Townships: Haslingden

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1911.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Townships: Haslingden', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6, (London, 1911) pp. 427-433. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol6/pp427-433 [accessed 17 March 2024]

In this section

HASLINGDEN

Heselingedon, 1241; Haselingden, Hessclindene, 1269.

The township of Haslingden spreads out from the triangular ground between the Irwell on the east and Musbury on the west; going north the surface rises, and the town of Haslingden lies in a valley some 700 ft. above sea level between hills which attain another 500 ft. The newer part of the town is built at the foot of the hill or on its lower slopes, the older part lying higher up to the east. Through the valley a small stream called the Swinnell flows south to join the Irwell. Another valley extends westward round Musbury; in it is the hamlet of Haslingden Grane, which has Broad Holden and Holden to the east. The area of the historical township is 4,341½ acres; that of the extended township or borough is 8,196 acres, including 104 of inland water. In 1901 the population of Haslingden proper numbered 16,327, but that of the borough was 18,543.

The town has been built upon the road leading up the valley from Bury and Holcombe to Accrington. Entering at the south end of the township this road proceeds north by Helmshore, Flax Moss and Rye Hill, and entering the town by the street called Deardengate it reaches the New Market Place, and thence goes north by Church Street, through Hudrake, Acre (by which is Carter Place) and Rising Bridge. Another more easterly road from Bury through Edenfield crosses the Irwell and enters the township at Ewood Bridge, and skirting the eastern boundary passes through Bentgate, where it is joined by the road from Rawtenstall and Bacup, to reach the town at Lane Side. Here it divides, the main portion going straight to the New Market Place and the New Road bending to the left to go round the town on the west side. A road from Blackburn through Haslingden Grane reaches the town from the south-west, passing through Waterfoot to join Deardengate, while a second road from Blackburn joins the Accrington Road at the north end of the town.

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company's line from Clifton to Accrington runs northward through the township, having stations at Helmshore and at Haslingden, opened in August 1848.

The story of the church makes it probable that one or more villages existed at Haslingden, on the edge of the forest country, from an early time, but practically nothing is known of them. Names of ancient crosses remain on the western side. (fn. 1)

Halfpenny tokens were issued at Haslingden by James Hargreaves in 1667 and John Lord in 1668. (fn. 2)

There was a race-course close to the town, but just outside the township within Crawshaw Booth. The races were discontinued before 1825. (fn. 3)

The woollen manufacture was formerly the chief one, but during last century cotton surpassed it; size works, engineering works, quarries and collieries are carried on also. (fn. 4) The agricultural land is almost entirely in pasture, the return showing 4,773 acres of permanent grass in the district, 13 acres of arable land and the same of woods and plantations. (fn. 5)

Dr. Aikin, writing in 1795, says:—

Haslingden has been greatly improved within the last twenty years, chiefly from the increase of the woollen manufacture, though much of the cotton trade has likewise been introduced within a few years, particularly the branch of making twist for warps, for which purpose alone several factories have been erected in its neighbourhood. . . . The people were (forty years since) chiefly employed by moneyed men at Rochdale; but now the trade is supported by capitals acquired on the spot by the industry and enterprising spirit of the manufacturers, who have erected inns for the entertainment of travellers, shops and handsome houses for their own residence. A square is lately planned here, and some capital houses are already built in it. . . . A number of mills for carding cotton and sheep's wool and spinning them into cotton twist and woollen yarn for the flannels made here, are erected upon the Swinnell. There is also a corn mill on the river, formerly belonging to the Holden family, now extinct. (fn. 6)

The principal buildings in the town include the court-house, formerly called the town hall, built in 1852, the public hall, Conservative and Liberal clubs. At Helmshore also are political clubs.

The Territorials are represented by part of a company of the 5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, originally formed in 1862 as the Haslingden Rifle Volunteers.

A weekly newspaper is published, called the Haslingden Guardian.

Manors

The lords of Clitheroe appear at first to have regarded HASLINGDEN as part of their demesne immediately dependent on Clitheroe itself, (fn. 7) though it is grouped with Colne in the compoti of 1296 and 1305. Rossendale was included in it. Later, however, it was a member of the manor of Accrington, (fn. 8) and, though sometimes named as a distinct manor, (fn. 9) the dependence on Accrington continues to the present time. In 1241 the annual value of Haslingden to the lord was estimated at £3 15s. 5d., (fn. 10) while in 1305 the rents received amounted to £4 6s. 8d.; 1s. more was paid for a new approvement of 3 acres, and the mill yielded 13s. 4d. (fn. 11) Somewhat different figures were recorded in 1311: tenants at will paid 61s. 1d. for 183¼ acres of land, the water-mill was worth 10s., and there were three free tenants, viz. Sir Robert de Holland for the Ewood, 5s.; Robert de Holden for 40 acres, 13s. 1½d.; and Adam de Holden for 60 acres, 2s. These rents were payable on St. Giles's Day. (fn. 12) The net amount of the rents in 1323 was £6 18s. 5d. (fn. 13)

Of the free tenancies EWOOD seems to have been held in 1269 by Hugh de Thewood, for Robert de Haslingden, outlawed for felony, then held of him a messuage and land by a rent of 12d. (fn. 14) In 1311, as shown above, it was held by Sir Robert de Holland, and probably afterwards he was made mesne lord between the other free tenants and the Earl of Lancaster, for, as will be seen later, the Holdens in the 16th and 17th centuries held of the owner of Ewood. Yet Ewood does not seem to have been called a manor, and the Hollands did not retain it. (fn. 15) Probably it became divided, and Ewood like Haslingden was used as a surname. (fn. 16) The story is very obscure, but the Andertons seem to have had an interest there in the 15th century, (fn. 17) and to have been succeeded by the Gartsides in the 16th (fn. 18) and the Gregorys in the 17th. Robert Gregory of Ewood died about 1625 holding his land of the king as of the castle of Clitheroe. The heir was a son Charles, aged eight. (fn. 19) Charles Gregory was a member of the Presbyterian Classis in 1646, (fn. 20) and in 1662 John Gregory paid the rent of 5s. due for Ewood. (fn. 21)

