Townships: Woodplumpton

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1912.

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'Townships: Woodplumpton', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7, ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1912), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp284-291 [accessed 6 October 2024].

'Townships: Woodplumpton', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7. Edited by William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1912), British History Online, accessed October 6, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp284-291.

"Townships: Woodplumpton". A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7. Ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill(London, 1912), , British History Online. Web. 6 October 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp284-291.

In this section

WOODPLUMPTON

Plunton, Dom. Bk.; Plumpton, 1256; Wodeplumpton, 1336.

The prefix Wood distinguishes this township from Field Plumpton, Great and Little, in Kirkham. The surface on the whole rises steadily from the low level of the more northerly parts of the parish. Thus the 50-ft. level crosses it from east to west when about a third of the length of the township has been traversed, and the 100-ft. level when the second third is reached going south. Two brooks flow through it, mainly to the north-west, towards the Wyre; that to the north comes from Barton through Hollowforth; that to the south is called Blundel Brook in Broughton, but here Woodplumpton Brook, for its course takes it through the centre of the township. The village of Woodplumpton lies on its northern bank, with Bartle to the south and Ambrose Hall to the north. Swillbrook and Catforth lie to the northwest, on the westerly side of the brook, and Woodsfold near the northern boundary, with Lewth to the east of it and Eaves to the north. The area is 4,970½ acres, (fn. 1) shared by the four hamlets thus: Woodplumpton, 949; Bartle, 1,341; Catforth, 1,828; and Eaves, 852½. In 1901 there was a population of 1,208.

The two principal roads meet near Woodsfold. One of them comes from the south, passing through Bartle and Catforth; the other from the south-east, passing Ambrose Hall, Moorside and Lewth. These are connected at the south by a cross-road from Bartle through Woodplumpton to Ambrose Hall.

The township is governed by a parish council.

Woodplumpton was visited by plague in 1631. (fn. 2)

The land is largely in pasture. The soil is clayey.

Henry Foster, R.N., born at Woodplumpton in 1796, being son of the incumbent, attained distinction as a navigator and astronomer, and was elected F.R.S. in 1824. He took part in Parry's Polar expeditions of 1825–7 and did exploring work in the South Seas. He was accidentally killed in the River Chagres, near Panama, in 1831. There is a memorial tablet in Woodplumpton Church. (fn. 3)

Mag Shelton, the Singleton witch, is supposed to have been buried at Woodplumpton. A boulder stone, known as the Witch's Stone, marks the grave in the churchyard. Her spirit had to be 'laid' by a priest. (fn. 4)

In 1676 there were said to be 646 inhabitants, of whom 46 were 'popish recusants' and 3 Dissenters. (fn. 5) A more elaborate return in 1755 is as follows:—

Protestants Dissenters Quakers Papists
Plumpton 147 56
Bartle 112 1 78
Catforth 313 7 65
Eaves or 969 persons in all (fn. 6) 114 7 69

Manors

Earl Tostig held WOODPLUMPTON in 1066 as part of his Preston fee. It was assessed as five plough-lands. (fn. 7) Afterwards it was held of the Crown or of the honour of Lancaster in thegnage by a family whose pedigree seems to connect them with the pre-Conquest owners. Raghanald, the earliest of them on record, must have lived about the time of the Conquest, for his son Ravenkil attested the grants made in 1094 by Count Roger of Poiton to the abbey of Sees, (fn. 8) and Roger son of Ravenkil, who gave Linacre to the Knights Hospitallers, (fn. 9) occurs from 1130 to 1171. (fn. 10) His son Richard, the founder of Lytham Priory, lived in the time of Henry II and Richard I, holding by knight's service Kirkby, Argarmeols, Kellamergh and Bryning, and in thegnage Woodplumpton, Lytham, Carleton, Bootle and part of Formby. (fn. 11)

Richard son of Roger left five daughters as coheirs, (fn. 12) but ultimately the inheritance became divided between two—Maud, who married Robert de Stockport, and Amice, who married Thomas de Beetham. Woodplumpton appears to have gone entirely to the former, (fn. 13) and as early as 1256 Robert de Stockport was sole lord, allowing John de Lea common of pasture on Bartle Moor. (fn. 14) The manor, which rendered 17s. 4d. a year to the Earl of Lancaster in 1297, (fn. 15) descended regularly to the Warrens of Stockport and Poynton, (fn. 16) but these, though among the great families of Cheshire, took little part in Lancashire affairs. (fn. 17) Sir John Warren (fn. 18) died in 1386 holding the manor of Woodplumpton of the Duke of Lancaster by a rent of 17s. 6d., and was succeeded by his son Nicholas, (fn. 19) whose son Lawrence held it in 1418. (fn. 20)

In later times the tenure was described as by knight's service. (fn. 21) Thus John Warren, who died in 1474, (fn. 22) was said to have held the manor. He had in 1445 granted various messuages and land in Woodplumpton to trustees for Isabel daughter of Robert Legh of Adlington, and other messuages, &c., in 1471 to Eleanor, who married his grandson Sir John Warren. (fn. 23) This Sir John was aged thirty-six in 1506, and died in 1518 holding the manor of Woodplumpton, with fifty messuages, lands, meadow, wood, turbary and moss of the king by the fifth part of a knight's fee and the rent of 17s. 6d. Lawrence his son and heir, was thirty-three years of age. (fn. 24) The tenure was recorded in the same terms in the inquisition after the death in 1540 of Sibyl widow of Lawrence, when his son Edward, aged thirty-five was found to be the heir. (fn. 25)

Sir Edward Warren, made a knight during the Scottish expedition of 1544, (fn. 26) died in October 1558 holding the manor of Woodplumpton as before, and leaving as heir his son Francis, aged twenty-four. (fn. 27) Francis had, however, been disinherited by his father, (fn. 28) and so his brother John succeeded, and his grandson, another John Warren, mortgaged the manor to Sir Robert Banastre for £4,000, and, failing to pay, forfeited it. (fn. 29) Woodplumpton remained for some time in the hands of the Banastre family, (fn. 30) but in 1667 was recovered by Edward and John Warren from Banastre Maynard and Elizabeth his wife. (fn. 31) The manor descended, with other Warren estates, to Lord de Tabley, but was sold to the Birleys of Milbanke, Kirkham, and became the property of Charles Birley of Bartle Hall, who died in 1891, leaving issue. The eldest son, Charles Addison Birley, succeeded, and at his death in 1908 was followed by his son Mr. Charles Fair Birley, the present lord of the manor. Courts leet and baron were held annually till recently. (fn. 32) The hall was sold to Dr. Thomas Calvert, Warden of Manchester 1823–40. (fn. 33)

