forester may 
 take a man if he be found either at " Dog-draw," " Stable-stand," 
 " Back-bear," or "Bloody-hand." 
 
 " Dog-draw," is wheue a man, having wounded a deer, is found 
 with a hound or other dog, drawing after him to recover the deer 
 so wounded. 
 
 " Stable-stand," is where a man is found at his stand, with a 
 crossbow, or longbow, ready to shoot at any deer; or standing 
 close by a tree with greyhounds in his leash ready to let slip. 
 
 "Back-bear," is where a man has killed a deer in the Forest, 
 and is found carrying him away. 
 
 "Bloody-hand," is where a man is found in the Forest, with his 
 hands or other part bloody, and under suspicion of having killed 
 a deer. 
 
 All these offenders are said, in Forest Law, to be " taken iti the 
 matmer."
 
 Forest of Rossendale. • 59 
 
 The time of the Fawning of the Deer was called the Fence 
 month. It began fifteen days before, and ended fifteen days 
 after midsummer. During this month no person was suffered 
 to wander out of the highway into the Forest. By the ancient 
 Assizes of the Lancaster Forests, it appears that this Law was 
 rigidly enforced — no person being allowed to pass near the 
 place where the animals resorted at this time. No cattle, 
 swine, nor any description of dog whatsoever — whether ex- 
 peditated or not, were allowed to feed or wander in the Forest 
 during this period. If any hogs, goats or sheep were found 
 in the Forest during the Fence-month they were forfeited to the 
 king — so careful was the Law to guard the royal animal from every 
 kind of disquiet. 
 
 In ancient times the following rhymed Oath was taken by every 
 human inhabitant of the Forest, and being twelve years of age : — 
 " You shall true Liege-man be, 
 
 Unto the King's Majestie : 
 
 Unto the beasts of the Forest you shall no hurt do, 
 
 Nor to anything that doth belong thereunto; 
 
 The offences of others you shall not conceal, 
 
 But, to the utmost of your power, you shall them reveal 
 
 Unto the Officers of the Forest, 
 
 Or to them who may see them redrest : 
 
 All these things you shall see done. 
 
 So help you GOD at his Holy Doom." (c) 
 
 Many of the laws enumerated above have been repealed ; some, 
 though not abolished, have fallen into disuse ; while others are in 
 operation to this day. 
 
 The Purlieus are lands, afforested by some of the earlier kings, 
 in the vicinity of the ancient Forests ; but which, in the time of 
 Richard I., were disforested by a Commission appointed to make 
 perambulations, and to restore the ancient and true boundaries. 
 The lands in question, though severed from the Forests by these 
 perambulations, did not recover their former position, but were 
 made subject to distinct and particular laws. 
 
 (e) Manwood, ed. 171 7, p. 78.
 
 6o • History of the 
 
 Parks were extensive enclosures of pasture land, thinly planted 
 with trees, maintained for the purpose of fattening the larger ani- 
 mals for the table of the king and the nobles ; for better view of 
 the beasts of venery ; and occasionally for the enjoyment of the 
 pleasures of the hunt, with fewer of the risks and dangers which 
 necessarily attended its exercise in the depth of the Forest. 
 
 In past times Musbury [the hill of moss] was the Park or 
 Laund of the Forest of Rossendale, and custody of the herbage 
 thereon was granted to James de Radcliffe, by John of Gaunt, in 
 the eighteenth year of the reign of Richard II. (1395.) A lease 
 was also granted of the same Park to Richard Radcliffe, of Rad- 
 cliffe, for twenty years, at the rent of ^8 6s. 8d., in the ninth of 
 Edward IV. (1470,) and, at the e.xpiration of the term, was re- 
 newed to him for the Hke period at the old rent. (/) 
 
 Speaking of the same Park, Baines remarks : — " Of the 
 townships in the Parish of Bury, Musbury, at its north-western 
 extremity, is in the Hundred of Blackburn. The hill of Tor, in 
 this township, is remarkable for its oval form and extensive views 
 over the neighbouring wild and romantic region. From the act of 
 resumption of the Crown possessions, passed in the first of Henry 
 VII. (1485,) it appears that the patent office, then existing, of 
 park-keeper of Musbury, was held by Laurens Maderer, and that 
 his rights and privileges were secured by that Act." (</) 
 
 (/) Tovvnley MSS., cited by Dr. Whitaker in Hist. Whalley, p. 222, 
 (y) Baines's Hist. Lancashire, vol. ii. p. 673.
 
 T 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " Rise, honest Muse ! and sing the man of Rois."— Pope. 
 
 IHE following interesting note occurs in "The Sheriff's cf 
 Shropshire," {a) — 
 
 "Henry Rossyndale, of Rosindale, near Claderow, county 
 Lancaster, gentleman, had lands given him and his heirs in the 
 lordship of Denbigh, Anno 12, Edward I., by Henry Lacy, Earl 
 of Lincoln and Lord of Denljigh, upon condition of serving, with 
 a certain number of horses, certain days in the Castle of Denbigh, 
 in all the wars between the King of England and the Prince of 
 Wales, at his own charge and cost. This Henry of Henllan, (the 
 name of the place or parish in Wales where he lived), had issue 
 Robert his son, who was called Lloyd, after the manner of Wales." 
 MS. at Ynysymaengwyn. 
 
 So far as I am aware, this is the earliest known record of any 
 actual Rossendale inhabitant, and the date would be 1 284, which 
 is the 1 2th year of the reign of Edward L above mentioned. It 
 would be the merest speculation to attempt to fix the particular 
 locality of his abode in Rossendale. 
 
 It has been recounted in a previous chapter that the house of 
 Lacy, the first of which family in this country, Ilbert de Lacy, came 
 from Normandy with the Conqueror, became the possessors of the 
 Hundred of Blackburn or Honor of Clitheroe, of which the Forest 
 of Rossendale forms a part. The Forest continued in their 
 possession through a series of generations, and on the marriage of 
 
 (a) The Sheriff's of Shropshire by the Rev. John Brickdale Blakeway, 
 M.A., F.A.S., Minister of St. Mary's, Shrewsbury, 1831.
 
 62 History of the 
 
 Alice de Lacy to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the house of Lan- 
 caster became the owners. This Thomas was subsequently be- 
 headed for joining the insurrection of the Barons, and at his death 
 his wife Alice surrendered into the hands of Edward IL, all the 
 Forest of Rossendale with the appurtenances. During the reign 
 of Edward L, therefore, Rossendale belonged to the Lacys, and 
 the Henry Rossyndale referred to doubtless resided here, and 
 owned a portion of the Forest copyhold under a lease from the 
 said Henry de Lacy. 
 
 This Henry Rossyndale was evidently a personage of import- 
 ance, as is shown by the circumstance of his receiving the grant of 
 lands in Denbighshire from Henry de Lacy, who was also lord of 
 Denbigh. It is highly probable that he took his surname from 
 the place of his habitation. That is, he would be designated 
 " Henry de Rossyndale," viz : Henry of Rossyndale. 
 
 The following further particulars of this Rossendale family are 
 given in the Archaologia Cainbreiisis, a record of the antiquities 
 of Wales and its marches, and the Journal of the Cambrian Arch- 
 seological Association. 
 
 " One of the descendants of this Henry Rossyndale, viz., 
 William Lloyd, alias Rosindale, married Isabella Peake, the daugh- 
 ter and heiress of Richard Peake and Alicia Tetenhall his wife, 
 and had issue Humphrey Lloyd, the distinguished antiquary, 
 who died in the year 1568. The Peake family was both ancient 
 and rich, and William Rosindale, by virtue of this alliance, 
 quartered the arms Peake, Tetenhall and Hilton with his own. 
 
 " On the monument of Humphrey Lloyd, at Whitchurch, are 
 the four quarterings of Rosindale, alias Lloyd, impaling eight of 
 Lumley his wife. The four are Rosindale, Tetenhall, Hilton and 
 Peake. In the Had. MS. 1791, is a copy of the Rosindale quart- 
 erings, including all taken with the Peake alliance, impaling 
 Dutton and Vernon, of Halton. 
 
 " To this William Rosindale and Isabella Peake was existing in 
 1591, in Henllan Parish Church, the following inscription, (appar-
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 63 
 
 ently on glass ; but if on brass or stone it is probably now under 
 
 some pew) : — 
 
 ' Hie jacet Willm. Rsondall Armiger 
 et dna Isabella Peeke consors suus, 
 qui obiet xxx de mensis January 
 an din 1414 qs aloz p' picietur 
 Deus.' 
 
 " The Rosindale arms were the first azure a roebuck rampant, 
 or ; the fourth, or, a roebuck rt. azure, with a rose gules on the 
 shoulder of each. It is worthy of remark that in the arms of 
 Rosindale, in all MSS. in the time of Elizabeth, in Vincent, on 
 Humphrey Lloyd's monument, and as quartered by the Lloyds of 
 Aston (who are direct descendants of this William Rosindale), 
 now, are quarterly four roebucks passant, countercharged of the 
 field or and azure, in one azure and or." 
 
 From all this it would appear without the slightest question or 
 doubt, that Henry Rossyndale of Rosindale, to whom was granted 
 lands in the county of Denbigh, by Henry de Lacy, in the reign 
 of Edward I., was the veritable founder of an important branch of 
 the family of Lloyd. 
 
 Of another member of the same family at Rosindale, Adam de 
 Rosindale, who was probably a brother of Henry, as he also 
 lived during the reign of Edward L, there are interesting records 
 in connection with Hulme Hall, a picturesque residence on the 
 banks of the river Irwell, near Manchester, now destroyed, but of 
 which there are engraved views extant. These views are to be 
 found in Lancashire Illustrated. A side view of the elevation of 
 the Hall, with the bridge and Manchester in the distance, is given 
 in Baines' History of Lancashire, (b) A view also appears in the 
 Penny Magazine (c) ; and the porch or principal entrance, forms 
 the frontispiece to Vol. L of the Palatine Note Book. The same 
 volume contains engravings of grotesque wood carvings contained 
 in this hall, amongst which are " The Philosophic Devil," and 
 
 (A) Vol. II. page 352. 
 
 (c) March and, 1844, page 8g.
 
 64 History of the 
 
 " The Bag-piper," and, as a tail-piece to the volume, " Symbolic 
 Figures." In Baines' History, also, are two plates containing 
 drawings of forty-one subjects from the sculptured panels. These 
 carvings are now in Lady Ellesmere's room at the New Hall, 
 Worsley. 
 
 The ancient residence, Hulme Hall, or Holme, was, as stated, 
 on the banks of the Irwell. It belonged to Adam de Rosindale in 
 the time of Edward I., as is proved by a grant from the said Adam 
 of thirty shillings per annum to Henry de Trafford, out of his 
 Manor of Hulme juxta Manchester, for life, dated 31st of Edw. fil 
 Regis Hen. The property subsequently passed through a suc- 
 cession of hands, viz : — the Prestwiches, the Mosleys, and the 
 Blands, and in 1751 it was purchased by George Lloyd, Esq., 
 and sold by him in 1764 to the Duke of Bridgewater, whose canal 
 passes in the immediate neighbourhood of the site. The Duke, 
 who cared little for the picturesque and much for the practical, 
 divided the hall into separate tenements. It eventually fell into 
 decay, and is now demolished. 
 
 It is an interesting circumstance that the hall was bought by 
 George Lloyd, Esq., of Manchester in 1751. It is presumptive 
 evidence that Lloyd was acquainted with its history, as being one 
 of the ancestral homes of a relative of his Rossendale progenitor. 
 The Lloyds were an important family in Manchester, Gamaliel 
 Lloyd (probably the father of George) was churchwarden from 1 7 10 
 to 1 7 18, and in 1745 he subscribed ;^50 to a fund for raising 
 troops to be employed against the forces of the Pretender. 
 
 The name " Rossendale " as a surname, was at one time com- 
 mon enough. 
 
 In the Preston Guild Rolls, viz., in the roll of Guild Merchant 
 of 3rd Henry the Fifth, t4i5, appears the name of " Will de Ross- 
 yndale IIIJs." The name is contained in the second list of bur- 
 gesses, which consists of those whose fathers were not in the guild ; 
 who could not, therefore, enter the guild by birthright, but were 
 admitted on payment of various stipulated fines, {d) The fine 
 
 (d) Memorials of the _Preston Guilds, by W. A. Abram.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 65 
 
 paid by the said Will de Rossyndale was 4s. as stated. Judging 
 by the name, it is probable that this William was a descendant of 
 the Henry or Adam de Rossnydale already referred to, both 
 names having the prefix " de," and being spelt alike. 
 
 In a list of "Craven Men" at the battle of Flodden Field, 
 (fought 9th Sept., 1513), from the battle roll at Bolton Abbey, in 
 the possession of His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, there is an 
 entry as follows, — 
 
 "Marton for Mosters. Robert Rossendale, a Bill. To be 
 hors'd and harnish'd at the town's cost." 
 
 In the survey of Whalley Abbey possessions when the monastery 
 was dissolved, (1537), is an item as follows,— 
 
 " Ashton Grange. Robte Rosendall houldeth a mess, and an 
 acre of medow and X. acres of arable land, and payeth yearly 
 
 £,0 19s. 2d." 
 
 The name "Thomas Rosindall Bayley " occurs in the same 
 
 document. 
 
 The following references to persons bearing the name of " Ross- 
 endale " are to be found in the diary of the Rev. Oliver Heywood, 
 
 B.A. i^e) 
 
 "Jere Rossendale, of Skircote, buried Oct. 15th, aged 80. 
 
 Very rich." [1683]. 
 
 ' "Wid. Rossendale, near Halifax, buried Sept. 4, about 70."- 
 
 [1688]. 
 
 "Mr. Rossendale, buryed at Halifax, May 27." [1696]. 
 
 "Mr. Abraham Langley or Priestley, and Ms. Rossendale 
 marryed July 1697." 
 
 "Mr. John HolHngs, of Shepley, near Bradford, and Mrs. 
 Mary Rossendale, near Halifax, married Feby. 24." [1708]. 
 
 " Mr. Rawson, ye attorney in Bradford, and Mrs. Grace Ross- 
 endale, near Halifax, married Aug. 4." [1709]- 
 
 " Mr. Jeremiah Rossendale went with his wife to London, on 
 Lord's Day, 3, 96. The news came he was dead there. May 19 ; 
 shortened his days by intemperance. Aged 27." [1749]- 
 (<•) Edited by J. Horsfall Turner, and published at Brighouse.
 
 66 
 
 History of the 
 
 In a volume entitled, " The Antiquities of the town of Halifax, 
 in Yorkshire," by the Rev. Thos. Wright, of Halifax, and published 
 in 1738, the following note occurs,— 
 
 " On a stone and brass plate in the Chancel (of the Old Church, 
 Halifax) : ' Here lieth the body of Jeremiah, son of Jeremiah 
 Rossendale, of Shaw Hill, in Skircoat, who departed this life the 
 1 8th day of January, in the second year of his age, T694; and 
 also the body of Mr. Jeremiah Rossendale, his father, who de- 
 parted this life May 1.7th, and was interred May 27th, 1696." 
 
 From all this it would appear that the name " Rossendale," as a 
 surname, was not uncommon in Yorkshire about 150 to 200 years 
 ago.
 
 BOOK THIRD 
 
 > »♦♦ < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 What are thy rents? What are thy comings in?"— King Henry V. 
 
 IT is from the Reign of Henry VH. that we must date the be- 
 ginning of the real progress of Rossendale ; which, in no small 
 degree, is due to the king's foresight, in the measures which he 
 enacted as lord of the Hundred. 
 
 The following instrument, promulgated by this most subtle of 
 rulers in taking advantage of whatever seemed to promise an aug- 
 mentation of his revenues, will be read with interest by all who 
 care to trace the progress of this district from its primitive con- 
 dition as a forest, harbouring " nothing else but deer and other 
 savage and wild beasts," to its present eminence in manufacturing 
 industry and skill. 
 
 "Commission for Grauntinge of the Forrests. 
 " In anno vicessimo secundo Henrici Septimi. 
 " Henry, by the grace of God, Kinge of Englande and of France, 
 and Lorde of Irelande, to our trustie and well-beloved the Stewarde 
 that nowe is, and that hereafter shall be, of our possessions of 
 Blakburneshyere, within our countie palatyne of Lancaster, greeting. 
 —For so much as heretofore we, by our Ires of commission, under 
 the seale of our dutchie of Lancaster, have deputed and appointed 
 Sir John Boothe and others, to vewe and survey all our groundes, 
 castles, and lordshyps, within our said countie palatyne, and there-
 
 68 History of the 
 
 upon to improve the same, and every parcel of them, for our most 
 singuler profitt and advantage, whereupon we understand that our 
 said commissioners have endeavoured themselves, surveying and 
 approving the same accordinge to our saide commission and 
 pleasure, and have made graunte and promisse of lease of cer- 
 taine of our landes and tenements within our saide county, to the 
 tenor and eftect of a schedule, to these our Ires annexed, to cer- 
 taine persons, to have and to hould to them and their heires for 
 terme of lyfe or lyves, or for term of yeares, after the custome of the 
 manor, by copie of court roll, for execution and accomplishment 
 whereof we have authorised, and by these presente authorize and 
 gave you full authoritie and power, by these our Ires, callinge 
 unto you the saide Sir John Boothe, and by his advyse, to sett and 
 lett all suche of our saide landes and tenements as bee or lye within 
 your saide office, to the said personns, for suche rents yearlie as 
 bee contained in the said schedule, to have and to houlde to them 
 and to their heires or otherwise, for term of liefe or yeares, at the 
 libertie or choise of our said tenantes, and for the full accomplish- 
 ment of the said promise and graunte, taking sufficient security of 
 the said persons for the sure paimente of the same rente, as yee 
 shall see best and most convenient. And also that upon 
 the death or exchaunge of everie tenant, that yee make 
 newe lease or leases to such personne or personnes after 
 the deathe or exchaunge of any such tenant or tenants of the same, 
 as tlie same land shall happen to be granted by you, takinge of 
 everie suche tenant as shall happen to exchange or decease, one 
 whole yeare's rent of the said tenant ; and that yee shall take for a 
 fine accordinge as other our tenentes there, beinge copiehoulders 
 tyme out of mynd, gave, and used to paie in such cases, over and 
 above their ancient and oulde yearlie rent of the same, provyded 
 and alwaie forseene, that yee, by color of your said leases, doe not 
 demyse our said rent, fynes, and gersomes, nor other duties, due 
 and demandeable for us in that parte. And these our Ires shal bee 
 unto you at all tymes sufficient warrant and discharge in this be- 
 halfe : whiche our Ires wee will that yee doe enter into your court
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 69 
 
 roUes, there to remaine of recorde for the more suretie of everie of 
 our said tenants, for their saide leases, to bee had and made accord- 
 inghe. — Given at our cittie of London, under the seale of our saide 
 duchie, the igth daie of Maie, in the 17th yeare of our reigne." 
 
 There were in the reign of Edward II. eleven Vaccaries — Cow 
 Pastures or Booths, as they are now designated, in the Forest of 
 Rossendale, the herbage of which was (1311) valued at ten shil- 
 lings each, per annum, or five pounds ten shillings for the whole ; 
 but the number of these was afterwards increased to nineteen 
 (still later to twenty, including Yate and Pickup Bank), and in the 
 Decree of 22 Henry VII. (1507,) which was confirmed 2 James I. 
 (1604,) their names and estimated value are given as follows : — 
 
 Gamulside, . . . . . . . . Wl. 
 
 Dunnockshawe, .. .. .. 11/. Ills, IVd. 
 
 Love Clough, . . . . . . . . V/. 
 
 Goodshavve VI. Vis. Vlld. 
 
 Crawshaweboothe, .. ,. .. IX/. .. .. 
 
 Constablelee, . . . . . . . . VI. 
 
 Rawtonstall ' .. III/. XlVs. Id. 
 
 Dedqueneclough X/. XIls. Vlld. 
 
 Wolfenden Boothe Wl. XV lis. lid. 
 
 Tunstead VI. XI Is. 
 
 benches Wl. Vis. Vllld. 
 
 Cowhope VI. Xllls. IVd. 
 
 New-Hall Heye VII/. XIIIs. IVd. 
 
 Oakenheade Woode IX/. Vllls. Illd. 
 
 Musbury XIIl/. Is. Vllld. 
 
 Hoddleden IX/. XIXs. Xld. 
 
 Bacope XI/. XVIs. Vllld. 
 
 Wolfenden XI 11/. Vs. Id. 
 
 Henheads, XIIIs. .. 
 
 Brandwood Higher and Lower end, though not given in tiie 
 above enumeration, the Land there being freehold, is still part and 
 parcel of the Forest. 
 
 In Dedquene Cloghe [Deadwenclough] is coritained the hamlet 
 or village of Newchurch, which gives name to the Chapelry. A 
 lease of this booth was granted to James de Greenhalgh, which
 
 70 History of ike 
 
 was attested at Lancaster by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, 
 regent in the minority of Henry VI. {a) 
 
 Referring to Wolfenden, [the den of Wolves,] Baines re- 
 marks that the Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, in 
 20 Edward I. claimed privileges for this place by charter from 
 Henry I. (b) 
 
 With respect to Bacup Booth, it is recorded that in 5 Henry V. 
 the king granted to John Booth, of Barton, Esq., "his vaccary of 
 Bacope, within his Forest of Rossyndale." To the same person 
 the king granted a certain pasture called New Hall Hey, for the 
 term of ten years, so that the said John Booth and his assignees 
 shall neither kill nor destroy any wild beast within the forest 
 aforesaid. (<■) 
 
 Henheads, which is situated at the north-western extremity of 
 Rossendale, and is e.xtra parochial, has an area of 317 acres, 
 o roods, 24 poles, and consisted in those days of waste or common 
 lands, being held in common by the copyhold tenants of Dun- 
 nockshawe, Loveclough, Goodshaw, Crawshaw, Constablee, Raw- 
 tenstall, Deadwenclough and Wolfenden Booths, who paid a total 
 rent of 13s. od per annum for the use of the same, coutributed 
 proportionately to the value of their respective holdings. 
 
 The following particulars relating to the vaccaries of Rossendale, 
 and the rent of lands therein, are from the Compotus of Blackburn- 
 shire, by Thomas, Lord Stanley, Master Forester, and Chief 
 Steward, A. Edward IV., 4to, in the office of the Duchy of Lan- 
 caster, cited in Whitaker's Whalley, Addenda, 523 :— 
 
 " Jacobo Radeliff de Radcliff, pro Parco de Musbury, VIII/. Xs. od. 
 
 Rich. Barton, pro Newhall Hey, VIII/. os. od. 
 
 Joh. Hargreaves, &c. pro Henhades et Frerehull, .. o/. Ills. IVd. 
 
 Eodem, pro vaccaria de Cowhour, (Qu. De Cowhope,) VU. os. od. 
 
 Eodem, pro vaccarria de Rowtanstall, . , . . . . X/. os. od. 
 
 Et vaccaiia de Constaballeeh, 1 
 
 Y X/. OS. od. 
 Et pro. I claus. vocato Okenheved Wode, J 
 
 {a) Baines's Hist. Lane. vol. iii. p. 274. 
 
 (A) Baines's Hist. Lane. vol. iii. p. 278. 
 
 (f) Townley MSS. g. 17, cited by Baines.
 
 v/. 
 
 OS. od. 
 
 VI/. 
 
 OS. od. 
 
 III/. 
 
 Xlls.od. 
 
 III/. 
 
 OS. od. 
 
 I/. 
 
 XVIs.VIIId. 
 
 0/. 
 
 XVIs. Vllld.'' 
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 71 
 
 Ric. Barton, pro. vaccar. de Dede when clogh, .. VU. os. od. 
 
 Diet. Will. Leyland, pro vac. de Wolfenden bothe, . . VI/. os. od. 
 
 Eodem, pro vac. de Gannelsheved, .. .. .. 11/. Is. Vllld. 
 
 Eodem, pro. vac. de Bacop bothe et Horeleyheved, ,, VIII/. os. od. 
 Eod. pro vaccario de Tunstead cum le Settyngez de 
 
 Soclogh III/. XVs. Vllld." 
 
 And in the Compotus of the 12th Edward IV., (1473), cited in 
 Hist. Whalley, Addenda 256, are the following : — 
 '' De W. Leyland, pro vaccaria Le Antley, .. ,. VI/. os. od. 
 Eodem, pro Newlaund, in Accrington, et pro vaccaria 
 
 de Baxtonden, . . 
 Eodem, pro Crawshaw both, 
 Eod., pro vaccar. de Godeshagh, 
 Eod., pro vacc. de Luffeclogh, . . 
 Eod., pro vacc. de Primrose Sike, 
 Rob. Bothe, mil., pro Rowcliffe Wode, . . 
 
 Under the head of " Churches belonging to the late Monastery 
 of Whalley," the following item occurs : — 
 
 The tyeth of Rossindall with the tyeth belonging to same. . ..£10 16 o 
 
 In an account of all the Manors, Lands, Tenements, &c., with 
 the profits of the same, belonging to the Monastery of Whalley, 
 but at this time in the Hands of King Henry VIII., by reason of 
 the Attainder or Forfeiture of John Paslow, Abbot, who was 
 attainted of and was executed for High Treason, are contained 
 some interesting particulars relating to property within this district. 
 
 The Account of J.\mes Gartysyde, Collector of Rent, for 
 One Whole Year, ending at the Feast of St Michael 
 THE Archangel in the 29TH (a.d. 1538) of the Reign of 
 THE Lord now King Henry VII. 
 
 " TONGE END (NE.^R WHITWORTH.) 
 " RENTS OF TEN.\NTS K1 WILL. 
 
 "One House, with Garden, 8 acres of Pasture, and 7 acres of £ s. d. 
 
 Arable Land, in the tenure of Lawrence Smyth. . .. .. o 15 o 
 
 One House, with Garden, 8 acres of Pasture, and 7 acres of 
 
 Arable Land, in the tenure of Nicholas Smyth. . .. .. o 15 o 
 
 Carryforward .. .. ..;£i
 
 72 History of the 
 
 I s. d. 
 
 Brought forward . . .. .. i lo o 
 
 One House, with Garden, 2 acres of Arable Land, 2 arr s ot 
 jMeadow, and 6 acres of Pasture, in the tenure of Richard 
 
 Hill o lo o 
 
 One House or Tenement, with Garden, 2 acres of Arable Land, 
 2 acres of Meadow, and 6 acres ot Pasture, in the Tenure 
 
 of James Hill .. oio o 
 
 One House, with Garden, 2 acres of Arable Land, 2 acres of 
 Meadow Land, and 6 acres of Pasture, in the tenure of the 
 Widow of the late Nicholas Hill o lo o 
 
 Total 
 
 " ROCI.YFF. 
 "RENTS OF TENANTS AT WILL. £ S. d. 
 
 " Robert Haworth, for one House, with Garden, 6 acres of 
 Arable Land, 5 acres of Meadow Land, and 2o acres of 
 Pasture, with Common for Cattle within the Common of 
 Ugshott and Trough .. .. .. .. .. .. o 8 ii 
 
 The said Robert, for another House, with Garden, 6 arres of 
 Ar:ible Land, $ acres of Meadow, and 20 acres of Pasture, 
 with Common in the Common Pasture to the same belonging, o 8 1 1 
 
 Elizabeth, late Widow of John Ashworth, for One House with 
 Garden, 6 acres of Arable Land, 5 acres of Meadow, and 20 
 acres of Pasture, .. .. .. .. .. .. ..0811 
 
 Hugh Wolstenholme, for one House, with Garden, i acre of Arable 
 
 Land, 2 acres of Pasture, and i acre and a half of Meadow, ..090 
 
 Robert Hele, for one House, with Garden, i acre of Ar ible Land, 
 
 2 acres of Pasture, and i acre and a half of Meaduw, . . . . o 8 1 1 
 
 And Edmund Ashworth, for one House, with Gardens, 6 acres of 
 
 Arable Land, 5 acres of Meadow, and 20 acres of Pasture, . . o 811 
 
 Total, ;e2 13 7 
 
 " BRANDWODD, 
 " RENTS OF TENANTS AT WILL. £ s, d. 
 
 " James Assheworth, for one House, with Garden, 5 acres of Land, 
 6 acres of Pasture, 4 acres of Meadow, with certain Waste 
 Land there, . , . . . . . . . . . . . . ..116 
 
 Hugh Assheworth, for one House, with Garden, 3 acres of Meadow, 
 
 with Pasturage within the Common of Brandwodd, . . . , 0186 
 
 Carry forward . . . . .-£2
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 73 
 
 Brought forward . . 
 
 William Assheworth, for one House, with Garden, 5 acres of 
 Arable Land, 9 acres of Pasture, and 7 acres of Meadow, 
 
 John Assheworth, for one House, with Garden, 5 acres of Arable 
 Land, 9 acres of Pasture, and 7 acres of Meadow, with Pastur- 
 age for his Cattle on the Common Pasture of Brandwodd, 
 
 Henry Assheworth, for one House, with Garden, 4 acres and a half 
 of Arable Land, 4 acres of Pasture, and 10 acres of Meadow, 
 
 And Edmund Assheworth, tor one House, 2 acres of Arable Land, 
 3 acres of Pasture, and 3 acres of Meadow, 
 
 £ s. d. 
 200 
 
 I o o 
 I 6 8 
 o 13 4 
 
 600 
 Farm or Rent of a Corn Mill there, in the Tenure of Robert 
 
 Assheworth, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..100 
 
 Total, 
 
 '•£7 o o 
 
 " The whole of the above are charged in the Account of the Receiver- 
 General of the Lord the King, there as in his said Account of this year more 
 fully set forth and appeareth." *
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " The claims of long descent." — Trn'N'vson. 
 
 "ITTE have already (a) briefly traced the possession of the 
 ' ' manorial rights to the property in Rossendale within the 
 Hundred of Blackburn, from the time of the Norman Conquest, 
 down through the intervening centuries to their present ducal 
 owner. A similar duty devolves upon us in regard to the Free- 
 hold rights of the lands in Brandwood, in the Township of Spot- 
 land, and embraced within Salford Hundred. 
 
 In furtherance of this intention, we have recounted how that 
 about the year 1200, during the reign of King John, Roger de 
 Lacy, one of the Lords of the Honor of Ciitheroe, granted to the 
 monastery of Stanlaw in Cheshire, that portion of Rossendale 
 called Brandwood ; and that in the second year of the reign of 
 Edward III. (1328), the grant in question was ratified and 
 confirmed in favour of the Abbot and Monks of Whalley, the 
 legitimate successors of the original grantees, the monastery hav- 
 ing been established at the latter place on its removal from Stanlaw 
 in Cheshire, on account of the inundation of the sea. We have 
 also seen that the Abbot of Whalley, in the seventeenth year of 
 Edward III. (1343), successfully contested the claim on the part 
 of Richard de Ratcliffe, Master Forester, of a right to demand and 
 take puture of the Foresters. 
 
 This large and important tract of land (Brandwood) was 
 formerly embraced within the Manor of Rochdale, but, as will 
 immediately appear by a decision of the Court, became separated 
 from it owing to the circumstance of the grant before mentioned. 
 
 (a) In Book II. Chnp. 1.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 75 
 
 The land continued in the possession of the Church dominant, 
 until, by the attainder and execution of John Paslew, abbot, and 
 the subsequent dissolution of the monasteries, the possession 
 passed into the hands of King Henry VIII. This king made a 
 grant of the lands to Thomas Holt, of Gristlehurst, Esquire, 
 (afterwards, when in Scotland, knighted by Edward, Earl of 
 Hertford), in capite by knight's service, by the fourth part of a 
 knight's fee. (b) The Grant included all the messuages, lands, 
 tenements, meadows, &:c., lying in and being Whitworth, Tonge 
 End, Roclyff, and Brandwood, within the -parish of Rochdale. 
 The boundaries of the parish of Rochdale in Rossendale are 
 described in an inquisition taken in the year 1 6 lo as follows: — 
 " Asqf nding the river Calder to Beaten Clough Foot ; and 
 from thence to Beaten Clough Head ; and from thence to 
 Shearneyford ; and from thence to a hedge or fence, sometimes 
 on one side of the water, sometimes on the other, to Greave 
 Clough ; and from thence to Baycop ; and from Baycop to Rock- 
 liffe Lumme ; and from thence following the river to Brandwood ; 
 and from thence to Carrgate ; and from Carrgate to Cowap 
 Brook, ascending the same brook to its head ; and from thence to 
 the height of the moss ; and from thence to Archinbutt." 
 
 From Thomas Holt, who died March 8, 156 1, the property 
 passed to Francis, Thomas, Francis, Theophilus, and Thomas 
 Posthumous Holt, respectively, the latter of whom died, according 
 to a MS. Memorandum which Dr. W'hitaker the historian saw, 
 " 25th March 1669, after sown sett, a hower, as they report it." 
 
 iji) " The division by knight's fee is a familiar feature of the feudal system. 
 The knight's fee in England was fixed at the annual value of twenty pounds. 
 Every estate supposed to be of this value, and entered as such in the rolls of 
 the Exchequer, was bound to contribute the service of a soldier, or to pay an 
 escuage to the amount assessed upon knight's fee." — Hall.\m's Middle Ages, 
 vol. i. p. 171, et seq. 
 
 The incidents of tenure by knight's service consisted variously, in addition 
 to military service, of homage, aids to ransom the person of the superior 
 Lord, to marry his eldest daughter, knight his eldest son, relief, &c. — See 
 WlLLl.^.Ms' Real Property, p. III.
 
 76 History 0/ the 
 
 Thomas Posthumous disposed of the lands to different persons. 
 Rockliffe passed into the hands of Thomas Baskerville Chapman, 
 20th February. 17th Charles II., for the sum of £500. Tong 
 Estate was purchased by James Hoyle, of Tong, yeoman, 2d 
 March, 20th Charles II., for £137 los. od. The messuage, 
 tenement, and farmhold, called Stubbylee, and Slack House or 
 Further Hey, and several closes of land in the manor of Spotland, 
 became the property of Edmund Barker, yeoman. May 24th, 21st 
 Charles II. Part of Greave Clough estate was purchased 3d 
 November following by James Grindrod ; the remaining portion, 
 with several closes of land called the Upper Parrock, by Richard 
 Lord of Greave Clough, on the 7 th May of the next year. 
 
 The manor and estate of Rochdale were held in possession for 
 more than two centuries by the Byron family, several members 
 whereof distinguished themselves in the profession of arms, and 
 in more peaceful, but not less honourable, avocations. None of 
 these is better known to fame than Lord Byron, the distinguished 
 poet, who was the last of the family possessing the manor and 
 estate in question. These, in order to get rid of a prolonged and 
 vexatious litigation, he sold in 1823, the year before his lamented 
 death, to James Dearden, Esq., whose heir, James Griffith 
 Dearden, is now lord of the manor, (c) 
 
 ((■) The following interesting letter of the poet, addressed tu Mr. Dearden, 
 in regard to the lands and litigation referred to, is copied from the Raines 
 MSS. in the Chetham Library, Manchester : — 
 
 Genoa, 9 September, 1822, 
 
 Sir, — Vou and 1 have now been eighteen years at law with various 
 success — I succeeded in two decisions and you in one. The appeal is now 
 before the House of Lords. Of the original occasion of this suit I have no 
 great knowledge, since 1 inherited it and was a child when it began, and for 
 aught 1 know may arrive at second childhood before it terminates. But I 
 write to you to enquire whether an accommodation might not at least be 
 attempted, and I have not consulted with my lawyers, because they of course 
 would advise the contrary, as your own very probably will ; but I dispatch 
 my letter through the medium of the Honourable Douglas Kinnaird, my 
 personal friend as well as trustee, a man of honour and of business, who will
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 77 
 
 At the Assizes held at Lancaster in March 1833, an action was 
 brought against the late James Maden, Esq., of Greens House, 
 Bacup, by the lord of the manor of Rochdale, in respect to the 
 manorial rights of a certain portion of the Freehold lands above 
 particularised; and which were claimed by Mr. Dearden, the 
 plaintiff, as being part and parcel of his said manor. At the time 
 when the suit was tried, the following persons were directly 
 interested therein, having come into possession of the Estates 
 either by purchase or bequest : — 
 
 Miss Ann Roberts, owner of Ancient House, Rockliffe ; Mr. 
 John Hoyle and wife, of Rockliffe Hey-head, and Hoyle Hey- 
 head; Mr. James Whitaker, of Rockliffe estate; Mrs. Mary 
 Veevers, of Higher Tong ; Mrs. Lord, of Hoyle Hey ; Mrs. 
 Susannah Ormerod, of Stubbylee ; Mr. James Maden, of Greave 
 Clough ; Mr. John Law, of Greave and High Houses. 
 
 either meet yourself or any friend to discuss the subject. I have no parti- 
 cular propositions to make, but am willing to adjust the business on what 
 may be deemed an equitable basis, either by arbitration or a mutual agree- 
 ment. My motives for this are simply that I think it would spare anxiety to 
 both sides, and I am neither instigated by avidity nor necessity. My 
 expenses for the suit are paid up to its present period, so that if I lose 
 it I should be but where 1 was, whereas if you lose, the loss will be con- 
 siderable, since the litigated property has been and still is in your present 
 occupation. 
 
 I should be willing to part also with the undisputed part of Rochdale manor, 
 because I wish to invest the produce of that as well as other monies abroad, 
 since I do not reside in England, and have thought of permanently settling 
 either in Italy or elsewhere. Perhaps, therefore, a mode might be found of 
 combining the two, viz., the adjustment of our lawsuit and the sale of the 
 remainder of the manor, which might not be for your disadvantage. I repeat 
 (as a little enquiry will inform you) that I am not actuated either by avidity 
 or necessity, but by the natural wish to terminate a long lawsuit with its 
 uncertainties. My debts have long been liquidated by the sale of Newstead, 
 and the purchase money settled and invested ; and early in the winter of 
 1822 I acquired a considerable accession of income by the demise of the 
 mother of Lady B. 
 
 It you accept this proposal for a conference either in person or by proxy 
 with the Honourable Mr. Kinnaird or Mr. Crabtree (agent of Sir Francis
 
 78 History of the 
 
 A brief summary of the trial is given by Baines in his 
 History of Lancasliire, (</) from which I have taken the liberty to 
 quote. " In the course of the proceedings it ai)peared that in the 
 district of Brandwood there were a number of freehold tenements, 
 and a large piece of waste or common land, called Tooter hill and 
 Reaps Moss, to which the owners of the freeholds claimed rights 
 in severality in respect of their tenements. About the year 1S14, 
 while Lord Byron was lord of the manor of Rochdale, they agreed 
 to enclose and divide a part of the common amongst them ; and 
 in pursuance of this agreement, a stone wall was built round a 
 certain portion of it containing one hundred and forty-five 
 customary acres ; a part of this land, amounting to little more 
 than eight acres, formed the cause of the present action, but the 
 result involved the title to the whole enclosure and common, and 
 to the valuable coal and other minerals beneath the surface. The 
 (juestion at issue was, whether Brandwood, which confessedly lies 
 within the ambit of the manor of Rochdale, formed part of that 
 manor, or whether it had not by ancient acts of ownership been 
 separated from it. 
 
 " On the part of the plaintiff, the descent of the manor of 
 Rochdale was distinctly shown by the manor rolls to rest in him ; 
 and it was proved in evidence that the occupiers of lands in 
 Brandwood, and even the defendant himself, had paid certain 
 customary rents for the waste of Brandwood ; and that the lord of 
 
 Burdett and of me, at Kirby Mallory), acting for him and me, you can write 
 to Mr. Kinnaird in answer to this, as I am too remote for immediate corres- 
 pondence; or if not things are but where they were. In either case I bear 
 you no enmity whatever on account of our long litigation, which you can 
 hardly regret more than 1 do. I have the honour to be, your very obedient 
 humble servant, 
 
 NOKL BVKO.N. 
 
 To J. Dearden, Esq., Rochdale. 
 
 P.S. — I give you my honour that I have not consulted with my lawyer on 
 this point, nor made any one acquainted with tlie proposition. I have, how- 
 ever, no objection to your advising with your own on the subject. 
 
 (d) Vol. ii. p. 052.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 79 
 
 the manor of Rochdale had exercised certain acts of ownership 
 over this district, by letting coal mines under the waste, and by 
 impounding through his pinder cattle belonging to strangers and 
 copyholders, and even to freeholders, when a larger stock was put 
 upon the common than it could support. 
 
 " For the defendant it was contended that Brandwood formed 
 part of the manor of Rpotland, and that it descended from the 
 monastery of Stanlaw to the monks of Whalley, and from them to 
 the family of Earl Howe, according to a chartulary in his lordship's 
 possession, exhibited in court." In this is recited the deed making 
 the original grant, which has already been given at length. The 
 grant and confirmation of Edward III. was likewise put in; as 
 was also the grant of Henry, Earl of Lancaster ; and the inquisi- 
 tion, post mortem, of Henry first Duke of Lancaster. " In addi- 
 tion to this documentary evidence, several acts of ownership, by 
 living witnesses, were shown to have been exercised over this land, 
 and, after a trial of three days' continuance, the jury returned a 
 verdict for the defendant, thereby declaring that the district of 
 Brandwood had been separated from the manor of Rochdale." 
 
 Thus ended a trial involving important local interests. It settled, 
 beyond cavil, the freeholders' rights to much valuable property, 
 their title to the possession of which is thus traced with the greatest 
 ease and precision back to the time of the Conquest.
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 " There are no tricks in phin and simple faith." — Shakkspere. 
 
 DURING the reign of James I. certain circumstances oc.curred 
 having a most important bearing on much of the property 
 and its ownership within the Forest of Rossendale, as constituting 
 a portion of the Forest of Blackburnshire, to omit making men- 
 tion of which would be to overlook one of the most noteworthy 
 episodes in its past History. 
 
 In order to a clear understanding of the circumstances here 
 referred to, it is necessary that I should carry my readers back 
 to the time of the reign of that astute monarch, Henry VII., 
 when the Forest lands were partitioned out in accordance with the 
 " Commission for Grauntinge of the Forrests." (a) This Instrument 
 from the king, who was lord of the manor, is addressed to his 
 steward, and authorises him to make grants of the vaccaries or 
 booths, after the custom of the manor, by copy of court roll, to 
 such persons, and at such yearly rents, as were contained in a 
 .Schedule prepared by Sir John Boothe and others, who had been 
 deputed to survey and view all the king's grounds, castles, and 
 lordships. The rent here spoken of is what, at the present day, is 
 popularly known as the " Duke's Rent "—the yearly sum paid to 
 the lord of the manor for the copyhold. When the manor was in 
 possession of the Crown, the rent would, of course, be known as 
 the " Kind's " or " Queen's rent." 
 
 As the immediate result of the king's commission, the hitherto 
 uncultivated lands within the bounds of the Forest were granted to 
 various persons who became the owners of the copyholds, and 
 
 (a) Ante, Chap. I. Book III.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 8i 
 
 held their several properties on the title which their grants, founded 
 on this Commission, bestowed. That the titles were genuine and 
 incontrovertible was not once doubted. Houses and Farmsteads 
 were erected. Lands were cleared, drained, manured, and tilled, 
 and in the course of time became much enhanced in value. 
 Sales of the Property had been negotiated on the strength of those 
 titles. Children had succeeded their parents as heirs to the 
 various Estates, their interest therein, and legal right thereto, being 
 unquestioned, and, as they believed, unquestionable. Thus mat- 
 ters stood until the Crown Lawyers of the time of King James I. 
 discovered what they declared was a defective title on the 
 part of the copy-holders. (^) This discovery was thus set forth in 
 a letter bearing date April 5, 1607, and addressed to Mr. Auditor 
 Fanshaw, and Ralph Asheton, of Lever, Esq., deputy steward : — 
 " There are within his Majesty's honor of Clitheroe, divers lands 
 which have been only granted by the steward, and by warrant to 
 the steward made, which parcels have been improved out of his 
 majesty's forests and chases, there commonly called lands of the 
 new-hold, which are only, however, of the nature of essart (r) land, 
 and cannot be claimed by custom or prescription to be copyholds." 
 
 " This," says Dr. Whitaker, " was a thunderstroke — as it shook 
 to the foundation the titles of twenty-five thousand I,ancashire 
 acres of land, and destroyed the comforts and the hopes of many 
 
 (A) " In consequence of this [the king's] commission grants of the vaccaries 
 were made ; and upon the faith ot these titles, houses were built, and im- 
 provements, such as the soil was capable of, were made ; lands were bought 
 and sold ; the first grantees died off, and their heirs or other representatives 
 were regularly admitted in perfect security for more than a century, when 
 the Crown Lawyers of James I. discovered, or pretended to discover, that 
 copyholds of inheritance could not be created, that the lands of the new-hold 
 tenure were of the nature of essart lands, and the occupants, a sort of ten- 
 ants by sufferance." — Hist. Whalley, third edition, p. 209. 
 
 (r) " If a Man hath any Woods or Underwoods, or any other Coverts in the 
 Forest, as Heath, Broom, Fern, and he cut it down, or pull it up by the Roots, 
 that the Land is made plain, or converted into Arable or Pastures, then 'tis 
 called assart of the Forest, or Land assarted." — Manwood, ed. 1717, p. 20.
 
 82 Histoty of the 
 
 families who lived in competence and quiet upon these new 
 improvements, without any other resources." ((/) 
 
 A lengthened litigation ensued, involving a mass of corres- 
 pondence, and leaving behind, on settlement of the dispute, an 
 array of documents, in the shape of petitions, instruments, com- 
 missions, &c., far too numerous to quote or even to enumerate. 
 
 The key to the nefarious proceedings on the part of the Crown 
 is supplied by the unwarrantable demand subsequently made on 
 the copyholders for payment of a certain sum to ensure the perfect- 
 ing of their respective titles to the lands in question. 
 
 It is difficult to utter language sufficiently strong in condemna- 
 tion of the conduct of the ruler and his minions throughout the 
 whole of these unrighteous transactions. A more barefaced 
 attempt to extort money under false pretences is surely not on 
 record. Notwithstanding the injustice of the demand, it would 
 appear that the wealthier proprietors were willing to make a com- 
 mutation. In this, however, they experienced some difficulty, 
 owing to their not being able to obtain the written assent of the 
 smaller owners for the payment of their proportionate share of the 
 amount demanded. 
 
 A letter from Richard Towneley, Edward Rausthorn, and others, 
 states that, — " Through the fantastical persuasion of the vulgar 
 sorte, that handes set to an instrument will bind them to they 
 know not what inconveniences, they are enforced to rest only on 
 promises : now in respect the vulgar sorte is knowne to be vari- 
 able, and may alter from this second resolution ; least the peevish- 
 ness of some few should disadvantage or discredit our undertaking ; 
 we are of opinion that this, by Mr. Auditor's and your good 
 meanes made known to the privy council, will worke such effect, 
 yt according to ye proverbe, ' The fryers shall not be beaten for 
 the nunnes fault.' " Dr. Whitaker, in his usual supercilious and 
 disdainful manner when speaking of the humbler classes, thus 
 comments on the circumstances referred to in the above letter : — 
 
 (d) Hist. Whalley, third edition, p. 209.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 83 
 
 "The superior proprietors were evidently aware ot their own 
 danger and willing to compound for their estates upon any reason- 
 able terms ; but had to encounter that levity, selfishness, and ob- 
 stinacy in the lower orders, which, as long as human nature is the 
 same, will encumber and embitter all public concerns in which 
 they have any part." 
 
 But what were the terms that could be considered as reasonable, 
 when, according to the Doctor's own showing, the whole proceed- 
 ings, from their beginning to their termination, were fraught with 
 the grossest injustice ? And surely a better reason to justify the 
 conduct of the malcontents might have suggested itself to the 
 mind of the learned historian. 
 
 Viewing the matter dispassionately, it appears to us that 
 the smaller copyholders based their refusal on stronger grounds 
 than that of the mere paltry objection to set their hands 
 to an instrument not knowing what inconveniences might 
 result therefrom. It is more than probable that a sturdy 
 independence prompted their conduct in the refusal, and that 
 they evinced more of the spirit of English freemen than 
 their wealthier neighbours, in resisting what Dr. Whitaker himself 
 describes as " an act of oppression," " part of a general scheme," 
 carried on in different parts of the country, " for extorting money 
 from the tenants of the Crown, whose titles were not perfectly 
 secure," in order to relieve the poverty, and replenish the exhaust- 
 ted exchequer of the King. It may be said that the letter of 
 Towneley and Rausthorn (quoted above) does not bear out this 
 view of the case. But to call that letter by the mildest name, it is, 
 on the face of it, a snivelling epistle, and is apt to awaken the 
 suspicion that the writers themselves were not unwilling to evade 
 payment, provided they could edge out of the difficulty blameless. 
 The "vulgar sorte," as the humbler owners are therein termed 
 with unnecessary iteration, were deemed to be a convenient step- 
 ping-stone by which to escape from a sea of trouble into a haven 
 of safety, and for this purpose they seem to have been used for the 
 time being.
 
 84 History 0/ the 
 
 The upshot of the dispute was, that in the 7 James I. an act 
 was passed, entitled " An Act for the perfect creation and confir- 
 mation of certain copyhold land in the honor, castle, manor, and 
 lordship of Clitheroe." From some cause or other not perfectly 
 clear, this act seems to have been afterwards superseded, as will 
 presently appear. The sum at first arranged to be paid for the 
 settlement and confirmation of the titles was twelve years' ancient 
 rent, amounting in the whole to ^Cn^l- The amount contributed 
 by the Rossendale copyholders, as their share, was £1574 4s. od. 
 This was paid in three instalments of £524 14s. 8d. each (equal to 
 four years' rent), the payments being made on the 1 5th February, 
 1608; the 23rd May, 1609; and the 14th November, 1609, 
 respectively, {e). The claim was afterwards increased to forty 
 years' rent ; one half on the decrees passing the Duchy Court, and 
 the other within a month after the confirmation by Act of Parlia- 
 ment. The first instalment was paid during the reign of James I., 
 but the other portion remained unpaid till about the year 1650. 
 These, with other interesting facts, are set forth in the following 
 extract from one of the Assheton Papers (/) written after the 
 Restoration. 
 
 The Copyholders " came to composition with his Majesty's 
 Commissioners, and agreed to pay for confirmation and settlement 
 thereof forty years' copyhold rent ; the one moiety upon passing 
 Decrees for that purpose in the Court of Duchy Chamber, and 
 the other moiety within one month after the same should be 
 confirmed by Act of Parliament. 
 
 ' ' Decrees of all the several manors and places so compounded 
 for were passed, and the first moiety of the composition money 
 paid in King James's time. And in the sixteenth year of the late 
 King Charles, a Bill for confirmation thereof passed both the 
 Houses of Parliament : but, through the distractions then growing, 
 was prevented of being perfected by the royal assent. 
 
 (cj See Appendix for a complete List of the Copyholders, with the amount 
 of their several rents. 
 
 (/) Cited by Whitaker, third edition, p. 520.
 
 Forest of Rossetidale, 85 
 
 " The said late King Charles, in the fifth year of his reign, 
 granted, by letters patent, the second moiety of the said Composi- 
 tion Money, remaining in the Copyholders' hands, to the Navy 
 and Tower Creditors, towards satisfaction of certain debts con- 
 tracted by Sir Allen Apsley in victualling the Navy and Tower ; 
 who, in the year 1650, obtained from the pretended Parliament, 
 then sitting, an Act to confirm to the said Copyholders their 
 customs and improvements according to the said Compositions 
 and Decrees, and to compel them to pay the remaining moiety of 
 Composition Money to the said Creditors, with a nomine pcence of 
 jQS per diem upon default of payment after the first of September 
 next following. 
 
 "Several of the Copyholders failed in providing their money, 
 which caused their deficiency of payment according to the Act. 
 But the nomine fcence being great, and the Creditors' severe in 
 levying it, accordingly to the power given them, those that were 
 careful of preserving their estates, and preventing further damage, 
 procured and paid the whole moiety together with a great overplus, 
 amounting to ;^5,833 in all, for satisfaction of the said moiety and 
 nomine poence forfeited, and so freed themselves and many others, 
 who are still behind with their due proportionable parts, and 
 yet ha^'e no security for confirmation of their customs and 
 estates. 
 
 "All which considered, the said Copyhelders having long since, 
 as aforesaid, paid their whole composition to the king's use, do 
 humbly pray the said Decrees and their Customes may be con- 
 firmed according to their Contract by the Parliament. And that 
 power may be given to certain Commissioners to leavy the moneys 
 in arrear, and reimburse to those that have laid out above their 
 proportions so much as shall reduce the payments and account to 
 an equality and due proportion, according to a Bill prepared for 
 that purpose." 
 
 An Act of Confirmation was passed accordingly, " and on this 
 foundation," remarks Dr. Whitaker, "rest all the titles to wapon- 
 take, or copyhold lands of the new tenure in Blackburnshire. By
 
 86 
 
 History of the 
 
 the same Act, the forests were attached to the adjoining manors, 
 as ex. gr. Trawden to Colne, Pendle to Ightenhill, and Rossendale 
 with Accrington to the manor of Accrington-vetus. These two 
 last-mentioned forests constitute what is called Accrington New- 
 hold."
 
 BOOK FOURTH 
 
 > »♦ » < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " Worthy men all, and of good standing." 
 
 " 'Tis opportune to look back upon old times, 
 and contemplate our forefathers."— Sir Thomas Browne. 
 
 " The ReevS was a slendre colerick man ; 
 
 His beard was shav'd as nigh as ever he can ; 
 
 His hair was by his ear^s round yshorn ; 
 
 His top was docked like a priest beforn. 
 
 Full long^ were his legg& and full lean, 
 
 Ylike a staff, there was no calf yseen. 
 
 Well could he keep a garner and a bin. 
 
 There was no auditor could on him win. 
 
 There n'as bailiff, ne herd, ne other hine 
 
 That he ne knew his sleight, and his covine ; 
 
 They were a-dread of him, as of the death. 
 
 He had his wonning fair upon a heath, 
 
 With green^ trees yshadowed was his place." — Chaucer. 
 
 \ S time pursues its onward course, and the manners and cus- 
 •*-^ toms of society undergo change, new officers are called into 
 existence to suit the altered conditions of men and property ; 
 while dignitaries of ancient note, who were once considered to be, as 
 no doubt they really were, indispensable for the due administration 
 of the affairs of the times, gradually withdraw from our sight, to 
 exist only by name in the archives of the past. Not only do 
 offices, once important, become in the lapse of time altogether
 
 88 History of the 
 
 obsolete, but the duties of some of those which still continue to 
 exist, change, or are greatly modified by the fleeting manners of each 
 succeeding age. These remarks are specially applicable to the 
 office of the Grave, Greave, or Reeve ; (a) an important func- 
 tionary here in days of yore, and wielding a considerable share of 
 authority within his jurisdiction. The office is one of great 
 antiquity, dating its origin far back into Sa.xon times. 
 
 Before the introduction of the Magistracy into the district; 
 when Guardians of the poor, as we now understand the term, had 
 no existence therein ; and when Local Boards and Town Councils 
 were unknown, Rossendale was governed by one of these officers, 
 who bore the tide of " Greavfe of the Forest." 
 
 The duties of the Greave were of the most onerous and respon- 
 sible kind ; but they also descended to and embraced matters the 
 most trivial and unimportant. Nothing seems to have been too 
 weighty for him to undertake, nothing too insignificant to claim 
 his attention. He was the Taxing Officer and " Bang-Beggar " of 
 the district. At one time we find him closely engaged in tracking 
 the footsteps of some notorious criminal, or in collecting evidence 
 for his prosecution ; at another he is relieving the necessities of a 
 poor half-starved tramp on his way to Yorkshire, or it might be 
 to Liverpool, in the opposite direction. Now he is taking measures 
 to ascertain the number, and prepare a return accordingly, of all 
 the able-bodied men within the Forest, capable of serving " the 
 King His Majesty in his most just and holy wars ; " and again he 
 is giving instructions for the repair of the Stocks at Crawshawbooth 
 or Bacup, or of the Guide Post at Four-Lane-Ends. One day he 
 is superintending the erection of a "Dungeon" at one of the 
 
 (a) "Praposiius VilliB is sometimes used for the head or cliief officer of the 
 king in a town, manor, or village, or a Reeve." — Note by John Harland, 
 F.S.A., in " Manchester Court Leet Records,'' p. 67. Jacob in his Law 
 Die. ed. 1743, spells it " Reve," and thus defines it ; " More especially met 
 with in the West of England, signifies the bailiff of a manor, and hence 
 comes the word shire-reve, or sheriff."
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 89 
 
 villages ; on another he is ordering a staff or truncheon for the 
 village Constable. 
 
 The Precepts of the High Constable were all addressed to the 
 Greave, who levied the rates, and was responsible for the propor- 
 tionate share required to be contributed by the Forest of Rossen- 
 dale for the repair of Lancaster Castle, the Preston House of 
 Correction, the Bridges of the Hundred, the relief of the prisoners 
 in the Marshalsea, maintaining the Watch, and other County 
 expenses. 
 
 The fulfilment of the office of Greave, which was by no means a 
 sinecure, seems not to have been optional. The person nominated 
 was bound to serve either personally or by deputy. But though 
 members of the best families of the district were nominally the 
 Greaves of the Forest, they seldom performed the drudgery of the 
 office. The plan. of hiring a deputy, and sometimes two, was 
 generally resorted to ; and it frequently happened that one person 
 discharged the duties for several consecutive years, being hired by 
 different Greaves in succession. The Greave was nominated by 
 the principal landowners in the locality, his appointment taking 
 place at the Halmot Court, or Court Baron, of the lord of the 
 Manor or Honor, held on Michaelmas Day in each year, according 
 to the 29th clnuse of " The Customs of the Copyhold of the 
 Honor of Clitheroe," which is as follows ; — ■ 
 
 " That the homage at every Michaelmas Court ought to present 
 and find a Greve for the said Forest or Manor, who is not to enter 
 into his office until the Michaelmas Court next after, and that a 
 deputy Greve ought to be elected by the Major vote of the tenants 
 in Open Court for the execution of that Office, and sworn accord- 
 ingly." 
 
 The accounts of the Greave, which varied in amount from ^20 
 to ;^6oo in different years, were presented to a Vestry Meeting 
 held annually in the Parochial Chapel, Newchurch, when they 
 were audited, passed, and signed or certified by a number of the 
 inhabitants present, the Incumbent's signature being usually the 
 first appended thereto.
 
 go History of the 
 
 Dr. Whitaker observes {b) that the vaccaries or large upland 
 pasture farms within the Lancashire Forests were under the super- 
 intendence of two Master Foresters, one for Blackburnshire, and 
 the other for Bowland ; and the former had under him an inferior 
 keeper in each, of which that of Rossendale inhabited the chamber 
 of the Forest, and had the direction of other still inferior officers, 
 termed graves or reeves of the Forest. This description would 
 seem to imply a less onerous and important position than is 
 assumed for the Greave ; but he was really the xVcting Officer " in 
 charge ;" the Constables and Bailiffs being responsible to him ; 
 and in earlier times when the facilities for intercourse were fewer 
 and more costly, the existence of higher authorities, to the rural 
 mind, was more mythical than real. Hence, when the Greave 
 chanced to be of a tyrannical disposition — 
 
 " They were a-dread of him as of the death." 
 
 Haines, in his history of the County, states that Rossendale is 
 governed by a Constable called "The Greave of the Forest," who 
 is nominated by the principal landowners ; and that the expenses 
 of this Officer are borne by four principal householders in each 
 Booth in rotation, a practice which has prevailed from 1557. {c) 
 
 The Historian is surely at fault here. To have saddled any 
 four principal householders with the expenses of the Greave, 
 would certainly have been a summary and unjust proceeding. 
 The fact is, that, on receiving a Precept or Order from the High 
 Constable for the payment of a certain amount, the Greave im- 
 mediately laid a rate, or " Greave lay," {d) as it was called, over 
 the district, being generally careful that the amount to be collected 
 exceeded the sum of the Precept. When a deficiency occurred 
 
 (A) Hist. Whalley, third edition, p. 206. 
 
 (f) Hist. Lancashire, vol iii. p. 276. 
 
 (rf) " The derivation of the word 'lay' or 'ley' seems doubtful. In the 
 expression ' to lay a lay ' may be found one origin, and the French word ley, 
 law, suggests another, a rate made by law." — Note by John Harland, 
 F.S.A., in " Manchester Court Leet Records," p. 124.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 91 
 
 in any one year, as was sometimes the case, this was disbursed 
 from the receipts of the Greave next ensuing. If it is meant that 
 the salary or remuneration of the Greave was contributed by four 
 of the principal householders, that may have been the case, though 
 we know of nothing to justify such a conclusion. It is probable 
 that the Greaves being usually persons of property in the district, 
 served their term of office free of charge, and that only the hired 
 or deputy Officers were paid, and those by the nominal Greave for 
 the time being. 
 
 Of late years this Officer's duties have been much circumscribed, 
 being limited to a periodical attendance at the Halmot Court, and 
 the summoning of Juries for the transaction of business appertain- 
 ing thereto. This Court for the Old-hold and New-hold of the 
 Manor of Accrington, of which Rossendale now forms part, is 
 held at the Court House in Haslingden twice every year, in the 
 months of April and October, and its authority extends over all 
 property within the Manor, held under what is technically called 
 "copy of Court roll." 
 
 The Reeve who is introduced by Chaucer as one of the Pilgrims 
 in the " Canterbury Tales," has many points in common wilh-the 
 Greave or Reeve of Rossendale Forest; though they differ in 
 some essential particulars ; the Reeve of Chaucer being a permanent 
 Officer, and in this respect resembling the Steward of the Manor 
 of the present day. 
 
 Among a number of old documents, which, by the kindness of 
 a friend, were placed in my hands, I have discovered a list 
 of persons who held the Office of Greave of the Forest of Rossen- 
 dale from .\.D. 1559, the 2d year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 
 down to A.D. 1726. 
 
 Being desirous to complete the list, I made application to Dixon 
 Robinson, Esq., of Clitheroe Castle, Steward of the Honor, who, 
 in response to my request, in the kindest manner, continued the 
 names to 181 1, since which time there are no appointments of 
 Greaves appearing on the Court Rolls. From another and equally
 
 92 History of the 
 
 trustworthy source, I am enabled to add a few more names, bringing 
 down the list of Officers to the year 1 8 1 8. 
 
 This list is not to be viewed as a mere dry catalogue of names to 
 which little or no interest is attached. It is in truth an enumera- 
 tion of the oldest families of the district for a period of over three 
 hundred years, and as such is of great historical value. 
 
 However disinclined we may be to render undue homage to the 
 accidental and adventitious circuiflstances of long descent, we are 
 all ready to allow that it is at least desirable, and in a sense hon- 
 ourable, to be able to trace our ancestors back through the cen- 
 turies which have elapsed, to recount their virtues, and their heroic 
 deeds, and to unravel the intricacies of the times in which their lot 
 was cast. 
 
 What is true of the individual, is also true in respect to the 
 locality. Few among us but are proud to connect the occurences 
 of the particular district in which we feel an interest, with the more 
 important historical events and personages of our common country. 
 
 No city, or town, or district can be said to possess a history 
 until the events which have occurred therein are recorded, and the 
 actors in its various scenes identified and described. Just as that 
 man is supposed to be without ancestors who is unable to trace his 
 descent through a series of generations. 
 
 The most enchanting landscape which the painter can portray 
 upon his canvas lacks one of its greatest charms until it is made to 
 embrace within its ample area an image bearing the human form. 
 To sujjply this is, as it were, to infuse a living soul into the other- 
 wise inanimate clay. 
 
 This is precisely the part which the present list of Greaves fulfils 
 in respect to Rossendale. They are the link which, more than 
 any other, connects the district with past events. 
 
 Without this link we know, of course, that Rossendale had an 
 existence in the long past ; that its hills were as high, and its air as 
 bracing as at the present day. But there is a feeling of vagueness 
 in the mind when we try to summon up bygone circumstances,
 
 Forest of Rosscndale. 93 
 
 that is not dispelled until we can associate therewith the presence 
 of our own species. 
 
 In the person of its Greaves, we may be said to have the pedi- 
 gree of the Forest of Rossendale. And how much of real interest 
 we feel in being able to point to those of them who were contem- 
 poraneous with the Virgin Queen, and the galaxy of gifted minds 
 which adorned her court, and shed an undying radiance around 
 the years of her reign ; with Burleigh, her judicious adviser ; and 
 with the accomplished Essex, her unfortunate favourite. Contem- 
 porary, too, with Lord Bacon, 
 
 " The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind." 
 
 and with the chivalrous Sidney, " the very diamond of her Majes- 
 ty's Court." Administrators of the affairs of the Forest when Sir 
 Francis Drake was " singeing the Spanish monarch's beard ;" and 
 when Raleigh, patriot, statesman, and philosopher, was pining in 
 his lone dungeon in the Tower. When Spenser, the sweetest of 
 poets, was singing of the heavenly Una and her milk-white lamb ;(<?) 
 and when Shakespeare was weaving the immortal creations of his 
 genius. Witnesses, too, of, and doubtless participators in, the excite- 
 ment of the times consequent on the hourly-expected arrival of 
 the great Spanish Armada, which was to uproot Protestantism 
 from the land, and snuft" out the candle of English liberty ; who 
 lighted the beacon signals which summoned the country to arms ; 
 and who shartd in the rejoicings which followed the discomfiture 
 of the invading hosts. 
 
 (e) It will not be considered out of place here to refer to the fact, established 
 on good authority, that Edmund Spenser was of the Spensers of Hurstwood, 
 near Burnley, and that he lived there for some time. Such being the 
 case, it is not unlikely that the name, and probably the district of Rossen- 
 dale, would be familiar to the poet. Whether this latter conjecture be true 
 or not, it is interesting to be able to connect the author of the " Fairy Queen " 
 with our next door neighbours at the foot of Pendle Hill. Vide " Spenser 
 and his Poetry," by Geo. L. Craik, M.A. ; also a Paper by the late T. T. 
 Wilkinson, F.R.A.S., Burnley, read before the Lancashire and Cheshire 
 Historic Society.
 
 94 History of the 
 
 In the person of its Greave, Rossendale had a veritable exis- 
 tence in the days of Guy Fawkes and the " Gunpowder Plot ;" 
 and in all likelihood the balls of the New Church, by order of the 
 Greave, swelled the rejoicings of the people on the discovery of 
 the " hellish conspiracy." 
 
 I know not how it may be with others, but I confess to experi- 
 encing a feeling akin to reverential awe, in reading over the names 
 of those of the district who flourished in the troublous times of the 
 great Revolution in the days of Charles I., that poor, deluded, and 
 unfortunate monarch, the victim of his own and his father's belief 
 in the "divine right of kings" — their right to do wrong — to disa- 
 buse his mind of which false notion the harshest of arguments was 
 used in the end. 
 
 How much it is to be regretted that no local chronicler took the 
 pains to register the events of the time, as they affected the 
 district in which we live ; so that we might now have known 
 whether the inhabitants as a whole continued loyal to their unfor- 
 tunate sovereign ; or whether, preferring to obey the laws of their 
 country, rather than yield an unquestioning obedience to the hallu- 
 cinations of royalty, they approved of the rough, but effectual 
 measures adopted by Cromwell and his compatriots for the purifi- 
 cation of the state. 
 
 But, indeed, there can be little doubt that during the civil war 
 the inhabitants of Rossendale were, as a rule, favourable to the 
 Parliament, and opposed to the king. In the following account, 
 by an eye-witness, of a skirmish which took place at Leigh and 
 Loaton Common, between the Earl of Derby's troops and the 
 country people, the writer refers to the " sturdy churls " of the two 
 Forests — Pendle and Rossendale, and the part which they bore in 
 strife : — 
 
 " The last Sabbath, as we were going towards the church, a post 
 rode through the country informing us that the earl's troops were 
 coming towards Chowbent ; whereupon the country people rose, 
 and before one of the clock on that day we had gathered together 
 3000 horse and foot, encountering them at Chowbent aforesaid.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 95 
 
 and beating them back to Leigh, killed some, and wounded many ; 
 where you would wonder to have seen the forwardness of the 
 young youths, farmers' sons. ... The nailers of Chowbent, 
 instead of making nails, have busied themselves in making bills 
 and battle-axes ; and also this week the other part of the country 
 meet, and not only intend to stand upon their guard, but to disarm 
 all the Papists and malignants within their precincts, and to send 
 them prisoners to Manchester, to keep house with Sir Cecil Trafford, 
 who is there a prisoner. The men of Blackburn, Padiham, Burn- 
 ley, Clitheroe, and Colne, and those sturdy churls in the two forests 
 of Pendle and Rossendale, have raised their spirits, and are re- 
 solved to fight it out rather than their beef and fat bacon shall be 
 taken from them." (/) 
 
 The interest which we feel in perusing the names of the 
 Greaves does not abate during the years of the Protectorate, and 
 after the Restoration, down through the reign of Charles II. and 
 his successor, James II., to the next Revolution, and the en- 
 thronement of the third William ; and, after the latter, to the days of 
 the "Good Queen Anne," and the victories of the illustrious 
 Marlborough. 
 
 This interest increases rather than otherwise during the time of 
 the two rebellions of the Stuarts in the i8th century, and when the 
 first and second Georges occupied the throne ; because, in addi- 
 tion to the names of the Greaves, we possess some local MS. 
 records of the times, to which reference will be made. 
 
 The appointment of Greave of the Forest from any particular 
 Booth recurred every 17 years. At first the interval was 18 years, 
 but that was due to the circumstance that during the earlier period 
 the nomination of a Greave was omitted for some one year. There 
 were really twenty Booths in the Forest under the jurisdiction of 
 the Lord of the Honor, in addition to Brandwood Higher and 
 Lower Ends which belonged to the Abbots of Whalley Abbey ; 
 but it would appear that the three \Volfendens, viz : Wolfenden 
 
 (/) Cited by Baines, vol. II. p. 17.
 
 96 History of the 
 
 Booth, Wolfenden in Higher Booths and Wolfenden in Newchurch, 
 were associated together in the appointment. In the same way 
 Henheads was probably allied with Crawshawbooth, and Yate and 
 Pickup Bank with Hoddlesden, 
 
 The order in which the different Booths stood for the appoint- 
 ment of Greaves was as follows : — Baciip, Dunnockshaw, Tunstead, 
 Loveclough, Wolfenden (including Wolfenden in Higher Booths 
 and Wolfenden in Newchurch), Goodshaw, Deadwenclough, 
 Crawshawbooth (with Henheads), Rawtenstall, Constablelee, 
 Oakenheadwood, Musbury, Newhallhey, Lenches and Hall Carr, 
 Cowpe, Hoddlesden (with Vate and Pickup Bank), and Gamble- 
 side. 
 
 In the list of Greaves given below, the place or Booth out of 
 which the appointment was made is not invariably stated after the 
 name of the person appointed ; but by noting the consecutive 
 order in which the Booths appear, this can always be readily 
 determined. 
 
 It is worthy of remark that in the long roll of Greaves, we find 
 all the old names which exist amongst us at present. We have 
 the Whitakers, the Ashworths, the Ormerods, the Haworths, the 
 Nuttalls, the Lords, the Rostrons, and the Holts in abundance, along 
 with others equally familiar ; and it is a remarkable fact that in no 
 instance do we find a name which has not at this time its repre- 
 sentative in the district, or its immediate neighbourhood. 
 
 The list will be of assistance to the genealogical student, 
 in supplying or suggesting a connecting link that will enable him 
 the more satisfactorily to pursue his researches in tracing the descent 
 of any particular line. To most of the names the place of residence 
 of the person is also attached ; and it is of interest to note that in 
 very many instances, descendents bearing the same name inhabit 
 the particular locality of their forefathers to this day. The owner- 
 ship of property may also to some extent be traced from the 
 particulars which are given.
 
 Forest of Rossendalc. 97 
 
 "A LIST OF Ye GRAVES WITHIN THE FOREST OF 
 ROSSENDALE FROM Ye 2D YEARE OF Ye RAIGNE 
 OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, UNTIL THIS PRESENT 
 YEARE, 1726," AND CONTINUED TO 1818. 
 
 Note, yt every of ye said Graves was found and presented at Michelmas, 
 in ye said yeares of our Lord, and entred their office ye yeare following at 
 Michelmas, and not in ye yeare as it is figured. 
 
 ELIZABETH. 
 
 James Whittaker of Broadclough, Bacop. 
 
 The Tenants of Primrose Field. 
 
 Henry Kershaw of Tunstedd. 
 
 George Deardwen of Loveclough. 
 
 Edmund Taylor of Wolfenden Booth. 
 
 George Hargreaves of Goodshaw. 
 
 No Grave found. 
 
 John Nuttall of Dedwen Clough. 
 
 Dennis Haworth of Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Lawrence Rawstorne, Gent. 
 
 Henry Haworth of Constablee. 
 
 Richard Hey of Oakenheadwood. 
 
 Christopher Nuttall of Newhall-hey. 
 
 Thomas Duckworth of Musbury. 
 
 James Holt of Lenches. 
 
 Arthur Ashworth of Cowpe. 
 
 Thomas Maudsley of Piccop banke. 
 
 John Ormerod, senior, of Gambelside. 
 
 Robert Lord of Bacop. 
 
 John Townley, Esq., for his Land called Primrose 
 
 Syke, cum auxilio terrard Bernard Townley. 
 Thomas Law of Tunstedd. 
 William Birtwistle of Loveclough, 
 James Ashworth, of Wolfendenbooth. 
 No Grave found. An order made concerning Clugh 
 
 fold. 
 
 Anno 
 
 Anno 
 
 Dom. 
 
 Reg. 
 
 1559 
 
 2 
 
 1560 
 
 3 
 
 1561 
 
 4 
 
 1562 
 
 5 
 
 1563 
 
 6 
 
 1564 
 
 7 
 
 1565 
 
 8 
 
 1566 
 
 9 
 
 1567 
 
 10 
 
 1568 
 
 1 1 
 
 1569 
 
 12 
 
 1570 
 
 13 
 
 1571 
 
 14 
 
 1572 
 
 15 
 
 1573 
 
 16 
 
 1574 
 
 17 
 
 1575 
 
 18 
 
 1576 
 
 19 
 
 1577 
 
 20 
 
 1578 
 
 21 
 
 1579 
 
 22 
 
 1580 
 
 23 
 
 1580 
 
 23 
 
 1581 
 
 24
 
 gS Histoty of the 
 
 Adam Bridge of Dedwenclough. 
 
 Tames Haworth of Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Richard Ormerod of Wolfenden, for Rawtenstall. 
 
 George Haworth of Constablee. 
 
 Henry Haworth of Oakenheadwood. 
 
 George Haworth of Musbury. 
 
 Henry Romsbotham, junior, of Newhallhey. 
 
 Richard Ormerod of Lenches. 
 
 Ralph Nuttall of Cowpe. 
 
 Robert Holden of Piccop-banke. 
 
 James Birtwistle of Gambelside. 
 
 No grave found. 
 
 John Lord, aliter Bolton of Bacop. 
 
 John Townley, ad auxilio terrard John Townley. 
 
 John Pilling of Tunsted. 
 
 John Holt of Loveclough. 
 
 Rich. Ormerod of Lenches, for Wolfendenbooth. 
 
 No Grave found. 
 
 Margrett Hargreaves of Goodshaw, and George 
 
 Haworth and Jennet, his wife, for their lands in 
 
 Goodshaw. 
 William Heaton of Dedwenclough. 
 George Ormerod of Crawshawbooth. 
 James Piccop of Waine yate. 
 
 JAMES L 
 
 Edward Rawstorne, Esq., for Constablee. 
 Lawrence Haworth of Pikelaw. 
 Edmund Taylor of Musbury. 
 Thomas Crawshaw of Newhallhey. 
 John Ashworth of Lenches. 
 James Yate of Hoddelsden. 
 George Ormerod of Wolfenden. 
 
 Anno 
 
 Anno 
 
 Dom. 
 
 Reg. 
 
 1582 
 
 25 
 
 1583 
 
 2(^ 
 
 1584 
 
 27 
 
 1585 
 
 28 
 
 1586 
 
 29 
 
 1587 
 
 30 
 
 I5S8 
 
 31 
 
 1589 
 
 32 
 
 1590 
 
 33 
 
 1591 
 
 34 
 
 1592 
 
 35 
 
 1593 
 
 3fi 
 
 1594 
 
 37 
 
 IS95 
 
 38 
 
 1596 
 
 39 
 
 1597 
 
 40 
 
 1597 
 
 40 
 
 1598 
 
 41 
 
 1599 
 
 42 
 
 1600 
 
 43 
 
 1601 
 
 44 
 
 1602 
 
 45 
 
 1603 
 
 I 
 
 1604 
 
 2 
 
 1605 
 
 3 
 
 1606 
 
 4 
 
 1607 
 
 5 
 
 1608 
 
 6 
 
 1609 
 
 7
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 99 
 
 Anno Anno 
 Dom. Reg. 
 
 1610 8 John Ormerod of Gambelside. 
 
 161 1 9 No Grave found. 
 
 16 1 2 10 John Tattersall, alii. Tino of Bacop. 
 
 1613 II John Tattersall of Tunstedd. 
 
 1 6 14 12 Richard Hey of Loveclough. 
 
 1 6 15 13 Edward Rawstorne of Lumme. (i') 
 
 1 616 14 John Haworth of Goodshaw. 
 
 1617 15 James Tattersall of Dedwenclough. 
 
 16 18 16 John Haworth of Crawshawbooth. 
 
 16 19 17 Edward Rawstorne, Esq. 
 
 1620 18 John Ashworth of Constablee. 
 
 1621 19 George Eomsbotham of Okenheadwood. 
 
 1622 20 Ralph Haworth of Musbury, Junior. 
 
 1623 21 Charles Romsbotham of Newhallhey. 
 
 1624 22 John Holt of Lenches. 
 
 CHARLES I. 
 
 1623 I Roger Holt of Scoute. 
 
 1626 2 Lawrence Haworth of Hoddelsden. 
 
 1627 3 Oliver Ormerod of Gambelside. 
 
 1628 4 William Ormerod for Bacop. 
 
 1629 5 Richard Townley, Esq. 
 
 1630 6 Oliver Ormerod of Lenches, for Tunstead. 
 
 1 63 1 7 George Deardwen of Loveclough. 
 
 1632 8 Lawrence Taylor of Wolfendenbooth. 
 
 1633 9 George Hargreaves of Goodshaw. 
 
 1634 10 William Horrox of Dedwenclough. 
 
 1635 II John Haworth of Crawshawbooth. 
 
 1636 12 Dennis Haworth of Constablee. 
 
 1637 13 Edward Rawstone, Esq. 
 
 (i') Lumm Hall, Edenfield, the seat of Adam RaWbthorne (temp. Ed. IV.) 
 and his descendants for nearly 200 years.
 
 Anno 
 
 Anno 
 
 Dom. 
 
 Reg. 
 
 1638 
 
 14 
 
 1639 
 
 15 
 
 1640 
 
 16 
 
 1641 
 
 17 
 
 1642 
 
 18 
 
 1643 
 
 19 
 
 1644 
 
 20 
 
 1645 
 
 2 I 
 
 1646 
 
 22 
 
 1647 
 
 23 
 
 1648 
 
 24 
 
 100 History of the 
 
 Peler Rawstone, Gent., and Trigg Land to Contrib., 
 
 in Okenheadwood. 
 Thomas Anderton, Gent. 
 John Nuttall, Senr., Gent., and ye rest of yt Land to 
 
 Contrib. 
 James Holt of Lenches. 
 John Ormerod of Croftehall. 
 None found. 
 
 James Holden of Piccop banke. 
 James Lord, alit. Jone ames. 
 John Townley of Hurstwood. 
 Richard Nuttall, and Anthony, his son. 
 \Villiam Birtwhistle. 
 
 THE COMMONWEALTH AND PROTECTOR ATIC. 
 
 James Ashworth of Wolfendenboolh. 
 
 Richard Birtwistle of Goodshaw. 
 
 John Bridge of Dedwenclough. 
 
 John Haworth of Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Charles Haworth of Constablee. 
 
 Henry Heape of Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hen. Haworth of Crawshawbooth, for Oakcnhead- 
 
 wood. 
 Lawrence Rawstorne, Esq., for Musbury. 
 Henry Rygley, Esq., for Newhallhey. 
 Thomas Holt of Lenches. 
 Thomas Haworth of Scoute. 
 
 CHARLES IL 
 
 1660 I Thomas Fishe of Piccop banke. 
 
 1 66 1 2 Peter Ormerod of Gambelside. 
 
 1662 3 James Lord Goffe of Bacop. 
 
