[BRARY THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GLEANINGS TOWARDS THE ANNALS OF AUGHTON Of this Book 400 copies have been printed, and this is No. PARISH CHURCH. (North As feet). GLEANINGS TOWARDS THK ANNALS OF AUGHTON, NKAK ORMSKIRK. A COMPILATION ATTEMPTED BY G. COULTHARD NEWSTEAD. ILLUSTRATED BY G. HALL NEALE AND THOMAS MEDCALF. A SPECIAL CHAPTER OX THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE TWO CHURCHES IS CONTRIBUTED BY THOMAS MEDCALF. " Every man's concern with the place where he lives has something more in it than the mere amount of rates and taxes that he has to pay." Toulmin Smith. LIVERPOOL : C. &r H. RATCLIFFE, PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS, 4, RUMKORD STREET. 1893. PREFACE. following fragmentary gleanings do not aim at any literary merit whatever. They were originally collected simply for my own amusement, without any idea of ever publishing them in their present form. A rummage in our Parish chest gave many interesting items, and it was at. the suggestion of one or two Aughtonians that I have ventured to put my " Gleanings " into some kind of consecutive order. My best thanks are due to Rev. C. W. MARKHAM, for his universal courtesy in allowing me access to the Church registers and other parochial books ; also to JAMES BKOMLKV, Esq., of Lathom, who favoured me with excerpts from his deeds connected with Aughton, &c. ; and to others who have taken an interest in this amateurish compilation. G. C. N. SWANPOOL LANE, AUGHTON, May, 1893. 908660 CONTENTS. PAGE. GENERAL GLEANINGS . . l THE RECTORS . 45 THE REGISTERS ... ?i BRIEFS .... 95 CHURCHWARDENS' ACCOUNTS . 103 OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS I2 5 CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS . ^35 WAYWARDENS' ACCOUNTS H5 ON THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE TWO CHURCHES 153 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS l6 9 GENERAL GLEANINGS. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1086. COMPLETION OK THE DOMESDAY SURVEY. UP LlTHERLAND IN AuGHTON. 'HE particulars of the boundary of these two manors present great difficulty in solution. According to the Domesday survey of the land between the River Mersey and Kibble, we find Uctred, a Saxon Thane, held Acketun (Aughton) ; that there was a carucate of land, worth thirty-two pence, which would be equal to 405. of our present money. He also held Liderlant, which also contained a carucate of land of the same value. This carucate of land was an uncertain measure, but may be taken to include 60 acres capable of cultivation. Litherland here mentioned must not be con- founded with the other of the same name in Sephton parish, which was held at the conquest by one Elmaer. When William the Conqueror divided the lands of England, he gave Earl Roger of Poictou, third son of Roger de Montgomery, the whole of Lancashire, &c , but he forfeited his estates for conspiring to dethrone the King, which, on his final expulsion, reverted to Henry I. Up Litherland would be subjected to the same changes as that of Aughton until the reign of Henry II., when the King granted this manor, along with others, to Warin de Lancaster, holding the office of his Falconer, and to his son, Henry Fitzwarin, John granted a confirmation of title whilst Earl of Morton, which he again confirmed on his accession to the throne. But in a subsequent charter, in the 9th year of his reign, 28th August, 1207, the King retained Up Litherland and gave Fitzwarin other property in exchange, to wit, Ravenesmoles, Ainsdale, &c., for Liverpool and Up Litherland. King John would, no doubt, retain it with a view of adding it to his forest of West Derby ; in fact, the whole country between Mersey and Ribble would be a wilderness of woods, moors, and mosses ; hawking grounds we know existed, for we are GENERAL GLEANINGS. told in Domesday there was a " wood two miles and two series of hawks." Up Litherland comprised the north-west parts of our present parish, joining Halsall (we read of Lytherland juxta Halsall in 1321) and contained the greater portion of common or waste land. As a mere suggestion as to the derivation of the name, Lither, in a glossary of northern words, is rendered as signifying idle, inactive, that would be uncultivated land ; the same meaning is to be found in the case of Liverpool (frequently spelt Litherpol in ancient documents) as meaning idle or stagnant pool. At the enclosure of the Commons of Aughton and Up Litherland, in 1813, Colonel Plumbe-Tempest, the Lord of the Manor, asserted " that the lords' " space was one-sixteenth of the whole, that the greater portion was in u the smaller manor of Up Litherland and ought to have been apportioned " accordingly ; but, unfortunately, only two very old men could be found u who recollected the perambulation of the boundaries, and they differing " in some portions of the line between the two manors, the Commissioners " for the Enclosure would not divide the commons to the separate manors, u but merged the whole into one." The late Mr. Richard Parr was once engaged with others in walking the boundaries of this manor, but they came to a stop " like a pack of hounds all at fault," owing to the removal of the " mere stones" by the farmers ; the last stone, which was a feature at the four lane ends in Swanpool Lane has now literally sunk out of sight, having been buried there in 1890. The very name of Up Litherland has almost become obsolete, but the Hall or House bearing the name is still in existence, occupied by Mr. UP LITHERLAND HALL GATES. GENERAL GLEANINGS. Rigby, situated in Goe Hill Lane, bearing the dates and initials of I.W.M. 1674-1686. In 1751 it was designated "Mr. Stanley's house, commonly called Liddertherland," in connection with three roods of paving been required, pointing to the fact that the use of the name was then on the decline. Up to the year 1842 the Constables' accounts are signed J. Plumbe-Tempest, sole lord of the manor of Up Lither- land. The field names are now the only link left to remind us of this lost hamlet, bearing the titles of Rough, Lower, Round, Father, &c., Litherland. 1250. Deed of Joh Walens de Lytherlond to Madoc. Land near the " Regia Via," King's highway. 1285. Walter, son of " Madoc de Aghton," appears as witness to a Church Deed. {Eland's Annals of Southporf). 1285. Adam le Fleshener (Butcher) of Aghton grants to Henry de Lytherlond all his land in " Villa de Aghton lying lengthwise " between the Lideyate road to Ormeskirke and the land of "William Pigin." (Ince-Blundell Charters). This throws a light on the origin of the name of Pygon's, or Piggin's Hill, situated in Lydiate. 1316. Grant of John, son of Symon, son of Mabel, to Richard Walens of 10 acres of land in the territory of Litherland extending by the field called " Le Mahomet's " field. This field must have been so called from the days when the name of the great prophet was a household word, and brings us upon the tracks of the Crusaders. - Thomas, son of Walter de Aghton, conveyed to Richard de Lythyrland a certain meadow called " le Platte Medowe " in Villa de Aghton for a term of 9 years. Among the witnesses to this deed appears Richard le Walsche. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1418. 5 Henry V. Mabilla, Widow of Roger Bradeshagh, settles upon her son Richard the manor of Up Litherland and all rents, &c., except a windmill in the said manor. This undoubtedly would refer to Whimbrick Mill, better known as Aughton Moss Mill, situated on the most elevated part of the Moss, and would be built by the owner of the waste. See 1537-1598. 1450. 1500. WHIMBRICK OR AUGHTON MOSS MILL. Lawrence de Ireland sanctions and ratifies an agreement made by Robert Wolfall, otherwise called Lydegate, in favour of Henry de Scarisbrick and John de Aughton, granting to them messuages and lands in Villa de Lydegate, on condition of having the services of one reaper for one day between St. Peter and St. Michael the Archangel's Feast, on the 2nd day of October, in the 29th year of the reign of Henry VI. 28 November, " The fifteenth year of the reign of King Henry the Seventh since the conquest." Release and quit claim by Hugh Bykerstath of Bikerstath in the County of Lane. gent, to Myles Gerard of London, gent, for GENERAL GLEANINGS. ten pounds sterling, of his property in 12 messuages, 200 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow land, and 200 acres of pasture, with appurtenances in Bickerstath and Aghton in Com. Lane. 1515. 27 February, 6th year of Henry VIII. Quit claim by Katherine Mosoke and Margery Faldering, daughters of Nicholas Byker- stath of Aghton, to Myles Gerard Esq. to all the messuages, lands and tenements in Aghton and Bykerstath which he had purchased from Hugh Bykerstath their brother. Witnesses, James Scaresbreke, William Wurthygton, Hugh Aspynwall, and others. 1537. 28 Henry 8. Chantry Returns relative to Aughton. (The tenants' names are of this date, the founders' much earlier). The altar of Mary Magdelene, in Ormskirk Church, was endowed by Peter Gararde with 305. per annum from the rents of two cottages occupied by the wives of Thrastane Modyc and Edmunde Webster, and one tenement held by Henrie Hesket. The altar of " Our Lady of Petie," in the same church, was endowed by " Thomas Atherton, of Bickersteth," with rents of lands in Aughton. The altar of " Our Lady," also in Ormskirk, was endowed by the first Earl of Derby with \ i6s. 8d., the annual rent of "one wyndmylle " (Whimbrick Mill), occupied by Hugh Martyndale, one tenement by the wife of Richard Martyndale, and one tenement in the holding of John Swyfte. The altar of " Our Lady " in Halsall Church had 35. 6d. per annum from a tenement occupied u bye Hugh Calderbanke " in Aughton, and the altar of St. Nicholas, in the same church, had IDS. per annum from a 2-acre field held by John Spensor and a cottage by Tramore Askewolde. This John Spencer was prosecuted in the Duchy Court for forcible entry into the lands of the Chantry, 1553-4, by Richard Halsall, Rector of Halsall, during the brief Catholic revival. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1545. 37 Hen. 8. Elizabeth Becansaw, widow, Plaintiff ; Robert Thruston, otherwise Robert Becansaw, Defendant. Concerning tortious possession of lands and appurtenances Middle- wood in Aughton. (Calendar of Pleadings.) 1549. 3 Edward 6. Gabriel Heskethe, Plaintiff ; Richard Molyneux, Defendant. MATTER IN DISPUTE. Detention of Title Deeds to lands, tenements, &c., called Erode Hay, Marled Heye, The Four Averells, Ryebrodehey, The Akers, Pyggill, The Potter's Hey, The Fynche Hay, The White Shawe,The Cutts Hayes, The Parson's Hayes, The Mareworde Heis, The Whightshawwourrall, The Boncks Heye, and the Advowson and Patronage of the Parish Ch. of Aughton. (Calendar of Pleadings). I 55 I - 2 5 April. William Bradeshagh of Uplitherland conveys to James Scaresbreck, Esq., his manors of Uplytherland and Aghton, who held the property until 1575. (See 1583). T & 2 Pnil - & Mary. David Eden and Alice, his wife, Plaintiffs ; Robert Farclogh, Defendant. Concerning interruption of right of way thro Fynch Hey, Potter's Hey, and Averell Closes, to a Close called Shawe Wyrrall. (Calendar of Pleadings). 1556. Phil. & Mary 4 & 5. Richard Symkynson, Plaintiff ' ; John Sterkeye and others, Defendants. In the matter of forcible entry and tortious possession of a messuage or tenement called Crawshaghe House. (Calendar of Pleadings). GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1566. PRAYE YE FOR THE GOODE ESTATE OF PETER STANLEY ESQIR AND CECELY HIS WIF WITH THER CHILDREN WHO CAUSED THIS WOORK TO BE MADE IN THE YERE OF OVR LORD GOD A THOVSAND CCCCCLXVI. So runs the inscription over the doorway on the south front of Moor Hall, the most interesting and historical residence that we possess in Aughton. Peter Stanley was the second son of Sir William Stanley, of Hooton. His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of James Scarisbrick ; by which union the lordship of the manor of Bickerstaffe was conveyed to him. He had an only daughter by this first wife, who married Henry Stanley, son of Sir James Stanley, of Cross Hall, 26th September, 1563. His second spouse was Cicely, daughter of Richard Tarleton, and will be the " Cecely his Wif " of the inscription quoted. In 1574, at the General Levy of Arms, he had to " putt in ready ness " the following equipment : Light horseman, I Corsletts, 2 Almon ryvetts, 2 Pykes, 2 Sheffe Arrows, 2 Steele Cappes, 2 Gulliver, I Morrian I Long boes 2 He was Standard Bearer at the funeral of Edward, Third Earl of Derby, who had bequeathed his body to be buried in the Parish Church of Ormskirk, and a Chapel to be there erected. The obsequies took place on the 4th December, 1572, and were accompanied with the most lavish expense and magnificence. Peter Stanley was fourth in the order of procession, and is described as " An Esquire bearing the Standard, with his hood on his Head, " and Horse trapped to the Ground, garnished, with a Shaffron " of his arms within the Garter on his Forehead, and four " Escutcheons of Buckram Metal, on each side two " Peter Stanley." His Will was proved 7th August, 1592 (published in Chetham Socy.'s vol. 51), and may be of interest. B 8 GENERAL GLEANINGS. In the name, &c. The 20 October 1589 I Peter Stanley of Moore Hall in the county of Lane. Esquire consydering the certeyn ty of deathe &c. &c. To Katherin wief of Edwarde Stanley my eldest sonne tow bedsteed and all furniture of beddings belonginge to the same w ch nowe are in the chamber wherein the sayde Katherin doth use to lie To my say de Sonne Edwarde Stanley all my standinge bedsteedes in Moore Hall aforesayde and all my implements and furniture for husbandrie and one cheste in the great chamber in More Hall and all armour and furiture for warrs and one great stone used for pservaco of swine meat To Anne Blunderell my daughter my red silke curtens To Katherin Urmeston my daughter my greene seye curtens To Jane Stanley daughter of the sayde Edward Stanley one in calfe heyffer To Elizabeth Stanley sister of the said Jane one in calfe heffer To Alice Sutton and Margaret her sister tow in calfe heffers equally to bee devided And all the rest of my goods and cattells not before bequeathed I give &c to Margaret Stanley my daughter wiefe of Henry Stanley Esquier and to Willia Stanley my second sonne equallye to be devyded. Henry Stanley also made his Will in the same year as his father-in- law (1589). Among other things he had " In y e pier at the lytle hall in Aughton one poll axe and one " forrest bill x x d." Will this be the same place as Little Moor Hall that we have at present ? In 1671 Robert Leatherbarrow resided at the Little Hall, and was Churchwarden in that year. Moor Hall is a picturesque mansion, some three miles from Ormskirk, on the Prescot Road. The property remained in the hands of the Stanley family until 1840, when it was in the possession of William Thomas Stanley Massey Stanley, Esq., M.P. The whole of his Lancashire estates were offered for auction in September, 1840. The actual bidding for Moor Hall and 139 acres ran up to ^"15,700, but was bought in at ^"18,000. The tenant from 1834 to 1840 was John Leigh, Esq. After the sale it was purchased by John Rosson, Esq., J.P., D.L., who was a Liverpool barrister, ^ ' io GENERAL GLEANINGS. and a descendant of Andrew Rosson, Chapel Street, Liverpool, whose name appears in the first Liverpool Directory, 1766. Mr. Rosson died 24th December, 1857, and his sister, Miss Frances Rosson, disposed of the place in 1863 to Mr. J. P. Duff; he, however, falling into difficulties, she re- purchased it two years after, and finally disposed of it in 1873 to the late Thomas Walmsley, Esq., sometime Mayor of Bolton. Mr. Walmsley was a native of Bickerstaffe, and, in his youth having occasion to pass the house on his way to Ormskirk Grammar School, he seized the opportunity, when he had secured a competency, of obtaining possession of a property pleasantly associated with youthful memories. His executors now hold it. 1581. 23 Eliz. James Lathwaite in right of James Scaresbricke, Plaintiff; John Raynfurthe, Defendant. Dispute concerning Uplitherlande Hall, Kylne Crofte, and other lands. 1581. 23 Eliz. James Laithwaite, Plaintiff; Hugh Asmoll and Geo. Holme, Defendants. Dispute concerning Messuage and Lands called Mykeringe. (Calendar of Pleadings). 1583. I May. "William Moore of Bank house in the Countie of u Lancaster Esquire " conveys to Laurence Ireland of Lydyate Messuages with Lands &c. in Aughton late the inheritance of Will 1 " Bradshawe. 1585. The declaration to Queen Elizabeth of the Loyal Protestant Association of Lancashire Gentlemen was signed by Henry Stanley, Sen., Henry Stanley, Jun r - and Peter Stanley, all of Aughton. The muster ground on the alarm of the Armada was on Aughton Moss, and the muster master was Stanley, of Cross Hall, where the arms were stored. Absence from church during these commotions was punished by a fine of I2d., levied by the Wardens, GENERAL GLEANINGS. 11 1589. A very curious proclamation was signed by nearly all the Lanca- shire magistrates against " Waykes, Fayres, bayrebayte, bullbait, ales, May Games, resortinge " to alehouses in tyme of devyne service, pypinge and dancinge, " huntinge, and all maner of unlaw 1 - gaminge." 1593. Inquisition taken at Preston, I3th April, 1613, after the death of Ewan Blackleach of Lathom. Agreement dated nth May, 35 Elizabeth (1593), concerning a marriage between John Blackleach, son of Ewan Blackleach, and Margaret Walton. Covenant on the part of Ewan to levy a fine on premises, &c. Special mention of 4 closes of arable land which " lye and bee vponye ye Southwest syde of a " certayne Lane in Aughton which leadeth vnto ye Clive " Hilles." 1594. 36. Eliz. Lawrence Irelande, Plaintiff ; John Starkey and others, Defendants. Lands in dispute called Bycall and divers others. (Calendar of Pleadings). Among our field names " Bicoe " occurs, which will doubtless be the same as Bycall. " West Tower " is built on Bicoe. 1596. 38 Eliz. Henry Stanley, Plaintiff ; Henry Wildinge and Thomas Halle, Defendants. Intrusion on a parcel of land lying in the Hollynhurst. {Calendar of Pleadings). Hollenhurst was the residence of the old and influential family of Pye. An inscription on the house, R. P. A. 1684, tells us that the builder would be Roger Pye, Aughton ; the same who was churchwarden in 1686. In the Christening Register on " 4 July 1669, James, son Roger Pye " is entered. He also had a daughter, Elizabeth, who was progenitor of a well-known family living in our midst. 12 GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1598. 40 Eliz. Attorney-General at the Relation of Roger Sonkey, Plaintiff ' ; Laurence Ireland and others, Defendants. Withdrawing Suit to mills called Grippie Mylne and the Newe Mylne in Uplitherland Manor, Aughton Manor and Town. (Calendar of Pleadings'). In 3 1st Eliz. an action arose, " Wm. Lathwaite versus Kath. Morecrofte in right of Jas. Bradshaigh," about " The Mylne Croft, Aghton." The Moorecroft family long had possession of the mill, for one Henry Moorecroft left by Will dated 2gth August, 1575, to "my sonne haue all my Lands and one milne lying and being in "Aughton." See 1418-1537. 1603-4. Order of the Duchy Court dated 30 Sep. 2nd James I. Inquisition held 31 August preceding 1604 under a petition of Alex. Standyshe de Duxburge arm & guardian and tutor to Peter Stanley de Morehall exhibited in the Chancery of Lancaster concerning a road or right of passage for Horsemen, Footmen, Yokes of Oxen, &c., in Bycarstath in the Parish of Aughton, from land called Ellen's Feilde, to the road leading from Liv'poole to Wygan, claimed by Robert Tyndlsy and others. Reciting inquisition held at Bickerstaffe 3Oth Aug. before the said Rob 1 - Byndlosse deputy for our Lord the King at which appeared Ric. Barnston, Henry Haskayne, Rich. Billinge, Will. Stopforth, James Banaster, Humfrey Morecroft, John Handcock, Laurence Hallyworth, James Barton, and Hector Boare, jurymen, who found that the road was given by Peter Stanley who then held Ellen's Feilde as a Lord's way to high road aforesaid, which same appertained to Morecroft, otherwise Ashmalle Mosse, in Bycerstath. Reciting a grant of a road from the premises to the road of our Lord the King leading from Liverpoole to Ormeskyk, and to another road in " Byckersteth " leading from Liverpool to Wygan, and to another road called logges Lane, which leads from the Moss in GENERAL GLEANINGS. 13 Aughton called Hesketh Moss, to a place in Bycarsteth called Deepe Lathe near the Mosse, and then on the main way from Bycarsteth to Wygan. From Latin Deed, with Elizabethan flourishes and contractions, endorsed " Tyldesley & Ors.," in the possession of Mr. Bromley, Lathom. 1637. Indenture of lease 8th November, I3th Charles, between Peter Stanley, of the More Hall in Aughton, gent., and Peter Ambrose, of Toxtethe Parke, yeoman (in the consideration ot ^"40 and the surrender of a lease for 3 lives granted by Edward Stanley the father to Olive Ambrose de d- father of Peter Ambrose) of house in Ormskirk, with field, public orchard, croft, &c., during the lives of the said Peter Ambrose and Joshiah and Nehemiah, his sons, for a rent of ios., at the feasts of Penticost and St. Martin, and "two days' shearing or " reaping of corn with an able person in ye time of harvest " and one day heaving or filling of manure or donge." Witnesses, Thos. Wolfall, Edw. Blackley, Thomas Litherland. The wording of this Deed represents a relic of feudal times. The Peter Stanley here mentioned was grandson to Peter who built Moor Hall, and was 68 years of age at the visitation of 1665. 1644. During the civil war, Ormskirk must be named as one of the strongholds of the Royalist party in Lancashire. After the famous Battle of Marston Moor, which was fought 2 July, 1644, in which the Parliamentarian forces were victorious, 4,000 of their troops returned to begin the second siege of Lathom House. They took up their headquarters at Ormskirk, although a large number encamped on Aughton Moss, near the Mill. Trenchfield House, on the site of this encampment, still commemorates and retains the name. Some time ago the Trench field itself was divided in two, and in the section next the outbuildings traces may still be observed. I 4 GENERAL GLEANINGS. On Tuesday, the 20 August, 1644, there was fought what is spoken of as a " great conflict " on Aughton Moss between the Parliamentarian and Royalist forces. The " Perfect Diurnal " says : '' The 20 of this instant the Lancashire forces near Ormeskirke '' beat the whole strength of the eneraie, took about 300 "prisoners, 500 horse, killed about 100, and forced the rest " into Cheshire, intending to follow them : have taken Colonell '' Hervey, besides 7 Captains and many other considerable "prisoners, and Sir Thomas Tilsley and Colonell Preston are " either killed or fled privately, for except their corps, were " among the dead, and being stript, not known, which may be, " we cannot tell what is become of them." Another account from a letter in '' Perfect Occurrences," dated Manchester four days after, has the following : " It is to be observed that the same day and at the very same time " that the Cheshire forces were engaged at Tarvin, the Lanca- " shire forces had a great victorie over the enemie. Our Major '' General! Meldrum having notice of the enemy, marched " towards Ormskirk, made fast after them, overtook them on " Tuesday in the evening on a moor neer Ormskirk, where " they stood in batalia, and upon the first charge of our '' Musquet, they fled, whereupon our Horse bravely fell upon " them, and totally routed them. In the pursuit they took " about 800 horse ; some letters report a 1000, and 300 " prisoners. By reason of the night we could not improve " the victory as wee otherwise might have done. The Lord " Byron and the Lord Molleneux were forced to leave their " horses, and to hide themselves in a corn field." Several relics of this engagement were collected and preserved by a local antiquarian, who, however, by his Will, presented them to the British Museum. A cannon ball is in the possession of an old parishioner, who well remembers his father GENERAL GLEANINGS. 15 unearthing it when resident on the Moss ; this and an old gun stock, now in Aughton Mill, are the only mementoes I can trace. There are not any entries in our Burial Register of this date to throw any light on the matter. A well, spoken of as Cromwell's well, may possibly have been used to water the horses. 1662. " In August, 1662, there happened a hail storm in these west parts " of Lancashire, whereby many fields of good corn were quite " destroyed in an instant. Some parts of Sefton parish, some " parts of Halsall, Aughton, and Ormskirk parishes did suffer " very much damage. Pigeons were killed thereby, fruit " spoiled, and the boughs of trees cloven and split with the " hailstones." Extract from Gibson's Cavalier's Note Book. Nathaniel Heywood, the Nonconformist Vicar of Ormskirk, also speaks of this storm : " Hailstones were as big as ordinary " Apples, some nine inches in circumference ; one stone that I " took up was above four inches, after it had thawed in my " hand." 1665. " FRIENDS' BURIAL GROUND." So runs the inscription on the wall enclosing this interesting plot of ground. It is not actually in Aughton, but in a remote corner of Bickerstaffe, within five minutes' easy stroll from Moor Hall. The visitor must not expect to find any monuments, as they rank among the vanities of the world which the Friends eschew. Here sleeps in peace, among other friends, " Oliver Atherton de Bickersteth Bur. in his owne yeard," the precise date, according to Ormskirk Burial Register, being February 3, 1663. Sewell in " History of Quakers" mentions him as a ' prisoner for refusing to pay tithes," and calls his "a singular case." The Countess of Derby was the lay rector of Ormskirk, to whom he refused to pay tithes. For this she cast him into prison ; after remaining there two years he died. His friends, obtaining his corpse, carried it through certain towns in Lancashire, to the Market Crosses of which they affixed the following inscription, which was also on his coffin : 1 6 GENERAL GLEANINGS. ''Here lies Oliver Atherton, from the Parish of Ormskirk, " who by the Countess of Derby had been persecuted to death " for keeping a good conscience towards God and Christ, in not " paying of tithes to her." In 1723 a Peter Cropper was buried here, whose eldest son, Edmund, was disowned by the Society for " quarrelsomeness, swearing and dis- orderley conduct," and the minutes say " he was admonished by us, who " found him too full of himself, so that he had not room for counsel and " advice." Tradition says that he was a handsome man, and a splendid horseman, and that he used to leap a five-barred gate with his wife behind him. A mounting block just inside the entrance gate bears the inscription J. C., 1722, evidently relating to one of the Cropper family, and is the only ancient mark to show the spot, the present wall being of very modern construction, placed there in 1880. 