In 1542 there arose disputes as to the wastes, (fn. 34) and an agreement as to the division of parcels of the commons and waste lands within the manor was made in 1573 between John Warren, lord of Woodplumpton, and the various charterers. The details are preserved in Christopher Towneley's MS. numbered OO; the lord received 210 acres and the charterers 168. (fn. 35)

The Singleton family or families had lands in the township, those of the senior branch descending in the usual way, (fn. 36) and those of the Chingle Hall, (fn. 37) Brockholes (fn. 38) and Staining branches (fn. 39) appearing in their inquisitions. Others of the neighbouring landowners also appear in the records, (fn. 40) with minor local families such as Beck, (fn. 41) Billington, (fn. 42) Duddell, (fn. 43) Gregson, (fn. 44) Harrison, (fn. 45) Mason, (fn. 46) Richardson (fn. 47) and White (fn. 48); but the chief residents in the 15 th century and later seem to have been the Ambrose family of AMBROSE HALL (fn. 49) and Catforth. Their estates passed by sale in 1650 to Richard Shaw, and about 1870 to Charles Birley. (fn. 50) CATFORTH, called a manor, was held by the Shireburnes of Stonyhurst, (fn. 51) and BARTLE gave a surname to a local family who in the 14th century had part of the manor of Great Eccleston. (fn. 52) In this part of the township is Moor Hall, which has for a long time been held by a branch of the Threlfall family. (fn. 53) Isolated references are all that can in most cases be given. (fn. 54)

George Nicholson of Woodplumpton in 1631 paid £10 on declining knighthood. (fn. 55) Several sequestrations for religion or politics marked the Commonwealth period, (fn. 56) while a number of 'Papists' registered estates in 1717. (fn. 57)

Church

The piety of Richard son of Roger makes it probable that a chapel existed in his demesne before 1200. Though this is confirmed by remains in the building, there seems to be no direct documentary evidence (fn. 58) of the chapel till 1552, when its 'ornaments' were seized for the king. (fn. 59) About the same time it was locally styled a 'church.' (fn. 60) There was no endowment, but the vicar of St. Michael's allowed £4 a year to the curate, (fn. 61) and service there appears to have been maintained after the Reformation. In 1650 the minister had an allowance of £50 a year from the Committee of Plundered Ministers. (fn. 62) The certified income in 1717 was only £3, but further endowments were procured about that time, (fn. 63) and the net value is now given as £193. (fn. 64)

The church of ST. ANNE stands at the south end of the village, near the edge of the higher ground before its fall to Woodplumpton Brook, and consists of chancel and nave with north and south aisles forming a parallelogram measuring internally 72 ft. 6 in. long by 47 ft. 6 in. wide, with north-east vestry and small western tower with octagonal lantern. The oldest part of the building is the western half of the north aisle wall, in which there are a window of c. 1300 and a door of about 100 years later, the east part of the wall, together with the east wall of the aisle, being either of 15th or early 16th-century date, or an older wall restored with later windows inserted. The north and south arcades belong to the late 15th or early 16th-century period, but the rest of the structure, comprising the whole of the west and south walls and the east wall as far as the north side of the chancel, was rebuilt or refaced in the 18th century, probably in 1748, (fn. 65) at which time the tower was also erected. The development of the plan is not clear from the evidence of the building, but the present north aisle may represent the nave of a 14thcentury building which would be perhaps about 40 ft. long by 16 ft. wide. This may have been extended eastward in the late 15th or early 16th century and a south aisle added, and later again in the 16th century a further aisle added on the south side, the first aisle then becoming the nave. The evidence for this is, however, far from being conclusive, the chief reasons in support being the nature of the walling at the west end of the north aisle, the width of the aisle itself, which is greater than that of the nave, and the difference of detail of the two nave arcades, which seems to point to that on the south being later in date, though perhaps at no great interval of time, than that on the north. (fn. 66) The nave and aisles are under three separate and continuous gabled roofs, that over the south aisle and the north slope of the north aisle being covered with stone slabs and the others with modern blue slates. The older masonry is of red and yellow sandstone intermixed, but the 18th-century walling consists of squared blocks of gritstone with sandstone dressings. The south wall is a fairly good piece of classic work with semicircular-headed windows and doorways and angle pilasters and entablature, above which, however, the embattled parapet of the earlier wall has rather unfortunately been set. The doorways have moulded imposts and blocked keystones with a straight moulded weathering on blocked corbels above, and the windows have plain jambs and heads with blocked imposts and keystones. At the east and west ends the walling is of plainer character.

Plan of Woodplumpton Church

The church seems to have been repaired and reroofed in 1639, that date being on one of the principals of the north aisle, and was later filled with square pews; but there seems to have been no adequate restoration in modern times till the year 1900, when the interior was stripped of many coats of whitewash which covered the walls and the masonry laid bare, the old square pews removed and new seating erected, the chancel re-arranged, new quire stalls and other fittings being inserted, and the vestry enlarged by being extended westward. In the course of this latter work various fragments of an earlier church were discovered, including two portions of shafts with scalloped capitals, indicating the existence of a building here in the 12th century, some bits of 14th-century tracery, and a red sandstone slab with floreated cross. All these fragments are now built into the vestry wall.