HOLDEN proper was no doubt the estate held by Adam de Holden in 1311. Henry de Lacy had in 1272 granted to Adam son of Robert de Holden land which William son of Keelin and William his son had held in Haslingden, and which had been forfeited by the hanging of William for felony; a rent of 2s. was to be paid at Pentecost and Martinmas. (fn. 22) It was perhaps the same Adam who was still living in 1311. About that time or earlier the feoffees granted to Robert son of Adam de Holden various lands in Haslingden, Habergham and Hundersfield, with remainder to Adam his son, who had married Alice daughter of William de Holland, and further remainders in default to Robert brother of Adam and Gilbert son of Robert de Holden. (fn. 23)

Adam de Holden occurs in various ways down to 1341. In 1334 he gave his lands in Duckworth to his son Robert, who had married Margaret daughter of Robert de Cunliffe, with remainders to Richard, Henry, John, Nicholas and other sons. (fn. 24) Adam's son Robert de Holden succeeded, (fn. 25) and was himself followed about 1387 by his son Adam. (fn. 26) To Adam Holden in 1412 the feoffees regranted the manor of Holden, with lands in Haslingden, Oswaldtwistle, &c., with remainder to his son Christopher. (fn. 27) Of this son little is known (fn. 28); he made a feoffment of his lands in 1440, (fn. 29) and had been succeeded by his son Ralph in 1446. (fn. 30) Ralph Holden in 1464 gave lands in Duckworth to his son Henry, who married Margery daughter of Thomas Hasington, (fn. 31) and in 1482 settled lands on Agnes daughter of Gilbert Langton, who was to marry Henry's son Thomas. (fn. 32)

Holden of Holden. Argent an escutcheon between six eaglets gules.

Gilbert the son of Thomas comes into view in 1508, (fn. 33) and is mentioned in various ways later. (fn. 34) His will, dated 28 December 1549, names Ralph his eldest son, and gives a third part of his goods to his son Adam and daughters Lettice and Alice, but 'Christopher my son shall have no child's part because I have spent so much upon him already, but 40s. to bring him into the country.' To Thomas Holden his grandson he gave an in-calf cow. The executors were his wife Grace and his son Thomas Holden, priest. (fn. 35) The will of Grace Holden the widow was made and proved in 1552; it also contained a bequest to the grandson Thomas, viz. two of her best ewes and lambs. (fn. 36)

Ralph Holden succeeded his father. He married Elizabeth Elston, (fn. 37) and at his death in 1571 was found to hold various messuages, &c., in Haslingden of Francis Gartside in socage by a rent of 20d.; also lands in Duckworth, Oswaldtwistle and Eccleshill. His heir, according to the jury, was a grandson Thomas son of Gilbert Holden, aged seventeen (fn. 38); but by a settlement made in 1566 Ralph was succeeded by a son Robert, who is called Robert Elston bastard son of Elizabeth Elston, otherwise called Robert Holden bastard son of Ralph Holden. (fn. 39) He appears as legitimate in the pedigree recorded in 1567, where other children are ignored (fn. 40); but Thomas Holden, described in 1579 as of Barnard's Inn, (fn. 41) laid claim to various parts of the inheritance. (fn. 42) An inquiry was made as to the tenure of Holden demesne and Todd Hall in 1584, when it was reported that they were copyhold. (fn. 43) Robert Holden, who was still living in 1619, (fn. 44) had a son Ralph, aged thirty-two in 1613, when he recorded a pedigree. (fn. 45)

The family adhered to the old religion, for Robert Holden is marked 'Papist' in the freeholders' list, 1600, (fn. 46) and his son Ralph was a recusant in 1629, about which time he compounded by an annual payment of £8 for the two-thirds of his estate liable to sequestration for his religion. (fn. 47) Ralph's son Robert, however, after taking offence at Fr. Arrowsmith's conduct concerning a dispensation for his marriage, became a Protestant. The circumstances of the quarrel, which ultimately led to the zealous missionary's arrest and execution, are thus related by a contemporary:—

Two in Lancashire had married together; the woman was not a Catholic, the man was. There was somewhat in the marriage for which they stood in need of a dispensation. Mr. Arrowsmith was employed in obtaining it. In the meantime the woman became Catholic. When the dispensation came Mr. Arrowsmith would not make use of it before the parties had separated for the space of fourteen days; which thing incensed them much against him, so that knowing the time when he was to return to their father's house where they lived, they secretly sent word to one Rawstorne, a justice of the peace, to come and apprehend a priest. The justice, not willing to bring his neighbour into danger, sent him word that he was to search his house; that by this means having intelligence he might convey away the priest. Which being done, the searchers according to custom busied themselves in looking, but could find nobody, so returned home. (fn. 48)

It is stated that Ralph Holden on that account gave the estate of Kelke to charitable uses, but was unable to divert Holden and Duckworth from his son. (fn. 49) Robert recorded a pedigree in 1665, (fn. 50) and died in 1677. The last male heir was Robert Holden, who died in 1792, but the descendants of his sister Elizabeth, by Henry Greenwood her husband, assumed the name. (fn. 51)

John Greenwood, the son of Henry and Elizabeth, left three sons, Henry, Ralph and William Holden, who divided the estates in 1853. The eldest had Reedley, while Holden was given to Ralph, who died in Ovampoland in 1861, leaving three daughters, Maria, Mary and Violet Mildred, who shared equally. A partition was made in 1899, by which Holden Hall was allotted to the eldest daughter, who married John Duckworth and died in 1905; the site of the house and part of the land was purchased by the Haslingden Corporation for the cemetery, and since Mrs. Duckworth's death the rest of her land has been sold. The other sisters or their heirs retain their portion of the estate. (fn. 52)

The above-mentioned Adam son of Gilbert Holden was founder of the line of Holden of Todd Hall. (fn. 53) In the king's halmote of his manor of Accrington, Gilbert in 1539 surrendered to trustees, for the use of his son Adam, a messuage called Todd Hall (Tode Hole) and 24 acres of customary land in Haslingden occupied by Alice widow of Christopher Holden; a rent of 8s. was to be paid to the king and another of 15s. to Gilbert. (fn. 54) The estate descended in the male line (fn. 55) till 1743, when it was sold by order of the Court of Chancery.

