EUXTON

Euckeston, 1212; Eukeston, 1242 and usual; Euesketon, 1275; Euketon, 1276; Eukestone, 1304. Pronounced Exton locally.

The township of Euxton is divided by a brook running from east to west to join the Yarrow, which river forms the southern boundary. The surface of the ground rises to the south and to the north of the brook, attaining 250 ft. in the north-east. The village, Euxton Burgh, (fn. 1) is somewhat to the east of the township's centre, and has Buckshaw to the northeast, Runshaw to the north-west, (fn. 2) and Shaw Green to the west. The area measures 2,934 acres, (fn. 3) and the population in 1901 numbered 1,132. Around Euxton Hall there is a park of about 100 acres.

The principal road is that going from south to north through the village; it is part of the Wigan and Preston road. There are two cross roads; that from Chorley goes through the southern part of the township to Shaw Green, and that from Hartwood Green through the northern part, dividing so that one branch goes north past Runshaw to Leyland and the other branch turns south to Shaw Green. The London and North Western Company's main line runs from south to north, having a station named Balshaw Lane and Euxton to the south of the village; it is joined near the northern boundary by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company's line from Bolton to Preston, the latter having a station, Euxton Junction, just at the junction.

The soil is loamy, with subsoil of clay. Corn is grown.

The township is governed by a parish council.

Charles II lodged at the Andertons' house at Euxton in 1651 when on his way south to Worcester. (fn. 4)

There are remains of an ancient cross. (fn. 5) The stocks are standing.

In 1666 the principal houses were those of John Farnworth and Hugh Anderton at the lower end of the township and Edward and John Robinson at the upper end; also Seth Bushell and William Shorrock. (fn. 6)

About 1690 Dr. Kuerden stated: 'There is a water corn mill, called Pincock mill, standing upon the river of Yarrow, and adjacent to it a fair arched stone bridge over the said river in London post-road . . . and below the bridge standeth a paper-mill, and a little below that another corn-mill called Armetriding mill. Upon the banks of this river are some quarries of stone of very large flags and slate.' (fn. 7)

The church historian, Hugh Tootell, better known by his alias of Charles Dodd, is believed to have been a native of Euxton. He was related to the Tootells of Healey in Chorley and was born in 1671. He went to Douay in 1688, and was ordained and sent on the English mission about ten years later, returning to the Continent after a short time. He was author of many historical and controversial works, and a vigorous opponent of the Jesuits, but his fame rests on his Church History from 1500 to 1688, published in three folio volumes, 1737–42. He died at Harvington in 1743. (fn. 8)

Manor

The manor of EUXTON, assessed at two plough-lands, was a member of the barony of Penwortham, and land was early granted out to a number of tenants. The abbey of Evesham had 2 oxgangs of land there. (fn. 9) In 1212 it was found that Roger de Lacy had granted the service of the two plough-lands in Euxton to Robert Bussel, together with other lands in Longton and Leyland, the service for the whole being that of the tenth part of a knight's fee. (fn. 10) Thirty years later Robert Bussel, no doubt the same person, held it of the fee of the Earl of Lincoln, who held of Earl de Ferrers. (fn. 11) Shortly after this, however, Adam de Holland is found to be the most important personage in the place (fn. 12) ; he is supposed to have married a daughter and co-heir of Bussel. Certain it is that the holding was divided, Longton and Leyland going to the Walton and Farington families, while Euxton remained with the Hollands and their heirs. In 1302 the tenth of a knight's fee was held by John de Farington and others. (fn. 13)

Adam de Holland was succeeded by his son Robert, (fn. 14) and he by William de Holland, (fn. 15) his son. In 1301 the king granted Robert 'de Euxton' (Holland of Euxton) a charter for a market every week on Tuesday, and a fair every year on the feast of St. Barnabas; also for free warren in his demesne lands of Euxton. (fn. 16) Here as in many other places Thomas Earl of Lancaster created a mesne manor in favour of Sir Robert de Holland, which was forfeited after the rebellion of 1322. Thus in 1323 it was found that William de Holland had died holding certain lands, &c., in Euxton of Robert de Holland, which were then in the king's hands by reason of the forfeiture; the manor, demesne lands, and watermill were held of the king as of the fee of Penwortham in socage by suit at the six weeks' court at Lancaster and at the three weeks' court of the wapentake, and by a rent of 1lb. of cummin. Other lands were held of the master of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England by a rent of 6s. 2d. Robert, his son and heir, was eleven years of age. (fn. 17)

Robert de Holland (fn. 18) was succeeded by William, probably his brother, (fn. 19) but ultimately by Joan the daughter of Robert. She married William de Molyneux (who died in 1358), son of the lord of Sefton, (fn. 20) their son Sir William de Molyneux succeeding to Euxton, in which his widow Agnes had dower after his death in 1372. (fn. 21) Down to 1729 the manor remained in the Molyneux family, (fn. 22) but was then sold, with lands in the township, and disappears from the records for nearly a century. It is stated to have been acquired by James Longworth of Liverpool, whose descendants afterwards sold it to William Ince Anderton of Euxton, (fn. 23) in whose family it has remained till the present time.

Holland. Azure, powdered with fleurs de lis a lion rampant guardant argent, over all a bendlet gules.

Molyneux. Azure a cross moline or.