1675. In this year one Alice Browne became chargeable to the parish. The following is a copy of an order for her " removal," now in the church chest. It is a sample of the inhuman law of Edward VI. for removing the infirm poor to the place of their birth or last residence : Lan s - " Wee his Maj ies- Justices of the pies for the sayd county whose ' names are Subscribed, To all Maiors, Constables, and other u his Ma ties officers, and min'sters of Justies, in the county of " Lancaster and York whom it may concern. Whereas att this '' pr'sent Session, the court is Informed, and fully Satisfyed by li the ov r seers of the poor of Aughton, in the Sayd county of " Lancaster, and upon readinge the Severall orders in this ' behalfe made and hearing of all Syde it appears, That Alice ' Browne and her children have no Legall Settlement in " Aughton Afforesayd ; and that by her own confession, her last " Legall Settlement was in Middleton Woodsyde, in the parish GENERAL GLEANINGS. 17 u of Radwell, in the Sayd county of York ; and that since her " departure thence, she hath wandered upp & down ye country, " and this court doth not find in the order made att Wakefield "in the Sayd county of -York, any grounds or reason to dis- " charge Midleton afforesayd from the Sayd Alice Browne and " her Sayd children. Therefore wee his Sayd Ma ties Justices do " hereby order, and require, that the Sayd Alice Browne and " her Sayd children, shall forthwith be sent from Townshippe " to Townshippe, by the constables and officers thereof the next " direct way to Midleton Woodsyde, After there, to bee Settled u by the overseers of the poore according to Lawe. Given " under our hands, and seals, in open session, att Wigan the 17 " Day of January 1675." (Signed) EDW. CHISENHAL THO ASHTON." Another example, taken from the Overseers' books in 1795 : i( Exps. removing Alice Hall her and two children to Nottingham, '' being seven days with one Horse Cart." Cost the Parish Five pounds odd. 1686. An inscription on a small brass plate let into the North wall of our Parish Church runs thus : JESUS SALUATOK MY ANCESTERS HAUE BEEN INTERRED HERE ABOUE 380 YEARS THIS To ME BY ANCIENT EUIDENCE APPEARS WHICH THAT ALL MAY KNOW & NONE DOE OFFER WRONG IT is TEN FOOT & ONE INCH BROAD & FOURE YARDS & A HALF LONG RICHARD MOSSOCK 1686 AMEN GOD SAUE THE KING To THE CREATE GLORY OF GOD A somewhat similar poetical inscription is in the Mossock Chancel in the North aisle of Ormskirk Church, dated however 1661, and has reference to Henry Mosoke, aged 74, although placed there by Richard. 1 8 GENERAL GLEANINGS. According to Rev. T. E. Gibson, this Richard was the son of Henry Mossock, of Bickersteth, and was born 1627, and went to Douay in 1642 ; these two curious inscriptions would show that he had not forgotten the formulas in use there. Richard's brother, and eldest son of Henry Mossock, was probably the Royalist officer (Lieut. Thorn. Massock) captured in 1644, with many others, after the fight on Aughton Common. (See 1644). In reference to the assertion on the plate in our own church, the Burial Registers are silent as to the fact of any Mossock having been buried in Aughton. The family is of undoubted antiquity ; there was a Henri Mossok Mayor of Liverpool in 1426, who witnesses a charter of De L. More con- cerning land at Bank House, Kirkdale, 6th May, 1434. In 1515 Katherine Mosoke is described as daughter of Nicholas Bykerstath, of Aghton ; in 1548 the presentation of the church was in the hands of Thomas Mossok, and in 1583 a dispute arose about part of the Moss near the residence of Henry Mossocke, in Bickerstaffe. (See Burial Register, 1602). At the Lancashire Visitation of 1664, " Mossoake " enters his descent, and describes himself as of ' Kenniscough," which is our modern Conscough. In Gregson's Fragments, Conscough is called a hamlet in the Chapelry of Melling, and was so far back as 1567 designated " Heathen Land." Mossock Hall is really just within the Boundary of Bickerstaffe ; the situation is very lonely, standing in the middle of fields some little distance from the high road to Prescot. It is a quaint brick edifice, a noticeable feature being the chimney (8 feet square) which occupies a large amount of space in the house. The attic rooms have clay floors, and the walls exhibit the mud and wicker construction often to be met with in old houses. Forty years ago the place was in a very neglected state, and was surrounded with timber and old hedges. It was generally believed by the neighbours to be haunted, and was known for some time as Boggart Hall, the only inhabitant then being a farm labourer. The stories told are, that one of the ghosts, with clanking chains, used to walk on stormy nights along a dark and narrow road leading from opposite the old barn. The 20 GENERAL GLEANINGS. house itself had a ghost of its own, that of a lady in a green dress, who followed any visitor leaving " in the night season ;" would bang the door and disappear. It would seem these ghosts were laid to rest after a sum of money had been found, which, gossip says, was concealed either on the staircase in the balustrades, which are hollow and of great thickness, or in a coffin-shaped receptacle on the landing, which evidently had been a secret place for hiding valuables or plate in troublous times. One of the remarkable objects on the farm is a huge stone trough near the stables, which at one time lay in a field near the house. Report has it, that if moved from that spot, it always was mysteriously replaced during the night. In 1875 an old sleeve-link was found near the roots of a large thorn opposite the principal door of the house. It is said to have belonged to Lord Charliemont, whose name it bore, and must have remained buried for more than two centuries. 1688. Order of Sessions for repair of roads in the Hundred of West Derby. At a general quarter session held at "Ormskirke in P-Com-Lanc." upon consideracon of the great decay of the King's highwayes Doth hereby order that all and every the King's Highwayes in each parish shall forthwith be put in perfect and good repaire, that they may be made soe wide, soe smoothed from little Rocks, little hills, hollows, and sloods that all Coaches, Carts and Carriages may safely in all places, going by the calsey, meet and passe each other, and that all calseys be made of the full breadth of one yard and a quarter of round stones, and not of flaggs, &c., &c. " And all and every the overseers of the highways are hereby required to see this order duly and fully executed." And this Court being of opinion that no Gentleman will take it amisse to be intreated to promote soe good a worke some of them will please to have sometimes an eye to the said workes whilst they are in doinge, and to these ends the Court hath thought fit to noiate. for the severall pshes. the persons GENERAL GLEANINGS. 21 following, for Aughton : Edward Stanley, Esq r - Mr. Alex r - Hesketh, Mr. Roger Bostocke, Mr. W' n - Jameson, Mr. Tho. Lidiate, Mr. John Bamber, Mr. Roger Pye. From the Norris Papers (Chetham Society), 1846. Two hundred years after this " order of session " we find a well-known novelist, William Black, describing, in " The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton," the road which runs from Liverpool and Preston ; he says : " It is hard to say by what " process of fiendish ingenuity these petrified sweetbreads have been placed so as to " occasion the greatest possible trouble to horses' hoofs, wheels, and human ears ; and " it is just as hard to say why such roads should be continued out into country " districts where a cart is met with about once in every five miles. These roads do " not conduce to talking. One thinks of the unfortunate horses, and the effect on " springs and wheels. We kept our teeth well shut, and went on. We crossed the " small river of Alt. We whisked through Maghull. The twilight was gathering " fast as we got to Aughton ; and in the dusk lit up by the yellow stars of the street " lamps we drove into Ormskirk." 1705-6. Letter of Alex. Hesketh to Richard Norris, urging sale of land to be completed. Mr. Norris at his house Water Street Liverpool Sir, I have spoken to my friends to meet you and your friends on Fryday next ; unless you be there, nothing will be perfected ; those catterpillars loves to be imployed, I am sure will prove a needless charge, because all persons was agreed, and you and Mr. Green* did take possession. The estate is yours and none of myne according as we referred ourselves unto, and the sums of money really fixed ; tho' writings was not made out, words should be made good on both parties I hope you will not fail. Yours to serve you, Monday Morning Alex'- Hesketh. Jan y - 21 170? Richard Norris, of Speke Hall, was negotiating for the purchase of lands and advowson of the church from Alex. Hesketh, which did not however result in a sale. * Isaac Green was an attorney living at Prescot. 22 GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1725. Gastrell, Bishop of Chester, died. He was an Ecclesiastical antiquary of great note, and, immediately upon his elevation to the See of Chester, he appears to have commenced his li Notitia Cestriensis," which he compiled from a great variety of public and private documents, from his own Episcopal Registers, and from printed circular queries. This circular con- tained some 1 8 questions. The following is extracted from the " Notitia," published by the Chetham Society in 1850 : Aughton, about 120 p. an new Pars, house, leave given to build it, an. 1711. An. 1548. Will. Bradshaw de Uplitherland, Patron. An. 1602. Gabriell Hesketh of Newhall in Aughton, Patron. An. 1700. Alex. Hesketh Esq. presented. Patron, Mr. Plumb, who bought y e Manour, with y e Advowson appendant, of Mr. Hesketh, an. 1721. 2 Wardens. Halls. Aughton Hall, Moor Hall. School. There is a School-house erected upon the Glebe, by Mr. Hindley, y e late Rect. but no Endowment. Charities. Distributed to y e Poor yearly 6 1 I s , arising from Int. of money, and rent charge on Lands, given by severall persons. Families. 153. Papists 80, Pap. Fam. 13, Dissenting Fam. 7. 1732. These are the names of the persons that are elected poles or that keep y e armory Henry Watkinson Peter Woosey Robert Taylor Roger Meadow Rich Culshaw Thos Taylor George Charles (Extract from an old Minute Book). 1741. 17 May. It is ordered, &c., if any person or persons in this parish Sett or Lett any house or cottage unless two acres of ground with it, without the consent of the parish to any Stranger in our Township, Shall be prosecuted by the towns charge. Rich Molyneux, John Underwood, Wm Howcioft. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 23 I 755- J u ty 22 - It i s agreed, &c., that a new Pulpit Cushion and a Com- munion Cloth shall be got as soon as possible. 1765. On a marble in the Plumbe Chapel in the Parish Church is an inscription bearing the Stanley Arms IN MEMORY OF LADY STANLEY, RELICT OF SIR WILLIAM STANLEY OF HOOTON, BART., & DAUGHTER OF ROWLAND EYRE OF HASSOP, ESQ., AND LADY ELIZABETH EYRE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE I8TH OF APRIL 1765, IN THE 78TH YEAR OF HER AGE. REQUIESCAT IN PACE. I 774- J 5 J im e. First coach passed through the parish, running from Liverpool to Preston. 1787. May 22. It was agreed that a pound shall be erected on some convenient place on the Moss for the purpose of pounding all impoundable goods. The Constable's account shows the cost of the " Pinfold " under this date to have been ^"5 IDS. 3d. 1809. 5 March. A Vestry empowers Mr. Thomas Molyneux to direct the road over the Town Green. l8ll. Population 1032. 191 Inhabited Houses, 198 Families, 116 of which were employed in agriculture. 493 Males, 539 Females. 1813. 3 June. " An Act for enclosing Lands in the township of " Aughton, in the Parish of Aughton, in the county Palatine " of Lancashire." l82I. Population 1279. Males 655, Females 624. 1823. Opening of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Chapel. Until the close of the last century the Catholics of this neighbourhood were served by the chaplain at Moor Hall. The Rev. Simon G. Bordley left Moor Hall to found the Mission in 1784. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Dennett, who, in 1823, built the chapel, the congregation 24 GENERAL GLEANINGS. before that time hearing mass in the priest's house. He served the Mission for 47 years. The Rev. Dr. Crook succeeded Father Dennett, and remained until 1847, when the Rev. Edmund Power was appointed, who built the school and school-house upon land given by Mr. Thomas Weld- Blundell. He retired, and died at Moor Hall, 1878. For three years the Mission was under the care of Rev. Peter McGrath, and on his retirement, through the infirmities of age, the Rev. Robert Bridges was appointed, and was succeeded by the Rev. Alfred Snow. 1829. Expenses for repairs to the Parish Church amounted to ^525 los. id. 1831. Population 1462. Of more than passing interest, perhaps, are the charges and par- ticulars for " Taking an acct. of the Population," which are found in the Overseers' books. From the enquiry of this year we find the parish had 241 inhabited houses, occupied by 258 families 732 Males and 730 Females of which number 424 were employed in agriculture ; of other trades and handicrafts there were blacksmiths, 6 ,- brewers, 2 ; publicans, 5 ; hatter, i ; millers, 3 ; ropemakers, 6 ; tailors, 7 ; shoemakers, 13 ; wheelwrights, 9 ; weavers, 12 ; flaxdresser, i. ; duffers (pedlars), 2. There was one house building and seven uninhabited. 1833. Several alterations in the pewing of the Parish Church and the erection of 8 new pews. 1836. Holt Green Schools built by public subscription. 1842. Aughton is a parish situated about two miles from Ormskirk, divided into Aughton and Up Litherland. The church, built of stone in the i6th century, stands near the road, and the roof, adorned with old carved work, is decorated with a spire. (From Illustrated Itinerary of Lancashire*). 1843. i July. First Enlargement of Parish Churchyard. I have before me Lawyer Welsby's bill, dated 1839, for conveying certain portion of Glebe land (which was of the ancient possession of the GENERAL GLEANINGS. Rectory) for the above use, the Rev. W. H. Boulton giving this land on the understanding that the churchwardens were to bear other expenses. On this date, sentence of consecration of extension " was openly read and promulgated " in the presence of W. H. BOULTON, Rector. ANNE BARTON MARY BARTON JANE BARTON ANNE BOULTON (See 1877). JOHN BIRD, Lord Bishop of Chester. 1846. 19 August. Passing of the Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway Bill. The Aughton Band, headed by a large display of flags and banners, paraded the parish and Ormskirk. 1849. April Good Friday. Opening of the Liverpool and Ormskirk Railway. 1850. Opening of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. W. B. Rigby, O.S.B., has favoured me with a short sketch of the Catholic Mission of Ormskirk. He says, that for many years after the Reformation, he cannot find any record to show that those who refused to take the oath of supremacy in this district, could unite for public worship. Threatened with dreadful penalties for Recusancy, and for assisting at mass, there were, no doubt, very few who could be staunch enough to hold out in spite of the terror of the law. It is, however, on record that in the year 1729, Mr. Lancaster, of Ormskirk, gave ^"100 to the Benedictines (who were at that time serving several Missions in the County of Lancashire) to have mass said once a month during his life, and that of his wife ; and, according to the Burial Register of Ormskirk Parish Church, Mr. Lancaster died in 1731, and his wife in 1733. For several years, Father Walmsley came from Woolston to discharge this monthly duty, and said mass according to agreement. Not long afterwards, in the year 1732, Father Maurus Buhner was fixed in residence. He secured a 26 GENERAL GLEANINGS. piece of land, and erected a building to serve the purpose of private residence and chapel ; in the upper part was the chapel, and in the lower, his residence. This is what is known as the old Presbytery, and has, after certain transformations, been made into a dwelling-house, called St. Anne's Close. This chapel soon became too small for the wants of the district, and Father Crook, who had succeeded Father Bulmer in 1788, built a large chapel adjoining the Presbytery in 1795, and dedicated it to St. Oswald. Father Crook died in 1800, and was succeeded by Father Oswald Talbot, who in turn was succeeded by Father Alban Caldwell in 1844. It became evident that the school accommodation was too small for the growing wants of the district. After due deliberation, it was decided to hand over the old chapel for purposes of education, and to build a large Gothic church. A meeting of the members of the congregation was held in the Schoolroom, Burscough Street, on Sunday, i8th July, 1848 ; when it was resolved to erect a new church on the field adjoining the chapel, and Mr. S. Moorcroft was appointed Treasurer of the Building Fund. The work was taken up with enthusiasm, and in the year 1850 the present handsome church was opened for public worship. The Rev. Alban Caldwell was succeeded in 1856 by the Rev. Hilary Dowding, who was incumbent for two years only, and in 1858 was succeeded by the Rev. Francis Kershaw. He died, and lies buried at Ormskirk ; and was succeeded in 1865, by the late Father Aidan Hickey who had charge of the Mission until his death, in 1888, and was succeeded by the present incumbent. The chapel is of stone, in the early English style, and consists of chancel, nave, aisles, lady chapel, and a tower containing one bell. In 1862 the Rosson Chapel was beautified, at a considerable cost, by Miss Rosson, as a memorial to her brother, John Rosson, which contains his bust, executed by Gibson. 1851. Population, 1,655. Males, 843 ; Females, 812. Inhabited Houses, 296. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 27 1853. November. At the Ormskirk County Court an action was brought by the Earl of Derby against John Rosson, Esq., of Moor Hall, for the recovery of chief rents. Mr. Conroy appeared for his Lordship, and Mr. Aspinall defended. A basketful of receipt books, dated from 1741, were put in evidence to prove that a certain quit rent had always been paid for Moor Hall to the Stanley family ; and Mr. Moult, the agent for the Earl of Derby, was examined at some length to show that the last quit rent was paid in 1833, and that therefore there were 25 years' rent due. On the other hand, Mr. Aspinall contended that there was no proof that the Stanleys were the owners of Moor Hall, and it did not follow that because certain rents had been paid to some Earls of Derby, that the present Earl had a right to those rents. 1854- Assessment for County Rate, ^"11,854. 1854- 3 Nov. Gas first introduced into Aughton. 1855. January. The Patriotic Fund for the Widows and Orphans of Soldiers killed during the Crimean War amounted in Aughton to/197 1 8s. 1856. June. Earl of Derby sold an estate to Robert Lawe, Esq., Banker, Ormskirk, for ^"20,000. 1858. March 14. Opening of the new organ, by Mr. Chester, in the Parish Church, presented by Thomas Bland, Esq., at a cost of /280. A preliminary trial of its capabilities took place by Mr. Maybrick, Organist to St. Peter's Church, Liverpool, with the following Programme : Coronation Anthem ... ... ... Handel " O, Thou that tellest " do. " O, had I Jubal's Lyre " ... ... ... do. " The Heavens are telling " ... ... ... ... Haydn " Wedding March " ... ... ... Mendeksohn Hallelujah Chorus, and National Anthem. Inscription on the organ : " PRESENTED TO THE PARISH CHURCH OF AUGHTON BY THOMAS " BLAND, Esg.. SPRINGWOOD LODGE, A.D. 1858." 28 GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1858. September. A midnight burglary and murderous outrage on Mr. Richard Prescott, living at Robin's Bridge. 1860. August 1 8. Review of Volunteers at Moor Hall, and presentation of a silver bugle to the 54th (Ormskirk) L.R.V. by Miss Rosson. 1861. January i. At a Vestry meeting it was resolved to erect a School- house, for the residence of the schoolmaster of the parish, to the memory of Mr. Matthew Chadwick, the late schoolmaster. 1861. Population, 1,869. Males, 901 ; Females, 968. Inhabited Houses, 360. 1864. July 9. Fatal accident to Mr. Edmund Garside. The Ormskirk Fire Brigade, with their engine and reel-cart, were proceeding to a conflagration at Clieves Hills, and, when about a mile-and- a-half from Ormskirk, near to Mr. William Prescott's farm, on going down the incline, the wire belonging to the linchpin of the reel-cart snapped, the wheel on the driving side flew off, and Mr. Garside was thrown upon his head. He said to his comrade, Mr. Charles Howard, " Go on, Charles, I think I can manage." Mr. Garside was conveyed home, where he became unconscious, and died on the following Sunday morning. 1865. Assessment for Poor Rates, ^"15,573. 1865- September 20. Destructive fire at Mr. Deedy's house, Aughton Park. Estimated loss, ^"2,500. 1865. November. Original circular respecting " Proposed New Church in the Parish of Aughton." " For many years past the inhabitants of Aughton have found their Parish Church inadequate to their requirements, and unable to offer them that certainty of suitable accommodation with which it is so desirable to welcome all. This incon- venience the churchwardens have met from time to time, by GENERAL GLEANINGS. 29 making additional seats in every available space, by re-arranging the entire area of the church, and by other improvements, so that there is no further hope or possibility of any larger flock being gathered together in the old fold. By the last census, in 1861, the number of the inhabitants was 1,869, an d of inhabited houses 360, but the increase since that period has materially changed these figures, and would now very probably represent 100 more houses, and 400 or 500 more inhabitants. This position, whilst it is most unsatisfactory, and a serious check and impediment to spiritual progress, is also productive of much discontent. It will, therefore, be allowed by everyone, who lives either in the love or fear of God, to be a necessity that some further provision should be made for public worship in a parish so circumstanced. It has accordingly been determined that immediate exertions should be used to build a new church for about 400 persons, and for this object a very eligible site of a statute acre of land, or rather more, on Aughton Moss, has been generously offered as a gift by Edward Houghton, Esq., of Lytham. The Rector of the parish is most anxious that this offer should be accepted, and if the inhabitants and owners of property and other friends would unite and erect the desired church, and agree to maintain and repair the fabric, he would very glady become responsible, during his incumbency, for two services each Sunday, and for the spiritual superintendence of the new flock, by appointing an additional curate." Several copies of this were written and placed in the hands of the more influential and willing parishioners to obtain promises of assistance. The following is a list of the original subscribers : Colonel Tempest, ^300 for Endowment Fund; Rev. W. H. Boulton, ^150 per annum during his incumbency of the Rectory of Aughton as stipend for additional curate ; Mrs. W. H. Boulton, ^"200 and communion plate ; Mr. Mothersill, \ 05 ; Mr. Parr, /ioo ; Mr. Underwood, /ioo ; Mr. Walthew, /ioo ; 30 GENERAL GLEANINGS. Miss Walthew, ^"50 ; Mr. Williams, ^~ioo ; Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle, ^"100 ; Mrs. Bland, ^"100 ; Miss Widdowson, ^"100 ; Miss Withington, ^"100 ; Miss Mary Withington, \ ; Captain Jones, ^"50 ; Mr. H. Brighouse, ^"50 ; Mr. W. Cropper, ^"50 ; Mr. Wm. Pilkington, ^"50 ; Mrs. Balmer, 20 Mr. Edmund Balmer, ^"50 ; Mrs. Mary Parr, ^"50 ; Mr. Rawsthorne, ^Q ; Mrs. Morecroft, ^"25 ; Mr. Robinson (Ormskirk) ^"50 ; Mr. Wm. Forshaw, ^"50 ; Mr. T. R. Luzmore, ^"10 ; Mr. Harpin, 10. It was not until 25th July, 1868, that the first list of subscribers was published, amounting to ^"3,279 8s. (See 1871.) 1867- March 26. Foundation stone of Christ Church was laid by the Lord Bishop of Chester, the Rev. W. H. Boulton presenting the Bishop with a beautiful trowel, bearing this inscription : PRESENTED TO RIGHT REVEREND WILLIAM JACOBSON, D.D., LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER, ON LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF CHRIST CHURCH, IN THE PARISH OF AUGHTON, . MARCH 26, 1867. A bottle, hermetically sealed, containing copies of the " Ormskirk Advertiser," " London Standard," " Liverpool Daily Post," " Courier," and " Mail," with current coins of the realm, was placed in the customary cavity under the stone, which was laid In the Faith of Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1871. March. Second list of subscriptions for Christ Church Building Fund appeared, showing a sum of ^"1,708 45. 6d., which, with the first one, published in 1868, made a total of ^4,987 12s. 6d. The following Donations for special purposes had also been received : ^300 from Mrs. BOULTON. for Reredos and Communion Plate. 300 from Mrs. BLAND, for Stained Glass East Window. 100 from Mr. ALFRED R. BOULTON, for Endowment. 100 from Mr. GEORGE BOULTON, for Endowment. 50 from Lady HAMPSON, for Communion Table. &c. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 31 $o from Mr. ATHERTON, for Font. 100 from Mr. WlTHlNGTON, for Pulpit and Endowment. 50 from Major WlTHlNGTON, for Pulpit and Endowment. 50 from Rev. EDWARD WITHINGTON, for Pulpit and Endowment. 50 from Mrs. W. H. KARSLAKE, for Pulpit and Endowment. 50 from Lady HAWKINS, for Pulpit and Endowment. In proportion of 100 for Pulpit, and 200 for Endowment. 1871. May. A circular stated that the fabric of the church (Christ Church) was complete, including the pulpit, font, reredos, and east window, and that the seating of the chancel was likewise complete, but that the seating of the body of the church and the furnishing of the vestry had yet to be done ; that the out- lay incurred beyond the subscriptions and special donations had amounted to ^"2,650, and that a further sum of ^1,700 would be required to finish the work according to the architect's plans. 1871. Population 2,594. Males, 1,178 ; Females, 1,416. Inhabited Houses, 510. 1872. Assessment for County Rate, ^"18,682. 