The estate held by Robert de Holden in 1311 was apparently BROAD HOLDEN, for in later times this is found to be held with Simonstone, which was in 1311 held by Robert de Holden. (fn. 56) It probably originated in a gift by Henry de Lacy Earl of Lincoln to Robert de Holden of all the lands in the vill of Haslingden which had belonged to Robert son of Gilbert de Holden, at 9s. 1d. rent. (fn. 57) It descended to the Nevills, for in 1520 Robert Nevill and Alice his wife held Broad Holden in Haslingden with the manor of Simonstone. (fn. 58) In 1584 John Hargreaves claimed against John Nevill and John Quipp his tenant. (fn. 59) In the same year a report was made that lands in Haslingden called Clough Houses, Broad Holden and Goodshaw Holden were 'concealed' lands, belonging to the Crown. (fn. 60)

The names of a few other tenants appear in the records. (fn. 61) Nicholas Duerden was plaintiff about 1555. (fn. 62) A little later Thomas Holden was admitted to the water-mill (fn. 63) which in 1662 was held by Robert Holden at a free rent of 5s. (fn. 64) The landowners named in the Subsidy Roll of 1600 were Robert Holden and Hugh Gartside (fn. 65); those in 1626 were Robert Holden, Andrew Holden, the heir of Robert Gregory and Richard Duerden. There were two non-communicants. (fn. 66) The chief houses in 1666 were those of Ralph Holden and Andrew Holden, having nine and seven hearths respectively. (fn. 67)

One of the worthies of the township is Oliver Ormerod, a younger son of Oliver Ormerod of Haslingden; he was born about 1580, educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and wrote treatises against Puritans and Roman Catholics. (fn. 68) He died in 1626. The will of George Ormerod of Hudley (? Hud Hey) was in dispute in 1681. (fn. 69)

The history of Carter Place, a copyhold estate which probably took its name from its earlier tenants, (fn. 70) is of interest because it was the inheritance of Sir Andrew Chadwick, (fn. 71) a man who obtained a great fortune by obscure means and was knighted in 1710, (fn. 72) and about whose succession long-continued disputes were waged. (fn. 73) At his death in 1768 Carter Place went to a cousin Sarah Law, (fn. 74) whose son-in-law sold to James Turner in 1807. (fn. 75)

Inquiry as to common rights was ordered in 1547 (fn. 76) and later. (fn. 77)

A fair is mentioned in the time of Charles I. (fn. 78) There are now seven fairs. The market was formerly held on Wednesday, (fn. 79) but now on Saturday.

Borough

The government of the place in 1825 was thus described: 'The district is formed into six divisions called posts or stations, and the executive consists of a constable and six churchwardens. Each churchwarden is charged with the care of a station and is made responsible for its good order.' (fn. 80) The system appears to have been successful at the time. It was not till 1875 that a local board was formed. (fn. 81) The district ruled by it was extended in 1883 so as to include parts of Haslingden, Henheads, Higher and Lower Booths in the parish of Whalley, and also Musbury and part of Tottington in Bury. (fn. 82) In 1891 a charter of incorporation was granted, the council consisting of a mayor, six aldermen and eighteen councillors, chosen by six wards named Town, Acre, Syke, Helmshore, Holden and Grane. The borough area was consolidated into a single township, called Haslingden, in 1894. (fn. 83)

Borough of Haslingden. Quarterly or and argent, on a fesse wavy azure between a lion rampant purpure holding between the paws a quatrefoil ermine in the first quarter, six eagles displayed gules, in the centre chief point a rose of the last in the second, a cogwheel sable in the third, a pickaxe and a spade crossed salurewise entwined by a chain all proper in the fourth, a shuttle of the first, its points and thread pendant of the second.

Gas is supplied by a private company formed in 1838 and incorporated in 1861. (fn. 84) The Haslingden and Rawtenstall Waterworks Company was founded about 1853, (fn. 85) and its undertaking was acquired by the Corporation of Bury in 1872 (fn. 86); there are reservoirs by Musbury. The sewerage of the whole district is regulated by the Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Bacup Outfall Sewerage Board, established in 1890 (fn. 87); the sewage is treated at Ewood Bridge. A park was opened in 1900 and a cemetery at Grane in 1903. The Haslingden Institute, (fn. 88) formed in 1861, was transformed into a public free library by a gift from Mr. Carnegie in 1905. The Technical School was opened in 1903.

Haslingden is the head of a poor law union; the workhouse is now at Pike Low in Oakenhead Wood.

To the county lay of 1624 Haslingden proper contributed 19s. 1½d. towards £100 raised by the hundred, the Haslingden part of Rossendale gave £2 16s. 5d., and the Newchurch part of the same £3 1s. 7d. (fn. 89)

Church

Haslingden was one of the chapels existing when Whalley was bestowed on the monks of Stanlaw, and in 1296 it was found that its tithes were worth 5 marks and the altarage 4 marks (fn. 90); the chaplain had a stipend of 4 marks, (fn. 91) and the chapel had an endowment of 1 oxgang of land. The church, which is now called St. James's, was rebuilt in the time of Henry VIII and again in 1780, after having fallen down. (fn. 92) There was no regularly founded chantry, (fn. 93) but in 1548 the names of two priests were recorded in the bishop's visitation list, and the same in 1554; later there was only one minister, the curate. (fn. 94) His fixed income was £4 a year out of the rectory of Whalley. (fn. 95) The Commonwealth Church Survey of 1650 fails to give any account of the income of Haslingden Chapel, but in 1717 it had £17 8s. 7¾d. a year, including £11 10s. out of the rectory, various fees and the Easter roll. There were six chapelwardens. (fn. 96) In 1719 George Hargreaves and others gave £200 to augment the endowment, (fn. 97) and with later increments the net value is now £368. (fn. 98) The vicars of Whalley formerly presented the curates, but about 1848 the Hulme Trustees acquired the patronage. The benefice is styled a vicarage. (fn. 99)