 1649 
 
 I 
 
 1650 
 
 
 
 1651 
 
 3 
 
 1652 
 
 4 
 
 1653 
 
 5 
 
 1654 
 
 6 
 
 1655 
 
 7 
 
 1656 
 
 8 
 
 1657 
 
 9 
 
 1658 
 
 10 
 
 1659 
 
 II
 
 Forest of Rossendale. loi 
 
 Rich. Townley, Esq., for Dunnockshaw. 
 
 John Pilhng of Tunstead. 
 
 George Holt of Loveclougb. 
 
 Robt. Dewrst for Wolfendenbooth, 
 
 Henry Hargreaves of Goodshaw. 
 
 John Broughton of Roden, for Deadwenclough. 
 
 George Haworth of Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Adam Holden of Stubylt^e, for Constablee. 
 
 James Hey of VVaine yate. 
 
 Henry Romsbotham of Oakenheadwood. 
 
 Hugh Taylor of Musbury. 
 
 Josuah Nuttall of Newhallhey. 
 
 John Ashworlh of Lenches. 
 
 James Maddock of Cowpe. 
 
 Robert Yate of Woodhead. 
 
 Robt. Ashworth of Gambleside. 
 
 John Whittaker of Baccop. 
 
 John Townley, Esq., ofHurstwood, for Dunnockshaw. 
 
 John Tattersall of Tunstead. 
 
 Richard Holt of Loveclough. 
 
 Tho. Bradshaw, Gent., for Wolfendenbooth. 
 
 Pet. Ormerod of Gambleside, for Goodshaw. 
 
 JAMES H. 
 
 Ale.xander Haworth of Dedwenclough. 
 
 Myles Lonsdale, for ye Lands of Jam. Haworth of 
 
 Crawshawbooth. 
 George Deardwen of Constablee. 
 The Heirs of John Hey for Rawtenstall. 
 
 WILLIAM HI. 
 
 1689 I The Heirs of Joseph Sharpies of Blackburne, for 
 Oakenhead-wood. 
 
 Anno 
 Dom. 
 
 Anno 
 Reg. 
 
 1663 
 
 4 
 
 1664 
 
 5 
 
 1665 
 
 i666 
 
 6 
 7 
 
 1667 
 
 8 
 
 1668 
 
 9 
 
 1669 
 
 10 
 
 1670 
 
 II 
 
 1671 
 
 12 
 
 1672 
 
 ' 13 
 
 1673 
 
 14 
 
 1674 
 
 15 
 
 1675 
 
 16 
 
 1676 
 
 17 
 
 1677 
 
 18 
 
 1678 
 
 19 
 
 1679 
 
 20 
 
 1680 
 
 21 
 
 1681 
 
 22 
 
 1682 
 
 23 
 
 1683 
 
 24 
 
 1684 
 
 25 
 
 1685 
 
 I 
 
 1686 
 
 2 
 
 1687 
 
 3 
 
 1688 
 
 4
 
 Anno 
 
 Anno 
 
 Dom. 
 
 Reg. 
 
 1690 
 
 2 
 
 1691 
 
 3 
 
 1692 
 
 4 
 
 1693 
 
 5 
 
 1694 
 
 6 
 
 169s 
 
 7 
 
 1696 
 
 8 
 
 1697 
 
 9 
 
 1698 
 
 10 
 
 1699 
 
 1 1 
 
 1700 
 
 12 
 
 1701 
 
 13 
 
 102 History of the 
 
 John Cowpe of Holme, for Musbury. 
 
 Robert Haworth for Newhallhey. 
 
 John Holt of Lenches. 
 
 Oliv. Ormerod of Wolfenden, for his Lands in Cowpe. 
 
 Rich. Rothwell of Woodhead. 
 
 Peter Ormerod of Gamblesyde. 
 
 The Heirs of Richard Heape of Bacop. 
 
 Rich. Townley Of Townley, Esq., for Dunnockshaw. 
 
 Rich. Ormerod of Tunstead. 
 
 George Deardwen of Loveclough. 
 
 Thos. Bradshaw, Gent., for Wolfenden {h). 
 
 Hen. Hargreaves for Goodshaw. 
 
 ANNE. 
 
 John Nuttall, Gent., for Dedwenclough. 
 Oliver Ormerod for Crawshawbooth. 
 Henry Haworth of Constablee. 
 John Ashworth of Rawtenstall. 
 Oliver Ormerod of Okenheadwood. 
 John Duckworth for Musbury. 
 Sir Willoghby Hickman for Newhallhey. 
 John Hoult foi; Lenches. 
 
 (/() I have in my possession an original order, as follows — 
 
 To ye Churchwardens and Overseers of ye Poor of yt part of 
 Rosendale belonging to New Church, these — 
 Whereas, complaint hath been made unto me by James Piccopp, yt his 
 wife being in a very sad condicon, and he not able to maintain her and 
 family, she having but ye sum of ninepence pr. weejc allowed, as I am 
 informed; these are therefore in his Majesties name, to command you and 
 every of you, yt, imediately upon sight hereof you add threepence pr. week 
 more, yt being twelvepence pr. week, or else shew cause to ye contrary 
 before me, and you are to give him notice when you do appear. Given under 
 my hand this 7th day of February, Ao. Dom. 1697. 
 
 THO. BRADSHAW. 
 
 1702 
 
 I 
 
 1703 
 
 2 
 
 1704 
 
 3 
 
 '705 
 
 4 
 
 I 706 
 
 5 
 
 1707 
 
 6 
 
 1708 
 
 7 
 
 1709 
 
 8
 
 Anno 
 
 Anno 
 
 Doni. 
 
 Reg. 
 
 1710 
 
 9 
 
 1711 
 
 10 
 
 1712 
 
 1 1 
 
 1713 
 
 12 
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 10; 
 
 Jenit Hoyle of Cowpe, widow. 
 
 Nicholas Rishton, Gent., for Hoddlesden. 
 
 William Ormerod of Gambleside. 
 
 John Houlden for Baccop. Cum contributors. 
 
 GEORGE I. 
 
 1 7 14 ) Katherine Townley for Dunnockshaw, cum contri- 
 
 butors. 
 
 17 15 2 Jo. Rishton Rt. of his wife for Tunstead, r?/w contri- 
 
 butors. 
 
 1 7 1 6 3 Joseph Townend for Loveclough, cum contributors. 
 
 1 7 1 7 4 George Ormerod, Edgeside, for VVolfendenbooth, c. 
 
 contributors. 
 
 1718 5 Jo. Holt, Loveclough, for Goodshaw, c. contributors. 
 
 1 7 1 9 6 Oliver Ormerod of Wolfenden, for Dedwenclough, c. 
 
 contributors. 
 
 1720 7 Jo. Haworth, Rakefoot, for Crawshawbooth, c. con- 
 
 tributors. 
 
 1 72 1 8 Henry Haworth, Junr., for Constablelee, c.contributors. 
 
 1722 9 James Lonsdale for Rawtenstall, c. contributors. 
 
 1723 10 James Lonsdale Oakenhead wood, c. contributors. 
 
 1724 II John Holden for Musbury, c. contributors. 
 
 1725 12 James Townend for Newhallhey, c. contributors. 
 
 1726 13 John Holt of Brimrod, for Lenches. 
 
 The extension of the list of names to 181 1 is from the Court 
 Rolls, and has been supplied by Dixon Robinson, Esq. of 
 Clitheroe Castle, 
 
 GEORGE n. 
 
 1727 I James Piccoppe of Boothfold, for Coupe, c. contri- 
 
 butors.
 
 I04 History of the 
 
 John Haworth of Piccop Bank, for Hodlesden, c. 
 
 contributors. 
 Peter Ormerod of Meadowhead, in Gambleside. 
 John Whitaker, and John Lord. 
 Richard Townley of Townley. 
 Richard PiUing, and John PiUing. 
 Henry Hargreaves of Broad Oak. 
 James Rothwell. 
 John Duckworth. 
 Robert Haworth. 
 John Rothwell of Green Haworth. 
 John Hopkinson. 
 
 The Heirs or Executors of Henry Lonsdale, deceased, 
 to find a sufficient person to serve the office of 
 Greave for their Estate at High Riley. 
 The Heirs of Roger Kay, deceased. 
 The Heirs of Roger Kay, deceased. 
 
 Peter Ormerod ofNewhall Hey. 
 
 George Ashworth of Lenches. 
 
 Richard Hargreaves, and Isaac Jackson, in respect of 
 their Estate in Coupe. 
 1 9 John Yate of Woodhead, in Iloddlesden. 
 
 James Haworth of Gambleside. 
 
 John Lord of Greensnook, in Bacup, 
 
 Robert Sutcliffe, for Dunnockshaw. 
 
 John Ramsbottom of Tunsted. 
 
 Richard Holt of Loveclough. 
 
 John Whitaker, of Boothfold, and Joim Ormered of 
 Edgeside. 
 
 John Haworth of Goodshaw. 
 
 Richard Eastwood of Cloughfold. 
 
 James Haworth of Crawshaw Booth. 
 
 Richard Dearden of Constablee. 
 
 Anno Anno 
 Dom. Reg. 
 
 1728 
 
 2 
 
 1729 
 
 3 
 
 1730 
 
 4 
 
 1731 
 
 5 
 
 1732 
 
 6 
 
 1733 
 
 7 
 
 '734 
 
 8 
 
 1735 
 
 9 
 
 1736 
 
 10 
 
 1737 
 
 1 1 
 
 1738 ■ 
 
 ■ 12 
 
 '739 
 
 13 
 
 1740 
 
 X4 
 
 1741 
 
 15 
 
 1742 
 
 16 
 
 1743 
 
 17 
 
 1744 
 
 18 
 
 1745 
 
 19 
 
 1746 
 
 20 
 
 1747 
 
 21 
 
 1748 
 
 22 
 
 1749 
 
 23 
 
 1750 
 
 24 
 
 1751 
 
 25 
 
 1752 
 
 26 
 
 1753 
 
 27 
 
 1754 
 
 28 
 
 1755 
 
 29
 
 Anno 
 Dom. 
 
 Anno 
 Reg. 
 
 1756 
 
 30 
 
 1757 
 
 31 
 
 1758 
 
 32 
 
 1759 
 
 33 
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 10; 
 
 James Lord of Boothfold. 
 
 John Barns of Heightend, in Okenheadwood. 
 
 John Rothwell of Musbiiry. 
 
 James Haworth, for Newhallhey. 
 
 GEORGE III. 
 
 1760 r Richard Spencer, or Martin Haworth, in respect of an 
 
 Estate at Lenchfold belonging to said Martin 
 Haworth. 
 
 1761 2 Peter Ormerod of Ormerod, in respect of his Estate 
 
 at Cowpe. 
 
 John Rothwell. 
 
 \Villiam Ormerod. 
 
 John Lord of Broadclough. 
 
 James Pilling of Dunnockshaw. 
 
 John Taylor of Tunstead. 
 
 Eichard Holt of Loveclough. 
 
 James Lord of Boothfold. 
 
 Richard Hargreaves of Goodshaw. 
 
 James Ashworth of Cloughfold. 
 
 George Haworth, and James Pickop, both of Height- 
 side, and Ellen Haworth of Rakefoot, all in 
 Crawshawbooth, to find a proper person to serve. 
 1772 13 Henry Haworth, with his Bearer, to find a proper 
 person to serve. 
 
 Edmund Whittaker, with his Bearers, &c. 
 
 Margaret Wray, with her Bearers, &c. 
 
 Lawrence Duckworth, with his Bearers, &:c. 
 
 Samuel Lord of Newhallhey, with his Bearers, &c. 
 
 Henry Hoyle of Lenchfold, with his Rearers, &c. 
 
 Henry Hoyle of Cowpe, with his Bearers, &c. 
 
 John Eccles, with his Bearers, &c. 
 
 John Ormerod of Gambleside, with his Bearers, &c. 
 
 1762 
 
 3 
 
 1763 
 
 4 
 
 1764 
 
 5 
 
 1765 
 
 6 
 
 1766 
 
 ■7 
 
 1767 
 
 8 
 
 1768 
 
 9 
 
 1769 
 
 10 
 
 1770 
 
 1 1 
 
 I77I 
 
 12 
 
 1773 
 
 14 
 
 1774 
 
 15 
 
 1775 
 
 16 
 
 1776 
 
 17 
 
 1777 
 
 18 
 
 1778 
 
 19 
 
 1779 
 
 20 
 
 1780 
 
 21
 
 io6 History of the 
 
 George Haworth of Wear, for Scar End, with his 
 Bearers, &c. 
 
 Lawrence Sutcliffe of New Lailh, in Dunnockshaw. 
 James and John Mitchell of Tunstead. 
 Joshua Townsend of Love Clough. 
 
 Lawrence and Richard Ormerod of Edgeside, within 
 Wolfenden Booth. 
 
 Abraham Taylor of Goodshaw. 
 
 Richard Ormerod of Cloughfold. 
 
 George Hargreaves of Rakefoot. 
 
 Henry Haworth of Constablee. 
 
 Abel Bridge of Meadowhead. 
 
 John Kenyon of Pike Law. 
 
 John Taylor of Torr End. 
 
 John Haworth of Townsend fold. 
 
 Edmund Lord of Ruglee (? Rough-lee.) 
 
 Robert Ashworth of Cowpe. 
 
 No Appointment. 
 
 Miles Whitaker, and Lawrence Ashworth, of Gamble- 
 side. 
 
 John Lord of Bankside. 
 
 Henry Butterworth of Dunnockshaw. 
 
 John Pilling of Lower Tunstead. 
 
 John Holt of Loveclough. 
 
 Lawrence Ashworth of Edge Side. 
 
 No Appointment. 
 
 Henry Hoyle of Cloughfold. 
 
 No Appointment. 
 
 Thirstan Bradshaw of Lane, within Constablee. 
 
 Thomas Cunliffe of Waingate, within Rawtenstall. 
 
 Henry Rothwell of Oakenhead Wood. 
 
 John Scholfield of Musbury Tur End. 
 
 Henry Haworth of Newhallhey. 
 
 Henry Haworth of Newhallhey. 
 
 Anno I 
 
 \nno 
 
 Dom. 
 
 Reg. 
 
 I 781 
 
 2 2 
 
 .782 
 
 23 
 
 1783 
 
 24 
 
 1784 
 
 25 
 
 1785 
 
 26 
 
 1786 
 
 27 
 
 1787 
 
 28 
 
 1788 
 
 29 
 
 1789 
 
 3° 
 
 1790 
 
 31 
 
 1791 
 
 32 
 
 1792 
 
 33 
 
 1793 
 
 34 
 
 1794 
 
 35 
 
 1795 
 
 36 
 
 1796 
 
 37 
 
 '797 
 
 38 
 
 1798 
 
 39 
 
 1799 
 
 40 
 
 1800 
 
 41 
 
 iSoi 
 
 42 
 
 1802 
 
 43 
 
 1S03 
 
 44 
 
 1804 
 
 45 
 
 1805 
 
 46 
 
 1806 
 
 47 
 
 1807 
 
 48 
 
 1808 
 
 49 
 
 i8og 
 
 50 
 
 1810 
 
 51 
 
 1811 
 
 52
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 lO^ 
 
 No appointment of Greaves appears on the Court Rolls after 
 1811. The following are supplied from another source. 
 
 Anno Anno 
 Dom. Reg. 
 
 1812 S3 Henry Hargreaves, Esq., of Newchurch, for Futher- 
 
 fold, in Covvpe. 
 
 1S13 54 John Yates of VVoodhead, in Hoddlesden. 
 
 1 8 14 55 George Yates, and Henry Haworth, for Meadow- 
 
 head in Gambleside, belonging to the Rev. Mr. 
 Porter, of Bacup. 
 
 1815 56 Henry Haworth, and Gfeorge Yates, for the late 
 
 George Ormerod of Greensnook, Bacup. 
 i8i6 57 Henry Butterworth, Henry Pollard, and James Taylor, 
 deputies for Newheath estate, in Dunnockshaw. 
 
 181 7 58 Turner, Slack, estate at Tunstead. 
 
 1818 59 John Holt, Esq., of l.oveclough.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "... Thus runs the bill." 
 
 — Sh.\kespeake ("King Henry V.") 
 
 " Fetch forth the stocks ! 
 As I have life and honour, there shall he sit till noon." 
 
 — Shakespeare ("King Leak.') 
 
 The "Accounts" of its Greaves are among the most valuable 
 records which we possess of the past History of the Forest of 
 Rossendale. {a) Some o'f these are given in considerable detail, 
 while others are, unfortunately, so abridged, as to convey but 
 meagre information. It is to be regretted that the volume in 
 which they are contained dates no farther back than the year 1691. 
 The previous volumes, could they l)e recovered, would constitute 
 a treasure over which the antiquary might pore with unmi.xed 
 delight. It is, however, but too probable that these have long since 
 perished. By their light, much that is obscure in the early history 
 of Rossendale would have been elucidated and explained, and 
 circumstances now altogether unknown, revealed. 
 
 Records having reference to the past events of the Forest are 
 not so plentiful that we can afford to be deprived of even the least 
 important, much less those of its chief officer. But to repine 
 about that which is altogether irremediable, is a thankless and 
 barren exercise. It is a fortunate circumstance, and one on 
 which there is room for congratulation, that so much as does 
 exist has been preserved. Let us proceed to glance at their 
 curious contents. 
 
 (a) The volume containing the Accounts of the Greavc of the Forest from 
 the year 1691 down to 1820, is still preserved at Newchurch.
 
 Forest of Rossendalc. lOo 
 
 In order to convey a clear idea of these yearly accounts, and 
 also of the manner in which they were kept by the several officers 
 in succession, I have transcribed the total Receipts and Disburse- 
 ments of two complete years as they appear in the Greaves' Book, 
 with the names of the leading parishoners who certified and passed 
 the several items, appended thereto. 
 
 THE ACCOUNTS OF ROBERT WHITTAKER, GREAVE OF 
 THE FORREST OF ROSSENDALE, FOR JOn. HEAPE OF 
 BACCOPE, FOR Ye VEARE OF OUR LORD 169S. {b) 
 
 Received, as it doth appear by tvvoo several Assessments, ye 
 
 sum of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £i,o o 6 
 
 Disbursed as followeth : — 
 
 Imprimis, for ye repaire of Althem Bridge and Sike side 
 
 Bridge, ye sum of .. .. .. .. .. iji 19 5 
 
 Item for ye house of Correction, .. .. .. .. oioio 
 
 It. for ye poore prsonrs at Lancaster, .. .. .. 074 
 
 It. for ye repeire of Rybble bridge And Can bridge, ye 
 
 sum of ., .. .. .. .. .. .. 3176 
 
 Carry forward, £6 iS ■ 
 
 (b) The following excerpts, giving an explanation of the taxation of the 
 period, are from " A True and Faithful Copy of the various Rates for the 
 County Palatine of Lancaster, from an Original Manuscript written for the 
 use of John Yates, Esqr., Treasurer of the said County, May 16th, 1716," 
 inserted in Gregson's portfolio of Fragments relative to the History and 
 Antiquities of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster ; — 
 
 "There be six several kinds of Taxes and Layes used within the County 
 of Lancaster viz:— L The SUBSIDY.— II. The FIFTEENTH.- III. The 
 OXLEY.— IV. The MAIMED LAY.— V. The PRISONERS' LAY.— 
 VI. The SOLDIERS' LAY, or COUNTY LAY. 
 
 " The Subsidy is only used when a Subsidy is granted to the King's 
 Majesty by Act of Parliament. 
 
 " The Fifteenth is used when a fifteenth or tenth is granted to the King's 
 Majesty by Act of Parliament. 
 
 " The Oxley is used for provision of oxen for the King's Majesty's house- 
 hold, according to a composition heretofore made by the said county.
 
 I lO Hisiory of the 
 
 Brought forward. £6 15 i 
 It. for ye poore prsonrs in ye Marshallsee, ,, .. .. 022 
 
 It. for ye repeire of Walerfoot bridge, . . . . . , 162 
 
 It. for ye repeire of Little Harvvood Bridge and Rillfooth 
 
 Bridge, ye sum, .. .. .. .. .. ,. 630 
 
 It. for ye poore prsonrs at Lanr. And Master of ye house of 
 
 Correction, .. .. .. .. .. .. 162 
 
 It. for ye poore prsnrs at Lanr. .. .. .. .. 090 
 
 It. charges of passengers, ye sum of . . . . . . . . o i 10 
 
 It. to ye Justice Clarke lor ye return of Supervisers for ye 
 
 highway, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. i 12 4 
 
 It. to Mr. Nuttall for Drawing Information agst Tattersall, 034 
 
 It. at ye Greave's return of his Account at Booth fould for 
 
 ye yeare 1697, ye sum of. . .. .. .. ., 0120 
 
 It. Charges of Sessing twoo Greave Layes togethr with 
 
 ye bookes writing, ye sum of . . . . . . . . 100 
 
 It. for Instructions and Charges of 2 bookes writing and 
 
 Sessing ye land, ye sum of .. .. .. .. 0126 
 
 It. for ye repeire of Ribchester bridge and Dinhley bridge, 
 
 ye sum of .. .. .. .. .. .. ., 7128 
 
 It. for ye repeire of Lancr. Castle and Lancher bridge, ye 
 
 sum of ., .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 13 9 
 
 Carry forward, £jfi 10 o 
 
 " The Maimed Soldiers' Lay is used for the relief of sick, hurt, and maimed 
 soldiers and mariners. 
 
 "The Prisoners' Lay is used for the relief of the poor prisoners in the 
 King's Majesty's Gaol at Lancaster. 
 
 " The 6th and last, called the Soldiers' Lay, or County Lay, is the most 
 usual Tax or Lay either for mustering, arming, or furnishing of Soldiers for 
 the King's Majesty's Wars, or of the trained bands, or for the repair of 
 bridges, or any other use or purpose within the said county, except it be for 
 some of the five special purposes before mentioned, and are to be taxed, 
 collected, and paid in all the several hundreds, parishes, and townships within 
 the said county, according to the same Lay, being the most equal, reasonable, 
 and indifferent Tax for the whole county, either for men or money." 
 
 [The Fifteenths and Subsidies are two of the oldest Rates in the Kingdom, 
 and were superseded by the LAND TAX Act of Parliament, which was 
 framed on the principle of the ancient Subsidy Act and Fifteenths. We 
 meet with payments of the Fifteenths so far back as the statute of Magna
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 Brought forward, £'\,o 
 It. for ye repeire of Accrington Bridge, . . . . . . i 
 
 It. Instructions for ye pole tax and twoo Bookes writeing 
 
 and Sessingi .. .. .. .. .. .. o 
 
 It. for ye poore prsonrs at Lancr., . . . . . . o 
 
 It. for drawing our Answer to ye 12 Articles, . . . . o 
 
 It. for an Ordr. for Jam : Pilling, .. .. .. .. o 
 
 It. for signing ye window dublicats [duplicates] by ye 
 
 Justices, ye sum of . . . . . . . . . . o 
 
 It. Charges of Conveying Jam : Pilling to ye house of 
 
 Correction, 
 It. for ye repeire of Bridge end bridge. 
 It. for ye repeire of Crossford bridge. 
 It. Sessing one Greave lay and bookes writeing, . . 
 It. in Hoddlesdin spent at Sessing twoo Greaves layes, ye 
 
 sum of 
 Spent . . . ye . . .of Lancr. . . . on ye Jury, . . 
 It. pd. to Jon. Ramsbottam, who was oute of purse, ye sum 
 
 of 
 
 It. for Aprahending 2 vagrante psons and haveing them 
 
 before Justice, 
 It. spent at ye putting my Accounts into ye Parish booke, 
 
 ye sum of . . . . ., . . . . ... 
 
 '3 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 13 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 I 5 7 
 
 Total sum disbursed is, ;^4o I3 
 
 Charta, on the conclusion of which the Parliament granted to King John, for 
 concessions by him therein made, a Fifteenth Part of their Moveable Goods, &c., 
 &c. — Note by Mr. Gregson'.] 
 
 " When the Hundred of Blackburn is to make i^ioo of the County Rate, 
 the Forests in the Hundred pay as follows : — 
 
 £, s. d. 
 
 Holland, . . . . . . . . . . i 6 lof 
 
 Pendle 
 
 Ighnell Parke, . . 
 
 Heyhouses, 
 
 Trawden, 
 
 Rossendall, 
 
 Atrington Vetera, 
 
 Atrington Nova. 
 
 Rossendale, being the most important, is made to contribute the largest 
 share. 
 
 7 
 
 I 
 
 7i 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 II 
 
 
 I 
 
 3 
 II 
 
 2i 
 
 7 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 '7 
 
 2.'
 
 1 1 2 History of the 
 
 So that I am disbursed more than I have received wich I 
 
 am out of purse ye sum of .. .. .. .. ;£o 12 2 
 
 Seen and allowed by us, 
 
 THO. LEIGH, 
 
 GEORGE HARGREAVES, 
 
 RICHARD ORMEROD, 
 
 JOHN LORD, 
 
 HENRY LAW, ) Pishoners 
 
 OLIVER PILLING. 
 
 JOHN HOULT, 
 
 GEORGE HARGREAVES. 
 
 HENRY HAWORTH. 
 
 The name which appears first on the list of parishioners is that 
 of the incumbent of Newchurch. Those which follow are probably 
 the names of the churchwardens, and some of the leading 
 residents. 
 
 THE ACCOUNTS OF JOHN YATE, GREAVE FOR THE 
 FOREST OF ROSSENDALE, FROM MICHAELMAS 1746, TO 
 MICHAELMAS 1747, HIS RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS 
 BEING AS FOLLOWETH; — 
 
 Reed, from the old Greave, . . . . . . £00 o 4' 
 
 By two Assessments, . . . . . . • . 52 10 o 
 
 £52 10 ^^ 
 
 Disburs'd as follows -. — 
 
 Paid for two Receipts upon Strait money, . . £0 
 
 Charges in Apprehending and conveying Jas. Smith 
 
 and Judith Turner to ye House of Correction, 
 Paid for Highway Warrants, 
 Paid for Summons agst Jas. Smith, &c.. 
 Land Tax Instructions and returning Duplicates, 
 Paid by several Precepts, 
 
 060 
 on o 
 
 053 
 23 9 2i 
 
 Carry forward, £i6 12 7I
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 113 
 
 Brought forward, £26 
 
 To Executing a Bench Warrant, &c.. 
 To attending ye Coroner's Inquest, 
 To apprehending and Conveying Jno. Whitaker and 
 
 Alice Cheetham to ye House of Correction, 
 To a vagrant Warrant. 
 To ye Coroner upon ye body of Sarah Haworth, 
 Paid Messinger to fetch ye Coroner, 
 Paid Jury upon the same. 
 Charges in searching after Thos. Haworth for ye 
 
 Murther of his wife, . . . . ... 
 
 To John Ormerod for going to Lancaster, . . 
 Pd. on Acct. of Transporting James Smith, 
 Charges in Apprehending and Conveying Thomas 
 
 Haworth to Lancaster, 
 Charges for five persons to Preston upon ye sd Murther 
 Assessing two Greave Lays at Bellthorn, 
 Going to four Quarter Sessions, 
 Paid for returning a List of Jurors, 
 Charges at ye Assizes upon ye Prosecution of Thos. 
 
 Haworth, for ye murther of his wife. 
 Paid for returning Duplicates for Window Tax, . . 
 Charges in conveying Thos. Edmundson to House of 
 
 Correction, 
 Paid for a Warrant against cursing and swearing, . . 
 Paid to sevral passengers. 
 Writing Land Tax and Greave Lay Books, 
 At making up these Accts., 
 
 To Dr. Midgely, 
 
 To Entring ye Accounts, .. 
 
 :6 
 
 12 
 
 7i 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 
 6 
 
 I 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 II 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 0- 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 £\t II 0} 
 Reed., . . 52 10 4j 
 
 Rests due, . . ;^S 19 4i 
 
 Perus'd and allowed by us this 12th day of March 1748. 
 
 GEO. HAWORTH, 
 JOHN ORMEROD, 
 JNO. HARGREAVES, 
 JOHN LORD, 
 RICHD. DEARDEN.
 
 I T 4 History of the 
 
 The following entries, extracted at random from the accounts of 
 
 different years, are full of interest, affording us now and again a 
 passing glnnpse of some strange transactions, suggesting many 
 curious reflections, while they serve better than the most elaborate 
 essay to illustrate the peculiar manners and customs of the times. 
 
 1691 — 2. 
 
 Item, for the use of the Militia, ' ;^3 2 6 
 
 Item, for certain lands annexed and laid to and for the use of 
 
 Waterfoot bridge, . . . . . . . . . . . . 00 1 1 7 
 
 Item, for Relieving 25 passengers at severrall times with money 
 
 and carriges, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 00 14 10 
 
 Item, in money spent upon the jury at ye time of viewinge the 
 
 dead body of John Piccop, late of Newchurch, .. .. 00 i 6 
 
 Many such entries as the above occur, of money having been 
 " spent upon the jurymen." The sums vary in amount from is. 4d. 
 to 4s. 4d., but the rule seems tti have been 4d. each man. People 
 in those days had a natural aversion to working for nothing. 
 
 The next entry is of the true antiquarian cast, and is at once 
 striking and characteristic. 
 
 Item, for a Bridle for Scouldinge women, .. .. .. ;£'oo 2 6 
 
 The Bridle or Brank, as it is also called, used by our forefathers 
 for the punishment of scolds and " slanderous gossips," was 
 constructed of iron, having a collar which fitted round the neck, 
 being hinged at the sides, to which were fastened four bands, or 
 hoops, rising over the ears, and in front between the eyes, crossing 
 each other on the crown of the head. The band passing down 
 the back of the head was hinged at the crown so as easily to be 
 raised when the instrument was applied to the culprit,and was then 
 secured to the collar by a padlock at the back of the neck. On 
 the band in front was welded a piece of steel called the gag or 
 bridle-bit, about two inches long, and one inch broad, projecting 
 inwards, having its under side rasped or cut like a rough iile. This 
 was inserted into the mouth of the noisy delinquent, and rested upon 
 the tongue, thus eflectually preventing her from exercising that
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 1 1 5 
 
 particular faculty which had provoked the indignation of the law. 
 Above the bit was an aperture for admitting the nose. During the 
 last half of the seventeenth, and throughout the eighteenth century, 
 this was the popular mode of punishment for termagants and 
 shrews. Prior to that time the Ducking or Cucking-Stool was in 
 vogue. It is quite probable that the earlier accounts of the Greaves 
 of the Forest would include entries having reference to this engine 
 of punishment. 
 
 The Ducking Stool was a much more formidable instrument 
 than the Bridle, though it is questionable whether it answered the 
 desired end as completely as the subsequent invention. We have 
 the testimony of a writer in the time of James II., no less than the 
 learned Dr. Plot, in his History of Staffordshire, that it did not. 
 Comparing the two modes of punishment, he says : — " They have 
 an artifice at Newcastle-under-Lyne and Walsall, for correcting of 
 Scolds, which it does so effectually that I look upon it as much to 
 be preferred to the Cucking-Stool, which not only endangers the 
 health of the party, but also gives the tongue liberty 'twixt every 
 dip, to neither of which this is at all liable ; it being such a bridle 
 for the tongue as not only quite deprives them of speech, but brings 
 shame for the transgression, and humility thereupon, before 'tis 
 taken off ; which being put upon the oftender by order of the 
 magistrate, and fastened with a padlock behind, she is led round 
 the town by an officer, to her shame. Nor is it taken off till after 
 the party begins to show all external signs imaginable of humilia- 
 tion and amendment." 
 
 The Ducking Stool consisted of a plank or other Icver, from 
 twelve to fifteen feet long, supported in the middle by an upright 
 post which was driven into the ground, close by the side of the 
 river or pond, and arranged in such a manner as to allow of its 
 being raised and depressed, or swung round in any direction. To 
 the end of the plank a chair or stool was attached by means of a 
 pivot which allowed it always to retain the horizontal position. In 
 this the offender was securely fastened, and being swung round 
 over the water, the opposite end of the lever was raised, and the
 
 T 1 6 History of the 
 
 occupant of the chair immersed as often as was thought desirable, 
 three being the usual number of dips. About the barbarity of this 
 custom there can at this day be no two opinions ; and we quite 
 coincide in Dr. Plot's view that " Lucy's Muzzle," as the bridle 
 was sometimes called, was a more effectual, while it was also a 
 more merciful, method of treating the rebellious members of the 
 weaker se.x. Many of these bridles, which were once 
 
 "The dread of ev'ry scolding qupen," 
 
 are preserved in museums and in private collections throughout the 
 country. At the sale of the effects of Mrs. Benson, Fletcher Fold, 
 near Bury, widow of the late William Benson, Esq., agent to the Earl 
 of Derby, a relic of this kind was disposed of by auction, being pur- 
 chased by, and now in the possession of a friend of the writer's 
 residing at Bury. This Bridle or Krank was formerly the property 
 of the township of Pilkington, and was kept in the workhouse there, 
 for use on all needful occasions. To its efficacy in curbing the 
 unruly member, I can bear personal testimony, having had the 
 happiness of trying it on, on more than one occasion. 
 
 The next entry is from the year 1693, and is an 
 
 Item to Passengers taking Sarah Whittwhani to ye house 
 
 of Correction, .. .. .. ., ii^i 6 7 
 
 Note the expression. Passengers. Sarah seems to have been 
 an obstreperous character, as it required two or three persons to 
 convey her to her destination. 
 
 1696-97. 
 
 It. to Mr. Cunliffe, vardict bringing in, .. .. ;£o 14 s 
 
 1697-98. 
 It. for making utinsells and vvorkelumes in ye House of 
 
 Correction .. .. .. .. .. 047 
 
 This has reference to the Preston House of Correction, and the 
 sum of 4s. 7d. is the proportionate amount contributed by the 
 Forest of Rossendale towards the object named.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 1 1 7 
 
 1698-99. 
 
 km. for Drawing our Answer to ye Articles ^o i o 
 
 380 
 
 I am unable to throw light on these two last entries. 
 
 1699, 1700. 
 Item for ye charges of ye Bride Kobs 
 
 Item for two Lawyear's fees att Lancr. and Sillisitinge {sic) 
 
 for ye same 
 Item for a way marke 
 
 ;ti 6 8 
 036 
 
 There are numerous entries of this latter kind in the Greaves' 
 Book. Finger or guide posts, or way marks, having inscriptions 
 painted upon them, appear to have been placed near to the various 
 cross roads in the locality to direct travellers in the right path. The 
 names of some of the villages were also prominently exhibited. Per- 
 haps the only remnant of the practice remaining in the district, is 
 the name BACUP, now almost defaced, conspicuously painted in 
 very large capital letters on the gable end of a stable near to the toll 
 bar at the foot of Todmorden road, and intended to catch the eye 
 of travellers coming out of Yorkshire. 
 
 I 
 
 2 o 
 o 
 
 1 700- 1. 
 It. for ye repaire of New-hall-hey Bridge . . . • ■ .£1 '9 
 
 It. for a warrant for collectors of ye tax of Births, &c., 
 It. for ye repaire of Butts and Stoccks, 05 
 
 170S-6. 
 An ordr. for cendincing (sentencing) Mary Ramsbottom, .. 15 o 
 
 1706-7. 
 
 It. for Amending Stock house door, 020 
 
 It. for charges in taking up Idle persons 070 
 
 1708-9. 
 
 For a Robery upon Lawr. Shuttleworth 4 13 6 
 
 It. paid for 13 horses for conveying soldiers, .. .. 088 
 
 1709-10. 
 It. pd. for a warrt, for apprehending seamen, , . . • 020 
 
 1710-11. 
 It. spent att a meeting abt. Sowing 
 
 o 10
 
 1 1 8 History of the 
 
 We now come upon a series of interesting entries bearing on 
 the Jacobite Rebellion of 17 15, intended, had it been successful, 
 to depose the first George, and place the sovereignty of these 
 islands and their dependencies in the hands of the exiled son of 
 James II., best known to history by the title of the " Old 
 Pretender." 
 
 Rossendale contributed its quota in men and money towards 
 the suppression of this ill-concocted outbreak. The following 
 items occur amongst others. 
 
 1715- 
 
 For Repairing Butts, . . . . . . . . . . . . £0 2 o 
 
 1716. 
 It. for conveying of vagrants and reimbursing severall tovvnes 
 
 yt attended his Maties' troops, . . . , . . . . 2 16 5 
 
 It. for Mr. of ye House of Correction, and use of Malitia 
 
 by ye deputy Lievetenants, , . . , . . . . 140 
 
 It. for a further supplie to ye Malitia, .. ... .. 079 
 
 It for Trophy Money, .. ., .. .. ,. 079 
 
 " Trophey Money " is a payment towards providing colours, 
 drums, trumpets, and other paraphernalia for the county militia, and 
 not, as might naturally be supposed, a contribution for the erection 
 of a pile or other monument of victory. 
 
 1716. 
 
 It. Carridges yt attended his Maties' Troops, .. .. ;C4 3 H 
 
 It. for conducting Souldiers at severall times, . . . . 086 
 
 1717. 
 For furnishing with Amunition and other necessaries for ye 
 
 use of ye Malitia, .. .. .. .. .. 359 
 
 For carrying Souldiers and Seamen to Burnley and Hasling- 
 
 den and Relieving ym, .. .. .. .. o 12 5 
 
 Pd. to Edmund Whittaker for a Souldier's wife lying att his 
 
 house, .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 100 
 
 1718. 
 
 For conveying his Majesty's troops, .. .. .. .. 2 15 6 
 
 Given to severall Soldiers, . . . . . . . . . . olio 
 
 4 Horses to Burnley with soldiers, .. .. .. .. 030 
 
 Pd. James Heape for his loss with soldiers, . . . . . . 1 10 o
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 1 1 9 
 
 It would have satisfied curiosity had the nature of Mr. Heap's 
 loss been stated. 
 
 The next item is curious : — 
 1718. 
 
 Instructions for taking up Idle persons, . . . . . . £o a t 
 
 Recusants, or suspected persons — strangers probably — who could 
 not render a good account of themselves. 
 
 1721. 
 Itm. for maintaining the Watch in this County, . . . . ;fo 7 8 
 
 Itm. paid to two Souldrs their wife and three children, . . 007 
 
 We are forcibly reminded by this entry that the days of clover 
 for the poor soldier had passed away. The rebellion was completely 
 stamped out ; his services were no longer required — he must there- 
 fore go to the wall. But this was surely economising to a degree. 
 A miserable pittance among so many ; barely enough to prevent 
 their famishing before getting beyond the confines of the Forest. 
 
 1722. 
 
 For Watch to prevent Infected Ships Landing, .. .. ^04 1 8 
 
 During the years 1720 — 2, France was visited by a horrible 
 pestilence or plague of the most infectious and deadly character. 
 In the commercial city of Marseilles alone, about sixty thousand 
 persons died of this scourge. The above entry has reference to the 
 precautions which were taken hy the authorities of Lancashire to 
 prevent its reaching these shores. 
 
 1723. 
 For Instructions of Land Tax. for Papists' Sess and Warrant, ;f n 2 o 
 
 1724. 
 Pd. to poor travellers, .. .. .. .. .. .. 066 
 
 It. to two disbanded Soldiers, . . . . . . . . . . 010 
 
 1727. 
 Spent at proclaiming George II., .. .. .. .. 102 
 
 1729. 
 Spent in relieving Laurence Lord, of Baccop, . . . . 010
 
 I20 History of the 
 
 «734- 
 For the Repair of Stocks at Newchurch, . . . , . . ^f o 14 6 
 
 1738. 
 To a Warrant for taking Sailors, . . . . . . . . 010 
 
 Runaway sailors who had taken refuge in this district. 
 
 1740-41. 
 Spent in apprehending and conveying John Briercliff to 
 
 Lancaster, £2 2 i, 
 
 1742. 
 Conveying a Deserter to Lancaster .. .. .. .. 00 15 o 
 
 "743- 
 Paid to the Cornoll (Coroner) for coming to Hen. Ashworth's 
 
 wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 10 
 
 '74+- 
 Repairing Rawtenstall Stocks .. .. .. .. .. 020 
 
 The next item is suggestive — we are drawing near to times of 
 trouble and mistrust. 
 
 ■744- 
 For taking the oath of delivering ye names of all ye Papists, £0 1 
 
 In the following year the rebellion which had been brewing in 
 favour of Prince Charles Edward, son of the Chevalier de St. 
 George, discovered itself about the end of July, when the " Young 
 Pretender," having sailed from France, landed on the western 
 shores of the Scottish Highlands. Many of the hardy mountaineers, 
 it is well known, flocked to the standard of the prince ; but it was 
 . not until after the battle of Preston-pans, which resulted in a victory 
 for the rebels, and their subsequent advance into England, that the 
 Government of the day began to estimate the importance of 
 the movement thus inaugurated to restore to the throne of his 
 fathers this ill-fated scion of the house of Stuart. 
 
 It is interesting to connect our district with the events of the 
 period ; and this we are enabled to do by the next series of entries 
 in the Greaves' Book, to the following effect ; — ■
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 I 21 
 
 THE ACCOUNTS OF GEORGE ASHWORTH OF 
 LENCHES, GREAVE OF THE FORREST OF 
 ROSSENDALE, FROM MICHAELMAS 1744 TO 
 MICHAELMAS 174S, WITH ALL HIS RECEIPTS 
 AND DISBURSEMENTS UPON ACCOUNT OF 
 THE MILITIA SOLDIERS OF Ye Sd. FORREST, 
 AS FOLLOWS:— 
 
 Received by an Assessment, Allowance to ye collectors 
 
 deducted /20 16 Si 
 
 Disburst : — 
 
 To Work done by ye Gunsmith 
 
 To Musket, Hen. Hargreaves, Laneside 
 
 To 6 Warrants 
 
 To Expenses with ye Clarks 
 
 To Expenses Laying a Lay 
 
 To Expenses Drawing and Paying 
 
 To Writing Militia Book 
 
 To 28 Principalis and Posts 
 
 To Fetching and taking care of 6 muskets 
 
 £^ 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 15 
 
 4 
 
 loj 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 £^1 
 
 1 1 
 
 3* 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 4* 
 
 Cash in Hand 
 
 It will not be inferred that the few muskets mentioned here 
 were all that the militia of the Forest possessed. To do this would 
 be to place things in rather a ludicrous light. It must be presumed 
 that our local soldiers were accoutred as fully as the times allowed, 
 and that these were only a few necessary expenses entailed in their 
 equipment. 
 
 The " Principalis and Posts," which constitute the heaviest item 
 in the bill, were probably used in the construction of butts for 
 musket practice, though these were as often as not merely sodded 
 mounds of earth ; or in the erection of a temporary shelter during 
 the hours of drill. The following list is copied from an old M.S. 
 volume in the possession of the late George Hargreaves, Esq., J. P., 
 of Newchurch, and is entitled
 
 1 2 2 History of the 
 
 A LIST OF THE POSTS FOR ROSSENDALE MILITIA, 
 DELIVERED TO THE DEPUTY-LIEUTENANTS OF 
 THE COUNTY OF LANCASTER AT BLACKBURN 
 Ye 3D DAY OF APRIL 1744- WARRANT TAKEN 
 TO FIX Ye POSTS Ye sth JULY 1745. 
 
 1. Will. Ormerod, Gambleside. 
 
 2. Richd. Holt, Loveclough. 
 
 3. Geo. Hargreaves, Goodshavv. 
 
 4. Geo. Haworth, Crawshaybooth. 
 
 5. Dennis Haworth, Bottomly bank. 
 
 6. Henry Haworth, Constablee. 
 
 7. Jno. Duckworth, Park House. 
 
 8. Lee. Duckworth, Musberry. 
 
 9. Richd. Whitaker, Rawtenstall. 
 
 10. Jno. Ashworth, Xewhouse. 
 
 11. Jno. Townend, Newhallhey. 
 
 12. Jno. Ramsbottom, Tunstead. 
 
 13. Jno. Ormerod, Tunstead. 
 
 14. Jno. Whitaker, Broadclough. 
 
 15. Jno. Lord, Broadclough. 
 
 16. Abram Law, Holmes. 
 
 [7. Jno. Hargreaves, Newchurch. 
 
 18. Jno. Lord, Greensnook. 
 
 19. James Law, Green Lane. 
 
 20. Hew Hargreaves, Nabb. 
 
 21. Law. Ormerod, Lum. 
 
 22. Will. Halstead, Dunnockshaw. 
 
 23. Law. Yates, Hoddlesden. 
 
 24. George Yates, Hoddlesden. 
 
 25. Hen. Hargreaves, Laneside. 
 
 26. Oliver Ormerod, Heightside. 
 
 27. Robt. Halstead, Constablee. 
 
 28. Jos. Townend, Musberry. 
 2g. Jno. Holt, Lenches. 
 
 30. James Piccop, Heightside. 
 
 Ar.5. — The si.'C last were added, which is to be considered by the gentlemen 
 at the next meeting. At the next meeting, which was on 5th July 1745, the 
 Gentlemen Deputy-Lieutenants agreed to discharge the six last Posts, which 
 were imposed upon the Forest by Major Bradshaw about the year 1696.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 123 
 
 The rebel garrison, a detachment of the retreating army of the 
 Pretender, in whose charge the city and castle of Carlisle had been 
 left, surrendered to the Duke of Cumberland on December 30th, 
 1 745, and in reference to this event, the following item occurs : — 
 
 Paid the Ringers at ye taking Carlisle, by ordr of ye High 
 
 Constab.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ;to i o 
 
 In the month following, the rebel army fled from Stirling, and 
 this was another cause for rejoicing. 
 
 Paid the Ringers at ye taking Stirling, by ordr of ye High 
 
 Constable, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. i;0 I 6 
 
 Rossendale, it appears, was honoured by a flying visit from some 
 of the Pretender's friends, as the next entry very significantly 
 shows ; — 
 
 1746. 
 Taking up'4 Rebells and ye charges of carrying them before 
 
 the Justices .. ,. .. .. .. .. .. ;fo 5 6 
 
 It is of interest to note that a curious pamphlet, now exceedingly 
 scarce, relating to the events referred to in the Greaves' Accounts, 
 and dealing at some length with the loyal inhabitants of Rossendale, 
 was published at this time, the writer evidently being either an 
 inhabitant of the district, or having some connection therewith. 
 The work is described on the title page as a " Poem on the late 
 rebellion, from the Young Pretender's first landing in the Isle of 
 Skie to his defeat at the battle near Culloden ; by Philonactos 
 Rossendaliensis, Manchester ; printed by R. ^Vhitworth for the 
 author, price 3d." {b) It contains 24 pages, including the title 
 page. The poem is 361 lines in length, and occupies 19 pages; 
 the title page and preface, 5 pages. 
 
 The preface is addressed " To all Ranks of People," and begins— 
 
 " Candid readers. 
 
 " Pardon the dress wherein the following lines appear, which, 
 tho' they may not answer the expectations of any curious critick, 
 
 (i) The Manchester Free Reference Library has a copy of the pamphlet.
 
 124 History of the 
 
 yet, if they tend in any measure to paint forth the horrid figure and 
 destructive design of a parcel of rebeUious rovers and desperate 
 plunderers, who have lately disturbed this peaceful island, and 
 thereby beget in the breast of any poor misled Briton an abhorence 
 of the wicked principles that actuated them, the author will think 
 his labour well rewarded, who is humbly persuaded that none can 
 accuse him of extravagant hyperboles, except such who have 
 imbibed their pernicious tenets, and secretly thirst after the ruin of 
 our present constitution both in Church and State." 
 
 The poem begins — 
 
 "Thou heav'nly Muse, who kind assistance lent 
 To antient bards on mighty themes intent, 
 Who did'st their breasts with sacred truths inspire, 
 Give me one spark of Thy poetick fire. 
 But chiefly Thou, supreme, Eternal King, 
 Who did'st confusion to bright order bring, 
 Assist my feeble muse, whilst 1 relate 
 The sad distractions of Britannia's State." 
 
 The author then proceeds to recount the progress of the 
 Pretender's army through England to Derby, and he continues — 
 
 " And Derby last finish'd their long career, 
 Tow'rd Trentaine's Ford they wing'd their speedy flight, 
 Marching full thirty miles one winter's night. 
 To guard each pass the Duke no time had lost. 
 Which struck such pannicks in the rebel host, 
 That now they dreamed on Albion's Crown no more. 
 But back thro' towns they'd ravag'd once before 
 They flew, like flock of fouls, or wild or tame. 
 Whilst the brave Duke pursu'd his fright'ned game; 
 How with amazement struck, the rebels fled. 
 Loud noizy fame thro' distant countries spread. 
 Brave Rossendale, who base designs abhorr'd. 
 And own'd no king but George their sov'reign lord. 
 With love unfeign'd great Brunswick's Hne rever'd. 
 Nor Popish brats nor Jacobitish fear'd. 
 This news received, with just resentment fir'd. 
 In council met, her Grandees arms required,
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 125 
 
 At their command the warhke peasants rise, 
 And loud huzzas re-echo'd thro' the skies ; 
 Some arm'd with clubs, like Hercules of old, 
 Others with guns, all resolutely bold 
 Had instruments of death, one mind, one heart 
 Gave life to all, and quick'ned ev'ry part. 
 By beat of drums, and ensigns wav'd on high, 
 They march'd, but when the rebel host drew nigh, 
 Th' adjacent towns, oh, shame! refus'd their aid. 
 And left these warlike souls to fiends betray'd ,■ 
 What cou'd they do, abandoned by their friends, 
 A match unequal to these rebel bands'^ 
 With sad regret, breathing revengful ire, 
 Prudence taught them reluctant to retire ; 
 So now these rovers straight their flight pursued. 
 And eager pace their quick retreat renew'd." 
 
 And SO on. 
 
 As bearing on this subject, and partly elucidating and comtirm- 
 ing the statements in rhe poem, the following interesting and 
 quaint particulars, relating to the young Pretender's rising in 1745, 
 and the march of the rebels, are from a diary kept by Richard 
 Kay, of Baldingstone, near Bury, the residence of his father, who 
 was a staunch Nonconformist, and who appears from the diary to 
 have kept open house for all Nonconformist ministers in this and 
 the surrounding neigbourhood. 
 
 The contents of the diary from which the extracts are taken 
 were contributed by Sir Thoinas Baker, late Mayor of Manchester, 
 to the " Palatine Note Book," vol. iv. pp. 19, et seq. 
 
 " December 8th, 1745. This day — this Sabbath Day— in the 
 morning, as we were going to Bury Chappel, we met Coz. Dr. 
 Kay and his brother Coz. John Kay, from Manchester, who told 
 us they were fleeing out of the way of the rebells, who had marched 
 to Darby, near our army, and retreated; Manchester, with the 
 assistance of the country people, are intending to make a stand 
 against them. Cousins would have me to go to Rossendale with 
 them, about four miles hence, to raise the people there. I took a 
 ride with them. In the afternoon we heard Mr. Welch preach at
 
 I 26 History of the 
 
 Rossendale Church from I. John, iii. 2 : Lord, may we be in 
 covenant with God, and then we may hope that all will be well 
 with us. 
 
 " December 9th. This day, in the afternoon, I visited at Stand. 
 We hear all the Highland rebells from Scotland, who have been 
 as far as Darby towards London, intending to get a Prince upon 
 the Throne, a nurshng from Rome, are this evening all in 
 Manchester. Finding themselves not a sufficient force to engage 
 our army, they are making the best of their way for the Highlands ; 
 our army, about 1,400 strong, are pursuing them. We have 
 another army in Yorkshire about 10,000 strong. The rebells 
 plunder and do a deal of mischief The Rossendale people, 
 about 500, came our road, towards Manchester to-day, but 'tis 
 thought proper not to oppose the rebells ; they and thousands 
 were dismissed. Lord, bring good out of the troublesome times." 
 
 "January 15th, 1746. This day, after visiting a patient in the 
 afternoon, I spent the evening at Coz. Neddy Kay's, of Brook- 
 bottom, with some other company, and lodged there. By all 
 accounts 'tis expected about this time our forces are engaging the 
 rebells in Scotland. Times at present run high amongst us, some 
 shewing themselves much in favour for the present Government, 
 and but too many for the Pretender ; an instance whereof I shall 
 give in the following lines, being a copy of what was sent to our 
 family to-day from Bury upon account of the mobb we raised to 
 oppose the rebells, and mentioned December 8 and 9, which is as 
 follows : — 
 
 " Notice is hereby given that his Rumpish Highness, the Second 
 Pretender and Prince of the Presbyterian territories, has given 
 an order for the raising a new Regiment of Rossendale Plunderers, 
 under the most emphatical denomination of Oliverian Murderers ; 
 and that such as are willing to join are ordered to repair to the 
 Colonel Quarters at the sign of the Bloody Surgeon. . . . the 
 Ensign's Inn at the sign of Three Marshall Handkerchiefs, where 
 for their advance they shall receive full power to kill and plunder 
 all loyal subjects to the true born King, and for their further
 
 V3 
 
 o 
 o
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 1 2 7 
 
 encouragement when they come to join their respective regiment, 
 now lying squander'd and confounded in the bewildered Forrest 
 of Rossendale, they shall receive no pay nor clothing, but every 
 man a rusty sword, an old stick and a long pike and roasting spits, 
 and all things fitting to complete a gentleman plunderer and an 
 Oliverian Murderer, out of whose hands God save the true born 
 King!" 
 
 "His Rumpish Highness is Coz. John Kay, Prince of the 
 Presbyterian Territories is his brother, Coz. Doctor Kay. The 
 Colonel quarters at the sign of the Bloody Surgeon, is represented 
 as my sign. The Ensign's Inn is Brother Joseph Baron's in 
 Bury ; the Three Marshall Handkerchiefs are represented as his 
 sign on account of his shop. Lord, suffer us not to be a reproach, 
 and let us hope in Thy salvation." 
 
 The Rebellion being now at an end, our local functionary has 
 time to devote himself to other matters, as follows .• — 
 1746. 
 
 Warrant against Cursing and Swearing, . . .. .. .. £a 2 o 
 
 1748. 
 
 To a Warrant against prophane Swearing, . . . . • . . 020 
 
 1749. 
 
 Grave Staff Repairs, ". . . . . . . . . . . . 010 
 
 Watch and Ward at Bacob and Rawtenstall, ,. .. .. o 12 8 
 
 During the Rebellion of 1745, and for several years after, a 
 person of the name of Heap kept "Watch and Ward" at Higher 
 Broadclough, Bacup, — opposite the old house. 
 
 1750- 
 
 To Erecting a pair of Stocks at Goodshaw, . . . . . . ^124 
 
 Payments on account of the erection and mainten-ince of the 
 Stocks in the different villages throughout Rossendale occur very 
 frequently •. none more so than at Goodshaw, which would lead us 
 to infer that they were often in requisition in that now rather 
 obscure corner of the Forest. We may naturally suppose, however, 
 that Goodshaw in the good old coaching days was better known
 
 128 History of the 
 
 than at present, and would be a convenient resting-place for the 
 " Tramps " passing in that direction to and from Burnley, a class 
 of characters apt even yet to get into trouble, and to whom the 
 Stocks of bygone times would be familiar enough. 
 
 This mode of punishment has now almost universally fallen 
 into disuse, though in some rural districts the machine is still 
 preserved as a relic of the past. 
 
 The Stocks consisted, generally, of two upright stone or wooden 
 posts, into which were fitted three horizontal planks, the lowest 
 being a fixture, while the two upper were made to slide vertically 
 in a groove in the pillars. In the respective edges of the planks, 
 notches of different sizes were cut to receive the arms and legs of 
 the culprit, when the whole were bound together with iron 
 fastenings secured by a padlock. 
 
 The offender was usually seated on a stool, but in some cases 
 he was left lying on his back on the bare ground, with his arms at 
 liberty, his legs only being secured. 
 
 The Stocks were used as a punishment for brawling, profane 
 swearing, drunkenness, and other minor offences. In some towns 
 the drunkard was made to perambulate the streets, carrying a 
 cask, in which were holes for the head and arms to pass through, 
 and called " The Drunkard's Cloak." 
 
 To Scuttle Harry and Old Glover, .. .. .. .. ^'026 
 
 Two suggestive names, doubtless well-known characters in their 
 day, but of whom no other recoid exists. 
 
 1752. 
 A Warrant against Swearing, .. ., ,. ,. .. 02.0 
 
 1 75.1- 
 To Conveying Oliver Grime, 2 Sons and Daughter, toye House 
 
 of Correction, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2100 
 
 To one Vagrant Warrt. and Sunday Warrt., . , . . . . 050 
 
 Sabbath-breaking and Profane Swearing were crimes which, 
 during last, and in the earlier years of the present century, our 
 forefathers vigilantly endeavoured to suppress. It was the custom
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 129 
 
 of the churchwardens, after service had commenced on the 
 Sabbath morning, each carrying his staff, the badge of Office, to 
 parade the streets, and visit the highways and by-lanes in search of 
 Sunday desecrators. Unless Report (who to be sure is a foul- 
 tongued jade at times) does them injustice, the example which 
 many of these functionaries displayed in their own person was not 
 always of the best ; seeing, that instead of returning to the Church, 
 they were in the habit of ensconcing themselves in the back 
 parlour of the village Inn ; and it was frequently observed on such 
 occasions that their self-denying devotions at the shrine of Bacchus 
 had been so deep and strong as visibly to affect the steadiness 
 of their gait for the remainder of the day. It is even said, though 
 we give no credence to the statement, that the village urchins, on 
 occasional times when one of these officials was more than usually 
 elevated, might be seen 
 
 " Following, with mischievous wile, 
 
 To pluck his gown,' 
 
 not in the expectation of 
 
 " sharing the good man's smile," 
 
 as the poet of " sweet Auburn " expresses it ; but with a view to 
 invoking that peculiar blessing which the votaries of the afore- 
 mentioned god are mostly accustomed to pronounce. 
 
 •757- 
 
 To 2 Pair of Handcuffs, .. 
 
 To waiting of a man 2 Days and i Night, 
 To numbering ye People and writing return, 
 [In other words, taking the Census.] 
 
 1760. 
 
 Guide Post at 4 Lane-ends, 
 
 Proclaiming King George 3d 
 
 1762. 
 To one Lock and Key for Town Box, . . . . . . . . 007 
 
 The " Town Box " here referred to is that in which the Standard 
 Weights and Measures were kept. 
 
 £0 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 7
 
 130 History of the 
 
 1762. 
 
 To Grave Staff, £020 
 
 1764. 
 
 8 Juremen upon Ab' at Kunhills, .. .. .. ., .. 028 
 
 1766. 
 Conveying Ben. Rawstron to Lancaster, a Desarter, . . . , 140 
 
 1769. 
 To Charges about a felon fled out of Yorkshire, .. .. o 10 6 
 
 1770. 
 To Charges compelling the Excise Officer to pay his Land Tax, i 3 3 
 
 To Repairing Bacop Stocks, .. .. ., .. .. 084 
 
 For many years the Stocks at Bacup stood near to the old 
 school-house, which was pulled down to make room for the 
 Mechanics' Institution ; they were afterwards removed to the side 
 of the Dungeon at the foot of Todmorden Road, where they 
 remained until they fell into disuse. The side pillars, which were 
 of stone, are still in existence, and probably entire, though buried 
 more than half their depth in the ground, being placed so as to 
 keep cart wheels from coming in contact with the corner of the 
 wall in front of the brick houses at Tong Bridge. 
 
 1777- 
 To Setting up Guide Post four Lane en s, ,. .. .. £0 2 6 
 
 1778. 
 2 Pair of Stocks, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. i 10 o 
 
 Stocks at Goodshaw, .. .. .. .. .. .. o iS 8 
 
 1779. 
 Paid for a Key for Handcuffs, .. .. ,. .. ,. 006 
 
 The next entry has reference to a state of things which happily 
 has ceased to exist in this country. 
 
 1779- 
 Expenses laid out in Impressing Men, over and besides the 
 
 bounty .. .. .. .. ;£2 I.? I 
 
 The horrible and unnatural system of impressment for the Navy 
 was in force far into the present century. At this day it may well 
 create wonder that a practice so vile should have found its advo- 
 cates. The Ballot is a merciful and just measure when a righteous
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 131 
 
 cause requires its exercise, inasmuch as it places all on a level, 
 affords time for preparation and arrangement, and the chances of 
 immunity are equal. But when by brute force men, when going 
 about their lawful occupations, are dragged away by ruffian hands, 
 without warning, and in spite of remonstrance, we instinctively feel 
 that the cause must be unholy which needs such unchristian aid. 
 
 1782. 
 To Trash at severall Times, .. .. .. .. .. .60 o 5 
 
 Trifling payments probably. Or is it to be understood that 
 Beggars or Vagrants are implied in the term " Trash.?" 
 
 17S4. 
 To 6 Gide Postess ' .^4 '5 1 
 
 Guide Posts were evidently an important item of cost in those 
 
 days. 
 
 1786-7. 
 To John Ormerod for Dungeon at Backup, come to . . . . i-i 15 3i 
 
 The original Dungeon at Bacup was a kind of arched cellar in 
 the vicinity of the Buck Inn ; the entrance being through a hole in 
 the roof, closed by a ponderous flag, which would no doubt be 
 secured in some rude way outside. The latest Dungeon at Bacup, 
 a small, incommodious, and dingy building, stood, until recently, 
 on or near the site of the Corn Mill Office, Yorkshire Street. 
 1786-7. 
 
 To James Nuttall, Church, for Truncels, (? Truncheons,) .. ;^I 6 
 
 Dungeons appear to have been in request about this time. The 
 following Minute of a public meeting is recorded : — 
 
 " Newchurch, Nov. ye nth, 17S8. 
 
 "Note, that it is agreed by all these present that 2 Dongeons be made 
 
 when ever the Inhabitants of Newchurch and Goodshavv Chapel think proper, 
 
 that is to say, one at Each place, is agreed by us at a publick meeting on the 
 
 day aforesaid. 
 
 "J. SHORROCK. 
 
 JNO. HARGREAVES. 
 
 LAWCE. ORMEROD, High Constable. 
 
 And 14 others."
 
 132 History of the 
 
 It does not appear from these records that a Dungeon was 
 erected at either of the places mentioned. Fifteen years afterwards, 
 one was built at Crawshawbooth, at a cost as follows : — 
 
 Exps. of Erecting a Dungeon at Crawshawbooth, purchase 
 
 money, Surrender, Stamp, &c., .. .. .. .. £2^ \f> 6 
 
 And again in 1805 is the following payment for 
 
 Surrender for Dungeon at Crawshawbooth, . . . . . . 0166 
 
 1792-3- 
 To a Wallet for Town's Weights, . . . . . . . . . . 017 
 
 To an Iron Yard, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. o o lo 
 
 To Standard Wine Measures, . . . . . . . . . . 126 
 
 Paid for Weigh balk 066 
 
 1796. 
 Relieving Mary Wilson and a child from Portsmouth to 
 
 Edinburgh with a pass, .. .. .. .. £0 1 o 
 
 The War with France, which commenced in 1793, kept the 
 hands of our Government fully employed ; and responses to the 
 calls for men and money constantly occur in these records of the 
 Greave from the time when Buonaparte entered upon his career of 
 conquest in 1796, down to the year when it terminated so 
 disastrously on the plains of Waterloo. 
 
 • The taxation of the period pressed heavily on the population. 
 The returns from the assessments for this and subsequent years 
 vary in amount from Three to Si.\ Hundred Pounds. 
 
 In these heavy exjjenses are sums paid on account of the 
 Militia and the Supplementary Militia ; for the summoning of 
 (yeomanry) Cavalry to be sworn in, warrants for the apprehension 
 and prosecution of Deserters, iScc. In the year 1798 is a long 
 account of " Extra Expenses " of Supplementary Militia, and 
 Balloting for the same ; and again of " Additional Expenses " in 
 numbering the Inhabitants of Rossendale ; for inquiring into, 
 and rendering an account of their Qualifications in the event 
 of any Foreign invasion. The numbering of the Cattle within the 
 Forest was also part of the Greave's duty on this occasion, and all 
 this was done agreeably to certain Schedules issued by order of the 
 Lieutenancy.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 133 
 
 From the enumeration which was then made, it was found that 
 the number of able-bodied men capable of actual service, residing 
 within the Forest of Rossendale, amounted to 2000 ; a respectable 
 number out of a population of barely 10,000 young and old. 
 
 The following are some of the entries above referred to : — 
 
 1797. 
 
 Expenses to VVhalley in attending on Magistrates on supple- 
 mentary Militia, .. .. .. .. .. .. £0 ■T, o 
 
 To Summoning Cavalry to be sworn in, .. .. .. .. 0120 
 
 1798. 
 Expenses of Peter Warburton to Rochdale, to prove him a 
 
 Disarter, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 076 
 
 The Peace of Amiens brought with it a brief interval of 
 tranquillity, which was again rudely disturbed by the renewal of 
 hostilities with France in 1S03, caused by the insulting menaces 
 and restless ambition of Napoleon I., who began to make immense 
 preparations for the invasion of Great Britain. The whole 
 Country was at once in arms to resist the invader ; the utmost 
 enthusiasm prevailed, and a Yeomanry and Volunteer Corps 
 400,000 strong, rose as one man, to defend their hearths and 
 homes. About 30,000 of that number were raised in Lancashire, 
 and to these Rossendale contributed its full share. The Greave of 
 the Forest records in numerous entries, extending over a lengthened 
 period, that meetings and consultations for the " Defence of the 
 Nation" were held at " Bacop, Kewchurch, and Edgeside." No 
 half-hearted patriotism was displayed. An enumeration was made 
 of the number of males between the ages of 17 and 55, within the 
 district. Men were enrolled for the " Army of Reser\'e," and 
 Volunteers poured in from every valley and hill side. A List of 
 the Resident Ministers was made, and a return of the Copyholders 
 and Freeholders, with the number of Cotton and Woollen Mills, 
 and of Cattle within the district was prepared. Altogether, 1 803 
 was a year of agitation and preparation, which has scarcely found 
 its parallel in later times.
 
 1 34 History of the 
 
 These are a few selected from many similar entries at this 
 period : — 
 
 1S03. 
 Expense to Burnley to receive Instructions for the Defence of 
 
 the Nation, 2 days, . . . . . . . . . . . . ^060 
 
 Numbering Persons and Cattle, &c., and others willing to serve 
 
 Volunteer seven days, . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 
 
 1804. 
 Exps. Bill ot Recruiting for Additional Force for his Majesty 
 
 in the Forest, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 18 8 
 
 Extra exps. for Drumber and Fifer, . . . . . . . . 140 
 
 And in 1805-6 is an item — 
 
 To R. Lord for Ribbons ommitted last year . . i^o 7 8 
 
 The ribbons being doubtless part of the furnishing of the 
 recruiting sergeants. 
 Other suggestive records of this kind appear — 
 1806-7. 
 
 4 Passengers lame that was wounded with Nelson, . . . . ^046 
 
 Mary Whitley, a Sailor's wife, and three children, going to 
 
 Gloucester, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 016 
 
 2 lame Soldiers and their wives and 3 children, going to 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 1S07-S. 
 Seven disabled Sailors to Ireland, .. • .. 
 
 1812. 
 Postage of a Letter about a Diserter 
 
 1812-13. 
 Making a List of Regular Militia for Coup Lenches, &c., where 
 
 they were serving at present, and if they are married, and 
 
 where their wives and Families reside, if any, and delivering 
 
 the same at Burnley, .. .. o 15 o 
 
 Returning to civil affairs, the following items are worthy of 
 selection : — 
 
 1800-1. 
 Relief to a Poor Person at Hareholme gate, being starved, . . ;to o 6 
 Paid G. Welsh for Commissrs' Clerk's returns of Hair Powder 
 
 and Armorial Bearings, .. .. .. ., .. 026 
 
 Summoning Little Taylor at Delph, 030 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 II
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 135 
 
 1801-2. 
 
 To Expenses with Abm. Cropper, James Haworth, and John 
 
 Haworth, to Holmes Chappel, .. .. .. .. ^086 
 
 Many entries similar to the last occur. Previous to the 
 appointment of Magistrates in Rossendale, prisoners were 
 conveyed to Holmes Chapel to be tried before the Justice of the 
 Peace there. 
 
 1803. 
 
 20 Trunsheons from Burnley for Constables, .. .. .. ;f2 16 6 
 
 Paid Jas. Nuttall for 22 Trunsheons for Constables at New- 
 church, &c., .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 360 
 
 1804. 
 
 To 2 pair of Steel Ruffles, .. .. .. .. .. .. 066 
 
 [A Polite name for Handcuffs.] 
 1804. 
 
 Paid in the Vestry of Newchurch, for obtaining fines of the 
 
 Inhabitants of Rossendale in respect of Sunday Rules, .. 200 
 
 To a Constable Staff for Bacop, .. .. .. .. ., 076 
 
 Salaries for the Sextons Ringing eight o'clock at Newchurch, 
 
 Bacop, and Goodshaw Chapel, for one year, los. each .. i 10 o 
 
 Parish Clerk in giving Public Notices in the Church, .. .. 026 
 
 In bygone days, when printing was more a luxury than a 
 necessity_|of life, and only to be resorted to on grand occasions, 
 our simple-minded forefathers were in the habit of making public 
 from the Clerk's desk in the Church, after service, all those secular 
 transactions in which the general community were expected to feel 
 an interest. If a sale by auction was arranged to take place during 
 the coming week, the fact was duly made known. If any acts of 
 trespass or wilful damage had been committed, the particulars were 
 set forth, and a reward offered for such information as would 
 lead to the conviction of the offenders. It is even whispered 
 that Bull-baitings formed a common subject of announce- 
 ment ; but for the truth of this, not having trustworthy evidence, 
 we are not prepared to vouch. In some places the Clerk, 
 instead of giving his Notices within the walls of the sacred 
 edifice, came out into the Churchyard, and, from a convenient
 
 136 History of the 
 
 o 
 
 elevation on a tombstone, read out his Intimations to the dispersing 
 congregation. Many of these notices, as might naturally be sup- 
 posed, partook largely of the ludicrous, and would give a rather 
 questionable finish to the solemn services of the day. 
 1810. 
 
 Numbering Lunaticks, writing list, and paper, .. .. .. ;£o 10 6 
 
 1813-14- 
 Inquest on Henry Hoyle, (wild Harry), who died in Musbury, o 12 o 
 
 Repairing Pinfold at Clough-fold, 3 19 
 
 The " Pinfold" was a large circular enclosure in which strayed 
 sheep and oxen were put, and kept, until claimed by their owner. 
 
 The following list is from an old MS. vol. in the possession of 
 the late George Hargreaves, Esq., J. P., Newchurch : — 
 
 A LIST OF THE FINDERS FOR CLOUGHFOl.D, PIN- 
 FOLD, WHICH ARE SEVEN IN NUMBER, AND 
 SUCCEED EACH OTHER IN COURSE, AS 
 FOLLOWS :— 
 
 Jno. Welsh, elk. (f) for Church Land 1747. 
 
 Oliver Ormerod, for Mr. Hargreave's Land, .. .. 1748. 
 
 Jno. Piccop, for Mrs. Lonsdale's Land, .. .. .. 1749- 
 
 Richd. Ormerod, for Mr. Peter Ormerod's Lower Land, 1750. 
 
 Jamns Nuttall, for Jno. Lord, late Heaton's Land, .. 1751 
 
 Richd. Eastwood, for Mr. Miles Lonsdale's Land, .. 1752 
 
 Jno. Ormerod, for Mr. Peter Ormerod's higher Land, 1753. 
 
 1817. 
 One Pair of Leg Shackles and Chains, .. .. .. .. £0 \2 ^ 
 
 1819. 
 Bought a New Rule for Measuring Militia Men with 010 
 
 This must conclude my extracts from the entries in the Account 
 Book of the " Greave of Rossendale Forest." 
 
 By way of pendant to the above, I add a few items taken from 
 the Workhouse accounts for the year 1734-5. 
 
 ((■) Clerk was formerly the common designation of a clergyman. Mr. Welsh 
 was the Incumbent of Newchurch.
 
 c 
 
 X 
 
 D 
 
 n
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 137 
 
 1734. 
 
 May 25. — Ed. Whitaker, Senr., Eal (Ale) for Sick Persons, . . ^002 
 
 May 25.— Jam. Robert for Grout, .. .. .. .. 001 
 
 Jan. 8.— One Pot of Eal for Hennery Lord Bein not well, ., 001 
 
 Augt. 10. — Too Quartes of Ele at Rushberrin, ., .. 006 
 
 Augt. 17. — One Bread-fleake for Poor's house, .. .. 022 
 
 October 1 1. — For one Lofe for Henry Lord not well, . . .. 001 
 
 I73S- 
 Feby. 15. — Stroung Walters for Lettes Hargreaves and 
 
 Shugar, . . . . . . . . . . . . , . o o 2i 
 
 March 29. — For one Peyar of Hand Cards for George 
 
 Warburton, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 013
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " Yet spare I not to ply the potte 
 Of jolly goode ale and olde."- 
 
 Bishop Still — Gammnr Gurton's Needle. 
 
 " A nose he had that gan show, 
 
 What liquor he loved I trow ; 
 
 For he had before long seven yeare, 
 
 Beene of the towne the ale-conner." 
 
 — The Coblcr of Ciinterburie. 
 
 " He was a man, take him for all in all, 
 1 shall not look upon his like again." 
 
 Sh.^kespe.ire — Hamlet. 
 
 TN addition to the Greave of the Forest, other officers are 
 -'- annually appointed at the October sitting of the Halmot 
 Court, — such as a Butcher, a Market-Looker, a Fence-Keeper, a 
 Bellman, and an Ale-Taster. 
 
 The office of Ale-taster, or Ale-Conner, as is well known, is a 
 very ancient one, extending as far back as Saxon times. Doubtless, 
 it had its origin with that shrewd, frugal, calculating, paunch- 
 loving people. There is nothing of the Celtic or devil-may-care 
 element in its character. The Celt, to this day, is too spiritualistic, 
 too precipitate, too mercurial, to cater largely for the stomach ; the 
 Saxon is of the earth, earthy. 
 
 It was the business of those who filled the post to insure that 
 the ale and beer (a) brewed and sold or offered for sale within their 
 
 (a) Andrew Boorde, in his " Dyetary," says : " Ale is made of malte and 
 
 water Bere is made of malte, of hoppes and water." This 
 
 distinction would scarcely hold good at the present day.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 1 39 
 
 district was good and wholesome and of the proper strength. 
 Clearly the office was considered one of much importance in early 
 times. The responsibility was great, and the confidence reposed 
 in the judgment and honesty of the officer equally so. He 
 appears to have depended chiefly, if not solely, on his fine critical 
 taste for enabling him to decide on the quality of the beverage. 
 Before the authorities, his evidence as against the offender was 
 unquestioned. 
 
 In former days the Ale-Taster was also the Officer for the 
 Assize of Bread, and the Oath taken by him on Assuming his 
 duties was as follows : — 
 
 " You shall swear that you shall well and truly serve the King's Majesty and 
 the lord of this leet in the office of ale-taster, or assisor of this liberty, for this 
 year to come; you shall duly and truly see from time to time that 
 the bread brought to be sold be truly weighed, and that the same do contain 
 such weight, according to the prices of wheat, as by the statute in that case 
 is provided ; likewise, you shall have diligent care, during the time 
 of your being in office, to all brewers and tiplers within your office, 
 that they and every one of them do make good and wholesome 
 ale and beer for man's body, and that the same be not sold before it be 
 assayed by you, and then to be sold according to the prices limited and ap- 
 pointed by the King's justices of the peace ; and all faults committed or done 
 by the bakers, brewers, or tiplers, or by any of them, you shall make known, 
 and present the same at this court, whereby due punishment may be inflicted 
 upon them for their offences accordingly, and in every other thing you shall 
 well and truly behave yourself in the said office for this year to come. So 
 help you God." 
 
 The duties of the Rossendale officer are limited to the testing 
 of the Ale and Beer, and we shall cease to wonder that this vigilant 
 functionary should occasionally overstep the bounds of sobriety, 
 and stumble on the other side — battering his nose on the unfeeling 
 pavement — when we remember that there are within his jurisdiction 
 more than 150 houses licensed for the sale of those drinks. 
 
 In the early days the punishment for brewing and publicly 
 exhibiting bad ale was either a fine or a two hours' seat upon the 
 cucking or cuck stool before the culprit's own door ; the drink, if
 
 140 History of the 
 
 pronounced by .1 discriminating judge to be unirinkable, being 
 handed over to the poor folk. 
 
 The duties appertaining to the office (obsolete in most places) 
 were, until within recent years, regularly fulfilled in Rossendale by 
 an officer who did credit to the appointment. I refer to the late 
 Richard Taylor, of Bacup, the Rossendale Ale-taster, who may with 
 propriety be described as " The Last of the Ale-Tasters." As 
 such, he deserves a word of commemoration. " Spindle Dick " he 
 was usually called. The writer knew him personally, and had 
 many a confab with him. Since the first edition of this work was 
 published poor Dick has gone to render his account to a higher Court 
 than that of the Lord of the Honor! He was a fellow of infinite 
 humour, not wanting in sound judgment, but with that kind of 
 twist in his nature that never would allow him for two minutes at 
 a spell to treat any subject in a serious mood. His proper calling 
 was that of a spindle maker, hence his sobriquet of " Spindle 
 Dick ;" a rare workman at his trade when he chose, and in his 
 sober hours. 
 
 In his hands there was nothing incongruous or far-fetcbed in the 
 office of Ale-taster. Its duties, incrusted with the antiquity of 
 centuries, came as naturally to him as though he had been living 
 in the time of the Heptarchy, and was " to the manner born." 
 The incongruity was when he forsook, as he occasionally did, his 
 . ale-tasting labours, and applied himself assiduously to his business 
 of spindle-making. 
 
 Poor Dick Taylor ! I always felt grateful to his personality, 
 and to the humour which girt him round. He was a link that 
 bound us to the past ; a kind of embodied poetical idea in keep- 
 ing with the ancient Forest and its traditions. I have more than 
 half a suspicion that he must have been lying dormant for cen- 
 turies in the muniment-room of Clitheroe Castle, and, like Rip Van 
 Winkle, awoke at length to resume his interrupted duties. I 
 never conversed with him without being carried in imagination 
 back to bygone times, and on such occasions it was with a half- 
 resentful feeling of annoyance that the proximity of a later — shall
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 141 
 
 we be justified in saying a higher ? — civilisation, in the guise of a 
 smoky factory chimney, dispelled the illusion. 
 
 After all, it is only in a district like Rossendale that such an 
 interesting relic of the olden time could have survived. To me, 
 when I first knew them, the old people of Rossendale always 
 seemed to differ in many respects from the people of other districts. 
 This was not due to any single cause — there was a variety of 
 circumstances which contributed to the result ; but the chief cause, 
 in my opinion, is to be found in the natural character and formation 
 of the district. By reason of its hills and the wide-reaching moor- 
 lands that environ it on every side, it was in earlier days, before the 
 advent of the railway, removed to a large extent from contact with 
 the outer world and the changing fashions and tendencies of 
 wider social conditions. The older representatives of whom I 
 speak are fast dying out, and the younger generation has lost, or 
 is losing, the distinguishing characteristics of the race. 
 
 At one time in his career Dick kept a beer-house, the sign over 
 the door being a representation of the globe, with the head and 
 shoulders of a man protruding through it, and underneath it the 
 legend, " Help me through this world !" By way of counteracting 
 any bad moral effects that arose from his vending of beer on week- 
 days, he taught a Bible class in a room over the beer-shop on 
 Sundays. He christened one of his sons " Gentleman," Gentleman 
 Taylor, being determined, as he said, to have one gentleman in the 
 family, whatever else. 
 
 When in discharge of the functions of his curious calling of 
 Ale-taster, Dick carried in his coat pocket a pewter gill measure of 
 his own fashioning, of peculiar old-world shape, with a turned 
 ebony wood handle in the form of a cross that projected straight 
 from the middle of the side. This symbol of his office was secured 
 by a leathern thong about half a yard in length, one end being 
 round the handle, the other through a button-hole in his coat. 
 After a day's official work he might occasionally be seen, with 
 unsteady gait, wending his way up the lane to his domicile on the 
 hillside, with the gill measure dangling below his knee.
 
 142 History of the 
 
 Not unfrequently he had to appear before the Bench for being 
 drunk and incapable, and though he was sometimes mulcted in 
 five shillings and costs, as often as not some smart sally of wit won 
 the admiration and sympathy of the " Great Unpaid," who let him 
 down as softly as their sense of duty would permit. Dick, on 
 those occasions, would declare that it was his legs only, and not his 
 head that was drunk, which I am inclined to believe was true. He 
 would also assert that he was easily upset when only partially 
 filled, but, when, hke a barrel, full to the bung, and end up, he was 
 steady as a rock. As a matter of fact, however, he was not a 
 heavy drinker, whatever his detractors may say to the contrary. 
 His centre of gravity (being raised from his stomach to his head) 
 was displaced by a very limited supply of the beverage. 
 