1872. April. The interval between the erection of Christ Church and its opening was a trying epoch. Financial difficulties for a long time stood in the way of the edifice being opened. The following poem appeared under this date : " ST. LONG LANE." (Not in the Calendar). Serene and calm, bold and high, Rises the tower of St. Long Lane, Proudly uplifting to the sky Its glittering pinnacles and fane. Through bygone years, the wint'ry blast Hath beat around its breast in vain ; Firm as a rock its bulwarks last This noble pile of St. Long Lane. 32 GENERAL GLEANINGS. Afar the ship-toss'd sailor sees, O'er crested wave and watery main, Welcome as is propitious breeze, The distant tower of St. Long Lane. The foot-sore traveller stays to view, With eager glance and optic strain, Marks well the course he must pursue By Magic Tower of St. Long Lane. But yet, withal, some spell doth hold, In deep mysterious hidden chain, Groined arch, and tower, and turrets bold, Of Mystic Church of St. Long Lane. And though high soars her lofty head, Beacon of ocean and of plain, Her aisles are silent and no prayers are said In hapless fabric of St. Long Lane. Unused, unopened, and unblest, A weird-like influence to her walls pertain : Where feathery songsters pipe themselves to rest, The only choristers of St. Long Lane. And winters pass and summers go. And sunlight shines and sunbeams wane, O'er cloistered church forlorn below The Gothic tower of St. Long Lane. 1872. Commencement of Long Lane Baptist Mission. These services were instituted by Mr. G. W. Johnson, who resided at Highfield, Long Lane, and who originally held them on his own premises. He eventually purchased a small plot of land from the late Mr. Joseph Crook, and erected a wooden building ; he had the active assistance of Mr. Cropper, who then resided at Moss Bank, and Mr. Jones, of Swanpool Lane. Mr. Johnson dying in 1880, the carrying on of the Mission devolved upon his friends ; and the wooden structure becoming unfitted for worship, the present chaste, stone-fronted chapel was built, and opened some six years ago. It is capable of sitting 180 persons, and has attached to it a school-room, holding 100 scholars. The building cost over ^"600, under the superintendence of Mr. Henry Riding, who also gave the organ. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 33 The Chapel is in connection with, and forms a branch of, Myrtle Street Baptist Chapel, Liverpool hence its name ; there is a baptistry under- neath the flooring, the covering of which is movable. There is no fixed minister, the services being conducted by lay preachers. 1874. July. Opening of Christ Church Schools. On the 20 January, 1873, it was resolved to provide a school capable of accommodating 50 girls and 50 infants. ^812 was raised by subscription, and, using the chairman's own words, Mr. Walthew said " That was a u great deal to get rid of, but we managed it. We paid ^50 for half-an- " acre of land. The contract was ^"560, and we had to spend \^ more ; " and these, with other expenses, amount to ^"617. Then we have done '! a little furnishing, &c." 1875. Chancel, Parish Church, rebuilt. A brass plate within the Com- munion rails notifies that the work was completed in 1880. The Rev. W. H. Boulton bore all the expense. A writer some 60 years ago says : " The chancel, which is roofed with oak, consists of massive arched principals " and cross beams, enriched with bold mouldings ; the compartments contain quatre " foil panels ; the corbels, on which the arched principals rest, are sculptured with " figures of angels, clothed in peacocks' feathers, bearing shields, charged with " armorial devices." Originally there were 12 of these shields, and at the restoration of the chancel 8 of them were copied ; they are : On the North Side, commencing from West End 1. Arms of Stanleys, Earls of Derby : An eagle with wings displayed, preying on an infant swathed in a cradle. 2. Sir W. Troutbeck (Chester) : Three trouts, fretted. 3. Isle of Man : Three legs, couped and conjoined at the thighs, in armour. 4. Viscount Arbuthnot, or Minshull, or Adam, or Chetwynd, or Bucknell, or Deusell : A crescent between three mullets. 34 GENERAL GLEANINGS. On the South Side from the West 1. A variation of the above. 2. Strange two lions. 3. Badge of the Duchy of Lancaster : a Rose. 4. Bold Co. Lancaster. Of the other four one was the ancient Coat of Warburton, anothei the Arms of Legh or Dunstanville, and two unknown. The old chancel window was formerly ornamented with stained glass, and at the restoration the few mutilated fragments that remained were destroyed. 1876. 4 May. Perambulation of the parish boundaries. Previous to this date the boundaries had not been brought under the notice of the inhabitants for some 60 to 100 years, according to different accounts. Twenty persons started to walk, accomplishing the round in 8^ hours, including stoppages at Mr. Harrison, Walsh Hall, and Mrs. Forshaw, Vine Villa. When the perambulators reached the South-East side of the Parish, testimony was brought to them that about six acres of land, tenanted by a farmer in Bickerstaffe, had escaped rating for many years ; this incident proved to the parishioners that perambulation had. not become a useless ceremony. 1877. April. Second enlargement of churchyard (Parish Church). This scheme was under consideration for some years, involving a considerable expenditure, the demolition of the cottages on the north side of the church, and the deviation of the road through the glebe land. The subscriptions amounted to ^"1,007, and the cottage materials sold for ^"77, which more than amply paid for all wants. The stone for all purposes was the gift of Wm. Welsby, Esq., the farmers of the district giving all carting gratuitously. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 35 One of the cottages so demolished (occupied by Ann Wilson) was the original " Ring o' Bells " Inn, where the post from Liverpool to Preston stopped to deliver and take up the post bag; it was here, also, the ancient wakes were held on the green, and the constables (1763) "spent at the " Ring o' Bells about the ale houses on the principal heads of the Parish, " 5/-." I wonder if they included themselves ? 1877. Miss Swindells bequeathed 100 towards the Endowment Fund of Christ Church. 1877. May 4. Consecration of Christ Church by the Bishop of Chester. The sentence of consecration was openly read and promulgated upon Friday, the fourth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy- seven, in the presence of R. Vincent Sheldon, M.A., Vicar of Ormskirk, and Rural Dean ; T. B. H. Blundell, M.A., Rector of Halsall ; J. G. Leigh, M.A., Vicar, Maghull ; John Gamon, Not. Pub., Registrar of the Diocese. The petition, praying for the consecration of the church and burial ground, was presented to the Bishop, and read, after which his lordship said, " I gladly comply with the prayer of the petition, and the churchyard will be taken first." He then left the communion ; walking down the middle aisle, he proceeded to the burial ground. The procession then walked along the paths around the church, repeating the 49th and 9Oth psalms ; re-entering the church, the 24th psalm was repeated as they walked up the middle aisle to the chancel. The Bishop having seated himself at the communion table, the deed of conveyance was presented to him, which he placed upon the table. The sermon was preached by Canon Sheldon, after which, a collection for defraying the expenses of a Peal of Bells realised ^"39 los. l88l. Population. 3,145. Males, 1,522 ; Females, 1,623. Inhabited Houses, 628. l88l. Severe thunderstorm in the township. Walsh Hall struck by lightning, considerable damage being done to building and furniture ; the inmates, however, escaped without any serious injury. 36 GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1884. Assessment for County Rate, ^"26,940. 1884. The following satire appeared in reference to certain " Cinderella " dances, instituted by ladies and gentlemen residing in the Parish, and who had the credit of wishing them to be quite au fait. THE AUGHTON-CUM-MIDNIGHT SOCIETY. Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully invited to join this Society for promoting the enjoyment of the Select of the Neighbourhood. The Church, Law, Medicine, Wholesale sellers of Cotton, Spice, Timber, Drysalteries, &c., will be admitted without guarantees. Tradesmen and others not admitted excepting with the following qualifications : Income to be ^925 IDS. per annum ; last income tax receipt to be produced. House rents must not be under ^"35 per annum. House to contain not less than 3 entertaining and 5 bedrooms, garden back and front. No person to be a member unless they have had a grandfather grandmothers not to count. Persons tracing back to William the Conqueror, will be admitted, as their blood must be blue. Persons tracing back to Adam (through Noah only) will be admitted, free- These latter would do honour to the very best Society. Persons who drop their h's will not be admitted. Bachelors of aristocratic appearance, with good incomes or great expectations, will be admitted without strict enquiry into their antecedents. Bachelors of plain appearance admitted only with ample incomes &c., to be in proportion to their several degrees of plainness. Ladies with short cut hair not admitted until the hair is 4^ inches long, statute measure. Persons with feet 16^ inches long, not admitted : it is a sign of vulgar birth. High-heeled boots and improvers can be worn ; short-bodied dresses excluded. The Society will not tolerate such low taste. Snobbery will not be tolerated in this Society. Several elegantly bound copies of Thackeray's Book of Snobs kept for the use of Members. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 37 Ladies fond of quiet admiration will be provided with glass shades, carefully ventilated, at moderate charges. The advantages of the Society are manifest admittance to this Society gives the right of entrance to the Aughton Upper circle. No further guarantee of respectability is needed. It is expected the Lord Tom Noddy may be induced to join the Society. Subscriptions, i each should however the expenses reach 10 each, the Society may be wound up. The Guardians of the Peace will be engaged to protect the members from the vulgar gaze. Further particulars to be had from the Bleak House, Quarry Hill. 1885. 4 May. Gas introduced into Christ Church, Mrs. D. Williams bearing all costs, &c. 1886. 4 January. R. Coupland Welsby, Esq., created a County Magistrate. 1886. July. New pulpit presented to the Parish Church by Mrs. Bland. The pulpit is a handsome oak one, richly carved and ornamented, placed on a slab of red Irish marble, supported by a solid base of a cream- coloured Scotch stone. At the corners of the pulpit are figures of the four Evangelists, with their appropriate symbols, and the five panels contain different scenes in our Lord's passion : ist, The Agony ; 2nd, The Betrayal ; 3rd, The Scourging ; 4th, The Carrying of the Cross ; and 5th, the Crucifixion. The pulpit bears upon it an inscription stating that it was given to the Church for the Glory of God, and in memory of Edward Harper Bland, by his widow, Catherine Bland. A lectern, also of oak, consisting of a handsome double reading desk, was presented by friends and parishioners, in memory of the Rev. W. H. Boulton, the late Rector. 1887. The Queen's Jubilee was most heartily taken up in Aughton. The following is a copy of an Address to Her Majesty, which was unanimously adopted by the Parish Vestry, on Friday evening, March 2;th. 38 GENERAL GLEANINGS. To the Queen's most excellent Majesty. MADAM, We, the Rector, Churchwardens, and inhabitants of the Parish of Aughton, in the County of Lancaster, in public vestry assembled, desire to be permitted to present to your Majesty a humble and loyal address of congratulation on the happy occasion of the completion of the fiftieth anniversary of your Majesty's beneficent reign. We beg to assure your Majesty of the heartfelt sincerity with which we unite with your Majesty's loyal subjects throughout the world, in earnest prayer that it may please Almighty God to preserve your Majesty in health, wealth, and happiness on the throne of this empire. Signed, on behalf of the Vestry, this twenty-fifth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighty -seven. CHAS. W. MARKHAM, Rector of Aughton, Chairman. The above, through the kindness of Mr. Alfred Dickinson, was carefully engrossed and duly forwarded to the Home Secretary, and the following replies were received by the Rector from the Secretary of State and Lord Cross : WHITEHALL. 2 ist April, 1887. SIR, I am directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the I4th inst., forwarding an address to the Queen from the parishioners of Aughton, on the occasion of Her Majesty attaining the fiftieth year of her reign ; and I am to acquaint you that the same will be laid before the Queen on Her Majesty's return from abroad. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, E. LEIGH PEMBERTON. The Rev. C. W. Markham, Aughton Rectory, Ormskirk. WHITEHALL, 2nd May, 1887. Sir, I have had the honour to lay before the Queen the loyal and dutiful Address of the parishioners of Aughton, on the occasion of Her Majesty attaining the fiftieth year of her reign, and I have to inform you that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the same very graciously. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, The Rev. C. W. Markham, CROSS. Aughton Rectory, Ormskirk. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 39 The women's Jubilee offering to the Queen was contributed to by 912 women and girls sending ^"28 95. 2d. towards the fund. To further mark the event, a parish perambulation took place on i8th May, and, on June 2Oth, an entertainment and tea were provided for every child in the parish attending any school, also for aged and poor persons. Subsequently, the children and friends, and most of the inhabitants of the parish, assembled in the Rectory Grounds. After games and dancing, the whole company, numbering some two thousand, sang a verse of the National Anthem, after which a display of rockets and a huge bonfire brought the festivities to an appropriate close. 1888. i May. Opening of the Cottage Lane Mission Room, the gift of Mrs. D. Williams. 1891. Population. 3,456. Males, 1,629 I Females, 1,827. Inhabited Houses, 684 ; Uninhabited, 54. EASTER PASCH OR PACE EGGING. This custom still lingers in and around Aughton. Every Good Friday, troops of boys, decorated with many coloured ribbons, go from house to house ; one, rejoicing in the name of Tosspot, carries a basket for contributions in the shape of eggs, although money is more accept- able as a rule. The troop generally perform a sort of rude play with wooden swords, &c. ; one of them being wounded in a mimic combat, there is a call for the doctor. It is thought by some to be a relic of the legend of St. George and the Dragon. The following is the doggerel rhyme usually recited on the occasion : 40 GENERAL GLEANINGS. We are two or three jolly lads, all in one mind. We have come a paste-egging if you will prove kind. If you will prove kind with your eggs and strong beer, We'll come no more here till this time next year. Chorus Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day, Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day. The first that comes in is Lord Nelson you see, With a bunch of blue ribbons tied down to his knee ; He's a star on his breast, like gold it doth shine, And I hope you'll remember it's paste-egging time. Chorus Fol, &c. The next that comes in is a bold British Tar, He has sailed with Lord Nelson during the war ; The war is all over, all England to view He has come a paste-egging with our jovial crew. Chorus Fol, &c. The next that comes in is a Lady so gay, And from her own country she has run away ; With her hat, cap, and feathers, she looks very fine, And all her delight is in drinking red wine. Chorus Fol, &c. The next that comes in is old Tosspot, you see : He's a valiant old man in every degree ; He's a valiant man, and he wears a pig's tail, And all his delight is in drinking mulled ale. Chorus Fol, &c. Good Master and Mistress that sit by the fire. Put your hands in your pockets it's all our desire Put your hands in your pockets and pull out your purse And give us a trifle ; you'll ne'er be no worse. Chorus Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day, Fol-da-diddle-ol-dy-day. GENERAL GLEANINGS. 1) T3 * ^ . -C en O O p^^C rt o O c rt o .S tj J3 S **'C .? -rt *" m ' "O NH D c ffi "~ 3 -C 'H " 2 oO U o rt <> g c ^ O . 2 3 * J -4- "^ ' o > "a rt ^^ rt O O ^"^ C "*"* N W " S rt* ^.n o C3 "o C 0) O -' ^ * co cr* co | Sj C 7 s S. 7 S5 z S^ __ ENEFACTIONS CO: JHTON. NAMES OF TRUSTEES. The Rector and j Churchwardens j d Q ( The Rector, W. ] 1 Walthew, H. 1 j Underwood,and i ( J. S. Fairclough ' 1 |l ^^3 O . " si, O t "*"j pj H The Rector and Churchwardens of Parish Church PQ g w < u -d i_ ~ w'w' S 1 . ^ M h < d v S S o : CQ O Si >^^ ffl 06 CO w 2 _* ^ D J4 < ^Ct< S oo K S > td Q x tuO 4) --3 "O H m 2-8 1- ^_j .^ t o "S3 O Q (n CQ S -w ^* W S w B o B TD -M "S u ^_ v _ s CO 4- oo rt B ^ %"e 2 & o o 4i "a 3 (U H *" 3 . rt ^? S - > u'^~ tn u c S >> S S c^n t- m 3 " w 6 i 12 S . g ^"S O -T-l C Si ^ Q Q \J O "1 C o X >r * *-^ r" JJ y x C. v* U O _c < fu S S ^ EC O 42 GENERAL GLEANINGS. *In an indenture dated 22nd December, 1703, William Sutch, of Snape, conveys to Wm. Jameson and Robt. Taylor, two fields, known as Little Hey and Long Hey, and the said trustees " Shall and will yearly and every year and for ever upon Monday " following Christmas Day (together with the assistance of the "Rector of Aughton for the time being), distribute all the " rents and issues and profits of the said premiums after the " discharge of the said chief rents and taxes thereof (with the " yearly sum of 35. to be deducted and allowed out of the said " rents for the accommodation and entertainment of the said " trustees at the distribution thereof) in corn, moneys or other " necessaries as they and the survivors of them and their heirs " shall think fit, unto and among the most poor and indigent " people within the Parish of Aughton as in their discretion " shall be most poor." On the ist January, 1742, a lease of these Aughton Poor's Land was granted by Charles Stanley and others to John Underwood, of Uplytherland. THE RECTORS. THE RECTORS. HE very earliest mention of a church occurs in Edward the Second's reign, for among other division of property, " the advowson of the Church of the same Manor of Aghton " is to be held by one " Richard le Walays and his heirs male by Mabill his wife." Aughton does not appear in the Valor Ecclesiasticus of Pope Nicholas, in the year 1291, and probably the formation of the Parish would date from the second Edward's time. Anciently it is supposed to have formed part of Ormskirk, or Halsall. In 1341 subsidy was granted to Edward the Third of the Ninth Lamb, the Ninth Fleece and the Ninth Sheaf, and the following valuation appears in " The Inquisition of the Wapentake of Derby, taken at Prescot on Wednesday next before the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle, in the 1 5 year of the reign of King Ed: 3, after the Conquest, before the abbot of Furneys and his fellows, to inquire and inform themselves of the true value of the ninths. The church of Aghton is not taxed. The true value of the ninths of fleeces and lambs of the same parish is 100 shillings, for which Aghton with Lytherland is answerable." From the 32nd Report of Deputy Keeper of Records, p. 342, in 1362, " Henry le Walsh (corrupted from le Walays) parson of the church at Aghton," Richard le Walsh, and two others paid fines to the Duke of Lancaster for property. This is the earliest mention of any parson or rector that we have. Later, in 1470, in a deed relating to Bickerstaffe, Richard Flechere and Thomas Oliver are styled " chaplains," and, though it is not stated of where, they would probably be of Aughton. 46 THE RECTORS. Roger Bradshawe Died in the year 1512. He was presumably a son or grandson of Roger Bradshaugh (see General Annals, 1418). According to Baines' History of Lancashire, the Manor of Litherland, and one-third part of the Manor of Aughton, &c., with the advowson of the church, passed, in 1371, into the family of Bradshagh. At the death of Roger, his kinsman, 1512. William Bradshawe Was instituted yth February, 1512, on the presentation of John Voysey, Archdeacon of Chester. The earlier Burial Register contains the name of a George Bradshawe, who died in 1 544. 1528. Brian Morecroft, B.D., Was presented to the Rectory, I4th July, 1528. In the Duchy Pleadings, 1529, in which he is called " Parson of Aughton Church," he is Plaintiff in a suit with Robert Halsall Defendant, concerning trespass and illegal seizure of Tithes. He was Rector during the great ecclesiastical changes of Henry VIII.'s reign, which, however, did not affect him ; for he retained the living until his death, which is recorded in the Burial Register as happening in 1547, and is the first Rector mentioned in the books as having been buried here. According to the Valor Ecclesiasticus of 1535, it appears that this rector obtained from the living ^"14 155. 4d., viz., from the glebe 5s., from grain tithes ^"u, from tithe at the paschal feast ^"4 45. 8d. ; deducting payments for " Church gardens " 55., and for synods and procurations to Archdeacon of Chester 93. 4d. A rent of i8d. was also payable by the Rector of Aughton to Peter Prescot, Chantry priest, at the Altar of our Lady in Ormskirk. 1548. 1 8 May. Edward Morecroft Was inducted Rector on the presentation of Thomas Mossok and William Moorecroft. From the Calendar of the Duchy Pleadings, it seems a THE RECTORS. 47 dispute was pending as to the Right of Presentation to the Parsonage and advowson of the Church. Randoll Kyrkeby and " Sir " * Thomas Kyrkeby, Clerk, being plaintiffs, and William Morecroft and others defendants. Church matters in general were in an upset, presumably on account of " reformation " times ; the same " Thomas Kyrkby, Priest," was plaintiff in another suit with Thomas Halsall defendant, concerning assault and interruption of Church Service. Further litigation took place between Gabriel Hesketh and Richard Molyneux, and, in 1550, the advowson was still in dispute. Edward Morecrofte's name appears with that of "Dns. Thomas Walche Cur" as attending a visitation in 1552, for taking Inven- tories of Goods in the Churches and Chapels of Lancashire. This most quaint inventory, given below, throws a light on the condition of the Church at the time of the Reformation, and may be with interest contrasted with that taken in Rector Vanbrugh's time, 1787. " This Indenture made the iij day of October In the sixt yere of " the Reigne of ou r Souaigne lord Edward the sixt by the g r ce " of god Kyng of England fraunce and Ireland Defendo 1 of the " feithe and of the church of England & Ireland in ei the the " supreme hedde Between the right honorable Edward Erie of " Derbie of the honorable order of the garter Knight Thomas " Gerrard Knight and Thomas Boteler esquier comissions to " ou r Souaigne lord the Kyng apon the behalf of his highnes '' of the one partie And Richard Starkee & Ric Letherbarow " churchwardens of the p'ish HttIli f $.$1$ in the " the hundreth of Weste derbye in the countie of Lane' of the " other ptie Witnesith that wher the said comissions haue " delyvit at the tyme of Sealing & delyvie hereof to the said " churchwardens three bells i' the steple ij lyttil bells i' the " churche iij vestmets ij albs iij fftniice iij stoales ij altare clothes " i chalice ij candilsticks ij senso rs A pixe brasse ij towells ij " kercheffs iij corp'uses ij corses and a sute for a diacon & * This old ecclesiastical prefix was in general use in the i6th Century. 48 THE RECTORS. " subdiacon belonging to the same churche saulfely to be kept " to the use of our Souaigne lord the Kyng The said church- " wardens for theym & their executors do covenant and graunt " by these p'sents to and w' the said comyssions that the " p'misses or any pte therof shall not at any time hereafter " be alienated Imbecillid or otherwise put away from ou r said " Souaigne lord but shalbe aunswarable and fourth-commyng " to thuse of his highnes At suche tyme & tymes as his ma te " or his honorable counsaill shall demande the same In " wytnes whereof the parties afforesaid to these p'sents " entchaungeablie haue put their scales the day & yere aboue " wrytten " M d ij other chalices & a coape were by the consent of the " holle pische lade to pledge to S r- bryan Morecroft decessid " iij yers befoare the first Invetoire was made as apperith " by the same and the money bestowed upon the building " of the lie in the body of y e same church. " M d> one of the ij chalices conteyned in the laste Invetoire was " pledgit to Pet r - Stanley for xls. aboute one yere last paste " & the money bestowed upon y e repacon of the same church " as the wardens do alledge which is watyng." In the Burial Registers I find, in February, 1566, the name of " Thm. Walshe, clerke " ; some one of recent research has inserted a query " Rector supposed ? " Be that as it may, it is evident that he was clerk, or curate, under this rector, and will be the same Thoma Walshe who signs as witness a deed executed in 1530, concerning land in u le towne greene." In 17 Eliz. (1575) the advowson of the church passed into the hands of Bartholemew Hesketh, Esq., in which year a dispute arose, which he defended, concerning the tithes of corn, grain, hemp, and flax. All these church troubles may be understood in one way, when it is known that Morecroft was returned as the " preacher," and was non-resident. THE RECTORS. 49 In the early part of Queen Mary's reign, a muster of soldiers was made in Lancashire, the Parson of Aughton having to provide 12 men. Morecroft held the living until 1577, when 1577. 