Townships: Hindley

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 4. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1911.

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'Townships: Hindley', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 4, (London, 1911) pp. 106-111. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol4/pp106-111 [accessed 17 March 2024]

In this section

HINDLEY

Hindele, 1212; Hindelegh, 1260 (common); Hindeley, 1292.

Hindley lies in the centre of the great Lancashire coalfield, and consists of a level-surfaced country dotted over with collieries and black pit-banks. A close network of tramways and railways covers the face of a singularly dreary stretch of country, where the pastures are scanty and blackened. Frequent pools of water lie between the collieries, indicating subsidences of the earth caused by mining. What trees remain standing appear as dead stumps, with leafless branches reflected weirdly in the 'flashes' of water. In the more favoured parts of the township, wheat, oats, and potatoes manage to find an existence. There is some pasturage also. The area is 2,610½ acres, (fn. 1) and the population in 1901 was 23,504.

The ancient road from Manchester to Wigan goes west-north-west through the township. The town of Hindley lies to the north of this road. At this point is a cross road leading north-eastward from Platt Bridge and Lowe Green to Westhoughton, having a branch north to Aspull. Through the town, adjacent to this cross road, runs a brook known here as the Borden. Near the eastern boundary is the village of Hindley Green; from this a road leads south to Leigh. The London and North-Western Company's Manchester and Wigan Railway passes through the township from east to west, with stations at Hindley Green and Platt Bridge. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Company's line from Wigan to Manchester also crosses the northern corner, where there is a station; and the two companies' joint railway runs north through the western part of the township, being there joined by a connecting line from the North-Western main line. The Great Central Railway's line to Wigan crosses the western end, and has a station called Hindley and Platt Bridge.

There were formerly two 'burning wells' here, one in Derby Lane, the other near Dog Pool, now called Grange Brook. (fn. 2)

The great business is coal-mining; there is also an iron foundry, and cotton manufacturing is carried on extensively. The first factory is said to have been erected near the end of the 18th century by Richard Battersby at Lowe mill, formerly a water corn-mill. A little later hand-loom weaving was one of the chief industries, each cottage having a weaving shop attached. (fn. 3)

The Local Government Act of 1858 was adopted by the township in 1867. (fn. 4) Under the Act of 1894 an urban district council of fifteen members has been constituted. New council offices were opened in 1904.

A fair is held on the first Thursday in August.

A sundial, dated 1699, formerly stood at Castle Hill. (fn. 5)

MANOR

HINDLEY was no doubt one of the fifteen berewicks of the royal manor of Newton before the Conquest. (fn. 6) After the Conquest it continued to form part of the fee of Makerfield, (fn. 7) and in 1212 one part was held in thegnage, in conjunction with Ashton, by Thomas de Burnhull. (fn. 8) The remainder was held by local families.

Swain son of Leofwin held the Burnhull share, and gave it to a certain Gospatric in free marriage; in 1212 Roger the son of Gospatric held this portion of Thomas de Burnhull. Two oxgangs were at the same time held by Adam de Hindley 'of ancient feoffment,' i.e. by a title going back to the time of Henry I at least. Another half plough-land was held by Richard de Hindley, son of Robert; portions of this had been given to the Hospitallers and to Cockersand Abbey. Some portion was perhaps still held in demesne. (fn. 9)

The mesne lordship of the Burnhulls appears to have been surrendered, and the lords of Makerfield had the various Hindley families as immediate tenants. It appears, however, down to 1330, and the Pemberton holding was part of it. (fn. 10) Gospatric's immediate successors seem to have been the Waleys or Walsh family. (fn. 11)

The two oxgangs of Adam de Hindley may have been joined to that half plough-land or to the half plough-land of Richard de Hindley to form the moiety of the manor held by a family bearing the local name. Gilbert de Culcheth was overlord of this in 1300. In November 1302 Adam de Hindley complained that a number of persons had joined in disseising him of a free tenement in Hindley, a messuage with an acre of land, and an acre of meadow, which he had had from one Adam de Plumpton, who had purchased from Hugh de Hindley. Gilbert de Culcheth replied as chief lord; he had taken possession fearing that the feoffment made by Adam de Plumpton was contrary to the statute. (fn. 12) Some settlement was made, and the claim was not prosecuted.

This moiety was divided into four parts, the descent of which can be traced for some time. (fn. 13)

In 1308 half of the manor was claimed by Robert son of Fulk Banastre. (fn. 14) This was afterwards recovered by Robert de Langton, baron of ewton, from Jordan de Worsley, (fn. 15) and about 1330 the lordship of the whole manor, together with lands in it, was granted to Robert de Langton, a younger son of the Robert just named, from whom descended the Langtons of LOWE in Hindley, (fn. 16) the last of the line being Edward Langton, who died in 1733. The descent is stated in cross-suits by Peter Langton and Ellen widow of John Langton in 1444. The former said that Henry son of Adam de Manchester, chaplain, holding (as trustee) the manor of Hindley, granted it to Robert de Langton and Margaret his wife and their heirs. (fn. 17) In virtue of this their son and heir Robert succeeded them, and was followed by his son John, who married Amice daughter of Roger de Bradshagh of Westleigh. John lived to a great age, dying in July 1443; his son Gilbert died before him, leaving as heir his son, the above-named Peter; John's second wife Ellen was the other party to the suits. (fn. 18) Peter Langton died at sea in May 1450, leaving a son and heir Gilbert, seven years of age. (fn. 19)

Langton. Argent three cheverons gules.