The chancel and nave are without structural division, the chancel, which is inclosed by modern oak screens and is 27 ft. 6 in. by 14 ft., occupying the first and half the second bay from the east, a 6-ft. length of plain wall forming the original 15thcentury sanctuary at the east end. The east window is a modern pointed one of four lights with perpendicular tracery, and the roof, together with those of the nave and south aisle, is also modern. The north arcade consists of five pointed arches of two chamfered orders on octagonal piers, 20 in. in diameter, with moulded caps and bases, 6 ft. in height to the top of the caps, the arches all being of equal width. On the south side the arcade differs somewhat in the setting out, though the number of bays is the same and the detail somewhat similar. The work, however, is rather more rough in character and the piers are 6 in. more in height. There is a 4-ft. length of straight wall at the west end, and the two outer arches, east and west, are less, and the second one from the east greater, in width than those in the north and the remaining arches on the south side. The north aisle is 16 ft. in width and is lit at the east end by a three-light window with low four-centred arched head and external hood mould, and at the west by a new four-light squareheaded Gothic window inserted in the 18th-century wall. The north side had originally three windows, but the easternmost one was removed when the vestry was enlarged, the reveal alone remaining as a recess. Next to this, about the middle of the aisle, is a late two-light square-headed opening, and further west the interesting early 14th-century window already mentioned, of two pointed trefoiled lights with a rounded trefoil in the head and segmental rear arch. The north door, which may be c. 1400, has a pointed arch with plain sunk chamfered jambs and head on which are carved symbolic paterae, including three four-leafed flowers, a rose, fish, and the initial M (twice). The north wall has apparently been raised about three courses, probably in the 17th century, when the roof was renewed, and is built in the lower part of blocks of red and yellow sandstone 3 ft. to 4 ft. long, but of less size above, and is strengthened by two buttresses each of two stages. The roof retains some of the 17th-century oak principals, but is otherwise new, and has overhanging eaves, and on the south slope is pierced by two dormer windows of six lights each.

The south aisle is 13 ft. wide, with a two-light segmental-headed window at each end and four windows and two doors on the south side. The west tower, or campanile, measures 6 ft. square inside, and is set towards the north side of the nave gable, to the height of which it is carried up square, finishing with a moulded cornice, above which is an octagon lantern with an open arch on each face, surmounted by a small stone dome with ball and fish weather-vane. The lower part of the campanile, which is open to the church with a modern arch filled in by a modern oak screen, has a round-headed west window with keystone and blocked jambs, and on the south side is an old disused clock-face.

The font now in use is a modern one (1901) of red sandstone. An old round font, found some years ago at the back of the church, fell into the hands of a local mason, by whom it was re-cut, re-chiselled and reduced to octagon form, all vestiges of its original character being destroyed. It now stands outside, to the north of the turret.

Many of the old 18th-century oak pew ends, carved with various initials and dates between 1716 and 1746, have been used as panelling round the walls, and at the east end of the south aisle is the 17thcentury oak communion table with the initials 'WA' and the date 1635.

There are two bells, one dated 1596 and the other 1837, but without other inscription or founders' name.

The plate is all modern and comprises a chalice, paten and flagon of 1859, given by Mr. Charles Birley of Bartle Hall; a paten of 1896, 'The gift of Gertrude Emily Birley, Easter 1896'; and a small flagon of 1897, given by Richard Marsden in memory of his son James Marsden. There are also two chalices, two breadholders and two flagons of pewter, all inscribed 'I. Woods and R. Parker Churchwardens 1822.'

The register of burials begins in 1603 and those of baptisms and marriages in 1604, from which year they are complete with the exception of gaps between 1625 and 1628 and between 1648 and 1653. The first two volumes (1614–59) have been printed. (fn. 67)

The churchyard lies principally on the south and west sides. There is an octagonal stone shaft surmounted by a sundial, the plate of which is dated 1657, and on the south wall are traces of a large painted sundial with the motto 'Sic transit gloria mundi' on the architrave. Near the entrance on the south side are the remains of the stocks, on one pillar of which is cut AB/73.

The incumbents, styled vicars, are appointed by the vicar of St. Michael's. The following is a list of them (fn. 68) :—

oc. 1552–62 Nicholas Lawrenson (fn. 69)
oc. 1604–13 John Hollinworth (fn. 70)
oc. 1614 R . . . Lomax (fn. 71)
oc. 1621 Roger Farrand (fn. 72)
oc. 1629–30 John Dugdale (fn. 73)
oc. 1637–41 John Gregge (fn. 74)
oc. 1646–7 Peter Jackson (fn. 75)
oc. 1650 John Wright (fn. 76)
1651 John Haydock (fn. 77)
oc. 1669 Robert Wayte (fn. 78)
oc. 1676–80 John Harrison
1684 Thomas Kirkham, B.A. (fn. 79)
c. 1695 Thomas Cockshutt, B.A. (fn. 80) (Pembroke Coll., Camb.)
1700 Timothy Corles, B.A. (fn. 81) (Emmanuel Coll., Camb.)
1704 Ralph Loxam, B.A. (fn. 82) (Jesus Coll., Camb.)
1708 Robert Butterworth
oc. 1735 Matthew Worthington (fn. 83)
1797 Charles Buck, M.A. (fn. 84) (St. John's Coll., Camb.)
1803 Henry Foster
1836 Isaac Mossop (fn. 85)
1884 William Henry Ramsbottom (fn. 86)
1889 Ernest Turner Millard

A free school was founded at Catforth in 1661–6. (fn. 87)

Roger Kitchen's house in Woodplumpton was licensed in 1689 as a meeting-place for Nonconformists, (fn. 88) but the congregation does not seem to have continued.

The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel at Woodplumpton, erected in 1819 (fn. 89); the Primitive Methodists appeared at Catforth in 1815, and soon afterwards a chapel was built there, replaced in 1863 by the present one. (fn. 90)

St. Andrew's Roman Catholic church, at the south end of the township, is known as Cottam Chapel, as representing the old mission maintained by the Haydock family at Cottam Hall, close by. This had to be given up in 1717, on the estate passing into the hands of Protestants, but a new chapel was soon afterwards opened in Woodplumpton. It was destroyed in 1746, after the defeat of the Young Pretender, and again in 1768 by mobs from Preston. The present church succeeded it in 1793. (fn. 91) St. Robert's, Catforth, was opened in 1877. (fn. 92)