The growth of this branch of the Andertons is somewhat obscure. They do not appear to have owned any land in the township till 1600, though they resided there from the latter part of the 15th century and long farmed the tithes. (fn. 24) Oliver Anderton of Anderton, who died in 1466, by violence as it is said, had a younger son Hugh, described as 'of Euxton.' He was succeeded in 1516 or 1517 by a son James, who acquired lands in Bretherton and other places, (fn. 25) and in 1538 claimed lands in Healey, near Chorley. (fn. 26) His son was another Hugh, (fn. 27) who acquired a moiety of Clayton, which descended to his eldest son James, (fn. 28) some tenement in Euxton going to a younger son, William, who was probably an infant at his father's death. (fn. 29) The family adhered to the Roman Catholic religion, (fn. 30) and at the outbreak of the Civil War Hugh Anderton, (fn. 31) son of William, zealously espoused the king's side, was appointed commissary-general by the Earl of Derby and had the rank of major; he took part in the fighting alike in Lancashire and in Ireland and surrendered at Dublin. (fn. 32) His estates and those of his mother Isabel were sequestered by the Parliament, and his were ordered for sale in 1653. (fn. 33) He was living, sixty-four years old, in 1664, when a pedigree was recorded. (fn. 34) He died about 1670, (fn. 35) and was succeeded by his son William, who was accused of participation in Jacobite plots after the Revolution and imprisoned. (fn. 36) At his death in 1704 (fn. 37) William was succeeded by a son Hugh, whose estates were forfeited temporarily for high treason by some participation in the Jacobite rising of 1715. (fn. 38) Hugh's son William (fn. 39) succeeded in 1721, and at his death in 1744 (fn. 40) was followed (fn. 41) by a son of the same name, who increased the family estates by his marriage with Frances Sobieski, daughter and heir of Christopher Ince of Ince in Makerfield. In 1811 William Anderton was followed by his son William Ince Anderton, who, as stated above, purchased the manor of Euxton. He was succeeded by his son and grandson; the last-named, Major William Arthur Alphonsus Joseph Ince Anderton, is the present owner of the manor and estates. (fn. 42)

Euxton Hall was rebuilt in 1849–50, replacing a plain classic building of two stories, with pediment and pillared porch, erected in 1739 (fn. 43) on the site of a still older house.

A number of minor families occur in the earlier pleadings, as Armetriding, (fn. 44) Bussel, (fn. 45) Dacre, (fn. 46) Euxton, (fn. 47) Whalley, (fn. 48) and others. (fn. 49) The estate called RUNSHAW was held successively by Lancaster of Rainhill (fn. 50) and Farnworth. (fn. 51) Last century Runshaw Hall was acquired by William Bretherton, father of the rector of Eccleston, and he died there in September 1890, aged sixty-three. It is now the residence of Mr. Norris Bretherton.

Anderton of Euxton. Quarterly 1 and 4, Sable three shackbolts argent for ANDERTON; 2 and 3 Argent three torteaux between two bendlets gules for INCE.

BUCKSHAW was long the seat of a family named Robinson, (fn. 52) who were considerable landowners in the district; they recorded a pedigree in 1664. (fn. 53) Buckshaw Hall, now a farm-house, is situated in the north-east corner of the township, and is a house of the H-type of plan, originally a timber and plaster building, probably of the 16th century, on a stone base. The house was considerably restored in 1885, when the spaces between the timbers were filled in with brick and the roofs covered with blue slates. Four stones found in an adjoining field, bearing the initials E.R., (fn. 54) three of them dated 1654, are now built into the house, one in the north gable and the others at the back. The front, which faces west and is about 56 ft. in length, retains many of its original characteristics, though all the windows and the barge-boards are new. The end wings are gabled, with plaster coves marking the line of floor and caves. The spaces between the framing seem to have had straight and curved pieces forming quatrefoil ornaments, and some of these remain. There is a projecting stone chimney at the south end, and at the back a good brick chimney of three detached shafts with zigzag filling between. The interior is uninteresting, being much modernized. The hall is entered through a porch in the north wing and measures 15 ft. by 17 ft. 6 in. The floor is flagged and the ceiling, which is 9 ft. 6 in. high, is plain and crossed by a single beam. In the kitchen in the north wing is a fireplace opening 10 ft. wide.

Some other names appear in the inquisitions. (fn. 55)

As already mentioned, the Hospitallers had an estate in the township. (fn. 56)

In addition to Hugh Anderton and his mother, several others of the township had their lands sequestered in the time of the Commonwealth for religious or political reasons, (fn. 57) John Smith's being confiscated altogether. (fn. 58) Richard Moore, William Roscow, and Elizabeth Woodcock, widow, as 'Papists,' registered small estates in 1717. (fn. 59) The principal landowners in 1786 were the heirs of James Longworth, paying about a seventh of the land tax, William Anderton (double assessed), the trustees of Goosnargh Charity, Peter Brooke (afterwards Townley Parker) and John Johnson (double assessed). (fn. 60)

Church

A chapel, of which traces are extant, existed in the 14th century, and is supposed to have been rebuilt by one of the Molyneux family in 1513. (fn. 61) The curate from 1548 to 1563 was Thomas Shorrock. (fn. 62) After the Reformation the chapel seems to have been allowed to fall into decay, (fn. 63) and it is said that the only use made of it as a place of worship was by the missionary priests, who occasionally said mass there. (fn. 64) It had, however, a minister in 1650. (fn. 65) In the time of Charles II Lord Molyneux claimed it as his private property, (fn. 66) but it was recovered for the Church of England about 1700, repaired, and provided with a small endowment through Thomas Armetriding, vicar of Leyland, (fn. 67) whose heirs had the patronage. The present patron is the widow of the late Col. R. Cokayne-Frith. (fn. 68) No dedication is known. The registers begin in 1774. In the churchyard is a sundial, dated 1775.