 Regularly as the month of October came round, Dick put in an 
 appearance at the Halmot Court of the Lord of the Manor or 
 Honor held at Haslingden, was reinstalled in his office with due 
 formality, and dined with the other officials of the court when the 
 formal business was concluded. 
 
 The following is a copy of a memorial presented by him in 
 October, 1864, to the Court Leet. It contains some touches of 
 dry humour highly characteristic of the man : — 
 
 " To the Foreman and Jury of the Halmot Court at Haslingden. 
 The respectful Memorial of your energetic Ale-Taster for 
 Rossendale, Richard Taylor. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — From a natural bashfulness, and being unac- 
 customed to public speaking, which my friends tell me is a very 
 fortunate circumstance, I am induced to lay my claims before 
 your honourable court in writing, hoping you will give them your 
 most favourable consideration. 
 
 " The appointment which I hold is a very ancient one, dating, as 
 you are aware, from the time of good King Alfred, when the jury 
 at Court Leet appointed their head-boroughs, tithing man, 
 bursholder, and Ale-taster ; which appointments were again 
 regulated in the time of Edward HL, and through neglect this
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 143 
 
 important office to a beer-imbibing population ought not to be 
 suffered to fall into disrepute or oblivion. 
 
 "In Rossendale there are countless numbers of practical 
 followers of the school to which that illustrious Dutchman, Mynheer 
 Van Dunck, belonged, and while they imbibe less brandy, they 
 make up for it in beer. To some Rossendale men, indeed, beer is 
 meat, drink, washing, and lodging ; and do away with the office of 
 Ale-taster, an inferior quality of the beverage may be sold, and 
 the consequent waste of tissue among the working classes would 
 be something awful to contemplate. Your honourable court, then, 
 cannot but perceive the vast importance of my office. 
 
 " W'ith the spread of intelligence in Rossendale there has 
 been a proportionate increase of licensed public-houses and 
 beerhouses, which has created a corresponding amount of respon- 
 sibility in my duties. At the time when Rossendale was in 
 reality a forest, and a squirrel could jump from one tree to another 
 firom Sharneyford to Rawtenstall without touching the ground, the 
 office of Ale-taster was no doubt a sinecure, but it is so no longer. 
 For three years I have upheld the dignity of your honourable court 
 as Ale-taster without emolument, stipend, fee, or perquisite of any 
 kind. I have even been dragged before a subordinate court and 
 fined five shillings and costs whilst fulfilling the duties of my office. 
 My great services should receive some slight acknowledgment at 
 your hands, and thus would be secured the upright discharge of 
 those duties you expect me to fulfil ; and my imperial gill measure, 
 which I carry along with me as my baton of office, should bear the 
 seal of your honourable court. 
 
 " Praying for your kind consideration, I beg to submit this my 
 third annual report : 
 
 " In my district are fifty-five licensed public-houses and sixty- 
 five beerhouses. The quality of the beer retailed at these houses 
 is generally good, and calculated to prevent the deterioration of 
 tissue, and I do not detect any signs of adulteration. The only 
 complaint I have to make is of the quality of the ales sold at New- 
 church during the week in which Kirk Fair is held ; they are not
 
 144 History of the 
 
 then quite up to the mark in point of strength and flavour ; but 
 this is an exception, and it is the only speciality that I feel bound 
 to comment upon, save that which immediately concerns your 
 obedient servant, Richard Taylor, Ale-taster for that part of Her 
 Majesty's dominions known as Rossendale." 
 
 On a later occasion Mr. Taylor sent in his resignation to the 
 court as follows :— 
 
 " To the Foreman and Jury of the Halmot Court at Haslingden, 
 — Gentlemen, I respectfully, but firmly, tender my resignation as 
 Ale-taster of the Forest, an office whicli I have held for seven years 
 without any salary or fee of any description. During that period I 
 have done my duty both to his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch {h) 
 and to the inhabitants generally. From feelings of humanity I 
 refrain from suggesting anyone as my successor, for unless he 
 possesses an iron constitution, if he does his duty to the appointment, 
 he will either be a dead man before the next court day or he will 
 have to retire with a shattered constitution." 
 
 The Court, however, declined to entertain Mr. Taylor's petition, 
 and reappointed him to the office he had so long filled with so much 
 credit to himself — though with very questionable benefit — and to 
 the advantage of the many thirsty souls within his jurisdiction. 
 
 Notwithstanding the remark at the opening of the petition, Dick, 
 as a matter of fact, was not altogether unused to public speaking. 
 At town's meetings he frequently held forth, and his rising was 
 always welcomed as the signal for some sensible as well as humorous 
 and sarcastic remarks. 
 
 The reference to " Kirk Fair," and to the quality of the ales sold 
 there on those occasions, will be appreciated. I do not know what 
 the Fair may be now, but within my recollection the streets of the 
 village, for three successive days, were thronged with a surging 
 mass of people on pleasure bent. As many of these came long 
 
 (!)) His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, as has already been explained (see Book 
 Second, Chapter i.) is Lord of the Honor of Clitheroe, of which the Forest of 
 Rossendale constitutes a part.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 145 
 
 distances in the heat of summer, with their parched throats and 
 high spirits, they were naturally less critical of the quality of their 
 drink than at ordinary times, and the publicans, with what amount 
 of truth, beyond the declaration of the official Ale-taster, I am not 
 prepared to vouch, were suspected of taking advantage of the 
 circumstances to thin down their ales. 
 
 The post of Ale-taster, though still nominally maintained, is in 
 reality obsolete, and could not be revived, even in out-of-the-way 
 places, without committing an anachronism. Even in Dick Taylor's 
 day the office was looked upon as- belonging to the past — a relic of 
 a bygone age, in which a different social system to the present 
 prevailed. It belonged to the days of stocks and pillories, of 
 ducking and cucking stools and scolds' bridles, of sluggard 
 wakeners and dog whippers. Tempora mutanliir. It needed a 
 genial humorist to assume the duties of the office in this latter 
 half of the nineteenth century, and a vulgar imitator would find 
 no favour. 
 
 In a wide and populous district the duties, when conscientiously 
 performed, were more than mortal stomach could bear unharmed, 
 even though the paunch were like that of Falstaff, which Dick's 
 was not, and leaving out of account the temptations which beset 
 such an official. Dick took to ale-tasting as a jest, though he 
 performed his duties with an imperturbabje gravity which enhanced 
 the fun of the situation. Keen as was his taste for ale, he had a 
 keener relish for the humour of the position. Alas ! it was joking 
 perilously near to the edge of a precipice. The last of the Ale-tasters 
 died, a martyr to duty, on the loth day of October, 1876. Sic 
 itur ad astra.
 
 BOOK FIFTH 
 
 > »♦» < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " How may we now the truth unfold — 
 How learn, delighted and amazed, 
 What never tongue or numbers told — 
 What hands unknown that fabric raised ?" 
 
 " A smiling village decks the plain, 
 Where once the tangled forest frown'd ; 
 
 And Hodge impels his lab'ring wain 
 
 O'er grounds where wolves a shelter found." 
 
 TN the immediate neighbourhood of Brandwood, though situated 
 -*- ill the township of Lenches, is the hamlet of Rough Lee, in a 
 picturesque and pleasant nook on the hillside, sheltered from the 
 easterly winds by the friendly shoulders of a considerable elevation, 
 and looking far away down the Irwell valley — along which, and over 
 the grassy slopes on either side, it commands a varied and extensive 
 view. 
 
 In the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, when the 
 waste of Brandwood was the property of the Abbots of Stanlaw and 
 Whalley, the scenery embraced in a view of the landscape from Rough 
 Lee, was widely different from that which its present prospect com- 
 prehends. Where now the Railway winds through the vale, the shriek- 
 ing whistle of its " iron horse " awaking the echoes on every side — 
 then, the glossy coat of the antlered deer, as in the heyday of its 
 pride it flashed across the glade to thicker covert, or gambolled on
 
 Forest of Rossendale. i47 
 
 the declivities, was the chief moving attraction that arrested the eye. 
 Now, where the gaunt chimney belches forth its dense black coils 
 of smoke, the Forester's fire, as it consumed the " windfall " of the 
 previous winter, sent up into the clear air of spring its gauzy wreaths of 
 thin blue vapour. And, in the past, instead of a landscape dotted with 
 upland farms, and a valley threaded with long rows of substantial 
 dwelhngs, their vicinity alive with the hum of youthful voices busy 
 at play, or the cheerful ringing laughter of the factory lasses 
 relieved from their daily toil, a few solitary homesteads were all 
 that gave signs of human habitation. 
 
 In this quiet and pleasant spot within the Forest of Rossendale, 
 overlooking the valley, it is said, was erected a house or chapel for 
 the purposes of religious worship. By whom founded, however, 
 and by whom used, no records, so far as we can learn, exist to 
 determine. 
 
 Tradition, that strange noneniiy— that veritable "wandering 
 Jew" born of the distant past, which haunts us ever with garrulous 
 tongue replete with curious lore and dim undefined utterances that 
 we can never fairly grasp— Tradition would have it that the erection 
 was a kind of lesser convent as well as chapel, and that it could 
 boast a remote antiquity. That most indefatigable of antiquarie 
 and historians. Dr. Whitaker, has nothing to tell us of the chapel 
 at Rough Lee ; and Baines, the historian of the county, is equally 
 silent thereanent. Nothing, so far as I am aware, is in print 
 concerning the erection. There is a singularity in all this. 
 
 That a Chapel did e.\ist at this place we know, though the date 
 of its foundation can only be conjectured. That it was erected in 
 Roman Catholic times, before the Reformation, there is good reason 
 to believe. A lady, to whom more than once I have been indebted 
 for information of this kind, has furnished me with an original 
 memorandum or paper— of which the following is a copy— which 
 she states came into possession of her family more than eighty years 
 ago. It gives an account of the old chapel, and may be relied 
 upon as being authentic : 
 
 :S
 
 148 History of the 
 
 "The building, 20 yds. long, or thereabouts ; 7 yds. wide within. 
 2 Doors opposite each other in the Middle of the Building. The 
 Windows as below. [Here is givena rude sketch of an arched and 
 nuiUioned window.] The Roof supported by Crooks. 2 large 
 stone Troughs ; at each door one. A large stone Pulpit was 
 demolished when the Building was converted to its present use, in 
 the ruins of which some Beads were found. At present it is 
 occupied in 2 Cottages, the Property of Mr. Jopham, of Chester. 
 It is situate .at Lench, in the Parish of Bury and Forest of 
 Rossendale, distant from the nearest part of Brandwood about |- 
 of a mile." 
 
 Fragments of stones, bearing inscriptions, have been dug out of the 
 soil in its vicinity. The place originally may have been used as a 
 Hermitage or dwelling — an offshoot of the parent Abbey of Whalley, 
 where the Monk or Monks in charge of the property of the church 
 in this neighbourhood took up their abode ; and afterwards, as the 
 poimlation of the district began to increase, it probably was 
 adapted to the performance of Divine worship. 
 
 There is reason, if not corroborative evidence, in support of this ; 
 for it will scarcely be doubted that the ecclesiastics of those times 
 would be fully alive to the necessity of providing the means of 
 religious edification to the peo[)le in their charge, who were far 
 removed from the great centres of the imposing ceremonials of the 
 Church. We have already seen that the Abbot of \Mialley, in the 
 time of Henry HI, constructed and built a manor-house in the 
 " waste of Brendewode," and that the Manor was held in free, 
 pure, and perpetual alms freed from all charge, e.xcepting only 
 prayers and orisons for the souls of the founders and feoffors, and 
 their ancestors and heirs. True, the site of the Chapel at Rough 
 Lee was without the limits of their landed possessions in this 
 district ; but this fact does not militate against the present conjec- 
 ture. The " waste of Brendewode " was a bleak and uninviting 
 tract of country, having none of the characteristics of those 
 neighbourhoods usually chosen for the erection of religious 
 structures in past days ; and the Monks, with that unerring instinct
 
 ■r. 
 
 >
 
 Forest of Rosscndale. 
 
 149 
 
 which led than to pitch their tents in favoured localities with 
 regard to scenery, shelter, and general convenience, would not 
 fail to note the superior position of the site in question to any 
 other within their own dreary domain in Rossendale. 
 
 Thus much for Rough Lee, one of those spots of locd interest 
 of which just sufficient* is known to arouse, but not enough to 
 satisfy, the enquirer's curiosity — too little to give it a fixed habita- 
 tion in the history of the district, or determine its influence on the 
 current of events. It is like one of those spirits said to haunt old 
 homesteads : content with its own knowledge of the past, it resists 
 all prying attempts to wring from it a recital of its story. A quaint 
 old place that the imagination finds no difficulty in peopling with 
 forms of a bygone time. Such a home of the imagination it must 
 probably remain. 
 
 The Old Hall on the New Hall Hey estate, whose ivy-matted walls 
 still stand rugged and strong, is another ancient building regarding 
 the erection of which we are without documentary evidence. The 
 architecture is early Tudor Gothic. The wing of the Hall on the 
 northerly side appears to have been used as a chapel in past times 
 — a religious offshoot, it is said, of Whalley. On the removal of the 
 oak settles and wainscoating in the early part of th? present century, 
 a baptismal fount was found, and this relic is still in existence and 
 in possession of Mr. G. W. Law-Schofield, the present owner.
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 " The church of the village 
 Gleaming stood in the morning's sheen ; 
 Loud rang the bells, the crowd was assembled, 
 Far from valleys and hills, to list to the holy preaching." 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
 " I always enter this sacred place 
 With a thoughtful, solemn, and reverent pace." 
 
 — Ibid. 
 
 " These were the pranks she played among th' abodes 
 Of mortal men." — Shelley. 
 
 rr^HE Original Church (or Chapel of ease, as it was called) at 
 ■*- Newchurch, was erected in the year 1511, being the 3d year 
 of the reign of Henry VHI., and it is this circumstance that gave rise 
 to the name of tRe village. It was not made parochial, however, 
 till the 4th of Edward VI., 1550, down to which year the Castle 
 and Church of Clitheroe was the Parish Church of the people of 
 Rossendale. At that time it was in the diocese of Chester, and 
 the following note respecting it is contained in Bishop Gastrell's 
 N^otitia Cestriensis. (a) 
 
 " Newchurch in Rossendale. The Forest of Rossendale was in ye times of 
 H.[enryl 7 and H.[enry] 8 Disforrested, and ye Land was improved, soe yt 
 in 40 years time from 20 persons ye people were encreased to 1,000, who built 
 a Chap, elj for themselves and maintained a Minister. V.[idel] Deed [/«] 
 New RegJjster.'^ 
 
 " This Chap.[el,] wch is sd to belong to ye Parish of Clitheroe, from wch it was 
 12 m.[ilesj (i) distant, was made Parochial by K.[ingj Edw [ard] 6, and called 
 
 (a) Chetham Society's Publications, vol. IIL, p. 340, et. seq. 
 
 (b) Actually 14 statute miles distant, as the crow flies.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 151 
 
 by ye name of ye Chap/el] of our Saviour, wth a parcell of ground enclosed 
 wth a hedge, called ye Chap.[el] Yard, to have all Offices performed in it as 
 in any Par.[ish] Church; [The] People to maintain that Curate who is to be 
 named by the B.[ishop] of [the] Diocese. VJidel Order of -the' Dulchy 
 Court, New RegSJster.'] 
 
 "Certif [ied] 23I. los. ood., viz., 20I. Rent Charge upon Copyhold Lands, 
 part of wch being now Mortgaged is dubious; surp.'lice] fees 3I. los. 
 
 "8 Wardens. 
 
 "8 m.Liles'' from Whalley (c) ; 2 m.ries] from [the] next Ch.[apel.]" 
 
 The following note is added by Canon Raines :— 
 
 " Dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Value in 1834, £2:ii. Registers begin 
 
 in 1654. 
 
 " On the I ith of July, 1515, the Curate of ' Rossyngdale ' paid XXd. to the 
 
 Archdeacon of Chester for his admission to the Curacy, {d) 292." 
 
 The first structure was of meagre dimensions and humble in 
 character, suited to the wants and worldly estate of a scanty and 
 not wealthy people. 
 
 The following is a copy of a decree of the Chancellor of the 
 Duchy of Lancaster of the fourth year of King Edward VI., 
 decreeing the Chapel in Rossendale to have all such rights and 
 privileges as Parish Churches then had, and containing interesting 
 reference to the disforesting of the Forest. 
 
 " Whereas it appears by a Bill of Supplication of the Inhabitants of 
 Rossendale, that the Forrest of Rossendale 44 years ago or thereabouts, 
 being replenished with a few and small number of People, or in manner none 
 at that time did Inhabit other then the forresters and such other as were 
 appointed to and for the oversight of the Deer ; and that the late excellent 
 Princes and Kings of worthy and famous memory, King Henry the 7th and 
 King Henry the 8th, by the advice of their most Honble. Counsels, most 
 graciously considered, that it the Deer were taken out of and from the said 
 forrest, that then the same was like to come and be brought and applyed to 
 some good purpose, as the Commonwealth might be increased thereby ; and 
 therefore the said Kings gave in commandmt., and caused not only that the 
 said Deer should be killed and destroyed, but also, that the ground within the 
 said forrest should be letten out to such of the Inhabitants as wod take the 
 
 (e) As the crow flies, the distance is 11 statute miles. 
 (d) Lane. MSS. Vol. IX.
 
 152 History of the 
 
 same, and had made thereof to the intent the same forrest might, for the great 
 ■ increase of God's glory and the Commonwealth of this Realme, be Inhabited ; 
 and by force thereof and to that intent, the said Forrest was disforrested and 
 granted, demised and let forth, in divers sorts, some part for term of years, 
 and part to hold by copie of Court Roll, after which Leases and grants as is 
 aforesd. had and made, the said Inhabitants and takers thereof have Edified 
 and Builded houses and Tents within the said Forrest, and have inhabited 
 the same ; so that where before that time was nothing else but Deer and 
 other savage and wild beasts, there is since then, by the industry and labour 
 of the Inhabits , grown to be a very good and fertile ground; and the same 
 at this day is become very populous, and well inhabited, and replenished with 
 a great number of people.— And for as much as the Castle and Church of 
 Clitheroe, being their Parish Church, is distant 12 miles (e) from the said 
 Forrest, and the way leading between the said Parish Church and the said 
 forrest is very foule, painful!, and Hillous, and the country in the winter 
 season is so extreamly and vehemently cold, that the Children and young 
 Infants in that time of the year, being borne to the Church to be Christened, 
 £re in great peril of their lives and almost starved with cold; the aged and 
 impotent persons, and women great with child, are not able to travail so far 
 to hear the Word of God, and to learn and be instructed therein, to do their 
 duties to God and to their King ; and the dead corpses there like to Lye and 
 remain unburied, at such time as any that doth die and depart this world, for ■ 
 lack of carriage, untill such time as great annoyance do grow to the King's 
 subjects there, by reason that the said Parish Church is so far distant from 
 the said forrest and the ways so foule.— And whereas also, before this time, the 
 premises considered, the Inhabitants of the said forrest, about the space of 38 
 years past or thereabouts, at their own proper costs and charges, made a 
 Chapel of ease in the said Forrest of Rossendale. The charges of every of 
 them in the said Chapel hath been from time to time to an honest minister, 
 who hath with all diligence ministered to the said inhabitants there, in the 
 said Chapel, God's most holy Word. Also the said Chapel and the said 
 minister hath been sustained and maintained by and with the good devotions 
 and charitable rewards of the well-disposed Inhabitants of the said forrest. 
 And every of the said Inhabitants have given several sums of money, some 
 more, some less — some money, some Chattell, and some of 'em such other 
 gifts and rewards as hath been meet, requisite, and needfull, to and for the 
 intent and purpose of maintenance of the said Chapel and Minister as the 
 commodity and profit of those things given as are before remembered, have 
 sufficed to the sustaining of the said Chapel, and finding of the minister there. 
 
 ■(e) The actu.al distance, as the crow flies, is 14 statute miles.
 
 Forest of Rosseitdale. 153 
 
 The said inhabitants have of their good Devotions and Charity's borne their 
 own costs and charges, whereby there hath grown no kind of discommodity, 
 charge, or hurt, either to the King's Majesty, or to the Parson or Curate 
 of their Parish Church before mentioned ; but the same Chapel hath been 
 therewith mentained, and kept of their own several charges, costs, and 
 expences, to the better serving of God and the King, and for the Augmenta- 
 tion and increase, as well of great number of people, as of the Commonweale 
 of this Realm, in so much as Ijy reason thereof the lands within the said 
 forrest, which served before that time but only for the increase of wild beasts, 
 now not only well and substantially manured and occupied, to the increase of 
 tillage, corn, and cattle, but also to the great increase of people and 
 Christian souls ; for which there was at the time of the disforresting of the 
 forrest, not above the number of 20 persons in the said forrest, there be in the 
 said forrest at this present day, the number of 1000 young and old people ; of 
 the which people, as of their bound and humble duties, hath required the King 
 his highness, from time to time, hath been as well served in his Gracious 
 most regal affairs of his wars, as in any one place within all his highness' 
 dominions ; and for divers other great causes and considerations, the King his 
 highness, and his Council of the Dutchy of Lancaster moving. — It is ordered 
 and decreed by the Chancellor and Council of the Dutchy, that the 
 Inhabitants of the said forrest, and the Inhabitants of the Lenches, Cowpe, 
 Brandwood, Rockcliffe, Greaveclough, and Tongue, adjoining and intermingled 
 to and with the said Forrest, for the more ease and quietness, and in 
 avoiding their peril in Travell aforesd., and that God may be the better 
 served, shall from henceforth have, use, and enjoy the said Chapel above 
 specified within the said forrest, together with one parcel! of ground, inclosed 
 and invironed with a hedge, called the Chappell yard, for ever. And that the 
 said Chapel shall from henceforth be and remain for ever as a Church 
 within the Forrest of Rossendale ; so that the people dwelling and inhabiting 
 within the said Forrest and other the places above mentioned, shall and may 
 at all times hereafter assemble together in the said Chapel to hear divine 
 service, and every thing and things which now be, or hereafter shall be, set 
 forth by the King's highness, his heirs, and successors, for the service of God, 
 and his highness, and receive the most Holy and Blessed Communion and 
 supper of our Lord; and there also to receive Christendome, Matrimony, 
 Burial, and all other Sacraments and Ordinances of Holiness, and all other 
 thing and things as now be, or hereafter shall be commanded by our said 
 Sovereign Lord the King his Majestic, his heirs, or successors, to be done, 
 frequented, and used in the said Chapel, as within other Parish Churches 
 within the said County of Lancaster.— And that it shall be lawfull to and for 
 the Inhabitants aforesaid for the time being from hence forth, from time to
 
 154 History of the 
 
 time for ever, to find one able and honest Priest or Minister, tosay, set forth, 
 and minister God's most holy Word, and all the King's Majesty's ordinances 
 and Injunctions; and there to minister all Sacramts. and Sacramentalls 
 within the said Chapel, which now be or hereafter shall be appropriated, 
 allowed, and set forth by the King's highness, his heirs or successors. And 
 that it shall be lawfuU to the said Minister or Priest for the time being, which 
 shall be so found by the Inhabitants of the said forrest and other places 
 aforesd., to say and minister God's Holy Wgrd, divine service, and all other 
 the King's Majesty's ordinances, which now be or hereafter shall be set forth 
 by the King's highness, his heirs, or successors; and to minister Sacraments 
 and Sacramentalls within the said Chapel and Chapel yard in such manner 
 and form as is and shall be done and used in Parish Churches within the said 
 County of Lancaster. And that all such Infants as shall be hereafter born 
 and brought forth within the said forrest and other places before rehearsed 
 shall and may be Christened within the said Chapel by the Minister or Priest 
 there, for the time being. And that all such as shall happen hereafter to dye 
 and depart this world within the said forrest and other places aforementioned, 
 shall and may be buried within the said Chapel or Chapel yard, at the will 
 and election of the said Inhabitants of the said forrest and other places above 
 rehearsed.- And that it shall be lawful! to and for the Inhabitants of the said 
 forrest and other places above mentioned, to employ and bestow such Stock of 
 goods, Chattels, and money, together with the profits of the increase and 
 revenues of the same chattells, goods, and money as heretofore hath been 
 given and willed to go and be imployed to or for the finding of the said Priest 
 or Minister for the time being, to say and minister Divine service within the 
 Chapel aforesd. for ever, upon the said Priest or Minister which shall be 
 there found and kept for the time being. And that it shall be lawfull to and 
 for the said Inhabitants and every of them, to give goods, Chattells, and 
 money, to go and be bestowed and employed towards and for the finding and 
 maintaining of the said Priest or Minister for the time being, to be found to 
 say and minister divine service within the said Chapel for ever ; saving that 
 the parson of the parish of Rochdale and his successors for the time being 
 shall have all such profits and duties as they or any of them of right have had 
 or used to have in times past within the said forrest and other places aforesd. 
 in like manner and form as if this Decree or Order had never been had or 
 made.— And it is further Ordered and Decreed by the said Chancellor and 
 Counsel of the said Court of the Dutchy, that it shall be lawfull to and for the 
 Ordinary of the Diocese there for the time being, from time to time, when and 
 so often as any Avoydance shall be by any manner of means of a Minister, 
 able, meet, and convenient to serve the said Town, and to be minister in 
 the said Chapel, to appoint, name, and send one discreet, able, meet, and
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 155 
 
 convenient Minister to serve the said Town, and to minister in the said 
 Chapel ; and that the said Minister so appointed and sent thither by the said 
 Ordinary for the time being, shall by the said Inhabitants for the time being 
 be received, taken, and used as Minister there;, and the ministration there 
 shall have and enjoy so long as he shall be of good behaviour, conversation, 
 and usage in the ministration and serving of the said Town." 
 
 The following tradition exists concerning the original Church of 
 3rd Henry VIII. It would appear that the intention of the 
 founders was to build it on or near to the site of the old Workhouse 
 at' Mitchellfield-nook, and that the materials for the structure were 
 deposited at that place — when one morning it was discovered that 
 the whole had been transported overnight by some unseen power 
 to the hill-side on which the Church stands. 
 
 Not to be diverted from their purpose, the inhabitants again con- 
 veyed the materials to the place which they had originally fixed 
 upon, and appointed a watch to frustrate any further attempts at 
 removal. But one night as " Dogberry " slumbered at his post — 
 an enchanted sleep, probably — the unseen hands had again been 
 busy, with similar results. 
 
 A third time the materials were deposited on the chosen site, 
 and, on this occasion, three of the inhabitants appointed to 
 keep watch and ward. As these sat toasting their noses at a wood 
 fire they had kindled, an old lady, with kindly countenance, 
 coming past, saluted them with a pleasant " good e'en," at the same 
 time offering them each a share of some refreshment -which she 
 carried in her hand. This they had no sooner partaken of, than a 
 profound drowsiness overtook them, ending in a deep and protracted 
 sleep — from which in the morning they were aroused by the shouts 
 of the bewildered rustics, who came only to find that the pranks 
 had a third time been repeated. So, yielding to the decision of a 
 power which was not to be out-manoeuvred, the builders erected 
 the Church on its present site. {/) 
 
 (/) A somewhat similar legend exists in connection with the old churches 
 at Rochdale and Burnley. See Roby's Traditions of Lancashire, and also 
 Harland and Wilkinson's Lancashire Folk Lore, p. 89.
 
 156 History of the 
 
 In the year 1560, the 3d of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the 
 original building having become inadequate to the accommodation 
 of a rapidly-increasing population, was taken down and replaced by 
 a more substantial erection. This latter served for a period of one 
 hundred and ninety-three years, viz., till the year 1753, when an 
 addition was made to the structure by Mr. John Ormerod of 
 Tunstead, and Mr. John Hargreaves of Newchurch, under a 
 Faculty granted for that purpose by the Bishop of Chester. The 
 following extract from the memorial to the Bishop for the requisite 
 authority, supplies the particulars for this enlargement : — 
 
 "To THE Right Rev. Edmund, bv divine permission, Lord 
 Bishop ok Chester. 
 
 "The Humble Petition of John Ormerod of Tunstead and John 
 H.^rgreaves of Newchurch in Rossendale in the County of Lan- 
 caster, and Diocess of Chester, Gentn. 
 
 "Sheweth, that whereas through the great increase of the Inhabitants of the 
 ■Chapelry aforesaid, the Chapel of Newchurch is much too small to con- 
 tain the number of Inhabitants resorting thither for Divine Worship, and 
 several of them want convenient Seats for themselves and families in the 
 said New Church ; and therefore your Petitioners humbly pray authority 
 may be granted to them, at their own costs, to take down the East End 
 of the said New Church, and enlarge the same Eastwards in length seven 
 yards, and to build a Gallery within the same with seats therein, and a 
 convenient Staircase leading into the said Gallery from the Chapel yard, 
 and also for removing the Communion Table from the place where it now 
 stands, and placing the same at the East End of the intended new 
 Erection, with like authority to erect Seats in consideration of removing 
 the Communion Table, that is to say, to lengthen and add to the 
 pews now standing on each side of the Communion Table. And for 
 disposing of such additional Seats, and also of the Seats in the new 
 Erection, to such Persons as want the same at reasonable Rates propor- 
 tioned to the Goodness or Conveniency of the Seats, and the charge to 
 be expended in this Behalf. 
 
 "(Signed) John Ormerod. 
 
 John H.vrgreaves. 
 
 "Dated 1st January, 1753.
 
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 Forest of Rossendale. 157 
 
 " We, the undersigned, are consenting that the Petitioners have such 
 Faculty granted them, and we certify that the same will be of great use and 
 Benefit. 
 
 "(Signed) John Welsh, minister. 
 Richard Eastwood, 
 Law. Ormerod, 
 Jno. Ashworth, 
 
 Jno. Ashworth, ^ Chapel Wardens.' 
 
 Jno. Lord, 
 Daniel Eastwood, 
 James Ashworth, 
 Henry Hoyle, 
 
 A Faculty was granted for the enlargement of the Chapel in 
 compliance with this petition, with authority for the said John 
 Ormerod and John Hargreaves to sell and dispose of the additional 
 pews for the purpose, in part, of repaying the costs and expenses 
 incurred by them ; and many pews were so disposed of to various of 
 the Inhabitants. 
 
 The building becoming dilapidated, it was in the year 1824-5 
 taken down, rebuilt, and again enlarged. This is commemorated 
 on a Tablet within the building as follows : — 
 
 " This Church was enlarged and rebuilt, 182$, when 453 additional sittings 
 were provided, and 227 rendered free by means of a grant from the Society for 
 enlarging and Rebuilding Churches and Chapels." 
 
 On its consecration in 1826, the Church was dedicated to St. 
 Nicholas. Its architecture is substantial in character, with but 
 little elaboration. Its position is an elevated and pleasant one ; and 
 with the village in its rear, and the green slope of the hill of Seat- 
 naze in the background, it constitutes, when viewed from the 
 opposite side of the valley, an attractive and charming picture. In 
 the tower is a peal of Six Bells. Some years ago the Ringers of 
 Newchurch were favourably known for their precision and skill in 
 ringing the different changes, and frequent contests were held with 
 the Ringers of other towns ; but of recent years these competitive 
 meetings have not taken place.
 
 158 History of the 
 
 About Ihe date of the erection of the origuial building, a 
 beneficent widow lady, by name Lettice Jackson, vested in 
 feoffees for the use of the New Church of our Saviour in 
 Rossendale, certain lands in different parts of the district. 
 
 " An. [no] 3 H.[enry] 8, Lettice Jackson, Widow, Surrendered Land for yc 
 Use of this Chap. [el] now worth (an. [no] 171S,) 40I. p.[er] an. [num.] Only 
 20 of wch is now enjoyed by ye Curate, the Case being still depending in [the] 
 Dutchy Chamber. V.[ide] Commission of Char.[itable'\ Uses, an. [no] 1665. 
 New Reg.[istei:} 
 
 "An. [no] 1724, [The] Chanc[ellor] of ye Dutchy, wth Ld Ch.[ief] 
 J. [ustice] King and Mr Reeves, Assistants, unanimously Decreed ye Lands 
 in Question (being by Estimation 150 Statute acres) to ye Church, wth mean 
 profits and costs." (g) 
 
 "These," remarks Dr. Whitaker, "the commissioners of 
 chantries, either from their inconsiderable value at that time, or for 
 some other reason which we are not acquainted with, forbore to 
 seize upon, (an instance of forbearance never practised by them in 
 any other case), and decreed that Lawrence Ashworth should hold 
 and occupy the place of parson of the said Church. 
 
 " These lands, though some part of them appears to have been 
 lost by the neglect, or something worse than neglect, of the 
 feoffees, were valued in the latter end of the last century but one, 
 at ^50 per annum ; and form the endowment of the Chapel, the 
 most valuable curacy in the patronage of the vicar of Whalley." (//) 
 
 I am favoured with a communication from Mr. Phillips, the late 
 Rector, which satisfactorily accounts for the non-seizure of the New 
 Church lands by the Chantry Commissioners. Mr. Phillips 
 states that, — 
 
 "The lands in question were surrendered to King Henry VIII., 
 the then lord of the manor, by Lettice Jackson, the owner, to be 
 delivered again to certain Trustees for the use of herself and 
 Richard Whit worth — whom she afterwards married — and the 
 
 (g) Bishop Gastrell's Nolitia Cestriensis, Chetham's Society's Pub., vol. 
 xxi. p. 341. 
 
 (h) Hist. Whalley, 3d Ed., p. 224.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 159 
 
 longer liver of the two ; and after their decease to the use of the 
 Incumbent of New Church for ever. 
 
 " This Richard Whitworth was still living when the Chantry 
 Commission was issued : so that the lands, being at that time a 
 lay fief, were not subject to the operation of the Chantry Act. 
 
 " The original surrender mentions lands at Fryer Hill ; but as 
 no such lands are now attached to the Incumbency, it is probable 
 that these are what Dr. Whitaker alludes to as having been lost by 
 the neglect, or something worse than neglect, of the feoffees." 
 
 Canon Raines puts the matter in a somewhat different light. 
 He says : — 
 
 " Dr. Whitaker expresses some surprise that the Commissioners 
 of Chantries did not seize upon these lands ; but he appears to 
 have forgotten that Newchurch was not a Chantry, but a Chapel of 
 Ease to the Castle Church of Clitheroe, and therefore the Chantry 
 Commissioners had no power to divert the pious gift of Lettice 
 Jackson. 
 
 " In the year 1664 Thomas Sanders, Clerk, Minister of 
 Rossendale, was complainant, and Christopher Nuttall and Lydia 
 his wife, defendants, in a Plea before the Commissioners for 
 Charitable Uses. The defendants, in their answer, deny that 
 Lettice Jackson had power to give the lands in question to the 
 said charitable use ; and stated that being a suit pending in the 
 Duchy Court between James Kershaw, Clerk, Curate of 
 Newchurch, plaintiff, and John Nuttall, (father of the said Lydia, 
 wife of the said Christopher.) defendant, the same came to a 
 hearing on the 4th of May, 5th James, (1607,) and the Chancellor 
 decreed that the lands should be surrendered to the said John 
 Nuttall and his heirs, for ever, charged with twenty marks a year 
 to the said Kershaw, so long as he should be Minister there ; and 
 afterwards, that ;^2o a year should be paid to every succeeding 
 Minister who should say and read Divine Service there. This 
 decision was reversed in the year 1724. In the year 1650 this 
 Newchurch is described as a Parochial Chapelry, embracing three 
 hundred families, and being twelve miles from the Parish Church.
 
 i6o History of the 
 
 Mr Robert Dewhurst, an able Minister, ' hath no allowance at all 
 from the State but what the Inhabitants bestowe upon him on 
 their own accord.' They humbly desire that their Chapelry may 
 be made a Parish, and a competent maintenance allowed for a 
 Minister. (/) Here is no mention of the lands, which were 
 doubtless withheld from the Church at this time by the Trustees, 
 and not restored until the year 1724, which is the 'worse than 
 neglect' alluded to by Dr. Whitaker, (y) who observes that the 
 lands were valued at the latter end of last century but one, (the 
 seventeenth,) at the ;^50 per annum ; whilst Mr Baines, omitting 
 the words ' but one,' gives that as their value in the eighteenth 
 century." 
 
 This clears up an obscure point in the history of the New 
 Church. It is satisfactory to know that it was not owing to their 
 being of a comparatively valueless character, that the lands were 
 left intact. 
 
 The whole proceedings in respect to the Chantry possessions 
 were so arbitrary and unjustifiable, that we are pleased to be 
 disabused of the notion that in any one instance the King and the 
 Commissioners were disposed to act with generosity. It is quite 
 evident that exceptional causes alone prevented the possessions 
 of " the New Church of Rossendale " from being swallowed up 
 like others of a similar nature. 
 
 The following is a list of the Incumbents of the New Church, 
 from its foundation in 151 1 (k). The first incumbent mentioned is — 
 
 George Gregory. 
 Lawrence Ashworth, 1548. 
 James Kershaw, occurs 1607. 
 William Horrocks, 1622 ; died, 1641. 
 
 Armistead. 
 
 Brown. 
 
 (i) Pari. Inq. Lamb. MSS. 
 
 (i) Hist. Whalley, p. 224. 
 
 (jt) An attempt has been made, on altogether insufficient grounds, to show 
 that between Robert Dewhurst, mentioned 1650, and Thomas Sanders, who 
 was installed in 1662, another incumbent, bearing the name of Kippax, held
 
 Forest of Rosseitdale. i6i 
 
 -Moor. 
 -Davis. 
 
 Robert Dewhurst. mentioned 1650. 
 Thomas Sanders, Dec. 16, 1662. 
 Thomas Leigh, B.A., Nov. 1695. 
 
 John Welsh, July 2g, 1726. 
 
 John Shorrock, M.A., Feb. 1767. 
 
 Nicholas Rigby Baldwin, M.A., 1802. 
 
 Philip Abbot, 1825; resigned, 1833; died 1S52. 
 
 Edward Burrow, 1833. 
 
 John Bartholomew Phillips, M.A., 1850; resigned 1891. 
 
 Herbert Bury, .M.A., 1891 (the present Rector). 
 
 The late Rector, the Rev. J. B. Phillips, M.A., to who.se 
 politeness I am indebted for the foregoing list, observes that there 
 does not appear to have been any fixed Incumbent from 1641, 
 till Dewhurst was confirmed in his position by a Lambeth 
 Inquisition, held in the year 1650; but that Armistead, Brown, 
 Moor, and Davis, appear to have officiated between Horrocks's 
 death in 1641, and Dewhurst's appointment. By the Inquisition 
 referred to, it is found " that the Chapel of Newchurch in 
 Rossendale is parochial, the chapelry consisting of Dedwen 
 Clough, Tunsted, Wolfenden Booth, and part of AVolfenden and 
 Bakcop, which contain, in all, 300 families, desiring to be made a 
 parish : thatjthe minister received no allowance but what was paid 
 by the inhabitants." 
 
 This list differs in some respects from that given by Dr. 
 Whitaker in his History. With reference to this latter, Mr. 
 Phillips remarks that he has a copy of the Document from whiph 
 the Doctor seems to have derived his authority, but that evidence 
 in his possession proves this to be incorrect : amongst other proof, 
 a monogram which he found inserted in a wall of the old 
 
 the appointment at Newchurch. Further, that this said Mr. Kippax resigned 
 the living on the passing of the Act of Uniformity in the latter year, and 
 that he either formed, or had a hand in forming, the Nonconformist Church 
 in Rossendale. I have diligently searched the Registers at Newchurch for 
 the year 1662, and for many years both before and after, and can find no 
 record whatever of the name, Kippax.
 
 1 62 History of the 
 
 Parsonage at Cloughfold, put there by Horrocks in 1629. Dr. 
 Whitaker places the latter after Lawrence Ashworth, and before 
 James Kershaw, who held the benefice in 1607. But, says Mr. 
 Phillips, the Doctor always repudiated any responsibility for the 
 accuracy of things of this nature, which were forwarded to him by 
 others. 
 
 The Benefice was raised from the status of a parochial chapelry 
 to that of a Rectory in 1867, by Order in Council 
 
 In one of the Chethem Society's publications (/) is contained a 
 copy of the last Will and Testament of the first-mentioned Incum- 
 bent, or priest, George Gregory. It is exceedingly quaint, casting 
 light on the economy and habits of the early dwellers in the 
 Forest. 
 
 "THE WILL OF SIR (m) GEORGE GREGORY, PRIEST. 
 " In the name of God, Amen, sth April 1=48. I Sir George Gregore, of 
 Rossandayle within the com. of Lancaster, priest, sycke in boddye, &c. . . 
 . . To be buryd in the parish church yorde of Haslyngden. My dettes 
 taykyne uppe and payde, and my bodye extyneguseshed honestly wayket, 
 broghfurth and buryd. I bewethe to Sr. Henry Romsbotham, priest, to pray 
 devowtly for the salvatyon of my saylle, and all xpiane Ux) saylles 3s. 4d. To 
 John Pycoppe, the sone of John Pycoppe, one horse foolle. Also to 
 John Pycoppe his selphe, and Ellonr. his wyffe, one mattresse and too of my 
 best covrlettes. To Sr. Thomas Holden, priest, and Rychard Gregorye my 
 brother, all my pt. of those yves (o) wvch standyne att the Wolfenden Bothe 
 with Edmun Horsworth. To John Nuttow all my pt. of those yves wych 
 standyne with him, and 7s. 6d. of money wych is in his hande. To the wyffe 
 of Robt. Durden one holde black coverlett. To John Gregorye my brother, 
 one holde payre of blacke hoosse and one holde jackett. To George Durden 
 one leythor doblet. To the sayd Sr. Thoms Holden one holde blacke clooke. 
 To Agnes Harppe, vf my dettes be recovryde, 3s. 4d. To 4re schyldrn (j)) 
 of the afore sayd John Pycoppe, echon I2d. To the sedenayse (7) chappell in 
 Rossendayle, that the decaes yr of may be better uphuldyne and ray saylle 
 
 (/) Lancashire and Cheshire Wills and Inventories from the Ecclesiastical 
 Court, Chester, vol. li. p. igg. 
 
 (m) The title "Sir" was formerly given to clergymen who had tr\ken a 
 University degree, and it is still retained in the L?niversity rolls. 
 
 Ill) Christian. (o) Beehives. {p) Children. (g) Seat Naze.
 
 .^ 
 
 Forest of Rossendale. i6 
 
 
 
 prayde fore yr for evr 3s. 4d. ffynyally, what so evr remaynyth of my gudds. 
 &c. I bewethe it to the sayd Sr. Thomas Holden, priest, John Nuttow yema, 
 and Rychard Gregorye my brother to take the paynes to be my executors. 
 In wyttenes whereof to these presents I have subscribed my name the day 
 and yere above rehersed. Thes wyttenes Sr. Thorns Holden, curet, Rycd 
 Harppe, Olvyr Holt, Edmnd Pycoppe, and John Pycoppe. 
 
 "Sr. GEORGE GREGORYE + 
 
 " Hec sunt debita quce ego debeo. The schappell of Rossendayle 13s. 4d. 
 Edmnd Pycoppe 13s. 4d. Hec sunt debita quce iniiti debentr. John alias 
 Jenkyne Lord 30s. Perys Hey 5s. Sr. Rycrd Mychell, priest, 3s. 4d. Ells 
 Holt 2s. Henr Hey i8d. Relcta John Butterworth I2d. The chapell ryves 
 of Rossondayle 3re watrs wayges. that is to say Wyllyham Hasworth 8s. 3d. 
 John Nuttow gd. Ale.xandr Haworth, 8s. 3d. John Tattrsall 8s. jA. ob. 
 Rye Wytteworth 7s. lod. ob. Xpof Brygche 7s. lod. ob. 
 
 "The Invetorye of the gud of Sr. George Gregorye, priest, prsed with 
 Alexander Haworth, John Tattrsall, Thurston Bertwyssell, and John Pycoppe. 
 In primis, one foole los. 7 yardes of carssay gs. 4d. • 3 covrlettes 3s. fid. 
 One mattresse 2s. One holde gawne 2s. 8d. One holde clooke 2s. One 
 leyther dublet 2od. 2 holde jackettes 3s. 4d. 2 holde cappes l6d. One 
 holde sacke fid. 2 yves 6s. 8d. One holde saddell fid." 
 
 We learn from this singular Will, tliat Bees were kept in 
 Boothfold, Rossendale, during the i6th century. But though the 
 district is still favourable to the production of the finest quality of 
 honey — for this, when gathered from a heathy country, is 
 esteemed for its peculiarly rich and delicate flavour — it would 
 scarcely yield the commodity in such abundance as to repay the 
 cultivator. This, and the growing of grain, which a century ago 
 was common in Rossendale, notwithstanding the uncongenial soil 
 and climate, are a department of economy which, in this district, 
 has succumbed before the more profitable pursuits of the Woollen 
 and Cotton Manufacture and the attendant occupations to which 
 these of necessity have given rise. Where agriculture is here still 
 pursued as a source of profit, it is altogether confined to the 
 produce of the dairy, which will always command a ready market 
 in a populous and thriving neighbourhood. 
 
 In Vol. XII. of The Record Society a list is given of 
 " Contributions from the Clergy of the Diocese of Chester, 1622,
 
 164 History of the ^ 
 
 towards the recovery of the Palatinate, "C) The list is copied from 
 the private MS. ledger of John Bridgman, D.D., Bishop of Chester. 
 Under the heading, " In Blackburn Deanery," the following entry 
 occurs : — 
 
 li. s. d. 
 
 Lect. de Rossendall Mr. Kershaw -2100 
 
 The whole of the Deanery contributed the sum of ;^22 is. od., 
 and the contribution of Mr. Kershaw, who was at that time Incum- 
 bent of Newchurch, and in the last year of his incumbency, is the 
 largest in the list ; a circumstance that goes to prove the relative 
 importance of the Parish of Newchurch in those days. 
 
 In the same volume is contained " The Assessment of the 
 Clergy of Lancashire for the Ship Money, 1635, "(.v) and under the 
 heading, " Blackburn Hundred, the Taxinge of the Ministry 
 towards the Shipp of Warr," is the entry as follows ; — 
 
 Rossendale iiijs [4/-J. 
 
 The Rev. \ViUiam Horrocks was Incumbent of Newchurch at 
 that time. 
 
 (r) This has reference to the struggle to regain for Frederic, son-inlaw of 
 James I., the State on the Upper Rhine called the Palatinate. The daughter 
 of James I had married Frederic, the Prince of the Palatinate, in 1613. This 
 Prince, who was a Protestant, had been chosen King by the people of 
 Bohemia instead of their former King, Ferdinand, who was a Catholic. The 
 latter, however, raised an army and dethroned Frederic, driving him not 
 only out of Bohemia, but also out of the Palatinate. This war is called 
 "The Thirty Years War," as it lasted from 1618 to 1648, and it was in 
 prosecution of the attempt to win back the province for Frederic that the 
 special taxes above referred to were raised. 
 
 (s) The " Ship Money," as the tax for the building and equipping ships of 
 war was called, as is well known, was one of those impositions made by 
 Charles I. upon the people at his pleasure, without the sanction of Parliament, 
 and the payment of which was resisted by John Hampden, as an illegal tax, 
 but which was eventually declared legal by place-hunting and servile judges, 
 to their eternal dishonour.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 165 
 
 Of Thomas Sanders, Incumbent of Newchurch, who died in 
 1695, the following account appears in the parochial register: 
 " Tho. Sanders presbyter, Christi Dni nostri servus humihmus, 
 honestis moribus prsditus ecclesice Anglicanas pastbr vigilantissimus, " 
 artium bonarum studiossimus, in h;ic gente rustica Rossendali^, 
 per spatium i2> annorum plus minus commoratus est. Qui per 
 varios casus longo tempore jactatus deinde in patriam suam 
 nativam Com. Cest. discessit. Et ipsa hora in qua domum suam 
 ingressus est, pacificse inter familiares expiravit. Sepultus apud 
 Mag. Budworth, 9° die Nov. 1695." 
 
 At the time of the appointment of Mr Shorrock, a contest, 
 extending over a period of three years, for the right of the 
 patronage of this valuable living, took place between Dr Keene, 
 the Bishop of Chester ; the Archbishop of Canterbury ; and Mr. 
 Johnson, who was Vicar of Whalley at the time, and claimed the 
 right of presentation. The Decree of the Chancellor of the 
 Duchy of Lancaster, in the 4th of Edward VI., certainly confers 
 upon the Ordinary the right to nominate a minister ; but as the 
 original of this decree could not be found, after diligent search, the 
 Diocesan gave way to the paramount claims of the Vicar. 
 
 Extracts from the correspondence which ensued are given by Dr. 
 Whitaker from the Letters left by Mr Johnson at his decease. I 
 have taken the liberty to incorporate them in these pages. The 
 letters, apart from their Local Historical value, are models of their 
 kind, and will be acceptable to many readers. 
 
 " TO THE BISHOP OF CHESTER. 
 
 Oct. 20/I1, JJ62. 
 "Mv Lord, — I was this morning surprised with an account of 
 Mr S. being refused a license to the Curacy of Rossendale upon 
 my nomination ; for what reason I cannot conceive, since I 
 apprehend there can be no doubt of my right. It is very 
 extraordinary that there should be no claims of this kind before 
 my time, and so many since. I cannot recollect that anything has 
 been done since I became ^'icar to prejudice the rights and 
 privileges of the Rectory of ^Vhalley, but much in support of them ;
 
 1 66 History of (lie 
 
 so that, if ever the right of nomination to Rossendale Chapel 
 belonged to the Vicars of Whalley, it still remains so ; and whoever 
 the person is that pretends to a right of nomination may with equal 
 justice dispute hi's Grace of Canterbury's right of presentation of 
 the Vicarage of Whalley, and is as well entitled to the one as the 
 other. 
 
 " Not to trouble your Lordship any longer on the subject, I 
 should be glad your Lordship would do me the honour to inquire 
 into, the reasons why my Clerk has been rejected, and why my 
 antagonist is concealed from me, seeing I cannot well proceed 
 before I know my adversary, and am desirous of putting an end to 
 this dispute with all expedition, as it is a populous chapelry, and 
 the parishioners may suffer inconvenience for want of a minister, 
 tS:c., W. Johnson." 
 
 " Sir, — I have received your letter, expressing your surprise 
 that your nomination to Rossendale Chapel is not accepted, 
 because there can be no doubt of your right. In your mind there 
 is none ; but in others' there is, or you would not have met with 
 obstruction. Vou say the jberson who litigates this point with you 
 might as well litigate the Archbishop's right to the presentation of 
 the Vicarage of Whalley ; but that is not likely to be ; for it is the 
 Archbishop himself, who, on having beeii applied to by various 
 persons for the Curacy, has looked into his papers, and thinks he 
 has a right and means to prosecute it ; and why they, who refused 
 Mr S. his license, should have concealed it, I cannot tell, for it 
 was not intended to be a secret by any one. 
 
 " I must acquaint you further, that since the Archbishop has 
 entered his caveat, I have reason to think that I have some right to 
 the Chapel ; and if the arguments should prove as solid as they 
 appear specious, I shall prosecute my right against his Grace and 
 you too. 
 
 " Notwithstanding what I have said, unless I am well satisfied in 
 my own mind that my claim is well grounded, I will not create you 
 vexation and expense ; and I am sure I can venture to affirm the 
 same of my friend the Archbishop, &c., E. Chester."
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 167 
 
 " TO HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP (SECKER) OF CANTERBURY. 
 
 " May it please your Grace, — I am concerned to hear, by 
 a letter from my good Lord of Chester, that your Grace is the 
 person who has entered a caveat against my nomination to 
 Rossendale Chapel — an adversary I did not expect ; and moreover, 
 should I get clear of your Grace, his Lordship is so generous as to 
 declare that I am in some danger from him. It would have pleased 
 me better to have had less powerful opponents ; but since it 
 happens so, neither your Grace nor his Lordship will, I hope, be 
 offended at my doing my utmost in defence of what I think my 
 right. And if your Grace would honour me with your reasons for 
 opposing me, it would add to the favours received by 
 
 " W. Johnson." 
 
 "L.\MBETH. Nov. nth, 1762. 
 
 "Sir, — My reason for desiring that the Bishop of Chester would 
 not immediately license any person to serve the Cure of Rossen- 
 dale, was, that applications were made to me as Patron of it, the 
 Impropriator being thought to be such of common right, and the 
 nomination to the Chapels being expressly reserved to the Arch- 
 bishop, in the lease of the Rectory, 
 
 " I have not hitherto been able to inform myself sufficiently 
 concerning the strength of this argument : but I am very willing to 
 hear anything which you have to allege on the other side, and 
 hope a contest by law may thus be prevented ; but if it cannot, 
 your endeavours to defend your claim will give no offence to, &c., 
 
 T. Canterbury." 
 
 "May it please your Grace, — It appears that the Vicar of 
 Whalley for the time being has always nominated to the Chapels 
 within the Rectory of Whalley ; nor have any of your Grace's pre- 
 decessors, of whom I have seen several (and most of the Chapels 
 have been vacant in my time) ever made any claim. 
 
 "The nomination to the Chapels being expressly reserved to the 
 Archbishop in the lease of the Rectory, can only be intended as a 
 bar to the Lessee, who, without such an exception, might possibly
 
 i6S Histoiy of the 
 
 he entitled to the patronage hoth of the Vicarage and Chapels : but 
 by such a reservation, the Archbishop's right is secured, which 
 right by his Grace's presentation devolved upon the Vicar, he 
 being instituted and inducted to all and singular the rights, 
 privileges, &c., thereunto belonging. This I apprehend to be the 
 situation of all livings impropriate. I know no instance of an 
 Incumbent not nominating to the Cha]jels under him, except 
 where his right has been legally alienated. 
 
 " I would not presume to make the least encroachment on your 
 Grace's right ; and it gives me great uneasiness that there should 
 be any doubt, at this day, to whom the nomination belongs, &c., 
 
 \V. Johnson." 
 
 " TO THE BISHOP OF CHESTER. 
 
 " My Lord, — As, probably there may never again be a Vicar of 
 Whalley in circumstances to assert his rights, I would willingly fix 
 them on such a footing as to put them out of the power of dispute. 
 
 " If your Lordship's pretensions have no other foundation than 
 the Decree supposed to be passed in the Duchy Court, I am per- 
 suaded that the rights and privileges of the Rectory of Whalley are 
 in no danger, as that Decree contains nothing that can affect them ; 
 and for this plain reason, because neither Patron nor Incumbent 
 are parties ; and therefore nothing foisted into the Decree, by 
 artifice or iniquity, can operate so as to vest a right in your Lord- 
 ship against the Vicar. W. Johnson." 
 
 The correspondence between the disputants ended with the 
 following Letter from Dr. Keene, the Bishop of the Diocese :— 
 
 " Rev. Sir, — The contest between you and me, concerning the 
 .patronage of the Church in Rossendale, took its rise accidentally 
 from some papers being found while my officers were searching 
 into the claim of the Archbishop. 
 
 " When the different foundations of my right were drawn together 
 they did appear to me, and others whom I consulted, to be of 
 validity enough to form a pretension to the nomination of that 
 Chapel, and I then acquainted you with such my intention.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 169 
 
 " After I despaired of finding the original Decree, I stated my 
 case, and laid my materials before Mr. Wilbraham with a resolu- 
 tion either of proceeding at Law, or desisting from my claims, as 
 his opinion should direct me ; and as it is his opinion that the 
 materials I produced would not support a trial at Bar, I did 
 immediately determine to give up my pretensions. 
 
 " I should at that time have written to you and declared my 
 readiness to license your Clerk, if I had not thought it incumbent 
 upon me to enquire whether the Archbishop had still any objec- 
 tions to your nomination. 
 
 " His Grace did not with his usual exactness answer my letter. 
 On my return to town last week I waited upon him, and he then 
 apologised for not writing, from his having been making some 
 further researches into this affair, and desired I would give him a 
 little more time. 
 
 "On these facts, which I affirm to be true, I think I can vindi- 
 cate myself from the d»arge of unnecessary delay. 
 
 " Whatever others may think or say on this subject, I please 
 myself with reflecting that I neither wantonly formed my preten- 
 sions nor prosecuted them peevishly. 
 
 " I can easily conceive that a clamour may have been made, not 
 only among the Laity,, but some of the Clergy too, against a 
 Bishop endeavouring, as it may be called, to deprive one of his 
 Clergy of his right ; bjit as I have suffered in different parts of my 
 life, from my conduct having been misrepresented or mis-appre- 
 hended, I have long learnt to be content with the approbation of 
 my own mind — not indifferent, yet not over-solicitous, about the 
 precarious judgment of other men. Ed. Chester." 
 
 On candidly reviewing the whole of this singular dispute, it is 
 impossible to divest one's-self of the impression that that eminently- 
 learned and pious Prelate, Archbishop Seeker, displayed through- 
 out the proceedings a degree of illiberality, heightened by vexatious 
 and unnecessary delay, amounting to culpable negligence, such as 
 would have been unbecoming in whomsoever evinced ; but in an 
 exalted Dignitary of the Established Church, was peculiarly
 
 170 History of the 
 
 rejirehensible. The grounds for any claim on his part were trivial 
 and untenable, or at least such as might easily have been resolved. 
 And the only plea to be urged in his justification is, that 
 his time was too much occupied in the other temporal and 
 spiritual duties of his high office, to admit of liis devoting more of 
 it to the settlement of the right of presentation to the New Church 
 of Rossendale, and of at once, on his raising the question, setting 
 himself to the investigation of the measure of his right of claim to 
 the patronage ; which, seeing that it could not be supported, should 
 have been conceded with all jjromptitude, so terminating the 
 dispute in a dignified and graceful manner. Tlicre is more to be 
 said in justification of the plea of the Diocesan. His claim was 
 founded on the Decree of the Chancellor of the Duchy of the 4th 
 Edward VI., which, whether rightly or wrongly, distinctly states 
 "that it shall be lawful to and for the Ordinary of the Diocese 
 
 there for the time being to appoint, name, and 
 
 send one discreet, able, meet, and convenient Minister to ser\'e the 
 said Town, and to minister in the said Chapel." The Original of 
 this Decree, however, was not forthcoming, although it had been 
 dihgently searched for at Chester and elsewhere, and consequently 
 the privilege which it seems to confer could not be enforced, 
 even had the argument of the Vicar in his last letter been 
 untenable. With much to justify his proceeding, Dr. Keene 
 acted an honourable part m promptly relinquishing a claim which 
 he could not legally maintain. Of Mr Johnson the Vicar it is 
 impossible to speak in too high terms of praise. _ His strength of 
 character stands out in bold relief throughout the correspondence. 
 A more timid and less able man would have shrunk from 
 encountering two such antagonists, and probably have forfeited -his 
 rights to secure his peace of mind. But the worthy Vicar was of a 
 belligerent temperament, and possessed a sturdy independence of 
 soul, and he entered into the contest with a zeal and ability, 
 tempered with rare prudence, which did him infinite credit. 
 
 If reports, which to this day are current at Newchurch, are to be 
 credited, Mr. Shorrock, his ministerial office notwithstanding, was
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 171 
 
 one of those individuals, whose consciences, being somewhat 
 elastic, are disinclined to interpret, in their strictest sense, the 
 clauses of the fourth commandment : and are willing to favour the 
 notion which obtains with a large number even at the present day, 
 that the serious business of the Sabbath terminates with the service, 
 and need only be resumed when the hour of prayer returns. It 
 was his wont on favourable occasions — so runs the story — on pass- 
 ing the portals of the church at the close of the service, to dip his 
 hand into the capacious pocket of his great coat, and draw from 
 thence a football, and giving it a vigorous kick, would send it 
 spinning into the air, across the churchyard, and over the wall 
 into the adjoining field — when the youth of the village, emulating 
 the example of their pastor, would hasten away in pursuit with all 
 the impetuosity of youthful vigour. (/) 
 
 (t) On the publication of the first edition of this work, a correspondent 
 wrote censuring me for relating this incident. Whether true or not, I am, of 
 course, unable, personally, to vouch ; but certainly 1 learnt the tradition from 
 more than one source. In any case I did not tell the story in disparagement 
 of the reverend gentleman, but the contrary. The manners of the times, 
 though not less genuine, were not as straight-laced as those of subsequent 
 days. Possibly the basis of the story may be found in some such custom as 
 is narrated in a delightful book— dear to readers of scholarly tastes : 
 
 " A singular usage, long perpetuated itself at Auxere. On Easter Day the 
 canons, in the very centre of the great church, played solemnly at ball. 
 Vespers being sung, instead of conducting the bishop to his palace, they 
 proceeded in order into the nave, the people standing in two long rows to 
 watch. Girding up their skirts a little way, the whole body of clerics awaited 
 their turn in silence, while the captain of the singing boys cast the ball into 
 the air, as high as he might, along the vaulted roof of the central aisle to be 
 caught by any boy who could, and tossed again with hand or foot till it passed 
 on to the portly chanters, the chaplains, the canons themselves, who finally 
 played out the game with all the decorum of an ecclesiastical ceremony. It 
 was just then, just as the canons took the ball to themselves so gravely, that 
 Denys— Denys I'Auxerrois, as he was afterwards called -appeared for the 
 first time. Leaping in among the timid children he made the thing really a 
 game. The boys played like boys, the men almost like madmen, and all with 
 a delightful glee which became contagious, first in the clerical body, and then 
 among the spectators. The aged Dean of the Chapter, Protonotary of his
 
 172 History of the 
 
 After all, the Incumbent was only fulfilling the mandate of 
 James I., promulgated in his notorious " Book of Sports,"('0 which, 
 by the way, is said to date its inspiration from the King's famous 
 visit to Hoghton Tower, in the neighbourhood of Blackburn ; on 
 which occasion a petition was presented to His Majesty by certain 
 of his loyal subjects, complaining of the measures of the Puritans 
 in discouraging and suppressing the lawful recreations of the people, 
 and praying his Majesty to interfere in their behalf. 
 
 In connection with St. Nicholas's Church is a National School, 
 which abuts on the churchyard, and was erected in 1829-30, at 
 a cost of ;^8oo ; of which sum ^500 was contributed by Robert 
 Haworth, Esq., of Warth. 
 
 Holiness, held up his purple skirt a little higher, and stepping from the ranks 
 with an amazing levity, as if suddenly relieved of his burden of eighty years, 
 tossed the ball with his foot to the venerable capitular Homilist, equal to the 
 occasion. And then, unable to stand inactive any longer, the laity carried on 
 the game among themselves, with shouts of not too boisterous amusement ; the 
 sport continuing until the flight of the ball could no longer be traced along 
 the dusky aisles.'' — W.\lter P.\ter (Imaginary Portraits. Deiiys 
 L'Aiixcrreis.) 
 
 (11) The " Book of Sports," published by command of James I., in the year 
 1618, amongst other things, proclaimed — "That for his good people's lawful 
 recreation, his pleasure was, that after the end of Divine Service, they be not 
 disturbed, letted, or discouraged, from any lawful recreation, such as dancing, 
 either men or women ; Archery for men, leaping, vaulting, or any such 
 harmless recreation ; nor from having of May games, Whitsonales, and 
 Morice- dances, and the setting-up of May-poles and other sports therewith 
 used ; so as the time be had in due and convenient time, without impediment 
 or neglect of divine service. And that women should have leave to carry 
 rushes to the church for the decorating of it according to the old custom." 
 It is proper to add, that " He did bar from this benefit and liberty all such 
 known recusants, either men or women, as did abstain from coming to church, 
 or divine service, they being unworthy of any lawful recreation, after the said 
 Service, that would not first come to the church and serve God." The latter 
 clause is a recognition of the doctrine of Works with a vengeance !
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 173 
 
 A stone tablet, erected over the entrance to the school in 1844 
 bears the following inscription ; — 
 
 " This Tablet is erected by the Trustees of the National School to 
 commemorate the munificent GIFT OF FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS 
 for the Building thereof, by Robert Haworth, late of Warth, who died on the 
 ilth day of Dec, 1S23." 
 
 Mr. Haworth died in 1823, and by the terms of his \\'ill he 
 bequeathed the sum named to the treasurer of the Church Sunday 
 School, in Newchurch, Rossendale, and the like sum to the 
 treasurer of the Sunday School belonging to the society of the 
 AVesleyan Methodists there, to assist in building schoolrooms for 
 these religious bodies respectively. 
 
 Mr Baines in his History of the County, has confounded the 
 National with the Grammar School, at Newchurch ; the two being 
 quite distinct. The latter is situated a little below the village, and 
 bears a just reputation for the ability of its Preceptors. 
 
 " Here is a School endowed by John Kershaw, after his wife's death, (who 
 died an. [no] 1709,) wth Lands worth lol. los. p.[er] an [num.] For ye 2 first 
 years after her death, the Rents were applied by ye Feoffees to ye building 
 of a school-house, wch was finished an. [no] 171 1 ; since which they have been 
 given to ye Master, who is nominated by ye Feoffees. 
 
 " [The] Writings are in ye hands of ye Steward of ye Honour of Clithero. 
 
 " Land given to [the] School, [which] contains 30 Statute Acres. Left 
 also by John Kershaw, Sol." [v) 
 
 The School was rebuilt in the years 1829-30. A further gift of a plot of 
 land from the close adjoining has recently been made to the Trustees of the 
 Grammar School, for a playground, by John Law, Esq. of Eltofts, near 
 Leeds, (u?) 
 
 This school was endowed in lyor, by John Kershaw, of 
 Boothfold, with two small estates at Heald in Eacup Booth. This 
 fact is commemorated on his tombstone at Newchurch, as follows : — 
 
 («) Notitia Cestriensis, p. 342. 
 
 (w) ibid, Note by Canon Raines, p. 343.
 
 1 74 History of the 
 
 " In Memory of JOHN KERSHAW, of Wolfenden Booth Fold, the 
 beneficent donor of the estates situated in Heald, in Bacup Booth, for the 
 benefit of New Church Scliool. He was buried the ist of February, 1701, at 
 the age of 85 years. 
 
 " ANNE KERSHAW, his wife, was buried 4th January, 1709 : — 
 " They lived long beloved, 
 And dy'd bewailed, 
 And two estates 
 Upon one school entail'd." 
 
 It is unfortunate that these estates are not more advantageously 
 located for increase in yearly value and consequent usefulness. 
 Endowments of this character, when judiciously administered, are 
 often the instrument of conferring untold blessings on the 
 neighbourhood possessing them ; and, taken in the aggregate, they 
 form one of the distinguishing glories of a civilised and free 
 country. To no nobler purpose can wealth be devoted than that 
 of providing the appliances of education for the rising generation 
 in present and future times. 
 
 The first school under the Trust was situated at Boothfold, 
 having been built in 1701, This continued in use till 1787, 
 when it was converted into cottages (still in existence, as re-built), 
 on the erection, in the latter year, of the school at the top 
 of Bridleway; which was re-built in 1830. The last-named 
 was demolished in 1889 (a temporary iron structure being 
 used in the interval), and the new school buildings, on the 
 same site, were completed and opened in 1890, at a cost oi ^£^2200. 
 This result is largely due to the active exertions of the late 
 headmaster, the Rev. R. W. Hay, M.A. (now of Garsdon Rectory, 
 near Malmesbury). The new structure, of which Mr. Thomas 
 Bell, of Burnley, was the architect, is a vast improvement on its 
 predecessors. The style of the elevation is simple but effective ; 
 there is a handsome bell turret in the farther gable, and the 
 mullioned and transomed windows give a collegiate character to the 
 building. A new scheme was formulated by the Charity Commis- 
 sioners in 1890, under which the management of the school is 
 extended and its usefulness and popularity increased. Under this
 
 Forest of Rossendale. i 75 
 
 scheme the Foundation is administered by a governing body 
 consisting of twelve members. Six of these are representative, two 
 each being chosen by the Town Councils of Bacup and Rawtenstall, 
 and one each by the Newchurch School Board and the Council of 
 the Victoria University. The other six are Co-optative, and consist 
 of gentlemen resident in the district. Mr. T. E. Jackson, M.A., is 
 the present Head Master, his appointment dating from July, 1S92. 
 
 In addition to the foundation of the Grammar School and the 
 contribution towards the building of St. Nicholas Sunday School, 
 two other Newchurch bequests may be recorded in this place. 
 
 " Ormerod's Charity " consisted of a gift about the middle of last 
 century of ;^3oo advanced towards the building of a workhouse 
 for the use of the poor in the township of Newchurch-in-Rossendale. 
 In respect of this sum of ^^300, the yearly sum' of ;^i3 los. od., or 
 at the rate of 4J4 per cent, interest, the Charity Commissioners 
 (1830) found was paid as a charge upon the workhouse out of the 
 poor rates, and was distributed by quarterly payments of ;^3 7s. 6d., 
 principally in sums of 2s. or 2s. 6d., amongst poor persons of the 
 chapelry, not receiving relief 
 
 The other is the charity of the late Mrs. P"rances Strong, of 
 Height Side, Newchurch, who by her Will of December 4th, 1856, 
 directed her trustees to invest the sum of p^iooo out of her purely 
 personal estate, and to pay the interest thereof in money, clothing, 
 or otherwise, at their discretion, amongst deserving poor people 
 resident within Deadwenclough, in Rossendale, for ever. Such 
 distribution to take place yearly, on the thirteenth day of October, 
 being her birthday. The first trustees were the late George 
 Hargreaves, of Newchurch, and John Whitaker, late of Broad- 
 clough, Bacup. 
 
 From the date of the erection of the New Church in 15 n, to 
 the 32nd year of the reign of King Henry VIII. (1540), the 
 population of Rossendale had gone on steadily increasing. At the 
 latter date they amounted, probably, to between 600 and 700 
 souls. These were widely scattered over the district, and it soon 
 became manifest that one small chapel was insufficient for their
 
 T 76 History of the 
 
 accommodation. Measures were accordingly taken by certain of 
 the inhabitants to supply the want, and the result was the erection, 
 on Morrell Height, of Goodshaw Chapel in the year 1542. 
 
 '•Goodshaw, Certif.ped] that there is no endowment. The Inh,'ib.[itantfi] 
 allow some inconsiderable contrib.[utions,] which are ill paid. 
 
 "Divine Service [is performed] and [aj Sermon [preached] once a 
 fortnight by [the] Curate of Altham. 
 
 " Goodshaw, a Ch.ippell within Haslingden. I preach there sometimes, but 
 have nothing for my pains. Curate of HasUngden' s Accf., an. [10] 1704, V. 
 [ide] Pap. Reg. 
 
 " Served by [the] Curate of Haslingden, nn. [no] 1724. 
 
 [" There is] one Cottage belong.[ing] to [the] Chappell, let for tos. p [er] 
 an.[num] Certif.[ied] an. [no] 1725. 
 
 "8 m.[iles] from Whalley ; 2 m.[iles] from [the'' next Chap.[el]. 
 
 " Neither School nor Charities.' (;•) 
 
 "Dedicated to St Mary and All Saints. Value in 18.14, ;f>2i. Registers 
 begin in 1732. 
 
 " Goodshaw is situated in Higher Booth, and, although in the Chapelry of 
 Haslingden, is dependent upon Whalley, and not Haslingden as stated by 
 
 Baines In the year 1650 Goodshaw was returned as not 
 
 Parochial, though having seventy families, and being eleven miles from the 
 Parish Church.- It had then neither Minister nor maintenance " save one 
 Messuage and a backside worth lOs. per ann." The inhabitants desire to 
 have a Parish, and a competent allowance for a resident Minister. Pari. Inq. 
 Lamb. MSS. vol. ii. It has now a district assigned to it comprising Morrell 
 Height, where it is situated, Crawshaw Booth, Gambleside, Goodshaw, and 
 Love Clough. There is a Parsonage house, a resident Incumbent with a 
 Curate, and Schools in active operation, — all forming a pleasing contrast to 
 the gloomy picture drawn by Bishop Gastrell and the Curate of Haslingden 
 in the text, and to the still more touching and miserable picture of the 
 Republican and Puritan era." (s) 
 
 The following is of much interest to all connected with the 
 district : — 
 
 ()■) Noiifia Cestriensis. p. 331. (s) ibid, note by Canon Raines, p. 331.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. i 7 7 
 
 "A COPY OF AN OLD DEED, ENTERED INTO FOR 
 BUILDING A CHAPEL AT GOODSHAW IN THE 
 FOREST OF ROSSENDALE, IN THE 32ND YEAR OF 
 THE REIGN OF KING HENRY THE 8th. 
 
 "This Indenture, made the i6th day of December, in the 32nd 
 year of the Reign of our most Dread Sovereign Lord, Henry the 
 8th, by the Grace of God King of England and of France, 
 defender of the faith, lord of Ireland, and in earth immediately 
 under God, Supreme head of the Church of England, Betwixt 
 George Ormerod, of Crawshawbooth ; James Haworth, of the 
 same ; John Ormerod, of Gambleside, son and heir apparent 
 to the said George Ormerod; and George Ormerod, of 
 Gambleside, another of the sons of the said George 
 Ormerod, of Crawshawbooth, in the County of Lancaster, 
 Yeomen, on the one part : and Thurstan Birtwistle, of 
 the Goodshaw ; Henry Hargreaves, of the same ; Oliver Holt, of 
 the Loveclough ; and John Birtwistle, of the same, in the said 
 County, Yeomen, on the other part, Witnesseth, that it is 
 condecended, covenanted, and agreed betwixt the said parties, 
 that they shall found, Edifie, and Build one Chapel in the Honour 
 of God, our Blessed Lady, and all saints, in a certain place within 
 the forrest of Rossendale named Morrell Height, for the Easement 
 of the said parties and of their neighbours the Inhabitants of 
 Crawshawbooth, Gambleside, Goodshaw, and Loveclough, and all 
 other the King's Leige people which shall be disposed to hear 
 Mass and other Divine Service in the said Chapel, in form and 
 manner hereafter ensuing. That is to wit — First, it is agreed and 
 appointed betwixt the said parties, for and concerning the propor- 
 tion of the said Chapel, that the same shall be and contain in itself 
 in length 16 cloth yards, and in wideness 7 cloth yards, and the 
 walls of the said Chapel shall be and contain in height 3 cloth 
 yards ; and that there shall be in the said Chapel two doors of 
 Hewn Stones and three windows of Hewn Stones ; and the same 
 Chapel to be Timbered accordingly, and to be made, thacked, and 
 finished afore the first of Mari Mawdlin next to come after the day
 
 178 History of the 
 
 of the date hereof. And further it is Covenanted betwixt the said 
 parties, in form and manner following, that is to wit — The said 
 George Ormerod, father, James Haworth, John Ormerod and 
 George Ormerod, the sons, covenanteth, granteth, and agreeth, by 
 these present Indentures, to and with the said Thurstan Birtwistle, 
 Henry Hargreaves, Oliver Holt, and John Birtwisde, that they, the 
 said George Ormerod, the father, and the said Co-fellows, with and 
 towards the help and supportation as they shall happen to get 
 of their neighbours the Inhabitants of Crawshawbooth, Gamble- 
 side, Nutshaw, and Dunnockshaw, and of Wolfenden, Richard 
 Ormerod, of Wolfenden Booth, and Miles Nutton, of Rossendale, 
 shall make, stand to, and bear the Moiety of all manner of costs 
 and charges concerning the foundation and Building of the said 
 Chapel ; and in like manner the said Thurstan Birtwistle, Henry 
 Hargreaves, Oliver Holt, and John Birtwistle covenanteth, granteth, 
 and agreeth by these present Indentures, to and with the said 
 George Ormerod, the father, and his said Co-fellows, that the said 
 Thurstan Birtwistle and his said Co-fellows, with the help and 
 supportation of other their neighbours. Inhabitants of the Goodshaw 
 and Loveclough beforesaid, shall make, stand to, and bear the other 
 Moiety of all manner of costs and charges concerning the founda- 
 tion and Building of the said Chapel. And also it is agreed 
 betwixt the said parties that they shall be indifferently .... with 
 all manner of Gifts and Labours which at any time or times 
 hereafter shall be given or Bequeathed towards the foundation or 
 Building of the said Chapel by any manner of person or persons 
 above named, nor mentioned in this Indenture, if any such be. 
 And further it is covenanted, as well of the part of the said George 
 Ormerod, the father, and his Co-fellows, as of the part of the said 
 Thurstan Birtwisde and his Co-fellows, that if fortune any dissention 
 or variance to be moved Betwixt the said parties at any time or 
 times hereafter for and concerning the foundation or building of the 
 said Chapel, or any manner of costs and labours concerning the 
 same, then the said parties to be reformed, ordered, and redressed 
 by Richd. Townley, of Worsthorne, Esqr., so oft as any such
 
 Forest of Rossendale. i 79 
 
 dissention shall so happen betwixt them, and for the performance 
 of the covenants, grants, and articles covenanted, granted, and 
 declared in these Indentures, the said parties stand bounden party 
 to party by their several obligations in the sum of Twenty pounds 
 , sterling, which obligations bear date the day of the date of these 
 Indentures. In witness whereof the said parties to these Indentures 
 Interchangeably have set their seals upon the day and year above 
 written." 
 
 "(26 Augt. 1656. — A true copy of the Original Indenture 
 remaining in the hands of John Howorth, of Crawshawbooth) 
 (saving what is wanting above and could not be read.) 
 
 '' Examined by me, 
 
 " ANDR. HOLDEN." 
 
 The dimensions of the Chapel as given in the above Deed are 
 curious ; the width being somewhat out of proportion to the length 
 and height. The walls, which were only nine feet high, must have 
 been unpleasantly low, though the building inside was probably 
 open to the thatched roof. In the year 181 7-18 the Chapel was 
 rebuilt and enlarged, but the modern erection is almost as void of 
 architectural pretensions as its humble forerunner. There is room 
 for regret here, as no site in the Forest of Rossendale is better 
 adapted for displaying the architectural beauties of a Building. 
 
 In the year 1584, or 42 years after the erection of the Chapel at 
 Goodshaw, certain of the inhabitants of Rawtenstall, Newhallhey, 
 Gambleside, Loveclough, Crawshawbooth, Constablee, Oakenhead 
 Wood, and Dunnockshaw prayed to be separated from Newchurch 
 and to be allowed to betake themselves to the Church at Hasling- 
 den, or, for their ease, to the Chapel at Goodshaw, for the hearing 
 of Divine Service, and the prayer was granted, as appears by the 
 following : — 
 
 AN ORDER FOR SEPARATEING PART OF Ye FORREST OF 
 
 ROSSENDALE FROM NEWCHURCH, & BETAKING 
 
 THEMSELVES TO HASLINGDEN— 27TH YEAR OF Ye 
 
 REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZth. 
 
 " At a Commission holden at Manchester in the Collegiate Church there
 
 i8o History of the 
 
 upon Thursday, vizt. ye 29th de of ye month of Janry. in ye 27th of ye most 
 Illustrious Queen Elizth. 
 
 ( Wills Ep 
 vizt. \ Robtus N 
 
 (. Edns Hopwood 
 
 " The Act before ye Queen's Commissioners above mentioned ye day, 
 month, year & place aforesd are as followeth, vizt. 
 
