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ANNALS   AND    STOEIES 


COLNE 


NEIGHBOURHOOD. 


:     JAMES   ^ARR, 

A    MEMBER  Ot  THE   ilECORD.  SOCIETY,   LANCASHIRE  AND  CHESHIRE. 


NEW  AND  RBVJSSD  EDITION. 


Printed  by  John  Hetwood,  Manchester,  for 
Thomas  Duerden,  Bookseller,  The  Arcade,  Colne ; 
Henry  Hackenley,  Bookseller,  Market  Street,  Colne;  and 
Mark  Hartley,  Bookseller,  Church  Street,  Colne. 

1878. 


QA 


TO 
THE  REVEREND 

JOHN    HENDERSON, 

EX-RECTOR   OF  COLNE, 

AS   ONE 

WHO   HAS   PLATED 

NO    UNIMPORTANT    PART 

IN 

SHAPINQ    THE    DESTINIES 

AND 

PROMOTING    THE    WBLPARB 

OF   THE 

INHAEITANT8  OF  THE   ANCIENT 

TOWN   OP   COLNE, 

THIS   LITTLE  WORK 

IS, 

BY   PERMISSION, 

RESPECTFULLY  AND  AFFECTIONATELY 

INSCRIBED. 


PRINTER'S   ERRORS. 


Page  35.— For  "the  hand-loom  weavers"  read  "the  prospects  of 
hand-loom  weavers." 

Page  115.— For  " occcasioned "  read  "occasioned." 

Page  132.— For  "Pasley"  read  "Paslew." 

Page  156.— For  "  Whitechurch"  read  "Whitchurch." 

Page  169.— "Leap"  not  "leep." 

Page  192.— For  "Gardale"  read  "Gordale." 


PREFACE. 


This  is,  I  believe,  the  first  published  History  of  Colne,  a  town  on  which, 
considering  its  antiquity,  it  has  always  occurred  to  me  that  Whitaker 
and  Baines  might,  with  justice,  have  said  more. 

Written  for  the  working  classes,  to  the  vast  majority  of  whom,  if  they 
ever  see  them,  the  ponderous  History  of  Whalley  and  the  somewhat 
costly  Baines  must  be  mere  works  of  reference,  I  have  felt  it  incumbent 
on  me  to  employ  homely  language,  and  in  other  respects  to  endeavour 
to  make  this  a  readable  book. 

The  scheme  of  the  work  is  this  :  It  opens  with  a  chapter  seeking  to 
show  that  Colne  is  a  town  of  Roman  origin.  Chapters  II.  and  III.  deal 
with  its  mediajval  and  modern  history,  and  contain  a  large  amount  of 
information,  hitherto  unpublished.  Chapter  IV.  relates  to  the  old 
church,  a  building  on  whose  history  antiquaries  rightly  love  to  linger. 
Chapter  V.  is  devoted  to  the  Colne  incumbents,  men  who  in  their 
time  have  played  an  important  part  in  local  history.  Myself  a  Church- 
man, I  have  not  hesitated  to  point  out  the  faults  and  frailties  of  some 
of  them.  Chapter  VI.  gives  the  history  of  some  of  our  best-known 
buildings,  and  contains  a  short  account  of  good  Archbishop  Tillotson, 
whose  name  is  inseparably  associated  with  our  Grammar  School. 
Chapter  VII.  contains  the  poetry  of  the  neighbourhood.  Poetry  appeals 
to  some  minds  with  a  force  and  power  of  which  its  more  sober  sister 
Prose  is  incapable.  Chapter  VIII.  is  the  children's  chapter — its  object 
being  to  show  the  advantages  of  education,  which  has  done  much  to 


Till  PREFACE. 

dispel  the  belief  in  ghosts.  I  do  not  ask  that  credence  be  given  to  all 
the  stories  it  contains,  but  merely  to  my  statement  that  they  were  once 
believed  by  our  forefathers. 

Inasmuch  as  witches  still  abound  in  Colne,  Chapter  IX.  ought  to 
have  its  interest.  Chapters  X.  and  XI.  contain  an  account  of  scenes 
which  are  happily  rare  among  the  peace-loving  inhabitants  of  Colne,  and 
unlikely  to  recur. 

Having  thus  given  an  idea  of  the  plan  of  the  work,  it  merely  remains 

for  me  to  solicit  indulgence  for  any  errors  which  may  be  discovered,  on 

the  ground  that  I  am  a  mere  amateur,  writing  for  no   profit,  and 

actuated  only  by  a  love  of  the  subject,  and  a  desire  that  this,  my  native 

town,  should  have  a  history  of  its  own. 

J.  C. 
Lanffroyd,  Colne. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER 

I. — Origin  and  Early  History  of  Colne 11 

II. — Mediaeval  and  Modem  History  22 

III. — Local  Annals 65 

IV.— The  Old  Church  103 

V. — The  Colne  Incumbents    147 

VI.— Familiar  Spots 175 

VII.— Our  Poets  and  Poetry 185 

VIIL — Local  Traditions,  Sayings,  and  Customs  194 

IX.— The  Colne  Witches 209 

X. — Peace  and  War 224 

XI.— Guilty,  or  Not  Guilty  ?    233 


ANNALS  AND  STORIES  OF  COLNE  AND 
NEIGHBOURHOOD. 


CHAPTER  I. 
THE  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  COLNE. 

"Cohwsio,"  on,  the  Seal  of  the  Colne  and  Martden  Local  Board. 

COLNE  is  a  market  and  manufacturing  town  situate  on  an 
eminence  between  the  hills  cf  Boulsworth  and  Pendle, 
and  on  the  verge  of  the  high  moorland  tracts  which  divide 
the  valleys  of  Lancashire  from  those  of  Yorkshire.  Ecclesias- 
tically, it  is  in  the  parish  of  Whalley,  rural  deanery  of 
Burnley,  archdeaconry  of  Blackburn,  and  diocese  of  Man- 
chester, whilst,  civilly,  it  lies  in  the  hundred  of  Blackburn, 
and  county  of  Lancaster.  It  is  a  place  of  great  antiquity, 
arising  with  Warrington,  Lancaster,  Manchester,  and  other 
towns,  in  the  autumn  of  a.d.  79,  in  which  year  Agricola 
subdued  the  county  of  Lancaster. 

The  name  Colne,  the  orthography  of  which  in  successive 
ages  has  been  Calna,  Canne,  and  Coin,  is  not  peculiar  to  this 
town,  for  there  are  other  Colnes  in  Huntingdonshire,  Essex, 


12  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

and  Gloucestershire — all,  nevertheless,  of  smaller  size  than 
Colne  in  Lancashire — as  well  as  rivers  of  the  same  name.  ^ 

Opinion  differs  as  to  whether  this  place  derives  its  name 
from  the  ancient  British  word  '■^Col-aun"  signifying  "the 
station  by  the  narrow  river,"  the  Saxon  word  "  Culme,^* 
meaning  "  coal,"  in  allusion  to  the  mines  with  which  the 
neighbourhood  formerly  abounded,'^  or  the  Latin  *^  Colonia" 
a  settlement ;  but  the  preponderance  of  opinion  would  seem 
at  the  present  time  to  be  greatly  in  favour  of  the  last-named 
derivation,  on  the  ground  that  Colne  was  a  Roman  settle- 
ment. This  naturally  leads  us  to  inquire  into  the  grounds 
on  which  such  an  assertion  is  based,  and  whether  that 
assertion  can  be  substantiated  or  not. 

The  erection  of  the  towns  before  mentioned  is  sufficiently 
attested  by  an  Itinerary  which  was  composed  about  a.d.  139, 
and  the  identity  of  Colne  with  Colunio,  one  of  them,  is 
generally  admitted,  Baines,  indeed,  says :  **  There  is  no 
doubt  that  Colne  was  the  Colunio  of  the  Romans,"  though, 
he  adds,  "  it  may  have  derived  its  name  from  the  old  British 
word,  Col-aun."  But,  as  the  question  was  once  warmly  dis- 
cussed amongst  antiquaries,  it  may  be  convenient  here  to 
state  that  the  claims  of  Colne  rest  on  the  five  following 
grounds : — 

1.  Its  British  Name. — "  The  British  name  of  the  town," 
says  the  Rev.  John  Whitaker,  the  historian  of  Manchester, 
"  could  have  resulted  only  from  the  British  name  of  the 
station,  and  accordingly  we  find  the  anonymous  chorography 
placing  such  a  station  amongst  these  hills,  next  to  one 
which  was  certainly  amongst  them — the  Cambodimum  of 


>  Coin-Rogers,  Coin  St.  Aldwin,  and  Coin  St  Denis,  in  Gloucestershire. 

Coin,  a  small  river  of  Gloucestershire. 

Colne,  a  pariah  in  the  hundred  of  Hurstingstone,  in  the  county  of  Huntingdon. 

Colne,  a  river  which  rises  near  Hatfield,  in  the  county  of  Herts,  and  dis- 
charges itself  in  the  Thames  near  Staines. 

Colne,  a  river  which  rises  in  the  county  of  Essex,  and  discharges  itself  in  the 
North  Sea  at  Mercea  Island. 

Earl's  Colne,  or  Great  Colne,  Colne  Engaine,  or  Colne  Parva,  Wake  Colne,  and 
White  Colne,  all  parishes  situate  in  the  hundred  of  Lexden,  in  the  county  of 
Eesex. 

Note  also  Lincoln,  Cb2chester,  Cologne,  and  Kulonia  in  Palestine. 

'  Dr.  Leigh,  in  his  "  History  of  Cheshire,  Lancashire,"  &c.,  thinks  that  this  ia 
the  most  feasilile  derivation. 


OOLNE   AND   NBIGHBOURHOOD.  13 

Antoninus — and  giving  it  in  different  MSS.  the  different 
names  of  Calunium  and  Colanea.  This  name  of  the  station 
must  have  been  derived  from  the  same  name  of  the  river 
upon  which  it  is  erecteil,  and  which  is  now  denominated 
Colne  Water."  If  Colne,  then,  be  derived  from  Col-aun, 
we  have  here  the  narrow  river  necessary  to  answer  the 
etymological  requirements  of  the  name ;  and  if  from  Colunio, 
it  will  shortly  be  seen  that  there  is  also  in  this  neighbourhood 
clear  proof  of  the  presence  of  the  Romans.  But,  further  than 
this,  Colne  was  assuredly  the  terminus  of  the  Roman  road, 
which,  starting  from  Cambodunum  (Slack,  near  Hudders- 
field),  stretches  over  Stainland  Moor,  and  passing  through 
the  townships  of  Barkisland  and  Rishworth,  in  Yorkshire, 
crosses  the  Devil's  Causeway  and  the  Roman  road  from 
Manchester.  Therefore,  there  would  necessarily  be  strong 
fortifications  here,  especially  in  such  a  northern  situation, 
where  the  Romans  would  require  to  be  constantly  on  their 
guard  against  the  incvirsions  of  their  northern  enemies,  the 
Picts  and  Scots. 

2.  The  Appellation  of  Caster^  to  a  Cliff  about  a  mile  South 
of,  and  Overlooking,  the  Town. — Caster  is  clearly  derived  from 
the  Latin  "  Castra,"  signifying  a  camp,  and  has  probably  no 
reference  to  Castor,  the  fabled  Roman  deity,  who,  with  his 
twin  brother  Pollux,  charged  the  Latins  at  the  head  of  the 
victorious  Roman  cavalry  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Regillus. 
Therefore,  we  have  to  inquire  whether  there  is  anything 
about  this  cliflF  indicative  of  a  Roman  camp,  and  this 
naturally  leads  us  to  consider — 

3.  Its  Past  and  Present  Appearance. — "  Castor  Cliff,"  writes 
Mr.  Stonehouse,  of  Liverpool,  "  is  one  of  the  most  important 
of  the  Roman  stations  hereabouts.  Its  name  is  full  of 
Roman  life.  This  fortress  stands  at  the  top  of  a  hill,  com- 
manding a  view  of  the  whole  country  round.  In  the  fields 
towards  the  north  stood  the  ancient  city  of  Colunio.  On  its  site 
innumerable  relics  have  from  time  to  time  been  recovered  in 
arms,  ornaments,  and  utensils.    By  the  steep  path  that  leads 


■  Caster  is  the  ancieut,  perhaps  the  more  correct,  orthography — Castor,  the 
moderu. 


14  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OP 

from  Castor  Cliff  to  Colne,  there  are  evidences  of  some  out- 
works, which  have  been  used  in  defence  of  the  place.  I  am 
quite  certain  that  a  thorough  examination  of  this  fortress 
would  prove  of  great  value,  and  be  fraught  with  high 
interest."  "The  iutrenchments  on  Castor  Cliff,"  says 
Mr.  Wilkinson,  F.R.A.S.  (in  a  most  interesting  paper, 
entitled  "  The  Battle  of  Brunanburgh"),  "form  a  parallelogram 
measuring  about  550ft,  by  520ft.  broad ;  but  the  walls 
appear  to  have  enclosed  an  area  of  about  380ft.  in  length  by 
340ft.  in  breadth.  The  camp  has  been  protected  on  the 
south-west  front  by  a  deep  gully,  and  also  by  a  double 
vallum  and  fosse,  ^  which  are  still  entire  about  the  whole 
crest  of  the  mound.  We  were  informed  that  many  hundreds 
of  tons  of  stones  have  been  carted  away  from  the  walls 
within  the  last  30  or  40  years,  all  of  which  appear  to  have 
been  subjected  to  intense  heat.  Large  quantities  still 
remain  half-buried  in  the  soil,  many  of  them  completely 
vitrified,  and  others  presenting  a  singularly  mottled  appear- 
ance, from  having  been  only  half  burnt  through.  The  burnt 
sandstone  and  lime  form  excellent  manure,  and  at  the  time 
of  our  visit  a  luxuriant  crop  of  com  and  cabbages  had  just 
been  gathered  from  the  broad  ditches  of  the  Roman  camp. 
A  less  elevated  plateau  of  considerable  extent  bounds  the 
north-eastern  slope,  which  is  again  protected  by  a  steep  cliff 
down  to  the  Calder,  near  Waterside.  This  would  afford  a 
convenient  space  for  the  exercise  of  large  bodies  of  troops,  or 
for  the  protection  of  the  cattle  belonging  to  the  garrison,  and 
it  has  probably  been  used  for  such  purposes  by  the  respective 
masters  of  the  fortifications.  Being  almost  inaccessible  on 
all  sides  except  the  east,  where  they  are  skirted  by  the 
Roman  road,  these  defences  when  complete,  must  have 
constituted  one  of  the  strongholds  of  the  north,  since  they 
overlook  the  whole  of  the  Forest  of  Trawden,  Emmott 
Moor,  a  great  portion  of  Craven,  with  the  valley  of  the 
Calder,  and  terminate  the  eastern  limit  of  the  ridge  on 
which  Saiifield  is  situated.  Castor  Cliff  has  evidently  been 
the  key  di  this  portion  of  Lancashire  in  the  hands  of  the 

>  A  vallum,  ia  a  rampart ;  a  fotu  ia  a  ditch  or  moat 


COLNE   AND   NBIQHBOURHOOD.  15 

Romans,  and  its  importance  would  undoubtedly  not  be  over- 
looked by  the  Saxons  and  Danes."  These,  then,  are  the 
opinions  of  the  most  modem  writers  on  the  subject,  but  it 
may  perhaps  be  well  to  add  the  testimony  of  the  Rev.  John 
Whitaker  and  Dr.  Whitaker,  the  learned  historian  of 
Whalley,  written  many  years  ago,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the 
appearance  of  Castor  Cliff.  The  former  remarks  :  "  There 
appears  the  evident  skeleton  of  a  Roman  station  at  present ; 
a  regular  vallum,  encircled  by  a  regular  fosse,"  And  the 
latter  writes  :  "  I  have  lately  inspected  this  camp  more 
accurately,  and  have  procured  a  sketch  of  it.  The  area 
within  the  trenches  amounts  to  four  acres  thirty  perches, 
statute  measure,  and  appears  to  have  been  levelled  with 
great  exactness.  It  has  a  double  wall  and  fosse.  The 
larger  stones  of  the  wall  have  from  time  to  time  been 
removed  ;  but  the  smaller  ones  which  remain  universally 
bear  marks  of  fire.  The  north  and  east  sides  are  recti- 
linear, but  those  on  the  south  and  west  have  followed  the 
line  of  two  very  precipitous  banks,  which  have  greatly  added 
to  the  strength  of  the  place.  The  site  of  this  work  was 
admirably  calculated  for  a  camp  of  observation,  as  it 
commands  the  Vale  of  Calder,  a  considerable  tract  of 
Ribblesdale,  all  the  high  grounds  towards  Accrington  and 
Haslingden,  and  the  wildest  part  of  Pendle  Forest." 

4.  The  Discovery  of  many  Roman  Silver  Coins  in  the  long- 
ascending  Lane  leading  from  Colne  Water  to  Castor  Cliff. — 
But  more  as  to  the  discovery  of  coins  anon. 

5.  The  Voice  of  Tradition  says  that  Colne  was  a  Roman, 
Station. — To  a  knowledge  of  this  tradition  may,  I  think,  be 
attributed  the  fact  that  John  Wesley,  in  noting  in  his  journal 
his  visit  to  Colne  in  1759,  after  making  the  very  natural 
observation  that  it  was  situate  on  the  top  of  a  high  round 
hill,  added  these  words,  ^^ formerly,  I  suppose,  a  Roman 
colony."  This  remark  is  the  more  interesting,  inasmuch  as 
at  this  time  Colne's  claim  was  not  clearly  established.  Again, 
the  Rev.  John  Whitaker  was  aware  of  this  tradition,  for  he 
wrote  :  "The  late  Bishop  of  Carlisle^  and  myself  were  both 

1  Dr.  Edmund  Law,  formerly  Archdeacon,  and  afterwards  Biabop  of  Carlisle, 
1769-87. 


16  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OF 

at  Colne  very  nearly  at  the  same  time,  and  both  failed  of 
success  in  our  searches,  tho'  the  name,  the  remains,  the 
tradition,  are  all  so  striking." 

These,  then,  are  the  grounds  on  which  Colne's  claim  rests ; 
but  it  is  only  right  to  state  that  Dr.  Leigh,  Bishop  Gibson, 
and  Mr.  Gough,  antiquaries  of  former  days,  entertain  doubts 
as  to  Colne  having  been  a  Roman  station ;  but  these  doubts 
rest  on  a  slender  foundation,  and  are  suggested  mainly  by 
the  remains  (as  distinguished  from  coins)  then  found  here 
not  being  very  numerous.  It  is  pleasing,  however,  to  notice 
that  as  far  back  as  1696,  love  for  his  native  town  induced  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Hargreave,  the  "learned"  Rector  of  Brandsburton, 
to  come  forward,  and,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Dr.  Leigh, 
assert  that  old  Colne's  claim  of  being  once  allied  to  the 
"  Mistress  of  the  World "  was  not  a  fictitious  one.  The 
material  portion  of  his  letter  is  as  follows : — 

*I  have  often,  from  the  name  Coin,  conjectured  that  the  place 
was  of  more  ancient  Original  than  the  Tradition  current  among  the 
Inhabitants  made  it ;  and  I  was  the  further  confirmed  in  this  by  the 
great  number  of  Roman  Coins,  which  have  been  frequently  dug  up  nigh 
it,  as  in  Wheatley  Lane,  which  are  generally  copper;  and  those  Silver 
Ones  cast  up  by  a  Plough,  three  or  four  years  agoe,  nigh  Emmet, 
inclosed  in  a  great  Silver  Cup,  some  of  which  I  have  seen;  one  of 
Qordianus  [a.d.  236-8],  was  very  legible,  and  another  not  so.  I  have 
seen  parts  of  others,  whose  remains  shew  they  were  one  of  the 
Antonines.  But  that  which  most  confirmed  my  conjecture  of  this 
Town's  being  a  Roman  Station,  was  a  conversation  I  was  honoured  with 
the  last  summer  by  our  Reverend  Dean  of  York,  Dr.  Gale,  who  was 
pleased  to  show  me  a  Book,  written  about  the  Seventh  Century,  by  a 
nameless  Author  of  Ravenna,  which  is,  so  far  as  I  know  of  it,  nothing 
but  an  Itinerary  wherein  many  ancient  names  of  Towns  through  the 
Roman  Empire  are  remembered,  which  others  have  omitted,  especially 
in  Britain.  That  Author  comes  from  Camolodunium  to  Colunium,  and 
thence  to  Gallunium,  which,  by  the  usual  transmutation  of  the  Roman 
tt  into  our  W,  that  learned  person  concludes  to  be  Walley  [Whalley] 
and  thence,  I  think,  I  may  safely,  from  the  distance  of  Coin  from 
Almondbury,  and  its  lying  in  the  Road  between  that  and  Whalley, 
conclude  that  Coin  was  a  Roman  Station.  .  .  .  The  respect  I  bear 
to  the  place  of  my  Birth,  has  perchance  tempted  me  to  decide  too 
peremptorily  in  favour  of  it,  which  I  wholly  submit  to  your  very 
judicious  censure ;  and  if  what  I  have  written  so  hastily  be  in  any  way 
serviceable  to  your  Chapter  of  Antiquities,  I  shall  be  extremely  proud 
to  have  been  in  the  least  measure.  Your  humble  Servant.' 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  17 

Dr.  Leigh,  in  his  "  History  of  Cheshire  and  Lancashire," 
thought  fit  to  deny  its  conclusions  in  the  following  terms : — 

With  all  deference  to  that  learned  gentleman  [Mr.  Hargreave]  it  is 
my  opinion  Coin  was  not  a  Roman  Station,  and  that  for  these  following 
reasons  :  First,  because  where  the  Roman  Stations  were  there  are 
usually  fosses  and  fortifications,  of  which  this  Learned  Gentleman  gives 
no  account,  and,  tho'  the  Coins  found  there  might  induce  him  to  think 
so,  yel  that  Instance  is  not  convincing,  since  they  are  frequently  foimd 
in  several  other  parts  which  in  probability  were  never  Roman  Stations, 
as  at  Bury  and  Standish,  in  Lancashire.  Besides,  it  is  frequently 
observed  that,  where  the  Roman  Stations  were,  there  are  usually  found 
Roman  Altars,  dedicated  to  the  Genius  of  the  Place,  Paterae,  and  Fibulae.^ 
It  is  likely,  therefore,  that  where  those  Coins  are  found,  and  not  the 
other  Antiquities,  they  were  only  buried  there  by  the  Romans  in  their 
marches  when  they  quitted  their  stations,  who  rather  chose  to  hide 
them  in  the  Earth  than  let  them  fall  into  their  Enemies'  hands.  Secondly, 
it  is  probable  it  was  not  a  Roman  Station  from  the  account  that  is  given 
of  the  Boundaries  belonging  to  them  ;  for,  as  Siculus  Flaccus  informs  us, 
the  Fields  that  lay  near  the  Colonies  were  determined  by  several  sorts  of 
bounds ;  in  the  Limits  that  were  placed  for  Marks,  sometimes  one  thing 
and  sometimes  another ;  in  some  a  little  statue  of  Mercury,  in  others  a 
Wine  Vessel  ;  in  others  a  Spatula,  in  others  a  Rhombus,  or  a  Figure  in 
shape  like  a  Lozenge  ;  and  in  some,  according  to  Vitalis  and  Arcadius,  a 
Flaggon  or  Jarr.  Now,  none  of  these,  as  ever  I  heard  of,  having  been 
dug  up  at  Colne,  I  cannot  conclude  it  a  Roman  Station,  but  that  the 
Coins  found  there  were  lodged  by  the  Romans  in  their  Itineraries 
[marches]. 

Writing  some  few  years  ago  in  the  Preston  Guardian,  an 
able  writer  comments  thus  on  Dr.  Leigh's  remarks  : — 

'  In  reply  to  Leigh's  objection  two  things  may  be  urged.  First,  that 
it  is  absurd  to  assume  that  no  ancient  remains  "  exist "  at  a  given  spot, 
because,  at  a  given  time,  none  have  been  discovered.  And,  secondly, 
that  it  is  an  error  to  imagine  that  all  the  Roman  Stations  in  Britain 
were  equally  important,  equally  populous,  equally  imposing,  and  equally 
permanent.  In  respect  of  the  former  consideration,  fresh  traces  of 
Roman  occupation  have  been  met  with  here  since  Leigh's  days,  and 
others  yet  may  be  forthcoming  in  process  of  time.  And,  as  to  the 
latter  suggestion,  it  is  quite  possible  that  Colne  was  a  minor  station, 
held  by  a  small  garrison  at  intervals  during  periods  of  disturbance,  and 
abandoned  on  account  of  its  remoteness  from  the  sea  and  from  the  great 
military  roads  in  time  of  tranquillity.  Leigh  urges  that  altars  and 
similar  structures  are  commonly  found  at  the  Roman  Stations,  and  that 
no  such  relics  have  been  heard  of  at  Colne.     The  objection  would  apply 

Goblets  and  brass  rings. 


18  ANNALS  AND   STORIES   OP 

with  equal  force  to  Walton,  and  many  other  places  accepted  by 
antiquaries  as  sites  of  stations  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  where  no 
altars,  inscribed  stones,  or  vestiges  of  Roman  architecture  have  been 
exposed  to  view.  Nor  is  it  possible  for  Leigh  to  dispose  thus  summarily 
of  the  fact  that  the  rampart  and  ditch  of  a  large  military  eai-thwork, 
most  apparently  Roman,  are  still  visible  on  the  adjacent  summit.  This 
may  have  been  the  only  fortification  of  the  Romans  at  this  spot,  but  it 
is  more  likely  that  it  was  but  the  "  summer  camp,"  and  that  another 
fortress,  available  for  winter  quarters,  was  nigh  at  hand  in  some  less 
exposed  situation.' 

In  the  next  place,  w*e  have  to  consider  the  question  as  to 
where  the  station  and  town  of  Coluuio  stood,  supposing 
Castor  Cliff  was  only  the  summer  camp.  Here  again,  un- 
fortunately, there  is  a  difference  of  opinion,  though  all  agree 
that  they  were  not  on  the  present  site  of  Colne  proper.  The 
town  would  undoubtedly  be  near  the  fortifications,  for  the 
purposes  of  protection.  But  then  comes  the  question,  Was 
Castor  Cliff  the  only  fortification  1  The  Rev.  John  Whitaker 
thinks  that  the  station  must  have  been  there,  but  Dr. 
Whitaker  dissents  from  this  view,  and  is  of  opinion  that 
Castor  Clifi"  was  only  the  summer  camp  of  the  Romans,  and 
that  tjie  station  itself  was  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  where 
all  traces  of  it  have  in  process  of  time  been  effaced  by  cul- 
tivation and  other  causes.  Others,  again,  have  urged  that 
the  station  was  near  Greenfield,  where  the  waters  of  the 
river  divide  and  re-unite.  And  they  ass^ert,  that,  when, 
in  1825,  workmen  were  laying  the  foundation  of  a  mill  there, 
they  found  a  considerable  number  of  Roman  coins.  But 
these  are  all  conjectures,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  real  site 
is  irrecoverably  lost. 

One  other  point  remains  to  be  noticed.  Referring  to  a 
house  named  Burwains,  not  far  from  Castor  Cliff,  Dr. 
Whitaker  remarks  :  "  The  name  of  Burwains  (Burghwains) 
naturally  excites  in  the  mind  of  an  antiquary  the  expecta- 
tion of  something  Roman  about  it,  as  Burnswork  and 
Burrens,  the  last  a  corruption  of  Burwains,  as  the  former  of 
Burrenswork,?LTe  the  modern  appellations  of  the  two  celebrated 
camps  near  Middleby,  in  Scotland,  the  Blatum  Bulgium  of 
Antonine'sltinerai-y."  And  here  the  doctor  ends,  unmindful, 
perhaps,  of  the  fact  that  a  portion  of  Colne  itself  is  built 


COLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  19 

upon  Burwains  or  Burrance  Meadow,  and  that  a  mile  and 
a  half  beyond  is  Burwains  in  Foulridge. 

A  glance  at  the  Ordnance  Map  will  suffice  to  show  the 
richness  of  this  neighbourhood  in  Roman,  Danish,  and 
Saxon  remains — a  richness  which  has  caused  Mr.  Stonehouse 
to  assert,  that,  between  the  towns  of  Burnley  and  Colne,  there 
are  more  objects  of  antiquarian  interest  scattered  about  than 
may  be  found  in  any  other  part  of  England.  These  remains, 
in  their  proximity  to  Colne,  stand  thus  : — 

1.  Castor  Cliff. — On  the  Roman  road  between  Colunio  and  Cambo- 

dunum,  at  its  junction  with  the  vicinal  way  from  Eigodunum 
(Ribchester)  to  Alicana  (Ilkley). 

2.  Shelfield. — A  large  circular    encampment,   considered    by    Mr. 

Wilkinson  to  be  of  Danish  origin,  of  which  some  portion  of  the 
ditch  is  indicated  by  the  undulations  of  the  surface,  and  by  a 
swampy  part  of  the  ground  on  the  western  slope. 

8.  Ring-Stones  Hill. — Formerly  a  large  circle  of  stones,  erected,  sa 
Mr.  Stonehouse  thinks,  for  a  circular  encampment  or  fort ;  or, 
according  to  Mr.  Wilkinson,  for  the  purposes  of  burial,  worship, 
or  defence. 

4.  Broadbank. — Supposed  to  have  been  a  circular  enclosure  or 
fortress,  of  which  the  vallum  and  fosse  are  still  marked. 

6.  Bonfire  Hill. — A  circular  entrenchment,  130  feet  in  diameter, 
surrounded  by  an  earthwork  or  rampart. 

6.  Dklf  Hill. — Tumulus. 

7.  Beacon  Hill. — Tumuli. 

These  remains  all  lie  within  the  distance  of  an  easy  walk 
from  Colne,  and  beyond  are  others  of  even  greater  interest, 
unvisited  save  by  the  antiquary,  and  known  to  a  comparative 
few.  Our  hill-tops,  too,  justly  challenge  inquiry.  On 
Boulsworth  was  a  beacon,  and  one  of  the  cairns  on  Pendle  is 
supposed  by  some  to  be  the  ruins  of  speculee,  or  beacon 
towers,  erected  by  Agricola  after  his  conquest  of  the  country. 
Likewise  not  a  few  of  our  local  names.  Warcock  Hill  recalls 
the  raven  of  the  Danish  standard.  And  who  shall  say,  but 
that  the  hill  above  Rough  Lee,  known  as  Hoofa,  or  Offa's 
Hill,  derives  its  name  from  some  forgotten  incident  in  the 
life  of  that  Mercian  king  who  lived  more  than  1,000  years 
ago  1  The  name  of  Winwall  (Winewall^,  meaning  "  the 
place  of  contention,"  indicates  that  there  was  an  intrench- 
ment  here,  of  which  no  traces  aie  left.     But,  as  Mr.  Wilkin- 


20  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

son  remarks,  the  best  proofs  of  Danish  possession  here  are  to 
be  found  in  some  of  our  local  names  of  places,  as  Moor  Laith, 
Earfty,  Xe^^brook,  Hag^ra^e,  and  many  others. 

In  March,  1854,  an  interesting  discovery  was  made  at 
Catlow  Stone  Quarry,  when  two  or  three  earthenware  urns 
were  met  with  a  little  below  the  surface  in  clearing  for  the 
flag-stone  rock.  "  The  Urns,"  writes  Mr.  Wilkinson,  "  when 
perfect,  measured  about  14  inches  in  depth,  and  9  inches 
in  diameter  at  the  mouth,  with  a  considerable  swelling  at 
the  centre.  They  are  formed  of  very  coarse  earthenware, 
unglazed,  and  are  very  slightly  baked.  The  outer  and 
inner  surfaces  are  of  a  brown  colour,  and  are  consider- 
ably harder  than  the  inner  substance  of  the  pottery,  which 
appears  of  a  much  darker  hue,  as  if  it  had  been  much 
saturated  with  some  liquid.  These  Urns  contained  large 
quantities  of  calcined  bones,  pieces  of  charcoal,  and  soft  dark 
earth.  Most  of  the  bones  are  supposed  to  be  human,  but 
are  mixed  with  others  belonging. to  the  horse  and  some  of 
the  lesser  animals,  A  rude  piece  of  flint  was  also  found 
among  the  bones,  as  were  also  two  ivory  bodkins.  The 
ornamental  work  on  the  outside  of  the  urns  has  been  formed 
by  very  rude  means.  All  the  streaks  and  punctures  are  coarse 
and  irregular ;  nor  do  they  appear  to  have  been  formed  by 
any  instrument  less  primitive  than  the  point  of  a  stick. 
Unfortunately  these  urns,  when  found,  were  very  much 
-broken  by  the  workmen,  who  were  more  intent  upon  finding 
further  treasure  than  careful  to  preserve  these  monuments  of 
antiquity." 

After  the  departure  of  the  Romans,  Mr.  Wilkinson  is  of 
opinion  that  the  fortifications  on  Castor  Cliff"  would  be  kept 
by  the  Roman-British  troops  as  a  protection  against  the 
inroads  of  the  Picts  and  Scots,  and  would  again,  of  necessity, 
be  taken  possession  of  by  the  Saxons,  and  subsequently  by 
the  Danes. 

During  the  long  and  obscure  Saxon  period,  Colne  was  pro- 
bably never  entirely  abandoned,  though  it  sank  somewhat 
into  obscurity,  and  only  one  authentic  story  of  that  period 
has  been  handed  down  to  us — but  that  a  most  interesting 
one — for  both  the  Saxon  Chronicle  and  Florence  of  Worcester 


COLNE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  21 

bear  testimony  to  the  great  King  Athelstan,  one  of  the 
bravest  of  the  Saxon  kings,  himself  confirming  a  treaty  of 
peace  between  the  Welsh,  Scots,  and  Northumbrians,  "  at  a 
place  called  Eamot,  on  the  fourth  before  the  Ides  of  July, 
A.D.  926."  Where  Eamot  was  situate  the  chroniclers  do  not 
say ;  but  Mr.  Wilkinson,  in  the  paper  which  I  have  before 
quoted,  says  it  can  be  scarcely  doubted  that  it  is  Emmott, 
near  Colne.  "  Emmott,"  says  he,  "  is  derived  from  Ea  = 
water,  and  Muut  =  mouth,  indicating  'the  mouth  of  the 
■water,'"  And  in  the  Emmott,  near  Colne,  the  etymological 
requirements  of  the  name  are  precisely  answered  by  the  fact, 
that  there  is  a  well  close  to  the  hall,  called  the  "  Saint's 
Well,"  which  to  this  day  pours  forth  an  abundant  supply  of 
pure  water.  ''And  further,"  adds  Mr.  Wilkinson,  "  it  cannot 
be  urged  that  the  family  name  of  Emmott  is  too  modern,  for, 
according  to  Dr.  Whitaker,  its  ancestry  is  too  ancient  for 
genealogists  to  trace."  Thus  my  readers  will  perceive  that 
Colne's  glory  is  more  in  the  past  than  the  present,  and  that 
there  is  at  least  some  ground  for  boasting  that  Rome's 
proud  legions  once  traversed  its  hills  and  dales ;  and  that 
one  of  the  bravest  of  Saxon  monarchs,  surrounded  by  his 
warriors,  long  ages  ago,  confirmed  in  its  immediate  neigh- 
bourhood the  treaty  of  peace  I  have  already  mentioned. 


ANNALS  AND  STORIES   OF 


CHAPTER  11. 

MEDIAEVAL    AND    MODERN    HISTORY. 


'  The  busy  mill, 
The  decent  church  that  topp'd  the  neighbouring  hill.' 

Goldsmith.— iJeserted  Village. 


THUS  far  we  have  considered  the  Colne  of  Roman  times. 
We  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  Colne  that  is.  Plea- 
santly, even  commandingly,  situated,  it  is,  so  to  speak,  the 
metropolis  of  the  chapelry  to  which  it  gives  name,  a  hilly 
tract  of  country,  36  square  miles  in  extent,  of  diversified 
appearance,  and  heavy  clayey  soil.  Its  buildings  crown  the 
heights,  and  are  fast  covering  the  slopes  of  a  conical-shaped 
hill,  composed,  according  to  Dr.  Aikin,  of  coal,  with  stone 
below,  and  slate  for  building  purposes,  and  at  its  highest  point 
623  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  This  place  is  described 
as  "a  village"  in  legal  documents  dated  as  late  as  the 
close  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Sufficient  evidence  remains 
to  show  that  three  centuries  ago,  it  bordered  on  wastes,  not 
wholly  impassable,  but,  owing  to  the  semi-barbarous  state  of 
Lancashire,  beset  with  danger  to  pedestrians.  On  its 
northern  side  lay  two  commons,  each  now  under  cultivation, 
one,  by  reason  of  its  greater  extent,  known  as  "The  Common;^' 
the  other,  and  smaller  one,  as  "Lob."  More  to  the  N.W.,  and 
lying  between  the  site  of  Vivary  and  Stone  Bridge  Mills,  but 
nearer  the  former,  was  a  fish-pond,  seven  acres  in  extent,  known 
as  the  "  Vivers."  By  1 686  it  had  ceased  to  be  used  as  such,  and 
was  then  described  as  "a  piece  of  marshy  land,  the  certain 
bounds  and  limits  whereof  are  not  known."  Tradition  says  that 
in  it  the  ancient  owners  of  Colne  Hall  had  the  right  of  fishing. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  23 

On  the  south  side,  also,  were  extensive  uncultivated  tracts  of 
land,  the  area  of  which  by  the  seventh  year  of  Edward  VI. 
had  become  considerably  reduced.  In  this  year  Robert 
Blakey,  of  Colne,  customer,  was  examined  before  certain 
commissioners,  and  he  deposed  that  the  King's  Majesty  had 
"  a  certain  waste  ground  called  '  The  Castle  Town  Field,'  at 
gryndiltownhurst,  of  which  sixty  acres  might  well  be  im- 
proved [i.e.,  placed  under  cultivation],  leaving  sufficient 
common  for  the  Inhabitants."  This  land,  he  stated,  was  of 
a  letting  value  of  iiijti.  per  acre.  On  its  eastern  side  lay  the 
Colne  fields,  then  in  an  indifferent  state  of  cultivation, 
whilst  the  west  was  the  most  accessible. 

The  village  itself  lay  in  a  narrow  compass.  Even  the 
length  of  continuous  buildings  in  its  main  street  was  of 
comparatively  trifling  extent.  Blackstubheys  (now  Blas- 
comay)  was  considered  on  the  outskirts.  Here  and  there  a 
cluster  of  buildings  dotted  the  southern  slope  of  the  hill,  but, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  houses  in  Waterside,  these  were 
mostly  detached. 

The  environs  of  Colne  are  supposed  by  Dr.  Whitaker  to 
have  been  populous  in  Roman  times.  Colne's  history  during 
the  Norman  period  is  a  blank,  and  the  place  seems  to  have 
sunk  into  insignificance.  The  Taxatio  of  Pope  Nicholas 
{k.T}.  1291)  is  silent  respecting  it.  "Koine"  contributed 
"  xl?.  \i\yi."  towards  one  of  the  lay  subsidies  levied  in  the 
county  of  Lancashire  in  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  It  is  clear 
that  manufactures  had  been  introduced  here  at  this  early 
period,  for  in  the  rent-roll  of  the  last  Henry  de  Lacy,  dated 
A.D.  1311,  mention  is  made  of  a  fulling  mill,  of  the  value  of 
6s.  8d.  a  year,  and  which  is  said  by  tradition  to  have  occupied 
the  site  of  Walk  Mill.  The  town,  therefore,  justly  boasts  of 
being  one  of  the  most  ancient  seats  of  the  woollen  manu- 
facture, which  continued  to  be  its  staple  trade  for  many 
centxiries.  Coal  was  also  obtained  here  about  this  period. 
A  few  years  later,  and  the  names  of  the  Colne  taxpayers,  and 
the  amount  they  severally  contributed  towards  their  king's 
necessities,  are  found  to  be  thus : — 


24  ANNALS  AND  STORIES  OP 

*  A  roll  showing  the  names  of  all  persons  who  were  taxed  to  the  15ths  and 
lOths,  granted  6  Edioard  111.,  on  the  laity  of  the  entire  Co,  of 
Lancashire. 

WAPENTACHUI  DE   BLAKBtJRNSHIR. 

COLSE. — Job.  del.  Holt  ij«.    viijd. 

Wills  Altencotes  ij#. 

Ad  Melend    iij«.    \d.   ob. 

RobtoPpoito^    xijrf. 

Johe  de  Kelbrok  iij*. 

Nichs  le  Walker  xvjd. 

Will  le  Dryver    xxiiid. 

Rico  Moleud ijs. 

Nicho  del  Becche ij«.     ic?. 

Willo  de  Emot xiid. 

Sum'-    xx».    vd.     ob.2        pb.^' 

In  this  list,  the  names  of  William  of  Alkincoats,  John  of 
Kelhrook,  and  William  of  Emmott  are  easily  recognised,  whilst 
those  of  Molend  and  Becche  belong  to  the  category  of  names 
which,  like  Chorlesakehirst  in  Foulridge,  have  disappeared 
from  the  map.  The  name  of  Nicho  del  Becche,  under  a 
slightly  diflFerent  orthography,  is  likewise  found  in  the  Inqui- 
sitiones  Nonamm  {circa  1340),  under  "  Eccl'ia  de  Whallay." 
Therein  it  is  stated  that  the  value  of  the  ninths  of  the 
lambs,  fleeces,  and  sheep  of  Colne  was  lxvis.  \'nid.,  and 
III*,  iiiid  for  the  land  of  Richard  of  M'kelesden  [Marsden] ; 
viijJ.  for  the  land  of  Simon  of  Blakay ;  and  \id.  for  one  lamb 
and  one  calf  of  Nicholas  del  Boche. 

By  means  of  those  interesting  and  instructive,  but  seldom- 
consulted  documents.  The  Subsidy  Rolls,  we  are  placed  in 
possession  of  the  names  of  former  Colne  families,  and  obtain 
data  by  which  to  calculate  tlie  extent  of  the  population  and 
the  value  of  the  land.  From  these,  it  seems  the  following 
persons  in  this  neighbourhood  contributed  to  the  subsidy 
collected  in  the  15th  Henry  VIII. : — 

Thomas  Emotte,  in  lands  xl«. 

Leonard  Blakey,  in  lands   xls. 

Robert  Hargreves,  in  goods    iiij/i. 

Henry  Emot,  in  goods    iiijM. 

*  Pr<epoito=Prap<mtiu,  a  reeve  or  governor.      *  Halfpenny.      '  Approved. 


COLNE  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  25 

John  Haryson,  in  goods iiij'i.  ij». 

Robert  Honnys,  in  goods  vjH.  iij«. 

Hufrey  Hartley,  in  goods  uijli.  ija. 

Thomas  Dryver,  in  goods  iiijZi.  ijs. 

Wyllam  Hargrevez,  in  goods xl».  xiid. 

John  Rish worth,  in  lands  xl«.  ija. 

Jamys  Spensar,  in  goods    iiijli.  us. 

Richard  Blakey,  in  lands    xx«.  xiid. 

Nichas  Mersden,  in  goods iiijZi.  ii«. 

Janays  Pker,  in  goods iiijZi.  ij». 

Xpofer  Pker,  in  goods    iijli.  xviij. 

Geffrey  Hartley,  in  goods  iiijii.  ija. 

Willam  My chell  de  Kiln,  in  goods    xla.  xiid. 

Willam  My  chell  de  Kirkstele,  in  goods...    vW.  ija.    vid. 
Making  a  total  of  xxzvia. 

The  list  lengthens  towards  the  close  of  the  reign  of  this  king, 
and  in  the  35th  year  of  his  reign  stands  thus  : — 

Willm  Emot,  in  goods vijK.      ija.  iiijd. 

Henry  Shay  he,  in  goods xxW.  xiija. 

James  Hanson,  in  goods ixli. 

John  Hanson,  in  goods    jijli.  vjd. 

Edward  Walker,  in  goods    viijK.       ija.  \d. 

Xpofer  Pker,  in  goods viijii.       ija. 

James  Mychell,  in  goods \li.  xxrf. 

Xpofer  Mychell,  in  goods    iij^i.  vjd. 

John  Ryssheworth,  Squyer,  in  lands  xxli.    xxa. 

Johes  Hargraves,  in  goods  xls.  iiijd. 

Laurence  Pker,  in  lands xls.  viij  d. 

James  Mersden,  in  goods    xxa.  ijd. 

Nicholas  Smyth,  in  goods   xla.  iiij  d. 

John  Elliot,  in  goods  xla.  iiijrf. 

Robt.  Rener,  in  goods xla.  iiijd. 

Alexand  Pker,  in  goods    xla.  iiijd. 

EUyn  Pker,  in  goods    xla.  ijrf. 

John  Hertley,  in  lands    xxa.  ij«i. 

Edmonde  Spenc,  in  goods  xla.  iiijd. 

Willm  Mychell,  in  goods xla.  iiijd. 

Geffrey  Hartley,  in  goods    xxa.  ijd. 

Laurence  Barcroft,  in  goods   xxa.  ijd. 

John  Hargrevez,  in  goods  xxa.  ijrf. 

Robt.  Emot,  in  goods  iijli.  vjd. 

Humf re  Emot,  in  goods  xxa.  ijd. 

Henry  Emot,  in  goods xla.  iiijd. 

Thomas  Emot,  in  goods  xla.  iiijd. 

Ryo  Rycroft,  in  goods xxa.  ijcJ. 

Ryo  Mytton,  in  goods zxt.  ijd. 


26  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OF 

John  Robynson,  in  goods xx*.  ijd. 

John  Eliot,  in  goods    xxs.  ijd. 

Robt.  Hygyn,  in  goods    xx«.  ijc^. 

Robt.  Walker,  in  goods   xxs,  ijd. 

Nicholas  Blakey,  in  goods  xxs.  ijd. 

John  Hargraves,  Smyth,  in  goods,  xl*.  iiijd. 

John  Mychell,  in  goods  xls.  iiijd. 

Willm  Hygyn,  in  goods xxs.  ijd. 

Henry  Walton,  in  goods xxs.  ijd. 

Henry  Bolton,  in  goods  xx«.  ijd. 

Henry  Mychell,  in  goods xxs.  ijd. 

Rog.  Blakey,  in  goods xx».  ijd. 

Peter  Ballard,  in  goods    xxs.  ijd. 

Rye  TeKorthe,  in  goods xx».  ijd. 

Thomas  Banasf-  in  goods  xx».  ijd. 

Xpof er  Robynson,  in  goods xxs.  ijd. 

Robt.  Blackey,  in  lands  vli.     iijs.     iiijt^. 

Nicholes  Morsden,  in  goods    xli.  xxd. 

Rychard  Mychell,  in  goods vjli.  ijd. 

Thomas  Dry  ver,  in  lands xl«.  viijd. 

In  the  39th  year  of  the  reign  of  "  Good  Queen  Bess  "  the 
list  was  shorter,  but  the  payments  higher.  These  are  they 
who  hved  in  one  of  the  most  glorious  periods  of  English 
history,  and  who  would,  doubtless,  hear  with  a  smile  of  grim 
satisfaction  of  the  wreck  of  the  proud  Spanish  Armada : — 

Thomas  Emott,  in  lands Is.  xs. 

Thomas  Risheworth,  in  lands  . . .  xxs.  iiijs. 

Garrarde  Parker,  in  lands   xxs.  iiijs. 

Henrye  Shawe,  in  lands  xxs.  iiijs. 

Henrye  Parker,  in  lands xxs.  iiijs. 

Edwarde  Marsden,  in  lands    ...  xxs.  iiijs. 

John  Hargreves,  in  lands    xxs.  iiijs. 

Nicholas  Mytchell,  in  lands     ...  xxs.  iiijs. 

James  Hanson,  in  goods  iijZt.  vujd. 

Bernardo  Hartley,  in  goods ujli.  \iijd. 

Edward  Blackey,  in  goods  iijli.  viijd. 

Christobell  SutlilFe,  in  goods  ...  ujli.  Yiijd. 

The  undermentioned  were  living  here  at  the  commencement 
of  tlie  reign  of  the  unhappy  and  unfortunate  King 
Charles  I.,  aud  were  taxed  as  follows  : — 

Johes  Emott,  in  teiT    Is.  xs. 

Daniell  Bamarde,  in  terr xxs.  iiijs. 

Henricus  Shawe,  in  terr xxs.  iiijs. 

Alex.  Parker,  in  terr    ..  xxt.  iiijs. 


COLKE  AND   NBIGHBOURHOOD.  27 

Edrus  Mareden,  in  terr.  xx».       iiij». 

Robtus  Hargreaves,  in  terr.    ...     xx*.        iiij«. 

Nichus  Mitchall,  in  terr xx».        iiij». 

Galfridus  Shakleton,  in  terr.  ...     xxa.        iiija. 

Simo.  Bulcocke,  in  terr.  xx».        iiij». 

Simo.  Blakey,  existen  recus  crai- 

vict,  in  terr  xx».       viij». 

Edrus  Blakey,  in  bonis    lx».       viij». 

Nichus  Mitchell,  in  bonis lx».       Tiij*. 

Willms.  Hanson,  in  bonis    Ixs.       viij». 

Croferus  Smyth,  in  bonis    li&       viij*. 

Henricus     Houghton,      recus. 

convict^ viijrf. 

Ux.  pdci  Henrici,  pro  con"'*    ...  Tiij<2. 

Ux.  Simonis  Blakey,  Senio,  pro 

coniii viijd. 

Simo.  Blakey,  pro  con'"  viijrf. 

Ux.  pdcti  Simonis,  pro  con*"...  viijrf. 

Rosamunda  Bannister,  pro  con"*  viijrf. 

Bamardus  Blakey,  pro  con  ^^...  viijd. 

Jacobus  Bannester,  pro  con*",.,  viijd. 

Ricus  Hanson,  pro  con"* vii jrf. 

Ux.  pdcti  Rici,  pro  con"' viijd. 

Jana  Parkinson,  pro  con"*  \\ijd. 

Maria  Townley,  pro  con"*  viijc^. 

Ffrancisca  Smyth,  pro  con"*   ...  Tiijd. 

Jacobus  Shackleden,  pro  con"'  viijrf. 

Ux.    Willm    Beardsworth,    jfro 

con"'  viijrf. 

Henricus  Hargreaves,  pro  con"*  viijd. 

S"-  iiijfo'.  xij».  viijrf. 

The  eai'ly  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  saw  the 
erection  of  several  halls,  the  size  of  which,  as  well  as  of  the 
houses  generally  in  this  neighbourhood,  might  be  inferred 
from  the  following  return,  were  we  in  each  case  able  to 
identify  the  owner  and  the  house  : — 

'An  Account  and  Retume  of  the  Fire  Hearths  and  Stoves  charqable  with 
the  DtUcy  of  Hearth  Money  within  the  County  Palatine  of  Lanc^-  for 
the  Halfe  Year  heyinninge  at  our  Ladey  Day  and  ending  at 
Michelmas  in  the  year  167S. 

*  The  tax  was  for  2s.  8d.  in  the  £  on  personal  estates ;  58.  4d.  for  aliens  and 
Popish  recusant  convicfs,  i.e.,  Roman  Catholics  of  property  convicted  for  not 
attending  their  parish  church.  The  same  Act  levied  a  poll-tax  of  8d.  per  poll  on 
aliens  and  Pojish  recusant  convicts  not  contributing  under  the  other  heads. 
Thus,  Henry  Houghton,  having  no  property,  and  being  a  Papist,  had  to  pay 
8d.— his  wife  also,  on  the  like  account,  being  charged  a  similar  sum. 

,*  Doubtless  a  contraction  of  contimiU,  i.e.,  for  the  lika. 


28 


ANNALS   AND  STORIES   OP 


HUNDRED  OF  BLACKBURN. 


Wm.  Ormes    3 

Jo.  Shuttleworth    1 

Jonas  Dillison 5 

Rich.  Stephenson     4 

Jos.  Shaw    3 

Jeff.  Shakleton    8 

Jo.  Clecton 2 

Mr.  Barnard    5 

Nich.  Whitham 3 

Jo.  Watson 5 

Tho.  Urmshaw    5 

Jo.  Hopkinson 5 

Rob.  Tattersell  5 

Wm.  Green 8 

Anne  Obday    2 

Margery  Hartley    4 

Widd.  Barron 3 

Widd.  Rushtoa    4 

Jos.  High 2 

Ben.  Hargreaves 3 

Geo.  Harwood 4 

Christ.  Blakley   4 

Christ.  Morrell    2 

Hen.  Baldwin 2 

Jo.  Hanson 3 


Tho.  Linnard 2 

Robert  Baron 4 

Rich.  Hartley 2 

Jo.  Blakey  6 

Ellin  Bocock  3 

Christ.  Smith 4 

Jam.  Armnott    2 

Mr.  Cunclife    6 

Tho.  Dugdale 3 

Widd.  Harracks 3 

Willm.  Greene    4 

Tho.  Smith     3 

Henry  Peale   2 

Fran.  Robinson    7 

Rob.  Hargreaves    5 

John  Halstead    3 

Mr.  Rob.  Trueman 11 

Tho.  Standworth    4 

Jo.  Amot 4 

Law.  Boden    2 

Mr.  Holdgate 3 

Jo.  Mitton  4 

Widde  Ellendrop     1 


181 


COLNE    TOWNSHIP. 


Mr.  Rob.  Hamond^    7 

Geo.  Haighton    3 

Jam.  Robinson    , 2 

Jam.  Amott    2 

Bernard  Hartley     2 

Mr.  Jo.  Hargreaves    6 

Tho.  Tillison  2 

Jo.  Boulton 4 

Jo.  Boycroft    1 

Tho.  Driver 2 

Jam.  Blackley 2 

Tho.  Annies    2 

Jo.  Atkinson   5 

Jo.  Emmett    3 

Barnard  Traver  3 

Hugh  Smith    6 


Wm.  Emmett 5 

Wm.  Shakleton  5 

Grace  Shakleton 1 

Roger  Hartley     2 

Christ.  Hartley  4 

Rob.  Driver    1 

Peter  Willman    3 

Rob.  Hanson  1 

Averell  Smith 1 

Rob.  Amott    3 

Jo.  Atkinson  2 

Henry  Boulton  1 

Rob.  Hayman 8 

Hen.  Shaw2 6 

Christ.  Smith 7 

Jo.  Ellott    3 


'  Crawshaw. 


2  Langroyd. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD. 


29 


Rob.  Ingham 1 

Jo.  Yong 1 

Mr.  Trewman 7 

Widd.  Bankes    4 


Jo.  Hargreaves  3 

Jo.  Crosley 1 

121 


Churchwardens  and  other  Officers  of  the  Parish  of  Colne, 
8th  March,  1641-2} 

Barrard  Hartley,  \ 

Alexander  Hartley,  I 

James  Ridialche, 

John  Mancknowles,  >•  Churchwardens. 

James  Hargreeves, 

John  Emotte,  | 

John  Hirst,  / 

Nicholas  Moore,  Constable  of  ffouldridge. 
John  Hargreaves,  Constable  of  Colne. 
Robert  Lee,  Constable  for  Townshippe. 
James  Hartley,  Grave  of  Trawden. 
Gyles  Hammond,  Constable  of  Marsden. 

John  Hartley,  \ 

Lawrence  Robinson,  (  OvPrsPPrs 

Henry  Walton,  f  Uverseers. 

Richard  Hargreaves,  ; 
In  this  seventeenth  century  Colne  had  become  the  shopping 
place  of  a   wide   district.      The   following   entries   in   the 
Household  and  Farm  Accounts  of  the  Shutlleworths  of  Gaw- 
thorpe  Ball  ^  attest  this  fact : — 

1618.  Oct.  Carriage  of  the  iron  and  sope  from  York  to  Colne,  xxiiijs. 
\id.  Nov.  Cariage  of  a  great  pye  to  Colne,  xjd.  iiijli.  of  Suger  at  Colne, 
T».  viiid.     l6l9-[20].  March.  Cariage  of  the  garden  seeda  to  Colne,  iijd. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne  that 
building  operations  received  an  impetus  throughout  the 
entire  chapelry.  Windy  Bank  was,  as  yet,  a  mere  lane  leading 
out  of  Colne,  and  did  not  even  rank  as  a  street  until  the 
middle  of  the  century.  As  time  went  on,  it  came  to  be 
regarded  as  a  better  quarter  of  the  town,  and  the  height  of 
its  prosperity  seemed  to  have  been  reached,  when  John  Parr, 
a  "  respectable  "  attorney  of  the  town,  erected,  not  far  from 
the  point  where  it  diverges  from  the  main  street,  a  building 


•  From  a  document  in  the  House  of  Lords,  transcribed  by  Mr.  J.  E.  Bailey, 
F.S.A.,  of  Manchester. 

^  Cbetbam  Society's  Publications. 


30 


ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 


intended  for  a  bank,  but  never  actually  used  as  such.  ^  The 
latter  half  of  the  eighteenth  century — witnessing  as  it  did 
the  erection  of  a  Cloth  Hall,  and  a  considerable  influx  of 
merchants — was  on  the  whole  fraught  with  prosperity  to 
Colne,  though,  unhappily,  this  prosperity  was  followed  by  a 
long  period  of  depression  in  trade. 

During  the  present  century,  Colne  has  made  sure,  though, 
perhaps,  not  rapid  strides  in  wealth,  extent,  and  population. 
In  1824,  the  gross  rental  of  the  township  was  £8,573;  at 
the  present  time  it  amounts  to  £31,652  9s.  In  1801,  the 
town  covered  200  acres  of  land  ;  in  1854,  475.  In  1801,  its 
population  was  2,476  ;  in  1851,  6,644.  Yet,  as  the  subjoined 
table  demonstrates,  this  town  has  not  increased  to  the  same 
extent  as  its  neighbours,  Burnley  and  Accrington  : — 


Town 

Population. 

1801. 

1851. 

Colne   

2,476 
2,224 
1,946 

6,644 

20,828 

7,481 

4,168 

18,604 

Accrington 

5,535 

The  reason  is  not  altogether  obvious,  for  Colne  has  many 
advantages.  It  is  situate  midway  between  the  two  great 
markets  for  the  cotton  and  worsted  trades,  within  easy 
distance  of  the  great  cotton  port  of  England,  coalfields  near, 
a  plentiful  supply  of  water  at  hand,  and  only  the  single 
drawback  of  the  distance  of  the  canal  and  railway.  That  the 
population  has  not  increased  in  a  ratio  equal  to  some  neigh- 
bouring towns  has,  doubtless,  been  partly  occasioned  by  the 
circumstance,  that,  at  the  time  hand-loom  weaving  ceased  to 
be  a  business  by  which  families  could  live,  the  number  of 
mills  was  insufficient  to  afford  employment  for  the  weavers, 
in  consequence  of  which  many  Colne  families  emigrated  to 
other  localities,  and  settled  there.  Not  a  few  crossed  the 
broad  Atlantic,  and,  having,  by  industry  and  thrift,  acquired 


'  Now  occupied  by  Mr.  Kay. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  31 

property  in  America,  named  that  property  after  some  familiar 
spot  in  this  neighboiu-hood. ^  Dr.  Aikin  remarks,  "There 
is  much  money  made  in  this  town,  considering  its  size,"  but, 
whether  this  be  so  or  not,  its  inhabitants  are  undoubtedly 
richer  than  they  formerly  were.  In  1837,  9,035  of  the 
population  of  the  chapelry  of  Colne  were  in  receipt  of  a 
weekly  income  of  less  than  two  shillings,  whilst  at  the 
present  time  many  a  thrifty  family,  in  which  the  demon 
Drink  is  banished,  can,  and  does  bring  into  the  household 
purse,  a  sum  of  fifteen  shillings  per  head  per  week. 

Most  of  the  modern  houses  in  this  town  are  built  upon 
land  bought  or  leased  from  the  Earl  of  Derby  and  Captain 
Every-Claytou,  of  Carr  Hall,  the  land  here  being,  with  few 
exceptions,  either  of  copyhold  or  long  leasehold  tenure. 
These  Colne  lauds  of  the  Earl  of  Derby  have  been  in  the 
possession  of  the  Stanley  family  many  years,  and  were 
acquired  on  the  miirriage  of  Thomas  Patten  with  Mary,  only 
daughter  and  heiress  of  Henry  Doughty,  of  Colne  Hall. 
Little  would  Mr.  Doughty  imagine,  that  land,  which,  little 
more  than  a  century  ago,  brought  in  a  few  pounds  per 
annum,  would  yield,  and  does  now  yield,  an  annual  rental  of 
£850.  The  connection  of  the  noble  house  of  Stanley  with 
Colne  is  aptly  commemorated  in  the  names  of  Lord,  Derby, 
Earl,  and  Stanley  Streets,  given  to  four  of  the  more  newly- 
formed  streets. 

This  town  is  under  the  governance  of  the  recently- 
constituted  Colne  and  Marsden  Local  Board,  which  consists  of 
twelve  members,  each  at  present  elected  by  the  entire 
district.  T.  T.  England,  Esq.,  of  Heirs  House,  is  the  first 
and  present  chairman.  Gas  is  supplied  to  the  inhabitants  by 
the  Local  Board,  which  in  October,  1877,  purchased  at  the 
price  of  £32,000,  the  undertaking  known  as  the  "  Colne  Gas- 
light and  Coke  Company."  Though  overtures  have  been 
made  by  the  Local  Board,  the  water  supply  is  as  yet  in  the 
hands  of  a  company,  which  obtained  its  Act  in  the  year  1806. 
The  preamble  of  that  Act  states — and  time,  be  it  observed, 
has  not  altogether  robbed  the  words  of  their  truthfulness — 

1  For  instance,  Winewall  Chapel,  in  Canada. 


32  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OP 

that  "  the  town  and  township  are  become  very  populous,  and 
are  greatly  increased  in  houses  and  buildings ;  and  the 
inhabitants  thereof,  as  they  are  at  present  supplied  with 
water,  are  liable  to  great  danger  and  the  most  calamitous 
consequences,  from  accidents  by  fire,  for  want  of  a  better 
supply  of  water." 

The  market  days  are  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays ;  and  on 
the  last  Wednesday  in  every  month  is  a  cattle  market.  The 
fairs  are  held  March  7th,  May  13th  (for  cattle)  and  15th  (for 
pedlery),  October  11th,  and  December  2 1st.  The  annual 
wake  was  formerly  held  August  24th,  being  Saint  Bartholo- 
mew's Day,  the  patron  saint,  and,  as  justly  remarked,  the 
coincidence  serves  to  point  out  that  the  festival  is  both 
ancient  and  that  it  was  originally  the  feast  of  dedication. 
There  is  no  market  house,  and  the  fent  dealers  and  hawkers 
who  frequent  the  town  on  market  days,  expose  their  goods 
for  sale  with  impunity,  either  on  stalls  erected  in  the  street, 
or  not  infrequently  on  the  ground. 


CHAPELS    AND    SCHOOLS,    ETC. 

Much  has  been  done  in  the  present  century  towards  pro- 
moting the  religious  and  social  welfare  of  the  youth  of  this 
town.  In  or  about  the  year  1848,  the  need  of  a  National 
School  became  apparent.  With  the  object  of  erecting  one, 
a  subscription  list  was  opened,  but  such  was  the  then  poverty 
of  the  district,  that  recourse  was  compelled  to  be  had  to 
extraneous  sources.  An  appeal  for  help  was  made  and 
widely  circulated,  happily  not  in  vain,  for  He  with  whom  is 
the  silver  and  the  gold,  put  it  into  the  heart  of  Adelaide, 
Queen  Dowager  of  England,  the  good  and  charitable  widow 
of  the  Sailor  King,  to  contribute  £20.  Miss  Lawrence,  of 
Studley,  the  mistress  of  that  fair  domain  which  subsequently 
passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Marquis  of  Ripon,  gene- 
rously gave  a  like  sum.  Other  noble  ladies  followed  their 
example,  and,  little  by  little,  the  needful  funds  were  obtained. 
An  eligible  site  was  secured  in  Blascomay,  and  a  building, 
once    considered    comfortable   and    commodious,   but   now 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  33 

inadequate  in  its  accommodation,  in  due  course  erected. 
Since  that  date  chapels  and  schools  have  multiplied.  In 
1868  the  Wesleyan  Methodists  erected  schools  in  George 
Street,  at  a  cost  of  some  £3,000.  On  August  26th,  1871,  Mr. 
Dunovan,  of  Glasgow,  and  Mr.  Greenhalgh,  of  Manchester, 
laid  the  foundation-stone  of  a  handsome  chapel  at  Primet 
Bridge,  erected  by  the  Free  Gospellers  of  this  town,  at  a  cost 
of  about  £3,000. 

It  had  long  been  felt  by  Churchmen,  that  some  provision 
ought  to  be  made  to  meet  the  religious  and  educational 
wants  of  the  increasing  population  in,  and  around,  Primet 
Bridge.  A  few  years  ago  a  building  was  hired,  a  Sunday 
and  day  school  established,  and  divine  service — the  inaugura- 
tion of  which  is  due  to  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Swann,  late  curate-in- 
charge  of  Colne — solemnised.  Another  and  more  important 
step  was  taken  in  the  work  of  church  extension  on  Saturday 
afternoon,  May  4th,  1878,  when  the  Rev.  John  Henderson, 
with  enfeebled  hands,  but  willing  mind,  laid  the  memorial 
stone  of  a  new  school-church  for  this  district.  The  building, 
now  approaching  completion,  is  after  the  designs  of  Messrs. 
William  Waddington  and  Son,  architects,  Burnley.  It  stands 
in  Green  Lane,  is  of  Gothic  architecture,  with  bell-tower  at 
the  west  end,  is  capable  of  accommodating  400  persons,  and 
will  cost,  it  is  estimated,  exclusive  of  the  land — a  gift  from 
R.  T.  Parker,  Esq.,  of  Cuerden  Hall— £2,000.  At  Waterside 
there  is  a  church  service  conducted  by  laymen. 

Within  recent  years  the  Roman  Catholics  and  Unitarians 
have  obtained  a  footing.  Though  a  priest  is  stationed  here, 
it  is  improbable  that  the  former  will  become  either  a  large, 
or  an  influential,  body,  the  number  of  Irish  in  the  town 
being  but  small.  The  Unitarians  are  at  the  present  time 
engixged  in  building  a  neatly-designed  chapel,  at  an  estimated 
cost  of  £2,000. 

Day  Schools. — Of  these  there  are  five  in  the  town,  three 
in  connection  with  the  Church,  one  with  the  Wesleyan 
Methodists,  another  with  the  Free  Gospellers. 

Sunday  Schools. — In  the  year  1824  the  Sunday  schools  of 
this  town  collectively  afforded  instruction  to  1,450  children 
0 


34  ANNALS    AND   STORIES   OF 

in  the  following  proportions  :  Church,  300  ;  Methodist  (Old 
Connexion),  500;  New  Connexion,  150;  Baptists,  200;  In- 
dependents, 300.  At  the  present  time  the  number  is  about 
2,600. 

Church  Institute. — This  institute  was  established  in  Oc- 
tober, 1875,  and  has  as  its  object,  the  improvement  and 
education  of  the  working  classes.  The  Rector  is  its  presi- 
dent, the  Revds.  Alexander  MacPhee  and  J.  M.  Austen,  its 
vice-presidents ;  and  at  the  present  time  it  numbers  some 
40  members. 

Colne  Band  of  Hope  Union. — This  Union,  which  was 
established  in  the  year  1869,  and  has  the  Rev.  R.  Botterill 
as  its  president,  consists  of  the  Wesleyan,  Independent, 
Primitive  Methodist,  and  Baptist  Bands  of  Hope.  It  num- 
bers 1,130  members,  of  whom  about  two-thirds  are  females. 


PROVIDENT,    INDUSTRIAL,    AND    OTHER    SOCIETIES,    ETO. 

At  the  head  of  these  deservedly  stands 

The  Colne  Permanent  Benefit  Building  Society. — Established 
in  the  year  1866,  it  has  been  productive  of  much  good  to 
the  town  and  neighbpurhood.  Financially,  its  position  is 
excellent,  and  according  to  the  report  for  the  year  ending 
March  31st,  1878,  it  has  640  members,  holding  12,867  (£10) 
shares. 

The  Yorhshire  Penny  Bank  (Colne  Branch.) — Number  of 
deposits  6,695.  Number  of  depositors  during  the  year,  825. 
Amount  of  deposits,  £2,289  17s.  5d.  Number  of  open 
accounts,  396.     Amount  due  to  depositors,  £3,568  4s. ^ 

Colne  Co-operative  Equitable  and  Industrial  Society, 
Limited. — This  society  was  established  in  the  year  1864, 
and  has  at  the  present  time  250  members. 

The  Waterside  Co-operative  Industrial  Society. — This 
society  was  established  in  the  year  1870,  and  has  at  present 
130  members.* 

1  Report  for  ttie  year  1877.  ^  The  32nd  quarterly  report. 


COLNE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  35 


MANUFACTURES. 

Writing  in  or  about  the  year  1825,  Corry  makes   some 
interesting  remarks  concerning  this  town.     He  says  : — 

'  Colne  has  for  centuries  been  the  seat  of  a  branch  of  the  woollen 

manufacture A  new  branch  of  commerce  has,  however, 

engaged  the  attention  and  employed  the  capital  of  the  manufacturers 
in  Colne  and  its  neighbourhood  within  the  last  fifty  years.  The  cotton 
trade,  which,  with  arithmetical  progression,  has  multiplied  the  treasures 
and  engaged  the  attention  of  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Lancashire,  has  animated  the  airy  heights  of  Colne  and  peopled  the 
banks  of  its  streams  with  thousands  of  industrious,  intelligent,  and 
contented  manufacturers.  Prosperity  has  crowned  the  efforts  of  industry, 
and  there  are  now  about  thirty  master  manufacturers  in  the  town  and 
its  neighbourhood,  whose  enterprise  and  skill  have  been  rewarded  with 
merited  success.  The  improvement  of  the  town  and  increase  of  its 
inhabitants  evince  its  flourishing  state ;  and  although  in  a  more 
remote  and  sterile  situation  than  Burnley  it  exceeds  the  latter  in  the 
number  though  not  in  the  rapidity  of  increase  of  population.  . 
With  the  benefits  derivable  from  an  inland  navigation  extending  from 
the  eastern  to  the  western  shores,  and  communicating  southward  with 
London  itself,  it  is  probable  that  in  another  century  this  town  will 
be  one  of  the  most  prosperous  in  the  county.' 

Down  to  a  comparatively  recent  period,  many  Colne  people 
were  employed  in  hand-loom  -weaving,  and  even  after  the 
introduction  of  the  power  loom,  the  hand-loom  weavers  in  this 
neighbourhood  brightened  on  the  introduction  of  the  mousse- 
line-de-laine  manufacture,  a  department  in  which  they  were 
noted  for  their  skill.  Accordingly,  for  a  time,  work  was 
plentiful  and  wages  good,  but  this  prosperity  passed  away  in 
the  course  of  a  few  years,  till,  at  length,  the  hand  loom,  as  a 
means  of  livelihood,  was  discarded  by  all,  except  those  who 
were  too  old  to  commence  work  in  the  factory.  In  1825  the 
chapelry  of  Colne  contained  eight  steam  engines;  in  1834 
the  number  had  risen  to  eleven,  eight  employed  in  manufac- 
tories and  three  in  collieries;  whilst  in  1867  there  were  111 
steam  engines  employed  for  manufacturing  purposes  in 
addition  to  those  employed  at  the  collieries.  There  were 
also  seven  mills,  having  a  water-power  of  100  horses, 
employed  in  spinning  and  weaving.  There  are  at  the 
present  day  22  mills,  being  separate  concems,  and  four  size 


36  ANNALS  AND   STORIES   OP 

houses  in  and  immediately  around  the  town,  also  about 
7,700  looms.  The  largest  works  are  those  of  Mr.  Shaw,  of 
Colne  Hall,  which  afford  employment  to  about  1,100  people. 
Mr.  Shaw  has  2,150  looms,  60,000  spindles  in  Colne,  and 
20,000  spindles  at  Brierfield.  Messrs.  Catlow,  Brothers,  are 
the  next  most  extensive  cotton  manufacturers,  having  in 
their  mQls  1,100  looms  and  24,000  spindles. 


THE   WESLEYAN   METHODISTS. 

Ow^ing,  in  no  small  degree,  to  the  determined  and  uncon- 
cealed opposition  of  the  Rev.  George  White,  Incumbent  of 
Colne,  and  the  immense  influence  he  exercised  over  the 
lower  grades  of  the  population,  the  growth  of  Wesleyan 
Methodism  in  this  neighbourhood  was  attended  with  even 
more  difficulties  than  those  experienced  elsewhere.  The 
year  of  its  introduction  is  not  recorded,  and  but  few 
particulars  of  the  life  and  labours  of  John  Jane,  its  first 
preacher  here,  have  been  handed  down  to  us.  It  is  known, 
however,  that  he  was  a  man  of  extreme  poverty — so  poor 
that  all  his  clothes,  linen  and  woollen,  stockings,  hat,  and 
wig,  were  not  thought  sufficient  to  answer  his  funeral 
expenses,  which  amounted  to  one  pound  seventeen  shillings 
and  threepence.  All  the  money  he  had  in  the  world  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  one  shilling  and  fourpence !  "Enough," 
remarks  Mr.  Wesley,  "for  an  unmarried  preacher  of  the 
Gospel  to  leave  to  his  executors !"  Like  several  of  the 
preachers  who  succeeded  him,  John  Jane  received  little,  or 
no  consideration  at  the  hands  of  the  populace,  and  Mr, 
Wesley  mentions,  that,  as  on  one  occasion  this  preacher  was 
innocently  riding  through  the  town,  the  zealous  mob  pulled 
him  off"  his  horse  and  put  him  in  the  stocks.  "  He  seized 
the  opportunity,  and  vehemently  exhorted  them  '  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come.'"  The  year  1747  gave  Wesleyan 
Methodism  the  labours  and  assistance  of  Mr.  Grimshaw, 
Incumbent  of  Haworth.  Prior  to  this  date,  John  Nelson 
and  William  Darney  had  laboured  in  this  locality,  the  latter 
as  early  as    1742.      Both   were  lay  preachers  under  Mr, 


COLNE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  37 

Wesley,  the  former  receiving  his  first  official  recognition  in 
the  "  Minutes"  of  the  second  Conference,  held  at  Bristol  in 
the  year  1745 — the  latter  in  those  of  the  Conference  held 
in  London  in  1748.  The  somewhat  tardy  recognition  by 
Mr.  Wesley  of  William  Darney,  who  was  a  pious  man  and 
an  able  preacher,  is  doubtless  attributable  to  the  many 
eccentricities  which  marked  his  character.  Notwithstanding 
these  eccentricities  he  was  afterwards  appointed  to  the  London 
Circuit.  From  him  the  Methodist  Society  at  Roughlee,  the 
oldest  in  this  neighbourhood,  received,  with  other  societies, 
the  name  of  "  Darney's  Societies."^ 

In  spite  of  the  difficulties  alluded  to,  it  is  clear  that 
Methodism  had  its  adherents  in  this  neighbourhood  at  an 
early  stage  of  its  history.  The  first  Conference,  consisting 
of  the  brothers  Wesley,  four  clergymen,  and  four  lay 
preachers,  was  held  at  the  Foundry,  London,  June  25th, 
1744.  It  was  not,  however,  until  the  third  Conference  that 
the  country  was  divided  into  circuits,  this  locality  being 
included  in  the  Fifth  Circuit  (Yorkshire),  which  also  em- 
braced six  of  the  adjoining  counties.  In  1755,  Haworth 
appears  as  the  head  of  the  circuit,  which  included  this 
district,  with  William  Grimshaw,  John  Nelson,  and  James 
Schofield  as  preachers.  In  1776,  Haworth,  for  a  long  period, 
ceased  to  be  the  head  of  a  circuit,  and  Keighley  and 
Colne  were  severally  constituted  circuits.  The  Colne  Cir- 
cuit, as  originally  arranged,  was  of  great  extent,  stretching 
from  Ulverston  to  Rossendale,  and  including  most  of  the 
now  large  and  populous  towns  in  that  wide  area.  Its  limits 
were  gradually  narrowed  until  it  came  to  be  regarded  as  "  a 
snug  circuit,"  the  undermentioned  places  being  constituted 
circuits  in  the  following  order  of  time,  though  not  all 
branching  direct  from  Colne : — 


•  WycoUar  seems  early  to  have  been  the  scene  of  operations  on  the  part  of 
William  Darney.    In  a  doggerel  rhyme  he  states : — 

'  To  Chipping  and  to  Wycoler 
Wo  go  each  fortnight  day : 
I  wish  we  could  see  fruit  appear; 
For  that  we  still  do  pray.' 


38 


ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 


Haslingden   1814 

Clitheroe  1814 

Chorley 1819 

Settle     1830 

Padiham   1861 

Accrington    1863 

Barrowford  and  Nelson  1865 

Rawtenstall  1866 


Blackburn 1787 

Lancaster 1792 

Preston     1799 

Todmorden  1799 

Skipton     1801 

Burnley    1810 

Ulverston 1810 

Bacup    1811 

Garstang ..  1811 

In  July,  1759,  John  Wesley  paid  his  first  visit  to  Colne, 
an  event  thus  noticed  in,  his  journal : — 

Fri.  20.  We  went  on  to  Colne  (formerly  I  suppose  a  Roman  Colony) 
situated  on  the  top  of  a  high  round  hill,  at  the  edge  of  Pendle  Forest : 
I  preached  at  eleven  in  an  open  space  not  far  from  the  main  street ;  and 
I  have  seldom  seen  a  more  attentive  or  decently-behaved  congregation. 
How  is  the  scene  changed  since  the  drunken  mob  of  this  town  used  to 
be  a  terror  to  all  the  country  ! 

Two  years  later  he  paid  a  second  visit : — 

[Jvdy]  Mon.  13.  At  noon  I  preached  in  Colne,  once  inaccessible  to 
the  Gospel,  but  now  the  yard  I  was  in  would  not  contain  the  people. 
I  believe  I  might  have  preached  at  the  Cross  without  the  least  in- 
terruption. 

His  third  visit  is  thus  noticed  : — 

[1766]  Ttics.  29.  I  preached  at  Colne.  And  here  I  found  one 
whom  I  had  sent  for  some  years  ago.     She  lives  two  miles  from  Colne, 

and  is  of  an  unblamable  behaviour.      Her  name  is  Ann  A n.     She 

is  now  in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  her  age.  The  account  she  gives  is 
as  follows  :  "  I  cannot  now  remember  the  particulars  which  I  told  Mr. 
Grimshaw  from  time  to  time,  but  I  well  remember  that  from  the  time 
I  was  about  four  years  old,  after  I  was  in  bed,  I  used  to  see  several 
persons  walking  up  and  down  the  room.  They  all  used  to  come  very 
near  the  bed,  and  look  upon  me,  but  say  nothing.  Some  of  them 
looked  very  sad,  and  some  very  cheerful  ;  some  seemed  pleased,  others 
very  angry  ;  and  these  frayed  me  sore  ;  especially  a  man  and  a  woman 
of  our  own  parish,  who  seemed  fighting,  and  died  soon  after.  None  of 
them  spake  to  me,  but  a  lad  about  sixteen,  who  a  week  before  died  of 
the  smallpox.  I  said  to  him,  '  You  are  dead  !  How  did  you  get  out 
of  the  other  place  ?'  He  said,  '  Easily  enough.'  I  said,  '  Nay,  I  think 
if  I  was  there,  I  should  not  get  out  so  easily.'  He  looked  exceedingly 
angry.  I  was  frightened,  and  began  to  pray,  and  he  vanished  away. 
If  it  was  ever  so  dark  when  any  of  them  appeared  there  was  Ught  all 
round  them.  This  continued  till  I  was  sixteen  or  seventeen  ;  but  it 
frightened  me  more  and  more  ;  and  I  was  troubled   because  people 


COLNB   AND   NEIGBBOURHOOD.  39 

talked  about  me  ;  and  many  told  me  I  was  a  witch.  This  made  me 
cry  earnestly  to  God  to  take  it  away  from  me.  In  a  week  or  two  it 
was  all  at  an  end,  and  I  have  seen  nothing  since." 

On  Sunday,  May  28,  1776,  Mr.  Wesley  was  again  at 
Colne  : — 

'  The  Church  at  Colne  is,  I  think,  at  least  twice  as  large  aa  that  at 
Haworth.  But  it  would  not  in  anywise  contain  the  congregation.  I 
preached  on,  "  I  saw  a  great  white  throne  coming  down  from  heaven." 
Deep  attention  sat  on  every  face,  and,  I  trust,  God  gave  us  His  blessing.' 

Also  on  Tuesday,  the  30th  : — 

'  In  the  evening  I  preached  in  a  kind  of  square,  at  Colne,  to  a  multitude 
of  people,  all  drinking  in  the  word.  I  scarce  ever  saw  a  congregation 
wherein  men,  women,  and  children  stood  in  such  a  posture.  And  this 
in  a  town  wherein  thirty  years  ago  no  Methodist  could  show  his  head.' 

By  the  month  of  June,  1777,  the  Methodists  had  well- 
nigh  completed  their  new  chapel  in  Colne  Lane,  and  Mr. 
Wesley  accepted  an  invitation  to  the  opening  services  to  be 
held  on  Wednesday,  the  11th  of  that  month.  The  fame  of 
the  preacher  naturally  drew  together  a  crowded  audience,  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  the  interior  of  the  chapel  was  strewn 
with  building  materials  and  the  gallery  unpewed  and  unpro- 
tected in  the  front.  Unfortunately,  a  sad  accident  marred 
the  service,  which  is  best  told  in  Wesley's  own  words  : — 

M  had  appointed  to  preach  in  the  new  preaching- house  at  Colne. 
Supposing  it  would  be  sufficiently  crowded  I  went  a  little  before  the 
time,  so  that  the  galleries  were  but  half-full  when  I  came  into  the 
pulpit.  Two  minutes  after  the  whole  left-hand  gallery  fell  at  once,  with 
a  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred  persons,  Considering  the  height 
and  weight  of  the  people  one  would  have  supposed  many  lives  would 
have  been  lost ;  but  I  did  not  hear  of  one.  Does  not  God  give  His 
angels  charge  over  them  that  fear  Him  ?  WTien  the  hurry  was  a  little 
over  I  went  into  the  adjoining  meadow  and  quietly  declared  the  whole 
counsel  of  God.' 