7 Feb. John Nutter, B.D., Was presented in succession to Edward Morecroft. His name has variously been written Nutter and Nuttall, and also was designated by Queen Elizabeth as " her golden ass," on account of his great wealth. He was a great pluralist, holding the livings of Sefton (to which rectory he was presented in 1567), Walton-on-the-Hill, Bebington, Barrow, besides being Dean of Chester (installed 1859). Nutter principally seemed to have resided at Sefton, and made himself very conspicuous in local history by his zeal in his persecutions against Recusancy. When "Good Queen Bess" came to the Throne, in 1558, she very speedily prepared decisive measures with respect to the public form of religion. The Protestants under the previous reign had been grievously persecuted, and, before Elizabeth had been many months a Queen, she reso- lutely set to work to mould her subjects to her idea of orthodoxy ; not only the Romanists, but the Puritans, suffering from the rigid laws she enacted. Nowhere in England, perhaps, were the Romanists more numerous than they were in Lancashire, and a large number of the oldest and most powerful families still adhered to the old faith. All those, therefore, who, on religious or any other grounds, refused obedience to the laws affecting religion, were stigmatised as recusants, although it is chiefly Catholics in communion with the See of Rome who are known by that name. If a recusant " refuse to come to the churche to heare divine service," he was at the mercy of every informer or ill-disposed neighbour who chose to report him ; if he said or sang mass, a fine of 200 marks was imposed, or one year's imprisonment ; if only hearing mass, 100 marks, or one year's imprisonment ; every one above 16 years of age, absenting himself from church on Sunday and Holy Days, paid ^"20 per lunar month ; and if he was a married man, he was further coerced into another 20 a month 50 THE RECTORS. for the recusancy of his wife. The names of all recusants in the Kingdom were returned to Government ; a special ecclesiastical council was formed for each district, which furnished a statement of all suspected persons. From the State Papers of Queen Elizabeth, in a " vewe of y e state of y e Countie Palatine of Lane.," we find Aughton had 500 communicants, and the Parson was " Mr. Nutter, Dene of Chester." The Blundells, of Crosby, suffered much for conscience sake. Richard Blundell died in jail, at Lancaster, i9th March, 1591 ; and his son, William Blundell, mentions Nutter in a book still preserved at Crosby, in which he gives an interesting account of his sufferings in the cause of his religion ; he says, that " Upon the 2oth or 2ist November (1592) I was againe apprehended " by John Nutter, Parson, of Sephton, and divers others " assisting him " ; another gentleman, named Edmund Holme, of Maghull, in a letter dated 1568, writes : " After being examined regarding certain matters of conscience, both " at Ormskirk and Aughton," that " from the P'sonage of " Aughton they went into Maghull, and here did examine my " wyffe." In the religious record of other families in these times, we find that " Richard Molyneux, of Conscoe, Esquiere, in Aughton, of small " lyving, was of verie bad note in religion, his wife a recusant "; but, that " James Scarisbrecke, of Aughton, was soundly " affected in religion." Among others returned as obstinate were, " William Hesketh, " gent., of Aughton." Bartholomew Hesketh, who was Lord of the Manor at this time, was also in the "List of Recusants" (see Burial Registers, 1600), and the names of '' Elizabeth Stanley and Anne her daughter " likewise appear. THE RECTORS. Rector Nutter provided at a muster of horses, in 1585, one horse, which, when fully fitted, was valued at ^"25. He died suddenly as he was at supper at Chester, 3oth March, 1602, and was buried at Sefton, i8th April ; his will being proved at Chester the same year. 1602. Samuel Hankinson Was instituted on 9th June, 44 Elizabeth (1602), on the presentation of Gabriel Hesketh. According to Baines' Lancashire, he was a connection of " Sir " Thomas Hankinson, Curate of Farnworth. He held the Rectory only a short time, vacating on the charge of simony. 1607. Nicholas Bannister. Instituted 3oth Jan., 1607. King Jarnes First claimed the patronage of the living owing to lapse of time ; and instituted Nicholas Banester, or Banastre, although in our burial register he is denominated "Mr. Nicholas Bannister, Doctor," and died in 1645, apparently intestate ; for an inven- tory of his goods was filed and administration granted. By an order dated 28th October, 1608, for the " fyndinge of horses, armes, &c.," I find the name of " Mr. Banister, pson of Aughton," bracketed with that of " Mr. " Meade, vicar of Prescott," to provide " a corslett furnished." 1646. James Worrall. During the Commonwealth, Presbyterianisrn had superseded Episco- pacy, and James Worrall accepted this form of church government. He was presented to the living nth April, 1646. By virtue of an Act of Parliament, passed on the 8th June, 1649 entitled: "An act for the " providing maintenance of preaching ministers and other pious uses "- commissioners were appointed in each county to report upon the state of each parish, and to forward their reports to London. The following is the report concerning this parish, and among the commissioners are the names of "Robti Biccarstaffe de Aughton, gen.," and " Nicki Woosie de Aughton, gen." This extract from the Commonwealth Surveys gives us a close 52 THE RECTORS. insight into the condition of the parish. The incumbent, minister, or orthodox divine, as he is severally called, evidently did not get the full rent from his lands, &c., although his income from tithes amounted to ^"95 per annum. " Wee present that the Towneshipp of Aughton is a Litle pish of " itselfe, and that there is within the said Towneship a church " called Aughton ch, and a psonage house with barnes and " outbuildings thereunto belonging, as alsoe about Three acres " of glebe land in the houlding of Mr. James Worrall, the now " Incumbent, worth ffifty shillings p. ann. And wee further " find that Hugh Charles, of Aughton, yeoman, is now " possessed of a Cottage and some smale pt. of other glebe u lands belonging to the said Rectory, ffor wch hee payeth to " the said Incumbent the yearly Rent of Twenty pence, yett " wee find if the said cottage and small glebe lands were sett " to the full are worth Thirty shillings p. ann. ; and wee "further find Parcivall Bicstaffe, of Aughton, Tailor, is now " possessed of another cottage and about halfe a rood of " ground ; alsoe pcell of the said glebe lands, for wch hee " payeth to the said Incumbent the yearly rent of Twopence. " Nevertheless, wee find that if the sd last menconed cottage " and pcell of glebe lands (were it sett to the full) would " Amount unto six shillings p. ann., and wee say that the said " Mr. James Worrall is Minister att Aughton afforesaid, is an " orthodox divine of godly lyffe and conusacon, and doth " observe the Lord's Dayes and Dayes of humiliacon and "thanksgiving appoynted by Act of pliament, only the I3th 11 of this month appoynted a Day of humiliacon by Act of " pliament, hee observed not in regard hee was visited with " sickness and not able, neither had notice as was given to " others whereby hee might have ordered for that Day, as wee " are informed, and that hee receiveth for his Salary and pay " tythes with in the said pish, wch are worth ffower score and THE RECTORS. 53 " fifteene pounds p. arm., and wee find that the said church " standeth neare unto the middle of the said Townepp, and u soe very convenient for the Inhabitants that it is nott fitt " any pt of the said Townepp should be taken from the pish " and annexed unto any others, as wee verily beleeve." 1651. Peter Stanynought. The date of death of the last Rector or Minister has not been ascertained, but it would seem to have occurred in 1651, for Stanynought was put into this living in succession to Mr. Worrall on the 6th March, 1651. According to "Bailies' Lancashire," he was born in 1626, and received his early education at Westminster College ; and, in 1642, was elected to Christ Church, Oxford. He took his B.A., but, being unable or unwilling to answer the questions put at the Pembroke Visitation, May loth, 1648, he was excluded. On his expulsion from the University, he became a tutor ; he was admitted to holy orders, and was appointed, along with Michael Briscowe, 3oth June, 1651, "to officiate and serve the Cure " of Liverpool, but resigned on being presented to this living, which had been obtained for him, as is believed, by the influence of Lady Derby. Though he entered upon his benefice in 1651, the church being under Presbyterian rule, he was not formally instituted until 27th October, 1662, when Episcopacy had been restored. At the restoration of Charles II. his friends petitioned the king, and he was appointed king's preacher, with the annual stipend of ^50, in addition to his rectorial income. Nathaniel Heywood, the Nonconformist Vicar of Ormskirk, enjoyed this exhibition of ^"50 a year, and this circumstance gave, naturally, great offence, for, in Heywood's works, we read : " At the return of King Charles II., one, Mr. Stanninghauh, " Minister of Aughton, about two miles from Ormskirk, when " receiving ^"148 a year, rode up to London, and, by the help " of friends, surreptitiously obtained the annuity of ^"50 to be " settled upon himself ; which gave occasion to some persons " to reflect on a sermon Mr. Heywood preached at Ormskirk, 54 THE RECTORS. " on a day of thanksgiving for the King's Restoration, from "II. Samuel xix., 30. 'Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my " ' lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.' " The appointment called King's or Queen's Preachers was to remedy the inadequacy of the endowments of poor livings. There were four of these preacherships, for which Queen Elizabeth's Parliament granted ^"200. In Heywood's Life, it further says, that, " though this Mr. " Stanninghaugh's living was ^"148 a year, and his tenement worth ^"30 " yearly, besides the annual grant of ^"50, and though he had no child, "yet he left nothing at his decease but debts, and his wife in poor " circumstances." Mr. Stanynought held the living until his death, which is recorded in the " Note Book " of his neighbour, William Blundell, of Crosby (published in a "A Cavalier's Note Book") "Mr. Staninought, Parson of "Aughton, February 28, 1674"; although he was not buried until 7th April, according to the Burial Register. In the Will of John Osbaldeston, of Strand-on-the-Green, dated 26th March, 1665, the testator leaves ^"50 to his "kinsman, Peter Staninought, " Rector of the Parish Church of Aughton, in Lancashire." 1674. Alexander Baguley Was presented, on the decease of Stanynought, to the rectory on 27 June, 1674, by Gabriel Hesketh. He was deprived of his appointment for simony. 1679. John Brownsword. The vacancy in the rectory by the deprivation of Mr. Baguley was, on the presentation of Charles II., filled by John Brownsword, who was instituted i6th May, 1679. Mr. Brownsword received his education at Queen's College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A., 1673, and M.A., 1676. He held the living till his death, which is registered among the burials, " 1700, John Brownsword, Rector, buried June 25." Two of his sons are registered among the baptisms. THE RECTORS. 55 1700. Christopher Sudell. This was the last rector that any of the Heskeths nominated a name which had been associated with the gift of the living for many generations. It was on the presentation of Alexander Hesketh that Mr. Sudell was instituted, 8th October, 1700. Some irregularity appears to have occurred, for he resigned, i6th November, and was re-admitted 2oth November, in the same year, on the joint presentation of the above Alexander Hesketh and Robert Scarisbrick. He only held the living for a few months, finally resigning the following January. It appears by our registers that he married Mrs. Margaret Jameson, of Aughton, 2ist November, 1704, by license. He was as great a pluralist as Rector Nutter, being successively Vicar of Huyton and Leyland, and, according to Ormskirk Burial Register, " Prebendary of Chester, Rector of Trinity there, and of North Meols, in "the County of Lancashire." He died 8th August, 1735, and was buried in the little chapel of the Stanleys, of Cross Hall, in Ormskirk Church. He was allied to this branch of the Stanleys by the marriage of his daughter, Jane, to Charles Stanley, Esq., who was brother of Dr. Thomas Stanley, Rector of Winwick. 1700-1. Robert Hindley. When Christopher Sudell resigned, William III. presented Robert Hindley, who was instituted 6th January, 1701. During his incumbency, he erected a school-house upon his glebe land, and also rebuilt the Rectory at his own expense. For the full particulars of this " fair commodious house," and other information of the then existing state of the Parish, I give the following Extract from the Public Episcopal Registry at Chester. 1716. Aughton. The Terrier for the Parish of Aughton pursuant to ye Instructions at ye end of Bishops book of articles returned at ye primary visitation of the Right Revd. Francis Lord Bishop of ye Diocesie of Chester at Wigan 2Oth June 1716. 56 THE RECTORS. The old parsonage being extreamly ruinous and upon inspection found incapable of tolerarable Repaires was by ye Bsp of Chester's Lycence taken down in ye year 1711 and a fair commodious house, but at ye sole and only expence and by ye pious generosity of ye psent Rectr, was built a little eastward from ye former foundation consisting of 1 7 usefull Rooms for Reception, Lodging-offices, and Garrets, with one good staircase the whole in length from North to South not exceeding 14 yds and in breadth from East to West not exceeding 12 yards. To which is added a new Stable consisting of 2 small Bays 2 garners and a Back kitchen built by ye afsd Rector ye Revd. Mr. Hindley now Incumb. Also 2 dwelling houses contiguous to ye church yard ye one occupied by Wm. Richardson, Clerk, comprehending five small Bays of Buildings and a little Barn or Stable of 2 Bays with a garden or Backside. The other to ye North of ye church yard in Lease to Ed. Bickersteth deceased and his heires, and consists likewise of 5 small Bays of Building. The Custome of Tything in our Psh is of corn Tiths ye eleventh Shook or Rider, and in default the eleventh sheaf to ye Parson. For ye Easter Roll fivepence House yard and offering. From 6d. to 2s. 6d. the acre for Tyth Hay, Eight shillings the acre for potatoes and so proportionably, or 6d. ye Bushell setting. Three halfpennys cow and calf and when not taken in kind 2s. for every Tith Lamb Tith, Pigg &c and 6d. for every Tyth fleece. By us, Robt. Taylor, Jon Valentine, Churchwardens. Mr. Hindley married a sister of Mr. Thomas Heys, by whom he had a son, who died in his life time ; and for whom, in anticipation, he had purchased the next presentation to the Rectory from Mr. Hesketh, and Mr. Whalley, the then mortgagee of the manor. Mr. Hindley was buried in Aughton Church, I2th November, 1720, and was followed by THE RECTORS. 57 1721. Thomas Atherton. The right of presentation had for this term descended to Thomas Heys, and Thomas Atherton was instituted I3th July, 1721. Our registers are rich with notices of this rector's family. First we have a burial of a son, Thomas, " son of ye Rev. Mr. Atherton, Rect. of Aughton," 20 Apr"-, 1722 ; this would be his eldest son, who was born at Chipping, near Preston, in 1710 (by his first wife, who died in 1717). In the year following, 1723, there is a baptism of a "Thomas, son of Thomas Atherton, Rect. of Aughton ; " and this second son, Thomas, was buried in 1730, April 2ist, being registered as " Thos., son of Thomas Atherton, Rector, with aff." There is a black marble stone in the church, but un- fortunately not accessible (being under the choir stalls on the north side of the chancel), to the memory of one of these sons, most likely to the elder one. Beside these two sons, he had a daughter, Katherine, baptised I2th July, 1724. His own death occurs in " 1734, The Rev. Mr. Atherton wth aff., Nov. 15." His will was proved 8th Feb., 1735, in which he refers to lands in Chipping, where he was rector previous to his presentation to Aughton, mentioning his wife, Katherine, and his only daughter of the same name. 1734. Thomas Plumbe, M.A., Was the second son of John Plumbe, of Plumbes Hall, Wavertree, near Liverpool, and was instituted, on the presentation of his father, 2oth Feb., 1734. Originally the family of Plumbe belonged to Aldebarrow, county Suffolk. We find them afterwards in Marston, Leicestershire, whence one of the family, having ruined himself in the turbulent times of the Civil Wars in Charles' reign, came and settled in the neighbourhood of Prescot. John Plumbe was a lawyer in Liverpool, and bought " ye manour with advowson appendant " from Alexander Hesketh in 1718. Hesketh had been in difficulties for some time, and had been in treaty with Richard Norris, of Speke Hall (who was Mayor of Liverpool in 1700), to sell his estates and advowson of the church, but the negotiations fell through (see 58 THE RECTORS. General Annals, 1705). John Plumbe owned the land on which Plumbe Street was built, the site of which is entirely obliterated, and is now covered by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Station, Tithebarn Street. The Rev. Thomas Plumbe, the rector under notice, had two sons John, who died 28th Jan., 1796, and whose memory is perpetuated by a mural tablet in the church (see Burial Register, 1796), and who died childless ; the other son, Thomas, had an only daughter, who became the wife of Benjamin Rawson, of Barley Hall. This rector held the living for 35 years, dying on 29th Nov., and was buried in the church 2nd Dec., 1769. 1769. William Plumbe, B.A., Was the fifth son of William Plumbe, elder brother of the preceding Rector, and was instituted 26th December, 1769. He married the daughter of Samuel Kirk, of Whitehough, Derbyshire, and had two daughters, Anne and Sarah ; the latter became the wife of her cousin John Plumbe-Tempest, who was the eldest surviving son of Captain Thomas Plumbe (the grandson of John Plumbe the first, of Aughton), who married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain John Tempest, third son of Sir George Tempest of Tong Hall. John Plumbe assumed the arms and name of Tempest as heir-general of the Tempests, by Royal license, ist June, 1824. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Thomas Richard Plumbe-Tempest, J.P. and D.L. Sir Robert T. Tempest, Bart., of Tong Hall, Drighlington, Bradford, now holds the manor of Litherland, part of the manor of Aughton, with the advowson of the Parish Church. In 1776 Rev. William Plumbe bought the Presbyterian Chapel which used to stand in Temple Court, off North John Street, Liverpool, known then as the Octagon Chapel ; he re-christened it St. Catherine's Church, and officiated in it with considerable popularity for nearly 10 years. In " Gore's General Advertiser," of 22nd March, 1776, is the following paragraph : " We hear that St. Catherine's Chapel will be opened on Sunday morning by " the Rev. Mr. Plumbe ; and that attendance will be given there for letting the seats " oq Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings following." THE RECTORS. 59 Mr. Plumbe resided for some time in what was then 22, Duke Street, sharing the house with the Rev. Nicholas Clayton, who, by the way, was the minister of the same chapel prior to Mr. Plumbe purchasing it. The church existed up to March, 1820, and was ultimately taken down by order of the Corporation. According to the Churchwardens' accounts during this Rector's charge, frequent entries prove Mr. Plumbe's absence, such as " Spent when Croston Parson preacht, 1 ' " Spent on 9 several clergyman at 9 different times " all showing an average expense of I/- per parson, but when the Rector was at Aughton we find an item, presumably for refreshments, " 1780. Spent when the Rector preached, 2/-," and the Easter Vestry accounts of 1776 and 1777 are signed, respectively, Haddon Smith and George Monk, as curates. On 3Oth January, 1775, there was notice of a special vestry "at 3 of the clock " to consider " methods for raising a sufficient sum of money for " purchasing decent vessels for the celebration of the Lord's Super, the " old vessels are so old and gone to decay that they are not fitt to be used " in that Divine and Holy Service where all things should be pure and "decent and such as becometh the Lord's Table"; agreed the Church- wardens shall immediately provide " suitable vessels by a Church Ley, the " Rector having promised to give ^"5 55. towards the same." The Vestry meetings were always held on Sunday afternoons, which practice was continued up to 1835. Mr. Plumbe held the living for 17 years ; the date of his death being 25th May, 1786. The following ballad, bearing the date 1778, and printed in Lancaster, evidently contains suggestions of a tithe dispute, but I am unable to find anything to elucidate the circumstances : THE LUXURIANT PLUMB-TREE LOPP'D. In Aughton Parish, many know, A large Plumb-Tree there once did grow ; But now is fall'n (of mortal race), And worse is grown up in its place. There's few who know it will deny The fruit it yields is sour and dry ; Those who have tasted lik'd it not, Because they found it sharp and hot. 60 THE RECTORS. Its roots spread wide, shot deep and strong, Its branches broad and very long ; Had they not cropp'd it, I protest, It would have shaded all the rest. The plant that's shaded in the field A little produce can but yield : Of the sunshine it stands in need, Which helps all kinds of grain to feed. This Tree (tho' not of much renown) It's succour hath from all the town ; The spreading boughs, before 'twas dress'd, Strove to impoverish all the rest. Had it still spread and kept alive, Few that grew near to it could thrive. It would have done but little good ; But they have nipp'd it in the bud. Whom I do mean you all can tell, He's one of the Episcopal. Demanded tyth as I heard say, Not only corn but likewise hay. Altho' his benefits are not small With tyth of part, he grasp'd at all : Would law admit, conscience would yield, To take the whole out of the field. Bye chance they .did him overawe, And taught to know the price of law (For law and Gospel, it doth appear, Sometimes are both sold very dear ; The lawmen they are sharp and keen. And will cut all they catch between : And where the Rectors make a breach, They sweep away all in their reach). Tho' lost the object of his aim, His witnesses he cannot blame ; They did their best, as it appears. And ran the hazard of their ears. I mean J. L w and the Cl k, For they did swear both light and dark ; Tho' far in years, and past their youth, They swore to that which was not truth. THE RECTORS, 61 Rectors and lawmen, of a piece, Mind not the flock get they the fleece ; That's their sole care, it doth appear, By shearing close once ev'ry year. Tho' Rectors' livings do exceed, And they have more than they do need ; They'll neither lose tyth goose nor pig, Which makes 'em strut both fat and big. They will not favour rich nor poor, Tho' they have plenty in great store ; To lose a benefit they'll not yield, Neither in church nor in the field. Old Ellis's (?) sons, we find of old, With th' people's offerings make too bold, By taking what they lik'd the best ; For sacrifice they left the rest. It's much the same in these our days, He seems to imitate their ways, Lets nothing pass him, great nor small. But strove at sharing part of all. Such things as these come not to pass When Jesus rid upon an ass ; Nor did it ever yet appear Th' Apostles rid in coach or chair. But now we see the clergy ride In showy grandeur, pomp, and pride, Which is not comely for to see In patterns of humility. But (as we find most things are brittle) Rectors have too much, Curates too little ; Might Justice rule, I must confess, Curates should ha' more and Rectors less. Curates do most of all the duty (If well perform 'd, Religion's beauty) ; To pay them well they should engage Who do most work should have most wage. To go no farther, make a stand, And speak no more of this in hand ; Composing rhyme to th' brain's a toil, So here I'll stop and rest a while. LANCASTRIA, ANNO DOMINI MDCCLXXVIII. 62 THE RECTORS. 1786. George Vanbrugh, LL.B., King's Preacher, Prebendary of Wells, and Chaplain to the Duke of Gloucester and to the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, was instituted 6th June, 1786, and, according to the notice board on front of the church gallery, Robert Stephenson was curate at the time. Mr. Vanbrugh was appointed King's Preacher for Lancashire, 5th August, 1812. In the earlier part of his rectorship, the churchwardens took an inventory of the " Church Goods belonging to the Parish of Aughton, 31 December, 1787," and found In the Pulpit a Velvet Cloth, Cushion, and Boss. In the Reading Desk a Bible, Prayer Book, and a Stool to kneel on. In the Clerk's Desk a Bible, Prayer Book, and an old Boss. At the Communion Table a Velvet Cloth and Cushion, Table Cloth, one Napkin, and two Bosses. In the Churchwarden's Pew two Prayer Books, and two Bosses. In the Gallery three Prayer Books, 20 Boards figured for Singers, and one Pitch Pipe. In the Christening Pew two Covered Forms and one Boss. In the Chancel a Box with two Bier Cloaths therein, a Chest with three Cushions for communicants to kneel on, two Biers, four Ladders. In the Vestry two Surplices, one Silver Chalice, two Pewter Tankards, one Salver, four Register Books, five Account Books, one Table, one Box, one Chest, three brushes, Book of Offices, three Collecting Boxes, Table of Fees, one Looking Glass, a Lead Inkstand, a Towel, Bowl, and Bottle, an Umbrella, one Chair. During Mr. Vanbrugh's time, one, Peter Barton, held the offices of Vestry Clerk, Schoolmaster, and Parish Clerk, all of which he resigned in 1833. A tale is told of him, to the effect that it was the duty of one of THE RECTORS. 63 the singers (John Riding, who sang bass), to exhibit the numbers of the hymns in a frame on front of the gallery. Old Peter, from his station in the three-decker pulpit, would announce that " they would sing to the praise and glory of God " ; and, on one occasion, turning his head to see the number, and finding none, exclaimed, in his broad Lancashire, " Jacky Riding ! thou's not putten numbers awt ! " Another authenticated story of him is as follows : I am led to understand he was not strictly temperate in fact, was very often over the mark, even during service ; and would, under the drowsy influence of his potations, lose the thread of his proper responses. On one occasion, whilst Rector Vanbrugh was reading the prayers, Peter, instead of giving utterance to as musical an " Amen " as he could muster, remained sleepily silent, the rector shaking him by the ear. Peter, awakened, called out, " Good Lord, deliver us ! " A tale of Mr. Stephenson, who was curate under Mr. Vanbrugh, would show him to be a pugnacious, if not a muscular, Christian. He, also, was addicted to occasional inebriation. One Saturday night, becoming quarrelsome, he had a set-to fight with some marlers, in which he was the recipient of two black eyes, and, having to officate at church next morning, he chose for his text Isaiah 1., verse 6. " I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the "hair; I hid not my face from shame." A writer in the "Liverpool Repository" of 1826, speaking of Mr. Vanbrugh and his many excellent qualities, quotes the following extract from the poem of " The Pastor," by Rev. Thos. Garratt, Curate of Altcar, in which is a faithful portrait. " Not now more pure, more venerably fair, His snow-like vesture than his silver hair ! Time, o'er his visage as he dar'd to plow, Uptore the shading tresses from his brow ; And scarcely left him, fondly there to trace, One lock appendant o'er his manly face. Yet, tho' departed now, his forehead bears 64 THE RECTORS. No graceful forelock, matting o'er his cares ; Those cares remain, and tenderly entwine. His eyes, that smile in love, in goodness shine, While o'er his features, where affection glows. ' The peace of God ' a beaming mildness throws ! " Mr. Vanbrugh held the living for 48 years, resigning in 1834. On his resignation, the parishioners presented him with a silver vase. The following account is copied from the " Liverpool Courier," 25th February, 1834 . A splendid and gratifying tribute of respect has been presented to the Rev. George Vanbrugh, LL.B., whose resignation of the valuable Rectory of Aughton was some time ago announced in this journal. The motive of the Reverend Gentleman in taking this step, as stated in his Farewell Address to his Parishioners, reflects equal credit upon himself and upon the church in which he has been for upwards of half a century a most exemplary minister. Feeling that he could not conscientiously retain the emoluments of a Benefice, the duties of which he was unable, through advancing years, adequately to perform, he at once came to the determination to resign it, affording, in this act, an instance of disinterestedness and of personal sacrifice to principle, in strict accordance with the liberality and benevolence by which his whole life has . been distinguished. His retirement, however, is accompanied with the unabated attachment of his Parishioners and Friends, who conjointly, in testimony of their respect to him as a man and Christian pastor, have presented him with a costly Vase of massive silver, richly embossed, upon the pedestal of which is the following inscription : TO THE REV. GEORGE VANBRUGH, LL.B., LATE RECTOR OF AUGHTON, LANCASHIRE. PREBENDARY OF WELLS, CHAPLAIN TO His ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, AND To THE LORD BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS, THIS TESTIMONIAL is PRESENTED BY THE PARISHIONERS OF AUGHTON, AND BY OTHER FRIENDS, AS A TRIBUTE OF UNFEIGNED REGARD TO ONE WHOSE LIFE DURING HIS INCUMBENCY OF XLVIII. YEARS, AND UNINTERRUPTED RESIDENCE AMONG THEM FOR A PERIOD OF XLIII. YEARS, HAS BEEN A BRIGHT PATTERN OF ALL THAT ADORNS THE PASTORAL CHARACTER. ANN. DOM. MDCCCXXXIV. THE RECTORS. Mr. Vanbrugh died at Crosby, i6th October, 1847, aged 91. The seven Almshouses near the church were built out of a fund of ^"3,000 left by him; ^"1,200 was spent in their erection, and the re- maining ^~i,8oo vested in securities towards, and for the maintenance of, deserving poor people. In a second codicil to Mr. Vanbrugh's will, dated 4th September, 1847, he empowers his executor " to retain out of my estate so much money as " he may think fit to expend, not exceeding ^500, in erecting or " establishing some suitable memorial of me in the Parish Church of " Aughton, either in the form of a monument or painted window, or in " any other form, or of any other nature that he may prefer, and either " alone or jointly with any other improvement or embellishment of the " church which he may approve of, though not monumental ; and any " inscription thereon shall be of a modest and humble character, befitting " my own estimate of my unworthiness, although, with that re- " striction, I think it right to declare that I give this power to him " reluctantly, and only at his own urgent request, coupled with an " assurance that if I refuse to do so, he will himself if he survive me " carry out his desire, in this respect, at his own expense." The monument decided upon was a Gothic Tomb, in the decorated style, in Caen stone, and is placed in an arched recess in the wall on the north side of the chancel. It contains two beautifully-executed bas-reliefs, representing " Christ preaching the Gospel to the poor," and " Healing the broken-hearted." The sculptor was J. Sherwood Westmacott. Height of monument, 4 ft. ; width, 7 ft. ; and depth, 2 ft. 6 in. Cost ^"300 ; and bears the following inscription : IN MEMORY OF THE REV. GEORGE VANBRUGH, LL.B., PREBENDARY OF WELLS, AND, DURING FORTY-EIGHT YEARS, RECTOR OF AUGHTON. HE DIED AT CROSBY, OCT. 16, 1847. AGED 91. 