In the 16th century the north chapel was acquired by the Rawstornes of New Hall in Tottington. The south chapel belonged to the Holdens of Holden. (fn. 100) 'In 1857, during alterations, there were found in a cavity under the floor of the church where the altar anciently stood a skull and crossbones with traces of gilding upon them, and therefore believed to be the relics of St. James, the patron saint.' (fn. 101) A large 'plague stone,' with two holes in it, was found in the churchyard. The entries in the registers begin about 1620, but are only fragmentary until 1653. (fn. 102)

The following is a list of incumbents (fn. 103) :—

oc. 1539–71 Thomas Holden (fn. 104)
1597 John Butterworth (fn. 105)
1635 George Jackson (fn. 106)
1640 Robert Dewhurst (fn. 107)
1641 W. Waller (fn. 108)
1650 Robert Gilbody (fn. 109)
1652 James Smith (fn. 110)
1658 John Kippax, M.A. (fn. 111) (Clare Coll., Camb.)
1680 John Duckworth, M.A. (fn. 112) (St. John's Coll., Camb.)
1695 Thomas Fleming, M.A. (fn. 113) —Slater
1704 John Steele (fn. 114)
1706 John Stones, B.A. (fn. 115) (St. John's Coll., Camb.)
Archibald Young (fn. 116)
1716 Issac Place, B.A.
1739 John Holmes, B.A. (fn. 117) (Balliol Coll., Oxf.)
1764 John Wadsworth, B.A. (Trinity Coll., Camb.)
1779 Thomas Baldwin, M.A. (Peterhouse, Camb.)
1783 Wilfrid Troutbeck
1788 Edward Thelwall (fn. 118)
1813 James Quartley, M.A. (fn. 119)
1815 William Gray
1847 Nathaniel Morgan (fn. 120)
1849 Louis Henry Mordacque, M.A. (fn. 121) (Brasenose Coll., Oxf.)
1870 Theodore Percival Wilson, M.A. (fn. 122) (Brasenose Coll., Oxf.)
1874 Weldon Champneys, M.A. (fn. 123) (Brasenose Coll., Oxf.)
1892 Abraham Spencer, M.A. (fn. 124) (Brasenose Coll., Oxf.)
1906 Lewis Robbs, M.A. (fn. 125) (Brasenose Coll., Oxf.)

At an inquiry in 1561 it was reported that Carter Place had been held in trust to provide 'a chantry priest to do service at our Lady's altar at the church of Haslingden for ever.' (fn. 126)

At the south end of the township St. Thomas's, Helmshore, was built in 1851–2 (fn. 127); the Crown and the Bishop of Manchester present alternately. St. Stephen's, Grane, was built in 1867 and consecrated in 1883 (fn. 128); the Bishop of Manchester collates. The vicar of Haslingden presents to St. John the Evangelist's, Stone Fold, built in 1885–6, on the northern border, (fn. 129) and to St. Peter's, Laneside, 1893. (fn. 130) There is a mission room in connexion with St. James's.

The Free Church of England has a place of worship.

Methodism took root in the latter half of the 18th century. The burial of Methodists is recorded in the registers in 1751 and 1761. The original Wesleyan chapel was rebuilt in King Street in 1797, another was opened at Grane in 1815, and a third, now the largest, in Manchester Road in 1856. A Primitive Methodist chapel was opened in Grane Road in 1831; another was built in 1893 at Irwell Vale, to the north. The United Free Methodists also have a church, and the Inghamites once had a meeting-place. (fn. 131)

Nonconformity began with the Restoration. Quakers were presented at the Bishop of Chester's visitation in 1665, and other non-attenders in 1670. In 1689 Abraham Haworth's house was licensed as a Presbyterian meeting-place, (fn. 132) and Gastrell in 1717 records one for Independents, perhaps its outcome. (fn. 133) The cause may have failed, but by 1775 a meeting was held in a house in High Street; this was in 1787 replaced by a chapel in Deardengate, which in turn was succeeded by the Congregational church in Grane Road in 1856. (fn. 134)

The Baptists have three chapels. Trinity Church, in Blackburn Road, built in 1872, represents a cause originating in 1811, (fn. 135) and formerly (1816) having a chapel in Pleasant Street; another church, called Ebenezer, was built in 1845 and rebuilt in 1900. There is also a Particular Baptist chapel called Adullam.

The Swedenborgians have had a New Jerusalem church for about sixty years.

The Roman Catholic Mission was begun in 1854, mass being said for some time in a poor garret, until in 1859 the Church of the Immaculate Conception was opened.

A small sum for a schoolmaster was given in 1749. (fn. 136)

Charities

Inquiries into the charities were made in 1826 and 1899. The report of the latter, issued in 1900, includes a reprint of the earlier one, and affords the following details. The funds for education and church purposes produce £59 a year, and those for the poor £32 2s., distributed in kind. Benjamin Holden, rector of Staveley in Yorkshire, in 1716 bequeathed £50 and a contingent £50 for the poor, to be laid out at Christmas and Midsummer by the minister and churchwardens of Haslingden. Other benefactors increased the endowments, and in 1749 a total sum of £170 (fn. 137) was spent on buildings which were later used as workhouse and dwellings for the poor. For these the overseer in 1826 was to pay £7 4s. a year. The workhouse premises are let for £36, of which one-third is given to the poor in respect of the charities of Holden and others; doles of calico or flannel are distributed at Christmas time. (fn. 138) Rachael Clegg, widow, in 1879 left stock now producing £20 2s. yearly; the income was to be given quarterly in groceries and clothing to poor people over sixty years of age, (fn. 139) 'being Church people.' The vicars of Haslingden, Haslingden Grane, Stonefold and Laneside choose the recipients, who number thirty-eight, and receive 2s. 6d. each quarterly in goods.