The following have been curates and vicars (fn. 69) :—

A school was founded by John Longworth in 1759. (fn. 77)

There is a Wesleyan chapel.

As in other cases nothing is known of the provision for Roman Catholic worship for a century and a half after the Reformation. (fn. 78) A room in Euxton Hall, the residence of the Andertons, was used during the 18th century, and a chapel was built by subscription in 1817. Afterwards this was repurchased by William Ince Anderton, and a new church, St. Mary's, was built in 1865. The south-west transept is the Anderton chapel. (fn. 79) The registers begin in 1742.

Footnotes

1	This name occurs in 1502; Duchy Plead. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 19. The local pronunciation is Both or Bŭrth.
2	To the north of it is a farm called Altcar.
3	2,932 acres, including 7 of inland water; Census Rep. 1901.
4	Civil War Tracts (Chet. Soc.), 288. The local tradition attributes to him the naming of an adjacent brook, the Cawbeck. 'What a refreshing cool beck!' he exclaimed on drinking of it; W. S. White, in Leyland Reg. 198.
5	Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Soc. xvii, 23.
6	Subsidy R. 250, no. 9 (hearth tax); there were 153 hearths in all.
7	Harl. MS. 7386, fol. 217 b (note by Mr. Anderton).
8	Gillow, Bibl. Dict. of Engl. Cath. v, 549–54; Dict. Nat. Biog.
9	Granted by Maud wife of Richard Bussel; Penwortham Priory (Chet. Soc.), 6.
10	Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 33, 34.
11	Ibid. 150.
12	Several pleas of 1246 are on record, and Adam de Holland appears in them. He recovered common of pasture against Richard de Euxton, Margery his wife, Stephen de Euxton, Avice his wife, Thomas Bussel, William and Nicholas his sons; Assize R. 404, m. 2 d. He also recovered an acre against Thomas Bussel and his sons; ibid. m. 3. On the other hand, Thomas Bussel, Stephen de Euxton and Avice his wife recovered 4 acres against Henry de Whalley, Adam de Holland, Matthew and Richard his brothers, and many others; ibid. m. 4 d. A further claim by Thomas Bussel, Richard de Standish and Stephen de Armetriding against Adam de Holland, Thomas de Leghs and Richard de Euxton was defeated; ibid. m. 7 d. Thomas Bussel and Richard son of Avice had licence to concord concerning 2 acres; ibid. m. 3. Adam was living in 1275–7, when he claimed and recovered 16 acres in Euxton against William de Ferrers; De Banco R. 7, m. 28 d.; 11, m. 96 d.; 18, m. 31.
13	Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 315, xxii. The restoration is conjectural.
14	In 1280 Muriel widow of William Rouneson claimed dower in two messuages in Euxton against Robert son of Adam de Holland; De Banco R. 36, m. 27 d. In the following year William Russel (? Bussel) of Euxton complained that Robert de Holland, Richard son of Robert de Werden, and Richard son of Nicholas de Euxton had seized his cattle; ibid. 41, m. 24 d. The above-named Muriel in 1282 made a further charge against Robert de Holland, Richard his brother and Adam de la Moor; ibid. 44, m. 42 d., 14 d. The Hollands appear to have bought the estates of some smaller freeholders. Thus in 1292 Robert purchased 14 acres from John de la Cross of Lathom and Margery his wife; Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 172. In 1286 and 1298 he claimed land against Thomas son of William Bushel; De Banco R. 62, m. 9 d.; 122, m. 103; 129, m. 101 d. Robert also in 1287 claimed Robert son of Dene of Euxton and another as his 'natives,' but did not appear and was nonsuited; ibid. 66, m. 7. He in 1288 made a claim against Henry de Whalley concerning a messuage and 50 acres of land in Euxton, from which an annual service of 4d. should be rendered; ibid. 72, m. 2 d. Robert de Holland by his marriage with one of the co-heirs of Ellel added considerably to his hereditary estates. Robert appears in various pleadings down to 1306; Assize R. 408, m. 46 d.; 1299, m. 17; 420, m. 9 d. The rent of 1 d. due from him to the lord of Penwortham is recorded in De Lacy Compoti (Chet. Soc.), 10.
15	Robert de Holland and his sons Grimbald and William were defendants in a suit about a tenement in Ellel in 1301; Assize R. 1321, m. 5 d.
16	Charter R. 95 (30 Edw. I), m. 6, no. 49.
17	Inq. p.m. 17 Edw. II, no. 54. The whole was valued at about £12 a year. The Hospitallers' land comprised an inclosed hey, containing 30 acres of waste and 30 acres of wood. In addition to his Euxton estate William held lands also in Ulnes Walton, Ellel and Newsham. The age of the heir and the remarriage of Joan, the widow, to William de Scargill appear from Cal. Close 1323–7, p. 361. Sir Robert de Holland was said to hold three plough-lands in Euxton; Lansdowne MS. 559, fol. 23, quoted in Baines, Lancs. (ed. 1870), ii, 692.
18	Robert son of William de Holland of Euxton appears in an Ellel plea in 1332; De Banco R. 288, m. 379. In 1327 and 1332 Margery de Holland was a contributor to the subsidy in Euxton; Lay Subs. R. 130, no. 5; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 53. Robert de Holland was in 1335 exempted from serving on assizes, &c.; Cal. Pat. 1334–8, p. 110. Robert son of Roger le Spenser, a minor, in 1337–8 claimed a free tenement in Euxton and Ellel against Robert de Holland and others, the latter asserting that the plaintiff's land was held by knights' service, and he was therefore in ward to Robert de Holland; Assize R. 1424, m. 10 d.; 1425, m. 5. Robert seems to have come to a violent end shortly afterwards, for in 1339 two men were pardoned for their part in the death of Robert de Holland of Euxton; Cal. Pat. 1338–40, pp. 235–6.