66 THE RECTORS. HIS SINCERE FAITH HIS HUMBLE AND UNAFFECTED PIETY, THE AMIABLE COURTESY OF HIS MANNERS, AND THE WARM BENEVOLENCE OF HIS HEART ENDEARED HIM TO HIS PARISHIONERS, AND GAINED HIM THE CORDIAL ESTEEM AND ATTACHMENT OF ALL WHO KNEW HIM. The Sunday Schools in Rector Vanbrugh's time were in a flourishing state. I have before me the Annual Report for the year ending ist July, 1820. The attendance was 49 boys and 45 girls ; with two paid teachers, costing 20 1 6s. There was a subscribers' list, amounting to ^"34 8s. 6d., besides carrying down the substantial balance of ^"54 odd. Mr. William Parr was treasurer, and Mr. William Culshaw was secretary, and any subscriber was at liberty to recommend scholars. The rules were some- what stringent to our ideas ; for instance, among others The School hours shall be from eight o'clock in Summer, and half after eight in Winter, until the time of going into church. The school hour in the afternoon shall be from half after one o'clock to church time. The Scholars shall attend their Master and Mistress constantly to church, both morning and afternoon. Such rewards shall be given for regular attendance, diligence, and orderly conduct, as the subscriptions will allow, besides those which the Rector will bestow upon the deserving scholars. All the scholars to give four weeks notice before leaving the school, in order that they, if deserving, may receive a reward. These rewards were, seemingly, always in money. In the report is an item of i 175. 2d. ; and, on turning up the Churchwardens' Accounts of 1820, I find "Given 116 children, who repeated the catechism in the church, 2d. each"; which number had increased to 186 children in the year 1828, all getting the two pence. THE RECTORS. 67 1834. William Henry Boulton, M.A., Was presented to this living (on the resignation of Mr. Vanbrugh) by his father, Mr. R. Boulton, who was patron for that turn. Mr. Boulton was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, graduating B.A., 1831, and M.A., 1834. His first appointment was to the curacy of Tarporley, in Cheshire, where he remained until his preferment to Aughton. During his rectorship, lasting over 50 years, the church and parish improvements took great strides ; he spared neither himself nor his wealth for the welfare of his parishioners and his neighbours. Christ Church stands as a lasting monument to his generosity, and that of his family, who jointly contributed ^*4,ooo to its erection. Among other good works (and their name was legion) which he furthered, a donation of .^"1,000, given to the Ormskirk Dispensary in 1881, must not be forgotten ; in fact, his name will be found associated with nearly all that pertains to the half century of our annals, 1834-1884. On the anniversary of his 5oth year's residence in Aughton, the parishioners, to commemorate the event, subscribed ^"300, purchasing a handsome clock and chimes, costing ^230, which was placed in the tower of the parish church, and a Communion service of silver, which was handed to Mr. Boulton for the use of the church. The clock was supplied by Messrs. Penlington, the Communion service (which cost ^"64) by Elkington & Co. The Rector addressed the following letter to THE PARISHIONERS OF AUGHTON. MY DEAR FRIENDS, I have most fully appreciated your extremely kind feelings towards me. as expressed by your general desire to commemorate my completion of a residence of 50 years at Aughton Rectory ; your handsome gifts to our church of a valuable clock and a communion service of silver have been so really generous and munificent that to say I am highly gratified, will not sufficiently convey to you all that I feel ; but be assured that you have my most cordial thanks, and no doubt you will be conscious that such gifts cannot fail to be a record to future generations of the warm interest which you have taken in your Parish Church, and in Your old sincere friend, AUGHTON RECTORY, August, 1884. W. H. BOULTON. 68 THE RECTORS. Mr. Boulton's death took place on i2th April, 1885, of ' paralysis, having been 50 years and 6 months Rector. He was buried at Eccleston, near Chorley. !885. Charles Warren Markham, M.A., The present Rector, is the only son of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Markham, of the 6oth Rifles, by his wife, Emma, daughter of the Rev. Ralph Brandling, and was educated at Magdalen College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1857, and M.A. in 1860. He was ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Peterborough in 1858, and admitted to Priest's Orders in the succeeding year by the Bishop of Man, acting for the Bishop of Peterborough. His first appointment was to the curacy of Oundle, in Northamptonshire, in 1858. which he held until 1860, when he was presented to the Vicarage of Owston, near Doncaster, remaining there two years, when he accepted the Incumbency of Tong, near Leeds, where he remained until 1866, when he was preferred to the Rectory of All Saints', Saxby, which he held until his presentation to the Rectory of Aughton. He is a J.P. for the Parts of Lindsay in the county of Lincoln. On the day of his induction the day school children assembled in the churchyard, and lined the approach to the church. A procession started from the Rectory composed as follows : The Rector, Rev. Canon Clarke, Rural Dean, Rev. Canon Blundell, Rector of Halsall, Rev. Canon Postance, Rev. W. Postance, Liverpool, Rev. J. F. Hocter, Vicar of Maghull, Rev. J. E. Woodrow, Vicar of Ormskirk, and the Rev. H. Rowland, Curate of Burscough, the Churchwardens of the Parish Church (Messrs. H. Underwood and J. Sephton), and of Christ Church (Messrs. A. Dickinson and C. Wilson). The procession entered the church by the south porch, and the clergy proceeded to the chancel, where the Bishop of Liverpool was awaiting them. After the service and sermon (the Bishop preaching), the office of institution was then performed by the Bishop, sitting in his chair, at the chancel step, and, subsequently, the whole con- gregation adjourned to the churchyard, near the south porch, and the door was shut and locked. The ceremony of induction having been performed by Canon Clarke, the new Rector unlocked the door, admitted himself, and tolled one of the bells. THE REGISTERS. THE REGISTERS. HE earliest volume is long octavo in form, is of parchment, and is in very good condition ; and it ought to be with a spirit of thankfulness that we find it so, as ere now such divers and curious fates have befallen Church Registers. Our first book runs from A.D. 1541 to 1674, the writing in places exhibiting superior excellence, in others engrossed with care. No entries occur from 1653 to 1657, being the interregnum of the Commonwealth, a special book having then been appointed to be kept. In this " particular register," as it was pleased to be designated, the contrast in the penman- ship and general appearance is very noticeable, which will be accounted for from the fact of its being in the hands of a lay Registrar. There is a slight deficiency in the baptisms between 1608 and 1626 ; also in the burials between 1747 and 1753. There is a certain amount of romantic sentiment in the fact of handling a book which has been preserved, and has existed through so many vicissitudes as this quaint parchment folio has passed through. What tales it could tell, and does tell ; what a record it possesses ; it proves the glory of the rich man his noble birth ; it is the pride of the poor man his worthy fathers ; it is invaluable to both, being the only record of their names. As a town register furnishes evidence of a continual shifting of the population, so these records of a rural village life, far away from the hum and bustle of politics and trade, show how permanently families remain attached to one spot, there being no strong call to break up the home ; and as registers are most valuable local records, it is not very often that their interest have much that is of more than local value. 72 THE REGISTERS. On the inside cover, very minutely written, and almost obliterated, is inscribed : " There were no Registers of ye marriages in Engl: till ye year " 1539, being ye 30* year of King Hen. ye 8 th at wch. time th " were ordained D.G. ye Lord Cromwell ye King's Vicar- " General." And on the opening pages it is headed U A Register contaynange all maryages christenings and buryalls u from ye year of our God 1540." This gives us the title to affirm that we in Aughton possess one of the oldest registers in South Lancashire ; not only that, but, I think, we may safely enroll them among the 812 Pre-Reformation registers which are known to exist. Thomas Cromwell, who was elected head of the Church of England in 1535, and is thus styled "Ye King's Vicar-General," had in his early life resided abroad, and had become acquainted with the registers familiar to the Spaniards, and naturally discerned the advantage of bringing them into use in England. Originally all registers were written on ordinary paper, but Queen Elizabeth's ministers, in 1597, ordered them to be tran- scribed into parchment books, which regulation was embodied in the 7Oth Canon of the Church of England, promulgated in 1603, which further orders that, " for the safe keeping of the said book, the Churchwardens at a the charge of the parish shall provide one safe coffer and 3 locks and " keys." Our present parish chest, with the 3 locks, only dates from 1789, furnished by John Heathcote at the cost of 2 55. The iron safe which is now custodian of all parish books, was the gift of the late Edgar Musgrove, Esq., in 1878. Anyone handling our first register, and noticing the heading " A.D. 1541," must not imagine the identical writing dates from that year ; for, on close examination, it appears a transcript from the opening entry up to November, 1603 ; the whole being in the small cramped handwriting peculiar to that period. The 7 2 6 Pd. to John Fogg for killing of a fox ... ... ... o 2 o Pd. to James Watkinson for a she ffox o 2 6 The premium paid for a fox's head, according to Ormskirk Wardens' Accounts, in 1665, was about one shilling ; we find here, after a lapse of 70 years, 2/6 paid ; now it is estimated that every fox's head costs ^"100 (to the Tynedale hounds), and, like most other things, have risen in value. Spt. on ye Singers wch came from Asheley ... ... ^*o 2 o Spt. on ye Leverpoole Singers ... ... ... ... o 2 o Spt. on Mr. Ellison when he preached here ... ... o i o For fetching wine and paying for 3 loaves ... ... o o 7 1739. Given to a poor clergyman, Mr. Turner ... ... ... o i o March 26. Pd. to Mr. Ollerhead, his bill for the Biercloth ... ... ... ... ... ... 311 9 Pd. for mending the old Biercloth and silk ... ... o o o Pd. for two Foxes 030 Spt. on Mr. Potts w n - he preached ... ... ... o i o Spt. at setting of the bone house to be built ... ... o i o For a day loading sand and carting the earth out of the bone house ... ... ... ... ... ... o 2 6 Pd. John Hulme for the bone house, as by agreement ... 3 2 6 Pd. the singing master for 3 weeks teaching ... ... I 2 6 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 105 1740. For taking the great bell up w n - fallen ... ... ... Q i o For mending the churchyard gate, filbows, and gudgeons 012 Spt. on taking the demensions of the new church Gates 006 Paid to Roger Mawdsley, as bill and receit ... ... 417 4 Paid to Thomas Sourbutts for iron work for new gates... o 16 o Paid John Martin for tenting the clock two years, as appears ... ... ... .... ... ... ... o 19 o I74I- Paid for a looking glass ... ... ... ... ...046 At viewing the church by both Wardens ... ... o i o Pd. Mr. Peter Aspinwall for a prayer book ... ... o o 8 For a Prayer Book for the Rector ... ... ... 016 o For oile all the year, Besoms, & an Almanack ... .. o i 8 I74I- Nov. 1 8th. Given to the Ringers on Admiral Vernon's birthday... ... ... ... ... ... ...020 Pd. the Clerk's year's Sallary ... ... ... ... i 5 3 1742. Paid the Ringers for ringing every Sabbath, as by agree- ment, and keeping the bells in repair ... ... 2 o o Spent on Prescott Parson w n he preacht ... ... ... o i o Spent on the 5th of November ... ... ... ... o 6 o 1743. Given Henry Watkinson and his men half a Dozen of Ale when the cord was taken out of the pullis ... o o 6 Given James Yates a quart of Ale ... ... ... o o 4 1744- Spent at a Vestry concerning the Steeple ... ... o i o Pd. John Moffitt for pointing the Steeple ... ... 10 10 o Pd. for Lime Whitewashing the Church... ... ... o 6 6 For a Form to the School ... ... ... ... ... o o 4 For Tables and Forms for School... ... ... ... 118 2 Pd. for a Boss for the pulpit .. 008 Spent on Halsall Singers ... ... ... ...020 1745-6- Pd. for Ringing night and day for good news about vanguising the Rebels ... ... ... ... ... 0160 Given to the Ringing at the victory over the Rebells at Cullodon 026 106 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. These two entries furnish the key-note of Aughtonian attachment to the House of Hanover on the occasion of the rising of Charles Edward, the Young Pretender. The Parish accounts tell with circumstantial and concise evidence how " Search was made for the Town arms," how " the' " horses were brought in for the king's use," how the village blacksmith (John Harrocks) was paid a guinea for " cleaning the arms," how John Blundell was paid i5/- for " stocking 3 guns," and how i8/- was expended on " New Belts and Skaberty." There was hurrying to and fro " Taking a list of the men as was to serve," and the before-mentioned John Harrocks was paid for " the use of his smiddy to the watch," who were provided with four new belts. On the 23rd November, 1745, the watch was provided with " 30 basketts of coles," and on the 25th, one William Spooner was paid " by the consent of the inhabitants for going to bring " acct. of ye Rebels, and for Galloway." I should like to emphasize these two last dates, as they correspond exactly with the near approach of the Pretender and his Highlanders, who had left Carlisle on the 2Oth, proceeding by way of Kendal and Lancaster, arriving at Preston on the 27th, entering Wigan the next day, which was the nearest advance to Aughton. The Pretender found Liverpool closed against him, that town having made vigorous preparations against the Jacobites, raising at their own cost a regiment of volunteers, called the " Liverpool Blues," which consisted of 648 men, continuing in pay from October, 1745, to I5th January, 1746. Our records throw a slight sidelight on that movement, insomuch I find one Robert Molyneux receiving parish relief " when he was with the blues" (1746). Another incident which reminds us of this call to arms is to be found in the Burial Registers, for we find John Taylor was buried 26th November, 1745, who was killed " by a Halbard by accidence." Of the Pretender's fortunes it is not here to dwell upon ; he crossed the Mersey at Stockport, and penetrated as far as Derby, but was compelled to retreat, which culminated on the fatal heath of Culloden, when the bells " rang day and night for the good news." CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 107 1748. Spent upon the Parson of Maghull o> 2 o Nov. ye 5th, as usual ... ... ... ... oio o The Millers lay ungettable... ... ... ... ... o 4 7 1749. Spent on the Ringers at proclaiming the peace ... ... o 4 o Spent the same day on some of Parishioners ... ... o 5 o 1750. To leading 13 load of stones from Aughton Moss for ye Dial 088 Pd. for leading sand for Dial ... ... ... ... o i o Pd. for leading a load of stones from Church brow for ye Dial 004 Pd. Henry Mawdsley, as p. Bill ... ... ... ... 312 4 Spent on ye masons at viewing ye Dial o i o This series of entries evidently points to a re-setting of the sundial, which is still such a conspicuous feature in our old parish churchyard. The present pedestal was designed and erected in 1877, at the time of the second enlargement of the churchyard. Round it are the words " The day is Thine, the night also is Thine." The dial proper has the inscription THO S - PLUMBE RECTOR 1736 LAT. 53 35 m - GEO HEWITT HEN PLUMBE CHURCH WARDENS. and a modern rim encircling this ancient plate bears the motto HORAS NON NUMERO NISI SERENAS (I only count the sunny hours). Of other sundials in the parish, the one standing in the garden of Walsh Hall bears the name of Bryan Wilcock, who was churchwarden in 1738. A more ancient one, however, stands in front of Island House, dated 1719, but it is fast rusting away. 1752. To Repairing part of the Little Chancel near the Bellfry^"o 2 10 Spent on the Singers and the Dogwhipper ... ... o 2 2 Pd. for a whip ... ... ... ... ... ... o 02^ io8 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS, Several items occur in the accounts relative to the dog-whipper, showing that this functionary was a person of official importance, drawing a yearly salary of IDS. ; for, in 1758 and consecutive years, the entry appears of " Pd. the Dog Whipper, IDS." It may not be generally known to my readers that the original introduction of the Communion rails was partly due to the presence of dogs in church. They were first ordered by Archbishop Laud, with express stipulation that the rails should be close enough to exclude the body of a dog; and, in 1636, Bishop Wren, of Norwich, issuing orders for the performance of divine worship, directed " That the Rayle be made before it reaching Crosse from the North " Wall to the South Wall neere one yard in height so thick " with pillars that dogs may not get in." Apropos of dogs in church, I recently read of an instrument which was until lately to be seen in a Welsh church, which may best be described as a pair of wooden scissors with iron teeth, which was used to catch dogs and separate them when fighting. Fortunately, we are not exposed to such distractions now, and the ancient office of dog-whipper is now extinct. The last survivor of this post was attached to Exeter Cathedral. 1753. Pd. for a matt for ye Communicants to kneel on ... o 2 6 Spent on clergment at several times ... ... ... oio o Given to Melling singers ... ... ... ... ... o 2 o 1754. Pd. Edward Southwork for painting the Gallery window and finding hair ... ... ... ... ...006 1755. Pd. the clerk for drawing and painting the face of the clock ... ... ... ... ... ... ...026 1756. Pd. Doctor Plumbe for oil and varnish for the altar piece. 040 From an old minute book I find under date "May 2, 1773 : " at a vestry it is agreed that Doc. Plumbe is to be " Surgeon for Aughton poor for the ensuing year "at 2 : 2 :o" CHUR CHWARDENV AC CO UNTS. 1 09 1756. Pd. the clerk for cleaning oiling altar piece ... l 1757. To cleaning the church all the year ... ... ...026 1758. Given on the King of Prussia's Birthday to the Ringers. 054 Spent on Rainford Singers... ... ... ... ... o i o To Bringing church Ladder and bringing it back ... o I o 1759- Spent on the Ringers on the taking of Cherburg ... o 2 6 Spent at the time wh Mr. Arsnip took demensions to to make a casmt for the Pulpit Window ... ... o 2 o The old three-decker pulpit was taken down July, 1866. On examination, it would appear that, though constructed of excellent oak, it had once been painted mahogany, and afterwards painted and grained to represent oak ! The removal of some of the panelling against the wall revealed some good ashlar stone work. 1761. Pd. Jas. South work for 13^ Ibs. of Candles for Singers since 2 July, 1760 Q 8 9| 1762. To painting Boards, lettering and Figuring Psalm for the Singers belonging to the church ... ... ... o 3 o The singers, naturally, occupied a place of great importance in the life of a rural parish in bye-gone days. The existence of the present Gallery in the Parish Church was the outcome of a vestry meeting. 1735. Sep. 17. It is ordered by y e majority of a vestry for y e Parish of Aughton. that a Gallery be erected for y e singers and y l their precent seats be disposed of to such persons that will give y e best price for them which money shall be applied toward defraying y e expence of y e s d Gallery. Thos. Plumbe, Jno. Kippax, and 9 others. The phraseology of this old minute tells in a pithy manner why the present western gallery was erected. Another minute, dated 4th August, 1771, tells us that it was agreed that the "churchwardens had hired John " Waterworth as a Singing Master for one Quarter, to teach the youth of " this Parish to sing Psalmody, but no Instruments, at $ io/- a Quarter, " two nights in the week, viz., Saturday and Sunday." no CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. The remuneration of the singers was just a trifle better than that of the dog-whipper ; " Singers' Salary, ^i," appears under date 1787, but we must not forget numerous extras they enjoyed, such as " Given Singers when the Rector was over, 2/6 " ; " Given to Singers in ale, 2/- ; " " Given to the Singers at Christmas, io/-." They also partook of the good cheer the wardens always provided on entering into office. They were in demand at the wakes, which were held on the old green, at the swinging sign of the "Ring o' Bells," which veritably stood under the shadow of the church, and the parish was debited 5/- yearly for their performance there. These wakes were held the first Sunday after Michaelmas Day, and continued through the better part of the week following. It will be noticed by the number of extracts that the church choir was often augmented by " Strange Singers," inasmuch that the entertaining of these became somewhat a burden on the parish, for under date " April i, 1777, " Agreed nothing to be spent on the 5 Nov. for the future, nor on strange u Singers." But the churchwardens of subsequent years ignored this attempt at economy, and returned to their usual generosity, for in 1797, when the Douglas Singers came, a guinea was spent in a dinner, and on another occasion, " Given Liverpool Singers, 2 2/-." The choir in bye-gone days would consist of some half-dozen men and boys, assisted occasionally by a female voice, for which, however, an extra fee was paid ; for example (I am now writing of about 80 years ago), " Given Ellen Holland, twice for singing, 5/-," and later, " Given Miss Monk for singing a year, \ io -." This lady was also regaled every Sunday, at the parish expense, at the " Stanley Arms," kept (1820) by Peter Rutter, for his bill " for 43 Dinners to Ann Monk the Singer, 28/-" is recorded in the accounts. One other refresher the singers annually partook of, was the proverbial " Cakes and Ale," on Braggart Sunday, consisting of a pint of mulled ale and a bun apiece of course, at the parish expense. Braggart, or Mid-Lent Sunday, is better known in our modern times as " Simnel Sunday," and the cakes bearing that name will, I imagine, contrast favourably with the buns to which our singers were treated. CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. in Whilst on the subject of church music, we must not forget the instrumental portion of the service ; various items in the wardens' accounts tell us that a Mr. Collins had (1800) "A new Bassoon," costing _^*5 5/-, and that " Reeds all the year " for same came to 4/-. "A Hautboy" cost 5/- ; Af for " a new Bass Vial " ; 25/- " for a claranet " ; and, I should presume, there must have been a tenor violin. Other entries show expenditure on " James Pye for writing anthems" (1792), and on other occasions " for playing music." The instruments must have been kept by their respective players, for in an inventory of church goods, taken about 1790, none of them appear although a "pitch pipe for the singers" is mentioned, as well as " 20 Boards figured for singers." These instru- ments, of course, will be remembered by the older parishioners, as the organ was only opened in 1858 ; but the days of the big fiddle and the mixed band are over, and we have the music and the choir back again somewhat in the old locality. 