Footnotes

  • 1. The Census Rep. 1901 gives 4,986 acres, including 18 of inland water. The area was increased about 1882 by the addition of a small detached part of Broughton lying within Woodplumpton.
  • 2. Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 47.
  • 3. Fishwick, St. Michael's (Chet. Soc), 87, 78; Dict. Nat. Biog.
  • 4. Fishwick, op. cit. 200; Gillow, Haydock Papers, 41.
  • 5. Visit. Ret. to the Bishop of Chester.
  • 6. Ibid.
  • 7. V.C.H. Lancs, i, 288a.
  • 8. Farrer, Lancs. Pipe R. 290, 296.
  • 9. See the account of Bootle in V.C.H. Lancs, iii, 31.
  • 10. Roger son of Ranchil owed 30 marks in 1129–30 for an agreement with the Count of Mortain respecting lands between Ribble and Mersey; Farrer, op. cit. 1. He was surety in 5 marks for a pardon in 1169–71; ibid. 16, 20, 23.
  • 11. Ibid. 44. In 1176 Richard son of Roger paid 5 marks in order to obtain an inquiry as to the manor of Kirkby, which had been taken into the king's hands because he had married his daughter and heir without the king's licence, and he had to pay £100 to recover his lands; ibid. 31, 42–3. The payment of several instalments is recorded in the Pipe Rolls. In 1194 he incurred a further penalty for having shared in Count John's rebellion; ibid, 90, 92. The Priory of Lytham was founded by him between 1189 and 1194; ibid. 346–9. In 1199 Maud Banastre made a claim respecting sisters' portion against Richard son of Roger and Margery his wife (her sister), who put Robert de Stockport in their place; Rot. Curia Regis (Rec. Com.), i, 359. Plaintiff was perhaps the Maud de Hastings who had then another dispute with Richard son of Roger; ibid. 227, 301; Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 87.
  • 12. The three not named in the text were Quenilda wife of Roger Gernet, Margaret wife of Hugh de Moreton and Avice wife of William de Millom.
  • 13. It was probably the marriage of Maud with Robert de Stockport in 1176 which created the trouble above referred to. Robert de Stockport in 1200–1 paid a part of the 200 marks and five palfreys which he had offered the king on succeeding to the lands of Richard son of Roger; Farrer, op. cit. 130. Robert de Stockport died before 1206, when his widow, as Maud Banastre, having adopted her mother's surname, proffered 20 marks and a palfrey for freedom from a compulsory marriage and for a reasonable share of her father's and mother's lands. At the same time others of Richard's daughters are noticed; ibid. 203; Rot. de Finibus (Rec. Com.), 352. From the inquest of 1212 it appears that the heirs of Richard son of Roger held nine plough-lands in thegnage by a rent of 4 (? 3) marks, of which 8s. 10d. had been remitted on the foundation of Lytham Priory; Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 46. From later inquests it appears that the proportion due from Woodplumpton was 17s. 4d. or 17s. 6d. The assessment seems to have been reduced from five to four plough-lands. Maud de Stockport appears to have been unmarried in 1216–22, when she held lands worth 2 marks yearly; ibid. 117. Robert de Stockport, apparently the son of Maud, released certain lands ( ? in Woodplumpton) to Adam son of Swain and his heirs; Add. MS. 32106, no. 805.
  • 14. Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 123. This Robert de Stockport was the grandson of Maud. His father Robert in 1242 held shares in other parts of the inheritance of Richard son of Roger in conjunction with Gernet and Beetham; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 149, 153–4. The younger Robert succeeded in 1248, being of full age; ibid. 175, 184. The king received the homage of Robert son and heir of Robert de Stockport in May 1248; the relief was 34s. 10d.; Excerpta e Rot. Fin. ii, 33. On the death of Quenilda Gernet in 1252 a further share of the inheritance accrued to him; Lancs. Inq. and Extents, i, 191.
  • 15. Ibid. 289.
  • 16. The history of the family was told in detail by John Watson, rector of Stock port, in his Memoirs of the Ancient Earls of Warren and Surrey (Warrington, 1782); and there are later pedigrees, &c., in Earwaker, East Ches. i, 343; ii, 286–9; and Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), iii, 795–6, 685–7; i, 626. The following outline shows the descent of the manor of Woodplumpton. Robert de Stockport, d. 1205 –s. Robert, d. 1248 –s. Robert, d. c. 1274 –s. Richard, d. 1292 –da. Joan, d. c. 1331, who married Nicholas de Eton of Rotley –s. Robert, d. c. 1350 –s. Richard –s. Richard –sister Isabel, d. 1369 –cos. John Warren (s. Cecily, da. of Joan de Eton), d. 1386 –s. Nicholas, d. 1413 –s. Lawrence, d. 1444 –s. John, d. 1474 –gdson. John (s. of Lawrence), d. 1518 –s. Lawrence, d. 1530 –s. Edward, d. 1558 –s. Francis (disinherited) –bro. John, d. 1587 –s. Edward, d. 1609 –s. John, d. 1621 –s. Edward, d. 1687 –s. John, judge of Chester, d. 1706 –s. Edward, d. 1718 –s. John, d. 1729 –bro. Edward, d. 1737 –s. George, d. 1801 –da. Elizabeth Harriott, d. 1826, wife of Thomas James Viscount Bulkeley (who d. s.p. 1822). The heiress bequeathed Woodplumpton, &c., to the second Lord de Tabley, heir of her family, being descendant of her greataunt Anna Dorothea sister of Edward Warren, who married Sir Daniel Byrne of Timogue, –s. John, d. 1742 –s. Peter, who assumed Leicester as a surname, d. 1770 –s. John Fleming, cr. Lord de Tabley, 1826, and d. 1827 –s. George, who took the surname of Warren in 1832 and d. 1887, having sold the manor of Woodplumpton. The Warren family has occurred previously in the accounts of Blackburn Hundred and Gooanargh.
  • 17. A claim for common of pasture was in 1274 made by Adam de Acton (Aighton) against Robert de Stockport; De Banco R. 6, m. 2. In the following year Ellen widow of Robert claimed a third part of the manor of Plumpton as dower against Richard de Stockport; ibid. 10, m. 71 d. Nicholas de Eton held the manor of Woodplumpton in 1324 by the rent of 17s. 6d.; Dods. MSS. cxxxi, fol. 39b. John de Davenport the younger (as trustee for Eton) held (four) plough-lands in Woodplumpton in 1346, rendering 17s. 6d.; Survey of 1346 (Chet. Soc), 52.
  • 18. In 1382 the escheator was ordered to give seisin of the manor of Woodplumpton to Sir John de Warren, son of Cecily sister of Robert son of Nicholas de Eton. A feoffment of the manor had been made by John son of Sir John de Davenport to the said Robert de Eton and Isabel his wife, with remainder to John brother of Robert, &c.; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxii, App. 354.