 " Between Gyles Hoyle & others, Churchwardens in ye Forrest of 
 Rossendale of ye Newchurch of our Saviour, of ye one part, and others 
 Inhabitants within ye sd Forrest of ye other part. Whereas ye Churchwardens 
 by way of Information unto this Court have shewed and declared that all and 
 every the Inhabitants within the sd Forrest of Rossendale by virtue of a grant 
 or Charter from ye late most excellent Prince of famous memory King Edwd. 
 ye 6th, are bound to repair & come unto ye sd Newchurch in Rossendale 
 afores there to hear Divine Service and Sermons and Administration of ye 
 Sacraments and other ye Ceremonies of ye Church which they ought to have 
 & to be contributors alltogether for & towards ye reparation of ye sd Church 
 when & so often as need shall require. And that ye premes notwithstanding 
 certain of ye Inhabitants within ye sd Forrest have of long time & yet do 
 utterly refuse so to do, As namely Edwd Rawstorne Esq. for & in the name of 
 John Bridge of Rawtenstall, John Piccop of ye same, Crofer Bridge of ye same, 
 Thomas Piccop of ye same, Isabel Piccop widow of ye same, Thomas Tattersall 
 of ye same, John Rawstorne of ye same, Hugh Hey of ye same, tenants of 
 ye said Edwd Rawstorne. James Heap of Rawtenstall aforesaid & Henry 
 Heap of ye same. Crofer Nuttall of Newhallhey gentn, Agnes Nuttall of ye 
 same. Widow, George Ormerod of Gambleside with ye rest of ye Inhabitants, 
 George Dearden of Loveclough with ye rest of ye Inhabitants there, Dennis 
 Haworth & James Haworth of Crawshawbooth with ye rest of the Inhabitants 
 there, George Haworth of Constableigh with ye rest of ye Inhabitants there, 
 Richd Hey of Oakenhead with ye rest of ye Inhabitants there, with all & 
 every ye Inhabitants of Dunnockshaw. And therefore have prayed that in 
 consideration of ye premes ye sd parties last above mentioned & every of 
 them may by ye Authority of this Court be compelled to repair unto ye said 
 Church & farther to do in all things as ye rest of ye Inhabitants within ye said 
 Forrest and as by ye sd Charter or grant they are & stand bounden to do. 
 And whereas also ye sd Edwd Rawstorne Esquire & others ye parties above 
 named appearing before this Court have alledged for themselves. First, that 
 they are not neither ought to be bounden unto ye sd Charter or Grant as well 
 for yt ye same was procured of ye King's highness upon sinister Information 
 without their privity consent or knowledge & of their predecessors. As also 
 yt it doth bind them to many great inconveniences which they think was never
 
 Forest of Rossendale. i8i 
 
 intended agst them. Secondly, that they are far distant of & from ye sd 
 Newchurch of Rossendale & therefore ye sd parties & their predecessors both 
 before ye sd Charter or Grant was given & ever since have usually repaired 
 to ye Church of Haslingden and Chapel of Goodshaw within the sd Forrest 
 both ye which be very near unto them. Further ye said parties have alleged 
 yt if they should come & repair unto ye sd Newchurch in Rossendale they 
 could not have room & place fit or convenient for them to kneel or sit in 
 at ye time of Divine Service. And last of all that ye sd Churchwardens of ye 
 sd Newchurch in Rossendale had of late imposed upon them such exces- 
 sive Taxation of charges as in no wise they should be able 
 to bear without their great impoverishment & hindrance. And 
 therefore ye said parties have likewise prayed that they might be dismissed 
 the Court & permitted to repair to ye sd Church of Haslingden and Chapel 
 of Goodshaw as heretofore they & their predecessors have done, renouncing & 
 utterly disclaiming from all their right, interest & benefit which they either 
 had or might have in & to ye sd Newchurch of Rossendale by virtue of the 
 sd Charter or Grant for them their heirs and successors for ever hereafter. 
 Which done ye court after better & dehberate consideration of ye premes & 
 ye Allegations on both sides had & made, & especially for yt ye Inhabitants of 
 ye Booths above named have of long time been as of duty belonging to no 
 Church, but at their own liberty, whereupon many disorders both have & 
 may easily arise. And as well for ye avoiding thereof & for some other 
 Causes by them alledged & here above-mentioned & other good considerations 
 ye Court thereunto moving. Hath ordered & decreed ye day & place above 
 named. That ye sd parties shall from time to time & at all times hereafter 
 repair and go unto ye Church of Haslingden there to hear Divine Service & 
 Sermons & have administration of Sacraments and other Ceremonies of ye 
 Church in all degrees as other ye Parishioners belonging to ye sd Church of 
 Haslingden if ye sd Parishioners of Haslingden will permit em so to do, doing 
 all duties to ye sd Churche as ye rest of ye Inhabitants within the sd Parish 
 do. Saving yt they or any of them may for their more ease repair unto ye sd 
 Chapel of Goodshaw for hearing of Divine Service only for so long & till such 
 time as further Order be taken either by ye sd Court or other sufficient for & 
 concerning ye premes & that neither ye sd Inhabitants above named or any of 
 them their heirs or successors Inhabitants within ye sd places above mentioned 
 shall at any time hereafter Claim use or have any ease or benefit of in or by 
 ye sd Newchurch of Rossendale, neither have any access or repair unto ye 
 same for hearing of Divine Service or for ye Administration of Sacraments 
 or other Ceremonies of ye Church without ye lycense and free consent of ye 
 Churchwardens of ye same. Moreover it is Ordered & Decreed that 
 Thomas Bridge and Charles Whitakerof Rockcliffe their heirs & successors
 
 1 82 History of the 
 
 tenants to Mr. Edwd Rawstorne in Rockliffewood aforesaid shall for ever 
 hereafter be as Parishioners & belong unto ye sd Newchurch of Rossendale & 
 yt ye sd Thomas Bridge and Charles Whitaker shall either of them pay or cause 
 to be paid to ye Churchwardens of ye Newchurch of Rossendale for & towards ye 
 reparation of ye same four years rent, ye one half thereof at ye feast of St 
 Michael the Archangel next & ye other half at ye feast of St Michael ye 
 Archangel next ensuing. In consideration whereof ye sd Churchwardens of 
 ye sd Newchurch of Rossendale shall presently appoint & assign unto ye sd 
 Thomas Bridge and Charles Whitaker such fit convenient room & places to 
 sit in at ye time of Divine Service within ye sd Church, as shall be decent & 
 meet for their calling. Provided always yt ye Order for ye Assignment of 
 forms & stalls within ye sd Newchurch of Rossendale to certain Inhabitants 
 there heretofore by authority from this Court set down by Mr. Richd 
 Midgley, Clerk, Vicar of Rochdale & Lawrence Nuttall Gentln & exhibited 
 into this Court under their hands in writing, shall be and remain in force & 
 take its full effect, this present order or anything therein contained to ye 
 contrary notwithstanding. Provided alsoe that this present order & decree 
 shall in nowise touch or be prejudicial! to Impeach hurt hinder or contrary to 
 ye true Intent and meaning of ye sd Charter or Grant or anything matter or 
 clause therein specified intended set down or declared.'' 
 
 In the early years of its existence, the Church, as already stated, 
 was served by the Curate of Haslingden, there being no settled 
 minister in charge. The Rev. Mr. Uttley, was appointed to the 
 Curacy about 1730, and ministered there for over forty years. Prior 
 to the erection of St. John's Church, Bacup (A.D., 1788,) Mr. 
 Uttley officiated both at his own place of worship and every 
 alternate Sunday at Bacup, preaching and baptizing in the old 
 schoolroom which stood on the site of the present Mechanics' 
 Institution. 
 
 It is not very clear who succeeded to the Curacy, but there is 
 still in existence an interesting document (t) which throws light 
 upon the subject. This is to the following effect : — 
 
 " Know all men by these [presents] that I, Richard Ortt, of 
 Bury, in the County of Lancaster, schoolmaster, am held and 
 firmly bound to John Holt, James Hargreaves, Richard Saunder- 
 son and Joshua Townsend, of Goodshaw, yeoman, in the sum of 
 
 it) In the possession of \V. S. Weeks, Esq., solicitor, Clitheroe.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 183 
 
 two hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain, to be paid 
 to them or their certain Attorneys, Executors, Administrators or 
 Assigns, for which Payment well and truly to be made I bind 
 myself, my Heirs, Executors and Administrators firmly by these 
 Presents, sealed with my seal and dated the Eleventh day of 
 September in the twenty-first year of the reign of our Sovereign 
 Lord George the Third, by the grace of God of Great Britain, 
 France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, and so forth, 
 and in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and 
 Eighty One. 
 
 " Whereas the Inhabitants of Goodshaw Chapelry intend to 
 raise the salary of the said chapel from its present salary of twenty- 
 six pounds and fifteen shillings per annum, to forty pounds 
 exclusive of the Fees accruing from the Performance of Parochial 
 Duty, in order to induce a Clergyman to reside amongst them and 
 teach a school there upon such a plan and on such conditions as 
 shall hereafter be agreed upon. Now the Conditions of the above 
 written Obligation is such that if the above-bounden Richard Ortt 
 shall be nominated and ordained to the Curacy of Goodshaw 
 aforesaid, and the said curacy shall be augmented to forty pounds 
 per year by the inhabitants thereof exclusive of the Fees above- 
 mentioned within twelve months from the date hereof. And if at 
 or before the expiration of the said twelve months the said Richard 
 Ortt shall become a resident Clergyman and Schoolmaster there, 
 or shall decline, give up and resign the said Curacy at the 
 expiration of the said twelve months or at any time after he 
 becomes resident, or happen to die within or after that time, then 
 this Obligation shall be void otherwise it shall be and remain in 
 full force and virtue in the law." 
 
 Whether Mr. Ortt became the Minister, however, and, if so, how 
 long he remained at Goodshaw, is uncertain. 
 
 The Benefice is a Perpetual Curacy in the gift of the Trustees of 
 William Hulme, called the " Hulmeian Trustees." The Vicar of 
 Whalley was formerly the patron.
 
 184 History of the 
 
 The following are the names of the Incumbents or Vicars since 
 the year 18 14, as they appear in the Baptismal Register: — 
 
 Rev. George Haworth, 1814; died November 5, 1836. 
 
 Rev. E. B. Allen, 1836 ; removed to Bacup, June, 1839. 
 
 Rev. Henry Howorth, 1839 ; removed to Rawtenstall 1847. 
 
 Rev. James Bell, 1848 ; died March 4, 1854. 
 
 Rev. John Howard, 1854 ; died September 28, 1887. 
 
 Rev. Abraham Spencer, M.A., 1887 : removed to Hashngden, 
 
 1892. 
 Rev. Alfred Bedson, M..\., 1892 ; the present Vicar. 
 
 Down to about 1850, Goodshaw was a Chapelry under the 
 Chapelry of Haslingden. 
 
 A new Church, dedicated to St. John, has been erected at Sunny- 
 side, Crawshawbooth, and in connection with the church at 
 Goodshaw. In addition to giving the site. Lord Crawshaw has 
 contributed ^^3,000 towards the structure, and ^1000 to the en- 
 dowment. The building is a handsome one in the late decorated 
 style, consisting of nave of five bays, north and south aisles, 
 chancel and transcepts. On the north side of the chancel is the 
 tower, 23 feet square at the base and 122 feet in height to the top 
 of the pinacles. The Church has accommodation for 604 
 worshippers. 
 
 In the returns made to Parhament in 1786, it is stated that Sam- 
 uel Mills gave to the poor of Goodshaw money producing ^-X) ^ y^^""' 
 The only information which the Charity Commissioners in 1830 
 were able to obtain relating to this charitable gift was from James 
 Hargreaves, Esq., who stated that his uncle, the Rev. John 
 Hargreaves, to whom he was executor, with his brother Colonel 
 Hargreaves, told him that there was in his hand ;^2o, left for the 
 poor of the Chapelry in Goodshaw, but that it was not known by 
 whom it was given. Since the death of his uncle, he had 
 considered himself answerable for this sum ; and he stated that he 
 had given away in charity to poor persons of Higher Booth, in 
 which the Chapel of Goodshaw is situated, upwards of 20s. yearly.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " God's lowly temple ! place of many prayers ! 
 
 The sight of thee brings gladness to my heart; 
 
 And while beneath thy humble roof I stand, 
 
 I seem to grasp an old familiar hand, 
 And hear a voice that bids my spirit start." 
 
 — Robert Nicoll.— " The Village Church." 
 
 A N interval of 246 years elapsed between the foundation of All 
 ■^-^ Saint's Church, Goodshaw, (a.d. 1542) and that of St. John's, 
 Bacup, which was the next Episcopal Chapel built within the Forest of 
 Rossendale. Previous to the erection of the latter, the Inhabitants 
 of Bacup who were so disposed, attended St. Nicholas's Church, at 
 the Village of Newchurch, and a footpath, still in existence, which 
 crosses the hills from Heald, passing Doals and Hayslacks, through 
 the Broadclough estates, by Tewitt Hall, Winder Gate, and Acre 
 Hill, through Edgeside and Bridleway, yet bears the name of " Th' 
 Kirk Gate," as being the path usually travelled by pedestrians 
 going to the New Church. .Another " old gate " led from Sharney- 
 ford, past Heap Farm and Th' Owd \\"hoam, down by Flowers 
 and Laneside, Greensnook, Lane-Head Lane, through the river 
 opposite the old school in Bacup-fold, along Newgate, up Bankside 
 Lane, right on past Th' Hile and thence by way of Boothfold to the 
 Church. 
 
 The distance being considerable, and much inconvenience 
 resulting from conveying the dead so far over irregular and 
 exposed tracks ; and, ' moreover, the population continuing 
 greatly to increase, the principal inhabitants of Bacup and
 
 1 86 History of the 
 
 its vicinity, took the necessary steps for erecting a Chapel of Ease 
 within the Town. The sanction of the authorities was obtained 
 on the stipulation that a proportion of the dues accruing to such 
 chapel should be paid to the Incumbents of Newchurch. It is 
 estimated that during the time this arrangement continued in effect, 
 a sum of upwards of jQi^oo was handed over to Newchurch, as its 
 proportion of the fees. 
 
 On the i6th of August, in the year 1788, St. John's, Bacup, was 
 consecrated by Dr. Cleaver. Bishop of Chester. The land on 
 which the Church is built was given by John \\'hitaker, Esq., of 
 Broadclough. 
 
 The old School which formerly stood on the site of the 
 Mechanics' Institution, though originally belonging to the Baptist 
 denomination, was latterly used as an Episcopal place of worship 
 prior to the erection of St. John's, and, as before-mentioned, the 
 Rev. Mr. Uttley, the Clergyman residing at Goodshaw, ofificiated 
 therein every alternate Sunday. 
 
 The National School was built by subscription, in the year 
 1829. Mrs. Heyworth, of Willow Cottage, who died in her 93d 
 year, gave ;^6o towards that object, and a few other of the 
 principal residents in the town and district, ;^5o each. 
 
 The Trustees, who were originally the Patrons of the Church, 
 guaranteed ;;^8o per annum to the Minister in addition to his 
 proportionate share of the dues. The income derived from the 
 sittings, at the beginning of the century, amounted to about ;^i2o 
 per annum, and the balance of £,/^o remaining after paying the 
 salary of the Incumbent, was spent in defraying the other 
 expenses of the church. A charity sermon was preached once 
 every second or third year, and a collection made in support of the 
 School, which was originally held in the old building referred to 
 above. 
 
 The Rev. Joseph Ogden was the first Incumbent. He came 
 from Sowerby in Yorkshire, to which place he eventually returned 
 after spending several years of usefulness 'at Bacup. The reason of 
 his leaving Sowerby and returning thither again, is stated by his
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 187 
 
 friend the Rev. James Hargreaves, Author of the " Life of John 
 Hirst," in.an interesting autobiography which he has left behind 
 him in MS. 
 
 It appears that " complaints were lodged with the vicar of 
 Halifax, who had the gift of Sowerby, that Mr. Ogden was too 
 Methodistical, on which grounds he had orders to quit. A very 
 large proportion of the inhabitants were greatly grieved, and 
 obtained from Mr. Ogden a promise that whenever they could 
 succeed in making way for his return, he would come amongst 
 them again. The vicar died, another succeeded, and the applica- 
 tion was made. The new vicar having another living, namely 
 Ripponden, vacant, appointed Mr. Webster of Sowerby to that, 
 and made way for Mr. Ogden's return, who, considering the 
 inviolability of his promise, left all the dear connexions he had 
 formed at Bacup. He spent the remainder of his life at Sowerby." 
 
 The following estimate of his character and abilities is given by 
 the same writer : — 
 
 " Mr. Ogden came to Bacup when under thirty years of age. 
 He was a man of slender talents as a preacher. His voice was 
 rather feminine, and his delivery uninviting ; and when in great 
 earnest and vehement, which was very frequently, his voice rather 
 approached towards a scream. He was very timid, and often on 
 the Lord's-day morning, or at noon, would conceive that the 
 subject he had prepared was improper, and he would then take 
 another text, and throw himself upon the mercy of the moment. 
 It cannot, therefore, be any matter of wonder if his sermons were 
 often crude and incoherent ; but his piety, his devotion, and his 
 evident desire to do good, more than compensated for these 
 defects." 
 
 After Mr. Ogden's removal an interval of about 18 months 
 occurred, during which period there was no settled minister, the 
 service being conducted by strangers. 
 
 The Rev. William Porter, who was from Cumberland, and 
 became the resident Clergyman in 1796, officiated several times as 
 a supply, and the congregation at that time having the power of
 
 1 88 History of the 
 
 selection, chose him as their minister. His salary amounted to a 
 fixed sum of ^80 per annum, raised from the seat rents, and he 
 had the proportionate share of the fees in addition. 
 
 The Burial fees were, — Seven years of age and upwards, 4s. lod. 
 each. IS. 8d. out of this was paid to Newchurch, the Incumbent 
 of St. John's received is. 6d., his Clerk 2d., and the Sexton is. 6d. 
 Under seven years of age 3s. each, is. to Newchurch, lod. to 
 St. John's Incumbent, 2d. to Clerk, is. to Sexton. 
 
 The Baptismal fee was lod. each. 5d. to Newchurch, 4d. to 
 the Incumbent of St. John's, and id. to the Clerk. No marriages 
 were solemnized here until the year 1837. Previous to that time 
 Newchurch had the monopoly in this respect, so far as Bacup was 
 concerned. 
 
 The Parsonage was built by the congregation about 1805, 
 during the Incumbency of Mr. Porter, and in order to augment 
 his income the congregation also subscribed and purchased the 
 farm called INIeadowhead near Gambleside, worth, at that time 
 ;^4o per annum, which they presented to him. An endowment 
 of ;^2o per annum was also obtained from Queen Anne's Bounty. 
 About the same period, James Lord of Greave, at his death, made 
 provision for the payment of ^2 annually to the Incumbent of St. 
 John's on condition that he should preach a sermon in the church 
 on St. Andrew's day (Nov. 30) in each year. 
 
 The year before his death, which took place on May 4th, 1839, 
 Mr. Porter obtained the services of a curate, the Rev. Robt. K. 
 Cooke, to whom he paid one half of his stipend. 
 
 Mr. Porter was a laborious, earnest, and popular preacher, 
 having a richly stored and ready memory. Not fond of formality 
 and show, he yet exhibited certain peculiarities of character which 
 attracted observation. " The entire tenour of his holy conversation 
 marked him as a man of God ; while his arduous, persevering, 
 long-continued, but unwearied work of faith, and labour of love, in 
 connexion with his patience of hope, showed that he was a painful, 
 that is, a pains-taking minister of Jesus Christ. While his 
 appearance and character were those of a Patriarch, his work and
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 189 
 
 labour were those of an Apostle." {a) Mr. Porter, who was nearly 
 80 years of age at his death, was 42 years Incumbent of St. John's. 
 The Church, during his ministry, was crowded to excess with 
 attentive hearers. The esteem in which he was held by his 
 townsmen of all denominations was sincere and universal. 
 
 After Mr. Porter's death, the living was sold to the Hulmeian 
 Trustees, (jb) in whose hands the gift of the benefice rests. 
 
 The Rev. E. B. Allen was the 3rd Incumbent ; he came in June 
 1839, and left in March or April 1849. His successor, the Rev. 
 Benjamin Tweddle, came in 1850 and died April ist, 1858, at 
 Lytham, whither he had gone for his health, being succeeded by 
 the Rev. J. F. Brindle, M.A., who left in 1877. The Rev. Arthur 
 Phillips, M. A., the present Vicar, was appointed in the latter year. 
 
 After Mr. Porter's death, and down to that of Mr. Tweddle, the 
 church was assisted by eleven curates in succession, whose salaries 
 were paid by the Church Pastoral Aid Society. 
 
 (n) Sermon on the occasion of the death of the Rev. William Porter, of 
 Bacup, preached by the Rev. James Knight, A.M., of Sheffield. 
 
 (i) The following account of the origin of the Hulme's foundation, is from 
 the " History and Directory of Mid-Lancashire." 
 
 " William Hulme, Esq., of Kearsley, in Lancashire, by his will, dated the 
 24th of October, 1691, devised his lands and tenements in Heaton-Norris, 
 Denton, Ashton-under-Lyne, Reddish, Manchester, and Harwood, in this 
 county, to certain trustees and their heirs for ever, in order that the yearly 
 rents might be distributed in equal proportion? to four of the poorest 
 Bachelors of Arts in Brazenose College, Oxford, who should resolve to 
 reside there for the four succeeding years after such degree had been taken, 
 the nomination to be approved of by the Warden of the Collegiate Church, 
 Manchester, the Rectors of the parish churches of Prestwich and Bury for the 
 time being, and for ever. In the loth year of the reign of George lU., an 
 Act of Parliament was passed enabling the trustees to grant building leases 
 of the estates, and to increase the number of exhibitioners ; and in the 35th 
 year of the same reign, an Amended Act was passed, empowering the said 
 trustees to make such allowance to each exhibitioner, as they should think 
 reasonable, provided it did not exceed ;^ioo. 
 
 " In the 54th year of the same king's reign, another Act was passed, by 
 which the trustees were enabled to provide exhibitions, and found a divinity 
 'ecture, and to pay to the lecturer the sum of ^150 a-year; and such was
 
 190 History of the 
 
 In the year 1837, Bacup was made a Consolidated Chapelry, 
 with the provision that on the death of the then Incumbent of 
 Newchurch, the Rev. Edward Burrow, the fees payable thereto 
 should cease. 
 
 Upwards of 7000 interments had taken place in the Churchyard 
 of St. John's, to the date of its being closed in 1863. 
 
 About twenty-five years ago, during the Incumbency of the Rev. 
 J. F. Brindle, the building having become dilapidated and unsafe, 
 an attempt was made to obtain subscriptions for the erection of a 
 new Church on a site a short distance away from the existing one. 
 The effort, however, resulted in failure, and although the founda- 
 tions of the proposed new structure were actually laid, they had 
 ultimately to be abandoned. More recently in 187 1, the roof of 
 the building fell in. The Rev. A. Phillips having become Vicar 
 in 1877, a subscription was set on foot, and this proving successful 
 the old walls were taken down and the present handsome Church, 
 at a cost of ;^i 5,000, erected on or about the original site, was 
 
 the increase in the value of the estates that they (the trustees) were enabled 
 to allow the sum of £220 a-year to each exhibitioner, provided he resided 
 in the college from the beginning to the end of Michaelmas term, unless 
 specially permitted to leave ; and they were also empowered to purchase 
 houses, lands, &c., to the amount of ;^5ooo. It was further enacted that the 
 trustees should be one body politic and corporate, by the title of ' The 
 Trustees of the estate devised by William Hulme, Esq.,' and might use a 
 common seal, on which should be engraved the coat of Arms borne by the 
 said William Hulme, and round which should be inscribed the words, 
 ' SigiUum Hulmianum.' 
 
 " In 1826 the accumulated funds which had arisen from the surplus rents 
 and profits, seem to have amounted to £42,203 os. 4d., and the annual 
 dividend produced the sum of ;£3,828. The trustees were subsequently 
 authorised to apply part of the accumulation to the purchase of Advowsons of 
 Livings, and to present thereto the exhibitioners on the foundation ; the sum 
 paid for the purchase of any one advowson or right of patronage not to 
 . exceed ;f70oo; and they are also allowed to expend to the amount of ;£70o 
 in the erection of a suitable parsonage for the incumbent. An exhibitioner, 
 to be eligible, must have taken his degree of Bachelor of Arts in the 
 University of Oxford, and have entered into holy orders."
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 191 
 
 completed in 1883, and consecrated on June 21st of that year. 
 
 It will be proper here to bring together a few particulars of the 
 other Churches in the district. 
 
 St. Mary's Church, Rawtenstall, was consecrated in 1S38, having 
 been built by public subscription at a cost of ;^2,300. The late 
 Henry Hoyle, of Newhallhey, gave ^1,000 towards the endow- 
 ment, and presented the Rev. William Whitworth, M.A., to the 
 living. For a period of forty years, but little was done here by 
 way of Church extension ; but on the advent of the present Vicar, 
 the Rev. J. Norris, M.A., a new order of things was instituted. 
 The Church has been enlarged and many internal improvements 
 carried out. The tower has been removed to the south-west, 
 completed, supplied with a peal of eight bells and large clock with 
 four illuminated dials. The total cost of this was ;^6,943. 
 
 New schools have been provided, the large one capable of 
 accommodating 1,100 day scholars, serving as a concert room and 
 public hall ; it can seat 2,000 people. Underneath this are an 
 institute, parish-room, reading-room, and kitchens. There are 
 also covered and open playgrounds. The premises cover 4,000 
 square yards, 2000 of which were given by G. W. Law-Schofield, 
 Esq. They were opened in 1884, and the cost was ;^6,2i2. 
 
 In 1886 a vicarage was erected at a cost of ;^2,i40, exclusive of 
 the gift of 2,406 square yards of land by the late H. H. Hardman. 
 A new infant school was built at the cost of 'pf 874 at Constablee, 
 and a site for an intended new Church there, St. Paul's, has also 
 been procured. 
 
 There are over 350 communicants, 1,200 Sunday School, and 
 900 day scholars. All this progress of recent years is the result of 
 indefatigable work, the moving spirit being the Vicar. The follow- 
 ing is a list of the Incumbents or Vicars since the foundation : — 
 
 Rev. Wilham Whitworth M.A., 1838, left 1847. 
 Rev. Henry Howorth, M.A., 1847, left 1869. 
 Rev. William Whitworth, M.A., (second time) 1869, left 
 1878. 
 
 Rev. J. Norris. M.A., 1878, the present Vicar.
 
 T92 History of the 
 
 The Trustees of the Church are James Maden Holt, G. W. 
 Law-Schofield, Edmund Lord, Richard Hoyle Hardman, and 
 George Hardman, Esquires. 
 
 Tunstead Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was built 
 through the efforts of the late Robert Munn and late George 
 Ormerod, and was opened by License in the month of November, 
 1840. Consecrated September 29, 1841. The Trustees of the 
 living are the Bishop of Manchester, the Chancellor of the Diocese, 
 James Maden Holt, Esq., and the Heir of the late Frank Ormerod, 
 Esq. 
 
 The following have been the Incumbents or Vicars since its 
 foundation : 
 
 Eev. Francis Kirkpatrick, M.A., Trinity College, Dublin, 1841, 
 left in 1846. 
 
 Rev. WiUiam Singleton, M.A., 1846, left in 1851. . 
 
 Rev. John G. Haworth, 185 1, left 1889. 
 
 Rev. John Falconer, present Vicar, 1889. 
 
 In 1858 a District was assigned to this Church. 
 
 There are large modern schools connected with the Church, in 
 which an endeavour is made to keep abreast of the educational 
 requirements of the day ; there is cooking for the girls and manual 
 instruction for the boys. The Vicar has also succeeded, largely 
 through the generosity of J. W. Lloyd, Esq., and J. H. Maden, 
 Esq., M.P., in establishing a cottage accident hospital in the 
 village. 
 
 Lumb was constituted an Ecclesiastical district, and its 
 boundaries defined, by an Order in Council dated 24th February, 
 1846. The corner-stone of the church was laid on the 29th of 
 September, 1847, by John Hargreaves, Esq., of Blackburn, who 
 gave the site for the church and burial ground. A plate bearing 
 the following inscription was placed in the stone : " Gloria in 
 Excelsis. The corner-stone of this Church dedicated to the 
 worship of the triune God, by the name of St. Michael's Church, 
 Lumb, was laid on the 29th day of September, a.d., 1847, by John
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 193 
 
 Hargreaves, Esq., of Newchurch and Blackburn. Ralph Kinder, 
 Incumbent ; Joseph Clarke, Architect." 
 
 The Church was consecrated by Dr. James Prince Lee, first 
 Bishop of Manchester, on Saturday, December 9th, 1848, and 
 pursuant to Act of Parliament, 6 and 7 Vict. Cap. 37. Lumb then 
 became a new parish for all Ecclesiastical purposes. 
 
 The structure of the Church is Early Norman in style, with 
 central tower, and has sitting accommodation for about 400. The 
 bell was cast at the Irish Bell Foundry, Dublin, by John Murphy, 
 and weighs, with clapper, 4 cwt. i qr. 19 lbs. It is cast to the 
 note E natural, giving the option of two key notes, viz. : G or A, 
 if at any time a peal should be required. Under Act 31 and 32, 
 Vict. C. 117, the parish of Lumb became a (titular) vicarage, 31st 
 July, 1868. The benefice is in the patronage of the Crown and 
 Bishop, alternately, the first Incumbent being appointed by the 
 Crown. 
 
 The Incumbents or Vicars since the erection of the Church are 
 as follows : — 
 
 Rev. Ralph Kinder, 1846, left 1873. 
 
 Rev. James Wilkie Baron, M.A., 1873, left 1877. 
 
 Rev. Robt. Alexander McKee, M.A., 1877, left 1882. 
 
 Rev. Francis Hall Lockett, M.A., 1882, (present Vicar.) 
 
 The National School in connection with the Church was erected 
 in 1870, and opened 21st January, 1871, by Dr. James Eraser, 
 second Bishop of Manchester. The vicarage house was built in 
 1877. 
 
 The Parish of Christ Church, Bacup, which contains about 1,000 
 acres, was formed out of the parish of St. John's, and occupies part 
 of the ancient parishes of Whalley and Rochdale. 
 
 The Church was erected at a cost of about ;^3,ooo, left by the 
 late James Heyworth, of Rosehill, Bacup, and was consecrated 
 14th August, 1854, by Dr. Lee, Lord Bishop of Manchester. It 
 is in the Early English style of architecture, and possesses chancel, 
 with choir stalls, nave, north and south aisles, porch, and a square
 
 194 History of the 
 
 massive tower at the south-west angle, which contains six bells. 
 Commodious schools, with class-rooms and teacher's house, for 
 day and Sunday school purposes, were erected in i860. There is 
 also a good vicarage house. The living is in the gift of five 
 Trustees. 
 
 The Rev. John McCubbin was appointed first Incumbent, and 
 held the benefice until his death, 26th November, 1888. The Rev. 
 John Smith Doxey, present Vicar, was nominated by the Trustees, 
 1 5th December, 1888. 
 
 St. James's Church, Waterfoot, was opened by Licence, on 
 October 23, 1863, and consecrated by the Lord Bishop of 
 Manchester, on Thursday, November 23, 1865. The building 
 was erected by public subscription at a cost of nearly ;^5ooo, the 
 principal contributors towards the erection being the late James 
 Crabtree, of Newchurch, George Hargreaves, J. P., and Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Munn, J. P. The Patronage is vested in the Trustees. 
 There are 603 sittings, of which 324 are free. 
 
 The following is a list of the Vicars since the foundation : — 
 Rev. Robert Smith, M.A. 1865, left 1873 ; Rev. Alexander James 
 Harrison, B.D. 1873, left 1885, Rev. Charles Wesson, M.A. 1886, 
 the present Vicar. 
 
 St. Saviour's Church, Bacup, was consecrated by the Lord 
 Bishop of Manchester, on Monday, January 23rd, 1865. The 
 building, which is an elegant Gothic with spire at the east end, was 
 erected at the sole cost of James Maden Holt, Esq., M.A., of 
 Stubbylee, who is the Patron. The Rev. W. Whitworth, M.A. 
 was the first Vicar, and on his resignation in 1869, was succeeded 
 by the Rev. Wm. Johnson, M.A., the present Vicar. 
 
 The Church contains a Baptistery for the immersion of adults. 
 This is sunk in the middle of the chancel, and covered by 
 ornamental grating on a level with the floor. 
 
 For several years prior to the erection of the Church, divine 
 service was conducted in the upper room of the School ; which, 
 with the Parsonage, in the immediate vicinity, were built by the 
 some munificent patron.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 195 
 
 The Church at Edgeside, dedicated to St. Anne, was built in 
 1S85-6, the greater part of the cost being defrayed by Captain 
 Charles Patrick, who also gave the land and a site for the 
 Vicarage, in memory of his wife, Mary Anne, the younger daughter 
 of Mr. John Ashworth, of Cloughfold, (a native of Rossendale and 
 a descendant of the old family of the Ormerods of Whitewell 
 Bottom and Edgeside), a lady deservedly esteemed for her chari- 
 table disposition to the poor, and many amiable qualities. 
 
 The Church contains 350 sittings, all free. The cost was 
 nearly ^^4,000. Generous contributors were Mr. and Mrs. R. C. 
 Turner, Mrs. M. A. Royds, Mr. H. H. Bolton, Col. Hargreaves, 
 and Mr. John Bolton, the Lord Montague and Exors. of the 
 Duke of Buccleugh, the Manchester Diocesan Church Building 
 Society, and others. It was consecrated the ist August, 1886, 
 by Bishop Frazer, who gave ^20 to the Endowment Fund, which 
 consisted of a donation of ;^ 1,3 00 by Captain Patrick, and a like 
 sum by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. 
 
 The Schools had been opened in 1873, and licensed for divine 
 service also by Bishop Frazer. The land for the site was given by 
 Captain and Mrs. Patrick, who largely contributed to the Building 
 Fund. 
 
 The patrons are the Bishop and Rector of Newchurch, ex-officio, 
 and three others, the Bishop and the other Trustees having the 
 presentation alternately. The first and present Vicar is the Rev. 
 J. Cross-Jones. 
 
 The Church of St. John the Divine, at Cloughfold, in the style 
 of the 14th century — the early Transitional period — consists of 
 chancel, nave, transepts, with clerestory, and was built by public 
 subscription at a cost of ^^5,500, of which ;^2,ooo were given by 
 Mrs. Alice Anne Rushton, of Bowden, ;^5oo by Messrs. Jas. H. 
 Ashworth and Co., ;^25o by Messrs. Brooks and Brooks, ^100 
 by Mr. H. H. Bolton, and ;^ioo by the late Mr. Jas. Rushton. 
 The Diocesan Church Building Society contributed ;^325. 
 Architects Messrs. Paley and Austin, Lancaster. It was
 
 196 
 
 History of the 
 
 consecrated on June 13th, 1890. Cloughfold is a Peel Parish 
 carved out of the Parishes of Newchurch, Rawtenstall, and 
 Waterfoot, gazetted March 26th, 1887. Mrs. Rushton, who also 
 contributed largely to the endowment, held the patronage for life. 
 She died on April 25th, 1893, when the patronage passed to the 
 Bishop of Manchester. The first and present Vicar, the Rev. E. 
 Holliday, was appointed in May, 1886. The church is free and 
 open, expenses met by weekly offertory. Average congregation, 
 200; communicants, 120; with an average attendance of 400 at 
 the Sunday School, and of 1 75 at the Day School.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " Within the chapel, kneel the worshippers ; 
 The censer swings, shedding its grateful incense 
 Down the aisles, and from the groined roof 
 The pendent lamp illumes the altar-piece." 
 
 rilHE original Church at Newchurch was Roman Catholic, and 
 -*- the cost of its erection was, it is probable, contributed to by 
 the Monks of Whalley for the benefit of their forest servants and 
 parishioners chiefly residing about Boothfold. It was served by a 
 secular priest, SirGeorge Gregory, the first incumbent (a). The first 
 Church of Goodshaw, in its inception, was also Roman Catholic. 
 At the time of the Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII., the 
 Churches were stripped of their altars, and became Churches of the 
 reformed doctrine. The scanty congregations either conformed to 
 the new, or sought other places of residence, where they could, 
 though stealthily, follow the rites of the old religion. From the 
 time of the Reformation in England until the end of the last 
 centur}', no Catholic was known to reside within the Valley ; 
 when a family of the name of Booth came to Hareholme and 
 reintroduced the Catholic religion. The Booths were from 
 Dolphinholme, near Lancaster, where the old faith had never been 
 suppressed. The only place of worship they could attend was the 
 domestic chapel of Townley, near Burnley, belonging to the 
 Townley family, which had suffered for its adhesion to the old 
 faith. 
 
 One of the daughters of Mr. Booth married Mr. Ashworth, 
 owner of the Laund estate, which has devolved in course of time 
 
 (a) Ante, page 162.
 
 198 History of the 
 
 on the descendants of their daughters, Alice and Sarah, who had 
 married two brothers, Rockliff, of Liverpool. 
 
 At the beginning of this century periodical visits were paid to 
 Rossendale by the priest who acted as chaplain to the Townleys, 
 and looked after the few remaining Catholics in the neighbourhood; 
 and Mass was said, and sometimes even sung, in an up-stairs room 
 at Hareholme, for the benefit of the Booth family and one or two 
 other families who had followed them. 
 
 About 182S, after a prolonged strike at Sunnyside Works, 
 several Catholic families came to Rossendale from Manchester. 
 Finding that there was no Church for them nearer than Townley, 
 seven or eight miles distant, and neither wishing to give up their 
 faith, nor desiring to undertake such a journey every Sunday, they 
 laid their case before Mr. John Brooks, who offered them the use of 
 a room in his works at Crawshawbooth, if the priest from Townley 
 could be brought to give his services. From this time, 1828, till 
 1836, visits more or less regular were paid to the Valley either 
 from Townley, or occasionally from Bury, where the Rev. Mr. 
 Peacock had built the present St. Maries. 
 
 The first resident priest was the Rev. James Carr, sent by Dr. 
 Penswick, Vicar Apostolic of the Lancashire district. .He had a 
 small chapel at Sunnyside behind the present Irwell-terrace. The 
 first regular entry in the Baptismal register is dated 26th Sept., 
 1836, though the names of several children baptised by the Rev. 
 Mr. Peacock before 1830, are entered, having been copied from 
 loose scraps. A good percentage of the names of parents and god- 
 parents are of unmistakeable Irish origin, even at that time. The 
 great famine in 1847-8 sent over to Rossendale several hundred 
 families, who readily found work in the fast-spreading cotton industry. 
 
 In May, 1839, the Rev. Henry Sharpies succeeded to the office, 
 but stayed only one year. After him came the Rev. ^Villiam Fayer, 
 whose last entry in the Baptism book is dated Nov. 14th, 1842. 
 The Rev. James Rylands, who began his incumbency about 
 Christmas of 1842, finding his congregation increasing rapidly, 
 obtained land from Mrs. Ashworth for the erection of a church in a
 
 Forest of Rossendale, 199 
 
 more central position, and began the building of the present church 
 at Constablee, Rawtenstall, in the beginning of 1844, but he did 
 not stay to see the completion of his undertaking, and left Oct. 20th 
 of the same year, when the walls of the building were finished up 
 to the window heads. A young and zealous priest, the Rev. Thos. 
 Rimmer, was sent to finish the building, which he succeeded in 
 doing towards the end of 1845. On the 24th September, 1845, 
 the new church was opened by the Vicar Apostolic of the 
 Lancashire district. Pontifical Mass was sung by the Right Rev. 
 Dr. Sharpies, Assistant Vicar, the sermon being preached by Dr. 
 Roskell, who afterwards became Bishop of Nottingham. The cost 
 of its erection was ;^i,5oo. The church was dedicated to St. 
 James-the-Less, and in its quaint early English form became one 
 of the recognised features of rapidly-growing Rawtenstall. Mr. 
 Rimmer did not live long to minister in the church he finished, but 
 having caught fever at the bedside of one of his flock at Haslingden, 
 he died of the contagion on the 8th January, 1848, and was buried 
 inside the sanctuary of the church, a memorial brass being erected 
 to his memory over the vestry door. 
 
 The Rev. James F. Anderton, who succeeded in January, was 
 replaced in October of the same year by the Rev. Thomas 
 Unsworth, who was the Incumbent until October, 1851. He was 
 followed by the Rev. Henry Swale (now at Broughton, near 
 Skipton), who only stayed three years. In October, 1854, a young 
 priest, who had been curate in St. Wilfred's, Manchester, the Rev. 
 Joseph Scott, took charge of the scattered mission, then including 
 Bacup, Stacksteads, Haslingden, and Ramsbottom. During his 
 twenty-one years' incumbency, he enclosed the graveyard by a 
 stone wall, built a school, and the present rectory. Owing to 
 failing health he retired from active work in October, 1875. He 
 was succeeded by the Rev. Denis Byrne, who had served previously 
 for many years in St. Patrick's, Bolton, and after a stay of about 
 three years retired from the mission and shortly after died at Genoa 
 in Italy. The Rev. Michael McCormick succeeded, but retired in 
 March, i88i, after a stay of a little over two years.
 
 200 History of the 
 
 The Rev. John C. Mussely, the present Incumbent, who had 
 been at Raddiffe for several years, was sent by the Bishop to 
 continue the work. During his Incumbency the church has been 
 repaired and extended in 1881 ; the Infant school built in 1883, 
 and a Club Room in 1886. A School Chapel at Newchurch 
 (originally built for the Methodist Association) has been purchased, 
 dedicated to St. Peter, and has lately been attached to the new 
 mission at Stacksteads. The present congregation at Rawtenstall 
 consists of about 1,200 persons; the number of children in the day 
 school is 280, with about 200 Sunday scholars. 
 
 The CathoUc mission at Bacup was opened in 1852, in a room 
 in Market Street, by the Rev. Henry Mulvaney. This room sen-ed 
 the purposes of Church and School till 1857, when the nave of the 
 present Church at Bankside, dedicated to St. Mary, was opened, 
 and at a cost of ^^2, 000. 
 
 On the retirement of Father Mulvaney in 1880, he was succeeded 
 by the Rev. Thomas Steele, who held the charge till his death on 
 February 29th, 1884. One result of Mr. Steele's labours was the 
 purchase of the site, and the preliminary arrangements for the 
 building of the Huttock End School. 
 
 The Rev. John Lane, the present rector, took charge on March 
 23rd, 1884. Since that time the chancel, side chapel, sacristy 
 and gallery have been added to St. Mary's Church, at a cost of 
 
 ^IIOO. 
 
 St. Mary's School was built in 187 1-2, and St. Joseph's School, 
 Huttock End, Stacksteads, in 1884-5, having cost respectively 
 _;^i2oo and £,100. On the ist November, 1892, the district around 
 St. Joseph's School, with part of Newchurch from the mission of 
 St. James-the-Less, Rawtenstall, was erected into a separate mission, 
 and the Rev. George Sparks took charge. 
 
 The congregation of St. Mary's number about 1000. There are 
 200 children in the Day, and 150 in the Sunday School.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 " The deeds we do, the words we say, 
 Into still air they seem to fleet. 
 We count them ever past, 
 But they shall last. 
 • In the dread judgment they 
 
 And we shall meet !" 
 
 Lyra Innocentiam. 
 
 rpHE History of the Baptist denomination in Rossendale has 
 -*- been ably written by the late Rev. James Hargreaves, in his 
 "Life of John Hirst," and in the appendix thereto. In the present 
 brief outline it is my intention simply to state a few general parti- 
 culars of the rise and present status of this important body in 
 Rossendale, and to notice a few of their more celebrated preachers. 
 
 At the end of the seventeenth century, Bacup was a small and 
 unimportant place, scant of inhabitants, and with but a few 
 straggling houses. In these respects it was of less account than 
 either Newchurch or Goodshaw, both of which possessed their 
 Episcopal Chapels. Prior to the establishment of the Baptist 
 denomination in Rossendale, it would appear, from all that can 
 be gleaned, that no place of worship of any kind existed in Bacup. 
 The few inhabitants that composed the hamlet crossed the bills 
 and worshipped at Newchurch, as occasion served. 
 
 In the list of " Licenses to Preach " in Blackburn parish and 
 district, preserved in a State Paper in the Record OlSce, and 
 bearing date Dom. Chas. II., r672, a memorandum to the following 
 effect, occurs : — " The barn of John Pickop, in Dedwinclough [in 
 Newchurch-in-Rossendale], to be an Indep. [Independent] meeting
 
 202 History of the 
 
 place." {a) The name of " Independent " was formerly applied to 
 Anabaptists and vice versa, and it would thus appear that as early 
 as the year 1672. the Baptists had a place of meeting in Dedwin- 
 clough. As Cloughfold is situated therein, it is not unreasonable 
 to infer that at this date the denomination, either at that place or 
 in its neighbourhood, had a veritable existence. However that 
 may be, there is no record of any settled Nonconformist minister 
 or preacher here at that early date. 
 
 About the end of the century two cousins, Yorkshiremen, by 
 name William Mitchel and David Crossley, found their way into 
 Rossendale Forest. These men were itinerating Baptist Preachers, 
 holding strict Calvinistic views, and deeply imbued with that spirit 
 of energy and self-devotedness which characterises the leaders in 
 all great movements. 
 
 With admirable foresight they began their labours at Bacup and 
 Cloughfold (the latter more populous than the former in those days,) 
 two places void of the immediate presence of any religious teacher 
 of their persuasion, the lack of which they determined, as far as in 
 them lay, to supply in their own persons. We gather from the 
 scanty memorials which exist of these men, that they were sincere 
 and devout Christians — not to be daunted by difficulties — on 
 whom opposition and reproach acted but as a stimulus to redoubled 
 exertion. Where comparative barrenness before existed, they, 
 by earnest and persevering labour, and the blessing of Providence, 
 were the instruments of producing a rich and abundant harvest, 
 
 (a) Extracted by the late J. E. Bailey (Editor of the "Palatine Note Book") 
 from No. 185, Record Office, St. Papers Dom. Chas. II., 1672, and quoted by 
 Mr. Abram in his " History of Blackburn." 
 
 These licenses were issued by the Government consequent on the 
 " Declaration of Indulgence" published by Charles II. on March 15th, 1672, 
 by which he relaxed the severities entailed on Nonconformists by the " Act 
 for suppressing Conventicles, 1664," and the " Five Mile Act, 1665," and 
 declared his "will and pleasure to be, that the execution of all and all manner 
 of penal laws in matters ecclesiastical, against whatsoever sort of Nonconfor- 
 mists, or recusants, be immediately suspended."
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 203 
 
 whose seed distributed in places widely apart, took root, grew, and 
 flourished, and year by year, to this day, has mightily increased. 
 
 Mitchel, who was the elder by a few years, was probably the 
 more earnest of the two disciples. His preaching seems to have 
 been peculiarly obnoxious to those in authority, for on two 
 occasions — the first time at Goodshaw Chapel — he was taken 
 prisoner under the Conventicle Act. In his hfetime he published 
 several sermons, and in 1707, the year after his death, a work 
 which he had left behind him in MS., entitled " Jachin and Boaz; 
 or. The Faith and Order of God's House," was also published, 
 being edited by his kinsman, David Crossley, who wrote a preface 
 to the work, giving a sketch of the life of its author. In this it is 
 stated that " in reading, meditation, and prayer he was unwearied. 
 In going to hear the Word of God, though many miles, in dark 
 nights, and over dismal mountains, I and others who were his 
 constant companions, must say he was no less indefatigable. In 
 his preaching he set forth the free grace of the Gospel with that 
 peculiar fervour, simplicity, and application which presently 
 brought crowds of people from divers parts to hear him. Many at 
 first designed only to gratify their curiosity, _yet they soon found 
 their hearts and consciences so effectually touched, that they could 
 not but confess a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to 
 him. Some came like Ishmael to scoff, and not a few like Michal 
 despised him in their hearts. But those who had patience to hear 
 him, usually met with such Scripture evidence in his doctrine, and 
 with such plain marks of the genuine simplicity of his pretensions, 
 that they were often heard to say, ' The Lord is with him of a 
 truth.'" He was the first settled minister at Cloughfold, and died 
 in 1706, aged 44 years. 
 
 Of Crossley it is recorded that in his early life he was a friend of 
 John Bunyan the Immortal Dreamer; and in his advanced age he 
 cultivated the acquaintance of George \Vhitefield. He was the 
 first pastor of the Baptist Church at Bacup. "It is said on good 
 authority that he was by occupation in his youth a stone mason, 
 and assisted at the erection of a building at Walsden, at no great
 
 204 History of the 
 
 distance from Todmorden, labouring all the day, and preaching 
 somewhere in the neighbourhood at night." {b) Mr. Crossley was 
 reputed to be one of the most popular preachers of his day. In the 
 pulpit his delivery was as eloquent as his appearance was com- 
 manding. He was said to be "the largest man in the county 
 where he resided ; for twenty years together he weighed, upon an 
 average, twenty stone." {c) For a number of years he occupied a 
 small farm named " Tatop," a little above Crawshawbooth — the 
 farm still bears the name. He died at the latter part of the year 
 1744, in the 75th year of his age, and was buried in the grave- 
 yard of the Episcopal Chapel at Goodshaw. He was the author of 
 the following works : — i. "Samson, a Type of Christ :" a sermon, 
 a commendatory preface to which was written by the Rev. George 
 Whitefield. 2. " Adam, where art thou ? or, The Serious Parley ;" 
 a poem. 3. " The Old Man's Legacy to his Daughters." This 
 work was edited by Mr. Crossley, only ; but he added something of 
 his own, on the advice of his friends, " That the Orphan Legacy 
 might not venture abroad a second time without Company." (An 
 edition had been published by him forty years before.) 4. " The 
 Triumph of Sovereign Grace ; or, A Brand plucked from out of 
 the Fire ; being the substance of a funeral discourse preached at 
 Bacup, May 23rd, 1742, at the request, and on the occasion of the 
 death of Lawrence Britliffe, late of Cliviger, near Burnley, who was 
 executed at Lancaster, at the Lent Assizes, 1742." (^d) It is said 
 that a congregation of above four thousand people assembled in the 
 open air to listen to this discourse. In its published form it occupies 
 127 pages 1 2 mo. 
 
 The Baptist Church in Rossendale, at its formation, consisted 
 of the united worshippers of Bacup and Cloughfold, and continued 
 
 (6) Appendix to the " Life of John Hirst,' p. 321. (c) Ibid, p. 326. 
 
 (rf) Lawrence Britliffe, executed at Lancaster in 1742, for having caused 
 (unintentionally, it is believed) the death of .1 person at Holmes Chapel 
 Wakes. The two had quarrelled, and Britliffe struck his opponent with a 
 
 curdle or churnstaff, killing him on the spot.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 205 
 
 so to exist until the year 17 10, when they became two distinct 
 Societies. 
 
 The old School or Meeting-House in Bacup, which I have had 
 occasion repeatedly to mention, was the first building in Rossendale 
 erected for the use of the Baptists. It was built expressly for 
 Messrs. Mitchel and Crossley, and failing these, for all Dissenting 
 Ministers of the Protestant Religion. These facts appear in the 
 Trust Deed of the Building, dated April 16, 1692, from which the 
 following extracts, minutely describing the uses to which it was to 
 be applied, are made. *■ 
 
 The original Feoffees in trust were John Lord, Broadclough ; 
 Lawrence Lord, Greensnook ; John Hoyle, Bacopboothe, and John 
 Holden, Priest-boothe. The Building was to be used — 
 
 " I. For the purpose of a School-house. 
 
 " 2. For the use of David Crossley and William Mitchel, both 
 from Yorkshire, preachers of the Word of God, and of the doctrine 
 of Christ, to pray, preach, and worship in, as often as they shall 
 have occasion, and in their absence for all other such like ministers, 
 now called or styled Protestant Dissenters. If two or more such 
 ministers shall want the place for this purpose at the same time, the 
 feoffees shall have the power to dispose of the place during the time 
 the Dissenters shall be prohibited pubhc worship, and when liberty 
 is granted again, the said David Crossley and William Mitchel 
 shall have the use of the meeting-house in preference to others." 
 
 From the Deed of Admission, bearing date April 20th, 1694, a 
 copy of which is now before me, we find that the plot or parcel of 
 land was thirty yards in length, and sixteen yards in breadth, or 
 thereabouts ; that it belonged to John Whitaker, of Broadclough, 
 from whom it was purchased for the sum of Thirty Pounds {e) by 
 the Trustees or Feoffees before mentioned ; that at the date of the 
 Surrender it was in the Tenure or occupation of Joseph Ashworth, 
 that it was of the Manor of Accrington Newhold, and that it was 
 subject to the yearly rent to the Lady of the Manor of One Penny. 
 
 (e) Mr. Hargreaves, in his " Lite of Hirst," states ^% whicfi 1 take to be 
 an error.
 
 2o6 History of the 
 
 Crossley at his decease was succeeded in the ministry at 
 Bacup by Henry Lord, an able preacher, but, as his subse- 
 quent derehction proved, scarcely suited to the sacred office. 
 Dissensions began to arise amongst the members and congregation, 
 many of them preferring the ministry of Joseph Piccop, a mem- 
 ber of the same body, and a preacher of great promise. These 
 dissensions continued, and the result was, the formation of a second 
 Baptist Society in the town, the "New Meeting-House" being 
 ultimately erected for their use. This was begun and completed in 
 the latter half of the year 1746. Mr. Hargreaves in his life of 
 Hirst gives some extracts from the Building accounts which are 
 exceedingly interesting as affording a glimpse of the state of the 
 labour market at that period. Compared with present times, the 
 difference will be found to be sufficiently striking. I have taken 
 the liberty to quote these extracts at length. 
 
 Mr s 
 
 To Richard Lord, Dr. 
 1746. £ s. d. 
 
 July 22. — To I day's work at ground work o on 
 
 ,, 23. —To \ a day i horse and self leading stone o o loj 
 
 ,, 26. — To I day i do. do o i g 
 
 ,, 30. — To I day self filling stone o on 
 
 ,, 3'- — To I day self and 2 horses leading corners, o 2 7 
 
 Aug. 16. — To I day self and Jemmy and 2 horses o 3 i 
 
 Sept. 1 1 . — To I day self, 2 horses, and cart o 211 
 
 Mr 
 
 To David Hardman, Dr. 
 
 To Robert Hardman, 6 days 
 
 To Matthew do 47 „ 
 
 To David do 73 ,, 
 
 £, ^. A. 
 
 126 come to 6 16 6 
 
 Abatement since the days grew short o 2 8 
 
 Due 6 13 10 
 
 Other expenses were proportionable, as for instance : — 
 
 1746. £ s. d. 
 
 Aug. 16. — Paid to W. Roberts for three dinners and drink, o 010 
 
 ,, 30. — Paid to do. for 5 dinners, o i 3 
 
 Sept. 5. - Paid to do. for meat and drink at the Rearing 010 o
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 207 
 
 The original chapel in Lane Head Lane becoming too small, 
 was taken down and rebuilt in the year 1778 ; and in 1783, owing 
 to the congregation continuing to increase, a gallery was erected. 
 In 181 1 the Building was again pulled down, and a new Chapel 
 capable of seating 900 people erected the year following. This 
 latter has in its turn undergone material alterations, being 
 almost entirely rebuilt, and converted into a spacious and beautiful 
 School, which was opened Dec. 30, 1865. An entirely new- 
 Chapel was completed, and opened by the Rev. Hugh Stowell 
 Brown, in September, 1870. The structure is handsome and 
 commodious in all respects, and provides sitting accommodation 
 for 1,000 people. 
 
 Of the Cloughfold section of the early "Baptist Church in 
 Rossendale," the following particulars are given in the writings 
 there preserved. "On the 20th of March, 1703, was surrendered, 
 by William Heap into the hands of Richard Holden, Simeon Lord, 
 and John Hartley, the sum of £i,o, for ever thereafter to be laid 
 out, employed, disposed of, and improved, to the best advantage, 
 and one fourth part of the profits arising from the purchase to be 
 given to Mr. William Mitchel of Bradford, Yorkshire, Clerk, during 
 his life ; and the three remaining parts thereof, and the said fourth 
 part, after the decease of the said William Mitchel, unto the use 
 and towards the maintenance of such person and persons as for the 
 time being, and from time to time, for ever thereafter should be the 
 ministers, pastors and teachers of the society or congregation of 
 dissenting Protestants, at Cloughfold and Bacup, within the Forest 
 of Rossendale." 
 
 From the above it appears that Bacup, before the division of the 
 original Society into two bodies, was a joint participator with 
 Cloughfold in Mr. Heap's bequest or gift of the profits to be 
 derived from the investment of the ^40. But the following 
 further provision occurs: — " Provided always, and it is hereby 
 agreed and declared that as often as there shall be at the same 
 time two or more such Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the said 
 Societies or Congregations at Bacopp and Cloughfold aforesaid,
 
 2o8 History of the 
 
 they the said Trustees and their Executors may apply and dispose 
 of the Interest and Increase of the forty pounds to such of the said 
 Ministers as the Trustees or the major part of them shall think fit, 
 a fourth part for the use of the said William Mitchel only excepted.*' 
 
 On the nth February, 1705, "Robert Lichford, formerly of 
 Blakely, in the County of Lancaster, gentleman, surrendered into 
 the hands of the Lord and Lady of the Manor of Accrington, all 
 that edifice or building standing within Cloughfold in the said 
 Manor, heretofore purchased by him from one James Townend, to 
 the use and behoof of Richard Holden, Richard Ashworth of 
 Tunstead, Simeon Lord and John Hartley, who shall at all times 
 for ever thereafter stand and be seised of the said edifice, for the 
 use and benefit of -all such Protestant Dissenters called Anabaptists, 
 or Independents, within the Forest of Rossendale, and the places 
 adjacent, as shall there from time to time assemble for religious 
 worship, when the same shall be made fit and commodious for a 
 chapel or meeting-house." The same liberal donor by his last 
 Will and Testament, dated January 28th, 17 10, gave and 
 bequeathed unto the said Trustees for ever, the sum of one 
 hundred and fifty pounds upon trust, that they should lay out and 
 dispose of, or invest at interest or in an annuity, or otherwise to 
 best advantage, the said sum, at their discretion, and from time to 
 time employ and dispose of all the rents and profit^, or increase 
 thereof, (save and except the yearly sum of forty shillings to be 
 given to the poor as directed,) for the use and benefit of such 
 person or persons, as from time to time should be the minister, 
 pastor, or teacher of the said congregation, provided they should 
 not at any time thereafter neglect or forbear to assemble themselves 
 at the said chapel for the exercise of religious worship by the space 
 of six weeks in any one year. 
 
 No mention is here made of Bacup, the bequest being to 
 
 Cloughfold alone. By this time the two sections of the original 
 
 Baptist Church in Rossendale had become distinct and separate 
 Societies.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 209 
 
 During times of alteration or rebuilding, the congregation at 
 Cloughfold has on more than one occasion assembled for divine 
 service in the unfinished erection, in order to secure the bequest, 
 and fulfil the provision of the will, that they should never be at one 
 time, six weeks without preaching at the said chapel. 
 
 The two endowments referred to above, have accumulated, the 
 ;^40 to ;^S5, and the ^"150 to £,20'^, being ^260 in the whole ; 
 a very small augmentation, when the length of time, and the 
 increase of the value of property in the district, are taken into 
 account. A great want of foresight on the part of the earlier 
 Trustees was displayed in the disposition of the two bequests. 
 Had the original sum, instead of being put out at simple interest, 
 been invested in the purchase of land, the increase in the realisable 
 capital would probably now have been tenfold. But even this 
 small accumulation is accidental, and is to be accounted for in this 
 way, that during a certain number of years in the course of its 
 existence, the church was without a minister, and consequently, the 
 interest instead of being paid away was added to the capital. 
 
 About the year 1750, a small chapel was built at Lumb for the 
 use of the Baptists residing in that neighbourhood. The circum- 
 stances which led to its erection are worth recalling. The inhabi- 
 tants of the Lumb and Dean valleys have long been favourably 
 known for their musical skill ; and to cultivate their love of the art, 
 it has been their custom for generations to hold meetings for 
 practice in each others' houses. Sacred music was 'CasSx forte, as it 
 continues to be to this day, and it would seem to have exercised a 
 hallowing influence upon their minds. Of these singers, John 
 Nuttall and several others became members of the Baptist church 
 at Bacup, then under the ministry of Joseph Piccop, and by 
 their example and exhortations, and the reading aloud of religious 
 authors at the musical gatherings, many were led to follow in their 
 footsteps. Though the meeting-house at Lumb was built in 1750, 
 three years elapsed before a church was formed. In May 1753, ' 
 the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was first administered to the
 
 2IO History of the 
 
 assembled members, John Nuttall having been chosen as their 
 minister. After having been in existence at Lumb for some time, 
 the congregation, for reasons not explicitly known, but probably to 
 extend their influence and usefulness, moved in the year 1760 to 
 the more populous neighbourhood of Goodshaw, where they had 
 •prepared a chapel, The meeting-house at Lumb was denuded of 
 its furniture, and the pulpit and seats were carried on the backs of 
 the congregation over the intervening hills to the newly erected 
 domicile. Here Mr. Nuttall settled and continued to minister 
 until his death on March 30th, 1792, aged 76, having successfully 
 laboured among the people for the space of forty-five years. 
 
 The other Baptist Chapels in the district are of much more 
 recent origin than those of Bacup, Cloughfold, and Goodshaw, 
 and in the table given below the respective dates of their founda- 
 tion are stated. From the early Baptist Churches in Rossendale 
 have sprung a numerous progeny of kindred societies. The 
 Baptist Churches at Rawden, near Leeds ; Heatton, near Bradford ; 
 Gildersome and Hartwith, in Nidderdale; Rodhillend, near 
 Todmorden ; Stoneslack, near Heptonstall ; Salendine Nook, and 
 Cowling Hill, all confess their Rossendale parentage. 
 
 The following Table (/) gives some particulars of the present 
 position of this denomination in Rossendale. The names of the 
 Churches are placed in the order of the date of their foundation. 
 
 (f) Compiled chiefly from returns given n the Baptist Hand Book for 1893.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
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 Amongst the Baptist Churches in Rossendale have appeared 
 several men who were remarkable for their abihty as ministers of 
 the Gospel. To Mitchel and Crossley reference has already been
 
 2 1 2 History of the 
 
 made. Joseph Piccop, who may be considered as the legitimate 
 successor of Crossley at Bacup— the church under Henry Lord 
 having eventually become extinct— was a man cast in no ordinary 
 mould. Born and nurtured in the humblest possible circumstances, 
 for even in his manhood he was at first only a day-labourer, 
 lacking the rudiments of education, and far removed from the 
 knowledge and wisdom which Colleges are supposed to impart, he 
 yet rose to distinction as a public teacher ; and on frequent 
 occasions in the metropolis (for he often visited London) his 
 eloquent and earnest discourses were hstened to and admired by 
 those best capable of judging of their worth. 
 
 Mr. Hargreaves relates an anecdote of the man, which serves to 
 exhibit one phase of his character. " Mr. Piccop," says the 
 author of the life of John Hirst, " being engaged for the first time 
 to preach at a certain chapel in the city, arrived at the vestry and 
 sat down as an unknown stranger. It should be remarked that 
 Mr. Piccop did not make a very genteel appearance. The hour 
 appointed for the service approached, and several people came 
 into the vestry. After waiting some time in expectation of the 
 Preacher's arrival, they began to express their fears of a disappoint- 
 ment. Mr. Piccop suffered their patience to be pretty well tried, 
 and then, after inquiring if the hour was come, arose and 
 ascended the pulpit, to the no small astonishment and disgust of 
 the people. Their behaviour in the commencement of the services, 
 betrayed their uneasiness and disapprobation. After prayer they 
 appeared a little more reconciled to the preacher. Before Mr. 
 Piccop read his text, which on that occasion was Amos iii. 12, it is 
 reported that he spoke to the following effect : ' That there is 
 nothing very inviting in my outward appearance is evident to all ; 
 and whether there is anything within that will be more engaging, 
 is not for me to say ; but of that you will be better able to judge 
 for yourselves presently — however, such as I have, I give. I will set 
 before you "Two legs, and a piece of an ear,'" and then he 
 proceeded marvellously to expound and apply his singular text. A 
 certain gentleman who had been very agreeably disappointed,
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 2 I 
 
 thanking Mr. Piccop for the discourse, hinted that he had exceeded 
 the usual time, observing that he should have noticed his watch. 
 Mr. Piccop, in his rustic simplicity, informed him that he never 
 had a watch in his life, upon which the gentleman drew his from 
 his pocket and presented it to him, declaring he should not be 
 without one any longer. Such was his popularity in London, that 
 a congregation would have assembled to hear him at five o'clock 
 in the morning." He was born at Loveclough, near Crawshaw- 
 booth, and died there in September 1772, the immediate cause of 
 his death being cancer in the breast. His remains lie buried 
 within Ebenezer Chapel-yard, Bacup. 
 
 John Hirst, the successor of Piccop, and who ministered at 
 Bacup during a period of forty-two years, was also in many 
 respects a remarkable man. He was born at Rochdale in 1736, 
 and was the youngest of seven children. The circumstances of his 
 early years were not promising — nay, they were altogether 
 unpropitious ; yet, by his native strength of mind and diligent and 
 determined spirit, he became a preacher of great originality and 
 power, and left his mark upon the times. He died June 15th, 
 1815, in the 79th year of his age, and was buried by the side of 
 Piccop, his worthy predecessor. His aged widow, who was ten 
 years his senior, survived him only fifteen days.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 " Ye Doctors of Divinity 
 
 Of decent reasons full, 
 This man is rich where ye are bare, 
 
 And bright where ye are dull. 
 With his strange creed, 
 
 And logic loose arrayed. 
 He is a worker hath sown seed 
 
 Where ye ne'er raised a spade." 
 
 AS the names of Mitchel and Crossley are intimately inter- 
 woven with the rise and progress of the Baptist denomi- 
 nation in Rossendale, so much so, that it is impossible to speak of 
 the latter without referring to the former ; so in Hke manner the 
 names of William Darney and John Maden, are inseparably 
 connected with the introduction of Methodism into the district. I 
 propose to furnish a short sketch of the life of the first Rossendale 
 Methodist, and incidentally to mark the rise in this neighbourhood 
 of the important sect to which he belonged. 
 
 Mr. Maden was born near Bacup on the 4th day of December, 
 1724. In his younger years Methodism was just beginning to 
 make headway throughout the country, but it was quite unknown 
 in the Forest of Rossendale, and it was chiefly owing to his 
 instrumentality that it was introduced into this district. One of 
 the " New Sort of Preachers," as they were then termed, (for the 
 name " Methodist " had not yet been applied to them,) was 
 announced to preach in a barn at Gauksholme, near Todmorden, 
 and Mr. Maden was induced by an acquaintance to go and hear 
 him. The preaching of Mr. William Darney, for that was the 
 minister's name, produced a deep and lasting impression on the
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 215 
 
 mind of Mr. Maden, and he shortly afterwards united himself to a 
 small band of persons (ten in number) at Todmorden, zealous 
 followers of their great leader, John Wesley. The new convert 
 was earnest and enthusiastic in the faith he had espoused, and 
 accordingly we find him, in fair weather and in foul, on week-days 
 as well as on the Sabbath, at his place in the meeting-house, though 
 the latter was five or six miles distant from his home. 
 
 Mr. Maden soon became desirous that a society should be 
 formed in Rossendale, and with this object in view he invited Mr. 
 Darney over, who, in response to the invitation, came, and in the 
 year 1744 preached for the first time in this part of the country at 
 Heap Barn, situated in the fields, a little to the north-west of 
 Sharneyford, on the Todmorden Road. He afterwards preached 
 at Miller Barn, in Wolfenden Booth, where a society was formed, 
 the first of the kind in Rossendale, of which Mr. Maden was 
 constituted the leader. The office of leader was no easy or 
 enviable one in those days of single-handed effort, but Mr. Maden 
 was possessed of an earnest indomitable spirit, not easily to be 
 subdued or turned aside, and the work he undertook to accomplish 
 greatly prospered in his hands. Kindred societies were soon 
 afterwards formed by his efforts, aided by others who had espoused 
 the tenets of the new sect, and for many years they were known 
 by the name of '• William Darney Societies," in honour of their 
 founder in Rossendale. 
 
 Mr. Maden now married, and his wife held views similar to his 
 own, but she lived only three years after their union. At this time 
 he took a farm in the neighbourhood, and opened his house for 
 divine service, having made a pulpit for the use of the preachers. 
 It is highly probable that Messrs. Darney, Maskew, Colbeck, and 
 others, celebrated in the early days of Methodism, officiated in this 
 pulpit. 
 
 The congregation increasing, another house was taken, which in 
 turn very soon proved too small to contain those that came to 
 worship. The use of the Baptist meeting-house, or "the old 
 school," as it was called, was then obtained for a short time, and
 
 2 1 6 History of the 
 
 here the society continued its labours. To accommodate the 
 increasing congregation, though the number of members continued 
 small, and consisted mostly of poor people, " Mr. Maden con- 
 ceived the design of building a chapel." The dilificulties which 
 had to be overcome in the carrying out of this project were very 
 great, for, in addition to the poverty of the societies, popular 
 prejudice was opposed to them, and threw many obstacles in their 
 way. On this subject the remarks of the Rev. Samuel Taylor, (a) 
 at one time a minister in this circuit, are worth quoting, and we 
 give them entire. 
 
 "The difficulties attending the enterprise appeared almost 
 insurmountable ; but he (Mr. Maden) and two others, going to 
 hear Mr. Bennet preach, the building of a chapel became the 
 subject of a conversation on their return. J. Maden and J. 
 Earnshaw engaged to give a sum of money sufficient to purchase a 
 piece of ground ; while N. Slater, in the simplicity of his heart, 
 promised sixpence^ which he then produced, saying, ' It is all I have 
 at present, but I will give more when I get it.' These, with the aid 
 of the poor society, were the first subscriptions towards building 
 the chapel at Bacup. Having some knowledge of architecture, 
 brother Maden also promised one hundred days' work ; and 
 sometimes while the mason (^) was employed in dressing the 
 stones, he went into the country to collect, money for the carrying 
 on of the work. Soon after the foundation was laid the whole 
 weight of the undertaking devolved upon him ; which after many 
 obstructions, was completed free from any pecuniary burden ; when it 
 was opened by the venerable founder of Methodism. On this memor- 
 able and jpyous occasion, the subject of this memoir poured forth his 
 devout heart in the elevated language of the royal Psalmist, - How 
 amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts ! my soul longeth, yea, 
 
 (a) We are mainly indebted for -the particulars contained in the present 
 chapter to an account of the Life of John Maden, by the Rev Samuel Taylor, 
 which appeared in the Methodist Magazine for July 1811. 
 
 (4) Mark the expression, " the mason." There appears to have been only 
 one mason employed.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 217 
 
 even fainteth for the courts of the Lord ; my heart and my flesh 
 crieth out for the Hving God.' Having been a principal instrument 
 in building a house for the Lord, our brother gratefully enjoyed the 
 privilege of hearing the doctrines of Salvation explained, enforced, 
 and defended ; and of worshipping the Lord Jehovah in spirit and 
 in truth. 
 
 The building which was raised as a Chapel, as above described, 
 still stands in Lane Head Lane ; but it has undergone alterations 
 since the days of its erection. Not very long ago it was occupied 
 as a school. A portion of it is now converted into cottages, and in 
 the other portion were recently heard the sound of the saw and the 
 plane, where once the voice of John Wesley resounded. With 
 reference to his visit to Bacup on this occasion, the following entry 
 occurs in Mr. Wesley's Journal : — 
 
 "Tuesday, July 14th, 1761. About noon I preached at Bacup, 
 a village in Rossendale. The new preaching house is large, but 
 not large enough to contain the congregation." (c) 
 
 Like all great movements which have set their seal upon men, 
 the early history of Methodism presents a picture of anxious and 
 unceasing struggling against the prejudices and ignorance of man- 
 
 (f) The following extracts, from the Rev. John Wesley's Journal, have 
 reference to other visits which he paid to Rossendale, besides the one 
 mentioned above : — 
 
 "Thursday, May 7, 1747. We left the mountains (around Todmorden) 
 and came down to the fruitful valley of Rossendale. Here I preached to a large 
 congregation of wild men ; but it pleased God to hold them in chains. So 
 that even svhen I had done, none offered any rudeness, but all went quietly 
 away." 
 
 "Wednesday, August 30th, 1766. I rode (from Padlham) to Rossendale, 
 which, notwithstanding its name, is little else than a chain of mountains. The 
 rain in the evening obliged me to preach in the new house, near a village 
 called New Church. As many as could crowded in, and many more stood 
 at the door. But many were constrained to go away." 
 
 "Thursday, 31. I preached at Bacup, and then rode on to Heptonstall.'' 
 
 "Tuesday, April 13, 1779. I preached at nine to a crowded audience in 
 the new house at Bacup."
 
 2i8 History of the 
 
 kind. Poverty also, as in the present instance, would sometimes 
 stand up with huge shoulders, in the forward front, narrowing still 
 more the narrow path ; but the devoted few throughout the coun- 
 try toiled on, a heroic band of faithful workers, till the highest 
 peak in the hill of Difficulty was surmounted, and the wide expanse 
 of table-land was seen to stretch broad on the right hand, and on 
 the left, and away in the fore distance till the horizon was its only 
 boundary. Here they rested, so much nearer heaven than when 
 they set out on their enterprise, and verily they had their reward. 
 
 Poor Slater's humble contribution is apt to provoke a smile ; but 
 was he not the counterpart of that poor widow, of whom the Great 
 Master, when He saw her cast her mite into the treasury, said — 
 " Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in 
 than all they which have cast into the treasury ; for all they did 
 cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that 
 she had, even all her living " ? 
 
 Mr. Maden entered into business, but was unsuccessful at first, 
 and this caused him much trouble and anxiety of mind. He after- 
 wards recovered himself, however, for it is said that he was 
 possessed of four farms when he died, (d) 
 
 Mr. Maden married a second time. The following account of 
 his death is given by the Rev. Samuel Taylor : — 
 
 "A little before he finished his earthly career, he said to a friend 
 who called to see him : ' I and my partner in life have reason to 
 bless God for all His mercies. She has proved a helpmate indeed. 
 We have taken sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of 
 God in company.' He exhorted his children to live in peace with 
 one another, and having, like the venerable Patriarch, ' made an 
 end of commanding them, he gathered up his feet, and yielded up 
 the ghost.' " 
 
 (rf) He seems to have been of an ingenious turn, for he was the first that 
 applied wheels to the old Booking Shuttles to make them run smoothly. 
 Before this improvement two persons were required, one on each side of the 
 loom, to propel the heavy shuttle backward and forward : with the wheels 
 affixed one person can perform the work with ease.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 219 
 
 He was interred at Bacup. His grave is near to the front 
 entrance to Mount Pleasant Chapel. The following is the 
 inscription on the tombstone : — 
 
 " Beneath this stone are deposited the earthly remains of John 
 Maden, who having been an ornamental and useful member of the 
 Methodist Society nearly 65 years, left this world in joyful hope of 
 a better, April 21, 1809, in the 85th year of his age." 
 
 William Darney, who was a Scotchman, was a preacher of much 
 originality and power ; a man in many respects calculated to be the 
 pioneer of a great movement. Of an ardent temperament, and 
 courageous to a degree, he courted opposition that he might brave 
 and defy it. 
 
 In the prosecution of his arduous and self-denying labours, he 
 suffered persecution and imprisonment. "His wild notes, at first 
 like a discordant tone, were preparatory to the richest harmony. 
 There was a rich vein of evangelical truth in his preaching, looking 
 occasionally to the Calvinistic side of the question, and often 
 delivered with the quaintness of some of the old Puritan Preachers, 
 which pleased and profited many. Perhaps, too, his popularity 
 was not diminished by his frequently, at the close of his sermon, 
 giving out an extemporary hymn, adapted to the subject upon 
 which he had been discoursing." («) 
 
 The rapid progress of the Methodist denomination throughout 
 the country generally, and within the Forest of Rossendale in 
 particular, affords a striking example of what may be accomplished 
 by united and voluntary effort. The affairs of the body are 
 conducted with an amount of shrewdness and energy which com- 
 mand our admiration and respect. Amongst their members are to 
 be found many who have been highly successful in business ; and 
 these have contributed to the advancement of the society with a 
 conspicuous and praiseworthy liberality. 
 
 The number of Methodist Chapels of all kinds within the Forest 
 is twenty-two. Of these, ten belong to the old ^Vesleyans, seven to 
 the United Methodists, and five to the Primitives ; 2,500 being 
 about the aggregate number of members. 
 
 (c) Everett's Wesleyan Methodism in Manchester, and its vicinity, p. 32.
 
 220 History of the 
 
 The Friends, or Quakers, established themselves in Rossendale 
 about, or shortly after, the middle of the seventeenth century. 
 Their first place of meeting was in a small walled, but roofless 
 enclosure at Chapel Hill (hence the name), a considerable eminence 
 bounding the valley to the north-east of Rawtenstall. This enclo- 
 sure was also used as their burying-place, as appears by the 
 following inscription above the entrance : " Friends' Burial Ground, 
 1663. The walls rebuilt 1847." At one time a stone ledge ran 
 round the walls, inside, and this afforded sitting accommodation to 
 the worshippers. Later, until the erection in 17 16 of their present 
 Meeting-house at Crawshawbooth, they were accustomed to 
 assemble in one of the rooms of a farm-house near to the same 
 place. The first interment in the burial ground at Chapel Hill 
 took place in 1663, and the last in 1849. The first interment at 
 Crawshawbooth in 1728. In the earlier years of their existence, 
 the Friends suffered persecution for conscience sake. The 
 Crawshawbooth register records cases of imprisonment in Lancaster 
 Castle on account of tithes, and in other matters bears witness to 
 the intolerance e.xercised towards the members of this small 
 community in Rossendale. Representatives of the Quaker families 
 of Gurney, Field, and Fox, occasionally attended the Meeting-house 
 at Crawshawbooth about the beginning of the century ; and the 
 celebrated Elizabeth Fry held public meetings there in 1818 and 
 1828. Their numbers in Rossendale, never very considerable, 
 have gradually diminished to about twelve at the present time. 
 
 The Unitarians have places of worship at Rawtenstall and 
 Newchurch respectively. The original chapel at Rawtenstall, 
 erected in 1760, is now, and for many years past has been, used as 
 a joiner's shop or warehouse. Many interments took place within 
 it ; amongst others, that of the minister, John Ingham, of 
 Crawshawbooth, who officiated in it for fifty-one years, down to the 
 time of his decease in 1833. A tablet to his memory is in the 
 New Chapel. The old school in the Fold, at Rawtenstall, was 
 originally intended to have been built as an upper room over this 
 chapel, but it was subsequently erected on a separate plot of
 
 Rp. T'^"^^, 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 X 
 
 CO. 
 
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 '■J 
 
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 p 
 
 O 
 
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 C
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 221 
 
 copyhold ground near, given by George Pickup, and conveyed 
 by him to John Pickup and others in trust on the 31st of 
 August, 18 15. This school was partly built by subscription ; and, 
 according to the surrender, was intended for the purpose of a 
 master from time to time to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, and 
 to instruct and educate the present and future generations of 
 children residing in the township of Lower Booths and elsewhere, 
 pursuant to certain rules set forth in a book of statutes bearing 
 equal date with the surrender. And also for a free school on 
 Sundays, for a master or masters to teach children to- read the 
 Bible and other useful and necessary learning in the English 
 language. A list of the subscribers, in the possession of the late 
 Henry King, of Oakley, gives £^1^ 3s. as the sum collected 
 towards the erection of the building. 
 
 The Trust Deed of the Chapel bears date May 17th, 1760, the 
 building being put in trust " for the use of Protestant Dissenters 
 distinguished by the name of Independents, so long as there was a 
 minister to preach in it, and a congregation to meet in it, that could 
 and should subscribe unto a Book of Articles, entitled, ' An answer 
 to every one that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us.' " 
 
 The first minister was Richard Whittaker, who preached here 
 about twenty years, and he was succeeded by John Ingham, above 
 mentioned. When the minister and congregation became 
 Unitarian, about 1821, they obtained a yearly grant from the 
 Trustees of Lady Hewley's Fund. The new chapel at Rawtenstall 
 was erected in 1853 ; that at Newchurch about 1816. 
 
 The Independents have one chapel in Rossendale, viz., at Bacup. 
 They began meeting in 1848, and in 1852 they occupied a room 
 in Union Street, Mr. Waite being the first minister. The present 
 chapel, in South Street, was built in 1853. 
 
 There are altogether over seventy places of worship in Rossendale. 
 All of these (except the Friends) have one or more Sunday Schools, 
 and many of them Day Schools attached, though the latter are 
 being gradually taken over by the School Boards.
 
 BOOK SIXTH 
 
 - > ♦♦♦ < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 "All men are interested in their ancestors. 
 All men love to look back into the days that are past." 
 
 T. Love Peacock,— rAe Four Ages of Poetry. 
 
 rpHE question has been asked : From whence did the bulk of 
 -*- the original inhabitants of Rossendale spring ? I have 
 devoted some attention to the subject, and am led to the conclu- 
 sion that it was from Pendle and the district around it, including 
 Clitheroe and some distance northward, and also in a southerly 
 direction winding down towards Blackburn on the west, to Burnley 
 on the east, that the original inhabitants of Rossendale, at the time 
 of the disforesting or " Granting of the Forests," three hundred and 
 eighty-six years ago, and during subsequent years, actually came. 
 