A  fuller  account  of  the  accident  is  given  by  Mr.  Taylor,  in 
his  Lives  of  the  Early  Methodist  Preachers.    He  says  : — 

'  We  had  with  much  difiiculty  raised  a  fine  large  chapel,  and,  being 
concluded,  Mr.  Wesley  came  to  open  it.  Being  much  crowded  both 
above  and  below,  and  the  galleries  not  being  sufficiently  strong,  just 
when  Mr.  Wesley  and  I  had  got  into  the  pulpit,  before  he  began,  all  of 
a  sudden  one  of  the  galleries  sank  down,  and  abundance  of  people  had 


40  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF  % 

legs,  arms,  and  thighs  broken.  The  confusion,  as  may  easily  be  imagined, 
was  very  great ;  and  the  cries  of  such  as  were  maimed  and  such  as  were 
frightened  were  truly  piercing.  Many  false  reports  were  spread  con- 
cerning this  awful  adventure.  Some  said  that  the  whole  chapel  was  in 
danger,  and  therefore  they  dare  not  come  into  it.  By  one  means  or 
other  the  work  got  a  dreadful  stun,  which  I  fear  it  will  not  recover 
very  soon.* 

His  Diary  also  contains  the  following  passag-e,  to  much 
the  same  effect : — 

'  Oh,  what  a  scene  ensued.  The  dismal  shrieks  of  those  whose  limbs 
were  broken  or  were  otherwise  injured,  and  the  cries  of  the  women  for 
their  children,  were  terrible.  Happily  no  lives  were  lost,  and  much 
less  damage  done  than  might  have  been  expected.  As  soon  as  the 
confusion  was  abated  Mr.  Wesley  preached  out  of  doors,  but  the 
catastrophe  prevented  many  from  hearing.' 

From  other  accounts,  it  appears,  that  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  chapel  there  lay  a  quantity  of  slightly-slacked  lime,  and 
so  anxious  were  the  people  to  hear  Mr.  Wesley  that  the 
gallery  was  crowded,  and  persons,  availing  themselves  of  its 
unfinished  state,  sat  on  the  floor  with  their  feet  hanging  over 
the  front,  and  by  crowding  together  caused  such  a  con- 
centration of  weight  that  the  beams  were  drawn  out  of  the 
newly-erected  walls  and  the  gallery  fell,  people  being  forced 
by  the  rush  into  the  lime  heap  and  well-nigh  suffocated. 

It  is  narrated  in  connection  with  this  incident,  that  a  native 
of  London,  a  tailor  by  trade,  then  resident  in  Colne,  rushed 
up  Colne  Lane,  dressed  in  ruffles,  frills,  and  other  finery  of 
the  time,  exclaiming  :  "  The  gallery's  fallen,  and  I'm  escaped," 
and  his  cries  speedily  brought  assistance  to  the  poor  sufferers. 
This  incident  induced  a  needless  alarm  in  the  persons  fre- 
quenting the  chapel  as  to  the  safety  of  the  building,  which 
it  would  seem  they  did  not  overcome  for  a  considerable  time, 
as  in  the  April  but  one  following  Mr.  Wesley  writes : 
"  Tues.  IS.  In  the  evening  I  preached  at  Colne ;  but  the 
people  were  in  such  a  panic  that  few  durst  go  into  the  left- 
hand  gallery."^ 

•  The  remembrance  of  this  mishap  (remarks  a  correspondent  of  the  Colru 
MUcellany)  may  have  been  the  means  of  increasing  the  panic  which  took 
possession  of  the  congregation  in  this  chapel  more  recently,  during  the  service 
which  was  conducted  by  Mrs.  Taft,  a  female  preacher  of  considerable  celebrity. 


,  COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  41 

In  an  unpublished  MSS.  in  the  possession  of  the  Sagar 
family,  entitled,  A  Brief  Memoir  of  t/te  late  William  Sagar, 
sen.,  merchant,  of  Southfeld,  near  Colne,  Lancashire,  compiled 
from  various  documents  by  one  of  his  Daughters,  for  the  use  of 
his  Family,  occur  passages  which  throw  much  light  on  the 
history  of  the  erection  and  fall  of  the  chapel.     The  writer 


*  It  was  during  this  year  (1776)  that  the  building  of  the  first  chapel  in 
Colne  was  commenced.  The  following  interesting  facts  connected  with 
the  history  of  this  place  of  worship  I  received  from  the  late  John  Wood, 
of  Padiham  : — 

'  When  it  was  resolved  to  erect  a  Methodist  Preaching-house  at  that 
place,  the  society  being  very  small  in  number  and  poor  in  circumstances, 
two  of  the  most  influential  and  wealthy  individuals  in  the  circuit  and 
my  father,  seeing  the  necessity  of  uniting  their  energies  in  the  work, 
which  was  then  a  mighty  undertaking,  entered  into  a  solemn  agreement 
to  stand  true  to  each  other,  and  never  desert  the  work  until  it  was 
completed.  This  resolution  was  adhered  to  until  the  walls  of  the  build- 
ing were  about  half  way  up.  Then  difficulties  from  the  scarcity  of 
money  began  to  crowd  fast  upon  them.  My  father  had  been  one  of  his 
regular  journies  through  Scotland,  and  having  to  return  by  Colne  on 
his  way  home  he  stopped — no  doubt  with  anxious  solicitude — to  enquire 
after  the  progress  of  the  chapel.  He  soon  learnt  the  sad  tidings  that 
all  was  at  a  standstill,  that  his  two  friends  had  treacherously  broken 
their  vows,  had  totally  abandoned  the  work,  and  left  him  alone  to  bear 
the  burthen.  He  was  soon  painfully  convinced  of  this  by  the  im- 
portunity of  workpeople  asking  him  for  their  wages,  which  he  was 
unable  to  pay.  It  must  here  be  told  that  my  father,  not  being  in 
partnership  at  that  time  with  my  grandfather  (who  was  then  inimical 
to  Methodism),  had  no  command  of  money.  Under  these  restricted  and 
dependent  circumstances  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  meet  the  demands 
of  the  builders.  He  left  the  town  much  distressed  and  perplexed,  not 
knowing  what  to  do.  He  could  see  no  way  of  deliverance — every  human 
source  seemed  to  fail.  In  this  state  of  despondency  and  grief  he 
mounted  the  hill  homeward.      When  he   had  got  to  the  top  of  the 

and  a  native  of  this  neighbourhood,  when  a  slight  crash  was  heard,  and  Instantly 
an  alarm  was  raised  and  a  simultaneous  rush  was  made  to  the  door.  Some  of  the 
terrified  assembled  leapt  from  the  tipper  windows  of  the  chapel,  but  happily  on 
that  occasion  no  serious  mischief  was  done,  though  the  crush  in  the  crowd  was 
tremendous,  and  it  was  fortunate  that  no  lives  were  lost.  After  the  excitement 
was  allayed,  it  was  found  that  the  also-m  had  been  caused  by  the  breaking  of  a 
form  upon  which  a  person  was  sitting  down,  that  there  had  been  no  danger,  and 
that  could  the  people  have  overcome  their  fears  the  service  would  h  ive  been 
continued  without  interruption.  Many  articles  of  clothuig,  Ac,  were  lost  by  the 
wearers,  and  a  promiscuous  heap  of  hats,  caps,  bonnets,  ahoes,  aprons,  handker- 
chiefs, &c.,  were  put  into  a  large  cask  in  front  of  the  chapel,  that  those  who  had 
lost  such  articles  might  select  and  reclaim  them. 


42  ANNALS    AND    STORIES    OF 

Lanshaws  he  turned  his  horse  round  and  looked  at  the  chapel,  which 
stood  over  the  valley  opposite,  until  his  distress  was  almost  insupport- 
able. His  soul  was  in  an  agony.  Instantly  it  was  suggested  to  his  mind, 
Pray  !  He  alighted,  and  knelt  on  the  ground  with  his  face  towards  the 
temple  of  his  God,  and  cried  for  help.  "  And,"  said  he,  "  If  ever  I  prayed 
in  my  Ufe  it  was  at  that  time."  He  did  not  pray  in  vain.  The  Lord  heard 
and  answered.  He  arose  from  his  knees  disburthened  of  his  load,  and 
went  home  with  a  comfortable  assurance  that  God  would  help  forward 
His  own  cause,  and  make  a  way  where  he  could  see  none. 

'  On  the  market  day  following,  at  Colne,  my  father  had  to  attend  the 
Piece  Hall,  to  buy  stuff  goods.  Soon  after  he  entered  a  man  tapped 
him  on  the  shoulder,  and  said,  "  Mr.  Sagar,  don't  you  want  some  money 
for  that  chapel  ?"  "  Yes,  I  do,"  replied  my  father.  "  I  have  a  certain 
sum,"  answered  the  man,  "  which  I  will  lend  you."  "  But,"  said  my 
father,  "I  cannot  give  you  any  security  for  it,  and  no  one  will  join  me 
in  a  bond."  "  No  matter  for  that,"  said  the  man  ;  "  your  word  is  as  good 
as  your  bond,  Mr.  Sagar.  You  shall  have  it."  Accordingly,  the  generous 
offer  was  accepted.  On  my  father  advancing  a  little  further,  a  second 
man  accosted  him  in  the  same  way,  and  before  he  left  the  Hall  a  third 
also,  offering  money  to  a  considerable  amount,  both  making  the  same 
reply  to  my  father's  first  objections — "  Your  word  is  as  good  as  your 
bond,  Mr.  Sagar.    You  shall  have  it." 

'  With  this  providential  and  seasonable  supply  the  work  was  begun 
again,  and  proceeded  with  no  particular  interruption  until  the  building 
was  ready  for  the  roof,  when  an  equinoctial  gale  of  wind  blew  down  the 
western  gable  end  into  the  area,  and  shook  the  whole  fabric.  This 
disaster  rendered  it  necessary,  after  repairing  the  injuries,  to  erect  a 
house  against  it  in  order  to  strengthen  the  whole  edifice.  Their  finances 
were  very  unequal  to  this  additional  expense,  which  consequently  much 
increased  their  debt.  And  yet  this  only  proved  a  precursor  to  a  greater 
calamity. 

'  With  laudable  zeal  and  perseverance  the  pious  few  engaged  in  the 
arduous  task  struggled  on  through  the  winter,  and  the  work  progressed 
until  the  interior  was  little  more  than  half  finished.  Mr.  Wesley  at 
that  time  proceeding  through  the  neighbouring  circuits  on  one  of  his 
regular  visitations  it  was  arranged  for  him  to  open  the  chapel.  [The 
writer  here  copies  the  extract  from  his  journal  relative  to  the  visit.] 
John  Wood  told  me  this  sad  catastrophe  was  occasioned  by  the  gallery 
timbers  being  purposely  cut  too  short  by  a  malicious  carpenter,  the 
undertaker  of  the  woodwork.^ 

'  The  reverse  of  feeling  my  dear  father  experienced  on  this  occasion  no 
language  can  describe.  When  speaking  of  it  himself,  he  said  when  he 
reached  the  top  of  the  gallery  stairs  and  saw  Mr.  Wesley  in  the  pulpit 
and  the  people  assembling  to  worship  God  in  the  house  which  had  cost 

'No  other  evidence  is  forthconainpr  in  support  of  this  startling  assertion, 
whilst  there  is  much  to  disprove  it.  Mr.  Taylor,  with  reason,  spoke  of  "  many 
false  reports. " 


COLNE   AND  KEIGHBOURHOOD.  4S 

him  so  much  toil  and  anxiety,  his  joy  was  unbomided.  From  this  height 
of  exultation  and  holy  triumph  how  deep  the  mournf  »1  fall !  But  the 
genuine  courage  of  the  Christian,  by  the  sustaining  power  of  grace,  was 
manifested  :  "  Perplexed,  but  not  in  despair, "  "  Cast  down,  but  not 
destroyed." 

'  Fresh  difficulties  now  multiplied  on  every  hand.  Altfcough  ho  lives^ 
were  lost  many  were  seriously  injured,  and  several  individuals  had 
their  limbs  fractured ;  the  latter  were  poor  people,  a  great  distance 
from  home.  The  expenses  arising  from  the  Eoaintenanee  and  medical 
attendance  upon  these  persons,  during  their  necessary  stay  at  Colne,. 
proved  a  heavy  addition  to  the  debts  incurred  by  this  calamitous  affair. 
Mr.  Wesley,  considering  it  a  peculiarly  distrcaeing  case,  appointed  Mr, 
Mather  the  following  year  to  the  circuit,  with  permission  to  beg  for 
it  in  any  part  of  the  kingdom  he  chose.  This  supply,  no  doubt,  proved 
a  welcome  and  timely  relief.  And  yet,  after  all  the  help  they  could  get,, 
the  trustees  had  a  heavy  burthen  to  bear,  and  continued  discouragement- 
to  meet  with.     Amongst  these  was  the  lost  co^nfideiice  of  the  public' 

But  to  return  to  Mr.  Wesley.  His  experience  of  Colne 
did  not  end  with  the  unfortunate  chapel  opening.  From 
time  to  time  he  paid  flying  visits  to  the  town.  In  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Sagar,  dated  Bristol,  March  12th,  1780,  and  signed,. 
*'  Your  affectionate  brother,  J.  Wesley,"  after  mentioning 
his  numerous  engagements  in  Ireland  and  elsewhere,  Mr. 
Wesley  remarks  :  "  I  do  not  think  I  shall  have  time  to  visit 
our  friends  at  Coin,  which  would  give  me  a  particular 
satisfaction."  He  came,  however,  and  thus  records  his 
visit : — 

[1780].  'April,  Sunday  30.  We  had  a  lovely  congregation  at  Colne, 
but  a  much  larger  at  one  and  at  five.  Many  of  them  came  ten  or  twelve 
miles  ;  but  I  believe  not  in  vain.  God  gave  them  a  good  reward  for 
their  labours.' 

Concerning  two  other  visits  paid  on  Wednesday,  14th 
July,  1784,  and  Tuesday,  18th  April,  1786,  he  makes  no 
comment. 

When,  in  the  year  1809,  William  Sagar,  of  Southfield,  was 
summoned  to  his  rest,  at  the  age  of  58,  Wesleyan  Methodism 
lost  a  friend,  whose  loss  it  was  difficult,  almost  impossible,  to 
replace.  His  had  been  an  eventful  life.  Born  at  Southfield,  in 
the  year  1751,  the  son  of  a  cloth  merchant  who,  by  industry 
and  prudence,  had  amassed  a  considerable  fortune,  he  passed 
his  boyhood  in  a  careless,  though  respectable,  mode  of  life. 
His  father  was  extravagantly  fond  of  the  pleasures  of  the 


44  AKNALS   AND    STORIES   OP 

chase ;  and  when  his  son  grew  up,  his  most  earnest  desire 
was  to  see  that  son  first  in  the  field.  For  a  time,  with  an 
ardour  hardly  to  be  surpassed,  the  two  hunted  all  day,  and 
then,  to  redeem  lost  time,  worked  hard  all  night.  When  he 
began  to  think  seriously  of  the  future,  and  imbibed  strong 
religious  principles,  which  he  did  not  attempt  to  conceal,  his 
father  at  first  contented  himself  with  expressing  his  disap- 
probation, but  when  at  length  he  openly  avowed  himself  a 
Methodist,  oftentimes  he  returned  home  only  to  find  a  locked 
door,  and  had  to  obtain  a  night's  lodging  elsewhere.  Though 
his  father's  heart  was  for  a  time  steeled  against  him,  he  con- 
tinued to  enjoy  the  affection  of  his  mother.  At  length  a 
great  cause  of  sorrow  was  removed.  His  father,  before  his 
death,  changed  his  demeanour  towards  him,  and  became  so 
far  reconciled  to  his  son's  connection  with  the  Methodists  as 
to  receive  Mr.  Taylor,  one  of  their  preachers,  into  his  house 
at  Southfield.  William  Sagar  was  a  shrewd  man  of  business, 
and  living  a  consistent  life,  died  a  happy  death.  His  rules 
for  spending  each  week  day  of  his  life  are  worthy  of  being 
recorded : — 

'  Rise  at  five,  if  health  permit.  Spend  two  hours  in  meditation  and 
prayer.  Call  the  family  together  at  seven  in  winter.  After  prayer, 
spend  until  eight  in  going  through  tenter-crofts  and  workshops.  Break- 
fast at  eight.  From  that  time  till  noon  in  some  useful  employment, 
but  observe  to  live  in  the  spirit  of  prayer  and  watchfulness  ;  and  beware 
of  getting  my  mind  damped  with  earthly  things.  Spend  three  quarters 
of  an  hour  at  noon  in  reading  and  prayer.  From  one  till  five  in  some 
useful  employment.  Then,  if  business  permit,  spend  till  seven  in 
visiting  the  sick,  follomng  the  backsliders,  speaking  a  word  of  comfort 
to  the  mourners.     From  seven  to  nine  retire.     Then  bed.' 

His  daughter  relates  an  amusing  instance  of  his  wisdom  : 
"Being  fully  aware  of  the  mischievous  tendency  of  the 
*  slanderous '  publications  then  widely  spread  throughout 
the  connexion,  he  prudently  collected  every  pamphlet  he  met 
with,  and  safely  concealed  them  until  they  became  harmless, 
and  thereby  prevented  their  circulation  in  the  circuit,  which 
probably  kept  the  demon  of  discord  from  amongst  them." 
Mr.  Sagar  was  lavish  in  his  hospitality  to  his  friends,  and 
one  of  the  latest  entries  in  his  diary,  dated  June  23rd,  1808, 
records  that  "  the  quarterly  meeting  for  this  circuit  was  this 


OOLNB  AND   NBIOHBOURHOOD.  45 

day  held  at  Southfield.  The  local  preachers,  stewards,  and 
leaders  who  dined  here  were  upwards  of  thirty.  Was  much 
gratified  in  being  honoured  with  so  respectable  a  company. 
The  greatest  unity  subsisted  among  us  while  transacting  our 
temporal  concerns."  "Take  me,  take  me,"  were  his  last 
words,  uttered  shortly  before  his  death,  "  and  then,"  says  his 
biographer,  "  he  quietly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus." 

The  chapel  in  Colue  Lane  proving  insufficient,  as  time 
went  on,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  largely  increasing 
number  of  worshippers,  the  necessity  of  a  new  chapel 
became  apparent.  The  idea  was  first  mooted  at  the  quarterly 
meeting  held  at  Southfield,  June  30,  1814,  and  a  subscrip- 
tion list  was  opened.  An  eligible  plot  of  land  in  West 
Parade,  having  a  frontage  to  the  street,  and  containing 
(inclusive  of  moiety  of  streets)  2,560  yards,  was  shortly 
afterwards  purchased  from  Lord  Derby,  for  the  sum  of  .£200. 
This  proved  a  most  desirable  purchase,  inasmuch  as  the 
trustees,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  years,  were  offered,  but 
declined,  a  sum  of  five  shillings  per  yard  for  the  entire  plot. 
For  some  months  after  the  purchase  the  chapel  scheme 
seemed  in  abeyance,  but  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  then 
chapel,  December  28th,  1815,  at  which  six  ministers — some 
of  them  from  a  considerable  distance — were  present,  it  was 
unanimously  resolved  :  "  (1)  That,  notwithstanding  the  objec- 
tions raised,  the  plot  of  land  already  purchased  appears  to  be 
the  most  eligible  situation  in  Colne ;  (2)  That  the  projected 
new  chapel  be  18  yards  by  22  yards  long  in  the  clear,  which 
it  is  presumed  will  afford  accommodation  for  1,200  people  to 
sit  comfortably ;  (3)  That  this  meeting  be  adjourned  to 
Friday,  January  12th,  1816,"  &c.  Notwithstanding  that  the 
purchase  deed  had  been  signed  on  July  10th,  1815,  plans 
and  specifications  prepared,  and  the  permission  of  the 
counexional  authorities  obtained,  the  scheme  made  but 
little  progress.  Death  was  busy  amongst  its  most  ardent 
promoters,  for  scarcely  had  Mr.  Vasey,  the  superintendent 
minister,  been  called  away,  than  Richard  Sagar,  of  Southfield, 
to  whom  Wesleyan  Methodism  owed  much,  passed  into 
the  unseen  land.  It,  however,  received  new  life  when 
Mr.  Pickering  was  appointed  superintendent.     At  a  meeting 


46  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

of  the  surviving  trustees,  held  under  his  presidency  at  South- 
field,  on  Thursday,  October  9th,  1823,  it  was  unanimously 
resolved  (inter  alia)  : — 

*  1,  It  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  this  meeting  that  a  new  chapel  is 
necessary  in  Colne. 

2.  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  principal  part  of  the  meeting  that   the 

money  can  be  raised — suppose  by  subscription  aud  opening, 
£100  ;  and  by  laying  out  £2,600  there  appears  no  doubt  but  the 
chapel  would  bear  the  difference  [interest]. 

3.  It  is   agreed  that  the  chapel  be  built  on  the  ground  already 

purchased  for  the  purpose,  situate  at  the  west  end  of  the  town. 

4.  It  is  decidedly  tlie  determination   of  this  meeting  that  there  shall 

be  no  schoolroom  under  the  intended  new  chapel,  but  that  the 
old  chapel  be  completed  for  schoolrooms, 

5.  That  a  new    trust-deed  be  made  for  the  old  chapel,    and  that 

seven  additional  trustees  be  appointed  and  put  in  with  those  yet 
remaining  in  the  former  deed.' 

As  may  be  imagined,  there  was  some  discussion  and 
difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  style  of  architecture,  and  other 
details,  of  the  proposed  building.  The  original  plan  shows  a 
portico  to  the  chapel,  in  the  Corinthian  style  of  architecture, 
and  the  ministers'  houses  appear  in  line  therewith.  This 
plan,  however,  mainly  owing  to  the  representations  of  Mr. 
Pickering,  underwent  considerable  modification.  That  gentle- 
man urged,  that  the  largest  possible  accommodation  the  site 
could  afford  must  be  sought,  and  that  this  could  best  be 
obtained  by  substituting  for  the  ornate  portico  a  plain  front- 
age ;  moreover,  that  the  houses  would  be  more  private  and 
quiet  if  placed  in  the  position  they  now  occupy.  His  views 
were  ultimately  adopted.  All  difficulties  being  at  length 
removed,  the  foundation  stone  of  the  new  chapel  was  laid, 
"  In  the  name  of  the  Blessed  and  Glorious  Trinity,"  by  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Stanley,  of  Burnley,  on  Good  Friday  afternoon, 
April  1,  1824;  and  standing  on  the  newly-laid  stone  the 
Rev.  Geo.  Mainwaring,  of  Sheffield,  delivered  an  address. 
In  spite  of  the  inclement  weather — for  the  day  was  bitterly 
cold,  and  snow  covered  the  ground — a  large  assemblage  of 
people  witnessed  the  proceedings.  The  customary  bottle — 
containing  in  this  case  coins  of  the  realm,  circuit  plan,  and  a 


COLNE   AND   NEIOHBOURHOOD.  47 

copy  of  the  Leeds  Mercury,  (fee,  &c. — was  deposited  by  Mr. 
Pickering  in  a  cavity  of  the  stone,  and  over  it  was  placed  a 
copper  plate  bearing  the  following  inscription  : — 

'  The  foundation  stone  of  this  chapel,  built  for  the  use  of  the  Wesleyan 
Methodists,  was  laid  April  Ist,  1824.  Nearly  £900  was  subscribed 
before  the  building  was  begun.  Principal  subscribers  :  Richard  Sagar, 
Esq.,  Southfield,  £210  ;  William  Sagar,  Esq.,  £105  ;  Thomas  Wilkinson, 
grocer,  Colne,  £105.  Resident  preachers  at  the  time  :  The  Rev.  Robert 
Pickering  and  the  Rev.  Thomas  Catterick.  "  Save,  Lord  :  let  the  king 
hear  us  when  we  calL"     (Psalm  xx.,  9.)' 

The  theft  which  has  been  successful  in  other  places,  was 
attempted  here.  During  the  night,  some  unknown  person 
or  persons  tried  to  steal  the  bottle  and  its  contents,  happily 
without  success,  as  a  yard  of  walling  and  a  stone  of  some 
6cwt.  had  soon  after  the  ceremony  been  placed  on  the 
foundation  stone.  Not  the  slightest  mishap  occurred  in  the 
progress  of  the  work  of  erection  ;  and  a  year  after  the 
laying  of  the  foundation  stone,  the  chapel  was  ready  for 
occupation.  In  the  Methodist  Magazine  for  1825  is  con- 
tained the  following  account  of  the  opening  services  : — 

'  On  Good  Friday,  and  on  Easter  Sunday,  a  large  and  beautiful  new 
chapel  was  opened  at  Colne.  The  Rev.  Robert  Newton,  D.D.,  president 
of  the  Conference,  and  the  Rev.  Robert  Wood,  preached  on  the  former 
day,  and  the  Revds.  Valentine  Ward,  J.  Rigg,  and  W.  Stoner,  on  the 
latter.  The  services  were  deeply  impressive,  and  accompanied  by  a 
powerful  unction  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  emotions  excited  in  the 
minds  of  hundreds  in  the  vast  assemblies  which  attended  were  visible 
in  their  whole  behaviour  ;  and  there  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  an 
impulse  was  given  to  the  work  of  God  of  no  transient  kind.  The 
chapel,  including  the  orchestra,  is  76  feet  in  length  by  54,  with  three 
vestries.  Attached  to  it,  as  wings,  are  two  handsome  and  comfortable 
dwelling-houses  for  the  preachers,  with  gardens,  and  near  1,000  square 
yards  of  burying  grouni  The  cost  of  the  whole,  including  purchase  of 
the  land,  will  be  considerably  under  £3,000.  Towards  this  sum,  upwards 
of  £900  were  previously  subscribed,  and  the  collections  at  the  opening 
services  amounted  to  £210.     The  greater  part  of  the  pews  are  let.' 

PRINCIPAL   SUBSCRIBERS.  ^  , 

£  s.  d. 
Richard  Sagar,  Esq.,  Southfield  (not  £210  as 
promised,  but  owing  to  the  non-adherence 

to  the  original  plan)  105  0  0 

William  Sagar,  Esq.,  Southfield  105  0  0 

Lister  Sagar,  Esq.,  Southfield 50  0  0 


48  ANNALS   AND    STORIES   OP 

jE      8.  d. 

Mrs.  Sagar 21     0  0 

Mrs.  Tindale 21     0  0 

Mr.  Thos.  Wilkinson,  Colne 105     0  0 

„    John  Halstead    3110  0 

„    John  Halstead,  jun 31  10  0 

„    William  Corlass,  Reedyford 3110  0 

„    John  Whittaker,  Colne 2110  0 

„    William  Dixon         „     2110  0 

„    Henry  Myers            „     10  10  0 

„    Hartley  Laycock      „     10  10  0 

Miss  Lister,  Colne 10  10  0 

Mr.  John  Manknolls,  Nun  Clough 10  10  0 

„    William  Jackson,  Colne 10  10  0 

„    Thomas  Riding,        „     6     6  0 

„    Jonas  Lee,  Clare  Green 5     5  0 

„    James  AyrtoD,  Colne 5     5  0 

„    William  Richmond,  Colne    6     5  0 

&c.,  &C. 

Though  the  sum  raised  by  means  of  these  subscriptions 
and  the  opening  services  was  considerable,  yet,  as  the  entire 
cost  of  the  works  had  amounted  to  .£2,729  16s.  8d.,  much 
evidently  remained  to  be  done.  A  pleasing  testimonial 
followed  the  completion  of  the  new  chapel;  for  when,  in  1825, 
Mr.  Pickering  left  the  circuit  to  labour  elsewhere,  it  was  felt 
there  ought  to  be  some  recognition  of  his  services.  Accord- 
ingly, in  the  month  of  August,  Mr.  William  Corlass,  in  the 
name  of  the  trustees,  presented  the  departing  minister  with 
a  silver  tea-pot  and  cream-jug,  thus  inscribed  : — 

'  Presented  to  the  Rev.  Robert  Pickering,  by  the  trustees,  as  a  token 
of  their  esteem  and  gratitude  for  his  important  services  in  the  erection 
of  the  Weslevan  Chapel  and  Preachers'  Houses,  Colne,  Lancashire, 
August  22,  1825.' 

And  on  the  reverse  side  : — 

'  The  Lord,  that  made  Heaven  and  Earth,  bless  thee  out  of  Zion.' 

Mr.  Pickering  left  the  town  shortly  after  the  presentation, 
but  again  visited  it  in  1827,  to  preach  at  the  opening  of  a 
new  organ,  erected  at  a  cost  of  £105. 

From  this  date,  up  to  the  year  1852,  there  is  little  to 
record  in  connection  with  Wesleyan  Methodism  in  Colne. 
During  these  years  the  trust  was  heavily  burthened  with 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  JSf 

debt,  amounting  in  that  year  to  no  less  a  sum  than 
.£2,400.^  A  committee  was,  on  October  22nd,  appointed 
for  its  reduction.  A  subscription  list  was  opened,  and  it 
was  shortly  announced  that  a  supplemental  grant  of  £250 
would  be  made  from  the  Connexional  Chapel  Relief  Fund, 
provided  the  trustees  raised  the  sum  of  £500.  The  condi- 
tions were  complied  with,  and  the  grant  obtained,  the 
result  being,  that  by  the  end  of  July,  1857,  the  debt  was 
liquified  to  the  extent  of  £920  17s.  9d.  The  Jubilee  of 
1875  was  deemed  a  fitting  opportunity  of  making  a  still 
more  determined  effort,  and  at  length  the  trustees  had  the 
pleasure  of  announcing  that  but  £500  remained  of  the  once 
formidable  debt.  In  1872  a  new  organ  was  erected  at  a  cost 
of  about  £700. 

A  brief  reference  has  been  made  to  the  schools  in  George 
Street.  Owing  to  the  -abandonment  of  the  original  plan  of 
erecting  schools  at  the  same  time  as  the  chapel,  the  Sunday 
school  was  for  a  long  series  of  years  carried  on  in  the  old 
chapel  in  Colne  Lane.  But,  as  the  population  of  the  town 
increased,  the  heed  of  a  more  commodious  building,  and  one 
nearer  the  present  chapel,  became  apparent.  The  origin  of 
the  movement  was  largely,  if  not  entirely,  due  to  the  Sunday 
school  teachers  and  their  friends.  On  the  occasion  of  the 
marriage  of  Miss  Halstead,  of  Colne,  with  Mr.  James  Haworth, 
of  Bacup,  the  bride  and  bridegroom  promised,  as  their  con- 
tribution, the  sum  of  £200.  A  building  committee  was 
formed,  November  23rd,  1866,  and  in  the  following  spring 
a  plot  of  land,  containing  769  square  yards,  and  in  close 
proximity  to  the  chapel,  was  purchased  from  Mr.  George 
Bottomley,  for  the  sum  of  £211  9s.  6d.  It  was  not,  however, 
until  the  early  part  of  1868  that  building  operations  were 
commenced,  the  intervening  year  being  spent  by  Mr.  Wil- 
kinson,' and  other  friends  of  the  movement,  in  collecting 
iiunds.  On  Good  Friday,  April  10th,  1868,  Mr.  Asquith,  of 
East  Parade,  laid  the  foundation  stone  of  the  new  buildings, 
in  the  presence  of   a  large   number   of   spectators.      Mr. 

•  This  sum  included  the  debt  on  the  old  chapel. 

»  To  whom  I  am  indebted  for  much  information  on  the  subject  of  Wesleyau 
Methodism  in  Colne  and  neighbourhood.  . 
D 


60  ANNAL8   AND    STORIES   OP 

Thomas  Wiseman,  senior  circuit  steward,  placed  the  cus- 
tomary bottle,  the  contents  of  which  had  been  selected  by 
Mr.  Wilkinson,  in  a  cavity  beneath  the  stone  ;  and  Mr.  John 
C allow,  junior  steward,  presented,  in  the  name  of  the 
trustees,  a  trowel  and  mallet  to  Mr.  Asquith.  In  June, 
1869,  the  premises  were  opened  for  Sunday  school  purposes — 
the  first  address  in  the  new  building,  and  the  valedictory 
address  in  the  old  one,  being  respectively  delivered  by  Mr. 
John  Callow  and  Mr.  William  Holmes.  On  January  9th, 
1871,  a  Government  elementary  school  was  opened  under 
the  head  mastership  of  Mr.  John  Button.  In  May  of  that 
year,  a  bazaar,  having  as  its  object  the  reduction  of  the  debt 
on  the  new  school  premises,  was  opened  by  G.  J.  Armstrong, 
Esq.,  the  proceeds  of  which,  including  a  sum  equivalent  to 
10  per  cent  on  the  entire  amount  raised,  contributed  by  that 
gentleman,  amounted  to  £1,030.  The  building  is  now  free 
from  debt.  Mr.  Thomas  Baldwin  is  the  present  master, 
with  a  stafi"  of  13  male  and  female  teachers,  and  770  scholars 
ou  the  books. 

PRINCIPAL   SUBSCRIBERS   TO    THE    BUILDING   FUND. 

£  s.  d. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Haworth,  Bacup 200  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Catlow  and  family,  Greenfield  100  0  0 

Mr.  Henry  Pickles,  Waterside 60  0  0 

Mrs.  Walker,  Ash  Mount 60  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Asquith,  East  Parade    50  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pilling,  Albert  Road 40  0  0 

Messrs.  Thomber  and  Wiseman 40  0  0 

Mr.  Noah  Smith    3110  0 

Mr.  John  Hey  and  family,  Colne  Lane  25  0  0 

Mr.  Threlfall,  Market  Street    25  0  0 

Messrs.  T.  and  N.  England  20  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilkinson,  Church  Gates 20  0  0 

Mr.  Richard  Sagar,  Heyroyd    10  0  0 

Mr.  Thomas  Mason 10  0  0 

Mr.  James  Preston,  Primet  Bridge 10  0  o 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Stansfield,  The  Cemetery    10  0  0 

Mr.  John  Holgate,  Market  Street    10  0  0 

Mr.  William  Holmes,  Chapel  Fold 10  0  0 

Mr.  Wildman,  Craven  Bank 10  0  0 

Miss  Smith,  Cloth  HaU  Yard  10  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Hudson    10  0  0 

Mrs.  Shaw,  Wolverhampton    10  0  0 


COLNB  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  61 

£  P.  d. 

A  Friend,  Colne 10  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Deaa 7  0  0 

Mr.  Samuel  Shackleton    6  0  0 

Mr.  Robert  Blakey    5  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Stansfield   5  0  0 

Miss  Jane  Briggs  5  0  0 

Mr.  Daniel  Pilling 5  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill 5  0  0 

MissHUl 5  0  0 

Mr.  Henry  Greenwood 5  0  0 

Mr.  Samuel  Greenwood    5  0  0 

Mrs.  Parkinson  and  family 5  0  0 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  Cook  5  0  0 

Mr.  H.  F.  Hartley.... 6  0  0 

Mrs.  Smith 5  0  0 

A  Friend 5  0  0 

Mrs.  Norton,  Market  Street 5  0  0 

Any  sketch  of  Wesleyan  Methodism  in  this  neighbour- 
hood would  be  imperfect  without  a  passing  reference  to 
William  Dawson,  perhaps  better  known  as  "  BiUy  Dawson^ 
the  Yorkshire  Preacher."  At  Cohie  he  often  preached ;  at 
Colne  he  died.  Bom  at  Garforth,  in  Yorkshire,  on  the  30th 
of  March,  1773,  he  became,  perhaps,  the  most  popular /ay 
preacher  Methodism  ever  had.  His  pulpit  ministrations 
excited  as  much  interest  and  attention  as  those  of  the 
most  talented  preachers  of  the  day.  At  Colne  he  was 
always  warmly  received.  A  characteristic  story  is  related 
concerning  a  sermon  he  preached  to  a  crowded  congregation 
in  the  new  chapel  here.  The  occasion  was  one  which  he 
was  sure  to  seize,  for  it  was  a  period  of  great  commercial 
distress,  and  the  spirits  of  his  hearers  were  depressed. 
He  commenced  the  service  by  saying,  as  he  opened 
the  hymn  book.  "  When  I  am  engaged  in  preaching 
occasional  sermons  I  am  often  presented  with  a  number 
of  notes  containing  different  announcements.  After  reading 
them,  I  put  them  into  my  pocket,  where  they  sometimes 
inconveniently  accumulate,  till  I  reach  home.  Going 
into  the  fields,  I  sometimes  take  them  out  and  look  to  see 
whether  any  of  them  are  worth  preserving.  I  read  one ; 
not  being  worth  anything  I  tear  it  into  fragments — up  comes 
a  breeze,  and  away  the   shreds  fly — I   look  at  a  second, 


62  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

a  third,  a  fourth,  and  a  fifth,  tear  them,  and  scatter  them 
in  the  same  way."  Whilst  he  was  narrating  this  little  inci- 
dent, imitating  himself  by  putting  his  hand  into  his  waist- 
coat pocket,  as  if  reading,  tearing,  and  scattering— the  con- 
gregation meanwhile  on  their  feet  waiting  for  the  hymn,  and 
wondering  what  the  relation  might  mean — -with  the  shreds  of 
paper  drifting  like  flakes  of  snow  in  the  imagination  across 
the  field,  he  suddenly  adverted  to  the  depressed  state  of  the 
Colne  trade,  directed  his  hearers  to  an  over-ruling  Providence, 
exhorted  them  to  have  confidence  in  God,  and  gliding  into 
the  hymn,  announced,  with  the  number  and  page — 

*  Give  to  the  vfinda  thy  fears  ; 

Hope  and  be  .undismayed  ; 
God  hears  tby  sighs  and  counts  thy  tears  ; 

God  shall  lift  up  thy  head. 
Through  waves,  and  clouds,  and  storms, 

He  gently  clears  thy  way  ; 
Wait  thou  His  time  ;  so  shall  the  night 

Soon  end  in  joyous  day.' 

The  effect  was,  we  are  told,  overpowering,  and  the  sermon 
being  of  an  encouraging  nature,  the  whole  had  such  a  per- 
manently soothing  effect  on  the  minds  of  his  hearers  as  to 
cause  many  of  them  to  "  give  to  the  winds  their  fears." 
Many  interesting  anecdotes  are  told  as  to  his  preaching,  but 
one  will  suffice  to  show  his  wonderful  power  over  his  audience. 
He  was  once  preaching  on  the  familiar  subject  of  the  Prodigal 
Son,  and  in  the  course  of  the  sermon  he  suddenly  paused, 
looked  at  the  door,  and  shouted  out — after  he  had  depicted 
him  in  all  his  wretchedness — "  Yonder,  he  comes,  slipshod  ! 
Make  way — make  way — make  way,  there  !"  And  many  of 
the  congregation  in  the  intensity  of  their  feelings  and  the 
excitement  of  the  moment,  actually  rose  to  their  feet  and 
turned  to  the  door  to  see  who  was  entering,  only,  of  course, 
to  discover  their  illusion.  Whatever  may  be  thought  of  this 
style  of  preaching,  it  seems  to  have  suited  his  hearers,  for  we 
are  told  they  heard  him  "  gladly." 

"  Mary,  I  shall  rest  when  I  die,"  he  had  said  to  his  sister, 
"when  urged  by  her  to  take  more  rest,  and  though  it  was 
apparent  to  many  that  his  health  was  fast  failing,  he  resolved, 
to  preach   at   Colne   on  Sunday,  the  4th  of  July,  1841. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  53 

Accordingly,  he  left  Leeds  on  the  previous  day  with  his 
friend  Mr.  Phillips,  and  came  on  to  Colne,  probably  little 
thinking  that  the  end  was  so  near.  But  the  summons  had 
gone  forth  to  one  not  unprepared  to  meet  it,  and  in  musing 
of  the  white  robes  and  the  fadeless  flowers,  the  dark  valley 
seemed  to  him  to  have  lost  its  gloom.  At  two  o'clock  on 
the  Sunday  morning  he  awoke  Mr.  Phillips,  saying,  "  Edward, 
get  UD,  I  am  very  poorly."  Every  attention  was  paid  to  the 
evidently  dying  man,  but  he  sank  fast,  though  at  times  able 
to  murmur  a  few  words  showing  that  there  was  peace  within. 
His  last  intelligible  words  were — 

'  Let  us  in  life,  in  death, 
Thy  steadfast  truth  declare.' 

Here  speech  failed  him,  and  with  those  words  of  praise  still 
trembling  on  his  lips,  William  Dawson  crossed  his  hands 
upon  his  breast,  as  occasionally  he  did  in  the  pulpit,  and, 
peacefully  and  gently  as  a  tired  child,  fell  asleep.  A  writer 
in  one  of  the  leading  provincial  papers  thus  ably  and  truly 
sums  up  his  character  :  "  He  possessed  a  strong  and  highly 
original  order  of  mind  ;  was  deeply  imbued  with  the  urgency 
of  the  Gospel  message ;  delivered  that  message  to  listening 
crowds  with  earnestness  and  power;  roused  the  slumbering 
conscience;  laid  open  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  human  heart ; 
and  with  an  energy  and  freshness  peculiar  to  himself,  he 
freely  proclaimed  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  Mr.  Dawson 
possessed  a  noble  and  generous  miud,  with  an  equally 
catholic  spirit ;  and  his  whole  character  was  as  transparent 
as  the  light,  and  warm  as  the  sun's  own  ray  ;  and  although 
not  an  educated  man  in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  term,  much 
less  refined,  yet  he  possessed,  along  with  strong  manly  sense 
and  a  vigorous  intellect,  striking  originality  and  a  rich 
power  of  conception,  which,  although  not  free  from  occasional 
eccentricity,  bespoke  the  man  of  true  genius.  He  spoke 
from  the  heart,  and  to  the  heart." 

COLNE   WESLEYAN    PREACHERS    AND    MINISTERS. 

1776.  Sam.  Bardsley,  William  Brammah. 

1777.  Alex.  Mather,  Robert  Condy. 

1778.  Alex.  Mather,  Thos.  Vaaey. 


54  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OP 

1779.  Christopher  Hopper,  William  Percival. 

1780.  C.  Hopper,  Thos.  Lougley. 

1781.  Thos.  Hanson,  Thos.  Readshaw,  Parson  Greenwood. 

1782.  T.  Hanson,  Thos.  Johnson,  David  Evans. 

1783.  John  Easton,  Rob.  Costerdine,  Thos.  Warwick. 

1784.  J.  Easton,  Thos.  Dixon,  Chas.  Atmore. 

1785.  C  Atmore,  Robert  Jackson,  Rob.  Heyward. 

1786.  E.  Jackson,  Sam.  Bardsley,  James  Ridall. 

1787.  James  Hall,  Sam.  Edwards. 

1788.  (Ihas.  Atmore,  James  Ridall. 

1789.  William  Collins,  William  Bramwell. 

1790.  Thos.  Longley,  Wm.  Bramwell,  Wm.  Ainsworth. 

1791.  T.  Longley,  Chas.  Tunnycliffe,  Wm.  Saunderson. 

1792.  Lancelot  Harrison,  John  Beanland,  James  Evans. 

1793.  L.  Harrison,  Chas.  Gloyne,  John  Ward. 

1794.  Joseph  Entwisle,  Rd.  Seed,  John  Atkins. 

1795.  J.  Entwisle,  Jonathan  Edmondson,  Chas.  Gloyne. 

1796.  J.  Edmondson,  John  Atkins,  C.  Gloyne. 

1797.  Timothy  Crowther,  John  Denton,  Rd.  Hardaker. 

1798.  T.  Crowther,  J.  Denton,  Thos.  Shaw. 

isno  I  Simon  Day,  John  Barrett,  John  Gill. 

1801.  John  Booth,  John  Chittle. 

1802.  J.  Booth,  Thos.  Hutton. 

1803.  T.  Hutton,  Jas.  Ridall. 

1804.  John  Kershaw,  J.  Ridall  [C.TunnychSe,  Supernumerary], 

1805.  J.  Kershaw,  Zech.  Taft. 

1806.  Geo.  Snowden,  Z.  Taft  [C.  Tunnycliffe,  Sup.] 

1807.  G.  Snowden,  Zech.  Yewdal,  Abraham  Haigh  [C.  Tunni- 

cliffe.  Sup.] 

1808.  John  Crosby,  I.  Muff,  A.  Haigh  [C.  Tunnicliffe,  Sup.] 

1809.  J.  Crosby,  I.  Muff,  Rd.  Arter. 

1810.  Stephen  Wil.'on,  Joshua  Fearnside. 

1811.  S.  Wilson,  J.  Fearnside. 

1812.  Wm.  Midgley,  Thos.  Newby. 

1814  (  ^^'  M^dg'^y-  •'^os.  Worrall. 

1815.  Thos.  Vasey,  jun.,  Daniel  Jackson,  jun. 

Jgly-  I  T.  Vasey,  jun.,  G.  Tindall. 

1818.  Maximilian  Wilson,  Daniel  Walton. 

1819.  Joseph  Brookhouse.  D.  Walton. 

1820.  J.  Brookhouse,  Wm.  Ash  [John  Barrett,  Sup.  1820-40]. 
18a.  Thos.  Gee,  W.  Ash. 

1822.  T.  Gee,  Rob.  Pickering. 

1823.  R.  Pickering,  Thos.  Catterick. 

1824.  R.  Pickering,  Thos.  Eastwood. 

1825.  Geo.  Thompson.  T.  Eastwood. 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  65 

1827   I  ^^S^  Beech,  James  Hickson. 

1828.  Hugh  Beech,  James  Hickson  [A.  Aylmer,  Sup.] 

1829.  Thomas  Preston,  Thos.  Hickson  [A.  Aylmer,  Sup.] 

1830.  Joseph  Gostick,  Thos.  Hickson. 

1831.  Joseph  Gostick,  Thos.  Hickson,  Thos.  Skelton. 

,„oo'  [  John  Jones,  John  Bumstead. 

1834.  John  Bumstead,  Thomas  Slugg, 

1835.  Thomas  Slugg,  Benjamin  Frankland. 

1836.  Benjamin  Frankland,  John  Raby. 

1837.  John  Raby,  Samuel  Merrill. 

1838.  William  Levell,  Samuel  Merrill. 

1839  )      .  . 

1840  (  Wil^^^  Levell,  Joseph  Mortimer. 

184L  ) 

1842.  >  James  Wilson,  WiUiam  Winterbum  [Wm.  M'Kitrick,  Sup.] 

1843.  ) 

1845  1  ^"^^^™  Sleigh,  William  Exley. 

1846.  Peter  Prescott,  sen.,  William  Exley. 

1847.  Peter  Prescott,  sen.,  Charles  Currelley. 

184Q  I  Thomas  Turner,  John  G.  Cox. 

1850. 

1851.  '>  Benjamin  Gartside,  John  Eaton. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854.  \  Jonathan  Barrawclough,  Alfred  Lockyer. 

1855. 

1856. 

1857.  \  William  Ash,  Richard  Stepney. 

1858. 

1859. 

1860.  ^  Samuel  Cooke,  William  Parkinson. 

1861. 

1862.  John  Imisson,  Jonathan  Dent,  Wm.  C.  Williams. 

1863.  John  Imisson,  Jonathan  Dent,  J.  M.  Browne. 

1864.  James  Cooke,  Jonathan  Dent,  J.  M.  Browne. 

1865.  William  Chambers,  Frederick  Haines. 

1866.  Wilham  Chambers,  Albert  J.    Popham  [Isaac   Keeling, 

Supernumerary]. 

1867.  )  Joseph  R.  Cleminson,  Andrew  I.  Wharton  [Isaac  Keeling, 

1868.  (      Supernumerary]. 

1869.  ) 

1870.  >  William  Watson,  John  Clements. 

1871.  ) 

1872  ) 

1873  1  ^^^^^^^  Moulton,  Matthew  C.  Pennington. 


56  ANNALS   AND  STORIES   OF 

■.Jjf-'  [  Sampson  Cocks,  Nelson  C.  Hesk. 

1876.  Sampson  Cocks,  Josiah  Ooodacre. 

1877.  Josiah  Goodacre,  William  B.  Lowther. 

1878.  Josiah  Goodacre,  William  Brookes. 

Of  the  above-mentioned  ministers,  Mr,  Entwisle  twice 
occupied  the  office  of  President  of  the  Wesleyan  Conference, 
and  Messrs.  Alexander  Mather,  Charles  Atmore,  and  Jonathan 
Edmondson,  once.  Mr.  Mather  was  the  first  married  minister 
wlio  entered  the  connexion,  and  to  whom  any  regular  allow- 
ance was  made  for  a  wife.  Asked  what  sum  would  be 
sufficient  for  her  maintenance,  he  modestly  replied,  "  Four 
shillings  a  week."  The  stewards  at  first  demurred,  but 
finally  allowed  this  sum.  The  grant  was  made  a  precedent, 
and  thus  originated  the  practice  of  making  a  settlement  on 
preachers*  wives.  Mr.  Mather,  when  at  the  head  of  this 
circuit,  was  most  active  in  collecting  money  for  the  comple- 
tion of  the  chapel  after  the  accident,  and  the  relief  of  the 
injured,  and  in  other  respects  proved  a  diligent  and  faithful 
minister.  Entering  the  ministry  in  1757,  he  was  in  1792 
elected  President,  and  died  at  York  in  1800,  at  a  good  old 
age.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Vasey,  jun.,  is  the  only  minister  who 
has  died  in  this  circuit.  His  death  resulted  from  a  fever  con- 
tracted whilst  on  a  visit  to  York.  The  Wesleyans  having  at 
this  time  (1818)  no  burial-ground  in  Colne,  a  Churchman 
who  knew  and  respected  the  deceased,  offered  interment  of 
tlie  remains  in  his  family  vault  in  the  Parish  Church.  The 
offer  was  accepted,  but  the  authorities  of  the  church  inter- 
posing on  sanitary  grounds  the  remains  were  interred  in  the 
burial-ground  attached  to  the  Wesleyan  Chapel  in  Trawden. 
The  funeral  was  one  of  the  largest  ever  witnessed  in  the 
neighbourhood,  Mr.  Vasey  having,  during  the  three  years  of 
his  sojourn  here,  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all 
classes. 

Up  to  about  1807,  the  Wesleyans  regularly  attended 
divine  service,  and  partook  of  the  sacrament  at  tlxe  hands  of 
the  celebrant,  in  the  Parish  Church,  Then,  however,  they 
began  to  discontinue  the  practice,  partly  owing  to  the  open- 
ing of  their  Sunday  school,  which  necessitated  an  alteration 


COLKE  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  57 

in  the  hours  of  worship  at  the  chapel,  and  partly  owing  to 
the  unfortunate  and  growing  estrangement  between  Church- 
men and  Nonconformists. 

Many  of  the  earlier  ministers  were  in  the  habit  of  com- 
mitting their  experiences  to  paper,  in  the  form  of  diaries. 
Mr.  Hopper's  diary  contains  the  following  passages  of  local 
interest : — 

[1779]  'August  35.  I  took  my  leave  of  our  dear  friends  at  Bradforth, 
and  set  out  with  my  wife  for  Colne.  I  met  with  many  agreeable 
and  some  disagreeable  things.  The  grand  Enemy  had  wounded  many 
who,  I  hope,  are  now  healed  again.  We  had  a  severe  winter,  many 
crosses  and  trials,  and  many  blessings.  The  Lord  owned  our  weak 
labours  and  gave  us  a  little  success.' 

And  then  be  adds — 

*  The  last  time  I  visited  the  classes  in  this  circuit  we  added  thirty-eight 
to  our  number,  and  twenty -three  to  the  Church  of  the  Uving  God,  who 
had  found  remission  of  sins  through  the  blood  of  our  adorable  Saviour. 
Nine  died  in  peace,  and  are  now  with  the  spirits  of  jusb  men  made  per- 
fect in  the  paradise  of  God. 

[1780]  January  27.  The  same  day  I  set  out  [from  Bacup]  with  James 
Dawson  and  John  Eamshaw  over  the  hills  to  Colne ;  well  in  body  and 
in  perfect  peace  of  mind.     Glory !    Amen ! 

[1781.  On  leaving  Colne  for  Leeds.]  Aug.  S.  I  trust  some  good  was 
done.     I  left  the  circuit  in  peace.     God  was  glorified.' 

Mr.  Entwisle  likewise  kept  a  journal,  from  the  published 
extracts  of  which  I  cull  the  following  passages  relative  to  his 
labours  here : — 

[1794]  *  Aug.  9th. — I  have  received  a  letter  to-day  which  informs  me 
that  I  am  appointed  for  Colne  circuit.  I  feel  power  to  say,  the  will  of 
the  Lord  be  done.  But  I  fear  it  will  be  exceedingly  trying  to  my  dear 
wife  at  present.  She  is  near  her  confinement ;  and  the  roads  are  bad 
and  mountainous,  so  that  I  fear  there  will  be  a  diflBculty  in  getting  her 
to  Colne  without  injury.  However,  the  Lord  is  our  God,  and  it  is  His 
work  in  which  we  are  engaged.  May  the  Lord  give  strength  according 
to  the  day.     I  trust  He  will. 

'  August  15th. — When  we  reached  Keighley  we  were  informed  that  the 
smallpox  was  very  prevalent  in  Colne,  and  Mr.  Harrison  had  left  a 
child  in  the  preacher's  house  dangerously  ill  in  that  disorder.  These 
tidings  deeply  affected  us.  I  thouglit  my  dearest  partner  could  scarcely 
have  borne  it.  We  had  with  us  our  dear  John,  about  seventeen  months 
old,  and  in  a  habit  of  body  very  unfit  for  the  smallpox.  However,  we 
committed  him  to  the  Lord,  and  left  him  at  a  friend's  house  in  Keighley, 


68  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

till  we  should  determine  what  to  do.  This  is  our  comfort — ^there  is  a 
God,  and  a  Providence.  How  true  it  is,  "  In  the  world  we  must  have 
tribulation." ' 

"  There  was,"  says  Mr.  Entwisle's  sou  and  biographer,  "  a 
striking  contrast  between  the  circuit  they  had  left,  and  that 
to  which  they  had  come.  In  Leeds  they  had  every  outward 
comfort — the  congregations  were  large,  and  the  societies  in 
a  prosperous  state  ;  in  their  new  circuit  they  were  called  to 
the  sacrifice  of  many  temporal  comforts — the  congregations 
at  Colne  and  other  places  were  small,  and  religion  was  but 
at  a  low  ebb.  My  mother  sententiously  remarks  in  her 
diary :  *  We  have  removed  from  Leeds  to  Colue — from 
Goshen  to  the  wilderness.'  In  the  evening  of  the  day  on 
which  he  arrived,  Mr.  Entwisle  preached  to  a  congregation 
of  about  thirty  persons  only."     He  remarks  : — 

'It  looked  strauge  in  a  chapel  that  will  contain  fifteen  hundred  persons. 
However,  I  found  a  degree  of  freedom  while  I  explained  and  endea- 
voured to  improve  Isaiah  xxvi.,  3.  "  0  God  revive  thy  work  in  the 
midst  of  the  years." ' 

It  was  satisfactory  to  him,  that,  ere  many  days  elapsed,  the 
congregation  had  increased  : — 

'  Sat.  23rd. — The  congregation  at  Colne  last  night  was  double  the 
number  it  was  the  week  before.  The  power  of  the  Lord  seemed  to  rest 
on  all  present,  and  my  own  soul  was  exceedingly  refreshed.  I  feel  the 
good  effects  of  it  stilL     My  heart  pants  after  the  living  God. 

[Sept.]  Sun.  21st. — A  glorious  day  indeed.  I  preached  three  times 
at  Colne  with  much  freedom.  In  the  evening  especially  my  soul  was 
brimful.     Glory  be  to  God  ! 

Mon.  29th. — Our  quarterly  meeting  at  Colne.  We  had  great  peace 
in  settling  the  temporal  business.  Our  love-feast  in  the  afternoon  wa.s 
a  blessed  time.  The  watch-night  was  a  peculiarly  refreshing  season  ; 
the  power  of  the  Lord  was  present  to  wound  sinners.  We  have  a 
prospect  of  a  glorious  revival  in  this  circuit,  and  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Colne.    May  the  Lord  hasten  it.' 

In  December,  1795,  he  writes  to  his  friend,  the  Rev.  Robert 
Lomas,  then  labouring  in  the  Huddersfield  Circuit : — 

Colne,  December,  1795. 

'  My  very  dear  Brother, — I  feel  a  strong  desire  that  we  may  do  one 

another  all  the  good  we  can.     Perhaps  a  more  frequent  correspondence 

would   contribute   to  that  desirable  end.      .      .      .      This  wlderness 

begins  to  smile.     Many  have  lately  been  brought  to  Christ.     We  hear 


COLNE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  59 

almost  daily  of  the  conversion  of  sinners.  In  the  neighbourhood  bi 
Colne  seventeen  at  least  have  experienced  the  "  knowledge  of  salvation 
by  the  remission  of  their  sins  "  since  conference.  Some  months  ago  my 
dear  wife  began  to  meet  a  number  of  girls,  which  has  been  made  very 
iiseful  already,  and  promises  much  more.  We  have  a  meeting  for  the 
lads  also.  0  my  dear  brother,  let  us  labour  to  do  good  to  the  rising 
generation.     I   am  persuaded  great  things   may  be  done  through  God's 

blessing  in  this  way — I  am,  your  affectionately, 

'J.  E.' 

Years  passed  away,  and  Mr.  Entwisle  was  again  in  this 
neighbourhood  for  the  purpose  of  performing  a  melancholy 
duty  :— 

[1809]  '  May  27th. — Unexpectedly  called  away  to  Colne  to  preach  the 
funeral  sermon  of  the  late  Mr.  Sagar.  On  my  way  to  Southfield  old 
scenes  brought  to  my  recollection  former  times.  Many  a  solemn  and 
sorrowful,  and  many  a  joyful  day  have  I  had  in  this  country.' 

Mr.  Atmore  was  an  author  of  some  repute,  and,  in  addition 
to  more  important  works,  published  a  brief  memoir  of  his 
deceased  wife  \iiee  Elizabeth  (Eliza)  Crane],  containing  a  few 
references  to  Colne.  In  a  memoir  of  Mr.  Atmore  (in  the 
Methodist  Magazine^  Vol.  68)  an  account  is  given  of  the 
revival  which  took  place  in  the  Colne  Circuit  during  the 
years  1784-5.  "At  Colne,"  states  the  writer,  "which  had 
been  proverbially  dead  for  a  number  of  years,  the  people 
flocked  to  the  house  of  prayer  in  such  numbers  that  they  were 
constrained  to  leave  the  chapel  and  preach  in  the  fields." 
Mr.  Atmore  was  iindoubtedly  a  successful  preacher.  "  We 
had,"  writes  Mrs.  Sagar  to  her  husband,  "  a  wonderful  good 
love-feast  at  Colne.  We  had  more  than  the  chapel  would 
hold  by  hundreds,  so  that  Mr.  Atmore  was  obliged  to  preach 
on  the  garden  wall,  and,  as  Mr.  Atmore  observed,  to  the 
most  attentive  congregation  he  ever  spoke  to.  His  text  was 
'  Let  the  wicked  man  forsake  his  way,'  &c.  Likewise  at 
night  the  chapel  was  quite  full."  Later  on  the  same  lady 
remarks  :  "  I  found  it  a  very  great  cross  to  part  with 
Mr.  Atmore.  The  chapel  was  quite  full  on  the  Tuesday 
night.  ...  I  could  scarcely  believe  Mr.  Atmore  could 
have  been  so  affected,  ...  It  was  thought  there  were 
more  than  a  thousand  people  at  Lower  Bradley."  Thus  much 
respecting  the  history  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodists. 


60  ANXALS    AND    STORIES    OP 

THE    BAPTISTS 

Have  a  less  ancient  history  than  the  Methodists.  It  would 
appear  that  the  Baptist  church  in  this  town  had  its  origin 
amongst  a  few  persons  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Bamolds- 
wick,  where  a  church  of  the  same  faith  and  order  had  existed 
since  the  year  1668.  These  persons  coming  to  reside  at 
Colne  about  1767,  began  to  hold  meetings  for  Christian 
■worship  in  an  "  upper  room"  of  a  dwelling-house,  situate 
near  the  Old  Court-house.  A  church  was  formed  June  22nd, 
1769,  and  on  the  same  day  Mr.  John  Stutterd  was  ordained 
to  the  pastoral  ofl&ce.  This  "  upper  room"  continued  to  be 
their  place  of  worship  for  a  period  of  about  nineteen  years, 
when  a  chapel  for  their  use  was  erected  in  Colne  Lane. 
Though  unfinished,  the  building  was  opened  June  1st,  1788, 
Mr.  Stutterd  on  that  occasion  preaching  from  Joshua  xxii., 
22-3,  and  the  collections  of  the  day  amounting  to  £7.  At 
this  time  the  church  numbered  little  more  than  20  mem- 
bers. At  Mr.  Stutterd's  death  (June  7th,  1818)  the  number 
had  increased  to  31.  The  remains  of  their  first  pastor  were 
interred  in  the  burial-ground  attached  to  the  chapel,  and 
the  following  epitaph  perpetuates  his  memory  :  "  Sacred  to 
the  memory  of  John  Stutterd,  who,  under  God,  was  the 
founder  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  this  place,  and  pastor  over 
it  40  years.  Like  Moses  he  was  slow  of  speech,  but  well 
informed  and  judicious,  and  of  an  eminently  meek  and  quiet 
spirit.  He  lived  respected  and  esteemed  by  his  friends  and 
acquaintance,  and  died  in  peace,  June  7th,  1818.  Aged  68. 
*  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.' "  To  him  succeeded 
Mr.  Bentham,  of  Horton  College.  His  preaching  proving 
unacceptable,  he  resigned  the  pastorate  at  the  expiration  of 
two  months  from  his  appointment.  Thereupon,  students 
from  the  same  college  supplied  the  pulpit  until  the  appoint- 
ment, in  1819,  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Scott,  one  of  their  number. 
Mr.  Scott  was  a  successful  preacher,  and  increased  the 
church  from  about  30  to  100  members.  During  his  ministry 
it  was  determined  to  sell  the  chapel  in  Colne  Lane  to  the 
Inghamites,  and  build  a  larger  place  of  worship  in  a  more 
public  and  central  part  of  the  town.      A  new  chapel  was 


COLNE  AND  NBIOHBOUBHOOD.  61 

erected  on  East  Parade  in  1826,  and  a  hope  was  indulged  in, 
though  never  realised,  that  thp  ample  cellarage  under  the 
building  might  prove  a  source  of  considerable  revenue. 
Resigning  in  1830,  Mr.  Scott  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
WiUiam  Penford  Scott,  who  entered  in  1831,  and  who,  con- 
tinuing here  six  years,  subsequently  emigrated  to  Australia, 
where  he  died.  For  a  long  period  after  his  departure  there 
was  no  regular  pastor.  Trouble  overtook  the  body,  and  the 
services  had  to  be  conducted  by  laymen,  students,  and 
ministers  resident  in  the  neighbourhood.  Contributions, 
too,  owing  to  bad  trade  and  the  emigration  to  America  of 
some  prominent  supporters,  fell  off.  Hence  the  numbers 
and  resources  of  the  church  became  greatly  dimmished.  In 
February,  1842,  the  Rev.  ^c^zftarc?  Jones,  of  Liverpool,  became 
the  pastor  over  a  flock  then  numbering  85  members,  but  he, 
owing  to  unhappy  differences,  resigned  his  charge  in  August, 
1844.  From  that  time  to  the  year  1847,  there  was  again  no 
regular  minister,  the  pulpit  being  supplied  chiefly  by  stu- 
dents from  Accrington  College.  In  the  latter  year  the  Rev. 
Robert  Botterill,  of  Horton  College,  was  called  to,  but  declined 
the  pastorate ;  accepting  it,  however,  in  1855,  and  resigning 
it  in  1859.  In  February,  1848,  the  Rev.  James  Bury,  then 
of  Salford,  and  formerly  a  student  of  Accrington  CoUege, 
became  the  minister  here,  and  he,  on  leaving  Colne  for 
Haslingden,  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Park,  of  Horton 
College,  who  resigned  December,  1852.  From  this  date 
until  1856,  there  was  again  no  pastoral  supervision,  ministers 
from  other  places  conducting  the  services.  A  schoolroom 
and  vestries  were,  however,  built,  and  various  improvements 
effected  in  the  chapel.  From  1859  to  the  early  part  of 
1862,  there  was  again  no  regular  minister,  the  services  being 
conducted  as  on  previous  vacancies.  In  May,  1862,  Mr. 
Bury  accepted  the  pastorate  he  has  but  lately  resigned. 
The  office  is  at  present  vacant.  Encouraged  by  the  liberal 
offer  of  an  influential  member  of  the  congregation  to  double 
all  subscriptions  obtained  during  a  specified  period,  the 
Baptists  intend  shortly  to  erect  a  still  larger  chapel. 

The    Sunday  school    in    connection  with  this  body  was 
founded  February  22nd,  1800.     In  1841,  it  numbered  20 


62  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OF 

teachers  and  180  scholars;  in  1851,  23  teachers  and  170 
scholars;  in  1861,  24  teachers  and  218  scholars;  in  1869, 
38  teachers  and  316  scholars;  at  the  present  time,  23 
teachers  and  300  scholars.^ 


THB   INDEPENDENTS 

Have  a  still  more  modern  history.  On  October  2nd,  1807, 
a  weekly  lecture  was  inaugurated  in  this  town  by  Mr. 
Partington,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Lancashire  County 
Union.  The  Cloth  Hall  was  subsequently  taken,  and 
services  conducted  by  various  ministers.  On  New  Year's 
Day,  1811,  the  chapel  which  had  been  erected  in  Dockray 
Square  through  the  liberality  of  members  of  the  congregation, 
was  opened.  On  that  occasion  Mr.  Partington,  who  in  July 
of  the  same  year  was  ordained  to  the  pastorate,  preached  the 
opening  sermon,  selecting  for  his  text  Psalm  xxvi.,  <9  :  "  Lord, 
I  have  loved  the  habitation  of  thy  house,  and  the  place 
where  thine- honour  dwelleth."  In  1816,  Mr.  Partington 
removed  to  Park,  near  Bury,  and  from  theuce  to  Little  Moor, 
in  Derbyshire,  where  he  died,  February  20th,  1838.  After 
his  removal  from  Colne,  the  church  was  supplied  by  students 
from  Rotherham.  Subsequently  Mr.  Maurice  became 
pastor.  He  continued  here  about  twelve  months,  and  then 
removed  to  Cheshire.  In  April,  1818,  he  was  succeeded  by 
Mr.  Calvert,  of  Grassington,  who,  in  December,  1827, 
removed  from  Colne  to  Morley,  in  Yorkshire.  During  the 
years  1828-9  the  pulpit  was  supplied  from  the  Blackburn 
Academy,  and  eventually  Mr.  Jones,  a  student,  was  chosen 
minister.  Remaining  here  barely  a  year,  he  was,  in  March, 
1832,  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Aspinall,  of  Bury.  This 
much-regretted  minister  died  19th  January,  1856,  having 
laboured  here  nearly  24  years.  On  Friday,  the  25th,  his 
mortal  remains  were  interred  beneath  the  Communion  of  his 
own  chapel,  the  Rev.  Amos  Blackburn,  of  Eastwood,  offi- 
ciating.    The  chapel  contains  a  neat  tablet  to  his  memory. 

*  Prlcit  of  a  paper  read  at  the  centenary  meeting  by  Mr.  Bxuy. 


COLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  63 

On  the  5th  June,  1836,  a  Sabbath  school  was  opened  at 
Blacko ;  and  on  the  5th  April,  1846,  a  new  interest  was 
established  at  Barrowford.  On  March  1st,  1857,  the  Rev. 
Richard  Salkeld,  of  the  Manchester  College,  became  pastor, 
and  was  ordained  April  2nd  in  the  following  year.  In  1860, 
Mr.  Salkeld  resigned,  and,  after  an  interval  of  nearly  three 
years,  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Josiah  GawtJiom.  He,  too, 
resigned;  and  from  September,  1865,  the  pulpit  was  supplied 
by  students  from  Airdale  College.  In  November,  1867,  Mr. 
Taylor,  of  Newnham,  Gloucestershire,  was  called  to  the 
pastorate,  and  leaving  here  in  1871,  to  take  charge  at 
Bingley,  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Richard  Pringle,  of 
Middlesbrough,  the  present  minister,  who  was  ordained  on 
Tuesday,  April  29th,  1873.  The  need  of  a  more  commodious 
place  of  worship  and  better  school  accommodation  having 
been  long  felt  and  acknowledged  by  this  body,  steps  were  at 
length  taken  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  befitting  chapel 
in  close  proximity  to  the  old  one.  Accordingly,  on  December 
1st,  1877,  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Calvert,  of  Gargrave,  laid  the 
foundation  stone  of  a  new  chapel,  now  being  erected,  "  for 
the  worship  of  Almighty  God  by  the  Church  of  Christ,  of 
the  Independent  Order  assembling  in  Dockray  Square."  As 
usual  on  similar  occasions,  the  bottle  deposited  in  a  cavity 
of  the  stone  contains  a  printed  programme  of  the  day's 
proceedings,  a  few  coins  of  the  realm,  and  copies  of  the 
following  newspapers,  viz.,  Colne  and  Nelson  Times,  Craven 
Pioneer,  Burnley  Gazette,  Burnley  Advertiser,  Preston  Guardian, 
and  Manchester  Examiner  and  Times.  The  architects 
employed  were  Messrs.  Waddington  and  Son,  Burnley,  and 
the  building  committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  Thos.  Charuley, 
Watson  Bracewell,  Calvin  Knight,  Abraham  Knight,  Joseph 
Haighton,  Abraham  Mitchell,  John  Harrison,  Benjamin 
Watson,  Samuel  Smith,  William  B.  White,  John  L.  Sharp, 
Job.  Whitaker,  Samuel  Greenwood,  John  Cock,  James 
Hartley,  Caleb  Watson,  Charles  Herbert  Brown,  Hichard 
Preston,  and  Ezra  Knight.  The  building,  which  will  be 
shortly  opened,  has  been  erected  at  a  cost  of  between  £4,000 
and  £5,000. 


64  ANNALS  AND  STORIES   OP 

Table  ^  Showing  Increase  of  Population  and  Buildings  in  the 
Chapelry  of  Golne  during  the  Present  Century. 


H 

§ 
1 

Houses. 

Families,  how  employed. 

i 

Township. 

1 
768 

■6 

1 

14 

2 

i 

t 

6 

.s" 

1 
*1202 

sll 

■B 

1 

0 

d 

1 

1801 

3626 

*83 

*2341 

778 

1811 

5336 

990 

4 

"i 

58 

928 

12 

998 

1821 

7274 

1270 

32 

21 

23 

1365 

35 

1423 

Colne  - 

1831 

8080 

1501 

129 

58 

1389 

79 

1526 

1841 

8515 

1644 

119 

3 

1851 

8987 

1729 

93 

61 

1861 

7906 

1701 

345 

3 

1871 

8633 

1872 

212 

57 

1801 

833 

155 

2 

... 

156 

1811 

1032 

175 

71 

102 

"2 

175 

1821 

1307 

239 

2 

4 

242 

Foulridge  ...- 

1831 
1841 

1418 
1458 

251 
261 

11 
20 

1 
1 

270 

1851 

1233 

248 

13 

2 

1861 

988 

203 

31 

1871 

827 

186 

21 

189 

1801 
1811 

1224 
1721 

212 

7 

262 

1821 

2168 

402 

"i 

13 

... 

450 

Barrowford...- 

1831 
1841 

2633 
2630 

479 
500 

28 
35 

5 

496 

1851 

2875 

570 

34 

31 

1861 

2880 

612 

71 

923 

1871 

3110 

703 

38 

18 

••• 

■  •> 

706 

1801 

1443 

137 

9 

272 

1811 

1941 

208 

2 

"i 

14 

245 

"3 

262 

1821 

2507 

441 

3 

12 

470 

Trawden ■ 

1831 
1841 

2853 
2900 

514 
530 

45 

49 

3 
4 

514 

1851 

2601 

540  52 

1861 

2087 

426145 

5 

^ 

1871 

2129 

460108 

460 

1801 

2322 

235 

1 

425 

1811 

2876 

510 

5 

"s 

20 

454 

'so 

554 

Qreat  and 

Little 
Marsden 

1821 

3945 

668 

4 

12 

*.. 

733 

1831 

4713 

830 

48 

2 

841 

1841 
1851 

5158 
6068 

954 
1166 

71 

48 

10 
30 

... 

... 

^ 

1861 

7342 

1427 

71 

81 

... 

•  •• 

•  •• 

»•■ 

■ 

1871 10284 

2107102 

107 

... 

... 

... 

2210 

1  Kindly  reviaed  by  the  Registrar-General. 


uPersoua. 


OOLNH  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  65 


CHAPTER    HI. 

LOCAL      ANNALS. 

PROM    A.D.    1147     TO    A.D.    1848    INCLUSIVE. 

"  The  void  of  days 
That  were,  and  are  not  but  in  retrospect.'"— Kirkb  White. 

HENRY  DE  LACY,  in  pursuance  of  a  vow  made  H47,  Stephen, 
during  a  dangerous  sickness,  founds  a  monastery 
at  Barnoldswick.      Thither  journeyed  twelve  monks 
and  ten  conversi.^ 

The  monks  leave  Barnoldswick,  by  them  called  1153. 
Mount  Saint  Mary,  for  Kirkstall  Abbey.  Their  brief 
stay  had  been  marked  by  some  high-handed  proceed- 
ings, for  Whitaker  tells  us,  on  good  authority,  that  so 
displeased  were  the  monks,  because  the  priest  of  the 
church  there  (Gill)  and  his  clerks  continued  to  oJ05ciate 
in  the  choir,  and  the  people  to  attend  as  usual,  that 
the  abbot  in  a  rage  levelled  the  church  with  the 
ground.  ^ 

Robert  de  Emot  builds  a  house  at  Emmott.^  isio.  Edward  il 

John  de  Parker  de  Alcancotes  living  here.  ^  1349.  Bdw.  iii, 

•  For  further  information  on  this  subject  see  Whitaker's  "History 
of  Craven,"  2nd  edition,  p.  61. 

'  Murray  mentions  an  obscure  tradition  that  there  was  a  Due  de  Emot, 
who  came  over  with  William  the  Conqueror,  and  settled  here.  In  tiie 
Church  of  St.  Gudule,  Bnissels,  is  the  monument  of  a  Marquis  d'Smot. 

'  An  early  mention  of  the  Parker  family  occurs  in  the  Jru/uisition  Pout 
Mortem  oi  the  last  Henry  de  Lacy,  dated  a.d.  1311.  Therein  appear  the 
names  of  Richard,  son  of  Adam  de  Alcancotes  ;  William,  son  of  Adam  de 
Alcancotes  ;■  and  Adam,  son  of  Peter  de  Alcancotes.  The  fact  that 
Alkincoats  was  at  this  time  not  merely  a  mansion,  but  also  a  hamlet, 
fufiBciently  explains  the  frequency  of  the  name.  Here,  in  the  time  of 
John  de  Lacy,  the  Knights  Hospitallers  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem  held 
20  acres  of  land.  The  Parkers,  who  derive  their  name  and  arms  from  the 
office  of  parker,  or  park-keeper,  of  the  Forest  of  Bowlaud,  trace  their 
descent  from  Edward  I, 

B 


1362. 

Edw.  Ill, 

1393. 

Richard  II. 

443. 

Henry  VI. 

1457. 

1463. 

1470. 

Edw.  IV. 

66  AKNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

Henry,  Duke  of  Lancaster,  grants  his  Colne  and 
Marsden  lands  to  Richard  de  Walton.  ^ 

The  Colne  parishioners  exonerated  from  contributing 
towards  the  repair  of  Whalley  Church. 

The  king  receives  the  rents  and  profits  of  Colne. 

Richard  Neville,  Earl  of  Salisbiuy,  holds  his  Haly- 
mote  of  Colne.  ^ 

The  king  comes  to  Colne  Hall.^ 

Simon  Blakey,  of  Blakey,  marries  Jane  Townley,  of 
Barnside.  * 

1482.  March  7th.  — The  king,  through  his  council,  issues 

an  order  whereby,  after  reciting  that  Richard  Towneley, 
Esq.,  had  made  and  set  up  a  mill  called  Walverden 
Mill,  in  the  king's  lordship  of  Colne,  and  had  called 
upon  the  king^s  tenants  and  others  to  grind  there, 
"  wherby  the  Rents  of  our  Milles  of  Colne  and  Briniley 
are  littelled,  unoccupied,  and  sore  decaied,  to  our  grete 
hurt  and  loss,  and  contrarie  to  the  use  and  custom 
within  our  said  Lordship  of  tyme  that  noo  mynde  is, 


'  "  Dr.  Whitaker,"  remarks  Canon  Raines,  in  a  footnote  in  Nolitia 
Ceitrientii,  "  very  reasonably  conjectures  this  to  have  been  the  origin  of 
the  Walton  family,  and  the  privilege  of  appointing  the  bellman  of  Colne, 
still  continued  in  the  family,  appears  to  have  originated  in  the  feudal 
oflace  of  Summoner  of  the  Courts  of  the  Duke  of  Lancaster."  In  the 
cottage  of  Henry  Simpson,  late  bellman  of  Colne,  was  a  coloured  portrait 
of  himself,  bell  in  hand,  and  wearing  a.  showy  uniform,  with  buttons 
adorned  with  the  Walton  crest.  Carefully  preserved,  too,  was  a  copy  of 
the  following  notice — a  curiosity  in  its  way :  "  Notice  is  hereby  given, 
that  I  the  undersigned,  have  in  pursuance  of  the  powers  vested  in  me, 
appointed  Henry  Simpson  as  bellman  for  the  town  and  township  of  Colne, 
and  hereby  caution  any  person  or  persons  against  encroaching  upon  his 
privileges.  "(Signed)    James  Hat.t.am,  Marsden  HaU. 

"November  1st,  1853." 

2  Harleian  MSS. 

'  So  Baines  and  other  writers.  Though  I  do  not  find  the  original 
authority,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  the  story.  It  may  be  that  it  rests  on 
the  strong  tradition  current  in  this  neighbourhood  to  that  effect,  and  to 
which  a  degree  of  probability  is  lent  by  the  known  presence  of  tlie  king 
at  the  neighbouring  village  of  Bracewell.  But  their  further  statement 
that  he  there  enjoyed  the  hospitality  of  the  Earl  of  Derby  may  be  dis- 
missed as  untenable,  and  irreconcilable  with  facts  and  dates. 

*  The  Blakeys  were  long  and  intimately  connected  with  Colne. 
Their  intermarriages  with  the  Townleys  and  Tempests  prove  them  to 
have  been  one  of  the  most  influential  families  in  the  neighbourhood. 
Blakey  Hall,  their  residence,  now  tenanted  by  a  yeoman,  was  formerly 
one  of  those  ancient  halls  for  which,  says  Baines,  this  neighbourhood  is 
famous.  It  has  within  recent  years  been  purchased  by  T.  T.  England, 
Esq.,  of  Heirs  House. 


COLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  67 

which  we  in  no  wise  entende  to  suffre,"  he  wills  and  i482.  Edw.  iv. 
straightly  charges  his  Right  Trusty  and  well  beloved 
the  Lord  Strange,  incontinent  upon  the  site  thereof,  to 
go  to  Walverden  Mill  '*  and  make  proclamation  amongst 
our  Tenants  there  in  our  name,  charging  them  that 
none  of  them  grind  from  our  said  milles  upon  payne  of 
forfeitour  of  their  tenures  .  .  .  And  that  such 
punysshment  be  had  uppon  them  for  their  mysde- 
mynge  herein  that  they  nor  noon  other  be  encaraged 
heraftre  to  use  like  wayes  to  our  hurt,  and  contrarie  to 
0"^  said  custome."  "  Not  failing  herof,"  the  missive 
adds,  "  as  ye  wil  eschewe  o'  grevous  displeas',  and 
answere  unto  us  at  your  p[er]ill."^ 

Henry  Pudsey,  of  Bolton,  Esq.,  farmer  to  the  King's  Tpe  HenryviP 
Grace  of  his  manor  of  Biarnoldswick,  files  a  Bill  of 
Complaint,  in  the  Duchy  Court,  alleging  that  the 
king's  tenants  and  inhabitants  within  the  parish  of 
Colne,  have  at  all  times  heretofore  paid  a  sum  of  money 
on  taking  turf,  peat,  or  turbary  within  the  lordship  of 
Bamoldswick,  "  accordyng  to  the  olde  custome  there 
amongst  them  used,"but  that  now,  certain  of  the  tenants 
and  inhabitants  of  the  said  parish  of  Colne — that  is  to 
say,  Nicholas  Blakey,  James  Marsden,  Richard  Mitton, 
Nicholas  Smith,  the  wife  of  Henry  Shaw,  Christopher 
Mancknols,  Jeoffery  Wilson,  James  Smith,  Henry 
Baxter,  Robert  Holgate,  James  Ackrandley,  Richard 
Stuttard,  James  Wilson,  Thomas  Parker,  Henry 
Parker,  Ralph  Smith,  and  Christopher  Duerden — have 
digged  up  and  taken  upon  the  king's  ground,  within 
his  lordship  of  Bamoldswick,  "turves  and  petes  for 
their  fewell  to  breune,  and  therefore  nothyng  pay  nor 
will  nott  paye,  contrary  to  the  custom  there  of  olde 
tyme  used,  and  many  other  injuries  and  wronges  they 
dayle  comitte  and  doo,  not  only  to  the  losse  and 
dishenhitance  of  the  King's  Grace  and  his  heires,  but 
also  to  the  grete  damage  and  hurte  of  his  fermours  now 
beyng  and  hereafter  to  come.      Please  it,  therefore, 

I  Ducby  of  La&CMter  Warrants.    No.  II,  folio  107. 


6^  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

Tpe Henry VII.  youT  good  masterstiippe,"  prayed  the  petitioner,^  "to 
dyrecte  such  wrytiug  to  the  sed  Tenants  and  enhitants, 
comanding  them  to  pay  such  duty  as  of  olde  tyme 
hath  been  payed  for  the  dyggyng  of  the  said  turves 
and  petes,  or  else  to  appere  before  your  master- 
shipp  at  a  day  to  be  by  you  lymeted,  and  to  shewe 
some  resonable  cause  why  they  shuld  not  pay 
accordyng  to  the  said  custume  of  olde  time  used.  And 
your  said  Oratour  shall  be  redy  to  shewe  the  premises 
for  the  Kynge's  Interest  as  know'th  God,  who  keep 
your  good  mastership  long  in  prosp[er]itie." 

1514.  Hen.  VIII.      Monday   after   Dominica   in  Alhis. — Mr.    Lawrence 

Towneley,  of  Bamside,  and  Henry,  his  son,  make 
motion  for  the  marriage  of  John  Biilcock  and  Agnes, 
niece  of  Sir  John  Houghtouy  in  the  garden  of  Nicholas 
Wilson,  of  Colne.  ^ 

1515.  A  restoration  of  Colne  Church  authorised.' 

1  The  Bill  Is  addressed  to  "The  Right  Honorable  Sr.  Rycard  Bmpson, 
Knyght,  Chancelor  of  the  Kinge's  Duchye  of  Lancastre. "  I  do  not  learn 
the  result  of  this  suit.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  heads  of  some  of  the 
most  influential  of  the  Colne  families  declined  to  make  the  payments, 
and  that  the  name  of  one  lady  figures  in  the  Ust.  "  The  wife  of  Henry 
Shaw"  was,  if  I  mistake  not,  a  local  celebrity,  and  a  most  energetic 
woman. 