  • 19. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc), i, 25, 34, 47. In 1382 Sir John de Warren had granted this manor to John de Davenport and others; after his death a dispute ensued between the Duke of Lancaster and these trustees as to the custody of the manor, lasting from 1387 to 1392; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xl, App. 525.
  • 20. Margaret the widow of Sir John de Warren (Waryng) afterwards married John Mainwaring, but had the manor of Woodplumpton for her life, with remainders to Nicholas and Margaret, Sir John's children. Parcel of the manor was in 1396 given to Nicholas de Warren on his marriage with Agnes, who had a son Lawrence. To him a parcel of the manor was granted in 1415. Margaret his grandmother died in 1418 holding the manor of the king as of his duchy by a rent of 17s. 6d.; its clear value was £6; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 131–3; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxiii, App. 16; Final Conc. iii, 76. For the Worsley claim appearing in this fine see Watson, op. cit. ii, 237. Agnes Warren in 1421 received £9 10s. as farmer of Woodplumpton; Add. MS. 32105, GG 2652.
  • 21. Sir Lawrence Warren of Stockport was in 1431 said to hold the manor of Woodplumpton by the service of one knight's fee; Feudal Aids, iii, 95. In 1445–6, however, his knight's fee included not only the four plough-lands in Woodplumpton but the lands in Bryning, &c., which had anciently been held by knight's service; Duchy of Lanc. Knights' Fees, bdle. 2, no. 20.
  • 22. Ches. Inq. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 6. The Lancashire inquisition quoted below gives 1480 as the date of death.
  • 23. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iii, no. 86. One John Warren was made a knight at Ripon in 1487; Metcalfe, Bk. of Knights, 18.
  • 24. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iv, no. 89. In a recovery of the manor in 1525 Lawrence Warren was the defendant; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 141, m. 3.
  • 25. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. viii, no. 15. Sibyl Warren had had the manor granted to her for life. Edward Warren, the son, had granted certain messuages and lands to Francis, his son and heir, and Mary his wife, daughter of Sir Edward Fitton.
  • 26. Metcalfe, op. cit. 77.
  • 27. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, no. 66. By a fine of 1557, therein quoted, the manor of Woodplumpton, a fourth part of the manor of Formby, with messuages, water-mill, &c., in those townships and in Liverpool and Didsbury, were by Sir Edward and his son Francis settled on the younger son John Warren and hit heirs, with remainders to other sons, Lawrence and Peter. The fine is Pal, of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 17, m. 90.
  • 28. Watson, op. cit. ii, 131. The reason is not given. Francis died without issue in 1576. John Warren and Margaret his wife made a settlement of the manor of Woodplumpton in 1582; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 44, m. 172. Edward Warren and Anne his (second) wife had four messuages, &c., there in 1591; ibid. bdle. 53, m. 91. Again in 1598 a settlement of the manor and various lands was made by Edward Warren and Susanna his wife; ibid. bdle. 60, m. 38. Another settlement was made in 1613 by John Warren, Anne his wife and Margaret widow of John Warren; ibid. bdle. 81, no. 68. Edward Warren was M.P. for Liverpool in 1589; Pink and Beaven, Parl. Repre. of Lancs. 184. From entries in the Woodplumpton registers it appears that the Warrens resided there about 1604–6.
  • 29. Cal. S. P. Dom. 1637, p. 545. Edward Warren, son of the mortgager, stated that his father had been imprisoned for debt and there died, leaving petitioner in ward to the king. He had sought to regain the manor, but Sir Robert Banastre, who at first appeared willing, alleged that he had so settled it at the marriage of his son that he had no power.
  • 30. A feoffment of the manor was made in 1634 by Sir Robert, Lawrence and Henry Banastre; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 122, no. 6. Sir Robert Banastre of Passeham, Northants, was made a knight in 1605; Metcalfe, op. cit. 155. He died in 1649. His daughter and heir Dorothy married William second Lord Maynard (d. 1698), and bore him two sons and a daughter. The eldest son, Banastre, born in 1642, succeeded his grandfather and his mother at Woodplumpton in 1649, and in 1651–4 made claims for the discharge from sequestration of tenements in Woodplumpton which had been held by recusants; Cal. Com. fir Comp. iv, 2751. In 1662 in a fine concerning the manor William Lord Maynard was plaintiff and Nicholas Banastre deforciant; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 169, m. 76. In another fine, 1665, Thomas Banastre was plaintiff and Banastre Maynard deforciant; ibid. bdle. 175, tn. 41. Banastre succeeded his father as third Lord Maynard, and died in 1718; G.E.C. Complete Peerage, v, 277.
  • 31. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 179, m. 24. In a later fine (1710) Edward Beresford was plaintiff and the following were deforciants—Anne Warren, widow; Edward, Hugh and John Warren, esquires; Edward and Talbot Warren, gentlemen; ibid. bdle. 265, m. 53. Again in 1761 the deforciants were Sir George Warren and Jane his wife; ibid. bdle. 366, m. 66. Thomas James Viscount Bulkeley and Harriet his wife were in possession in 1802; Pal. of Lanc. Lent Assizes, 42 Geo. III, R. 8. Sir George Warren (K.B. 1761) represented Lancaster in Parliament 1758–80 and 1786–96; Pink and Beaven, op. cit. 126–7.
  • 32. Fishwick, St. Michael's (Chet. Soc.), 25. The court baron is mentioned in 1601; Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), iii, 436.
  • 33. Raines in Notitia Cestr. (Chet. Soc), ii, 455.
  • 34. Ducatus Lanc. (Rcc. Com.), ii, 69.
  • 35. A list of the charterers, with the acreage of their separate 'inlands,' is appended. The queen had 26 acres.