19	In 1346–55 William de Holland was holding part of the tenement in Euxton, &c., formerly held by Robert Bussel; Feud. Aids, iii, 87. In 1378 it was his heir who was chargeable; Harl. MS. 2085, fol. 421, &c. In 1356 William de Holland was custodee of the land and heir of Robert son of Roger le Spenser of Euxton; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 5, m. 1, 9.
20	See the account of Sefton.
21	Sir Richard de Balderston and Agnes his wife in 1375 demised to Thomas son of John de Euxton, Margaret his wife and Richard his son the third part of the Maynes of Euxton, with the Pagefield, &c.; Dods. MSS. cxlix, fol. 39b. The manor of Euxton is usually named in Molyneux inquisitions, &c.; see Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 71; ii, 118; the tenure is not described, but in each case is mentioned a deed made at Euxton, so that the family occasionally resided there. In 1445–6 Sir Richard Molyneux was stated to hold two ploughlands for the tenth part of a knight's fee; Duchy of Lanc. Knights' Fees, bdle. 2, no. 20. In 1521 it was found that Anne Molyneux (widow of Sir Thomas) had held lands in Euxton of the Hospitallers; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. v, no. 39. The manor also was in 1548 stated to be held of the king as of the late priory of St. John, by a rent of 7s. 2d.; and this is the statement in later inquisitions; ibid. ix, no. 2, &c. For a claim for the rent due to Penwortham from Euxton, see Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), i, 155. About 1690 there were a court leet and court baron under Lord Molyneux; Kuerden in Harl. MS. 7386, fol. 217 b. In 1693–4 the manor of Euxton was alleged to have been devoted by Lord Molyneux to 'superstitious uses,' i.e. 'for the support of the secular priests of the Church of Rome or maintenance of the Romish religion,' &c.; Exch. Dep. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 84; Petty Bag, Spec. Com. bdle. 19, no. 18.
22	It was one of the manors sold at that time under a Private Act of Parliament, 2 Geo. II, cap. 9.
23	Baines, Lancs. (cd. 1870), ii, 139. In the licence for a gamekeeper in 1794 the lords of the manor are thus named: John Lowes, John Gosnell, George Clayton and John Johnson; Preston Guardian Sketches, no. 1126. In 1803 the deforciants in a fine relating to the manors of Euxton, Eccleston, &c., were Samuel Fleetwood and Betty his wife, Margaret Warren, widow, Nancy Lowes, widow, John Gosnell and Jane his wife, Samuel Warren, Thomas Wiatt and Mary his wife, William Wainwright and Mary his wife, and Tryphosa Johnson, spinster; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 449 (Lent 43 Geo. III, m. 342). In 1826 William Ince Anderton was vouchee in a recovery of various messuages, lands, &c., in Euxton and Clayton-leWoods, but no 'manor' is named; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 753.
24	a In 1600 James Anderton purchased the tithes of Euxton and Clayton; Lathom House D., Clayton boxes.
25	b Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 11, m. 187; Duchy of Lanc. Dep. xxv, B 1; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. lxxviii, B 11.
26	These statements are from depositions, &c., printed in Duchy Pleadings (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 87–100. See the account of Anderton. The Healey lands appear to have gone with Anderton, but others in Culcheth and Kenyon with the Euxton family.
27	In 1516 Richard Hawkesbury, Prior of Penwortham, with the assent of Evesham, granted to Hugh Anderton of Euxton, James his son, Agnes wife of James, and Hugh son of James and Agnes the grange called Euxton barn, &c., for sixty years, at an annual rent of £16; Towneley MS. OO, no. 1326. From an earlier deed it appears that the elder Hugh had a second son Thomas, and a daughter Margaret, who was in 1508 espoused to Nicholas son and heir apparent of Nicholas Rigby; ibid. no. 1313.
28	The first-named James Anderton 'of Euxton' was a man of substance in 1525; Lay Subs. R. 130, no. 93. He died in 1552 holding a scattered estate in Bretherton, &c., Euxton not being named. His son and heir Hugh was thirty-six years of age; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. ix, no. 14. Hugh was in 1541 the husband of Grace Butler (aged twentyseven), one of the daughters and co-heirs of John Butler of Rawcliffe; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 172, m. 11. He took part in the Scottish expedition of 1544; L. and P. Hen. VIII, xix (1), 532 (5). The inquisition after the death of Hugh Anderton (1566) does not mention his holding in Euxton, but James Anderton of Clayton had the tithe barns of Euxton in 1630; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, no. 31; xxvii, no. 56. See further in the account of Clayton. A dispute about the tithe barn in 1594 establishes the pedigree. James Anderton of Clayton claimed by lease (dated 1538) to his grandfather James, and Hugh his son (plaintiff's father); Hugh, by his will of 1565, directed that Alice his wife should occupy the tithes for twenty years and then his youngest son William should have them, with reversion to plaintiff; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. clxii, A 9.
29	See the pedigree in Dugdale's Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 6; Add. MS. 32110, fol. 13b. William Anderton of Euxton occurs in 1600 (Close, 42 Eliz. pt. xv [no. 1659]), but he was known also as 'of Pendle Hall,' in right of his wife Isabel daughter and heir of William Hancock, whom he married about 1599; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 122, 80. He died in 1618; Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclxvii, 4. Isabel his widow lived at Euxton. His heir was his son Hugh, aged eighteen.