In 1528 there was a dispute between Robert Langton of the Lowe and others as to the title to waste lands and the right to dig coal. The plaintiff, son of Gilbert Langton, asserted that he was sole lord and owner of the manor of Hindley, and he had built some cottages on the waste, assigning to each a plot of ground; this was on account of 'the increase and multiplying of the people in those parts,' and sufficient pasture had been left for the other free tenants. Gilbert Culcheth, however, held a manor described as 'half the manor,' and a dwelling called Hindley Hall; and Hugh Hindley of Aspull, whose ancestors had from time immemorial been seised of nine messuages and 80 acres in this moiety of the manor, took the law into his own hand, disregarded the inclosure, and dug and got coal and turf as accustomed, and this 'with strong hand, by the aid of certain his masters, gentlemen.' It appeared that about 1475 permission to get coal had been asked by 'old Hugh Hindley's wife,' and had been granted by Gilbert Langton, then chief lord of Hindley. Inclosures being then a general grievance, the Chancellor of the Duchy and his council ordered seven of the cottages to be pulled down and various parcels of land to be restored to the common, from thenceforth 'not to be kept in severalty by any pretending to be lords of the said waste.' Others they allowed to stand. The tenants were to have the right to take turf and dig coals, which, 'within late years,' had been found on the waste; but to prevent abuses Robert Langton and his heirs were to nominate three charter-holding tenants and Gilbert Culcheth one, to 'appoint the places where coal and turbary should be digged and taken for fuel' of the general body of tenants. (fn. 20)

Peter Langton at his death in January 1572–3 held the manor of Hindley of the heirs of Thomas Langton of Makerfield in socage by fealty only. (fn. 21) The heir was his son Robert, then twenty-six years of age. The tenure is stated 'as in free socage, by a rent of three pepper-corns' in the inquisition after the death (1595) of Robert Langton, who was succeeded by his son Philip, then aged twenty-six. (fn. 22) Robert Langton of the Lowe, a justice of the peace but of 'mean living,' was in 1590 reported to be 'well affected in religion'; he had spoiled his estate and used 'bad company.' (fn. 23) At the same time Edward Langton of Hindley, one of the 'gentlemen of the better sort,' and perhaps a brother of Robert, was a 'recusant and thereof indicted.' (fn. 24) The head of the family, however, soon reverted to the ancient religion, (fn. 25) and Abraham Langton, son and heir of Philip, in 1628, as a convicted recusant, paid double to the subsidy. (fn. 26)

This Abraham Langton, as a 'papist delinquent,' had his estates sold for treason by the Parliament in 1652; (fn. 27) but appears to have recovered at least a portion of them. He was living, sixty-six years of age, in 1664, when he recorded a pedigree at the Visitation. (fn. 28) His son Philip, then aged thirty-six, succeeded him, and was tried in 1694 for participation in the Lancashire Plot. (fn. 29) Very shortly afterwards he was succeeded by his son Edward Langton, (fn. 30) who as a 'papist' registered his estate in 1717. (fn. 31) Edward died without issue in 1733, leaving his property to Catherine his wife for life and to nephews and nieces named Pugh. William Pugh had Hindley, and his nephew and heir, Edward Philip Pugh of Coetmor in Carnarvonshire, sold the manor of Hindley and the Lowe Hall estate to the Duke of Bridgewater, the Earl of Ellesmere being the present owner. (fn. 32)

Egerton, Earl of Ellesmere. Argent a lion rampant gules between three pheons sable.

The Culcheth moiety of the manor descended to Thomas Culcheth, who died about 1744; by his will it passed to the Traffords of Croston. (fn. 33)

Among the other early families of the place may be named Nightegale, (fn. 34) Barker, (fn. 35) and Harper. (fn. 36)

Philip Langton of Lowe, Robert Pinnington, and Peter Harrison of Hindley, occur among the freeholders of 1600. (fn. 37) In 1628 Abraham Langton and Christopher Stananought were the freeholders contributing to the subsidy. (fn. 38) Nicholas Ranicars of Hindley had his estate sequestered by the Parliament in 1650 'for delinquency in the late wars,' and was allowed to compound. (fn. 39) A family named Marsh resided here. (fn. 40)

A decree concerning the boundaries between Hindley and Ince, and the division of the wastes, was made in the time of Charles I. (fn. 41)

Before the Reformation there was a chapel at Lowe in Hindley; but the Langtons probably claimed it as private property, and then allowed it to decay. (fn. 42)