1767. Pd. for a Communion Table clock ... ... ^~o 12 o 1768. To taking the names of Papists ... ... ... ... o 4 o 1771. To Edwd. Southwell, for Ringing the 8 and one a clock Bell all the year ... ... ... ... ... o 5 o Dr. Rock, in " Church of our Fathers," says : " The bell, which is still rung in some parishes in the morning and at noon though " its origin is forgotten, and now only serves to summon the labourers to and " from their work is, in reality, a relic of the Angelus, or mid-day bell." The popular explanation for tolling the church bell on Sunday morn- ing and afternoon, is that it was intended to inform the parishioners that service would be held as usual ; for in bye-gone days, the Rector was non-resident, and the services performed by sundry and several ministers. The accounts amply testify to this fact, for they simply teem with entries : " Spent when Mr. (So-and-so) preached." I understand this custom has only been discontinued a very few years. 112 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 1774. Pd. the clerk for bringing the children to Liverpool to be confirmed and Horse hire and loss of time 4 A confirmation took place at Aughton, during the episcopacy of Bishop Law, of Chester, in 1812. From that time we do not know of any until one held by the Bishop of Liverpool, 8th Nov., 1886. 1776. Haddon Smith, Curate. 1777. To Dinners on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, on the clergy, ourselves, and clerk, and liquor o 3 o Pd. on Easter Tuesday, for 4 dinners and ale ... ... o 2 6 G. Monk, Curate. Spent on Whiten Sunday at Sacramt. for Dinners and Drink ... ... ... ... ... ... ... o 3 o A fair sample how the money went in the good old days ; these items are doubled some 10 years later. 1783. Expence going out of office ... ... ... ... o 15 6 1787. Bill for painting Board, Recognising the Rev. Geo. Vanbrugh as Rector ... ... ... ... ... i o 8 There are six of these Boards in the church, Rector Boulton being the last so recognised. For some reason, Rector Hindley (1713) has a recognition stone in the floor of Plumbe Chapel, as well as having his name displayed in the church. 1787. Beadle's Wig o 12 o Thomas Mercer, Beadle, a new Hat ... ... ... o 3 o Do., Salary ... ... ... ... ... 015 6 An Umbrella for Minister ... ... ... ... ... o 14 o A New Surplice, 14^ cloth, and Making ... 2 15 o These entries, just on the succession of Mr. Vanbrugh to the Rectorship, point to a polishing up of Rector and officials. The umbrella must have been somewhat of a curiosity in quiet Aughton in those days \ it was CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 113 only in 1780 that they were first introduced into Edinburgh, and Boardman, in his "Liverpool Table Talk a hundred years ago," speaking of the first Liverpool Directory, 1766, says: "Umbrellas had not been introduced." This one figures in the church inventory of 1787. 1789. John Heathcote, for an oaken chest ... ... -- 2 5 The present parish chest, which is still in the church A Bill for Candles when the illumination at the Restoration of the King ... ... ... ... 012 6 This was on the occasion of George III.'s recovery from temporary derangement. The constables had a far heavier bill to meet (^"2 195. 6d.) for the same event. Would theirs be the refreshment department ? 1793. Received from Thos: Plumbe, Esq., for rep ?< his part of the chancel ... ... ... ... ... ... Q Received from Charles Stanley, Esq., do. ... o Received from Walsh Hall, do. ... o 17^ Received from Mary Mercer, do. ... o i 6 Paid for 3^ Thraves Straw for stuffing ... ... ... o 7 o A later entry informs us the straw was used for "filling up beams." The chancel underwent considerable repair again in 1803, the expenses coming to 1 2 123. 1797- To cash, half-a-year's rent for three Pews or seats on the North side of the Gallery, Received \ 2 3 In the parish chest are still preserved 3 agreements, dated 2nd Feb., 1797, to lease these 3 pews, denominated the front, middle, and back pews, for a term of 3 years, to John Platt, James Moorcroft, and Richard Shaclady, at the respective rents of 2i/-, I3/-, and 10/6 per year. l800. Exps. on the Parish 01 " 5 when they attended against Mr. Walker erecting a seat ... ... ... l There is a minute of 7th Sep., 1800, in which 25 parishioners sign, opposing the application for a faculty to Thomas Walker to erect a pew. ii 4 CHURCHWARDENS' ACCOUNTS. 1803. A pully for the font o i o A writer, in 1826, in " The Liverpool Repository," says : " There is an antique stone font, of an octangular form, embattled, sustained by " a shaft composed of four circular pillars, attached on a circular base." It seemingly was discarded for many years, and lay as lumber in a corner of the church. It was, however, restored in 1886, the work being executed by Mr. Peter Wright, mason of Aughton, under the direction of Mr. J. M. Hay, architect, Liverpool. (See chapter on Architecture). 1807. John Howard's Bill for repairing the church and steeple ^38 15 3 1808. Given 92 children who said the Catechism ... ... o 15 4 1812. A cast-iron pillar under the Gallery i 7 2 1813. 2 White Bears, 44 Ibs., @ 8d 194 To the uninitiated reader, " bears," in the Lancashire dialect, are simply door mats. Another item, a foot-bear and a fender are combined. 1819. Chas. Balshaw's Bill for repg. Bells ^"73 o o " 4 May, 1818. Resolved that the present 4 Bells to " be put into a new frame, with iron stays for the " wheels, and Mr. Charles Balshaw, of Ormskirk, " to agree, &c., &c., to do it for ^"73." The bells date from 1715, in which year they must have been cast ; two of them bear the names of the churchwardens for that year, Robert Taylor and John Valentine ; the tenor bell that of " Robert Hindley, Rector, 1715." 1820. Lost by Geo. Green a pound note \ o o 1822. Paid Glazier allowance when the church was broke into 038 I am informed that the thief made merry with the Communion wine, of which there was goodly store (two gallons of red port wine had very recently been paid for). The church was again broken into in 1833 and in 1852. 1831. Ringers at the Death of King Geo. 4, and Tolling ... o 8 o CHURCHWARDENS' 1 ACCOUNTS. 115 A List of Churchwardens Elected for the Parish Church. 1552. Richard Starkee, Ric: Letherbarrow. 1606- John Longley, James Woolsey or Woosey. 1670. Thos. Ashhurst, Peter Goldborn. 1671. R. Letherbarrow, little hall ; John Letherbarrow. 1672. Roger Barton, Cuthbt. Watkinson. 1673. Thos. Bicursteth, Wm. Taylor. 1674. Ricd. Kidd, Edward Parker. 1675. Thomas Harker, Henry Latham. 1676. John Kingsley, Ed. Haile, of hole. 1677. Richd. Hodgkinson, Jonathan Pye. 1678. James Charles p Rob. Hesketh, John Underwood. 1679. James Blackledge, Thos. Harrocks. 1680. Wm. Ashcroft, Jon. Cropper. 1681. Peter Woosey, John Sumner. 1682. Thomas Moorecroft, Jon. Whitehead. 1683. John Walsh, Rob. Wilson. 1684. James Harrocks, Jr., R. Ambrose. 1685. Thomas Robinson, Peter Norris. 1686. James Barton, Roger Pye, Holinhurst. 1687. Edward Haile, of SamlL, William Pye. 1688. Robt. Letherbarrow, James Bastwell. 1689. Thomas Walsh, Jr., Thos. Langley. 1690. R. Molyneux, Sen., R. Taylor. 1691. Rich. Culshaw, R. Taylor. 1692. Henry Barker, John Guy. 1693. Ashhurst, James Harrocks, Jr. 1694. John Valentine, Mr. Jameson, Lower House. 1695. Rich. Gouldborn, Thos. Spencer. 1696. Roger Barton, Gilbt. Woosey. 1697. Moorecrofts, of hills, Wm. Hailwood. 1698. Thos. Barton, Cuth. Watkinson. ii6 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 1699. R. Wolfall, Cockbeck, R. Letherbarrow. 1700. William Taylor, James Chaddock. 1701. John Pye, Junr., Highland House, Crombleholm, @ Aspinalls. 1702. Rich. Watkinson, W. Woosey. 1703. Thomas Hail, James Tyrer did not serve. 1704 Roger Harrocks, Mr. Crossley. 1705. Henry Aspinwall for Sumner, Richd. Culshaw for Wanonge. 1706. Thos. Barton, Junr., R. Molyneux. 1707. Rich. Latham, John Pye, Holinhurst. 1708. Richd. Watkinson, E. Haile, of Samli. 1709. Christ. Ince, Gent., Wm. Woosey. 1710. Thos. Bicersteth, Gent., Thos. Barton. 1711. Ed. Barton, Henry Watkinson. 1712. E. Aspinwall & Dr. Walshe, Danll. Harrocks. 1713. Rob. Taylor, Rob. Molyneux. 1714. Roger Harrock, J. Taylor for Mr. Sudell. 1715. Rob. Taylor, John Valentine. 1716. Mr. Bickersteth, Ricd. Ashcroft. I7I7- Thos. Langley, Wm. Barker. 1718. Thomas Aspinwall, Thomas Taylor. 1719. Rob. Taylor, Peter Woosey. 1720. R. Goulbourn, Wm. Taylor. 1721. John Pye, Jr., James Taylor. 1722. James Taylor for Mr. Ince, Mr. Aspinwall. 1723. Ed. Barton, Wm. Ashcroft. 1724. Mr. Johnson, Rob. Taylor. 1725. Rob. Wilson, Peter Woosey. 1726. R. Culshaw, H. Watkinson. 1727- G. Woosey, Thomas Spencer. 1728. George Charles, Sam. Bickersteth. 1729. Jno. Richardson, R. Sephton. 1730. James Ashcroft, Henry Plumbe. CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 117 1731. Thos. Taylor, John Goorsmith. 1732. R. Bickersteth, John Underwood. 1733. James Watkinson, Roger Meadow. 1734. Rich, fformby, James Culshaw. 1735. John Charles for Rob. Wilson, George Hewitt. 1736. Geo. Hewitt, Henry Plumbe. 1737. Mr. Wilcock, do. 1738. Bryan, do., Thos. Taylor. 1739. John Goor, do. 1740. Do., Wm. Aspinwall. 1741. Thos. Harrocks, do. 1742. Henry Aspinwall, do. 1743. Do. do. 1744. Thos. Cross, do. 1745. Ed. Winstanley, do. 1746. Mr. Plumbe, do. 1747. John Underwood, do. 1748. Joseph Matthews, do. 1749. Wm. Parr, do. 1750. Jas. Ashcroft, do. 1751. Henry Plumbe, do. 1752. Ricd. Moorecroft, do. 1753- John Harrocks, do. 1754. John Webster, do. 1755. Thos. Cross, Thos. Atkinson. 1756. Henry Plumbe, Mr. Atherton. I 757- Wm. Aspinwall, James Pye. 1758. Do. Doctor Plumbe. 1759. Do. Rich. Taylor. 1760. Do. Richd. Mullineux. 1761. Do. John Moorecroft. 1762. Do. Richd. Parr. 1763. Do. Jas. Fazakerley. n8 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 1764. Richard Moorcroft, Henry Underwood. 1765. No Record. 1766. Thomas Culshaw, James Pye. 1767- William Aspinwall, Peter Watkinson. 1768. Do. Richd. Brighouse. 1769. Jno. Harrocks, do. 1770. Thomas Harrocks, do. I77 1 - James Ashcroft, Henry Underwood. 1772. Wm. Aspinwall, Richard Parr. I 773- Thomas Maddock, James Culshaw. 1774. No Record. I 775- John Ashcroft, Jas. Fazackerley. 1776. Richard Parr, James Culshaw. 1777- James Glover, Thos. Harrocks. 1778- John Southworth, John Ashcroft. 1779- Francis Jibb, John Underwood. 1780. Wm. Winstanley, Thos. Harrocks. 1781. James Culshaw, do. 1782. Michael Heathcoat, Richd. Watkinson. 1783. Do. do. 1784. Do. Richd. Brownbill. 1785. Do. do. 1786. Do. do. 1787. Do. do. 1788. Do. John Allin. 1789. Do. do. 1790. Do. Henry Underwood. 1791. Do. James Pye. 1792. Do. Richd. Parr. 1793. Do. Peter Guy. 1794. Do. . Do. 1795. Wm. Platt, John Shacklady. 1796. Do. do. CHURCHWARDENS? ACCOUNTS. 119 1797. Michael Heathcote, John Winstanley. 1798. Peter Guy, do. 1799- John Ashcroft, James Moorcroft. 1800. Do. do. 1801. Thomas Hulme, John Brighouse. 1802. Wm. Platt, John Shakledy. 1803. Do. do. 1804. Peter Guy, Thos. Barton. 1805. D O- do. 1806. John Ashcroft, Thomas Prescott. 1807. Do. do. 1808. Peter Guy, Maximilian Pimbley. 1809. Do. do. 1810. John Ashcroft, John Allin. 1811. Do. do. 1812. Peter Guy, Thomas Sutton. 1813. Do. do. 1814. John Ashcroft, do. 1815. Do. do. 1816. Do. do. 1817. William Parr, John Allin. 1818. Do. do. 1819. Wm. Culshaw, do. 1820. Do. do. 1821. Thomas Sutton, John Hodge. 1822. Do. do. 1823. Do. do. 1824. Wm. Parr, Peter Harrock. 1825. Do. do. 1826. Thomas Sutton, do. 1827. John Pilkington, do. 1828. Do. do. 1829. Do. do. 120 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 1830. John Pilkington, Peter Harrock. 1831. Do. do. 1832. William Culshaw , William Harrison. 1833- Do. do. 1834. Do. do. 1835- Do. do. 1836. John Hodge, William Cropper. 1837- Thomas Guy, do. 1838. Do. Edward Tinsley. 1839- Do. do. 1840. Henry Aspinwall, James Grayston. 1841. Do. do. 1842. Do. John Prescott. 1843. Do. do. 1844. Do. do. 1845. John Sephton, do. 1846. Do. do. 1847. John Freeman, John Moorcroft. 1848. Do. do. 1849. Michael Ashcroft, do. 1850. Do. do. 1851. Do. James Hodge. 1852. Thomas Draper, do. 1853- Do. do. 1854. Do. do. 1855- Do. do. 1856. Do. do. 1857. Do. John Harrison. 1858. Do. do. 1859- Do. do. i860. Do. William Pilkington. 1861. James B. Walthew, do. 1862. Do. do. CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS. 121 1863. Richard Rawsthorne, William Pilkington. 1864. Do. do. 1865. Do. do. 1866. Do. do. 1867. Do. William Prescott. 1868. Do. do. 1869. Do. do. 1870. John Harrison, Edmund Balmer. 1871. Do. do. 1872. William Walthew , William Forshaw. 1873. Do. do. 1874. Do. do. 1875. Do. do. 1876. Do. Edgar Musgrove. 1877. Thomas Harrison, do. 1878. Do. do. 1879. Do. do. 1880. Do. do. 1881. Do. do. 1882. Do. do. 1883. J. S. Fairclough, William Harrison. 1884. Henry Underwood, do. 1885. Do. Joseph Balmer. 1886. Do. James Sephton. 1887. W. G. Taylor, do. 1888. Do. do. 1889. Do. do. 1890. Do. do. 1891. Do. do. 1892. Do. do. 1893. Do. J. O. Peet. OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS. OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS. Curiosities of Local Government 100 Years ago. CENTURY ago, the Overseers of the Poor had sundry and divers tasks to perform ; some grave, some gay from assisting at christenings to attending funerals ; and let us not forget the many matrimonial matches they " made up." In these latter, it is quite possible that they studied the moral welfare of the Parish, so as to rid it of a pauper or two ; but, in many cases, to legitimise the children. In their eager desire to unite couples in the holy bond of matrimony, a marriage license was often indulged in, besides other " extras " always, of course, at the charge of the long-suffering ratepayer. One of these weddings (1758) will suffice to enlighten us how the money went ; it cost ^"4 i6s. 6d., which included a dowry of IDS., to start the world with. I may say, by way of parenthesis, that the poor rate, or ley, in this particular year, amounted to ^"158 is. gd. 1758. To expenses when the officer of Tarleton brought a woman by an order and when the Filiation warrant was got ... Q i o Pd. to a Guide to take the Reputed Father ... ... o 2 o To expenses all night at Tarleton concerning him, in Meat, Drink, Lodgings, and Attendance o 8 o Pd. to the overseer of Tarleton by Mr. Plumb's order ... o 5 o To my own trouble and horse ... ... ... ... o 5 o To Drink all night with the tenters on Sunday night, at Aughton... ... ... ... ... ... ... o 6 o To Expenses all day on Monday with Do. ... ... o 5 o To Do. all night ... ... ... ... ... o 5 6 126 OVERSEERS ACCOUNTS. To Victuals all the time ... ... ... ... 6 o Pd. for a License ... ... ... ... ... ... iioo Spent at Ormskirk at the same time ... ... ... o i o Spent on Tuesday Morning before we went to Meols ... o i o Pd. for the Marriage ... ... ... ... ... o 6 o To charges at Meols ... ... ... ... ... o 5 o To Cash after the Marriage ... ... ... ... oio o This, however, was not the only wedding that year, for other items record the marriage of Thomas Moore and Ann Wassel. The refreshment bill in this case was heavier, and the bridegroom seems to have been rebellious to the Overseers' wishes for his happiness, for we find To expences at Aughton wn. Th. Moore was prisoner . . . o 1 1 6 and still another wedding was evidently on the tapis for the following year Spent making up Waddington's wedding ... J but no further allusion being made in the accounts, it must not have been satisfactorily " made up." The expenditure on a christening (1761) was more limited in amount, the details being told in a very plain, unvarnished manner. The total cost, 22s. 7^d., including such items as " To churching " ; " Pd. to Thos. Atkinson for going to Crosby concerning the man " ; " To ale to the Gossips at the christening " ; and, finally, " Pd. to Stockton to sett her up in house in Aintry." According to Webster, gossip is defined as " idle talk " ; let it not be insinuated for one moment that this meaning could apply here, whatever grounds there may have been for a whisper or so ; nor do I say there were not some talkative dames in our parish in time of yore, for it was found necessary to repair the ducking-stool some twenty years before this date. Rather must we charitably render "gossip " in the obselete form from the Saxon godsible, a sponsor. The word " sib " is still in use in this part of the country, being a term meaning alliance or relationship. OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS. 127 Death is always a solemn subject to approach ; but the Overseers' Accounts show up in rather a gruesome manner the necessary associations connected with it. For the sick poor, wine was willingly paid for, such entries as the following frequently occurring Pd. for Sack for ye poor at the workhouse in their illness o i o Pd. for a pint of birch wine for the woman sick at Clerks o o 10 Besides tobacco for the old men, a comprehensive charge of 45. " Pd. for " Tobacco for Ann Barton, a handkerchief, a pair of stockings, and sugar " candy " would show the poor had several luxuries doled out to them in fact, this particular old woman was allowed a weekly supply of the soothing weed. Examples of funeral expenses will tell their own tale. 1739- Pd. to Thomas Carter for a coffin for Jane Walton's daughter ... ... ... ... ... ... o 6 o ,, for bread for her funeral ... ... ... ... o 5 o ,, to Charles Clayton for drink at her funeral ... ... o 5 6 ,, the church dues and spent ... ... ... ... o 3 3 1740. Pd. for laying Margaret Spencer straight when dead ... o i o I74I- May 2. Pd. the clerk's dues and drink .. ... ... o 3 o This sounds as though he had more than his due. 1745. Aug. 30. In ale at the Funeral of Wm. Cadick ... o 7 o Pd. church dues ... ... ... ... ... ... o 3 i for bread ... ... ... ... ... ... o 3 o ,, for a shroud ... ... ... ... ... o i 8 I752- Sep. n. Spent with Mr. Aspinwall how we should bury Elizabeth Taylor... ... ... ... ... o o 7 Pd. for striping ye corps, of Do. ... ... ... ... o I o 1757- Pd. for a coffin for Forshaw's wife, church dues, and ale o 9 i Before leaving these accounts, a few other extracts may prove interesting and amusing, showing the duties which devolved upon our overseers. 128 OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS. 1738. Pd. for 2 new bratts, inch thread, &c Q I 6 Constant entries appear for articles of clothing supplied to the poor of the parish, often displaying the use of obsolete words. A child's brat is a common Lancashire phrase for the pinafore. Duding strings will, I imagine, be the same as leading strings, of which the present toy reins may be an outcome. A Muckindalf was a pocket handkerchief, which article was also designated a Muckender in Dorsetshire, the word originally coming from the French Mouchoir. A Barmskin is provided to one Geo. Cropper. This was an apron made of leather. In Chaucer's " The Miller's Tale " two lines occur : ' Thus day by day this childe began to cry, Till in its fadre's barm adoun it lay." The word here used is the Anglo-Saxon for "bosom" ; and barm cloth is still current in Lancashire meaning a bosom cloth or apron. . Of other extracts concerning wearing apparel, the following are easily understood, but quaintly expressed : Pd. for a new pair of bodices and a stomacher ... & 3 o Pd. for 2 new Shifts for Thomas Balshaw ... ... o 2 6 Pd. for a pair of Stays, making cloths for the Doctor's girl, and a waistcoat ... ... ... ... ... o 3 6 Speaking about stays, on another occasion, imagine a full vestry (held 6th Sep., 1772) deliberating whether, and did agree " that Kirby's Girl is to have a pair of Stays " ! another time it is recorded " pd. for covering Anne So and So's stays and being short of stuff." The reader must understand the " Taylor " had all these delicate tasks to undertake in bye-gone days. 1740. Pd. to Thomas Roberts I5/- for pocket money. Sent to London on his account i pound, for apparel suitable for his Journey and given to his wife ... --4 4 7 1741. For 2 wheels for Alice Fairclough and repairing a reel and mending a pair of cards ... ... ... ...052 OVERSEERS 1 ACCOUNTS. 129 1742. Paid Doctor Davies who pretended to cure Thos. Roberts \ i o For explanation of this curious entry, the following minute records : " 1741- July 19. It is ordered by the majority of votes held at a vestry, that " if Doctor Wm. Davies of Ince Blundell make a perfect cure of the Distemper that " Thomas Roberts has upon him, shall receive for the same the summe of two pounds " for the performance of the same and is to be allowed a Guiney to'ards the buying of " some necessary things at present." 1743- Pd. postage into Somersetshire to the Minister who is said to marry Rob. Molyneux ... ... ... ^~o o 9 Pd. Rob. Molyneux's wife to pay for button moulds, she being a button maker ... ... ... ... ... o 2 o 1744- May 30. To Jane Barton cash to go out of the Work- house ... ... ... ... ... ... ... o 5 o 1745. Aug. 2. Pd. for Jas. Yates coals at the pit, 17 Baskits 2^d. 036^ 1750- Pd. for a letter from Cheshire ... ... ... ... o o 5 1751- July 28. Pd. for 30 Baskets of coals ... ... ... o 10 o I 753- Pd. for Tobacco for Ann Barton, a handkerchief, a pair of stockings, and sugar candy ... ... ... o 4 Q\ 1754. To a Warrant ... ... ... ... ... . 040 To the Shot in the Alehouse ... ... ... ... o 2 o 1757. To keeping a poor lad from Wiggan ... ... ... o 2 o Given to him in his pocket wh. I turned him out ... o o 6 1758. To conveying a lunatic woman to Maghull who lay in Maudsley's swine coat all night and cash to get quit of her ... ... ... ... ... ... ... o i o To Shifting Halewood's wife to town with two carts ... o 3 o 1761. To a cotton wheel and spindle ... ... ... ... o 24^ 1764. Pd. for a Quart of Birch Wine ... ... ... ... o i o 1772. To Eliz. Halton for the Cure of the Bite of a mad dog... 020 1772. Feb. 2. At a vestry, &c., it is ordered that Mrs. Cook is to have 2 Half Barrels of ale and loading on condition that when she draws the ist \ Barrel to give the prime cost to our overseer in order to keep her in business. 130 OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS. 1776- Pd. for bringing \ a Guinea from Wiggan ... "-^"o i o To Robert Lunt's apprentice fee . 220 To a Hat, Stockings, Knife, and Buckles for Do. ... o 3 8 In the parish chest are preserved bundles of apprentices' indentures, all drawn up in the most stringent manner ; he was not to " Embezzle or waste any of the Goods of his master, at Cards, '' Dice, or any unlawful game he shall not play, Taverns or u Ale Houses he shall not frequent, nor Matrimony contract, " &c., &c." On the master's part, he '' shall teach and instruct him in the Art, Mistery or Trade of a " husbandman." 1781. To expenses at Lerple o 5 o (This is one of he many modes of spelling Liverpool, of which there are some 20 different ways). 1795. Exps. removing Alice Hall, her and two children to Nottingham, being seven days with one Horse Cart ^"5 5 o 1796. Pd. into the hands of Mr. Tayler our Proportionable part of the Money engaged to give the Men raised for the Navy 24 i 8 In the early part of 1795, during the French and Dutch wars, there was a call for 100,000 extra seamen, and for their support all sorts of new taxes were levied. 1798. Pd. to the constables for the repair of Lancaster Castle, for the relief of prisoners, orders for conveying Troops, and orders for the prosecution of Felons '--1$ 2 o 1806. Fine for three-fourths of a man for the additional Force. 15 o o 1809. Received from the chairman of the Races for two years as by agreement to the 25 March, 1809 ... ... 10 10 o There would seem to have been no fixed time for these meetings, which were held on the Moss, and, as far as I can learn, the course was OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS. 131 something in the shape of the figure eight, the starting post being from the Stand Houses running parallel with the Liverpool-road, to the confines of the moss by the wood at the back of what is now Granville Park, across to, and parallel with, Prescot-road, and home again by Sweep Alley (still so named on the ordnance map), now bearing the more aristocratic name of Long Lane. The earlier notices of these races are mentioned by Rev. T. E. Gibson, in " The Crosby Records." He says that Mr. Blundell rarely attended them after his second cousin, Lord Mountgarret, left Ormskirk, but the following appears in his diary : "1705, October 9. I went to the race on Aughton Moss, where Mr.Darcy's ' Cricket ' beat the famous London ' Dimple ' and two others." Mr. Blundell attended other meetings. In 1710, five ran, and the plate was won by a horse belonging to Lord Cholmondeley. Two years later, in 1712, on I3th and I4th May, the diarist took his wife and daughter in his coach. He mentions Lord and Lady Petre, Lawyer Starkey, and Parson Letus, of Sefton, as being present. On this occasion Lord Molineux's "Darcy" and a Yorkshire horse were beaten by one belonging to a Mr. Batters. Another diarist, one Thomas Tyldesley, of Myrescough, speaks of this same meeting: "1712, May I3th. About 8 in ye morning went over Ribble to Ormskirk race, where were a greatt company of ye best in ye county : pd pro meat and drinke pro man and selfe is. 6d.,and then went back with Ned Winckley to Banister hall ; but spent per viam (on the road ?) at Bancke bowling house is." In the year 1711, the meeting was in April, and Mr. Blundell is again there with " Coz Scaresbrick, I, and our wives to a race on Aughton Moss, where a gray mare from Bretherton ran against a bay mare from towards Clitherow. When the race was past, Mr. Scaresbrick and I went to Lancet's, the sign of the Queen's Head, in Ormskirk, where we drunk wine with Sir Thomas Stanley, Mr. Stanley his son, Captain Standish, Parson Hindley, of Aughton, &c." Turning to our own records in the Parish account books, several items bear upon the management of the Races. The earliest mention is in 1782, when some- thing was "spent about the man who died at Races ;" in 1794, "Cash rec'd at Races from those who sold ale, Liquors, &c., there, i 135. 8d." 132 OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS. It appears a man was killed at the meeting of 1799, when the constables charged 2s. 6d. for " Fechting the coroner for a man kill'd." Mr. Woods was the doctor attending, and they also paid " Mr. Mawdsley for talking," 2s. 6d., which was decidedly a primitive way of describing a lawyer's capabilities. Other entries show the amounts the stewards paid for erecting booths upon the Moss. Two guineas were charged to a Mr. Harris for "Training his Horses upon the Race course," 1807. The chairman of the races was a Mr. Bromfield in 1810, and it appears a yearly charge of $ 53. was made for the use of the course, the receipt stamp for same, 2^d., being duly debited to the parish. The last race was, I am led to understand, in 1815, and was notable for a violent thunderstorm, which caused great damage to property on the course. It was currently reported at the time to be a judgment on the vast accumulation of wickedness of bye-gone days. The Aughton Enclosure Act was in 53, George III. (1813). CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS. CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS. JREVIOUS to the year 1842, when the County Police Force came into operation, the general law was that every parish should have its constables ; and it was the duty of every man to serve in that office, and for nothing ; the individuals elected, however, were privileged to find substitutes. In Aughton, the Lords of the Manor each nominated one constable, and the following form in 1730 runs : " We, the undersigned, Richard, L d Vise'- Molyneaux and John " Plumbe, esq., lords of the manor of Aughton in the county " of Lancaster, according to immemorial custom of electing ' constables for the said township, do hereby nominate, elect, " and choose Sam Bickersteth and John Barton to serve the " office of constables for the said township and parish of Aughton for the ensuing year." H R MQLYNEAUX> " JOHN PLUMBE." After the Earl of Sefton sold his estates, the parishioners elected the constable, instead of the one elected by this family, the election being made in the Parish Church every Michaelmas Day. In 1842 the constables' accounts were audited and signed u For John Plumbe Tempest, Esq., one of the Lords of the Manor " of Aughton, and sole Lord of the Manor of Up Litherland." Like all of our other parish accounts, these commence in 1739, each year opening with the item " For going to Darby Court wn. sworn, and Barleyman's expenses" ... ... ... ... ... ... Q 2 10 " Among the inferior officers at the Manorial Courts, leet and baron were burgh or burough lawmen, later on termed bye-law. men. The barleymen, as we now cal' them in Lancashire, are the referees as to the amounts due for damage, trespass, encroachments, &c." Notes and Queries, 1876. K 136 CONSTABLES ACCOUNTS. 