  • 36. Robert de Stockport, lord of Plumpton, leased land in the manor to Thomas Banastre in 1287; B.M. Add. Charter 20149. In 1300 Joan widow of Thomas Banastre claimed dower in a messuage and land in Woodplumpton against Gilbert de Grimsargh; De Banco R. 133, m. 127. Thomas Banastre had in 1296 demised to Gilbert (for life) various lands held by gift of Richard de Stockport; Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 256. In 1346–8 John Trussell and Pernell his wife (widow of Adam Banastre) claimed dower in ten messuages, &c., against Edmund de Dacre and Ellen his wife; De Banco R. 347, m. 165; 354, m. 300. Robert de Singleton appeared as plaintiff in 1369 against Robert son of Edmund de Dacre and Godith his wife; Final Conc, ii, 177. Later lands, &c., in Woodplumpton appear as portion of the Balderston estates (ibid, iii, 165) in the possession of Edmund Dudley, Radcliffe of Winmarleigh, Alexander Osbaldeston and the Earl of Derby, as appears by the inquisitions p.m. It should be noted, however, that in 1521 the Woodplumpton land of Thomas Radcliffe was not placed among the Balderston inheritance, but was declared to be held of Lawrence Warren by a rent of 2s.; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. v, no. 3. Similar statements are made in later inquisitions, but in 1593 Plumpton was included with other Balderston lands; ibid, xvi, no. 2.
  • 37. They held a windmill, three messuages, &c., of the Warrens in socage; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. vi, no. 32; viii, no. 9; xiii, no. 16. Belonging to a minor family of the district was John Singleton, whose will of 1545 is printed in Richmond Wills (Chet. Soc.), 57.
  • 38. Robert Singleton in 1525 held land, &c., in Woodplumpton of Lawrence Warren in socage; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. vi, no. 4. In 1573 what was probably the same estate was described as 'in Newsham,' which was within the lordship of Woodplumpton; ibid, xii, no. 34. In a later inquisition the tenure was said to be of the queen by knight's service; ibid. no. 30.
  • 39. In 1551 George Singleton was said to hold in Woodplumpton of George Newsham in socage; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. ix, no. 17. The tenure is not stated in later inquisitions.
  • 40. The tenure of John Newsham of Newsham in 1515 was not known, and in 1585 the whole estate in Newsham and Woodplumpton was combined, as held of John Warren in socage; ibid, iv, no. 75; xiv, no. 88. The lands of Alexander Goosnargh of Stalmine were in 1524 said to be held of the king by a rent; ibid, v, no. 55. George Hesketh of Poulton in 1571 died holding land, &c., of John Warren by a rent of 6s. 8d.; ibid, xiii, no. 15. It was held similarly in 1622 of Sir Robert Banastre; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), iii, 363–6. Anthony Pickering of Catterall in 1613 held land, &c., in Catforth and Woodplumpton of John Warren by 10s. rent; ibid, i, 242–3. Alexander Rigby of Goosnargh in 1621 held of the heirs or assigns of John Warren, marking the transition to Banastre; ibid, iii, 457–9. Thomas Gregory in 1622 held of Sir Robert Banastre by a rent of 2d.; ibid. iii, 403–4. William Haydock of Cottam held of the same in 1624; Towneley MS. C 8, 13 (Chet. Lib.), 529. In some other cases no tenure has been recorded.
  • 41. Richard Beck died in 1585 holding a messuage, &c., of John Warren in socage by a rent of 4s.; Roger Beck, the son and heir, was nineteen years of age; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiv, no. 46. Roger Beck was in possession in 1590; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 52, m. 506. The property seems to have been sold to Duddell, as below.
  • 42. Anthony Billington by his will of 1575 desired to be buried in the 'parish church' of Woodplumpton. He names his sons John and Thomas; Fishwick, op, cit. 193. A later Anthony Billington died in 1631 holding of Robert Banastre. John his son and heir was nineteen years old; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxvii, no. 17; xxx, no. 70.
  • 43. In the case of George Duddell (1589) the tenure is not recorded, but his son William in 1613 was said to have held in part of the king as of his duchy by the fiftieth part of a knight's fee and in part of John Warren by 6s. rent; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc), ii, 13–15. The estate included purchases from Roger Beck and Thomas Harrison, and was bequeathed to his nephew George (son of John) Duddell of Clifton, and in default of male issue to another nephew, William (son of Richard) Duddell, &c. George Duddell, the next heir, was seventeen years old. Thomas Harrison and Ellen his wife sold to William Duddell in 1558; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 20, m. 105. In 1563 they sold to William Ambrose; ibid. bdle. 25, m. 119. The Duddells took the Parliamentary side in the Civil War. Captain Duddell, eldest son of George, raised a company for service, and was killed at the capture of Bolton in 1644; War in Lancs. (Chet. Soc.), 42, 50.
  • 44. Robert Gregson died in 1613 holding a messuage, &c., of John Warren by 4s. 4d. rent, and 6 acres (from the waste) of the king as of his duchy by the hundredth part of a knight's fee. John Gregson, the son and heir, was seven years of age; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc.), i, 257. John Gregson was a 'delinquent' during the Civil War time, having assisted the forces raised against the Parliament. In 1650 he compounded by a fine of £51; Royalist Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), iii, 128.
  • 45. The will of James (son of Thomas) Harrison of Catford, 1587, shows that he had land in Woodplumpton and Bilsborrow. His sons were James and Andrew; Fishwick, op. cit. 194. James Harrison, who died in 1612, held his land of John Warren by 5s. rent; his son and heir John was aged seventeen; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc), ii, 6.
  • 46. Robert Mason, who died in 1599, held of Sir Edward Warren by a rent of 3s. 4d. He left three daughters and coheirs, viz. Alice widow of Richard Ambrose, and aged fifty in 1623; Elizabeth wife of Robert Lache, forty-seven; and Jane wife of John Larrimer, forty-four; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc.), ii, 155.
  • 47. William Richardson and Anne his wife in 1590 gave two messuages, &c., to William Waring; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 52, m. 219. Thomas son of William Richardson, who died at Myerscough in 1637, held three messuages, &c., in Woodplumpton and other lands in Claughton, Bilsborrow and Sowerby, and left a son and heir William, one year old. The remainder in default of heirs male was to trustees for the maintenance of a schoolmaster at Garstang; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxviii, no. 76.