The next church in Hindley was erected in 1641 on land given by George Green, (fn. 43) subscriptions being collected for the building from the inhabitants. It was built with the approbation of the rector of Wigan, then Bishop Bridgeman; there was a chancel at the east end, and the Established services were adhered to, one of the Wigan curates officiating. (fn. 44) The place was, as early as 1643, regarded as Puritan, (fn. 45) and its first regular minister, Thomas Tonge, conformed readily to the Presbyterian discipline established a few years later. (fn. 46) He was succeeded by William Williamson, (fn. 47) and he by James Bradshaw, ejected in 1662 for nonconformity. (fn. 48) The chapel seems to have remained unused for six years, and then a succession of curates followed; some of the feoffees were Nonconformists or sympathizers, and thus conforming ministers had probably an uneasy time. (fn. 49) In 1690 a determined attempt was made to secure the chapel for the Dissenters, their worship now being tolerated, by the appointment of Thomas Whalley, an open Nonconformist. (fn. 50) The matter was finally taken into the Duchy Court; after a long trial the chapel was secured for the Establishment and consecrated in 1698 on All Saints' Day. (fn. 51) It was rebuilt in 1766, (fn. 52) and with some alterations remains in use. It is now known as All Saints' Church. The church property is still in the hands of trustees, but the curates and vicars since 1708 have been appointed by the rectors of Wigan. (fn. 53) There is a mission chapel called St. Augustine's.

St. Peter's, Hindley, was consecrated in 1866, the patronage being vested in trustees. (fn. 54) To the recent churches of St. Nathaniel, Platt Bridge (1905), and St. John the Evangelist, Hindley Green (1903), the Bishop of Liverpool collates. (fn. 55)

The Wesleyan Methodists acquired land in 1846, and built a chapel in 1851. Another chapel was built in 1869 in Walthew Lane, Platt Bridge. (fn. 56) The United Methodist Free Church have two chapels at Hindley Green—Brunswick Chapel, built in 1855, and another in 1866. (fn. 57) The Primitive Methodists have one at Castle Hill, built in 1856, and another at Platt Bridge, built in 1854. (fn. 58) The Independent Methodists have one at Lowe Green, built in 1867. (fn. 59)

The Particular Baptists built Ebenezer Chapel in Mill Lane in 1854. (fn. 60)

The Congregationalists made a first effort in 1794, but no church was formed until 1812; St. Paul's Chapel was built in 1815, meetings for worship having been held some years earlier in cottages. Certain differences between the minister, the Rev. William Turner, and the majority of the congregation caused him to resign in 1830; his friends opened a temporary building in the Bridge Croft, and built a church in 1838, where he officiated till 1862. (fn. 61)

The ejected Presbyterians of 1698 built another place of worship for themselves; it has been continuously used, the present congregation being Unitarian in doctrine. (fn. 62)

Nothing is known of the permanence of the ancient religion during the 17th century, but mass was probably said at Lowe Hall as opportunity was afforded. Dom John Placid Acton, a Benedictine, was stationed at this place in 1699, and died there in 1727; succeeding priests, who till 1758 resided chiefly at Park Hall in Charnock Richard, or at Standish Hall, moved the chapel to Strangeways and then to Hindley village; this change was made in 1789. From 1758 there has been a resident Benedictine priest in charge; and the present church of St. Benedict in Market Street was built in 1869. (fn. 63)