=*  "  Dominica  in  albit"  might  be  either  Low  Sunday  or  Easter  Sunday. 
Local  readers  will  remember  the  ancient  tenement  on  the  west  side 
of,  and  near  the  Derby  Arms.  This  was  once  the  residence  of  the 
Wilsons  (subsequently  of  Heyroyd),  and  it  is  by  no  means  improbable 
that  the  little  vacant  plot  of  land  in  front,  within  living  memory  planted 
with  flowers  and  shrubs,  occupies  the  site  of  the  garden  here  refen-ed  to. 
Canon  Raines,  in  Tht  Rent-roll  of  Sir  John  Towneley  (the  latest  addition  to 
the  Chetham  Series),  gives  some  interesting  particulars,  obtained  from 
papers  preserved  at  York,  concerning  this  marriage.  Agnes  did,  it  seems, 
consent,  but  told  the  women  she  did  it  through  fear  of  her  friends,  some 
of  whom  were  monstrously  cruel  and  unjust  towards  her.  and  to  save 
her  lands.  Mr.  Towneley  said  roughly  to  her  :  "  Thou  art  noght,  and  a 
beggarle  wolt  thou  be,  &  yf  thou  forsakest  thys  rych  man  tak  me  never 
for  thy  frend,  but  gett  thee  fast  from  me,  4  out  of  my  house,  for  I  will  be 
as  moch  thy  foe  as  I  have  been  thy  frende."  And  all  the  night  he  tried 
to  persuade  her,  and  she  came  and  said  to  Katherine  Baxter:  "Alas! 
Katryne,  I  am  undone,  for  my  frends  woll  make  and  compel  me  to  have 
John  Bulcock,  and,  by  my  trouth,  I  had  lever  dy  then  have  hym,  for  I 
never  loved  hym,  ne  never  wyll  do,  &  so  I  pray  yo  here  me  record 
hereafter,  for  I  woll  never  tarry  with  hym  when  I  am  weddyt."  The 
saddest  part  of  the  story  lies  in  the  fact,  that  rather  than  cohabit  vrith 
him,  she  mutilated  her  breast.  The  Canon  adds  that  Bulcock  was  an 
old  man,  and  Agnes  about  20.  The  Towneleys  were  the  instigators,  and 
grained  their  point.  Shortly  after  the  marriage,  Agues  and  her  frienda 
made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  obtain  a  divorce. 

*  See  postea,  p.  104. 


GOLNE  AND   XEIGHBOURHOQD.  69 

Sir  John  Towneley,  as  representative  of  the  Manor  1524.  Hen.  vii 
of  lahUnhill,  and  Mr.  Lister,  as  representative  of  the 
J^anor  of  Colne,  accompanied  by  most  of  the  inhabitants 
of  BriercliiFe  and  Marsden,  perambulate  the  boundaries 
between  the  two  manors. 

Marsden  Church,  or  Chapel,  supposed  to  have  been  1544 
consecrated.' 

WycoUar  Hall  built.*  1550.  Edw.  n. 

Lodge  Holme  occupied  by  James  Shuttleworth,  late  1551. 
keeper  within  the  Forest  of  Trawden. 

Military  muster  in  Lancashire.     Colne  contributes  ^553.  PhUip  and 
10  men,  Foulridge  8,  and  Marsden  12. 

May  20. — The    Queen   grants   the   coal-mines    in  1554. 
Colne  to  William  Lyster.' 

June  26. — The  churchwardens  and  collectors  of  the  1569.  Eiuabeth. 
poor  of  the  parish  of  Colne,  receive  the  sum  of^408.  at 
the  hands  of  Alexander  Nowell,  Dean  of  St.  Paul's, 
and  Lawrence  Nowell,  Dean  of  Lichfield,  his  brother, 
out  of  the  bequest  of  their  brother  Robert 

Jtdy  26. — Out  of  the  same  fund,  Janet  Scale,  of 
Colne  parish,  receives  4d.,  and  Margaret  Higgins  6d.* 

Mr.  John  Towneley,  of  Towneley,  allots  the  pews  in  i576. 
Colne  Church." 

The  Queen  demises  her  water  corn  mill  of  Colne,  i578. 
with  all  suit  and  soke,  to  one  Piers  Pennant,  a  Gentle- 
man Usher  of  Her  Majesty's  Chamber.* 

I  The  patron  saint  of  Marsden  (St.  Paul)  is  generally,  though 
erroneously,  stated  as  unknown. 

*  Originally  one  of  the  stateliest  houses  in  the  neighbourhood,  this 
hall  is  now  a  deserted  ruin.  It  was  for  several  centuries  the  home  of  the 
CunliSes,  but  has  within  recent  years  been  purchased  by  Mr.  Richard 
Hartley,  of  Wycollar.  The  hall  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  a  curious  fire- 
place, depicted  in  Gregsou's  Port/olio  0/  Fragments,  and  for  the  tradition 
mentioned  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 

*  Duchy  of  Lancaster.    Inrolment  of  leases.    Diy.  H,  folio  668. 

*  Accounts  of  the  executors  of  Robert  Nowell. 

*  Whitaker's  Whalley.  Remembering  how  strongly  Mr.  Towneley's 
Roman  Catholic  proclivities  were  developed  at  this  particular  time,  it  is 
singular  that  so  ardent  a  Protestant  as  Bishop  Dowuham  should  have 
delegated  such  powers  to  him.  He  was  a  lawyer,  and  seems  to  have  been 
much  employed,  before  he  got  the  estate  with  his  wife,  in  various 
manorial  courts,  and  by  the  Talbots,  for  their  Blackburn  Wapentake 

*  Duchy  Pleadings.    Vol  131,  A  21. 


70  ANNALS  AND  STORIES   OP 

1580.*  Elizabeth.      Pendle  Hill  discharges  a  great  body  of  water.* 

1583.  A  cow  sells  in  Colne  for  £1  Ss.  6d.^ 

1586-7  Two  oxen  sell  at  Colne  fair  for  £6  Ss.  4d.,  and  ft 

heifer  for  £1  3s.  Gd.^ 

1592.  John  Nutter,  of  the  New  Laund,  yeoman,  *'  seeking 

by  all  means  possible  to  defraud  Her  Majesty's  liege 
people,"  stops  and  blocks  up  the  high  and  royal  way  to 
Her  Highness'  coalpit  at  Marsden,  likewise  the  gates 
thereof,  and  forbids  persons  to  pass  and  repass  that 
way,  and  this,  notwithstanding  that  Richard  Grimshaw, 
of  Pendle  Forest,  and  others  "did  manie  tymes,  in 
moste  friendlie  and  gentle  manner,  require  and  desire 
him  to  desiste  and  leave  oflF  his  injurious  and  wrongs 
doinge." ' 

Feb.  24. — The  Queen,  through  her  Duchy  Court,  wills 
and  requires  her  trusty  and  well-beloved  Sir  Richard 
Shirburne,  Sir  Richard  Molineux,  Knights,  and  ten  other 
gentlemen  in  her  commission  named,  or  some  of  them, 
at  a  time  convenient  to  themselves,  to  repair  to  Her 
Majesty's  manor  of  Colne,  and  then  and  there  calling 
before  them,  by  virtue  of  such  commission,  all  such 
persons  as  they  should  think  meet  and  convenient, 
thoroughly  to  perambulate,  view,  and  survey  the 
meres  and  boundaries  dividing  the  moors  and  waste 
grounds  of  the  manor  of  Colne  from  the  adjoining 
waste  grounds  and  manors,  as  well  of  the  Queen  as  of 
other  lords  and  freeholders ;  also  to  set  out  the  moors 
in  such  manner  that  the  boundaries  thereof  might  for 
ever  thereafter  plainly  appear.  And,  inasmuch  as  it 
had  been  credibly  stated  that  the  tenants  of  Ightenhill 
and  Trawden,  and  other  lords  and  tenants,  whose  wastes 
adjoined,  and  were  insufficiently  severed  from  the 
manor  of  Colne,  had  enclosed,  and  were  about  to 
enclose,  a  great  part  of  the  wastes,  whereby  the 
inhabitants  of  Colne  would  be  greatly  wronged  and 

I  Whitaker.  (An  asterisk,*  here  and  elsewhere,  denotss  that  the  date 
is  an  approximate  one.) 
*  Shuttleworth  Accounts. 
»  Duchy  Pleadings.  VoL  Xll.  G  2. 


OOLNB  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  71 

OTercharged  by  their  neighbours,  the  Queen  declared  1592.  Elizabeth. 

it  to  be  her  will  and  pleasure  that  the  Commissioners, 

or  such  and  so  many  of  them  as  acted,  should  inquire 

into  the  matter,  and  certify  of  their  facts,  doings,  and 

proceedings   to   the   Chancellor  and   Council   of  the 

Duchy,   "in   our   duchie   chamber   at   our   Palais  of 

WestmT  on   the   morrowe   after  the   feast   of  Sainte 

Martin    next    cominge,    or    before   yf    youe   so   con- 

venientlie  male  or  can.     Nott  flFailinge  hereof  as  wee 

truste  youe." 

May  25th. — The  Commissioners,  proceeding  in  their 
work,  examine  Nicholas  Robinson,  of  Earby,  "of  the 
age  of  four  score  years  or  thereabouts."  Asked  whe- 
ther he  knew  the  Queen's  Majesty's  manor  of  Colne, 
and  that  common  and  waste  ground  belonging  to  the  >. 

same,  he  replied  in  the  affirmative.  Asked  whether 
he  knew  the  meres  and  boundaries  dividing  the  com- 
mon on  the  south  side  of  the  town  of  Colne  from  Her 
Majesty's  forest  and  chase  of  Trawdeu,  he  replied  that 
he  knew  a  ditch,  fence,  or  wall,  commonly  called 
Trawden  Ditch,  which  began  at  a  certain  tenement 
of  Mrs.  Farrar's  called  Kirkeclough,  and  extended 
upwards  towards  the  south  to  a  hill  called  Little 
Bulsware  to  the  Deerstones  there,  which  had,  always, 
during  his  recollection,  been  accounted  the  boundary, 
but  how  further  divided  he  knew  not.  And  the  reason 
why  he  knew,  was,  that  when  for  thirty  years  he  lived 
at  Priestfield,  he  always  got  turf  and  turbary  from  the 
moors  and  wastes,  without  let  or  hindrance.  Henry  . 
Swann,  of  Alkincoats,  clothier,  "  aged  three  score  years 
and  six,  or  thereabouts,"  confirmed  this  evidence,  and 
further  stated  that  the  boundary  ran  from  the  Deer- 
stones  to  a  gate  called  Beardsley  Gate,  and  then 
followed  an  old  decayed  ditch  to  the  side  of  a  hill 
called  Bulsware.  Roger  Blakey,  the  venerable 
Incumbent  of  Colne,  "aged  four  score  years  and 
two,  or  thereabouts,"  and  also  Henry  Holgate,  of 
Foulridge,  "  of  the  age  of  three  score  years  and  five, 
or  thereabouts,"  were  next  examined.     Their  evidence 


72  ANNALS   AND  STORIES  OF 

1592  Eiirabeth.  was  not  of  special  interest.  Christopher  Middup, 
tenant  to  Mr.  Edward  Marsden,  of  Heirs  House,  could 
not  positively  define  the  boundaries  separating  the 
manor  of  Colne  and  Icornshaw,  but  stated  that,  about 
forty  years  ago,  he  dwelt  with  an  aged  man  of  Barrow- 
ford,  named  Lawrence  Robinson.  His  master  having 
bought  some  timber  at  Bingley,  he  and  others  were 
sent  to  bring  it  home,  and,  as  they  came  over  the  sike 
at  the  further  end  of  Redeshaie,  they  loosed  their 
oxen  out  of  their  wains,  to  bait  them.  Several  old 
men  thereupon  stated  that  "Redeshaie"  on  this  side 
the  sike  was  in  Lancashire,  and  that  Kildwick  parish 
men  did  them  wrong  in  eating  up  the  same  with  their 
cattle.  John  Parkinson,  "of  the  age  of  ffour  score 
and  thirtiene  years  (sic),  or  thereabouts,"  stated  that 
Tom  Cross  and  the  Graystone  were  by  credible  report 
the  boundaries,  as  well  of  Lancashire  and  Yorkshire,  as 
of  the  manors  of  Colne  and  Cowling.  He  also  stated 
that  one  day,  "  having  been  a  hunting  moorgame  on  the 
moor  neare  Lancashire,"  a  tenant  of  Mr.  Towneley's, 
named  Nicholas  Robinson,  who  resided  at  Monkroyd, 
in  Lancashire,  bade  the  witness  (because  he  loved  him, 
as  he  said)  keep  on  the  east  side  of  the  boundaries,  or 
else  he  would  have  both  his  gun  and  his  net  taken 
from  him.  ^ 

jggg  The   inhabitants   of  Colne  and  Marsden  complain 

that  the  Towneleys  and  their  miller,  Stephen 
Hargreaves,  exact  and  take  excessive  and  undue  toll 
at  the  Colne  Water  Corn  Mill.  Proceedings  were  con- 
sequently instituted  in  the  Duchy  Court.  It  was 
agreed  that  during  "all  the  tyme  whereof  the  memory 
of  man  is  not  to  the  contrary,  the  inhabitants  had 
ground  their  corn  and  grain  at  the  mill,  and  also  paid 
and  done  suit  and  soke."  The  inhabitants  alleged  that, 
in  recompense  for  the  grinding,  they  were  in  the  habit 
of  bestowing  on  the  miller  "  some  small  benevolence  in 
meall,  of  meare  goodwill,  some  more,  and  some  lease,  as 
"^   — — — ^     -  -      J 

^  Duchy  Surveys  and  Dei>osition9.    Divisious  3  and  4. 


COLNB   AND   NEIOHBOUBHOOD.  73 

was  thought  good  to  them,"    They  further  stated  that  isse.  Elizabeth. 

the  Towneleys  were  in  the  habit  of  pretending  that 

sacks  or  loads  brought  "  on  horseback  "  only  contained 

five  strikes,  whereas  they  actually  contained  nine,  and 

six  strikes  for  every  load  brought  "  in  tvinne  or  cartte," 

•whereas  there  were  eleven.    This  the  Towneleys  denied, 

and  contended  that  they  were  entitled  to  **  one  mette 

out  of  every  thirty  mettes  brought,  for  mulcture  and 

tolL"^ 

Richard  Brierley,  Incumbent  of  Colne,  begins  to  keep  1599. 
the  Parish  Registers.^ 

Alice   Hartley   leaves   the   first   known    charitable  1600. 
bequest  to  the  poor  of  Colne.  ^ 

Fifty  of  the  principal  men  of  the  parish  meet,  and  i^oi. 
determine   the  fees  to  be  paid  for  burials  at  Colne 
Church.* 

Langroyd  built. '  I605.  James  I. 

July. — The  Shuttleworths  buy  sack  and  white  wine  1612. 
at  Colne. 

August. — Katherine  Hewet,  a  Colne  woman,  tried, 
convicted,  and  executed  as  a  witch.*  At  the  same 
Lancaster  Assizes,  Margaret  Pearson,  of  Padiham, 
tried  on  the  triple  charge  of  murder  by  witchcraft, 

*  Duchy  of  Lancaster  Pleadings.    Vol.  131,  A  21. 

*  "  Registers  in  Churches  (of  Weddings,  Christenings,  and  Burials) 
■were  first  appointed  to  be  kept  Ano.  Dom.  1538,  iust  before  y«  dissolution 
of  monasteries,  and  since  yt  time  have  proved  some  of  our  best  helps 
towards  ye  preserving  of  history."  (Wm.  Nicholson,  Bp.  of  Carlisle,  his 
English  Historical  Library  ) 

»  Shortly  before  her  deaUi,  this  lady  purchased,  for  £60,  a  small  farm 
called  Henfleld,  now  known  as  Brown  Hill,  situated  on  the  outskirts  of 
Colne,  then  containing  two  acres  of  land,  but  subsequently  enlarged  by 
an  allocation  of  2a.  3r.  20p.  of  waste  land.  Dying  before  the  conveyance 
to  her  was  executed,  she  directed  the  purchase  money  to  be  paid  out  of 
her  personalty,  and  the  rents  of  the  farm  applied  by  Henry  Shaw  and 
Bernard  Parker  "  to  the  use  of  the  poor,  bom  and  dwelling  in  the  parish 
of  Colne."  In  1671,  in  consequence  of  disputes  as  to  what  had  been  paid, 
and  ouuht  to  be  paid,  to  the  poor,  it  was  decreed  by  the  Duchy  Court, 
assisted  by  Mr.  Baron  Littleton,  that,  in  all  time  to  come,  the  farm  should 
stand  charp-ed  with  the  payment  of  a  yearly  sum  of  £3  10s.,  such  sum  to 
be  distributed,  in  accordance  with  the  intention  of  the  donor,  amongst  the 
poorest  and  most  needy  inhabitants,  bom  and  residing  in  the  parish  of 
Colne.    Unlike  many  other  charitable  bequests,  the  amount  is  still  paid. 

*  For  the  memorandum  drawn  up  on  this  occasion  see  pottta,  p.  137. 

*  This  date  appears  on  the  porch.  Baines  describes  Langroyd  as  an 
ancient  house  modernised,  but  not  divested  of  its  antique  duiacter. 

*  For  an  account  of  her  trial  see  postea,  p.  212. 


74  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

1612.  James  I.  bewitching  a  neighbovir,  and  bewitching  a  horse. 
Acquitted  of  the  two  former  charges,  she  was  found 
guilty  of  the  third,  and,  according  to  Baines  and  other 
writers,  a  portion  of  her  punishment  consisted  in  stand- 
ing in  the  Colne  pillory  on  a  market-day,  with  a  paper 
on  her  head,   stating  in  large   letters  her  oflFence.  ^ 

1614.  Eoger  Briarley,  a  wild  fanatic,  comes  to  preach  at 

Gisburn  Church.  The  churchwardens  commanding 
him  to  show  his  licence,  he  declines  to  do  so.  Shortly 
after,  he  christens  a  child  in  the  vicar's  absence  without 
making  the  sign  of  the  cross  on  its  brow.  For  this  he 
was  presented.^ 

1615.*  Hargreaves  House,  Barrowford,  built  by  the  family 

whose  name  it  bears,  and  who  had  considerable  landed 
property  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Barrowford.  This 
picturesque  building  is  now  converted  into  the  White 
Bear  Inn. 

WiUiam  Brook,  of  Colne,  convicted  of  horse  stealing. 
It  being  his  first  offence,  he  receives  a  free  pardon  under 
the  sign-manual.^ 

18X8_  Sugar  sells  in  Colne  for  one  shilling  and  fivepence 

per  pound.* 

jgj5  Au  allotment  made  of  the  wastes  of  the  manor  of 

Colne. 

1322.  Presentment  made  that  "the  cross  in  ye  church- 

yearde  standeth  undefaced."® 


*  The  sentence,  however,  as  recorded  hy  Potts,  was,  "  You  shall  stand 
upon  the  pillorie  in  open  market  at  Clitheroe,  Paddiham,  Whalley,  and 
lAncaster,  four  market  dayes,  with  a  paper  upon  your  head  in  great  letters 
declaring  your  ofifence."  These  apparently  conflicting  statements  can  only 
be  reconciled  on  the  assumption  that  for  some  sufficient,  but  unexplained 
reason,  Colne  was  substituted  for  one  of  the  towns  above  mentioned. 

*  Presentments  at  York. 

'  State  Papers,  Domestic  Series.  This,  according  to  the  printed 
calendar,  is  the  only  reference  to  Colne  in  papers  covering  a  period  of  120 
years. 

*  The  Shuttleworth  Accounts. 

*  Line.  MSS.  Vol.  22,  p.  190.  The  exact  position  of  this  cross  ia  a 
matter  of  some  uncertainty.  Tradition  assigns  it  a  position  some  ten 
yards  south  of,  and  in  a  line  with,  the  tower.  Formerly  every  churchyard 
had  a  cross,  which,  besides  being  an  ornament,  and  an  object  to  excite 
devotional  feelings,  served  as  a  temporary  resting-place  for  the  bodies  oi 
the  dead.  The  cross  in  question  was  probably  of  coeval  date  with  the 
church. 


16ir. 


OOLNB  AND   NBIQHBOURHOOD.  75 

Nicholas  Blakey,  of  Blakey,  and  Margaretta  his  wife,  leso.  ciharies 
married  clandestinely  in  a  Colne  alehouse.  ^ 

Dr.  John  Bridgeman,  Bishop  of  Chester,  directs  a  i635. 
commission  to  the  churchwardens  authorising  them  to 
allot  the  pews  in  Colne  Church. 

January  31. — The  king,  by  deed,  demises  and  leases  i639. 
unto  Jane  Kenyan,  widow  of  Roger  Kenyon,  late  of 
Park-head,  gentleman,  the  fairs  annually  held  and  kept 
at  or  in  the  town,  or  village,  of  Colne,  "upon  the  feast 
daie  of  St.  Mathias  the  Appostle,  upon  the  feast  dale 
of  Phillipp  and  Jacobb,  upon  the  third  day  of  Maye, 
upon  the  feast  daie  of  St.  Michaell  the  Archangell,  and 
upon  the  first  daie  of  October,"  together  with  all  the 
toll,  stallage,  and  profits  thereto  belonging.  The  term 
was  31  years,  she  paying,  in  respect  of  these  and  other 
fairs  at  Burnley  and  Haslingden,  the  annual  rent  of 
twenty-two  shillings  "  at  the  Feasts  of  the  Annuncia- 
tion of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  and  St.  Michael  the 
Archangel."^ 

Civil  war  period. — Parliament    informed  that  the  i642. 
Colne  people  were  among  "sturdy  churls,  ready  to  fight 
the  king's  forces  rather  than  their  beef  and  fat  bacon 
should  be  taken  from  them."^ 

Joseph  Lister,  an  apprentice-boy,  flees  from  Brad- 1643. 
ford  to  Colne  to  avoid  the  horrors  of  civil  war.* 


I  No  unusual  circumstance  in  days  when  marriages  were  solemnized 
with  great  irregularity. 

»  Duchy  Drafts  of  Leases.    Bundle  77. 

'  Baines. 

*  The  incidents  of  the  flight,  as  narrated  by  himself,  afford  a  striklngf 
illustration  of  the  danger  of  the  times.  "  We  "  [himself  and  acqviaintance] 
writes  he,  "  had  not  gone  far  [from  Bradford]  before  we  saw  a  trooper  on 
horseback  in  full  speed  towards  us  :  struck  with  amazement,  we  all  set  a 
running  together,  and  as  we  ran  a  sudden  thought  came  into  my  mind : 
if  we  continue  together  we  shall  all  be  taken  :  I,  therefore,  immediately 
separated  from  my  companions,  and  made  directly  towards  the  opposite 
fence,  where  luckily  meeting  with  a  thick  holly,  I  rushed  into  the  thickest 
part  of  it,  and  pulling  the  branches  about  me  as  well  as  I  possibly  could — 
while  the  trooper  in  full  speed  pursuing  my  companions  at  length  overtook 
them,  having  wounded  one,  the  other  two  surrendered,  so  took  all  three, 
and  passing  by  the  place  where  I  lay  concealed — heard  him  enquire  for  their 
other  companion ;  but  they,  not  perceiving  where  I  lay,  told  him  they  could 
not  inform  him.  Having  thus  escaped  being  taken  by  the  trooper,  I  lay 
still  all  day,  not  daring  to  stir  for  fear  of  being  perceived  and  pursueda 
second  time :  when  night  approached  I  ventured  out  of  my  hiding-place, 


76  ANNA.LS   AND   STORIES    OF 

1643.  Charles  I.  July. —  Thomton  Manor  House  taken  by  the  Royalists, 
and  Captain  Braddyll,  a  young  Parliamentary  captain, 
slain.  ^ 

August. — "Lancashire  reported  quiet  since  they  beat 
the  Newcastellians from  CoZne, Clitheroe,  and  Thornton."^ 

Winter. — Troops  at  Colne.  "  Most,  if  not  all  the 
companies,"  writes  the  author  of  the  Discourse  of  the 
Warr  in  Lancashire,  "were  called,  upon  receiving  orders, 
to  march  into  Blackburn  Hundred  to  Henley  Moor,  and 
after  that,  they  had  orders  to  march  two  myles  further 
to  Colne,  to  a  general  randavouse  betwixt  both  Hun- 
dreds, in  the  most  remote  part  of  the  county,  upon 
the  borders  of  Yorkshire,  to  a  place  called  Emmott 
Loane  Head,  to  be  a  terror  to  the  Yorkshire  Cavaliers, 
who  that  winter  hanged  up  and  down." 

Same  Year. — Death  of  Mr.  Thomas  Smith,  a  wealthy 
clothier,  of  Colne  Edge,  and  formerly  of  Blackwell 
Hall,  London.  From  the  "  inventory  of  his  estate " 
it  appears  that  his  apparel,  with  two  trunks,  and 
"  monney  in  his  purs,"  amounted  in  value  to  £100, 
his  lease  of  Colne  Mill  to  £120,  and  his  entire  per- 
sonalty to  the  very  considerable  sum  of  £2,053  12s.  4d. 
Blessed  with  prosperity,  and  mindful  of  others  less 
fortunate  than  himself,  he  bequeathed  to  the  poor  of 
Colne  the  interest  of  £50  for  ever.* 

Chasm,  or  hiatus,  in  the  Marriage  Register  from 
jg^^  February  6th  of  this  year  to  June  16th,  1654. 

resolved  to  go  to  Colne,  in  Lancashire,  where  I  understood  my  master  was 
(for  I  was  yet  an  apprentice),  knowing  he  went  off  with  a  party  that  went 
thitherward  after  their  defeat  at  the  battle  of  Adwalton.  I  travelled  all 
night,  and  coming  thither,  presently  found  my  master,  who  received  mo 
very  kindly.  He  enquired  how  matters  had  gone  at  Bradford  since  he 
left  it ;  I  informed  him  of  every  circumstance  that  occurred  to  my  mind, 
especially  of  my  late  escape  out  of  the  hands  of  the  trooper.  He  asked 
me  if  1  was  willing  to  return  to  Bradford  again,  and  enquired  what  had 
become  of  mv  dame  (his  wife),  and  let  him  know  further  thereafter.  I  con- 
sented so  to  do,  and  accordingly  in  the  morning  set  out  on  my  return 
thither. "  (A  Description  of  the  Memorable  Sieges  and  Battles  in  the  North 
of  England  that  happened  during  the  Civil  War  in  1642, 1643,  &o.  Bolton, 
printed  by  J.  Drake,  1785.) 

'  Whitaker's  History  of  Craven.     2nd  edition,  p.  107. 

*  Certaia  Informations.  No.  30,  Aug.  14.  Vol.  2of  Chetham  Society's  Pub- 
lications.  William  Cavendish,  Earl  of  Newcastle,  was  a  Royalist  GeneraL 

'  Charity  Commissioners'  Report. 


OOLNK  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  77 

June. — Skirmiah    at    Haggate.      Several    soldiers  i644.  Charles  i. 
slain.  ^ 

25th. — Skirmish  at  Colne,  in  which  Sir  Charles  Lucas 
commanded  the  Royalists,  and  Col.  Shuttleworth  the 
Roundheads.  The  forces  of  the  latter,  consisting  of 
300  horse  and  100  dragoons,  were  totally  routed,  and 
their  leader  wounded.  The  Royalists  had  "execution" 
on  them  for  three  miles.  The  colonel,  with  a  few 
others,  escaped,  but  the  rest  were  either  killed  or  taken, 
and  the  colours  and  prisoners  brought  to  Prince 
Rupert.'' 

Service    in   Colne    Church    interrupted,    and    Mr.  1645. 
Warriner,  the  minister,  assaulted  by  two  Parliamentary 
soldiers.' 

Yet  another  memorial  of  the  Civil  Wars.  James 
Hirst  and  William  Taylor,  two  soldiers,  buried  here.^ 

Also  George  Lassie,  a  Parliament  soldier,  slain  at  1646. 
Broughton   by  the  Royalists   under   Sir  Marmaduke 
Langdale.* 

Sir  Marmaduke  Langdale,  a  Royalist  general,  resolves  i648. 
to  march  to  Preston,  "  but  for  the  present  the  intelli- 
gence was  that  the  Parliamentary  forces  were  divided, 
some  part  whereof  were  marched  to  Colne,  and  so  to 
Manchester,  to  relieve  that  towne  in  case  we  [the 
Royalists]  should  presse  upon  it."* 

'  Wilkinson's  History  of  the  Parochial  Church  of  Burnley. 

'  Hyves,  Mercurius  Belgicus,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  British  Museum. 
Thus  is  explained  the  tradition  (now  seen  to  be  founded  on  fact)  men- 
tioned in  the  first  edition,  to  the  effect  that  a  skirmiah  took  place  at 
Colne,  in  a  field  near  the  site  of  the  Cemetery,  in  which  the  Eoyalists 
were  victorious,  in  honour  of  which  event  the  field  was  named,  and  has 
ever  since  been  known  as  "  The  King's  Field."  Cannon  balls  have  at 
various  times  been  found  in  this  neighbourhood— one  many  years  ago  on 
Castor  Cliff,  and  two  (one  in  my  possession),  more  recently,  near  Colne 
Edge.  Of  the  ball  found  on  Castor  Cliff  Dr.  Whitaker  remarks,  "No 
more  probable  account  can  be  given  than  that  in  the  civil  wars  of  the  17th 
century,  the  works  on  Castor  Cliff  were  still  so  entire,  as  to  constitute  a 
strong  post,  which  was  defended  by  one  party  and  battered  down  by  the 
other.  There  is  a  curious  tradition  that  a  castle  formerly  stood  on 
Castor  Cliff,  with  gates  so  ponderous  and  large  that  the  noise  caused  by 
their  closing  could  be  heard  in  Pendle  Forest,  and  that  Cromwell  himself 
besieged  and  destroyed  it. 

*  See  postea,  p.  151.     "  Walker's  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy." 

*  Parish  Kegisters. 

»  His  Letter.    Civil  War  Tracts. 


78 


ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OF 


1648.  Charlee  I. 


1650.  Common- 
wealth. 


1653. 


1655. 


AugvM. — Generals  Cromwell  and  Lambert  said  to 
have  halted  at  Lower  House  (now  Gisburn  Park),  pre- 
vious to  giving  battle  to  the  Duke  of  Hamilton,  a 
visit  explaining,  it  is  thought,  the  presence  in  the 
drawing-room  of  that  hall  of  two  excellent  portraits  of 
those  celebrated  men,  Cromwell's  being  the  work  of 
Sir  Peter  Lely,  a  noted  Court  painter,  and  Lambert's 
of  Walker.^ 

Chasm,  or  hiatus,  in  the  burial  register  from  May 
8th  in  this  year  to  October  1st,  IGSS.** 

*  Mr.  William  Sykes,  a  Leeds  merchant,  purchases 
the  manor  of  Colne,  with  some  cottages  on  the  south 
side  of  the  town.^ 

The  inhabitants  and  householders  of  Colne  meet  to 
choose  a  parish  registrar,  in  accordance  with  an  Act  of 
the  Barebones  Parliament.  A  layman  only  being 
eligible  for  the  office,  the  choice  fell  on  John  Hall,  of 
Colne,  yeoman,  and,  his  appointment  being  confirmed, 
he  was,  on  the  20th  September,  sworn  in  before  Richard 
Shuttleworth  and  John  Starkie,  two  justices  of  the 
peace.  Thus  was  inaugurated  a  more  systematic 
method  of  keeping  "  ye  books,"  for  which  we  of  to-day 
have  reason  to  be  thankful. 

A  bull-bait  takes  place  at  Gisburn,  at  which  Richard 
Townley,  Esq.,  is  accidentally  killed. 


1  Many  and  curious  are  the  stories  concerning  the  redoubtable  Oliver 
still  current  amongst  the  peasantry  of  this  neighbourhood.  Most  of 
them  are  interesting,  some  even  amusing.  One  says  that  he  spent  the 
night  at  the  old  North  Hall,  near  Langroyd  (no'VT  demolished) ;  a  second 
that  his  troops  halted  at  Foulridge,  whence  the  name  "  Cromwell's 
Croft;"  a  third  that  an  exclamation  of  his  wife  ("  What  an  admirable 
gell !")  led  to  a  district  being  given  the  name,  it  still  bears,  of  Admergil). 

*  "The  destruction  of  these  ancient  and  valuable  records  is,  perhaps, 
to  be  attributed  to  that  ignorant  and  fanatical  zeal  which  so  furiously 
raged  about  the  period  of  this  volume's  commencement,  viz.,  that  same 
persecuting  zeal  which  turned  the  chapel  at  Lambeth  into  a  ballroom, 
and  digging  up  thence  the  body  of  Archbishop  Parker  buried  the 
mangled  remains  under  a  dunghill;  the  same  persecuting  zeal  which 
destroyed  at  once  the  labours  of  many  hundred  years'  collection  in  that 
invaluable  library  at  Alexandria." — Note  in  Regitter. 

*  Gregson's  Portfolio  of  Fragments.— Formerly  large  boulder-stoneg 
•erved  to  define  the  boundaries  of  this  manor.  These  stones  were  known 
by  curioiis  names,  such,  for  instance,  as  the  Ring  Stone,  the  Earl's  Stone, 
St.  Stephen's  Stone,  the  Sergeant's  Stone,  the  Attorney's  Stone,  the  Wolf 
Stone,  and  the  Deer  Stone. 


OOLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  79 

April  29. — Robert  Parker,  of  Briercliffe,  "  for  a  lesa.  common- 
considerable  sum,"  buys  all  the  limestone  in  the  parishes  wealth. 
of  Colne  and  Burnley.  ^ 

Mr.  Parker  complains  that,  ever  since  his  purchase,  lesr. 
he  has  been  interrupted  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  great 
part  of  the  profit  arising  from  the  gathering  and 
selling  of  the  limestone,  by  Nicholas  Townley,  of  the 
Royle,  and  others,  who  claim  the  same.  Therefore  he 
seeks  relief  in  tile  Duchy  Court. '^ 

Trawden  Forest  attached  by  Act  of  Parliament  to  leei.  Charles  ii. 
the  manor  of  Colne. 

October. — None  in  that  whole  month  buried,  say  the 
parish  church  registers. 

Erection  of  the  building  locally  known  as  the  1666. 
"Foulridge  Dandy  Shop,"  and  supposed  for  the 
following  reasons  to  have  been  originally  a  Quakers' 
Meeting-house,  with  burial-ground  attached  :  (1)  Frag- 
ments of  furniture  appertaining  to  a  place  of  worship 
have  been  discovered  there.  (2)  Also  human  bones  in, 
and  near  to  the  little  croft,  or  garden,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  lane,  at  some  considerable  depth  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  soil.  (3)  An  entry  in  the  burial  registers 
of  the  parish  to  the  following  effect :  "  1678.  Sept. 
John  Greenwood,  of  Ffouldridge,  a  Quaker,  buryed  at 
Ffouldridge."2 

Pendle  discharges  a  great  quantity  of  water.^  i669. 

Magdalen  Malham,  a  noted  beauty,  married  to  lero- 
William  Kenion,  of  Kirk  Clough.  There  is  a  curious 
tradition,  that,  by  the  addition  of  the  letter  "  p,"  pre- 
fixed to  her  name,  and  signifying,  so  it  is  said, 
the  Latin  word  pulcherrima  ("  most  beautiful"),  her 
charms  were  recorded  in  the  marriage  register.  Be 
this  as  it  may,  the  happiness  of  the  pair  was  of  short 
duration,  for,  eleven  months  after,  the  young  wife 
"  dyed  of  childe,"  and,  ere  long,  William  Kenion  had 
wooed  and  won  Alice  Blakey. 

1  Excheqjuer  B  and  A,  Lancaster.    Commonwealth.    No.  87. 
•  There  is  abvmdant  evidence  that  the  Quakers  were  once  a  strong 
body  In  this  neighbourhood.    Thej  are  now  few  in  number, 
»  Whitaker '»  ' '  WhaUey. " 


80  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

lan.  Charles  II.      Mr.    Parker,   of   Extwistle,   obtains   a  lease    of  a 

Marsdea  coal-mine. 
1672.  The  fulling  mill  here  in  the  possession  of  Bernard 

Emmott,  of  Colne,  gent. 
1674.  Another  Marsden  coal-mine  leased  to  Mr.  Richard 

Townley  and  others. 
W84.  Quaker  Hartley  presented  for  not  coming  to  church, 

•    and  not  receiving  the  sacrament. 

Nov.  27. — Robert  Hammond,   of   Crawshaw,  gent., 

buried  at  Colne.^ 

1687.  James  II.       Smallpox  at  Colne  and  Barrowford. 

1688.  The  Quakers  found  a  chapel  at  Travvden,  with  burial- 
ground  attached. 

1689.  William  &      Isabella    Shaw   and    Margaret   Shuttleworth,    two 

*^'  Trawden  friends,  perish  in  the  snow,  on  a  winter 
night,  on  their  way  to  Heptonstall.  Dying  together, 
they  were  together  buried  at  Colne.  ^ 

1690.  .  John   Ray,    the    father  of    English  botany,    visits 

Pendle.  There  he  finds  the  little  plant  Bifolinm 
minimum  (Listera  cordata)  growing  near  the  Beacon. ' 

Roman  silver  coins  found  at  Emmott. 

A  date  appearing  on  Emmott  Hall.  * 
1695.  Will.  III.        January. — John  Tattersall,    of  Noyna,  dies   at  the 
extraordinary  reputed  age  of  108.^     A  baby  when  the 
Spanish  Armada  was  scattered  in  the  time  of  "  Good 

•  Mr.  Hammond  is  the  only  Colne  gentleman  mentioned  by  BloTtie  in 
his  List  of  the  Nobility  and  Gentry  that  each  County  of  England  and  Wales 
is  Enabled  with.  His  daughter  Mary  married  Edmund  Starkie,  brother 
of  John  Starkie,  Esq.,  sometime  High  Sheriff  of  Lancashire.  Crawshaw, 
once  entitled  to  rank  amongst  the  mansions  of  the  neighbourhood,  is  now 
divided  into  a  number  of  cottage  tenements.  The  outside  and  inside 
walls  are  of  great  thickness. 

*  Parish  Register. 
'His  Synopsis. 
■•  Twycross,   in  his  Mansions  of  England  and  Wales,  describes  this 

mansion  as  standing  on  rising  ground,  surrounded  by  rich  plantations. 
"  The  house,"  says  he.  "has  undergone  many  alterations,  as  may  be  seen 
by  the  dates,  '  1693,' '  1727,'  and  '  1737,'  carved  on  it.  The  princijjal  front 
ifl  of  the  modem  style  of  architecture,  and  the  whole  structure  presents  a 
liandsome  appearance.  It  contains  several  family  portraits,  some  of 
which  are  by  John  Emmott,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1746,  and  possessed  con- 
siderahle  taste  as  an  amateur  artist.  There  are  also  portraits  by  Sir 
Godfrey  Kneller,  Sir  Martin  Archer  Shee,  and  other  distinguished 
painters." 

»  Parish  Register. 


1692. 
1693 


OOLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  81 

Queen  Bess,"  living  through  the  reigns  of  James  T.  and  less.  wm.  iil 

Charles  I.,  and  the  interregnum  of  Cromwell,  witnessing 

the  restoration  of  Charles  II.,  and  the  flight  and  exile 

of  James  II.,  he  saw  in  his  old  age  William  III.  and 

Mary  II.  ascend  the  English  throne,  and  died  one  year 

after  the  latter. 

Feb.  6. — Burial  at  Colne  of  the  sisters  Catherine  and  i699. 
Elizabeth  Robinson.  Poor  in  this  world's  goods — so 
poor  as  to  be  described  as  paupers — they  seem  to  have 
been  immeasurably  rich  in  the  love  they  bore  each 
other.  They  lived  together  71  years,  died  on  the 
same  day,  and  were  buried  on  the  same  day  in  the 
same  grave.  ^ 

Hob  Stones  built.''      This  once  genteel  residence  is  itoo. 
now  occupied  as  a  farmhouse.      Its  curious  gateway 
was  erected  fovu"  years  later. 

Carry  Bridge  Hall  built.  ^  5702.  Anne. 

Oct. — Death  of  John  Emmott,  for  44  years  sexton  1703. 
of  Colne  Church,  an  office  which,  says  the  register,  he 
filled,  "  Non  sine  aliqua  laude." 

Kobert  Hargreaves,  joiner,  mends  "  y'  fourhams  in  1705. 
y®  school." 

Feb.  6. — The  bells  ring  in  honour  of  the  Queen's  i"09. 
birthday.  * 

Also  in  May,  in  this  year,  in  honour  of  the  signing  of  1713. 
the  Peace  of  Utrecht.  * 

Feb.  2. — The  heads  of  Colne  parish  met  about  "  y*  1714. 
chancel  repairs." 

March. — Richard  Roberts,  of  Pendle  Forest,  drowned  ins.  George  i. 
in  Wanlass  Water." 


•  Pariah  Register. 

*  Hob  was  a  Saxon  dancing  elf  or  fairy.  The  neighbourhood  of  Hob 
Stones,  and  especially  the  adjoining  rocks,  was  said  to  be  haunted  by 
fairies.  Such  was  the  common  belief  amongst  the  Colne  children  of  a 
past  generation.  Doubtless  the  story  originated  in  some  now  lost  tradition 
respecting  the  place. 

*  On  the  building  are  the  initials  "  I  W — E  W"  Here  lived,  or  lodged, 
the  Rev.  John  Metcalfe,  curate  of  Colne,  a  strange  character,  of  whom  see 
posted.,  p.  164. 

«  Wardens'  Accounts. 

•  Registers. 

P 


82  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OT 

1716.  George  I.        A  little  waif  and  stray,  simply  styled  "  a  soldier's 

child,"  is  buried  here.^ 

1717.  Mr.  Barlow,  Incumbent  of  Colne,  "no  Jacobite," 
orders  the  bells  to  be  rung  in  honour  of  the  anniver- 
sary of  King  George 's  Coronation-day. 

17X8.  The  churchwardens  provide  a  Littleton^s  Dictionary 

and  a  Lexicon  for  the  use  of  the  Grammar  School  boys. 
Same  year. — Mr.  Barlow  certifies  the  Bishop  of  Ches- 
ter that  the  inhabitants  of  Colne,  Foulridge,  Barrow- 
ford,  Marsden,  and  Trawden  resort  to  the  parish  church, 
and  that  service  is  performed  therein  every  Sunday 
twice  a  day,  except  one  afternoon  every  month,  when 
the  curate  officiates  at  Marsden.* 

1722.  The  Skipton  singers  and  their  "  maister"  come 
over  to  Colne  Church. 

1723.  A  church  bell  cracks.  Vestry  meeting  held,  when  it 
was  resolved  that  the  bell  should  be  "  letten  down, 
weighed,  loaded,  and  sent  to  York." 

1728.  George  II.       The  sexton  removes  the  cross  from  Colne  church- 

yard.^ 

1729.  The  churchwardens  administer  relief  to  a  poor 
woman  "  badly  used  by  y®  Turks." 

1731.  John  Tempest,  of  Broughton,  writes  a  letter  to  his 

father,  wherein  he  incidentally  mentions  that  Colne  coal 
had  in  it,  to  all  appearance,  veins  of  gold  and  silver. 

1733.  The    Incumbent    of   Colne    contributes    £7    lis. 

towards  the  income  of  the  Vicar  of  Whalley. 

1735^  Feb.  27. — A  petition  of  the  principal  woollen  manu- 

facturers and  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Colne,  and 
places  adjacent,  presented  to  the  House  of  Commons, 
and  read.  It  states  (inter  alia)  that  "  vast  numbers  of 
the  poor  in  the  town,  and  places  adjacent,  have 
always  been  brought  up,  and  are  employed  in,  the 
woollen  manufacture  ;  and  that  great  quantities  of  the 
woollen  goods  made  there  are  exported  into  the  British 

*  Registers. 

*  Notitia  Cestriensls. 

3  Partly  for  this  act  of  Tandalism,  and  partly   in  payment  of   his 
wages,  he  received  £1  IBs.  3Jd. 


COLNH  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  83 

plantations.  The  petitioners,  being  convinced  that  it  1735.  George  ii. 
never  was  the  intention  of  the  Parliament  to  dis- 
courage the  manufactures  of  our  own  kingdom  [alluding 
here  to  an  Act  made  in  the  seventh  year  of  his  late 
Majesty's  reign,  prohibiting  the  wearing  or  using  in 
furniture,  of  any  printed,  painted,  stained,  or  dyed 
calicoes],  pray  that  manufacturers  of  linen  and  cotton 
goods,  by  whatsoever  name  they  are  or  may  be  distin- 
guished, may  not  be  hindered  or  restrained  from  printing 
or  painting  the  said  manufactures,  and  from  making 
any  further  improvement  of  the  same ;  or,  by  including 
these  home-made  goods  under  the  penalties  of  foreign 
ones,  to  prohibit  the  use  and  wear  of  them.^ 

March  27. — Thirty-four  persons  excommunicated.  1737. 
The  parties  who  thus  incuiTed  the  displeasure  of  the 
Church  were  as  follow  :  Robert  Edlestone,  of  Mars- 
den,  Mary  Driver,  Elizabeth  Hartley,  Mary  Tattersall, 
of  Little  Marsden,  Hannah  Bradshaw,  John  Shaw,  Ann. 
Hartley,  of  Foulridge,  Catherine  Baldwin,  Mary 
Foulds,  John  Holgate,  Margaret  Whitaker,  John  Todd, 
Elizabeth  Hitchen,  of  Marsden,  Sarah  Mitchell,  of 
Trawden,  John  Harrison  and  Jennet  his  wife,  William 
Harrison,  Robert  Smith  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  Sarah 
Greenwood,  of  Trawden,  Mary  Parkinson,  of  Colne, 
Abraham  Uttley  and  Ann  Shackleton,  of  Errington, 
Ellen  Boys,  Margaret  Mitchell,  of  Trawden,  Ellen 
Greenwood,  of  Trawden,  William  Hyrd  and  Ellen 
Windle,  of  Foulridge,  Nicholas  Baldwin  and  Judith 
Boothman,  Richard  Wilson  and  Elizabeth  Bradshaw, 
and  William  Starkie,  of  Foulridge.  ^ 

'  For  fuller  account  see  "  Sketches  in  Local  History,"  in  Prest<m 
Gxuirdiaii  Supplement,  for  Aug.  18th,  1877. 

*  No  reason  for  the  step  is  assigned  in  the  register,  and  I  fail  to  find 
one  from  other  sources.  Excommunication  is  a  punishment  now  rarely 
heard  of —perhaps  the  most  notable  instance  in  modern  times  being  that 
of  Dr.  Colenso,  Bishop  of  Natal,  by  his  metropolitan,  Dr.  Gray,  Bishop 
of  Capeton.  Excommunication  was  ^once,  however,  a  common  occur- 
rence, and,  as  may  be  imagined,  was  a  most  powerful  weapon,  both  of  the 
Church  and  State.  Paterson  remarks  that  in  England,  before  the 
Conquest,  the  harbouring  of  an  excommunicato  placed  an  oflfender  at  the 
king's  mercy.  And  the  excommunicate  could  enter  into  no  legal  con- 
trac;s,  had  no  status  in  court,  was  denied  his  wager  of  Irattle,  and  no  on« 


84  ANNALS   AKD  STORIES   OP 

1741.  George  11.       Entries  in  the   parish  registers  first  made  in  the 

vulgar  tongue. 
1743.  February. — Mr.  Ingham,  founder  of  the  sect  of  that 

name,  preaches  for  the  first  time  at  Colne  Edge. 

Same  year — The  Honourable  Henry  Harvey,  B.A., 

appointed  curate  here,  at  a  salary  of  £40  per  annum. 

1745.  The  Scotch  rebels  in  the  neighbourhood.  Skirmish- 
ing takes  place.  '^ 

1746.  Nine  more  persons  excommunicated,  viz.,  Robert 
Moore,  of  Foulridge ;  Mary  Catlow,  of  Colne ;  William 
Banks,  Elizabeth  Berry,  of  y*  cbapelry  of  Colne ;  Mary 
Taylor,  Peter  Whalley,  Martha  Firth,  Mary  Spencer, 
and  Thomas  White,  of  Little  Marsden. 

1-43  John  Hartley,  plasterer,  works  thirteen  days  at  the 

church,  at  a  charge  of  fifteen  pence  per  day  for  himself, 
and  ninepence  for  his  boy. 

1751.  October   14. — Still    further   excommnnications,   the 

transgressors   being    Mary   Watson,   of    Barrowford ; 
Ellen  Kershaw,  Anne  Shoesmith,  Richard  Varley  and 
Ellen  his  wife,  Alice  Hodgson,  and  Mary  Wilkinson,  of ' 
Trawden. 


could  eat  and  drink  or  live  with  him  in  public  or  in  private.  He  thus 
became  an  outcast,  and  worse  than  a  leper,  with  whom  it  was  punishment 
to  exchange  a  word  or  a  greeting,  and  was  left  to  perish  in  misery  or 
starvation.  If  a  citizen,  even  unawares,  supplied  food  and  shelter  to  him, 
the  whole  town  was  frequently  subjected  to  an  interdict.  When  the 
anathema  was  pronounced,  wittt  bell,  book,  and  candle,  the  priest,  at  the 
head  of  the  citizens,  proceeded  to  stone  the  excommunicate 's  house.  After 
ten  days'  obduracy  all  friends,  reLations,  and  servants  were  forbidden, 
under  the  pain  of  sharing  his  punishment,  to  minister  him  salt,  or  food, 
or  drink,  or  water,  or  fire.  If  he  took  refuge  in  a  town,  or  church,  or 
monastery,  an  interdict  was  launched  at  it,  and  finally,  in  a  few  days  more, 
all  judges,  nobles,  and  secular  authorities  were  ordered,  under  pain  of 
excommunication,  to  seize  and  imprison  his  person  and  confiscate  his 
property.  When  an  excommunicate  died,  he  was  denied  the  right  of 
burial,  and  his  body  was  suspended  to  a  tree  and  left  to  rot  in  the  air, 
though  the  clergy  afterwards  found  they  could  make  profit  by  dispensing 
with  this  law.  Indeed,  so  formidable  a  weapon  was  excommunication 
deemed,  and  its  influence  on  men  was  found  to  be  so  emphatic  and  con- 
spicuous, that  the  same  process  was  extended  to  the  beasts  of  the  field, 
and  bishops  gravely  excommvmicated  caterpillars,  rats,  and  snails,  after 
appointing  and  hearing  counsel  in  their  defence.  It  was  also  applied  to 
the  recovery  of  ordinary  debts  so  early  as  the  twelfth  century,  and  so 
continued  for  three  centuries." 

•  I  do  not  find  that  they  came  to  the  town,  but  some  of  the  Colne 
people  went  to  Pendle  to  obtain  a  glimpse  of  them,  when  their  fears  had 
been  allayed. 


COLNB  AVD   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  -85 

Jidy  18. — Laying  of  the  foundation  stone  of  Wine- 1752.  Geoi^eii. 
wall  ChapeL 

August. — "  M.,"  a  Lancashire  gentleman,  -writing  1753. 
to  the  editor  of  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  states 
that  "one  Mr.  Parker,  a  gentleman  of  consider- 
able fortune,  near  Colne,  in  Lancashire,  has  a 
certain  and  speedy  remedy  for  the  dreadful  dis- 
temper of  hydrophobia,  which,"  observes  the  writer, 
"  I  never  heard  to  fail  except  once,  which  failure 
was  occasioned  by  the  person's  own  folly,  who 
would  not  be  kept  from  strong  liquors,  although 
strictly  charged  to  refrain  them.  There  has  been  a 
great  many  hundreds  cured  by  him,  for  which  he 
takes  no  more  than  half-a-crown.  I  never  heard  he 
gave  above  one  dose,  which  always  does  the  business. 
Every  patient  is  obliged  to  go  to  him,  for  he  gives  it 
with  his  own  hands,  and  will  send  it  to  nobody  what- 
ever. Indeed,  for  a  dog  he  will  send  it  made  up  with 
a  kind  of  paste,  for  I  myself  have  had  occasion  to  send 
to  him  for  it  for  a  favourite  dog,  and  it  answered 
entirely."  The  writer  then  suggests  that  could  the 
gentleman  [Mr.  Parker]  be  persuaded  to  be  so  generous 
as  to  give  the  secret  to  the  public  it  would  be  of 
universal  service  to  mankiud,  or,  if  the  Legislature 
would  purchase  it  for  the  public,  he  was  persuaded 
"  it  would  be  of  infinite  more  benefit  to  the  world  than 
Mrs.  Stephen's  famous  medicine  for  the  stone  and 
gravel.  "'^ 

The  Inghamites  build  a  meeting-house  at  Salter- 1754. 
forth.  2 

Saturday^  October  17th. — Execution  at  York  of  the  1767.  George  in 
brothers  Thomas  and  Richard  Boys,  of  Waterside.' 

*  "  Sketches  in  Local  History,"  In  Pretton  Guardian  Supplement,  for 
Nov.  17th,  1877.  The  secret  is  still  claimed  to  be  in  the  possession  o£ 
a  Colne  family,  whose  head  married  a  former  domestic  at  Alkincoats. 

*  "Historical  Sketches  of  the  Rise  of  the  Scots  Old  Independent  and 
In^hamite  Churches,  with  the  Correspondence  which  led  to  their  Union. 
Colne  :  Printed  and  sold  by  H.  Eamshaw.     1814." 

*  The  belief  is  common  in  this  neighbourhood  that  the  brothers  were 
executed  for  uttering  counterfeit  coin,  and  it  is  so  stated  in  the  first 
edition.     But  according  to  a  curious  little    work,   entitled    Criminal 


86  ANJfALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

irro.  George  III.  Feb.  Jfih. — The  inhabitants  of  Cokie  resolve  to  erect 
a  new  poorhouse,  at  an  estimated  cost  of  £120.^ 

1772.  Sept.  9th. — A  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  poorhouse 

question,  when  a  proposal  that  the  money  belonging 
to  the  poor  should  be  expended  in  its  erection  was 
carried  by  a  large  majority.^ 

1774.  The  poorhouse  question  still  on  the  tapis.     The  prin- 

cipal landowners  meet,  and,  admitting  that  the  tenants' 
rents  were  excessively  high,  undertake  to  find  the 
balance  of  the  money  required  for  its  erection. 

irre.  Smallpox   rages   in    the   town.      Seventy   children 

carried  off  in  the  space  of  six  months. 

1781.  The  practice  inaugurated  of  allowing  a  free  sale  of 
linen  cloths  at  the  Cloth  Hall  during  fair-time,  the 
object  being  to  attract  traders  to  the  town. 

1782.  A  further  outbreak  of  smallpox,  which  proved  so 
fatal  to  children  that,  according  to  the  register,  "  pro- 
digious numbers  "  were  carried  off. 

1739.  Jan.  12. — A  fearful  storm,  in  which  George  Aspden 

perished  in  the  snow  in  Colne  Lane.  Inquest  held, 
and  verdict  of  "  Accidental  Death  "  recorded.  ^ 

1792.  Construction  of  the  Foulridge  tunnel  on  the  Leeds 

and  Liverpool  Canal.  ^ 


Chronology  of  York  CastU,  compiled,  ita  author  states,  from  the  most 
authentic  sources,  they  paid  the  extreme  ijenalty  of  the  law  for  the  high- 
way robbery  of  Mr.  Abraham  Eamshaw,  of  Ovenden,  holding  a  knife  to 
his  throat,  and  putting  him  in  fear  of  his  life.  They  took  eight  guineas 
and  two  shiUings  in  silver  from  him.  The  brothers  married  two  sisters, 
who,  with  their  father,  attended  the  execution. 

*  Parish  Papers. 

*  Parish  Register. 

*  The  work  was  extremely  hazardous,  and  attended  with  considerable 
loss  of  life,  in  consequence  of  the  existence  of  quicksand,  which  constantly 
impeded  the  efforts  of  the  men  employed.  Britton  {Beauties  of  England 
and  Wales,  1807)  states  that  during  the  progress  of  the  works,  the  soil 
proved  so  loose  that  only  700  yards  could  be  worked  underground  The 
remainder  was  obliged  to  be  opened  from  above  from  ten  to  twenty  yards 
deep,  and  twenty  to  thirty  yards  wide  at  the  top  ;  moreover,  that  the 
sides  of  the  excavation  were  supjwrted  by  timber  at  an  immense  labour 
and  expense  to  prevent  the  earth  falling  in  until  the  tunnel  was 
constructed.  This  timnel  is  1,630  yards  long,  18  feet  high,  17  feet  wide, 
and  23  feet  below  the  highest  point  of  the  hUl.  A  Une  of  half-sovereigns 
laid  from  end  to  end,  and  touching  each  other,  would,  it  is  said,  about 
represent  its  cost. 


COIiNE  AXD   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  87 

Construction  of  the  Foulridge  Reservoir.^  1793. "George lit 

A  memorable  year  in  the  annals  of  Colne.  War  was  1795. 
being  waged  against  the  French,  and  the  English 
Government  had  determined  to  despatch  a  strong  body 
of  troops  to  the  West  Indies,  under  the  command  of 
General  Sir  Ralph  Abercrombie.  The  63rd  Regiment, 
then  considerably  below  its  full  strength,  was  one  of 
the  regiments  selected  for  this  service.  Recruits  yere 
wanted,  but,  owing  to  the  popularity  of  Captain 
Barcroft,  an  officer  of  the  regiment  from  this  neigh- 
bourhood, soon  procured.  The  young  men  in  Water- 
side joined  almost  en  masse.  Sunday,  November  15, 
was  the  appointed  day  for  sailing,  and  was  looked 
forward  to  with  eager  expectation.  Before  leaving 
Colne,  the  young  recruits  were  drawn  up  two  deep  at 
the  Cross,  and  attended  in  such  numbers  that,  whilst 
the  head  of  the  procession  was  opposite  it,  the  rear 
extended  to  Cabbage  Lane.  Many  were  the  good, 
wishes  expressed  for  their  welfare — many  the  leave- 
takings — not  a  few  the  tears  shed  by  wives  and  sweet- 
hearts left  behind ;  and  then,  with  a  fifer  in  green  and 
a  drummer  in  red,  these  Colne  lads,  wearing  rosettes 
in  their  caps,  and  accompanied  by  relatives  and 
friends  as  far  as  Whitewalls,  marched  away  never  to 
return.  An  unlooked-for  fate  awaited  them.  The 
ships  in  which  they  sailed  were  wrecked  in  a  terrible 
storm  off  Portland,  and  Captain  Barcroft,  in  the  words 
of  the  old  song — 


'  This  is  the  largest  of  the  four  reservoirs  in  this  neighbourhood  by 
which  the  Leeds  and  Liverpool  Canal,  traversing  the  country  a  distance 
of  128  miles,  is  fed.  The  head  level,  or  summit,  of  the  canal  is  at 
Foulridge  ;  tlie  fall  eastward  being  409^  feet,  and  westward  431  feet,  on 
which  account  the  principal  reservoirs  of  the  Canal  Company  are  in  this 
neighbourhood.  Their  names,  area,  and  contents  are  as  follow  :  (1)  The 
Foulridge  Reservoir,  above  mentioned,  raised  in  1832.  Area  about 
108  acres ;  greatest  depth,  33  feet ;  contains,  when  full,  480,870,000  gallons, 
a  quantity,  it  is  said,  sufficient  to  fill  the  canal  between  here  and  Leeds. 
(2)  The  Slipper  Hill  Reservoir.  Area  about  12  acres ;  greatest  depth, 
28  feet ;  estimated  contents,  48,825,000  gallons.  (3)  The  White  Moor 
Reservoir.  Greatest  depth,  31  feet ;  estimated  contents,  160,290,000 
gallons.  (4)  The  New  Reservoir,  constructed  in  the  years  1865-6.  Area, 
about  35  acres ;  greatest  depth,  28  feet  6  inches ;  flooded  February  Tth, 
18S6. 


88  ANNALS   AND    ST0BIE8   OP 

i795.George  III.  .       '  -^  °°^^®  °^^°> 

He  sailed  east,  he  sailed  west, 
A  gallant  man  was  he,' 

along  with  10  officers,  215  soldiers  and  sailors,  and  a 
number  of  women,  sank  beneath  the  waves.  Few  in  the 
doomed  ships  lived  to  narrate  the  story  (the  last  pass- 
ing peacefully  away  on  New  Year's  Day,  1870),  but 
Lindjridge  tells  us  that  no  celebrated  field  of  carnage 
ever  presented,  in  proportion  to  its  size,  a  more  awful 
sight  than  that  exhibited  by  the  Chisell  Bank.  For 
more  than  two  miles  it  was  literally  strewed  with  the 
dead  bodies  of  men  and  animals,  with  fragments  of 
wreck  and  piles  of  plundered  goods,  which  groups  of 
people  were  carrying  away,  regardless  of  the  sight  of 
drowned  and  mangled  corpses  that  filled  the  spectators 
with  sorrow  and  amazement.  On  the  mangled  remains 
of  the  unfortunate  victims  death  appeared  in  all  its 
hideous  forms.  Either  the  sea  or  the  merciless  wreckers 
had  stripped  the  sufferers  of  the  clothes  worn  at  the 
fatal  moment.  The  remains  of  a  military  stock,  the 
collar  or  wristband  of  a  shirt,  or  a  piece  of  blue  panta- 
loons, were  all  the  fragments  of  their  apparel  that 
remained.  The  only  mode  of  distinguishing  the  officers 
was  the  different  appearance  of  their  hands  from  those 
of  men  accustomed  to  hard  labour;  but  some  were 
known  by  the  description  given  of  them  by  their  friends, 
or  by  persons  who  were  in  the  same  vessel  with  them. 
The  corpse  of  Captain  Barcroft  was  recognised  by  the 
honourable  scars  which  he  had  received  in  the  service 
of  his  country,  and  was  interred  with  military  honours. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  a  lieutenant  of  the 
militia  regiment  appointed  to  superintend  the 
melancholy  office  of  interment  repaired  to  the  scene 
of  destruction ;  but  from  the  delay  occasioned  in  ob- 
taining the  requisite  authority  to  remove  the  bodies, 
not  more  than  twenty-five  were  buried  that  day.  The 
bodies  of  Capt.  Barcroft,  Lieut.  Sutherland,  Cornet 
Graydon,  Lieut.  Ker,  and  two  women  were  then  selected 
to  be  put  in  coffins,  and,  on  the  following  day,  those  of 


OOLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  89 

Lieut.  Jenner  and  Comet  Burns  being  found,  were  1795.  George  ill. 

distinguished  in  the  same  manner.     The  total  number 

of  dead  bodies  found  upon  the  beach  amounted  to  two 

hundred  and  thirty-four,  so  that  the  duty  of  interment 

was  so  heavy  and  fatiguing  that  it  was  not  until  the 

23rd  that  all  the  remains  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors 

were  deposited  in  the  ground.     Of  these,  two  hundred 

and  eight  were  committed  to  the  earth  as  decently  as 

cii'cumstances  would  admit,  in  graves  dug  on  the  fleet 

side  of  the  beach  beyond  the  reach  of  the  sea.     A  pile 

of  stones  marked  the  site  of  each  grave.  Twelve  coffins 

"were  sent  to  receive  the  bodies  of  the  women,  but  nine 

only  being  found,  the  surplus  ones  were  appointed  to 

receive  the  remains  of  the  officers.     Two  waggons  were 

next  sent  to  receive  the  coffins  in  which  the  shrouded 

remains  of  seventeen  officers  and  nine  women  had  been 

placed,  and  on  the  24th  they    were  carried  to  the 

churchyard  of  Wyke,  preceded  by  a  captain,  subaltern, 

and   fifty-nine   men   of  the   Gloucester   Militia,    and 

attended  by  a  Mr.  Smith,  as  chief  mourner.  The  officers 

•were  mostly  interred  in  a  large  grave  north  of  the 

ohurch  tower  with  military  honours,  and  Lieut  Ker  in 

a  grave  on  the  other  side  of  the  tower.     The  remains 

of  the  nine  women,  which  had  been  deposited  in  the 

church  during  the  ceremony,  were  then  committed  to 

the  earth.    In  those  days  intelligence  travelled  slowly, 

but  when   the   sad   news   reached    Colne,  there  was 

general  lamentation,  for  hardly  a  home  in  Waterside 

but  mourned  the  loss  of  some  dead  one.  ^ 

May  1. — The  Foulridge  tunnel  completed,  and  the  it9«. 
canal  opened  to  Burnley. 

.    >  In  the  pariah  ohurch  is  a  monument  bearing  the  following  inscrip- 
tion:— 

'  To  the  Memory  of 

Captain  Ambrose  William  Barcroft, 

Of  the  63rd  Regiment, 

Interred  at  Wyke,  he  having,  after  a  life  jiassed  in 

arduous  service  in  America,  the  West  Indies, 

and  in  Holland,  perished  by  shipwreck. 

With  10  other  ofiScera,  and  215  soldiers  and  seamen, 

On  Portland  Beach, 

At  the  age  of  36,  on  the  IStb  November, 

1T95.' 


90  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

1797.  "George  III,      Eeedyford  rebuilt. '^ 

isoo.  Three  youths,  named  William  and  Thomas  Spencer 

and  Michael  Stansfield,  drowned  in  the  Little  Reservoir 
at  Slipper  Hill.  2 

1801.*  The  ancient  draw-well,  said  to  be  20  yards  deep,  in 

the  main  street  of  Colne,  and  opposite  the  Hole  in  the 
Wall  Inn,  arched  over. 

1S02.  The  Wesleyan  Methodist  Chapel  erected  at  Barrow- 

ford. 

1803.  A  vestry  meeting  held  and  resolution  passed,  "  That 
for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  attendance  at  the 
town's  meetings,  every  person,  being  a  cess-payer, 
shall  have  the  option  of  having  sixpennyworth  of 
liquor  at  the  town's  expense."  A  proviso  wisely  added 
"  That  on  no  account  shall  the  expense  exceed  six 
shillings." 

1804.  Sept. — Disquieting  war  rumours.  The  principal 
inhabitants,  in  vestry  assembled,  confer  as  to  the 
best  method  of  obtaining  recruits  for  the  army 
of  reserve, 

1806.  Bear-bait  in  Park  Delf  Pond, 

1800.  Marsden  Old  Church,  or  Chapel,  demolished — a  step 

necessitated  by  its  ruinous  condition.^ 
isii.  Burial  at  Winewall   Chapel   of   Mary   Preston,    of 

Far  Laith,  aged  101. 
1812.  Re-opening    of    the   Wesleyan    Methodist   Chapel, 

Barrowford.     The  present  road  on  Colne  Field  opened. 

1818.  Building  of  the  Primitive  Methodist  Chapel,  Colne. 

1819.  Demonstration  at  the  Nelson  Inn,  Nelson,  largely 
attended  by   the   handloom    weavers   of   Colne   and 

'  In  9  Eliz.,  there  was  an  action  or  suit  in  the  Duchy  Court, 
respecting  "the  lands,  tenements,  meadow,  pastures,  and  feedings  called. 
Keediffore." 

*  Parish  Register. — These  unfortunate  young  men  came  on  the  bank  of 
the  Foulridge  end  of  the  resevoir  in  high  spirits,  one  of  them  playing  a 
fife.  Divesting  themselves  of  their  clothes,  they  were  observed  to  enter 
the  water  and  almost  immediately  disappear.  It  was  afterwards  dis- 
covered that  they  had  incautiously  walked  into  a  hole  partially  filled 
with  underwood,  in  which  their  feet  became  entangled.  The  bodies 
■were  recovered,  and  buried  at  Colne  Church. 

*  Whitaker  describes  it  as  a  poor  and  mean  structure,  apparently 
of  the  age  of  Henry  VIII.,  with  the  ciphers  "  I  H  S."  on  the  little  belfry. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  91 

neighbourhood,  against  a  proposed  reduction  of  wages.  i8i9.  George  in; 
At  this  demonstration  many  of  the  processionists 
carried  what  were  ostensibly  walking-sticks,  which,  it 
was  feared,  might,  on  the  slightest  excuse,  have  been 
used  for  other  purposes.  Happily,  the  affair  passed  off 
peaceably,  some  of  the  more  turbulent  spirits  being 
sufficiently  occupied  in  testing  the  quality  of  the  land- 
lord's liquor,  and,  when  that  was  exhausted,  despatching 
a  horse  and  cart  to  Holgate's  Marsden  Brewery  for  a 
further  supply. 

Jan,   1,   Sunday. — A   Marsden,    of    White    Moor,  1820. 
drowned  in  the  Little  Reservoir.     Severe  frost,  lasting 
until  March  7th.     Horsfield  Cottage  and  Cumberland 
House  built. 

The  Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Association  of  Baptist  1821.  Ooorge  iv. 
Churches  visits  Colne. 

Destruction   by   fire   of   the   workhouse   on   Colne  1822. 
Field.^     The  Wesleyans  build  a  chapel  at  Laneshaw 
Bridge.     The  Commercial  Inn  and   adjoining  houses 
built. 

November  25,  Monday. — The  Leeds  and  Liverpool 
coaches  commence  running  through  Colne. 

Same  Day. — The  Market  Cross,  figured  in  the 
frontispiece,  and  which  had  for  ages  stood  in  the  main 
street,  between  Windy  Bank  and  Colne  Lane,  removed.^ 

Colne  Street  paved  from  the  higher   church  gates  1823. 
westward,  and  causeways  constructed  throughout  the 
town. 


'  Supposed  to  have  been  originally  the  manor-house  of  the  rich  and 
powerful  family  of  the  Lacys.    It  stood  nigh  to  Swan  Field. 

*  The  custom  of  erecting  market  crosses,  though  commonly  ascribed 
to  mere  superstition,  is  a  very  ancient  and  beautiful  one.  Every  town 
had  its  cross,  and  an  engjigement  made  there  was,  in  primitive  times, 
thought  to  be  attended  with  more  solemnity  than  if  made  elsewhere, 
tjtanding,  too,  in  the  busiest  part  of  Colne,  it  is  not  improbable  that  a 
glance  at  the  tall  shapely  cross  may  have  been  the  means  of  checking 
many  a  dishonest  transaction  among  the  cattle  drovers  and  farmers 
frequenting  Colne  on  a  market-day.  The  date  of  erection  is  unknown. 
Its  removal  was  quietly  and  expeditiously  effected.  A  complaint  was 
made  that  there  was  insufficient  room  for  the  coaches  to  turn  ;  a  second, 
that  the  idlers  of  the  market-place,  congregating  on  its  steps,  were,  in 
a  double  sense,  a  standing  nuisance  to  passers-by,  and  Colne  Cross 
disappeared. 


92  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OF 

1824.  George  IV       Erection  of  Greenfield  Mill. 

1825.  The  town  resolves  to  subscribe  to  the  Manchester 
Infirmary. 

1826.  April. — A  Colne  mob  destroys  some  looms  in 
transitu.  Construction  of  the  New  Road,  sometimes 
known  as  Dyson's  Road.     Great  distress. 

June  9. — Vestry  meeting  held,  when,  "  in  order  in 
some  measure  to  alleviate  the  distress,"  it  was  resolved, 
"  That  if  in  the  construction  of  the  new  road  there  shall 
be  an  opportunity  of  employing  outdoor  paupers  with- 
out giving  them  more  than  eighteenpence  a  head,  the 
overseers  shall  set  them  to  work  at  those  wages,  being 
assured  that  whatever  work  may  be  done  by  such 
paupers  will  at  least  be  fairly  paid  for,  and  will  there- 
fore, to  that  extent,  be  a  saving  to  the  town." 

October  5. — The  distress  becoming  more  general,  a 
vestry  meeting  held,  and  resolution  passed,  "  That  the 
earnings  of  those  poor  families  who,  in  the  judgment 
of  the  select  vestry,  produce  a  reasonable  quantity  of 
work,  be  made  into  one  shilling  and  sixpence  per  head 
per  week,  and  that  those  families  who  are  negligent  in 
procuring  work,  or  indolent  in  prosecuting  it,  be 
relieved  at  the  discretion  of  the  select  vestry." 
jggy  A  brighter  day  dawns.      The  constable   of  Colne 

certifies  that  "our  highways  are  in  good  repair,  our 
poor  well  provided  for,  and   that  he  has  nothing  to 
present  within  his  constablewick." 
jg2g  Ann  Borrus,  of  Kirk   Clough,   buried  at  Winewall 

Chapel.     The  singular  fact  is  recorded  that  there  she 
had  buried  one  husband  and  nineteen  children. 

The  Rectory  built  according  to  the  plans,  and  under 
the  superintendence,  of  the  Rev.  John  Henderson.^ 

The  first  power  loom  introduced  into  a  Colne  mill. 
1832.  wm.  IV.         March  14. — Shepherdism  also  introduced  into  the  dis- 
trict. Cholera  prevalent.  The  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council 
appoint  a  Board  of  Health  for  Colne,  consisting  of  the 
Rev.  John  Henderson,  Chairman,  the  Churchwardens, 

*  The  site  was  given  by  the  Earl  of  Derby.  The  cost  of  the  building 
amounted  to  some  £750,  towards  which  the  parishioners  raised  about  £100 


COLKB  AND  NElGHBOtTRHOOl).  "93 

Overseers,  and  Constables  of  the  town,  the  Medical  isss.  wiiL  lY. 
Gentlemen  of  the  town,  and  Messrs.  James  Carr, 
Harry  Bolton,  John  Midgley,  Septimus  Horrison, 
James  Baldwin,  Joseph  Shackleton,  Thomas  Lonsdale, 
Thomas  Smith,  Bernard  Crook,  John  Hall,  John 
Watson,  Robert  Horner,  James  Laycock,  Richard 
Sagar,  James  Bulcock,  William  Bottomley,  Robert 
Leeming,  Benjamin  Watson,  John  Lonsdale,  Robert 
Duxberry,  William  Holmes,  William  Eamshaw,  James 
Wilson,  John  Whitaker,  Robert  Hartley,  Joseph  Crab- 
tree,  Thomas  Thornber,  jun.,  Robert  Brown,  Joshua 
Cockshott,  Robert  Spencer,  and  Henry  Bolton.^ 

Mr.  William  Asquith  appointed  constable  of  Colne,  1834, 
at  a  salary  of  £15  per  annum.  His  duties,  as  defined 
in  his  appointment,  were  "to  strictly  visit  all  disorderly 
iouses,  beershope,  nuisances,  or  otherwise,  and  report 
the  same  to  the  Select  Vestry  every  meeting ;  to  look 
sharply  after  the  gamblers,  &c.,  and  to  go  all  joumies, 
known  and  unknown,  at  his  own  expense."^ 

St.  Helen's  Mill  built.    Formation  of  a  Colne  Sunday  1835. 
School  Union. 

The   Manchester  coach   upset  at   Primet    Bridge,  i83C. 
Robert  Brierley,  of  Manchester,  receiving  injuries  from 
which  he  died,  and  several  others  being  seriously  hurt. 

June  SO. — Dr.    Sumner,  Bishop  of  Chester,  conse- 
crates Christ  Church. 

Dec.  21. — Mrs.  Every-Clayton  lays  the  comer  stone  issr,  Victoria, 
of  Barrowford  Church,  ^ 

•  Parish  Papers. 

»  On  »  pLit«  affixed  to  the  stone  was  the  following  Inscription : — 
'  Glory  to  God  in  the  Highest  1 
This  comer  stone  of  the 
Church  of  St.  Thomas,  Barrowford, 
Was  laid  on  the  2l8t  day  of  December,  a.d.  1837, 
in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Victoria, 
By  Mrs.  EVERY-CLAYTON,  of  CARR  HALL, 
assisted  by  Le  Gendre  Nicholas  Starkie,  Esq.,  of  Htmtroyd. 
The  site  of  the  Fabric,  Cemetery,  School,  and  Yard  was 
Given  by  James  Nowell  Farringfton,  Esq.,  of  Shawe  Hall,  Chorley, 
and  the  expense  of  the  Building  was  contributed  by  subscription, 
aided  by  a  grant  of  £7fiO  from  the  Chester  Diocesan  Society. 
Richard  Noble,  Vicar  of  Whalley 
John  Henderson,  Incumbent  of  Colne. 
John  Rushton,  Incumbent  of  Newchurch-In-Pendle. 
John  Hutchinson,  Incumbent  of  Marsden.' 


94  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

issr.  Victoria.  Same  Day. — Great  floods,  the  Barrowford  Bridge 
being  swept  away,  and  Mill  Green,  Waterside,  several 
feet  under  water.  ^ 

1838.  Long  frost,  commencing  January  6th.  "  To  the 
Glory  of  God,  and  to  the  memory  of  her  grandfather, 
Henry  Richardson,  and  of  her  father,  Henry  Richard- 
son Currer,  successively  rectors  of  Thomton-in-Craven, 
Frances  Mary  Richardson  Currer  builds  and  endows 
the  Church  of  St.  Mary's,  Kelbrook." 

1839.  A  subscription  list  opened  in  Barrowford  and  neigh- 
bourhood, for  the  purpose  of  placing  four  pinnacles  on, 
and  a  clock  in,  the  tower  of  Barrowford  Church.  The 
appeal  for  funds  being  insufficiently  responded  to,  a 
native  of  Barrowford  offered  to  present  one,  provided 
the  remaining  three  were  contributed  elsewhere. 
Believing  that  such  would  be  the  case,  he  ordered, 
and  had  completed,  a  pinnacle  of  considerable  height. 
The  other  three,  however,  were  not  forthcoming,  and 
in  doubt  and  difficulty  what  to  do,  he  had  his  lonely 
pinnacle  placed,  where  it  still  stands,  on  terra  firma, 
in  the  churchyard,  and  lest  its  history  should  be  for- 
gotten, half-spitefully,  half-playfully,  inscribed  it 
thus : — 

'In  1839 

I  should  have  mounted  high. 

But,  alas  !  what  is  man  ? 

Poverty  and  discord 

Has  tied  me  to  the  ground 

And  here  I  am  left  alone.' 

1840.  April  25. — Conflict  at  Colne  between  the  Chartists 
and  police.     Troops  despatched  from  Burnley. 

Aug.  10. — Riots  here.^ 

Same  year. — The  watchmen  cease  to  parade  Colne 


*  It  being  St.  Thomas's  Day,  one  of  the  fair  days  formerly  held  here, 
many  country  people  found  it  necessary  to  traverse  the  Green.  The 
services  of  a  tall  man  were  secured.jwho,  for  a  trifling  consideration,  carried 
women  across  the  water,  performing  the  task,  it  is  said,  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  all  concemea. 
*  8eej>o«t«a,  p.  229. 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  95 

streets.^     Death,  at  the  age  of  107,  of  Robert  Eobin- 1840.  victoria, 
son,  otherwise  Scotch  Robert. '^ 

March  24. — Trial  at  Lancaster  of  the  Colne  rioters.  i84i. 
The  working  men  raise  a  subscription  to  defend  them.^ 

Years   of  great  commercial   depression   and  much  1842-3-4. 
distress  in  this  neighbourhood. 

April   18. — James    Foulds,    Esq.,   J. P.,    lays    the  i845. 
foundation  stone  of  the  Church  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin, 
Trawden.^ 

July  13. — The  Lord  Bishop  of  the  diocese  conse- 1846. 
crates  the  new  church  at  Trawden — Archdeacon 
Masters,  Canon  Masters,  the  rural  dean,  and 
many  local  clergy,  being  present.  After  the  cere- 
mony the  Bishop  ascended  the  pulpit,  and  preached 
from  Luke  xv.,  18 :  "  I  will  arise  and  go  to  my 
father,"  &c. 

Monday  20. — Great  rejoicings  at  Colne,  in  celebra- 
tion of  the  Repeal  of  the  Com  Laws.  Fortunately, 
the  day  was  remarkably  fine,  and  immense  numbers 
of  people  were  in  the  town.  The  arrangements  were 
planned  by  a  committee  appointed  at  a  public  meeting 
held  about  a  week  previously,  with  Mr.  William 
Earnshaw  as  chairman.  An  invitation  to  attend  a 
public  dinner  had  been  forwarded  to  the  Rev.  John 


*  The  town  was  divided  into  three  districts,  each  watchman  taking 
one.  These  watchmen  went  on  duty  from  11  p.m.  to  5  a.m.,  and  their 
cry,  "Gone  12  o'clock,  and  a  very  fine  night,"  will,  doubtless,  be  remem- 
bered by  many  of  the  older  inhabitants.  Previous  to  the  employment 
of  regular  watchmen,  the  shopkeepers  and  residents  in  the  main  streets 
had  each  to  take  their  turn  in  guarding  the  sleeping  inhabitants,  though 
a  female  housekeeper  was,  very  properly,  allowed  to  find  a  substitute. 

'  He  was  buried  near  the  east  door-step  of  the  Baptist  Chapel  in  this 
town,  and  as  a  last  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  their  aged  country- 
man, a  detachment  of  the  78th  Highlanders  carried  him  shoulder-high  to 
his  grave. 

*  See  postea,  p.  233. 

*  A  name  selected  as  a  pleasing  means  of  x)erpetuating  the  memory 
of  Miss  Mary  Foulds,  of  Trawden  House,  a  lady  well-known  and  highly 
respected.  The  clergy  present  were,  the  Revs.  John  Henderson,  H.  Stainei, 
Wm.  Hodgson,  and  Wm.  Messenger.  The  proceedings  rommenced  with  a 
procession  of  teachers  and  scholars,  headed  by  a  brass  band,  from  the 
church  school  to  Trawden  House,  where  they  were  met  by  Mr.  Foulds.  the 
clergy,  and  other  friends.  Having  re-formed,  they  walked  to  the  site  of 
the  now  church,  where  Mr.  Foulds  performed  the  ceremony,  and  was 
presented  with  the  customary  trowel  and  mallet. 


^6  ANNALS  AND  STORIES   OP 

1846.  Victoria.    Henderson,  Incumbent  of  Colne,  by  Mr.   Eamahaw, 
but  declined  by  him  in  the  following  terms  : — 

'Parsonage,  Colne,  July  18,  1846. 

'My  dear  air,— I  beg  to  tender,  through  you,  my  unfeigned 
than^  to  the  committee  for  undertaking  the  celebration  of  the 
Repeal  of  the  Corn  Laws,  for  their  obliging  invitation  to  dine 
with  them,  On  a  festive  occasion  of  this  nature,  it  is  desirable 
that  the  notes  of  every  heart  taking  part  in  the  celebration 
should  harmonise  ;  and  as  it  is  my  misfortune  to  be  able  only 
to  rejoice  with  trembling,  and  fearing  I  am  not  tuned  to  concert 
pitch,  I  deem  it  most  expedient  to  avoid  the  risk  of  introducing 
discord,  by  proving  too  flat  for  the  occasion.  But  let  me  assure 
the  committee  that  the  declining  this  friendly  invitation  to  join 
my  friends  and  parishioners  on  an  occasion  of  so  general  rejoic- 
ing, involves  on  my  part  a  considerable  degree  of  self-denial.  But 
if  my  desponding  view  prevents  me  from  enjoying  unreserved 
gladness,  I  feel  no  disposition  to  cast  one  sedative  ingredient  into 
the  cup  of  joy  of  which  it  is  the  lot  of  more  sanguine  minds  to 
partake.  The  committee,  therefore,  have  my  unreserved  and 
cordial  permission  to  have  the  church  bells  rung  on  Monday, 
ftnd  to  hoist  the  British  flag  on  the  old  tower  which  has  weathered 
the  bitter  storm  for  centuries.  Though  I  cannot  but  doubt 
the  sufficiency  of  the  cause  for  rejoicing,  yet  I  am  glad  to  witness 
proceedings  which  tend  to  exhilarate  the  worn  spirits  of  our  opera- 
tives, and  to  cultivate  kindly  and  confiding  feeling  between  the 
employers  and  employed.  Time,  the  great  revealer  of  mysteries, 
will  disclose  whose  views  have  been  right  on  this  complicated 
and  vexing  question.  When  this  has  been  efiected,  I  shall  rejoice 
most  heartily  to  find  that  I  have  been  in  the  wrong.  Wishing 
that  nothing  may  occur  to  mar  the  good  harmony  of  the  day,  I 
am,  my  dear  sir,  yours  very  truly, 

'  Mr.  W.  Eamshaw.'  '  J.  Henderson. 