 My chief reasons for arriving at this conclusion are these : If we 
 recognize the circumstances of the two districts, there will be found 
 striking coincidences to incline the people one to the other ; and if 
 we examine the distinctive names of many of the places and objects 
 in and about Pendle, Clitheroe, and the adjacent country, and com- 
 pare them with names of places and objects in Rossendale, we 
 shall find not only a similarity or family hkeness, but in some 
 instances a positive identity, thus : 
 
 Both Pendle and Rossendale are of the same hilly character ; 
 both were part of the Ancient " Forest of Blackburnshire " in early 
 days, and they have always been under the same lord of the honor.
 
 Forest of Rosse7idale. 223 
 
 These three broad facts constitute the general circumstances 
 associating the two places. Then, as regards the names of places 
 and objects : The main stream running through Pendle was 
 called " Pendle water," just as the Irwell was formerly called 
 " Rossendale water." For example : In the Palatine Note Book, 
 Vol. III., p. 210, it is stated (being an extract from an ancient 
 writing) that " Richard de Radcliffe, of Ordsall, Manchester, 
 [son of John de Radcliffe, Chevalier of Ordsall] Escheator of 
 Lancashire, was drowned in Rossendale Water in the year 1380." 
 " Rossendale Water," i.e., the water coming down from or having its 
 rise in Rossendale. Further, there is Newchurch in Pendle, and the 
 river Whitewell in Bowland ; we have Newchurch also and the 
 river Whitewell in Rossendale. In Pendle, there is Walverden 
 [Wolverden], in Rossendale we have Wolfenden. In Pendle, 
 Rough Lee Booth, we have Rough Lee in Rossendale. There is 
 a Goldshaw Booth in Pendle, and a Goodshaw Booth in Rossen- 
 dale. Old Laund Booth, Pendle, and a Laund in Rossendale. 
 In Rattonclough, there is a near resemblance to Rawtenstall. In 
 Pendle and the surrounding district, there are also Dean, Pike Law, 
 Hey Houses, Lane Head, Lane Side, Sykes, Crawshaw Hill, 
 Blackwood, Bull Hole, Hollins, New Hall, Healdwood, Carr Hall, 
 Green Nook, Trough Laith, Water Barn, Rake Head, all of which 
 names have their close counterpart in Rossendale. 
 
 I,ooking at this remarkable list, it must be granted that the 
 similarity, and in many cases the identity which exists between the 
 names in the two districts, is not a matter of mere accident, but 
 that the origin of the names, or rather their application, must have 
 arisen in the mutual intercourse that existed between the inhabi- 
 tants of the one district and the other. The identity, which is 
 indeed too strikingly obvious to be ignored, cannot be explained in 
 any other way. 
 
 It is quite admissible to assume that some of the names may 
 have been carried northward from Rossendale, for, without doubt, 
 Rossendale could lend as well as borrow— there would, in short, be 
 an interchange of names, less or more, though it is highly probable
 
 2 24 History of the 
 
 that the bulk of them came south, from the mother-district of 
 CHtheroe. 
 
 That there was this intercourse in those early days there can be 
 no question — an intercourse amounting to association and inter- 
 marriage, and commerce (using the word in its original sense) 
 between the two, by reason of identity of circumstances, interests 
 and natural affinity. 
 
 The district from Burnley and Blackburn to Clitheroe, Pendle, 
 and beyond, was more accessible to and from Rossendale than any 
 other of the adjacent districts. There are no fewer than three 
 direct roads at the present time leading from Rossendale to 
 Burnley, and thence branching off to Blackburn to the left, 
 namely : — Through Crawshawbooth ; through Newchurch, Lumb 
 and Water ; and by way of Broadclough, Bacup. And although 
 these roads, as they exist at present, are of comparatively recent 
 construction, yet, there can be no manner of doubt, that there have 
 been, from days immemorial, footpaths or tracks in the same 
 direction. All the lime for building purposes was brought from 
 Clitheroe by way of these tracks on the backs of horses, or 
 " lime gals " as they were called, until within comparatively recent 
 times. 
 
 Again, it is well known, that before the erection in 151 1 (3d 
 Henry VIII.) of the Chapel of Ease (as it was originally called), at 
 Newchurch, the Castle and Church of Clitheroe was the Parish 
 Church of Rossendale. And although the distance was great, 
 about fifteen miles as the crow flies, and the way in those days 
 leading between Rossendale and the said Parish Church was " very 
 foul, painful and hillous " (quoting the description given in the 
 decree of the Duchy Chancellor 4th Edward VI.), the inhabitants 
 of Rossendale, or such of them as were not too infirm to under- 
 take the journey, regularly attended the mother church at Clitheroe. 
 Rossendale marriages were solemnized there, infants from the 
 Forest were taken there to be christened, and the dead were 
 carried hence to Clitheroe to be buried. Associations of this kind 
 are the most binding in human nature. There was thus a constant
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 225 
 
 and familiar and family intercourse between the scattered inhabitants 
 of the Forest of Rossendale and those of the district where their 
 Parish Church was situated, and frequent meetings, visitings, and 
 junkettings would be the result. 
 
 The Forest servants of the lord of the honor naturally came 
 from Clitheroe, and the herdsmen in charge of the cattle belong- 
 ing to VVhalley Abbey in the grazing lands in Rossendale that were 
 at that time the property of the Abbot and monks, were sent here 
 from the same district. The original chapel at Newchurch was 
 undoubtedly erected largely by contributions from Whalley Abbey, 
 to meet the spiritual wants of the then Catholic inhabitants. 
 
 Further, nearly all the present characteristic Rossendale 
 surnames, notably the Howarths, Haworths, Holts, Rostrons, 
 Whittakers (spelt with both single and double t), are to be found 
 in the neighbourhood in question, and they are particularly 
 abundant in the Blackburn direction. 
 
 The characteristics of the native inhabitants of both places or 
 districts are also very similar to this day, the chief of these being a 
 stolid exterior appearance, relieved and brightened by a rough and 
 ready, but not unkindly humour, expressed with a persistent 
 adherence to dialectical speech, even in cases where a certain 
 culture might be expected to eradicate the tendency. 
 
 It will be understood that I am dealing only with the undoubted 
 Rossendalian. It is only by going back to, and making a study of, 
 the original stock in both districts, that the characteristics mentioned 
 are to be observed. The remarks do not apply to all the 
 inhabitants of Rossendale, or even the bulk of them, at the present 
 day. _ The continual influx and reflux of population, and even the 
 nature and vicissitudes of trade and occupation produce changes of 
 character and temperament, and modify the peculiarities of race 
 even in those instances where it is purest. 
 
 The inhabitants of the Forest of Rossendale are proverbial for 
 their shrewd, enterprising character. Possessing largely the faculty 
 of acquiring and accumulating money, they combine therewith the
 
 226 History of the 
 
 gift of a wise economy in spending it. With praiseworthy industry 
 they have surrounded their firesides with 'those material comforts 
 which are denied by Nature to the barren and unfruitful soil of 
 their district. And yet to charge Nature with withholding her 
 bountiful hand were ungenerous : the abundant supply of coal, the 
 almost inexhaustible mines of excellent stone which crop out on 
 every slope, and the numberless streams that travel down the hill- 
 sides to the bosom of the ample valley below ; all these, Nature 
 has bestowed on Rossendale with lavish prodigality, and all have 
 contributed to raise her to her present importance as a manufactur- 
 ing district. 
 
 There is little of what is called "ancient blood" in the locality. 
 A few of the oldest families can trace their ancestors back through 
 two or three centuries, but the chief men of wealth and position in 
 Rossendale have risen from the ranks, and with little ostentation 
 and display they yet surround themselves with the substantial com- 
 forts and even the elegancies of life. 
 
 One key to the secret of the success and growing importance of 
 Rossendale is to be found in the circumstance that the spirit of 
 absenteeism has never prevailed to any extent amongst those who 
 have amassed fortunes in the district. They live, as a rule, in the 
 locality, and many of them take an active interest in its progress. 
 The numerous tasteful residences which adorn the hill-sides, and 
 whose cultivated grounds, neatly laid out and planted, relieve the 
 landscape, are evidence of a healthy state of feeling, and of a pre- 
 vailing desire that the prosperity of the district shall be as 
 permanent as it has been rapid. 
 
 In order to show the measure of this prosperity and the rate of 
 its increase within the present century, I have compiled the 
 subjoined table of the annual value of the rateable property in the 
 several townships comprised within the Forest of Rossendale in the 
 several years named. The area of each Township or Booth is also 
 given : —
 
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 2 28 Histoty of the 
 
 The annual rental as represented by the County Rate Valuation 
 of 1892, shows an increase of 152,195 per cent, on the "advanced 
 rents," amounting in the aggregate to ^^131 3s. 8d., confirmed by 
 King James I. On the valuation of 1815, the increase to the 
 present time (or within a period of seventy-seven years) is 560 per 
 cent. 
 
 The increase in the amount and value of property in any 
 district is in a great measure dependent on the growth of the 
 population therein. This fact receives striking confirmation in 
 the population statistics of the Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 At the time of the building of the New Church in .a.d. 15 i i, the 
 population probably did not exceed 200 souls ; about nine years 
 before, they numbered only 20. In 1551, or 40 years afterwards, 
 they had grown to 1000, young and old. While one hundred years 
 later, during the Commonwealth, they had increased to about 
 3000 or 3500 souls. 
 
 The next table which has been carefully compiled from the 
 different census returns from 1801 to 1S91, is as interesting as the 
 one given above, and may be accepted as an exact statement of the 
 population of Rossendale : —
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 229 
 
 
 c^ 
 
 
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 Popu- 
 lation. 
 
 00 C0\0 ON ^ ^OD N 
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 £° 
 
 1881 
 Popu- 
 lation. 
 
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 Popu- 
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 230 History of the 
 
 The increase in the amount of population between 1801 and 
 1891, a period of ninety years, is 380 per cent. In Rossendale 
 the Females exceed the Males by about 1 2 per cent. 
 
 The cotton dearth, consequent on the Civil War in America, 
 denuded Rossendale of a portion of its population, many families 
 having migrated into Yorkshire and other districts in search of 
 employment. With the resumption of work, however, at the 
 various mills in 1865, many of these families returned. 
 
 The wide district embraced within the ancient Forest of 
 Rossendale, is now, for the chief part, parcelled out between two 
 considerable Municipal Boroughs. Bacup, to which a charter of 
 incorporation was granted on August 22nd, 18S2, and Rawtenstall, 
 the date of whose charter is February 2nd, 1891. 
 
 Bacup is divided into six Wards, viz. : — Brandwood, Tong, 
 Greens, Broadclough, Tunstead, and Irwell. The first mayor was 
 Mr. Alderman John Hargreaves. The Market Hall, a handsome 
 and commodious building, is in the Italian style of architecture, and 
 in connection with this is the Council Chamber and Town Clerk's 
 Offices. A large and beautiful Cemetery, belonging to the town, 
 provided at a cost of ;^i6,ooo, is situated at Fairwell. The Area 
 of the Borough is 6400 statute acres; Rateable Value ;^78,7i3, 
 and the population (census 1891) 23,498. 
 
 Rawtenstall is also divided into six Wards, viz. : — North Central, 
 South Central, East, South-East, West and North. The first 
 mayor was Mr. Alderman William Lord, 189 1-2. The Area of 
 the Borough is 9528 statute acres ; Rateable Value ;£io6,507, and 
 the population (census, 1891), 29,507.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "There is wind on the heath, brother !" 
 
 — George Borrow. — Lavengro. 
 
 " A land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven." 
 
 "DOSSENDALE, as I first remember it, over forty years ago, 
 ^^ was in some respects different from the Rossendale of to- 
 day. Its population at that time was about one half what it is at 
 present, and the district was altogether more rural and sylvan in 
 character. The introduction of the railway about that period was 
 the beginning of a revolution which is still in progress. Increase 
 of population, and improved carrying and travelling facilities have 
 their advantages in the enhanced value of land and other property 
 which results ; but they have their drawbacks also ; and whilst 
 submitting to, and even welcoming, the inevitable, we are con- 
 strained to bewail, with Mr. Ruskin, the havoc that is wrought in 
 Arcadia when trade and manufactures prevail. 
 
 As is said of other manufacturing districts, so with equal 
 truth it may be said of Rossendale, that " here they grow factory 
 chimneys instead of trees." But notwithstanding the presence of 
 the numerous tall chimneys, there are some charming bits of 
 scenery in Rossendale. Amongst these may be mentioned the 
 view of the \\"aterfoot and Hareholme valley, and the village of 
 Newchurch, obtained from the opposite hill sides below Coupe 
 Law ; of the Dean Valley from Seat Naze, or from the ridge above 
 Broadclough ; and the Sunnyside and Crawshawbooth valley from 
 the slopes of Chapel Hill. But, indeed, the panorama that extends 
 on every side, as viewed from any of the hill summits in the district, 
 is of an agreeable and imposing character. The constant presence
 
 232 History of the 
 
 of hills, with all the associations connected with their venerable 
 antiquity, is an ever-abiding source of interest and wonder to the 
 thoughtful dweller in their midst. As the scars and ridges on the 
 human face lend character to the man, so do the hills and valleys 
 give character to a district. We feel that there is such of history 
 there as no extent of level plain, however interminable, can 
 contribute. 
 
 It is somewhat of a reflection on many people living in the 
 district, that they do not realise what Kossendale really is. They 
 burrow and grub in the valleys, cribbed, cabined and confined, 
 all unconscious of the glory of the hills and wide breezy moorlands 
 by which they are environed. A gusty day on the uplands is an 
 experience not to be lightly appreciated. Wind on the hills is 
 altogether different to wind in the valleys. On the high, broad 
 moorlands it revels in its strength. It is a living presence which 
 commands respect. With its giant arms it turns you and bends 
 you and twists you about like a withered stick. For an instant it 
 holds you in its grasp as though blowing from every point of the 
 compass at once ; then it gives you a push, and away — away you 
 can hear it whisper, and carol, and sing, and laugh as it careers 
 over the heather and bent. Now again you listen to it raving and 
 blustering in the near distance, and with a spring it again suddenly 
 pounces upon you unawares. But though it buffets and smites, 
 it is always with a gloved hand, and there is health in its blows 
 and bufifetings that cannot be had for the buying ! 
 
 But if the hills, always beautiful objects in themselves, rising on 
 each side of the valley, serve to create purifying currents of air, 
 healthful and invigorating in their action, they entail certain disad- 
 vantages upon the residents in their locality — disadvantages which 
 are common to most mountainous districts — they bring down the 
 rain in plentiful abundance. This, combined with the heavy 
 nature of the soil, and its thick substratum of clay, renders the 
 climate damp and foggy, and, in certain directions of the wind, 
 exceptionally cold, anything but congenial to delicate organisations. 
 A healthy and strong constitution will thrive and grow stronger
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 233 
 
 amidst the air of the Rossendale hills, but for persons of delicate 
 frame there are doubtless more desirable places of abode. 
 
 In its abundant rains, however, Rossendale possesses advantages 
 which it would be unfair to overlook — they fill its wells to over- 
 flowing, providing copious supplies of water for domestic and 
 sanitary purposes ; and they cleanse the streets of its villages and 
 towns from accumulations of impure matter. " 
 
 From a record of observations which has been kept, it appears 
 that the average rain-fall in Rossendale is 40 inches; and that 
 the days on which rain falls amount in number to 165. 
 According to the best authorities, the average annual rain-fall in 
 England ranges from 29 to 31 inches. It would appear, therefore, 
 that in this particular Rossendale is 10 inches, or 33 per cent, 
 above the average, {a) 
 
 Taking the rain-fall at 40 inches, no less a quantity than 
 2,592,844 tons of water is thus deposited annually on every square 
 mile of surface in Rossendale : or for its entire area, the enormous 
 total of 79,003,956 tons ! 
 
 The mean temperature of the district, according to the observa- 
 tions before referred to, is 45 degrees Fahr., being 4 degrees below 
 that of Greenwich, {b) 
 
 The valley of Rossendale is essentially a manufacturing district. 
 Its agricultural capabilities are not such as to attract the husband- 
 man, or adequately to repay him for his toil. Its prevailing 
 formation being an unkindly rock, and its soil of an uncongenial 
 clayey character— damp and cold — it possesses but few of those 
 features of beneficent vegetation, so grateful to the eye, which 
 distinguish the limestone and some other districts of England. 
 
 (a) In order that readers may be enabled to compare Rossendale with other 
 districts, the number of rainy days, and the average annual deposit of rain, in 
 inches, at the following places is given : — Edinburgh : Average number of 
 days on which rain falls, 149; depth of rain, 22 inches. Glasgow, 166; 33. 
 Manchester, 161; 35. Liverpool, 154; 34. Hull, 153 ; 23. Kendal, 146; 60. 
 Keswick, 128; 67. Borrowdale, Cumberland, 180; 125. 
 
 (6) The mean temperature of Greenwich is 49°, Dublin, 48-6°, Edinburgh, 
 46-8°.
 
 234 
 
 History of the 
 
 Dairy farming is the only class of agriculture which is profitable. 
 Butter and milk of average quality are produced ; and the 
 abundant population of the valleys supplies the farmer with a ready 
 market for the sale of these commodities. Epidemic diseases have 
 rarely prevailed to any great extent in Rossendale. 
 
 The following table of Births and Deaths, though not embracing 
 the whole of Rossendale (r) yet comprises the greater portion of it, 
 and the conclusions deducible therefrom may be safely assumed to 
 apply to the entire district : — 
 
 FOREST OF ROSSENDALE. 
 
 Births and Deaths Registered in the Townships of Newchurch, 
 Deadwen Clough, Bacup, Tunstead with Wolfenden, Higher and 
 Lower Booths, Coupe, Lench, Newhallhey and Hall Carr, during the 
 two years 1891 and 1892. 
 
 Names of Townships. 
 
 Newchurch, Dedwen Clough, 
 Bacup, Tunstead with 
 Wolfenden 
 
 Higher and Lower Booths,] 
 Coupe, Lench, Newhallhey !- 
 and Hall Carr ) 
 
 Total 
 
 3 <D I- 
 
 a, Q 
 
 26,217 
 
 17.359 
 
 75 7 
 
 51s 
 
 43,576! 1272 
 
 68s 
 
 520 
 
 1205 
 
 > 
 < 
 
 721 
 
 sss 
 
 5i7'S 402 
 
 1238-5 957 
 
 48s 
 
 436 
 
 921 
 
 520 
 
 419 
 
 939 
 
 Increase in Births over Deaths in the two years. .299-5 
 
 Births per cent, of the Population 2 842 
 
 Births per 1000 of the Population 28-42 
 
 Deaths per cent, of the Population 2-155 
 
 Deaths per 1,000 of the Population 21-55 
 
 (c) To give the returns for the whole of Rossendale would be a work of 
 difficulty, as a special search would have to be made to extract the informa- 
 tion relating to portions of the district comprised in several adjacent townships.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 235 
 
 The average death rate for the whole of England in 1891, was 
 2o'2 per 1,000, and in Lancashire alone, 23-8 per 1,000. The 
 average birth rate was respectively t,vj, and 33'3 per 1,000.
 
 BOOK SEVENTH 
 
 > ♦♦♦ < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " We live in deeds, not years j in thoughts, not breaths ; 
 In feelings, not in figures on a dial. 
 We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives 
 Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." 
 
 Bailey, Festus. 
 
 "Delightful task ! to rear the tender thought. 
 And teach the young idea how to shoot. — Thomso.n. 
 
 rr^HE memory of our local worthies ought not to be suffered to 
 -*- pass unrecorded away. We have already briefly spoken of 
 the labours and estimable qualities of some of those whose names 
 Rossendale may well be proud to hold in remembrance — of 
 Mitchel, Crossley, Porter, Maden, Piccop, Hirst, and others ; and 
 to these we would add a humble but not unworthy name, that of 
 John Lord, who for a long series of years during last century was 
 the principal schoolmaster at Bacup, and taught in the " old 
 school." Mr. Lord was a man of sterling character, of a genial, 
 kind-hearted temperament, ready-witted and merry, and by precept 
 and example exerted a powerful influence on the rising generation 
 of the district in his day. One who knew him well, and who 
 always had a grateful recollection of the benefits he received while 
 a pupil under his care, states that " he had that tact as a teacher 
 that is so essential to make the pupils love and fear him. He
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 237 
 
 could be familiar and yet austere, gentle, and yet when needful a 
 terror to evil-doers." {a) 
 
 He had an easy facility at putting humorous rhymes together, 
 and several pieces of local interest composed by Mr. Lord can be 
 repeated by some of the older inhabitants. To his varied accom- 
 plishments he added that of music, and it was a pleasure in which 
 he frequently indulged, to sit on a raised platform at the head of 
 his school, and discourse the music of his violoncello, while his 
 young pupils stood round and sung or chanted the arithmetical 
 and other tables he had woven into rhyme for their profit and 
 pleasure. 
 
 In one piece he gives a whimsical enumeration of all the notable 
 days in the year. Beginning with Christmas, he carries us down 
 through Candlemas to Shrovetide, seven weeks before Easter, the 
 time when " Pancakes are in their prime ;" and when " Fig-pies 
 come thick and fast," we are duly reminded that Mid-Lent with 
 its dainty Simnels is near at hand. This poetical summary ends 
 with the Twenty-fifth of October, the date of Bacup Fair, which, 
 alas ! in these degenerate times, has almost passed out of memory. 
 In another effusion he gives a version of the Calendar, and ends 
 up as follows : — 
 
 Thirty days are in November, 
 
 Winter now conies on apace ; 
 Thirty-one days in December, 
 
 Christmas looks us in the face. 
 
 Now spiced bread and Christmas bo.\es, 
 Cheese and cakes and tarts and ale — 
 
 All for modest lads and lasses, 
 Living in sweet Rossendale. 
 
 The Rev. John Butterworlh, minister of the Baptist Church at 
 Coventry for a period of about fifty-two years, was born at the 
 village of Goodshaw Chapel on the 13th December 1727. In his 
 earlier years he joined himself to the Methodist body ; but his 
 
 (a) James Hargreaves, author of Hirst's Life, in his MS. Autobiography.
 
 238 History of the 
 
 views undergoing a change, he leaned to Calvinism, and became 
 an eminent Baptist preacher. He was the author of a Concordance 
 to the Holy Scriptures, which is held in high estimation. After 
 his death, which occurred on the 24th April, 1803, in the seventy- 
 sixth year of his age, this work was edited by Dr. Adam Clarke, 
 and republished under his superintendence. His son, Joseph 
 Butterworth, married a sister-in-law of the latter-named distinguished 
 divine, and for a lengthened period represented the boroughs of 
 Coventry and Dover in Parliament. 
 
 His father, Henry Butterworth, blacksmith at Goodshaw, was a 
 deacon of the Baptist Church at Cloughfold, and intimately 
 associated with Messrs. Crossley and Mitchel in their evangelical 
 labours. Besides his more celebrated son, John, above mentioned, 
 Henry Butterworth had four other sons — viz., Lawrence, 
 Henry, James, and Thomas. The three former also became 
 Baptist ministers, being settled at Evesham, Bridgenorth, and 
 Broomsgrove, respectively ; and the latter an occasional preacher ; 
 each of the brothers displaying abilities of no ordinary kind. 
 
 James Hargreaves, the author of the " Life of the Rev. John 
 Hirst," and other works, was a man sufficiently remarkable to 
 claim a brief notice. We learn from his unpublished Autobio- 
 graphy that he was the third of five children, and was born on 
 Sunday, November 13th, 1768, at a small farmhouse called 
 Deanhead, two miles from Bacup on the Burnley Road. After 
 his mother's death, which took place when he was only two years 
 and a half old, his father married a second time, and James was 
 sent to live with his uncle George, his father's brother, who had no 
 family. At seven years of age he was put to work to assist at 
 weaving woollen. In 1781 his uncle took a pubHc-house, and 
 finding that James would be useful to him in keeping his accounts, 
 if he had a little education, he sent him to school daily for a few 
 months. This, and some instruction he received in attending an 
 evening class for a short time, was the extent of the schooling he 
 received. His improvement in after life was due to his own 
 assiduous perseverance. From his thirteenth to his eighteenth
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 239 
 
 year, he lived with his uncle at the public-house, but he had always 
 a strong aversion to the business, and this in a measure proved a 
 safeguard which prevented him from falling into the temptations 
 by which he was continually surrounded. A circumstance 
 occurred during his residence at this house, which exercised a 
 considerable influence on the events of his after life. Two persons 
 — one a Calvinist, the other an Arminian — engaged in a dispute 
 on the doctrines of the Scriptures. The subject of our sketch 
 became so interested in the controversy that he determined from 
 that time to read and study the Bible, that he might also become a 
 disputant. ." But, says Mr. Hargreaves, " I record it to my shame, 
 that I had no higher motive in searching the divine oracles. 
 Pilate's question, 'What is truth?' never once at that period 
 occurred to my mind." He read and studied to such purpose, 
 that he was able to take both sides of almost every contested 
 doctrinal question, and few were able to overcome him in debate. 
 In his riper years he seriously embraced the views of the Calvinists. 
 In 1 79 1 he married. Shorriy after this the Rev. Mr. Ogden, the 
 clergyman of St. John's, Bacup, which church Mr. Hargreaves 
 attended, began to urge him strenuously to preach; and this, after 
 two or three abortive efforts, he began to do in the outlying 
 districts around Bacup. 
 
 Mr. Hargreaves in his notes gives an account of his first essay at 
 preaching, which is interesting. He had complied with the 
 earnest wish of Mr. Ogden to preach a sermon on a week night in 
 a cottage ifhere services were frequently held. " I thought," says 
 Mr. Hargreaves, " as the time approached that I could adopt a 
 plan whereby I might avoid preaching, and excuse myself from 
 guilt. I would go too late to the meeting, it would then be begun, 
 and I should escape. My wife went at the time. I followed in 
 about a quarter of an hour. On my way in the dark, and hardly 
 knowing what I was doing, I ran my head into the flank of a horse 
 at the door of a public-house, which I thought for the moment was 
 a sign for me to return home. When I reached the place of meeting, 
 I found to my chagrin that John Whitaker, Esq., of Broadclough,
 
 240 History of the 
 
 was reading the scriptures to improve the time till I arrived. A 
 temporary pulpit was made, and I was offered a book, but I said, 
 ' Tell Mr. Ogden I cannot preach ! ' His reply was, ' Give him a 
 bible.' I gave out a hymn — after the prayer, two friends, as I 
 hesitated to mount the pulpit, assisted me up. I read my text, and 
 then closed my eyes till I had got about half-way through my dis- 
 course, when, just opening them, and finding Mr. Whitaker's eyes 
 fixen upon me, I was obliged instantly to close them again, or all 
 my thoughts had fled. Having finished, I stepped down, opened 
 the door, and left them to conclude the meeting as they pleased. 
 It was a dark night in the month of November, so that I was not, 
 as I feared, a gazing-stock on my return home. Next morning 
 before daybreak, I took a walk through the village, feeling that I 
 could not bear to be seen again in the daytime. Shortly afterwards 
 Mr. Ogden and several of the society urged me to preach again, 
 but I did not attempt it till about Christmas in 1792. In the 
 beginning of April, 1793, Mr. Ogden was from home on the Lord's 
 Day, and the Church was closed. I was requested to preach in a 
 large factory newly erected, and the top room unfurnished. More 
 than a thousand people were present. A portion of the floor gave 
 way, but no fatal accident occurred. From this time I had my 
 places fixed once a fortnight, and preached at Huttock End, Weir, 
 Stack, Bankbottom, &c. ; and Mr. Ogden would of his own accord 
 give me two shillings for every sermon preached under his direc- 
 tion, though his income was scanty." 
 
 In 1794 Mr. Hargreaves left the church, and joined the Baptist 
 society at Bacup, under the Rev. John Hirst. In 1795 he received 
 a call to Bolton, which he accepted, and was ordained minister on 
 June 29, 1796. Two years later he removed to Ogden, and in 
 addition to his ministerial office, commenced a boarding-school, 
 which he conducted for a long series of years with eminent success : 
 studying unremittingly to qualify himself for the duties. With the 
 exception of an interval oftwelve months spent at Hull (in 1808-9), 
 Mr. Hargreaves laboured at Ogden for a space of 24 years, having 
 during that time declined many more lucrative situations. In 1822
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 241 
 
 he accepted a call to Wild Street Chapel, London, where he 
 remained till the year 1827, when he finally settled at VValtham 
 Abbey Cross, in Essex. 
 
 In 18 1 6 the "Society for the Promotion of Permanent and 
 Universal Peace" was formed. In 1818 Mr. Hargreaves became 
 a member ; and on removing to London, in 1822, he joined the 
 Committee. When Thomas Bell, Esq., declined to act as secretary 
 to the Society, Mr. Hargreaves was induced to accept the office. 
 This post he held till his death. He was enthusiastic in the cause 
 of Peace, and during the long period of his secretaryship lectured 
 and preached — explaining, defending, and enforcing the principles 
 of the Society. 
 
 Mr. Hargreaves was Author of the following works, which he 
 published : — 
 
 " The Great Physician and his Method of Cure recommended in a Letter 
 to a Friend," 1797. 
 
 "An Address to the Heads of Families," 1811. 
 
 " A Catechism for Schools," which went through several editions. 
 
 "The Life of the Rev. John Hirst, of Bacup," 1816. 
 
 "The Inseparable Connexion between Justification by Faith, and Holiness 
 of Heart and Life," 1820. 
 
 " An Essay disproving Eternal and Unconditional Reprobation," 1821. 
 
 " A Reply to Peter Edwards, on Infant Baptism," 1821. This was written 
 at the request of Mr. William Jones, author of " The Waldenses." 
 
 The Essay on Reprobation enlarged, 1825. 
 
 "Essays and Letters on Important Theological Subjects," published at 12s. 
 1833. 
 
 In addition to the above, Mr. Hargreaves pubHshed a number of 
 addresses, sermons, and circular letters ; and contributed largely 
 to the Baptist periodical literature of the day. At his death he 
 left several works in manuscript. He died at Waltham Abbey 
 Cross, September i6th, 1845, ^ged seventy seven years. 
 
 Lawrence Hey worth was born in 1786, at Greensnook, Bacup, 
 and was the youngest of four sons of Peter Heyworth and his wife 
 Elizabeth, who was daughter of Lawrence Ormerod of the same
 
 242 History of the 
 
 place. His father and grandfathers, paternal and maternal, were 
 the principal woollen manufacturers at Bacup. 
 
 He received the first rudiments of learning at the old school, on 
 whose site is now erected the Bacup Mechanics' Institution, of 
 which latter he was President from its establishment in 1839, until 
 his death. 
 
 At the age of thirteen he lost his father, a man highly respected, 
 whose good sense and extensively-cultivated understanding enabled 
 him to impress on the youthful mind of his youngest son the 
 general outlines of, and love for the study of natural philosophy, 
 geography, geology, astronomy, history ; such politics as have in 
 view equal privileges and the greatest good for the greatest number ; 
 the science of political economy, and commerce, which seeks not 
 gain by others' losses, like gambling, but aims at self-enrichment 
 by making others rich. So prepared, Lawrence became a pupil of 
 the eminent Dr. John Fawcett, of Ewood Hall, near Halifax, and 
 finished his education at the Grammar School of Hipperholme, 
 conducted by the Rev. T. Hudson, also near Halifax, which he 
 left in 1802, being then sixteen years of age, and went to assist his 
 brothers, who had succeeded their father in the woollen business. 
 Bacup and its vicinage had then a population of not 
 more than fourteen or fifteen hundred ; and the trade 
 of the few manufacturers of the district was entirely 
 with the Rochdale, Yorkshire and London houses. But, 
 as the goods made by the firm of Peter Heyworth and Sons 
 were for the Portuguese and Spanish markets, Lawrence, who was 
 of an enterprising disposition, soon began to advise his brothers that 
 they should themselves trade direct with Lisbon and Oporto, and 
 so combine the profits of manufacturers and merchants ; he also 
 urged them to send him as their agent to those places. The 
 brothers saw no objection to the plan, but very much doubted the 
 probability of one so young, with (save a little Latin) no knowledge 
 of any language but English, and scarcely any commercial ex- 
 perience, being able to push a trade as an entire stranger amongst 
 foreigners. His mother, however, thought differently, " The idea
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 243 
 
 was his own, he should be allowed the chance of working it out, 
 and she had no doubt of his success," and used the words, " I have 
 confidence in Lawrence." In the October, therefore, of 1805, 
 being just nineteen years of age, Lawrence Heyworth set forth from 
 Greensnook, Bacup, to Lisbon. His route for foreign parts lay 
 through Birmingham and Bristol. The latter part of this portion 
 of the journey was at night, and inside the coach was but one 
 fellow-passenger. He and Heyworth sat at opposite corners, 
 each with the window open all night. In the morning, the ground 
 being covered with hoarfrost, both felt excessively cold, and each 
 explained that he had kept his window open in the belief that his 
 fellow-passenger wished it. The mutual politeness made them 
 acquainted, and the acquaintance afterwards ripened into a 
 friendship which led the way to Mr. Heyworth's commercial 
 success. His companion was a young German of the name of 
 Grunin, a traveller for a commercial house in Hamburgh, and 
 himself on his way to Portugal ; but he had first to visit London, 
 and Mr. Heyworth parted from him with not even the hope of 
 ever meeting him again. At Falmouth, however, there was a 
 strong east wind blowing; the only packet outward-bound was 
 about to take out the Russian ambassador and suite, and would on 
 no condition, not even as a steerage passenger, (to which he would 
 willingly have submitted in the prosecution of his object,) take 
 Heyworth. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to wait the 
 chances of wind and weather for the 'next packet. 
 
 During the delay, which was three weeks, and in course of which 
 came news of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson's death, down came the 
 German to Falmouth, accidentally put up at the same lodging 
 with Mr. Heyworth, and they were fellow passengers to Lisbon. 
 During the voyage, which occupied nine days, the latter worked 
 hard at Portuguese, his knowledge of Latin was of assistance to 
 him, and within a month he could speak with sufficient fluency for 
 all commercial purposes. Thus his first difficulty was overcome ; 
 but at Lisbon he met with little success, and therefore resolved to 
 make trial of Oporto. Removed thither, he again found himself
 
 244 History oj the 
 
 in the same lodging with Grunin, who introduced him to the 
 leading merchants of the place, from whom he speedily received 
 not only more orders for goods of their own make than his 
 brothers could execute, but also such large orders for other articles, 
 that he at once proposed to undertake a general commission 
 business, to which his brothers agreed. This, as well as their own 
 direct business, rapidly increased in extent, and became largely 
 profitable. Nor was this the sum of his good fortune. Lodging 
 also in the same house with him was a young Frenchman, who 
 took so much interest in his progress as to introduce him to the 
 French Consul, who in his turn made him acquainted with several 
 of the chief Spanish houses, with whom he was enabled to do 
 extensive business. The Consul was afterwards still more truly 
 a friend to Mr. Heyworth, for, on the approach of the French 
 army in 1807, he gave him such confidential information of their 
 progress, day by day, as enabled him to remain three weeks after 
 all the other English residents had left ; and having collected and 
 remitted every farthing of debt due to him, (which otherwise would 
 have been confiscated by Napoleon — a matter not accomplished 
 by any other British commercial house at the place), to leave by an 
 American vessel the very day before the French entered. 
 
 The success of the two years in Portugal had convinced his 
 elder brothers that Lawrence had a gift for foreign commerce, and, 
 after some persuasion, they agreed that he and his next brother, 
 James, should establish a commission house at Rio-de-Janerio. A 
 circular was accordingly issued stating their intention, and so high 
 stood the name of the old firm of Heyworth Brothers & Co. that 
 they at once received large consignments from the manufacturers of 
 Lancashire and Yorkshire. Lawrence sailed from Liverpool in the 
 Paris, in the March of 1808, without convoy, and James in the 
 May of 1808 from Hull, with convoy, as supercargo, with a full 
 freight, in the Lascelles. So successful were the brothers in this 
 new field, that in the following year they found it necessary to 
 establish a Liverpool shipping and commission agency ; and at the 
 recommendation of Lawrence, his brother Ormerod resigned the
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 245 
 
 management of the manufactory to the eldest brother, and estab- 
 lished at Liverpool the firm of Ormerod Heyworth & Co. 
 
 From Rio the firm soon extended itself, establishing branches 
 at Bahia, Pernambuco, Buenos Ayres, Lima, Monte Video, 
 Valparaiso, and Hamburgh. The plan adopted by the Hey- 
 worths was to raise to the position of Junior partners such 
 of their young men as showed distinguished ability, and to give 
 them the management of branches ; the several branches worked 
 well together. 
 
 With the exception of a short visit to England, Lawrence Hey- 
 worth remained for seven years in South America. In 181 2 he 
 sailed again on his return to Rio-de-Janeiro, in the new ship 
 Wellwood, which was wrecked on the third day after setting sail 
 from Liverpool on a sand-bank off Wexford on the Irish coast ; 
 and if Mr. Heyworth (as the Captain's energies were paralysed) 
 had not taken in charge the management, and given directions to 
 the sailors about getting the boat afloat at the critical moment 
 when the vessel was breaking up, the passengers and crew would 
 have all perished. Escaping from the broken masts and )4ards of 
 the sinking ship in the open boat, with a terrible sea running, 
 which every moment threatened to swamp them, they safely landed 
 on the coast of Ireland ; Mr Heyworth without any clothing except 
 his shirt. 
 
 In 1815 Sir James Chamberlain went out to Rio as Consul- 
 General, with a patent from George IV., allowing him to levy a 
 tax of half per cent, upon all English goods imported to Rio, 
 which would have brought him some six or seven thousand 
 pounds a-year. This imposition Mr. Heyworth at once resisted, 
 urging its injustice towards British Merchants, and the 
 impossibility of their being legally compelled to pay it. The 
 resistance brought him some persecution from the Consul, but he 
 was successful in preventing the impost ; and the whole matter is 
 remembered in Rio with scarcely less regard than Hampden's 
 resistance of ship money is in this country. In 1816 Mr.
 
 246 History of the 
 
 Heyworth returned to England. Our restrictive Tariff upon 
 sugar, coffee, and other produce of South America, made it 
 necessary for his firm to have an establishment at Hamburgh ; 
 and he accordingly formed in 181 7 an agency under the name of 
 Jackson, Heyworth, and Co. In 18 17 Mr. Heyworth visited their 
 commercial agents at Trieste and Leghorn, extending their 
 transactions with those ports, and saving at the former place a 
 valuable cargo from a failing house. In 18 19 he again visited 
 Hamburgh, sold a large stock of coffee which the partner was 
 holding over, and realised by that single transaction a profit of no 
 less than ;^2o,ooo ; delayed sale of which would, by a sudden fall 
 in the market, which shortly took place, have resulted in a loss 
 almost to that amount. On his return in the same year, Mr. 
 Heyworth purchased the estate of Yew Tree, near Liverpool ; and 
 in 1820 married Elizabeth, his second cousin, daughter of Mr. 
 Aked. From this time he took no very active part in commercial 
 affairs. He was one of the first to perceive the practicability and 
 importance of railways ; and was one of their earliest promoters, 
 inducing his brothers to join him in withdrawing his capital from 
 commerce, and investing it in the Ironways. This he did, not 
 only on the ground of profit, but of national advantage. In 1836 
 the firm disposed of their several establishments at home and 
 abroad to junior partners, who still continue to prosper in the 
 several branches of business founded by the subject of this memoir. 
 
 Mr. Heyworth first took an active part in politics upon the 
 agitation of the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts. He 
 was the second chairman of the Liverpool Free Trades Association; 
 was appointed in 1839 one of the three deputies to the first great 
 conference at Manchester, when the deputies were charged to go 
 only for a fixed duty, to which, however, he refused to consent, 
 and produced a powerful impression upon the meeting, which 
 afterwards influenced the entire agitation, by his assertion of the 
 moral importance of Free Trade, and the right of the people to 
 untaxed bread. From that time he was one of the most zealous 
 members of the League,— was the first to offer a subscription of
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 247 
 
 ;^iooo, on the condition of fifty others giving a like amount ; and 
 was on all occasions by far the largest subscriber in Liverpool. 
 
 He was also from the first a zealous supporter of the Temper- 
 ance cause, opening his house to its advocates from all parts of the 
 world ; and himself incurring no small amount of labour in its 
 advocacy. In 1845 he refused a seat for Stafford, because it vi^as 
 to be gained only by bribing, and keeping open house for the 
 electors, so encouraging corruption and drunkenness. Being a 
 director of the Midland Railway, and a popularly known political 
 reformer, led to his receiving an invitation to contest Derby, on the 
 unseating on petition, after the general election in 1847, of Messrs. 
 Strutt and Gower, and in August 1848 was returned for that 
 Borough, with Mr. M. T. Bass. 
 
 Notwithstanding the unprincipled contest, on the part of his two 
 opponents, at his two elections for Derby, he persisted in maintain- 
 ing inviolable his resolve made at Stafford, not to owe to bribery 
 his seat in his country's honourable House of Commons ; in which 
 resolve he was nobly sustained by his constituents. Besides having 
 an abhorrence of bribery, Mr. Heyworth denounced the payment 
 of charges at elections of what are called legitimate expenses. He 
 held these demands to be a most vicious usage, pregnant with 
 political prostitution. He deemed it an outrage on the first 
 principles of political economy, that an honest servant, be his 
 engagements private or public, should be obliged, or even allowed 
 to invest money in obtaining the onerous duty of serving in 
 Parhament ; and that there is but a step from this legalised 
 obligation to an act of bribery and political dereliction. Mr. 
 Heyworth spoke but seldom in the House. His chief speech was 
 in support of one of Mr. Cobden's motions for Financial reform, 
 wherein he urged the importance of direct over indirect taxation, 
 and was heard with full attention. He was in favour of Universal 
 Suffrage, and Vote by Ballot ; and opposed to Church rates. His 
 age exempted him from serving on Committees, but he expressed 
 his willingness to do so ; and was in other respects a diligent 
 Member of Parliament.
 
 248 History of the 
 
 After sitting through two Parliaments, extending over a period 
 of about nine years, as one of the representatives for the Borough 
 of Derby, Mr. Heyworth experienced, at the age of threescore 
 years and ten, something of the coming infirmities of advancing 
 years, and especially that of a defective hearing. He, therefore, 
 in 1857, relinquished his seat in the House of Commons ; but in 
 his retirement he never ceased to take an active part in promoting 
 the movements agitated for Political, Social, Commercial, and 
 Moral Reform. Mr. Heyworth was the author of a multitude of 
 pamphlets, and published letters on the above and kindred subjects ; 
 and his views are enunciated at length in his work entitled, " The 
 Origin, Mission, and Destiny of Man." He died on the 19th 
 April, 1872, at the ripe age of 86 years. 
 
 John Crabtree, M.D., was born at Meanwood, Newchurch, 
 September 19th, 1804. When a youth he was sent to a school at 
 
 Gawsworth, taught by his uncle, the Rev. Crabtree; and 
 
 afterwards to Dronfield Academy in Derbyshire, kept by Mr. 
 Butterman, where he remained for the space of four years and a 
 half. In 1822, at the age of eighteen, he was apprenticed to Mr. 
 Wolfenden, surgeon, of Congleton, and served for a period of five 
 years. By the assistance of his elder brother, James Crabtree, who, as 
 a merchant in South America, (being a junior partner with the Hey- 
 worths,) had amassed a considerable fortune, he was enabled to go 
 through a course of studies at the Colleges of Edinburgh and 
 Dubhn respectively ; at the former of which, in the year 1829, he 
 took the degree of M.D. On the 12th of June in the same year he 
 obtained his Surgeon's diploma at the Royal College of Surgeons, 
 London, and on the 18th of June his Apothecary's diploma at the 
 Apothecaries' Hall. Unassuming in manners, he was yet gifted 
 •with abilities which would have graced the highest offices of his 
 profession. An accident which befell him in his youth brought on 
 a chest affection, which clung to him during the remainder of his 
 life, and probably influenced him in deciding to settle in the 
 locality of his birth. He began practice at Fearns, near New- 
 church, in 1829, when twenty-five years of age, and continued to
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 249 
 
 pursue his professional duties in the district with eminent success 
 till within a few years of his death. His delicate health towards 
 the close of life prevented him from devoting much time to 
 his profession. Under a seeming abruptness of manner, more 
 assumed than real, he possessed a kind heart. He was a gentleman 
 in the true sense of the word. His charity was large and 
 unostentatious ; and, during his latter years, he kept open surgery 
 for the poor of the district. He died at his residence, Springfield, 
 Newchurch, June 6th, 1867, in the si.xty-third year of his age. 
 
 Robert Munn, the subject of the present sketch, was a man who 
 at one time exercised greater influence than any other in the 
 Rossendale valley, and whose name was widely known and 
 esteemed in commercial circles throughout Lancashire and else- 
 where. He was born at Holt Mill, Waterfoot, on February 22nd, 
 1800, and was of Scottish descent, his ancestors having sought 
 refuge in England during the civil wars, in which they had in some 
 way been involved. The family originally settled at Manchester, 
 and it is known that the grandfather of the deceased kept a 
 considerable farm and grazed his cattle on land which is now 
 occupied by a portion of Deansgate and some of the other streets 
 diverging thence towards Salford. It is certain that during last 
 century the Munns of Manchester were fairly well to do in the 
 world, and associated with many of the best families there and in 
 the surrounding neighbourhood. It was probably through the 
 friendship existing between them and the Lord family, of 
 Broadclough, that led to the father of the deceased eventually 
 settling in Rossendale, where he engaged in business and amassed 
 a small competency. 
 
 In the year 1824, Mr. Munn entered into partnership with his 
 younger brother John in the cotton trade at Old Clough Mill, 
 Irwell Springs, near Bacup. Previous to that time the cotton 
 manufacture in the Forest of Rossendale, as elsewhere, was in 
 quite an embryo state ; but the improved machinery then coming 
 into use began to lend it importance, and money was being made
 
 250 History of the 
 
 by those who embarked in it. The trade had gained a footing in 
 the Rossendale district at the beginning of the century, but at that 
 early time the spinning machinery was rude, and the old handloom 
 \vas in vogue. The firm of Robert and John Munn was one of the 
 first in Rossendale to avail themselves of the improved machinery, 
 which eventually, in 1826, fell a sacrifice to the blind fury of the 
 " powerloom breakers " who invaded the Rossendale valley from 
 Chatterton to the source of the river Irwell. Nine years later, in 
 1833, the firm built Stacksteads Mill, at that time by far the 
 largest cotton factory in the district. In 1S38 they purchased 
 Irwell Mill, Bacup, which had been erected in 1825, and in the 
 year 1844 they built Edgeside Holme Mill, at Newchurch. These 
 were each important enterprises in their day, and their proprietors 
 ranked amongst the foremost cotton' spinners and manufacturers of 
 the time. Prior to the last mentioned date, the brothers had 
 established the now well-known firm of John Munn and Co., of 
 Fountain-street, Manchester, the younger brother having removed 
 to the latter place to superintend the business there. Robert 
 remained in Rossendale, residing at Heath Hill, which house he 
 had erected, and to which he was through life fondly attached, and 
 continued for many years to be the life and soul of the mills 
 belonging to the firm within the valley. 
 
 Mr. Munn was a thorough man of business : his knowledge of 
 the cotton manufacture in its minutest details was of the most 
 intimate kind, and he took pride in excelling in the quality of the 
 productions of his looms. He was strictly temperate and metho- 
 dical in his habits throughout a long and active life, and vigilant 
 and untiring in his business and in whatever else he undertook. It 
 was due to men of his stamp that " Cotton " grew to be a power in 
 the land, and eventually came to be spoken of as "King." 
 
 Though somewhat exacting as a master, and scarcely distin- 
 guished for liberality in the remuneration of his most trusted and 
 valued servants, he yet gained their confidence and esteem by the 
 appreciative manner in which, with his own intimate knowledge of 
 business, he was prompt to recognise a similar knowledge in
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 251 
 
 others. Whilst sufficiently dogmatic in his ideas regarding 
 machinery and methods of manufacture, he was tolerant of views 
 that differed from his own, and was always ready and even eager 
 to enter into discussion with his managers on such subjects. Mr. 
 Munn also possessed the valuable quality of being able to dis- 
 criminate and judge of the character of men, and, though singularly 
 undemonstrative in his friendships, he was tenacious of the 
 material welfare of those for whom he cared, and seldom omitted 
 an opportunity of promoting by his word and personal influence 
 the interests of those of whose character and abilities he had 
 formed a favourable opinion. In this way, if he was chary at 
 helping them with his purse, he did what is better — he enabled 
 them to help themselves. 
 
 In the pursuits and habits of Mr. Munn there was nothing 
 approaching to luxury, though his considerable wealth might well 
 have justified a more liberal expenditure. His establishments 
 both in Rossendale and in Scotland, whither he annually resorted 
 for a few weeks to enjoy the relaxation of a little shooting on the 
 moors, were plain and unostentatious. Personally he was noted, 
 especially in his younger years, for his neat dapper appearance, 
 and, loyal to his business as a cotton manufacturer, he wore a 
 check cotton neckerchief to the last. He was an expert rider, and 
 twenty-five years ago was to be seen almost daily on horseback in 
 the valley riding to and from the different mills belonging to the 
 firm. 
 
 Mr. Munn qualified as a magistrate of the Hundred of Black- 
 burn in the year 1847, and on the death of Mr. James Whitaker, 
 of Broadclough, he became chairman of the Rossendale bench of 
 justices, a position he held for twenty-two years till his death. As 
 in his business, so on the bench, he was characterised for the 
 clearheadedness of his judgment, and his decisions were generally 
 tempered with as much of mercy as was compatible with justice. 
 He was a guardian in the Haslingden Union, and chairman of the 
 Board for the space of eighteen years. He took part in most of 
 the different educational and other movements in the district, and
 
 252 History of the 
 
 furthered them with his influence, if not to any great extent with 
 his purse. 
 
 We have remarked above that Mr. Munn at one time in his 
 career exercised greater influence in Rossendale than any other 
 man. We might safely have said, than any other dozen men put 
 together. But it was not so during the last twenty years of his life. 
 During that period his name, though still in the first rank of 
 Lancashire capitalists and cotton spinners, had gradually ceased 
 to be "a name to conjure by." This result was unquestionably 
 due to the change that some time after the repeal of the Corn 
 Laws took place in his poHtical opinions. In the prime of his 
 life there was no more ardent Liberal than the deceased, associated 
 as he was with Cobden, Bright, Henry Ashworth, of Bolton, and 
 the other leading spirits of the great Anti-Corn Law League. In 
 those days he was a prominent figure in what was unquestionably 
 the ablest coalition of men of business and of natural genius that 
 ever before in the history of this or any other country associated 
 together for a beneficent political purpose. The leaders of the 
 League, both individually and collectively, were men who towered 
 above their fellows, and Rossendale was proud of its representative. 
 In clear-headedness, in business tact, and in wealth, Mr. Munn 
 was equal to most of his associates of those days ; he came behind 
 some of them only in his power of expression, for he never was a 
 public speaker, though he essayed to appear once or twice in that 
 capacity. But in private conversation, and in the committee room, 
 his vigorous words, the enthusiasm that would at times glow in his 
 eyes and hurry his speech to his lips, were all well suited to 
 stimulate the spirits of his compeers. It is well known also that 
 he was a large contributor to the funds of the League. When 
 afterwards he fell away from the political faith of his younger years, 
 there was silent grieving in Rossendale, for it was well known to 
 his best friends that in no true sense could he ever sympathise 
 with the doctrines of his new allies, whilst it was seen that his 
 influence as a man and a politician would suffer declension. The 
 result proved the truth of these anticipations, for he eventually
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 253 
 
 became a mere nonentity in politics. Mr. Munn undoubtedly 
 felt his altered position acutely at times, for, to salve over his 
 political conscience, he was often in the habit of asserting, and 
 even laboured to prove to his intimate friends, that it was not his 
 opinions that had undergone a change, but those of the able men 
 with whom he had been wont to associate. Mr. Munn was a 
 bitter and persistent opponent of the Ten Hours Factory Bill, and 
 he never was reconciled to the loss, as he declared it to be, of the 
 " two golden hours " of the working day. 
 
 In his religious views he was unobtrusive and widely tolerant, 
 and, although he attended the Established Church, in matters of 
 faith he inclined to the opinions of Emanuel Swedenborg. 
 
 Mr. Munn married Miss Howorth, sister of Mr. John Howorth, 
 of Bacup, and had a family of two sons and five daughters. His 
 wife died in 1873. The melancholy death of his eldest son, 
 James, a gentleman of considerable promise, and possessed of a 
 genial and kindly temperament, who was drowned by the upsetting 
 of a yacht at Lytham, affected him more severely than to a 
 superficial observer might appear, and helped to cloud his latter 
 years. At the time of his death, on Saturday, the 19th April, 
 1879, he was in his 8oth year. 
 
 John Aitken was born at Kidderminster in the year 1820, but 
 came early to Rossendale, where he spent the greater part of his 
 life. For many years, he, with his brothers, and latterly on his own 
 account, carried on the business of cotton spinning and manu- 
 facturing at Bacup. He was appointed a County Justice in 1862, 
 and became an active and useful member of the bench. Mr Aitken 
 took a prominent part in the Volunteer movement at its inception, 
 and was eventually gazetted as Captain of the Rossendale Corps. 
 In politics he was an ardent Liberal, and for many years was a 
 leader of the Party in Bacup and the district. He succeeded Mr. 
 Lawrence Heyworth as President of the Bacup Mechanics' 
 Institution, and in that capacity delivered many interesting and 
 thoughtful addresses. His literary and scientific attainments were
 
 2 54 History of ' the 
 
 of no mean order. As a local geologist he took a foremost 
 position, being F.G.S., and twice elected the President of the 
 Manchester Geological Society. He was an authority on the 
 Geology of this district, as his contribution to the present work 
 bears witness, and his papers on his favourite subject in the 
 different geological magazines are numerous and valuable. Mr. 
 Aitken died at Urmston on the 29th July, 1884, in his 64th year. 
 
 • Henry Cunlifife was born at High Field, Rossendale, on the 13th 
 October, 1825. He was the author of " A Glossary of Rochdale- 
 with-Rossendale Words and Phrases" (published after his death), 
 and other works, amongst which is a Novel entitled " Forest and 
 Factory : A Tale of Northern England," the scene of which is 
 placed chiefly in Rossendale. In his preface to the first named 
 work he has the following interesting remarks on the Rossendale 
 and adjacent dialects : "This Glossary, although dealing with the 
 forms current within a very small area, contains all the best words 
 used by a greatly extended population, and upwards of fifteen 
 hundred which do not occur in any Glossary hitherto published. 
 My endeavour has been to give orthographical consistency, or, in 
 other words, literary form, to the dialect — or rather dialects, for 
 there are two — prevailing within the parish of Rochdale. . . . 
 It appears that Rooley Moor and the ridge westward, which cross 
 the parish and constitute the division between the two dialects, 
 have at some early period been the barriers obstructing communi- 
 cation between two distinct peoples dwelling on their opposite 
 sides and in the adjacent valleys. On the northern or Rossendale 
 side, from Bacup to Edenfield, the ' Rossendale twang,' as the 
 local dialect is called, prevails in its full strength ; while nowhere 
 in the valley of the Roche — on the southern side — is \hs. patois 
 which gives immortality to the writings of Tim Bobbin more racy 
 than it is in the doughs and hamlets on the slopes of Rooley Moor. 
 The mountainous belt which separates the two districts is some 
 three miles broad, but, narrow as it is, I have resided on both sides 
 — in each instance for a period of twenty-five years — and neces-
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 255 
 
 sarily mixed much with the common people, without perceiving 
 the least tendency towards a fusion of the two tongues, or any 
 nearer approach to uniformity than as education does away with 
 the local forms of both. This, I think, indicates that Rossendale 
 was originally peopled by an incursion from the north, which, as 
 the student of the Glossary will perceive, introduced the many 
 northern sounds which still exist in the vernacular. On-the other 
 hand, the valley of the Roche, up to the summit of Rooley Moor 
 and the foot of Blackstone Edge, would appear to have been 
 conquered by an invasion from the west." 
 
 Mr. Cunliffe was born and reared in the humblest circum- 
 stances, and earned his living from early childhood. Notwith- 
 standing that he was self-taught, he attained to a high degree of 
 culture, and became a fluent and versatile journalist ; pursuing his 
 Hterary labours, and at the same time attending to his business as a 
 cotton mill manager. Had he been at full liberty to follow the 
 bent of his mind, he might have taken high rank in literature. 
 Whilst of a modest and retiring disposition, Mr. Cunliffe was a 
 strong politician, holding advanced Liberal views, and during many 
 years was a contributor and leader writer to various provincial 
 newspapers. He died at Rochdale on the 21st April, 1886, in his 
 6ist year. 
 
 William Hoyle, eminent as a Political Economist and Statisti- 
 cian, was bom in the Rossendale Valley in 1831 : he was the fourth 
 child of his parents, who were members of the Methodist body. 
 The family removed to Brooksbottom when he was in his fourth 
 year, and returned to Crawshawbooth twelve years later. His 
 parents being poor working people, he had but scant opportunity 
 for education. After attending a dame's school, he became a 
 half-timer in a mill at the age of eight, and when sixteen, he 
 worked as a cotton weaver, having charge of two power looms in the 
 factory. His thirst for knowledge and self-culture led him to rise 
 betimes from bed in the early morning, and he usually devoted 
 two or three hours to reading and study before going to his work
 
 256 History of the 
 
 at 6 o'clock. He also attended an evening school. Thus, by 
 unwearying assiduity, he acquired proficiency in arithmetic and 
 mathematics, and skill in grammar and composition. By wide 
 reading and observant habits he also attained to an intimate 
 knowledge of the world and human character. ' At the age of 
 fifteen, he became from principle a total abstainer, and, soon 
 afterwards, a vegetarian ; and later in life he was well known as an 
 earnest and persistent advocate of the policy of the United 
 Kingdom Alliance. 
 
 Frugal in his habits, he saved money, and became an employer 
 of labour. In 1851 he entered into partnership with his father as 
 a cotton manufacturer at Crawshawbooth. In 1859 he married, 
 and shortly afterwards removed to Tottington, where the firm 
 built a large mill. Mr. Hoyle aspired to Parliamentary honours 
 in 1880 by contesting the seat for the representation of Dewsbury, 
 but was defeated. 
 
 " The keen interest he took in the Alliance agitation led him to 
 formulate the scheme for raising a guarantee fund of ^^100,000. 
 This project was explained to the annual meeting in 1871, and 
 was received with enthusiasm. His speech at the meeting of 1876 
 showed the intensity of his feelings on the subject, and no one who 
 listened to his earnest voice could doubt the depth and sincerity of 
 his declaration : " {p) 
 
 " I would much rather leave my children penniless in a country 
 without liquor shops, than leave them a great fortune as things 
 are. I have made up my mind to leave no fortune to my children, 
 if I have also to leave the liquor traffic in the country. A good 
 share of my income shall therefore go towards this great move- 
 ment. If the agitation lasts twenty years longer, my subscription 
 will amount altogether, at this rate, to ;^io,ooo ; but if in ten or 
 twelve years we can remove the liquor traffic, the prospects of the 
 country will be so bright, that we need have no apprehension 
 
 (i) Obituary Notice in the Manchester Guardian, March ist, 1886.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 257 
 
 about not leaving fortunes to our children. We shall leave them a 
 far handsomer legacy in their sober and industrious surroundings." 
 
 Mr. Hoyle was a prolific writer in the newspapers on Temperance 
 and Economical subjects, and, in addition, published the following 
 works, which were widely circulated, and exerted no little influence 
 in the country : 
 
 "Food, its Nature and Adaptability," 1864. 
 
 " An Inquiry into the long-continued Depression in the Cotton 
 
 Trade," 1869. 
 " Our National Resources and how they are Wasted," 187 1. 
 " The National Drink Bill." This volume consists of annual 
 
 letters contributed by Mr. Hoyle to the Times and other 
 
 newpapers. 
 "Crime in England and Wales in the Nineteenth Century," 1876. 
 
 In 1884 his health began to fail, owing, doubtless, to the strain 
 put upon it by the exacting labours to which he subjected himself ; 
 but to the last he applied himself to literary work in advocacy of 
 the principles for which he had fought so strenuously and so long. 
 His death took place at Southport in April, 18S6. "As a speaker, 
 Mr. Hoyle was remarkable, not for the art of the orator, but for 
 the force and lucidity with which he marshalled facts and statistics 
 in support of his arguments. His language, whilst devoid of 
 common-place rhetoric, abounded in the higher qualities of 
 directness and earnestness. There have been few men more 
 generous and more disinterested, and his death is lamented by all 
 who value these qualities in our public life." (c) 
 
 (c) Ibid.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " For the harmony 
 And sweet accord was so good music, 
 That the voice to angels' most was like." 
 
 — Chaucer, " The Flower and the Leaf." 
 
 " Compared with these, Italian trills are tame." 
 
 — Burns. 
 
 "An' thee, too, owd musicianer. 
 
 Aw wish lung life to thee — 
 A mon 'at plays a fiddle weel 
 
 Should never awse to dee !" 
 
 — Waugh. 
 
 TN a memorandum book or diary kept by Sir Ralph Assheton, 
 -*- a hospitable Lancashire Baronet of the seventeenth century, 
 and under date the year 1676, occurs the following entry : — 
 
 Xtmas. [Christmas], given the Rossendale players 10/ — ." 
 
 The Musicians of Rossendale Forest are not of yesterday's 
 growth — they are a venerable race, and can count their congeners 
 back through the centuries. Our truest of Lancashire Poets, 
 Edwin Waugh, had them vividly before his mind's eye when he 
 penned his droll story of " The Barrel Organ," over which may 
 often be seen " Laughter holding both his sides." But though they 
 may be taken at a disadvantage with the formal and new-fangled 
 " squalling boxes " which are regulated by clockwork, and troll 
 forth their music by the yard, as a carding-engine measures out its 
 sliver, — place before them the glorious choruses of Handel and 
 Haydn, and the melting melodies of Beethoven and Mendelssohn,
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 259 
 
 and the creations of these masters in the empire of Harmony find 
 ready interpreters and strongly-appreciative minds. Neither of 
 late years has the renown of the " Rossendale Players " diminished. 
 This is the more gratifying, when it is remembered— as an old 
 admirer of theirs remarked— that "they are nearly a' working 
 lads." 
 
 In no part of England has the musical art been more cultivated, 
 or even at the present day is music more appreciated, than in the 
 two northern counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The 
 interpretation of musical thought and expression, it is true, is now 
 left more to the professional singer and performer, and people 
 crowd to the concert hall to listen to the strains as rendered by the 
 cultured exponent of musical language. In former days the practice 
 of music was more of a subjective pursuit. The people themselves 
 were to a greater extent than now the exponents of the art in 
 which they delighted. Like the woven fabrics of the time, much 
 of their music was home-made, and nearly all their power of 
 interpreting the compositions of the great masters was of home 
 growth and nurture ; and if in those the superficial gloss of the 
 later day was wanting, there was generally more of verve and 
 earnestness in the singer, and of substance in the music, with a 
 blessed freedom from adulteration. 
 
 The inhabitants of the Dean Valley have long been celebrated 
 for their excellence as musicians, both vocal and instrumental; 
 and it is from this fact that their appellation of " Deighn Layrocks" 
 has arisen, (a) From records nearly two centuries old, we learn 
 
 (a) The following truthful picture is from the pen of Edwin Waugh :— "Up 
 in the forest of Rossendale, between Derplay Moor and the wild hill called 
 Swinshaw, there is a little lone valley, a green cup in the mountains, called 
 ' Dean.' The inhabitants of this valley are so notable for their love of music, 
 that they are known all through the vales of Rossendale as ' Th' Deighn 
 Layrocks,' or ' The Larks of Dean.' In the twilight of a glorious Sunday 
 evening, in the height of summer, I was roaming over the heathery waste of 
 Swinshaw towards Dean, in company with a musical friend of mine, who 
 lived in the neighbouring clough, when we saw a little crowd of people
 
 26o History of the 
 
 that they were in the habit of meeting in each other's houses by 
 turns, and practising together the compositions, sacred and 
 secular, which our Country can boast in such rich abundance. 
 Many pieces of their own composing bear the impress of abiUty far 
 beyond mediocrity, and deserve to be more generally known. 
 Some of these have, indeed, already gone abroad in the world, and 
 are sung in places widely apart ; being admired by those who are 
 unable to recognise either their origin or authorship. 
 
 I have in my possession a collection, in manuscript, of no fewer 
 than fifty sacred pieces, consisting of Psalm tunes and Chants, 
 composed by residents in the Dean Valley, and in other parts of 
 Rossendale, several of whom are still living. Large as this number 
 
 coming down a moorland slope far away in front of us. As they drew nearer, 
 we found that many of them had musical instruments ; and when we met, my 
 friend recognised them as working people living in the district, and mostly well 
 known to him. He inquired where they had been, and they told him that 
 they had 'bin to a bit ov a sing deawn i'th' Deighn.' ' Well,' said he, ' can't 
 we have a tune here ?' ' Sure, yo con, wi' o' th' plezzur i' th' world,' replied 
 he who acted as spokesman ; and a low buzz of delighted consent ran through 
 the rest of the company. They then ranged themselves in a circle around 
 their conductor, and they played and sang several fine pieces of psalmody 
 upon the heather-scented mountain top. As those solemn strains floated over 
 the wild landscape, startling the moorfowl untimely in his nest, I could not help 
 thinking of the hunted Covenanters of Scotland. The altogether of that 
 scene upon the mountains, ' between the gloaming and the mirk,' made an 
 impression upon me which I shall not easily forget. Long after we parted 
 from them we could hear their voices, softening in sound as the distance grew, 
 chanting on their way down the echoing glen, and the effect was wonderfully 
 fine. This little incident on the top of Swinshaw is representative of many 
 things which often occur in the country parts of Lancashire, showing how 
 widespread the love of music is among the working-classes there. Even in 
 great manufacturing towns it is very common, when passing cotton-mills at 
 work, to hear some fine psalm tune streaming in chorus from female voices, 
 and mingling with the spoom of thousands of spindles. The ' Larks of Dean,' 
 like the rest of the Lancashire operatives, must have suffered in this melan- 
 choly time ; but I hope that the humble musicians of our country will never 
 have occasion to hang their harps upon the willows." — Home Life of the Lan- 
 cashire Factory Folk during the Cation Famine, c 23.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 261 
 
 is, I have reason to believe that it is but a fractional part of what 
 might be collected in the locality. Some of the names given to 
 the pieces are characteristic of the dry humour of the authors — a 
 quality which is largely possessed by many of the old inhabitants of 
 the Forest. Among the list we find " Happy Simeon," " Little 
 Amen," "Booking Warp," " Strong Samson," " Old Methuselah," 
 and " Spanking Rodger." {b) 
 
 Numerous are the stories that are told of the modes in which 
 the enthusiasm of the " Layrocks " is or was displayed in their 
 pursuit of the musical art. In hand-loom days, when every man's 
 house was his workshop, it was usual for the " Deighners " to 
 repair to each other's houses alternately, after the Sunday's service 
 at the chapel, and continue their practice of music far into the 
 small hours of the Monday morning ; and, on rising, after a brief 
 repose, the Monday was spent in a similar manner. Very often the 
 
 (A) One piece, of a secular character - the words and music of which are by 
 the same hand — always affords amusement. It is sung by four voices, and 
 consists of a like number of verses, one being taken by each singer at one 
 and the same time. It professes to describe and ridicule the abortive efforts 
 of a local musical genius, who is endeavouring to initiate into the mysteries 
 of the divine art a class of unimpressionable pupils, and is usually given with 
 all the tumultuous energy of which the Singers are capable. The words, as 
 follows, without pretensions to any special merit, are interesting as a Local 
 curiosity : — 
 
 "OLD SIMON: 
 
 "A CATCH FOR FOUR VOICES. 
 " Simon, I have heard thy singers, 
 Squeaking, squalling. 
 Shouting, bawling, 
 Ranting, roaring — what a din ! 
 Enough to make one's blood run thin I 
 
 "I compare thy snaffling choir 
 To tumult at a house on fire ; 
 
 To hunters in full chase, 
 
 Or riots in a market-place ; 
 Or howling dogs, or angry cats. 
 Or scolding wives, or brawling brats.
 
 262 History of the 
 
 Tuesday also was devoted to the like purpose. But sound, how- 
 ever sweet, is but sorry food for empty stomachs, and, consequently, 
 during the remaining days of the week, the loom had to be plied 
 with unremitting vigour to supply the ever-recurring wants of the 
 household. 
 
 It is related of two of the " Layrocks " — Father and Son — 
 that they had long been busy trying to master a difficult piece of 
 music, one with the violin, the other with the violoncello, but were 
 still unable to execute certain of the more intricate movements to 
 their satisfaction. They had put their instruments aside for the 
 night, and had retired to rest. After his " first sleep," the younger 
 enthusiast, in ruminating over the performance of the evening, 
 thought that if he might only rise and attempt the piece theti, he 
 should be able to manage it. Creeping from under the bed- 
 clothes, he awoke his father, who also arose ; and soon the two in 
 their shirts might have been seen, through the unscreened window, 
 flourishing their bows at an hour when ordinary mortals are laid 
 unconscious in the arms of Somnus. The lonely traveller, had 
 there been one at that untimely hour, would, surely, like Tam o' 
 Shanter, as he passed " By Alloway's auld haunted kirk," have 
 
 " Fie upon their dismal din! 
 
 When I did hear it, 
 
 I do declare it, 
 My hair it stood upright, 
 I trembled with affright, 
 With fear my knees did smite 1 
 
 Such snaffling, snarling, 
 
 Stamping, staring, 
 Sure I thought the fools would fight. 
 
 " Sol, sol, sol, 
 
 Fa, fa, fa. 
 Well done, lads ! 
 
 Stamp, stamp, stamp ! 
 Mind your time ! 
 
 Fa, sol, sol. 
 Well done, old Syh !"
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 26 
 
 J 
 
 felt his hair rising on end at the sight of the two ghostly individuals 
 scraping music at the dead of night, and in such unwonted attire. 
 
 The impression produced upon my mind by a visit paid some 
 years ago, in the month of June, to the oldest chapel at Lumb, on 
 the occasion of the anniversary services there, will not easily be 
 effaced from my memory. It was quite a " field day " among the 
 " Deighn Layrocks," and they mustered in strength, as though 
 bent on maintaining the reputation they had acquired for their 
 musical displays. The Singers' Gallery was thronged to excess. 
 In the fore-front was a dazzling row of buxom girls, with ruddy 
 faces and sparkling eyes, the picture of that rosy health which the 
 fresh and bracing air of the hill-side imparts ; and all were decked 
 out in bonnets newly trimmed with artificial flowers and ribbons of 
 the brightest hue, in every variety of colour and arrangement. 
 Neither in their other apparel was there any lack of neatness, many 
 of the girls displaying superior taste, and dressing in a manner 
 approaching to elegance. For weeks before the anniversary 
 Sundays of the various places of worship throughout Rossendale, 
 those who " ply the needle and thread " have a busy time of it ; 
 for it is the custom of the single lasses to appear at church or 
 chapel on those occasions in the finery which has to serve the 
 purpose of dazzling the eyes, and captivating the hearts, of the 
 rural swains during the intervening twelve months. But this is a 
 digression. Behind the girls were the males of every age, from 
 the youthful tyro to the hoary and spectacled patriarchs of the 
 valley ; and in the rear, with scarcely room to exert their powers, 
 were the Instrumentalists, amongst whom the Fiddlers, large and 
 small, predominated. The mellow flute and the clarionet had their 
 representatives ; and dotted here and there might be seen a brass 
 instrument, reflecting the bright sunshine that gleamed through the 
 windows of the humble edifice, {c) 
 
 (c) It may indicate a want of taste on my part, but I confess to having 
 experienced a pang of regret on learning that the old-fashioned instruments 
 at Lumb Chapel had been supplanted by the more fashionable, but also more 
 formal, Organ — 
 
 " Old times are changed, old manners gone ! "
 
 264 History of the 
 
 I entered just as the Musicians were completing the tuning of 
 their instruments, and found the chapel crowded in every part. 
 Soon the minister ascended the pulpit, and opened the service by 
 giving out the noble Hymn of Dr. Watts : — 
 
 " Come let us join our cheerful songs 
 
 With angels round the throne ; 
 Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, 
 But all their joys are one." 
 
 The tune selected by the Leader of the choir was " Nativity," and 
 with a precision which long practice had rendered easy, and which 
 Charles Halle would have admired had he been there to listen, 
 the whole body of singers and instrumentalists struck briskly off 
 into the fine old lilting measure ; the deep bass of the violoncellos 
 and manly voices, alternating with the treble and alto of the lesser 
 instruments, and the sweet, clear, silver tones of the females, in the 
 frequent repetition of the lines. With reverent voice the minister 
 then perused the Sacred Volume ; his lucid comments enforcing 
 the truths of Holy Writ, and with marvellous power bringing home 
 the Bible narrative to the experiences of our common humanity. 
 Not less impressive and effectual was his earnest prayer, spoken in 
 that homely, vigorous Saxon, which, needing no interpreter, is 
 all-powerful to touch the heart. The hymn which followed the 
 prayer was one familiar to many of my readers : — 
 
 "God of the seas, thy thund'ring voice 
 Makes all the raging waves rejoice ; 
 And one soft word — 'tis Thy command — 
 Can sink them silent in the sand." 
 
 And this being sung to "Glad Tidings," the effect which would 
 be produced by the noble lines of the poet, and the weird, 
 exultant music, upon the unsophisticated mind, may be more easily 
 imagined than described. 
 
 " Compared with this, how poor Religion's pride 
 In all the pomp of method and of art, 
 When men display to congregations wide 
 Devotion's every grace, except the heart !"
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 265 
 
 But the great treat of the afternoon was when, the sermon being 
 concluded, the " Hallelujah Chorus " was given by the choir. The 
 fervent, enthusiastic countenances of the men, many of whom 
 were awkward and even clownish in their dress and appearance, 
 contrasting finely with the less serious, but not less earnest and 
 expressive faces of the female portion of the rural choir, as the 
 grand Anthem, " within no walls confined," rose heavenward to 
 the great Eternal, who is the subject and burden of its strain. 
 Neither was the singing limited to the choir — the majority of the 
 congregation were famiUar with the song, and loud hallelujahs 
 filled the house of God. 
 
 What an unspeakable legacy those glorious musical productions 
 are to mankind, for all time ; and how consoling to reflect that, 
 however humble our station in life, and however coarse our fare 
 and homely our attire, we can enter into their spirit, and enjoy and 
 appreciate their beauties equally with the rich and noble of 
 the land.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " Some call me witch, 
 And being ignorant of myself, they go 
 About to teach me how to be one : urging 
 That my bad tongue — by their bad usage made so, 
 Forespeaks their cattle, doth bewitch their corn, 
 Themselves, their servants, and their babes at nurse. 
 This they enforce upon me ; and in part 
 
 Make me to credit it 
 
 'Tis all one 
 To be a witch as to be counted one." 
 
 — The Witch of Edmonton. 
 
 T N the present chapter I have jotted down a few fragmentary 
 -'- items of information, traditionary, and authenticated. 
 
 Rossendale has on occasions been favoured with the visits of 
 several remarkable men. The Rev. John Wesley, as we have 
 already seen, (a) visited this district four times at least, and from 
 the hill-sides preached to the assembled population. On the 
 occasion of his visit on July 14th, 1761, he opened the first 
 Methodist Chapel in the Forest. 
 
 The renowned Whitefield also, in the course of his peregrina- 
 tions, passed through Rossendale more than once. In a letter 
 addressed to Lady Huntingdon, and dated Leeds, October 30, 
 1749, he says, — " I have preached to many thousands at Rosindale, 
 Aywood, and Halifax." {l>) 
 
 Tradition says that on one occasion he preached from the old 
 " Riding Steps " which formerly stood near to the " George and 
 
 (a) See anti; p. 217. 
 
 {b) Whitefield's Letters, Vol. ii. p. 288.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 267 
 
 Dragon," Bacup, to a vast congregation, which the fame of his 
 eloquence had attracted from far and near. In the year 1750 he 
 also preached in the district, and a letter {c) to a friend, breathing 
 the earnest and devoted spirit of the man, was indited from 
 Rossendale at this time. 
 
 Mr. Christopher Hopper, famous as a preacher in the early days 
 of Methodism, ofificiated, on one occasion, in the original Methodist 
 Chapel in Lane-Head-Lane, Bacup ; and in his diary, under date 
 January 23, 1780, he records, — "I met with a perfect hurricane 
 at Bacup. I was shut up with mountains of snow with a poor old 
 woman till the 27th, with little fire and small provisions. The 
 same day I set out with James Dawson and John Earnshaw over 
 the hills to Colne." 
 
 The eccentric William Gadsby occasionally visited Rossendale. 
 Once, when preaching at Goodshaw, a company of the Dean 
 " Layrocks " had crossed over the hill to assist the local choir, and 
 fiddling and trumpeting were the order of the day. At the con- 
 clusion of the proceedings, Mr. Gadsby, who was always an advo- 
 cate of extreme simplicity in the services, in his usual blunt manner 
 expressed his disapproval of the musical performances, remarking 
 that the presence of so many instruments of music savoured more 
 of the playhouse than the house of God ; and expressed a hope 
 that if ever he came amongst them again, the fiddles and trom- 
 bones might be dispensed with. 
 
 Turning from preaching to politics, it may be noted that Fergus 
 O'Connor, the celebrated leader of the Chartists, paid a visit to 
 Bacup when in the heyday of his popularity. Rossendale, how- 
 ever, never contributed many supporters to the cause of Chartism, 
 though there were a few who enthusiastically embraced the views, 
 and laboured to propagate the opinions, of this political section. It 
 would appear that Fergus -was not very well received when he 
 came to Bacup, for the only room which could be procured for 
 him in which to deliver an address was the old kiln, used for 
 
 (c) No. 842 in his published correspondence.
 
 268 Histojy of the 
 
 smelting malt, (i) situated in Rochdale Road, and now occupied as 
 a cartwright's shop. Here he broached his " Land Scheme," and 
 inaugurated a Branch Society, with what results we all know, (e) ' 
 
 In the diary of the late Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, published in 
 his life by his son, (1S64, p. 123,) the following entry occurs : — 
 
 "July 22nd, 1814. Rode with Mr. Mather to Todmorden 
 in the centre of the beautiful vale of that name. On our way, 
 called on Mr. Maden, near Bacup, where I saw and conversed 
 with Mary Harrison, aged 104. She had been in the family ever 
 since she was twelve years old, and is in full possession of every 
 faculty except that of hearing." 
 
 Mary Harrison, whose remains are interred in the graveyard of 
 Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, Bacup, lived to the remarkable age of 
 108 years. The date of her death is 21st December, 1818. She 
 was born at Chatham, in Cliviger Dean. I have been at some 
 pains to find the register of her birth, but have not succeeded. 
 The register at Holmes Chapel, near to her place of birth, extends 
 no farther back than the year 1742. Her age, however, is well 
 authenticated. She entered the family of the late James Maden, 
 Esq., of Greens, Bacup, in her thirteenth year — lived in it some 
 time — left— and returned again, remaining in it until the day of 
 her death. She nursed three generations of the family in succession : 
 
 (rf) Hence Smeli, the present name of the locality. 
 
 (?) With much to condemn and more to deplore, there was also a good 
 deal to admire in the character of O'Connor. The " Land Scheme " was 
 his fatal mistake ; its failure was inevitable ; the tendency of the small 
 allotment system could only be to reduce our operatives to the unenviable 
 condition of Irish peasant farmers. With all his faults, however, O'Connor 
 was a friend of the working man, and laboured to the best of his judgment to 
 promote his welfare, and improve his condition. He could not be considered 
 a statesman in any sense of the term ; though there are statesmen who have 
 committed graver mistakes than those which can be laid to his charge. For 
 Fergus O'Connor's heart, if not for his head, there are those who entertain, 
 and with ample reason, the profoundest respect, and this, notwithstanding 
 years of obloquy and indiscriminating abuse.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 269 
 
 the youngest child after she was 102 years old, and was able to 
 employ herself in light work till a short time before her last illness. 
 Her complaint was natural decay ; and she retained most of her 
 faculties and memory to the last. 
 