30	In 1586 Alice Anderton, late of Euxton, widow, was sued for non-payment of £260, her fines for recusancy; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 259, m. 12. She is also named as a recusant in 1591 and 1592; Raines MSS. xxiii, 49; Cecil MSS. (Hist. MSS. Com.), iv, 232. Isabel Anderton, widow, and Hugh Anderton appear in the recusant roll of 1628, with several others of Euxton; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 181. The Ven. Robert Anderton, a Douay priest (and perhaps Oxford, 1578), executed in the Isle of Wight on 25 April 1586, is believed to have been of the Euxton family. There are accounts of him in Pollen, Acts of Engl. Martyrs, 67, 379; Gillow, Bibl. Dict. Engl. Cath. i, 41. Thomas Anderton, brother of Hugh the Cavalier, became a Benedictine monk at Paris in 1630. Late in life he was sent on the English mission and died in 1671. He wrote a History of the Iconoclasts; ibid. 42. Three of his brothers were monks also, and one a Franciscan; Weldon, Chronol. Notes, 185; Thaddeus, Franciscans in Engl. 191. See also Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xiii, 130, &c.
31	He purchased Euxton Hall and lands there in 1642; Close, 3 Chas. I, pt. xix (2699), no. 21. His father William had obtained a lease (or renewal) of the hall from Sir R. Molyneux in 1617; ibid. For another purchase in Euxton by Hugh Anderton in 1628, see Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Notes, ii, 84. Margaret Hodgson, the vendor, was to pay certain sums to her brothers-in-law, John and Robert Hodgson, 'at the south porch of the parish church of Leyland.'
32	Royalist Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 60, 61. He had acted at Lancaster and Warrington, and as commissary he seized the goods of one Henry Taylor at Preston, also money, &c., in the possession of Mr. Werden, treasurer for the Parliament's forces. He was examined at Preston in 1647 concerning these matters. He stated that 'he was a recusant and believed he was convict'; he had been in Kilkenny, Wexford, Wales and London, returning to his house at Euxton on 30 September 1647. Then he went to his mother's house at Pendle. It appeared that he was convicted of recusancy in 1640. The practical confiscation of his property reduced him to poverty and in 1651 he was in Lancaster gaol 'upon an execution for about £700 and upon another action of £1,000 for goods plundered by him.' He was rescued at the 'Scots King's' march through the town and took part in the subsequent fighting, which ended at Worcester; and the Parliamentary officials declare: 'We could have sent you many other informations against him, he being one of the most notorious papist delinquents in this county'; ibid. 63–4. Charles, on his way from Scotland to Worcester, had stayed for the night at Hugh Anderton's house at Euxton Burgh; 'this Anderton,' remarks the hostile chronicler, 'is a bloody Papist, and one that when Prince Rupert was at Bolton boasted much of being in blood to the elbows at that cruel massacre'; Civil War Tracts (Chet. Soc.), 288. To the same effect is a letter from Charles Worsley in 1656; Thurloc's State Papers (1742), iv, 534. A Hugh Anderton, gent., was a 'suspected person' living in Lincoln's Inn Fields about 1655–7; Add. MS. 34016.
33	Royalist Comp. Papers, i, 54–67; 67–74; Index of Royalists (Index Soc.), 41. Isabel's sequestration was for recusancy only; she had been convicted in 1641. She died 14 May 1652. It appeared (p. 72) that in 1642 Hugh Anderton had granted his mother a messuage in Euxton called the Spout, with various lands—the Priestfield, Higher and Lower Buckshaw, &c.; and that she in 1651 sold them to Seth Bushell, clerk. The lands acquired by Seth Bushell were given by his grandson William to found the Goosnargh Charity. See Fishwick, Goosnargh, 120.
34	Visit. ut sup. In the same year Hugh Anderton sold Pendle Hall, &c., to Piers Starkie, and purchased the tithes of Euxton and land in Clayton-le-Woods from his cousin James Anderton of Clayton; Close, 16 Chas. II, pt. xi (4161), no. 23, m. 16; 15 Chas. II, pt. xiv (4135), no. 4.
35	Administration was that year granted. According to Towneley he died in Wales 28 August 1670; Add. MS. 32110, fol. 14.
36	In 1689 he, with many others of the Catholic gentry, was seized and carried off to prison at Manchester; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 314. They were afterwards released without any further proceedings against them.
37	Buried at Leyland, 22 May 1704; Parish Reg.
38	Forfeited Estates Papers, H 26; act of treason, 12 Nov. 1715; outlawed, 24 July 1716. Hugh Anderton could not be found early in 1716; Dep. Keeper's Rep. v, App. ii, 156. About the same time his brother Thomas celebrated mass for 'fratre peregrinante'; MS. penes Burnley Lit. and Scient. Club. After the conviction Catherine the wife of Hugh Anderton made petition in 1718 on behalf of herself and her children —three sons and four daughters. The marriage covenants dated 25–6 June 1707 were recited, showing the provision made on Hugh's marriage with the petitioner, then Catherine Trappes. Her claim was at first allowed, it being shown that Hugh Anderton was tenant for life only, and then dismissed, it being proved that at the time of execution and also at the time of petition she was a 'Papist' and therefore (by the Act 11 & 12 Will. III, cap. 4) unable to make a valid settlement; Forfeited Estates Papers (Geo. I), 53 A. Hugh's life interest was accordingly sold on 1 July 1719 to William Brooke of London, woollen draper, youngest son of Richard Brooke of Astley; Forfeited Estates Bks. xcii, 29. Hugh Anderton was buried at Leyland 24 May 1721.