1740. Sep. 1 8. Paid George Blundell for repairing ye ducking stool, is. lod. (Hen. Aspinwall, constable.) Dr. Johnson said we have different modes of restraining evil stocks for the men, a ducking stool for women, and a pound for beasts. We have had all three in our parish. The stocks figure in the records with an entry or two relative to the purchase of a "lock for stocks," and an occasional coat of paint. They stood by the old wall of the churchyard, and report states that one, " Old Dawber " by name, was the last to grace them. It is well known the ducking stool was a correctional seat in which scolds were placed, that the warmth of their temperament might be regulated by the salutary operation of ducking. It is impossible to fix the date when it was introduced, or to say when, by the improvement in female manners, it was no longer found necessary, but that it was in request must be inferred by the repairs required. It is also a matter of conjecture where the ducking pond was situated. I am led to understand there existed a sheet of water at the foot of Church Brow, which would be fed by the numerous springs in that locality, and being in close proximity to the church and village green, I should imagine there the village scold would be dragged " to the pond, where the high stool " On the long plank hangs o'er the muddy pool, " That stool, the dread of every scolding quean "There plac'd aloft, I'll rave and rail by fits "Though all the parish say I've lost my wits." 1740. Pd. to a man with a pass from Isle a White. Given to a man with a pass from Portobello. Pd. to a woman and a child with a pass to Scotland. These wayfarers usually got 6d. a piece. A minute, under date April 2yth, 1736, records : "There hath of late been severall summes charged " in the churchwardens acc ts - as paid to travellers or other persons, some " of whom have pretended to come with passes, which payments have " usually been at the discretion of the said churchwardens and swelled " their accounts as we apprehend unnecessarily, now we whose names are " subscribed do hereby, at this vestry, order the churchwardens for the " time to come do not pay any money at all to any such persons, or if " they do that the same shall not be allowed in their accounts." (Signed) H. PLUMBE. GEO HEWITT. 1 8 others. CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS. 137 The effect of this order plainly shows, from the accounts, that the constables had to bear these charges, and in fact a very large percentage of their expenses went in relief. From 29th Sept., 1747, to same date> 1749, they relieved 14 Soldiers' Widows, with 34 Children. 2 Soldiers' Wives, with 4 Children. 151 Distressed Sailors. 50 Disabled do. 27 Soldiers. 3 Do. Wounded. 28 Do. Disbanded. 40 Do. Distressed. 2 Do. Disabled. 6 Marines. 34 Sailors. Besides others called passengers in all some 400 people. They would all have to produce a pass signed by a magistrate, with particulars whence they came and whither going. 1741. Nov. 5. Spt. at a Bonefire at Aughton Church Style and Gall Hill /o 3 9 1747. To 12 Baskets of coals for bonefire and paid for powder... 050 1750. To coals for ye Bonefire ... ... ... ... ...o 5 o Do to powder ... ... ... ... ...o i 2 Spent at Jon Southard 6s. at Booties 2s. at Susan Blundels 2s. and at Henry Goore and Miller either is. in all ... ... ... ... ... ... ... o 12 o 1755. Spent at the Moss at all the houses ... ... ...o 6 o To powder ... ... ... ...014 1766. Spent at Aughton church stile and Moss i 7 o 1768. Spent at sundry places i 16 o To Gunpowder ... ... ... o o 10^ 1777. April i. Agreed nothing to be spent on the 5th Nov. for the future. 1785. Sep. 29. At a vestry &c. agreed that in future the sum of i be allowed by the parish to be spent on the 5 Nov. and in future no sum exceeding that will be allowed. 138 CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS. No comment on these payments is required ; it will be noticed, as time went on, the decrease in the amount of powder provided is largely counterbalanced by the creature comforts at " sundry places." 1742. July 1 6. At laying the window book ... ... ... -Co 4 o Paid to the Window Peepers ... ... ... ... 012 o The window tax was the predecessor of our present inhabited house duty, and was only repealed in 1851. Seven windows went free, and, in country districts, dairy and cheese-room windows also. Walsh Hall had a window labelled Cheese Room. The Rev. George Vanbrugh had in the Rectory (1801) 27 windows, and was taxed up to -i\ 125. 1744. Spent at takeing 3 sailors that was pressed on^yaem and others that attended all the time ... ^^ l 9 3 Paid to Constable of Ormskirk for the time the men were kept there... ... ... ... ... ... 2 12 3 To pressing Wm. Burning and keeping a Day and Night, and assistants ... ... ... ... ... ... o 5 To going a Privy Searching ... ... ... ... o i o 1745. June 27. To pressing John Leatherbarrow ... ... o 7 6 The press-gang must have been busy in Aughton, if we are to judge by these items. Leatherbarrow must have come to an untimely end, for the overseers have this recorded : 1746. May 4. It was agreed, &c., that the overseers of the poor should give and allow to J. Leatherbarrow's widow, being one of our poor, the sum of two pounds ten shillings to Relieve her {family living at Hull, provided she would trouble us no more, unless she would come and reside in our Township. 1745. Apr. 22. Pd. Wm. Hill, a sailor that was taken with y e Spaniards, his wife and 5 children ... ... - o l 1747. To Carting Rebels 006 1748. Pd. to a man distressed by Cattle o o 6 1749. To making Hue-and-Cry ... ... ... ... ... o i o CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS. 139 1751. Pd. to a man and 3 children with a pass, distressed by Thunder... ... ... ... ... ... o o 8 1754. Spent at receiving money from the Last officers ... o 2 6 1755. To expences concerning y e man that stole the goose ... o 5 6 Paid to Michael Heathcoat for the finger-post, and the clerk for lettering and painting y e same ... ... o 13 6 1756. Pd. for a Lock for Stocks ... ... .. ... ... o 2 2 Pd. to mending the handcuffs 003 1757. To attending the marriage of John Moore and throwing to y e Scholars ... ... ... ... ... ... o i 6 1758. To making privy search for seafaring men ... ... o I o 1760. Feb. 19. Two days privy search and spent at taking up 8 young lads for Sabbath breaking before Justice ... o 3 o A few years later " a warning at Ormskirk that no person should " play at Ball on the Moss on Sunday." 1761. To Michael Heathcoat for a Rail over Soudell Brook ... Q i 2 Spent at taking Bollilo ... ... ... ... ... o 3 o To taking Pondechery ... ... ... ... ...040 1762. To the Ringers at taking Martinino ... ... ... o 3 o Spent on the Parishioners at the Birth of Prince Wales 056 To the taking of the Havanah ... ... ... ... o 10 o In these " victory ringings " our worthy constable got mixed over the names. Bollilo stands for Belle Isle ; and Martinino must be construed into Martinique. 1762. Sep. 29. u At a General meeting it is hereby agreed that, for the " time to come, no Master in the Parish of Aughton, having " Servants or Apprentices, shall convey them to prison but at " their own Expense." 1768. To erecting a Finger post at the end of the Town "* l 6 i i 4 o CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS. 1777. Spent at taking Long Island o 14 o Do. Rhode Island 090 To taking Ticonderoga ... ... ... ... ... o 14 o 1778. Do. Statin Island 0174 Do. Philadelphia o 18 8 1780. Spent on the Ringers, taking Charles Town o 2 6 These " victory ringings " are reminiscences of the American War of Independence. 1782. To a rejoicing day for Admiral Rodney ... ... ... o 9 o 1787. To four jurymen on the Inquest of a Man found murdered in this Parish ... ... ...040 To Cash pd. for. 892 Sparrow heads brot into the vestry at a farthing ... ... ... ... ... ... 018 7 To 19 Magpye heads at halfpenny. The destruction of birds was immense ; in 1788, 2,001 sparrows, and in 1789, 3,797 sparrows, were brought in, besides other singing birds. In 1828, the premiums fixed were one penny each for old sparrows ; one farthing for young ones ; bullfinches one penny each ; but nothing for magpies ; the cost for that year reaching 26 8s. 6d. 1789. Received for goods trespassing on the Waste Lands, Cattle Grazing thereon, Likewise for Sods and Sands taken therefrom .. ... ... ... ... 2 17 2 1793. Given the Ringers when news came of the taking of Toulon ... ... ... ... ... ... o 10 6 1794. To exps. on Ringers and others at three different times Rejoicing taking Martinico, the French Fleet, and St. Domingo i 16 6 For taking down and rebuilding Brook House Bridge in Aughton and Ormskirk ... ... ... ... 417 6 1797. Sep. 29. Received from Miles Barton, of Ormskirk, Surgeon, a year's rent for the Mud Hole, near the Bridge, at Townend, due 6 Apr. last... ... ... o 2 6 CONSTABLES' ACCOUNTS. 141 Will this curious entry have any reference to what was known as the " Earth Cure," started by a quack named Graham, about 1785, and who is mentioned by Brooke in his "Liverpool during the i8th Century"? One of Graham's means for insuring health and longevity was the frequent use of mud baths ; and, that it might be evident that he practised what he preached, he was to be seen in his garden, on stated occasions, immersed in mud to the chin, and accompanied by a woman to whom he gave the name of Vestina, Goddess of Health. 1798. Taking an Acct. of all Persons in the Parish and their Stocks of Cattle ... ... ... ... _^~o 8 o Exps. on Ringers when Admiral Nelson obtained the Victory on the Nile ... ... ... ... ... o 7 6 1799. Exps. on Parish crs rejoicing at the Capture of the Dutch Fleet 114 1801. Wm. Mawdsley's Bill for drawing a plan of the Church., i IT 6 Assessing Armorial Bearings and Hair Powder Duty ... o 5 o By 48 George III., c. 55, every person wearing or using Hair Powder paid \ 13:6 per annum. The roll of Aughton constables is preserved, with a few exceptions, since 1670, and in many instances substitutes had been provided. The list contains many old parish names and residences, a few of which may interest some of my readers. 1670. George Swift, John Leatherbarrow. 1671. John Walsh, Richard Hodgkinson. 1673. James Worthington, Rob. Letherbarrow. 1675. Thomas Robinson, William Sutch. 1676. Thomas Langley, Rich. Aspinwall. 1687. Mr. Jameson, Lower House. 1692. Henry Guy, Little Hall ; Simon Smith. i 4 2 CONSTABLES ACCOUNTS: 1693. Middlewood, Roger Harrocks. 1695. James Worth ington, for Lunde, Peter Butshard. 1701. Thomas Tumpp, Bowker's Estate. 1708. Thomas -Meadow, for Cockbeck ; J. Harrocks. 1709. John Pye, Hollinhurst ; Thos. Langley. 1713. John Mercer, Hall of Aughton, and William Alerton. 1714. Henry Watkinson, Jn., Wm. Tyrer, for Mr. Kippax's House. 1718. Henry Molyneaux p. Rich. Physic, John Goore, p. Banister. 1724. Henry Molyneaux, for Cleeves Hill, Rob. Woosey, for Hodkinson. 1726. Peter Woosey, for Arnold's House. 1728. James Pye, for Hoskyns, James ffoggs for Mr. Scrofts. 1731. Gilbert Woosey for Little Hall. Humphrey Wilcock for Hall of Walsh. 1732. John Cross for Bridge House, Nicholas Newell for Mr. Smoots. 1734. Robert Bickersteth for Middlewood. John Goore for Mr. Sudells, near the Moss. 1736. Henry Watkinson for Town Green. E. Martlow for Molyneux, near Brookfield Green. 1738. Henry Aspinwall, Job Pye for Highland. 1739- Thomas Taylor for Charles Stanley, Esq. 1740.^ Wm. Yates for Mickerin. 1753. John Fazackerley, Wm. Scharisbrick. 1776- John Southworth, Richard Parr. 1783. Thos. Clarkson, Henry Brighouse. 1790. Jno. Shekeledy, John Allin. 1794. Ditto Thomas Harsnip. 1798. James Dickinson, John Caunce. 1803. Wm. Welsby, Wm. Prescott. 1816. John Prescott, Rob. Bell (who died in office). 1817. Ditto John Wignall. 1822. Wm. Aspinwall, Rich. Rainford. 1828. James Taylor, Rich Serjeant. 1842. John Freeman. WAYWARDENS' ACCOUNTS. SURVEYORS OF THE HIGHWAYS, OR WAYWARDENS. ATURALLY these accounts treat of but one subject the roads and, therefore, exhibit little variety ; still, a quaint bit of humour (unwittingly, no doubt) creeps in now and again. They were not quite so lavish in their expenditure at " footing time," and displayed most commendable caution when they only " Spent on the old officers when we knowd w h way in pocket." Several items throw a little light on the nomenclature of our roads ; others, again, on the cost of labour, the price of timber, &c., &c. 1737. To John Underwood for 3 loads of Gorse laid in y e highways Q 2 o 1738. To Thomas Taylor for 4 loads paving-stones carted into pudding street, at is. 6d. a load ... ... ... o 6 o Why, or wherefore, Pudding Street is pure conjecture. When the churchwardens were wont to be sworn in, it was called " Parish pudding " day. It is said that an old woman resided there, whose culinary opera- tions in making black puddings became renowned. There may be some truth in this, for later (1763) it is called " Old Ann's Lane," and there is now Big Nan and Little Nan Field in the immediate neighbourhood. The name has long rankled in the breast of several parishioners, for in a vestry, 25th March, 1878, a discussion was introduced to alter Pudding Street into Brookfield Lane, by which more euphonious title it is still struggling hard to be called. Granted that a " street " is superior to a " lane," the levelling down principle demands that the only street in the Parish should cease to exist. 146 WAYWARDENV ACCOUNTS. " Tis but thy name that is my enemy : O, be some other name ! What's in a name ? " " Le Brookefield " is mentioned in 1614. 1739. For 7 days work to Thomas Prescott at lod. a day ... o> 5 10 Spt. when Mr. Plumbe & Mr. Hill surveyed ye Cutt lane 020 " I July, 1739. At a vestry an order was gotten by Jno. Plumbe. " Esq., that the township should pave or make a yard causey in the Cutt " lane. The majority of the vestry, whose names are subscribed, " thought it very proper that the order should be laid aside, it being " never repaired by any officer." CHARLES STANLEY, BRYAN WILCOCK, HENRY SWIFT and 21 others. " John Marsh gave his vote at the same vestry to have the above " pavd. and none else." With the Masons at agreeing for ye Cart Platt near the town green ... ... ... ... ... ... o I 4 For penny ragge ... ... ... ... ... ... o o 2 Platt is a rough bridge or way over a ditch or brook ; but what is penny ragge ? 1743. Pd. for hewing rock on Ashhurst's Hill ... ... 3 6 Do. land laid to the Highway at Ashhurst Cross ... 4 2 5 1747. At Codpiece Green, Wm. Mason, 9 load (stones) ... 013 6 At Bould Lane 017 To 4 days of i man for work by Holburn ... ... o 6 o Codpiece Green, which has now entirely lost its identity, was situated at the junction of Parr's Lane and Prescot Road, and would take its name from its shape. Holburn, or Holborn Hill, on the ascent of the Liverpool Road from Ormskirk, is retained in Holborn House. 1751. Aug. 6. Pd. to John Seddon for measuring ye land taken to enlarge the road at Mickering,. ... ... '~ 3 -6 WA Y WAR DENS' ACCOUNTS. 147 In Calendar of Pleadings, 23 Elizabeth (1551), there was a dispute Jas. Lathwaite versus Hy. Asmoll and George Holme concerning messuage and lands called Mykeringe. In Dugdale's visitation, 1665, a member of the Burscough family appears to have lived here. Mary, daughter of Peter Stanley, of Moor Hall, married " Macklin Bursco, of the Mackering, in Aughton." The earliest notice of the name in the parish books occurs in 1677, when "Rich Hesketh Mickring " was overseer. 1754. Spent by order of Mr. Plumbe to level the roads at the funeral of Lawyer Bootle ... ... ... ... o> 2 o 1756. Pd. Ale for Carters at Parson's Brook ... ... ... o i o 1759. Pd. for laying a Rack at Bickensteen Brook o o 8 The brook, which rises among Aughton Springs, passing the Rectory, would naturally be dubbed " Parson's Brook " ; and we read of " making cramps for ye bridge by ye Rector's," about this time. Formerly, a moat existed round the Rectory, fed by this stream ; but all trace of it has long disappeared. Further on its course it gives name to Bickiston Meadow, and ultimately empties itself into the Sudell. 1764. Pd. Carters for taking Stones to Sudell Brook ... ... Q i 2 This brook, which divides Aughton from Lydiate, would, in all likelihood, take its name from Mr. Christopher Sudell, for a short time Rector of the Parish. In 1717, he figures as waywarden, living at "higher house," or High House, which is not far from the brook. 1764. 29th Oct. For removing Stones from Budget's Lane to Holt Green v o 3 Budget or Butcher's Lane, is mentioned under the heading of "Registers." Holt Green, the only green still remaining to the Parish, has in its centre the base of an ancient cross ; a similar one stands in the corner of the road at Cross Brow or Mount ; another one did exist at Birches Brow, but is now entirely destroyed. 1765. Aug. 31. To 3 Rack Poles laid at Birchal's Brow ... Q 2 o To James Birchal for 2 loads of Stone ... o 3 o WAYWARDENS 1 ACCOUNTS. 149 Birches Brow, a picturesque district of the parish, would seem to be a corruption of Birchall's Brow. The modern name would naturally be associated with the presence of birch trees ; but, as a matter of fact, none existed there until the late Mr. Musgrove planted them a few years ago. 1766. Spent at geting the Roads Cult with the great snow ... Q o 10 1769. In this year 2 ash trees cost 10 6 ; a poplar 7;'-; and Michael Heathcote sold an oak for 5/-. 1774. To a new platt by Winifords ... ... ... ,& 5 o Winifred Lane, to which this entry presumably refers, may have its name originally from some one bearing that name. There was a Mr. Winifred an overseer in 1717. Of other road nomenclature, Cottage Lane will take its name from the erection of " The Cottage," late Miss Blundell's, now occupied by Mrs. Brighouse. Prior to that it is conjectured it was designated Pyntell Lane. This was an ancient local family name, for in 5th Edw. I. (1277 A.D.) there was an action by Adam, son of Richard Pyntel, against Robert le Molinens touching some possessions in Melling ; later, in 1694, an action was pending " Alexander Hesketh and his wife, Maria, versus " Thos. Dodd, Robt. Cholmondley, John Caunce " concerning " Messuages " and tenements in Ormskirke, a close of ground in Aughton called " Pintles Acres, and a messuage, &c., in Ormskirke called the Eagle and Child, &c." There is now a field in Cottage Lane called Pimples Acre. The field name has been spoken of as the " wayside flower of the old " English language ; " few things are more difficult than unlocking the mysteries of these names. Guessing as to what they mean is an easy amusement, and it is but seldom that one can arrive at anything like certainty. Scattered up and down these " Gleanings " are references to a few on which old deeds have thrown a light. Others may be ascertained by some local formation of the land, such as " Brand Earth " in the Clieves Hill District. Here the word " brand " may be a corruption of " brant," meaning steep, a word still to be found in the names of places in the Lake District : as in Brant Fell, and Brantwood (Mr. Ruskin's house at Coniston). ISO WA YWARDENS ACCOUNTS. Local dialect will sometimes give a clue ; " Pingot Meadow " being a sample. Pingot is still, or was very recently, in common use in Lancashire, meaning "a small enclosure of land." It is found in Tim Bobbin "A tailor wur throng pooin turmits in his pingot." Personal names are perpetuated in various instances. Woosey's Acre has already been under notice. Underwood Croft, Arnold's Meadow, Seddon's Hey, all names of old parishioners. Agriculture and its attendant accessories naturally figure largely in these names, such as : Marled Hey, Broad Acre, Turf Stack Croft, Horse Pasture, Ox Hey, Tall Grass Hey, Gorse Acre, Thistle Hey, Oozey Earth, Daisy Hey, Sour Field, Boar's Hey, and scores of others similar. Of Shakspearian names there are three : Woolsey's Croft, already noticed, Dogberry Meadow, and Hamlet's Croft. Will Cross-bow Field, and Short Shoot, be any reminiscence of the time when every Englishman should have a bow of his own height ? What is the explanation of Cadix Meadow, Souder Field, Loten, Galniff, Longless, Dragon Hey, Long Slang ? The reader must use his own judgment, and find them in a dictionary if he can. ON THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE TWO CHURCHES. CONTRIBUTED BY THOMAS MEDCALF. PARISH CHURCH. (South-East Aspect). ON THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE TWO CHURCHES. THE PARISH CHURCH. HE Church of St. Michael, although of undoubted antiquity, never appears to have gathered around it any story, or traditions, connected with its past history ; and, although several periods of Gothic architecture are represented, few of the ancient features are possessed of grace or symmetry ; yet, despite its lack of historic annals, or intrinsic beauty, it is interesting from an archaeological point of view. Many of its features are quaint and picturesque, and its weather-stained and time-worn stones are eloquent of an otherwise silent past. When its foundations were laid the great city to the south was but a small village, inhabited by a few fisher folk ; the fertile meadows around it were mostly covered by a vast forest, stretching to Crosby shore ; and the rich table-land to the north was, no doubt, a wild morass, whose reedy pools were the haunt of the swan, the heron, and the bittern. For seven hundred years at least its quiet and apparently uneventful existence has run, and, no doubt, in times of peace and times of trouble, it has formed a centre of religious life. Generation after generation has been summoned by the sound of its "Church-going bell," and their footsteps have been directed towards its heaven-pointing spire. That a large portion of the south wall of the nave was built in the twelfth century is evidenced by the ancient masonry, and the remains of the Norman doorway, which have been almost miraculously preserved. Both the shafts of the columns are gone, but the bases still stand in position, and one capital of genuine Norman type is left. The formation of the large oblong window adjoining appears to have weakened the wall to such an extent that the thrust of the roof timbers was forcing it out- ward. To remedy this, a massive buttress has, in times gone by, been REMAINS OF NORMAN DOORWAY, PARISH CHURCH. THE PARISH CHURCH. 155 built against the centre of the arch. It is possible that the doorway may have been walled up previous to this, and the present one formed ; a weather label giving evidence of a porch with a roof of steeper pitch having existed on the site of the present one. Possibly the old porch may have been "restored" a century or two ago ; a portion of the present one has certainly been re-dressed within the memory of the old parishioners most likely in 1826, when the Church was pointed and the top of the spire rebuilt. The lower part of the wall, to the west of the porch, is of very ancient workmanship ; and another buttress has at some remote period been placed against a small lancet or Norman window, only the east jamb of which is to be seen. There are two windows placed right under the eaves on this'side of the Church. One of these was, no doubt, formed for lighting the gallery, and is merely a square hole cut into the masonry, without sill, or quoins, or stone head ; the diamond lead lights being placed within two inches of the face of the wall, and only secured by a cement fillet. The other is a three-light mullioned window, with flat segment arches, of rather pleasing * design, and was evidently placed in its elevated position for the purpose of lighting the old three-decker pulpit. Another square-headed, splayed window, without tracery, almost cuts into the one just mentioned, and leaves the wall so weak and bulging that it appears to be in want of another buttress. These eccentric windows, together with the large oblong one before mentioned, the Norman arch, and buttresses all placed apparently at hap- hazard, in defiance of all rules of symmetry or order, coming where one would least expect them, and also the fact that the wall itself has been raised at different periods, showing set-offs at various heights, give to this south front a very quaint, not to say uncouth, appearance. This is, perhaps, heightened by the fact that the chancel is of modern con- struction, and contrasts strangely with the old work. The original appears to have been of plain, fifteenth century character. It was rebuilt about 17 years ago, from designs by Messrs. W. & J. Hay, the eminent Liverpool architects, who, while very successfully reproducing the spirit of the 156 THE PARISH CHURCH. ancient work, have invested it with an extra fulness and richness of detail. This is noticeable, externally, by the very beautiful examples of perpendicular tracery in the south and east windows. This latter is a five- light window, with angel bosses to the label mould. Adjoining it is a three-light window, opening into what was formerly known as the Plumbe Chapel, but is now the choir vestry. The window is square-headed, with the upper part of the tracery filled in solid. The masonry surrounding it is rude and ancient, and bears evidence of successive alterations. To the north of this again is a two-light window of modern workmanship, lighting the vestry. This completes the east front, which, with its three very dissimilar windows, its quaint gables, and the lean-to of the vestry, with battlemented return, forms a very picturesque bit, rich in colour, and pleasing in outline, and in the varied lights and shadows of its weather- worn buttresses. Passing round to the north side, we notice that the vestry wall shows signs of former alterations. Indeed, Mr. Hogarth, who has been associated with the Church for considerably more than half a century, and relates many interesting reminiscences concerning the changes it has seen during his time, remembers distinctly the vestry window being on the north side, and the charnel-house standing a little to the west, against the lower part of the tower. " When we were lads," he says, " we used to clamber up the base and buttress of the tower to peep over the coping, and look down at the heaps of bones inside. I recollect well seeing several skulls two or three with the hair still on them." Happily, this state of things no longer exists, and the finely-moulded base of the tower is free from all obstruction. At about the height of 45 feet the tower is splayed off to an octagon, and has a two-light louvred belfry window in each alternate side, and a clock face placed above the arch of each window. A corbelled and moulded parapet completes the octagonal tower, and above this springs the spire, reaching altogether to a height of a little over one hundred feet. The north aisle projects beyond the line of the tower base, and has evidently been built at a subsequent period. The wall is returned against the tower buttress, and the lower part of the west buttress and base have THE PARISH CHURCH. 