Footnotes

  • 1. Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Soc. xviii, 12; Holden Cross and Alley crosses.
  • 2. Ibid. v, 78. Some notes about the family of Hargreaves of Haslingden (1769–1809) are printed in Loc. Glean. Lancs. and Ches. i, 81, 95.
  • 3. Baines, Lancs. Dir. i, 644.
  • 4. For the trade of the district in general see Newbigging, Rossendale.
  • 5. Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905).
  • 6. Aikin, Country round Manch. 276–7. In 1825 a coach passed through it daily on its way from Clitheroe by Whalley to Manchester, returning in the evening, and another coach went to Manchester three days a week, to Blackburn once, and to Rochdale once; Baines, op. cit. i, 649.
  • 7. In the court of Clitheroe in 1324 Adam the reeve of Haslingden was allowed to resign his office, paying 2s.; Lancs. Ct. R. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 57.
  • 8. See the 16th-century pleadings calendared in Ducatus Lanc. and Whitaker, Whalley, i, 292.
  • 9. e.g. in 1615 and 1699; Lancs. and Ches. Rec. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 292; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 243, m. 110.
  • 10. Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 157.
  • 11. De Lacy Compoti (Chet. Soc.), 100.
  • 12. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, ii, 9.
  • 13. Ibid. 188.
  • 14. Ibid. i, 235. Robert had killed Wion de Haslingden.
  • 15. Thurstan de Holland in 1352 complained that Henry de Holden of Rossendale and others had depastured his grass at Ewood; De Banco R. 408, m. 35 d.
  • 16. John son of William de Ewood in 1352 had as mainpernor Robert son of Adam de Holden; Assize R. 434, m. 5.
  • 17. Oliver and James Anderton were tenants in Haslingden in 1443; Farrer, Clitheroe Ct. R. 502.
  • 18. In the time of Henry VII there was a dispute as to messuages, &c., in Haslingden between Hugh Gartside and Thurstan Anderton; Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), i, 116. In 1518–19 Hugh Gartside claimed Ewood against Oliver Anderton and others; ibid. ii, 16. Hugh Gartside contributed for lands to the subsidy of 1543; Lay Subs. Lancs. bdle. 130, no. 125. A little later, in 1546–7, James (son of Hugh) Anderton claimed a messuage, &c., in Haslingden against Hugh Gartside; the plaintiff was nephew of Christopher son of Ellen Anderton; Pal. of Lanc. Writs Proton. 37 Hen. VIII; Plea R. 183, m. 9. The tenants of Haslingden complained in 1554–5 that Roger Gartside had encroached on the common of Haslingden in the lordship of Accrington, and a little later Francis Gartside was plaintiff; Ducatus Lanc. i, 278, 295. Hugh and James Anderton appear about the same time (1555–60) in pleadings respecting Sunnyfield, Swinehill, Dog Meadow, &c.; ibid. ii, 144, 219. Edward Rawstorne in 1587 acquired from Hugh Gartside two messuages and a water-mill in Haslingden; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 49, no. 71. Ralph Holden of Ewood was a freeholder in 1600 and died in 1616, being then described as a yeoman, holding his messuage in Haslingden of Francis Gartside by 4¾d. rent.; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 235; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (same soc.), ii, 63. The heir was a son Oliver Holden, aged eighteen.
  • 19. Towneley MS. C 8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), 462. From a deed quoted later it appear that a Charles Gregory was greave of Haslingden in 1539. Another Charles held land there in 1591; Ducatus Lanc. iii, 256.
  • 20. The will of Charles Gregory of Ewood, yeoman, was proved at Chester in 1649.
  • 21. Clitheroe Survey, a Towneley MS. in possession of W. Farrer.
  • 22. C 8, 13, H 209; printed in Whitaker, Whalley, ii, 301. Whitaker asserts that the tenure of Holden was in later times changed from freehold to copyhold; ibid. 304.
  • 23. Towneley MS. DD, no. 814. Lands in Duckworth in Oswaldtwistle were granted to Adam son of Robert de Holden and his issue by the same Alice; ibid. no. 815. In 1312 Robert de Holden gave his son Robert all his lands in Haslingden; ibid. no. 766.
  • 24. Ibid. no. 765. In 1351 Ellen widow of Nicholas son of Adam de Holden released to Robert son of Adam de Holden her dower in Holden in Haslingden, Brockholes in Eccleshill and Habergham in Burnley; ibid. no. 769. William de Mawdesley and Emma his wife, formerly wife of John son of Adam de Holden, in 1355 claimed dower in fourteen messuages, &c., in Haslingden, Rochdale, Mellor, Habergham and Burnley against Robert son of Adam de Holden; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 4, m. 5, 16 d. Two years later Richard de Cudworth and Ellen his wife (probably the widow of Nicholas) claimed dower against the same Robert; ibid. 6, m. 2 d. Ellen de Hopwood, no doubt the same, released to Adam de Holden in 1390 all her dower in lands of Nicholas son of Adam de Holden for 10s. rent, but reserved her right in the lands of Robert son of Robert de Holden; Towneley MS. DD, no. 822. In 1368 Roger de Aspden released all actions to Henry son of Adam de Holden and Hawise formerly his wife; ibid. no. 797. Robert and Richard the brothers of Henry are named.
  • 25. Robert son of Adam de Holden was in 1375 released from an excommunication incurred through a false charge; ibid. no. 869. John de Towneley, as executor of Richard de Towneley, in 1379 acknowledged the receipt of 100s. paid by Robert de Holden of Haslingden for the escape of Adam son of Robert de Holden; ibid. no. 795. In 1382 Robert son of Adam de Holden and others, including Nicholas de Holden, became bound to Richard son of Richard de Holden and Thomas his brother, who acknowledged the receipt of an account of the goods and chattels of their father and his wife Margaret; ibid. no. 790, 793, 800. Robert son of Adam de Holden and his sons Adam, Robert and Gilbert are named in a bond dated 1382; ibid. no. 803. In the following year Robert son of Robert de Holden released to his father all actions; ibid. no. 796. Isabel widow of John de Holden in 1387 granted to Adam son of Robert de Holden all her lands in Holden at a rent of 43s. 4d. To this deed Robert son of Adam de Holden, probably the father of the grantee, was a witness; ibid. no. 768, 799.