 Sharneyford Mill is the highest in England, being about 1250 
 feet above the level of the sea. The Rossendale man's answer, 
 which Tim Bobbin so much admired, had reference to the water- 
 shed of which Sharneyford forms part : — " I am always well 
 pleased when I think at the Rossendale man's answer, who, being 
 asked where he wunned, said, ' I wiin at tK Riggin 0' tK Woard 
 — at th' Jiiggin 0' th' Woard — for ih' Wetiir 0' tli tone Yeeosing 
 faws into tK Veeost, on th' tother into tli West Seeo.' " if) 
 
 The site of what we now term Bacup has undergone quite a 
 transformation within the memory of " the oldest inhabitant." The 
 cluster of houses which at one time composed the village of Bacup, 
 used to be called " Giddy Meadow " by the old people of last 
 century. The reason of the name I have not been able to 
 ascertain. Not very long ago the land all down on each side of 
 Greave Water was quite a swamp that swung under the feet. The 
 whole of what is now called Tong, in Bacup; used to have quite 
 a park-like appearance, being thickly studded with trees, on which 
 the crows annually built their nests, as they do at Broadclough at 
 the present day. The slope betwixt Tong Lane and Todmorden 
 Road was a series of gardens in a high state of cultivation. So 
 also was the site of the " Club Houses" and St. James' Street. 
 
 The early Baptists used to immerse in the river Irwell, at Lumb 
 Head. A story is related of an irreverent wag who placed a 
 
 (/J This occurs in a letter from Collier (Tim Bobbin) to Robert Whitaker, 
 whose brother, Henry, was also a friend and correspondent of the celebrated 
 Lancashire humourist. See Westall's ed. of Tim Bobbin, 1819, p 297. " The 
 two Whitakers were brothers from Rossendale ; one of whom, Henry, was a 
 schoolmaster at Manchester, and the other, Robert, a land surveyor and 
 steward to Colonel Townley." (Canon Raines.) " Collier occasionally 
 assisted the latter, and both were his constant friends." The South Lancashire 
 Dialect, by Thomas Heywood, F.S.A. Chetham Miscellanies, vol. HI p. 47.
 
 270 History of the 
 
 prickly thorn at the bottom of the pool when old " Abb o'th Yate," 
 was baptized. On complaining of the injuries he had sustained in 
 the process of immersion, Abb was consoled by being assured that 
 it must have been his sins that were pricking him. 
 
 Bull-baiting was formerly a common sport in Rossendale. The 
 Baiting ground at Bacup was on " Hammerton Green," {£) as it 
 was called— the site of the present Corn Mill yard, and near to a 
 low building known as the " Witching hoile." A stake was fixed 
 in the centre of the ground, to which the Bull was tethered by a 
 rope, when its canine tormentors were let loose upon it, amidst the 
 yelling and cursing of a brutalised mob. At Boothfold, until within 
 recent years, the stake with a ring attached stood near to the 
 " Pack Horse." 
 
 To show that the practice of Bull-baiting was at one time 
 familiar to the inhabitants, a little circumstance may be mentioned. 
 A very old Rossendale man, recently deceased, one day attended 
 a Camp Meeting held in a field at Sharneyford. An acquaintance 
 afterwards inquired if he had got to the meeting in time. " Yea," 
 was the reply, " I just geet theer as they were teein' t' bull to th' 
 stake," meaning, of course, that the preacher was just about opening 
 the services. 
 
 But Rossendale was by no means singular in its relish for this 
 degrading practice. In Manchester, in former times, "amongst 
 the heaviest fines, or, as they were called, ' amercements,' on the 
 butchers, were those for selling bull-beef, the bull not having been 
 previously baited to make the flesh tender enough for human food." 
 (Ji) A strange commentary this on the morals and civilisation of 
 our forefathers. 
 
 Tradition says that the narrow defile or gorge, called the 
 " Thrutch," through which the river Irwell, the turnpike road, and 
 
 {g) John Hammerton, probably the owner of the Green in question, was 
 one of the Trustees of the " Old School House," Bacup, in 1773. 
 
 (/i) Introduction to the Manchester Court Leet Records published by the 
 Chetham Society, and edited by John Harland, F.S.A. p. 2.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 271 
 
 the railway now run in close juxtaposition, was at one time so con- 
 tracted at its summit, that it might have been cleared at a leap. 
 A bold hunter of the name of Foster, it is said, actually performed 
 the feat, and the place, until recently, was known as " Foster's 
 Leap." 
 
 At the foot of the hill Coupe Law, is a place named " Th' Arks 
 o' Dearden," where in former times, it is said, horse races were run. 
 A similar race ground is reported to have existed at Pike Law, 
 near to the base of Cribden. 
 
 At one corner of the field adjoining Stackstead's Mill is a large 
 irregularly-shaped mound, made up of earth, clay, and coarse 
 gravel. The railway train, on its way to and from Bacup, passes 
 over a portion of this mound. The material of which it is 
 composed has probably been washed down out of Hell Clough, 
 which is immediately opposite, and deposited at this place, by 
 some operation of Nature, at a remote period of time. But there 
 is a legend connected with it, the recital of which must not be 
 omitted here. It is said that before the river Irwell had scooped 
 out its present channel through the Thrutch Glen, the whole of 
 the valley extending thence up to Bacup foot, was covered by a 
 vast sheet of water — a great Lake, embanked by the surrounding 
 hills. In the deep gorge, in Brandwood, which bears the name 
 of " Hell Clough," it is further said, his Satanic Majesty had his 
 country seat ; and was accustomed to perform his ablutions in the 
 Lake in question. One day the water, swollen by heavy rains, 
 and lashed into fury by the wind, overflowed its banks at the 
 Thrutch, ploughing out a passage through the rock and shale 
 which had hitherto barred its progress. His Majesty of the cloven 
 foot, who stood upon the edge of the Lake enjoying the storm 
 himself had raised, began to perceive the sudden withdrawal of the 
 water from his feet. Divining the cause, he slipped on a large 
 apron, and hastily filling it with soil and gravel, made with all 
 speed to repair the breach. But, just as he reached the place 
 where the mound above described is situated, his apron strings
 
 272 History of the 
 
 broke ; and the mass of rubbish which he carried fell to the 
 ground, where it has lain to this hour. 
 
 It is some such tradition of the close proximity of the Devil to 
 the district which has given rise to the following saying, quoted by 
 Bamford : (/)— " There's a fine leet i' th' welkin, as th' witch o' 
 Brandwood sed when th' Devil wur ridin' o'er Rossenda." 
 
 The belief in Witchcraft, and in the existence of evil spirits, was 
 at one time very prevalent amongst the lower classes in the 
 district. Remnants of such superstitions still exist. At the 
 present day it is not uncommon to find a horeshoe nailed behind 
 the outer door, or on the lintel over the entrance, intended to 
 scare the witch from the dwelling, or prevent her devilish cantrips 
 from taking effect upon the inmates. The inquisitive eye may 
 also detect over the stalls in the shippons of some of the old farm- 
 houses, the " lucky-stone," pendant by a thread from a nail in the 
 ceiling. This was thought to be an infallible charm to protect the 
 cattle from being " witched," and to prevent the cream from 
 breaking in the churn. 
 
 The doings of the notorious " Tong Boggart " are familiar to 
 almost every one in Bacup, and few but have heard rehearsed the 
 story of his unearthly bowlings and knockings that kept the 
 neighbourhood in a ferment of terror for weeks together. 
 
 The " Goodshaw Witch " was a noteworthy personage in her 
 day ; but even against her black art there was an all-sufficient 
 antidote. The superstitious people of the neighbourhood would 
 place a piece of oaten cake underneath their pillow at night on 
 retiring to rest ; and this, if eaten in the morning when they 
 awoke, but before opening the eyes, was a safeguard to shield them 
 during the day from the unholy influences of the withered beldam ; 
 failing to take this precaution, the worst mischiefs were liable to 
 befall them. An unfortunate girl, who had neglected the necessary 
 preservative, was one morning sent by her mother to the old 
 woman to borrow a handful of salt. The reputed witch, not over 
 
 (/) Life of a Radical, chap. vi.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 273 
 
 pleased, turned or twisted her eyes upon the girl, who began to 
 squint from that moment, and was never afterwards able to look 
 straight before her. 
 
 In Harland and Wilkinson's " Lancashire Folk-Lore," (pp. 208-9,) 
 the following account is given of the killing of a Rossendale Witch 
 or Wizard : — "Some years ago I formed the acquaintance of an 
 elderly gentleman who had retired from business after amassing 
 an ample fortune by the manufacture of cotton. He was possessed 
 of a considerable amount of general information — had studied the 
 world by which he was surrounded — and was a leading member of 
 the Wesleyan connexion. The faith element, however, predomin- 
 ated amongst his religious principles, and hence both he and his 
 family were firm believers in witchcraft. On one occasion, 
 according to my informant, both he and the neighbouring farmers 
 suffered much from loss of cattle, and from the unproductiveness 
 of their sheep. The cream was bynged [soured] in the churn, and 
 would bring forth no butter. Their cows died mad in the 
 shippons, and no farrier could be found who was able to fix upon 
 the diseases which afflicted them. Horses were bewitched out of 
 their stables through the loopholes, after the doors had been 
 safely locked, and were frequently found strayed to a considerable 
 distance, when they ought to have been safe in their stalls. 
 Lucky-stones had lost their virtues ; horse-shoes nailed behind the 
 doors were of little use ; and sickles hung across the beams had no 
 effect in averting the malevolence of the evil-doer. At length 
 suspicion rested upon an old man, a noted astrologer and fortune- 
 teller, who resided near New Church, in Rossendale, and it was 
 determined to put an end both to their ill-fortune and his career, 
 by performing the requisite ceremonials for 'killing a witch.' It 
 was a cold November evening when the process commenced. A 
 thick fog covered the valleys, and the wild winds whistled across 
 the dreary moors. The farmers, however, were not deterred. 
 They met at the house of one of their number, whose cattle were 
 then supposed to be under the influence of the wizard ; and having 
 procured a live cock-chicken, they stuck him full of pins and burnt
 
 274 History of the 
 
 him alive, whilst repeating some magical incantation. A cake 
 was also made of oatmeal, mixed with the urine of those bewitched, 
 and, after having been marked with the name of the person 
 
 suspected, was then burnt in a similar manner The 
 
 wind suddenly rose to a tempest, and threatened the destruction 
 of the house. Dreadful meanings, as of some one in intense 
 agony, were heard without, whilst a sense of horror seized upon 
 all within. At the moment when the storm was at the wildest, the 
 wizard knocked at the door, and in piteous tones desired admit- 
 tance. They had previously been warned by the ' wise man ' 
 whom they had consulted that such would be the case, and had 
 been charged not to yield to their feelings of humanity by allowing 
 him to enter. Had they done so, he would have regained all his 
 influence, for the virtue of the spell would have been dissolved. 
 Again and again did he implore them to "open the door, and 
 pleaded the bitterness of the wintry blast, but no one answered 
 from within. They were deaf to all his entreaties, and at last the 
 wizard wended his way across the moors as best he could. The 
 spell, therefore, was enabled to have its full effect, and within a 
 week the Rossendale wizard was locked in the cold embrace of 
 death." 
 
 Another formidable Witch is said to have practised her black 
 art in Rossendale fifty or sixty years ago. A person who had 
 suffered from her evil influences applied for advice under the 
 circumstances to a famous Witch doctor and Fortune-teller who 
 resided at Wardle. The doctor gave him a small packet contain- 
 ing some unknown mixture, with instructions to hold it over the 
 fire in a glazed earthenware pot, about the hour of midnight. 
 He cautioned him, however, to beware of allowing it to drop into 
 the fire, as, if he did so, it would assuredly burn the Witch to 
 death. At the time named, having first carefully bolted the door 
 before performing the spell, he took the mixture and held it as 
 directed. Very soon an unearthly groan was heard outside, as if 
 proceeding from some one in great distress. This so terrified the 
 operator that he allowed the dish and its contents to drop from his
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 275 
 
 hand into the fire, when the whole exploded with a report which 
 shook the adjoining cottages, and awakened the inmates. Next 
 morning it was reported that the reputed Witch was dead, having 
 been found lying underneath the bed in her own house, with her 
 right arm burnt almost to a cinder ! 
 
 A number of the youths of the village of Crawshawbooth were 
 amusing themselves at football on a Sunday afternoon in the field 
 lying between "Pinner Lodge" and Sunnyside House. A 
 gentlemanly personage, dressed" in black, approached and stood 
 looking at them for some time, apparently interested in the game. 
 The ball at length rolled to his feet, and, unable to resist the 
 temptation, he took it in his hand, and gave it a kick that sent it 
 spinning into the air ; but instead of the ball returning to terra 
 firma, it continued to rise until it vanished from the sight of the 
 gaping rustics. Turning to look at the stranger who had performed 
 such a marvellous feat, they espied what they had not observed 
 before — the cloven foot and barbed tail (just visible from under- 
 neath the coat) of his Satanic Majesty. The effect of this 
 unexpected discovery on the onlookers may be imagined but not 
 described. Had the wall of the field been twelve feet high instead 
 of four, it could not have prevented their exit. As for the cause of 
 their sudden dispersion, he vanished in a blaze of fire, and the 
 smell of the brimstone fumes produced by his disappearance was 
 felt in the village for many weeks afterwards. 
 
 A correspondent in a local newspaper relates the same story with a 
 slight variation. One of the players thinking he would give the gentle- 
 man the chance of a knock, turned his foot towards him and kicked 
 the ball. The latter availed himself of the opportunity, and gave the 
 ball a tremendous kick, which struck it into a blue blaze ! The 
 same correspondent (under the signature of Oliver Dingle) states 
 that " he has often heard an old Crawshawboothian relate a story 
 of a bewitched cow, the owner of which, seeing that something was 
 wrong with it, but not being able to tell what, called a number of 
 his friends and neighbours together to look at it, the person who 
 related the story being one of these. The cow was turned out into
 
 276 History of the 
 
 the fold, and a man stood before the shippon door to prevent it 
 going in again ; but it walked up to what the narrator called a 
 loophole in the barn, and slipped through like a cat ! The hole 
 was so small that not one of the lookers-on could have put his head 
 through it, and the barn referred to is the one near Hudson Mill. 
 The narrator said, ' I saw it with my own eyes, and therefore could 
 not be deceived.' " 
 
 In the prose writings of Edwin Waugh, the Lancashire poet, are 
 to be found many curious and interesting references to Rossendale. 
 For example, in his sketch of " Rochdale to Top of Blackstone 
 Edge," he remarks, " When visiting relations of mine near Buckley, 
 I met with a story relating to one of the Buckleys of old, who was 
 a dread to the country-side ; how he pursued a Rossendale rider 
 who had crossed the moors from the Forest, to recover a stolen 
 horse from the stables of Buckley Hall by night, and how this 
 Buckley of Buckley overtook and shot him at a lonely place called 
 Th' Hillock, between Buckley and Rooley Moor." Waugh refers, 
 with some variations, to the same legend in his sketch on 
 "Dulesgate." In his story of " Dan o' Tootlers," the old fiddler, 
 one of his best productions, Waugh remarks that the " fiddler had 
 been specially invited, quite as much in the character of a guest as 
 of an itinerant musician, to enliven the rustic gathering which 
 thronged the old house at the Nine Oaks Farm at the annual churn 
 supper, as the feast of the hay-harvest is called in South 
 Lancashire. The churn supper at Nine Oaks was famous all over 
 the Forest of Rossendale, no less on account of the guests and the 
 bounty of the cheer, than on account of the presence of a minstrel 
 so well known and so universally welcomed as Dan o' Tootlers 
 was in those days." There are two curious references to 
 Rossendale places and character in the sketch, " Owd Cronies." 
 
 " Robin at th' Crawshaw Booth has a lad 
 
 as can creep through a cat hole!' and again, "Here, come; if 
 we're o' gooin' to talk at once, like Rossenda' churchwardens, I'll 
 wait a bit till there's a better chance." In the " Dead Man's 
 Dinner," there is a description of Newchurch with its old church
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 277 
 
 and surroundings, of which it is a faithful and beautiful picture. 
 From a considerable acquaintance with Edwin Waugh's writings, I 
 have observed that in his prose sketches, wherever his references 
 to Rossendale occur, they are in his choicest pieces. The very 
 mention of the name seems to open up within his mind a fine vein 
 of poetic inspiration which is reflected on the page. For example, 
 in "Dulesgate," and in "The Old Fiddler," to which I have 
 already referred, in his "Letters written during the Cotton Famine," 
 where he speaks of the " Deighn Layrocks," in the " Barrel Organ," 
 and in others. 
 
 u-:>^^fe^^
 
 BOOK EIGHTH 
 
 - > ♦♦» < 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " The King he is great on his throne, 
 The Knight at his Lady's knee, 
 The Bishop exults in his lawn. 
 
 But the Tradesman's the metal for me." 
 
 " Work apace, apace, apace, apace, 
 
 Honest Labour bears a lovely f»ce." — Decker. 
 
 " He strains the warp 
 Along the garden walk, or highway side. 
 Smoothing each thread."— Dyer. - The Fleece. 
 
 "D OSSENDALE has had two distinct periods in its history which 
 -'-^ we are able to trace. First, its existence as a Forest, harbour- 
 ing " nothing else but deer and other savage and wild beasts ;" and, 
 second, its industrial condition, agricultural and manufacturing. 
 The earher time we have endeavoured to realize and describe from 
 the meagre records of the past which have been preserved ; the 
 second, also, as regards the agricultural or pastoral developments of 
 the district, we have noted. Its growth in manufactures and trade 
 will now engage our attention. The first was a period of scanty 
 population ; the other is marked by a growing number of inhabi- 
 tants. The poetry and romance of the first have gradually given 
 place to the matter-of-fact circumstances which exist to-day, and 
 which have effaced most of the traces of its earlier condition. The
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 279 
 
 trees and under-growth have disappeared from the face of the 
 country. True, the hills remain as of yore, which is something to 
 rejoice at, and the Irwell and its tributaries still meander down 
 the valleys, though sadly wanting in the pellucid brightness that 
 characterized them in the past. The change is one that has 
 overtaken other places besides Rossendale, and it seems as though 
 it were an inevitable result of the presence of a human population, 
 where the numbers are considerable. Let it- be hoped that the 
 time will come when it will be possible to reconcile the now 
 opposing conditions, or at least to render them less marked and 
 objectionable. The dream is one which is worth cherishing, and 
 it may perhaps be turned into a reality when a sincere and united 
 effort is made for its accomplishment. 
 
 The immediate result of the fulfilment of the decree of Henry 
 VII., for the disforesting of the Forest of Rossendale, was to 
 cause an influx of population into the district, who were afterwards 
 to introduce those manufacturing and industrial pursuits which 
 have since proved an inexhaustible fountain of enrichment, such as 
 the agricultural improvement of its soil is powerless to supply. 
 Ever since that period Rossendale has been growing in importance, 
 by slow gradations at first, sometimes so as scarcely to be perceived, 
 but afterwards with rapid and surprising strides. The advances 
 which have been made during the present century are remarkable. 
 We are each accustomed to listen to the stories of the Patriarchs of 
 the villages — those who have passed a long life-time in the district 
 — how that things are strangely altered since the time when they 
 knew every face in their different localities, and could salute each 
 inhabitant as a familiar acquaintance. 
 
 During tlie reign of Henry VII., we have seen that the 
 population of Rossendale numbered only about twenty souls, 
 whose occupation was that of keeping the Deer. After the Forest 
 was apportioned out into vaccaries or booths, and granted to 
 certain of the inhabitants by the king's commission, the population 
 began to increase, and agricultural pursuits constituted their chief 
 daily employment.
 
 28o History of the 
 
 It is interesting to note our gradual emergence from the ideas 
 and methods of restriction which in times past prevailed, and kept 
 the trade of the country — the most important trade or business, 
 that of agriculture — bound and fettered within confined and 
 narrow limits. I do not now refer to the doctrine of prohibition as 
 applied to the keeping out the produce of other countries from our 
 own, but to the interference which at one time existed with internal 
 freedom of trade. 
 
 Take, for example, the grinding of corn. The practice was 
 general, in past times, throughout the country, of compelling the 
 grinding of corn to be done at certain favoured mills in the 
 different districts ; and it was even a punishable offence to evade 
 this custom by carrying, or attempting to carry, the corn grown 
 in the district, or that purchased outside the district, to be ground 
 at other than the special mills named. 
 
 The Corn Mills in Rossendale, anciently called the " Soke 
 Mills," were situated in Wolfenden Booth, Newchurch, and 
 Oakenhead ^Vood Booth, Rawtenstall. They existed here from a 
 comparatively early period. It is probable that they were built in 
 the sixteenth century. They were originally the property of the 
 Sovereign, who was then lord of the manor, and were erected for 
 the convenience of the inhabitants of the Forest ; who, in return 
 for the accommodation thus provided, were compelled to bring to 
 those mills to be ground all their Corn grown in the Forest, and 
 also all Malt, whether grown in the Forest or out of it, used or 
 spent ground, in their respective houses ; for which grinding they 
 were to pay mulcture at the rate of a thirtieth part, except for the 
 grinding of bought Shelling or Groats grown out of the Forest ; — 
 for these they were only to pay half-mulcture or one in sixty. The 
 inhabitants of Musbury, and Yate and Pickup Bank, owing to their 
 distance from the mills, were not bound by the above regulations. 
 
 This rate of mulcture was fixed by a decree of the Duchy 
 Court, dated May 1638, on consideration of a certificate returned 
 into the Court by Sevile Radcliffe and John Starkie, Esquires, who.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 281 
 
 under the direction of the Chancellor of the Duchy, the Right 
 Hon. Edward Lord Newburgh, were appointed to inquire into 
 certain differences which had arisen between Edward Rawstorne, 
 Esq., his Majesty's Copyhold tenant, and some inhabitants of the 
 Forest, respecting the same. This decree was afterwards confirmed 
 by the same Court in the year 1785, on a trial between the owners 
 of the mills and certain of the inhabitants who had evaded the 
 mulcture by having their grain ground elsewhere. 
 
 I am by no means certain that the decree of 1638 can not be 
 legally enforced, but to attempt it in these days would simply be 
 absurd. Imagine being compelled to have all the yarn produce 
 woven into cloth in the district, or all our cowhides converted into 
 leather and manufactured into shoes in the district. The cases are 
 parallel — it is only the times and the ideas that are changed. 
 
 No doubt in earlier days, when travelling and conv^ance were 
 difficult, the establishment of the soke mills was a boon to the 
 inhabitants, and therefore there was some show of justification for 
 enforcing the support of the mills so established, and yet it seems 
 strange to us, in these days of free and unrestricted trade, that a 
 person, if he cared to incur the cost of transit of his corn, should 
 not in past times, as well as now, have had the right of grinding it, 
 or of having it ground, wherever he chose. 
 
 I have in my possession copies both of the original decree of 
 1638 and the confirmatory decree of 1785. They are interesting 
 documents, but they need not be given at length. I may mention 
 that the millers were under obligation to grind the corn within 
 twenty-fours hours after it was brought to them, otherwise the 
 owner had liberty to take it elsewhere to be ground. The 
 payment for grinding was at the rate of a thirtieth part for corn 
 grown in the Forest, and the sixtieth part for corn grown "forth of" 
 or out of it. Coin was scarce in those days, and therefore payment 
 was made in kind. 
 
 As late as the year 1859, a placard was extensively posted 
 throughout Rossendale, reciting the old decree of 1638 relating to the
 
 282 History of the 
 
 soke mills, as confirmed by the decree of the Duchy Court in 
 1785, and giving notice to all the inhabitants of the Forest, that it 
 was the firm determination of John Brooks, Esq., of Sunnyside, 
 and S. A. Lord, Esq., of Newchurch, the then owners of the mills, 
 to rigorously enforce the ancient custom, and offering a reward of 
 five pounds to any person giving such evidence as would be 
 considered sufficient proof to ground an action, or other legal 
 proceedings against defaulters. The explanation of this is, that in 
 the year named (1859), the late William Sutcliffe, being in treaty 
 for the lease or purchase of the mills from the then owners, 
 questioned whether any actual and assessable value attached to the 
 ancient exclusive rights ; and consequently he declined to take 
 into account any such supposititious value unless its tangibility 
 were proved. It was therefore with the object of affording proof 
 of such alleged value that the placard was issued. It is needless 
 to add that* the result was to corroborate the view entertained by 
 Mr. Sutcliffe as to the want of value in the claim. 
 
 The corn mill at Bacup was built in 1826, by Hoyle and 
 Atkinson, on a portion of a close of land called " Stansfield 
 Meadow ;" but this firm having failed before commencing to work 
 the mill, it was assigned, in 1827, to Peel (engineer). Bates 
 (millwright), and Holt (builder). A further transfer of the 
 property was made in 1828 to Richard Heyworth and Edmund 
 Whitaker, who in turn sold it to William Thompson, John Hill, 
 and William Sutcliffe, in the year 1831. This latter firm began to 
 work it as a corn mill, under the name of James Thompson and 
 Son. Hill died shortly afterwards, and Thompson, in 1859, sold 
 his share to Sutcliffe, who then became the sole owner. In 1863 
 the name of the firm was altered to William Sutcliffe and Son. 
 For a consideration of ;^30 per annum, paid to S. A. Lord, the 
 owner of Boothfold mill, the mill at Bacup takes the mulcture of 
 the district down to Stacksteads. Rawtenstall mill was rebuilt in 
 1S57, by John Brooks, Esq., of Crawshaw Hall; and is also 
 worked by the Messrs. Sutcliffe. Another extensive corn mill, also 
 at Rawtenstall, was built in 1886 by the latter firm.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 283 
 
 In the latter years of the reign of Henry VIII. the Woollen 
 Manufacture was introduced into the district, and during a period 
 of about three hundred years this formed the staple trade of 
 Rossendale. The clothing of the inhabitants in earlier times was 
 chiefly of " self " material ; that is, it was of home manufacture — 
 not bought in the finished piece. In lieu of oil, which was difficult 
 and expensive to procure, the wool was greased with butter raised 
 from the farms. The process of carding, spinning, reeling, and 
 weaving were performed by hand. The hand-loom of those early 
 days is as much surpassed in efficiency by the hand-loom of 
 modern times, as the latter is by the power-loom of our factories. 
 The weft, instead of being conveyed across the loom by means of a 
 shuttle, was rolled into a ball, and thrown or " picked " by hand 
 from one side to the other, by two persons alternately. The 
 shuttle was a great improvement on the earher system, but owing 
 to its ponderous and unwieldy size, a person was still required to 
 be stationed at each side of the machine, to propel it through the 
 shed of the warp. The application of wheels to the shuttle (said, 
 as before mentioned, to have been the invention of John Maden of 
 Bacup) greatly added to its efficiency by lessening the friction, and 
 enabled one person sitting in front of the loom to perform with 
 greater ease that which before required the labour of two. As 
 water power came to be applied in turning the machinery (a) the 
 trade rapidly increased, and a regular flow of population into the 
 manufacturing districts was the consequence. 
 
 As bearing on the trade of Eossendale in past days, the 
 following is interesting : — In the " Travels through England," in 
 
 (a) To the application of water-power in turning the machinery which had 
 
 been invented to supplant hand labour, there were at first strong prejudices 
 
 openly expressed ; as witness the old Rossendale man's prayer in a time of 
 
 drought, — 
 
 " The Lord send rain to till the ground, 
 
 But not to turn the Engines round." 
 
 The woollen-carding engines are here referred to, these being put in 
 motion by the water-wheel.
 
 284 History of the 
 
 the years 1750, 1751, and later years, of Dr. Richard Pocoke, 
 successively Bishop of Meath and of Ossory, published by the 
 Camden Society in 1888, vol. i., p. 205, the following entry occurs : 
 " Ascending the hills from Holme, we came to Bacup, a large 
 village, where they have a great manufacture of woollen clothes 
 which they send white to London. They are mostly Presbyterians, 
 and have, as they call them, two chapels, {b) We left the mountains 
 and came to Rochdale, which has its hame from its situation in a 
 narrow vale on the river Roche." 
 
 There is another mention of the extent of the woollen trade of 
 Rossendale. The following is a copy of an advertisement which 
 appears in a Lancashire newspaper of isth May, 1746: — "This 
 is to give notice that the bay makers in and about Rossendale who 
 have formerly frequented Rochdale Market, intend for the future 
 to expose their goods for sale every Wednesday at Newchurch in 
 Rossendale. N.B. The Forest of Rossendale manufactures and 
 consumes a much larger quantity of the above mentioned com- 
 modities than any other place of its extent in Lancashire." In the 
 latter quarter of the i8th century Arkwright's inventions for 
 spinning cotton gave another stimulus to the woollen trade in 
 Rossendale as elsewhere, the machinery being equally well adapted 
 to the latter manufacture. But it was reserved for the application 
 of steam power to give that vast impulse to the employment of 
 machinery in manufactures, which, in its extent and adaptabihty, 
 has far exceeded the forecasts of the most sanguine. 
 
 From forty to fifty years ago there were in the town (or village, 
 as it then was) of Bacup alone, eleven mills engaged in carding 
 wool ; and in the other parts of Rossendale, seventeen more mills 
 were at work. These places, as a rule, were of small dimensions, 
 because they were restricted in their use to but two branches of 
 trade— those of devilling and carding. The spinning, reeling, (c) and 
 
 (i) The two chapels referred to are doubtless the Old School House, and 
 the original Baptist Chapel in Lane Head Lane. 
 
 (c) In an old newspaper for 1777 I find the following " On Monday last 
 Betty, wife-of Robert Lee, of Burnley, kxiA Ann, ixife of John Harlling, of
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 285 
 
 weaving were entirely domestic processes, almost every cottage and 
 farmstead having its loom-house, or chamber, containing one, two, 
 or more looms, and very often its spinning-loft. The proximity of 
 the Forest of Rossendale to Rochdale, formerly, if not still, the 
 centre of the flannel and baize trade, naturally favoured the growth 
 of the manufacture in this district. The father of the Hardmans 
 of Rochdale, {£) wool-staplers, celebrated for their enterprise as 
 merchants during last century, was a Rossendale man, and is said 
 to have had Spotland literally covered with sheep for the purposes 
 of his business. Prior to the erection of our large factories, and 
 the congregating of numerous workers under one roof, the capital- 
 ists engaged in the woollen manufacture " put out " the warp and 
 wool to their several hands living in the district. The warp which 
 
 Bacup, were convicted for reeling false and short yarn, and paid the respective 
 penalties by statute inflicted upon them, with all costs of prosecution." This 
 evidently refers to an Act passed in the previous year, entitled — 
 
 An Act for the more effectually preventing frauds and abuses committed 
 by persons employed in the manufacture of combing wool, worsted yarn, and 
 goods made from worsted, in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and 
 Cheshire; which recites that 
 
 It shall be lawful to and for every inspector or inspectors from time to time, 
 as occasion shall require, to demand entrance at all seasonable hoiys into the 
 dwelling house or dwelling houses, shop or shops, outhouse or outhouses, of 
 any agent or persons hired or employed to put out wool to be spun within 
 the said counties of York, Lancaster and Chester, to inspect the yarn in the 
 custody of any such agent or person hired or employed as aforesaid within the 
 counties of York, Lancashire and Cheshire, where he has any information, or 
 suspects any false or short reeled yarns ; and in case of refusal by any agent 
 or person hired or employed to put out wool to be spun into worsted yarn to 
 permit or suffer such inspection, he, she, or they so refusing shall forfeit and 
 pay such sum of money not exceeding ;^io nor less than ;^5, as such justice 
 or justices before whom he or they shall be convicted shall think proper to be 
 recovered. — Note by Fred Leary. 
 
 {d) Lawrence, the father of John and James Hardman, was born at Greens, 
 near Acre Mill, Spotl.ind, in the year 1664. At 17 years of age he removed 
 to Rochdale, and shortly became established as a wool-stapler in that town. 
 At his death, which occurred in the year 1715, at Toad Lane, Rochdale, his 
 two sons, John and James, succeeded to the business, and carried it on in
 
 286 History of the 
 
 was spun ready for the loom, had to undergo the process of sizing 
 before being " gaited up." This was also a domestic process, and 
 an important one, requiring the supervision of an experienced hand. 
 A large cistern or pan containing the size was placed upon the fire, 
 and the material being boiled to the proper consistence, the warp 
 was immersed in it. After remaining for a time, it was taken out 
 again, stripped of the superfluous liquid, and carried into the open 
 air to be dried. 
 
 Forty or fifty years ago, when the woollen trade was in the 
 ascendant in the district, and before modern skill had displaced 
 with machinery the slower modes of manipulation, the face of the 
 country on a fine day presented a very different appearance to 
 that which it assumes at the present time. Standing upon the 
 slope of one of the hills, the spectator would have seen stretching 
 along the edges of the highways and lanes, and skirting the fields 
 on every side, long wavy wreaths, varying in shade from hodden 
 gray to almost snowy white, motionless in the still air, or answering 
 in undulations to the wind that stole briskly down the valley. These 
 were the warps which the weavers had stretched out to dry after 
 sizing ; the yarn being made to rest on wooden stakes about four 
 
 partnership. After having been in trade for some time, John, the eldest, 
 removed to Liverpool in order to devote attention to the concerns of the firm 
 there ; while James continued to reside at Rochdale. They were successful 
 in their undertakings, and became wealthy merchants, owning their own 
 trading ships. 
 
 The following additional particulars of the family are extracted from Greg- 
 son's "Fragments of Lancashire," pt. 2. p. 198. — "John Hardman, of 
 Liverpool, merchant, who married Miss Cockshutt, and was M.P. 1754 for 
 Liverpool; and James Hardman, who married Jane Leigh, of Oughtrington, 
 gave for the estate at AUerton (near Liverpool) ;£^7,700. ;£^400 per acre has 
 subsequently been paid for this land, which was divided between Mr. Clegg 
 and Mr. Roscoe. Before and since Mr. Clegg and Mr. Roscoe's purchases, 
 several suits have been instituted at Lancaster by various claimants. The 
 source of these litigations has been the circumstance of no provision or future 
 settlement having been made of the estate in contemplation of the death of 
 Mr. James Hardman's children, who all died before they came of age. Mr. 
 James Hardman. surviving his brother, died November 22, 17S9; and Mrs. 
 Jane Hardman, February 12, 1795. "
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 287 
 
 feet in length each, inserted in the crevices of the fence walls in a 
 horizontal position, and supported at the other end by upright 
 stakes — or " stanners," as they were called. Rossendale was much 
 more thickly timbered in those days ; and the houses had scarcely 
 begun to be built in unpicturesque rows, but were seen to stud the 
 valley and the green hillsides either in detached groups, or as 
 single residences. With the numerous busy hands arranging the 
 draper}' described above, it is easy to imagine how much more of 
 pleasing variety the landscape, untainted with factory smoke, would 
 present, when compared with its present bare and somewhat 
 monotonous aspect. 
 
 The wool intended to be made into weft was weighed and 
 delivered to the workpeople in its natural state. To prepare it for 
 weaving, it was first oiled or greased ; it was then taken to one of 
 the small mills in the district, where it underwent the operations of 
 devilling and carding — the fibres of the material were made to lie 
 parallel with each other, and the wool was also run into slivers or 
 cardings of three to four feet in length. These were now taken 
 home to be spun into weft on the Spinning- Jack. The latter was 
 turned by hand by the spinner, the Jack-rim being at one end of 
 the machine. Turning the wheel with one hand, he regulated the 
 spinning and guided the winding of the weft on to the cops or 
 bobbins with the other. Behind the Jack was the piecer, con- 
 stantly on the move, keeping up a continual supply of the carded 
 wool, now being drawn out and spun into thread ready for the loom, 
 where it was applied in the ordinary way. On the completion of 
 the piece, it was cut from the loom, hooked on pegs rudely fixed 
 to the joists in the ceiling of the house, folded, and carried on the 
 back of the weaver to the warehouse whence the material composing 
 it had originally been obtained. The web was afterwards subjected 
 to the fulling and finishing processes at mills in the district. In 
 this way the cloths called baize, bookings, super-bockings, and 
 mocks, were manufactured. Bacup was at one period famed for 
 producing these goods. At the present time, within the Borough 
 boundary, there is but one solitary Woollen mill.
 
 288 History of the 
 
 A brief reference to what was once the most important mill in 
 the district may interest some readers, and will not be out of place 
 in the present work. 
 
 In the year 1798, Hareholme Mill was built by William Dockray 
 and Co., a quaker firm, on land leased to them by Thos. 
 Edmondson, of Mytholmroyd. The first hands employed in the 
 mill were chiefly brought from Lancaster ; and, at the beginning 
 of the century, nearly all the families residing at Hareholme were 
 natives of the county town. The mill was intended • for and was 
 used in the manufacture of Worsted — -the material of the warp of 
 the woollen goods made in the district. It was not only the first 
 of its size in Rossendale, but it was also one of the first important 
 mills for many miles around. The structure was justly considered 
 to possess much architectural beauty, and its position in the bosom 
 of the valley, especially before the turnpike road was formed, gave 
 it quite a picturesque appearance. The chimney is altogether a 
 curiosity in its way, with its broad base continued nearly one-third 
 of its height, from whence it quickly tapers to the summit, the 
 whole strongly resembling a champagne bottle, and was obviously 
 built at a time when experience in the erection of such structures 
 was required to give confidence to the builder in the stability of 
 his work. Its top, whether from accident or design, exactly 
 resembles the broad brimmed hat of a Quaker. The Ram which 
 surmounts the belfry, typical of the woollen manufacture, was 
 executed by an ingenious workman named John Nuttall, and has 
 often been admired for its truthful resemblance to the original, {e) 
 The first tenants were men of enterprising character ; their yarn 
 was much esteemed for its excellent quality, and agents (basketeers, 
 as they were called, through carrying the goods in baskets slung as 
 
 (e) An architect from a neighbouring town, criticising it freely, and trying 
 to display his superior taste, expressed the opinion that the model of the Ram 
 as designed was all very well done excepting the horns. Whereupon Nuttall 
 naively replied, that whatever the merits of the body of the animal, the 
 horns were just as God had made them. As a matter of fact they were an 
 actual pair of Ram's horns that he had used.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 289 
 
 panniers over the backs of donkeys or Shetland gals) came 
 regularly out of Yorkshire to make their purchases at Hareholme. 
 
 The mill was the first building in Rossendale lighted with gas. 
 This mode of illumination was then so rare, and thought so 
 wonderful, that visitors from all parts, for miles round, came to 
 witness the unusual sight which it presented when lighted up at 
 night. From the time of its erection down to 1851, it continued 
 to be a worsted mill, and during that period passed through several 
 hands. It has now fallen into disuse. 
 
 In addition to the Woollen Spinning and "Weaving Trade, the 
 Combing of Wool was an industry rather extensively practised in 
 Rossendale during the first quarter of the present century. Many 
 of the inhabitants have a vivid recollection of the time when the 
 festival in honour of Bishop Blaize, the patron saint of the wool- 
 combers, was celebrated with much pomp and ceremony in 
 Rossendale ; (f) on which occasion the handsomest female in the 
 
 (f) " St. Blasius is generally represented as Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, 
 and as having suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Licinius in 316. The 
 fact of iron combs having been used in tearing the flesh of the martyr appears 
 the sole reason for his having been adopted by the wool-combers as their 
 patron saint. The large flourishing communities engaged in this business in 
 Bradford and other English towns are accustomed to hold a septennial jubilee 
 on the 3rd of February, in honour of Jason of the Golden Fleece and St. 
 Blaize ; and not many years ago this fete was conducted with considerable 
 state and ceremony. First went the masters on horseback, each bearing a 
 white sliver; then the masters' sons on horseback ; then their colours ; after 
 which came the apprentices, on horseback, in their uniforms. Persons 
 representing the king and queen, the royal family, and their guards and 
 attendants followed. Jason, with the golden fleece, and proper attendants, 
 next appeared. Then came Bishop Blaize in full canonicals, followed by 
 shepherds and shepherdesses, wool-combers, dyers, and other appropriate 
 figures, some wearing wool wigs. 
 
 "Apparently for no better reason than the sound of the prelate's name, it 
 was customary to light fires on this day, or evening, on hill-tops or other 
 conspicuous places. So determinedly anxious were the country people for the 
 celebration by a blaze, that they would sacrifice articles of some importance
 
 290 History of the 
 
 Forest was chosen to act the part of Queen for the day, attired in 
 her regal robes, with her train of attendants dressed in the most 
 grotesque habiliments, and these of every colour and shade. Those 
 were the merry days of the past which the Poets sometimes sing. 
 VVe have neither time nor relish for such displays now, having 
 grown too precise and matter-of-fact. The greed of gain is so ab- 
 sorbing as to prevent our paying attention to such old-world 
 manifestations of the poetry of every-day life. 
 
 For the following approximated particulars of the woollen trade 
 of the district at the present time, I am indebted to the kindness 
 of a gentleman engaged in that business, and familiar with the 
 facts. The number of woollen manufacturers is six. These 
 employ 1,200 hands; there are 500 looms at work; the wages 
 paid weekly amount in the aggregate to ;^i,ooo, and the Capital 
 employed is about ;^3So,ooo. 
 
 The sum of the capital may seem large to those not conversant 
 with the Woollen trade. Two of the most affluent firms in the 
 district, however, export the great bulk of their manufactured 
 goods, and together employ probably about two-thirds of the 
 amount. The staple goods produced are baizes, used as clothing 
 by the troops and natives of the Brazils, and the East and West 
 Coasts of South America, in which places are stationed representa- 
 tives of some of the Rossendale firms. 
 
 Another branch of this important industry is the Felt and 
 Tapestry Carpet trade. In this there are four manufacturers 
 engaged, employing 400 hands, and paying in wages about ^^"400 
 per week. The production is 46,000 pieces, or nearly 3,700,000 
 yards of Carpet per annum, the Capital employed being about 
 _;^i6o,ooo. 
 
 The Printing of these, and some few woven goods, forms an 
 important item in the industry of the district. Of works engaged 
 
 to make one. Country women went about during the day in an idle merry 
 humour, making good cheer; and if they found a neighbour spinning, they 
 thought themselves justified in making a conflagration of the distaff." — 
 Chambers' s Book of Days, vol. i. p. 219.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 291 
 
 in this trade there are four, employing 360 hands, and paying in 
 weekly wages ;^4oo; whilst the Capital invested is close on 
 
 ;^20,000. 
 
 Bringing the different departments of the trade together, we 
 have the following result : — 
 
 Table showing the Extent of the Woollen Trade 
 IN Rossendale in 1893. 
 
 Department. 
 
 Hands 
 
 employed. 
 
 Paid 
 
 in Wages 
 
 weekly. 
 
 Capital 
 employed. 
 
 Spinning and Weaving, 
 Felt and Tapestry, 
 Printing, . 
 
 Total, 
 
 1,200 
 400 
 360 
 
 £ 
 1,000 
 400 
 400 
 
 £ 
 
 350,000 
 
 160,000 
 
 20,000 
 
 1,960 
 
 1,800 
 
 530,000 
 
 About nineteen years ago a new industry, which may be mentioned 
 here (as it is closely allied to the woollen and felt), the Slipper 
 trade, was introduced into Rossendale. It is not only new to the 
 district, but it possesses original features in itself, and it ■was not 
 an importation from any other part of the country. It came 
 opportunely. The Cotton trade of Rossendale was suffering, and 
 is still suffering, owing to the competition with India, at one time 
 its best customer, where cotton goods of a similar class to those 
 made in Rossendale are now being largely produced. 
 
 The Slipper trade is located chiefly at Waterfoot, in the very 
 heart of the Rossendale district, and the story that is told of its 
 origin is interesting. Mr. Samuel McLerie, now the oldest slipper 
 manufacturer in the trade in Rossendale, has been resident here 
 since 1859; and his sister, Mrs. Wylie, who had previously been 
 employed at the Busby Printworks, near Glasgow, came about 
 that time to reside at Waterfoot. It appears that the females 
 employed at the Busby works are accustomed to make a kind
 
 292 History of the 
 
 of slipper out of the used-up pieces of blanketting from the 
 printing machines for wear during the working hours, and some 
 years after her arrival in Rossendale Mrs. Wyhe obtained a piece 
 of felt from Bridge End Mills, and out of this fashioned a pair of 
 slippers. Their neat and cozy appearance was admired by several 
 persons, amongst the rest by Mr. Henry Rothwell, who was the 
 occupant of the mills, and he induced her to make similar slippers 
 for his wife and himself. 
 
 Subsequently, about the year 1874, Mr. J. W. Rothwell (nephew 
 of the above), a woollen printer by trade, began to manufacture 
 these felt slippers at his house in Miller Barn Lane. About 1876 
 he went into partnership with two other printers, Messrs. Clegg 
 and Spencer, and this firm also began the manufacture. Mr. 
 Samuel McLerie hkewise entered into the trade shortly afterwards. 
 The goods gradually found a market both in Rossendale and out- 
 side of it. Shortly after this, viz., about 18S0, the firm of Messrs. 
 Jas. Gregory & Company commenced a similar manufacture at 
 Whitewell Bottom, and although their business was not very 
 successful at first, it eventually became so, mainly owing to the 
 tact and energy of Mr. H. W. Trickett, whom the firm engaged 
 as traveller. 
 
 In 1883, Mr. Trickett began business on his own account 
 at Carr Lane Mill, and later he purchased the large and com- 
 modious cotton mill at Gaghills, which he transformed into a 
 slipper factory. At first the whole of the slippers were made by 
 hand. Finding in the earlier years of his business at Carr Lane 
 that the Germans had almost sole possession of the English 
 market, and believing that it would be impossible to compete 
 with them by hand, Mr. Trickett began and invented various 
 machines, and adapted others for producing the goods. In this 
 he has been entirely successful. He now is making at his two 
 mills over 40,000 pairs of slippers weekly, sending them out to 
 all parts of the world. 
 
 There are at the present time ten slipper factories in the district. 
 The number of workpeople, mostly young men and women.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 293 
 
 employed is about 1,300, who are earning higher wages than they 
 could earn in the cotton mills. The number of slippers produced 
 by the whole of the Rossendale factories is about 70,000 pairs 
 weekly. These are of all descriptions, felt, carpet, Venetian, and 
 a variety of other kinds, with linoleum, woodpulp, and leather 
 soles ; canvas shoes for the seaside are also largely produced. 
 The amount paid in wages weekly is estimated at ;^ 1,1 00 to 
 _;^i,2oo, and the capital invested in the trade is over ^50,000. 
 Rossendale derives a further benefit from the new Industry in the 
 large amount of money that is spent with other firms in the district 
 — felt manufacturers and others — not less a sum than _;^2,ooo per 
 month being paid over to them for goods supplied. In looking at 
 the whole circumstances of the trade, one cannot but admire the 
 enterprise that has been at its foundation and evolution, and the 
 dictum of Dean Swift naturally recurs to us, that they are greatly 
 deserving of esteem who, metaphorically speaking, make two 
 blades of grass to grow where only one grew before. 
 
 The trade of Silk Weaving was at one time, near the beginning 
 of the century, followed to some extent in Rossendale ; so also 
 was the manufacture of Ginghams — a fabric having a cotton warp 
 and linen weft — but these never assumed proportions of any 
 magnitude, and at the present day are not found anywhere in the 
 locality. The Cotton Manufacture was destined to take deeper 
 root in the district ; and to this, the staple industry of our time, we 
 shall now direct attention.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "First with nice eye emerging Naiads cull 
 From leathery pods the vegetable wool ; 
 With wiry teeth revolving cards release 
 The tangled knots, and smooth the ravell'd fleece ; 
 Next moves the iron hand with fingers fine, 
 Combs the wide card, and forms the eternal line ; 
 Slow, with soft lips, the whirling can acquires 
 The tender skeins, and wraps in rising spires ; 
 With quickened pace successive rolle.rs move. 
 And these retain, and those extend the rove ; 
 Then fly the spoles, the rapid axles glow. 
 And slowly circumvolves the labouring wheel below." 
 — Darwin.— T/ic Loves of the Plants, canto II. 
 
 "Cotton is King!" 
 
 " To every clime his labours stalk. 
 
 From pole to pole they hawk the work 
 Made by this English wight." 
 
 SoNQS OF THE WiLSONS.— T/ig Weaver. 
 
 rr^O the Cotton Trade, more than to all other causes combined, is 
 -*- undoubtedly due the remarkable increase which has taken 
 place in the population of Rossendale within the present century. 
 To the development of that trade are also to be attributed the 
 accumulation of wealth in many hands, the greatly-augmented 
 value of the rateable property, and the advancement of the inha- 
 bitants in material prosperity and comfort. As has been 
 already shown, (a) the increase in the amount of the population 
 
 (a) See ante, pp. 229-30.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 295 
 
 between 1801 and 1891, a period of ninety years, is 380 per cent; 
 (b) while the annual rental of the Forest for 1891 is 560 per 
 cent, above the valuation of the year 1815. 
 
 It is probable that the Cotton Manufacture, which first began to 
 assume importance in this country about the middle of the 1 7th 
 century, did not find its way into Rossendale till near the end of 
 the century following. It is not easy to determine with certainty 
 the e.xact date when cotton first began to be worked in the district ; 
 there is, however, good reason for conjecturing that no cotton 
 goods were manufactured in Rossendale prior to the year 1770. 
 
 Between the latter year and 1780, a kind of muslin or fine cotton 
 lawn was woven in a small " factory " (so called) which stood in 
 Lane-head Lane, Bacup. Fustians also began to be made soon 
 after this time. " Cotton Dealers " residing in the neighbourhood, 
 and others from a distance, put out the warp and weft to the 
 weaver, who brought back the manufactured cloth. In some 
 cases the raw cotton was taken and put through the entire pro- 
 cesses of batting, carding, spinning, and weaving. As with the 
 woollen warp, so with the Fustian, the sizing was performed by the 
 weaver. But instead of drying the sized warp in the open air, it 
 was stretched on a machine called a " Deeting frame," and a bar 
 of iron which had been made red hot moved backwards and 
 forwards over its surface. This rod or bar was named tlie 
 " Deeting iron," and it required a dexterous and steady hand to 
 use it so as to dry the warp quickly without injuring the yarn. 
 
 The following extract is from a Deed of Partnership under date 
 the year 1795, and is probably one of the earliest existing records 
 of the Cotton manufacture in the district. It exhibits in a very 
 striking manner the meagre dimensions of trade then, as compared 
 with its present vast proportions. 
 
 (A) The increase in the population of England and Wales during the same 
 ninety years is 270 per cent.
 
 296 History of the 
 
 "ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT 
 
 " Indented and made, and fully concluded upon, the eighteenth 
 day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
 and ninety-five. Between Christopher Hargreaves, of Haslingden, 
 in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner ; Henry Whitaker, of 
 Bacop, in the Forest of Rossendale, and County aforesaid, Cotton 
 Dealer ; John Lord, of Bacop, aforesaid, Cotton Dealer ; and 
 Edmund Lord, of Bacop, aforesaid. Cotton Dealer. 
 
 " And first of all the said parties have joined themselves to be 
 Co-partners together in the Art or Trade of Spinning and Roving 
 of Cotton, and all things thereunto belonging ; or such other 
 business in the cotton line as they shall hereafter pursue. And 
 also in buying, selling, vending and retailing of all sorts of wares 
 and goods belonging to the said Trade of Spinning and Roving 
 Cotton ; which said Co-partnership is to continue for the Term of 
 Eight years and Ten months, from the eighth day of July next 
 ensuing. And for the carrying on of the said joint Trade, each of 
 the said Parties doth covenant and agree, that they will each of 
 them bring into the said Joint Trade and Stock in Money and 
 Goods to be used therein, on or before the eighth day of July next, 
 the full sum of Twenty-five Pounds sterling. And it is hereby 
 mutually covenanted and agreed upon by the said Parties, that 
 their trade of Spinning and Roving of Cotton shall be carried on 
 at their Joint Engine or Factory House situate at Lane-side, near 
 Haslingden, or any other place which they, the said parties, shall 
 mutually agree upon for that purpose, &c. (Signed), Christopher 
 Hargreaves, Henry Whitaker, John Lord, Edmund 
 Lord. Sealed, signed, and delivered on parchment, duly stamped 
 in the presence of James Whitaker and John Piccop." 
 
 From the small sum of the Capital subscribed to the concern by 
 each of the four partners, it may be concluded that their operations 
 were but of very limited extent. A further deed of Partnership, 
 dated 1803, to which the above mentioned Edmund Lord was a 
 party, along with Joshua Lord, of Meadows, near Broadclough,
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 297 
 
 clothier; and James Maden, of Lane Head, Bacup, Cotton 
 Spinner, shows an advance in the extent of the trade. The sum of 
 the Capital subscribed is larger; and along with the carding, 
 roving, and spinning of the cotton wool, was combined the manu- 
 facturing of the cotton goods. This partnership was to continue in 
 force for the term of six years, and each partner brought one 
 hundred pounds into the concern. 
 
 The old mill at the corner of Burnley road, Bacup, was the first 
 considerable Cotton Factory erected in the district, and dates back 
 to the end of last century. About the year 1800 James and William 
 Clegg began to spin cotton yarn at " Little Baltic," near Waterfoot, 
 and at the old " Soke Mill " at Mill end, in Wolfenden-Booth fold. 
 It is probable that these were the earliest cotton-spinners in the 
 immediate vicinity of Newchurch. At this early time the cost of 
 a Hand-Loom was five pounds, (the price paid for a Power-Loom 
 at the present day,) and the newly-married couple who could boast 
 the possession of a pair of such looms on the day of their wedding 
 were looked upon as being well provided for. 
 
 From 1815 to 1830 the trade of cotton-weaving on the hand- 
 loom was at the briskest. In the latter year there were, at the 
 lowest computation, thirty Weaving Shops, apart from the looms 
 in dwelling-houses, in the Forest of Rossendale. The cloth made 
 varied in quality and strength, and, in addition to the ordinary 
 calico, consisted of " Fustians," " Pillows," or " Twills," " Bangups," 
 and " Satteens," the latter having a fine velvety covering. 
 
 For a lengthened period after its introduction into Rossendale, 
 the 'Cotton Manufacture was in quite an embryo state. The 
 Woollen trade held a position far in advance ; nor could the 
 most sanguine advocates of the claims of Cotton ever have 
 anticipated that during the first half of the present century the 
 old-established Woollen trade of Rossendale would have been so 
 completely outstripped in extent and importance by its younger 
 rival. 
 
 Amongst those who, at an early date, took a leading position as 
 Cotton-Spinners and Manufacturers in Rossendale, special mention
 
 298 History of the 
 
 must be made of Robert and John Munn. This enterprising firm 
 entered into the Cotton trade at Old Clough Mill, Irwell Springs, 
 about the year 1824. The regular business habits and vigilant 
 attention exercised by the firm, who, in the erection of Stacksteads 
 Mill had launched boldly out into the business, secured their 
 success; and this had the effect of greatly encouraging and 
 stimulating the growth of the Cotton trade in Rossendale, with 
 which trade their name will always continue to be intimately 
 associated. 
 
 At Rawtenstall the brothers Whitehead were amongst the 
 earliest, and eventually became the largest. Cotton Spinners and 
 Manufacturers, and it is mainly to their energy and enterprise that 
 this portion of the district has made such rapid and substantial 
 progress in population and wealth. The firm of Hardman 
 Brothers are also of old standing here, both as Woollen and Cotton 
 Manufacturers, and give employment to a large number of opera- 
 tives in both departments. 
 
 There are a number of Limited Companies having Mills in the 
 immediate vicinity of Rossendale, a large proportion of the capital 
 of which is contributed by persons residing in this district. 
 
 From the beginning of the century down to the year 1830, 
 about twenty-three of the smallest of the mills at present engaged 
 in the Cotton Manufacture, and the greater portion of the Shoddy 
 Mills, were erected. Most of these were, however, originally 
 intended for, and were used in, the Woollen trade. From 1830 to 
 1839 eleven Cotton factories were built. From 1840 to ^849 
 twenty more had sprung into existence. The next decennial 
 period, from 1850 to 1859, witnessed the greatest extension of the 
 trade in Rossendale, forty-five mills being erected in that time. 
 From i860 to 1867 eighteen of the largest Cotton Mills in the 
 district were built. Since the latter year to the present, the 
 number has only been increased by three, whilst some of the 
 older mills have been abandoned, the buildings being unsuitable 
 for the trade under existing conditions.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 299 
 
 The raw cotton consumed annually in the Rossendale mills is 
 about 76,000,000 lbs.; the yarn produced, 68,000,000 lbs.; cloth, 
 210,000,000 yards. The number of spindles at work is 835,000, 
 and of looms, 22,000. The operatives employed are about 20,000, 
 and the wages paid weekly amount to between ;^i 2,000 and 
 ^14,000. The total capital invested is over ^^2,000,000. A 
 surprising result truly, when it is remembered that at a time within 
 the present century, the whole of the cotton consumed in Rossen- 
 dale was brought into the district on the backs of pack-horses. 
 
 Of trades directly dependent upon the cotton manufacture, we 
 have in Rossendale Cotton Warp Sizers, Reed and Heald 
 manufacturers, and other subsidiary trades, employing 500 hands, 
 paying in wages, weekly, about ^400, with an invested capital of 
 ;£'3S>ooo- A large and important business in Calico Printing and 
 Dyeing is also carried on. 
 
 The upper part of the district is supplied with water by the 
 Rossendale Water Works Company, and the lower from the works 
 of the Bury Corporation. The district is lighted by the Rossendale 
 Union Gas Company, which includes nearly the whole of Rossendale 
 within its area of supply. The Company was incorporated by 
 special Act of Parliament in 1854. 
 
 The line of Railway which traverses the Rossendale Valley 
 diverging from the nqain line at Stubbins, near Ramsbottom, and 
 extending to Bacup, where it terminates, is a branch of that vast 
 network of iron which permeates the two chief manufacturing 
 counties of England, and known by the name of " The Lancashire 
 and Yorkshire Railway." 
 
 Previous to the amalgamation of the East Lancashire with the- 
 Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, the line whichthreads 
 the Rossendale valley constituted a Branch of the former. The 
 town of Bury claims the honour of having given birth to the 
 undertaking. A number of capitalists there were desirous to 
 connect their town by railway with Manchester, and, with that 
 object in view, instituted a canvass in the town and surrounding
 
 300 History of the 
 
 districts. This was so satisfactory in its results as to lead them not 
 only to carry their project into effect, but also to extend their 
 operations so as to include the Rossendale valley to Rawtenstall. 
 The first prospectus of the Company was issued in the year 1843, 
 and is a sufficiently modest document. From this it appears that it 
 was originally contemplated to lay down a single line of rails only, 
 the Capital proposed being ,^^300,000. The undertaking was 
 designated "The Manchester, Bury, and Rossendale Railway," 
 and the first Act of Parliament of the Company received the royal 
 assent on the 4th July, 1844. The line from Manchester to 
 Rawtenstall, a distance of 18 miles, was opened for the conveyance 
 of passengers on the 28th September, 1846, and for goods traffic in 
 May, 1847. A further Act obtained by the Company authorising 
 the continuation of the line from Rawtenstall to Crawshawbooth 
 and Bacup, received the royal assent on July 27th, 1846. The 
 proposed extension to Crawshawbooth has not been carried out. 
 The line from Rawtenstall to Newchurch (two miles) was opened 
 for passenger and goods trafific; on the 27th March, 1848. The 
 subsequent extension to Bacup, the most costly portion of the 
 Branch line, owing to the construction of the tunnels through the 
 heights at "Thrutch," was not completed for several years after- 
 wards, being opened for passenger conveyance on the ist October, 
 1852, and for goods traffic on February ist, 1853. The Company 
 first took its name of " The East Lancashire Railway Company " 
 on the 3rd August, 1846. The new line from Bacup to Facit was 
 opened in 1881, and was subsequently continued to Rochdale. 
 
 The introduction of the Railway into Rossendale, by increasing 
 the facilities of transport and intercommunication, gave a marked 
 stimulus to trade and manufactures, which, it may be safely 
 assumed, could otherwise scarcely have reached their present 
 proportions. 
 
 To one important branch of industry in the district, the Railway 
 may almost be said to have given birth. This is the Stone Trade, 
 respecting which we will now state a few particulars. 
 
 Stone abounds in the district in considerable variety, and of
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 301 
 
 excellent quality, being very durable, and of a good colour. Prior 
 to 1848, the trade in this article was of very limited extent, being 
 confined chiefly to the immediate district. Since that year, 
 however, it has been gradually increasing, and at the present time 
 gives employment to a large number of workmen, skilled and 
 otherwise, and absorbs a considerable amount of capital. The 
 stone, which is suitable for all ordinary Building and Engineering 
 purposes, is obtained from the various Quarries in the district, 
 from blocks of many tons' weight each, and of almost unlimited 
 length, width, and depth, down to gray slates of half-an-inch in 
 thickness. Some of the varieties for appearance and durability are 
 not to be surpassed. 
 
 The export trade is very large, extending to Manchester, Preston, 
 Liverpool, some parts of Yorkshire, Birmingham, London, and 
 other places. Some idea of its magnitude may be gathered from a 
 knowledge of the fact, that ^2,'joo and upwards is paid per month 
 for carriage by Railway to the various places above enumerated. 
 From Liverpool and London, considerable quantities of the 
 Rossendale Stone are also trans-shipped to the East Indies, South 
 American, and other foreign ports, and this export trafiS is rapidly 
 increasing. The rent paid as Delphage for some of the Quarries 
 amounts to many times what would otherwise be considered the 
 value of the Fee-simple of the land, and the latter still remains 
 available, to some extent, for farming and building purposes. 
 Several Mills for the polishing of flags have been erected in the 
 district by which the value of the stone is much enhanced. Large 
 quantities of the Rossendale flags, however, have a natural face 
 almost as smooth as those which have undergone the polishing 
 process, and by many persons are considered better than the latter, 
 inasmuch as they are exceedingly hard, and are often found to 
 possess a beautiful grain. As regards the extent of the Stone 
 Trade of Rossendale, the following statement may be taken as 
 being a close approximation to the facts. Number of persons 
 employed, 1,200. Amount paid in wages weekly, ;^i,2oo. Weight 
 of Stone of all kinds obtained from the several Quarries weekly,
 
 302 History of the 
 
 3,000 tons. Capital invested, ;^65,ooo. The Horncliffe delphs, 
 though not within the boundary of Rossendale Forest, are yet in 
 such close proximity as to warrant their being embraced in any 
 estimate of the extent of the stone trade in the district. They are 
 accordingly included in the above statement. 
 
 Coal abounds in Rossendale almost throughout its entire extent, 
 and has probably been got in quantities more or less for about 
 three hundred years. Old workings, regarding which no records 
 are known to exist, are often met with in the mines at present 
 being worked, (c) Some of these are of considerable extent. In 
 the mine of Messrs. Hargreaves and Co., at Stacksteads, one of 
 such workings was discovered some years ago ; and a poor fellow 
 who attempted to make an exploration, not having taken proper 
 precautions, lost his way and was unable to return. On search 
 being made a few days afterwards, he was found dead. Rude 
 implements of labour, chiefly wooden shovels, are occasionally met 
 with in these deserted excavations. The supply of coal for the 
 different manufactories in the district is chiefly obtained from local 
 mines, vfrhich are numerous, employing many hands and a large 
 capital. 
 
 It is proper here to refer to the attempts that were made during 
 last century to establish another mining industry in the district. 
 
 In the year 1754, an advertisement appeared on the walls in 
 Rossendale and the other districts comprised within the Honor 
 of Clitheroe, in the shape of a placard or handbill, giving notice 
 that the lessors of the lead mines, veins or beds of lead, copper, 
 iron or tin in the copyhold lands in the Honor of Clitheroe, 
 proposed to let any mears of ground therein with free liberty to 
 search for the minerals aforementioned to any person or persons 
 for a term to be agreed upon. In response to this announcement 
 a number of gentlemen came forward, formed themselves into a 
 Company, and took the property for a term of twenty-one years. 
 
 (f) Many traces of old coal-pit workings may also be seen on the Todmorden 
 valley side of Flour Scar.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 303 
 
 The lease bears date 26th February, 1754. The firm or company 
 styled themselves " The Company of Mine Adventurers within the 
 Honor of Clitheroe." The rent they undertook to pay for the 
 privilege of mining was " One hundred weight of lead ore, boose 
 and smithum, copper, iron and tin, out of every eleven hundred 
 weight, or one-eleventh part found and gotten within the liberties 
 aforesaid." But it was also stipulated that the rent was to be paid 
 in kind or in money as the same might be required by the lessors. 
 The shares of the company were sixty in number, and each person 
 held ten shares. Meetings of the company were held on the Monday 
 in every month next the full moon, at the Roebuck Inn, at 
 Rochdale, or such other place as might be appointed. Each 
 proprietor had a vote for every share or sixtieth part, and there was 
 no voting by proxy. The chairman was appointed at every 
 meeting. Thomas Percival was the first treasurer, and without 
 salary. George Crompton was appointed first clerk, at a salary of 
 los. 6d. a week. The company commenced operations and 
 prosecuted them vigorously for a time, and the evidences of their 
 work may still be seen along the sides of the hill ridges and in 
 other parts of Rossendale, in the shape of " bloomeries," in which 
 the ore found was smelted. 
 
 I am not able to give a full statement of the pecuniary results of 
 the enterprise, but I conclude that they were not successful, as the 
 company was dissolved in 1762, eight years after it was formed. 
 From memoranda in my possession I find a sum of ^3,413 was 
 paid in calls on the shares. These were probably ;^ioo each, so 
 that more than one-half the capital was paid. So far as I can 
 ascertain, the value of the lead ore found amounted to only £,i<,^. 
 It would appear, however, that, notwithstanding these unsatisfactory 
 results, faith in the enterprise was still strong, because a new 
 company was organised in 1766, but with what results I am unable 
 to say. -,
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 " God helps those that help themselves." — Old Maxim. 
 
 "And we shall sit at endless feast, 
 Enjoying each the others' good : 
 What vaster dream can hit the mood 
 Of love on earth?'' — Tennyson. — "/« Memoriam." 
 
 THE sentiments expressed in the mottoes which appear at the 
 head of the present chapter, are pecuharly appropriate in 
 their application to the principles which are embodied in the 
 maxims and work of the co-operative classes in this country. 
 
 The Co-operative movement is essentially an effort on the part 
 of Labour to work out its own salvation. As such, it deserves, 
 and will eventually command, the sympathy of all thoughtful minds. 
 In the face of the perils with which its path is beset — all the 
 greater because they arise more from within than from without — 
 the wonder is, not that it occasionally fails of its object, but that it 
 should have achieved so much substantial success. Rossendale 
 has borne a conspicuous and honourable part in furthering this 
 great movement ; and this counts for something in its history. 
 
 About forty-seven years ago, a few earnest working men were 
 accustomed to meet in the room over the old Co-operative Store, 
 Rochdale Road, Bacup, for which they paid a rent of fifteen pence 
 per week. Their primary object in assembling together was to 
 improve themselves in., the rudiments of education— reading, 
 writing, and arithmetic ; and to discuss projects for the ameliora- 
 tion of their condition in life. To these subjects they added, by 
 way of recreation, a litde vocal and instrumental music, which they
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 305 
 
 practised on occasional evenings. Being men who were indepen- 
 dent enough to think for themselves, they naturally took a strong 
 interest in politics, and in consequence entered warmly into the 
 exciting questions which agitated the minds of the people at that day. 
 But while contributing their quota to the political life of the nation 
 at the period to which I refer, they deemed it prudent at the same 
 time to put forth a local and personal effort to improve their circum- 
 stances. With wise instinct they laid hold of Co-operation. The 
 fact that many of the articles of daily consumption in their families 
 were grossly adulterated was known to each of them ; to provide a 
 remedy for this, more than the prospect of direct pecuniary gain, 
 prompted their first essay in Co-operation. The original society 
 numbered fourteen persons, and each of these laid down sixpence, 
 making seven shillings, the sum total of the first capital with which 
 they ventured into the market. The number seven has always been 
 esteemed lucky. This sum they spent in coffee, at the shop of a 
 wholesale dealer at Todmorden, and shared it equally amongst 
 them. They were pleased with the result of this their first 
 transaction, for not only had they obtained an unadulterated 
 article — they had purchased it at a cheaper rate than they other- 
 wise could from a retail dealer. Here was an eloquent and 
 practical argument in favour of their venture, which the most timid 
 or querulous member amongst them was unable to gainsay. A 
 grand vista was at once opened up to their mind's eye. To the 
 more thoughtful of them the prospect would be almost over- 
 powering, and they probably looked into the future with anxious 
 forebodings. To stimulate them in their exertions they had, how- 
 ever, the noble example of the Rochdale Pioneers before them, the 
 success of whose enterprise, begun in 1844, was already making 
 itself known. They steadily increased in number, and their capital 
 grew in proportion. The range and value of their purchases 
 extended. Tea, coffee, sugar, soap, and other articles of common 
 domestic consumption were now purchased in quarter cwts. at 
 once ; and the corn-mill carts were employed to convey the goods 
 over the hill from Todmorden to Bacup. A neighbour who was
 
 3o6 History of the 
 
 friendly to the movement lent his scales to weigh out the goods, and 
 the members carried their tea-caddies and cofifee-canisters to the 
 room, to save the trouble of wrapping the articles in paper. Their 
 business continued steadily to grow. Many more were becoming 
 alive to the advantages which the system offered to working men. 
 The more careful and industrious amongst the operative classes 
 flocked to the new Store. Still the business grew, and the upper 
 room was found inconvenient, and quite unsuited to the carrying 
 on of an extensive trade. A meeting of the members was called, 
 and it was decided to take the entire building on a lease for twenty- 
 one years. At first it was under consideration to let off the back 
 part of the shop at fifteen pence per week, but more members 
 continuing to come in, they abandoned their intention in this 
 respect. In the course of a few years the premises were found to 
 be too contracted for their trade, and had to be enlarged by the 
 addition of a frontage to the shop ; and even growing beyond these 
 bounds, the society resolved to build a Store of their own, — the 
 present handsome and commodious building, to which they 
 removed in 1863. 
 
 Great were the difficulties which the early Co-operators in 
 Rossendale had to encounter in introducing and carrying out their 
 favourite theories. They were unpopular with the multitude. 
 Stereotyped Ignorance shook its head and called them Chartists 
 and infidels, innovators and levellers. Their visionary projects, as 
 they were at first considered to be, were scouted and laughed at ; 
 and many were the prophecies of speedy insolvency and disgrace. 
 Their shop originally was open only in the evenings. This was a 
 necessity, as the shopmen, who were chosen to serve for three 
 months at a time, were employed in other manual labour during 
 the day. They received no remuneration for their time and work 
 at the Store. In the face of the opposition which was displayed, 
 and feeling their inexperience, considerable diffidence was at first 
 manifested by the men in the discharge of their duties ; and it was 
 a common practice amongst them to draw cuts who should remove 
 the shutters from the windows on opening in the evening. Their
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 307 
 
 awkward manner of wrapping up the articles was also watched, and 
 formed the occasion of amusement to those who tried to load the 
 movement with derision. But perseverance and a conscience void 
 of offence will carry a man through many difficulties, and the 
 Rossendale Co-operators still struggled on, till a success, greater 
 than was anticipated, crowned their enterprise. 
 
 It is to be expected that mistakes would at first occasionally 
 be made, through ine.xperience, in " buying in." Some of these 
 assumed a ludicrous aspect : one example will suffice. Two of the 
 members were deputed to purchase a number of cheeses. They 
 invested in fourteen. But on arrival they were found to be so 
 hard as to need cutting up with a saw ; and where the instrument 
 had passed through, they shone like a piece of glass or ivory, being 
 nearly as difficult to masticate. These cost sixpence per pound 
 wholesale, and had to be retailed out at fourpence ; turning the 
 penny, certainly, but not increasing the profit. 
 
 The Share and Loan Capital of the Bacup Co-operative Store 
 amourited in December 1892 to ;^79,88o; the number of 
 members at the same period was 2813. They turned over their 
 stock eight times during the year, and realised a profit of ^16,635, 
 their working expenses being 7-9 per cent, upon the returns. 
 
 The Society possesses a news and reading-room, plentifully 
 supplied with newspapers and journals; a circulating and 
 reference library, containing in the whole 12,500 volumes; all free 
 to members ; and a spacious assembly-room capable of seating 
 1200 persons. The business portion of the premises is ample and 
 commodious. The whole buildings and fixtures belonging to the 
 Society cost £,2%,2']i. It is free from debt, never having had any 
 mortgage or encumbrance on it whatsoever. The Society has a 
 Reserve-fund amounting to £,2)^ 1 79. In connexion with the parent 
 establishment are seven branches and a large central shoe and 
 clog department. 
 
 Such is a brief outline of the rise and progress of the oldest 
 Co-operative store in Rossendale. On the question of Co-operation
 
 3o8 History of the 
 
 in general, and by way of encouragement to the Co-operators of 
 Rossendale in particular, let me make the remark, that the size and 
 regularity of its dividends are not to be viewed as the measure of 
 what it has achieved, and is capable of achieving ; though we shall 
 not be so squeamish as to deny that this is the mainspring of the 
 successful progress of the Co-operative movement : and it is right 
 that it should be so. The soul with the finest sensibilities is still 
 wedded to the clay of our common humanity, and that same clay 
 must eat if it would continue to live. The fine sensibilities will 
 avail it nothing in this life if it gives not heed to the bread which 
 perisheth. It is sheer sentimentalism to pretend to deplore that 
 the movement is altogether selfish, and that the dividend is the 
 keystone of the whole system. This is about as wise as to make 
 show of despising the poet for being so vulgar as to eat his dinner. 
 Even the wheels of State would drag heavily were it not for the 
 ample contributions of the people. Gold is a wonderful lubricator ! 
 and life at the best would be but a series of jerky movements with- 
 out it. But besides the all-powerful dividend which it secures for 
 its members, Co-operation has given a direction to the thoughts 
 and actions of thousands who had either thought and acted at 
 random, or had not previously thought at all. It has been a grand 
 teacher of political and social economy to thousands more. The 
 cloud by day, the gillar of fire by night, to guide many a poor child 
 of bondage from the Egypt of debt, with all its hard task-masters, 
 to the promised land of independence and self-reliance. Many an 
 unthrifty parent — unthrifty, not so much from inclination or choice 
 as from lack of purpose, has been led by its agency to become a 
 careful and thoughtful provider. But it will accomplish more even 
 than this. Co-operation is a fulcrum on which to rest the lever 
 that will move the State. A quiet argument for the moral and 
 intellectual fitness of the people to exercise their just political 
 rights, which will certainly prevail ; 
 
 " Nought can make it rue, 
 If Labour to itself prove true."
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 309 
 
 The following Table of Industrial and Provident Societies in 
 Rossendale is compiled partly from Returns furnished to Govern- 
 ment, and, where these were not supplied, from the managers of 
 the Stores themselves : —
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 ■<>» 
 
 
 %i 
 
 
 fr4 
 
 
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 « 
 
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 ^ 
 
 
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 ^ 
 
 <i 
 
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 C-. 
 
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 ■^ 
 
 ■V. 
 
 Vi 
 
 
 , ^1 
 
 ^ 
 
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 -Lj 
 
 1ft 
 
 
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 ■V! 
 
 «s 
 
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 J^ 
 
 '^ 
 
 •>s 
 
 § 
 
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 k, 
 
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 ^ 
 
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 joj pajlddy 
 
 
 
 ■ftiSr^ai-tnp 
 
 
 
 
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 won Tj- ci 
 
 m 
 
 [■BnoijtJDnp^ 
 
 CO 
 
 O 
 
 jo; p^iicIfiV 
 
 
 
 •? Jad picj 
 
 
 
 paspiAja: 
 
 
 
 93&X9AY 
 
 „• coc^co'^rjconN coco*-" « CO 
 
 
 S *? '-T -rt C c^ 
 
 Cl lO t-^ - 00 rf C0>O CO t^CO 0\ O 
 
 CO 
 
 
 O\U0(NQ0 COM O^OX co»^O^o 
 
 VO 
 
 
 *i c o ii .— — 
 
 s!=£eSS 
 
 S3C0 O^ CON o\"^c^ « O Tj-(--,CO 
 ^lOCOC^-^CO COMCOPl •-« 
 
 U-, 
 
 
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 CJ Tt- in toVO H-i-.NlN OCOiOCO 
 
 o, 
 
 
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 CO •-" On O 00 ^ t^ CO^O O O o» !>. 
 
 o 
 
 
 £ - 'E a 
 
 S50^"HC^0 C^« O O^Cl CO^O CO 
 
 c; 
 
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 lO " H- M .^ 
 
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 VOOD 0\0'*-M -iCi^OO t^Tl- 
 
 w 
 
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 > g -o c ,; 
 
 O\00 CO -^ CO lO COVO U-) - 00 00 CO 
 
 O' 
 
 s?><gii 
 
 --OCO Ti-00 a\oc r^ u"j Tj- CO M 00 C\oo 
 
 9" 
 
 
 ^« t^co-vooc) coo "lo-ys 
 
 o 
 
 
 Mi ■= 
 
 0^l-l.-HP^« c4«-'Ci<-i " 
 
 VO 
 
 CI 
 
 
 A <n O 
 
 O r^ O r^oo ^^loc]«lo^^o^o 
 
 CO 
 
 
 ^•Si=»i" 
 
 ci Mt^picc t^<-'aN>oo\o "-c^ 
 
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 S5 N O t^QO O COCl^*OCO'^iO 
 ^lOCO-MCO CMC-ICO-' "- 
 
 VO 
 
 
 
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 X 
 
 Allowed 
 for De- 
 precia- 
 tion 
 during 
 lSil2. 
 
 o cq 00 lo ■<* o Ttoo o vo o ej o 
 
 o« 
 
 
 O .-co u^COCflVO «00 "+01 ovo 
 
 
 m 
 
 mjvo w «-< « H^ « 
 
 C-. 
 
 o J^^^'o 
 
 -1-COCI -00 COt^ClX " -^ " '-' 
 
 IT. 
 
 < 
 
 
 C0\0 -^ CO - O i>^ - t^O CO - t^ 
 
 
 ■w? Oi N C) lOX lO O COVO 00 '=t-CC CO 
 ^VOVOUICO'^ »0"t^C^ !>."-< 
 
 c. 
 
 
 I/-. 
 
 
 > ca&. « 
 
 
 
 o «i mO 
 
 (^1 M r}-ioo -^ t>^ own o in o «-< 
 
 CO 
 
 
 Value 
 Saleiib 
 
 Stool 
 •it end 
 
 1892. 
 
 ^00 t^ coco in\n o\^ ^ o loco 
 
 « 
 
 
 ^ « CO CI « CI CO CO CO ^ CO 
 
 t^ 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 c>» OMO o n oo o\io « 
 
 ON 
 
 
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 ■^ 
 
 
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 ■^ « w cox lo • - vo ; c» • « 
 
 CO 
 
 - E 
 
 «P;<® 
 
 
 
 .-^•o 
 
 lO CI O tJ- VO cox VO C^ CO lO 
 
 ^ 
 
 loan 
 
 Capita 
 
 at end 
 
 1S92. 
 
 0N"O lo \n CTiX lo^ — vo o 
 
 3 
 
 S^x ON :« :Ti-r^ot^"-iot^ 
 
 "O 
 
 D3 
 < 
 
 3 
 
 
 a) a = 
 
 lo— r^ioo « c^ci^ovox coo 
 
 On 
 
 
 tS-a« 
 
 X vo lo lox o cox o CO^ t^vo 
 
 t^ 
 
 
 ItsS 
 
 S3 ON -« CO O -+ -tt^ CJ '^ in in^ " 
 M ox t^ON"-" 0>" ■i-m'-'X CJ 
 
 VO 
 
 
 CJ 
 
 
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 lO «-< •-• N- « 
 
 \n 
 
 'o(3S 
 
 X JO pua 
 
 CO r^x t^o o ■^^-T^o '-''O '^o 
 
 ^ 
 
 IB G 
 
 jsqtnare 
 
 "-" coo O C\ On O N vo - mx M 
 
 VO 
 
 00 O iO*0 CO'-X O t-^Tf'-'VOCJ 
 
 C) 
 
 J 
 
 -iiij 
 
 01 « 
 
 0\ 
 
 
 > 
 
 H 
 
 . OJ • 
 
 
 . 4) . 
 
 • > • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 . 
 
 . > . 
 
 
 ill' 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 b 
 
 : fe S o j: . _ 
 
 
 M 
 
 ^M 
 
 
 O 
 ■< 
 
 2 
 
 cup . . . 
 „ Con 
 wl Terra 
 awshawb 
 ve Cloug 
 mb . . . 
 wtenstal 
 
 icksteadi 
 instead . 
 
 11 
 
 "o 
 
 
 
 03 UOJJ05 WH^^^ 

 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 311 
 
 From the foregoing Table, which deserves a careful perusal, we 
 learn that the total members in the different stores in Rossendale 
 amounted in December 1892, to 9264. These figures may be 
 taken to represent a population of from 30,000 to 35,000 as being 
 directly and indirectly connected with the Societies. 
 
 The Rawtenstall Society, hke the one at Bacup, has a well- 
 furnished Library and Newsroom for the use of, and free to, 
 members. 
 