Footnotes

  • 1. 2, 612, including 30 of inland water; Census Rep. of 1901.
  • 2. Leyland, Hindley, 7. Baines quotes an account from the Life of Lord Guildford, of a visit to the burning well in 1676; Lancs. (ed. 1836), iii, 555.
  • 3. Leyland, op. cit. 96, 104. An interesting account is given, pp. 105–8, of the former customs of the place; the paceeggers and their drama, the Eastertide lifting, maypole on the green, rush-bearing, &c.
  • 4. Lond. Gaz. 2 July 1867.
  • 5. Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Notes, i, 165.
  • 6. V.C.H. Lancs. i, 286. The ancient assessment appears to have been a ploughland or a plough-land and a half.
  • 7. See e.g. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 138; ii, 99; ibid. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 105.
  • 8. Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 74. He had half a plough-land in Hindley.
  • 9. Ibid. 75. The Hospitallers' holding is named in the Plac. de Quo War. (Rec. Com.), 375; see also Lancs. and Ches. Hist. and Gen. Notes, i, 35. In the rental of their lands compiled about 1540, the following particulars are given: John Atherton, a messuage, 1s. 4d., and a close 2s. 8d.; Robert Lee, a messuage, 6d.; Jonathan (?) Bate for Crockholes, 6d.; Peter Langton, a messuage, 6d.; Gilbert Hindley, a messuage, 6d.; 6s. in all; Kuerden MSS. v, fol. 84. John Leigh of Westhoughton in 1619 held lands formerly belonging to the Hospitallers by a rent of 6d.; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 133. The Cockersand Chart. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 642–51, contains particulars of the grants made to this abbey. Robert de Hindley gave 6 acres, partly in Twiss Car by Lanulache and partly by Aspenhead, with pasture for as many animals as the man might have who held the land from the canons; he also gave an acre on the northern side of Bickershaw. Richard his son confirmed these charters, and gave further parcels in Berlets-housted and Osbern meadow, and a third with his body. Adam de Hindley also was a benefactor, 10 acres and a messuage on the north of Stony street, 4 at Ferny halgh, and a land called Crokeland, one head of which lay towards Platt and the other towards Thuresclough, and another portion bounded in part by the Lanulache. These grants conveyed the usual easements, including quittance of pannage for pigs in Hindley Wood. Godith daughter of Adam de Hindley gave Tunkercroft by Glazebrook, lying north of the Hospitallers' land. Robert Banastre gave land in Fernyhalgh, and Robert his son confirmed the preceding and other gifts to the abbey. Thurstan Banastre gave all his portion of the water called Glazebrook from Marefalford to the ditch of Henry the Hosteller of Hindley. In 1501 the heirs of Thomas Turton (6d.) and Gilbert Langton (6d.) held these lands; Cockersand Rental (Chet. Soc.), 4.
  • 10. Katherine wife of Hugh de Venables, as widow of Peter de Burnhull, in 1331 claimed dower in two-thirds of an eighth part of the manor of Hindley; De Banco R. 284, m. 119; 287, m. 185 d. Peter's sisters and heirs, then minors, were called to warrant; ibid. R. 286, m. 170. William son of Adam de Pemberton was the tenant.
  • 11. Gospatric also had a grant of land in Lathom, supposed to be represented by the Cross Hall estates, of which in the 13th century the tenants were named Waleys (i.e. Welsh). In Hindley Richard le Waleys and Eleanor his wife held lands, of which a portion was given in arms to Cockersand Abbey; Cockersand Chart. ii, 648.
  • 12. Assize R. 418, m. 3, 13. The defendants were: John de Langton and Alice his wife, as chief lords of the fee; Gilbert de Culcheth and Gilbert his son, as lords of Hindley; Henry de Atherton; Richard de Molyneux of Crosby and Beatrice his wife; Alan de Windle; Robert son of Fulk Banastre; Adam de Bradshagh; Adam de Urmston and Isabel his wife; Robert Bulgut; Henry son of Roger de Ince; Hugh de Hindley; John son of Henry le Suur of Hindley; and Richard son of William Hert.
  • 13. Some tenants occur in the last note. In 1306 and 1307 Beatrice widow of Hugh de Hindley claimed dower from Hugh son of Roger de Ashton and others. Hugh de Ashton called to warrant him Adam son of Hugh de Hindley; Adam de Bradshagh and Margaret his wife also called Adam de Hindley and John de Broadash; Thomas son of John son of Maud called William son of Simon de Warrington and Emma his wife; John Gillibrand called Hugh and Gilbert sons of Richard de Culcheth; De Banco R. 161, m. 132; 164, m. 212. Henry de Atherton and Beatrice his wife in 1330 claimed 25 acres in Aspull, Hindley, and Ince from Cecily the widow and Robert the son of Robert de Hindley; but it appeared that Beatrice while sole had demised them to Cecily, and the latter's title was therefore admitted; Assize R. 1411, m. 12 d. In the following year Henry de Atherton the elder and Beatrice his wife did not prosecute a claim for lands in Aspull and Hindley; Henry de Atherton the younger was one of his sureties; Assize R. 1404, m. 18. Their sons were Henry, William, John, and Thomas; De Banco R. 297, m. 103. The younger Henry married Agnes daughter and heir of Thomas son and heir of Richard de Molyneux of Crosby and Beatrice his wife; Assize R. 1411, m. 12 d.; Final Conc. ii, 18. Henry and Agnes were concerned in numerous actions as to tenements in Hindley; among others was a claim in 1345 by Beatrice widow of Richard de Molyneux to her dower in oneeighth part of the manor of Hindley; De Banco R. 344, m. 442. The latest case in which they are