  • 26. In a bond in 1398 there are mentioned Adam, Gilbert and Richard de Holden. Gilbert had married Agnes daughter of Adam de Halstead; ibid. no. 789.
  • 27. Ibid. no. 786.
  • 28. George son of Robert Waddington in or before 1439 married Alice daughter of Christopher Holden; ibid. no. 832.
  • 29. Ibid. no. 770. Christopher Holden and the heirs of Thomas Holden were tenants in 1443; Farrer, Clitheroe Ct. R. 501–2.
  • 30. In that year Ralph son and heir of Christopher Holden and Joan his wife made a feoffment of all their lands; Towneley MS. DD, no. 871. Ralph Holden (probably the same) and Adam his brother are named in 1437; ibid. no. 801, 804. Randle son of Christopher Holden and John Holden of Aighton occur in a bond in 1451; ibid. no. 798.
  • 31. Ibid. no. 812. Henry son of Ralph is named in an earlier deed, 1457; ibid. no. 865. Ralph had another son named Charles, to whom he gave lands in Tottington in 1469; ibid. no. 866.
  • 32. Ibid. no. 830. Ralph Holden occurs again in 1483, when he and his wife Douce received from the feoffees Helmshore (Holleshore) and other land; ibid. no. 835.
  • 33. Ibid. no. 833. That Gilbert was son of Thomas depends on the pedigree recorded in 1567
  • 34. In 1517; Whalley Act Bk. (Chet. Soc.), 50, 56. Also in 1519; Duchy Plead. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 86, 134. In 1541 he gave land in Cockham in Haslingden to trustees; Towneley MS. C 8, 13, H 217.
  • 35. DD, no. 826. A note of the inquisition, dated 1553, refers to Duckworth only; ibid. no. 809. Ralph the son and heir was then of full age.
  • 36. Ibid. no. 827. Nothing further seems to be known of the grandson Thomas.
  • 37. In 1559 Alexander Elston, lessee, claimed Sunnyfield Hall, &c., against Ralph Holden and Elizabeth Elston alias Holden; Ducatus Lanc. ii, 211. Alexander was son of Ralph Elston; ibid. 144. A certain Ralph Holden bigamously married an Isabel Houghton in 1546; Child Marriages (Early Engl. Text Soc.), 72. His first marriage, however, does not agree with that in the pedigree and his sisters were Sibyl and Lettice, not Alice and Lettice. From later pleadings it seems that Elizabeth Elston of Brockholes was in childhood married to James Anderton of Euxton. Before this union was formally dissolved (1561) Ralph son of Gilbert Holden married her, but his act was decided to be bigamous and null. He afterwards married an Agnes and an Isabel. The latter was still living in 1580. Elizabeth Elston married Nicholas Banastre of Altham, and she also was living in 1580. See Piccope MSS. i, 20; Duchy of Lanc. Plead. cxi, H 7; cxxii, H 6; Dep. ser. ii, bdle. 18 (18 Eliz.), no. 30; ser. i, lxviii, E 1. These references are due to Mr. H. I. Anderton.
  • 38. Duchy of Lane. Inq. p.m. xii, no. 3. Gilbert must have been born by 1535. In 1575 the Bishop of Chester received a caveat warning him against proof of the will of Ralph Holden without notice to Thomas Holden his heir, and a note was made that it would suffice to warn Edmund Entwisle or publish in Haslingden Church; Pennant's MS. Acct. Bk. at Chester. In the following year letters testimonial were issued respecting the divorce of Ralph Holden and Isabel Houghton; ibid.
  • 39. Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 222, m. 7.
  • 40. Visit. of 1567 (Chet. Soc.), 53.
  • 41. Towneley MS. DD, no. 823.
  • 42. Ducatus Lanc. iii, 21, 67, 79, 113, 159. Some of these are used in note 37.
  • 43. Duchy of Lane. Special Com. 360. A parcel of land called Cockham between the demesne of Ewood and Longshaw Brook was freehold, but that was the only part of Robert Holden's land acknowledged to be free. Other lands called Bridgeholme, Rishton's Place, &c., were also 'concealed' from the Crown.
  • 44. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 108.
  • 45. Visit. of 1613 (Chet. Soc.), 82.
  • 46. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 234.
  • 47. Trans. Hist. Soc. (new ser.), xxiv, 178. Ralph Holden in 1631 paid £10 fine for having declined knighthood; Misc. (Rec. Soc.), i, 218.
  • 48. Foley, Rcc. S. J. ii, 34. On their way back the party arrested Fr. Arrowsmith. From another source the name of the man (Holden) is known and the relationship which required the dispensation, that of first cousins. This suffices for the identification, for while Ralph Holden married Mary daughter of William Chorley of Chorley, his son Robert married Mary daughter of Alexander son of the same William Chorley; Wilson, Chorleys of Chorley, 50, 53.
  • 49. Pedigree in Whitaker, op. cit. ii, 304.
  • 50. Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 144.
  • 51. The following is an outline of the descent taken from Whitaker, loc. cit.: Robert Holden, d. 1677 —s. Ralph, d. 1674 —s. Robert, d. 1684 —s. Ralph, d. 1707 —s. Robert, d. 1730 —s. Ralph, d. 1777 —s. Robert, d. 1792 —sister Elizabeth (d. 1781), wife of Henry Greenwood —s. John Greenwood, d. 1834 —sons Henry Holden (d. 1898), Ralph (d. 1861) and William, among whom the estates were divided in 1853. In a deed of 1710 the following descent is recited: Robert Holden —s. Ralph —s. Robert (who had a brother John who died beyond the seas) —s. Ralph, who left a widow Frances and had a brother Robert —s. Robert, then the owner of Holden; Piccope MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xiv, 20. Robert son of Ralph Holden of Holden entered St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1673; Mayor, Admissions to St. John's Coll. ii, 44.