 ~*"*^°''^s. isAf""?^
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " The flesh will quiver where the pincers tear !" 
 
 — Young. — " The Revenge." 
 
 " Hungry ruin had me in the wind." 
 
 "There's stakes an' watch-bills, just loik poikes, 
 'Ot Hunt an' aw th' reformink toikes, 
 An' thee an' me, an' Sam o' Moiks, 
 Once took a blanketeerink." 
 
 — "Songs of the Wilsons." 
 
 rilHE 23rd and three subsequent days of April, 1826, are marked 
 -*- with a red letter in the annals of Popular Outbreaks. On the 
 26th of the month an angry crowd of rioters advanced through the 
 Rossendale valley towards Bacup, marshalled by ringleaders 
 bearing in their hands, and over their shoulders, such formidable 
 instruments as pikes, axes, cleavers, and huge fore-hammers. 
 Their followers were a motley crowd of dirty, hungry-looking men 
 and youths, and a sprinkling of bareheaded, unkempt women ; the 
 latter by far the most noisy and demonstrative of the crowd. The 
 men indeed scarcely exchanged a word as they proceeded on their 
 unlawful mission, but a strange mixture of fear, revenge, and 
 defiance was visible upon their countenances. These were the 
 Power-Loom Breakers of April 1826. 
 
 Property is a sacred and weighty word in Lancashire — nowhere 
 more sacred and weighty than in Rossendale, and its possession 
 counts for a good deal. It is a serious thing to damage or destroy 
 property. Those who purpose undertaking its destruction should 
 sit down and count the cost before beginning. If their
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 313 
 
 countenances were a true index of their feelings, the Power- Loom 
 Breakers of the 26th of April 1826 had counted the cost of their 
 undertaking. Riots had broken out in different parts of East 
 Lancashire in the same week, not exactly by preconcerted 
 arrangement, though the simultaneous risings might justify such an 
 opinion. The feeling of opposition to the power-driven machinery 
 had become so strong and general throughout the manufacturing 
 districts, that, like a match applied to a train of gunpowder, the 
 first outbreak lighted up a wide-spread conflagration. Detachments 
 of the mob were found at Blackburn, Accrington, Helmshore, 
 Ramsbottom, Summerseat, Chatterton, Rossendale and elsewhere; 
 and each, so far as they were able, pursued their work of destruc- 
 tion. Upwards of 1000 Power-Looms, woollen and cotton, and a 
 quantity of Dressing and other machines were destroyed before 
 the several crowds of rioters were dispersed. 
 
 The Rossendale valley, from Edenfield to the source of the river 
 Irwell, suffered greatly from the violence of the incensed multitude; 
 from three hundred and fifty to four hundred looms (considered a 
 large number sixty years ago) were broken to pieces in this district 
 alone. At Helmshore the rioters came in collision with the 
 military; and near to the mill of Messrs. Aitken and Lord, 
 Chatterton, the Looms in which had been totally destroyed, the 
 soldiers, who arrived too late to save the property, fired upon the 
 mob, killing five men and one woman. 
 
 In Rossendale nothing occurred to check their progress. Our 
 present system of Police surveillance throughout the country was 
 then but in its infancy, and had not been introduced into 
 Rossendale. The Constables of the Forest, "Jim Blacksmith," 
 "Bill i'th Loin," "Long Sam," "Long George," and their 
 ungainly compeers, were powerless to prevent the mischief, and 
 with the instinctive sagacity of the " Watch," wisely kept aloof 
 from the scenes of outrage and spoliation. The mob had free 
 course through the entire district, and thoroughly they performed 
 the work they had undertaken to do. " Tackle-ti-mash " (the 
 nickname of one of the leaders of the Rossendale mob) and his
 
 314 History of the 
 
 brethren in arms, were all-powerful for the time being, and carried 
 the day. After leaving Edenfield, where they demolished one 
 hundred looms, the crowd visited Rawtenstall. Here the mills of 
 the Messrs. Whitehead and Mr. Kay were the objects of their 
 vengeance, and they destroyed about one hundred and twenty more. 
 Gradually augmenting in numbers and strength, the rioters 
 proceeded up the valley. At Holt-holme Mill they left the marks 
 of their presence. After passing the Thrutch, the turnpike road 
 through which was then in course of formation, they halted at the 
 mill of the Messrs. Ormerod, Waterbarn. Here the ringleaders 
 entered, while their followers kept guard outside. An eye-witness 
 states that they first cut out the Warps, and destroyed the Reeds 
 and Healds, and then with a few well-aimed blows they demolished 
 the Looms. Tunstead Mill contained a number of the obnoxious 
 machines, and these next fell a prey to the vengeance of the 
 destroyers. Irwell Mill, Bacup, at that time occupied by Mr. 
 Holden, was the next on the route, and was visited by the mob 
 with similar results. From thence the crowd made their way to 
 the mill of Messrs. R. and J. Munn at Irwell Springs, where, 
 having repeated their work of havoc, they brought the day's 
 proceedings to a termination. It is easier to break down than to 
 set up, to overthrow than to restore, and the labour of many weeks 
 was thus destroyed in a few hours. 
 
 The women, as has already been hinted, were not unmoved 
 spectators of these lawless proceedings. It is well known that 
 some of them, forgetting the decorum of their sex, took actual part 
 in, and afterwards prided themselves on having materially assisted 
 at the demolition. So enthusiastic in the fray was a certain 
 misguided female, that on the approach of the mob to one of the 
 factories named, she ascended the belfry, and rang out a welcome 
 to the rioters. 
 
 The strong arm of the law eventually asserted its might, and 
 such of the perpetrators of the outrages as were arrested, suffered 
 fines, imprisonment, or transportation, according to the magnitude 
 of their offences. Others of them contrived to elude the grasp of
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 315 
 
 the authorities by retiring for a time to obscure hiding-places 
 amongst the hills and surrounding moorlands, where they were 
 supplied with the necessaries of life by friends cognizant of their 
 hiding-places, {a) 
 
 (a) The following are the names of those belongmg to Rossendale and the 
 immediate vicinity charged with being concerned in the Riots: — 
 
 From Musbury.— James Shorrock, Mary Hindle, .and Thomas Emmet, 
 found guilty. 
 
 From Lower Booths.— Thomas Ashworth, found guilty. Against Alice and 
 Peggy Lord there was no bill. 
 
 From Haslingden.— Alexander Norris, John Orrell, Margaret Yates, Mary 
 Marsden, and Ann Entwistle, found ^/%. Betty Haworth, William Taylor 
 and William Almond, acqidtted. 
 
 From DeardenClough.— Anthony Harrison, acquitted. 
 
 From Tottington Higher End.— Aaron Gregson, acqtii/ted. 
 
 In the encounter between the Military and Rioters at Chatterton, the 
 following persons were either killed on the spot, or died shortly afterwards:— 
 
 Richard Lund, by trade a blacksmith, but who kept a small shop at 
 Haslingden ; shot through the belly. 
 
 James Rothwell, a weaver at Haslingden ; through the breast. 
 
 James Ashworth, a weaver at Haslingden ; through the body. 
 
 James Lord, a fulling-miller at Newchurch ; through the body and head. 
 
 James Whatacre, dresser for Messrs. Rostrons' power-looms ; through the 
 body. 
 
 Mary Simpson, the wife of Simpson, a weaver at Haslingden ; through 
 
 the left thigh. 
 
 Three of these left families ; and one of them— Whatacre— was not engaged 
 in the riot, but unfortunately had got amongst the mob. The female, it is 
 supposed, had bled to death for want of assistance. Of the number wounded 
 nothing certain could be ascertained, as they were carried away by their 
 friends. 
 
 Judgment of death was recorded against the rioters to the number of 
 forty-two, including seven females. The jury, however, having recommended 
 them to mercy, the capital sentence was not carried into effect. 
 
 The following is from the Liverpool Mercury of September ist, 1826:— 
 
 Proceedings against the County.— The actions brought against the 
 different Hundreds of the County, to recover compensation for the damages 
 sustained by breaking power looms, during the disturbances in the month of 
 April last, were twenty-three in number, two of which— namely, one by 
 Messrs. Walmesleys of Oswaldtwistle, and one by David Ashworth, of
 
 3i6 
 
 History of the 
 
 The conduct of the rioters was reprehensible, but it would be 
 invidious and unfair to attribute the entire blame of these reckless 
 and unjustifiable measures to the ignorant multitude who were the 
 immediate instruments of such wanton destruction. 
 
 Newchurch — were not commenced in time for these Assizes, and consequently 
 stand over to the next. Of the remaining twenty-four actions, the great 
 majority were undefended, and verdicts were taken by consent, in the Sheriff's 
 Court, for sums fixed on by a comparison of the valuations made by the 
 claimants with those made under the directions of the magistrates. Three 
 or four actions were, however, defended; but in each a verdict was obtained 
 for the plaintiffs. The following is a summary of the different amounts 
 recovered: — 
 
 AGAINST THE HUNDRED OF BLACKBURN. 
 
 IVIessrs. Sykes, Accrington, 
 
 Mr. Marquis, do. 
 
 Mr. Jas. Bury, do. 
 
 Messrs. Eccles, Blackburn, 
 
 Mr. John Haughton, do. 
 
 Mr. Jas. Garsden, Darwen, 
 
 Messrs. Cars, Darwen, 
 
 Messrs. Turner, Musbury, 
 
 Messrs. Whitehead, Lower Booths, 
 
 Mr. Kay. Coupe Lench, 
 
 Messrs. Ormerod, Newchurch. 
 
 Messrs. Hargreaves & Co., Newchurch, 
 
 Messrs. Munn, Newchurch, 
 
 of Looms. 
 
 £ s. 
 
 d 
 
 60 
 
 1039 17 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 44 13 
 
 9 
 
 94 
 
 1889 
 
 
 
 212 
 
 3178 IS 
 
 10 
 
 a.S 
 
 284 II 
 
 9 
 
 36 
 
 4'3 8 
 
 2 
 
 16 
 
 196 13 
 
 
 
 106 
 
 1651 3 
 
 8 
 
 96 
 
 1049 6 
 
 I 
 
 20 
 
 273 16 
 
 6 
 
 20 
 
 363 I 
 
 II 
 
 28 
 
 348 9 
 
 2 
 
 51 
 
 860 19 
 
 7 
 
 768 .^11,593 16 n 
 
 AGAINST THE HUNDRED OF SALFORD. 
 
 Messrs. Rostron, Tottington Higher End, 
 
 Messrs. Aitken and Lord, do. 
 
 Messrs. Hamer and Sons, Elton, 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson, Bury, 
 
 Mr. John Clegg, Crompton, . . 
 
 Mr. Hugh Beavers, Manchester, no Looms 
 
 S8 
 
 ;£lSoo 
 
 
 
 
 
 46 
 
 568 
 
 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 253 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 49 
 
 244 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 28 
 
 418 
 
 I 
 
 6 
 
 
 1474 
 
 
 
 
 
 219 .£4458 o 6
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 3 1 7 
 
 The period under review was a sad one for the working classes. 
 A lengthened season of commercial distrust had succeeded the 
 previous years of prosperous, though speculative, and therefore, in 
 a measure, unsound trade. The general want of confidence had 
 caused a run on the Banks, and in the provinces no fewer than 
 fifty-eight had succumbed to the pressure of the times. Each day 
 brought news of the failure of large mercantile and manufacturing 
 firms of long standing. Low wages, diminished employment, and 
 in many districts entire cessation of labour, were the consequences 
 of the universal want of confidence which prevailed. 
 
 But this was not all. Our Legislators, unwise in their day and 
 generation, by their restrictive imposts on food and merchandise, 
 contributed more than all the other causes put together to cripple 
 commerce and manufactures, and to bring about the all but 
 universal national distress, most severely felt in the manufacturing 
 districts, and the consequent disaffected condition of the Lan- 
 cashire operatives. With Legislators ignorant, as a body, of the 
 fti-st principles of Political Economy, how could it reasonably be 
 expected that the untutored worker should be alive to the evils 
 which pressed like a hideous nightmare upon the industry of the 
 country ! If men professedly born to hold the reins of Government, 
 and shape the destinies of the state, could be found sixteen years 
 later (in 1842) to condemn the increase of machinery, (/') is it 
 matter for surprise that the operatives of 1S26 should have 
 entertained mistaken views on the self-same question ? 
 
 AGAINST THE HUNDRED OF LEYLAND. 
 
 No. of Looms. {, s. d. 
 Mr. Sudell, Chorley, .. .. .. lOO £^,^,2 o o 
 
 The total sum recovered is ;£i6,534 173. 5d , and the costs of the several 
 actions will amount to about ;^3ooo in addition. In the two actions yet to be 
 tried, the damages are estimated at ;£'253 os. 6d.— the .total cost to the 
 County amounting to nearly ;^2o,ooo. 
 
 (i) A distinguished member of the Government in 1S42 informed a deputa- 
 tion that waited on him from the manufacturing districts, that the whole of 
 the distress arose from the increase of machinery.
 
 31 8 History of the 
 
 The excesses which people commit are often in their results 
 found to recoil upon themselves. The largest share of the 
 burdened county rates, out of which the manufacturers were 
 compensated for the losses they had sustained, had necessarily to 
 be contributed by the very class which the rioters hoped to benefit. 
 But let us not be too severe in our judgment : destitution and 
 hunger, when they speak from the tearful eyes of wives and 
 children, are unscrupulous monitors, and strike home too deeply to 
 admit of the exercise of calm reasoning, (c) 
 
 But it was not the operatives alone in Rossendale who viewed 
 with such dread apprehension the advent of the steam-loom. At 
 this day it will scarcely be credited that the merchants and woollen 
 manufacturers of the Forest of Rossendale should have bitterly 
 opposed the introduction of tlie obnoxious machines into the 
 district ; yet such is the fact. At a numerously attended meeting 
 of the merchants and woollen manufacturers of the Forest of 
 
 (c) A writer, commenting upon popular outbreaks, makes the following 
 just remarks: — " It was at the period when one of those feverish crises in th*e 
 history of the cotton manufacture threatened a servile war against the 
 introduction of some remarkable improvements in machinery, which appeared 
 likely to displace hand-labour to a great extent. Neither experience nor 
 political insight had yet taught workmen the truth, that England was by 
 these means about to make the peaceful conquest of the commerce of the 
 world, by clothing a large part of its varied peoples in almost everything but 
 articles of luxury. The starving spinner and weaver in the lone cottages and 
 homesteads on the edges of wild moors and ancient forests, or in the straggling 
 villages of the rugged valleys, could not be expected to discern the plenty to 
 be lavishly strewn by the new spinning-jenny, which deprived the family of 
 work at the spinning-wheel, or, at a later time, by the iron steam-loom, which 
 silenced the twelve hours' jingle and rattle of the cottage hand-loom. Any 
 such inventions seemed a devilish trick to rob the poor of bread; to drive 
 them from the comparative liberty of their lives in rural scenes to the close 
 alleys of the towns, and the hot atmosphere of the factory, in which they were 
 under a discipline more exact than that of the soldier, and more regular and 
 engrossing than that of any other form of labour. Starvation for a large part 
 of the people, and a lot worse than slavery for the rest, seemed a fate to 
 resist which a few lives would not be thrown away." — " Scarsdale," vol. i., pp. 
 28, 29.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 319 
 
 Rossendale, and places adjacent, held at the house of Mr. George 
 Ormerod, the Black Dog Inn, Newchurch, on Thursday, the 7th 
 November, 1822, the following Resolutions were adopted : — 
 
 "Resolved — That it appears to this meeting that the invention of 
 Power-Looms for weaving by the aid of steam or water, is 
 calculated to transfer manual labour from the cottages of the poor, 
 and to leave them destitute of employment, by substituting the use 
 of machinery ; as unnecessary as it is uncalled for. 
 
 " Resolved— T\i'sX this meeting cannot but deplore the evil conse- 
 quences that must result to a very numerous and industrious 
 population, throughout the manufacturing districts, if some method 
 be not speedily adopted to restrict the use of such machinery. 
 
 " Resolved — That as well-wishers to society, and to the general 
 prosperity of trade and manufactures, we cannot contemplate the 
 increase of unnecessary machinery (which is calculated to rob the 
 poor of their domestic employment, and thereby endanger the 
 peace of the country) without painful apprehensions ; and whilst 
 we admit the benefits of machinery to a certain degree, we are 
 aware that it may be multiplied to a most ruinous and mischievous 
 extent. 
 
 "Resolved — That this meeting strongly recommends some 
 legislative enactment for the protection of manual labour ; and is 
 of opinion, that an assessment upon Power-Looms for the relief of 
 the poor, annually made in every parish where they are used, 
 would be the most fair and equitable ; such an assessment to be 
 laid by a majority of lay-payers in vestry assembled, estimated and 
 proportioned according to the extra profit derived from the use of 
 Power-Looms, over that of weaving by manual labour. 
 
 " Resolved — That, for the purpose of carrying these resolutions 
 into effect, a committee be appointed of all the gentlemen present, 
 five of whom may be competent to act. 
 
 "Resolved — That these resolutions be published in the Man- 
 chester Chronicle, the British Volunteer, the Leeds Intelligencer, 
 the Blackburn Mail, the London Courier, and the St. Jame^s 
 Chronicle."
 
 320 History of the 
 
 To such a lame and impotent conclusion did the collected wis- 
 dom of this important local assembly arrive in the year of grace 
 1822. That the invention of the Power-Loom was calculated to 
 transfer manual labour from the cottages of the poor was a correct 
 judgment of the meeting, as subsequent events have clearly testified ; 
 but that its tendency was to leave them destitute of employment is 
 an opinion which has been just as clearly refuted by the march of 
 events. This very transfer of manual labour which the Capitalists 
 of Rossendale deprecated so strongly, is one of the chief advan- 
 tages which, by the introduction of the Power-driven Machinery, 
 has accrued to the operative classes. Whether viewed from a 
 moral, a social, a sanitary, or a pecuniary point of view, the benefits 
 are so obvious as to preclude the necessity of argument in its 
 favour. Idleness and dissipation during one portion of the week, 
 and incessant toil approaching to slavery during the remaining 
 portion, were the usual and almost inevitable concomitants of the 
 domestic labour system. 
 
 The views of the Rossendale manufacturers were, by means of 
 the press, widely promulgated throughout the country. While 
 awarding to the ignorant rioters of 1826 their proportion of blame 
 for the lawless proceedings which entailed so much destruction of 
 life and property, let us not forget to ask ourselves how much of 
 their folly was due to the teaching of those who, from their position, 
 might have been expected to discern more clearly the_ signs of the 
 times. 
 
 Among the remedies suggested, is the old one of Protection, in 
 opposition to Free Trade. The desire to stifle progress and 
 improvement with the burden of taxation is a doctrine, now happily 
 effete, which at one time found favour in the eyes of many of our 
 countrymen. Let us suppose for a moment that the recommenda- 
 tion of the meeting had been carried out, and that the Hand- 
 Loom had been bolstered and " protected " so that it might have 
 continued successfully to compete with its more efficient rival ; 
 have we any guarantee that the foreign manufacturer would have 
 taken the same narrow view of what was best for his interests ? Is
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 321 
 
 it not more reasonable to believe that the inventive genius of 
 Britain would have sought scope for its development in situations 
 more favourable to its growth ? The cost of production would 
 necessarily have been such as to debar our goods from every 
 foreign market. And what then about robbing the poor of their 
 domestic employment, thereby endangering the peace of the 
 country ? The whole thing is so preposterous that it would be a 
 waste of words to discuss the propositions, were it not that by scru- 
 tinising the errors of our forefathers, we may gather some lessons 
 of wisdom that will prevent our falling into the same quagmire of 
 folly, and lead us rather to pursue that more enlightened and 
 liberal policy which has contributed so largely to the advancement 
 and prosperity of our country. 
 
 In 1820-1 Power-Looms began to be introduced into the district, 
 and in the following year the meeting referred to was held to pro- 
 test against their use, as being calculated to injure, and eventually 
 to destroy, the system of domestic employment. The writer of a 
 Pamphlet, dated 1823, reviewing an article which had appeared in 
 the Manchester Guardian criticising and ridiculing the views of 
 the manufacturers expressed at the meeting in question, strongly 
 reprobates the conduct of those who, in the pamphleteer's opinion, 
 were unpatriotic enough to countenance the use of the Power- 
 Loom. His remarks, perused by the light of the' present 
 unexampled extension of the cotton trade, and the vast sums of 
 money, in the shape of wages, which it distributes amongst the 
 operatives, are amusing enough. In one place the writer, who 
 styles himself "A Friend to the Poor," remarks : — " It is impossible, 
 humanly speaking, to find any adequate employment proportionate 
 to the hand-loom. Whether machinery can be multiplied to an 
 extent beyond its demand, will be proved if power-looms become 
 general, and the experiment may perhaps be made when it is too 
 late to recall it." And again— " It remains, therefore, to be 
 proved who are the best benefactors to their country — they who, 
 from motives of avarice and self-interest, encourage the use of 
 power-looms, regardless whether the poor be employed or not ; or
 
 32 2 History of the 
 
 they who from motives of benevolence endeavour to promote their 
 domestic employment, and consequently their moral happiness and 
 comfort. Notwithstanding the many self-interested individuals 
 who advocate the use of power-looms, (and I am well aware that 
 wherever self-interest and undue prejudice prevail, all just 
 reasoning loses its effect,) the time may not be far distant when the 
 subject must be brought to a fair trial. The argument resolves 
 itself into a narrow compass. Power-looms will produce cheaper 
 goods than hand labour ; if so, those who employ them have a 
 decided advantage over those who do not ; therefore, they must 
 either become general, or a tax must be imposed upon them to 
 make the wages equal to that of hand labour. If power-looms be 
 generally introduced, what is the substitute for hand labour, to 
 support the great number of people who will thereby be deprived 
 of employment ? These questions must be answered unequivo- 
 cally, and until they be so practically, the peace of the country may 
 be endangered, and a lawless rabble will make it a pretext for 
 committing" all the mischief in their power." 
 
 Further on the writer says : — "After all that has been, or can be 
 said upon the subject, speculative individuals will pursue their own 
 interest : but that ought not to be suffered without restrictions, 
 where, as in this case, the daily bread of millions is at stake. It is 
 impossible to view the subject disinterestedly, without the most 
 painful apprehensions, whether as it involves domestic employment, 
 the peace of families, the removal of our manufactures, or the 
 depopulation of the country. All these, and many more calamities 
 that might be mentioned, are connected with it." And by way of 
 climax he adds, — " The employment of the labouring poor ought 
 to be one of the first objects, either in a political or moral point of 
 view — as it regards the prosperity of the country, or the welfare of 
 society. To useful mechanical improvements, having a tendency 
 to promote these ends, no well-wisher to society can have any 
 possible objection ; and those persons who encourage speculative 
 gain that will deprive the poor of their bread, let them answer for it. 
 Those mechanical inventions which are calculated to take from the
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 323 
 
 labouring classes their employment, should never be permitted 
 amongst such a numerous population as we have, and no invention 
 in machinery, I conceive, has a greater tendency to do so than 
 Power-Looms." Comment is unnecessary. 
 
 In the minds of many of the operatives the prejudices against 
 the power-loom were as strong as amongst the more short-sighted 
 employers of labour ; and these prejudices, stimulated by a season 
 of bad trade, led to the unjustifiable riots already described. So 
 tenaciously did many of the weavers cling to the old hand-loom, 
 that in order to compete with the more productive rival, the 
 " dandy loom " was introduced. This invention consisted of an 
 adaptation of two looms in such a way as to admit of their being 
 worked simultaneously by one person. The weaver sat betwixt 
 the two, and by an ingenious arrangement gave motion to both. 
 
 A still further combination was attempted with success by 
 John Hargreaves, a weaver, residing at Trice Barn, Dean, who, 
 by an application of cords, pulleys, and levers, contrived to put 
 four hand-looms in motion, thus weaving four distinct pieces of 
 calico at one and the same time. These the inventor continued 
 to work for several years, and only abandoned their use when his 
 employers ceased to " put out " the warp and weft. 
 
 The Luddite outbreaks of 1812, and the Plug Riots of 1842, in 
 both of which Eossendale participated and suffered to some extent, 
 are examples of popular delusions similar in their manifestations to 
 the Power-Loom Riots of 1826, though differing from the latter in 
 the objects intended to be accomphshed. The former, whilst 
 aiming at the destruction of machinery, partook more largely of the 
 political element. Both were ill-advised attempts on the part of 
 the distressed operatives to take the law into their own hands, and 
 both were consequent on a lengthened season of dull trade, low 
 wages and dear food. 
 
 The Luddites were so designated after Ned Ludd, a man 
 reputed as an idiot, who in 1782 had broken two stocking-frames
 
 324 History of the 
 
 at Nottingham. The name afterwards came to be appHed to 
 breakers of machinery in general. It is to these that allusion is 
 made in the lines — 
 
 " As the Liberty lads over the sea 
 
 Bought their freedom, and cheaply, with blood, 
 So we, boys, we 
 Will die fighting or live free. 
 And down with all kings but King Ludd." 
 
 In every town and village such means as were at the command 
 of the authorities were employed to quell the disturbances. In the 
 Book of the Greave of Rossendale Forest for this year we find 
 entries relating to numbering the rate-payers, and summoning them 
 to attend under the " Watch and Ward Act." Special constables 
 were attested and sworn, and a register of Expenses on account of 
 the Militia also appears. The riots soon assumed the magnitude 
 of an armed insurrection. Bands of hair-brained enthusiasts in 
 Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire assembled, and determined 
 to march up to London and remodel the Constitution. They 
 would , 
 
 " Beard the Lion in his den," 
 
 and having ejected him by force, like the " Liberty lads over the 
 sea," (d) would commence government on their own account. 
 With this object in view, they armed themselves with pikes, scythe 
 blades stuck on the end of poles, and other rude implements of 
 warfare. With these and a few other necessaries, including each a 
 blanket for protection from the weather when bivouacking on the 
 way, they commenced their mad enterprise. Their campaign, 
 however, soon came to a disastrous termination, and the leaders, to 
 the number of twenty-four, having been seized, were tried, and 
 afterwards executed — eight at Lancaster and sixteen at York. 
 
 The Plug Riots of August 1842 did not assume the proportions 
 of those previously described. Bands of men entered the mills 
 
 (rf) The American colonists in the War of Independence.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 325 
 
 which were running, and stopped the machinery by knocking out 
 the boiler plugs, thus allowing the water and steam to escape. The 
 object of the rioters was to provoke a general uprising of the 
 operatives, for the purpose of compelling the Government to yield 
 by force what they seemed unwilling to concede to milder 
 measures. It was "an attempt on the part of the Chartists to stop 
 all work until the Legislature should concede the doctrine of 
 universal suffrage in the election of the House of Commons." {e) 
 
 This was a period of dire and appalling distress, and as usual 
 the cotton manufacturing districts suffered most severely. The 
 correspondent to the Liverpool Mercury, speaking of this neigh- 
 bourhood and places adjacent, writes : 
 
 " This part of the country is in a deplorable state, for hundreds 
 and thousands have neither work nor meat. They are daily 
 begging in the streets of Haslingden, twenty or thirty together, 
 crying for bread. Meetings are held every Sunday on the neigh- 
 bouring hills, attended by thousands of poor, hungry, haggard 
 people, wishing for any change, even though it should be death. On 
 Sunday last a meeting was held on the hills near Accrington, and 
 tlie persons present, it is said, covered an area of 4420 square 
 yards of ground. They stood very near together in order to hear 
 the speakers, who were stationed in a waggon in the centre of the 
 ground, so that calculating six to the square yard, there must have 
 been 26,000 persons present. The speakers, ten in number, were 
 very violent, advising their hearers never to petition Parliament 
 again, but to be determined to have a redress of grievances 
 immediately. Resolutions to that effect were put to the meeting 
 and carried unanimously. The people say they are determined to 
 have their just rights, or die in the attempt, and say they will 
 neither support delegates nor conventions, for present relief they 
 want, and present relief they will have before another winter makes 
 its appearance. They say they might as well die by the sword as 
 by hunger." 
 
 (e) " Lancashire and the Cotton Famine," by Dr. Watts, p. 32.
 
 o 
 
 26 History of the 
 
 One very gratifying exception to the prevailing distress of the 
 time is mentioned in the following extract from a review of Dr. 
 Taylor's " Notes of a Tour in the Manufacturing Districts of 
 Lancashire in 1S42." {/!) 
 
 "At the village of Rawtenstall, in the Forest of Rossendale, the 
 tourist on a morning witnessed the Factory System under the 
 fairest auspices, in the large establishment of the Messrs. White- 
 head, where all was harmony and happiness. Here were to be 
 seen comfortable and ample houses, clean and well-furnished ; neat, 
 healthy, and intelligent children ; a school, well attended and on 
 the best foundation ; a handsome chapel ; teetotalism in many 
 cases ; and money in the Savings Bank. He found the villagers 
 healthy, happy, and contented. The operatives one and all 
 declared that their only anxiety was, lest the progress of distress 
 should reach the establishment of Holly-mount, and deprive them 
 of the employment they possessed, and the comforts they produced." 
 Unfortunately* the distress did eventually extend to Rawtenstall, 
 but the latter did not at this period suffer to the extent of other 
 districts in the immediate vicinity. 
 
 There can be no question that "protection" was again at the 
 root of the wide-spread misery and depression. The Corn Laws 
 bore heavily on the poorer classes. Flour had risen to an enor- 
 mous price ; the produce of foreign countries being held in bond 
 by the ruinous rates imposed upon its importation. Our great 
 champions of Free Trade, Cobden and Bright, and a host of 
 lesser stars in the political firmament — not forgetting Ebenezer 
 Elliott, the Laureate of the people — were in the midst of their 
 repeal agitation. But certain of our Legislators, as usual blind to 
 the real evils that afflicted the nation, endeavoured to mitigate the 
 distress by resorting to every proposed remedial measure but the 
 true one. Emigration and colonisation found favour with many 
 who were called statesmen, but who either were unable to perceive, 
 or were indifferent to the fact that the only effect of these, on an 
 
 (/) In TaiVi Magazine, September, 1842.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 327 
 
 extensive scale, would be to rob the country of the flower of its 
 population of both sexes, leaving behind the aged, the infirm, and 
 the lazy, to be a still greater burden on labour at home. 
 
 Time, with healing on its wings, gradually brought relief to the 
 sufferers; and a few years later (in 1846) the Corn Laws, which 
 had been the cause of unspeakable evils for a space of thirty years, 
 were swept away. 
 
 Such is the story of the changes, the vicissitudes, and the 
 progress of the Forest of Rossendale ; and on a review of all the 
 facts, we must be ready to commend the foresight of those who 
 nearly four hundred years ago, entertained the belief, that, " If the 
 Deer were taken out of and from the said Forest, that then the 
 same was likely to come and be brought and applied to some good 
 purpose, so as that the commonwealth might be increased thereby."
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 MUSTER OF SOLDIERS IN LANCASHIRE— I. MARY. 
 
 In a curiously written manuscript, quoted in Gregson's 
 Fragments of Lancashire, part i., p. i8, et scq., is given 
 an account of the Muster of Soldiers in the County Palatine of 
 Lancaster in I. Mary, 1553, from which it appears that 
 " Rossendall Forrest " furnished thirty-six men, and " Pendle 
 Forrest," thirty-six. Each being more than double the number of 
 men raised by any town within the Hundred. 
 
 In the list of the Nomina Liberi Tcnentes in Lancastriae 
 Comitatu, i8th James I., a.d. 1621, the following belonging to the 
 Forest of Rossendale appear : — 
 
 Ka. Haworth de Musberric. 
 Geof. Taylor de eadem. 
 Law. Taylor de eadem. 
 Joh. Tattersall de Tunstead. 
 Joh. Piliage (? Pilling) de eadem. 
 
 Joh. Lord de Bacop. 
 Ja. Wliitacre de Broadclough. 
 Geo. Hargreaves de Goodshaw. 
 Joh. Ormerod de Gamloyside. 
 
 • COPYHOLDERS IN ROSSENDALE DtTEING THE REIGN 
 OP JAMES L 
 
 The assessment of the mean rates of the Copyholders of the 
 Forest of Rossendale towards the Composition Contribution for 
 their estates by authority from the Commissioners, rated and
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 329 
 
 assessed by Robert Holden of Holden, Esqre, during the reign of 
 James I. The hst is contained in a MS Vol. of the period, in 
 the possession of Mr. W. Waddington, of Burnley. (See Ante 
 page 84.) 
 
 DONNOCSSHAW. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Richard To-wnley, Esqre. . . 1 18 
 
 John Townley, Gentleman.. 1 1 8 
 
 Henlieads 10 
 
 £2 4 2 
 
 Gakbleside. 
 
 John Birtwisle 1 1 4 
 
 Oliver Ormerod 1 6 8 
 
 John Urmerod 1 12 
 
 £4 
 
 LOTE Clocgh. 
 
 John Holt, and George, his 
 
 son ', 1 6 3 
 
 Richard Hey 6 8 
 
 Wm. Birtwisle, and Richard, 
 
 his son 16 8 
 
 George Dearden 1 3 9 
 
 Peter Hoy 8 4 
 
 Richard Law 5 
 
 Henry Ramsbottom, and 
 
 Peter, his son 6 8 
 
 E. Chadwick, in right of his 
 
 wife 6 8 
 
 Henheads 1 9 
 
 £5 1 9 
 
 GOODSHAW. 
 
 George Hargreaves 1 19 11 
 
 George Birtwisle, and Rich- 
 ard, his son 1 6 8 
 
 John Nuttall, of Deadwen- 
 
 clough 6 8 
 
 Alec Haworth 13 4 
 
 George Haworth, of Craw- 
 
 shawbooth 13 4 
 
 Richard Hey 6 8 
 
 Henheads 1 9 
 
 £6 8 4 
 
 Ckowshawbooth. 
 
 £ 8. d. 
 
 George Haworth 2 3 4 
 
 Dennys Hawoi-th 2 1 8 
 
 James Haworth 1 10 
 
 Hugh Haworth, and John, 
 
 his son 1 10 
 
 Oliver Ormerod 10 
 
 Hugh Halstead 5 
 
 Francis Nuttall '0 10 
 
 Richard Dearden 3 4 
 
 John Haworth de Constable 6 8 
 
 Henheads 1 11 
 
 £9 1 11 
 
 CoNSTABLAT. 
 
 John Haworth 12 6 
 
 John Ashworth 18 9 
 
 Edmund Ingham 12 6 
 
 Edward Rawstorn, of New- 
 hall 12 6 
 
 Dennys Haworth 12 6 
 
 George Haworth 1 5 
 
 Thomas Holt 6 3 
 
 Henheads 1 10 
 
 £5 1 10 
 
 ROWTONSTALE. 
 
 Edward Rawsthorne, de 
 
 Newhall 1 7 
 
 James Lord , 4 
 
 Thomas Cranshawe 4 
 
 Richard Ormerod 6 
 
 Peter Hey 
 
 Richard Heape 5 
 
 Robert Hey, and John, his 
 
 son 6 
 
 John Nuttall, of Dedwen- 
 
 clough 4 
 
 Henry Nuttall 6 
 
 John Piccop 9 
 
 Henheads 1 
 
 £3 IS 10
 
 
 History of the 
 
 Dedwenclovgh. 
 
 £ 
 Francis Brigg 1 
 
 John NutUill, of Newhallhey 1 
 
 Alexander Ilaworth 1 
 
 Wm. Heaton de Clougli . . 1 
 
 Thomas Crowshaw 11 10 
 
 James Tattersiill 17 10 
 
 John Nuttall de Clough, for 
 Lands chargeable to the 
 Minister of the New- 
 church in Eossendale . . 1 3 6 
 
 John Eamshottom 3 4 
 
 Adam Bridge 13 
 
 Robert Broughton 9 11 
 
 Kobert Rowe 5 
 
 John Bradley 5 
 
 James Birtwistle 11 8 
 
 John Dearden, of Wolfenden 2 6 
 
 Wm. Heaton de Bule Eye. . 3 4 
 
 Henhcads 1 9 
 
 8. d. 
 
 3 9 
 
 6 9 
 
 3 5 
 
 6 9 
 
 Wolfenden Booth. 
 
 Edward Rawsthorne, of 
 
 Newhall 
 
 Edward Rawsthorne, of Lum 1 
 
 James Walton 
 
 James Wolfenden 
 
 Edward Taylor 
 
 James Ashworth, junr 
 
 James Ashworth, sem- 
 
 John Ormerod 
 
 John Ashworth 
 
 Robert Ashworth 
 
 William Taylor 
 
 Oliver Ashworth 
 
 Richard Ormerod 
 
 John Scholefield 
 
 John Ashworth 
 
 Henheads 
 
 £10 14 4 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 £4 18 7 
 
 TuNSTEED. 
 
 John Tattersall 1 9 
 
 John Rilling 13 
 
 Henry Cowoppe 7 
 
 John Kay 7 
 
 John Kershawe 1 8 
 
 Anthony Nuttall 13 
 
 John Lawe 7 
 
 Henry Lawe 7 
 
 £5 12 
 
 Bacop. 
 
 John Ashworth, for Lands 
 
 there 
 
 Edmund Tattersall, junr. . 
 James Tattersall, junr. . . 
 James Tattersall, senr. . . 
 James Lord alt Boulton . . 1 
 James Lord alt Chapman . . 
 John Nuttall de Clough . . 1 
 
 John Tattersall 1 
 
 John Lord 
 
 Samuel Robcrtshawe .... 
 James Lord de Wear .... 
 
 Edmund Lord 
 
 James Whittaker 1 
 
 John Haworth 
 
 Lawrence Lord 1 
 
 Edmund Tattersall, eenr. . . 1 
 Edward Rawsthorne de 
 Newhall, for Rockliffe 
 Wood 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 10 
 3 
 
 6 8 
 
 7 6 
 14 2 
 
 8 
 13 8 
 
 
 13 
 6 
 9 
 1 
 8 
 
 6 
 1 
 2 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 2 11 
 7 6 
 
 
 16 8 
 
 £11 IG 8 
 
 Cowoppe. 
 
 Richard Hill 2 
 
 Robt. Chadwick 10 
 
 George Haworth 7 
 
 Ralph Leach 5 
 
 Bartholomew Tattersall . . 5 
 
 George Ormerod 1 
 
 John Ashworth 
 
 Richard Holden 
 
 Oliver Holden 
 
 Ralph Nuttall, and John, 
 
 his son 10 
 
 Edward NuttaU 10 7 
 
 Richard Ormerod 12 2 
 
 James Piccop, and John, 
 
 his son 14 2 
 
 £5 13 4 
 
 Lenches. 
 
 Edmund Pilling 11 
 
 Richard Ormerod 1 1 
 
 John Ashworth, and James, 
 
 his son 16 
 
 James Hoult, and John, 
 
 his son 1 11 
 
 Richard Taylor 5 
 
 £4 6
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 Newhall Hey. 
 
 £ 3. d. 
 
 John Nuttall 3 2 11 
 
 Thomas Cronshaw 17 1 
 
 Charles Eamsbotham .... 1 14 2 
 Henry Eamsbotham, and 
 
 Peter, his son 1 14 2 
 
 Wm. Heaton de Clough ..034 
 
 Richard Ashworth I 8 
 
 £7 13 4 
 
 Oaxenheadwood. 
 
 Peter Hey 1 8 11 
 
 Edward Ramsbotham, and 
 
 Adam, his son 1 8 11 
 
 Thurston Eamsbotham, and 
 
 Henry, his son 14 o\ 
 
 Oliver Eamsbotham 14 5 1 
 
 George Haworth i 1 s' 
 
 Henry Haworth 1 1 8 
 
 Francis Nuttall 1.5 11 
 
 Ealph Haworth 2 7 
 
 Eey nold Haworth 11 
 
 Henry Barnes 2 9 
 
 Agnes Haworth, widow, 
 
 for Henry Haworth, 
 
 her son 4 11 
 
 Thomas Lord 4 
 
 James Haworth 1 10 
 
 Lawrence Bawsthome de 
 
 Newhall 5 5 
 
 Edward Eawsthorne de 
 
 Xewhall 6 2 
 
 Henry Ramsbotham, and 
 
 Peter, his son 1 
 
 John Nuttall de Newhall- 
 
 hey 3 
 
 Edward Eawsthorne de 
 
 Newhall, for two 
 
 Milnes, with such soken 
 
 and all appurtenances. 13 4 
 
 £9 8 3 
 
 MuSBCKY. 
 
 Ralph Haworth 3 5 
 
 John Holden, and Mar- 
 garet, his wife 16 3 
 
 Tho. Kenyon 8 U 
 
 Oliver Bridge 8 l| 
 
 George Haworth, and John, 
 
 his son 1 12 6 
 
 Jefierey Taylor, and Ed- 
 ward, his son 1 12 6 
 
 Carried forward . . £8 2 6 
 
 331 
 
 McsBrnY— con;inu«d. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Brought forward .... 8 2 6 
 
 Lawrence Taylor 1 12 6 
 
 Christopher Cronsha we .. 18 11 
 
 Thomas Duckworth 9 1 
 
 John Duckworth 14 i\ 
 
 Eichard Entwistle 19 IJ 
 
 Richard Cronshaw O 5 4 
 
 £13 1 
 
 HODDIESDEX. 
 
 Nicholas Grimshawe .... 7 8 
 
 Thurstan Slawdsley 12 0^ 
 
 George Holden, senr 16 OJ 
 
 George Holden, junr 16 6j 
 
 GUbert Hey 8 
 
 Wm. Yate, senr 11 11^ 
 
 Gyles Holme Oil 4 
 
 Eobt Yate 12 
 
 Henry Baron 14 6 
 
 John Welch, jure Uxoris 
 
 [by right of his wife] .011 
 
 Gyles Yate 14 6| 
 
 James Yate 14 lOJ 
 
 James Knowles alt Haworth 17 8 
 
 Elizabeth Sharpe 3 10 
 
 George Yate 2 8 
 
 Robert Brindle 7 8 
 
 Wm. Yate, junior 17 8 
 
 £9 19 11 
 
 WoLFEXDEy. 
 
 Edward Rawsthome, of 
 
 NewhaU lo 1 
 
 John Heyward 8 8 
 
 Roger PiUing o 7 3 
 
 Dennys Hargreaves 11 
 
 George Ormerod, senr .... 3 1 
 
 Robert Heyward 9 4 
 
 Henry NuttaU .....0 2 
 
 John Hargreaves 12 8 
 
 James Smith alt Lowe .... 4 
 
 Erice Clajiion 2 
 
 James Clayton 2 
 
 Eichard Ashworth 5 10 
 
 Eobert Haworth 4 
 
 George Lord de Darcey 
 
 Lever 6 4 
 
 James Tattersall 6 4 
 
 John Ashworth 6 4 
 
 James Lord de Horold- 
 
 long 2 
 
 Carried forward ..£4 6 10
 
 2Z'' 
 
 History of the 
 
 WOLPENDEN— CO;i(in!(«,i. 
 
 ,£ s. (1. 
 
 Brought forward 4 U 1 
 
 Elizab. Asliworth by Robert 
 
 Heyward for Gardeine .038 
 
 Thomas Lawo 5 G 
 
 Hugh Pilling 6 
 
 John NuttaU do Clough ..008 
 And for Lands in Ded- 
 ■vren Clogh chargeable 
 to the Minister of New- 
 church in Rossendale . . 3 2 
 
 Henry Ha worth 2 10 
 
 John Dearden 1 6 
 
 Richard Hargreaves 2 3 
 
 John Hai greaves, jimr 1 11 
 
 Ralph Hev 1 4 
 
 Richd. Piccop 3 3 
 
 George Ormerod, junr 6 2 
 
 Henry Haworth, scnr 1 8 
 
 Charles Haworth 1 8 
 
 Jamea Haworth 3 4 
 
 James Haworth, of Crow- 
 
 shawbooth 4 4 
 
 Alexander Haworth, of 
 
 Clough 2 10 
 
 John Holt, and George, his 
 
 son 12 8 
 
 Robert Hey, and John, his 
 
 son 2 
 
 John Tattersall de Tunstead 5 4 
 
 Richard Ormerod 4 10 
 
 James Whittaker de Bacop .032 
 John Onnerod de Gamble- 
 side 10 
 
 Oliver Ormerod, senr 8 4 
 
 Oliver Ormerod de Edge . . 1 10 
 
 John Birtwisle 6 8 
 
 George Hargreaves, of 
 
 Goodshawe 6 8 
 
 Carried forward .... £ 1 5 
 
 WOLPENDEN — continved, 
 
 £ 8. d. 
 
 Brought forward 10 6 
 
 George Birtwisle, and 
 
 Richard, his son G 4 
 
 John Haworth de Barnes . . 4 4 
 
 George Hargreaves de Nahb G 4 
 
 John Haworth de Constable 2 
 
 John Ashworth G 
 
 Edmund Ingham 1 
 
 Dennys Haworth 3 4 
 
 Richard Heape 1 8 
 
 John Nuttall, of Newhall 
 
 Hey 2 10 
 
 Samuel Robertshaw 8 
 
 Thomas Cronshawe 1 S 
 
 James Tattersall de Dedwcn- 
 
 clogh 2 
 
 Edward Rawsthornde Lumm 3 2 
 
 James Birtwisle 1 6 
 
 James Ashworth 3 2 
 
 OUver Ashworth 1 7 
 
 James Walton 3 2 
 
 Abraham Taylor G 4 
 
 Francis Bridge 2 11 
 
 Adam Bridge 2 
 
 Willm. Heaton do Dedwen- 
 
 clogh 3 3 
 
 Willm. Heaton de Bule Eye 1 8 
 John Kershaw de Tunsteed, 
 
 and Henrj-, his son .... 6 4 
 
 £13 5 1 
 
 Total year's Rental .... £1 31 3 8 
 
 Total 12 years' rental con- 
 tributed by the Rossen- 
 dale Copyholders ..£1.574 
 
 4 
 
 LIST OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, FOR THAT PART 
 OF ROSSENDALE BELONGING TO NEWCHURCH, FROM 
 THE YEAR 1G81 TO 1790.— Copied from an old MS. Book in the 
 possession of Geouoe HAKGKE.iVES, Esq., J.P., Newchurch. 
 
 1681. Alexander Haworth of Deadwenclough, and James Taylor, Dean 
 
 Height. 
 
 1682. Adam Bridge, Deadwenclough, and Crofer Nuttal of Sisclough. 
 
 1683. Jno. Heywood of Newhouse, and Jno. Law of Bacup.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 333 
 
 1684. Hemy Ormerod and James Hargreaves. 
 
 1685. Robert Hargreaves and James Law. 
 
 1686. Eichd. Heap and Jno. Ashworth. 
 
 1687. Henrj- Law, of Tunstead, and Geo. Ashworth of Newchnrch. 
 
 1688. Henry Hargreares, Nahb, and Law. Ashworth of Wolfenden. 
 
 1689. Jno. Lord of Bacup, and Edmd. Ashworth of Fearnes. 
 
 1690. Richd. Ashworth of Wolfenden, and James Haworth of the same. 
 
 1691. Saml. Lord of Bacup, and Law. Ashworth of Brockclough. 
 
 1692. Eichd. Ormerod of Wolfenden, and Jno. Heyworth of the same. 
 
 1693. Law. Lord of Bacup, and Jno. Hoyle of the same. 
 
 1694. Geo. Hargreaves of Wolfenden, and Jno. Haworth, Deadwenclough. 
 
 1695. Eichd. Hevworth, Harrast HLUa, and Geo. Haworth of Bankhouse. 
 
 1696. Edwd. Ashworth of WhiteweU Bottom, and Geo. Hargreaves, Dead- 
 
 wenclough. 
 
 1697. Richd. Heaton of Deadwenclough, and James Taylor of Walls. 
 
 1698. Jno. Lord of Broadclough, and Eobt. Heyworth of Water. 
 
 1699. Oliver Ormerod, of Wolfenden, and Geo. Ashworth of Newchurch. 
 
 1700. James Law of Greenlaw, and John Ashworth of Chapel HUl. 
 
 1701. Henry Law of Tunstead, and Geo. Hargreaves, Edgeside. 
 
 1702. James Law of Greenlaw, and Abram Taylor of Dean Height. 
 
 1703. Eobt. Whitakcr, of Heald, and James Maydin, Broadclough. 
 
 1704. Richd. Ormerod, of Tunstead, and Geo. Hargreaves of Nabb. 
 
 1705. Law. Lord of Greensnook, and Oliver Ashworth, Fearnes. 
 
 1706. Henry Hargreaves, Fold, and Law. Lord, of Newchurch. 
 
 1707. Richard Heyworth, Derply, and Henry Shepherd of Bacup. 
 
 1708. Law. Ashworth of Brockclough, and Robt. Hej-worth, Deanhead. 
 
 1709. James Hey of Boothfold, and James Mitchell of Tunstead. 
 
 1710. Abram Law of Holmes, and Jno. Lord of Derplyclough, being hired 
 
 by James Heap of Bacup. 
 
 1711. James Piccop of Heightside, and Jno. Lord of Derplyclough. 
 
 1712. Henry Ashworth, Smallahay, and Jno. Hoyle. 
 
 1713. Jno. Rishton, Newchurch, and Jno. Lord of Lane Head. 
 
 1714. Wm. Heap of Huttock, and Jno. Ashworth of Miller Bam. 
 
 1715. Henry Hargreaves of Newchurch, and Jno. Lord, Simis. 
 
 1716. Jno. Haworth, Bank Top, and Jno. Heap. 
 
 1717. James Ashworth, Lane Head, and Jno. Ashworth, Scout. 
 
 1718. James Lord, Boothfold, and David Greenwood, Heald. 
 
 1719. Jno. Hoyle, Fall Bam, and Robt. Heyworth, Water. 
 
 1720. Henry Law of Tunstead, and Abram Law of Brex. 
 
 1721. Edmd. Whitaker of Deals, and Law. Ormerod of Edgeside. 
 
 1722. Jno. Mills of Hareholme, and James Heyworth of Deanhead. 
 
 1723. Jno. Nuttall of Tunstead, and Saml. Lord of Old Meadows.
 
 334 Histoty of the 
 
 172i. Geo. Hargreaves, Newchurch, and Law. Aaliworth, Bankend. 
 
 1725. Jno. Taylor, Newchurch, and James Taylor of Walls. 
 
 1726. Geo. Haworth, Bankliouse, and Jno. Heyworth, Harrest Hills. 
 
 1727. Jno. Kamsbotlom, Tunstoad, .and Juo. Ormorod, Shayclough. 
 
 1728. Jno. Pilling, Sisclough, and Jno. Lord of Sodhouse. 
 
 1729. Saml. Haworth of Wear, and Law. Ormerod, Edgeside. 
 
 1730. Jno. Baron of Lum, and Richd. Lord of Nabb. 
 
 1731. Jno. Haworth, Waterside, and Jno. Piccop of Sowclough. 
 
 1732. Saml. Haworth of Shayclough, and James Law of Acre Hill. 
 
 1733. Jno. Pilling, ^Vheet Head, and Geo. Piccop of Wainyate. 
 
 1734. Jno. Lord of Broadclough, and James Taylor, Deanheight. 
 
 1735. Jas. Law of Greenlaw, and Henry Ashworth of Miller Bam. 
 
 1736. Abram Taylor of Height Top, and Joshua Lord, Broadclough. 
 
 1737. Geo. Hargreaves, Chapel Hill, and Robt. Heyworth, Bacup. 
 
 1738. Richd. Ashworth of Boothfold, and Jno. Ashworth, Bank Top. 
 
 1739. Abram Nuttal of Hey head, and Jno. Lord, Greensnook. 
 
 1740. James Pollard, Whams, and Joshua Eomsbottom, Brox. 
 
 1741. Jno. Hargreaves for Fcarnos, and Jno. Wliitaker, Broadclough. 
 
 1742. Christo. Hargreaves, Muckt Earth, and Geo. Law, Huttock End. 
 
 1743. James Ormerod, Edgeside, and Robt. Hargreaves of Hargreaves Fold. 
 
 1744. Oliver Ashworth of Height Side, and Geo. Ormerod of Cunliffe 
 
 Clough. 
 
 1745. Jno. Ingham, Fern Hill, and Richd. Lord of Greens. 
 
 1746. James Piccop of Boothfield, and Richd. Lord of Lum. 
 
 1747. Richd Ashworth of Wolfenden, and Jno. Heap of Huttock. 
 
 1748. Edwd. Lord of Bottom, and Oliver PiUing of Tunstead. 
 
 1749. Henry Hargreaves, Fanhouse, and Jonathan Ashworth, Tunstead. 
 
 1750. Richd. Pollard, Broadclough, and James Lord, Derplyelough. 
 
 1751. Jno. Law, Bankses, and James Lord of Lane Head. 
 
 1752. Jno. Haworth, Brockclough, and Jno. Law of Briggclough. 
 
 1753. Robt. Scholfield, Kewchurch, Tenant to Mj. Cobham, and Adam 
 
 Scholficld, of Bacup. 
 
 1754. Hugh Taylor, Newchurch, and Abraham TattersaU, Top of Huttock. 
 
 1755. Hugh Taylor, hired by the To^vn for 12 Guineas. 
 
 1756. Mr. Ormorod, Tunstead, and Jno. Heyworth, Deanhead. 
 
 1757. Jno Hargreaves, Newchurch, and Jno. Ashworth, Holling. 
 
 1758. Robt. Heyworth, Water, and Jno. Lord, Greensnook. 
 
 1759. James Lord, Boothfold, and Jno. Lord, Old Meadows. 
 
 1760. Jno. Nuttal, Tunstead, and Joshua Hoyle, Rockeliffewood. 
 
 1761. Geo. Ashworth, Whams, and Richd. Lord, Old Meadows. 
 
 1762. James Taylor, Walls, and Jno. Whitaker, Scar End.
 
 1763. 
 
 1704. 
 
 1765. 
 
 1766. 
 
 1767. 
 
 1768. 
 
 1769. 
 
 1770. 
 
 1771. 
 
 1772. 
 
 1773. 
 
 1774. 
 
 1775. 
 
 1776. 
 
 1777. 
 
 1778. 
 
 1779. 
 
 1780. 
 
 1781. 
 
 1782. 
 
 1783. 
 
 1784. 
 
 1785. 
 
 1786. 
 
 1787. 
 
 1788. 
 
 1789. 
 
 1790. 
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 Jno. Law, Bankses, hired by the Town. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Geo. Haworth, Shawclough, hired by the Town. 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Jonathan Ashworth, Tunstead, do. 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Oliver Ashworth, hired by the Town. 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 Joshua Hargreaves, do. 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 Jno. Whitaker, Tunstead, hired by the Town. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Thos. Nuttal, Edgeside, do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. ■ do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Jno. Easthorn, Bres, hired by the Town. 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 335 
 
 The following are interesting as showing the money value of 
 cattle, and the various articles named, at the date of the in- 
 ventories : — 
 
 EXCERPTS FROM "AN APPRISALL OF THE GOODS OF EDWd. 
 BUTTERWORTH, OF ROUND HOUSE, APPRAIZED THIS 
 3 DAY OF NOVEMBER, ANNO DNI. 1716." 
 
 1 Black Cow, 
 
 1 Bed Cow, 
 
 1 Stirk, 
 
 1 Provinder Ark, 
 
 1 Hay Mowe, 
 
 £3 
 3 
 1 
 
 
 1 10
 
 336 
 
 History of the 
 
 1 Wliecl barrow and Ladder, 
 
 £0 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 Calf Crib, 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 2 Spinning Whoola, 2 pair Stock cards. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 1 Pair Combs and Stock, 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 6 
 
 Turfe and Coal, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 Couch Chair and Quishand, 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 1 Arm Chair, 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 6 Chairs and 6 QuishandB, 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 1 Flagon, 2 peuter Cans, . 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 10 Peuter Cupps, 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 G 
 
 1 Brass Morter and postel. 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 1 Chaveing Dish, . 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 Bedstead, 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 1 Brown Cadow, . 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 2 Blanketts, 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 30 Harrow teeth, . 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 4 Sides, .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 I Bridle and Sadie, 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 1 Trucle bed. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 Green Cadow, 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 1 Ccild Chest, 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 13 Picktures, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 12 Table Napkins, . 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 12 Cheeses, 
 
 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 1 do.. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 TRUE INVENTORIE OF ALL THE GOODS CATTELLS AND 
 CHATTELLS AND SUBSTANCE OF ROBERT HARDMAN OP 
 GREENS, WITHIN SPOTLAND, AND PARISH OF ROTCH- 
 DALE AND COUNTY OF LANCASTER DEGASED, VALUED 
 AND APRISBD THE TWENTITH SIXTH OF SEPTEMBER, 
 IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD GOD 1717, BY US, JAMES 
 HOYLE, JAMES MILL, GAORGE LAW, AND HENRY 
 HARDMAN. 
 
 Imprimis, his ApperreU and money in his purse, 
 
 Item, foure Cowes, 
 
 Item, two stots and three twinters. 
 
 Item, three Calves and three Stirkes, . 
 
 Item, one Horse 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 5, U 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 . 12 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 . 12 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 6 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 4 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 . £38 
 
 00 
 
 00
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 337 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 
 . £38 00 00 
 
 Item, twenty sheepe, . 
 
 
 4 00 00 
 
 Item, hay and Corne, . 
 
 
 10 00 00 
 
 Item, one Swine, 
 
 
 1 00 00 
 
 Item, three Arkes, 
 
 
 1 10 00 
 
 Item, three Chists, 
 
 
 1 00 00 
 
 Item, foiir Beds and hedding, . 
 
 
 8 00 00 
 
 Item, one prass and one Cuhhard, 
 
 
 1 10 00 
 
 Item, two tahles and one buffett, 
 
 
 1 00 00 
 
 Item, one Couch Cheare and Cheares, 
 
 
 10 00 
 
 Item, in brass and peuter, 
 
 
 1 00 00 
 
 Item, in odd Husslements, 
 
 
 10 00 
 
 Item, 
 
 £68 00 00 
 
 Item, money to draw, . 
 
 26 10 00 
 
 
 £94 10 00 
 
 Datt to pay, 
 
 73 10 00 
 
 totel, 
 
 £21 
 
 
 
 
 EXCERPTS FROM " AN APPEISALL AND IN^^NTOET OF ALL 
 THE GOODS, CATTLES, AND CHATTLES OF JOHN LORD 
 OF BROADCLOUGH, DECEASED, APPRISED THE FIVE- 
 TEENTH DAT OF DECEMBER, ANNO DOMINI 1724." 
 
 Item, Six Oxen, two Stirks, two CaUfs, one 
 
 Why and a BuU, standing at ye New Bam, 
 Item, Four Cows standing at Home and a 
 
 Swine, .... 
 
 Item, Three Mares and Eleven Sheep, 
 Item, Two OvU Tables, 
 Item, Two Oak Chears, 
 Item, Ten Ash Chears, . 
 Item, A Longsettle, A Table with Drawers, 
 Item, A Clock, .... 
 Item, All his Books and Case, . 
 Item, Tongs and Fire Iron, 
 Item, a Chest and Thirty Trenchers, . 
 Item, A Cuboard and Two Glasscases, 
 
 , £30 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 . 15 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 . 15 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 . 01 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 . 00 
 
 08 
 
 
 
 . 00 
 
 09 
 
 
 
 . 01 
 
 05 
 
 
 
 . 01 
 
 05 
 
 
 
 . 01 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 . 01 
 
 01 
 
 
 
 . 00 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 . 00 
 
 13 
 

 
 338 History of the 
 
 Item, A Close Stool, . . . . £00 05 
 
 Item, A Great Ark, Meal and Wheal, . . 10 00 
 
 Item, A Haifa headed Bed and Bedding, . 01 05 
 
 Item, Cradley, Goo Wane, Little Table, . 00 OG 
 
 "THE OLD SCHOOL," BACUP. 
 
 The following Memorandum, relating to the " Old School " at 
 Bacup, which formerly stood on the site of the present Mechanics' 
 Institution, is copied from a volume of printed Sermons in the 
 possession of the late Samuel Howorth, of Tunstead. The 
 memorandum is written on the margin of the fourth and fifth 
 pages of the last sermon in the volume : — 
 
 "4: Oct". 1747 this day Ould Mr Houlden Burnley parish Came 
 to Baccop chapil Being the fourt gurinney [? journey] So the doars 
 were made by the Schoolmastor by John Lord Broadclough Order 
 & John Heape huttock top Brake in at an Ould Doare that were 
 made with Ould boards and Stoans & so Crept in as he Could & 
 Opened y^ Other doars then Henry Lord Boulton went in & the 
 [? three, or they] of his partey this were in the forenoone & then 
 aftor diner Mr Uttley went into this Chapil or Scoole house and 
 Red & preached the word of God & doctorin of Jesus Christ : 
 Joel : 2 Chap' vers 13. Rent your harts & not your Garments & 
 turn vnto the Lord your God for he is Gracious and mercyfull slow 
 to anger and of Great kindness and Repenteth him of the Evil. 
 
 " Judith Howorth. 
 
 " 9 Oct' 1747 Mr Houlden Came again to Baccop & Ordered 
 Vttley 2 days in a month & Richard Ashworth i & Hen^ Lord 
 Boulton I to preach & teach the word of God & the Gospil of 
 Jesus Christ in the Schoole house or Baccop chapil." 
 
 And apart from the above is the following, written on the margin 
 at the foot of the page : — 
 
 " the [? they] should have Cufenanted one with another these 
 ffefies & it is But them & thair Heirs.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 339 
 
 A LIST OF ROSSENDALE MAGISTRATES, FROM THE FIRST 
 APPOINTMENT IN 1824 TO THE TEAR X892. 
 
 Name. 
 
 James Whitaker,' . 
 John Holt,* 
 John Earue-haw,* 
 John Ormtrod, * 
 George Ormerod,* , 
 John Brooks,* . 
 
 Eobert Mann,* . 
 John Lord,* 
 George HargreaveB,* 
 Thomas Grimshaw,* 
 David Whitehead,* . 
 
 Geo. Henry Ornerod,* . 
 JohnHowarth,* . 
 
 Lord CrawBhaw, 
 
 John Whitaker.t 
 John Dawson,* 
 James Maden Holt, M.A. 
 Bobert Munn, jun., 
 
 (Lt.-Col,,)t . 
 Eichard Ashworth,* . 
 John Aitken, (Capt ) • 
 Jos. Wood Whitehead* , 
 
 John B. Whitehead, 
 Edward Hoyle, 
 James Munn,* . 
 Henry Hoyle Hardman, • 
 
 James Smith Sutolifte,' 
 Edward Ashworth, 
 Henry Maden,* 
 Thomas Aitken,* 
 Thomas Smith* 
 Thomas Whitaker, 
 Bichard Townsend, 
 James Kushton,* 
 
 Jos. Hardman WorrUI,* 
 Bobert Whitaker Munn,* 
 ThoB. Hoyle Whitehead, 
 
 William Brooks, 
 George Ashworth Smith, 
 
 John Warbnrton, 
 Jonathan A. HarrisOD, . 
 
 John Harfrreaves, , 
 Henry H. Bolton, 
 George fchepherd, . 
 William Mitchell, . 
 James Haworth, 
 Joshua Hoyle, jun., 
 J. H. Hardman (Lt.-Col.), 
 James Edward Holt, 
 
 Edward Martin Wright, 
 John Henry Maden, M.P. 
 Joshua Crayen Hoyle, . 
 
 Place of Abode. 
 
 Broadclough, Bacnp, 
 Stubby Lee, Bacup, 
 Mount Pleasant, Bacnp, 
 Baukside, Bacup, 
 Pern Hill, Bacup, . 
 Crawshaw Hall, Craw- 
 
 Bhawbooth, . 
 Heath Hill, Stacksteads, 
 Irwell Terrace, Bacup, 
 Newchurch, 
 Pierce Clough, Water, 
 Holly Mount, Eawten- 
 
 stall. 
 Edee Side, Newchurch, 
 Higher Hempsteads, Ba- 
 cup 
 
 Craw=haw Hall, Craw- 
 
 f^hawbooth, . 
 Broadclough, Bacup, 
 Mount Pleasant, Bacup, 
 Stubby Lee, Bacup, 
 Thistle Mount, New- 
 church, . 
 Lea Bank, Eawtenstall, 
 Lane End, Bacup, . 
 Alder Grange, Kawten- 
 
 stall .... 
 AshdayLea, Eawtenstall, 
 Spring Mount, Bacup, 
 Fern Hill, Bacup, . 
 Horucliffe House, Eaw- 
 tenstall, . 
 Beech House, Bacup, 
 Staghills, Waterfoot, 
 Bockcliffe House, Bacup, 
 Holmes, Bacup, 
 Flaxmoss, Haslingden, 
 Wellbank, Haslingden, 
 Bent Gate, Haslingdeu, 
 Forest Hoase, New- 
 church, . . . . 
 Bochdale Road, Bacup, . 
 Heath Hill, Stacksteads, 
 Holly Mount, Eawten- 
 stall, . , . . 
 Sunnyside, Eawtenstall, 
 Westbourne House, Flax- 
 moss, Haslingden, 
 Greenfield, Haslingden, 
 Eegent Street, Hasling- 
 den, . . . . 
 Greensnook, Bacup, 
 Heightside, Newchurch, 
 Holmes Villa. Bacup, 
 Pern Hill, Stacksteads, 
 Spring Mount, Bacup, . 
 Baukside, Bacup, . 
 Oak Hill, Eawtenstall, . 
 Holmefield House, Eaw- 
 tenstall 
 
 Spring Mount, Bacup, . 
 Eockliffe House, Bacup, 
 Oak House, Bacup, 
 
 Date of 
 
 Qualification. 
 
 April 29, 1824, 
 
 April 19, 183S, 
 
 April 19, 1S38, 
 
 July 4, 1838, 
 
 May 23, 1844, 
 
 June 30, 1847, 
 
 Oct. 2n, 1847, 
 
 Oct. 20, 1847, 
 
 Nov. 3, 1847, 
 
 April 6,1848, 
 
 April 9, 1850, 
 
 June 30, 1852, 
 
 July 5, 1852, 
 
 July 4, 1855, 
 
 Julv 4, 1855, 
 
 April 6,1857, 
 
 April 6,1653, 
 
 May 27, 1858, 
 
 May 19, 18,i9, 
 
 May 23, lf63. 
 
 May 22, 18G2, 
 
 April 8,1883, 
 
 April 8, 1867, 
 
 April 8,1867, 
 
 April 10, 1867, 
 
 Jany. 4, 1869, 
 
 May 24, 18G9, 
 
 May 24, 1809, 
 
 Oct. 20, 1869, 
 
 May 18, 1870, 
 
 Feby.26, 1872, 
 
 May 23,1873, 
 
 June 29,1874, 
 
 Aug. 1, 1878, 
 
 Aug. 1, 1878, 
 
 Aug. 1, 1878, 
 
 Jany. 2, 1884, 
 
 Nov. 26,1884. 
 
 Nov. 26, 1884, 
 
 Nov. 26, 1884, 
 
 Oct. 21,1885, 
 
 Oct. 26, 1885, 
 
 Dec. 6, 18S9, 
 
 Dec. 6, 1889, 
 
 Dec. 6, 1889, 
 
 Deo. 6, 1889, 
 
 Feb. 12, 1890, 
 
 Feb. 12, 1890, 
 
 Feb. 22,1892, 
 
 April 11, 189i, 
 
 April 11, 1892, 
 
 Hundred. 
 
 Blackburn Hundred. 
 Salford Hundred. 
 Blackbtirn Hundred. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Salford Hundred. 
 
 Do. 
 Blackburn Hundred. 
 
 Salford Hundred. 
 Blackburn Hundred. 
 Do. 
 
 Salford Hundred. 
 Blackburn Hundred. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Salford Hundred. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Blackburn Hundred. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Salford Hundred. 
 Blackburn Hcmdred. 
 Salfurd Hundred. 
 
 Blackburn Hundred. 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Salford Hundred. 
 Blackburn Hundred, 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Salford Hundred. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 Deceased. 
 
 t Left the neighbourhood.
 
 34° History of the 
 
 On the 29th July 1S57 the Bacup Court-House was opened; 
 the first Petty Sessions there being held on that day. Prior to 
 that date, the Bacup Petty Sessions were held at the George and 
 Dragon Inn. 
 
 The first Petty Sessions at Rawtenstall were held at the Queen's 
 Arms Hotel, on the 4th May, 1857. 
 
 VERTICAL SECTION OF THE STRATA IN THE FOREST OP 
 ROSSENDALE, BY JOHN AITKEN, F.G.S. 
 
 The thickuosses here given are not in all cases from actual moasareinent. 
 Wherever not measured, however, they have been carefully estimated, and 
 may be taken as close approximations. It is scarcely necessary to state 
 that no two sections are exactly similar. 
 
 Succession ■ Ft in 
 
 ol Strata. '• "^' 
 
 DRIFT AND SURFACE SOIL. 
 
 1 Gray rock separating into flags and sets, but not of good 
 
 quality; surfaces much ripple marked — Derplay Hill, 
 Sbarneyford, Longshaw, Eaaden Wood, . . . 10 
 
 2 Shale very black, near the bottom — Derplay Hill, Easden 
 
 Wood, Sharneyford, . . . . . GO 
 
 3 Rock. Fine grained yellow laminated sandstone, separates 
 
 into roofing tiles and flags — Heald, Sharneyford, and 
 Easden Wood, . . . . . .50 
 
 4 Shale, strong and dark coloured, . . . . 13 
 
 5 Rock. Fine yellow tile and flag-rock, similar to No. 3, . 6 
 
 6 Shale, top of Dulesgate, abont . . . 30 to 45 
 
 7 Fine-grained free yellow rock; produces capital building 
 
 stone ; rather flaggy towards top, but stronger and more 
 massive in the lower part — dip, 8° to the west, Clough 
 Head, Sharneyford, ..... 
 
 8 Shale, top ol Dulesgate Valley, .... 
 
 9 Coarse, soft, friable sand rock, showing good examples of 
 
 false bedding — top of Tooter Hill, and at Culvert coal- 
 pit, Dulesgate, varying much in thickness, say* 
 10 Shale, sides of Tooter Hill, Dulesgate, 
 
 *At Culvert it has a thicknesB of abont 60 feet. Frequently absent. 
 
 27 
 
 
 
 .20 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 65 
 

 
 Forest of Rossendale. 341 
 
 SnooeaBion _ 
 
 ol Strata. Ft. In. 
 
 11 Hard bluish-gray rock ; on surfaces of the several layers 
 
 are numerous indentations and trail-like markings — 
 Heaps Moss, Old Meadows, Broad Clough Heights, 
 Dulesgate, &c., . . . . . . 11 
 
 12 Black and brown shales — Hoyle Hey Clough, Old Shaw 
 
 Dean ; remains of fishes in the lower portion overlying 
 
 the 40 yards of coal, . . . . . 70 
 
 13 Coal, 40 yards mine, (half-yard mine,) worked at numerous 
 
 places in the neighbourhood, .... 
 
 14 Fire-clay, much used for brick-making, 
 
 15 Eocky bands and shale— Park Mill, Sharneyford, Old Shaw 
 
 Dean. Frequently absent, .... 
 
 16 Brown shale — Hoyle Hey Clough, Greave, Dnlesgate, &c., . 
 
 17 Coal— Higher Change, Hoyle Hey, near Bay Horse Inn, 
 
 Dulesgate, Old Shaw Dean, &c., 1 inch to 
 
 18 Fire-clay, ....... 
 
 19 Shale — Greave Clough, Old Shaw Dean, Dulesgate, 
 
 20 Coal— Higher Foot, Clough east of Shawtorth, Holmes 
 
 Clough Bacup, Small Shaw Dean. This mine unites 
 with the uudorlyiug Gaunister Mine, about \\ miles east 
 of Bacup, and forms the 5 feet mine, . . .08 
 
 21 Fire-clay, . . . . . . .16 
 
 22 Seat rock, soft shaly rock — Greave, . . . .16 
 
 23 Shale, or soft valueless false-bedded rock, irregularly 
 
 stratified — Oaken Clough, Greave, Higher Broad Clough. 
 This becomes shale after the union of the two mines 
 referred to above, . . . . . 40 
 
 24 Coal — Gannister or Mountain Mine, Oaken Clongh, Dnles- 
 
 gate, Hogshead, Rowley Moor, &c., from 5 feet to .26 
 
 25 Fire-clay, full of stigmaria ficoides, . . . .26 
 
 26 Seat rock, or Gannister, fine-grained, light-coloured, siliceous 
 
 rock, very irregularly bedded, full of vegetable remains 
 and carbonaceous markings. On Eowley Moor, it is a 
 fine crystalline Gannister,* . . . . 12 
 
 27 Black shale ; contains fish remains in the lower portion — 
 
 Greave, Oaken Clough, Old Shaw Dean, . . .90 
 
 • This rook does not occur under the Gannister Mine at Oaken Clough. 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 56 
 

 
 542 Histoy 0/ the 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 Succession r,^ ,_ 
 
 of Strata. *'• "■• 
 
 28 Coal — Lower Foot, or Spanish Juice Mine, || Oaken Clongh, 
 
 Greave, Old Shaw Dean, Bay Horse Inn, Dulesgate, 
 Holmes, &c., ..... 
 
 29 Fire-clay — Greave, Rowley Moor, and other places, 
 
 30 Light gray shale— Shawforth, Oaken Clongh, 
 
 31 Dark shales, ...... 
 
 32 Shaley impure coal— Bassy or Salts Mine. Shale, with 
 
 bands of coal, at Holmes Qaarry Bacup, Walmesley 
 Clongh, Intac, Eowley Moor, . . . .20 
 
 33 Brown strong shale — Holmes Quarry, Bacup, Meadow Top, 
 
 Deansgreave, . . . . . .60 
 
 34 Fine-grained brown sand-rock, Woodhead Hill rock,* much 
 
 false bedded, and yields but an indifferent building 
 stone in this neighbourhood — Holmes and Nut Mill 
 Bacnp, Undershore, near Britannia Mill, Dnlei^gate, ic, 2-i 
 
 35 Shale — Undershore, Dulesgate, &c., . . . . 50 
 
 36 Coal, Deansgreave, Bacup, Hud Clongh Colliery Facit, 
 
 Greens Clongh near Portsmouth, . . . 10 
 
 37 Underclay, . . . . . . .16 
 
 38 Upper rough-rock ; \ coarse rough grit full of rounded 
 
 water-worn quartz pebbles— Bank House, Sheep House 
 Clongh, behind the Co-operative Store Bacup, along 
 Brandwood Moor, Banks' Mill Dulesgate, Seat Naze, Ac, 15 
 
 39 Very black shale, full of vegetable impressions — -Deans- 
 
 greave, Hndclough Facit, | . . . .10 
 
 40 Coal — Feather Edge, or Sand-Rock Mine, Co-operative 
 
 Store, and Bank House Bacup ; Deansgreave, Shaw- 
 forth and Banks' Mill Dulesgate, . . .14 
 
 41 Undei-clay, always found with the coal, . . .30 
 
 42 Lower rough-rock, similar to the higher section, but a 
 
 little stronger and more massive — localities similar to 38, 24 
 
 43 Strong brown shale — Hell Clongh, Shawforth flag quarries, 
 
 Dulesgate, under the Bank House rock, along the north- 
 westerly side of Newchurch Road, Bacup, § . . 30 
 
 II This mine is a little thicker at Ending, where it has been worked to a Email 
 eiteut. 
 
 * Named from being found highly developed at the Woodhead Hill Tunnel, on 
 tlie M., S., and L. Eailway. 
 
 + On Holcombe Hill, this rocl; attain? a thickness of 66 feet. 
 
 t This shale does not occur in any of the sections at Bacup. 
 
 § At this place the shale is considerably in excess of the 30 feet named above. 
 At Rake Head it runs up to about 130 feet, and on the Crawshawbooth side of 
 Cribden it attains a thickness of 310 feet. At Holcombe it is only a few inches.
 
 Forest of Rossendale. 
 
 343 
 
 Snecession 
 of Strata. 
 
 Ft. In. 
 
 44 Good hard smooth bedded flags, known as Haslingden 
 
 flags— Hell Clough, Shawforth, Fo' Edge, Cragg, &c., . 18 
 
 45 Strong brown shale — Bake Head, Crawshawbootb, &c., . 73 
 
 46 Flag-rook, similar to 44 — at Bake Head, Hirdle Heights, 
 
 Crawshawbootb, &c., . . . . . 20 
 
 47 Strong brown shale, with layers of rock and rocky bands — 
 
 Thrutch, top of Conpe Valley, Crawshawbootb, &c., . 150 
 
 48 Coal — Horncliffe Wood, Coupe, Dulesgate, Brookebottom, 
 
 Balladen, and Crawshawbootb, . . . .09 
 
 49 Shale— Horncliffe Wood, Dulesgate, . . . . 25 
 
 50 Coal — Horncliffe Wood, Crawshawbootb, Holden Wood, 
 
 Brooksbottom, &c., . . . . .06 
 
 51 Coarse sharp grit — railway cutting, New Hall Hey, Brooks- 
 
 bottom, &c., . . . . . .210 
 
 
 j:ji..cj ¥ .o.xxui'io. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Pendle Hill, 
 
 . 
 
 1831 
 
 Top of Leach, . 
 
 . 
 
 1550 
 
 Whittle Pike, . 
 
 . 
 
 1534 
 
 Higher Hill, 
 
 . 
 
 1500 
 
 Trough Edge End, 
 
 near Hogshead Law, 
 
 1175 
 
 Thieveley Pike, 
 
 
 1474 
 
 Hogshead Law, 
 
 . 
 
 1460 
 
 Coupe Law, 
 
 . 
 
 1438 
 
 Derplay Hill, . 
 
 
 1429 
 
 Tooter Hill, 
 
 . 
 
 1420 
 
 Heald Moor, 
 
 . 
 
 1417 
 
 Flour Scar Hill, 
 
 . 
 
 1380 
 
 Fo' Edge, 
 
 . 
 
 1350 
 
 Cribden, 
 
 . 
 
 1317 
 
 Nutshaw Hill, . 
 
 
 1260 
 
 Holcombe Hill, (b 
 
 ase of Peel Monument,) 
 
 1162 
 
 Hyle, . 
 
 
 1150 
 
 Musbury Tor, . 
 
 . 
 
 1115 
 
 Seat Naze, 
 
 
 990 
 
 Eacup, (St. John's 
 
 Church,) 
 
 849 
 
 Newchuroh, (Church,) . 
 
 794 
 
 Haslingden, (Commercial Inn,) 
 
 794
 
 344 
 
 History of the 
 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Holcombe Church, 
 
 775 
 
 Edenfield, (Horse and Jockey,) 
 
 677 
 
 Eawtenstall, (Church,) . 
 
 557 
 
 Ramsbottom, .... 
 
 433 
 
 Todmorden, .... 
 
 409 
 
 Burnley, (Church,) 
 
 388 
 
 THE ROSSENDALE PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. 
 
 Rossendale was created a Parliamentary Division on June 25th, 
 1855- 
 
 The Division embraces the whole of the Forest of Rossendale 
 proper (with the exception of certain detached portions) and the 
 Town of Haslingden in addition. 
 
 The first Parliamentary Election for the Division took place 
 27th November, 1885, when Lord Hartington (now Duke of 
 Devonshire) was returned as its first representative in the House 
 of Commons.
 
 INDEX 
 
 A. 
 
 Abb o' th' Yate, baptized, 270. 
 
 Abbot, Philip, Incumbent of New- 
 church, 161. 
 
 Accounts of the Greave of the Forest, 
 108; Bridle for Scolds, lU; 
 Preston House of Correction, 116; 
 Finger or Guide Posts, 117 ; 
 Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, 118 ; 
 Trophy Money, 118 ; The Plague in 
 France, 119 ; Runaway Sailors, 120 ; 
 RebelUonof 1745, 120; Taking of 
 Carlisle, 123 ; Taking of Stirling, 
 123 ; Stocks at Goodshaw, 127 ; Sab- 
 bath-breaking and Profane Swear- 
 ing, 128 ; The Town Box, 129 ; 
 Stocks at Bacup, 130; Impressing 
 for the Navy, 130 ; Dungeons, 131 ; 
 War with Franco, 132; MUitia, 
 132 ; Peace of Amiens, 133 ; Meet- 
 ings for the defence of the nation, 
 133; Prisoners conyeyed to Holmes 
 Chapel, 135 ; Notices in the Church, 
 135 ; Pinfold at Cloughfold, 136. 
 
 Accrington, Forest or Chase of, 32, 
 48, 55, 86 ; Newhold_, 86. 
 
 Acreage of Townships in Rossendale, 
 227. 
 