39	The descent is continued from those in Burke's Commoners (i, 607) and Landed Gentry, and Foster's Lancs. Pedigrees, supplemented by Piccope MS. Peds. (Chet. Lib.), i, 4. William Anderton also was a Jacobite; see Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xliv, 187; H. H. Barker, Walton-le-Dale Mock Corp. 13.
40	Buried at Leyland 17 Oct. 1744; administration granted 1746. A deed enrolled in 1752 stated that Hugh Anderton married Catherine Trappes in or about 1707, and had sons, William and Francis (both dead), and daughters, Elizabeth (dead), Mary, and Margaret (to be married to Robert Blundell of Ince Blundell); Piccope MSS. (Chet. Lib.), iii, 280, from R. 26 of Geo. II at Preston. The original is in Mr. H. Ince Anderton's possession.
41	Perhaps not immediately. Indentures of 1763 respecting lands in Euxton between Francis Anderton, residing in Flanders, and Anthony Atkinson, &c., were enrolled in the Common Pleas, Easter, 4 Geo. III (R. 45–6). Francis was William's elder son and immediate heir, William being his younger brother. Francis, however, was a Benedictine monk; he died in 1779; Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xiii, 131.
42	William Ince Anderton died at Euxton 8 Nov. 1848, aged seventy-eight. His son, Major William Michael Ince Anderton, also died there on 24 Jan. 1884, aged fifty-eight. There is a good account of the present state of the family in Burke, Landed Gentry (ed. 1906). The editors have received great assistance in compiling the accounts of the various branches of the family from Mr. Henry Ince Anderton, a younger son of Major Anderton above named. Many of the dates and references in the story of Euxton are due to him.
43	Twycross, Lancs. Mansions, i, 51, where an illustration is given. The front was very long, with thirteen windows to each floor. The old hall is said to have been erected in the reign of Henry VIII.
44	These families are mentioned only incidentally in the records; some details will be found in preceding notes. Armetriding—the Hermit's Ridding or clearance—seems to have been a place in Euxton. William son of John de Armetriding had land in 1294; Assize R. 1299, m. 17. John del Armetriding contributed to the subsidy in 1327 and 1332, and William in the latter year; Lay Subs. R. 130, no. 5; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 53. In 1348 Sir William de Dacre complained that John de Armetriding had impounded his cattle at Euxton; De Banco R. 355, m. 114. Adam (son of William) del Armetriding and Agnes his wife had a messuage and land in 1358; Assize R. 438, m. 7. See also De Banco R. 459, m. 143; 463, m. 142.
45	William son of Nicholas Bussel in 1276 claimed a tenement in Euxton against William Bussel and Adam son of Nicholas Bussel; Assize R. 405, m. 4 d.; 1238, m. 35. In 1284 Cecily daughter of William Bussel of Euxton recovered a messuage and land in Leyland against William son of Robert Bussel, John de Farington and others; Assize R. 1265, m. 5. John Bushel contributed to the subsidy in 1327; Lay Subs. R. 130, no. 5. In 1334 Robert (a minor) son of John son of Thomas Bussel recovered land in Euxton against Thomas son of John Bussel and another; Coram Rege R. 297, m. 103. Thomas son of Thurstan de Tyldesley in 1375 claimed land in Euxton against Emma daughter of Thomas Bussel and others; De Banco R. 458, m. 334 d.
46	Ranulf de Dacre of Halton died in 1375 holding 12 acres in Euxton of Richard de Molyneux by the service of a rose yearly; Inq. p.m. 49 Edw. III, pt. i, no. 39.
47	William de Euxton was a plaintiff in 1292; Assize R. 408, m. 42 d., 46 d. Robert de Euxton in 1295 had a dispute with William son of William de Euxton as to their inheritance; Assize R. 1306, m. 20.
48	Henry de Whalley in 1277 sought common of pasture in Euxton against Roger de Whalley and Adam de Holland; Assize R. 1235, m. 13. Henry Whalley had lands in 1573 and 1578; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 35, m. 83; 40, m. 99. William Farington in 1588 purchased a messuage from Henry and William Whalley; ibid. bdle. 50, m. 174.
49	A number of Charnocks occur in 1444 and later; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 6, m. 5; 10, m. 42. Henry de Whittle in 1363 claimed land in Euxton as son of William son of Robert the Greve and Alice his wife. Richard the Greve was defendant; De Banco R. 416, m. 383 d.
50	From a fine of 1418 John de Lancaster seems to have had two messuages, 80 acres of land, &c., in Euxton, which were in that year given to John de Clayton of Brindle and Joan his wife for life; Final Conc. iii, 77. Richard Lancaster died in 1535 holding lands in Euxton which had been granted by Thomas, his father, to trustees for the benefit of younger sons; they were held of the Prior of St. John by a rent of 6d.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. vii, no. 11. A similar statement was made after the death of Richard Lancaster, son of Richard; ibid. x, no. 21. Thomas Lancaster, son and heir of Richard the younger, leased his messuage and land in Runshaw in 1563 to Richard Charnock the elder and Ellen his wife, and, the rent falling into arrear, he took possession about 1582. Charnock afterwards re-entered into one part called Clark's field. See Duchy of Lanc. Plead. Eliz. cxxvi, L 7. See also Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 56, m. 18.
51	The family is often mentioned, but no particulars can be given. A number of the sons became Benedictine monks; Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xiii, 131, &c. Edward Farnworth of Runshaw in 1717 registered his estate in Euxton as a 'Papist'; its value was £77 5s. 6d. a year; Engl. Cath. Non-jurors, 107. Later Edward Farnworth (perhaps the same) mortgaged Littlewood; Piccope MSS. (Chet. Lib.), iii, 256, from R. 7 of Geo. II at Preston.