  • 52. Information of Messrs. Woodcock & Sons, Haslingden, who added that the second daughter married Mr. John Thomas Norris and was still (1909) living; while the third married Mr. Benjamin Ellston, and died in 1905, leaving issue.
  • 53. Pedigree in Whitaker, op. cit. ii, 305.
  • 54. Raines D. (Chet. Lib.). The surrender was made to Charles Gregory, greave of Haslingden.
  • 55. Adam Holden in 1576 gave land in Haslingden to his son Andrew. Margaret Adam's wife had lands in Yorkshire; Add. MS. 32105, no. 875 (OO, no. 1093). Andrew Holden the younger of Todd Hall (Toodhole) is named in the will of James Heap of Grane in Haslingden 1648; note by Mr. Earwaker. The wills of Andrew Holden (1590) and Thomas Holden (1725) are printed in Wills (Chet. Soc. new ser.), i, 109, 177. A petition by Mary Chadwick in 1711–12, respecting the estate of Thomas Holden in Todd Hall in Haslingden and Duckworth Hall in Oswaldtwistle, is in Piccope MSS. (Chet. Lib.), iii, 408.
  • 56. See the account of Simonstone.
  • 57. Whitaker, op. cit. ii, 301. In 1304 Henry de Lacy granted to the same Robert a plat of land in Broadhead; ibid. It is possible that Robert was the son of Adam de Holden and passed Simonstone and Broad Holden to a younger son Nicholas; see Assize R. 1400, m. 234. Nicholas de Holden in 1329 had lands in Haslingden; DD, no. 791. In 1341 Nicholas son of Robert de Holden granted lands in Haslingden, except Strindefield, to his son Robert and Katherine his wife, Adam de Holden being a witness; ibid. no. 767. Robert son of Nicholas de Holden, perhaps the same, occurs in 1374 and 1376; De Banco R. 455, m. 127 d.; 456, m. 598; DD, no. 808.
  • 58. Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 127, m. 15. The same Robert and Alice in 1546 disputed concerning Boswell heys in Broad Holden with Gilbert Holden and Ellen Heap; Ducatus Lanc. i, 182. The same was claimed in 1563 by George Nevill against Ralph Holden; ibid. ii, 268.
  • 59. Ibid. iii, 145, 159; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 254, m. 9.
  • 60. Duchy of Lanc. Special Com. 353. The tenants were named Heap (2), Hargreaves (4), Duxbury and Rothwell (4).
  • 61. The following are the tenants named in the rental of 1527: Gilbert Holden, Robert Waddington, Hugh Gartside, Robert Nevill, Robert Duerden, senior and junior, the heirs of Thomas Carter, William Rothwell, 'Mereden Place' and the heirs of William Cowopp. The rents in all amounted to £9 0s. 3½d., Holden paying nearly half; Duchy of Lanc. Rentals, bdle. 5, no. 12.
  • 62. Ducatus Lanc. i, 244.
  • 63. Lancs. and Ches. Rec. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 265.
  • 64. Clitheroe Survey.
  • 65. Lay Subs. Lancs. bdle. 131, no. 274.
  • 66. Ibid. no. 317.
  • 67. Ibid. bdle. 250, no. 9; one house had four hearths and four had three. The total number of hearths contributing to the tax was 127.
  • 68. Dict. Nat. Biog.
  • 69. Exch. Dep. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 59. There is a pedigree of Ormerod of Haslingden in Whitaker, op. cit. ii, 220.
  • 70. According to a rental of 1441 Thomas the Carter of Haslingden had land at Shurfin. Henry Carter was a tenant in 1443; Clitheroe Ct. R. 501. Carter Place was given to found a chantry, as appears by an inquiry cited below. It is mentioned in a pleading of 1567 concerning the purchase money. One Edward Williams, as grantee of the duchy, had sold to a Richard Taylor; Ducatus Lanc. ii, 357. Hugh Taylor was the tenant in 1662; Clitheroe Survey, MS. in possession of W. Farrer.
  • 71. Sir Andrew alleged that his greatgrandfather Ellis Chadwick had held it in or before 1657 and was succeeded by his son Robert. Robert Chadwick in 1684 assigned it to his son Ellis, described as of Dublin, and Sir Andrew as son and heir of Ellis was admitted at Accrington Halmote Court in 1726; J. O. Chadwick, Sir Andrew Chadwick, 264–7. In another part of the work first Ellis Chadwick is called 'of Wolstenholme' and is said to have purchased Carter Place; ibid. 19.
  • 72. See his life in the work last cited, which has a portrait as frontispiece. The most valuable part of his estate, about Golden Square, Westminster, was purchased between 1717 and 1735. He was secret in his habits and his will and its seven codicils, drawn up by himself, were not witnessed; ibid. 48–63. The will, &c., were allowed to stand for the personal estate only.
  • 73. Ibid. 91, &c.
  • 74. Sarah was one of three cousins; the others did not at the time put forward their claims. A Chadwick Association was formed as late as 1880 to inquire and report.
  • 75. Sir Andrew Chadwick, 137–8, 268–80. See also Pal. Note-bk. ii, 24; iv, 61.
  • 76. Ducatus Lanc. ii, 93.
  • 77. Ibid. ii, 246 (1561); Lancs. and Ches. Rec. ii, 259 (1582).
  • 78. Ibid. ii, 247. In 1826 there were five fairs annually; Baines, Lancs. Dir.
  • 79. Blome, about 1670.
  • 80. Baines, Lancs. Dir. i, 644.
  • 81. Lond. Gaz. 6 Aug. 1875.
  • 82. Act 46 & 47 Vict. cap. 225.
  • 83. Loc. Govt. Bd. Order 32291.
  • 84. Act 24 & 25 Vict. cap. 39. The company supplies Rawtenstall and Bacup also.
  • 85. Act 16 & 17 Vict. cap. 89.
  • 86. Ibid. 35 & 36 Vict. cap. 146.
  • 87. Ibid. 53 & 54 Vict. cap. 85.
  • 88. See the End. Char. Rep. 1900.
  • 89. Gregson, Fragments (ed. Harland), 23.
  • 90. Whalley Couch. (Chet. Soc.), i, 206.