In  accordance  with  the  permission  thus  gracefully 
tendered,  Monday  morning  was  ushered  in  by  a  con- 
gratulatory peal  from  the  church  bells  between  twelve 
and  one  o'clock.  Thus  roused  from  their  repose, 
numbers  soon  appeared,  busily  intent  on  preparations 
for  the  festival.  By  five  o'clock  the  committee  were  up 
and  doing,  workmen  were  suspending  banners,  ban- 
nerols, union-jacks,  and  streamers  from  the  old  church 
tower,  the  factories,  across  the  main  street,  and  from 
all  the  inns  and  many  private  houses.  In  one  instance, 
a  prime  ham  and  a  loaf  were  appropriately  suspended 
on  a  pole  from  a  provision  store.     As  the  morning 


COLNE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  97 

advanced,  the  neighbouring  hamlets,  and,  indeed,  the  H4«.  Victoria, 
whole  country-side  for  miles  around,  seemed  to  empty 
themselves  of  their  inhabitants,  and  crowds  from  all 
sides  came  pouring  into  Colne,  as  to  a  common  focus,         t 
to  take  part  in  the  general  joy. 

At  eleven  o'clock  the  procession  formed  at  the  west- 
end  of  the  town,  and  at  a  distance  of  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile,  in  the  following  order  : — 

1.  The  Colne  Old  Band,  in  a  carriage  and  four, 
drawn  by  Mr.  Sagar,  "  mine  host "  of  the  King's 
Head. 

2.  A  Platform  and  Printing  Press,  drawn  by  two 
horses,  and  bearing  Mr.  William  Eamshaw  and  twenty- 
five  inhabitants.  The  printing  press  was  exhibited  in 
full  operation,  Mr.  Earnshaw  throwing  off  copies  of 
some  excellent  verses  on  Free  Trade,  and  scattering 
them  among  the  eager  crowd. 

3.  The  Members  of  Committee,  each  carrying  a  small 
pennon. 

4.  The  Trades,  in  the  following  order,  with  banners 
and  mottoes,  each  body  of  workmen  being  headed  by 
their  employers.  The  order  of  precedence  for  the 
trades  and  the  spinners  and  manufacturers  who 
followed,  had  been  pre-determined  by  ballot : — 

Joiners,  Hatters, 

Whitesmiths,  Ironfounders, 

■  Dyers,  Hairdressers, 

Masons,  Whitewashers, 

Blacksmiths,  Tailors, 

Shoemakers,  Bakers, 
and   Plasterers. 

5.  The  Spinners  and  Manufacturers. — This  portion 
of  the  procession  was  a  magnificent  spectacle.  The 
heads  of  each  firm  rode  on  horseback,  followed  respec- 
tively by  their  workmen,  with  banners,  mottoes,  &c. 

o 


98  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

1346.  Victoria.  Some  idea  of  the  numbers  present  may  be  formed  from 
the  fact,  that,  belonging  to  one  firm  alone,  there  were 
upwards  of  two  thousand  in  the  procession.  The  men 
of  each  establishment  marched  first,  then  the  women, 
next  the  boys,  and  lastly  the  girls.  They  were  all 
dressed  in  their  Sunday  clothes,  and  from  their  decent 
and  respectable  appearance — that  of  the  females 
especially — excited  peculiar  interest.  The  firms  and 
instrumental  bands  proceeded  in  the  following  order  : — 

Mr.  Edmondson  Varley. 
Messrs.  Nicholas  England  &,  Son, 
Mr.  ilobert  Smith. 

The  Traivden  Band. 

Mr.  "William  Smith. 

Messrs.  Shaw  &  Philips. 

Messrs.  Jonathan  Shackleton  <fe  Sou. 

The  Stonehridge  Band. 

Messrs.  Critchley,  Armstrong,  &  Co. 
Mr.  Thomas  Thornber. 
Mr.  David  Miller. 
Mr.  Richard  Sagar. 
Mr.  John  Emmott. 

The  Foulridge  Band. 

^     Messrs.  Henry  Dean  &  Son. 
Mr.  Hartley  Sagar. 
Mr.  Samuel  Catlow. 
Mr*  William  Whiteley. 

The  Cornshaw  Band. 

Messrs.  J.  &  B.  Smith. 
Mr.  Joshua  Cockshott. 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  99 

The  procession  marched  through  the  town,  the  1846.  Victoria, 
shops  of  which — a  general  hoHday  having  been  pro- 
claimed— were  all  closed,  and  to  about  half  a  mile 
beyond  it,  to  the  Craven  Heifer  Inn,  which  formed  the 
turning  point.  On  turning,  an  excellent  view  of  the 
length  and  splendour  of  the  procession  was  obtained. 
On  a  rough  estimate  of  the  hands  that  turned  out,  and 
taking  into  account  the  fact  that  the  entire  body  was 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  length,  and,  at  a  brisk  rate, 
took  forty-five  minutes  to  pass  a  given  point,  it  was 
calculated  that  it  could  have  consisted  of  no  fewer 
than  between  five  and  six  thousand  persons.  Besides 
these,  it  was  flanked  and  followed  all  the  way  by  an 
immense  body  of  stragglers,  whilst  the  windows  along 
the  entire  line  of  route,  and  every  point  where  any- 
thing like  a  view  could  be  obtained,  were  occupied  to 
the  full  by  groups  of  admiring  spectators.  On  return- 
ing to  the  "  west  end,"  the  procession  marched  into  a 
meadow  behind  the  Swan  Hotel,  and  after  an  address 
from  Mr.Earnshaw,  the  assemblage  broke  up  withroiinds 
of  cheers  for  the  ladies  present.  Later  on  in  the  day, 
there  was  a  dinner  at  the  Cloth  Hall,  at  which  2,300 
persons  were  present,  and  in  the  evening  a  public 
dinner  at  the  King's  Head  Inn.  ^ 

25th. — Free  Trade  rejoicings  at  Barrowford,  and  a 
public  procession  of  upwards  of  1,000  persons. 

Atigust — The  hand-loom  weavers  of  Colne  and  neigh- 
bourhood in  full  employment,  and  wages  slightly  on 
the  increase. 

October  19. — The  contractors  of  the  Leeds  and 
Bradford  Extension  Railway  commence  cutting  the 
line  at  Priestfield.  Trade  again  bad,  and  gi'eat  distress 
in  the  town,  in  consequence  of  the  principal  manufac- 
turers delivering  only  about  three  days'  work  per  week 
to  the  hand-loom  weavers. 


.'  Abridged  from  a  report  of  theproceedings  in  the  Preston  QvMrdian. 


1847, 


100  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OF 

1846.  Victoria.  December  1. — Sibson  Rigg,  Esq.,  of  Manchester,  lays 
the  foundation  stone  of  the  Church  of  St.  John,  Great 
Marsden.  Owing  to  an  incessant  downpour  of  rain,  the 
ceremony  was  performed  in  great  haste,  and  the  Rev. 
Hugh  Stowell,  Incumbent  of  Christ  Church,  Salford, 
■who  had  come  over  specially  for  the  occasion,  was 
compelled  to  deliver  his  address  in  an  adjoining  bam. 

March. — Burial  here  of  John  Harrison,  a  Foulridge 
navvy  employed  on  the  Leeds  and  Bradford  Extension 
Railway.  This  unfortunate  man  was  killed  on  the 
spot  by  a  shoot  of  earth  near  Kelbrook,  The  deceased 
was  followed  to  the  grave,  in  the  presence  of  an  immense 
number  of  people,  by  a  number  of  navvies  dressed  in 
white  smocks  and  trousers,  each  wearing  a  white 
rosette  in  his  hat.  Spring  Gardens  Mill  built.^  A 
Mechanics'  Institute  founded. 

1848.  Sunday,  April  2. —  Awful  thunderstorm,  raging  from 

5  p.m.  to  7  p.m.  The  electric  fluid  struck  the  Parson- 
age, happily  without  injury  to  the  incumbent  and  the 
two  servants  who  were  in  the  house  at  the  time, 
shivered  the  chimneys  at  one  end  of  the  house, 
ploughed  up  the  slates,  and  did  other  damage.  The 
lightning  also  entered  the  roof  of  the  warehouse  and 
weaving-shed  of  Mr.  S.  Catlow,  broke  the  slates,  and 


>  The  greater  portion  of  this  mill,  containing  between  50,000  and 
60,000  spindles,  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the 
18th  of  March,  1875.  The  engines  had  only  been  running  about  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  when  the  fire  was  discovered.  Though  confined  for  upwards 
of  an  hour  to  the  upper  story,  the  flames  at  length  broke  through  the 
windows  and  roof.  Having  devastated  the  mule-room,  they  next  seized 
the  lower  room,  and  as  one  by  one  the  different  stories  fell  in  with  a  loud 
crash  the  scene  was  something  terrible,  and  will  not  easily  be  forgotten 
by  the  hundreds  by  whom  it  was  witnessed.  In  the  meantime  a  telegram 
had  been  despatched  to  Burnley  for  the  fire  engine,  and  shortly  after 
eight  o'clock  it  arrived  at  its  destination — too  late,  however,  for  the 
firemen  to  do  more  than  endeavour  to  save  the  eastern  end  of  the  mill, 
which  they  succeeded  in  doing.  By  eleven  o'clock  the  fire  might  be  said 
to  be  extinguished,  though  clouds  of  smoke  and  steam  arose  from  the 
debris.  The  scutching-room  and  the  boiler-house  at  the  east  end  of  the 
building  were  saved,  as  also  the  engine-house  and  boiler-house  at  the  west 
end,  together  v<rith  a  number  of  bales  of  cotton,  <fec.  ;  but,  unfortunately, 
one  of  the  old  employes  of  Messrs.  England,  named  Richard  Kendal,  was 
burnt  to  death,  being,  it  is  supposed,  overpowered  by  the  fumes  of  the 
smoking  cotton  in  endeavouring  to  escape  from  the  burning  building. 


COLNB  AND  NEIGHBOUEHOOD.  101 

split   the    timber.      Trade   bad,  and    much  Chartist  1848.  Victoria."* 
agitation  in  the  town.'^ 

'  On  one  memorable  occasion,  the  Chartists  of  Colne  and  neighbourhood, 
clad  in  the  meanest  raiment  they  could  find,  marched  in  procession  to 
the  parish  church,  and  seated  themselves  where  they  would.  An  intima- 
tion of  the  proposed  visit  had  been  conveyed  to  Mr.  Henderson,  the 
incumbent.  Quietly,  yet  firmly,  as  though  the  occasion  was  an  ordinary 
one,  he  announced  as  his  text-— "Put  them  in  mind  to  be  subject  (» 
principalities  and  powers,  to  obey  magistrates."  (Titus  iii.,  1.)  After 
explaining  his  text  in  all  its  bearings,  Mr.  Henderson  remarked,  ''  I 
cannot  conceal  from  myself  that  I  have  the  opportunity  of  addressing  a 
very  unusual  congregation.  It  is  evident  that  the  greater  part  of  those  I 
see  before  me  do  not  usually  attend  this  house  of  prayer.  What  has 
induced  them  to  present  themselves  before  the  Lord  this  morning  I 

Eretend  not  to  know.  I  am,  however,  glad  to  see  them,  and  would  fain 
ope,  even  against  hope,  that  this  may  be  the  beginning  of  a  new  course 
of  life.  May  God  have  caused  them  to  think  on  their  ways,  and  turn 
their  feet  into  the  way  of  i)eace  which  they  have  not  known.  I  heartily," 
continued  the  rev.  gentleman,  addressing  them  still  more  pointedly,  "bid 
you  welcome  to  your  parish  church,  and  would  earnestly  hope  that  this, 
if  the  first,  may  not  be  the  last  time  of  your  attendance  in  this  house 
of  God.  Since,  however,  you  are  here  before  God,  bear  -with  me  while  I 
endeavour  to  give  you  a  few  words  of  friendly  advice.  Believe  me,  I 
address  you  not  in  anger  but  In  much  sorrow,  because  I  do  sincerely 
believe  that  many  of  you  are  misled  and  abused  by  evil,  designing,  and 
ambitious  men,  whose  object  is  to  goad  you  into  measures  of  anarchy, 
rapine,  and  blood,  in  the  hope  that  they  may  be  able  to  ride  upon  the 
whirlwind,  and  direct  the  storm  to  the  accomplishment  of  their  own 
covetous  and  ambitious  objects.  Should  they,  unhappily,  succeed  in  their 
nefarious  schemes,  you,  my  friends,  will  be  among  the  first  and  most 
severe  sxifferers.  In  all  national  convulsions  the  labouring  population 
have  ever  been  the  greatest  sufferers.  .  .  .  You  complain,  I  am  told, 
of  tlie  hardness  of  your  lot  in  that  you  have  to  earn  your  bread  by  the 
sweat  of  your  brow,  while  j  ou  see  others  able  to  live  without  such  labour. 
This  complaint,  my  friends,  arises  from  your  knowing  the  ills  of  your 
own  lot  while  you  are  ignorant  of  the  iUs  with  which  others  are  affected. 
It  is  my  settled  conviction  that  a  labouring  man,  blessed  with  health, 
favoured  with  employment,  and  not  overburthened  with  a  family, 
possesses  the  means  of  substantial  happiness  in  as  great  a  degree — if  not 
greater — than  his  richer  neighbour.  ....  Increase  in  wealth  and 
elevation  in  station  are  by  no  means  necessarily  accompanied  with  an 
increase  of  happiness."    Sage  advice,  and  true. 


102 


ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OF 


COLXE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  103 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE       OLD       CHURCH. 

•  Pass3d  within  the  Church's  gate, 
Where  poor  are  rich,  and  rich  are  poor. ' — Anonymous. 

THE  Parish  Church  of  Colne  stands  in  an  excellent  situa- 
tion, well-nigh  on  the  summit  of  the  same  hill  as  the  town. 
It  is  an  ancient  structure,  dedicated  to  Saint  Bartholomew, 
and  consists  of  a  nave,  with  two  side  aisles  (that  on  the  north 
widened  and  raised  in  1856),  two  chantries  and  a  chancel, 
and  a  tower  and  porch.  The  body  of  the  church  is  irregular, 
with  small  windows  and  diminutive  buttresses  of  the  type  of 
rural  churches  of  the  Tudor  period,  but  the  east  and  west 
windows,  as  justly  remarked,  are  fair  specimens  of  the  per- 
pendicular Gothic.  Robert  de  Lacy,  son  of  Ilbert  de  Lacy, 
who  came  over  to  England  with  William  the  Conqueror,  is  its 
reputed  founder,  and  the  fact  that  no  mention  is  made  of  this 
church  in  Domesday  Book,  which  was  compiled  in  the  reign 
of  that  king,  by  no  means  disproves  its  existence  at  that  early 
period,  seeing  it  was  a  chapel  dependent  on  Whalley.  The 
remains  of  its  very  early  architecture  are  ascribed  by  Dr. 
Whitaker  to  an  era  somewhat,  but  not  much  posterior  to 
the  Conquest.  "  There  is  no  evidence,"  he  adds,  '*  that  it 
was  founded  before  that  event :  it  is  known  to  have  existed 
soon  after  " — alluding  to  the  fact  that  Hugh  Delavel,  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  I.,  granted  it  to  the  Priory  of  Pontefract. 
The  subsequent  restoration  of  the  Lacys  to  their  possessions 
and  honours,  however,  prevented  the  grant  from  taking 
effect,  and  although  it  was  confirmed  by  Henry  III.  in 
1229-30,  still  it  was  successfully  withstood  after  being  con- 
tested for  upwards  of  two  centuries.  In  the  year  1283 
the  advowson  of  Whalley  Church,  with  its  chapels  (which 


104  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

would  include  Colne),  was  granted  by  Henry  Lacy  to  the 
monks  of  Stanlaw,  in  Cheshire,  who  subsequently  removed 
to  Whalley.  In  1296  the  Rector  of  Whalley  was  bound  to 
find  a  chaplain  for  Colne,  and  to  pay  him  £2  13s.  4d.  a  year. 
In  the  year  1515,  it  is  evident  that  the  building,  or  more 
probably  portions  of  it,  had  become  dilapidated,  from  the 
fact  that  on  the  8th  of  July  in  that  year,  the  Archdeacon  of 
Chester  issued  a  commission  authorising  Edmund  Braddyll, 
and  Henry  Townley,  gents,  to  repair  and  restore  it : — 

1515.  July  VIII. — Emanarunt  Lre.  Comiss.  p.  repar  &  edifica  capelle 
de  Colne  Edwardo  Braddill  et  Henrico  Townley  gen.  cu.  articulia  ejusd. 
annex,  et  citra  fur.  Michis.  xx.     iii«.  iiiid. 

[Letters  Commissary  were  issued,  for  the  reparation  and  building  of 
the  chapel  of  Colne,  to  Edward  Braddill  and  Henry  Townley,  gents., 
■with  the  particulars  of  the  same  annexed,  and  (to  be  returned)  tweaty 
(days)  before  the  feast  of  Michael  (or  Michaelmas)  into  Court.] 

Canon  Raines,  to  whose  kindness  I  owe  the  foregoing 
extract  from  the  Archdeacon  of  Chester's  Act  book,  con- 
cludes that,  as  the  authority  was  given  both  to  rej>air  and 
restore,  it  would  only  be  certain  portions  of  the  church  then 
dilapidated,  and  which  probably  the  churchwardens  were 
authorised  to  amend,  and  not  exactly  rebuild.  No  special 
parts  are  named,  and,  probably,  his  conclusion  is  correct. 
From  the  terms  used  in  this  authority,  it  is  clear  that  the 
statement  contained  in  various  publications  that  the  church 
was  built  in  1515  is  calculated  to  mislead,  and  is,  in  fact, 
erroneous.  A  much  more  correct  impression  of  its  antiquity 
would  be  left  on  the  reader's  mind,  were  it  stated,  as  appears 
to  be  the  case,  that  a  jMrtion  of  the  building  was  thoroughly 
restored  in  or  about  the  year  in  question.  Fortunately, 
however,  it  so  happened  that,  when,  in  1857,  the  accumulated 
rough-cast  of  several  centuries  was  removed,  it  was  plainly 
discernible  that  the  walls  at  the  east  end  were  of  two  dates, 
the  lower  evidently  the  older  ;  and  as  no  repairs  are  known 
to  have  been  effected  in  this  portion  of  the  church  since  1515, 
the  inference  is  that  the  higher  portions  only  are  of  that 
date. 

The  various  townships  of  the  chapelry  formerly  contributed 
towards  the  repair  of  this  church.     A  slip  of  paper,  without 


COLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  105 

date,  but  from  its  appearance  of  great  age,  contains  the 
following  particulars : — 

'ANN    ACCOUNT   WHAT    EACH    TOWU    ARE    AT  A  FIFTEENTH 
TOWABDS  THE  BEPAIB  OF  COLNK  CHURCH,  AS  UNDER  : — 

Colne  Towne  parte  of  a  fifteen  ia  seven  shillings  and  \ 

one  penny  halphpenny f  ^^     qq    ^g 

Township  parte  at  a  fifteen  is  thirteen  shillings  and  I 

sixpence  halphpenny ) 

Great  Marsden  p^irt  at  a  fifteen  is  fourteen  shUlings  \ 

and  twopence     I  ^^     ^^     q- 

Little  Marsden  part  at  a  fifteen  is  seven  shillings  and  t 

sixpence ; 

Trawden  part  at  a  fifteen  is  eight  shillings  and  four-  \ 

pence  halfpenny I 

Fouldridg  part  at  a  fifteen  is  five  shillings  and  eight-  >01     01     02 

pence  halfpenny | 

Fenle  part  at  a  fifteen  is  seven  shillings  and  one  penny  v 

THE   TOWER, 

Massive,  buttressed,  and  battlemented,  stands  at  the  west 
end  of  the  nave,  and  is  62  feet  high.  It  bears  evident 
indications  of  having  been  partially  pulled  down  and  rebuilt, 
probably  in  1515,  for,  on  close  examination,  it  will  be  perceived 
that  the  upper  portion  is  in  a  much  better  state  of  preserva- 
tion than  the  lower.  Indeed,  it  is  clear  that  the  lower  portion 
is  part  of  the  original  church. 

The  arched  doorway  under  this  tower,  as  interesting  and 
almost  as  ancient  as  anything  about  the  church,  is  nearly 
concealed  from  view  by  an  outbuilding,  which  it  is  to  be 
hoped  wiU  some  day  be  removed,  and  this  ancient  entrance 
made  available  for  worshippers.  On  either  side  of  the  west 
window  may  be  seen  several  coats  of  arms,  too  much  worn 
away  at  the  present  time  for  identification  ;  also  two  shields 
on  the  south  side,  the  lower  one  nearly  effaced.  The  arms 
on  this  south  side,  a  fess  between  three  crescents,  are 
probably  those  of  the  Lees  or  Leighs.  There  are  several 
coats  borne  by  different  families  with  these  charges,  but 
differently  tinctured.  Lee  or  Leigh — argent,  a  fess  between 
three  crescents  sable ;  Ogle — argent,  a  fess  between  three 
crescents    gules  ;    Coventry — sable,  a  fess    between   three 


105  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OP 

crescents  argent,  &c.,  &c.  Ratcliffe  and  Lacy  of  Cromwell- 
botham  are  also  suggested  by  Whitaker  as  here  represented. 

The  openings  into  the  bell-chamber  were  originally  filled 
with  mullions  and  tracery  similar  to  those  at  Gill  Church, 
but  when  the  present  bells  were  hung,  it  was  thought 
advisable  to  remove  these  mullions  and  substitute  boards, 
so  that  the  sound  of  the  bells  might  not  be  deadened. 

From  a  very  early  date  we  find  mention  made  of  the  bells 
belonging  to  this  church,  for  it  appears  that  on  the  sup- 
pression of  the  chantries,  the  churchwardens,  having  been 
summoned  before  certain  Commissioners,  swore  that  there 
were  "iij  belles  and  one  sanctus  belle  yet  remaining  in  y* 
said  Chapel  wych  were  not  seased  to  the  use  of  our  said  late 
Souvaraigne  lord  Kynge  Edwarde  y**  VJ  by  authoritie  of  y* 
said  formar  Commyssion."  These  bells  were  stated  to  weigh 
21cwt.,  and  to  be  of  the  value  of  £15  15s.,  which,  it  must 
be  borne  in  mind,  then  represented  a  much  larger  sum.  On 
the  accession  of  Queen  Mary  we  are  told  that  Edward 
Parker,  Esq.,  the  collector  of  the  Commissioners,  prayed 
that  he  might  be  allowed  to  deduct  from  his  accounts  the 
value  of  the  bells  still  remaining  in  the  chapels  of  Coins 
and  other  places,  and  it  is  believed  his  petition  was  granted. 
From  the  wardens'  accounts  it  appears  that  in  1722  a  new 
bell  was  hung,  and  that  shortly  after  the  Skipton  ringers 
came  over  to  Colne. 

In  the  following  year  the  great  bell  cracked,  and  a  bell- 
founder  came  over  expi'essly  from  York  to  examine  and 
report  on  its  condition  to  a  meeting  held  at  Timothy 
Hodgson's.  His  report  must  have  been  unfavourable,  for 
the  bell  was  shortly  afterwards  taken  down,  sent  to  York, 
and  a  new  one  substituted. 

In  1740  another  bell  was  taken  down,  and  either  re-cast, 
or  a  new  one  bought.  In  1764  the  churchwardens  decided 
on  having  six  new  bells,  and  additional  metal  to  the  great 
bell.  These  bells  also  came  from  York,  and  cost  £101.  In 
1780  another  bell  appears  to  have  been  added.  Many  a 
merry  peal  did  these  bells  send  forth  !  They  rang  165  years 
ago,  when  the  glad  news  reached  Colne  that  Dunkirk  was 
delivered  into  our  hands ;  they  rang,  too,  when  Cartagena 


COLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  107 

was  taken,  in  1741 ;  and  four  years  later,  they  rang  again  in 
honour  of  the  victory  over  the  Scotch  rebels.  They  rang 
on  Christmas  Eve,  New  Year's  Day,  May  28th  and  29th,  and 
November  5th,  as  well  as  on  the  various  saint  days  ;  indeed 
the  ringers  of  those  days,  refreshed  by  the  "  beer  "  which 
figures  so  largely  in  the  wardens'  account,  seem  to  have 
spent  much  of  their  time  in  the  belfry. 

The  present  bells  are  mellow,  sweet  in  tone,  and  have  the 
following  story  associated  with  their  number :  Their  cost 
having  to  be  defrayed  in  fixed  proportion  by  the  various 
divisions  of  the  chapelry  of  Colne,  an  animated  controversy 
arose  whether  they  should  be  six  or  eight  in  number.  Colne 
naturally  desired  eight,  whilst  the  outlying  townships  of 
Barrowford,  Trawden,  Marsden,  &c.,  looking  only  at  the 
expense,  considered  six  ought  to  suffice.  Neither  party 
being  inclined  to  give  way,  a  vestry  meeting  was  held 
amidst  great  excitement,  when  the  representatives  of  the 
outlying  townships  attended  in  such  force  that  they  carried 
their  point,  and  much  rejoicing  followed.  Shortly  after- 
wards, however,  the  Colne  people  discovered,  much  to  their 
delight,  that  nothing  had  been  said  *at  the  memorable 
vestry  meeting  as  to  the  weight  of  the  bells,  so,  not  to  be 
outwitted,  they  contrived  that  the  metal  of  eight  ordinary 
bells  should  be  placed  in  the  six  ordered,  thus  in  effect 
winning  the  day.  Accordingly  the  present  bells  were  cast 
in  the  year  1814,  by  Mears  (1  Myres),  of  London ;  and  on  a 
clear  day  their  music  can  be  heard  a  distance  of  at  least  five 
miles.  Hence  the  saying,  "  Within  the  ring  of  Colne  bells." 
The  large  tenor  bell  is  said  to  weigh  16cwt.  3qr.,  and  on  it 
is  the  following  inscription  : — 

Revd.  John  Dunderdale,  Curate. 
Henry  Wilkinson 
William  Garth 
James  Ridihalgh,  Esq. 
John  Barrett  \  Churchwardens. 

William  Holt 
Moses  Blackburn 
James  Heap 
Thomas  Heaton,  Sidesman. 

J.  Mears,  of  London,  Fecit,  1814. 


108  ANNALS    AND    STORIES    OF 

These  bells  are  technically  known  as  "maiden  bells," 
that  is  to  say,  they  came  perfect  in  construction  and  pitch 
out  of  the  moulds,  and  required  no  subsequent  chipping — a 
feat  of  which  bellfounders  are  always  proud.  They  cost  a 
little  over  £250  (exclusive  of  the  hanging,  &c.),  and  were 
sent  by  sea  from  London  to  Hull,  thence  conveyed  to  Leeds, 
and  afterwards  brought  in  boats  on  the  Leeds  and  Liverpool 
Canal  to  Foulridge.  They  had  not  been  hung  many  months 
before  they  rang  merrily  in  honour  of  the  glorious  victory  of 
Waterloo,  and  their  present  excellent  condition  justifies  the 
iiope  that  the  merry  "  maiden  bells  "  of  Colne  will  ring  out 
their  joyous  message  of  peace  and  goodwill  for  long  years  yet 
to  come.  Their  ringing  for  Waterloo  was  attended  with  what 
miight  easily  have  proved  a  fatal  accident.  It  happened  on 
this  wise  :  One  of  the  ringers,  who  had  come  over  from 
Halifax,  inadvertently  raised  his  bell  too  high,  in  consequence 
of  which  it  swung  over  with  a  sudden  jerk,  and  the  poor 
man,  having  hold  of  the  rope,  was  drawn  off  his  feet,  and 
hurled  against  the  ceiling  with  tremendous  force.  Instan- 
taneous death  must  have  been  the  result,  had  he  come  in 
contact  with  either* of  the  beams  within  a  few  inches  of  him. 
And  a  wonderful  escape  it  proved  to  be,  for  his  cranium 
made  an  impression  two  inches  deep  in  the  plaster  ceiling, 
which  was  shown  to  visitors  to  the  day  that  ceiling  was 
removed.  The  man  lay  stunned  for  some  time,  but  was 
ultimately  no  worse  for  his  adventure  in  Colne  Church 
belfry,  and,  doubtless,  on  reaching  home  would  be  con- 
gratulated not  only  on  his  wonderful  escape,  but  also  on  the 
thickness  of  his  skull.  Many  stories  were  once  current 
amongst  the  ringers  of  former  days  respecting  a  man  whose 
nickname  was  "  Stephen  o'th'  Ovenhouse,"  and  who  was 
employed  by  John  Heap,  a  former  sexton,  to  ring  six  and 
»eight.  He  was  not  particularly  bright,  and  mischievous 
persons,  aware  of  this,  were  rather  too  fond  of  playing 
practical  jokes  on  him.  Once,  the  tongue  of  one  of  the  bells 
came  off,  and  Stephen  was  gravely  directed  by  the  ringers  to 
search  for  it  in  Judge  Fields  (some  considerable  distance 
from  the  church),  which  he  continued  doing  until  recalled 
hy  aovxe  kind-hearted  soul,  who  thought  the  joke — if  joke  it 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  109 

could  be  called — had  gone  far  enough.  But  his  strangest 
adventure  was  in  the  belfry  itself,  whither  he  had  gone  one 
day  for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  cap  from  the  large 
tenor  bell.  The  ringers  in  the  chamber  below,  ignorant  of 
his  whereabouts,  commenced  ringing  a  peal,  and  Stephen, 
finding  escape  impossible,  was  compelled  to  lie  in  most 
uncomfortable  proximity  to  the  bell  until  the  peal  was 
finished,  when  coming  out  from  his  hiding  place  he  found 
himself  unhurt,  but  half  deafened  with  the  noise. 

THE   CLOCK 

Was  purchased  and  placed  in  the  tower  in  the  year  1811, 
and  has  three  faces,  south,  east,  and  west.  Its  predecessor 
had  only  one,  and  that  towards  the  east.  The  following 
minute  respecting  its  purchase  appears  in  the  wardens'  book  : 

'  Colne,  Nov.  29th,  1810. 
'  At  a  meeting  of  the  Churchwardens  and  Inhabitant*  of  Colne, 
holden  this  day,  in  the  Vestry,  pursuant  to  public  notice,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  consulting  about  purchasing  a  new  clock  for  the  church,  the 
old  one  being  entirely  worn  out  and  not  worth  repairing,  it  was 
unanimously  resolved  that  a  new  clock  should  be  procured  as  soon  as 
possible,  and  that  Mr.  Richard  Sagar  and  Mr.  John  Holroyd,  of  Guysyke, 
be  and  are  hereby  appointed  to  manage  the  business.' 

And  the  business  was  managed,  and  the  clock  bought. 
In  one  important  respect  it  differed  from  its  predecessors,  in 
that  it  has  no  chimes  attached. 

The  flag,  which  on  festive  occasions  floats  from  the  tower, 
possesses  some  little  interest  in  the  eyes  of  a  native,  from  the 
fact  that  it  was  first  unfurled  to  the  breeze  on  the  day  the 
glad  news  reached  Colne  that  the  Crimean  war  was  ended. 

THE    PORCH, 

Displaying  a  large  pointed  arch,  is  evidently  ancient,  but 
unfortunately  the  following  letters,  or  inscription,  imme- 
diately below  its  apex,  give  only  the  month,  and  not  the 
year,  of  erection  : — 

IH  .        GL. 
HH  IB 

IR     IH     +     IH.     BS. 
JOHN  DISON.  AUGUST. 


110  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

These  are,  undoubtedly,  the  initials  of  the  seven  church- 
wardens and  sidesman  during  whose  year  of  office  the  porch 
was  erected,  but  I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  with 
certainty  who  John  Dyson  was.  A  curate  of  that  name  was 
here  in  1743,  but  that,  I  imagine,  would  be  a  date  much  too 
modem.  Above  these  letters,  and  crowning  the  apex  of  the 
porch,  is  a  curious  sundial,  of  uncertain  date,  and  below  is  a 
vacant  niche,  which  it  has  been  conjectured  once  contained  a 
statuette  either  of  the  Virgin  Mary  or  the  patron  saint.  At 
the  present  day  the  porch  is  open  to  the  yard,  but  formerly 
massive  wooden  gates,  some  six  feet  high,  used  to  guard  its 
entrance.  Outside  are  three  semicircular  stone  steps — a 
relic  of  Catholic  times — whereon  the  parish  clerk,  years  ago, 
was  wont  to  stand  and  inform  the  congregation,  as  they  left 
the  church,  there  would  be  a  sale  of  cattle  or  furniture  (as 
the  case  might  be)  at  such  and  such  a  place  during  the 
week.  Inside  is  a  solitary  gravestone,  embedded  in  the  wall, 
from  which  John  Yates  thus  addresses  us  : — 

'  Here  lies  the  relics  of  a  generous  mind 
In  this  dark  cell  to  b^  be  confined  ; 
Nay  !  Reader,  stand  and  spend  a  tear, 
And  think  on  me  who  now  lies  here  ; 
And  whilst  thou  reads  the  state  of  me, 
Think  on  the  glass  that  runs  for  thee  : 
In  Christ  alone  I  put  my  trust, 
To  rise  in  judgment  with  the  just' 


THE   INTERIOR 

Of  the  church  is  in  keeping  with  the  venerable  appearance 
of  the  exterior.  It  measures  from  east  to  west  120  feet,  its 
greatest  breadth  from  north  to  south  is  61  feet,  and  there 
is  ample  accommodation  for  seating  900  people.  Plans  have 
been  prepared,  and  a  proposal  made,  for  a  complete  restora- 
tion, involving  the  removal  of  the  high  old-fashioned  roomy 
pews,  and  the  reseating  of  the  church  in  a  style  consistent 
with  its  antiquity.  It  is  estimated  that  the  sum  of  £1,200 
at  least  would  be  required  for  such  a  purpose.  In  the  years 
1856-7,   a  partial  restoration,  thus   described   by   the    late 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  Ill 

venerable  rector  in  a  circular  note  to  his  parishioners,  was 
effected : — 

*  I  beg  to  forward  you  the  following  account  of  the  restoration  and 
enlargement  of  Colne  Church.  Three  years  ago  no  such  undertaking 
was  contemplated.  But  the  introduction  of  a  new  organ  into  the  church 
rendered  necessary  the  remodelling  of  the  west  gallery,  which  could  only 
be  effected  by  first  taking  it  down. 

'  Its  removal  let  so  much  light  into  the  west  end  of  the  church,  so 
displayed  the  fine  proportions  of  the  tower  arch,  and  so  opened  out  the 
beautiful  vista  of  the  nave  and  chancel,  that  several  gentlemen  of  good 
taste  and  sound  judgment  expressed  a  decided  opinion  that  the  gallery 
ought  not  to  be  re-erected.  Then  arose  the  question  where  else  the 
new  organ  should  be  placed,  no  other  part  of  the  church  being  lofty 
enough  to  admit  it.  Several  plans  were  suggested,  but  that  of 
heighteninfi;  and  widening  the  north  aisle  of  the  nave  was  preferred,  not 
only  on  account  of  the  simplicity  of  the  construction  and  its  furnishing 
an  eligible  site  for  the  organ,  but  also  because  thereby  a  considerable 
increase  of  accommodation  would  be  obtained.  But  there  were  no 
funds  in  hand  for  so  costly  an  undertaking  ;  and  if  the  work  was  to  be 
done,  it  admitted  of  no  delay.  This  difficulty  was  soon,  however, 
obviated,  by  Mr.  George  Carr  and  Mr.  Nicholas  England  proposing  to 
unite  with  me  in  the  responsibiUty  of  the  cost.  Although,  at  first,  some 
sincere  friends  of  the  church  disapproved  of  the  project,  yet,  now  that 
the  work  is  completed,  it  is  highly  gratifying  to  learn  that  the  improve- 
ment of  the  church,  in  every  point  of  view,  is  universally  admitted. 
The  new  organ  is  elegant  and  characteristic  in  its  exterior,  powerful  and 
melodious  in  its  tune,  and  does  great  credit  to  its  builder.  We  exposed 
to  view,  repaired,  cleaned,  and  varnished,  the  ornamental  roof  of  the 
church,  which  had  been  concealed  for  a  century^  by  a  flat  plaster  ceiling, 
cleared  out  the  tower,  which  before  was  a  lumber-room,  made  it  avail- 
able for  sittings,  brought  into  view  its  noble  arch  and  elegant  window, 
repaired  the  tower  stairs,  and  made  comfortable  ringing-chamber 
and  clock-room,  made  out  of  some  of  the  old  oak  a  pair  of  substan- 
tial and  characteristic  doors  for  the  principal  entrance,  erected  28  new 
pews,  capable  of  accommodating  140  persons,  removed  the  pulpit  and 
desk  to  their  original  position,  and  thereby  brought  into  view  the 
principal  part  of  the  congregation.  .  .  .  The  cost  of  these  works 
has  amounted  to  £537  Is.  8d.  .  .  .  May  the  word  preached  in  this 
church  be  accompanied  by  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  of  Power, 
that,  out  of  the  crowds  who  attend  here  to  hear,  many  may  be  added  to 
the  church  of  such  as  shall  be  saved,  is  the  prayer  of 

'  Your  affectionate  minister, 

'J,  Henderson.' 


*  17ti5  was  the  exact  date. 


112  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

The  west  gallery  here  referred  to,  which  greatly  obscured 
the  light,  and  was  devoid  of  ornament,  bore  the  following 
inscription : — 

*  Parentalis  ne  pereat  Pietaa 

Gulielmus  Tunstal, 

Johannes  Hargreaves, 

Johannes  Hartley, 

atque  Jacobus  Wilson, 

impensis  suis,  Tabulatum  hocce 

pensile  extruxerunt. 

MDCCXXXIIL' 

And  which  translated  into  English  reads  thus : — 

'  Lest  parental  affection  should  be  unrecorded, 

William  Tunstal,  John  Hargreaves, 

John  Hartley,  and  James  Wilson, 

Have,  at  their  own  expense,  erected  this  gallery. 

MDCCXXXIIL' 

By  glancing  up  thither,  the  congregation  were  enabled  to  see 
the  number  of  the  hymns  and  psalms,  the  organist  having  a 
board  in  front  for  that  purpose. 

The  removal  of  this  gallery  caused  an  interesting  discovery 
to  be  made.  Concealed  beneath  the  whitewash,  and  close 
to  the  stone,  the  workmen  found,  immediately  above  the 
western  arch,  on  the  north  side  of  the  nave,  half  the  head 
and  portion  of  the  body  of  a  man,  painted  in  red  colours  on 
the  wall.  In  attempting  to  bare  the  lower  portion  of  the 
figure,  the  composition  on  which  it  was  painted  crumbled 
away  to  such  an  extent  that  the  attempt  was  abandoned.  The 
probable  explanation  is,  that  in  Catholic  times  the  walla  were 
adorned  with  representations  of  various  saints,  of  which  the 
figure  partially  brought  to  light  was  one.  The  wardens' 
miiiute-book  shows  that  during  the  work  of  restoration  this 
church  narrowly  escaped  being  again  disfigured  by  a  gallery. 
At  a  vestry  meeting  held  June  9th,  1856,  it  was  unanimously 
resolved,  "  That  the  whole  of  the  present  gallery  at  the  west 
end  of  this  church  be  taken  down,  and  a  suitable  organ  and 
singing  gallery  be  erected  in  its  stead,  the  front  thereof  to  be 
entirely  new,  and  of  neat  design,  to  accord  with  the  general 
architecture  of  the  church,  and  that  such  portions  of  the  old 
gaUery  be  used  in  and  about  the  construction  of  the  body  of 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  113 

the  new  one  as  may  be  deemed  advisable."  On  the  7th  of 
July,  a  second  meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  adopting 
plans  for  the  erection  of  the  new  gallery,  "  but  in  consequence 
of  there  being  a  desire  on  the  part  of  many  in  the  congrega- 
tion to  retain  the  present  improved  and  primitive  appearance 
of  the  church,  lately  eifected  by  the  removal  of  the  old 
gallery  and  the  wall  separating  the  tower  from  the  nave, 
the  meeting  was  adjourned,  in  order  to  give  such  parties  who 
were  disposed  an  opportunity  of  raising  funds  for  the  erection 
of  a  transept  at  the  north  side  of  the  church."  Ultimately 
good  taste  prevailed,  and  the  idea  of  re-erecting  the  gallery 
was  abandoned. 

Stained-glass  Windows. — Of  these  there  are  three,  all  of 
modern  date,  respectively  situate  at  the  east  and  west  ends 
and  south  side  of  the  church.  The  large  east  window,  of 
perpendicular  style,  is  by  Hodgson,  of  York,  and,  though  at 
first  sight,  the  upper  portion  appears  composed  of  mere 
figures,  yet,  on  closer  inspection,  these  figures  are  found  to  be 
very  beautiful  in  design,  and  full  of  instructive  teaching. 
The  window  has  five  cinquefoil-headed  lights,  wherein  our 
Lord  and  the  four  Evangelists  are  prominently  represented. 
St.  John  may  be  easily  distinguished  by  his  youthful  appear- 
ance, and  St,  Luke  holds  a  winged  cow,  sitting  apparently 
chewing  the  cud,  a  proper  emblem  of  contemplative 
attention.  Beneath  are  introduced  the  familiar  and  appro- 
priate subjects  of  the  Nativity,  the  Adoration  of  the  Magi, 
the  Flight  into  Egypt,  Christ's  Baptism  in  Jordan,  and  the 
Last  Supper.  Other  apostles  are  depicted  in  the  following 
order :  St.  Matthew,  with  a  hatchet,  in  allusion  to  his  being 
seized  by  some  infidels  at  Nadabar,  and  slain  with  that  or  a 
similar  instrument  about  a.d.  60 ;  aS'^.  Thomas,  with  a  lance, 
and  St.  James,  with  a  club,  with  which  weapons  they  were 
respectively  slain ;  St.  John,  holding  and  directing  attention 
to  a  small  urn  in  his  left  hand,  from  which  a  dragon,  repre- 
senting Satan,    is  escaping  ;^  St.  Bartholomew,  the   patron 

'  This  design  is  said,  according  to  an  old  legend,  to  have  originated  thus : 
"  Aristodemus,  a  priest  of  Diana,  denied  the  miracles  of  the  apostles  as  originating 
from  divine  power,  and  challenged  St.  John  to  drink  a  cup  of  poison  he  had 
prepared.  St.  John  having  first  made  over  the  cup  the  sign  of  the  cross,  Satan 
immediately  fled,  whereupon  the  saint  drank  off  its  contents  to  the  dregs  with- 
out sustaining  the  least  injury." 

U 


114  ANNALS  AND   STORIES   OP 

saint,  with  a  knife  in  his  left  hand,  in  alhision  to  the  horrible 
death  he  suflFered,  having  been  flayed  alive  in  Armenia,  about 
A.D.  72  J  and  aS^^.  Simon,  holding  a  sword,  though  why  a  sword 
is  by  no  means  clear,  seeing  he  is  supposed  to  have  been 
crucified.  Other  and  less  prominent  figures  occupy  the 
remaining  space,  and  an  inscription  at  the  base  records  that 
the  window  was  "  erected  to  the  gloiy  of  God  by  the 
parishioners  and  friends  of  the  Rev,  J.  Henderson,  in  the 
42nd  year  of  his  incumbency,  MDCCCLXI."  Even  had  the 
happy  idea  of  thus  commemorating  the  long  incumbency  of 
Mr.  Henderson  not  suggested  itself,  the  erection  of  a  new 
window  had  for  some  time  been  a  work  of  necessity,  owing  to 
the  dangerous  and  decayed  state  of  the  stonework  of  the 
ancient  and  less  ornate  window  which  it  superseded.  The 
west  window,  by  Burrows,  of  Milnthorpe,  was  "erected  a.d. 
1857,  by  the  Rev.  J,  Henderson  and  his  wife,  in  the  39th 
year  of  his  incumbency,"  Unlike  the  east  window,  it  is  filled 
with  tracery.  The  three-light  perpendicular  window  in  the 
south  aisle,  also  by  Burrows,  and  likewise  almost  filled  with 
tracery,  was  erected  in  1862,  to  the  memory  of  Captain  and 
Mrs.  Harrison,  a  gentleman  and  lady  of  the  neighbourhood, 
whose  monument  adjoins.  In  the  course  of  erection  it  became 
necessary  to  raise  a  portion  of  the  roof,  introduce  new  stone- 
work, and  so  remove  the  only  external  inscription  the  body 
of  the  church  possessed.  This  inscription,  referring  to  a 
window  of  earlier  date,  was  as  follows  : — 

'  This  window  rebuilt  a.d.  1733. 

Bichd.  Boys,  Jo.  Hanson,  Will.  Hanson,  Will.  Sagar, 

Jo.  Spencer,  Rich.  Varley,  Rob.  Dixon, 

Thos.  Midgley,  Churchwardens ; 

John  Thornton,  Sidesman.' 

On  an  inspection  of  the  pillars  of  the  nave  it  will  be 
noticed  that  they  differ  considerably  in  construction  and 
design,  those  on  the  south  side  being  angular  and  slender, 
whilst  those  on  the  north  are  massive  and  cylindrical.  The 
explanation  is,  that  the  three  pillars  on  the  north  side  are, 
according  to  Dr.  Whitaker,  genuine  remains  of  the  original 
church,  and  in  that  case  are  certainly  over  500  years  old.  In 
the  year  1815,  according  to  the  same  authority,  one  of  these 


COLNE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  115 

pillars,  in  consequence  of  some  recent  interments  at  its  base, 
suddenly  gave  way,  and  occcasioned  a  considerable  declension 
of  the  other  pillars,  north  and  south,  so  as  visibly  to  threaten 
the  destruction  of  the  whole  edifice,  which  circumstance  was 
highly  favourable  to  the  views  of  a  certain  party  who  wished 
for  the  demolition  of  the  building.  A  general  meeting  of 
all  the  parties  interested  was  convoked,  and  the  old  and 
venerable  fabric  was  condemned  as  insecure  and  unsightly, 
Weighing,  however,  we  are  told,  the  appearances  of  declen- 
sion, and  knowing  an  architect  [Turner,  of  Leeds]  whose 
skill  and  courage  was  adequate  to  the  task  of  restoring  the 
whole,  the  then  patron  of  the  church  convened  a  second 
meeting,  and  prevailed  upon  the  parish  to  try  the  experi- 
ment. The  manner  in  which  the  restoration  was  eflfected 
deserves  to  be  recorded.  First,  the  pillar  whose  failure  had 
occasioned  all  the  mischief  having  been  removed,  the  basis 
appeared  to  have  been  undermined  (through  interments) 
and  cut  away  from  time  to  time.  A  new  and  ample  basis 
of  strong  masonry  was  then  laid  upon  the  rock,  and  the 
original  pillar  replaced  with  great  care  and  exactness.  All 
this  was  easy,  but  the  restoration  of  the  other  two  pillars, 
which  had  but  partially  declined,  was  a  much  more  hazardous 
undertaking.  The  architect,  however,  by  sharing  the  risk 
of  being  crushed  to  death  with  the  workmen,  prevailed  upon 
them  to  make  narrow  perforations  under  the  basis  from 
north  to  south,  through  which  he  introduced  strong  bars  of 
iron.  He  then  placed  large  beams  of  wood  along  the  surface 
from  east  to  west  on  each  side  of  the  pillars,  and,  when  the 
bars  had  been  passed  through  the  apertures,  strapped  them 
over  the  beams,  and  bound  them  immovably  together.  By 
this  method,  the  pillars,  arches,  and  walls  were  actually 
suspended.  He  next  proceeded  to  withdraw  the  decayed 
bases,  and  the  whole  structure  above  was  left  visibly 
hanging  in  the  air,  in  which  state  it  remained  till  new  and 
massive  bases  were  constructed  underneath,  which,  by  strong 
under-pinning,  restored  the  inclined  pillars  to  the  perpen- 
dicular. Meanwhile,  during  the  architect's  absence  for  a  few 
days  only,  a  violent  attempt  was  made  to  demolish  the 
church.     One  of  the  fine  carved  beams  was  thrown  down, 


116  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

and  the  walls  were  next  attacked,  but  happily  the  old  stone- 
work was  not  of  a  temper  to  give  way  to  anything  but 
gunpowder,  and  the  assailants  were  compelled  to  desist. 
Still,  however,  the  spirit  of  party  ran  so  high  that  it  was 
deemed  necessary  to  place  a  guard  in  the  vestry  every  night 
till  the  restoration  was  completed.  And  a  costly  restoration 
it  was,  for  even  the  great  chancel  arch  gave  signs  of  giving 
way,  and  the  party  wishful  for  the  demolition  of  the  old 
building  complained  that  nearly  as  much  money  was 
expended  in  the  work  of  restoration  as  would  have  built  a 
new  church ;  but  honour,  all  honour,  be  to  the  architect 
whose  skill  and  courage  preserved  the  time-honoured  pile. 
A  wholesale  desecration  of  the  vaults  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
pillars  which  gave  way  was  the  almost  inevitable  con- 
sequence of  the  restoration,  and  an  aged  joiner  (now  dead),  who 
was  employed  on  the  works,  used  to  relate  with  horror  how 
coffius  were  split,  slashed,  or  broken  in  pieces  whenever  they 
happened  to  come  in  the  workmen's  way.  Some  were  placed 
on  end,  and  in  several  instances  the  bones  of  the  occupants 
were  either  exposed  to  view  or  rattled  in  the  coffin.  According 
to  this  joiner's  statement,  it  would  seem  that  partly  from 
carelessness,  and  partly  from  accident  and  decay,  the  roof  of 
the  nave  fell  in  to  such  an  extent  that  Dr.  Whitaker's  wrath 
was  aroused,  and  he  angrily  accused  this  man  of  pulling 
down  the  church — an  accusation,  however,  which  the  latter 
denied,  attributing  what  had  happened  to  the  fact  that  the 
appliances  at  hand  for  moving  the  beams  were  totally 
inadequate  for  the  purpose,  the  result  being  that  the  ropes 
overcame  the  workmen.  Affixed  to  one  of  the  cylindrical 
pillars  is  a  brass  tablet  inscribed  as  follows  : — 

'  In  Memory  of 
Jenny  HolewelJ,  Daughter 
of  Jas.  and  Jenny  Holewell, 

of  Colne,  who  Departed 

this  Life  on  the  22nd  of  May, 

1802,  in  the  28th  year 

of  her  Age.' 

Jenny   was   a    Sunday    school    teacher,    and    a    general 
favourite.     She  lies  buried  in  a  vault  at  the  foot  of  this 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  117 

pillar,  and  is  its  only  occupant,  her  father  and  mother  being 
buried  in  the  yard. 

The  ancient  portion  of  the  aisles  is  low,  whilst  the  modem 
is  much  loftier.  The  western  portion  of  the  roof  of  the 
north  aisle,  which  was  removed  in  the  restoration  of  1856-7, 
was  supported  by  rude  compartments  of  wood,  adorned  with 
grotesque  carvings  at  the  intersections,  and  mouldings  along 
the  beams.  Owing  to  its  solidity,  the  wall  of  this  portion  of 
the  aisle  was  with  diflficulty  removed.  In  the  progress  of 
the  work  some  texts  of  Scripture  between  the  windows,  long 
covered  with  whitewash,  were  brought  to  light. 

THE    ORGAN, 

By  Laycock,  of  Cross  Hills,  was  opened  on  Friday  the  17th, 
and  Sunday  the  19th  of  July,  1857,  and  cost  £320,  exclusive 
of  the  platform  on  which  it  stands.  On  the  occasion  of  the 
opening  services  it  was  played  by  a  person  named  Watson, 
and  very  pleasing  to  the  many  listeners  was  the  rich  volume 
of  sound  evoked,  as  it  rolled  amid  the  venerable  arches  of 
this  ancient  sanctuary,  and  then  died  away  in  its  oak-built 
roof.  Full  cathedral  service  was  performed,  and  Miss 
Eastwood,  a  native  of  Colne,  and  as  sweet  a  songstress  as 
ever  the  old  town  produced,  sang  the  solos  in  the  anthems 
appointed  for  the  service  with  exquisite  taste.  On  the 
Friday  there  were  two  sermons,  one  in  the  morning  by  the 
Venerable  Archdeacon  Masters,  and  another  in  the  evening 
by  Canon  Bardsley.  On  the  Sunday  morning,  the  Rev.  J. 
Dugan,  of  Burnley,  dehghted  his  hearers  with  the  beauty  of 
his  language  and  the  fervour  of  his  delivery.  He  was  also 
advertised  to  be  the  afternoon  preacher,  but  in  consequence 
of  illness  Mr.  Henderson  supplied  his  place.  Canon  Parker, 
of  Burnley,  was  the  evening  preacher.  The  collections  on 
the  Friday  amounted  to  £50,  and  those  on  the  Sunday  to 
£65,  together  amounting  to  £115. 

The  first  known  mention  of  an  organ  in  Colne  Church 
occurs  in  the  year  1815.  Formerly  a  bassoon  and  clarionet 
were  in  constant  use.  In  1778  the  wardens  paid  Is.  3d.  for 
a  pitch-pipe  from  London. 


118  ANNALS    AND   STORIES   OF 


THE    PONT, 


Apart  from  its  higher  associations,  is  generally  an  interesting 
object  in  any  church,  Wharton  lays  it  down  that  fonts  are 
ancient  according  to  their  size,  the  largest  being  the  oldest, 
and  if  this  ruling  be  accepted,  the  size  of  the  Colne  font 
alone  would  sufficiently  prove  its  antiquity.  It  is  of  stone, 
angular  in  form,  of  great  solidity,  stands  4ft.  6in.  high,  with 
a  fluted  shaft  18in.  high,  the  step  or  base  measuring  14ft.  4in. 
in  circumference.  The  basin  is  2ft.  in  diameter,  8in.  deep, 
and  has  on  one  occasion  held  the  waters  of  the  Jordan, 
taken  from  the  place  pointed  out  as  the  site  of  our  Saviour's 
baptism.  This  font  was  much  admired  by  the  late  Bishop 
of  Manchester,  and  its  striking  resemblance  to  that  in 
Bolton- by-Bo wland  Church  did  not  escape  the  discerning 
eyes  of  Dr.  Whitaker.  It  was  presented  to  the  church  by 
Lawrence  Townley,  of  Bamside,  probably  about  the  year 
1518,  and  has  eight  concave  sides,  on  each  of  which  is  a 
shield.  The  first  and  third  have  the  initials  "  L.  T.  ;  "  the 
second,  the  Townley  arms ;  the  fourth,  the  scourges  or  whips 
saltire ;  the  fifth  contains  the  cross,  the  emblem  of  the 
crucifixion ;  the  sixth,  the  sacred  monogram,  "  I.  H.  C." 
(somewhat  defaced) ;  and  the  seventh  and  eighth,  the  nails, 
hammer,  and  pincers — implements  of  the  Saviour's  passion. 
As  the  population  of  the  parish  has  increased,  so  naturally 
have  the  baptisms.  A  single  illustration  will  suffice  to  show 
the  extent  of  the  increase.  In  the  years  1599  and  160.0, 
167  baptisms  were  solemnised  here;  in  1831  and  1832,  605. 
The  aggregate  number  of  baptisms  at  this  font  is  uncertain, 
inasmuch  as  out  of  the  46,000  children  whose  names  are 
recorded  in  the  register  since  1599,  some  may  have  been,  and 
doubtless  were,  baptised  at  Marsden. 

Thither  in  olden  days  have  come  children  in  faith,  though 
not  in  years.  Anna  Smith,  of  Foulridge,  was  "  received 
into  ye  congregation  of  X"  flock"  when  47  years  of  age  ; 
Samuel  Catlow,  of  Ball  Grove,  at  a  like  age ;  Judith 
Halliwell,  of  Blacko,  who,  in  1 737,  had  the  sign  of  the  cross 
made  on  her  brow,  at  25 ;  and  the  daughter  of-  a  Trawden 
Quaker,  at  23.     That,  moreover,  was  an  interesting  gather- 


COLXE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  119 

ing,  when  the  five  children  of  Richard  Wilkinson,  another 
Trawden  Quaker,  came  to  be  received  "  into  ye  Body  of 
Christ's  Church" — Sarah,  the  eldest,  9  years  old ;  Richard,  7  ; 
Susan,  6  ;  Phanuel,  4  ;  and  the  baby,  Martha,  as  the  register 
quaintly  puts  it,  "  one  month  short  of  a  year."  There,  too, 
in  1691,  was  baptised  little  Maria  Murgatroyd,  whose 
father,  according  to  the  register,  had  such  a  wonderful 
memory  that  "  he  could  preach  any  minister's  sermon  which 
he  heard  almost  verbatim."  Though  containing,  at  first 
sight,  a  mere  collection  of  names,  the  baptismal  registers  of 
this  church  deserve,  and  will  repay,  hours  of  study.  The 
number  of  names  crowded  into  a  single  page  of  the  earlier 
volumes  is  marvellous,  the  writing,  as  a  rule,  exceedingly  neat, 
though  here  and  there  so  faded  that  the  aid  of  a  glass  is 
required  to  decipher  the  names.  Age  has  browned  the 
parchment  pages  to  such  an  extent  that  it  might  easily  be 
imagined  they  had  been  subjected  to  intense  heat.  Names 
common  and  uncommon — amongst  the  latter  Hiram  and 
Crispin  in  males,  and  Eunice,  Tahitha,  Duella,  Bethany, 
Olive,  Veepin,  Lettice,  Dinah,  Bella,  and  Sebra  in  females — 
ai'e  found  in  strange  conjunction.  The  earlier  we  search,  the 
more  Scriptural  the  names  appear.  Once,  and  once  only, 
have  a  little  brother  and  sister  together  received  the  familiar 
names  of  Adam  and  Eve,  but  Joseph  and  Benjamin,  Matthew 
and  Mark,  Martha  and  Mary  are  names  in  several  instances 
found  to  have  been  bestowed  upon  members  of  the  same 
family.  Charles,  it  is  ciu*ious  to  observe,  was  for  a  long 
series  of  years  in  entire  disfavour  at  Colne,  whilst  the  girls 
of  a  past  generation  were  often  given  the,  to  us,  old-fashioned 
names  of  Betty,  Sally,  and  Mally. 

Over  the  font  is  the  chandelier,  purchased  in  1773,  and 
now  only  used  at  the  festivals  of  Easter  and  Christmas,  or  on 
other  special  occasions.  Lanterns  for  the  use  of  the  church 
are  often  alluded  to  in  the  wardens'  accounts,  the  introduc- 
tion of  gas  being  of  a  comparatively  recent  date,  and  com- 
memorated by  a  sermon  by  Mr.  Henderson  from  the  text, 
"  Let  there  be  light." 

A  few  yards  to  the  east  of  the  Ifont  is  a  gi-avestone  sup- 
posed to  be  the  second  oldest  in  the  church,  the  letters 


120 


ANNULS   AND   STORIKS   OP 


"  E.  F."  and  the  date  1597  being  remarkably  legible.  Three 
or  four  yards  farther  to  the  south,  and  midway  between  the 
last-mentioned  stone  and  the  former  site  of  the  font,  many 
women  who  died  in  childbirth  lie  buried  together.  This,  on 
the  authority  of  Mr.  Henderson,  the  late  rector,  who  was 
informed  of  it  when  first  he  came  to  Colne,  though  the 
custom  had  died  out  long  before  his  day,  and  its  origin  was 
unknown.  ^ 

Immediately  below  the  extremity  of  the  organ  platform  is 
an  ancient  gravestone,  the  inscription  on  which  affords  a 
good  illustration  of  the  abbreviations  formerly  in  vogue. 
The  portion  of  the  stone  outside  the  dotted  line  is  concealed 
from  view  by  heavy  woodwork.  The  visible  portion  runs 
thus : — 


G  ARET 

GHTER 

ENR  Y    R  Y 

FT    B.     S.     YT 

J  OHN  -R  Y 

CROFT:     B.     D.     Y. 

29:     1696. 

What  is  believed  to  be  the  key  will  be  found  in  the  foot- 
note.^ 

'  A  statement  to  this  effect  would  appear  to  have  been  handed  down  from 
sexton  to  sexton,  a  class  of  officials  usually  considered  good  authorities  on  ques- 
tions appertaining  to  burial.  It  has  been  further  alleged  that  all  bones  found  at 
this  particular  spot  in  former  days  were  those  of  females.  In  the  Roman  church 
a  peculiar  sanctity  is  attributed  to  females  who  die  in  parturition. 

■■*  Margaret,  daughter  of  Henry  Rycroft,  buried  September  ye  1st.  John 
Eycrof  t,  buried  December  ye  29th,  1696. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  121 

THE    FREE   SEATS 

Or  oak  benches  in  the  nave,  are  of  a  date  prior  to  1703,  and 
•were  in  olden  tinaes  regularly  occupied  by  the  farmers  from 
all  parts  of  the  chapelry.  These  seats  were  allotted  to  various 
tenements,  and  are  in  some  cases  marked  with  initials.  The 
representation  of  a  little  bird,  with  the  initials  "  P.  E.  T." 
underneath,  still  indicates  where  the  retainers  of  the  Townley 
family  used  to  sit.  In  bygone  days,  it  was  no  uncommon 
sight  to  see  a  sturdy  old  farmer  trudging  up  the  churchyard 
some  week-day  carrying  in  his  arms  a  bundle  of  straw,  which 
he  would  take  into  church,  and  proceed  to  spread  several 
inches  deep  under  his  seat.  Then,  when  Sunday  came  round, 
he  would  comfortably  half  bury  his  legs  in  the  straw,  and 
listen  to  the  sermon,  for  the  church  was  not  then  heated 
as  it  is  now,  and  those  were  old-fashioned  days. 

The  pulpit,  as  stated  in  Mr.  Henderson's  circular,  originally 
stood  in  its  present  position,  but  was  afterwards  moved  to 
the  entrance  of  the  chancel.  A  reading  desk  and  a  clerk's 
desk  were  on  either  side,  and  over  it  was  the  sounding-board, 
which,  when  no  longer  required  at  the  church,  Mr.  Hender- 
son, wishful  to  preserve  in  some  form  or  other  an  interesting 
relic,  had  converted  into  a  handsome  table  for  the  rectory 
drawing-room. 

The  carved  work  of  the  oak  screen,  which  surrounds  three 
sides  of  the  chancel,  is  considered  extremely  elegant ;  and 
Dr.  Whitaker  remarks  that  it  is  precisely  of  the  same  pattern 
as  that  of  the  chapel  at  Townley,  which  he  assigns  to  the 
latter  end  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  The  gallery,  occu- 
pied principally  by  the  organ  and  choir,  and  extending 
across  the  chancel,  was  supported  by  this  screen ;  but  in  the 
year  1829  this  disfigurement  to  the  church  was  removed. 
Such  an  alteration  had  been  contemplated  some  years,  for  in 
an  order  dated  Colne,  August  1st,  1821,  the  Bishop  of 
Chester,  after  directing  that  in  future  an  additional  fee  of 
two  guineas  should  be  paid  for  every  interment  within  the 
church,  and  that  no  graves  should  be  dug  within  one  yard 
of  the  walls  and  pillars,  proceeded  to  recommend  "that  the 
organ  be  removed  to  the  west-end  gallery,  which  would 
gi-eatly  improve    the  chapel   of   Colonel   Clayton,  who,  in 


122  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

order  to  promote  the  measure  might  probably  be  willing  to 
give  seats  to  those  persons  who  might  be  dispossessed  of 
them  by  the  removal  of  the  organ."  His  lordship  seems  at 
this  time  to  have  made  a  most  minute  inspection  of  the 
church  and  everything  appertaining  to  it,  even  down  to  the 
surplices,  which  he  must  have  found  either  too  worn  or  too 
few  in  number,  for  he  ordered  that  a  new  one  should  at  once 
be  bought. 

The  communion-rails  are  of  oak,  very  substantial,  with 
the  usual  old-fashioned  gate  at  the  side  nearest  the  vestry, 
and  were  made  in  the  year  1730.  The  steps  in  front  have 
a  worn  and  ancient  look,  and  the  marriage  register  shows 
that  there  many  a  blushing  bride  has  plighted  her  troth. 

It  was  formerly  customary  here,  whenever  there  was  a 
fashionable  wedding,  for  the  senior  scholar  of  the  adjoining 
Grammar  School  to  come  into  the  church  at  a  given  signal, 
and  thus  address  the  newly-married  pair  as  they  left  the  altar  : 

'  God  prosper  these  your  nuptials 
With  much  peace  ; 
And  grant  that  love 
Between  you  may  increase. 
May  happy  minds  and  virtuous  hearts 
Unite  in  virtuous  love, 
And  may  you  love  your  bridegroom, 
And  you  your  lovely  bride, 
And  ever  bless  the  day 
The  nuptial  knot  was  tied. 

'  May  happiness  on  earth 
Your  portion  be. 
And  may  you  always  live 

In  endless  felicitie. 
We  wish  you  health, 
Wealth,  worth,  and  gold, 
As  apples  in  bright 
Orchards  may  be  told. 
We  wish  that  you 
May  never  disagree 
Till  lambs  and  wolves 
Do  dwell  in  unitie.' 

Which  recitation  ended,  the  happy  bridegroom  was  expected 
to  give  the  boy,  at  least,  one  of  the  larger  silver  coins. 
In  the  year  1600,  there  were  only  18  weddings  at  Colne 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  123 

Church,  whilst  it  appears  that  in  1831  the  number  had 
increased  to  167.  It  is  related  that  a  widow,  whose  first 
husband  was  said  to  have  died  insolf  ent,  was  once  re-married 
here,  enveloped  only  in  a  closely-fitting  sheet,  in  accordance 
with  the  odd  notion  that,  if  married  thus,  neither  she  nor  her 
new  husband  would  be  liable  for  the  first  husband's  debts, 
and  this  whether  she  had  secured  any  property  or  not.  And 
this  is  not  the  only  time  the  white  sheet  has  been  seen  in 
Colne  Church,  for  in  the  last  century  unchaste  women  had  to 
perform  open  penance  in  the  following  manner  :  Clad  only 
in  a  scanty  manner,  they  donned,  in  tlie  lumber-room  under 
the  tower,  a  white  sheet  over  their  other  garments,  and  in 
this  strange  guise  walked  down  the  centre  aisle  during 
morning  service.  This,  on  the  authority  of  an  old  man,  aged 
88,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  his  faculties,  who,  as  a  child 
had  heard  his  mother  relate  these  scenes,  to  which  she  had 
been  an  eye-witness  again  and  again,  and  his  statement  is 
corroborated  by  others. 

Quaint  and  interesting,  yet  terrible  indeed,  was  the  form 
of  penance  enjoined  : — 

'  Penance  required  to  be  done  by  [Jane  Robinson].  The  said  [Jane 
Robinson]  shall  be  present  in  the  Parish  Church  of  [Colne] 
aforesaid,  upon  Sunday,  being  the  [20th]  day  of  [April],  in  the 
time  of  Divine  Service,  between  the  hours  of  nine  and  eleven 
of  the  clock  in  the  fore  noon  of  the  same  day,  in  the  presence  of  the 
whole  congregation  there  assembled,  being  Bare-foot  and  Bare-legg'd, 
having  a  white  sheet  wrapped  about  [her'l  from  her  shoulders  to  the  feet, 
and  a  white  wand  in  [her]  hand,  where,  immediately  after  the  reading 
of  the  Gospel,  [she]  shall  stand  upon  some  form  or  seat  before  the 
pulpit,  or  place  where  the  Minister  reads  the  Prayers,  and  shall  say  after 
him  as  follows  : — 

*  Whereas  I,  good  people,  forgetting  my  duty  to  Almighty  God,  have 
committed  the  detestable  sin  of  fornication  with  [James  Jones],  and 
hereby  have  justly  provoked  the  heavy  wrath  of  God  against  me,  to 
the  great  danger  of  my  own  soul,  and  evil  example  of  others.  I  do 
earnestly  repent,  and  am  heartily  sorry  for  the  same,  desiring  Almighty 
God,  for  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  forgive  me  both  this  and  all 
other  my  offences  ;  and  also  ever  hereafter  to  assist  me  with  his  Holy 
Spirit,  that  I  may  never  fall  into  the  like  offence  again  ;  and,  for  that 
end  and  purpose,  I  desire  you  all  here  present  to  pray  with  me,  and  for 
me,  saying— 

'  Our  Father,  which  art  in  Heaven, 
Hallowed  be  Thy  name,  Thy  Kingdom  come,  ttc' 


124  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

And  that  there  might  be  no  escape  for  the  penitent,  it  is 
added,  "  And  for  the  performance  hereof  [she]  is  to  certifie 
under  the  hands  of  the  Minister  and  Churchwardens." 

The  space  within  the  communion  rails,  being  boarded  over, 
hides  from  view  several  curious  brasses. 

With  respect  to  the  communion  plate,  it  appears,  from  an 
inventory  made  several  hundred  years  ago,  that  the  chalice 
used  at  the  church  was  of  silver,  and  weighed  lOoz.,  and 
that  the  other  ornaments  were  worth  £1  5s.  6d.  The  history 
of  the  present  plate  is  as  follows  :  On  the  completion  of 
the  Cloth  Hall,  John  Turner,  Esq.,  of  Hob  Stones,  who  had 
gratuitously  superintended  its  erection,  was  presented  by 
the  shareholders  with  a  silver  flagon  and  cups,  the  former 
bearing  the  following  inscription  : — 

'  I  cloatli  the  naked.' 

'  The  free  gift  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Piece  Hall,  in  Colne,  to  Mr. 
John  Turner,  of  that  town,  surgeon,  in  gratitude  to  him  for  his  un- 
wearied attendance  and  daily  instruction  to  the  workmen  who  were 
engaged  in  carrying  on  that  work,  which  was  begun  and  finished  under 
his  care  and  direction  in  the  year  1776.' 

Mr.  Turner  afterwards  presented  them  to  Colne  Church, 
whereupon  the  following  was  added  : — 

'  And,  further,  given  by  the  said  John  Turner,  for  the  perpetual  use  of 
the  Communion  Service  of  the  Church  of  Cohie,  1790.' 

Since  which  time  they  have  been  used  for  that  purpose. 
The  arch  of  the  vestry  door  is  worthy  of  attention  as  being 
Norman  in  character. 

'1599. 
Inventory  of  the  Churche  goods  that 
are  in  the  Vestrye  and  elsewhere 

Silver  cuppe  w***  a  lidd  or  covering 
Item,  two  Cuppbords  or  [  ] 

th'  one  lent  to  iS'ycholas  Mitchell  of 
the  intack,  and  th'  other  lent  to 
Jo.  Michell. 
Bookes,  One  great  byble  &  iiij 
Spaltras  [Psalters], 
one  in  the  custody  of  the  Schole  M 
at  Tborneton,  one  in  the  Church,  and  one 
\v<=^  Edward  Blakey  have. 
Item.  One  w"'*  Thomas  Barcrofte  of 
Fulridge  was  charged  w***  all  besydes 
Item.  One  table  cloth  &  a  surplis.' 


colne  and  neighbourhood.  125 

bannister's,  or  park  hill,  chancel  or  choir 

Derives  its  name  from  an  opulent  family  once  resident  at 
Park  Hill,  Barrowford,  to  which  ancient  house  it  was 
appurtenant.  The  date  of  its  erection  is  uncertain,  but  it  is 
interesting  to  observe,  that,  through  the  marriage  of  Robert 
Bannister,  of  Park  Hill,  with  Isabel,  daughter  of  Lawrence 
Townley,  living  1474-5,  the  families  of  the  founders  of  the 
two  choirs  in  Colne  Church  became  connected.  It  is  now 
the  property  of  the  Parkers  of  Alkincoats,  the  Holts  of  Park 
Hill,  and  the  SutclifFes  of  Heptonstall.  It  is  of  small 
dimensions,  and,  like  its  sister  choir  on  the  south  side,  its 
possession  has  been  disputed,  and  litigation  has  ensued, 
caused  mainly,  as  regards  this  choir,  by  the  declining 
fortunes  of  the  Bannisters. 

In  1661  the  fomily  rebuilt  Park  Hill,  and,  soon  after, 
mortgaged  the  larger  portion  of  the  house  and  estate  to  a 
Mr.  John  Swiuglehirst,  of  Gill,  in  the  Forest  of  Gisburn, 
who  eventually  became  mortgagee  in  possession.  Other 
portion  of  the  house  and  estate  was  subsequently  sold  to  a 
Mr.  Yorker,  who,  or  whose  descendants,  sold  it  in  after  years 
to  Mr.  Gamaliel  Sutcliffe,  of  Stone  Shey  Gate,  Heptonstall, 
great  grandfather  of  the  present  owner,  who  again,  pre- 
sumably in  ignorance  of  strict  law,  sold  a  portion  of  the 
choir  to  Mr.  Parker, 

Here  was  ample  scope  for  litigation.  So  long  as  Park  Hill 
remained  in  its  entirety  no  question  was  likely  to  arise  as  to 
this  choir,  but  once  divided  it  was  otherwise.  Litigation  did 
in  fact  take  place,  into  the  details  of  which  I  need  not  enter. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  all  controversy  between  the  Bannisters 
and  Mr.  Swinglehirst  was  finally  settled  by  a  decree  of  the 
Consistory  Court  of  Chester  made  in  1743,  pursuant  to 
agreement.  By  this  decree,  the  northerly  moiety  of  the 
choir,  and  the  four  pews  therein,  were  confirmed  to  John 
Swinglehirst  and  his  successors  (owners  of  one  moiety  of 
Park  Hill),  with  liberty  to  "stand,"  "sit,"  "kneel,"  and 
hear  divine  service  and  sermons  therein,  "  with  his  and  their 
families  and  tenants,  on  Sundays,  holidays,  and  all  other 
opportune  times."     And  to  him  and  them  was  also  reserved 


126  ANNAL8   AND   STORIES   OP 

the  power  to  exclude  all  strangers  who  had  not  first  obtained 
leave  to  enter. 

To  Henry  Bannister  and  his  successors  (owners  of  the 
other  moiety)  was  reserved  a  right  to  bury  his  and  their 
dead  under  the  northern  moiety,  when  and  as  occasion  should 
require,  he  and  they  replacing,  immediately  after  the  inter- 
ment of  any  "  corps "  there,  the  seats  taken  up  on  the 
occasion. 

In  1831  the  Bannisters  were  again  heard  of  in  connection 
with  this  choir.  They,  or  those  claiming  under  them  (other 
than  the  parties  in  possession),  announced  for  sale  by  public 
auction,  on  February  23i*d,  in  that  year,  at  the  Hole-in-the- 
Wall  Inn,  Colne,  "  the  spacious,  substantial,  dry,  comfortable, 
and  well-situated  pew  [situate  in  this  choir]  with  a  boarded 
floor,  then  tenanted  by  Mrs.  George  Carr,  and  containing 
ample  room  for  8  adults  or  grown-up  persons."  Also,  the 
right  of  sepultiire  or  burial  throughout  the  whole  of  the 
ground  of  the  chancel,  called  Bannister's  Chancel,  as  then 
railed  off,  on  the  north  side  of  the  greatest  chancel,  without 
payment  of  the  usual  fees  for  breaking  the  earth  for  vaults 
or  graves,  as  is  the  custom  in  the  other  chancels  and  body  of 
the  chiu-ch.  "Price  and  particulars  to  be  had  from  John 
Bannister,  Top  of  Trawden,  Weaver;  Henry  Bannister,  Bottom 
of  it,  Labourer ;  or  Mr.  Hardacre,  Attorney,  Colne."  No  sale 
took  place,  and,  happily,  all  contention  has  at  length  ceased. 

This  choir  is  somewhat  dark  and  gloomy,  and,  perhaps  as 
a  natural  result  of  the  disputes  respecting  its  possession,  was 
at  one  time  dilapidated  and  unoccupied.  In  1816  the  then 
parties  interested,  with  a  view  of  providing  for  its  future 
repair,  entered  into  the  following  agreement : — 

'  We,  whose  hands  are  hereunto  subscribed,  do  agree,  in  proportion  to 
our  respective  right  and  interest,  to  repair  the  roof,  by  slating,  plas- 
tering, and  any  other  necessary  reparation,  in  a  reasonable  workmanlike 
manner,  of  the  Chancel  on  the  north  side  of  the  Parochial  Chapel  of 
Colne,  in  the  county  of  Lancaster. — As  witness  our  hands  the  26th 
March,  1816.  'Jno.  SwiNGLEHmsT. 

'Gamalikl  Sutcliffe. 

'  Thos.  Parker,  Junr.' 

There  is  in  this  choir  perhaps  the  most  interesting  object, 
in  an  antiquarian  point  of  view,  the  chui-ch  contains ;  and 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  127 

notwithstanding  the  fact  of  there  being  a  direct  prayer  to 
the  Virgin  Mary,  I  sincerely  hope  the  day  is  far  distant 
when,  as  in  the  case  of  the  churchyard  cross,  some  ruthless 
hand  shall  remove  it.  It  is  a  Latin  inscription,  illuminated 
in  Saxon  letters,  on  three  pieces  of  oak  embedded  in  the 
east  wall,  and  runs  thus  : — 

^i  i  celo  pcibs  suecrrere  mndo 

'^ac  recitare  via  debes  letare  Maria 
^arvaa  intu  diluit  Ma  tnanu. 

"^yrd  genetrix  X  ^ilelmum  depcor  audi 
|,le  supet  mora  me  vrgo  pares  retine. 

With  contractions  supplied  : — 

Qualibus  in  coelo  precibus  Bucciirrere  mundo. 

Hac  recitare  via  debes  Icstare  Maria 
Larvas  interitu  diluit  ilia  manu 
Hyrd  genetrix  Chrisli  Wilhelmum  deprecor  audi 
Ne  Buperet  mors  me  virgo  parens  retine. 

This,  I  think,  may  be  freely  translated  thus  : — 

0  Mary,  mother  of  Christ !  I  earnestly  entreat  thee  to  succour  and 
aid  the  world  by  the  recital  of  such  prayers  in  heaven  as  gladden  the 
heart  and  banish  all  spectral  illusions  in  the  hour  of  death,  and  that 
William  Hyrd  may  find  favour  with  thee.  And,  0  Virgin  Mother !  I 
beseech  thee  to  have  me  in  thy  holy  keeping,  lest  the  powers  of  death 
prevail  against  me. 

The  mention  here  of  William  Hyrd,  who  was  doubtless  one 
of'the  Chantry  Priests,  and  other  circumstances,  tend  to  the 
supposition  that  this  inscription  is  of,  or  about,  the  date  1508. 
The  earliest  recorded  mention  of  it  is  to  be  found  in  the 
"  Minutes  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries,"  in  the  year  1747-8, 
wherein,  it  is  to  be  observed,  a  portion  only  of  the  inscription 
is  given  ; — 

'Thursday.  28th  Jan.  [1747-1746]. 

'Dr.  Eawlinson  communicated  the  extract  of  a  letter  from  Wm. 
Cowper,  Esq.,  a  member  of  this  society,  dated  the  9th  Jan.,  1747  : 
' '  The  Church,  or  Parochial  Chapell,  of  Colne,  in  the  county  of 
Lancaster,  is  an  ancient  structure,  and  there  is  a  tradition,  that  from  the 
consecration  through  the  several  centuries,  the  Good  women  were  always 
churched  in  the  Chancel,  at  the  end  of  the  North  Isle,  and  not  at  the 
Altar  railes,  and  that  usage  helped  to  explain  to  me  an  Inscription  in 
Saxon  letters  carved  upon  one  of  the  Beames,  in  rekivo,  which  supports 


128  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

the  Roof  of  the  North  Chancel,  viz.,  '  Hac  recitare  via  debea  recitare 
Maria,  Larvas  in  Coitu  diluit  ilia  manu.'  It  has  no  stops.  The 
exhortation  to  Prayes  for  certain  good  offices  is  somewhat  whimsically 
worded.  I  believe  that  Madona  is  sometimes  understood  as  a  Christian 
Lucina/  but  I  did  not  know  that  she  previously  interpos'd.' 

Dr.  Cowper's  "absurd  and  disgusting  rendering"  found 
its  way,  with  much  of  the  substance  of  the  above  extract, 
into  Mr.  Gough's  Camden's  Britannia,  with  this  variation 
only,  that  the  circumstance  of  the  women  being  churched  in 
this  chancel  is  mentioned,  not  as  a  tradition,  but  as  a  fact. 
It  was  reserved,  however,  to  Dr.  Whitaker,  the  learned  and 
elegant  historian  of  VVhalley,  to  give  the  correct  rendering. 
In  reviewing  the  "  History  of  "Wlialley  "  the  editor  of  the 
Gentleman! s  Ifagazine,  mindful  of  the  circumstance,  com- 
mented on  it  thus :  "  We  are  convinced  that  the  last  editor 
of  Camdtn's  Britannia  will  be  glad  to  see  detected  the  illusion 
put  on  the  Society  of  Antiquaries,  from  whose  '  Minutes ' 
he  copied  it,  respecting  the  inscription  at  Golne  Church, 
which  Dr.  Cowper,  either  from  ignorance  or  a  feeble  attempt 
at  wit  and  humour,  read  wrong,  but  which  really  runs  thus, 
in  the  usual  form  of  an  address  to  the  Virgin  Mary  for  her 
support  against  diabolical  illusion  in  the  hour  of  death,  by 
William  Hyrd,  Chantry  Priest."  (Here  follows  Dr.  Whitaker's 
rendering,  and  a  suggestion  that  the  "  recitare  "  ought  to  be 
"Cantare.") 

Beneath  this  inscription  is  a  monument,  the  only  one  in 
this  chancel,  which,  from  its  very  position,  records  also  -the 
decline  of  the  Bannisters,  and  is  inscribed  thus : — 

*  Sacred 
To  the  Memory  of 
John  Swinglehirst,  Esq, 
Late  of  Park  Hill  Barrowford,] 

Who  departed  this  lite    . 
On  the  seventh  day  of  August, 
MDCCCXXX 
Aged  Sixty  four  years, 

And  was  interred 
In  the  Parochial  Chapel 

of  St.  Mary 
New  Church-in-Pendle.' 

•  The  Goddess  of  ChUdbirth. 