 Agisting of Goats and Sheep, 58 ; 
 Cattle, 58 ; Hogs and Swine, 58. 
 
 Agistments, explanation of the term, 
 46. 
 
 Agistors, 54. 
 
 Agricultural capabilities of Rossen- 
 dale, 233. 
 
 Aitken, John, on the remains of Red 
 Deer and Wild Oxen in Rossendale, 
 3, 4 ; Sketch of his life, 253 ; on 
 the Vertical Strata of Rossendale, 
 340. 
 
 Ale-taster, 138; Oath of, 139; 
 Memorial by Richard Taylor, 142 ; 
 his resignation, 144. 
 
 AU Saints' Church, Goodshaw, 176, 
 185. 
 
 Allen, E. B., Incumbent of Good- 
 shaw, 184 ; of St. John's, Bacup, 
 189. 
 
 "Ancient House," Rockliffe, 77. 
 
 Anne's Church, Saint, Edge Side, 196. 
 
 Annual Value of Townships in Ros- 
 sendale, 69, 227. 
 
 Appendix, 328 to 344. 
 
 Asheton, Ralph, and Auditor Fan- 
 shaw, letter to, disputing Copy- 
 holders' title to land, 81. 
 
 Ashworth, Lawrence, Incumbent of 
 Newchurch, 160. 
 
 Assart Land, see Essart. 
 
 Assheton Papers, extract from, re- 
 lating to copyhold lands in the 
 Honor of Clitheroe, 84. 
 
 Attachment or Woodmote, one of the 
 Forest Courts, 54. 
 
 B 
 
 Back-bear, meaning of the term, 58. 
 
 BaUaden Brook, 28. 
 
 Bacup, 7 ; derivation, 7, 8, 40 ; made 
 a consolidated Chapelry in 1839, 
 190; Stocks at, 130; Dungeons at, 
 131 ; Borough of, 230 ; Bull-baiting 
 at, 270. 
 
 Bacup Booth, 69, 70 ; dispute with 
 Cliviger, 23 ; Grant of, 70. 
 
 Badger or Brock, 5 ; Badger Cote, 5. 
 
 Bailiffs, 54. 
 
 Bailey, cited, 6. 
 
 Baines, cited, 25, 33, 60, 70, 78, 90, 95. 
 
 Baldwin, M.A., Nicholas Rigby, In- 
 cumbent of Newchurch, 161. 
 
 Baptist Denomination, 201 ; Bam in 
 Dedwenclough, 201 ; William Mit- 
 chel, first Minister at Cloughfold,
 
 346 
 
 History of Rossendale. 
 
 203 ; David Crossley, first Pastor at 
 Baoup, 203 ; Old School House, 
 Bacup, 205 ; Dissensions, 206 ; pro- 
 sent position of the, 211. 
 
 Baxter, cited, 6. 
 
 Beacon remains on Thiereley Pike, 1, 
 19 ; Uses of Beacons, 19. 
 
 Beasts of Forest, Park, Chase and 
 Warren, 54. 
 
 Bearnshaw Tower, 23. 
 
 Beaver, the, 5. 
 
 Bedel or Beadle of the Forest, 54. 
 
 Beehives in Rossendale, 162. 
 
 Bell-ringers of Newchurch, 157. 
 
 Births and Deaths in Rossendale, 234. 
 
 Blackburn Hundred, Account of, in 
 Domesday Book, 34. 
 
 Blackhurnshire, Forest of, 32. 
 
 Blaize, Bishop, festival in honour of, 
 289. 
 
 Bloody-hand, meaning of the term, 58. 
 
 Boar tribe, names having reference to 
 the, 3. 
 
 Boarsgreave, 3. 
 
 Book of Sports, 172. 
 
 Booths in Rossendale, 69. 
 
 Booth, John, of Barton, receives 
 grant of Bacup Booth, and New- 
 hallhey pasture, 70. 
 
 Boothfold, bull-baiting at, 270. _ 
 
 Bos Priinipenitis, horn of, found in the 
 Valley of the Irwell, 4. 
 
 Boundaries of Rossendale, 5 ; of a 
 Forest, 58. 
 
 Bovate of Land, meaning of the term, 
 34. 
 
 Bowland, expeditation in, 57. 
 
 Brandwood, origin of the name, 38 ; 
 granted to the Monastery of Stan- 
 law, 38 ; separated from Rochdale 
 Manor, 79 ; Annual Value, 227 ; 
 Acreage, ib. ; Population, 229. 
 
 Brandwood Higher and Lower End, 
 69 ; Freehold rights in, 74. 
 
 Brandwood Moor, 5, 28. 
 
 Bridle for Scolds, 114. 
 
 Brindle, M.A., Rev. J.F., Incumbent 
 of St. John's, Bacup, 189. 
 
 Brittliffe, Lawrence, 204. 
 
 Broadclough, 5, 231 ; Dykes, 9. 
 
 Brockclough, 6. 
 
 Brunanburh, Battle of, 10. 
 
 Buccleuch, Duke of. Lord of the 
 Honor of Clitheroe, 36. 
 
 Buokearth, 4. 
 
 Bull-baiting in Rossendale, 270. 
 
 Burrow, Rev. Edward, Incumbent of 
 Newchurch, 161, 190. 
 
 Butterworth family, 237, 238. 
 
 Byron family, 76 ; Letter of Lord 
 Byron, 76. 
 
 C. 
 
 Camden, cited, 6. 
 
 Canute, King, promulgates the 
 
 Const itittiones de Foresta, 63. 
 Can- gate, 75. 
 Carucato of land, meaning of the term, 
 
 34. 
 Cat, the wild, 6. 
 Catholics, Roman, 197. 
 Cattle within the Forest, agisting of, 
 
 68. 
 Celtic Britons, 2. 
 Cemetery, Bacup, 230. 
 Charity Commissioners, the, 168. 
 Chapel Hill, 220, 231. 
 Chase and Forest, difference between, 
 
 64. 
 Chase, Beasts of, 64. 
 Chases, Parks, and Forests, 54. 
 Chief Justice in Eyre of the Forest, 
 
 26, 54. 
 Christ Church, Bacup, 193. 
 Churchwardens, old custom of the, 129. 
 " Clerk," formerly the designation of 
 
 a Clergyman, 136. 
 Climate of Rossendale, 232. 
 Clitheroe, Honor of, 32. 
 Cliviger, 2 ; Moor, 5, 22, 28. 
 Cloughfold, Pinfold, 136; Baptist 
 
 Church, 201 ; Endowments of, 207. 
 Commission for Granting of the 
 
 Forests, 67, 80. 
 Coal Mines, 302. 
 Compotus of Blackhurnshire, 70. 
 Constable-lee, 69, 70. 
 Constitutiones de Foresta, 53. 
 Co-operative and Industrial Stores, 
 
 304. 
 Copyholders' Contributions for their 
 
 Estates, time — James I., 328. 
 Copyhold lands in Rossendale, 80 ; 
 
 foundation of titles to, 85. 
 Corn or Soke Mills, 280. 
 Corry, cited, 32. 
 Cotton Manufacture, 294. 
 Cow Pastures, 69. 
 Cowpe, 69 ; Lench, Newhallhey and 
 
 HaU Carr, annual value, 227 ; 
 
 acreage, ib. ; population, 229. 
 Cowpe Brook, 28 ; Cowpe Law, 5, 20, 
 
 231 ; Cowpe Valley, 8. 
 Courts, Forest, 64. 
 Crabtree, M.D., John, 248. 
 Crag, 2. 
 Crawshawbooth, 8, 69, 70; Valley, 231.
 
 Index. 
 
 347 
 
 Cridden or Cribden, 2, 4, 5, 16, 20. 
 
 Crossley, David, 202. 
 
 CunliSe, Henry, on the derivation of 
 the name Eossendale, 6, 8 ; on the 
 Thrutch, 28 ; Sketch of life of, 25.5. 
 
 Cutwulph, Liwlphus, Dean of Whal- 
 ley, 63. 
 
 D. 
 
 "Dandy" Looms, 323. 
 
 Damey, Wmiam, 214, 219. 
 
 Dedwenclough, 7, 69, 70. 
 
 Deans of Whalley, 52. 
 
 Dean Valley Brook, 5 ; Dean Musi- 
 cians, 209, 258. 
 
 Deansgreave, 53. 
 
 Dearden, th' Arks o', 271. 
 
 Dearden, James, Lord of the Manor 
 of Rochdale, 76 ; Action against 
 James Maden of Greens, Bacup, 
 77 ; Letter from Lord Byron to, 76. 
 
 Deaths and Births in Eossendale, 234. 
 
 Deer tribe, names having reference to 
 the, 3 ; Forest Laws relating to the, 
 53. 
 
 Derplay, 4, 7, 22, 23, 25. 
 
 Dewhurst, Robert, Incumbent of 
 Newchurch, 161. 
 
 "Deighn Layrocks," the, 258, 267; 
 Waugh on the, 259. 
 
 Disforesting of the Fore.st8, 67, 80, 279. 
 
 Dog-draw, meaning of the term, 68. 
 
 Drayton, Michael, on the Irwell and 
 Ribble, 29. 
 
 Duke's Rent, 80. 
 
 Dungeons in Rossendale, 131. 
 
 Dunnockshaw, 28, 69, 70 ; Annual 
 Value, 227 ; Acreage, ih. ; Popula- 
 tion, 229. 
 
 Dyke or Dykes, Broadclough, 9. 
 
 E. 
 
 Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, Bacup, 206, 
 207, 211. 
 
 Edge Side Baptist Chapel, 211. 
 
 Edward II., Booths in Rossendale 
 and their Annual Value in time of, 
 69. 
 
 Essart or Assart Land, meaning of the 
 term, 81. 
 
 Everett, cited, 219. 
 
 Expeditation or Hambling, how per- 
 formed, 67. 
 
 r. 
 
 Faculty tor the enlargement of the 
 
 New Church, 157. 
 Fawning of the Deer, 59. 
 Fence-month, meaningof the term, 59. 
 Fish, formerly plentiful in Rossendale 
 
 Streams, 5. 
 Flour Scar, 5. 
 Forest, Beasts of, 54 ; Boundaries of 
 
 a, 58. 
 Forests, the English, antiquity of, 53. 
 Forests, granting of the, 67, 80. 
 Forest of Blackburnshire, 32. 
 Forest Laws, the, 53. 
 Forests, Parks and Chases, 54. 
 Foresters, 54. 
 " Foster's Leap," 271. 
 Four Lane Ends, 129. 
 Fox, 5. 
 Foxhill, 5. 
 Foxholes, 5. 
 Freehold Land in Eossendale, 69, 74. 
 
 Gadsby, William, visits Eossendale, 
 
 267. 
 Gambleside, 69 ; Baptist Chapel, 211. 
 Gas Company, the Rossendale Union, 
 
 299. 
 Gastrell, Bishop, cited, 150, 158, 173, 
 
 176. 
 General Baptist Chapel, Bacup, 211. 
 Genesis of the original inhabitants of 
 
 Eossendale, 222. 
 Ginghams, manufacture of, 293. 
 Glen Top, 28. 
 Goats and Sheep within the Forest, 
 
 agisting of, 58. 
 Goodshaw, 69, 70; Stocks, 130; 
 
 Chapel, 176 ; Incumbents of, 184 ; 
 
 Baptist Chapel, 211. 
 Goodshaw Witch, the, 272. 
 Grammar School, Newchurch, 173. 
 Granting of the Forests, 67, 80, 279. 
 Greave Clongh, 75, 76, 77 ; Water, 28, 
 
 269. 
 Greave of the Forest, 88 : Duties of 
 
 the, 89; List of Greaves, 97; 
 
 Accounts of the, 108. 
 Greenhalgh, James de, lease of Ded- 
 wenclough granted to, 69. 
 Gregory, George, first Incumbent of 
 
 Newchurch, 160 ; Will of, 162. 
 Gregson, cited, 109. 
 Greyhounds and Spaniels forbidden 
 
 in the Forest, 57.
 
 348 
 
 History of Rossendale. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hag-gate, 23. 
 
 Haliam, cited, 75. 
 
 Halmot Court, or Court Baron, 89, 91, 
 
 138. 
 Haia Dominiealie, or Old Dyke, 23. 
 Hambling, or Expeditation, how per- 
 formed, 57. 
 Hameldon Hill, 2, 5, 16. 
 Hatnmerton Green, Bull-baiting on, 
 
 270. 
 Hardmau Brothers, Rawtenstall, 208. 
 Hardmau family, of Greens, Spotland, 
 
 285. 
 Hardsough, 6. 
 Hareholme Mill, the first important 
 
 mill in the district, 288. 
 Hargreaves, James, on the origin of 
 
 the name, " Bacnp," 7 ; sketch of his 
 
 life, 238 ; list of his published 
 
 works, 241. 
 Harland, John, F.S.A., cited, 26, 88, 
 
 90, 270. 
 Harland and Wilkinson, Lancashire 
 
 Folklore, quoted, 155, 273. 
 Harrison, cited, 24. 
 Harrison, Mary, aged 108 years, 268. 
 Harthill, 4. 
 Hartington, Lord, first Parliamentary 
 
 representative of Rossendale. 
 Haworth's, Robert, Charity, 172. 
 Heap Barn, W. Darney preaches at, 
 
 215. 
 Heap's, William, bequest to the Bos- 
 
 sendale Baptists, 207. 
 Heuheads, 60, 70; annual value, 227; 
 
 acreage, ih. ; population, 229. 
 Hell Clough, legend connected with, 
 
 271. 
 Henry VIZ., Lord of the Honor of 
 
 Clitheroe, 49, r)7, 279. 
 Henry VIII., 71, 75. 
 Heyworth, Lawrence, Biographical 
 
 Sketch of, 241, 
 Hide of Land, meaning of the term, 34. 
 Higher Booths, Annual Value, 227; 
 
 Acreage, ih. ; Population, 229 ; 
 
 Births and Deaths, 234. 
 Higher Tong, Bacnp, 77. 
 Hirst, John, 7 ; sketch of his life, 213. 
 Hoddlesden, 69. 
 Hogs and Swine within the Forest, 
 
 agisting of, 58. 
 Hogshead, near Bacup, 72. 
 HoUin, 7. 
 
 Holmes Chapel, prisoners from Rob- 
 
 sendalo formerly conveyed to, 135. 
 Holt, Thomas, of Gristlehurst, grant 
 
 of laud to, 75. 
 Holy Trinity Church, Tunstead, 192. 
 Honor, meaning of the term, 32 ; of 
 
 Clitheroe, ih. 
 Hopper, Christopher, visits Rossen- 
 
 dale, 267. 
 Horelaw Head, 23, 25, 71. 
 Horrocks, William, Incumbent of 
 
 Newchurch, 160, 164. 
 Hoyle, William, sketch of his life, 255. 
 Hulme's Foundation, 189. 
 Hulme Hall, 63. 
 Hundred of Blackburn, 32 ; Account 
 
 of, in Domesday Book, 34. 
 
 Tghtenhill, 86. 
 
 Incumbents of the Church at New- 
 church, 160, 161. 
 
 Independent Denonjination in Ros- 
 sendale, 221. 
 
 Inventories and Appraiscls, old, 335. 
 
 Irwell, the River, 3, 5, 279 ; Trout in 
 the, 5 ; rise of the, 6, 22 ; Harrison 
 on the, 24 ; origin of the name, 24; 
 Tributaries of, 28 ; Poem on, 30. 
 
 Irwell Terrace Baptist Chapel, Bacup, 
 211. 
 
 J. 
 
 Jackson, Lettice, vests lands for use 
 of the New Church, 158. 
 
 Jacob, Law Dictionary, cited, 88. 
 
 James I. and the Kossendale Copy- 
 holders, 80, 328. 
 
 James's Church, Saint, Waterfoot, 194. 
 
 James-the-Less, Saint, Roman Catho- 
 lic Church of, Rawtenstall, 199. 
 
 John's Church, Saint, Bacup, 186. 
 
 John's Church, Saint, Sunnyside, 184. 
 
 John the Divine, Church of Saint, 
 Cloughfold, 195. 
 
 Johnson, W., Vicar of Whalley, con- 
 test respecting right of Presenta- 
 tion to " Rossendale Chapel," 165. 
 
 Joseph's School, Saint, Huttock End, 
 200. 
 
 Justice Seat, one of the Forest Courts, 
 54.
 
 Index. 
 
 349 
 
 K. 
 
 Kay, Eichard, of Bnldingstone, 
 extracts from Diary of, 125. 
 
 Keeper of the Forest, 54. 
 
 Keiru don, [Cribden] the Hill of 
 Stags, 4. 
 
 Kerr, H., on the origin of the name 
 " Irwell," 26. 
 
 Kershaw, James, Incumbent of New- 
 church, 160, 164. 
 
 Kershaw, Jolm, of Boothfold, donor 
 of Estates to Newchurch Grammar 
 School, 173. 
 
 " Kirk Gate, Th'," 185. 
 
 Knight's Fee, its meaning, 75. 
 
 Knight's Service, its meaning, 75. 
 
 Lacy, the house of, 3J ; Koger de 
 
 Lacy, 38, 74 ; John de Lacy, 38, 40. 
 Lancaster, Honor of, conferred by 
 
 William the Conqueror upon Roger 
 
 de Poictou, 33. 
 Lancaster, the Forests of, 55. 
 Lancaster, Thomas, Karl of, 35. 
 Lancaster, Henry, Duke of, 44, 47. 
 Laws, Forest, 53. 
 Lawsuit : Bacup and Gliviger, 23 ; 
 
 Whalley Abbey and Eichard de Eat- 
 
 clifEe, 41 ; Maden and Dearden, 77. 
 Leigh, Thomas, Incumbent of Kew- 
 
 church, 161. 
 Lenches, 69. 
 Lichford's, Kobert, Bequest to the 
 
 Cloughfold Baptists, 208. 
 Limersgate, 5. 
 Limy Water, 28. 
 Liwlphus Cutwulph, Dean of Whalley, 
 
 52. 
 Lord, Henry, Baptist Minister, Bacup, 
 
 206. 
 Lord, John, Schoolmaster, sketch of, 
 
 236. 
 Lord of the Honor or Manor, 32. 
 Lore Cluugh, 69, 70. 
 Lower Booths, Annual Value, 227 ; 
 
 Acreage, ib. ; Population, 229 ; 
 
 Births and Deaths, 234. 
 Lnddite Eiots, 323. 
 Lumb Church, 192; Lnmb Baptists, 
 
 209; Lumb Chapel, 263; Lumb 
 
 Valley, 28. 
 Lnmb Head, 269. 
 
 M. 
 
 Maden, John, the first Eossendale 
 
 Methodist, 211. 
 Maden, James, suit with James 
 
 Dearden, respecting manorial 
 
 rights in Brandwood, 77. 
 Magistrates, list of Eossendale, from 
 
 1824 to 1892, 339. 
 Manwood, on the Forest Laws, 53, 81. 
 March, Dr., on the origin of local 
 
 names, 7. 
 Market, Bacup New, 230. 
 Mary's Church, St., Eoman Catholic, 
 
 Bacup, 200, 
 Mary's Church, Saint, Eawtenstall, 
 
 191. 
 Mastiff, admitted within the Forest 
 
 when exppditated, 57. 
 Meeting to protest against the intro- 
 duction of Power-looms, 318. 
 Methodist Denomination in BoBsen- 
 
 dale, the, 214, 219. 
 Michael's Church, Saint, Lnmb, 192. 
 Militia, Posts for Eossendale, 122. 
 Miller Barn, first Methodist Society 
 
 in Eossendale formed at, 215. 
 Mills', Samuel, Charity, 184. 
 Mitchel, William, first Minister at 
 
 Cloughfold, 202. 
 Mitcheil-field-nook, 155. 
 M'Laughlan, Eev. T., cited, 27. 
 Morrell Height, 176. 
 Mnnn, Kobert and John, 298; Sketch, 
 
 life of Eobert Mnnn, 249. 
 Musbury, Eoman road through, 1 ; 
 
 Laund or Park of the Forest, 1, 47, 
 
 60; Musbury Tor, 5, 20; Booth, 
 
 69 ; annual value, 227 ; acreage, 
 
 ib. ; population, 229. 
 Musical taste displayed by the inhabi- 
 tants of Eossendale, 258. 
 Muster of Soldiers in Eossendale and 
 
 Pendle, I. Mary, 328. 
 
 N. 
 
 National School, Newchurch, 172. 
 
 Newchurch, 8, 150 ; National School, 
 172 ; Grammar School, 173 ; Bell- 
 ringers, 157. 
 
 Newchurch, Dedwenclough, Bacup 
 and Wolfenden Booths, annual 
 Talue, 227 ; acreage, ib. ; popula- 
 tion, 229 ; Births and Deaths, 234. 
 
 New Church, the, 150, 224 ; Decree 
 of Duchy relating to, 151 ; tradi-
 
 350 
 
 History of Rossendale. 
 
 tion concerning;, 155 j list of 
 
 Incumbents, 160. 
 Newhallhey, 69. 
 Nicholas's Chm-cli, Saint, 157, 172 ; 
 
 School, 172, 197. 
 Nomina Libert Tencntes in Eossen- 
 
 dale, 328. 
 
 0. 
 
 Oakenheadwood, 69. 
 
 Oath, taken by the inhabitants of a 
 
 Forest, 59 ; Ale-taster's, 139. 
 O'Connor, Fergus, visits Rossendale, 
 
 267. 
 Officers of a Forest, 54. 
 Ogdeu, Joseph, Incumbent of St. 
 
 John's, Bacup, 186. 
 Old Dyke, the, 23. 
 " Old Simon," 261. 
 Old Hall, Newhallhey, the, 149. 
 " Old School," Bacup, the, 205, 215, 
 
 270. 
 Ormerod's Charity, 175. 
 Otter, 5. 
 
 Oxen, -wild, remainsof inEossendale,3. 
 Ox-gang of land, meaning of the 
 
 term, 34. 
 Overseers at Newchurcb, from 1G81 
 
 to 1790, 332. 
 
 P. 
 
 Packhorse Eoads, 5. 
 
 Pamphlet by " A Friend to the Poor," 
 321. 
 
 Pannage, meaning of the term, 58. 
 
 Park, Beast of, 54. 
 
 Parks, Chases and Forests, 54. 
 
 Parliamentary Division of BoEsendale, 
 344. 
 
 Paslew, John, Abbot of Whalley, 71, 
 75. 
 
 Pater, Walter, cited, 171. 
 
 Pendle, Forest or Chase of, 32, 41, 42, 
 47, 48, 55. 
 
 Peter's Church, Saint, Boman Catho- 
 lic, Newchnrch, 200. 
 
 Phillips, M.A., Eev. J. B., Incumbent 
 of Newchurch, 158, 161. 
 
 " Philonactos Eosseudaliencis," Poem 
 by, 123. 
 
 Piccop, Joseph, Baptist Minister, 
 Bacup, 209, 212. 
 
 Pickup and Tate Bank, 5 ; Annual 
 Value, 227 ; Acreage, ib. ; Popula- 
 tion, 229. 
 
 Pickup, George, donor of land for 
 
 School at Eawtenstall, 221. 
 Pike Law, 22, 23, 271. 
 Pinfold at Cloughfold, 136; List of 
 
 Pinders, ib. 
 Ping Drawing Eiots, 324. 
 Poicton, Roger de, 33 ; first Lord of 
 
 the Honor of which Eossendale 
 
 forms part, ib. 
 Population of Eossendale, 229. 
 Porter, William, Incumbent of St. 
 
 John's, Bacup, 187. 
 Power- Loom Breaking Eiots of 1826, 
 
 312. 
 Purlieus of a Forest, 59. 
 Puture, explanation of the term, 41, 
 
 49, 74. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quakers or Friends in Eossendale, 
 220 ; Burying Place on Chapel Hill, 
 220 ; Crawshawbooth Chapel, 220. 
 
 H. 
 
 Eailway, the Eossendale Branch, 299. 
 Raines, Canon, cited, 151, 173, 176. 
 Eain-fall in Eossendale, 233 j in other 
 
 places, ib. 
 Bangers of the Forest, 54. 
 BatclifEe, Eichard de, forester, 35 j 
 
 suit with the Abbot of Whalley, 
 
 41, 74. 
 Eateable Property in Eossendale, 
 
 Annual Valae of, 227. 
 Bawsthorn, Edward, and Eichard 
 
 Towneley, letter of, respecting 
 
 Title to Copyhold Lands, 82. 
 Eawtenstall, 3, 5, 7; Booth, 69, 70; 
 
 Borough of, 230. 
 Reaps Moss, 78. 
 Eed Moss, iron arrow-heads found in 
 
 the, 19. 
 Eeeve, see Greave. 
 Eegarders, 54. 
 
 Relics found in the locality, 19. 
 Rhymed Oath, taken by the Forest 
 
 Inhabitants, 59. 
 " Biggin o' th' World," Sharneyford, 
 
 the, 269. 
 Eiots, the Power-loom, 312 ; the Lud- 
 
 dite, 323 ; the Plug Drawing, 324. 
 River Irwell, 3, 5, 6, 22, 24, 28, 30, 279. 
 Rochdale, Manor of, 74, 76 ; Parish 
 
 of, 75.
 
 Index. 
 
 351 
 
 Eocklifle or Rooly£Ee, 4 ; Roclyffs- 
 wood, 5, 72. 
 
 Eoebnok, 4. 
 
 Roman Catholics in RoBsendale, 197. 
 
 Roman History of Rossendale, 1. 
 
 Rossendale, derivation of the name, 
 6 ; References to the name, 65 ; 
 Genesis of the original people of, 
 222 ; Character of people, 225 ; 
 Population, 229 ; Annual Value, 
 227 ; Acreage, ih. ; Rain-fall in, 
 233; Temperature, 233; Buths 
 and Deaths, 234 ; Parliamentary 
 Division, 344. 
 
 Rossyndale, Henry, 61 ; William, 62 ; 
 Adam de, 63. 
 
 Rough Lee, 146. 
 
 Salford Hundred, Brandwood em- 
 braced within, 74. 
 
 Sanders, Thomas, Incumbent of New- 
 church, 161, 165. 
 
 Saviour's Church, Saint, Bacnp, 194. 
 
 Saxon Ode on the Battle of Brunan- 
 burh, 17. 
 
 Soarsdale, extract from, 318. 
 
 Seat Naze, 162, 231. 
 
 Sharneyford, 5, 28 ; Mill, the highest 
 iu England, 269; " Th' Riggin o' 
 th' World," 269. 
 
 Sheep and Goats within the Forest, 
 agisting of, 58. 
 
 Shorrotjk, A.M., John, Incumbent of 
 Newchurch, 161, 165, 170. 
 
 Silk Weaving, 293. 
 
 "Simon, Old," 261. 
 
 " Sir," a title formerly given to 
 Clergymen who had taken a Uni- 
 versity Degree, 162. 
 
 Slack House or Further Hey, 76. 
 
 Slipper Trade in Rossendale, the, 291. 
 
 Smelt, Bacnp, origin of the name, 268. 
 
 Sowclongh, 3. 
 
 Spaniels and Greyhounds forbidden in 
 the Forest, 57. 
 
 " Spindle Dick," the Eosaendale Ale- 
 Taster, 140. 
 
 Spotland, Township of, 74, 79. 
 ■ Squirrel, the, 5. 
 
 Stable-Stand, meaning of the term, 58. 
 
 Stacksteads, 4. 
 
 Staghills, 4. 
 
 Stanlaw, Monastery of, 37. 
 
 Stocks in the different Villages, 117, 
 127. 
 
 Stone Trade, the Rossendale, 300. 
 
 Strong's, Mrs. Frances, Charity, 175. 
 
 Stubby Lee, 76, 77. 
 
 Suit between the Abbot of Whalley 
 and Richard de Ratcliffe, 41 ; be- 
 tween James Dearden and James 
 Maden, 77. 
 
 Sunnyside Baptist Chapel, 211. 
 
 Surnames of Old Rossendale Families, 
 96, 225. 
 
 Swainmote, one of the Forest Courts, 
 54. 
 
 Swine and Hogs within the Forest, 
 agisting of, 58. 
 
 Swinshaw, derivation of the name, 3. 
 
 Tables : Baptist Denomination, 211 ; 
 Annual Value, 227 ; Acreage, ib. ; 
 Population, 229 ; Births and Deaths, 
 234 ; Woollen Trade, 291 ; Indus- 
 trial and Provident Societies, 310 ; 
 Elevations, 343. 
 
 Taxation in the Eighteenth Century, 
 109. 
 
 Taylor, Richard, Ale-Taster for Ros- 
 sendale, 140. 
 
 Temperature of Rossendale Climate, 
 233. 
 
 Thieveley Pike, Beacon remains on, 
 &o., 1, 16, 19, 20. 
 
 Thrutch, the, 6, 28, 271. 
 
 Tim Bobbin, cited, 269. 
 
 Tod Carr, 5. 
 
 Tong, 76 ; Brook, 28 ; Baptist Chapel, 
 211 ; Boggart, 272. 
 
 Tonge End (near Whitworth) Bents 
 time of Henry VIII., 71, 75. 
 
 Tooter Hill, 5, 20, 28. 
 
 Tottington, Manor of, 48. 
 
 Tower Hill, 23. 
 
 Townley MSS., cited, 60, 70. 
 
 Towneley, Richard, and Edward 
 Eawsthorn, letter of, respecting 
 Titles to Copyhold Lands, 82. 
 
 Townsend Fold, 28. 
 
 Trawden, Forest or Chase of, 32, 47, 
 48, 55. 
 
 Trinity Church, Holy, 192. 
 
 Trough, 72. 
 
 Trout in Rossendale Streams, 5. 
 
 Tnnstead, 6, 28, 69 ; Church, 192. 
 
 Tweedle, Benjamin, Incumbent of 
 St. John's, Bacnp, 189.
 
 352 
 
 History of Rossendale. 
 
 XJ. 
 
 Ugshott, [Hogshead], 72. 
 Unitarian Denomination in Rossen- 
 dale, 220. 
 
 V. 
 
 Valne, Annual, of Rateable Property 
 iu Rossendale, 227 ; value of land 
 in Rossendale in 1415, 49. 
 
 Venison, explanation of the term, 54. 
 
 Vert, explanation of the term, 54. 
 
 Verdarers or Verderers, the Judges of 
 the Forest Courts, St. 
 
 Vertical Strata in Rossendale, 340. 
 
 W. 
 
 Warden or Warder, 54. 
 
 Warren, Beasts and Fowls of, 54. 
 
 Wapentake or Copyhold Lands iu 
 
 Uossendale, 85. 
 Waterbarn Baptist Chapel, 211. 
 Waterfoor, 6, 8 ; St. James's Church, 
 
 194 ; Baptist Chapel, 211. 
 Water Works, 299. 
 " Watling Street," Roman road, 5. 
 Waugh, Edwin, references to Rossen- 
 
 sendale, 259, 276. 
 Weasel, 5. 
 
 Wel.sh, John, Incumbent of New- 
 church, IGl. 
 Wesley, John, visits to Rossendale, 
 
 217, 266. 
 Whalley Abbey, 37, 41, 45, 48, 65, 71, 
 
 74, 79, 148. 
 Whitaker, Dr., cited, 4, 6, 9, 24, 26, 
 
 57. 
 
 Whitaker (Historian, of Manchester), 
 
 cited, 24, 26. 
 Whitefield, George, visits to Rossen. 
 
 dale, 266. 
 Whitehead, the Brothers, Bawten- 
 
 stall, 298. 
 Whitewell River, 25, 28. 
 Whitworth, 71. 
 
 Wild Animals in the Forest, 2, 3, 4, 5. 
 Wilkinson, F.R.A.S., T. T., cited, 10. 
 Will of Sir George Gregory, Priest, 
 
 162. 
 Williams on Real Property, cited, 75. 
 " Witching Hoile," Bacnp, 270. 
 Witchcraft in Rossendale, 272. 
 Wizard, a Newchurch, 273. 
 Wolf, names having reference to the, 3. 
 Wolfenden, 3, 69, 70; Wolfenden 
 
 Booth, 3, 69, 70. 
 Wolfstones, 3. 
 Woodmote or Attachment, one of the 
 
 Forest Courts, 54. 
 Woodwards or Woodreeves, 54. 
 Woollen Trade in Rossendale, 283 ; 
 
 present state of the, 291. 
 Woolcombing, 289. 
 Workhouse Accounts, excerpts from, 
 
 for 1734-5, 137. 
 
 T. 
 
 Yate and Pickup Bank, 5 ; Annual 
 Value, 227 ; Acreage, ib ; Popula- 
 tion, 229. 
 
 Zion Baptist Chapel, Bacap, 211.
 
 List of Subscribers. 
 
 > ♦♦♦ < 
 
 The following is a list of Subscribers to the present edition of 
 " The History of the Forest of Rossendale," as received up to 
 October 20th, 1893, the date on which the list was closed : — 
 
 Allen, John, 24, Queensberry Road, Burnley. 
 
 Anderson, Geo., C.E., 35A, Great George Street, Westminster. 
 
 Appleby, Arthur, Enfield, near Accrington. 
 
 AsHWORTH, E., J. P., Staghills, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ashworth, Mrs., Lea Bank, Cloughfold. 
 
 AsHWORTH, George, Bridge End House, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ashworth, Rich.\rd, Ashlands, Newchurch (two copies). 
 
 Ashworth, John, Holt Mill, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ashworth, Robert, St. James' Terrace, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ashworth, Rich.\rd, Constablelee, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Ashworth, S. O., Gaghills Terrace, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ashworth, A., Silver Street, Bury. 
 
 Ashworth, Richard, 127, Rochdale Road, Bacup. 
 
 Ashworth, G. W., Woodleigh Bank, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ashworth, Thos., Manager, Millgate & Facit Co., near Rochdale. 
 
 Ashworth, Willl\m, West View, Cloughfold. 
 
 Ashworth, John, 2, Marsden Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Ashworth, Henry, Helmshore. 
 
 Ashworth, Andrew, 25, Plantation Street, Stacksteads. 
 
 Ashworth, John, Millfield House, Thorn Hill, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Ashworth, R., Millend, Newchurch. 
 
 Ashworth, Miss Emily, Hollin Bank, Newchurch. 
 
 Ashworth, John Edward, 186, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads. 
 
 Ashworth, S., 5, Victoria Street, Cloughfold. 
 
 Ashworth, James, Ash Terrace, Bacup. 
 
 Ashworth, Moses, 16, Spring Gardens, Dean. 
 
 Ashworth, Edward, Spring Gardens, Dean. 
 
 Ashworth, Robert, Shadlock House, Whitewell Bottom. 
 
 Ashworth, Lawrence, Forest Holme Terrace, Forest Holme. 
 
 Ashton, R., Librarian, Free Library and Museum, Blackburn. 
 
 Astley, Councillor James, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads. 
 
 BuccLEUCH and Queensberry, His Grace the Duke of, 
 
 Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, &c, 
 Bacup Mechanics' Institution (two copies). 
 Bacup Co-operative Society (seven copies).
 
 354 History of Rossendale. 
 
 Barlow, R., Lodge View, Ramsbottom. 
 
 Barlow, Alice, Hall Carr, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Barlow, Josl\h, Ansdell, Lytham. 
 
 Barlow, Thomas, The Mount, Edenfield. 
 
 Barnes, John, Victoria Hall, Queensbury. 
 
 Barnes, Henry, Senior, Cawl Terrace, Cloughfold. 
 
 Barnes, Willl^m, 144, Bacup Road, Hareholme. 
 
 Barnes, Councillor Henry, Thornfield, Waterfoot. 
 
 Baron, James, 10, Baron Fold, Waterfoot. 
 
 Baron, William Henry, Dale Bank, Bacup. 
 
 Balmer, J. E., Cheetham Hill, Manchester. 
 
 Barton, John, Gas Works, Peterborough. 
 
 Barrett, James, 51, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Bailey, John W., Hawthorn House, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Bax, R., Ethelbert House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Bentley, Councillor Arthur F., Bury Times, Bury. 
 
 Bentley, John, Cambridge Road, Southport (two copies). 
 
 Birtwell, Councillor George, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 BiRTWELL, William Henry, 25, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Birtwistle, Alderman Alfred, 13, Thorn Bank, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 BiRTWiSTLE, Councillor George, Cowpe, Waterfoot (two copies). 
 
 Birtwistle, Robert, Bank Villa, Laneside, Haslingden. 
 
 Birtwistle, James Henry, Deardengate, Haslingden. 
 
 BiNNS, J. W., Highfield, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Blackley Co-operative Society, Limited. 
 
 Blaney, Wm. H., Warner Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Bloomley, M. W., Plantation View, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Bolton, H. Hargreaves, J. P., Newchurch. 
 
 Bolton, R. H., Mill End, Newchurch. 
 
 Bond, John Thomas, 74, Manchester Road, Nelson. 
 
 Bond, Luke, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Booth, A., 23, St. James Street, Bacup. 
 
 Booth, Mrs., Regent Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Booth, James, Ivy Cottage, Manchester Road, Burnley. 
 
 Bogle, Robert, Atlas House, Darwen. 
 
 BoococK, James, Blackthorn House, Bacup. 
 
 Braddock, James, Radcliffe. 
 
 Braddock, Joseph, 72, Windsor Road, Oldham. 
 
 Bramwell, J. H., Bridgeholme, Gargave-in-Craven. 
 
 Brindle, Geo., J. P., Westwood, Darwen. 
 
 Brierley, Richard, Ashworth Arms, Cloughfold. 
 
 Briggs, Walter, 4, Leamington Place, Blackburn. 
 
 Bridge, G., Oak Bank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Brown, John, M.D., Vict., Burwood House, Bacup. 
 
 Brown, J. W., Queen's Hotel, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Brown, V., Rochdale Road, Bury.
 
 List of Subscribers. 355 
 
 Brown, Henry, 165, Rochdale Road, Bacup. 
 
 Brooks, Joseph R., Gordon Works, Waterfoot. 
 
 Brooks, S. H., Slade House, Levenshulme, Manchester. 
 
 Brotherton, George, Tennis Street, Burnley. 
 
 Buckley, Thomas, Spring Terrace, Lumb. 
 
 Buckley, Wm. H., Blackthorn Gardens, Bacup. 
 
 Buckley, Richard, Gordon Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Burnley Co-operative Society. 
 
 Burrow, Jos., J.P., Agincourt, Bury. 
 
 Bury Co-operative Society. 
 
 Bury Athen.bum. 
 
 Butler, Samuel, 43, Denton Street, Bury. 
 
 Butterworth, John, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Butterworth, Joseph, 2, Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 Butterworth, Robert, 71, Bury Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Byrom, James, J. P., Woolfold, Bury. 
 
 Calvert, John, Forest Mill, Water. 
 
 Cartwright, Joshua, C.E., Albion Place, Bur>'. 
 
 Cartwright, Frank, Albion Place, Bury. 
 
 Carus, Alexander, J. P., Hoddlesden, Darwen. 
 
 Carr, T. S., II, Victoria Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Cawl Terrace Co-operative Society. 
 
 Chadderton, J., 22, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Chadderton, J. W., 4, Princess Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Chalk, William, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Chew, John, 4, Rock Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Chrystal, RoBERTScoTT,Davenham Villa, Urmston (two copies). 
 
 Clarke, James, Hillside House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Clegg, James, Aldine Press, Rochdale (two copies). 
 
 Clegg, Councillor Robert, Dale Street, Bacup. 
 
 Clegg, Thomas, Springside, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Clegg, James, Milnrow Road, Rochdale. 
 
 Clegg, Councillor Maden, Primrose Bank, Stacksteads. 
 
 Coates, George, Carr Mount, Rawtenstall. 
 
 CocKCROFT, John, 302, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads. 
 
 Cocker, James, J. P. (Mayor of Darwen), Woodlands View, Darwen. 
 
 CocKRiLL, Mark, Rossendale House, Bacup. 
 
 CocKROFT, G. S., Post OlBce, Waterfoot. 
 
 Colbert, Thomas, Hannah Street, Bacup. 
 
 Collinge, Alderman T., Haslingden. 
 
 Collinge, John, 29, Park Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Collinge, Jesse, Greenbooth, Rochdale. 
 
 Co"MPSTON, Councillor S., 1 1, Underwood Terrace, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Cooper, Arthur J., Dale Street, Bacup. 
 
 CosTEKER, Chas., Town Clerk, Darwen. 
 
 Coupe, Thomas, Bank Street, Rawtenstall.
 
 356 History of Rossendale. 
 
 Crabtree, J., Ewood Court, Mytholmroyd. 
 
 Crabtree, John, 4, Hamer Terrace, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Crankshaw, James, 30, Bridleway Bottom, Newchurch. 
 
 Crawshawbooth Co-operative Society (two copies). 
 
 Cronshaw, William, Clough Bridge, near Burnley. 
 
 Crook, T. M., Stanley Grange, Hoghton. 
 
 Crook, William, 29, Abingdon Street, Blackpool. 
 
 Cropper, Abraham, Plantation House, Water. 
 
 Cropper, James, 12, Spring Gardens, Dean. 
 
 Cropper, John, Goodshaw Chapel. 
 
 Cropper, Peter John, Thorne, Bacup. 
 
 Cryer, Thomas, Loveclough. 
 
 Cunliffe, T. H., Rochdale. 
 
 CuNLiFFE, Edward, J. P., C.C, Hazlehurst, Ramsbottom. 
 
 Cunliffe, Thomas, 33, Co-operation Street, Bacup. 
 
 Cunliffe, Arthur Richard, Portsmouth, near Todmorden. 
 
 CuLPAN, Spencer, Holme Bank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Devonshire, His Grace the Duke of, Chatsworth, Derbyshire. 
 
 Dale, John, Mill Manager, Stubbins. 
 
 Davies, E. M., J.P., Darwen. 
 
 Davies, Rev. W. Collins, B.A., Cloughfold. 
 
 Darwen Co-operative Library. 
 
 Dean, J. G., Helmcroft, Helmshore. 
 
 Dean, Thomas, M.D., Burnley. 
 
 Dearden, James, Loveclough. 
 
 Dearden, Arthur, 39, Cross Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Dearden, Robert, 635, Pleasant View, near Accrington. 
 
 Dewhurst, Elizabeth Alice, Townsend Fold, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Dewhurst, G. H., 55, Market Street, Edenfield. 
 
 Dickenson, Arthur, 29, Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 DiLwoRTH, W., Villa Newton, Goss Flottbeck, Hamburg, Germany. 
 
 DiSLEV, Alderman Thomas, Knot Hill House, Stacksteads. 
 
 DoxEV, Rev. J. S., Bacup. 
 
 Duckworth, J., Accrington. 
 
 Duckworth, Alderman G., York Street, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Duckworth, James, Rochdale. 
 
 DuGDALE, Joseph^ Claremont, Blackburn. 
 
 Eastwood, Edmund Taylor, Bury Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Eastwood, J. H., Manchester and County Bank, Bacup. 
 
 Eastwood, Chas, 126, Litherland Road, N., Bootle. 
 
 Eastwood, James, 61, Greengate Street, Oldham. 
 
 Eatough, Oliver, GaghiUs, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ecroyd, William, J. P., Lomeshaye House, Nelson. 
 
 Ecroyd, Edward, J. P., Edgend, Nelson. 
 
 Eccles, Joseph, J.P., Oldfield, Darwen. 
 
 Edward, Dr., Bank House, Rawtenstall.
 
 List oj Subscribers. 357 
 
 Edmondson, a. J., Market Street, Edenfield. 
 
 Edmondson, F., Yarraville, Melbourne, Australia. 
 
 Edmondson, Mrs., Duke of Buccleuch Hotel, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ellerbeck, J., Fletcher Bank, near Bury. 
 
 Elliott, Joseph W., 9, Marsden Street, Bury. 
 
 Elliot, William Hulme, Woodhill, Ramsbottom. 
 
 Ellis, R., 17, Bold Street, Bacup. 
 
 Emmett, R. H., Post Office, Lumb. 
 
 Emmett, Thom.\s, Edenfield. 
 
 Entwistle, J. E., 14, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Evans, E., Fern Bank, Haslingden. 
 
 Eyre, J. W., Woodleigh, Waterfoot. 
 
 Faed, Thos., R.A., 24A, Cavendish Road, St. John's Wood, London. 
 
 Falconer, Rev. John, Tunstead Vicarage, Stacksteads. 
 
 Fairbourn, E. H., Bank Street, Rawtenstall (three copies). 
 
 Fenton, John, Spring Terrace, Tottington. 
 
 Fenton, J. T., Rosehill, HasUngden. 
 
 Fletcher, John R., Withnall Road, Blackpool. 
 
 Forrest, Councillor T. W. A., 477, Bolton Road, Darwen. 
 
 Forrest, Hannah, Spring Vale Terrace, Darwen. 
 
 Foulds, Aaron, Hawthorn Hill, Bacup. 
 
 Franklin-Hindle, James, C.C, Birkdale, Southport. 
 
 Free Public Library, Darwen. 
 
 Freeman, Edw^ard, Bury Road, Haslingden. 
 
 Gladstone, Right Hon. W. E., Hawarden Castle, Flintshire. 
 
 Gaskell, ^VM., 66, Boothfold, Newchurch. 
 
 Gaukroger, Benj., Hill Street, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Gendall, W. H. S., Manager, Gas Department, Bury. 
 
 Gibson, G. Fred. H., Kersal Bank, Higher Broughton. 
 
 GiLLiBRAND, J. W., J. P., Earlsfield, Darwen. 
 
 GiNNS, Wm., Lyreden Road, London, S.W. 
 
 Goldsmith, Frederick W., 14, Ash Street, Bacup. 
 
 Graham, Thomas, Cloughfold. 
 
 Gray, Councillor, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Gray, Hy., 47, Leicester Square, London, W.C. (two copies). 
 
 Gray, James, Old Bank Road, Mirfield. 
 
 Greaves, James, Rose Hill, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Greaves, Willia.m, Oak House, Bacup. 
 
 Green, H. S., Lloyd Street, Greenheys. 
 
 Greenoff, Rd., 8, Wesley Place, Bacup. 
 
 Greenoff, H., Edgeside-holme, Newchurch. 
 
 Greenwood, B., 46, Tythebarn Street, Darwen. 
 
 Greenwood, James, Spring Bank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Greenwood, Ralph, Marsden House, Haslingden. 
 
 Greenwood, Alderman D., J. P., Lane Ends House, Bacup.
 
 358 History of Rossendale. 
 
 Greenwood, Rev. R., Vicar, St. Paul's, Westleigh. 
 
 Greenwood, Wm., Park View, Currier Lane, Ashton-under-Lyne. 
 
 Greenwood, Josiah, 2, Whitefield Terrace, Townley, Burnley. 
 
 Greenwood, Paul, Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 Greenwood, J. L., 38, Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 Greenwood, John, Ormerod Buildings, Water. 
 
 Greenwood, George, Spring Garden Cottages, Dean. 
 
 Gregory, Joseph A., County Bank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Gregory, James, Manchester Road, Burnley. 
 
 Gregory, Josiah, 22, Spring Gardens, Dean. 
 
 Gregory, Rd., North Street, Water. 
 
 Gregson, Wm., Astley Bank, Scarisbrick New Road, Southport. 
 
 Gregson, Jos., Rawcliffe Street, Blackpool. 
 
 Grimshaw, Mrs., Blackburn Road, Haslingden. 
 
 Grover, Henry LI., Clydach Court, Pontypridd. 
 
 Grundy, Robert, 321, Walmersley Road, Bury. 
 
 Guest, W. H., Arlington Place, Manchester. 
 
 Hacking, W. H., Heathfield, Whiteiield. 
 
 Hall, Robert, 3, Union Square, Bury. 
 
 Hall, R., 108, Walmersley Road, Bury. 
 
 Hall, E., 2, Dale Street, Bacup. 
 
 Hallard, Walter, St. Anne's Street, Manchester. 
 
 Halliwell, John, J. P., Laburnum House, Bury. 
 
 Halstead, Henry, 22, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Halstead, Miss Viva, 22, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Halstead, William, 8, Rock Terrace, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Halstead, John, Railw-ay Inn, Waterfoot. 
 
 Halstead, Jamks S., 62, Church Street, Newchurch. 
 
 Halston, William, i, Hamer Terrace, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Hamer, Edwin, J.P„ Brae Side Villas, Blacklnirn. 
 
 Hamer, Abner, Greenbank Cottages, Cloughfold. 
 
 Hamer, John, Crawford Street, Rochdale. 
 
 Hamer, Richard, Myrtle Villa, Forest Holme. 
 
 Hamilton, Councillor T. B., J. P., Ryefield, Haslingden (twocopies). 
 
 Hanson, Benjamin, Brewer, Oldham. 
 
 Hardaker, Henry, 63, Bath Street, Southport. 
 
 Hardman, Richard, J. P., Cliffe Tower, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hardman, Captain George, J. P., Alder Grange, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hardman, H. Cunliffe, Prospect Villas, Newchurch. 
 
 Hardman, George, Whitewell Bottom, Newchurch. 
 
 Hardman, James S., Cloughfold. 
 
 Hardman, William, 53, Callender Street, Ramsbottom. 
 
 Hardman, Alderman Edwin, Stacksteads. 
 
 Hargreaves, Richard, Gladstone Buildings, Bacup. 
 
 Hargreaves, D., 17, Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 Hargreaves, John, J.P., Greensnook House, Bacup.
 
 List of Subscribers. 359 
 
 Hargreaves, Miss, Regent Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Hargreaves, Richard, C.C, Holmes House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hargreaves, J. Howarth, Bacup. 
 
 Hargreaves, R. Hardman, Bacup. 
 
 Hargreaves, Alexander, Woodleigh, Waterfoot. 
 
 Hargreaves, John, Leebrook Foundry, Rawtenstall (two copies). 
 
 Hargreaves, Elijah, Fleece Hotel, Bradshawgate, Bolton. 
 
 Hargreaves, John, 83, New Line, Britannia. 
 
 Hargreaves, Richard, Robin Road, Summerseat. 
 
 Hargreaves, Carey, 3, Bacup Road, Waterfoot (two copies). 
 
 Hargreaves, George, Townsend Street, Waterfoot. 
 
 Hargreaves, John Willie, Ivy Cottage, Water. 
 
 Hargreaves, Alfred, Parrock, Lumb. 
 
 Hargreaves, Wm., Pippin Bank Mill, Bacup. 
 
 Harling, Joseph, 6, Derby Terrace, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Harris, Dr., Bacup. 
 
 Harrison, W., 402, Rochdale Road, Britannia. 
 
 Hartley, Albert, 51, Pleasant View, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hartley, John, Phillips Town, Whitewell Bottom. 
 
 Hartley, John Thomas, Nelson Square, Burnley. 
 
 Haslingden Industrial Co-operative Society (two copies). 
 
 Haslingden Road Sunday School Library. 
 
 Haworth, J. E., Springside House, Rawtenstall (three copies). 
 
 Haworth, James, J. P., Spring Mount, Bacup (two copies). 
 
 Haworth, W. H., 8, Industrial Cottages, Cloughfold. 
 
 Haworth, James, 10, High Field, off York Street, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Haworth, Rd. J., 22, Beehive Cottages, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Haworth, Hargreaves, Green Hill, Bacup. 
 
 Haworth, Haworth, Grane Road, Haslingden. 
 
 Haworth, Hardacre, 12, Ormerod Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Haworth, John William, Annis View, Lumb. 
 
 Haworth, John, Foresters' Buildings, Forest Holme. 
 
 Haworth, Messrs. L., & Son, Rossendale House, Newchurch. 
 
 Hay, James Kerr, Fairfield, Haslingden. 
 
 Head, J., L.D.S., Millgate, Facit. 
 
 Heap, Albert, 39, Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Heap, Moses, 3, Adelaide Street, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Heap, William Henry, Higher Cloughfold. 
 
 Heap, John, The Crescent, St. Anne's-on-the-Sea. 
 
 Henry & Henry, Deardengate, Haslingden. 
 
 Hepworth, J., C.E., 18, Chatsworth Square, Carlisle. 
 
 Hey, Clement, Spring Gardens, Dean. 
 
 Heys, Henry, junr., Rakehead, Stacksteads. 
 
 Heywood Co-operative Library. 
 
 Heywood, Abel, 56 and 58, Oldham Street, Manchester. 
 
 Heyworth, Rev. R., 8, Wood Lea Bank, Waterfoot.
 
 360 History of Rossendale. 
 
 Heyworth, John H., 15, Park Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Heyworth, Jas. Alfred, Cedar Bank, Newchurch. 
 
 Heyworth, John, 17, Hartley Street, Bacup. 
 
 Heyworth, James, Kiln Terrace, Stacksteads. 
 
 Heyworth, James, Sunnybank, Bacup. 
 
 Heyworth, John R., Park Mill, Britannia. 
 
 HiBBERT, Rev. J. A. v., M.A , 117, York Place, Harpurhey. 
 
 HiGGiN, John, 18, Ash Terrace, Bacup. 
 
 HiGSON, Thomas, Ivy Mount, Loveclough. 
 
 HiGSON, Samuel, 12, Wood Bank, Helmshore. 
 
 Hilton, W. H., 29, Beetle Street, Manchester. 
 
 HiNDLE, Thomas, Schofield Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 HiNDLE, James Franklin, C.C, Birkdale, Southport. 
 
 HiNMERS, Ed., St. Arnold's, Bread Oak Park, Worsley (four copies). 
 
 Hirst, J. H., Whitewell Bottom, Waterfeet. 
 
 HoBSON, Samuel, Ivy Cottage, Rawtenstall. 
 
 HoLDEN, William, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hollidav, Rev. E., The Vicarage, Cloughfeld. 
 
 Holmes, Jos. P., 22, Regent Street, Bacup. 
 
 Holt, Thomas, Schofield Read, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Holt, John, Swan Hotel, Haslingden. 
 
 Holt, Edgar, 19, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Holt, Richard, Calder Lea, Avondale Read, Southport. 
 
 Holt, John, 5, Todmorden Road, Bacup. 
 
 Holt, Albert, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Holt, Crowther, Lane Ends, Bacup. 
 
 Holt, James, Sunnybank, Newchurch. 
 
 Horne, W. H., Queen's Buildings, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hornsby, Frank, Rossendale Villa, Lymm (two copies). 
 
 Horsfall, John, F.C.S., Plantation House, Cleughfold. 
 
 Howarth, Thomas, 9, Old Road, Stacksteads. 
 
 Howorth, George, 41, ^\'hitewell Terrace, Waterfoot. 
 
 Ho worth, Richard, 13, Stanley Street, Bacup. 
 
 HoYLE, Joshua, junr., J. P., Bankside, Bacup. 
 
 Hoyle, William, 336, Sykeside, Haslingden. 
 
 HoYLE, Edward, J. P., Moorlands, Bacup (two copies). 
 
 Hoyle, W. T., Irwell House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hoyle, Caleb, Todmorden. 
 
 HoYLE, Joshua T., Thorn, Bacup. 
 
 Hoyle, Joseph, 17, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hoyle, Parker, and Co., Piercy Mill, Newchurch. 
 
 Hudson, Eli, Bombay, India. 
 
 Hunt, Charles J., A.C.O., St. Mary's Terrace, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Hunt, Henry, Headmaster National Schools, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Huntington, C.P., M.P., Astley Bank, Darwen (two copies). 
 
 Ibbotson, Geo., Smith Brook, Chapel-en-le-Frith.
 
 List of Subscribers. 361 
 
 Irving, D., Stapleton Gasworks, Bristol. 
 
 IsHERWOOD, T., B.A., University School, Southport. 
 
 Jackson, J. Brood, c o Bentley & Jackson, Ironfounders, Bury. 
 
 Jackson, Wm. Smith, 181, Clough Road, Sheffield. 
 
 Jackson, Samuel, 10, Kensington Road, Douglas. 
 
 Jackson, Thomas, 5, Wheatholme Cottages, Cloughfold. 
 
 Jackson, T. E., M. A., Head Master, Grammar School, Newchurch. 
 
 James, C. H., 4, Derby Road, Burton-on-Trent. 
 
 Jepson, John E., Park Lodge, Feniscowles, near Blackburn. 
 
 Jepson, Nathaniel, Sudell Road, Darwen. 
 
 Jones, Chas. Edwin, C.E., Water and Gas Offices, Chesterfield. 
 
 Kay, Jacob, 64, Bolton Road, Pendleton. 
 
 Kay, James, 192, Walmersley Road, Bury. 
 
 Kay, James, 10, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Kay, Richard, 3, Hamer Terrace, Brooksbottoms (two copies). 
 
 Kay, Robert, 22, Manchester Road, Bury. 
 
 Kemp, \V. H., 9, Bury Road, Haslingden (two copies). 
 
 Kenyon, James, J. P., Walshaw Hall, Bury (four copies). 
 
 Kenyon, Captain Arthur, Brynbella, Rawtenstall (two copies). 
 
 Kenyon, John, Brynbella, Rawtenstall (two copies). 
 
 Kenyon, Ernest C, Rose Bank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Kenyon, Joseph, Larbreck, near Garstang. 
 
 KiDD, William, Bishop Blaize Hotel, Rawtenstall. 
 
 King, Samuel, 12, Dorset Street, Hulme. 
 
 Kitching, C. R., 29, Travers Street, Burnley. 
 
 Klein, Rev. P., St. James' Rectory, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Knott, Oliver, Victoria Park, Manchester. 
 
 Landless, William, Clowbridge, near Burnley. 
 
 Lane, Rev. J., St. Mary's Church, Bacup. 
 
 Law, Herbert, Woodleigh Bank, Waterfoot. 
 
 Law, Ashworth, The Square, Newchurch. 
 
 Law, Richard, Springside, Reedsholme. 
 
 Law, L J., Willow House, Waterfoot. 
 
 Law, Richard, Meadows Farm, Water. 
 
 Law, Edward, 26, Farmer's Grove, Water. 
 
 L.ay'cock, John, Quarry House, near Keighley. 
 
 Leach, J. F., 39, Belgrave Road, Darwen. 
 
 Lee, Robert, 8, Hill Street, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Lee, L. B., 33, George Street, Manchester. 
 
 Leah, Albert, 12, Manchester Road, Haslingden. 
 
 Leake, Robert, M.P., Lockers Hemel, Hempstead. 
 
 Leaver, Thomas, Fearn Holme, Prestwich. 
 
 Ledsham, James B., 10, Corporation Street, Manchester (two copies). 
 
 Levell, James W., Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Lewis, Ephraim, Myrtle Grove, Hareholme. 
 
 Lightbown, T., B.A., C.A., J. P., Falcon House, Darwen.
 
 362 History of Rossendale. 
 
 LocKETT, Rev. F. H., M.A., Lumb Vicarage, Rossendale. 
 
 LoMAS, Rev. George, The Vicarage, Helmshore. 
 
 Lonsdale, James, Albert Street, Hareholme. 
 
 Lonsdale, James, Church Street, Newchurch. 
 
 Lonsdale, Mark, Church Street, Newchurch. 
 
 Lord, Richard, Sunnybank House, Rawtenstall (two copies). 
 
 Lord, Alderman WiLLLivM, Cowpe. 
 
 Lord, Albert, Nabb Farm, Lumb. 
 
 Lord, Sam, Newchurch. 
 
 Lord, Willie, Professor of Music, Bacup. 
 
 Lord, David, Daisy Cottage, Stacksteads. 
 
 Lord, J. H., The Mount, Stacksteads. 
 
 Lord, J. T., Gaghills, Waterfoot. 
 
 Lord, Lawrence, Rockliffe Bank, Bacup. 
 
 Lord, James, 4, Ash Street, Bacup. 
 
 Lord, Edmund, Belmont, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Lord, Richard, Isle of Man Street, Forest Holme. 
 
 Lord, Edward, Albion Street, Burnley. 
 
 Love, William A., Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Lumb Baptist School Library. 
 
 LuPTON Bros., Manchester Road, Burnley. 
 
 LuPTON, Benjamin, Cumberland Place, Burnley. 
 
 LuPTON, Joseph Townend, 7, Carlton Road, Burnley. 
 
 LuPTON, Arthur, Holly Mount, Burnley. 
 
 Lupton, Albert, Holme View, Burnley. 
 
 LuPTON, William, Trafalgar House, Burnley. 
 
 Maden, J. H., M.P., Rockliffe House, Bacup. 
 
 Maden, Councillor Henry, Prospect Villas, Newchurch. 
 
 Maden, J., 60, Blackpool Terrace, Waterfoot. 
 
 Maden, W. H., L.D.S., Bury Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Maden, T., Chapel Street, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Maden, Richard, 14, Spring Gardens, Dean. 
 
 Manchester Free Public Library. 
 
 Marsden, John, 182, Rose Bank, New Line, Bacup. 
 
 Marshall, James, junr., Stacksteads. 
 
 Mather, Rev. J. Marshall, Oakley Manse, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Mather, John H., Godalming, Surrey. 
 
 Mayor, Mrs., Newchurch, Rossendale. 
 
 McGuire, James, Deardengate, Haslingden. 
 
 McLerie, John, 12, Heys Street, Cloughfold. 
 
 McLerie, Samuel, Holt Holme Mill, Waterfoot. 
 
 Mead, Daniel, Waterfoot. 
 
 Mercer, Thomas, Great Hey, Edenfield. 
 
 Middleton, George, Poppythorn, Prestwich. 
 
 Midgley, Councillor S., Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 Midgley, John, 97, Rochdale Road, Bacup.
 
 List of Subscribers. 363 
 
 MiDGLEY, James, 41, Rockliffe Terrace, Bacup. 
 
 MiLLiGAN, WitLiAM, Queen's Terrace, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Mills, William, Ivy Cottage, Waterfoot. 
 
 Mitchell, J. VV., Woodleigh, Cloughfold. 
 
 Mitchell, Robert, 14, Marchhall Road, Edinburgh. 
 
 Mitchell, Colonel, Rosslyn, The Downs, Wimbledon. 
 
 Mitchell, J., Greensnook, Bacup. 
 
 Mitchell, C, Station Master, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Mitchell, R. J. C, Springfield House, Waterfoot. 
 
 Mitchell, James, Constablelee, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Mitchell, Milton, 5, Rose Mount, Newchurch. 
 
 Monk, Josiah, C.C, Brookfoot, Padiham. 
 
 Monks, Fred, Fir Trees, Bacup. 
 
 Monks, James, 47, Rockliffe Terrace, Bacup. 
 
 Moore, Peter, Queen's Buildings, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Moorhguse, Fred R., Kingston Mount, Didsbury. 
 
 Morgan, Rev. William, Ormerod Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Mould, Edward J., 70, Bank Street, Rawtenstall (three copies). 
 
 Mould, John E., 43, Springside, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Moulds, E. J., 70, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Murgatrovd, Harry, Rose Bank, Prestwich. 
 
 Neill, R., Spring Bank, Sharpies, Bolton. 
 
 Neill, J. C, Deardengate, Haslingden. 
 
 Nelson Co-operative Society. 
 
 Nichols, A. F., Manchester Road, Haslingden. 
 
 Noble, The Misses, Oakley, Rawtenstall. 
 
 NoRRis, Rev. J., M.A., The Vicarage, Rawtenstall. 
 
 North, D. L., 49, Pleasant View, Rawtenstall. 
 
 NuTTALL, James, Park View, AValmersley Road, Bury. 
 
 NuTTALL, Francis James, 4, Charles Street, Darwen. 
 
 NuTTALL, J. W., Kay Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 NuTTALL, R. W., Storncliffe, Rawtenstall. 
 
 NuTTALL, J. H., Gaghills, Waterfoot. 
 
 NuTTALL, Lewis, Scoutbottom, Waterfoot. 
 
 NuTTALL, John, 63, Briercliffe Road, Burnley Lane, Burnley. 
 
 NuTTALL, John, North Street, Water. 
 
 NuTTALL, James Adam, Terra Cotta Buildings, Culvert. 
 
 NuTTER, H., Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Oddie, Truman W., Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Oddie, Miss L. E., Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Ogden, James, 143, Rochdale Road, Bacup (two copies). 
 
 Ogden, W. J. H., 143, Rochdale Road, Bacup. 
 
 Oldham Free Public Library. 
 
 Ormerod, J. P., Castleton, near Manchester. 
 
 Ormercd, Miss, Brookland House, Higher Cloughfold. 
 
 Ormerod, Richard, Brookland Cottage, Higher Cloughfold.
 
 364 History 0/ Rossendale, 
 
 Ormerod, Peter, 3, Co-operation Street, Bacup. 
 
 Ormerod, Abraham, 21, Co-operation Street, Bacup. 
 
 Ormerod, T. L., Green Mount, Bury. 
 
 Overend, Rev. F., Blackthorn House, Bacup. 
 
 Overstall, W. J., Rawtenstall. 
 
 Palmer, J. E., i, Strasburg Buildings, Waterfoot. 
 
 Parker, Thomas, 45, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester 
 
 Parker, J. H., Poplar Grove, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Parker, Richard Albert, ii, Albert Terrace, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Parkinson, Herbert W., Rawtenstall. 
 
 Parkinson, J. T., 4, Schoiield Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Paterson, T. O., Gas Works, Birkenhead. 
 
 Patrick, Captain Charles, Cloughfold. 
 
 Pearson, Thomas, Parramatta Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Peebles, D. B., Tay House, Bonnington, Edinburgh. 
 
 Peel, Roger, Highfield House, Walmersley Road, Bury. 
 
 Peel, John, 21, Victoria Street, Cloughfold. 
 
 Pickup, Edward, Springside House, Lumb-in-Rossendale. 
 
 Pickup, William, Britannia, Bacup. 
 
 Pickup, Richard, 44, Smith Street, Trafford Road, Salford. 
 
 Pickup, Edwin, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Pickup, John, 18, Beech Street, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Pickup, James, Hope View, Edenfield. 
 
 Pickup, J. H., 104, Newchurch Road, Bacup. 
 
 Pickup, George, Spencer Street, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Pickup, John Scott, Helmshore. 
 
 Pickup, James, East View, Water. 
 
 Pickup, John, Osborne Terrace, Whitewell Bottom. 
 
 Pilkington, Samuel, 15, Rochdale Road, Bury. 
 
 PiLKiNGTON, Wm. Edward, 2, Garden Street, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Pilkington, Joseph, 73, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Pilling, John, Market Place, Waterfoot. 
 
 Pilling, Councillor James, Larkhill, Bacup. 
 
 Pilling, James, Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 Pilling, Alderman J. H., Fair View, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Pilling, Thomas, 3, Woodbank, Helmshore. 
 
 Pilling, W., Baptist Minister, Ulverston. 
 
 Pilling, James, 28, St. James' Street, Bacup. 
 
 Pilling, James, Todmorden Road, Bacup (two copies). 
 
 Place, W. H., J. P., Ashleigh, Darwen. 
 
 Platt, Robert, Duven Strasse, Nulfort, Germany. 
 
 Porritt, H., St. Anne's-on-the-Sea. 
 
 Porritt, W. J., J. P., C.C, Tor Side, Helmshore. 
 
 Priestley, L. J., St. James Street, Bacup. 
 
 Priestley, 8, Glen View, Lylesland, Paisley. 
 
 Proctor, Richard, Oak Mount, Burnley.
 
 List oj Subscribers. 365 
 
 Proctor, John, 45, Rectory Road, Burnley. 
 
 Radcliffe, R. C, Balderston, Blackburn. 
 
 Ramsbottom, Joshua, Oak Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Ramsbottom, J. W., 7, Crawshaw Buildings, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Ramsbottom, Councillor J.R., Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Rankine, Oswald Barclay, Royal Hotel, Waterfoot, 
 
 Ratcliffe, James, 13, Market Street, Bacup. 
 
 Rawlinson, Rowland, C.C, Claremont Park, Blackpool. 
 
 Rawsthorne, J., 240, Blackburn Road, Haslingden. 
 
 Rawtenstall Industrial Co-operative Society. 
 
 Richardson, Phillip, Millend, Newchurch. 
 
 RiGBY, Thomas, 120, Spring Street, Bury. 
 
 Riley, George, 92, Newchurch Road, Bacup. 
 
 Riley, Hollows, 9:, Newchurch Road, Bacup. 
 
 RiLEV, George, Junr., 20, Blackwood Road, Stacksteads. 
 
 Roberts, Henry, 36, Lee Road, Bacup. 
 
 Rochdale Equitable Pioneers' Co-operative Society. 
 
 Rochdale Free Public Library. 
 
 Rossendale Liberal Clubs' Association (ten copies). 
 
 Rothwell, John, 4, Sough Road, Darwen. 
 
 ROTHWELL, J. W., Brighton View, Newchurch. 
 
 Rothwell, James, Royal Warehouse, Waterfoot. 
 
 Rothwell, Mrs. P. E., Fowlcotes House, Holcombe Brook. 
 
 RoYDS, Mrs., 55, York Road, Birkdale, Southport. 
 
 RusHTON, Thomas, 12, Industrial Cottages, Cloughfold. 
 
 RusHTON, Mrs., Forest House, Newchurch. 
 
 Sadler, C. E., 8, Well Bank, Haslingden. 
 
 Sagar, William, 232, Piper Bank, Edgeside, Newchurch, 
 
 Salmon, Alderman H., J.P., Sandfield, (Mayor of Bacup). 
 
 ScARR, W. H., 19, Sunny View, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Schofield, G. W. Law-, New Hall Hey, Rawtenstall (six copies). 
 
 Schofield, Henry, 44, Irwell Terrace, Cloughfold. 
 
 Bchofield, Councillor Sagar, Scoutbottom, Newchurch. 
 
 Schofield, E., L.D.S., R.C.S., Waterfoot. 
 
 Scott, George Alderson, 70, Burnley Road, Bacup. 
 
 Shaw, John Walker, Park Hill View, Bury. 
 
 Shaw, Giles, 72, Manchester Street, Oldham. 
 
 Shorrock, Robert, Belgrave Road, Darwen. 
 
 Shorrock, John W., J. P., Longmarsh, Darwen. 
 
 Sharples, J.\mes, West Lea, HasUngden. 
 
 Sharples, John, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Sharples, Councillor R. O., Forest Bank, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Shepherd, John, 10, Esther Place, Bacup. 
 
 Shepherd, Theodore, Regent Street, Bacup. 
 
 Shuttleworth, James, Ash Terrace, Bacup (two copies). 
 
 Shuttleworth, Miss, Stanley Street, Tunstall.
 
 366 History of Rossendale. 
 
 Shenton, Thomas, Goodshaw Chapel. 
 
 Shutt, Thomas, Horncliffe, Blackburn. 
 
 SiMPKiN, H., Derby Terrace, Heywood. . 
 
 SiMPKiN, Edmund, C.E., 9, Spring Street, Bury. 
 
 Simpson, F. E., Cawl Terrace, Cloughfold. 
 
 Simpson, Thomas, Manchester Road, Burnley. 
 
 SiDEBOTTOM, WALTER, Market Street, Shawforth. 
 
 Smalley, Henry, Mellor, near Blackburn. 
 
 Smith, George Ashworth, Westbourne, Helmshore. 
 
 Smith, Edwin, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Smith, Joshua, J. P., Arncliffe, Eccles. 
 
 Smith, Thomas, Greenbank Lodge, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Smith, Councillor Ben, Racup. 
 
 S.MiTH, E. W. B., 5, Haymarket Street, Bury. 
 
 Smith, Allan, 100, Bury Road, Edenfield. 
 
 Smith, Henry, Post Office, Edenfield. 
 
 Smith, Henry, 95, Manchester Road, Haslingden. 
 
 Southwell, Charles, Woodbine Cottage, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Sparks, Rev. G., Fearns Cottage, Stacksteads. 
 
 Spencer, John Henry, F.G.S., 3, Mayor's Street, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Spencer, Rev. A., M.A., The Vicarage, Haslingden. 
 
 Spencer, Samuel, Thorn Bank, Stacksteads, 
 
 Stansfield, William, Mytholme, Waterfoot. 
 
 Stansfield, James, Olive Terrace, Reedsholme, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Stansfield, Joseph, Tup Bridge, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Stansfield, C, 75, Peel Brow, Ramsbottom. 
 
 Stansfield, Abraham, Whitewell Terrace, Whitewell-bottom. 
 
 Steele, Joseph Henry, 18, Chapel Terrace, Whitewell-bottom. 
 
 Stephens, Patrick, Newchurch. 
 
 Stewart, John, Rossendale Villa, Southport. 
 
 Stewart, Robert, Bacup. 
 
 Stockdale, Councillor William, Rookhill, Stacksteads. 
 
 Stonehouse, George, Queen's Buildings, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Stones, J. Herbert, Scarsgarth, Blackburn. 
 
 Stott, John, Springfield Lodge, Haslingden. 
 
 Stott, William J., M.I)., Haslingden. 
 
 Sugden, S., Waterfoot. 
 
 SuGDEN, Dr. E., M.B., Ch.M., Greenfield House, Waterfoot. 
 
 Sugden, W. A., 319, Harrow Road, Paddington, W. 
 
 SuDALL, Robert, 44, Railway Road, Darwen. 
 
 Subscription Library, Bolton. 
 
 SuTCLiFFE, Fred, Bank Terrace, Bacup. 
 
 Sutcliffe, John, Hareholme. 
 
 SuTCLiFFE, John, Junr., 3, Wheatholme Cottages, Cloughfold. 
 
 Sutcliffe, Joseph, Linden Place, Haslingden 
 
 Sutcliffe, W., Market Street, Bacup.
 
 List of Subsctibers. 367 
 
 SuTCLiFFE, John, Ormerod Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 SuTCLiFFE, J. W., C.E., 5, Norfolk Street, Manchester. 
 
 SuTCLiFFE, James W., Lark Hill, Bacup. 
 
 SUTCLIFFE, Miss, Agnew Street, Lytham. 
 
 SUTCLIFFE, John Stansfield, Causeway End, Burnley. 
 
 SwiNDLEHURST, J. E., C.E., Burton-upon-Trent. 
 
 SwiNDALE, W., Rookhill, Stacksteads. 
 
 Sykes, W., Providence House, Chesham, Bury. 
 
 Tattersall, Mrs. E., 38, Prospect Hill, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Tattersall, Henry, 59, Cateaton Street, Bury. 
 
 Tattersall, Thomas, Pack Horse Inn, Boothfold. 
 
 Taylor, J., Albion House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, Alex., St. Mary's Place, Bury. 
 
 Taylor, Mrs., Holmfield House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, John Crawshaw, Brownsville Road, Heaton Chapel 
 
 Taylor, George, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, John, Bacup Road, Cloughfold. 
 
 Taylor, Thomas, Oakfield, Wood Top, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, John, 3, Fearns, Stacksteads. 
 
 Taylor, Councillor Alexander, St. Mary's Place, Bury. 
 
 Taylor, John, 6, Heywood Street, Bury. 
 
 Taylor, Robinson, Railway Terrace, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, James, Rose Bank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, Samuel, Edenfield. 
 
 Taylor, Richard, Egypt Terrace, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, William, 89, Holmes Terrace, Rawtenstall 
 
 Taylor, John, Stack Bank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, Arthur W., Bury Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Taylor, David, Ash Cottages, Stacksteads. 
 
 Taylor, Geo. Wm., m, Earle Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool. 
 
 Taylor, J. W., Gresham Street, Manchester. 
 
 Taylor, James, 2, Christ Church Street, Bacup. 
 
 Taylor, John, 12, Co-operation Street, Bacup. 
 
 Thornley, John B., 24, Market Street, Darwen. 
 
 Thompson, John, 50, Market Place, Blackburn. 
 
 Thompson, Joseph, Broadclough Hall, Bacup. 
 
 Thompson, Councillor William, 46, Bank Street, Rawtenstall 
 
 Thompson, Harry K., Glenville, Waterfoot. 
 
 Thomas, Thomas, Laund House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Titherington, John, 2, Manchester Road, Haslincrden 
 
 Tomlinson, Henry, Well Bank, Haslingden. 
 
 ToMLiNSON, Councillor W., 20, Ormerod Street, Rawtenstall 
 
 Tomlinson, Thomas, Gaghills Terrace, Waterfoot 
 
 Tomlinson, J., Union Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 TowNSEND, T. H., Carr House, Rawtenstall. 
 
 TowNSEND, John, Brookfield, Rawtenstall.
 
 368 Histoty of Rossendale. 
 
 TowNSKND, Joshua, The Holme, Rawtenstall. 
 
 TowNSEND, William, 65, Hampton Road, Southport. 
 
 TowNSEND, Richard, J P., Bent Gate, Haslingden. 
 
 Topp, Alfred, J. P., Fam worth, near Bolton. 
 
 Trickett, Councillor H. \V., J. P., Gaghills House, Waterfoot. 
 
 Trickett, Joshua, Roughlee, Waterfoot. 
 
 Trickett, James, Bank Top, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Trickett, John, Daisy Hill, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Turner, Myles, 184, New Line, Bacup. 
 
 Turner, Samuel, Edgeside Holme, Newchurch. 
 
 Union, William, Christ Church Street, Bacup. 
 
 Unitarian Sunday School, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Varley, J. H., New Line, Bacup. 
 
 Wadsworth, Sam, Old Road, Stacksteads. 
 
 Walmsley, J., Tenterfield Street, Waterfoot. 
 
 Walton, Robert, 66, Rectory Road, Burnley. 
 
 Walker, John, Bank View, Preston New Road, Blackburn. 
 
 Walker, G. H., Kay Street, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Wardlev, John, 8, Arch Street, Darwen. 
 
 Wardleworth, J. S., I, Gordon Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Wardleworth, John, Blackburn Road, Accrington. 
 
 Wardleworth, William, 67, Lord Street, Southport. 
 
 Wardleworth, Albert William, Queen's Road, Llandudno. 
 
 Wardleworth, T. R., 18, Brown Street, Manchester. 
 
 Watson, William, Greenbank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Watson, William T., Baltic, Waterfoot. 
 
 Watson, P. O., 12, Hill Street, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Watson, B., 9, Beech Street, Brooksbottoms. 
 
 Webb, Henry, J. P., Brentwood, Bury. 
 
 Webb, George, West Bank, Bury. 
 
 Webster, J., Rainford. 
 
 Wesleyan Sunday School Library, Newchurch. 
 
 Whalley, James, Pleasant View, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Wheelton, John H., 56, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Whittaker, Miss Louisa Alice, 3, Carr Mill Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Whittaker, James, The Collieries, Accrington. 
 
 Whittaker, W. W., Cornbrook House, Manchester. 
 
 Whittaker, G. H., Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Whittaker, Sam, Bank Terrace, Bacup. 
 
 Whittaker, J. H., 138, Peel Brow, Ramsbottom. 
 
 Whitaker, Richard, Oak Rank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Whitaker, J. Lawrence, Pleasant Street, Haslingden. 
 
 Whitaker, J. H., Rakefoot House, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Whitaker, George, Spring Terrace, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Whitehead, Joseph, 5, Lench View, Newchurch. 
 
 Whitehead, Haworth, Bright Street, South Shore.
 
 List of Subscribers. 
 
 369 
 
 Whitworth, George E., Facit, near Rochdale. 
 
 Whittles, Lawrence, Post Office, Britannia, near Bacup. 
 
 Whittles, John T., Post Office, Britannia, near Bacup. 
 
 Wiggles WORTH, J. D., Higher House, Newchurch. 
 
 Wilkinson, Tatteksall, Roggerham, Swindon. 
 
 Wilkinson, James, Hays Street, Cloughfold. 
 
 Wilkinson, James, Providence Cottage, Water. 
 
 Williamson, Joshua, Woodbine House, Darwen. 
 
 Williams, The Misses, Queen's Buildings, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Wilson, John, Hurst Piatt, Rawtenstall. 
 
 WiLCOCK, James, J.P,, 56, Ainsworth Street, Blackburn. 
 
 WiNT, Isaac, Black Dog Inn, Crawshawbooth. 
 
 Wood, W. R., Fire Station, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Woodcock, Thom.\s, 89 and 91, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. 
 
 WooDALL, Corbet, C.E., Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W. 
 
 WoRSwicK, Councillor Robert, J.P. (Mayor of Rawtenstall). 
 
 Worswick, Robert, junr.. Oak Mount, Rawtenstall. 
 
 WoRSWiCK, John, Greenbank, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Worswick, Miss, Greenbank, Rawtenstall. , 
 
 Wrigley, W., Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. 
 
 Wright, Richard D'Aubney, 18, John Dalton Street,Manchester.
 
 J. J. Riley, " Frke Press " Office.
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 DEC 2 2 1944 
 
 Form L9-10m-3,'48(A7920)444 
 
 THE Lir>k/vRY
 
 R82N4 H istory ~or''6Tie 
 
 1893 forest of fitos- 
 
 sendaleT. 
 
 lxu%A^ 
 
 *DA. 
 670 
 H82N4 
 1893 
 
 000 452 729
 
 
 %