mentioned is in 1356; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 5, m. 10 d. Agnes daughter of Henry de Atherton of Hindley, after a divorce between herself and Adam son of John Dickson, released her right to lands in Wigan in 1347; Towneley MS. GG, no. 2568. In 1358 Beatrice daughter and heir of Henry de Atherton, and then wife of Thomas de Wight, claimed from Richard de Atherton and others a messuage and lands in Hindley. The defence was a grant by Henry de Atherton to Richard; see Hindley D. no. 25, 26, in Local Glean. Lancs. and Ches. ii, 150. Beatrice alleged that this had been merely in the nature of a trust, she being then under age. Her claim, however, was rejected; Assize R. 638, m. 3d. Beatrice was soon left a widow; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxii, App. 338; and afterwards married Thomas Hert; De Banco R. 462, m. 199d. In 1460 a bond of £100 was given at Wigan by John son of Richard Hert to Charles Hert, who purchased the Hert estate in Hindley and Westleigh; Ellis son of Charles sold in 1500–1 to Thurstan Southworth; Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), iv, 166–71. Margaret wife of Richard Tothill and Alice wife of William Edge were in 1519 the heirs of their father John Hert, described as son of Richard son of John son of William Hert; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 128, m. 14 d. The share of the manor derived from the Molyneux family was by Thomas Hert in 1390–1 released to William de Charnock of Charnock, Richard and Henry Blundell of Little Crosby, other heirs of Richard and Beatrice de Molyneux; Blundell of Crosby D. K. 282. In 1517 the feoffees of Nicholas Blundell released to him their interest in the eighth part of the manor; ibid. K. 179. Henry Charnock was in 1535 found to have held a messuage and lands in Hindley of Sir Thomas Langton by fealty only; while in 1573 a moiety of (the eighth part of) the manor was claimed for Thomas Charnock; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. viii, no. 28; xiii, no. 5. In 1346 Robert de Nevill of Hornby demanded a messuage and land in Ashton in Makerfield from John son of Henry de Atherton of Hindley, in right of his wife Joan daughter of Henry son of Hugh de Atherton and heir of the latter; De Banco R. 346, m. 349. It is probable that her inheritance was a portion of the estate in this neighbourhood held by the Harringtons of Wolfage in the 16th century; Hindley in the partition was allotted to the Standishes; Norris D. (B.M.). The Athertons of Atherton held lands in Hindley under the Hospitallers; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 107. See also the Inq. p.m. of George Atherton in 1535; v, no. 12. His son John is named in the list of their tenants already given. A decree as to Kidd land in Hindley was made in Elizabeth's time between Standish and Atherton; Lancs. and Ches. Recs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 253. The Lathoms of Wolfall in Huyton held their lands under the Culcheths by a rent of 1d.; Inq. p.m. ix, no. 10; the Gerards of Ince under the Langtons of Lowe by the rent of 3s. 1d.; ibid. vii, no. 27. John Urmston in 1508 was found to have held his lands of Gilbert Langton of Lowe by fealty and a rent of 2s. 7d.; ibid. iii, no. 30. Hugh Hindley of Aspull was in 1531 found to hold his lands in Hindley of Thomas Langton by a rent of 10d.; ibid. vi, no. 22. In this case the mesne lord may have been overlooked.
  • 14. a Harl. MS. 2042, fol. 60; quoting De Banco R. 167. In 1303 this Robert Banastre alienated an oxgang and a half to Jordan son of Richard de Worsley; Final Conc. i, 202. John son of Robert de Langton and Alice his wife put in their claim as chief lords of Makerfield.
  • 15. In 1316 and later years Robert son of John de Langton and Alice Banastre claimed from Jordan de Worsley two parts of the moiety of the manor of Hindley which Robert Banastre, greatgrandfather of the claimant, granted to Fulk Banastre and his issue, and which after the death of Robert son of Fulk Banastre without issue should revert to him. Jordan at first pleaded that the grant to Fulk had been in fee and not to his issue, but seems to have withdrawn, and the case went against him by default; De Banco R. 216, m. 56; 257, m. 72d.; 264, m. 264. In 1319 there was also a claim for the third part of the moiety against Adam de Bradshagh and Isabel his wife, widow of Fulk Banastre; De Banco R. 229, m. 129. Jordan de Worsley left a daughter and heir Margaret, who married Thurstan de Tyldesley, and they at Michaelmas 1352 claimed the manor of Hindley against Sir Robert de Langton. The jury, however, did not allow it; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 2, m. 2 d. Edward Tyldesley of Morleys in 1621 held his lands in Hindley of Philip Langton; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 260.
  • 16. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 95. There is a difficulty in having a younger Robert de Langton so early as 1330, but the pleadings seem to require it. It should be noticed that Robert de Langton, the husband of Margaret, is usually identified with the baron of Newton; see Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 98, and Visit. of 1533 (Chet. Soc.), 24, 25.