OOLNB  AND  NEIOHBOURHOOD.  129 

THE  BARNSIDB   CHAPEL,   OR  CHOIR, 

Which  adjoins  the  chancel  and  south  aislo,  formerly  belonged, 
as  its  name  implies,  to  the  Townleys  of  Barnside,  but  is 
now  the  property  of  Captain  Edward  Every-Clayton,  of  Carr 
Hall,  in  right  of  his  grandmother,  who  was  a  Townley  of 
Barnside.^  The  earliest  recorded  legal  proceedings  in 
connection  with  it  were  in  32  Henry  VIII.,  in  which 
year  Lawrence  Townley,  of  Barnside,  prosecuted  Thomas 
Townley  and  others  in  the  Duchy  Court,  for  tortious 
possession  of  an  isle,  or  quere,  in  the  Parish  Church  of 
Colne.  The  bill  of  complaint  of  Lawrence  Townley  discloses 
some  curious  facts  and  strange  pi-oceedings,  and  is,  in  ancient 
and  modern  orthography,  as  follows  : — 

To  the  Ryght  Hono'able  S>^  Wyllm  To  the  Right  Hon.  Sir  William 

Fitzwyllm    Knyght    Erie    of  Fitzwilliam,    Knight,  Earl  of 

Sowthampton  and  Chancellor  ,     Southampton,  and  Chancellor 

of  y*  duchy  of  lane  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster. 

Inhiemosthumblewyseshewythe  In  the  most  humble  wise  sheweth 

and  compleynth  vnto  yowre  ryght  and  complaineth  unto  your  right 

honorable  Lordshpp  yowre  dayly  honorable    Lordship,    your    daily 

Orator  Lawrence  Towneley  of  Bame-  Orator,    Lawrence    Towneley,    of 

sydein  the  Countyeof  LancEsquier  Barnside,  in  the  County  of  Lancas- 

y' whereanow of  latethere hath  bene  ter,   Esq.,   that  where[a8]  of  late 

variance   discord    and  contrav'sye  there  hath  been  variance,  discord, 

of  for  and  conc'nyg  the  tytle  and  and  controversy  of,  for,  and  con- 

occupacon  of  one  c'ten  lie  or  qwere  cerning  the  title  and  occupation  of 

lately   buildyd  owt  of  the  Sowth  one  certain  aisle  or  quire  lately  built 

side  of  the  pische  Church  of  Colne  out  of  the  south  side  of  the  Parish 

win  the  sayd  Countye  of  lane  be-  Church  of  Colne,  in  the  said  County 

twene  yowre  say de  Orator  upon  th'  of  Lancaster,"^  between  your  said 

one  pyte  and  George  Houghton  of  Oratorupontheonepart,andGeorge 

Grenefeyld  in    the  same  Countye  Houghton,of  Greenfield,  in  the  said 

Gentylma    opon    th'    other    pyte.  county,  gentleman,  upon  the  other 

All  which  variaunce  and  discord  of  part,  all  which  variance  and  discord, 

for  and  conenyg  the  occupacon  of  of  for  and  concerning  the  occupation 

the  say  de  He  or  qwere  was  comytted  of  the  said  aisle  or  quire,was  commit- 

'  Dr.  Whitaker  states  tliat  at  the  allotment  of  the  pews  in  this  church,  bv  John 
Townley  of  Townley,  Esq.,  in  1576.  he  finds  mentioned  "  St  Cyte's  Quire,  but  it 
did  not  appear  whether  it  was  on  the  north  or  south  side.  •  Not  having  had  the 
good  fortune  to  meet  with  this  allocation,  I  am  unable  to  solve  this  question.  The 
conjecture  that  the  quire  was  dedicated  to  St.  Osyth,  of  which  St.  Cyte  it* 
probably  a  corruption  (because  an  Essex  town  of  that  name,  and  the  burial-place 
of  the  s.iint,  is  on  the  river  Colne),  is  alike  ingenious  and  probable. 

»  This  reference  is  most  valuable,  as  it  enables  us  to  assign  an  approximate  dato 
1-  o  the  Barnside  Chapel,  and  proves  that  the  chapel  was  added  to  tbs  church. 

I 


130 


ANNALS   AND  STORIES   OP 


by  the  assent  dissyre  and  gud  wyll 
of  both  the  sayd  ptyes  to  the  order 
award  and  Ju'gem*  of  vjj  honest 
me  dwellyng  w'in  the  sayd  pische  of 
Colne  and  S"^  Thorns  Clyfford 
Knyght  to  be  vmpere  beyng  high 
steward  vnder  the  Kyng's  highness 
of  that  Countie  where  the  sayd 
Church  of  Colne  ya,  y*  for  so  moche 
y*  one  Lawrence  Townley,  grand- 
father vnto  yowre  sayd  Orator  had 
requyred  and  dissyred  the  Rowme 
in  the  sayde  qwere  to  occupye  for 
hymselve  and  his  chyldren  and  his 
heyreswhichedyd  inhabit  and  dwell 
or  hereaftr  myght  Inhabet,  w*in  the 
sayd  pische  of  Colne  of  the  church- 
wardens beyng  at  that  tyme  and 
of  the  holle  pische  and  for  so  moch 
thatthesayde  Lawrence  thegruand- 
father  had  bene  at  great  coste  &, 
charge  in  the  sayde  qwere  as  well 
opon  the  alter  books  and  seelyng 
of  the  Roffe  of  the  sayde  qwere 
and  for  div's  other  gud  consydera- 
cons  and  causes  movyng  the  sayd 
arbrtraors  w^ioo  dyd  ordayn  deme 
and  award  by  assent  of  both  the 
sayd  ptyes  as  advyse  of  the  sayd 
S''  Thorns  Clyfiford  and  by  the  assent 
and  gud  wyll  of  the  hole  pische  of 
Colne  aforsayd  that  the  sayd  Law- 
rence Towneleye  his  chyldren  and 
his  heyres  in  tyme  to  come  shuld 
from  henseforthe  occupye  and  enjoy 
the  sayd  qwere  in  the  sayd  pische 
church  of  Colne  in  suche  wyse  as 
tbe  sayd  lawrence  Towneleye  the 
gruandfather  had  vsed  and  occu- 
pyed  yj  and  that  the  sayd  george 
houghton  &  his  heyers  shuld  not 
claym  hereaft'r  any  man  of  tytle 
in  the  sayd  qwere  as  y*  wyll  appere 
more  at  large  by  the  sayd  Award. 
So  y*  y'  ryght  honorable  lord  y' 
now  of  late  sense  the  makynge  of 
the  sayd  order  and  award  y*  ys  to 
saye  the  xvijth  day  of  Apnll  last 
past  on  thorns    Towneley   beyng 


ted  by  the  assent,  desire,  and  good- 
will of  both  the  said  parties  to  the 
order,  award,  and  judgment  of 
seven  honest  men  dwelling  within 
the  said  Parish  of  Colne,  and  Sir 
Thomas  Clifford,  Knight,  to  be 
umpire,  being  high  steward,  under 
the  King's  Highness,  of  that 
county  where  the  said  Church  of 
Colne  is,  that  for  so  much  that 
one  Lawrence  Towneley,  grand- 
father unto  your  said  Orator,  had 
required  and  desired  the  room  in 
the  said  quire  to  occupy  for  himself, 
and  his  children,  and  his  heirs, 
which  did  inhabit  and  dwell,  or 
hereafter  might  inhabit,  within  the 
said  parish  of  Colne,  of  the  church- 
wardens being  at  that  time  and  of 
the  whole  parish.  And  forasmuch 
as  the  said  Lawrence,  the  grand- 
father, had  been  at  great  cost  and 
charge  in  the  said  choir  as  well  upon 
the  altar,  hooks,  and  ceiling  of  the 
roof  of  the  said  choir,  and  for  divers 
other  good  considerations  and 
causes  moving  the  said  arbitrators, 
who  did  ordain,  deem,  and  award, 
by  assent  of  both  the  said  parties, 
as  advice  of  the  said  Sir  Thomas 
Clifford,  and  by  the  assent  and 
goodwill  of  the  whole  parish  of 
Colne  aforesaid,  that  the  said  Law- 
rence Townley,  his  children,  and 
his  heirs  in  time  to  come,  should 
from  henceforth  occupy  and  enjoy 
the  said  choir  in  the  said  Parish 
Church  of  Colne,  in  such  wise  as  tbe 
said  Lawrence  Townley,  the  grand- 
father, had  used  and  occupied  it ; 
and  that  the  said  George  Houghton 
and  his  heirs  should  not  claim 
hereafter  any  manner  of  title  in 
the  said  quire,  as  it  will  appear 
more  at  large  by  the  said  award. 
So  itis,  right honorablelord,  that  now 
of  late,  since  the  making  of  the  said 
order  and  award,  that  is  to  say, 
the  17th  day  of  April  last  past,  one 


OOLNB  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD. 


lai 


son-in-lawe  vnto  y«  sayd   george 
Houghton  Thomas  Banastr  James 
Rydeiughe  w*  dyvs  other  Ryotouse 
&   evyll  dysposed    p'sona  by  the 
comanndm*  of   the    sayd   George 
Houghton  dyd  entre  into  the  sayde 
churche  of  Colne  and  there  brake  y* 
doore  of  the  sayd  qwere  vyolentlye 
w*  great  force  at  the  avice  tyme 
whereby  y*  svyce  of  God  w*in  y^ 
sayd  church  y's  moch  letted  and 
y*   pishioners   moch  dysqyeted  & 
y"  lyke  see  to  cotynue  oneles  youre 
good    lordship    pvyde  some    Re- 
medye  in  this  behalf.     In  tender 
consyderacon  whereof  y*  may  please 
yowere  gud  lordship  to  grant  y^ 
Kynge  wryt  of  Privy  Scale  to  be 
dyrected  vnto    y*   sayde    Thomas 
Towneleye    Thorns     Banasf    and 
James     Redeoughe     comanndyng 
them  by  vtue  of  the  same  and  evy 
one  of  them  to  pmyt  &  suffer  yowre 
sayde  Orator  his  wyffe  and  chyl- 
dryn    quyetly   and    peaceably    to 
occipy  and  enioy  the  sayd  qwere 
accordyng  vnto    the    sayd  award 
and   order  thereinbefore  made  or 
else  that  y*  sayd  Thoms  Towneley 
Thorns    Banesf^  James   Rydeough 
and  evy  one  of  theym  psonally  to 
appere  befor  yowre  gud  lordshyp 
and    other    the   Kynge    Councell 
in  the  Duchy  Chmber  at  Westm'' 
at  a  ct'en  day  and  open  a  ct'en  payn 
to  be  lymmytted  &  then  and  there 
to   an  s ware  to  the  pmysses     and 
farther  to  abyde  such  order  and 
direccon  in  the  same  as  shal  be 
thought    by    yowre    lordshyp    to 
stand  w*  Equyty  Ryght  and  gud 
conscyence,      and      yowre      sayd 
Orator  shall   dayle   pray   for  the 
psirvacon  of  youre  gud  lordship  in 
honor  long  to  Endure. 


Thomas  Townley,  being  ton-in-law 
unto  the  said  George  Houghtmi, 
Thomas  Bannister,  James  Hide' 
hai/jh,  with  divers  other  riotous  and 
evil-disposedpersons,  by  the  command- 
ment of  the  said  George  Houghton, 
did  enter  into  the  said  church  of 
Colne,  and  there  break  the  door  of 
the  said  choir  violently,  and  with 
great  force,  at  the  service  time, 
whereby  the  service  of  God  within 
the  said  church  is  much  letted  [hin- 
dered] and  the  parishioners  much 
disquieted,  and  is  likely  so  to  con- 
tinue, unless  your  good  lordship  pro- 
vide som£  remedy  in  this  behalf. 
In  tender  consideration  whereof  it 
may  please  your  good  lordship  to 
grant  the  King's  writ  of  privy  seal 
to  be  directed  unto  the  said  Thomas 
Townley,  Thomas  Bannister,  and 
James  Ridehalgh,  commanding 
them  by  virtue  of  the  same,  and 
every  one  of  them,  to  permit  and 
suffer  your  said  orator,  his  wife,  and 
children,  quietly  and  peaceably  to 
occupy  and  enjoy  the  said  choir 
according  unto  the  said  award  and 
order  thereinbefore  made,  or  else 
that  the  said  Thos.  Townley,  Thos. 
Bannister,  James  Ridehalgh,  and 
every  one  of  them,  personally  to 
appear  before  your  good  lordship, 
and  other  the  King's  Council,  in 
the  Duchy  Chamber  at  West- 
minster, at  a  certain  day,  and  upon 
a  certain  pain  to  be  limited,  and 
then  and  there  to  answer  to  the 
premises,  and  farther  to  abide  such 
order  and  direction  in  the  same  as 
shall  be  thought  by  your  lordship 
to  stand  with  equity,  right,  and 
good  conscience,  and  your  said 
orator  shall  daily  pray  for  the 
preservation  of  your  good  lordship 
in  honour  long  to  endure.^ 


»  Duchy  Pleadings.    Hen.  VIII.    YoL  x.,  T.  iv. 


132  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

The  answer  of  Thomas  Townley  to  this  bill  of  complaint 
has  been  preserved.  He  thus  disposes  of  the  statements  of 
his  opponent : — 

1.  That  the  bill  was  ouly  "to  vexe  and  putte  costys  on  the 
Defendant,  and  for  no  other  cawse." 

2.  That  he  had  "  good,  just,  and  rightfull  Interest "  for  a  kneeling 
place  in  the  said  quire  for  himself,  Ellen  his  wife,  and  her  heirs. 

3.  That  about  16  years  ago  one  John  Pasley,  Abbot  of  Whalley,  and 
"  parsone  of  the  sayd  Churche  of  Colne,"  being  in  Colne  Church,  gave 
and  granted  to  the  said  George  Houghton,  and  to  Joan  his  wife,  and  to 
her  heirs,  "  a  kneeling  place  wythin  the  forsayd  qwere,"  and  for  the 
same  granted  to  set  up  "  a  certen  sett  convenyent  for  the  said  George 
and  Joan  and  theyr  children." 

4.  That  he  had  held  the  said  kneeling  place  peaceably  for  the  space 
of  XII.  years. 

5.  That  he  was  legally  entitled  to  it,  as  he  proceeded  to  shew. 

6.  That  he  entered  into  the  Manor  of  Greenfield,  and  also  into  the 
quire,  and  thereof  was  peaceably  seized  until  such  time  as  the  com- 
plainant, "of  his  cruell  mynd,"  disturbed  him  and  his  wife  in  the 
occupation  of  the  choir,  and  also  "  plucked  "  up  the  said  seat. 

7.  That  Lawrence  Townley  never  made  the  request  to  the  Church- 
wardens, as  alleged  in  the  bill,  and,  even  had  he  done  so,  a  bequest  and 
grant  by  them  of  the  said  kneeling  place  was,  and  is,  void  in  the  law. 

8.  That  with  respect  to  the  alleged  h-eaking  of  the  door,  the  complainant^ 
"  of  his  farther  malyes"  broke  up  the  said  kneeling  place,  "  and  did  also 
nale  up  the  qwere  dore  of  the  sayd  churche  gynge  to  the  sayd  kndynge 
place,  to  the  Intent  that  the  Defendant  and  his  Wyff  should  be  stoppyd 
owte  of  the  sayd  qwere." 

9.  That  instead  of  breaking  down  the  door,  as  was  further  alleged,  "  he, 
wythe  too  persons  wythe  hym,  in  peasable  manner,  about  vii.  of  the  clock 
at  after  none,  dyd  opyn  it,  at  wych  tyme  ther  was  no  servyce  in  the 
churchy,  nor  yet  very  few  people,  or  none." 

10.  Finally,  that  he  was  ready  to  aver  the  truth  of  these  statements, 
and  prayed  the  Court  to  be  discharged  "  wyth  his  costys  sustained."  ^ 

The  result  of  the  suit  is  soon  told.  The  Court,  with 
amusing  candour,  declared  it  had  "  noo  convenyent  tyme  to 
here  and  fully  examyn  the  said  variaunce,"  and  therefore 
ordered  that  the  aisle  or  quire  in  dispute  should  be  occupied 
and  used  in  every  way  according  to  the  awai-d,  until  cause 
was  shown  to  the  contrary,^ 

The  subsequent  history  of  the  chapel  has  been  unmarked 
by  the  recurrence  of  such  scenes  of  violence  as  here  recorded. 

•  Duchy  Pleadings.     Henry  VIII.    Vol.  iii.,  N.D.,  T.  3. 

*  Duchy  of  Lancaster  Decrees.      Henry  VIII.     Vol.  iii.,  p.  782. 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  '133 

The  representatives  of  the  Townleys  are  in  undisturbed 
possession,  while  the  owners  of  Greenfield  have  a  pew  or 
"  kneeling  place  "  in  close  proximity.  There  is  in  the  chapel 
an  entire  absence  of  mural  adornments — the  roof  is  simplicity 
itself,  and  he  who  seeks  for  traces  of  the  "  great  coste  and 
charge "  incurred  in  days  of  old  by  Lawrence  Townley 
will  seek  in  vain.  The  principal  object  of  interest  is  nearly 
concealed  from  view  by  a  pew  floor.  It  is  a  cross-fleury, 
about  six  teet  long,  on,  a  flat  stone,  with  an  obscure  inscrip- 
tion round  its  verge,  but  the  words  "  Thompson "  and 
"  Esholt "  are  still  legible.  ^ 

It  merely  remains  to  notice  the  faculty,  dated  October  1, 
1840.  This  document  contains  a  recital  that  the  family  of 
Thomas  Clayton,  of  Bamside  Hall  and  Carr  Hall,  Esq.,  then 
resided  at  the  latter  hall,  and  that,  whilst  the  chapel  was 
appurtenant  to  Barnside,  Carr  Hall  had  no  pews  or  sittings 
attached  or  belonging  to  it ;  also  a  farther  statement  that 
such  a  condition  of  affairs  might  with  propriety,  and  with 
injustice  to  none,  be  remedied.  Opponents  having  been 
cited,  and  none  appearing,  it  was  accordingly  decreed  that 
the  occupiers  for  the  time  being  of  Carr  Hall,  being  members 
of  the  Church  of  England,  and  resorting  to  hear  divine 
service  therein,  should  have  exclusive  use  and  occupation  of 
the  pews  therein,  and  that  the  owners  for  the  time  being  of 
Carr  Hall  should  have  the  vault  beneath  the  said  chapel, 
and  exclusive  right  of  sepulture  and  burial  therein. 

Such  is  the  known  history  of  the  two  chapels,  meagre  it 
may  be,  but  not,  I  take  it,  altogether  devoid  of  interest. 

.MONUMENTS. 

"  This  church,"  Baines  truly  remarks,  "  is  rather  rich  in 
monuments." 

In  the  north  aisle  : — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of 

Nicholas  England,  of  Colne, 

who  died  July  11th,  1852,  aged  56  years, 

and  is  interred  in  the  west  end  of  this  church. 

>  It  appears,  according  to  Dr.  Whitaker,  that  Helen,  daughter  of  Lawrence 
Townley,  of  Bamside,  married  Henry  Thompson,  to  whom  the  site  of  the  nunnery 
of  Esholt  was  granted  in  the  Ist  year  of  the  reign  of  Edward  VI. 


134  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

Also  of  Ellen,  wife  of  the  above  Nicholas  England, 

and  daughter  of  Thomas  Thornber,  of  Vivary  Bridge. 

She  died  at  Grange,  in  this  county, 

January  11th,  1860,  aged  62  years. 

Also  of  Ellen,  their  daughter, 

who  died  at  Colne,  October  31st,  1830, 

Aged  10  months. 

Also  of  EKzabeth,  their  daughter, 
who  died  at  Heirs  House,  near  Colne, 

June  nth,  1843,  aged  21  years. 
"I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life." 

Also  in  the  north  aisle  : — 

In  Memory  of 

Major  J.  W.  Renny, 

XIX  Regiment  Bombay  N.I. 

Died  12th  July,  1855,  aged  44  years. 

His  brother  officers  of  old,  as  well  as  later  days, 

to  whom  his  many  excellent  qualities  had  justly  endeared  him, 

have  caused  this  Tablet  to  be  erected, 

to  mark  their  esteem  for  him  as  a  soldier 

and  their  affection  for  his  sterling  worth. 

In  the  nave  (amongst  others)  : — 

Dedicated  to  the  Memory  of 

Four  much  loved  and  greatly  lamented  children  of 

Edward  and  Ellen  Parker, 

Namely, 

William  Barcroft,  who  died  at  Selby, 

1st  December,  1830,  aged  5  years  and  9  months. 

James  William,  also  dying  at  Selby, 

18th  September,  1832,  aged  8  months. 

Mary  Martha,  who  died  at  Browsholme  Hall, 

12th  July,  1836,  aged  2  years  and  4  months. 

And  Septimus  Barcroft, 

Who  also  died  at  Browsholme  Hall,  12th  July,  1836, 

Aged  2  years  and  4  months. 

"  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  Me, 

and  forbid  them  not,  for 

of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

Bright  flowers  !  transplanted  to  a  clime 

Where  never  come  the  blights  of  time  ; 

Sweet  voices  !  that  have  joined  the  hymn 

Of  the  Angelic  Seraphim. 


OOLNE  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  135 

[Arms.] 

In  Memory  of 

Edward  Parker, 

Of  Alkincoats  and  Newton  Hall,  Esq., 

Deputy  Lieutenant  and  J. P.  Co.  Lancaster, 

and  J.  P.  We&t  Riding,  Co.  York, 

fourth  son  of  Thomas  Parker,  Esq., 

of  the  above  places. 

Bom  at  Newton,  18  July,  1786. 

Married  in  1816,  Ellen,  only  child  of 

Ambrose  William  Barcroft,  Esq.,  of  Noyna, 

and  died  at  Alkincoats,  22nd  May,  1865. 

Energetic,  Conscientious,  and  Faithful  in  the 

discharge  of  his  public  and  private  duties. 

Firm,  generous,  and  sincere  in  his  Friendships, 

Kind  and  humane  to  all, 

he  was  a  consistent  Christian  Man. 

To  the  loved  and  loving  husband  and  father 

his  widow  and  children  erect  this. 

"  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

Ellen, 

Relict  of  the  Above,  died  at  Alkincoats, 

10th  June,  1866,  Aged  71.     Interred 

With  her  husband  at  Waddington. 

"A  pious  woman  and  devoted  wife." 

There  are  also  several  brasses  and  escutcheons.  A 
memorial  tablet  affixed  to  the  pillar  near  to  the  pulpit  has 
the  following  curious  inscription  :— 

'  An  epitaph  of  William  Emot  made  by  Himselfe,  who  died  Sept.  6th, 
1660  :— 

*  Cease  Labours  :  Rest  y*  Seaa  of  Cares  and  teares 
Whose  wave  hath  tost  me  five  and  forty  yeares  ; 
And  now  myne  eyes  got  sleepe,  sleepe  here  till  they 
Waking  shsJl  my  Redeemer's  glorie  see, 
Sleepe  till  my  happie  soule  rejoyned  may 
With  recreated  body  live  for  aye 

William  Emot.' 

Perhaps  still  more  singular  are  the  following  lines  on  a 
brass  plate  fixed  in  one  of  the  pews  adjoining  the  screen  : — • 

'  Under  y«  reader  lies  George  Hartley,  late 
Of  Bradeley  ;  now  subdu'd  to  mortall's  fate ; 
Fifty  five  years,  forty  five  dayes,  was  hee 
Tost  in  the  Tempests  of  Adversitie  ; 


136  ANNALS   AND    STORIES   OP  ' 

Then  hee  arriv'd  y*  haven  of  his  Rest, 
To  glorifie  his  God  for  ever  blest, 
And  in  j^  sixteen  hundred  seaventy  year, 
December's  month  the  sixth  was  Buried  here. 
Reader  !  as  he,  so  thou,  ere  long  shall  bee  ! 
All  flesh,  Grim  Death  !  is  subject  unto  thee  ; 
Thus  rich  &  poor.  Mighty  as  well  as  Mean, 
Time  calls  and  they  Return  to  Dust  again, 
And  see  corruption  till  y*  Trump  shall  call, 
"Arise  ye  Dead  and  come  to  Judgment  all  " 
Hate  sin — love  workes  of  faith  and  virtue  here. 
That  thou,  with  him,  A  glorious  crowne  may'st  weare 
This  for  A  Memorandum  of  his  name 
Whose  virtues  still  surviving  tell  his  fame.' 


THE   CHURCHYARD. 

A  marked  improvement  has  been  eflFected  here  within  the 
recollection  of  many  still  living.  It  is  meet  that  the  last 
long  home  of  the  many  sleepers  should  be  decently  kept  and 
carefully  guarded  from  desecration ;  but  it  "was  not  always  so, 
and  the  remark  of  the  Bishop  of  Chester,  made  in  1821,  that 
its  state  was  very  bad,  was  only  too  true.  Previous  to  the 
year  1820,  the  yard  had  neither  gates  nor  railings,  and  was, 
in  fact,  the  playground  of  the  town.  On  a  fine  summer 
evening  groups  of  old  men  might  be  seen  sat  on  the  tomb- 
stones, smoking  their  pipes  and  talking  over  the  events  of 
the  day,  whilst  the  young  people  had  a  dance  in  the  pathway. 
Sometimes  rougher  amusement  was  indulged  in,  and  wrestling 
matches  were  of  frequent  occurrence.  One  of  these,  which 
took  place  about  1815,  was  attended  with  fatal  results  to 
one  of  the  wrestlers,  in  consequence  of  his  head  coming  in 
contact  with  the  sharp  edge  of  a  tombstone. 

Two  footpaths  crossed  the  yard,  one  leading  from  the 
present  higher  gates  to  the  cottages  on  the  west  side,  and  the 
other  from  Turney  Crook  to  the  White  Horse  Inn.  One 
night  a  number  of  men  maliciously  broke  a  number  of  tomb- 
stones, and  this  circumstance  caused  the  churchwardens  to 
divert  the  path,  enclose  the  churchyard,  and  keep  the  gates, 
which  they  ordered,  locked. 

Since  the  commencement  of  the  Burial  Register,  in  1599, 
some  27,500  persons  have  been  laid  to  rest  in  and  around 


COLSE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  137 

'  the  old  church.  This  seems  a  large  number  considering  the 
limited  area  of  the  yard,  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
all  the  country  side  used  in  olden  times  to  be  "  carried " 
thither,  and  that  it  was  soon  "  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes, 
dust  to  dust."  Into  the  horrors  consequent  on  a  too  crowded 
churchyai'd — such,  for  instance,  as  the  tossing  of  skulls  from 
tomb  to  tomb — I  have  no  wish  to  enter ;  but  a  description  of 
the  yard  would  be  incomplete  without  a  reference  to  the 
bone-house.  This  was  a  roofless  semicircular  building, 
some  8  feet  long,  abutting  the  west  end  of  the  tower.  In 
it,  the  sexton  deposited  the  bones  and  fragments  of  coffins 
which  came  in  his  way  when  preparing  fresh  graves.  Boys 
were  constantly  scaling  its  walls  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
pieces  of  wood  or  nietal.  About  the  year  1830  it  had 
become  so  full,  and,  from  its  position,  so  exposed  to  view 
and  offensive,  that  a  new  subterraneous  bone-house,  15  feet 
square  and  12  feet  deep,  was  built  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
north  wall  of  the  Grammar  School,  into  which  the  bones 
were  removed  and  piled  together  as  decently  as  might  be. 
When  the  new  building  was  in  use — for  the  old  one  was 
shortly  afterwards  removed — the  sexton  had  simply  to 
remove  a  small  flag  on  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  drop 
the  bones  into  the  hole  or  passage  below.  Outwardly  there 
is  nothing  whatever  to  denote  its  existence,  for  the  flag  is 
covered  with  grass;  but  there  it  is  to  this  day. 

In  or  about  the  year  1601,  a  practice  seems  to  have  crept 
in  amongst  the  Colne  parishioners  of  burying  their  dead 
without  payment  of  the  customary  fees.  In  order,  if  possible, 
to  check  this  reprehensible  practice,  a  meeting  of  the  principal 
inhabitants  was  held  on  the  3rd  of  June,  1601,  and  a  memo- 
randum on  this  and  other  subjects  relating  to  the  church 
drawn  up  and  signed  by  those  present.  It  is  to  the  following 
effect : — 

'  Foreasmuch  as  there  be  [complaints]  in  this  pyrish  of  Colne  that, 
whereas  the  friends  of  those  who  depart  this  life  are  willinge  and 
desyrous  to  commit  their  Bodies  to  Cristian  buryall  within  the  church 
[?  yard],  yet  [are]  afterwards  verie  negligent,  and  shirke  to  pay  that  which 
is  of  right  the  customary  due  for  the  same  to  the  use  of  the  church,  so 
that  the  Churchwardens  are  greatlie  trobled  with  the  nolinge  of  it, 
and  oftentimes  it  will  not  be  paid  without  [  ]  or  citting. 


138  AXNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

Therefore  wee  the  Churchwardens  of  Colne  for  the  time  being,  and 
others  the  most  substantial  in  the  parish,  whose  names  and  hand  markes 
are  heereunder  writne,  doo  Apoint,  Order,  Deem,  and  Award  that 
whosoever,  from  henceforth,  shall  Bury  their  dead  within  the  church, 
Bhall  pay  for  a  chUde  that  is  brought  uppon  a  woman's  heead  Twenty- 
pence,  and  for  every  other  person  upon  a  beare,  whether  it  be  man  or 
womai»,  or  aine  woman  dying  in  childbeed,  for  such  person  or  persons 
whatsoever,  shall  pay  to  the  Churchwardens  of  that  Circuit  before  the 
Burial,  iiis.  iiijd.  And  that  every  such  Churchwarden  shall  make  a  true 
account  of  all  such  receipts  to  his  fellow-Churchwardens  and  the 
minister,  and  such  others  of  the  parishioners  as  shall  willingelie  come 
to  heere  their  accounts.  And,  for  the  better  Observation  of  this  our 
Order,  wee  do  Will  and  Require  that  the  Gravemaster,  upon  payne  of 
presentment  and  also  our  displeasure,  doo  not  Breake  the  Soyle  before 
hee  be  certified  from  the  said  Churchwardens  of  the  same  Circuit  from 

whence  the  dead  body  shall  come Dated  and  subscribed 

this  third  day  of  June,  1601.' 

Interesting,  and  very  curious,  is  that  expression,  "  Uppon  a 
woman's  heead."  It  carries  us  back  in  fancy  to  other  days — 
days  when  coffins  were  rarely  used,  when  entire  parishes 
united  to  buy  a  bier,  and  when  even  a  priest's  body  was 
carried  to  the  grave  in  a  sack  on  a  man's  back.  The 
meaning  of  this  burial  phrase  is  obvious  when  read  in 
conjunction  with  the  context.  Colne  mothers,  by  adopting 
the  plan  of  bringing  their  dead  children  on  their  heads,  or 
perhaps,  more  strictly  speaking,  on  their  shoulders,  avoided 
the  necessity  of  a  bier  and  the  payment  of  the  higher  fee  its 
use  entailed.  Little  wonder,  then,  that  the  practice  found 
favour,  especially  amongst  the  poor  and  parsimonious.  In 
such  a  case  no  coffin  would  be  used,  but  enveloped  only  in 
some  decent  covering,  the  little  bodies  would  be  laid  to  rest. 

It  was  formerly  customary  for  the  keeper  of  the  register 
to  insert  a  marginal  note  in  the  register  whenever  any  person 
was  interred,  whose  death  had  any  peculiar  circumstances 
connected  with  it.     The  following  are  specimens  : — 

1660.  July  1. — Christopher  Baldwin,  of  Wheathead,  of  a  great  age.^ 

1661.  Aug.  20. — James  Ainsworth,  of  Burnley,  a  mason  that  dyed  in 
Colne. 

1662.  Dec.  28. — Peter  Hartley,  of  Trawden,  drowned. 

1671.  Sept.  21. — Thomas  Wateon,  de  Marsden  parva,  BufiFocated  in  a 
coalpit  near  Swindon. 

'  Many  of  these  entries  are  in  Latin. 


COLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  139 

1672.  May  9. — Thomas  Symson,  drowned  in  a  well  at  y*  Edge. 

1673.  April  22. — Johannes  liiley,  de  Schofield,  slayneby  a  fall  downe 
his  staire. 

1673.  May  13. — Gracia,  Uxor  de  Johamus  Driver  de  Colne  (blind 
John's  wife),  dyed  of  childe. 

1675.  Feb.  4. — Jacobus  Wilson,  of  Barrowford,  died  very  suddenly. 

1676.  Aug.  19. — Jacobus  Hartley  de  Shawhead,  knight. 

1676.  Aug.  19. — Johannes  Turner  de  Ffouldridge,  excommunicated. 
No  pay. 

1676.  Aug.  19. — Ellen,  wife  de  Jacobi  Hartley,  dyed  of  a  fall  from 
her  chaise,  in  Wheatley  Lane,  breaking  her  neck. 

1684. — Robertus  Murow,  de  Wanlass,  a  servant  y*  dyed  suddenly  in 
y*  field  near  y*  sheavers. 

1691. — Ellena  Baldwin,  de  Pasture.  Eepente  moriebatur.  [She  died 
suddenly.] 

1700  I  ^*<^obus  Hartley,  )  Trawden  yeomen,  who  were  buried  in  the 
(  Nicholas  Hartley,  )      same  grave. 

1713. — William  Dugdale,  collier.  Waterside,  killed  by  a  fall  down  the 
colliery. 

1714. — Robert  Hartley,  a  young  man  from  Emmott  Lane,  who, 
falling  from  his  horse,  broke  his  arm,  and  died  from  the  effects  of  the 
accident. 

1720. — Gracia  Hartley,  a  well-known  old  maid  [cselebs  annosa],  of 
Trawden. 

1741. — Richard  Nutter,  of  Barrowford,  buried  without  parson. 

1760. — John  Wigglesworth,  crushed  to  death  by  a  cart  wheel. 

1766. — Francis  Smith,  a  travelling  soldier. 

1767. — Charles  and  John  Lord,  father  and  son,  drowned  by  an 
uncommon  inundation. 

1769. — Henry  Wilson,  killed  by  a  horse. 

1786.—  Edmund  Holt,  killed  by  a  waggon. 

1786. — John  Towler,  a  soldier  upwards  of  100  years  old,  died  of  a 
fractured  thigh,  occasioned  by  a  fall  in  the  frost. 

1786. — John  Grey,  executed  at  Lancaster  for  coining,  and  buried 
without  any  religious  rites. 

1786. — James  Jackson,  Dent  Fold,  who  poisoned  himself,  and  waa 
brought  in  by  the  coroner's  inquest  lunatic. 

1787. — Isabella  Thompson,  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  house  at  the  east 
end  of  the  town. 

1787. — Betty  Harrison,  blown  oflf  the  Cotton  Mill  Bridge  in  an  exceed- 
ing high  wind,  and  drowned  in  the  river  at  Barrowford. 

1787. — Stephen  Harrison,  a  Chelsea  pensioner,  formerly  in  the 
33rd  Regiment  of  Foot,  aged  102,  and  buried  with  military  honours. 

1789. — John  Wood,  a  child  who  was  drowned  in  a  small  channel  of 
water  at  his  father's  door. 

1793. — George  Whitaker,  suffocated  by  drinking  spirituous  liquors. 

1804. — Lawrence  Whitaker,  a  soldier,  who  died  here  of  his  wounds. 

1806. — Nicholas  Roberts,  killed  by  a  cow. 


140  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

1834. — Daniel  Smith,  died  wliilst  being  exhibited  at  a  show.  He 
.weighed  36  stone.  [His  death  took  place  at  the  Commercial  Inn, 
opposite  to  which  the  caravan  in  which  he  was  exhibited  was  placed. 
Tue  funeral  was  witnessed  by  a  large  crowd  of  people,  including  the 
Grammar  School  boys,  who  are  said  to  have  had  a  special  holiday  for 
the  occasion.  No  hearse  was  used,  the  body  being  conveyed  in  his  own 
Cciravan  to  the  church,  and  there  consigned  to  earth  by  Mr.  Porter,  a 
former  curate  here.] 

1847. — James  Smith,  drowned  in  the  cellar  underneath  the  north 
vestry  of  Great  Marsden  Church  during  its  erection.  [He  was  a  young 
boy,  five  or  six  years  of  age,  who,  whilst  playing  with  a  young  companion 
in  the  church,  accidentally  fell  into  the  cellar  intended  to  contain  the 
heating  apparatus.] 

In  some  instances  the  dead  are  mentioned  by  aliases  as 
well  as  their  real  names.     For  example  : — 

Delves. 

Old  Johnny. 

Swift  Dick. 

The  Vicar  of  Blacko. 

Loll. 

Pillow. 

Great  Mary. 

Dick  o'  Mosses. 

Bess  o'  Meggs. 

Johnny  Good. 

Little  Block. 

Nib  o'  Sunderland's. 

Little  Alice. 

Bunny  o'  Meggs. 

Wap. 

Happy. 

Black  John. 

Kits. 

Plush  Tom. 

Pye. 

Skin,  and 

Wonder. 

Many  ancient  gravestones  are  scattered  about  the  yard, 
which,  for  the  purpose  of  classification,  naturally  fall  into  two 
divisions,  (1)  those  without  names,  and  (2)  those  with.  In 
the  first  division,  the  two  most  ancient  stones  will  be  found 
round  the  right-hand  comer  of  the  porch.  One  has  simply 
the  date  "  1606,"  the  other,  a  raised  cross,  almost  the  length 
of  the  stone,  with  the  letters  "I.E."  and  the  date  "16U" 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  141 

on  either  side,  letters  aud  date  being  remarkably  legible. 
In  the  second  division,  the  stone  over  James  Blakey,  who 
died  in  1657,  and  was  interred  near  the  little  door,  is 
probably  the  oldest.  Near  the  north  wall  of  the  Grammar 
School  is  another,  to  the  memory  of  the  brothers  Boys,  in- 
scribed thus : — 

'Here 
Eesteth  the  Bodies  of 
Richard  and  Thomas  Boys, 
Who  died  August  the  15 
1767.     Richard  died  in  the  28 
Year  of  his  Age,  and  Thomas 
in  the  2  a.  Year  of  His  Age. 

Thomas  [  ]. 

Farewell,  vain  world,  I've  had  enough  of  thee, 

/  care  not  what  thou  can'st  do  to  me  ; 
My  debts  are  paid,  my  thoughts  are  free, 

Prepare  yonrselves  to  follow  me.' 

This  stone  has  not  always  occupied  its  present  position. 
It  was  removed  from  the  front  of  the  north  door,  which 
formerly  led  from  the  church  to  the  yard,  in  consequence  of 
the  extension  of  the  building  in  1856,  and  the  taking  in  a 
portion  of  the  yard  for  that  purpose.  The  unfortunate 
brothers  were  interred  close  to  the  door  of  the  third  pew  in 
front  of  the  organ.  Many  years  ago,  a  strong  prejudice 
existed  against  being  buried  at  the  back  of  the  church, 
arising,  it  is  supposed,  to  some  extent,  from  the  fact  of  the 
burial  of  the  brothers  there,  but  in  process  of  time  it  died 
away. 

Not  far  away  are  these  expressive  lines  over  the  Foulridge 
blacksmith's  grave,  which  contain  a  neat  pun,  and  run 
thus : — 

*  My  Bledge  and  hammer  lie  reclin'd, 

My  bellows,  too,  have  lost  their  wind, 

My  fire's  extinct,  my  forge  decayed, 

And  in  the  dust  my  vice  is  laid. 

My  coal  is  spent,  my  iron's  gone, 

My  nails  are  drove,  my  work  ia  done.' 

Here,  too,  in  this  portion  of  the  yard,  lie  the  remains  of 
the  Ilev.  William  Wilkinson,  on  whose  gravestone  is  a  long 


142  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OP 

inscription,  composed,  I  believe,  by  Mr.  Henderson,  statins:, 
amongst  other  things,  that  he  was  for  17  years  curate,  and 
40  years  an  occasional  minister,  of  this  chapelry.  He  was 
a  native  of  Colne,  inuch  beloved,  and  when  in  his  old  age  he 
went  blind,  some  of  the  members  of  the  congregation  pre- 
sented him  with  a  long  staff,  with  the  aid  of  which  he  would 
grope  his  way  through  the  streets — for,  though  blind  he  was 
fond  of  taking  occasional  duty,  and  would  repeat  from 
memory  the  whole  of  the  prayers.  His  reading  was  much 
admired,  and  his  solemn  rendering  of  the  opening  sentence 
in  the  beautiful  burial  service,  "  I  am  the  resurrection  and 
the  life,"  as  he  met  the  mourners  at  the  entrance  of  the 
yard,  will  never  fade  from  the  memory  of  some  who  heard 
the  comforting  words  fall  from  the  lips  of  the  blind  clergy- 
man. Generally,  when  the  funeral  was  over,  the  sexton 
would  see  him  home,  but  sometimes,  when  he  ventured  by 
himself,  he  would  mistake  the  steps,  and  falling  from  the 
yard  (then  much  lower  than  now)  into  the  street,  would  come 
home  blood-stained  and  hurt.  It  was  his  custom  to  have 
service  in  the  Grammar  School  on  a  Wednesday  night,  and 
he  always  allowed  his  hearers  to  select  the  text  from  which 
he  should  preach  on  the  following  Wednesday.     • 

I  have  described  Mr.  Wilkinson  as  blind,  and  I  think 
rightly  so,  but  still  his  was  a  peculiar  kind  of  blindness.  In 
winter  all  was  dark  to  him,  though  on  a  bright  summer 
day,  when  the  sun  was  shining  full  into  the  little  room  in 
which  he  sat,  he  would  take  his  Testament  (which,  so  as  not 
to  tire  his  hands  with  its  weight,  he  had  divided  into  six 
portions)  to  the  window,  where,  with  the  combined  aid  of 
the  strong  light  and  a  powerful  double  set  of  glasses,  he 
could  make  out  a  word  at  a  time,  and  many  a  happy  hour 
the  old  man  spent  thus.  No  wonder,  then,  that  when,  after 
a  year  or  so  of  patient  suffering,  they  laid  the  blind  old 
clergyman  to  rest  in  the  churchyard,  many  should  mourn 
for  him,  and  all  speak  of  him  as  a  kind  friend  to  the  poor 
and  a  true  Christian  gentleman. 

Near  the  higher  gates  may  be  seen  the  following  eulogistic 
lines  on  the  gravestone  of  James  Hartley,  an  upright  collector 
of  poor  rates  : — 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOUBHOOD.  143 

'  A  friend  so  true,  there  are  but  few, 
And  difficult  to  find, 
A  man  more  just  and  true  to  trust. 
There  is  not  left  behind.' 

There  used  to  be  some  touching  lines  on  the  gravestone 

(now  destroyed)  of  R ,S ,   an  idiot,  in  which  he  is 

represented  as  saying  :— 

'  If  innocence  may  claim  a  place  in  Heaven 

And  little  be  required  where  little  given, 
My  great  Creator  has  in  store  for  me 
A  world  of  bliss  ;  what  can  the  wise  have  more  1 ' 


THE   OFFICIALS. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  incumbents  (to  whom  a  separate 
chapter  is  devoted),  were  the  churchwardens,  or  kirk-masters, 
as  they  -were  once  styled,  who  had  formerly  much  more 
arduous  duties  to  discharge  than  they  have  at  the  present 
day.  They  were  the  authorities  of  the  place,  and  if  a 
stranger  passing  through  the  town  had  suffered  loss  by  fire, 
shipwreck,  or  other  causes,  they  would  give  him  a  small 
sum  by  way  of  relief.  They  would  also  reward  a  person  who 
brought  good  news  to  the  town.  Even  on  the  Sunday  they 
had  duties  to  perform,  for,  as  soon  as  the  Second  Lesson 
commenced,  they  rose  in  a  body,  and,  staff  in  hand,  salUed 
forth  from  the  large  doors.  Preceded  by  the  constable,  and 
followed  by  the  sexton,  whip  in  hand,  onward  through  the 
main  street,  and  down  to  Waterside  and  back,  they  went, 
driving  all  idlers  they  could  catch  back  with  them  to  church. 
It  was  also  a  part  of  their  Sunday  duty  to  visit  the  public- 
houses  in  the  town  to  see  that  all  was  right  and  proper,  when 
they  were  generally  presented  with  a  sop,  consisting  of 
oatcake  saturated  in  dripping.  It  was  also  a  part  of  their 
•week-day  duties  to  attend  at  the  Market  Cross,  and  see  that 
the  butter  was  the  correct  weight,  for,  if  found  to  be  other- 
wise, it  was  distributed  amongst  the  poor. 

That  the  wardens  were  somewhat  careful  in  spending  their 
money  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  resolution,  passed 
September  2l8t,  1737  :— 


144  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

*  Be  it  remembered  that  it  is  agreed  that  only  Two  shillings  and  six- 
pence be  spent  on  a  Parson  at  Coin,  and  nothing  on  any  Parson  at 
Marsden  Chappell.' 

Moreover,  from  the  following  resolution  it  is  quite  clear 
that  they  were  not  a  body  to  be  trifled  with  : — 

'Colne,  21st  of  May,  1793. — Resolved,  that  Thomas  Brennand,  Joiner, 
in  this  town,  having  made  a  pair  of  gates  for  the  Churchyard  without 
the  order  of  the  Wardens,  having  made  them  of  rotten  and  in  every  way 
improper  wood,  and  having  charged  the  shameful  and  extravar/ant  price 
of  Three  pounds  ten  shillings  for  them,  that  the  same  be  immediately 
returned  to  him.' 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  poor  Thomas  made  his  peace  with 
the  indignant  wardens,  and  never  afterwards  made  a  pair  of 
gates  except  he  was  asked. 

The  wardens'  accounts  are  in  perfect  order  from  the  years 
1703  to  1819  (inclusive),  after  which  there  is  an  unfortunate 
hiatus.     They  contain  the  following  items  of  interest : — 

£       8.        d. 

1703.     Ffour  fox  heads^  00     04     00 

1706.     It.   RingB  upon   duke   Marlbrough  good 

successe  in  Spaine 00     02     06 

1710.     Spent  upon  y^  man  that  painted  y®  10 

Commandments  and  poor  money    ...     00     03     00 
Pd  for  ringing  on  y*  martyrdome  of  King 

Charles    00     01     00 

1713.  My  charges  with  y*  men  taken  playing 

at  football  in  y*  tyme  of  divine  servis 

to  y«  Justice   00     01     00 

Feb. — Paid  for  a  dog-whip  to  whip  y« 

dogs  out  of  y«  church    00     00     04 

Paid  for  ale  sent  to  y*  cros  at  y*  Thanks- 
giving Day  for  y«  Peace    00     02     08 

1714.  Paid  for  mats  for  y*  chancell  seats  and 

for  a  boss  for  y^  parson  to  kneel  upon 

aty«Table 00     01     06 

1715.  To  Simon  Blaykey  for  killing  two  hedge- 

hogs*    00  00  04 

1717.     Spentwhen  y«  old  Sexton  was  turned  out  00  01  04 
Paid  to  Mr.  Walley  for  gunpowder  and 

bullets  spent  at  y«  RebeUion* 00  18  CO 

'  Foxclough,  the  name  of  a  farm  near  Colne,  still  reminds  us  that  these  wild 
animals  once  abounded  in  this  neighbourhood. 

'  A  widespread  superstition,  shared  by  all  classes,  once  existed  that  thts 
harmless  animal  would  extract  a  cow's  milk  in  a  very  short  time.  Hence  the 
payment. 

^  This  would  be  in  the  preceding  year,  when  the  Jacobites  advanced  as  far 
as  Preston. 


COLNB  AWD  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  145 

1720.  Gktve  a  distressed  sailor  that  had  lost  his 

ship OO    00    0& 

1721.  Pd  for  a  pair  of  pumps  for  Sexton 00     04     OO 

Gave  an  Italian  with  a  petition 00     00     Oi 

1724.     Qave  in  cash  to  Jam  Smith  for  killing 

4  hedgehogs    00  00  08 

1730.     Paid  for  killing  verment 00  00  0» 

1732.  Paid  to  Parson  Holt  for  preaching 00  02  00 

1733.  Gave  old  Parson  Tomer 00  00  06 

Gave  an  old  Parson  00  01  01 

1735.  A  pair  of  stockings  for  Thomas  Heap 0  13 

Spent  on  a  strange  Parson    0  3       6 

1736.  For  a  man  singing    0  10 

1737.  For  a  warrant  to  take  up  idle  persons  on 

the  Sabbath-day    0  2  0 

1745.  Paid  for  getting  snow  out  of  the  Church  0  0  6 

1746.  Ringing  on  y«  Duke's  Birthday^ 0  3  0 

1753.     Dog-whipper"    0  0  6 

1758.     Paid  for  treating  a  Parson  0  5  0 

1761.     Paid  to  the  Ringers  when  the  King  was 

crowned^ 0  5       0 

Paid  for  making  the  Sexton's  wescote  and 

briches    0  4       6 

1780.     Paid  for  Ould  Tommy 0  16 

Mention  is  also  made  in  these  accounts  of  an  "  apparitor," 
but  whether  an  officer  of  the  church,  or  of  the  bishop,  is  not 
clear. 

The  parish  clerk  was  also  a  noted  character  in  his  day,  and, 
at  stated  periods,  used  to  drawl  out  the  following  notice,  in  a 
sing-song  style  :  "  I  am  desired  to  give  notice  that  a  rate  of 
(say)  28.  in  the  £  for  the  town  and  township  of  Colne,  has 
been  allowed  by  Thomas  (which  he  pronounced  'Thumus') 
Parker  and  Thomas  Clayton,  two  of  His  Majesty's  Justices 
of  the  Peace  for  the  county  of  Lancaster,  one  whereof  is  of 
the  quorum."  It  was  also  a  part  of  his  duty,  accompanied 
by  a  few  singers,  to  meet  every  funeral  about  200  yards  from 
the  church  gates,  and  precede  it  thither,  chanting,  as  they 

•  The  Duke  of  Cumberland,  the  conqueror  of  the  Scotch  rebels,  is  here 
referred  to.  Remembering  the  fright  they  had  received  it  would  doubt- 
less be  {Jeaaing  to  the  Colne  people  to  hear  the  bells  ringing  in  honour  of 
Mb  birthday. 

'  This  is  the  last  mention  I  find  of  this  functionary.  Skulls  might  frequently 
be  seen  about  the  .vard,  and  these  attracting  dogs,  his  attendance  was  essential. 

'  George  III.    The  payment  would  be  made  in  the  preceding  year. 
E 


146  AVNAL8   AND   STORIES    OF 

journeyed,  one  of  the  Psalms  at  the  end  of  the  Prayer-Book. 
An  arrangement  was,  it  seems,  made  in  the  year  1788,  that 
funerals  should  be  taken  in  winter  at  half-past  four,  and  in 
summer  at  half-past  six,  and  that,  if  the  clergyman  waited 
more  than  half  an  hour  after  the  appointed  time,  he  was 
to  receive  an  additional  fee  for  erery  half  hour  he  waited. 
Some  idea  of  the  number  of  funerals  in  a  single  year  may  be 
gathered  from  the  fact  that  in  1831,  there  were  217  funerals, 
and  in  the  following  year,  the  still  larger  number  of  242,  so 
that  the  duties  of  both  clergy  and  clerk  were  far  from  light. 

Of  the  sexton  nothing  particularly  interesting  has  been 
recorded,  but  it  would  seem  that  the  office  was  not  always  a 
lucrative  one,  for  at  a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  12th 
November,  1754,  it  was  agreed  that  Thomas  Heap,  sexton 
(being  but  in  a  poor  and  necessitous  condition),  should  have 
allovfed  him,  by  way  of  charity,  "  a  new  coat,  wastcoat,  and 
breeches." 

May  ye  14th,  1716. 
It  is  Agreed  for  y^  Clarke  of  this  Parishe  To  have 

Allowed  for  Every  year  y®  sum  of,  for  washing 

ye  serplleys  &  linine  &  Cleaning  y®  plaitte  & 

Looking  to  ye  Register 00     06     00 

It  is  further    Agreed    that    Law:    Stephenson, 

Saxtone,  hath  Allowed  for  Everye  year   for 

carfuUey  Lookeing  to   y®  Chime  &  Clocke  & 

.    decent  Ringing  02     05     00 

After  all  it  is  Agreed  y*  for  y*  usualle  custome 

of  Ringing  of  Chestmas  daye  y*  Ringers  are  to 

bear  y"  charge  y^selves  out  of  y*  Above  saide 

£2.5.0. 
It  is  further  Agreed  y*  If  y*  Saxtone  doe  dillye- 

gently    whippe    y*  doges    from    y*   Churche 

Everye    Sabbathe    daye    for    Every    year    is 

Allowed  for  so  doing  00     05     00 

I  have  lingered  somewhat  on  this  portion  of  my  subject, 
but  to  me,  as  doubtless  to  many  others,  that  church  where 
generations  of  Colne  people  have  been  baptised,  wedded,  and 
buried,  is  an  object  of  special  interest.  Around  it  cluster  a 
thousand  associations,  and  he  must  have  a  stony  heart,  who 
with  careless  step,  treads  the  old  churchyard. 


COLNE    AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  147 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE    COLNE     INCUMBENTS. 

'  Judge  not  the  preacher,  for  he  is  thy  judge  : 
If  thou  dislike  him,  thou  conceivest  him  not.' 

Herbebt.— JA«  Temple, 

PROBABLY  few  readers  are  aware,  that  a  special  difficulty 
arises  in  attempting  to  trace  the  antecedents  of  a  clergy- 
man who  has  lived  long  ago.  By  a  curious  fiction  of  the 
law,  such  an  one  was  considered  dead  whilst  yet  alive.  His 
name  is  consequently  unfound  in  pedigrees  and  other  family 
documents  to  which,  in  other  cases,  attention  would  obviously 
be  directed.  And  apart  from  this  reason,  applicable  to  all 
clergy,  various  causes — some  local,  others  not — have  conduced 
to  the  paucity  of  information  respecting  the  Colne  incumbents. 
The  living  of  Colne,  notwithstanding  recent  efforts  to 
improve  it,  is  not,  and  never  has  been,  a  rich  one.^  Offering 
no  special  attraction,  and  situate  somewhat  apart  from 
the  great  highways  of  the  country,  it  would  doubtless,  in 
bygone  days,  be  viewed  with  disfavour  by  men  who  had 
won,  or  were  likely  to  win,  a  share  in  the  world's  applause, 
and  be  tolerated  only  by  unambitious  ones,  the  memory 
of  whose  life-work  would  quickly  fade  away.  Little  wonder, 
then,  that,  with  few  exceptions,  contemporaneous  records  are 
searched  iu  vain  for  information  respecting  its  occupants. 

INCUMBENTS. 

Sir  John  Hychyn  or  Hegyn    Living       1500 

Sir  William  Fairbank.... „  1520 

Sir  John  Fielden ,  1551 


•  A  short  time  ago  the  net  annual  value  wa:>  not  more  than  £267  12s. — Rector 
Circular. 


148  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

Roger  Blakey    Living  1592 

Sir  Lawrence  Ambler ,,  1596 

Richard  Brierley Died  1635 

Thomas  Warriner,  A.M Living  1645 

Thomas  Whalley Died  1646-7 

John  Horrocks,  A.M „  1669 

James  Harp;reave8  „  1693 

Thomas  Tatham Resigned  1708-9 

John  Barlow    Died  1727 

Thomas  Barlow  „  1727 

Henry  Smalley    „  1731 

William  Norcrosse  „  1741 

George  White,  M.A „  1751 

Roger  Wilson,  LL.B „  1789 

John  Hartley,  B.A „  1811 

Thomas  Thoresby  WTiitaker,  M.A.  „  1817 

Philip  Abbott Resigned  1819 

John  Henderson  (first  rector^) „  1876 

William  Clififord,  M.A.    Instituted  1876 

These  we  now  proceed  to  consider  individually  : — 

SIR  JOHN  HYCHTN,  OR  HEGYN. 

'16th  of  August,  1500,  appeared  psonallie  John  Hychyn,  Curate 
of  Colne,  a  witness  in  a  Trial  or  Suit  brought  in  the  Court  of  the 
Commissary,  at  Whalley,  against  Nichole  Hartley,  accused  of  having 
"librum  faevMati   testandi."      He  denied  the   charge,  but  was   fined 

vu:* 

SIR    WILLIAM    FAIRBAKK.^ 

Presumably  a  young  man  at  the  date  of  his  death,  seeinof 
that  his  father  and  mother  are  appointed  executors  of  his 
will.  The  will  in  question  is  an  interesting  specimen  of  the 
quaint  and  solemn  language  in  which  such  documents  were 
formerly  couched,  and  runs  thus  : — 

*  In  the  name  of  God.  Amen,  the  tent  day  of  June,  in  the  yer  of  our 
Lord  God  mdxx.  I  Sir  Willia  Ifairbank,  chaplen,  beyng  in  good  mynd 
mak«  this  my  testament  and  last   Will  in  mann  and  forme  foloyng. 

'  The  parocUal  Chapelry  of  Colne  waa,  by  an  order  of  the  Ecclesiastical 
Commiasloners,  dated  the  16th  of  Mav,  1867,  constituted  a  Rectory,  under  the 
"  District  Church  Tithes  Act,  186.5." 

*  Lane.  MSS.    Vol.  xxii..  p.  489. 

'  "  Sir,"  according  to  Fuller,  waa  thedifltinctiTe  appellation  of  a  clergyman  who 
had  not  taken  a  degree. 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  149 

ffyrst  I  bequeth  my  saull  to  Almighty  God  o'  'hidy  Saynt  Marye  and 
all  the  sanct  of  heven  and  my  body  to  be  buryed  in  the  Chapell  off 
Colne  Also  for  my  mortuarye  my  best  gown.  Also  I  bequeth  to  the 
sayd  Chapell  x».  for  my  sayd  buriall  Also  wher[ea3]  I  lent  xxd.  to 
Nicholas  Mitchell  ofif  the  Hall  of  Coin  I  wyll  that  he  giff  and  pay  yt 
to  th'  use  of  the  sayd  Cbappell.  Also  I  bequeth  to  S'  Kobt.  Blakey, 
chaplen,  vi«.  viiid.  to  p^y  for  my  sauU  whersomev  that  he  will.  Also  I 
bequethe  to  the  said  S"^  Robt.  a  gown  clothe  w**"  lynyng,  ligyng  in  the 

howse  of  Shaw  late  wyfe  of  Henry  Shaw.     Also  [I]  bequeth  to 

the   same   viij«.   iiid.   so  that  it  be  dividid  among  hir  and  hir 

children.  Also  I  ordur  and  make  Edmund  ffairbank  my  ffather  and 
Alis  my  mother  to  be  my  Executores  to  whom  I  giflf  all  my  good*  above 
not  bequethed  to  dispose  to  the  plesur  off  God  and  the  welth  off  my 
saulL     Theis  witnes  Sir  Robt.  Bleiey  aforsaid  Ric  Fawcett  and  oth».'^ 

SIR  JOHN    FIELDEN. 

His  incumbency  extended,  at  least,  from  1536  to  1551,  in 
which  year  Henry  Taylor,  of  Foxclough,  surrendered  lands 
in  Colne  "to  the  use  of  John  Fieldene,  Incumbent."  His 
name,  it  is  worthy  of  notice,  is  generally  found  in  conjunc- 
tion with  another.  Thus,  in  the  names  of  the  "  Clergy  of  the 
Deanery  of  Blackburn,"  in  the  year  1536,  imder  "  Colne," 
appear : — 

'  Dom.  Johannes  Felden. 
Dom.  Johannes  Crabtree.' 

Again,  in  a  list  of  clergy  without  date,  but  supposed  by 
Canon  Raines  to  be  of  the  time  of  Bishop  Bird  (1541-4), 
occur  under  the  same  head  ; — 

'  Dom.  John  Feldon  Stipendarius 
Georgii  Hoghton. 
Dom.  Henry  Ramsbotham. 
Stipendar  Gilberti  Holden.'' 

And  lastly,  at  the  Visitation  of  the  23rd  of  August,  1551  : — 

'  D.  John  Feldene. 
D.  Tompson  or  Compson.'* 

ROGER    BLAKEY. 

Here  1560-1592.  In  the  38th  Henry  VIII,  Edward 
Pedley,  Vicar  of  Whalley,  filed  a  bill  of  complaint  against 

'  Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Wills,  p.  10. 
«  Lane.  MSS.    VoL  xxil,  p.  258. 
» Ibid,  p.  264. 


100  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OP 

this  incumbent  and  others  in  the  Duchy  Court.  The  bill  is 
not  preserved,  but  the  answers  of  Roger  Blakey  and  his 
co-defendants,  John  Blakey  and  Nicholas  Marstoii,  have 
been,  and  they  partially  disclose  the  nature  of  the  vicar's 
allegations.  Roger  denies  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  "  any 
ryott,  force,  or  other  thing  supposed  to  be  done  agenst  the 
Kynge's  pece."  So  likewise  the  other  two.  Roger  further 
states  that  he  had  paid  money  to  the  vicar,  and  that,  in 
consideration  of  such  payment,  the  vicar  had  granted  to 
him,  the  said  Roger,  "  that  he  should  have  the  servyn  of  the 
Chappell  or  Churche  called  Colue  during  his  lyffe."  That, 
for  so  serving,  he  was  to  have  a  yearly  stipend  of  "  fower 
poundes,"  but,  that,  out  of  his  first  year's  stipend,  he  was  to 
allow  the  vicar  xxvjs.  yiud.  for  his  good-will.  That  he  had 
accordingly  served  the  said  curacy  ever  since,  and  had 
actually  paid  the  vicar,  during  the  first  year,  xvjs.  more  than 
he  was  entitled  to.  That  there  was  no  truth  in  the  allega- 
tion of  the  vicar,  that  he  and  his  co-defendants,  "  with  other 
Ryotus  persons  or  otherwise  w'''  force  or  armes  entred  into 
the  said  Chappell,  and  the  same  kepte  w**  force,  and  w^'stode 
w*''  force  the  Compleyante."  That  they  had  not  kept  or  held 
him  out  of  the  said  chapel,  "  so  that  he  could  not  come  into 
it,  to  say  or  do  devyne  s[er]vice  there  accustomed."  That 
they  did  not  "  then  or  there  assawle  the  said  Compleyante, 
or  put  hym  in  Joperdy  of  his  lyffe,  as  was  ontruly  and  slan- 
derusly  alleged  in  the  said  Bill."  That  the  said  Roger  did 
not  "  with  might,  strength,  or  force,"  keep  the  said  vicar 
from  possession  of  the  said  chapel.  And  lastly,  denying  the 
truth  of  the  statements  in  the  bill,  "  he  and  they  preyed  to 
be  dismyst  owte  of  this  honable  Courte  w***  ther  resonable 
costs  charges  and  expences  in  this  Behallf  susteyned  and 
had." 

SIR    LAWRENCE    AMBLER. 

His  name  appears  as  Curate  of  Colne,  in  a  "  List  of  the 
Clergy  of  the  Diocese,"  in  1596.^  The  same  name — perhaps 
the  same  man — occurs  as  Curate  of  Whitworth,  in  Rochdale 
Parish,  1610-1623,  where  he  died.^ 

>  Lane.  MSS.     Vol.  xxii.,  p.  5S. 
"  Laue.  MSS.    Vol.  xxxvii.,  p.  382. 


COLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  151 


RICHARD   BRIERLEY. 

A  good-uatured  easy-going  man,  unless  hisactions  belie  him 
He  it  was  who,  iu  or  about  1622,  married  a  couple  without 
the  banns  being  asked,  ^  and,  on  another  occasion,  iu 
conjunction  with  his  wardens,  signed  and  forwarded  to  the 
Bishop  of  Chester  tbe  following  letter,  or  certificate,  in  favour 
of  a  parishioner  who  had  got  himself  into  trouble  : — 

'  To  George,  Bishop  of  Chester,  at  his  house,   Thornton,  nr.  Chester, 

these. 

'  Wheras  Crofer  Shawe  was  presented  for  a  Recusant  at  the  last 
Visitation,  he  hath  since  that  tyme  conformed  himselfe,  come  orderlie  to 
Church  Service  on  y®  Saboth  Day,  prmsed  so  to  hold  on,  and  we  have 
gix)d  hope  he  will  also  pforme  it :  In  regard  whereof  we  humblie  pray 
that  he  may  be  favourablie  delte  wth  at  this  Correction. 
'Dated  at  Colne,  Octob.  9,  1611. 

Signed,  '  Rich  :  Briarley, 

Minist'  Colnienss. 
'  John  Hartley. 
*  John  Hargkeves. 

Churchwardens  of  Colne.'^ 

In  his  time,  there  was  "  no  serples  "  here.  He  wrote  a  good 
hand,  and,  dying  in  January,  1635,  was  (February  2nd), 
buried  near  the  vestry  door. 


THOMAS   WARRINER,    A.M. 

Erroneously  called  **  John  "  by  Walker,  the  historian  of  the 
Carolean  Clerical  Martyrs.  He  lived  in  stormy  times,  and 
had  his  share  of  trouble.  "He  was,"  says  Walker,^  "it 
seems,  well  known  to  that  incomparable  prelate,  Archbishop 
Laud,  and  by  him  sent  to  this  place  in  1G36.  About  the 
year  1645,  he  was,  in  the  time  of  service,  dragged  out  of  the 
Desk  by  two  soldiers,  who  pursued  him  down  the  aisle,  and 

1  Lane.  MSS.    Vol.  xxii.,  p.  190. 

*  Lane.  MSS.    Vol.  ix.,  p.  284. 

'  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy.  This  author  remarks  of  the  living  of  Colno, 
"  This  plaeo  is  neither  a  Rectory  nor  a  Vicaridgo.  But,  if  1  understand  aright, 
it  useth  to  be  held  (or  at  least  was  so  held  at  that  time)  in  such  a  niauner 
as  is  deemed  equivalent  to  an  Institution,  and  looked  on  as  a  place  for  Life.  If 
not,"  he  quiiintly  adds,  "  Mr.  Warriuer  must  be  discounted  here,  and  put  into  the 
Appendix." 


152  ANNALS   AND    STORIES   OP 

owned  they  intended  to  have  fired  upon  him  as  soon  as  he 
came  into  the  Church-yard,  had  not  some  of  the  congre- 
gation restrained  them.  After  this,  I  presume  he  fled 
into  Yorkshire,  where  I  presume  he  died,  for  he  never 
returned  to  Colne  afterwards.  Mr.  Warriner  was  a  person 
of  unexceptionable  life,  and  pretty  well  advanced  in  years  at 
the  time  of  his  sequestration."  I  fail  to  trace  him  after 
leaving  Colne.  To  him  succeeded,  not  Horrocks,  as  stated 
by  Walker,  but 

THOMAS   WHALLET, 

Whose  incumbency  seems  to  have  been  brief  and  uneventful. 
He  was  interred  here,  Feb.  22,  1646-7.     After  him, 

JOHN   HORROCKS,    A.M.,^ 

A  Puritan,  from  Horrocks  Hall,  styled  in  the  Inquisition  of 
1652  "  a  very  able  divine,"  though,  according  to  Walker,  a 
person  so  notoriously  vicious  in  his  life,  that  he  was  forced 
plainly  to  tell  his  people,  "  they  ought  to  do  as  he  said,  and 
not  as  he  did."  And  yet,  even  that,  says  Walker,  would 
have  gone  but  a  very  little  way  towards  the  reformation  of 
his  parish,  if  his  preaching  may  be  guessed  from  his  praying, 
in  which,  it  seems,  he  was  a  most  sorry  performer.  A  thousand 
ridiculous  stories  of  him,  in  that  kind,  are  current  in  the 
parish  to  this  day.  However,  he  was  permitted  to  tarry  here 
no  less  than  ten  years  after  the  Restoration,  which  was,  as  I 
apprehend,  to  the  time  of  his  death.  An  idea  of  the  poorness 
of  the  living  of  Colne  in  his  day,  may  be  gathered  from  the 
fact,  that,  on  the  13th  Nov.,  1650,  it  was  ordered  by  the 
(London)  Committee  for  Plundered  Ministers  "  that  £50  per 
annum  be  paid  out  of  the  impropriate  tithes  of  Clifton-cum- 
Sawick,  Co.  Lane,  sequestered  from  Mr.  Clifton,  of  Lytham, 
delinquent,  to  and  for  the  increase  of  the  maintenance  of 
John  Horrockes,  minister  of  the  Chappell  of  Coulne,  his 
maintenance  there  being  not  above  £11  10s.  a  year,  and  the 
said  chapelry,  consisting  of  1,500  communicants;  provided 
the  minister  of  Clifton-cum-Salwick  have  a  competent  main- 

I  This  incumbent  signed  bis  name  "Horrockes." 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  153 

tenance,  unless  good  cause  be  shewn  to  the  contrary,  before 
this  Committee,  on  the  26th  Dec.  next."  {Plundered 
Ministers  Minutes.  Mr.  Baile't/s  MSS.,  p.  83.)  On  the  31st 
December  the  order  was  so  far  varied,  as  to  provide  that  the 
money  was  to  be  paid  out  of  the  profits  of  the  impropriate 
Rectory  of  Kirkkam,  in  Co.  Lane,  sequestered  from  Thomas 
Clifton,  of  Lytham,  Esq.,  delinquent;  and  the  Lancashire 
Commissioners  for  Sequestrations  were  required  to  pay  the 
same  "  at  such  times  and  seasons  of  the  year  as  the  same  shall 
become  due  and  payable,  with  the  arrears  thereof  due  since 
the  13th  Nov.  last."  (Ibid.  Ibid,^^.  103-4.)  Mr.  Hon-ocks 
had  a  son  John,  baptised  in  1652.  John  the  father  died 
Sept.  7,  1669,  and  on  the  10th  was  buried  within  the  com- 
munion rails  of  his  own  church,^  with  the  following  entry  in 
the  burial  register  : — 

'  September  10.  John  Horrockes,  of  Colne,  Minister.'  [In  another 
hand,  and  evidently  a  subsequent  addition]  :  '  Vide  ejus  epitaphium 
intra  Altaris  Columnas  apud  Coloniam.' 

The  epitaph  alluded  to,  engraven  on  a  small  brass,  and 
rightly  characterised  by  Dr.  Whitaker,  as  "one  of  the  most 
extravagant  pieces  of  bombast  he  ever  met  with,"  reads 
thus : — 

'  Hie  jacet  Johannes  Horrockes,  qui  fuit  Artium  Magister,  et  hujus 
Ecclesiae  Minister  :  vixit  annos  77,  obiit  die  Septem.  7°  an.  Dom.  1669. 

Rostra  disertus  Amat,  sic  rostra  Johannes  Amabat 

Horrockes,  pro  rostris  qnippe  disertus  erat. 
Barnabas  ille  piis,  Boanerges  et  ille  profanis, 

Mercurius  simul  ac  MonnoluKcion  erat. 
Parcite  Pegasides  !  mihi  credite,  plangitis  ilium 

Quern  Sion  aut  Helicon  quemque  et  Olimpus  habet. 
Nee  gazas  Arabum,  tua  nee  Miracula  Memphl, 

Sed  stupet  hie  Seraphim  quem  stupuere  Magi. 
Sarcophago  contenta  minor,  pars  major  Olimpo, 

Utraque  sed  pariter  dalmaticata  fuit. 
PuUulat  ut  Phoenix  redivivus,  apostolus  Horrockes 

Patrizet  juvenis  :  fama  perennis  erit.'' 

'  Sometimes  called  in  the  register  "  Sanctum  Sanctorum." 
'  Here  lies  John  Horrocks,  M.A.,  minister  of  this  church,  who  died  Septem- 
ber 7th,  1669,  aged  77.  An  eloquent  clergyman  loveth  to  have  a  large  congrega- 
tion, and  80  did  John  Horrocks,  for  he  was  an  eloquent  preacher.  A  Baruabas 
was  he  to  the  good  and  a  Boanerges  to  the  wicked  :  at  once  a  Mercurius  and  a 
Mormulu  Kei  on  1    Spare  your  tears,  ye  of  Pegasus !  Believe  me,  ye  bewail  one 


154  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

And  this  of  the  clergyman  who,  but  a  few  years  ago,  had 
been  presented  for  "  not  going  perambulation,  not  catechising, 
and  not  wearing  a  surplice  !"^  In  1642  Mr.  Horrocks  was 
incumbent  of  New-Church-in-Pendle. 


JAMES   HABOREAVES. 

A  native  and  schoolmaster  of  Colne,  described  as  "  de 
Hall  in  Colne."  In  a  neat  scholarly  hand,  he  records  in  the 
register,  the  baptism  of  his  three  sons,  John,  Robert,  and 
Henry.  Henry,  in  after  years,  became  the  Grammar  School 
master  here.  "  Vicessimo  Quarto  die  Sepfembris,  1707. 
Ilenricus  Hargreaves,  Literatus  admissus  Juit  ad  peragendum 
OJicium  Ludimagistri  in  schola  de  Colne,  Dioec.  Gestriens. 
Provincioe  Ebor."  Mr.  Hargreaves  was  interred  here  Jan. 
11th,  1693.  To  him  is  awarded  in  the  register  the  title, 
"  Fidelis  kujus  ecdesice  pastor,"  higher  praise  than  which 
could  not  be  given. 

THOMAS   TATHAM. 

Son  of  Christopher  Tatham,  of  Otterburn  in  Craven,  and 
a  married  man  with  a  numerous  family,  six  of  whom,  viz., 
Elizabeth,  Isabella,  Edward,  William,  John,  and  Thomas, 
are  mentioned  in  the  baptismal  register.  Elizabeth,  the 
eldest  daughter,  died  in  1731,  aged  39,  "  distinguished,"  says 
the  same  authority,  "  among  her  contemporaries,  for  her 
virtues,  her  talents,  and  her  lively  disposition.  Mr.  Tatham 
describes  his  mother  as  "  late  the  attached  wife  of  that  very 
good  and  pious  man,  Christopher  Tatham,  of  Otterburn,"  and 
in  recording  her  burial  in  the  register,  thus  feelingly  laments 
her  loss  :  "  Ah  !  my  mother,  beloved  by  many  of  her  con- 
temporaries, who  died  from  (what  the  doctors  call)  putridus 


■whose  abode  is  in  Sion,  or  Helicon  and  Olympus.  Nor  is  he  gazing  with-  awe  at 
Arab  treasures,  nor  at  thy  wonders,  O  Memphis  !  but  at  the  angels  which  awed 
the  wise  men  of  the  East.  In  the  tomb  resteth  peaceful  the  less  noble  part  of  him — 
the  nobler  is  in  Heaven  ;  yet  both  have  been  equally  clothed  in  beauteous  raiment. 
As  the  Phojnix  rises  to  another  life,  so  doth  Horrocks,  sent  of  God.  May  future 
generations  follow  in  the  steps  of  him  whose  name  shall  Uve  for  ever  I 
*  Presentments  at  York. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  155 

feber  [1]  when  she  was  upwards  of  80  years  old,  and  was 
buried.  .  .  .  She  peacefully  fell  asleep  in  the  sure  hope  of 
the  resurrection."  Mr.  Tatham  remained  here  twelve 
years,  and  resigned  the  living  on  being  presented  to  the 
vicarage  of  Almondbury,  in  Yorkshire,  at  which  place,  after 
a  ten  years'  ministry,  "  he  fell  aaleep." 

JOHN    BARLOW, 

Born,  says  Whitaker,  at  Harwood,  near  Blackburn,  and, 
according  to  the  register,  educated  [at  Glasgow]  in  Scotland. 
His  signature  is  indifferent,  and  inferior  to  that  of  several  of 
his  predecessors.  He  entered  upon  this  curacy  April  2nd, 
1709,  having  previously  been  curate  of  Harwood  and  Langho. 
He  was  interred  here  April  10,  1727.  Notwithstanding  that 
"  Barlow's  dinners  and  ale"  figure  in  the  wardens'  accounts, 
he  seems  to  have  done  his  duty  here ;  for  to  him,  also,  is 
awarded  the  title,  "  Fidelu  laboriosusqiie  hujus  ecclesice 
pastor."     To  him  succeeded  his  son, 

THOMAS    BARLOW, 

Whose  death  occurred  so  soon  after  that  of  his  father  that 
there  is  little  to  chronicle  respecting  his  incumbency.  He 
was  interred  here.  May  5,  1727,  less  than  a  month  after  his 
father.  This  is  the  only  instance  of  a  son  succeeding  his 
father  in  the  living  of  Colne. 

HENRY     SMALLKT 

Entered  here  in  1727,  and  held  the  living  about  four  years. 
Previous  to  coming  here,  he  appears,  from  the  following 
letter  of  the  Vicar  of  Whalley,  to  have  been  Curate  of 
Blackburn : — 

'  To  the  Bight  Rev*  Father  in  God,  Samuel,  Lord  Bishop  of  Chester, 

these. 
'  My  Lord, — This  bearer,  Mr.  Smalley,  Curate  of  Blackburn,  I  recom- 
mended to  y"^  Lordship  to  be  Curate  of  Coin  when  I  was  at  Manchester  ; 
and  my  son  declining  that  curacy  as  not  agreeable  to  Mr.  Townley,  and 
for  some  other  reasons,  I  now  humbly  deaire  j '  lordship  to  Ucense  him  ' 


156  ANNALS    AND    STORIES    OF 


to  Coin  :  he  is  very  well  qualified  for  that  or  any  other  chappell  or 
curacy,  nor  do  I  know  any  objection  against  him  :  had  not  the 
surprising  and  melancholly  account  of  the  death  of  the  best  of  kiugs^ 
hindered  y''  lordship  we  might  have  expected  y'  lordship  in  Blackburn 
hundred  ere  now  :  but  we  yet  hope  before  the  days  are  much  shorter 
to  have  the  honor  of  y""  lordship's  company  at  Whalley  and  Burnley. — 
My  wife  joyning  in  humble  duty  to  y"^  lordship  and  respects  to  y'  good 
lady  and  family,  and  I  hope  y''  lordship  will  believe  that  I  am  with 
the  greatest  sincerity,  my  very  good  lord,  your  lordship's  most  dutiful, 
and  most  obedient  servant,  'James  Matthews. 

'  Whalley,  July  y  31st,  1727*. 

This  incumbent  was  interred  here,  Feb.  3rd,  1731-2,  and  was 

succeeded  by 

WILLIAM    NOR0RO88B, 

A  connection  of  the  Hebers  of  Marton,  and  the  Corsers  of 
Whitechurch,  but,  unfortunately,  a  bad  character.  Entering 
here  on  the  13  th  February,  1731,  he  appears  to  have  become 
involved  in  difficulties,  and  proving  troublesome  to  Bishop 
Peploe,  who  disliked  his  politics,  was  finally  suspended.  ^  His 
litigiousness  involved  him  in  quarrels  with  his  parishioners, 
and  non-payment  of  his  debts  brought  about  the  miserable 
termination  of  his  days  in  the  Fleet  Prison,  London. 

GEORGE   WHITE,    M.A. 

Educated  at  the  English  College  of  Douay,  in  France,  for 
orders  in  the  Church  of  Rome,  but  subsequently  recanted. 
Attracting  the  notice  of  Dr.  Potter,  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury, he  was  by  that  prelate  recommended  to  the  Vicar  of 
Whalley,  who,  acting  on  the  recommendation,  appointed  him 
Incumbent  of  Colne.  And  as  incumbent  he  remained  here 
many  years,  and  earned  for  himself  a  notoriety  which  has 
belonged  to  no  other  incumbent.  This  he  acquired  partly 
from  his  neglect  of  duty,  and  partly  from  his  bitter 
opposition  to  the  Methodists.  With  respect  to  his  neglect 
of  duty.  Dr.  Whitaker  remarks  that  he  frequently  abandoned 

•  George  I.    History  does  not  award  the  like  praise. 
»  Papers  at  Cliester,  Colne  Church  bundle. 
»  Lauc.  MSS.     Vol.  xxii. 


COLNE  AND   NEIQHBOURHOOD.  157 

it  for  weeks  together  to  such  accidental  assistance  as  the 
parish  could  procure,  and  that,  on  one  occasion,  he  is  said  to 
have  read  the  funeral  service  more  than  twenty  times  over 
the  dead  bodies  that  had  been  interred  in  his  absence.  In 
17i3,  Mr.  White  appoir^ted  John  Dyson  his  assistant-curate, 
paid  him  the  whole  income  of  the  chapel  for  his  services, 
and  reserved  only  to  himself  a  yearly  sum  of  £34.^  Therein, 
at  least,  he  seems  to  have  been  actuated  by  a  sense  of  right. 
His  wardens  resented  his  neglect  of  duty,  and  in  their 
accounts  appears  an  item  of  expense,  openly  stated  to  have 
been  incurred  in  keeping  the  regiscers  "  through  the  neglect  of 
Mr.  White."  His  bitter  opposition  to  the  Methodists  has 
been  commented  on  by  numerous  writers  with  more  or  less 
severity.  A  recent  writer^  calls  him  '"a  bragadocio,'  'a 
clerical  railer,'  '  a  pompous  priest,'  a  '  popish  cheat,*  and  '  the 
author  of  about  half  a  dozen  worthless,  ungrammatical 
productions.' "  "  Whenever,"  writes  the  author  of  the  Life 
and  Times  of  Seliiia,  Countess  of  Huntingdon,^  "  the  Vicar 
)f  Colne  heard  of  the  arrival  of  any  of  the  Methodists  in 
his  neighbourhood  it  was  his  usual  practice  to  call  the  people 
together  by  beat  of  drum,  issue  a  proclamation  at  the  market 
cross,  and  enlist  a  mob  for  the  defence  of  the  Church  against 
the  incursions  of  the  Methodists."  The  following  proclamation, 
a  curiosity  of  its  sort,  is  transcribed  from  the  voluminous 
private  journals  of  Mr.  Ingham  and  Mr.  Batty,  in  their 
handwriting : — 

'  Notice  is  hereby  given  that  if  any  man  be  mindful  to  enlist  in  His 
Majesty's  service,  under  the  command  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  George  White, 
Commander-in-Chief,  and  John  Bannister,  Lieutenant-General  of  His 
Majesty's  forces  for  the  defence  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  the 
support  of  the  manufactory  in  and  about  Colne,  both  of  which  are  now 
in  danger,  let  him  repair  to  the  drum-head  at  the  Cross,  where  each  man 
shall  have  a  pint  of  ale  in  advance,  and  all  other  proper  encouragement.' 

Much  as  there  is  in  this  notice  deserving  the  severest 
reprobation,  we  cannot  fail  to  notice  the  composer's  deep 
knowledge  of  the  world.     Ho  uses  no  direct  argument,  but 

'  Papers  at  Cliester. 

»  Rev  L.  Tyerman,  in  'Life  and  Timet  of  'Rev.  John  M'esletf,  M.A.' 

»  VoL  L,  p.  261. 