  • 48. Anthony White acquired a messuage, &c., in 1582 from Nicholas White; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 44, m. 132. Anthony White died in 1606 holding in socage and leaving as heir a daughter Margaret wife of Henry Singleton and twenty-nine years of age; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc.), i, 100.
  • 49. William Ambrose the elder settled messuages, &c., in Woodplumpton, Kirkham, Goosnargh, Garstang and Lancaster in 1421; Final Conc. iii, 79. The remainders appear to have been to his son William, and in default of issue to Joan, Ellen and Margaret sisters of a Nicholas (?) Ambrose. About the same time a William Ambrose is found acting as arbitrator in Furness; West, Furness (ed. 1805), 264. Nicholas Ambrose in 1448 complained of trespass by John Hestholm, Joan his wife and others; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 11, m. 2b. Richard Ambrose in 1478 made a feoffment of lands, &c., in Kirkham and Woodplumpton; Towneley MS. C 8,13 (Chet. Lib.), A III. Alexander Ambrose in 1492 obtained licence to agree with Agnes and Margery daughters of Richard Walton concerning their holding in Woodplumpton, Newsham and Upper Rawcliffe; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 78, m. 4 d. Richard son of Richard Walton and Agnes his wife occur in 1474; Pal. of Lanc. Writs Proton, file 15 Edw. IV. The lands of William Ambrose were estimated for the subsidy of 1523–4 at 30s. a year; Fishwick, op. cit. 9. In 1541 Nicholas Ambrose of Plumpton sold to William Eccleston a messuage with appurtenances in Woodplumpton; Add. MS. 32106, fol. 337 d. In 1548 a settlement of Ambrose Hall, with ten messuages, lands, &c., in Woodplumpton, Penwortham, Goosnargh and Winmarleigh, was made by Nicholas Ambrose, the remainder being to his son and heir William; but three messuages, &c., the dower of Elizabeth Ambrose, widow, were to go to Thomas Singleton; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 13, m. 149. In 1555 Nicholas appears to have sold a further part of his estate in Woodplumpton and Charnley Eaves to William Eccleston; ibid. bdle. 16, m. 128. These, however, were re-sold to William Ambrose in 1559, a tenement in Little Eccleston being given for them; Add. MS. 32106, fol. 199. William son and heir of William Ambrose made a feoffment in 1564; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 26, m. 212. In 1577 he made a settlement of the whole or part of his estate, which included a water-mill, with contingent remainders to his brothers Thomas, Ewan and George and to Richard and Leonard sons of William Ambrose of Catforth Hall; ibid. bdle. 39, m. 58. A pedigree was recorded in 1567 showing the descent thus: Richard Ambrose –s. William –s. Nicholas –sons William, Thomas, Henry, Roger, Ewan, George, and da. Ellen; Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 46. Thomas Ambrose claimed a capital messuage in 1595 against Thomas Richardson and Isabel his wife (widow of Roger Ambrose) as heir of his brother William; Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), iii, 409. Roger Ambrose had died in 1585 holding a messuage called Little Blacklache of John Warren by 12d. rent; this and another piece of land held by knight's service were parts of William Ambrose's estate (then deceased), and Roger had also acquired a further parcel from John Singleton of Chingle Hall, held of the queen as of her duchy by knight's service. His son and heir William was seven years of age; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiv, no. 62. William died unmarried in 1641 and the estate went by a deed of 1607 (in possession of William Farrer) to the allied family of Catforth Hall. For confirmation Richard Ambrose of this place obtained in 1612 a royal grant of Ambrose Hall for himself and his heirs; Pat. 10 Jas. I, pt. xv. In 1650–1 William Ambrose of Catforth, Elizabeth his wife and Richard his son and heir mortgaged Ambrose Hall to William Shaw of Preston, who eventually became the owner; W. Farrer's Deeds, and Fishwick, op. cit. 183–5, where pedigrees will be found. William Ambrose of Catforth had succeeded his father Richard by 1631; W. Farrer's Deeds.
  • 50. Fishwick, loc. cit.
  • 51. Catforth was called a manor in 1422; Dunkenhalgh D. The deeds noticed in the Shireburne abstract book at Leagram Hall begin with a grant by Sir Robert de Stockport to Richard de Newsham of land in Woodplumpton to be held by a rent of 12d. Afterwards the land seems to have passed to the Fishwick family (1366 to 1522), and in 1575 Thurstan Southworth sold messuages, &c., in Woodplumpton to Sir Richard Shireburne, while Robert Midghalgh and George his son and heir in 1591 sold land in Newsham called Ravenshawhalgh (or Rainshalgh) to the same. Though these deeds are silent, it appears that Sir Richard Shireburne in 1508 gave the manors of Aighton and Catforth, with various lands, &c., to his executor to fulfil the trusts in his will, and that Catforth was held of Sir John Warren in socage; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iv, no. 46. Similar statements were made in later inouisitions, but the abstract book shows that part of the demesne was in 1546 sold to Elizabeth (or Ellen) Rodes by Sir Richard Shireburne and Maud his wife; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 12, m. 299. Probably the other parts were also alienated, and in 1594 the Shireburne estate in Catforth was not called a manor. Gilbert de Catforth attested some early charters.
  • 52. See the account of Great Eccleston.
  • 53. Information of Mrs. Charles Threlfall. Edward Stanley acquired land, &c., in 1588; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 50, m. 23. In his will, dated 1587, he names his nephew Thomas Threlfall; Fishwick, op. cit. 196. In 1595 Thomas Threlfall claimed a messuage, &c., in Woodplumpton against William Richardson and Anne his wife; Ducatus Lanc. iii, 387. It was probably the same who was chapel-warden in 1610; Fishwick, op. cit. 231.