  • 17. Final Conc. ii, 194. The whole grant comprised a third part of the manor of Langton in Leicestershire, a messuage and plough-land in Hendon, a messuage and 38½ acres in Walton le Dale, the manor of Hindley, and half the manor of Golborne. A number of Hindley deeds are among the additional charters in the B.M. including:— No. 17670. Grant by Robert son of Sir John de Langton to Henry de Milnegate, chaplain, of the manor of Hindley; 1325. No. 17674. Grant by Robert de Langton to Henry (son of Adam) de Manchester, chaplain, of the manor of Hindley and half the manor of Golborne; 1334. No. 17683. Quitclaim by Ralph son and heir of Sir John de Langton to Robert son of Sir Robert de Langton of the manors of Hindley, Langton, and Hendon; 1361. No. 17687. Quitclaim by Henry son and heir of Ralph de Langton to John son and heir of Robert de Langton, junior, of the manor of Hindley, &c.; 1395. No. 17690. Refeoffment to John de Langton of Hindley and Agnes his wife of tenements in Hindley; 1419. No. 17694. Settlement by John de Langton of Hindley in favour of his wife Ellen de Radcliffe; 1429. No. 17698. Grant in tail by Peter de Langton, chaplain, to John de Langton his brother; 1432. No. 17699. Grant to William son of John de Langton; 1433.
  • 18. Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 6, m. 15, 16. In the former of these suits Peter claimed from Ellen a box of charters, containing among others the final concord and marriage covenant referred to and an exemplification of the said fine granted by Richard II in 1391 at the request of John de Langton. In the second Ellen claimed damages from Peter Langton, Robert Gerard, and many others, for trespass on her close at Hindley and destruction of her corn and grass. Ellen claimed a life interest in the manor by grant from her late husband; but as she did not appear when summoned judgement was given for the accused. In a later case William son of John Langton is mentioned; ibid. R. 8, m. 1, 37b. The inquisition taken after the death of John Langton in 1443 confirms the statements in the text; Peter the grandson and heir was then twenty-four years of age. It recites a grant made in 1413 by the deceased to Gilbert his son and his wife Elizabeth daughter of Sir Thomas Gerard, who afterwards married William Gernet. The manor was held of Henry Langton, lord of Makerfield, but by what service the jury were ignorant; it was worth, including the Hollinhey, £10 a year; Towneley MS. DD, no. 1471.
  • 19. Early Chan. Proc. 22–137, and 26–611; petitions by William Langton, to whom his 'cousin' Peter had bequeathed Gilbert's wardship.
  • 20. Duchy Plead. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 160–71. The hall was tenanted by James Strangeways, and came to be known as Strangeways Hall. The Gilbert Langton, father of Robert, had a brother Thomas, to whom in 1485 certain tenements in Hindley were granted for his life; Agecroft D. no. 348. By an indenture of the same date Robert son and heir of Gilbert Langton of the Lowe confirmed a grant by Ralph Langley, warden of Manchester, to Peter Langton, son of the said Gilbert, for life; B.M. Add. Chart. 17707. Gilbert Langton of Lowe, 'squyer,' was one of the gentry of the hundred in 1512. Robert his son and heir apparent occurs in 1505; Towneley MS. GG, no. 1534. In 1512 Gilbert Langton made a grant of certain lands in Hindley to Robert his son and heir apparent; B.M. Add. Chart. no. 17715. In Aug. and Sept. 1555 Sir Thomas Hesketh of Rufford and others made grants of lands in Hindley to Gilbert son of Peter Langton of Hindley, deceased; ibid. 17719–20.
  • 21. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xii, no. 14. Peter Langton was in possession of the manor in 1549, when he made an exchange of lands with Gilbert Culcheth; Local Glean. Lancs. and Ches. ii, 1. It is with him that the recorded pedigree begins.
  • 22. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xvi, no. 12. Philip Langton and Mary his wife were deforciants of tenements in Hindley in 1597; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 58, m. 324; and of the manor and estate in 1612–13; ibid. bdle. 81, m. 52.
  • 23. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 244, quoting S.P. Dom. Eliz. ccxxxv, 4.
  • 24. Gibson, op. cit. 246.
  • 25. a In 1607 lands of Philip Langton, recusant, were farmed out to Sir Arthur Aston; Pat. 5 Jas. 1, pt. 22, 25 July. He died at Lowe 22 Jan. 1625–6; the manor was held of Sir Richard Fleetwood and the heir was Abraham Langton son of Philip, then aged twenty-nine years and more; Local Glean. Lancs. and Ches. ii, 2. The heir's christian name was derived from his mother's surname, she being one of the coheirs of Thomas Abram or Abraham of Abram.
  • 26. Norris D. (B.M.). Elizabeth his wife occurs in the Recusant Roll of 1641; Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xiv, 239. Abraham Langton in 1631 paid £10 as a composition on declining knighthood; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 213.
  • 27. Index of Royalists (Index Soc.), 43. He afterwards petitioned to be allowed to compound; and on the petition of 'divers well-affected persons,' his tenants, he was informed that it was 'just and reasonable' to request him to allow his tenants liberty of pre-emption or a renewal of their leases at the ancient rents. Later, in Dec. 1653, Major John Wildman, who had contracted to purchase, received an order to take possession; Royalist Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iv, 56–9.
  • 28. a Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 174.
  • 29. Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 303, &c.; on p. 362 is an account of his arrest at Wepre in Flintshire, where he was attending the burial of his sister-inlaw; he had married a daughter of Edward Pennant of Bagillt. In Jan. 1688–9 he broke an innkeeper's head with his cane, for proposing the health of the Earl of Derby—a sufficient indication of his politics; see the amusing anecdote on p. 214. He had been indicted for recusancy in 1678; ibid. 109.