158  ANNALS    AND    STORIES    OF 

rather  leaves  his  readers  to  reason  -with  themselves.  Are 
they  loyal  subjects  1  Then  why  hesitate  to  range  themselves 
on  the  side  of  order  1  True  and  devoted  Churchmen  1  That 
Church  is  in  danger.  Attached  to  their  old  town,  and 
interested  its  its  prosperity  1  Its  trade  will  go,  and  tfiey 
be  poor.  Fond  of  beer?  No  dispute  as  to  the  quantity, 
but  a  pint  to  each.  Doubtful  as  to  his  power  or  means 
to  supply  it  1  They  shall  have  it  in  advance.  This,  in  the 
words  of  a  modern  writer,^  was  the  uplifting  of  the  fiery 
brand,  and  the  gathering  together  of  the  excited  vassals 
soon  followed.  Actuated  by  a  most  violent  dislike  to  Dissent, 
in  whatever  shape  or  form,  and  believing  it  to  be  an  impera- 
tive duty  on  his  part  to  suppress  it  by  fair  means  and  foul, 
it  was  characteristic  of  White  that  he  treated  leaders  and 
humble  followers  with  the  same  supreme  contempt. 
Naturally,  he  and  John  Wesley  were  not  on  terms  of 
friendship,  and  when  he  died,  Wesley,  mindful  of  his  own 
wrongs,  bitterly  commented  on  his  past  life.  Once  stung 
to  the  quick,  he  wrote  him  thus  : — 

'Widdup,  Aug.  26,  1748. 

'  Sir, — Yesterday,  between  twelve  and  one  o'clock,  while  I  was  speaking 
to  some  quiet  people,  without  any  noise  or  tumult,  a  drunken  i^bble  came, 
with  clubs  and  staves,  in  a  tumultuous  and  riotous  manner,  the  captain  of 
whom,  Richard  B.  by  name,  said  he  was  a  deputy-constable,  and  that 
he  was  come  to  bring  me  to  you.  I  went  with  him,  but  I  had  scarce 
gone  ten  yards,  when  a  man  of  his  company  struck  me  with  his  fist  in 
the  face  with  all  his  might ;  quickly  after,  another  threw  his  stick  at  my 
head.  I  then  made  a  little  stand,  but  another  of  your  champions, 
cursing  and  swearing  in  the  most  shocking  manner,  and  flourishing  hia 
club  over  his  head,  cried  out,  "  Bring  him  away." 

'  With  such  a  convoy  I  walked  to  Barrowford,  where  they  informed 
me  you  was,  their  drummer  going  before  to  draw  all  the  rabble  together 
from  all  quarters. 

'  When  your  deputy  had  brought  me  into  the  house,  he  permitted  Mr. 
Grimshaw,  the  minister  of  Haworth,  Mr.  Colbeck,  of  Keighley,  and  one 
more,  to  be  with  me,  promising  that  none  should  hurt  them.  Soon 
after  you  and  your  friends  came  in,  and  requested  me  to  promise  I 
would  come  to  Roughlee  no  more.  I  told  you  I  would  sooner  cut  off 
my  hand  than  make  any  such  promise,  neither  would  I  promise  that 
none  of  my  friends  should  come.  After  abundance  of  rambling  discouise 
(for  I  could  keep  none  of  you  long  to  any  one  point),  from  about  one 

'  R.  Spence  Hardy,  in  "  William  Qrimahaw,  Incumbent  of  Haworth." 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  159 

o'clock  till  between  three  and  four  (in  which  one  of  you  frankly  said 
"  No,  we  will  not  be  like  Gamaliel,  we  will  proceed  like  the  Jews  "),  you 
seemed  a  little  satisfied  with  my  saying,  "  I  will  not  preach  at  Roughlee 
this  time."  You  then  undertook  to  quiet  the  mob,  to  whom  you  went 
and  spoke  a  few  words,  and  their  noise  immediately  ceased.  I  then 
walked  out  with  you  at  the  back  door. 

'  I  should  have  mentioned  that  I  had  several  times  before  desired  yo« 
to  let  me  go,  but  in  vain,  and  that  when  I  attempted  to  go  with  Richard 
B.,  the  mob  immediately  followed  with  oaths,  curses,  and  stones,  that 
one  of  them  beat  me  down  to  the  ground,  and  when  I  rose  again  the 
whole  body  came  about  me  like  lions,  and  forced  me  back  into  the 
house. 

'  While  you  and  I  went  out  at  one  door,  Mr.  Grimshaw  and  Mr. 
Colbeck  went  out  at  the  other.  The  mob  immediately  closed  them  in, 
tossed  them  to  and  fro  with  the  utmost  violence,  threw  Mr.  Grimshaw 
down,  and  loaded  them  both  with  dirt  and  mire  of  every  kind,  not  one 
of  your  friends  offering  to  call  off  your  blood-hounds  from  the  pursuit. 

•  The  other  quiet,  harmless  people,  who  followed  me  at  a  distance  to 
see  what  the  end  would  be,  they  treated  still  worse,  not  only  by  the 
connivance,  but  by  the  express  order  of  your  deputy.  They  made  them 
run  for  their  lives,  amidst  showers  of  dirt  and  stones,  without  any 
regard  to  age  or  sex.  Some  of  them  they  trampled  in  the  mire,  and 
dragged  by  the  hair,  particularly  Mr.  Mackford,  who  came  with  me  from 
Newcastle.  Many  they  beat  with  their  clubs  without  mercy.  One  they 
forced  to  leep  down  (or  they  would  have  thrown  him  headlong)  from  a 
rock  ten  or  twelve  feet  high,  into  the  river.  And  when  he  crawled  out, 
wet  and  bruised,  they  swore  they  would  throw  him  in  again,  which 
they  were  hardly  persuaded  not  to  do.  All  this  time  you  s&t  well- 
pleased  close  to  the  place,  not  attempting  in  the  least  to  hinder  them. 

'And  all  this  time  you  was  talking  of  justice  and  law  1  Alas,  sir, 
suppose  we  were  Dissenters  (which  I  deny),  suppose  we  were  Jews  or 
Turks,  are  we  not  to  have  the  benefit  of  the  laws  of  our  country  ? 
Proceed  against  us  by  the  law,  if  you  can  or  dare,  but  not  by  lawless 
violence  ;  not  by  making  a  drunken,  cursing,  swearing,  riotous  mob  both 
judge,  jury,  and  executioner.  This  is  flat  rebellion  against  God  and 
the  King,  as  you  may  possibly  find  to  your  cost^. 

There  was  yet  another  means  of  attacking  the  Methodists, 
and  bold  George  White  was  not  the  man  to  miss  an  oppor- 
tunity. On  Sunday,  the  24th  of  July,  1748,  at  his  own 
church,  and  again  at  Marsden  Chapel,  on  the  7th  of  August, 
he  delivered,  "before  a  numerous  axxdience,"  a  sermon  agamst 
the  Methodists,  which  he  subsequently  published  "  by 
request,"  with  an  Epistle  Dedicatory  to  His  Grace,  the  Lord 


*  Journal. 


160  ANNALS    AND    STORIES    OF 

Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  He  took  as  his  text  1  Cor.  xiv., 
33,  "For  God  is  not  the  autlwr  of  confusion,  hut  of  peace,  as 
in  all  the  churches  of  the  saints" — the  object  of  this  sermon 
being,  as  he  explained,  first,  to  point  out  such  practices  as 
create  a  shameful  confusion  among  us,  and  are  directly  con- 
trary to  peace  and  the  decent  custom  of  the  churches  of  the 
faithful ;  and  secondly,  to  mention  such  persuasive  infer- 
ences, or  observations,  as  may  possibly,  for  the  future,  prevent 
the  said  confusion,  and  many  other  notorious  consequences. 
In  language  plain  and  unmistakeable,  he,  in  the  Epistle  Dedi- 
catory (and  not  in  the  sermon,  as  some  writers  leave  it  to  be 
inferred),  charged  the  Methodists  with  being  "  authors  of 
confusion,  open  destroyers  of  the  public  peace,  occasioning 
many  bold  insurrections,  which  threaten  our  spiritual  govern- 
ment ;  schismatic  rebels  against  the  best  of  churches ; 
authors  of  a  farther  breach  into  our  unhappy  divisions  ;  con- 
temners of  the  great  command,  '  Six  days  shalt  thou  labour  ; ' 
defiers  of  all  laws,  civil  and  ecclesiastical ;  professed  disre- 
specters  of  learning  and  education,  causing  a  visible  ruin  to 
trade  and  manufactures ;  and,  in  short,  promoters  of  a 
shameful  progress  of  enthusiasm  and  confusion,  not  to  be 
paralleled  in  any  other  Christian  dominion."  The  preacher, 
in  language  which  is  not  wanting  in  eloquence,  concludes 
with  an  earnest  entreaty,  that  "  this  set  of  people,  by  all 
the  ties  of  Christian  peace,  by  all  the  endearing  desires  of 
an  Orthodox  Church,  might  render  obedience  to  the  laws  ;" 
and  Mr.  White  assures  his  hearers,  that,  if  entreaty  should 
prove  unavailing,  the  sense  of  duty  which  he  owed  to  his 
God,  the  obligations  he  was  under,  would  always  give  him 
true  courage  to  oppose  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  "  attempts 
so  unnatural  and  unjust;"  being  at  the  same  time  confident 
that  he  had  the  pleasure  to  speak  to  a  number  of  rational 
gentlemen  and  tradesmen,  who  had  an  equal  zeal  for  the 
preservation  of  our  undoubted  rights.  "0!"  adds  the 
preacher,  "  that  their  hearts  would  relent,  and  that  they 
would  tuni  again  to  the  Lord  their  God  !" 

The  chief  interest  in  the  Epistle  Dedicatory  lies  in  its 
local  allusions.  "  My  lord,"  says  the  writer,  "  If,  in  these 
1  emoter  parts,  we  may  have  the  Jionour  to  style  ourselves  under 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  161 

your  Graces  peculiar  patronage,  doubtless  it  is  our  Duty  to 
convey  to  your  Grace  some  Idea  of  the  many  bold  Insurrec- 
tions, which  threaten  our  spiritual  government 

We  are  surprised,  my  lord,  to  see  Religion  (so  amiable  in  its 
rational  Precepts  and  Practices)  become  as  savage  as  the  hills 
around  us  ;  we  cannot  at  the  same  Time  but  be  ambitious  of 
claiming  to  ourselves  some  Degree  of  Reason  to  withstand 
such  growing  Impositions,  in  that  very  neighhourliood  ivh'ch 
produced  in  one  century  a  Tillotson,  a  Sharp,  a  Potter,  ttc." 
As  might  be  expected,  Mr.  White's  sermon  did  not  pass 
unchallenged.  Mr.  Grimshaw,  Incumbent  of  Haworth,  did 
not  hesitate  to  bandy  words,  and  in  a  published  reply, 
extending  to  86pp.  12mo,  closely  printed,  combated  and 
ridiculed  the  arguments  of  his  opponent.  The  quotation 
on  the  title-page  was  one  which  could  not  fail  to  excite 
attention : — 

'  Why  boastest  thou  thyself  in  mischief,  0  mighty  man  ?  the  goodness 
of  God  endnreth  continually. 

'  Thy  tongue  deviseth  mischiefs ;  like  a  sharp  razor,  working  deceitfully. 

*  Thou  lovest  evil  more  than  good  :  and  lying  rather  than  to  speak 
righteousness. 

'  Thou  lovest  all  devouring  words,  0  thou  deceitful  tongue. 

'  God  shall  likewise  destroy  thee  for  ever  :  he  shall  take  thee  and  pluck 
thee  out  of  thy  dwelling  place,  and  root  thee  out  of  the  land  of  the 
living. 

'  The  righteous  also  shall  see  and  fear,  and  shall  laugh  at  him.' 

In  right  good  earnest,  though,  coming  from  a  brother 
clergyman,  with  somewhat  questionable  propriety,  he 
endeavoured  to  bring  the  words  home  to  Mr.  White.  Said 
he:— 

'  The  very  tinkers  and  colliers  of  your  parish  have  of  late  acted  the 
parson  as  well  as  you  have  done,  and  with  as  much  regard  to  truth  and 

the  honour  of  God I  believe,  if  we  will  but  speak  the 

truth,  as  we  hope  to  answer  for  it  at  the  day  of  judgment,  we  must  own 
that  they  (the  Methodists)  have,  through  the  divine  assistance,  who 
sends  by  whom  He  will  send,  wrought  a  greater  reformation  in  our 
parishes  than  we  have  done.  Ah  !  sir,  you  little  know,  but  I  pray  God 
make  you  sensible,  and  thankful  for  it  too,  before  you  die,  how  these 
dear  servants  of  the  Lord  laboured  night  and  day  for  you,  without  a 
penny  from  your  purse,  whilst  you  boarded  at  Chester  Castle,  and  for 
three  years  together  since,  whilst  you  have  been  raking  about  in  London, 
L 


16^ 


ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 


and  up  and  down  the  country.  And  now,  at  your  return  to  your  flock, 
do  you  find  that  any  amongst  them  that  follow  these  good  men,  who 
deserve  so  well  at  our  hands,  behave  disorderly  at  church  ?  Do  they 
live  dishonestly  or  unpeaceably  among  their  neighbours  ?  Or,  do  they 
■wrong  or  defraud  you,  or  any  man,  of  their  dues  ?  Surely  men  of  their 
principles  will  do  no  such  things,  nor  occasion  any  such  confusion,  as 
your  merciless  spirit  would  brand  them  with  !  On  the  contrary,  your 
own  late  riotous  conduct,  heading  a  lawless  rabble  of  irrelgious  dissolute 
wretches  under  the  name  and  title  of  commander-in-chief,  spiriting  them 
up  to  the  perpetration  of  many  grievous  outrages,  and  inhumanly 
treating  and  abusing  numbers  of  poor  inoffensive  people,  I  must  say, 
this  is  a  shameful  violation  of  order  in  both  Church  and  State,  done  too 
under  a  zeal  for  religion,  and  in  defence  of  the  Church  of  England. 
.  .  .  Sir,  I  make  the  following  appeal  to  your  own  conscience, 
whether  you  do  not  believe  that  trade  receives  more  obstruction  and 
real  detriment  in  one  week  from  numbers  that  run  a  hunting,  from 
numbers  more  that  allow  themselves  in  various  idle  diversions,  an  hour, 
two,  or  sometimes  three,  daily,  for  what  is  vulgarly  called  a  noon-sit,  and 
from  many  yet  more,  who  loiter  away  their  precious  time  on  a  maiket- 
day  in  your  own  town,  in  drunkenness,  janglings,  and  divers  frivolous 
matters,  than  from  all  that  give  the  constantest  attendance  to  this  new 
model  of  worship  in  the  space  of  two  or  three  months  ?  [And  then, 
conscious  that  he  had  been  very  outspoken,  he  concluded  thus  :]  If  any- 
thing may  seem  to  be  spoken  with  too  much  warmth,  impute  it  not  to 
anger,  or  want  in  anywise  of  charity  and  benevolence,  but  to  well-meant 
zeal  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  and  its  votaries.  If  you  will  not,  you 
are  welcome  to  do  as  you  pease.' 

And  White  acted  on  the  advice,  and  did  what  he  pleased, 
thougli  rumour  had  it,  that,  lying  on  his  death-bed,  a  softer 
spirit  came  over  the  bellicose  clergyman,  and  that,  sending 
for  Mr.  Grimshaw,  his  old  opponent,  he  made  his  peace  with 
him,  desired  forgiveness  for  his  past  conduct,  and  begged  the 
assistance  of  his  prayers.^ 

Mr.  White  was  a  scholar,  an  author,  and  a  poet.^  That 
was  faint  praise  of  Dr.  Whitaker  when  he  spoke  of  him  "  as 
neither  devoid  of  parts  or  literature."  He  edited  a  news- 
paper, Mercurius  Latinns,  of  which  copies  are  extant,  wrote 
admirable  articles  on  a  variety  of  subjects,  published  at  least 

'  It  is  a  difficult  matter  to  judge  between  Mr.  White  and  Mr.  Grimshaw.  Both 
were  beneficed  clergy  of  the  '  hurch  of  Eiigland  ;  and  when  Mr.  Grimshaw,  a»  fuck, 
intruded  into  a  neighbouring  parish,  he  committed  a  breach  of  discipline,  which 
naturally  aroused  tlie  hoxtility  of  Mr.  White.  Had  he  resigned  his  living,  and 
thrown  in  his  lot  erntirelii  with  the  Methodists,  Mr.  White  would  then  have  had 
no  excuse  for  his  conduct. 

»  This,  notwithstanding  the  previously-quoted  statement  of  Mr.  Tyerman, 


COLNE   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  163 

two  sermons,^  composed  and  puV.lished  two  poems  calculated 
to  bring  into  contempt  the  religion  he  had  ouce  espoused, 
and  translated  Thurlow's  Letters  into  Latin. 

Let  the  faults  and  frailties  of  his  private  life  lie  buried 
■with  him.  Of  his  wife  little  is  known.  Whitaker  tells  us, 
that,  after  one  of  his  excursions,  he  made  his  appearance  with 
a  Madaine  Helen  Maria  Piazza,  an  Italian  gouvemante,  whom 
he  married.  The  register,  however,  gives  her  the  simple 
name  of  Mary  Helen  : — 

'[1744-5.]  Marct  23. — George  White,  Minister  of  Colne,  and  Mary 
Helen  Pi^izza,  of  London,  at  Marsdea  Chapel.' 

Little  remains  to  be  said  respecting  this  incumbent.  The 
subsequent  career  of  his  Italian  wife  I  do  not  trace,  nor  do  I 
find  that  she  died  at  Colne.  He  died  at  Langroyd,  April 
26th,  1751,  was  buried  in  his  own  church  thiee  days  later, 
and  shortly  afterwards,  the  following  simply-worded  para- 
gra{;h,  in  the  obituary  column  of  the  Gentleman's  Magazme, 
aunounctd  to  the  wo  Id  at  large,  that  bigoted,  unscrupulous, 
but  clever  and  repentant,  George  White,  had  been  gathered 
to  his  fathers  : — 

'26th  April.  [1751].— Rev.  George  White,  Minister  of  Colne  and 
Marsden,  Lancashire,  author  of  Mercuriua  Latinus.' 

Wisely,  perhaps,  his  talents  and  his  faults  are  alike  un- 
noti  ed  in  the  burial  register,  simply — 

'April  29th.  [1751]. — George  White,  who  came  to  be  minister  here 
Ob"-  5,  1741.' 

He  is  believed  to  be  buried  close  by  Horrocks,  but  no 
monument,  brass,  or  tablet,  perpetuates  the  memory  of  this, 
undoubtedly  talented,  but,  misguided  man. 

ROGER   WILSO.V,    LL.B., 

Fourth  son  of  Matthew  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  Eshton  Hall,  near 
G!>rgrave,  Yorkshire,  by  Ann  his  wife ;  baptised  at  Gargrave, 
Oct.  20,    1711.     Subsequently    of  Emanuel  College,  Cam- 

>(l)Hi*  permon  aGrainnt  the  Methodists.  (2)  "The  Englishman's  Rational 
Proceedings  in  the  Choice  of  Religion,  wherein  it  is  shown  that  man  m.ay  lawfully 
examine  hiw  faith,  <fcc.  Delivered  in  a  sermon  at  St.  Giles's  Church,  in  the  city 
of  Dui  hum,  on  Sunday,  the  28th  of  February,  174  J,  before  a  numerous  congretjatiou. 
Fublitihed  at  the  lequest  of  the  Audience." 


164  •  ANNALS    AND    STORIILS    OF 

bridge.  He  was  also  Vicar  of  Wiggenhall  St.  Mary  Magdalen, 
Norfolk,  and  according  to  the  register  entered  on  the  curacy 
of  Colne,  May  25,  1751.  He  married  Thomasine  Bate,  the 
daughter  of  a  Norfolk  gentleman.  Absent  for  long  periods 
of  time,  he  was  unfortunate  in  having  as  his  curate  here,  the 
Rev.  John  Metcalfe,  a  person  so  notoriously  immoral,  that,  at 
length,  his  conduct  induced  the  inhabitants  to  take  steps  to 
rid  the  parish  of  his  presence.  Meeting  in  vestry,  January  23, 
1782,  they  unanimously  resolved, — 

'  1.  That  the  Revd.  Mr.  Metcalf  is  an  improper  person  to  serve  the 
town  of  Colne. 

'  2.  That  the  Revd.  Mr.  Wilson  uses  the  chappelry  of  Colne  extremely 
ill  by  his  continuation  of  the  said  Air.  Metcalf,  and 

'  3.  That  the  above  resolutions  be  immediately  conveyed  to  Mr. 
Wilson,  in  a  letter  intimating  a  wish  of  the  inhabitants  that  he  would, 
■within  a  month's  time,  more  or  less,  remove  the  said  Mr.  Metcalf,  or 
that  they  will  present  a  memorial  to  the  Bishop  of  Chester,  representing 
Mr.  Metealf's  immorality  and  Mr.  Wilson's  absence  from  his  cure.' 

The  effect  of  the  threat  on  Mr.  Wilson  does  not  appear. 
He  died  at  his  house  in  Otley,  March  14,  1789,  in  the  78t,h 
year  of  his  age,  and  was  interred  there  on  the  18th,  having 
held  the  living  of  Colne  for  the  long  period  of  36  years. 
This  incumbent  was  somewhat  of  an  antiquary,  and  supplied 
Mr,  Whitaker  with  information  respecting  Colne. 

JOHN    HARTLEY,    B.A., 

The  only  son  and  heir  of  Mr,  John  Hartley,  of  Blackburn,  by 
Ann  his  wife  ;  baptised  at  the  parish  church,  Blackburn,  Jan, 
30th,  1760.  His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Banks, 
died  soon  after  his  birth,  and  his  father,  having  relinquished 
his  Blackburn  practice,  settled  down  on  his  estate  of  A^Tiite- 
lee,  in  this  neighbourhood.  When  old  enough,  John,  the  son, 
became  a  pupil  at  the  Manchester  Free  Grammar  School,  and 
afterwards  proceeded  to  Brasenose  College,  Oxford.  During 
his  incumbency  here  he  was  made  a  county  magistrate,  and 
iiut  unfrequently  sat  in  that  capacity.  He  was  invariably 
spoken  of  as  "  Parson  Hartley,"  and  was  much  respected.  He 
never  married,  but  lived  with  his  sisters  in  a  house  opposite 
tiie  present  post-office,  in  Colne  Lane,  and  dying  there,  in 
1811,  at  the  comparatively  early  age  of  51,  was  buried  in  his 


COLNE   AXD   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  165 

own  church,  at  the  foot  of  the  (then)  pulpit  stairs.  He  is 
described  as  a  fine  affable  man,  but,  in  his  latter  days,  so 
aflBicted  with  gout,  that  he  had  the  greatest  difficulty,  even 
with  the  aid  of  crutches,  in  ascending  his  pulpit  stairs.  The 
church  contains  no  memorial  of  him. 

THOMAS    THORESBY    WHITIKER,    M.A., 

A  son  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Whitaker,  the  historian  of 
Whalley,  and  a  clergyman  of  whom  I  have  slight  information. 
He  died,  in  consequence  of  a  fall  from  his  horse,  at  the 
Vicarage,  Ribchester,  August  28,  1817,  and  on  September  2 
was  interred  in  Holme  Chapel,  Burnley,  where  is  to  be  seen 
a  tablet  of  white  marble,  inscribed  as  follows : — 


'A. 


''       .  Jl. 


>l< 

THOMAE.    THORESBEIO.    WHITAKERO.    AM. 

ECCLESIAE.  ANGLICANAE.  PRESBYTERO 

NEC.    INDOCTO.    NEC.    INDISERTO.    NEC.    IN.    INFIRMOS. 

INOPESVE.    OFFICII.    SVI.    VNQVAM.    IMMEMORI. 

GNATO.    CONIVGI.    PARENTI.    HAYD.    POENITENDO. 

LITERARVM.    GRAECARVM.    ADPRIME.    GNARO 

MORIBVS.     SOCIIS.     STVDIISQVE.     LIBERALIBVS. 

ORE.    ETIAM.    EXTINCTO.    SPIRITV.    VENVSTO.    AC.    BENIGNO 

INGENIO.     CAETERA.     MITISSIMO.     SOLA.     IN     VITIA.     ASPERO 

DISCIPLINA.    DENIQVE.    CHRISTIANA.    PENITVS.    IMBVTO 

CVIVS.    INTER.    NOVISSIMOS.    CRVCIATVS 

SOLATIA.     PARVM.    INCERTA.     EXPERIEBATVR. 

PARENTYM.    SPES.    AC.    DELICIAE. 

ANTE.    DIEM.    XI.    EQVO.    LAPSVS.    MORTEM.    OBIIT. 

IV.    CAL.    SEPT.   A.S.    MDCCCXVII. 

ANNOS.  NATVS.  HEV.  PAVCOS.  XXXI.  MENSES.  VII.  DIES.  XXVIII. 

RELICrA.    CONIVGE.    MOESTISSIMA. 

CVM.    FILIOLO.    VNICO.    MOERORIS.    EXPERTE. 

PROPE.    GERMANAM.    CARISSIMAM. 

ITA.    ENIM.    MORIENS.    IPSE.    IVSSERAT. 

FRATERNO.    CORPORE.    DEPONENDO 

HAEC.    CITRA.    SESQVIANNI.    SPATIVM.    BIS.    ORBVS 

IN.     IMMENSI.     DESIDERII.     SOLAMEN.     QVALECVNQVE 

SCRIPSI.    PATER.' 


166  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OF 

Mr.  VVliitaker  was,  I  believe,  a  non-resident  clerwymnn, 
and  first  a  Mr.  Dunderdale,  and  afterwards  a  Mr.  Blyth,  were 
curates-iu-charge  at  Colne.  Mr.  Dunderdale  was  but  young 
when  he  came  here,  but  he  seems  to  have  been  a  general 
favourite,  and  there  are  persons  still  attending  service  at  the 
old  church,  who  recollect,  how,  during  the  repairs  of  the 
church,  in  1815,  he  preached  hia  farewell  sermon  in  the  Cloth 
Hall,  amidst  the  loud  sobs  of  the  fairer  portion  of  his  con- 
gregation, from  the  text,  "  And  they  all  wept  sore,  and  fell  on 
PauVs  neck  and  hissed  him.,  sorrowing  most  of  all  for  the  words 
which  he  spoke  that  they  shoidd  see  his  face  no  more."  Indeed, 
so  greatly  was  the  young  curate  beloved,  that,  it  is  said,  when 
he  finally  left  Colne,  the  people  "wept  aloud"  in  the  street, 
as  the  coach  drove  him  away. 

PHILIP    ABBOTT, 

Eldest  son  of  Mr.  Christopher  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Abbott,  of 
Woodhouse,  in  the  parish  of  Morland,  in  the  county  of 
Westmorland,  where  he  was  bom  in  the  year  1784.  His 
parents  removing  from  Woodhouse  to  Gowbarrow  Hall,  Ulls- 
water,  Philip  was  sent  to  the  neighbouring  school  of  Water- 
millock,  and  subsequently  to  Hampton  Grammar  School, 
which,  under  the  head-mastership  of  Mr.  Bowstead,  had 
acquired  a  high  reputation,  and  was  regarded,  in  some 
measure,  as  school  and  college  combined.  From  it  m^ny 
young  men  (Mr.  Abbott  amongst  the  number)  were  ordained, 
and  licensed  direct  to  their  respective  parishes.  In  those 
days,  when  the  supply  of  clergy  was  inadequate  to  the  calls 
upon  them,  it  was  not  unusual  for  the  head  master  to  select 
one  or  more  youths  in  the  first  class  to  take  the  duty  at  some 
neighbouringchurch,  which  otherwise  must  have  been  without 
service.  Thus,  at  an  early  age,  Philip  Abbott  became  useful 
in  the  Church.  The  scene  of  his  first  ministrations  was  the 
village  of  Mardale,  and  here  and  at  other  places,  whilst  yet  a 
layman,  he  read  prayers  and  preached,  with  the  knowledge 
and  consent  of  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese. 

Leaving  Bampton,  he  was  appointed  to  the  sole  mastership 
of  the  Grammar  School  of  Hackthorpe,  near  Lowther.   From 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  167 

Hackthorpe  he  removed  to  Morland,  which  was,  it  is  believed, 
his  first  curacy.  From  there  he  came,  as  curate,  to  Colne, 
and,  on  a  vacancy  occurring,  was  nominated  incumbent  by 
Dr.  Whitaker,  In  after  years  Mr.  Abbott  was  wont  to  relate, 
how,  preaching  in  Colne  Church  on  one  occasion,  the  doctor 
was  observed  to  take  notes,  and  listen  with  great  attention, 
and  apparent  satisfaction,  to  the  preaclier.  Rightly  or 
wrongly,  to  this  trifling  circumstance  the  young  clergyman 
attributed  the  gift  of  the  living.  His  incumbency  here  was 
Tinmarked  by  any  event  of  special  interest  in  the  ecclesiastical 
history  of  the  town,  though  there  is  reason  to  believe  that 
Mr.  Abbott  discharged  the  duties  of  his  high  calling  in  a 
much  more  commendable  manner  than  many  of  his  pre- 
decessors. Resigning  the  living  of  Colne  on  his  appointment 
to  the  post  of  second  master  of  the  Clitheroe  Grammar 
School,  he  was  afterwards  presented  by  Earl  Howe  to  the 
living  of  Downham,  which,  in  conjunction  with  the  head 
mastership  of  the  Clitheroe  Grammar  School,  to  which  he 
had  been  appointed  on  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Powell,  he 
retained  to  the  period  of  his  death. 

This  incumbent  was  a  married  man  with  a  family,  and  it 
is  to  a  son  of  his,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Abbott,  Incuml)ent  of 
Middleton,  near  Kirkby  Lonsdale,  I  am  indebted  for  these 
particulars.  Mr.  Abliott  was  also  a  J. P.  for  Lancashire  and 
the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  chairman  of  the  Clitheroe 
r»ench  of  Magistrates,  and  a  Commissioner  of  Taxes.  He 
died  afte^  a  painful  and  protracted  illness,  September  4th, 
1852,  aged  68,  and  was  interred  at  his  own  quiet  country 
church  of  Downham.  In  announcing  his  death,  one  of  the 
public  prints  paid  the  following  tribute  of  respect  to  his 
memory : — 

'  His  long  experience,  his  calm  and  well-judging  mind,  will  be  duly 
appreciated  throughout  the  whole  neighbourliood  in  which  liis  service') 
as  a  magistrate  have  been  so  aealously  and  efficiently  employed. 
Amongst  his  parishioners  his  memory  will  long  be  cherisbed  with  every 
Bentiiuetit  of  affection  and  esteem.  Quiet,  unambitious,  and  conscien- 
tious in  the  discharge  of  all  his  public  duties,  he  enjoyed  the  respect  of 
all  who  knew  him  ;  and  his  death  will  be  generally  lamented.' 


1G8  ANNALS    AND    STORIES    OP 


JOHN    HENDERSON, 


First  Rector,  bom  at  Wigtoii,  in  Cumberland,  May  10th, 
1792,  and  a  son  of  Mr.  James  Henderson,  of  that  town, 
builder,  by  Ann,  his  wife.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Shannon,  and  he  was  the  eldest  of  the  six  children 
of  the  marriage.  The  quiet  little  Cumberland  town  pos- 
sesses a  grammar  school  which  has  acquired  some  reputation 
in  the  north  of  England  for  the  number  of  classical  scholars 
it  has  turned  out,  and  there  it  was  that  John  received  his 
entire  education.  He  left  school  at  the  early  age  of  1 6.  At 
19  he  took  lodgings  in  the  neighbouring  village  of  West 
Newton,  and,  during  the  two  years  of  his  residence  there, 
much  of  his  time  was  occupied  in  the  tuition  of  some  thirty 
boys  living  in  the  neighbourhood.  It  was  during  this  period 
of  his  life,  when  England  was  disturbed  by  rumours  of  a 
threatened  invasion  by  Napoleon,  that  John  Henderson 
became  a  member  of  the  local  militia  at  Penrith,  and 
donned  a  uniform  in  defence  of  king  and  country.  Per- 
haps to  this  incident  in  his  early  life,  much  of  the  loyalty 
and  patriotism,  which  he  ever  afterwards  displayed,  may  be 
attributed.  When  the  danger  was  over,  his  warlike  weapons 
were  laid  aside,  and  at  21,  thanks  to  the  interest  taken  in 
him  by  Mr.  Wilson,  the  head  master — also  a  Cumber- 
land man — he  found  himself  an  assistant  master  at  the 
Grammar  School  of  Bolton-le-Moors,  engaged,  with  others, 
in  the  tuition  of  about  a  hundred  boys.  There  he  remained 
two  years,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  period,  accepted  the 
post  of  second  master  at  the  Grammar  School  of  Burnley, 
which  he  subsequently  exchanged  for  that  of  Clitheroe. 
Whilst  at  Clitheroe  he  conceived  the  idea  of  entering  the 
Church,  and  fighting  for  a  Heavenly,  as  he  had  once  been 
ready  to  fight  for  an  earthly.  King.  He  was  ordained  by 
Dr.  Law,  Bishop  of  Chester,  in  the  year  1817.  From 
Clitheroe  he  came  to  Colne,  and  for  some  time  kept  a 
school,  at  which  many  of  the  present  gentry  of  the  town 
and  neighbourhood  were  educated,  and  which  was  largely 
attended.  He  entered  on  the  curacy  of  Colne,  April  5th, 
1819;  and  when,  in  1821,  Mr.  Abbott  resigned  the  living,  Mr. 


COLNE    AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  169 

Henderson  was,  on  tlie  21st  of  November  in  that  year,  in 
compliance  with  the  expressed  wishes  of  some  of  the  prin- 
cipal parishioners,  licensed  as  perpetual  curate,  on  the 
nomination  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Whitaker.  On  his  first  appear- 
ance he  is  described  as  "a  fine  athletic  young  man,  well 
built,  and  with  hair  as  black  as  a  raven,"  a  description 
sounding  strange  to  many  who  know  him  only  by  his  bent 
form  and  snowy  locks.  In  1825  he  married,  at  Ormskirk 
Church,  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Thomas  Baldwin,  of 
Clitheroe,  and  by  this  lady,  who  died  November  29th,  1838, 
and  is  interred  in  the  chancel  of  Colne  Church,  had  five 
children,  viz.,  John,  James,  Leonard,  Thomas,  and  Elizabeth. 
Of  these  children,  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  died  in  infancy, 
James  when  comparatively  young,  and  John  in  middle  age. 
He  married  secondly,  in  1852,  Miss  Elizabeth  Marriott,  of 
Rochdale,  a  genial,  generous-hearted  lady,  who  will  long  be 
remembered  for  the  leading  part  she  took  in  every  good 
work  within  the  parish.  She  died  December  7th,  1868, 
without  issue,  and  was  interred  at  the  Cemetery,  Colne. 
In  1835  Mr.  Henderson  lost  his  father,  and  in  1847  his 
mother,  the  one  dying  at  the  age  of  80,  the  other  still 
older,  and  in  each  case  he  it  was  who  committed  their  bodies 
to  the  dust.  In  the  course  of  his  incumbency  Mr.  Henderson 
received  many  pleasing  tokens  of  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
his  parishioners,  notably  presents  of  a  watch,  a  set  of  robes, 
and  a  purse  of  100  guineas.  The  watch,  still  worn  and 
prized  by  Mr.  Henderson,  bears  the  following  inscription  : — 

'  Palmam  qui  meruit  ferat. 

Presented, 

with  a  Set  of  Robes, 

to  the  Revd.  J.  Henderson, 

Incumbent  of  Colne, 

by  his  Congregation, 

28th  June  1838.' 

Two  days  later  Mr.  Henderson  thus  feelingly  acknowledged 
the  receipt  of  the  gifts  : — 

'  Parsonage,  Colne,  30th  June,  1838. 
'  My  dear  Sir, —Often  has  it  been  my  lot  to  be  placed  in  situations  in 
which  I  felt  extreme  distrust  of  my  ability  to  acquit  myself  of  the  duty 
which  devolved  upon  me,  yet  I  assure  you,  without  the  slightest  affec- 


170  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OP 

tation  of  humility,  that  the  receipt  of  your  letter  and  its  elegant 
accompaniments,  impressed  me,  in  a  very  unusual  degree,  with  a  stme 
of  luy  insufficiency  to  give  utterance  to  the  sentiments  of  gratulation 
and  cordial  ttiank  ulness  excited  \>y  po  unequivocal  an  expression  of  the 
kind  regards  of  my  congregation,  whose  favour,  next  to  that  of  my 
Lord  and  Master,  I  most  anxiously  covet  and  highly  appreciate. 

'  .  .  .  Deeply  sensible  of  my  rnaaifold  defects  and  infirmities  I 
am  fully  conscious  that,  to  the  kindness  nf  my  frieu'ls,  rather  than  to 
any  merit  of  mine,  am  I  indebted  for  this  substantial  proof  of  their 
esteem. 

'  This,  as  you  know,  is  far  from  the  fir't  instance  of  their  substantial 
kindness  towards  me,  yet  there  are  associations  connected  with  this  of 
a  peculiarly  interesting  character. 

'  May  I  be  enabled  to  prove  myself  increasingly  worthy  of  their 
respect  and  esteem ;  and  may  the  preservation  of  these  eies^ant  and 
valuable  tokens  in  my  family  be  made  incentives  to  industy  and  rec- 
titude of  conduct  in  my  children  ! 

'  Should  it  please  God  to  grant  the  kind  wishes  of  my  congregation 
in  fitvouiing  me  with  long  life  and  happiness,  I  must  add  my  prayer 
that  He  will  be  p  eased  to  make  my  continuance  amongst  them  a 
spiritual  and  social  blessing.  My  heart's  desire  an!  prayer  is,  that  God 
may  bless  them  in  their  persons,  in  their  families,  in  their  substance,' 
and  above  all  in  their  souls  with  all  spiritual  bles-^ings  in  Christ 
Jesus !  .  .  .  .  Believe  me,  my  dear  sir,  your  much  obliged  friend 
and  servant,  '  J.  Henderson. 

'  Harry  Bolton,  Esq.' 

With  the  purse  was  also  the  following  address,  neatly  en- 
grossed on  parchment,  and  sii^ned,  on  behalf  of  the  subscribers, 
by  three  of  the  principal  members  of  the  congregation  : — 

'  To  the  Rev.  John  Henderson,  Incumbent  of  Colne. 

'  Reverend  and  very  dear  Sir, — It  is  with  fe^hngs  of  respect,  esteem, 
and,  allow  us  to  add,  of  affection,  that  we  wait  upon  you,  deputed  by  a  few 
of  your  congregation  and  other  friends,  to  present  to  you  a  small  token 
of  their  and  our  regard.  We  feel  that  from  us,  who  have  enjoyed  your 
friendship  during  so  many  years,  no  hns^thy  address  is  needed  to  assure 
you  of  our  warm  and  grateful  sense  of  your  public  usefulness  and  your 
private  worth,  during  a  residence  amongst  us  of  THtRTY-TWO  years  ;  but 
while  we  abstain,  from  motives  of  <ielicacy,  from  pressing  upon  your  own 
notice,  the  many  causes  we  have  to  esteem  you,  we  yet  cannot  quite 
refrain  from  glancing  at  the  permanent  service  you  have  rendered  to  the 
chapelry  of  Colne,  by  your  valuable  and  active  as-sis^ance,  in  promoting 
the  building  and  endowment  of  churches  and  schools,  to  supply  the 
spiritual  and  educational  wants  of  uur  lar^e  and  increa>ing  population. 
You  have,  undi-r  the  providence  of  (lod,  been  in  a  large  measure  the 
means  of  having  foob  additional  churches  erected  in  the  chapelry,  and 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  171 

thus  of  extending  the  sound  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  to  thoupands,  who, 
iii  all  human  probaldlity,  would  otherwise  never  have  been  blessed  with 
participating  in  the  ministrations  of  our  pure  and  refoimed  branch  of 
the  f'hurch  ;  and  (as  enlightenment  and  education  ever  follow  in  the 
train  of  the  Church  of  England)  you  have  been  instrumental  in  the 
building  of  seven  day  and  Sunday  schools,  affording  to  all,  the  poorest, 
th«  opport  inity  of  having  their  little  ones  trained  up  in  habits  of 
reh'gion,  of  thought,  of  order,  and  of  discipline,  and  of  putting  the  young 
of  succeeding  generations  into  the  way  of  success  in  this  life  and  of 
happiness  in  the  next.  For  all  these  means  of  dispelling  the  darkness 
of  epiritnal  and  mental  ignorance,  we  are  in  great  measure  indebted  to 
yoi.  ;  and  we  do  think  that  even  already  we  can  trace  the  effects  of  your 
efforts  in  the  increai-ed  peacefulness,  civilisation,  good  behaviour,  and. 
orderly  conduct  of  the  lower  classes  in  this  extensive  chapelry  ;  while 
we  trust  that,  through  the  blessing  of  God  on  the  operation  of  the  means 
you  have  had  a  large  shure  in  providing,  many  have  been,  and  many  will 
be,  gathered  into  the  church  triumphant  in  heaven. 

*  While  we  thus  shortly  advert  to  the  services  you  have  rendered  to 
your  chapeliy  at  large — or  indeed  we  may  say  to  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land—  sve  should  wish  never  to  forget  the  ad  van' ages  we  have  enjoyed 
under  your  personal  ministry  ;  whilst  you  have  uniformly  exercised 
yourself  in  acts  <if  kindieps  and  compassion  (not  only  when  y.'ur  energies 
have  been  taxed  t>>  obtain  relief  for  suffering  thousands  during  particular 
B'  asons  of  distress),  but  at  all  times  and  in  all  places.  You  bave  always 
laboured  rightly  to  divine  the  word  of  truth  in  your  public  teaching. 
You  have  given  con^<tant  relief  to  all  necessities.  You  have  always  beea 
ready  with  all  faithful  diligence  to  use  both  public  and  private 
monitions  and  exhortations,  as  well  to  the  sick,  as  to  the  whole.  You 
have  afforded  at  all  times  advice  to  free  every  one  that  came  to  consult 
you  from  their  difficulties,  and  you  have  ever  been  ready  to  pour  balm 
into  the  wounded  conscience,  speaking  consolation  to  those  under  the 
distresses  of  body  and  soul,  whilst  at  the  same  time  you  never  hesitated 
to  rel'uke  an,  or  to  expose  error.  And  you  have  ever  exhibited  in  jour 
own  person,  character,  and  c  'Uduct,  a  wholesome  example  of  the  life  of 
one  who  himself  realised  the  precious  truths  which  he  taught. 

'  In  conclusion,  sir,  as  we  respect  your  sacred  office,  and  esteem  you  for 
your  conduct  in  it,  so  we  love  you  as  a  man,  and  we  regard  you  with 
affection  as  a  friend — a  tried  and  sure  friend.  We  desire  to  express  our 
sympathy  with  you,  suffering  somewhat  under  the  afflicting  hand  of  our 
Almighty  Father,  but  trusting  that  it  may  please  Him  to  make  your 
illness  of  no  long  continuance,  and  to  restore  you  to  us  in  your  usual 
health  and  vigour,  and  to  spare  you  to  us  for  many,  many  years  yet  to 
come,  to  fulfil,  as  you  have  always  done,  the  character  of  a  faithful 
priect,  «  wise  adviser,  and  a  kind  friend.  "We  commend  you  into  the 
hands  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  into  the  hands  of  a  faithful  Creator,  and  most 
merciful  Saviour,  the  Chief  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  our  souls.  The 
Lord  lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  thee  peace  now  and 
evermore.     Amen.' 


172  AN'XALS    AND    STORIES    OP 

The  wish  for  a  long  life  has  indeed  been  realised.  Not  only 
did  John  Henderson  hold  the  living  a  longer  period  than  any 
known  predecessor,  but  he  has  already  lived  to  be  the  oldest 
known  incumbent ;  for  whilst  John  Horrocks  and  Roger 
Wilson  were  77  at  the  time  of  death,  and  Roger  Blakey 
living  at  82,  he,  on  his  resignation  of  the  liviog  in  June, 
1876,  had  attained  the  ripe  age  of  84.  At  times,  especially 
during  the  earlier  portion  of  his  ministry,  he  encountered 
opposition  where  he  had  hoped  for  peace,  but  leading  a 
blameless  life,  he  gt-adually  outlived  it ;  and  when,  on  the 
11th  of  April,  1869,  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  incum- 
bency came  round,  all  classes  united  to  do  him  honour. 
"  Such,"  observed  a  correspondent  in  one  of  the  public 
prints,  "  has  been  his  undeviating  consistency  as  a  Christian 
minister  for  this  long  period  of  time,  and  his  kindly  bearing 
towai'ds  all  classes  of  men  in  the  town,  that  as  soon  as  it 
became  known  that  Sunday,  the  11th  instant,  was  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  his  services,  a  wish  sprang  up  uni- 
versally that  some  notice  shoiild  be  taken  of  the  event. 
After  some  consultation  among  a  few  of  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation,  it  was  decided  to  celebrate  it  by 
holding  a  special  religious  service  on  that  day,  to  be  followed 
by  a  social  tea  gathering  and  meeting  on  the  following 
evening.  Announcements  were  accordingly  made  to  that 
effect,  and  the  result  was  that  on  Sunday  afternoon  last  the 
venerable  old  church  at  Colne  was  filled  to  overflowing  with 
all  classes  of  men,  young  and  old,  rich  and  poor.  Conformist 
and  Nonconformist,  silently  paying,  by  their  attendance,  that 
tribute  of  respect  which  they  felt  to  be  due  to  him  whose 
jubilee  they  had  met  to  commemorate.  An  appropriate 
discourse  was  delivered  on  the  occasion  by  the  Rev.  E. 
Dyson,  from  Genesis  xliii.,  27,  '  Is  your  father  well,  the  old 
man  of  whom  ye  spake?  Is  he  yet  alive'!'  Several  well- 
known  hymns  were  sung,  and  the  impressive  character  of 
the  circumstances  attending  it  will  not  easily  be  forgotten 
by  those  who  took  part  in  it."  At  the  tea-party  and  meet- 
ing, held  in  the  National  Schoolroom,  Blascomay,  many 
persons  were  present.  Perhaps  no  more  appropriate  method 
of  celebrating  the  event  could  have  been  devised,  for  at  these 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD,  173 

•social  gatherings  of  his  parishioners  he  had,  for  years,  taken 
a  leading  part.  In  the  amusements  of  his  Sunday  scholars 
he  always  took  the  warmest  interest,  and  at  many  a  happy 
school  gathering  his  revolving  kites  caused  the  greatest 
delight  among  the  younger  children.  Kite-making,  it  may 
be  mentioned,  was  a  forte  of  his;  and  when,  in  1856,  the 
Alliance  Bazaar  was  held  at  Manchester,  and  Colne  forwarded 
its  contribution,  in  the  shape  of  a  stall  full  of  goods,  Colne's 
incumbent  sent  by  way  of  gift — not  a  Bible,  not  a  Prayer- 
Book — but  13  windmill  kites,  made  by  his  own  hands. 

Spending  the  evening  of  his  days  in  a  well-earned  retire- 
ment, it  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  mention  work  done, 
other  than  that  alluded  to  in  the  address  of  1851.  During 
his  long  incumbency  he  married,  in  his  church,  1,671  couples, 
and  buried  at  the  church  and  cemetery  3,041  persons.  The 
last  funeral  at  which  he  officiated  was  that  of  a  baby  of  seven 
weeks  old,  named  Smith,  interred  at  the  cemetery,  June 
30th,  1868,  and  by  a  curious  coincidence,  the  last  funeral  he 
took  at  the  chui'ch  was  also  that  of  a  Smith.  His  resigna- 
tion of  the  living,  owing  to  failing  health,  is  an  event  of  too 
recent  occurrence  to  need  more  than  a  passing  mention  ;  but 
the  clergyman  who  has  united  in  holy  wedlock  so  many  of 
his  parishioners — held,  as  babes,  in  his  arms  at  baptism  many 
now  in  the  prime  of  manhood — who  was  ever  ready  with  a 
word  of  consolation,  after  he  had  read  the  beautiful  burial 
service  over  some  near  and  dear  one  laid  to  rest, — who, 
having  carefully  adjusted  his  spectacles,  and  taken  a  pinch 
of  suuff,  slowly,  and  with  emphasis,  loved  to  deliver  some 
plain  Gospel  sermon,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  And  in  the 
old  church,  memorials  of  his  incumbency  are  not  wanting,  for, 
in  its  east  window,  that  church  possesses  a  lasting  memento 
of  the  old  man  who,  in  his  Bishop's  words,  "piously  and 
patiently  ruled  here." 

WILLIAM   CLIFFORD,  M.A. 

A  native  of  Gloucestershire,  educated  at  King  Edward's 
School,  Birmingham,  under  the  Rev.  Dr.  GifFord,  where,  in 
1862,  he  gained  the  Milward  Scholarship.      Subsequently 


174  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OF 

of  Brasenose  College,  Oxford ;  elected  an  Exhibitioner 
on  the  Hulme  Foundation  in  1866  ;  graduated  B.A.  1866  ; 
M.A.  1869  ;  ordained  deacon  by  Dr.  Philpott,  Bishop  of 
Worcester,  at  Pershore  Abbey  Church,  on  Trinity  Sunday, 
1867,  being,  as  first  Deacon,  gospeller  on  that  occasion,  and 
priest,  at  Worcester  Cathedral  in  the  Lent  following.  Held  the 
curacy  of  Evesham,  Gloucestershire,  from  1867  to  1869 
(inclusive),  and  has  also,  since  his  ordination,  served  in  the 
parishes  of  St.  Clement,  Oxford;  St.  Nicholas,  Worcester; 
Market  Harborough  ;  St.  Mary,  Leicester;  and  Charlton 
(sole  charge).^  In  June,  1871,  Mr.  Clifford  was  unanimously 
elected  head  master  of  Prince  Edward's  Grammar  School, 
Evesham,  an  appointment  which  he  resigned  in  1873,  on 
being  elected  organising  secretary  of  the  Additional  Curates 
Aid  Society  in  the  South  Western  District. 

Such  the  antecedents  of  the  gentleman  on  whom,  on 
the  resignation  of  Mr.  Henderson,  in  June,  1876,  the  choice 
of  the  Hulmeian  Trustees,  as  patrons  of  the  living,  fell. 
Instituted  on  the  14th  November,  1876,  he  was,  on 
Saturday  afternoon,  January  6th,  1877,  inducted  by  the 
Lord  Bishop  of  Manchester  in  person,  in  the  presence  of 
the  aged  ex-Rector  and  a  large  congregation.  On  the 
following  morning  the  new  Rector  read  himself  in  ;  at  night, 
preached  his  first  sermon,  from  Acts  iv.,  12;  and  at  a  tea- 
party,  held  in  his  honour  in  the  Cloth  Hall,  on  the  following 
evening,  announced  to  the  assembled  parishioners  that  he, 
and  they  who  had  come  with  him,  had  come  to  spend  their 
strength  and  lives  amongst  them. 

'Published  TestimoniaJs. 


COLNE    AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  175 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FAMILIAR      SPOTS. 

'And  gave  their  bones  in  trust 
To  this  loved  cemetery,  here  to  lodge.' — Wordb worth. 

ADJOINING  the  churchyard  is  the  Grammar  School,  a 
plain  but  substantial  building,  erected  by  public  sub- 
scription in  the  year  1812.  Previous  to  its  erection,  there 
stood  on  the  same  site  a  somewhat  dilap  dated  building, 
having  no  pn  tensions  to  architectural  beauty,  supported  on 
crooks,  and  interesting  only  from  the  circumstance  that  a 
great  and  good  man  once  received  his  early  education  within 
its  walls.  I  allude  to  Dr.  John  Tillotson,  a  man  who  rose 
from  comparative  obscurity  to  the  highest  eminence,  and 
the  story  of  whose  life  is  a  deeply  interesting  one.  Little  is 
known  as  to  his  infancy  and  boyhood,  but  it  would  seem 
that  one  day,  about  the  year  1640,  his  mother,  who  had 
married  a  tailor  at  Sowerl)y  Bridge,  brouglit  her  little  son 
over  to  Culne,  for  the  douhle  purpose  of  change  of  air  and 
scenery  and  receiving  his  first  lessons  within  the  walls  of 
its  Grammar  School.  D()ul>tless,  too,  as  he  had  relatives  in 
Pendle  Forest,  she  would  wish  him  to  be  near  them,  for  the 
lad  was  liable  to  fainting  fits,  and  of  a  somewhat  weakly 
constitution.  The  nature  and  duration  of  his  studies  here 
are  alike  forgotten.  After  leaving  Colne,  he  passed  through 
other  and  larger  schools,  and  in  his  seventeenth  year  was 
sent  to  college.  His  alter-life  was  one  brilliant  success,  and 
the  little  schoolboy  who  had,  doubtless,  often  pondered  over 
his  books  in  some  quiet  nook,  whilst  the  rest  of  his  school- 
fellows played  at  marbles  in  the  churchyard,  lived  to  become 
the  trusted  friend  of  two  of  our  English  Sovereigns,  and  died 
Archbishop   of   Canterbury,  and  Primate   of  all   England. 


176  ANNALS    AND    STORIES    OF 

Throughout  his  active  and  useful  life  he  preserved  that 
modesty  which  characterised  him  in  his  youth,  and  it  is 
recorded  of  him  that  he  collected  all  the  libels  published 
against  him  (and  they  were  not  a  few),  and,  wrapping  them 
up  in  a  bundle,  wrote  on  the  outside,  "  I  pray  God  forgive 
the  authors  of  them ;  I  do."  Even  gay  and  thoughtless 
Charles  II.  respected  him,  for  he  once  offered  him  a 
bishopric.  William  III.  had  still  warmer  feelings  towards 
him,  for  he  frequently  declared  "he  was  the  best  man 
whom  he  ever  knew,  and  the  best  friend  whom  be  ever 
had;"  and  Queen  Mary,  usually  so  cold  and  impassive,  on 
hearing  of  his  death,  spoke  tenderly  and  tearfully  of  him. 
And  yet,  though  basking  in  the  sunshine  of  royalty,  he  who 
commenced  life  a  poor  boy,  ended  it  a  poor  man,  for  his 
charity  was  so  unbounded,  that,  had  not  a  copy  of  his 
posthumous  sermons  soli  for  <£2,500,  his  debts  must  have 
been  unpaid,  and  his  family  unprovided  for.  Serenely  and 
calmly,  and  thanking  God  in  broken  words  that  he  was 
quiet  within,  he  entered  into  rest  on  the  22nd  of  November, 
1694,  and  was  interred  in  the  Church  of  Saint  Lawrence 
Jewry,  London,  on  the  30th  of  that  month.  "  The  sorrow 
for  his  death,"  wrote  his  biographer.  Birch,  "  was  more 
universal  than  was  ever  known  for  a  subject,  and  at  his 
funeral  there  was  a  numerous  train  of  coaches,  filled  with 
persons  of  rank  and  condition."  And  so,  reverently  and 
tearfully,  they  laid  aside,  at  the  age  of  65,  the  good  Arch- 
bishop with  whom  Colne  streets  and  Colne  hills  must  have 
been  familiar  sights,  and  though  Halifax  fittingly  honours 
Ills  memory  by  inscribing  his  name  in  golden  letters  on  the 
walls  of  its  fine  old  Parish  Church,  not  a  line,  not  a  vestige 
of  anything,  in  our  Grammar  School,  reminds  the  scholars  of 
him  to  whom  it  owes  what  fame  it  possesses ! 

Some  forty  years  after  the  future  Archbishop  had  left 
Colne,  the  Grammar  School  received  yet  another  pupil  des- 
tined to  rise  to  some  eminence.  This  was  Richard  Baldwin, 
bom  in  1672,  and  a  son  of  James  Baldwin,  of  Park  Hill, 
Barrowford.  Unfortunately,  his  career  here  was  brought  to 
a  somewhat  premature  close,  for,  in  a  boyish  quarrel,  he  is 
said  to  have  inflicted  a  mortal  blow  on  one  of  his  school- 


OOliNE  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  177 

fellows,  in  consequence  of  which  he  fled  to  Ireland.  He 
shortly  afterwards  entered  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  and  after 
rising  through  various  minor  offices,  was,  in  1717,  elected 
provost  of  his  college.  He  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and, 
dying  in  1758,  bequeathed  much  wealth  to  his  college,  and 
lies  buried  in  its  chapel,  with  a  Latin  inscription  recording 
his  honours  on  his  gravestone. 

There  is  little  to  say  with  respect  to  the  school  itself.  Its 
origin  is  unknown,  and  the  first  extant  record  in  which  it  is 
mentioned,  as  already  existing,  is  the  will  of  TJwmas  Blakey^ 
of  which  the  following  is  an  extract : — 

'  In  the  Name  of  God,  Amen.  This  16th  day  of  February  in  the  third 
year  of  the  Reign  of  Our  Sovereign  Lord  James  the  Second,  by  the 
Grace  of  God,  King  of  England,  Scotland,  France,  and  Ireland,  Defender 
of  the  Faith,  &c.,  Anno  Domini  1687.  I,  Thomas  Blakey,  of  Little 
Maraden  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  Gentleman,  being  sick  and  infirm 
of  body,  yet  of  sound  and  perfect  memory,  (praised  be  God)  knowing 
the  Certainty  of  Death,  and  the  Uncertainty  of  the  Time  thereof,  and 
that  all  flesh  must  yield  unto  Death  whenever  it  pleaseth  God,  do  make, 

publish,  and  declare  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament 

And  first,  and  principally,  I  give  my  Soul  to  God  my  Maker,  trusting 
through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  my  Redeemer,  to  have  full  pardon 
for  all  my  sins,  and  my  Body  I  commit  to  Christian  Burial  in  such  a 
decent  manner  as  my  Executrix  hereinafter  named  shall  think  fit.  .  . 
And  £is  touching  my  worldly  estate,  I  dispose  of  the  same  as  follows  : — 
It  is  my  Will  and  Mind,  and  I  hereby  bequeath  y«  use,  increase,  and 
interest  of  Twenty  pounds  for  the  benefit,  advantage,  maintenance,  and 
education  of  four  poor  children  to  be  taught  at  the,  Grammar  School  in 

Colne Also  it  is  my  Will  and  Mind  that  after  the  death 

of  Eliz.  Blakey,  my  said  Feoffees  shall  be  seized  of  Forty  j)0und3  to  the 
use  of  four  poor  scholars,  such  as  the  said  Feofiees  shall  think  fit  to  be 
taught  at  the  Grammar  School  of  Colne,  for  ever.' 

The  use  of  the  definite  article  clearly  proves  the  school 
to  have  been  founded  at  the  date  of  this  will.  There 
is,  however,  a  much  earlier  reference  to  a  Grammar  School 
here,  it  being  recorded  that  on  February  4th,  1577,  John 
Ingham,  of  Whalley,  granted  to  Richard  Towneley,  Esq.,  and 
others,  a  rent  of  £3  out  of  a  messuage,  called  "  Alfrethes,"  in 
Famhara,  Essex,  which  had  been  assured  by  him  for  that 
purpose  by  Sir  Richard  Ingham,  clerk,  his  uncle,  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  Free  Grammar  School  at  Burnley,  or  Colne, 

M 


178  ANNALS   AND    STORIES   OF 

for  ever.^  It  does  not  appear  that  Colne  benefited  by  this 
provision.  The  Wase  MSS.- — a  likely  source  of  information — 
are  silent,  not  only  as  to  the  date  of  foundation,  but  also  as 
to  the  school  itself;  nor  does  the  oldest  muniment,  a  purchase 
deed  of  1726,  throw  light  either  upon  the  constitution  of  the 
school,  or  upon  the  nature  and  value  of  the  property  which 
it  then  possessed.  Its  benefactors  have  not  been  numerous, 
nor  has  the  amount  of  their  benefactions  been  large. 

In  1716,  John  Smith,  of  Barrowford,  left  the  schoolmaster 
the  interest  on  £20,  and  also  a  like  sum  to  the  poor  of  Colne. 
But  difficulties  arose  in  the  realisation  of  these  legacies,  and 
in  a  letter,  dated  Colne,  17th  May,  1720,  addressed  to  the 
Loi'd  Bishop  of  Chester,  Mr.  Barlow,  Incumbent  of  Colne, 
informed  his  lordship,  that  John  Smith's  executor,  not  being 
over  honest,  declared  he  could  only  pay  <£10  to  the  school 
and  poor,  and,  accordingly,  a  lawsuit  had  been  instituted, 
which  resulted  in  the  school  and  poor  each  receiving  <£5.^ 

The  school  property  is,  at  the  present  day,  of  trifling  value 
and  extent,  consisting  only  of  a  farm,  at  Earby,  seven  acres  in 
extent,  purchased  in  1726,  pursuant  to  a  power  in  the  will, 
with  Blakey's  donation  of  .£40 ;  a  rent-charge  of  £3  per 
annum  on  Dauber's  farm,  in  Foulridge,  charged  thereon  by 
John  Milner,  in  1713;  the  letting  value  (estimated  at  £5 
per  annum)  of  a  cottage,  in  Colne,  given,  in  1861,  by  His 
Grace  the  Duke  of  Buccleuch,  lord  of  the  manor ;  and  the 
interest  on  £133  consols;  making  for  the  master  a  total 
annual  income  of  £20  gross,  £19  net.^ 

The  right  of  nomination  to  the  mastership,  appears,  at 
times,  to  have  been  exercised  by  the  minister  and  church- 
wardens alone  ;  at  other  times,  by  them  in  conjunction  with 
the  inhabitants  in  vestry  assembled.  Of  the  masters,  James 
Baldivin  is,  perhaps,  the  only  one  known  to  fame.^     He  lived 

1  Canon  Raines  in  Notitia  Cestriensis. 

*  Digest  of  Commissioner  Bryce's  Report  of  1869. 

'  '  I  regret  I  can  give  no  account  of  this  learned  Theban,  who  appears  to  have 
stayed  the  plague,  and  who  taught  in  the  school  in  which  Archbishop  Tillotson 
was  afterwards  educated.  He  well  deserved  his  capon.  Had  he  continued  at 
Colne  up  to  the  time  of  this  trial'  [viz.,  that  of  Anne  Whittle,  at  Lancaster, 
A.D.  1612]  'he  might,  perhaps,  on  the  same  easy  terms,  have  kept  the  powers  of 
darkness  In  check,  and  prevented  some  imputed  crimes  which  cost  ten  unf  ortunat-es 
their  lives.' — PotU's  JHscoverie  of  Witches,    Note  by  Mr.  Crossley,  F.8.A.,  p.  21. 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  179 

when  witches  flourished,  and,  by  his  learning,  is  alleged  to 
have  prevented  a  reputed  witch,  of  this  neighbourhood, 
known  as  Lomeskaw's  Wife,  from  killing  a  person  named 
Eedfearne,  in  return  for  which  great  service,  Redfcarne  pre- 
sented him  a  capon.  In  the  year  1706,  the  Vicar  of  Whalley 
addressed  to  the  Bishop  of  Chester,  a  letter  which  throws 
considerable  light  on  the  history  of  the  school  at  this  period. 
It  is  as  follows  : — 

'  My  good  Lord, — I  have  been  much  importuned  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Colne  to  write  y'  Lordshipp  in  behalf  of  this  bearer,  Wm.  Jackson, 
whom  the  best  Judges  of  learning  (and  there  are  some  of  note  in  that 
Chappellry),  commend  as  a  fit  person  to  teach  school  among  them. 
There  is  one  Henry  Suikliflfe,  an  inhabitant  among  them,  who,  without 
acquainting  the  greater  and  better  part  of  the  Chappellry,  has  obtained 
a  License  from  y'  Lordshipp  to  teach  a  Grammar  School,  though,  as 
I  am  credibly  informed,  he  is  wholly  incapable,  and  would  not  undergoe 
the  test  of  being  examined  by  me,  as  was  offered  to  him  by  the  gentlemen. 
The  best  reason  for  his  being  schoolmaster  is  his  numerous  family,  and 
those  of  the  Inhabitants  who  have  no  children  to  be  instructed,  urge 
the  danger  of  his  becoming  burdensome  to  y*  place,  if  turned  out  of 
the  school,  but  as  there  is  little  or  no  endowment,  and  the  Gentlemen 
will  assure  this  bearer  20"*  per  annum,  I  therefore  humbly  beg 
y  Lordship  will  be  so  favourable  to  them  as  to  withdraw  Suikliffe'a 
License,  and  give  this  bearer  one,  and  y"'  Lordshipp  will  infinitely 
obhge  the  Inhabitants  of  Colne,  Almost  in  General!,  and  particularly 
*y  Lordshipp's  most  dutifull  and  obedient  servant, 

'Whalley,  June  y*  6th,  1706.^  'James  Matthews.' 

Sometimes,  it  seems,  a  long  period  intervened  between  the 
death  or  resignation  of  one  master,  and  the  appointment  of 
another.  An  instance  occurs  in  1741,  in  which  year,  the  prin- 
cipal inhabitants,  anxious  for  another  appointment,  presented 
a  memorial  to  their  bishop,  couched  in  the  following  terms  : — 

*  To  the  Right  Reverend  flfather  in  God,  Samuel,  Lord  Bishop  of 
Chester. 

'Whereas  the  School  of  Colne,  in  the  Diocese  of  Chester,  is  now 
vacant,  the  late  master,  John  Thornton,  having  left  the  said  school  nine 
mouths  ago,  and  resideth  and  teacheth  a  school  now,  or  late  did,  at 
Chappell  Town,  near  Leeds,  in  the  county  of  York. 

'  And  whereas  the  Town  and  Country,  in  and  about  Colne  aforesaid,  is 
very  populous,  and  many  ffamiiys  whose  circumstances  will  not  permitt 
them  to  send  their  children  abroad  far  Education,  put  togreat  inconvenience 
for  want  of  a  master  at  the  school  in  the  said  Town  of  Colne. 

^  Fapera  at  Cheater. 


Chapel  Wardens 

of 

Colne. 


180  ANNALS  AND   STORIES   OF 

'  Therefore  we  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  being  the  Chapel 
Wardens  and  principall  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Town  and  Chapelry  of 
Colne,  have  nominated  and  appointed  the  bearer,  Thomas  Greenwood, 
to  be  master  of  the  said  school,  whose  Character  and  Abihties  we 
approve  off  and  recommend  him  to  your  Lordship  to  be  Licensed  to  the 
said  school. 

John  Hanson. 

James  Crook. 

James  Robinson, 
his 

Jna      X     Spencer, 
mark. 

Henry  Brigg. 

John  Midgley. 

H.  Walton. 

Tho.  Parker. 

James  ffoulds. 

Jna  Gamett. 

Rob*  Jackson. 

Roger  Hartley. 

Will"'  Sagar. 

Lawrence  Manknolls. 

Ja'  Ridehalgh. 

John  Pearson. 

William  Barcroft.' 
Not  far  from  the  Grammar  School  stands  the  Fiece,  or 
Cloth  Hall^  as  it  is  now  generally  styled.  The  original 
intention  of  the  promoters  was  to  build  at  the  junction  of 
Market  Street  and  Parliament  Street,  but  the  idea  was 
abandoned  in  consequence  of  the  generous  offer  of  Mr. 
Walton,  of  Marsden  Hall,  to  give  the  present  site.  The 
date  and  architect  of  this  building  have  been  already  men- 
tioned. It  is  in  the  Tuscan  style  of  architecture,  and  is  54 
yards  long,  by  14  wide.  It  was  originally  intended  as  a 
place  of  sale  for  worsted  goods,  similar  to  the  halls  of  Brad- 
ford and  Leeds,  and  until  the  decline  of  the  worsted  trade, 
was  used  regularly  every  Wednesday  for  that  purpose.  On 
its  completion  the  shareholders  erected  a  tablet  in  the  interior 
bearing  the  following  inscription  : — 

*  To  Banastre  Walton,  Esq.,  of  Marsden,  for  his  voluntary  gift  of  the 
ground  whereon  this  Hall  was  erected  in  the  year  1775,  this  stone  is 
gratefully  inscribed  by  the  Proprietors.' 

The  first  floor  was  one  large  room,  fitted  up  with  190  stands 
or  stalls,  each  shareholder  occupying  one  for  the  sale  of  his 


COLNH  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  181 

goods.  The  following  chronicle  of  the  most  remarkable 
events  -which  took  place  there  during  the  first  half  of  the 
present  century,  may,  perhaps,  not  be  without  its  interest,  as 
showing  at  a  glance  the  endless  variety  of  purposes  to  which 
this  useful  building  has  been  applied  : — 

1807.  The  first  fair  held  in  the  lower  room. 

1810.  The  Independents  occupied  the  Hall  for  service. 

1812.  The  Rev.  Philip  Abbott  occupied  the  Hall  as  a  school. 

1814.  A  Theatrical  Company  gave  performances  here. 

1815.  The  congregation  of  Colne  Church  held  services  during  repairs  of 

the  church. 
1817.  The  Methodist  New  Connexion  occupied  the  HalL 
1820.  A  second  Theatrical  Company  took  the  Hall. 
1823.  The  first  meeting  of  the  Colne  Bible  Society  took  place  on  Oct  7th. 
1825.  The  Baptists  used  the  Hall  for  service. 

1828.  John  Winterbottom  and  a  secession  from  the  Inghamites  held 

service  here. 
„      October  20. — A  grand  Musical  Festival.   An  Oratorio  performed  in 

the  morning.  In  the  evening,  a  Miscellaneous  Concert  and  a  Ball. 
„      October  21. — A  large  meeting  of  the  Bible  Society  took   place, 

during  which  an  alarm  was  raised  that  the  Hall  was  giving  way. 

Fearful  excitement  prevailed,  but  happily  no  accident  occurred. 

1829.  A  Bazaar  held  to  liquidate  the  debt  on  the  Independent  Chapel. 
„      April. — The  first  Temperance  Meeting  held  in  the  Hall. 

1832.  The  Reform  Festival  held.  In  the  morning  several  hundred 
persons  were  each  presented  with  a  pound  of  beef,  and  in  the 
afternoon  (after  a  grand  procession  through  the  town)  700 
dined  oflf  roast  beef  and  plum  pudding. 

1835.  The  Hall  occupied  by  the  Temperance  Society  twice  a  week  for  a 
a  year,  crowded  every  night,  and  again  next  year. 

1838.  All  the  Sunday  Scholars  in  the  town  regaled  in  the  Hall  in  cele- 
bration of  the  Queen's  Coronation,  a  custom  also  observed  at 
the  Coronations  of  George  IV.  and  William  IV. 

1840.  Portion  of  the  Hall  converted  into  Barracks,  on  which  occasion 
General  Sir  Charles  Napier  visited  Colne. 

1847.  Messrs.  Critchley,  Armstrong,  and  Co.  gave  a  grand  dinner  to  the 
weavers  in,  and  around  Colne,  to  celebrate  the  repeal  of  the 
Corn  Laws. 

Its  bad  approach  will  ever  be  a  drawback ;  but,  as  some 
compensation,  considerable  improvements  have  in  the  last 
few  years  been  effected,  in  the  interior ;  the  result  being  that 
Colne  now  possesses  a  spacious  room  for  concerts  and  other 
purposes,  of  which  it  has  every  reason  to  be  satisfied,  and 
which  is  sometimes  dignified  by  the  title  of  **  The  Assembly 
Eoom." 


182  ANXALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

The  Iron  School,  situate  in  Railway  Street,  is  a  long  one- 
storied  erection  of  corrugated  iron,  carrying  on  its  gable  a 
little  beU  turret,  with  a  main  entrance  by  a  porch  at  the 
side.  In  an  interesting  paper,  entitled,  "  A  House  that  Beats 
the  Public-house"  published  some  years  ago  in  the  Sunday 
Magazine,  the  Rev.  T.  B.  Stephenson,  gives  the  following 
account  of  its  origin  : — 

*In  the  year  1861,  Mr.  Robert  Wildman,  manager  of  the  Craven 
Bank  at  Colne,  was  a  Teacher  in  the  Wesleyan  Sunday  school  of  that 
Town.  On  a  winter  evening,  as  he  passed  one  of  the  public-houses,  he 
saw,  issuing  thence,  a  number  of  youths  from  sixteen  to  twenty  years 
old,  and  as  the  gas  shed  its  light  on  their  faces,  flushed  with  drink, 
he  recognised  some  of  his  old  pupils  in  the  Methodist  Sabbath  school. 
"This,  then,"  thought  he,  "is  what  becomes  of  our  Sunday  scholars." 
The  more  he  inquired  and  thought  on  the  matter,  the  more  shocking 
became  his  discoveries,  and  the  more  painful  the  convictions  to  which 
he  was  driven.  In  the  dancing-room,  the  low  confectionery  shop,  and 
the  beer-house,  were  to  be  found  those  who,  lately  Sunday  scholars, 
should  have  risen  through  the  school  into  the  church.  Could  not  this 
be  corrected  ?  The  best  preventive  would  undoubtedly  have  been 
religion.  If  only  these  youths  had  been  converted,  their  religious 
decision  would,  of  course,  have  repelled  these  temptations.  But,  seeing 
that  they  were  not  devoted  to  Christ,  could  nothing  be  devised  which 
would  rival  the  attractions  of  the  public-house,  which  would  keep  these 
young  men  under  the  influence  of  their  Sunday  school  friends,  and  lead 
eventually  to  a  thorough  conversion  ?  Mr,  Wildman  was  conducting  a 
week  evening  "  Improvement  Class  for  Young  Men."  His  first 
attempt  to  realise  his  idea  was  by  widening  the  circle  of  this  class ; 
but  he  found  that  just  in  proportion  to  the  young  men's  need  of 
amendment  was  their  prejudice  against  a  meeting  held  on  the  premises 
of  a  place  of  worship.  They  would  not  come  to  a  vestry,  but  they 
would  go  to  some  neutral  room.  One  was  hired  over  a  donkey-stable,  the 
rent  required  being  sixpence  a  week.  The  young  men  of  Mr.  Wildman's 
class  scrubbed  the  floor,  whitewashed  the  walls,  and  made  the  place  as 
nice  as  possible.  When  the  door  was  opened  on  the  first  evening, 
"  there  rushed  into  the  room  about  a  dozen  of  the  kind  of  youths  "  our 
friend  wished  to  attract.  He  tried  to  explain  to  them  that  he  wished 
to  be  their  friend,  and  sought  their  confidence.  "  He  announced  that, 
while  he  and  his  friends  ofiered  instruction  in  writing,  reading,  and 
accounts,  as  an  inducement  to  gain  their  attendance,  the  ultimate  aim 
was  their  spiritual  advantage,  which  alone  he  judged  to  be  real  and 
abiding.  He  also  stated  that  they  had  no  intention  of  offensively 
forcing  the  subject  of  religion  upon  them,  and  that  the  school  was 
entirely  undenominational."  The  attempt  was  successful ;  the  school 
grew  till  three  successive  removals  into  larger  premises  had  failed  to 
accommodate  the  still  increasing  attendance  ;  and  then  this  iron  build- 
ing, in  which  the  Institution  has  its  present  home,  was  specially  erected 
for  the  purpose.' 


COLNB  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  183 

Mr.  Stephenson  then  enters  into  particulars  with  respect 
to  its  internal  arrangement,  which  it  would  be  useless  here 
to  repeat,  and  concludes  with  the  following  words  ; — ■ 

'  Then  the  school  is  Mr.  Wildman's  "  hobby."  He  devotes  himself 
to  it  with  a  zeal  only  equalled  by  that  of  his  wife.  A  very  blessed 
hobby  it  ia  ;  and  wherever  any  great  movement  is  carried  on  successfully, 
it  is  because  some  one  or  more  men  think,  dream,  and  pray  about  it 
every  day  and  every  night,  which,  I  suppose,  is  making  it  their  "  hobby." 

0  for  more  such  "  hobbies  "  and  "  hobby-riders  ! "  ' 

The  Cemetery,  situate  at  the  extreme  east  end  of  the  town, 
is  undoubtedly  one  of  its  chief  ornaments,  and  was  conse- 
crated by  Dr.  Lee,  the  late  Bishop  of  Manchester,  on  the 
7th  of  September,  1860.  Messrs.  Pritchett  and  Sons,  of 
Darlington,  were  the  architects  employed,  and  the  entire  cost 
of  the  site,  buildings,  and  ornamentation  of  the  grounds, 
amounted  to  about  .£4,000.  James  Stuttard,  of  Windy 
Bank,  at  whose  funeral  Mr.  Henderson  officiated,  was  the 
first  person  interred,  and  up  to  the  present  time  (Nov.  2nd) 
1,848  interments  have  taken  place,  997  in  consecrated 
ground,  and  851  in  the  unconsecrated  portion.  Numerous 
instances  occur  in  which  the  age  of  the  dead  has  ranged 
from  80  to  85,  and,  in  three  cases,  90  has  been  attained. 

Some  three-quarters  of  a  mile  beyond  the  Cemetery  stands 
Christ  Church,  a  neat  and  commodious  building,  capable  of 
accommodating  840  people,  and  erected  at  a  cost  of  £2,831. 
Situate  at  a  convenient  distance  from  the  town,  with  an  air  of 
repose  about  it,  which  is,  somehow,  wanting  in  the  Cemetery, 
and  in  some  parts  prettily  wooded,  its  churchyard  has 
become  a  favourite  burial-place,  even  for  families  out  of  the 
district.  Up  to  the  present  time,  1,301  interments  have 
taken  place.  A  stroll  amongst  the  hillocks  is  suggestive  of 
many  thoughts.  Here,  lies  Captain  Anderton,  who  fought  at 
Waterloo;  there,  the  young  Irish  curate  who,  with  the 
impulsiveness  of  his  race,  offered  his  hand  and  heart  to 
Charlotte  Bronte ;  ^  whilst  yonder,  is  the  last  resting-place  of 

'  The  Rev.  David  Bryce,  died  17th  Jan.,  1840,  aged  29.  Charlotte  Bronte  thus 
describes  this  little  incident  to  her  sister  Emily  :  "  August  4th,  1839 

1  have  an  odd  circumstance  to  relate  to  you :  prepare  for  a  hearty  laugh  !    The 

other  day.  Mr. ,  a  vicar,  came  to  spend  the  day  with  us,  bringing  with  him 

his  own  curate.    The  latter  geatlemao,  by  name  Mr.  B ,  is  a  young  Irish 


184  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

one  brought  from  the  din  and  turmoil  of  the  world's  greatest 
city,  to  lie  in  the  quiet  ancestral  hall  of  Emmott,  the  night 
before  his  burial. 

The  principal  object  of  interest  in  the  church  is  the 
beautiful  east  window,  by  Lavers  and  Barraud,  of  London, 
dedicated,  as  appears  from  the  inscription  at  its  base,  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pennington,  Tenants  of  Emmott  Hall,  "  To  the 
Glory  of  God,  and  in  fond  Eemembrance  of  Claude  Hargreaves 
Pennington.  Born  August  5th,  1859.  Died  April  26th, 
1863."  This  window  is  divided  into  three  lights,  each 
containing  two  subjects  on  a  richly-coloured  early  English 
mosaic  ground.  The  subjects  represented  are  :  Jesus  Blessing 
Little  Children ;  the  Presentation  of  Samuel ;  Christ  Bearing 
His  Cross ;  Ezekial's  Vision  of  the  Four  Living  Creatures ;  Our 
Lord's  Ascension  •  and  Abraham's  Sacrifice.  A  new  organ,  of 
great  sweetness,  by  Lay  cock,  of  Cross  Hills,  has  also  been 
erected  within  recent  years,  at  a  cost  of  £285.  Up  to  the 
present  time,  three  clergymen  only  have  held  the  benefice, 
viz..  The  Rev.  James  Cheadle,  curate  of  Colne,  who  held  it 
from  1836  to  1838,  and  then  resigned;  (2)  The  Rev.  William 
Hodgson,  the  vicar  referred  to  in  Charlotte  Bronte's  letter, 
who  held  it  from  1838  until  his  death,  on  the  14th  of  July, 
1874 ;  and  (3)  The  Rev.  Joseph  Mason  Austen,  M.A.,  the 
present  vicar. 

clergyman,  fresh  from  Dublin  University.  It  was  the  first  time  we  had  any  of  us 
seen  him ;  but,  however,  after  the  manner  of  his  countrymen,  he  soon  made 
himself  at  home.  His  character  quickly  appeared  in  his  conversation ;  witty, 
lively,  ardent,  clever  too  ;  but  deficient  in  the  dignity  and  discretion  of  an 
Englishman.  At  home,  you  know  I  talk  with  ease,  and  am  never  shy — never 
weighed  down  and  oppressed  by  that  miserable  mauvaise  hrnite  which  torments 
and  constrains  me  elsewhere.  So  I  conversed  with  this  Irishman,  and  laughed  at 
his  jests ;  and  though  I  saw  faults  in  his  character,  excused  them  because  of  the 
amusement  his  originality  afforded.  I  cooled  a  little  indeed,  and  drew  in  towards 
the  latter  part  of  the  evening,  because  he  began  to  season  his  conversation  with 
something  of  Hibernian  flattery,  which  I  did  not  quite  relish.  However,  they 
went  away,  and  no  more  was  thought  about  tbem.  A  few  days  after,  I  got  a 
letter,  the  direction  of  which  puzzled  me,  it  being  in  a  hand  I  was  not  accustomed 
to  see.  Evidently  it  was  not  from  you  nor  Mary,  my  onlv  correspondents.  Having 
opened  it  and  read  it,  it  proved  to  be  a  declaration  of  attachment  and  proposal  of 
matrimony,  expressed  in  the  ardent  language  of  the  sapient  young  Irishman  !  I 
hope  you  are  laughing  heartily.  This  is  not  like  one  of  my  adventures,  is  it  ?  It 
more  nearly  resembles  Martha's.  I  am  certainly  doomed  to  be  an  old  maid.  Never 
mind,  I  made  up  my  mind  to  that  fate  ever  since  I  was  twelve  years  old.  '  Well ! ' 
thought  I,  '  I  have  heard  of  love  at  first  sight,  but  this  beats  all.'  I  leave  you  to 
guess  what  my  answer  would  be,  convinced  that  you  will  not  do  me  the  injustice 
of  guessing  wrong."— Afrs.  Gaskell's  life  of  Charlotte  Bronte,  p.  133. 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  185 


CHAPTEB  YII. 

OUR  POETS  AND  POETRY.  ^ 

STANZAS  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  THE  LATE  HENRY  ECROYD 
OF  EDGEND,  IN  LANCASHIRE. 

'  Hie  ioXtem  accumulem  donit,  et  fungar  inani  munere.' — Virg. 

'  TF  yet  thick  sobs  and  intemiptive  sighs 
X     Permit  thy  plaints  coherently  to  flow, 
Muse,  from  the  bed  of  dumb  distress  arise, 
And  in  harmonious  numbers  pour  thy  woe. 

'  Though  such  the  feelings  of  the  wounded  heart 

That  mourns  a  friend,  a  relative  so  dear, 
Faint  are  thy  colours,  impotent  thy  art  ; 

Oh,  my  full  breast !  thou  canst  noc  match  them  here. 

*  For  those,  to  whom  Alcander's  worth  was  known. 
Their  poignant  grief  no  bitter  heightening  needs  ; 
Unwonted  meltings  seize  even  hearts  of  stone ; 
Even  the  rude  rustic  slow  and  softly  treads  : 

'  Lo,  every  face  the  gloom  of  anguish  wears, 

Moist  every  cheek,  and  silent  every  tongue  : 
There  is  a  native  rhetoric  in  tears 

Which  speaks  lost  worth  more  forcibly  than  song. 