  • 54. Some examples may be recorded. In 1310 John de Cottam and Denise his wife claimed dower in three messuages, &c., in Woodplumpton against Richard ton of William de Rediford; De Banco R. 181, m. 224d. Johnson of Robert de Rediford claimed a messuage, &c., in 1333 against Robert son of Ralph de Dardeslow. It appeared that John de Rediford, grandfather of plaintiff, gave to Joan his daughter, but she died without issue. The defendant said that the gift was to his father Ralph and his heirs; ibid. 293, m. 91; 29; m. 58 d. Henry son of Richard Russel of Woodplumpton and Cecily his wife in 1336 acquired three messuages, &c., from John son of John son of Simon de Howick; Final Conc, ii, 101. Sir John Tempest and Alice his wife were plaintiffs in 1352; Duchy of Lanc Assize R. 2, m. 1. Margery de Nettleton claimed against Robert de Newsham and Alice his wife in 1359; ibid. 7, m. 1. John son of Robert de Rainford and Agnes his wife appear in 1361; Assize R. 441, m. 1 d. Robert de Newsham and Joan his wife had lands in 1388; Final Conc. iii, 30. Robert Lache of Bartle and James his son and heir in 1522 granted a windmill and land to William Braboner of Goosnargh; Add. MS. 32107, no. 393–5. See Ducatus Lanc. iii, 63. The Subsidy Roll of 1545–6 shows the following owners of land: Nicholas Ambrose, Henry Charnley, Thomas Henryson, George Kighley, William Latus, John Newsham and the wife of John Richardson; Fishwick, op. cit. 10. Some other rolls are given ibid. Christopher Hudson made a purchase from John Fell in 1555; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 16, m. 113. Richard Hudson had land, &c., in 1582; ibid. bdle. 44, m. 102.
  • 55. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 222. A later namesake was a benefactor of the poor. Alice Nicholson of Bartle, widow, founded the school at Catforth.
  • 56. Edward Browne of Bartle, 'adhering to the forces raised against the Parliament,' had his lands sequestered, but took the National Covenant, &c., in 1646 and was allowed to compound; Royalist Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 251–5. Jane Brewer, widow, had two-thirds of her estate sequestered for recusancy, 'conformed' in 1648, but had in 1651 failed to secure discharge of her land. She then seems to have renounced Protestantism, for she petitioned in 1654 to be allowed to contract for the sequestrated part under the Recusants Act; Cal. Com. for Comp. iv, 2886. John Ward's cue, 1652, appears to be of the same kind; ibid. 2991. Other recusants were William Beesley and his wife, both dead in 1653, when Peter Blackburn and Katherine his wife (heir of Henry son of William Beesley) petitioned for discharge, and George Green; ibid. 3155, 3174; Royalist Comp. Papers, i, 172.
  • 57. Francis Almond of Lawton House, Edmund Baine of Catforth, Elizabeth Billington, William Billsborough, Richard Clarkson (steward for Sir N. Shireburne), Perpetua Clarkson, Anne Crichlow, Robert Keller, William Kitchen, Richard Latus and Thomas Willasey; Estcourt and Payne, Engl. Cath. Nonjurors, 91,103, &c.
  • 58. The house of Gilbert the chaplain of Plumpton is named in a Sowerby charter about 1240; Cockersand Chartul. (Chet. Soc), i, 245. 'Of Plumpton' may be a surname. The chapel is not named in the grant of St. Michael's to Battlefield.
  • 59. Fishwick, op. cit. 76.
  • 60. As in wills quoted ibid. Ellen Topham, widow, in 1556 left 20s. to the church of Woodplumpton (where she desired to be buried), and 6s. 8d. to Nicholas Lawrenson to pray for her soul; Richmond Wills, 88.
  • 61. Commonw. Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 147.
  • 62. Ibid. 148; no minister is named. The £50 was given in 1646 out of T. Clifton's sequestered estates; Plund. Mins. Accts. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 26. The chapel was vacant; ibid. 32.
  • 63. Gastrell, Notitia Cestr. ii, 454–5. The chapel was 'duly served by a curate.'
  • 64. Manch. Dioc. Dir.
  • 65. a Among the briefs collected in the parish of Ryton, co. Durham, is one for 'Woodplumpton Chapel in Com. Lanc.' received 12 June 1748. The charge was £1,246; Proc. Soc. Antiq. of Newcastle, x, 34.
  • 66. A local tradition that the early window and door in the north aisle were brought to Woodplumpton from a place not named and inserted during the 19th century would, if true, destroy the argument for the supposed early 14th-century date of part of the north wall.
  • 67. Lancs. Parish Reg. Soc. Publ. xxvii (1906). Transcribed by Henry Brierley.
  • 68. Much of the list is due to Col. Fishwick, who gives biographical notices, op. cit 80–8. It will be ceen that the curates changed very frequently, the chapel being often vacant, until the 18th century.
  • 69. His name occurs in the inventory of church goods and in the visitation lists of 1554 and 1562; Chet. Misc. (new ser.), i, 10.
  • 70. His name appears in the registers. He was 'no preacher'; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 8.
  • 71. In 1619 the name occurs as George Lomas; he was presented to the Bishop of Chester for making clandestine marriages; Visit. records at Dioc. Reg. He seems to have moved to Broughton.
  • 72. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lanes, and Ches.), i, 69. Afterwards at Broughton.
  • 73. Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xxii, 70.
  • 74. Misc. (Rec. Soc.), i, 124.
  • 75. Registers.
  • 76. Plund. Mins. Accts. i, 235.
  • 77. Ibid. 236. Haydock was still there in 1654; ibid. 140.
  • 78. Afterwards of Bispham. The curacy was vacant in 1674; Visit. Papers at Chester.
  • 79. Visit. Papers at Chester, 1686. Kirkham was curate and 'conformable' in 1689; Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 230. In 1691 he was at Garstang and in 1693 at Melling.
  • 80. The church papers in Chester Dioc. Reg. begin with this curate.
  • 81. Afterwards of Longton.
  • 82. Afterwards rector of North Meols.
  • 83. Afterwards vicar of Childwall.
  • 84. He had been vicar of St. Michael's.
  • 85. For the church in his time see A. Hewitson, Our Country Churches, 59.
  • 86. Formerly a solicitor, 1877–80. Went to South Africa, 1890.
  • 87. Gastrell. Notitia Cestr. ii, 455; End. Char. Rep. From the visitation presentments at Chester (Dioc. Reg.) it appears that George and Robert Boulton were, teaching school, unlicensed, in 1622.
  • 88. Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 232.
  • 89. Fishwick, op. cit. 132; Hewitson, op. cit. 554.
  • 90. Fishwick, loc. cit.; Hewitson (op. cit. 551) states that it originated in a camp meeting at Great Eccleston.
  • 91. Gillow, Haydock Papers, 53–6, 76, &c.; Liverpool Cath. Annual; Hewitson, op. cit. 55. A priest was labouring in the district in 1653, as appears by the story of John Baines of Woodplumpton, admitted to the English College, Rome, in 1674; Foley, Rec. S. J. v, 425.
  • 92. Liverpool Cath. Annual.