  • 91. Whitaker, Whalley, ii, 301. The abbey received £7 12s. 9d. from the chapel in 1536; ibid. i, 116. About that time the chapel is several times mentioned as a place where penances had to be done; in one case the 'principal image' is named; Act Bk. of Whalley (Chet. Soc.), 23, &c. The churchwardens of Haslingden were in 1552 concerned in a plea respecting an illegal sale of lands in the place; Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), i, 259.
  • 92. A brief was issued ordering collections for it.
  • 93. Some particulars of the ornaments and bells are given by Raines, Chantries (Chet. Soc.), 274, 277.
  • 94. Visit. Lists at Chester Dioc. Reg.
  • 95. Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 10. There is a reference to this stipend in James's Iter Lanc. (Chet. Soc.), 10: 'Chapels have no land To cherish learned curates, though Sir John Do preach for four pounds unto Haslingdon.' Archbishop Juxon is said to have added £7 10s.; Gastrell, Notitia Cestr. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 332. In other cases such an increment is found to have been added before the Civil War; perhaps Juxon confirmed it.
  • 96. Ibid.
  • 97. Ibid.
  • 98. Manch. Dioc. Dir.
  • 99. Lond. Gaz. 3 Apr. 1866.
  • 100. Whitaker, op. cit. ii, 302; on the rebuilding the inhabitants bought out these rights.
  • 101. Ibid. 301 n.
  • 102. For extracts from these and other church books, see H. Stephenson, Haslingden Ch. (1878).
  • 103. Some of the earlier names are from Whitaker (op. cit. ii, 303), who prefixes John Blake and William Hackenstall, 1411; Lawrence Halliwell, 1523–4; John Holden, 1519. Henry Ramsbottom and Christopher Jackson are styled 'chantry priests.' In 1523 the above Lawrence Halliwell undertook to leave Haslingden Church within three months; Towneley MS. DD, no. 824. From the Clitheroe Ct. Roll of 1550 (Accrington Halmote) it appears that Henry Ramsbottom had the chantry lands allowed him for life. See note 126.
  • 104. There is no reason to suppose that he was a monk of Whalley, although in 1534 he had his title for ordination from the abbey; DD, no. 807. Holden was then an acolyte. He was ordained subdeacon in 1535 by John Bishop of Sodor; ibid. no 868. He was the son of Gilbert Holden of Holden; ibid. no. 826. Holden was still at Haslingden in 1571, being certified by Archbishop Grindal as lawfully admitted to the ministry, sufficiently instructed and of good and honest conversation; ibid. no. 825.
  • 105. According to the registers he remained at Haslingden till 1635, but Whitaker inserts John Croston in 1607 and Thomas Mercer in 1625. Butterworth was certainly there about 1610; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 10. In 1601 there was 'no sermon' at Haslingden; Visit. Returns.
  • 106. Note by Mr. Earwaker. George Jackson, 'preacher,' was at Haslingden in 1622, and being found teaching without a licence was suspended until he obtained one; Visit. Returns.
  • 107. Earwaker.
  • 108. Ibid.
  • 109. He was under suspension in 1650; Commonw. Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 167. Early in the next year an augmentation of £50 out of the sequestrations of Sir Thomas Tyldesley was ordered for Gilbody's support; Plund. Mins. Accts. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 97.
  • 110. Ibid. 110.
  • 111. Ibid. ii, 201. According to Calamy Kippax was ejected in 1662; this seems to be an error, though there may have been a temporary suspension through lack of episcopal ordination. He was ordained priest in 1662, and in 1665 had license to preach at Haslingden; he appeared at the bishop's visitations down to 1677, and was curate of Church also from 1668.
  • 112. He was 'conformable' in 1689; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 229.
  • 113. The Haslingden church papers at Chester begin with his nomination.
  • 114. He was nominated by the inhabitants, with the approbation of the vicar of Whalley.
  • 115. In 1710 he was appointed rector of Coddington, and afterwards distinguished himself as a Cheshire antiquary; Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), ii, 736.
  • 116. Described as 'formerly curate'; Reg. 1716.
  • 117. In the church is a monument to his son John Holmes, D.D., rector of Whitechapel; d. 1795.
  • 118. He nominated assistant curates, and was perhaps the Edward Thelwall of Llanbedr. He resigned in 1813.
  • 119. Vicar of Ribchester; on appointment to Haslingden he said he intended to reside there for part of the year, and desired therefore to be made a surrogate. He had been assistant curate in 1794.
  • 120. One of this name was of Brasenose Coll., Oxf.; M.A. 1843; Foster, Alumni.
  • 121. Presented by the Hulme Trustees.
  • 122. Rector of Southcote 1862–70.
  • 123. Hon. canon of Manchester 1886.
  • 124. Vicar of Goodshaw 1888–92; of St. James's, Accrington, 1906.
  • 125. Vicar of Bardsley 1898–1906.
  • 126. Duchy of Lanc. Special Com. 33. At another inquiry Henry Ramsbottom was said to have been 'our Lady's priest'; ibid. 98. See Great Harwood.
  • 127. A district had been assigned in 1844; Lond. Gaz. 18 Sept.
  • 128. For district, ibid. 18 Dec. 1883.
  • 129. The district was assigned in 1889.
  • 130. District assigned in 1894.
  • 131. Nightingale, Lancs. Nonconf. ii, 146. They still had a meeting-place about 1856.
  • 132. Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 231. Thomas Jollie of Wymondhouses was the preacher.
  • 133. Notitia Cestr. ii, 332. There were five families of Independents.
  • 134. Nightingale, op. cit. ii, 142–9.
  • 135. It originated partly in a secession from the Congregationalists; ibid. 146. See also Parry, Cloughfold Bapt. Ch. 194.
  • 136. There was no school in 1717; Gastrell, loc. cit.
  • 137. The school fund was included.
  • 138. The charity is applicable to the whole of the ancient chapelry of Haslingden.
  • 139. In the case of cripples there is no age limit.