52	Edward Robinson of Euxton occurs in the list of freeholders in 1600; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 245. He was the grandfather of Major Edward Robinson, an active Parliamentarian, and supposed author of the Discourse of the War in Lancs. printed by the Chetham Society (vol. lxii.). He bought an estate in Euxton about 1652 and built the house at Higher Buckshaw. See the account of him in W. Beamont's introduction to the Discourse; a view of the house is given. The will of Edward Robinson of Chorley, dated 1681, shows that he had Buckshaw in Euxton, lands in Newtonwith-Scales, Whittingham, Haighton, Durton, and Whittle-le-Woods. He names Edward Parr of Eccleston as a son-in-law; his grandson (and apparently his heir) was Edward Robinson, his wife was named Jane, and he had children: Edward (deceased), Richard and Lucy; Piccope MSS. xiv, 93. Edward Robinson had a seat and burial-place in Chorley Church, and was buried there 7 Jan. 1680–1; Wilson, Chorleys of Chorley, 18, 61. Proceedings in 1693–5 in respect of a mortgage give the succession as Edward -s. John (married Alice) -s. Thomas; Exch. Dep. 83, 89. Thomas had had an elder brother Edward. Higher Buckshaw afterwards belonged to the Townley Parkers of Cuerden, and was sold to Col. T. R. Crosse of Shaw Hill; Leyland Reg. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 24 note.
53	Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 247; see also War in Lancs. p. xxxii.
54	Probably for Edward Robinson.
55	Thomas Hesketh of Rufford purchased land in 1520 from Edward Rishton and Margaret his wife (Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 11, m. 205), and in 1523 held 10 acres in Euxton of the Hospitallers and Sir William Molyneux by a rent of 16d.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. v, no. 16. Dame Elizabeth Kighley appears to have held the same in 1524 of Sir William Molyneux; ibid. v, no. 61. Sir Thomas Hesketh in 1554 sold a messuage and land to Thomas Dicconson; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 15, m. 110. This seems to have descended to the Dicconsons of Eccleston, but the tenure is variously stated. In 1604 William Dicconson held his lands in Euxton of William Whalley by 6d. rent; while in 1639 John Dicconson held part at least of Lord Molyneux in socage by suit at the court baron of the manor of Euxton; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 19; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxviii, no. 71. Sir Alexander Hoghton, who died in 1498, held land in Euxton of William Molyneux, which descended to William Hoghton; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, no. 66; v, no. 66. Richard Hoghton, who declined knighthood in 1631, is described as 'of Euxton'; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 214. John Sumner died in 1640 holding a messuage in Euxton of the king; his heir was his brother Christopher, aged fortythree years; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxx, no. 53. The Rigbys of Harrock also had land in Euxton; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. lxi, R 4.
56	Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 375. About 1540 the tenants were: Sir William Molyneux, 7s.; Sir Robert Hesketh for John's field, 18d.; Sir William Molyneux for a messuage, lately John Armetriding's, with a toft in Charnock Richard, 6d.; Kuerden MSS. v, fol. 83b.
57	Robert Hodgson, recusant, petitioned to contract for his estate in 1653; Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 3175. So did Thomas Moore, two-thirds of his estate being sequestered for recusancy only; ibid.; Royalist Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iv, 175. Inett Hodgson, widow, was also a recusant; ibid. iii, 168. Thomas Hodgson was a tenant of Lord Molyneux in 1652; ibid, iv, 162. Agnes Shorrock, widow, and William Wright were other recusants who desired to compound; Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 3187, 3193. John Rivington took arms against the Parliament, and dying without issue his brother James in 1649 desired to compound for the estate which should descend to him; ibid. iii, 2054. For family disputes see Exch. Dep. 27. For recusants 1660–80 see Misc. (Cath. Rec. Soc.), v, 103.
58	Index of Royalists, 44; Cal. Com. for Comp., iv, 3105.
59	Estcourt and Payne, Engl. Cath. Non-jurors, 130–1.
60	Land tax returns at Preston.
61	Over the west door of the present building is an ancient dated stone: It was in use for worship in 1537; Duchy Plead. ii, 113. According to Kuerden James Anderton of Euxton in 1523 charged his lands with stipends for three chantry priests to pray for the souls of himself and Agnes his wife, one priest each at Leyland, Eccleston and Euxton; Harl. MS. 7386, fol. 217b.
62	Visit. lists at Chester.
63	Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 11—an old chapel without a curate, c. 1610.
64	A. Hewitson, Country Churches and Chapels, 253–4. That it was used by Roman Catholics seems clear from the confirmation therein of Hugh Tootell in 1687; Gillow, cp. cit. v, 549. But that was in the time of James II.
65	Commonw. Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 102. The incumbent was Mr. Seth Bushell, 'a godly preaching minister, and conformable to the present government.' His salary was £40 paid out of the sequestrated tithes of James Anderton of Clayton. See also Plund. Mins. Accts. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 81. Bushell readily conformed at the Restoration, and was made vicar of Preston in 1663.