'  Is  there  who  knew  and  not  laments  the  dead  ? 
How  lost  to  goodness  is  that  heart  malign  ! 
Ne'er  may  thy  threshold  sound  beneath  his  tread, 
And  ever  distant  be  his  home  from  mine  : 

'  But  ye,  who  ne'er  his  "  liberal  deeds  "  observed, 
Who,  far  remote,  his  merits  never  proved  ; 
Know  you  a  man  wlio  ne'er  from  virtue  swerves, 
By  pleasure,  interest,  sophistry  unmoved  ? 

1  The  orthography  of  these  poeioB  has  here  and  there  been  modernised. 


186  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

A  man,  with  sense  and  science  largely  fraught, 
Of  manners  courteous  and  of  heart  humane  ; 

Whom  never  suppliant  indigence  besought. 
Nor  modest  helplessness  approached,  in  vain. 

*  A  man,  though  injured,  placable  and  kind, 

Studious  each  vengef  ul^purpose  to  control  ; 
Studious  and  skilled  to  harmonise  and  bind 
In  bonds  of  amity  each  jarring  soul  ? 

*  (Such  lived  Alcander,  such  Alcander  died  ; 

Thrice  happy  you  if  such  a  man  you  know ; 
You  know  where  judgment,  probity  reside. 

You  know  where  honour's  genuine  waters  flow.) 

'  Think  then,  alas  !  perhaps  the  hour  is  near  ; — 
(The  awful  hour,  when  most  remote,  is  nigh,) 
All  sudden,  sickening  in  his  fair  career, 

Think  you  behold  that  son  of  goodness  die  ! 

*  A  group  of  lovely  daughters  left  forlorn. 

Think  you  behold  of  friends  a  mournful  train  ; 
Think  you  behold,  with  age  and  hardships  worn, 
Full  many  an  artist  seek  employ  in  vain. 

'  Then,  if  your  hearts  be  formed  in  feeling's  mould, 
Those  hearts  a  pang  of  their  distress  will  feel ; 
Then,  if  you  can,  your  sympathy  withhold. 
Then,  if  you  can,  the  struggling  grief  conceal. 

'  What  though  no  idle  pageantry  be  worn, 

Each  funeral  foppery  though  his  friends  disown ; 
Do  all  that  wear  the  sable  vesture  mourn  ? 
Or  is  affliction  felt  by  such  alone  ? 

*  What  though  from  ivied  tower*  or  spiry  fane, 

No  pealing  bell's  lamentful  accents  roll ; 
Nor,  widely  sounding  o'er  the  cottaged  plain, 
Bid  thrilling  sorrow  seize  each  rustic  soul ! 

*  When  fall  the  bad,  when  proud  oppressors  die, 

No  pealing  bell  can  make  the  peasant  mourn ; 
When  drops  the  good,  spontaneous  is  the  sigh — 
Spontaneous  tears  bedew  his  honoured  urn. 


•  From  a  lone  tower,  with  reverend  ivy  crowned, 
The  pealing  bell  awaked  the  solemn  sigh. — Shenstone. 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  187 

*  Long  shall  philanthropy  her  votary  weep, 
All  lonesome,  lingering  in  the  unsocial  dale, 
And  piety  distressful  vigils  keep, 
And  white-robed  candour  hang  her  head  and  waiL 

'  Long  shall  the  stranger,  as  he  passes  by, 

"  There  good  Alcander  dwelt,"  shall  pausing  say. 
Survey  the  friendly  dome  with  tearful  eye, 
With  swelling  breast  pursue  his  weary  way.' 


VERSES    WRITTEN    AFTER    RECOVERING   FROM   A 
DANGEROUS    ILLNESS. 

"  Though  taught  by  woes  to  mortals  seldom  known. 
The  humbling  truth,  '  that  man  is  not  his  own  ; ' 
That  till  we  live  to  Him,  for  us  who  died, 
All  love  is  selfish  and  all  knowledge  pride — 
All  happiness  a  momentary  gleam, 
All  hope  a  meteor,  and  all  peace  a  dream  ; 
Though  taught  this  truth  by  di^ipline  severe, 
(Such  as  heaJth  could  not,  life  could  scarcely  bear). 
Strong  are  the  ties  which  still  my  mind  entwine. 
And  counteract  the  work  of  love  divine. 
The  world,  the  world,  its  glittering  baits  prepares, 
Its  friendships  profilers,  and  obtrudes  its  cares. 
Still  would  intemperate  fancy  wildly  stray. 
Spite  of  the  secret  check — the  secret  ray  ; 
Weak  to  withstand,  and  yet  afraid  to  yield, 
I  neither  keep,  nor  wholly  quit,  the  field. 

**  Father  of  Mercies  !  '  till  the  day-spring  rise,' 
And  Thy  salvation  glads  my  longing  eyes  ; 
Till  doubt  and  fear  like  '  morning  shadows  flee,' 
And  all  my  griefs  are  lost  in  love  of  Thee  ; 
While  through  this  cheerless  wild  I  faintly  strive, 
Hope  sore  deprest,  and  faith  but  just  alive. 
Teach  me  to  dread  aU  guidance  but  Thy  own, 
And  patient  tread  '  in  paths '  I  have  not  known. 
Forgive  my  murmurings.     Let  Thy  quickening  power 
Support  my  spirit  in  the  gloomy  hour  ; 
And,  when  the  hosts  of  household  foes  appal, 

*  Turn,  thou  Beloved,'  at  my  feeble  call. 
Come  '  with  the  swiftness  of  the  mountain  roe,' 
And  strength,  proportioned  to  my  wants,  bestow  : 
Teach  me  those  wants  more  deeply  still  to  feel. 
And  deeply  feeling,  suppliant  when  to  kneel. 


188  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

0  !  in  my  soul  that  ardent  thirst  renew 
Which  nought  can  satiate  but  celestial  dew  ; 
Drive  Thou  from  thence  unprofitable  care, 
Yea,  all  that  mars  it  for  a  house  of  prayer  ; 
Dislodge  alike  the  abject  and  the  proud, 
Passion's  low  mist,  and  notion's  airy  cloud ; 
"Whate'er  Thy  power  has  shaken,  shake  again, 
Till  nought  but  things  immovable  remain. 

"  Thus,  Gracious  Father,  break  each  false  repose, 
And,  unrelenting,  '  rule  amidst  Thy  foes,' 
TiU  every  low  propensity  exiled 
'  My  soul  is  even  as  a  weaned  child,' 
From  mean  self-love,  or  gross,  or  specious,  free, 
And  '  all  my  treasures,  all  my  springs,  in  "Thee.' 

[John  Marriott,  of  Quaker  extraction,  the  author  of  these 
and  other  poems,  was  born  at  Edgend,  a  small  village  near 
Colne,  in  the  year  1762.  He  had  a  religious  education,  and 
poss  ssing  an  excellent  understanding,  early  acquired  a  con- 
siderable knowledge  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  languages.  At 
the  early  age  of  sixteen  he  wrote  a  sweet  poem  on  "  Retire- 
ment," in  which  he  speaks  of  himself  as — 

'  Tired  of  the  world  and  pleasure's  giddy  sphere. ' 

From  a  child,  we  are  told,  he  was  of  a  thoughtful  and  serious 
turn  of  mind,  heightened,  as  he  grew  up,  by  some  severe 
afflictions  and  a  keenly-felt  disappointment  in  love. 
Refeiring  to  this  disappointment,  he  sings  : — 

'  When  one  fond  hope  has  long  the  heart  amused, 

And  many  a  year  supplied  its  darling  theme, 
O'er  all  its  clouds  the  softest  light  diflFused, 

In  all  its  sunshine  lent  the  brightest  beam, 
Should  such  a  hope,  so  tender  and  so  dear. 

Though  fond  and  foolish,  from  that  heart  be  torn, 
How  the  frame  shudders  at  the  wound  severe. 

How  sinks  the  soul  in  helpless  anguish  lorn  ! 
How  all  its  sunshine  sickens  into  shade, 

While  every  cloud  assumes  a  deeper  die  ! 
Ah  me  !    my  feelings  need  not  fancy's  aid — 

That  wo-strick  frame,  that  sinking  mind  have  I  ! '  , 

He  gradually  recovered  his  spirits,  and,  in  1795,  was  united 
to  Ann  Wilson,  "  an  amiable  and  worthy  young  woman." 
This  union,  though  happy,  was  of  short  duration.      Two 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  189 

years  after  the  marriage  he  was  afflicted  with  a  painful  dis- 
order, which,  ere  long,  terminated  his  life.  His  friends  and 
admirers  failed  to  induce  him  to  publish  his  poems,  and 
though  a  literary  acquaintance  urged  him  to — 

*  Snatch  the  laurel  ere  its  verdure  fade 
And  round  thy  heart  its  blooming  honours  twine.' 

His  answer  was  characteristic  and  true  : — 
*  The  world  is  captious — ' 
After  his  death  his  poetical  productions,  with  some  parti- 
culars of  his  life,  were  given  to  the  world  in  a  little  volume, 
now  rarely  met  with,  entitled,  A  Short  Account  of  John 
Marriott,  including  Extracts  from  some  of  his  Letters.  To 
which  are  added  some  X)f  his  Poetical  productions}^ 

'BONNIE  COLNE. 

*  Who's  he,  that  with  triumphant  voice, 

So  loudly  sings  in  praise 
*  Of  his  dear  native  hills  and  vales, — 

His  home, — his  early  days  ? 
More  loud  by  far  than  he  I'll  sing. 

In  praise  shout  higher  still, 
Of  native  home  most  dear  to  me, 

Old  Colne  upon  the  hill. 

*  I've  heard  the  old  church  bells  ring  out 

On  holy  Sabbath  mom, 
In  playful  childhood — hopeful  youth  ; 

In  joy — in  grief  forlorn. 
I've  heard  them  tell  of  bridal  joy,— 

I've  heard  their  measures  fill 
The  cup  of  life,  grown  hoary  in 

Old  Colne  upon  the  hill. 

'  I  need  not  to  remembrance  call 
Those  ties  that  closest  bind, 
A  hundred  recollections  hold 

Thee  ever  in  my  mind. 
When  I  must  cease  to  speak  thy  praise, 

I'll  crave  of  Heaven's  will 
A  little  earth  beneath  thy  mound, 
Old  Colne  upon  the  hill. 
'  May,  1373.  '  Frank  Slater.' 

'  Doncaster :  Printed  and  Sold  by  D.  Boys  ;  and  sold  in  London  ly  W.  Phillips, 
Gcorffe  Yard,  Lombard  Street;  and  Darton  and  Harvoy,  No.  65,  Gracechurch 
Street.  Also  by  W.  Leicester,  Warrington  ;  H.  Eamshaw,  Colne ;  W.  Bleckley, 
York,  &c.,  dec,  1803.    A  copy  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  J.  £.  Bailey. 


190  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

'  TO  PENDLE  HILL. 

*  More  like  a  living  creature  stretch'd  in  sleep, 
Its  couch  the  forest,  and  its  cope  the  sky, 
Than  of  geology's  rich  boasts  a  heap, 

To  me  thou  seem'st  in  thy  repose  to  lie, 
Though  with  a  changing  physiognomy. 
According  with  the  varying  light  and  shade 
That  to  the  heart  send  music  through  the  eye, 
By  morn,  or  eve,  or  melting  moonlight  made. 
Or  seasons  in  their  different  panoplies  arrayed. 

'Wliether  when  winter  clothes  in  spotless  white. 
Or  springtide  tints  thy  sides  with  living  green, 
Or  summer  crowns  thy  summit  with  its  light 
And  lends  thy  purpling  heather  heavenly  sheen, 
Or  autumn's  riper  grandeur  gilds  the  scene, 
Great  Pendle!    in  thy  dignity  alone. 
Thou  reignest  matchless  over  moor  and  dene, — 
A  monarch  owing  not  to  man  thy  throne, 
Yet  making  regal  all  around  thy  footstool  strown. 

'  How  glorious  'tis.  Old  King !   to  be  with  thee, 
Taking  thy  view  of  all  the  vast  expanse, — 
Towns,  towers,  farms,  fields,  mansions,  and  distant  sea, — 
Some  seeming  to  retreat  and  some  advance, 
Now  shunning  and  now  seeking  poet's  glance, 
Or  painter's,  who  must  here  be  Nature's  thrall 
And  give  his  spirit  up  to  her  romance, 
Wishing  within  his  raptured  heart  that  all 
Her  votaries  could  come  and  share  it  at  his  call! 

'  I  come  for  one,  and  with  me  gladly  bring 
The  region's  native  laureate — calm  yet  strong; — 
Or  brings  he  me,  to  hear  him  aptly  sing 
Again  in  words  thy  breeze  and  skylark's  song  ? — 
Or  am  I  only  dreaming  here,  among 
Black  Burnley's  rattling  looms  and  clouds  of  smoke  ? — 
Yet  why  the  soft  illusion  not  prolong  ? 
For  it  is  not  a  "melancholy  joke" — 
A  frail  and  fleeting  spell,  no  sooner  felt  than  broke. 

*  No,  massive  mountain  !   let  me  as  I  see 
Ev'n  from  this  dingy  street  thy  outlines  bold. 
Come,  and  with  feelings  fresh  and  fancy  free 
With  sunshine  or  with  storm  communion  hold, 
Thinking  of  others  who  in  days  of  old 

Made  thee  for  war  or  worship  their  abode, 

And  left  some  traces  that  we  might  be  told 

How  not  alone  by  modems  thou  art  trod. 

While  those  who  scaled  thee  erst  felt  not  less  near  to  God ! 


COLNB  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  191 

'  George  Fox,  the  Quaker  prophet,  sought  thy  brow 
To  commune  with  the  Mighty  Spirit  there, 
And  then  descended  to  the  crowds  below, 
An  earnest  war  with  cant  and  crime  to  dare; — 
And  who  can  tell  how  many  a  child  of  care 
And  toil  from  thee  hath  calm  and  courage  caught^ 
Enabling  bim  to  take  a  champion's  share 
In  service  that  by  gold  could  ne'er  be  bought — 
Men  of  bold  act  as  well  as  of  unfetter'd  thought? 

'  And  hear  we  not  the  telling  names  that  linger, 
Alter'd  or  pure,  of  objects  all  around. 
While  hoary  Time  lifts  to  his  ear  his  finger, 
As  listening  with  delight  the  far-come  sound — 
As  though  it  told  of  olden  friends  re-found? 
Whemside,  and  Inglebro'  and  Pen-y-Ghent, 
And  Colne — of  Saxon,  Celt,  and  Roman  speak ; 
And  rivulets  with  quaint  names,  their  voices  blent. 
Call  echoes  down  from  woodland,  cliff,  and  peak, 
Waking  fresh  bloom  in  age's  pale  and  wrinkled  cheek. 

'  But — Pendle  Witches  I    Ah,  there  still  are  plenty, 
If  kindly  look  and  voice  can  make  them  so  ; — 
A  single  man  might  soon  find  twelve  or  twenty 
Who,  were  he  young,  could  work  him  mickle-woe  ; — • 
Not  of  the  wild,  weird  sort  that  long  ago 
Spread  superstitious  terror  far  and  wide. 
But  damsels  virtuous,  and  chaste  as  snow, 
The  forest's  admiration,  hope,  and  pride. 
Which  one  the  best  to  love  'twould  tax  him  to  decide  ! 

*  And  though  brisk  manufacture  taints  our  sky 
Six  days  together  with  its  smoke  unbum'd, 
Upon  the  sev'nth  it  giveth  to  the  eye 
A  thousand  obelisks, — as  if  it  mourn'd 
What  it  had  done  to  Nature,  and  so  tum'd 
On  Sabbath's  to  an  Oriental  clime 
Of  classic  columns  all  the  chimneyed  land, — 
A  scene  of  human  interests  sublime 
As  any  ever  known  in  thy  old  annals.  Time  ! 

'  How  pleasant  'tis  to  see  so  finely  blending 
The  various  signs  of  Nature  and  of  Art, 
That,  though  our  trade  is  more  and  more  extending, 
Good  taste  fulfils  throughout  the  land  its  part. 
And  life  displays  at  once  both  mind  and  heart ! 
While  wood  and  moor  fade  out,  the  garden  grows  ; 
As  ancient  beauties  vanish,  new  ones  start ; 
As  fails  the  wilding,  flourisheth  the  rose  ; 
And  for  the  vapid  marsh  the  factory  lakelet  glows. 


192  ANNALS  AND   STORIES   OP 

*  Nay  !  what  ia  Art  itself  but  Nature,  shown 
Through  human  agency — a  second  birth  ? 
And  where  the  seed  of  ages  past  was  sown 
New  forms  of  things,  yet  in  accord,  come  forth. 
'Tis  thus  that  changes  beautify  the  earth. 
Ev'n  contrast  reconciles  the  old  and  new  ; 
But  for  new  fabrics  what  were  ruins  worth  ? 
Bringing  fresh  thought  and  enterprise  to  view. 
The  present  and  the  past  the  future  see  imbue  ! 

'  Lo  !  how  the  winding  Ribble  westward  wends 
To  meet  at  Preston  Lytham's  up-sent  tide  ; 
While  eastward,  Craven's  pastoral  realm  extends 
Near  where  the  Aire  and  Wharfe  and  Wenning  glide, 
And  Malham  Cave  and  Gardale  Scar  just  hide  ; 
As  southward  Boulsworth  bleak  o'er  Hebden  looks, 
And  Blackstone  Edge  melts  in  the  skies  away, 
And  woods  wave  welcome  to  the  birth  of  brooks  ; 
While  the  West-Calder  comes  to  Whalley  grey, 
And  Clitheroe's  Keep  hails  heights  that  watch  far  More- 
cambe  Bay ! 

■*  But  let  us  not  o'erlook  the  pleasant  spots 
Cluster'd,  or  scatter'd,  nearer  to  thy  feet : 
Fair  Downham  with  its  hall,  or  Worston's  cots, 
Or  Sabden's  church  and  stream  and  cheerful  sti^eet, 
Where  Richard  Cobden  once  found  sweet  retreat, 
Nursing  the  thoughts  that  now  bless  half  mankind  ; — 
Or  glance  we  back  to  Stonyhurst,  learning's  seat, 
Albeit  to  its  ritual  not  confined, 
But  where  the  youth  who  are  may  chastest  teaching  find. 

■*  Gaze  where  we  may,  the  whole  so  fresh  and  fair — 
The  vales  and  plains  beneath,  the  heavens  above — 
The  marks  of  good  abounding  everywhere — 
Tell  the  old  story  of  a  God  of  Lov& 
The  rocks  and  hills  stand  fast,  the  waters  move  ; 
The  sunlit  clouds  with  gladsome  breezes  play  ; 
The  meadows  green  set  off  the  dusky  grove  ; 
Where  ruminate  the  herds,  the  lambs  are  gay  ; 
While  Eden  dawns  again,  so  lovely  is  the  day. 

'  And  now,  0  Great  Supreme  !  we  turn  to  Thee, 
Who  in  Thy  robe  of  light  o'er  aU  dost  reign  : — 
What  a  grand  miracle  it  is  to  be, 
(Dear  Lord  of  sky  and  mountain,  vale  and  plain  !) 
Gifted  with  mind  to  learn  and  to  retain 
Some  little  lore,  both  natural  and  divine, 
Or  tell  it  to  each  other  o'er  again, 
As  though  'twere  ours,  while  yet  it  is  but  Thine, 
In  Thy  great  goodness  given  to  win  us  to  Thy  shrine. 


OOLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  ISI 

*  At  that  pure  shrine  with  reverence  let  us  bow — 
Not  that  Thou  needest  our  poor  prayer,  or  praise, 
But,  Father  !  that  our  sense  of  Thee  'twill  show — 
To  ask  Thy  help  the  low  and  lost  to  raise. 
From  errors  of  the  past,  in  coming  days — 
To  let  them  look  on  Nature's  face  and  see 
Thy  love  reflected  there  ;  and  make  our  ways 
With  our  best  knowledge  evermore  agree, 
And  all  the  world  feel  blest  and  comforted  in  Thee  I 
'  Burnley,  April,  1877.'  *  Dr.  Spencer  T.  Hall,  M.A* 

PENDLE  HILL. 

'  Let  all,  whose  English  hearts  would  homage  pay 
To  Nature  in  her  naked  majesty, 
Kepair  to  Pendle,  and  make  no  delay. 


'  A  road  that  reached  up  to  the  constellations  ; 
A  pile  of  earth,  that  propped  the  firmament ; 
A  landmark,  for  the  sea  traversing  nations  ; 
A  universe  o'erlooking  battlement ; 
A  fragment,  which  from  heaven  had  been  rent 
In  God-strife,  or  the  germ  of  some  new  world. 
Which,  in  Almighty  anger,  had  been  sent. 
And,  laden  with  destruction,  fiercely  hurled 
On  Titans  bold  with  flags  against  the  skies  unfurled, — 
Did  Pendle  seem  to  us,  a  few  miles  from  it ; 
But,  when  arrived  at  the  gigantic  base 
Of  that  dread  mount,  from  what  had  seemed  the  summit, 
A  loftier  hill  its  dome-like  head  did  raise 
Through  the  blue  heavens.     .... 


'  We  stood  tip-toe  on  Pendle's  highest  point 
And  gazed  around,  until  the  scanty  breast 
Could  scarce  contain  the  heart,  that  fluttered,  buoy'nt, 
And  bounding  seemed  to  fly,  as  though  'twould  nest 
In  heaven 

William  Buxinqton  (Blackburn). 


»  Author  of  "  The  Forester's  Offering,"  "  Rambles  in  the  Country,"  "  The  Peak 
and  the  Plain,"  "  Days  in  Derbyshire,*  "  Biographical  Sketches  of  Bemarkabla 
People,"  "  Pendle  Hill,"  die. 


194  ANNALS   AND  STORIES  OF 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

LOCAL  TRADITIONS,  SAYINGS,  AND  CUSTOMS. 

'  All  houses  wherein  men  have  Uved  and  died 
Are  haunted  houses.' — Longfellow. 

TRADITIONS  are  often  both  curious  and  entertaining. 
They  are  little  heard  of  at  the  present  day^  for,  as 
education  has  advanced,  belief  in  them  has  departed.  To 
have  told  a  child  a  hundred  years  ago  that  the  spectre  horse- 
man, hereafter  mentioned,  had  been  seen  at  Wycollar,  would 
have  caused  wondering  eyes  and  open  mouth;  but  tell  a 
child  of  the  present  day  some  such  story,  and  an  incredulous 
smile  would  be  your  only  reward.  And  yet,  the  stories 
narrated  in  this  chapter,  were  essentially  the  fire-side  stories 
of  a  past  generation,  carefully,  but  orally  handed  down  from 
father  to  son,  and,  in  some  cases,  firmly  believed  in.  And 
from  amongst  such  stories,  once  current  in  the  chapelry  of 
Colne,  I  would  select  as  the  most  intelligible  :  The  Landing 
of  Julius  Csesar  at  Waterside,  The  Royalist  Tailor's  Ghost, 
The.  Spectre  Horseman,  The  Lady  in  Black,  The  Unseen 
Builders,  and  The  Cunning  Priest,  adding  such  explanatory 
remarks  as  may  be  necessary.  There  is,  or  rather  was,  an 
amusing  tradition  amongst  the  inhabitants  of  Waterside,  that 
Julius  Csesar  once  sailed  with  a  large  fleet  up  the  Calder,  and 
landed  his  soldiers  at  that  "  city,"  a  tradition  somewhat  at 
variance  with  the  old  distich — 

'The  Hodder,  the  Calder,  Ribble,  and  Rain, 
All  joined  together,  can't  carry  a  bean-' 

Its  origin,  however,  is  not  difficult  to  trace.  Ignorant 
people,  knowing  little  or  nothing  of  either,  confounded  Julius 
Csesar  with  Agricola,  and  the  joke  about  the  Calder,  con- 
stantly repeated,  became,  in  time,  as  it  were,  ingrafted  on 


COLNB  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  195 

it ;  and  thus,  that,  which,  primA  facie,  seems  an  absurd  and' 
meaningless  story,  will  be  found,  on  closer  examination,  to 
furnish  yet  another  link  in  the  chain  of  evidence  connecting 
the  Romans  with  the  neighbourhood  of  Waterside.      It  was 
also  said,  on  the  same  authority,  that  the  deer  out  of  Traw- 
den  Forest  frequented  a  spring  of  water  in  Waterside,  which, 
in  memory  of  this  circumstance,  is  still  called  "  Buck  Spout." 
Whatever  may  be  thought   of  this   tradition — and   I   am 
afraid  the  name  has  a  much  more  common-place  origin — 
there  is  no  doubt  whatever,  from  the  names  of  adjoining 
places,   that  the  surroundings   of  Waterside  have,  in   the 
course  of  ages,  greatly  changed ;  in  proof  of  which  assertion, 
let  us  consider  for  a  moment  the  derivation  of  the  familiar 
word    "  Grindlestonehurst."     If  that  be  the  correct  ortho- 
graphy— and  there  is  much  to  be  said  in  favour  of  Rinnel 
Stone  Hurst — in    the  one   case,   it   means  "  The  wood   of 
Grindl^s  stone  "^  and  in  the  other,  "  The  stone  over  the  streavi 
in  the  wood ;"  either  conveying  an  impression  of  solitude 
and    rurality    non-existent   at    the  present  day.     Another 
tradition  says  that  Cromwell's  army,  being  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, and  extremely  short  of  clothiers,  made  a  raid  upon, 
and  captured,  all  the  tailors  they  could  find.     Amongst  the 
captured  was  a  Royalist,  who  vowed  he  would  never  soil  his 
hands  by  making  clothes  for  rebels ;  so  the  rough  soldiers, 
without   more   ado,  shot    the   obstinate   and   loyal-hearted 
tailor,  at  a  spot  about  two  hundred  yards  from  Kirk  Bridge, 
and  placed  over  his  remains  a  rude  stone,  with  scissors  carved 
upon  it,  as  a  warning  to  his  brother  "snips."     The  stone 
remains  to  this  day,  and  many  people  affirm  that  at  mid- 
night the  tailor's  ghost  appears  to  passers-by,  and  signifies 
its  presence  by  woeful  groans.      Against  this  tradition,  how- 
ever, two  cogent  reasons  have  been  urged  :    (1)  That  some 
considerable  time  since,  excavations  were  made  around  and 
beneath  the  stone,  but  no  bones  were  found,  a  circumstance 
somewhat  improbable,  if  the  tradition  be  correct ;  and  (2) 
That  the  so-called  scissors  are  not  scissors  at  all,  but  a  Greek 
cross,  and  it  has,  accordingly,  been  suggested  that  this  cross 

1  Orendle  was  a  Saxon  mythological  hero  or  demon. 


196  ANNAL8  AND   STORIES   OP 

is  but  a  record  of  the  piety  of  our  ancestors,  or  of  8om6 
pious  pilgrim,  marking  tlie  spot  where  a  prayer  or  *'  Ave 
Maria "  might  be  repeated,  and  that  Tailor's  Cross  is  but  a 
corruption  of  Templar's  Cross. 

Old  houses  have  often  some  tradition  associated  with  them, 
and  so  it  is  not  surprising  to  find  mentioned  in  Harland  and 
Wilkinson's  "  Traditions  of  Lancashire,"  that  once  every  year 
a  spectre  horseman  visits  Wycollar  Hall.  He  is  attired  in 
the  costume  of  the  early  Stuart  period,  and  the  trappings  of 
his  horse  are  of  a  most  uncouth  description.  On  the  evening  of 
his  visit  the  weather  is  always  wild  and  tempestuous.  There 
is  no  moon  to  light  the  lonely  roads,  and  the  inhabitants 
do  not  venture  out  of  their  cottages.  When  the  wind 
howls  the  loudest  the  horseman  can  be  heard  dashing  up  the 
road  at  full  speed :  after  crossing  the  narrow  bridge,  he 
suddenly  stops  at  the  door  of  the  Hall,  and,  dismounting, 
makes  his  way  up  the  broad  oak  stairs  (of  which  no  traces 
are  left)  into  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  house.  Dreadful  screams, 
as  from  a  woman,  are  shortly  heard,  which  soon  subside 
into  groans.  The  horseman  then  makes  his  re-appearance 
at  the  door — at  once  mounts  his  steed — and  gallops  off  the 
road  he  came.  His  body  can  be  seen  through  by  those  who 
may  chance  to  be  present ;  his  horse  appears  to  be  wild  with 
rage,  and  its  nostrils  stream  with  fire.  The  tradition  is 
that  one  of  the  Cunliffes  murdered  his  wife  in  that  room,  and 
that  the  spectre  horseman  is  the  ghost  of  the  murderer,  who 
is  doomed  to  pay  an  annual  visit  to  the  house  of  his  victim. 
It  further  goes  on  to  say,  that  years  before  it  actually 
happened,  the  murdered  lady  had  predicted  the  extinction 
of  her  cruel  husband's  race — a  race  so  ancient  that  its  very 
name  is  the  subject  of  a  tradition,  for  one  of  the  Saxon  kings, 
being  anxious,  it  is  said,  to  reward  a  brave  follower,  said  to 
him,  as  he  pointed  to  certain  fields,  "  I  con  thee  these  lands 
to  live"  whereupon,  he  and  his  descendants  ever  afterwards 
bore  the  name  of  Gonlive  or  Cunliffe.  Strange  to  say,  the 
lady's  prediction  has  been  literally  fulfilled,  for  the  last 
of  the  Cunliffes  died,  a  lonely  old  man,  at  Wycollar,  in  the 
year  1818,  and  the  ancestral  home  soon  became  a  ruin.  One 
other  story,  closely  connected   with  the  last,  still  remains 


^^it- 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  197 

to  be  told  respecting  the  Old  Hall :  Some  seventy  years 
ago,  a  yoilng  girl  and  her  lover  were  seated  in  one  of  its 
ancient  rooms,  whispering  in  each  others  ears  the  old, 
old  story  of  love  and  devotion,  when  suddenly  they  heard 
the  sound  of  light  footsteps  on  the  oak  stairs,  and  the 
rustling  of  a  woman's  dress.  Startled,  they  held  their 
breath ;  nearer  and  nearer  came  the  footsteps ;  the  door 
opened  noiselessly,  and  in  glided  a  lady,  clothed  from  head 
to  foot  in  black  silk.  She  uttered  not  a  word,  but  casting 
one  long  anxious  look  around  the  room,  and,  seeing  only  the 
frightened  lovers,  withdrew  as  quietly  as  she  entered.  Years 
rolled  on,  that  young  girl  grew  to  womanhood,  and  lived  to 
a  good  old  age,  but  to  her  dying  day  she  never  forgot  the 
startling  apparition  of  the  Lady  in  Black,  who  is  said  by 
some  to  be  the  murdered  wife  of  the  Spectre  Horseman,  and 
is  known  about  WycoUar  as  "Old  Bess."  Need  I  add,  that, 
as  with  the  growth  of  education,  ghosts  have  disappeared 
from  other  places,  so  apparently  has  "Old  Bess"  from 
WycoUar,  and  if  she  comes  at  all,  she  comes  only  when  all 
is  hushed  and  still,  and  darkness  covers  the  once  beautiful, 
but  now  deserted  ,  home  of  the  Cunliffes. 

The  oldest  portion  of  the  walls  of  Colne  Church  are  said 
to  have  been  built  by  unseen  hands.  The  story  runs  that 
the  site  originally  fixed  upon  was  at  Church  Clough,  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  town,  and,  accordingly,  stones  were 
brought  there,  masons  set  to  work,  foundations  laid,  and 
the  walls  begun,  when,  to  the  surprise  of  the  masons,  it  was 
discovered  that  every  stone  put  on  by  day  at  Church  Clough 
disappeared  during  the  night,  and  was  carried  by  unseen 
hands  to  the  present  site,  and  there  carefully  and  skilfully 
laid  together.^  Nothing  daunted,  the  masons  persevered, 
but  lower  became  the  walls  at  Church  Clough,  and  higher 
they  grew  at  Colne.  Accepting  the  omen,  the  old  site  was 
abandoned,  and  thus,  as  this  curious  tradition  says,  it  came 
to  pass  that  Colne  Church  stands,  as  it  now  does,  almost  in 
the  centre  of  modem  Colne,  and  a  prominent  object  for  miles 
in  every  direction. 

■  A  very  similar  legend  is  told  respecting  the  founding  of  St  Chad's  Churchy 
Rochdale. 


198  ANNALS  AND  ST0RIE3  OF 

And  now  I  enter  upon  a  story  in  which,  fact,  fiction,  and 
superstition  are  curiously  blended.  One  day,  towards  the 
end  of  January,  1789,  the  hamlet  of  Laneshaw  Bridge  was 
startled  by  the  perpetration,  in  its  midst,  of  a  most  horrible 
murder,  the  victim  being  a  young  and  beautiful  girl,  named 
Hannah  Corbridge,  and  the  murderer,  Christopher  Hartley, 
of  Bamside,  her  accepted  lover.  The  burial  register  of 
Colne  Church  contains  the  following  account  of  the  murder, 
preserved  in  the  form  of  a  marginal  note  : — 

*  On  the  29th  of  this  month  [January,  1789]  was  interred  at  New- 
church-in-Pendle  the  body  of  Hannah  Corbridge,  of  this  chapelry, 
concerning  whom  the  following  narrative  deserves  to  be  recorded : 
She  went  on  Sunday  forenoon,  the  19th  instant,  from  her  father's 
house  at  Narrs,  with  her  lover,  Christopher  Hartley,  of  Barnside,  a 

young  man  19  years  of  age She  was  never  seen  afterwards 

till  the  next  Sunday  forenoon,  when  she  was  found  in  a  ditch  near 
home,  poisoned  and  having  her  throat  cut.  On  the  next  Sunday 
forenoon  the  murderer  was  brought  back  to  Colne,  having  been  appre- 
hended at  Flookborough,  was  found  guilty  by  Coroner's  Jury,  committed 
to  Lancaster,  convicted,  and  executed  on  the  28th  of  August.' 

And  here,  before  proceeding  further  in  the  narrative,  I 
would  direct  the  reader's  attention  to  the  remarkable  coin- 
cidence that  the  murder  took  place  on  a  Sunday  forenoon, 
the  body  was  found  on  a  Sunday  forenoon,  and  the  murderer 
brought  back  to  Colne  on  a  Sunday  forenoon;  and  also 
to  the  further  statement  that  the  poor  girl  was  both 
poisoned  and  had  her  throat  cut.  The  modus  opa'andi  is 
not  given,  but  it  is  commonly  reported  that  young  Hartley, 
preparatory  to  going  his  usual  walk  with  Hannah  on  that 
fatal  Sunday  forenoon,  put  two  pieces  of  parkin  in  his  pocket, 
one  containing  poison,  and  the  other  not.  Passing  through 
some  fields  in  the  course  of  their  walk,  he  seized  a  favour- 
able opportunity  of  ofiering  the  poisoned  piece  to  the  imsus- 
pecting  girl,  and  then,  more  surely  to  deceive  her,  commenced 
eating  the  other  himself.  Naturally,  she  took  and  ate  it, 
and  next,  in  happy  ignorance  of  her  sad  fate,  and  with  a 
^rusting  love  that  might  have  softened  a  heart  of  stone, 
laughingly,  but  firmly,  insisted  on  having  also  the  piece 
half  eaten  by  her  lover.  He  gave  it  her,  and  then — a  demon 
at  his  heart  and  a  fury  at  his  side  — made  doubly  sure  of  his 


COLNB  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  199 

fell  work  by  cutting  her  throat.  But  the  story  would  not 
seem  to  end  here,  for  'tis  said  that  when  the  constables, 
shortly  after  the  commission  of  the  crime,  came  to 
search  the  house  where  the  murderer  lived,  they  found 
his  mother  (who,  report  said,  had  made  the  parkin) 
sat  on  an  old  oak  chest  in  one  of  the  rooms,  suckling  a  little 
child,  and,  strange  to  say,  this  homely  sight  so  put  them  oflF 
the  scent,  that  they  never  once  thought  of  opening  it, 
although,  according  to  this  account,  the  body  of  the  murdered 
girl  was  then  actually  concealed  in  it.  And,  even  had  the 
idea  occurred  to  them,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  discovery 
would  have  been  made,  for  the  body  was  completely  buried 
in  the  oat  dust  with  which  the  chest  was  filled.  As  soon  as 
the  constables  had  left  the  house,  young  Hartley  removed  the 
body  from  place  to  place  for  several  days,  till  at  length,  fear- 
ful of  discovery,  he  buried  it  in  a  newly-drained  field  called 
"  Northings,"  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  Bamside  Hall. 
But  now  note  the  superstition.  In  the  meantime,  a  relative 
of  the  murdered  girl,  as  was  not  uncommon  in  those  days, 
consulted  a  wise  man  at  Todmorden  as  to  where  the  body 
was  concealed,  who  told  him  where,  but  warned  him  not  to 
venture  too  near  the  place  himself,  as,  if  he  did,  he  would  be 
haunted  for  ever  afterwards.  Consequently,  he  took  his 
stand  on  the  hill  side  near  Emmott  Hall,  where  he  could  look 
down  on  Bamside,  and  instructed  the  people  to  search  in  a 
certain  direction,  telling  them  that  if  the  body  was  not  found 
within  a  few  minutes  of  a  given  time,  it  would  not  be  found 
for  weeks.  This  caused  the  searchers  to  work  with  increased 
vigour,  and  their  efforts  were  crowned  with  success,  for  the 
body  was  discovered  where  the  murderer  buried  it.  And 
strange,  though  true  it  is,  that,  when  in  after  years,  Bamside 
Hall  was  pulled  down,  and  the  stones  removed  to  Laneshaw 
Bridge  for  building  purposes,  a  rumour  rapidly  spread  that 
drops  of  blood  might  be  seen  oozing  out  of  the  stones,  in 
consequence  of  which  crowds  of  people  went  from  Colne 
and  other  places  to  see  for  themselves,  and,  in  many  cases, 
the  more  ignorant  amongst  them  came  away  convinced  that, 
because  the  stones  presented  a  somewhat  reddish,  but,  at  the 
same  time,  perfectly  explicable  appearance,  the  murderer  had 


goo  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

rubbed  his  hands  against  them  after  the  dreadful  deed  was 
done,  and  that  this  was  the  hfe-blood  of  his  poor  victim.  The 
tradition  is,  that,  for  years  afterwards,  the  poor  girl  wandered 
up  and  down,  and  appeared  at  various  places  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, notably  at  Earl  Hall,  about  half-way  between  her 
own  home  and  Bamside  Hall,  near  where  the  murder 
took  place.  Here  she  appeared  so  regularly  at  midnight 
that  the  farmer  and  his  family  became  alarmed,  and 
Bent  for  a  Koman  Catholic  priest  to  "lay"  her,  which 
he  proceeded  to  do  in  the  following  manner  :  Shortly  before 
the  accustomed  hour  of  the  visit  he  ordered  the  room  in 
which  she  generally  appeared  to  be  lighted  with  a  number  of 
candles,  and  almost  before  his  preparations  were  completed, 
she  came  down  the  chimney  in  the  form  of  a  hay-cock. 
He  declined,  however,  to  receive  her  thus,  and,  ordering  her 
back,  bade  her  appear  in  her  natural  form.  Nothing  loath, 
she  shortly  re-appeared  with  a  little  babe  in  the  palm  of  her 
hand.  Whilst  the  priest  was  engaged  in  expostulating  with 
her  on  the  alarm  she  caused,  the  room,  in  which  they  were, 
became  darker  and  darker,  and  one  by  one,  the  lights  were 
extinguished  by  some  unseen  person  until  only  a  solitary 
candle  was  left  burning.  The  priest  soon  found  that  both 
entreaties  and  commands  were  entirely  thrown  away  on  the 
wilful  girl,  and,  despairing  of  success,  he  permitted  her  to 
disappear  on  the  imderstanding  that  she  should  not  again 
be  seen  until  the  candle  which  was  lighted  in  the  room  had 
burnt  away.  **  Here's  a  puzzle "  thought  the  priest,  for  a 
moment.  "  If  the  candle  falls  into  other  hands,  it  may  inad- 
vertently be  used."  But  no,  the  truth  of  the  old  saying, 
"Necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention,"  was  once  more 
apparent.  With  a  quick  step  he  approached  the  table, 
seized  the  candle,  arid  swallowed  it,  thus  preventing  the 
possibility  of  it  ever  being  burnt  away.  The  tradition  does 
not  say  whether  he  suffered  much  inconvenience  thereby ; 
probably  it  would  soon  melt,  but,  at  any  rate,  his  object  was 
gained,  for  Hannah  Corbridge  never  again  visited  the  haunts 
of  her  childhood. 

Turn  we  now  from  these  stories  of  a  bygone  age  to  con- 
i^ider  the  next  branch  of  our  subject,  and,  not  content  with 


C0LNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  201 

a  mere  knowledge  of  our  local  sayings,  endeavour  to  derive 
instruction  from  them. 

A  steady  person  was  formerly  said  to  be  "  Like  Colne  clock," 
i.e.,  always  at  one.  This  saying  arose  from  the  fact  that  the 
church  clock  oftener  stood  than  went,  on  which  account  it 
was  thought  expedient  to  introduce  a  rival,  commonly  known 
as  "  Lady  Betty's  Clock."  The  saying,  however,  has  lost  its 
force,  for  at  the  present  day  the  church  clock  has  outlived 
its  rival,  and  goes  remarkably  well. 

"  As  old  as  Pendle  Hill "  is  another  of  our  local  sayings,  and 
"  Friends  round  Pendle  "  one  of  our  toasts.  This  hill  is  stated 
by  Dr.  Whitaker  to  have  been  apparently  thrown  up  by  that 
mighty  convulsion  of  nature  which  affected  the  face  of  the 
country  to  a  distance  of  40  miles  to  the  north.  The  view 
from  the  summit,  on  a  clear  day,  is  magnificent.  Pennant^ 
says :  "  York  Minster  is  very  visible,  and  the  land  towards 
the  German  Ocean,  as  far  as  the  powers  of  the  eye  can 
see.  Towards  the  west,  the  sea  is  very  distinguishable, 
and  even  the  Isle  of  Man  by  the  assistance  of  glasses ; 
to  the  north,  the  vast  mountains  of  Ingleborough,  Whern- 
side,  and  other  of  the  British  Apennines.  The  other  views 
are  the  vales  of  the  Ribble,  Hodder,  and  Calder,  (the  first 
extends  thirty  miles),  which  afford  a  most  delicious  prospect, 
varied  with  numberless  objects  of  rivers,  houses,  woods,  and 
rich  pastures  covered  with  cattle  ;  and  in  the  midst  of  this 
fine  vale  rises  the  town  of  Clitheroe,  with  the  castle  at  one 
end,  and  the  church  at  the  other,  elevated  on  a  rocky  scar  : 
the  Abbey  of  Wlialley,  about  four  miles  to  the  south,  and 
that  of  Salley  as  much  to  the  north,  with  the  addition  of 
many  gentlemen's  seats  scattered  over  the  vale,  give  the 
whole  a  variety  and  richness  rarely  to  be  found  in  any  rural 
prospect.  It  is  also  enlivened  with  some  degree  of  com- 
merce, in  the  multitude  of  the  cattle,  the  carriage  of  the 
lime,  and  the  busy  noise  of  the  spinners  engaged  in  the 
service  of  the  woollen  manufactures  of  the  clothing  towns." 
Pendle  Hill  was  formerly,  we  are  told,  subject  to  vast  dis- 
charges of  water,  which,  on  several  occasions,  amounted  to 

1 A  Tour  from  Dowuing  to  Alston  Moor.     Loudon,  1801. 


$02  AI7NALS  AND   STORIES  OF 

inundations,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  two  Lords,  who 
the  reader  will  recollect  as  mentioned  in  the  Colne  Church 
Burial  Register,  were  drowned  by  some  such  inundation. 
Camden  says  it  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  damage  which  it 
did  to  the  country  below  (about  the  year  1580)  by  the  dis- 
charge of  a  great  body  of  water,  and  for  the  certain  signs 
which  it  gives  of  rain  whenever  its  summit  is  covered  with 
clouds ;  an  assertion  confirmed  by  the  old  distich,  which 
says  : — 

'  When  Pendle  wears  its  woolly  cap 
The  farmers  all  may  take  a  nap.' 

And  Mr.  Charles  Townley  relates,  how,  on  August  the  18th, 
!669,  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  there 
issued  out  of  the  north-west  side  of  Pendle  Hill,  a  great 
quantity  of  water,  the  particulars  of  which  eruption,  as  he 
received  them  from  a  gentleman  living  hard  by,  were  these: 
The  water  continued  running  for  about  two  hours.  It  came 
in  that  quantity,  and  so  suddenly,  that  it  made  a  breast  a 
yard  high,  not  unlike,  as  the  gentleman  expressed  it,  to  the 
Eager,  at  Rouen,  in  Normandy,  or  the  Ouse,  in  Yorkshire. 
It  grew  unfordable  in  so  short  a  space  that  two  going  to 
church  on  horseback,  the  one  having  passed  the  place  where 
it  took  its  course,  the  other,  being  a  little  behind,  could  not 
pass  the  sudden  torrent.  It  endangered  breaking  down  a 
mill-dam,  came  into  several  houses  in  Worston  (a  village  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill),  so  that  several  things  swam  in  them. 
It  issued  out  of  five  or  six  several  places,  one  of  which  was 
considerably  bigger  than  the  rest,  and  brought  with  it  nothing 
else  but  stone,  gravel,  and  earth.  He,  moreover,  told  that  the 
greatest  of  these  six  places  closed  up  again,  and  that  the  water 
was  black,  like  unto  moss-pits  ;  and,  lastly,  that  fifty  or  sixty 
years  ago  there  happened  an  eruption  much  greater  than  this, 
so  that  it  much  endangered  the  adjacent  country,  and  made 
two  doughs,  or  dingles,  which  to  this  day  are  called  Burst 
or  (in  our  Lancashire  dialect)  Brast  Cloughs.  Mr.  Townley 
goes  on  to  state,  that,  though  the  noise  of  this  eruption  was 
80  great  that  he  thoiight  it  worth  his  pains  to  inquire 
further  into  it,  yet  in  all  the  particulars  he  found  nothing 
worthy  of  wonder,  or  what  might  not  easily  be  accounted 


COLNB   AND  NEIGHBOTTRHOOD.  203 

for.  The  colour  of  the  water,  its  coming  down  to  the  place 
where  it  breaks  forth  between  the  rock  and  the  earth,  with 
that  other  particular  of  its  bringing  nothing  along  but 
stones  and  earth,  are  evident  signs  that  it  hath  not  its  origin 
from  the  very  bowels  of  the  mountain,  but  that  it  is  only 
rain-water  collected  first  in  the  moss-pits,  of  which  the  top 
of  the  hill,  (being  a  great  and  considerable  plain)  is  full, 
shrunk  down  into  some  receptacle  fit  to  contain  it,  until  at 
last  by  its  weight,  or  some  other  cause,  it  finds  a  passage  to 
the  side  of  the  hill,  and  again  between  the  rocks  and  swarth 
until  it  break  the  latter,  and  violently  rush  out.^  Ainsworth, 
aware  of  this  peculiarity  of  Pendle,  has  cleverly  availed 
himself  of  it,  by  introducing  such  an  inundation,  with  its 
accompanying  scenes,  into  that  most  interesting  work  of 
fiction,  "  The  Lancashire  Witches,"  and  the  following  passage 
well  expresses  the  feelings  of  many  a  native  of  these  parts  : — 

' "  I  love  Pendle  HUl,"  cried  Nicholas  enthusiastically,  "  and  from 
whatever  side  I  view  it — whether  from  this  place  where  I  see  it  from 
end  to  end,  from  its  lowest  point  to  its  highest ;  from  Padiham  where 
it  frowns  upon  me  ;  from  Clitheroe  where  it  smiles  ;  or  from  Downham 
where  it  rises  in  full  majesty  before  me — from  all  points,  and  under  all 
aspects,  whether  robed  in  mist  or  radiant  with  sunshine,  I  delight  in 
it.  Bom  beneath  its  giant  shadow,  I  look  upon  it  with  filial  regard. 
Some  folks  say  Pendle  Hill  wants  grandeur  and  sublimity,  but  they 
themselves  must  be  wanting  in  taste.  Its  broad,  round,  smooth  mass  is 
better  than  the  roughest,  craggiest,  shaggiest,  most  sharply-splintered 
mountain  of  them  all.  And  then  what  a  view  it  commands  !  Lancaster, 
with  its  grey  old  Castle,  on  the  one  hand  ;  York,  with  its  reverend 
Minster,  on  the  other — the  Irish  Sea  and  its  wild  coast — fell,  forest, 
moor,  and  valley,  watered  by  the  Eibble,  the  Calder,  and  the  Lune — 
rivers  not  to  be  matched  for  beauty."  .  .  .  There  is  no  hill  in 
England  like  Pendle  Hill.' 

But  Pendle  is  also  noteworthy  on  another  ground,  for  here 
it  was,  that  one  day  in  1652,  George  Fox,  the  founder  of  the 
Quakers,  stated  he  received  his  first  illumination.  In  his 
Journal  he  writes  : — 

*  As  we  travelled,  we  came  near  a  very  great  hill,  named  Pendle  Hill, 
and  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  up  to  the  top  of  it,  which  I  did 
with  much  ado  ;  it  was  so  very  steep  and  high.     When  I  was  come 

1  Whitaker's  Whallejr. 


204  AKNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

to  the  top,  I  saw  the  sea  bordering  upon  Lancashire.  From  the  top 
of  this  hill  the  Lord  let  me  see  in  what  places  he  had  a  great  people 
to  be  gathered.  As  I  went  down,  I  found  a  spring  of  water  in  the  side 
of  the  hill  with  which  I  refreshed  myself,  having  eaten  or  drunk  very 
little  in  several  days  before.' 

This  is  what  Fox  believed  he  saw  on  that  lonely  mountain 
in  1652,  and  in  1864,  a  party  on  the  hill  saw  a  far  more 
natural  sight,  and  one  rarely  seen  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
When  near  the  summit  they  were  caught  in  a  heavy  shower 
of  rain  accompanied  with  sunshine,  and  from  their  hiding 
place  were  favoured  with  the  beautiful  phenomenon  of  a 
rainbow  appearing  below  them,  whose  richly  coloured  arch 
extended  from  Pendle  to  one  of  the  lower  adjoining  hills. 
Persons  relate,  too,  how,  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  the 
raindrops  have  appeared  to  be  drawn  out  nearly  a  yard 
long.  As  we  might  naturally  expect  to  find,  there  are  several 
rhymes  about  Pendle,  one  of  which  says  : — 

'  Ingleborough,  Pendle  Hill,  and  Penygent, 
Are  the  highest  hills  between  Scotland  and  Trent.' 

This,  however,  is  incorrect,  for  the  recent  Ordnance  survey 
proves  that  Pendle,  being  1,831  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea,  is  nearly  800  feet  lower  than  Grey  Friar,  and  considerably 
lower  than  Whernside.  Fortunately,  however,  we  have  still 
another  rhyme  to  fall  back  upon,  which  runs  : — 

'  Pendle  Hill,  Penygent,  and  Little  Ingleborough, 
Are  three  such  hills  as  you'll  not  find  by  seeking  England  thorough.* 

And  a  despairing  poet  has  sadly  sung  : — 

'  When  mountains  are  by  men  removed, 
And  Kibble  back  to  Horton  carried, 
Or  Pendle  Hill  grows  silk  above — 
Then  will  my  love  and  I  be  married.' 

I  know  of  but  one  tradition  respecting  Pendle,  and  it  is 
to  this  effect :  Circling  round  its  lower  end  is  a  wild  and 
secluded  glen,  which  is  said,  hundreds  of  years  ago,  to  have 
been  the  residence  and  retreat  of  a  huge  and  fierce  wild 
boar.  This  animal  was  for  some  time  the  scourge  and 
terror  of  all  the  country ;  but,  at  last,  in  consequence  of  a 


COLNE  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  205 

large  reward  being  offered  for  its  head,  it  was  captured  on 
the  Clitheroe  side  of  the  hill.  So,  in  memory  of  this  fierce 
wild  boar,  the  glen  in  which  it  made  its  home  was  christened 
Hogderij  and  subsequently  Ogden,  a  name  by  which  it  is  still 
known. 

*'  Like  Barrowford,  all  on  one  side,''  is  another  local  saying 
which  has  evidently  arisen  from  the  circumstance  of  that 
village  being  built  almost  entirely  on  one  side  of  the  river. 

'*  Jf  you  cavJt  live  between  Bouhworth  and  Pendle  you  carUt 
live  anywhere"  is  yet  another  saying,  and  has  probably  more 
reference  to  the  longevity  than  the  mortality  of  the  people 
of  this  neighbourhood.  Boulsworth,  as  most  readers  will 
be.  aware,  is  a  hill  near  Colne,  1,689  feet  high,  Baines 
remarks  that  the  situation  of  Colne  is  healthy,  and  longe- 
vity not  unfrequent  \  and,  in  support  of  his  assertion,  men- 
tions that  an  aged  woman  was  living  in  Colne  in  1834,  of 
the  reputed  age  of  103,  who  remembered  the  excitement 
caused  by  the  presence  of  the  Scotch  rebels  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood in  1745.^  Neither  will  it  be  forgotten  that  men- 
tion has  been  incidentally  made  in  preceding  chapters  of  six 
very  aged  persons,  viz.,  John  Tattersall,  of  the  reputed  age 
of  108,  Mary  Preston,  101 ;  James  Whitaker,  close  upon 
100  \  James  Towler,  upwards  of  100 ;  Stephen  Harrison, 
aged  102  ;  and  Scotch  Robert,  aged  107.  Moreover,  if  the 
saying  be  not  strictly  true,  there  is  at  least  some  justifica- 
tion for  it,  for  in  the  obituary  columns  of  the  Colne  Miscellany 
for  the  years  1855-6  and  7,  in  which  would  only  be  inserted 
a  few  of  the  deaths  in  the  neighbourhood,  are  recorded  the 
deaths  of  no  less  than  thirty-nine  octogenarians  and  one 
nonogenarian  in  the  Chapelry  of  Colne,  whose  names  and 
date  of  death  are  as  follows  : — 

Ann  Cook,  WLeathead 88 

Ry croft  Wilkinson,  Foulridge 84 

Ann  Taylor,  Barrowford  84 

James  Hey,  Foulridge  87 

Joshua  Manley,  Marsden 81 

Henry  Bracewell,  Carry  Bridge  85 

Margaret  Hartley,  Colne  84 

1  He  omits  the  name,  but  alludes,  I  beUeve,  to  Betty  Shoesmith. 


1855.  Jan. 

25. 

„     Feb. 

3. 

»        j> 

4. 

„     April 

18. 

»        » 

19. 

„     May 

5. 

»»        » 

13. 

206  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

1855.  May  21.     Mary  Preston,  Colne 88 

„  Sept.  4.     Ann  Ridehalgh,  Marsden 82 

„         „  14.     Mary  Haworth,  Colne   82 

„         „  30.     Alice  Baldwin,  Barrowford  86 

„  Dec.  4.     Ann  Stansfield,  Winewall 82 

„         „  26.     Betty  Haworth,  Wheatley  Lane 89 

1856.  Jan.  16.     Moses  Hartley,  Trawden  89 

„  Feb.  9.     John  Hartley,  Blakey  Hall  88 

„         „  19.     Joseph  Carter,  Marsden    83 

„  April  2.     John  Pilling,  Trawden  80 

„         „  19.     Barbara  Windle,  Marsden 80 

„         „  24.     Joseph  Wilkinson,  Trawden 85 

„  May  27.     Susannah  Stephenson,  Trawden 92 

„  Oct.  25.     Mary  Bradshaw,  Wheatley  Lane 89 

„  Nov,  29.     Sarah  Jackson,  Waterside     82 

„  Dec.  10.     Alice  Croasdale,  Colne 83 

„         „  20.     Margaret  Tattersall,  Marsden  88 

„          „  21.     Sally  Heyworth 84 

1857.  Jan.  10.    Nancy  Smith,  Marsden 83 

„         „  14.     John  Bannister,  Trawden 83 

„  Feb.  4.     William  Knowles,  Windy  Bank  83 

„  March  14.     Oddie  Sutcliffe,  Barrowford 80 

„         „  21.     Sarah  Riley,  Floit  Bridge 86 

„  April  2.     Mary  Riley,  Trawden    84 

„         „  21.     Betty  Frankland,  Marsden  83 

„  June  15.     Nancy  Pickles,  Winewall 86 

„  July  9.     Peggy  Barritt,  Foulridge 85 

„  Aug.  12.     Betty  Armistead,  Marsden  80 

„         „  26.     John  Laycock,  Barrowford  80 

„         „  30.     John  Riley,  Barrowford    83 

„  Sept.  11.     Elizabeth  Siddal,  Colne 80 

„         „  29.     Mary  Hodgson,  Colne  82 

„  Oct.  30.     James  Starkey,  Barrowford 84 

A  respectable  list  this  ;  and  what  stories  of  other  days 
these  old  people,  whose  united  ages  exceed  3,000  years, 
could  have  told  ! 

Lastly,  we  come  to  old  customs,  some  of  which  are  still 
observed  at  Colne,  whilst  others  have  died  out.  The  ringing 
of  the  curfew  bell  is  one  of  the  good  old  customs  still 
observed.  A  relic  of  Norman  times,  it  reminds  us  of  the  day 
when  William  the  Conqueror  ordered  that,  on  the  tolling  of 
that  bell,  all  fires  and  lights  should  be  instantly  extinguished. 
The  bell  not  only  tolls  here  at  8  p.m.,  but  also  at  6  a.m.  in 
summer,  and  7  a.m.  in  winter,  thus  marking  the  com-' 
mencemeat  and  close  of  the  day's  work.     "  Old   use  and 


COLNE  AND  NEIGHBODKHOOD.  207 

custom,  six  and  eight,"  used  to  be  the  quaint  sahitation  of 
the  ringer  as  he  visited  the  townspeople  for  a  subscription, 
and  not  a  few  had  to  recover  from  their  surprise  before 
putting  their  hand  into  their  pocket.  An  arrangement  was 
however  made,  a  few  years  ago,  by  the  churchwardens,  which 
will  obviate  the  necessity  of  a  collection  for  this  purpose. 

The  tolling  of  the  church  beU  by  the  apprentice  boys  of 
Colne  at  eleven  o'clock  on  Shrove  Tuesday,  is  another  custom 
still  observed  here,  and  is  understood  as  a  signal  to  their 
fellow-apprentices  to  cease  from  work,  and  have  a  holiday 
for  the  remainder  of  the  day.  They  take  this  holiday 
independent  of  their  masters,  believing  they  have  a  legal 
right  to  it ;  and  accordingly,  at  the  first  sound  of  the  bell, 
oflF  they  rush,  an  example  quickly  followed  by  the  scholars  of 
the  National  School,  who  are  nothing  loath  to  testify  in  this 
manner  their  respect  for  the  old  customs  of  Colne. 

Amongst  customs  which  have  happily  died  out  may  be 
mentioned  blanket  tossing,  races  amongst  girls,  bull-baiting, 
wife-selling,  and  flogging  prisoners  at  the  cross.  It  is  about 
fifty  years  since  one  of  those  little  side  streets  branching 
from  Windy  Bank,  witnessed  the  observance  of  the  first- 
mentioned  custom.  The  occasion  was  an  interesting  one, 
for  one  of  the  beUes  of  that  neighbourhood,  being  blessed 
with  two  lovers,  jilted  one  and  married  the  other,  whereupon 
the  neighbours  procured  a  blanket  on  the  wedding-day,  and 
endeavoured  to  console  the  forsaken  one  by  giving  him  a 
friendly  toss  in  it,  more  to  their  amusement  than  his. 

The  Colne  girls'  race,  discontinued  in  the  year  1824,  used 
to  be  run  by  them  on  the  second  Monday  in  September, 
amidst  the  laughter  and  cheers  of  their  respective  lovers, 
supporters,  and  friends,  who  lined  the  footpaths  of  the  main 
street.  The  race  was  from  Colne  Lane  top  to  about  the 
Commercial  Inn  and  back,  the  only  condition  being  that 
three  young  women  at  least  should  enter  the  lists,  but  as 
many  more  might  compete  as  liked  to  do  so.  As  soon  as 
the  race  was  over  the  fair  winner  was  presented  in  the  street 
with  a  new  dress,  and  it  is  said  that  country  friends  for 
miles  round  used  to  come  into  the  old  town  on  that  day,  to 
witness  the  agility  of  their  fair  friends  at  Colne. 


S08  ANNAL8   AND   STORIES   OP 

Bull -baiting  was  once  a  favourite  amusement  at  the 
Waterside  Rushbearing,  it  being  exactly  66  six  years  since 
the  last  bull  was  baited  on  Mill  Green.  A  subscription  was 
made  amongst  the  inhabitants  of  Colne  and  Waterside  to  pay 
for  the  bull,  and  if  a  person  subscribed — say  a  shilling — he 
was  entitled  after  the  cruel  sport  was  over  to  a  shilling's 
worth  of  the  flesh.  The  poor  animal  had  some  rum  poured 
into  its  mouth  to  make  it  fierce,  and  then,  amidst  the 
applause  of  hundreds  of  spectators,  the  dogs  were  one  by 
one  set  upon  it.  Happily,  these  times  are  over,  and  Water- 
side more  peacefully  employed. 

The  last  sale  of  a  wife  by  auction  in  this  neighbourhood 
took  place  on  the  steps  of  the  Market  Cross,  in  the  presence 
of  a  large  crowd,  at  Colne  May  Fair,  in  1814.  The  bidding 
for  the  woman  was  spirited,  and  she  was  at  length  knocked 
down  to  a  man  at  the  Castle  for  a  few  pounds.  Directly  she 
heard  the  result  of  the  sale — whether  actuated  by  fear  or 
modesty  is  not  recorded — she  rushed  away  at  full  speed 
down  Windy  Bank,  and  being  nimble,  ran  some  distance 
before  her  pursuers  overtook  her. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  present  century  it  was  not 
unusual  for  the  magistrates  to  order  a  prisoner  to  be  whipped 
at  the  Cross,  after  undergoing  his  term  of  imprisonment  at 
Preston.  Accordingly,  a  chaise  containing  the  culprit  and 
an  officer  from  Preston,  might  be  seen  driving  up  the  street 
as  far  as  the  Cross,  and  the  tying  of  the  prisoner  to  a  cart- 
wheel and  the  infliction  of  the  punishment  occupied  only  a 
few  minutes.  The  last  time  the  Colne  people  beheld  this 
strange  sight  was  in  1822,  but  as  the  magistrates  thought 
the  infliction  of  the  punishment  might  create  a  disturbance, 
the  military  were  sent  for,  and  they  having  formed  a  square 
round  the  Cross,  the  punishment  was  inflicted. 


OQLNB  AND   NBIOHBOURHOOD.  209 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    COLNE    WITCHES. 


'  I  wonder  much 
If  judges  sentence  with  belief  on  such 
Doth  passe.' 

Rev.  Richard  James. — Iter  Lancattrense. 


THE  attention  of  Queen  Elizabeth  was  once  directed  to  the 
subject  of  witchcraft  by  a  means  not  uncommon  in  the 
days  in  which  she  lived.  In  the  year  1584,  Bishop  Jewell, 
one  of  the  most  eminent  prelates  of  her  reign,  had  occasion 
to  preach  before  her,  and  he,  observing  with  concern  and 
dismay  the  spread  of  witchcraft  throughout  the  land,  deemed 
it  his  duty  thus  pointedly  to  address  his  sovereign  :  "  It  may 
please  your  Grace  to  understand  that  witches  and  sorcerers 
within  these  last  four  years  are  marvellously  increased  within 
your  Grace's  realm.  Your  Grace's  subjects  pine  away  even 
unto  death,  their  colour  fadeth,  their  flesh  rotteth,  their 
speech  is  benumbed,  their  senses  are  bereft."  "  I  pray  God," 
added  the  bishop,  earnestly  and  significantly,  "  they  never 
practice  further  than  upon  the  subject."  Yet  it  does  not 
appear  that  the  Queen  ever  gave  the  subject  her  serious 
attention.  Not  so  her  successor,  the  pedantic  James.  He 
firmly  believed  in  the  reality  of  witchcraft,  and,  regarding  the 
subject  with  the  deepest  interest,  took  a  pleasure  in  interro- 
gating witches  and  writing  his  well-known  "  Demonologie." 
This  King  is  also  the  reputed  author  of  one  of  the  most 
execrable  statutes  ever  passed  by  an  English  Parliament,  one 
which,  to  England's  disgrace,  remained  unrepealed  until  the 
days  of  the  Second  George,  when  the  force  of  public  opinion 
demanded  its  excision  from  the  otherwise  fair  pages  of  the 
statute  book  of  England.     The  provisions  of  this  famous 

0 


210  AKNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

statute,  under  which  the  lives  of  hundreds  of  innocent  beings 
■were  sacrificed,  were  as  follows  : — 

"  K  any  person  or  persons  shall  use,  practise,  or  exercise  any  invoca- 
tion or  conjuration  of  any  evU  and  wicked  spirit,  or  shcM  consult, 
covenant  with,  entertain,  employ,  feed,  or  reward  any  evil  or  wicked  spirit, 
to  or  for  any  intent  or  purpose,  or  take  up  any  dead  man,  woman,  or 
child,  out  of  his,  her,  or  their  grave,  or  any  other  place  where  the  dead 
body  resteth,  or  the  skin,  bone,  or  any  part  of  a  dead  person,  to  be 
employed  or  used  in  any  manner  of  witchcraft,  sorcery,  charm,  or 
inchantment,  or  shall  use,  practise,  or  exercise  any  witchcraft,  inchant- 
ment,  charm,  or  sorcery  whereby  any  person  shall  be  killed,  disturbed, 
wasted,  consumed,  pierced,  or  lamed  in  his  or  her  body,  or  any  part 
thereof  ;  then  every  such  offender  or  offenders  therein,  aiders,  abettors, 
and  counsellors,  being  of  any  of  the  said  offences  duly  and  lawfully 
convicted,  shall  suffer  pains  of  death  as  a  felon  or  felons,  and  shall  lose 
the  privilege  and  benefit  of  clergy  and  sanctuary. 

"  If  any  person  or  persons  take  upon  him  or  them,  by  witchcraft, 
inchantment,  charm,  or  sorcery,  to  tell  or  declare  in  what  place  any 
treasure  of  gold  or  silver  should  or  might  be  found  or  had  in  the  earth, 
or  other  secret  places,  or  where  goods  or  things  lost  or  stolen  should  be 
found,  or  to  the  intent  to  provoke  any  person  to  unlawful  love,  or 
whereby  any  cattle  or  goods  of  any  person  shall  be  destroyed,  or  to  hurt 
or  destroy  any  person  in  his  or  her  body,  although  the  same  be  not 
effected  or  done,  being  therefore  lawfully  convicted,  shall  for  the  said 
offence  suffer  death,"  &c. 

Such  was  the  legal  punishment  awarded  to  the  witch,  hard 
and  dreadful  it  is  true,  but,  perhaps,  preferable  to  the  more 
lingering  death  too  often  inflicted  by  the  rude,  ignorant,  and 
superstitious  peasantry  on  many  a  helpless  woman  on  mere 
suspicion  of  the  crime. 

Maidens  with  merry  eyes  and  rosy  cheeks,  Ye  whose 
personal  charms  have  rightly  won  for  you  the  proud  appella- 
tion of  "Lancashire  Witches,"  What  think  ye  of  the  barbarous 
treatment  such  an  one  was  once  called  upon  to  endure  1 
What  think  ye  that,  disrobed  by  men  unworthy  of  the  name, 
and  lost  to  all  right  feeling,  the  wretched  victim  was 
cruelly  pricked  with  thorns  and  briars  to  see  if  the  crimson 
blood  would  flow  from  the  wounded  part.  If  it  came,  she 
was  free,  indeed,  but  at  what  a  price  !  If,  however,  as  too 
often  was  contrived  to  be  the  case,  it  came  not,  she  must  be 
a  witch ;  and  so,  toes  and  thumbs  tied  together,  she  was 
lowered  by  brutal  hands  into  the  nearest  stream  suflSciently 


COLNE    AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  211 

deep  for  the  purpose,  to  sink  under  whose  waters  was  to  be 
spared  further  shame,  but  to  rise  to  whose  surface,  or  weep 
more  than  three  tears  out  of  the  left  eye,  was  but  the  signal 
for  still  more  shameful  indignities.  Unfortunately,  too, 
these  efforts  for  the  extermination  of  the  dreaded  witch  were 
seconded  by  men  high  in  authority,  who,  actuated  by 
feelings  either  of  envy,  malice,  or  a  desire  for  notoriety,  were 
unscrupulous,  indeed,  in  effecting  a  witch's  ruin.  Such  an 
one,  unless  his  actions  belie  him,  was  Roger  Nowell,  of  Read 
Hall,  in  this  county.  Esquire ;  he  who  gloried  as  much  in  a 
witch's  condemnation  as  adding  to  his  own  broad  acres.  In 
fiction — and  the  picture  is  a  lifelike  one — he  is  described  as 
a  county  magistrate,  and  an  active  and  busy  one  too,  dealing 
hard  measure  from  the  bench,  and  seldom  tempering  justice 
with  mercy ;  in  appearance,  sharp-featured ;  in  manner,  dry 
and  sarcastic.  Ostensibly  actuated  by  the  best  of  motives, 
yet,  in  reality,  by  a  desire  of  fame,  Roger  Nowell  seems 
sometimes,  as  in  the  case  of  Alice  Nutter,  to  have  played  a 
prominent  part  in  the  prosecution  of  these  wretched 
creatures ;  at  other  times  to  have  been,  apparently,  a  willing 
instniment  in  the  hands  of  others.  It  is  presumably  in  this 
latter  character  that  he  figures  in  a  story,  the  facts  of  which, 
so  far  as  known,  are  few  and  simple  :  A  pedler,  named  John 
Law,  whilst  exercising  his  vocation  on  Colne  Field,  in  March, 
1612,  was  suddenly  stricken  with  paralysis  of  the  lower 
limbs.  About  the  same  time  a  young  Colne  girl,  named 
Anne  Foulds,  after  a  long  tedious  illness,  died,  a  victim  of 
consumption.  One,  an  event  due  either  to  the  visitation  of 
God,  or,  perhaps,  attributable  to  natiiral  causes ;  the  other 
common  to  all ;  yet  such  the  prevailing  ignorance  and  super- 
stition, that  ere  the  grass  had  time  to  grow  green  on  Anne's 
grave,  three  females  found  themselves  prisoners  within  the 
strong  walls  of  Lancaster  Castle,  there  to  await,  with  other 
wretched  companions  in  misfortune,  with  what  degree  of 
composure  they  might,  their  inevitable  fate. 


The    prettily  situated    county  town    was   all   astir  on 
Sunday,  the  16  th  of  August,  to  witness  the  arrival  of  Sir 


f    ■ 

'212  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OF 

James  Altham  and  Sir  Edward  Bromley,  the  King's  Justices 
of  Assize.  Travelling  from  Kendal,  they  reached  the  town 
about  noon,  and  proceeded  to  the  Castle,  where,  shortly  after 
their  arrival,  the  Governor  presented  them  the  calendar 
containing  the  names  of  no  less  than  nineteen  witches, 
including  those  of  Katherine  Hewet,  the  vdfe  of  John  Hewet,  of 
Colne,  Clothier  ;  Alice.  Gray,  also  of  Colne,  and  Alizon  Device. 
Little  is  known  of  Katherine  Hewet,  but  the  circumstance  of 
her  husband  being  a  clothier  would  seem  to  warrant  the 
inference  that  she  was  of  higher  rank  than  many  of  her 
companions  in  misfortune.  Still  less  is  known  of  Alice  Gray, 
whilst  the  third,  Alizon  Device,  was  a  beggar  girl,  born  and 
bred  in  Pendle  Forest,  and  not,  as  in  the  novel,^  the  object 
of  Richard's  love.  The  last  words  of  the  one  lover  were  not, 
"One  grave,  Alizon;"  and  of  the  other,  "Mother,  thou  art 
saved,  saved  ! "  They  two  are  unburied  in  one  grave,  its 
turf  is  unbedecked  with  the  earliest  primrose  and  the  latest 
violet,  for  she,  the  young,  the  good,  the  beautiful,  the  well- 
beloved  of  Richard  Assheton — his  in  life,  in  death — was  but 
the  fair  creation  of  a  novelist's  fertile  brain ;  whilst  a  lone- 
lier life,  and  a  death  other  than  by  the  touch  of  the  demon's 
hand,  was  the  hard  lot  of  the  Alizon  of  real  life. 

But  to  return.  Monday  was  occupied  by  the  Judges  in 
various  preliminaries,  and  it  was  not  until  the  following  day 
that  Mr.  Baron  Bromley,  coming  into  the  Crown  Court, 
commanded  the  Sheriff  to  present  his  prisoners,  the  witches, 
before  him,  and  prepare  a  sufficient  Jury  for  Life  and 
Death.  This  done,  the  trials  commenced.  On  the 
following  day  Katherine  Hewet,  standing  at  the  bar  before 
the  great  seat  of  Justice,  was  indicted  and  arraigned 
"  For    that   she   feloniously   had  practised,  exercised,   and 

'  used  her  Devilish  and  wicked  Arts,  called  Witchcrafts, 
Inchantments,  Charms,  and  Sorceries,  in  and  upon  Anne 
Foulds ;  and  the  said  Anne  Foulds,  by  force  of  the  same 
Witchcraft,  feloniously  did  Kill  and  Murder,  Contrary  to 
the  form  of   the  Statute,   <fec.,  and  against   the   Peace  of 

,  Qur  Sovereign  Lord  the  King,"  &c.     To  this  charge   the 

'  The  Lancashire  Witches. 


CQLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  213 

prisoner  pleaded  "  Not  guilty,^'  aud,  for  the  trial  of  her  life, 
put  herself  upon  God  aud  her  country.  The  evidence  against 
her  was  briefly  as  follows  :  James  Device,  a  convicted  witch 
and  brother  to  the  prisoner  Alizou,  in  his  examination  on 
the  27th  April,  before  Roger  Nowell  and  Nicholas  Bannister, 
Esquires,  stated  that  about  12  a.m.  last  Good  Friday,  a 
number  of  persons  known  by  him  as  witches,  dined  at  his 
mother's  house.  Some  he  knew,  others  not,  but  he  did  know 
that  the  prisoner  was  there,  and  that  she  and  Anne  Gray  had 
confessed  at  the  witches'  meeting  at  Malkin  Toiver,  that  they 
had  killed  Anne  Foulds,  of  Colne,  and  had  then  in  hanck  a 
child  of  Michael  Hartley's,  of  Colne.  He  also  said  that  all 
the  witches  went  out  of  the  house  in  their  own  shapes  and 
likenesses,  and  as  soon  as  they  reached  the  doors,  were  gotten 
on  horseback  like  unto  foals,  some  of  one  colour  and  some  of 
another,  and  one,  Preston's  wife,  was  the  last ;  and  when  she 
got  on  horseback  they  all  presently  vanished  out  of  sight. 
Elizabeth  Device,  his  mother,  likewise  a  convicted  witch, 
corroborated  her  son's  statement,  and  also  upon  her  oath 
confessed  that  she  was  a  consenting  party  to  the  murder  [by 
witchcraft]  of  Master  Lister,  who  sleeps  at  Gisburn  Church. 
But  the  most  important  evidence  was  that  given  by  Jentiet 
Device,'^  a  forward  untruthful  child,  nine  years  old,  who,  by 
a  righteous  retribution,  was  herself  in  after  years  convicted 
as  a  witch.  She  emphatically  declared,  that,  on  the  occasion 
in  question,  some  twenty  persons  were  assembled  at  Malkin 
Tower,  of  whom,  as  far  as  she  remembered,  only  two  were 
men.  Her  mother  told  her  they  were  witches,  aud  she  could 
tell  the  names  of  five  of  them.  Struck  with  the  child's 
manner,  and  suspicious  of  the  ease  and  nonchalance  with 
which  she  gave  her  evidence,  the  judge  commanded  her  to 
point  out  Katherine  Hewet  from  amongst  the  other  prisoners  : 
whereupon  Jennet  went  up  to  her  and  took  her  by  the  hand, 
accused  her  of  being  one  of  the  witches  present,  told  her  in 
what  place  she  sat  at  the  witch-feast  held  at  Malkin  Tower, 
and  who  sat  next  her,  what  conference  they  had,  and  all  the 


>  The  original  orthography  of  the  names,  ka.  is  preserved  as  much  as  possible, 
but  the  evidence  is  in  some  cases  epitomised,  and  modem  orthography  adopted. 


214  ANNAL8    AND    STORIES    OF 

rest  of  their  proceedings  without  contradicting  herself  in  any 
single  particular.  Even  this,  however,  did  not  altogether 
allay  his  Lordship's  suspicions.  Looking  at  the  girl,  as  though 
the  answer  was  unimportant,  Baron  Bromley,  with  an  assumed 
familiarity  with  Lancashire  names  which  must,  assuredly, 
have  caused  a  smile  in  court,  inquired  of  her  whether 
Joane  a  Downe  was  at  the  feast  and  meeting,  intending 
to  trap  the  little  perjurer  into  saying  yes.  But  Jennet 
had  been  well  schooled,  and  artfully  replied  that  she 
knew  no  such  woman  to  be  there,  neither  did  she  ever 
hear  her  name.  Silent  as  to  much  that  would  have  interested 
us,  we  learn  from  Master  Potts,  who,  in  his  official  capacity, 
was  an  eye-witness  of  the  whole  proceedings,  that  the  Jury 
of  Life  and  Death,  having  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  day 
in  the  due  consideration  of  this  and  other  cases  of  alleged 
witchcraft,  returned  into  court  with  a  verdict  of  "  not  guilty  ;" 
as  regarded  a  few  of  the  prisoners,  including  Alice  Gray ; 
" guilty"  as  to  the  majority  of  them,  including  Katherine 
Hewet.  The  Judge  then  intimated  his  intention  to  postpone 
judgment,  and  commanded  the  convicted  prisoners  to  be 
removed,  and  other  witches  to  be  arraigned.  Alizon's  case 
was  reached  at  length,  and  she,  too,  standing  at  the  bar 
before  the  Great  Seat  of  Justice,  was  there  indicted  and 
arraigned  "  For  that  she  feloniously  had  practised,  exercised, 
and  used  her  Devilish  and  wicked  Arts,  called  Witch-crafts, 
Inchantments,  Charms,  and  Sorceries  in  and  upon  one  John 
Law,  a  Petti-chapman,  and  him  had  lamed,  so  that  his  body 
wasted  and  consumed,  Contrary  to  the  form  of  the  statute, 
(kc,  and  against  the  peace  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  the  King." 
Then  occurred  an  incident,  doubtless  brought  about  by  the 
careful  planning  of  Master  Nowell.  Whilst  Alizon  Device 
was  being  arraigned,  and  before  she  had  pleaded,  the  Pedler, 
lame  and  deformed,  and  the  object  of  the  deepest  commiser- 
ation on  the  part  of  the  spectators,  entered  the  Court,  in 
company  with,  and  supported  by,  his  son ;  and,  as  the 
prisoner's  eye  fell  on  him,  his  appearance  convinced  her  it 
was  useless  either  to  deny  or  palliate  her  crime.  Weeping 
bitterly,  she  fell  on  her  knees  and  prayed  the  Court  to  hear 
her.     The  Judge  assented,  but  before  allowing  her  to  speak, 


OOLNE  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  215 

bade  her  separate  herself  from  the  other  prisoners,  and 
advance  nearer  to  himself.  Then,  humbly  on  her  knees,  she 
asked  forgiveness  of  her  crime,  and  confessed  as  followB  : — 

'About  two  years  ago  my  grandmother,  Elizabeth  Sothemes,  cUiat 
Dembdike,  did  (sundry  times  in  going  or  walking  together,  aa  we  went 
begging)  persuade  and  advise  me  to  let  a  Devil  or  a  Familiar  appear  to 
me,  and  that  I  would  let  him  suck  at  some  part  of  me,  and  I  might 
have  and  do  what  I  would.  And  so,  not  long  after  these  persuaaions, 
walking  towards  the  Rough-Lee,  in  a  close  of  one  John  Robinson's, 
there  appeared  unto  me  a  thing  like  unto  a  Black  Dog  :  speaking  unto 
me,  and  desiring  me  to  give  him  my  soul,  and  he  would  give  me  power 
to  do  anything  I  would  :  whereupon  I  being  therewithall  enticed,  and 
setting  me  dovni  the  said  Black  Dog  did  with  his  mouth  (as  I  then 
thought)  suck  at  my  breast,  a  little  below  my  paps,  which  place  did 
remain  blue  half  a  year  next  after  :  which  said  Black  Dog  did  not 
appear  to  me  until  the  eighteenth  day  of  March  last  :  at  which  time  I 
met  with  a  Pedler  on  the  highway  called  Colne-field,  near  unto  Colne  : 
and  I  demanded  of  the  said  Pedler  to  buy  some  pins  of  him ;  but  the 
said  Pedler  sturdily  answered  me  that  he  would  not  loose  his  pack  ; 
and  so  parting  with  him,  presently  there  appeared  to  me  the  Black 
Dog  which  appeared  unto  me  as  before  :  which  Black  Dog  spake  unto 
me  in  English,  saying  :  "  What  would'st  thou  have  me  to  do  to  yonder 
man  ? "  to  whom  I  said,  "  What  can'st  thou  do  at  him  ? "  And  the  Dog 
answered,  again,  "  I  can  lame  him  : "  whereupon  I  answered  and  said  to 
the  Black  Dog,  "Lame  him  :"  and  before  the  Pedler  was  gone  forty 
roods  further  he  fell  down  lame ;  and  I  then  went  after  the  said  Pedler ; 
and  in  a  house  about  the  distance  aforesaid,  he  was  lying  lame  :  and 
so  I  went  begging  in  Trawden  Forest  that  day,  and  came  home  at  night : 
and  about  five  days  next  after  the  said  Black  Dog  did  appear  to  me  as  I 
was  going  a  begging,  in  a  close  near  the  New- Church  in  Pen  die,  and 
spake  again  to  me,  saying :  "  Stay  and  speak  with  me  ; "  but  I  would 
not :  Sithence  which  time  I  never  saw  him.' 