  • 30. In Aug. 1687 a fine was made concerning the manor of Hindley, seventy messuages, a water-mill, dovecote, gardens, lands, wood, furze and heath, turbary, moor and moss and 80s. rent in Hindley and Westleigh; the deforciants were Philip Langton and Elizabeth his wife, Edward Langton son and heir of Philip and Katherine his wife, and George Langton; George Pennant was one of the plaintiffs; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 219, m. 64.
  • 31. Engl. Cath. Nonjurors, 123. The value of the estate was £69 1s. 2d. For a mortgage by him see Local Glean. Lancs. and Ches. i, 272. Edward Langton of Lowe in 1728 granted to John Rigby of Hindley a messuage and land there; B.M. Add. Chart. 17733.
  • 32. Baines, Lancs. (ed. 1870), ii, 191; from information 'supplied by Mr. William Langton.' In Piccope's MS. Pedigrees in the Chet. Lib. (ii, 234) it is stated that Edward Langton's sister Elizabeth married—Pugh; their son William is described as 'of Lowe, jeweller.' Their other children were Philip Pugh of Pemerhyn or Penwryn, Carnarvonshire (whose son Edward was the vendor), Joseph, Winifred, Anne, and Frances. The references are to Piccope MSS. (Chet. Lib.), iii, 178, 234, 254, 258, 270, from the Roman Catholic D. enrolled at Preston. In Aug. 1758, by fine, Edward Philip Pugh and Mary his wife remitted to William Carghey messuages and lands in Hindley; the manor is not named; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 361, m. 132.
  • 33. Cal. Exch. of Pleas, Lancs. C. 301, where the will of Thomas Culcheth is given. In 1771 Humphrey and John Trafford were vouchees of the manor of Croston and various other lordships, including a fourth part of the manor of Hindley, with the hall known as Hindley Hall or Strangeways Hall; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 613, m. 10; also at Aug. Assizes, 1797, R. 11. In 1364 Gilbert de Culcheth, a minor, by his guardian John de Blackburn, demanded against Cecily, widow of Gilbert de Culcheth the elder, messuages and land in Hindley which the elder Gilbert gave to Gilbert his son and Joan his wife, and which should now descend to the plaintiff as son and heir. Cecily claimed the manor of Hindley and all its demesne lands for life by a charter from her late husband and a quitclaim from his son, plaintiff's father; dated 1354; De Banco R. 418, m. 227. John Culcheth, who died at the beginning of the reign of Charles I, held 'the manor of Hindley'; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxix, no. 67. For a decree as to Strangeways Hall at this time see Lancs. and Ches. Recs. ii, 244.
  • 34. A number of suits are on record brought in 1292 by John Nightegale and Alice his wife against Hugh de Hindley, Adam son of Hugh de Hindley, Robert son of Adam de Hindley, and others. Alice was the widow of Adam de le Woodhouses. John had a son Henry. The surname is spelt in many ways— Nutegal, Nithingale, Nichtegale, Nithegale, and Nightingale; Assize R. 408, m. 12, 7 d. 59 d. 58 d. 57. In 1330 Robert del Coran and Eva his wife, Jordan de Rixton and Agnes his wife, and Amota daughter of Robert de Ashton, claimed land in Hindley from William the Fisher by inheritance. It appeared that Roger son of Whinilda married Leukia daughter of Richard the Boor, seised in the time of Edward I, and left a daughter Agnes as heir; Agnes had three daughters—Eva and Agnes plaintiffs, and Emma, formerly wife of Robert de Ashton, represented by her daughter Amota; De Banco R. 275, m. 7; 278, m. 31 d.; 281, m. 78 d.
  • 35. Local Glean. Lancs. and Ches. ii, 144. Alice daughter of Robert Dicconson of Hindley married Hugh the Barker in 1401; her property descended, in the reign of Henry VIII, to William Barker, who was succeeded by five daughters, Agnes, Margery, Ellen, Cecily, and Elizabeth, married respectively to John Hulme, James Harrison, Richard Astley, Henry Waterworth, and William Ainsworth.
  • 36. In Towneley MS. OO, are preserved a number of deeds regarding the lands of Adam the Harper of Hindley and his descendants. Adam's son William acquired lands about 1299, and was living in 1331; nos. 1465, 1470, 1449. His son John made a feoffment in 1334; no. 1466; and his sons John and Thomas sold their lands in 1364 to Adam son of Richard son of John de Hindley; no. 1443, 1462; Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), iv, 161; the purchaser had a son Richard, who in 1430 made a settlement of his lands; OO, no. 1459. The ancestor of this branch of the Hindley family was perhaps the Richard son of Beatrice who had a grant from Robert Banastre, lord of Makerfield; the rent was to be 4s. a year; no. 1471. A grant of Burghurst in Hindley by Hugh de Thursaker is printed in Pal. Note Bk. iv, 150.
  • 37. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 238, 243, 251. In the Hindley D. printed in Local Glean. Lancs. and Ches. ii, 167, are some referring to the Harrisons of Hindley; Peter Harrison, living in 1637 and 1651, had a son and heir John, who in the latter year was rector of Ashton under Lyne, and has found a place in Dict. Nat. Biog. Peter Harrison, 'late solicitor to the County Committee,' had in 1651 joined the Earl of Derby, but being angry with him for plundering, recalled his two sons; Cal. of Com. for Compounding, iv, 2955. These sons are called Captain Jeremiah and Lieutenant Nathaniel Harrison in 1652; Cal. of Com. for Advancing Money, iii, 1445. Richard Wood of Hindley died 12 Jan. 1612–13 seised of a messuage and lands in Hindley held of the king, as of his manor of Enfield by a rent of 3s. 4d.; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 262.