66	Raines in Notitia Cestr. ii, 384, quoting Cartwright's Diary (Camd. Soc. p. 28) of 1687. It was alleged that no prayers had been said in it for twenty years past. Bishop Gastrell himself states (ibid.) that for twenty years before 1717 the chapel had been in ruins and without service; but he modifies this by saying that divine service was performed 'about 1705.' In 1724 it had been repaired, but no pulpit or seats were there.
67	Mr. Armetriding (d. 1719) gave £200, and a grant from Queen Anne's Bounty was also secured; ibid. ii, 385. In a note are given the proposals of the Rev. C. Sudell, vicar of Leyland in 1725, for the management of the chapels of Euxton and Heapey.
68	Manch. Dioc. Dir. The present vicar (a descendant of the Rev. James Armetriding) has given some details of the succession, as follows:— Thomas Armetriding, vicar of Leyland 1689–1719, had no issue, and his heirs were his nephews, sons of his brothers James and Richard. James had sons John, Hugh and Thomas, of whom John was father of James Armetriding, incumbent of Euxton from 1774 to 1788, when he became rector of Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire. His representatives about 1890 were four grandchildren, who assigned the advowson to the eldest, Major CokayneFrith; he gave it to his son, the Rev. Colin Cokayne-Frith, who bequeathed it to his brother Reginald, the latter's widow now holding the patronage.
69	From the papers at the Diocesan Registry, Chester.
70	Nominated by James Armetriding of Euxton; he stayed till his death. He was buried at Leyland (where he seems to have been curate also) on 12 Nov. 1751.
71	He had been guilty of some breach of the ecclesiastical laws, but had been pardoned and allowed to be a candidate for holy orders by the preceding Bishop of Chester.
72	Schoolmaster of Walton-le-Dale.
73	Son of John Armetriding of Euxton, aged eighteen in 1766; Foster, Alumni Oxon. He was fellow of his college.
74	Presented by the Rev. James Armetriding.
75	Presented by the same. He was curate of Claughton and Hornby in Lonsdale. In 1821 the incumbent resided at Kirkby Lonsdale, but employed a curate. Mr. Armetriding of Steeple Aston was patron. There were two services on Sunday, with a sermon in the morning, and during the summer in the afternoon also. The sacrament was administered four times a year. The church possessed a silver cup, pewter flagon and plate.
76	The following were the patrons:— Cokayne Frith, James F., William Armetriding F., Margaretta F., Mary Anne F., and Eliza F., all of Bridgen Place, Kent, sons and daughters of Margaretta late wife of the Rev. Edward Cokayne Frith (formerly Margaretta Armetriding); Thomas Compton of Littlehampton, Sussex, and Sarah Mary (Armetriding) his wife; the Rev. Richard Greswell, of Worcester College, Oxford, and Joana Julia (Armetriding) his wife. Vacant by the resignation of Robert Procter.
77	End. Char. Rep. (Leyland).
78	The stories of the three brothers Critchlow of Euxton, as told by themselves on entering the English College at Rome in 1627–9, are of much interest. William Critchlow, aged about twentyseven at his entry in 1627, said he was the 'son of Ralph Critchlow, senior, and Catherine Tootell his wife. Born in the parish of Leyland, Lancashire, he was brought up and lived there for the greater part of his life. His parents belonged to the middle class of society and were in moderate circumstances. He had three brothers and two sisters; all his relations, except one, were Catholic. After beginning his education, until thirteen, he then took to mercantile pursuits for ten years, when he again returned to his studies. He was always a Catholic, and left England 17 June 1626. He had suffered a little for his faith, having been seized and sent to the Tower of London, from which he effected his escape by means of a bribe, which cost him £20. He was at length sent into exile to Belgium, and there applied himself to study under the fathers of the Society'; Foley, Rec. S. J. vi, 314. At college he showed himself 'a pious man and an example of all good'; he was ordained priest and sent to England in 1634. Oliver Critchlow, his brother, aged about twenty-one at his admission in 1628, had been arrested between London and Dover when on his way to Douay about 1624, but had escaped by a bribe. He was 'of remarkable virtue, distinguished for humility'; was ordained and sent on the English mission in 1635; ibid. vi, 317. He died at Clayton Hall August 1671; Misc. (Cath. Rec. Soc.), iii, 99. Richard Critchlow, a third brother, aged nineteen on his admission in 1629, stated that 'he studied at home until he was fourteen years of age; then when on his way in company with others to prosecute his studies in Lower Germany he was captured on the River Thames and taken back to London, and was detained there in gaol for some time by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who examined him. Some months after, having obtained his liberty, he was compelled to return home. In the following year he went again to London, seeking an opportunity of embarking, but the plague raged there, and he was compelled a second time to return home. He made his humanities at St. Omer's College for three years'; Foley, op. cit. vi, 320. He also was ordained and was sent on the English mission in 1636. James Walton, another student of the College about the same time, had made his studies at Euxton; ibid. vi, 314.
79	A. Hewitson, Our Country Churches, 257. The list of officiating priests is given from 1740.