157 been cut away, as seen in the interior. The windows in the north wall are of plain Gothic of a late period, the masonry rude, and bearing signs of having been whitewashed. Many of the jamb stones are inscribed with interesting masons' marks in the shape of crosses, initials, triangles, &c. The north doorway exists as an external ornament merely, the interior having been walled up more than forty years ago. The west front consists of twin gables, old and weather-stained, with buttresses of varying profile, and set-offs similar to those on the south front. The windows are modern, having been re-constructed about 1876. That to the nave is a three-light window, in the perpendicular style. Formerly, a circular window was placed above this, as appears by the sketch of the Church in " Gregson's Lancashire," and the position may yet be traced by the freshness of the masonry in the gable. The window to the north aisle has four lights, and more elaborate tracery than its fellow. Above it, in the gable, is a stone with sunk enrichments, evidently belonging to an older building. A similar stone is to be seen in the churchyard. The avenue approaching this end of the Church appears formerly to have been the western boundary of the churchyard, only a few yards intervening between the west end of the Church and a small roadway leading to the old schoolhouse, which stood near the south-west corner of the present yard. A small flight of stone steps led from the level of the churchyard into the roadway. Three thatched cottages stood between the schoolhouse and the road leading to Holt Green, which, at that time, came with a sharp turn round the east end of the Church, as indicated by the stones still to be seen in the churchyard. The road was only about five yards wide, and a flight of six steps ascended from it to the level of the churchyard. These were situated about due south of the chancel entrance. To the north-east cf the vestry, and within the area of the present churchyard, stood, in former years, a public-house known as the u The Ring o' Bells." Originally, it was thatched, but in 1826 or 7, the roof was stripped and a club-room built upon the first floor. The apple tree 158 THE PARISH CHURCH. and lilac still growing in the churchyard were formerly in the garden attached to this house. The pedestal of the sun-dial is modern, but the dial-plate is dated 1736. From the top of the three steps surrounding it, notices were proclaimed in times gone by. It appears to have been the custom for the clerk, as soon as the services were ended, to hurry from the Church before the parishioners, and, mounting the steps, he would stand with his back, to the sun-dial, and give notice to the effect that farmer So-and-so would kill a cow on such a day, or that so many carts would be wanted at a particular spot in the parish at such a time, or that some other important rural transaction was to take place. The present churchyard has three entrances of varied character at the south-east corner stands a lich gate, at the north-east, an ivy-covered archway, and, perhaps more picturesque than all, the west end is approached by a small gate and avenue of trees, and through the leafy vista, glimpses of the west gables of the Church are seen, and the rectory trees in the distance complete the picture. For so ancient a Church it appears strange how few memorials of the past are preserved in the churchyard. There is scarcely an inscription dating back to the eighteenth century, and no record whatever of the many generations laid here to rest before that time. Not even " Their names, their years, spelt by th' unlettered muse, The place of fame and elegy supply." One memorial connected with their life and labours alone remains : the grey, venerable edifice in which they met to worship. As Ruskin says : " They have taken with them to the grave, their powers, their honours, and their errors ; but they have left us their adoration." There are two small brass tablets in the interior, one belonging to the i yth and one to the* i8th century. These, together with the modern marble tablets, and the canopied tombstone in the chancel by Westmacott, have already been described ; but the Church is singularly destitute of ancient monuments, and also of stained glass. There are a few bits of this latter in the tracery of the north aisle windows, containing the letters L.E. and L.O. joined by a sort of true lover's knot. THE PARISH CHURCH. 159 One of the characteristic features of the Church is the great width of the north aisle, which produces in the interior the effect of a dual nave, rather than a nave and aisle. This, together with the plaster barrel arches spanning each, gives to the Church a rather dwarfed appearance. This is emphasized again by the gallery, which is squeezed in over the west end of the nave, and also by the height of the pew framing. If a scheme, once suggested by the architects of the chancel, to do away with the plaster vault and expose the open timber work of the roof also to lower the level of the floor, and substitute open benches for the pew framing were carried out, it would certainly give the \ Church an appearance of airiness and .loftiness it at present distinctly lacks. None of these objectionable features have even the sanctity of age to plead for them. The roof was not ceiled until 1826, and Mr. Hogarth remembers well the erection of the pews, which was done piece-meal, here and there, over the Church, until nearly all the old oak benches were removed. The font (being an ancient disused one restored) formerly stood in the north aisle; the position being still indicated by the hook in the ceiling from which the cover was suspended. Its present position, and picturesque surroundings under the tower, is shown in the accompanying sketch. This, to have been complete, should certainly have included the ringers, who are to be seen before each service standing round the font in their shirt sleeves, " Keeping time, time, time, In a sort of runic rhyme." The sight has a rural and primitive aspect about it that savours strongly of the good old times, and is rarely now so fully and freely to be seen in our churches. The face of the old rood beam, with its inscription, 1 dated 1714, and the royal arms and tables, when taken down in 1876 from their original position across the western end of the chancel, were placed at the east end of the north aisle. This shows a proper consideration, and was perhaps the best thing to do with them. FONT AND BELFRY, PARISH CHURCH. THE PARISH CHURCH. 161 Several of the carved wooden angels from the old chancel are, it is said, still in existence. Angels bearing shields, beautifully carved in stone, now take their place, and support four of the principals of the chancel roof. The intermediate principals spring from stone corbels carved with foliage. A deep pitch pine cornice, with carved quatre-foils, surmounts the stone walls of the chancel. The purlins, spars, and diagonal boarding are all exposed, and arched pieces are fitted in longitudinally between the principals, giving the roof a rich appearance. Several old panels record the names of former rectors, curates, and churchwardens, many of them dating from the last century. As we turn to leave we see several points of interest which have escaped our notice as, for instance, the ancient canopied niche in the window splay near the pulpit ; but we have already lingered too long. The April evening is closing in, and we bid good-bye to the darkening Church. Passing through the stone-seated porch, the pleasant-looking rectory, with its enclosing trees, lies before us, now brightened by the after-glow from the west. Turning round by the east end, now in deep shadow, we leave the churchyard by the ivied archway, and, crossing the road, we follow the path across the meadow. On our right the grey gables and dormers of the schoolhouse and almshouses are seen among the trees. The twilight is fast fading, but before reaching the stile we turn towards the west for a parting glance at the venerable edifice we have just left. Grey and purple mists gather over the Beckingston meadows and the flat lands of Lydiate beyond The old Church stands darkly outlined against the pale glow of the April twilight, quiet and impressive. No detail is visible, but broadly and vaguely the lights and shadows are massed. The scene in its essentials belongs to the past, and we appear to look back into the silent ages over which the ancient fabric stands as a sentinel. We hear again the curfew sound from the belfry as in the ages long ago, and we see, as in a vision, all the drama of life and death that these stones have witnessed, and listen to the oft-recurring tolling of the bells, speaking of warfare finished and lest from labour. CHRIST CHURCH. OBLY BUILT," like Athens, or like Mount Zion, ' : beautiful for situation," is the thought which naturally arises to the mind in approach- ing from north or south, our fair and stately temple on the hill. Its com- manding tower is visible for many miles, From Everton hill, from Knowsley Park, from Crosby shore, from far out at sea. we see it looming above the grey horizon, an interesting and conspicuous object in the distance. As we approach we find that, archi- tecturally, it is admirably adapted for the position it occupies. Its vigorous tower, buttressed and pinnacled, appears to defy the storms that sweep unopposed from the silver line of sea that edges the horizon, over the broad expanse of level country ; and its bells from their exalted station ring out their message far and wide, the melody now meeting and commingling with the chimes from the mother Church, now joining in sweet concert with the music from the ancient bells of Ormskirk. The building, which is a chapel of ease to the parish Church, was erected from the designs of Messrs. W. & J. Hay. The foundation stone was laid on March 26th, 1867, but it was not until May 4th, 1877, that the Church was consecrated. It is built mostly of local stone, and is designed in the late decorated style of Gothic a period when the tracery was losing its geometric character, and its lines becoming more free and flowing. The Church is CHRIST CHURCH. 163 approached from the Liverpool road by a short walk and flight of steps. The principal entrance is in the lower stage of the tower, which stands at the west end of the nave. We enter by a spacious vestibule, lighted by two stained-glass windows depicting subjects connected with the birth of our Saviour. Opposite the entrance a doorway leads into the centre of the nave, and a small door to the right gives access to the gallery, the belfry, and tower. The gallery front is of stone, with carved circular panels and moulded corbels. A fine archway spans the front, beyond which is seen the four- light west window, its beautiful tracery filled in with stained glass. The font is placed at the west end of the south aisle. It is of Caen stone, with marble column supports, and is surrounded with sculptured panels representing Noah and the Ark, the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, Christ's baptism, and Christ blessing little children. Clustered columns, with caps carved with naturalistic foliage, support the arches between the nave and aisles. The label mould above the arches is terminated by bosses of carved foliage. An open timber roof of pitch pine spans the nave, each alternate principal of which springs from a stone corbel in the spandril of the arches. The corbels are carved with figures representing the twelve Apostles, each distinguished by an appropriate emblem. At the springing of the inter- mediate principals are full length figures of angels, ten in number, bearing musical instruments. The walls of the interior are lined with ashlar ; the floor is laid with tiles. The benches are of oak, and in each bench end is a circular panel filled with a geometric pattern, or other device no two of them being alike. The eagle lectern is of oak ; and the pulpit of Caen stone, with marble shafts to the columns, and panels carved in alabaster. 7 he centre panel represents the Sermon on the Mount, and the adjoining ones St. Paul preaching at Athens, and the preaching of St. John the Baptist. In the remaining panels are carved symbols of the passion. At the angles of the pulpit are carved the symbols of the Evangelists the Angel, the Lron, the Bull, and the Eagle. 1 64 CHRIST CHURCH. The chancel rises three steps above the nave, and is approached through a lofty arch springing from columns with richly carved capitals. The roof is of pitch pine, and is carried on arched principals springing from short marble columns, under which are carved stone corbels, the sculptured forms representing the Christian graces and virtues. The three alternate principals spring from carved full-length figures of angels, corresponding to those in the nave ; these, however, being in attitudes of devotion, indicative of Prayer, the others, with their musical instruments, representing Praise. The chancel walls are surmounted by a stone corbel-table, and above this is a broad band of open pitch pine tracery, above which are curved cross-pieces, with traceried spandrils fitted in between the principals, giving a full and rich effect to the roof. There are three windows in the south wall of the chancel, and corres- ponding to these are three arches in the north wall. The first of these opens into the organ chamber. The others are filled in with marble panels inscribed with the Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed. The east window contains a very beautiful example of flowing tracery. It is filled in with stained glass, depicting scenes from the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord. Beneath this the beautiful reredos extends from side to side of the chancel. It consists of a series of arches, richly moulded and cusped, springing from short columns with red and green marble shafts. At each intersection is the figure of an angel rising against a richly traceried and moulded background. The panels are filled with sculpture in white alabaster : the principal one representing Christ appearing to His disciples ; that on the left hand side, The Journey to Emmaus ; that to the right, The Commission to St. Peter ; and on the two end panels are represented the Agnus Dei and the pelican feeding her young with the blood drawn from her breast, emblematical from the earliest ages of the atonement. The carving was executed by Mr. Rogerson of Liverpool, and the greater part of the stained glass work by Messrs. CHRIST CHURCH. 165 Wailes & Strang of Ne\vcastle-on-Tyne. The beautiful peal of bells is the work of Messrs. Warner & Sons, the celebrated bell founders of London. Attached to the peal is a chiming apparatus, by which the changes may be rung by a single person. Several of the bells are inscribed with the names of the donors. The first peal was rung on September igth, 1878. The churchyard has never been enclosed, nor a satisfactory organ provided. These deficiencies, however, are in a fair way of being rectified, and soon we hope to see the architectural character of the Church as complete on the outside as it is in the interior ; and, as on approaching the Church we hear with delight the wild cadence of the bells resounding through the " windy halls of heaven," so, on entering, we may listen with equal delight to the answering voice of the deep-toned organ, filling the sacred enclosure with its richer and fuller melody. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. M LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. ANDERTON, Dr., M.R.C.P., Mansion House, Qrmskirk./- ,\ APPLETON, Rev. R., Trinity College, Cambridge. ATKINSON, Rev. C. CHETWYND, M.A., Ashton-upon-Mersey. ANDREWS, WM., F.R.H.S., The Hull Press, Hull. ATKINSON, Miss, The Quarry, Aughton. ALTY, CHARLES RIXTON, Artigas, Aughton. ASPINWALL, Mrs. JANE, The Mossock, Bickerstaffe. AGNEW, ERNEST F., Bank of England, Liverpool. BLUNDELL, Rev. Canon T. B. H., M.A., Halsall. BRIDGEMAN, Hon. and Rev. Canon, M.A., The Hall, Wigan. BARTLETT, Rev. F. A., M.A., 22, Great George Square, Liverpool. BRIGHOUSE, SAMUEL, Derby Street, Ormskirk. BALL, JOHN, Church Street, Ormskirk. BALL, THOMAS, Derby Street, Ormskirk. BROWN, HUGH, Bucklay House, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. BALDWIN, EDWARD, 120, Chatham Street, Liverpool. BREEZE, S., II, Tower Chambers, Liverpool. BICKERSTETH, Dr. E. R., F.R.C.S., 2, Rodney Street, Liverpool. BARTLETT, WM., Highfield House, Knotty Ash, Liverpool. BATESON, T. BLAIKIE, 33, Exchange Alley, Liverpool. BARON, T. A., 103, Shrewsbury Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. BANNER, J. S. HARMOOD, 24, South John Street, Liverpool. BROOKS, Miss, 5, Croxteth Grove, Sefton Park, Liverpool. BROMLEY, JAMES, The Homestead, Lathom. BROMFIELD, S., 66, Shrewsbury Road, Oxton. j BELL, MILES, Holly Cottage, Aughton. BLUNDELL, G. W. Meadowcroft, Aughton. BRIGHOUSE, HENRY, Moss End House, Aughton. BRIGHOUSE, LUKE, The Chesnuts, Aughton. BRIGHOUSE, Mrs., The Cottage, Aughton. BEHN, JNO. F., Clieve's Hills House, Aughton. BLAND, Mrs. Springwood, Aughton. BEESTON, C. S., Long Lane, Aughton. BARRY, CHARLES, J.P., Highfield, Lathom. BALL, GEORGE H., 15, Gambier Terrace, Liverpool. 170 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. CARLISLE, The Lord Bishop of, Rose Castle, Carlisle. CLARKE, Rev. B. S., D.D., Walmer House, Southport. COCHRANE, Rev. J. H. D., M.A., Liscard. COXON, Mrs., Corbridge-on-Tyne. CULBARD, A. D. FORDYCE, Ainsdale. CLARKE, W. J., 20, Water Street, Liverpool. CORNISH, A. W., 37, Lord Street, Liverpool. COPELAND, HY., ii, Tower Chambers, Liverpool. COOKE, GEORGE, Aughton Springs, Aughton. COOKE, W. H., Aughton Springs, Aughton. CLAMP, F. STANLEY, Granville Park, Aughton. DERBY, The Earl of, K.G., Knowsley Hall. DICKINSON, ALFRED, Hillside House, Aughton. DICKINSON, Mrs., Whimbrick House, Aughton. DRAPER, DANIEL, Parr's Lane, Aughton. ESPIN, Rev. T. E., D.D., Walsingham Rectory, Darlington. EDWARDS, Rev. R. de C., The Rectory, Lutterworth. EARWAKER, JOHN P., M.A., F.S.A., Pensarn, North Wales. ESHELBY, H. DOUGLAS, F.S.A., 24, Park Road South, Birkenhead. ELSMORE, S. COCHRANE, Leeswood, Waterloo Park. EASTWOOD, FRED., 3, Mellor Road, Oxton. EVANS, EDWARD, Brookfield Lane, Aughton. FORWOOD, Right Hon. A. B., J.P., M.P., Gateacre, Liverpool. FEILDEN, Rev. G. R., M.A., Lower Bebington. FIELD, Rev. THOMAS, Bigby Rectory, Brigg, Lincolnshire. FORMBY, R., Kirklake, Formby. FAIR, Mrs., Trenchfield, Aughton. FAIRCLOUGH, J. STANLEY, Elderslie, Aughton. FAIRCLOUGH, J. STANLEY, Junr., Crosby. FLETCHER, JAMES, The Mill, Aughton. FENTON, THOMAS, Town Green. GREEN, REV. V. T., Littlemore Vicarage, Oxford. GlTTENS, W. H., Lydiate Cottage, Lydiate. GREGSON, W. E., 43, fMoor Lane, Great Crosby. GORDON, Dr.*J. F., Maghull. GREEN, ROBERT F., Waterloo. GLASS, JOHN D.. Beulah, Blundellsands. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 171 GRINDROD, C. B., Woodstock Villa. Town Green. GARDINER, F. W. M., Normanhurst, Ruff Lane, Ormskirk. HAWKINS, Lady, Kelston Lodge, Oxford. HOPE, Rev. C. A., Barwick Rectory, Leeds. HENDERSON, W. G., Liverpool Union Bank. HILL, CHARLES, The Firs, Lathom. HOCTER, Rev. J. FRANCIS, M.A., Maghull. HEALD, Dr. HUGH, Derby Street, Ormskirk. HOLDER, THOMAS, J.P., 32, Ullet Road, Prince's Park, Liverpool. HERON, Mrs., Rathfriland. HARRIOT, T., 2, Elm Place, South Kensington, London, S.W. HORNBY, H. B., 6, Montpellier Crescent, New Brighton. HARRISON, THOMAS, Cranmore, Waterloo. HARRISON, JAMES, Park Avenue, Mossley Hill. HARRISON, Miss ANN, Woodlands, Crompton's Lane, Wavertree. HARRISON, JOHN, The Dingle, Aughton. HARRISON, WILLIAM, The Dingle, Aughton. HARRISON, G. J., The Dingle, Aughton. HELY, Capt. J. SWIFT, Spring Bank, Aughton. HoOTON, JAMES S., Granville Park, Aughton. HOLME, GEO., Moor Hall, Aughton. HOWARD, THOMAS, New Road, Aughton. BUTTON, W. LEAK, Moss Bank, Aughton. HOLT, ALFRED, Crofton, Aigburth, Liverpool. HAZELL, JNO. F., Liverpool Union Bank. HOLME, GEOFFREY G., c/o George Holme, Moor Hall, Aughton. ISAACSON, JOHN, Liverpool Union Bank, Bold Street Branch. JONES, Rev. DONALD, The College, Lichfield. JONES, ALPHAEUS, 64, Victoria Street, Liverpool. JONES, DAVID, 7, Halkyn Avenue, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. JOHNSON, ALFRED, 28, Paradise Street, Liverpool. KAY, THOMAS S., 53, Trinity Road, Bootle. KARSLAKE, Mrs. W. H., Kingsland House, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne. KRUGER-VELTHUSEN, H., Victoria College, Bingen. KENNEDY, DODGSON, Lanercost, Aughton. LATHOM, The Earl of, G.C.B., Lathom House. LISTER, JAMES, J.P., Basil Grange, West Derby. LEE-JONES, Rev. T. T., M.A., Grammar School, Ormskirk. 172 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. LENNON, Rev. JOHN J., Weld Bank, Chorley. LE PAN, Capt. H. C. P., Auckland, New Zealand. LITTLE, Mrs., Dilston-New-Town, Corbridge-on-Tyne. LEES, J. N., Long Lane, Aughton. LlVESEY, JOHN, Holt House, Aughton. LEA, GEORGE, Townend, Aughton. LESTER, Rev. Canon T. MAJOR, M.A., 294, Netherfield Road N., Liverpool. LlGHTBOUND, RANDAL, Oswald Court, Ormskirk. MARKHAM, Rev. C. W., M.A., The Rectory, Aughton. MARKHAM, Mrs., The Rectory, Aughton. MEDCALF, THOMAS, Daisy Bank, Aughton. MEDCALF, JOHN, Hazelhurst, Aughton. MEDCALF, Mrs., Mayfield, Aughton. MOUNT, EDWARD, Oaklands, Aughton. MARSHALL, JAMES, Alma Lodge, Aughton. MELLOR, JOHN, Junr., Granville Park, Aughton. MCCARTHY, JOHN, Granville Park, Aughton. MASON, Mrs., New Road, Aughton. MASSEY, Mrs., Elmsfield, Aughton. MORRISON, Dr. WM., Rathfriland. McK-AY, JOHN, Liverpool Union Bank. MOORE, D. INMAN, 23, Sandown Lane, Wavertree. MEWBURN, Colonel JOHN, Myrtle, Sidmouth. MAY, WM., Free Library, Birkenhead. MONTGOMERY, JOHN, Junr., Rowson Street, New Brighton. NOTTINGHAM, The Bishop of, Leasingham, Sleaford. NEALE, WILLIAM, Long Lane, Aughton. NEWSTEAD, THOMAS, Netherbank Cottage, Largs. NEWSTEAD, GEO. LE PAN, Swanpool Lane, Aughton. NEWSTEAD, HARRY LE PAN, Swanpool Lane, Aughton. PATTISON, Rev. A. B., Aughton. PILKINGTON, Lieut.-Colonel JOHN, Rookwood, Sandown Park, Wavertree. POWELL, Rev. EDWARD, Lydiate. PRIESTLEY, W. H., 15, Alton Road, Oxton. PRIESTLEY, J. V., 19, Gambier Terrace, Liverpool. PAGET, T. E., The Mount, 8, Elmswood Road, Aigburth. PATERSON, J. BARR, Crosby House, Great Crosby. PARR, Miss, Ellerbrook, Lathom. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. PIPPET, C. E., Hilbre, Mayfield Road, Wallasey. PEET, HENRY, 97, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool. PRESCOTT, WILLIAM, 6, Exchange Alley, Liverpool. PYE, WILLIAM, 2, Broad Green Road, Old Swan. PECK, Dr. HERBERT, Wigan Road, Ormskirk. PHILLIPS, JOHN, Belmont, Aughton. POTTER, WILLIAM, Granville Park, Aughton. PEARCE, ALEXANDER, Granville Park, Aughton. PEARCE, HENRY, The Quarry, Aughton. PRESCOTT, Miss ANN, Birches Brow, Aughton. PRESCOTT. WEBSTER, Birches Brow, Aughton. PARKER, T. S., Prescot Road, Aughton. PATTINSON, J. R., Edge Lane, Liverpool. RYLE, Right Rev. J. C., Bishop of Liverpool, The Palace, Abercromby Square RIGBY, Rev. WM. BEDE, St. Anne's, Aughton. RlPLEY, RICHARD, Pygons Hill House, Lydiate. REDGE, JOHN W., 9, Redcross Street, Liverpool. RATCLIFFE, EDMUND MOLYNEUX, Fernhurst, Aughton. RATCLIFFE, Miss MABEL M., Fernhurst, Aughton. RATCLIFFE, Miss EDITH F., Fernhurst, Aughtonl RATCLIFFE, Mrs. HERBERT, 65, Russian Drive, Green Lane, Liverpool. RIDING, HENRY, Aughton Street, Ormskirk. ROBINSON, DAVID, Liverpool Union Bank. SPOONER, Rev. G. HARDWICK, M.A., The Rectory, Woolton. STEWART, Rev. R. B., Hale Vicarage. SNOW, Rev. ALFRED, St. Mary's, Aughton. SHAWE, Mrs. JAMES, Asmall House, Scarisbrick. SADLER, J. M., Kennessee Green, Maghull. SYMONDS, C. P., J.P., The Hall, Ormskirk. STONER, THOMAS, Market Cross House, Ormskirk. SMITH, TOM C., F.R.H.S., Longridge, near Preston. SEDDON, Mrs. C. TUDOR, Rose Place, Aughton. SEDDON, ROBERT, West Tower, Aughton. SMITH, J. HESKETH, Long Lane, Aughton. SEPHTON, JAMES, Bold Lane, Aughton. SKELLAND, HENRY, Thorn Tree Cottage, Brookfield Lane, Aughton. SUTTON, CHARLES W., Free Reference Library, Manchester. STUBBS, LUCAS P., Mount Road, New Brighton. SHAW, GILES, F.R.H.S., 72, Manchester Road, Oldham. i 7 4 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. TEMPEST, Sir ROBT. T., Bart., Tong Hall, Drighlington, Bradford. THORNELY, JAMES L., 5, Fenwick Street, Liverpool. THOMAS, Mrs. ARTHUR, Strathmore, Sheffield. THOMPSON, JAMES, 63, Lord Street, Liverpool. TRICKETT, Mrs., Sandy Mount, Aughton. TAYLOR, W. G., Smithy Lane, Aughton. TUNSTALL. Mrs., Long Lane, Aughton. TARDREW, THOS. H., Wavertree Nook, Wavertree. VAN GRUISEN, N. L., Junr., Locksley, Maghull. VALENTINE, Mrs., Sandhurst, Knock, Co. Down. WooSNAM, Rev. C. M., 7, Riversdale Road, Aigburth. WOODROW, Rev. J. E., Ormskirk. WARBURTON, Rev. W., Altcar Vicarage, Formby. WYLIE, Rev. W. J., Horkston Vicarage, Barton-on-Humber. WELSBY, Colonel WM., J.P., The Grange, Southport. WlTHlNGTON, T. ELLAMES, J.P., Culcheth Hall, Warrington. WOOD, R. P., J.P., Bank House, Maghull. WlCKHAM, W., M.P., Binsted Wyck, Alton, Hants. WARLOW, THOMAS, 23, Parkfield Road, Anfield, Liverpool. WILLIAMS, THOMAS, Liverpool Union Bank, London Road Branch. WOODWARD, T. BLAKE, Waterloo Park, Waterloo. WATSON, JAMES, Liverpool Union Bank. WINDER, LEONARD, Derby Street, Ormskirk. WAINWRIGHT, Jos., Moor Street, Ormskirk. WARD, Mrs., 20, Parkfield, New Ferry. WANNOP, A. E., 9, Cook Street, Liverpool. WALTHEW, Mrs., Granville Park, Aughton. WALTHEW, JAMES B., Granville Park, Aughton. WALTHEW, WILLIAM, Vine Cottage, Aughton. WEBSTER, THOMAS, c.c., Melling. WALKER, GEO. B., Springfield, Aughton. WALKER. WILLIAM, Granville Park, Aughton. WARLOW, GEO. E., Swan pool Lane, Aughton. WOODS, JAMES, Gerrard Hall, Aughton. WELSBY, Mrs., Swanpool House, Aughton. WlDDOWSON, Miss, Red Beech House, Aughton. WARLOW, CHARLES, 61, Aughton Street, Ormskirk. YOUNG, HENRY SELDEN, 7, Lome Road, Waterloo. YOUNG, HENRY & SON, 12, South Castle Street, Liverpool. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-40m-7,'56(C790s4)444 THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES DA Mew stead - 690 Gleanings to- A93N5 warrlg thp annalc of Aught on I DA 690 A93NS UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000999916 o