All  in  Court  were  astonished  at  this  full  and  voluntary  con- 
fession, which  entirely  agreed  with  the  one  she  had  pre- 
viously made  when  apprehended  and  taken  before  Master 
No  well,  at  Read,  on  the  30th  of  March  then  last;  and  as  the 
Judge's  eye  fell  on  the  distressed  Pedler  standing  by,  he 
directed  him  to  stand  forward  and  declare  upon  his  oath 
what  was  the  cause  of  his  misfortune.  Thereupon  the 
Pedler,  nothing  loath,  deposed  as  follows  : — 

'  About  the  eighteenth  of  March  last  past,  I  being  a  Pedler,  went  with 
my  pack  of  wares  at  my  back  through  Colne-fidd :  where  unluckily  I 
met  with  Alizon  Device,  now  prisoner  at  the  bar,  who  was  very  earnest 


216  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

vith  me  for  pins,  but  I  would  give  her  none  :  whereupon  she  seemed  to 
bs  very  angry,  and  when  I  was  past  her  I  fell  down  lame  in  great  extre- 
mity :  and  aJfterwards  by  means  got  into  an  Ale-house  in  Colne,  near 
unto  the  place  where  I  was  first  bewitched  :  and  as  I  lay  there  in  great 
pain,  not  able  to  stir  either  hand  or  foot,  I  saw  a  great  Black  Dog  stand 
by  me,  with  very  fearful  fiery  eyes,  great  teeth ,  and  a  terrible  counten- 
ance, looking  me  in  the  face ;  whereat  I  was  very  sore  afraid  :  and  imme- 
diately after  came  in  the  said  Alizon  Device,  who  staid  not  long  there, 
but  looked  on  me,  and  went  away. 

'  After  which  time  I  was  tormented  both  day  and  night  with  the  said 
Alizon  DeAdce,  and  so  continued  lame,  not  able  to  travel  or  take  pains 
ever  since  that  time.' 

Then,  as  if  to  emphasise  his  statement,  the  Pedler,  the 
tears  awhile  streaming  down  his  cheeks,  turned  to  the  pri- 
soner, and  with  great  emotion  exclaimed  in  the  hearing  of  all 
in  court :  This  thou  hnowest  to  he  true!  Again  she  humbly 
acknowledged  it  was  so,  and  begged  the  forgiveness  of  God 
and  the  Pedler.  The  latter  readily  accorded  it.  And  here 
Master  Nowell,  who  was  not  the  man  to  allow  an  oppor- 
tunity to  escape  him,  perceived  a  tempting  chance  of  dis- 
playing his  zeal  and  activity  in  such  a  good  cause.  Rising 
from  his  seat  and  addressing  the  Court,  he  requested  as  a 
fixvour,  that,  inasmuch  as  this  was  a  clear  case  of  witchcraft, 
the  evidence  of  Abraham  Law,  the  Pedler's  son,  which  he 
himself  had  taken,  might,  for  the  better  satisfaction  of  the 
audience  be  read  in  Court.  The  Judge  assenting,  the  evidence 
in  question  was  then  read  : — 

'  Upon  Saturday  last  save  one,  being  the  one  and  twentieth  of  this 
instant  March,  I  was  sent  for  by  a  letter  that  came  from  my  father  that 
I  should  come'  [probably  from  Halifax]  'to  my  father,  John  Law,  who 
then  lay  in  Colne  speechless,  and  had  the  left  side  lamed,  all  save  his 
eye  ;  and  when  I  came  to  my  father,  my  said  father  had  something 
recovered  his  speech,  and  did  complain  that  he  was  pricked  with  knives, 
elsons,  and  sickles,  and  that  the  same  hurt  was  done  unto  him  at  Colnt- 
fidd,  presently  after  that  Alizon  Device  had  oflFered  to  buy  some  pins 
of  him,  and  she  had  no  money  to  pay  for  them  withall  ;  but,  as  my 
father  told  me,  he  gave  her  some  pins.  And  I  heard  my  said  father  say 
that  the  hurt  he  had  in  his  lameness  was  done  unto  him  by  the  said 
Alizon  by  witchcraft.  And  my  said  father  further  said  that  the  said 
Alizon  Device  did  lie  upon  him,  and  trouble  him.  And  seeing  my 
said  father  so  tormented  with  the  said  Alizon,  and  with  one  other  old 
woman,  I  made  search  after  the  said  Alizon,  and  having  found  her, 
brought  "her  to  my  said  father  yesterday,  being  the  nine  and  twentieth 


oo'lnb  and  neighbourhood.  217 

of  this  instant  March,  whose  said  father,  in  the  hearing  of  me  and  divers 
others,  did  charge  the  said  Alizon  to  have  bewitched  him,  which  the 
said  Alizon  confessing,  did  ask  my  said  father's  forgiveness  upon  her 
knees  for  the  same  ;  whereupon  my  father  accordingly  did  forgive 
her.' 

The  Pedler's  sod,  in  open  Court,  upon  his  oath,  declared  this 
examination  to  be  true.  It  was  then  shown  to  the  Court 
that  the  unfortunate  man,  before  his  meeting  with  the  witch, 
was  "  a  verie  able  sufi&cient_  stout  man  of  Bodie,  and  a  goodly 
man  of  stature,"  but  by  this  devilish  art  of  witchcraft  his 
head  was  drawn  away,  his  eyes  and  face  deformed,  his  speech 
hot  well  to  be  understood,  his  thighs  and  legs  stark  lame, 
his  arms  lame,  especially  the  left  side,  his  hands  lame  and 
turned  out  of  their  course,  his  body  able  to  endure  no  travel, 
and  thus  remaineth  at  this  present  time."  The  Court 
inquired  of  the  prisoner  whether  she  could  restore  the  poor 
Pedler  to  his  former  health.  She  answered  that  she  could 
not,  but,  with  others,  affirmed  that  if  old  Dembdike  had 
been  living,^  she  could  and  would  have  done  so.  The 
prisoner,  being  found  guilty  on  her  own  confession,  was  then 
removed  until  such  time  as  she  should  again  come  to  the 
bar  to  receive  her  judgment  of  death.  And  Master  Potts, 
accustomed  though  he  was  to  such  scenes,  remarks,  "  Oh, 
who  was  present  at  this  lamentable  spectacle  that  was  not 
moved  with  pitie  to  behold  it."  One  other  person  in 
Court  came  in  for  his  full  share  of  sympathy,  and  that  was 
the  Pedler,  for,  at  the  Judge's  entreaty,  my  Lord  Gerard, 
Sir  Richard  Houghton,  and  other  gentlemen  in  Court, 
promised  that  he  should  not  want.  A  painful  duty  yet 
remained  to  be  performed,  and  the  Judge  undertook  it,  sadly, 
but  unflinchingly.  First,  a  solemn  proclamation  was  made 
for  silence  in  Court  until  judgment  for  life  and  death  was 
given.  It  was  again  repeated,  and  yet  again,  and  then 
Master  Potts  presented  to  his  lordship  the  names  of  the 
prisoners  in  order  which  were  to  receive  their  judgment : — 


>  Old  Dembdike  died  in  prison  previous  to  the  trial,  and  so  passed  beyond  the 
'reach  of  human  fustice. 


218  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

Anne  Whittle,  alias  Chattox. 

Elizabeth  Device. 

James  Device. 

Anne  Redfeme. 

Alice  Nutter. 

Katherine  Hewet. 

John  Bulcock. 

Jane  Bulcock. 

Alizon  Device, 

Isabel  Robey. 

There  they  stood,  old  and  young,  mother  and  maid,  know- 
ing well — too  well — the  dread  sentence  about  to  be  pro- 
nounced.    And  now  the  Judge  speaks  : — 

'  Prisoners  at  the  bar — There  is  no  man  alive  more  unwilling  to 
pronounce  this  woful  and  heavy  judgment  against  you  than  myself :  and 
if  it  were  possible  I  would  to  God  that  this  cup  might  pass  from  me. 
But,  since  it  is  otherwise  provided  that  after  all  proceedings  of  the  law 
there  must  be  judgment,  and  the  execution  of  the  judgment  must 
succeed  and  follow  in  due  course.  I  pray  you  to  have  patieHce  to  receive 
that  which  the  law  doth  lay  upon  you.  You  of  all  people  have  the 
least  cause  to  complain,  since  in  the  trial  of  your  lives  there  hath  been 
great  care  and  pains  taken  and  much  time  spent,  and  very  few  or  none 
of  you  but  stand  convicted  upon  your  own  voluntary  confessions  and 
examinations.  Ex  ore  propria.  Few  witnesses  examined  against  you 
but  such  as  were  present  and  parties  at  your  assemblies.  Nay,  I  further 
affirm,  What  persons  of  your  nature  and  condition  were  arraigned  and 
tried  with  more  solemnity,  had  more  liberty  given  to  plead  or  answer 
to  every  particular  point  of  evidence  against  you  ?  In  conclusion, 
such  hath  been  the  general  care  of  all  that  had  to  deal  with  you,  that 
you  have  neither  cause  to  be  offended  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Justices 
that  first  took  pains  in  these  businesses,  nor  with  the  Court  that  hath 
had  great  care  to  give  nothing  iu  evidence  against  you  but  matter  of 
fact,  sufficient  matter  upon  record,  and  not  to  induce  or  lead  the  jury 
to  find  any  one  of  you  guilty  upon  matter  of  suspicion  or  presumption, 
nor  with  the  witnesses  who  have  been  tried  as  it  were  in  the  fire. 

'  Nay,  you  cannot  deny,  but  must  confess,  what  extraordinary  means 
hath  been  used  to  make  trial  of  their  evidence,  and  to  discover  the 
least  intended  practice  in  any  one  of  them  to  touch  your  lives  unjustly. 

'  As  you  stand  simply  (your  offences  and  bloody  practices  not  con- 
sidered) your  fall  would  rather  more  compassion  than  exasperate  any 
man.  For  whom  would  not  the  ruin  of  so  many  poor  creatures  at  one 
time  touch,  as  in  appearance  simple  and  of  little  understanding  ? 

'  But  the  blood  of  those  innocent  children  and  of  others  his  Majesty's 
subjects,  whom  cruelly  and  barbarously  you  have  murdered  and  cut  off, 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  219 

with  all  the  rest  of  your  offences  hath  cried  out  unto  the  Lord  against 
you,  and  solicited  for  satisfaction  and  revenge,  and  that  hath  brought 
this  heavy  judgment  upon  you  at  this  time. 

'  It  is  therefore  now  time  no  longer  wilfully  to  strive  against  the 
providence  of  God  and  the  justice  of  the  land :  the  more  you  labour 
to  acquit  yourselves,  the  more  evident  and  apparent  you  make  your 
offences  to  the  world.  And  impossible  it  is,  that  they  shall  either  pros- 
per or  continue  in  this  world,  or  receive  reward  in  the  next,  that  are 
stained  with  so  much  innocent  blood, 

•  The  worst  then  I  wish  to  you,  standing  at  the  bar  convicted  to  receive 
your  judgment,  is  remorse  and  true  repentance  for  the  safeguard  of 
your  souk,  and  after,  a  humble,  penitent,  and  hearty  acknowledgement 
of  your  grievous  sins  and  offences  committed  against  God  and  man. 

'  First,  yield  humble  and  hearty  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  taking 
hold  of  you  in  the  beginning  and  making  stay  of  your  intended  bloody 
practices  (although  God  knows  there  is  too  much  done  already)  which 
would  in  time  have  cast  so  great  a  weight  of  judgment  upon  your 
souls. 

'  Then  praise  God  that  it  pleased  Him  not  to  surprise  or  strike  you 
suddenly,  even  in  the  midst  of  your  bloody  murders,  and  in  the  midst 
of  your  wicked  practices,  but  hath  given  you  time,  and  takes  you  away 
by  a  judicial  trial  and  course  of  the  law. 

'  Last  of  all,  crave  pardon  of  the  world,  and  especially  of  such  as  you 
have  justly  offended,  either  by  tormenting  themselves,  children,  or 
friends,  murder  of  their  kinsfolk,  or  the  loss  of  any  of  their  goods. 

'  And  for  leaving  to  future  times  the  precedent  of  so  many  barbarouB 
and  bloody  murders,  with  such  meetings,  practices,  consultations,  and 
means  to  execute  revenge,  being  the  greater  part  of  your  comfort  in  all 
your  actions,  which  may  instruct  others  to  hold  the  like  course  or  fall 
in  the  like  sort,  it  only  remains  I  pronounce  the  judgment  of  the  Court 
against  you  by  the  King's  authority,  which  is :  You  shall  go  from 
hence  to  the  Castle  from  whence  you  came:  from  thence  you  shall  be 
ean-ied  to  the  place  of  eocecution  for  the  county:  where  your  bodies 
shall  be  hanged  until  you  be  dead.  And  may  God  have  mercy  on 
your  souls.  For  your  comfort  in  this  world  I  shall  commend  a  learned 
and  worthy  preacher  to  instruct  you  and  prepare  you  for  another  world. 
All  I  can  do  for  you  is  to  pray  for  your  repentance  in  this  world,  for  the 
satisfaction  of  many,  and  forgiveness  in  the  next  world  for  saving 
of  your  souls.  And  God  grant  that  you  may  make  good  use  of  the 
time  you  have  in  this  world  to  His  glory  and  your  own  comfort.' 

Then  they  were  removed,  and  whether  prayerfully  or 
hopefully,  resignedly  or  otherwise,  these  poor  creatures  met 
their  doom  we  do  not  know.  This  only  is  on  record — that 
the  next  day  the  convicted  witches  were  all  executed  "  at 
the  common  place  of  execution,  nigh  unto  Lancaster." 


3^  ANI7ALS   AND   STORIES    OF 

NOTES. 

Benefit  of  Clergy  [page  210.]  "  An  exemption  from  capital 
punishment  in  cases  of  capital  felony,  anciently  allowed  to 
criminals  in  holy  orders,  or  what  was  once  equivalent,  able 
to  read,  and  originally  allowed  to  these  only,  though  after- 
wards extended  both  to  clergy  and  laity.  Benefit  of  clergy 
is  now  abolished." — Stephen^ s  Commentaries,  Vol.  IV.,  p.  121. 

Benefit  of  Sanctuary  [page  210.]  The  law  of  sanctuary  was 
introduced  and  continued  during  the  superstitious  veneration 
paid  to  consecrated  ground,  in  the  time  of  Popery,  and 
existed  in  England  from  a  period  soon  after  the  conversion 
of  the  Saxons  to  Christianity.  The  statement  of  this  law  by 
Blackstone  (Vol.  IV.,  p.  332)  is  as  follows  : — 

'  If  a  person  accused  of  any  crime,  except  treason  and  sacrilege,  had 
fled  to  any  church  or  churchyard,  and  within  forty  days  after,  went  in 
sackcloth  and  confessed  himself  guilty  before  the  coroner,  and  declared 
all  the  particular  circumstances  of  the  offence,  and  took  the  oath  in  that 
case  provided,  viz.,  that  he  abjured  the  realm,  and  would  depart  from 
thence  forthwith  at  the  port  which  should  be  assigned  him,  and  would 
never  return  without  leave  from  the  King,  he  by  this  means  saved  his 
life,  if  he  observed  the  conditions  of  the  oath,  by  going  with  a  cross  in 
his  hand,  and  with  all  convenient  speed,  to  the  port  assigned,  and 
embarking.  For  if  during  this  forty  days'  privilege  of  sanctuary,  or  on 
his  road  to  the  seaside,  he  was  apprehended  and  arraigned  in  any  court 
for  this  felony,  he  might  plead  the  privilege  of  sanctuary,  and  had  a 
right  to  be  remanded  if  taken  out  against  his  will.' — Ibid,  p.  400. 

Roger  Nowell,  of  Read  Hall,in,  this  county, Esquireljpage  211]. 

Read  Hall  lies  on  the  high  side  of  the  road  between 
Padiham  and  Whalley,  near  to  the  latter  place,  and  is  now 
the  property  of  Richard  Fort,  Esq. 

A  Pedler  named  John  Law  [page  211.]  The  indictment  is 
silent  as  to  his  residence,  but  it  appears  his  son  Abraham 
lived  at  Halifax.  It  is  interesting  to  compare  the  facts  as 
here  set  forth,  with  the  fiction  embodied  in  that  most  in- 
teresting work,  "  TJie  Lancashire  Witches." 

'  "  Listen  to  me,"  he  [Roger  Nowell]  cried,  "  and  take  good  heed  to 
what  I  say,  for  it  concerns  you  nearly.  Strange  and  dreadful  things 
have  come  under  my  observation  on  my  way  hither.  I  have  seen  a 
whole  village  stricken  by  a  plague — a  poor  pedler  deprived  of  the  use  of 


OOLNE  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  221 

ihia  limbs,  and  put  in  peril  of  his  life — and  a  young  maiden,  once  the 
pride  and  ornament  of  your  own  village,  snatched  from  a  fond  father's 
care,  and  borne  to  an  untimely  grave.'  (p.  268.) 

Readers  of  that  novel  will  recollect  that  two  Colne  person- 
ages are  introduced,  viz.,  John  Law,  the  pedler,  and  Master 
Sudall,  the  chirurgeon.  Either  character  is  happily 
associated  with  Colne,  the  former,  by  reason  of  the  facts 
narrated  in  the  foregoing  chapter,  the  latter,  because  it  may 
reasonably  be  supposed,  that,  at  the  period  in  question, 
Rough  Lee  would  be  in  the  Colne  doctor's  round.  With  a 
novelist's  license,  Ainsworth  transfers  the  scene  of  the  seizure 
from  Colne,  where  it  really  happened,  to  Rough  Lee,  and 
makes  Mother  Demdike,  not  Alizon  Device,  the  perpetrator 
of  the  alleged  outrage. 

'  They  had  not  gone  far  when  they  heard  loud  groans,  and 
presently  afterwards  found  the  unfortunate  pedler  lying  on  his  back, 
and  writhing  in  agouy.  He  was  a  large,  powerfully-built  man,  of 
middle  age,  and  had  been  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  health  and  vigour,  so 
that  his  sudden  prostralion  was  the  more  terrible.  His  face  was  greatly 
disfigured,  the  mouth  and  neck  drawn  awry,  the  left  eye  pulled  down, 
and  the  whole  power  of  the  same  side  gone. 

*  "  Why,  John,  this  is  a  bad  business,"  cried  Nicholas,  "  You  have 
had  a  paralytic  stroke,  I  fear." 

' "  Nah  !  nah  !  Squoire,"  replied  the  sufferer,  speaking  with  difficulty, 
"  it's  neaw  nat'ral  ailment — it's  witchcraft." 

* "  Witchcraft  !"  exclaimed  Potts,  who  had  come  up,  and  producing 
his  memorandum  book.  "  Another  case.  Your  name  and  description, 
friend  ?  " 

* "  John  Law,  o*  Cown,  pedler,"  replied  the  man.  "  John  Law,  of 
Colne,  I  suppose,  petty  chapman,"  said  Potts,  making  an  entry.  "Now, 
John,  my  good  man,  be  pleased  to  tell  us  by  whom  you  have  been 
bewitched  ?" 

'  "  By  Mother  Demdike,"  groaned  the  man. 

' "  Mother  Demdike,  ah  ? "  exclaimed  Potts  ;  "  good,  very  good.  Now, 
John,  as  to  the  cause  of  your  quarrel  with  the  old  hag  ? " 

' "  Ey  con  scarcely  rekillect  it,  my  head  be  so  confused,  mester," 
replied  the  pedler. 

'  "  Make  an  effort,  John,"  persisted  Potts  ;  "  it  is  most  desirable  such 
a  dreadful  offender  should  not  escape  justice." 

'"  Weel,  weel,  ey'a  try  -and  tell  it  then,"  replied  the  pedler.  *'  Yo 
mun  know  ey  wur  crossing  the  hUl  fro'  Cown  to  Rough  Lee,  wi'  my 
pack  upon  my  shouthers,  when  who  should  ey  meet  boh  Mother  Dem- 
dike, an'  boo  axt  me  to  gi'  her  some  scithers  an'  pins,  boh,  as  ill-luck 
wad  ha'  it,  ey  refused.     *  Yo  had  better  do  it,  John,'  hoo  said, '  or  yo'll 


222  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

rue  it  afore  to-morrow  neet.'  Ey  laughed  at  her,  an'  trudged  on,  boh 
when  ey  looked  back,  an'  seed  her  shakin'  her  skinny  hond  at  me,  ey 
repented  and  thowt  ey  would  go  back,  an'  gi'  her  the  choice  o'  my 
wares.  Boh  my  pride  were  too  strong,  an'  ey  walked  on  to  Barley  an' 
Ogflen,  an'  slept  at  Bess's-o'th'-Booth,  an'  woke  this  momin'  stout  and 
strong,  fully  pursuaded  th'  owd  witch's  threat  would  come  to  nowt. 
Alack-a-day  !  ey  wur  out  i'  my  reckonin',  fo'  scarcely  had  ey  reached 
this  kloof,  o'  my  way  to  Sabden,  than  ey  wur  seized  wi'  a  sudden 
shock,  OS  if  a  thunder-bowt  had  hit  me,  an'  ey  lost  the  use  o'  my  lower 
limbs,  an'  t'  laft  soide,  an'  should  ha'  deed  most  likely,  if  it  hadna  bin 
fo'  Ebil-o'-Jems-o'-Dan's,  who  spied  me  out,  an'  brought  me  help." 

* "  Yours  is  a  deplorable  case,  indeed,  John,"  said  Richard,  "  especially 
if  it  be  the  result  of  witchcraft." 

' "  You  do  not  surely  doubt  that  it  is  so,  Master  Richard  ? "  cried 
Potts. 

* "  I  offer  no  opinion,"  replied  the  young  man ;  "  but  a  paralytic 
stroke  would  produce  the  same  effect."  ' 

A  youTig  Colne  girl  named  Anne  Foulds  [page  211].  Her 
name  is  not  recorded  in  the  Burial  Register  of  Colne  Church, 
Foulds  is  not  an  uncommon  name  in  Colne  at  the  present 
day. 

Michael  Hartley's  of  Colne  [page  213].  Hartley  is,  and 
has  long  been,  one  of  the  commonest  names  in  the  Chapelry 
of  Colne.  An  amusing  instance  of  the  frequency  of  the 
name  is  found  in  the  list  of  His  Majesty's  Copyhold  Tenants 
•within  the  Forest  of  Trawden  in  the  year  1608. 

Wycdla/r. 

John  Hartley. 

Soger  Hartley. 

James  Hartley. 

Peter  Hartley. 

Robert  Emott  and  Elizabeth,  his  Wife. 

John  Foulds. 

John  Emott. 

VfinewdH. 

Roger  Hartley. 
James  Hartley,  junr, 
John  Driver. 
Roger  Robert. 
James  Hartley. 
Lawrence  Shuttleworth. 


COLNE  AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD.  223 

Trawden. 

John  Hartley. 
James  Foulds. 
Thomas  Shackleton. 
Roger  Foulds. 
Richard  Shackleton. 
James  Hartley,  son  of  Lawrence. 
James  Hartley,  son  of  William. 
Roger  Hartley,  son  of  Robert. 
John  Hartley,  son  of  John. 
James  Hartley,  son  of  James. 
James  Hartley,  son  of  Richard. 
James  Hartley,  son  of  Roger. 
James  Hartley,  son  of  Wanlass. 
Peter  Hartley. 
James  Hartley. 
Henry  Shawe. 

Such  was  the  abundance  of  Hartleys  270  years  ago,  since 
which  time  their  number  has  considerably  increased.  At 
the  present  day  there  are  133  Hartleys  in  and  around  Colne, 
the  majority  of  whom  are  heads  of  households. 

An  Ale-hottse  in  Colne,  near  unto  the  place  where  I  was  first 
bewitched  [page  216].  Probably  the  "Dog,"  which  would  be 
the  nearest  Inn.  It  occupied  the  site  of  the  premises  in 
!Market  Street,  belonging  to  Mr.  Charles  Ayre,  and  others, 
and  was  demolished  in  the  year  1790. 


224  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 


CHAPTER  X. 

PEACE     AND    WAR. 


'  O  father  !  I  hear  the  church-bells  ring  ; 
Oh,  say  what  it  may  be.' — Lonnofellow. 


IT  was  a  sunny  morning  in  July,  1821,  and  Colne  was  early 
astir,  for  the  Coronation  Day  of  King  George  IV,  had  at 
length  arrived.  The  old  town  was  gay  with  bunting,  the 
church  bells  rang  merrily,  and  the  only  thought  of  the  inha- 
bitants was  how  best  to  spend  the  .£93  lis.  Ojd.  which  had, 
without  the  slightest  difficulty,  been  collected  for  the 
celebration  of  the  happy  event.  Many  plans,  all  more  or 
less  feasible,  had  been  suggested,  but  after  mature  delibera- 
tion, the  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose,  decided  on 
having  a  grand  procession  and  a  feast.  Great  preparations 
were  accordingly  made.  Shortly  after  1 1  o'clock  the  6unday 
scholars,  of  all  denominations,  assembled  in  the  upper  room 
of  the  Cloth  HaU,  and  whilst  they  were  being  marshalled 
the  streets  had  become  lined  with  spectators  and  every 
window  occupied.  A  few  minutes  before  noon  the  sound  of 
distant  music  and  a  merry  peal  from  the  bells  betokened 
that  the  long  procession  had  started ;  and  a  pretty  sight  it 
was  as  it  filed  past  the  old  Cross.  First  came  the  band, 
playing  a  merry  march,  quickly  followed  by  Lord  Ribbles- 
dale's  yeomanry  troop,  whose  fine  horses  and  soldierly 
bearing  caused  a  murmur  of  admiration  among  the  spec- 
tators. A  few  paces  behind  them,  fully  conscious  of  his 
high  dignity,  rode  His  Most  Gracious  Majesty  King  George  TV., 
represented  on  this  occasion,  by  John  Pickles,  an  old  soldier 
of  the  Oxford  Blues,  who,  mounted  on  a  black  horse,  appeared 
in  full  regimentals,  and  a  cocked  hat  with  waving  plumes. 
And  a  fine  handsome  man  did  His  Majesty  look  as  he  bowed 


COLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  225 

right  and  left,  in  acknowledgment  of  the  cheers  of  the  spec- 
tators, though  now  and  then  unable  to  restrain  a  smile  as 
some  rude  urchin  saluted  him  with  a  cry  of  "  Old  Johnny 
Pickles."  Unfortunately,  the  kingly  representative  had  one 
little  defect,  and  that  was  his  legs  were  not  as  comely  a 
shape  as  might  have  been  ;  but  John  Pickles  had  known 
misfortune,  for  riding  once  in  Hyde  Park,  London,  his 
prancing  steed  bolted  suddenly  against  a  tree,  much  to  the 
damage  of  one  of  the  brave  soldier's  legs.  Behind  his 
Majesty  came  the  magistrates,  followed  by  the  Freemasons, 
gentry,  and  tradesmen  of  the  town,  who  were  in  turn  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Oddfellows  in  all  the  splendour  of  new  regalia, 
for  it  was  the  first  time  they  had  walked  through  Colne 
streets.  Next  came  the  long  array  of  gaily-dressed 
scholars,  with  many  a  flag  borne  by  tiny  hands,  and  the 
rear  was  brought  up  by  a  miscellaneous  collection  of 
men,  women,  and  children.  There,  too,  in  his  appointed 
place,  walked  Mr.  Henderson,  the  young  and  active  Curate 
of  Colne.  Down  the  main  street  the  long  procession 
wended  its  way  as  far  as  Carry  Lane  Head,  and  then,  wheel- 
ing round,  returned  in  the  same  order  as  far  as  the  church. 
Arrived  there,  the  scholars  immediately  filed  off  to  the  Cloth 
Hall  for  the  purpose  of  each  receiving  a  meat-pie,  whilst 
another  portion  of  the  procession  escorted  the  "  King"  to  the 
Church  Meadows,  where  he  was  duly  crowned.  Although 
the  number  of  scholars  taking  part  iu  the  procession  is  not 
recorded,  yet  it  appears  from  the  constable's  accounts  that 
five  confectioners  in  the  town  supplied  1,517  pies;  therefore, 
allowing  one  pie  for  each  scholar,  we  may  fairly  assume  that 
there  were  1,517  scholars  present.  Neither  was  there  any 
lack  of  beer  on  that  memorable  day,  for  five  of  the  principal 
innkeepers  in  the  town  received  orders  from  the  committee  to 
place  70  gallons  at  the  disposal  of  the  general  public,  and  the 
public  took  care  to  see  that  the  order  was  properly  executed. 
At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  116  couples  partook  of  a 
sumptuous  dinner,  provided  for  them  by  the  committee  at 
some  of  the  principal  inns  in  the  town.  It  is  amusing  to 
note  how  unequally  the  sexes  sat  down  to  dinner,  for 
inasmuch  as  116  couples  had  been  invited,  the  committee 
p 


226  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OP 

evidently  intended  that  there  should  be  an  equal  number  of 
either  sex  at  each  inn,  but,  for  some  reason  best  known  to 
themselves,  the  ladies  mustered  in  great  force  at  the  Black 
Bull,  the  Angel,  and  the  Hole-in-the-Wall,  whilst  the  lords  of 
creation  were  equally  strong  at  the  Walton's  Arms,  the 
Red  Lion,  and  the  Cross  Keys.  The  following  were  the 
guests  : — 

*  The  Black  Bull. — 15  males,  and  22  females,  viz. :  John  Emmott, 
Richard  Nutter,  Richard  Walker,  John  Bentham,  William  Hardacre, 
John  Hartley,  Abraham  Sugden,  Edward  Barker,  Matthew  Robinson, 
Benjamin  Preston,  Bernard  Shuttleworth,  William  Birtwistle,  George 
Shuttleworth,  Nicholas  Wilkinson,  and  James  Brown  ;  Margaret  Nutter, 
Sarah  Shuttleworth,  Ann  Stansfield,  Esther  Walker,  Mary  Bentham, 
Ellen  Bracewell,  Betty  Mason,  Jane  Stansfield,  Elizabeth  Barker,  Mary 
Stock,  Betty  Robinson,  Ahce  Lee,  Ellen  Preston,  Alice  Midgley,  Ann 
Birtwistle,  Betty  Holmes,  Christiana  Hartley,  Betty  Hartley,  Mary  Hey, 
Nancy  Shuttleworth,  Susannah  Whitaker,  and  Betty  Brown. 

'The  Walton's  Arms. — 26  males  and  19  females,  viz.:  John  Baldwin, 
Edward  TattersaU,  Richard  Bradley,  William  Hartley,  Robert  Stockdale, 
John  Briggs,  Frank  Stuttard,  John  Middlebrough,  Robert  Greenwood, 
Richard  Shoesmith,  William  King,  Henry  Green,  John  Hartley,  John 
Thornton,  Patrick  Dillon,  John  Ackornley,  James  Halstead,  James 
Wilson,  John  Slater,  James  Ridehalgh,  John  Winder,  Edward  Green, 
John  Pickard,  Robert  Hartley,  Thomas  Baxter,  and  J.  —  Higgin  ;  Jane 
Hartley,  Ellen  Lane,  Betty  Shoesmith,  Mary  Hartley,  Ann  Green  (2), 
Isabella  Greenwood,  Mary  Hartley,  Betty  Slater,  Widow  Bannister,  Ann 
Starkie,  Margaret  Wood,  Peggy  Ridehalgh,  Jane  Wilson,  Mary  Haworth, 
Ann  Riley,  Betty  Pickard,  Frances  Ayrton,  and  Betty  Thornton. 

'  The  Red  Lion. — 26  males  and  15  females,  viz.  :  James  Foulds,  John 
Foulds,  John  Baldwin,  William  Shackleton,  John  Aiken,  Thomas  Brown, 
WnUam  Baldwin,  John  Varley,  John  Hartley,  James  Middlebrough, 
sen.,  George  Hartley,  John  Rycroft,  John  Whitaker,  John  Robinson, 
Joseph  Haworth,  John  Holgate,  John  Holmer,  Stephen  Stow, 
Mr.  John  Whitaker,  John  Lee,  Wilham  Hyde,  Joseph  Bairstow,  John 
Varley,  Solomon  Heap,  James  Greenwood,  and  John  Preston  ;  Betty 
Brown,  Susan  Hartley,  Mary  Rycroft,  Mary  Sugden,  Sarah  Shaw,  Sarah 

Smith,  Margaret   Stow,  Ruth  Pickles,  Mary  ,^  Mary  Greenwood, 

Betty  Varley,  Sarah  Edmondson,  Mary  Wilson,  Isabella  Hyde,  and 
Peggy  Baldwin. 

*  The  Angel  Inn. — 17  males  and  22  females,  viz. :  John  Witham, 
Christopher  Dickinson,  William  Currer,  Richard  Ellis,  George  Brace- 
field,  William  Oddie,  Thomas  Cook,  William  Brown,  Thomas  Lonsdale, 
Henry  Haitley,  John  Greenwood,  George  Riley,  Thomas  Hutchinson, 

'  In  the  case  of  blanks  I  !have  been  unable  to  decipher  the  names,  the 
\  ho  graphy  being  incorrect,  and  the  writing  indistinct. 


OOLNB  AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  227 

William  Thornton,  Ambrose  Crook,  Thomas  Rycroft,  and  John  Wooler; 

Isabella  Hartley,  Ann  Holt,  Betty  Smith,  Margaret  Speak,  Betty , 

Ellen  Currer,  Tibby  Eastwood,  Jane  Holefield,  Alice  Stansfield,  Betty 
Smith,  Susan  Witham,  Ann  Irving,  Betty  Hartley,  Isabella  Ayre, 
Martha  Wilkinson,  Betty  Foulds,  Betty  Lonsdale,  Mary  Hartley,  Betty 
Qreen,  Jane  Halstead,  Mary  Thornton,  and  Ellen  Parkinson. 

'The  Hole-in-the-Wall. — 14  males,  and  24  females,  viz.  :  Joseph  Bell, 
Henry  Lee,  James  Hey,  Thomas  Bradley,  John  Nelson,  John  Green- 
wood, James  Whitehead,  James  Burrows,  John  Watson,  William  Hitchon, 
George  Hartley,  John  Nelson,  George  Bottomley,  and  J.  Duxbury ; 
Mary  Crook,  Mary  Lee,  Margaret  Ashworth,  Sarah  Wooler,  Sarah  Dyson, 
Martha  Holefield,  Margaret  Holefield,  Mary  Hunt,  Betty  Ridehough, 
Ann  Hargreaves,  Mary  Wooler,  Mary  Crabtree,  Mary  Ridehough,  Mary 
Preston,  Nancy  Greenwood,  Nancy  Hartley,  Sarah  Hartley,  Mary  Driver, 

Ruth  Driver,  Mary ,  Susan  Brown,  Sarah  Heap,  Sarah  Nelson,  and 

Martha  Bottomley. 

'The  Cross  Keys. — 18  males  and  14  females — viz.,  James  Hudson, 
John  Ridehough,  James  Whittaker,  Judas  Rycroft,  John  Boys,  Jonas 
Knowles,  George  Wooler,  Richard  Marsden,  Richard  Veevers,  George 
Cock,  Richard  Boys,  James  Baldwin,  Christopher  Baldwin,  William 
Spencer,  William  Varley,  William  Green,  George  Whitaker,  and  Robert 
Halstead,  Sarah  Hudson,  Betty  Varley,  Mary  Davey,  Betty  Boys,  Mary 
Wooler,  Mary  Whitaker,  Betty  Smith,  Betty  Hargreaves,  Hannah 
Baxter,  Jane  Hartley,  Ellen  Cock,  Ann  Clegg,  Mary  Tattersall,  and 
Rebecca  Varley. 

Whilst  they  were  dining,  Lord  Ribblesdale's  troop  went 
through  a  series  of  evolutions  in  one  of  Lord  Derby's  fields, 
much  to  the  delight  of  a  large  crowd  of  spectators.  The 
evening  was  devoted  to  dancing  and  other  amusements, 
including  a  ball  at  the  King's  Head.  Hundreds  of  people 
thronged  the  streets  till  a  late  hour,  and  only  retired  to 
their  homes  when  the  thunderstorm,  which  had  been  brew- 
ing a  long  time,  burst  in  all  its  fury  over  the  town.  Then 
rain  fell  in  torrents,  the  heavens  seemed  to  ring  again  with 
loud  peals  of  thunder,  and  the  lightning  was  so  vivid  that, 
to  use  the  expression  of  one  who  watched  it,  "  a  pin  might 
have  been  picked  up  in  the  street."  So  the  Colne  people 
went  to  rest,  well  tired,  but  well  satisfied. 


Nearly  twenty  years  had  rolled  away  since  King  George 
IV  .'s  Coronation  Procession  wended  its  way  through  Colne 


828  ANNALS   AND   STORIES    OP 

streets,  and  it  was  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  10th  of 
August,  1840.  Another  procession  was  forming  near  Christ 
Church,  but  what  a  contrast  to  the  last !  Then  there  were 
merry  little  Sunday  scholars  in  gay  dresses  and  holiday 
attire,  but  here  the  men  had  a  sullen  determined  look,  and 
were  talking  in  loud  and  excited  tones.  Whilst  they  were 
forming  in  line  there  was  a  short  conference  amongst  the 
ringleaders.  Then  three  or  four  men  immediately  hastened 
up  the  unfinished  churchyard,  disappeared  for  one  moment 
down  an  open  vault,  and  re-appeared  with  a  number  of 
spiked  iron  rails,  which  they  proceeded  to  distribute  among 
some  of  their  companions.  Reader,  these  were  the  Colne 
rioters,  by  some  christened  the  "Church  Scholars,"  because, 
having  stolen  the  spare  rails  belonging  to  Christ  Church, 
they  carried  them  instead  of  banners.  "  Theirs  was  no 
imaginary  grievance,"  said  they ;  "  Scotch  and  Irish  police 
had  been  sent  to  Colne,  who  drove  them  off  the  footpaths  as 
soon  as  the  clock  struck  nine  in  the  evening,  and  they  would 
stand  it  no  longer,"  and  their  sullen  and  determined  looks 
showed  that  they  were  in  earnest.  The  little  spark  of  dis- 
content had  been  fanned  by  unruly  spirits  into  a  flame,  and 
for  once  the  men  of  Colne,  right,  perhaps,  to  begin  with,  but 
wrong  in  the  means  employed,  were  arrayed  against  law  and 
order.  All  was  ready  at  last,  and  on  they  moved  in  con- 
siderable numbers  along  Colne  Field ;  but  whilst  they  are 
advancing  rapidly  towards  the  town  let  us  see  what  precau- 
tions had  been  taken  by  the  Colne  authorities.  At  the  first 
sign  of  danger  the  two  nearest  magistrates  {Mi.  Foulds  and 
Mr.  Wood)  had  been  hastily  summoned,  and  on  their  arrival 
70  special  constables,  who  volunteered  their  services,  were  at 
once  sworn  in  to  assist  the  police  in  case  of  a  riot,  and  thus 
prepared,  the  magistrates  quietly  awaited  the  resiilt  in  their 
room  at  the  King's  Head.  They  had  not,  however,  long  to 
wait,  for  word  was  brought  them  that  the  mob  had  reached 
the  Commercial  Inn  and  halted  there,  evidently  undecided 
what  to  do,  so  Mr.  Foulds  and  Mr.  Wood,  accompanied  by 
their  clerk  (Mr.  Bolton),  came  down  street  to  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  Commercial,  that  they  might  better  judge 
whether  there  was  likely  to  be  a  breach  of  the  peace.     They 


COLNB   AND    NEIGHBOURHOOD.  229 

had  no  sooner  arrived  than  one  of  the  mob  fired  at  the  glass 
of  an  adjoining  lamp-post,  and  broke  it  in  atoms,  an  indica- 
tion that  mischief  was  intended.  Upon  this  the  magistrates 
had  a  conference,  and  as  the  aspect  of  affairs  looked  very 
threatening,  silence  was  commanded,  heads  uncovered,  and 
the  following  proclamation  made  : — 

'Our  Sovereign  Lady  the  Queen  chargeth  and  commandeth  all 
persons  being  assembled  immediately  to  disperse  themselves,  and 
peacefully  to  depart  to  their  habitations,  or  to  their  lawful  business, 
upon  the  pains  contained  in  the  Act  made  in  the  first  year  of  King 
George  I.  for  preventing  tumults  and  riotous  assemblies. 

'  Qod  Save  the  Queen  !' 

The  reading  of  the  Act,  however,  though  thrice  repeated, 
seemed  to  have  little  or  no  effect,  for  with  a  cry  of  "  Fall  in, 
Lads/"  the  mob  soon  began  to  advance  up  the  street,  and 
immediate  action  became  necessary  on  the  part  of  the 
authorities.  The  first  step  taken  was  to  divide  the  police 
and  constables  into  two  bodies,  one  of  which  was  sent  down 
Colne  Lane  and  round  by  the  Rope  Walk,  for  the  purpose  of 
attacking  the  malcontents  in  the  rear ;  and  the  other,  accom- 
panied by  the  magistrates,  kept  to  the  main  street.  Then 
the  news  was  rapidly  circulated  that  the  police  and  con- 
stables were  at  hand,  and  the  rioters,  turning  down  St.  John 
Street,  and  the  police  down  Clayton  Street,  confronted  each 
other  in  Cross  Street.  To  increase  their  difficulties  a  shower 
of  paving  stones,  hurled,  it  is  always  supposed,  by  confederates 
concealed  on  the  house  tops,  greeted  the  arrival  of  the 
authorities,  and  upon  this  hostile  demonstration  some  of  the 
more  prudent  specials  retired  to  a  more  secure  position. 
But  the  blood  of  both  parties  was  up,  and  with  a  cry  of 
"  Come  on,  lads  ;  come  on.  Lay  into  '^m  !  "  the  rioters  pro- 
voked a  battle,  which  was  bravely  fought  on  both  sides, 
though  on  account  of  the  length  of  the  rails  which  many  of  them 
carried,  the  crowded  street,  and  the  limited  space  for  action, 
they  found  it  impossible  to  wield  their  weapons  as  eff^eotivefy 
as  they  could  wish.  Blow  followed  blow  in  quick  succession, 
and  it  is  impossible  to  say  what  fearful  consequences  might 


230  ANNALS    AND   STORIES   OP 

have  ensued,  had  not  the  loud  and  violent  tolling  of  the 
church  bell  been  mistaken  by  the  rioters  as  a  signal  that 
the  military,  whom  the  magistrates  had  sent  for  from  Burnley, 
were  at  hand,  and  this  tended  to  shorten  the  struggle.  But 
the  fight  was  not  a  bloodless  one,  for  Joseph  Halstead,  a 
Colne  manufacturer,  and  a  special  constable,  lay  bleeding  and 
lifeless  on  the  scene  of  the  fray.  When  Mr.  Wood  shortly 
afterwards  reached  the  King's  Head,  he  found  its  doors 
locked,  its  windows  barricaded,  and  the  coach  drawn  across 
the  yard,  in  anticipation  of  an  attack  by  the  mob,  and  with 
difficulty  gained  admittance.  Whilst  he  and  Mr.  Foulds 
were  deliberating  there,  in  a  lower  room,  a  commercial  travel- 
ler rushed  half  dressed  from  his  bedroom  above,  and  with  a 
loaded  pistol  in  each  hand  placed  his  services  at  the  disposal 
of  the  magistrates;  an  offer  which  they  courteously,  but  firmly 
declined.  In  the  meantime  small  parties  of  rioters  amused 
themselves  by  breaking  in  atoms  the  windows  of  every  house, 
where  a  policeman  was  supposed  to  be.  It  is  always  said 
that  two  policemen,  less  courageous  than  the  rest, 
escaped  for  safety  into  the  Black  Bull  cellar,  and  the 
fact  that,  six  or  seven  years  afterwards,  a  policeman's  trun- 
cheon was  found  there  would  seem  some  confirmation  of 
that  report.  In  about  an  hour  and  a  half  after  the  mounted 
messenger  had  been  despatched  to  Burnley,  a  clatter  of 
hoofs  outside  was  heard  by  the  anxious  magistrates,  and  a 
troop  of  horse  rode  quickly  up  the  street.  Their  captain's 
rapid  order,  "  Halt  !  Right  about  face  !  Draw  swords  !"  was 
obeyed  as  quickly  as  it  was  uttered.  Knocking  at  the  door, 
the  officer  inquired  if  the  magistrates  were  within,  and  being 
answered  in  the  afl&rmative,  they  came  out  to  him,  and  said, 
"  We  think  the  mob  now  dispersed."  Captain  :  "  There  will 
be  a  company  of  infantry  here  directly,  and  I  must  wait  till 
they  arrive.  Besides,  as  we  are  here  we  had  perhaps  better 
show  ourselves  through  the  town,  and  if  we  find  all  quiet.  Is 
there  any  yard  where  my  men  can  dismount,  and  their 
horses  be  stabled,  till  the  infantry  arrive  ?  Magistrate  : 
"•There  will  be  most  accommodation  in  the  Angel  yard,  and 
we  will  accompany  you  thither."  So  the  soldiers  rode 
forward  through  the  town  as  far  as  Carry  Lane  Head,  and 


COLNB  AND   NEIQHBOURHOOD.  iJ31 

then  wheeling  round,  and  finding  all  quiet,  slowly  filed 
under  the  Angel  archway.  Arrived  in  the  yard,  they  were 
ordered  to  dismount,  each  man  being  told  to  back  his  horse 
into  a  stall  ready  for  action  at  a  moment's  notice,  after 
which  he  would  be  allowed  some  slight  refreshment  and  a 
pipe.  Whilst  the  men  were  attending  to  their  horses,  the 
magistrates  went  into  the  Angel,  and  instructed  the  inn- 
keeper to  supply  each  soldier  with  bread  and  cheese,  and  a 
pint  of  beer,  but  on  no  account  was  he  to  admit  more  than 
half-a-dozen  at  a  time,  for  fear  fresh  disturbances  might 
break  out.  At  this  juncture  a  messenger  informed  the 
magistrates  that  the  infantry  had  arrived,  and  were  drawn 
up  opposite  the  King's  Head,  so  they  at  once  hurried  thither, 
and  found  a  company  of  Highlanders,  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Le  Merit,  awaiting  their  orders.  Seeing  the 
magistrates,  the  lieutenant  advanced,  and,  saluting  them, 
inquired  what  were  his  duties.  They  replied,  that,  as  all 
seemed  quiet,  they  would,  probably,  only  require  the 
presence  and  protection  of  the  military  whilst  some 
search-warrants  were  executed,  and  in  the  meantime  the 
men  would  be  billeted  on  the  innkeepers.  Having  partaken 
of  supper,  and  their  services  being  no  longer  required,  the 
Captain's  troop  once  again  filed  out  from  under  the  Angel 
archway  on  their  homeward  journey,  though  the  night  was 
far  advanced  and  it  was  raining  fast ;  and  as  these  gallant 
soldiers  rode  through  Colne  street,  many  a  nightcapped  head 
might  be  seen  peeping  down  upon  them,  for  Eve's  fair  daughters 
were  ever  of  an  inquiring  turn  of  mind.  Diiring  the  night, 
the  authorities,  aided  by  the  infantry,  searched  several 
houses,  and  made  some  arrests,  and  as  it  was  generally 
supposed  that  one  of  the  ringleaders  was  concealed  in  Windy 
Bank,  the  roof  of  a  certain  house  there  was  examined,  and  a 
shirt  discovered,  which,  when  thrown  down  by  the  searchers 
and  caught  by  Mr.  Wood  on  the  end  of  his  stick,  was  found 
to  be  marked  with  blood.  The  town  was  in  an  unsettled 
state  for  some  days,  and  not  till  General  Napier,  the 
commander  of  the  Northern  District,  had  visited  Colne,  and 
made  arrangements  for  the  military  to  be  permanently 
stationed  here,  did  it  resume  its  usual  quiet.     The  General's 


232  ANNAtS   AND   STORIES   OP 

opinion  of  the  riots  may  be  gathered  from  the  following 
passages  in  his  private  journal  : — 

'April  27th  [1840].  ...  On  the  25th,  the  Chartists  at  Cohie 
thrashed  the  new  police,  and  troops,  horse  and  foot,  were  obliged  to 
march  from  Burnley  to  their  assistance.' 

'  29th. — The  Colne  affair  so  far  over  that  the  troops  have  marched 
back,  but  the  people  told  them  they  would  not  have  the  police.' 

'  August  11th. — Again  a  row  at  Colne  :  they  threaten  to  destroy  the 
police.  I  have  asked  Lord  Normanby's  leave  to  go  there  to  smooth 
matters. 

'12th. — Lord  Normanby  wishes  me  to  go.  The  Colne  chaps  have 
killed  a  constable  and  turashed  the  police  :  several  are  wounded  :  the 
police  have  resolved  to  resign  unless  they  get  arms.' 

14th. — Colne. — There  is  perfect  cordiality  with  the  soldiers  :  the  riot 
has  not  been  political.  The  police  must  be  armed ;  if  they  are  to  be 
protected  by  the  soldiers,  they  are  of  no  use  ! ' 

A  few  days  after  the  memorable  night  of  the  riot,  a 
funeral  train  passed  slowly  through  Colne  streets,  and  in 
the  presence  of  his  brother  Masons,  Joseph  Halstead  was 
lowered  into  his  untimely  grave,  in  the  Wesleyan  Chapel- 
yard. 


COLNB  AND  NBIQHBOUBHOOD.  233 

CHAPTER    XI. 

"GUIL'TY,    OR    NOT    GUILTY?" 

'  Thou  shalt  by  trial  know  what  bitter  fare 
Is  others'  bread  ; — how  hard  the  path  to  go 
Upward  and  downward  by  another's  stair.' 

Dante— (WnyAt'i  Trarulatum\ 

ATTIRED  in  his  judicial  robes,  and  attended  by  the  High 
Sheriff  of  Lancashire,  Mr.  Baron  Maule  took  his  seat 
on  the  bench  of  the  Crown  Court  of  Lancaster  Castle  shortly 
after  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  the  24th  of 
March,  1841.  The  judge  bowed  courteously  to  the  bar,  and 
then  a  grave  look  stole  over  his  face,  knowing  that  ere  long 
his  might  be  the  painful  duty  of  consigning  a  fellow-creature 
to  an  ignominious  death.  A  moment's  waiting  only — a 
sound  of  approaching  footsteps — and  Richard  Boothman,  a 
mere  lad  of  twenty,  along  with  another  prisoner,  of  whom, 
inasmuch  as  he  was  acquitted,  I  shall  merely  make  a  passing 
mention,  stood  in  the  dock,  charged  with  the  wilful  murder 
of  Joseph  Halstead,  of  Colne.  It  was  sad  to  see  one  so 
young  thus  situated,  and  yet,  as  he  stood  before  that  crowded 
Court,  he  wore  an  air  of  strange  indifiference,  whether 
arising  from  conscious  innocence  or  callous  guilt,  was  known 
onlyto  himself  and  his  Maker.  Theindictment  having  been  read 
over  to  the  prisoners,  in  order  that  they  might  clearly  under- 
stand the  charge  on  which  they  were  about  to  be  tried,  they 
were  asked  whether  they  pleaded  guilty  or  not  guilty ;  to 
which  question  they  firmly  replied,  ^^  Not  guilty."  Thereupon 
the  trial  proceeded  ;  and  the  jury  having  been  sworn,  and  all 
witnesses  having,  by  order  of  the  Judge,  left  the  Court,  Dr. 
Brovm,  the  leading  counsel  for  the  prosecution,  rose  from 
amongst  the  row  of  barristers,  and  addressing  the  Court  and 
jury,  said :  "  It  was  his  painful  duty  to  appear  in  that  unfor- 


234  ■    ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

tunate  case.  He  would  endeavour  to  exclude  from  his  mind 
everything  which  would  be  prejudicial  to  the  prisoners  at  the 
bar  in  their  awful  situation,  and  he  would  also  entreat  the 
jury  to  do  the  same.  Whether  Mr.  Halstead  came  by  his 
death  in  the  way  set  forth  in  the  indictment,  or  whether  the 
prisoners  were  the  individuals  who  committed  the  awful 
deed  with  which  they  stood  charged,  it  would  be  for  the  jury 
to  decide  by  the  evidence  which  would  be  brought  forward." 
Counsel  then  went  on  to  state  the  circumstances  of  the  case, 
as  they  appeared  in  the  evidence  shortly  given,  and,  in  so 
doing,  was  occupied  40  minutes.  During  some  portion  of  his 
statement  he  was  considerably  affected,  and,  in  concluding, 
said  he  would  leave  the  justice  of  the  case  in  the  hands  of 
his  lordship  and  the  jury  and  proceed  to  caU  his  witnesses. 

First  to  appear  in  the  witness-box  was  the  familiar  form 
of  Mr.  Wood,  and  he  having  been  sworn,  said,  in  reply  to 
Dr.  Brown's  questions :  "  I  am  a  magistrate  of  this  county, 
and  reside  in  Colne.  In  the  week  previous  to  the  10th  of 
August  I  was  in  the  town,  which  was  in  a  very  excited  state, 
especially  on  the  Thursday.  I  was  at  Colne,  again,  on  Mon- 
day ;  the  town  was  in  a  very  crowded  state,  in  consequence 
of  which  we  deemed  it  advisable  to  swear  in  seventy  special 
constables.  I  knew  Mr.  Halstead ;  his  Christian  name  was 
Joseph,  and  he  was  one  of  the  special  constables.  They 
were  sworn  in  about  eight  o'clock,  and  had  truncheons  given 
them.  At  half-past  nine  they  were  ordered  out,  and  I  went 
with  them.  All  the  special  constables,  with  twenty-seven  of 
the  county  police,  walked  through  the  town  in  an  easterly 
direction,  and  on  arriving  at  the  toll-bar  at  the  east  end, 
we  observed  crowds  of  people  at  the  ends  of  the  streets. 
There,  the  Riot  Act  was  read,  about  two  hundred  persons 
being  present  on  both  sides  of  the  bar,  but  I  could  not  see 
beyond.  The  constables  and  police  then  came  back,  and  a 
party  of  them  accompanied  me.  I  found  it  necessary  to 
read  the  Riot  Act  in  another  place  in  the  same  street.  I  went 
up  into  the  Market  Place,  and  we  then  deemed  it  advisable 
for  the  special  constables  and  others  to  divide  themselves 
and  go  into  the  back  streets.  This  was  about  a  quarter 
past  ten.     On  passing  near  the  top  of  Clayton  Street,  I 


OOLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  ^36 

heard  a  loud  noise,  swearing,  &c. ;  and  I  also  observed  that 
the  lamp  had  been  put  out  at  the  top  of  St.  John  Street. 
We  then  returned  to  the  top  of  Clayton  Street,  down  which 
we  went  as  far  as  the  first  cross  street,  where  we  heard  loud 
swearing  and  other  savage  noises ;  also  a  noise  as  of  weapons 
(iron  bars)  striking  against  each  other.  I  could  hear  a  con- 
flict in  the  cross  street ;  stones  were  flying,  and  a  shower  of 
them  descending  near  us,  drove  me  and  my  party  into  the 
main  street.  I  could  not  tell  exactly  from  whence  they 
came,  but  I  saw  a  mob  following  me  up  the  main  street  as 
far  as  the  Market  Place,  and  they  were  walking  four  abreast. 
I  then  sent  to  the  barracks  for  the  military." 

Cross-examined  by  Mr.  Wilkins  (counsel  for  the  prisoners) : 
"  When  I  first  read  the  Riot  Act  there  were  from  200  to  300 
persons  within  hearing.  I  thought  the  town  had  a  riotous 
appearance.  There  was  a  cheer  on  the  part  of  the  police  and 
special  constables,  and  I  told  them  I  considered  such  cheering 
very  ill-timed.  The  police  and  special  constables  were  each 
armed  with  a  truncheon,  but  the  truncheons  of  the  police 
constables  were  larger  and  heavier.  About  ten  minutes  after 
leaving  the  King's  Head  Inn  I  read  the  Riot  Act.  I  had  no 
weapon  in  my  hand,  or  upon  my  person.  The  police  and 
special  constables  remained  about  half  an  hour  at  the  King's 
Head  after  having  been  sworn  in,  but  they  had  no  refresh- 
ment there  that  I  know  of.  The  police  had  been  sometime 
employed  at  Colne,  and  were  all  strangers.  It  was  a  dark 
night.  I  knew  the  deceased,  but  do  not  know  that  he  was 
addicted  to  drink;  he  was,  I  believe,  a  very  courageous, 
resolute,  yet  kind  and  humane  man.  I  saw  him  last  about 
a  quarter  to  eleven.  When  the  shower  of  stones  came,  both 
I  and  the  police  came  up  the  street ;  there  were  about  six 
or  seven  police  with  me  at  the  time." 

Re-examined  hy  Dr.  Brovm  ."I  heard  cursing  in  the  streets 
at  the  police  as  we  went  towards  the  toll-bar.  I  saw  the 
deceased  in  the  Market  Place  before  the  police  and  special 
constables  divided  themselves  into  parties,  but  did  not  see 
that  he  ailed  anything;  (this  was  not  more  than  ten  minutes 
before  his  death).  I  saw  him  when  he  was  sworn  in,  and  he 
had  no  appearance  of  intoxication." 


236  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

This  concluded  Mr.  Wood's  examination,  and  Henry  Sagar, 
steppiDg  into  the  witness-box,  said  :  "  I  live  at  Colne,  and  am 
innkeeper  there,  keeping  the  King's  Head  Inn.  I  went  down 
to  a  new  Church,  near  Colne,  on  the  morning  of  the  1 1th  of 
August,  about  five  o'clock,  and  found  the  door  of  a  vault 
under  the  Church  broken  open.     In  this  vault  I  found  two 
iron  spears  in  the  form  of  rails  with  spear  heads,  (one  of  which 
I  now  produce).     These  were  spare  rails  left  in  the  vault 
when  the  Church  was  fenced  off.     I  found  the  spear-headed 
rail  now  produced  in  the  footpath  of  a  meadow  called  Broken 
Bank  Meadow.     I  also  found  14  or  15  others  in  different 
parts.    [Here  witness  described  the  situation  of  the  meadow.] 
At  the  time  I  found  the  rail  there  was  a  mark  of  blood  upon 
it  a  foot  long,  and  what  was  considered  at  the  time  to  be  a 
portion  of  brains.     About  180  yards  from  where  I  found  the 
iron  rail  are  Jacob  Hawksworth's  steps.     I  found  other  rails 
in  Carry  Lane  at  the  east  end  of  the  town ;  another,  about  40 
yards  from  Cross  Street,  and  three  more  were  found  against 
some  paling  at  the  house  corner  in  Cross  Street,  where  the 
gas-lamp  stands.     I  did  not  find  any  other  rails.     I  parted 
with  the  deceased  at  the  bottom  of  Back  Clayton  Street  and 
think  he  had  a  dark  green  coat  on,  with  gilt  buttons,  and  a 
pair  of  dark  trousers ;  he  had  no  appearance  of  being  under 
the  influence  of  drink.     The  other  15  rails  I  found  the  same 
in  every  respect  as  the  spear-pointed  one  here  produced."   He 
was  then  cross-examined  as  to  what  refreshment  the  specials 
had  had,  and  also  as  to  Mr.  Halstead's  character  for  sobriety. 
He  admitted   that  there  had   been   some   little   difference 
between  the  police  and  the  rabble  in  the  town,  but  considered 
it  was  merely  a  little  excitement  owing  to  the  introduction 
of  the  police.  He  could  not  tell  where  the  deceased  had  been 
in  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  certainly  not  at  his  house. 

James  Wylde  was  next  examined,  and,  in  reply  to  counsel, 
said  :  "I  am  a  grocer,  and  reside  in  Colne.  I  was  sworn  in  as 
a  special  constable  on  the  night  of  the  10th  of  August  last, 
about  half-past  eight  o'clock,  but  did  not  see  Mr.  Joseph 
Halstead  sworn.  I  saw  him  about  nine  o'clock,  at  the  King's 
Head  Inn.  Knowing  him  well,  I  remained  with  him  about 
an  hour  and  a  quarter  after  that  time.     I  had  some  con- 


OOLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  237 

versation  with  him  during  that  time,  and  he  was  quite  sober. 
I  went  out  with  the  magistrates  and  special  and  police 
constables,  and  the  deceased  accompanied  us  to  the  toll-bar. 
He  was  very  near  to  me  in  our  progress  from  the  King's 
Head  Inn  to  the  toll-bar.  Mr.  Foulds  and  our  party  went 
to  a  lamp-post  on  Colne  Field,  about  150  yards  beyond 
Carry  Lane  top.  There  were  about  200  persons  at  the  top 
and  a  little  down  Carry  Lane,  at  that  part  where  the  lane 
leads  into  the  road  leading  to  the  new  church  near  Colne. 
I  heard  a  proclamation  read  there  by  J.  Foulds,  Esq.,  the 
magistrate  in  our  party ;  after  reading  which,  we  returned 
into  the  Market  Place.  Our  party  then  divided  ;  myself  and 
the  deceased  going  down  Colne  Lane  and  into  the  Rope 
Walk,  each  armed  with  a  truncheon ;  and  thence  proceeded 
up  Back  Clayton  Street.  I  know  Jacob  Hawksworth's  house. 
We  came  into  the  street  in  which  his  house  stands,  and  heard 
the  report  of  a  pistol  when  we  were  at  the  bottom  of  Back 
Clayton  Street,  We  then  saw  the  mob  turn  off  the  bottom 
of  St.  John  Street.  There  were  about  200  of  them  walking 
in  marching  order,  in  ranks  of  more  than  two.  I  observed 
they  were  armed  with  iron  rails  and  pikes,  but  cannot  tell 
how  many  had  them  ;  certainly  more  than  20.  At  this  time 
I  was  standing  in  the  middle  of  Cross  Street,  about  three 
yards  from  Jacob  Hawksworth's  house-steps.  Deceased,  the 
last  time  I  saw  him,  was  standing  at  the  bottom  of  those 
steps,  but  I  did  not  see  that  he  had  a  truncheon  in  his  hand. 
I  was  struck  at  by  one  of  the  mob  with  an  iron  bar,  but 
avoided  the  blow  by  starting  back.  There  was  a  great  noise 
and  confusion  amongst  them,  but  I  could  not  hear  any  words 
in  particular ;  neither  could  I  tell  who  the  parties  were.  After 
I  was  struck  at,- 1  ran  away,  and  went  home." 

Cross-examined  by  Mr.  Wilkins :  "  I  had  not  seen  the 
deceased  before  I  saw  him  at  the  King's  Head  at  night,  but 
I  heard  afterwards  that  he  had  been  buying  a  horse  in  the 
afternoon  of  that  day.  I  did  not  see  him  drink  any  spirits. 
Oh  !  I  recollect  now,  I  saw  him  drink  a  glass  of  whisky  and 
water  at  the  Hole-in-the-Wall.  I  got  a  glass  with  him,  but 
no  other  special  constable  had  any.  I  do  not  know  whether 
any  of  the  special  constables  or  police  had  any  drink,  or  not, 


238  ANNALS   AND    STORIES    OP 

elsewhere.  I  was  in  a  room  by  myself  at  the  King's  Head 
after  I  had  been  sworn  in,  and  got  only  a  glass  of  beer.  The 
JHole-in-the-Wall  is  in  the  Market  Place,  at  the  west  end  of 
Colne.  It  was  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  before  he  was 
killed  that  the  deceased  got  the  whisky.  He  was  not,  I 
believe,  a  timid  man.  I  am  sure  I  am  not  so  bold  as  he  was, 
for  I  ran  away,  and  I  wish  he  had  done  so  too." 

Jacob  Hawhsworth  was  next  called,  and  gave  the  following 
evidence  :  "  I  live  in  Cross  Street,  near  Clayton  Street.  On 
Monday  night,  the  10th  August  last,  T  went  to  bed  between 
nine  and  ten  o'clock,  and  had  been  in  bed  about  half-an-hour 
when  I  heard  what  I  supposed  to  be  the  report  of  fire-arms. 
I  then  got  up,  and,  going  to  the  window,  saw  some  persons 
coming  out  of  St.  John  Street  towards  my  house.  I  next 
observed  that  a  number  of  them  were  fighting.  They  were 
men  in  men's  clothing ;  should  think  about  50  of  them. 
Saw  what  I  supposed  to  be  two  swords  by  the  gleaming 
appearance ;  others  had  bludgeons,  and  when  they  came  to 
my  house  they  were  all  fighting.  I  observed  about  six  police 
amongst  them,  and  all  parties  were  fighting  as  hard  as  they 
could.  The  fight  continued  for  about  three  minutes  ;  and 
when  it  was  over,  I  could  see  the  mob  striking  at  what  I 
considered  to  be  the  body  of  a  man,  which  was  laid  at  the 
bottom  of  my  steps  ;  but,  owing  to  the  rails  of  the  steps,  I 
could  not  see  what  I  thought  was  the  body.  I  then  heard  a 
man  say  at  the  right  side  of  my  window,  *  Kill  him  / ' 
Another  at  the  left  side  said,  '  Nay,  nay ;  don't  kill  him  /* 
Another  man  said,  '  We  will  kill  him  I '  They  then  struck 
at  the  body  several  times.  Sometimes  they  hit,  as  I  thought, 
the  body,  and  sometimes  the  rails  ;  but  I  could  not  see  by 
what  kind  of  weapons  the  body  was  struck.  The  men  who 
struck  were  of  the  mob.  After  the  fight  the  mob  went  down 
Back  Clayton  Street,  out  of  my  sight,  but  after  a  short  time 
returned.  I  heard  a  lad  call  out,  '  Lads,  lads,  come  back ; 
the  'police  are  coming!'  and  then  they  had  a  very  strong 
fight  again  about  ten  yards  from  my  door.  The  second  fight, 
however,  continued  only  a  very  short  time,  for  the  Chartists 
were  too  many  for  the  police  and  special  constables,  and 
they  drove  them  into  the  street.     I   distinctly  heard   the 


COLNB  AND  NBIOHBOURHOOD.  239 

voice  of  Mr.  Joseph  Snowden  under  my  window  after  the 
first  fight," 

Cross-examined  by  Mr.  Wilhins ;  "  I  sleep  in  a  room  over  my 
house,  upstairs,  and  there  was  light  enough  from  a  gas-lamp 
to  enable  me  to  see  what  was  going  on.  ...  /  have  not 
said  before  this,  that  I  consider  they  have  not  catched  the  man 
that  they  can  prove  to  be  the  killer.  They  were  all  fighting, 
and  it  was  a  scene  of  great  confusion.  There  were  about 
150  persons,  all  Chartists.  I  consider  Chartists  to  be  men 
that  want  to  get  hold  of  other  people's  property.  They 
shouted  and  groaned  so  horribly  I  am  sure  nobody  could  tell 
what  they  said."  (Here  Jacob  gave  the  learned  counsel  who 
was  cross-examining  him  a  specimen,  by  his  own  voice,  of  the 
tones  of  the  Chartists'  war-cry,  which  caused  great  laughter 
in  Court,  although  Jacob  said  he  could  not  give  the  learned 
gentleman  the  least  idea  of  the  horrible  sounds  he  heard  on 
that  most  awful  night.) 

Joseph  Snowden  next  went  into  the  box,  and  said  :  "  I  was 
sworn  as  a  special  constable,  and  went  down  into  Clayton 
Street,  and  then  into  Cross  Street,  near  to  Hawksworth's 
house.  The  first  thing  I  saw  there  was  a  body  lying  on  the 
ground,  which  the  light  of  the  lamp  enabled  me  to  see.  I 
went  to  it,  but  could  not  tell  whether  it  was  alive  or  dead. 
I  made  an  attempt  to  raise  him,  and  asked  him  who  he  was, 
but  he  did  not  speak.  [Here  the  witness  minutely  described 
the  dreadful  injuries  which  Halstead  had  sustained.]  Whilst 
there,  Mr.  Holroyd,  a  special  constable,  came  up,  and  I 
asked  him  to  assist  me  to  get  the  man  up,  but  we  could  not, 
for  he  was  such  a  great  weight,  and  we  were  weak  through 
fear.  Mr.  Holroyd  then  left  me,  and  I  went  to  the  house  of 
Martha  Lund,  and  wanted  her  to  open  the  door,  but  she 
would  not.  I  went  to  the  body  again,  but  was  frightened 
away  by  about  twenty  of  the  mob,  who  were  coming  to  the 
place.  I  saw  the  body  again  dxiring  the  night,  and  then 
recognised  it  as  the  body  of  Mr.  Joseph  Halstead.  The  mob 
were  armed  with  pieces  of  wood  and  iron." 

This  witness  was  then  cross-examined,  but  nothing  im- 
portant elicited. 

Job  Harrison,  one  of  the  principal  witnesses,  having  been 


240  ANNALS   AND   STORIES   OP 

sworn,  said :  *'  I  am  a  police-officer,  and  was  in  Colne  on  the 
10th  of  August  last.  I  had  been  at  Colne  since  Friday ;  that 
was  Monday.  I  was  then  on  duty,  and  went  down  Clayton 
Street  between  ten  and  eleven  ;  part  of  the  company  I  was 
with  going  to  the  bottom  of  the  street.  When  I  was  in 
Back  Clayton  Street  I  heard  a  noise,  and  hastening  to  the 
place  from  whence  it  came,  found  a  large  crowd,  chiefly 
composed  of  men  and  boys.  Some  of  the  mob  had  iron 
railings  and  pieces  of  wood ;  they  were  all  armed  that  I  saw. 
I  know  Hawksworth's  house,  and  they  were  close  to  it.  I 
saw  a  man  step  out  of  the  crowd,  and  hit  the  man  standing  at 
the  bottom  of  the  steps  on  the  liead  with  an  iron  bar.  The  man 
who  was  struck  had  no  hat  on ;  he  was  rather  lusty,  and 
appeared  to  have  a  dark  coat  on  ;  and  on  receiving  the  blow 
he  immediately  fell.  /  observed  the  man  who  struck  the  blow 
running  towards  me,  and  he  appeared  anxious  to  make  his 
escape.  I  then  ran,  and  he  followed  me  about  twenty  yards, 
and  going  a  little  further  I  met  fifteen  or  twenty  men  coming. 
The  man  who  struck  the  blow  was  about  ten  yards  behind 
me.  He  then  turned  towards  Front  Clayton  Street,  and 
joined  for  a  short  time  in  the  fight  between  tha  mob  and  the 
police.  /  saw  him  distinctly  amongst  the  mob,  and  am  sure 
that  the  man  I  have  been  speaking  of  was  the  man  who  struck 
the  blow.  He  dropped  the  weapon  after  striking  the  blow,  and 
I  had  no  opportunity  of  particularly  observing  the  kind  of 
weapon  the  prisoner  used.  The  prisoner  in  the  custody  of 
McDonald  was  Richard  Boothman.  He  was  dressed  remark- 
ably, and  had  on  a  woollen  cap,  similar  to  a  riding  cap,  tied ; 
his  coat  was  buttoned,  and  his  collar  turned  up.  /  do  not 
entertain  the  least  doubt  of  his  being  the  same  man  I  saw.  I 
could  not  identify  by  his  features,  for  his  face  was  so  covered 
by  his  cap  and  coat.  I  took  the  prisoner  down  to  the  King's 
Head  Inn.  I  saw  the  body  of  a  man  lying,  and  noticed  that 
he  was  laid  near  the  spot  where  I  observed  one  of  the  rioters 
strike  the  man  with  the  weapon." 

Cross-examined :  "  I  had  been  in  Colne  only  a  few  days, 
aavd  know  there  is  a  reward  of  £200  offered.  I  ran  down 
Clayton  Street  from  alarm.  Some  man  followed  me,  and  my 
back  would  be  to  him  for  a  short  time.     I  saw  the  man  run 


COLNE   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  241 

back  again  to  Cross  Street.  I  part  ran  and  part  walked,  and 
the  man  soon  mixed  in  the  mob.  I  cannot  say  how  many 
there  were — say  about  50  persons.  The  weapon  the  man 
struck  with  was  about  1^  yards  long.  I  used  my  bludgeon 
that  night  in  the  fight.  We  were  obliged  to  do  so,  because 
we  were  attacked  by  a  mob  armed  with  bludgeons  and  iron 
rails.  We  did  not  use  any  weapon  till  we  were  charged  by 
the  mob." 

William  Henderson^  Police  Constable  No.  11,  being  called, 
said  :  "  I  was  in  Colne  on  the  10th  of  August  last.  About  half- 
past  ten  o'clock  I  heard  sounds  proceeding  from  a  mob  of 
"  Come  on  !  come  on  !  We  are  ready  for  you  !  "  and  also  heard 
the  mob  saying,  "  Fall  in,  lads " ;  upon  which  our  party 
sprang  their  rattles.  After  that,  I  heard  the  report  of  a  gun, 
or  pistol,  which  came  in  the  same  direction  as  the  words  I 
have  before  mentioned.  We  were  ordered  by  our  superior 
officer  to  charge,  and  accordingly  went  up  the  main  street, 
but  not  so  far  as  to  meet  them,  because  they  turned  down  a 
street  called  St.  John  Street.  The  police  and  special  con- 
stables turned  down  Front  Clayton  Street,  and  went  to  the 
bottom  of  that  street,  and  round  the  comer.  I  did  not  get 
quite  as  far  as  Cross  Street,  but  I  saw  a  mob  there.  I  could 
hear  their  noise  distinctly.  There  appeared  to  be  about 
thirty  persons,  and  they  had  bludgeons.  They  were  stand- 
ing at  one  side  of  the  street,  at  the  opposite  corner  of  Jacob 
Hawksworth's  house.  I  saw  a  man  without  his  hat;  he 
was  going  towards  Hawksworth's  steps,  and  appeared  to  be 
very  weak,  as  if  he  had  been  hurt.  He  was  a  stout  man,  and 
had  on,  I  thought,  a  blue  coat  and  gilt  buttons,  but  before 
he  got  to  the  rails  of  the  house  a  man  struck  him.  The  man 
who  struck  the  blow  was  one  of  the  mob,  and  the  weapon  he 
used  was  about  a  yard  and  a  quarter  long.  The  stroke  fell 
either  on  the  head  or  shoulder  of  the  man.  After  striking, 
the  man  dropped  his  weapon,  and  came  down  Back  Clayton 
Street  in  the  direction  I  was  standing.  I  ran  away,  probably 
about  thirty  yards,  and  then  met  a  body  of  police  and  special 
constables,  with  whom  I  returned.  When  I  got  into  Cross 
Street  I  did  not  see  as  many  persons  there  as  when  I  saw 
the  man  struck  I  before  alluded  to.  There  was  a  regular 
fight  amongst  us." 


242  ANNAM   AND   STORIES   OF 

The  Judge  :  "  How  did  the  fight  happen  1 " 

Witness:  "We  were  attacked.  /  observed  the  prisoner 
Boothman  amongst  the  moh^  and  recognised  him  as  the  man 
I  had  seen  strike  the  blow.  I  have  mentioned  he  had  on  a 
fustian  swinger,  or  jacket,  buttoned  very  close,  and  the  collar 
turned  up,  and  a  worsted  cap  on  his  head,  and  tied  under  the 
chin.  When  I  saw  him  again  he  was  straggling  with 
Sergeant  McDonald.  I  assisted  him  to  secure  the  prisoner, 
and  took  him  down  to  the  King's  Head,  saying  to  him  on 
the  way,  "  You  are  cut  out  for  the  work  you  have  been  doing. 
You  had  better  have  been  in  bed."  He  said,  "/  think  I 
had:' 

Cross-examined:  He  had  his  cap  on  when  we  took  him 
down  to  the  King's  Head.  /  did  not  see  that  the  prisoner 
had  any  bread  and  butter  in  his  hand  when  he  was  appre- 
hended.^ I  ran  away  from  fear  as  hard  as  I  could,  and  when 
I  turned  back  again  there  was  a  regular  fight." 

John  McDonald  having  been  sworn,  said  :  "  I  was  a  police 
sergeant  in  Colne  on  the  night  of  the  10th  of  August.  I 
was  in  Back  Clayton  Street  about  half-past  ten,  or  a  quarter 
to  eleven,  and  a  number  of  special  and  police  constables  were 
with  me.  I  saw  a  large  quantity  of  riotous  people  who  had 
weapons  in  their  hands.  I  saw  a  man,  one  of  the  prisoners 
at  the  bar,  amongst  the  mob,  and  observed  him  on  account 
of  his  remarkable  appearance.  He  had  a  cap  which  covered 
his  foreJiead  and  ears,  and  his  coat  buttoned  up  to  the  neck, 
so  that  his  face  was  but  little  to  be  seen.  I  saw  him  in  front  of 
the  mob  about  a  quarter  to  eleven,  and  then,  when  the 
rioters  gave  way,  he  was  in  the  rear.  He  was  struggling  to 
get  away,  but  that  he  could  not  effect.  He  next  tried  to  run 
down  Clayton  Street,  but  was  prevented  from  going  down  ; 
whereupon  he  returned  and  mixed  again  with  the  mob,  and 
I  apprehended  him  at  the  corner  of  Clayton  Street." 


•  The  prisoner's  counsel,  in  his  speech,  contended  that  Boothman  had  been  from 
home  that  day — that  returning  home  late  at  night,  he  was  getting  his  supper, 
when,  hearing  the  noise  outside,  imfortunately  for  himself,  with  bread  and  butter 
in  his  hand,  he  got  into  the  thick  of  the  fight,  and  was  captured  by  the  police — 
that  having  his  hands  incumbered  in  the  way  described,  it  was  highly  improbable 
that  he  could  hare  struck  the  fatal  blow — and  that,  in  fact,  it  was  a  case  of  mis- 
taken identity. 


OOLNB   AND   NEIGHBOURHOOD.  243 

Cross-examined  hy  Mr  Wilkins :  "He  had  no  bread  and 
butter  in  his  hand.  I  do  not  know  where  the  prisoner  lived. 
I  had  only  been  in  Colne  then  about  two  months,  and  havo 
been  away  some  time,  but  was  ordered  to  return  to  Colne 
about  thirteen  days  since.  I  have  been  on  duty  at  Colne 
under  the  direction  of  the  inspector,  but  only  for  one  night. 
I  was  present  when  the  Riot  Act  was  read  on  the  evening  of 
the  10th  of  August,  but  do  not  recollect  hearing  any  cheering. 
I  was  sober  that  night,  and  every  other  night  I  was  in 
Colne." 

William  Asquith :  "  I  know  the  cap  produced  to  be  the  one 
worn  by  the  prisoner  when  I  brought  him  to  Lancaster 
Castle." 

The  officers  of  the  castle  also  identified  it  as  the  one 
worn  by  the  prisoner  when  handed  over. 

.  Job  Han'ison^  recalled,  also  identified  the  cap.  It  was 
then  placed  upon  the  head  of  the  prisoner^  when  Harrison 
affirmed  that  he  was  the  man  he  had  seen  in  tJie  mob,  and 
re-iterated  tlie  assertion,  although  very  solemnly  cross-questioned 
by  Mr.  Wilkins. 

Thomas  Cockcroft,  Surgeon,  Colne,  after  stating  the 
dreadful  injuries  the  deceased  had  sustained,  said  "that 
instant  death  must  have  followed  the  infliction  of  the  blow." 

Evidence  having  been  given  against  the  other  prisoners 
arraigned  on  the  capital  charge,  the  trial  of  other  prisoners 
on  the  minor  charge  of  riot  was  then  proceeded  with,  and 
the  case  having  occupied  a  period  of  seven  hours,  counsel 
submitted  that  the  jury  should  be  allowed  some  time  for 
refreshment,  which  they,  however,  declined. 

Mr.  Wilkins  rose  at  twenty  minutes  after  four  to  address 
his  Lordship  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  jury  on  behalf  of  the 
prisoners  at  the  bar,  and  made  a  most  animated  and  eloquent 
speech,  which  occupied  him  an  hour  and  forty  minutes  in 
delivery. 

His  Lordship  then  summed  up  the  evidence,  and  the  jury 
begged  to  retire.  After  a  considerable  time  they  returned 
and  gave  in  their  verdict  of  "  Guilty  of  Wilful  Murder " 
against  the  prisoner  Boothman,  with  a  recommendation  to 
mercy ;  the  other  prisoner,  "  Not  Guilty." 


244  ANNALS   AND    STORIES   OP,    ETC. 

The  Judge,  assuming  the  black  cap,  proceeded  to  address 
the  prisoner  Boothman,  and  then,  in  a  very  solemn  and 
awful  manner,  passed  sentence  of  death  upon  him  in.  the 
usual  form.  The  condemned  man  betrayed  no  agitation 
whatever,  and,  as  he  left  the  dock,  moved  and  smiled  at 
some  of  his  acquaintance  in  Court. 


Richard  Boothman  did  not  die  on  the  scaffold.  Strenuous 
efforts  were  made  on  his  behalf,  for  many  believed  in  his 
innocence.  On  the  7th  of  April  a  reprieve  arrived,  followed 
on  the  1 4th  by  an  order  for  the  transportation  of  the  convict 
for  life;  and  shortly  afterwards,  as  appears  by  the  records  of 
Lancaster  Castle,  he  was  removed  to  the  hulks  at  Woolwich. 
From  thence  he  was  in  due  course  transported  to  Van 
Diemen's  Land,  and  after  a  lapse  of  a  year  or  so,  was  allowed 
to  work  where  he  would  on  the  island.  In  that  distant  land 
he  married  twice,  but  is  now  a  widower,  and,  according  to  the 
last  account,  was  settled  on  a  farm  of  some  100  acres.  And 
there  he  will  remain  until  summoned  to  the  presence  of  A 
Higher  Judge  than  Baron  Maule  ;  for  to  him,  on  account  of 
the  terrible  night  of  the  10th  of  August,  1840,  the  shores 
of  merry  England  are  forbidden  ground. 


nms. 


i-f 


ADDENDA. 


To  list  of  Co-operative  Societies,  add — The  Primet  Bridge  Equitable 
Co-operative  and  Industrial  Society  Limited,  established  in  the  year 
1861,  and  having  178  members. 

Hob-stones  and  the  fairies. — Note  as  an  indication  of  the  extent  of 
country  over  which  the  fairies  were  said  to  bound,  that  a  field  near 
Haverholt,  is  called  Elfie  lands. 

The  Colne  Market  Cross. — This  Cross  was  composed  of  a  base  and  a 
long  octagonal  pillar  or  shaft,  perhaps  three  yards  high,  surmounted  by 
a  Corona,  or  Crown.  This  Corona  was  also  octagonal,  with  an  embattled 
top,  ornamented  with  flowers  and  four  initial  letters  carved  in  the  stone. 
Two  of  the  letters  were  "  T  "  and  "  R,"  the  third  was  illegible,  and  the 
fourth  broken.  Portion  of  the  remains  may  stiU  be  seen  about  the 
Church.  Formerly  many  crosses  might  be  seen  in  the  neighbourhood. 
An  ancient  map  in  the  possession  of  Colonel  Parker,  shows  that,  in  1747, 
a  Roman  Cross  was  standing  on  the  Far  Common,  near  Alkiucoats. 


EXPLICANDA, 


The  Author  desires  to  state  that,  with  scarcely  an  exception,  he  is 
responsible  for  the  use  of  the  itahcs  throughout  this  work. 

Also,  with  reference  to  the  non-continuance,  in  Chapter  III.,  of 
events  down  to  the  present  time,  that,  inasmuch  as  the  price  limits  the 
number  of  his  pages,  he  has  deemed  it  better  to  endeavour  to  preserve 
the  fading  reminiscences  of  the  past  than  narrate  events  within  the 
recollection  of  many  of  his  readers. 


«i  r    ;  -  of       ^ 


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-€7  lgg3-  stories  of — 
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Nei^borhood; 


A  000  997  996  4 


690 

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W