  • 38. Norris D. (B.M.). Christopher Stananought was son and heir of William, living in 1602; Hindley D. no. 10.
  • 39. Cal. of Com. for Compounding, iv, 2519. John Ranicars was not allowed to compound for a messuage and lands purchased from Nicholas.
  • 40. Wills of John and James Marsh, of 1670 and 1687 respectively, are printed in Lancs. and Ches. Hist. and Gen. Notes, ii, 44, 80. See also Gillow, Bibl. Dict. of Engl. Cath. iv, 467–70.
  • 41. Lancs. and Ches. Recs. ii, 278.
  • 42. It is mentioned in one of the Culcheth deeds dated 1517; as an annuity was to be paid there it must have been open to the people of the district; Lancs. and Ches. Hist. and Gen. Notes, i, 13.
  • 43. This account is derived from Canon Bridgeman's Wigan, 757–80, in which are reprinted a number of the Hindley D. from Local Glean. Lancs. and Ches.; John Leyland, Mem. of Hindley, 1873; the Kenyon MSS. (Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv); Lancs. and Ches. Hist. and Gen. Notes, i, 12, &c. In Leyland's book are given extracts from the wardens' accounts and many personal reminiscences. In the Liverpool Dioc. Gaz. for Oct. 1905 will be found a further account, the object being to show that this was not a Puritan effort; special stress is laid upon the almost perfect orientation. A contributor was Chisenhall Brettargh, who died before 1652. In October that year a settlement was made of disputes between Alice Brettargh the widow and Edward son of Edward Chisenhall, the former surrendering the lease of her house on receiving £260. Chisenhall Brettargh was a captain at the defence of Lathom House, and otherwise took part in the wars on behalf of Charles I; he was buried at Wigan 12 Dec. 1645, being described as 'Captain Chisnall Bretter de Hindley'; he left children:—Edward, Jonathan (died in 1664), Frances, and Elizabeth. From J. P. Earwaker's MSS.
  • 44. Leyland, Hindley, 21, from the petition for consecration in 1698. The statement that the 'prayers of the Church' had been duly said from 1641 to 1669 requires to be corrected by the remembrance that at least the period 1645 to 1668 was an exception. Part of the endowment was given in 1655 by John Ranicars.
  • 45. a For the Cavaliers' behaviour in Hindley (Henden) Chapel see Ormerod, Civil War Tracts (Chet. Soc.), 63.
  • 46. Thomas Tonge was in 1646 a member of the fourth Presbyterian Classis; Baines, Lancs. (ed. 1870), i, 227.
  • 47. William Williamson was minister in 1650, 'an able, godly, and painful minister,' the Parliamentary Commissioners described him, 'of good life and conversation'; Commonw. Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 61. He died 9 Feb. 1656–7; Plund. Mins. Accts. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 181.
  • 48. Bridgeman, op. cit. 758–60; he afterwards ministered at Rainford Chapel. Another James Bradshaw had been acting rector of Wigan, 1643–53.
  • 49. Ibid. 779, 762.
  • 50. Bridgeman, op. cit. 763, 765–7. John Green in 1690 tendered a certificate to the justices at Lancaster, so that the chapel might be recorded as 'a place appointed to dissenting Protestants for their religious worship'; but the court, on the opposition of the Bishop of Chester, refused; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 245, 246; see also 270, where the quarrels of the Dissenters are noticed; and 415.
  • 51. Bridgeman, op. cit. 769–72. In this document it is not called All Saints' Church.
  • 52. A brief was issued in 1763 on behalf of the rebuilding.
  • 53. Bridgeman, op. cit. 602–5. See Lond. Gaz. 2 July 1878 for the formation of the present chapelry. John Croudson, incumbent from 1789– 1811, was also head master of Wigan Grammar School; he visited the village one day in each week; Leyland, op. cit. 29.
  • 54. Lond. Gaz. 14 May 1867, 26 Mar. 1875, &c. See Bridgeman, op. cit. 780; Leyland, Hindley, 57, 58.
  • 55. Leyland, op. cit. 75–7; Nightingale, Lancs. Nonconf. iv, 13.
  • 56. Leyland, op. cit. 78, 79; Nightingale, op. cit. iv, 21. The chapel was practically unused from 1862–82.
  • 57. Leyland, op. cit. 79.
  • 58. Leyland, op. cit. 79.
  • 59. Ibid. 79.
  • 60. Ibid. 78.
  • 61. Ibid. 75–7; Nightingale, op. cit. iv, 13.
  • 62. Leyland, Hindley, 64–75. The chapel was built in 1700 by Richard Crook of Abram and conveyed to trustees in 1717, James Green of Abram being one. Owing, it is said, to an attempt by William Davenport, minister in 1777, to carry the endowment to the Presbyterian chapel at Wigan, he became unpopular, was assaulted and finally resigned. He is said to have been Arian in doctrine. Unitarianism prevailed here by the end of the 18th century, but from the account of a disturbance in the chapel in 1833 it would seem that some Trinitarians then remained in the congregation. Particulars of the endowment, now considerable, on account of coal mining on the land, are given in the Report of the End. Char. of Wigan, 1899, pp. 90–7.
  • 63. Mr. Gillow in Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xiii, 153, 154, where it is stated that Bishop Matthew Gibson confirmed fifty-nine at Strangeways in 1784; there were 259 communicants; Liverpool Cath. Ann. 1901. See further in Leyland, Hindley, 62, 63, for reminiscences of Dom Anselm Appleton, 1808–36.